Symmetric Vehicle Handle Lighting with Segmented Frame

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door handles for motor vehicles with integrated lighting devices are asymmetric, requiring separate designs for left and right sides, compromising aesthetics and increasing energy consumption due to the use of long optical guides for light transmission, and have complex electrical connections that are prone to water ingress.

Innovation Solution

A symmetric door handle design with a lighting device positioned behind the lever, using short optical guides or no guides at all, and a snap-fastened, removable assembly to simplify installation and maintenance, ensuring efficient light distribution without compromising aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a lighting device is integrated into a mobile lever with accurate sealing, then illumination function is achieved, but electrical connection becomes complex and prone to water ingress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting device illuminationVSAvoidelectrical connection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is divided into separate components: a stationary frame with integrated lighting device and a mobile lever. The lighting device remains fixed in the frame while the lever operates independently, eliminating the need for electrical connections in the mobile portion and simplifying the overall electrical system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stationary frame acts as an intermediary structure that houses the lighting device and provides a fixed mounting point. This mediator allows the lighting function to be integrated into the handle system without requiring the mobile lever to contain electrical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If optical guides are used to transmit light from a distant lighting device, then illumination is achieved, but energy consumption increases due to attenuation compensation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight transmission to handleVSAvoidlighting device energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting device is extracted from its traditional distant position in the door and relocated to the handle frame itself. This proximity eliminates the need for long optical guides and reduces light transmission losses, thereby lowering the energy required to achieve effective illumination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting device is positioned in a different spatial dimension relative to the handle - directly in the handle frame rather than in the door body. This dimensional repositioning creates a much shorter light path and eliminates the need for complex optical guidance systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If lighting devices are arranged in the door far from the handle, then structural integration is simplified, but optical guides become long and require more powerful lighting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrationVSAvoidoptical guide length

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The handle system is segmented into the door-mounted frame and the handle lever assembly. The lighting device is integrated into the frame portion, which remains stationary in the door, while the handle operates separately. This segmentation allows the lighting device to be positioned optimally near the handle without complicating the manufacturing of either component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If asymmetric handle designs are used for left and right sides, then functional requirements are met, but manufacturing complexity increases and aesthetics are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveside-specific functionalityVSAvoidhandle design variety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle frame and lighting device are designed as universal components that can be installed on either the left or right side of the vehicle. The symmetric design allows a single handle assembly to serve both sides, eliminating the need for separate left-hand and right-hand handle designs and simplifying manufacturing and inventory management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution allows for a single, aesthetically pleasing handle design that can be used on both sides of a vehicle, reduces energy consumption by optimizing light transmission, and simplifies assembly and maintenance while maintaining effective illumination.

Implementation Method 1

The light of the lighting device can be transmitted with short optical guides or even without optical guides

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP2142730B2Vehicle handle with a lighting device

Publication Date: 2020.09.23 U SHIN ITALIA SPA

Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5

AI summary

Handle comprising a lever (5) which can rotate with respect to a frame (1) to be fixed to the door (2) of a vehicle, which frame (1) is provided with a lighting device (10; 30; 40) for emitting light outside the door (2), which lighting device (10; 30; 40) is provided with an outer portion (10a) which is housed at least partially in a seat (11) made in the lever (5).