Vehicular Door Handle Assembly with Rotatable Arm and Bellcrank

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Solution Overview

Problem

Prior art vehicular door handle assemblies are unstable during operation, leading to an unpleasant user experience due to unwanted movements caused by narrow forward linkages and fore-and-aft movements.

Innovation Solution

A vehicular door handle assembly featuring a chassis with a rotatable arm and a handle grip that connects rigidly to the arm, with a plunger linked to a bellcrank, providing a robust and stable mechanism through radial lugs and grooves for secure attachment and smooth operation, eliminating unwanted longitudinal movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a narrow forward linkage is used in the door handle assembly, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability during operation deteriorates due to unwanted movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelinkage structure complexityVSAvoidoperational stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a rotatable arm that can dynamically adjust its position and orientation during door handle operation. This dynamic element allows the linkage to adapt to operational forces, maintaining stability without requiring an overly complex rigid structure. The arm's rotational capability enables it to absorb and redirect forces that would otherwise cause unwanted movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a rotational dimension to the forward linkage by implementing an arm that rotates about an axis perpendicular to the chassis longitudinal axis. This dimensional change transforms the linkage from a simple linear connection to a multi-degree-of-freedom mechanism, providing stability through geometric constraints rather than structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If a simple attachment mechanism is used for the handle grip, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to fore-and-aft movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidattachment reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a plunger as an intermediary element between the handle grip and the bellcrank. This plunger serves as a mediator that transmits rotational motion while maintaining reliable engagement. The plunger's rotational connection allows for smooth operation while preventing fore-and-aft movements, achieving reliability without complex attachment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism utilizes the operational forces themselves to maintain engagement. The plunger's rotation and the arm's movement create self-aligning forces that ensure reliable connection without requiring additional locking mechanisms or complex assembly procedures. The system uses its own operational dynamics to maintain attachment integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3665348B1A vehicular door handle assembly and method for assembling the same
Publication Date: 2021.12.29 NOVARES US LLC
  • EP3665348B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3665348B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3665348B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A vehicular door handle assembly for opening a vehicle door is provided and includes a chassis assembly having a forward end and a rearward end. The forward end includes an arm rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chassis and the rearward end includes a rotatable bellcrank. The vehicular door handle assembly further includes a handle grip movable to an actuated position to open a vehicle door and the handle grip includes a forward end and a rearward end. The forward end includes a connection member to rigidly connect with the rotatable arm and the rearward end includes a plunger rotatably connected to the rear end door handle and is rotatably connected to the bellcrank.