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RobertDyck

Moderator

From: Winnipeg, Canada

Registered: 2002-08-20

Posts: 7,936

Website

Car door handles

I saw a video about a bear that entered someone's car. The bear caused massive damage. This isn't the first time. Mythbusters did a spot where their rented a bear, tested if the bear could enter a van. They put food in the van as incentive. Yes, the bear just pulled on the handle, opened the door easily. On Mythbusters the bear opened a sliding door. Below is a hinged door.

Inside of a different vehicle destroyed by a bear that got trapped inside.

My point is modern door handles are not designed to be safe against animals. For any vehicle that drives into wilderness, either to go camping or to a cottage/cabin, or just off-road driving, they should be designed with animal-proof door handles. The handles from the 1960s could not be opened by animals. Perhaps we just need to go back to those. This design used a fixed handle, and a button you push with your thumb. Do I have to explain? Push the button to release the door latch, then pull the handle to open.

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 29,433

Re: Car door handles

That is sort of funny that the purpose was for reduced aerodynamic drag to get better mileage.

So were the added miles really worth it?

RobertDyck

Moderator

From: Winnipeg, Canada

Registered: 2002-08-20

Posts: 7,936

Website

Re: Car door handles

Was it? Or was it to make doors "easier"? They've become so easy that animals can enter. Here's another old door handle from the 1950s & 1960s. Also notice, the handle has a "peak" over the button to prevent rain and snow from getting into the lock mechanism.

Next is a new one. Is it really any more aerodynamic?

But if aerdynamics is really the goal, you could start with the following. Instead of the handle pulling out to open the latch, instead the part with the keyhole could push in as a button. Again, the important point is the latch is operated by a button pushed with your thumb. Only humans and apes have thumbs. I don't know if apes have the coordination necessary, but even if they could, how many people encounter apes when camping?

RobertDyck

Moderator

From: Winnipeg, Canada

Registered: 2002-08-20

Posts: 7,936

Website

Re: Car door handles

Ps. It's not just bears. Imaging this is you, at a safari park when this happens...

kbd512

Administrator

Registered: 2015-01-02

Posts: 7,859

Re: Car door handles

Robert,

Animal attack is not a major vehicle design consideration for most people.

RobertDyck

Moderator

From: Winnipeg, Canada

Registered: 2002-08-20

Posts: 7,936

Website

Re: Car door handles

kbd512,
If you buy a Jeep or Land Rover, it should be. If you have a cottage/cabin, it should be. A number of people in Winnipeg have a cottage, popular areas are Falcon Lake or West Hawk Lake. One of my friends inherited a cottage from his parents, Beresford Lake is quite remote. My father rented a cottage in the Whiteshell until he was too old to care for the cottage.

kbd512

Administrator

Registered: 2015-01-02

Posts: 7,859

Re: Car door handles

Robert,

Alternatively, you could simply lock the car and then the problem is solved.

louis

Member

From: UK

Registered: 2008-03-24

Posts: 7,208

Re: Car door handles

Ah  yes, designing out stupidity - that's much more challenging.

Robert,

Alternatively, you could simply lock the car and then the problem is solved.

---

Let's Go to Mars...Google on: Fast Track to Mars blogspot.com

Calliban

Member

From: Northern England, UK

Registered: 2019-08-18

Posts: 3,796

Re: Car door handles

Agreed re locking vehicles in places where bears roam wild.  Is this topic really worth it's own thread?  It seems very abstract.  Presumably, we are not concerned with Martian Thoats gaining access to vehicles?

---

"Plan and prepare for every possibility, and you will never act. It is nobler to have courage as we stumble into half the things we fear than to analyse every possible obstacle and begin nothing. Great things are achieved by embracing great dangers."

tahanson43206

Moderator

Registered: 2018-04-27

Posts: 19,443

Re: Car door handles

Louis, part of the charm of living away from people is the reduction of fear of what people will do to you or your property.

There are even locations on Earth where people still feel safe leaving the doors to their homes unlocked, although I understand such places are becoming quite rare as the population of Earth increases.

It is disappointing to find that even in places where fear of people is reduced, it is necessary to lock the doors of one's vehicle.  That means you have to keep the keys to the vehicle close at hand, which would not be the case if the vehicle is left unlocked.

Furthermore, if you have a family, each member of the family must be trained to always lock the vehicle and to carry or have access to the keys.

In short, it may be decided to accept the risk of an animal opening the car door, as a reasonable exchange for the freedom from fear of humans provided by a remote living situation.

On the ** other ** hand, if there are bears in the vicinity, then a number of protective steps would seem advisable.

I would expect vehicles on Mars to NOT have locking doors.  There won't be any bears, and if you have to worry about your fellow humans stealing your property, you have a LOT more than THAT to worry about.

(th)

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 29,433

Re: Car door handles

Locks are designed to keep the honest person out...criminals not so much

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 29,433

Re: Car door handles

So does it make a bear a criminal if they can open your house door..

“Close the door sweetie.” That’s what one New Jersey woman told a bear seen on video obediently complying and showing off good manners at her front doorstep.