HANDLE FOR A DOOR LEAF FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

A handle of a door leaf for a motor vehicle includes a gripping element and a detection device. The gripping element includes an external surface facing outside of a vehicle passenger compartment and an internal surface facing inside of the vehicle passenger compartment. The gripping element is movable relative to a support and fixed to at least one lever configured to displace the gripping element. The gripping element is flush with the door leaf in a closed position. The detection device is configured to detect a predetermined pressure exerted on the gripping element and to send, when such predetermined pressure is detected, an opening signal of the door leaf to an opening device configured to open the door leaf. The detection device is disposed relative to the gripping element on the internal surface of the gripping element.

Claims

1. A handle of a door leaf for a motor vehicle comprising: a gripping element including an external surface facing outside of a vehicle passenger compartment and an internal surface facing toward an inside of the vehicle passenger compartment, the gripping element being movable relative to a support and fixed to at least one lever configured to displace the gripping element, the gripping element being flush with the door leaf in a closed position; and a detection device configured to detect a predetermined pressure exerted on the gripping element and to send, when such predetermined pressure is detected, an opening signal of the door leaf to an opening device configured to open the door leaf, the detection device being disposed relative to the gripping element on the internal surface of the gripping element.

2. The handle according to claim 1, wherein the detection device includes: a button configured to be in contact with the gripping element when the predetermined pressure is exerted on an electronic opening zone of the external surface of the gripping element; and an electric sensor configured to generate the opening signal during a displacement of the button.

3. The handle according to claim 2, wherein the gripping element is movable between the closed position and a deployed position in which the gripping element is configured to be displaced by a user from the deployed position to an opening position, wherein displacement of the gripping element from the deployed position to the opening position mechanically opens the door leaf, wherein the gripping element is displaced from the closed position to the deployed position by detection of a second predetermined pressure applied at a mechanical opening zone of the external surface of the gripping element, the mechanical opening zone being distinct from the electronic opening zone.

4. The handle according to claim 3, wherein the mechanical opening zone and the electronic opening zone are located on the gripping element so that the predetermined pressure exerted on the electronic opening zone causes a displacement of the gripping element in a first direction and the second predetermined pressure exerted on the mechanical opening zone causes a displacement of the gripping element in a second direction distinct from the first direction.

5. The handle according to claim 4, wherein, the gripping element is configured to rotate in a first rotational direction in response to the predetermined pressure being exerted on the electronic opening zone such that the displacement of the gripping element in the first direction includes rotation of the gripping element in the first rotational direction, and wherein the gripping element is configured to rotate in a second rotational direction in response to the second predetermined pressure being exerted on the mechanical opening zone such that the displacement of the gripping element in the second direction includes rotation of the gripping element in the second rotational direction, the second rotational direction being opposite the first rotational direction.

6. The handle according to claim 3, wherein the gripping element is connected to the support via a first lever and a second lever, the gripping element is connected by a first pivot connection with the first lever and by a second pivot connection with the second lever, and wherein the mechanical opening zone is disposed on the external surface of the gripping element disposed between the first pivot connection and the second pivot connection.

7. The handle according to claim 1, wherein the gripping element is connected to the support by a single lever, the gripping element and the support having a pivot connection so that the gripping element is movable in rotation relative to the single lever, the electronic opening zone being offset from the pivot connection zone.

8. The handle according to claim 1, wherein the gripping element is connected to the support via a first lever and a second lever, the gripping element being connected by a first pivot connection with the first lever and by a second pivot connection with the second lever.

9. The handle according to claim 8, wherein the first lever includes an oblong hole and the second lever includes an orifice, the first and second levers being connected by at least one tie-rod that is parallel to the oblong hole.

10. The handle according to claim 8, wherein the electronic opening zone is located opposite the mechanical opening zone relative to the first pivot connection.

11. The handle according to claim 2, wherein the electronic opening zone is disposed at the external surface of the gripping element opposite to the support.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0028] In order that the disclosure may be well understood, there will now be described various forms thereof, given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a handle in a position flush with a door leaf in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the handle of FIG. 1 in an electronic opening position;

[0031] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the handle of FIG. 1 in a deployed position; and

[0032] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another handle in a position flush with a door leaf in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0033] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a handle 1 in a position flush with a door leaf 2 of a motor vehicle for example. The flush position is a closed position of the handle 1. The handle 1 includes a gripping element 3. This gripping element 3 is flush with the door leaf 2. The handle 1 also includes a support 4 to which the gripping element 3 is connected, by means of two levers 5 and 6. These levers 5 and 6 are configured to displace the gripping element 3 in a rotary movement.

[0036] The handle 1 also includes a detection device 18 including of a button 7 and an electric sensor 8. The button 7 is in abutment against the gripping element 3 (i.e., the button is in contact with the gripping element 3), on an internal face of the gripping element 3, on the side of the support 4. The button 7 includes an arm 9 disposed parallel to the door leaf 2.

[0037] The button 7 is received and held by the support 4 and has a compression spring 10 configured to return the button 7 to an initial position of abutment against the gripping element 3 when the button 7 is compressed.

[0038] The electric sensor 8 is disposed under the arm 9 of the button 7. That is, the electronic sensor 8 is on the same axis as the arm 9 along a transverse axis Y, so that the arm 9 can come into contact with the electric sensor 8.

[0039] Lever 5 has a first portion 11a and a second portion 12a. Lever 6 has a first portion 11b and a second portion 12b. The first portions 11a, 11b of the levers 5, 6, respectively, are fixed to the gripping element 3 by a pivot connection and the second portions 12a, 12b of the levers 5, 6, respectively, are fixed to the support 4. Each second portion 12a, 12b is in a pivot connection between the support 4 and the gripping element 3 and includes a torsion spring 13. The levers 5, 6 have a bent shape.

[0040] The first portion 11a of the first lever 5 is connected to a support zone situated facing the gripping element 3. The first portion 11b of the second lever 6 is linked to a support zone offset from the gripping element 3.

[0041] A tie-rod 16 couples the two levers 5, 6. This coupling is made at the ends of the tie-rod 16.

[0042] Each end of the tie-rod 16 is in an articulated connection with a corresponding lever 5, 6. One of the articulated connections has an oblong hole 14a disposed parallel to the tie-rod 16.

[0043] The tie-rod 16 makes it possible to displace the levers 5, 6 relative to each other in accordance with the displacement of the gripping element 3.

[0044] The oblong hole 14a thus gives the tie-rod 16 a clearance in a longitudinal direction of the tie-rod.

[0045] The forces transmitted by the tie-rod are therefore exerted in a balanced manner both on the lever 6 and on the lever 5 so that the risk of jamming is reduced.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows the handle 1 whose gripping element 3 is no longer in a flush position vis-à-vis the door leaf 2. The gripping element 3 is slightly inclined relative to the door leaf 2. As a result, the arm 9 of the button 7 bears against the electric sensor 8. The compression spring 10 is compressed against the support 4 receiving the button 7.

[0047] The gripping element 3 has performed a rotary movement towards the interior of the vehicle passenger compartment, by means of the second portion 12b of the lever 6. This displacement of the gripping element 3 is due to a pressure exerted on an electronic opening zone 15 disposed on the external face of the gripping element 3. That is, this electronic opening zone 15 is located downstream from the axis of rotation along the longitudinal axis X of the handle 1 of the second portion 12a of the lever 5.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows the handle 1 in the deployed position. The deployed position is reached in the direction opposite to the position of the handle 1 shown in FIG. 2. It should be understood that the mechanical opening zone 17 to displace the gripping element 3 in the deployed position is different. The mechanical opening zone 17 is disposed upstream of the axis of rotation along the longitudinal axis X of the handle 1 of the second portion 12a of the lever 5. Stated differently, the mechanical opening zone 17 is located between the two pivot connections of the levers 5, 6, namely between the second portions 12a, 12b of each lever 5 and 6.

[0049] The electronic opening zone 15 is located opposite the mechanical opening zone 17.

[0050] The deployed position is configured to give access to a lock (not shown) allowing the motor vehicle to be unlocked when the latter is in power failure.

[0051] FIG. 4 shows a handle 1 according to a second form of the present disclosure. The handle 1 includes a single lever 6. Consequently, the handle 1 is not configured to adopt a deployed position. The first portion 11 and the second portion 12 of the lever 6 include a torsion spring 13. The lever 6 does not include a tie-rod 16.

[0052] The electronic opening zone 15 is therefore located between the first portion 11 of the lever 6 and one end of the gripping element 3 furthest from the lever 6. This second form does not include a mechanical opening zone.

[0053] The two forms represented in the figures have rotatably movable handles. According to another non-represented form, the handle can be movable in translation.

[0054] In the following paragraphs, the operation of the present disclosure is explained, first with reference to the first form (FIGS. 1-3).

[0055] When the handle 1 is in a position flush with the door leaf 2 of the motor vehicle, the detection device 18 is in contact and in abutment against the gripping element 3.

[0056] A user can exert pressure in the electronic opening zone 15 of the gripping element, in order to displace the gripping element 3 so that the gripping element 3 displaces the button 7, which in turn, comes into contact with the electric sensor 8 via its arm 9.

[0057] The electric sensor 8, when the latter detects a pressure exerted in the electronic opening zone 15 of the gripping element 3, sends an opening signal of the door leaf 2 to an opening device of the door leaf 2.

[0058] This opening device makes it possible to open the door leaf 2 of the vehicle, for example by a door leaf ejection system.

[0059] It should be noted that the opening device can also lower a window of the door leaf 2.

[0060] When the motor vehicle has experienced an electrical malfunction, the door leaf 2 cannot be opened by the device presented above.

[0061] To remedy this, the user exerts pressure on the mechanical opening zone 17 of the gripping element 3, displacing the gripping element 3 into a deployed position.

[0062] This deployed position allows access to the lock of the door leaf 2, allowing the user to unlock the door leaf 2 using a suitable key.

[0063] Once the door leaf 2 is unlocked, the user manually pulls on the gripping element 3 to drive the gripping element 3 into the opening position of the door leaf 2.

[0064] According to the second form shown in FIG. 4, the handle does not have an opening mode by pressing on the mechanical opening zone.

[0065] Unless otherwise expressly indicated herein, all numerical values indicating mechanical/thermal properties, compositional percentages, dimensions and/or tolerances, or other characteristics are to be understood as modified by the word “about” or “approximately” in describing the scope of the present disclosure. This modification is desired for various reasons including industrial practice, material, manufacturing, and assembly tolerances, and testing capability.

[0066] As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A OR B OR C), using a non-exclusive logical OR, and should not be construed to mean “at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C.”

[0067] The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the substance of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.