Pivoting device for a motor vehicle with easy-to-install and safer pivot bearing

Abstract

Pivoting device (1) for a motor vehicle has a holder (50) and a pivoting body (10) which is mounted on the holder (50) via an articulated mounting (31) so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (12), wherein the pivoting body (10) and the holder (50) are held together by a snap fastening between at least two articulation elements (33.1, 33.2, 34.1, 34.2) of the articulated mounting (31), and the pivoting device (1) has a blocking element (40). A closing or release of the snap fastening is possible in at least one first angular position of the pivoting body (10) in relation to the holder (50) and the closing or release of the snap fastening is blocked in at least one second angular position by a relative movement of the two articulation elements (33.1, 33.2, 34.1, 34.2) being blocked in a form-fitting manner by the blocking element (40).

Claims

1. A pivoting device (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising: a holder (50) and a pivoting body (10) which is mounted on the holder (50) via an articulated mounting (31) so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (12) between a first angular position relative to the holder (50) and a second angular position relative to the holder (50), wherein the pivoting body (10) and the holder (50) are releasably held together on the articulated mounting (31) by means of a snap fastening between at least two articulation elements (33.1, 33.2, 34.1, 34.2) of the articulated mounting (31), and the pivoting body (10) has a blocking element (40), wherein, in the first angular position of the pivoting body (10), the blocking element (40) permits a release of the snap fastening to permit removal of the pivoting body (10) from the holder (50), wherein, in the second angular position of the pivoting body (10), the blocking element (40) blocks the release of the snap fastening by a relative movement of the two articulation elements (33.1, 33.2, 34.1, 34.2) being blocked in a form-fitting manner by the blocking element (40), which relative movement is necessary for releasing the snap fastening.

2. The pivoting device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivoting device (1) is a door handle device for a vehicle for opening a lock of a vehicle door, and wherein the pivoting body (10) is a door handle with a handle section (11) which can be grasped manually, and wherein the holder (50) can be attached to a vehicle door such that the handle section (11) is pivotable in relation to the vehicle door.

3. The pivoting device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the articulated mounting (31) has two bearing regions (31.1, 31.2) which are spaced apart from each other and are arranged coaxially with the pivot axis (12), wherein each bearing region (31.1, 31.2) has two articulation elements (33.1, 34.1, 33.2, 34.2), namely a coaxial axial element (33.1, 33.2) and a coaxial recess (34.1, 34.2) assigned to the latter, wherein the axial elements (33.1, 33.2) are respectively in engagement with the recesses (34.1, 34.2), wherein the engagement forms the snap fastening.

4. The pivoting device (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the axial elements (33.1, 33.2) are formed integrally with the pivoting body (10).

5. The pivoting device (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one recess (34.1, 34.2) is surrounded by a region which has an outer wall (36.1, 36.2) having a surface which is oblique with respect to the pivot axis (12).

6. The pivoting device (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein a front end of at least one axial element (33.1, 33.2) has a flattened portion (37.1, 37.2) which is oblique with respect to the pivot axis (12).

7. The pivoting device (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the relative movement of the two articulation elements (33.1, 33.2, 34.1, 34.2) that is necessary for releasing the snap fastening is an axial relative movement between the axial element (33.1, 33.2) and the recess (34.1, 34.2) of each bearing region (31.1, 31.2) in a direction away from each other.

8. The pivoting device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the articulated mounting (31) has a first articulation side (32.1) and a second articulation side (32.2), and wherein the relative movement of the two articulation elements (33.1, 33.2, 34.1, 34.2) that is necessary for releasing the snap fastening is an axial relative movement in a direction away from each other, and the blocking element (40) is arranged on the first articulation side (32.1) and, in the first angular position, is at a greater distance from a region of the second articulation side (32.2) than in the second angular position.

9. The pivoting device (1) as claimed in claim 8, wherein, of the articulation elements (33.1, 33.2, 34.1, 34.2) of the articulated mounting (31), there is at least one articulation element (33.1, 33.2) which has greater axial elasticity in comparison to another articulation element (34.1, 34.2), and wherein said at least one articulation element (33.1, 33.2) is arranged on the second articulation side (32.2).

10. The pivoting device (1) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second articulation side (32.2) is fixed in position relative to the holder (50).

11. The pivoting device (1) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the articulation elements (34.1, 34.2) of the first articulation side (32.1) are arranged or held axially on the outside and the articulation elements (33.1, 33.2) of the second articulation side (32.2) are arranged or held axially on the inside, and wherein, in the second angular position, the blocking element (40) is located between the articulation elements (33.1, 33.2) of the second articulation side (32.2), and/or is located between holding elements (35.1, 35.2) of the articulation elements (33.1, 33.2) of the second articulation side (32.2), wherein the articulation elements (33.1, 33.2) are axially elastic on the holding elements (35.1, 35.2) by elastic deformation of the holding elements (35.1, 35.2).

12. The pivoting device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blocking element (40) is formed integrally with the pivoting body (10).

13. The pivoting device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blocking element (40) is a rib of the holder (50) or of the pivoting body (10), which rib is substantially parallel to the pivot axis (12).

14. The use of a pivoting device (1) as claimed in claim 1 in a motor vehicle.

15. A pivoting device for a motor vehicle, comprising: a holder and a pivoting body mounted on the holder via an articulated mounting so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis between a first angular position relative to the holder and a second angular position relative to the holder, wherein the pivoting body and the holder are held together on the articulated mounting by a snap fastening between at least two articulation elements of the articulated mounting, wherein the pivoting body has a blocking element, wherein, in the first angular position of the pivoting body relative to the holder, the blocking element is positioned to permit a release of the snap fastening, wherein, in the second angular position of the pivoting body relative to the holder, the blocking element blocks the release of the snap fasting by a relative movement of the two articulation elements being blocked in a form-fitting manner by the blocking element; wherein the blocking element is located on the pivoting body such that an angular position of the blocking element relative to at least one of the two articulation elements varies as between the first angular position of the pivoting body and the second angular position of the pivoting body.

16. The pivoting device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the pivoting device comprises a door handle device for a vehicle for opening a lock of a vehicle door, and wherein the pivoting body is the door handle with a handle section that can be grasped manually, and wherein the holder is configured to be attached to a vehicle door such that the handle section is pivotable in relation to the vehicle door.

17. The pivoting device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the articulated mounting has two bearing regions that are spaced apart from each other and that are arranged coaxially with the pivot axis, wherein each bearing region has two articulation elements comprising a coaxial axial element and a coaxial recess, wherein the axial elements are respectively in engagement with the recesses in a joined-together state of the pivoting device, wherein the engagement forms the snap fastening.

18. The pivoting device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the blocking element is located on the pivoting body and pivots with the pivoting body.

19. The pivoting device as claimed in claim 15, wherein, in the first angular position, the pivoting body lies adjacent the holder, wherein, in the second angular position, an end of the pivoting body extends outward and away from the holder.

20. A pivoting device for a motor vehicle, comprising: a holder and a pivoting body mounted on the holder via an articulated mounting so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis between a first angular position relative to the holder and a second angular position relative to the holder, wherein the pivoting body and the holder are held together on the articulated mounting by a snap fastening between at least two articulation elements of the articulated mounting, wherein the pivoting body has a blocking element, wherein, in the first angular position of the pivoting body relative to the holder, the blocking element is positioned to permit a release of the snap fastening, wherein, in the second angular position of the pivoting body relative to the holder, the blocking element blocks the release of the snap fasting by a relative-movement of the two articulation elements being blocked in a form-fitting manner by the blocking element; wherein the blocking element is retained on the pivoting body both when the pivoting body is in the first angular position and when the pivoting body is in the second angular position.

Description

(1) The invention will now be illustrated further by way of example with reference to drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1a-1d show a particularly advantageous configuration of a pivoting device according to the invention,

(3) FIGS. 2a-2c show examples of alternative articulation realizations,

(4) FIG. 3 shows a further advantageous feature on a device, partially illustrated, according to FIGS. 1a to 1d.

(5) For the sake of clarity, identical parts or repeating parts which can clearly be recognized are sometimes not marked again by reference signs in the drawing.

(6) FIGS. 1a-1d show a particularly advantageous configuration of a pivoting device 1 according to the invention. FIG. 1a at the top is a vertical section, FIG. 1a at the bottom is a section A-A from the configuration shown thereabove. The same applies to FIG. 1b. FIG. 1c shows only the vertical section. FIG. 1d shows at the top right a vertical section along B-B from the horizontal sectional image from the bottom left, wherein two different angular positions of the pivoting body 10 are shown here, and the vertical sectional image at the top right relates to the position (indicated by dashed lines) of the pivoting body 10. FIG. 1a shows the assembled state, FIG. 1b shows the state prior to the joining-together, FIG. 1c show the state during the joining-together, shortly before the snap fastening locks. In FIGS. 1a-c, the pivoting body 10 is in the first angular position, in FIG. 1d the second angular region is indicated by way of example by the two angular positions shown.

(7) The embodiment shown in these figures is a pivoting device 1 for a vehicle for opening a lock of a vehicle door. The device 1 has a pivoting body 10 with a handle section 11 which is to be grasped manually. The handle section 11 is mounted on a holder 50 of the pivoting device 1, which holder is to be attached to the vehicle door, via an articulated mounting 31 so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis 12. The pivoting body 10 and the holder 50 are held together on the articulated mounting 31 by means of a snap fastening between at least two articulation elements 33.1, 33.2, 34.1, 34.2 of the articulated mounting 31, which is the case in FIG. 1a and FIG. 1d. The pivoting device 1 has a blocking element 40. A closing or release of the snap fastening is possible in a first angular position of the pivoting body 10 in relation to the holder 50, FIGS. 1a-c. The closing or release of the snap fastening is blocked in a second angular position, FIG. 1d, by a relative movement of the two articulation elements 33.1, 33.2, 34.1, 34.2 being blocked in a form-fitting manner by the blocking element 40, which relative movement is necessary for releasing the snap fastening. In this case, there are in each case two angular regions, within which a blocking is present and is not present. In FIG. 1d, a relative movement is blocked in the two angular positions shown and therebetween. The articulated mounting 31 has two bearing regions 31.1, 31.2 which are spaced apart from each other and are arranged coaxially with the pivot axis 12, wherein each bearing region 31.1, 31.2 has two articulation elements 33.1, 34.1, 33.2, 34.2, namely a coaxial axial element 33.1, 33.2 and a coaxial recess 34.1, 34.2 assigned to the latter. The axial elements 33.1, 33.2 are respectively in engagement with the recesses 34.1, 34.2 in the joined-together state of the pivoting device 1, wherein the engagement forms the snap fastening. The axial elements 33.1, 33.2 are formed integrally with the holder 50. The two recesses 34.1, 34.2 are each surrounded by a region which has an outer wall 36.1, 36.2 having a surface which is oblique with respect to the pivot axis 12. The outer wall 36.1, 36.2 in each case faces that side from which the axial element 33.1, 33.2, to which the recess 34.1, 34.2 is assigned, is brought up to the recess 34.1, 34.2 when the pivoting body 10 and the holder 50 are joined together by bringing the pivoting body 10 and the holder 50 together along a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis 12, see FIG. 1b. A respective front end of the two axial elements 33.1, 33.2 has a flattened portion 37.1, 37.2 which is oblique with respect to the pivot axis 12, wherein the flattened portion 37.1, 37.2 faces that side from which the assigned recess 34.1, 34.2 is brought up to the axial element 33.1, 33.2 when the pivoting body 10 and the holder 50 are joined together by bringing the pivoting body 10 and the holder 50 together along a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis 12, see FIG. 1b. The relative movement of the two articulation elements 33.1, 33.2, 34.1, 34.2 in each case that is necessary for releasing the snap fastening is an axial relative movement between the axial element 33.1, 33.2 and the recess 34.1, 34.2 of each bearing region 31.1, 31.2 in a direction away from each other. The articulated mounting 31 has a first articulation side 32.1 and a second articulation side 32.2. The blocking element 40 is arranged on the first articulation side 32.1 and, in the first angular position, is at a greater distance from a region of the second articulation side 32.2 than in the second angular position. Of the articulation elements 33.1, 33.2, 34.1, 34.2 of the articulated mounting 31, two articulation elements 33.1, 33.2 have greater axial elasticity in comparison to the other articulation elements 34.1, 34.2. Said articulation elements 33.1, 33.2 are arranged on the second articulation side 32.2. The second articulation side 32.2 is fixed in position relative to the holder 50. The articulation elements 34.1, 34.2 of the first articulation side 32.1 are held axially on the outside and the articulation elements 33.1, 33.2 of the second articulation side 32.2 are held axially on the inside. In the second angular position, FIG. 1d, the blocking element 40 is located between the articulation elements 33.1, 33.2 of the second articulation side 32.2 and, as it were, between holding elements 35.1, 35.2 of the articulation elements 33.1, 33.2 of the second articulation side 32.2. The articulation elements 33.1, 33.2 are axially elastic on the holding elements 35.1, 35.2 by elastic deformation of the holding elements 35.1, 35.2. The blocking element 40 is formed integrally with the pivoting body 10. The blocking element 40 is a rib of the pivoting body 10, which rib is substantially parallel to the pivot axis 12. Said pivoting device 1 is preferably a door handle device for a vehicle for opening a lock of a vehicle door, and the pivoting body 10 is a door handle with a handle section 11 which is to be grasped manually, and the holder 50 can be attached to a vehicle door, and therefore the handle section 11 is pivotable in relation to the vehicle door.

(8) For installation, the pivoting body 10 is brought together with the holder 50 from a position shown in FIG. 1b and in the first angular position or in the first angular region, wherein the holding elements 35.1, 35.2 in particular are elastically deformed with respect to each other, see FIG. 1c, until the articulation elements finally intermesh and snap back again into the inoperative position. If the pivoting body 10 is then pivoted into the second angular position or the second angular region, the blocking element 40 blocks a possible bending of the holding elements 35.1, 35.2 or articulation elements 33.1, 33.2 with respect to each other, and therefore the snap engagement cannot even be released unintentionally, for example by possible tilting.

(9) The articulation elements 33.1, 33.2 of the second articulation side 32.2 are axial elements here and the articulation elements 34.1, 34.2 of the first articulation side 32.1 are recesses here. The axial elements 33.1, 33.2 are directed outward and face away from each other. The recesses 34.1, 34.2 each have an opening inward, and said openings face each other. In addition, said openings are continuous here.

(10) FIGS. 2a-2c show in detail examples of alternative articulation realizations or assignments and orientations of articulation element types to articulation sides. In FIG. 2a, axial elements are arranged on the pivoting body 10 and recesses are arranged on the holder 50, wherein the axial elements face one another (by the front ends thereof). In contrast to FIG. 2a, in FIG. 2b, the axial elements face away from one another. In FIG. 2c, an assignment as in the embodiment in FIGS. 1a-d is provided, but the axial elements face one another here. In addition, further variations are possible, for example an axial element and a recess on one articulation side (for example on the holder side) with a precisely opposite arrangement of recess and axial element on the other articulation side.

(11) FIG. 3 shows a further advantageous feature on a device, illustrated by way of a detail, according to FIGS. 1a to 1d. The holder-side articulation side (holder side) has a mating surface 51 which, in the assembled state of the device 1, is arranged axially next to the articulation element 34.1 of the pivoting-body-side articulation side (pivoting-body side). The articulation element 34.1 of the pivoting-body side is therefore arranged axially between the mating surface 51 and the holding element 35.1 of the articulation element 33.1 of the holder side. The mating surface 51 permits less axial clearance for the articulation element 34.1 of the pivoting-body side than is necessary for release of the snap fastening by an axial movement of the articulation element 34.1 of the pivoting-body side. This provides security against, for example, bending of the pivoting-body side, and therefore the necessary movement for opening/closing the snap fastening is undertaken substantially only on the holder side. In addition, the mating surface 51 is designed in the form of a projection. The projection is preferably arranged behind the holder-side articulation element 33.1, as seen from the side from which the pivoting body 10 is brought up to the holder 50 in order to join together the snap fastening. By this means, an aid for introduction of the pivoting body 10 into the holder 50 is provided by the projection. The second bearing region 31.2 is preferably configured analogously.

(12) With this invention, an easy-to-install pivoting body has been provided with simple means and, in addition, is securely held in the bearing thereof. This is achieved by a snap mechanism in combination with a blocking element, wherein the blocking element permits an installation position in which the snap mechanism can be joined together, but otherwise mechanically prevents opening of the snap mechanism.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(13) 1 Pivoting device 10 Pivoting body 11 Handle section 12 Pivot axis 31 Articulation bearing 31.1 First bearing region 31.2 Second bearing region 32.1 First articulation side 32.2 Second articulation side 33.1 Coaxial axial element 33.2 Coaxial axial element 34.1 Coaxial recess 34.2 Coaxial recess 35.1 Holding element 35.2 Holding element 36.1 Outer wall 36.2 Outer wall 37.1 Flattened portion 37.2 Flattened portion 40 Blocking element 50 Holder 51 Mating surface