Handle system with a safety device

Abstract

The system includes a bracket, a handle pivotally mounted about a handle axis and including a main gripping branch and a secondary branch each extending on either side of the handle axis, a safety device configured to block an ejection of the handle towards its open position in the event of an impact. The device includes a blocking pawl elastically biased into a position of blocking the pivoting of the secondary branch according to a handle ejection direction and at least one lever for releasing the secondary branch in the ejection direction, the release lever being configured to drive the pawl, against its elastic biasing force, into a release position of the secondary branch, consecutively to a manual mechanical action of pushing in the handle from its flush position and/or to the triggering of an electric actuation for ejecting the handle from its flush position.

Claims

1. A handle system for a door leaf of a motor vehicle, a handle system comprising: a handle bracket, a handle pivotally mounted relative to the handle bracket, the handle being configured to pivot about a handle axis between at least an open position, a flush position and a pushed-in position, the handle including a main gripping branch and a secondary branch extending from the main gripping branch, which each extend from an opposite side of the handle axis, a safety device configured to block an ejection of the handle towards the open position in the event of an impact, the safety device including: a blocking pawl elastically biased into a blocking position of blocking a pivoting of the secondary branch in a handle ejection direction, and at least one release lever configured to release the secondary branch in the ejection direction, the release lever being configured to drive the blocking pawl, against an elastic biasing force, into a release position to release the secondary branch, after a manual mechanical action of pushing in the handle from the flush position or after a triggering of an electric actuation to eject the handle from the flush position.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the safety device further includes a first lever and a second lever configured to release the blocking pawl respectively in reaction to the manual mechanical action and in response to the triggering of the electric actuation.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the blocking pawl has an elongated shape, the blocking pawl extending longitudinally in a vertical direction relative to the motor vehicle, and the blocking pawl includes, at an upper end of the blocking pawl, a blocking means which cooperates with a complementary means arranged on the secondary branch.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the safety device further includes: a shaft mounted on the handle bracket, the blocking pawl being pivotally movable about the shaft, and a member for elastically biasing the blocking pawl into the blocking position.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one release lever includes a catch tiltably mounted to the handle bracket, the catch being configured to cooperate with the blocking pawl such that a tilting of the catch drives the blocking pawl into the release position.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the catch includes a retaining sear cooperating with a complementary bearing formed on the secondary branch, the sear and the bearing being configured so that the manual mechanical action of pushing in the handle into the pushed-in position causes the tilting of the catch.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein the blocking pawl includes a transverse extension stud and the catch includes a recess, the transverse extension stud being housed in the recess in the blocking position, and the recess flaring outwardly while delimiting a step to form a fork configured to retain and drive the transverse extension stud during the tilting of the catch.

8. The system according to claim 5, wherein the catch has a cam profile delimiting a guide surface to cooperate with the secondary branch and the catch is shaped to reposition the catch after the tilting of the catch.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the secondary branch is configured to be free to pivot in a direction opposite to the handle ejection direction.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the manual mechanical action of pushing in the handle is configured to trigger a mechanical ejection of the handle.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one release lever includes a pivoting member movably mounted to be configured to pivot on a pivot axis common with the blocking pawl and the pivoting member is elastically pre-biased in the blocking position of the blocking pawl such that the triggering of the electric actuation releases the pivoting member to pivot in a direction opposite to the elastic pre-biasing to pivot the blocking pawl out of the blocking position.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the safety device is configured such that a moment applied about the common pivot axis of the elastic biasing force exerted on the pivoting member is higher than a moment about the common pivot axis of the elastic biasing force exerted on the blocking pawl.

13. The system according to claim 11, further comprising an electric actuator and an electric ejection lever arm of the handle, the electric ejection lever arm controlled by the electric actuator to be displaced between an initial pre-biasing position of the pivoting member in which the handle is in the flush position and an end ejection position of the handle.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the pivoting member is configured to be elastically pre-biased by the ejection lever arm into the blocking position, and the electric actuation of the ejection lever arm is configured to progressively release the elastic tensioning of the pivoting member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in light of the following description, made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 represents an exploded schematic perspective view of a handle system according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 represents a partial perspective top view of the handle system of FIG. 1 in the mounted state;

(4) FIG. 3 represents a side partial perspective view of the handle system of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 represents a perspective detail view of a catch of the blocking pawl of the handle system of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 represents a perspective detail view in the dismounted state of a mounting pawl and of a release lever of the handle system of FIG. 1;

(7) FIG. 6 represents a detail schematic view of the blocking pawl of FIG. 5;

(8) FIG. 7 represents a perspective side view of the handle system in a blocking configuration;

(9) FIG. 8 represents the handle system of FIG. 7 in a release configuration of the blocking pawl by electric actuation of the handle during a first step;

(10) FIG. 9 represents the handle system of FIG. 8 during a second step;

(11) FIG. 10 represents the system of FIG. 7 in a configuration of the blocking pawl by manual mechanical actuation of the handle during a first step of pushing in the handle;

(12) FIG. 11 represents the system of FIG. 10 during a second step of ejecting the handle;

(13) FIG. 12 represents the system of FIG. 11 after return back to its initial state of blocking the handle.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(14) In FIG. 1, there is represented a handle system according to the invention for a door leaf of a motor vehicle.

(15) This handle system is referred to by the general reference numeral 10.

(16) In this example, the handle system 10 includes a handle support frame or bracket 12 represented in FIG. 2 and a handle 14 configured to be pivotally mounted in this bracket 12 about a first pivot axis X1, hereinafter referred to as the handle axis. In operation, the bracket 12 is intended to be fastened to the door leaf for example by fastening legs 12A shown in FIG. 2. In the described example, the handle 14 is hingedly mounted relative to the panel, about a geometric pivot axis X1, on the bracket 12. In the operating position, the pivot axis X1 is substantially vertical and extends parallel to the general plane of the external panel.

(17) The handle 14 is illustrated in detail in FIG. 1. According to the invention, the handle 14 has a main gripping branch forming an outer portion 14B that the user can grasp and opposite to the outer portion 14B, the handle 14 has a secondary branch forming an inner portion 14A which is intended to extend inside the housing of the bracket 12. Conventionally and without limitation, on the outer portion 14B, the handle 14 includes a gripping pad 16, which generally has a flat and elongated shape.

(18) In the described example, the handle 14 is of the «flush» type, that is to say the cavity of the bracket 12 is dimensioned so as to receive the handle 14 in a retracted configuration. In this retracted configuration, the external surface of the handle 14 is flush with the external surface of the external wall of the door leaf. In the extended or deployed configuration, the handle 14 comes out at least partially from the cavity of the bracket 12 so as to enable grasping thereof by a user of the vehicle in order to open the door. For this purpose, the user can pull the handle 14 further outwards in order to control the latch of the door and the opening of the door leaf. In the flush position, the external surface of the opening control 10 coincides with the external surface of the door leaf. This «flush» arrangement, known in the automotive industry, allows enhancing the style of the vehicle and reduces the aerodynamic drag.

(19) In this example, the handle system 10 is intended to cooperate with a latch (not represented) of the door leaf of the motor vehicle prone to adopt a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. Conventionally, the pivoting of the handle 14 about its hinge axis X1 actuates the latch in either one of the locked or unlocked configurations via a drive kinematic chain (not represented in the figures).

(20) In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the handle system 10 comprises an electric actuation portion 18 enabling an electric actuation of the ejection and/or of the retraction of the handle 14.

(21) The electric actuation portion 18 will now be described in detail. For its electric operation, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the electric actuation portion 18 comprises in this example an electric actuator (not represented) connected to an electric ejection lever arm 20 intended to extend longitudinally according to a transverse direction and pivotally. For example, the electric actuator comprises a linear cylinder provided with an end adapted to cooperate with an end of the ejection lever arm 20 so as to make the lever arm 20 pivot about a vertical axis X2. For example, the ejection lever arm 20 comprises a projecting pin 22 cooperating for example with a complementary notch (not represented) formed on the end of the cylinder.

(22) The ejection arm 20 is also provided with a tab 24 extending vertically. Furthermore, preferably, as shown in FIG. 1, the lower face 14I of the handle 14 comprises a shoulder delimiting a substantially transverse bearing wall 26 from which the secondary inner branch 14A extends axially and against which bears the ejection lever arm 20 so as to enable the pivoting of the handle 14 by electric actuation. For example, the tab 24 is intended to press on the bearing wall 26. The ejection arm 20 also has a lug 28 which projects axially.

(23) It is known that it is desirable to electrically control the ejection of the handle 14 of the door leaves of the motor vehicle. But, for the case where there would be a breakdown of the electric power supply, the handle 14 should of course enable manual maneuvering thereof, for example by simply acting on the handle 14 itself.

(24) Thus, in the described example, the handle system 10 also comprises a backup mechanical portion enabling a manual mechanical actuation of the ejection and retraction movement of the handle 14 in the event of a failure of the electric actuator. For example, in the event where the electric operation turns out to be impossible because of an electric failure, the backup mechanism is provided for example with an elastic energy accumulator. In an advantageous but non-limiting embodiment, the push-in of the handle 14 allows triggering the backup mechanism.

(25) For example, the backup mechanism is configured to be mechanically activated in response to a push-in action of the handle 14, the end of the push-inaction or the release being adapted to cause the triggering of the backup mechanism. For example, the backup mechanism comprises a kinematic drive chain for moving the handle 14 which automatically drives the movement of the handle 14 over all or part of a stroke starting from the pushed-in position of the handle 14 to the flush position through the ejected position. Preferably, the mechanism is configured to drive the movement of the handle 14 over the entire stroke. Of course, other embodiments of the backup mechanical operation may be suitable yet without departing from the scope of the invention.

(26) In accordance with the invention, the handle system 10 comprises a safety device 30. This safety device 30 is configured to block an ejection of the handle 14 towards its open position in the event of an impact.

(27) In the following description, the terms “upper” and “lower” as well as the other equivalent expressions that are used should be understood by taking as a reference in the appended drawings, an axis with a vertical direction, which corresponds to a use of the handle system resting on a horizontal plane. Hence, these orientations are used only with reference to the description hereinafter and to the figures and do not correspond to the actual orientations of the elements in an operational use of the handle system, that is to say integrated to a door leaf of the motor vehicle. The same applies to the counterclockwise S1 and clockwise S2 directions of rotation which relate to the appended figures.

(28) The safety device 30 comprises a blocking pawl 32. As represented in detail in FIG. 6, the blocking pawl 32 has an elongated general shape, for example a finger-like shape. This pawl 32 extends longitudinally, in the mounted state and in a blocking configuration illustrated in FIG. 7, according to a substantially vertical direction. In the described example, the pawl 32 has an upper free end 34 forming a blocking end cooperating with the secondary branch 14A. For example, the upper end 34 comprises a blocking means 36 cooperating with a complementary means 38 formed on the secondary branch 14A. For example, these complementary means 36, 38 are of the interlocking type with complementary interlocking profiles formed on the blocking surfaces in mutual contact.

(29) This pawl 32 is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis extending transversely. To this end, the safety device 30 comprises a pivot rod 40 mounted on the bracket 12 about which the pawl 32 is pivotally mounted. For example, the pawl 32 is provided on one of its faces with a hollow sleeve 42 delimiting a cylindrical bore for receiving the pivot rod 40.

(30) Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the blocking pawl 32 is configured to be elastically biased into a position of blocking the pivoting of the secondary branch 14A in a (counterclockwise) ejection direction S1 of the handle. In the described example, the safety device 30 comprises an elastic biasing member 44 of the pawl 32 configured to exert a biasing force into the blocking position. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the elastic biasing member 44 comprises a torsion helical spring. For example, this elastic member 44 is connected on the one hand to the blocking pawl 32 and on the other hand to the bracket 12.

(31) Furthermore, the safety device 30 comprises at least one lever for releasing the secondary branch 14A in pivoting in the ejection direction S1 of the handle. In accordance with the invention, the release lever is configured to drive the blocking pawl 32 in a release direction of the secondary branch 14B, against the elastic biasing force of the blocking pawl 32 into the blocking position. The driving of the pawl 32 into this release position is carried out either in reaction to a manual action of pushing in the handle 14 from its flush position, or in reaction to the triggering of an electric action of ejecting the handle 14 from its flush position.

(32) Preferably, the system 10 comprises two release levers: a first release lever 50 enables the disengagement of the blocking pawl 32 in response to the manual action and a second release lever 70 enables the disengagement of the blocking pawl 32 in response to the electric action.

(33) The two release levers 50 and 70 of the blocking pawl 32 will now be described in more detail hereinafter.

(34) Preferably and as illustrated in FIG. 3, the first lever 50 comprises a catch tiltably mounted in the bracket 12 configured to cooperate with the blocking pawl 32. The catch 50 is configured to cooperate with the secondary branch 14B such that a tilting of the catch 50 in a clockwise direction S2 drives the blocking pawl 32 into its release position. Furthermore, in the described example, the secondary branch 14A is free to pivot in the direction S2 opposite to the ejection direction S1. Indeed, in the described example, the blocking pawl 32 blocks the pivoting of the secondary branch 14A only in the ejection direction S1.

(35) Such a catch 50 is illustrated in detail in FIG. 4. The catch 50 comprises a body provided with an upper head 52 provided with a cylindrical bore 54 for receiving a pivot rod 56. In this example, the rod 56 is fixedly mounted relative to the handle bracket 12 and the catch 50 is tiltably mounted about this rod 56.

(36) Preferably, the catch 50 is provided with a retaining sear 58 cooperating with a complementary bearing 60 formed on the secondary branch 14A. In the illustrated example, the retaining sear 58 extends according to an axial direction from the head 52.

(37) As shown in FIG. 3, the sear 58 and the bearing 60 are configured so that the push-in of the handle 14 towards its pushed-in position causes the tilting of the catch 50 in a clockwise direction S2. Preferably, the bearing 60 is formed on a lateral face of the secondary branch 14A by forming an «L»-like shaped projecting relief, the retaining sear 58 resting on a branch of the «L» which extends axially.

(38) Furthermore, preferably, the blocking pawl 32 comprises a transverse extension stud 62 and the catch 50 is provided with a recess 64 within which the stud 62 is housed in the blocking position. In the example, the body of the catch 50 thus comprises a lower portion 66 configured for the gripping of the blocking pawl 32. Thus, as illustrated, the catch 50 has a lower extension 66 of the head 55 shaped like a plate into which the recess 64 is formed.

(39) In the described example, the recess 64 comprises an internal notch with a rounded bottom which extends outwardly in a flared portion by forming a fork 65 configured to drive and retain the stud 62 during the tilting of the catch 50 in the clockwise direction S2. In this example, the recess 64 is provided with a step 67 delimiting on the one hand the internal notch and on the other hand the outer flared portion shaped like a fork 65.

(40) Moreover, the catch 50 has a cam profile delimiting a guide surface 68 for cooperating with the secondary branch 14A and enabling the repositioning of the catch 50 after the tilting thereof. In the described example, the guide surface 68 is shaped so as to cooperate with the projecting relief forming the bearing 60 of the secondary branch 14A. For example, this guide surface 68 comprises a curved profile.

(41) Preferably and as illustrated in FIG. 5, the second lever 70 comprises a pivoting member about a pivot axis common with the blocking pawl 32. In the described example, the pivoting member 70 comprises a cylindrical sleeve 72 configured to be concentrically mounted around the cylindrical sleeve 42. Preferably, the pivoting member 70 further comprises a stop 74, shown in FIG. 7, preferably delimiting a curvilinear external profile adapted to cooperate with the ejection arm 20, for example with the axial lug 28.

(42) Referring to FIG. 5, the pivoting member 70 is configured to be elastically biased into a release position of the blocking pawl 32. In the described example, the safety device 30 comprises an elastic biasing member 76 of the pivoting member 70 configured to exert a biasing force on the pivoting member 70 so as to drive the blocking pawl 32 out of its blocking position. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the elastic biasing member 76 comprises a torsion helical spring. For example, this elastic member 76 is connected on the one hand to the pivoting member 70 and on the other hand to the support 12.

(43) Preferably, in the blocking position of the pawl 32, the pivoting member 70 is elastically pre-tensioned or pre-biased by the ejection arm 20. The displacement of the arm 20 during the electric actuation of the ejection of the handle 14 enables the progressive release of the tensioning of the member 70 which is elastically biased, in a direction opposite to the pre-biasing thereof, towards a rest position and which drives, in its movement, the blocking pawl 32 out of its blocking position.

(44) Preferably, the safety device 30 is configured so that the moment applied with respect to the common pivot axis of the pawl 32 and of the member 70 of the elastic biasing force exerted on the pre-tensioned member 70 is higher than the moment of the elastic biasing force exerted on the blocking pawl 32.

(45) The main operation aspects of a handle system according to the invention will now be described in two operating configurations: an electric configuration illustrated by FIGS. 7 to 9 and a mechanical configuration illustrated by FIGS. 7 and 10 to 12.

(46) In the initial state common to both operating configurations, the system is like in FIG. 7. In this initial state, the blocking pawl 32 prevents the secondary branch 14A from performing a rotation in the counterclockwise direction S1 and therefore prevents the ejection of the handle 14 in the direction S1 schematized by the corresponding arrow. The stud 62 of the blocking pawl 32 is in place inside the recess 64 of the catch 50 and the pivoting member 70 is pre-tensioned by the initial position of the electric ejection arm 20. In this configuration, in the event of a violent impact, the pivoting of the secondary branch 14A is blocked by the blocking pawl 32 which prevents the ejection of the handle 14 and therefore the inadvertent opening of the door leaf.

(47) In FIG. 8, the electric control for ejecting the handle 14 causes the displacement of the ejection arm 20 in the direction of the arrow F1 and the progressive release of the tensioning on the pivoting member 70 which starts moving. The pivoting of the pivoting member 70 causes the pivoting of the blocking pawl 32 in the counterclockwise direction S1. The handle 14 is then ejected as illustrated in FIG. 9.

(48) In contrast with the electric control for retracting the handle 14 causes the displacement of the ejection arm 20 in a direction opposite to the direction of the arrow F1 and positions the pivoting member 70 in a pre-tensioned state also bringing the blocking pawl 32 simultaneously back into its blocking position.

(49) In FIG. 10, a manual action of pushing in the handle 14 results in making the catch 50 tilt in the clockwise direction S2. Indeed, the pivoting of the secondary branch 14A in the clockwise direction S2 causes the pivoting of the bearing 60 which drives the sear 58 of the catch 50 and causes the tilting of the latter. The stud 62, which was initially housed at the bottom of the recess 64 is guided along the step 67 up to the flared portion of the recess 64 shaped like a fork 65. Hence, the continuation of the tilting of the catch 50 causes the pivoting of the blocking pawl 32 in the direction S1 and the release of the secondary branch 14A. The handle 14 is then mechanically ejected until reaching its open position illustrated in FIG. 11.

(50) In the example illustrated in FIG. 11, during the return of the handle 14 from the open position back into the flush position, the catch 50 is repositioned thanks to tits guide profile 68 and the complementary bearing 60 of the secondary branch 14A.

(51) Thus, thanks to the invention, during a violent impact and irrespective of the direction of the impact with respect to the handle system 10, the handle 14 is held in its closed position. Furthermore, the handle system 10 enables the normal operation in the manual mode and/or in the electric mode of the actuation of the handle 14.

(52) Of course, the invention is not limited to the previously described embodiments. Other embodiments within the reach of those skilled in the art may also be considered yet without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims hereinafter.