Vehicular door handle with electrically deployable latch connection and overload compensating device

Abstract

A handle assembly including a path of transmission of a force for releasing a latch through the handle assembly that can be broken under extreme loading conditions.

Claims

1. A handle assembly for a motor vehicle door, the handle assembly comprising: a base for attachment to the motor vehicle door; a handle strap extending between a handle end and a base end in which the handle strap is pivotal about the base end and in which the handle end extends through an aperture in the base, the handle end having an engagement leg; a rotatable structure rotatably coupled to the base about an axis of rotation and including a pin substantially parallel with and spaced from the axis of rotation of the rotatable structure, the rotatable structure positioned to engage the engagement leg on the handle end of the handle strap to effectuate rotation of the rotatable structure about the axis of rotation of the rotatable structure; a latch release member that is slidably connected to the base such that the latch release member is configured to move between a disengaged position and an engaged position and that is further rotatable about an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the direction that the latch release member is movable and that is parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable structure, the latch release member having a slot formed therein that receives the pin from the rotatable structure for selective engagement therewith and is shaped such that, when the latch release member is in the disengaged position, the rotation of the pin does not effectuate the rotation of the latch release member and, when the latch release member is actuated into the engaged position, the rotation of the pin does engage the latch release member to effectuate the rotation of the latch release member.

2. The handle assembly of claim 1, further comprising an actuator that actuates the latch release member between the disengaged position and the engaged position.

3. The handle assembly of claim 2, wherein the actuator is a linear actuator and has an engagement end engaging the latch release member and wherein at least one of the engaging surfaces of the engagement end of the linear actuator and the latch release member are oblique to a direction of linear actuation of the linear actuator.

4. The handle assembly of claim 2, further comprising a biasing member that biases the latch release member into the disengaged position and wherein the actuator is used to overcome the biasing member and actuate the latch release member to the engaged position.

5. The handle assembly of claim 2, further comprising a sensor in the handle strap configured to detect the presence of a hand in the handle strap and wherein the handle assembly is configured to actuate the actuator based on the condition of the sensor such that, when a hand is not detected in the handle strap, the latch release member remains in the disengaged position and, when a hand is detected in the handle strap, the actuator actuates the latch release member to the engaged position.

6. The handle assembly of claim 5, wherein the sensor in the handle strap is a capacitive sensor.

7. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein the latch release member is configured to receive an end of a cable for unlatching the door, such that a rotation of the latch release member pulls the cable to unlatch the motor vehicle door.

8. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein the rotatable structure is a slip clutch assembly configured to selectively transmit rotational loads under a pre-established value.

9. The handle assembly of claim 8, wherein the slip clutch assembly comprises a first member and a second member having a biasing member therebetween and a third member that includes the pin, in which the first member, the second member, and the third member are all positioned along and rotatable about the axis of rotation of the rotatable structure; wherein one of the first member and the second member are configured for engagement with the leg of the handle end of the handle strap to effectuate rotation of at least part of the slip clutch assembly; wherein the first member and the second member are axially slidably coupled to one another and the biasing member therebetween applies a biasing force that biases the first member and the second member axially apart from one another and biases the second member into engagement with the third member at interfacing surfaces thereof; and wherein the interfacing surfaces of the second member and the third member include face cams that couple rotation of the second member and third member together, unless the biasing force of the biasing member is overcome in which case rotation of the second member and the third member are decoupled from one another.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a conceptual illustration of one form of a slidable latch release member in which the latch release member is biased upward relative to the orientation on the page.

(2) FIG. 2A is a conceptual illustration of one form of a slidable latch release member in which the latch release member is biased downward relative to the orientation on the page.

(3) FIG. 2B is a detailed view of a partial area of FIG. 2A in which the actuator has been deployed to overcome a biasing force applied to the latch release member to move the latch release member to an engaged position.

(4) FIG. 3 is side perspective view of a handle assembly according to a first embodiment in which the handle assembly includes a slip clutch assembly and a slidable latch release member that is actuatable by an actuator.

(5) FIGS. 4A though 4C is a different perspective view of the handle assembly of FIG. 3 from the same side in which the various steps of moving the latch release member from a disengaged position to an engaged position and further rotating the engaged latch release member as sequentially shown.

(6) FIG. 5 is a reverse perspective view of the handle assembly from FIGS. 3 and 4A through 4C.

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the assembly (with some parts removed, such as the base) better detailing the shape of the slot in the latch release member.

(8) FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a second embodiment of a handle assembly in which the handle assembly includes a slip clutch assembly (but not a slidable latch release member).

(9) FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the handle assembly of FIG. 7.

(10) FIG. 9 is a view of the slip clutch assembly found in the handle assembly of FIG. 8 in which the slip clutch assembly is in an assembled state.

(11) FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the slip clutch assembly of FIG. 9.

(12) FIG. 11 is a reverse perspective view of one of the members of the slip clutch assembly from FIG. 10 to better illustrate some of the face cams on the member (as these cannot be readily seen in the perspective taken in FIG. 10).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(13) The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use embodiments of the invention. Various modifications to the illustrated embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein can be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from embodiments of the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not intended to be limited to embodiments shown, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. The following detailed description is to be read with reference to the figures, in which like elements in different figures have like reference numerals. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of embodiments of the invention. Skilled artisans will recognize the examples provided herein have many useful alternatives and fall within the scope of embodiments of the invention.

(14) FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B provide conceptual illustrations of a portion of a handle assembly 100, 200 for a door of a vehicle in which a slidable latch release member is employed. In both instances, only a base 102, 202 of the handle assembly 100, 200 is illustrated along with some of the attached components and the handle strap is omitted for the sake of clarity.

(15) Of the illustrated components in these figures, there is a rotating structure 104, 204 that is rotatable about an axis of axis of rotation 106, 206. These rotating structures 104, 204 include a central shaft 108, 208 that lies along the axis of rotation 106, 206. Radially extending arms 110, 210 and 112, 212 connect the central shaft 108, 208 to a bar 114, 214 and a pin 116, 216, respectively, which are both parallel with, but spaced from the central shaft 108, 208 and its axis of rotation 106, 206.

(16) When the handle strap portion of the handle is pulled, the bar 114, 214 is positioned such that it is engaged by a leg on the handle end of handle strap (not shown) and such that the bar 114, 214 is lifted upwards. This causes the rotating structure 104, 204 to rotate counter-clockwise from the perspective of illustration, thereby causing the pin 116, 216 to also orbitally rotate counter-clockwise about the axis of rotation 106, 206 to selectively engage a slideable latch release member 118, 218.

(17) The latch release member 118, 218 is movably connected to the base 102, 202. The latch release member 118, 218 is both slideable in an upwards-downwards direction (relative to the page) between a first disengaged position and a second engaged position. In FIGS. 1 and 2A, the latch release members 118, 218 are illustrated in the first disengaged position. Further, in at least the second engaged position, the latch release member 118, 218 is rotatable. Although it is not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the latch release member 118, 218 may have a structure formed thereon that is configured for attachment to a cable (this feature is illustrated in some of the subsequently illustrated embodiments). Accordingly, when a cable is attached to the latch release member 118, 218 and the latch release member 118, 218 is rotated, the cable may be pulled to release the latch for the door.

(18) The latch release member 118, 218 has a slot 120, 220 formed in it that receives the pin 116, 216 of the rotating structure 104, 204. From the illustrated perspective, the slot 120, 220 has a generally horizontally-extending portion 122, 222 and a generally vertically-extending portion 124, 224. When the pin 116, 216 rotates counter-clockwise during the pulling of the handle strap, if the pin 116, 216 travels through the generally horizontally-extending portion 122, 222, then the latch release member 118, 218 will not rotate as the path of travel of the pin 116, 216 follows the generally horizontally-extending portion 112, 222 of the slot 120, 220 during the rotation of the pin 116, 216 without actuating the latch release member 118, 218. However, if the pin 116, 216 is disposed in the generally vertically-extending portion 124, 224 of the slot 120, 220 and the pin 116, 216 is made to rotate, then the latch release member 118, 218 will be made to rotate about an axis of rotation guided and defined by the lower guide pin 126, 226 for the latch release member 118, 218.

(19) In order to actuate or slide the latch release member 118, 218 between the first disengaged position and the second engaged position, there is an actuator 128, 228 mounted to the side of the base 102, 202. The actuator 128, 228 may be extended when a hand of a user is detected on or near the handle strap (using a capacitive sensor of the like built into the handle strap). The end 130, 230 of the actuator 128, 228 has an oblique engagement surface that, when extended, contacts an oblique engagement surface 132, 232 of the latch release member 118, 218 in order to actuate the latch release member 118, 218 from the disengaged to the engaged position.

(20) In the form illustrated, the latch release member 118, 218 translates perpendicular to the direction of linear actuation upon movement between the engaged and disengaged positions. However, it is contemplated that if the actuator is differently oriented, that the use of oblique engagement surfaces on one or both of the actuator and the latch release member might be avoided.

(21) Further, the latch release members 118, 218 are biased into the disengaged positions illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2A using biasing members. As best shown in FIG. 2A, a leaf spring 234 biases the latch release member 118 into the disengaged position. However, the actuator 228 can be used to overcome the biasing member 234 as illustrated in the right, partial detail view of FIG. 2B to overcome the biasing force and move the latch release member 118 to the engaged position.

(22) It should be noted that FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate two different configurations for the latch release members 118, 218 that provide similar functionality despite differences in the structure and direction of biasing of the latch release members 118, 218. In FIG. 1, the latch release member 118 is shown in the disengaged position in which the latch release member 118 is upwardly biased (albeit by a biasing member that is not illustrated). If the actuator 128 is used to cause the latch release member 118 to slide to the engaged position, then the latch release member 118 will be slid downward relative to what is illustrated in FIG. 1. In contrast, in FIG. 2A, the latch release member 218 is biased downwardly to the disengaged position. If the actuator 228 is used to move the latch release member 218, then the latch release member 218 is slid upward into the engaged position by the actuator 228. Even though the geometric arrangements are different, the mechanical effect obtained (that is, potential engagement with the pin 116, 216 based on the position of the latch release member 118, 218) is similar based on the geometry of the slots 120, 220 and relative position of the latch release member 118, 218.

(23) Notably, the latch release member 118, 218 is used to selectively couple the rotating structure 104, 204 to a cable to permit release of the latch to open the door. When a user's hand is detected by a capacitive sensor in the handle strap (or another sensor is used to detect that the strap is being engaged in a normal door opening operation), then the actuator 128, 228 is actuated to slide the latch release member 118, 218 to the engaged position in which the rotation of the rotating structure 104, 204 is transmitted to the latch release member 118, 218 (thereby completing the path of force transmission to permit the use of the handle strap to pull the release cable and unlatch the door). However, when no user intent is detected (because the capacitive sensor does not detect a hand in or on the strap or other sensor does not detect a user nearby under conditions in which the door might be safely opened), then the actuator returns to the un-extended position and the latch release member 118, 218 returns to the disengaged position (in some forms, under the applied biasing force). In this disengaged position, the rotation of the rotating member 104, 204 does not cause the latch release member 118, 218 to be rotated (since the pin 116, 216 would merely travel in the portion 122, 222 of the slot 120, 220 without rotating the latch release member 118, 218), and thereby decouples the strap from the release cable, breaking or disconnecting the path of force transmission.

(24) Referring now to FIGS. 3 through 6, a handle assembly 300 that better and more fully illustrates the use of a slidable latch release member 318 is depicted. Again, the handle assembly 300 includes a base 302 for attachment to the motor vehicle door. However, unlike FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, FIGS. 3 through 5 also show the handle strap 336 that is connected to the base 302. The handle strap 336 is pivotally connected to the base 302 at a base end 338 of the handle strap 336 (which is just off the left edge of the figure in FIGS. 3 and 4A). The handle strap 336 also has a handle end 340 that extends downwardly through an opening or aperture 342 in the base 302. At the lower end of the handle end 340, there is an engagement leg 344 (viewable at the very bottom of the illustrations in FIGS. 3, 4A, and 5) that is positioned to lift the bar (similar to bar 114, 214, but not illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4A, and 5) on the rotating structure 304.

(25) Although it will not be described in great detail at this juncture (a similar, although not identical, assembly will be described below with respect to FIGS. 7 through 11), the rotating structure 304 is, in the form illustrated, a slip clutch assembly having a first member 304a and a second member 304b with a biasing member 304c positioned therebetween (which in the form illustrated is a compression spring). The slip clutch assembly also includes third member 304d that supports the pin 316. The first member 304a, the second member 304b, and the third member 304d are all positioned along and rotatable about the axis of rotation 306 of the rotatable structure 304. In the illustrated form, one of the first member 304a and the second member 304b are configured for engagement with the leg 344 of the handle end 340 of the handle strap 336 to effectuate rotation of at least part of the slip clutch assembly.

(26) The first member 304a and the second member 304b are axially slidably coupled to one another and the biasing member 304c therebetween applies a biasing force that biases the first member 304a and the second member 304b axially apart from one another and biases the second member 304b into engagement with the third member 304d at interfacing surfaces between the two members. As will be described in greater detail below, the interfacing surfaces of the second member 304b and the third member 304d include face cams that couple rotation of the second member 304b and third member 304d together. This coupling is maintained unless the biasing force of the biasing member 304c is overcome or exceeded thereby causing the biasing member 304c to compress and the first and second member 304a and 304b to collapse into one another. In this case with the second member 304b being moved, the second member 304b and the third member 304d are mechanically separated and decoupled from one another resulting in the decoupling of their rotation from one another.

(27) Thus, the slip clutch assembly permits the transmission of forces through it that are below the pre-determined or pre-established threshold values for the biasing member 304c, but disconnects the path of force transmission at extreme loads in excess of the pre-determined or pre-established threshold values.

(28) In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 6, the latch release member 318 is again slidably connected to the base 302 such that the latch release member 318 is movable between a first disengaged position (as illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 5) and a second engaged position (not illustrated, but would be one in which the latch release member 318 has been shifted upward relative to the illustrated orientation in the figures). In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4A, a spring pin 346 applies a downwardly biasing force to the top of the latch release member 318 to keep the latch release member 318 in the disengaged position (unless this biasing force is overcome by the actuator 328, as will be described below). Also, the latch release member 318 is further rotatable about an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the direction that the latch release member 318 is slidably movable and that is parallel to (and in some forms, co-axial with) the axis of rotation 306 of the rotatable structure 304.

(29) Just as in the conceptual illustrations in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the bar (the structural equivalent of 114, 214) is lifted by pulling the handle strap 336 relative to the base 302 to cause the leg 344 to lift the bar, the rotating structure 304 rotates on its axis of rotation 306, and the pin 316 is made to orbit the axis of rotation 306 and selectively engage the latch release member 318.

(30) Again, an actuator 328 is illustrated that is actuated based on the state of a capacitive sensor in the handle strap 336 (or another sensor that is able to detect whether the strap 336 is being pulled by a legitimate and intended user action, as opposed to being moved by inertial forces imposed during a collision or accident). In the form illustrated in FIG. 4A, the actuator 328 is retracted as no hand has been sensed by the capacitive sensor. This causes the latch release member 318 to be retained in the down position such that, if the pin 316 is rotated, the pin 316 travels through the generally horizontally-extending portion 322 of the slot 320 (best illustrated in the rear view of FIG. 6) without effectuating the rotation of the latch release member 318 that would cause the movement of the cable attachment structure 348 on the latch release member 318 to pull the attached cable (not illustrated) to unlatch the door. However, as illustrated in FIG. 4B if the actuator 328 is extended by virtue of detection of a user's hand in the handle strap 336, then a ramp 330a on the ramped hook 330 (i.e., the actuated end) engages the surface on the dowel 332 of the latch release member 318 to slide it upwards to the engaged position in which the pin 316 is moved into the generally vertically-extending portion 324 of the slot 320. In this engaged position, when the pin 316 rotates by pulling the handle strap 336, the pin 316 engages and effectuates rotation of the latch release member 318 (about axis of rotation 306 in the illustrated embodiment) and its attached cable attachment structure 348 to pull the cable and unlatch the door as is illustrated in FIG. 4C.

(31) It will be further noted that the ramped hook 330 includes a hooked tip 330b that captures a dowel 332 of the latch release member 318 when the latch release member 318 is in the disengaged position (and conversely is cleared of the dowel 332 end to permit upward movement of the latch release member 318, when it is actuated). This hooked tip 330b can prevent the upward sliding of the latch release member 318 due to inertial forces or other external forces other than that imposed by the actuator 328. Further, the actuator 328 may be biased into the closed or locked position illustrated in FIG. 3 such that it would require forces in excess of typical forces applied during an accident in order to actuate the ramped hook 330. In this way, the latch release member 318 may be retained in the disengaged position unless expressly actuated by the actuator 328.

(32) Turning now to FIGS. 7 through 11, yet another embodiment of a handle assembly 400 is illustrated in which there is not a slidable latch release mechanism or electrically-activated actuator as in the previously described embodiments. Instead, the handle assembly 400 only includes a slip clutch assembly in the rotating structure 404 that is adapted to prevent the transmission of forces above the pre-established threshold force through the path of force transmission from the handle strap 436 to the cable (not illustrated in these views, but would be similar to the handle strap from FIGS. 3 through 5).

(33) The biggest difference between FIGS. 7 through 8 and FIGS. 3 through 5 is that, because there is no longer a slidable latch release member along the force transmission path (or actuator for actuating a latch release member), the third member 404d is modified. The third member 404d no longer supports the pin, as there is no slotted latch release member for this pin to engage with. Now instead, the cable release structure 448 is located on the third member 404d of the slip clutch assembly and moves with the rotation of the third member 404d.

(34) Perhaps FIGS. 9 through 11 are the most illustrative of the rotatable structure 404 that is the slip clutch assembly, as the rotatable structure 404 is shown apart from the handle assembly 400. As noted elsewhere, the rotatable structure 404 includes a first member 404a and a second member 404b with a biasing member 404c the in the form of a compression spring between the two members 404a and 404b. There is also a third member 404d that contacts the second member 404b at two interfacing engagement surfaces, 450b and 450d. These interfacing engagement surfaces include face cam parts 452b and 452d that mate when the second member 404b and the third member 404d are coupled to one another for transmission of a force there between.

(35) In the assembly, the first member 404a and the second member 404b are coupled to one another using an axially-extending key and slot arrangement in which a key 454a is formed on the first member 404a and a slot 456b is formed on the second member 404b. The key 454a is received in the slot 456b, such that the first member 404a and the second member 404b are rotationally locked relative to one another, but are axially movable with respect to one another.

(36) As can be seen, the biasing member 404c is disposed between the first member 404a and the second member 404b, the biasing member 404c tends (1) to bias the first member 404a and the second member 404b axially apart from one another, as the biasing member 404c is compressed therebetween, and (2) to bias the engagement surface 450b of the second member 404b into the engagement surface 450d the third member 404d. In particular, the second condition results in the face cam parts 452b and 452d being forced into locked engagement with one another to lock the rotation of the second member 404b to the third member 404d as long as the biasing force is not overcome.

(37) However, if one of the components binds up such as if, for example, the cable to which the third member 404d is connected is frozen in place, then the third member 404d may become similarly lodged in place. If a sufficiently large force is applied to the handle strap 436 (i.e., a force in excess of the biasing force applied by the biasing member 404c), then the face cam parts 452b and 452d disengage one another simultaneously with the first and second members 404a and 404b being displaced toward one another, against and overcoming the biasing force. This effectively rotationally decouples second and third members 404b and 404d from one another, disconnecting the path of transmission. Thus, by selecting a biasing force above the typical force used to operate the handle assembly, but below an excessive force at which components of the handle assembly or door might be damaged, the path of transmission is engineered to decouple under extreme loads.

(38) It is contemplated that the first member 404a might be omitted from the slip clutch assembly without compromising the functionality of the slip clutch assembly. For example, the biasing member might be disposed between a side wall of the base and the second member (which also includes the bar which is lifted by the movement of the leg on the handle strap when the handle strap is pulled). Then, under loading in excess of the biasing force, the second member slides towards the sidewall of the base against the biasing force to separate the second member from the third member and decouple the second and third members from one another. However, below the biasing force, the face cam parts lock the rotation of the second member to the third member to maintain the path of force transmission.

(39) In sum, handle assemblies are disclosed that selectively decouple when extreme or excessive forces are applied to avoid an unintentional opening of the door or damage to the components of the handle assemblies. They may include a deployable latch release member within the handle bracket which in its non-deployed state prevents the completion of the unlatching load path from the handle assembly to the door latch. Thus, undesired loading on the latch system during crash events by the door handle are not experienced. This assembly may also or alternatively provide a means of dealing with the loads associated with frozen cables, bound latches or other generation of high system loads. The device is tuned to a desired break away force so that below that threshold the handle pulls on the cable release mechanism and it acts as a single member, actuating the cable. Should resistive loads from the cable assembly become greater that the threshold value, then the cable actuating assembly will separate, allowing the handle to travel to full extension without experiencing the high loads.

(40) It should be appreciated that various other modifications and variations to the preferred embodiments can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention should not be limited to the described embodiments. To ascertain the full scope of the invention, the following claims should be referenced.