Door handle for vehicle

Abstract

Door handle assembly for a vehicle has a handle (10) mounted on a handle support (60) and one or more rest positions and at least one release position. The assembly has at least three different positions, —a flush or retracted position, in which the handle (10) is flush or retracted with respect to an outer door surface, —a deployed position, in which the handle (10) protrudes or protrudes to a greater extent than in the retracted position, —and the at least one release position. The handle (10) is connected to the handle support (60) via two links (21, 22) and rotational joints wherein one joint (22.1) also has a translational degree of freedom wherein a movement of the joint (22.1) along the translational degree of freedom is configured to mechanically actuate the door lock (120) or door lock (120) function.

Claims

1. A door handle assembly for a vehicle, wherein the assembly has a handle mounted on a handle support and the assembly has one or more rest positions and at least one release position of the handle, in which a door lock or a door lock function is actuated, wherein the assembly has at least three different positions, including: a flush or retracted position, in which the handle is flush or retracted with respect to an outer door surface, a deployed position, in which the handle protrudes or protrudes to a greater extent than in the retracted position, and the at least one release position, wherein the handle is connected to the handle support via two links and rotational joints wherein one rotational joint also has a translational degree of freedom such that a movement of the rotational joint having the translational degree of freedom along the translational degree of freedom is configured to mechanically actuate the door lock or door lock function; wherein the rotational joint having the translational degree of freedom connects one of the links to the handle support and the rotational joint having the translational degree of freedom (i) remains stationary when the handle moves from the flush or retracted position to the deployed position and (ii) moves along the translational degree of freedom when the handle moves from the deployed position to the at least one release position.

2. A door handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein movement of the handle between the flush or retracted position and the deployed position is provided via a drive unit and wherein one of the links is driven by the drive unit and the other of the links is connected to the handle support or to the handle via the joint also having the translational degree of freedom.

3. A door handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the joint having the translational degree of freedom comprises an axis supported in a longitudinal recess and shiftable within the recess.

4. A door handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the joint having the translational degree of freedom comprises an axis supported on a pivot arm, the pivot arm being pivotally mounted around another axis with respect to the handle support.

5. A door handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein in the flush or retracted position, a Bowden cable transmission, to the door lock is engaging the joint having the translational degree of freedom and urging the joint into a rest position with respect to the translational degree of freedom.

6. A door handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the movement from the flush or retracted position to the deployed position is defined by rotation about the rotational joints without translation along the translational degree of freedom.

7. A door handle assembly according to claim 1 wherein the assembly comprises a manually operable switch, wherein the switch comprises a switch actuation element, which is hidden and not manually accessible or not operable, when the handle is in the flush or retracted position, and manually operable when the handle is in the deployed or the at least one release position.

8. A door handle assembly according to claim 7, wherein the handle has a handle surface area a) which is, when the handle is in the flush or retracted position, hidden, and not manually accessible, behind or under a surface of a vehicle door surrounding the door handle or behind or under a surface of the handle support, b) and which is manually accessible, and visible, when the handle is in the deployed or the at least one release position, wherein the switch actuation element is positioned on or within this handle surface area.

9. Assembly according to one of claim 1 wherein the assembly has an inertia lock.

10. A door handle assembly according to claim 9, wherein the inertia lock is configured to provide a locking of the door handle preventing a movement of the door handle from the flush or retracted position to the deployed position and configured to provide another locking preventing a movement of the door handle from deployed position to one or more release positions.

11. A door handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the assembly has at least two release positions of the handle and the arrival of the handle in a first of the release positions triggers an electric signal, wherein the links are forming or are part of a mechanism connecting the handle to the handle support, wherein the mechanism provides the at least two release positions wherein in the first of the release positions an electric switch is switched for electric actuation of the door lock or door lock function and wherein in a second of the release positions another switch is switched or a mechanic actuation of the door lock or a door function is performed.

12. A door handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the assembly comprises a retaining element configured to define a predetermined threshold of a peak force necessary to bring the handle to the at least one release position, whereby the retaining element is configured to release the handle movement after overcoming the threshold.

13. A door handle assembly according to claim 12, wherein the retaining element is positioned next to a switch, and the retaining element is configured to switch, by its own movement, the switch when a predetermined force lower than the peak force is applied to the handle before overcoming the threshold.

14. A door handle assembly according to claim 13, wherein the retaining element comprises a trough or step, into which one of a pin or an axis or protrusion engages before overcoming the threshold and which the one of the pin or the axis or the protrusion has to overcome by displacing the one of the pin or the axis or the protrusion and/or the retaining element away from each other.

15. A door handle assembly for a vehicle, comprising: a handle mounted on a handle support and having at least one rest position and at least one release position in which a door lock or a door lock function is a actuated, wherein the door handle assembly has at least three different positions, including: a flush or retracted position, in which the handle is flush or retracted with respect to an outer door surface, a deployed position, in which the handle protrudes with respect to the outer door surface, and the at least one release position, wherein the handle is connected to the handle support via first and second links, each with corresponding rotational joints at ends thereof, wherein a length between the rotational joints of the first link is substantially the same as a length between the rotational joints of the second link, wherein one of the rotational joints of the first link also has a translational degree of freedom relative to the handle support so that a movement of the first rotational joint along the translational degree of freedom is configured to mechanically actuate the door lock or the door lock function.

16. A door handle assembly according to claim 15, wherein movement of the handle between the flush or retracted position and the deployed position is provided via a drive unit and wherein one of the first and second links is driven by the drive unit and the other of the first and second links is connected to the handle support or to the handle via the one rotational joint.

Description

EMBODIMENT 1

(1) Door handle assembly for a vehicle, wherein the assembly has a handle (10) mounted on a handle support (60), preferably fixed or fixable to a vehicle door, and the assembly has one or more rest positions and at least one release position of the handle (10), in which a door lock (120) or a door lock function (120) is a actuated.

EMBODIMENT 2

(2) Assembly according to embodiment 1, wherein the assembly comprises a retaining element (50) configured to define a predetermined threshold of a peak force necessary to bring the handle (10) to the at least one release position, whereby the retaining element (50) is configured to release the handle movement after overcoming the threshold.

EMBODIMENT 3

(3) Assembly according to embodiment 2, wherein the retaining element (50) is spring (52) loaded or has one or more flexible parts.

EMBODIMENT 4

(4) Assembly according to embodiment 2 or 3, wherein the retaining element (50) is positioned next to a switch (70), preferably a microswitch, and the retaining element (50) is configured to switch, by its own movement, the switch (70) when a predetermined force lower than the peak force is applied to the handle (10) before overcoming the threshold.

EMBODIMENT 5

(5) Assembly according to one of embodiments 2 to 4, wherein the retaining element (50) comprises a trough (51) or step, into which one of a pin (10.2) or an axis (22.2) or protrusion engages before overcoming the threshold and which the one of the pin (10.2) or the axis (22.2) or the protrusion has to overcome by displacing the one of the pin (10.2) or the axis (22.) or the protrusion and/or the retaining element (50) away from each other.

EMBODIMENT 6

(6) Assembly according to embodiment 5 and embodiment 4, wherein the one of a pin (10.2) or an axis (22.2) or protrusion is supported in a longitudinal recess (61) and shiftable, preferably linearly movable, within this recess (61), and the retaining element (50) is mounted movably along a direction of the longitudinal expansion of the recess (61) and the one of a pin (10.2) or an axis (22.2) or protrusion is configured to push the retaining element (50) onto the switch (70), when the force lower than the peak force is applied to the handle (10) before overcoming the threshold.

EMBODIMENT 7

(7) Assembly according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the assembly has at least two release positions of the handle (10).

EMBODIMENT 8

(8) Assembly according to embodiment 7, wherein the arrival of the handle (10) in a first of the release positions triggers an electric signal.

EMBODIMENT 9

(9) Assembly according to embodiment 8, wherein the arrival of the handle (10) in a second of the release positions causes a mechanic actuation of the door lock (120).

EMBODIMENT 10

(10) Assembly according to one of embodiments 7 to 9, wherein the amount of handle movement to a first of the release positions is less than the amount of handle movement from the first release position to a second of the release positions.

EMBODIMENT 11

(11) Assembly according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the assembly has an inertia lock (80).

EMBODIMENT 12

(12) Assembly according to embodiment 11 and one of embodiments 7 to 10, wherein the inertia lock (80) is configured to prevent the handle (10) to move to the second release position.

EMBODIMENT 13

(13) Assembly according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the assembly comprises a Bowden cable actuation unit (150) which comprises a hook element (151) that is retractable into a recess (152).

EMBODIMENT 14

(14) Assembly according to embodiment 13, wherein a Bowden cable (110) is guided over the recess (152) and for actuating the Bowden cable (110), the hook element (151) is retracted into the recess and with retraction pulls the Bowden cable (110).

EMBODIMENT 15

(15) Assembly according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the assembly has at least three different positions, a flush or retracted position, preferably representing a first rest position of the one or more rest positions, in which the handle (10) is flush or retracted with respect to an outer door surface, a deployed position, preferably representing a second rest position of the one or more rest positions, in which the handle (10) protrudes or protrudes to a greater extent than in the retracted position and the at least one release position.

EMBODIMENT 16

(16) Assembly according to embodiment 15, wherein movement of the handle (10) between retracted and deployed position is provided via a drive unit (30).

EMBODIMENT 17

(17) Assembly according to embodiment 16, wherein the drive unit (30) is movable with respect to the handle support (60).

EMBODIMENT 18

(18) Assembly according to embodiment 16 or 17, wherein the drive unit (30) comprises a motor, a push rod and a motor adapter (32), wherein the adapter (32) is configured to be pushed in between the handle support (60), preferably a first part (60.1) of the handle support (60), and the handle (10) or a link (21,22), linking the handle (10) to the handle support (60).

EMBODIMENT 19

(19) Assembly according to one of embodiments 16 to 18, wherein the handle (10) or some part of the assembly or an adjacent part of a vehicle door comprise one or more proximity sensors, which are connected to a control unit controlling the movement of the handle (10).

EMBODIMENT 20

(20) Assembly according to one of embodiments 15 to 19, wherein the handle (10) is connected to the handle support (60) via two, preferably parallel linked, preferably non-crossing, links (21, 22) and rotational joints wherein one joint (22.1) also has a translational degree of freedom.

EMBODIMENT 21

(21) Assembly according to embodiment 20, wherein a movement of the joint (22.1) having the translational degree of freedom along the translational degree of freedom is configured to mechanically actuate the door lock (120) or door lock (120) function.

EMBODIMENT 22

(22) Assembly according to embodiment 20 or 21, wherein the joint (22.1) also having a translational degree of freedom is connecting one of the links (21, 22) to the handle support (60).

EMBODIMENT 23

(23) Assembly according to one of embodiments 20 to 22 and one of embodiments 16 to 18, wherein one of the links (21, 22) is driven by the drive unit (30) and the other of the links (21, 22) is connected to the handle support (60) or to the handle (10) via the joint (22.1) also having a translational degree of freedom.

EMBODIMENT 24

(24) Assembly according to one of embodiments 20 to 23, wherein the joint (22.1) having the translational degree of freedom comprises an axis (22.2) supported in a longitudinal recess (61) and linearly movable within this recess (61).

EMBODIMENT 25

(25) Assembly according to one of embodiments 20 to 23, wherein the joint (22.1) having the translational degree of freedom comprises an axis (22.2) supported on a pivot arm (25), the pivot arm (25) being pivotally mounted around another axis with respect to the handle support (60).

EMBODIMENT 26

(26) Assembly according to one of embodiments 20 to 25, wherein in the flush or retracted position, a mechanical transmission, preferably a Bowden cable transmission (110), to the door lock (120) is engaging the joint (22.1) having the translational degree of freedom and urging the joint (22.1) into a rest position with respect to the translational degree of freedom.

EMBODIMENT 27

(27) Assembly according to one of claims 20 to 26, wherein the movement from flush position to the deployed position is defined by rotation about the rotational joints without translation along the translational degree of freedom.

EMBODIMENT 28

(28) Assembly according to one of embodiments 15 to 19, wherein the handle (10) is connected to the handle support (60) via two links (21, 22) and rotational joints, wherein the two links (21, 22) are crossing each other and at the crossing point they are connected via a joint.

EMBODIMENT 29

(29) Assembly according to embodiment 28, wherein on each of the handle (10) and the handle support (60) at least one of the rotational joints also has a translational degree of freedom, whereby preferably the at least one the rotational joint is a glide joint.

EMBODIMENT 30

(30) Assembly according to embodiment 29, wherein the rotational joint of the handle (10) also having the translational degree of freedom is connecting a first link (21) of the links (21, 22) to the handle (10) and another rotational joint of said rotational joints is connecting a second link (22) of the links (21, 22) to the handle (10), wherein the rotational joint of the handle (10) also having a translational degree of freedom and said other rotational joint are on the same half, preferably lower half or part and preferably same side, of the handle (10).

EMBODIMENT 31

(31) Assembly according to one of embodiments 29 to 30, wherein a connection point, preferably a pin (22.4), of the link (22), which connection point is connecting the link (22) to the handle support (60) at the rotational joint also having a translational degree of freedom, is configured to perform a movement along the translational degree of freedom when the handle (10) is moved from the flush or retracted position to the deployed position, wherein this movement comprises a reversal of the movement direction, such that the connection point is moving forth and back when the handle (10) is moving one-way from the flush or retracted position to the deployed position.

EMBODIMENT 32

(32) Assembly according to one of embodiments 28 to 31, wherein the joint connecting the two links (21, 22) at the crossing point is

(33) a) in the flush or retracted position positioned on one side of a shortest straight line (24) connecting the two rotational joints, which connect the links (21, 22) to the handle support (60) and

(34) b) in the deployed position positioned on the other side of the shortest straight line (24) connecting the two rotational joints, which connect the links (21, 22) to the handle support (60).

EMBODIMENT 33

(35) Assembly according to one of embodiments 1 to 32, wherein the handle support (60) comprises, preferably consists of, a first support part (60.1) and a second support part (60.2) which are rotatable connected to each other.

EMBODIMENT 34

(36) Assembly according to embodiment 33, wherein one or more of the release positions, preferably a release position with mechanical actuation of the door lock, are achieved by rotating the first support part (60.1) with respect to second support part (60.2).

EMBODIMENT 35

(37) Assembly according to one of embodiments 15 to 34 and embodiment 8, wherein the handle (10) is connected via a mechanism to the handle support, wherein the mechanism provides the at least two release positions wherein in the first of the release positions an electric switch (70) is switched for electric actuation of the door lock or door lock function and wherein in a second of the release positions another switch is switched or a mechanic actuation of the door lock or a door function is performed.

EMBODIMENT 36

(38) Assembly according to embodiment 35, wherein the mechanism has two links or hinge arms (21, 22) connecting the handle (10) to the handle support (60).

EMBODIMENT 37

(39) Assembly according to one of embodiments 15 to 36, wherein the assembly comprises a first spring (90) urging the handle (10) from the deployed to the retracted or flush position and a second spring (100) urging the handle (10) from one or more of the release positions to the deployed position or to another of the release positions.

EMBODIMENT 38

(40) Assembly according to embodiment 37, wherein a restoring force or counterforce of the second spring (100) adds up to the restoring force or counterforce of the first spring (90). Preferably, the second spring (directly/indirectly) engages the handle or the mechanism only between and preferably including deployed and one or more of the release positions or only between and preferably including the first and the second release position, preferably excluding the first release position (closer to the deployed position).

EMBODIMENT 39

(41) Assembly according to one of embodiments 15 to 38 and embodiment 11 or 12, wherein the inertia lock (80) is configured to provide a locking of the door handle (10) preventing a movement of the door handle (10) from the flush or retracted position to the deployed position and configured to provide another locking preventing a movement of the door handle (10) from deployed position to one or more release positions.

EMBODIMENT 40

(42) Assembly according to one of embodiments 15 to 39, wherein the assembly comprises a manually operable switch, wherein the switch comprises a switch actuation element (161), preferably a press button, which is hidden, preferably not manually accessible or not operable, when the handle (10) is in the flush or retracted position, and manually operable when the handle (10) is in the deployed or the at least one release position.

EMBODIMENT 41

(43) Assembly according to embodiment 40, wherein the handle (10) has a handle surface area (10.4, 10.4′, 10.4″)

(44) a) which is, when the handle (10) is in the flush or retracted position, hidden, and preferably not manually accessible, behind or under a surface of a vehicle door surrounding the door handle or behind or under a surface of the handle support (60),

(45) b) and which is manually accessible, preferably visible, when the handle (10) is in the deployed or the at least one release position,

(46) wherein the switch actuation element (161) is positioned on or within this handle surface area (10.4)

EMBODIMENT 42

(47) Assembly according to embodiment 40 or 41, wherein the assembly is configured to retract the handle (10) to the flush or retracted position upon operation of the manually operable switch (160).

EMBODIMENT 43

(48) Assembly according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the assembly comprises an inner door handle (10′) and an outer door handle (10).

EMBODIMENT 44

(49) Assembly according to embodiment 43, wherein the handles (10′, 10) are coupled to each other by being configured to pull on the same Bowden cable (110) leading to the door lock (120).

EMBODIMENT 45

(50) Assembly according to embodiment 44, wherein the assembly comprises a handle decoupling unit (140) configured to decouple the movement of the handles (10′, 10) from each other.

EMBODIMENT 46

(51) Assembly according to embodiment 45, wherein the handle decoupling unit (140) comprises an elongated hole, in which a pin or nipple coupled to the Bowden cable (110) is guided.

EMBODIMENT 47

(52) Assembly according to one of embodiments 45 to 46, wherein the Bowden cable (110) comprises two parts (110.1, 110.2) and the handle decoupling unit (140) is connecting both parts (110.1, 110.2) to each other.

EMBODIMENT 48

(53) Assembly according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the handle assembly comprises a Bowden cable coupling unit (130), configured to be switched between two different states wherein in one state a Bowden cable transmission (110) between the handle (10) and the door lock (120) is decoupled and in the other state the Bowden cable transmission (110) between the handle (10) and the door lock (120) is coupled.

EMBODIMENT 49

(54) Assembly according to embodiment 48, wherein the Bowden cable coupling unit (130) is positioned close to the door lock (120).

EMBODIMENT 50

(55) Assembly according to embodiment 48 or 49, wherein the Bowden cable coupling unit (130) comprises an actuator (132), mechanically rotating and/or shifting an engaging member (40.1′, 40.2′) for shifting between the two different states.

EMBODIMENT 51

(56) Assembly according to one of embodiments 48 to 50 and one of embodiments 41 to 47, wherein in the one state the Bowden cable transmission (110) between one or both of the door handles (10, 10′) the door lock (120) is decoupled and in the other state the Bowden cable transmission (110) between one or both of the door handles (10, 10′) the door lock (120) is coupled.

EMBODIMENT 52

(57) Assembly according to embodiment 51, wherein the Bowden cable coupling unit (130) is configured to be switched to an additional state or two or more additional states.

EMBODIMENT 53

(58) Assembly according to embodiment 52, wherein the states between which the Bowden cable coupling unit (130) is switchable, comprise a first state, in which
the Bowden cable transmission (110) between the outer door handle (10) and the door lock (120) is decoupled and
the Bowden cable transmission (110) between the inner door handle (10′) and the door lock (120) is coupled and; a second state, in which
the Bowden cable transmission (110) between the outer door handle (10) and the door lock (120) is decoupled and
the Bowden cable transmission (110) between the inner door handle (10′) and the door lock (120) is decoupled and; a third state, in which
the Bowden cable transmission (110) between the outer door handle (10) and the door lock (120) is coupled and
the Bowden cable transmission (110) between the inner door handle (10′) and the door lock (120) is decoupled and; a fourth state, in which
the Bowden cable transmission (110) between the outer door handle (10) and the door lock (120) is coupled and
the Bowden cable transmission (110) between the inner door handle (′10) and the door lock (120) is coupled.

(59) The invention also has as a subject a door having a door handle assembly according to one of the preceding embodiments, a method of operating a door using a door handle assembly according to one of the preceding embodiments and a use of a door handle assembly according to one of the preceding embodiments for use in a vehicle side door.

(60) TABLE-US-00001 Reference signs 10 handle 10.1 handle protrusion 10.2 pin 10.3 stabilizing rib 10.4 handle surface area 21 1st link 21.2 axis 21.3 flush block element 21.4 deploy block element 21.5 pin 22 2nd link 22.1 joint 22.2 axis 22.3 pin 22.4 pin 23 pin 24 shortest straight line 25 pivot arm 30 Drive unit/Motor 31 Push rod 32 Motor adapter 33 motor bracket 40 Pivot element 40.1 first pivot part 40.2 second pivot part 50 Retaining element 51 through 52 spring 53 axis 60 Handle mount/handle support 60.1 First mount part 60.2 Second mount part 61 recess 62 pin 63 guide section 70 microswitch 80 inertia lock 81 Axis 81.1 Spacing 82 inertia weight 83 lock element 84 spring 90 first spring 100 second spring 110 Bowden cable/Bowden cable transmission 110.1 lock Bowden cable 110.2 handle sided Bowden cable 120 door lock 130 Bowden cable coupling unit 131 coupling shaft 131.1 pin 132 coupling actuator 132.1 fork part 133 spring 134 sleeve portion 140 handle decoupling unit 150 Bowden cable actuation unit 151 hook element 152 recess 153 Bowden cable mount 160 locking cylinder 161 switch actuation element