Patent Grant
11643855
This invention relates to a door handle assembly for a vehicle, preferably for a side door of a vehicle and preferably to an outer door handle assembly, however it could also be an inner door handle assembly or an assembly having both, inner and outer door handle, or a door handle assembly (inner and/or outer) for a trunk lid. The door handle is preferably connected via a mechanism to a handle support (e.g. handle housing) fixed/fixable to the door. The door handle assembly is preferably forming a strap type handle.
According to one aspect of the invention, the door handle assembly has preferably at least a rest position and one release position, preferably two or more release positions, in which a door lock/door lock function (e.g. unlocking and/or opening) is actuated. In addition to a release position, the handle preferably comprises a press button or pressure or proximity sensor as a further interface to the user. Preferably, in the case of two or more release positions, the amount of handle movement (e.g. rotational and/or translational) to the first release position is less than the amount of handle movement from the first release position to the second release position, i.e. a short stroke to the first release position and a long stroke to the second release position, preferably significantly less, e.g. the length of the handle's trajectory from a rest position to the first release position is smaller than 50%, preferably 25%, or 10% of the length of the trajectory from the first to the second release position. Preferably, the arrival of the handle in a release position triggers an electric signal, e.g. by the handle assembly comprising a switch unit positioned relative to the handle in order to be actuated by its movement into said release position. Preferably, the arrival of the handle in a release position mechanically, preferably strictly mechanically, actuates a door lock, e.g. through a Bowden cable transmission. Especially in the case of two or more release positions, the arrival of the handle in the first release position triggers an electric signal, and preferably the arrival of the handle in another release position (e.g. the second, or last) causes said mechanic actuation. Preferably, an arrival of the handle into one release position triggering is an electric signal and causing said mechanic actuation.
According to another aspect of the invention, the door handle assembly preferably comprises a retaining element configured to define a predetermined threshold of a peak force necessary to bring the handle to the release position or to, in the case of two or more release positions, the second release position, whereby the retaining element releases the handle movement after overcoming the threshold. Hereby a necessary force for bringing the handle to the release position or to, in the case of two or more release positions, the second release position, after overcoming the threshold is lower than the force defined by the threshold—i.e., at first a predetermined force has to be applied to release the handle from the retaining element and then the force for further moving the handle is lower than the predetermined force (whereas the force while further moving the handle can increase again the closer it comes to a release position and it might even exceed the predetermined force for e.g. mechanical releasing the door lock). Preferably, the retaining element is spring loaded or has one or more flexible parts. Preferably, the retaining element comprises a trough or step, into which a pin or protrusion engages, before overcoming the threshold and which the pin or protrusion has to overcome by either, preferably flexibly, bending/displacing the pin and/or the retaining element away from each other.
According to another aspect of the invention, the door handle assembly preferably comprises a locking cylinder preferably below the handle. Alternatively, the locking cylinder is positioned and hidden below one side end of the handle (front end or back end) and becomes visible when the handle is in released position.
According to another aspect of the invention, an electronic unit, e.g. a keyless entry module, is preferably integrated in the handle, e.g. in a hollow space within the handle, preferably at one side end of the handle (front or back end).
According to another aspect of the invention, the door handle assembly preferably comprises an inertia lock. Preferably the inertia lock is configured to prevent the handle to move to the release position, especially to the second release position, in case of a crash, especially side crash. The inertia lock preferably comprises an inertia weight mounted via an axis rotatably from a rest position to a block position and preferably back, the axis preferably being substantially perpendicular with respect to the geometric normal to the door surface (e.g. perpendicular with respect to y-direction in case of a car side door, using the car coordinate system). Preferably, the inertia lock also has a lock element, which could be the inertia weight itself or another separate part, the separate part preferably being in fixed relation to the inertia weight, hence rotatable about the axis. The inertia weight could be in a first variant mounted on the door handle or on a part of the mechanism or in a second variant mounted on another part that in contrast to the handle or mechanism has a fixed position (e.g., the door handle assembly housing/mount). The inertia lock preferably comprises at least one block element providing a block surface opposing the inertia weight, e.g., in the first variant the block element is featured on said part that in contrast to the handle or mechanism has a fixed position and in the second variant the block element is featured on the handle or on the mechanism. In case of a (side) acceleration of the door handle assembly, the inertia weight is, due to its inertia, rotated about the axis from the rest position to the lock position in which the lock element and the at least one block element will engage, if the door handle moves or would move outwards (with respect to the door) due to its inertia. Preferably the inertia weight is forced back to its rest position by a spring. Preferably the inertia lock is configured to provide a locking of the door handle preventing a movement from rest position to one of the release positions (release lock), e.g. the first and/or second position. Particularly preferably, the inertia lock provides multiple lock positions, e.g. a first locking position providing a flush lock and at least one further locking position providing a release lock. Preferably, the inertia lock therefor comprises multiple block elements and the different block elements are engageable by the lock element in different door handle positions. The block elements are preferably spaced from each other along a trajectory defined by the movement of the handle or a part of the mechanism. When the lock element is in its rest position, the block elements can pass the lock element without engagement between the block elements and the lock element, when the lock element is in its block position, at an engagement between the lock element and at least one of the block elements will stop further movement of the door handle.
According to another aspect of the invention, the door handle assembly preferably comprises a Bowden cable actuation unit. Preferably this unit comprises a hook element that is retractable into a recess, e.g. a recess of the housing. The Bowden cable is guided over the recess. For actuating the Bowden cable, the hook element is retracted back into the recess where it hooks the Bowden cable and then with further retraction pulls the Bowden cable. The hook element is preferably fixed to or integrally formed with the door handle or a part of the mechanism. Hereby, a smaller movement of the hook element can be transformed into a greater amount of the pulling of the Bowden cable.
According to another aspect of the invention, the door handle assembly has preferably at least three different positions, a retracted position, in which the door handle is preferably (substantially) flush or retracted with respect to the outer door surface, a deployed position, in which the door handle protrudes or protrudes to a greater extent than in the retracted position and one or more of said release positions. The retracted and deployed position are each preferably comparable to said or representing the rest position.
Preferably, movement of the door handle between retracted and deployed position (in one or both directions) is provided via a drive unit (e.g. motor), preferably the drive unit is actively moving (applying a force to) the handle to the deployed position against a spring and the movement back towards the retracted position is then initiated by the energy stored in the spring. Preferably, the motor is pushing a push rod and/or motor adapter towards a switch, the switch providing a signal for having reached the deployed position. Preferably, in addition, the door handle is also manually movable between deployed and retracted position. Preferably, the one or more release positions are obtained by manual actuation, preferably pulling, of the door handle, starting from the deployed and/or the retracted state.
Said mechanism preferably provides at least two release positions, a first release position in which an electric (e.g. electro-mechanic) switch is switched for electric actuation of the door lock (function) and a second release position, in which preferably the handle is moved and/or rotated with respect to the deployed or retracted position even further than in the first release position and in which another switch, preferably related to another door actuation function, is switched or a mechanic actuation of a door function, e.g. via Bowden-cable, is performed. Preferably, the mechanism is configured to guide the handle movement on an essentially linear trajectory (appearance more like a translational movement than a rotational movement) between the retracted and deployed position, at least when no additional external force is impinging on the handle. The mechanism preferably has two links or hinge arms connecting the handle to a handle mount. One hinge arm may be substituted by a guiding curve onto which the handle is hinged.
Preferably, the drive unit is movable with respect to the handle support, e.g. mounted rotatably with respect to the handle support via a rotation axis. For example, the drive unit is fixed to the door handle or to a part of the mechanism that is movable with respect to the handle support.
Preferably, the handle or some part of the overall handle structure or an adjacent (e.g. within 10 cm, preferably 5 cm of the door handle) part of the door comprise one or more proximity sensors (e.g. capacitive sensor), which are connected to a control unit controlling the movement of the handle. Preferably a part of or the complete activation area of the proximity sensor is visualized by a marking (e.g. groove and/or different color and/or protrusion). The proximity sensor and control unit are preferably configured to retract or deploy the handle when an object (e.g. a hand) comes close enough to the activation area. The activation area may be defined by a sensor value threshold.
In case a locking cylinder is present, the locking cylinder is preferably positioned and hidden below one side end of the handle (front end or back end) and becomes visible when the handle is in deployed and/or released position.
Preferably, the door handle assembly comprises at least two springs. A first spring urging the handle from the deployed to the flush position, and a second spring urging the handle from one or more of the release positions (e.g. second release position) to the deployed position or to another one of the release positions (e.g. first release position). By using two different springs, different restoring forces in different positions of the handle can be defined, e.g. a smaller force when the user is manually moving the handle from the deployed position to the first release position (e.g. electronic actuation) and an higher force when the user is moving the handle from the first release position to the second release position (e.g. mechanic actuation). Preferably the two springs are featured in addition to a spring that might exist within the door lock, pulling the Bowden cable. 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, particularly preferably only between and preferably including the first and the second release position, preferably excluding the first release position (closer to the deployed position). Hereby, the second spring is applying a restoring force against the handle movement to the second release position and hence, this second spring can be adapted, e.g., especially for the purpose of providing a strong restoring force for a mechanic door actuation, which is beneficial for providing a sufficient crash safety such that the handle's inertia will not unintentionally open the vehicle door. Preferably, the counterforce of the second spring adds up to the restoring force of the first spring, hence the first spring is also applying a restoring force, when the second spring applies a restoring force to the handle's movement, and in addition the first spring is also applying a restoring force, when second spring does not apply a restoring force to the handle's movement.
Preferably, in case said inertia lock is present it is configured to provide a locking of the door handle preventing a movement from flush position to deployed position (flush lock). Preferably, the flush lock also prevents the movement of the door handle to the release position(s). Preferably the inertia lock is configured to provide a locking of the door handle preventing a movement from deployed position to one of the release positions (release lock), e.g. the first and/or second position.
According to another aspect of the invention the door handle assembly preferably comprises an inner door handle and an outer door handle.
According to another aspect of the invention the door handles preferably are coupled to each other and configured to pull on the same Bowden cable leading to the door lock. Hereby, it is not necessary to use two parallel Bowden cables or to reduce the length of parallel running Bowden cables. For example, the inner door handle engages (directly or indirectly) with the Bowden cable at a first engaging section and the outer door handle engages (directly or indirectly) with the Bowden cable at a second, different (e.g., 5 cm apart) engaging section. Depending on the relative position of the two door handles it is also thinkable that they engage (directly or indirectly) with the Bowden cable at substantially the same engaging section. Preferably, at least one of the door handles is mounted or mountable in a vertical window frame part next to a door window (e.g., B-column). Preferably the handles are adjacent to the same corner of the door window, preferably over-corner or even directly opposing each other on the same side of the corner.
Preferably, the assembly comprises a handle decoupling unit decoupling the movement of the handles (partly, in one or more direction or movement sequences) from each other. Hereby one handle can be actuated without moving the other handle, and preferably vice versa, although both handles pull on the same Bowden cable. The handle decoupling unit preferably comprises an elongated whole, in which a pin or nipple directly or indirectly coupled to the Bowden cable is guided. Preferably, the Bowden cable comprises two parts and the handle decoupling unit is connecting both parts to each other.
According to another aspect of the invention the door handle assembly preferably comprises a Bowden cable coupling unit, configured to be switched between two different states wherein in one state the Bowden cable transmission between one door handle or one or both of the door handles (in case of inner and outer door handle) is decoupled and in the other state the Bowden cable transmission between the door handle or one or both of the door handles is coupled. The Bowden cable coupling unit could be close to the door lock or close to the door handle or wherever else in the path of the Bowden cable transmission where there is suitable and available installation space. Hereby, the mechanic door actuation can be easily prevented in a controlled manner. Preferably, the Bowden cable coupling unit comprises an actuator, mechanically rotating and/or shifting an engaging member for shifting between the two different states. It is particularly preferred to couple the two handles to each other (as described before) as due to such coupling, only one actuator in the Bowden cable coupling unit is necessary to provide the desired function. The Bowden cable coupling unit is preferably built up as a separate module.
Examples of such a handle assembly will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings—even if features mentioned above are not shown or visible in one example, this description also explicitly covers any combination. Throughout the drawings reference numerals are used for identical components or components having a comparable function. Further, for the avoidance of any eventual doubts raising from the conversion from color or grayscale drawings (as in the priority applications) to the black and white line drawings (as in this application), the drawings of the applications, to which this application is claiming priority, shall be used for interpretation if necessary, and to this extent (color/grey information) the drawings of the priority applications are forming part of this application, too.
The handle 10 can be moved from flush or retracted position (
From deployed position (but also from flush position—useful in case of emergency), the handle 10 can be further pulled to the first (
The parallel movement is guided via two parallel linked links 21, 22 or hinge arms 21, 22—a first link 21, which is preferably driven by the drive unit 30, and a second link 22. The first link 21 is connected to the handle 10 via a joint having an axis 21.2. The links 21, 22 are forming a parallelogram, however, with one joint (here joint with axis 22.2) being translatory, such that the parallelogram can be opened (to be not a parallelogram anymore). Preferably, the drive unit 30 engages on one of the links, e.g. via a push rod, here on link 21. A spring is pulling back either link 21 or link 22, preferably link 22. Preferably, the drive unit 30 is mounted on the handle mount 60 via a rotational joint, such that the drive unit 30 has no fixed relation with respect to the handle mount 60 as it is rotatable. Preferably, while the drive unit 30 is moving the door handle 10 (e.g. from retracted to deployed position), the drive unit 30 is moving itself, with respect to the handle mount 60, too, such that the drive unit 30 turns about the rotational joint axis.
The second link is connected to the handle mount 60 via a joint 22.1 having an axis 22.2. This axis 22.2 is supported in a longitudinal recess 61 and linearly movable within this recess 61. The axis 22.2 is retained by a flexibly mounted retaining element 50 in one end position/end position area of the recess 61. In this position of the axis 22.2, the first link 21 and second link 22 are parallel linked, i.e. the hinge arms have substantially the same lengths, i.e. the distance of the joints of each hinge arms have approximately the same lengths.
By pivoting the handle 30 around the axis 21.2, the axis 22.2 engages with the retaining element 50. In
Additionally, this handle offers an electronic actuation of the door lock via a microswitch 70. If the switch is switched, the door lock is actuated electronically—known as e-latch. The switch is actuated in the first release position (
Preferably the movement of the retaining element 50 actuates the switch 70. Here, the retaining element 50 is movably mounted along the direction of the expansion of the recess 61. The retaining element 50 has a through (cf.
Alternatively, the movement of the handle 10 could directly actuate the switch 70, e.g. by the switch 70 being positioned on the mount 60 next to the handle 10, and the handle 10 pushing down the switch 70 in retracted and deployed position into pressed state; only when pulling further, the switch 70 becomes released (=switch action for controlling a door function).
The motor adapter 32 is preferably shaped like a wedge or it even has a more complex helix/spiral shape for enhanced contact to the lower hinge arm. First and second mount part 60.1 and 60.2 are rotatable mounted to each other by pins 62. At this point it should be mentioned that rotation could be achieved in a variety of ways (single pin, multiple pins, fixed pins on a piece, separate pins), which holds for all embodiments, without leaving the scope of this door handle assembly description. A mount part spring 100 engages onto first mount part such that the spring 100 applies a force from release position to deploy and/or retracted position. Microswitch 70 is mounted adjacent to the guide section 63 and preferably has the same function as in
Preferably, the door handle assembly also comprises a locking cylinder 160 as shown in
In a further alternative that is not shown the switch may be positioned on the first mount part and actuated by the second mount part at a defined rotational position or vice versa.
The inner door handle 10′ actuation is as follows: pulling the handle 10′ (dashed arrow in upper-right direction) causes a movement of the handle protrusion 10.1 in the opposite direction, causing the pivot element 40′ pivoting anti-clockwise and thereby pulling the Bowden cable transmission 110. The outer door handle 10 actuation is as follows: pulling the strap handle 10 causes a clockwise rotation of pivot element 40, causing an anti-clockwise rotation of pivot element 40′ and thereby pulling the Bowden cable transmission 110.
Like in the embodiments shown before, the door handles 10, 10′ of the door handle assembly have at least a rest position and at least one release position, in which a door lock/door lock function (e.g., unlocking and/or opening) is actuated.
The outer handle 10 provides two release positions. The amount of handle movement to the first release position is less, cf. distance D, than the amount of handle movement from the first release position to the second release position. The arrival of the handle 10 in the first release position triggers an electric signal. The arrival of the handle 10 in the second release position strictly mechanically actuates the door lock, through the Bowden cable 110.
At this point attention is drawn to
Back to
E.g., in an emergency, mechanic actuation of the door is achieved by strongly pulling on the handle 10 and thereby flipping over the retaining element 50, whereas otherwise the door is actuated electronically via either a switch to be switched via bringing the handle 10 into the first release position (the case of the embodiment shown in
In
It is to be noted that in
In summary, although protection is sought as claimed, the invention in general comprises wider embodiments, which could be subject of different divisional or continuation applications, especially the following embodiments, which can of course be further combined with features from the above specification:
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.
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.
Assembly according to embodiment 2, wherein the retaining element (50) is spring (52) loaded or has one or more flexible parts.
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.
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.
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.
Assembly according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the assembly has at least two release positions of the handle (10).
Assembly according to embodiment 7, wherein the arrival of the handle (10) in a first of the release positions triggers an electric signal.
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).
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.
Assembly according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the assembly has an inertia lock (80).
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.
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).
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).
Assembly according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the assembly has at least three different positions,
Assembly according to embodiment 15, wherein movement of the handle (10) between retracted and deployed position is provided via a drive unit (30).
Assembly according to embodiment 16, wherein the drive unit (30) is movable with respect to the handle support (60).
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).
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).
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.
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.
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).
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.
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).
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Assembly according to one of embodiments 28 to 31, wherein the joint connecting the two links (21, 22) at the crossing point is
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
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).
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.
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).
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.
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).
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.
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
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.
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.
Assembly according to embodiment 40, wherein the handle (10) has a handle surface area (10.4, 10.4′, 10.4″)
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),
b) and which is manually accessible, preferably visible, when the handle (10) is in the deployed or the at least one release position,
wherein the switch actuation element (161) is positioned on or within this handle surface area (10.4)
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).
Assembly according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the assembly comprises an inner door handle (10′) and an outer door handle (10).
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Assembly according to embodiment 48, wherein the Bowden cable coupling unit (130) is positioned close to the door lock (120).
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.
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.
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.
Assembly according to embodiment 52, wherein the states between which the Bowden cable coupling unit (130) is switchable, comprise
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.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15401105 | Oct 2015 | WO | international |
| 15401119 | Nov 2015 | WO | international |
| 15201442 | Dec 2015 | WO | international |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2016/057851 | 10/20/2016 | WO |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2017/070307 | 4/27/2017 | WO | A |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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| 5123687 | Pfeiffer | Jun 1992 | A |
| 6371538 | Inoue | Apr 2002 | B1 |
| 8985648 | Muller | Mar 2015 | B2 |
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| 20070152473 | Lechkun | Jul 2007 | A1 |
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| 20120167296 | Muller | Aug 2012 | A1 |
| 20120205923 | Muller | Aug 2012 | A1 |
| 20120205924 | Muller | Aug 2012 | A1 |
| 20120205925 | Muller | Aug 2012 | A1 |
| 20130134723 | Yokoyama | May 2013 | A1 |
| 20140000167 | Patel | Jan 2014 | A1 |
| 20140047877 | Bohm | Feb 2014 | A1 |
| 20140265372 | Smart | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20150233153 | Smart | Aug 2015 | A1 |
| 20160298366 | Och | Oct 2016 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1253606 | May 2000 | CN |
| 1982107 | Jun 2007 | CN |
| 101180442 | May 2008 | CN |
| 101184900 | May 2008 | CN |
| 101363290 | Feb 2009 | CN |
| 101426994 | May 2009 | CN |
| 101899931 | Dec 2010 | CN |
| 101983273 | Mar 2011 | CN |
| 102108813 | Jun 2011 | CN |
| 102575486 | Jul 2012 | CN |
| 102575487 | Jul 2012 | CN |
| 102597392 | Jul 2012 | CN |
| 202391218 | Aug 2012 | CN |
| 103132782 | Jun 2013 | CN |
| 103339334 | Oct 2013 | CN |
| 103526992 | Jan 2014 | CN |
| 103703202 | Apr 2014 | CN |
| 104514451 | Apr 2015 | CN |
| 104812979 | Jul 2015 | CN |
| 104854289 | Aug 2015 | CN |
| 4002963 | Jul 1991 | DE |
| 19616226 | Oct 1997 | DE |
| 10044902 | Apr 2002 | DE |
| 10350328 | May 2004 | DE |
| 102008019335 | Oct 2008 | DE |
| 102010037070 | Feb 2012 | DE |
| 102011001001 | Jun 2012 | DE |
| 102013212198 | Jan 2014 | DE |
| 102013112706 | May 2015 | DE |
| 0398106 | Nov 1990 | EP |
| 2055869 | May 2009 | EP |
| 2333207 | Jun 2011 | EP |
| 1024740 | Apr 1966 | GB |
| H0782933 | Mar 1995 | JP |
| H 11200670 | Jul 1999 | JP |
| WO 2015074020 | May 2015 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| PCT, International Search Report and Written Opinion, International Application No. PCT/US2016/057851; dated Jan. 12, 2017, 11 pages. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20180274271 A1 | Sep 2018 | US |
