Patent Application
20190048628
The present disclosure relates generally to vehicular door handle assemblies.
The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Vehicular door handle assemblies typically comprise two sub-components, i.e. a handle assembly and a chassis assembly. The chassis assembly is secured onto the internal side of a metal sheet which forms the vehicular door and the handle assembly is connected to the chassis assembly through a first forward passageway and a second rearward passageway provided in the vehicular door. The door handle is typically a sub-component which is typically an assembly with several parts including gaskets, handle cover, and a core, among others. At its forward end, a door handle is conventionally provided with a pivot extension and a plunger. The pivot extension is inserted in the forward passageway and the plunger is inserted in the second passageway to engage a bellcrank which in turn is linked to a lock mechanism.
Prior art door handles prove not to be entirely satisfactory as they tend to have an unstable operation.
The present disclosure provides a vehicular door handle assembly for opening a vehicle door said handle assembly comprising:
a chassis assembly having a forward end and a rearward end;
said forward end having an arm rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chassis;
said second end having a rotatable bellcrank; and
a handle grip movable to an actuated position to open a vehicle door, having a forward end and a rearward end;
said forward end having a connection features to rigidly connect with the rotatable arm;
said rearward end having a plunger rotatably connected to the rear end door handle and rotatably connected to the bellcrank.
In one form, the arm is provided with connection features and the handle grip forward end is provided with complementary connection features configured to rigidly couple the handle grip on the arm when the handle grip is superimposed with the chassis longitudinal axis.
In another form, the arm is provided with a series of radial lugs and the handle grip front end is provided with a series of radial grooves sized and spaced to receive the series of radial lugs alternating with a series of radial retaining lips sized and spaced to retain the series of radial tabs.
In one variation, the handle grip includes a plunger rotatably coupled to the handle grip rear end.
In another variation, the handle grip includes a frame whereon a plunger is rotatably coupled and a handle shell.
In yet another variation, the handle shell and the frame define a cavity where the plunger can seat in a waiting position.
In still another variation, the bellcrank includes at least one locking clips configured to engage at least one pin of the plunger.
The present disclosure further provides a vehicular door handle assembly for opening a vehicle door securable on a vehicular door provided with a first forward passageway and a second rearward passageway, said handle vehicular door handle assembly comprising:
a chassis configured to be secured on an internal face of the vehicle door assembly having a forward end and a rearward end,
said forward end having an arm rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chassis,
said second end having a rotatable bellcrank connectable to a door latch mechanism; and
a door handle movable to an actuated position to open a vehicle door having a forward end and a rearward end,
said forward end having a connection features to rigidly connect with the rotatable arm,
said rearward end having a plunger rotatably connected to the rear end door handle and rotatably connected to the bellcrank.
In one form, the arm is coupled to the chassis by a pivot linkage wider than the forward passageway provided in the vehicle door metal sheet.
In another form, the pivot linkage coupling the arm on the chassis 2 is located on the internal side of the vehicular door and the rigid linkage coupling the arm on the handle grip forward end is located on the external side of the vehicular door.
The present disclosure further provides a method of installing a vehicle door handle on a vehicular door having an external side and an internal side and at least a front passageway and a second passageway, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a chassis assembly having a forward end and a rearward end, said forward end having an arm rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chassis said second end having a rotatable bellcrank;
securing the chassis assembly on the internal side of the door;
placing the arm in the position wherein the arm protrudes externally through the forward passageway above the surface of the door;
providing a handle grip movable to an actuated position to open a vehicle door, having a forward end and a rearward end, said forward end having a connection features to rigidly connect with the rotatable arm; said rearward end having a plunger rotatably connected to the rear end door handle and rotatably connected to the bellcrank;
mounting the handle grip forward end on the arm; and
moving by rotation the door handle toward the chassis assembly rearward end thereby connecting the handle grip on the bellcrank.
In one form, mounting the handle grip forward end on the arm includes the steps of:
provided the arm with a series of radial lugs;
providing the handle grip front end with a series of radial grooves sized and spaced to receive the series of radial lugs alternating with a series of radial retaining lips sized and spaced to retain the series of radial tabs;
positioning the handle grip in an oblique angle relation to the chassis assembly axis so that the radial lugs engage into the radial grooves; and
moving the handle grip in an angle where the handle grip is superimposed to the assembly axis so that the radial lugs engage the retaining lips.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
In order that the disclosure may be well understood, there will now be described various forms thereof, given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.
The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.
The present disclosure provides a door handle assembly and a method for installing the door handle assembly on a vehicle door.
It should be understood that the door handle assembly as described herein is characterized with respect to a forward, rearward, upper, and lower orientation, wherein forward is toward a front end of the vehicle, rearward is toward a rear end of the vehicle, external is away from the center of the vehicle and internal is closer to the center vehicle. This orientation is for exemplary purposes only and is not meant to limit the present disclosure in any manner. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the vehicular handle art that the door handle assembly can be positioned on a vehicular door in any suitable fashion.
Referring now to
As shown, the vehicular door handle assembly of the present disclosure includes two subcomponents, namely, a chassis 2 and a handle grip 3.
The chassis 2 can be a plastic component which can be made by injection molding but other suitable materials are contemplated. The chassis 2 has an external face which is intended to face the internal face of an exterior vehicle door panel which can be made of metal or of any other suitable material and an internal face opposite the external face.
As can be seen on
In the illustrated form of the present disclosure, the peripheral ridge 4 is comprised of two walls 5 and 6 linked by a series of ribs 7.
In the illustrated form, the chassis 2 has an elongated shape and has a longitudinal axis A.
At its forward end, the chassis 2 is provided with a first opening 9. The first opening 9 has a generally rectangular shape. The first opening 9 can be equipped with rib structure 10 that contacts the internal face of a door panel when the chassis 2 is assembled to a door structure. Two holes 12 are provided in the wall which surrounds the front opening 9, and a pivot pin 14 is inserted in the holes 12.
A rotatable arm 15 is mounted within the front opening of the chassis 2. To this end, the arm 15 has a central curved section 16 and a fork having two plain bearings 18 wherein the pivot pin 14 is inserted. The arm 15 is thus sturdily connected to the chassis 2 as the pivot linkage which connects the arm 15 to the chassis 2 can extend over a significant transversal dimension. At its free end, the arm 15 includes a series of radial lugs 19.
Next to the first opening 9, the chassis 2 includes with a central wall 21 that extends transversally within the peripheral ridge 4.
At its second end, the chassis 2 includes a support section 22 which extends within the peripheral ridge 4 at the rearward end of the chassis 2.
As it can be seen on the Figures, the transversal wall 21 and the support section 22 are spaced apart. In other words, the chassis 2 is provided with a central opening 24 which is defined between the transversal wall 21 and the support section 22.
In the illustrated example of the present disclosure, the support section 22 can be provided with a funnel 25 which extends from the internal face of the chassis 2. The funnel 25 is configured to accommodate a plug 26. In one form, the plug 26 can include a locking cylinder or any suitable mechanism for locking and unlocking the vehicle with a key.
The internal face of the chassis 2 is also equipped with a lug 27 provided with a hole suitable to receive a pivot pin 28. An inertia lock 30 is mounted on the pivot pin 28 and is configured to inhibit the vehicle door from opening in the case of a deceleration force caused by an impact with the vehicle.
A bellcrank 31 is also rotatably mounted on the chassis 2. To this end, the chassis 2 is provided with two holes 32 which are formed in the peripheral ridge 4. A pivot pin 33 is inserted in the holes 32. The bellcrank 31, which includes a plain bearing 35, is engaged on the pivot pin 33 and thus the bellcrank 31 can rotate about the pivot pin 33. The bellcrank 31 is biased by a torsion coil spring 34 toward a locked position that is to say a position where the door is latched by suitable means onto the vehicle body.
The central opening 24 is sized and shaped to accommodate the bellcrank 31 and to allow rotation of the bellcrank 31 between a vehicle door locked position and a vehicle door actuated position. To this end, the vehicle door is suitably equipped with appropriate features to latch and actuate the vehicle door upon an action by a user on the door handle.
The bellcrank 31 is also equipped with a fork which has two locking clips 36, each locking clip 36 including two curved arms.
In an exemplary form, the chassis 2 further includes a sliding member 37. The sliding member 37 can move between a first rearward position and a second frontward position. The sliding member 37 can thus occupy (i) a first waiting position where the sliding member 37 maintains the bellcrank 31 against the spring 34 in position where the locking clips 36 are substantially flush with the central opening; and (ii) a second operational/working position where the sliding member 37 releases the rotation of the bellcrank 31.
The sliding member 37 is provided with a sliding part 38 and an arm 40. The sliding part 38 is suitably equipped with guiding tabs 39 which make it possible to guide the sliding member 37 in its move with regards to the chassis 2. The arm 40 has a C-shape or gooseneck shape which goes around the bellcrank 31 and the end of which is fitted with a hook 42.
Referring to figures and particularly to
The frame 50 has a general elongated and arcuate shape which makes it possible to accommodate a user's hand.
The handle shell 51 is positioned over the frame 50 and is suitably secured thereto by a series of tabs or similar suitable connectors which secure the hand shell on the frame 50.
Referring, for example, to
The handle grip 3 can also be suitably provided with a forward gasket 57 and a rearward gasket 58. Gaskets 57 and 58 can be configured as separate items or can be part of the chassis 2 or attached to the handle grip 3 as shown in the Figures.
As shown in
At its forward end, the frame 50 includes means for connection with the rotatable arm 15. In the illustrated example and as can be seen in
Adjacent to the means for connection with the rotatable arm 15, the frame 50 can include a passageway 63. This passageway 63 can be optionally used for wires connecting an electronic module located in the door handle.
The operation of assembling the door handle assembly 1 of the present disclosure includes a first stage where the chassis 2 is secured on the internal face of the metal sheet which forms the vehicle door, by any suitable attachment means such as a rivet or screw, among others.
The door panel which can be seen in
In a second stage shown in
The handle grip 3 is approached to the door panel embossed area and the attachment part of the chassis 2 is engaged on the arm free end. More precisely, in the illustrated form, the arm radial lugs 19 engage into the corresponding radial grooves 62.
During stage two, the handle grip 2 forward end is rigidly attached to the front end of the chassis 2.
In a third stage, the handle grip 3 rotates about the forward pivot linkage and connects the plunger 52 with the bellcrank 31. To achieve this, the handle grip 3 is rotated towards the embossed area, thereby bringing the plunger 52 into engagement with the bellcrank 31 as shown in
One can appreciate that the forward opening 9 of the chassis 2 and the forward passageway 75 provided in the forward embossed section 72 are sized to accommodate the arm 15 rotation and that the pivot linkage which attaches the arm 15 to the chassis 2 has a transverse dimension which is significantly higher than the transverse dimension of both chassis 2 opening and corresponding forward section passageway 75. This is made possible by providing an arm 15 which has a pivot linkage located within the internal part of the door (
Overall the door handle assembly 1 of the present disclosure gives the user a feeling of quality and smoothness as the door handle assembly 1 is devoid from undesired and interfering movements caused by a narrow forward linkage and by aft and fore movement of the door handle.
The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the substance of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
