EP1026351B1 - Handle for a motor vehicle wing comprising improved means for blocking an external element - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a vehicle opening handle automobile with improved means of blocking an external element.

The invention relates more particularly to a opening handle of a motor vehicle, as defined in the preamble of claim 1.

Such a handle is known from EP-A-0 276 972.

A handle of a motor vehicle may comprise different types of elements arranged on the outside of the panel of body. In the case of a particular handle simple, so it can be a simple grab bar fixed by which the user can move the opening between a open position and a closed position.

It can also be a body intended to receive a locking latch of a lock of the opening, this body having an external part which allows on the one hand an access lock, for the introduction of a key, and which ensures otherwise part of the aesthetic integration of the lock.

Moreover, the external element can also be a element that participates in fixing the handle on the opening.

The prior art proposes different solutions for fixing a such element.

DE-A-30 30 519 proposes to fix the external element by the use of a locking device, formed of a screw, thus allowing, by the maneuvering of the screw, to achieve the locking of the heel of the lock in the handle holder.

EP-A-0 276 972 complete this solution for fixing an external element of the handle on the handle support in providing the locking device with an ergot which is received, in blocking position, by a complementary housing that presents the element external.

However, it is desirable that the fastening means make it possible to ensure in a simple and effective way a transverse clamping against the outside panel.

In addition, for aesthetic reasons, it is desirable that means of attachment of this external element are not visible from outside the vehicle. But the support of fixing the handle is usually arranged in a not easily accessible place of the opening, especially once that the complete assembly of the opening is complete and that the interior door fittings are laid. Indeed, the mounting bracket is usually arranged inside a closed box of the opening delimited in particular by the interior and exterior panels.

When it is desired to fix the external element only last moment of assembling the opening or when one wish to disassemble this element for example to perform a repair of the exterior bodywork panel, it is then interesting to be able to easily access the means of fixing the external element.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a handle opening as claimed in claim 1.

• le mecanisme de commande est susceptible d'être manoeuvré au travers d'une ouverture aménagée dans le panneau de chant de l'ouvrant.
• le talon de l'élément externe est guidé en coulissement selon la direction transversale dans le support de poignée ;
• l'organe de blocage présente la forme d'un étrier en U comportant deux branches longitudinales parallèles réunies à leur extrémité arrière par une base qui s'étend perpendiculairement au deux branches et perpendiculairement à la direction transversale, l'étrier est introduit longitudinalement d'avant en arrière, jusqu'à une position avancée de déblocage, dans une glissière complémentaire agencée à l'arrière du support, et l'étrier est amené par les moyens de commande longitudinalement vers l'arrière jusqu'à sa position de blocage dans laquelle des ergots, aménagés aux extrémités avant de chaque branche, sont engagés dans des logements correspondants du talon de l'élément externe, ce dernier étant alors reçu entre les deux branches longitudinales de l'étrier de blocage ;
• le support de poignée comporte des moyens de prépositionnement de l'organe de blocage qui, au cours du montage de la poignée, le maintiennent dans sa position de déblocage ;
• les moyens de commande sont constitués par une tige filetée d'axe longitudinal qui est vissée dans la base de l'étrier, dont l'extrémité avant prend appui sur une surface qui est fixe longitudinalement, et dont l'extrémité arrière présente une empreinte complémentaire de celle d'un outil de manoeuvre susceptible d'être introduit au travers de l'ouverture du panneau de chant de l'ouvrant ;
• la tige filetée est en appui contre une surface latérale du talon de l'élément externe ;
• l'élément externe forme un corps de verrouillage qui participe à la fixation de la poignée sur l'ouvrant ;
• l'élément externe forme un élément de préhension fixe par lequel un utilisateur peut amener l'ouvrant d'une position fermée à une position ouverte ; et
• l'élément externe forme un carter destiné à recevoir un verrou.

According to other features of the invention:

• the control mechanism is likely to be operated through an opening in the edge panel of the opening.
• the heel of the outer member is slidably guided in the transverse direction in the handle holder;
• the locking member has the shape of a U-shaped stirrup having two parallel longitudinal branches joined at their rear end by a base which extends perpendicular to the two branches and perpendicular to the transverse direction, the stirrup is introduced longitudinally of forward to the advanced unlocking position, in a complementary slideway arranged at the rear of the support, and the stirrup is brought by the control means longitudinally rearwardly to its locking position in which lugs, arranged at the front ends of each branch, are engaged in corresponding housing of the heel of the outer member, the latter being then received between the two longitudinal legs of the locking bracket;
• the handle support comprises means for prepositioning the locking member which, during mounting of the handle, keep it in its unlocking position;
• the control means are constituted by a threaded rod of longitudinal axis which is screwed into the base of the stirrup, whose front end bears on a surface which is fixed longitudinally, and whose rear end has a complementary footprint that of a maneuvering tool that can be introduced through the opening of the edge panel of the opening;
• the threaded rod bears against a lateral surface of the heel of the external element;
• the outer member forms a locking body which participates in fixing the handle on the opening;
• the outer member forms a fixed gripping member by which a user can move the leaf from a closed position to an open position; and
• the outer member forms a housing for receiving a latch.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective éclatée d'une poignée d'ouvrant selon invention comportant un support agencé du côté interne d'un panneau de carrosserie et un organe de préhension agencé du côté externe du panneau ;
• les figures 2 à 4 sont des vues schématiques en coupe selon un plan longitudinal et transversal de la poignée, dans lesquelles on a illustré plus particulièrement la mise en place et le blocage d'un corps de verrouillage complémentaire de la poignée ;
• les figures 5 et 6 sont des vues en coupes selon les lignes 5-5 et 6-6 respectivement des figures 3 et 4 illustrant le blocage du corps de verrouillage ;
• la figure 7 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne 7-7 de la figure 4 illustrant le guidage du corps de verrouillage dans le support de poignée ; et
• la figure 8 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne brisée 8-8 de la figure 7.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic perspective exploded view of a sash handle according to the invention comprising a support arranged on the inner side of a body panel and a gripping member arranged on the outer side of the panel;
• Figures 2 to 4 are schematic sectional views along a longitudinal and transverse plane of the handle, in which there is illustrated more particularly the establishment and locking of a complementary locking body of the handle;
• Figures 5 and 6 are sectional views along lines 5-5 and 6-6 respectively of Figures 3 and 4 illustrating the locking of the locking body;
• Figure 7 is a sectional view along the line 7-7 of Figure 4 illustrating the guiding of the locking body in the handle holder; and
• Figure 8 is a sectional view along the broken line 8-8 of Figure 7.

FIG. 1 shows a handle 10 intended to be mounted on an exterior body panel 12 of a opening of a motor vehicle. The handle 10 has for the essential a handle holder 14, which is intended to be fixed on the inner side of the panel 12, and a gripping lever 16 which is intended to be arranged on the external side of the panel 12, while being fixed on the support 14.

In the exemplary embodiment which is illustrated on the figures, the gripping lever 16 is in the form a bar which extends in a longitudinal direction, horizontally in relation to a conventional orientation of the motor vehicle, and is articulated on the support 14 by its front end 18, about a vertical axis A1, that is to say substantially parallel to the plane of the body panel 12 and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lever 16.

Of course, the notions of horizontal and vertical are used here in order to simplify the understanding of description and should not be conceived of as limitations of the scope of the invention, in particular as regards the orientation of the handle.

For its articulation on the support 14, the front end 18 of the lever 16 comprises a hinge element 20 which extends transversely inwards, through a front opening 22 arranged in the panel 12, and which cooperates with a hinge element of the support 14. At its rear end 24, the handle lever 16 has a control element 26 which is intended to extend transversely inwards through an opening rear 28 arranged in the panel 12, so as to ability to control a linkage associated with a lock so to open the sash when the user manipulates the gripping lever 16 by removing it by relative to the plane of the panel 12.

Of course, the angular stroke of the lever of gripping 16 around the A1 axis is limited by means not shown.

In the embodiment of the invention which is illustrated, the handle support 14 is intended to be mounted on the body panel according to a bayonet mount and the handle has a locking body which is intended for be transversely engaged from the outside to the inside at through the exterior body panel so that that a fastening heel of the locking body is fixed on the locking bracket.

In accordance with the teachings of the invention, it will be describes quick and reliable fastening means of the body of locking, these means being likely to be easily implemented even once opening it completely assembled.

It can be seen in FIG. 1 that the support 14 comprises a front support surface 30 and a rear support surface 32 which are each intended to support transversely towards the outside against the inside of the panel of body. At each of these two surfaces of support, the support 14 has latching tabs 36 which extend transversely outwards.

In the example illustrated, the support 14 comprises two fastening tabs 36 at its front support surface 30 and two other legs 36 at its bearing surface rear 32.

To assemble the support 14, this one is everything first brought, by a first approach movement, transversely from inside to outside against the inner face of the panel 12, so that the legs 36 are engaged through openings 22 and 28 corresponding.

Then, when the support 14 has reached a position intermediate fitting in which these two bearing faces 30, 32 bear against the inner face, the support 14 is then moved longitudinally forward by simple sliding along the body panel 12. During of this snap movement, the ends of each of the legs 36 are intended to engage behind a face external 42 of the body panel 12.

Indeed, the front 22 and rear 28 openings have support edges 44 which are arranged on the trajectory of the legs 36 when the support 14 is moved longitudinally forward from a position intermediate assembly.

Thus, when the support 14 has reached its position longitudinal axis, which corresponds to its position final, the legs 36 prevent it can be removed transversely inwards with respect to the panel of bodywork 12.

In addition, means are provided for automatically block, at least temporarily, the support 14 when it reaches its final position, so as to prevent it from moving backwards longitudinally at the risk of to release the hooking tabs 36.

For this purpose, it can be seen that the support 14 comprises, at the rear of its front support surface 30, and more exactly behind each leg 36 carried by this last, two elastic arms 48 which extend substantially longitudinally, which are linked to the support 14 by their front end, and whose rear end extends transversely outward from the plane of the surface 30 when in the free state as illustrated in FIG. figure 1.

The elastic arms 48, which are made from material with the support, are likely to be solicited transversely inwards so as to no longer to extend transversely outwards in relation to the plane from this surface. This is the case when we bring the support 14 bearing against the inner face of the panel 12.

However, when the support 14 reaches its position final, the elastic arms 48 are next to opening before 22 so that they can resume their free position. Their rear end is then found longitudinally just in front of a trailing edge 52 of 22. In this way, extending transversely towards outside a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the body panel, the rear ends of each of the arm 48 are then supported in the direction longitudinal, in the plane of the body panel 12, against the trailing edge 52 of the front opening 22 which forms a locking notch, preventing the backing of the support 14.

As will be described with reference to FIGS. 2-8, the handle according to the invention comprises means for complementary locks, the action of which is added to that of elastic arms 48 which, in this case, serve essentially to pre-lock the handle support 14.

For this purpose, the handle comprises a body of lock 56 having an outer portion 58 and a heel of fastener 60 which extends transversely inwards for be received through the rear opening 28 of the panel 12 exterior body of the opening and to be guided in sliding in the transverse direction in a cavity complementary 62 arranged in the handle support 14.

The outer portion 58 has a bearing face 63 turned facing the outer face 42 of the panel 12.

When the support 14 is in the final mounting position, the heel 60 of the locking body 56 is engaged transversely inwards into the cavity 62 of the support 14, from outside the opening, so that the body lock 56 is then immobilized with respect to the support 14 in all directions except the direction cross. Now, at the same time, we can see on the FIG 8 that a rear lateral face 64 is then in support longitudinally rearwards against a rear edge 66 of the rear opening 28. Also, the locking body 56 prevents any longitudinal withdrawal towards the back of the support 14 relative to the outer panel 12, eliminating any risk disassembling the support 14 in the case where the elastic arms 48 would break.

In accordance with the teachings of the invention, for secure the locking body in the cavity 62 of the support 14, the handle 10 comprises a stirrup 68 which is slidably mounted in the rear part of the support 14. The stirrup 68 essentially comprises two branches longitudinal 70 joined at their rear end by a base 72 so that in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction, the stirrup 68 has substantially the shape of an open U forward.

At their front end, the branches 70 are provided each of a lug 78, each lug 78 extending substantially towards the opposite branch. Like this will be seen later, the pins 78 are intended to be received in additional dwellings 80 laid out in the heel 60.

The stirrup 68 is intended to be engaged in a slide 74 of the support 14 which opens longitudinally at the rear. The precise guidance of the stirrup 68 is ensured in particular by rails 76 arranged on the outer faces of the branches 70 of the locking body 56.

Before mounting the support 14 on the opening, the stirrup 68 is engaged longitudinally from back to front in the slide 74 to an advanced unblocking position in which the branches 72 extend on either side of the cavity 62, the pins 78 being arranged in front of the cavity of the stirrup 68 can not prevent the introduction of the heel 60 of the locking body 56 in the cavity 62.

It will be noted in FIGS. 2 and 3 that the support 14 has an elastic blade 82 which retains the stirrup 68 longitudinally in its advanced unblocking position for prevent it from escaping from slide 74 under the effect of his own weight.

When the heel 60 of the locking body 56 is engaged in the cavity 62, we can see in Figures 5 and 6 that it is received between the two branches 70 of the stirrup 68. A once the locking body 56 in place, the housings 80 arranged in its heel 60 lie longitudinally in look of the pins 78 of the caliper 68.

According to one aspect of the invention, the stirrup 68 is provided with control means that make it back longitudinally to a retracted blocking position in which the lugs 78 are received in the housings 80, which ensures the transverse locking of the locking body 56 relative to the support 14, and therefore its immobilization complete.

For this purpose, there is provided a threaded rod 84 of axis longitudinal which is screwed through the base 72 of the stirrup. Its rear end, which extends behind the base 72, has an axial hexagonal recess 86 that allows it to be maneuvered using a six-key tool At its front end, the threaded rod 84 has a cup support 88 which is intended to take support axially forwardly on the rear side surface 64 of the heel 60 of the locking body 56. Optionally, the front end of the rod 84 can also be provided an indentation to facilitate the assembly of the stem 84 on caliper 68, which is done before the introduction of the stirrup 68 in the slide 74, and therefore before the assembly of the support 14 on the opening.

As can be seen in Figures 5 and 6, we can thus, by operating the threaded rod 84 in the direction suitable, move the stirrup 68 longitudinally relative to the lock body 56, which is fixed according to this direction, until the pins 78 are brought into the housings 80.

The pins 78 and the housings 80 are provided with complementary inclined faces 90, 92 which, when the stirrup is brought to its retracted blocking position, cooperate in such a way that they cause a displacement of the locking body 56 transversely towards the inside, this which makes it possible to ensure a tightening of the bearing surface 63 of the body 56 against the outer face 42 of the outer panel 12. Advantageously, a seal 94 will be arranged between the bearing face 63 and the panel 12.

The locking body lock design 56 is particularly advantageous in that it allows a easy assembly and disassembly of the locking body on the support 14, but in the case where the latter is not accessible.

Indeed, the handle support 14 is generally fixed in an internal space of the opening which is delimited by the outer panel 12, by an inner panel parallel to the outer panel, and by at least 96 edge panel which extends transversely to connect the inner panels and 12. The inner panel is for example constituted by a counter-door lining. More particularly, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, the support 14 is generally arranged at a rear end of the opening, to near a vertical edge panel 96.

Thanks to the invention, it is therefore sufficient to provide in the edge panel 96, opposite the rear end of the threaded rod 84, a bore 98 for the passage of a tool complementary to the footprint 86. Thus, blocking or unlocking the lock body 56 can be done without having access to the internal space of the panel, just by engaging the tool through the bore 98 to manipulate the threaded rod 84.

In particular, for repairs that do not require that the removal of the external parts of the handle, for example to repaint the body panel, there will be no need to deposit the inner panel of the opening, this all by avoiding arranging the fastening means on the outside of opening. This disassembly can be done "blind", without it there is no risk of losing the threaded rod 84 which, by design can not be unscrewed out of the stirrup 68 because of the presence of the radial protuberance formed by the cup 88.

We have seen in the foregoing that the body of locking participates in fixing the support 14 of the handle 10. However, it can also be expected that he also participates maintaining and / or guiding the gripping lever 24.

In addition, the locking body 56 can also form a housing for receiving a locking lock of the lock of the opening.

The invention has been described here in the context of fixing of a locking body on the mounting bracket of the handle. However, the teaching of the invention may easily be transposed to any external element of a handle who would need to be so fixed. In particular, the invention can also be applied for attaching a grab bar fixed by which the user can move the opening between a open position and a closed position.

Claims (10)

1. Motor vehicle door handle, intended to be arranged on a door comprising an internal space delimited by two panels, internal and external (12), which are connected by an edge panel (96), of the type in which the handle comprises a handle support (14) which is arranged in the internal space of the door, of the type in which an external element (56) of the handle is provided with a fixing nose (60) which is engaged transversely towards the inside through an orifice (28) provided in the external panel (12) in order to be fixed to the handle support (14) and thus provide the fixing of the external element (56), and of the type in which the handle comprises a locking member (68) for the fixing nose (60), the locking member (68) being mounted so as to be able to move slidably in the support (14), in a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction of engagement of the external element (56), between a release position and a locking position, through the control of a control mechanism (84), the said locking member (68) comprising at least one toe (78) which, in the locking position, is received in a complementary housing (80) in the nose (60) of the external element (56) in order to prevent the external element (56) being able to be extracted transversely towards the outside, characterised in that the toe (78) and the housing (80) cooperate through two complementary faces (90, 92) which are inclined with respect to the transverse direction of engagement of the external element (56) and with respect to the direction of sliding of the locking member (68) so that, when the locking member (68) is brought to its locking position, the external element (56) is urged transversely inwards by the toe (78) of the locking member (68).
2. Handle according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the control mechanism (84) is able to be manoeuvred through an opening (98) provided in the edge panel (96) of the door.
3. Handle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the nose (60) of the external element (56) is slidably guided in the transverse direction in the handle support (14).
4. Handle according to Claim 3, characterised in that the locking member (68) is in the form of a U-shaped shackle comprising two parallel longitudinal arms (70) connected at their rear end by a base (72) which extends perpendicular to the two arms (70) and perpendicular to the transverse direction, in that the shackle is introduced longitudinally from front to rear, as far as an advanced release position, in a complementary runner (74) arranged at the rear of the support (14), and the shackle (68) is brought by the control means (84) longitudinally towards the rear as far as its locking position in which lugs (78), provided at the front ends of each arm (70), are engaged in corresponding housings (80) in the nose (60) of the external element (56), the latter then being received between the two longitudinal arms (70) of the locking shackle (68).
5. Handle according to Claim 4, characterised in that the handle support (14) comprises means (82) of prepositioning the locking member (68) which, during the mounting of the handle, hold it in its release position.
6. Handle according to one of Claims 4 or 5, characterised in that the control means consist of a threaded rod (84) of longitudinal axis which is screwed into the base (72) of the shackle (68), the front end (88) of which bears on a surface (64) which is fixed longitudinally and the rear end of which has a recess (86) complementary to that of a manoeuvring tool able to be introduced through the opening (98) in the edge panel (96) of the door.
7. Handle according to Claim 6, characterised in that the threaded rod (84) is in abutment against a lateral surface of the nose (60) of the external element (56).
8. Handle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the external element forms a locking body (56) which participates in the fixing of the handle to the door.
9. Handle according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the external element forms a fixed gripping element by means of which a user can bring the door from a closed position to an open position.
10. Handle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the external element forms a casing intended to receive a bolt.

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