EP1031683B2 - Vehicle door handle - Google Patents
Vehicle door handle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1031683B2 EP1031683B2 EP00103644.1A EP00103644A EP1031683B2 EP 1031683 B2 EP1031683 B2 EP 1031683B2 EP 00103644 A EP00103644 A EP 00103644A EP 1031683 B2 EP1031683 B2 EP 1031683B2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- handle
- connecting member
- door
- movable control
- members
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B79/00—Mounting or connecting vehicle locks or parts thereof
- E05B79/02—Mounting of vehicle locks or parts thereof
- E05B79/06—Mounting of handles, e.g. to the wing or to the lock
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B81/00—Power-actuated vehicle locks
- E05B81/54—Electrical circuits
- E05B81/64—Monitoring or sensing, e.g. by using switches or sensors
- E05B81/76—Detection of handle operation; Detection of a user approaching a handle; Electrical switching actions performed by door handles
- E05B81/78—Detection of handle operation; Detection of a user approaching a handle; Electrical switching actions performed by door handles as part of a hands-free locking or unlocking operation
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B85/00—Details of vehicle locks not provided for in groups E05B77/00 - E05B83/00
- E05B85/10—Handles
- E05B85/14—Handles pivoted about an axis parallel to the wing
- E05B85/16—Handles pivoted about an axis parallel to the wing a longitudinal grip part being pivoted at one end about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the grip part
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a vehicle door handle.
- the present invention relates to a handle of the type comprising a connecting structure fitted to the vehicle door; a lever hinged to the connecting structure and activated, in use, by a user to control a lock on the door; and a user presence detecting device comprising an aerial housed inside the lever to detect the presence of the user about to open the door, and to emit a relative alert signal.
- the aerial has a cable extending through the lever and connected to a cable on the door by means of an electric connector comprising two connecting elements, which, once the handle is fitted to the door, are connected to each other manually by a fitter. Connecting and, if necessary, disconnecting the two elements are fairly expensive and, above all, awkward jobs on account of the fairly confined space in which the fitter is compelled to work. Moreover, once connected up, the connector is normally left loose inside the door cavity, which not only results in noise but also, in some cases, fails to ensure firm connection of the aerial. That is, if connected poorly, the two elements inevitably work loose eventually, thus isolating the aerial and preventing the user from opening the lock.
- the document DE 19633894 describes a handle for a vehicle door constituted as mentioned in the preamble of claims 1, 6 and 10. Such handle is also being used in the Mercedes W 140 model.
- DE 196 33 894 A1 discloses a door handle having a lever and a support structure.
- the lever is provided with a sensor which is connected to a cable which is part of the vehicle harness.
- a plug connector formed at the lever is guided into a complementary plug connector arranged at a mounting fork.
- the mounting fork is supported pivotally on the mounting structure which also carries the lever.
- Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates a handle (shown partly) fitted to a vehicle door 2, which has an outer body 3 having an opening 4.
- handle 1 comprises a connecting structure 5 connected integrally, in known manner not described in detail, to an inner frame (not shown) of door 2 and having a cavity 6.
- Cavity 6 is defined by an end wall 7 haying an opening 8; by two lateral portions 9 and 10, portion 9 being located adjacent to body 3, and portion 10 being located on the opposite side of portion 9 to body 3; and by two lateral walls 11 facing each other and extending between portions 9 and 10.
- Handle 1 also comprises a movable control lever 13 extending in a longitudinal direction and facing body 3; and a seal 15 interposed between lever 13 and body 3 and closing opening 4.
- Lever 13 comprises a hollow body 17, which is gripped, in use, by the user's hand to open a lock (not shown) on door 2; and an end arm 19, which extends integrally from body 17 through opening 4, is surrounded by seal 15, and is hinged, in known manner not described in detail, to structure 5 to permit rotation of lever 13 about a hinge axis 20 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and parallel to body 3.
- handle 1 also comprises a detecting device 21 for detecting the presence of the user about to open door 2.
- Device 21 comprises an aerial 23 housed inside body 17; an output cable 25 extending through opening 4; and an electric connector 27 for connecting cable 25 to a cable 29 on door 2, extending through opening 8 to transmit an alert signal emitted by aerial 23.
- Electric connector 27 is located on the opposite side of arm 19 to body 3, and comprises a first and a second element 30 and 31 connected to each other in a longitudinal connection direction.
- Element 30 is connected to cable 25 and comprises an outer casing 34 formed in one piece with arm 19; and element 31 is connected to cable 29, is housed partially inside cavity 6, and is connected to structure 5 by means of a click-on connecting assembly 37 interposed between element 31 and structure 5.
- assembly 37 comprises a retaining seat 39 formed in portion 9 inside cavity 6; an outer tooth 41 carried by element 31 and engaging seat 39 loosely to allow element 31 to move with respect to structure 5; and a metal leaf spring 43.
- Spring 43 is U-shaped, is connected integrally to portion 10, and extends inside cavity 6 to exert elastic action on element 31 towards seat 39, so as to retain tooth 41 inside seat 39 and enable element 31, guided by lateral walls 11, to move with respect to structure 5 in a plane perpendicular to axis 20.
- element 30 is connected integrally to lever 13 by means of a respective click-on connecting assembly 47 interposed between element 30 and arm 19, and comprising a dove-tail seat 53 formed longitudinally in casing 34 and defined by a transverse bottom surface 54, a guide portion 55 for guiding arm 19 and engaging seat 53, and a retaining device 56 for retaining portion 55 resting on bottom surface 54.
- a respective click-on connecting assembly 47 interposed between element 30 and arm 19, and comprising a dove-tail seat 53 formed longitudinally in casing 34 and defined by a transverse bottom surface 54, a guide portion 55 for guiding arm 19 and engaging seat 53, and a retaining device 56 for retaining portion 55 resting on bottom surface 54.
- Device 56 comprises a hemispherical cavity formed in portion 55, positioned facing casing 34, and inside which clicks a hemispherical elastic appendix integral with casing 34.
- device 56 comprises an elastic tab integral with casing 34 and located on the opposite side with respect to bottom surface 54 to click past portion 55.
- lever 13 When assembling handle 1, once structure 5 is connected to door 2, lever 13 is connected to structure 5 by tilting lever 13 with respect to body 3 and inserting arm 19 and element 30, integral with each other, through opening 4. Elements 30 and 31 may be connected to each other before connecting arm 19 to structure 5, in which case, cable 29 is simply slid through opening 8, and lever 13 pushed to click electric connector 27 inside cavity 6. Alternatively, element 31 is clicked inside cavity 6, and elements 30 and 31 are connected to each other when hinging arm 19 to structure 5.
- electric connector 27 of handle 1 rotates, integrally with lever 13, between a rest position (shown by the continuous line in Figure 1 ) and a lock control position (shown by the dash line in Figure 1 ) tilted with respect to the rest position, and in which tooth 41 still engages seat 39.
- lever 13 is used to rotate electric connector 27 past the control position to release tooth 41 from seat 39 and withdraw arm 19 from door 2.
- FIG. 5 The embodiment shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7 relates to a handle 58, portions 9 and 10 and walls 7 and 11 of which define a fixed body 59 for connecting and housing arm 19, which extends inside cavity 6 in a longitudinal direction and is hinged to lateral walls 11 to rotate about axis 20.
- Handle 58 also comprises a seal 60 surrounding arm 19 and closing cavity 6.
- electric connector 27 comprises a first and a second connecting element 61 and 62, which in turn comprise respective sets of three contacts 63 and 64 connected to each other in sliding manner, and respective supporting bases 65 and 66.
- Bases 65 and 66 are co-molded with respective contacts 63 and 64, and are connected integrally in fixed positions to arm 19 and portion 10 respectively by means of respective click-on connecting assemblies 47 and 37.
- assembly 37 comprises a seat 67 formed in portion 10, facing arm 19, and defined longitudinally by an end surface 69; an elastic tab 71 formed in one piece with portion 10 inside seat 67 and spaced apart from end surface 69 to click base 66 against end surface 69; and two longitudinal locating grooves 72 differing in size and formed opposite each other inside the seat.
- Base 66 is defined by a hollow parallelepiped-shaped body, which is locked between tab 71 and end surface 69 and has two outer locating ribs 76 differing in size and extending longitudinally along opposite lateral faces to engage respective grooves 72.
- base 66 partly houses contacts 64, each of which is connected to cable 29 and extends through base 66, perpendicularly to axis 20 and portion 10, towards a respective contact 63.
- Base 66 also houses a set of three springs 80, each of which pushes a respective contact 64 towards axis 20 to keep contacts 63 and 64 in contact with each other.
- connecting assembly 47 comprises a seat 81 defined by two transverse shoulders 83 spaced apart from each other and between which platelike base 65 is interposed facing base 66.
- Assembly 47 also comprises a click-on retaining device defined by two longitudinal ribs 84 extending integrally from arm 19 towards respective walls 11, and by two elastic longitudinal appendixes 85 carried laterally by base 65 and extending towards axis 20 to engage ribs 84.
- Base 65 houses three contacts 63 defined by respective elastically deformable blades, each of which is connected to cable 25 and is bridge-shaped so as to contact respective contact 64 at a point lying along a line perpendicular to axis 20 and portion 10.
- FIG. 8 The embodiment shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10 relates to a handle 90, the electric connector 27 of which, unlike handle 58, comprises three annular contacts 91 co-molded into arm 19 housed inside cavity 6; and a connecting element 92.
- Contacts 91 are connected to cable 25, have respective longitudinal axes 93 extending in a plane parallel to axis 20, and communicate with cavity 6.
- Element 92 is located on the opposite side of end wall 7 to arm 19, is detached from wall 7, and comprises three inner guides 95 coaxial with axes 93, and a front end collar 96.
- Collar 96 loosely houses part of body 59, and is hinged to walls 11 by means of click-on connecting assembly 37, which comprises two pins hinging body 59 and engaging respective seats formed in collar 96 to rotate about a respective hinge axis coincident with axis 20.
- Assembly 37 also comprises three longitudinal locating grooves 98 formed in collar 96, two facing portion 9 and one facing portion 10; and three locating pins 99, each integral with body 59 and loosely engaging a respective groove 98.
- element 92 houses a set of three contacts 100, each of which is connected to cable 29, slides inside a respective guide 95 along a respective axis 93, and extends outside element 92 and loosely through a respective opening 8 in wall 7 to engage a respective contact 91.
- element 92 comprises a seal 103 interposed between element 92 and end wall 7 and about contacts 100; and a set of three springs 104, each of which is housed inside a respective guide 95 to axially push respective contact 100 towards arm 19 and prevent damage to electric connector 27 when connecting contacts 91 and 100.
- element 92 rotates, together with arm 19 and hence with contacts 91, about axis 20 and with respect to body 59 by virtue of the clearance, in a plane perpendicular to axis 20, between body 59 and element 92.
- Fitting at least one of the connecting elements of electric connector 27 to lever 13 or to structure 5 therefore provides the fitter with a fixed reference by which to connect the connecting elements quickly and easily, thus enabling handles 1, 58 and 90 to be fitted to door 2 relatively quickly and cheaply.
- the two connecting elements can be connected when connecting lever 13 to structure 5, with no need to work directly on connector 27, thus further reducing assembly time and cost as compared with known solutions.
- Simplifying assembly also greatly reduces the risk of the two connecting elements being connected improperly, thus reducing the risk of the elements working loose, and so improving, as compared with known solutions, the reliability and efficiency of handles 1, 58 and 90, and in particular of the electric connection of aerial 23 and, hence, electric control of the lock of door 2.
- connector 27 generates very little noise.
- aerial 23 and cable 25 may be co-molded with lever 13; elements 61 and 62 of handle 58 may be co-molded with lever 13 and body 59 respectively; the type of electric connector and the assemblies connecting the connecting elements to lever 13 and to structure 5 may be other than as described by way of example; and/or the lever may be connected to structure 5 differently from the manner described.
Description
- The present invention relates to a vehicle door handle.
- In particular, the present invention relates to a handle of the type comprising a connecting structure fitted to the vehicle door; a lever hinged to the connecting structure and activated, in use, by a user to control a lock on the door; and a user presence detecting device comprising an aerial housed inside the lever to detect the presence of the user about to open the door, and to emit a relative alert signal.
- The aerial has a cable extending through the lever and connected to a cable on the door by means of an electric connector comprising two connecting elements, which, once the handle is fitted to the door, are connected to each other manually by a fitter. Connecting and, if necessary, disconnecting the two elements are fairly expensive and, above all, awkward jobs on account of the fairly confined space in which the fitter is compelled to work. Moreover, once connected up, the connector is normally left loose inside the door cavity, which not only results in noise but also, in some cases, fails to ensure firm connection of the aerial. That is, if connected poorly, the two elements inevitably work loose eventually, thus isolating the aerial and preventing the user from opening the lock.
- The document
DE 19633894 describes a handle for a vehicle door constituted as mentioned in the preamble ofclaims -
DE 196 33 894 A1 discloses a door handle having a lever and a support structure. The lever is provided with a sensor which is connected to a cable which is part of the vehicle harness. When the lever is fitted to its mounting structure provided at the vehicle door, a plug connector formed at the lever is guided into a complementary plug connector arranged at a mounting fork. The mounting fork is supported pivotally on the mounting structure which also carries the lever. - It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle door handle designed to provide a straightforward solution to the above problems, and which, in particular, can be fitted extremely quickly to the door, provides for a high degree of efficiency and reliability, and is also relatively cheap.
- According to the present invention, there is provided a handle for a vehicle door according to
claims - A non-limiting embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
Figure 1 shows a partially sectioned view, with parts removed for clarity, of a first preferred embodiment of the handle according to the present invention connected to a vehicle door shown only partly; -
Figure 2 shows a side view, with parts removed for clarity, of theFigure 1 handle; -
Figure 3 shows a larger-scale, partially sectioned view of a variation of a detail of theFigure 1 handle; -
Figure 4 shows a section, with parts removed for clarity, along line IV-IV inFigure 3 ; -
Figure 5 shows the same view as inFigure 1 , with parts removed for clarity, of a second preferred embodiment of the handle according to the present invention; -
Figure 6 shows a larger-scale section of a detail of theFigure 5 handle; -
Figure 7 shows a section along line VII-VII inFigure 6 ; -
Figure 8 shows a larger-scale view, similar to that inFigure 2 and with parts removed for clarity, of a third preferred embodiment of the handle according to the present invention; -
Figure 9 shows a front view, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of theFigure 8 handle; -
Figure 10 shows a section of theFigure 8 handle along line X-X inFigure 9 . -
Number 1 inFigure 1 indicates a handle (shown partly) fitted to a vehicle door 2, which has an outer body 3 having an opening 4. - With reference to
Figures 1 and 2 ,handle 1 comprises a connectingstructure 5 connected integrally, in known manner not described in detail, to an inner frame (not shown) of door 2 and having acavity 6. -
Cavity 6 is defined by an end wall 7 haying anopening 8; by twolateral portions portion 9 being located adjacent to body 3, andportion 10 being located on the opposite side ofportion 9 to body 3; and by twolateral walls 11 facing each other and extending betweenportions -
Handle 1 also comprises amovable control lever 13 extending in a longitudinal direction and facing body 3; and aseal 15 interposed betweenlever 13 and body 3 and closing opening 4. -
Lever 13 comprises ahollow body 17, which is gripped, in use, by the user's hand to open a lock (not shown) on door 2; and anend arm 19, which extends integrally frombody 17 through opening 4, is surrounded byseal 15, and is hinged, in known manner not described in detail, tostructure 5 to permit rotation oflever 13 about ahinge axis 20 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and parallel to body 3. - As shown, particularly in
Figure 1 ,handle 1 also comprises a detectingdevice 21 for detecting the presence of the user about to open door 2.Device 21 comprises an aerial 23 housed insidebody 17; anoutput cable 25 extending through opening 4; and anelectric connector 27 for connectingcable 25 to acable 29 on door 2, extending through opening 8 to transmit an alert signal emitted by aerial 23. -
Electric connector 27 is located on the opposite side ofarm 19 to body 3, and comprises a first and asecond element Element 30 is connected tocable 25 and comprises anouter casing 34 formed in one piece witharm 19; andelement 31 is connected tocable 29, is housed partially insidecavity 6, and is connected tostructure 5 by means of a click-on connectingassembly 37 interposed betweenelement 31 andstructure 5. - As shown in
Figures 1 and 2 ,assembly 37 comprises aretaining seat 39 formed inportion 9 insidecavity 6; anouter tooth 41 carried byelement 31 and engagingseat 39 loosely to allowelement 31 to move with respect tostructure 5; and ametal leaf spring 43.Spring 43 is U-shaped, is connected integrally toportion 10, and extends insidecavity 6 to exert elastic action onelement 31 towardsseat 39, so as to retaintooth 41 insideseat 39 and enableelement 31, guided bylateral walls 11, to move with respect tostructure 5 in a plane perpendicular toaxis 20. - In the variation shown in
Figures 3 and 4 ,element 30 is connected integrally to lever 13 by means of a respective click-on connectingassembly 47 interposed betweenelement 30 andarm 19, and comprising a dove-tail seat 53 formed longitudinally incasing 34 and defined by atransverse bottom surface 54, aguide portion 55 for guidingarm 19 and engagingseat 53, and aretaining device 56 for retainingportion 55 resting onbottom surface 54. -
Device 56 comprises a hemispherical cavity formed inportion 55, positioned facingcasing 34, and inside which clicks a hemispherical elastic appendix integral withcasing 34. In a variation not shown,device 56 comprises an elastic tab integral withcasing 34 and located on the opposite side with respect tobottom surface 54 to clickpast portion 55. - When assembling
handle 1, oncestructure 5 is connected to door 2,lever 13 is connected tostructure 5 by tiltinglever 13 with respect to body 3 and insertingarm 19 andelement 30, integral with each other, through opening 4.Elements arm 19 tostructure 5, in which case,cable 29 is simply slid through opening 8, andlever 13 pushed to clickelectric connector 27 insidecavity 6. Alternatively,element 31 is clicked insidecavity 6, andelements arm 19 tostructure 5. - In actual use,
electric connector 27 ofhandle 1 rotates, integrally withlever 13, between a rest position (shown by the continuous line inFigure 1 ) and a lock control position (shown by the dash line inFigure 1 ) tilted with respect to the rest position, and in whichtooth 41 still engagesseat 39. When disassembling the handle,lever 13 is used to rotateelectric connector 27 past the control position to releasetooth 41 fromseat 39 and withdrawarm 19 from door 2. - The embodiment shown in
Figures 5, 6 and 7 relates to ahandle 58,portions walls 7 and 11 of which define afixed body 59 for connecting andhousing arm 19, which extends insidecavity 6 in a longitudinal direction and is hinged tolateral walls 11 to rotate aboutaxis 20.Handle 58 also comprises aseal 60 surroundingarm 19 andclosing cavity 6. - Unlike
handle 1,electric connector 27 comprises a first and a second connectingelement contacts bases Bases respective contacts arm 19 andportion 10 respectively by means of respective click-on connectingassemblies - More specifically, as shown in
Figures 6 and 7 ,assembly 37 comprises aseat 67 formed inportion 10, facingarm 19, and defined longitudinally by anend surface 69; an elastic tab 71 formed in one piece withportion 10 insideseat 67 and spaced apart fromend surface 69 to clickbase 66 againstend surface 69; and two longitudinal locatinggrooves 72 differing in size and formed opposite each other inside the seat. -
Base 66 is defined by a hollow parallelepiped-shaped body, which is locked between tab 71 andend surface 69 and has two outer locatingribs 76 differing in size and extending longitudinally along opposite lateral faces to engagerespective grooves 72. - As shown in
Figure 6 ,base 66 partly housescontacts 64, each of which is connected tocable 29 and extends throughbase 66, perpendicularly toaxis 20 andportion 10, towards arespective contact 63.Base 66 also houses a set of threesprings 80, each of which pushes arespective contact 64 towardsaxis 20 to keepcontacts - With reference to
Figures 6 and 7 , connectingassembly 47 comprises aseat 81 defined by twotransverse shoulders 83 spaced apart from each other and between whichplatelike base 65 is interposed facingbase 66.Assembly 47 also comprises a click-on retaining device defined by twolongitudinal ribs 84 extending integrally fromarm 19 towardsrespective walls 11, and by two elasticlongitudinal appendixes 85 carried laterally bybase 65 and extending towardsaxis 20 to engageribs 84. -
Base 65 houses threecontacts 63 defined by respective elastically deformable blades, each of which is connected tocable 25 and is bridge-shaped so as to contactrespective contact 64 at a point lying along a line perpendicular toaxis 20 andportion 10. - When assembling
handle 58, onceelement 61 is fitted between the twoshoulders 83 by clickingappendixes 85 ontoribs 84,arm 19 is connected tostructure 5 by inserting the arm insidecavity 6, which is assisted byportion 9 having acavity 6 boundary surface sloping with respect toportion 10 and body 3. Element 62 is clicked insideseat 67 to connectcontacts lever 13 tostructure 5. - In actual use, as
lever 13 rotates aboutaxis 20,contacts springs 80 andcontacts 63. - The embodiment shown in
Figures 8, 9 and 10 relates to ahandle 90, theelectric connector 27 of which, unlikehandle 58, comprises threeannular contacts 91 co-molded intoarm 19 housed insidecavity 6; and a connectingelement 92. -
Contacts 91 are connected tocable 25, have respectivelongitudinal axes 93 extending in a plane parallel toaxis 20, and communicate withcavity 6.Element 92 is located on the opposite side of end wall 7 toarm 19, is detached from wall 7, and comprises threeinner guides 95 coaxial withaxes 93, and afront end collar 96.Collar 96 loosely houses part ofbody 59, and is hinged towalls 11 by means of click-on connectingassembly 37, which comprises twopins hinging body 59 and engaging respective seats formed incollar 96 to rotate about a respective hinge axis coincident withaxis 20.Assembly 37 also comprises three longitudinal locatinggrooves 98 formed incollar 96, two facingportion 9 and one facingportion 10; and three locatingpins 99, each integral withbody 59 and loosely engaging arespective groove 98. - As shown in
Figure 10 ,element 92 houses a set of threecontacts 100, each of which is connected tocable 29, slides inside arespective guide 95 along arespective axis 93, and extends outsideelement 92 and loosely through arespective opening 8 in wall 7 to engage arespective contact 91. - With reference in particular to
Figure 10 ,element 92 comprises aseal 103 interposed betweenelement 92 and end wall 7 and aboutcontacts 100; and a set of threesprings 104, each of which is housed inside arespective guide 95 to axially pushrespective contact 100 towardsarm 19 and prevent damage toelectric connector 27 when connectingcontacts - When assembling
handle 90,element 92 is first clicked ontobody 59, andcontacts arm 19 insidecavity 6 to connectlever 13 tobody 59. As shown inFigure 10 ,arm 19 is detached from end wall 7 to permit displacement oflever 13 with respect tobody 59 and connection oflever 13 to the lock of door 2 in known manner not described in detail. - In actual use, when
lever 13 is operated,element 92 rotates, together witharm 19 and hence withcontacts 91, aboutaxis 20 and with respect tobody 59 by virtue of the clearance, in a plane perpendicular toaxis 20, betweenbody 59 andelement 92. - Fitting at least one of the connecting elements of
electric connector 27 to lever 13 or to structure 5 therefore provides the fitter with a fixed reference by which to connect the connecting elements quickly and easily, thus enablinghandles - Moreover, being fitted respectively to lever 13 and
structure 5, the two connecting elements can be connected when connectinglever 13 tostructure 5, with no need to work directly onconnector 27, thus further reducing assembly time and cost as compared with known solutions. - Simplifying assembly also greatly reduces the risk of the two connecting elements being connected improperly, thus reducing the risk of the elements working loose, and so improving, as compared with known solutions, the reliability and efficiency of
handles - Finally, being fitted in a fixed position to lever 13 and/or
structure 5,connector 27 generates very little noise. - Clearly, changes may be made to
handles - In particular, aerial 23 and
cable 25 may be co-molded withlever 13;elements handle 58 may be co-molded withlever 13 andbody 59 respectively; the type of electric connector and the assemblies connecting the connecting elements to lever 13 and to structure 5 may be other than as described by way of example; and/or the lever may be connected to structure 5 differently from the manner described.
Claims (15)
- A handle (1) for a vehicle door (2), the handle comprising a connecting element (5) which is fitted integrally to said door (2); a movable control element (13) connected to said connecting element (5) and activated manually by a user to control, in use, a lock on said door (2); and user presence detecting means (21) carried by said movable control element (13) and in turn comprising an output cable (25), a first electric connecting member (30) connected to said output cable (25), and a second electric connecting member (31) connected to said first connecting member (30) and which is connected to a cable (29) on said door (2), at least one of said connecting members (30) (31) being connected to one of said elements (13) (5); characterized in that the connexion between the connecting members (30) (31) and said elements (5) (13) comprises click-on connecting means (47) (37), and in that the click-on connecting means (47) (37) are interposed between at least one of said connecting members (30) (31) and the relative said element (13) (5), and in that said click-on connecting means (37) comprise a seat (39) formed in said connecting element (5); and a tooth (41) carried by said second connecting member (31) and loosely engaging said seat (39); elastic means (43) being provided to keep said tooth (41) engaged inside said seat (39) to permit displacement of said second connecting member (31) with respect to said connecting element (5).
- A handle as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that said first (30) and said second (31) connecting member are connected to said movable control element (13) and said connecting element (5) respectively.
- A handle as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of said connecting members (30) is connected integrally to the relative said element (14) (5).
- A handle as claimed in Claim 3, characterized in that said first connecting member (30) comprises an outer casing (34) formed in one piece with said movable control element (13).
- A handle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said connecting element (5) defines a cavity (6) loosely housing at least part of said second connecting member (31) and said elastic means (43); said seat (39) being formed in said cavity (6).
- A handle (58) for a vehicle door (2), the handle comprising a connecting element (5) which is fitted integrally to said door (2); a movable control element (13) connected to said connecting element (5) and activated manually by a user to control, in use, a lock on said door (2); and user presence detecting means (21) carried by said movable control element (13) and in turn comprising an output cable (25), a first electric connecting member (61) connected to said output cable (25), and a second electric connecting member (62) connected to said first connecting member (61) and which is connected to a cable (29) on said door (2), at least one of said connecting members (61) (62) being connected to one of said elements (13) (5); characterized in that the connexion between the connecting members (61) (62) and said elements (5) (13) comprises click-on connecting means (47) (37), and in that the click-on connecting means (47) (37) are interposed between at least one of said connecting members (61) (62) and the relative said element (13) (5), and in that both said connecting members (61) (62) are connected to the respective said elements (13) (5) in fixed positions with respect to the respective elements (13) (5), and comprise respective contacts (63) (64) connected to one another in sliding manner.
- A handle as claimed in Claim 6, characterized in that said first (61) and said second (62) connecting member are connected to said movable control element (13) and said connecting element (5) respectively.
- A handle as claimed in Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that at least one of said connecting members (61) (62) is connected integrally to the relative said element (14) (5).
- A handle as claimed in any of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that said contacts (63) of one of said connecting members (61) are defined by elastically deformable blades.
- A handle (90) for a vehicle door (2), the handle comprising a connecting element (5) which is fitted integrally to said door (2); a movable control element (13) connected to said connecting element (5) and activated manually by a user to control, in use, a lock on said door (2); and user presence detecting means (21) carried by said movable control element (13) and in turn comprising an output cable (25), a first electric connecting member (91) connected to said output cable (25), and a second electric connecting member (92) connected to said first connecting member (91) and which is connected to a cable (29) on said door (2), at least one of said connecting members (91) (92) being connected to one of said elements (13) (5); characterized in that the connexion between the connecting members (91) (92) and said elements (5) (13) comprises click-on connecting means (47) (37), and in that the click-on connecting means (47) (37) are interposed between at least one of said connecting members (92) and the relative said element (13) (5), and in that said connecting element (5) comprises a connecting portion (59), and said second connecting member (92) is hinged to the connecting portion (59) to rotate, together with said first connecting member (91), about a respective hinge axis.
- A handle as claimed in Claim 10, characterized in that said first (91) and said second (92) connecting member are connected to said movable control element (13) and said connecting element (5) respectively.
- A handle as claimed in Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that at least one of said connecting members (91) is connected integrally to the relative said element (14) (5).
- A handle as claimed in Claim 12, characterized in that said first connecting member (91) is co-molded with said movable control element (13).
- A handle as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 13, characterized in that said movable control element (13) is hinged to said connecting element (5) to rotate about an axis (20) coincident with said hinge axis.
- A handle as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 14, characterized in that said connecting portion (59) comprises a further cavity (6) housing said first connecting member (91); and in that said second connecting member (92) comprises a tubular portion (96) loosely housing at least part of said connecting portion (59), and respective contacts (100) extending loosely through the connecting portion (59) and engaging said first connecting member (91).
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE60020179.1T DE60020179T3 (en) | 1999-02-23 | 2000-02-21 | door handle for motor vehicles |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT1999TO000141A IT1308388B1 (en) | 1999-02-23 | 1999-02-23 | HANDLE FOR A VEHICLE DOOR. |
ITTO990141 | 1999-02-23 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1031683A1 EP1031683A1 (en) | 2000-08-30 |
EP1031683B1 EP1031683B1 (en) | 2005-05-18 |
EP1031683B2 true EP1031683B2 (en) | 2022-12-21 |
Family
ID=11417520
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP00103644.1A Expired - Lifetime EP1031683B2 (en) | 1999-02-23 | 2000-02-21 | Vehicle door handle |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1031683B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60020179T3 (en) |
IT (1) | IT1308388B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE19961370A1 (en) * | 1999-12-17 | 2001-07-05 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | Outside door handle arrangement for a motor vehicle door, motor vehicle door and method for assembling an outside door handle |
DE10121432A1 (en) * | 2001-05-02 | 2002-11-07 | Kiekert Ag | The door handle unit |
EP1291480A1 (en) * | 2001-08-16 | 2003-03-12 | Valeo Sicurezza Abitacolo S.p.A. | Outside vehicle handle |
ES2305163T3 (en) † | 2001-08-16 | 2008-11-01 | Valeo Sicurezza Abitacolo S.P.A. | OPENING HANDLE THAT INCLUDES AN ELECTRONIC MODULE, ESPECIALLY FOR AUTOMOBILE VEHICLE. |
DE10151862A1 (en) * | 2001-10-24 | 2003-05-15 | Huf Huelsbeck & Fuerst Gmbh | Device for actuating a lock on doors or flaps, in particular on vehicles |
JP4015568B2 (en) * | 2003-01-29 | 2007-11-28 | アイシン精機株式会社 | Outside handle device and connector structure thereof |
DE10306361B4 (en) * | 2003-02-15 | 2012-03-22 | Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst Gmbh & Co. Kg | Door handle assembly for a motor vehicle door |
JP4501381B2 (en) * | 2003-09-10 | 2010-07-14 | アイシン精機株式会社 | Connector holding structure |
JP4487562B2 (en) * | 2003-12-22 | 2010-06-23 | アイシン精機株式会社 | Handle device |
WO2006005419A1 (en) * | 2004-07-10 | 2006-01-19 | Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst Gmbh & Co. Kg | Device for actuating a lock integrated in a door, hatch, or similar, especially in a vehicle |
JP4656579B2 (en) | 2006-03-29 | 2011-03-23 | 住友電装株式会社 | Connector connection structure and clamp member |
DE102006021120B9 (en) | 2006-05-04 | 2018-09-06 | Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst Gmbh & Co. Kg | actuator |
DE102009020247B4 (en) | 2009-05-07 | 2021-09-09 | Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst Gmbh & Co. Kg | Actuating device for a flap of a motor vehicle |
DE102009043933B4 (en) | 2009-09-02 | 2019-08-14 | Witte-Velbert Gmbh & Co. Kg | An automobile door handle |
DE102011012687A1 (en) * | 2011-03-01 | 2012-09-06 | Brose Fahrzeugteile Gmbh & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Hallstadt | Door handle unit for a vehicle |
DE102013112164A1 (en) | 2013-11-05 | 2015-05-21 | Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst Gmbh & Co. Kg | Automotive exterior handle |
Citations (12)
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CH154388A (en) † | 1929-05-08 | 1932-04-30 | Eckert Eugen Von | Stop display device. |
DE2700198A1 (en) † | 1976-01-27 | 1977-07-28 | Amp Inc | HOUSING FOR AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR |
DE3628376A1 (en) † | 1986-08-21 | 1988-02-25 | Daimler Benz Ag | Door-handle arrangement for doors of motor vehicles |
DE3634695A1 (en) † | 1986-10-11 | 1988-04-21 | Reinshagen Kabelwerk Gmbh | Multipole lockable electrical plug connection |
DE3819104A1 (en) † | 1988-06-04 | 1989-12-07 | Opel Adam Ag | Motor vehicle having a switch and/or a centre console having electrical display devices |
DE69202191T2 (en) † | 1991-03-02 | 1995-08-31 | Ford Werke Ag | Module for locking the door of a car. |
DE19507911A1 (en) † | 1995-03-07 | 1996-09-12 | Kiekert Ag | Operating device for automobile door lock |
DE19539496A1 (en) † | 1995-10-24 | 1997-04-30 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag | Bundled cables or pipes fixing unit e.g. for motor vehicle |
DE19653513A1 (en) † | 1995-12-23 | 1997-06-26 | Volkswagen Ag | Cable fixing system e.g. for use in space between motor vehicle walls |
DE19606643A1 (en) † | 1996-02-22 | 1997-08-28 | Itw Ateco Gmbh | Fastening device for cable harnesses, method for their production and use of the fastening device |
DE19619978A1 (en) † | 1996-05-17 | 1997-11-20 | Delphi Automotive Systems Gmbh | Device for fastening at least one electrical plug in a location that is difficult to access, in particular on the seat frame in a vehicle |
DE19647021A1 (en) † | 1996-11-14 | 1998-05-20 | Teves Gmbh Alfred | Connector with a plug, an intermediate part and a housing |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE4212291C2 (en) * | 1992-04-11 | 1994-08-04 | Daimler Benz Ag | Arrangement of a switching element that can be influenced without contact |
DE19633894C2 (en) * | 1996-08-22 | 1999-12-23 | Huf Huelsbeck & Fuerst Gmbh | Device for actuating a lock installed in a door, a flap or the like, in particular in a vehicle |
-
1999
- 1999-02-23 IT IT1999TO000141A patent/IT1308388B1/en active
-
2000
- 2000-02-21 EP EP00103644.1A patent/EP1031683B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-02-21 DE DE60020179.1T patent/DE60020179T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CH154388A (en) † | 1929-05-08 | 1932-04-30 | Eckert Eugen Von | Stop display device. |
DE2700198A1 (en) † | 1976-01-27 | 1977-07-28 | Amp Inc | HOUSING FOR AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR |
DE3628376A1 (en) † | 1986-08-21 | 1988-02-25 | Daimler Benz Ag | Door-handle arrangement for doors of motor vehicles |
DE3634695A1 (en) † | 1986-10-11 | 1988-04-21 | Reinshagen Kabelwerk Gmbh | Multipole lockable electrical plug connection |
DE3819104A1 (en) † | 1988-06-04 | 1989-12-07 | Opel Adam Ag | Motor vehicle having a switch and/or a centre console having electrical display devices |
DE69202191T2 (en) † | 1991-03-02 | 1995-08-31 | Ford Werke Ag | Module for locking the door of a car. |
DE19507911A1 (en) † | 1995-03-07 | 1996-09-12 | Kiekert Ag | Operating device for automobile door lock |
DE19539496A1 (en) † | 1995-10-24 | 1997-04-30 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag | Bundled cables or pipes fixing unit e.g. for motor vehicle |
DE19653513A1 (en) † | 1995-12-23 | 1997-06-26 | Volkswagen Ag | Cable fixing system e.g. for use in space between motor vehicle walls |
DE19606643A1 (en) † | 1996-02-22 | 1997-08-28 | Itw Ateco Gmbh | Fastening device for cable harnesses, method for their production and use of the fastening device |
DE19619978A1 (en) † | 1996-05-17 | 1997-11-20 | Delphi Automotive Systems Gmbh | Device for fastening at least one electrical plug in a location that is difficult to access, in particular on the seat frame in a vehicle |
DE19647021A1 (en) † | 1996-11-14 | 1998-05-20 | Teves Gmbh Alfred | Connector with a plug, an intermediate part and a housing |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE60020179T3 (en) | 2023-03-09 |
EP1031683A1 (en) | 2000-08-30 |
DE60020179T2 (en) | 2006-01-12 |
ITTO990141A1 (en) | 2000-08-23 |
DE60020179D1 (en) | 2005-06-23 |
EP1031683B1 (en) | 2005-05-18 |
IT1308388B1 (en) | 2001-12-17 |
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