EP1041221A1 - Handle for a motor vehicle wing which is pivotably mounted about two different axes - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a handle for an opening leaf of a motor vehicle, of the type comprising a gripping element (36) which extends on the external side of a body panel (12) and which is articulated on a handle support (14). ), around a first axis (A3), so as to pivot outwards between a rest position and an open position,
characterized in that the gripping element is capable of being rotated from the outside to the inside, substantially around a second axis of rotation (A4), from its rest position to a position of switching in which it actuates a switching member (35), and in that there is provided elastic return means which tend to return the gripping element (36) from its switching position to its rest position.

Description

The invention relates to a handle for a vehicle leaf automobile comprising a double gripping element mounted function swivels around two axes of articulation separate.

The invention relates more particularly to a opening handle of a motor vehicle, of the type comprising a gripping member which extends from the outer side of a body panel and which is articulated on a support handle, around a first axis substantially parallel to the plane of the body panel, so as to pivot towards the outside between a rest position and a position in which he commands the opening of a opening lock.

The invention will more particularly be applicable as part of vehicle security systems automobile in which conviction and unlocking of the door lock are managed by a unit anti-theft system which, to authorize such unlocking or such a lockout, performs a remote interrogation of a identification badge worn by the user.

Such a security system is for example described in EP-A-0.218.251.

In the device described in this document, the sequence authentication is triggered by the user when manipulates the handle grip. The element of grip then acts on an electrical switch. In this document, it is notably intended that when the user draws the gripping element outwards, it triggers the unlocking the lock. To lock the the lock, it is expected that the user will operate the gripping in reverse order to trigger a second switch.

In such a design, in which the lever grip is likely to be operated according to the same movement but in two different directions to cause two different actions. The gripping element is therefore brought to occupy on the one hand an intermediate position of rest and, on the other hand, two opposite extreme positions in which it respectively activates one or the other of switches.

However, it is also necessary to provide means elastic return of the lever to its rest position from from each of its extreme positions. So in the context of a lever in which the two extreme positions are obtained simply by reversing the direction of operation of the lever but keeping the same direction of movement, the intermediate rest position could only be defined taking into account the antagonistic action of the two means of reminder.

Such a solution cannot be satisfactory because the intermediate rest position cannot then be defined precisely, except to use nesting means elastic to hold the gripping member in a determined position, which would have the disadvantage to impose on the user a significant initial effort to clear the gripping element from its intermediate rest position to take him to either of his positions extremes.

The object of the invention is therefore to propose a new motor vehicle window handle design in which the gripping element can be operated according to two different movements to exercise two functions different, these two movements each taking place from of the same stable and defined intermediate rest position.

To this end, the invention proposes a handful of opening of a motor vehicle, of the type comprising a grip that extends from the outer side of a panel bodywork and which is articulated on a handle support, around a first axis, so as to pivot outwards between a rest position and an open position in which it controls the opening of a lock of the opening, characterized in that the gripping element is susceptible to be rotated from outside to inside, substantially around a second axis of rotation, from its rest position to a switching position in which it actuates a switching device, and in that it elastic return means are provided which tend to return the gripping member from its position of switching to its rest position.

• le second axe de pivotement de l'élément de préhension est défini par la coopération d'une surface de l'élément de préhension avec une surface complémentaire fixe, les deux surfaces étant en appui l'une contre l'autre lorsque l'élément de préhension est en position de repos ;
• l'élément de préhension est un levier qui est articulé sur le support entre ses positions de repos et d'ouverture par une première extrémité d'articulation, sa seconde extrémité opposée commandant l'ouverture de la serrure, et la première extrémité du levier est susceptible d'être déplacée transversalement vers l'intérieur, par pivotement du levier sensiblement autour d'un axe situé à proximité de l'extrémité opposée, depuis une position de repos, vers laquelle elle est rappelée élastiquement, jusqu'à une position d'actionnement dans laquelle elle actionne un organe de commutation ;
• l'élément de préhension comporte une palette externe et au moins une patte d'accrochage qui s'étend à l'intérieur de l'ouvrant au travers d'un orifice correspondant du panneau de carrosserie et qui est articulée sur le support, et la patte d'accrochage comporte une surface d'appui qui, lorsque la palette est en position de repos, est en appui contre une surface complémentaire du support de poignée ;
• la surface d'appui de la patte d'accrochage est formée par un bossage qui coopère avec un creux complémentaire du support pour définir le second axe d'articulation ;
• la patte d'accrochage est articulée sur le support par une extrémité opposée à la palette, et, le long de la patte d'accrochage, la surface d'appui est agencée entre la palette et l'extrémité d'articulation ;
• la palette comporte au moins deux pattes d'accrochage parallèles ;
• le support de poignée comporte une tige d'articulation dont l'axe coïncide avec le premier axe de rotation de l'élément de préhension et qui est reçue dans une lumière formée dans l'élément de préhension.

According to other characteristics of the invention:

• the second pivot axis of the gripping element is defined by the cooperation of a surface of the gripping element with a fixed complementary surface, the two surfaces being in abutment against one another when the gripping element gripping is in the rest position;
• the gripping element is a lever which is articulated on the support between its rest and opening positions by a first articulation end, its second opposite end controlling the opening of the lock, and the first end of the lever is capable of being moved transversely inward, by pivoting the lever substantially around an axis located near the opposite end, from a rest position, towards which it is resiliently recalled, to a position of actuation in which it actuates a switching member;
• the gripping element comprises an external pallet and at least one hooking tab which extends inside the opening through a corresponding orifice of the body panel and which is articulated on the support, and the hooking lug has a bearing surface which, when the pallet is in the rest position, bears against a complementary surface of the handle support;
• the bearing surface of the latching lug is formed by a boss which cooperates with a recess complementary to the support to define the second axis of articulation;
• the hooking lug is articulated on the support by an end opposite to the pallet, and, along the hooking lug, the bearing surface is arranged between the pallet and the articulation end;
• the pallet comprises at least two parallel hooking lugs;
• the handle support comprises a hinge rod whose axis coincides with the first axis of rotation of the gripping element and which is received in a lumen formed in the gripping element.

• les figures 1 à 3 illustrent un premier mode de réalisation d'une poignée selon l'invention dans lequel l'élément de préhension est illustré respectivement en position de repos, en position d'ouverture et en position de commutation ; et
• les figures 4 à 6 sont des vues similaires à celles des figures 1 à 3 illustrant un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention.

Other characteristics 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:

• Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a first embodiment of a handle according to the invention in which the gripping element is illustrated respectively in the rest position, in the open position and in the switching position; and
• Figures 4 to 6 are views similar to those of Figures 1 to 3 illustrating a second embodiment of the invention.

Illustrated schematically in Figures 1 to 3 a first embodiment of the invention in which the handle gripping element is produced under the shape of a grip lever.

The handle 10 is intended to be mounted on a exterior body panel 12 of a vehicle leaf automobile. The handle 10 essentially comprises a handle support 14, which is intended to be fixed on the side internal of the panel 12, and a gripping lever 16 which is intended to be arranged on the external side of a panel 12, all by being fixed on the support 14.

In the figures, the support 14 is only illustrated by schematic and incomplete.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, the lever grip 16 is in the form of a bar which extends in a longitudinal direction, horizontal by compared to a conventional orientation of the motor vehicle, and it is articulated on the support 14 by its front end 18 around 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 concepts of horizontal and vertical are used here to simplify the understanding of description and should not be construed as limitations of the scope of the invention, in particular as to the orientation of the handle.

For its articulation on the support 14, the front end 18 of lever 16 has a hinge element 20 which extends transversely inward, through a front opening 22 arranged in panel 12, and which cooperates with a hinge element of the support 14.

At its rear end 24, the gripping lever 16 comprises a control element 26 which is intended for extend transversely inward through a rear opening 28 arranged in panel 12, of so that you can order a linkage associated with a lock to cause the opening of the door when the user manipulates the gripping lever 16 while moving aside this with respect to the plane of the panel 12.

To bring the lever 18 to its open position, the user must therefore put his hand between the panel body 12 and a gripping surface 30 of lever 18 to be able to pull it towards him, outwards with respect at panel 12.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the hinge element 20 arranged at the front end 18 of the lever 16 is pierced along the axis A1 with a light 34 which extends in a transverse direction perpendicular to the direction longitudinal and perpendicular to the plane of the panel 12. A articulation rod 32, of axis A1 and integral with the support 14 of the handle, crosses this light 34. Return means elastics (not shown) are arranged so as to bias the hinge element 20 transversely towards the outside, so that the articulation rod 32 is received at one end of the light 34, at least when the lever 16 is in a rest position illustrated in the figure 1.

When the user grips the lever 16 by the surface gripping 30, and that it brings it transversely towards the outside, it therefore causes the lever 16 to rotate up to its open position illustrated in Figure 2. The element of hinge 20 of lever 16 therefore performs a simple rotational movement around the hinge pin 32 of axis A1.

On the contrary, when, from the rest position, the user presses transversely from the outside towards the interior on the front end 18 of the lever 16, the element of hinge 20, and therefore the front end 18 of lever 16, are likely to move transversely inward, adequate clearance is provided between the front end 18 of the lever 16 and the body panel 12. This play can also be realized as a vacuum or as an element compressible seal.

In this way, the lever can therefore be brought to a position illustrated in FIG. 3, the hinge element 20 can then for example cause the switching of a switch 35, which is illustrated schematically in the figures. The movement of the hinge element 20 is enabled by the presence of light 34 in which moves rod 32.

In the rest position, we can see that the end rear 24 of lever 16 is substantially in transverse support inwards against the body panel 12, possibly with interposition between the two of an element sealing. In this way, in the movement of the lever 16 between its rest position and its switching position, the rear end 24 of the lever 16 remains substantially stationary so that this movement can be likened to a rotational movement around an axis parallel to the axis A1, axis which is determined by the geometry of the surfaces respective support of the rear end 24 of the lever 16 and the panel 12.

A second embodiment of the invention, in which the gripping element is made in the form of a pallet 36, is illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6 in which identical or similar to those described above are designated by the same reference numbers.

In the palette handles, the gripping element 36 has substantially the shape of a plate 38 which, in rest position, extends substantially parallel to the body panel 12, outside of it, such so that one face 40 of the plate 38, turned towards the body panel 12, which is nevertheless accessible to the user so that he can bring the pallet 36 from a position rest illustrated in Figure 4 in an open position illustrated in figure 5.

The pallet 36 also has at least one tab attachment 42 which extends towards the inside of the opening at through an opening 44 arranged in the panel of body 12. Preferably, the pallet has two legs 42 identical which are shifted in one direction perpendicular to the plane of Figures 4 to 6. The legs 42 extend from an upper edge of the plate 38 in reference to the orientation of the figures. Each leg 42 has a first branch 46 which extends transversely inward from the upper edge of the plate 38, a second branch 48 which extends it vertically upwards and a third branch 50 which extends the second transversely outward.

The free end of the third branch 50 is articulated on the support 14 around an axis A3 which, in FIGS. 4 to 6, is substantially horizontal, parallel to the general plane of the panel 12. The attachment tabs 42 therefore have, in a plane perpendicular to the A3 axis, the shape of an open U outward which forms a clearance allowing to bring the pallet 36 towards its open position without interfering with the support 14.

For its articulation on the support 14, the free end of the third section 50 of each of the legs has a light in an arc of a circle 54 in which a rod is received hinge 32 of axis A3 secured to the support 14. Means elastic return 56 stress the tabs 42 so that, as long as the pallet 36 is maneuvered between its positions rest and opening, the articulation rod 32 remains at one of the ends of the light 54 in an arc.

In addition, other elastic return means (not shown) bring the pallet 36 towards its open position from its rest position.

As can be seen in the figures, the legs attachment 42 of the pallet 36 also have at neighborhood of the intersection between the second branch 48 and third branch 50, a pin 58 which extends vertically upwards and which is received in an imprint 60 whose spherical shape is substantially complementary to that of the head of the pawn 58. The imprint 60 is formed in a return transverse 62 of the support 14 which extends just above the third section 50 of the hooking lug 42. When the pallet 36 is brought from its rest position to its position opening, the pin 58 moves away from the imprint 60, so so that it does not interfere with the movement of the paddle 36 and it returns to contact with the imprint 60 only when the pallet 36 has again reached its rest position.

On the contrary, when the user tends to press the plate 38 of the pallet 36 transversely from the outside to inside, the pin 58 is in abutment at the bottom of the imprint 60 and these two complementary surfaces determine a new axis of rotation A4 of the pallet 36 relative to the support 14. This second axis A4 is parallel to axis A3 but it is offset transversely inward with respect to it and the rotational movement around the A4 axis is allowed thanks to the presence of light 54 in an arc which is centered on the A4 axis.

Thus, by rotation around the second axis A4, the palette 36 is likely to be brought to a position of switching illustrated in figure 6 in which we can see that the free end of the third branch 50 of the leg 42 moved so as to compress the means of recall elastic 56 and so that the light 54 has moved relative to the articulation rod 32 which is fixed.

In this switching position, the paddle 36 is likely to trip an electrical switch 35 illustrated schematically in the figures.

In the first type of handle corresponding to Figures 1 and 3, we note that the gripping surface 30 is located between, on the one hand, the articulation axis A1 of the element gripping and, on the other hand, the means 26 by which this gripping element acts on the control linkage of the lock. On the contrary, in the second handle illustrated on Figures 4 to 6, the lock control linkage is connected for example to one of the lugs 42 for attaching such so, relative to the axis of rotation A3 of the element of gripping 36, the gripping surface 40 is located at a free end of the pallet 36.

Thus, by providing that the gripping element describes different trajectories depending on whether its movement corresponds to a locking operation or unlocking, you can define an intermediate position of rest which is stable. The two movements being perfectly uncoupled, there is no risk that one of the movements accidentally triggers when the user wishes manipulate the gripping element using the other movement.

In addition, since the travel required to effect the switching is very weak the handle according to the invention allows the second axis of rotation of the element gripping is defined very simply by complementary surfaces pressing against each other, without that it is necessary to appeal to a "real" penalizing articulation both in terms of the cost of manufacturing and in terms of assembly time.

Claims (8)

Motor vehicle window handle, of the type comprising a gripping element (16, 36) which extends on the external side of a body panel (12) and which is articulated around a handle support (14) a first axis (A1, A3), so as to pivot outwards between a rest position and an open position in which it controls the opening of a lock of the opening,
characterized in that the gripping element is capable of being rotated from the outside to the inside, substantially around a second axis of rotation (A4), from its rest position to a position of switching in which it actuates a switching member (35), and in that there is provided elastic return means which tend to return the gripping element (36) from its switching position to its rest position. Handle according to claim 1, characterized in that the second pivot axis of the gripping element is defined by the cooperation of a surface (24, 58) of the gripping element (16, 36) with a complementary surface fixed (12, 60), the two surfaces bearing one against the other when the gripping element (16, 36) is in rest position. Motor vehicle window handle according to one any of the preceding claims, characterized in what the gripping element is a lever (16) which is articulated on the support between its rest positions and opening by a first articulation end (18), its second opposite end (24, 26) controlling the opening of the lock, and in that the first end (18) of the lever (16) is capable of being moved transversely towards the interior, by pivoting the lever (16) substantially around an axis located near the opposite end (24), from a rest position, to which it is called back elastically, to an actuating position in which it actuates a switching member (35). Handle according to claim 2, characterized in that the gripping element has an external pallet (36) and at least one hooking tab (42) which extends to the interior of the opening through an orifice (44) corresponding to the body panel (12) and which is articulated on the support (14), and in that the tab attachment (42) comprises a bearing surface (58) which, when the pallet (36) is in the rest position, is in support against a complementary surface (60) of the handle support (14). Handle according to claim 4, characterized in that that the bearing surface of the latching lug (42) is formed by a boss (58) which cooperates with a hollow complementary (60) to the support (12) to define the second axis hinge (A4). Handle according to claim 5, characterized in that that the hooking lug (42) is articulated on the support (14) by one end (50) opposite the pallet (38) and in that, along the hooking lug (42), the bearing surface (58) is arranged between the pallet (38) and the articulation end (50). Handle according to any one of claims 4 6, characterized in that the pallet (36) has at least two hooking lugs (42) parallel. Handle according to any one of the claims previous, characterized in that the handle support (14) has an articulation rod (32) whose axis coincides with the first axis (A1, A3) of rotation of the element of gripping (16) and which is received in a light (34) formed in the gripping element (16).

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