EP1212502A1

EP1212502A1 - External door handle mainly intended for vehicles

Info

Publication number: EP1212502A1
Application number: EP00945937A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Helmut Klein; Reinhard Chilla
Original assignee: Huf Huelsbeck and Fuerst GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Huf Huelsbeck and Fuerst GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 1999-07-27
Filing date: 2000-07-20
Publication date: 2002-06-12
Anticipated expiration: 2020-07-20
Also published as: JP3695531B2; ES2244453T3; US6769154B1; CN1365417A; ATE304105T1; EP1212502B1; DE50011128D1; JP2003505626A; WO2001007736A1; AU5986100A; CN1295419C

Abstract

The present invention relates to an external door handle that comprises a bracket-shaped handle (10) comprising a cavity (14) which is defined by at least one U-shaped shell (21, 22) and which is intended for receiving electronic components (16). The purpose of the present invention is to prevent the formation of a contact joint (18) on the visible side that would promote soil formation. To this end, the shell or shells (21, 22) are coated with a c-shaped front profile (20) on the visible side, wherin the ends (25) of the C-shape profile (20) are brougbt into contact with the upper or lower portions of said shell or (21, 22) at the pile where they are anchored.

Description

Outside door handle, in particular for vehicles

The invention is directed to an outside door handle of the type specified in the preamble of claim 1 (DE 42 29 930 Cl).

The handle is provided with a cavity to accommodate electronic components. Therefore, the known handle was designed with two shells, consisting of a U-shaped base shell and a cover shell connected to its U-legs. This creates a contact gap on the front, which is not only visually disturbing, but also causes contamination. Through the contact joint, moisture can get into the interior between the shells and impair the function of the components there.

The invention has for its object to develop a reliable outside door handle of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1, which avoids the disadvantages mentioned and produces a particularly good, if necessary releasable connection between the two shells. This is achieved according to the invention by the measures set out in claim 1, which have the following special significance. The C-shaped front bar covers the U-shell or shells between which the cavity is created. If only a single U-shell is used, the front bar with its one C-end section immediately covers the U-shell opening. In this way, a contact gap on the view side is avoided.

The invention also has its special meaning if, in a modified embodiment according to claim 7, the handle is formed from two shells, namely a U-shaped base shell and a cover shell, between which the cavity is located. In this case, the C-shaped front bar acts like a clamp that presses the cover shell against the U-shaped base shell. This clamp-like connection is added to the connections that are normally already between the two shells. With this clamping of the two shells, the contact gap between the two shells on the view side is covered in any case. Although this contact joint is still present, it is considerably more difficult for dirt or moisture to get into the interior of the room between the shells. There is a kind of labyrinth course. The need for releasability is given due to the snapped C-ends in the underside and top-side grooves.

Another advantageous embodiment consists of a U-shaped base shell which has a U opening in the direction of the front strip to be applied. The carrier with the electronic components is inserted into the U opening with a precise fit. The front section of the front bar clipped onto the base shell covers the U-opening of the base shell with the carrier located therein.

The carrier can be designed as a container made of hard plastic, which is open at the top, so that the electronics can be inserted into the container from there during the manufacture of the door handle. In order to protect the electronics from slipping and media access (e.g. from water), it is cast in the container with a soft plastic, for example. In this case, opening the container upwards proves to be an advantage, since the upper open side of the container is flat and thus the container can be filled evenly with the sealing compound. Further measures and advantages of the invention result from the subclaims, the following description and the drawings. In the drawings, the invention is shown in two exemplary embodiments and the prior art. Show it:

1, in a two-shell first embodiment of the invention, a plan view of the handle and in the direction of arrow I of FIG. 2,

2, in high magnification, a schematic cross section through the handle, along the section line II - II of Fig. 1,

3, in a representation corresponding to FIG. 2, a second, only single-shell embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 4 in a representation corresponding to Fig. 2, the appearance of the known handle, along the section line IV - IV of Fig. 5, and

Fig. 5 is a front view of the known handle shown in Fig. 4 in the direction of view. V of Fig. 4,

FIG. 6 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 2, a third embodiment of the invention, which has only a single shell, in section according to VI-VI from FIG. 10, FIG.

7 according to a single-shell embodiment of the invention

6 is a plan view of the handle, in the direction of arrow VII of FIG. 6,

8 shows a section according to VIII - VIII from FIG. 7 with the projection of a rear view of the front part of the handle, 9 shows a section according to IX - IX from FIG. 8,

Fig. 10 is a front view of the third, only single-shell design

Embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings, only the bow-shaped handle 10 that appears on the outside is shown of the outer door handle. This handle, which in the exemplary embodiment shown is designed as a so-called “pull handle, is movably mounted with its two handle ends 11, 12 in a base part (not shown in more detail). This base part is usually located on the inside of the door or door panel. 1, there is a so-called “cylinder tower”, which can accommodate a locking cylinder if necessary. The cylinder tower 13 does not take part in the movement of the handle 10.

The handle 10 is provided with a cavity 14 which can be seen in FIG. 2 and in which a carrier 15 for electronic components is arranged. A ferrite rod functioning as an antenna can be used as electronic components 16. To create the cavity 14 and to introduce the electronic components 16 and their carriers 15, the handle 10, as the cross section of FIG. 2 shows, is formed in two shells.

The latter also applies to the prior art, which is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. There, the same reference numerals are used to designate corresponding components as in the first embodiment, only to distinguish them from a dash (apostrophe). The handle 10 'there consists of two shells 21', 22 'for creating the cavity 14' there. It is a U-shaped profiled base shell 21 ', the two U-legs 23' are connected by means of a cover shell 22 '. A clip connection 24 'can be used for this because both shells 21', 22 'consist of plastic, which has sufficient elasticity. 4 and 5, a contact joint 18 'is formed on the face 17' of the handle 10, through which moisture or Contamination can get into the cavity 14 'via the engaged clip connection 24. The front side of the handle 10 'can be provided with an optionally metallic decorative panel 19'.

The handle 10 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the invention also has a comparable construction. The components already described in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5 are inserted with corresponding reference numerals, however without a prime (apostrophe) in these figures. In this respect, the previous description applies. It is only sufficient to deal with the differences.

1 and 2, a C-shaped profiled front bar 20 is used, which spans the two shells 21, 22 on the viewing side. The front bar 20 itself now forms the actual front side 17 of the handle and covers the contact joint 18. The C-end sections 25 of the front strip 20 overlap a peripheral region of the two shells 21, 22, where step-shaped recesses 26 are located. Finally, the two free C ends 27 engage in an upper or lower groove 29, 28, where they are arranged sunk. In the case of a connection, the two shells 21, 22 are clamped together by this front strip 20.

The aforementioned step 26 on the two shells 21, 22 has a step depth which corresponds approximately to the thickness of the end sections 25 of the front bar 20. As a result, the handle 10, despite the clipped front bar 20, has an essentially projection-free outline 30. The front bar 20 can in turn be provided with a trim 19. Between the patch

Shells 21, 22 were provided with the “shadow gap” identified in FIGS. 2 and 3. This shadow gap 31 only promotes the good appearance of the handle according to the invention. This shadow gap 31 does not come with the one explained in connection with the known contact gap 18 ′ of FIG. 3 A moisture penetrating in the area of the shadow gap 31 cannot get into the pre-cavity 14 of the handle 10 according to the invention, because in between there is a closed wall in both shells 21, 22. FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a handle 10 "according to the invention, which saves space compared to FIG. 2. The same reference numerals are used to designate corresponding components as in the first exemplary embodiment, which is why the previous description applies to this extent. It is sufficient to only consider the differences.

In the invention, only a single U-shell 21 is provided, the U-opening 32 between the two U-legs 23 "is covered directly in front of the upper C-end section 25" of the front bar 20 "there. This upper C-end section 25" can also be provided with an inner cavity 33. The two end sections 25 ″ there are arranged essentially parallel to one another and enable the two components 21, 20 ″ to be installed in a sliding manner in the sense of the assembly arrow 34 indicated in FIG. 3. This results in an automatic snap connection 35 which is designed in the following manner.

One snap element 36 is located on the inner surface 38 of the end section 25 ″ and consists here of a tooth recess. The bottom region 39 of the U-shell 21 has the corresponding counter-snap element 37, which is formed from a tooth projection. In a corresponding manner, the outer U - Leg 23 "of the shell 21 in the handle 10" such a tooth projection 37 and that at its leg end 40. The elements 37, 38 are profiled in a special way.

Thus, the tooth flank effective in the push-on direction 34 of the front strip 20 "has a run-up slope 41, against which the stretched C-end 27" moves during assembly. There is a slight spreading of the two C-end sections 25 "until the tooth recess 36 disengages on the tooth projection 37. Dismantling of the two components 21, 20" in the sense of arrow 43 of the counter-movement illustrated in FIG. 3 is not easy possible because the then opposite tooth flanks 42 are steep. Disassembly 43 is therefore only possible after a corresponding spreading of the two latched end sections 25 ″. In the second exemplary embodiment of the handle 10 ″ of FIG. 3, the U-space 44 of the shell 21, which is only individual here, is the cavity for accommodating the carrier 15 for the electronic components 16 already described not stepped and in surface contact with the inner surfaces 38 of the two C-end sections 25 ".

In a third exemplary embodiment of a handle 10 '"according to FIGS. 6 and 10, a base shell 21'" has a transversely lying U-shaped shape, the U opening of which is facing the front bar 20 '"there. The U-shape is thereby formed from the two legs 47 and the base 48 of the base shell 21 '". Between the two legs 47 and the base 48, the U-space 44 'is created, into which the carrier 15 designed as a hard plastic container is introduced from the lateral U-opening 32'. In the container 15, the electronics 16 are encapsulated with a potting compound 46 so that they are water-proof and shockproof. The container 15 is open at the top, so that the electronics can be introduced into the container from above during the manufacturing process and the casting can also be carried out through the upper, left open area of the container. The U-opening 32 'of the U-shaped base shell 21' "is covered by the front section 45 of the front bar 20" '. This front strip 20 '"is fixed to the base shell 21'" by means of the hook-like C-ends 27 which engage in the upper groove 29 'and the sub-groove 28' on the base shell 21 '". On the front side 17 of the front strip 20'" is located at no gap in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the visible shadow gap 31 is rather in each case between the C end sections 25 and the visible outer sides of the legs 47 of the base shell 21 ″.

7 to 9 show the mode in which the outlet of a cable 50 of the handle 10 '"is located. This also applies to all further embodiments of the present invention by way of example. In the base shell 21"' of the handle 10 '"is An opening 52 is provided in the area of the handle end 12, through which the cable 50, which runs out of the container / carrier 15, is passed. This opening could also be in positions 52 ', 52 "and 52'", for example eg several openings 52, 52 ', 52 ", 52 '" can be provided. The cable outlet is covered when the handle is mounted on the door of the vehicle and is not visible to the user. The cable 50 has a connector plug 51, by means of which the electronics, which are located in the container 15, are connected to the vehicle electronics.

Reference symbol list:

10, 10 'handle

10 "alternative to 10 (Fig.3)

10 '"alternative to 10 (Fig.6) ιι, your grip end of 10 or 10'

12 handle end

13, 13 'cylinder tower at 10, 10'

14, 14 'cavity in 10 or 10'

15, 15 'carrier for 16 or 16'

16, 16 'electronic components, ferrite rod

17, 17 'front side of 10 or 10'

18, 18 'contact between 21, 22 and 21', 22 '

19, 19 'trim

20 C-shaped front bar on 10

20 "front bar for 10" (Fig.3)

20 '"front bar for 10" (Fig. 6)

21,21 ', 21 ", 21 U-shell, U-shaped base shell

22, 22 'cover shell

23, 23 'legs of 21 or 21'

23 "leg vpn 21 at 10" (Fig.3)

24, 24 'clip connection between 23, 22 or 23', 22 '

25 end sections of 20

25 "end section of 20" (Fig.3)

26 step-shaped recess in 21, 22

27 hook-like C-end of 20

27 "end of 25"

28, 28 'Company in 21, 21 "

29 top groove in 22

29 'top groove in 21'

30 outline of 10

31 shadow gap at 25 Opening of 21 (Fig. 3) 'opening of 21 "(Fig. 6) cavity of 25" (Fig. 3) mounting arrow for 20 "(Fig. 3) snap connection of 36, 37 snap element of 35, tooth from recess counter-snap element of 35, tooth projection inner surface of 25 "(Fig. 3) bottom area of 21 front leg end of 23" (Fig. 3) ramp slope of 37 steep tooth flank of 37 dismantling arrow of 20 "(Fig. 3) space in 21 (Fig. 3) ' Space in 21 "(Fig. 6) front section of 20 '" potting compound leg of 21 "at 10'" base of 21 "at 10 '" cable connector breakthrough', 52 ", 52 '" breakthroughs

Claims

Claims:

1.) outer door handle, in particular for vehicles, consisting of a bow-shaped, at least partially hollow handle (10 ", 10 '") arranged on the outside of the door, which holds electronic components (16) in its cavity (44, 44'),

the handle (10 ") having at least one U-shaped shell (21; 21"), the U space (44, 44 ') of which is used to hold the electronic components (16),

characterized ,

that in the case of a connection, the shell (21 "; 21" ') is spanned by a C-shaped front strip (20 "; 20"') on the viewing side,

and that the two C-Endab sections (25 ") of the front bar (20"; 20 '") each overlap or underlap a peripheral region of the shell (21"; 21' ") and are anchored there.

2.) Outside door handle according to claim 1, characterized in that the C-front bar (20 ", 20 '") with its one C-end section (25 ", 25'") the U-shell opening (32) of the shell (21) immediately covers.

3.) Outside door handle according to claim 1, characterized in that the U-shell opening (32 ') of the U-shell (21'") is aligned with the front section (45) of the C front bar (20 '") and the front bar ( 20 '") with its front section (45) directly covers the U-shell opening (32') of the shell (21 '").

.) External door handle according to claim 2, characterized in that the two C-end sections (25 ") of the C front strip (20") each have a profiled snap element (36), such as a tooth recess, on their inner surface (38),

and that this snap element (36) engages with a counter-snap element (37) on the shell, such as a tooth projection, when connected.

5.) Outside door handle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the C front strip (20 ", 20 '") has essentially parallel C-end sections (25, 25 ")

and that the C-end sections (25 ") can be snapped onto the shell (21", 21 '") or the shells (21, 22) for connection in a side sliding assembly (34) of the C front strip (20").

6.) Outside door handle according to one of claims 1 to 2 and 4 to 5, characterized in that the snap or counter-snap element (36, 37) has a tooth profile

and that the tooth profile has a run-on slope (41) for the C-end sections on its push-on direction of the tooth flank effective on the C front strip (20 "), while a steep tooth flank (42) is provided in the opposite direction.

7.) Outside door handle, in particular for vehicles, consisting of a bow-shaped, at least partially hollow handle (10) arranged on the outside of the door, which holds electronic components (16) in its cavity (14), wherein the handle (10) is a two-part (21, 22) combination of a U-shaped base shell (21) and a cover shell (22) connected to its U-legs (23),

and a contact joint (18) is created between the two shells (21, 22) in the case of connection on the view side,

characterized ,

that in the case of connection, the two shells (21, 22) are spanned by a C-shaped front strip (20) on the viewing side,

that the C-end sections (25) of the front bar (20) each overlap or reach under a peripheral region of the shells (21, 22) and are anchored there

and that - in the case of a connection - the contact joint (18) is covered by the C front strip (20).

8.) Outside door handle according to claim 7, characterized in that the C-end portions (25) of the C-front strip have hook-like angled free C-ends (27)

and that the two C ends of the front bar (20) are arranged recessed in an upper groove (29) of the cover shell (22) or in a lower groove (28) of the base shell (21).

9.) Outside door handle according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the base and the cover shell (21, 22) in the region of the over or under handle of the front bar (20) are stepped except (26) and that these recesses (26) end at the upper groove (29) or lower groove (28).

10.) Outside door handle according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that in the case of assembly the front bar (20) with its outline (30) is flush with the shell (21) or the shells (21, 22).

11.) Outside door handle according to one of claims 1 to 2, 5 and 10, characterized in that the handle (10 '") is a two-part (21", 20' ") combination of a U-shaped base shell (21") and out is a front bar (20 '") connected to its U-legs (47),

and that the C-end sections (25) of the C front strip have hook-free angled C-ends (27),

and that - in the case of a connection - the two C ends of the front bar (20 '") are recessed in an upper groove (29') of the base shell (21") or in a sub-groove (28) of the base shell (21 ").

12.) External door handle according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the carrier is a container surrounded by walls on five of six sides (15), in which the electronic components (16, 16 ') are sealed waterproof with a plastic compound ,

13.) Outside door handle according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that in the base shell (21; 21 ', 21 ") in the region of the handle end (12) at least one opening (52; 52';52"; 52 '" ) are arranged for at least one hidden cable outlet.

14.) Outside door handle according to one or more of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the front bar (20; 20 ") is in turn provided on the show side with a preferably recessed trim panel (19).

15.) Outside door handle according to one or more of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the carrier / container (15) is made of hard plastic.

16.) Outside door handle according to one or more of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that after assembly in the handle (10 "') the opening of the carrier / container (15) points upwards.

17.) Outside door handle according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the electronic components (16) in the cavity (14, 44, 44 ') serve to control the access authorization to the vehicle.