EP3728766B1

EP3728766B1 - Door handle assembly with safety function

Info

Publication number: EP3728766B1
Application number: EP19714503.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gasper PIRNAR
Original assignee: Pirnar d o o
Current assignee: Pirnar d o o
Priority date: 2019-02-27
Filing date: 2019-02-27
Publication date: 2022-06-15
Anticipated expiration: 2039-02-27
Also published as: SI3728766T1; EP3728766A1; WO2020176043A1

Description

Field of technology

Door manufacture, handle manufacture

Technical problem

The technical problem to be overcome by present solution is lack of safety of a person closing or opening or otherwise engaging a door using handle which is normally hidden in a recess made in said door. If door handle needs to be essentially flush with the surface of said door or at least partially retracted into said door, and also if its retraction is automated, there is clear and present danger of users' fingers or other extremities caught between said handle and edge of said recess.

State of the art

EP3234284 door handle assembly and process for extending and/or retracting of door handle assembly with safety function wherein attachment means is either helical spring, elastic band.
GB472359 describes a flush handle for the outside of vehicle doors, said handle moved into its recess when the latch is retracted either by the inside handle or by slamming the door.
KR20130063124 describes the handle housing mounted on the outer panel of a vehicle door and partitioned into a grip member and an opening and closing member. The door locking device is connected to the grip member and opens a door using a handle cable.
EP1607556 describes the door handle designed so that on the side of the grab handle opposite the first swivel axis a lever which is swivel mounted on the grab handle during swivel movement moves the grab handle from the closed and rest position in which the grab handle closes flush with the body and/or grip housing into the operating position where the grab handle protrudes for actuation, and at the end of actuating the door moves it back into the closing position. The lever is mounted on the grab handle to swivel about a second swivel axis which runs parallel to the first.

Description of new invention

Door handle assembly and process for its use solves above referenced technical problem by attaching door handle to said door or door handle assembly base by at least one attachment means as well as providing a process during which safety features of said handle are utilized to prevent discomfort or even bodily harm of user of said handle.
There are many door designs. Intrinsic to door design there is a handle for operating of said door, particularly for closing and opening of said doors. Said handle is usually seen to the outside user but in many instances said handle is flush with said door when not in use.
This invention deals with a door handle which is normally hidden within the door, be it either completely flush with a door surface, or partially protruding from said door surface. If an user wants to use said handle, said user activates said handle using state of the art actuating means. Said user may either depress said handle, or triggers mechanism by some other means such as breaking a light beam, actuating proximity sensor, depressing a button or some similar mechanism.
After said handle which has been hidden, either partially, or totally, within body of said door is activated, said handle emerges from a recess in which it was hidden. This can be achieved by means of springs, electric actuators, pneumatic cylinders, oil cylinders or some similar mechanism, or by rack and pinion mechanism as in preferred embodiment.
After said handle has had emerged, said user may engage is by usually gripping it and proceeding with normal use of said handle.
The problem which is solved by this invention arises when accidentally, or by design, reverse mechanism for hiding of said handle is actuated, but said user has not yet removed their hand from said handle. As a result of said reverse mechanism, handle is returning to its recess within said door body, and traps said user extremity or plurality thereof such as a hand, finger, or plurality thereof between said handle and edge of said recess. Such a situation may result in bodily harm or unpleasant experience of said user.
It is therefore logical that some degree of safety must be provided for.
This invention provides for at least one attachment means between said handle and substructure of said handle and/or door. In this particular embodiment, attachment means uses magnetic force.
Below the invention is described in greater detail with help of figures, said figures forming part of this patent application.

Fig. 1 shows handle in its retracted position inside the door body, presenting handle (1), door body (2), the first magnet serving as part of attachment means (3a), the second magnet serving as part of attachment means (3b), handle connector (5).
Fig. 2 shows handle in its extended position outside the door body, presenting handle (1), door body (2), the first magnet serving as part of attachment means (3a), the second magnet serving as part of attachment means (3b), base connector (4), handle connector (5).
Fig. 3 shows handle in its extended position outside the door body, presenting handle (1), door body (2), the first magnet serving as part of attachment means (3a), the second magnet serving as part of attachment means (3b), base connector (4), handle connector (5).
Fig. 4 shows handle in its retracted position inside the door body, presenting handle (1), door body (2), light emitting source serving as part of attachment means (3c), light detecting sensor serving as part of attachment means (3d), handle connector (5).
Fig. 5 (a) shows door with handle in its extended position outside the door body presenting handle (1), door body (2).
Fig. 5 (b) shows door with handle in its retracted position outside the door body presenting handle (1), door body (2).

Figures 1 through 5 show door handle assembly and its process during operation with extending and retracting action performed by means of hydraulic or electric actuators. Said handle (1) is connected to handle connector (5). Said handle connector (5) is positioned onto base connector (4) allowing relative movement between handle connector (5) and base connector (4). Such arrangement provides for extending and retracting of handle (1) by sliding of said handle connector (5) up (to extend) and down (to retract) on base connector (4). In order for an assembly not to fall apart said handle connector (5) is attached to either door body (2) or base (6) with at least one attachment means (3).
Attachment means (3) for purposes of this application is described below.
Said attachment means (3) can be composed of at least two parts, the first part being the first magnet (3a), the other part being the second magnet (3b), both magnets exerting force on each other (attracting one another) causing the handle to be retracted into the recess. Should an obstacle be placed between a handle and a recess, the handle ceases to retract without exerting undue force on the obstacle, said force being limited by magnetic force between both magnets.
Further, in an embodiment which does not form part of the claimed invention, attachment means (3) can be comprised of a control unit, said control unit actively controlling said driving means (7), said control unit being controlled by sensor or plurality thereof. For example, there can be a light emitting source (3c), and light detecting sensor (3d). If an obstacle is placed between said light emitting source (3c) and light detecting sensor (3d), this is detected by said light detecting sensor (3d), sending a signal to said control unit, said control unit disengaging said driving means (7) to either remain at their present position, or engaging said driving means (7) to re-extend said door handle to extended position.
Instead of sensor comprised of light emitting source (3c) and light detecting sensor (3d), said sensor can be proximity sensor positioned in such a way as to cover area between said handle and said recess, and detecting proximity of an obstacle, namely obstacle with infrared (IR) properties such as IR emitting hand or somesuch.
Instead of proximity sensor, photocell sensor emitting electromagnetic (EM) radiation, and receiving reflected EM radiation (e.g. IR radiation) from said obstacle can be used in similar fashion to prevent damage to said obstacle.
It should be stated that figure show a handle with two handle connectors. There is no particular reason for that, it is solely an embodiment. The same effect is obtained by single handle connector (5) connected to said handle (1), having single attachment means (3).
Door handle assembly according to this invention is comprised of handle (1), said handle (1) connected to at least one handle connector (5), said handle connector (5) moveably connected to extending and/or retracting means by at least one attachment means (3), said attachment means (3) attached to door body (2) and/or base (6), said attachment means (3) allowing for relative movement between said handle connector (5) and said extending and/or retracting means during retraction of said handle (1) into a recess in order to limit amount of force exerted by said handle (1) on an obstacle between said handle (1) and edge of a said recess into which said handle (1) is retracted. In such a way user whose hand or finger or plurality thereof present an obstacle has on opportunity to remove his or her extremities without handle exerting too large of a force on them during retraction, if said user does not remove his or her extremities in time.
Fig. 6 shows part of door handle assembly in its preferred embodiment presenting attachment presenting attachment means (3), handle connector (5), base (6), axle (7), driving means, preferably electromotor (8), pinion (11).
Fig. 7 shows part of door handle assembly in its preferred embodiment presenting handle connector (5), base (6), rack (9), pinion (11), cradle connector (12).
Fig. 8 shows part of door handle assembly in its preferred embodiment presenting attachment means (3), handle connector (5), base (6), axle (7), rack (9), pinion (11).
Fig. 9 shows part of door handle assembly in its preferred embodiment presenting handle connector (5), base (6), rack (9), pinion (11), cradle connector (12).
Fig. 10 shows part of door handle assembly in its preferred embodiment presenting attachment means (3), handle connector (5), base (6), pinion (11).
Fig. 11 shows part of door handle assembly in its preferred embodiment presenting attachment means (3), handle connector (5), base (6), pinion (11), cradle connector (12), showing behavior during process in which an obstacle is inserted between said door body (2) and said handle (1).
Fig. 12 shows door handle assembly in its preferred embodiment presenting handle connector (5), base (6), axle (7), driving means, preferably electromotor (8), rack (9), cradle (1.0), pinion (11), cradle connector (12).
Fig. 13 shows a bit different embodiment, not according to the present invention, in which instead of two attachment means only single attachment means (3) is used with two handle connectors (5), and shows attachment means (3), handle connector (5), base (6), rack (9), pinion (11).
Fig. 14 shows same embodiment as Fig. 13 and shows handle (1), means (3), handle connector (5), base (6), rack (9), pinion (11), cradle connector (12).
Figures 6 through 12 show an embodiment which does not form part of the claimed invention. This embodiment is meant for building into door body (2). Said handle assembly is comprised of handle (1), said handle attached to handle connector (5) which is movably connected to cradle connector (12) to allow relative movement between said handle connector (5) and said cradle connector (12). Said cradle connector (12) is connected to cradle (10), said cradle (10) attached to said door body (2). Said handle (1) is extended and/or retracted by means of rack-and-pinion gear comprising of at least one rack (9) and at least one pinion (11) engaged with said rack (9). Said pinion (11) is rotationally connected to driving means, preferably electromotor (8) by axle (7), and is attached to base (6). Said handle connector (5) is attached to said base (6) by means of flexible attachment means (3).
Said door handle assembly is put into operation by user providing command, usually by depressing button, breaking a beam connected to photo sensitive array, or by some other means. In such a case electromotor (8) starts to turn in the first direction, thereby turning axle (7), and pinion (11) connected thereto. Said pinion (11) engages with said rack (9) thereby extending said handle (1) away from said cradle (10). As said pinion (11) is attached to said base (6), said base (6) is moving with said pinion (11). Further, said base (6) is pushing said handle connector (5), and consequently said handle (1) attached to said handle connector (5) with it in its extended position until such time that said handle (1) is fully extended.
After user finishes using handle assembly said handle (1) is undergoing process of retraction, either automatically, with passing of time, or by again depressing button, or by some other suitable means. The retraction is opposite to extending - driving means preferably electromotor (8) rotates in the second direction, and rotates axle (7), and pinion (11) in order to retract said handle (1) back to its retracted position. As said pinion (11) is attached to said base (6), said base (6) is also retracting toward said cradle (10). Said base (6) is pulling along said handle connector (5) and consequently said handle (1) connected to said handle connector (5).
Door handle assembly according this invention is comprised of said handle connector (5), said base (6), an axle (7), driving means, preferably electromotor (8), at least one rack (9), a cradle (10), at least one pinion (11), a cradle connector (12), whereby said attachment means (3) are attaching said handle connector (5) to said base (6), and whereby said extending and/or retracting means are comprised of said driving means, preferably electromotor (8) connected to said axle (7) connected to said pinion (11) engaging with said rack (9), said extension of said handle (1) achieved by rotation of said driving means, preferably electromotor (8) in the first direction, and said retraction of said handle (1) achieved by rotation of said driving means, preferably electromotor (8) in the second direction, said pinion (11) connected to said base (6), whereby in case that during retraction said obstacle is inserted between said handle (1) and said recess into which said handle (1) is retracted, said base (6) continues to be retracted into said recess while said handle (1) remains essentially motionless until such time that said obstacle is removed thereby limiting amount of force exerted by said handle (1) on said obstacle, said attachment means (3) afterward pulling said handle (1) toward said base (6).
Door handle assembly according to this invention features at least one attachment means (3) which is chosen from group consisting of at least two magnets exerting attracting force one on another.
Door handle assembly according to this invention may feature extending and/or retracting means which are comprised of actuator, preferably hydraulic, within base connector (4).
A process for extending and/or retracting of door handle assembly performed by door handle assembly according to this invention is comprising steps of:

extending handle (1) from its recess into extended position by extending means;
using said handle (1);
retraction said handle (1) from its extended position into said recess;
in case that an obstacle is inserted between said handle (1) and said recess into which said handle (1) is retracted, said base (6) continues to be retracted into said recess while said handle (1) remains essentially motionless until such time that said obstacle is removed thereby limiting amount of force exerted by said handle (1) on said obstacle.

Claims

Door handle assembly comprising a handle (1), said handle (1) connected to at least one handle connector (5), said handle connector (5) is moveably connected to extending and retracting means by at least one attachment means (3), said attachment means (3) is attached to a door body (2) and/or a base (6), said attachment means (3) allowing for relative movement between said handle connector (5) and said extending and retracting means during retraction of said handle (1) into a recess in order to limit amount of force exerted by said handle (1) on an obstacle between said handle (1) and an edge of a said recess into which said handle (1) is retracted, whereby it comprises said handle connector (5), said base (6), an axle (7), driving means, preferably an electromotor (8), at least one rack (9), at least one pinion (11), whereby said attachment means (3) is attaching said handle connector (5) to said base (6), and whereby said extending and retracting means are comprised of said driving means, preferably electromotor (8), connected to said axle (7) connected to said pinion (11) engaging with said rack (9), said extension of said handle (1) is achieved by rotation of said driving means, preferably electromotor (8), in the first direction, and said retraction of said handle (1) achieved by rotation of said driving means, preferably electromotor (8), in the second direction, said pinion (11) connected to said base (6), wherein it further comprises a cradle (10) and a cradle connector (12) and whereby in case that during retraction said obstacle is inserted between said handle (1) and said recess into which said handle (1) is retracted, said base (6) (i) continues to be retracted into said recess while said handle (1) remains essentially motionless until such time that said obstacle is removed thereby limiting amount of force exerted by said handle (1) on said obstacle, said attachment means (3) afterward pulling said handle (1) toward said base (6) or (ii) control unit disengages aid driving means to either remain at their present position, or engaging said driving means to re-extend said door handle to extended position, characterized in that said attachment means (3) is chosen from group consisting of at least two magnets exerting attracting force one on another, actuators controlled by control unit wherein at least one sensor (3d) upon detecting an obstacle sends a signal to said control unit, said control unit disengaging said driving means (7) to either remain at their present position, or engaging said driving means (7) to re-extend said door handle to extended position.
Door handle assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said extending and retracting means are comprised of actuator, preferably hydraulic, within base connector (4).
Door handle assembly according to any of previous claims, characterized in that said obstacle is said handle (1) user's hand or said handle (1) user's finger or plurality thereof.
Process for extending and/or retracting of door handle assembly performed by door handle assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3, comprising steps of:
- extending handle (1) from its recess into extended position by extending means;

- using said handle (1);

- retraction said handle (1) from its extended position into said recess;

- in case that an obstacle is inserted between said handle (1) and said recess into which said handle (1) is retracted, said base (6) continues to be retracted into said recess while said handle (1) remains essentially motionless until such time that said obstacle is removed thereby limiting amount of force exerted by said handle (1) on said obstacle.