EP4206430A1 - External opening control device for a motor vehicle wing - Google Patents

Abstract

This device (20) comprises a support (26), a handle (22) pivotally mounted relative to the support (26), a lever for actuating a lock of the opening (12) configured to cooperate with an element ( 36) extension of the handle (22) extending transversely from an inner face of the handle (22). In addition, the lever is movably mounted on a hinge pin (X1) of the support (26) against an elastic return member between a first rest configuration of the member in which it extends through a path of the extension element (36) to generate a force resisting the pivoting of the handle (22) and a second configuration for actuating the lock in which it is rotated around said axis by the 'extension element (36) during the pivoting of the handle (22) after having overcome the resistant effort.

Description

Technical area.

The present invention relates to a device for controlling the exterior opening of a motor vehicle door. The invention relates more particularly but not exclusively to such a control device which combines an electric actuator and a mechanical actuator, capable of triggering the opening of a lock of the door of the motor vehicle.

Generally, the control device comprises an operating pallet (or gripping handle) which is mounted articulated with respect to a body panel of the opening, inside a casing. This box is generally housed inside a cutout provided for this purpose in the body panel.

A current trend is to allow the opening of the opening by means of an electric actuator, itself triggered manually, for example by light pressure, a simple touch or detection of a close presence of a user in a predefined zone of the control device, generally a non-visible inner face of the maneuvering pallet. During this manual actuation, an electrical unlocking command with a view to opening the opening of the vehicle is generated intended for the main control unit of the vehicle.

For safety reasons, it is generally provided that the opening control device also allows mechanical opening in the event of an electrical failure. The opening of the mechanical actuator is for example achieved by applying a substantially higher actuating force to the maneuvering pallet, then causing the mechanical release of the sash by actuation of a transmission assembly, for example a rod connected to the lock.

Prior technique.

Such a control device is known in particular from the prior art, and in particular from the publication of the international application WO2021/009294A1 .

Such a design of opening control device allows particularly intuitive operation of the latter because the motorist who wishes to open the opening of the vehicle proceeds in the same pulling movement, first of all with an attempt to electrically unlock the lock mechanism associated with the pallet by manually triggering the electric actuator located in an interior gripping zone of the pallet, then, only in the event of failure to open the leaf, by exerting a tensile force of intensity higher on the handle. It then causes, without changing movement, the opening of the door by exerting on the pallet a traction force oriented upwards which leads to the pivoting of the pallet and the mechanical actuation of the lock.

However, this prior art control device has many drawbacks.

First of all, this device has the drawback of having a relatively complex structure with in particular a large number of parts to be assembled together. In addition, gripping the pallet is also poorly optimized from an ergonomic point of view because it requires an amplitude of twisting of the user's wrist when the latter has recourse to the mechanical actuation of the lock of the opening.

Faced with these drawbacks, the present invention aims to further improve the external opening control devices of the type considered. The object of the invention is in particular to propose a device for controlling exterior opening that is more ergonomic, simpler to assemble while offering new perspectives in the style of the vehicle.

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks. A main objective of the invention is to provide a mechanism whose actuation remains simple and natural for the user. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a sash opening mechanism having a structure which remains relatively simple, with reliable operation.

Summary of the invention

To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for controlling the exterior opening of a motor vehicle door, comprising a support, a gripping handle mounted pivoting with respect to the support, a lever for actuating a lock of the sash configured to cooperate with an extension element of the handle extending transversely with respect to a longitudinal direction of the handle from an internal face of the handle, characterized in that the lever is mounted so as to be movable on an axis d articulation of the support against an elastic return member between a first rest configuration of the member in which it extends through a path of the extension element to generate a force resisting the pivoting of the handle and a second configuration for actuating the lock in which it is driven in rotation around said axis by the extension element during the pivoting of the handle after having overcome the resistant force.

The present invention thus makes it possible to oppose effectively and simply the mechanical opening of the handle during its electrical actuation on an internal face of the handle. The actuating lever, otherwise referred to below as a return lever, is thus particularly practical and compact since it has a dual function. For example, the lever may comprise one end fixed to the end of a cable, the traction of which causes the actuation of the lock of the opening.

This therefore prevents inadvertent opening of the handle when the opening control device is only electrically stressed.

For example, the handle is extended transversely towards the inside of the opening of the vehicle by a branch, forming the extension element or plunger, integral with it or attached integrally. The inner branch therefore pivots around the pivot axis of the handle with the rest of the handle and describes an outward opening path. It is therefore understood from the invention that the lever acts as a stop piece which is interposed on the path of the extension element of the handle during the deployment of the latter.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lever is movable against the member in a third temporary assembly configuration, in which it is temporarily moved away from said path to allow mounting of the extension along said route.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lever is movable in translation relative to the support along the axis of articulation from the first configuration to the third configuration.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the lever and the support have contact surfaces cooperating against each other to form a notch of resistance to the pivoting of the handle to cross a hard point.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the extension element is intended to be mounted through an opening of the support and the lever extends on a dorsal face of the support opposite to a front receiving face of the handle. .

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lever comprises a body provided with a cylindrical bore mounted to slide and pivot around an articulation rod of the lever fixed to the support along the articulation axis.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lever comprises a body provided with a wing projecting radially with respect to the axis of articulation and configured to come to extend through said path.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the member comprises a helical spring capable of operating in compression and in torsion along the axis of articulation.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lever comprises a cylindrical sleeve defining a cylindrical bore along the axis of articulation and the member comprises a helical winding surrounding the cylindrical sleeve and fixed at one of its free ends to the support. and at the other of its free ends to the lever.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lever comprises two arms arranged adjacently along the axis of articulation and spaced angularly from each other, one of the arms forms a grip wing radial with the extension element and the other of the arms is provided with a retaining end of a cable for pulling the lock.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the axis of articulation of the lever extends substantially parallel to and at a distance from the longitudinal axis of the handle.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the handle comprises a body of generally elongated shape in a longitudinal direction having an end portion for articulation at the support around an articulation axis substantially parallel to the plane of the panel of the opening and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the handle.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a manual control element arranged on the inside of the handle by means of which an electric command for the electric actuation of the lock can be generated so that a user can proceed in a single gripping movement of the handle to the electrical actuation of the lock and, in the event of failure, to the mechanical actuation of the lock by applying a pulling force of the handle towards the position opening.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support comprising a recess for receiving the handle, the device comprises a shaped shell to cover the recess, the handle and the shell being configured to cooperate together so that the shell does not can be extracted from the support after assembly of the handle on the support.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support comprises a cavity configured to impose on the shell an intermediate assembly and/or disassembly position passing through a final location of the handle in the cavity of the support.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support comprises a transverse reception location for a dummy barrel part provided of a front presentation face, the handle being configured in the support covering the presentation face in the rest position.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bracket includes a passageway extending externally to the lever into which a handle assembly tool can engage to temporarily move the lever to the lever. against the member to allow the release of the movement of the handle to a mounting position.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the handle extends flush with the sash panel and has an outer surface which defines a continuity of shape and/or appearance with a surface of the sash panel .

Brief description of the drawings

• Fig.1
  [fig.1] représente une vue en perspective d'une face extérieure d'un panneau d'ouvrant de véhicule intégrant en façade un dispositif de commande d'ouverture extérieure selon l'invention ;
• Fig.2
  [fig.2] représente une vue en perspective d'une face intérieure du panneau de la figure 1 ;
• Fig.3
  [fig.3] représente une vue en perspective du panneau de la figure 1 dans une configuration non assemblée ;
• Fig.4
  [fig.4] représente une vue en perspective d'une face arrière du dispositif de la figure 1 dans une configuration opérationnelle ;
• Fig.5
  [fig.5] représente une vue en perspective éclatée du dispositif de la figure 4 ;
• Fig.6
  [fig.6] représente une vue en perspective d'une face arrière du dispositif de la figure 1 dans une configuration d'assemblage temporaire;
• Fig.7
  [fig.7] représente en perspective d'un levier d'actionnement du dispositif de l'invention d'actionnement d'une serrure de l'ouvrant selon trois points de vue A, B et C espacés angulairement ;
• Fig.8
  [fig.8] représente une vue en perspective avec écorché partiel du dispositif de commande de la figure 1 dans lequel un élément commutateur manuel d'actionnement électrique d'une serrure de l'ouvrant est apparent ;
• Fig.9
  [fig.9] représente une vue d'une tranche latérale de l'ouvrant et un encadré illustrant en détail le dispositif de commande ;
• Fig.10
  [fig.10] représente une vue partielle en coupe longitudinale du support de poignée du dispositif de la figure 1, du levier et de la poignée ;
• Fig.11
  [fig.11] représente une vue de face du dispositif de commande d'ouverture à l'état assemblé sur un ouvrant du « côté conducteur » du véhicule ;
• Fig.12
  [fig.12] représente le dispositif de la figure 1 en cours de montage d'une coque d'habillage selon deux modes d'assemblage différents (A ou B);
• Fig.13
  [fig.13] représente une vue partielle en coupe longitudinale du dispositif de commande d'ouverture dans une configuration de repos (A) et dans une configuration active (B) ;
• Fig.14
  [fig.14] représente une vue partielle en coupe transversale du dispositif de commande d'ouverture dans une configuration de repos (A) et dans une configuration active (B).

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear in the light of the following description, made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• Fig.1
  [ fig.1 ] shows a perspective view of an exterior face of a vehicle opening panel incorporating on the front an exterior opening control device according to the invention;
• Fig.2
  [ fig.2 ] shows a perspective view of an interior face of the panel of the figure 1 ;
• Fig.3
  [ fig.3 ] shows a perspective view of the panel of the figure 1 in an unassembled configuration;
• Fig.4
  [ fig.4 ] shows a perspective view of a rear face of the device of the figure 1 in an operational configuration;
• Fig.5
  [ fig.5 ] shows an exploded perspective view of the device of the figure 4 ;
• Fig.6
  [ fig.6 ] shows a perspective view of a rear face of the device of the figure 1 in a temporary assembly configuration;
• Fig.7
  [ fig.7 ] shows in perspective an actuating lever of the device of the invention for actuating a lock of the opening according to three points of view A, B and C angularly spaced;
• Fig.8
  [ fig.8 ] shows a perspective view with partial cutaway of the control device of the figure 1 wherein a manual switch element for electrical actuation of a lock of the opening is apparent;
• Fig.9
  [ fig.9 ] shows a view of a side edge of the opening and a box illustrating in detail the control device;
• Fig.10
  [ fig.10 ] shows a partial view in longitudinal section of the handle support of the device of the figure 1 , lever and handle;
• Fig.11
  [ fig.11 ] shows a front view of the opening control device in the assembled state on an opening on the "driver's side" of the vehicle;
• Fig.12
  [ fig.12 ] represents the device of the figure 1 during assembly of a covering shell according to two different assembly methods (A or B);
• Fig.13
  [ fig.13 ] shows a partial view in longitudinal section of the opening control device in a rest configuration (A) and in an active configuration (B);
• Fig.14
  [ fig.14 ] shows a partial cross-sectional view of the opening control device in a rest configuration (A) and in an active configuration (B).

Description of embodiments

We represented on the figures 1 to 14 an exterior opening control device for a motor vehicle door according to the invention. In the following description, the device will be designated by the general reference 20, the opening by the general reference 12 and the motor vehicle by the general reference 10.

An orthonormal reference mark is indicated on the figure 1 . It defines a first direction which corresponds to a longitudinal axis X of the vehicle, oriented positively from the front to the rear of the vehicle, a second direction which corresponds to a transverse axis Y of the vehicle and a third direction which corresponds to a vertical axis Z of the vehicle.

In figure 1 And 2 , the control device 20 is intended to be mounted on an exterior panel 14 of the body of the opening 12 which is for example a side door of the motor vehicle 10. The panel 14 comprises a visible exterior face 18E and a hidden interior face 18I .

In general, as can be seen in the picture 3 , the device 20 comprises a handle support 26 intended to be mounted in a cutout 16 of complementary shape formed in the outer panel 14 of the opening 12 and a gripping handle 22 pivotally mounted on the support 26.

Conventionally, the motor vehicle 10 also comprises an opening lock (not shown) typically mounted on the opening 12 of the vehicle 10 and configured to be mechanically and/or electrically actuated.

In this example, the handle 22 is intended for the operation of the opening 14 as well as the mechanical actuation for opening the lock of the motor vehicle 10. Preferably, the lock is connected to the operating handle 22 by a mechanical linkage (also referred to as a transmission assembly) which will be explained in detail below and which allows the mechanical actuation of the opening.

Generally, the opening of an opening of a motor vehicle is carried out for example by means of a lock comprising a bolt (not shown) integral with the opening capable of cooperating with a striker (not shown) integral with the bodywork of the vehicle. In practice, the action of releasing the bolt is called opening of the lock, which allows the unhooking of the opening. Conversely, closing the lock is the fact of maintaining the bolt in the striker, which prevents the unhooking of the opening.

For example, the function of the lock is to maintain the opening 12 of the motor vehicle 10 in the closed position. and operable by a user. The bolt is released from the keeper by electrical or mechanical actuation of the exterior opening control 20.

The opening of the lock can be performed electrically by means of an electromechanical actuator (not shown in the figures). In this case, the actuator (not shown) comprises for example an electric motor, powered electrically by the main electrical circuit of the vehicle. This electric motor is sized to allow the opening of the lock and the opening under normal operating conditions.

The lock is also preferably connected to an electronic central unit (not shown in the figures) for controlling the locking and unlocking of the various locks fitted to the motor vehicle 10.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the device 20 further comprises a barrel part 30 frontally presenting a presentation face 30A. The barrel part 30 a in the example illustrated in the picture 3 a generally cylindrical shape with a front face 30A of presentation that is preferably relatively flat.

In the event of an electrical failure, preferably the lock can be unlocked mechanically. For this purpose, in an opening configuration "driver" of the vehicle 10, in a conventional manner, the cylinder part 30 of the device 20 is functional and is configured to allow the insertion of a lock key by its presentation face 30A. As illustrated in the figure 11 , in this case, the device 20 comprises a cover-lock 32 in the form of a hood intended to be removably mounted (articulated in rotation or not) above the location of the barrel part 30 and can be removed manually in order to release access to the presentation face 30A to allow insertion of the lock key.

When the control device 20 is intended to be mounted in a so-called "passenger" opening configuration, as illustrated in particular on the figure 1 And 3 , the barrel part 30 is preferably a dummy part and is inoperative. Preferably, in this case, the handle 22 extends in the longitudinal direction to cover and to hide the barrel part 30 in the rest position of the handle 22.

Preferably, as illustrated in the picture 3 , the support 26 is formed by a housing body 40 which is intended to be fixed on the internal side 18I of the panel 14 and the gripping handle 22 is intended to be arranged on the external side 18E of the panel 14, while being attached to the housing body 40 forming a support.

In this exemplary embodiment, the grip handle 22 is in the form of a body of generally elongated shape which extends along the longitudinal direction X. The side of the handle 22 which includes the hinge axis will be called rear side 22B and the opposite side will be referred to as the front side 22A. This orientation from back to front corresponds substantially to an orientation from right to left on the figure 1 .

In accordance with the invention, as can be seen in the picture 3 , the handle 22 is mounted articulated on the support 26 by the rear end side 22B around a hinge axis extending in the vertical direction Z relative to the housing body 40 and for example through a opening 23 made in the peripheral wall 46 of the housing 40. The axis of articulation will be described as vertical, that is to say substantially parallel to the plane of the outer panel 14 and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X of the grip handle 22.

The grip handle 22 is mounted articulated around the geometric axis of articulation with respect to the support 26 between at least one extreme retracted position of rest and an extreme deployed position of opening resulting in the mechanical actuation of the opening of the lock of the opening 12 causing the unhooking of the opening 12, as will be explained in detail below.

In order to allow the articulation of the handle 22, in the example shown, its rear side 22B has an end 34 designed to be mounted for rotation about a pivot axis secured to the support 26 (not visible in the figures).

Furthermore, in the example illustrated, on the front side 22A, the handle 22 is mechanically coupled to the lock mechanism. This allows, thanks to the operation of the handle 22, the mechanical actuation of the opening of the lock and the unhooking of the opening 12.

For this purpose, preferably, as can be seen on the figure 5 , the handle 22 comprises, on its front side 22A, an extension element 36 extending transversely from an internal face of the handle 22 and configured to act on a mechanical transmission assembly coupled to the mechanism of the lock which makes it possible to the mechanical opening of the lock of the opening 12. The extension element 36 has, in the example illustrated, the shape of a branch or a column which has a free end 38 curved in the manner of a foot. This extension element 36, well known from the prior art, is also sometimes referred to by the term “plunger”.

As clearly seen in the picture 3 , the housing body 40 has frontally an open front face 42 on the outside of the opening 12 in the general shape of a frame and a rear wall 44 which is arranged to extend from the inner side of the panel 14 of the opening 12 The housing body 40 also comprises in this example a peripheral wall 46 which delimits with the rear wall 44 a cavity 48 for receiving the handle 22, open towards the outside of the opening 12.

In order to allow the mechanical actuation of the lock by the extension element 36, preferably and as illustrated in the figure 5 , the case body 40 comprises an opening 25 made in the rear wall 44, through which the extension element 36 can be engaged so that the foot 38 can cooperate with the transmission assembly located on the internal side of the rear wall 44.

Preferably, as can be seen on the figure 1 , the cavity 48 of the housing body 40 is arranged in the panel 14 of the opening 12 to extend set back relative to the outer surface of the panel 14 and thus receive the gripping handle 22 substantially flush with the outer surface of panel 14 (or vehicle body skin). Preferably, the handle 22 has an outer surface which defines a surface continuity with a surface of the panel 14 of the opening 12 and optionally also a continuity of appearance.

As illustrated in the figure 1 , the handle 22 is arranged in the body of the case 40 to partially close the internal cavity 48 of the case body 40 in the rest position so that in the example illustrated, a lower longitudinal edge of the handle 22 delimits vertically towards the bottom a concave clearance 50 in the form for example of a cup or half-bowl allowing the introduction of the hand of a user behind the handle 22. In this illustrated example and optionally, the handle 22 has on its dorsal face a bulge which is configured to substantially match the concave clearance 50 and which delimits a cavity to allow the introduction of the hand.

In the retracted position of the handle 22, the cavity 48 open to the outside is partially closed off by the handle 22 so as to make an inner face of the handle 22 accessible to gripping through the clearance 50. Indeed, when the hand of the user slips into the clearance 50 of the housing body 40, the inner face of the user's phalanges is facing the inner face of the handle 22.

Of course, as a variant, the handle 22 can be arranged so as to close off a lower portion of the internal cavity 48 such that an upper longitudinal edge of the handle 22 delimits the concave clearance vertically in this case upwards. It is also conceivable that the handle 22 can be arranged so as to close off a middle portion of the internal cavity 48 so that the handle 22 delimits vertically both upwards and downwards concave recesses.

Preferably, in the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the picture 3 , the device 20 further comprises a cover shell 52 configured to come to marry the clearance 50 of the open cavity 48 of the housing 40 not closed by the handle 22 in its rest position. The shell 52 forms in this example a finishing trim making it possible to cover the part of the recess 48 of the case body 40 not covered by the handle 22 in its rest position.

For example, as it appears on the figure 1 And 3 , the housing 40 is functionally composed of at least two parts: a first upper part for receiving the handle 22 in the rest position and a second lower part for access to gripping the handle 22 in its rest position. This second part comprises the concave recess 48 open to the outside which forms the access clearance 50 to the internal face of the handle 22 in its retracted rest position.

In the example illustrated, the housing body 40 comprises in the longitudinal direction at one end of its first part a location in which is made a bore 54 shaped to accommodate the barrel part 30 transversely in such a way that the barrel 30 presents frontally its presentation face 30A.

Furthermore, preferably, in the so-called "passenger" opening configuration, the front end part 22A of the handle 22 is shaped to hide the presentation face 30A in the rest position of the handle 22. In the preferred configuration of the invention, the front end portion 22A of the handle 22 forms an extension of the handle 22 beyond a position of the actuating branch 36 of the handle 22.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the visual delimitation of the first and second parts of the housing body 40 is marked by a vertical step 56 forming a shoulder and visible for example on the picture 3 . In the example illustrated, the housing body 40 has an outline of generally oblong shape and is provided with a lobe-shaped protrusion in which is located the location for the cylindrical bore 54 for receiving the barrel part 30. In the example illustrated in the figure 9 , the barrel part 30 comprises a fixing means 78 to a side wall 46 of the support 26.

Preferably, as shown in the figure 8 , the device 10 also comprises a manual control element 100 arranged on an inner gripping face of the handle 22 by means of which an electric command for the electric opening of the lock of the opening 12 can be generated.

The manual control element 100 can for example comprise, by way of example but without limitation, a gesture and/or tactile detector configured to detect at least one command instruction linked to a result of the gesture detection and/or tactile in a control region located preferably on the inside face of the handle 22.

The detector comprises for example a sensor using pressure-sensitive resistor technology (also known as the FSR sensor for "Force Sensing Resist" according to the English terminology), using for example resistive inks sensitive to pressure, a optical technology or capacitive technology. Such technologies are well known to those skilled in the art and will not be further detailed below.

Thanks to this manual control operable by a simple touch, a very slight pressure or detection of the presence of the user, the latter can proceed in a single gripping movement of the handle 22 to the electrical unlocking of the lock of the sash and, only in the event of failure, the mechanical unlocking of the sash lock by applying a pulling force of the handle towards the open position.

It is therefore understood that in normal use of the device 20, the handle 22 is designed to occupy its retracted rest position for the most part and to be maneuvered only occasionally towards its deployed position, in particular in the event of an electrical failure.

In general, in order to ensure mechanical operation of the unlocking of the lock of the opening 12, the device 20 comprises an actuating lever 60 of the lock configured to cooperate with the internal branch 36 of the handle 22 for the purpose of unlocking the lock.

This lever 60 is illustrated in detail on the figure 7 . In this example, the lever 60 is part of the mechanical transmission assembly and is configured to pull a cable C of the lock when the handle 22 is moved to its deployed position (the cable C is represented schematically by two dashed lines discontinuous on the figure 14 ).

In accordance with the invention, the lever 60 is mounted so as to be able to move, opposite an elastic return member 64, on a hinge pin X1 of the support 26 around which the lever 60 can in particular pivot between at least a first configuration of rest (or elastic return) in which it extends through an opening path of said branch 36 and at least one second active configuration for unlocking the lock in which it is driven in rotation around said axis by said branch 36 of handle 22.

To this end, the lever 60 comprises a body provided with a cable pulling arm 62 extending radially from the axis of articulation X1. This arm 62 comprises a means 63 for mechanical connection to an element of the mechanical transmission assembly, such as the cable C. The support 26 preferably also comprises a cable guide element 27 formed by a projecting stud provided with a indentation on an end edge inside which the cable can slide.

In this example, the arm 62 has the general shape of an elongated tongue in the shape of a "drop of water", that is to say having a rounded base around the axis of articulation X1 and a free end opposite slightly tapered to a point comprising the mechanical connection means 63. Structurally, the mechanical connection means 63 comprises a housing in which one end of the cable C can be introduced and retained. For example, the cable C comprises a sheath provided at its proximal end with a head forming an element for retaining the cable inside the housing. The housing has a generally curved shape and is provided with a circumferential slot defining a guide groove through which the sheath of the cable can be inserted radially and opening onto a axial extension hole through which the head of the cable can be removably engaged axially.

Furthermore, preferably, in order to cooperate with the extension branch 36 of the handle 22 from its rest configuration to its active configuration, the lever 60 further comprises an arm 68 for locking the pivoting of the handle 22 s' extending radially from the hinge axis X1.

The locking arm 68 is in the form of a fin or a finger projecting radially with respect to the axis of articulation X1 and configured to extend through said path. Preferably, the two arms 62 and 68 extend adjacent to one another along the axis of articulation X1.

As can be seen on the figure 4 , in the rest configuration of the lever 60, the traction arm 62 extends substantially in a transverse direction of the support 26 and the locking arm 68 is inclined with respect to the transverse direction so that the two arms 62 and 68 present an angular spacing along their radial directions. The foot 38 of the extension branch 36 comes into engagement against a bearing face of the fin or of the finger 68 so that the movement of the handle 22 is only possible by overcoming the resistant force generated by the presence of this fin 68 on the path.

In the example described, when the handle 22 is opened towards its deployed position, the extension branch 36 comes into engagement with the radial fin 68, which has the effect of causing the lever 60 to pivot as a whole when the tensile force of the handle 22 overcomes the resistant force generated by the presence of the fin 68 and thus causes the traction of the cable making it possible to cause the unhooking of the lock.

In addition, the support 26 comprises a hinge pin 84 of the lever 60 which extends along the hinge axis X1 of the lever 60 in an assembled position and materializing the hinge axis X1 of the lever 60 on the support. 26. For this purpose, the lever 60 further comprises an axial extension 66 in the form of a cylindrical sleeve which is provided with a cylindrical bore 69 allowing it to be assembled and mounted around the hinge rod 84 of the support 26.

As illustrated in the figure 6 , the rod 84 extends on the support 26 between two bearings 82 in the form of a stud projecting transversely from a dorsal face of the rear wall 44 of the support 26. The lever 60 is rotatably mounted around the rod 84 and also as will be explained in detail below can slide along the rod 84 according to a predefined stroke.

Preferably, the two traction arms 62 and blocking 68 as well as the cylindrical sleeve 66 are molded in one piece in a plastic material.

Further, spring 64 is configured to be centered and guided primarily around cylindrical sleeve 66 and to extend between lever 60 and one of bearings 82.

In this example, the spring 64 comprises two free ends, one of the free ends being fixed to the lever 60 and the other of the free ends being fixed to one of the bearings 82. Preferably, this fixing bearing 82 of the spring 64 further comprises a fixing flange 86 provided with a sleeve pin around which one of the free ends of the spring 64 is wound. For this purpose, the traction arm 62 delimits a radial bearing face for one of the ends of the spring 64. The bearing face of the fixing bearing 82 has for example a peripheral frame delimiting a cavity for receiving and retaining the end of the spring 64 ( Figure 7A ).

In order to avoid untimely opening of the handle 22 during electrical actuation of the device 20, there is provided a resistance mechanism to the opening of the handle 22 from its retracted position to its deployed position. The mechanism includes for example a crossing of hard point which opposes an untimely mechanical opening of the handle 22.

Preferably, as shown in figure 10 , in order to generate a significant resistant force when the handle 22 is opened, the lever 60 and the support 26 have surfaces in contact cooperating one against the other to form a notch 94 of resistance to the pivoting of the lever 60 and therefore the handle 22 to crossing hard point. These surfaces in contact can have reliefs or predefined shapes that can generate a resistant force sufficient to prevent accidental opening of the handle 22 but which can be overcome manually by a tensile force of increased intensity.

Preferably, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the lever 60 is movable against the elastic return member 64 in a third temporary assembly configuration, in which it is temporarily separated from said path to allow the mounting of the handle 22 of the extension element 36 along said path thus freed.

In the example described, the lever 60 is thus also movable in translation relative to the support 26 along the axis of articulation X1 from the first configuration to the third configuration, for example by compression of the spring 64. This degree of freedom allows the lever 60 to temporarily disengage the locking pin 68 from the path of the extension element 36 to allow the free engagement of the extension element 36 to its final position.

In this example and preferably, the elastic return member 64 comprises a helical spring capable of operating in compression and in torsion along the axis of articulation X1.

Preferably, the actuating branch 36 of the handle 22 extends transversely inside the support 26 crossing the rear wall 44 of the housing 40 so that the end 38 of the actuating branch 36 cooperates with the lever 60 mounted at the rear of the housing 40 ( figure 2 ), in particular on a dorsal face of the rear wall 44.

The extension element 36 is intended to be mounted through a through opening 25 of the support 26 and the lever 60 extends on a dorsal face of the support 26 opposite a front receiving face of the handle 22.

As illustrated in figure 6 , the axis of articulation X1 of the lever 60 extends substantially parallel to and at a distance from the longitudinal axis X2 of the handle 22.

Preferably, as illustrated in the figure 9 , the support 26 comprises a passageway 90 which extends from the outside to the locking lever 60 in which a temporary assembly tool can be engaged which can be for example a screw 76 ( figure 9 ). When the tool is inserted in the path of passage 90, for example formed by a through hole 92 of an element in relief of the support 26, it can temporarily move the lever 60 against the elastic return member 64 in order to allow the installation of the handle 22 in its final mounting destination position inside the housing 40.

For example, advantageously, when the mounting tool is a mounting screw 76 as illustrated in the figure 6 , the device 20 can be delivered pre-assembled with the mounting screw 76 in the screwed state, that is to say engaging the lever 60 in the temporary configuration of the handle 22 allowing easy installation of the handle 22 in its mounting position. Once the handle 22 is installed on the support 26, the mounting screw 76 can be unscrewed in order to release the lever 60 and allow its elastic return to the rest configuration in which the lever 60 blocks the opening of the handle 22 by his locking finger 68.

We will now describe with reference to the figures the main aspects of operation of the opening resistance mechanism 60 with reference to the figure 13 And 14 . In rest position ( Figure 13A And Figure 14A ), the lever 60 is held by the extended spring 64, in a blocking configuration resistant to the opening of the handle 22 inadvertently.

In the event of a significant tensile force exerted on the handle 22, the application of the curved finger 38 on the lever 60 causes the torsion of the return member 64 and the pivoting of the locking arm 68 of the lever 60 which allows the unlocking of the lock by simultaneous pivoting of the traction arm 62 ( Figure 13B And Figure 14B ). In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the user must exert a handle traction force making it possible to overcome not only the return force of the spring 64 but also the notch 94 when crossing a hard point.

The device 20 according to the invention is also distinguished from the prior art by a simplicity of design allowing a simple and robust assembly without requiring the use of multiple parts.

Indeed, in the example illustrated in the picture 3 , the housing body 40 forming the support 26 is attached by quick coupling means 70 to the panel 14 of the opening 12. As can be seen in the figures, the panel 14 of opening 12 has a plurality of snap-in or interlocking projections 72 on the periphery of its cutout 16 and the housing body 40 comprises a plurality of complementary cavities 74 arranged on the peripheral edge of the front face of the housing 40.

The projections 72 and the complementary cavities 74 form in this example the quick coupling means 70. However, other quick coupling means can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. These quick coupling means of the two parts (the body of the housing 40 and the panel 14) advantageously make it possible to position the two parts relatively to each other before fixing them together by conventional fixing means. This allows easy, fast and precise positioning of the support 26 when it is mounted on the sash panel 14.

In the example shown in the figure 8 , it can be seen that the housing body 40 is secured to the panel 14 by conventional fixing means such as screws and fixing holes.

In addition, preferably, the opening 12 laterally has an orifice 79 configured to allow access to the fixing of the screws 76 and 78 ( figure 9 ). This orifice 79 is for example made accessible by a side wall 15 of the opening 12 during the opening of the opening 12.

The trim shell 52 and the support 26 are preferably shaped to fit one inside the other as shown in the figure 12 . The shell 52 is shaped to cover the recess 50, the handle 22 and the shell 52 being configured to cooperate together so that the shell 52 cannot be extracted from the support 26 after assembly or installation of the handle 22 on the support 26 in its final mounting destination position.

Preferably, the cavity 48 of the support 26 is configured to impose on the shell 52 an intermediate assembly and/or disassembly position passing through a final location of the handle 22 in the cavity 48 of the support 26. In the example illustrated, the shell 52 reaches an intermediate mounting position passing through the first part of the body of the housing 40 intended to receive the handle 22. Consequently, once the handle 22 is positioned in the cavity 48, the shell 52 cannot be removed without crossing the handle 22 reception location which is then made impassable by the handle 22.

Preferably, the cavity 48 and the shell 52 are shaped to prevent the positioning of the shell 52 in a transverse direction of interlocking inside the cavity 48 directly in a final destination position of the shell 52.

For example, with reference to the figure 12 , the intermediate mounting position (shown in dotted lines) is a vertically superior position with respect to the final destination position of the shell 52 in the support 26 (mode A) or else is an inclined position with respect to the final destination position of the hull 52 (mode B) or a combination of these two intermediate positions.

Such an external opening control device 20 reduces the number of parts to be supplied, handled and mounted.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Other embodiments within the reach of those skilled in the art can also be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims below.

Claims (18)

Device (20) for controlling the exterior opening of a motor vehicle door, comprising a support (26), a gripping handle (22) mounted pivoting relative to the support (26), an actuating lever (60) of a lock of the opening (12) configured to cooperate with an element (36) for extending the handle (22) extending transversely with respect to a longitudinal direction (X2) of the handle (22) from a inside face of the handle (22), characterized in that the lever (60) is mounted so as to be able to move on an articulation axis (X1) of the support (26) against an elastic return member (64) between a first rest configuration of the member (64) in which it extends through a path of the extension element (36) to generate a force resisting the pivoting of the handle (22) and a second actuation configuration of the lock in which it is driven in rotation around said axis (X1) by the extension element (36) during the pivoting of the handle (22) after having overcome the resistive force. Device (20) according to the preceding claim, in which the lever (60) is movable against the member (64) in a third temporary assembly configuration, in which it is temporarily separated from said path to allow mounting of the extension element (36) along said path. Device (20) according to the preceding claim, in which the lever (60) is movable in translation relative to the support (26) along the axis of articulation (X1) from the first configuration to the third configuration. Device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, in the lever (60) and the support (26) have contact surfaces cooperating with each other to form a notch (94) of resistance to the pivoting of the handle (22) to cross hard point. A device (20) according to any preceding claim, wherein the extension member (36) is adapted to fit through an aperture (25) in the bracket (26) and the lever (60) extends on one side back of the support (26) opposite a receiving end face of the handle (22). Device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the lever (60) comprises a body provided with a cylindrical bore (69) mounted to slide and pivot around an articulation rod (84) of the lever (60) fixed on the support (26) along the axis of articulation (X1). Device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the lever (60) comprises a body provided with a wing (68) projecting radially with respect to the axis of articulation (X1) and configured to come extend across said path. Device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the member (64) comprises a helical spring capable of operating in compression and in torsion along the axis of articulation (X1). Device (20) according to the preceding claim, in which the lever (60) comprises a cylindrical sleeve (66) delimiting a cylindrical bore (69) along the axis of articulation (X1) and the member (64) comprises a winding spiral surrounding the cylindrical sleeve (66) and fixed at one of its free ends to the support (26) and at the other of its free ends to the lever (60). Device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the lever (60) comprises two arms (62, 68) arranged adjacently along the axis of articulation (X1) and spaced angularly from one on the other, one (68) of the arms (62, 68) forms a radial engagement wing with the extension element (36) and the other (62) of the arms (62, 68) is provided an end (63) retaining a pull cable of the lock. Device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the axis of articulation (X1) of the lever (60) extends substantially parallel to and at a distance from the longitudinal axis (X2) of the handle (22 ). Device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the handle (22) comprises a body of generally elongated shape in a longitudinal direction presenting an articulation end portion (22B) to the support (26) around an axis of articulation substantially parallel to the plane of the panel (14) of the opening (12) and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X2) of the handle (22). Device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a manual control element (100) arranged on the inside of the handle (22) by means of which an electric command for the electric actuation of the lock can be generated such that a user can proceed in a single gripping movement of the handle (22) to the electrical actuation of the lock and, in the event of failure, to the mechanical actuation of the lock by application of a pulling force of the handle (22) towards the open position. Device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the support comprising a recess (50) for receiving the handle, the device comprises a shell (52) shaped to cover the recess (50), the handle ( 22) and the shell (52) being configured to cooperate together so that the shell (52) cannot be extracted from the support (26) after assembly of the handle (22) on the support (26). Device (20) according to the preceding claim, in which the support (26) comprises a cavity (48) configured to impose on the shell (52) an intermediate mounting and/or dismounting position passing through a final location of the handle (22 ) in the cavity (48) of the support (26). Device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the support (26) comprises a transverse reception location for a dummy cylinder part (30) provided with a front presentation face (30A), the handle (22) being configured in the support (26) to cover the presentation face (30A) in the rest position. Device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the support (26) comprises a passageway (92) which extends externally to the lever (60) in which a tool (76) for mounting the handle (22) for temporarily moving the lever (60) against the member (64) to allow release movement of the handle (22) to a mounting position. Device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the handle (22) extends flush with the panel (14) of the sash (12) and has an outer surface which defines a continuity of shape and/or or aspect with a surface of the panel (14) of the opening (12).

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