WO2015156728A1

WO2015156728A1 - Door handle, tool for such door handle and tracked vehicle with such door handle

Info

Publication number: WO2015156728A1
Application number: PCT/SE2015/050411
Authority: WO
Inventors: Göran WESTMAN; Hans Nordström; Therese PERSSON
Original assignee: BAE Systems Hägglunds Aktiebolag
Priority date: 2014-04-07
Filing date: 2015-04-02
Publication date: 2015-10-15
Also published as: SE537996C2; SE1450425A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a door handle (4), comprising a spindle (8), which is provided with a first coupling member (10) and a handlebar (12), which com- prises a second coupling member (14), which first and second connector members (10, 14) are formed to transfer torque, and which are dimensioned to release the handlebar (12) from the spindle (8) at a predetermined torque. The first coupling member (10) of the spindle (8) is formed so as to be allowed to transfer a larger torque than the predetermined torque when a tool (22) with a third coupling member (24) is arranged on the first coupling member (10) of the spindle (8). The invention also relates to a tool (22) for such a door handle (4) and a tracked vehicle (1) with such a door handle (4).

Description

Door handle, tool for such door handle and tracked vehicle with such door handle.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

The present invention relates to a door handle according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a tool for such door handle according to the preamble of claim 8. The invention also relates to a tracked vehicle with such door handle according to the preamble of claim 12.

Tracked vehicles have doors and hatches to allow driver and passengers to enter and exit the vehicle. The doors are opened and closed with a, on or by the door, arranged door handle, which can be locked from the inside of the vehicle by a locking device. When the door handle is locked, the door is locked, such that the door is not able to be opened from outside the vehicle. For the case when the handlebar and the spindle of the door handle have a higher material strength than the locking device, the possibility exist to break the locking device by exerting a large force on the handlebar and thereby exert a large torque on the spindle which thereby breaks the locking device. Under certain circumstances the driver and the passengers need to protect themselves from intruders, hence intrusion through the doors of the vehicle must be prevented.

In the case the vehicle breaks down, the driver and passengers potentially must be helped out of the vehicle. Under such circumstances, it must be possible to break into the vehicle if doors and hatches for access to the vehicle are locked from the inside.

There are door handles which are dimensioned with a handlebar and a spindle, which has lower material strength than the locking device of the door. The door handle will thereby break if a large force is exerted on the handlebar. Document EP2546435, A2 disclose a known door handle, which comprises a coupling element provided with indentations, which interacts with ridges for transferring torque. In the case a large torque is exerted on the coupling element the ridges will release from a locking device of the door handle, which prevents the opening of a door in which the door handle is assembled.

Document EP1318254, A2 disclose a door handle with a break pin, which transfers torque from a handlebar. At a large torque the split pin will break, which results in that a door in which the door handle is assembled no longer can be opened by means of the handlebar.

SUMMERY OF THE INVENTION

Despite known door handles there is a need to further develop a door handle which impedes intrusion through a locked door to which the door handle is assembled, while the locked door must be able to be forced open in the event of an emergency.

The object of the present invention is to provide a door handle that impede in- trusion through a locked door to which the door handle is assembled, while the locked door must be able to be forced open in the event of an emergency.

This object is achieved with a door handle of the initially mentioned kind, which is characterized by the features specified in claim 1. These objects are also achieved by a tool of the type mentioned above, which are characterized by the features specified in claim 8. These objects are also achieved with a tracked vehicle of the initially mentioned kind, which is characterized by the features specified in claim 12. Such a door handle will prevent intruders to break the lock and open the door at which the handle is arranged. At the predetermined torque, the handlebar is released from the spindle so that the first coupling member of the spindle, on the outside of the door is substantially intact. In the event that the driver and passengers in the vehicle are not able to open the door from the inside, which situation may arise at breakdown and an accident, a tool with a third coupling member can be arranged on the first coupling member of the spindle, after which the lock is broken by a sufficiently large torque is applied to the tool and the spindle. To achieve this, the first coupling member of the spindle configured such that it is allows to transfer a larger torque than the predetermined torque. According to one embodiment, the first coupling member comprises first ridges, which are provided on a periphery of the spindle. The handlebar further comprises a cylinder in which the second coupling member is arranged in the form of second ridges. The first and second ridges transfer torque from the handlebar to the spindle. The tool further comprises a cylinder in which the third coupling member is arranged in the form of third ridges, wherein the first ridges has a shape which is complementary to the third ridges shape. Thereby, the tool is designed to interact with and transfer torque to the spindle.

In a further embodiment, the second ridges are released from the cylinder of the handlebar at the predetermined torque. Thereby, the handlebar will not be able to transfer torque to the spindle when the second ridges has been released from the cylinder of the handlebar, which results in that the door cannot be opened by the handlebar. In a further embodiment, a fastening element is arranged to fix the handlebar in the axial direction relative to the spindle. Thereby, the handlebar cannot inadvertently come loose from the spindle. The fastening element also makes it possible to remove the handlebar from the spindle. In a further embodiment, the fastening element is a screw. This makes it easy to dismantle the handlebar from the spindle. In a further embodiment, the first ridges are distributed around the periphery of the spindle, and third ridges are distributed in the cylinder of the tool according to a predetermined pattern, which allows the tool to be displaced axially in relation to the spindle. This allows the tool and spindle to be designed so that the tool can be used to transfer torque to the spindle only if the first and third ridges are distributed according to the same pattern.

In a further embodiment, the tool is designed with means to unfasten the fastening element. Thereby, the same tool can be used to open the locked door from outside the vehicle.

In a further embodiment, the predetermined torque is proportional to a, on the spindle, locking torque, which prevents the opening of a door in which the door handle is mounted. Thus, the handlebar can be used to open the door when no locking torque is acting on the spindle, but when the door is locked by a locking torque, acting on the spindle, the handlebar cannot be used to open the door even if a torque greater than the predetermined torque is exerted on the handlebar. The tool comprises a third coupling member, which is configured to engage a first coupling member, which is arranged on a spindle of the door handle.

Thus, the tool can interact with, and transfer torque to the spindle.

In a further embodiment the tool comprises a lever-arm. Thus, a force acting on the lever-arm is able to exert a torque on the spindle.

In a vehicle comprising a door handle according to the invention intruders will be prevented to break the lock and open the door at which the handle is arranged. In the event that the driver and passengers in the vehicle are not able to open the door from the inside, which situation may arise at breakdown and an accident, the tool with the third coupling member can be arranged on the first coupling member of the spindle, wherein the lock is broken by applying a sufficiently large torque to the tool and spindle.

Further advantages of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRWAINGS

In the following, as examples, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a side view of a tracked vehicle according to the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a door with a door handle according to the present invention; Fig. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of a locking device according to the present invention, and Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a tool according to the present inventive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a tracked vehicle 1 according to the present invention. The vehicle 1 comprises doors 2 for the driver and passengers to get in and out of the vehicle 1. The doors 2 are opened and closed with a door handle 4, arranged on or by the door 2, which door handle 4 can be locked from the inside of the vehicle 1 by means of a locking device 6 . When the door handle 4 is locked, the door 2 is locked, such that the door 2 cannot be opened from outside the vehicle 1. Under certain circumstances the driver and the passengers need to protect themselves from intruders, hence intrusion through the doors 2 of the vehicle 1 is prevented by the locked door handle 4. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the door 2 provided with the door handle 4 according to the present invention. The door handle 4 comprising a spindle 8, which is provided with a first coupling member 10 and a handlebar 12, which comprises a second coupling member 14. The first and second coupling members 12, 14 are configured to transfer torque, and dimensioned to release the handlebar 12 from the spindle 8 at a predetermined torque.

Fig. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the locking device 6 according to the present invention. The first coupling member 10 comprises first ridges 16, which are arranged on a periphery of the spindle 8. The first ridges 16 trans- fers torque from the handlebar 12 to the spindle 8. The handlebar 12 comprises a cylinder 18 in which the second coupling member 14 is arranged in the form of second ridges 20. The second ridges 20 transfers torque from the handlebar 12 to the spindle 8 via the first ridges 16. Thus, the first and second ridges 16, 20 will function as a spline. However, the first and second ridges 16, 20 may have a different shape. The second ridges 20 are configured to release from the cylinder 18 of the handlebar 12 at the predetermined torque. Thus, the handlebar 12 is not able to transfer torque to the spindle 8 when the second ridges 20 are released from the cylinder 18 of the handlebar 12, which means that the door 2 cannot be opened by the handlebar 12.

Preferably, the predetermined torque is proportional to a, on the spindle 8, locking torque, which prevents the opening of a door 2 in which the door handle 4 is mounted. Thus, the handlebar 12 can be used to open the door 2 when no locking torque is acting on the spindle 8, but when the door 2 is locked by a locking torque, acting on the spindle 8, the handlebar 12 cannot be used to open the door 2 even if a torque greater than the predetermined torque is exerted on the handlebar 12. The handle 4 will prevent intruders to break the locking device 6 and open the door 2 by which the door handle 4 is arranged. At the predetermined torque, the handlebar 12 is released from the spindle 8 so that the first coupling mem- ber 10 of the spindle 8, on the outside of the door 2 is essentially intact. As shown in Fig. 3 the number of second ridges 20, which is arranged on the handlebar 12 fewer in number compared to the number of first ridges 16 arranged on the spindle 8. Thus, the second ridges 20 will be broken free from the cylinder 18 arranged on the handlebar 12 when the predetermined torque is reached. Alternatively, the number of first and second ridges 16, 20 may be equal in number while the material strength of the cylinder 18 and the second ridges 20 is lower than the material strength of the spindle 8 and the first ridges 16.

In the event that the driver and the passengers in the vehicle 1 are not able to open the door 2 from the inside, which situation may arise at breakdown and an accident, a tool 22 with a third coupling member 24 can be arranged on the first coupling member 10 of the spindle 8, whereby the locking device 6 is broken when a sufficiently large torque is applied to the tool 22 and the spindle 8. In order to achieve this, the first coupling member 10 of the spindle 8, is configured so as to be allowed to transfer a larger torque than the predetermined torque when the tool 22 is arranged on the first coupling member 10 of the spindle 8. The tool 22 comprises a sleeve 26 in which the third coupling member 24 is arranged in the form of third ridges 28. The tool 22 is thus designed to produce and transfer torque. The tool 22 comprises a lever-arm 30. Thus, a force acting on the lever-arm 30 can exert a torque on the spindle 8.

The first ridges 16 have a shape which is complementary to the shape of the third ridges 28. Thus, the tool 22 can interact with and transfer torque to the spindle 8. The first ridges 16 are preferably distributed around the periphery of the spindle 8 and third ridges 28 are distributed in the sleeve 26 of the tool 22 according to a predetermined pattern, which allows the tool 22 to be displaced axially relative to the spindle 8. Thus, the tool 22 and the spindle 8 can be designed so that the tool 22 can be used to transfer torque to the spindle 8 only if the first and third ridges 16, 28 are distributed according to the same pattern. A fastening element 32 is arranged to fix the handlebar 12 in the axial direction relative to the spindle 8. Thereby, the handlebar 12 cannot inadvertently come loose from the spindle 8. The fastening element 32 also makes it possible to remove the handlebar 12 from the spindle 8. Preferably, the fastening element 32 is a screw. This makes it easy to remove the handlebar 12 from the spindle 8. The tool 22 is formed with means 34 to dismantle the fastening element 32. Thus, the same tool 22 can be used to open the locked door 2 from outside the vehicle 1.

Components and features mentioned above may be combined between the various embodiments within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Door handle comprising a spindle (8), which is provided with a first coupling member (10), which comprises first ridges (16), which are arranged on a pe- riphery of the spindle (8); a handlebar (12), which comprises a second coupling member (14), which comprises a cylinder (18) in which the second coupling member (14) is arranged in the form of second ridges (20), which first and second coupling members (10, 14) are configured to transfer torque, wherein the second ridges (20) transfers torque from the handlebar (12) to the spindle (8) via the first ridges (16), and which first and second coupling members (10, 14) are dimensioned to release handlebar (12) from the spindle (8) at a predetermined torque,

characterized in that

the first coupling member (10) of the spindle (8) is so configured that it allows to transfer a larger torque than the predetermined torque when a tool (22) which comprises a sleeve (26) in which a third coupling member member (24) is arranged in the form of third ridges (28), is arranged on the first coupling member (10) of the spindle (8), wherein said first ridges (16) has a shape which is complementary to the shape of the third ridges (28).

2. Door handle according to claim 1 , characterized in that the second ridges (20) are released from the cylinder (18) of the handlebar (12) at the predetermined torque.

3. Door handle according to any preceding claim, characterized in that a fastening element (32) is arranged to fix the handlebar (12) in the axial direction relative to the spindle (8).

4. Door handle according to claim 3, characterized in that the fastening ele- ment (32) is a screw.

5. Door handle according to claim 1 , characterized in that the first ridges (16) are distributed around the periphery of the spindle (8) and the third ridges (28) are distributed in the sleeve (26) of the tool according to a predetermined pattern, which allows the tool (22) to be displaced axially relative to the spindle (8).

6. Door handle according to any of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the tool (22) is formed with means for dismantle the fastening element (32).

7. Door handle according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the predetermined torque is proportional to a, on the spindle (8), acting torque, locking torque, which prevents the opening of a door (2) in which the door handle (4) is mounted.

8. Tool for the door handle according to any of claims 1-7, characterized in that it comprises a third coupling member (24), which is configured to engage a first coupling member (10), which is arranged on a spindle (8) of the door handle (4).

9. Tool according to claim 8, characterized in that the first ridges (16) are dis- tributed around periphery of the spindle (8) and third ridges (28) are distributed in the sleeve (26) of the tool (22) according to a predetermined pattern, which allows the tool (22) to be displaced axially relative to the spindle (8).

10. Tool according to any one of claims 8-9, characterized in that the tool (22) is formed with means (34) to dismantle a fastening element (32), which is arranged to fix the handlebar (12) in the axial direction relative to the spindle (8).

11. Tool according to any one of claims 8-10, characterized in that the tool (22) comprises a lever-arm (30).

12. Tracked vehicle (1 ), characterized in that it comprises a door handle (4) according to any of claims 1-7.