EP2611978B1 - Vehicle door handle comprising an inertial mass - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the vehicle opening handles.

Sash handles are known that are equipped with an inertial system which, in the event of a side impact and under the effect of the variation of acceleration, can take a blocking position which inhibits the mechanism of the handle to prevent any inadvertent opening. of the opening.

Inertial systems of the reversible type and inertial systems of the irreversible type are known in particular.

A reversible system returns to the rest position at the end of the shock. It has the advantage of allowing the opening of the opening by means of the handle after the shock. However, it has the disadvantage of being generally very sensitive to lateral accelerations in both directions, as well as rebounds. Thus, if there are variations in the direction of the acceleration during the impact, the system may return to its rest position and activate again the mechanism of the handle that was initially inhibited. This can cause the handle to move under the impact and open the opening.

An irreversible inertial system remains in the locked position for the duration of the shock and after the shock. It has the advantage of not being sensitive to variations in acceleration during the shock, or rebounds. It is therefore certain that the handle mechanism is properly inhibited throughout the duration of the shock, so that the opening does not open. This system however has the disadvantage that the handle mechanism remains inhibited after the shock and therefore makes it impossible to open the opening manually by operating the handle.

Such a handle of a vehicle door is for example known from FR2876135 .

An object of the invention is to have a handle that combines the advantages of both types of system without their disadvantages.

For this purpose, according to the invention, there is provided a handle of a vehicle door according to claim 1. Such a handle is arranged so that an inertial mass of the handle irreversibly passes from a rest configuration in it allows an opening of the opening to a blocking configuration in which it prevents the opening and passes from the blocking configuration to an unlock configuration and the rest configuration.

Thus, thanks to the irreversible transition from the rest configuration to the locking configuration, the handle mechanism remains inhibited throughout the duration of the shock. It avoids any inadvertent opening of the opening during the shock. Nevertheless, at the end of the transition from the blocking configuration to the unblocking configuration and then to the rest configuration, the handle mechanism is made active again, so that the opening can be opened for allow the exit of an occupant of the vehicle. This handle thus combines the advantages of the systems of the two aforementioned types, while overcoming their disadvantages.

Preferably, the handle comprises latching means adapted to immobilize the blocking configuration mass when it arrives therefrom from the rest configuration.

Advantageously, the handle is arranged so that the passage of the locking configuration to the unlocking configuration causes a disengagement of the latching means.

According to the invention, the handle is arranged so that the transition from the locking configuration to the unlocking configuration is controllable by means of an external member of the handle.

Thus, with a voluntary command on the external member, the handle mechanism is uninhibited. This command can be performed by a vehicle occupant or an outside person depending on the case and the embodiment chosen for the handle. It takes place especially when the opening can be done without danger.

According to the invention, the external member is a control member of the opening of the opening.

Thus, it is the control member of the handle itself that disinhibits the mechanism for opening the opening.

Preferably, the handle is arranged so that the transition from the blocking configuration to the unlocking configuration is controllable only by means of a bias that has an intensity exceeding a predetermined threshold.

Thus, it reduces the risk of inadvertent release of the mechanism of the handle. The person who wishes to open the door must indeed make a special effort in this direction.

In one embodiment, the handle comprises an abutment arranged to be deformed during the transition from the locking configuration to the unlocking configuration.

This is a particularly simple way of implementing the aforementioned characteristic relating to the intensity threshold.

Advantageously, the handle comprises a body for restoring the mass to the rest configuration.

Preferably, one of a support and the mass has a ramp and the other of the support and the mass comprises a follower adapted to bear on the ramp, so that the ramp and the follower guide the transition from the idle configuration to the blocking configuration and then to the unlocking configuration.

In one embodiment, the mass is rotatably mounted on a support of the handle.

• les figures 1 à 3 sont trois vues en coupe horizontale d'une poignée selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, montrant respectivement trois étapes du fonctionnement de la poignée ;
• les figures 4 à 9 sont des vues partielles en perspective de la même poignée montrant différentes étapes du fonctionnement de la poignée ; et
• la figure 10 est une vue en élévation montrant le trajet du suiveur par rapport à la rampe dans la poignée des figures précédentes.

Other features and advantages of the invention defined by the appended claims, will become apparent in the following description of an embodiment given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• the Figures 1 to 3 are three horizontal sectional views of a handle according to one embodiment of the invention, respectively showing three steps of operation of the handle;
• the Figures 4 to 9 are partial perspective views of the same handle showing different steps of operation of the handle; and
• the figure 10 is an elevational view showing the path of the follower relative to the ramp in the handle of the previous figures.

We will describe below an embodiment of a motor vehicle opening handle according to the invention. The opening can be a front door, a rear door or a rag. It is in this case an external handle for the operation of the opening for unlocking and opening from outside the vehicle. The invention is nevertheless also applicable to an internal handle for opening the opening.

The orthogonal coordinate system XYZ is used in the following, in which the horizontal directions X and Y are respectively parallel and perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle and the direction Z is vertical.

With reference first to Figures 1 to 3 , the handle 2 comprises a support or frame 4 rigidly fixed to the structure of the opening.

It comprises an external gripping portion 6 intended to be actuated manually by a user wishing to open the opening from outside the vehicle. This part 6 is, in this case, hinged to the support 4 around a vertical axis 8 and this by means known in themselves which are not detailed here. The gripping portion 6 extends inside the handle and the opening by an extension 10 extending in the direction Y.

The handle 2 comprises a lever 12 mounted to rotate relative to the support 4 about a vertical axis 14. This lever comprises in particular an arm 16 extending in the path of an end edge of the extension 10 of so that when a user maneuvers the gripping portion 6 outward in the Y direction, the extension 10 carries the arm 16, which rotates the lever 12. Two positions of the lever 12 about its axis have been illustrated at figure 1 .

The lever is connected in a manner not shown, and which will not be described here, to other parts of the handle mechanism, in particular to a traction cable. This mechanism serves to unlock the opening relative to the vehicle body.

The handle 2 also comprises an inertial system comprising a part 18 forming a mass mounted to rotate relative to the support 4 about a vertical axis 20. This part comprises two profiled parts 22 and 24 giving the part as seen in section on the Figures 1 to 3 a general shape in "V".

The mass 18 can occupy different positions around its axis 20.

In the rest position illustrated in figure 1 , the locking portion 22 extends out of the path of the lever 12, so that it allows its rotation, and allows to control the opening of the opening by the action of the gripping portion 6.

In the blocking position illustrated in figure 2 , the compression portion 24 of the mass 18 bears against an abutment 26 rigidly secured to the support 4. The locking portion 22 extends in the trajectory of the lever 12, which prevents it from rotating, so that it inhibits the handle mechanism. It actually holds the gripping portion 6 in position and prevents the opening of the opening.

The compression portion 24 has a mass greater than that of the locking portion 22.

A return spring 19 of the mass towards its rest position is supported on the one hand on the mass and on the other hand on the support 4.

We can already, in support of Figures 1 to 3 , have an overview of the operation of the handle which will nevertheless be presented below in more detail.

The figure 1 illustrates the handle in the rest configuration of all parts. The locking portion 22 extends out of the path of the lever and the compression portion 24 extends away from the stop 26. If a user wishes to open the opening, it actuates the gripping portion which leads with the extension 10 the lever 12 in rotation about its axis to cause the unlocking of the opening. The return spring 19 keeps the mass 18 out of the path of the lever 12 so that the extension 10 can freely drive the latter.

With reference to the figure 2 it is assumed that there is a lateral collision of the vehicle in the Y direction and that the shock is such that the gripping portion 6 initiates inertial displacement to the outside of the vehicle. The inertial mass 18 has previously moved by turning counter-clockwise relative to its position of the figure 1 until the portion 24 bears against the abutment 26. In this blocking configuration, the portion 22 extends in the path of the lever 12 which it prevents any further rotation, despite the bias exerted by the extension 10. The gripping part is therefore held in position at against the force generated by the acceleration of the shock. This avoids any inadvertent opening of the opening. As will be seen in the following, the passage of the mass 18 of the rest configuration of the figure 1 to the blocking configuration of the figure 2 irreversibly, so that the mass remains in the blocking configuration during the entire shock and after the end of the shock.

It is assumed figure 3 that the shock phase is completed and that a user wishes to open the opening from the outside. The user actuates the gripping portion 6 by providing a force having an intensity exceeding a predetermined threshold and such that the bias transmitted by the lever 12 to the mass 18 forces the latter to deform the stop 26. This movement causes the mass 18 to pass. of the blocking configuration of the figure 2 to the unblocking configuration shown in the figure 3 .

The user releases the gripping portion, which causes the return of the mass 18 in the rest configuration under the effect of the spring.

Maneuvering the gripping portion 6 again, the user can therefore open the opening normally.

We will now describe in more detail some aspects of the handle 2.

The compression portion 24 of the mass 18 carries at its free end a tongue 28 extending parallel to the axis 20. The tongue is rigidly fixed to the portion 24 by its lower end zone and only by the latter. it is elastically flexible relative to the rest of the mass 18. It is at its upper free end zone that it has the greatest range of displacement relative to the rest of this room.

The support 4 has on an upper wall 32 a relief 34 forming a ramp for the tongue 28 which takes the role of follower. The relief 34 has a convex curved front face 36, an inner face 38, a front face 40, an inner face 42 and a rear face 44. The faces 38, 40, 42 and 44 are flat and vertical. The faces 38 and 42 are perpendicular to the Y direction while the faces 40 and 44 are perpendicular to the X direction.

The relief and the tongue form latching means arranged to cooperate as follows.

We illustrated at the figure 10 different positions of the free end of the tongue 28 relative to the relief 34.

In the rest position illustrated at figures 1 and 5 , the end of the tongue 28 extends facing the relief and the rear portion of the curved face 36.

When the mass 18 passes from the idle configuration to the lock configuration, the tongue 28 comes into contact with the rear part of the face 36, then, by ramp effect, follows the latter to the position b at its inner end. This contact is maintained along the face 36 due to the elastic biasing of the tongue on the relief, given the deformation of the tongue. After the tongue has passed the inner end of the face 36, it is brought back elastically against the face 40 and abuts both against the latter and against the face 38 at the position c. We then reached the blocking configuration. Given this stop, the mass 18 is not able to pass directly from the blocking configuration to the rest configuration by the reverse movement, thus making the movement that has just been presented irreversible.

When, from the blocking configuration, a user actuates the gripping portion 6 to force the rotation of the mass against the stop 26, the tongue 28 passes in the Y direction of the position c to the position of d in which it is no longer in abutment against the facet 40 in the direction X. It is facing the face 38 but more than the face 40. The elastic restoring force resulting from the deformation of the tongue thus takes the latter following the direction X to the position e, beyond the face 44, after passing the face 42. An additional rigid stop may be provided to prevent certain movement of the mass beyond the unlocking position when the latter is thus moved from the blocking position.

When the user releases the gripping portion 6, the rotation of the lever 12 in the counterclockwise direction allows the rotation of the mass 18 in the clockwise direction under the effect of the spring 19. This rotation is allowed since the relief 34 extends further in the path of the tongue. This then moves in the direction Y opposite the face 44 to return to the position a.

During this operation, the trajectory of the end of the tongue forms a loop and does not go back twice in the same position. It follows in particular that the mass 18 must pass from the blocking configuration by the unblocking configuration to be able to return to the idle configuration.

The stop 26 is elastic. Its dimensions and its shape condition the intensity of the effort that the user must provide to pass the mass 18 of the blocking configuration to the unlocking configuration.

It is observed that the tongue 28 and the relief 34 form latching means. The engaged or snapped position corresponds to the blocking configuration. The passage of the latter to the unlocking configuration causes a disengagement of the latching means.

The handle according to the invention thus has both the advantage of providing an irreversible inertial system which remains in blocking configuration during the whole shock and at the end of the latter, and to allow the voluntary opening of the opening on command of a user after the shock.

It could be provided that the transition from the blocking configuration to the unlocking configuration is controllable by means of a member other than the external gripping portion or an internal gripping portion of the handle, for example by means of a organ specifically designed for this purpose.

The deformable stop could be carried by the inertial mass and not by the support.

In one embodiment, it can be provided that the axis of rotation of the inertial mass is chosen sufficiently deformable so that a rigid stop 26 is adopted, the deformability allowing the transition to the unlocking configuration being ensured by the deformability of the axis for an elastic tilting of the mass 18 around the abutment 26.

One could predict that the tongue 28 is carried by the support and that the relief is carried by the inertial mass.

In one embodiment of the invention, the unlocking configuration is in itself a configuration where the opening of the opening by actuation of the external gripper is allowed.

This is particularly the case when it is expected that the inertial mass 18 is displaceable in force out of the path of the lever 12 to allow the lever to reach its open opening control position. The return to the rest position can then be allowed or not. The authorization of the return to the rest position is for example carried out by the means described with reference to the figure 10 .

The erasure of the inertial mass 18 is also feasible by providing that the inertial mass abuts under the effect of the impact against one or more elastic stops but does not bear against any rigid abutment contrary to the embodiment described above. where such additional rigid abutment can be provided to surely stop the mass in unlocking position.

The plastic deformable abutment 26 is then provided with a rigidity to prevent erasure of the inertial mass under the effect of the inertia of the shock as transmitted to the inertial mass by the lever 12, but flexible enough to allow a the erasure of the inertial mass in crushing of the stop 26 under the effect of a manual pull on the external gripping member of the handle.

According to another embodiment the deformable stop 18 may be replaced by a leaf or helical spring, whose rigidity and stroke are adjusted for the same purpose.

The deformable stop 26 may also be made in the form of an elastomer pad fixed on the handle support and whose deformability allows the inertial mass to no longer inhibit the opening when the handle is forced open, but sufficiently firm to stopping the inertial mass in the locking configuration under the effect of the inertial forces transmitted on it notably via the transmission lever. The positioning of such an elastomeric stop is for example the same as that of the elastic abutment 26 previously described.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a stop for the mass 18, rigid or elastic, and an axis of rotation of the inertial mass 18 having a deformability which is adapted to allow a tilting of the inertial mass out of the path of the lever 12 , by displacement of the inertial mass transversely to this axis. The axis is then advantageously made of metal and elastic return for a return to the original operating situation of the handle after a shock and forcing opening the handle. The axis of rotation is for example chosen sufficiently deformable so that one adopts a stop 26 of rigid type for the inertial mass, the deformability allowing the passage to the unlocking configuration being ensured by the deformability of the axis itself . Again, advantageously the axis has a sufficient rigidity for maintaining the inertial mass in the locking configuration under the effect of only inertial forces.

Claims (11)

1. Vehicle door handle (2), arranged in such a way that an inertial mass (18) of the handle passes irreversibly from a rest configuration in which it allows the door to be opened into a locking configuration in which it prevents opening and passes from the locking configuration into an unlocked configuration, different from the rest configuration and from the locking configuration, the handle being arranged so that placement of the inertial mass (18) in the unlocking configuration has the effect of it once again being possible for the door to be opened,
   with the handle (2) further being arranged in such a way that the passing from the locking configuration into the unlocked configuration can be controlled by means of an external member (6) of the handle, the external member (6) being a member for controlling the opening of the door.
2. Handle according to claim 1, characterised in that the placement of the inertial mass into the unlocked configuration has the effect of returning the inertial mass to the rest configuration.
3. Handle according to claim 1, characterised in that in the unlocked configuration the inertial mass allows the door to be opened.
4. Handle according to claim 3, characterised in that it comprises an external grasping part (6), a transmission lever (12) actuated by the external grasping part, with the inertial mass interposed on the path of the transmission lever when the inertial mass is in locking configuration, and the inertial mass being erased from the path of the transmission lever when the inertial mass is in the unlocked configuration.
5. Handle according to any of the preceding claims, which comprises interlocking means (28, 34) able to immobilise the mass (18) in the locking configuration when it comes into this configuration from the rest configuration.
6. Handle according to the preceding claim, arranged in such a way that the passing from the locking configuration into the unlocked configuration results in a disengaging of the interlocking means (28, 34).
7. Handle according to at least any one of the preceding claims, arranged in such a way that the passing from the locking configuration to the unlocked configuration can be controlled solely by means of a solicitation that has an intensity that exceeds a predetermined threshold.
8. Handle according to at least any one of the preceding claims, which comprises an abutment (26) arranged to be deformed during the passing from the locking configuration to the unlocked configuration.
9. Handle according to at least any one of the preceding claims, which comprises a member for recalling (19) the mass (18) to the rest configuration.
10. Handle according to at least any one of the preceding claims wherein one (4) among a support and the mass has a ramp (36, 40) and the other (18) among the support and the mass comprises a tracker (28) able to bear against the ramp, in such a way that the ramp and the tracker guide the passage from the rest configuration to the locking configuration then to the unlocked configuration.
11. Handle according to at least any one of the preceding claims wherein the mass (18) is mounted rotatably on a support (4) of the handle.

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