EP2811090B1 - Door handle assembly for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The invention is directed to a door handle assembly for a motor vehicle with a frame-like handle support, a handle which is movably mounted on the handle support for opening a door or flap of the motor vehicle by a user, a mechanical coupling device, by the movement of the handle on a vehicle side Locking arrangement is transferable, and a locking device serving as a mass barrier, which is movably held on the handle carrier and is designed such that it is under the action of an accelerating force from a normal operating position in which an actuation of the handle is possible in a first blocking direction in which a Actuation of the closure assembly is blocked by the handle and / or the coupling device is movable, wherein the locking device upon application of an acceleration force from the normal operating position in a second blocking direction in which an actuation de Locking arrangement is blocked by the handle and / or the coupling device is formed movable, wherein the second blocking direction of the first blocking direction is opposite, wherein the coupling device has at least one cooperating with the locking device movement approach.

A door handle assembly of the type described is, for example, from EP 2 138 656 A2 known.

Such door handle arrangements with a locking device serving as a mass barrier are intended to prevent the acceleration forces occurring in the event of an accident from leading to actuation of the handle or door handle and unintentional opening of the door of the motor vehicle, which entails considerable risks for an occupant of the vehicle. In conventional door handle assemblies for motor vehicles, namely, the user to be operated by the gripping members are mechanically with a vehicle-side locking assembly (the actual Door lock) coupled. The movement of the door handle or the handle is transmitted by the mechanical coupling device to the locking assembly and released the door to the opening. In the case of an accident, the acceleration forces under adverse conditions such as operation of the handle member by a user, since the handle can be accelerated due to the inertia in the opening direction. In a handle or a door handle without a corresponding locking device, the movement of the handle component relative to the vehicle would lead to a transmission through the mechanical coupling device to the locking arrangement in the vehicle and to a release of the door. Example scenarios for such situations are regularly a side impact on an obstacle or another vehicle. Such a mass-locking device, also referred to as a crash barrier, is known for door handle assemblies of the prior art.

For example, this describes DE 199 29 022 C2 a corresponding mass barrier in the form of a pivotable member which is to exclude a handle operation in the event of a crash. In the event of an accident forces are exerted on a locking member and an unwanted movement of the handle, also caused by the forces acting, is blocked.

A door handle assembly is further, for example, from DE 10 2009 053 553 A1 known. In this door handle assembly acts by a crash barrier an additional force on the handle or the door handle, which should be reliably avoided that it comes to an unwanted movement of the handle.

Such crash barriers can be designed as a pendulum mass, so that displaced as a result of the applied force, the crash barrier, for example, in the path of movement of the handle and thereby blocks the handle. In addition, crash spears are known, which engage in a blocking position and can be deactivated again after their activation and latching only by a targeted intervention in the door handle unit, so that the door handle can be used again in normal operation.

In known from the prior art door handle assemblies with a mass lock or a locking device that does not lock when activated, but moves back to its normal operating position or commutes, there is the disadvantage that under the action of acceleration forces the locking device swing back and forth can, so that the locking device can be in a position during its pendulum operation, in which the lever or the handle is not blocked despite a crash. This is because the known locking devices are active only in a relatively small Stellwegbereich which blocks an actuation of the reversing lever or the handle, so that there is a risk either in strong and pronounced vibrations or long-lasting vibrations due to the action of acceleration forces in that, in the case of a reciprocating or oscillating locking device, the travel range is not sufficiently designed to reliably prevent blocking of the handle or of the reversing lever. Therefore, in the event of a crash during the oscillation process, the locking device, despite its activation, can assume a position in which it does not block the handle or the lever.

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a solution that provides a door handle assembly in a structurally simple manner and cost, in which the locking device reliably and safely blocks the handle or the lever even with long-lasting or pronounced vibrations due to a crash.

In a door handle assembly of the type described, the object is achieved in that the locking device has a Bewegungsausnehmung, which is arranged in the normal operating position in the movement path of the movement approach in the arrangement of the locking device and in the movement approach of the coupling device for actuating the handle in the arrangement Locking device in the normal operating position is at least movable.

Advantageous and expedient refinements and developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

The invention provides a door handle assembly of a motor vehicle is available, which is characterized by a functional design and has a simple and inexpensive construction. The fact that the locking device is formed movable under the action of an acceleration force from the normal operating position not only in a first blocking direction, but also in a second blocking direction, increases the scope of the locking device, because this is no longer only in a single, predetermined Direction acting acceleration force activated, but also when an accelerating force in a second direction. This property of the locking device is advantageous, for example, in crash situations in which pronounced oscillation processes prevail due to the acting acceleration forces, which leads to oscillation of the locking device between the normal operating position and a blocking position. Due to the possibility according to the invention that the locking device can also move in a second blocking direction in the event of a crash, the handle and / or the coupling device are effectively blocked even in the event of swinging back or oscillation of the locking device during a crash, because the locking device moves when swinging back from a first blocking position beyond the normal operating position in a second blocking direction, whereby the locking device does not dwell at any time in the normal operating position, but only passes through the normal operating position.

In order to ensure a safe and accurate operation of the door handle assembly both in the case in which the locking device is arranged in its normal operating position, as well as a movement of the locking device in the first or second blocking direction due to the action of an acceleration force, it is advantageous if the Coupling device has at least one co-operating with the locking device movement approach. By the movement approach is defined exactly, in which case a normal operation of the handle is possible and when not.

In this regard, the invention provides that the locking device has a movement recess into which the movement approach of the coupling device for actuating the handle in the arrangement of the locking device in the normal operating position is at least movable. This does not exclude that the movement approach of the coupling device is not completely movable through the Bewegungsausnehmung.

To make the installation space of the door handle assembly minimal, is provided in an embodiment of the invention that the locking device is at least partially formed as a hollow cylinder, wherein the Bewegungsausnehmung is formed extending starting at the open end of the hollow cylinder in the longitudinal direction.

With regard to the desired and exactly predefined interaction of coupling device and locking device is a structurally simple and cost-effective way in development of the invention is that projects in the normal operating position of the locking device with unconfirmed handle movement approach in the open front end of the hollow cylinder and upon actuation of the handle of the actuating approach the movement recess is formed moving out of the hollow cylinder out of the locking device.

As an alternative to the above configuration, for reasons of minimal installation space, the blocking device may be formed at least in sections as a disk element, on one side surface of which the movement recess of the blocking device is designed as a guide channel open on one side, which extends offset to the center of the disk element on its side surface.

The interaction of coupling device and locking device is given in the above embodiment in development of the invention in that in the normal operating position of the locking device at unconfirmed Handle the movement approach is located outside of the guide channel and upon actuation of the handle of the actuating lug is formed in the guide channel moving inside.

Also favorable with respect to a minimal installation space to be provided, it acts, if in a further embodiment of the invention, the locking device is rotatably supported by means of a rotation axis on the handle carrier and when the movement of the locking device in the first or second blocking direction is a rotational movement of the locking device.

The minimum installation space is further promoted by providing in a further embodiment of the invention that the axis of rotation rotatably supports the locking device at its center. As a result, less space is required in comparison to prior art crash barriers which are deflected in a lever-like manner and pivoted, since the rotational movement does not require any additional movement space upon activation of the locking device, i. upon movement of the locking device in the first or second blocking direction requires.

In order to realize a blocking of the handle when acting on them acceleration forces, which are directed towards the vehicle interior or opposite, the invention provides in a further embodiment that the locking device upon application of an acceleration force from the normal operating position out by at least +/- 90 ° , Preferably by +/- 285 °, is rotatable about the axis of rotation. This rotation or pendulum when activating the locking device is sufficiently large, so that the crash condition, which is terminated by the action of the acceleration forces in conjunction with vibration generated thereby to the vehicle structure, before the locking device due to their spring bias back to the normal operating position moves back becomes.

In a further embodiment, the invention provides that the locking device has a mass weight, which is arranged offset to the axis of rotation of the locking device. At this Mass weight attack the acceleration forces and ensure that the locking device rotates in its activation about the axis of rotation in the first or second blocking direction.

The invention provides in an advantageous embodiment that the coupling device is rotatably mounted about a pivot point on the handle carrier, wherein the axis of rotation of the locking device is aligned substantially transversely to the pivot point of the coupling device.

As an alternative to the above alignment of coupling device and locking device, the invention provides in an embodiment that the coupling device is rotatably mounted about a pivot point on the handle carrier, wherein the axis of rotation of the locking device is aligned substantially parallel to the pivot point of the coupling device.

So that the handle is not blocked further after the action of acceleration forces, it is in an embodiment of the invention advantageous if a mechanical restoring element is provided which applies a locking device in the normal operating position urging force. In contrast to known locking devices which engage in the event of a crash due to the action of acceleration forces and manually must be solved again so that the handle is actuated, the handle is thus reusable and operable after the action of acceleration forces, as the locking device back in the Normal operating position.

In an embodiment of the invention it is then provided that the mechanical restoring element comprises an elastic spring element which is supported both on a stationary approach of the handle support and on a mitbewegenden with the locking element contact surface, wherein upon movement of the locking device in the first or second blocking direction the abutment surface moves relative to the shoulder against the force of the resilient spring element.

Finally, the invention provides in an embodiment that the mechanical restoring element is designed such that it holds the locking device in the normal operating position up to an acceleration force of at least 7g. Only from a greater acceleration force, the locking device is activated and rotates in the direction of the first or second blocking direction and oscillates in these two directions without dwelling in the normal operating position, so that an operation of the handle is effectively blocked. This threshold is sufficient to prevent unwanted activation of the locking device and its deflection.

It is understood that the features to be explained above and below can be used not only in the particular combination given, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is defined only by the claims.

• Figur 1 eine Seitenansicht eines Kraftfahrzeugs mit mehreren erfindungsgemäßen Türgriffanordnungen,
• Figur 2 eine perspektivische Ansicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Türgriffanordnung gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,
• Figur 3 eine perspektivische Ansicht auf eine Sperrvorrichtung der Türgriffanordnung gemäß der ersten Ausführungsform,
• Figur 4 eine perspektivische Ansicht auf eine Kopplungsvorrichtung der Türgriffanordnung gemäß der ersten Ausführungsform,
• Figur 5 eine perspektivische Ansicht auf ein mechanisches Rückstellelement der Türgriffanordnung gemäß der ersten Ausführungsform,
• Figur 6 eine perspektivische Ansicht auf die Türgriffanordnung aus Figur 2 mit der Sperrvorrichtung in Normalbetriebsposition und zum Teil betätigter Handhabe,
• Figur 7 eine perspektivische Ansicht auf die Türgriffanordnung aus Figur 2 mit der Sperrvorrichtung in Normalbetriebsposition und voll ausgelenkter und betätigter Handhabe,
• Figur 8 eine perspektivische Ansicht auf die Türgriffanordnung aus Figur 2 mit der Sperrvorrichtung nach Bewegung in eine erste Blockierungsrichtung,
• Figur 9 eine perspektivische Ansicht auf die Türgriffanordnung aus Figur 2 mit der Sperrvorrichtung nach Bewegung in eine zweite Blockierungsrichtung,
• Figur 10 eine perspektivische Ansicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Türgriffanordnung gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,
• Figur 11 eine perspektivische Ansicht auf eine Sperrvorrichtung der Türgriffanordnung gemäß der zweiten Ausführungsform,
• Figur 12 die Sperrvorrichtung aus Figur 11 in einer Unteransicht,
• Figur 13 eine perspektivische Ansicht auf eine Kopplungsvorrichtung der Türgriffanordnung gemäß der zweiten Ausführungsform,
• Figur 14 eine perspektivische Ansicht auf ein mechanisches Rückstellelement der Türgriffanordnung gemäß der zweiten Ausführungsform,
• Figur 15 eine perspektivische Ansicht auf die Türgriffanordnung aus Figur 10 mit der Sperrvorrichtung in Normalbetriebsposition und unbetätigter Handhabe,
• Figur 16 eine perspektivische Ansicht auf die Türgriffanordnung aus Figur 10 mit der Sperrvorrichtung in Normalbetriebsposition und betätigter Handhabe,
• Figur 17 eine perspektivische Ansicht auf die Türgriffanordnung aus Figur 10 mit der Sperrvorrichtung nach Bewegung in eine erste Blockierungsrichtung und
• Figur 18 eine perspektivische Ansicht auf die Türgriffanordnung aus Figur 10 mit der Sperrvorrichtung nach Bewegung in eine zweite Blockierungsrichtung.

Further details, features and advantages of the subject matter of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which exemplary preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. In the drawing shows:

• FIG. 1 a side view of a motor vehicle with a plurality of door handle assemblies according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 a perspective view of a door handle assembly according to the invention according to a first embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 3 a perspective view of a locking device of the door handle assembly according to the first embodiment,
• FIG. 4 a perspective view of a coupling device of the door handle assembly according to the first embodiment,
• FIG. 5 a perspective view of a mechanical restoring element of the door handle assembly according to the first embodiment,
• FIG. 6 a perspective view of the door handle assembly FIG. 2 with the locking device in normal operating position and partially operated handle,
• FIG. 7 a perspective view of the door handle assembly FIG. 2 with the locking device in the normal operating position and fully deflected and actuated handle,
• FIG. 8 a perspective view of the door handle assembly FIG. 2 with the locking device after movement in a first blocking direction,
• FIG. 9 a perspective view of the door handle assembly FIG. 2 with the locking device after movement in a second blocking direction,
• FIG. 10 a perspective view of a door handle assembly according to the invention according to a second embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 11 a perspective view of a locking device of the door handle assembly according to the second embodiment,
• FIG. 12 the locking device off FIG. 11 in a bottom view,
• FIG. 13 a perspective view of a coupling device of the door handle assembly according to the second embodiment,
• FIG. 14 a perspective view of a mechanical return element of the door handle assembly according to the second embodiment,
• FIG. 15 a perspective view of the door handle assembly FIG. 10 with the locking device in normal operating position and unactuated handle,
• FIG. 16 a perspective view of the door handle assembly FIG. 10 with the locking device in normal operating position and operated handle,
• FIG. 17 a perspective view of the door handle assembly FIG. 10 with the locking device after movement in a first blocking direction and
• FIG. 18 a perspective view of the door handle assembly FIG. 10 with the locking device after movement in a second blocking direction.

In FIG. 1 is a vehicle or motor vehicle 1 in the form of a car exemplified, which in the example has four doors 2, which can be opened via a door handle assembly 3 and in particular by means of a door handle or a handle 4. The doors 2 are tightly closed via respective closing arrangements 5 and can be opened from the outside only via a respective movement of the handle 4. This movement on the handle 4 may consist of a pulling and / or folding movement, wherein the corresponding movement of the handle 4 is mechanically transmitted at least via a coupling device to the corresponding closing arrangement 5. By the movement of the handle 4, the corresponding locking assembly 5 and thus the associated door 2 can then open.

In FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the door handle assembly 3 according to a first embodiment shown in more detail. The door handle assembly 3 has a frame-like handle support 6, wherein for reasons of clarity in the Figures 2 and 6 to 9 , Which relate to a first embodiment of the door handle assembly 3, a representation of the handle 4 is omitted. The handle carrier 6 is known to attach the handle 4 and is fastened by means not shown screw on the inside of the door panel, wherein the handle 4 is arranged on the outside of the door. In this case, the grip carrier 6 for reasons of material saving is formed predominantly of a frame structure which has various receiving and storage spaces, in addition to the handle 4, which is movable on the handle support 6 for opening a corresponding door 2 of the motor vehicle 1 by a user and / / or is pivotally mounted on the handle support 6, further to be able to record a mechanical coupling device 7 and a locking device 8 and optionally a not shown in the figures lock cylinder.

By the mechanical coupling device 7, a movement of the handle 4 is transferable to the corresponding vehicle-side locking assembly 5, thereby opening the corresponding door 2. The blocking device 8 serving as a mass barrier can change its position from a normal operating position to a blocking position under the action of a force, such as an acceleration force, wherein in the normal operating position, an operation of the handle 4 is possible, whereas in the blocking position of the movable held on the handle support 6 locking device 8 actuation of the Locking arrangement 5 is blocked by the handle 4 and / or a movement of the coupling device 7 by an actuation of the handle 4. In this case, the locking device 8 can enter the blocking position by a movement either in a first blocking direction or in a second blocking direction. The second blocking direction is opposite to the first blocking direction, as will be explained in more detail below.

Such as from the FIG. 2 and showing the coupling device 7 in a perspective view FIG. 4 it can be seen, the coupling device 7 comprises a mass 9, a cantilevered deflecting lever 10 and journal 11, through which the coupling device 7 is rotatably mounted on the handle support 6. The handle support 6 has receptacles 12 for rotatably supporting the journal 11. The mass 9 serves as a balancing mass in order to counteract the weight of the handle 4 in an accident or in the action of an acceleration force. Thus, the forces generated by the handle 4 and the coupling device 7 should compensate as far as possible, the mass 9 is optional and does not necessarily have to be provided. By the deflection lever 10, a movement of the handle 4 is transmitted to the coupling device 7. The coupling device 7 is pivotally mounted or rotatably mounted in a receiving space of the handle support 6 via the axle journals 11. The initiated by the handle 4 movement to the coupling device 7 is transmitted from this via a collar 13 on a non-illustrated transmission element to the closing assembly 5. In the present case, the collar 16 formed on the coupling device 7 is configured for a Bowden cable which is positively connected to one end in a bore provided thereon on the coupling device 7 is held. For reliable guidance of the Bowden cable, a guide groove is formed on the coupling device 7.

Such as the FIGS. 3 and 4 can be seen, the mechanical coupling device 7 further comprises a lever-shaped movement approach 14, which cooperates with the locking device 8. On the locking device 8 itself, a movement recess 15 is formed, in which the movement approach 14 of the coupling device 7 for actuating the handle 4 in the arrangement of the locking device 8 in the normal operating position is movable into.

In the first embodiment of the door handle assembly 3, the locking device 8 is partially formed as a hollow cylinder 16, as the Figures 2 and 6 to 9 demonstrate. The movement recess 15 is formed extending in the longitudinal direction of the hollow cylinder 16 in its lateral surface and provides a kind of cut in the open end face 17 (see FIG. 3 In other words, the movement recess 15 of the locking device 8, starting at the open front end 17 of the hollow cylinder 16, is designed to extend in the longitudinal direction of the hollow cylinder 16.

In FIG. 2 a position of the door handle assembly 3 is shown, in which the locking device 8 is in its normal operating position and therefore is not activated. Further, in this position, the coupling device 7 is arranged in the rest position, because the handle is unconfirmed. In the normal operating position of the locking device 8 when the handle 4 is unactuated, the movement projection 14 projects into the open front end 17 of the hollow cylinder 16. In this position, the coupling device 7 and the locking device 8, the movement recess 15 is arranged in the path of movement of the movement approach 14, so that upon actuation of the handle 4 of the movement approach 14 of the coupled to the handle 4 coupling device 7 pivots about the Z-axis of the door handle assembly 3 and is moved in the direction of the movement recess 15. This process is in FIG. 6 shown, in which the handle 4 is actuated such that the movement approach 14 in the direction of the movement recess 15 moves and is arranged in part in this. Upon further actuation of the handle 4 and the associated pivoting of the coupling device 7, the actuating projection 14 moves through the movement recess 15 through out of the hollow cylinder 16 and away from the locking device 8, which in the illustration of FIG. 7 is shown. The handle 4 is fully actuated in this position, so that the coupling device 7 is pivoted on the handle support 6 maximum, whereby the movement approach 14 is moved so that it has been moved through the movement recess 15 and now outside the hollow cylinder 16 of the locking device 8 is arranged is. After actuation of the handle 4, that is, when a user releases the handle 4, due to the Federvorbelastung the coupling device 7, this pivots back, whereby the movement approach 14 is again moved through the movement recess 15 and protrudes back into the open end 17 of the hollow cylinder 16 or is arranged in the interior of the hollow cylinder 16.

The FIGS. 8 and 9 show positions of the door handle assembly 3 according to the first embodiment, in which an acceleration force acting on the door handle assembly 3 in the direction of the Y-axis and in particular on the locking device 8. The locking device 8 is mounted by means of a rotation axis 18 rotatably about the X-axis of the door handle assembly 3 on the handle support 6 and has a mass weight 19. In this case, the locking device 8 is rotatably supported at its center by the rotation axis 18, wherein the mass weight 19 is arranged offset to the rotation axis 18 on the locking device 8. As a result of this arrangement of the mass weight 19, the locking device 8 is moved out of its normal operating position upon application of an acceleration force in the direction of the Y axis (for example as a result of a vehicle accident). Due to the structural design and the mounting of the locking device 8, the movement of the locking device 8 in the first or second blocking direction is a rotational movement about the axis of rotation 18 around.

The FIGS. 8 and 9 show exemplary positions in which the locking device 8 has previously been moved from the normal operating position in the direction of a first and second blocking direction and is now in a respective blocking position, wherein the locking device 8 can move in both blocking directions due to vibrations during a vehicle accident. Because first, the locking device 3 is deflected due to the applied acceleration force in a first blocking direction and then strikes back, which manifests itself by a movement of the locking device in the second blocking direction, which can also be referred to as a pendulum movement in the first and second blocking direction. In this case, the locking device 8 passes through the normal operating position, without lingering in this position. In FIG. 8 the locking device 8 is -90 ° about the axis of rotation 18 (Y axis) due to the action of an acceleration force in the first blocking direction 21 (see arrow 21 in FIG FIG. 8 ), so that the movement recess 15 is no longer in the path of movement of the movement approach 14. In FIG. 9 on the other hand, the locking device 8 is +90 ° about the axis of rotation 18 (y-axis) due to the action of an acceleration force or due to the above-described oscillating movement of the locking device 8 in the second blocking direction 22 (see arrow 22 in FIG FIG. 9 ), whereby now the movement recess 15 is no longer in the path of movement of the movement approach 14. An actuation of the handle 4 or a pivoting of the coupling device 7, which is mounted rotatably about the pivot point 20 of its journal 11 on the handle support 6 is in the FIGS. 8 and 9 as a result of the rotation of the locking device 8 is blocked around the axis of rotation 18, because the movement approach 14 can not get out of the interior of the hollow cylinder 16, but suggests at deflection against the inner wall of the hollow cylinder 16. The movement approach 14 is thus in movement of the locking device 8 in the first or second blocking direction 21, 22 in the hollow cylinder sixteenth caught, which is why this can also be referred to as a catch cylinder or blocking bell 16. In the first embodiment of the door handle assembly 3, to which the FIGS. 1 to 9 The axis of rotation 18 of the locking device 8 is oriented substantially transversely to the pivot point 20 of the coupling device 7 in order to bring about the desired locking of the handle 4 or the coupling device 7 when an acceleration force acts. Alternatively to the rotation angle of +/- 90 °, by which the locking device 8 in the FIGS. 8 and 9 from the normal operating position as a result of the action of an acceleration force in the first and second blocking direction 21, 22 is rotated and can swing, a smaller angle of rotation or a larger angle of rotation of, for example +/- 285 ° about the axis of rotation 18 is conceivable.

The FIGS. 10 to 18 refer to a second embodiment of a door handle assembly 3 'according to the invention. The second embodiment of the door handle assembly 3 'comprises a frame-like handle support 6 for attachment of the handle 4, wherein also here for reasons of clarity on a representation of the handle 4 has been omitted. The handle support 6 of the second embodiment, in addition to the handle 4 also supports a mechanical coupling device 7 ', by which a movement of the handle 4 on the corresponding vehicle-side locking assembly 5 for opening the door 2 is transferable, and serving as a mass lock locking device 8', the at Action of an accelerating force their position from the normal operating position in which an operation of the handle 4 is possible, in a blocking position in which an operation of the locking assembly 5 by the handle 4 and / or a movement of the coupling device 7 'blocked by an actuation of the handle 4 is, can change. The locking device 8 'also passes here by a movement in a first or second blocking direction in the blocking position.

In the FIG. 13 shown coupling device 7 'has, as in the first embodiment, a mass 9, a cantilevered lever 10 and journals 11 for rotatable mounting on the handle support 6, wherein on the handle support 6 corresponding receptacles 12 are provided for the axle journals 11 (see, for example FIG. 10 ). With regard to the function of the mass 9, reference is made to the comments on the first embodiment. How further the FIG. 13 can be seen, the coupling device 7 'has a with the locking device 8' cooperating movement approach 14 ', for which purpose on the locking device 8' a movement recess 15 'is formed (see FIG. 12 ), in which the movement approach 14 'of the coupling device 7' for actuating the handle 4 in the arrangement of the locking device 8 'in the normal operating position is movable into, as will be explained in more detail below.

In the second embodiment of the door handle assembly 3 ', the locking device 8' is formed in sections as a disc member 23, such as the FIGS. 11 and 12 demonstrate. The movement recess 15 'is on one of the two side surfaces of the disc member 23 as a one-sided open guide channel 24 (see, for example Figures 12 and 18 ) to guide the movement approach 14 'formed when the locking device 8' is in its normal operating position. The guide channel 24 extends on the side surface of the disc member 23 offset from the center thereof.

The Figures 10 and 15 each show a position of the door handle assembly 3 ', in which the locking device 8' is arranged in its normal operating position and the coupling device 7 'is due to the unactuated handle 4 in rest position. The movement approach 14 'of the locking device 8' is arranged in the normal operating position with unconfirmed handle 4 outside of the guide channel 24. In the in the Figures 10 and 15 shown position is formed as a unilaterally open guide channel 24 formed Bewegungsausnehmung 15 'in the path of movement of the movement approach 14', so that upon actuation of the handle 4 of the movement approach 14 'in the direction of the open side of the movement recess 15' and the guide channel 24 is moved , At the in FIG. 16 shown position, the handle 4 is fully actuated, so that the Coupling device 7 'is pivoted about its pivot point 20 about the Z-axis of the door handle assembly 3'. In this position, the coupling device 7 'is simultaneously the movement approach 14' pivoted so that it is now disposed within the guide channel 24. If no high acceleration forces acting on the door handle assembly 3 'and the handle 4 is actuated, the actuating lug 14' is moved into the guide channel 24 into it. As soon as the user releases the handle 4, the coupling device 7 'due to the spring bias, which urges the coupling device 7' in the rest position, back into the in FIG. 15 pivoted position shown, whereby the movement approach 14 'is moved out of the guide channel 24 again.

The FIGS. 17 and 18 further show positions of the door handle assembly 3 'according to the second embodiment, in which an acceleration force acts on the locking device 8', so that the locking device 8 'is moved out of the normal operating position and is now in a respective blocking position. The locking device 8 'is mounted by means of a rotation axis 18' rotatably on the handle support 6 about the Z axis of the door handle assembly 3 'and also has a mass weight 19, wherein the locking device 18' is rotatably mounted in its center by the rotation axis 18 '. As a result of the mass weight 19 being offset relative to the axis of rotation 18 ', the locking device 8' is moved out of its normal operating position when an acceleration force is exerted, wherein the movement in the first or second blocking direction 21, 22 also involves a rotational movement about the second embodiment Rotary axis 18 'is around and the locking device 8' in a vehicle accident about the rotation axis 18 'around oscillates until the vibrations caused by the acceleration forces have subsided. In FIG. 17 is the locking device 8 'by -285 ° about the axis of rotation 18' (Z axis) due to the action of an acceleration force in the first blocking direction 21 (see arrow 21 in FIG FIG. 17 ), so that formed in the manner of a blind hole movement recess 15 ', ie the Guide channel 24, now no longer in the path of movement of the movement approach 14 'is located. In FIG. 18 on the other hand, the blocking device 8 'is + 285 ° about the axis of rotation 18' (Z axis) due to the action of an acceleration force or due to its pendulum movement in the second blocking direction 22 (see arrow 22 in FIG FIG. 18 ), whereby now the guide channel 24 and the movement recess 15 'is no longer in the path of movement of the movement approach 14' is located. An actuation of the handle 4 or a pivoting of the coupling device 7 ', which is mounted rotatably about the pivot point 20 of its journal 11 on the handle support 6 is in the FIGS. 17 and 18 blocked due to the rotation of the locking device 8 'about the axis of rotation 18', because the movement approach 14 'can no longer dive into the guide channel 24 or move into it due to the rotation of the coupling device 7'. Rather, the movement approach 14 'abuts against a circular portion-shaped stop surface 25, which is formed on the opposite side of the mass 19 of the disc-shaped locking device 8'. In the second embodiment of the door handle assembly 3 ', to which the FIGS. 10 to 18 2, the axis of rotation 18 'of the locking device 8' is oriented substantially parallel to the pivot point 20 of the coupling device 7 'in order to effect the desired locking of the handle 4 or the coupling device 7' upon application of an acceleration force. Alternatively to the rotation angle of +/- 285 ° to the locking device 8 'in the FIGS. 17 and 18 From the normal operating position as a result of the action of an acceleration force in the first and second blocking direction 21, 22 to rotate, a smaller angle of rotation would be conceivable.

Both the first and the second embodiment of the door handle assembly 3 and 3 'has at least one mechanical return element 26. The mechanical return element 26 (see for example Figures 3 and 11 ) brings a force which urges the locking device 8, 8 'in the normal operating position, so that it is not a latching locking device in the present case, but rather one in their Initial situation returning blocking device. For example, the mechanical return element 26 may comprise an elastic spring element 27, as shown in the two embodiments. The respective spring element 27 is supported with its two ends both on a stationary projection 28 of the handle support 6 and on a co-moving with the locking element 8, 8 'contact surface 29 (see Figures 5 and 14 ). Upon movement of the locking device 8, 8 'in the first or second blocking direction 21, 22 as a result of the action of an acceleration force, the contact surface 29 moves relative to the projection 28 against the force of the elastic spring member 27 by one of the two ends of the spring member 27 is deflected , Thus, the locking device 8, 8 'does not rotate even in minor shocks in a blocking position, the mechanical return element 26 and the spring element 27 is designed such that it or the locking device 8, 8' up to an acceleration force of at least 7g in hold the normal operating position or holds.

In summary, with the present invention, a door handle assembly 3, 3 'is provided with a non-latching locking device 8, 8', which is characterized by a secure activation and the handle 4 and the coupling device 7, 7 'even during vibration processes due to the action of Acceleration forces safely blocked. According to the invention this is made possible by the locking device 8, 8 'by at least +/- 90 ° about its axis of rotation 18, 18' can rotate, so that bilateral pendulum movements, ie rotational movements in opposite directions, the locking device 8, 8 'possible are. In the door handle assemblies known from the prior art, the path of deflection of the locking device to move in the path of movement of the coupling device is carried out too low, which in practice led to situations in which the locking device after its deflection due to vibrations abruptly moved back and the coupling device was temporarily blocked, resulting in an undesirable operation of the closing arrangement and opening of the door. This danger no longer exists in the present invention, because the locking device 8, 8 'has a larger path upon activation, which is given by the rotational movement about at least 90 ° about the axis of rotation 18, 18'. In addition, the locking device 8, 8 'in two mutually opposite blocking directions movable, so that a blocking of the handle 4 and the coupling device 7, 7' is given even in a reciprocal oscillation of the locking device 8, 8 '. According to the first embodiment, the rotation axis 18 of the locking device 8 is aligned substantially transversely to the pivot point 20 of the coupling device 7, whereas in the second embodiment, the axis of rotation 18 'of the locking device 8' is aligned substantially parallel to the pivot point 20 of the coupling device 7 '. This arrangement guarantees activation of the locking devices 8, 8 'with effective acceleration forces acting on the side of the motor vehicle in the interior of the vehicle or in the opposite direction (+/- Y direction).

Claims (14)

1. A door handle assembly for a motor vehicle, having:

   - a frame-like handle support (6),

   - a lever (4), which is mounted movably on the handle support (6) for enabling a user to open a door (2) or hatch of the motor vehicle (1),

   - a mechanical coupling mechanism (7, 7'), by which a movement of the lever (4) can be transferred to a vehicle-side closure assembly (5), and

   - a latch mechanism (8, 8') serving as a mass latch, which is mounted movably on the handle support (6) and is configured in such a way that under the action of an acceleration force, it can be moved from a normal operating position, in which an actuation of the lever (4) is possible, in a first blocking direction (21), in which an actuation of the closure assembly (5) by the lever (4) and/or the coupling mechanism (7, 7') is blocked,

   wherein the latch mechanism (8, 8'), under the action of an acceleration force, is configured as movable from the normal operating position in a second blocking direction (22), in which an actuation of the closure assembly (5) by the lever (4) and/or the coupling mechanism (7, 7') is blocked, wherein the second blocking direction (22) is opposite the first blocking direction (21),
   wherein the coupling mechanism (7, 7') has at least one movement lip (14, 14') interacting with the latch mechanism (8),
   characterized in that
   the latch mechanism (8, 8') has a movement recess (15, 15'), which is arranged in the movement path of the movement lip (14, 14') when the latch mechanism (8, 8') is arranged in the normal operating position, the movement lip (14, 14') of the coupling mechanism (7, 7') capable of being moved at least into said recess for actuating the lever when the latch mechanism (8, 8') is arranged in the normal operating position.
2. The door handle assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the latch mechanism (8) is designed, at least in sections, as a hollow cylinder (16), wherein the movement recess (15), beginning at the open front end (17) of the hollow cylinder (16), is formed extending in the longitudinal direction of the latter.
3. The door handle assembly according to Claim 2, characterized in that in the normal operating position of the latch mechanism (8), the movement lip (14) projects into the open front end (17) of the hollow cylinder (16) when the lever (4) is not actuated, and that the movement lip (14) is configured to move through the movement recess (15) out of the hollow cylinder (16) away from the latch mechanism (8) when the lever (4) is actuated.
4. The door handle assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the latch mechanism (8') is configured, at least in sections, as a disc element (23), on one of the lateral surfaces of which the movement recess (15') of the latch mechanism (8') is designed as a guide channel (24) open on one side, which extends offset in relation to the center of the disc element (23), on the lateral surface of the latter.
5. The door handle assembly according to Claim 4, characterized in that in the normal operating position of the latch mechanism (8'), the movement lip (14') is arranged outside the guide channel (24) when the lever (4) is not actuated, and that the movement lip (14') is configured to move into the guide channel (24) when the lever (4) is actuated.
6. The door handle assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latch mechanism (8, 8') is mounted rotatably on the handle support (6) by means of a rotary shaft (18, 18') and that the movement of the latch mechanism (8, 8') in the first or second blocking direction (21, 22) is a rotary movement.
7. The door handle assembly according to Claim 6, characterized in that the rotary shaft (18, 18') rotatably supports the latch mechanism (8, 8') in its midpoint.
8. The door handle assembly according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the latch mechanism (8), under the action of an acceleration force, can rotate out of the normal operating position by at least +/-90°, preferably by +/-285°, about the rotary shaft (18, 18').
9. The door handle assembly according to any one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the latch mechanism (8, 8') has a mass weight (19), which is arranged on the latch mechanism (8, 8') such that it is offset in relation to the rotary shaft (18, 18').
10. The door handle assembly according to any one of Claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the coupling mechanism (7) is mounted rotatably about a pivot point (20) on the handle support (6), wherein the rotary shaft (18) of the latch mechanism (8) is aligned essentially transversely to the pivot point (20) of the coupling mechanism (7).
11. The door handle assembly according to any one of Claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the coupling mechanism (7') is mounted rotatably about a pivot point (20) on the handle support (6), wherein the rotary shaft (18') of the latch mechanism (8') is aligned essentially parallel to the pivot point (20) of the coupling mechanism (7').
12. The door handle assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that provision is made of a mechanical reset element (26), which applies a force that presses the latch mechanism (8, 8') into the normal operating position.
13. The door handle assembly according to Claim 12, characterized in that the mechanical reset element (26) comprises an elastic spring element (27), which abuts on a stationary lip (28) of the handle support (6) and also on a contact surface (29) moving in conjunction with the latch element (8, 8'), wherein the contact surface (29) moves relative to the lip (28) against the force of the elastic spring element (27) as the latch mechanism (8, 8') is moved in the first or second blocking direction.
14. The door handle assembly according to Claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the mechanical reset element (26) is designed in such a way that it holds the latch mechanism (8, 8') in the normal operating position until an acceleration force of at least 7 g is applied.

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