[0001] The present invention concerns a door leaf handle for a vehicle and a device for
blocking a door leaf comprising such a handle.
[0002] The known door handles conventionally comprise a bracket intended to be attached
on the door and a gripping element connected to the support by a hinge. This latter
can be horizontal or vertical, which is more common.
[0003] The gripping element can be movable in rotation or in translation relative to the
bracket between an inactive position in which it is positioned substantially parallel
to the bracket and for example recessed in the door (or flush with an outer face of
a door panel), and an active position of the door in which it is deployed relative
to the door.
[0004] In the vehicle door handles of the state of the art, handles are known that comprise
a handle lever, attached to the gripping element, and movable with respect to the
bracket between the inactive position and the active position. The handle lever can
move with the gripping element to an intermediate position. In such a case, a user
can pull the gripping element in order to move the handle lever which activates a
kinematic system in order to unlatch the door.
[0005] The kinematic system comprises a latch lever, which is in direct cooperation with
the handle lever. The handle lever movement allows to move the latch lever, this latter
allowing the transmission of a rotation movement of the handle lever to a Bowden cable
(connected to the latch lever) in order to unlatch the door.
[0006] In case of collision, an undesired gripping element movement could lead to transmit
a movement from the handle lever to the Bowden cable via the latch lever. In such
a case, a door can be open during a crash.
[0007] In order to avoid this situation, it is known to provide the handle assembly with
a reversible inertial security system. This system can be constituted by a rocker
arm that is movable in rotation between a rest position (when the vehicle is motionless)
in which it does not interact with any of the levers cited above, and a blocking position
(in case of vehicle acceleration) in which it blocks the handle lever. This avoid
this latter to actuate the latch lever, and finally, to open the door thanks to the
Bowden cable.
[0008] However, and in case of collision, the handle lever can deform itself and transmit
enough energy to the latch lever in order to open the door, even with the action of
the reversible inertial security system.
[0009] The purpose of the invention is therefore to provide a vehicle door handle which
is safer in its blocking of any undesired handle opening in case of crash.
[0010] To that end, the invention is directed to a vehicle door handle assembly, comprising:
- a bracket intended to be attached to a door panel,
- a gripping element movable relative to the bracket between an inactive position and
an active position in which it allows to open a vehicle door,
- a movable handle lever, attached to the gripping element, configured to actuate a
movable latch lever when the gripping element is in the active position, the latch
lever having an attachment portion for a Bowden cable and being configured to interact
via the Bowden cable with a latch mechanism to unlatch the vehicle door when the gripping
element is in the active position,
- a reversible inertial security system mounted on the bracket, said reversible inertial
security system comprising a rocker arm movable between a rest position allowing the
handle lever to actuate the latch lever, and a blocking position, reaching in case
of collision or acceleration, wherein a first blocking portion of the rocker arm cooperates
with a first abutment carried by the handle lever in order to block any movement of
the handle lever, and wherein a second blocking portion of the rocker arm cooperates
with a second abutment carried by the latch lever in order to block any movement of
the latch lever, wherein the handle lever is arranged for pivoting around a first
rotation axis perpendicular to a second rotation axis of the latch lever, the inertial
security system being movable in rotation around a third rotation axis parallel to
the first rotation axis.
[0011] Thanks to configuration, and in case of collision, the reversible inertial security
system allows to block the displacement of both handle and latch levers. Thus, and
even if the handle lever deforms itself and becomes able to transmit energy to the
latch lever, any displacement of this latter is forbidden by the reversible inertial
security system. A double blocking of both levers allows to increase the safety of
the handle assembly. The configuration in which the third rotation axis is parallel
to the first rotation axis and perpendicular to the second rotation axis allows to
obtain an assembly more compact than in the prior art.
[0012] Thanks to optional features of the vehicle door handle assembly according to the
invention:
- the gripping element can be placed in an intermediate position between the inactive
and the active position wherein handle lever is in contact with the latch lever without
transmitting energy to the latch lever;
- the handle lever can comprise a finger forming a first actuation end of the handle
lever configured to cooperate with a form forming a second actuation end of the latch
lever;
- the rocker arm can have a substantially bent form, the first blocking portion being
placed in the bent area of rocker arm, the second blocking portion is placed at an
end of the rocker arm;
- the first blocking portion can comprise a first recess configured to welcome the first
abutment, and the second blocking portion comprises a first plane configured to welcome
the second abutment;
- the first blocking portion can extend in a direction perpendicular to the second blocking
portion extension direction;
- the reversible inertial security system can be freely movable in rotation and comprises
an inertial mass placed at an end of the rocker arm;
- the reversible inertial security system can comprise a safety spring dimensioned to
put the rocker arm in the rest position in case of no collision and to be overdriven
by the force exerted by the inertial mass in case of a collision in order to put the
reversible inertial security system in the blocking position.
Brief description of the figure
[0013] The invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages
will appear at the reading of the following description, given in an illustrative
and not limiting fashion, referring to the annexed figures in which:
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a part of the handle assembly according to the invention
in an inactive position, the reversible inertial security being in a rest position;
- Figure 2 is a perspective view of a part of the handle assembly according to the invention
in an intermediate position, the reversible inertial security being in a rest position;
- Figure 3 is a top view of the reversible inertial system according to the invention;
- Figure 4 is a sectional view of a part of the handle assembly according to the invention
in an inactive position, the reversible inertial security being in a blocking position;
- Figure 5 is a sectional view of a part of the handle assembly according to the invention
in an intermediate position, the reversible inertial security being in a blocking
position;
- Figure 6 is a side view of a part of the handle assembly according to the invention
in an inactive position, the reversible inertial security being in a rest position;
and
- Figure 7 is a side view of a part of the handle assembly according to the invention
in an inactive position, the reversible inertial security being in a blocking position.
Detailed description
[0014] Figures 1 and 2 show a part of a vehicle door handle assembly for a motor vehicle.
This assembly comprises a bracket (not shown) intended to be attached to a door panel,
for example by screwing. A gripping element 2 is intended to be attached to the bracket
and allows to open the door. In other words, the gripping element 2 can be in two
different positions: an inactive position (figure 1) in which the gripping element
is not solicited and has no effect on the door opening, and an active position in
which it allows to open the door. The movement of the gripping element 2 between these
two positions can be a rotation, a translation or a combined movement between a translation
and a rotation. For example, the gripping element 2 in figure 2 is moved in a combined
movement between translation and rotation in comparison of its position in figure
1. The gripping element has an elongated and flattened shape. It comprises a graspable
part 3 protruding from one of its lateral edges. The graspable part 3 is intended
to be handled by a user when manipulating the gripping element 2.
[0015] The inactive position of the gripping element 2 corresponds to the position when
it is not used by a user. The active position of the gripping element 2 corresponds
to the position when a user grasps the graspable part 3 and rotates the gripping element
2 to open the door.
[0016] In the inactive position, the gripping element 2 can be flush with an external face
of the door panel. In the active position, the gripping element 2 extends from the
external face of the door.
[0017] The handle assembly comprises, in particular, a handle lever 4, a latch lever 6 and
an inertial security system 8.
The handle lever and latch lever
[0018] The handle lever 4 is attached to the gripping element 2 and moves with this latter.
In other words, the handle lever 4 can be placed in at least two different positions
corresponding the inactive and the active positions of the gripping element 2. In
the inactive position, the handle lever 2 has no effect has no effect on the door
opening. In the active position, the handle lever 4 is placed in contact with the
latch lever 6. More precisely, a first actuation end 10 carried by the handle lever
4 is in contact with a second actuation end 12 carried by the latch lever 6.
[0019] A user of the vehicle can pull the gripping element 2 in a deployed position of figure
2 to move this latter to the active position, for example to pivot the gripping element
2, and the handle lever 4, around a handle lever rotation axis A (handle lever rotation
direction 14 shown on figure 4). The handle lever 4 transmits the movement to the
latch lever 6 which is moved, for example which pivots around a latch lever rotation
axis B (latch lever rotation direction 16 shown on figure 2). Figure 2 shows an intermediate
position, called herein after "deployed position", wherein the handle lever 4 is in
contact with the latch lever 6 without transmitting any movement to this latter. A
user can pull the graspable part 3 to move the gripping element 2 from the deployed
position to the active position. This corresponds to a movement of the handle lever
4 (attached to the gripping element) which was already in contact with the latch lever
6. The movement is transmitted to the latch lever 6 which actuates the Bowden cable
to open the door.
[0020] The handle lever rotation axis A is perpendicular to the latch lever rotation axis
B. This configuration is advantageous in that, in case of a collision, in particular
of a lateral impact, the risk of an undesired opening of the door is reduced because
the acceleration undergoes during the collision will not move latch lever 6 and the
gripping element 2 with the same force and in the same way.
[0021] The latch lever 6 has an attachment portion 18 for the Bowden cable (not shown on
figures) and is configured to interact via the Bowden cable with a latch mechanism
to unlatch the door the gripping element 2 reaches the active position.
[0022] An end of the Bowden cable 13 is attached to an attaching hole of the attachment
portion 18 in such a way that when the latch lever 6 moves to the active position,
the attachment portion 18 pulls on the end of the Bowden cable, the other end of which
being attached to the latch mechanism, in order to allow the latch mechanism to release
the door.
[0023] The return of the gripping element 2 in the inactive position allows to stop the
actuation of the latch lever 6 (thanks to a movement of the handle lever 4). The latch
lever 6 can return to its initial position thanks to returning means, for example
a torsion spring 24.
[0024] The handle lever 4 has an attachment end 20 to the gripping element 2, and a rotation
end 22 forming a part the rotation centre of the handle lever 4 and of the gripping
element 2. The first actuation end 10 forms a finger configured to push the second
actuation end 12 carried by the latch lever 8 which has an hooked form.
[0025] The latch lever 6 is carried by the bracket. As explained above, it has an attachment
portion 18 for a Bowden cable.
[0026] As illustrated in figures 4 and 5, the handle lever 4 has a first abutment 26 which
can cooperate with the reversible inertial security system 8. As illustrated in figures
6 and 7, the latch lever 6 has a second abutment 28 which can cooperate with the reversible
inertial security system 8.
The reversible inertial security system
[0027] The reversible inertial security system 8 of the present invention is mounted on
the bracket. It comprises a rocker arm 30, rotatively free with respect to an inertial
system rotation axis C, shown in figures 6 and 7, and which carries an inertial mass
32 at an end of said rocker arm 30.
[0028] The rocker arm 30 is pivotally mounted between:
- a rest position (figure 6) allowing the handle lever 4 and the latch lever 6 to rotate
as explained above, and
- a blocking position (figure 7) it reaches in case of a collision where the rocker
arm 30 cooperates with the first abutment 26 of the handle lever 4 and the second
abutment 28 of the latch lever 6 in order to block rotation of the two levers. More
precisely, it avoids any movement transmission between the handle lever 4 and the
latch lever 6. As explained above, and even if the handle lever 4 deforms itself and
becomes able to transmit energy to the latch lever 6, the latch lever 6 is also blocked
by the reversible inertial security system 8.
[0029] As shown on figure 3, the reversible inertial security system 8 comprises a first
blocking portion 34 of the rocker arm 30 which can cooperate with the first abutment
26 carried by the handle lever 4 in order to block rotation of the handle lever 4,
and a second blocking portion 36 of the rocker arm 30 which can cooperate with the
second abutment 28 carried by the latch lever 6 in order to block rotation of the
latch lever 6.
[0030] The two blocking portions are placed on either side of the inertial system rotation
axis C, the rocker arm 30 having a substantially bent form. In the example shown on
figure 3, the second blocking portion 36 is placed at an end of the reversible inertial
security system 8, and the first blocking portion 34 is placed in the bent area of
the reversible inertial security system 8. The handle lever 4 is arranged for pivoting
around the first rotation axis A perpendicular to the second rotation axis B of the
latch lever 6, the inertial security system 8 being movable in rotation around the
third rotation axis C which is parallel to the first rotation axis A.
[0031] Preferably, the first blocking portion 34 comprises a first recess 34' and the second
blocking portion 36 comprises a first plane 36'. The first abutment 26 is placed in
the first recess 34' when the handle lever 4 is in a deployed position and when the
reversible inertial security system 8 in the blocking position. The second abutment
28 is placed against the first plane 36' when the latch lever 6 is in a deployed position
and when the reversible inertial security system 8 in the blocking position. This
kind of cooperation is more secure.
[0032] The rocker arm 30 extends radially with respect to the latch lever 6 and the inertial
system rotation axis C is perpendicular to the latch lever rotation axis B (and parallel
to the handle lever rotation axis A). Obviously, and independently of the form of
the recesses and of the blocking portions, the blocking portions oppose themselves
to the movement of the two levers.
[0033] Preferably, the first blocking portion 34 extends, from the rocker arm 30, radially
to the second blocking portion 36. This allows to shift the two areas of interaction
between the reversible inertial security system 8 and the two levers, and thus create
a more compact assembly.
[0034] The reversible inertial security system 8 can comprise a safety spring dimensioned
to put the rocker arm 30 in the rest position in case of no collision and to be overdriven
by the force exerted by the inertial mass 32 in case of a collision in order to put
the rocker arm 30 in the blocking position. The safety spring can be a torsion spring.
Other type of springs may be used. By tuning the safety spring torque value, the inertial
mass 32 and the length of the rocker arm 30, it is possible to select an acceleration
value at and above which the rocker arm 30 reaches the blocking position.
[0035] The reversible inertial system 8 is in particular configured to block the opening
of a door under all accelerations superior of the balancing of the handle.
[0036] The reversible inertial security system 8 may be disposed at any location which allows
it to block an opening of the door in case of a collision.
List of references
[0037]
2: gripping element
3: graspable part
4: handle lever
6: latch lever
8: reversible inertial security system
10: first actuation end
12: second actuation end
14: handle lever rotation direction
16: latch lever rotation direction
18: attachment portion
20: attachment end
22: rotation end
24: torsion spring
26: first abutment
28: second abutment
30: rocker arm
32: inertial mass
34: first blocking portion
34': first recess
36: second blocking portion
36': first plane
38: safety spring
A: handle lever rotation axis
B: latch lever rotation axis
C: inertial system rotation axis
1. Vehicle door handle assembly, comprising:
- a bracket intended to be attached to a door panel,
- a gripping element (2) movable relative to the bracket between an inactive position
and an active position in which it allows to open a vehicle door,
- a movable handle lever (4), attached to the gripping element (2), configured to
actuate a movable latch lever (6) when the gripping element (2) is in the active position,
the latch lever (6) having an attachment portion (18) for a Bowden cable and being
configured to interact via the Bowden cable with a latch mechanism to unlatch the
vehicle door when the gripping element (2) is in the active position,
- a reversible inertial security system (8) mounted on the bracket, said reversible
inertial security (8) system comprising a rocker arm (30) movable between a rest position
allowing the handle lever (4) to actuate the latch lever (6), and a blocking position,
reaching in case of collision or acceleration, wherein a first blocking portion (34)
of the rocker arm (30) cooperates with a first abutment (26) carried by the handle
lever (4) in order to block any movement of the handle lever (4), and wherein a second
blocking portion (36) of the rocker arm (30) cooperates with a second abutment (28)
carried by the latch lever (6) in order to block any movement of the latch lever (6),
wherein the handle lever (4) is arranged for pivoting around a first rotation axis
(A) perpendicular to a second rotation (B) axis of the latch lever (6), the inertial
security system (8) being movable in rotation around a third rotation axis (C) parallel
to the first rotation axis (A).
2. Vehicle door handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the gripping element (2)
can be placed in an intermediate position between the inactive and the active position
wherein handle lever (4) is in contact with the latch lever (6) without transmitting
energy to the latch lever (6).
3. Vehicle door handle assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the
handle lever (4) comprises a finger forming a first actuation end (10) of the handle
lever (4) configured to cooperate with a form forming a second actuation end (12)
of the latch lever (6).
4. Vehicle door handle assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the
rocker arm (30) has a substantially bent form, the first blocking portion (34) being
placed in the bent area of rocker arm (30), the second blocking portion (36) is placed
at an end of the rocker arm (30).
5. Vehicle door handle assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the
first blocking portion (34) comprises a first recess (34') configured to welcome the
first abutment (26), and the second blocking portion (36) comprises a first plane
(36') configured to welcome the second abutment (28).
6. Vehicle door handle assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the
first blocking portion (34) extends in a direction perpendicular to the second blocking
portion (36) extension direction.
7. Vehicle door handle assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the
reversible inertial security system (8) is freely movable in rotation and comprises
an inertial mass (32) placed at an end of the rocker arm (30).
8. Vehicle door handle assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the reversible
inertial security system (8) comprises a safety spring (38) dimensioned to put the
rocker arm (30) in the rest position in case of no collision and to be overdriven
by the force exerted by the inertial mass (32) in case of a collision in order to
put the reversible inertial security system (8) in the blocking position.