VEHICLE HANDLE WITH A SECURITY DEVICE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a handle for doors or the like, and in particular to a lever handle which can be employed for unlocking and simultaneously opening the door of a motor vehicle and is provided with an inertial security device which prevents the accidental opening of this door in the event of an accident.

[0002] WO-A-2004/042177 in the name of the same applicant discloses a handle comprising a lever which can rotate in a frame to be fixed to a door of a vehicle and is mechanically connected to a rocker which can rotate in the frame when the lever is pulled for unlocking the door, said rocker being provided with a shoulder suitable to be intercepted by a stop piece of a locking member comprising a pendulum provided with an inertial mass, so that the stop piece intercepts the shoulder during a strong oscillation of the pendulum caused by inertial thrusts acting on this mass. With this arrangement, the handle, and thus the door, cannot open accidentally because of the inertial thrusts acting onto the lever during a side impact suffered by the motor vehicle.

[0003] However, the locking member of this known handle does not always work in a correct manner, since the pendulum can sometimes go back to its normal position during the impact, for example due to sudden changes of the acceleration acting on the inertial mass, or due to a bouncing of the pendulum. In other words, it is not always possible to synchronize the action of the inertial mass with the movement of the lever and/or to keep the pendulum in the handle locking position for a sufficient time.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a handle which is free from said disadvantage. Said object is achieved with an handle, whose main features are disclosed in the first claim and other features are disclosed in the subsequent claims.

[0005] Thanks to the elastic means made of a shape memory material, the handle according to the present invention can be connected to a sensor which changes the shape of the elastic means, i.e. the force which they normally exert on the pendulum, when the sensor detects an acceleration corresponding to the impact suffered by the vehicle. With this arrangement, the handle is always locked during an impact and is automatically unlocked after the impact.

[0006] According to a particular aspect of the invention, the elastic means contract during the impact, so as to exert a force which not only does not oppose but even assists the oscillation of the pendulum, so as to increase the force acting on the locking member.

[0007] The elastic means made of a shape memory material preferably comprise a helical spring arranged between the pendulum and the frame, so that also the known handles can be easily provided with the device according to the present invention.

[0008] Further advantages and features of the handle according to the present invention will become clear to those skilled in art from the following detailed and non-limiting description of an embodiment thereof with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

• figure 1 shows a view in a longitudinal section of the handle in the normal position;
• figure 2 shows a view sectioned along plane II-II of the handle of figure 1;
• figure 3 shows a view in a longitudinal section of the handle in the impact position; and
• figure 4 shows a view sectioned along plane IV-IV of the handle of figure 3.

[0009] Referring to figures 1 and 2, it is seen that the handle according to the present invention comprises in a known way a frame 1 suitable to be fixed for example behind the outer surface of a door 2 of a motor vehicle. Frame 1 is provided with a transversal pin 3 acting as a fulcrum, around which a shaped extension 4 of a lever 5 suitable for being pulled outwards in the direction of arrow 6 for opening door 2 can rotate. Lever 5 thus rotates around a first axis 7 substantially parallel to the rotation axis of door 2. The other end of lever 5 is provided with an appendix 8 which protrudes into frame 1 and comprises a recess 9 in which a tongue 10 is engaged in a rotating manner. The latter protrudes from one side of a rocker 11 which can rotate in frame 1 around a second axis 12 substantially perpendicular to axis 7. With this arrangement, lever 5 is mechanically connected to rocker 11, so that the latter rotates around axis 12 when lever 5 is pulled. A helical spring 13 is arranged in a coaxial manner in rocker 11 for returning it to the original position, together with lever 5, when the latter is not pulled anymore. Rocker 11 is in turn connected to the unlocking mechanism (not shown in the figures) of door 2, so that the latter can be opened by further pulling lever 5. Said connection is for example carried out by means of a cable (not shown in the figures) which is pulled by rocker 11 during its rotation.

[0010] Rocker 11 is preferably provided with a cam surface 14 on which a tappet 15, arranged at an end of the arm of a locking member comprising in particular a pendulum 16 pivoted to frame 1 or to a body integral therewith, can slide. Pendulum 16 therefore oscillates around a third axis 17 substantially parallel to axis 7 around which lever 5 rotates when rocker 11 rotates around axis 12. The other end of pendulum 16 is provided with an inertial mass 18 which preferably has a flat shape and is arranged close to the centre of frame 1. Elastic means 19, in particular a helical spring arranged between pendulum 16 and frame 1 with the longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to axis 17, exert a force on pendulum 16 for pushing it toward its normal position, in which tappet 15 is urged against the cam surface 14 of rocker 11. Rocker 11 is suitably provided with a shoulder 20 arranged at a distance from the cam surface 14 greater than the height of tappet 15 of pendulum 16. Tappet 15 therefore passes under shoulder 20 without contacting it if it slides on the cam surface 14, while it intercepts shoulder 20, so as to act as a stop piece and to prevent the rotation of rocker 11, when it moves away from this surface, in particular due to an oscillation of pendulum 16. In the normal use, when lever 5 is manually pulled in the direction of arrow 6, rocker 11 rotates in the direction of arrow 21, so that tappet 15 slides on the cam surface 14 without interfering with shoulder 20.

[0011] According to the invention, the elastic means 19 are made of a shape memory material and are connected through conductors 22 to an acceleration sensor 23 suitable for detecting an acceleration corresponding to an impact of the motor vehicle, in particular an acceleration in a direction substantially perpendicular to door 2. The same acceleration acts also on the inertial mass 18, thereby oscillating pendulum 16. The elastic means 19 modify their shape when they receive a signal from sensor 23, which is preferably arranged in door 2. For example, the signal emitted by sensor 23 is an electric signal which heats the elastic means 19 by Joule effect, so as to activate their shape memory. In particular, the elastic means 19 consisting of a helical spring, as in the present embodiment, contract due to said signal, so as to generate a force in an opposite direction with respect to the normal force of the spring, which would tend to expand in the absence of said signal.

[0012] Referring now to figures 3 and 4, it is seen that, in the event of an accident, if lever 5 undergoes a thrust which would tend to open it in the direction of arrow 6, also the inertial mass 18 undergoes the same thrust, so that pendulum 16 oscillates, thereby overcoming the force of the elastic means 19, so as to move tappet 15 away from the cam surface 14 in the direction of arrow 24. Tappet 15, in its new position, intercepts and locks shoulder 20 at the beginning of the rotation of rocker 11 pulled by lever 5, so as to prevent its complete rotation. Since it cannot rotate further, rocker 11 does not operate the unlocking mechanism of door 2, so as to prevent its accidental opening. Simultaneously, sensor 23 detects the acceleration which acts on the inertial mass and sends a signal 25 to the elastic means 19, which contract, so as to favor the oscillation of pendulum 16, thereby keeping it in its impact position, i.e. with tappet 15 against shoulder 20. At the end of the impact, sensor 23 turns off, so that the elastic means 19 can expand again, thereby releasing tappet 15 from shoulder 20 and allowing the opening of door 2, if lever 5 is pulled.

[0013] Possible variations and/or additions may be made by those skilled in the art to the hereinabove disclosed and illustrated embodiment of the invention while remaining within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims

1. Handle comprising a lever (5) which can rotate in a frame (1) to be fixed to the door (2) of a vehicle and which is mechanically connected to a locking member comprising a pendulum (16) which is provided with an inertial mass (18) and is pivoted to the frame (1) or to a body integral therewith, so that an oscillation of the pendulum (16) can prevent the complete rotation of the lever (5), wherein elastic means (19) normally exert on the pendulum (16) a force opposing said oscillation, characterized in that said elastic means (19) are made of a shape memory material so that they can change their shape when they receive a signal (25) from an acceleration sensor (23).

2. Handle according to the previous claim, characterized in that said elastic means (19) exert a force which assists said oscillation of the pendulum (16) when they receive said signal (25) from the acceleration sensor (23).

3. Handle according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that said elastic means (19) contract when they receive said signal (25) from the acceleration sensor (23).

4. Handle according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the acceleration sensor (23) is arranged in the door (2) of a vehicle.

5. Handle according to the previous claim, characterized in that the acceleration sensor (23) is suitable for detecting an acceleration in a direction substantially perpendicular to the door (2) of the vehicle.

6. Handle according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the signal (25) transmitted by the acceleration sensor (23) is an electric signal which heats the elastic means (19) by Joule effect, so as to activate their shape memory.

7. Handle according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that said elastic means (19) comprise a helical spring arranged between the pendulum (16) and the frame (1).

8. Handle according to the previous claim, characterized in that the longitudinal axis of said helical spring (19) is substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis (17) of the pendulum (16).

Ansprüche

1. Griff mit einem Hebel (5), der sich in einem an der Tür (2) eines Fahrzeugs zu befestigenden Rahmen (1) drehen kann und mechanisch mit einem Verriegelungselement verbunden ist, das ein Pendel (16) umfasst, das mit einer Trägheitsmasse (18) versehen ist und zum Rahmen (1) oder zu einem damit einstückigen Körper geschwenkt wird, so dass eine Pendelbewegung des Pendels (16) die vollständige Drehung des Hebels (5) verhindern kann, wobei elastische Mittel (19) normalerweise eine der Pendelbewegung entgegenwirkende Kraft auf das Pendel (16) ausüben, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die elastischen Mittel (19) aus einem Formgedächtnismaterial hergestellt sind, so dass sie ihre Form ändern können, wenn sie ein Signal (25) von einem Beschleunigungssensor (23) empfangen.

2. Griff nach dem vorhergehenden Anspruch, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die elastischen Mittel (19) eine Kraft ausüben, die die Pendelbewegung des Pendels (16) unterstützt, wenn sie das Signal (25) vom Beschleunigungssensor (23) empfangen.

3. Griff nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich die elastischen Mittel (19) zusammenziehen, wenn sie das Signal (25) vom Beschleunigungssensor (23) empfangen.

4. Griff nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Beschleunigungssensor (23) in der Tür (2) eines Fahrzeugs angeordnet ist.

5. Griff nach dem vorhergehenden Anspruch, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Beschleunigungssensor (23) zur Erfassung einer Beschleunigung in einer im Wesentlichen senkrecht zur Tür (2) des Fahrzeugs verlaufenden Richtung geeignet ist.

6. Griff nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es sich bei dem vom Beschleunigungssensor (23) gesendeten Signal (25) um ein elektrisches Signal handelt, das die elastischen Mittel (19) über den Jouleschen Effekt beheizt, um ihr Formgedächtnis zu aktivieren.

7. Griff nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die elastischen Mittel (19) eine zwischen dem Pendel (16) und dem Rahmen (1) angeordnete Schraubenfeder umfassen.

8. Griff nach dem vorhergehenden Anspruch, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Längsachse der Schraubenfeder (19) im Wesentlichen senkrecht zur Rotationsachse (17) des Pendels (16) verläuft.

Revendications

1. Poignée comprenant un levier (5) qui peut tourner dans un cadre (1) destiné à être fixé à la porte (2) d'un véhicule et qui est connecté mécaniquement à un organe de verrouillage comprenant un pendule (16) pourvu d'une masse d'inertie (18) et qui peut pivoter par rapport au cadre (1) ou un corps intégré à celui-ci, de sorte qu'une oscillation du pendule (16) puisse empêcher la rotation complète du levier (5), des moyens élastiques (19) exerçant normalement sur le pendule (16) une force s'opposant à ladite oscillation, caractérisée en ce que lesdits moyens élastiques (19) sont fabriqués en un matériau à mémoire de forme de sorte qu'ils puissent changer de forme lorsqu'ils reçoivent un signal (25) provenant d'un capteur d'accélération (23).

2. Poignée selon la revendication précédente, caractérisée en ce que lesdits moyens élastiques (19) exercent une force qui facilite ladite oscillation du pendule (16) lorsqu'ils reçoivent ledit signal (25) du capteur d'accélération (23).

3. Poignée selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que lesdits moyens élastiques (19) se contractent lorsqu'ils reçoivent ledit signal (25) provenant du capteur d'accélération (23).

4. Poignée selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que le capteur d'accélération (23) est arrangé dans la porte (2) d'un véhicule.

5. Poignée selon la revendication précédente, caractérisée en ce que le capteur d'accélération (23) est approprié pour détecter une accélération dans une direction substantiellement perpendiculaire à la porte (2) du véhicule.

6. Poignée selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que le signal (25) transmis par le capteur d'accélération (23) est un signal électrique qui chauffe les moyens élastiques (19) par effet Joule, de manière à activer leur mémoire de forme.

7. Poignée selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que lesdits moyens élastiques (19) comprennent un ressort hélicoïdal arrangé entre le pendule (16) et le cadre (1).

8. Poignée selon la revendication précédente, caractérisée en ce que l'axe longitudinal dudit ressort hélicoïdal (19) est substantiellement perpendiculaire à l'axe de rotation (17) du pendule (16).

Drawing