Technical Field
[0001] The present invention concerns a vehicle door handle assembly, in particular with
a flushing door handle lever. Such vehicle door handle assembly comprises a motorized
actuator which, when actuated, moves the handle lever between a flush position and
a ready position. In the flush position, the handle lever is flush i.e. co-planar
with the exterior surface of the door body. In the ready position, the handle lever
is protruding from said exterior surface, to be graspable by a user.
[0002] Once the user grasps the handle lever in its ready position, he can pull the lever
in a further protruding position and unlatch the door. Indeed, the door handle lever
interacts (via a Bowden cable, a rotating pin and/or a gear mechanism) with a latch
mechanism to unlatch the door.
[0003] Generally, in door handles, a handle lever spring brings the handle lever back in
its ready position when the user releases the handle lever. It is also possible for
the motorized actuator to move the handle lever from the ready position back to the
flush position after door opening or door closing however, this is however mostly
performed by a return spring mechanism. The use of a motorized actuator is nevertheless
not compulsory for flush door handles, those can be non-motorized concepts.
Background Art
[0004] The patent application
US 2016290018 is known, it deals with a system including a component that can be mounted movably
in or on an automobile and an actuating apparatus for the component, the actuating
apparatus having a push-push mechanism that interacts with the component. It is possible
for the component to be moved out of a closed position by manual exertion of a pressing
force counter to the pre-stress of a spring into an unlocked position to unlock the
push-push mechanism, out of which unlocked position the component is moved into a
partially open position driven by the pre-stress of the spring. Eventually, out of
the partially open position the component can be displaced into an open position by
manual exertion of a pulling force.
[0005] It is however much more comfortable to have a motorized mechanism that can make the
door handle lever available for pulling after any recognition system and/or action
of the car owner. Furthermore, the push-push mechanism in this disclosure has to overcome
the actuation mechanism with the gearing system integrated leading to stability issues
and premature wearing.
[0006] Nowadays, generally speaking, the motorized actuator sets the handle lever in motion
via a reduction mechanism, for example a worm drive and gear mechanism, which reduces
the rotational speed of the motor actuation while increasing torque value to push
the handle lever out into its ready position.
[0007] Such door handle assemblies, i.e. motorized one, also comprise a back-up mechanism,
as in document
US 2016369537 disclosing a handle including an activation member for activating a latch of a vehicle
door to unlatch the door and a grip member that cooperates with the activation member
to unlatch the door. The grip member presents a gripping part and is movable between
a flushing position in which the gripping part extends flush to an external panel
of the door, an active position in which the gripping part projects with respect to
the external panel, becoming graspable, and an opening position in which the grip
member drives the activation member to unlatch the door. The handle presents a driving
mechanism and an actuator lever cooperating with the grip member to drive the latter
between the flushing and the active position. When the grip member is pulled in an
opening direction, the grip member drives the activation member that unlatches the
door.
[0008] To enable the opening of the door in case of, for example, motorized actuator or
car battery failure, i.e. when the motorized actuator cannot be actuated, this mechanism
comprises a push-push mechanism, in which the user pushes the handle lever inwards
from its flushing position until reaching a clicking position in which a preloaded
spring is released. Said preloaded spring, when released, pushes the handle lever
from the inward clicking position to the outward protruding ready position. Once the
user accesses the vehicle in back-up mode, the battery will generally be recharged,
and/or the motor failure will be lifted and normal, electric, actuation can be resumed.
[0009] In application
US 2016369537, just like in
US 2016290018, the flush door handle pops out in a rotational movement which is a common lever
extraction for flush door systems. In these prior art mechanisms, the push-push mechanism
is integrated inside the actuator mechanism; therefore, the gear mechanism inside
the actuator is driven when the back-up manual mode is used. This is detrimental to
the door handle stability and means that the actuation mechanism is set in motion
even when back-up manual mode is used. This increases the mechanism wearing.
[0010] Eventually, the gearing system of the actuator has to be reversible since the back-up
manual mode drives back the completely motorized actuation mechanism. This reversibility
means that the gearing system, at the ready position, should be able to return to
flush position biased by return springs, henceforth a brake might be needed to guarantee
a stable ready position. All these constraints lead to a complex flush door handle.
Summary of invention
[0011] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, the invention deals with an actuator
integrated coupling device comprising a vehicle door handle, the door handle having
a handle lever movable between:
- a flush position in which it is flush with an exterior door panel surface,
- a ready position in which it is protruding and graspable by a user,
- and an inward clicking position in which the handle lever is in a retracted position
inside the vehicle door, said coupling device comprising:
- a cam rotatable about an axis,
- a motorized actuator for rotating said cam,
- a transmission mechanism comprising a first lever for coupling with the cam to move
the handle lever between said flush and ready positions,a push-push unit, coupled
to the first lever by a connecting rod so that when the handle lever is pushed to
the inward clicking position, the push-push unit pushes back the handle lever in the
ready position.
Characterized in that the push-push unit and the motorized actuator are decoupled
to allow the push-push unit to move the door handle lever between said flush, ready
and retracted positions while the motorized actuator is not subjected to any mechanical
strain, the manual push back and manual door handle extraction is performed in a totally
decoupled manner with reference to the actuator, the handle lever can go back to flush
position electrically by re-setting the push-push unit in its pre-stressed state using
motorized actuator.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the actuator integrated coupling device according to the
invention is characterized in that the motorized actuator comprises an electric motor
coupled with a worm drive, said worm driving being coupled with a reduction mechanism
to set in rotation the shaft of the cam when the electric motor rotates. This improves
the motor efficiency.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the actuator integrated coupling device according to the
invention is such that the first lever comprises elastic return means, for example
a torsion spring or a double torsion spring, to push said first lever back to its
flush position once the handle lever has reached ready position.
[0014] In another preferred embodiment, the actuator integrated coupling device according
to the invention is characterized in that the transmission mechanism further comprises:
- a first lever axis, the first lever being rotatable about said first lever axis parallel
to the cam axis,
- a second lever rotatable about a second lever axis,
- the first and second levers axis being parallel and longitudinally distant from one
another,
- at least one linking rod having its ends connected to the first lever and the second
lever in articulated connections,
- at least one of said connections comprising a first slotted hole parallel to said
linking rod ,
- The first lever, the second lever, the linking rod and the handle lever forming a
kinematics assembly whose deformation is able to displace the handle lever in translation.
The translation extraction of the door handle lever is an alternative to a rotation
extraction mode.
[0015] Alternatively, the actuator integrated coupling device according to the invention
can be such that the first lever is rotatable about a first lever axis parallel to
the cam axis, and is directly coupled to the handle lever so that the cam, the first
lever and the handle lever form a kinematics assembly whose deformation is able to
displace the handle lever in rotation. The rotation extraction of the door handle
lever is an alternative to the translation extraction.
[0016] Preferably, the actuator integrated coupling device according to the invention is
characterized in that the connecting rod is made of a central rod having, at its two
ends, two arms forming each a right angle with the central rod. Such coupling allows
better movement transmission between the push-push unit and the first lever.
[0017] In a further preferred embodiment and further improve movement transmission, the
actuator integrated coupling device according to the invention is characterized in
that the two arms of the connecting rod are parallel.
[0018] In another preferred embodiment, the actuator integrated coupling device according
to the invention is characterized in that the first lever comprises at least one arm,
said arm having a slotted hole for the coupling with the connecting rod. The slotted
hole, gives a degree of freedom needed to pull the handle lever further from the ready
position to unlatch it. Without said degree of freedom, the fully extended push-push
unit would not allow further pulling for door unlatching.
[0019] Ideally, the actuator integrated coupling device according to the invention is characterized
in that the push-push unit is also coupled, at its end opposite to the one coupled
to the connecting rod, to a resetting lever system displaceable by the cam so as to
push the push-push unit back to its pre-stressed state and pull the first lever, to
bring the door handle lever back to its initial flush position. The main advantage
here is that on one hand the push-push unit can be activated and/or deactivated both
mechanically and electronically via a motorized actuator.
[0020] So as to optimize space distribution of the coupling device and reduce its volume,
the resetting lever system preferably comprises:
- a rotatable connecting lever having a central portion and ,at its ends, two radial
arms rotatable about the axis of the connecting lever, the first radial arm being
coupled to the push-push unit,
- a cam lever with a central portion and two ends, the first end being coupled in a
rotatable manner about an axis to the second radial arms of the connecting lever,
and the second end extending perpendicularly to the central portion and being displaceable
by the cam, the rotation axis of the connecting lever and the rotation axis of the
cam lever being parallel and both perpendicular to the cam rotation axis.
[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the actuator integrated coupling device according to the
invention is characterized in that the cam has at least one radial arm for displacing
the second end and comprising a chamfer and in that the cam lever second end comprises
an oblique surface complementary to the chamfer so that during motorized actuation
to reset the push-push unit, the cam is able to rotate, then longitudinally displace
the second end before deflecting said second end by following the oblique surface.
This allows the motorized cam rotation in a single clockwise direction to reset the
push-push unit in its initial pre-stressed state.
[0022] In a further preferred embodiment, the actuator integrated coupling device according
to the invention is characterized in that the rotatable coupling about the axis between
the cam lever first end and the connecting lever second radial arms comprises a return
spring to bias the cam lever second end towards its initial position after deflection.
[0023] Preferably, between the guiding rod radial flange and the connecting lever first
radial arm, there is an adjustment screw that allows regulating the push-push system
pre-stress manually (cf. fig. 6).
[0024] Generally speaking, the invention is about a coupling device for a flush door handle
to be operated in emergency or other cases. The current invention separates the actuator
and the push-push system in order to avoid moving the internal parts of the actuator
in case of an electrical failure. Furthermore, the system allows the actuator to deactivate
the push-push system to retract the door handle.
Brief description of drawings
[0025] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear in the following
lines.
[0026] Hereinafter, the figures of the invention are given in an illustrative and not limiting
approach, they show:
Figure 1: A flush door handle in a car door.
Figure 2: A perspective view of a coupling device according to the invention.
Figure 3: A perspective view of a cam and a cam lever according to the invention
Figure 4: A front view of a resetting system according to the invention.
Figure 5: An exploded view of a push-push unit and resetting system according to the
invention.
Figure 6: A perspective view of a push-push unit according to the invention.
Figure 7: A perspective view of a guiding rod of the push-push unit according to the
invention.
Figure 8 A-C: perspective, side and rear view of a flush door handle with the coupling
device according to the invention.
Figure 9: A rear perspective view of a flush door handle with the coupling device
according to the invention.
Figure 10: An exploded view of a flush door handle with coupling device according
to the invention.
Figure 11: Rear and front view of a door handle according to the invention in flush
position.
Figure 12: Rear and front view of a door handle according to the invention in ready
position.
Figure 13: rear and top view of a door handle according to the invention in ready
position.
Figure 14: rear and top view sequence for a door handle according to the invention
in ready position before manual retraction.
Figure 15: rear and top view sequence for a door handle according to the invention
before motorized retraction and push-push re-initialization.
[0027] In all figures, the same references apply to the same element.
Description of embodiments
[0028] Though the figures refer to precise embodiments of the invention, other embodiments
may be obtained by combining or altering slightly the represented embodiments; said
new embodiments are also within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended
claims.
[0029] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a vehicle Ve, its door panel 100 having a built-in
door handle 1. The door panel 100 forms an exterior surface of the vehicle, the door
handle 1 is essentially represented by its handle lever 3 (the part meant to be grasped
and set in motion by a user).
[0030] The terms like "inwards", "outwards" and equivalents refer to the vehicle interior
and exterior. The terms longitudinal, transversal and vertical refer to the directions
as drawn in figure 1.
[0031] In figure 1, the handle lever 3 is in a flushing position. In said flushing position,
the outer surface of the handle lever 3 is flush with the door panel 100. Said flush
position is obtained when the vehicle is rolling or when it is parked. In flush position,
the handle lever 3 is less likely, when parked, to interact with by passers, accidentally
or not, and air drag is reduced when driving, improving aerodynamics. In the flush
position, the handle lever 3 also appears integrated in the door panel 100 in a pleasant
and discrete way.
[0032] In the event of a mechanical or electrical failure of the mechanism that drives the
lever 3 from the flush position to the ready position, the user can push the lever
3 inwards with respect to the door panel 100, by applying inwards directed pressure
Pon the handle lever 3. The handle lever 3 is then in a position herein called clicking
position, where a mechanical interaction releases a spring of a push-push unit that
drives the lever 3 in ready position without actuation of a motor.
[0033] A push-push unit per-se is known in the art, for instance, US patent application
US 2011/0174102 explains one of them with the principle detailed.
[0034] The figure 2 shows a coupling device according to the invention. The first lever
6 comprises two arms 61 and 62 on both sides of the median plane of said first lever
6, said median plane being perpendicular to the cam 4 rotation axis A6. A double torsion
spring lies on the first lever rotation axis A6 to bring the first lever 6 back to
flush position from ready position.
[0035] One of the two arms 62 has a slotted hole 62a coupled to the connecting rod 2 (fig.
4 and 5). In figure 2, such connection is made through an arm 21 of the connecting
rod 2. The connecting rod 2 has two parallel arms 21 and 23 linked by a central rod
22 perpendicular with both arms 21 and 23.
[0036] The push-push unit 9 depicted in figure 2 is able to displace the arm 23-hence the
connecting rod 2- longitudinally along an axis (90). This push-push unit 9 can be
pre-stressed by the connecting rod 2 or by a resetting lever system 10.
[0037] The resetting system of figure 2 comprises:
- a rotatable connecting lever 106 (figure 5) having a central portion 106a and, at
its ends, two radial arms 106b and 106c rotatable about the axis 110. The first radial
arm 106c is coupled to the push-push unit 9;
- and a cam lever 101 (fig. 3-5) with a central portion 101a and two ends 101b and 101c,
the first end 101c being coupled in a rotatable manner about an axis 111 (fig. 4)
to the second radial arms 106b of the connecting lever 106, and the second end 101b
extending perpendicularly to the central portion 101a and being displaceable by a
cam 4.
[0038] It is important to note that cam lever 101 has two degrees of freedom, it is able
to rotate about axis 111 and to translate longitudinally.
[0039] The rotation axis 110 (fig. 4) of the connecting lever 106 and the rotation axis
111 of the cam lever 101 are parallel and both perpendicular to the cam rotation axis
42.
[0040] The cam 4 (also in fig. 3 and 4) comprises two radial arms 4a and 4b and rotates
about the axis 42. The radial arms 4a and 4b extend perpendicularly to the cam rotation
axis 42. It should be noted that a cam with a single arm (4a, 4b) is another preferred
alternative that would also provide the same effect. The cam 4 can both rotate the
first lever 6 and translate the central portion 101a of the cam lever 101.
[0041] The cam 4 also comprises a chamfer 41 (fig.3) and lateral surface 40. The chamfer
41 makes the link between the lateral surface 40 of the cam 4 and the lower surface-parallel
to the rotation plane of the cam 4. Said rotation plane being perpendicular to the
rotation axis 42 of the cam 4.
[0042] The actuator 8 comprises a motor and gearing system (both not represented) to drive
in rotation the cam 4.
[0043] In figure 3, one can see the cam lever second end 101b ending by an oblique surface
101d complementary to the chamfer 41.
[0044] Referring now to figures 4 to 7 related to the push-push unit 9 and the resetting
lever system 10, we describe their components below.
[0045] In figure 4, we can see the guiding rod 94 (see also figure 5) as well as the push-push
driver 91 and the carrier 92 of the push-push unit 9.
[0046] The push-push unit 9 comprises a cylinder shaped sleeve 96 inside which a push-push
driver 91 is housed in an axially displaceable manner along an axis 90 (fig.2) while
being projectable through a sleeve aperture out of the sleeve 96.
[0047] The sleeve 96 cannot rotate since an outer protrusion 96a is housed in a corresponding
groove of the push-push unit housing H (fig. 5) to guarantee axial displacement only.
[0048] In addition, as better seen from figure 6, the push-push unit 9 comprises two springs
93a and 93b, co-axial with the sleeve 96 (not represented in figure 6 for clarity),
pre-stressing the push-push driver 91 to project from the sleeve 96. More specifically,
the small spring 93a biases a rotatable ring 95 towards the push-push driver 91. The
main spring 93b biases the push-push driver 91 towards its outer aperture via its
radial flange 91b to push the handle lever 3-via first lever 6-from retracted to ready
position. Both small and main springs 93a and 93b rest on the radial flange 94c of
the guiding rod 94 (fig. 5 and 7).
[0049] The push-push unit 9 further comprises a rotatable ring 95 enclosing the guiding
rod 94 and supported in the sleeve 96 in an axially and rotationally displaceable
manner. However, said rotatable ring 95 has at least one protrusion towards the inner
circumference of said ring 95 being able to engage the guiding rod radial grooves
94a (fig. 5 and 7) so that the ring 95 retains its angular position when the guiding
rod 94 is axially displaced.
[0050] In figure 6, between the guiding rod radial flange 94c and the connecting lever first
radial arm 106c, there is an adjustment screw that allows regulating the push-push
system pre-stress manually.
[0051] The figure 7 shows again the guiding rod 94 of a preferred embodiment of the invention,
co-axial with the axis 90 (fig.2), with radial grooves 94a running parallel to the
axis 90 and the radial flange 94c able to act as a rest for the spring 93a and 93b.
In addition, the guiding rod 94 has locking recesses 94b placed radially between the
entries of the grooves 94a.
[0052] These locking recesses can receive at least one protrusion at the inner circumference
of the ring 95 once the push-push driver 91 is released by the handle lever 3 after
a first inward stroke by a user. Then the springs 93a and 93b push back the rotated
ring 95 in the locking recess 94b leading to a locked position. An outer radial protrusion
94d is associated with the guiding rod 94 flange to fit in the corresponding groove
of the push-push unit housing H to guarantee axial displacement only. The guiding
rod 94 further comprises, radially between the grooves 94a, locking recesses as first
deflection faces running obliquely to the sleeve axis 90.
[0053] Equally, the rotatable ring 95 comprises, along its outer circumference, locking
recesses as second deflection faces running obliquely to the sleeve axis 90. The first
and second deflection faces being circumferentially offset so as to rotate the ring
95 through a predetermined angle when the guiding rod 94 or push-push driver 91 is
axially displaced by a pre-determined stroke and said guiding rod 94 and push-push
driver 91 come into contact through the offset deflections faces.
[0054] Indeed, when pushing the guiding rod 94 (via motor driven resetting lever system
10) or the push-push driver 91 (via manually operated connecting rod 2), the inner
protrusion 95a at the inner circumference of the ring 95 pops into the locking recess
94b and slides through the first deflection face running obliquely to the sleeve axis.
This is the push-push unit locked position.
[0055] To unlock the push-push unit 9 and release the pre-stresses springs 93a and 93b,
the handle lever 3 is pushed inwards. Then, the ring 95 rotates and the springs 93a
and 93b drive the inner protrusion 95a at the inner circumference of the ring 95 out
of the locking recess 94b to the deflection face leading to the grooves 94a for a
full excursion to push the door handle lever 3 out.
[0056] We refer now to figure 8 a to c showing the same handle from different angles, respectively
perspective, top and rear views. One can see an embodiment with a translation extraction
mechanism T where said mechanism of handle movement comprises a second lever 7 connected
by two articulated connection 801,802 to linking rods 81,82 and mounted in an articulated
manner on parallel rotation axis A6, A7 carried by the handle. This double linking
rod system brings stability.
[0057] The two linking rods 81 and 82 are symmetrical with respect to a median plane extending
in a longitudinal direction of the handle; said plane is perpendicular to the first
and second lever rotation axis A6 and A7. Each of the linking rods 81 and 82 has oblong
holes 811 close to the articulated connection 801 and 802 extending parallel to the
linking rods.
[0058] These oblong holes allow further pulling from ready position to unlatch the door
by pulling on unlatching lever Co (fig. 10). Figure 9 shows a rear view of a door
handle according to the invention with a Bowden cable C able to act on said unlatching
lever Co. The door handle bracket B is also represented.
[0059] The figure 10 is an exploded view showing more clearly the Bowden cable V, the first
and second rotations axis A6 and A7 and their associated first and second levers 6
and 7.
[0060] The figures 11 to 15 will now be used to explain the mechanism of the coupling device
according to the invention applied to a translatable extractive door handle.
[0061] The figures 11 and 12 represent the door handle 1 respectively in flush position-that
is when the handle lever 3 is co-planar with the door 100- and in ready position when
the door handle lever 3 pops out of the door 100 to be grasped by a user willing to
unlatch the door and open it. For each figure, on the left is a rear view and on the
right, it is the corresponding front view.
[0062] Figures 13 and 14 are respectively rear and front views-from left to right-of a door
handle 1 according to the invention in ready position. The figure 13 shows a door
handle a ready position after extraction. Figure 14, first figure on the left, is
the initial position of the connecting rod 2 (see fig. 8 for larger view). Then in
figure 14, second figure on the middle, the handle lever is being pushed as depicted
on the picture on the right. In this case, we see a longitudinal displacement towards
the right hand side pre-stressing the push-push unit 9 and more precisely, the springs
93a and 93b.
[0063] Looking at fig. 8 a, the sequence is as follows: The user pushes the handle lever
3. Since it is linked to the first lever 6, it creates a rotation about the first
axis A6 of the first lever 6. Such rotation displaces the connecting rod 2 since they
are linked by the slotted hole 811. The arm 23 transmits to the connecting rod 2 the
displacement, thus pushing the push-push unit 9 to pre-stress it as can be seen in
the second figure in the middle of fig. 14. This is the sequence for manual push back
of the door handle 1 from ready to flush position re-arming the push-push unit 9.
[0064] Once the push-push unit is pre-stressed, if a user pushes it from flush position,
the rotatable ring 95 rotates and then slides through the grooves 94a as explained
above to push the handle 3 from flush to ready position.
[0065] It is important to note that manual push back and manual door handle extraction as
explained in above sequence is performed in a totally decoupled manner with reference
to the actuator 8. The first lever 6 does not rotate the cam 4. In case of electric
failure, this avoids the manual back-up system to move the actuator 8 gearing mechanism.
[0066] We now refer to figure 15 where the right hand drawing shows a door handle lever
3 in ready position. We want the handle lever 3 to go back to flush position electrically
without any direct manual action from the user on the handle lever 3. Such situation
occurs naturally when the user locks the car and works away. However it may also occur,
for instance, when the battery was empty during car park leaving the handle lever
3 in ready position and then reloads once the problem has been solved and the engine
runs because the user is driving the car. For car aerodynamics improvement as well
as aesthetic reasons, the handle lever must be flush after a certain car speed.
[0067] Thanks to the invention, such retraction takes place while simultaneously re-setting
the push-push unit in its pre-stressed state. To do so, one may look at the arrows
of fig. 15 and fig.2. On the left hand side of fig. 15 arrows show the clockwise rotation
of the cam 4. The sequence is as follows when looking at figure 2 and figure 3 (zoomed
view of the cam 4 and the cam lever 101): the electric motor inside the actuator 8
rotates and drives in clockwise rotation the cam 4. Such rotation pushes the cam lever
101 that in turn rotates the connecting lever 106 about the axis 104. The clockwise
rotation of the second radial arm 106b is transmitted to the first radial arm 106c
by the central portion 106a of the connecting lever 106. Since the first radial arm
106c is coupled to the push-push unit 9 via the guiding rod 94, this sequence (fig.6)
pre-stresses the springs 93a and 93b, re-arming the push-push unit 9.
[0068] The cam 4 keeps rotating clockwise and its chamfer 41 follows the oblique surface
101d of the cam lever 101. This deflects the cam lever 101 downwards allowing the
cam 4 to go back to initial position. After deflection of the cam lever 101, a spring
102 biases back said cam lever 101 to its initial position in the same plane as the
rotation plane of the cam 4.
Industrial applicability
[0069] The coupling device according to the invention can be used for flush door handles
extracting either rotationally or translatively as explained. The mere fact that the
preferred embodiment is a translational flush door handle extraction shall not be
considered as a limitation to such preferred embodiment. The coupling device can be
adapted to fit any door requiring a flush type handle mechanism.
[0070] A notable advantage of the push-push unit 9 according to the invention is that on
one hand it can be activated and deactivated mechanically from one side and on the
other hand it can be activated and deactivated electronically-via the motorized actuator
8- from the other side. Therefore, if the push-push unit is activated manually to
put the handle lever 3 in ready position, it can afterwards be reinitialized in a
motorized way, i.e. set back in flush position electronically.
1. An actuator integrated coupling device (C) comprising a vehicle door handle (1), the
door handle (1) having a handle lever (3) movable between:
- a flush position in which it is flush with an exterior door panel (100) surface,
- a ready position in which it is protruding and graspable by a user,
- and an inward clicking position in which the handle lever (3) is in a retracted
position inside the vehicle door (100), said coupling device comprising :
- a cam (4) rotatable about an axis (42),
- a motorized actuator (8) for rotating said cam (4),
- a transmission mechanism (T) comprising a first lever (6) for coupling with the
cam (4) to move the handle lever (3) between said flush and ready positions,
- a push-push unit (9), characterized in that the push-push unit (9) is coupled to the first lever (6) by a connecting rod (2)
so that when the handle lever (3) is pushed to the inward clicking position, the push-push
unit (9) pushes back the handle lever (3) in the ready position, wherein the push-push
unit (9) and the motorized actuator (8) are decoupled to allow the push-push unit
(9) to move the door handle lever (3) between said flush, ready and retracted positions
while the motorized actuator (8) is not subjected to any mechanical strain, the manual
push back and manual door handle extraction is performed in a totally decoupled manner
with reference to the actuator (8), the handle lever (3) can go back to flush position
electrically by re-setting the push-push unit in its pre-stressed state using motorized
actuator (8).
2. Actuator integrated coupling device according to claim 1 characterized in that the motorized actuator (8) comprises an electric motor coupled with a worm drive,
said worm driving being coupled with a reduction mechanism to set in rotation the
shaft (42) of the cam (4) when the electric motor rotates.
3. Actuator integrated coupling device according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the first lever (6) comprises elastic return means (61), such as a torsion spring
or a double torsion spring, to push said first lever (6) back to its flush position
once the handle lever (3) is in ready position.
4. Actuator integrated coupling device according to anyone of preceding claims
characterized in that the transmission mechanism (T) further comprises:
- a first lever axis (A6), the first lever (6) being rotatable about said first lever
axis (A6) parallel to the cam axis (42),
- a second lever (7) rotatable about a second lever axis (A7),
- the first and second levers axis (A6, A7) being parallel and longitudinally distant
from one another,
- at least one linking rod (81, 82) having its ends connected to the first lever (6)
and the second lever (7) in articulated connections (801, 802),
- at least one of said connections (801,802) comprising a first slotted hole (811)
parallel to said linking rod (81,82),
- The first lever (6), the second lever (7), the linking rod (81, 82) and the handle
lever (3) forming a kinematics assembly whose deformation is able to displace said
handle lever (3) in translation.
5. Actuator integrated coupling device according to anyone of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the first lever (6) is rotatable about a first lever axis (A6) parallel to the cam
axis (42), and is directly coupled to the handle lever (3) so that the cam (4), the
first lever (6) and the handle lever (3) form a kinematics assembly whose deformation
is able to displace said handle lever (3) in rotation.
6. Actuator integrated coupling device according to anyone of preceding claims characterized in that the connecting rod (2) is made of a central rod (22) having, at its two ends, two
arms (21, 23) forming each a right angle with the central rod (22).
7. Actuator integrated coupling device according to claim 6 characterized in that the two arms (21, 23) of the connecting rod (2) are parallel.
8. Actuator integrated coupling device according to anyone of preceding claims characterized in that the first lever (6) comprises at least one arm (62), said arm (62) having a slotted
hole (62a) for the coupling with the connecting rod (2).
9. Actuator integrated coupling device according to anyone of preceding claims characterized in that the push-push unit (9) is also coupled, at its end opposite to the one coupled to
the connecting rod (2), to a resetting lever system (10) displaceable by the cam (4)
so as to push the push-push unit (9) back to its pre-stressed state and pull the first
lever (6), to bring the door handle lever (3) back to its initial flush position.
10. Actuator integrated coupling device according to claim 9
characterized in that the resetting lever system (10) comprises:
- a rotatable connecting lever (106) having a central portion (106a) and ,at its ends,
two radial arms (106b,106c) rotatable about the axis (110) of the connecting lever
(106), the first radial arm (106c) being coupled to the push-push unit (9),
- a cam lever (101) with a central portion (101a) and two ends (101b, 101c), the first
end (101c) being coupled in a rotatable manner about an axis (111) to the second radial
arms (106b) of the connecting lever (106), and the second end (101b) extending perpendicularly
to the central portion (101a) and being displaceable by the cam (4), the rotation
axis (110) of the connecting lever (106) and the rotation axis (111) of the cam lever
(101) being parallel and both perpendicular to the cam rotation axis (42).
11. Actuator integrated coupling device according to claim 10 characterized in that cam 4 has at least one radial arm (4a,4b) for displacing the second end (101b) comprising
a chamfer (41) and in that the cam lever second end (101b) comprises an oblique surface (101d) complementary
to the chamfer (41) so that during motorized actuation to reset the push-push unit
(9), the cam (4) is able to rotate, then longitudinally displace the second end (101b)
before deflecting said second end (101b) by following the oblique surface (101d).
12. Actuator integrated coupling device according to claim 11 characterized in that the rotatable coupling about the axis (111) between the cam lever first end (101c)
and the connecting lever second radial arms (106b) comprises a return spring (102)
to bias the cam lever second end (101b) towards its initial position after deflection.
1. Kupplungsvorrichtung mit integriertem Aktor (C), einen Fahrzeugtürgriff (1) umfassend,
wobei der Türgriff (1) einen Griffhebel (3) aufweist, der beweglich ist zwischen:
- einer bündigen Position, in der er mit einer Außenfläche eines Türblechs (100) bündig
ist,
- einer Bereit-Position, in der er hervorstehend und von einem Nutzer greifbar ist,
- und einer nach innen zuschnappenden Position, in der der Griffhebel (3) in einer
eingezogenen Position innerhalb der Fahrzeugtür (100) ist, wobei die Kupplungsvorrichtung
umfasst:
- einen Nocken (4), der um eine Achse (42) drehbar ist,
- einen motorisierten Aktor (8) zum Drehen des Nockens (4),
- einen Übertragungsmechanismus (T), umfassend einen ersten Hebel (6) zum Kuppeln
mit dem Nocken (4) zum Bewegen des Griffhebels (3) zwischen der bündigen und der Bereit-Position,
- eine Drück-Drück-Einheit (9),
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Drück-Drück-Einheit (9) durch eine Verbindungsstange (2) mit dem ersten Hebel
(6) gekoppelt ist, sodass, wenn der Griffhebel (3) in die nach innen zuschnappende
Position gedrückt wird, die Drück-Drück-Einheit (9) den Griffhebel (3) in die Bereit-Position
zurückdrückt, wobei die Drück-Drück-Einheit (9) und der motorisierte Aktor (8) entkuppelt
werden, um zu erlauben, dass die Drück-Drück-Einheit (9) den Griffhebel (3) zwischen
der bündigen, Bereit- und eingezogenen Position bewegt, während der motorisierte Aktor
(8) keiner mechanischen Beanspruchung unterliegt, das manuelle Zurückdrängen und das
manuelle Herausziehen des Türgriffs auf eine vollkommen entkuppelte Weise in Bezug
auf den Aktor (8) durchgeführt wird, der Griffhebel (3) durch Zurücksetzen der Drück-Drück-Einheit
unter Verwendung des motorisierten Aktors (8) elektrisch in ihren vorgespannten Zustand
in die bündige Position zurückkehren kann.
2. Kupplungsvorrichtung mit integriertem Aktor nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der motorisierte Aktor (8) einen Elektromotor umfasst, der mit einem Schneckenantrieb
gekuppelt ist, wobei der Schneckenantrieb mit einem Untersetzungsmechanismus gekuppelt
ist, um die Welle (42) des Nockens (4) in Drehung zu versetzen, wenn sich der Elektromotor
dreht.
3. Kupplungsvorrichtung mit integriertem Aktor nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der erste Hebel (6) elastische Rückstellmittel (61), wie eine Torsionsfeder oder
eine Doppeltorsionsfeder, umfasst, um den ersten Hebel (6) in seine bündige Position
zurückzudrücken, sobald der Griffhebel (3) in der Bereit-Position ist.
4. Kupplungsvorrichtung mit integriertem Aktor nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Übertragungsmechanismus (T) weiter Folgendes umfasst:
- eine erste Hebelachse (A6), wobei der erste Hebel (6) um die erste Hebelachse (A6)
parallel zu der Nockenachse (42) drehbar ist,
- einen zweiten Hebel (7), der um eine zweite Hebelachse (A7) drehbar ist,
- wobei die erste und zweite Hebelachse (A6, A7) parallel und längs voneinander beabstandet
sind,
- mindestens eine Anbindungsstange (81, 82), die ihre Enden mit dem ersten Hebel (6)
verbunden, und dem zweiten Hebel (7) in gelenkigen Verbindungen (801, 802) aufweist,
- mindestens eine der Verbindungen (801, 802) ein erstes geschlitztes Loch (811) parallel
zur Anbindungsstange (81, 82) umfasst,
- der erste Hebel (6), der zweite Hebel (7), die Anbindungsstange (81, 82) und der
Griffhebel (3) eine Kinematik-Baugruppe bilden, deren Verformung imstande ist, den
Griffhebel (3) translatorisch zu verschieben.
5. Kupplungsvorrichtung mit integriertem Aktor nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der erste Hebel (6) um eine erste Hebelachse (A6) parallel zur Nockenachse (42) drehbar
ist, und direkt mit dem Griffhebel (3) gekoppelt ist, sodass der Nocken (4), der erste
Hebel (6) und der Griffhebel (3) eine Kinematik-Baugruppe bilden, deren Verformung
imstande ist, den Griffhebel (3) drehend zu verschieben.
6. Kupplungsvorrichtung mit integriertem Aktor nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Verbindungsstange (2) aus einer zentralen Stange (22) gefertigt ist, die an ihren
beiden Enden zwei Arme (21, 23) aufweist, die jeweils einen rechten Winkel mit der
zentralen Stange (22) bilden.
7. Kupplungsvorrichtung mit integriertem Aktor nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die beiden Arme (21, 23) der Verbindungsstange (2) parallel sind.
8. Kupplungsvorrichtung mit integriertem Aktor nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der erste Hebel (6) mindestens einen Arm (62) umfasst, wobei der Arm (62) ein geschlitztes
Loch (62a) zum Kuppeln mit der Verbindungsstange (2) aufweist.
9. Kupplungsvorrichtung mit integriertem Aktor nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Drück-Drück-Einheit (9) an ihrem Ende gegenüber dem einen, das mit der Verbindungsstange
(2) gekoppelt ist, auch mit einem Rücksetzhebelsystem (10) gekoppelt ist, das durch
den Nocken (4) verschiebbar ist, um die Drück-Drück-Einheit (9) zurück in ihren vorgespannten
Zustand zu drücken, und den ersten Hebel (6) zu ziehen, um den Türgriffhebel (3) zurück
in seine ursprüngliche bündige Position zu bringen.
10. Kupplungsvorrichtung mit integriertem Aktor nach Anspruch 9,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass Rücksetzhebelsystem (10) umfasst:
- einen drehbaren Verbindungshebel (106), der einen zentralen Abschnitt (106a), und
an seinen Enden zwei radiale Arme (106b, 106c) aufweist, die um die Achse (110) des
Verbindungshebels (106) drehbar sind, wobei der erste radiale Arm (106c) mit der Drück-Drück-Einheit
(9) gekuppelt ist,
- einen Nockenhebel (101) mit einem zentralen Abschnitt (101a) und zwei Enden (101b,
101c), wobei das erste Ende (101c) auf drehbare Weise um eine Achse (111) mit den
zweiten radialen Armen (106b) des Verbindungshebels (106) gekoppelt ist, und sich
das zweite Ende (101b) senkrecht zum zentralen Abschnitt (101a) erstreckt und durch
den Nocken (4) verschiebbar ist, wobei die Drehachse (110) des Verbindungshebels (106)
und die Drehachse (111) des Nockenhebels (101) parallel sind und beide senkrecht zu
der Nockendrehachse (42) sind.
11. Kupplungsvorrichtung mit integriertem Aktor nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Nocken (4) mindestens einen radialen Arm (4a, 4b) zum Verschieben des zweiten
Endes (101b), eine Fase (41) umfassend, aufweist, und dadurch, dass das zweite Ende
(101b) des Nockenhebels eine schräge Fläche (101d) ergänzend zu der Fase (41) umfasst,
sodass bei der motorisierten Betätigung zum Rücksetzen der Drück-Drück-Einheit (9)
der Nocken (4) imstande ist, sich zu drehen, danach das zweite Ende (101b) längs verschiebt,
bevor er das zweite Ende (101b) durch Folgen der schrägen Fläche (101d) umlenkt.
12. Kupplungsvorrichtung mit integriertem Aktor nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die um die Achse (111) zwischen dem ersten Ende (101c) des Nockenhebels und den zweiten
radialen Armen (106b) des Verbindungshebels drehbare Kupplung eine Rückstellfeder
(102) zum Vorspannen des zweiten Endes (101b) des Nockenhebels in seine ursprüngliche
Position nach dem Umlenken umfasst.
1. Dispositif d'accouplement intégré d'actionneur (C) comprenant une poignée de porte
de véhicule (1), la poignée de porte (1) ayant un levier de poignée (3) mobile entre
:
- une position d'affleurement dans laquelle il affleure une surface extérieure de
panneau de porte (100),
- une position d'utilisation dans laquelle il est en saillie et peut être saisi par
un utilisateur,
- et une position d'encliquetage vers l'intérieur dans laquelle le levier de poignée
(3) est dans une position de rétraction à l'intérieur de la porte de véhicule (100),
ledit dispositif d'accouplement comprenant :
- une came (4) pouvant tourner autour d'un axe (42),
- un actionneur motorisé (8) pour faire tourner ladite came (4),
- un mécanisme de transmission (T) comprenant un premier levier (6) pour s'accoupler
à la came (4) pour déplacer le levier de poignée (3) entre lesdites positions d'affleurement
et d'utilisation,
- une unité push-push (9), caractérisé en ce que l'unité push-push (9) est accouplée au premier levier (6) par une bielle (2) de sorte
que, lorsque le levier de poignée (3) est poussé vers la position d'encliquetage vers
l'intérieur, l'unité push-push (9) repousse le levier de poignée (3) dans la position
d'utilisation, où l'unité push-push (9) et l'actionneur motorisé (8) sont découplés
pour permettre à l'unité push-push (9) de déplacer le levier de poignée de porte (3)
entre lesdites positions d'affleurement, d'utilisation et de rétraction tandis que
l'actionneur motorisé (8) n'est soumis à aucune contrainte mécanique, le fait de repousser
manuellement et l'extraction manuelle de poignée de porte sont effectués de manière
totalement découplée par rapport à l'actionneur (8), le levier de poignée (3) peut
revenir à la position d'affleurement électriquement en remettant l'unité push-push
dans son état précontraint en utilisant l'actionneur motorisé (8).
2. Dispositif d'accouplement intégré d'actionneur selon la revendication 1 caractérisé en ce que l'actionneur motorisé (8) comprend un moteur électrique accouplé à un entraînement
à vis sans fin, ledit entraînement à vis sans fin étant accouplé à un mécanisme de
réduction pour mettre en rotation l'arbre (42) de la came (4) lorsque le moteur électrique
tourne.
3. Dispositif d'accouplement intégré d'actionneur selon la revendication 1 ou 2 caractérisé en ce que le premier levier (6) comprend des moyens de rappel élastique (61), tels qu'un ressort
de torsion ou un double ressort de torsion, pour repousser ledit premier levier (6)
vers sa position d'affleurement une fois que le levier de poignée (3) est dans la
position d'utilisation.
4. Dispositif d'accouplement intégré d'actionneur selon l'une quelconque des revendications
précédentes
caractérisé en ce que le mécanisme de transmission (T) comprend en outre :
- un premier axe de levier (A6), le premier levier (6) pouvant tourner autour dudit
premier axe de levier (A6) parallèle à l'axe de came (42),
- un deuxième levier (7) pouvant tourner autour d'un deuxième axe de levier (A7),
- les premier et deuxième axes de leviers (A6, A7) étant parallèles et distants longitudinalement
l'un de l'autre,
- au moins une tige de liaison (81, 82) dont les extrémités sont raccordées au premier
levier (6) et au deuxième levier (7) dans des raccordements articulés (801, 802),
- au moins l'un desdits raccordements (801, 802) comprenant un premier trou fendu
(811) parallèle à ladite tige de liaison (81, 82),
- le premier levier (6), le deuxième levier (7), la tige de liaison (81, 82) et le
levier de poignée (3) formant un ensemble cinématique dont la déformation est apte
à déplacer ledit levier de poignée (3) en translation.
5. Dispositif d'accouplement intégré d'actionneur selon l'une quelconque des revendications
1 à 3 caractérisé en ce que le premier levier (6) peut tourner autour d'un premier axe de levier (A6) parallèle
à l'axe de came (42), et est directement accouplé au levier de poignée (3) de sorte
que la came (4), le premier levier (6) et le levier de poignée (3) forment un ensemble
cinématique dont la déformation est apte à déplacer ledit levier de poignée (3) en
rotation.
6. Dispositif d'accouplement intégré d'actionneur selon l'une quelconque des revendications
précédentes caractérisé en ce que la bielle (2) est constituée d'une tige centrale (22) ayant, au niveau de ses deux
extrémités, deux bras (21, 23) formant chacun un angle droit avec la tige centrale
(22).
7. Dispositif d'accouplement intégré d'actionneur selon la revendication 6 caractérisé en ce que les deux bras (21, 23) de la bielle (2) sont parallèles.
8. Dispositif d'accouplement intégré d'actionneur selon l'une quelconque des revendications
précédentes caractérisé en ce que le premier levier (6) comprend au moins un bras (62), ledit bras (62) ayant un trou
fendu (62a) pour l'accouplement à la bielle (2).
9. Dispositif d'accouplement intégré d'actionneur selon l'une quelconque des revendications
précédentes caractérisé en ce que l'unité push-push (9) est également accouplée, au niveau de son extrémité opposée
à celle couplée à la bielle (2), à un système de levier de réinitialisation (10) pouvant
être déplacé par la came (4) de manière à repousser l'unité push-push (9) vers son
état précontraint et à tirer le premier levier (6), pour ramener le levier de poignée
de porte (3) à sa position d'affleurement initiale.
10. Dispositif d'accouplement intégré d'actionneur selon la revendication 9
caractérisé en ce que le système de levier de réinitialisation (10) comprend :
- un levier de raccordement rotatif (106) ayant une partie centrale (106a) et, au
niveau de ses extrémités, deux bras radiaux (106b, 106c) pouvant tourner autour de
l'axe (110) du levier de raccordement (106), le premier bras radial (106c) étant accouplé
à l'unité push-push (9),
- un levier de came (101) avec une partie centrale (101a) et deux extrémités (101b,
101c), la première extrémité (101c) étant accouplée de manière rotative autour d'un
axe (111) aux deuxièmes bras radiaux (106b) du levier de raccordement (106), et la
deuxième extrémité (101b) s'étendant perpendiculairement à la partie centrale (101a)
et pouvant être déplacée par la came (4), l'axe de rotation (110) du levier de raccordement
(106) et l'axe de rotation (111) du levier de came (101) étant parallèles et tous
deux perpendiculaires à l'axe de rotation de came (42).
11. Dispositif d'accouplement intégré d'actionneur selon la revendication 10 caractérisé en ce que la came 4 a au moins un bras radial (4a, 4b) pour déplacer la deuxième extrémité
(101b) comprenant un chanfrein (41) et en ce que la deuxième extrémité (101b) du levier de came comprend une surface oblique (101d)
complémentaire du chanfrein (41) de sorte que, lors de l'actionnement motorisé pour
réinitialiser l'unité push-push (9), la came (4) soit apte à tourner, puis à déplacer
longitudinalement la deuxième extrémité (101b) avant la déviation de ladite deuxième
extrémité (101b) en suivant la surface oblique (101d).
12. Dispositif d'accouplement intégré d'actionneur selon la revendication 11 caractérisé en ce que l'accouplement rotatif autour de l'axe (111) entre la première extrémité (101c) du
levier de came et les deuxièmes bras radiaux (106b) du levier de raccordement comprend
un ressort de rappel (102) pour solliciter la deuxième extrémité (101b) du levier
de came vers sa position initiale après déviation.