Component for vehicle interiors, in particular roof handle

Abstract

A component (10) for vehicle interiors comprising a first fixed assembly (12) that can be mounted on the wall (18) of the vehicle interior and a second assembly (14) that is displaceably attached to the first assembly (12), the second assembly (14) being displaceable in opposition to the action of elastic elements (20) from a resting position into a position of use and vice versa and the second assembly (14) being displaced from the position of use into the resting position, or being maintained in the resting position by the sole action of the elastic elements (20), has the distinguishing feature that the elastic elements (20) take the form of at least one elastically extensible strap or cable or an elastically extensible cord.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a component for vehicle interiors comprising a first fixed assembly that can be mounted on the wall of the vehicle interior and a second assembly that is displaceably attached to the first assembly, the second assembly being displaceable in opposition to the action of elastic elements from a resting position into a position of use and vice versa and the second assembly being displaced from the position of use into the resting position, or being maintained in the resting position by the sole action of the elastic elements. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART [0002] For roof handles in the interior of vehicles use is made of so-called pull handles, which on the one hand allow the roof handle, when not required, to rest closely against the internal wall of the vehicle and which, when in use, afford more manual freedom to grip the handle securely, owing to the relative displacement between the fixed first assembly and the displacea...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] Proceeding from the state of the art described, the object of the present invention is to specify a component for vehicle interiors which is economic to manufacture, which avoids the disadvantages referred to in the state of the art, which ensures consistently reliable functioning and which imparts an agreeable operating sensation.

[0013] Silicone is a material especially preferred for the elastic elements. Silicone not only possesses outstanding mechanical characteristics and can be readily injection molded but also in its material properties behaves consistently at different temperatures.

[0016] A distinguishing feature of an embodiment that is particularly easy to implement in design terms and ensures a consistently reliable functioning, and which moreover makes the two assemblies easy to put together, is that the second assembly has a projection unit, the elastic elements being attached to or molded onto the first assembly and enclosing the projection unit in a looped shape.

[0020] In an advantageous development the reel itself may be provided with a damping unit, which takes the form, for example, of a viscous damper, permitting an overall damped movement of the second assembly.

[0025] With the component according to the invention the spring noises deriving from the metal springs during operation are completely suppressed. A separate stop buffer can be entirely dispensed with, since through an appropriate design of the elastic elements the stop buffer may take the form of a single, preferably molded component. The usual metal spring and the requisite spring cover can be entirely dispensed with. A distinguishing feature of the component as a whole is a shallow spring characteristic curve, imparting an agreeable operating sensation. The additional molded attachment of an elastic damping unit means that the elastic elements themselves can transfer a certain damping action to the displacement of the second assembly.

Problems solved by technology

Metal springs, however, have a tendency to generate unwanted noise during operation.

In addition, the settling behavior of the metal springs changes with age, so that over time the movement characteristics of the handle vary.

Furthermore such metal springs have a tendency to corrosion, so that solutions have had to be developed which provide metal springs with an additional coating.

This leads, however, to increased manufacturing costs, which make their use uneconomic.

This again means an increased manufacturing cost.

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