Improved electronic handle for vehicle door

Abstract

An electronic handle for a vehicle door, comprising: an electronic device (4) for electronically activating a latch of the vehicle door; an activation lever (2) configured to rotate about an activation lever axis (20) between a rest position, in which the activation lever (2) is released, and a mechanical activation position, in which the activation lever (2) is actuated to mechanically activate the latch of the vehicle door in the event of a failure of the electronic device (4), and a holder (3) intended to receive the activation lever (2); wherein the activation lever (2) comprises a drive element (22) pivotally connected to the activation lever (2), and the holder (3) comprises a flexible blade (30) having a stop element (32), the drive element (22) cooperating with the stop element (32) such that, when the activation lever (2) is actuated from the rest position to the mechanical activation position, the drive element (22) passes from a first side of the stop element (32) corresponding to the rest position to a second side of the stop element (32) when the activation lever reaches the mechanical activation position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic handle for a vehicle door and a vehicle comprising such a handle. Background Art

[0002] Electronic handles for vehicle doors typically include a switch configured to activate a latch mechanism, such as an electronic latch, to unlock the vehicle door.

[0003] Such electronic handles require batteries to be usable. In the event of battery energy loss, the electronic handles are unusable and the user cannot enter the vehicle.

[0004] Therefore, a backup mechanical system is needed that can unlock the vehicle door when there is not enough energy in the battery to make the electronic latch mechanism work.Such a mechanical system generally includes a handle bar that cooperates with an activation bar, and the activation bar cooperates with the latch mechanism. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic handle with a mechanical backup in the event of battery loss, which is efficient and easy for the user to activate and which is cost effective.

[0006] To this end, the present invention relates to an electronic handle for a vehicle door, comprising:

[0007] - an electronic device for electronically activating the latch of the vehicle door;

[0008] an activation lever configured to rotate about an activation lever axis between a rest position in which the activation lever is released and a mechanical activation position in which the activation lever is actuated to mechanically activate the latch of the vehicle door in the event of a failure of the electronic device, and

[0009] - a bracket for receiving the activation lever;

[0010] wherein the activation lever comprises a drive element pivotally connected to the activation lever, and the bracket comprises a flexible blade having a stop element, the drive element cooperating with the stop element such that

[0011] When the activation lever is actuated from the rest position to the mechanical activation position, the drive element passes from a first side of the stop element corresponding to the rest position to a second side of the stop element when the activation lever reaches the mechanical activation position,

[0012] When the activation lever returns from the mechanical activation position to the rest position, the drive element pivots to allow the drive element to return to the first side of the stop element.

[0013] Advantageously, the electronic handle of the present invention can have a mechanical backup for opening the latch, because the drive element and the stop element cooperate for mechanical activation of the activation lever. Thus, the handle of the present invention has an efficient, economical and easy-to-use mechanical backup.

[0014] According to other embodiments which may be considered individually or in all possible combinations:

[0015] - the drive element is pivotally connected to the activation lever, and when the activation lever returns from the mechanical activation position to the rest position, the drive element pivots to allow the drive element to return to the first side of the stop element;

[0016] - the flexible blade comprises a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end being fastened to the support and the second end comprising a stop element;

[0017] - the stop element is configured to stop the drive element when the activation lever is actuated by a first drive force, and the drive element passes the stop element when the activation lever is actuated by a second drive force greater than the first drive force;

[0018] - The second driving force is equal to or greater than 150 Newtons;

[0019] - the activation lever further has an electrically activated position between the rest position and the mechanically activated position, in which the activation lever activates the electronic device to unlock the door;

[0020] - when the activation lever is actuated by a first driving force, an electrically activated position is reached;

[0021] - the drive element pivots so as to allow the activation lever to return to the rest position when the activation lever moves from the mechanical activation position to the rest position by inertia;

[0022] - the activation lever is associated with return means, such as a compression spring, in order to move from the mechanically activated position to the rest position;

[0023] - the drive element is associated with return means, such as a spring, so as to pivot to allow the activation lever to return from the mechanically activated position to the rest position;

[0024] - the stiffness of the return means of the activation lever is greater than the stiffness of the return means of the drive element;

[0025] - the stop element comprises a ramp, the drive element comprises a surface intended to come into contact with the ramp when the activation lever moves from the rest position to the mechanical activation position, the ramp having a straight surface intended to come into contact with the drive element;

[0026] - the flexible blade is flexible in elastic deformation, so that when the activation lever moves from the mechanical activation position to the rest position, the drive element bends the flexible blade via the stop element;

[0027] The drive element comprises rolling means in order to limit the friction between the drive element and the stop element.

[0028] The present invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a door and an electronic handle as described above fixed to the door. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electronic handle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a handle bar that cooperates with an activation lever;

[0032] Figure 3 is in a stationary position Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the activation lever and flexible blade of the electronic handle;

[0033] Figure 4 Is in the electrically activated position Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the activation lever and flexible blade of the electronic handle;

[0034] Figure 5 Is towards the mechanical activation position Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the activation lever and flexible blade of the electronic handle;

[0035] Figure 6 Is in the mechanically activated position Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the activation lever and flexible blade of the electronic handle;

[0036] Figure 7 is a perspective view of an activation lever and a flexible blade of an electronic handle according to another embodiment;

[0037] Figure 8 From the mechanically activated position to the rest position Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the activation lever and flexible blade of the electronic handle;

[0038] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 perspective drawing of details;

[0039] Figure 10 yes Figure 1 Cross-section of the activation lever of the electronic handle showing the return device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] refer to Figure 1 and 2The electronic handle of the invention can comprise a handle bar 1 configured to be fixed in a vehicle door. The handle bar 1 is intended to be mounted on the outside of the vehicle door. The handle of the invention can have other types of bars for activating the activation bar, which can be rotatable according to axes set in different ways.

[0041] In the present embodiment, the handle bar 1 can comprise a grip portion 11 configured to be gripped by a user and pulled outwardly with respect to the vehicle door when the user wants to open the vehicle door. The handle bar 1 can also comprise a post 12 connected to the grip portion 11 and projecting inwardly to the vehicle door.

[0042] The handle also comprises an internal part mounted on the inside of the vehicle door. The internal part is generally mounted on a bracket 3, so that the bracket 3 supports the internal part. Another support can be used with the device of the invention.

[0043] In the internal part, the activation bar 2 cooperates with the handle bar 1 through the post 12, so that when the handle bar 1 is pulled, the handle bar 1 drives the activation bar 2 from a rest position ( Figure 3 ) to a mechanical activation position ( Figure 6 ) for activating the latch, for example by mechanically pulling a Bowden cable.

[0044] As shown in Figures 3 to 6 , the activation bar 2 is mounted in rotation around an activation bar axis 20. The activation bar 2 advantageously comprises activation bar return means 35, for example a compression spring, in order to move from the mechanical activation position ( Figure 6 ) to the rest position ( Figure 3 ) when the handle bar 1 is released.

[0045] In Figure 3 , the activation bar 2 is in the rest position. It is released from any activation.

[0046] As an electronic handle, the handle of the invention comprises an electronic device 4 configured to cooperate with the latch. The electronic device 4 is configured to activate the latch by a signal. The latch in turn unlocks the vehicle door.

[0047] The electronic device 4 preferably comprises a switch 40 ( Figure 3 ) and preferably comprises an electric circuit configured, for example, so that when the switch 40 is open, as shown in Figure 4 , a current flows and activates the latch.

[0048] According to an embodiment, the handle bar 1 and / or the activation bar 2 are configured to activate the latch electronically, for example by opening the switch 40. The electronic device 4 can be in contact with the surface 21 of the activation bar 2. Alternatively, the electronic device 4 can be in contact with a mobile element connected to the activation bar 2 and / or to the handle bar 1 of the handle.

[0049] As an alternative to a switch, a Hall effect device or sensor can be used as the electronics to command the latch.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the handlebar 1 and / or the activation lever 2 can activate the electronic device 4 .

[0051] like Figure 4 As shown, the activation lever 2 also has a Figure 3 ) and mechanical activation position ( Figure 6 ) in which the activation lever 2 activates the electronic device 4 to unlock the door.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the activation rod 2 can be configured to move along a first stroke, preferably a short stroke, to reach the electrical activation position. The activation rod 2 is also configured to move along a second stroke, preferably a long stroke, to reach the mechanical activation position ( Figure 6 ). The mechanically activated position preferably exceeds the electrically activated position relative to the rest position, and more preferably has the same orientation as it.

[0053] According to the first embodiment of the present invention, the activation lever 2 comprises a drive element 22 configured to cooperate with a stop element 32 provided on a flexible blade 30 attached to the support 3. The drive element 22 is attached to the activation lever 2 and moves therewith.

[0054] The stop element 32 is preferably triangular in shape.

[0055] When the activation lever 2 is moved from the rest position ( Figure 3 ) activated to the mechanical activation position ( Figure 6 ), the driving element 22 moves from the initial position ( Figure 3 ) passes through the first side of the stop element 32 and reaches the final position corresponding to ( Figure 6 ) on the second side of the stop element 32.

[0056] The electronic handle can be configured such that the activation lever 2 is moved from the rest position ( Figure 3 ) moves to the electrically activated position ( Figure 4 The first driving force enables the stop element 32 to block the driving element 22 at the initial position ( Figure 3 ) and the final position ( Figure 6 ). The drive element 22 in the intermediate position can be placed against the stop element 32.

[0057] The electronic handle can be configured so that the activation rod 2 is moved from the electric activation position ( Figure 4 ) moves to the mechanical activation position ( Figure 6). The second driving force enables the driving element 22 to pass through the stop element 32 so as to reach the second side of the stop element 32.

[0058] like Figure 5 As shown, the stop element 32 includes a ramp 33, and the drive element 22 includes a surface intended to come into contact with the ramp 33 when the activation lever 2 moves from the rest position to the mechanical activation position. The ramp 33 has a straight surface that comes into contact with the drive element 22. Advantageously, when the drive element 22 is moving in contact with the ramp 33 in order to pass the stop element 32, the electronic handle requires an increased driving force.

[0059] The ramp 33 is placed on a first side of the stop element 32 and is configured to stop the drive element 22 when the activation lever 2 is activated by a first driving force. This position is the position for activating the electronic latch.

[0060] When the activation lever 2 is activated by the second driving force, the driving element 22 moves on the surface of the ramp 33 so that the driving element 22 passes the stop element 32 and the activation lever 2 reaches the mechanical activation position. This position is used to activate the mechanical backup.

[0061] Therefore, when the activation lever 2 is further moved to the mechanical activation position ( Figure 6 ), the driving element 22 passes the stop element 32, as shown Figure 5 The drive element 22 then reaches the mechanical activation position ( Figure 6 ).

[0062] More specifically, the second driving force enables the flexible blade 30 to undergo elastic deformation ( Figure 5 ) so that from the initial position ( Figure 3 and 4 ) moves to the bent position ( Figure 5 ), then return to the initial position ( Figure 6 ). The stop element 32 provided on the flexible blade moves together with the flexible blade so that the drive element 22 can pass from a first side of the stop element 32 to a second side of the stop element 32. The stop element works as a hard point.

[0063] Preferably, the flexible blade 30 comprises a first end 37 and a second end 38 opposite the first end 37. Preferably, the first end 37 is attached to the support 3, for example by means of a screw 39, and the second end 38 comprises the stop element 32.

[0064] The stop element 32 is movable together with the flexible blade 30 .

[0065] Preferably, the second driving force is equal to or greater than 150 Newtons.

[0066] The drive element 22 is rotationally movable together with the activation lever 2 .

[0067] When the drive element 22 has reached the second side of the stop element 32, the flexible blade 30 returns to the initial position ( Figure 6 ).

[0068] like Figure 6 As shown, when the drive element 22 is located on the second side of the stop element 32 , the activation lever 2 is free to rotate in order to mechanically activate the latch.

[0069] The drive element 22 is a protrusion, for example a parallelepiped or cylindrical finger. Advantageously, the drive element 22 has a continuous curved surface and is configured to roll on the ramp 33. The drive element 22 can be made of plastic or metal material.

[0070] Advantageously, as Figure 7 As shown, the drive element 22 comprises rolling means 23 in order to limit frictional forces when the drive element 22 moves on the stop element 32 .

[0071] Alternatively, the drive element 22 may slide on the ramp 33 .

[0072] Alternatively, the drive element 22 may have a surface intended to come into contact with the ramp 33 , the ramp 33 being covered by a layer that reduces the friction between the drive element and the stop element 32 .

[0073] like Figures 8 to 10 As shown, the drive element 22 is advantageously arranged about the drive element axis 24 in the extended position ( Figure 9 solid line 22) and the retracted position ( Figure 9 The drive element 22' is pivotally connected to the activation lever 2 between the dotted line 22' in the figure. In the retracted position, the drive element 22' is closer to the activation lever 2 than in the extended position.

[0074] When the activation lever 2 is moved from the mechanical activation position to the rest position, the drive element 22 may be moved from the extended position to the retracted position.

[0075] To this end, the drive element 22 comprises a return device 25 ( Figure 10 ), such as a compression spring, so as to move the drive element 22 from the extended position to the retracted position when the handle bar 1 is released.

[0076] The return means 25 of the drive element 22 enable the drive element 22 to move along Figure 8 Thus, the activation lever 2 returns to the rest position ( Figure 3 ).

[0077] The return means 25 of the drive element 22 are configured to urge the drive element 22 towards the retracted position.

[0078] When the handle is released, the return means 35 of the activation lever 2 allow the activation lever to move from the mechanical activation position to the rest position, and the return means 25 of the drive element 22 allow the drive element 22 to move from the extended position to the retracted position.

[0079] The return device 25 of the drive element 22 enables the drive element 22 to be automatically and mechanically returned to the retracted position.

[0080] The return means 35 of the activation rod 2 and the return means 25 of the drive element 22 are in contact with each other. The rigidity of the return means 35 of the activation rod 2 is superior to the rigidity of the return means 25 of the drive element 22.

[0081] Advantageously, due to the pivoting drive element 22 , the activation lever 2 is not blocked by the stop element 32 when returning to the rest position.

[0082] Advantageously, the activation lever return device 35 of the activation lever 2 enables the activation lever 2 to be automatically and mechanically returned to the rest position.

[0083] Furthermore, the return device 35 of the activation lever 2 enables the drive element 22 to move toward the retracted position. Thus, the drive element 22 can pass from the second side of the stop element 32 to the first side of the stop element 32 without contact with the stop element 32 or with limited contact with the stop element 32. When the drive element 22 is in the retracted position, the stop element 32 does not block the drive element 22 and, therefore, does not prevent the activation lever 2 from returning to the rest position.

[0084] Advantageously, when the handlebar 1 is pulled by the first driving force, the electronic handle of the present invention can have a blocking position. Figure 4 As shown, this blocking position corresponds to an electrical activation of the latch, in particular by means of an activation lever 2. In this position, activation can be performed by means of the activation lever 2 associated with the electronic device 4.

Claims

1. An electronic handle for a vehicle door, comprising: - an electronic device (4) for electronically activating the latch of the vehicle door; an activation lever (2) configured to rotate about an activation lever axis (20) between a rest position in which the activation lever (2) is released and a mechanical activation position in which the activation lever (2) is actuated to mechanically activate the latch of the vehicle door in the event of a failure of the electronic device (4), and - a bracket (3) intended to receive the activation lever (2); The activation lever (2) comprises a drive element (22) pivotally connected to the activation lever (2), and the bracket (3) comprises a flexible blade (30) having a stop element (32), the drive element (22) cooperating with the stop element (32) so that When the activation lever (2) is actuated from the rest position to the mechanical activation position, the drive element (22) passes from a first side of the stop element (32) corresponding to the rest position to a second side of the stop element (32) when the activation lever reaches the mechanical activation position.

2. The electronic handle according to claim 1, wherein: The drive element (22) is pivotally connected to the activation lever (2) and pivots when the activation lever (2) returns from the mechanical activation position to the rest position so as to allow the drive element (22) to return to the first side of the stop element (32).

3. The electronic handle according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein: The flexible blade (30) comprises a first end (37) and a second end (38) opposite the first end (37), the first end (37) being fastened to the support (3), and the second end (38) comprising the stop element (32).

4. The electronic handle according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: The stop element (32) is configured to stop the drive element (22) when the activation lever (2) is actuated by a first drive force, and the drive element (22) passes the stop element (32) when the activation lever (2) is actuated by a second drive force greater than the first drive force.

5. The electronic handle according to claim 4, wherein: The second driving force is equal to or greater than 150 Newtons.

6. The electronic handle according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 5, wherein: The activation lever (2) also has an electrically activated position between the rest position and the mechanically activated position, in which the activation lever (2) activates an electronic device (4) for unlocking the door.

7. The electronic handle according to claim 6, wherein: When the activation lever (2) is actuated by a first driving force, the electrically activated position is reached.

8. The electronic handle according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5 or 7, wherein: The drive element (22) pivots to allow the activation lever (2) to return to the rest position when the activation lever (2) moves from the mechanical activation position to the rest position by inertia.

9. The electronic handle according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5 or 7, comprising activation rod return means (35) for moving the activation rod (2) from the mechanical activation position to the rest position.

10. The electronic handle according to claim 9, wherein: The activation rod return device (35) is a compression spring.

11. The electronic handle according to claim 9, comprising a drive element return device (25) for moving the drive element (22) from the extended position to the retracted position.

12. The electronic handle according to claim 11, wherein: The driving element return device (25) is a spring.

13. The electronic handle according to claim 11, wherein: The activation rod return device (35) has a stiffness that is superior to the stiffness of the drive element return device (25).

14. The electronic handle according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5 or 7, wherein: The stop element (32) comprises a ramp (33), and the drive element (22) comprises a surface intended to come into contact with the ramp (33) when the activation lever (2) moves from the rest position to the mechanical activation position, the ramp (33) having a straight surface intended to come into contact with the drive element (22).

15. The electronic handle according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5 or 7, wherein: The flexible blade (30) is flexible in elastic deformation, so that when the activation lever (2) moves from the mechanical activation position to the rest position, the drive element (22) bends the flexible blade (30) via the stop element (32).

16. The electronic handle according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5 or 7, wherein: The drive element (22) comprises rolling means (23) in order to limit the friction between the drive element (22) and the stop element (32).

17. A vehicle comprising a door and an electronic handle according to any one of the preceding claims secured to the door.

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