Door handle assembly attachment unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle door handle assembly (2) comprising a housing (6), a bracket (8) configured to attach the housing (6) to a vehicle panel (4), and an attachment unit (10) configured to attach the bracket (8) and the housing (6) together, the vehicle door handle assembly (2) comprising: a translational moving part (12) movable between an assembled position, in which the bracket (8) and the housing (6) are attached together, and a disassembled position, in which the housing (6) and the bracket (8) are disassembled from each other, a rotational moving part (14) rotationally supported by the bracket (8), cooperating with the translational moving part (14), and comprising a first cam surface (16) and a second cam surface (18), the first cam surface (16) being configured to displace the translational moving part (12) to the assembled position when the rotational moving part (14) is rotated in a first rotational direction (13), the second cam surface (18) being configured to displace the translational moving part (12) to the disassembled position when the rotational moving part (14) is rotated in a second rotational direction (15) opposite to the first rotational direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a door handle assembly for controlling the opening of a vehicle door. Background Technology

[0002] The door panel is equipped with a handle to allow the door to be opened and closed. The handle can be formed from a housing flush with the outer panel of the vehicle. The user can insert his hand into the housing of the handle to open the door.

[0003] Because automatic door latches selectively lock or release the door panel automatically, the door can be opened. Automatic door latches are specified herein as latches where the user does not provide energy to actuate the latch by gripping and moving a handle, knob, or other means.

[0004] Once the vehicle panel is released, the user or the electric panel actuator swings or slides the panel to grant physical access to the vehicle. Under normal circumstances, automatic door latches do not require a handle bar protruding from the vehicle's exterior surface. This reduces the vehicle's aerodynamic drag and also allows for a more streamlined visual appearance.

[0005] A door panel (e.g., made of metal) is placed between the handle housing and the door handle assembly bracket. A gasket is placed between the edge of the housing and the door panel to ensure a seal in this area. Additionally, an attachment unit is placed on the side of the bracket opposite the side against which the door panel rests; this attachment unit includes attachment means that pass through the bracket and the door panel to establish a connection with the handle housing.

[0006] Therefore, the door panel is compressed between the handle housing and the bracket (and the gasket is compressed between the handle housing and the door panel).

[0007] In order to attach the attachment unit to the handle housing, the latter needs to slide relative to the handle housing. Therefore, the attachment device of the attachment unit can be attached to other devices carried by the handle housing.

[0008] However, even if the handle assembly may include elements that make assembly of the housing, panel, and bracket easier, disassembling and reassembling the assembly can still be difficult when needed. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a door handle assembly that makes the assembly and disassembly of the assembly consisting of a bracket, a panel and a housing easier.

[0010] Therefore, the present invention relates to a door handle assembly including a housing, a bracket configured to attach the housing to a vehicle panel, and an attachment unit configured to attach the bracket and the housing together. The attachment unit includes a translational movement member that moves between an assembled position and a disassembled position, wherein in the assembled position the bracket and the housing are attached together, and in the disassembled position the housing and the bracket are disassembled from each other.

[0011] - A rotary moving component, rotatably supported by a bracket, cooperating with a translational moving component, and including a first cam surface and a second cam surface, the first cam surface being configured to move the translational moving component to an assembly position when the rotary moving component rotates in a first rotation direction, and the second cam surface being configured to move the translational moving component to a disassembly position when the rotary moving component rotates in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction.

[0012] Due to this construction, a simple rotation of a portion of the attachment unit allows for the assembly or disassembly of the handle assembly.

[0013] The initial rotation of the rotating moving component allows the housing, panel, and bracket to be attached together. Furthermore, if disassembly is required, a simple rotation in the opposite direction to the initial rotation allows the aforementioned components to be released from each other.

[0014] The first cam surface and the second cam surface can be formed on different planes relative to the axis of rotation of the rotating moving component.

[0015] The rotary moving component may include a third cam surface formed on a separate plane relative to the axis of rotation of the rotary moving component, as well as the first and second cam surfaces. The third cam surface has at least two recesses configured to engage with an indexing pawn supported by a bracket. The first recess corresponds to an assembled position, and the second recess corresponds to a disassembled position. This locking device ensures that the translational moving component is held in either the assembled or disassembled position without the risk of any undesirable displacement.

[0016] The indexing pawn can be supported by a U-shaped rod integrated with the support frame. Therefore, the rotating moving component is guided during its rotation by the U-shaped rod, which ensures the fit between the recess and the guiding pawn.

[0017] The translational movement component may include two upright control surfaces. A first cam surface is configured to engage with the first control surface to displace the translational movement component to an assembly position when the rotary movement component rotates in a first rotational direction. A second cam surface is configured to engage with the second control surface to displace the translational movement component to a disassembly position when the rotary movement component rotates in a second rotational direction. This configuration is an example of the conversion from rotary motion to translational motion. The attachment unit corresponds to the outer center.

[0018] Rotary moving parts may include thread marks at the end of their axis of rotation. This allows the part to be rotated in a very simple way.

[0019] The rotating moving component may include two arcuate grooves, and the support includes a guide pier configured to slide into the arcuate grooves as the rotating moving component rotates in a first or second direction. This configuration allows for good guidance of the rotating moving component during its rotation.

[0020] The arc-shaped groove can be separated by a solid portion, which forms a stop for guiding the pier.

[0021] The axis of rotation of the rotating moving component may include a clamping end configured to engage with a cylinder integrally formed with the support. This is a very simple way to attach the component to the support.

[0022] The translational moving part may include a hook, and the housing may include a hole, the hook being configured to be placed in the hole when the translational moving part is in the assembled position.

[0023] The support includes guide hooks configured to guide the translational moving parts. These guide hooks form a guiding device that ensures proper translation of the translational moving parts. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the invention will be better understood from the following description, in which:

[0025] - Figure 1 This is a front view of the door panel and door handle assembly according to the present invention;

[0026] - Figure 2 This is a rear view of the door handle assembly according to the invention in the disassembled position;

[0027] - Figure 3 It is similar to Figure 2 A tilted perspective rear view of the door handle assembly.

[0028] - Figure 4 This is a rear view of the rotating moving component according to the present invention;

[0029] - Figure 5 This is a front view of the rotating moving part according to the present invention; and

[0030] - Figure 6 This is a rear view of the bracket according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Figure 1 The image shows the door panel 4 and the door handle assembly 2.

[0032] The door handle assembly 2 is disposed in the opening 5 of the door panel 4, and includes a housing 6 (on its outer surface) and a bracket 8 (on its inner surface, see [reference]). Figure 2 The housing 6, which can be mounted on the outside of the door, mates with the bracket 8 through the opening in the panel 4. As described below, the bracket 8 allows the door handle assembly 2 to be attached to the panel 4 due to the attachment unit 10. A gasket is compressed between the edges of the panel 4 and the housing 6 to allow a seal between the two components. This configuration results in the handle assembly 2 being positioned on each side of the panel (one side with the housing 6 and the other side with the bracket 8).

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, decorative elements (not shown) can be placed at the junction of panel 4 and housing 6.

[0034] The user can insert his hand into housing 6 to interact with an actuation switch (not shown), generating an electrical signal that is sent to the vehicle opening element controller to release the vehicle opening element. This actuation switch can be electric or mechanical. Compared to mechanical switches, electric switches have the advantage of saving space in the door assembly because they do not require the space needed to provide the travel distance for the mechanical parts to be moved (a space required for mechanical switches where the flap moves to generate the electrical signal).

[0035] The generated electrical signal can cause the latch of the opening element to shift. The actuation switch may also be equipped with an NFC and / or RFID reader. In addition, the actuation switch may be attached to the bracket 8 and may be equipped with at least one reinforcing rod to protect the actuation switch from excessive actuation force.

[0036] The attachment unit 10 can be placed on the side of the bracket 8 opposite to the side of the abutment panel 4, and passes through the bracket 8 and the panel 4 (the panel 4 is placed between the bracket 8 and the housing 6) to interact with the housing 6 via a hook 9 introduced into the hole 11 carried by the housing 6. This allows the components bracket 8 / panel 4 / washer / housing 6 to be compressed together.

[0037] More specifically, once the attachment unit 10 has passed through the bracket 8 and the panel 4, the translational movement member 12 can slide relative to the housing 6 to allow the hook 9 to enter the hole 11. The hole is preferably positioned on both sides of the housing 6 along the longitudinal axis of the housing 6.

[0038] The attachment unit 10 includes a translational movement component 12, which is in an assembled position and a disassembled position (in Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in the diagram, the attachment unit 10 moves between the bracket 8 and the housing 6. In the assembled position, the bracket 8 and the housing 6 are attached together, and in the disassembled position, the housing 6 and the bracket 8 are disassembled from each other. The attachment unit 10 also includes a rotary moving member 14, which includes a first cam surface 16 and a second cam surface 18. The first cam surface 16 is configured to move the translation moving member 12 to the assembled position when the rotary moving member 14 rotates in a first rotation direction 13 (e.g., clockwise), and the second cam surface 18 is configured to move the translation moving member 12 to the disassembled position when the rotary moving member 14 rotates in a second rotation direction 15 (e.g., counterclockwise) opposite to the first rotation direction.

[0039] In other words, the rotation of the rotating moving part 14 allows the translation moving part 12 to translate in a first direction or a second direction according to the rotation direction of the rotating moving part 14.

[0040] The translational moving part 12 can be made of metal and can include some recesses, for example Figure 2 and Figure 3 Two recesses are provided. A first recess 19 can be formed on the translational moving member 12 to make the latter lighter. In addition, a second recess 21 is provided to place the rotational moving member 14 onto the support 8.

[0041] Preferably, and in order to allow rotation to be converted into translation, the support 8 may include two upright control surfaces 20 and 22 (see, for example) Figure 4 The first cam surface 16 is configured to engage with the first upright control surface 20 carried by the translational moving member 12 to move the translational moving member 12 to the assembly position, and the second cam surface 22 is configured to engage with the second upright control surface 22 carried by the translational moving member 12 to move the translational moving member 12 to the disassembly position.

[0042] This configuration is in Figure 2As shown in the diagram, the second cam surface 18 contacts the second upright control surface 22, and the translational moving member 12 is positioned in the disassembled position. The rotary moving member 14 can rotate in the first rotation direction 13. Therefore, the second cam surface 18 and the second upright control surface 22 are no longer in contact. When the rotational stroke is sufficient, the first cam surface 16 contacts the first upright control surface 20, and during the end of the stroke of the rotary moving member 14, the translational moving member 12 is moved to the assembly position while in the insertion hole 11 of the hook 9.

[0043] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the height of the first vertical control surface 20 is insufficient to contact the second cam surface 18 (only the first cam surface 16 can contact the first vertical control surface 20).

[0044] Furthermore, the second upright control surface 22 has a shape that allows only the second cam surface 18 to contact the second cam surface 18. More specifically, the second upright control surface 22 includes a base 224 and an upper end 26, the base 24 being sufficiently far away from the rotating moving member 14 to avoid contact with the first cam surface 16, and the upper end 26 being closer to the rotating moving member 14 than the base 224 and capable of contacting the second cam surface 18. In other words, the base 24 forms a recess that allows the first cam surface to pass under the upper end 26 without contacting the second upright control surface 22.

[0045] The rotating moving part 14 may include at least two recesses 28 and 28' (in) Figure 4 As shown in the diagram, recesses 28 and 28' are configured to mate with the indexing block 30 carried by the bracket 8 to place the translational moving part 12 in the assembly position and the disassembly position, respectively. In fact, and Figure 2 In the example shown, the translational moving member 12 is positioned in the disassembled position due to the rotary moving member 14 and its second cam surface 18 contacting the second upright control surface 22. In this configuration, the indexing bead 30 extends into the recess 28' and positions the rotary moving member 14 and subsequently the translational moving member 12 in the disassembled position. After the rotary moving member 14 completes its full stroke in the rotational direction 13 to move the translational moving member 12 to the assembly position, the indexing bead 30 enters the recess 28 to place the attachment unit 10 in the assembly position. This ensures good stability of the attachment unit 10.

[0046] The indexing block 30 can be supported by the U-shaped rod 32, and the rotating moving part 14 is placed in the U-shaped rod 32 (see...). Figure 3This ensures that there is no risk of the latter shifting in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation, nor any risk of erroneous interaction between the two cam surfaces 16 and 18 and the two upright control surfaces 20 and 22. In other words, the U-shaped rod 32 is a guiding element for the rotary moving part 14 as it rotates.

[0047] The rotating moving part 14 may include a thread mark 34 at the end of its axis of rotation. This screw mark 34 may be, for example... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The Torx markings are shown. This constitutes a simple way to rotate the rotating moving part 14 and thus assemble and disassemble the bracket 8 with the housing 6. Of course, the form of the thread mark 34 can be different from the Torx form. Other devices can be used, such as a block that can be gripped by a clamp.

[0048] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the rotating moving component may include two arcuate grooves 36 and 36', and the support 8 may include a guide pier 38 configured to slide into the arcuate grooves 36 and 36' when the rotating moving component 14 rotates in a first direction or a second direction. The arcuate grooves 36 and 36' form additional guiding means for the rotating moving component 14.

[0049] Furthermore, the arc-shaped grooves 36 and 36' can be made of solid portion 44 (in Figure 5 (As shown in the diagram) the solid portion 44 forms an end stop for guiding the pivot 38. In other words, the solid portion 44 forms a travel stop for guiding the pivot 38 at the end of each arcuate recess 36 and 36'. This stop preferably corresponds to the configuration where the indexing pivot 30 extends into one of the recesses 28 and 28'. Therefore, the solid portion 44 prevents the rotating moving part 14 from overtraveling.

[0050] Preferably, the rotating moving part 14 is clamped on the bracket 8. This simplifies attaching the part. Figure 5 As shown, the rotating moving component 14 may include a clamping end 40, which is formed here by two deformable semi-cylinders. This clamping end 40 can be inserted into a cylinder 42 formed on the support 8 (see Figure 1). Figure 5 For example, it is molded together with cylinder 42. The two ends of the clamping end 40 are placed on the upper end of cylinder 42 and keep the rotating moving part 14 attached to the bracket 8.

[0051] The support 8 may include a plurality of guide hooks 46 in which the translational moving part 12 is placed. The guide hooks 46 extend along the sidewalls of the translational moving part 12, and each guide hook 46 includes an end extending above the translational moving part 12. Due to this configuration, the translational moving part 12 is guided to an assembly or disassembly position by the guide hooks 46 during translation.

[0052] List of reference numerals

[0053] 2: Door handle assembly

[0054] 4: Panel

[0055] 5: Door panel opening

[0056] 6: Casing

[0057] 8: Bracket

[0058] 9: Hook

[0059] 10: Attachment Unit

[0060] 11: Kong

[0061] 12: Translational moving parts

[0062] 13: First direction of rotation

[0063] 14: Rotating moving parts

[0064] 15: Second rotation direction

[0065] 16: First cam surface

[0066] 17: Third Cam Surface

[0067] 18: Second cam surface

[0068] 19: First recess

[0069] 20: First vertical control surface

[0070] 21: Second recess

[0071] 22: Second vertical control surface

[0072] 24: Base

[0073] 26: Top

[0074] 28, 28': concave part

[0075] 30: Indexing pier

[0076] 32: U-shaped rod

[0077] 34: Thread marks

[0078] 36, 36': Groove

[0079] 38: Guide pier

[0080] 40: Clampable end

[0081] 42: Cylinder

[0082] 44: Solid part

[0083] 46: Guide hook

Claims

1. A door handle assembly (2) comprising a housing (6), a bracket (8) configured to attach the housing (6) to a vehicle panel (4), and an attachment unit (10) configured to attach the bracket (8) and the housing (6) together, characterized in that, The attachment unit (10) includes: - A translational moving component (12) is movable between an assembly position and a disassembly position, in which the bracket (8) and the housing (6) are attached together, and in the disassembly position, the housing (6) and the bracket (8) are disassembled from each other. - A rotary moving component (14), rotatably supported by a bracket (8), cooperates with the translational moving component (14), and includes a first cam surface (16) and a second cam surface (18), the first cam surface (16) being configured to move the translational moving component (12) to the assembly position when the rotary moving component (14) rotates along a first rotation direction (13), and the second cam surface (18) being configured to move the translational moving component (12) to the disassembly position when the rotary moving component (14) rotates along a second rotation direction (15) opposite to the first rotation direction.

2. The door handle assembly (2) according to claim 1, wherein, The first cam surface (16) and the second cam surface (18) are formed on different planes relative to the axis of rotation of the rotating moving component (14).

3. The door handle assembly (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The rotating moving component (14) includes a third cam surface (17) formed on a separate plane relative to the axis of rotation of the rotating moving component (14) and the first cam surface (16) and the second cam surface (18). The third cam surface has at least two recesses (28, 28') configured to engage with an indexing block (30) carried by the bracket (8). The first recess (28) corresponds to the assembly position and the second recess (28') corresponds to the disassembly position.

4. The door handle assembly (2) according to claim 3, wherein, The indexing block (30) is supported by a U-shaped rod (32) integrally formed with the bracket (8).

5. The door handle assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The translational moving component (12) includes two upright control surfaces (20, 22), the first cam surface (16) being configured to engage with the first control surface (20) to move the translational moving component (12) to the assembly position when the rotary moving component (14) rotates in the first rotation direction, and the second cam surface (18) being configured to engage with the second control surface (22) to move the translational moving component (12) to the disassembly position when the rotary moving component (14) rotates in the second rotation direction.

6. The door handle assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The rotating moving part (14) includes thread marks (34) at the end of its rotation axis.

7. The door handle assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The rotating moving component (14) includes two arc-shaped grooves (36, 36'), and the bracket (8) includes a guide block (38) configured to slide into the arc-shaped grooves (36, 36') when the rotating moving component (14) rotates along the first rotation direction (13) or the second rotation direction (15).

8. The door handle assembly (2) according to claim 7, wherein, The arc-shaped grooves (36, 36') are separated by solid portions (44), which form a stop for the guide pier (38).

9. The door handle assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The rotation axis of the rotating moving component (14) includes a clamping end configured to engage with a cylinder (42), which is integrally formed with the bracket (8).

10. The door handle assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The translational moving part (12) includes a hook (9), and the housing (6) includes a hole (11), the hook (9) being configured to be placed in the hole (11) when the translational moving part (12) is in the assembled position.

11. The door handle assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The bracket (8) includes a guide hook (46) configured to guide the translational movement component (12).

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