Door for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a door (2) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising a handle element (18) on the outside of the door, which handle element (18) is arranged above a door edge (11) of the door (2), an actuating element (22) being integrated in the handle element (18), by means of which actuating element a lock can be electrically unlocked, by means of which lock the door (2) can be fixed in its closed position. The handle element (18) is held on a base body (4) of the vehicle door (2) in such a way that the handle element (18) can be moved relative to the base body (4) from a rest position (R) into at least one actuation position (B), and wherein the lock can be mechanically unlocked by the movement of the handle element (18) from the rest position (R) into the actuation position (B). An actuating device (36) is provided, by means of which the handle element (18) can be moved relative to the base body (4) from a rest position (R) into an intermediate position between the rest position (R) and an actuating position (B) and can be held in the intermediate position relative to the base body (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a door for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, according to the preamble of claim 1 or 4. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, having at least one such door. Background Art

[0002] Document WO 2007 / 118552 A1 discloses a motor vehicle having a door, the door having a door lower part and an upper window part, which are separated by a window edge. Document WO 2020 / 01137 A1 is known as a device for operating a door of a vehicle, the device comprising a sensor device, the sensor device being designed to detect forces acting on the door and generate corresponding sensor data. In addition, document DE 10 2017 202 114 A1 discloses a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle comprising at least one side door, the side door having a door body. In addition, document WO 2006 / 007916 A1 discloses a motor vehicle door, the motor vehicle door comprising an interior module and an exterior module. In addition, document DE 102010 101 164 A1 is known as a door handle unit for operating a lock of a door or a lid. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a door for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, and a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, which allow particularly advantageous handling.

[0004] This object is achieved according to the invention by a vehicle door having the features of claim 1, by a vehicle door having the features of claim 4 and by a motor vehicle having the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0005] A first aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle door, also simply referred to as a door and, for example, as a side door, for a motor vehicle, preferably configured as a passenger car and also referred to as a vehicle. This means that a motor vehicle, also referred to as a motor vehicle or vehicle, whose interior space is also referred to as a passenger compartment or passenger space, for example, is formed by a structure of a vehicle body, in particular configured as a self-supporting structure, in its fully manufactured state, has a structure and a vehicle door. The vehicle door has a handle element on the outside of the door, which is arranged above the door window edge (Türbrüstung) of the vehicle door in the vehicle height direction of the vehicle, in particular in the installation position of the vehicle door (the vehicle door occupies its installation position in the fully manufactured state of the vehicle). The handle element is also referred to as an outer handle or outer door handle. In the fully manufactured state of the vehicle, the vehicle door is held on the structure in a movable, in particular pivotable manner, so that the vehicle door is arranged or can be arranged on the structure in a movable, in particular pivotable manner, that is, it is held or can be held on the structure. In particular, the vehicle door is provided with a structural opening (Aufbauöffnung) of the structure, in particular a door opening. If the vehicle door is a side door, the door opening is a lateral door opening, which is arranged, for example, on the left or right side of the structure or the motor vehicle as viewed in the vehicle transverse direction of the motor vehicle. The vehicle door can be moved, in particular pivoted, relative to the structure between a closed position and at least one open position. In the closed position, at least one sub-area of ​​the structural opening is closed by the vehicle door. In the open position, the vehicle door releases the sub-area of ​​the structural opening, so that a person can enter the interior space or leave the interior space via the released sub-area of ​​the structural opening, for example, in the open position of the vehicle door. In particular, it is provided that the handle element is arranged above the door window edge in the installation position of the vehicle door and in the vehicle height direction of the motor vehicle with respect to the closed position of the vehicle door. The door window edge is also simply called the window edge or the window window edge or the edge or the cabin edge (Bordkante), or the door window edge is formed by the cabin edge or coincides with the cabin edge. In particular, a door window edge is an edge or forms an edge, in particular a lower edge, by which a window opening, for example for the glass of a vehicle door, in particular for the side glass of a vehicle door, also called a glass opening, is at least partially delimited, in particular in the installed position of the vehicle door and in relation to the closed position of the vehicle door towards the bottom in the vehicle height direction of the motor vehicle.

[0006] For example, a person who is in the surroundings of the motor vehicle and thus of the vehicle door can grasp the handle element with his hand and, for example, at least partially surround it and, for example, then exert a force on the handle element and, therefore, via the handle element, on the vehicle door in order to control the vehicle door, that is, in particular, to enable the vehicle door to move, in particular to pivot, relative to the structure. For example, a person can exert such a force on the vehicle door via the handle element that the vehicle door is opened by the force and, therefore, moves from a closed position to an open position relative to the structure. Furthermore, for example, a person who is in the surroundings can exert such a force on the handle element and, therefore, on the vehicle door that the vehicle door is closed by the force and, therefore, moves from an open position to a closed position. The feature that the handle element is arranged on the outside or on the outside of the door, and is therefore an outside or door-outside handle element and, therefore, an outside door handle, should be understood to mean that the handle element is arranged on the outside of the vehicle door, and the outside of the vehicle door in the installed position of the vehicle door and at least in the closed position of the vehicle door faces away from the interior and toward the surroundings.

[0007] In order to be able to now achieve a particularly advantageous operation, i.e. manipulation, of the vehicle door (especially via the handle element), according to the invention, an operating element is integrated in the handle element. This means in particular that the operating element is held on the handle element or is a component of the handle element. In particular, it is conceivable that the operating element is held on the base of the handle element, wherein it is conceivable that the operating element is constructed separately from the base. The operating element can be held on the base or on the handle element in a non-movable manner or in a movable, especially pivotable manner. By means of the operating element, a lock, also called a door lock, can be electrically unlocked, and a vehicle door arranged or can be arranged on the structure of the motor vehicle in a movable, especially pivotable manner between a closed position and the at least one open position can be fixed in the closed position in particular relative to the structure by means of the lock. In order to thereby, for example, open a vehicle door that is initially in the closed position and is therefore closed and is fixed in the closed position in particular relative to the structure by means of the lock, for example, a person who is in the surroundings operates, in particular manipulates, the operating element, thereby electrically unlocking the lock, i.e., thereby causing the electrical unlocking of the lock. In particular, the person touches the operating element here.

[0008] The door arranged or arranged on the structure of the vehicle (motor vehicle) in a manner that can move, especially pivot between the closed position and the at least one open position is fixed or can be fixed in the closed position (especially relative to the structure) by means of a lock, so that the door does not move from the closed position to the open position undesirably. By unlocking the lock, the lock releases the door for moving from the closed position to the open position. In particular, the lock can be a component of the door, so that the lock can move, especially pivot, with the door relative to the structure between the closed position and the open position. The lock can be adjusted between a locked state and an unlocked state, for example. By unlocking the lock, the lock is brought from the locked state to, that is, converted to, the unlocked state. If the door is, for example, in the closed position, and during this period the lock is in the locked state, the door is fixed in the closed position by means of the lock and is therefore free from undesirably moving to the open position relative to the structure. It can be seen that the door is a leaf element, which is arranged or arranged on the structure in a manner that can move, especially pivot, between the open position and the closed position. Here, the door (leaf element) is in particular a mounting part constructed separately from the structure, which is held or can be held on the structure in a manner that allows movement between an open position and a closed position. In order to, for example, open a door that is initially closed and therefore initially in the closed position, so that it is thus moved from the closed position to the open position, the operating element is operated, in particular manipulated, in particular by a person who is in the surroundings. By operating, in particular manipulating, the lock is electrically unlocked, so that it is thus electrically transferred from the locked state to the unlocked state, so that the lock releases the door for movement from the closed position to the open position relative to the structure. For example, a locking element, such as a locking pin (Schließbolzen) also called a locking bolt (Schlossbolzen) or a locking hook (Schließbügel) also called a locking bow (Schließbügel) is fixed to the structure, in particular to a vehicle column of the structure, for example, which is constructed as a door column and is also called a body column or structural column. In the closed position of the vehicle door and in the locked state of the lock, for example the lock, in particular a fork latch of the lock, interacts with the locking element in a form-fitting manner, whereby the vehicle door is fixed or can be fixed in the closed position in a form-fitting manner.

[0009] For example, the lock has a locking element, which can be, for example, the fork-shaped latch described above. In the closed position of the vehicle door and in the locked state of the lock, for example, the locking element cooperates with the locking element, especially in a form-fitting manner, so that the vehicle door is fixed or can be fixed in the closed position, especially in a form-fitting manner. For example, the locking element can move (especially translationally and / or rotationally) between the locked position and the unlocked position relative to the basic element of the lock and especially relative to the locking element. In the closed position of the vehicle door and in the locked position of the locking element, the locking element cooperates with the locking element, especially in a form-fitting manner, so that the vehicle door is fixed or can be fixed in the closed position. By unlocking the lock or when the lock is unlocked, for example, moving the locking element from the locked position to the unlocked position, the locking element and the locking element do not cooperate in the unlocked position. As a result, the vehicle door is released for movement from the closed position to the open position relative to the structure.

[0010] The operating element can be, for example, a mechanical operating element, such as a button, a key or a key, so that the operating element can be moved, for example, relative to the handle element and / or relative to the base between an initial position and an operating position (especially translationally and / or rotationally). By operating, especially manipulating, the operating element, for example, the operating element is moved from the initial position relative to the handle element and / or relative to the base into the operating position, thereby electrically unlocking the lock, thus causing electrical unlocking of the lock. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the operating element is designed as a touch-sensitive surface or includes a touch-sensitive surface, wherein the operating element is operated, i.e. can be operated, by contacting the touch-sensitive surface.

[0011] The feature that the lock can be electrically unlocked by operating, in particular manipulating the operating element, should be understood in particular as follows: an electrically drivable actuator, in particular an electric motor, is (in particular electrically) controlled, for example, by operating the operating element. The actuator is electrically operated by controlling the actuator, so that, for example, the lock element moves from the locked position to the unlocked position by means of the actuator (in particular using electrical energy and thus electrically). This means that the lock element moves electrically from the locked position to the unlocked position, whereby the lock is electrically unlocked, i.e. unlocked using the above-mentioned electrical energy. Immediately after the electrical unlocking of the lock, the door can be manually caused to move from the closed position to the open position by a person staying in the surrounding environment, for example, in particular in the following way, that the person manually applies a force, in particular a pulling force or a pressure force, to the handle element and the door is thus moved relative to the structure from the closed position to the open position. In addition, it is conceivable that the door moves or can move from the closed position to the open position relative to the structure, i.e. using electrical energy, due to the operation of the operating element, especially after the lock has been (in particular electrically) unlocked. For this purpose, for example, an electrically operable movement device is provided, which has, for example, the above-mentioned electrically operable actuator and / or at least one further electrically operable actuator. Due to the actuation of the operating element, for example, the movement device is actuated (in particular electrically), whereby the movement device moves the door from the closed position to the open position using electrical energy and thus electrically relative to the structure. As a result, the lock can be unlocked particularly conveniently and the door can be opened particularly conveniently, thus moving from the closed position to the open position.

[0012] Furthermore, in order to achieve particularly advantageous operation, in particular actuation, of the vehicle door, it is provided that the handle element is held on a base body of the vehicle door, also referred to as the door body, in such a way that it can be moved, in particular pivoted, from an idle position into an actuation position relative to the base body, in particular between an idle position and an actuation position, wherein the lock can be unlocked, in particular purely mechanically and therefore preferably without the use of electrical energy, by moving the handle element from the idle position into the actuation position. In other words, the lock can be unlocked mechanically, in particular purely mechanically and therefore without the use of electrical energy, by moving the handle element relative to the base body from the idle position into the actuation position. Preferably, the idle position and the actuation position are respective end positions of the handle element, into which the handle element can be moved relative to the base body, but cannot be moved beyond the respective end positions. Quite particularly, the vehicle door is designed to electrically unlock the lock by actuating, in particular actuating the actuation element, without the handle element being moved from the idle position into the actuation position, i.e., during this period the handle element does not move from the idle position into the actuation position. In this way, a particularly advantageous, in particular particularly comfortable and at the same time reliable actuation of the vehicle door can be achieved. Here, at least one dual function is given to the handle element: on the one hand, the handle element can be used to electrically and therefore particularly comfortably unlock the lock and, for example, subsequently be able to control the vehicle door simply, ergonomically and therefore advantageously via the handle element by integrating the operating element into the handle element. On the other hand, the handle element can function as an emergency unlocking operating element, be configured as an emergency unlocking operating element or be used as an emergency unlocking operating element, wherein the emergency unlocking operating element is also called an emergency unlocking device or an emergency unlocking element. This means in particular that, for example, the operating element is or includes a sensor, also called a detection sensor, which can be operated electrically or electronically or can be an electrical or electronic sensor. The detection sensor can be arranged in particular in the handle element or in the base. By means of the detection sensor, an operation of the operating element caused by a person staying in the surrounding environment can be detected, for example. It is therefore conceivable that the sensor is a component of the operating element. If, for example, an operation of the operating element caused by a person, that is, in particular a movement of the operating element caused by a person from an initial position to an operating position, is detected by means of the detection sensor, then in particular, as described above, the first actuator is controlled, so that the lock is electrically unlocked by means of the first actuator. The first actuator can be, for example, a component of the vehicle door. It is also conceivable that the detection sensor is a component of the door (leaf element), in particular that the detection sensor is integrated into the handle element. In particular, the detection sensor can be an operating element or a component of an operating element. In principle, it is possible that, for example due to an accident of the motor vehicle, the operating element and / or the sensor and / or the first actuator can no longer be supplied with electrical energy or current because, for example, the power supply of the operating element and / or the first actuator and / or the sensor (detection sensor) is impaired, interrupted or damaged.If this happens, the lock can no longer be unlocked electrically, because, for example, the first actuator can no longer operate and / or because, for example, the operation or manipulation of the operating element can no longer be detected by means of a detection sensor and / or because its operation can no longer be detected by the operating element itself. However, since, according to the present invention, the handle element can be moved from the idle position to the operating position relative to the base body by itself and therefore, in particular together with the operating element, the lock can be unlocked mechanically, in particular purely mechanically, the handle element (also) acts as an emergency unlocking operating element or as an emergency unlocking operating element. It is thus possible on the one hand to mechanically unlock, that is, in particular, to unlock the lock in an emergency, in particular, when the power supply fails. For this purpose, for example, a person staying in the surrounding environment moves the handle element from the idle position to the operating position and moves the operating element, in particular together with the handle element, from the idle position to the operating position. It is thus possible to achieve particularly high reliability, thereby achieving particularly advantageous and reliable operation. On the other hand, it is possible to avoid the use of additional, separate emergency unlocking operating elements, thereby achieving particularly advantageous and reliable operation of the vehicle door in a space-saving and weight-saving manner and in a cost-effective manner. Furthermore, a particularly favorable visual impression of the door and of the motor vehicle as a whole can be achieved, since, for example, it can be avoided that the visual impression of the motor vehicle is impaired by an additional separate emergency unlocking operating element.

[0013] Furthermore, according to the invention, the vehicle door has an actuating device, by means of which the handle element can be moved, in particular actively moved, relative to the base body (in particular according to at least one predetermined or predeterminable criterion and / or according to at least one event) from a rest position to an intermediate position between the rest position and the actuating position and can be held in the intermediate position relative to the base body, i.e. can be locked. The feature that the intermediate position is between the rest position and the actuating position is to be understood as meaning that the handle element can be moved relative to the base body from the rest position via the intermediate position to the actuating position, so that the handle element at least temporarily reaches the intermediate position on its path from the rest position to the actuating position, and thus at least temporarily occupies the intermediate position. Here, the intermediate position is a stable position of the handle element, in which the handle element is locked or can be locked relative to the base body, so that in the intermediate position no relative movement can occur between the handle element and the base body. This means in particular that after the handle element has been moved from the rest position to the intermediate position by the actuating device (in particular automatically), the handle element remains in the intermediate position, so that no relative movement can occur between the handle element and the base body. For example, the handle element can be moved manually, thus for example by a person located in the surrounding area, from the intermediate position into the actuating position, in particular in order thereby to unlock the lock mechanically, in particular purely mechanically.

[0014] Since according to the invention an operating device is now provided, by means of which the handle element can be moved from the idle position into the intermediate position and in particular can be moved in the direction of the operating position and in particular can be locked in the intermediate position relative to the base body, the handle element is presented to a person who is in the surroundings, so to speak. The intermediate position is therefore also referred to as a presentation position. In other words, it is thereby possible to visually inform a person who is in the surroundings that the lock can be mechanically unlocked by moving the handle element from the intermediate position into the operating position. If, for example, a person visually perceives that the handle element is in the idle position, the person is thereby visually informed that the person can operate the operating element and then electrically unlock the lock. However, if a person visually perceives that the handle element is in the intermediate position, the person is thereby visually informed that the person must or can move the handle element relative to the base body from the intermediate position into the operating position in order to thereby mechanically unlock the lock and then open the door. This is particularly advantageous in the event of or after an accident. In this case, the person is, for example, a male or female rescue helper, to whom the intermediate position visually indicates that the handle element is movable or can be movable relative to the base body. If this is implemented by the person in such a way that the person moves the handle element relative to the base body from the intermediate position into the actuating position, the lock is mechanically unlocked and the vehicle door can then be opened. This ensures a particularly reliable and therefore advantageous actuation or actuation of the vehicle door.

[0015] In order to enable particularly advantageous operation of the vehicle door, it is provided in one embodiment of the invention that the handle element has a housing that can be visually and tactilely perceived by a person who is in the vehicle door, in particular in the surroundings of the motor vehicle as a whole. The housing of the handle element is also referred to as the handle element housing. In other words, the person who is in the surroundings can see the housing with his eyes and thus visually perceive the housing, and the person who is in the surroundings can, for example, directly touch the housing with his hands, in particular with his fingers, and thus tactilely perceive the housing, in particular in the fully manufactured state of the vehicle door and in particular the motor vehicle as a whole. The housing is therefore a surface of the handle element that can be visually and tactilely perceived by a person who is in the surroundings or is formed by such a surface. In this regard, it is particularly conceivable that the above-mentioned contact-sensitive surface is a part of the handle element housing, also referred to as a detection part. It is particularly conceivable that the vehicle door as a whole has a housing that can be visually and tactilely perceived by a person who is in the surroundings, also referred to as the overall housing, wherein the previous and following descriptions of the handle element housing can also be transferred to the overall housing without any problem and vice versa. In this case, in particular, the handle element housing is the first part of the overall housing. For example, the vehicle door has a frame structure, also referred to as a door frame structure, wherein it is conceivable that, in particular in the fully manufactured state of the motor vehicle, the vehicle door is held or can be held on the structure of the motor vehicle via the frame structure in a movable, in particular pivotable manner. In other words, for example, the vehicle door is held or can be held on the structure via the frame structure in a movable, in particular pivotable manner. For this purpose, it is provided, for example, that the vehicle door has at least one first hinge part, which is, for example, at least indirectly, in particular directly, fixed, in particular fastened to the frame structure. The first hinge part is, for example, a component of a hinge, also referred to as a door hinge, which also has a second hinge part, which is, in particular, constructed separately from the first hinge part. The second hinge part is, at least indirectly, in particular directly, fixed or can be fixed to the structure of the motor vehicle, in particular to the above-mentioned vehicle pillar. The hinge parts are connected or can be connected to each other in a movable, in particular pivotable manner, so that the frame structure is arranged or can be arranged, that is, held or can be held on the structure via the hinge and the vehicle door as a whole via the frame structure in a movable, in particular pivotable manner. For example, the frame structure is at least partially formed from a metal material. In particular, it is conceivable that the frame structure is a component of the base body. It is also conceivable that the vehicle door, in particular the base body, has at least one outer panel element, which is also simply referred to as a panel element. For example, the outer panel element is designed separately from the frame structure and is in particular directly fastened to the frame structure. The outer panel element is also called a door trim or door outer trim.At least one region of the frame structure is covered and thus concealed by the outer paneling element, in particular with respect to the closed position of the vehicle door and in the installed position of the vehicle door, towards the surroundings and therefore towards the outside (i.e. in a direction pointing away from the interior of the motor vehicle). In this case, the outer paneling element has, for example, a housing which is also referred to as a paneling outer shell, wherein the above and following descriptions for the handle element outer shell and for the overall outer shell can also be transferred without problems to the paneling outer shell and vice versa. In this case, for example, the paneling outer shell is or forms a second part of the overall outer shell of the vehicle door. In particular, it is conceivable that the outer paneling element and therefore at least a part of the paneling outer shell is connected downwardly to the glass opening and / or the door window edge in the installed position of the vehicle door and in this case, in particular in the closed position of the vehicle door, in the vehicle height direction of the motor vehicle.

[0016] In order to be able to achieve a particularly advantageous handling, in particular actuation, of the vehicle door, it is advantageously provided that the handle element has a first sub-region which forms a first part of the handle element housing, also referred to as a first main part, and which has a first extension direction and therefore extends along the first extension direction. It is conceivable that the first sub-region protrudes from the base body along the first extension direction or along the first extension direction. The first extension direction is also referred to as the first direction. In the installed position of the vehicle door and in the closed position of the vehicle door, for example, the first direction extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle, in particular outwards and therefore towards the surroundings. It is therefore preferably provided that the first sub-region protrudes from the base body along the first direction.

[0017] In addition, the handle element preferably has a second sub-region, also referred to as the second main body part, which forms the second part of the handle element housing. The second sub-region of the handle element is connected to the first sub-region of the handle element, in particular to the end of the first sub-region of the handle element facing away from the base body, wherein the second sub-region of the handle element protrudes from the first sub-region of the handle element along a second extension direction (the second extension direction is also referred to as the second direction) extending obliquely or perpendicularly to the first extension direction (the first direction). Thus, for example, the second sub-region is spaced apart from the base body and is arranged in a manner that overlaps with the base body at least partially. In particular, the second sub-region extends along the second extension direction. In the installation position of the vehicle door and with respect to the closed position of the vehicle door, for example, the second direction (the second extension direction) extends upwards in the vehicle height direction or the second direction points upwards in the vehicle height direction. For example, in the installation position of the vehicle door and with respect to the closed position of the vehicle door, the second sub-region of the handle element is overlapped by the base body and therefore, for example, a part of the cover plate housing in the vehicle transverse direction inwards and therefore toward the interior space. Thus, for example, a person who is in the vicinity can grip the handle element (in particular the second subregion of the handle element) with his hand particularly advantageously and ergonomically, in particular from the back, in particular so that, for example, the person can move at least one of his fingers or a plurality of his fingers between the second subregion of the handle element and the base body. Subsequently, the person can particularly advantageously exert a force on the handle element in order to thereby particularly advantageously control the vehicle door, i.e. in particular to move it relative to the structure, in particular to pivot it.

[0018] In order to enable a particularly haptically advantageous and particularly ergonomic and comfortable operation, in particular manipulation of the vehicle door, it is provided in another embodiment of the invention that the handle element (in particular overall and therefore viewed as a whole) is designed to be L-shaped or V-shaped and thus has an L-shape or V-shape by the second sub-area protruding from the first sub-area in the second extension direction. Here, the sub-areas of the handle element form an L-shape or V-shape, wherein the sub-areas of the handle element are the respective legs of the L-shape or V-shape. Here, it is provided in particular that the handle element is connected to the base body via the first sub-area of ​​the handle element.

[0019] A second aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle door, also referred to as a door and configured, for example, as a side door, for a motor vehicle, preferably configured as a passenger car and also referred to as a motor vehicle or vehicle. For the first aspect of the invention and for the second aspect of the invention, it is applicable that the corresponding vehicle door can preferably be configured as a side door or can also be configured as a rear door. Of course, the corresponding vehicle door can also be configured as another door. The above description of the first aspect of the invention can also be transferred to the second aspect of the invention without any problems and vice versa.

[0020] The vehicle door according to the second aspect of the present invention has a handle element on the outside of the door, arranged below the door window edge of the vehicle door according to the second aspect of the present invention, and the handle element is therefore an outer handle also called an outer door handle. The advantages and advantageous design solutions of the first aspect of the present invention can be regarded as advantages and advantageous design solutions of the second aspect of the present invention and vice versa. Therefore, for example, the vehicle door according to the second aspect of the present invention is arranged or can be arranged on the structure of the motor vehicle in a movable, especially pivotable manner, in particular so that the vehicle door according to the second aspect of the present invention can be moved, especially pivoted, relative to the structure between a closed position and at least one open position. Here, the handle element of the vehicle door according to the second aspect of the present invention is arranged below the door window edge of the vehicle door according to the second aspect of the present invention in the installation position of the vehicle door according to the second aspect of the present invention and in particular in the closed position of the vehicle door according to the second aspect of the present invention in the vehicle height direction of the motor vehicle, wherein the vehicle door according to the second aspect of the present invention occupies its installation position in the fully manufactured state of the motor vehicle.

[0021] In a second aspect of the invention, an operating element is integrated in the handle element, by means of which a lock can be electrically unlocked, and a door that can be arranged on a structure of a motor vehicle in a movable, in particular pivotable, manner between a closed position and at least one open position can be fixed in a closed position, in particular relative to the structure, by means of the lock. Here, the handle element is held on the base body in a manner that it can be moved relative to the base body of the door from a rest position into an actuating position, in particular between the rest position and the actuating position, wherein the lock can be mechanically, in particular purely mechanically, unlocked by the movement of the handle element from the rest position into the actuating position. In a second aspect of the invention, the handle element has a housing that can be visually and tactilely perceived by a person who is in the vicinity of the door and is also referred to as a handle element housing, wherein the handle element also has a first sub-region that forms a first part of the handle element housing of the handle element, the first sub-region also referred to as a first main region or first main part and having a first extension direction. The first extension direction is also referred to as a first direction. The first sub-region extends along the first extension direction. For example, the first sub-region of the handle element protrudes from the base body of the door in the first direction (first extension direction). Furthermore, the handle element in a second aspect of the invention has a second sub-region which forms a second part of the handle element housing of the handle element and is connected to the first sub-region, the second sub-region also being referred to as the second main body region or the second main body portion and protruding from the first sub-region along a second extension direction which extends obliquely or perpendicularly to the first direction. In particular, the second sub-region extends along the second extension direction which is also referred to as the second direction. By the second sub-region protruding from the first sub-region along the second direction, for example the second sub-region is spaced apart from the base body and is arranged in such a way that it at least partially overlaps the base body.

[0022] By the way that the second sub-region protrudes from the first sub-region in the second extension direction (second direction), the handle element (especially overall and therefore viewed as a whole) is L-shaped or V-shaped, so that the handle element (especially viewed as a whole) has an L shape or a V shape. Here, the L shape or the V shape is formed by the sub-regions, each of which forms or is a corresponding leg of the L shape or the V shape. The advantages and advantageous configurations of the first aspect of the present invention can be regarded as the advantages and advantageous configurations of the second aspect of the present invention and vice versa.

[0023] In a second aspect of the invention, the handle element can also perform at least one dual function. On the one hand, the handle element is used to electrically unlock the lock in a particularly simple and therefore comfortable and ergonomic manner, in particular by integrating an operating element in the handle element. In addition, the vehicle door can be controlled in a simple, ergonomic and therefore comfortable manner via the handle element. On the other hand, the handle element in the second aspect of the invention can also function as a mechanical emergency unlocking operating element or be designed as a mechanical emergency unlocking operating element, because the lock can be (in particular purely) mechanically unlocked by moving the handle element relative to the base body from the idle position into the operating position.

[0024] In the second aspect, the feature that the handle element is arranged below the door window edge along the vehicle height direction should be understood as the handle element is arranged below the door window edge along the vehicle height direction at least in the idle position. Preferably, the handle element is also arranged above the door window edge along the vehicle height direction in the operating position.

[0025] Due to the L-shape or V-shape, the vehicle door can be actuated particularly comfortably and ergonomically via the handle element, so that particularly advantageous operation is possible.

[0026] In a second aspect of the invention, an actuating device is provided, by means of which the handle element can be moved relative to the base body from the idle position, in particular actively moved, to an intermediate position between the idle position and the actuating position (in particular in accordance with at least one predetermined or predeterminable criterion and / or in accordance with at least one event) and can be held in the intermediate position relative to the base body, i.e. can be locked in the intermediate position relative to the base body. This makes it possible to visually indicate to persons in the surroundings that the handle element can be moved into the actuating position and should be moved into the actuating position in order to mechanically unlock the lock.

[0027] Advantageously, for the vehicle door according to the invention, provision can be made for the operating device to have an actuator which is operatively connected to a means for providing electrical energy in the motor vehicle, in particular a drive battery of the motor vehicle, so that the actuator is electrically operable and is designed to move the handle element from the idle position into the intermediate position.

[0028] In order to enable the handle element to be moved particularly quickly from the idle position to the intermediate position, it is provided in one embodiment of the invention that the operating device has an actuator and an energy accumulator which is intended, that is, specifically and, for example, only assigned to the actuator and preferably designed separately from the actuator, in which energy is stored. The energy stored in the energy accumulator can be supplied to the actuator independently of the rest of the motor vehicle, whereby the actuator is operable. By operating the actuator, the handle element can be moved (especially actively) from the idle position to the intermediate position.

[0029] It has been shown to be particularly advantageous that the energy stored in the energy accumulator is electrical energy, so that the energy accumulator is configured to store electrical energy and is therefore configured as an electrical energy accumulator. Therefore, the actuator is an electrically operable actuator, which can be supplied with electrical energy stored in the electrical energy accumulator and can thus be electrically operated. As a result, the handle element can be moved from the idle position to the intermediate position as required and particularly quickly. For example, the electrical energy accumulator is or includes at least one supercapacitor, which is also referred to as a supercapacitor or supercapacitor. In addition, it is conceivable that the electrical energy accumulator is or includes a battery, in particular a secondary battery. In particular, it is conceivable that the electrical energy accumulator can be supplied with electrical energy from another additional electrical energy accumulator of the motor vehicle via the onboard power supply of the motor vehicle, so that the electrical energy from the other electrical energy accumulator can be stored in the electrical energy accumulator of the operating device and used to operate the actuator. Because the energy accumulator is specifically configured for the actuator, if the above-mentioned power supply is interrupted or destroyed, then in particular the actuator can also be operated and therefore in particular the handle element can also be moved from the idle position to the intermediate position by means of the actuator.

[0030] Another embodiment is characterized in that the actuating device has at least one (especially mechanical) spring element, which is tensioned at least in the idle position and thus provides a spring force, by means of which the handle element can be moved (especially automatically or spontaneously) from the operating position to the intermediate position, especially due to an accident and / or due to a failure of the power supply of the motor vehicle. For example, the spring element is tensioned, especially compressed, at least in the idle position, wherein a spring element, for example a restraining element, such as a hook, also simply referred to as a spring, is held tensioned or tensioned by means of the restraining device. For example, the restraining element is held on the base element in a movable, especially pivotable manner. For example, due to an accident and / or in the event of a power supply failure, the restraining element moves or is movable relative to the base element, whereby the restraining element (especially automatically) releases the spring element in order to at least partially relax the spring element. The spring element thus relaxed can move the handle element relative to the base body from the rest position into the intermediate position, in particular by means of a spring force, whereby a particularly advantageous, in particular particularly reliable, operation of the vehicle door can be achieved in a particularly simple manner.

[0031] In order to ensure particularly reliable and therefore particularly advantageous operation, in particular manipulation, of the door, it is provided in another embodiment of the present invention that the operating device is constructed to move the handle element from the idle position to the intermediate position spontaneously in the event of an accident of the motor vehicle. For example, the accident is detected by means of a detection device, in particular electrically or electronically. The detection device can provide a signal characterizing the detected accident, wherein, according to the signal, for example, the actuator of the operating device is controlled. The actuator is thereby operated, and the actuator thereby moves the handle element from the idle position to the intermediate position. It is also conceivable that in the event of an accident, such an acceleration caused by the accident acts on the restraining element, so that the restraining element moves relative to the basic element, so that the restraining element releases the tensioned spring element. As a result, the spring element can at least partially relax and by means of its spring force the handle element can be moved from the idle position to the intermediate position relative to the base body.

[0032] Finally, in order to achieve a particularly reliable and therefore advantageous operation of the door, it has proven to be particularly advantageous that the operating device is configured to move the handle element from the idle position to the intermediate position when the power supply to the operating element and / or the operating device and / or at least one other component of the motor vehicle is interrupted. For this purpose, it is provided, for example, that the operating device is configured to provide a holding force in the energized state, by means of which the spring element is kept tensioned. The interruption of the power supply leads to the elimination of the holding force, thereby releasing the spring element for at least partially relaxing the spring element. Therefore, the spring element can at least partially relax and thus move the handle element from the idle position to the intermediate position. Alternatively or additionally, for example, the operating device can detect the interruption of the power supply, in particular by receiving a (especially electrical) signal that characterizes the interruption of the power supply. Therefore, for example, the control of the actuator of the operating device can be realized, whereby the actuator can therefore move the handle element from the idle position to the operating position.

[0033] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the actuator or the further actuator of the operating device, in particular an electrically operable actuator, holds the restraining element in a restraining position in which the restraining element holds the spring element tensioned when the actuator is powered. Due to the interruption of the power supply, the actuator or the further actuator reaches a non-powered state of the actuator or the further actuator, so that the holding of the restraining element initially caused by the actuator or the further actuator ends, so that the restraining element moves, in particular relative to the base element, or the actuator or the further actuator releases the restraining element for such a movement, in particular relative to the base element, so that the restraining element releases the spring element for at least partially relaxing the spring element. As a result, the at least partially relaxed spring element can move the handle element relative to the door body from the idle position to the operating position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Further details of the invention are obtained from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments together with the associated drawings.

[0035] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view showing a section of a vehicle designed as a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, including a door according to a first embodiment;

[0036] Figure 2 A schematic sectional view partially showing a first embodiment of a vehicle door;

[0037] Figure 3 Partially show the Figure 1 and Figure 2 A schematic top view of a vehicle door;

[0038] Figure 4 Partially show the Figure 3 Another schematic top view of a door;

[0039] Figure 5 A schematic perspective view showing a portion of a motor vehicle including a second embodiment of a vehicle door;

[0040] Figure 6 a schematic sectional view partially showing a second embodiment of a vehicle door; and

[0041] Figure 7 A schematic sectional view shows a detail of a third embodiment of a vehicle door. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0043] Figure 1 A motor vehicle 1, which is designed here as a passenger car and is also referred to as a motor vehicle or vehicle, is shown in a schematic perspective view in part, the interior of which is also referred to as a passenger compartment or passenger space, which is formed by the structure of the body of the motor vehicle 1, which is in particular designed as a self-supporting structure. The motor vehicle 1 has at least one door 2, which is also referred to simply as a door. The door 2 is a leaf element, which is designed here as a door 2. The door 2 is also referred to simply as a door and is here a side door. The door 2 is provided with a structural opening of the structure, wherein the structural opening is Figure 1 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the door 2 is configured as a lateral door opening of the structure. The door 2 is held movably, in particular pivotably, relative to the structure between a closed position and at least one open position, and is therefore arranged on the structure. In the closed position, at least one sub-region of the structural opening is closed by the door 2. In the open position, the door 2 releases at least one sub-region of the structural opening, so that, for example, a person initially located in the motor vehicle 1 and thus in the surroundings 3 of the door 2 can enter the interior space via the released sub-region of the structural opening. In addition, for example, a person initially located in the interior space can leave the interior space via the released sub-region of the structural opening and thus reach the surroundings 3.

[0044] The vehicle door 2 has a base body 4, also called a basic body or door body, which has a also called door frame structure and is Figure 2 The skeleton structure is partially visible in 5. Here, Figures 1 to 4A first embodiment of a vehicle door 2 is shown. The vehicle door 2 is held on the structure of the motor vehicle 1 in a movable manner, in particular in a pivotable manner, via a frame structure 5. The base body 4 has at least one outer panel element 6, also simply referred to as a panel element, which is designed separately from the frame structure 5 and is (in particular directly) connected to the frame structure 5. The outer panel element 6 is also referred to as a door trim or door outer trim. At least one first region of the frame structure 5 is covered and thereby concealed by the outer panel element 6, in particular with respect to the closed position of the vehicle door 2, towards the surroundings 3 and thus towards the outside (thus in a direction pointing away from the interior). Figure 1 It can be seen that the vehicle door 2 has a trim element 7 which is designed, for example, separately from the outer covering element 6. For example, the trim element 7 is at least indirectly, in particular directly, held on the frame structure 5. In particular, it is conceivable that at least one second region of the frame structure 5 is overlapped by the trim element 7 and thus covered, i.e. concealed, at least with respect to the closed position of the vehicle door 2, towards the surroundings 3 and thus towards the outside. The vehicle door 2 has a shell, also referred to as an overall shell 8, which is located at the vehicle door 2. Figure 1 The closed position shown in FIG. 2 can be perceived visually and tactilely by a person who is in the surroundings 3. A first part of the overall shell 8 is formed by a shell of the outer panel element 6, also referred to as the panel shell 9. A second part of the overall shell 8 is formed by a shell of the trim element 7, also referred to as the trim element shell 10. For example, the trim element 7 is formed from plastic. For example, the trim element 7 is configured as a baffle, or the trim element 7 is also referred to as a baffle. In particular, it can be provided that a vehicle pillar of the structure, in particular configured as a B-pillar, is at least partially overlapped and thus covered by the trim element 7 in the closed position of the vehicle door 2 in the vehicle transverse direction outwards and therefore towards the surroundings 3, so that the trim element 7 is also referred to as a B-pillar baffle, for example.

[0045] Especially well by Figure 1 It can be seen that the door 2 has a door window edge 11, also called window edge or window edge, which is also called the cabin edge or forms the cabin edge of the motor vehicle 1. In addition, the door 2 includes a side glass 12, also simply called glass, which is movable in the vehicle height direction of the motor vehicle 1 relative to the frame structure 5 and relative to the outer panel element 6 at least with respect to the closed position of the door 2. In particular, the base body 4 comprises, for example, the frame structure 5, the outer panel element 6 and the trim element 7. In addition, the base body 4 can include, for example, the side glass 12. It is conceivable that, for example, a third part of the overall shell 8 is formed by a shell, also called glass shell 14, of the side glass 12. The vehicle height direction is illustrated by the double arrow 13. In particular, the side glass 12 can be moved in the vehicle height direction of the motor vehicle 1 at least with respect to the closed position of the door 2. Figure 1The closed position shown in the figure and the open position not shown in the figure are moved, i.e. displaced, in particular in translation, relative to the frame structure 5 and relative to the outer panel element 6 and also relative to the trim element 7. The open position is also referred to as the glass open position and the closed position is also referred to as the glass closed position. The window area 15, also referred to as the glass area, is at least partially delimited by the door window edge 11, in particular in the installed position of the vehicle door 2 and downwardly in the vehicle height direction of the motor vehicle 1. In this case, Figure 1 , the door 2 is shown in its installed position, wherein the door 2 assumes its installed position in the completely finished state of the motor vehicle 1 having the door 2. Figure 1 In the embodiment shown in , the glass region (window region 15) is a window opening, also referred to as a glass opening, which can be delimited, for example, by a window frame of the vehicle door 2, wherein the window frame can include, for example, a door window edge 11. In particular, for example, the window frame is a component of the base body 4. In the closed position, the side window 12 is at least partially arranged in the window region 15, in particular so that the window opening is at least partially, in particular at least predominantly and therefore at least to more than half, but also completely, closed by the side window 12. In particular, it is provided that in the closed position of the side window 12 (glass closed position), the door window edge 11 is connected to the side window 12 in the installation position of the vehicle door 2 in the vehicle height direction downward, in particular with respect to the closed position of the vehicle door 2.

[0046] Depend on Figure 2 It can be seen that the door 2 has a groove 16, also called glass groove or window groove, which is formed (in particular directly) by the frame structure 5 and / or the outer panel element 6 in the installed position of the door 2 and in the closed position of the door 2 in the vehicle transverse direction outwards and thus in the surroundings 3. In particular, the groove 16 is overlapped by the outer panel element 6 and / or the frame structure 5 in the installed position of the door 2 and in the closed position of the door 2 in the vehicle transverse direction of the motor vehicle 1 and thus in the surroundings 3. Figure 2 is illustrated by the double arrow 17, wherein Figure 2, the closed position and the installed position of the vehicle door 2 are also shown. Thus, in the glass open position of the side window 12, a subregion of the side window 12, also referred to as a glass subregion, is arranged in the groove 16 and therefore in particular outside the window region 15, in particular such that the glass subregion is arranged in the vehicle height direction of the motor vehicle 1 below the door window edge 11 and also below the window region 15 in the open position, in particular with respect to the installed position of the vehicle door 2 and with respect to the closed position of the vehicle door 2. In the closed position of the side window 12 (glass closed position), the glass subregion is arranged outside the groove 16 and in the window region 15, in particular such that the glass subregion is arranged above the door window edge 11 in the vehicle height direction, in particular at least with respect to the installed position and the closed position of the vehicle door 2. In other words, the door window edge 11 is connected to the glass subregion downward in the vehicle height direction in the glass closed position. For example, in the closed position of the side window 12 (glass closed position), the window region 15 or the glass opening is at least partially, in particular at least predominantly and thus at least more than halfway but also completely closed by the glass subregion.

[0047] The vehicle door 2 further comprises a handle element 18 on the outside of the door, which is also referred to as an outer handle or door outer handle. The handle element 18 is arranged in the installation position of the vehicle door 2 and in relation to the closed position of the vehicle door 2 (in particular at least partially and completely preferably at least mainly or completely) in the vehicle height direction of the motor vehicle 1 above the door window edge 11. The feature that the handle element 18 is arranged on the outside or on the outside of the door, and is therefore an outside or door outer handle element, is to be understood as meaning that the handle element 18 is arranged on the outside AS of the vehicle door 2, which in the installation position of the vehicle door 2 and at least in the closed position of the vehicle door 2 faces away from the interior and toward the surroundings 3. A person who is in the surroundings 3 can, for example, grasp the handle element 18 with his hand and here, for example, at least partially surround it and then exert a force, in particular a pulling force, on the handle element 18, in order thereby, for example, to open the vehicle door 2 that is initially closed, and thus to move it relative to the structure from the closed position into the open position.

[0048] The handle element 18 has a shell which is visually and tactilely perceptible to a person in the surroundings 3 of the vehicle door 2 (in particular the motor vehicle 1 as a whole), also referred to as a handle element shell 19 , by which, for example, a fourth part of the overall housing 8 is formed and is therefore in particular a fourth part of the overall housing 8 .

[0049] In order to be able to operate, in particular to actuate a vehicle door, particularly easily, in particular ergonomically and comfortably, the handle element 18 has a first sub-area TB1, also referred to as a first main body area or first main body part, with a first extension direction, which is also referred to as a first direction and is in the direction of Figure 1The first sub-region TB1 extends along the first direction. Figure 1 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , it is provided that the first sub-region TB1 protrudes from the base body 4, in particular from the trim element 7, in a first direction (arrow 20). In particular, the first direction extends in the installation position of the vehicle door 2 and in relation to the closed position of the vehicle door 2 in the vehicle transverse direction, in particular outward. In addition, the handle element 18 has a second sub-region TB2, which is also referred to as a second main body region or second main body portion. The second sub-region TB2 extends in a first direction (arrow 20) from the base body 4, in particular from the trim element 7. In particular, the first direction extends in the vehicle transverse direction, in particular outward, in the installation position of the vehicle door 2 and in relation to the closed position of the vehicle door 2. Figure 1 The second extension direction (also referred to as the second direction) indicated by the arrow 21 in the figure protrudes from the first sub-area TB1. Here, the second sub-area TB2 extends along the second extension direction. It can be seen from the arrows 20 and 21 that the first direction and the second direction extend perpendicularly or obliquely to each other, wherein here, the second direction points upward in the vehicle height direction, especially in the installation position of the vehicle door 2 and with respect to the closed position of the vehicle door 2. In particular, the second sub-area TB2 is connected to the end of the sub-area TB1, especially facing away from the base body 4 in the first direction, so that or as a result, in the first embodiment, the handle element 18 is configured as L-shaped (especially when viewed as a whole) and therefore has an L-shape (especially when viewed as a whole). Here, the L-shape is formed by the sub-areas TB1 and TB2. As a result, the handle element 18 is configured as L-shaped in the first embodiment. Here, the sub-areas TB1 and TB2 are corresponding legs of the L-shape, wherein the handle element 18 is connected to the base body 4, especially the skeleton structure 5, via the sub-area TB1. The subregion TB2 is connected to the subregion TB1 , in particular in such a way that the subregion TB2 is connected to an end of the first subregion TB1 facing away from the base body 4 , in particular in the first direction.

[0050] In order to enable particularly advantageous operation, a handle element 18, in particular in the second sub-area TB2, is integrated. Figure 2 The operating element 22 is particularly schematically shown in the figure, which is arranged in particular on the inner side S1 of the handle element 18, in particular the second sub-area TB2, which faces the base body 4, in particular the trim element 7. Figure 2It can be seen that the sub-areas TB1 and TB2 are arranged above the door window edge 11 in the installation position of the vehicle door 2 and in the vehicle height direction of the motor vehicle 1 with respect to the closed position of the vehicle door 2. The operating element 22 is arranged above the door window edge 11 in the installation position of the vehicle door 2 and in the vehicle height direction of the motor vehicle 1 with respect to the closed position of the vehicle door 2. By means of the operating element 22, a lock, which is designed as a door lock here, can be electrically unlocked by operating, in particular actuating, the operating element 22. The lock is, for example, a component of the vehicle door 2 and can thus be moved together with the vehicle door 2 relative to the structure of the motor vehicle 1 between the open position and the closed position of the vehicle door 2, in particular can be pivoted together. The vehicle door 2 can be held in the closed position relative to the structure by means of the lock and thus fixed in the closed position, so that the vehicle door 2 can be fixed by means of the lock to prevent movement from the closed position to the open position relative to the structure. For this purpose, the lock is locked or locked in the closed position of the vehicle door 2, that is, it is adjusted to the locked state of the lock or adjusted to the locked state of the lock. The lock can be electrically unlocked, i.e. electrically brought from a locked state to a locked unlocked state, by operating the operating element 22. By bringing the lock from a locked state to a locked unlocked state, the lock releases the door 2, which is initially in the closed position, for movement relative to the structure of the motor vehicle 1 from the closed position to the open position.

[0051] In order to now enable a particularly advantageous and, in particular, particularly reliable actuation of the vehicle door 2, it is further provided that the handle element 18 is movable relative to the base body 4 and, therefore, relative to the frame structure 5, to the outer panel element 6, to the trim element 7 and also to the side window 12. Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The idle position shown in FIG. 1 and denoted by R is moved to the idle position shown in FIG. Figure 4 4, in particular on the frame structure 5. The lock can be unlocked (in particular purely) mechanically by moving the handle element 18 from the idle position R into the actuating position B, so that it is thus transferred (in particular purely mechanically) from the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0052] exist Figures 1 to 4 In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the handle element 18 can be pivoted relative to the base body 4 about a pivot axis SA between a rest position R and an actuating position B. In the first embodiment, the pivot axis SA in the closed position of the vehicle door 2 and with respect to the installation position of the vehicle door 2 extends at least substantially in the vehicle height direction, for example in Figure 4 The double arrow 23 is indicated in the figure and is perpendicular to Figure 4In a first embodiment, the handle element 18 can be pivoted forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from the idle position R into the actuating position B with respect to the closed position and with respect to the installation position of the vehicle door 2, which Figure 2 and Figure 4 24. In the first embodiment, the (especially pure) mechanical unlocking of the lock is realized, for example, by providing a pulling device 25, also called a rope element, which is configured, for example, as a wire or a wire rope. In particular, the pulling device 25 is configured, for example, as a Bowden cable. The pulling device 25 is coupled (especially mechanically) to the handle element 18 on one side, especially at one end. On the other side, especially at the other end, the pulling device 25 is coupled, for example, to the lock (especially mechanically). If the handle element 18 is moved from the idle position R to the operating position B by a person staying in the surrounding environment 3, for example, manually relative to the base body 4, then a force, especially a pulling force, acts on the pulling device 25 from the handle element 18, which is transmitted to the lock via the pulling device 25 and then unlocks the lock, so that it is thus transformed from a locked state to an unlocked state. Subsequently, the vehicle door 2 can be opened, so that it can be moved from a closed position to an open position relative to the structure. In short, by moving the handle element 18 from the rest position R into the actuating position B, the pull means 25 is pulled, whereby the lock is unlocked mechanically, in particular purely mechanically, ie without the application of any electrical or other energy.

[0053] Depend on Figure 2 It can be seen that, for example, a retaining element 26 is provided, which is also referred to as a retaining element. The retaining element 26 is, for example, designed separately from the frame structure 5 and is fixed to the frame structure 5, in particular by at least one or more screws. In other words, the retaining element 26 is, for example, screwed to the frame structure 5. The handle element 18 is held on the frame structure 5 and thus on the base body 4 by means of the retaining element 26 in such a way that it can be moved relative to the frame structure 5 between a rest position R and an actuation position B, in particular such that the handle element 18 is held on the retaining element 26 in such a way that it can be moved relative to the retaining element 26 between a rest position R and an actuation position B.

[0054] The vehicle door 2 is configured so that the handle element 18 does not move from the idle position R to the actuating position B when the operating element 22 is actuated and the lock is thereby electrically unlocked, i.e. the handle element 18 remains in its idle position R, in particular so that no relative movement occurs between the handle element 18 and the base body 4. For this purpose, a restraining device 27 is provided, which is also referred to as a force coupling or can be configured as a force coupling. The restraining device 27 fixes the handle element 18 in the idle position R relative to the base body 4 until a limit force is reached and in particular only allows the handle element 18 to move (in particular purely) passively relative to the base body 4 from the idle position R to the actuating position B when and in particular only when the actuating force acting on the handle element 18 and provided for moving the handle element 18 from the idle position R to the actuating position B exceeds the limit force. Preferably, the limit force is greater than 90 Newtons. For this purpose, for example, the restraining device 27 includes at least one spring element 28, which is configured as a torsion spring, for example, and which is a mechanical spring. For example, the handle element 18 is supported or can be supported at least indirectly on the base body 4, in particular on the frame structure 5, via the spring element 28, in particular such that the spring element 28 is supported or can be supported at least indirectly, in particular directly, on one side on the handle element 18 and at least indirectly, in particular directly, on the base body 4, in particular on the frame structure 5, on the other side. The spring element 28 provides a spring force that fixes the handle element 18 in the rest position R and allows the handle element 18 to be moved (in particular purely) passively relative to the base body 4 from the rest position R into the actuation position B if, and preferably only if, the actuation force acting on the handle element 18 exceeds the limit force. In other words, the handle element 18 can only be moved from the rest position R into the actuation position B if the spring force is overcome and in particular can only be moved from the rest position R into the actuation position B relative to the base body 4 if the actuation force exceeds the limit force.

[0055] Preferably, the rest position R is a stable position in which no relative movement can occur between the handle element 18 and the base body 4. In particular, the handle element 18 is held in the rest position R relative to the base body 4, for example by means of a restraining device 27, in particular so that no relative movement can occur between the handle element 18 and the base body 4. Very preferably, the actuating position B is, in particular, a further stable position of the handle element 18, wherein the handle element 18 is preferably movable into the actuating position B and can be locked relative to the base body 4 in the actuating position B, in particular so that no relative movement can occur between the handle element 18 and the base body 4 in the actuating position B. For this purpose, for example, a locking device is provided, by means of which the handle element 18 is held or is held or can be held in the actuating position B relative to the base body 4 after the movement from the rest position R to the actuating position B.

[0056] It is known that the limit force is a force threshold that must be overcome in order to enable the handle element 18 to move relative to the base body 4, in particular to move into the operating position B or in the direction of the operating position B. Alternatively or additionally, for this purpose, for example, the restraining device 27 can have two restraining elements, for example, which are configured as disks, that is, for example, a first restraining element that is at least indirectly, in particular, directly fixed to the skeleton structure 5 and a second restraining element that is at least indirectly arranged on the handle element 18 and can move together with the handle element 18. One of the restraining elements has, for example, at least one or more protrusions, in particular, protrusions. The other restraining element has, for example, at least one or more recesses corresponding to the protrusions, wherein, for example, the corresponding protrusions engage in the corresponding corresponding recesses in the idle position R. In order to enable the handle element 18 to move relative to the base body 4, in particular to move from the idle position R to the operating position B, the corresponding protrusions must be moved out of the corresponding corresponding recesses, in particular pivoted out. For this purpose, the limit force (force threshold) must be overcome. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the handle element 18 is held in the idle position R in a form-fitting manner by means of a restraining device 27, in particular locked in the idle position R. In order to enable the handle element 18 to move relative to the base body 4, in particular from the idle position R to the actuating position B, the form-fitting fixation must be eliminated, and therefore the handle element 18 must be released. Only then can the handle element 18 move from the idle position R to the actuating position B. This ensures an advantageous and clear operation or actuation of the vehicle door 2. In particular, a person who is, for example, staying in the surroundings 3 can apply an operating force to the operating element 22 in order to thereby cause an electrical unlocking of the lock. For this purpose, for example, an operating force acts from the person on the operating element 22 in an operating direction. If the operating force is less than the limit force or the operating force is equal to the limit force, the handle element 18 stays in the idle position R here. However, if the operating force exceeds the limit force, the handle element 18 moves relative to the base body 4 from the idle position R to the actuating position B. It can therefore be said that the lock can be mechanically unlocked via the handle element 18 while the operating element 22 is still being operated, since the person can apply an operating force in the same direction to the operating element 22 and via the operating element to the handle element 18 in order to cause electrical and mechanical unlocking of the lock. However, for mechanical unlocking of the lock, the operating force must exceed the limit force.

[0057] Figure 5 and Figure 6 A second embodiment of a vehicle door 2 is shown. Figure 5 and Figure 6The movement or movability of the handle element 18 from the idle position R to the actuating position B is illustrated by arrow 33. In a second embodiment, the vehicle door 2 has a first guide device 29 arranged on a base body 4, in particular a frame structure 5. The first guide device 29 is, for example, at least indirectly, in particular directly fastened to the frame structure 5 and is therefore, for example, immovable relative to the frame structure 5. The first guide device 29 has a guide slot 30. A second guide device 31 is provided on the handle element 18, which can move together with the handle element 18 from the idle position R to the actuating position B relative to the base body 4, in particular between the idle position R and the actuating position B. The second guide device 31 includes at least one guide element 32, which engages in the guide slot 30. As a result, the guide devices 29 and 31 act together in a form-fitting manner. As a result, the guide devices 29 and 31 define or form, in particular, a portion of the handle element 18 that is movable relative to the base body 4. Figure 6 The arrow 33 shown in FIG. 4 illustrates a movement path, along which the handle element 18 can be moved, guided relative to the base body 4 , from the rest position R into the actuation position B, in particular between the rest position R and the actuation position B.

[0058] For example, the guide device 29 is at least indirectly held on the frame structure 5, for example via the holder 26. It is also conceivable that the guide device 29 is held directly on the frame structure 5. It is also conceivable that the guide device 29 is directly fixed, in particular fastened, to the holder 26 and is fixed, in particular fastened, to the frame structure 5 by means of the holder 26. Figure 6 It is particularly clear that in the second embodiment the movement path extends in an arcuate manner, in this case in such a way that the arcuate movement path is curved toward the interior of the motor vehicle 1 and thus away from the surroundings 3 in the installed position of the door 2 and in relation to the closed position of the door 2. As a result, the handle element 18 moves upward in the vehicle height direction and outward in the vehicle transverse direction, thus away from the interior, on its path from the idle position R into the actuating position B, in particular in relation to the installed position of the door 2 and in relation to the closed position of the door 2. In other words, in relation to the idle position R, the handle element 18 is therefore arranged in the actuating position B further upward in the vehicle height direction and further outward in the vehicle transverse direction, thus away from the interior, in particular in relation to the closed position and the installed position of the door 2. This is achieved here in that the guide slot 30 is curved toward the interior in the installed position of the door 2 and in its closed position.

[0059] at last Figure 7A third embodiment of the vehicle door 2 is partially shown in a schematic sectional view. The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in particular in that in the third embodiment the handle element 18 and therefore the sub-areas TB1 and TB2 are arranged completely below the door window edge 11 in the installed position of the vehicle door 2 and in the closed position of the vehicle door 2 in the vehicle height direction (double arrow 23).

[0060] In the third embodiment, the handle element 18 also has a handle element shell 19, wherein the sub-region TB1 forms or comprises a first part of the handle element shell 19 and the sub-region TB2 forms or comprises a second part of the handle element shell. Figure 7 The first sub-region TB1 extends along the first extension direction indicated by the double arrow 34 in FIG. 1 . The second sub-region TB2 has a Figure 7 The second extension direction indicated by the double arrow 35 in FIG. 1 , along which the second sub-area TB2 extends. It can be seen that the extension directions extend obliquely to one another or, in this case, perpendicularly. In the third embodiment, the sub-areas TB1 and TB2 also form an L-shape of the handle element 18, which is therefore also designed as an L-shape overall in the third embodiment. In this case, the sub-areas TB1 and TB2 are the legs of the L-shape. Figure 7 In the idle position R shown in , the first extension direction extends parallel to a plane in which the shell part of the panel shell 9 of the outer panel element 6 extends. It is conceivable that in the idle position R the sub-region TB1 (in particular directly) rests against the shell part of the panel shell 9. Thus, for example, in the third embodiment, the sub-region TB2 protrudes from the sub-region TB1 and from the panel shell 9 along the second extension direction or along the second extension direction. The previous and following descriptions of the first embodiment and of the second embodiment can also be transferred to the third embodiment without problems and vice versa. Since in the third embodiment the handle element 18 is also at least essentially L-shaped, an ergonomic and comfortable handling, in particular operation, of the handle element 18 and therefore of the vehicle door 2 as a whole can also be achieved in the third embodiment. In particular by Figure 7 It can be seen that the second sub-region TB2 protrudes from the sub-region TB1 along the second extension direction or along the second extension direction, in particular from its end, to which the sub-region TB2 is connected (in particular only along the second extension direction). It is particularly provided that the handle element 18 has an L-shape as a whole, that is, is designed to be L-shaped.

[0061] In the first, second and third embodiments, it is provided that the handle element 18 is configured as a whole, i.e. viewed as a whole, to be L-shaped or V-shaped and thus has an L-shape or V-shape as a whole, by the second sub-region TB2 protruding from the first sub-region TB1 along the second extension direction (arrow 21 and double arrow 35), wherein the sub-regions TB1 and TB2 form or are corresponding legs of the corresponding L-shape or V-shape.

[0062] Furthermore, from the examples of the first and second embodiments and in particular here Figure 2 and Figure 6 It can be seen that the vehicle door 2 has an actuating device 36, by means of which the handle element 18 can be moved relative to the base body 4 from the idle position R (in particular along a movement path) into an intermediate position between the idle position R and the actuating position B and can be held in the intermediate position relative to the base body 4, i.e. can be locked in the intermediate position. This means that the handle element 18 is locked relative to the base body 4 by means of the actuating device 36, i.e. held in the intermediate position, so that no relative movement can occur between the handle element 18 and the base body 4 while the handle element 18 is in the intermediate position. The lock is not mechanically unlocked when the handle element 18 is moved from the idle position R into the actuating position B or is not mechanically unlocked thereby. In order to mechanically unlock the lock, the handle element 18 is movable relative to the base body 4 from the intermediate position into the actuating position B or the handle element is moved relative to the base body from the intermediate position into the actuating position.

[0063] The operating device 36 includes, for example, an actuator 37, which is also referred to as an operating actuator or a first actuator. For example, the actuator 37 is electrically operable, and is therefore an electrically operable actuator. This means that the actuator 37 can be powered, and can therefore be supplied with electrical energy or current. In the state where the actuator 37 is powered, the actuator 37 is supplied with or supplied with electrical energy. In the state where the actuator 37 is not powered, the actuator 37 is not supplied with electrical energy.

[0064] In a first variant, it is possible that the actuating device 36 has a spring element, also referred to as an actuating spring element or an actuating spring, in particular a mechanical spring element, which is, for example, tensioned at least in the rest position R or at least provides a spring force, also referred to as an actuating force, in the rest position R. In the energized state of the actuator 37, for example, the actuator 37 (in particular actively) keeps the actuating spring at least indirectly, in particular directly, tensioned, so that the actuating force does not cause the handle element 18 to move from the rest position R into the intermediate position. It is conceivable that the actuator 37 in its energized state directly interacts with the actuating spring and thus keeps the actuating spring directly tensioned, or that a further restraining element, which is, for example, designed as a hook and is, in particular, attached to the actuator 37 and provided in addition to the actuating spring, is provided, wherein, for example, the actuator in its energized state tensions the actuating spring via the further restraining element, i.e., keeps it in its tensioned state, so that the actuating force does not cause the handle element 18 to move from the rest position R into the intermediate position. The actuator 37 can be switched from its energized state to its non-energized state, in particular by the fact that the power supply to the actuator 37 fails, for example, due to an accident or for other reasons, and is therefore interrupted. By switching the actuator 37 from its energized state to its non-energized state, the actuator 37 releases the actuating spring for at least partially relaxing the actuating spring, so that the actuating spring then moves the handle element 18 from the idle position R into the intermediate position, so that the handle element 18 moves from the idle position R into the intermediate position by means of the actuating force. For example, the actuator 37 releases the further restraining element for a translational and / or rotational movement, in particular caused or induced by a spring force (actuating force), in particular relative to the base element, by switching the actuator 37 from its energized state to its non-energized state, so that the further restraining element releases the actuating spring for at least partially relaxing the actuating spring and then the actuating spring moves the handle element 18 relative to the base element 4 from the idle position R into the intermediate position.

[0065] In a second variant, it is conceivable that the actuator 37 is designed as a drive or a motor, is operable as a drive or a motor, or functions as a drive or a motor. In this case, for example, the actuator 37 is an electrically operable actuator, wherein the operating device 36 has, for example, an electrical energy storage device 38 in which electrical energy is stored. In this case, the energy storage device 38 is specifically assigned to the actuator 37 so that the actuator 37 can be supplied with the electrical energy stored in the energy storage device 38 independently of the rest of the motor vehicle 1. By supplying the actuator 37 with the electrical energy stored in the energy storage device 38, the actuator 37 is electrically operable or is operated electrically. By the electrical operation of the actuator 37, the actuator 37 at least indirectly drives the handle element 18, so that the handle element 18 is moved from the idle position R to the intermediate position by means of the actuator 37 and thus actively. In this case, the actuator 37 is not supplied with electrical energy via the energy storage device provided in addition to the energy storage device 38. This ensures that the handle element 18 moves from the rest position R to the intermediate position, for example, in the event of a power failure or an accident with the motor vehicle 1, so that the handle element 18 is presented, so to speak, in the intermediate position to a person in the vicinity. This visually indicates to the person that he or she can move the handle element 18, in particular from the intermediate position to the actuating position B, thereby mechanically unlocking the lock. The door 2 can thus be opened.

[0066] Reference numerals list

[0067] 1Motor Vehicle

[0068] 2 doors

[0069] 3 Surrounding environment

[0070] 4 Matrix

[0071] 5 Skeleton structure

[0072] 6. External cladding elements

[0073] 7 Trim components

[0074] 8 total shells

[0075] 9 cladding shell

[0076] 10 Trim component housing

[0077] 11 Door and window edges

[0078] 12 side glass

[0079] 13 Double Arrow

[0080] 14 Glass shell

[0081] 15 Window Area

[0082] 16 slots

[0083] 17 Double Arrow

[0084] 18 handle elements

[0085] 19Handle element housing

[0086] 20 arrows

[0087] 21 Arrows

[0088] 22 operating elements

[0089] 23 Double Arrow

[0090] 24 Arrows

[0091] 25 Pulling device

[0092] 26 retaining parts

[0093] 27 Restraint Devices

[0094] 28 Spring element

[0095] 29 First guide device

[0096] 30 Guide chute

[0097] 31 Second guide device

[0098] 32 guide elements

[0099] 33 Arrows

[0100] 34 Double Arrow

[0101] 35 double arrow

[0102] 36 Control device

[0103] 37 Actuator

[0104] 38 Accumulator

[0105] AS outer side

[0106] B operating position

[0107] R Idle position

[0108] S1 inner side

[0109] SA pivot axis

[0110] TB1 subregion

[0111] TB2 subregion

Claims

1. A door (2) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising a handle element (18) arranged on the outside of the door above a door window edge (11) of the door (2), characterized in that: an operating element (22) is integrated in the handle element (18), by means of which a lock can be electrically unlocked, by means of which a door (2) which can be arranged on a structure of the motor vehicle (1) so as to be movable between a closed position and at least one open position can be fixed in the closed position; - the handle element (18) is held on the base body (4) of the vehicle door (2) in such a way that it can be moved relative to the base body (4) from a rest position (R) into at least one actuating position (B), the lock being mechanically unlockable by movement of the handle element (18) from the rest position (R) into the actuating position (B); and An actuating device (36) is provided, by means of which the handle element (18) can be moved relative to the base body (4) from a rest position (R) into an intermediate position between the rest position (R) and the actuating position (B) and can be held in the intermediate position relative to the base body (4).

2. The vehicle door (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The handle element has: a housing (19) which is visually and tactilely perceptible to a person who is in the surroundings (3) of the vehicle door (2); - a first sub-region (TB1) forming a first part of the housing of the handle element (18), said first sub-region having a first extension direction (20, 34); and A second subregion (TB2) forming a second part of the housing (19) of the handle element (18) and connected to the first subregion (TB1), said second subregion protruding from the first subregion (TB1) along at least one second extension direction (21, 35) extending obliquely or perpendicularly to the first extension direction (20, 34).

3. The vehicle door (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The handle element (18) is configured to be L-shaped or V-shaped.

4. A door (2) for a motor vehicle (1), the door comprising a handle element on the outside of the door, a handle element (18) arranged below a door window edge (11) of the door (2), characterized in that: an operating element (22) is integrated in the handle element (18), by means of which a lock can be electrically unlocked, by means of which a door (2) which can be arranged on a structure of the motor vehicle (1) so as to be movable between a closed position and at least one open position can be fixed in the closed position; - the handle element (18) is held on the base body (4) of the vehicle door (2) in such a way that it can be moved relative to the base body (4) from a rest position (R) into at least one actuating position (B), the lock being mechanically unlockable by movement of the handle element (18) from the rest position (R) into the actuating position (B); - an actuating device (36) is provided, by means of which the handle element (18) can be moved relative to the base body (4) from the idle position (R) into an intermediate position between the idle position (R) and the actuating position (B) and can be retained in the intermediate position relative to the base body (4); and - The handle element has: o a housing (19) that is visually and tactilely perceptible to a person in the surroundings (3) of the vehicle door (2); o a first sub-region (TB1) forming a first portion of the housing of the handle element (18), the first sub-region having a first extension direction (20, 34); and o A second sub-region (TB2) forming a second part of the housing (19) of the handle element (18) and connected to the first sub-region (TB1), the second sub-region protruding from the first sub-region (TB1) along at least one second extension direction (21, 35) extending obliquely or perpendicularly to the first extension direction (20, 34), whereby the handle element (18) is constructed in an L-shape or a V-shape.

5. The vehicle door (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The operating device (36) has an actuator (37) and an energy accumulator (38) specifically assigned to the actuator (37), in which energy is stored and can be supplied to the actuator (37) independently of the rest of the motor vehicle (1), whereby the actuator (37) is operable and the handle element (18) can be moved from a rest position (R) into an intermediate position by the operation of the actuator (37).

6. The vehicle door (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that: The energy store (38) is designed to store electrical energy, which can be supplied to the electrically operable actuator (37) and thereby make the actuator operable.

7. The vehicle door (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The actuating device (36) has at least one spring element which is tensioned at least in the rest position (R) and thus provides a spring force by means of which the handle element can be moved from the actuating position (B) into an intermediate position.

8. The vehicle door (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The actuating device (36) is designed to move the handle element (18) from a rest position (R) into an intermediate position in the event of an accident of the motor vehicle.

9. The vehicle door (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The actuating device (36) is designed to automatically move the handle element (18) from a rest position (R) into an intermediate position when a power supply to the operating element (22) and / or the actuating device (36) and / or at least one further component of the motor vehicle (1) is interrupted. 10 . Motor vehicle ( 1 ) comprising at least one door ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims.

Images