Actuating mechanism for actuating vehicle door, in particular outer vehicle door

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuating mechanism for actuating, in particular unlocking and / or opening a door, in particular an outer door, of a vehicle, said actuating mechanism comprising: a manually actuatable handle part; a carrier element which is connected, in particular in a fixed manner, to the handle part by means of an end region of the carrier element; and a bearing, in particular a pivot bearing, by means of which the handle part can be pivoted together with the carrier element about an axis of rotation defined by the bearing, in particular about an at least substantially horizontally extending axis of rotation defined by the bearing, relative to a housing structure of the actuating mechanism and / or relative to a body structure of the vehicle, in particular an outer skin structure of the vehicle. In particular, according to the invention, it is proposed that the actuating mechanism also has a sensor device, the sensor device being configured to detect a pivoting movement of the handle part together with the carrier element away from the rest position of the handle part.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an actuating mechanism for actuating a vehicle door, in particular for unlocking and opening an outer vehicle door. The present invention also relates to a corresponding vehicle door having such an actuating mechanism.

[0002] In the automotive industry, there is an increasing trend to no longer open or close vehicle doors and flaps, in particular outer vehicle doors, in the "traditional" way manually. Instead, the corresponding opening or closing movement of the vehicle door and in particular locking and unlocking are generally carried out in an automatic, in particular electric, manner. For this purpose, an electric motor is generally used, which drives a mechanism for unlocking or locking the vehicle door and flap as required. In order to generate signals for actuating such an in particular electric actuator or a corresponding control device, sensing means, in particular switches, can be provided, which generate the desired signals by actuation by the user. Such switches can be designed as buttons, which generate the above-mentioned signals when pressed by the user.

[0003] In addition to the corresponding switches for unlocking the vehicle door, a handle is also required in order to be able to pull open the corresponding vehicle door after unlocking. The handle and the button are generally difficult to operate with a single hand movement only, so that unlocking and pulling open the vehicle door usually have to be carried out separately.

[0004] Furthermore, such handles by means of which the vehicle door can be manually pulled open (i.e. opened) after unlocking are generally located in an area near the vehicle door which is difficult to reach, in particular for smaller persons such as children.

[0005] Therefore, the object on which the present invention is based is to provide an actuating mechanism for actuating a vehicle door, which can be used to unlock and at the same time open the vehicle door with a single movement.

[0006] In addition, there is a need for the actuating mechanism to reliably detect the opening request of the operator, even if the operator does not manipulate the handle element of the actuating mechanism in a predefined single movement direction, for example due to the inaccessibility of the handle element.

[0007] The basic object of the present invention is achieved in particular by an actuating mechanism according to claim 1 of the patent, wherein advantageous refinements of the actuating mechanism according to the present invention are given in the dependent claims of the patent.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention particularly relates to an actuating mechanism for actuating, in particular unlocking and / or opening, a vehicle door. The vehicle door is in particular an outer vehicle door.

[0009] The actuating mechanism has a manually actuable handle element and a carrier element, which is fixedly connected to the handle element, in particular via an end region of the carrier element.

[0010] Furthermore, a bearing is used, which is particularly embodied as a pivot bearing, and the handle element can pivot together with the carrier element about a rotational axis defined by the bearing relative to the housing structure of the actuating mechanism and / or relative to the vehicle body structure, in particular the outer skin structure of the vehicle, by means of this bearing. The rotational axis defined by the bearing is preferably a rotational axis that extends at least substantially in the horizontal direction.

[0011] Finally, the actuating mechanism according to the invention comprises a sensor device, which is particularly in the form of a switch, in particular a microswitch, or has a switch, in particular a microswitch, wherein the sensor device is configured to detect the pivoting movement of the handle element together with the carrier element away from the rest position of the handle element.

[0012] According to a preferred implementation of the actuating mechanism according to the invention, it is proposed that the handle element is at least partially or locally embodied as a lever element and is configured to convert a force component acting on the handle element in the vertical direction and a force component acting on the handle element in the horizontal direction into a force component that causes the handle element to pivot together with the carrier element about the rotational axis defined by the bearing away from the rest position of the handle element.

[0013] The force component acting on the handle element in the vertical direction mentioned particularly relates to the force component acting vertically downwards on the handle element when the actuating mechanism is mounted on the vehicle or in the vehicle, in particular when mounted on the vehicle door or in the vehicle door.

[0014] The force component acting on the handle element in the horizontal direction mentioned particularly relates to the force component acting in the horizontal direction away from the vehicle door and acting on the handle element.

[0015] In particular, in combination with the last-mentioned implementation variant of the actuating mechanism according to the invention, it is conceivable that the handle element, which is at least partially or locally embodied as a lever element, has a region that extends at least substantially in the vertical direction and a region that extends at least substantially in the horizontal direction. The region of the handle element, which is at least partially or locally embodied as a lever element, and extends at least substantially in the vertical direction is in particular the vertical direction that extends at least substantially parallel to the vehicle outer skin.

[0016] The region of the handle element, which is at least partially or locally embodied as a lever element and extends in the horizontal direction mentioned, is connected to the end region of the carrier element.

[0017] Here, it is particularly preferably proposed that the bearing of the actuating mechanism is embodied / arranged in a region in which the region of the handle element that extends at least substantially in the horizontal direction transitions into the carrier element.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the actuating mechanism of the present invention, it is particularly proposed that the axis of rotation defined by the bearing is at least substantially located in the intersection area between a straight line extending along a horizontally extending area of the handle element and a straight line extending along the carrier element.

[0019] Advantageously, the handle element and the carrier element of the actuating mechanism of the present invention are integrally formed, particularly from a plastic material. The handle element and the carrier element are preferably formed during an injection molding process.

[0020] According to an improvement of the actuating mechanism of the present invention, it is proposed that the actuating mechanism further has a preloading element, particularly in the form of a spring, for preloading the handle element (together with the carrier element connected to the handle element) to the rest position of the handle element.

[0021] In this regard, for example, it is provided that the preloading element has a preloaded leg spring, which has two legs and a helically wound area, wherein the helically coiled area of the leg spring is arranged coaxially and / or concentrically with the axis of rotation, and wherein one leg of the leg spring bears against the carrier element, and the other leg of the leg spring bears against the housing structure of the actuating mechanism and / or the body structure of the vehicle.

[0022] Finally, according to an implementation variant of the actuating mechanism of the present invention, it is proposed that the actuating mechanism further has a stop or the actuating mechanism is associated with a stop for limiting the pivoting movement of the handle element about the axis of rotation defined by the bearing. For example, the pivoting movement of the handle element is thereby limited to a maximum of 20 degrees, particularly a maximum of 15 degrees and more preferably limited to a maximum of 10 degrees.

[0023] The present invention also relates to a vehicle door, particularly an outer vehicle door, which has an actuating mechanism of the type according to the present invention described above.

[0024] In this regard, it is particularly proposed that the actuating mechanism is arranged on or in the area of the A-pillar, B-pillar or C-pillar of the body structure of the vehicle.

[0025] Exemplary embodiments of the actuating mechanism of the present invention are shown in the drawings.

[0026] In the drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of the actuating mechanism of the present invention for actuating a vehicle door is schematically shown and in an isometric view;

[0028] Figure 2 An exemplary embodiment of the actuating mechanism of the present invention is schematically shown and in a cross-sectional view according to Figure 1 and;

[0029] Figure 3 is schematically shown according toFigure 1 Another cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the actuating mechanism of the present invention.

[0030] As can be seen from the drawings, an exemplary embodiment of the actuating mechanism 1 of the present invention is the actuating mechanism 1 of the type according to the present invention as generally defined in the appended claims.

[0031] The exemplary embodiment of the actuating mechanism 1 of the present invention shown in the drawings is used to actuate, in particular to unlock and open the vehicle door 2. For this purpose, the actuating mechanism 1 has a manually actuable handle element 3 and a carrier element 4 which is fixedly connected to the handle element 3, in particular via an end region of the carrier element 4.

[0032] It is conceivable, for example, that the handle element 3 and the carrier element 4 are implemented together as an integral component.

[0033] The handle element 3 can pivot together with the carrier element 4 about a rotation axis defined by the pivot bearing 5 (which extends at least substantially horizontally) relative to the housing structure or body structure 6 of the actuating mechanism 1 and relative to the body structure 6 of the vehicle.

[0034] As can be seen in particular from the cross-sectional view according to Figure 3 the actuating mechanism 1 also has a sensor device 7. The sensor device 7 is in particular a microswitch.

[0035] The sensor device 7 is configured to detect the pivoting movement of the handle element 3 together with the carrier element 4 away from the rest position of the handle element 3.

[0036] It can be seen in particular from the cross-sectional view according to Figure 3 that the handle element 3 is at least partially or locally implemented as a lever element and is configured to convert a force component acting on the handle element 3 in the vertical direction, in particular a force component acting on the handle element 3 downward in the vertical direction, and a force component acting on the handle element 3 in the horizontal direction, in particular a force component acting on the handle element 3 pointing away from the vehicle door 2 in the horizontal direction, into a force component that causes the handle element 3 together with the carrier element 4 to pivot away from the rest position of the handle element 3 about the rotation axis defined by the bearing.

[0037] For this purpose, it is particularly proposed in the exemplary embodiment of the actuating mechanism 1 of the present invention shown in the drawings that the handle element 3, which is at least partially or locally implemented as a lever element, has: a region extending at least substantially in the vertical direction, in particular in a vertical direction extending at least substantially parallel to the outer skin of the vehicle; and a region extending at least substantially in the horizontal direction, which region is connected to the end region of the carrier element 4. Thus, the handle element 3 can in particular have at least a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional geometry.

[0038] Here, the bearing 5 is implemented in a region where at least the region of the handle part 3 extending substantially horizontally transitions into the carrier element 4.

[0039] Specifically, the axis of rotation defined by the bearing 5 lies in the intersection region between a straight line extending along the horizontally extending region of the handle part 3 and a straight line extending along the carrier element 4.

[0040] According to a preferred implementation of the actuating mechanism 1 of the present invention, the handle part 3 and the carrier element 4 are integrally formed (i.e., as a single-piece member), especially from a plastic material. The handle part 3 can also at least partially have a cold-touch effect.

[0041] It can be seen from the cross-sectional view according to Figure 3 that the actuating mechanism 1 also has a preloading element 10, especially in the form of a leg spring, where the preloading element 10 is used to preload the handle part 3 into its rest position.

[0042] Specifically, a preloaded leg spring serves as the preloading element 10, which has two legs and a helically coiled region, where the helically coiled region of the leg spring is arranged coaxially and / or concentrically with the axis of rotation, and where one leg of the leg spring bears against the carrier element 4, and the other leg of the leg spring bears against the housing structure of the actuating mechanism 1.

[0043] However, alternatively, it is also conceivable that the other leg of the leg spring can bear against the vehicle body structure 6.

[0044] The actuating mechanism 1 also has a stop 11 to restrict the pivoting movement of the handle part 3 about the axis of rotation defined by the bearing 5. The pivoting movement is preferably restricted to a maximum of 20°, especially a maximum of 15°, and more preferably restricted to a maximum of 10°.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments of the actuating mechanism 1 shown in the drawings, but results from an overview of all the features disclosed herein.

[0046] The present invention especially also relates to a vehicle door 2, especially an outer vehicle door, which has a corresponding actuating mechanism 1. Here, the actuating mechanism 1 can be arranged on or in the region of the A-pillar, B-pillar or C-pillar 12 of the vehicle body structure 6 (see Figure 1 ).

[0047] List of reference numerals

[0048] 1 Actuating mechanism

[0049] 2 Vehicle door

[0050] 3 Handle part

[0051] 4 Carrier element

[0052] 5 Bearing

[0053] 6 Body structure

[0054] 7 Sensor device

[0055] 8 Region of the handle member extending in the vertical direction

[0056] 9 Region of the handle member extending in the horizontal direction

[0057] 10 Preloading element / leg spring

[0058] 11 Stop

[0059] 12 C-pillar.

Claims

1. An actuating mechanism (1) for actuating, in particular unlocking and / or opening, a door (2), in particular an outer door, of a vehicle, wherein the actuating mechanism (1) comprises: - a manually actuatable handle (3); a carrier element (4), which is connected, in particular fixedly, to the handle part (3) via an end region of the carrier element (4); a bearing (5), in particular a pivot bearing, by means of which the handle element (3) can be pivoted together with the carrier element (4) about a rotation axis defined by the bearing (5), in particular about an at least substantially horizontally extending rotation axis defined by the bearing (5), relative to a housing structure of the actuating mechanism (1) and / or relative to a body structure (6) of the vehicle, in particular an outer skin structure of the vehicle; as well as - a sensor device (7), which is in particular in the form of a switch, in particular a microswitch, or has a switch, in particular a microswitch, wherein the sensor device (7) is configured to detect a pivoting movement of the handle part (3) together with the carrier element (4) out of a rest position of the handle part (3).

2. The actuating mechanism (1) according to claim 1, The handle member (3) is at least partially or partially implemented as a lever element and is configured to convert a force component acting on the handle member (3) in a vertical direction, in particular a force component acting on the handle member (3) in a vertical downward direction, and a force component acting on the handle member (3) in a horizontal direction, in particular a force component acting on the handle member (3) in a horizontal direction away from the vehicle door (2), into a force component causing the handle member (3) to pivot together with the carrier element (4) away from a rest position of the handle member (3) around the rotation axis defined by the bearing (5).

3. The actuating mechanism (1) according to claim 2, The handle (3) which is at least partially or partially implemented as a lever element comprises: an area extending at least substantially in a vertical direction, in particular in a vertical direction extending at least substantially parallel to an outer skin of the vehicle; and an area extending at least substantially in the horizontal direction, the area extending at least substantially in the horizontal direction being connected to the end area of ​​the carrier element (4).

4. The actuating mechanism (1) according to claim 3, The bearing (5) is arranged in a region in which a region of the handle part (3) extending at least approximately in the horizontal direction transitions into the carrier element (4).

5. The actuating mechanism (1) according to claim 4, The rotation axis defined by the bearing (5) is located in the intersection area between a straight line extending along the area of ​​the handle (3) extending in the horizontal direction and a straight line extending along the carrier element (4).

6. Actuating mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The handle part (3) and the carrier element (4) are formed integrally, in particular from a plastic material.

7. Actuating mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The actuating mechanism (1) further comprises a prestressing element (10), in particular in the form of a spring, for prestressing the handle element (3) into its rest position.

8. The actuating mechanism (1) according to claim 7, The preload element (10) comprises a preloaded leg spring having two legs and a helically wound area, wherein the helically wound area of ​​the leg spring is arranged coaxially and / or concentrically with the rotation axis, and wherein one of the legs is supported on the carrier element (4) and the other leg is supported on the housing structure of the actuating mechanism (1) and / or the body structure (6) of the vehicle.

9. Actuating mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The actuating mechanism (1) further comprises a stopper (11) for limiting the pivotal movement of the handle member (3) around the rotation axis defined by the bearing (5), wherein the pivotal movement is preferably limited to a maximum of 20 degrees, in particular a maximum of 15 degrees and more preferably a maximum of 10 degrees.

10. Actuating mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The sensor device (7) is configured to detect the pivoting movement of the handle member (3) relative to the body structure (6) of the vehicle and to generate an electrical signal for unlocking the vehicle door (2).

11. The actuating mechanism (1) according to claim 10, The handle part (3) is in operative connection with the carrier element (4) in such a way that the movement of the handle part (3), in particular the movement generated when the handle part (3) is manually actuated, is transmitted or can be transmitted to the sensor device (7) to trigger the sensor device.

12. A door (2), in particular an outer door, of a vehicle, comprising an actuating mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The vehicle door (2) according to claim 12, The actuating mechanism (1) is arranged on or in the region of an A-pillar, a B-pillar or a C-pillar (12) of a body structure (6) of the vehicle.

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