A handle assembly and vehicle

Abstract

This application provides a door handle assembly and a vehicle, relating to the field of automotive safety technology. The door handle assembly provided in this application includes: a safety door handle; and a weakening structure, including a thinned area, the cross-sectional dimension of which is smaller than that of an adjacent connecting area. The weakening structure is used at least at one of two connection points: the connection between the safety door handle and the roof, and the connection between the safety door handle and the vehicle body frame. The weakening structure is capable of controlled failure to form a channel for the deployment of the side curtain airbag. Through the door handle assembly provided in this application, the side curtain airbag burst load is concentrated and guided to the door handle assembly for controlled failure, preventing random brittle fracture and fragmentation of the integrated roof panel or door handle assembly at unplanned locations. This effectively solves the problem of excessively high rigidity of the integrated roof causing obstructed side curtain airbag deployment and the potential for secondary injury.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of automotive safety technology, specifically to a handle assembly and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Side curtain airbags (also known as side window airbags) are crucial passive safety devices in side collisions. They are typically positioned between the vehicle's roof and the side windows of the doors, deploying rapidly after a collision to form an airbag curtain extending along the window height to protect the occupants' heads. In current technology, due to the need for integrated and modular interior layouts, the vehicle roof area often uses a single, rigid, elongated panel. This panel integrates components such as roof safety handles, lights, integrated air vents, and trim strips onto a single plastic panel, which is then connected to the vehicle's frame through multiple anchor points. While this structure facilitates a uniform appearance and assembly efficiency, it also significantly increases the overall rigidity of the roof along the side curtain airbag deployment path.

[0003] When a side collision occurs and triggers the deployment of the side curtain airbags, the airbags need to quickly break through the gap between the roof and the vehicle frame during expansion to form a stable and reliable deployment channel. Because the integrated long panel and the roof safety handle assembly on it have high overall rigidity, the burst load generated by the expansion of the side curtain airbags acting on this high-rigidity structure can easily cause uncontrollable brittle fracture at unintended locations, resulting in large areas of shattered interior parts and even the scattering of hard fragments. This not only affects the deployment sequence and shape of the side curtain airbags but may also cause secondary injuries to the occupants. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, this application provides a grab handle assembly to improve the reliability of side curtain airbag deployment and occupant safety. Additionally, this application provides a vehicle including the aforementioned grab handle assembly. To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solution: A handle assembly, comprising: Safety handle; The weakening structure includes a thinning zone with a cross-sectional dimension smaller than that of an adjacent connecting zone, and the weakening structure is used at least at one of two connections: the connection between the safety handle and the roof, and the connection between the safety handle and the vehicle frame. The weakening structure is capable of controlled destruction to form a channel for the deployment of the side curtain airbags.

[0005] Optionally, in the above-mentioned handle assembly, the weakening structure is provided at both the connection between the safety handle and the roof and the connection between the safety handle and the vehicle body frame.

[0006] Optionally, in the above-mentioned handle assembly, the weakening structure provided at the connection between the safety handle and the roof is a primary weakening structure, and the weakening structure provided at the connection between the safety handle and the vehicle frame is a secondary weakening structure. The load-bearing capacity of the primary weakening structure is weaker than that of the primary weakening structure, so that the primary weakening structure is preferentially subjected to controlled failure.

[0007] Optionally, in the above handle assembly, the weakening structure is a groove-shaped structure.

[0008] Optionally, the above-mentioned handle assembly includes a handle base connected to the safety handle. The handle base includes a first connecting block for connecting to the handle panel of the roof and a second connecting block for connecting to the body sheet metal of the vehicle frame, and the weakening structure is provided on at least one of the first connecting block and the second connecting block.

[0009] Optionally, in the above handle assembly, both the first connecting block and the second connecting block are provided with the weakening structure.

[0010] Optionally, in the above handle assembly, multiple weakening structures are provided on both the first connecting block and the second connecting block, and each weakening structure is evenly distributed at intervals.

[0011] Optionally, the above-mentioned handle assembly further includes an energy-absorbing structure disposed between the handle base and the safety handle; and / or between the handle base and the vehicle frame, so as to absorb part of the load through the energy-absorbing structure.

[0012] Optionally, in the above-mentioned handle assembly, the energy-absorbing structure includes a return spring, one end of which is connected to the safety handle and the other end of which is connected to the handle base.

[0013] This application provides a grab handle assembly including a weakening structure, which is provided at least at one of two connection points: the connection between the safety grab handle and the roof, and the connection between the safety grab handle and the vehicle body frame. When a side collision occurs and the side curtain airbag is triggered to deploy by the control unit, the weakening structure bears the internal pressure load and reaction force generated by the expansion of the side curtain airbag. Through a pre-set strength and stiffness, controlled failure occurs when the load reaches a predetermined threshold, causing the grab handle assembly, which was originally rigidly connected to the roof and / or the vehicle body frame, to release the rigid connection. Under the push of the side curtain airbag, the grab handle assembly moves relative to the roof and / or the vehicle body frame, and collapses or deflects as a whole towards the passenger compartment side, thereby opening a predetermined clearance gap between the roof and the side curtain airbag, forming a channel for the side curtain airbag to deploy along the direction of the vehicle side window. The handle assembly designed in this application concentrates and guides the side curtain air blast load to the handle assembly for controlled destruction, avoiding random brittle fracture and fragmentation of the integrated roof panel or handle assembly at non-predetermined locations. This effectively solves the problem of excessive rigidity of the integrated roof causing obstruction of side curtain air deployment and the potential for secondary damage.

[0014] This application also provides a vehicle including the handle assembly described in any of the foregoing claims. Since the vehicle possesses the aforementioned handle assembly, it combines all the technical effects of the aforementioned handle assembly, which will not be elaborated upon further herein. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the first connection block and the second connection block disclosed in the embodiments of this application.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the first connection block and the second connection block disclosed in the embodiments of this application.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the handle assembly disclosed in the embodiments of this application.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the handle assembly disclosed in the embodiments of this application.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the handle assembly and the ceiling trim disclosed in the embodiments of this application.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a side view of the assembly of the handle assembly and the ceiling trim disclosed in the embodiments of this application.

[0021] Explanation of icon numbers: 10 represents a weakened structure; 20 is the ceiling, and 21 is the handle panel; 30 are the upper body fastening bolts; 100 is the handle base, 110 is the first connection block, and 120 is the second connection block; 200 is a safety handle; 300 refers to the side curtain airbag. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0023] like Figures 1-6 As shown, one embodiment of this application provides a side curtain airbag 300 handle assembly, which includes a safety handle 200 and a weakening structure 10. The weakening structure 10 has a thinning area, the cross-sectional dimension of which is smaller than the cross-sectional dimension of the adjacent connecting area, so that the structural strength of the weakening structure 10 is relatively reduced compared with other connecting parts, thereby causing it to fail first. The weakening structure 10 is provided at least at one of the two connection points: the connection between the safety handle 200 and the roof 20, and the connection between the safety handle 200 and the vehicle body frame. When a side collision occurs and the side curtain airbag 300 is triggered to deploy by the control unit, the inflated side curtain airbag 300 exerts a force on the weakening structure 10. The weakening structure 10, which has a preset strength and stiffness, fails when the load reaches a preset value. That is, the weakening structure 10 fails before other components. This causes the handle assembly, which was originally rigidly connected to the roof 20 and / or the body frame, to lose its rigid connection. The handle assembly moves under the push of the side curtain airbag 300 and collapses towards the passenger compartment. Or deflect, thereby opening a predetermined clearance gap between the roof 20 and the side curtain airbag 300, forming a channel for the side curtain airbag 300 to deploy along the vehicle side window direction. This application concentrates and guides the burst load of the side curtain airbag 300 to cause controlled damage at the side curtain airbag 300 handle assembly, avoiding random brittle fracture and fragmentation of the long panel or handle assembly formed by the integrated roof 20 at non-predetermined positions. This effectively solves the problem that the side curtain airbag 300 is obstructed and there is a risk of secondary injury due to the excessive rigidity of the integrated roof 20.

[0024] In one specific embodiment, weakening structures 10 are provided at the connection points between the safety handle 200 and the roof 20, and at the connection points between the safety handle 200 and the vehicle body frame. When the side curtain airbag 300 is deployed, the pressure generated by the expansion of the airbag is transmitted to the two connection areas through the roof 20 and the handle assembly, providing multiple paths for the safety handle 200 to release the rigid connection. Multiple weakening structures 10 can be destroyed sequentially or simultaneously. In the event of a side collision, this improves the reliability of the side curtain airbag 300 deploying smoothly along a preset path, and greatly reduces the occurrence of failure caused by the inability of a single weakening structure 10 to be destroyed in time.

[0025] In one specific embodiment, the weakening structure 10 located at the connection between the safety handle 200 and the roof 20 is a primary weakening structure, while the weakening structure 10 located at the connection between the safety handle 200 and the vehicle frame is a secondary weakening structure. The primary weakening structure is designed to have a weaker load-bearing capacity than the secondary weakening structure. For example, when the weakening structure 10 is a groove structure, by reducing the cross-sectional thickness of the primary weakening structure and designing a thicker cross-section for the secondary weakening structure, the load-bearing capacity of the primary weakening structure is made weaker than that of the secondary weakening structure. Thus, when the side curtain airbag 300 deploys and the resulting burst load gradually increases, the primary weakening structure first reaches its material yield or fracture limit and preferentially undergoes controlled failure. This causes the safety handle 200 to first partially or completely detach from the long panel of the roof 20, releasing the rigid constraint between the long panel and the safety handle 200. The curtain airbag continues to inflate and pushes the safety handle 200 further towards... As the passenger compartment moves and collapses internally, the secondary weakening structure undergoes a second controlled failure under higher load conditions as the air curtain continues to expand and push the safety handle 200 further. This further releases the constraint of the safety handle 200 from the vehicle frame level, allowing it to fully yield under the push of the side air curtain 300 and collapse out as a whole between the roof 20 and the vehicle frame, forming a larger and smoother deployment channel. Through the above-mentioned load-bearing capacity difference design, a two-stage progressive weakening design is formed, which precisely controls the release sequence of explosive energy and the steps of structural damage. This achieves spatial and temporal trigger sequence control of the weakening structure 10, distributing the explosive load of the side air curtain 300 to two weak sections of different strength levels for sequential consumption. This reduces the peak force at a single point, avoids sudden fracture at unexpected locations, and helps ensure the smoothness and controllability of the side air curtain 300 deployment process.

[0026] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, in a specific embodiment, the weakening structure 10 adopts a groove-shaped structure, specifically a U-shaped or V-shaped groove. The groove makes the tensile and shear strength of this area significantly lower than the surrounding main structure. When the side air curtain 300 is deployed, the bottom of the groove reaches the material limit first due to stress concentration and section weakening effect, resulting in fracture or yielding. The crack extends along the predetermined groove line, and fracture occurs at the groove, achieving controlled failure of the weakening structure 10 in a predetermined area and in a predetermined form. The groove structure ensures that the weakening structure 10 still provides sufficient connection strength and durability under normal use conditions, while reliably triggering under collision conditions to ensure timely release of the rigid connection of the safety handle 200 assembly, thus balancing the strength of normal use with controllable fracture under collision conditions. Alternatively, the weakening structure 10 can also be a thinned section arranged along a predetermined fracture path (this configuration is not shown in the figure), or a multi-hole arrangement structure with multiple intervals at the preset fracture point (this configuration is not shown in the figure), achieving a structure that weakens the stiffness at the fracture point. These are not listed individually here.

[0027] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the handle assembly provided in this application also includes a handle base 100. The safety handle 200 in the handle assembly is mounted on the handle base 100, and the safety handle 200 is mounted on the handle panel of the roof 20 and the vehicle body frame via the handle base 100. Depending on the installation target, the connection portion of the handle base 100 is divided into a first connection block 110 for connecting to the handle panel of the roof 20, and a second connection block 120 for connecting to the inner sheet metal of the vehicle body frame. The first connection block 110 can be fixed to the handle panel by means of clips, screws, etc., and the second connection block 120 can be connected to the inner sheet metal of the vehicle body frame via a metal bracket and upper body fastening bolts 30. Meanwhile, the aforementioned weakening structure 10 is provided on at least one of the first connecting block 110 and the second connecting block 120. When the side curtain airbag 300 is controlled to deploy and expands rapidly between the roof 20 and the side window, the weakening structure 10 on the corresponding connecting block is controlled to fail under load. The handle base 100 is no longer fixed to the handle panel and / or the body frame in a high-rigidity manner, but moves under the expansion of the side curtain airbag 300, causing the entire handle assembly to collapse towards the passenger compartment side, forming a channel for the side curtain airbag 300 to deploy between the long panel and the side curtain airbag 300. Thus, under the premise that the handle assembly is integrated into the long panel of the roof 20, the deployment of the side curtain airbag 300 is avoided, effectively solving the technical problem that it is difficult for the integrated interior platform to balance structural rigidity and the deployment performance of the side curtain airbag 300. Alternatively, the weakening structure 10 can also be set on the handle panel of the roof 20 and / or the body frame, that is, on the area where the handle panel is connected to the first connecting block 110, or on the part or connector where the body frame is connected to the second connecting block 120.

[0028] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, both the first connecting block 110 and the second connecting block 120 are provided with the aforementioned weakening structure 10, and the weakening structure 10 can be configured as a groove structure, that is, a groove structure is provided at the connection between the first connecting block 110 and the second connecting block 120 and the handle base 100. The weakening structures 10 on the two connecting blocks can be triggered and destroyed successively under different load thresholds, thereby achieving a phased yielding mode during the deployment of the side curtain airbag 300, which first detaches from the long panel and then releases from the vehicle frame, or achieves simultaneous or similar-time coordinated destruction under local high-load conditions, forming a larger overall opening. By simultaneously providing the weakening structure 10 on the two connecting blocks, it can be ensured that the handle assembly has the ability to release rigid connections from both the roof 20 and the vehicle frame levels, avoiding excessive residual rigidity of the structure due to single-point weakening, which would affect the complete deployment of the curtain airbag. Meanwhile, the weakening structure 10 on the first connecting block 110 can be a primary weakening structure, and the weakening structure on the second connecting block 120 can be a secondary weakening structure. That is, the load-bearing capacity of the primary weakening structure is weaker than that of the secondary weakening structure. Therefore, when the side curtain air curtain 300 deploys and the resulting burst load gradually increases, the primary weakening structure reaches the material yield or fracture limit first and undergoes controlled failure preferentially. This causes the connection between the first connecting block 110 and the handle panel of the ceiling 20 to detach first, releasing the rigidity between the handle panel and the handle base 100. The air curtain continues to inflate and pushes the handle assembly toward the passenger compartment, causing it to collapse internally. As the air curtain continues to expand, the secondary weakening structure undergoes a second controlled failure under higher load conditions. This further releases the constraint of the handle base 100 from the body frame level. The handle assembly can fully give way under the push of the side air curtain 300 and collapse out as a whole between the roof 20 and the body frame, forming a larger and smoother deployment channel. This creates a two-stage progressive weakening design that precisely controls the release sequence of explosive energy and the steps of structural damage.

[0029] In a specific embodiment, to further improve the operational stability of the weakened structure 10, multiple weakened structures 10 are provided on the first connecting block 110 and the second connecting block 120. Each weakened structure 10 is evenly distributed along the connecting edge or connecting rib direction. For example, several evenly distributed grooves or thinned sections are arranged at the contact edge between the handle base 100 and the handle panel. Similarly, weakened structures 10 with the same spacing are arranged at the connecting edge between the handle base 100 and the metal bracket. When the side air curtain 300 expands, the force is transmitted to the multiple weakened structures 10 provided on the handle assembly. Each weakened structure 10 can be damaged in a similar or predetermined order, forming a basically continuous crack path or folding axis. This avoids the local stress concentration and uneven fracture phenomenon that may occur when only a single weakened point is set, ensuring that the handle assembly can be detached in a balanced state as a whole. This makes the shape and size of the clearance channel more controllable, further reducing the risk of unpredictable damage to the canopy 20 in other non-weakened areas, and improving the reliability of this application under actual collision conditions.

[0030] Furthermore, the handle assembly may also include an energy-absorbing structure, which can be arranged between the safety handle 200 and the handle base and / or between the handle base and the vehicle frame. Specifically, it can take the form of an elastic element, a plastically deformable component, or a friction damping mechanism. When the side curtain airbag 300 deploys and the weakening structure 10 undergoes controlled failure, causing the handle base 100 to shift and / or rotate relative to the handle panel and / or the vehicle frame, the energy-absorbing structure undergoes elastic or plastic deformation with the movement of the handle assembly, thereby dissipating part of the explosive load through elastic energy storage and material yielding energy dissipation. At the same time, it can also reduce the impact speed of the handle assembly, preventing the handle assembly from impacting the occupant or other interior components at excessive speed during the movement of contacting the rigid connection. By setting up an energy-absorbing structure to work in conjunction with the side curtain airbag 300 handle assembly, the safety and controllability of the directional explosion of the side curtain airbag 300 and the collapse guidance of the handle assembly are further improved.

[0031] In one specific embodiment, the energy-absorbing structure is preferably a return spring. One end of the return spring is connected to the safety handle 200, and the other end is connected to the handle base 100. Under normal use, the return spring provides a rebound force, allowing the safety handle 200 to automatically return to its retracted position after being pulled down by the occupant. When a side collision occurs, and the side curtain airbag 300 deploys and pushes the handle assembly to shift and / or rotate, the return spring is forced to compress or stretch. The elastic deformation of the return spring absorbs part of the explosive load transmitted by the side curtain airbag 300, reducing the stress acting on the weakening structure 10 and the roof 20, causing the weakening structure 10 to undergo controlled failure according to a preset load level and sequence. On the other hand, it provides a reverse elastic force during the movement of the safety handle 200 and the handle base 100 towards the occupant compartment, buffering and limiting their movement speed and displacement stroke, reducing the risk of the safety handle 200 impacting the occupant's head or other interior components at high speed. Therefore, in this invention, the return spring not only performs the daily reset function, but also acts as an elastic energy-absorbing component to participate in energy management under collision conditions, thereby reducing the risk of random structural damage and secondary injury.

[0032] This application also provides a vehicle that includes the aforementioned handle assembly. Since the vehicle possesses the aforementioned handle assembly, it combines all the technical effects of the aforementioned handle assembly, which will not be elaborated upon herein.

[0033] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications or equivalent substitutions made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A handle assembly, characterized in that, include: Safety handle; The weakening structure includes a thinning region, the cross-sectional dimension of which is smaller than that of an adjacent connecting region, and the weakening structure is used at least at one of two connections: the connection between the safety handle and the roof and the connection between the safety handle and the vehicle frame. The weakening structure is capable of controlled destruction to form a channel for the deployment of the side curtain airbags.

2. The handle assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The weakening structure is provided at the connection between the safety handle and the roof, and at the connection between the safety handle and the vehicle frame.

3. The handle assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The weakening structure provided at the connection between the safety handle and the roof is a primary weakening structure, and the weakening structure provided at the connection between the safety handle and the vehicle frame is a secondary weakening structure. The load-bearing capacity of the primary weakening structure is weaker than that of the secondary weakening structure, so that the primary weakening structure will be subject to controlled failure first.

4. The handle assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The weakening structure is a groove-shaped structure.

5. The handle assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device includes a handle base connected to the safety handle, the handle base including a first connecting block for connecting to the handle panel of the roof, and a second connecting block for connecting to the body sheet metal of the vehicle frame, and the weakening structure is provided on at least one of the first connecting block and the second connecting block.

6. The handle assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, Both the first connection block and the second connection block are provided with the weakening structure.

7. The handle assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, Multiple weakening structures are provided on both the first connection block and the second connection block, and each weakening structure is evenly distributed at intervals.

8. The handle assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes an energy-absorbing structure disposed between the handle base and the safety handle; and / or between the handle base and the vehicle frame, so as to absorb part of the load through the energy-absorbing structure.

9. The handle assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that, The energy-absorbing structure includes a return spring, one end of which is connected to the safety handle and the other end of which is connected to the handle base.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the handle assembly described in any one of claims 1-9 above.

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