Door handle assembly for vehicle

Abstract

The utility model provides a door handle assembly for a vehicle, and the door handle assembly is provided with a handle operation space and comprises a handle supporting seat, a handle and an excitation device. The handle support is mounted in a door of a vehicle. The handle is pivotally connected to the handle support. When the door handle assembly is installed in place in the door of the vehicle, a first part of the handle operation space is shielded by the handle, and a second part of the handle operation space is not shielded by the handle. And the excitation device is arranged on the handle supporting seat. The handle is provided with a retracting position and a first unfolding position and is switched between the retracting position and the first unfolding position by pivoting relative to the handle supporting seat. Wherein, in the retracted position, the handle is flush with respect to the surface of the door of the vehicle, and, in the first deployed position, the handle protrudes outwardly with respect to the surface of the door of the vehicle, and the handle triggers the excitation device to generate an unlocking signal to electronically unlock the door lock of the vehicle.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates generally to a door handle assembly for a vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] Door handle assemblies for vehicles, especially outer door handle assemblies for side doors of vehicles, use in one application a door handle known as a half-concealed door handle. Such a door handle is not fully concealed in the vehicle door, because the operating space of the handle is partially exposed when the handle is in the rest position. SUMMARY

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present application, the present application provides a door handle assembly for a vehicle, the door handle assembly having a handle operating space and comprising a handle support seat, a handle and an activation device. The handle support seat is installed in a door of the vehicle. The handle is pivotably connected to the handle support seat. When the door handle assembly is installed in place in the door of the vehicle, a first part of the handle operating space is covered by the handle and a second part of the handle operating space is not covered by the handle. The activation device is arranged on the handle support seat. The handle has a retracted position and a first deployed position and is switched between the retracted position and the first deployed position by pivoting relative to the handle support seat. In the retracted position, the handle is flush with a surface of the door of the vehicle, and in the first deployed position, the handle protrudes outwardly relative to the surface of the door of the vehicle, and the handle triggers the activation device to generate an unlocking signal to electronically unlock a door lock of the vehicle.

[0004] According to the door handle assembly of the above-mentioned first aspect, the handle comprises a triggering surface, and the activation device is arranged at a position such that the triggering surface is at a distance from the activation device when the handle is in the retracted position and the triggering surface contacts and presses the activation device when the handle is in the first deployed position.

[0005] According to the door handle assembly of the above-mentioned first aspect, the triggering surface is a bevel.

[0006] According to the door handle assembly of the above-mentioned first aspect, the handle comprises a handle body and at least one handle arm connected to the handle body, and the handle is pivotably connected to the handle support seat by the handle arm. The triggering surface is arranged on the handle arm.

[0007] According to the door handle assembly of the above-mentioned first aspect, the activation device is a micro switch.

[0008] According to the door handle assembly of the above-mentioned first aspect, the handle further has a second deployed position more outwardly protruding than the first deployed position, and the handle is switched between the retracted position, the first deployed position and the second deployed position by pivoting relative to the handle support seat, wherein in the process of turning from the first deployed position to the second deployed position, the turning of the handle mechanically unlocks the door lock of the vehicle.

[0009] The door handle assembly according to the first aspect, further comprising a pull cable bracket and an inertia lock block. The pull cable bracket is rotatably mounted on the handle support base and operatively connected with the handle. The inertia lock block is connected to the pull cable bracket. The pull cable bracket and the inertia lock block are configured to, when the handle is rotated from the first deployed position to the second deployed position, the handle drives the pull cable bracket to rotate in a first rotational direction, thereby causing the pull cable bracket to pull the cable to mechanically unlock the door lock of the vehicle, and when the handle is subjected to an outward inertia force, the inertia lock block rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction to apply a resistance to the handle, thereby preventing the handle from rotating outward.

[0010] The door handle assembly according to the first aspect, the handle is provided with a drive slot. The pull cable bracket comprises a support shaft and a link portion. The link portion extends transversely with the support shaft, the support shaft is rotatably mounted on the handle support base, the proximal end of the link portion is connected to the support shaft, and the distal end of the link portion is provided with a connecting pin received in the drive slot and movable along the drive slot.

[0011] The door handle assembly according to the first aspect, the drive slot is provided on the handle arm.

[0012] The door handle assembly according to the first aspect, the inertia lock block is integrally formed with the pull cable bracket.

[0013] The door handle assembly according to the first aspect, further comprising a pivot shaft. The handle is pivotably connected to the handle support base via the pivot shaft. In the height direction of the handle, the shaft portion of the support shaft is located between the pivot shaft and the center of gravity of the inertia lock block.

[0014] The door handle assembly according to the first aspect, the pivot shaft and the handle support base are provided with axial limiting devices, the axial limiting devices comprising first direction limiting structures and second direction limiting structures, the first direction limiting structures and the second direction limiting structures being configured to limit the shaft from moving in a first direction and a second direction, respectively, relative to the handle support base in the axial direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are opposite.

[0015] The door handle assembly according to the first aspect, the first direction limiting structures comprise enlarged head portions provided at one end of the pivot shaft, and the second direction limiting structures comprise deflectable cantilever arms provided on the handle support base, the cantilever arms having stoppers for clamping the head portions between the stoppers and the handle support base.

[0016] The door handle assembly according to the first aspect, the handle further comprises a handle cover. The handle cover is detachably mounted to the handle body, and when the handle is in the retracted position, the handle cover is flush with the surface of the door of the vehicle. The handle cover is mounted to the handle body by snap fit. The handle cover is located outside the first portion of the handle operating space.

[0017] According to a second aspect of this application, this application provides a vehicle that includes a door handle assembly according to the first aspect described above. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1A This is a perspective view of a door handle assembly according to an embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 1B yes Figure 1A Rear view of the door handle assembly shown;

[0020] Figure 1C It is along Figure 1B A sectional view of line AA in the diagram;

[0021] Figure 1D yes Figure 1A An exploded view of the door handle assembly shown;

[0022] Figure 2A yes Figure 1A The diagram shows the door handle assembly in its retracted position.

[0023] Figure 2B yes Figure 1A The diagram shows the usage state of the door handle assembly when its handle is in the first extended position.

[0024] Figure 2C yes Figure 1A The diagram shows the door handle assembly in its second extended position.

[0025] Figure 3A yes Figure 1A An exploded view of the handle in the door handle assembly shown;

[0026] Figure 3B This is a front perspective view of the handle body and handle arm shown in 3A;

[0027] Figure 3C This is a perspective view of the handle shown in 3A assembled with the cable bracket 170, where the handle cover is not shown.

[0028] Figure 3D This is a rear perspective view of the handle body cover shown in 3A;

[0029] Figure 4 yes Figure 1A The diagram shows the installation process of mounting the door handle assembly onto the vehicle door sheet metal.

[0030] Figure 5A yes Figure 1A The door handle assembly shown is a partial rear view of the door handle assembly when the lock cylinder is not properly assembled.

[0031] Figure 5B yes Figure 1A The door handle assembly shown is a partial rear view of the door handle assembly with the lock cylinder in the assembled state.

[0032] Figure 5C It is along Figure 5B A cross-sectional view of the BB line. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Various specific embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification. It should be understood that although directional terms such as "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "top," and "bottom" are used in this application to describe various exemplary structural parts and elements, their use is merely for illustrative purposes and is based on the exemplary orientations shown in the accompanying drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed in this application can be arranged in different orientations, these directional terms are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting.

[0034] The door handle assembly according to an embodiment of this application is installed on the door of a vehicle and can electronically and mechanically unlock the vehicle door lock when the vehicle is running normally (without power failure), and also allows the vehicle door lock to be unlocked when the vehicle is powered off.

[0035] Figures 1A-1D The specific structure of a door handle assembly 100 according to an embodiment of this application is shown, wherein, Figure 1A This is a 3D view of the door handle assembly 100 from front to back. Figure 1B This is the rear view of the door handle assembly 100. Figure 1C It is along Figure 1B A cross-sectional view of line AA in the middle. Figure 1D This is an exploded view of the door handle assembly 100.

[0036] like Figure 1A and 1B As shown, the door handle assembly 100 includes a handle support 110, a handle 130, and a pivot 160 for connecting the handle 130 to the handle support 110, the handle 130 being pivotally connected to the handle support 110 via the pivot 160. The handle assembly 100 also includes an actuation device 150 and a cable bracket 170 mounted on the handle support 110. The actuation device 150, when triggered, generates an unlocking signal for electronically unlocking the vehicle's door lock. The cable bracket 170 is operatively connected to the handle 130 for mechanically unlocking the vehicle's door by pulling a cable through the handle 130.

[0037] In some embodiments, the actuating device 150 is, for example, a micro switch, which includes a fixed contact, a moving spring, and a moving contact disposed at the end of the moving spring. When the moving spring is subjected to a force, it generates a movement (or rotation) such that the moving contact thereon contacts the fixed contact, thereby turning on the circuit of the door handle assembly to generate an unlock signal.

[0038] As shown in Figure 1A and 1C , the door handle assembly 100 has a handle operation space 105, a first portion 101 of the handle operation space is blocked by the handle 130, but a second portion 102 of the handle operation space 105 is not blocked by the handle 130. An operator can reach into the first portion 101 of the handle operation space 105 through the second portion 102 of the handle operation space 105 to operate the handle 130, so that the handle 130 can rotate about the pivot shaft 150. In some embodiments, the second portion 102 of the handle operation space 105 is formed in the handle 130.

[0039] As shown in Figure 1B and 1D , the door handle assembly 100 further includes a seal 120, a return spring 180, and an inertia lock block 190. The seal 120 seals the gap between the handle support 110 and the door of the vehicle when the door handle assembly 100 is installed in place in the door of the vehicle. The return spring 180 is sleeved on the pivot shaft 160 and is operatively connected to the handle 130 to provide a restoring force to the handle 130. The inertia lock block 190 is connected to the pull wire bracket 170. The inertia lock block 190 is used to apply resistance to the handle 130 to prevent the handle 130 from rotating outward when the handle 130 is subjected to an outward inertia force (for example, when the door of the vehicle is subjected to an impact). In some embodiments, the inertia lock block 190 is integrally formed with the pull wire bracket 170. The door handle assembly 100 further includes a lock cylinder 140, which is installed on the handle support 110, and is used to enable an operator to mechanically unlock the door lock of the vehicle by a key in the event of power failure of the vehicle.

[0040] As shown in Figure 1DAs shown, the pull cable bracket 170 comprises a support shaft 175, a pull cable arm 172 and a link portion 176. The support shaft 175 is rotatably supported by the handle support seat 110. The pull cable arm 172 and the link portion 176 extend transversely to the support shaft 175. The proximal end of the link portion 176 is connected to the support shaft 175, and the distal end of the link portion 176 is provided with a connecting pin 177. The pull cable bracket 170 is operatively connected to the handle 130, and the pull cable bracket 170 and the inertia lock block 190 are configured to: when the handle 130 is rotated from the first unfolded position to the second unfolded position, the handle 130 drives the pull cable bracket 170 to rotate in a first rotation direction, so that the pull cable bracket 170 pulls the rope to mechanically unlock the door lock of the vehicle; when the handle 130 is subjected to an outward inertia force, the pull cable bracket 170 rotates in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, thereby driving the inertia lock block 190 to rotate in the second rotation direction to apply resistance to the handle 130 to prevent the handle 130 from rotating outward.

[0041] Still as shown Figure 1B and 1D , the pivot shaft 160 is provided at one end with an enlarged head 165, the head 165 has a radial dimension larger than the radial dimension of the other part of the pivot shaft 160. Therefore, the head 165 cannot be inserted into the hole on the handle support seat 110 for receiving the pivot shaft 160. The handle support seat 110 is provided with a cantilever 115, the cantilever 115 is biasable, one end of the cantilever 115 is connected to the handle support seat 110, and the other end of the cantilever 115 is provided with a stopper 116. The head 165 of the pivot shaft 160 is clamped between the stopper 116 and the support seat 110. In this way, the pivot shaft 160 is limited in both opposite axial directions, i.e. a first direction (from right to left in Figure 1D ) and a second direction (from left to right in Figure 1D ), from the handle support seat 110. This is because the enlarged head 165 of the pivot shaft 160 forms a first direction limiting structure which can block the pivot shaft 160 from being detached from the handle support seat 110 in the first direction, and the stopper 116 of the cantilever 115 forms a second direction limiting structure which can block the pivot shaft 160 from being detached from the handle support seat 110 in the second direction. The first direction limiting structure and the second direction limiting structure together form an axial limiting device for limiting the movement of the pivot shaft 160 in the axial direction, thereby limiting the pivot shaft 160 from being detached from the handle support seat 110.

[0042] Figures 2A-2C Three different states of the door handle assembly 100 on the door of the vehicle are shown, wherein, Figure 2A is the transition state when the handle 120 is in the retracted position (or resting position), Figure 2B is the state when the handle 120 is in the first unfolded position, Figure 2Cis a state when the handle is in the second deployed position. Figures 2A-2C Only a portion of the door 210 of the vehicle is shown schematically.

[0043] When the door handle assembly 100 is installed in place in the door 210 of the vehicle, the handle 130 is pivoted relative to the handle support 110 so that the handle 130 has a retracted position, a first deployed position and a second deployed position. As shown, Figure 2A In the retracted position, the handle 130 is flush with the surface of the door 210 of the vehicle, as if hidden in the door of the vehicle. In the first deployed position, the handle 130 protrudes outward relative to the surface of the door 210 of the vehicle. In the second deployed position, the handle 130 protrudes outward relative to the surface of the door 210 of the vehicle more than in the first deployed position. Since the second portion 102 of the handle operating space 105 is always exposed and not blocked by the handle 130, the operator can insert his hand from the second portion 102 of the handle operating space 105 into the first portion 101 of the handle operating space 105 blocked by the handle 130 even when the handle is in the retracted position, so as to hold the handle 130 and switch the handle 130 between the retracted position, the first deployed position and the second deployed position by rotating the handle 130 relative to the handle support 110. When the door handle assembly 100 is installed on the side door of the vehicle and used as an outer handle, the surface of the door mentioned above is the outer surface of the door.

[0044] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, when the handle 130 reaches the first deployed position, the handle 130 triggers the excitation device 150 to generate an unlocking signal to electronically unlock the door lock of the vehicle. When the handle 130 moves from the first deployed position to the second deployed position, the handle 130 pulls the pull cord through the pull cord bracket 170 to mechanically unlock the door of the vehicle.

[0045] Figures 3A-3D The specific structure of the handle 130 and the cooperation between the handle 130 and the pull cord bracket 170 are shown. Among them, Figure 3A is an exploded view of the handle 130, Figure 3B is a front perspective view of the handle body 310 and the handle arm 320 of the handle 130, Figure 3C is a perspective view of the handle 130 and the pull cord bracket 170 assembled together, wherein the handle cover is not shown, Figure 3D is a rear perspective view of the handle body cover 330 of the handle 130.

[0046] As Figure 3AThe handle 130 includes a handle body 310, handle arms 320, and a handle cover 330. The handle arms 320 are connected to the handle body 310 and are integrally formed. The handle cover 330 is detachably connected to the handle body 310. The handle arms 320 are in the form of a swan neck and are in the form of a pair. The handle arms 320 are provided with holes 321 for receiving the pivot shaft 160, and the handle 130 is pivotally connected to the handle support 110 via the handle arms 320. A trigger surface 325 is provided on one of the handle arms 320 (the right handle arm in Figure 3A the first unfolded position. The trigger surface 325 is in the form of an inclined surface and is arranged to be spaced apart from the actuating device 150 when the handle 130 is in the retracted position and to contact and press the actuating device 150 when the handle 130 is in the first unfolded position. In other embodiments, the handle 130 can be provided with only one handle arm 320. The first portion 101 of the handle operating space 105 is formed by the handle body 310.

[0047] As shown in Figure 3B the other handle arm 320 (the left handle arm in Figure 3A ) of the handle 130 is provided with a driving groove 370 for receiving the connecting pin 177 on the pull wire bracket 170. The driving groove 370 extends a certain length and has a blocking wall 372 at one end thereof. The connecting pin 177 on the pull wire bracket 170 can be moved along the driving groove 370 so that the pull wire bracket 170 cannot rotate with the handle arm 320 and can be engaged with the blocking wall 372 so that the pull wire bracket 170 can rotate with the handle arm 320. In the height direction of the handle 130 (the height direction of the handle is consistent with the height direction of the vehicle, i.e. the up-down direction in Figure 3C , the shaft portion of the support shaft 175 is located between the pivot shaft 160 (received by the hole 321 of the handle arm 320) and the center of gravity of the inertia lock block 190.

[0048] As shown in Figure 3CAs shown, the connecting pin 177 of the pull cable bracket 170 is received in the driving slot 370. When the handle 130 is in the retracted position, the connecting pin 177 has not moved to engage with the blocking wall 372, so during the rotation of the handle 130 from the retracted position to the first deployed position, the connecting pin 177 does not rotate with the handle arm 320 but moves along the driving slot 370. When the handle 130 is rotated to the first deployed position, the connecting pin 177 engages with the blocking wall 372, so when the handle 130 is rotated from the first deployed position to the second deployed position, the handle arm 320 can drive the pull cable bracket 170 to rotate in a first rotation direction to pull the pull cable through the pull cable bracket 170 to mechanically unlock the door lock of the vehicle. During the rotation of the handle 130 from the second deployed position back to the first deployed position, the blocking wall 372 releases the connecting pin 177, and the pull cable bracket 170 rotates in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction under the gravity of the inertia lock block 190, so that the connecting pin 177 returns to its initial position. In addition, when the handle 130 is in the retracted position, if the door of the vehicle is hit, the handle 130 will have a tendency to rotate outward under the action of inertia. However, since the inertia lock block 190 can rotate in the second rotation direction under the action of the inertial force, and the rotation of the inertia lock block 190 drives the pull cable bracket 170 to rotate in the second rotation direction as well, the handle 130 can be prevented from rotating outward by the engagement of the connecting pin 177 with the blocking wall 372.

[0049] Still as Figure 3B shown, the handle body 310 is provided with a connecting structure for achieving the snap fit of the handle cover 330 with the handle body 310, including a first connecting structure 312 and a second connecting structure 314 respectively provided on the front side of the handle body 310, and a third connecting structure 316 provided through the handle body 310. The first connecting structure 312 includes a receiving hole and a wedge-shaped boss provided in the receiving hole, the second connecting structure 314 includes a receiving hole and a wedge-shaped boss provided in the receiving hole, and the third connecting structure 316 includes a receiving hole.

[0050] As Figure 3DAs shown, the rear side of the handle cover 330 is provided with connecting structures for achieving snap-fit with the handle body 310, including a first connecting structure 332, a second connecting structure 334 and a third connecting structure 336. The first connecting structure 332 and the second connecting structure 334 include a biased cantilever and a locking hole provided on the cantilever, and the third connecting structure 336 includes a cantilever and a wedge-shaped boss provided on the cantilever. The first connecting structure 332, the second connecting structure 334 and the third connecting structure 336 are respectively matched with the first connecting structure 312, the second connecting structure 314 and the third connecting structure 316 on the handle body 310, to achieve a snap-fit connecting mode between the handle body 310 and the handle cover 330. The snap-fit connecting mode makes the installation and replacement of the handle cover 330 easier.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 1, the handle cover 330 only covers the surface of the handle body 310, and does not extend into the first part 101 of the handle operating space formed by the handle body 310. Therefore, when the operator pulls the handle 130, the force applied by the operator acts on the handle body 310, rather than on the handle cover 330, which makes the handle cover 330 not at risk of falling off the handle body 310. Figure 3A 3D As shown in FIG. 1, the handle cover 330 only covers the surface of the handle body 310, and does not extend into the first part 101 of the handle operating space formed by the handle body 310. Therefore, when the operator pulls the handle 130, the force applied by the operator acts on the handle body 310, rather than on the handle cover 330, which makes the handle cover 330 not at risk of falling off the handle body 310.

[0052] Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1, the handle cover 330 only covers the surface of the handle body 310, and does not extend into the first part 101 of the handle operating space formed by the handle body 310. Therefore, when the operator pulls the handle 130, the force applied by the operator acts on the handle body 310, rather than on the handle cover 330, which makes the handle cover 330 not at risk of falling off the handle body 310. Figure 1A As shown in FIG. 1, the handle cover 330 only covers the surface of the handle body 310, and does not extend into the first part 101 of the handle operating space formed by the handle body 310. Therefore, when the operator pulls the handle 130, the force applied by the operator acts on the handle body 310, rather than on the handle cover 330, which makes the handle cover 330 not at risk of falling off the handle body 310. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1, the handle cover 330 only covers the surface of the handle body 310, and does not extend into the first part 101 of the handle operating space formed by the handle body 310. Therefore, when the operator pulls the handle 130, the force applied by the operator acts on the handle body 310, rather than on the handle cover 330, which makes the handle cover 330 not at risk of falling off the handle body 310. Figure 2A As shown in FIG. 1, the handle cover 330 only covers the surface of the handle body 310, and does not extend into the first part 101 of the handle operating space formed by the handle body 310. Therefore, when the operator pulls the handle 130, the force applied by the operator acts on the handle body 310, rather than on the handle cover 330, which makes the handle cover 330 not at risk of falling off the handle body 310.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 1, the handle cover 330 only covers the surface of the handle body 310, and does not extend into the first part 101 of the handle operating space formed by the handle body 310. Therefore, when the operator pulls the handle 130, the force applied by the operator acts on the handle body 310, rather than on the handle cover 330, which makes the handle cover 330 not at risk of falling off the handle body 310. Figure 4 ​As shown, the handle body 310 of the handle 130 is provided with a mounting hole 311, and the door panel 210 is provided with a mounting hole 211. During the installation of the door handle assembly 100 and the door panel, the components of the door handle assembly 100 except the handle cover 330 are first assembled together as a pre-assembled component, and then the pre-assembled component is installed to the door panel 210 through the cooperation of the fastener 411 and the mounting hole 311 on the handle body 310 and the mounting hole 211 on the door panel 210. After that, the handle cover 330 is installed to the handle body 310 through snap fit.

[0054] Based on the above installation process, the transportation of the handle cover 330 can be separated from the transportation of the other components of the door handle assembly 100, so that the integrity of the surface of the handle cover 330 as a part of the appearance of the vehicle can be protected to some extent.

[0055] Figures 5A-5C The assembly structure of the lock cylinder 140 of the door handle assembly 100 and the handle support seat 110 is shown, wherein Figure 5A is a partial rear view of the door handle assembly 100 when the lock cylinder 140 is in an assembled state (the dashed box part in Figure 1B ), wherein Figure 5B is a partial rear view of the door handle assembly 100 when the lock cylinder 140 is in an unassembled state, Figure 5C is a sectional view along the B-B line in Figure 1B .

[0056] As shown in Figures 5A-5C , the lock cylinder 140 is installed in the handle support seat 110 by a rotary assembly method, and a vehicle key can be inserted into the lock cylinder 140 to allow the vehicle to identify the identity of the owner in the case of power failure of the vehicle, thereby allowing the vehicle to be unlocked. Specifically, the lock cylinder 140 has a generally cylindrical main body 145, and a locking protrusion 142 provided on one side of the main body 145 (as shown in Figure 5B and 5C ). The handle support seat 110 is provided with a lock cylinder accommodating cavity 112 extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the handle support seat 110 to accommodate the main body 145 of the lock cylinder 140. The handle support seat 110 is further provided with an access passage 113 and a locking passage 114 (as shown in Figure 5C ) in communication with the lock cylinder accommodating cavity 112, and a locking stop piece 115. The access passage 113 and the locking passage 114 are in communication in the rotation direction of the lock cylinder 140, so that the locking protrusion 142 can be rotated from the access passage 113 into the locking passage 114 (as shown in Figure 5A and 5CThe locking stop 115 is located outside the locking channel 114 along a direction substantially perpendicular to the handle support 110 to block the locking protrusion 142 from moving outward along the direction substantially perpendicular to the handle support 110 after the locking protrusion 142 enters the locking channel 114. Thus, the lock cylinder 140 is mounted in the handle support 110 by a rotary assembly.

[0057] The door handle assembly of the present application can electronically unlock the door lock of the vehicle according to the real intention of the operator to open the door, since the activation device is triggered by the rotation of the handle relative to the handle support. In contrast, for a semi-concealed door handle, since the hand of the operator can reach into the handle operating space even if the handle is not designed to be expandable, the activation device is usually placed in the handle operating space and is designed to be triggered by the hand of the operator reaching into the handle operating space in the prior art. However, this unlocking method by triggering the activation device by the hand of the operator may have the situation of false unlocking caused by the operator not having the intention to open the door and unintentionally triggering the activation device when touching the handle. The door handle assembly of the present application can avoid the above false unlocking situation, since the activation device is triggered only when the handle is rotated to a predetermined position.

[0058] In addition, the door handle assembly of the present application can simplify the structural arrangement and installation arrangement of the door handle assembly, by arranging the inertia lock block of the handle on the pull wire bracket and operatively connecting the pull wire bracket with the handle.

[0059] Although the present application has been described in connection with the embodiments described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and / or substantial equivalents that are readily apparent to those skilled in the art, whether known in the art or not, can be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the spirit or scope of the application. Additionally, the technical effects and / or the technical problems described in the specification are exemplary and not limiting; therefore the disclosure in the specification can be used to solve other technical problems and have other technical effects and / or can solve other technical problems. Accordingly, the examples of the embodiments of the present application as stated above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the application. Therefore, the present application is intended to include all alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and / or substantial equivalents that are readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A door handle assembly (100) for a vehicle, the door handle assembly (100) having a handle operating space (105), characterized in that Comprising: a handle support (110) mounted in a door of a vehicle; a handle (130) pivotably connected to the handle support (110), wherein a first portion (101) of the handle operating space is blocked by the handle (130) and a second portion (102) of the handle operating space is not blocked by the handle (130) when the door handle assembly (100) is mounted in place in the door of the vehicle; an activation device (150) provided on the handle support (110); wherein the handle (130) has a retracted position and a first deployed position and switches between the retracted position and the first deployed position by pivoting relative to the handle support (110), wherein in the retracted position the handle (130) is flush with a surface of the door of the vehicle and in the first deployed position the handle (130) protrudes outwardly relative to the surface of the door of the vehicle and the handle (130) triggers the activation device (150) to generate an unlock signal to electronically unlock a door lock of the vehicle.

2. The door handle assembly (100) according to claim 1, further comprising: the handle (130) comprises a trigger surface (325) and the activation device (150) is positioned such that the trigger surface (325) is at a distance from the activation device (150) when the handle (130) is in the retracted position and the trigger surface (325) contacts and presses the activation device (150) when the handle (130) is in the first deployed position.

3. The door handle assembly (100) according to claim 2, further comprising: the trigger surface (325) is a bevel.

4. The door handle assembly (100) according to claim 2, further comprising: the handle (130) comprises a handle body (310) and at least one handle arm (320) connected to the handle body (310), the handle (130) is pivotably connected to the handle support (110) by the handle arm (320); wherein the trigger surface (325) is provided on the handle arm (320).

5. The door handle assembly (100) according to claim 1, further comprising: the activation device (150) is a micro switch.

6. The door handle assembly (100) according to claim 4, further comprising: the handle (130) further has a second deployed position more outwardly protruding than the first deployed position, the handle (130) switches between the retracted position, the first deployed position and the second deployed position by pivoting relative to the handle support (110), wherein during the pivoting from the first deployed position to the second deployed position, the pivoting of the handle (130) mechanically unlocks the door lock of the vehicle.

7. The door handle assembly (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that Further comprising: a pull cable bracket (170) rotatably mounted on the handle support base (110) and operatively connected with the handle (130); an inertia lock block (190) connected to the pull cable bracket (170); and wherein the pull cable bracket (170) and the inertia lock block (190) are configured such that, when the handle (130) is rotated from the first deployment position to the second deployment position, the handle (130) drives the pull cable bracket (170) to rotate in a first rotation direction, thereby causing the pull cable bracket (170) to pull a cable to mechanically unlock a door lock of a vehicle, and when the handle (130) is subjected to an outward inertia force, the inertia lock block (190) rotates in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction to apply a resistance to the handle (130) to prevent the handle (130) from rotating outward.

8. The door handle assembly (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that: the handle (130) is provided with a drive slot (370); the pull cable bracket (170) comprises a support shaft (175) and a link portion (176), the link portion (176) extends transversely with the support shaft (175), the support shaft (175) is rotatably mounted on the handle support base (110), a proximal end of the link portion (176) is connected to the support shaft (175), and a distal end of the link portion (176) is provided with a connecting pin (177) received in and movable along the drive slot (370).

9. The door handle assembly (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that: the drive slot (370) is provided on the handle arm (320).

10. The door handle assembly (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that: the inertia lock block (190) is integrally formed with the pull cable bracket (170).

11. The door handle assembly (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that Further comprising: a pivot shaft (160) by which the handle (130) is pivotably connected to the handle support base (110); wherein, in the height direction of the handle, an axial portion of the support shaft (175) is located between the pivot shaft (160) and the center of gravity of the inertia lock block (190).

12. The door handle assembly (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that: the pivot shaft (160) and the handle support base (110) are provided with axial limiting devices, the axial limiting devices comprising first direction limiting structures and second direction limiting structures configured to limit the pivot shaft (160) to move in a first direction and a second direction relative to the handle support base (110) in an axial direction, respectively, wherein the first direction and the second direction are opposite.

13. The door handle assembly (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that: The first direction limiting structure includes an enlarged head (165) disposed at one end of the pivot shaft (160), and the second direction limiting structure includes a deflectable cantilever (115) disposed on the handle support seat (110), the cantilever (115) having a foot (116) for clamping the head (165) between the foot (116) and the handle support seat (110).

14. The door handle assembly (100) of claim 4, wherein: The handle (130) further includes a handle cover (330) that is detachably mounted to the handle body (310) and is flush with a surface of a door of a vehicle when the handle (130) is in the retracted position; wherein the handle cover (330) is mounted to the handle body (310) by a snap fit; and wherein the handle cover (330) is located outside of the first portion (101) of the handle operating space.

15. A vehicle characterized by A vehicle door including the door handle assembly (100) of any one of claims 1-14.

Images