Door handle arrangement with concealed locking cylinder

Abstract

Door handle arrangement for a motor vehicle, with a handle pivoting between a rest position and an operating position against the motor vehicle for user access, a locking cylinder and a cover for the locking cylinder, characterized by that the handle is formed as a single piece with the cover, so that in the rest position it forms the cover for the lock cylinder, The handle can be pivoted into a release position relative to the lock cylinder in such a way that it can be lifted off the lock cylinder and the lock cylinder is then exposed for the insertion of a key into an insertion opening. wherein the handle has a cavity into which the locking cylinder is at least partially immersed in the handle's rest position and wherein the insertion opening of the locking cylinder is arranged at such an angle to the motor vehicle in the opposite direction of the pivoting direction of the handle into the release position that the pivoting angle required to release the insertion opening is reduced.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a door handle arrangement for a motor vehicle. In particular, the invention relates to a door handle arrangement in which a mechanically operated locking cylinder is concealed.

[0002] The door handle assembly for a motor vehicle has a handle that pivots between a rest position and an operating position facing the vehicle. A user can grasp this handle to open an associated vehicle door. The door handle assembly also includes a locking cylinder that can be covered with a cover.

[0003] Document DE 298 04 105 U1 describes a handle of the type mentioned above with a handle body that can assume various positions, with the movement between the pivoted and pivoted positions being motorized. A lock cylinder is completely housed in the cavity behind the handle body, with its insertion channel covered by the handle body in the pivoted position. In the event of a power failure, a tool can be inserted between the vehicle body and the handle body to pull the handle body out and thus expose the insertion channel. However, this design requires an additional tool and sufficient installation space behind the handle in the vehicle body to accommodate the lock cylinder.

[0004] Document DE 10 128 866 A1 discloses a handle assembly with a recessed grip and a handle plate that covers the recess in the rest position. The handle plate is mounted about a pivot axis and can be moved between the rest position and at least one operating position. In the operating position, a portion of the handle plate is received by the recessed grip. A locking cylinder is recessed in the recessed grip; in the rest position, it is concealed by the handle plate, and in the operating position, it is accessible.

[0005] US Patent 5,984,383 A describes a lockable rotary handle latch assembly with a mounting recess that incorporates a rotating cam shaft. An external handle and an internal cam are attached to the shaft ends. The lock cylinder is located on the mounting flange or within the recess. The handle features a locking cover with a seal that covers the lock cylinder when the handle is folded in.

[0006] Another door handle arrangement is known from EP 10 28 211 A1. This patent discloses a motor vehicle handle with a removable protective cap for a lock cylinder. The protective cap is mounted on the handle and is movable between a normal position, in which it covers the lock cylinder, and a position that provides access to the slot.

[0007] An alternative design of a door handle arrangement is shown in DE 197 24 573 A1, where a cover device can be slid laterally onto a locking cylinder.

[0008] Door handle assemblies of this type are used when the vehicle is equipped with an electronic access function (keyless entry). In this case, a mechanical locking function is not required during normal use of the vehicle. However, due to temporary or permanent malfunctions, or for example, a depleted battery in the components required for the electronic access function, at least one door handle assembly of the vehicle is equipped with a mechanical emergency or auxiliary locking device. Such a mechanical locking device includes a lock cylinder into which a corresponding key can be inserted to perform a locking function.

[0009] Such a lock cylinder may be fitted with a cover. The reasons for such a cover are partly aesthetic, as the design of the lock cylinder can detract from the vehicle's appearance. However, technical and safety aspects are also important, namely preventing the ingress of dirt and moisture into the lock cylinder area.

[0010] However, the aforementioned door handle arrangements, according to the prior art, have the disadvantage that gaps or crevices exist between the cover for the locking cylinder and the handle, into which dirt and moisture can penetrate. Furthermore, such a gap poses a potential risk of pinching a user and their clothing. Finally, the cover can be lost, and the cumbersome operation is a disadvantage.

[0011] The object of the invention is to provide an improved door handle arrangement with a cover for a mechanical locking cylinder.

[0012] The problem is solved according to the invention by a door handle arrangement with the features of claim 1.

[0013] The door handle arrangement according to the invention of the type mentioned above has a handle designed such that, in its rest position, it itself forms the cover for the lock cylinder. The rest position is the position the handle assumes when not operated by a user. According to the invention, the handle is therefore formed integrally with the cover. The disadvantages of multi-part designs for the covers and handle, as explained above, are thus eliminated, since there are no gaps or separations between the cover and the handle. There is no risk of the cover being lost. Furthermore, no dirt can become trapped between the cover and the handle.

[0014] The handle can be pivoted into a release position relative to the lock cylinder, lifting it away from the cylinder during the pivoting motion and allowing a key to be inserted into the keyhole. This operation is particularly convenient and easy for the user, as they are already accustomed to gripping the door handle.

[0015] Therefore, if the user wishes to perform a mechanical locking function using a key, the user pivots the handle from the rest position into the release position and can insert a mechanical key into the then exposed locking cylinder and perform the locking movement.

[0016] This eliminates the risk of a key cover getting lost or of a cumbersome separation of cover and handle being required, as is the case with the prior art.

[0017] The handle has a cavity into which the lock cylinder is at least partially immersed when the handle is in its resting position. The lock cylinder is partially held by the cavity and thus enclosed by the one-piece handle cover. This not only conceals the lock cylinder but also protects it from lateral mechanical impacts and environmental influences.

[0018] With appropriate dimensions of the cover on the handle and matching to the external dimensions of the lock cylinder, a mechanical locking mechanism is also achieved, preventing lateral movement of the handle in its resting position. Since the lock cylinder partially engages in the recess in the handle, the internal contact of the lock cylinder secures the handle against undirected pivoting movements (for example, parallel to the vehicle door).

[0019] Such a door handle arrangement can be fitted to one or more vehicle handles.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the handle releases the locking cylinder when it is pivoted into the actuating position. In this case, the release position and the actuating position of the handle or the locking cylinder cover coincide.

[0021] To open a vehicle door normally (in keyless entry mode), the user grasps the handle and pivots it. This pivots the handle from its resting position to an operating position, activating a locking mechanism inside the door if the electronic release has been initiated. If, however, a mechanical (emergency) locking function is required, the user can first perform the same movement as usual to open the door, thereby immediately releasing the lock cylinder for locking. This means that the lock cylinder is released with every normal door operation, and the user does not have to resort to unfamiliar or complicated procedures. This is particularly advantageous because a situation where the normal locking function fails already places a significant burden on the user.If the user only needs to operate the mechanical door lock in the usual way, this is the simplest and most obvious operating option. Nevertheless, the aforementioned advantages regarding a gap-free and seamless design of the handle and cover are guaranteed.

[0022] In an alternative embodiment, the pivoting movements required for operating the door on the one hand and releasing the locking cylinder on the other hand differ from each other.

[0023] For example, the door handle for normal operation (i.e., releasing the door with a pivoting motion between the resting and operating positions) can be suspended on a pivot axis located at the end of the handle's longitudinal extension. During normal use, the door handle is then pivoted around this axis, performing the corresponding pivoting motion with its longitudinal extension.

[0024] However, an alternative pivoting movement must also be provided to release the lock cylinder (pivoting movement into the release position). For example, with such a design, the door handle can first be pivoted from the rest position into the operating position and then pivoted upwards or downwards from the operating position to release the lock cylinder. In this case, the handle with its integrated cover is initially lifted away from the lock cylinder, but the cylinder is not yet easily accessible. Once the handle has been lifted far enough away from the lock cylinder that the cylinder is no longer recessed into the cover, the handle can be pivoted over the lock cylinder, completely releasing it.It is possible to couple the release of such an additional pivoting movement with a mechanical release mechanism, so that this pivoting movement cannot be performed during normal use of the door handle. For example, the initial lifting action when the door handle is operated can unlock a mechanism that allows the additional pivoting movement to be released. Alternatively, the door handle assembly can be designed so that, during normal operation, a first pivoting path is covered between the rest position and the operating position. However, a mechanical lock can be released to allow access to the lock cylinder, so that the pivoting path can continue beyond the operating position into the release position. A suitable mechanical lock that releases the additional pivoting movement can be designed as desired.For example, a simple design is possible with a spring-loaded catch hook that engages an internal projection on the handle and limits the pivoting movement to a reduced range of motion. However, this hook can be disengaged, for example by pressing it, once the handle has been pivoted into the operating position, in order to release the full range of motion.

[0025] In a further embodiment of the invention, the locking cylinder is coupled to a gearbox which transmits a locking movement carried out with the aid of the inserted key to a locking cylinder shaft in a direction different from the insertion direction of the key.

[0026] In the door handle arrangement according to the invention, it is not necessary for the lock cylinder to protrude from the vehicle in a substantially vertical orientation. If the lock cylinder is accessible at an angle relative to a vehicle wall, and if, furthermore, the handle is moved away from the door during a pivoting movement, an angled lock cylinder arrangement can reduce the distance by which the handle must be pivoted to access the lock cylinder. For example, if a handle is used that is mounted on one side to initiate a pivoting movement, the free end of the handle pivots away from the vehicle. The space created between the vehicle and the handle during the pivoting movement can allow for the angled or lateral insertion of a mechanical key into a correspondingly oriented lock cylinder.The opening of the lock cylinder is oriented such that it is accessible through the space released during the pivoting movement. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the claims.

[0027] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a door handle arrangement according to the invention in a rest position of the handle. Fig. Figure 2 shows the embodiment from Fig. 1 in an operating position of the handle.

[0028] In Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a door handle arrangement according to the invention, wherein the door handle arrangement is mounted on the wall 1 of a motor vehicle. In the illustration in Fig. In this example, the area above wall 1 is located outside the vehicle, while the area below wall 1 represents the inside of the door. A handle 2 is mounted on wall 1, with a bearing section 3 arranged at one end of the handle 2, which is mounted on a pivot bearing 4 on the vehicle side. In this example, the handle 2 is shown as hollow; however, it can contain any electronic communication means or other mechanical components and elements, which are not relevant to the present invention and are therefore not shown.

[0029] In the longitudinal extension at the other end of the handle 2, opposite the bearing section 3, a cavity or receiving space 5 is formed. A retaining component 6, which is mounted on the wall 1, is received in the cavity 5. Bearings for a coupled helical bevel gear 7, 8 are arranged in the retaining component 6. A locking cylinder 9 is coupled to a gear disc 8, so that this gear disc is rotatable when the locking cylinder is unlocked with a corresponding key and actuated by a rotary movement.

[0030] A lock cylinder shaft 10 with an end section (paddle) for transmitting torque is attached to the second gear disc 7. The shaft 10 transmits the rotation of the lock cylinder and the gear 7, 8 to the vehicle-side lock (not shown) to unlock the door.

[0031] In the depicted rest position of the handle 2, the entire emergency locking assembly 6, 7, 8, 9, including the emergency locking cylinder 9, is encapsulated from the surroundings and completely invisible. In this position, a corresponding emergency key 11 cannot be inserted into the locking cylinder 9 to execute the locking movement; the insertion opening in the locking cylinder 9 is not accessible. During normal operation of the vehicle door handle, the emergency locking device 6, 7, 8, 9 is not noticeable to the user. To operate the handle 2, the user reaches behind it between the vehicle wall 1 and the handle 2 and pulls on the handle to release the door.

[0032] Provided that the electronic communication between the user-side ID transmitter and the vehicle-side control unit functions correctly, the door opens when the handle is pulled and the pivoting movement is performed around the pivot bearing 4. For this purpose, corresponding mechanical coupling means are designed with the handle (not shown), which cause the door to be unlocked on the inside of the door.

[0033] However, if electronic communication fails for any reason, the user can grasp handle 2 from behind and perform the corresponding pivoting movement of handle 2 around pivot bearing 4. Although the door is not unlocked due to the lack of wireless communication, the cavity 5 under handle 2 is partially released. The release position of the handle thus achieved is in Fig. 2 shown.

[0034] Due to the angled arrangement of the locking cylinder 9 relative to the door plane, only a slight lifting of the handle 2 from the emergency locking device 6, 7, 8, 9 is required. Even a small pivot angle of the handle 2 is sufficient to allow insertion of the emergency key 11. The emergency key 11 can be inserted into the locking cylinder 9 and turned, enabling rotation of the gear 7, 8, which transmits torque to the paddle of the locking cylinder shaft 10. The door lock is then mechanically unlocked. After the mechanical locking movement has been completed, the key can be removed, and the handle 2 pivots back, its cavity 5 accommodating the emergency locking device. This operation is extremely convenient and easy for the user.

Claims

[1] Door handle arrangement for a motor vehicle, with a handle pivoting between a rest position and an operating position against the motor vehicle for user access, a locking cylinder and a cover for the locking cylinder, characterized by , that the handle is formed as a single piece with the cover, so that in the rest position it forms the cover for the lock cylinder, The handle can be pivoted into a release position relative to the lock cylinder in such a way that it can be lifted off the lock cylinder and the lock cylinder is then exposed for the insertion of a key into an insertion opening. wherein the handle has a cavity into which the locking cylinder is at least partially immersed in the handle's rest position and wherein the insertion opening of the locking cylinder is arranged at such an angle to the motor vehicle in the opposite direction of the pivoting direction of the handle in the release position that a pivoting angle required to release the insertion opening is reduced. [2] Door handle arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the handle releases the lock cylinder when it is pivoted into the actuating position, so that the release position and actuating position of the handle coincide. [3] Door handle arrangement according to claim 1, wherein pivoting the handle into the release position is carried out about a different pivot axis than pivoting the handle into the actuating position. [4] Door handle arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock cylinder is coupled with a deflecting device which deflects a locking movement carried out by means of an inserted key in a direction different from the insertion direction of the key onto a lock cylinder shaft. [5] Door handle arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the deflection device is a gearbox.

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