Bearing bracket for door handle unit

Abstract

Bearing bracket (30) for a door handle unit (10) for a lock (52) on a vehicle (50) with at least one fastening element (31) with which the bearing bracket (30) can be attached to an inside (51.1) of a vehicle door (51), and at least one retaining element (32) which serves to arrange a door handle (11) in particular on an outside (51.2) of the vehicle door (51), characterized by that at least one adjusting element (33) is provided, which allows the installation position of the bearing bracket (30) on the vehicle door (51) to be adjusted, wherein the adjusting element (33) itself is designed to be adjustable in order to allow adjustment of the bearing bracket (30) in the installation position, for which the adjusting element (33) has at least a thread, a locking device, a clamping device and / or a bayonet element as an adjustable element.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a bearing bracket for a door handle assembly for a lock in a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. The bearing bracket is equipped with at least one fastening element, enabling it to be attached to the inside of a vehicle door. Furthermore, the bearing bracket has at least one retaining element, which serves to position a door handle, particularly on the outside of the vehicle door. The invention also relates to a door handle assembly for a lock in a vehicle according to claim 13, comprising a bearing bracket according to the invention. Finally, the invention also includes an assembly method for a bearing bracket according to claim 15.

[0002] These mounting brackets serve to position the door handle assembly, with its outward-facing handle, on the vehicle door. Both movable and fixed door handles are known. In the case of a movable handle, the mounting bracket also serves as a bearing for the handle. Typically, the movement generated by the handle is mechanically transmitted via a connecting element to a lock on the vehicle door, enabling the lock to be operated and opened.

[0003] In the prior art, it has proven disadvantageous that the bearing brackets must be individually adapted to the vehicle door, particularly to a recessed handle, in order to keep the bearing bracket as stable as possible in its installed position. For this purpose, a custom-designed bearing bracket is developed for each vehicle model, optimally adapted to the respective vehicle door to achieve a stable installation position. In this stable position, the bearing bracket does not tilt or pivot towards the vehicle door. These model-specific bearing brackets necessitate the production and stocking of a large number of different bearing brackets, unnecessarily increasing manufacturing and storage costs.

[0004] Furthermore, it has proven disadvantageous in the prior art that, with bearing brackets not individually adapted to the vehicle door, a stable installation position of the bearing bracket against the vehicle door cannot be achieved. Consequently, the bearing bracket can tilt or pivot relative to the vehicle door if corresponding external forces act upon it. These forces can act on the bearing bracket either via the door handle or via a lock cylinder. In the present case Fig. Figure 7 illustrates the prior art, in which tilting of the bearing bracket by a screwdriver is transferred to the mechanical locking cylinder of a bearing bracket. However, this poses a risk of unintentional opening of the lock on the vehicle door, as it is mechanically connected to the bearing bracket via a connecting element. Consequently, the tilting movements acting on the bearing bracket can also be transmitted to the lock via this connecting element. Therefore, there is a risk that the vehicle door could be easily opened by unintentionally tilting or pivoting the bearing bracket.

[0005] The two publications FR 2 989 407 A1 and US 4 898 415 A describe fixed, preset "adjustment" elements for door handle bearing brackets. However, these cannot be actively adjusted to a different installation position of the bearing brackets.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a bearing bracket for a door handle unit, as well as a door handle unit itself, particularly for a vehicle, which can be individually adapted to the installation situation of a specific vehicle model in such a way that the bearing bracket assumes a stable and secure installation position on the vehicle door. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to minimize the variety of bearing bracket variants as much as possible, while ensuring that safety is not compromised.

[0007] To solve this problem, a bearing bracket for a door handle unit for a lock in a vehicle is proposed, comprising the features of claim 1, in particular the characterizing part. The present problem is also solved by a door handle unit for a lock in a vehicle comprising the features of claim 12. Furthermore, the present problem is also solved by a method for mounting a bearing bracket on a door, flap, or the like, comprising the features of claim 14. Preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0008] It should be mentioned at this point that features disclosed in the claims, the description, and the drawings may be essential to the invention, either individually or in combination. Features and details described in connection with the bearing bracket and / or the door handle unit according to the invention naturally also apply to the assembly method of a bearing bracket according to the invention, and vice versa.

[0009] The bearing bracket according to the invention serves to attach the door handle assembly to a vehicle door. The bearing bracket itself is attached to the inside of the vehicle door via at least one fastening element and has at least one retaining element, which serves to position and hold a door handle, particularly on an outside of the vehicle door. The door handle itself can be movable, for example, to mechanically transmit its movement to a lock on the vehicle door. With a rigidly designed door handle, an electrical signal can be generated, which then interacts with an electromechanical lock on the vehicle door. The bearing bracket according to the invention includes at least one adjustment element, allowing the mounting position of the bearing bracket on the vehicle door to be adjusted.The adjusting element is thus positioned in addition to the mounting elements on the bearing bracket and serves solely to minimize any existing play between the bearing bracket and the vehicle door. This ensures a stable installation position. Furthermore, this allows a standardized bearing bracket to be adapted to any installation position on a vehicle door, significantly reducing the number of bearing bracket models for different vehicle models while still achieving a stable installation position regardless of the vehicle door.

[0010] Within the scope of the invention, the term vehicle door also includes a flap, hood or the like, such as a tailgate, a bonnet, or a glove compartment lid.

[0011] In the bearing bracket according to the invention, the adjusting element itself is further designed to be adjustable in order to allow adjustment of the bearing bracket in its installed position. For this purpose, the adjusting element comprises at least one thread, a locking element, a clamping element, and / or a bayonet element as an adjustable component. This adjustable component makes it easy to adapt the adjusting element to the respective installation position of the bearing bracket. For this purpose, it is conceivable that the adjusting element has a tool recess, e.g., for an internal hexagon socket, a Torx® drive, or a wrench / screwdriver recess. Thus, the adjusting element can be easily adjusted to the respective installation position using a tool via the tool recess, for example, by rotation. It is also conceivable that the adjusting element is fixed in this installation position by an additional locking element.This can be a self-locking thread, a locking washer, a locking pin, or similar device, preventing the adjusting element from accidentally shifting out of its installed position. A locking lacquer can also be used to secure the adjusting element in this position.

[0012] According to the invention, the adjusting element can further be arranged movably relative to the bearing bracket via an adapter, wherein the adapter is designed to be reversibly detachable from the bearing bracket. The adapter can be rotatable and / or tiltable relative to the bearing bracket. Thus, the additional adapter allows for further adjustment of the adjusting element, in particular by changing the direction of adjustment. By using the additional adapter, the flexible adaptation of the bearing bracket to the respective installation position of the existing bearing bracket can therefore be significantly increased.

[0013] Furthermore, the bearing bracket according to the invention can be designed with a screw-like adjustment element, which can be screwed directly into the adapter or the bearing bracket by means of a thread. Thus, the longitudinal adjustment of the adjustment element can be achieved by rotating the adjustment element, as it moves in and out of the adapter or the bearing bracket via the thread. When using the additional adapter, the screw-in and screw-out direction of the adjustment element can also be changed by rotating the adapter. If the adjustment element is directly connected to the bearing bracket, the screw-in and screw-out direction of the adjustment element is clearly predefined by the corresponding thread in the bearing bracket. In this variant, the additional adapter can therefore be omitted, thus reducing the number of components and consequently also the costs.

[0014] If an adapter is used with the bearing bracket, it can optionally be designed with at least one bearing pin that mechanically articulates with the bearing bracket, or with a ball-shaped design that forms a ball joint with the bearing bracket. If the adapter is only intended to have one axis of rotation or pivot, the aforementioned bearing pin can be used. However, if the adapter is to pivot in multiple directions, a ball-shaped design is advisable. It is also conceivable that another adapter is arranged within the larger adapter to increase the degrees of freedom of the adjustment element. In such an arrangement, the bearing pins of the nested adapters should ideally be positioned at a 90° angle to each other. This is also referred to as a gimbal suspension.Additionally, the adapter may be equipped with a bearing pin or a ball-joint and detent sections to prevent it from moving independently towards the bearing bracket. These detent sections can interact with corresponding detent sections on the bearing bracket, creating a positive and / or non-positive locking connection between the adapter and the bracket. Furthermore, the bearing bracket features a locking mechanism for receiving the adapter, particularly the bearing pin or ball-joint. This locking mechanism secures the adapter to the bearing bracket, providing both a positive and, if necessary, a non-positive locking connection. The aforementioned detent sections allow for stepless adjustment of the adapter relative to the bearing bracket.

[0015] According to the invention, the adjusting element can additionally be arranged at a distance from a longitudinal axis of the bearing bracket. The stable installation position of the bearing bracket can be improved by increasing the distance between the adjusting element and the longitudinal axis of the bearing bracket, since the lever principle generally applies. The bearing bracket itself typically tilts about its longitudinal axis relative to the vehicle door. It should be explicitly stated here that two or more adjusting elements, which may also differ in design, can be used within the scope of the invention. It is also conceivable that two adjusting elements are arranged above the longitudinal axis of the bearing bracket. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the adjusting elements are provided both above and below the longitudinal axis of the bearing bracket.Basically, the adjusting element should be arranged on the bearing bracket in such a way that tilting of the bearing bracket is avoided so that movement of the bearing bracket cannot be transmitted to the lock via a locking cylinder using the connecting element.

[0016] Furthermore, it is optionally conceivable that the bearing bracket according to the invention includes an attachment element, which is movably arranged, in particular, at a free end of the adjusting element. This additional attachment element serves to ensure that the adjusting element can be supported in a fixed and stable position on the inside of the vehicle door, thus achieving a stable installation position for the bearing bracket. In addition, the pressure force from the adjusting element can be distributed over a large area of ​​the inside of the door by using a large-area attachment element. It is also conceivable that the attachment element has at least one deformable surface, allowing it to adapt particularly well to the geometric shape of the inside. Thus, the surface of the attachment element can be felt-like or made of silicone or rubber. It is also conceivable that the entire attachment element is made of a stable but somewhat deformable plastic.The attachment element can be rigidly fixed to the adjustment element.

[0017] It is also conceivable within the scope of the invention that the mounting element for the adjusting element is mechanically connected to the adjusting element via a joint, in particular a swivel joint or a ball joint. Thus, the mounting element can also tilt relative to the adjusting element without causing deformation of either the mounting element or the adjusting element. This prevents mechanical stresses in these elements. Furthermore, it is conceivable that, depending on the installation situation of the bearing bracket on a vehicle door, different mounting elements can be used for one and the same adjusting element. Thus, the bearing bracket and the adjusting element can always be designed identically, and only the mounting element is adapted to the respective installation situation. The use of a attachable mounting element can be particularly easy to implement, especially with a helical adjusting element.According to the invention, the mounting element can be mechanically connected to the adjusting element via a joint, in particular a swivel joint or a ball joint. The mechanical connection between the mounting element and the adjusting element can be designed similarly to the mechanical connection between the adapter and the bearing bracket. Locking means can also be provided for connecting the mounting element to the adjusting element.

[0018] It is also conceivable within the scope of the invention that the adjusting element is designed in a disc shape, wherein, in particular, the side of the adjusting element facing the vehicle door is geometrically complementary to the adjacent inner surface of the vehicle door. With this disc-shaped adjusting element, it is recommended that the geometric expansion of the adjusting element extends not only along the longitudinal axis but also transversely to the longitudinal axis of the bearing bracket in order to achieve a tilt-resistant installation position of the bearing bracket. It is conceivable that the disc-shaped adjusting element is connected to the bearing bracket via retaining means. Thus, the disc-shaped adjusting element can be easily positioned on the side of the adjusting element facing the vehicle door. Furthermore, the position of the adjusting element relative to the bearing bracket is unambiguously defined by the retaining means.If the bearing bracket is to be used for different vehicle doors, differently shaped disc-shaped adjustment elements can be used, which are always connected to the bearing bracket via the same retaining devices. Therefore, only the disc-shaped adjustment element needs to be adapted to the specific installation situation of the vehicle door. The bearing bracket itself, however, is always identical in design.

[0019] It is also optionally provided that the disc-shaped adjustment element is designed to be deformable. This deformability may only be present initially. However, once the adjustment element has deformed to the specific installation situation of the vehicle door, it can become rigid. This change in material properties can be caused by physical or chemical processes. For example, the material of the disc-shaped adjustment element could harden, or it could heat up and solidify due to a chemical effect. The advantage of a deformable disc-shaped adjustment element is that the same adjustment element can always be used, adapting to the specific installation situation of the vehicle door. Thus, not only is the bearing bracket always the same, but so is the disc-shaped adjustment element.If the material of the adjusting element is deformable due to temperature effects, a heating wire can be arranged inside the adjusting element. This wire generates heat within the adjusting element when an electrical voltage is applied. However, as soon as the electrical voltage is switched off, the heating wire, and consequently the entire disc-shaped adjusting element, cools down, causing it to harden again. As mentioned, the hardening or solidification of the adjusting element can also be caused by chemical effects.

[0020] In the bearing bracket according to the invention, it is further conceivable that the adjusting element is designed in a pin-shaped form, wherein, in particular, a plurality of pin-shaped adjusting elements are arranged on the side of the adjusting element facing the vehicle door, serving as support on the inside of the vehicle door. These pin-shaped adjusting elements can be made of the same material and integrally formed with the bearing bracket. It is also conceivable that the pin-shaped adjusting elements are designed to be inserted into the bearing bracket. In this case, it is also recommended that the individual pin-shaped adjusting elements be arranged at a distance from the longitudinal axis of the bearing bracket in order to improve the stable installation position.The bearing bracket, designed in this way, rests securely against the inside of the driver's door, similar to a nail board. However, to allow for individual adaptation of the bearing bracket to the specific installation situation, the pin-shaped adjustment elements can be modified or shortened. Shortening the individual adjustment elements can be achieved, for example, by cutting, milling, or similar methods. Thus, each individual pin-shaped adjustment element can be adapted to the specific installation situation. Nevertheless, an identical bearing bracket is always used, which can be easily reused afterward by adjusting the individual pin-shaped adjustment elements. Furthermore, pin-shaped adjustment elements of varying lengths can also be inserted into the bearing bracket, ensuring adjustability.

[0021] Within the scope of the invention, it is also conceivable that the pin-shaped adjustment elements are designed to be variable in length, particularly by means of predetermined breaking points. Consequently, the individual pin-shaped adjustment elements can be easily broken off at the predetermined breaking points to achieve the appropriate length for the respective installation situation. The pin-shaped adjustment elements can also be separated or cut using a thermally heated wire, a laser, or the like.

[0022] It should also be explicitly mentioned that the bearing bracket according to the invention can be equipped with adjustment elements of various designs, i.e., a helical, disc-shaped, and / or pin-shaped adjustment element. Of course, it is also conceivable that only one adjustment element is used in the bearing bracket according to the invention.

[0023] The bearing bracket according to the invention can also include a transmission mechanism that interacts with a movable door handle to mechanically transfer the movement of the door handle to the lock of the vehicle door. A crash lock and / or a mass balancer can also be provided on the bearing bracket to improve crash safety, particularly in the event of a side impact. The aforementioned crash lock and mass balancer prevent unintentional release of the door handle unit in a side impact.

[0024] The invention is also directed to a door handle unit for a lock on a vehicle according to the technical features of claim 12. A bearing bracket according to claims 1 to 11 is used here, which holds a door handle that is arranged on the outside of the vehicle door, in particular movably, by means of the bearing bracket.

[0025] The door handle itself is used to operate the lock in order to open and close the vehicle door.

[0026] This door handle unit can be additionally equipped with sensors and / or control electronics to operate an access authorization system or central locking system for the vehicle. A proximity sensor, particularly a capacitive sensor, may be integrated into the door handle. Furthermore, an optical and / or pressure sensor, a switch, or similar device may also be incorporated into the door handle unit to expand its range of applications, for example, for a keyless entry system.

[0027] The door handle unit according to the invention can also include a mechanical locking cylinder, which is connected to the lock in the vehicle door via a connecting element. This mechanical locking cylinder can be designed as an emergency locking cylinder, so that in the case of a keyless entry system, the vehicle door can also be opened in a purely mechanical manner if the sensor and control electronics of the door handle unit should fail.

[0028] The lock for the vehicle door can be operated mechanically or electrically. Accordingly, the door handle can also be mechanically operated or only provide a sensor signal to control the electromechanical lock.

[0029] The present invention also relates to a method for assembling a bearing bracket with the technical features of claim 14. In this method, at least one of the following steps is carried out during the assembly of the bearing bracket: • Attaching at least one adjusting element to the bearing bracket • Attach the bearing bracket to the inside of the door using fasteners. • Adjusting the bearing bracket on the inside of the door by adjusting the adjustment element.

[0030] The inventive method for mounting a bearing bracket can be carried out with the inventive bearing bracket.

[0031] In addition, the invention is also directed to a vehicle with the door handle unit according to the invention.

[0032] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description, the claims, and the figures. The figures illustrate the invention in various exemplary embodiments. They show: Fig. 1a a cross-section through a schematically represented door handle unit according to the invention in its installed position on a vehicle door, Fig. 1b a comparable section of the door handle unit Fig. 1a, however, the position of an adjustment element has been changed by an existing adapter, Fig. 2a a top view of an adapter for receiving and attaching the adjusting element to a bearing bracket according to the invention, Fig. 2b a side view of the adapter Fig. 2a, Fig. 3a a schematic rear view of a bearing bracket according to the invention on an inside of a vehicle door, wherein, among other things, a screw-like adjusting element is used, Fig. 3b a schematic cross-section through the door handle unit made of Fig. 3a with an additional disc-shaped adjusting element, Fig. 4a a top view of a bearing bracket according to the invention with a plurality of pin-shaped adjusting elements, Fig. 4b a partial longitudinal section through the bearing bracket according to the invention made of Fig. 4a, Fig. 5a a side view of a helical adjustment element with an attachment element, Fig. 5b a comparable representation of the adjustment element after tilting the attachment element, Fig. 6 a side view of a vehicle with the door handle units according to the invention on the vehicle doors, and Fig. 7 A schematic representation of the state of the art of a bearing bracket on a vehicle door.

[0033] In the Fig. Figures 1a to 6 show various embodiments of the invention, with identical technical features being designated by the same reference numerals. In all embodiments of the door handle unit 10 according to the invention, the bearing bracket 30 according to the invention is used with at least one adjusting element 33.

[0034] In the Fig. Figure 1a shows a schematic cross-section through a door handle unit 10 according to the invention, which is attached to a vehicle door 51 via a bearing bracket 30 according to the invention. For this purpose, the bearing bracket 30 is fixed to an inner surface 51.1 of the vehicle door 51, for which at least one fastening element 31 is provided. This fastening element 31 can consist of a screw or a hook that mechanically interacts with the vehicle door 51. The fastening element 31 is usually arranged near a longitudinal axis 14 of the bearing bracket 30 (see Figure 1a). Fig. 3a) Furthermore, at least one retaining element 32 is arranged on the bearing bracket 30, which serves to hold the door handle 11, in particular on an outer surface 51.2 of the vehicle door 51. The door handle 11 itself can be fixed or movable relative to the vehicle door 51 or to the bearing bracket 30. If a movable door handle 11 is provided, the bearing bracket 30 also has a transmission mechanism so that the movement of the door handle 11 can be transmitted from the vehicle door 51 to a lock 52 via the transmission mechanism and a connecting element.

[0035] As shown by the Fig. As can be clearly seen in Figure 1a, the door handle unit 10 is arranged in the area of ​​a recessed grip 51.3 on the vehicle door 51 to allow for comfortable and easy operation of the door handle 11. However, due to this recessed grip 51.3, the inside surface 51.1 of the vehicle door 51 is not usually flat. Therefore, the side 30.1 of the bearing bracket 30 facing the vehicle door must be adapted to the shape of the recessed grip 51.3 to reliably prevent the bearing bracket 30 from tilting or pivoting in its installed position. In the bearing bracket 30 according to the invention, this problem is solved by an additional adjusting element 33 on the bearing bracket 30. Fig. In 1a to 3b, an adjusting element 33 in the form of a helical adjusting element 33a is used. In the Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b This helical adjusting element 33a is connected to the bearing bracket 30 via an additional adapter 34. This adapter 34 serves to change the locking direction of the adjusting element 33. The helical adjusting element 33a is itself length-adjustable relative to the bearing bracket 30 by means of the provided thread. By rotating the adjusting element 33a, the protruding length of the helical adjusting element 33a from the bearing bracket 30 changes, thus achieving adjustability. In the Fig. In 1a, the helical adjusting element 33a is arranged in a horizontal position. The further pivoting possibilities of the adjusting element 33 are indicated by corresponding pivot axes of the adapter 34, which has a fixed pivot point 34.1 due to its bearing pin 34.2. The adapter 34 is mounted via the two left- and right-side bearing pins 34.2 (see figure 1a). Fig. 2a) positively clipped into the bearing bracket 30. For this purpose, the bearing bracket 30 has locking elements 30.2, which taper wedge-shaped from the outside to the inside and terminate in a circular opening to enable positive engagement with the bearing pin 34.2. The adapter 34 is simply pressed into the bearing bracket 30 by a compressive force and held securely there. The opening of the locking element 30.2 is open towards side 30.1 in the bearing bracket 30, so that even under high locking forces of the adjusting element 33, the adapter 34 is always securely held in the bearing bracket 30.

[0036] In the Fig. In section 1b, the adapter 34, and consequently the adjusting element 33a, is pivoted from the horizontal position to better align with the inner surface 51.2 of the vehicle door 51. To prevent the pivot position of the adapter 34 from changing independently relative to the bearing bracket 30, additional detent sections can be provided between the adapter 34 and the bearing bracket 30, allowing only incremental adjustment of the adapter 34. The adjusting element 33a rests with its free end 33a.2, which protrudes from the adapter 34, against the inner surface 51.1 of the vehicle door 51, thus preventing the bearing bracket from tilting towards the vehicle door 51 at this point. To prevent damage to the vehicle door, the helical adjusting element 33a has a dome-shaped section at its free end 33a.2. At the other end of the helical adjusting element 33a is a tool attachment 33a.1 is provided, which allows a rotation of the adjusting element 33 to be initiated. In the present case, for example, an internal hexagon socket is provided as a tool attachment 33a. As can also be seen from the . Fig. 1a and Fig. As can be clearly seen in Figure 1b, the adjusting element 33 has a significant distance to the longitudinal axis 14 of the bearing bracket 30, which (longitudinal axis 14) lies approximately at the height of the fastening element 31 (see also Figure 1b). Fig. 3a).

[0037] Through the Fig. 1a and Fig. Figure 1b shows that the bearing bracket 30 can be positioned in a stable installation position on the vehicle door by means of the adjusting element 30. This installation position is also independent of the respective design of the handle recess 51.3 or the vehicle door 51, since the adjusting element is adjustable or self-adjusting. The adjustment in the Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b is achieved on the one hand by rotating the adapter 34 and on the other hand by rotating the adjusting element 33a using the tool attachment 33a.1.

[0038] In the Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b is adapter 34 from the Fig. 1a and Fig. Figure 1b shows the adapter 34 in isolation. It is evident that a cylindrical bearing pin 34.2 protrudes from both the left and right sides of the adapter 34. These two cylindrical bearing pins 34.2 form the pivot joint with the bearing bracket 30. The clearly defined axis of rotation 34.1 results from the longitudinal axes of the cylindrical bearing pins 34.2. At least one threaded opening 34.3 is provided perpendicular to the two longitudinal pins 34.2 for the adjusting element 33, in particular the helical adjusting element 33a. The helical adjusting element 33a can thus be easily screwed into the adapter 34. It should be noted that two adjusting elements 33 can also be screwed into two threaded openings 34.3 provided for this purpose in one adapter 34.

[0039] In the Fig. 2b is the side view of adapter 34. Fig. Figure 2a shows that the bearing journals 34.2 have a circular cross-section and are therefore cylindrical. This side view also shows the cylindrical threaded opening 34.3 for the adjusting element 33. This opening is arranged orthogonally to the bearing journal 34.2.

[0040] In the Fig. Figure 3a shows a schematic rear view of another bearing bracket 30, where the adjusting element 33 is also designed as a helical adjusting element 33a. However, the helical adjusting element 33a is directly connected to the bearing bracket 30, i.e., without an intermediate adapter 34. For this purpose, a corresponding threaded opening is provided directly in the bearing bracket 30. The bearing bracket 30 shown is also made of... Fig. Figure 3a shows a circular recess 36 for a mechanical locking cylinder 12. This locking cylinder 12 is connected to the lock 52 via a mechanical connecting element 13 (see also Fig. 6). In the Fig. Figure 3a clearly shows that the two threaded holes for the fastening elements 31 are arranged on the longitudinal axis 14 of the bearing bracket 30. Additionally, hooks can also serve as fastening elements 31, protruding through openings in the vehicle door 51, which are also required for the door handle, and providing a positive-locking connection between the bearing bracket 30 and the vehicle door 51. However, since these openings in the vehicle door 51 are also located along the longitudinal axis 14, a stable installation position for a standardized bearing bracket 30 cannot be guaranteed.

[0041] In the Fig. 3b is a schematic cross-section through the door handle unit 10 made of Fig. Figure 3a illustrates this. For clarity, differently shaped handle recesses 51.3 of the vehicle door 51 are shown with dashed lines. The bearing bracket 30 according to the invention must be able to adapt to these differently shaped handle recesses 51.3 in order to achieve a stable installation position. The helical adjusting element 33 in the upper area of ​​the bearing bracket 30 serves this purpose. Optionally, and for further clarification of the invention, a second, disc-shaped adjusting element 33b is shown on the bearing bracket 30. This is held in a form-fitting manner on the bearing bracket 30, in particular on its side 30.1 facing the inside 51.1 of the vehicle door 51, by means of at least two retaining means 33b.1. As mentioned previously in the description, the disc-shaped adjusting element 33b can be designed to be deformable in order to adapt individually to the respective handle recess 51.3.Differently designed, disc-shaped adjustment elements 33b can also be used for one and the same bearing bracket 30 to adapt it to different vehicle doors 51. The different disc-shaped adjustment elements 33b only need to be attached to the bearing bracket 30 by pressing them in using the retaining means 33b.1. It should be mentioned here that the door handle unit 10 is made of... Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b is only an example, as only one adjustment element 33a or 33b can be used. Of course, a combination of the different adjustment elements 33 (33a, 33b and / or 33c) is also conceivable.

[0042] In the Fig. Figure 4a shows another example of a bearing bracket 30 according to the invention. In this bearing bracket 30, many adjustment elements 33 in the form of pin-like adjustment elements 33c are used. In this case, these pin-like adjustment elements 33c are integrally and uniformly connected to the bearing bracket 30. The bearing bracket 30 is supported by these adjustment elements 33c on the inside 51.1 of the vehicle door 51 in order to achieve a stable installation position. For this purpose, the pin-like adjustment elements 33c can be designed to be variable in length, for example by providing predetermined breaking points 33c.1 (see Figure 4a). Fig. 4b). It is also conceivable that the pin-shaped adjustment elements 33c can be machined to their corresponding length, e.g., by cutting, milling, or other means. Thus, the bearing bracket 30 according to the invention is first manufactured with the identical pin-shaped adjustment elements 33c, and then, in a further manufacturing step, the pin-shaped adjustment elements 33c can be individually shortened for their respective use in the corresponding vehicle door 51.

[0043] In the Fig. Figure 4a also clearly shows the retaining element 32 for the door handle 11. The door handle 11 can engage the web-shaped retaining element 32 with an elongated hole, thus forming a pivot or swivel joint at this point. Furthermore, the bearing bracket 30 is made of Fig. Figure 4a also shows an opening 30.3 for a driver on the door handle 11, which, for example, mechanically interacts with a transmission mechanism on the bearing bracket 30. Additionally, the bearing bracket 30 according to the invention can also be equipped with a crash lock and / or a mass balance to increase the crash safety of the door handle unit 10.

[0044] In Fig. 4b is a section of a side view of the bearing bracket 30 from Fig. 4a shown.

[0045] In Fig. Figure 5a shows only a screw-like adjusting element 33a with an additional attachment element 35. The attachment element 35 is connected to the adjusting element 33a via a joint 35.1, making the attachment element 35 rotatable and / or pivotable relative to the adjusting element 33a. In the Fig. 5a the attachment element 35 is arranged in a perpendicular position to the helical adjusting element 33a. Conversely, in the Fig. Figure 5b shows the attachment element 35 slightly pivoted downwards, thus clearly illustrating the function of the joint 35.1. The attachment element 35 has a dome-shaped head 35.2, which can also be designed to be flexible. Due to the large surface area of ​​the head of the attachment element 35, the contact force from the helical adjusting element 33a is distributed over the surface of the inner surface 51.1, thereby reducing and optimally distributing the contact pressure without causing deformation of the inner surface 51.1.

[0046] It should also be mentioned here that the attachment element 35 can be designed to be immovable and rigid relative to the adjustment element 33a. For example, the attachment element 35 can have a blind bore into which the free end 33a.2 of the helical adjustment element 33a can be inserted.

[0047] In Fig. Figure 6 shows a vehicle 50, in particular in the form of a motor vehicle, in a side view. This vehicle 50 has a door handle unit 10 according to the invention with a door handle 11 on each of the two vehicle doors 51, in order to open and close the vehicle doors 51. For this purpose, a lock 52 is provided on each vehicle door 51, which is mechanically or electrically connected to the door handle unit 10 according to the invention and can be actuated by the door handle 11. If mechanical actuation is provided, a connecting element 13 can also be provided inside the vehicle door 51 for this purpose.

[0048] In the Fig.Figure 7 shows the state of the art for a door handle unit 10. This illustrates the problem of the stable installation position of the bearing bracket 30. Since the bearing bracket 30 is usually attached to the vehicle door 51 in the area of ​​its longitudinal axis 14 by the fastening elements 31, the bearing bracket 30 can move if no geometric adjustment of the bearing bracket 30 to the handle recess 51.3 of the vehicle door 51 has been made. With such a bearing bracket 30, the vehicle door 51 can be unintentionally opened, for example, by inserting a screwdriver 60 into an existing lock cylinder 12. Moving the screwdriver 60 up and down (see arrows) initiates a tilting movement for the bearing bracket 30 via the mechanical lock cylinder 12. This tilting movement can cause a movement of the connecting element 13, which can be transmitted to the lock 52 on the vehicle door 51.This could lead to the vehicle door 51 opening unintentionally, which must be avoided at all costs. The tilting movement of the bearing bracket 30 is indicated by an arrow to the right of the door handle unit 10, in line with the screwdriver 60. Reference symbol list 10 Door handle unit 11 Door handle 12 locking cylinders 13 Connecting element 14 Longitudinal axis 30 bearing brackets 30.1 Side towards the door 30.2 Resting agent for 33 30.3 Opening for 11 31 Fastening element 32 retaining elements for 11 33 Adjustment element 33a helical adjusting element 33a.1 Tool approach 33a.2 free end 33b disc-shaped adjusting element 33b.1 Holding devices 33c pin-like adjustment element 33c.1 Breaking point 34 adapters 34.1 Rotation or swivel axis 34.2 Bearing journal 34.3 Threaded opening for 33 35 Add-on element 35.1 Joint 35.2 dome-shaped head 36 recordings for 12 50 vehicles, especially motor vehicles 51 Vehicle door, hatch or the like. 51.1 Inside 51.2 Outside 51.3 Recessed handle 52 Castle 60 screwdrivers

Claims

[1] Bearing bracket (30) for a door handle unit (10) for a lock (52) on a vehicle (50) with at least one fastening element (31) with which the bearing bracket (30) can be attached to an inside (51.1) of a vehicle door (51), and at least one retaining element (32) which serves to arrange a door handle (11) in particular on an outside (51.2) of the vehicle door (51), characterized by , that at least one adjusting element (33) is provided, which allows the installation position of the bearing bracket (30) on the vehicle door (51) to be adjusted, wherein the adjusting element (33) itself is designed to be adjustable in order to allow adjustment of the bearing bracket (30) in the installation position, for which the adjusting element (33) has at least a thread, a locking device, a clamping device and / or a bayonet element as an adjustable element. [2] Bearing bracket (30) for a door handle unit (10) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the adjusting element (33) is arranged movably to the bearing bracket (30) via an adapter (34), wherein the adapter (34) is in particular designed to be reversibly detachable from the bearing bracket (30) and the adapter (34) is in particular rotatable and / or tiltable. [3] Bearing bracket (30) for a door handle unit (10) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the adjusting element (33) is designed in a screw-like manner (33a) and can be screwed directly into the adapter (34) or the bearing bracket (30) by means of the thread. [4] Bearing bracket (30) for a door handle unit (10) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized by that the adapter (34) has at least one bearing pin (34.2) which mechanically interacts with the bearing bracket (30) in a joint-like manner, or that the adapter (34) is designed in a spherical shape and forms a ball joint with the bearing bracket (30). [5] Bearing bracket (30) for a door handle unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the adjusting element (33) is provided with an attachment element (35), which is movably arranged, in particular, at its free end. [6] Bearing bracket (30) for a door handle unit (10) according to claim 5, characterized by , that the attachment element (35) is mechanically connected to the adjustment element (33) via a joint (35.1), in particular a swivel joint or ball joint. [7] Bearing bracket (30) for a door handle unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a further adjustment element (33) is designed in a disc shape (33b), wherein in particular the side (30.1) of the adjustment element (33b) designed towards the vehicle door (51) is geometrically complementary to the adjacent inner side (51.1) of the vehicle door (51). [8] Bearing bracket (30) for a door handle unit (10) according to claim 7, characterized by , that the disc-shaped adjusting element (33b) is connected to the bearing bracket (30) via retaining means (33b.1). [9] Bearing bracket (30) for a door handle unit (10) according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized by , that the disc-shaped adjusting element (33b) is designed to be deformable, in particular the deformability is only present initially. [10] Bearing bracket (30) for a door handle unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a further adjusting element (33) is designed in a pin shape (33c), wherein in particular a plurality of pin-shaped adjusting elements (33c) are arranged on the side (30.1) of the adjusting element (33c) designed towards the vehicle door (51), which serve to provide support on the inside (51.1) of the vehicle door (51). [11] Bearing bracket (30) for a door handle unit (10) according to claim 10, characterized by , that the pin-shaped adjusting elements (33c) are designed to be variable in length, in particular by means of predetermined breaking points (33c.1). [12] Door handle unit (10) for a lock (52) in a vehicle (50) comprising a bearing bracket (30) according to the preceding claims and a door handle (11) which is arranged on the outside of the vehicle door (50) by means of the bearing bracket (30), in particular movable, and the door handle (11) serves to actuate a lock (52). [13] Door handle unit (10) according to claim 12, characterized by , that a mechanical locking cylinder (12) is provided which is connected to the lock (52) in the vehicle door (51) via a connecting element (13). [14] Method for mounting a bearing bracket (30) on a door (51), flap or the like, in particular on a vehicle (50), comprising the following steps: • Attaching at least one adjusting element (33) to the bearing bracket (30) • Attaching the bearing bracket (30) to an inside (51.1) of the door (51) using fasteners (31) • Adjusting the bearing bracket (30) on the inside (51.1) of the door (51) by adjusting the adjusting element (33), wherein the adjusting element (33) itself is designed to be adjustable in order to be able to adjust the bearing bracket (30) in the installation position, for which purpose the adjusting element has at least a thread, a locking means, a clamping means and / or a bayonet element as an adjustable element. [15] Method according to claim 14 for mounting a bearing bracket (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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