Door handle assembly

Abstract

Door handle device (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a holding device (2) with a door handle (6) pivotably arranged on an outer side (3) of the holding device (2) between at least one basic position (4) and at least one pivoted open position (5), wherein a damping device (7) is provided for at least partial damping of a closing movement (8) of the door handle (6) from the pivoted open position (5) to the basic position (4), wherein a pivotable compensating device (10) for interaction with the damping device (7) is arranged on an inner side (9) of the holding device (2) and is coupled to the door handle (6) via a coupling device (11), such that a pivoting movement of the door handle (6) causes a counter-rotating movement of the compensating device (10), characterized in that the damping device (7) includes at least one air buffer (12,13) comprising an outlet opening (14) and at least one inlet opening (16) and that the compensating device (10) directly or indirectly abuts the inlet opening (16) of the air buffer (12, 13) so that the inlet opening (16) of the air buffer (12, 13) is closed and the air buffer (12, 13) dampens the closing movement (8).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a door handle device, particularly for a motor vehicle, comprising a holding device with a door handle pivotably arranged on an outer side of the holding device between at least one basic position and at least one pivoted open position. At least one damping device is provided for at least partially damping a closing movement of the door handle from the pivoted open position to the basic position.

[0002] Various door handle devices for motor vehicles are known in the prior art, in which an exterior door handle is pivotable from a closed to an open position. For example, FR 2 960 898 A1 discloses a door handle that is pivotably mounted on the body. In this design, the closing movement of the door handle is dampened by an air-filled chamber formed by an elastic wall. This also reduces the closing noise. When the door is closed, the elastic air chamber is always subject to the contact pressure of the door handle. Furthermore, the elastic air chamber is mounted on the exterior of the vehicle and is therefore exposed to environmental influences. This can lead to aging and a decline in functionality over time.

[0003] German patent DE 100 30 331 A1 discloses an exterior door handle for vehicles in which a piston-cylinder device is arranged on the inside, serving as a damping element for the operation of the exterior door handle. A disadvantage of this system, however, is that damping occurs not only during the closing movement of the exterior door handle, but also during the opening movement, where considerable resistance is encountered. Furthermore, the design complexity is relatively high.

[0004] A generic door handle device is known from WO 2012 175 599 A1. DE 20 2011 051 817 U1 discloses a door handle device for a vehicle with a delay element. The delay element delays the return movement of the handle from the deflected position to its initial position. The delay element is designed as an air damping element with a plunger guided in a piston. US 2005 O 160 559 A1 discloses a door handle for a vehicle with a damper whose torque can be adjusted depending on the direction of rotation.

[0005] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a door handle device, in particular for a motor vehicle, which provides reliable damping during the closing movement of a door handle.

[0006] This problem is solved by a door handle device with the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the general description and the description of exemplary embodiments.

[0007] A door handle device according to the invention is particularly intended for use on a motor vehicle and comprises a holding device with a door handle pivotably arranged on an outer side of the holding device between at least one basic position and at least one pivoted open position. At least one damping device is provided for at least partially damping a closing movement of the door handle from the pivoted open position to the basic position. A pivotable compensating device for interaction with the damping device is arranged on an inner side of the holding device. The pivotable compensating device is coupled to the door handle via a coupling device, such that a pivoting movement of the door handle causes a counter-rotating movement of the compensating device. The pivot axis about which the door handle pivots can be oriented horizontally or vertically.The damping device comprises at least one air buffer with an outlet opening and at least one inlet opening. The compensating device directly or indirectly abuts the inlet opening of the air buffer, closing the inlet opening and causing the air buffer to dampen the closing movement.

[0008] The door handle device according to the invention can in particular comprise a door handle designed as an exterior door handle.

[0009] The door handle device according to the invention has many advantages. A significant advantage of the door handle device according to the invention is that the door handle is coupled to a pivotable compensating device via a coupling device. This makes it possible to decouple the damping of the door handle's movement from the door handle itself. The damping can also be applied at the compensating device itself via the coupling device and the coupling of the compensating device to the door handle.

[0010] Another advantage is that a pivoting movement of the door handle causes a counter-rotating movement of the compensating device, thus reliably preventing accidental activation or accidental opening of the door during lateral acceleration.

[0011] In simple designs, the compensating device comprises at least one compensating bracket that pivots in the opposite direction to the door handle. It is also possible for the compensating device to be essentially formed by the compensating bracket. A counterweight, either integrally formed or separately attached, can be provided at the end of the compensating bracket or the compensating device to provide a counterweight. It is not necessary for the counterweight to be located at the far end of the compensating bracket. It can also be positioned, for example, some distance from the end.

[0012] According to the invention, the damping device comprises at least one air buffer.

[0013] According to the invention, at least one air buffer has at least one outlet opening. However, an air buffer can also be designed without an opening and have an elastic wall against which the compensating device or the coupling device acts in order to form the damping device.

[0014] Preferably, the damping device comprises at least one wall made of an elastic material. The wall can form and define an air volume. The air buffer can be ball-shaped, cone-shaped, egg-shaped, hemispherical, funnel-shaped, or cylindrical. Preferably, the air buffer is pressurized by the compensating device during the closing movement, so that the air buffer dampens the closing movement.

[0015] According to the invention, the air buffer has at least one inlet opening which, during the closing movement, is at least substantially closed, either directly or indirectly, by the compensating device. According to the invention, the compensating device abuts, directly or indirectly, the inlet opening of the air buffer, so that the inlet opening of the air buffer is closed and the air buffer dampens the closing movement.

[0016] It is also possible for the air buffer to have such an inlet opening into which a correspondingly designed part of the compensating device dips during the closing movement. For example, a piston-like part of the compensating device can dip into a corresponding cylindrical or round part of the air buffer to dampen a closing movement. In these embodiments, it is particularly preferred if the air buffer has at least one outlet opening through which compressed air can escape.

[0017] It is also possible, for example, that there is a large gap between a plunging piston and the wall of the air buffer surrounding the piston, so that an outlet opening is available between the outside of the piston and the inside of the wall. In an alternative embodiment, the compensating device strikes against the outlet opening of the air buffer, whereby the part of the compensating device in contact with the air buffer does not have full surface contact, thus providing an outlet opening.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the inlet opening is larger overall than the outlet opening. This means that the total area of ​​all inlet openings is greater than the total area of ​​all outlet openings. For example, the air buffer can be hemispherical or funnel-shaped, with an inlet opening at one end and an outlet opening at the other.

[0019] In preferred training programs, the compensation device acts on a multiple air buffers. This effect can occur simultaneously or with a time delay.

[0020] For example, two or more air buffers can be loaded simultaneously by the balancing device. It is also possible that a first air buffer is loaded first, followed by a second and / or a third.

[0021] In all embodiments, it is particularly preferred if the compensating device includes at least one counterweight. It is possible for the compensating device to comprise two spaced-apart compensating brackets, which are connected to each other, for example, by a counterweight. The counterweight can also directly provide the contact surface for the air buffer(s).

[0022] A counterweight on the balancing device results in a higher moment of inertia, thus preventing the door handle from opening unintentionally or unintentionally during lateral acceleration of the vehicle.

[0023] In all embodiments, it is possible for the door handle and the compensating device to pivot about the same pivot axis. In this case, one of the two components can be fixed to the pivot axis, while the other is rotatably mounted on it. However, it is possible and preferred that the door handle and the compensating device pivot about different pivot axes. In this case, both components can be fixed to or rotatably mounted on their respective pivot axes.

[0024] In all embodiments, it is preferred that the door handle and the compensating device are coupled to each other via the coupling device over at least one swivel angle range. Particularly preferred is that the door handle and the compensating device are coupled to each other at least substantially and, in particular, over the entire swivel range. However, it is also possible and conceivable that a rotationally fixed coupling of the door handle and the compensating device extends only over a specific swivel angle range.

[0025] Preferably, the coupling device includes at least one reversing mechanism. Such a reversing mechanism causes the compensating device to pivot in the opposite direction when the door handle is pivoted in one direction.

[0026] The coupling device preferably comprises two gear wheels: a first gear wheel non-rotatably coupled to the door handle and a second gear wheel non-rotatably coupled to the compensating device. The two gear wheels can mesh or be coupled directly or indirectly. Preferably, the two gear wheels are coupled to each other via a coupling means such as a belt or chain. However, it is also possible for further gear wheels and / or toothed belts and / or chains to be provided between the two gear wheels in order to transmit the rotational movement of one gear wheel to the other. In all cases, it is preferred that at least one gear wheel, or both, or all gear wheels are designed as friction wheels or gear wheels.

[0027] Preferably, the door handle comprises a handle and at least one, and in particular two, side door levers.

[0028] In advantageous embodiments, the door handle rests against an elastic or soft base surface in its home position. Such an elastic or softly designed base surface provides further damping of the closing movement of the door handle, which can be provided in addition to the damping device.

[0029] Overall, the invention provides a door handle device that uses a compensating bracket attached to the handle recess to cushion the closing movement. During the return movement of the door handle, the compensating bracket also falls back and strikes one or more air buffers, forming a damping device.

[0030] The door handle mechanism ensures reliable operation, which can also be guaranteed permanently if necessary. Its design is simple. By arranging the air buffers on the inside of the door handle mechanism, large-volume air buffers can be incorporated, providing, for example, air damping. This achieves reliable and sufficient damping during the closing movement, while no additional resistance is generated during the opening movement.

[0031] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments, which are explained below with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0032] It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of a door handle device according to the invention in a basic position; Fig. 2 the door handle mechanism after Fig. 1 in an open position; Fig. 3 a partially cutaway perspective view of the door handle mechanism according to Fig. 1; Fig. 4. an air buffer of the door handle assembly after Fig. 1 in an enlarged section; Fig. 5 an interior view of the door handle assembly Fig. 2; Fig. 6 A schematic representation of the function of the door handle device according to Fig. 1; and. Fig. 7 a schematic representation of the function of a modified door handle device according to Fig. 1.

[0033] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a door handle device 1 according to the invention in a basic position 4, which here corresponds to the closed position. In the closed position, the door handle 6 rests against the outside 3 of the holding device 2.

[0034] The door handle 6 can be pivoted via the handle 26 about a pivot axis which here runs approximately horizontally and moved into the opening position 5, which in Fig. Figure 2 shows the door handle. It is also possible that the door handle 6 can be pivoted into further positions not shown here. These could be intermediate positions, or the door handle could be pivoted even further, for example, to meet special requirements.

[0035] The in Fig. The door handle assembly 1 shown in Figure 1 is arranged on a recessed handle 29. Inside the recessed handle 29, two outlet openings 14 of a damping device 7 can be seen. However, the outlet openings 14 can also be located outside the recessed area of ​​the handle 29.

[0036] The door handle 6 is equipped with the one in Fig. The two visible door levers 28 are arranged to pivot about the pivot axis 18. The pivot axis 19 serves for the pivotable mounting of a [part / section] in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 non-visible compensation devices 10.

[0037] The pivot axes 18 and 19 are mounted on the inside 9 of the holding device 2.

[0038] The outer surface 3 of the holding device 2 can correspond to the outer surface or skin of a motor vehicle. The holding device 2 can be part of the skin or be covered by the skin and an outer structure.

[0039] To transfer the door handle 6 from the in Fig. 2 shown opening position 5 into the in Fig. In the basic position 4 shown in Figure 1, the door handle 6 is pivoted in the direction of arrow 8, i.e., in a closing movement. At least the end of the pivoting movement is damped by the damping device 7. Additional damping can be provided by the stop 31 on the retaining device 2 if the stop 31 is made of a soft and / or elastic material, for example, so that the residual velocity of the handle 26 upon impact with the stop 31 is further dampened.

[0040] A soft pad on the stop 31 can provide additional damping, but depending on the available installation space, it may not be sufficient if the pad is relatively thin and consequently has only a relatively small damping effect. The pad of the stop 31 can be soft or consist of two or more hard / soft components.

[0041] Fig. Figure 3 shows a partially cutaway perspective view of the door handle assembly 1 according to Fig. 1, where more details of the damping device 7 are visible. The damping device 7 comprises two air buffers 12, 13, which have outlet openings 14 on the outside of the grip recess 29 for the outflow of compressed air. The air buffers 12, 13 are each approximately hemispherical in cross-section and each has a wall 15 made of an elastic, for example rubber-like or similar material.

[0042] On the inside, the air buffers 12, 13 have large inlet openings 16, the area of ​​which is a multiple of the area of ​​the outlet openings 14. The ratio of the inlet opening 16 to the outlet opening 14 is preferably greater than ten and can exceed twenty or more.

[0043] In Fig. Figure 4 shows one of the compensating brackets of the compensating device 10, which is pivotably arranged about the pivot axes 19. The compensating bracket extends from the pivot axis 19 and is slightly L-shaped overall. At the end opposite the pivot axis 19 is the short leg of the L, at the outer end of which a counterweight 17 is arranged. The counterweight 17 can optionally connect several separate compensating brackets of the compensating device 10 so that they pivot synchronously.

[0044] The counterweight 17 has an approximately cuboid cross-section. In the exemplary embodiment, the counterweight 17 closes the inlet opening 16 of the air buffers 12, 13 of the damping device 7 during the closing movement 8. After the inlet opening 16 is closed, the mass of the counterweight 17 compresses the air buffer 12(s), causing the elastic wall 15 to deform elastically. Simultaneously, the interior of the air buffers 12, 13 is pressurized, while only a small portion of the contained air escapes through the outlet opening(s) 14. Thus, the air buffers 12, 13 each form an air spring, the spring action of which decreases over time due to the escaping gas. This ensures that the counterweight 17 reliably reaches its end position.

[0045] Fig. Figure 4 shows an enlarged schematic cross-section through an air buffer 12 of the damping device 7, where the elastic wall 15 and the larger inlet opening 16 are clearly visible in comparison to the smaller outlet opening 14. The diameter of the outlet opening 14 can be in the range of the wall thickness of the elastic wall 15.

[0046] Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective view of the door handle device 1 in the opening position 5.

[0047] The door handle 6 is in the open position 5, so that the door lever 27 is visible. The door lever 27 can pivot about the pivot axes 18. The pivot axis 18 is coupled to the pivot axis 19 via a coupling device 11, whereby a pivoting movement of the door handle 6 about the pivot axis 18 results in a counter-rotating pivoting movement of the compensating device 10 about the pivot axis 19. The coupling device 11 comprises the Fig. 5. The second gear wheel 23 is recognizable, which is here non-rotatably connected to the pivot axis 19. The second door lever 28 is also visible in the background.

[0048] In the exemplary embodiment, the compensating device 10 is formed by a compensating bracket and the compensating weight 17 attached to it. In other embodiments, it is also possible to provide two or more compensating brackets 10 and, if necessary, to connect them together.

[0049] When pivoting from the open position 5 to the basic position 4, the front of the counterweight 17 closes the inlet openings 16 of the air buffers 12 and 13. During the further pivoting movement, the air buffers 12 and 13 are elastically deformed, while the contained air volume escapes on the outside of the handle recess 29 through the outlet openings 14, which are not shown in detail here.

[0050] Fig. Figure 6 shows a schematic cross-section illustrating the operating principle of the door handle assembly 1, in which the door handle 6 and the compensating device 10 are pivotally connected to each other in opposite directions. This results in the handle 26 pivoting outwards when the door handle 6 pivots from its home position 4 to the open position 5, while the compensating device 10 pivots inwards in the opposite direction. The reversing mechanism 21 is formed by two meshing gears 24, one of which is the first gear 22 and the other the second gear 23.

[0051] In the simplified representation according to Fig. 6 The compensating device 10 strikes the air buffer 12 of the damping device 7 during the closing movement 8 and closes the inlet opening 16. The outflowing air escapes via the outlet opening 14 and the closing movement 8 is dampened.

[0052] Fig. Figure 7 shows a slightly modified embodiment of the door handle assembly 1 in a highly schematic cross-section in the basic position 4. Here, the handle 26 is located within the handle recess 29 and is pivoted outwards to open the door. This pivots the door lever 27 outwards, causing the first gear wheel 22 to rotate clockwise.

[0053] Here, the reversing device 21 is formed by the two gear wheels 22 and 23 and a coupling means 25, which is, for example, wound around the gear wheels 22 and 23 in the shape of a figure eight. This causes the second gear wheel 23 to rotate in the opposite direction when the first gear wheel 22 rotates clockwise, so that when the handle 26 is pivoted outwards, the compensating device 10 is pivoted inwards.

[0054] In the design according to Fig. 7 The compensating device 10 has an immersion section 30 that extends into the air buffer 12, thus strongly compressing the air present there. The compressed air dampens the movements of the compensating device and thus of the door handle 6. Reaching the end position is ensured because the compressed air can escape through the outlet opening 14. Such a design is also possible in other embodiments.

[0055] The invention provides an advantageous door handle device in which the door handle and the compensating device are coupled. The compensating device can comprise compensating brackets, counter brackets, or the like. The coupling of the rotary movements can be achieved via gears, friction belts, friction wheels, toothed belts, or the like.

[0056] The damping device for damping the closing movement comprises at least one air buffer, which in particular has an outlet opening. The air buffer can, in all embodiments, have an approximately U-shaped cross-section or a hemispherical buffer volume, or the like. The large opening of the air buffer can be closed by the compensating bracket, the compensating device, or the like.

[0057] The invention provides a door handle assembly 1 with a bearing bracket and a handle mechanism, wherein the compensating device has a mass counterweight which serves as a counterweight when the door handle 6 pivots. This prevents the door handle 6 from opening unintentionally during lateral acceleration of a motor vehicle. The mass counterweight of the compensating device pivots in the opposite direction to the door handle, so that opposing forces act.

[0058] The design allows for the installation of large-volume air buffers inside the holding device or bearing bracket for air damping. The air buffers 12, 13 have an air chamber, each of which is vented only through a small outlet opening 14. This dampens the impact velocity of the compensating device 10 and thus also significantly reduces the closing speed of the door handle 6. The outlet opening 14 ensures that the end position is reached.

Claims

[1] Door handle device (1) in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a holding device (2) with a door handle (6) pivotably arranged on an outside (3) of the holding device (2) between at least one basic position (4) and at least one pivoted opening position (5), wherein a damping device (7) is provided for at least partial damping of a closing movement (8) of the door handle (6) from the pivoted opening position (5) to the basic position (4), wherein a pivotable compensating device (10) for interaction with the damping device (7) is arranged on an inside (9) of the holding device (2) and is coupled to the door handle (6) via a coupling device (11), such that a pivoting movement of the door handle (6) causes a counter-rotating movement of the compensating device (10), characterized by, that the damping device (7) comprises at least one air buffer (12, 13) with an outlet opening (14) and with at least one inlet opening (16) and that the compensating device (10) directly or indirectly abuts the inlet opening (16) of the air buffer (12, 13) so that the inlet opening (16) of the air buffer (12, 13) is closed and the air buffer (12, 13) dampens the closing movement (8). [2] Door handle device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the damping device (7) comprises at least one wall (15) made of an elastic material. [3] Door handle device (1) according to a preceding claim, wherein the inlet opening (16) is larger than the outlet opening (14). [4] Door handle device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the compensating device (10) acts on a plurality of air buffers (12, 13). [5] Door handle device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the compensating device (10) has at least one compensating weight (17). [6] Door handle device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the door handle (6) and the compensating device (10) are pivotable about the same pivot axis (18) or two different pivot axes (18, 19). [7] Door handle device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the door handle (6) and the compensating device (10) are coupled to each other via the coupling device (11) over at least one pivot angle range (20). [8] Door handle device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling device (11) comprises at least one reversing device (21). [9] Door handle device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling device (11) comprises at least two gear wheels (22, 23), namely a first gear wheel (22) coupled to the door handle (6) in a rotationally fixed manner and a second gear wheel (23) coupled to the compensating device (10) in a rotationally fixed manner. [10] Door handle device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the two gear wheels (22, 23) are coupled via a coupling means (25), such as a belt or a chain. [11] Door handle device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the door handle (6) comprises a handle (26) and two lateral door levers (27, 28). [12] Door handle device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the door handle (6) in the basic position (4) is mounted on an elastic or soft The base surface is in contact with the base surface, so that the base surface leads to a further damping of the closing movement (8) of the door handle (6), which is provided in addition to the damping device (7).

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