Vehicle door with extendable door handle

Abstract

A vehicle door for a motor vehicle, comprising an outer skin and a door handle (12) which is movable laterally to a vehicle longitudinal axis between a retracted and an extended position, which, in the retracted position, is arranged in a recess (14) in the outer skin of the vehicle door (10) adapted to the contour of the door handle (12) and has a door handle outer surface substantially flush with the outer skin, and in the extended position is moved laterally outwards so far that it can be actuated from the outside to open the vehicle door (10), wherein the door handle (12) in the extended position is operatively connected, on the one hand, to a switch (22) which is coupled for electrically unlocking a door lock, and, on the other hand, is mechanically coupled to the door lock,such that actuation of the door handle (12) with a short actuation travel causes the switch (22) and an electrical unlocking of the door lock, and actuation of the door handle (12) with a longer actuation travel causes a mechanical unlocking of the door lock, characterized in that the switch (22) is coupled to a motor-driven door drive device which, after unlocking the door lock, opens the vehicle door (10) by motor, wherein the door handle (12) is coupled to an adjusting device (18) in order to move it from the retracted to the extended position and vice versa, wherein the adjusting device (18) comprises a signal input for a crash signal and is designed to actuate the adjusting device (18) upon receipt of a crash signal, to move it into the retracted position, and to set the locking unit (20) into the locked state.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle door for a motor vehicle with an outer skin and a door handle which is movable laterally to a vehicle longitudinal axis between a retracted and an extended position, which in the retracted position is arranged in a recess in the outer skin of the vehicle door which is adapted to the contour of the door handle and has an outer surface of the door handle which is substantially flush with the outer skin, and in the extended position is moved laterally outwards so far that it can be actuated from the outside to open the vehicle door.

[0002] Such vehicle doors with flush door handles are known, for example, from DE 20 2017 103 702 U1. Furthermore, a door handle device is known from DE 10 2013 215 896 A1. The door handles are driven by an electric motor, which has the disadvantage that they cannot be operated in the event of a power failure. A certain amount of force is required when mechanically acting on a door lock.

[0003] From DE 11 2016 004 844 T5, a vehicle door with the features of the preamble of claim 1 is also known, which, when the door handle is slightly actuated, causes an electrically triggered door lock release and, when the door handle is further actuated, a mechanical door lock release triggered via a Bowden cable.

[0004] DE 10 2010 016 869 A1 describes a door handle device with a mechanical locking unit for locking a handle part as a protective measure in the event of a crash.

[0005] DE 10 2006 011 032 A1 discloses a vehicle door opening system in which sliding doors are opened and closed automatically.

[0006] The object of the invention is to enable a vehicle door according to the preamble of claim 1 to be opened with minimal effort during normal operation, even if the vehicle door is stuck to the door frame, for example, due to external influences, in particular frost or dirt, and thus cannot be opened with minimal effort. Furthermore, in the event of an accident, the door handle should be moved into a position that prevents damage to or caused by the door handle, in particular personal injury.

[0007] The invention is based on the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments and refinements are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] The object is achieved according to the invention in that the door handle, in the extended position, is firstly operatively connected to a switch which is coupled to the electrical unlocking of a door lock, and secondly is mechanically coupled to the door lock, so that actuation of the door handle with a short actuation travel causes the switch and an electrical unlocking of the door lock, and actuation of the door handle with a longer actuation travel causes a mechanical unlocking of the door lock, wherein the switch is coupled to a motor-driven door drive device which, after the door lock has been unlocked, opens the vehicle door by motor. The adjusting device comprises a signal input for a crash signal and is designed to actuate the adjusting device upon receipt of a crash signal, to move it into the retracted position and to set the locking unit into the locked state.

[0009] A motorized gap-width opening of the door makes manual opening easier, especially when the door seals are clogged due to frost or dirt. Activating the adjustment device with a crash signal prevents the door handle from protruding and becoming damaged or causing damage, especially personal injury, in the event of an accident.

[0010] The design according to the invention initially provides a recessed door handle that is flush with the surface when the door is closed, which can be produced cost-effectively with a high-quality design and can be moved into the extended (use) position by moving the same, thus creating an ergonomic gripping space for door handle operation.

[0011] During normal operation, the vehicle door can be opened with minimal force. In the event of an electrical failure, either because no electrical power is available or the electrical switch in the door handle is defective, the vehicle door can be opened mechanically in emergency mode. In the retracted, non-use position, the door handle rests in the recess or trough on the door side, which, thanks to its positive locking mechanism, prevents incorrect operation. This is particularly important in the event of a side impact caused by external forces, for example, by foreign objects or barriers.

[0012] Preferably, the longer actuation travel for the mechanical door release is at least five times greater than the actuation travel for the electric door release. This means that pulling the door handle triggers the unlocking.

[0013] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the door handle is coupled to an adjustment device for moving it from the retracted to the extended position and vice versa. This preferably comprises a locking unit that locks the door handle in the retracted position. This locking mechanism is preferably activated together with the door lock, so that the door handle is always locked in the retracted position when the door lock is also locked.

[0014] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the adjusting device is coupled to a control unit that includes a signal input for a door handle release signal and, upon receipt of such a signal, moves the door handle from the retracted position to the extended position. In this embodiment, the door handle is extended by an external signal that detects the approach of a hand by actuating a switch, a remote control, or detecting a nearby key equipped with an RFID transponder, or by means of a capacitive and / or optical proximity sensor. Some or all of these methods can preferably also be used in parallel.

[0015] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the door handle is essentially L-shaped and rotatable about a lateral axis. Such a design is easy and intuitive to operate, as vehicle users are accustomed to this with interior doors.

[0016] Preferably, the recess is shaped such that it surrounds the contour of the handle element with an air gap of approximately 1 mm. This tight, form-fitting enclosure of the door handle largely eliminates the possibility of incorrect operation.

[0017] According to an advantageous further development, the adjusting device is designed to set the locking unit into a non-locked state after a predetermined period of time of preferably 5 to 10 seconds after receipt of a crash signal and to actuate the adjusting device to move it into the extended position so that after an accident the door handle is accessible from the outside so that helpers can open the vehicle door.

[0018] The invention further comprises a motor vehicle having at least one vehicle door according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0019] Further advantages, features, and details will become apparent from the following description, in which at least one embodiment is described in detail—possibly with reference to the drawings. Identical, similar, and / or functionally equivalent parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0020] They show: Fig. 1: a schematic, partial sectional view through a vehicle door in a horizontal section plane with a door handle in the retracted position; Fig. 2: a schematic, partial sectional view through the vehicle door of Fig. 1 with the door handle in the extended position, Fig. 3: a schematic plan view of a section of the vehicle door with the door handle in the retracted or lowered position, Fig. 4: a schematic plan view of a section of the vehicle door with the door handle in extended and two actuated positions.

[0021] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic, partial sectional view through a vehicle door 10 in a horizontal sectional plane with a door handle 12 in the retracted position, in which the door handle lies in a recess or trough 14 formed in the outer skin of the vehicle door 10. The outer side of the door handle 12 is shaped such that, in the retracted position, it is arranged flush with the outer skin of the vehicle door 10, with only a narrow gap 17 of approximately 1 mm remaining between the door handle 12 and an edge 15 of the recess or trough 14.

[0022] The door handle 12 has a substantially L-shape with a laterally inwardly extending shaft 16, which is coupled to a door handle adjusting device 18, which adjusts the shaft 16 and thus the L-shaped door handle 12 in the lateral direction between the Fig. 1 shown retracted position and one in Fig. 2. The door handle adjustment device 18 further preferably comprises a locking unit 20, which is designed to lock the shaft 16 in the retracted position and thus prevent the door handle 12 from being moved out of the retracted position, in particular due to the application of force.

[0023] On the shaft 16 there is a switch 22 which can be designed as a button, microswitch, touch switch, rotary switch, push-pull switch or sensor and detects a rotational movement of the shaft 16.

[0024] When the door handle adjustment device 18 moves the shaft 16 and thus the door handle 12 out of the Fig. 1 shown retracted into the Fig. 2, a gripping space 24 of sufficient size is formed between the recess 14 and the door handle 12 in order to be able to grip the door handle 12 in an ergonomically favorable manner.

[0025] If the door handle 12 is in the Fig. 2 shown extended position, this can be - as shown in Fig. 4 - similar to a room door handle, is pressed downwards by rotating it around the axis of rotation formed by the shaft 16. If, after rotation in the direction indicated by A, the door handle has reached position 12a, indicated by solid lines, the switch 22 is triggered and sends a signal to a control unit that unlocks a door lock. Additionally, a motorized door drive device can be controlled, which, for example, opens the vehicle door a crack.

[0026] If the door handle 12 is rotated by the arc B ( Fig. 4) is moved further, a mechanical coupling to the door lock (not shown) becomes effective, whereby the door lock is mechanically unlocked.

[0027] Although the invention has been illustrated and explained in detail by means of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that a multitude of possible variations exist. It is also clear that the embodiments mentioned by way of example are truly only examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope, possible applications, or configuration of the invention in any way.Rather, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete terms, whereby the person skilled in the art, with knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, can make various changes, for example with regard to the function or the arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description. List of reference symbols 10 vehicle door 12, 12a, 12b Door handle, door handle in marked positions 14 depression / hollow 15 Edge of the recess 16 shaft 17 gap 18 Door handle adjustment device 20 locking unit 22 switches 24 gripping space

Claims

[1] Vehicle door for a motor vehicle with an outer skin and a door handle (12) which is movable laterally to a vehicle longitudinal axis between a retracted and an extended position, which, in the retracted position, is arranged in a recess (14) in the outer skin of the vehicle door (10) adapted to the contour of the door handle (12) with a door handle outer surface substantially flush with the outer skin, and in the extended position is moved laterally outwards so far that it can be actuated from the outside to open the vehicle door (10), wherein the door handle (12) in the extended position is operatively connected, on the one hand, to a switch (22) which is coupled for electrically unlocking a door lock, and, on the other hand, is mechanically coupled to the door lock,so that actuation of the door handle (12) with a short actuation path causes the switch (22) and an electrical unlocking of the door lock and actuation of the door handle (12) with a longer actuation path causes a mechanical unlocking of the door lock, , characterized by in that the switch (22) is coupled to a motor-driven door drive device which, after the door lock has been unlocked, opens the vehicle door (10) by motor, wherein the door handle (12) is coupled to an adjusting device (18) in order to move it from the retracted to the extended position and vice versa, wherein the adjusting device (18) comprises a signal input for a crash signal and is designed to actuate the adjusting device (18) upon receipt of a crash signal, to move it into the retracted position and to set the locking unit (20) in the locked state. [2] Vehicle door according to claim 1, characterized bythat the door handle adjusting device (18) comprises a locking unit (20) which locks the door handle (12) in the retracted position. [3] Vehicle door according to claim 1, characterized by that the adjusting device (18) is coupled to a control unit which comprises a signal input for a door handle release signal and, upon receipt of such a signal, moves the door handle (12) from the retracted position to the extended position. [4] Vehicle door according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the door handle (12) is substantially L-shaped and can be rotated about a lateral axis of rotation. [5] Vehicle door according to claim 1 characterized bythat the adjusting device (18) is designed to set the locking unit (20) into a non-locked state after a predetermined period of time of preferably 5 to 10 seconds after receipt of a crash signal and to actuate the adjusting device (18) to move it into the extended position. [6] Motor vehicle comprising a vehicle door (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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