Movable locking element for a motor vehicle with a handle device

Abstract

The invention relates to a handle device (8) for a movable closing element (2), in particular a door (3), of a motor vehicle (1), having an elongated handle part (10) and having a support part (12), wherein the support part (12) is assigned to a covering element (4) of the closing element (2), and wherein the handle part (10) is held displaceably on the support part (12) in such a way that it can be displaced from a non-use position at least substantially hidden behind the covering element (4) into a use position protruding from the covering element (4) and back.It is provided that the handle part (10) is mounted on the support part (12) so as to be displaceable in its longitudinal extent such that, in the non-use position, it closes an opening (16) of the cladding element (4) at least substantially flush with a free end (15) and, in the use position, rests against the cladding element (4) with the free end (15) spaced from the opening (16) or penetrates into a recess (19) of the cladding element (4).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a movable locking element for a motor vehicle, in particular for a door of a motor vehicle, having a trim element and having a handle device arranged on the trim element, said handle device having an elongated handle part and a support part, wherein the support part is assigned to a trim element of the locking element, and wherein the handle part is displaceably held on the support part in such a way that it can be displaced from a non-use position that is at least substantially hidden behind the trim element or covered by the trim part into a use position that protrudes from the trim element and back.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle with such a movable closing element.

[0003] Handle devices of the type mentioned above are known from the prior art. For example, the published patent application DE 10 2016 119 423 A1 discloses a handle device with a retractable handle part. The handle part is slidably mounted on a bearing part, so that it can be moved from a non-use position flush with a covering element to a use position protruding from the covering element. The handle part is designed to be elongated and is slidably mounted on the bearing part transversely to its longitudinal extent.

[0004] The published patent application DE 10 2015 205 659 A1 discloses a handle device for a door, in particular a motor vehicle door, with a handle element which is displaceable between a rest position at least substantially recessed in the door and a use position protruding from the door, and with a device for displacing the handle element.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of creating an improved movable locking element for a motor vehicle with a handle device, which ensures greater operational reliability and simplified integration of the handle device into the movable locking element.

[0006] The object underlying the invention is achieved by a movable locking element for a motor vehicle, in particular a door, comprising a trim element and a handle device arranged on the trim element, having the features of claim 1. The handle device has, among other advantages, that it offers a particularly small contact surface with the trim element when not in use, thus reducing the likelihood of jamming when sliding in or out, or of freezing in winter. This ensures the long-term operability of the handle device and is also visually appealing.The handle device is characterized in that the handle part is mounted on the support part so as to be displaceable along its longitudinal extent such that, in the non-use position, it closes an opening in the cladding element at least substantially flush with a free end and, in the use position, rests against the cladding element with its free end at a distance from the opening or penetrates into a recess in the cladding element. The handle part, which protrudes from the cladding element in the use position, also rests against the cladding element with its free end in the use position. Due to the longitudinal displacement in the longitudinal extent of the handle part, the free end rests at a different point on the cladding element than in the non-use position. In particular, the free end is then spaced from an opening in the cladding element through which the handle part was pushed into the use position.Because the handle rests against the covering element or penetrates into a recess in the covering element with its free end in the use position, the handle and the covering element form a gripping recess that is both easily visible and easy to grasp for the user. Particularly when the handle penetrates into the recess in the covering element with its free end in the use position, the handle is supported and resilient in the use position both at the bearing point of the support part and at the covering element in the area of ​​the free end, allowing high forces to be transferred from the handle to the movable locking element.By shifting the handle section longitudinally, the cross-section required to penetrate the cladding element is significantly smaller than with previous solutions, which also reduces the space for deposits and dirt.

[0007] Preferably, the handle element has at least one curve along its longitudinal extent. This advantageously shapes the handle part with regard to its grip. Furthermore, this ensures that the handle device does not rely on the covering element having a curve or a corner, so that the handle part can be limited at both ends by the covering element in the use position. This increases design freedom and improves application possibilities.

[0008] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the handle element is mounted on the support part so that it can pivot about a pivot axis. This results in a pivoting movement of the handle part when the handle part is moved from the non-use position to the use position. The pivotability of the handle part provides a simple kinematics that can be easily implemented even in confined spaces.

[0009] Preferably, the curvature of the handle portion extends along a circumferential line to the pivot axis. This results in the advantage that the handle portion pivots along its longitudinal extent along the circumferential line, resulting in a natural movement of the handle portion for the user. This also ensures that the exit opening, or the opening through which the handle portion is pushed out of the covering element to reach the use position, only needs to have a cross-section that corresponds to the maximum cross-section of the handle portion. This advantageously makes the opening in the covering element small and optimally adaptable to the outer contour of the handle portion, or to the cross-section of the handle portion.

[0010] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the pivot axis is aligned at least substantially horizontally when properly installed. This results in the handle part not protruding laterally from the motor vehicle or the trim element in the use position, thereby preventing, for example, damage to the handle part or to an object in the handle part's path of movement, such as a wall, located next to a motor vehicle equipped with the handle device, during automatic extension into the use position.

[0011] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that at least one pressure sensor for detecting handle actuation is assigned to the handle part. The pressure sensor advantageously detects whether a user is operating the handle. Depending on this, a locking device can be controlled, which normally permanently connects the movable element to a body element of the motor vehicle. By controlling the locking device, it is unlocked so that the movable element can be released from the body element. The pressure sensor is, for example, integrated into the handle part or assigned to a bearing point of the handle part.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the handle part is assigned at least one actuator for moving the handle part from the non-use position to the use position and from the use position to the non-use position. The actuator thus enables automated movement of the handle part into the use position and back.

[0013] Preferably, the handle device comprises a sensor device which is designed to detect the approach of an authenticated user in order to automatically displace the handle part from the non-use position to the use position by means of the actuator upon detection of an authenticated user, so that the authenticated user can actuate the handle device.

[0014] Preferably, the recess in the cladding element, into which the free end of the handle part penetrates in the use position, is formed by a separate holding part that is or can be fastened to the movable closing element, in particular to a support structure of the closing element, to which the carrier part is preferably also fastened or fastenable, and into which the free end of the handle part can be inserted. By forming the recess with a separate holding part, the robustness of the handle device is advantageously increased. Thus, forces exerted on the handle part can be advantageously transmitted to the movable element both via the bearing point on the pivot axis and via the holding part.

[0015] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the handle part has at least one illuminating means and / or light-conducting means. The illuminating means and / or light-conducting means, in particular a light guide, advantageously mark the handle part, so that a user can recognize, for example, even in the dark, whether the handle part is in the use position or not.

[0016] Preferably, the light-conducting means and / or the illuminating means extend to the free end of the handle portion, so that the free end of the handle portion illuminates when needed. This advantageously allows the handle portion to be marked or identified, particularly when not in use.

[0017] The movable locking element according to the invention with the features of claim 1 is characterized by the design of the handle device. This results in the advantages already mentioned. In particular, the movable locking element is designed as a door of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the movable locking element has a locking device for locking the locking element in its closed position on a body element of the motor vehicle, wherein the handle device is designed to unlock the locking device upon actuation. In particular, the handle device has the aforementioned pressure sensor for this purpose. This results in the advantages already mentioned above.

[0018] The motor vehicle according to the invention with the features of claim 11 is characterized in that it has at least one locking element according to the invention. This results in the advantages already mentioned above.

[0019] Further advantages and preferred features and combinations of features emerge in particular from the above description and from the claims. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 a motor vehicle with an advantageous handle device in a simplified side view, Fig. 2A and B Detailed views of the handle device in a non-use position, Fig. 3A and B Detailed views of the handle device in an intermediate position and Fig. 4A and B Detailed views of the handle assembly in a use position.

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a simplified side view of an advantageous motor vehicle 1, which has at least one movable element 2 in the form of a door 3, which in the present exemplary embodiment is assigned to a rear row of seats of the motor vehicle. The door 3 has a trim element 4, which conceals a door frame located behind it, support structures, a window lever mechanism for raising and lowering a window pane 5, and / or a locking device 6 and protects them from external influences. The locking device 6 releasably locks the movable locking element 2 to a body 7 of the motor vehicle 1.

[0021] Furthermore, the door 3 has an advantageous handle device 8 which can be actuated by a user as needed to unlock the locking device 6 and thereby detach the door 3 from the body.

[0022] The handle device 8 has a displaceable handle element 10, which in Fig. 1 is indicated by dashed lines, because it can be moved from a non-use position hidden behind the covering element 4 into a use position protruding from the covering element 4, as indicated by the dashed lines in Fig. 1. The handle device 8 is to be displaceable with respect to the Fig. 2A to 4B are explained in more detail below.

[0023] Fig. 2 to 4 each show detailed views of the handle device 8 in different operating states and different perspectives. Fig. 2A and B the handle device in a non-use position, the Fig. 3A and B show the handle device 8 in an intermediate position and the Fig. 4A and B show the handle device 8 in a use position.

[0024] Fig. Figure 2A shows a plan view of the rear side of the cladding element 4 in the region of the handle device 8. The handle device 8 has a handle part 10 that is elongated. Preferably, and according to the present embodiment, the handle part 10 has a consistently constant cross-section along its longitudinal extent. Furthermore, the handle part 10 extends along a curve with a predetermined radius.

[0025] The handle part 10 is attached to one end of a lever 11, which is pivotably or rotatably mounted at its other end on a support part 12, which is fastened in particular to a support structure of the locking element 2. In this case, the lever 11 is held on the support part 12 by a pivot bearing 13, so that the lever 11 can pivot about a pivot axis 14 of the pivot bearing 13. According to the present embodiment, the pivot axis 14 is oriented horizontally and transversely to the longitudinal extent of the door 3 or transversely to the forward direction of travel of the motor vehicle 1.

[0026] The handle part 10 is thus pivotably mounted about the pivot axis 14 by means of the lever 11. The radius of the curvature of the handle part 10 corresponds to the radius of the pivot axis 14, so that the handle part 10 extends along a circumferential line to the pivot axis 14. If the handle part 10 is now pivoted, the handle part 10 moves along the same circumferential line around the pivot axis 14. While one end of the handle part 10 is firmly connected to the lever 11, a free end 15 of the handle part 10 facing away from this end is assigned to a first opening 16 in the cladding element 4, the opening cross-section of which essentially corresponds to the cross-section of the handle part 10. Fig. 2B shows a top view of the covering element 4 from the outside. The covering element 4 has the first opening 16, in which the free end 15 of the handle part 10 is inserted in the non-use position of the handle part 10, in particular such that the free end 15 is flush with the outer surface 17 of the covering element 4. The covering element 4 also has a second opening 18, which is arranged at a distance from the first opening 16 and serves to receive the free end 15 of the handle part 10 in the use position.

[0027] The Fig. 3A and B show the handle part 10 displaced or pivoted into an intermediate position, in which the free end 15 lies between the openings 16 and 18 and the handle part 10 partially protrudes from the cladding element 4. Because the handle element 10 moves along the circumferential line around the pivot axis 14, it advantageously slides out through the first opening 16, which preferably tightly encloses the handle part 10 in order to at least largely prevent the penetration of dirt or liquids into the interior of the cladding element 4. Optionally, an elastically deformable sealing element is assigned to the opening 16, which acts between the opening 16 and the handle part 10. The second opening 18 is positioned such that upon further displacement of the handle part 10, the free end 15 of the handle part 10 enters the second opening 18, as shown in Fig. 4A and B.

[0028] Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B show the handle device 8 in the use position, in which the handle part 10 is inserted with the free end 15 into the opening 18. Optionally, the opening 18 is designed as a recess in the panel element 4. Preferably, the recess 19 is formed or co-formed by a holding part 20, which is fastened to the panel element 4 or preferably to the support structure of the door 3 and is designed to partially accommodate the handle part 10. If the handle part 10 is inserted into the recess 19, forces can advantageously be transmitted by the handle part 10 via the holding part 20 to the door 3, and the door 3 can thereby be pushed open or closed by a user.

[0029] In the use position, as in Fig. 2B, the handle part 10 projects from the opening 16 into the opening 18, whereby a closed grip recess is formed between the handle part 10 and the covering element 4, which is easy to find by a user, whereby the handle part 10 can thus be easily grasped or enclosed with the hand in order to carry out the opening or closing movement.

[0030] Preferably, at least one pressure sensor 21 is assigned to the handle part 10. The pressure sensor 21 is optionally assigned to the pivot bearing 13 and serves to sense actuation of the handle part 10 by the user. Alternatively, the pressure sensor is arranged directly on the handle part 10 such that the user can actuate the pressure sensor in the use position of the handle part 10. For example, the pressure sensor is advantageously arranged on the inside of the handle part 10. Optionally, the pressure sensor 21 is coupled to a control unit that monitors the sensing. If actuation is sensed, the control unit controls the locking device 6 to unlock the door 3 so that the user can fully pull or swing the door 3 open.

[0031] Preferably, the handle part 10 is further provided with a light source 22, which is arranged, for example, at the end of the handle part 10 facing the lever 11. The light source 22 is preferably connected to a light guide element 23, which extends along the handle part 10, in particular on the outwardly facing outer side of the handle part 10. In Fig.4B shows an example of the light-guiding element extending along the outer side of the handle part 10 over the entire exposed length of the handle part 10 in its use position. This allows the handle part to be quickly identified by the user, even in the dark, when in the use position. Preferably, the light-guiding element 23 extends to the free end 15, so that the handle part 10 can be illuminated and identified by a user even in the non-use position. Optionally, a light-guiding element or a light source is also assigned to the recess 19 or the second opening 18 to illuminate it.

[0032] The handle part 10 is also assigned a controllable actuator 24, which, when activated, pivots the handle part 10 from the non-use position to the use position or vice versa. For this purpose, the actuator 24 is operatively connected to the lever 11, in particular at the pivot bearing 13. In particular, the actuator is controlled by the above-mentioned control unit depending on whether an authorized person approaches the motor vehicle having the handle device 8. This is achieved, for example, using one or more proximity sensors, which are arranged, for example, in the area of ​​the handle device 8, optionally on the handle part 10.Alternatively or additionally, the actuator 24 is activated when a driver identifies himself as an authorized person by actuating a radio key, an unlocking button, for example on the locking element 2 or on a mobile device, by scanning a fingerprint on a fingerprint scanner or by scanning his face on a face scanner.

Claims

[1] Movable locking element (2) for a motor vehicle, in particular a door (3), comprising a trim element (4) and a handle device (8) arranged on the trim element (4) with an elongated handle part (10) and a support part (12), wherein the support part (12) is associated with the trim element (4) of the locking element (2), and wherein the handle part (10) is displaceably held on the support part (12) in such a way that it can be displaced from a non-use position at least substantially hidden behind the trim element (4) into a use position protruding from the trim element (4) and back, characterized bythat the handle part (10) is mounted on the support part (12) so as to be displaceable in its longitudinal extent in such a way that, in the non-use position, it closes an opening (16) of the cladding element (4) at least substantially flush with a free end (15) and, in the use position, rests against the cladding element (4) with the free end (15) spaced from the opening (16) or penetrates into a recess (19) of the cladding element (4). [2] Movable closing element (2) according to claim 1, characterized by that the handle part (10) has at least one curvature in its longitudinal extent. [3] Movable closing element (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the handle part (10) is mounted on the support part (12) so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (14). [4] Movable closing element (2) according to claims 2 and 3, characterized bythat the curvature of the handle part (10) runs on a circumferential line to the pivot axis (14). [5] Movable closing element (2) according to one of claims 3 and 4, characterized by that the pivot axis (14) is at least substantially horizontally aligned when mounted as intended. [6] Movable closing element (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one pressure sensor (21) for detecting a handle actuation is assigned to the handle part (10). [7] Movable closing element (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the handle part (10) is assigned at least one actuator (24) for displacing the handle part (10) from the non-use position to the use position and from the use position to the non-use position. [8] Movable closing element (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the recess (19) of the cladding element (4) is formed or co-formed by a separate holding part (20) into which the free end (15) of the handle part (10) can be inserted. [9] Movable closing element (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the handle part (10) has at least one illuminating means (22) and / or light-conducting means (23). [10] Movable closing element (2) according to claim 9, characterized by that the light guide means (23) extends to the free end (15) of the handle part (10). [11] Motor vehicle (1) with at least one movable closing element (2) according to one of the preceding claims.

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