Exterior door handle for a vehicle and vehicle with such an exterior door handle

Abstract

The invention relates to an exterior door handle (100) for a vehicle (20), wherein the exterior door handle (100) is designed as a decorative strip (10) which is designed as a continuous component with a continuous strip body (12) having several strip body sections (12.11 to 12.14). The invention further relates to a vehicle (20).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an external door handle for a vehicle and to a vehicle with such an external door handle.

[0002] Various decorative elements, such as decorative strips, protective strips and emblems, are known from the state of the art for the visual enhancement of a vehicle's exterior.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a novel exterior door handle, in particular in the form of a decorative strip, for a vehicle which both improves the visual appearance of the vehicle and provides at least one additional function.

[0004] The problem with regard to the exterior door handle according to a first embodiment is solved according to the invention by the features specified in claim 1. The problem with regard to the exterior door handle according to a second embodiment is solved according to the invention by the features specified in claim 6. The problem with regard to the vehicle with an exterior door handle is solved according to the invention by the features specified in claim 11.

[0005] An exterior door handle according to a first embodiment of the invention is designed as a decorative strip for a vehicle and comprises at least one strip body with a handle molded in one piece. The strip body is designed as a continuous component and comprises several strip body sections, one of which forms a fixed handle.

[0006] By designing the exterior door handle as a decorative strip, the vehicle presents a unified appearance when viewed from the side. The handle blends seamlessly into the trim, making it less immediately noticeable. This results in a minimalist, harmonious, and high-quality design.

[0007] In the following, the exterior door handle will also be referred to as a decorative strip.

[0008] The handle is designed as a bulge and / or protrusion running transversely across the strip body. This improves aerodynamics by minimizing protrusions. The strip body may include at least one sensor unit, at least in the area of ​​the handle and / or within the handle itself. The strip body and / or the handle may include at least one lighting unit. The strip body and / or the handle may include at least one display unit and / or status indicator. The strip body and / or the handle may include at least one manufacturer's logo.

[0009] This allows the trim strip, which can span and decorate an entire door panel or the whole vehicle, to include an integrated, fixed handle. Furthermore, a one-piece trim strip with a handle can enhance the vehicle's visual appearance. The trim strip can be a decorative band or a decorative strip. It can have a constant height and / or width along its length.

[0010] The handle itself, as well as its ends, can seamlessly transition into the trim strip. Such a trim strip eliminates the need for separately designed decorative elements and exterior door handles, which would otherwise have to be manufactured and mounted separately to the vehicle's exterior. The transition between the trim strip and the handle can be designed to complement different vehicle styles, such as classic, sporty, and / or elegant, without compromising the handle's functionality.

[0011] The handle can be formed by shaping, in particular by injection molding, forming and / or bending, the corresponding section of the strip body.

[0012] The handle can protrude from an extension plane of the ridge body or ridge body sections, so that an engagement area for grasping from behind is formed in the area of ​​the handle.

[0013] The handle can protrude from the plane of extension of the rib body section by means of a bulge in a transition area to an adjacently arranged rib body section.

[0014] The liner body sections are formed in one piece, particularly as a single unit. The number of liner body sections can vary depending on the design of the liner body.

[0015] The frame body can have a continuous section behind the handle. The handle can be molded onto this rear section and / or adjacent sections, creating an opening between the handle and the rear section for gripping. This opening can be a through-hole or a semi-open or semi-closed recessed grip.

[0016] A second embodiment of an exterior door handle according to the invention is designed as a decorative strip for a vehicle and comprises at least one strip body with at least one recess and a handle arranged in the recess and movable relative to the recess, wherein the handle can be flush with an outer surface of the strip body in a non-use position. The handle can be extendable, retractable, foldable, and / or pivotable relative to the recess. The recess can be formed as a bulge and / or projection, in particular a recess, integrally incorporated into the strip body.

[0017] The decorative molding is designed as a continuous component with a continuous molding body comprising several molding body sections. The molding body sections can be formed in one piece, in particular as a single unit.

[0018] The exterior door handle also includes a grip, which is designed as a separate component and movable relative to the handle body. At least one of the handle body sections has a recess in which the grip is movably mounted. The recess can be in the form of a depression in a handle body section. Alternatively, the grip can be adjustable to the handle body via an adjustment mechanism, with a visible engagement area formed between the handle body and the grip in its initial position.

[0019] The handle can be movably arranged in the recess via a conventional adjustment mechanism. In a working position, an engagement area can be formed between the back of the handle and a section of the strip body containing the recess. In the non-working position, the handle can be stowed in the recess in such a way that an outer surface of the handle is flush with an outer surface of an adjacent section of the strip body.

[0020] The door handle according to the first and / or second embodiment can have a number of functional elements in the area of ​​the handle on this and / or on at least one of the strip body sections.

[0021] The functional elements can include at least one sensor unit for detecting an intention to open and / or lock. The functional elements can include at least one lighting unit for displaying a light show and / or illuminating the area of ​​operation. The functional elements can include at least one display unit and / or a status indicator. The display unit and / or the status indicator can each be a screen and optionally display the time, a charging status, an emblem, and / or a user interface for controlling the vehicle door.

[0022] Sensors can be integrated into the handle area to detect pulling and an intention to open the door. These sensors can be positioned to the side of the opening. Light sources can be integrated into the decorative strip.

[0023] The decorative strip can integrate low-profile functional elements, selected from a group of antennas, such as NFC antennas, locking electrodes, and / or opening electrodes. Further low-profile functional elements can also be integrated into the decorative strip, for example, in the form of displays for status indication and / or touch panels for communication with a user.

[0024] The decorative strip can alternatively or additionally be combined with extendable, retractable or foldable handles.

[0025] In a further development, the exterior door handle, i.e., the respective trim strip according to the first or second embodiment, can have at least one emergency release mechanism. To ensure safe door opening even in the event of a failure of the electrical actuator, for example, due to a malfunction in the vehicle's electronics or a power outage, a mechanical emergency release can be provided. This emergency release can be designed as a Bowden cable actuator, via which the exterior door handle or the handle is mechanically connected to a door opening mechanism. The handle and / or the trim strip can be coupled to the Bowden cable actuator.

[0026] Under normal operating conditions, the door opens electrically, for example, via an electrically operated drive connected to the corresponding sensor unit inside the vehicle door. In the event of a malfunction, a user or emergency responder can open the vehicle door manually using the emergency release. By operating the handle, a mechanical opening process can be triggered via the emergency release.

[0027] The exterior door handle combines an aesthetically pleasing decorative function with safety-relevant mechanical redundancy.

[0028] In a further training, at least one groin section may be provided with an emergency release engagement area. The corresponding groin section may be connected to an emergency release mechanism. The emergency release engagement area may, for example, be located in an area adjacent to the handle.

[0029] A vehicle according to the invention comprises at least one exterior door handle designed as a decorative strip, according to an embodiment as described above, wherein the decorative strip is arranged on an outer skin of the vehicle and extends longitudinally. The exterior door handle, in particular the decorative strip with integrated handle, can extend over at least one vehicle door and / or over an entire side area of ​​the vehicle.

[0030] The advantages achieved with the invention lie particularly in the fact that an exterior door handle can be integrated discreetly and flush with the outer surface. The invention enables the simple implementation of an unobtrusive, handle-free design within a decorative molding. The handle itself is "invisible."

[0031] Furthermore, the installation of the exterior door handle is simplified. The trim strip body with integrated handle can be easily attached and secured to the vehicle as a complete system.

[0032] The vehicle may have a mounting bracket behind a body panel, such as the vehicle door, for mounting the exterior door handle, which is designed as a decorative strip. The engagement area may be visually reduced by embossing the body panel.

[0033] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. These show: Fig. 1 schematically a door exterior handle according to the invention, designed as a decorative strip, with at least one strip body and a handle according to a first embodiment, Fig. 2 schematically a vehicle according to the invention with at least one exterior door handle designed as a decorative strip, Fig. 3 schematically in perspective view a section of a vehicle side door with an external door handle according to the invention, designed as a decorative strip, Fig. 4 schematically in a further perspective view a section of the vehicle side door with a door handle according to the invention designed as a decorative strip, Fig. 5 schematically in a top view a door handle according to the invention, designed as a decorative strip according to a second embodiment, wherein the door handle comprises at least a strip body and a handle, wherein the handle is arranged in a non-use position, and Fig. 6 schematically in a top view the outside door handle according to Fig. 5, wherein the handle is arranged in a working position.

[0034] Corresponding parts are marked with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0035] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows an external door handle 100 according to the invention, designed as a decorative strip 10, with at least one strip body 12 and a handle 14 integrally molded in the strip body 12.

[0036] The exterior door handle 100, i.e., the decorative strip 10, is designed as a continuous component with a continuous strip body 12. The strip body 12 comprises several strip body sections 12.11 to 12.13, one of which forms a fixed handle 14.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the strip body 12 comprises a first strip body section 12.11, a second strip body section 12.12 forming the handle 14, and a further third strip body section 12.13 adjacent to the second strip body section 12.12. The first strip body section 12.11 and the third strip body section 12.13 are arranged in a common plane 12.2. In other words, the strip body sections 12.11, 12.13, with the exception of the strip body section 12.12 forming the handle 14, lie or extend in a common plane.

[0038] The handle 14 protrudes from an extension plane 12.2 of the rib body sections 12.11 to 12.14, so that an engagement area 16 for reaching behind is formed in the area of ​​the handle 14.

[0039] The handle 14 is formed in the form of a bulge 14.1 and / or protrusion in the transverse direction of the strip body 12. The transverse direction is indicated by an arrow y. A longitudinal direction is indicated by an arrow x. A vertical direction is indicated by an arrow z.

[0040] In particular, the handle 14 is designed to project from the extension plane 12.2 in a transition area 14.4 to an adjacently arranged strip body section 12.11, 12.13 by means of the curvature 14.1.

[0041] In other words: The decorative strip 10, which a vehicle 20 (in Fig. The decorative trim 10 (shown in Figure 2), which can partially or completely encircle and decorate the vehicle, is equipped with an integrated handle 14. Such a one-piece decorative trim 10 with handle 14 can enhance the visual appearance of the vehicle 20. The decorative trim 10 can be a decorative band or strip. The decorative trim 10 can have a constant height and / or width along its length.

[0042] Alternatively, the decorative strip 10 can comprise at least one strip body 12 with at least one recess (not shown in detail) and a handle 14 arranged in the recess and movable relative to the recess. The handle 14 can be extendable, retractable, foldable, and / or pivotable relative to the recess. The recess can be formed as a bulge 14.1 and / or a depression, in particular a recess, integrally formed in the strip body 12.

[0043] The handle 14 itself, as well as the ends of the handle 14, can transition smoothly into the strip body 12, in particular into the adjacent strip body sections 12.11, 12.13.

[0044] Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows a vehicle 20 with an external door handle 100 according to the invention, designed as a decorative strip 10.

[0045] The vehicle 20 comprises at least one decorative strip 10 with a strip body 12 and a handle 14, which is, for example, integrally molded into the strip body 12 or movable relative to the strip body 12. The decorative strip 10 is arranged on an outer skin 22 of the vehicle 20 and extends longitudinally.

[0046] The handle 14 is integrated into a decorative band or strip which can span and decorate an entire door side 24 and / or longitudinal side of the vehicle 20.

[0047] The handle 14 is formed by the trim strip 10. The trim strip 10 can be rigid and mounted without interruption over a vehicle door 26. The trim strip 10 can extend beyond the vehicle door 26. The vehicle door 26 can be a tailgate 26.1, a front hatch 26.2, or a side door 26.3.

[0048] The decorative strip 10, that is, the strip body 12, can be raised in the area of ​​the handle 14 and spaced apart from the outer skin 22, for example, from a sheet forming the outer skin 22, in an engagement area 16. An embossing can be made in the outer skin 22 and / or the sheet. This can reduce the transverse expansion of the handle 14 or the expansion of the curvature 14.1.

[0049] The exterior door handle 100 or the decorative strip 10 comprises a number of functional elements 70 in the area of ​​the handle 14 and / or in the area of ​​adjacent strip body sections 12.11, 12.13. The functional elements 70 can comprise at least one sensor unit 30, one lighting unit 40, one display unit 50, one status indicator and / or one manufacturer's emblem 60.

[0050] A sensor system can be provided that can detect a request to open the door when the handle 14 is pulled.

[0051] The strip body 12 can include at least one sensor unit 30, at least in the area of ​​the handle 14 and / or within the handle 14. The sensor unit 30 can, for example, include at least one antenna, such as an NFC antenna, a metal-over-cap (MoC) sensor, unlocking electrodes, and / or locking electrodes, or the like. The sensors can be positioned to the right and left of the engagement area 16 within the strip body 12 and / or behind the outer skin 22 of the vehicle 20. Various elements, which are particularly flat, can be arranged at any position.

[0052] The strip body 12 and / or the handle 14 may include at least one lighting unit 40. The lighting unit 40 may be in the form of an LED strip integrated into the strip body 12. The lighting unit 40 may be configured to produce lighting effects and / or light displays. The lighting unit 40 may also illuminate the access area 16 and / or a step area.

[0053] The strip body 12 and / or the handle 14 may include at least one display unit 50 and / or status display. The display unit 50 and / or status display may include at least one display, for example a touchpad, for interaction, communication, and / or visualization of various content. For example, the display unit 50 can enable interaction between the user and the vehicle 20. The display unit 50 can output information about the status of the vehicle 20 and / or a vehicle function, the time, the charging status, and / or an emblem. The display unit 50 can display controls for operating vehicle functions, such as automatic door functions.

[0054] The strip body 12 and / or the handle 14 may / can include at least one manufacturer's emblem 60.

[0055] Fig. Figure 3 schematically shows a perspective view of a section of a vehicle side door 26.3 with an exterior door handle 100 according to the invention, designed as a decorative strip 10. The decorative strip 10 can comprise a handle 14 molded in one piece and a web 14.2 molded in one piece in the area of ​​the handle 14. In particular, a grip recess 14.3 is formed between the web 14.2 and the handle 14. The grip recess 14.3 can be fully open or semi-open.

[0056] The material and / or paint finish and / or coating of the decorative strip 10 may vary.

[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, the strip body 12 comprises a further, in particular fourth, strip body section 12.14 extending behind the strip body section 12.12, which is designed as a handle 14. The handle 14 can be integrally formed on the further strip body section 12.14 and / or on the ends of the adjacent strip body sections 12.11, 12.13, such that an opening 12.3 is formed between the handle 14 and the further strip body section 12.14 as an engagement area 16. The opening 12.3 can form the grip recess 14.3. The strip body 12 shown here can be designed as a one-piece injection-molded part.

[0058] Fig. Figure 4 schematically shows, in a further perspective view, a section of a vehicle side door 26.3 with an external door handle 100 according to the invention, designed as a decorative strip 10. The decorative strip 10 can be attached to the vehicle side door 26.3 along its strip body 12. The decorative strip 10 can be a metal strip. The decorative strip 10 is analogous to the embodiment according to Fig. 3 trained.

[0059] Fig. Figure 5 schematically shows in a top view a door handle 100 designed as a decorative strip 10 according to a second embodiment, wherein the door handle 100 comprises at least a strip body 12 and a handle 140, wherein the handle 140 is arranged in a non-use position 14.5. Fig. Figure 6 schematically shows a top view of the door handle 100 according to Fig. 5, wherein the handle 140 is arranged in a working position 14.6.

[0060] The exterior door handle 100 comprises at least one decorative strip 10, which is designed as a continuous, separate component with a continuous strip body 12 comprising several strip body sections 12.15 to 12.17. Furthermore, the exterior door handle 100 comprises a handle 140, which is designed as a separate component and is movable relative to the strip body 12.

[0061] One of the rib body sections 12.15 to 12.17, here a central rib body section 12.16, includes a recess 12.4 in which the handle 140 is movably arranged.

[0062] The handle 140 can be movably arranged in the recess 12.4 via a conventional adjustment mechanism. In the operating position 14.6 of the handle 140, an engagement area 16 can be formed between a rear side of the handle 140 and a strip body section 12.16 having the recess 12.4. In the non-operating position 14.5, the handle 140 can be arranged and stowed in the recess 12.4 such that an outer surface 142 of the handle 140 is flush with an outer surface 12.5 of an adjacent strip body section 12.15, 12.17. REFERENCE MARK LIST 100 Door handles 10 decorative strip 12 inguinal bodies 12.11 to 12.17 Groin body section 12.2 Extension level 12.3 Opening 12.4 Recess 12.5 Outdoor area 14, 140 handle 14.1 Curvature 14.2 Footbridge 14.3 Recessed handle 14.4 Transition area 14.5 Non-used position 14.6 Operating position 142 outdoor area 16 Intervention area 20 vehicles 22 Outer skin 24 Door side 26 Vehicle door 26.1 Tailgate 26.2 Front flap 26.3 Vehicle side door 30 sensor units 40 lighting units 50 display units 60 manufacturer's emblem 70 Functional element x, y, z arrow

Claims

Exterior door handle (100) for a vehicle (20), wherein the exterior door handle (100) is designed as a decorative strip (10), which is designed as a continuous component with a continuous strip body (12) with several strip body sections (12.11, 12.12, 12.13, 12.14), wherein a fixed handle (14) is formed by one of the strip body sections (12.11, 12.12, 12.13, 12.14). Door handle (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle (14) is formed by shaping, in particular by injection molding, forming and / or bending, the corresponding strip body section (12.11, 12.12, 12.13, 12.14). Door handle (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the handle (14) protrudes from an extension plane (12.2) of the strip body sections (12.11, 12.12, 12.13, 12.14) so ​​that an engagement area (16) for reaching behind is formed in the area of ​​the handle (14). Door handle (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the handle (14) projects outwards from the plane of extension (12.2) of the strip body sections (12.11, 12.12, 12.13, 12.14) in a transition area (14.4) to an adjacently arranged strip body section (12.11, 12.12, 12.13, 12.14) by means of a bulge (14.1). Door handle (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the strip body (12) has a further strip body section (12.14) extending behind the strip body section (12.12) designed as a handle (14) and the handle (14) is formed on the further strip body section (12.14) and / or on adjacent strip body sections (12.11, 12.13) such that an opening (12.3) is formed between the handle (14) and the further strip body section (12.14) as an engagement area (16). Exterior door handle (100) for a vehicle (20), comprising at least one trim strip (10) which is designed as a continuous component with a continuous strip body (12) with several strip body sections (12.15, 12.16, 12.17), and a handle (140) which is designed as a separate component and is movable relative to the strip body (12), wherein at least one of the strip body sections (12.15, 12.16, 12.17) has a recess (12.4) in which the handle (140) is movably arranged. Door handle (100) according to claim 1 or 6, characterized in that a number of functional elements (70) are arranged in the area of ​​the handle (14, 140) on this and / or on at least one of the strip body sections (12.11 to 12.17). Door handle (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the functional elements (70) comprise at least one sensor unit (30) for detecting an opening intention and / or locking intention. Door handle (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the functional elements (70) comprise at least one lighting unit (40) for outputting a light show. Door handle (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the functional elements (70) comprise at least one display unit (50) and / or status indicator. Vehicle (20) with at least one exterior door handle (100) designed as a decorative strip (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the exterior door handle (100) extends over at least one vehicle door (26) and / or over an entire side area of ​​the vehicle.

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