OPERATION HANDLE, COVER DEVICE AND STORAGE COMPARTMENT AS WELL AS A MOTOR VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an operating handle for arrangement on a manually operated operating device in the interior of a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a cover device comprising the operating handle and a storage compartment comprising the cover device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle having an operating handle, a cover device, and / or a storage compartment.

[0002] Motor vehicle interior components, including handles and operating devices of all kinds, must meet certain design requirements to ensure that the risk of injury to vehicle occupants is low, particularly in the event of an accident. One risk is that a vehicle occupant could sustain an injury in an accident by striking a part of the body, particularly the head, against a sharp, hard edge. These requirements are ensured using design standards and standardized tests that simulate such a scenario, as defined, for example, in regulation ECE-R-21.

[0003] Such safety-relevant standards and their implementation severely restrict creative freedom, especially with regard to design. Therefore, there is a need to be able to freely define the design features of a construction while simultaneously complying with safety regulations.

[0004] Various variants for the design of operating devices and handles are known from the state of the art.

[0005] DE 1 297 500 A, for example, shows an operating handle for a vehicle comprising a hollow body made of an elastic material. A foam plastic pad is enclosed within the hollow space.

[0006] DE 85 25 127 U1 shows a component with a dimensionally stable core encased in a foam plastic of varying thickness. The thicker the foam plastic layer, the softer the component is in that area.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an operating handle, a cover device and a storage compartment which, in a simple and cost-effective manner, equally meet safety requirements and offer extensive design freedom.

[0008] The object is achieved according to the invention by an operating handle according to claim 1, a cover device according to claim 7, and a storage compartment according to claim 8. Advantageous embodiments of the operating handle are presented in subclaims 2-6. In addition, a motor vehicle according to claim 9 is provided.

[0009] A first aspect of the invention is an operating handle for arrangement on a manually operated operating device in the interior of a motor vehicle. According to the invention, the operating handle comprises a base unit which is made of a first material with a first hardness and which has a connection side which is designed at least in sections for attachment to an operating device. Furthermore, the operating handle comprises a handle element which is mechanically connected to the base unit on the side opposite the connection side and which at least in sections forms the outer side of the operating handle. The handle element is made of a second material with a second hardness, wherein the first hardness is greater than the second hardness and the Shore A hardness of the second material is less than 50.Between outer surfaces of the base unit arranged adjacently in different planes, a radius RT is designed to at least partially round off the base unit, whereby RT > 3.2 mm.

[0010] Furthermore, the base unit has at least one fastening element for mechanically fixing the actuating handle to the manually actuated actuating device and a base body mechanically connected to the fastening element, wherein at least the base body is designed with roundings between outer surfaces arranged adjacent in different planes with a radius RT, wherein RT is > 3.2 mm.

[0011] The operating handle can also be referred to as a handle or grip. It is used for the manual actuation or operation of an actuating device to which it is mechanically connected. Such an actuating device, within the meaning of the invention, is, for example, a pivoting flap or a roller blind that can be rolled up and down, which can be used to close and / or cover storage compartments and / or fittings in the interior of a motor vehicle. To manually operate the actuating device, a person grasps the actuating handle and applies a force to it, thereby causing the actuating device to move.

[0012] The operating handle according to the invention comprises a base unit and a handle element.

[0013] The base unit has a connection side that is designed to form a mechanical connection with an actuating device. The mechanical connection between the base unit and the actuating device can be made either indirectly, i.e. with the aid of a connecting means such as a screw, rivet and / or adhesive, or directly, for example by means of a positive fit. The connection side typically corresponds to an underside. The top side of the base unit borders on the connection side or underside of the base unit. The top side refers to the part of the surface of the base unit that is not intended for arrangement and / or fastening to an actuating device and typically faces away from the latter. The top side forms, at least in sections, a side facing away from the connection side. The top side is formed by adjacent outer surfaces of the base unit that are arranged in different planes.

[0014] The base unit can be solid or hollow.

[0015] The handle element can also be referred to as a trim element. The handle element forms, at least in part, the outer side of the operating handle, i.e., the side that, when properly arranged, at least partially faces the interior of a vehicle. Accordingly, the handle element, in particular its outer side, is the element that can be touched by a person. The material forming the handle element, or in particular its outer side, therefore preferably offers a haptic perception that is perceived as generally pleasant.

[0016] The handle element is mechanically connected to the base unit at least in sections on a side facing away from the connection side of the base unit. The connection can be realized by force, form, and / or material connection. Advantageously, the handle element is removable from the base unit, for example, for testing purposes.

[0017] Typically, the base unit is at least partially covered by the handle element. Preferably, only the top side of the base unit is at least partially covered by the handle element, while the connection side is not covered by the handle element.

[0018] The perpendicular extension of the handle element to the top of the base unit, in other words its material thickness, can vary in certain areas. In one embodiment, the material thickness is essentially the same in all covered areas of the base unit.

[0019] The base unit and the handle element are made of different materials with different hardnesses. The base unit is made of a first material, at least at the shaped elements having radii according to the invention, and the handle element is made of a second material, wherein the first material is harder than the second material. In other words, the actuating handle comprises a hard component, the base unit, and a soft component, the handle element. The materials can also be material mixtures or composite materials, wherein the hardness of the material mixture is composed of the individual hardnesses of the individual materials forming the mixture.

[0020] Typically, the first material from which the base unit is formed, at least in the region of the radii according to the invention, can be at least partially a metal, in particular aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Alternatively, the first material can be a plastic. Typically, the second material from which the handle element is formed is a plastic. In particular, the second material can be a foamed plastic.

[0021] The second material has a Shore A hardness of less than 50. In particular, the second material has a Shore A hardness of less than 40, and possibly less than 30. The hardness specifications refer to Shore A hardnesses determined according to the method described in DIN ISO 7610-1. The grip element is elastically deformable, meaning that the grip element yields when a force is applied and returns to its previous shape when the force is released.

[0022] The top side of the base unit is formed by a plurality of outer surfaces of the base unit, which are arranged in different planes. A rounded portion is formed between at least two adjacent outer surfaces, which rounded portion has a radius RT of more than 3.2 mm. The radius RT is typically also referred to as the head impact radius. In other words, at least one edge and / or corner of the base unit is rounded with a radius of at least 3.2 mm. In particular, all edges and / or corners of the base unit that may come into contact with a test specimen during a head impact test are rounded with a radius of at least 3.2 mm. The radius RT of more than 3.2 mm reduces the risk of serious head injuries in the event of an impact.

[0023] The particular advantage of the operating handle according to the invention lies in the structural compliance with safety requirements, in particular with regard to the risk of injury due to head impact, while at the same time allowing freedom of design with regard to the external shape of the operating handle.

[0024] The adjacent outer surfaces forming the upper side of the base body are rounded with a radius of more than 3.2 mm. The upper side of the base body is at least the area of ​​the upper side of the base unit formed by the base body.

[0025] The fastening element is designed for mechanical fixation to a manually operated actuating device. The fixation can also be achieved by force, form, and / or material connection. In a specific embodiment, the fastening element has at least one fixation element on its side facing away from the base body, which can be brought into engagement with a complementary recess in the actuating device.

[0026] In one embodiment, the fastening element can form a structural unit with the base body. In other words, the base unit can be designed as a single piece and have at least one fixing element.

[0027] Preferably, the upper side of the base body is completely covered by the handle element, so that the base body is not visible, at least when properly arranged on an actuating device. In this sense, the base body can also be referred to as a support element for the handle element.

[0028] The advantage of this design is that the function of attaching the operating handle to the operating device is separated from the function of attaching the handle element to the base body or base unit.

[0029] In one embodiment of the operating handle, the fastening element forms at least a portion of the outer side of the operating handle.

[0030] In other words, in this embodiment, the base unit is not completely covered by the handle element. In particular, the base body is only partially covered by the handle element, preferably completely.

[0031] The fastening element forms a visible section of the exterior of the operating handle. In this embodiment, the fastening element is thus also a decorative element. In particular, the fastening element can be made of a third material, with the third material preferably being a material with a high-quality appearance, such as chrome.

[0032] The section of the outer side of the actuating handle formed by the fastening element preferably directly borders a section of the outer side formed by the handle element. The transition between the two sections is essentially flat, meaning, in other words, that essentially no cracks, joints, or edges, in particular no visible and / or perceptible cracks, joints, or edges, are formed in the transition area.

[0033] The advantage of this design is a visually appealing transition between the operating handle and the operating device.

[0034] In one embodiment of the operating handle, the base body is fixed to the fastening element by means of a force-locking and / or form-locking connection, in particular a snap-in connection.

[0035] The base body and the fastening element are mechanically connected to one another. Preferably, a force-locking and / or positive-locking connection is realized, in which at least one connecting element of the base body engages in a complementary recess of the fastening element. In particular, the connection is designed as a snap-in connection.

[0036] The advantage of this design is a simple joining process for connecting the base body and fastening element.

[0037] Alternatively or additionally, at least one connecting element can also be designed to realize a welded connection between the base body and the fastening element.

[0038] In another embodiment, the mechanical connection is alternatively or additionally realized by means of an adhesive.

[0039] In one embodiment of the operating handle, the handle element has on its outer side at least one edge and / or corner with an edge radius RK, where RK is < 3.2 mm.

[0040] In other words, in this embodiment, at least one edge and / or corner of the grip element is designed with a radius of less than 3.2 mm. Since the second material according to the invention has a Shore A hardness of less than 50 and the material is correspondingly highly elastically deformable when subjected to force, an edge radius of less than 3.2 mm can be realized for the design of the grip element on its outer side. In particular, the outer side of the grip element can be designed with sharp edges entirely or partially. The outer shape of the grip element can thus differ from the outer shape of the base unit.

[0041] The advantage of this design is that a sharp-edged design of the operating handle can be realized while simultaneously maintaining safety-relevant requirements.

[0042] In one embodiment of the operating handle, the handle element is formed on the base unit, in particular on the base body, by means of an injection molding process.

[0043] In other words, in this embodiment, the mechanical connection between the base unit and the handle element is realized at least in part simultaneously with the production of the handle element. The base unit and handle element thus form a so-called two-component assembly. The mechanical connection created by injection molding can be force-fit, form-fit, and / or material-fit.

[0044] In particular, the handle element is molded onto the base body, so that the base body and handle element form a two-component assembly. This two-component assembly forms the actuating handle through a mechanical connection with the fastening element.

[0045] The advantage of this design is that the mechanical connection between the base unit, particularly its base body, is realized during the manufacturing process of the handle element. This results in savings in processing time and costs.

[0046] In an alternative embodiment, the handle element is adhesively connected to the base unit or the base body by means of an adhesive.

[0047] In one embodiment of the operating handle, the first material, which essentially forms the base unit, has a Brinell hardness of at least 55.

[0048] Brinell hardness is typically determined according to DIN EN ISO 6506-1.

[0049] In other words, the base unit, in particular the main body, has a high resistance to deformation compared to the handle element. Thus, the base unit is configured to transmit a force to an actuating device connected to the actuating handle, such as a cover device for a storage compartment, for the purpose of moving the same to open and / or close the storage compartment.

[0050] The advantage lies in the simple implementation of the power transmission from a person to a manually operated actuating device by means of the actuating handle.

[0051] A second aspect of the invention is a covering device, in particular for covering a storage space in a motor vehicle, such as in a center console, comprising an actuating device, in particular a cover element that can be rolled up and down, with at least one actuating handle according to the invention arranged thereon.

[0052] The cover device is, in particular, a device for covering a storage compartment in a motor vehicle. Alternatively, the cover device can serve to cover a fitting or other device in the interior of a motor vehicle.

[0053] The covering device comprises, in particular, a cover element that can be rolled up and down, which can also be referred to as a roller blind, on which at least one operating handle according to the invention is arranged. The operating handle serves to operate the covering device, i.e., to move it for the purpose of opening and / or closing a storage space covered or to be covered by the covering device.

[0054] In one embodiment, the base unit can form a structural unit entirely or partially with the cover element.

[0055] The advantage lies in the provision of a covering device, in particular for use in a motor vehicle, the operating handle of which meets the necessary safety requirements and whose external shape offers a high degree of design freedom.

[0056] A third aspect of the invention is a storage compartment, in particular a roller blind compartment, for arrangement in or on a center console of a motor vehicle, comprising a storage space and at least one cover device according to the invention for covering the storage space.

[0057] A further aspect of the invention is a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, comprising at least one operating handle according to the invention, at least one covering device according to the invention and / or at least one storage compartment according to the invention.

[0058] The storage compartment, which is in particular a roller blind compartment, can be arranged in various orientations within the interior of a vehicle. In one embodiment, for example, it is a center console roller compartment, which is arranged essentially between two adjacent seats of the vehicle, in particular between the driver and front passenger seats. In such a case, the cover device is arranged or aligned with its main extension plane essentially horizontally or parallel to a mounting plane of the vehicle.

[0059] Alternatively, the roller blind compartment can be arranged in the instrument panel area of ​​a motor vehicle, so that the cover device is arranged or aligned with respect to its main extension plane substantially perpendicular to a mounting plane of the vehicle.

[0060] Alternatively or additionally, the operating handle according to the invention can be arranged on various interior equipment elements of a motor vehicle and be designed and configured to operate them. Thus, an arrangement between seats in the rear area of ​​the passenger compartment, i.e., between rear seats, and / or in or on the interior paneling of vehicle doors is also not excluded.

[0061] In one embodiment of the operating handle, at least those edges and / or corners of the outer surface are rounded with a radius of more than 3.2 mm that are less than 82.5 mm from an adjacent object in the interior of a motor vehicle in which the operating handle is or is to be arranged. In other words, at least those edges and / or corners that could come into contact with a test specimen simulating a head during a head impact test are rounded accordingly.

[0062] The invention is explained below with reference to the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0063] It shows Fig. 1 : an embodiment of the operating handle according to the invention in three-dimensional view; Fig. 2 : the embodiment of the operating handle according to the invention according to Figure 1 as an exploded view in three-dimensional view; and Fig. 3 : an embodiment of a storage compartment according to the invention.

[0064] Figure 1shows a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of the operating handle 10 according to the invention for arrangement on an operating device, such as is used, for example, for opening and / or closing compartments, shelves and / or fittings in the interior of a motor vehicle. In the view shown, it can be seen that a fastening element 40 is arranged on the illustrated underside of the handle element 20. For the purpose of a visually appealing design, the fastening element 20 is also a decorative element, which is, for example, at least partially chrome-plated. Fixing elements 49 can be seen on the underside of the fastening element 40, which is the connection side 41 of the operating handle 10. In the example shown, the fastening element 40 and the fixing elements 49 form a structural unit.The fixing elements 49 serve to position the operating handle 10 on an operating device and to mechanically connect it to the operating device, for example, of a storage compartment. For this purpose, the operating device has corresponding recesses for receiving the fixing elements 49.

[0065] According to the invention, the grip element 20 is preferably formed from a first soft material, in particular a material with a Shore A hardness of less than 50. In one embodiment, the grip element 20 is formed by means of an injection molding process on the upper side of a base unit, in particular a main body of the base unit, which consists of a second harder material. The main body is in Figure 1 not visible.

[0066] In the example shown, the adjacent outer surfaces of the upper side of the handle element 20 are rounded relative to one another. This is not mandatory according to the invention. Since the handle element 20 is made of a correspondingly soft material, the handle element 20 does not pose a risk of injury, particularly to the head of a vehicle occupant, in the event of an accident. Only the base unit, which is made of a harder material, must meet corresponding requirements, so that the visual design of the handle element 20, in particular its external shape, can be selected essentially freely.

[0067] In Figure 1 It can be seen that the operating handle 10 is designed such that the fastening element 40 partially forms the outer side of the operating handle 10, i.e., it is visible. The transition 45 between the outer sides of the fastening element 40 and the handle element 20 is essentially flat, in other words, seamless.

[0068] Figure 2 shows the embodiment of the operating handle 10 according to the invention according to Figure 1 as an exploded view in three-dimensional view.

[0069] In this illustration, it can be seen that a base body 30 is arranged on the upper side of the fastening element 40 by means of connecting elements 34 and complementary recesses 42 as well as a positioning element 44. In the embodiment shown, and also Figure 1 As can be seen, the base body 30 of the operating handle 10 is not visible to the user after all the elements shown have been assembled as intended. The base body 30 and fastening element 40 together form the base unit 50 of the operating handle 10.

[0070] The base body 30 serves to actuate an actuating device equipped with the actuating handle 10 and thus to open and / or close a storage compartment equipped with a corresponding cover device. In other words, the force required for opening and / or closing is transmitted via the base body 30. For this purpose, the base body 30 is made of a material that has a higher hardness and strength than the material of the handle element 20, which primarily fulfills the function of a user-friendly design.

[0071] The upper side of the base body 32, which simultaneously forms part of the upper side of the base unit 52, is formed by several adjacent surfaces. To minimize the risk of injury in the event of a vehicle occupant's head striking the operating handle 10, the transitions between the adjacent surfaces of the upper side 32, 52 are rounded. The radius of the rounding RT is at least 3.2 mm. Not all surface transitions or edges and / or corners of the base body 30 or the base unit 50 are necessarily designed with a radius of more than 3.2 mm. Edges and / or corners that, depending on the arrangement of the operating handle 10 in the vehicle, are less than 82.5 mm apart from an adjacent element of the vehicle interior do not have to meet such a requirement, as they do not pose a corresponding risk potential for a head impact.In other words, only the edges and / or corners of the upper side 32, 52 must be provided with a radius RT of at least 3.2 mm, which are installed with a clearance of 82.5 mm from an adjacent body. In . Figure 2 These are, for example, the edges which point forward and upward as shown.

[0072] In contrast, the edges and / or corners of the upper side of the handle element 20, which essentially represents the outer side of the operating handle 10, can be designed with a radius RK of less than 3.2 mm. The edges of the handle element 20 can therefore be sharp-edged. Due to the material of the handle element 20, these do not pose a risk of injury.

[0073] Analogous to Figure 1 Here too, the connection side 41 is designed as the underside of the fastening element 40, on which corresponding fixing elements 49 are arranged.

[0074] Figure 3shows an embodiment of a storage compartment 100 according to the invention. A cover device can be seen, which comprises an actuating device 90, here a cover element shown as a roller blind, and an actuating handle 10, which are mechanically connected to one another. The cover element covers a storage space. Figure 3 the storage compartment is shown closed. List of reference symbols

[0075] 10Operating handle 20Handle element 30Base body 32Top of base body 34Connecting element 40Fastening element 41Connection side 42Recess 44Positioning element 45Transition 49Fixing element 50Base unit 52Top of base element 90Actuating device 100Storage compartment RK Radius handle element RT Radius base body

Claims

1. Actuating grip (10) for arrangement on an actuation device (90), to be actuated manually, in the interior compartment of a motor vehicle, comprising a base unit (50) which is formed from a first material having a first hardness and which has a connection side (41), said connection side being configured for fastening to an actuation device (90) at least sectionally, and comprising a grip element (20) which is connected mechanically to the base unit (50) on the side that is opposite the connection side (41) and which at least sectionally forms the outer side of the actuating grip (10) and which is formed from a second material having a second hardness, wherein the first hardness is greater than the second hardness and the Shore A hardness of the second material is less than 50 and, between outer surfaces of the base unit (50) arranged adjacently in different planes, a radius RT is configured for at least partial rounding of the base unit (50), where RT > 3.2 mm, characterized in that the base unit (50) has at least one fastening element (40) for mechanically fixing the actuating grip (10) to the actuation device (90) to be actuated manually and, connected mechanically to the fastening element (40), one main body (30), wherein at least the main body (30) is formed with rounded portions between outer surfaces arranged adjacently in different planes that have a radius RT, where RT > 3.2 mm.

2. Actuating grip (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fastening element (40) forms at least one portion of the outer side of the actuating grip (10).

3. Actuating grip (10) according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main body (30) is fixed to the fastening element (40) by means of a force-fitting and / or form-fitting connection, in particular a latching connection.

4. Actuating grip (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, on its outer side, the grip element (20) has at least one edge and / or corner with an edge radius RK, where RK < 3.2 mm.

5. Actuating grip (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grip element (20) is formed on the base unit (50), in particular on the main body (30), by means of an injection-moulding process.

6. Actuating grip (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first material, which substantially forms the base unit (50), has a Brinell hardness of at least 55.

7. Covering device, in particular for covering a storage space in a motor vehicle, comprising an actuation device (90), in particular a covering element that is able to be rolled up and unrolled, having at least one actuating grip (10) according to one of Claims 1-6 arranged thereon.

8. Storage compartment (100), in particular a roller-blind compartment for arrangement in or at a central console of a motor vehicle, comprising a storage space and at least one covering device according to Claim 7 for covering the storage space.

9. Motor vehicle, in particular a passenger motor vehicle, comprising at least one actuating grip (10) according to one of Claims 1-6 and / or at least one covering device according to Claim 7 and / or at least one storage compartment (100) according to Claim 8.