Handle assembly for a motor vehicle and method for mounting a door handle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a handle assembly (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a door handle mechanism (2) and a door handle (3) movably mounted on the door handle mechanism (2), wherein the door handle (3) is designed to be arranged in a recess (4) of a vehicle door (5) of the motor vehicle, forming a circumferential gap between the door handle (3) and an inner side (6) of the recess (4). The invention further relates to a method for mounting a door handle (3) on a vehicle door (5) for a motor vehicle.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a handle assembly for a motor vehicle and a method for mounting a door handle on a vehicle door for a motor vehicle.

[0002] Various devices are known for mounting door handle modules with a concealed or extendable door handle and a door handle mechanism on a handle recess in a door panel of a vehicle door of a motor vehicle. Such alignment devices comprise, for example, a cover plate for covering the door handle and a plurality of flexible centering pins protruding perpendicularly from the cover plate and formed integrally with the cover plate, via which the cover plate can be precisely positioned on a visible side of the door handle. Furthermore, a sealing device can be arranged around the door handle in a defined position via the centering pins, forming a gap. In this state, the door handle module can be passed from the inside of the vehicle door through the handle recess and can be precisely positioned on the door panel while maintaining a gap, and can be fixed to it, for example, with screws.The alignment device can then be removed from the outside of the vehicle door. Such an alignment device is known, for example, from documents CN 106 499 272 B and CN 110 485 838 A.

[0003] An alignment device for aligning a door handle for a vehicle door is known from document CN 218 406 994 U. The alignment device has several fixing means for fixing the alignment device to the door handle. The door handle can be aligned with a handle receptacle of the vehicle door via spring-loaded centering means of the alignment device. Such an alignment device has the disadvantage that attaching it to the door handle and disassembling it from the door handle after alignment is very complex. Document DE 10 2009 045 874 A1 discloses a handle device for a vehicle door, which has a first handle module that can be arranged from the inside of the vehicle door and a second handle module that can be arranged from the outside of the vehicle door. The handle modules have locking and counter-locking elements that can be engaged with one another in order to align the handle modules with one another. An additional targeted alignment of the handle modules with the vehicle door is not provided.

[0004] Document WO 2023 / 158 025 A1 discloses a handle assembly for a motor vehicle, in which an alignment device is arranged on a door handle for an assembly process and covers the outer side of the handle. The door handle can be arranged on a handle passage of a door panel and, when moved toward it, can be aligned on the door panel over the alignment device. After the handle assembly is attached to the door panel, the guide cover is removable. The guide cover ensures a uniform gap between the door handle and the door panel.

[0005] Document CN 114 278 168 A discloses a handle assembly with a handle cover held on a handle frame. A plurality of small alignment elements integrated into the handle assembly support a defined multi-axial alignment of the components during assembly and during installation in a handle opening of a door panel. Document EP 4 023 846 A1 discloses a handle assembly in which tolerance compensation between mounting holes and mounting bolts is ensured by an integrated alignment device.

[0006] Conventional handle assemblies have the disadvantage that aligning the components is still very complex and requires precise manual positioning of the components to be joined. With flexible alignment devices, the sometimes very delicate centering devices can easily bend and are therefore only partially reusable.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to remedy, or at least partially remedy, the above-described disadvantages in a handle assembly for a motor vehicle. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a handle assembly for a motor vehicle and a method for mounting a door handle on a vehicle door for a motor vehicle that ensure reliable alignment of the components in a simple and cost-effective manner and / or require reduced material expenditure.

[0008] The above object is achieved by the patent claims. Accordingly, the object is achieved by a handle assembly for a motor vehicle having the features of independent claim 1 and by a method for mounting a door handle on a vehicle door for a motor vehicle having the features of independent claim 10. Further features and details of the invention emerge from the subclaims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the handle assembly according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the method according to the invention, and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, reference is and can always be made to each other.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a handle assembly for a motor vehicle. The handle assembly has a door handle mechanism and a door handle movably mounted on the door handle mechanism, wherein the door handle is designed for arrangement in a recess of a vehicle door of the motor vehicle, forming a circumferential gap between the door handle and the interior of the recess. According to the invention, an alignment device with centering devices for laterally aligning the door handle with respect to the recess is arranged on the handle assembly, wherein the centering devices are movably mounted on a base body of the handle assembly between an engaged position, in which the centering devices are arranged for aligning the door handle with respect to the recess, and a passive position, in which lateral movement of the door handle with respect to the recess is permitted by the centering devices.

[0010] The handle assembly includes the door handle mechanism, which can be attached to the vehicle door using fastening devices such as screws, bolts, rivets, or the like. For pre-fixing, the door handle mechanism can be attached to the vehicle door using clips. The clips are movably mounted, for example, with a play of approximately 3 mm to 4 mm in the direction of travel and in the vertical direction. This allows the door handle mechanism to be clipped to the body of the vehicle door. It can then be aligned using the alignment device. Finally, the door handle mechanism can be finally fixed to the vehicle door using the fastening devices to secure the position of the door handle mechanism relative to the vehicle door. The alignment device can then be moved into the passive position.

[0011] The door handle is attached to the door handle mechanism and is held movable by the door handle mechanism, allowing the door handle mechanism to be operated via the vehicle handle. The door handle mechanism can have a locking device for closing and opening the vehicle door or a coupling device for mechanically coupling with a locking device for closing and opening the vehicle door.

[0012] The door handle is designed for such an arrangement in the recess of the vehicle door, so that a circumferential gap, preferably with a constant gap width, is formed between the door handle and the inside of the recess. Preferably, the door handle is designed to be movable via the door handle mechanism between a hidden position or position flush with the door, in which the door handle can be arranged, for example, in alignment with the recess of the vehicle door, and an extended position in which the door handle protrudes from the recess towards the outside of the vehicle door, for example, to improve the operation of the door handle by a user of the vehicle door.

[0013] The alignment device has a plurality of centering devices for laterally aligning the door handle with the recess. The alignment device preferably has at least four centering devices distributed around the circumference of the door handle in such a way that the centering devices ensure precise positioning of the door handle with respect to the recess on a plane, for example, parallel to an outwardly facing handle surface of the door handle. In other words, the centering devices are distributed in such a way that a predefined gap geometry between the door handle and the inside of the recess can be reliably achieved using the centering devices. The alignment device is preferably made of a plastic, particularly preferably of a particularly rigid plastic. The centering device can be chamfered to enable the centering elements to be inserted into the circumferential gap as easily as possible.

[0014] The centering devices are mounted on the base body of the handle assembly so that they can move between the engaged position and the passive position. For this purpose, the centering devices are preferably mounted on the base body so that they can move in translation. The base body can be formed, for example, as part of the door handle mechanism, such as a housing of the door handle mechanism.

[0015] In the context of the invention, the engagement position is understood to mean a position of the centering devices in which a centering geometry of the centering devices is arranged next to the door handle and, in the installed state of the door handle, engages with the inside of the recess in such a way that the gap between the door handle and the inside of the recess corresponds to a predefined configuration due to the centering device. The door handle is thus secured by the centering devices against relative movement to the vehicle door in at least two orthogonal directions, preferably on a plane arranged parallel to the outer surface of the vehicle door. In the engagement position, the centering devices preferably project beyond the handle surface of the door handle, which, in the installed state, has the same orientation as an outer surface on an outer side of the vehicle door and is then preferably arranged flush with the outer surface of the door.There can therefore be several engagement positions of the centering devices.

[0016] In the context of the invention, the passive position is understood to mean a position of the centering devices in which, when the door handle is installed, the centering devices are moved away from the gap between the door handle and the inside of the recess in such a way that, when the fastening means are released or the movable pre-fixing clips are arranged, a lateral movement of the door handle towards the vehicle door is permitted, so that the gap formed between the door handle and the vehicle door can be changed. Accordingly, there can be several passive positions of the centering devices. Removing the alignment device can therefore also be considered a passive position.

[0017] A handle assembly according to the invention has the advantage over conventional handle assemblies that it provides easy alignment of the door handle to the recess using simple means and in a cost-effective manner, so that a circumferential gap between the door handle and the inside of the recess can be reliably and easily reproducibly adjusted with predefined gap dimensions. Thus, the handle assembly according to the invention is particularly well suited for mass production.

[0018] According to a preferred further development of the invention, in a handle assembly, the alignment device can be provided with a reset device for automatically moving the centering devices from the engaged position into the passive position. The reset device preferably has a spring device, such as a coil spring, a disc spring, a torsion spring, or the like. The reset device preferably comprises a plastic or is formed from a plastic. According to the invention, the reset device can be designed as a foam. Alternatively, the reset device can comprise a metal or be formed from a metal. The centering devices can be moved away from the gap between the door handle and the inside of the recess via the reset device, for example, when the door handle mechanism of the aligned door handle is fastened to the vehicle door.This has the advantage that the mounting of the handle assembly on the vehicle door is further improved using simple means and in a cost-effective manner.

[0019] It is preferred according to the invention that the alignment device comprises a holding device for holding the centering devices in the passive position and / or in the engaged position. The holding device can, for example, be designed such that it can only be activated when the holding devices were previously arranged in the engaged position. By holding the centering devices in the passive position, it is possible to prevent the centering devices from re-entering the gap between the door handle and the inside of the recess after the handle assembly has been aligned and fastened to the vehicle door and becoming visible, or from generating disturbing noises, such as rattling noises, during operation of the motor vehicle. Such a holding device is particularly advantageous if the alignment device is to remain on the handle assembly after the handle assembly has been fastened to the vehicle door.A particular advantage of keeping the alignment device in the handle assembly is that the door handle can be easily realigned to the vehicle door at any time, for example if rework is necessary in the factory or in the event of customer service or repairs. No additional resources need to be provided for realignment. The holding device can, for example, be designed to permanently hold the centering devices in the passive position. For this purpose, the holding device can, for example, have a predetermined breaking point, shear pin or the like. By holding the centering devices in the engaged position, it is possible to prevent the centering devices from leaving the engaged position when the handle assembly is moved towards the recess and thus from no longer being able to adequately support the alignment process. More preferably, the holding device is designed only for holding and not as a reset device.This has the advantage that the assembly of the handle assembly can be further improved using simple means and in a cost-effective manner.

[0020] More preferably, the centering devices are formed monolithically with one another. It is preferred that the centering devices are connected to one another via a connecting structure, such as a connecting frame, a connecting cross, or the like, wherein the centering devices are formed monolithically with the connecting structure. The monolithic design allows the centering devices to be simultaneously moved into the engaged position and the passive position. Preferably, the connecting structure has a handle for better holding and moving the connecting structure with the centering devices. This has the advantage that the actuation of the alignment device for aligning the door handle with the inside of the recess is improved using simple means and in a cost-effective manner.

[0021] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be provided in a handle assembly that the alignment device has a pressure surface for manually pressing the centering devices into the engaged position. The pressure surface is preferably arranged at a central location of the alignment device, such as a central region of a connecting structure for connecting the centering devices, in order to prevent the centering devices from tilting when a pressure force is exerted on the pressure surface. The pressure surface is preferably round or oval. The pressure surface preferably has a diameter of at least 10 mm. Preferably, the pressure surface has a diameter of at most 20 mm. The pressure surface facilitates the movement of the centering devices into the engaged position.This has the advantage that the operation of the alignment device for aligning the door handle to the inside of the recess is further improved using simple means and in a cost-effective manner.

[0022] The alignment device preferably has a locking means for locking the centering devices in the engaged position. The locking means can be designed, for example, according to the holding mechanism of a ballpoint pen, so that the centering devices can be fixed by actuating the locking means and released again by actuating the holding devices again. This has the advantage that the operation of the alignment device for aligning the door handle with the inside of the recess is further improved using simple means and in a cost-effective manner.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a handle assembly can be provided with the alignment device detachably held on the base body of the handle assembly. The handle assembly is preferably designed such that the alignment device can be removed from the base body via an inner side of the vehicle door, for example, by a linear movement. In this case, it is preferred that the alignment device can only be removed from the handle assembly by overcoming a holding force, for example, by a friction surface, retaining cam, predetermined breaking point, or the like, so that an unintentional falling out of the alignment device from the handle assembly is prevented. A remote alignment device can be used, for example, for another handle assembly. This has the advantage that the manufacturing costs of the handle assembly can be reduced using simple means and in a cost-effective manner.In addition, removing the alignment device has the advantage of preventing rattling caused by the alignment device during operation of the vehicle.

[0024] Particularly preferably, the centering devices each have an outward-facing chamfer. An outward-facing chamfer is understood to mean a chamfer that faces the inside of the recess during assembly of the handle assembly to the recess. The chamfers facilitate the arrangement of the handle assembly on the recess, since the alignment devices initially plunge into the recess and only engage with the inside of the recess upon further insertion and align the door handle with the recess as they slide along the inside of the recess. Thus, only rough manual alignment of the handle assembly with the recess is required for assembly. This has the advantage that the assembly of the handle assembly on the recess is further improved using simple means and in a cost-effective manner.

[0025] According to the invention, it is preferred that free end regions of the centering devices are arranged within the door handle mechanism in the passive position. An arrangement within the door handle mechanism preferably means that there is no lateral overlap of the centering devices with the door handle. Thus, the alignment device is not visibly concealed from the outside of the vehicle door. Furthermore, this also prevents dragging on the door handle when operating the door handle. This has the advantage that the operation of the door handle and the door handle mechanism can be improved using simple means and in a cost-effective manner.

[0026] According to a second aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a method for mounting a door handle on a vehicle door for a motor vehicle. The method comprises: Providing a handle assembly according to the invention, providing a vehicle door with a recess for the door handle of the handle assembly, moving the centering devices of the handle assembly into the engaged position, moving the handle assembly from an inside of the vehicle door to the recess such that the door handle projects into the recess, aligning the door handle to the recess via the centering devices, attaching the door handle mechanism to the vehicle door, and moving the centering devices from the engaged position to the passive position.

[0027] First, the handle assembly and the vehicle door are prepared. Within the scope of the invention, "preparing the vehicle door" refers to the preparation of a vehicle door in which no door handle is yet arranged in the recess. The recess is thus designed as a passage that is open to the outside and inside of the vehicle door.

[0028] The centering devices of the handle assembly can be moved into the engaged position, for example, before the handle assembly is moved from the inside of the vehicle door to the recess. Alternatively, the centering devices of the handle assembly can also be moved into the engaged position during or after the approach. The handle assembly is preferably moved towards the recess until further movement is positively prevented, for example by the door handle mechanism contacting the inside of the vehicle door. In this state, an end region of the door handle oriented towards the outside of the vehicle door is preferably arranged within the recess. In this state, the door handle mechanism is preferably pre-fixed to the vehicle door using clips.According to the invention, the alignment device can be designed in such a way that a play-related holding of the door handle mechanism on the vehicle door is also possible via the alignment device, for example via the centering elements.

[0029] The centering devices align the door handle with the recess. When the centering devices are inserted into the recess, one or more of the centering devices come into contact with the inside of the recess, generating a transverse force on the door handle. This transverse force aligns the door handle within the recess. To facilitate insertion and improve alignment, the centering devices preferably have a centering geometry that faces the inside of the recess. The centering geometry improves the possibility of the centering devices slipping off the inside of the recess. In the aligned state, the gap formed between the door handle and the inside of the recess has a predefined shape.

[0030] Once the door handle is aligned in the recess, the door handle mechanism is attached to the vehicle door, preferably to the inside of the vehicle door, for example, using screws, bolts, or the like. This prevents the door handle from slipping relative to the recess, for example, by frictional locking. The alignment device is then no longer required, so the centering devices are moved into the passive position, for example, by moving the centering devices relative to the base body such that the centering devices no longer protrude into the gap, by removing the alignment device, or the like.

[0031] The method according to the invention provides all the advantages already described for a handle assembly for a motor vehicle according to the first aspect of the invention. Accordingly, the method according to the invention for assembling a door handle has the advantage over conventional methods that it allows for easy alignment of the door handle with respect to the recess using simple means and in a cost-effective manner, so that a circumferential gap between the door handle and the inside of the recess is reliably and easily reproducibly adjusted with predefined gap dimensions. The method according to the invention is thus particularly suitable for mass production.

[0032] A handle assembly according to the invention and a method according to the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. They show schematically: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a handle assembly according to a preferred embodiment in a passive position, Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the handle assembly from Figure 1 in an engagement position, Figure 3 in a frontal view the handle assembly Figure 2 , Figure 4 in a sectional view of the handle assembly Figure 3 , and Figure 5 shows a flow chart of a preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention.

[0033] Elements with the same function and mode of action are listed in the Figures 1 to 5 each provided with the same reference numerals.

[0034] In Fig. 11 shows a handle assembly 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, schematically in a perspective view from the inside I of a vehicle door 5 in the passive position P. The handle assembly 1 has a door handle mechanism 2 with a base body 9. The door handle mechanism 2 is arranged on the inside I of the vehicle door 5 in such a way that the base body 9 contacts the vehicle door 5 at several points. A door handle 3 (cf. Fig. 3 ) is not visible in this view.

[0035] An alignment device 7 with six centering devices 8 is arranged on the base body 9, which point towards the outside A of the vehicle door and are movably guided in the base body 9. The centering devices 8 are monolithic with a connecting structure 15 of the alignment device 7. In the passive position P, the centering devices 8 are moved out of the base body 9 towards the inside I of the vehicle door, so that the centering devices 8 are outside a recess 4 (cf. Fig. 3 ) of the vehicle door 5.

[0036] For actuation, the alignment device 7 has a pressure surface 12 in a central region of the connecting structure 15. By pressing on the pressure surface 12 from the inside of the vehicle door I toward the outside of the vehicle door A, the alignment device 7 can be moved from the passive position P into the engaged position E. To move the alignment device 7 back from the engaged position E into the passive position P, the alignment device 7 has a return device 10.

[0037] To hold the alignment device 7 in the engaged position E, the alignment device 7 has a locking means 13, which can be released again by renewed pressing on the pressure surface 12 on the vehicle door inner side I in the direction of the vehicle door outer side A. Thus, the actuation of the alignment device 7 between the engaged position E and the passive position P is similar to the actuation of a ballpoint pen for retracting and extending a refill of the ballpoint pen.

[0038] In this embodiment, the alignment device 7 has an optional holding device 11, which is designed to hold the alignment device 7 in the passive position P after moving from the engagement position E in order to prevent an unintentional movement into the engagement position E. The return device 10, holding device 11 and locking means 13 are concealed in this view.

[0039] Fig. 2 shows the handle assembly 1 from Fig. 1 in the engagement position E. In Fig. 3 the handle assembly 1 is made of Fig. 2schematically shown in a frontal view from the outside of a vehicle door A. In the engagement position E, the alignment device 7 is moved in the direction of the outside of the vehicle door A and is held by the locking means 13 against moving back into the passive position P. Between the door handle 3 and an inner side 6 of the recess 4, a gap with a predefined gap width is formed, in which end regions of the centering devices 8 are arranged, so that the door handle 3 is aligned with the recess 4.

[0040] In Fig. 4 the handle assembly 1 is made of Fig. 3shown schematically in a sectional view. The centering devices 8 each have a chamfer 14 pointing towards the adjacent recess inner side 6, so that insertion of the alignment device 7 into the recess 4 is facilitated. Furthermore, alignment of the door handle 3 with respect to the recess 4 is also improved by the chamfers 14, since the centering devices 8 can slide more easily over the chamfers 14 on the recess inner side 6 of the recess 4. In this view, it is clearly visible that the centering devices 8 penetrate the base body 9 of the door handle mechanism 2 from the vehicle door inner side I to the vehicle door outer side A.

[0041] Fig. 5shows a preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention schematically in a flowchart. In a first method action 100, a handle assembly 1 according to the invention is provided. The handle assembly 1 comprises the door handle mechanism 2 with the door handle 3 arranged thereon. The alignment device 7 is held in the base body 9 of the door handle mechanism 2 so that it can move between the passive position P and the engaged position E.

[0042] In a second method action 200, a vehicle door 5 for a motor vehicle is provided. The vehicle door 5 has a recess 4 for the door handle 3 of the handle assembly 1. The recess 4 extends from the vehicle door interior I to the vehicle door exterior A.

[0043] In a third method action 300, the centering devices 8 of the handle assembly 1 are moved into the engagement position E. This is done, for example, by pressing on the pressure surface 12 of the alignment device 7 against a return resistance of the return device 10 such that the centering devices 8 reach the engagement position E and the locking means 13 holds the centering devices 8 in the engagement position E.

[0044] In a fourth method action 400, the handle assembly 1 is moved from the vehicle door interior I of the vehicle door 5 to the recess 4 such that the door handle 3 protrudes into the recess 4. The movement preferably occurs until the door handle mechanism 2 contacts the vehicle door 5.

[0045] In a fifth method action 500, the door handle 3 is aligned with the recess 4 via the centering devices 8. This can occur, for example, when the handle assembly 1 is moved toward the recess 4. Alternatively, this can occur when the centering devices 8 are moved relative to the base body 9 in the direction of the vehicle door exterior A, if the door handle mechanism 2 is already arranged on the vehicle door 5. During alignment, the door handle 3 is aligned with the recess 4 such that a gap between the door handle 3 and the recess interior 6 has a predefined configuration.

[0046] In a sixth method action 600, the door handle mechanism 2 or the base body 9 of the door handle mechanism 2 is fastened to the vehicle door 5 on the vehicle door inner side I. Thus, a relative position of the door handle mechanism 2 to the vehicle door 5 is fixed in an aligned state in which a predefined gap is formed between the door handle 3 and the recess inner side 6.

[0047] In a seventh method action 700, the centering devices 8 are moved away from the vehicle door exterior side A to the vehicle door interior side I into the passive position P and are held there preferably by the locking means 13, the resetting device 10, and / or the holding device 11. Alternatively, the alignment device 7 can also be removed from the base body 9 via the vehicle door interior side I. List of reference symbols

[0048] 1 Handle assembly 2 Door handle mechanism 3 Door handle 4 Recess 5 Vehicle door 6 Recess inside 7 Alignment device 8 Centering device 9 Base body 10 Reset device 11 Holding device 12 Pressure surface 13 Locking means 14 Chamfer 15 Connecting structure 100first procedural action 200second procedural action 300third procedural action 400fourth procedural action 500fifth procedural action 600sixth procedural action 700seventh procedural action AVehicle door exterior EIng position IVehicle door interior PPassive position

Claims

1. Handle assembly (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a door handle mechanism (2) and a door handle (3) movably held on the door handle mechanism (2), wherein the door handle (3) is designed to be arranged in a recess (4) of a vehicle door (5) of the motor vehicle, forming a circumferential gap between the door handle (3) and a recess inner side (6) of the recess (4), characterized by that an alignment device (7) with centering devices (8) for laterally aligning the door handle (3) with the recess (4) is arranged on the handle assembly (1), wherein the centering devices (8) are held on a base body (9) of the handle assembly (1) so as to be movable between an engagement position (E), in which the centering devices (8) are arranged for aligning the door handle (3) with the recess (4), and a passive position (P), in which a lateral movement of the door handle (3) with respect to the recess (4) is released by the centering devices (8).

2. Handle assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the alignment device (7) has a return device (10) for automatically moving the centering devices (8) from the engagement position (E) into the passive position (P).

3. Handle assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the alignment device (7) has a holding device (11) for holding the centering devices (8) in the passive position (P) and / or in the engagement position (E).

4. Handle assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the centering devices (8) are formed monolithically with one another.

5. Handle assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the alignment device (7) has a pressure surface (12) for manually pressing the centering devices (8) into the engagement position (E).

6. Handle assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the alignment device (7) has a locking means (13) for locking the centering devices (8) in the engagement position (E).

7. Handle assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the alignment device (7) is detachably held on the base body (9) of the handle assembly (1).

8. Handle assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the centering devices (8) each have an outward-facing chamfer (14).

9. Handle assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that free end regions of the centering devices (8) are arranged in the passive position (P) within the door handle mechanism (2).

10. A method for mounting a door handle (3) on a vehicle door (5) for a motor vehicle, comprising: - providing a handle assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, - providing a vehicle door (5) with a recess (4) for the door handle (3) of the handle assembly (1), - moving the centering devices (8) of the handle assembly (1) into the engagement position (E), - moving the handle assembly (1) from an inner side (I) of the vehicle door (5) to the recess (4) such that the door handle (3) projects into the recess (4), - aligning the door handle (3) with the recess (4) via the centering devices (8), - fastening the door handle mechanism (2) to the vehicle door (5), and - moving the centering devices (8) from the engagement position (E) to the passive position (P).

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