Improved door handle assembly for a vehicle door

The door handle assembly addresses the issue of deformation and displacement in motorized flush handles by employing a single linking member and elastic biasing mechanism, ensuring uniform mechanical effort distribution and stable operation.

EP4745353A1Pending Publication Date: 2026-05-20MINEBEA ACCESSSOLUTIONS ITALIA SPA
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
EP · EP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
MINEBEA ACCESSSOLUTIONS ITALIA SPA
Filing Date
2024-11-19
Publication Date
2026-05-20

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing motorized flush handles for vehicle doors suffer from deformation and displacement when subjected to high force due to non-uniform mechanical effort distribution, leading to a perception of poor quality.

Method used

A door handle assembly with a linkage mechanism using a single linking member connecting two levers in a parallelogram configuration, ensuring uniform mechanical effort distribution and reducing deformation through a rotatable connection and elastic biasing, combined with a non-reversible actuator and hall-effect sensor for position detection.

Benefits of technology

The solution provides improved mechanical stability and reduced displacement of the grip member, maintaining a flush appearance under varying forces, enhancing the perceived quality and reliability of the handle mechanism.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a door handle assembly (10) for a vehicle (1), the door handle assembly (10) comprising: - a grip member (12); - an actuation system (14), configured to move the grip member (12) between a flush position, in which the grip member (12) is intended to remain flush with an outer surface of a door of a vehicle (1), and a deployed position, in which the grip member (12) is intended to project from the outer surface of the door (2) of the vehicle (1), the actuation system (14) comprising a linkage (16) connecting the grip member (12) to a bracket (18) intended to be fixed relative to the door, and an actuator assembly (20) configured to actuate the linkage (16) to move the grip member (12), the linkage (16) comprising a first lever (22) and a second lever (24), each of the first and second levers (22, 24) being hinged at a first end (220, 240) to the bracket and being hinged at an opposite, second end (222, 242) to the grip member (12), the first and second levers (22, 24) being configured as a parallelogram mechanism, the first lever (22) and second lever (24) being linked together by a single linking member (26), the linking member (26) being rotatably connected at a first end (260) to the first lever (22) by a central part (264), and being rotatably connected at an opposite, second end (262) to the second lever (24) by two arms (266) extending from the central part along a longitudinal direction (L).
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Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention generally relates to vehicles and, more particularly, to a door handle assembly for a vehicle.Background of the invention

[0002] Handle assemblies for vehicle doors generally comprise a handle, a bracket to which the handle is secured and mechanical and / or electronic means configured to unlock the vehicle door and to activate a latch to open the vehicle door.

[0003] Handles for vehicle doors are components having a significant influence on the style of vehicles.

[0004] In this respect, vehicle manufacturers often seek to arrange the handle in the plane of the vehicle door so that it occupies a flush position also called a flush arrangement. A flush handle generally renders the handle as invisible as possible. Moreover, flush handles have the advantage of reducing the aerodynamic noise caused by the rush of air as the vehicle is being driven along.

[0005] A flush handle generally comprises a grip member configured to cooperate with a latch mechanism so as to unlatch the vehicle door. The grip member is movable between a flush position in which it extends flush to an external panel of the vehicle door, a deployed position in which it projects with respect to the external panel and becomes graspable, and an open position in which it cooperates with the latch mechanism to unlatch the vehicle door.

[0006] The grip member is generally connected to an actuator configured to move the grip member to the deployed position so that a user can grasp the grip member to open the vehicle door. This type of flush handle is generally called a motorized flush handle.

[0007] Some motorized flush handles, such as the handle disclosed in document EP 3 581 742, are provided with an actuation system that allows a movement of the handle which is substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the door. Such a kinematics is obtained by an actuation system comprising two levers connected to each other by two rods so as to provide a parallelogram mechanism. However, when the handle is in the deployed position, if a user pushes the handle with a too high intensity, the handle may be displaced by the user because of the deformation of the mechanism. Such a situation is likely to give an impression of poor quality and should therefore be avoided.Summary of the invention

[0008] An object of the invention is to provide a flush motorized handle having a mechanism offering a better mechanical behaviour.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a door handle assembly for a vehicle, the door handle assembly comprising: a grip member; an actuation system, configured to move the grip member between a flush position, in which the grip member is intended to remain flush with an outer surface of a door of a vehicle, and a deployed position, in which the grip member is intended to project from the outer surface of the door of the vehicle, the actuation system comprising a linkage connecting the grip member to a bracket intended to be fixed relative to the door, and an actuator assembly configured to actuate the linkage to move the grip member, the linkage comprising a first lever and a second lever, each of the first and second levers being hinged at a first end to the bracket and being hinged at an opposite, second end to the grip member, the first and second levers being configured as a parallelogram mechanism, the first lever and second lever being linked together by a single linking member, the linking member being rotatably connected at a first end to the first lever by a central part, and being rotatably connected at an opposite, second end to the second lever by two arms extending from the central part along a longitudinal direction.

[0010] According to the invention, providing a single linking member for linking the first and second levers allows ensuring a more uniform distribution of mechanical efforts withstood by the arms, thereby reducing the deformation and displacement of the grip member when a force is applied from the outside.

[0011] The door handle assembly may comprise the following features, considered either alone or in any technically possible combination:

[0012] The two arms are spaced from each other to allow a central part of the second lever to move through the space defined between the two arms.

[0013] The linking member is connected at its first end by a single pin extending through a hole provided in the central part and extending through two holes, each of the two holes being provided in one of two lateral parts of the first lever, the lateral parts of the first lever surrounding a part of the central part of the linking member.

[0014] Each of the two arms of the linking member is connected to the second lever by a pin extending through a hole provided in the respective arm and extending through a respective hole provided in the second lever.

[0015] The hole of each arm of the linking member is an oblong hole.

[0016] One of the arms of the linking member includes a groove cooperating with a lever of the actuator assembly.

[0017] The actuator assembly includes an electric rotary actuator and an output member, such as a cam, configured to move the second lever from a first position, in which the grip member is in the flush position, to a second position, in which the grip member is in the deployed position.

[0018] The output member of the actuator of the actuator assembly is a rotary cam, the actuator assembly and the linkage being configured so that, when the grip member is in the deployed position and a user exerts an external force on the grip member by pushing the grip member towards its flush position, the second lever exerts on the cam a contact force, the direction of the contact force being parallel to a line joining the axis of rotation of the cam and a point of contact between the second lever and the cam.

[0019] The linkage includes an elastic biasing device, the elastic biasing device being configured to bias the second lever towards its first position.

[0020] The actuator of the actuator assembly is a non-reversible actuator.

[0021] One of the arms of the linking member includes two magnets configured to be detected by a hall-effect type sensor fixed relative to the bracket, one of the magnets being configured to be detected by the sensor when the grip member is in the flush position, the other magnet being configured to be detected by the sensor when the grip member is in the deployed position.

[0022] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising at least a door equipped with a door handle assembly as disclosed above.Brief description of the drawings

[0023] Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle equipped with handle assemblies according to the invention. Figure 2 illustrates the grip member of the handle assembly of Figure 1, the grip member being in the flush position. Figure 3 illustrates the grip member of the handle assembly of Figure 1, the grip member being in the deployed position. Figure 4 is an elevation view of a door handle assembly according to the invention. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the door handle assembly of Figure 4, the grip member being in the deployed position. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the linking member. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the handle assembly, the grip member being in the deployed position. Detailed description

[0024] Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle 1 having at least one door 2 equipped with a motorized flush handle assembly 10 according to the invention.

[0025] Figure 4 is an elevation view of a door handle assembly 10, according to the invention. The handle assembly 10 includes a grip member 12 and an actuation system 14. The actuation system 14 is configured to move the grip member 12 between a flush position, in which the grip member 12 remains flush with an outer surface of a door 2 of a vehicle 1, and a deployed position, in which the grip member 12 projects and is offset from the outer surface of the door 2. As shown in Figure 2, the grip member 12 is, in the flush position, flush (or substantially flush) with the outer surface of the door 2. As shown in Figure 3, the grip member 12 is, in the deployed position, offset from the outer surface of the door 2. The deployed position allows the grip member 12 to be grasped by a user to open the door.

[0026] The actuation system 14, shown in Figures 4, 5 and 7, comprises a linkage 16 connecting the grip member 12 to a bracket 18 intended to be fixed relative to the door, and an actuator assembly 20 configured to actuate the linkage 16 to move the grip member 12.

[0027] The linkage 16 comprises a first lever 22 and a second lever 24, each of the first and second levers 22, 24 being hinged at a respective, first end 220, 240 to the bracket 18 and being hinged at a respective, opposite, second end 222, 242 to the grip member 12, the first and second levers 22, 24 being configured (together with the bracket 18 and the grip member 12) as a parallelogram mechanism.

[0028] According to the invention, the first lever 22 and second lever 24 are connected together by a single linking member 26. The linking member 26 is rotatably connected at a first end 260 to the first lever 22, and is rotatably connected at an opposite, second end 262 to the second lever 24. The linking member 26 comprises a central part 264 forming the first end 260 of the linking member. The linking member 26 also comprises two arms 266 extending from the central part 264 to the second end 262 along a longitudinal direction L.

[0029] According to the invention, providing a single linking member for linking the first and second levers 22, 24 allows ensuring a more uniform distribution of mechanical efforts withstood by the arms 266, thereby reducing the deformation and displacement of the grip member 12 when a force is applied from the outside.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, the arms 266 of the linking member 26 are spaced from each other to allow at least a central part 24a of the second lever 24 to move through the space defined between the two arms 266.

[0031] The linking member 26 is connected at its first end 260 by a single pin extending through a hole 264a provided in the central part 264 and extending through two corresponding holes provided in two lateral parts 22a of the first lever 22, the lateral parts 22a of the first lever 22 surrounding a part of the central part 264 of the linking member 26.

[0032] At the second end 262, each of the two arms 266 of the linking member 26 is connected to the second lever 24 by a pin extending through a hole 266a provided in the respective arm 266 and extending through a respective hole provided in the second lever 24. As shown in Figure 6, the holes 266a may have an oblong shape.

[0033] As shown in Figure 6, one of the arms 266 of the linking member 26 may include a groove 266b cooperating with a lever of the actuator assembly 20.

[0034] The actuator assembly 20 includes an electric rotary actuator and an output member, such as a rotary cam 20a (shown in Figures 4, 5 and 7), configured to move the second lever 24 from a first position, in which the grip member 12 is in the flush position, to a second position, in which the grip member 12 is in the deployed position. The linkage 16 may include an elastic biasing device (not shown), the elastic biasing device being configured to bias the second lever 24 towards its first position. The actuator may be a non-reversible actuator.

[0035] In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the actuator assembly 20 and the linkage 16 are configured such that, when the grip member 12 is in the deployed position, a line A joining the axis of rotation B of the cam 20a and the point of contact 24b between the second lever 24 and the cam 20a are parallel to the direction of the contact force F2 exerted by the second lever 24 on the cam 20a when a user pushes on the grip member 12, thereby exerting a force F1 on the grip member. This configuration avoids the cam 20a rotating under the action of the force F2, thereby preventing any movement of the grip member 12.

[0036] One of the arms 266 of the linking member 26 may include two magnets (not shown) configured to be detected by a hall-effect type sensor fixed relative to the bracket 18, one of the magnets being configured to be detected by the sensor when the grip member 12 is in the flush position, the other magnet being configured to be detected by the sensor when the grip member 12 is in the deployed position.

[0037] The linking member may be manufactured by molding, for example by molding a plastic material, or a metallic material, or a composite material.

Claims

1. A door handle assembly (10) for a vehicle (1), the door handle assembly (10) comprising: - a grip member (12); - an actuation system (14), configured to move the grip member (12) between a flush position, in which the grip member (12) is intended to remain flush with an outer surface of a door of a vehicle (1), and a deployed position, in which the grip member (12) is intended to project from the outer surface of the door (2) of the vehicle (1), the actuation system (14) comprising a linkage (16) connecting the grip member (12) to a bracket (18) intended to be fixed relative to the door, and an actuator assembly (20) configured to actuate the linkage (16) to move the grip member (12), the linkage (16) comprising a first lever (22) and a second lever (24), each of the first and second levers (22, 24) being hinged at a first end (220, 240) to the bracket and being hinged at an opposite, second end (222, 242) to the grip member (12), the first and second levers (22, 24) being configured as a parallelogram mechanism, the first lever (22) and second lever (24) being linked together by a single linking member (26), the linking member (26) being rotatably connected at a first end (260) to the first lever (22) by a central part (264), and being rotatably connected at an opposite, second end (262) to the second lever (24) by two arms (266) extending from the central part along a longitudinal direction (L).

2. The door handle assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein the two arms (266) are spaced from each other to allow a central part of the second lever (24) to move through the space defined between the two arms (266).

3. The door handle assembly (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the linking member (266) is connected at its first end (260) by a single pin extending through a hole (264a) provided in the central part (264) and extending through two holes, each of the two holes being provided in one of two lateral parts (22a) of the first lever (22), the lateral parts (22a) of the first lever (22) surrounding a part of the central part (264) of the linking member (26).

4. The door handle assembly (10) according to anyone of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the two arms (266) of the linking member (26) is connected to the second lever (24) by a pin extending through a hole (266a) provided in the respective arm (266) and extending through a respective hole provided in the second lever (24).

5. The door handle assembly (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the hole (266a) of each arm (266) of the linking member is an oblong hole.

6. The door handle assembly (10) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein one of the arms (266) of the linking member (26) includes a groove (266b) cooperating with a lever of the actuator assembly (20).

7. The door handle assembly (10) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator assembly (20) includes an electric rotary actuator and an output member (20a), such as a cam, configured to move the second lever (24) from a first position, in which the grip member (12) is in the flush position, to a second position, in which the grip member (12) is in the deployed position.

8. The door handle assembly (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the output member (20a) of the actuator of the actuator assembly (20) is a rotary cam (20a), the actuator assembly (20) and the linkage (26) being configured so that, when the grip member (12) is in the deployed position and a user exerts an external force (F1) on the grip member by pushing the grip member (12) towards its flush position, the second lever (24) exerts on the cam (20a) a contact force (F2), the direction of the contact force (F2) being parallel to a line (A) joining the axis of rotation (B) of the cam (20a) and a point of contact (24b) between the second lever (24) and the cam (20a).

9. The door handle assembly (10) according to anyone of claims 7 and 8, wherein the linkage (16) includes an elastic biasing device, the elastic biasing device being configured to bias the second lever (24) towards its first position.

10. The door handle assembly (10) according to anyone of claims 7 to 9, wherein the actuator of the actuator assembly (20) is a non-reversible actuator.

11. The door handle assembly (10) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein one of the arms (266) of the linking member (26) includes two magnets configured to be detected by a hall-effect type sensor fixed relative to the bracket (18), one of the magnets being configured to be detected by the sensor when the grip member (12) is in the flush position, the other magnet being configured to be detected by the sensor when the grip member (12) is in the deployed position.

12. A vehicle (1) comprising a door handle assembly (10) according to anyone of the preceding claims.