ANTI-G SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLE DOOR HANDLE AND DOOR HANDLE COMPRISING SUCH A SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to an anti-g system (1) for a door handle which comprises: a counterweight configured to block an element of an external door handle opening control; a blocking part (3) of said counterweight, said part (3) being configured to take a blocking position, in which the blocking part (3) blocks the movement of the counterweight; a blocking blade (5) configured to block the part (3) in the blocking position; characterized in that said blade (5) has two parts (13, 15) connected by a fold: – the first part (13) being configured to be fixed to an element of said handle; – the second part (15) comprising a stop (15b), the second part (15) being configured to have a blocking position in which the stop (15b) bears against the blocking part (3) and prevents any movement of the part (3). Figure to be published with the abstract: [Fig. 2]

Description

Title of the invention: ANTI-G SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLE DOOR HANDLE AND DOOR HANDLE COMPRISING SUCH A SYSTEM

[0001] The present invention relates to the general field of passive safety of motor vehicles, and more particularly to the field of protection of occupants in the event of a vehicle-to-vehicle side impact.

[0002] The invention thus relates to the field of motor vehicle doors, and more particularly to the field of door handles comprising exterior opening controls.

[0003] Indeed, during an accident, particularly during side impacts between two vehicles, regulatory requirements and Euro NCAP standards require that the vehicle doors must not open, as this is associated with a risk of ejection of the occupants.

[0004] Among the set of solutions implemented on the car, the door handles of the vehicle thus comprise a pull handle, a bracket on which said pull handle is mounted, and an opening and closing control, as well as a system called an “anti-g system” (or “inertia lock” in English) which makes it possible to block the door handle during impact to prevent a “handle pull” due to the inertia effect leading to the door opening.

[0005] The anti-g system is therefore a system acting by inertia on moving parts (of significant masses) of the opening control to prevent their movement by inertial forces, in particular during an accident, causing the door to open.

[0006] Anti-g systems can adopt diverse and varied architectures and technologies, each of which has its advantages and disadvantages; however, one of the drawbacks of some of these anti-g systems is their behavior linked to vibrations, in particular vibrations of all the components of the door handle.

[0007] [Fig.4] thus illustrates a schematic, partial and perspective view from above of a anti-g system 100 of the prior art mounted in a handle P of an automobile door. The handle P comprises a stirrup 103, a pull handle mounted on said stirrup, a counterweight 105 in mechanical connection with said pull handle (not shown), the anti-g system 100 being configured to block the handle P during an impact. The door handle P also comprises an external door opening control (not shown) in mechanical connection with the pull handle, the movement of the pull handle causing the door to open.

[0008] In addition, the anti-g system 100 thus comprises at least one “blocker” or part of blocking 107 configured to block the counterweight 105 and prevent, in the event of an impact or accident, the movement of the pull handle, and thus prevent any opening of the door via the door handle.

[0009] Thus, when a motor vehicle door is opened, the pull handle is pulled by the user, the counterweight 105 influencing the pulling force to be exerted on said pull handle. However, during an accident, the anti-g system 100, and in particular the blocking part 107, comes to bear against the counterweight 105 and blocks its movement, to prevent the movement of the pull handle which causes the door to open.

[0010] However, the blocking part 107 of the anti-g system, in order to fulfill its function, must maintain a position in which there is blocking (of the movement) of the counterweight 107, and for this it is usual for said anti-g system 100 to comprise a metal blade 109 (or strip) configured to be positioned in abutment against the blocking part 107 and prevent any movement (of the blocking part), and therefore maintain the blocking part 107 in a position for blocking the counterweight 105.

[0011] However, this locking blade 109 has the defect of being sensitive to vibrations. Indeed, during an accident or an impact, the locking blade 109 may be subjected to excessive vibrations which prevent the locking blade 109 from coming into sufficient contact (in intensity and / or duration) against the locking part 107, and does not prevent said locking part 107 from returning to its initial position, that is to say a position where the locking part 107 does not prevent the movement of the counterweight 105 of the door handle (therefore by extension which does not prevent the counterweight from being held in a position blocking the opening of the door).

[0012] The behavior of such an anti-g system 100, which does not guarantee that a door will not open during an accident, is of course not acceptable and must be improved for the safety of the vehicle passengers and to best meet the regulatory requirements and the various safety standards relating to motor vehicles.

[0013] The present invention thus proposes to remedy at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a new type of anti-g system for a motor vehicle door handle, said system comprising: - a counterweight configured to block (directly or indirectly) an element of an exterior door handle opening control; - a locking part for said counterweight, said locking part being configured to take at least two distinct positions, a first position, called the initial position, in which the locking part does not block the movement of the counterweight, and a second position, called the locking position, in which the locking part blocks the movement of the counterweight; - a locking blade configured to lock the locking part in the locking position; characterized in that said locking blade has at least two parts, called respectively first and second parts, connected by a fold (or a crease): - the first part being configured to be fixed to a member of the door handle (such as a door handle bracket); - the second part comprising a locking stop, said second part being configured to have at least two positions, a first position, called the rest position, in which the second part is in pre-stressed support against the locking part, and a second position, called the locking position, in which the stop is in support against the locking part and prevents any movement of the locking part.

[0014] The anti-g system according to the invention thus comprises a locking blade having a fold or an elbow which makes it possible to reduce the characteristic vibration length of the blade, but also to reduce the length of the locking blade, making it less sensitive to vibrations which can prevent the locking part from being locked in a position which blocks any movement of the counterweight.

[0015] According to a possible characteristic, the first part and the second part of the locking blade have a substantially orthogonal angle between them. The bend or elbow of the locking blade is therefore substantially orthogonal, this has the advantage of making the locking blade more compact, but also of being able to use this bend as an element to be put under prestressing. The locking blade thus has a substantially inverted L shape.

[0016] According to another possible characteristic, the locking stop comprises a face which acts as a stop when the locking blade is in the locking position, as well as an edge in contact with the locking part when the locking blade is in the rest position.

[0017] According to another possible characteristic, the stop of the locking blade is a folded portion of the second part (of the locking blade). The locking stop is advantageously formed directly into the locking blade, by folding or stamping, this allowing simple and inexpensive manufacture of said blade.

[0018] According to another possible characteristic, the second part of the locking blade has a length of less than 8 mm, and preferably less than 6 mm, and even more preferably less than 4 mm. The structure of the locking blade according to the invention makes it possible to reduce its length, and thus to minimize the impact of vibrations on said blade.

[0019] According to another possible characteristic, the locking part has an axis of rotation (around which said locking part is able to rotate), the first part of the locking blade being fixed along an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the locking part. Advantageously, the locking blade is fixed for example on the stirrup of the door handle and along an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the locking part, this so that the locking blade is as close as possible to the locking part and its length is minimized, this in order to reduce the influence of vibrations on said locking blade.

[0020] According to another possible characteristic, the second part of the locking blade extends substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the locking part. This arrangement of the second part of the blade allows, among other things, to reduce the length of the locking blade, and to provide an effective solution to the locking of the locking part.

[0021] According to another possible characteristic, the locking blade is made of metal, such as aluminum, steel or a steel alloy.

[0022] According to another possible characteristic, when the locking blade is in the locking position, a portion of the second part is in contact with the locking part. The combination of the stop and a portion of the second part in contact with the locking part advantageously makes it possible to reduce the influence of vibrations on the locking blade.

[0023] The invention also relates to a door handle for a motor vehicle, characterized in that said handle comprises an anti-g system as defined above.

[0024] The subject of the invention further relates to a motor vehicle, for example thermal, hybrid or electric, characterized in that said vehicle comprises a door handle as defined above.

[0025] The invention will be better understood, and other aims, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given solely for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - [Fig.l] illustrates a partial schematic and three-quarter perspective view from above of an anti-g system according to the invention in a first position; - [[Fig.2]] is a schematic view of the anti-g system of [Fig.l] in a second position; - [Fig.3] illustrates a schematic, enlarged and perspective view of a locking blade of the anti-g system of [Fig.l] and [Fig.2]; - [Fig.4] illustrates a schematic, partial and perspective view from above of a prior art anti-g system mounted in a door handle bracket.

[0026] In the following description, the term "comprise" is synonymous with "include" and is not limiting in that it allows the presence of other elements in the vehicle, or the structure to which it relates. It is understood that the term "comprise" includes the terms "consist of". Furthermore, it will be noted that in the different figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

[0027] In the present application, it will be noted that "substantially parallel" means a direction deviating by at most 20°, or even by at most 10° or by at most 5° from a parallel direction. It will also be noted that "substantially orthogonal" means a direction deviating by at most 20°, or even by at most 10° or by at most 5° from an angle of a value of 90°.

[0028] [Fig.l] illustrates a partial schematic and three-quarter perspective view from the top of an anti-g system 1 intended to be mounted or integrated into a door handle (not shown) of a motor vehicle.

[0029] The vehicle door handle thus comprises a stirrup (not shown), a pull handle (not shown) mounted on said stirrup, an external opening control (not shown) mechanically connected to the pull handle, as well as the anti-g system 1.

[0030] The anti-g 1 system thus comprises: - a counterweight (not shown) configured to block, directly or indirectly, an element of an exterior door handle opening control, such an element also being able to be the pull handle of said door handle; - a locking part 3 of said counterweight, said locking part 3 being configured to take at least two distinct positions; - a locking blade 5 configured to lock the locking part 3, i.e. prevent or forestall any movement of the locking part 3.

[0031] Thus, the counterweight is configured, during an accident or impact, to move under the effect of inertial forces and block an element of an exterior door handle opening control, thus preventing any untimely opening of the vehicle door.

[0032] The blocking part 3 is, for its part, configured to move, also during an accident or an impact, into a position where the blocking part 3 holds the counterweight in a position where the counterweight prevents any opening of the door.

[0033] Thus, the locking part 3 can have or take at least two distinct positions: - a first position, called the initial position, in which the blocking part 3 does not block the movement of the counterweight; - a second position, called the locking position, in which the locking part 3 blocks the movement of the counterweight, and therefore maintains the counterweight in a position blocking the door from opening.

[0034] It will also be noted that the counterweight, the locking piece 3 and the locking blade 5 are advantageously mounted and / or fixed on the stirrup of the door handle.

[0035] The locking part 3 is for example made of plastic material, such as polypropylene filled or not with glass fibers, and has an axis of rotation 7 around which said locking part 3 is able to rotate. The locking blade 5, for its part, is advantageously a metal blade (or strip), for example made of aluminum, steel or steel alloy, advantageously made by folding.

[0036] The locking part 3 also comprises: - a locking portion 9, for example in the form of a hook, configured to cooperate with the counterweight, the mechanical cooperation of the locking portion 9 with the counterweight preventing any movement of said counterweight; - a receiving portion 11 configured to receive at least part of the locking blade 5 It should be noted that the reception 11 and blocking 9 portions may be distinct or combined.

[0037] The locking blade 5, more particularly illustrated in [Fig. 3], comprises at least two parts 13 and 15, called respectively first 13 and second 15 parts, connected by a fold 17 or an elbow (substantially at a right angle). The first part 13 and the second part 15 of the locking blade 5 have a substantially orthogonal angle between them. The locking blade 5 thus has a substantially L-shaped (inverted) shape.

[0038] The first part 13 of the locking blade 5 is thus configured to be fixed to an element of the door handle, for example here to one of the faces of the stirrup. In addition, the first part 13 is advantageously fixed to the stirrup by means of a fixing member (not shown) such as a screw, a rivet, etc., and a fixing orifice 13a, this along an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation 7 of the locking part 3. The second part 15 of the locking blade 5 extends, for its part, substantially parallel to the axis of rotation 7 of the locking part 3.

[0039] The second part 15 of the locking blade 5 further comprises: - a main part 15a which is in a plane substantially orthogonal to the plane in which the first part 13 of the blade 5 extends; - a locking stop 15b configured to block or prevent any movement of the locking part 3 as soon as the latter is itself in the counterweight locking position.

[0040] The locking stop 15b is advantageously produced by folding the locking blade 5, and more particularly its second part 15. The stop 15b is thus a portion of blade 5 which extends in a plane substantially orthogonal to the plane main extension of the second part 15 (in particular of the main part 15a). The locking stop 15 comprises a face (not visible) which acts as a stop when the locking blade 5 is in the locking position, as well as a free edge 15c.

[0041] The locking blade 5 is thus also configured to have at least two distinct positions: - a first position, called the rest position, more particularly illustrated in [Fig.l], in which the second part 15 of the blade 5 is supported, and prestressed at the level of the fold 17, against the locking part 3, more particularly against the receiving portion 11; - a second position, called the locking position, more particularly illustrated in [Fig.2], in which the stop 15b bears against the locking part 3 and prevents any rotational movement of the locking part 3.

[0042] Indeed, in the rest position, the free edge 15c of the stop 15b bears against the receiving portion 11 of the locking part 3, thus placing the locking blade 5 under stress, more particularly at the level of the fold 17. When the edge 15c bears against the receiving portion 11, the fold 17 then has an angle greater than the rest angle (or usual angle) of the fold 17, causing the locking blade 5 to be put under tension.

[0043] Then, as soon as the locking part 3 moves in rotation to be in the counterweight locking position, the receiving portion 11 also moves and the edge 15c is no longer in contact with the receiving portion 11. The second part 15 of the blade 5 is then no longer constrained, releasing the second part 15 and causing it to return to a rest position. The stop 15b and the main part 15a then come to bear against the locking part 5 (on two separate faces of the receiving portion 11), the stop 15b preventing any rotational movement, in particular a reverse rotation, of the locking part 3 from a counterweight locking position to a non-counterweight locking position.

[0044] It will be noted that the second part 15 of the locking blade 5 has a length less than 8 mm, and preferably less than 6 mm, and even more preferably less than 4 mm. Furthermore, the stop 15b arranged on the second part 15 can be produced on one or other of the lateral sides of the second part 15 (i.e. the sides adjacent to the side of the fold 17).

[0045] In a variant embodiment of the invention not shown, the second part 15 comprises only a free edge acting as a locking stop.

Claims

Claims

1. Anti-g system (1) for a motor vehicle door handle, said system (1) comprising: - a counterweight configured to block an element of an external door handle opening control; - a blocking part (3) of said counterweight, said blocking part (3) being configured to take at least two distinct positions, a first position, called the initial position, in which the blocking part (3) does not block the movement of the counterweight, and a second position, called the blocking position, in which the blocking part (3) blocks the movement of the counterweight; - a blocking blade (5) configured to block the blocking part (3) in the blocking position; characterized in that said blocking blade (5) has at least two parts (13, 15), called respectively first (13) and second (15) parts, connected by a fold: - the first part (13) being configured to be fixed to an element of the door handle;- the second part (15) comprising a locking stop (15b), said second part (15) being configured to have at least two positions, a first position, called the rest position, in which the second part (15) is in pre-stressed abutment against the locking part (3), and a second position, called the locking position, in which the stop (15b) is in abutment against the locking part (3) and prevents any movement of the locking part (3).;

2. Anti-g system (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first part (13) and the second part (15) of the locking blade (5) have a substantially orthogonal angle between them.

3. Anti-g system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking stop (15b) comprises a face which acts as a stop when the locking blade (5) is in the locking position, as well as an edge (15c) in contact with the locking part (3) when the locking blade is in the rest position.

4. Anti-g system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop of the second part is a folded portion of the second part.

5. Anti-g system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims- preceding, characterized in that the second part (15) of the locking blade (5) has a length of less than 8 mm, and preferably less than 6 mm.

6. Anti-g system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking part (3) has an axis of rotation (7), the first part (13) of the locking blade (5) being fixed along an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation (7) of the locking part (3).

7. Anti-g system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second part (15) of the locking blade (5) extends substantially parallel to the axis of rotation (7) of the locking part (3).

8. Anti-g system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, when the locking blade (5) is in the locking position, a portion of the second part (15) is in contact with the locking piece (3).

9. Door handle for a motor vehicle, characterized in that said handle comprises an anti-g system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Motor vehicle, characterized in that said vehicle comprises a door handle according to the preceding claim.

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