Vehicle door handle assembly

Abstract

To provide a mechanism for protecting a lock without spoiling an appearance of a vehicle door handle.SOLUTION: A vehicle door handle assembly comprises: a bracket (3) fixed on an inner side of a door panel; a movable handle fastened to the bracket (3), and configured to move between a retracted position where the movable handle flushes with an outer side of the door panel and a deployed position; a security plate (11) comprising a central opening, and configured to be fixed to the bracket (3); and a lock disposed inside the central opening of the security plate (11). The vehicle door handle assembly also includes a plastic cover (21) fastened to the bracket (3) and / or to the security plate (11), and configured to cover the security plate (11). The plastic cover (21) comprises a central opening that receives the lock.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vehicle door handles that control the opening of vehicle doors, and more particularly to retractable vehicle door handles that are configured to move between a retracted position where the handle is flush with the outside of the door panel to reduce resistance as the vehicle moves, and a deployed position where the handle can be grasped by a user to open the door. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicle door handles are typically powered handles with an electric motor that moves the handle from a retracted position to an extended position, and the handle is typically equipped with a wireless control that allows the door to be unlocked and the handle to be extended. However, manual access to the vehicle is also required in emergencies, such as in the event of a dead battery or a malfunction or failure of the wireless control. For this reason, a lock is typically located next to the handle, allowing the user to unlock the vehicle with a key inserted into the lock. However, such locks must be protected from thieves, and the lock and its protection mechanism should be concealed as much as possible to improve the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle door handle. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a solution that overcomes the above-mentioned problems in order to protect the lock without compromising the aesthetics of the vehicle door handle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The present invention relates to a vehicle door handle assembly, the vehicle door handle assembly comprising: - A bracket fixed to the inside of the door panel; a movable handle fastened to the bracket and movable between a stowed position flush with the exterior of the door panel and an extended position; - a security plate having a central opening and secured to said bracket; a lock disposed within the central opening of the security plate; The vehicle door handle assembly also includes a plastic cover fastened to the bracket and / or the security plate and covering the security plate, the plastic cover having a central opening for receiving the lock.

[0005] The plastic cover allows the security plate to be concealed so that its exact location and shape remain unknown, and the handle's appearance remains smooth and uniform with the rest of the handle, even in the deployed position.

[0006] According to another aspect of the invention, the plastic cover is clipped onto the bracket and / or the security plate.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, the plastic cover includes a first pin and a second pin on a first side of the plastic cover configured to be positioned within a first slot and a second slot of the bracket or security plate, respectively, to clip the plastic cover to the bracket and / or the security plate, and a hook on a second side of the plastic cover opposite the first side, the hook being adapted to be introduced into an opening in the bracket or the security plate.

[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, the vehicle door handle assembly also includes a fork that slides laterally with a screw to restrain the lock and / or the security plate in place within the bracket.

[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, the security plate is made of steel.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, the movable handle includes a manual release position that allows the lock to be positioned within a recess in the bracket from outside the vehicle door panel.

[0011] The present invention also relates to a method of assembling the aforementioned vehicle door handle assembly to a door panel, the door panel including an opening, the method comprising: - a first step of installing the security plate on the bracket; a second step of fastening the plastic cover to the bracket and / or the security plate; a third step of positioning the bracket inside the door panel so that the movable handle protrudes through the opening in the door panel; a fourth step of fastening the bracket to the inside of the door panel, for example with screws; a fifth step of setting the movable handle to a manual release position; a sixth step of introducing the lock into the recess of the bracket through the central opening of the security plate and the central opening of the plastic cover; and a seventh step of sliding a transverse threaded fork to lock the lock into place within the bracket.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, the plastic cover is clipped onto the bracket and / or the security plate. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a door panel and the door handle in a retracted position. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the door handle of FIG. 1 in an open position. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the door handle of FIG. 1 in a keyed and open position. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a security plate. [Figure 5a] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the bracket and a security plate. [Figure 5b] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the bracket and a security plate fastened to the bracket. [Figure 6a] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plastic cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6b] FIG. 10 is another perspective view of a plastic cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a plastic cover disposed on the bracket. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a plastic cover fastened to a bracket. [Figure 9] A method for assembling a vehicle door handle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The following examples are illustrative. Although this specification refers to one or more embodiments, this does not imply that each reference refers to the same embodiment or that a feature applies only to a single embodiment. Simple features of different embodiments may be combined to provide other embodiments.

[0015] In the following description, the terms upper, upper, lower, bottom, vertical, horizontal, top and bottom refer to relative positions or orientations of the door handle when assembled on the vehicle.

[0016] The present invention relates to a vehicle door handle assembly 1 that includes a bracket 3 configured to be secured to a door panel 4 and a movable handle 5 configured to fasten to the bracket 3. The bracket 3 is configured to be secured to the inside of the door panel 4, for example, by screws. The movable handle 5 is a retractable handle configured to move between a stored position, shown in FIG. 1, in which the handle 5 is flush with the outside of the door panel 4, and an extended position, shown in FIG. 2, in which a user can grasp the handle 5 and pull it toward an open position. In the open position, a user can access a lock 7 and insert a key 9 into a slot in the lock 7 to manually unlock the door, for example, in the event of a power failure, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0017] Vehicle door handle assembly 1 also includes a security plate 11, also known as a Thatcham plate, that is configured to prevent a thief from accessing lock 7 from the outside of door panel 4 using a sharp object such as a screwdriver or other tool. Security plate 11 is made of a metal material such as steel and is fastened to bracket 3 adjacent recess 6 in bracket 3 that is configured to receive lock 7. Security plate 11 extends around the lock to prevent a thief from reaching the side of the lock with a tool such as a screwdriver.

[0018] Figure 4 shows an example of a security plate 11, which is generally rectangular in shape with three fins 13 on three sides of the rectangle and a central opening 15 through which the lock 7 can be inserted. The security plate 11 also includes a tongue 17 configured to receive a locking screw or fork. The security plate 11 also includes an opening 19 configured to receive a clip means.

[0019] The security plate 11 is configured to be fastened to the bracket 3, as shown in Figures 5a and 5b. The security plate 11 can be clipped onto the bracket 3 or can simply be inserted in a first step. Fastening of the security plate 11 to the bracket 3 can then be done using a fork.

[0020] The vehicle door handle assembly 1 also includes a plastic cover 21 configured to be positioned over the security plate 11 to cover and conceal the security plate 11. The plastic cover 21 has a generally rectangular shape that is at least partially complementary to the shape of the security plate 11. The plastic cover 21 also includes a central opening 23 to allow insertion of the lock 7. The plastic cover 21 can be clipped to the security plate and / or the bracket 3. In this example, the plastic cover 21 includes first and second pins 25 that are parallel to and forward of each other. The first and second pins 25 are configured to be inserted into slots 27 in the bracket 3, as shown in FIG. 7 . Alternatively, the slots can be located in the security plate 11. As shown in FIG. 8 , the plastic cover 21 also includes clipping means, such as hooks 29, located on sides of the plastic cover 21 opposite the first and second pins 25 and configured to be positioned within the openings 19 in the security plate 11. Alternatively, the openings can be located in the bracket 3. Therefore, by introducing the first pin and the second pin 25 into the slot 27 and then rotating the plastic cover 21 to insert the hook 29 into the opening 19 as shown by arrow A in FIG. 8, the plastic cover 21 can be fastened to the bracket and / or the security plate 11.

[0021] Vehicle door handle assembly 1 also includes a lock or key cylinder 7 configured to be introduced into a recess in bracket 3 accessible through central openings 15 and 23 in security plate 11 and plastic cover 21, respectively. The lock can be restrained in place within the recess in the bracket by a fork 31, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, configured for displacement in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the recess, as indicated by arrow B in FIG. 8. Fork 31 can be displaced by a screw protruding from a hole in tongue 17 to prevent axial displacement of security plate 11.

[0022] The lock 7 can be placed in the recess 6 of the bracket 3 after the bracket 3 is secured to the vehicle door panel 4. To that end, the movable handle 5 can be provided with a manual release position that allows the movable handle 5 to be rotated to an extent that the lock 7 can be introduced and placed in the recess 6 of the bracket 3 from outside the vehicle door panel 4 (when the bracket 3 is secured to the inside of the vehicle door panel 4).

[0023] The security plate 11 and plastic cover 21 can be assembled to the bracket 3 before the bracket 3 is fixed to the vehicle door panel 4. The movable handle 5 can also be fastened to the bracket 3 before the bracket 3 is fixed to the vehicle door panel 4.

[0024] The present invention also refers to a method for assembling the aforementioned vehicle door handle assembly 1 to a door panel with an opening.

[0025] FIG. 9 shows a flow chart of the various steps of the method.

[0026] The first step 101 refers to the placement of security plate 11 on bracket 3, as shown in Figures 5a and 5b. Security plate 11 is positioned so that its central opening 15 is in front of recess 6 configured to receive lock 7. Security plate 11 can be fastened to bracket 3 by, for example, clipping, force insertion, or any other suitable fastening means.

[0027] The second step 102 refers to fastening the plastic cover 21 to the bracket 3 and / or the security plate 11. In this case, the plastic cover 21 is fastened to the bracket 3 on one side and to the security plate 11 on the other side. In fact, as shown in FIG. 7, the plastic cover 21 is first placed on the bracket 3, and in particular, the first and second pins 25 are inserted into the slots 27 of the bracket 3. Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the plastic cover 21 is rotated and its hooks 29 are inserted into the openings 19 of the security plate 11.

[0028] The third step 103 refers to placing the bracket 3 inside the door panel 4 and having the movable handle 5 protrude through the opening in the door panel 4.

[0029] The fourth step 104 refers to fixing the bracket 3 to the inside of the door panel 4. This fixing is done, for example, by screws.

[0030] A fifth step 105 refers to setting the movable handle 5 in a manual release or open position. Indeed, the movable handle 5 needs to be in the open position to allow the lock 7 to be deployed.

[0031] A sixth step 106 refers to introducing the lock 7 into the recess 6 of the bracket 3 through the central opening 15 of the security plate 11 and the central opening 23 of the plastic cover 21 .

[0032] Seventh step 107 refers to sliding the transverse threaded fork 31 to lock the lock 7 in place within the bracket 3. The transverse screw is also configured to pass through a hole in the tongue 17 of the security plate 11 to lock the security plate 11 in place on the bracket 3.

[0033] The steps of the method may be performed in different orders, some steps may be performed simultaneously, and some steps may be optional. For example, lock 7 may be fastened to bracket 3 before bracket 3 is secured to the inside of door panel 4.

[0034] In this way, the use of plastic cover 21 conceals security plate 11, on the one hand preventing thieves from knowing the exact location of security plate 11, and on the other hand providing a smooth aesthetic appearance for vehicle door handle assembly 1 during use. Indeed, plastic cover 21 can be painted the same color as the cover of movable handle 5, and possibly the same color as door panel 4, in order to provide a uniform appearance even when movable handle 5 is in the extended position, allowing a user to access lock 7 and introduce key 9 to enter their vehicle in the event of, for example, a power outage. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1 Vehicle Door Handle Assembly 3 Bracket 4 door panels 5 Movable handle 6 recess 7. Rock 9 Key 11 Security Plate 13 Finn 15 Central opening 17 Tongue 19 Opening 21 Plastic Cover 23 Central opening 25-pin 27 slots 29 Hook 31 Fork

Claims

1. The vehicle door handle assembly comprises: - a bracket (3) fixed to the inside of the door panel (4); - a movable handle (5) fastened to the bracket (3) and adapted to move between a stowed position flush with the outer side of the door panel (4) and an extended position; - a security plate (11) with a central opening (15) and fixed to said bracket (3); - a lock (7) arranged in the central opening (15) of the security plate (11); The vehicle door handle assembly (1) also includes a plastic cover (21) fastened to the bracket (3) and / or the security plate (11) and covering the security plate (11), the plastic cover (21) having a central opening (23) for receiving the lock (7).

2. 2. The vehicle door handle assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the plastic cover (21) is clipped onto the bracket (3) and / or the security plate (11).

3. 3. The vehicle door handle assembly (1) according to claim 2, wherein the plastic cover (21) comprises a first pin (25) and a second pin (25) provided on a first side of the plastic cover (21) and disposed in a first slot (27) and a second slot (27) of the bracket (3) or the security plate (11), respectively, for clipping the plastic cover (21) to the bracket (3) and / or the security plate (11), and a hook (29) provided on a second side of the plastic cover opposite the first side and introduced into an opening (19) of the bracket (3) or the security plate (11).

4. 4. A vehicle door handle assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a fork (31) that slides laterally by means of a screw to hold the lock (7) and / or the security plate (11) in place within the bracket (3).

5. 4. The vehicle door handle assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the security plate (11) is made of steel.

6. 4. The vehicle door handle assembly (1) of claim 1, wherein the movable handle (5) has a manual release position that allows the lock (7) to be positioned in a recess (6) in the bracket (3) from outside the door panel (4).

7. 4. A method of assembling a vehicle door handle assembly (1) to a door panel (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the door panel (4) includes an opening, the method comprising: a first step (101) of installing said security plate (11) on said bracket (3); a second step (102) of fastening the plastic cover (21) to the bracket (3) and / or the security plate (11); a third step (103) of placing the bracket (3) inside the door panel (4) so that the movable handle (5) protrudes through the opening in the door panel (4); a fourth step (104) of fixing said bracket (3) to the inside of said door panel (4) with screws; a fifth step (105) of setting the movable handle (5) in a manual release position; a sixth step (106) of introducing the lock (7) into the recess (6) of the bracket (3) through the central opening (15) of the security plate (11) and the central opening (23) of the plastic cover (21); and a seventh step (107) of sliding a transverse threaded fork (31) to lock the lock (7) in place in the bracket (3).

8. 8. The method for assembling a vehicle door handle assembly (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the plastic cover (21) is clipped onto the bracket (3) and / or the security plate (11).

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