Actuation unit, arm rest and vehicle door

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuation unit for a vehicle door with a window-lift actuation element (7) and a handle shell (9), wherein the window-lift actuation element (7) is arranged in a handle shell recess (11) delimited towards the outside by the handle shell (9). According to the invention, a door-lock actuation lever of the actuation unit (5) is formed by the handle shell (9).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Operating unit, armrest and vehicle door

[0003] The invention relates to an actuating unit according to the preamble of claim 1, according to claim 5 to an armrest for a vehicle door with such an actuating unit and according to claim 9 to a vehicle door with such an armrest.

[0004] A generic actuating unit on an armrest of a vehicle door comprises an interior door actuating lever, a handle, and a window lifter actuating lever. The window lifter actuating lever is arranged in a handle recess defined outwardly by the handle, so that a vehicle occupant can reach between the window lifter actuating lever and the handle with a finger to operate the window lifter actuating lever. With this actuating unit, both the window lifter actuating lever and the interior door actuating lever can be pivoted about their respective pivot axes independently of the handle. Providing this independent pivoting mobility disadvantageously requires increased installation space for the actuating unit, particularly with regard to width, as well as high manufacturing costs.

[0005] An integral part for a vehicle door is known from DE 103 30 890 B4.

[0006] An object of the invention is to provide an actuating unit which is space-saving and can be produced more cost-effectively than known actuating units.

[0007] This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Preferred developments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims.

[0008] According to the invention, an actuating unit for a vehicle door is proposed, comprising a window lift actuating element and a handle shell, wherein the window lift actuating element is arranged in a handle shell recess delimited outwardly by the handle shell. According to the invention, a door lock actuating lever of the actuating unit is formed by the handle shell, preferably at least partially or completely. Alternatively or additionally, according to the invention, a door lock actuating lever of the actuating unit is connected and / or motion-coupled to the handle shell, preferably of the same material and / or in one piece. This has the advantage that the actuating unit is space-saving, particularly narrow with respect to the vehicle's transverse direction, and can be manufactured cost-effectively.

[0009] For example, it can be provided that the window lifter actuating element is designed and / or suitable for, preferably electrically, controlling a window lifter, preferably an electric window lifter, for a window of a vehicle door. Alternatively, however, it can also be provided that the window lifter actuating element is designed and / or suitable for, preferably electrically controlling a door locking device of one or more vehicle doors of a vehicle. In this context, a door locking device can be understood as a device by means of which the door locks of the vehicle doors can be locked, for example after the vehicle has been parked, so that they cannot be opened, preferably from the outside by simply operating a door handle.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, it can be provided that the handle shell is designed and / or suitable for controlling a door lock, preferably a rotary latch, of the vehicle door when the handle shell is actuated. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the handle shell is designed and / or suitable for controlling the door lock, preferably the rotary latch, when the handle shell is actuated in such a way that the vehicle door opens and / or that the rotary latch is disengaged from a locking bolt of the vehicle door. The handle shell thus assumes the complete function of a door lock operating lever in known vehicle doors. The operating unit therefore has a significantly higher degree of functional integration compared to known operating units.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the window lifter actuating element can be formed by a pivoting lever, wherein the window lifter actuating element can preferably be mounted on the handle shell so that it can rotate about a secondary pivot axis. Configuring the window lifter actuating element as a pivoting lever represents a particularly convenient option.

[0012] Alternatively, the window lifter actuating element can be formed by a push button, wherein the window lifter actuating element can preferably be displaceably mounted on the handle, preferably in the direction of extension of the handle recess. The push button represents an alternative to the pivot lever, which is particularly advantageous if other functions, such as the window lifter, are to be activated using the window lifter actuating element. One such other function can be locking the vehicle doors.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the window lifter actuating element can be mounted on the handle shell in such a way that the window lifter actuating element can be moved and / or pivoted independently of the movement of the handle shell. Alternatively or additionally, the window lifter actuating element can be mounted on the handle shell in such a way that actuation of the window lifter actuating element does not cause actuation of the handle shell. This has the advantage that the two functions—pivoting the window lifter actuating element and pivoting the handle shell—are provided completely independently of one another and do not adversely affect one another.

[0014] Preferably, it can be provided that the actuating unit is designed and / or suitable for blocking and / or locking the actuation of the handle shell or the door lock actuating lever when the window lifter actuating element is actuated.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, the actuating unit can be designed and / or adapted to block and / or disable the operation of the window lifter actuating element when the handle or door lock actuating lever is actuated. This provides a simple way to prevent unintentional double actuation.

[0016] According to the invention, an armrest for a vehicle door with an actuating unit as described above is also proposed.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment of the armrest, the actuating unit can be integrated and / or built into the armrest. This ensures that no components of the actuating unit protrude beyond the outer contour of the armrest, allowing the armrest to be used comfortably by the vehicle occupants. Furthermore, the actuating unit is easily accessible to the vehicle occupants.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment of the armrest, the handle shell can be pivoted about a main pivot axis, preferably mounted on the armrest. The forces required to open the vehicle door are thus transmitted to the armrest. Since the armrest is a structurally robust component, it provides a particularly stable counter-bearing for the handle shell.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the armrest, the main pivot axis can be provided to extend parallel or coaxially to the secondary pivot axis. This results in a similar movement sequence for both the window lifter actuator and the handle shell for opening the vehicle door. This increases operating comfort for the vehicle occupants.

[0020] The invention further proposes a vehicle door with an armrest as described above. Preferably, the handle shell is mechanically connected, preferably via a Bowden cable, to a door lock of the vehicle door, preferably a rotary latch of the vehicle door. By pivoting the handle shell, the door lock of the vehicle door can thus be unlocked with minimal force.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment of the vehicle door, it can be provided that the window lifter actuating element is electrically connected to a window lifter of the vehicle door or electrically to a locking device of the door lock, preferably a rotary latch of the vehicle door. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the actuating unit at the front end of the armrest is connected to the armrest and / or integrated into the armrest and / or built into the armrest. The window lifter actuating element can thus be used for different purposes. For example, for opening and closing a window of the vehicle door or for locking the door lock of the vehicle door. The function of locking the door lock (lock-unlock function) can be considered in particular for the installation of the actuating unit in the driver-side vehicle door.

[0022] Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0023] They show:

[0024] Figures 1 and 2 each show a perspective view of an interior door panel of a vehicle door with an armrest connected to an actuating unit, and Figures 3 to 7 each show a sectional view of the actuating unit according to Figures 1 and 2 in different switching positions.

[0025] Figures 1 and 2 each show a vehicle door 1 of a vehicle, specifically, here purely as an example, a passenger-side door. The vehicle door 1 has an armrest 3 and an actuating unit 5.

[0026] The armrest 3 is connected to the vehicle door 1. The actuating unit 5 is installed and / or integrated into the armrest 3 at the front end of the vehicle. The actuating unit 5 has a window lifter actuating element 7 and a handle shell 9. The handle shell 9 has a handle tab 10 projecting toward the front of the vehicle.

[0027] The window lifter actuating element 7 is electrically connected to a window lifter (not shown) of the vehicle door 1 and controls the window lifter accordingly. It is formed, here merely by way of example, by a pivoting lever. The pivoting lever has three switching positions: a neutral position, an open position, and a closed position. The neutral position is located between the open position, in which the window lifter is controlled to open a window of the vehicle door 1, and the closed position, in which the window lifter is controlled to close the window of the vehicle door 1.

[0028] The window lifter actuating element 7 is arranged in a handle recess 11 defined by the handle recess 9 downwards from the vehicle. This is done, by way of example only, in such a way that the window lifter actuating element 7 does not protrude from the handle recess 11 in its neutral position, as shown, for example, in Figure 3. Furthermore, the window lifter actuating element 7 is mounted on an inner wall of the handle recess 9 so as to be pivotable about a secondary pivot axis S2. The secondary pivot axis S2 extends essentially in the transverse direction of the vehicle.

[0029] The handle shell 9 of the actuating unit 5 provides the handle shell recess 11 so that a vehicle occupant can reach under the window lifter actuating element 7 with a finger, in particular to adjust the window lifter actuating element 7 to the open position. In addition, the handle shell 9 also forms a door lock actuating lever. For this purpose, the handle shell 9 is mounted on the armrest 3 so that it can pivot about a main pivot axis S1. Furthermore, the handle shell 9 is mechanically connected to a door lock, preferably a rotary latch of the door lock of the vehicle door 1. If the handle shell 9 is actuated, i.e., in this case merely by way of example, pivoted upwards or raised, the door lock, preferably a rotary latch of the door lock, is controlled such that the rotary latch is disengaged from a locking bolt of the vehicle door, and the vehicle door 1 can then be opened.

[0030] In particular, to prevent accidental opening of the vehicle door 1 when actuating the window lifter actuating element 7, the window lifter actuating element 7 is mounted on the handle shell in such a way that the window lifter actuating element 7 can be moved and / or pivoted independently of the movement of the handle shell 9. This means that actuating the window lifter actuating element 7 does not cause the handle shell 9 to be actuated. Conversely, however, the window lifter actuating element 7 pivots together with the handle shell 9, for example, when pivoting the handle shell 9 about the main pivot axis S1. The window lifter actuating element 7, however, remains in its neutral position.

[0031] Also to prevent accidental opening of the vehicle door 1, the main pivot axis S1 and the secondary pivot axis S2 extend parallel and spaced from each other, here only as an example. The main pivot axis S1 is spaced from the secondary pivot axis S2 to the rear of the vehicle. Furthermore, the secondary pivot axis S2 can be arranged vertically behind the main pivot axis S1 by a certain vertical distance.

[0032] In Figures 3 to 7, the actuating unit 5 is shown in a sectional view perpendicular to a sectional plane A shown in Figure 1 and in different switching positions. In Figure 3, the window lifter actuating element 7 is in its neutral position. The same applies to the handle shell 9, which is also in its neutral position.

[0033] In Figure 4, the handle shell 9 is in its open position, in which the door lock, preferably the rotary latch of the door lock, is disengaged from a locking bolt of the vehicle door 1. In particular, by looking at Figures 3 and 4 together, it can be seen that pivoting the handle shell 9 also pivots the window lifter actuating element 7, without the window lifter actuating element 7 being actuated. For comparison, the handle shell 9 is indicated in its neutral position according to Figure 3 in the background of Figure 4. In Figure 5, the handle shell 9 is in its neutral position, whereas the window lifter actuating element 7 is adjusted to its open position. In particular, by looking at Figures 3 and 5 together, it can be seen that the window lifter actuating element 7 can be moved and / or actuated completely independently of the handle shell 9.

[0034] In Figure 6, the window lifter actuating element 7 is in its closed position. In particular, by looking at Figures 3 and 6 together, it can be seen that the window lifter actuating element 7 can be moved and / or actuated completely independently of the handle shell 9, even with regard to the closed position.

[0035] In Figure 7, the handle shell 9 is in its closed position, in which the door lock, preferably the rotary latch, is locked in such a way that the door lock or the door latch cannot be opened from the outside simply by operating a door handle. The window lifter actuating element 7 is in its neutral position. For comparison, the handle shell 9 is shown in its neutral position according to Figure 3 in the background of Figure 7.

[0036] In Figures 3 to 7, the window lifter actuating element 7 is arranged in the handle shell 9, merely by way of example, such that the window lifter actuating element 7 points toward the front of the vehicle. Of course, it is also possible to arrange the window lifter actuating element 7 in the handle shell 9 such that the window lifter actuating element 7 points toward the rear of the vehicle. The secondary pivot axis S2 is then arranged such that the window lifter actuating element 7 is pivoted toward the front of the vehicle from the neutral position to the open position or the closed position.

[0037] List of reference symbols

[0038] I Vehicle door

[0039] 3 armrest

[0040] 5 Actuating unit

[0041] 7 Window lifter actuator

[0042] 9 Handle

[0043] II Grip recess

[0044] A cutting plane

[0045] 51 Main pivot axis

[0046] 52 Secondary swivel axis

Claims

Patent claims 1. Actuating unit for a vehicle door, comprising: a window lifter actuating element (7), and a handle shell (9), wherein the window lifter actuating element (7) is arranged in a handle shell recess (11) delimited outwards by the handle shell (9), characterized in that a door lock actuating lever of the actuating unit (5) is formed by the handle shell (9), preferably at least partially, and / or that a door lock actuating lever of the actuating unit (5) is connected and / or movement-coupled to the handle shell (9), preferably of the same material and / or in one piece.

2. Actuating unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle shell (9) is designed and / or is suitable for controlling a door lock, preferably a rotary latch, of the vehicle door (1) when the handle shell (9) is actuated, and / or that the handle shell (9) is designed and / or is suitable for controlling a door lock, preferably a rotary latch, of the vehicle door (1) when the handle shell (9) is actuated in such a way that the vehicle door (1) opens and / or that the rotary latch is disengaged from a locking bolt of the vehicle door (1).

3. Actuating unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the window lifter actuating element (7) is formed by a pivoting lever, wherein it is preferably provided that the window lifter actuating element (7) is mounted on the handle shell (9) so as to be rotatable about a secondary pivot axis (S2).

4. Actuating unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the window lifter actuating element (7) is mounted on the handle shell (9) in such a way that the window lifter actuating element (7) is movable and / or pivotable independently of the movement of the handle shell (9), and / or that the window lifter actuating element (7) is mounted on the handle shell (9) in such a way that actuation of the window lifter actuating element (7) does not cause actuation of the handle shell (9).

5. Armrest for a vehicle door, comprising: an actuating unit (5) according to one of the preceding claims.

6. Armrest according to claim 5, characterized in that the actuating unit (5) is integrated and / or built into the armrest (3).

7. Armrest according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the handle shell (9) is pivotable about a main pivot axis (S1), preferably mounted on the armrest (3).

8. Armrest according to claim 7, characterized in that the main pivot axis (S1) extends parallel or coaxially to the secondary pivot axis (S2).

9. Vehicle door with: an armrest (3) according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein it is preferably provided that the handle shell (9) is mechanically connected, preferably via a Bowden cable, to a door lock of the vehicle door (1), preferably a rotary latch of the vehicle door (1).

10. Vehicle door according to claim 9, characterized in that the window lifter actuating element (7) is electrically connected to a window lifter of the vehicle door (1) or electrically connected to a locking device of a door lock of the vehicle door, preferably a rotary latch of the vehicle door (1), and / or that the actuating unit (5) at the vehicle front end of the armrest (3) is connected to the armrest (3) and / or is integrated into the armrest (3) and / or is built into the armrest (3).

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