EP0458399B1 - Vehicle handle unit and a method for its assembly - Google Patents
Vehicle handle unit and a method for its assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0458399B1 EP0458399B1 EP91201176A EP91201176A EP0458399B1 EP 0458399 B1 EP0458399 B1 EP 0458399B1 EP 91201176 A EP91201176 A EP 91201176A EP 91201176 A EP91201176 A EP 91201176A EP 0458399 B1 EP0458399 B1 EP 0458399B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- levers
- handle
- indentation
- handle unit
- stage
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 5
- 238000007373 indentation Methods 0.000 claims description 21
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 14
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002991 molded plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B85/00—Details of vehicle locks not provided for in groups E05B77/00 - E05B83/00
- E05B85/10—Handles
- E05B85/14—Handles pivoted about an axis parallel to the wing
- E05B85/18—Handles pivoted about an axis parallel to the wing a longitudinal grip part being pivoted about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the grip part
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B79/00—Mounting or connecting vehicle locks or parts thereof
- E05B79/02—Mounting of vehicle locks or parts thereof
- E05B79/06—Mounting of handles, e.g. to the wing or to the lock
Definitions
- This invention relates to a vehicle handle unit and a method for its assembly.
- the US-A-4 834 433 discloses a door handle assembly for a motor vehicle and more particularly provides a door handle assembly comprised of molded plastic parts which snap together to eliminate the need for separate fasteners.
- the handle unit is generally assembled onto already painted parts, and this must therefore be done with care in order not to ruin already completed paintwork.
- Totally holed handle cavities are currently provided in doors, leading to considerable structural weakness. This weakness can be obviated by metal or plastics cover pieces, but these result in problems of corrosion, air sealing and consequent internal vehicle noise.
- Current handle units also suffer from the problem of difficulty in aligning the indentation profile with the handle.
- the object of the present invention is to overcome the said drawbacks of the known art by providing a vehicle handle unit in which the handle indentation does not weaken the structure, so dispensing with the need for stiffening covers while at the same time allowing more reliable assembly of the unit, such that the unit provides a good seal and does not damage the paintwork during assembly.
- a base member is provided with a pair of seats for receiving respective spacer inserts of plastics material, said seats being positioned below said levers, said spacer inserts preventing contact between said handle when mounted on said levers and said vehicle door.
- said inserts are freely withdrawable.
- said spacer inserts are substantially of L cross-section, one arm of said L engaging a respective tooth provided on said levers.
- said spacer inserts are preferably provided with a projection to facilitate their extraction from said seats.
- said indentation must be formed by pressing.
- Said indentation also comprises holes for fixing said internal part of said unit to said door.
- the reference numeral 11 indicates overall a handle unit according to the invention and 12 indicates the profile of a vehicle door comprising an indentation 13.
- the handle unit consists of a part internal to the indentation 13 comprising a base member 14 on which levers 16 are hinged at 15, and a part external to the indentation 13 consisting of a handle 17.
- the indentation 13 is formed of very large radius which enables it to be press-formed, and is provided with a pair of slots 18 for passage and articulation of the levers 16. Holes 19 are also provided for securely fixing the base member 14 to the indentation. In the indentation there is also provided a longitudinal aperture 20 in which an edge 21 of the base member engages, its purpose being to support the internal part of the handle unit during one stage of assembly.
- the base member 14 is also provided, in a position below the levers 16, with seats 22 into which substantially L-shaped spacer inserts 23 can be inserted. One arm of the insert 23 engages a tooth 24 provided on the levers 16 to maintain the levers 16 in a partly raised position. To facilitate extraction of the inserts 23 they are provided with a projection 26 on that end outwards of the indentation 13.
- the levers 16 are also provided with elastic means 25 for snap-fitting the handle 17 (by pressing).
- FIGS 1 to 4 show in sequence the main assembly stages.
- Figure 2 shows the handle fixed to the levers. During this stage, especially if on the assembly line, the fitter is required to exert a certain pressure on the handle, and if the spacer inserts were not present there would be a risk of impact against already painted parts.
- Figures 3 and 4 show how the spacer inserts are disengaged, this being an operation which can be carried out subsequently, in that these can be removed from the vehicle at any time up to its delivery to the purchaser.
Landscapes
- Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
- Automobile Manufacture Line, Endless Track Vehicle, Trailer (AREA)
Description
- This invention relates to a vehicle handle unit and a method for its assembly.
- Various types of vehicle handles are known, these involving various problems both in terms of the door design and in terms of their assembly. The US-A-4 834 433 discloses a door handle assembly for a motor vehicle and more particularly provides a door handle assembly comprised of molded plastic parts which snap together to eliminate the need for separate fasteners. In this respect, the handle unit is generally assembled onto already painted parts, and this must therefore be done with care in order not to ruin already completed paintwork. Totally holed handle cavities are currently provided in doors, leading to considerable structural weakness. This weakness can be obviated by metal or plastics cover pieces, but these result in problems of corrosion, air sealing and consequent internal vehicle noise. Current handle units also suffer from the problem of difficulty in aligning the indentation profile with the handle. The object of the present invention is to overcome the said drawbacks of the known art by providing a vehicle handle unit in which the handle indentation does not weaken the structure, so dispensing with the need for stiffening covers while at the same time allowing more reliable assembly of the unit, such that the unit provides a good seal and does not damage the paintwork during assembly.
- This object is attained by a method for assembling a vehicle handle unit according to claim 1.
- A base member is provided with a pair of seats for receiving respective spacer inserts of plastics material, said seats being positioned below said levers, said spacer inserts preventing contact between said handle when mounted on said levers and said vehicle door.
- According to the invention said inserts are freely withdrawable. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention said spacer inserts are substantially of L cross-section, one arm of said L engaging a respective tooth provided on said levers.
- On that end outwards of said indentation, said spacer inserts are preferably provided with a projection to facilitate their extraction from said seats.
- To obtain a large-radius indentation, said indentation must be formed by pressing.
- Said indentation also comprises holes for fixing said internal part of said unit to said door.
- The characteristics and further advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the description given hereinafter by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
- Figure 1 is a section through a handle unit according to the invention shown partly exploded;
- Figure 2 is a section through the assembled elements of Figure 1;
- Figure 3 is a further partly exploded sectional view of the elements of Figure 1; and
- Figure 4 is a section through the elements of the handle unit according to the invention shown assembled in their final configuration.
- In the figures the
reference numeral 11 indicates overall a handle unit according to the invention and 12 indicates the profile of a vehicle door comprising anindentation 13. - The handle unit consists of a part internal to the
indentation 13 comprising abase member 14 on whichlevers 16 are hinged at 15, and a part external to theindentation 13 consisting of ahandle 17. - The
indentation 13 is formed of very large radius which enables it to be press-formed, and is provided with a pair ofslots 18 for passage and articulation of thelevers 16.Holes 19 are also provided for securely fixing thebase member 14 to the indentation. In the indentation there is also provided alongitudinal aperture 20 in which anedge 21 of the base member engages, its purpose being to support the internal part of the handle unit during one stage of assembly. Thebase member 14 is also provided, in a position below thelevers 16, withseats 22 into which substantially L-shaped spacer inserts 23 can be inserted. One arm of theinsert 23 engages atooth 24 provided on thelevers 16 to maintain thelevers 16 in a partly raised position. To facilitate extraction of theinserts 23 they are provided with aprojection 26 on that end outwards of theindentation 13. Thelevers 16 are also provided withelastic means 25 for snap-fitting the handle 17 (by pressing). - Figures 1 to 4 show in sequence the main assembly stages.
- In Figure 1 the internal part is fixed to the indentation, the spacer inserts are in their respective seats, and the handle has not yet been inserted.
- Figure 2 shows the handle fixed to the levers. During this stage, especially if on the assembly line, the fitter is required to exert a certain pressure on the handle, and if the spacer inserts were not present there would be a risk of impact against already painted parts.
- Figures 3 and 4 show how the spacer inserts are disengaged, this being an operation which can be carried out subsequently, in that these can be removed from the vehicle at any time up to its delivery to the purchaser.
Claims (7)
- A method for assembling a handle unit (11), consisting of:- a first stage in which the internal part (14,16) of a handle unit (11) is fixed onto a door (12) in a position corresponding with a holed indentation (13), said internal part (14,16) comprising elastically hinged levers (16) for insertion through slots (18) of said indentation (13);- a second stage in which said levers (16) are raised and inserted into suitable seats;- a third stage in which a handle (17) is mounted onto partially raised levers (16);
characterised in that- the second stage consists also of inserting profiled spacer inserts (23) into seats (22) which are provided above said seats of said levers (16) and- a fourth and final stage in which said handle (17) rigid with said levers (16) is raised and said spacer inserts (23) are removed, said fourth stage being deferred in time as required. - A vehicle handle unit (11) assembled according to the method of claim 1 in which said indentation (13) comprises a pair of levers (16) hinged to a base member (14), said levers (16) being provided with elastic fixing means (25) and tensioning springs, said indentation being of large radius and comprising slots (18) to allow passage of a handle (17) to be fixed to said levers (16) by said elastic fixing means (25), characterised in that said handle (17) is provided with caps of rubbery material for sealing purposes, said base member (14) also being provided with a pair of seats (22) for receiving respective spacer inserts (23) of plastics material, and positioned on said levers (16), said spacer inserts (23) preventing contact between said handle (17) when mounted on said levers (16) and said vehicle door (12) and being freely removable, said handle (17) being locked to said levers (16) for snap-fitting.
- A handle unit (11) as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said spacer inserts (23) are substantially of L cross-section, one arm of said L engaging a respective tooth (24) provided on said levers (16).
- A handle unit (11) as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said spacer inserts (23) are provided on that end outwards of said indentation (13) with a bent portion (26) to facilitate their extraction from said seats (22).
- A handle unit as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said indentation (13) also comprises holes (19) for fixing said internal part (14,16) of said unit (11) to said door (12).
- A handle unit (11) as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said elastic fixing means are a pair of flat springs (25).
- A handle unit (11) as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said indentation (13) must be formed by pressing.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT2042690 | 1990-05-25 | ||
IT02042690A IT1248640B (en) | 1990-05-25 | 1990-05-25 | HANDLE GROUP FOR VEHICLE AND PROCEDURE FOR ITS ASSEMBLY |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0458399A1 EP0458399A1 (en) | 1991-11-27 |
EP0458399B1 true EP0458399B1 (en) | 1994-07-27 |
Family
ID=11166771
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP91201176A Expired - Lifetime EP0458399B1 (en) | 1990-05-25 | 1991-05-15 | Vehicle handle unit and a method for its assembly |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0458399B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69103083T2 (en) |
IT (1) | IT1248640B (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE4446904C1 (en) * | 1994-12-27 | 1996-02-08 | Ymos Ag Ind Produkte | Door handle for vehicle |
DE19541396A1 (en) * | 1995-11-07 | 1997-05-15 | Ymos Ag Ind Produkte | Door lock for motor vehicle |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE19513249C1 (en) * | 1995-04-07 | 1996-06-27 | Ymos Ag Ind Produkte | Door grip for vehicle |
DE19521082C1 (en) * | 1995-06-09 | 1996-08-14 | Ymos Ag Ind Produkte | Vehicle door grip with basic body and grip flap |
DE19546469C1 (en) * | 1995-12-13 | 1997-01-30 | Ymos Ag Ind Produkte | Motor vehicle door handle |
DE10217488B4 (en) * | 2002-04-19 | 2005-06-23 | Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst Gmbh & Co. Kg | Device for actuating a closure of doors, flaps or the like, in particular on vehicles |
DE102006045098A1 (en) * | 2006-09-21 | 2008-04-10 | Karl Simon Gmbh & Co. Kg | furniture accessories |
EP3002397B1 (en) * | 2014-10-01 | 2018-12-05 | U-Shin Italia S.p.A. | Handle assembly for a vehicle door handle, and its assembling method |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CA966534A (en) * | 1972-04-28 | 1975-04-22 | Decalock Limited | Door latch |
JPS6019244Y2 (en) * | 1980-11-19 | 1985-06-10 | 加藤発条株式会社 | Automobile door lock knob structure |
US4834433A (en) * | 1987-12-28 | 1989-05-30 | Saturn Corporation | Plastic door handle |
-
1990
- 1990-05-25 IT IT02042690A patent/IT1248640B/en active IP Right Grant
-
1991
- 1991-05-15 DE DE69103083T patent/DE69103083T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-05-15 EP EP91201176A patent/EP0458399B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE4446904C1 (en) * | 1994-12-27 | 1996-02-08 | Ymos Ag Ind Produkte | Door handle for vehicle |
DE19541396A1 (en) * | 1995-11-07 | 1997-05-15 | Ymos Ag Ind Produkte | Door lock for motor vehicle |
DE19541396C2 (en) * | 1995-11-07 | 2000-05-31 | Valeo Gmbh & Co Schliessyst Kg | Motor vehicle door handle |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
IT9020426A1 (en) | 1991-11-25 |
IT1248640B (en) | 1995-01-26 |
IT9020426A0 (en) | 1990-05-25 |
DE69103083D1 (en) | 1994-09-01 |
DE69103083T2 (en) | 1994-12-08 |
EP0458399A1 (en) | 1991-11-27 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP1838545B1 (en) | Encapsulated fixed window module | |
EP0798165B1 (en) | Trim panel for a vehicle | |
EP1388449B1 (en) | Weather strip for a vehicle door | |
EP1724905B1 (en) | Electric motor | |
EP0437024A1 (en) | Appliance housing and method of assembling | |
EP0458399B1 (en) | Vehicle handle unit and a method for its assembly | |
US5538277A (en) | Passenger air bag module fastenerless cover attachment | |
EP0728605A1 (en) | Air extractor valve | |
JP3176408B2 (en) | Vehicle roof cover unit and method of manufacturing the same | |
JPH08315900A (en) | Pressure contact connector integral with cover | |
US20040079032A1 (en) | Seal and method | |
US5902695A (en) | Battery terminal shield with improved hinge | |
US20040025480A1 (en) | Closing device for housing | |
US5336861A (en) | Switch with removable button frame | |
CN111132864B (en) | Fastening of trim to window seal | |
JP3569531B2 (en) | Fixed fastener for enclosure cover | |
KR100563355B1 (en) | Sealing assembly for an automobile door | |
US20040163230A1 (en) | Method of assembling grommet and jig for assembling grommet | |
CN211308413U (en) | Vehicle event data recorder mounting structure and vehicle | |
US4549771A (en) | Composite structure and in particular a slide for a window raiser of an automobile vehicle | |
EP0217764B1 (en) | Motor-vehicle door | |
JP3058762U (en) | Mounting structure between parts | |
EP0729865A1 (en) | Window sealing arrangement | |
JPH0218771Y2 (en) | ||
JPH08121435A (en) | Anchor leg clip |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB SE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19911203 |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: FIAT AUTO S.P.A. |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19930326 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB SE |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Free format text: THE PATENT HAS BEEN ANNULLED BY A DECISION OF A NATIONAL AUTHORITY Effective date: 19940727 |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 69103083 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 19940901 |
|
ET | Fr: translation filed | ||
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Effective date: 19941027 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed | ||
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 19990505 Year of fee payment: 9 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20000515 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20000515 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20040518 Year of fee payment: 14 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20040625 Year of fee payment: 14 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20051201 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20060131 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: ST Effective date: 20060131 |