EP2203617B1

EP2203617B1 - Vehicle handle with opening sensor

Info

Publication number: EP2203617B1
Application number: EP08805241A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Guillaume Lesueur
Original assignee: Valeo SpA
Current assignee: Valeo SpA
Priority date: 2007-10-17
Filing date: 2008-10-10
Publication date: 2012-07-25
Anticipated expiration: 2028-10-10
Also published as: ITMI20072003A1; WO2009050131A1; EP2203617A1

Abstract

Handle for vehicles, which comprises a lever (5) which is pivoted for rotating in a frame (1), at least one gasket (10, 11, 16) arranged between the lever (5) and the frame (1), as well as a sensor (12) for detecting the position of the lever (5) or of a member integral with it, which sensor (12) is arranged at least partially in the gasket (10, 11, 16).

Description

The present invention relates to a handle for vehicle doors, and in particular to a lever handle which can be employed for unlocking and simultaneously opening the door of a motor vehicle.
Known vehicle handles are provided with a sensor for detecting the position of the handle, so as to activate devices and/or mechanisms of the door when the lever is pulled. Said sensors are generally connected to the door unlocking mechanism which is arranged in the frame supporting the lever.
However, the sensors of these known handles are relatively complex and fragile, so that they are not very reliable, also because of the position of the lever, which is exposed to the atmospheric agents. Furthermore, the reaction time of these sensors is relatively long because of the indirect connection to the lever through the unlocking mechanism. Documents DE 10 2004 025054 , EP 1 108 834 , DE 299 16 092 , DE 10212 768 , WO 2005/106163 , US 2003/173197 et EP 1533 451 disclose handles having a switch on an Internal or external face of the rotating part of the handle.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a handle which is free from said disadvantages. Said object is achieved with a handle whose main features are disclosed in the first claim, while other features are disclosed in the remaining claims.
The handle according to the present invention is more reliable of the know handles since the sensor is incorporated, preferably molded, in a gasket between lever and frame. Thanks to this arrangement, the sensor is protected by the gasket, so that it can be arranged in an external position without any risk of malfunctions.
Furthermore, the sensor is a pressure sensor, that is a small, economic and reliable sensor, which is activated directly by the lever or the frame, so as to advantageously reduce the reaction times. Said activation is performed by a tooth which protrudes from an end of the lever toward the frame, or vice versa, that is in a relatively hidden position, so as to improve the protection from the atmospheric agents and not ruin the aesthetio of the handle.
The sensor is preferably arranged close to the end of the lever opposite to the fulcrum, so as to further reduce the reaction times of the sensor.
Another advantage of the handle according to the present invention lies in its versatility, since it is possible to easily obtain a version with sensor and a version without sensor, simply by using gaskets which are provided with the sensor or not.
Further advantages and features of the handle according to the present invention will become clear to those skilled in the art from the following detailed and non-limiting description of two embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

figure 1 shows a front view of the first embodiment;
figure 2 shows section II-II of figure 1;
figure 3 shows section III-III of figure 2;
figure 4 shows a front view of the second embodiment;
figure 5 shows section V-V of figure 4; and
figure 6 shows section VI-VI of figure 5.

Referring to figures 1 to 3, it is seen that the handle according to the first embodiment of the invention comprises in a known way a frame 1 suitable for being fixed for example behind the outer surface of a door 2 (show only in figure 2) of a motor vehicle. Frame 1 is provided with a transversal pin 3 acting as a fulcrum, around which a shaped extension 4 arranged at one end of a lever 5 suitable for being pulled outwards in the direction of arrow 6 for opening door 2 can rotate. Lever 5 thus rotates around a first axis 7 generally parallel to the rotation axis of door 2. The other end of lever 5 is provided with an appendix 8 which protrudes into frame 1 for the mechanical connection to the unlocking mechanism (not shown in the figures) of door 2, so that the latter can be opened by further pulling lever 5. Frame 1 comprises a seat suitable for housing an auxiliary body 9 which can include a lock for locking or unlocking the door. Auxiliary body 9 is provided with a cap which is arranged beside lever 5 close to the end provided with appendix 8 and has a shape complementary to the shape of lever 5 for obtaining a continuous, tapered and rounded profile. A first gasket 10 is arranged around appendix 8 between lever 5 and frame 1. A second gasket 11 is arranged around shaped extension 4 between lever 5 and frame 1. Frame 1 is provided with a sensor 12 suitable for detecting the position of lever 5 or of a member integral with it.
Sensor 12 (shown with broken lines in figure 3) is arranged at least partially in first gasket 10. In particular, sensor 12 is a pressure sensor which is molded with first gasket 10 so as to be incorporated in the latter. Sensor 12 is suitable for being activated by the pressure of a tooth 13 protruding from lever 5 beside appendix 8 toward frame 1. Tooth 13 is substantially parallel to appendix 8. Sensor 12 is preferably arranged beside appendix 8 on the side turned toward fulcrum 3. In an alternative embodiment, sensor 12 is arranged at least partially in second gasket 11 beside shaped extension 4 on the side turned toward appendix 8. According to the pressure of tooth 13, sensor 12 opens or closes an electric circuit through at least one wire 14 which crosses first gasket 10 and ends with a connector 15. First gasket 10 is preferably provided with an opening in correspondence with sensor 12, so that tooth 13 can cross this opening and directly press at least one portion of sensor 12.
Referring to figures 4 to 6, it is seen that the handle according to the second embodiment of the invention is similar to the first embodiment, with the difference that sensor 12 is arranged in a third gasket 16 (shown with broken lines in figure 6) in turn arranged in lever 5, in particular close to the end opposite to fulcrum 3. Tooth 13 protrudes from frame 1 toward lever 5 and is preferably made in a single piece with first gasket 10. Wire 14 crosses third gasket 16 and comes out from the end of lever 5 close to fulcrum 3. Sensor 12 is arranged with third gasket 16 in a seat made in a plug 17 inserted in lever 5 through an axial opening made at the end opposite to fulcrum 3.
Further modifications and/or additions may be made by those skilled in the art to the hereinabove disclosed and illustrated embodiments while remaining within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

Handle for vehicles, which comprises a lever (5) which is pivoted for rotating in a frame (1), at least one gasket (10, 11, 16) arranged between the lever (5) and the frame (1), as well as a sensor (12) for detecting the position of the lever (5) , characterized in that the sensor (12) is arranged at least partially in the gasket (10, 11, 16).
Handle according to the previous claim, characterized in that the sensor (12) is incorporated in the gasket (10, 11, 16).
Handle according to the previous claim, characterized in that the sensor (12) is molded with the gasket (10, 11, 16).
Handle according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the sensor (12) is a pressure sensor.
Handle according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the sensor (12) is arranged in the frame (1).
Handle according to the previous claim, characterized in that the sensor (12) is suitable for being activated by the pressure of a tooth (13) protruding from the lever (5) toward the frame (1).
Handle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sensor (12) is arranged in the lever (5).
Handle according to the previous claim, characterized in that the sensor (12) is arranged in a seat made in a plug (17) inserted in the lever (5) through an axial opening made at the end opposite to the fulcrum (3).
Handle according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the sensor (12) is suitable for being activated by the pressure of a tooth (13) protruding from the frame (1) toward the lever (5).
Handle according to the previous claim, characterized in that the tooth (13) is made in a single piece with a gasket (10) of the frame (1).
Handle according to claim 6 or 9, characterized in that the gasket (10, 11, 16) is provided with an opening in correspondence with the sensor (12), so that the tooth (13) can cross this opening and directly press at least one portion of the sensor (12).
Handle according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that tho sensor (12) is arranged close to the end of the lever (5) opposite to its fulcrum (3).
Handle according to the previous claim, characterized in that the sensor (12) is arranged beside an appendix (8) which protrudes in the frame (1) from the end of the lever (5) opposite to its fulcrum (3).
Handle according to the previous claim, characterized in that the sensor (12) is arranged beside the appendix (8) on the side turned toward the fulcrum (3) of the lever (5).
Handle according to the previous claim, characterized in that the tooth (13) is arranged beside the appendix (8).
Handle according to the previous claim, characterized in that the tooth (13) is substantially parallel to the appendix (8).
Handle according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the sensor (12) is arranged close to the end of the lever (5) close to its fulcrum (3).
Handle according to the previous claim, characterized in that the sensor (12) is arranged beside a shaped extension (4) of the lever (5) which rotates around the fulcrum (3).
Handle according to the previous claim, characterized in that the sensor (12) is arranged beside the shaped extension (4) on the side turned toward the end of the lever (5) opposite to the fulcrum (3).