Abstract:
The invention relates to a device ( 10 ) for actuating the closure of a movable part ( 12 ) of a motor vehicle, in particular a door, or hatchback, or similar, comprising a support ( 11 ) that can be fixed to the inner face of the movable part ( 12 ), a bearing unit ( 20 ) that can be pivoted about a first axis ( 13 ) provided on the support ( 11 ) and a handle element ( 40 ) with a first ( 41 ) and a second end ( 42 ), the second end ( 42 ) being fixed to the bearing unit ( 20 ), whereby the handle element ( 40 ) can be pivoted together with the bearing unit ( 20 ). According to the invention, the first end ( 41 ) is pivotally mounted on the first axis ( 13 ) and at least one bearing element ( 22, 22   a,    22   b ) is provided for the horizontal bearing of the first end ( 41 ), said bearing element being located in the region of the first axis ( 13 ).

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention concerns a device for the activation of a lock of a movable part of a motor vehicle, particularly a door or tailgate or the like, with a support that is fixable on the inside of the movable part, a bearing unit that can swivel about a first axis provided on the support, and a handle that has a first and second handle end, wherein the second handle end is fixed on the bearing unit, whereby the handle swivels together with the bearing unit. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In DE 102 17 488 B4 a device is described with a support fixable from the inside of the door of the motor vehicle in the area of the external paneling of the door. The support has a bearing pin for taking in a bearing that is located in the bearing unit. Further, a handle is provided that is coupled with the bearing unit that can swivel about an axis by its first and second handle end. The bearing unit is realized as a pinion that extends over the whole length of the handle. Assembly of the handle on the pinion comes about by a sorting movement with two motion phases. First, the handle is moved vertically in the longitudinal direction of the pinion in an insertion phase. Then the handle is moved parallel to the longitudinal direction of the pinion in a shifting phase. The first handle end of the handle here consists of a jutting pin, which meshes into a counter-coupling part of the pinion, configured as a pin hole. Disadvantageously, the motion phases described in relation to assembly turn out to be costly. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The disclosure provides a device of the kind mentioned, in which the shortcomings just mentioned are avoided. In particular, a device will be provided by which the assembly costs of the handle can be kept minimal. 
     According to the invention, it is provided that the first handle end is placed so as to swivel directly on the first axis and, for a horizontal placement of the first handle end, at least one bearing element is provided, which is arranged in the area of the first axis. 
     In contrast to the stated prior art, the first handle end is arranged directly on the first axis on which the bearing unit lies for swiveling. The bearing unit is simplified in its construction in comparison with the prior art since the first handle end engages only on the first axis of the support. Therefore assembly is less costly. The bearing element ensures that an unwanted tipping mobility of the handle is ruled out. The bearing element causes the first handle end, particularly the handle, to be held in any position in the horizontal situation. 
     Unwanted abrasions can thus be effectively avoided with the activation of the handle. When the user activates the handle, the handle according to the invention swivels with the bearing unit around the shared first axis, wherein the first handle end, detached from the bearing unit, swivels around the first axis as well. 
     In an advantageous embodiment, the bearing unit has a first and a second bearing element, wherein the first handle end extends between the first and the second bearing element. The bearing elements can be formed as appendages of a kind that hold the first handle end horizontal to the first axis. Preferably, the bearing unit is formed with the bearing elements so that during activation of the handle the bearing unit is swiveled around the first axis with the two bearing elements, wherein the first handle end of the handle element maintains a horizontal bearing over the two bearing elements. 
     It is particularly advantageous that there is a loose fit between the first handle end and the bearing element. In a particular embodiment of the device according to the invention there is a null fit between the first handle end and the bearing element. Since the bearing unit and the handle move in parallel with the first handle end during the activation of the handle, relative movement between the two component parts is relatively nil, so that any abrasion between the first handle end and the bearing element or between the first and the second bearing element and the bearing unit can be effectively avoided. 
     One measure to improve the invention can provide that the first axis is formed by a pin on which the first handle end is positioned. The one end of the bearing unit preferably forms a closed bearing on the first axis. Functionally, the pin extends through bearing holes of the bearing unit, wherein the pin, which can be realized as a cylinder, is fixed at its free ends to the support. Preferably the first handle end is formed open on one end as an elongated hole, wherein the handle end covers the first axis at least sectionally. The assembly costs of the arrangement of the first handle end on the first axis are thereby simplified. Moreover, tolerances, which can arise with molding of the relevant components, such as handle, bearing unit, etc., or with temperature fluctuations, for example, are effectively balanced out at the first handle end via the aforementioned elongated hole, without additional abrasive spots arising. 
     In a further alternative of the invention, the bearing element is formed by a groove configured on the pin. The bearing element in this embodiment is located directly on the first axis, wherein the groove of the pin provides for a horizontal bearing of the first handle end. 
     It is particularly advantageous that an outgoing unit leading to the lock is provided on the bearing unit and/or the handle. The lock of the moving part of the motor vehicle is activated, especially opened, via the outgoing unit with the activation of the handle when the lock is in the unlocked position. The lock cylinder of the device according to the invention can also be connected with an additional outgoing unit, which acts on the lock when the lock cylinder is activated and locks or unlocks it. The outgoing unit can be realized as a Bowden cable, for example. 
     Alternatively, a coupling element, seated so as to rotate on a second rotational axis, can be provided, on which an outgoing unit leading to the lock engages, and the coupling element is in operative connection with the bearing unit. With the activation of the handle, the bearing unit simultaneously swivels about the first axis, wherein the bearing unit moves the coupling element, thereby moving the outgoing unit over the coupling element. Preferably, the bearing unit is able to swivel with the handle from a first position into a second position, and vice versa. The first position is the rest position. In the second position of the handle, an activation of the lock for opening the movable part is triggered, with the handle having been previously moved by a defined angle range out of the movable part around the first rotational axis. Preferably, the bearing unit contacts a first stop element in its first position. In the second position the bearing unit can touch a second stop element in the second position. The cited stop elements can be integrated on the fixed support, for example. 
     In a particular arrangement a spring element is provided, which is in operative connection with the coupling element and the bearing unit, wherein the spring element in the second position of the bearing unit exerts a restoring force such that the bearing unit can be moved separately into its first position. The coupling element can preferably be fashioned with an adapter in which the outgoing unit is held. At its one end, the outgoing unit can be fixed to the above-mentioned adapter coherently in form and/or strength and/or material. 
     In order that, with a side impact, activation of the lock as well as an opening of the movable part, particularly of the motor vehicle door, does not ensue, at least one mass balancing weight is integrated into the device according to the invention. A particularly compact construction is achieved when the mass balancing weight is integrated onto the coupling element. 
     It can further be provided that the device according to the invention is monitored by an electronic control system. For reasons of safety technology it can be advantageous for the positions of the handle or the coupling element to also be detected, in addition to the position of the bearing unit. This can be carried out by sensors, for example, particularly magnetic field sensors that include the magnetic field of a permanent magnet mounted on the coupling element, on the bearing unit or on the handle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description, in which examples of embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the figures. Therein the features mentioned in the claims and in the description either singly by themselves or in any combination are essential to the invention. They are: 
         FIG. 1 , a simplified representation of a device according to the invention for the activation of a lock of a motor vehicle door in a first position, 
         FIG. 2 , the device of the invention according to  FIG. 2  in a second position, 
         FIG. 3 , a simplified sectional view along the intersect line III-III in  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 4 , a simplified sectional view along the intersect line IV-IV in  FIG. 2  and 
         FIG. 5 , an alternative embodiment of the invention in an enlarged representation in the area of the first rotational axis. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In  FIGS. 1 to 4  a device  10  according to invention for the activation of a lock of a motor vehicle door  12  is represented. The device  10  has a fixed support  11 , which is fastened on the inside of the movable door  12 . On the left region of the support  11  a first axis  13  is provided, on which a bearing unit  20  is arranged to swivel. The bearing unit  20  is realized as a kind of pinion. As  FIGS. 3 and 4  make clear, the handle  40  has a first and a second handle end  41 ,  42 , wherein the second handle end  42  is fastened on the free end  23  of the bearing unit  20 . 
     The first handle end  41  is arranged to swivel on the first axis  13 . In the present embodiment of the invention, in this connection, the first handle end  41  is formed open on one end as an elongated hole, wherein the first handle end  41  with its elongated hole covers the first axis  13  at least sectionally. As  FIGS. 1 and 2  make clear, the first handle end  41  of the handle  40  is positioned directly on the first axis  13 . In this connection, the first axis  13  is formed by a pin  13   a , which is received inside the elongated hole of the first handle end  41 . In order for the handle  40 , especially the first handle end, to remain reliably in the horizontal position on the first axis  13 , tongue-like bearing elements  22   a ,  22   b  are arranged on the movable bearing unit  20  and limit the first handle end  41  on two sides. These projection-like bearing elements  22   a ,  22   b  are provided on the bearing unit  20  in the area of the first axis  13 . In this connection, the first and second bearing elements  22   a ,  22   b  are positioned to lie opposite each other at a defined distance. The empty space that is formed between the first and second bearing elements  22   a ,  22   b  is nearly filled by the first handle end  41 . The first handle end  41  extends between the first and the second bearing elements  22   a ,  22   b  and is moveably arranged to swivel at the pin  13   a.    
     In the present embodiment there is a loose fit between the first handle end  41  and the first and second bearing elements  22   a ,  22   b . If the user activates the handle  40 , as indicated in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the bearing unit  20  is swiveled around the first axis  13  across the second grip end  42 . Since the bearing unit  20  and the handle  40  move in parallel, the relative motion in the area of the first axis  13  is very slight or almost “nil”, so that there is almost no abrasion on the first and second bearing elements  22   a ,  22   b  by the first handle end  41  of the handle  40 . 
     Further, in  FIGS. 1 to 4  an outgoing unit  14  leading to the lock is represented. In the present embodiment the outgoing unit  14  is provided on a coupling element  30  that is set to turn on a further rotational axis  15 , wherein the coupling element  30  is in operative connection with the bearing unit  20 . In a further alternate embodiment (not represented) the outgoing unit  14  leading to the lock can be provided on the bearing unit  20  or on the handle  40  or even on the stationary support  11 . As  FIG. 2  shows, the bearing unit  20  has a flange face  21  that is turned toward the handle  40 . Further, the coupling element  30  which swivels about the second rotational axis  15  is fashioned with a contact area  31  upon which the flange face  21  acts during the movement of the bearing unit  20 . 
     As  FIGS. 3 and 4  make clear, the bearing unit  20  with the handle  40  is able to swivel from a first position (see  FIG. 3 ) into a second position (see  FIG. 4 ) and vice versa. The first position is the rest position. During the movement from the first position into the second position the outgoing unit  14  is activated, whereby a lock of the motor vehicle (not explicitly shown) can be opened if the lock is already in the unlocked position. The motor vehicle door  12  then opens. The outgoing unit  14  in the present embodiment is a Bowden cable, which extends up to the lock. The outgoing unit  14  is held on an adapter  33 , which materially forms a shared component part with the coupling element  30 , said part being movable around the second rotational axis  15 . The roll-type adapter  33  is made with a groove  33   a , in which the outgoing unit  14 , especially the Bowden cable, is conducted and held. With the activation of the handle  40 , bearing unit  20  swivels about the first rotational axis  13 . At the same time the flange face  21  presses on the contact area  31  of the coupling element  30 , whereby the coupling element  30  turns about the second rotational axis  15 . During the movement of the bearing unit  20  the contact area  31  of the coupling element  30  rolls on the flange face  21 . In the first position of the bearing unit  20  according to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the contact area  31 , which lies on the flange face  21  of the bearing unit  20 , has a defined distance to the second rotational axis  15 . While the coupling element  30  turns around the second rotational axis  15 , the adapter  33  also moves in the same direction of rotation, wherein the Bowden cable  14  is wound onto the adapter  33  by a specific amount. This creates a tractive force on the outgoing unit  14 , which acts directly on the lock. 
     As  FIGS. 3 and 4  make clear, the support  11  is fastened with the swiveling bearing unit  20  on the door&#39;s inside  12 . The handle  40  is first additionally fixed to the pinion  20  as well as to the first axis  13 , from the door&#39;s outside  12 . As  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4  show, the support  11  has a first and a second stop element  16   a ,  16   b . The bearing unit  20  lies on the first stop element  16   a  with its right area in its first position. 
     Further, the device according to the invention has a spring element  32  that is in an operative connection with the coupling element  30  and the bearing unit  20 . In the second position of the bearing unit  20 , the spring element  32  exerts a restoring force such that the bearing unit  20  moves separately into its first position according to  FIG. 1 . In the present embodiment the coupling element  30  has a pin  35  on which the spring element  32  is placed (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     The coupling element  30  is further constructed with two mass balancing weights  34  that move along around the second rotational axis  15  during the movement of the bearing unit  20  from the first into the second position. These mass balancing weights  34  serve to keep the bearing unit  20  from being undesirably forced into its second position with any side impact from any occurring centrifugal forces, by which an unwanted opening of the door  12  would be triggered. In this case the mass balancing weights  34  act against effective centrifugal forces so that a movement of the bearing unit  20  around the first rotational axis  13  in the direction of the second position is out of the question. 
     In  FIG. 5  a further embodiment of the invention is represented, wherein the first handle end  41  is received inside the bearing element  22 . The bearing element  22  is fashioned on the pin  13   a  that forms the first rotational axis  13 . In place of the first and second bearing elements  22   a ,  22   b , the first handle end  41  is held reliably by a groove  13   b  fashioned on the pin  13   a , which is realized in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4  as an elongate hole. The remaining arrangement of the device  10  according to the invention corresponds essentially to the embodiment of  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4 . When the handle  40  is activated by the user, the first handle end  41  swivels about the first rotational axis  13 , wherein the groove  13   b  holds the first handle end  41  in its horizontal position. In this second embodiment, as well, there is a loose fit between the pin  13   a  and the first handle end  41  located inside the groove  13   b , so that during the activation of the handle  40  almost no abrasion occurs between the two above-mentioned components  13   a ,  41 . 
     The support  11  is further implemented with an opening  36 ] in which a lock cylinder (not represented) is introduced into the support  11  and held there. The lock cylinder can also have an outgoing unit, which acts on the lock when the lock cylinder is activated and locks or unlocks it.