Abstract:
The invention relates to a motor vehicle door handle arrangement having a closing cylinder for actuating a door lock by means of a key, wherein the closing cylinder is fixed in its installation position by means of a securing element displaceable relative to the closing cylinder from a pre-mounting position into a mounting position, wherein the securing element is displaced from the pre-mounting position into the mounting position by means of at least one actuation screw engaging in a thread in the securing element.

Description:
[0001]    The invention relates to a motor vehicle door handle arrangement having a closing cylinder for actuating a door lock by means of a key, wherein the closing cylinder is fixed in its installation position by means of a securing element displaceable relative to the closing cylinder from a pre-mounting position into a mounting position, wherein the securing element is displaced from the pre-mounting position into the mounting position by means of at least one actuation screw engaging in a thread in the securing element. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Such motor vehicle door handle arrangements for actuating the door of a motor vehicle are known. 
         [0003]    The known motor vehicle door handle arrangements having such a securing element for fixing the closing cylinder come with the disadvantage that the securing element is not secured in the pre-mounting position and may abandon the pre-mounting position and displace itself in an undesirable fashion. This leads to increased assembly efforts and includes the risk of damages. 
         [0004]    The object of the invention is to overcome said disadvantages and to provide a motor vehicle door handle in which mounting is simplified. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    According to the invention, said object is achieved by means of a motor vehicle door handle arrangement. Advantageous developments of the invention are indicated in the sub-claims. 
         [0006]    The particular advantage of the motor vehicle door handle arrangement with a closing cylinder for actuating a door lock by means of a key, wherein the closing cylinder is fixed in its installation position by means of a securing element displaceable relative to the closing cylinder from a pre-mounting position into a mounting position, wherein the securing element is displaced from the pre-mounting position into the mounting position by means of at least one actuation screw engaging in a thread in the securing element, lies with the fact that the actuation screw can be brought into a transport position in which it is arranged on a carrier of the motor vehicle door handle arrangement in an non-detachable manner and from which the actuation screw can be displaced into a pre-mounting position. 
         [0007]    Arranging the actuation screw in its transport position in a non-detachable manner on a carrier of the motor vehicle door handle arrangement ensures that both the securing element and the actuation screw will not abandon said transport position and displace themselves in an undesirable manner. The securing element and the actuation screw are thus secured in the transport position by means of the non-detachable arrangement. 
         [0008]    Here, the actuation screw in the transport position may be engaging in the thread in the securing element, wherein the securing element can be displaced into the pre-mounting position by an actuation of the actuation screw. As an alternative, the actuation screw in the pre-mounting position may not be engaging in the thread in the securing element in the transport position, wherein in this case the securing element can be displaced into the pre-mounting position by axially displacing the actuation screw to the start of the thread and subsequently actuating the actuation screw. The term of “engagement” of the actuation screw thus refers to the thread in the securing element in which the actuation screw engages, whereby displacing the securing element can be effected by rotating the actuation screw. 
         [0009]    It is particularly advantageous if the actuation screw in the transport position engages in the thread in the securing element. However, for displacement into the transport position, it is also possible that the screw is screwed out of the thread as far as that it just does no longer engage the latter but is completely screwed out of the thread of the thread arranged in the securing element. However, in this case it is advantageous if the actuation screw is not completely removed from the securing element in the axial direction of the actuation screw but still partially remains in a drill hole located upstream the thread so that the overall arrangement of the securing element and the actuation screw non-detachably arranged on a carrier of the motor vehicle door handle arrangement is secured against unintended displacement or falling-out in the transport position. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the actuation screw in its transport position rests against one or multiple stop faces on the carrier with at least one partial section of the periphery. 
         [0011]    By means of such radial rest, the actuation screw is secured in the transport position in radial direction. The radial rest is preferably configured such that the actuation screw radially rests against the rest at least with a partial section of its periphery. Thus, the actuation screw can be radially engaged at least in an angular section or multiple angular sections of its periphery or at its entire periphery. Here, the term radial direction refers to the actuation screw per se and thus designates a direction perpendicular to the axis of the actuation screw. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the actuation screw rests axially against its screw-in direction or rests axially in its screw-in direction on a stop face on the carrier of the motor vehicle door handle arrangement. 
         [0013]    By means of such an axial abutment, the actuation screw is secured in axial direction in its transport position. Here, the term axial direction refers to the actuation screw per se and thus designates a direction parallel to the axis of the actuation screw. 
         [0014]    Such axial abutment is of particular advantage in the case of a required repair of the motor vehicle door handle arrangement. When screwing the actuation screw out into the transport position till this axial stop, a displacement of the securing element from the mounting position back into the pre-mounting position in the screw-out direction is effected, thereby allowing dismounting and replacing the closing cylinder. 
         [0015]    Here, the term screw-out direction refers to the axial movement direction of the actuation screw relative to the securing element when screwing the actuation screw out of the thread in the securing element. Accordingly, the screw-in direction of the actuation screw refers to the movement direction in the direction of the axis of the actuation screw when screwing the actuation screw into the thread in the securing element. 
         [0016]    Particularly preferably the securing element having the pre-mounted actuation screw engaging the thread in the securing element is inserted into the motor vehicle door handle arrangement, wherein the head of the actuation screw can be introduced in an installation space through a recess and subsequently displaced into the transport position by actuating the actuation screw and/or by axially displacing the actuation screw into the transport position. 
         [0017]    According to the invention, the actuation screw is then arranged in a non-detachable manner in said transport position. Due to the connection of actuation screw and securing element, the actuation screw and the securing element are secured against an unintended fall-out in the transport position. 
         [0018]    In a preferred embodiment, the actuation screw is supported on a resting face of a carrier of the motor vehicle-door handle arrangement in the pre-mounting position and/or in the mounting position in direction of the securing element and the securing element comprises at least one stop nose, on which the actuation screw axially rests in the mounting position in its screw-in direction. 
         [0019]    Arranging a stop nose of this type prevents a planar pressing between the securing element and a component different from the actuation screw of the motor vehicle door handle arrangement, since in the mounting position of securing element and actuation screw, the actuation screw rests against the stop nose of the securing element. 
         [0020]    Here, the term pre-mounting position refers to a position of the securing element and the actuation screw, in which insertion of the closing cylinder into its intended installation position is possible. The term mounting position refers a position of the securing element and the actuation screw, in which the closing cylinder is secured in its installation position by the securing element displaced into the mounting position. 
         [0021]    The securing element can be configured as a slider, which can be slid back and forth between the pre-mounting position and the mounting position by actuation of the actuation screw. With respect to the closing cylinder to be fixed by means of the securing element, the pre-mounting position of the slider thus corresponds to a release position. Accordingly, the mounting position of the slider relative to the closing cylinder to be fixed corresponds to the locking position. In the release position, the closing cylinder can be inserted into the installation space provided to that end and removed from the installation space. In the locking position, the closing cylinder is preferably fixed in its installation position in a form-fit manner by means of the slider. 
         [0022]    The actuation screw in the pre-mounting position and/or when being actuated and/or in the mounting position is preferably supported on a resting face of a carrier of the motor vehicle door handle arrangement in direction toward the securing element. 
         [0023]    Such a resting face on a carrier of the motor vehicle door handle arrangement enables relative movement of the securing element relative to the motor vehicle door handle arrangement, since the actuation screw is supported on the resting face during the actuation and insofar axial movement of the actuation screw in direction of the securing element is inhibited. This results in the relative movement of the securing element relative to the carrier of the motor vehicle-door handle arrangement and thus also relative to the closing cylinder inserted into the motor vehicle-door handle arrangement when actuating the actuation screw. 
         [0024]    The stop nose of the securing element is preferably configured such that contacting occurs between the actuation screw and the stop nose on the securing element in the mounting position, without that the securing element rests on the carrier of the motor vehicle door handle arrangement in its displacement direction. 
         [0025]    Thus, the stop nose can be dimensioned such that not only a too high planar pressing between the securing element and a carrier of the motor vehicle-door handle arrangement is prevented, but the stop nose in a preferred embodiment can be dimensioned such that contacting occurs only between the stop nose of the securing element and the actuation screw in the mounting position, without that a contact subject to planar pressing occurs between the securing element and a carrier of the motor vehicle door handle arrangement at all. Accordingly, no planar pressing can be produced without such a contact. Here, contact between the securing element and the carrier of the motor vehicle door handle arrangement refers to a contact subject to planar pressing on a contact face perpendicular to or at a different angle relative to the displacement direction of the securing element when displacing the securing element from its pre-mounting position into the mounting position. Since the securing element rests in the carrier, there is apart from that of course a contact between said components. 
         [0026]    The securing element is preferably formed by an in particular U-shaped bracket, which engages around the closing cylinder and secures the closing cylinder in the mounting position in the radial direction. Said bracket can be configured open U-shaped or in closed manner. It is of particular advantage if the bracket engages the closing cylinder on two sides, thus securing and fixing it in the mounting position. 
         [0027]    Particularly preferably, the securing element is displaced at an angle of 45° to 90° relative to the axis of the closing cylinder from the pre-mounting position into the mounting position. 
         [0028]    Preferably, the closing cylinder in its installation position rests in a cylinder housing in the motor vehicle door handle arrangement. 
         [0029]    Preferably, the securing element engages around the closing cylinder in a form-fit manner in the mounting position and secures the closing cylinder in the mounting position in particular in the axial direction of the closing cylinder. 
         [0030]    The motor vehicle door handle arrangement may further comprise a handle, which is arranged in a handle housing and can be displaced by rotation around a rotation axis from a resting position into an actuating position, wherein a handle hook arranged on a rear side of the handle on the free end is kinematically coupled with a deflection lever, wherein the deflection lever directly or indirectly acts on a motor vehicle door lock when being displaced from the resting position into the actuating position, in order to effect a release of the lock and enable opening of the motor vehicle door. 
         [0031]    Accordingly, the motor vehicle door handle arrangement may comprise a handle housing, in which are arranged the closing cylinder in a corresponding receptacle as well as further the securing element and the actuation screw, serving the displacement of the securing element from the pre-mounting position into the mounting position. Said handle housing per se may comprise the first and/or second stop, on which the actuation screw rests against depending on the rotation direction. The handle hosing can thus form a carrier. However, a carrier can be arranged in the handle housing as a separate component, said carrier comprising the first and/or the second stop. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0032]    One exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the figures and described below. The figures show in: 
           [0033]      FIG. 1  a perspective view of a detail of a motor vehicle door handle arrangement having the inserted securing element and the actuation screw; 
           [0034]      FIG. 2  the section A-A according to  FIG. 1  with the position of the actuation screw when inserting the securing element and the actuation screw; 
           [0035]      FIG. 3  the section A-A according to  FIG. 1  with the actuation screw in transport position; 
           [0036]      FIG. 4  the section A-A according to  FIG. 1  with the actuation screw in mounting position and the securing element in the pre-mounting position; 
           [0037]      FIG. 5  an enlarged plan view of the securing element and the actuation screw in the mounting position. 
       
    
    
       [0038]    Identical components are provided with identical reference numerals throughout the figures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0039]      FIG. 1  shows an enlarged detail of a perspective view of a motor vehicle door handle arrangement with the carrier  1  of the motor vehicle door handle arrangement. In the illustration according to  FIG. 1 , the securing element  2  and the actuation screw  3  are already inserted into the carrier  1 . The cylindrical receptacle  5  can be discerned at the left image edge, which serves for receiving a closing cylinder not illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0040]    As soon as the closing cylinder has been inserted into the cylindrical receptacle  5  from above, the securing element  2  is displaced to the right in the image plane according to  FIG. 1  by means of the actuation screw  3  for assembling and securing the closing cylinder. This is effected in that the screw is screwed into the thread in the securing element  2 . Displacing the securing element  2  to the right in the image plane according to  FIG. 1  achieves a form fit between corresponding protrusions on the securing element  2  and the inserted closing cylinder. Thereby the closing cylinder is fixed and secured in its mounting position by means of the securing element  2 . The securing element  2  is a slider in the form of a U-shaped bracket, which can be displaced to the right or to the left in the image plane according to  FIG. 1  by actuation of the actuation screw  3 . As can as well be taken from the illustration according to  FIG. 1 , the securing element  2  has a stop nose  4 , which rests against the head of the actuation screw  3  in the final mounting position. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 2 to 4  show the section A-A according to  FIG. 1  with the securing element  2  and the actuation screw  3  in different positions. 
         [0042]      FIG. 2  shows the section A-A according to  FIG. 1  with the position of the actuation screw  3  when inserting securing element  2  and actuation screw  3  into the carrier  1 . As can be discerned from  FIG. 2 , the carrier  1  comprises a recess  6 , which is dimensioned such that the head of the actuation screw  3  can be inserted in the carrier  1  by means of said recess  6  in the carrier  1 . 
         [0043]    After insertion into the carrier  1  of the securing element  2  and the actuation screw  3  screwed into a thread of the securing element  2 , the actuating screw  3  is screwed out until said screw is brought in its transport position according to the illustration in  FIG. 3 . In the transport position, the actuating screw  3  is secured on the carrier  1  configured as a cage both in axial direction and radial direction by means of respective stops on the carrier  1 . Here, the term axial direction or radial direction refers to the axis of the actuation screw  3  respectively the radial direction perpendicular to said axis of the actuation screw  3 . To that end, the carrier  1  comprises a radial stop  7 , against which the actuation screw rests in radial direction in the transport position according to  FIG. 3 . The carrier  1  furthermore comprises a radial stop preventing that the actuation screw  3  may again pivot out upwards or downwards from the transport position in the image plane according to  FIG. 3 . By the configuration of the carrier  1 , the actuating screw  3  is thus secured in its position in the transport position according to  FIG. 3 . Due to the fact that the actuating screw  3  still engages in the thread in the securing element  2 , the securing element  2  is secured in the transport position according to  FIG. 3  at the same time. 
         [0044]    After insertion of the closing cylinder into the cylindrical receptacle  5  provided to that end in the carrier  1  of the motor vehicle door hand arrangement, the actuation screw  3  is brought into the mounting position according to  FIG. 4 . To that end, the actuation screw  3  is screwed into the thread in the securing element  2  until the actuation screw  3  buts against the stop  8  on the carrier  1 . Once the actuation screw  3  is brought into the position according to  FIG. 4  and buts against the stop  8  on the carrier  1 , further actuation of the actuation screw  3  automatically leads to a displacement of the securing element  2  in the rightward direction in the image plane according to  FIG. 4 . By means of said displacement of the securing element  2  to the right in the image plane, the U-shaped bracket, which serves as a securing element  2 , comes into form-fit engagement with the closing cylinder, thereby securing the closing cylinder in the mounting position thereof. 
         [0045]    As can be taken from the plan view according to  FIG. 5  in the mounting position, the securing element  2  has a stop nose  4 , which in the mounting position rests against the head of the actuation screw  3 . Just as well,  FIG. 5  shows that the head of the actuation screw  3  rests against the stop  8  on the carrier  1 . Furthermore, the stop nose  4  on the securing element  2  is dimensioned such that a contact between the head of the actuation screw  3  and the stop nose  4  occurs, but the securing element  2  does not rest against the carrier  1  in a pressing manner apart from that. This prevents a planar pressing between the securing element  2  and the carrier  1 . As a result, damages to the carrier  1  during the assembly of the securing element  2  are prevented. This further enables that it is possible to eventually replace the closing cylinder without possible damages occurring during re-installation since contact and thus planar pressing between the securing element  2  and the carrier  1  is reliably prevented by the dimensioning of the stop nose  4  on the securing element  2 . 
         [0046]    By means of the, in the axial direction, rear stop  7  on the carrier  1  it is in turn enabled to screw the actuation screw  3  out of the thread in the securing element  2  such that upon reaching the stop  7  in the axial direction when screwing-out the actuation screw  3 , a further actuation of the actuation screw  3  in the screw-out direction effects a displacement of the securing element  2  to the left in the image plane. As a result, the securing element  2  can in turn be displaced all the way to the left until the securing element  2  abandons the engagement on the closing cylinder and then the closing cylinder can be replaced.