Abstract:
A vehicle door includes a door structure having an interior space and a ramp disposed within the interior space. The vehicle door further includes a latch and a handle that is pivotably connected to the door structure. The handle includes a pair of inwardly and forwardly extending hooks. The vehicle door also includes a cable or other linkage connected to the latch. The cable has a fitting that is pushed along the ramp by the hooks upon pivoting of the handle to thereby shift the cable and unlatch the latch.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to handles for vehicle doors, and particularly, to an exterior door handle providing a simple latch release arrangement. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Various types of vehicle doors, latches, and handles have been developed. Known exterior door handles may be mechanically interconnected to a door latch by linkage and/or cables. One known arrangement includes an inertia counterweight, bellcrank lever and related components. However, known door handles and linkages may suffer from various drawbacks. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle door including a door structure having inner and outer sides. A door handle is movably connected to the door structure. The vehicle door further includes a latch mechanism configured to selectively retain the door in a closed position. The vehicle door also includes a ramp having an angled ramp surface extending inwardly from the outer side of the door structure. An elongated flexible member such as a cable includes a first portion or end that is operably connected to the latch mechanism, and a second portion or end that movably engages the angled ramp surface. The door handle includes a connector engaging the elongated flexible member whereby movement of the door handle causes the second portion of the elongated flexible member to move along the angled ramp surface and shift the elongated flexible member to thereby unlatch the latch mechanism. 
         [0004]    Another aspect of the present invention is a vehicle door including a door structure having an interior space and a ramp disposed within the interior space. The vehicle door further includes a latch and a handle that is pivotably connected to the door structure. The handle includes a pair of inwardly and forwardly extending hooks. The vehicle door also includes a cable connected to the latch. The cable has a fitting that is pushed along the ramp by the hooks upon pivoting of the handle to thereby shift the cable and unlatch the latch. 
         [0005]    These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    In the drawings: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a partially fragmentary isometric view of a vehicle door including an exterior door handle according to one aspect of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a partially schematic isometric view of the door handle and latch of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a partially fragmentary top plan view of the vehicle door of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of a ramp and angled ramp surface of the vehicle door of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a partially fragmentary view of a portion of the handle of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a partially fragmentary view of a door handle according to another aspect of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0013]    For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
         [0014]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a vehicle door handle assembly  1  includes a handle member  5  having an elongated central portion  6 , a forward end portion  8 , and a rearward end portion  10 . The forward end  8  may include a hook  12  that movably interconnects handle member  5  to a pivoting connector  14  of a vehicle door structure  16  (see also  FIG. 3 ) in a known manner to thereby permit outward rotational movement of handle  5  in the direction of the arrow “A” ( FIG. 3 ) to an open position “ 5 A” ( FIG. 3 ). Handle assembly  1  may also include a bezel  18  that is secured to door structure  16  by a threaded fastener  20  ( FIG. 3 ) and threaded insert  22  ( FIG. 2 ) or other suitable arrangement. As discussed in more detail below, outward movement of handle member  5  pulls on inner strand  24  of cable  26  to thereby unlatch a latch mechanism  28 , and a speed-based cable lock mechanism  4  may be utilized to prevent unlatching of latch mechanism  28  in the event handle  5  is opened rapidly. Latch mechanism  28  may comprise a conventional latch having a catch or claw that engages a post or striker to retain the vehicle door in a closed position, and a pawl that prevents rotation of the claw unless the pawl is shifted to a released position by inner cable strand  24 . An example of a typical latch of this type is shown in FIG. 3 of U.S. Pat. No. 8,544,901, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference. The structure and functions of this type of latch are well known to those skilled in the art, and a detailed description of the latch mechanism  28  is therefore not believed to be required. 
         [0015]    Referring again to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , bezel  18  includes a ramp structure  30  having first and second ramp surfaces  32 A and  32 B, respectively forming a gap  34  between the surfaces  32 A and  32 B. The ramp structure  30  generally extends from an outer portion  38  of the door structure  16  into an interior space or cavity  36  defined between inner and outer door panels  16 A and  16 B, respectively of the vehicle door structure  16 . The ramp surfaces  32 A and  32 B generally face forwardly and inwardly, and include planar central portions  40 A and  40 B, respectively. 
         [0016]    The handle member  5  includes a connector structure  42  that extends inwardly from rearward end portion  10  of handle  5 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the connector structure  42  extends through an opening  44  in bezel  18 , and through an opening  46  in door structure  16 . The connector structure  42  may comprise first and second hook structures  48 A and  48 B ( FIG. 2 ) that are spaced apart to form a gap  50  therebetween. The hooks  40  generally include inwardly-extending base portions  52 A and  52 B, and forwardly extending end portions  54 A and  54 B. The forwardly extending portions  54 A and  54 B define guide surfaces  56 A and  56 B, respectively. The guide surfaces  56 A and  56 B may be substantially planar, and face outwardly. However, guide surfaces  56 A and  56 B could also be concave, convex, or other suitable configuration. In general, the guide surfaces  56 A and  56 B also extend in a fore-aft direction. 
         [0017]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  5 , an end fitting  58  is secured to an end  60  of inner cable  24 . Fitting  58  includes first and second portions  62 A and  62 B having cylindrical outer surfaces  64 A and  64 B, respectively. The portions  62 A and  62 B may be pivotable about a pin  66  that is secured to cable strand  24 . The outer surfaces  64 A and  64 B of fitting  58  contact the ramp surfaces  32 A and  32 B and simultaneously contact the guide surfaces  56 A and  56 B as shown in  FIG. 3 . The connector structure  42 /hooks  48 A and  48 B are shown in dashed lines in  FIG. 5  to more clearly illustrate the engagement of end fitting  58  with ramp surfaces  32 A and  32 B. However, it will be understood that the guide surfaces  56 A and  56 B of forwardly extending portions  54 A and  54 B of hooks  48 A and  48 B, respectively, simultaneously contact the outer surfaces  64 A and  64 B of fitting  58  and the ramp surfaces  32 A and  32 B as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         [0018]    Referring again to  FIG. 3 , cable  26  includes an outer sheath  25  and fittings  27 A and  27 B that are attached to the outer sheath  25 . Fitting  27 A is connected to a bracket  23 A of door structure  16 , and fitting  27 B is connected to a second bracket  23 B that is also connected to door structure  16 . A washer or retainer  68  is secured to an end  70  of inner cable strand  24 , and a spring  72  is disposed between second bracket  23 B and washer  68  such that movement of inner cable strand  24  in the direction of the arrow “B” compresses spring  72 . Thus, spring  72  biases inner cable strand  24  in a direction opposite the arrow B to thereby bias surfaces  64 A and  64 B of fitting  58  into contact with guide surfaces  56 A and  56 B, and ramp surfaces  32 A and  32 B. When assembled, end  70  of inner cable strand  24  is operably connected to the pawl (not shown) of latch mechanism  28  such that movement of inner cable strand  24  in the direction of the arrow B shifts the pawl to unlatch the latch mechanism  28 . 
         [0019]    Referring again to  FIG. 3 , in use handle  5  is rotated outwardly as shown by the arrow A to the outer or open position  5 A. As handle  5  moves outwardly, the hooks  48 A and  48 B of connector structure  42  move outwardly and move the end fitting  58  in the direction of the arrow “C” to the position  58 A, with inner cable strand  24  moving to the position  24 A. In general, the fitting  58  moves outwardly a distance “L 1 ” ( FIG. 4 ), and forwardly by an amount “L.” The angle and size of ramp structure  30  can be configured as required to provide the necessary length of travel of inner cable strand  24 . Due to the angled ramp surfaces  32 A and  32 B, inner cable strand  24  shifts longitudinally as shown by the arrow B as end fitting  58  moves in the direction of the arrow C. The longitudinal shifting of inner cables strand  24  moves the end  70  of inner cable strand  24 , thereby unlatching the latch mechanism  28 . As the handle  5  is returned to the closed position (i.e. handle  5  is moved in a direction opposite the arrow A), the fitting  58  travels in a direction opposite the arrow C, and spring  72  creates tension on cable strand  24 , thereby ensuring that end fitting  58  remains in contact with ramp surfaces  32 A and  32 B and with guide surfaces  56 A and  56 B. 
         [0020]    In contrast to known exterior door handles for vehicle doors, the handle assembly  1  of the present invention does not include a bellcrank and other linkage to convert outward movement of the handle into lengthwise movement of the cable. The ramp structure  30  and connector structure  42  are very simple and low cost features. The handle assembly  1  of the present invention also does not include inertia counterweights or the like to prevent outward movement of handle  5  in the event of a side impact on the vehicle. Rather, the handle assembly  1  is utilized in connection with a speed-based cable lock mechanism  4  that prevents rapid movement of inner cable strand  4 . The speed-based cable lock  4  may comprise a mechanism as described in detail in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/282,663 entitled “VEHICLE DOOR CLOSURE SYSTEM INCLUDING SPEED-BASED LATCH RELEASE,” filed on May 20, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference. 
         [0021]    With further reference to  FIG. 6 , a handle  1 A according to another aspect of the present invention includes a handle  5 A having a hook  12 A that rotatably mounts the handle  5 A to a door structure  16 A in substantially the same manner as described in more detail above in connection with  FIGS. 1-5 . 
         [0022]    Handle assembly  1 A includes a ramp structure  130  that extends inwardly from rearward portion  110  of handle  5 A to define outwardly and forwardly extending ramp surfaces  132 A and  132 B. A connector structure  142  including hooks  148 A and  148 B are secured to door structure  16 A. In use, an end fitting  158  of an inner cable strand  124  moves in the direction of the arrow “C 1 ” as end fitting  158  moves along ramp surfaces  132 A and  132 B. This shifts cable  124  in the direction of arrow “B 1 ” to unlatch a latch mechanism  28  ( FIG. 1 ). Thus, the handle  1 A operates in substantially the same manner as the handle  1  described in more detail above in connection with  FIGS. 1-5 , except that the ramp surfaces  132 A and  132 B are formed on handle  5 A, and connector structure  142  is formed on door structure  16 A. 
         [0023]    It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.