Patent Description:
Flush handles of motor vehicles are designed to fit with the surface of the door panel at the rest position, resulting in an improved aerodynamism and a better visual for the user.

Accordingly, flush handles require an action from the user, like a mechanical input on one end of the handle or an electronic signal, to move from a stowed position to a deployed position wherein the user will be able to grab and pull it to an operative position granting physical access to the vehicle.

Translational handles are arranged in roll-up doors. Said type of handles comprises a front lever and a rear lever cooperating with the two ends of the handle and which both rotate for moving the handle from the stowed position to the deployed position. When the user pulls the handle at the deployed position, the latter moves to the operative position causing the rear lever to drive in rotation a latch lever pulling a latch cable which unlocks the door latch.

However, during a crash accident of the motor vehicle, while the user does not provide any action to deploy the handle nor unlatch the door, the door can undesirably be unlatched because of the inertial force resulting from the displacement of the motor vehicle an applied to the handle arrangement mechanism, exposing the user to potential outside injuries.

It is known from the art to provide the translational handle arrangement with an inertial rotor which is driven in rotation during a crash accident to rotationally immobilize the rear lever, preventing, therefore, the actuation of the latch lever.

Nevertheless, the kinematic mechanism chain involved in this system is long, which can result in an undesired actuation of the latch lever. Moreover, the rear lever can undergo torsions during the crash accident resulting in its deformation and an undesired actuation of the latch lever.

Document <CIT> discloses a handle arrangement according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

One object of the invention is to provide a more effective system for impairing with undesired unlatching of the door.

To that end, the invention relates to a handle arrangement comprising.

The blocking system of the handle arrangement of the invention is advantageously provided with a bridge that cooperates directly with the latch lever and can block faster a rotation of the latch lever such as preventing the unlatching of a door during a crash accident.

In one embodiment of the invention, the inertial rotor comprises a guide cooperating with the actuating arm of the bridge.

Notably, the guide of the inertial rotor is formed by a bent arm configured to push onto the actuating arm of the bridge when the inertial rotor moved from the rest position to the blocking position.

In another embodiment of the invention, the actuating arm of the bridge comprises a free end with a finger for cooperating with the wall of the guide of the inertial rotor.

In another embodiment of the invention, the inertial rotor comprises a blocking member configured to engage, in the blocking position, the rear lever and prevent its rotation.

In another embodiment of the invention, the inertial rotor is maintained in the rest position by a reversible deformable member.

In another embodiment of the invention, the bridge extends in parallel to the rear lever.

In another embodiment of the invention, the bridge is maintained in the disengaging position by a reversible deformable member.

In another embodiment of the invention, the bridge comprises an upper end facing the latch lever and a lower end facing the inertial rotor, the engagement arm extending from the upper end and the actuating arm extending from the lower end.

In another embodiment of the invention, the engaging and actuating arms of the bridge extend parallel.

In another embodiment of the invention, the bridge further comprises a counterweight disposed oppositely to the extension of actuating arm.

In another embodiment of the invention, the bridge comprises a hollow cylindrical core about which the bridge pivots and to which extends the engaging and actuating arms.

In another embodiment of the invention, the latch lever comprises a counter-engaging member arranged to cooperate with the engagement arm of the bridge in the engaged position.

Notably, the counter-engaging member is in form of an open mouth with two stoppers extending in different directions.

The invention will be better understood in view of the following description, referring to the annexed figures in which:.

The following achievements are examples. Although the specification refers to one or several embodiments, it does not imply that each reference refers to the same embodiment or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Simple features of different embodiments can also be combined to provide other embodiments. Front, rear, left, right, longitudinal, up, down, interior and exterior are considered relating to the motor vehicle orientations in which the handle arrangement of the invention is intended to be implemented.

The invention relates to a handle arrangement <NUM> of a motor vehicle, and more particularly to a translational handle arrangement <NUM>. The handle arrangement <NUM> comprises a bracket (not represented) in which are implemented a handle <NUM>, a deploying system <NUM> of the handle <NUM>, a latch lever <NUM> for unlatching a door (not represented) and a blocking system <NUM> for preventing an undesired activation of the latch lever <NUM>.

Handle <NUM> is moveable between a stowed position (<FIG> and <FIG>), a deployed position (<FIG> and <FIG>) and an operative position (<FIG>) in which handle <NUM> causes the unlatching of the door via the latch lever <NUM>. More specifically, the operative position of handle <NUM> triggers the rotation of the latch lever <NUM> about an axle <NUM>, causing the unlatching of the door.

As represented in <FIG>, the deploying system <NUM> of the handle <NUM> comprises two levers, namely a front lever <NUM> and a rear lever <NUM>, each one being rotatable about a respective double axles mechanism. Said double axles mechanisms each comprises a stationary axle <NUM> about which pivots a movable spindle <NUM>. The stationary axles <NUM> and movable spindles <NUM> extend parallel to the axles <NUM>. The rear lever <NUM> cooperates with the rear end <NUM> of the handle <NUM> and the front lever <NUM> cooperates with the front end <NUM> of the handle <NUM>. The movement of the rear and front levers (<NUM>, <NUM>) may be coordinated by two cross-members <NUM>, each coupled to the movable spindle <NUM> of both levers (<NUM>, <NUM>). The deploying system may further comprise a driving system <NUM> coupled to the front lever <NUM>, as represented in <FIG>.

A mechanical or electrical input provided by a user triggers a first tipping of the front and rear levers (<NUM>, <NUM>) around the stationary axles <NUM>, moving the handle <NUM> from the flush position to the deployed position. In the case of electrical input, the first tipping may be operated by the driving system <NUM>. Handle <NUM> is then in a position to be grabbed and pulled by the user to unlatch the door, granting physical access to the vehicle. Pulling the handle <NUM> initiates a second tipping of the front and rear levers (<NUM>, <NUM>), moving handle <NUM> from the deployed position to the operative position. The second tipping of the rear lever <NUM> puts it into contact with the latch lever <NUM> and rotationally drives the latter for unlatching the door.

The blocking system <NUM> role is then to impair undesired actuation caused by inertial forces of the latch lever directly and optionally also via the rear lever <NUM>.

To that end, as shown in <FIG> the blocking system <NUM> comprises an inertial rotor <NUM> and a bridge <NUM> (shown in detail in <FIG>).

The inertial rotor <NUM> is configured to be driven in rotation about an axle <NUM> by inertial forces from a rest position (<FIG>) to a preventing position (<FIG>). Such inertial forces may result from a lateral crash accident of the vehicle. Turning to <FIG>, inertial rotor <NUM> will be described hereafter in detail. The axle <NUM> of the inertial rotor <NUM> extends parallel to the axle of the latch lever <NUM>. The inertial rotor <NUM> is maintained in the rest position by the action of a reversible deformable member <NUM>. The reversible deformable <NUM> member may be a spring, like a helicoidal spring. In the rest position, the reversible deformable <NUM> pushes the inertial rotor <NUM> against the bracket, notably a resilient bearing fixed to the bracket. The inertial rotor <NUM> may comprise a blocking member <NUM> arranged to prevent the tipping of the rear lever <NUM> in the preventing position. This aspect of the invention represents a secondary blocking means for impairing undesired actuation of the latch lever <NUM>, described in more detail below. When moving from the rest position to the preventing position, the inertial rotor <NUM> drives into motion the bridge <NUM> by means of a driving member <NUM>. The driving member <NUM> may comprise a guide <NUM> formed by a curved arm. The blocking member <NUM> may be the same member as the driving member <NUM> or may be part of the driving member <NUM>, as described in detail below.

Turning now to <FIG>, bridge <NUM> will be described in detail. Bridge <NUM> is moveable about a pivot axis <NUM> between a disengaged position and an engaged position in which it directly blocks the actuation of the latch lever <NUM>. This aspect of the invention represents the main blocking means for impairing undesired actuation of the latch lever <NUM>. Bridge <NUM> does not cooperate with the rear lever <NUM> and directly cooperates with the latch lever <NUM>. Hence, bridge <NUM> is independent of the rotational stroke of the rear lever <NUM> and can act faster than the secondary blocking means against the undesired actuation of the latch lever <NUM>. This reduces the undesired rotational course of the latch lever <NUM> and improves the prevention of an undesired unlatching of the door.

Bridge <NUM> is implemented in the bracket of the handle arrangement <NUM> by the two free ends of axle <NUM>. The said axle <NUM> may extend parallel to the rear lever <NUM>, and more specifically parallel to the axles <NUM>,<NUM> of the rear lever <NUM>.

As represented in <FIG>, bridge <NUM> comprises an actuating arm <NUM> arranged for cooperating with the inertial rotor <NUM> when the latter moves from the rest position to the preventing position. More specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the actuating arm <NUM> comprises a free end <NUM> for cooperating with the driving member <NUM> of the inertial rotor <NUM>. The said free end <NUM> may be provided with a finger <NUM> extending perpendicularly to the arm <NUM> and cooperating with guide space <NUM> of the inertial rotor <NUM>. Cooperation between the inertial rotor <NUM> and the actuating arm <NUM> may be seen as pushing on a pedal (here the actuating arm <NUM>), causing the bridge <NUM> to tilt from the disengaging position to the engaging position.

The actuating arm <NUM> may comprise two arms extending parallel and joined by their free end, notably by the finger <NUM>. Alternatively, as represented, the actuating arm <NUM> may be formed by a main arm <NUM> and a reinforcing arm <NUM> ending into the body of the main arm <NUM>.

Bridge <NUM> also comprises an engagement arm <NUM> arranged for cooperating with the latch lever <NUM>. In the disengaging position of bridge <NUM>, the engagement arm is spaced apart from the latch lever <NUM>, letting the latter freely rotate and unlatch the door. Whereas, in the engaging position, the engagement arm <NUM> comes into contact with the latch lever <NUM>, blocking the rotation of the latter and preventing an undesired unlatching of the door. As represented in <FIG>, the engagement arm <NUM> may be a finger, like a straight rigid finger. The free end <NUM> of the engagement arm <NUM> may be beak-shaped for better cooperation with the latch lever <NUM>, as described in detail below.

The engagement arm <NUM> and the actuating arm <NUM> may extend in the same direction, as represented. The actuating arm <NUM> may extend from an upper end of bridge <NUM>, while the engagement arm <NUM> may extend from a lower side of bridge <NUM>.

Bridge <NUM> may further comprise a hollow cylindrical core <NUM> wound around the axle <NUM> and to which extends the engaging and actuating arms (<NUM>, <NUM>). The fixation of the engaging and actuating arms (<NUM>, <NUM>) to the hollow cylindrical core <NUM> may be strengthened by one more supports <NUM>, especially of a fin-shape.

The bridge may also comprise a counterweight <NUM> disposed oppositely to the extension of the actuating arms <NUM>, for counterbalancing the load force exerted by the inertial rotor <NUM> on the actuating arm <NUM>, when moving from the resting to the preventing position. The counterweight <NUM> may be disposed between the actuating arm <NUM> and the engagement arm <NUM> along the axle <NUM>, and more specifically, along with the cylindrical core <NUM>. The counterweight <NUM> may be disposed in a housing <NUM> extending oppositely to the actuating arm <NUM> direction. Hence the counterweight <NUM> and the actuating arm <NUM> extend on either side of the longitudinal direction of the hollow cylindrical core <NUM>.

Bridge <NUM> may be maintained in the disengaging position by a reversible deformable member <NUM>. The reversible deformable member <NUM> may be disposed in a cover <NUM> notably arranged at the lower end of bridge <NUM>. Hence the engagement arm <NUM> may be disposed in between the actuating arm <NUM> and the cover <NUM>, as represented in <FIG>. Cover <NUM> may be L-shaped with two arms extending perpendicularly, namely a holding arm <NUM>, notably extending in direction of the bracket, and a supporting arm <NUM>, notably extending in direction of the push lever <NUM>. The reversible deformable member <NUM> may be arranged to maintain the holding arm <NUM> of the housing <NUM> against a part of the bracket in the disengaged position, notably via a resilient bearing <NUM>. The reversible deformable member <NUM> may bear against the supporting arm <NUM>. As also represented in <FIG> the reversible deformable member <NUM> may be a spring, and more particularly a helicoidal spring wound around the hollow cylindrical core <NUM> with one end bearing against the supporting arm <NUM>.

The deploying and blocking mechanisms cinematic will now be described in view of <FIG> representing a handle arrangement <NUM> of the invention with a handle <NUM>, a deploying system <NUM> of the handle <NUM>, a latch lever <NUM> and a blocking system <NUM> in the different positions. In those figures, the bracket of handle arrangement <NUM> has been represented for better viewing of the other elements.

<FIG> and <FIG> represent from two opposite lateral sides handle arrangement <NUM> wherein handle <NUM> is in the stowed position. In that position, handle <NUM> is arranged to be flush with a door panel <NUM> and a handle frame <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) and cannot be grabbed by a user. The front lever <NUM>, the rear lever <NUM>, the bridge <NUM>, the inertial rotor <NUM> and the latch lever <NUM> are all in a rest position.

<FIG> shows in detail the cooperation, in that position, between the rear lever <NUM>, the actuating arm <NUM> of the bridge <NUM> and the driving member <NUM> of the inertial rotor <NUM>. Here, the rear lever <NUM> and the inertial rotor <NUM> are spaced apart. In the represented embodiment, the driving member <NUM> comprises a curved arm <NUM> defining a guide space <NUM> for guiding the actuating arm <NUM> movement. The guide space <NUM> may have two portions, namely an entrance portion <NUM> and a deep portion <NUM>, extending in different directions. The direction of the entrance portion <NUM> is configured to rapidly rotatably drive bridge <NUM> in the engaging position when the inertial rotor <NUM> undergoes an inertial force and moves from the rest position to the preventing position. To that end, the direction of the entrance portion <NUM> crosses the circular direction of the inertial rotor <NUM> movement (represented by a hash-dotted line). The direction of the deep portion <NUM> is configured to maintain bridge <NUM> in the engaged position, while the inertial rotor <NUM> keep tilting to the preventing position. To that end, the direction of the deep portion <NUM> follows the circular direction of the inertial rotor <NUM> movement. As represented, at the disengaged position of the bridge <NUM>, the free end <NUM>, and more particularly the finger <NUM>, of the actuating arm <NUM> may be disposed in the entrance portion <NUM> of the guide space <NUM>. This allows better responsiveness of the blocking system <NUM>. In case the inertial rotor <NUM> comprises a blocking member <NUM>, the latter, in that position, is spaced apart from the rear lever <NUM>.

<FIG> shows in detail the cooperation between the rear lever <NUM>, the latch lever <NUM> and the engagement arm <NUM> of the bridge <NUM>. Here, all these elements are spaced apart. As represented here, the rear lever <NUM> may comprise a driving member <NUM> for rotationally driving the latch lever <NUM> by pushing against a push member <NUM> of the latter. The driving member <NUM> and the push member <NUM> are, in that position, also spaced apart.

<FIG> and <FIG> represent from two opposite lateral sides handle arrangement <NUM> wherein handle <NUM> is in the deployed position. The handle <NUM> has been arrived in that position by a first tipping of the front and rear levers (<NUM>, <NUM>) triggered by the user, optionally driven by the driving system <NUM>. The handle <NUM> extends here out of the door panel <NUM> and the handle frame <NUM> causing a grabbing part <NUM> of handle <NUM> to be made accessible to the user. This enables the user to grab and move handle <NUM> to the operative position (see <FIG> and <FIG>).

<FIG> shows in detail the cooperation, in that position, between the rear lever <NUM>, the actuating arm <NUM> of the bridge <NUM> and the driving member <NUM> of the inertial rotor <NUM>. Since the deployment of the handle has been activated by the user, the blocking system <NUM> was not triggered. Hence, the inertial rotor <NUM> and the bridge are in the same position as the one shown in <FIG>. Meanwhile, the rear lever <NUM> has tipped to an intermediate position. As showed here, the inertial rotor is sized to not impair, in the rest position, with the tipping of the rear lever <NUM>.

<FIG> shows, in that position, the cooperation between the rear lever <NUM>, the latch lever <NUM> and the engagement arm <NUM> of the bridge <NUM>. Since bridge <NUM> and the latch lever <NUM> have not been activated, they stay in the same position as the one represented in <FIG>. Meanwhile, because of the first tilting, the driving member <NUM> of the rear lever <NUM> has been putting into contact with the push member <NUM> of the latch lever <NUM>, ready to rotatably drive the latch lever <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> represent the situation when handle arrangement <NUM> undergoes inertial force which triggers the blocking system. As represented in <FIG> and <FIG>, the front and the rear lever <NUM>, <NUM> performed by their own the first tilting, driven by their weight. Consequently, handle <NUM> moved from the stowed position to a deployed-like position in which it extends out of the door panel <NUM> and where grabbing part <NUM> is made accessible. In that situation, although grabbing part <NUM> is made accessible, actuating the rear lever <NUM> will not actuate the latch lever <NUM> as described in detail below.

<FIG> shows in detail the cooperation, in that situation, between the rear lever <NUM>, the actuating arm <NUM> of the bridge <NUM> and the driving member <NUM> of the inertial rotor <NUM>. The inertial rotor <NUM> is here in the preventing position, which may be defined as the contact between a supporting member <NUM> of the inertial rotor <NUM> and the bracket (not represented). When moving from the rest position to the preventing position, the inertial rotor <NUM> pushed on the free end <NUM> of the actuating arm <NUM>, causing the latter to move deeper through the guide space <NUM> to the deep portion <NUM>. Hence bridge <NUM> tilted from the disengaged position to the engaged position. In the represented embodiment, the inertial rotor <NUM> comprises a blocking member <NUM> for blocking the movement of the rear lever <NUM>. Notably, the blocking member <NUM> cooperates with a finger <NUM> of the rear lever <NUM>. Here, the blocking member <NUM> is an extension part of the driving member <NUM> and define, together with the free end <NUM> of the curved arm <NUM>, the entrance portion <NUM> of the guide space <NUM> (see also <FIG>). Hence, while finger <NUM> of the rear lever <NUM> get into the entrance portion <NUM> and pushes on the blocking member <NUM>, driven by the inertial force, the free end <NUM> of the curved arm <NUM> comes into contact with the finger <NUM>. This leads the blocking member <NUM> and the curved arm <NUM> to catch like a pincer the finger <NUM> and block the rotation of the rear lever <NUM>. This prevents the rear lever <NUM> to push against the latch lever <NUM>. Hence, in that position, the actuating arm <NUM> cooperates with the deep portion <NUM> of the space guide <NUM>, while the finger <NUM> cooperates with the entrance portion <NUM> of the space guide <NUM>.

<FIG> shows in detail the cooperation, in that situation, between the rear lever <NUM>, the latch lever <NUM> and the engagement arm <NUM> of the bridge <NUM>. Because actuation arm <NUM> tilted, the engagement arm <NUM> comes into contact with the latch lever <NUM>. Notably, the engagement arm <NUM> engages a counter-engaging part <NUM> of the latch lever <NUM>. The said counter-engaging part <NUM> can be in form of an open mouth with two stoppers <NUM> extending in different directions. Each stopper <NUM> is provided with a flat surface in contact, in that position, with the engagement arm <NUM>. This specific form of the counter-engaging part <NUM> first allows better cooperation between the engagement arm <NUM> and the counter-engaging part <NUM> and secondly decreases, even prevents, failing cooperation between these elements in case of torsions undergone by the bridge <NUM> during a crash accident. Meanwhile, because of the first tipping, the driving member <NUM> of the rear lever <NUM> is facing, even in contact with, the push member <NUM> of the latch lever <NUM>. However, although the driving member <NUM> may push on push member <NUM>, e.g., in case the inertial rotor <NUM> does not comprise a blocking member <NUM>, this action would not lead to the tilting of the latch lever <NUM> which is blocked by the contact between the engagement arm <NUM> and the counter-engaging part <NUM>.

When the inertial forces stop to affect the handle arrangement <NUM>, the inertial rotor <NUM>, the bridge <NUM>, the front and rear lever (<NUM>, <NUM>) passively return to their respective rest position by the action of respective reversible deformable members. The back movement of the inertial rotor <NUM> follows the reverse tipping of the rear lever <NUM> and helps fold down the handle <NUM> to the stowed position by contact between the blocking member <NUM> and the finger <NUM> follows the reverse tipping of the rear lever <NUM>. Meanwhile, the actuating arm <NUM> moves back to the entrance portion <NUM> of the guide space <NUM>, leading bridge <NUM> to return to the disengaged position.

Claim 1:
A handle arrangement (<NUM>) comprising
a handle (<NUM>) moveable between a stowed position, a deployed position and an operative position in which the handle causes the unlatch of a door,
a latch lever (<NUM>) for unlatching the door,
a deploying system (<NUM>) pivotally coupled with the handle (<NUM>) and comprising a front lever (<NUM>) and a rear lever (<NUM>) each cooperating with an end (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the handle (<NUM>), the rear lever (<NUM>) comprising a driving member (<NUM>) that, in the stowed and deployed positions of the handle (<NUM>), is spaced apart from the latch lever (<NUM>) and, in the operative position of the handle (<NUM>), actuates the latch lever (<NUM>) to unlatch the door,
a blocking system (<NUM>) comprising an inertial rotor (<NUM>) configured to be driven in rotation by an inertial force from a rest position to a preventing position,
characterized in that
the blocking system (<NUM>) further comprises a bridge (<NUM>) moveable about a pivot axis (<NUM>) between a disengaged position and an engaged position, wherein the bridge comprises an engagement arm (<NUM>) that, in the disengaged position, is spaced apart from the latch lever (<NUM>) and, in the engaged position, engages the latch lever (<NUM>) to prevent the unlatching of the door, wherein the bridge (<NUM>) further comprises an actuating arm (<NUM>) configured to cooperate with the inertial rotor (<NUM>) when the latter moves from the rest position to the preventing position, such cooperation moving the bridge (<NUM>) from the disengaged position and the engaged position.