U.S. patent application number 13/037469 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-06 for collapsible door trim pull handle.
This patent application is currently assigned to FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. Invention is credited to Paul Schryer.
Application Number | 20120222360 13/037469 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46671539 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120222360 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schryer; Paul |
September 6, 2012 |
COLLAPSIBLE DOOR TRIM PULL HANDLE
Abstract
A collapsible vehicle door pull handle comprising two separate
pieces joined together by a break away feature. This arrangement
allows the pull handle to be strong when the occupant pulls the
vehicle door closed, but allows deflection because of the break
away feature during a side impact event. The collapsible vehicle
door pull handle comprises a handle, a base, an attachment member
fitted to one of the handle and the base, and an elastic deformable
portion having a keyway for receiving and holding the attachment
member with the attachment portion being on the other of the base
and the handle. According to this arrangement the handle and the
base may be moved toward one another on deformation of the
deformable portion during a side impact event. The attachment
member includes a post having a pair of opposed flat surfaces and a
pair of opposed curved surfaces. The keyway includes a channel
which terminates into a post retaining area that is wider than said
channel. The channel is defined by a pair of opposed walls. The
post retaining area is defined by a curved wall.
Inventors: |
Schryer; Paul; (Farmington
Hills, MI) |
Assignee: |
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES,
LLC
Dearborn
MI
|
Family ID: |
46671539 |
Appl. No.: |
13/037469 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
49/460 ;
16/412 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B 85/12 20130101;
E05B 1/0015 20130101; B60N 3/026 20130101; E05B 2001/0023 20130101;
Y10T 16/458 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
49/460 ;
16/412 |
International
Class: |
B60N 3/02 20060101
B60N003/02; E05B 1/00 20060101 E05B001/00 |
Claims
1. A collapsible door handle assembly for a vehicle comprising: a
handle; a base; an attachment member fitted to one of said handle
and said base; a deformable portion having a keyway for receiving
and holding said attachment member, said portion being on the other
of said base and said handle, whereby said handle and said base may
be moved toward one another on deformation of said deformable
portion.
2. The collapsible door handle assembly of claim 1 wherein said
attachment member includes a post, said post having a pair of
opposed flat surfaces.
3. The collapsible door handle assembly of claim 2 wherein said
post has a pair of opposed curved surfaces.
4. The collapsible door handle assembly of claim 2 wherein said
keyway includes a channel which terminates into a post retaining
area that is wider than said channel.
5. The collapsible door handle assembly of claim 4 wherein said
channel is defined by a pair of opposed walls.
6. The collapsible door handle assembly of claim 5 wherein said
post retaining area is defined by a curved wall.
7. A door assembly for use in a vehicle comprising: a collapsible
door handle assembly comprising a handle having a bracket and a
base having a bracket, one of said brackets having an attachment
member and the other one of said brackets including a deformable
portion having a keyway for receiving and holding said member, and
a sheet metal panel to which said base is attached.
8. The door assembly of claim 7 wherein said attachment member
includes a post.
9. The door assembly of claim 8 wherein said post has a pair of
opposed flat surfaces.
10. The door assembly of claim 9 wherein said post has a pair of
opposed curved surfaces.
11. The door assembly of claim 7 wherein said keyway includes a
channel which terminates into a post retaining area that is wider
than said channel.
12. The door assembly of claim 11 wherein said channel is defined
by a pair of opposed walls.
13. The door assembly of claim 12 wherein said post retaining area
is defined by a curved wall.
14. The door assembly of claim 7 wherein said keyway is partially
defined by a deformable cantilevered element.
15. A door assembly for use in a vehicle comprising: a collapsible
door handle assembly comprising a handle and a base, said handle
and said base being attached by an attachment member and a keyway
defined by at least one elastically deformable wall, said at least
one elastically deformable wall deforming in the event that said
handle and said base are moved toward one another; and a sheet
metal panel to which said base is attached.
16. The door assembly for use in a vehicle of claim 15 wherein said
attachment member is a post slidably insertable into said
keyway.
17. The door assembly for use in a vehicle of claim 15 wherein said
elastically deformable wall is cantilevered.
18. The door assembly for use in a vehicle of claim 16 wherein said
keyway includes a channel and an area for retaining said post that
is wider than said channel.
19. The door assembly for use in a vehicle of claim 18 wherein said
post includes a pair of opposed walls that are narrow enough to
pass through said channel.
20. The door assembly for use in a vehicle of claim 18 wherein said
post includes a pair of opposed walls that are too wide to pass
through said channel.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a door trim pull
handle for use with a vehicle. More specifically, the present
invention relates to a collapsible door trim pull handle which is
strong and durable under normal use but which will demonstrate
compromised lateral stiffness in the event of a side impact.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is known in vehicles to provide an armrest in a door
having an integrated pull handle (also known as a grab handle) to
allow the occupant to pull the door shut. The pull handle is
designed to withstand tens of thousands of pulls over its working
life and, accordingly, must be very strong.
[0003] Known pull handles are typically of one-piece design to meet
requirements of strength and durability. Door pull handles are
designed to meet specific deflection (flexing) requirements during
a side impact event to minimize vehicle-inward movement of the
handle in a side impact event while at the same time providing to
the user a solid feel. Because the position of the pull handle is
near the location of the seated occupant, it is somewhat
challenging to satisfy the force vs. deflection requirements
established for occupant safety while at the same time satisfying
requirements of pull strength durability.
[0004] Some efforts have been made to overcome the problems of
known pull cup designs. The most common solution to improving
deflection of the pull handle is to remove structure. This is
achieved by forming notches or grooves (devices designed to weaken
the part) into the pull handle to initiate flex and fracture.
However, this approach weakens the pull handle and adversely
affects durability. In addition, the flexing or fracturing itself
is difficult to predict and as a result often these features do not
behave as predicted, resulting in additional changes late in the
program development cycle.
[0005] A less complex and more predictable solution to the problems
of known pull cup/grab handle designs is to simply move the pull
handle away from the occupant. While improving deflection this
approach negatively affects ergonomics since the handle must be
placed too far forward for the comfort of the occupant. In
addition, this arrangement may reduce or eliminate package space
for window and door controllers.
[0006] Accordingly, as in so many areas of vehicle design, there is
room for improvement in the art of pull handle construction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The disclosed invention provides an alternative arrangement
to known vehicle door pull handle designs. The disclosed invention
specifically provides a vehicle door pull handle which can deflect
a greater amount with less force thereby improving occupant safety
without compromising durability.
[0008] According to the disclosed invention, two separate pieces
are joined together by a break away feature. This arrangement
allows the pull handle to be strong when the occupant pulls the
vehicle door closed, but allows deflection because of the break
away feature during a side impact event.
[0009] Particularly, the pull handle of the disclosed invention
comprises a handle and a base. The two parts are fitted together by
a post on one of the handle or the base and a keyway for receiving
and holding the post being formed in the other of the base or the
handle. According to this arrangement the handle and the base may
be moved toward one another on deformation of the deformable
portion during a side impact event.
[0010] The attachment member includes a post having a pair of
opposed flat surfaces and a pair of opposed curved surfaces. The
keyway includes a channel which terminates into a post retaining
area. The post retaining area is wider than said channel. The
channel is defined by a pair of opposed walls. The post retaining
area is defined by a curved wall.
[0011] Other advantages and features of the invention will become
apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the
preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached
drawings and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] For a more complete understanding of this invention,
reference should now be made to the embodiments illustrated in
greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by
way of examples of the invention wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the assembled
collapsible door trim pull handle of the disclosed invention
enclosed within a door handle;
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates an elevational view of the assembled
collapsible door trim pull handle of FIG. 1 illustrated in its
attached position to a door inner sheet metal panel;
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view showing the assembly of the
disclosed invention in its normal assembled position; and
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the collapsible door trim
pull handle shown in FIG. 1 but illustrating the handle spaced
apart from the base in pre-assembled alignment;
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a detailed view of the method of
attaching the handle to the base by fitting the post of the handle
into the keyway of the base;
[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates the assembly shown in FIG. 3 but
collapsed after the application of a side impact force;
[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates the assembly shown in FIG. 2 but after
the application of a side impact force;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] In the following figures, the same reference numerals will
be used to refer to the same components. In the following
description, various operating parameters and components are
described for different constructed embodiments. These specific
parameters and components are included as examples and are not
meant to be limiting.
[0021] With reference to FIG. 1, a collapsible door trim pull
handle assembly, generally illustrated as 10, is shown in
perspective view. The collapsible door trim pull handle assembly 10
is illustrated within a molded handle assembly illustrated as "H".
It is to be understood that the shape and configuration of both the
collapsible door trim pull handle assembly and the molded handle
assembly are for illustrative purposes only and both may be
modified without deviating from the invention as disclosed and
claimed. In FIG. 2 the collapsible door trim pull handle assembly
10 is shown from a side elevational view. In FIG. 3 a plan view of
the assembled collapsible door trim pull handle assembly 10 is
shown while in FIG. 4 the collapsible door trim pull handle
assembly 10 is shown before assembly.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the collapsible door trim
pull handle assembly 10 comprises a handle assembly 12 and a base
assembly 14. The handle assembly 12 and the base assembly 14 are
preferably composed of a substantially rigid polymerized material,
such as a carbon-reinforced plastic could be used, although a metal
could be used as well either alone or in conjunction with one or
more plastic components.
[0023] The handle assembly 12 comprises a handle bar 16 connecting
a first side handle bracket 18 and a second side handle bracket
18'. The first side handle bracket 18 has a first attachment member
20 attached thereto and the second side handle bracket 18' has a
second attachment member 20' (shown in shadow lines) attached
thereto.
[0024] The base assembly 14 comprises an anchoring plate 22 for
attachment to a door inner sheet metal panel 24 (shown in FIGS. 2
and 3). Attachment of the anchoring plate 22 to the door inner
sheet metal panel 24 may be made by any number of known
arrangements, including mechanical fasteners (not shown) fitted
through holes 26 and 26'. The anchoring plate 22 connects a first
side base bracket 28 and a second side base bracket 28'. The first
side base bracket 28 includes a first keyway 30 and the second side
base bracket 28' has a second keyway 30'.
[0025] It is to be understood that while the disclosed invention is
illustrated and discussed herein as having the attachment members
20 and 20' being fitted to the first side handle bracket 18 and the
second side handle bracket 18' respectively and as having the
keyways 30 and 30' being formed in the first side base bracket 28
and the second side base bracket 28' respectively, this arrangement
is not intended as being limiting. As an alternative, the
attachment posts could be fitted to the side base brackets and the
keyways could be formed in the side handle brackets.
[0026] The keyways 30 and 30' are formed so as to strategically
engage the posts 20 and 20' respectively. Particularly, and using
the keyway 30 as an example as shown in FIG. 4 and with it being
understood that the keyway 30' has the same configuration, the
keyway 30 includes a ramped portion 32 and a narrowed portion 34
formed between a first flat surface 36 contiguous with the ramped
portion 32 and a second flat surface 38 which is formed at the end
of a cantilevered arm 40. The narrowed portion 34 is narrower than
a rounded post holding portion 42 defined in part by the
cantilevered arm 40.
[0027] The keyways 30 and 30' work in conjunction with the
attachment members 20 and 20'. Particularly, the attachment members
20 and 20' are constructed so as to cooperate with the keyways 30
and 30' respectively. Using the first attachment member 20 as an
example as shown in FIG. 5 and with it being understood that the
second attachment member 20' has the same configuration, the
attachment member 20 includes a cap 44 and a post 46 (shown in
broken lines in FIG. 5). The post 46 has two opposed flat surfaces
50 and 50' and two opposed curved surfaces 48 and 48'. The two
opposed flat surfaces 50 and 50' define a width that is narrow
enough to pass between the first flat surface 36 and the second
flat surface 38 of the narrowed portion 34. However, the two
opposed curved surfaces 48 and 48' define a width that is wider
than the space defined between the first flat surface 36 and the
second flat surface 38. The two opposed flat surfaces 50 and 50'
are perpendicular to the long axes of the first side handle bracket
18 and a second side handle bracket 18' respectively.
[0028] Accordingly, to attach the handle assembly 12 to the base
assembly 14 the installer first rotates the handle assembly 12 to
about a 90.degree. angle relative to the base assembly 14. In this
position the two opposed flat surfaces 50 and 50' are in alignment
with the first flat surface 36 and the second flat surface 38 of
the narrowed portion 34. Thus positioned, the installer can pass
the post 46 through the narrowed portion 34 and into the rounded
post holding portion 42. Once so positioned, the installer can
rotate the handle assembly 12 such that the first side handle
bracket 18 and the second side handle bracket 18' are in axial
alignment with the first side base bracket 28 and the second side
base bracket 28', thus locking the handle assembly 12 with the base
assembly 14.
[0029] During the course of its life, a door trim pull handle is
designed to withstand tens of thousands of pulls with the maximum
pull force being hundreds of Newtons. Conversely, during a side
impact event the maximum force on the door trim pull handle needs
to be much less than the hundreds of Newtons of the maximum pull
force. The disclosed and described invention allows the handle to
collapse, keeping force upon the occupant low. Particularly, when
the vehicle occupant pulls on the collapsible door trim pull handle
assembly 10 when closing the vehicle door (not shown), the handle
assembly 12 and the base assembly 14 function as an integral
component thus allowing the occupant to apply considerable force to
the pull handle assembly. However, in the event of a side impact,
the arrangement of the disclosed invention minimizes the impact of
the collapsible door trim pull handle assembly 10 upon the occupant
because of its ability to collapse. This situation is particularly
shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 in which a force has been applied to the
collapsible door trim pull handle assembly 10 via the vehicle door
(not shown). As the collapsible door trim pull handle assembly 10
moves vehicle inward toward the occupant (not shown), the handle
assembly 12 impacts the occupant but the vehicle-inward movement of
the handle assembly 12 is halted upon initial impact even as the
base assembly 14 continues its vehicle-inward movement. This result
is due to the designed-in and allowed deformation of the
cantilevered arm 40 when the attachment member 20 is pushed against
it with the vehicle-inward movement of the base assembly 14.
Because of the relatively narrow construction of the cantilevered
arm 40 deformation occurs before deformation of the post 46.
Additional deformation mechanisms may be provided to the
cantilevered arm 40, such as a weakened, thinned, or notched
construction.
[0030] The foregoing discussion discloses and describes exemplary
embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will
readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying
drawings and claims that various changes, modifications and
variations can be made therein without departing from the true
spirit and fair scope of the invention as defined by the following
claims.
* * * * *