Motor vehicle door handle assembly

[0002] This invention relates to motor vehicle door handle assemblies and, more particularly, to a simplified assembly providing both inside and outside door handle assembly functions.

[0003] Motor vehicle door assemblies typically include an outside door handle assembly, an outside door handle linkage for connecting the outside door handle to the door latch, an inside door handle, and an inside door handle linkage for connecting the inside door handle to the door latch. Whereas this basic arrangement is satisfactory in providing opening of the door from either inside or outside of the door, the total door handle assembly tends to be rather complex and rather expensive both from a materials standpoint and a labor/assembly standpoint.

[0004] This invention is directed to the provision of improved motor vehicle door handle assembly.

[0005] More particularly, this invention is directed to the provision of a motor vehicle door handle assembly wherein the outside door handle assembly and the inside door handle assembly share common elements to simplify the construction and operation of the overall assembly and reduce the overall materials and labor cost of the assembly.

[0006] The invention is directed to a motor vehicle door handle assembly comprising an outside door handle, an outside door handle linkage for connecting the outside door handle to a door latch, an inside door handle, and an inside door handle linkage for connecting the inside door handle to the door latch.

[0007] According to the invention, the outside and inside door handle linkages share a common spring element which is interposed in each linkage and acts to yieldably resist opening movement of the inside and outside door handles and provide a spring biased return movement of the inside and outside door handles upon release of the handles. This arrangement simplifies the overall construction of the total door handle assembly without any sacrifice in the performance of either the inside or the outside door handle assembly.

[0008] According to a further feature of the invention, the outside and inside door handle linkages further share a common damper mechanism which is interposed in each linkage and acts to cushion the spring biased return movement of the door handles. With this arrangement, a single damper mechanism acts to provide a soft, cushioned return of either the outside or the inside door handle to its rest position upon release of the handle.

[0009] According to a further feature of the invention, the assembly further includes a lost motion means allowing movement of either door handle to an open position without corresponding opening movement of the other door handle. This arrangement allows the utilization of shared componentry as between the inside and outside door handle assemblies without causing interference between the operation of the inside and outside door handles.

[0010] According to a further feature of the invention, the outside door handle linkage and the inside door handle linkage further share a common latch actuator element positioned at a location remote from the latch and a common linkage element for interconnecting the latch actuator element and the latch; and the common latch actuator element is moved to actuate the common linkage element and thereby actuate the latch in response to opening movement of either the outside door handle or the inside door handle. This arrangement further simplifies the overall construction of the total door handle assembly without sacrifice of handle performance.

[0011] According to a further feature of the invention, the common spring element resiliently resists movement of the common latch actuator element in an unlatching direction in response to opening movement of the outside door handle or the inside door handle and returns the common latch actuator to a rest position upon release of the actuated handle. This common spring arrangement further simplifies and reduces the cost of the total door handle assembly.

[0012] According to a further feature of the invention, the common latch actuator element comprises a latch lever mounted for pivotal movement about a fixed axis; the common spring element comprises a coil spring centered on the axis and resisting movement of the latch lever in an unlatching direction; and the assembly further includes a common damper mechanism including a housing containing a viscous fluid and a vane movable in the housing against the resistance of the viscous fluid in response to pivotal movement of the latch lever. This arrangement allows the common latch lever to actuate the latch, mount the spring, and drive the damper mechanism.

[0013] According to a further feature of the invention, the common damper mechanism further includes a gear driving the vane and the latch lever includes gear teeth formed on the lever concentric with the axis and driving the gear. This arrangement provides a simple means of actuating the damper utilizing the pivotal movement of the latch lever.

[0014] According to a further feature of the invention, the outside door handle linkage includes an outside linkage lever pivotally mounted at one end thereof proximate the remote location for pivotal movement about a fixed axis and operatively connected proximate a free end thereof to the outside door handle; the latch lever is pivotally mounted at one end thereof on the axis and is operatively connected to the inside door handle and to the shared common linkage element; and the lost motion means includes a first lost motion connection between the one ends of the levers operative to allow relative pivotal movement between the levers. This arrangement provides a simple means of driving the latch lever either from the outside door handle or from the inside door handle.

[0015] According to a further feature of the invention, the first lost motion connection provides a driving connection between the levers in response to opening movement of the outside door handle and allows relative movement between the levers in response to opening movement of the inside door handle so as not to disturb the outside door handle.

[0016] According to a further feature of the invention, the lost motion means further includes a second lost motion connection between the latch lever and the inside door handle whereby pivoting of the latch lever in response to opening movement of the outside door handle does not disturb the inside door handle.

[0017] According to a further feature of the invention, the inside door handle linkage includes a linkage element; the second lost motion connection comprises a mounting structure on the latch lever remote from the pivot axis slidably receiving one end of the inside door handle linkage element; and the one end of the inside door handle linkage element is headed so as to allow unlatching movement of the latch lever in response to opening movement of the inside door handle while not disturbing the inside door handle in response to unlatching movement of the latch lever in response to opening movement of the outside door handle.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view of a motor vehicle including a door embodying the door handle assembly of the invention;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective, somewhat schematic view of the motor vehicle door seen in FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the door handle assembly of the invention;

[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an outside door handle assembly employed in the door handle assembly of the invention;

[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an outside door handle employed in the outside door handle assembly;

[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective, fragmentary view of a common latch actuator mechanism employed in the invention door handle assembly;

[0024] FIGS. 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views taken respectively on lines 7—7 and 8—8 of FIG. 6;

[0025] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of the common latch actuator mechanism; and

[0026] FIGS. 10 and 11 are detail perspective views of elements employed in the common latch actuator mechanism.

[0027] The invention door handle assembly 10 is seen in FIG. 1 in association with a fragmentarily shown motor vehicle 12 including a windshield 14, a front quarter panel 16, a hood 18, an A pillar 20, a sill 22, a B pillar 24, and a door 26 positioned in the door opening defined by the A pillar 20, front quarter panel 16, sill 22, and B pillar 24.

[0028] Door 26 (FIG. 2) includes an inner skin 26a, an outer skin 26b, and a latch 28 mounted on a shut face 26cof the door and arranged for coaction in known manner with a bolt or striker 30 mounted on the B pillar 24.

[0029] Motor vehicle door handle assembly 10 (see also FIG. 3) includes an outside door handle assembly 32, an outside door handle linkage 34, an inside door handle assembly 36, an inside door handle linkage 38, and a common latch actuator assembly 40.

[0030] Outside door handle assembly 32 (FIGS. 3, 4 and 5) includes a handle 42 and a housing or escutcheon 44.

[0031] Housing 44 is mounted in a suitable opening in the outer skin 26bof the door and has a generally oval configuration. Housing 44 includes a peripheral rim portion 44asurrounding a central recessed bowl portion 44b. The inner face 44cof the housing defines an inwardly projecting hollow guide portion 44dand spaced pillar portions 44eand 44f.

[0032] Handle 42 has an elongated configuration and includes a main body grip portion 42aand an arm portion 42bextending inwardly from a rear end 42cof the handle. Front end 42dof the handle includes a pivot portion 42efor pivotally mounting the handle in known manner to the front end 44gof the housing, and the arm 42bextends inwardly and slidably through guide portion 44dof the housing to dispose an opening 42fat the free end of arm portion 42bwithin the interior of the door.

[0033] Outside door handle linkage 34 (FIGS. 6, 7, 9 and 10) comprises a lever 46 and a pin 48.

[0034] Lever 46 is pivotally mounted at one end 46athereof on a pivot pin 47 extending between the inner ends of housing pillars 44eand 44f. The end 46aof lever 46 is configured to define a through bore 46breceiving pivot pin 47, a hub or journal portion 46ccentered on bore 46b, and an arcuate driver portion 46dcentered on bore 46boutwardly of hub 46e. Arcuate driver portion 46fmay have an arcuate extent of, for example, 110° and has an axial extent exceeding the axial extent of hub portion 46bso that arcuate driver portion 46doverhangs hub portion 46c.

[0035] Pin 48 is fixedly secured to the other end 46eof lever 46 and extends in a direction opposite to the extent of hub portion 46cand driver portion 46d. Pin 48 is received in the opening 42fof arm portion 42bof handle 42 so that pivotal movement of the handle about its front end 42dhas the effect, via the driving interconnection between pin 48 and opening 42e, of pivoting lever 46 about the fixed axis 49 defined by pin 47.

[0036] Inside door handle assembly 36 (FIGS. 2 and 3) includes a handle 50 and a housing or escutcheon 52.

[0037] Housing 52 is fixedly secured in a suitable opening in the inner skin 26aof the door and defines a main body portion 52a, defining a central concavity 52b, and a cable mounting portion 52c.

[0038] Handle 50 is suitably mounted in the concavity 52bof main body housing portion 52afor pivotal movement about a pivot pin 53 carried by housing 52 and includes a gripping portion 50afor grasping by the vehicle operator and a cable attachment end portion 50b.

[0039] Inside door handle linkage 38 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 6) includes a cable assembly 54 and a bracket 56.

[0040] Cable assembly 54 is of the Bowden type and includes a central core or cable 58, an outer sheath 60, and a fitting 62.

[0041] Bracket 56 is fixedly secured to the inner skin 26aof the door at a location proximate the outside door handle assembly and fitting 62 is fixedly secured at the outboard end of the bracket and extends downwardly from the bracket.

[0042] Sheath 60 is fixedly secured at one end in the lower end of fitting 62 and at its other end in the mounting portion 52cof the inside door handle housing 52.

[0043] Cable 58 is connected at one end to inside handle cable attachment portion 50band extends through housing mounting portion 52c, through sheath 60, and through fitting 62 to define an upper cable end 58aextending upwardly from fitting 62 and defining a head 58bat its upper free end. It will be seen that pivotal opening and closing movement of inside door handle 50 has the effect of sliding cable free end 58aupwardly and downwardly within fitting 62.

[0044] Common latch actuator assembly 40 (FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11) includes a latch actuator lever 64, a spring element 66, and a damper mechanism 68.

[0045] Latch actuator lever 64 includes an inner end 64aand an outer end 64b. Outer end 64bincludes an aperture 64cfor receipt of the upper end 70aof a latch actuator rod or linkage 70. The inner end 64aof the lever is configured to define a central bore 64dfor receipt of pivot pin 47, a hub or journal portion 64ecentered on central bore 64d, and an arcuate driver portion 64ecentered on hub portion 64doutwardly of hub portion 64e, and a gear segment 64fcentered on bore 64dat a location circumferentially removed from driver portion 64e. Driver portion 64emay have an arcuate extent, for example, of 180° and has an axial extent exceeding the axial extent of hub portion 64eso that the arcuate driver portion extends axially beyond the hub portion. Lever 64 further defines a spring mount hub portion 64gconcentric with bore 64dand through which pivot pin 47 extends for mounting in housing pillar 44f. Lever 64 further includes a mounting structure 64hpositioned between inner and outer ends 64aand 64band having a central bore sized to slidably receive the upper end 58aof cable 58. The headed end 58bof the cable precludes separation of the cable from the mounting portion 64h, provides a driving connection between the cable and the lever 64, and allows lost motion between the cable and the lever 64.

[0046] In the assembled relation of levers 46 and 64, pivot pin 47 passes centrally through aligned bores 46band 64d, hub portions 46cand 64eslidably interface, and arcuate driver portion 46dis located circumferentially within the missing arcuate portion of arcuate driver portion 64e. It will be seen that driver portions 46dand 64eallow driving movement of lever 46 with respect to lever 64 in one direction while allowing lost motion movement between lever 64 and 46 in the opposite direction.

[0047] Spring element 66 comprises a coil spring and is mounted on spring mount portion 64gof lever 64 with one end 66aof the spring hooked under the lower edge of lever 64 and the other end 64bof the spring suitably anchored with respect to outer door handle housing 44. Spring 66 acts to resist downward pivotal movement of lever 64 about axis 49 and returns lever 64 upwardly to a rest position in the absence of forces pivoting the lever downwardly.

[0048] Damper mechanism 68 includes a cylindrical housing 72 fixedly secured to pillar 44f; a shaft 74 centrally mounted within the housing; a vane structure 76 mounted on the shaft for rotary movement with the shaft within the housing, a gear 78 mounted on a free end of shaft 74 exteriorly of the housing 72 and meshingly engaging with gear segment portion 64fof lever 64, and a viscous fluid 80 positioned within the housing in surrounding relation to vane 76. It will be seen that pivotal movement of lever 64 about axis 49 has the effect of rotating gear 78 whereby to rotate vane 76 within housing 72 against the viscous resistance of fluid 80 so as to provide a viscous damping resistance to the pivotal movement of lever 64.

[0049] In the operation of the invention door handle assembly, either the outside door handle may be pivoted to unlatch the latch 28 or the inside door handle may be pivoted to unlatch the latch 28, the opening movement of the respective handle in each case not disturbing the other handle by virtue of the lost motion connections provided at the common latch actuator assembly 40. Specifically, as the outside door handle is pivoted outwardly to an unlatching position, handle arm 42bengages pin 48 to pivot lever 46 about axis 49. As lever 46 is pivoted about axis 49, arcuate driver portion 46dof lever 46 engages an end face 64hof arcuate driver portion 64eof lever 64 to pivot lever 64 downwardly and move rod 70 downwardly in a manner to unlatch latch 28. As the lever 64 is pivoted downwardly, the upper end 58aof cable 58 slides in a lost motion manner in mounting structure 64hso as not to disturb the inside door handle assembly.

[0050] Conversely, when inside door handle 50 is pivoted outwardly to unlatch the latch, cable 58 pulls lever 64 downwardly by virtue of cable head end 58bto move rod 70 downwardly in an unlatching direction. As the lever moves downwardly the leading face 64iof arcuate driver 64emoves in an idling, lost motion manner within the gap 80 defined between the trailing face 46fof driver segment 46dand the leading face 64iof arcuate driver 64eto ensure that the opening movement of the inner door handle does not disturb the outer door handle.

[0051] As lever 64 is pivoted downwardly to unlatch the latch in response to either opening movement of the outside door handle or opening movement of the inside door handle, spring 66 resiliently resists the downward movement to provide a positive “feel” for the opening movement of the respective handle and the spring acts in response to release of the respective handle to positively return the handle to its rest position by exerting an upward pivotal force against lever 64. Further, as lever 64 is pivoted downwardly or upwardly about axis 49, damper mechanism 68 acts to provide a damping force resisting the latching or unlatching movement of the mechanism, thereby to cushion the latching and unlatching movement of the mechanism and in particular to mollify the return movement of the inside door handle and the outside door handle upon release of the handle to preclude objectionable slapping noises as the handle resumes its rest position with respect to the respective housing.

[0052] The invention door handle assembly, by providing many common elements in the outside door handle linkage assembly and the inside door handle linkage assembly, significantly reduces the cost of the system without any sacrifice in the performance of the system. Specifically, the use of a common latch actuator assembly allows the use of a common spring to provide spring biased movement of both the inside and outside door handles and the common latch actuator arrangement further allow the provision of a common damping mechanism to provide a damping action with respect to the closing movement of both the inside and outside door handles. The overall effect of the invention is to provide a total inside/outside door handle assembly for a motor vehicle having performance equal to or superior to prior art systems employing individual inside and outside linkages and at a price that is significantly less than the combined price of the inside and outside door handle assemblies by virtue of both reduced parts costs and reduced labor costs.

[0053] Whereas a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it will be apparent that the various changes may be made in the disclosed embodiment without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.