Extendable flush door handle for vehicle

• US 9,580,942 B2
• Filed: 07/21/2014
• Issued: 02/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Sobecki, Justin E., Foote, Keith D., Deuel, Eric S.
• Primary Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, MARK A
• Application Number:
  US14/336,372
• Publication Number:
  US 20140327252A1
• Time in Patent Office: 953 Days
• Field of Search: 292/336.3
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 1/0053 Handles or handle attachments facilitating operation, e.g. by children or burdened persons foot-operation E05B53/001
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/10 Illuminating devices on or for locks or keys; Transparent or translucent lock parts; Indicator lights
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 5/006 essentially defining a completely closed surface together with the wing
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/54 Automatic securing or unlocking of bolts triggered by certain vehicle parameters, e.g. exceeding a speed threshold triggered by vehicle collision E05B77/12
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/01 Comfort closing, i.e. the locking action for a wing is combined with actuation of other vehicle functions, e.g. locking the doors and closing the windows simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/06 using rotary motors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/14 operating on bolt detents, e.g. for unlatching the bolt
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/34 of geared transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/58 including time control, e.g. for controlling run-time of electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/62 for opening or closing of a circuit depending on electrical parameters, e.g. increase of motor current
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/77 comprising sensors detecting the presence of the hand of a user
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/78 as part of a hands-free locking or unlocking operation
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/18 for car boot lids or rear luggage compartments
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/10 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/103 creating a completely closed wing surface
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/107 Pop-out handles, e.g. sliding outwardly before rotation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/57 Operators with knobs or handles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5394 Directly acting dog for exterior, manual, bolt manipulator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5496 Freely movable external manipulator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5805 Freely movable when locked
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/65 : Central control

Abstract

A handle assembly for a door of a vehicle includes a base portion and a handle portion movable relative to the base portion between a recessed position and a partially extended position. When at the partially extended position, the handle portion is manually movable outward from the base portion to open the vehicle door. A control is operable to control operation of a motor of an actuator to move the handle portion between the recessed position and the partially extended position. The control moves the handle portion from the recessed position to the partially extended position responsive to a trigger. The actuator provides a manual override that allows the user to manually move the handle portion relative to the base portion. Responsive to determination of a lockout condition, the control limits movement of the handle portion from the recessed position towards the partially extended position irrespective of the trigger.

Claims

1. A handle assembly for a door of a vehicle, said handle assembly comprising:

a base portion mounted at or incorporated into a structure of the door of the vehicle;

a handle portion movable relative to said base portion, wherein said handle portion is movable between a recessed position, where said handle portion is at least partially recessed at said base portion so as to be not readily graspable by a user, and a partially extended position, where said handle portion extends partially outward from said base portion to be graspable by the user;

wherein, when said handle portion is at said partially extended position, said handle portion is manually movable further outward from said base portion to open the door of the vehicle;

a control operable to move said handle portion between said recessed position and said partially extended position;

wherein said control controls operation of a motor of an electrically operable actuator of said handle assembly and wherein operation of said motor moves said handle portion between said recessed position and said partially extended position;

wherein said control controls said motor of said actuator to move said handle portion from said recessed position to said partially extended position responsive to a trigger;

wherein said trigger comprises at least one of (a) a signal from a passive entry device, (b) a signal from a remote transmitting device and (c) a signal indicative of the user actuating a door unlock button of the vehicle;

wherein said actuator provides a manual override that allows the user to manually move said handle portion relative to said base portion, wherein said manual override is provided via at least partial disengagement or slippage of gears of said actuator when the user urges said handle portion inwards towards said base portion; and

wherein, responsive to determination of a lockout condition, said control limits movement of said handle portion from said recessed position towards said partially extended position irrespective of the trigger.

2. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said handle assembly comprises one of (a) a strap handle assembly for opening a side door of a vehicle, (b) a paddle handle assembly for opening a side door of a vehicle and (c) a liftgate handle assembly for opening a liftgate of a vehicle.

3. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said lockout condition comprises at least one of (i) the vehicle being in a forward gear, (ii) the vehicle being in a reverse gear, (iii) the vehicle ignition being on, (iv) a predetermined time period following the vehicle ignition being turned on and (v) the vehicle moving above a threshold speed.

4. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said handle portion is pivotally mounted to said base portion and said actuator is operable to pivot said handle portion from said recessed position to said partially extended position.

5. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said control is responsive to a passive entry system of the vehicle, and wherein said trigger comprises a signal of said passive entry system.

6. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said handle portion, when in said recessed position, is at least partially received in said base portion so as to be not readily graspable by the user until said handle portion is moved toward said partially extended position.

7. The handle assembly of claim 1, further comprising a dampening element that dampens return of said handle portion towards its recessed position after extension of said handle portion to open the vehicle door.

8. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said manual override is provided via a clutch comprising a first gear element that is driven by said motor and a second gear element that is driven by said first gear element, and wherein, when said handle portion is moved toward said partially extended position via operation of said motor of said actuator and when said partially extended handle portion is manually urged toward said recessed position, said second gear element slips relative to said first gear element to allow said partially extended handle portion to be manually moved toward said recessed position.

9. The handle assembly of claim 8, wherein said first and second gear elements comprise ramped teeth and wherein said second gear element moves along the ramped teeth of said first gear element to slip said second gear element relative to said first gear element when said handle portion is manually moved toward said recessed position.

10. The handle assembly of claim 8, wherein said second gear element rotates with an output element of said actuator and wherein said output element engages said handle portion to cause pivotal movement of said handle portion relative to said base portion.

11. The handle assembly of claim 10, wherein, when said output element is rotatably driven in a first direction, said handle portion pivots toward said partially extended position, and wherein, when said output element is rotatably driven in a second direction, said handle portion pivots toward said recessed position, and wherein said clutch allows for rotation of said output element in said second direction when said handle portion has been moved toward said partially extended position via rotatable driving of said output element in said first direction.

12. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said control is operable to move said handle portion from said partially extended position towards said recessed position responsive to elapsing of a period of time after said handle portion is moved from said recessed position to said partially extended position.

13. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein, when said handle portion is at said recessed position, a portion of said handle portion at one side of a pivot axis of said handle portion is manually movable inward toward said base portion to cause another portion of said handle portion at an opposite side of said pivot axis to move outward from said base portion to move said handle portion toward said partially extended position without operation of said motor.

14. A handle assembly for a door of a vehicle, said handle assembly comprising:

a base portion mounted at or incorporated into a structure of the door of the vehicle;

a handle portion movable relative to said base portion, wherein said handle portion is movable between a recessed position, where said handle portion is at least partially recessed at said base portion so as to be not readily graspable by a user, and a partially extended position, where said handle portion extends partially outward from said base portion to be graspable by the user;

wherein, when said handle portion is at said partially extended position, said handle portion is manually movable further outward from said base portion to open the door of the vehicle;

a control operable to move said handle portion between said recessed position and said partially extended position;

wherein said control controls operation of a motor of an electrically operable actuator of said handle assembly and wherein operation of said motor moves said handle portion between said recessed position and said partially extended position;

wherein said control controls said motor of said actuator to move said handle portion from said recessed position to said partially extended position responsive to a trigger;

wherein said trigger comprises at least one of (a) a signal from a passive entry device, (b) a signal from a remote transmitting device and (c) a signal indicative of the user actuating a door unlock button of the vehicle;

wherein said control is operable to move said handle portion from said partially extended position towards said recessed position responsive to elapsing of a period of time after said handle portion is moved from said recessed position to said partially extended position;

wherein said actuator provides a manual override that allows the user to manually move said handle portion relative to said base portion, wherein said manual override is provided via at least partial disengagement or slippage of gears of said actuator when the user urges said handle portion inwards towards said base portion;

wherein, responsive to determination of a lockout condition, said control limits movement of said handle portion from said recessed position towards said partially extended position irrespective of the trigger; and

wherein said lockout condition comprises at least one of (i) the vehicle being in a forward gear, (ii) the vehicle being in a reverse gear, (iii) the vehicle ignition being on, (iv) a predetermined time period following the vehicle ignition being turned on and (v) the vehicle moving above a threshold speed.

15. The handle assembly of claim 14, wherein said handle portion is pivotally mounted to said base portion and said actuator is operable to pivot said handle portion from said recessed position to said partially extended position.

16. The handle assembly of claim 14, further comprising a dampening element that dampens return of said handle portion towards its recessed position after extension of said handle portion to open the vehicle door.

17. The handle assembly of claim 14, wherein said manual override is provided via a clutch comprising a first gear element that is driven by said motor and a second gear element that is driven by said first gear element, and wherein, when said handle portion is moved toward said partially extended position via operation of said motor of said actuator and when said partially extended handle portion is manually urged toward said recessed position, said second gear element slips relative to said first gear element to allow said partially extended handle portion to be manually moved toward said recessed position.

18. A handle assembly for a door of a vehicle, said handle assembly comprising:

a base portion mounted at or incorporated into a structure of the door of the vehicle;

a handle portion movable relative to said base portion, wherein said handle portion is movable between a recessed position, where said handle portion is at least partially recessed at said base portion so as to be not readily graspable by a user, and a partially extended position, where said handle portion extends partially outward from said base portion to be graspable by the user;

wherein said handle assembly comprises one of (a) a handle assembly for opening a side door of a vehicle and (b) a handle assembly for opening a liftgate of a vehicle;

wherein, when said handle portion is at said partially extended position, said handle portion is manually movable further outward from said base portion to open the door of the vehicle;

a control operable to move said handle portion between said recessed position and said partially extended position;

wherein said control controls operation of a motor of an electrically operable actuator of said handle assembly and wherein operation of said motor moves said handle portion between said recessed position and said partially extended position;

wherein, when said handle portion is at said recessed position, a portion of said handle portion at one side of a pivot axis of said handle portion is manually movable inward toward said base portion to cause another portion of said handle portion at an opposite side of said pivot axis to move outward from said base portion to move said handle portion toward said partially extended position without operation of said motor;

wherein said control controls said motor of said actuator to move said handle portion from said recessed position to said partially extended position responsive to a trigger;

wherein said trigger comprises at least one of (a) a signal from a passive entry device, (b) a signal from a remote transmitting device and (c) a signal indicative of the user actuating a door unlock button of the vehicle;

wherein said actuator provides a manual override that allows the user to manually move said handle portion relative to said base portion, wherein said manual override is provided via at least partial disengagement or slippage of gears of said actuator when the user urges said handle portion inwards towards said base portion;

wherein, responsive to determination of a lockout condition, said control limits movement of said handle portion from said recessed position towards said partially extended position irrespective of the trigger; and

wherein said lockout condition comprises at least one of (i) the vehicle being in a forward gear, (ii) the vehicle being in a reverse gear, (iii) the vehicle ignition being on, (iv) a predetermined time period following the vehicle ignition being turned on and (v) the vehicle moving above a threshold speed.

19. The handle assembly of claim 18, further comprising a dampening element that dampens return of said handle portion towards its recessed position after extension of said handle portion to open the vehicle door.

20. The handle assembly of claim 18, wherein said manual override is provided via a clutch comprising a first gear element that is driven by said motor and a second gear element that is driven by said first gear element, and wherein, when said handle portion is moved toward said partially extended position via operation of said motor of said actuator and when said partially extended handle portion is manually urged toward said recessed position, said second gear element slips relative to said first gear element to allow said partially extended handle portion to be manually moved toward said recessed position.