Disclosure of Invention
The object of the present invention is to provide a door opening device as well as a door opening system and a vehicle equipped therewith, which enable both electrical and mechanical opening and protection against mechanical tampering of a lock cylinder (schlieszylinder).
According to the invention, this object is achieved by a door opening device according to claim 1 and by a door opening system according to claim 5. Advantageous embodiments of the door opener are specified in the dependent claims 2 to 4. Advantageous embodiments of the door opening system are specified in the dependent claims 6 to 8. Additionally, a motor vehicle is provided according to claim 9, which comprises at least one door opening system according to the invention. An advantageous embodiment of the motor vehicle is specified in the dependent claim 10.
A first aspect of the invention is a door opener for a motor vehicle, in particular for a passenger car, for arrangement at or in a vehicle door. The door opening device according to the invention comprises a handle element and a manually operable element in or at the handle element, with which, upon manual actuation, an electrical control command for opening can be generated in order to open the vehicle door. The handle element can be moved by the introduction of an actuating force or an actuating torque in such a way that a mechanical opening can be achieved by movement of the handle element in order to open the vehicle door.
Furthermore, the door opener comprises at least one fastening device for mechanically fastening the door opener at or in the vehicle door. The handle element has a substantially flat surface on the side facing away from the fastening device, so that in the case of an arrangement of the door opening device at or in the vehicle door, the flat surface of the handle element forms a substantially continuous plane together with the door outer side in the arrangement region of the handle element. Furthermore, a mechanical lock cylinder is arranged in the fastening device, wherein a security plate is arranged radially around the lock cylinder for protection against mechanical tampering of the lock cylinder.
The handle element comprises a manual operating element with which, by manual actuation, electrical control commands for opening, in particular for electrical opening, can be generated and transmitted to a control unit of the vehicle, whereupon the vehicle door, at which or in which the door opening device according to the invention is arranged, can be opened. In the sense of the present invention, a manual actuation is understood to mean a slight pressure or merely a touch. The corresponding manual operating element is, for example, a key switch or a touch-sensitive sensor. Preferably, an externally accessible region of the grip shell (Griffschale) or grip groove is formed adjacent to the grip element, in the case of a defined orientation, preferably below the grip element, in order to be able to act into the grip element from the outside with at least one finger. The manual operating element is arranged in or on the handle element in such a way that it can be manually moved into a handle groove formed by the door opener. The manually actuable element is preferably arranged facing away from the external environment of the vehicle in order to avoid unintentional opening and/or in order to protect the manually actuable element against damage.
Furthermore, the handle element is movably arranged, in particular with respect to the fixing device. The mechanical opening of the door is achieved by introducing an operating force or an operating torque into the handle element. In particular, the handle element can be pivoted in a pivoting movement of at least 20 °. The operating force required to achieve mechanical opening is higher than the force required to actuate the manual operating element for electrical opening. In other words, two mechanisms of opening are achieved by the door opening device, wherein electrical opening is preferred over mechanical opening. This means that the electrical opening device always first causes opening as a result of the lower operating force as long as there is no malfunction of the electrical opening device. The mechanical opening is only achieved in the case of a significantly higher operating force. The presence of a mechanical opening device is therefore advantageous, in particular when a malfunction of the electrical opening device occurs, since the opening can still be achieved in this way.
Opening of the vehicle door in the sense of the present invention is to be understood as meaning that the vehicle door is opened after it has been unlocked. In other words, the opening of the vehicle door is understood to mean that the pivotable door leaf (Tuerblatt) is disengaged from the door frame.
The door opening device equipped according to the invention therefore has redundancy in view of the integrated opening device, which is caused by the arrangement of the mechanical opening device, which enables the door to be opened, in particular in the event of an emergency and/or in the event of a failure of the electrical system of the motor vehicle.
The fastening device is intended for mechanical connection or is connected to a vehicle door, in particular to a carrier structure of a vehicle door. The fastening device is usually inserted into a recess on the outside of the vehicle door.
The fastening element is designed such that it is supported at least in sections on the carrier structure of the vehicle door, in particular when a force directed substantially in the vehicle interior direction acts on the fastening element. For this purpose, the fastening device advantageously has at least one support surface at its side facing the interior of the vehicle, which support surface is supported, in particular, at a reinforcing element of the support structure or can be supported at it. This prevents the fastening device from being pressed into the interior of the vehicle door, i.e. between the outer side and the interior lining, in particular as a result of forces.
The fastening device is designed to receive the handle element or to mechanically connect the handle element to the vehicle door. The door, the fastening device and the handle element are advantageously arranged relative to one another in such a way that the transition between the components is configured as a surface that is as flat as possible. In this way, a visually attractive appearance of the vehicle door is facilitated.
A handle housing is arranged between the fastening device and the handle element. The handle housing together with the movable handle element forms an externally accessible region of the handle groove in the form of an active opening (Eingrifflefnung).
In the case of a door opener oriented in a substantially vertically extending door housing, the side facing away is the outside of the motor vehicle. It is accordingly provided that the outer side of the handle element lies approximately in the plane of the face of the door surrounding the door opener. In this case, a slightly concave or convex curvature of the outer side of the grip element is not to be excluded.
In the fastening device, a mechanical lock cylinder is arranged, which is radially surrounded by the security panel at least one longitudinal section of the lock cylinder. The security panel is preferably made of metal, in particular steel, and is preferably designed such that it rests against or is supported on the fastening device at least in sections. For the arrangement of the anti-theft screws, the anti-theft plates have recesses which can partially accommodate the corresponding anti-theft screws or in which the anti-theft screws can be arranged at least partially. Typically, the lock cylinder is secured with a retaining clip. The security plate, the retaining clip and/or the lock cylinder are mechanically fastened in the set position by means of the security screw. The anti-theft screw is characterized in that it cannot be removed proficiently by means of commercially available tools and thus makes removal of the lock cylinder difficult.
In this case, the security panel serves to prevent the lock cylinder, in particular the union nut, from being pushed forward by means of a tool from the outside in the event of a violent force and thus against mechanical tampering with the lock cylinder and thus against prying open the motor vehicle. In this case, tampering of the lock from the radial outside is to be prevented in particular. In particular, in this way, it is prevented that the paddle (paddel) at the lock core can be snapped off by force.
According to the invention, the door opening device is not limited to use only in a vehicle door, but can also be used for opening a vehicle hood, so that the concept of a vehicle door in the sense of the invention can be equated with a vehicle hood.
The present door opener therefore achieves a space-saving design with a very smooth outer surface in combination with the arrangement or function of a typical mechanical lock cylinder.
In one embodiment of the door opener according to the invention, the manual operating element has an operating button. The operating button is arranged on the side of the grip element facing the fastening device.
Advantageously, the operating keys are miniature keys. The operating button is arranged in particular on the side of the manual operating element facing the fastening device or facing away from the vehicle exterior, so that it can only be reached from the outside by manual action into the action opening of the door opener.
Electrical opening of the vehicle door by means of the operating button is preferred over mechanical opening. The force to be introduced into the operating button for the electrical opening in the case of the actuation of the manual operating element is in particular less than 10%, preferably less than 5%, of the force necessary for the mechanical opening.
In the case of a miniature key, the movable key element of the miniature key is moved by the introduced force by less than 2mm, preferably less than 1mm, particularly preferably less than 0.3 mm. In other words, the trigger stroke of the micro-key is less than 1 mm. The miniature keys are preferably covered and sealed by the cover element. The cover element is preferably connected to the handle element in a resilient and/or pivotable manner.
In particular, the electrical switch-on is preferably effected by a simple touching of the manual operating element. In this case, touch-sensitive sensors can also be used instead of operating the keys.
In one embodiment of the invention, the manual operating element is not provided for unlocking the vehicle door.
The advantage of this embodiment is the simple and user-friendly design of the electrical switch-on.
In a further embodiment, the door opener according to the invention is designed such that an actuating force of at least 40N, in particular at least 55N, has to be applied to the handle element in order to move it in order to effect mechanical opening.
In other words, in order to mechanically open the vehicle door by movement of the handle element, a force of at least 40N and at most 120N is required. In a preferred embodiment, the necessary force is at least 55N and at most 100N. That is, mechanical opening of the door occurs from the introduction of a force of at least 40N. Alternatively, the minimum force necessary for opening can also be higher, i.e. up to 120N. In particular, the grip element is pivoted by the introduction of force. In the case of a defined orientation of a vehicle equipped with a door opener according to the invention, the handle element is preferably pivoted upward.
For mechanical opening, opening the vehicle door can be effected even when electrical opening (for example in the case of an empty vehicle battery) is not possible. In other words it is an emergency agency. For the electrical opening, the force required for the mechanical opening is preferably higher, in particular at least double higher, than is customary according to the prior art (in which case a force of typically 30 to 35N is necessary).
The handle element can then be moved even when the motor vehicle is closed or locked, wherein the movement of the handle element does not cause the opening of the vehicle door in this case.
The advantage of this embodiment is that the electrical opening is preferably used by the user due to the force necessary for the mechanical opening. In other words, the triggering of the electrical opening is effected as long as there is no malfunction of the electrical opening mechanism, before a force sufficient for the mechanical opening is introduced in time, in particular before the movement of the grip element occurs. In this sense, mechanical opening may also be considered as an emergency unlocking or standby mechanism.
In a further embodiment of the door opener according to the invention, the handle element comprises a movable handle carrier which is covered by a handle cover on the side facing the outside of the motor vehicle.
In other words, the handle element comprises a handle bracket and a handle cover (or referred to as handle cover, i.e. griffbarrel), wherein the handle bracket is arranged movably, in particular at the fixing device, in particular at the handle shell, and the handle cover is arranged substantially immovably at the handle bracket. The handle bracket is connected to the handle housing in an articulated manner, so that it can pivot.
The handle cover serves to visually adapt the fastening device to the outer shape of the vehicle door. Which in this sense is adapted to the shape of the vehicle door according to the shape and preferably has a surface substantially similar to the area around which the vehicle door surrounds.
The handle element is arranged at the vehicle door or in a recess of the vehicle door in such a way that a substantially flat surface of the vehicle door is formed. It is not excluded here that the handle element is slightly raised or lowered relative to the section of the vehicle door surrounding it, wherein this is to be understood as a raising or lowering of less than 2mm, preferably less than 1 mm.
The advantage of this embodiment is the separation between the pivotable component, which thus performs the opening function, and the component, which performs the visually smooth appearance.
A further aspect of the invention is a door opening system for a motor vehicle, in particular for a passenger vehicle, for arrangement at or in a vehicle door, comprising a door opening device according to the invention. The manual operating element of the door opener is coupled to the electrical switch in terms of control technology. Alternatively, the manual operating element is designed as an electrical switch, which in turn is coupled to a drive unit in terms of control technology, the drive unit being mechanically coupled to the door lock, wherein the handle element is mechanically coupled to the door lock.
In the door opening system according to the invention, in other words, the door opening device, in particular the manually actuable element thereof, is coupled to the door lock of the vehicle door in a controlled manner, so that actuation of the manually actuable element causes the door lock to open. The manual operating element can be coupled to an electrical switch in a control-related manner, which in turn is coupled to a drive unit for mechanically unlocking the door lock. On the other hand, the manually operable element itself may be an electrical switch.
The handle element is likewise coupled to the door lock, so that the introduction of an operating force or an operating torque onto the handle element causes a mechanical opening of the door lock.
The advantage of this door opening system is the coupling of the door opening device to the mechanical door lock of the motor vehicle door.
In a further embodiment, the door opening system according to the invention has a locking device for locking and unlocking the vehicle door.
Such locking devices are provided in order to unlock the vehicle when access authorization is verified (for example via a radio link suitable for this purpose), so that the vehicle door can be opened subsequently via a door opener. For this purpose, the locking device comprises a device for detecting an authentication object or an authentication signal. An authentication object is to be understood as meaning, for example, an object which is associated in a defined manner with a vehicle equipped with a door opening system and which emits a signal and/or reacts to a signal emitted by the vehicle. The signal may be a radio signal, wherein further technologies suitable for authentication, such as RFID, infrared or the like, are not excluded. The detected signals are compared by means of an evaluation unit. If the comparison is positive, there is proof of access authorization.
The locking device is also provided in particular for preventing access by locking the vehicle.
In a further embodiment, the door opening system according to the invention comprises at least one sensor element for detecting the presence of an object (in particular a part of a hand) in a space defined around the sensor element in order to unlock the locking device of the door opening system in the event of simultaneous detection of the presence of an authentication signal, in particular a radio signal, associated with the door opening system.
The sensor element is configured to detect the presence of an object, in particular a human hand or the skin thereof, in a space defined around the sensor element. The sensor element can be designed, for example, as a capacitive sensor, which reacts to a touch or contact with an electrically conductive object.
The detection by the sensor element causes the unlocking of the door opening system, however only if the presence of the identification signal is detected by the second sensor or the second detection device in the vicinity of the door opening system. The identification signal is a special signal, for example a radio signal, which is uniquely associated with the respective door opening system. The second sensor is preferably designed to recognize and authenticate the signal when the unit it signals, for example a key fob, is in the circumference of the second sensor with a radius of less than 2m, preferably less than 1.5 m.
The sensor element is preferably arranged on the grip element. It is also preferred, but by no means mandatory, that the sensor element is arranged at the side of the grip element facing the fastening device and is thus accessible by acting into the action opening as well as the manually operated element. The advantage of this embodiment is that the user can simultaneously initiate the unlocking by means of the action via the sensor element and the opening of the vehicle door via the manual operating element.
In a further embodiment of the door opening system according to the invention, the unlocking and/or locking and/or opening of the vehicle door can be realized by the interaction of a mechanical lock cylinder and a mechanical key.
A mechanical key for the mechanical unlocking of the door lock and/or for the opening of the vehicle door can be inserted into the lock cylinder without mechanical unlocking, i.e. without the handle element having to be actuated with a relatively large force in a swiveling movement.
At least, the lock cylinder is arranged in or at a door opener of a driver's door of the motor vehicle, wherein it is not excluded that, likewise or as an alternative, at least one further door of the motor vehicle, also the rear door and/or the trunk lid, is equipped with a door opener according to the invention.
The lock cylinder is preferably arranged in this embodiment such that it is at least partially covered by the handle cover and the handle cover can be removed from the handle bracket of the handle element by the introduction of mechanical force or torque, so that the insertion opening for the mechanical key can be opened. The handle element, in particular the handle carrier, accordingly has an opening which enables access to the lock cylinder after removal of the covering portion of the handle cover. Advantageously, the handle cover in this embodiment comprises a recess and/or an undercut, at or in which a mechanical key or another object can be fitted or can be inserted in order to introduce a mechanical force or torque in order to facilitate removal of the handle cover covering the lock cylinder.
Advantageously, the handle cover is at least in two halves, so that only the part of the handle cover covering the lock cylinder is removable.
In this case, the handle cover or the part of the handle cover covering the lock cylinder is reversibly connected or connectable to the handle bar carrier or the second part of the handle cover, for example by means of a positive and/or non-positive click connection (Klickverbindung). In other words, the removed part of the handle cover can be arranged again in its position as intended after the unlocking of the vehicle door.
An additional purely mechanical unlocking of the vehicle door has the advantage that the vehicle can be unlocked and opened even in the event of failure of all electrical unlocking mechanisms. In this sense, the mechanical unlocking serves as an emergency unlocking.
Another aspect of the invention is a motor vehicle comprising a door opening device according to the invention in or at least one vehicle door.
Preferably, the motor vehicle comprises a door opening system according to the invention at least at the driver's door.
In one embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention, the motor vehicle comprises a door seal which elastically loads the vehicle door with a permanently acting force in the opening direction of the motor vehicle door, so that the vehicle door is pivoted out of the closed position into the open position in the event of unlocking of the vehicle door by means of the opening system. The door seal can be arranged opposite one another on the vehicle body in the region of the door opening of the vehicle door or on the vehicle door of the vehicle body in the region of the door opening.
In other words, the electrical and/or mechanical opening results in the door being fastened off at the frame by a mechanical door lock arranged between the door and the frame (by means of which the door is mechanically fastened at the seal), so that a permanently acting force (which acts on the door in the opening direction by the door seal) results in the opening of the door.
The motor vehicle can likewise have an electrically actuable opening device in its interior, so that here again only a manual push button pressure is sufficient to electrically cause the opening of the door. Alternatively or additionally, the motor vehicle may have a mechanically actuatable opening device in its interior.
Detailed Description
Fig. 1 shows the different components of an embodiment of a door opener 10 according to the invention in a three-dimensional view. One embodiment of the fastening device 30 and one embodiment of the security panel 44 can be seen. Furthermore, a retaining clip 41 for retaining the lock cylinder 40 is shown, as well as a reversing lever 42 and a locking plate 43, which are used for locking a vehicle door comprising the door opening device 10 according to the invention. Further components of the locking device are not shown. It can also be seen that the security panel 44 has a substantially circular recess 45. This recess 45 serves for the fastening of a retaining screw (scheringsschube), which is likewise not shown here. The fixing device 30 serves to fix the door opening device 10 according to the present invention at or in a vehicle door.
Fig. 2 shows the components of the door opener 10 according to the invention according to fig. 1 in a three-dimensional view, wherein in this illustration the locking plate 43, the reversing lever 42, the security plate 44 and the fixing clip 41 are arranged in a defined manner at the fixing device 30. The side of the fastening device 30 facing away from the observer in this illustration faces the vehicle outside in the case of a door opening device 10 which is arranged as intended in or at the vehicle door. It can be seen that the security panel 4 is arranged 4 in the left region of the fixing region 30 according to the drawing and is adapted to the contour of the fixing device 30 according to the shape. It is also recognizable that the recess 45 of the security panel 44 is arranged on one axis together with the recess of the retaining clip 41, so that the two elements can be connected to one another by means of a stop screw (which is not shown here). The fixing device 30, the security panel 44 and the retaining clip 41 are correspondingly configured as a recess 46 for the lock cylinder 40. In the case of a defined arrangement of the lock cylinder 40 in the door opener 10, this lock cylinder is radially surrounded by the security panel 44 and the region of the retaining clip 41.
In the illustration shown, it can furthermore be seen that the fastening device 30 has a plurality of support surfaces 31,32 on the side facing the interior space of the door. In particular, the support surface 31 is provided here for supporting at a carrying structure of the vehicle door, in particular when the fastening device 30 is pressed from the vehicle exterior in the direction of the vehicle interior.
Fig. 3 shows further additional components of a design of the door opening device 10 according to the invention in a three-dimensional view. In addition to the fastening device 30, the security panel 44 and the fastening clip 41, a handle shell 50 is shown here in particular, which is engaged into the fastening device 30 in the case of a defined arrangement of the components of the door opening device 10, wherein the security panel 44 is arranged between the fastening device 30 and the handle shell 50. The fastening device 30, the handle shell 50 and the security panel 44 accordingly have a recess 46 for the lock cylinder 40, which corresponds to the cross section of the lock cylinder 40 in terms of shape, so that it is arranged as intended in the recess 46 and can be fastened with the fastening clip 41.
Fig. 3 also shows a handle element 20, which comprises a handle carrier 23 and a handle cover 24. In the case of the prescribed arrangement, the handle cover 24 is fastened at the handle bracket 23. The handle support 23 is in turn connected to the handle housing 50 in such a way that it can be pivoted about the pivot axis 50.
In the embodiment shown here, the handle cover 24 comprises two part regions, namely a first handle cover portion 241 and a second handle cover portion 242. In the case of the prescribed arrangement, the second handle cover portion 242 covers the recess 231 of the handle bracket 23. By removing the second handle cover part 242, a recess 231 is exposed, which is arranged on one axis with the key cylinder 40, so that a mechanical key can be inserted into the key cylinder in order to mechanically unlock and open the vehicle door, which is equipped with the door opening device 10 according to the invention. The removal of the second handle cover part 242 is preferably reversible, which means that the second handle cover part 242 can be arranged again as intended next to the first handle cover part 241 and can be fastened by means of a mechanical key after mechanical unlocking and opening.
In this illustration, it is merely indicated that a manual operating element 232 is arranged on the side of the handle carrier 23 facing away from the viewer. The operating element is accessible to the user in that it engages behind the grip element 20 into the grip housing 50. The electrical opening can be brought about by the manual actuation element 232 without the grip element 20 having to be moved. This opening mechanism is preferred, which means that a significantly higher force is required for the pivoting of the grip element 20 than for the actuation of the manually operable element 232. Manual opening is only necessary when the electrical opening mechanism is not reactive. In this sense, the mechanical opening is an emergency opening.
Likewise, it is not recognizable in this illustration that a sensor element can be arranged on the grip element 20, by means of which the door lock can be unlocked, as long as an object (for example a hand) is recognized in its vicinity. It is advantageously additionally necessary to detect the presence of an authentication signal (for example, a radio signal of a radio key) in the vicinity of the locking mechanism, which can be uniquely associated with the vehicle.
Fig. 4 shows an embodiment in which the grip element 20 and the grip housing 50 are arranged in a defined manner. It is recognizable that the grip element 20, the outer side of which is formed by the grip cover 24, only partially covers the grip housing 50, so that a user can act into the grip housing 50 in order to thus reach the manual actuation element 232 arranged on the rear side of the grip element 20 for electrical opening. The handle element 20 is pivotably connected to the handle housing 50 by means of a pivot device 52. By introducing an operating force or an operating torque, the grip element 20 can be moved by the user, wherein the mechanical opening is performed by a movement of the grip element 20.
List of reference numerals:
door opening device 10
Handle element 20
Handle bracket 23
Recess 231 of handle bracket
Manual operating element 232
Handle cover 24
First handle cover portion 241
Second handle cover portion 242
Securing device 30
First support surface 31
Second bearing surface 32
Lock core 40
Retaining clip 41
Reversing lever 42
Locking plate 43
Anti-theft plate 44
Recess 45 of the stop screw
Recess 46 of lock cylinder
Handle shell 50
Pivot axis 51
A swinging device 52.