阅读说明：本技术 用于车辆的装饰元件的握持元件及相关联的组装方法 (Grip element for a decorative element of a vehicle and associated assembly method ) 是由 阿尔弗雷多·冈萨雷斯 亚历杭德罗·罗曼·埃尔南德斯 哈维尔·昆普利多·阿尔科塞尔 亚历杭德罗· 于 2021-05-19 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种用于车辆的装饰元件(10)的握持元件(14),该握持元件包括主体(18)和U形覆盖元件(22),主体(18)包括内面部、与内面部相对的外面部、前侧面部和后侧面部。所述覆盖元件(22)附接至主体(18)并包括主表面、从主表面延伸的第一延伸表面和从主表面延伸的第二延伸表面。主表面覆盖前侧面部或后侧面部,第一延伸表面至少覆盖外面部的第一被覆盖部分,并且第二延伸表面至少覆盖内面部的第二被覆盖部分。(The invention provides a grip element (14) for a decorative element (10) of a vehicle, comprising a main body (18) and a U-shaped covering element (22), the main body (18) comprising an inner face, an outer face opposite the inner face, a front face and a rear face. The cover element (22) is attached to the main body (18) and includes a main surface, a first extension surface extending from the main surface, and a second extension surface extending from the main surface. The main surface covers the front surface portion or the rear surface portion, the first extending surface covers at least the first covered portion of the outer surface portion, and the second extending surface covers at least the second covered portion of the inner surface portion.)

1. Grip element (14) of a decorative element (10) of a vehicle, the grip element (14) extending towards a passenger compartment of the vehicle,

the grip element (14) comprises a main body (18) and a U-shaped cover element (22),

the main body (18) comprises:

an inner face (26) for facing the decorative element (10),

an outer face portion (28) opposite the inner face portion (26),

-a front side face (30) connecting a front end of the outer face (28) and a front end of the inner face (26), the "front" corresponding to the front of the vehicle,

-a rear lateral surface portion (32) connecting a rear end portion of the outer surface portion (28) and a rear end portion of the inner surface portion (26), the "rear" corresponding to the rear of the vehicle,

the U-shaped cover element (22) is attached to the main body (18) and comprises a main surface (36), a first extension surface (38) extending from the main surface (36) and a second extension surface (40) extending from the main surface (36),

the grip element (14) is characterized in that:

-the main surface (36) covers the front face (30) or the rear face (32),

-the first extension surface (38) covers at least a first covered portion (44) of the outer face portion (28), and

-said second extension surface (40) covers at least a second covered portion (46) of said inner face portion (26).

2. The grip element (14) of claim 1, wherein said major surface (36) covers said rear face (32).

3. The grip element (14) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least one functional element (20) extending over at least one face of the body (18), the U-shaped cover element (22) concealing the functional element (20) from view from the passenger compartment.

4. The grip element (14) according to claim 3, characterized in that the functional element (20) is an attachment element of the main body (18) to the decorative element (10).

5. The grip element (14) of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:

-the first extension surface (38) and a first uncovered portion (45) of the outer face portion (28) are complementary to each other, such that the first extension surface (38) and the first uncovered portion (45) extend substantially in the same first plane, and

-the second extension surface (40) and a second uncovered portion (47) of the inner face portion (26) are complementary to each other, such that the second extension surface (40) and the second uncovered portion (47) extend substantially in the same second plane.

6. The grip element (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first and second extension surfaces (38, 40) cover the entire outer face portion (28) and the entire inner face portion (26), respectively.

7. The grip element (14) of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the U-shaped cover member (22) is snap-fastened to the body (18), the first and second extension surfaces (38, 40) being flexibly deformable such that the first and second extension surfaces (38, 40) are snap-fastened to the outer and inner face portions (28, 26), respectively.

8. The grip element (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the U-shaped cover element (22) is formed from a plastic material and is covered by a cover layer.

9. Decorative element (10) of a vehicle, comprising a grip element (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A method of assembling a grip element (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the method comprising the steps of:

-positioning the main surface (36) of the U-shaped covering element (22) parallel to the front (30) or rear side of the main body (18) so that the first (38) and second (40) extension surfaces extend towards the main body (18),

-translating the U-shaped cover element (22) towards the body (18),

-covering the first covered portion (44) of the outer face portion (28) with the first extension surface (38) and the second covered portion (46) of the inner face portion (26) with the second extension surface (40),

-attaching the U-shaped cover element (22) to the main body (18).

Technical Field

The invention relates to a grip element for a trim element of a vehicle, which grip element extends towards a passenger compartment of the vehicle, the grip element comprising a main body and a U-shaped cover element, the main body comprising:

-an inner face for facing the decorative element,

-an outer face portion opposite the inner face portion,

a front side portion connecting a front end portion of the outer face portion and a front end portion of the inner face portion, said "front" corresponding to the front of the vehicle,

a rear side portion connecting a rear end portion of the outer face portion and a rear end portion of the inner face portion, said "rear" corresponding to the rear of the vehicle,

the U-shaped cover element is attached to the main body and includes a main surface, a first extension surface extending from the main surface, and a second extension surface extending from the main surface.

Such a grip element is located, for example, on a door panel or any other decorative element.

Background

It is known to implement functional elements on the main body of such grip elements. Typical functional elements are for example attachment elements such as screws, cables or even sensors.

However, such a gripping element must be accessible and able to be grasped and held by the occupant. Thus, it is clearly visible from the interior of the passenger compartment. In order to improve the aesthetic appearance of grip elements, it is known to cover the functional elements with covering elements. The cover element is, for example, U-shaped and is snapped onto the main body such that a main surface of the cover element covers an outer face of the main body.

However, when the passenger manipulates the grip element, the cover element may become detached from the body if the passenger applies a force to a side portion of the body when, for example, pulling the grip element.

In addition, the feel of such grip elements may be unpleasant. Typically, the covering element only partially covers the rear and front side portions of the body. When the passenger grips the grip element, the portion of the palm of his/her hand near the wrist presses on the rear side surface, and his/her fingers press on the front side surface. As a result, the occupant may experience uncomfortable texture discontinuities between the body and the cover elements on the front and rear side surfaces.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a robust grip element that is aesthetically pleasing and comfortable to the touch.

To this end, the invention relates to a grip element, wherein:

the main surface covers the front or rear side,

the first extension surface covers at least a first covered portion of the outer face portion, and

the second extension surface covers at least the second covered portion of the inner face portion.

The grip element proposed by the invention is stronger. The pulling force exerted by the passenger on the gripping element is directed in a direction transverse to the inner face of the body. In contrast, the disengagement direction of the cover element is perpendicular to the lateral direction. Thus, the cover element is less likely to be unintentionally disengaged from the main body, for example when the passenger manipulates the grip element.

In addition, the feel of the proposed grip element is improved. In fact, only the front side of the body comprises a texture discontinuity between the body and the covering element. The passenger can only feel such discontinuities through his/her fingers, while he/she can only feel a comfortable continuous texture through his/her hands.

According to other features of the grip element of the invention considered alone or according to all technically feasible combinations:

the main surface covers the front face,

the grip element comprises at least one functional element extending over at least one face of the main body, the U-shaped cover element concealing the functional element from view from the passenger compartment,

the functional element is an attachment element of the body to the decorative element,

the first extension surface and the first uncovered portion of the outer face portion are complementary to each other such that the first extension surface and the first uncovered portion extend substantially in the same first plane, and

the second extension surface and the second uncovered portion of the inner face portion are complementary to each other such that the second extension surface and the second uncovered portion extend substantially in the same second plane,

the first and second extension surfaces cover the entire outer face portion and the entire inner face portion, respectively,

the U-shaped covering element is snap-fastened to the body, the first and second extension surfaces being flexibly deformable so that the first and second extension surfaces are snap-fastened to the outer and inner face portions, respectively,

the U-shaped cover element is formed from a plastics material and is covered by a cover layer.

The invention also relates to a decorative element of a vehicle comprising a grip element as described above.

The invention also relates to a method for assembling a grip element as described above, comprising the following steps:

positioning a main surface of the U-shaped covering element parallel to the front or rear side of the main body, so that the first and second extension surfaces extend towards the main body,

-translating the U-shaped cover element towards the body,

-covering the first covered portion of the outer face portion with a first extended surface and the second covered portion of the inner face portion with a second extended surface,

-attaching the U-shaped cover element to the main body.

Drawings

Further aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a decorative element comprising a grip element according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a side view of the body of the grip element of FIG. 1,

fig. 3 is a side view of the U-shaped covering element of the grip element of fig. 1.

Detailed Description

In the following, the term "outer" refers to the direction extending towards the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and the term "inner" refers to the direction extending towards the decorative element on which the grip element is realized. The terms "front" and "rear" are defined with respect to a trim element mounted in the passenger compartment of the vehicle and correspond to the front and rear of the vehicle. The term "longitudinal" corresponds to the fore-aft direction of the vehicle along the length of the vehicle. The term "lateral" corresponds to a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction in terms of the vehicle width. The terms "high", "upper", "low", "lower" are defined with respect to a vertical direction along which the height of the vehicle is defined.

Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle trim component 10 is depicted from a side view.

The trim element 10 is, for example, a roof panel or door panel 12 of a vehicle.

Hereinafter, the trim component 10 forming the door panel 12 is described.

The door panel 12 is for covering an entrance of a vehicle. The door panel 12 is for use adjacent to one or more seats positioned in a passenger compartment of a vehicle.

Typically, the door panel 12 is arranged such that it covers the lower portion of the door extending below the door window. For example, door panel 12 conceals at least one functional element of the door, such as a window adjustment mechanism or the like.

The door panel 12 is formed, for example, from a thermoplastic material, in particular from polypropylene, optionally reinforced by fillers and/or fibers (e.g., natural fibers).

Door panel 12, and particularly the exterior surface thereof, may have any suitable shape that performs its function. For example, the outer surface 16 may have a protruding surface forming a support surface 17. Such a support surface 17 forms, for example, an armrest surface for a passenger sitting on a seat adjacent to the door panel 12. For example, the panel 12 is formed from a support and at least one decorative layer defining an exterior surface 16. A plurality of decorative or functional elements may be placed on the decorative layer, with the facade 16 being defined by these elements in the area where they are located.

Door panel 12 includes a gripping element 14 extending from door panel 12 toward the passenger compartment and configured to be grasped by an occupant. As shown in fig. 1, for example, grip element 14 projects from a forward end of support surface 17 toward an upper edge of door panel 12 and is spaced from outer surface 16 so that a passenger placing his or her arms on support surface 17 can also grasp and hold grip element 14.

The occupant may move the door between, for example, an open position and a closed position by pulling on the grip element 14 in a direction extending toward the passenger compartment.

If the trim element 10 is a roof panel of a vehicle, the grip element 14 extends downwardly from the roof panel towards the passenger compartment. For example, the grip element 14 is located above the door frame so that a passenger sitting on a seat adjacent to the door can hold it.

Grip element 14 includes a main body 18, a functional element 20, and a U-shaped cover element 22. The body 18 includes an inner face 26, an outer face 28, a front face 30, and a rear face 32.

The inner face 26 extends opposite a portion of the outer surface 16 of the door panel 12 and toward the door panel 12. For example, the inner face 26 faces the door panel 12 and extends substantially parallel to the outer surface 16 of the door panel 12. As noted above, the outer surface 16 need not be planar, in which case, "substantially parallel" means that the inner face 26 is substantially parallel to the vertical direction of the outer surface 16. The vertical direction of the outer surface 16 is the direction in which the height of the outer surface 16 is measured.

Thus, when the door panel 12 is installed in a vehicle, the inner face 26 faces the outer surface 16 of the door panel 12 and is not visible from the vehicle passenger compartment. The outer face portion 28 is opposite the inner face portion 26 and extends substantially parallel to the inner face portion 26. For example, the outer surface portion 28 faces the passenger compartment.

Thus, when the door panel 12 is installed in a vehicle, the exterior face portion 28 is visible from the interior of the passenger compartment.

The front face 30 connects the front end of the inner face 26 and the front end of the outer face 28. The rear side portion 32 connects the rear end of the inner surface portion 26 and the rear end of the outer surface portion 28.

The body 18, and in particular the inner face 26, the outer face 28, the front 30 and the rear 32 are shaped to form the grip element 14. For example, at least one of the faces of the body 18 may be shaped to facilitate gripping of the body 18. For example, the body 18 forms a door handle for pushing or pulling the door open or closed and for grasping when the vehicle is in motion.

Referring to fig. 2, the functional element 20 extends over at least one face of the body 18.

For example, the functional element 20 is an element for attaching the main body 18 to the door panel 12. For example, the attachment element is a screw located on an upper portion of the body 18. For example, the attachment elements protrude from the outer face portion 28 and pass through the outer surface 16 of the door panel 12. In one variant, the functional element 20 is a cable, a ventilation duct or a sensor.

Referring to fig. 1, a U-shaped cover member 22 is for snap-fit onto the body 18. In particular, the cover element 22 is flexurally deformed upon snapping.

The cover element 22 includes a major surface 36, a first extension surface 38 extending from the major surface 36, and a second extension surface 40 extending from the major surface 36. For example, the cover element 22 forms a cover.

A first extended surface 38 and a second extended surface 40 extend from each side of the main surface 36 and protrude from the edges of the main surface 36.

For example, the first and second extension surfaces 38, 40 extend substantially perpendicular to the major surface 36.

The main surface 36 is used to cover the front side 30 or the rear side 32 when the cover element 22 is attached to the body 18. In particular, as shown in fig. 1, when the cover element 22 is attached to the main body 18, the main surface 36 covers the rear side 32 of the main body 18.

The side of the body 18 not covered by the covering element 22 is free of the functional element 20 and has a shape complementary to the shape of the covering element 22. For example, the face of the body 18 not covered by the cover member 22 and the cover member 22 have similar appearance and texture.

When the cover member 22 is attached to the body 18, the first extension surface 38 is for covering at least the first covered portion 44 of the outer face portion 28.

The first extension surface 38 and the first uncovered portion 45 of the outer face portion 28 are complementary to each other such that the first extension surface 38 and the first uncovered portion 45 extend in the same first plane.

The shape of the first uncovered portion 45 and the shape of the first extension surface 38 are complementary.

The shape of the assembly formed by the first uncovered portion 45 and the first extension surface 38 is continuous.

For example, the first uncovered portion 45 and the first extension surface 38 have the same appearance and texture, making it difficult for a passenger to detect a transition between the first uncovered portion 45 and the first extension surface 38.

The first uncovered portion 45 and the front 30 have the same appearance and texture, making it difficult for passengers to detect the transition between the first uncovered portion 45 and the front 30.

For example, the first extension surface 38 is deflectable such that the first extension surface 38 is attached to the outer face portion 28 of the body 18 by a snap fit. For example, the front end portion of the first extension surface 38 is engaged with the rear end portion of the first uncovered portion 45. The front end portion of the first extension surface 38 is arranged by causing the first extension surface 38 to flex so that the front end portion of the first extension surface 38 interacts with the rear end portion of the first uncovered portion 45.

When the cover member 22 is attached to the body 18, the second extension surface 40 is used to cover at least the second covered portion 46 of the inner face portion 26.

The second extension surface 40 and the second uncovered portion 47 of the inner face portion 26 are complementary to each other such that the second extension surface 40 and the second uncovered portion 47 extend substantially in the same second plane.

The shape of the second uncovered portion 47 and the shape of the second extension surface 40 are complementary.

The shape of the assembly formed by the second uncovered portion 47 and the second extension surface 40 is continuous.

For example, the second uncovered portion 47 and the second extension surface 40 have the same appearance and texture, making it difficult for a passenger to detect a transition between the second uncovered portion 47 and the second extension surface 40.

The second uncovered portion 47 and the front face 30 have the same appearance and texture, making it difficult for passengers to detect the transition between the second uncovered portion 47 and the front face 30.

The second extension surface 40 is deflectable such that the second extension surface 40 is attached to the inner face 26 of the body 18 by a snap fit. For example, the front end portion of the second extending surface 40 is engaged with the rear end portion of the second uncoated portion 47. The front end portion of the second extending surface 40 is arranged by flexibly deforming the second extending surface 40 so that the front end portion of the second extending surface 40 interacts with the rear end portion of the second uncovered portion 47.

When the cover element 22 is attached to the main body 18, the cover element 22 hides the functional element 20 from view from the passenger compartment.

The cover member 22 is formed of a plastic material and is covered by a cover layer.

For example, the plastic material comprises a thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene (PP), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), a mixture of ABS and Polycarbonate (PC) or a mixture of PP and Polyethylene (PE). The plastic material is rigid, that is, it does not deform in the absence of external stress.

The cover layer is formed, for example, from leather, synthetic material, textile, wood or metal. The cover layer is flexible, that is, it can be easily flexed without being damaged.

The cover element 22 is for placement on the body 18 by positioning the major surface 36 parallel to the rear side 32 of the body 18 such that the first and second extension surfaces 38, 40 extend toward the body 18.

The cover element 22 is intended to be placed against the body 18 by translating the cover element 22 towards the body 18 along the longitudinal direction X. The longitudinal direction X extends parallel to the door panel 12 and toward the front of the door panel 12.

Hereinafter, the assembling method of the grip element 14 as described above is described.

The method of assembly includes positioning the major surface 36 of the U-shaped cover element 22 parallel to the front side 30 or the back side 32 of the body 18 such that the first extension surface 38 and the second extension surface 40 extend toward the body 18. The first extension surface 38 is positioned such that it is substantially parallel to the outer face portion 28 of the body 18. The second extension surface 40 is positioned such that it is substantially parallel to the inner face 26 of the body 18.

For example, the main surface 36 is positioned so as to be parallel to the rear side surface portion 32.

Then, the cover member 22 is moved toward the body 18 along the longitudinal direction X such that the first extension surface 38 covers the first covered portion 44 of the outer face portion 28 and the second extension surface 40 covers the second covered portion 46 of the inner face portion 26.

Then, the front end portion of the first extension surface 38 is arranged by causing the first extension surface 38 to flex so that the front end portion of the first extension surface 38 interacts with the rear end portion of the first uncovered portion 45. Then, the first extension surface 38 is snapped onto the rear end portion of the first uncovered portion 45.

The front end portion of the second extending surface 40 is arranged by causing the second extending surface 40 to be flexurally deformed so that the front end portion of the second extending surface 40 and the rear end portion of the second uncovered portion 47 interact. The front end portion of the second extension surface 40 is then snapped onto the rear end portion of the second uncoated portion 47.

The cover member 22 is then secured to the body 18.

According to a variant, the first extension surface 38 covers the entire outer face portion 28, so that the first covered portion 44 is the entire outer face portion 28, and the outer face portion 28 does not include the first uncovered portion 45.

First extension surface 38 is flexible such that first extension surface 38 is attached to front face 30 of body 18 by a snap fit. For example, the front end portion of the first extension surface 38 is snap-fitted to the end portion of the front side surface portion 30 of the main body 18. The front end of the first extension surface 38 is arranged by the flexural deformation of the first extension surface 38 such that the front end of the first extension surface 38 interacts before the end of the front face portion 30.

According to this modification, during assembly, the front end of the first extension surface 38 is arranged by the flexural deformation of the first extension surface 38 such that the first extension surface 38 interacts with the end of the front face portion 30. The front end of the first extension surface 38 is then snap-fitted into the end of the front face portion 30. According to another variant, the second extension surface 40 covers the entire inner face portion 26, so that the second covered portion 46 is the entire inner face portion 26, and the inner face portion 26 does not include the second uncovered portion 47.

The second extension surface 40 is flexible such that the second extension surface 40 is attached to the front face 30 of the body 18 by a snap fit. For example, the front end portion of the second extension surface 40 is snap-fitted into the end portion of the front side face portion 30. The front end portion of the second extension surface 40 is arranged by the flexural deformation of the second extension surface 40 such that the front end portion of the second extension surface 40 interacts with the end portion of the front side face portion 30.

According to this modification, during assembly, the front end portion of the second extending surface 40 is arranged by the flexural deformation of the second extending surface 40 such that the front end portion of the second extending surface 40 interacts with the end portion of the front side face portion 30 of the main body 18. Then, the front end portion of the second extension surface 40 is snap-fitted into the end portion of the front side face portion 30.

According to a further variant, the covering element 22 is intended to be fixed to the body 18 by means of screws or hooks.

Due to the grip element 14 proposed by the present invention, the cover element 22 is less likely to be unintentionally detached from the main body 18. This is because the pulling force applied to the grip element 14 by the passenger is not collinear with the assembly direction (i.e., longitudinal direction X) of the grip element 14.

In addition, the feel provided by grip element 14 is improved. In fact, when the passenger grasps grip element 14 according to the invention, only his/her fingers grasp front face 30 of body 18. The palm of the passenger rests completely on the covering element 22. Thus, the occupant feels only a comfortable continuous texture of the cover element 22.