Retractable handle arrangement for a door or the like
A retractable handle arrangement includes a handle movable between stowed and deployed states, a motor and transmission mechanism arranged to couple the motor to the handle for moving the handle from the stowed state to the deployed state when the motor is driven in a first direction, and to modulate the force exerted on the handle and the speed at which the handle is deployed as the handle travels from the stowed state to the deployed state.
1 . A retractable handle arrangement comprising:
a handle adapted to be mounted flush within a panel, the handle being movable between stowed and deployed states; and
a button;
wherein:
the handle comprises an elongate member having first and second ends, the elongate member being pivotable about a pivot axis arranged substantially perpendicular to the length of the elongate member such that the handle rotates about the pivot axis when the handle is moved from the stowed state to the deployed state, with the deployed state having the second end of the elongate member pivoted outwardly such that the handle can be grasped by a user;
the retractable handle arrangement being configured, in response to the button being pressed by a user, to drive the handle about the pivot axis to move the handle from the stowed state to the deployed state; and
wherein a distance of the button to the pivot axis is shorter than a distance of the button to the second end, and
wherein the pivot axis is disposed between the button and the second end of the elongate member of the handle.
2 . The retractable handle arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the button comprises at least one of a touch sensitive button and a microswitch.
3 . The retractable handle arrangement according to claim 1 , comprising a return spring arranged so as to bias the handle toward the stowed state.
4 . The retractable handle arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the button is disposed between the pivot axis and the first end of the handle.
5 . The retractable handle arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the handle can be deployed manually by applying pressure at the button.
6 . The retractable handle arrangement according to claim 1 , comprising an operating member projecting from an inner surface of the handle.
7 . The retractable handle arrangement according to claim 6 , wherein the operating member is disposed at substantially the same distance along the length of the handle from the first end as a pivot means defining the pivot axis.
8 . The retractable handle arrangement according to claim 6 , comprising a motor and a transmission mechanism arranged to couple the motor to the handle for moving the handle from the stowed state to the deployed state when the motor is driven.
9 . The retractable handle arrangement according to claim 8 , wherein the motor is driven so as to apply force to the operating member to rotate the handle about the pivot axis.
10 . The retractable handle arrangement according to claim 1 , in combination with a body component for a vehicle comprising the panel having an outer surface having an aperture for receiving the handle of the retractable handle arrangement, wherein the aperture receives the handle and an outer surface of the handle is shaped to match and lies flush with the outer surface of the panel when the handle is in the stowed state.
11 . The retractable handle arrangement and body component according to claim 10 , wherein the pivot axis about which the handle rotates is arranged such that a first portion of the handle is pivoted internally of the panel and a second portion of the handle is pivoted externally of the panel.
12 . The retractable handle arrangement and body component according to claim 11 , wherein the handle is manually operable by engaging the first portion so as to provide access to the second portion.
13 . The retractable handle arrangement and body component according to claim 10 , wherein a flexible sealing member is provided between the handle and the aperture.
14 . A vehicle having a plurality of doors or other closures each of which comprises a retractable handle arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein a control module is coupled to all of the handle arrangements provided on the vehicle.
15 . A vehicle according to claim 14 , wherein the control module is configured to, in response to the button of one of the retractable handle arrangements being pressed by a user, unlock the associated door and to control the associated motor of said retractable handle arrangement so as to move the handle from the stowed state to the deployed state.
16 . A vehicle according to claim 15 , wherein the control module is configured to control the associated motor of said retractable handle arrangement so as to move the handle from the deployed state to the stowed state in response to one of:
a determination that the associated door has been locked; and
a determination that the vehicle is being driven above a threshold speed.
17 . A retractable handle arrangement comprising:
a handle adapted to be mounted flush within a panel, the handle being movable between stowed and deployed states; and
a button;
wherein:
the handle comprises an elongate member having first and second ends, the elongate member being pivotable about a pivot axis arranged substantially perpendicular to the length of the elongate member such that the handle rotates about the pivot axis when the handle is moved from the stowed state to the deployed state, with the deployed state having the second end of the elongate member pivoted outwardly such that the handle can be grasped by a user, wherein the pivot axis is disposed between the button and the second end of the elongate member of the handle;
the retractable handle arrangement being configured, in response to the button being pressed by a user, to drive the handle about the pivot axis to move the handle from the stowed state to the deployed state; and
the button is disposed spaced from the second end such that when a user presses the button with their thumb, the user is able to place their fingers behind an outwardly pivoted portion of the elongate member between the button and the second end thereof.
18 . A retractable handle arrangement comprising:
a handle having an outer surface adapted to be mounted flush within a slot on a panel, the handle being movable between stowed and deployed states,
the handle comprising an elongate member having first and second ends, the elongate member being pivotable about a pivot axis arranged substantially perpendicular to the length of the elongate member such that the handle rotates about the pivot axis when the handle is moved from the stowed state to the deployed state, with the deployed state having the second end of the elongate member pivoted outwardly such that the handle can be grasped by a user,
wherein, when in the stowed state, the outer surface at the first end is configured to be exposed and flush with the slot on the panel, and when in the deployed state, the outer surface at the first end is configured to pivot internally into the slot on the panel, and
wherein the pivot axis is disposed between a button and the second end of the elongate member of the handle.