DESC:CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This Application is based on and derives the benefit of Indian Provisional Application 202241030509 filed on 27-May-2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein relate to a door handle for a vehicle, which is easily fixable, serviceable and replaceable. Further, embodiments herein achieve a method of fixing the door handle of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, an interior door handle is used by occupant(s) for closing and opening the door of the vehicle. The interior door handle is attached to a rod that extends to a door latch. The interior door handle disengages from the door latch when they are pulled or lifted, opening the door of the vehicle. The linkage of the interior door handle is provided inside the door’s body and underneath the door’s trim. Conventionally, the door handles in vehicles are either flap type or pull type. The flap type handles require the handle to be lifted upwards for opening the door. The pull type handles require the handle to be pulled outwards for opening the door. A common problem with these conventional handles is that, over a period of time the handles tend to pop out or break from the door’s frame due to improper and rough usage. Such non-functioning of the door handle is undesirable as it may cause locking of a passenger inside the vehicle thereby hampering the accessibility to enter the vehicle.
[003] Conventional interior door handle is secured to an inner door panel via a door trim by using fasteners from an exterior side of the door. It is difficult to service the interior door handle since the door trim has to be removed for servicing the interior door handle which is cumbersome and a tedious process. For example, the removal of interior door handle involves the disassembling and re-assembling of numerous components of the door’s body, rendering the replacement to be a tedious process. Furthermore, the conventional interior door handle comprises of multiple parts which need to be interconnected for proper functioning of the interior door handle. This creates an additional operational hindrance while replacing or servicing the interior door handle apart from causing buzz, squeak, and rattle (BSR) issues due to loosened parts.
[004] Another conventional interior door handle includes joining of multiple door handle panel sections for assembling the interior door handle and fixing it to the door of the vehicle. This type of interior door handle incurs high cost and the assembling, servicing and replacement is cumbersome and a tedious process.
[005] Therefore, there exists a need for a door handle for a vehicle, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[006] The principal object of embodiments herein is to provide a door handle for a vehicle, which is easily fixable, serviceable and replaceable.
[007] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a method of fixing the door handle for the vehicle.
[008] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the door handle, which is durable and is inexpensive.
[009] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the door handle which can be easily operated by the user of the vehicle.
[0010] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a D shaped door handle which includes a D shaped door handle inner panel and a D shaped door handle outer panel, which are unitary in construction.
[0011] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a D shaped door handle which enables higher push pull load.
[0012] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the door handle, which can be removed easily without the need for removing door trim.
[0013] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the door handle, which is easy to replace and maintain and does not break off or pop out of the door and does not create any buzz, squeak, and rattle (BSR) issue.
[0014] These and other objects of embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with following description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0015] The embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0016] Fig. 1 depicts a front view of a door handle fixed to a door of a vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0017] Fig. 2 depicts a perspective view of a door handle inner panel, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0018] Fig. 3 depicts a rear view of the door handle inner panel, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0019] Fig. 4 depicts a front view of the door handle outer panel, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0020] Fig. 5 depicts a perspective view of the door handle outer panel, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0021] Fig. 6 depicts a flowchart indicating steps of a method of fixing the door handle of the vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0023] The embodiments herein achieve a door handle for a vehicle, which is easily fixable, serviceable and replaceable. Further, the embodiments herein achieve a method of fixing the door handle for the vehicle. Furthermore, the embodiments herein achieve a D shaped door handle which includes a D shaped door handle inner panel and a D shaped door handle outer panel, which are unitary in construction. Additionally, the embodiments herein achieve a D shaped door handle which enables higher push pull load. Moreover, the embodiments herein achieve the door handle, which is easy to replace and maintain and does not break off or pop out of the door and does not create any buzz, squeak, and rattle (BSR) issue. Referring now to Figs 1 through 6, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0024] Fig. 1 depicts a front view of a door handle (100) fixed to a door trim (10T) of a vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The door handle (100) includes a door handle inner panel (102) (as referred to as inner panel in this description) and a door handle outer panel (104) (also referred to as outer panel in this description). The door handle inner panel (102) is fixed to a door trim (10T) by using fasteners from an inner side of the vehicle.
[0025] Fig. 2 depicts a perspective view of a door handle inner panel (102), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Fig. 3 depicts a rear view of the door handle inner panel (102), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The inner panel (102) includes a plurality of locator receiving portions (102A), a plurality of first snap protrusions (102B) and a plurality of second snap protrusions (102C). In an embodiment, the inner panel (102) is fabricated substantially in a D-shape in which an entirety of a first body (102U) of the inner panel (102) substantially defines the D-shape when seen from front i.e., front view. The first body (102U) of the inner panel (102) includes a first base (102X), a first outer wall (102Y) and a first inner wall (102Z). The first outer wall (102Y) and the first inner wall (102Z) transversely extends from the first base (102X). The inner panel (102) is unitary.
[0026] Fig. 4 depicts a front view of the door handle outer panel (104), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Fig. 5 depicts a perspective view of the door handle outer panel (104), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The outer panel (104) includes a plurality of locators (104A), a plurality of first guiding protrusion receiving portions (104B), a plurality of second guiding protrusion receiving portions (104C), a plurality of first snap protrusion receiving portions (104D) and a plurality of second snap protrusion receiving portions (104E). In an embodiment, the outer panel (104) is fabricated substantially in a D-shape in which an entirety of a second body (104U) of the outer panel (104) substantially defines the D-shape when seen from front i.e., front view. The second body (104U) of the outer panel (104) includes a second base (104X), a second outer wall (104Y) and a second inner wall (104Z). The second outer wall (104Y) and the second inner wall (104Z) transversely extends from the second base (104X).
[0027] The plurality of locators (104A) of the outer panel (104) are defined in the second base (104X) corresponding to locator receiving portions (102A) defined in the first base (102X) of the inner panel (102). Each locator (104A) of the outer panel (104) is fitted to corresponding locator receiving portion (102A) of the inner panel (102) to facilitate locating/ alignment of the outer panel (104) onto the inner panel (102).
[0028] The plurality of first guiding protrusion receiving portions (104B) of the outer panel (104) are provided towards second outer wall (104Y). Each first guiding protrusion receiving portion (104B) of the outer panel (104) is adapted to receive the first outer wall (102Y) of the inner panel (102) to facilitate alignment and assembly during snapping of the outer panel (104) onto the inner panel (102).
[0029] The plurality of second guiding protrusion receiving portions (104C) of the outer panel (104) are provided towards the second inner wall (104Z). Each second guiding protrusion receiving portion (104C) of the outer panel (104) is adapted to receive the first inner wall (102Z) of the inner panel (102) to facilitate alignment and assembly during snapping of the outer panel (104) onto the inner panel (102).
[0030] The plurality of first snap protrusion receiving portions (104D) of the outer panel (104) are defined in the second base (104X), corresponding to first snap protrusions (102B) defined in the first base (102X) of the inner panel (102). Each first snap protrusion receiving portion (104D) of the outer panel (104) is adapted to be received by corresponding first snap protrusion (102B) of the inner panel (102) to facilitate snap fitment of the outer panel (104) onto the inner panel (102).
[0031] The plurality of second snap protrusion receiving portions (104E) of the outer panel (104) are provided to the second inner wall (104Z), corresponding to second snap protrusions (102C) provided towards the first inner wall (102Z) of the inner panel (102). Each second snap protrusion receiving portion (104E) of the outer panel (104) is adapted to be received by corresponding second snap protrusion (102C) of the inner panel (102) to facilitate snap fitment of the outer panel (104) onto the inner panel (102).
[0032] Fig. 7 depicts a flowchart indicating steps of a method (200) of fixing the door handle (100) of the vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The method (200) of fixing the door handle (100) in the vehicle is as follows. At step (202), the method (200) includes, securing, by fasteners, a door handle inner panel (102) to a door trim (10T) from an inner side of the door/vehicle. At step (204), snap fitting a door handle outer panel (104) onto the door handle inner panel (104).
[0033] The technical advantages of the door handle (100) are as follows. The door handle (100) is easily fixable, serviceable and replaceable. The door handle (100) is inexpensive and can be easily operated by user of the vehicle. The door handle is durable and is inexpensive. The D shaped door handle includes a D shaped door handle inner panel and a D shaped door handle outer panel, which are unitary in construction. The D shaped door handle enables higher push pull load. The door handle, which can be removed easily without the need for removing door trim. The door handle is easy to replace and maintain and does not break off or pop out of the door and does not create any buzz, squeak, and rattle (BSR) issue.
[0034] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:We claim,
1. A door handle (100) for a vehicle, said door handle (100) comprising:
an inner panel (102) connected to a door trim (10T) from an inner side of the vehicle at a predetermined position; and
an outer panel (104) fitted to said inner panel (102).

2. The door handle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner panel (102) includes:
a first body (102U) having a first base (102X), a first outer wall (102Y) and a first inner wall (102Z), wherein said first outer wall (102Y) and said first inner wall (102Z) transversely extends from said first base (102X);
a plurality of locator receiving portions (102A) defined in said first base (102X);
a plurality of first snap protrusions (102B) defined in said first base (102X); and
a plurality of second snap protrusions (102C) provided towards said first inner wall (102Z).

3. The door handle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said outer panel (104) includes:
a second body (104U) having a second base (104X), a second outer wall (104Y) and a second inner wall (104Z), wherein said second outer wall (104Y) and said second inner wall (104Z) transversely extends from said second base (104X);
a plurality of locators (104A) defined in said second base (104X) at predetermined locations;
a plurality of first guiding protrusion receiving portions (104B) provided towards said second outer wall (104Y);
a plurality of second guiding protrusion receiving portions (104C) provided towards said second inner wall (104Z);
a plurality of first snap protrusion receiving portions (104D) defined in said second base (104X); and
a plurality of second snap protrusion receiving portion (104E) provided to said second inner wall (104Z).

4. The door handle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said inner panel (102) is connected to said door trim (10T) using plurality of fasteners from said inner side of the vehicle;
said inner panel (102) is fabricated substantially in a D-shape in which an entirety of said first body (102U) substantially defines said D-shape; and
said inner panel (102) is unitary.

5. The door handle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said outer panel (104) is snap fitted to said inner panel (102);
said outer panel (104) is fabricated substantially in a D-shape in which an entirety of said second body (104U) substantially defines said D-shape; and
said outer panel (104) is unitary.

6. The door handle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said plurality of first guiding protrusion receiving portions (104B) and second guiding protrusion receiving portions (104C) of said outer panel (104) are adapted to receive said first outer wall (102Y) and said first inner wall (102Z) of said inner panel (102) respectively to facilitate alignment and assembly of said outer panel (104) with said inner panel (102).

7. The door handle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said first snap protrusion receiving portion (104D) and each of said second snap protrusion receiving portion (104E) of said outer panel (104) are configured to fit into corresponding each of said first snap protrusion (102B) and corresponding each of said second snap protrusion (102C) of said inner panel (102) respectively, thereby facilitating snap fitting of said outer panel (104) onto said inner panel (102).

8. A method (200) of fixing a door handle (100) in a vehicle, said method (200) comprising:
securing, by fasteners, a door handle inner panel (102) to a door trim (10T) from an inner side of a vehicle; and
snap fitting door handle outer panel (104) onto the door handle inner panel (102).