DESC:CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This Application is based on and derives the benefit of Indian Provisional Application 202241035663 filed on 22nd June 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein relate to a pillar trim grab handle, more particularly to a grab handle for an A-pillar structure of a vehicle which meets head impact and high pull load criterion.
BACKGROUND
[002] It is desirable to provide a grab handle on the A-pillar of a motor vehicle to provide a gripping location for passengers entering or exiting the vehicle. Passengers may exert large forces on the grab handle as they enter or exit the vehicle, particularly when the vehicle has a high ride height. The grab handle may be coupled directly to the structure of the A-pillar to allow forces applied to the grab handle to be transferred directly into the vehicle structure.
[003] Further, the grab handle must be placed in a suitable position so that it does not interfere with the deployment of a side curtain airbag and at the same time provides protection during a head collision and meets high pull load criterion. The conventional grab handles are either made of hard material, therefore failing to meet head impact criterion, or fail to distribute the high pull load during gripping for passengers entering or exiting the vehicle. Furthermore, the conventional grab handles include plurality of components such as fasteners and caps for covering the fasteners, which affects the aesthetics of the grab handle and also impacts the safety of the passengers during a high impact collision.
[004] Therefore, there is a need for a grab handle for an A-pillar structure of a vehicle which meets head impact and high pull load criterion. Further, there exist a need for a two-piece grab handle which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[005] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a grab handle for an A-pillar structure of a vehicle which meets head impact and high pull load criterion.
[006] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide the grab handle for a passenger compartment of a vehicle which has a two-piece construction, wherein a lower part of the grab handle is assembled onto a trim pillar and an upper part of the grab handle is adapted to be fitted onto the lower part of the grab handle.
[007] Another object of the present invention is to provide the grab handle which allows passengers to easily enter into and exit from a compartment of the vehicle.
[008] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide the grab handle which is simple in construction, easily manufactured and inexpensive.
[009] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide the grab handle which is designed to include impact energy absorbing features.
[0010] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the 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
[0011] The embodiments herein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0012] Fig. 1a is an isometric view of a grab handle assembled to an A-pillar of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0013] Fig. 1b is a side view of the grab handle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0014] Fig. 1c is a sectional view of the grab handle assembled to the A-pillar of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0015] Fig. 1d is an exploded view of the grab handle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0016] Fig. 2a is an isometric view of a lower part of the grab handle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0017] Fig. 2b is another isometric view of the lower part of the grab handle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0018] Fig. 3a is an isometric view of an upper part of the grab handle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0019] Fig. 3b is another isometric view of the upper part of the grab handle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0020] Fig. 3c is a front view of the upper part of the grab handle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0021] Fig. 4 is a flowchart depicting a method of assembling a grab handle to an A-pillar of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention 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 grab handle for an A-pillar structure of a vehicle which meets head impact and high pull load criterion. Further, the embodiments herein achieve the grab handle for a passenger compartment of a vehicle which has a two-piece construction, wherein a lower part of the grab handle is assembled onto a trim pillar and an upper part of the grab handle is adapted to be fitted onto the lower part of the grab handle. Furthermore, the embodiments herein achieve the grab handle which allows passengers to easily enter and exit from a compartment of the vehicle. Additionally, the embodiments herein achieve the grab handle, which is simple in construction, easily manufactured and inexpensive. Moreover, the embodiments herein achieve the grab handle which is designed to include impact energy absorbing features. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to figs. 1 through 4, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0024] Fig. 1a is an isometric view of a grab handle (100) assembled on an A-pillar (200) of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. For the purposes of this description and ease of understanding, the grab handle (100) is considered to be assembled on the A-pillar (200) of the vehicle. However, it is also within the scope of this invention to have a grab handle (100) which is adapted to be assembled on any other pillar trim or part of the vehicle, such as but not limited to a B-pillar of the vehicle, without otherwise deterring from the intended function of the grab handle (100) as can be deduced from this description.
[0025] Fig. 1b is a side view of the grab handle (100), according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the grab handle (100) is mounted on to the A-pillar (200) structure of the vehicle to facilitate easy entry and exit of a passenger in a compartment of the vehicle. The grab handle (100) has a two-piece structure which includes a lower part (102) (also referred to as base portion in this description) which is adapted to be mounted on the A-pillar (200) structure of the vehicle and an upper part (104) (also referred to as grip portion in this description) which is adapted to be fitted on top of the lower part (102) of the grab handle (100).
[0026] The grab handle (100) is designed such that it meets head impact and high pull load criterion. Fig. 1c depicts a cross-sectional view of the grab handle (100) assembled on the A-pillar (200) of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the lower part (102) of the grab handle (100) is adapted to contribute 25% to 30% of the total area of the grab handle (100) and the upper part (104) of the grab handle (100) is adapted to contribute 75% to 70% of the total area of the grab handle (100). Fig. 1d depicts an exploded view of the grab handle (100), according to an embodiment. The lower part (102) of the grab handle (100) has a structure which improves the strength of the lower part (102) of the grab handle (100), therefore enabling the lower part (102) to sustain higher loads. Further, the upper part (104) of the grab handle (100) is prominently exposed to the passenger thereby facilitating better absorption of impact energy during a collision. Furthermore, to meet the high pull load criterion and head impact criterion, the lower part (102) and upper part (104) of the grab handle (100) are fabricated by predetermined selection and combination of fabricating materials. In an embodiment, the grab handle (100) is fabricated by injection molding.
[0027] Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b depict isometric views of the lower part (102) of the grab handle (100), according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The lower part (102) of the grab handle (100) includes a first portion (102A), a second portion (102B) and a first body (102C) extending between the first portion (102A) and the second portion (102B). The first portion (102A) and the second portion (102B) of the lower part (102) are fastened onto a pillar structure of the vehicle (not shown). In an embodiment, the first portion (102A) and the second portion (102A) are fastened onto the A-pillar (200) on an inner side of the vehicle. In an embodiment, each of the first portion (102A) and the second portion (102A) of the base portion (102) define at least one opening (O). The opening (O) is configured to receive a fastening member (not shown). The base portion (102) of the grab handle (100) is secured to the A-pillar (200) by passing the fastening member through the opening (O) in the base portion (102). In an embodiment, the base portion (102) is mounted on the A-pillar (200) by fastening the first portion (102A) and the second portion (102B) onto a bracket mounted on the A-pillar (200) structure. Since the upper part (104) is fitted onto the lower part (102), the fastening members are covered by the upper part (104) and are not visible to the passenger, therefore improving the aesthetics of the vehicle. Also, since the fastening members are provided on the lower part (102), during a collision of the vehicle, the passenger is prevented from exposure to any loose fastening members, therefore enhancing the safety of the passenger.
[0028] The lower part (102) of the grab handle (100) includes a plurality of first securing members (102S) provided on the lower part (102) to facilitate securing of the upper part (104) of the grab handle (100) with the lower part (102) of the grab handle (100) without the need for external fastening members. In an embodiment, the plurality of first securing members (102S) include at least two snap protrusions (102X), a plurality of protruding members (102Y), and at least two centre body locking elements (102Z). Each of the at least two snap protrusions (102X) is provided on each of the first portion (102A) and the second portion (102B) of the lower part (102). The plurality of protruding members (102Y) are defined on a periphery of the lower part (102) along a length of the lower part (102) between the first portion (102A) and the second portion (102B) at predetermined intervals. Further, the at least two centre body locking elements (102Z) are provided near a middle portion of the lower part (102). Each of the center body locking elements (102Z) is adapted to secure the middle portion of the lower part (102) of the grab handle (100) with a middle portion of the upper part (104) of the grab handle (100). In an embodiment, the center body locking element (102Z) includes a metal clip inserted on a supporting member defined near the middle portion of the lower part (102).
[0029] In an embodiment, the base portion (102) includes a plurality of flange portions (102F) extending transversely along the periphery of the base portion (102) between the first portion (102A) and the second portion (102B). In an embodiment, each of the plurality of flange portions (102F) are defined between the plurality of protruding members (102Y). The plurality of flange portions (102F) are formed such that each of the flange portion (102F) is received inside an interior space defined within the grip portion (104). Further, the lower part (102) includes at least two locators (102L) defined near the middle portion of the lower part (102). The locators (102L) are provided for guiding the alignment of the upper part (104) with the lower part (102). In an embodiment, the base portion (102) includes a first locator (102L) and a second locator (102L) having varying thickness.
[0030] In an embodiment, the base portion (102) is fabricated from Nylon-GF material. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to fabricate the base portion (102) using any material, without otherwise deterring the intended function of the grab handle (100) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. As a non-limiting example, the lower part (102) of the grab handle (100) can be fabricated from other Polymeric materials such as PA6+50%GF, PA66+15 to 50%GF. The lower part (102) of the grab handle (100) is fabricated such that the lower part (102) has high flexural modulus (>4700MPa), high flexural strength (>130MPa) and high tensile strength (>155MPa) to meet high pull load criterion. The base portion (102) is fabricated using Nylon-GF material such that the Nylon-GF material meets the high pull load criterion.
[0031] Figs. 3a and 3b depict isometric views of the upper part (104) of the grab handle (100) and fig. 3c depicts a front view of the upper part (104) of the grab handle (100), according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The upper part (104) i.e., the grip portion includes a third portion (104A), a fourth portion (104B) and a second body (104C). The third portion (104A) and the fourth portion (104B) are configured to be attached respectively with the first portion (102A) and the second portion (102B) of the base portion (102). Similarly, the second body (104C) of the grip portion (104) is adapted to be attached to the first body (102C) of the base portion (102).
[0032] The upper part (104) of the grab handle (100) includes a plurality of second securing members (104S) provided on the upper part (104) to facilitate securing of the upper part (104) with the lower part (102). The plurality of second securing members (104S) are adapted to be secured with the corresponding plurality of first securing members (102S) to facilitate the fitment of the upper part (104) onto the lower part (102). In an embodiment, the plurality of second securing members (104S) include at least two snap protrusion receiving slots (104X), a plurality of receiving members (104Y), and at least two center body receiving portions (104Z). Each of the snap protrusion receiving slots (104X) is provided respectively on the third portion (104A) and the fourth portion (104B) of the upper part (104) corresponding to the at least two snap protrusions (102X) provided on the lower part (102). Each of the snap protrusion receiving slots (104X) is adapted to receive the corresponding snap protrusion (102X) of the lower part (102) such that the third portion (104A) and the fourth portion (104B) of the upper part (104) is secured with the corresponding first portion (102A) and the second portion (102B) of the lower part (102). Further, the plurality of receiving members (104Y) are defined on the upper part (104) corresponding to the plurality of protruding members (102Y) of the lower part (102) of the grab handle (100). The plurality of the receiving members (104Y) are slots defined on the second body (104C) of the upper part (104) along a length of the upper part (104). The plurality of receiving members (104Y) are adapted to receive the respective protrusion member of the plurality of protrusion members (102Y) to facilitate fitment of the upper part (104) onto the lower part (102). Furthermore, each of the at least two center body receiving elements (104Z) are provided near a middle portion of the upper part (104) corresponding to the at least two center body locking elements (102Z) of the lower part (102). Each of the center body receiving elements (104Z) is adapted to receive the respective center body locking element (102Z), facilitating securing of the upper part (104) with the lower part (102) at the middle portion of both the upper part (104) and the lower part (102). In an embodiment, each of the center body receiving elements (104Z) include a slot adapted to receive the metal clip provided on the lower part (102).
[0033] Further, the upper part (104) of the grab handle (100) includes at least two locator receiving members (104L) corresponding to the at least two locators (102L) of the lower part (102). Each of the at least two locator receiving members (104L) are adapted to receive the corresponding locator (102L) such that the upper part (104) is aligned with the lower part (102) of the grab handle (100).
[0034] In an embodiment, the upper part (104) is fabricated from unfilled Polypropylene. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to fabricate the upper part (104) using any material, without otherwise deterring the intended function of the grab handle (100) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. As a non-limiting example, the upper part (104) of the grab handle (100) can be fabricated from other polymeric materials such as PPCP with 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% filled materials. To meet head impact criterion, the upper part (104) of the grab handle (100) is fabricated from a material which has low flexural modulus (1000MPa-1200MPa), low flexural strength (30MPa-33Mpa) and low tensile strength (20MPa-30 MPa). The upper part (104) of the grab handle (100) is fabricated such that the upper part (104) includes impact energy absorbing features i.e., the upper part (104) of the grab handle (100), with the exception of locator receiving members (104L) and second securing member features (104S), is pre-dominantly/ substantially hollow to enable the grab handle (100) to flex and absorb the impact energy.
[0035] Fig. 4 is a flowchart depicting a method (300) of assembling a grab handle (100) to an A-pillar (200) of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the method (300) includes attaching a base portion (102) to an A-pillar (200) structure of a vehicle. In an embodiment, the method includes mounting the base portion (102) of the grab handle (100) on a bracket attached to the A-pillar (200) of the vehicle. Further, the method includes (300) attaching a grip portion (104) to the base portion (102). In an embodiment the method (300) includes attaching the grip portion (104) to the base portion (102) by securing the plurality of second securing members (104S) provided on the grip portion (104) with the plurality of first securing members (102S) provided on the base portion (102) of the grab handle (100).
[0036] The technical advantages provided by the embodiments disclosed herein include easy manufacturability, easy assembly, inexpensive, reliable and provide head impact energy absorbing features and high pull load criterion.
[0037] 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 preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:We claim,
1. A grab handle (100) for a vehicle, said grab handle (100) comprising:
a lower part (102) adapted to be mounted on a pillar trim (200) from an inner side of the vehicle, said lower part (102) comprising a plurality of first securing members (102S); and
an upper part (104) adapted to be fitted onto said lower part (102), said upper part (104) comprising a plurality of second securing members (104S) corresponding to said respective plurality of first securing members (102S),
wherein,
said upper part (104) is adapted to be fitted onto said lower part (102) by securing said plurality of second securing members (104S) of the upper part (104) with said corresponding plurality of first securing members (102S) of the lower part (102).

2. The grab handle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lower part (102) comprises:
a first portion (102A) and a second portion (102B) opposite to said first portion (102A);
a first body (102C) extending between said first portion (102A) and said second portion (102B);
wherein said lower part (102) is adapted to be mounted on the pillar trim (200) by fastening each of said first portion (102A) and said second portion (102B) with the pillar trim (200).

3. The grab handle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said plurality of first securing members (102S) comprise:
at least two snap protrusions (102X), wherein each of said at least two snap protrusions (102X) is provided on said first portion (102A) and said second portion (102B);
a plurality of protruding members (102Y) provided along a periphery of said first body (102C) of the lower part (102) at predetermined intervals; and
at least two center body locking elements (102Z) provided near a middle portion of said lower part (102) at predetermined positions.

4. The grab handle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said lower part (102) comprises:
a plurality of flange portions (102F) extending transversely from the periphery of said first body (102C) of said lower part (102), said plurality of flange portions (102F) provided between said plurality of protruding members (102Y); and
at least two locators (102L) provided near the middle portion of said lower part (102), each of said at least two locators (102L) adapted to have varying thickness and configured to guide alignment of said upper part (104) with said lower part (102).

5. The grab handle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lower part (102) is made of material comprising Nylon-GF.

6. The grab handle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said upper part (104) comprises:
a third portion (104A) and a fourth portion (104B) opposite to said third portion (104A);
a second body (104C) extending between said third portion (104A) and said fourth portion (104B);
wherein, each of said third portion (104A) and said fourth portion (104B) are configured to be attached with said corresponding first portion (102A) and said second portion (102B) of said lower part (102).

7. The grab handle (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said plurality of second securing members (104S) comprise:
at least two snap protrusion receiving slots (104X) provided on said third portion (104A) and said fourth portion (104B) of said upper part (104), said at least two snap protrusion receiving slots (104X) adapted to receive respective snap protrusion of said at least two snap protrusions (102X) of said lower part (102);
a plurality of receiving members (104Y) provided along a length of said upper part (104), said plurality of receiving members (104Y) adapted to receive respective protruding member of said plurality of protruding members (102Y) of said lower part (102); and
at least two center body receiving elements(104Z) provided near a middle portion of said upper part (104), said at least two center body receiving elements (104Z) adapted to receive respective center body locking element (102Z) of said at least two center body locking elements (102Z) to facilitate securing of said upper part (104) with said lower part (102) near a middle portion of said grab handle (100).

8. The grab handle (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said upper part (104) comprises:
at least two locator receiving members (104L), said at least two locator receiving members (104L) adapted to receive said corresponding at least two locators (102L) of said lower part (102).

9. The grab handle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upper part (104) is a hollow structure made of polypropylene thereby being capable of absorbing head impact on collision of the vehicle.

10. The grab handle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lower part (102) forms about 25% to 30% of total area of said grab handle (100) and said upper part (104) forms about 75% to 70% of total area of said grab handle (100).

11. The grab handle (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein said grab handle (100) is adapted to be mounted on an A-pillar trim (200) of the vehicle.
12. The grab handle as claimed in claim 11, wherein said lower part (102) is adapted to bear high pull load and said upper part (104) is adapted to absorb high impact on collision of the vehicle.