EP1284335A1 - Door handle incorporating an electronic module, in particular for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The module (10) includes a presence sensor with measuring electrode for detection of a user near to the door handle surface (7,8). Fittings (16,17) are provided for positioning the module so that the electrode is at a predetermined distance form the surface. The first fitting has a pressure surface designed to press the module end (11) against the internal wall of a housing (9). The door handle for a road vehicle includes: (a) an internal housing (9) in the handle; (b) an electronic module (10) fitted inside the housing. Also are included a module fixing (16) and liquid ingress seal (17). A pressure surface is located on an elastically deformable foot supported on the part which is fixed in the housing by adhesive, or clips or a pin. The housing has a module insertion opening (13) and the fitting includes a cover for the opening. Both fitting and cover are made from a single injection molded plastics material part.

Description

The present invention relates to a door handle, particularly for motor vehicle.

The invention relates more particularly to a door handle incorporating the less an electronic module in a housing that has the handle.

The invention also relates to an electronic module intended to be mounted in a handle housing.

The invention is particularly adapted to being implemented in the context of of a motor vehicle having a hands-free access system.

In the automotive field, the opening handle that was previously used only to transmit a mechanical movement through a linkage to a lock for the opening of the opening has undergone a profound change.

Indeed, especially for so-called "hands free" systems allowing the locking and unlocking a motor vehicle without a mechanical key or remote control, the handle has become a privileged interface between the user, carrying an identifier (for example in the form of a badge), and the embedded system on the vehicle.

Known as well opening handles having an inner housing in which is placed an electronic module comprising at least one user detection.

This detection member is for example an antenna allowing, for example, wireless communication between the vehicle and the identifier worn by the user, a exchange of coded data for the purpose of user recognition prior to give him access to the vehicle.

According to another alternative, the detection member consists of a sensor of presence that will allow to initiate the communication between the embedded system in the vehicle and the identifier for unlocking the vehicle, by detecting approaching the user, and / or locking the vehicle by detecting an action voluntary user on a particular area of the handle.

When the sensing element is a presence sensor, it is common to use a presence sensor comprising at least one measuring electrode for detection of the user at a surface of the handle, said surface of detection, accessible by the latter.

In any case, for the purpose of protecting electronic components of the antenna when it incorporates a tuning circuit and / or the presence sensor, it is necessary to have an electronic module tight to any fluid.

The tightness of the electronic module integrating, for example, an antenna and / or a presence sensor is generally made by complete overmoulding of the module using a thermoplastic material impervious to a fluid.

But in some cases, not only the electronic module needs to be waterproof, but it is also necessary that the housing, receiving this module electronic, be waterproof.

Indeed, in the case of use of a presence sensor as described above, in rainy weather, there have been cases of malfunction, by non-detection for example, due to the presence of a film of parasitic water, between the module electronics and the detection surface, which was formed due to the non-sealing of the housing to the water.

As the document EP-A-1,035,276 discloses, it is known to realize handles having a sealed housing incorporating an antenna. In this realization, the antenna is inserted into a housing of the handle which is then closed by a thermal insulating body. The whole is finally sealed by overmolding a layer of a thermoplastic material on the handle and the body closing the dwelling.

Thus, in this document, the tightness of the housing is achieved by overmolding a layer of thermoplastic material on the entire handle. This solution requires to properly protect the antenna by an insulating body thermal and generates a complex and expensive manufacturing and assembly process. Indeed, it is necessary to intervene, during the realization of this overmoulding, on the external appearance of the handle which is usually delicate and can generate many rebuses if the aesthetics of overmolding has a defect aspect.

Moreover, it has also been found, when using sensors of presence of malfunctions resulting from an approximate positioning of the module in the handle, resulting in the measuring electrode of the The sensor is placed at a distance that is too large and / or non-constant with respect to the detection surface.

It therefore appears necessary, in addition to sealing the housing, to provide solutions for both maintaining and positioning the module in its housing so as to ensure correct positioning of the electrode of measuring the sensor so that it operates in all circumstances and allows detection of the user at the predefined detection area.

An object of the present invention is to meet these needs by overcoming the disadvantages of known devices and to propose a solution allowing simultaneously improve the tightness of the housing and the maintenance of the module in the housing.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a door handle such as claimed in claim 1.

Advantageously, the electronic module houses components electronic devices for the detection of a user at a detection surface and the combined holding and sealing means are made in such a way as to allow a positioning of the module and its components at a predefined distance from the detection surface.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the module is of form elongated general and the combined means have first and second combined holding and sealing elements cooperating respectively with a first and second end of said module so as to maintain it in the determined position.

Advantageously, the first element has at least one bearing surface, located on an elastically deformable tab, intended to press the first end of the module on an inner wall of the housing.

Preferably, the handle comprises complementary means of positioning the module on the support surface.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the first element has a shutter of an insertion opening of the module in the housing.

Preferably, the first element and the shutter are made in one piece.

In addition, the second element is realized in the form of a piece, having a shape complementary to the shape of the section transversal housing, related to the module and surrounding it at its second end.

In particular, the second element has a peripheral portion forming elastic seal so that said second holding member can be entered at strength in housing.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the module presents a wiring electrical outlet at its second end and the second element at least one passing hole for receiving said wiring and providing with it tightness of housing.

According to a first alternative, the first and / or second elements are made of a waterproof elastic material.

According to a second alternative, the first and / or second elements are made of a rigid material and provided, at their periphery, with a seal sealing.

Advantageously, the handle comprises a handle support for to be arranged on a wall of an opening and a gripping portion hinged to said handle support and intended to be actuated by a user and that the housing is located in said gripping portion.

The invention also relates to an electronic module intended to be mounted in a handle housing comprising at least one of its ends combined holding and sealing means in a determined position in said housing.

• Figure 1, une vue en coupe longitudinale d'un premier mode de réalisation de la poignée selon l'invention ;
• Figure 2, une vue en perspective d'un module électronique logé dans la poignée de la figure 1 ;
• Figure 3, un détail III de la poignée de la figure 1 ;
• Figure 4a, une vue en perspective de dessus du premier élément combiné pour le maintien du module électronique dans la poignée de la figure 1;
• Figure 4b, une vue en perspective de dessous du premier élément combiné pour le maintien du module électronique dans la poignée de la figure 1 ;
• Figure 5, une vue en perspective d'une extrémité du module électronique, intégrant un second élément combiné, logé dans la poignée de la figure 1 ;
• Figure 6, une vue en coupe transversale selon la ligne VI-VI de la figure 1 ;
• Figure 7, une vue en coupe longitudinale d'un second mode de réalisation des moyens de combinés de la poignée selon l'invention ;
• Figure 8, une vue explosée en perspective d'un détail VIII de la figure 7 intégrant le module électronique ;
• Figure 9, une vue en perspective d'une variante d'un détail IX de la figure 8.

The invention will be better understood during the detailed explanatory description of nonlimiting examples with reference to the appended figures which represent:

• Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of the handle according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of an electronic module housed in the handle of Figure 1;
• Figure 3, a detail III of the handle of Figure 1;
• Figure 4a, a perspective view from above of the first combined element for holding the electronic module in the handle of Figure 1;
• 4b, a perspective view from below of the first combined element for holding the electronic module in the handle of Figure 1;
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of one end of the electronic module, incorporating a second combined element, housed in the handle of Figure 1;
• Figure 6, a cross-sectional view along the line VI-VI of Figure 1;
• Figure 7, a longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of the combined means of the handle according to the invention;
• Figure 8, an exploded perspective view of a detail VIII of Figure 7 incorporating the electronic module;
• 9, a perspective view of a variant of a detail IX of FIG.

Figure 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a handle according to a first embodiment of the invention.

In this figure, the reference 1 indicates a handle for an opening (no represented) in particular of a motor vehicle.

The handle 1 comprises a support 2 which is fixed in a known manner, not described in detail, at the opening (not shown) and a portion (or element) of gripping 3 pivotally mounted for controlling a lock (not shown) of the opening.

The gripping element 3 comprises a first end portion 4 realizing a hinge type connection, known and not described in detail, with the support of handle 2 to be actuated relative to the latter, from a rest position to a control position for the control of the lock (not shown).

The gripping element 3 also comprises an intermediate portion 5 elongated and hollow to be operated by a user and a second part terminal 6 opposite the first end portion 4, which extends through the support handle 2, intended to be connected to the lock of the opening (not shown).

The intermediate portion 5 has a front longitudinal wall 7 facing to the user when maneuvering the handle, delimited internally by a inner surface 7a, and a rear wall 8 facing the front wall 7 and adjacent to the body of the opening.

The walls 7 and 8 delimit in a unitary manner with respect to the rest of the gripping element 3, a housing 9 of elongated shape presenting a first end 9a and a second end 9b. The housing 9 of the gripping element 3 communicates with the outside by two facing apertures referenced 13 and 14, the first opening 13 extending through the second end portion 6 while the second opening 14 opens to a cavity 15 formed at the first part terminal 4.

The housing 9 accommodates with a radial clearance an electronic module 10, presented in the form of an outer casing 18 waterproof elongate shape, with a first end 11 and a second end 12. The electronic module 10 is inserted in the housing 9 by the first opening 13, said insertion opening.

According to the invention, the handle comprises combined holding means and on the one hand holding the electronic module 10 in a determined position in the housing 9 and on the other hand a tightness of the housing to a fluid. These combined means 16, 17 are made in the form of a first element 16, positioned at the insertion opening 13, and a second element 17, positioned at the opening 14.

As seen in FIG. 1, the positioning of the electronic module 10 is provided at each of its ends 11 and 12 by the combined means 16 and 17 of so that it is maintained in a determined position in the housing 9, at a predefined distance d of the user's detection surface.

According to the invention, these combined means 16, 17 also realize, by their particular structure, which will be described later, the sealing of the housing 9 to a fluid and especially to water.

FIG. 2 presents a perspective view of the electronic module intended to be housed in the handle described in the frame of FIG.

As previously described, the electronic module 10 is produced under the form of an outer casing 18 waterproof elongated shape presenting a first end 11 and a second end 12.

• une plaque à circuit imprimé (ou des éléments nécessaires à la réalisation d'un lead-frame), et les différents composants électroniques du module : antenne, capteurs.
• un câblage électrique, préalablement surmoulé sur un joint, à une des extrémités du boítier,

The housing 18 is made in the form of a half-shell, in which are positioned:

• a printed circuit board (or elements necessary for producing a lead-frame), and the various electronic components of the module: antenna, sensors.
• an electrical wiring, previously overmolded on a joint, at one end of the housing,

The different welds and connections are made and the whole is then overmolded with a thermoplastic resin so as to obtain a module unitary and waterproof.

Thanks to this assembly, the presence sensor 19 and its electrode measure 20 are positioned quite precisely in the module electronic 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic module 10 houses a sensor of presence 19 comprising a measuring electrode 20 extending longitudinally in the module. The sensor 19, its electrode 20 and their electrical wiring 21 are represented in dashed lines in the module.

The electrical wiring 21, made in the form of a plurality of wires electrically conductive, allows an electrical connection between the electronic module 10 and an on-board access management system in the vehicle (not shown).

The presence sensor 19 is used for the detection of a user at level of a surface of the handle substantially parallel to the opening 7, 8. This surface of the handle, said detection surface, may consist of the front wall 7, of the rear wall 8 or even of these two walls according to the implantation of the sensor of presence 19 in the electronic module 10.

To ensure the proper operation of the presence sensor, it is important that the electronic module is positioned in a defined and stable manner in the housing 9.

For this purpose, the electronic module 10 has at its first end 11 positioning pins 22 for cooperating with the first element 16 and door to its second end 12, the second element 17 made in the form of a ring generally elliptical, which will be described in detail later.

Thus, the electronic module being arranged at a predefined distance and determined from the user's sensing surface, the measuring electrode of the sensor of presence is also arranged a predefined distance from the surface of detection. This arrangement ensures optimized detection of the user when he approaches the detection surface.

These module assembly issues in a predefined position are particularly important when mass-mounting a large number of modules in handles, to avoid any drift in the positioning of the module. In Indeed, the means used - combined elements 16 and 17, means of positioning 22 and 26 - ensure consistent quality in the assembly and the positioning of the module in the housing 9 of the part of gripping 3.

Figures 3, 4a and 4b will now be described together.

FIG. 3 shows a detail III of the handle of FIG. first element 16 of the electronic module and FIGS. 4a and 4b show views in perspective of this same element.

As previously explained, the gripping element 3 presents at the level of its second end portion 6, a first element 16 carrying out the maintenance of the electronic module 10 in the housing 9.

This first element 16 is disposed near the insertion opening 13 and has a base 23, intended to be supported on an inner wall of the wall 8 of the housing 9, and a side wall 25, substantially perpendicular to the base 23, comprising a face 25a forming an outer surface of the handle. The side wall 25 thus forms a closure cover, or shutter, for the housing 9.

In the figures described, the first element 16 and the shutter 25 are made in one piece preferably by injection molding of a material plastic.

The first element 16 has, moreover, two bearing surfaces 24 intended to receive the first end 11 of the module 10 and to press it locally against the inner wall 7a of the front wall 7 of the gripping element 3 so as to maintain the module 10 in a predefined and determined position.

The bearing surfaces 24 extend substantially parallel to the base 23 and are respectively located on two legs 29 carried by the first element 16 and originating on the base 23. These lugs 29 are preferentially elastic and deformable.

The first element 16 makes it possible, in addition to maintaining the module electronics 10 in the housing, to achieve sealing of the latter. Indeed, he present at the shutter 25 an O-ring seal 28, arranged in a groove thereof, which prevents the entry of any fluid into the housing 9 by the insertion opening 13.

In the example described, the first element 16 is made of a material rigid and is provided at the periphery of the shutter 25 with a seal 28 but it can, in an equivalent way, be made of an elastic material having intrinsic sealing properties.

As shown, the handle also has means complementary positioning of the electronic module 10 on the surfaces support 24.

These complementary means are made in the form of notches 26, each carried by a bearing surface 24, intended to cooperate with the lugs 22 the electronic module 10 (FIG. 2) carries and ensures a positioning of the electronic module 10 on the bearing surfaces 24.

The use of these positioning means makes it possible to increase the stability of the electronic module 10 at the level of the first element 16 and makes it possible to avoid possible vibrations of the module which would have the effect of altering its function of detection.

The base 23 is provided with interlocking means 27, of the clip type resilient, which allow, in cooperation with corresponding housing located at the end 9a of the housing 9, to fix the first element 16 in the housing 9 and thus prevent its loss as well as that of the module 10.

In addition to this interlocking and to avoid the disengagement of means of interlocking 27 of their corresponding dwellings, it is also possible to glue the first element 16 in the housing 9.

Figures 5 and 6 , respectively showing a perspective view of the second end of the electronic module, carrying the second combined element and a section along the line VI-VI of Figure 1, are described together to present in detail the whole characteristics of the second combined element.

The electronic module 10 carries, at the level of the terminal part of its second end 12, the second element 17 providing the maintenance of the module 10 in the housing 9 of the intermediate portion 5 of the gripping element 3.

This second element 17 is fixed to the module 10, because overmolded with the housing 18 during the realization of the electronic module 10 as described in the context of the FIG. 2, and surrounds it completely at its second end 12.

It has a ring shape, elliptical general shape, complementary in the shape of the cross section of the housing 9 (Figure 6).

The second element 17 has a peripheral portion forming a joint elastic 30 so that it can be forced into the housing 9.

In the example described, the second element 17 is integral with the module 10, so that, when positioned in the housing 9, the module 10 is maintained in a determined position in the housing 9.

The particular shape and the structural characteristic of the second element 17 also make it possible to seal the housing 9 at its second end 9a.

Indeed, the second element 17 is made of a rigid molded material a resin and provided, at its periphery, with a seal 30 of the type O-ring for sealing the housing 9. This seal 30 is arranged in a groove that has the second element 17 and forms the peripheral portion allowing the second element 17 to be forced into the housing 9.

Alternatively, the second element 17 may be made of a material elastically flexible having sealing properties.

The second element 17 also has a plurality of through holes 36 associated with the passage of the son of the electrical wiring 21 of the module 10 while by sealing the housing 9.

In the embodiment described, the second element 17 belong to the electronic module 10, since overmolded with the housing 18, but it can be dissociated of the module while retaining its holding and sealing properties.

FIGS. 7 and 8 respectively represent a section of the handle according to the invention having a second embodiment of the combined first and second elements and an exploded perspective view of a detail of FIG. 7.

To facilitate the understanding of the arrangement of the different elements, With respect to each other, these figures are described together.

It will be noted that the references used in the context of FIGS. 1 to 6 have been times for identical elements.

As previously stated, the first element 16 has a base 23 laid flat on the wall 8, adjacent to the end portion 9a of the housing and at the insertion aperture 13, and a shutter side wall 25. The first element 16 and the shutter 25 are made in one piece by injection molding of a plastic material.

In the example described in particular, the first element 16 and the shutter 25, constituting a single piece, are releasably connected to part 6 of the item gripping 3 by a removable holding pin 31.

According to this second embodiment of the first element 16, the module electronics 10 is pressed almost entirely against the inner surface 7a of the wall 7 by the action of the first element 16.

This first element 16 has, in fact, a single bearing surface 24 located on an elastic tab 29 forming an acute angle A with the base 23 so that it presents a significant elasticity and its action comes to press the module 10 on the wall 7a.

The bearing surface 24 is provided with a pair of adjacent notches 26, each receiving respectively a pin 22 that presents the electronic module 10 and which extend parallel from the module 10 thus forming means complementary positioning of the module 10 on the support surface 24.

Once positioned, the first element 16 resiliently forces the first end 11 of the module 10 against the wall 7a so as to maintain the module 10 in a determined position to prevent any external actions transmitted to the intermediate part 5 when actuated by the user does not compromise the functionality and efficiency of the electronic module 10.

According to this second embodiment of the second element 17, this one does not not part of the module 10 but is independent of the latter. It is realized in the form of an elliptical ring of elastic material whose outer shape is complementary shape of the cross-section of the housing 9. The second element 17 is arranged around the module 10 at its end 12, so that the detection surface located in the intermediate part 5 can not be in contact with a possible film of water, and the whole is then inserted by force into the housing 9, the dimensions of the second element 17 being slightly greater than the section transversal housing 9.

The second element 17 is made of an elastic material and because of its forced entry into the housing 9 constitutes, at its peripheral portion, a sealing gasket 34 thus avoiding any entry of fluid into the housing 9.

The cavity 15 on which opens the second opening 14 of the housing 9 is partially closed by closure means 33 thus defining a conduit or passage 35 for the communication between the housing 9 and the outside.

These closure means 33 are made in the form of a cover 33 which is set up by clips (not shown).

These two elements - cavity 15 and lid 33 - allow direct access to the housing 9 and therefore to the electronic module 10, to pull the wiring 21 out of the module or connect the module 10 to external wiring when it is provided of a connector at its second end 12, so that the assembly of the module electronic in the handle is simplified.

In the variant of the second embodiment of the first element 16, represented in FIG. 9 , the first element 16 is distinct from the shutter 25 and the tab 29 carrying the bearing surface 24 is directly linked to the housing 18 of the module 10. Preferably, the first element 16 and the electronic module 10, or at least a part thereof, form an element 32 made in the form of a single piece.

As has been presented in the various embodiments of the invention, the combined holding and sealing means 16 and 17 allow a positioning of the module in a determined position so that the sensor of presence (or its measuring electrode) has a predefined distance from the detection surface of the user. The use of a first element 16 and a second element 17 at each end of the module allows to leave the module free between its two ends. It is not too constrained in traction or flexion between its two ends which prevents it from being damaged.

Moreover, the realization of the first element 16 in one piece with the shutter 23 to make a lid 35 for closing the opening 13 of the 9, reduces the number of parts and the assembly time as well as to improve the stability of the handle.

Thus, thanks to the invention, a handle having a housing in which an electronic module is positioned in a predefined manner and determined to prevent disruption of the module's functions and to optimum operation. This certain positioning is particularly necessary when integrating a presence sensor for the presence detection of a user at a detection surface.

Clearly, changes to the 1 handle presented can be realized without departing from the present invention. In particular combination of different holding and sealing means can be realized and these can be positioned in other places than those presented.

Claims (19)

Door handle, particularly for a motor vehicle, comprising an inner housing (9) made in the handle, an electronic module (10) located inside said housing, characterized in that it further comprises combined holding and sealing means (16, 17) providing on the one hand the holding of the electronic module (10) in a determined position in said housing and on the other hand a tightness said housing to a fluid. Door handle according to Claim 1, characterized in that the module (10) houses at least one presence sensor (19) comprising at least one measuring electrode (20) for the detection of a user at a surface (7, 8) of the handle substantially parallel to the opening, said detection surface (7, 8), and in that said combined means (16, 17) are made to allow positioning of the module (10 ) so that the measuring electrode (20) is arranged at a predefined distance from the detection surface (7, 8). Door handle according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the module (10) is of generally elongate shape and in that the combined means (16, 17) have first (16) and second (17) combined elements holding and sealing cooperating respectively with a first (11) and a second (12) end of said module so as to maintain it in the determined position. Door handle according to claim 3, characterized in that the first element (16) has at least one bearing surface (24) intended to press said first end (11) of the module (10) onto an inner wall (7a ) of the housing (9). Door handle according to Claim 4, characterized in that it comprises complementary positioning means, preferably lugs (22) and associated notches (26), of the module (10) on the bearing surface (24). ), carried respectively by the module (10) and by the bearing surface (24). Door handle according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the bearing surface (24) is located on an elastically deformable tab (29) carried by said first element (16). Door handle according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the first element (16) is fixed in the housing (9) by gluing, clipping or with a pin (31). Door handle according to any one of claims 3 to 7 wherein the housing (9) has an insertion opening (13) of the module (10), characterized in that the first element (16) has a shutter ( 25) of said insertion opening. Door handle according to claim 8, characterized in that the first element (16) and the shutter (25) are made in one piece, preferably by injection molding of a plastic material. Door handle according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that said shutter (25) has a face (25a) forming an outer surface of the handle (1). Door handle according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the second element (17) is designed as a part (17), having a shape complementary to the shape of the cross-section of the housing (9), connected to the module (10) and surrounding it at its second end (12). Door handle according to claim 11, characterized in that the second element (17) has a peripheral portion forming an elastic seal so that said second holding element can be forced into the housing (9). Door handle according to one of Claims 3 to 12, characterized in that the module (10) has an electrical wiring (21) extending at its second end (12) and that the second element (17) ) has at least one through hole (36) for receiving said wiring and ensuring therewith a sealing of the housing (9). Door handle according to claim 13, characterized in that the housing (9) has a second opening (14) for access to the housing (9) for the passage of the electrical wiring (21) of the module (10) and in that that the handle has closure means (33) for closing at least partially said second opening. Door handle according to one of Claims 3 to 14, characterized in that the second element (17) is fixed, preferably by overmolding, to the module (10). Door handle according to any one of claims 3 to 15, characterized in that the first (16) and / or second (17) elements are made of a resilient elastic material. Door handle according to any one of claims 3 to 15, characterized in that the first (16) and / or second (17) elements are made of a rigid material and in that they are provided at the their periphery, a seal (30, 34). Door handle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a handle support (2) intended to be arranged on a wall of an opening and a gripping portion (3) hinged to said handle holder and intended to be actuated by a user and in that the housing (9) is located in said gripping portion. Electronic module intended to be mounted in a handle housing, characterized in that it comprises at least at one of its ends (11, 12) a combined holding and sealing means (16, 17) in a determined position in said housing (9).

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