EP1284335B2 - Door handle incorporating an electronic module, in particular for a vehicle - Google Patents

Description

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

The invention relates more particularly to a door handle incorporating at least one 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 be implemented in the context of a motor vehicle having a hands-free access system.

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

Indeed, especially for so-called "hands free" systems for 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 under the form of a badge), and the system embedded on the vehicle.

Thus known opening handles having an inner housing in which is placed an electronic module comprising at least one sensing member of the user.

This detection member is for example an antenna allowing, by radio communication between the vehicle and the identifier worn by the user, an exchange of coded data for the purpose of recognition of the user before giving access to the vehicle.

According to another alternative, the detection member is constituted by a presence sensor which will make it possible to initiate the communication between the system embedded in the vehicle and the identifier with a view to unlocking the vehicle, by detecting the approach of the user, and / or lock the vehicle by detecting a voluntary action of the user on a particular area of the handle.

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

In all cases, in order to protect the 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 achieved by completely overmoulding the module using a thermoplastic material that is impervious to a fluid.

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

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

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

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

Moreover, it has also been found, when using presence sensors, cases of malfunction resulting from an approximate positioning of the module in the handle, with the result that the measuring electrode of the sensor is disposed at a distance from the sensor. distance too large and / or not constant with respect to the detection surface.

The patent document EP 1 067 257 also discloses a handle provided with an electronic module with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

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 measuring electrode of the sensor so that it works in all circumstances and allows detection of the user at the predefined detection surface.

The purpose of the present invention is to meet these needs by overcoming the disadvantages of known devices and to propose a solution that simultaneously makes it possible to improve the tightness of the housing and the maintenance of the module in the housing.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a door handle as claimed in claim 1.

The complementary features of the invention are specified in claims 2 to 16.

• 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 ;

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

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

The figure 1 is 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 (not shown) including motor vehicle.

The handle 1 comprises a support 2 which is fixed in a known manner, not described in detail, to 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 forming a hinge type connection, known and not described in detail, with the handle support 2 to be actuated relative thereto, from a rest position to a position of control for the control of the lock (not shown).

The gripping member 3 also includes an elongated and hollow intermediate portion 5 to be actuated by a user and a second end portion 6 opposite the first end portion 4, which extends through the handle support 2, for be connected to the lock of the opening (not shown).

The intermediate portion 5 has a longitudinal front wall 7 facing the user during the operation of the handle, delimited internally by an 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 unitarily with respect to the rest of the gripping element 3, a housing 9 of elongate shape having 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 towards a cavity 15 formed at the first end portion 4.

The housing 9 accommodates with radial clearance an electronic module 10, presented in the form of an elongated waterproof outer housing 18, 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 and sealing means 16, 17 providing on the one hand the holding of 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 we see on the figure 1 , the positioning of the electronic module 10 is ensured at each of its ends 11 and 12 by the combined means 16 and 17 so that it is held in a determined position in the housing 9, at a predetermined distance d from the detection surface of the user.

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 in particular to water.

The figure 2 presents a perspective view of the electronic module intended to be housed in the handle described in the context of the figure 1 .

As previously described, the electronic module 10 is in the form of an elongated waterproof outer casing 18 having 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 boîtier,

The housing 18 is 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 gasket, at one end of the housing,

The various welds and connections are made and the assembly is then overmoulded with a thermoplastic resin so as to obtain a unitary and sealed module.

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

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

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

The presence sensor 19 is used for the detection of a user at a surface of the handle substantially parallel to the opening 7, 8. This surface of the handle, said detection surface, may consist of the wall before 7, the rear wall 8 or even these two walls according to the implantation of the presence sensor 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 lugs 22 intended to cooperate with the first element 16 and carries at its second end 12, the second element 17 made in the form of a ring of pace general elliptical, which will be described in detail later.

Thus, the electronic module being arranged at a predefined and determined distance from the user's detection surface, the measuring electrode of the presence sensor is also arranged a predefined distance from the detection surface. This arrangement makes it possible to ensure optimized detection of the user when approaching the detection surface.

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

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

The figure 3 presents a detail III of the handle of the figure 1 at the level of the first element 16 of the electronic module and the Figures 4a and 4b present perspective views of this same element.

As previously explained, the gripping element 3 has, at its second end portion 6, a first element 16 that holds 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 cap, 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 plastic material.

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 lugs 29 carried by the first member 16 and originating on the base 23. These lugs 29 are preferably elastic and deformable.

The first element 16 makes it possible, in addition to maintaining the electronic module 10 in the housing, to seal the latter. Indeed, it has 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 through the insertion opening 13.

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

As shown, the handle also has complementary means for positioning the electronic module 10 on the bearing surfaces 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 which the electronic module 10 carries ( figure 2 ) and ensure 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 any vibrations of the module which would have the effect of altering its detection function.

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

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

The Figures 5 and 6 , respectively presenting 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 the figure 1 , are jointly described to present in detail all the features of the second combined element.

The electronic module 10 carries, at the end portion of its second end 12, the second element 17 which holds 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 production of the electronic module 10 as described in the context of the figure 2 , and surrounds it completely at its second end 12.

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

The second element 17 has a peripheral portion forming an elastic seal 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 it is positioned in the housing 9, the module 10 is held in a determined position in the housing 9.

The particular shape and the structural feature of the second member 17 also allow it to seal the housing 9 at its second end 9a.

Indeed, the second element 17 is made of a rigid material overmolded with a resin and provided, at its periphery, with a seal 30 of the O-ring type 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 member 17 may be made of an elastically flexible material having sealing properties.

The second element 17 also has a plurality of through holes 36 associated with the passage of the conductive wires of the electrical wiring 21 of the module 10 while 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 from the module while maintaining its holding and sealing properties.

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

To facilitate understanding of the arrangement of the various elements relative to each other, these figures are described together.

It should be noted that references used in the context of Figures 1 to 6 have been used for identical elements.

As previously explained, the first element 16 has a base 23 placed flat on the wall 8, adjacent to the end portion 9a of the housing and the insertion opening 13, and a shutter side wall 25. 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 removably connected to the portion 6 of the gripping member 3 by a removable holding pin 31.

According to this second embodiment of the first element 16, the electronic module 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 has a high 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 respectively receiving a lug 22 which the electronic module 10 has and which extend parallel from the module 10 thus forming complementary means for positioning the module 10 on the bearing 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 portion 5 during its actuation 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, it is not an integral part of the module 10 but is independent of the latter. It is in the form of an elliptical ring of elastic material whose outer shape is complementary to the 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 portion 5 can not be in contact with a possible film of water, and the assembly is then inserted by force into the housing 9, the dimensions of the second element 17 being slightly greater than the cross section of the 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 seal 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 communication between the housing 9 and the outside.

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

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

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

Furthermore, the production of the first element 16 in one piece with the shutter 23 to make a cover 35 for closing the opening 13 of the housing 9, makes it possible to reduce the number of parts and the assembly time as well as the improve the stability of the handle.

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

Clearly, modifications of the handle 1 presented can be made without departing from the present invention as defined by the appended claims. In particular combined holding and sealing different means can be realized and they can be positioned in other places than those presented.

Claims (16)

1. Door handle, in particular for motor vehicle, comprising,

   - an inner housing (9) made in the handle, and having two openings (13, 14)

   - an electronic module (10) located inside said housing (9),

   - means (16, 17) to retain said electronic module inside said housing (9),

   - sealing means (16, 17) achieving fluidtightness of said housing (9), at said openings (13, 14), with the retaining means and the sealing means being combined,

   the module (10) has a generally elongated shape and the retaining means (16, 17) have first (16) and second (17) elements for retaining that engage respectively with a first (11) and a second (12) end of said module in such a way as to maintain it in the determined position,
   characterised in that the first element (16) has at least one bearing surface (24) intended to thrust said first end (11) of the module (10) onto an inner wall (7a) of the housing (9).
2. Door handle according to claim 1, characterised in that the module (10) houses at least one presence sensor (19) comprising at least one measurement electrode (20) for detecting a user on a surface (7, 8) of the handle substantially parallel to the door, referred to as the detection surface (7, 8), and in that said retaining means (16, 17) are carried out in such a way as to allow for a positioning of the module (10) in such a way that the measurement electrode (20) is arranged at a predefined distance away from the detection surface (7, 8).
3. Door handle according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that it comprises additional means for positioning, preferably associated studs (22) and notches (26), of the module (10) on the bearing surface (24), carried respectively by the module (10) and by the bearing surface (24).
4. Door handle as claimed in the preceding claim, characterised in that the bearing surface (24) is located on an elastically deformable lug (29) carried by said first element (16).
5. Door handle as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the first element (16) is fixed in the housing (9) by gluing, using clips (27) or using a pin (31).
6. Door handle as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the opening (13) is an opening for the insertion (13) of the module (10) into the cavity (9) and in that the sealing means (25) provide the plugging of said opening for insertion.
7. Door handle as claimed in the preceding claim, characterised in that the retaining means (16) and the sealing means (25) are made from a single part, more preferably by injection moulding of a plastic material.
8. Door handle according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the sealing means (25) has a face (25a) that forms an external surface of the handle (1).
9. Door handle as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the second element (17) is carried out in the form of a part (17), that has a shape that is complementary with the shape of the cross-section of the housing (9), linked to the module (10) and surrounding it on its second end (12).
10. Door handle as claimed in the preceding claims, characterised in that the second element (17) has a peripheral portion that forms an elastic seal (30, 34) in such a way that said second element for retaining can be entered by force into the housing (9).
11. Door handle according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the module (10) has an electrical cabling (21) that exits from its second end (12) and in that the second element (17) comprises at least one through-hole (36) intended to receive said cabling and that provides with the latter a sealing of the housing (9).
12. Door handle as claimed in the preceding claim, characterised in that the opening (14), giving access to the housing (9) to pass the electrical cabling (21) of the module (10), opens onto a cavity (15) that is partially plugged by plugging means (33).
13. Door handle according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second element (17) is fixed, more preferably by overmoulding, to the module (10).
14. Door handle as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the sealing means (25, 17) are made from an impervious elastic material.
15. Door handle as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the sealing means (25, 17) are made from a rigid material and in that they are provided, on their periphery, with a seal (28, 30).
16. Door handle as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that it comprises, a handle support (2) intended to be arranged on a wall of a door and a grasping part (3) hinged on said handle support and intended to be actuated by a user and in that the housing (9) is located in said grasping part.

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