DE102017109328A1 - Actuation module for a door handle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuating module (2) for a door handle (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, having an actuating element (3) which can be coupled to an electrical component (7) for triggering a switching signal, the actuating element (3) at least partially is disposed within a receptacle (4), wherein within the receptacle (4) for sealing the electrical components (7) a potting compound (11) is arranged, wherein arranged on the actuating element (3) made of an elastic material (9) bearing element is, which is designed for movement of the actuating element (3).

Description

The invention relates to an actuating module for a door handle, in particular for a motor vehicle, with an actuating element which can be coupled to an electrical component for triggering a switching signal, wherein the actuating element is at least partially disposed within a receptacle, wherein within the receptacle for sealing the electrical component a potting compound is arranged.

From the prior art, a door handle for a motor vehicle is known, which has an actuating element. With the aid of the actuating element, a microswitch is actuated in order, for example, to unlock and / or lock a motor vehicle door lock. In this case, the microswitch is arranged in a receptacle associated with the door handle, wherein the receptacle is completely potted with a potting compound formed of polyurethane in order to protect the microswitch and / or the actuating element from dust and moisture. It has been found that the sealing compound formed of polyurethane as a function of the external environmental influences makes it difficult to actuate the actuating element, because this loses its elastic properties with decreasing temperature and becomes a plastic non-deformable body. As a result, the haptic is deteriorated in the operation of the actuating element consequently.

The invention is therefore based on the object to improve the comfort, in particular the feel, in the operation of an operating module for the user. The object is solved by the characterizing part of patent claim 1. In this case, a trained from an elastic material bearing element is arranged on the actuating element, which is designed for movement of the actuating element. With the help of the bearing element can be ensured that the actuator can be operated reliably.

According to a preferred embodiment of the actuating module can be provided that the elastic material is designed to retain at least minus 40 degrees Celsius, preferably to minus 70 degrees Celsius, its elastic properties to ensure the operation of the electrical component with the actuator.

So that the bearing element formed from the elastic material can maintain its elastic properties even at low temperatures of less than or equal to minus 40 degrees Celsius, it can be provided that the elastic material is formed from a foam, which preferably comprises a cellular rubber. The foam has the positive property that even at low temperatures less than or equal to minus 40 degrees Celsius this can remain deformable, because the cell-like structure enough space is available to compress the foam. Thus, a safe and proper operation of the actuator is guaranteed and the good feel of the actuator module is also maintained in the operation. In the production of the actuating module, therefore, the foam is first arranged in the receptacle of the actuating module. In this case, the foam can be positively inserted into the receptacle and / or glued and coupled to the actuating element. Immediately or indirectly thereafter, the potting compound is poured into the receptacle and combines with the foam. Consequently, the foam may be disposed within the receptacle, in which case the foam may be at least partially enclosed by the potting compound. According to a further preferred embodiment of the actuating module can be provided that between the actuating element and the electrical component, a cavity is arranged. The cavity causes a reduction in the weight of the actuating module. At the same time, however, the cavity can also, in particular when using the foam, serve as a displacement store when the actuating element is moved and the foam is compressed. By this measure, the feel of the actuation of the actuating module, in particular during the actuation of the actuating element, significantly improved.

The construction of the actuation module can be further improved if the potting compound comprises the elastic material, wherein the potting compound comprises a one-component silicone compound. The 1-component silicone composition is liquid in the raw state and is therefore intended for the encapsulation of electrical components. It is preferably for general adhesive and sealing purposes. However, the one-component silicone composition has another important property, specifically that at temperatures up to minus 70 degrees Celsius curing of the casting compound is excluded. Therefore, the one-component silicone compound is ideal for the use of components that are exposed to high temperature fluctuations. In the present case, the one-component silicone compound ensures that the at least partially embedded in the casting compound actuator is still operable at very low temperatures of up to minus 70 degrees Celsius, because so the potting compound even at these temperatures their elastic property maintains to permit movement of the actuator.

The actuator module can be made very compact and inexpensive, if the electrical component is designed as a capacitive switching element or as an inductive switching element or as a microswitch. Preferably, the capacitive switching element has a first electrode and a second electrode. Costs can be further saved in the actuation module according to the invention, when the first electrode is formed by the actuating element. In this case, can advantageously be dispensed with a mounting of an electrode and thus thus the manufacturing and assembly costs can be reduced. A false triggering of the capacitive switching element can be prevented if it can be ensured that the first electrode in the unactuated state of the actuating element is always arranged at a distance from the second electrode. According to a preferred embodiment of the actuating module can therefore be provided that is arranged between the first electrode and / or the actuating element and the second electrode within the receptacle of the cavity. In this cavity, foam or the one-part silicone composition can be filled to ensure the spacing of the two electrodes. However, it is not absolutely necessary to fill the cavity and it may be sufficient if only air is within the cavity, which is at least partially compressible in the actuation of the actuating element. In this case, the air, the foam or else the one-component silicone compound ensure that, depending on the amount of filling of the corresponding medium, the feel, in particular the required actuating force, is adjustable.

Very compact and inexpensive, the actuation module can be formed when a housing of the door handle forms the receptacle.

According to an alternative embodiment of the actuating module can be provided that the housing of the door handle is designed to arrange a separate recording.

The actuation module is preferably used for door handles, especially outside door handles, in motor vehicles.

• 1 ein für das Betätigungsmodul geeigneter Türgriff eines Kraftfahrzeugs,
• 2 das Betätigungsmodul gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform in einer geschnittenen Ansicht,
• 3 das Betätigungsmodul gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform in einer geschnittenen Ansicht, und
• 4 das Betätigungsmodul gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform in einer geschnittenen Ansicht.

The actuating module will be described with reference to a schematically illustrated embodiment. The figures show:

• 1 a door handle of a motor vehicle suitable for the actuation module,
• 2 the actuation module according to a first embodiment in a sectional view,
• 3 the actuation module according to a second embodiment in a sectional view, and
• 4 the actuation module according to a third embodiment in a sectional view.

In the 1 is a door handle 1 , in particular an outside door handle, for a motor vehicle with an actuation module according to the invention 2 shown. Region A is in a sectional view for three different embodiments of the actuator module 1 each in the 2 . 3 and 4 shown enlarged. According to the 2 has the actuation module 2 a trained as a button actuator 3 which at least partially within a preferably formed as a shell receptacle 4 is arranged, in the present case, a housing 5 the door handle 1 the recording 4 forms. Within the recording 4 can a circuit board 6 be arranged, which is an electrical component 7 may include for triggering a switching signal. The switching signal may, for example, be a signal by which an unlocking and / or locking operation of one or more motor vehicle locks is initiated. Therefore, the actuator is 3 with the electrical component 7 coupled to when operating the actuator 3 to trigger the switching signal. How to be good in the 2 can recognize is between the section of the actuator 3 which is within the recording 4 is arranged and the electrical component 7 a cavity 8th arranged. This within the picture 4 arranged cavity 8th serves among other things also for the arrangement of an elastic material 9 , The elastic material 9 , which in the embodiment of the 2 from a foam 10 is formed, which comprises cellular rubber, serves as a bearing element for the actuating element 3 , Thus, on the actuating element 3 that made of an elastic material 9 trained bearing element arranged, which is used to move the actuating element 3 serves. To those in the picture 4 arranged electrical components 9 To seal against dust and moisture is further provided that within the recording 4 a potting compound 11 is arranged. Like in the 2 is shown, is the potting compound 11 above the elastic material 9 , The foam 10 is located within the receptacle and the foam 10 is at least partially of the potting compound 11 enclosed. The potting compound 10 can be a polyurethane-based two-component cast resin system, but preferably a one-component silicone compound. When the elastic material is formed as a one-component silicone composition, this has the advantage that the elastic material retains its elastic properties up to at least minus 40 degrees Celsius, preferably down to minus 70 degrees Celsius, in order to actuate the electrical component 7 , with the actuator 3 sure.

In the present embodiment according to the 2 is the electrical component 7 as a capacitive switching element 12 formed, which is a first electrode 13 and a second electrode 14 wherein the first electrode 13 in the unactuated state of the actuating element 3 always spaced from the second electrode 14 is arranged. The first electrode 13 is connected via a connecting element 15, which is preferably formed integrally with the actuating element, wherein the actuating element 3 and the connecting element 15 are preferably formed of plastic. How to be good in the 2 can recognize is between the first electrode 13 and the second electrode 14 the cavity 8th arranged. If now the actuator 3 is actuated, the potting compound 11 and the foam 10 elastically deformed. This is the foam 10 at least partially into the cavity 8th pushed. At the same time, the first electrode moves 13 on the second electrode 14 too, reducing the distance between the two electrodes 13 . 14 to change. This capacitive change is measured and the switching signal for unlocking and / or locking the motor vehicle lock is initiated. A reliable operation is possible even at minus 40 degrees Celsius, preferably even at minus 70 degrees Celsius, because the bearing element of the actuator 3 from the foam 10 is trained.

In the 3 is a second embodiment of the actuating module 2 disclosed. The operation of the actuation module 2 is similar to the operation of the actuator module 2 of the first embodiment according to the 2 , In this second embodiment, the switching element 12 as a microswitch 16 educated. It is different that when operating the actuator 3 the connecting element 15 the microswitch 16 must press or press to initiate the switching signal.

In the 4 is a third embodiment of the actuation module 3 disclosed. The operation of the actuation module 2 is similar to the operation of the actuator module 2 of the first embodiment according to the 2 , In this third embodiment, instead of the foam 10 the potting compound 11 used, the potting compound 11 in this case must be formed completely from the one-component silicone mass, because it must be ensured that even at temperatures of minus 40 degrees Celsius, preferably up to minus 70 degrees Celsius, the potting compound 11 remains elastic.

Other embodiments of the actuating module are possible, so that, for example, the housing of the door handle 1 to arrange a separate recording 4 is trained. The electrical component 7 may alternatively be formed as an inductive switching element.

In principle, the three embodiments can be combined with each other, as long as it is ensured that an actuation of the actuating element 3 even at temperatures of minus 40 degrees Celsius, preferably up to minus 70 degrees Celsius, is possible.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

door handle

2

actuation module

3

jig

4

admission

5

casing

6

circuit board

7

electrical component

8th

cavity

9

elastic material

10

foam

11

potting compound

12

switching element

13

first electrode

14

second electrode

15

connecting member

16

microswitch

Claims (14)

Actuation module (2) for a door handle (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, having an actuating element (3) which can be coupled to an electrical component (7) for triggering a switching signal, wherein the actuating element (3) is at least partially disposed within a receptacle (3). 4) is arranged, wherein within the receptacle (4) for sealing the electrical component (7) a potting compound (11) is arranged, characterized in that on the actuating element (3) of a resilient material (9) formed bearing element is arranged , which is designed for movement of the actuating element (3). Actuation module (2) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the elastic material (9) is formed until at least minus 40 degrees Celsius, preferably to minus 70 degrees Celsius, to retain its elastic properties to ensure actuation of the electrical component (7) with the actuator (3). Actuation module (2) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the elastic material (9) is formed from a foam (10). Actuation module (2) according to Claim 3 , characterized in that the foam (10) comprises cellular rubber. Actuation module (2) according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the foam (10) within the receptacle (4) is arranged and the foam (10) is at least partially enclosed by the potting compound (11). Actuating module (2) after at least one of Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that between the actuating element (3) and the electrical component (7), a cavity (8) is arranged. Actuating module (2) after at least one of Claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that the potting compound (11) comprises the elastic material (9), wherein the potting compound (11) comprises a one-component silicone composition. Actuating module (2) after at least one of Claims 1 to 7 , characterized in that the electrical component (7) as a capacitive switching element (12) or as an inductive switching element or as a micro-switch (16) is formed. Actuation module (2) according to Claim 8 , characterized in that the capacitive switching element (12) has a first electrode (13) and a second electrode (14). Actuation module (2) according to Claim 9 , characterized in that the first electrode (13) is formed by the actuating element (3). Actuation module (2) according to Claim 9 or 10 , characterized in that the first electrode (13) in the unactuated state of the actuating element (3) is always arranged at a distance from the second electrode (14). Actuation module (2) according to Claim 9 to 11 , characterized in that between the first electrode (13) and / or the actuating element (3) and the second electrode (14) within the receptacle (4) of the cavity (8) is arranged. Actuating module (2) after at least one of Claims 1 to 12 , characterized in that a housing (5) of the door handle (1) forms the receptacle (4). Actuating module (2) after at least one of Claims 1 to 13 , characterized in that the housing (5) of the door handle (1) for the arrangement of a separate receptacle (4) is formed.

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