EP2102437B1 - Sensory motor vehicle door handle with tactile feedback - Google Patents

Abstract

A motor vehicle door handle (1) with at least one capacitive proximity sensor (5) for detecting actuation by a user. The proximity sensor (5) is arranged in the motor vehicle door handle in such a manner that its detection region extends through the outer handle boundary as far as the exterior of the handle. A mechanically actuable device (6) is arranged on the handle surface and within the detection region of the proximity sensor (5), said device imparting tactile feedback to a user when an actuation takes place. The mechanically actuable device (6) is functionally decoupled from the proximity sensor (5) and is functionless apart from the provision of the tactile feedback. The mechanical device (6) has a part which can be pressed in and has a stable and meta-stable state, wherein jumping between the states imparts the tactile feedback.

Description

The invention relates to a motor vehicle door handle with capacitive proximity sensor for detecting an operation by a user, wherein the proximity sensor is arranged in the motor vehicle door handle, that extends its detection range through the outer handle boundary to outside the handle.

Such motor vehicle door handles which detect capacitive sensors for detecting an approach or actuation by a user's hand are known in the art.

From the DE 102 55 439 A1 a handle assembly for a vehicle door is known in which several capacitive sensors trigger different closing tasks. Often, in addition to a release function (possibly with the interposition of an authentication of the user) also a closing function is switched with the sensors in a door handle. For example, a so-called comfort locking function causes an automatic locking of all vehicle doors.

While the use of capacitive sensors for this purpose offers many advantages (eg encapsulated housing of electronics, freedom from wear, etc.), this technology also has disadvantages for the user. Depending on a user's habits, non-contact or low-touch operation may cause uncertainty as to whether the operation is correct. Many users are generally used to mechanical operations, especially in long-term mechanically operated areas such as door handles. Just a sense of uncertainty as to whether and how an operation of the door handle has to be made provokes a certain aversion to this new technology in some user groups. Furthermore, people with physical limitations, such as deafness, the success of their operation only by actually pulling on the door handle notice, as they eg Opening process of the central locking with their hearing can not detect.

It is not always desirable in the case of operation of the proximity sensor to actually open the door, in some cases only a release of the vehicle is desired, e.g. to gain access to other passengers or to unlock a trunk. Finally, it should not be necessary to control by pulling the door handle even when operating a closing function.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a motor vehicle door handle, which provides the user feedback, whether the triggering of the proximity sensors is done properly.

This object is achieved by a motor vehicle door handle with the features of claim 1.

The motor vehicle door handle according to the invention is characterized in that a mechanically actuable device is arranged on the handle surface, within the detection range of the proximity sensor, which conveys a tactile or tactile feedback to the user when actuated. The mechanically operable device is functionally completely decoupled from the proximity sensor and is ineffective except for the provision of the tactile feedback.

Each of the installed in a motor vehicle door handle proximity sensors can be assigned according to the invention a mechanically actuated device which is arranged in its detection range. The mechanically actuable device has no function except for the provision of the tactile or haptic feedback, it is in particular mechanically or electrically coupled in any way with the other components of the handle or motor vehicle. Accordingly, the proximity sensor also responds independently of whether or not the mechanically actuable device has actually been actuated. However, a user can be sure that the actuated tactile feedback confirms the proper operation of the associated proximity sensor upon actuation of the device. It has been shown that This confirmation allows a majority of users a more comfortable and stress-free operation.

The combination according to the invention of a mechanically actuatable device as a "functional dummy" combines the advantages of the capacitive proximity sensors with the advantages of a mechanical actuation. On the one hand, all possibilities of the capacitive proximity sensors are exhausted, since the operation can also take place without actuation of the mechanically actuatable device. On the other hand, haptic feedback is conveyed to users who are used to and wish for a certain amount of mechanical feedback. Since the mechanically actuated device is functionally decoupled from the proximity sensor, a failure of the mechanically operable device for the functionality of the proximity sensor does not matter, the corresponding function is still available.

The mechanically actuatable device can be designed as desired, it merely has to be arranged spatially within the detection range of the proximity sensor and be able to convey a tactile feedback to a user.

Preferably, the mechanically actuable device is at least partially recessed in a recess in the handle surface.

Such attachment of the device is on the one hand mechanically strong, since the device is stabilized laterally by the motor vehicle door handle, on the other hand, an aesthetically pleasing design of the door handle is possible. The mechanically actuatable device can, for example, a design which is clearly raised relative to the surrounding motor vehicle door handle, e.g. as a protruding button or button off by material or color.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the mechanically operable device is provided with a cover which is aligned with the surrounding surface of the motor vehicle door handle.

The cover may e.g. be formed as a membrane or plastic part and passes at the lateral boundaries in the surrounding surface of the motor vehicle door handle. In this case, the surface may be designed so that it has lowered or raised areas within the boundaries with respect to the surrounding surface. Such a design is aesthetically pleasing and protects the mechanically operable device from environmental influences, such as e.g. Moisture or dust.

In an advantageous embodiment, the mechanically actuable device has a tactile form which deviates from the surrounding grip surface.

The actuatable device may be lowered or raised relative to the handle surface, but it may also have another surface structure which allows probing. This embodiment also allows a user to have a limited view, e.g. in the prevailing darkness, locate the actuatable device by sensing and operate the capacitive sensor with certainty.

If the mechanically operable device is provided with a cover, this may have a respect to the surrounding handle surface deviating, tactile structure or shape. For example, it is possible to make the cover of the same colored material, but with a tactile roughened surface or with a grooved structure or tactile nubbed surface.

The mechanically actuatable device preferably has a part which can be pressed in to actuate the device.

Push-in operation is familiar to many users and provides safe feedback of proper operation. The impressionable part may e.g. consist of a flexible plastic that allows deformation and moves back after actuation in a starting position and shape.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compressible part has a stable and a metastable State, where switching between states provides the tactile feedback.

If the impressionable part in this form is formed like a crackpot frog, the user is given a clear tactile feedback by jumping the compressible part between the states that the mechanical device has been properly operated and therefore the proximity sensor must also have detected the operation.

Alternatively, instead of the configuration as a crackling frog, the compressible part can be biased with a spring force such that counteracts a path-dependent spring force when pressed. In this case, no clear pressure point is given, but the noticeable deflection of the impressionable part also provides sufficient feedback for the user.

Further embodiments of the invention are specified in the claims.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment which is illustrated in the accompanying figures.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a motor vehicle door handle according to the invention.

The motor vehicle door handle 1 has an elongated handle part 2. On the elongated handle part 2 fasteners 3 and 4 are attached on both sides. About the fasteners 3 and 4, the motor vehicle door handle is attached to an associated door, so that the handle part 2 can be engaged behind as a handle, with the user's hand is between the handle and door.

In the handle 1, various types of access electronics, e.g. Antennas or the like may be arranged, which, however, are not shown here. Furthermore, the handle 1 may be assigned a mechanical unlocking function.

In the handle part 2, a capacitive proximity sensor 5 is arranged, which in FIG. 1 is shown schematically and dashed. The detection range of the capacitive sensor 5 extends through the handle part 2 away from the vehicle and outside the outer limits of the handle. 1

In the region of the outer boundary of the grip part 2 and within the detection range of the proximity sensor 5, a mechanically actuatable device 6 is arranged, which is slightly lowered relative to the surrounding surface of the grip part 2. A user may sweep the handle 2, e.g. with his thumb, the area of the mechanically operated device 6 easily palpated. The device 6 is embedded in the wall material of the handle 1, but to the interior of the handle 1 is no connection. The device is therefore designed without electronic or mechanical connection to the handle interior or other handle components.

The device 6 is designed as a crackling frog with a depressible part, which can assume a stable and a metastable state. The actuatable part can be pressed from the stable position into the metastable position if a certain minimum force is applied. This results in a clearly tactile haptic impression, which is caused by the jerky transition between the positions or states.

The device 6 is enclosed by a rubber skin 7 or completely covered to protect the device 6 from external environmental influences and to ensure a smooth and aesthetically pleasing transition to the surrounding material of the handle part 2.

A user wishing to operate the door handle can visually detect or feel the mechanically operable device 6 and, upon actuation of the device 6, is assured to have the proximity sensor 5 activated, as it is given appropriate mechanical feedback which occurs only when the actuator is actuated Detection space of the sensor 5 is done. In principle, however, it is also sufficient if the user puts his hand or a finger on the mechanical device 6, since the actuator 6 and the sensor 5 are basically decoupled from each other. The mechanically actuated Device 6 thus provides optional tactile assistance and tactile feedback to facilitate operation of the door handle and make it more comfortable.

Claims (9)

1. A motor vehicle door handle (1) with at least one capacitive proximity sensor (5) for detecting actuation by a user, wherein the proximity sensor (5) is so arranged in the motor vehicle door handle that its detection region extends through the outer handle boundary to outside the handle, characterised in that disposed on the handle surface and within the detection region of the proximity sensor there is a mechanically actuable device (6), which, on actuation, provides tactile feedback to a user, wherein the mechanically actuable device (6) is functionally decoupled from the proximity sensor (5) and has no function except the provision of the tactile feedback.
2. A motor vehicle door handle as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the mechanically actuable device is at least partially inset into a recess in the handle surface.
3. A motor vehicle door handle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the mechanically actuable device is provided with a cover, which is flush with the surrounding surface of the motor vehicle door handle.
4. A motor vehicle door handle as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the cover is made of a flexible plastic material.
5. A motor vehicle door handle as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the mechanically actuable device has a palpable form differing from the surrounding handle surface.
6. A motor vehicle door handle as claimed in one of claims 3 or 4, characterised in that the cover has a palpable structure differing from the surrounding handle surface.
7. A motor vehicle door handle as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the mechanically actuable device has a portion which may be depressed to actuate it.
8. A motor vehicle door handle as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the depressible portion has a stable state and a metastable state, wherein shifting between the two states produces the tactile feedback.
9. A motor vehicle door handle as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the depressible portion is biased with a spring force such that a distance-dependent spring force opposes the depressing movement.

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