EP3054069A1 - Door handle assembly for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle door handle assembly (1) with a handle (3), wherein on an engageable behind the handle (3) an actuating element (4, 9, 11) is arranged, which is operable by an operator when engaging the handle (3). The actuating element (4, 9, 11) protrudes outwardly through an opening in the handle (3) from an inner cavity of the handle (3) through a wall of the handle (3) beyond the outer contour of the handle (3). The actuating element (4, 9, 11) is received in the interior of the handle (3) in such a way that the actuating element (4, 9, 11) is movable counter to an elastic restoring force for actuation through the recess in the direction of the interior of the handle (3) , The actuating element (4, 9, 11) is at least partially formed of metal and inside the handle (3) an electrical assembly with at least one inductive distance sensor is arranged stationary, so that the distance of the actuating element (4, 9, 11) opposite the inductive distance sensor during movement of the actuating element (4, 9, 11) changed, wherein an evaluation circuit detects the signals of the inductive distance sensor and detects an operation in response to the signals and provides an output signal.

Description

The invention relates to a vehicle door handle assembly. In particular, the invention relates to an outside door handle assembly with a sensor device for detecting an operation. The vehicle door handle assembly has a handle, wherein on an engaging side of the handle an actuating element is arranged, which is operable by an operator when gripping the handle.

Door handles for motor vehicles are available in various designs, in particular, the door handles with movable handle can be distinguished from those with a fixed handle. In the case of a movable handle, a handle part of the handle assembly to be undercut or engaged by the user is pivoted or translationally moved by force, and this movement is transmitted to a lock device in the door for actuation. For fixed door handles, the handles are arranged opposite the door largely immovable. In combination with such fixed door handles usually electrically controlled door locks are used, which are led under the name "e-latch". Such door locks are for example in the EP 0 584 499 A1 disclosed. In fixed door handles so no continuous mechanical chain of action is formed by the door handle on a door lock. Instead, the door lock is electrically energized in response to a detected actuation so that mechanical hardware can be reduced and cost and weight saved.

There are many differences in the way the operation of a fixed door handle is detected. On the vehicle door handle switches or capacitive sensors or deformation sensors can be used for this purpose, which detect the deformation of the door handle itself.

However, the operation of such fixed door handles requires either a complex and expensive sensors or is not reliable in its detection to the desired extent. The object of the invention is to provide an improved operator identification for door handles on motor vehicles.

This object is achieved by a vehicle door handle assembly with a sensor device according to the features of claim 1.

The door handle according to the invention has a handle, wherein the handle can be gripped around, under-gripped or overlapped. In any case, the handle is engaged behind in any section to exercise a required to open the door traction can. In this region to be engaged behind an actuator is arranged according to the invention. The actuating element is designed so that it is partially guided by a recess in the handle from the inside out, so a part protrudes into an inner cavity of the handle and a part of the actuating element protrudes out of the handle, outwardly and beyond the outer contour of the Handle protrudes at least slightly. The extent of extension, in which the actuating element projects outwardly beyond the outer contour of the handle, can be extremely small. For example, a few tenths of a millimeter may be sufficient so that an operator hardly feels this survey and does not feel annoying.

In the interior of the handle, the actuating element is movably received, so that the actuating element for actuation through the recess of the handle is deflectable in the direction of the interior of the handle. An elastic return force is provided to bring the actuator back to its original position when a force is removed. Under movable in this context is to be understood that a displacement, tilting or only deformation of the actuating element is allowed in the direction of the interior. In this case, very little freedom of movement or movement paths are sufficient. Just as the handle protrudes outward beyond the outer contour of the handle, one can Be sufficient deformation, bending or the like of fractions of millimeters.

In view of these extremely small movement spaces, it is clear that the actuating element does not constitute a switch with a noticeable pressure point, but forwards the pressure force exerted during engagement in the form of a small deformation or displacement of the actuating element into the interior of the handle.

The actuator is also at least partially formed with a metallic material. This metallic material is mounted in the interior of the handle on the actuator, laminated thereon, sprayed, painted or the entire actuator is mixed with a metallic material, such as a metallized plastic. This metallic material is essential, since an electrical assembly with at least one inductive distance sensor is arranged inside the handle. Inductive distance sensors detect changes in the position of metallic objects with respect to the distance sensor with high precision. The metallic material of the actuator shifts when actuated relative to the distance sensor, since the distance sensor is received stationary within the handle. Thus, a relative movement between actuator and distance sensor takes place as soon as the actuator shifts in the direction of the interior or is brought by the restoring force back to the original position. The actuating element is used accordingly to convey a change in distance or bearing change between the metallic components of the actuating element and the inductive distance sensor and to detect this change in distance. In this way, even small forces and thus actuating paths that occur during deformation or displacement of the actuating element detectable and coupled to the inductive distance sensor evaluation circuit is able to detect an operation of the door handle beyond doubt.

The door handle thus formed is on the one hand very robust, the handle must not be deformable overall and also because the outside area is exposed only the mechanical actuator and also the electronic components protected inside the handle, possibly can be added in potted form. The actuator itself has no mandatory electrical components, it is only to ensure that metallic areas are formed in the material or on the material, which detect the distance sensors in the door handle. The mechanical components are decoupled in this way from the actual detection.

In one embodiment of the invention, the actuating element is formed from a plastic, which is partially covered with a metallic layer.

In this configuration, the actuator on the outside, so the side that touches a user, be modeled in its design of the handle surface, so that, if anything, only slight differences in perceptions are perceived in the touch. In the interior region, a metallic layer in the form of a sheet or a foil may be applied, since this area lies within the detection range of the inductive distance sensors. With this design, weight can also be saved compared to a fully metallic or partially metallic design of the actuating element.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention arranged in the interior of the door handle electrical assembly is formed with a circuit board on which the inductive distance sensor is formed, wherein the board is accommodated in a holder. The actuator is movably coupled to the bracket.

In this configuration, both the electronic assembly is received in the holder and the actuator is movably coupled to this holder, so that a coherent unit is formed. For example, a receptacle may be provided with an opening into which the circuit board is inserted and the actuating element may be fastened with spring elements on the holder.

It is particularly preferred if the actuating element is formed integrally with the holder. In particular, the design of the actuating element as a deformable tongue on the holder or receptacle for the electrical assembly is advantageous because then the holder can be formed with the actuating element in a molding process, wherein after the actuating element, if necessary, nor the metallic coating in the form of a film or a Coating is applied.

It is advantageous if the circuit board is sealed in the holder with a potting compound. Through the recess in the handle within which the actuating element is movable when power is applied, environmental influences can penetrate into the interior of the handle. A potting of the electrical components provides protection of the electrical components and in particular of the inductive distance sensors and ensures a reliable function of the system.

The door handle according to the invention is also in one embodiment in such a way that the actuating element is designed as an elongated element which extends along the longitudinal axis of a handle. Along this longitudinal extension several inductive distance sensors are arranged in the handle, which detect the approach of various portions of the actuating element.

For example, when multiple inductive proximity sensors are used to monitor different portions of the actuator, functionality may be provided that detects unilateral actuation of the actuator. In this way, the actuating element can fulfill a plurality of operating functions, depending on which section of the actuating element is operated and which inductive distance sensor detects an actuation.

As already described above, the actuating element can in principle consist of an integral structure, which partially comprises metallic components, for example a plastic with metal particles. On the other hand, however, the actuating element can also be designed in several parts. A basic body made of a plastic can with a coating or a deferred component or another portion may be formed from a metallic material. For example, a first, protruding from the handle portion of plastic may be formed and a second, located in the interior of the handle section may be formed of a metallic material. In a further development of the invention, this second section, which is formed from the metallic material, with spring tabs, which are supported in the interior of the handle. In this way, the restoring element itself will provide the required restoring force to move the actuator back to its original position after elimination of the actuating force.

The partial formation of the actuating element made of a plastic also offers further possibilities of design. In particular, in one embodiment of the invention, the material of the actuating element can be used as a light guide to radiate light from a light source located in the interior of the handle to the outside. Since the actuating element is directed in the underreached area of the handle, an operating area for the user can thus be backlit, that is to say the handle area can be illuminated. One and the same element then serves different purposes, namely the light pipe and the actuation simultaneously.

• Figur 1 zeigt eine Türgriffanordnung gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform mit Handhabe und Griffmulde in einer perspektivischen Ansicht;
• Figur 2a zeigt die separate Handhabe gemäß der ersten Ausführungsform in einer ersten perspektivischen Ansicht;
• Figur 2b zeigt die separate Handhabe gemäß der ersten Ausführungsform in einer zweiten perspektivischen Ansicht;
• Figur 3 zeigt eine Explosionsdarstellung der Handhabe mit Teilvergrößerungen;
• Figur 4 zeigt eine Schnittansicht der Türgriffanordnung gemäß der ersten Ausführungsform;
• Figur 5 zeigt eine Einzeldarstellung der in der Handhabe aufgenommenen Betätigungseinheit.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures.

• FIG. 1 shows a door handle assembly according to a first embodiment with handle and recessed grip in a perspective view;
• FIG. 2a shows the separate handle according to the first embodiment in a first perspective view;
• FIG. 2b shows the separate handle according to the first embodiment in a second perspective view;
• FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the handle with partial enlargements;
• FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the door handle assembly according to the first embodiment;
• FIG. 5 shows an individual representation of the recorded in the handle actuator.

In FIG. 1 a door handle assembly 1 with a grip 2 and a handle 3 is shown. The handle 3 is engaged behind the door in a range between the grip 2 and handle 3. In this example, the handle 3 has a recess for a lock cylinder and another actuator, but these components are not essential to the invention.

In FIG. 2a the handle 3 is shown isolated from the grip 2.

In FIG. 2b the handle 3 is shown in a view from behind. In this view, a portion 4 of the actuating element is visible, which protrudes through an opening 5 in the handle 3. When a user engages behind the handle 3 in the area between the handle 3 and the recessed grip 2, his hand involuntarily comes to lie on the actuating element 4 and exerts a force on the actuating element 4 when pulling on the handle 3.

FIG. 3 shows the handle 3 in an open state. In this embodiment, the handle 3 is formed by two housing shells, wherein the opening 5 is formed in one of the housing shells. In the inner cavity of the handle, an actuating unit 6 is formed. The actuating unit has a receptacle 7 made of a plastic. In a cavity of this receptacle 7, a circuit board 8 is formed. On this board inductive distance sensors are arranged as surface mountable components and facing with their detection range of the tongue 9.

On the receptacle 7 also integrally a tongue 9 is formed. On the tongue 9 is in turn integrally formed the projecting projection 4 shown in the previous figures, which protrudes through the opening 5 of the handle. The approach 4 is touched by the user and when force the tongue 9 is slightly deformed together with the neck 4 in the direction of the receptacle 7. On on the inside of the tongue 9, which faces the receptacle 7, a metallic coating 11 is pushed. This metallic coating 11 is provided to trigger the arranged on the board 8 inductive distance sensors or to detect the distance of this coating 11 from the inductive distance sensors by means of the sensors. In this embodiment, therefore, the actuating element is formed from a plurality of components, namely the components 9, 4 and 11.

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the handle with components arranged therein in the mounted state. It is clear that the projection 4 protrudes through the outer wall of the handle 3 and protrudes slightly beyond the outer contour of the handle 3. In the illustration, the tongue 9 and the deferred metallic part 11 are visible. The metallic overthrust 11 lies opposite the printed circuit board 8 with the inductive distance sensors arranged thereon, but is separated therefrom by the receptacle 7. Tongue 9 and cap 11 are in the normal position spaced from the receptacle 7, wherein an air gap between part 11 and receptacle 7 is formed.

A movement of the components 9, 4 and 11 causes a change in the distance of the metallic region 11 relative to the board with the inductive distance sensors. This change in distance is detected and forwarded to an evaluation device (not shown). The evaluation device can be formed on the circuit board 8, or the signals of the inductive distance sensors can be routed to a separate evaluation unit.

FIG. 5 shows the actuator unit with the receptacle 7, the tongue 9 and the neck 4, wherein the metallic part 11 of the actuating element is withdrawn from the tongue 9. It can be seen that the metallic part 11 has spring tongues, which support the tongue 9 relative to the receptacle 7 and provide a restoring force, which push the approach 4 through the opening of the handle 3 in the starting position as soon as no force exerted on the neck 4 becomes. The metallic part 11 thus has a dual function, namely on the one hand the provision of a restoring force and on the other hand, a means which is detectable by the inductive distance sensors in the circuit 8.

Claims (9)

A vehicle door handle assembly (1) having sensor means for detecting an operation,
with a handle (3), wherein an actuating element (4, 9, 11) is arranged on a gripping behind page of the handle (3), which is operable by an operator when engaging the handle (3),
characterized,
in that the actuating element (4, 9, 11) protrudes outwards through an opening in the handle (3) from an inner cavity of the handle (3) through a wall of the handle (3) beyond the outer contour of the handle (3),
wherein the actuating element (4, 9, 11) in the interior of the handle (3) is movably received, so that the actuating element (4, 9, 11) for actuation by the recess in the direction of the interior of the handle (3) against an elastic restoring force is movable,
wherein the actuating element (4, 9, 11) at least in sections comprises a metallic material,
wherein inside the handle (3) an electrical assembly with at least one inductive distance sensor is arranged, wherein the inductive distance sensor spaced from the actuating element (4, 9, 11) is received stationary in the handle (3), so that the distance of the Actuator (4, 9, 11) relative to the inductive distance sensor on movement of the actuating element (4, 9, 11) s changed,
wherein an evaluation circuit detects the signals of the inductive distance sensor and detects an operation in response to the signals and provides an output signal. Vehicle door handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the actuating element (4, 9, 11) is formed of a plastic, which is partially covered with a metallic layer. Vehicle door handle assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrical assembly comprises a board (8) on which the inductive distance sensor is formed and wherein the board (8) is received in a holder (7),
wherein the actuating element (4, 9, 11) is movably coupled to the holder (7). Vehicle door handle assembly according to claim 3, wherein the actuating element (4, 9, 11) is formed integrally with the holder (7), in particular as a deformable tongue. Vehicle door handle assembly according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the circuit board (8) is sealed with the inductive distance sensor in the holder (7) with a potting compound. Vehicle door handle assembly according to one of the preceding claims wherein the actuating element (4, 9, 11) is formed as an elongated member and extending along the longitudinal axis of the handle (3) and wherein along the longitudinal extent in the handle (3) a plurality of inductive distance sensors are arranged, which Approach different sections of the actuator (4, 9, 11) detect it. Vehicle door handle assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating element (4, 9, 11) is formed in several parts, wherein a through the handle (3) protruding from inside to outside first portion (4, 9) is formed from a plastic and a metallic part inside the handle (3) as a second portion (11) is attached to the first portion. Vehicle door handle assembly according to claim 7, wherein the second portion (11) is formed with spring tabs, wherein the spring tabs are supported inside the handle (3), to provide the restoring force of the actuator (4, 9, 11). Vehicle door handle assembly according to claim 7, wherein the first portion of the actuating element (4, 9, 11) is formed of a translucent plastic and wherein inside the handle (3) a light source is arranged, which couples light into the first portion, so that light from the light source through the first portion in the outer region of the handle (3) can be emitted.

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