EP3794191B1 - Handle device for automobile door with optimised connection - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an automobile door handle device provided with electrical components such as a switch, a lighting system, a position sensor, a motion sensor, a proximity sensor, or even a printed circuit. The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle door equipped with such a handle device, as well as a motor vehicle comprising such a door.

Such electrical components are generally connected to one or more connectors via cables, in order to communicate electrical information to a control unit.

Known in the state of the prior art are handle devices in which each electrical component is connected to a respective connector. The multiplicity of electrical components in current handle devices, and therefore the multiplicity of corresponding connectors, tends to weaken the connector technology.

The document US 2015/0233153 A1 proposes an alternative solution consisting of connecting several electrical components of the handle device to a single floating connector. In this device, part of the cables is surrounded by a sheath upstream of the connector so as to hold the cables in the form of a bundle and thus reinforce their attachment to the connector. The document WO2011/131393 A1 discloses a handle device in which all electrical components are mounted together with a connector. The document US2011/148575 discloses a handle device in which each component has its own housing. The document EP 3 255 231 A1 discloses a handle device comprising an electrical component and a connector mounted together with an actuator.

The handle devices known in the state of the prior art have the particular drawback of exposing the cables to water liable to enter the handle, for example in the event of bad weather, which can damage the device. handle and its operation.

The present invention aims in particular to limit this risk and proposes for this purpose a handle device for a motor vehicle door, this device comprising a handle, a transmission mechanism, an actuator, one or more electrical components and a connector as defined above. -below.

The handle of this device is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In other words, the handle can be moved from the retracted position to the deployed position, or from the deployed position to the retracted position, or more generally from a first to a second position, the first and the second position possibly being the retracted position or the deployed position or any intermediate position between the retracted position and the deployed position.

The actuator comprises an electric motor and a casing housing this motor. This actuator is arranged to move the handle between the retracted position and the deployed position via the transmission mechanism.

In a non-limiting manner, the electrical component or components are chosen from a switch, a lighting system, a position sensor, a motion sensor, a proximity sensor, a printed circuit, etc.

According to the invention, the connector of this device is mounted on the casing, and the motor and the electrical components each comprise a cable passing through the casing and being connected to the connector in the casing. This connector makes it possible to communicate electrical information between, on the one hand, the motor and/or one or more of said electrical components and, on the other hand, a control unit of the handle device.

Such an arrangement of the handle device makes it possible to limit the risk of damage since the end of the cables connected to the connector is housed in the casing. This end and all of the part of the cables situated in the casing are indeed protected by the casing, in particular vis-à-vis the water liable to enter the handle.

Moreover, such an arrangement makes it possible to improve the robustness of the connection. The connector is in fact secured to the housing and therefore exerts no force on the cables, in particular before connection of the connector.

Preferably, the connector may comprise a receptacle, the casing and this receptacle being molded in one piece. This makes it possible in particular to facilitate manufacture and/or to further improve the robustness of the connectors.

In one embodiment, the handle device may comprise, as electrical component(s), a position sensor capable of detecting the position of the handle and/or a motion sensor capable of detecting a movement of a finger or a hand of a user on the handle and/or a capacitive proximity sensor capable of detecting the presence of a user close to the handle.

According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a motor vehicle door comprising a handle device as described above.

In one embodiment, the handle may be flush with the door when the handle is in the retracted position. Preferably, this flush handle can be arranged to prevent movement of the handle from the retracted position to the extended position, and/or vice versa, by manual actuation of the handle when the device operates in an automatic mode. Of course, in the latter case, the device can also operate in a manual mode, in case failure of the device, for example of the motor or of a supply battery. In manual mode, the handle can be moved manually from the retracted position to the extended position, and vice versa.

Preferably, the door may include the control unit of the handle device.

According to yet another aspect, the invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a door as defined above.

In one embodiment, this vehicle may comprise a central control unit, this central control unit comprising the handle device control unit.

• La figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective frontale d'un dispositif de poignée selon l'invention et d'une porte sur laquelle ce dispositif est monté, la poignée étant en position rétractée ;
• La figure 2 est une vue schématique partielle du dispositif de la figure 1, montrant la poignée en position déployée ;
• La figure 3 est une vue schématique en perspective d'une partie du dispositif de la figure 1 ;
• La figure 4 est une vue schématique partielle en perspective latérale du dispositif de la figure 1, la poignée étant en position déployée ;
• La figure 5 est une vue schématique partielle du dispositif de la figure 1, montrant partie d'un système d'actionnement ;
• Les figures 6 et 7 sont des vues schématiques d'un dispositif de poignée selon l'invention, comprenant un capteur de mouvement ;
• La figure 8 est une vue schématique d'un dispositif de poignée selon l'invention, comprenant un capteur de mouvement et un capteur de proximité ;
• La figure 9 est une vue schématique d'un dispositif de poignée selon l'invention, comprenant un système d'éclairage ;
• La figure 10 représente schématiquement une connectique d'un dispositif de poignée selon l'invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the non-limiting description which follows and the appended figures, in which:

• The figure 1 is a schematic front perspective view of a handle device according to the invention and of a door on which this device is mounted, the handle being in the retracted position;
• The figure 2 is a partial schematic view of the device of the figure 1 , showing the handle in the deployed position;
• The picture 3 is a schematic perspective view of part of the device of the figure 1 ;
• The figure 4 is a partial schematic side perspective view of the device of the figure 1 , the handle being in the deployed position;
• The figure 5 is a partial schematic view of the device of the figure 1 , showing part of an actuation system;
• The figures 6 and 7 are schematic views of a handle device according to the invention, comprising a motion sensor;
• The figure 8 is a schematic view of a handle device according to the invention, comprising a movement sensor and a proximity sensor;
• The figure 9 is a schematic view of a handle device according to the invention, comprising a lighting system;
• The figure 10 schematically represents a connection of a handle device according to the invention.

Identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference signs in all the figures.

In this document, the terminology longitudinal, vertical and transverse will be used, without limitation, with reference to the trihedron L, V, T indicated in the figures.

The figure 1 shows a handle device 1 according to the invention. This device 1 comprises a handle 10 in a retracted position.

The handle 10 is in this example of the flush type with a door 2 of a motor vehicle. This handle 10 is said to be flush or recessed ("flush" in English) in the sense that an outer surface of the handle 10 and an outer surface of the door 2 are substantially coplanar when the handle 10 is in the retracted position. Such a recessed handle 1 generally makes it possible to improve the aesthetics of the door 2, its opening device 1 being more discreet than a non-flush handle.

The figure 2 and 4 show the handle device 1 in a deployed position. In this deployed position, the handle 10 is arranged to be able to be gripped by a user wishing to open the door 2.

The passage of the handle 10 from the retracted position ( figure 1 ) to the deployed position ( figure 2 and 4 ) is achieved by an actuation system. Preferably, this actuation system is designed to operate in an automatic mode and a manual mode.

In automatic mode, the handle 10 is deployed via an actuator 11 visible at the figure 5 . This actuator 11 comprises an electric motor (not shown) and a box housing this motor (the figure 5 only shows the housing of this actuator 11). The actuator 11 is arranged to move the handle 10 from the retracted position to the extended position via a transmission mechanism 12 (see also figure 2 ), for example when a motor shaft is rotated in a first direction of rotation.

Conversely, in automatic mode, the actuator 11 can also be arranged to move the handle 10 from the deployed position to the retracted position via this transmission mechanism 12, for example when the motor shaft is driven in rotation. in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation.

The transmission mechanism 12 can comprise any type of known mechanism capable of transmitting a motorized movement from the actuator 11 to the handle 10. Typically, the transmission mechanism 12 can comprise a train of gears making it possible to reduce the speed of rotation of the engine.

The manual mode essentially makes it possible to open the door 2 in the event of failure of the device 1. In manual mode, said actuator 11 and said transmission mechanism 12 are provided so as not to prevent the manual deployment of the handle 10, in particular in l lack of any electrical control.

Besides the actuator 11, the device 1 also includes electrical components such as a switch, a lighting system, a position sensor, a motion sensor, a proximity sensor, a printed circuit, etc.

For example, the device 1 can comprise a position sensor 13 as illustrated in figures 2 and 3 . This position sensor 13 makes it possible to detect the position of the handle 10.

The device 1 can also include a motion sensor 14 as illustrated in figures 6 to 8 . This motion sensor 14, located between a support structure 101 of the handle 10 and an external cover 102 of this handle 10 (see figure 4 ) makes it possible to detect a movement of a finger or a hand of a user on the handle 10.

The device 1 can also comprise a proximity sensor 15, preferably capacitive, as illustrated in figure 8 . Such a proximity sensor 15 makes it possible to detect the presence of a user close to the handle.

With reference to the figure 9 , the device 1 can also comprise a lighting system 16 suitable for illuminating the handle 10. The lighting is triggered under predetermined conditions, for example when the motion sensor 14 detects a movement of a finger or a hand of a user on handle 10.

The electrical components given here as an example are in no way limiting.

Each of the electrical components equipping the device 1 as well as the motor of the actuator 11 is connected to a control unit (not shown) of the device 1, this control unit possibly being mounted in the door 2 or constituting part of a central vehicle control unit. Such a connection makes it possible to communicate electrical information to adequately control the handle device 1 and its various components.

To do this, the motor and the electrical components each comprise an electrical cable for electrically connecting them to said control unit.

With reference to figures 4 and 5 , the device 1 comprises a connector 17 to which these electrical cables are connected.

The connector 17 comprises a receptacle mounted on the casing of the actuator 11. In other words, the connector 17 is integral with this casing. For example, actuator housing 11 and receptacle 17 may be molded in one piece.

Originally, the cables of device 1 connected to connector 17 pass through the casing of actuator 11.

This connection principle is schematized in figure 10 illustrating a device 1 provided with electrical components 13 to 16 of the type described above, each of these components being electrically connected to connector 17 by a respective pair of cables 131, 132, 141, 142, 151, 152, 161 and 162, passing through the actuator housing 11.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and many adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, handle 10 may be a standard, non-recessed handle. For another example, the electrical components can be of any type mentioned or not in this document, provided that they are capable of transmitting and/or receiving electrical information via electrical cables passing through the casing of the actuator 11.

Claims (10)

1. A handle device (1) for a motor vehicle door, comprising:

   - a handle (10) movable between a retracted position and a deployed position,

   - a transmission mechanism (12),

   - an actuator (11), the actuator comprising an electric motor and a case accommodating this motor, the actuator (11) being arranged so as to move the handle (10) between the retracted position and the deployed position via the transmission mechanism (12),

   - one or several electrical component(s) (13-16) among a switch, a lighting system, a position sensor (13), a motion sensor (14), a proximity sensor (15), or still a printed circuit,

   this device (1) being characterized in that it comprises a connector (17) mounted on the case, and in that each of the motor and the electrical components (13-16) comprises a cable (131, 132, 141, 142, 151, 152, 161, 162) passing through the case and being connected to the connector (17) in the case, the connector (17) allowing communicating electrical information between, on the one hand, the motor and/or one or more of said electrical components (13-16) and, on the other hand, a control unit of the handle device (1).
2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the connector (17) comprises a receptacle, the case and the receptacle being integrally molded in one-piece.
3. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a position sensor (13) adapted to detect the position of the handle (10).
4. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a motion sensor (14) adapted to detect a movement of a user's finger or hand on the handle (10).
5. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a capacitive proximity sensor (15) adapted to detect a presence of a user near the handle (10).
6. A motor vehicle door (2), characterized in that it comprises a handle device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.
7. The door (2) according to claim 6, wherein the handle (10) is flush with the door (2) when the handle (10) is in the retracted position.
8. The door (2) according to claim 6 or 7, including the control unit of the handle device (1).
9. A motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a door (2) according to any one of claims 6 to 8.
10. The vehicle according to claim 9, comprising a central control unit, this central control unit comprising the control unit of the handle device (1).

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