ES2305163T3 - OPENING HANDLE THAT INCLUDES AN ELECTRONIC MODULE, ESPECIALLY FOR AUTOMOBILE VEHICLE. - Google Patents

Abstract

Opening handle, especially for motor vehicles, comprising, - an internal housing (9) made in the handle, and comprising two openings (13, 14), - an electronic module (10) located inside said housing (9), - support means (16, 17) of said electronic module inside said housing (9), - sealing means (16, 17) that make said housing (9) waterproof at a fluid, at the level of said openings (13, 14), characterized by the fact that the support means and the sealing means are combined.

Description

Opening handle incorporating a module electronic, especially for motor vehicles.

The present invention relates to a handle of  opening, especially for motor vehicles.

The invention relates more specifically to an opening handle that incorporates at least one module electronic in a handle housing.

The invention also relates to a module electronic intended to be mounted in a housing of the handle.

The invention is specially adapted for be applied in the context of a motor vehicle provided with a hands-free access system.

In the automotive sector, the handle of opening, which previously served only to transmit a movement mechanic by means of rods to a lock for the opening of a swing, has undergone a profound change.

Indeed, particularly for systems called "hands-free" that allow the approach and unhooking a motor vehicle without a mechanical key or by remote, the handle has become an interface privileged among the user, who carries an identifier (for example in the form of a pin), and the system incorporated in the vehicle.

Thus, opening handles are known that they have an interior housing in which a electronic module comprising at least one detection element of the user.

This detection element is, for example, a antenna that allows, by hertzian communication between the vehicle and the identifier that the user carries, an exchange of data coded in order to recognize the user before giving vehicle access

According to another alternative, the detection element it is constituted by a presence sensor that will allow to start the communication between the system incorporated in the vehicle and the identifier with a view to unhooking the vehicle, by detection of the user's approach, and / or the approach of the vehicle by detection of a voluntary action of the user in a concrete area of the handle.

When the detection element is a sensor presence, it is usual to use a presence sensor that It comprises at least one measuring electrode for the detection of user at the level of a handle surface, called a surface of detection, accessible by the latter.

In all cases, in order to protect  the electronic components of the antenna when it incorporates a dedicated circuit and / or presence sensor, it is necessary to have of an electronic module tight to any fluid.

The tightness of the electronic module that incorporates, for example, an antenna and / or a presence sensor, it generally performed by complete overmolding of the module with help of a fluid-tight thermoplastic material.

But in certain cases, not only the module electronic must be airtight, but it is also necessary that the accommodation, which receives this electronic module, be waterproof.

Indeed, in the cases of using a  presence sensor as described, have been found, in rainy weather, malfunction cases, by non-detections for example, due to presence of a layer of parasitic water, between the electronic module and the detection surface, which has formed due to the non-tightness of the housing to the water.

As presented in the document EP-A-1 035 276, is known make handles that have a waterproof housing that incorporates an antenna In this embodiment, the antenna is inserted into a handle housing which is then sealed by a body thermally insulating. The set finally becomes tight overmolding a layer of a thermoplastic material on the handle and body that seals the housing.

Thus, in this document, the tightness of the housing is made overmoulded pair of a layer of material thermoplastic over the handle assembly. This solution makes necessary to properly protect the antenna by a body thermally insulating and generates a manufacturing process and complex and expensive assembly. Indeed, it is necessary to intervene, during the realization of this overmolding, in the aspect outside of the handle which is generally delicate and can cause many losses if the aesthetic of the overmolding presents Some aspect defect.

On the other hand, they have also been found, during the use of presence sensors, cases of malfunction resulting from an approximate positioning of the module in the handle, with the consequence that the electrode of sensor measurement is arranged too far important and / or not constant with respect to the surface of detection.

EP 1 067 257 also describes a handle provided with an electronic module with the characteristics of the preamble of claim 1.

Therefore, it seems necessary, in addition to make the housing tight, provide solutions that allow both the support and the positioning of the module in its housing so as to ensure correct positioning of the sensor measuring electrode so that it works in any circumstance and allow user detection at the level of predefined detection surface.

The objective of the present invention is to give response to these needs by remedying the inconvenience of known devices and propose a solution that allows simultaneously improve the tightness of the housing and the module support in the housing.

For this purpose, the invention aims at a opening handle as claimed in the claim one.

The complementary characteristics of the The invention is set out in claims 2 to 18.

The invention will be better understood with the Detailed explanatory description of non-limiting examples with reference to the attached figures that represent:

- Figure 1, a longitudinal section view of a first embodiment of the handle according to the invention;

- Figure 2, a perspective view of a electronic module housed in the handle of figure 1;

- Figure 3, a detail III of the handle of the Figure 1;

- Figure 4a, a perspective view by under the first combined element for module support electronic in the handle of figure 1;

- Figure 4b, a perspective view of under the first combined element for module support electronic in the handle of figure 1;

- Figure 5, a perspective view of a end of the electronic module, which incorporates a second element combined, housed in the handle of figure 1;

- Figure 6, a cross-sectional view according to line VI-VI of figure 1;

- Figure 7, a longitudinal section 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 figure 7 incorporating the electronic module;

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Figure 1 represents a sectional view length of a handle according to a first embodiment of the invention.

In this figure, reference 1 indicates a handle for a swing (not shown), especially vehicle car.

The handle 1 comprises a fixed support 2 of known way, not described in detail, to the swing (not represented) and a gripping part (or element) 3 mounted pivot for actuating a lock (not shown) of the swing.

The gripping element 3 comprises a first terminal part 4 that performs a hinge type link, known and not described in detail, with handle holder 2 to be operated with respect to the latter, from a resting position towards a drive position for the drive of the lock (not shown).

The gripping element 3 also comprises a elongated and hollow intermediate part 5 intended to be operated by a user and a second terminal part 6 opposite the first terminal part 4, which extends through the handle support 2, intended to be attached to the swing lock (no represented).

The intermediate part 5 has a wall longitudinal front facing the user during the maneuver of the handle, defined internally by an internal surface 7a, and a rear wall 8 facing the front wall 7 and adjacent to the body of the swing.

The walls 7 and 8 delimit in a unitary way with respect to the rest of the gripping element 3, a housing of elongated shape presenting a first end 9a and a second end 9b. The housing 9 of the gripping element 3 communicates with the outside by two facing openings referenced 13 and 14, the first opening 13 extending through the second terminal part 6 while the second opening 14 opens towards a cavity 15 formed at the level of the first terminal part 4.

The housing 9 welcomes a radial electronic module 10, presented in the form of a box outer 18 elongated, with a first end 11 and a second end 12. The electronic module 10 is inserted into the housing 9 through the first opening 13, called the opening of insertion.

According to the invention, the handle comprises means combined maintenance and sealing 16, 17 that perform on the one hand the support of the electronic module 10 in a position determined in housing 9 and on the other hand a tightness from housing to a fluid. These combined means 16, 17 are made in the form of a first element 16, positioned at the level of the insertion opening 13, and of a second element 17, positioned at the level of the opening 14.

As seen in figure 1, the positioning of the electronic module 10 is ensured in each of its ends 11 and 12 by the combined means 16 and 17 so which is supported in a certain position in the housing 9, to a predefined distance d from the detection surface of the Username.

According to the invention, these combined means 16, 17 also realize, by their particular structure, that will describe below, the tightness of the housing 9 to a fluid and especially to water.

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

As described above, the module electronic 10 is made in the form of an outer box 18 elongated watertight having a first end 11 and a second end 12.

The box 18 is made in the form of a semi-bushing, in which they are positioned:

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a printed circuit board (or elements necessary for the realization of a " lead-frame "), and the different electronic components of the module: antenna, sensors.

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an electrical wiring, previously overmoulded in a joint, at one end of the box.

The different welds are made and connections and then the assembly is overmoulded with a thermoplastic resin so that a unit module is obtained and watertight.

Thanks to this assembly, the sensor presence 19 and its measuring electrode 20 are positioned of totally determined way in the electronic module 10.

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

The electrical wiring 21, made under the form of a plurality of electrically conductive wires, allows an electrical link between the electronic module 10 and a access management system built into the vehicle (no represented).

Presence sensor 19 is used for user detection at the level of a handle surface substantially parallel to the swing 7, 8. This surface of the handle, called the detection surface, can be constituted by the front wall 7, the rear wall 8 or even by these two walls according to the presence sensor 19 implantation in the electronic module 10.

To ensure the proper functioning of the sensor of presence, it is important that the electronic module be defined and stable position in the housing 9.

For this purpose, the electronic module 10 presents at its first end 11 positioning projections 22 intended to cooperate with the first element 16 and carries in its second end 12, the second element 17 made in the form of an elliptical overall appearance ring that will be described in detail later.

In this way, as the electronic module is arranged at a predefined and determined distance from the user detection surface, the measuring electrode of the presence sensor is also arranged at a distance predefined detection surface. This arrangement allows ensure optimized user detection when approaching detection surface.

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These issues of module assembly in a predefined position are especially important, during the serial assembly of a large number of modules in handles, for avoid any drift in module positioning. Indeed, the means involved - combined elements 16 and 17, positioning means 22 and 26- ensure quality constant in the assembly and in the positioning of the module in the housing 9 of the gripping part 3.

Figures 3, 4a and 4b will be described at continuation together.

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

As stated above, the element of grip 3 presents at the level of its second terminal part 6, a first element 16 that supports the electronic module 10 in the accommodation 9.

This first element 16 is arranged to proximity of the insertion opening 13 and has a base 23, intended to rest on an internal wall of wall 8 of the housing 9, and a side wall 25, substantially perpendicular to base 23, which comprises a face 25a that forms a surface external handle. In this way, the side wall 25 forms a closing cover, or shutter, 25 of the housing 9.

In the figures described, the first element 16 and the shutter 25 are made of a single piece preferably by injection molding of a material plastic.

The first element 16 presents, on the other hand, two bearing surfaces 24 intended to receive the first end 11 of module 10 and lock it locally against the inner wall 7a of the front wall 7 of the gripping element 3 to maintain module 10 in a predefined and determined position.

The support surfaces 24 extend from substantially parallel to base 23 and are respectively located on the two legs 29 carried by the first element 16 and born at the base 23. These legs 29 are preferably elastic and deformable.

The first element 16 allows, in addition to carry out the support of the electronic module 10 in the housing, make the latter tight. Indeed, it presents the shutter level 25 an o-ring seal 28, arranged in a slot of this, which prevents the entry of any fluid in the housing 9 through the insertion opening 13.

In the example described, the first element 16 It is made of a rigid material and is provided at the level of the periphery of the plug 25 of a seal 28 but it can, equivalently, be made of an elastic material that It has intrinsic sealing properties.

As depicted, the handle also has complementary means of module positioning electronic 10 on the support surfaces 24.

These complementary means are realized in the form of notches 26, each supported by a support surface 24, intended to cooperate with the projections 22 that carries the electronic module 10 (figure 2) and that ensures the positioning of the electronic module on the support surfaces 24.

The use of these means of positioning increases module stability electronic 10 at the level of the first element 16 and allows to avoid possible vibrations of the module that would have the effect of altering its detection function

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

As a complement to this fixation and to avoid the release of the fixing means 27 from their housings corresponding, it is also possible to paste the first element 16 into the accommodation 9.

Figures 5 and 6, which present respectively  a perspective view of the second end of the module electronic, which carries the second combined element and a section according to line VI-VI of figure 1, they are described jointly to present in detail the set of characteristics of the second combined element.

The electronic module 10 carries, at the level of the terminal part of its second end 12, the second element 17 which Performs module 10 support in housing 9 of the part intermediate 5 of the gripping element 3.

This second element 17 is fixed to the module 10, by overmolding with the box 18 during the realization of the electronic module 10 as described in the context of the Figure 2, and completely surrounds it at the level of its second end 12.

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

The second element 17 has a portion peripheral which acts as an elastic joint 30 so that it can be forced into the housing 9.

In the described example, the second element 17 it is integral with module 10, so that when it is positioned in housing 9, module 10 is held in a position determined in accommodation 9.

The particular form and characteristic structural of the second element 17 also allow you to perform the tightness of housing 9 at the level of its second end 9a.

Indeed, the second element 17 is made of a rigid overmoulded material of a resin and provided, at the level of its periphery, with a seal 30 O-ring type that allows to seal the housing 9. This gasket 30 is arranged in a groove that it presents the second element 17 and forms the peripheral portion that allows the second element 17 to be forcefully introduced into the accommodation 9.

Alternatively, the second element 17 it can be made of an elastically flexible material that It has sealing properties.

The second element 17 also presents a plurality of through holes 36 associated with the passage of the wires electrical wiring conductors 21 of module 10 ensuring the same time the tightness of the housing 9.

In the described embodiment, the second element 17 belongs to electronic module 10, because it is overmoulded with box 18, but can be dissociated from the module preserving its support and sealing properties.

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

To facilitate understanding of the provision of the different elements with respect to each other, these Figures are described together.

It will be noted that the references used in the context of figures 1 to 6 have been reused for identical elements.

As stated above, the first element 16 has a base 23 flat supported on the wall 8, adjacent to the terminal part 9a of the housing and to the insertion opening 13, and a side wall that forms a shutter 25. The first element 16 and the shutter 25 are made in a single piece by injection molding of a material plastic.

In the example described, in particular, the first  element 16 and the shutter 25, which constitute a single piece, are removably attached to part 6 of the gripping element 3 for a removable maintenance tooth 31.

According to this second embodiment of the first element 16, the electronic module 10 is almost attached totally to the inner surface 7a of the wall 7 by action of the first item 16.

This first element 16 effectively presents  a single support surface 24 located on a leg 29 elastic that forms an acute angle A with the base 23 so that it presents an important elasticity and its action immobilizes the module 10 against wall 7a.

The support surface 24 is provided with a pair of adjacent notches 26, which receive respectively each a protrusion 22 presenting the electronic module 10 and which extends parallel from module 10 thus forming complementary positioning means of module 10 in the support surface 24.

Once positioned, the first element 16 elastically forces the first end 11 of module 10 against the wall 7a so that it maintains the module 10 in a position determined to prevent possible external actions transmitted to intermediate part 5 during operation by the user does not compromise the functionality and efficiency of the module electronic 10.

According to this second embodiment of the second element 17, this is not part of module 10 but it is independent of the latter. It is done in the form of a elliptical ring of elastic material whose outer shape is complementary to the shape of the housing cross section 9. The second element 17 is arranged around module 10 in its end 12, so that the localized detection surface in the middle part 5 cannot be in contact with a eventual layer of water, and the set is then inserted into the force in the housing 9, the dimensions of the second being element 17 slightly higher than the cross section of the accommodation 9.

The second element 17 is made of matter elastic and due to its introduction to the force in the housing 9 constitutes, at the level of its peripheral portion, a joint of tightness 34 thus preventing any entry of fluid in the housing 9.

The cavity 15 on which the second opens opening 14 of housing 9 is partially sealed by about sealing means 33 defining in this way a conduit or step 35 for communication between housing 9 and the Exterior.

These sealing means 33 are made in the form of a lid 33 that is positioned by clips (not represented).

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

As presented in the different embodiments of the invention, the combined means of support and sealing 16 and 17 allow positioning of the module in a certain position so that the sensor presence (or its measuring electrode) have a distance predefined with respect to the user's detection surface. The use of a first element 16 and a second element 17 at each end of the module allows to leave the module free between its two extremes. This way, it's not too much requested neither to traction nor to flexion between its two ends, what which allows to prevent damage.

On the other hand, the realization of the first element 16 in a single piece with shutter 23 to perform a closing cover 35 of the opening 13 of the housing 9, allows reduce the number of parts and assembly time as well as Improve the stability of the handle.

Thus, thanks to the invention, a  handle presenting a sealed housing in which a module electronic is positioned predefined and determined to avoid a disturbance of the functions of the module and ensure its optimal performance This precise positioning is especially necessary when incorporating a presence sensor for detection of presence of a user at the level of a surface of detection.

Clearly, modifications of the handle 1 presented without leaving the scope of the present invention as defined in the claims attached. In particular, combined means can be made different maintenance and sealing that may be positioned in different places to those that have been presented.

Claims (18)

1. Opening handle, especially for vehicles  automobile, which comprises,

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a internal housing (9) made in the handle, and comprising two openings (13, 14),

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a electronic module (10) located inside said housing (9),

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some support means (16, 17) of said electronic module in the interior of said housing (9),

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some sealing means (16, 17) that perform the sealing of said housing (9) to a fluid, at the level of said openings (13, 14),

characterized by the fact that the support means and the sealing means are combined. 2. Opening handle according to claim 1, characterized in that the module (10) houses at least one presence sensor (19) comprising at least one measuring electrode (20) for the detection of a user at the level of a surface (7, 8) of the handle substantially parallel to the swing, called the detection surface (7, 8), and by the fact that said maintenance means (16, 17) are made so as to allow a positioning of the module (10) so that the measuring electrode (20) is arranged at a predefined distance from the detection surface (7, 8). 3. Opening handle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the module (10) is generally elongated and by the fact that the maintenance means (16, 17) have first (16) and second (17) maintenance elements that cooperate respectively with a first (11) and a second (12) end of said module so as to maintain it in the determined position. 4. Opening handle according to claim 3, characterized in that the first element (16) has at least one support surface (24) intended to immobilize said first end (11) of the module (10) against an internal wall (7a) of the accommodation (9). 5. Opening handle according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises complementary positioning means, preferably projections (22) and associated notches (26), of the module (10) to the support surface (24), respectively carried by the module (10) and by the support surface
(24). 6. Opening handle according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the support surface (24) is located on an elastically deformable leg (29) supported by said first element (16). 7. Opening handle according to any of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the first element (16) is fixed in the housing (9) by gluing, with the help of clips (27) or with the help of a tooth (31). 8. Opening handle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening (13) is an insertion opening (13) of the module (10) in the cavity (9) and by the fact that the means sealing (25) ensures the sealing of said insertion opening. 9. Opening handle according to claim 8, characterized in that the maintenance means (16) and the sealing means (25) are made in a single piece, preferably by injection molding of a plastic material. 10. Opening handle according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the sealing means (25) has a face (25a) that forms an external surface of the handle (1). 11. Opening handle according to any of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the second element (17) is made in the form of a piece (17), which has a shape complementary to the shape of the cross section of the housing (9), attached to the module (10) and surrounding it at the level of its second end (12). 12. Opening handle according to claim 11, characterized in that the second element (17) has a peripheral portion that forms an elastic seal (30, 34) so that said second maintenance element can be forcibly introduced in the accommodation (9). 13. Opening handle according to any of claims 3 to 12, characterized by the fact that the module (10) has an electrical wiring (21) that rises to the level of its second end (12) and the fact that the Second element (17) comprises at least one through hole (36) intended to receive said wiring and which ensures a tightness of the housing (9). 14. Opening handle according to claim 13, characterized in that the opening (14), for access to the housing (9) for the passage of the electrical wiring (21) of the module (10), opens on a cavity ( 15) partially sealed by sealing means (33). 15. Opening handle according to any of claims 3 to 14, characterized in that the second element (17) is fixed, preferably by overmolding, to the module (10). 16. Opening handle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing means (25, 17) are made of a tight elastic material. 17. Opening handle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing means (25, 17) are made of a rigid material and by the fact that they are provided, at the level of their periphery, with a sealing gasket (28, 30). 18. Opening handle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a handle support (2) intended to be arranged in a wall of a swing and a gripping part (3) articulated on said support of handle and intended to be operated by a user and by the fact that the housing (9) is located in said gripping part.