Vehicle assist handle assembly having proximity sensor control

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11708016-B2
Application number	US-202117141356-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 5, 2021
Priority date	Jan 5, 2021
Publication date	Jul 25, 2023
Grant date	Jul 25, 2023

Abstract

An assist handle assembly for use in an interior of a vehicle is provided. The assist handle assembly includes an assist handle configured to be gripped by a user, a connector configured to secure the assist handle assembly to a structural component in the interior of the vehicle, a proximity sensor assembly coupled to the assist handle for generating a sensed signal indicative of a user gripping the assist handle, and a controller controlling one or more vehicle devices based on the sensed signal.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An assist handle assembly for a vehicle, the assist handle assembly comprising:
an assist handle configured to be gripped by a user;
a connector configured to secure the assist handle assembly to a structural component of the vehicle;
a proximity sensor assembly coupled to the assist handle for generating a sensed signal indicative of a user gripping the assist handle; and
a controller controlling one or more vehicle functions based on the sensed signal, wherein the controller determines a rough road condition based on the signal and adjust the one or more vehicle functions based the determined rough road condition.

2. The assist handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connector is releasable to allow for assembly and disassembly of the assist handle assembly from the vehicle.

3. The assist handle assembly of claim 2 further comprising a power cable for connecting to a vehicle power supply.

4. The assist handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle function comprises at least one of adjusting a seat device.

5. The assist handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the seat device comprises at least one of a seat belt, a seat belt bolster, and a seat air bladder.

6. An assist handle assembly for a vehicle, the assist handle assembly comprising:
an assist handle configured to be gripped by a user;
a connector configured to secure the assist handle assembly to a structural component of the vehicle;
a proximity sensor assembly coupled to the assist handle for generating a sensed signal indicative of a user gripping the assist handle; and
a controller controlling one or more vehicle functions based on the sensed signal, wherein the vehicle function comprises at least one of adjusting vehicle suspension shocks.

7. The assist handle assembly of claim 1 further comprising a communication link.

8. The assist handle assembly of claim 7 , wherein the communication link is configured to communicate with a controller onboard the vehicle.

9. The assist handle assembly of claim 7 , wherein the communication link comprises a wireless communication link.

10. The assist handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connector is configured to connect to a bracket in an interior portion of the vehicle.

11. The assist handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the assist handle comprises one or more proximity sensors.

12. The assist handle assembly of claim 11 , wherein the one or more proximity sensors comprises one or more capacitive sensors.

13. An assist handle assembly for use in an interior of a vehicle, the assist handle assembly comprising:
an assist handle configured to be gripped by a user;
a connector configured to secure the assist handle assembly to a structural component in the interior of the vehicle;
a proximity sensor assembly coupled to the assist handle for generating a sensed signal indicative of a user gripping the assist handle;
a communication link operatively for communicating the sensed signal; and
a controller controlling one or more vehicle devices based on the sensed signal, wherein the controller determines a rough road condition based on the sensed signal and adjusts the one or more vehicle devices based on the determined rough road condition.

14. The assist handle assembly of claim 13 , wherein the connector is releasable to allow for assembly and disassembly of the assist handle assembly to the vehicle.

15. The assist handle assembly of claim 14 further comprising a jumper harness for releasably connecting to a vehicle power supply.

16. The assist handle assembly of claim 13 , wherein the vehicle function comprises at least one of adjusting a seat device.

17. The assist handle assembly of claim 16 , wherein the seat device comprises at least one of a seat belt, a seat belt bolster, and a seat air bladder.

18. The assist handle assembly of claim 13 , wherein the vehicle function comprises at least one of adjusting vehicle suspension shocks.

19. The assist handle assembly of claim 13 , wherein the communication link comprises a wireless communication link, and wherein the wireless communication link is configured to communicate with a controller onboard the vehicle.

20. The assist handle assembly of claim 13 , wherein the one or more proximity sensors comprises one or more capacitive sensors.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Salter Stuart C
• Baumbick Jim
• Huebner Annette Lynn
• Glickman David Brian
• Yilma Benjamin
• Dellock Paul Kenneth

Classifications

• B60N2210/12

  Capacitive; Electric field · CPC title

• B60N2230/20

  Wireless data transmission · CPC title

• B60N2/002

  Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon (detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266) · CPC title

• B60N3/02 Primary

  of hand grips or straps · CPC title

• B60N3/026 Primary

  characterised by the fixing means (B60N3/023 takes precedence) · CPC title