Module for generating opening signals

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12368011-B2
Application number	US-202318213435-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 23, 2023
Priority date	Jun 24, 2022
Publication date	Jul 22, 2025
Grant date	Jul 22, 2025

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a module ( 100 ) for generating signals, in particular signals for opening vehicle doors or flaps. The module ( 100 ) includes: a one-piece housing ( 102 ) having a plug region ( 106 ) and a switch region ( 104 ); at least one switch, in particular a microswitch ( 108 ), which is connected releasably to the switch region ( 104 ) of the housing; and electrical contacts ( 110, 112 ), which are releasably connectable to the at least one switch and extend from the switch region ( 104 ) at least partially into the plug region ( 106 ). The electrical contacts are configured in order to produce an electrical contact with an on-board plug for transmitting an electrical signal, wherein the housing ( 102 ) is preferably releasably connectable to a vehicle component, preferably an operator element housing, and particularly preferably a door lever housing.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A module for generating signals for opening vehicle doors or flaps, wherein the module comprises:
a one-piece housing having a plug region, a switch region, and a plurality of ramped protrusions;
at least one switch, which is releasably connected to the switch region of the one-piece housing; and
electrical contacts, which are releasably connectable to the at least one switch and extend from the switch region at least partially into the plug region, wherein the electrical contacts are configured to produce an electrical contact with an on-board plug for transmitting an electrical signal,
wherein the one-piece housing is configured to releasably connect to a vehicle component via the plurality of ramped protrusions.

2. The module according to claim 1 , wherein the plug region comprises a socket for receiving the on-board plug, wherein the on-board plug is a plug of a control unit or an electrical actuator.

3. The module according to claim 1 , wherein the plug region is configured such that the plug region, together with an actuator housing, forms a socket for receiving a plug of a control unit or an electrical actuator.

4. The module ( 100 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the one-piece housing comprises a plurality of snap hooks for releasably connecting with the at least one switch.

5. The module according to claim 1 , wherein the module comprises an actuating flap, which is pivotally connected to the one-piece housing and configured to transmit a movement of an operator element to the at least one switch so that the at least one switch is activated by a movement of the operator element.

6. The module according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical contacts comprise a first resilient end, which contacts the at least one switch, and wherein the first resilient end of the electrical contacts is respectively biased against one of the contacts of the at least one switch when the module is connected to an operator element housing.

7. The module according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical contacts extend substantially at a 90° angle between the switch region and the plug region.

8. The module according to claim 1 , wherein the vehicle component is an operator element housing.

9. The module according to claim 1 , wherein the vehicle component is a door lever housing.

10. The module according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one switch is arranged so as to be activated by movement of an operator element, wherein the module comprises a first resetting element configured to act against a movement of the operator element.

11. The module according to claim 10 , wherein the first resetting element is configured to generate a haptic and/or acoustic signal when the operator element activates the at least one switch.

12. The module according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one switch is arranged so as to be activated by movement of an operator element, and wherein the module comprises a second resetting element, which is configured to act against a further movement of the operator element after it has activated the at least one switch.

13. The module according to claim 12 , wherein the second resetting element is a resetting spring.

14. An actuating mechanism for opening vehicle doors, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises:
an operator element housing having an operator element pivotably stored therein; and
a module according to claim 1 , wherein the module is releasably connected to the operator element housing.

15. A vehicle having the actuating mechanism according to claim 14 .

16. A module for generating signals for opening vehicle doors or flaps, wherein the module comprises:
a one-piece housing configured as an open half-shell that defines a plug region and a switch region;
at least one switch that is releasably connected to the switch region of the one-piece housing; and
a plurality of electrical contacts that are releasably connectable to the at least one switch and extend from the switch region at least partially into the plug region,
wherein the electrical contacts are configured to produce an electrical contact with an on-board plug for transmitting an electrical signal.

17. The module according to claim 16 , wherein the one-piece housing is configured to releasably connect to a vehicle component via a plurality of ramped protrusions.

18. A module for generating signals for opening vehicle doors or flaps, wherein the module comprises:
a one-piece housing that defines a plug region and a switch region, wherein the plug region and the switch region are separate and distinct regions;
at least one switch that is releasably connected to the switch region of the one-piece housing; and
a plurality of electrical contacts that are releasably connectable to the at least one switch and extend from the switch region into the plug region,
wherein the electrical contacts are configured to produce an electrical contact with an on-board plug for transmitting an electrical signal.

19. The module according to claim 18 , wherein the one-piece housing is as an open half-shell that defines the plug region and the switch region.

20. The module according to claim 18 , wherein the one-piece housing is configured to releasably connect to a vehicle component via a plurality of ramped protrusions.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Oberst Joachim
• Wilke Zsolt
• Dilje Erik
• Rudolf Andreas

Classifications

• H01H21/04

  Cases; Covers · CPC title

• H01H1/14

  by abutting · CPC title

• E05Y2900/531

  Doors · CPC title

• E05B77/02

  for accident situations · CPC title

• E05B79/20

  using flexible connections, e.g. Bowden cables · CPC title