Door handle assembly for a motor vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9995065-B2
Application number	US-201615014860-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 3, 2016
Priority date	Feb 6, 2015
Publication date	Jun 12, 2018
Grant date	Jun 12, 2018

Abstract

A vehicle door handle assembly includes an actuating element, which is actuated by a user gripping the handle from behind. The actuating element protrudes outward through a recess in the handle from an inner cavity through a wall of the handle over an outer contour of the handle. The actuating element is movable through the recess in the direction of the handle inner cavity against an elastic restoring force. The actuating element is at least in sections made of a metal. Located inside the handle is a stationary electric module with an inductive distance sensor so that when the actuating element moves, the distance of the actuating element in relation to the inductive distance sensor changes. An evaluation unit detects the signals of the inductive distance sensor, detects an actuation as a function of the signals, and provides an output signal.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A vehicle door handle assembly including a sensor device for detection of an actuation, comprising:
a handle, wherein on a side of the handle adapted to be gripped from behind is arranged an actuating element,
wherein the actuating element protrudes outward through a recess in the handle from an inner cavity of the handle through a wall of the handle over an outer contour of the handle,
wherein the actuating element is accommodated inside the handle and is adapted to be shifted, tilted or deformed so as to be actuated, wherein the actuating element passes through the recess in a direction of the inner cavity of the handle against an elastic restoring force when a user grips the handle from behind exerting a force on the actuating element in the direction of the inner cavity when the handle is pulled,
wherein the actuating element at least in sections comprises a metallic material,
wherein inside the handle is arranged an electric module including an inductive distance sensor, wherein the inductive distance sensor is arranged stationary in the handle and spaced from the actuating element so that the distance of the actuating element in relation to the inductive distance sensor changes when the actuating element moves, wherein the inductive distance sensor detects a change in distance between the metallic material of the actuating element and the inductive distance sensor when the actuating element moves,
wherein an evaluation unit detects signals produced by the inductive distance sensor and detects an actuation as a function of the signals and provides an output signal.

2. The vehicle door handle assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the actuating element is made of a plastic, which is partially coated with a metallic layer.

3. The vehicle door handle assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the electric module comprises a printed circuit board, on which is located the inductive distance sensor, wherein the printed circuit board is received in a holder, and wherein the actuating element is movably connected with the holder.

4. The vehicle door handle assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the actuating element is formed integrally with the holder.

5. The vehicle door handle assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the printed circuit board is potted with the distance sensor in the holder with a potting material.

6. The vehicle door handle assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the actuating element is formed as an elongate element which extends along the longitudinal axis of the handle and wherein a plurality of inductive distance sensors are arranged along the longitudinal axis of the handle, which sensors detect the approach of various sections of the actuating element.

7. The vehicle door handle assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the actuating element is formed of multiple parts, wherein a first section protruding from inside outward through the handle is made of a plastic and a metallic part as a second section is fixed inside the handle to the first section.

8. The vehicle door handle assembly according to claim 7 , wherein the second section includes spring tongues, wherein the spring tongues are supported inside the handle to provide the restoring force of the actuating element.

9. The vehicle door handle assembly according to claim 7 , wherein the first section of the actuating element is made of a transparent plastic and wherein inside the handle is arranged a light source, which conducts light into the first section, the first section being a light conductor that radiates light from the light source through the first section into the outer area of the handle.

10. The vehicle door handle assembly according to claim 4 wherein the actuating element comprises a deformable tongue.

Assignees

• Huf Huelsbeck & Fuerst Gmbh & Co Kg

Inventors

• Witte Martin
• Beck Andreas

Classifications

• E05B85/16 Primary

  a longitudinal grip part being pivoted at one end about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the grip part · CPC title

• E05B17/10

  Illuminating devices on or for locks or keys; {Transparent or translucent lock parts; Indicator lights} · CPC title

• E05B81/64

  Monitoring or sensing, e.g. by using switches or sensors · CPC title

• E05B81/76 Primary

  Detection of handle operation; Detection of a user approaching a handle; Electrical switching actions performed by door handles · CPC title