Patent ID: 11951936
Assignee: MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG
Field: Civil engineering (Other fields)
Classification: CPC B  E | IPC B  E

Claim 7:
8. A method for operating a door handle on a motor vehicle, the method comprising:
detecting that an authorized user with an electronic key approaches the motor vehicle;
extending, responsive to the detection, a handle part of the door handle from a retracted non-use position into a partially extended intermediate position,
at least partially illuminating, responsive to the detection, a gap between the handle part and a handle cavity of the door handle by at least one lighting element or at least one light guide element that is part of the door handle;
determining that the authorized user opens a door lock of the motor vehicle with the electronic key;
transferring, responsive to the determination, the handle part from the partially extended intermediate position into an extended use position;
illuminating, responsive to the determination and using the at least one lighting element or the at least one light guide element, at least parts of the handle part, the handle cavity or of an area surrounding the handle part.