Abstract:
A motor vehicle ( 1 ) with a grab handle ( 6 ), for a passenger compartment ( 12 ). The grab handle ( 6 ) is secured to a support, such as a roof panel ( 14 ), via a pair of pivot points ( 16 ) so that the grab handle ( 6 ) may be rotated ( 3 ) to extend away from the surrounding surface ( 10 ) to an extended position ( 31 ) or retracted toward the surrounding surface ( 10 ) to a retracted position ( 11 ). A proximity sensor ( 24 ) senses the presence of a hand when sufficiently near the grab handle ( 6 ), and an actuator, responsive to the proximity sensor, is arranged to extend ( 3 ) automatically the grab handle ( 6 ) when the proximity sensor ( 24 ) senses the presence of a hand near the grab handle ( 6 ). The actuator may also automatically retract the grab handle ( 6 ) when the proximity sensor ( 24 ) does not sense the presence of a hand near the grab handle ( 6 ) for a predetermined period of time.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a grab handle for a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Grab handles are common in motor vehicles. For example, in a motor car, there may be three grab handles inside the passenger compartment projecting in use generally downwards from the headlining above three passenger doors. Unfortunately, the grab handles can restrict the head space inside the passenger compartment. Therefore, it is known to provide a grab handle which is hinged to the passenger compartment ceiling, and spring loaded so as to retract against the headlining when not in use. A passenger may then pull the grab handle downward and hold on to this as required during travel within the motor vehicle or when entering into or exiting from the motor vehicle. However, it can often be difficult to grab hold of such a grab handle when a passenger enters the vehicle.  
           [0003]    One problem with such retracting hinged grab handles is that there is an inevitable compromise between how flush the grab handle is with the headlining, and how easy it is for a passenger to grab hold of the grab handle. Although a passenger may have plenty of time to grab hold of the grab handle, when entering into or leaving from the passenger compartment, it may be more difficult to pull down the grab handle quickly while the vehicle is moving, as may be required if the vehicle suddenly corners.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    Wherefore it is an object of the present invention to, overcome the above noted drawbacks associated with the prior art grab handles.  
           [0005]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a more convenient grab handle for a motor vehicle.  
           [0006]    Accordingly, the invention provides a motor vehicle comprising: a grab handle; a surface within a compartment of the vehicle, the surface extending about the grab handle; a handle support, the grab handle being movably attached to the support so that the grab handle may be extended away from the surface to an extended position or retracted toward the surface to a retracted position; a proximity sensor for sensing the presence of a hand near the grab handle; and an actuator for moving the grab handle, the actuator being responsive to the proximity sensor; wherein the actuator automatically extends the grab handle when the proximity sensor senses the presence of a hand near the grab handle.  
           [0007]    The grab handle is, therefore, automatically made available when it is needed. In addition, there is no need for a button or some other form of manual release to extend the grab handle. This is convenient for users of a grab handle, particularly at night when is may be difficult to see, touch or activate such a manual release mechanism.  
           [0008]    Preferably, the actuator also automatically retracts the grab handle when the proximity sensor does not sense the presence of a hand near the grab handle.  
           [0009]    The surface may be within a passenger compartment of the vehicle, or other vehicle compartment, such as the car&#39;s trunk. If the grab handle is above a seated passenger, then the grab handle may be above a door or a window, extending generally downward from a headlining. Other examples of grab handles are handles in the backs of seats, or extending from a pillar that extend to the roof of the vehicle.  
           [0010]    The proximity sensor may be incorporated in a surface adjacent the grab handle, but preferably the proximity sensor is located within the grab handle.  
           [0011]    The support may be a structural member of the motor vehicle, for example a roof panel or a side pillar extending to the roof. The support may, however, be a solid but non-structural component, such as a seat back for example.  
           [0012]    The actuator may be electrically powered in both directions of movement. According to one embodiment of the invention, however, the actuator is electrically powered in just one direction, and then returned in the opposite direction under the action of a mechanically or pneumatically powered actuator which stores energy from the electrically powered motion, and which applies a biasing force to the grab handle.  
           [0013]    In one embodiment, the actuator is electrically powered, for example by a small electrical motor or a solenoid, to drive the grab handle toward the retracted position when the proximity sensor no longer senses the presence of a hand near the grab handle. It is not necessary for the actuator to be electrically powered in the opposite direction. For example, the actuator may bias the grab handle toward the extended position with the grab handle being retained in the retracted position by a retention mechanism which is released when the proximity sensor senses a hand is near the grab handle.  
           [0014]    According to another embodiment, the actuator is electrically powered to drive the grab handle toward its extended position when the proximity sensor senses the presence of a hand near the grab handle. Once this has occurred, the actuator then biases the grab handle toward the retracted position while the grab handle is retained in the extended position by a retention mechanism and the retention mechanism releases the grab handle when the proximity sensor no longer senses a hand near the grab handle for a predetermined period of time.  
           [0015]    The bias may be a spring bias provided by a spring mechanism that is loaded by the electrically powered movement toward either the retracted position or the extended position. A spring can therefore be used to store energy from an electrical motor used to extend the grab handle when use of the grab handle is desired.  
           [0016]    The retention mechanism may be a catch, which is automatically released in response to the presence or the absence of a hand detected by the proximity sensor.  
           [0017]    In either case, the actuator may comprise a damper to control movement of the grab handle toward the extended position or the retracted position under the action of the biasing force.  
           [0018]    The actuator need not, however, be automatically moved in both directions. For example, if the grab handle is automatically moved to the extended position, then the grab handle may be manually retracted by pressing the grab handle toward the surface. This may allow some cost savings in the construction of the actuator.  
           [0019]    If the actuator both automatically extends the grab handle, when the proximity sensor senses the presence of a hand near the grab handle, and automatically retracts the grab handle, when the proximity sensor does not sense the presence of a hand near the grab handle, preferably the extension of the grab handle is quicker than the retraction of the grab handle. This has the advantage that the grab handle is quickly made available when it is needed by a passenger, and reduces the possibility that some object may inadvertently be trapped behind the grab handle when this is being retracted, by giving additional time for the object to be removed.  
           [0020]    One advantage to biasing the grab handle into the retracted position is that the retraction motion can be essentially passive. Therefore, if a hand or other object is located behind the grab handle, when it is being retracted, the force that can be applied is limited. This essentially eliminates the possibility of on a hand, object or other item being trapped by the automatic retraction motion of the grab handle.  
           [0021]    The grab handle can be made flush with the surface when the grab handle is in the retracted position. This prevents the grab handle from being manually pulled out to an extended position. The flush arrangement may also provide some safety benefit because of the possible risk associated with any object projecting into a passenger compartment against which a passenger may come into contact during a collision.  
           [0022]    The grab handle can be designed to retract as soon as a hand is no longer sensed proximate to the grab handle, but it is preferable to avoid premature retraction of the grab handle during a time interval, following removal of the hand from grab handle, during which a person may again wish to grab hold of the grab handle again. Therefore, the grab handle is preferably moved to the retracted position only once the sensor no longer senses a hand near the grab handle for a predetermined time delay. The time delay may be between about one to ten seconds, or so.  
           [0023]    The time delay may be lengthened for situations where a passenger is likely to grab hold of the grab handle, for example when a door located near the grab handle is opened during the time delay.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0024]    The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of an interior of a motor vehicle passenger compartment showing two passenger side windows each of which has a grab handle, according to the invention, positioned above a window;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic view through a section of the motor vehicle of FIG. 1 taken along section line  2 - 2  of FIG. 1;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3A is a diagrammatic view of the grab handle according to a first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3B is a block schematic showing how the grab handle of FIG. 3A is controlled;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 3C is a flow chart showing how the grab handle of FIG. 3A operates;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4A is a diagrammatic view of a grab handle according to a second embodiment of the invention;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 4B is a block schematic showing how the grab handle of FIG. 4A is controlled;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 4C is a flow chart showing how the grab handle of FIG. 4A operates;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 5A is a diagrammatic view of a grab handle according to a third embodiment of the invention;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 5B is a block schematic showing how the grab handle of FIG. 5A is controlled; and  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 5C is a flow chart showing how the grab handle of FIG. 5A operates.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0036]    [0036]FIGS. 1 and 2 show views of a portion of an interior of a motor vehicle  1 , such as a motor car, having two passenger side windows  2 ,  3  supported by passenger doors  4 ,  5  of the vehicle  1 . A grab handle  6 ,  7  is located above each one of the two window  2 ,  3 . Each grab handle  6 ,  7  is located within a respective recess  8 ,  9  formed in a headlining  10  of the passenger compartment  12  of the vehicle  1 . A steel box channel  14  (FIG. 2), which runs the entire length of the headlining  10  above the passenger doors  4 ,  5 , provides a secure support for each one of the grab handles  6 ,  7 .  
         [0037]    Each grab handle  6 ,  7  has a wide elongate U-shaped configuration to facilitate grasping by a passenger, and the free ends of each of the arms  13 ,  15  of the grab handle  6 ,  7  are pivotally attached to the box channel  14  by a respective bracket  16 ,  17 , as shown more clearly in FIG. 3A. According to this arrangement, each grab handle  6 ,  7  can, therefore, rotate from a retracted position  11  (FIG. 2), located within the respective recess  8  or  9 , to extend from the headlining  10  downward and inward to an extended position  31  in the passenger compartment  12 , as shown in phantom in FIG. 2.  
         [0038]    Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the arms  13 ,  15  of each U-shaped grab handle  6 ,  7  are pivotally connected, by an axle or shaft  18 ,  19 , to a corresponding U-shaped bracket  16 ,  17 . One of the axles or shafts  18  has a coil spring mechanism  20  which spring biases the grab handle  6  downward into the extended position  31 . The second axle or shaft  19  is connected to a retention mechanism, here an activatable catch  21 , that retains the grab handle  6  in the retracted position  11  but which can be activated to release the axle or shaft  19 , and hence the grab handle  6  out of and away from the recess  8  so that the grab handle  6  extends into the passenger compartment  12  under the action of the spring  20 . A central portion  22  of the grab handle  6  has an ultrasonic sensor  24  that periodically directs ultrasonic waves  26  into the passenger compartment  12 . Any ultrasonic wave(s) that is reflected  28  back from the passenger compartment waves  28  have a sufficient intensity, then this is a good indication that a passenger of the vehicle has his or her hand (not shown) located sufficiently proximate to the grab handle  6 .  
         [0039]    [0039]FIGS. 3B and 3C show how the grab handle  6  is arranged to extend automatically when the ultrasonic sensor  24  senses the presence of a hand sufficiently near or adjacent the grab handle  6 . The grab handle  6  operates under the control of a microprocessor  32  which receives a signal  30 , from the ultrasonic sensor  24 , indicating the strength of any reflected ultrasonic waves  28 . The microprocessor  32  also receives a signal  38  from the catch  21  indicating whether or not the catch  21  is engaged or disengaged with the grab handle  6 . The microprocessor  32  includes control software that first tests, at step  40  (FIG. 3C), whether or not the catch  21  is engaged. If the catch  21  is not engaged, then this indicates that the grab handle  6  is extended and thus the computer software loops back, at  41 , and again tests, at step  40 , whether or not the catch is engaged. If a passenger has pressed or forced the grab handle  6  back up into the recess  8 , then the catch  21  will become engaged with the grab handle  6  and, once the microprocessor  32  detects that this is the case, at  42 , the computer software waits a period of time, at step  43 , e.g. two seconds, before again determining, at step  44  from the signal  30  received from the ultrasonic sensor  24 , whether or not a hand is sensed sufficiently near or proximate to the grab handle  6 . If a hand is not sensed sufficiently near or proximate to the grab handle  6 , then the computer program again loops back, at  45 , to test whether or not a hand is sensed sufficiently near or proximate to the grab handle  6  via the ultrasonic sensor  24 .  
         [0040]    In the event that a hand is again sensed sufficiently near or proximate to the grab handle  6  at  46 , then the microprocessor  32  sends, at step  48 , a control signal  36  to the catch  21  to release the catch. The grab handle  6  then extends, under the action of the coil spring  20 , downward from the headlining  10  into the interior compartment for use. The computer software then loops back, at  49 , to step  40  to again test whether or not the catch  21  is engaged. When a passenger no longer needs to use the grab handle  6 , then he or she can press or force the grab handle  6  back up into the recess  8  where it will again be automatically secured in the retracted position by the catch  21 .  
         [0041]    [0041]FIGS. 4A and 4B show a second embodiment of a grab handle  106 , where components similar to the components of the first embodiment shown incremented by  100 . According to this embodiment, the grab handle  106  has a capacitance sensor  124  which uses an electric field  50  to sense or detect the presence of an object, such as a hand of a passenger, sufficiently near or adjacent the grab handle  106 . The sensor  124  provides an output signal  130  to a microprocessor  132  which is indicative of an object microprocessor  132  also controls  134  operation of the sensor  124 . The grab handle  106  is connected to two U-shaped brackets  116 ,  117  via two corresponding axles or shafts  118 ,  119 . One of the axles or shafts  118  is biased by a coil spring  120  to return the grab handle  106  upward back into a retracted position located within the recess  108 . The second axle or shaft  119  has a catch mechanism  121  that retains the axle or shaft  119 , and hence the grab handle  106 , in an extended downward position. The grab handle  106  is moved, via an electric motor  51  connected to one of the axles or shafts  119 , from a retracted position in which the grab handle  106  is retracted within the recess  108  into an extended position where the grab handle  106  extends downward and inward into the passenger compartment  12 . In the event that the microprocessor  132  determines that a hand of a passenger is sufficiently near or proximate to the grab handle  106 , then the microprocessor  132  sends a control signal  52  to the motor  51  to rotate the grab handle  106  to the extended position  31 .  
         [0042]    The operation of the grab handle  106 , under the control of the microprocessor  132 , is shown in FIG. 4C. The microprocessor  132  first tests, at step  53  from a signal  138  received from the catch  121 , whether or not the catch  121  is engaged. If the catch  121  is not engaged, then this indicates that the grab handle  106  is retracted within the recess  108  and thus the computer software, running within the microprocessor  132 , next loops at  54  to test, at step  55 , whether or not a hand is sensed sufficiently near or proximate to the grab handle  106 . Otherwise, if the catch  121  is engaged, the microprocessor  132  tests, at step  56  from the signal  130  received from the capacitance sensor  124 , whether or not a hand has been out of proximity to the sensor  124  for more than two seconds. If the hand has not been out of proximity to the sensor  124  for more than two seconds, then the computer software loops back, at  57 , to again test, at step  56 , whether or not a hand has been out of proximity to the sensor  124  for more than two seconds. Otherwise, if the hand has been out of proximity to the grab handle  106  for more than two seconds, then the microprocessor  132  proceeds, at  58 , and sends a control signal  136  to the catch  121 , at step  59 , to release the catch  121  in order to retract the grab handle  106 .  
         [0043]    The computer software then proceeds to test, at step  55 , whether or not a hand has been sensed sufficiently near or proximate to the capacitance sensor  124 . If no hand has been sensed, then the computer software loops back, at  60 , to again repeat this test at step  55 . Otherwise, if a hand has been sensed sufficiently near or proximate to the capacitance sensor  124 , then the microprocessor  132  sends a control signal  52 , at step  62 , to the electric motor  51  to drive the motor  51  and hence the grab handle  106  out of the recess  108  into the extended position where a passenger may grab the grab handle  106 . The computer software then loops back, at  63 , to test again, at step  56 , whether or not a hand has been out of proximity to the sensor  124  for more than two seconds.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIGS. 5A and 5B show a third embodiment of the invention in which components similar to those in the previous embodiments are indicated by reference numerals incremented by  200 . The grab handle  206 , according to this embodiment, has six infrared sensors  222  arranged and spaced along a length of the grab handle  206 . Each one of the infrared sensors  222  contains both an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver, with the receiver arranged to detect scattered or reflected infrared light when a hand is located sufficiently near or proximate to the grab handle  206 . Each sensor  222  sends an output signal  230  to a microprocessor  232  which is indicative of whether or not a hand is sufficiently near or proximate to the grab handle  206 . The grab handle  206  has two opposed arms  213 ,  215  which are each connected to a respective U-shaped bracket  216 ,  217  via two corresponding axles or shafts  218 ,  219 . According to this embodiment, a first one of the axles or shafts  218  is free to rotate, while the second axle or shaft  219  is driven by an electric motor  251  that also provides an output signal  64  to the microprocessor  232  that indicates whether or not the motor  251  has driven the axle or shaft  219  either to retract the grab handle  206  into the recess  208 , or to driven the axle or shaft  219  to extend the grab handle  206  downward to project into the passenger compartment  12 .  
         [0045]    The microprocessor  232  also receives a signal  66 , from a door sensor grab handle  206 , is either opened or closed.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 5C shows how the grab handle  206 , according to this embodiment, operates under the control of computer software running in the microprocessor  232 . The microprocessor  232  first tests, at step  70 , from the signal  64  received from the electric motor  251 , whether or not the grab handle  206  is in the extended position. If the grab handle is extended, then the computer software jumps, at  71 , to check, at step  72 , if a hand has not been sensed sufficiently near or proximate to any one of the sensors  222  for more than ten (10) seconds. Otherwise, if the computer program determines, at  73 , that the grab handle  206  is not extended, the computer software next tests, at step  74 , from the signal  66  received from the door sensor  65  whether or not the door  4  is opened or closed. If the computer program determines, at  75 , that the door  4  is opened  75 , then it is necessary to extend the grab handle  206  so that a passenger may use the grab handle  206  to help gain access into or exit from the vehicle  1 . Accordingly, the microprocessor  232  sends a control signal  252 , at step  76 , to activate the motor  251  and extend the grab handle  206  into its extended position. Otherwise, if the door  4  is not opened, the software jumps, at  77 , to step  72  to test whether or not a hand has not been sensed sufficiently near or proximate to the grab handle  206  for more than ten (10) seconds. If a hand has been sensed sufficiently near or proximate to the grab handle  206  within this period of time, then the computer software loops back, at  78 , to again repeat this test at step  72 . Otherwise, if a hand has been away from proximity to the grab handle  206  for more than ten (10) seconds, then the computer software, running on the microprocessor  232 , determines, at  79 , that the grab handle  206  is no longer needed, and thus sends a control signal  252  to the motor  251 , at step  80 , to activate the motor  251  and retract the grab handle  206 .  
         [0047]    Once the grab handle  206  is retracted into its retracted position within the recess  208 , the computer software tests, at step  81 , if the door  4  has been opened or if a hand has been sensed sufficiently near or proximate to any one of the infrared sensors  222 . If this test is negative, then the software loops back, at  82 , to again repeat this test, at step  81 , until the test is affirmative, at  83 , indicating that the grab handle  206  may be needed by a passenger of the vehicle  1 . The microprocessor  232  then sends a control signal  252  to the motor  251 , at step  84 , to activate the motor  251  to extend the grab handle  206  to its extended position. Next, the computer software loops back, at  85 , to the step  72  as discussed above.  
         [0048]    The different embodiments of the present invention described above provide various levels of functionality and convenience for a grab handle. The first embodiment, shown in FIG. 3A, is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, as it contains no electric motor but only an activatable catch  21 . The grab handle  6  is automatically extended using energy stored in the coil spring  20  when a passenger presses or forces the grab handle  6  back into the recess  8 .  
         [0049]    The second embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIG. 4A, uses an electric motor  51  to power the grab handle  106  when this is extended. Retraction of the grab handle  106  is powered by the spring bias force provided by the coil spring  120 . The motion of the grab handle  106  is, therefore, fully automatic in both directions of movement.  
         [0050]    The third embodiment of the grab handle, shown in FIG. 5A, is also fully automatic in both directions of motion and provides an additional degree of convenience by automatically extending the grab handle when a passenger may be entering into or leaving from the passenger compartment  12  of the vehicle  1 .  
         [0051]    According to the above description and appended drawings, all three embodiments of the present invention fully retract into the headlining  10  to provide maximum headroom clearance when use of the grab handle  6 ,  106  or  206  is not needed or required.  
         [0052]    Preferably the ultrasonic waves  28 , the electric field  50  or the infrared light is directed downwardly into the vehicle compartment in a direction substantially parallel to a plane defined by the window and the door. When the ultrasonic waves  28 , the electric field  50  or the infrared light are so directed, this minimizes the possibility that the proximity sensor will falsely detect a hand and generate a signal which causes deployment of the grab handle  6 , into its extended position, when the grab handle  6  is not, in fact, required. In addition, preferably the proximity sensor will continuously monitor the environment by continuously pulsing or transmitting ultrasonic waves, electric fields or infrared light into the vehicle compartment or will designed to pulse or transmit ultrasonic waves, electric fields or infrared light at a frequency of greater than 2 hertz. According to a preferred form of the invention, the proximity sensor will be able to detect a hand of a passenger when the hand is located at a distance of from about 2 to 4 inches or so from the ultrasonic sensor/grab handle.  
         [0053]    Since certain changes may be made in the above described grab handle and handle actuation mechanism, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all of the subject matter of the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted merely as examples illustrating the inventive concept herein and shall not be construed as limiting the invention.