Abstract:
A door handle apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The door handle includes a door handle body that is configured to be disposed at a door of the vehicle. A light source is mounted inside the door handle body. A light-transmitting member is located between the light source and the door handle body. The light-transmitting member is partially exposed to an exterior of the door handle body.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS: 
       [0001]    This document claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/407,808 filed Oct. 28, 2010, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A lit door handle for a vehicle is provided. More particularly, a door handle is provided that includes a light source, such as an LED inside a door handle body of a vehicle, and a light-transmitting member, such as clear resin, positioned between the light source and the door handle body, and partially exposed to the door handle body. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Discussion of Background 
       [0003]    It is known to include at least one LED in a door handle. Conventional door handle lighting systems, such as those described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0117381, light a back side of a door handle, so as to illuminate a car body side of the door handle. Other conventional door handles, such as those described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0282987, include LEDs that are located on a face of the door handle. 
       SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY ASPECTS OF THE ADVANCEMENTS 
       [0004]    In one aspect, a door handle apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The door handle includes a door handle body that is configured to be disposed at a door of the vehicle. A light source is mounted inside the door handle body. A light-transmitting member is located between the light source and the door handle body. The light-transmitting member is partially exposed to an exterior of the door handle body. 
         [0005]    A door handle for a vehicle that includes an intelligent lighting system that provides continuous lighting is provided. The door handle includes a door handle body. The door handle body includes a first body member and a second body member. The first body member and a second body member are assembled together so as to define an interior space within the door handle. A light source is disposed within the interior space of the door handle body. At least one light transmission member extends from the interior space of the door handle to an exterior surface of the door handle body so as to provide a continuous band of light along each of an upper and lower surface of the door handle. 
         [0006]    In another aspect, a method for providing door lock status information via an intelligent lighting system that provides continuous lighting from a door handle is provided. The method includes transmitting a first light signal having a first color from a door handle when a user approaches a vehicle and comes within a predetermined area such that a key fob carried by the vehicle owner is detected by a smart antenna in the handle. When the user touches a smart sensor, a second light signal having a second color is transmitted from the door handle and all of the vehicle doors are unlocked. If the user does not get into the vehicle after a predetermined period of time, a third light signal having a third color is transmitted from the door handle and all of the doors are locked. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0008]      FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate various views of a door handle in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the disclosure; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate exploded views the door handle in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a side cut-away view of the door handle in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the disclosure 
           [0011]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a top cut-away view of a door handle in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 4A-4F  illustrate cross sectional views along a cross-section of the door handle in accordance with several exemplary aspects of the disclosure; and 
           [0013]      FIGS. 5A-5D  illustrate cross sectional views along the cross-section of the door handle in accordance with several further exemplary aspects of the disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0014]    Various kinds of key-less entry systems exist in the market. Some keyless entry systems require activation (such as by pushing a button) by a user in order to unlock a door lock. Other types are able to unlock a door lock without an activation by a user since a wireless key detector (“key fob”) recognizes an approaching user with the key fob within a predetermined area. 
         [0015]    A smart entry system, as referred to herein may be one of the key-less entry system which has a wireless key fob detector, a touch sensor, a user hand or grip detector and so on. The concept of this present disclosure can be applied to all kinds of key-less entry systems including smart entry system for vehicles. 
       I. Hardware. 
       [0016]      FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate various views of a door handle in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the disclosure. In particular, a door handle  100  includes a first body member  110 , which faces away from a vehicle body, and a second body member  120 , which faces a vehicle body. The second body member  120  can also be understood as being located on the “working” side of the door handle, as the second body member  120  is typically grasped by a vehicle passenger to actuate the handle. 
         [0017]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate exploded views the door handle in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the disclosure. As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the door handle  100  includes a smart antenna  200 , which is used as part of a smart entry system. The door handle  100  further includes an LED board  310  that includes a plurality of LEDs  320 . The LEDs may all transmit the same color, or each may transmit different colors from each other. The light emitted from the LEDs  320  is transmitted through the top and bottom surfaces the first body member  110  via the transmission elements  130  and  140 . The transmission elements  130  and  140  can be clear resin elements that are made of, for example, acrylic or polycarbonate. As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the transmission elements  130  and  140  are each long, continuous members that extend lengthwise along the door handle  100 . Thus, unlike a configuration in which single LEDs are provided to provide single points of light, the transmission elements  130  and  140  are able to provide an uninterrupted, continuous band of light along the length of both the upper and lower portions of the door handle  100 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a side cut-away view of the door handle  100 , and  FIG. 3B  illustrates a top cut-away view of the door handle  100 . As shown in  FIG. 3B , the door handle  110  is able to accommodate a wire harness  330  and an electronic circuit board  340 . As discussed in greater detail below, the inclusion of the wire harness  330  and the electronic circuit board  340  in a single package with the smart antenna  200  allows the door handle to perform various lighting operations. 
         [0019]      FIGS. 4A-4F  illustrate cross sectional views along a cross-section of the door handle in accordance with several exemplary aspects of the disclosure. The door handles illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-4F  are designed such that the first and second transmission elements and the first and second body members of the door handle can be assembled in a watertight manner without any gaps. 
         [0020]      FIG. 4A  shows a cross-sectional view of the door handle  100  taken along the line A-A in  FIG. 1A . The transmission element  130  is exposed to a top surface of the door handle  100 , and the transmission element  140  is exposed to a bottom surface of the door handle  140 . Each of the transmission elements  130  and  140  are in direct contact with both the first body member  110  and the second body member  120 . As shown in  FIG. 4A , the LED board  310  acts as a locater that locates the transmission elements  130  and  140  within the door handle  100 . In particular, the transmission member  130  is pushed up into place within the first body member  110  by a top portion of the LED board  310 . Likewise, the transmission member  140  is pushed down into the first body member  110  by a bottom portion of the LED board  310 . In this manner, the LED Board  310  causes the transmission elements  130  and  140  as well as the first and second body members  110  and  120  to fit together in a snug fashion without gaps. Thus, in this example, the LED Board  130  has the dual functions of supporting the LEDs  320  and also locating the transmission members  130  and  140  in the door handle  100 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 4B  shows a cross-section of a door handle  100   a  that includes a first body member  110   a,  a second body member  120   a,  a smart antenna  200   a,  an LED board  310   a,  at least one LED  320   a,  a transmission element  130   a  and a transmission element  140   a.  The embodiment in  FIG. 4B  differs from the embodiment in  FIG. 4A  in that the transmission elements  130   a  and  140   a  do not make direct contact with the second body member  120   a.  In this configuration, the location of the transmission elements  130   a  and  140   a  is handled by the location and size of the LED board  310 , and is not affected by the location of the second body member  120   a.  Therefore, existing manufacturing techniques, which do not incorporate the transmission elements  130   a  and  140   a,  can be used so as to locate the first and second body members  110  and  120  relative to each other in a gap-free manner. In other words, the incorporation of the transmission elements  130   a  and  140   a  does not become a source of error in the manufacturing process with respect to the location of the first and second body members  110  and  120 . Thus, the number of parts that must be manufactured with tight tolerances can be reduced. As a result, it is easier to control the overall tolerances during manufacture of the  100   a,  which can reduce the appearance of a gap between the first body member  110   a  and the second body member  120   a.    
         [0022]      FIG. 4C  shows a cross-section of a door handle  100   b  that includes a first body member  110   b,  a second body member  120   b,  a smart antenna  200   b,  an LED board  310   b,  at least one LED  320   b,  a transmission element  130   b  and a transmission element  140   b.  The embodiment in  FIG. 4C  differs from the previous embodiments in that the transmission elements  130   b  and  140   b  are secured to the first body member  110   b  by ultrasonic welding at locations  132   b  and  142   b.  This configuration further reduces the need for tight tolerances in manufacturing, as neither of the second body member or the LED board  310   b  are used to locate the transmission elements  130   b  and  140   b.    
         [0023]      FIG. 4D  shows a cross-section of a door handle  100   c  that includes a first body member  110   c,  a second body member  120   c,  a smart antenna  200   c,  an LED board  310   c,  at least one LED  320   c,  a transmission element  130   c  and a transmission element  140   c.  The embodiment in  FIG. 4D  differs from the previous embodiments in that the transmission elements  130   b  and  140   b  are secured to each of the first body member  110   c,  the second body member  120   c,  and the a circuit board  210   c  of the smart antenna  200   c,  but are not in direct contact with the LED board  310   c.  In particular, the circuit board  210   c  includes stops  212   c  that locate the transmission elements  130   b  and  140   b  within the door handle  100   c.  This configuration allows for more flexibility in the placement of the LED board  310   c  within the door handle  100   c.    
         [0024]      FIG. 4E  shows a cross-section of a door handle  100   d  that includes a first body member  110   d,  a second body member  120   d,  a smart antenna  200   d,  an LED board  310   d,  at least one LED  320   d,  a transmission element  130   d  and a transmission element  140   d.  The embodiment in  FIG. 4E  differs from the previous embodiments in that the transmission elements  130   d  and  140   d  are secured to the first body member  110   d  by snap-fit at locations  132   d  and  142   d.  This configuration further reduces the need for tight tolerances in manufacturing, as neither of the second body member  102   d  or the LED board  310   d  are used to locate the transmission elements  130   d  and  140   d.    
         [0025]      FIG. 4F  shows a cross-section of a door handle  100   e  that includes a first body member  110   e,  a second body member  120   e,  a smart antenna  200   e,  an LED board  310   e,  at least one LED  320   e,  a transmission element  130   e  and a transmission element  140   e.  The embodiment in  FIG. 4F  differs from the previous embodiments in that the transmission elements  130   e  and  140   e  are secured to the second body member  120   e  by a slant stopper at locations  132   e  and  142   e.  The slant angle of the slant stoppers creates stabilizing forces in both two directions, and thereby reduces the need for tight tolerances in manufacturing, as the LED board  310   e  is not used to locate the transmission elements  130   e  and  140   e.    
         [0026]      FIGS. 5A-5D  illustrate cross sectional views of further embodiments of the present disclosure. The examples shown in  FIGS. 5A-5D  include waterproof configurations, in which the smart antenna  200  is encased in a cover so as to become a waterproof antenna assembly  200 ′. Likewise, the LEDs and LED boards depicted in  FIGS. 5A-5D  are configured to be waterproof in a manner that will be readily apparent to those having skill in the art.  FIG. 5A  shows a cross-section of a door handle  100   g  that includes a first body member  110   g,  a second body member  120   g,  a waterproof smart antenna assembly  200 ′, an LED board  310   g,  at least one LED  320   g,  and a single transmission element  150   g.  The embodiment in  FIG. 5A  differs from the previous embodiments in that plural transmission elements are replaced by a single transmission element  150   g  that is sandwiched between the first body member  110   g  and the second body member  120   g.    
         [0027]      FIG. 5B  shows a cross-section of a door handle  100   h  that includes a first body member  110   h,  a second body member  120   h,  a waterproof smart antenna assembly  200 ′, an LED board  310   h,  at least one LED  320   h,  a transmission element  130   h  and a transmission element  140   h.  The example in  FIG. 5B  is the same as that shown in  FIG. 4A , with the exception that the smart antenna  200  is replaced with a waterproof smart antenna assembly  200 ′. In particular, the LED Board  310   h  has the dual functions of supporting the LEDs  320   h  and also locating the transmission members  130   h  and  140   h  in the door handle  100   h.    
         [0028]      FIG. 5C  shows a cross-section of a door handle  100   j  that includes a first body member  110   j,  a second body member  120   j,  a smart antenna  200 , an LED board  310   j,  at least one LED  320   j,  a transmission element  130   j  and a transmission element  140   j.  The embodiment in  FIG. 5C  differs from the previous embodiments in that the LED board  10   j  and the LED  320   j  are integrated with the waterproof smart antenna assembly  200 ′. In this example, the waterproof smart antenna assembly  200 ′ includes stops  212 ′ j  that locate the transmission elements  130   j  and  140   j  within the door handle  100   j .    
         [0029]      FIG. 5D  shows a cross-section of a door handle  100   i  that includes a first body member  110   i,  a second body member  120   i,  an LED board  310   i,  at least one LED  320   i,  a transmission element  130   i  and a transmission element  140   i.  The embodiment in  FIG. 5D  differs from the previous embodiments in that the door handle  100   i  does not include a smart antenna  200 . 
       II. System Operation. 
       [0030]    As noted above, the door handle described herein can include LEDs that transmit several different colors. This configuration allows a vehicle passenger to gain valuable information as they approach a vehicle with a key fob that communicates with a smart antenna  200 . For example a door handle can show a welcome status with a white light, a lock status with a red light, and unlock status with a green light. When all of the doors include the handles disclosed herein passengers easily understand which door is locked or unlocked. 
         [0031]    Basically, lighting control is achieved based on a “smart entry system” such as lighting duration. For example, in an initial state, there is no lighting. As a vehicle owner approaches a vehicle, and comes within a predetermined area such that a key fob carried by the vehicle owner is detected by a smart antenna in the handle, a white light is transmitted from the handle. Once the vehicle owner touches a smart sensor, all of the vehicle doors unlock, and the handle lights up green. Once the vehicle owner and the vehicle passengers get into the vehicle, the handle lighting turns off. 
         [0032]    In another example, as a vehicle owner approaches a vehicle, and comes within a predetermined area such that a key fob carried by the vehicle owner is detected by a smart antenna in the handle, a white light is transmitted from the handle. Once the vehicle owner touches a smart sensor, all of the vehicle doors unlock, and the handle lights up green. In this example, if the owner does not get into the vehicle after a predetermined period of time, all of the doors lock, and the vehicle handle lights red. 
         [0033]    In another example, when the vehicle owner exits the vehicle, the vehicle handle lights up white. Once all of the doors are locked, the door handle lights up red. When the vehicle owner passes a predetermined distance away from the vehicle, such that the smart antenna no longer detects a key fob carried by the vehicle owner, the handle light turns off. 
         [0034]    In another example, in an initial state, there is no lighting. As a vehicle owner approaches a vehicle, and comes within a predetermined area such that a key fob carried by the vehicle owner is detected by a smart antenna in the handle, a white light is transmitted from the handle. Once the vehicle owner touches a smart sensor, all of the vehicle doors unlock, and the handle lights up green. After a predetermined period of time (i.e. five seconds) the handle light turns white. Once the vehicle owner and the vehicle passengers get into the vehicle, the handle lighting turns off. 
         [0035]    In another example, in an initial state, there is no lighting. As a vehicle owner approaches a vehicle, and comes within a predetermined area such that a key fob carried by the vehicle owner is detected by a smart antenna in the handle, a white light is transmitted from the handle. Once the vehicle owner touches a smart sensor, only the driver&#39;s door is unlocked, the driver&#39;s handle lights up green, and all of the other vehicle doors light up with a white light. Once the vehicle owner gets into the vehicle, the handle lighting turns off 
         [0036]    Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.