Patent ID: 12241291

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Parts corresponding to one another are provided with the same reference signs in all the drawings.

FIG.1schematically shows, in perspective presentation, a vehicle door1comprising a handle arrangement2. The handle arrangement2is an external door handle.

The vehicle door1comprises a door support structure3and a door frame4. Alternatively, the vehicle door1can be designed so as to be frameless (not shown) and have no door frame4, for example given a convertible. The invention is applicable both to vehicle doors1comprising a door frame4and to frameless vehicle doors1. The invention is described below for a vehicle door1with door frame4.

The door frame4has a window aperture5which can be closed by a window pane (not shown in greater detail). For this purpose, the window pane is arranged movably in the door support structure3in the usual manner, in particular between a closed position in which the window pane is raised and the window aperture5is closed, and an open position in which the window pane is lowered into the door support structure3and the window aperture5is opened.

The door support structure3has, for example, an exterior vehicle skin6and an interior vehicle skin7. The door support structure3is made of a sheet metal which is usually painted. The door support structure3can be clad on the inside.

The vehicle door1moreover comprises a shaft strip8. The shaft strip8is arranged on the upper side of the door support structure3. A narrow longitudinal gap, through which the window pane is moved, is provided at the door support structure3, for example on the upper side. The shaft strip8is arranged in the region of the longitudinal gap and extends along the door support structure3on both sides of the window pane. The shaft strip8serves to seal between the door support structure3and the window pane. A penetration, in particular of water, dirt, snow, but also of wind, into the door support structure3is therewith prevented.

The shaft strip8usually comprises two soft sealing lips which are situated on both sides of the window pane. They are movable so that noise is avoided upon moving the window pane.

The handle arrangement2is arranged movably, in particular pivotably, at the shaft strip8. Alternatively, the handle arrangement2can be designed to be movable in translation, in particular displaceable or shiftable (not shown in greater detail). The invention can be applied both to a rotationally movable handle arrangement2and to a handle arrangement2movable in translation. The invention is described below for a rotationally movable, in particular pivotable, handle arrangement2.

The handle arrangement2comprises a handle element9which can be gripped on an outside of the vehicle door1. The handle element9is designed in such a way that it is designed as a device which can be operated in at least two directions R1, R2for actively actuating at least two switching functions. Alternatively, the handle element9can also be designed for active actuation of at least two switching functions only in one of the directions R1or R2.

The handle element9protrudes perpendicularly upwards from the shaft strip8and the door support structure3. The handle element9is thereby arranged at a distance from the door frame4.

Optionally, a capacitive proximity switch12can be provided at the handle element9for further switching functions, for example unlocking or locking of the vehicle. The capacitive proximity switch12is arranged on the outside of the handle element9. It is understood that, for a proper functioning of the proximity switch, it is to be ensured that the active electrode of the proximity switch is not metallically shielded.

Such a movable handle arrangement2provided at the shaft strip8can be of compact design, enables a plurality of switching functions, and requires little installation space.

FIG.2schematically shows an enlarged detail of the perspective presentation according toFIG.1in the region of the handle arrangement2.

The shaft strip8additionally comprises a support strip10protruding substantially perpendicularly. The support strip10can be of flexible design. The support strip10can additionally be designed as a sealing lip. The support strip10extends along the shaft strip8and the door support structure3. The handle arrangement2is arranged on the support strip10, in particular to form a form fit and/or force fit, and mounted so as to be movable in a limited manner. In particular, the handle arrangement2is movably mounted on the support strip10, in particular so as to be movable in translation or in rotation, for the smallest movements of the handle element9, for example in a range from 0.1 mm to 5 mm, in particular 0.1 mm to 2 mm, or 1 degree to 10 degrees, in particular 1 degree to 5 degrees. For example, the handle element9comprises a groove11corresponding to the support strip10, in particular a longitudinal groove. The handle arrangement2can be plugged or pushed onto the support strip10. In the assembled state of the handle arrangement2at the vehicle door1, the support strip10is arranged completely in the groove11, as shown inFIG.2.

The handle element9is, for example, ergonomically shaped and can be gripped, in particular encompassed, by one hand of a user. The handle element9can thereby be arranged so as to be displaceable, in particular pivotable, between a first switching movement S1, directed away from the vehicle door1, in the direction R1, and a second switching movement S2, directed towards the vehicle door1, in the direction R2. Different switching functions can hereby be parameterized, as is described in more detail below.

FIG.3schematically shows a sectional view through the vehicle door1in the region of the handle arrangement2. For better clarity, the shaft strip8is not shown in more detail.

The door frame4is usually covered by means of a panel13, in particular a plastic panel.

The handle arrangement2is arranged between the door frame4and the door support structure3so as to be relatively movable with respect to the shaft strip8. The handle arrangement2is a multi-component part and can be pre-assembled to form a mounting unit14and be inserted and mounted in the vehicle door1. In particular, the handle arrangement2is arranged in a cavity15between the exterior vehicle skin6and the interior vehicle skin7.

The handle arrangement2comprises a handle support16. The handle support16is made of plastic or a fiber-reinforced plastic material. The handle support16comprises a fixed support part17and a movable support part18. The handle support16is arranged in the vehicle door1, in particular in the cavity15, between the exterior vehicle skin6and the interior vehicle skin7.

The fixed support part17is connected to the door support structure3. For example, the fixed support part17is plate-shaped. The fixed support part17moreover comprises a fastening interface19for fastening the fixed support part17to the door support structure3. For example, the fixed support part17is screwed or riveted to the door support structure3by means of the fastening interface19.

Substantially perpendicular webs or walls20protrude from the fixed support part17in the direction of the movable support part18. Alternatively, the fixed support part17can be shell-shaped or box-shaped. The movable support part18is movably, in particular rotatably, arranged, for example articulated, on a first wall20.1, in particular that wall20.1arranged in the direction of the shaft strip8, of the fixed support part17. For example, a pivot joint21or hinge, in particular a pliable or flexible hinge, is arranged between the movable support part18and the first wall20.1. The movable support part18is thereby rotatable about an axis of rotation D relative to the fixed support part17. The movable support part18is designed as a cap or a cover of the handle support16. For this purpose, the one end of the movable support part18is rotatably articulated on the first wall20.1.

In a rest position or starting position S0of the handle element9, the opposite free end of the movable support part18is arranged at a distance from a second wall20.2, in particular at a distance from an inner shoulder22. A seal23, in particular a sealing lip, can be arranged between the movable support part18and the fixed support part17, in particular in the region of the shoulder22.

The handle element9is articulated at the handle support16. For example, the axis of rotation DG of the handle element9is arranged in the region of the handle support16(as shown) or of the shaft strip8(not shown in greater detail). The axis of rotation D of the movable support part18corresponds to the axis of rotation DG of the handle element9. The axis of rotation DG is in particular an imaginary axis of rotation.

The handle element9is arranged to form a form fit and/or force fit at the handle support16, in particular at the movable support part18. The movable support part18and the handle element9are connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner. For example, the handle element9has a receiving profile26in the direction of the handle support16, and the movable support part18has a correspondingly designed retention profile27in the direction of the handle element9. The receiving profile26and the retention profile27, or vice versa, are designed for example for a detachable connection as a tongue-and-groove connection or a pin connection, in particular a dovetail connection. The handle element9is hereby arranged to form a form fit and detachably at the movable support part18.

Via such a pivot joint21for the handle element9, arranged at the inner handle support16, the displacement mechanism of the handle element9is arranged protected within the vehicle door1, in the cavity15, in particular with respect to mechanical stress and contamination.

In the mounted state, the walls20, the movable support part18, and the fixed support part17of the handle support16form a housing24for a sensor25. The sensor25comprises an electronic unit28. The electronic unit28is arranged and held at the fixed support part17. Optionally, a potting material29can be arranged between the fixed support part17and the electronic unit28.

The sensor25is, for example, a capacitive sensor or an inductive sensor.

The sensor25comprises a first metal surface30and a second metal surface31arranged at a distance therefrom, which second metal surface31is movable in the direction of the first metal surface30. Such a sensor25is also referred to as an “MoC sensor” (MoC=metal over cap or metal over capacitive, or as a capacitive tactile sensor). The metal surfaces30,31are also referred to as MoC plates.

For example, the first metal surface30is arranged on the fixed support part17, and the second metal surface31is arranged on the movable support part18and/or the handle element9.

The second metal surface31, for example a metal strip or a thin metal sheet, is arranged, in particular fastened, for example glued or soldered, on one side of the movable support part18. The handle element9is arranged and held on the opposite side of the movable support part18.

An actuation, in particular pivoting, of the handle element9produces a corresponding movement, in particular pivoting, of the movable support part18, and therewith of the second metal surface31, relative to the first metal surface30, about the identical axes of rotation D, DG.

In particular, the handle element9is displaceable, in particular pivotable, between the first switching movement S1in the direction R1away from the vehicle door1and the second switching movement S2in the direction R2towards the vehicle door1. In the non-actuated state, the handle element9is positioned in a starting position S0. Upon actuation, the handle element9can be pivoted in a range between +/−5° with respect to the initial position S0, according to arrows P1, P2.

The distance between the first metal surface30and the second metal surface31can be in the range of 0.1 to 2 mm and, for example, can be 1 mm or 1.5 mm. The intervening space between the metal surfaces30,31preferably has a dielectric medium which is, for example, a gas, in particular air, and/or an elastically deformable solid, such as a plastic foam or the like.

The electronic unit28detects a change in the distance between the metal surfaces30,31, and/or a capacitance change or inductance change, caused by the movement of the handle element9. A minimum movement, in particular pivoting, of the handle element9and of the movable support part18, caused by a contacting of the handle element9, can thereby already lead to a corresponding rotation of the second metal surface31relative to the first metal surface30. A change resulting therefrom in the distance between the two metal surfaces30,31leads to a corresponding capacitance change or inductance change, which can be detected by means of the electronic unit28.

In order to limit the first switching movement S1of the handle element9, the handle support16comprises a first end stop32. In order to limit the second switching movement S2, the handle support16comprises a second end stop33. The first end stop32is arranged at the free end of the protruding second wall20.2and limits the first switching movement S1. The second end stop33is formed in the housing24by the inner shoulder22. The inner shoulder22or second end stop33is arranged on the electronic unit28, in particular a printed circuit board, or above this in the housing24.

By means of the movable support part18, the handle element9fastened thereto can be moved in different, in particular opposite and/or perpendicular, directions R1, R2. A plurality of switching points or switching functions can hereby be generated. A locking of a lock of the vehicle door1and/or of the vehicle can thus be switched, for example by means of a pressure force which acts on the handle element9. An unlocking of the lock of the vehicle door1and/or of the vehicle can be switched by means of a tensile force which acts on the handle element9.

In addition, the handle element9itself and its arrangement on the movable support part18can be configured such that operating forces of different magnitudes, acting on the handle element9, generate correspondingly different switching functions or switching points. For actuating forces of different magnitudes, force threshold values can be predefined or predetermined which generate or trigger different switching functions or switching points. For example, a low force on the handle element9can effect a locking of a lock, and a higher force on the handle element9can effect a double locking of a lock. Alternatively or additionally, a displacement speed of a displaceable vehicle door1can be set according to the actuating force acting on the handle element9. For example, an increase in the displacement speed can be effected given a higher actuating force, and a decrease in the displacement speed can be effected given a lower actuating force.

Moreover, the electronic unit28can be designed to trigger a first predefined or programmable switching function or action, for example unlocking one or all vehicle doors1of a vehicle, upon detection of the first switching movement S1, and to trigger a second predefined or programmable switching function or action, for example locking the or all vehicle doors1of the vehicle, in particular the electronic locks thereof, upon detection of the second switching movement S2. In addition, the electronic unit9can be designed to trigger further switching functions upon exceeding a predetermined threshold value of a detected capacitance change or inductance change, for example—given an automatic sliding door of a vehicle—to change the speed of the displacement movement of the sliding door, or to switch drive systems on or off.

FIG.4shows a schematic block diagram of the sensor25of the handle arrangement2.

The sensor25comprises the first metal surface30and the second metal surface31. The first metal surface30is arranged on the fixed support part17. For example, the first metal surface30is arranged as a metal strip or metal sheet on the printed circuit board of the electronic unit28. The second metal surface31is arranged on the movable support part18.

FIG.5shows a perspective presentation of the handle arrangement2as a mounting unit14.

FIG.6schematically shows a perspective presentation of the vehicle door1without exterior vehicle skin6and without shaft strip8, and comprising the handle arrangement2as a mounting unit14.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1Vehicle door2Handle arrangement3Door support structure4Door frame5Window aperture6Exterior vehicle skin7Interior vehicle skin8shaft strip9Handle element10Support strip11Groove12Proximity switch13Panel14Mounting unit15Cavity16Handle support17Fixed support part18Movable support part19Fastening interface20Wall20.1First wall20.2Second wall21Pivot joint22Shoulder23Seal24Housing25Sensor26Receiving profile27Retention profile28Electronic unit29Potting material30First metal surface31second metal surface32First end stop33Second end stopD, DG Axis of rotationP1, P2ArrowR1, R2DirectionS1, S2Switching movementS0Starting position