Patent ID: 7445257

Claim:
Lock system for for motor vehicles ( 10 ), the lock system comprising, a lock ( 15 ) on the door ( 11 ) to be actuated by a handle ( 20 ); two electrodes ( 51 , 52 ) comprising an inner and an outer electrode with two capacitative sensors ( 61 , 62 ) and shielding ( 53 ) in the handle ( 20 ), the shielding being located between the two electrodes, wherein the electrodes generate two spatially separate electrical fields at least for certain periods of time, the electrical fields comprising: an inner field ( 30 ), generated in an intermediate space ( 17 ) between the handle ( 20 ) and the vehicle ( 10 ) by the inner electrode ( 51 ), and an outer field ( 60 ), generated between the handle ( 50 ) and the outside environment of the vehicle ( 10 ) by the outer electrode ( 52 ); an electronic access authorization device, having a stationary part ( 63 ) installed in the vehicle ( 10 ) and electrically connected to the two electrodes ( 51 , 52 ) of the two sensors ( 61 , 62 ), and a the mobile part ( 60 ) adapted for being carried by an authorized person; wherein the one sensor ( 61 ) with the inner electrode ( 51 ) responds when a human hand arrives in an area of the inner field ( 50 ) and initiates a first function in the lock ( 15 ) or in the vehicle after a data exchange between the mobile part ( 64 ) and the stationary part ( 63 ) has been successfully completed; and wherein the other sensor ( 62 ) with the outer electrode ( 52 ) becomes active when the hand arrives in an outer field ( 60 ) within a certain defined minimum distance from the handle ( 20 ) and then initiates a second function in the lock ( 15 ) or in the vehicle, further comprising: three circuit board parts provided with conductive traces ( 44 , 45 , 46 ) and connected to each other by film hinges ( 37 , 38 ); wherein the inner electrode ( 51 ) is mounted on the first circuit board part, the outer electrode ( 52 ) is mounted on the second circuit board part, and the shielding ( 53 ) is mounted on the third circuit board part; wherein the three circuit board parts are movable between a large, flat, spread-out condition, allowing the production of the two electrodes ( 51 , 52 ) and the shielding ( 53 ), and a compact, collapsed condition by folding them together into a three-layer folded product ( 40 ); and wherein the finished folded product ( 40 ) forms a unit ( 30 ), which is integrated as a single structural unit into the handle ( 20 ).