DE102005028353A1 - Door handle for vehicle is fitted with sensors to monitor hand position and prepare door lock for opening - Google Patents

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to find a way for a more timely reaction of a vehicle component to an opening request of a user with respect to a vehicle door. DOLLAR A The object is achieved by a vehicle door handle (1) with an optical sensor device (7 to 10, 13) for detecting an object and / or object movement at least in a sub-environment (6) of the vehicle door handle (1) and to provide a corresponding sensor signal. Also presented is a vehicle door having a vehicle door handle (1) and sensor means (7-10, 13) for detecting an object and / or object movement within a space (6) between the vehicle door handle (1) and the vehicle door and providing a corresponding one sensor signal. Moreover, in the present invention, a method for detecting a hand on a vehicle door handle (1) is described. DOLLAR A For example, a convertible window can be moved out before the operation of the vehicle door handle (1) from the vehicle roof to prevent its damage in a fast door opening.

Description

The The present invention relates to a vehicle door handle and a vehicle door, as well a vehicle with a vehicle door handle according to the invention and / or a vehicle door according to the invention. Furthermore A method for detecting a hand on a vehicle door handle is presented.

When opening a vehicle door often occurs Problem on that a locking device the vehicle door only from a given reaction time on an actuation of the door handle responded by a user. If the user is in a hurry, so will he quickly becomes impatient in an appropriate situation and tries the delay through an additional Pressure on the door handle, or by repeatedly pressing the door handle, To shorten. This can cause damage of the vehicle door handle or the locking device to lead.

One Another problem occurs when it comes to the vehicle in question is a convertible. In a cabriolet are the vehicle windows often partially retracted in the vehicle roof when closed. In this way it is avoided that during rainstorms water in the vehicle interior penetrates. This is however with the disadvantage connected to that when opening the vehicle door the vehicle roof damaged can, if the associated Vehicle window was not previously moved out of the vehicle roof. It refers to the retraction of a vehicle window the vehicle roof also as "short-stroke lowering function".

A Possibility, to such damage To prevent the vehicle roof, is that a user to open a vehicle door the associated Vehicle door handle deliberately slowly pressed. However, this deliberately slow operation of a door handle by a vehicle user frequently forgotten or felt as very disturbing.

The The object of the present invention is therefore a possibility for a more timely reaction of a vehicle component to an opening request of a user a vehicle door to find.

The The object is achieved by a vehicle door handle with an optical sensor device for detecting an object and / or an object movement at least in a sub-environment of the Vehicle door handle and for providing a corresponding sensor signal.

About this vehicle door handle according to the invention can be an opening request in terms of a vehicle door even before a touch of the associated Vehicle door handle by the user. This ensures a more timely Reaction of at least one vehicle component to the opening request.

there At least one subassembly of the optical sensor device can be connected via a Plug connection to the vehicle door handle be plugged. On that way a vehicle door handle according to the invention Create simple and cheap style.

At a vehicle door with a vehicle door handle according to the invention can the object and / or the object movement within a space between the vehicle door handle and the vehicle door over the be detectable optical sensor device. As a user only at an opening request in terms of a vehicle door to introduce his hand into this room, thus offers a good opportunity for Recording the opening request before the touch of the vehicle door handle by the user.

Therefore The object of the present invention is achieved by a vehicle door with a vehicle door handle and a sensor device for detecting an object and / or a Object movement within a space between the vehicle door handle and the vehicle door and for providing a corresponding sensor signal.

As well the task is solved by a method for detecting a hand on a vehicle door handle Detecting an object and / or an object movement within a room between the vehicle door handle and a vehicle door and providing a corresponding sensor signal.

About one optical sensor and / or an ultrasonic sensor as part of the sensor device let yourself this, for example, on low-priced Realize way. To prevent an unauthorized person over the vehicle door presented here Provides access to the vehicle interior, the sensor device via a Vehicle locking device, for example about a radio key, be activated and / or deactivated. This way offers with a vehicle door according to the invention a cheap and safe way for early detection an opening request in terms of a vehicle door by an authorized person.

At least one subassembly of the sensor device can, as mentioned, be connectable to the vehicle door handle via a plug connection. As an alternative or as a supplement to this, parts may be the sensor device but also be arranged on a vehicle door wall. This reduces the production costs for a vehicle door according to the invention. In the event of damage to parts of the sensor device, a simple replacement of the defective sensor components is additionally possible in this case.

Of Furthermore, in a vehicle, in particular a convertible, with a vehicle door handle according to the invention in dependence the sensor signal a position of a vehicle component changeable be. This also applies to a vehicle, in particular a convertible, with a vehicle door according to the invention. Especially can depend on the Sensor signal automatically a vehicle window and / or extendable be. That way you can early before opening a cabriolet door with the retraction of the associated Start window from the vehicle roof. Damage on the vehicle roof through the not positioned window at a quick opening the convertible door is thus preventable.

The The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: show:

1 a cross section through a door handle according to the invention;

2 a rear view of a door handle according to the invention;

3 a front view of a door handle according to the invention; and

4 a detail of a cross section through a door handle according to the invention with an optical receiver.

The subsequent embodiments provide preferred embodiments of the present invention.

In 1 is an inventive vehicle door handle 1 shown in cross section. The body of the vehicle door handle 1 is thereby of a basic body 2 and a cover body 3 educated. At the contact points 4 and 5 is the vehicle door handle 1 at an in 1 not marked vehicle wall fastened. The internal volume 6 in this case, the vehicle door handle 1 and limited to a part of the vehicle wall. However, the internal volume indicates 6 no limitation up or down by a solid matter on. It is therefore possible for a person to place a hand between the vehicle door handle 1 and the vehicle wall for operating the vehicle door handle 1 introduce.

Around a user's hand inside the interior volume 6 even before touching the vehicle door handle 1 prove the vehicle door handle 1 an optical transmitter 7 and an optical receiver 8th on. About the plug connections 9 and 10 are the optical transmitter 7 and the optical receiver 8th at the respective installation positions 11 and 12 of the vehicle door handle 1 fixable. After activation, the optical transmitter transmits 7 a lightwave signal coming from the optical receiver 8th can be detected. If a user inserts a hand into the internal volume 6 On, the reception of the optical signal by the optical receiver 8th disturbed. Via a sensor electronics 13 this detection error is detectable. The sensor electronics 13 is in the mounting position 14 of the vehicle door handle 1 attached and with the optical sensor 7 and the optical receiver 8th electronically connected. As an alternative or as a supplement to the optical transmitter 7 and to the optical receiver 8th Also an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver are possible.

In 2 is another vehicle door handle 15 shown in rear view. It can be seen that the optical transmitter 16 , the optical receiver 17 and the sensor electronics 18 within a vault 19 of the vehicle door handle 15 are attached. All connections are to a vehicle door handle mounted on a vehicle 15 Aligned to avoid a "bathtub effect." This is the optical transmitter 16 , the optical receiver 17 and the sensor electronics 18 well protected against rain even when it rains. Over a cover, which in 2 is not drawn, can prevent the optical transmitter 16 , the optical receiver 17 and the sensor electronics 18 be polluted. It can also be seen in 2 the sensor wiring 20 with which the optical transmitter 16 , the optical receiver 17 and the sensor electronics 18 with each other and with an in 2 not shown vehicle automatic are connected.

In 3 is another inventive vehicle door handle 21 shown in front view. Also visible is a part of a vehicle door 22 a convertible with a in 3 not shown vehicle roof. A likewise not shown window is when the vehicle door is closed 22 retracted into the vehicle roof.

The vehicle door 22 has two attachment points 23 and 24 for the vehicle door handle 21 on. About the fasteners 25 and 26 , as well as the additional part 27 , is the vehicle door handle 21 at the attachment points 23 and 24 firmly fixable. The optical transmitter 28 , the optical receiver 29 and the sen sorelektronik 31 are automatically powered after unlocking an alarm system of the convertible. The quiescent current is optimally not more than 1mA.

About the optical transmitter 28 , the optical receiver 29 and the sensor electronics 31 Can a hand between the vehicle door handle 21 and the vehicle door 22 be detected. As by arrow 32 sketched, gives the sensor electronics 31 if proof has been given a control signal to a vehicle window automatic 33 out. The "short-stroke lowering function" is activated in this case The interface to the TSG (door control unit) is provided by a line for controlling the voltage level of the "short-stroke lowering function". In addition, the control signal can still be debounced to avoid false triggering by water, dirt, short interruptions, temperature effects and / or electromagnetic radiation.

The vehicle window automatic 33 on receipt of a corresponding control signal moves the vehicle door 22 associated vehicle windows 1 out of the vehicle roof. In this way it is possible, even before an operation of the door handle 21 by a user to start retracting an associated window. Thus, it is preventable that the user the vehicle door 22 opens before the window has moved out of the vehicle roof. Damage to the vehicle roof by a not positioned window is thereby avoided.

In 4 is a section of a cross section through the vehicle door handle 21 again shown greatly enlarged. To recognize thereby is the optical receiver 29 close to the mounting part 25 , At the optical receiver 29 is an infrared sensor, which is able to detect the light of a LED (Light Emitting Diode) in the infrared range. For this reason, it is advisable for the optical transmitter 28 to use a corresponding LED. Alternatively, it is also possible via a suitable optical receiver 29 on an optical transmitter 28 to renounce. A user's hand between the door handle 21 and the vehicle door 22 is then detected by the infrared radiation of body temperature. To the optical receiver 29 To protect against contamination and infrared interference, it is beneficial to over the optical receiver 29 to attach a protective cover.

Of Further could a reflective photoelectric sensor can be used at the transmitter and receiver in housed a component.

1, 15 and 21

Car door handles

2

body

3

covering

4 and 5

contact points

6

internal volume

7, 16 and 28

optical transmitter

8th, 17 and 29

optical receiver

9 and 10

plug connections

11 12 and 14

Mounting positions

13 18 and 31

sensor electronics

19

concavity

20 and 30

sensor wiring

22

vehicle door

23 and 24

attachment points

25 and 26

Fasteners

27

attachment

32

arrow

33

Automatic vehicle window

Claims (10)

Vehicle door handle ( 1 . 15 . 21 ) characterized by - an optical sensor device ( 7 to 10 . 13 . 16 to 18 . 20 . 28 to 31 ) for detecting an object and / or an object movement at least in a sub-environment ( 6 ) of the vehicle door handle ( 1 . 15 . 21 ) and for providing a corresponding sensor signal ( 32 ). Vehicle door handle ( 1 . 15 . 21 ) according to claim 1, wherein at least one subassembly ( 7 . 8th ) of the optical sensor device ( 7 to 10 . 13 . 16 to 18 . 20 . 28 to 31 ) via a plug connection ( 9 . 10 ) on the vehicle door handle ( 1 . 15 . 21 ) is attachable. Vehicle door ( 22 ) with a vehicle door handle ( 1 . 15 . 21 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the object and / or the object movement within a space ( 6 ) between the vehicle door handle ( 1 . 15 . 21 ) and the vehicle door ( 22 ) via the optical sensor device ( 7 to 10 . 13 . 16 to 18 . 20 . 28 to 31 ) is detectable. Vehicle door ( 22 ) characterized by - a vehicle door handle ( 1 . 15 . 21 ) and - a sensor device ( 7 to 10 . 13 . 16 to 18 . 20 . 28 to 31 ) for detecting an object and / or an object movement within a room ( 6 ) between the vehicle door handle ( 1 . 15 . 21 ) and the vehicle door ( 22 ) and for providing a corresponding sensor signal ( 32 ). Vehicle door ( 22 ) according to claim 4, wherein at least one subassembly ( 7 . 8th ) of the sensor device ( 7 to 10 . 13 . 16 to 18 . 20 . 28 to 31 ) via a plug connection to the vehicle door handle ( 1 . 15 . 21 ) is attachable. Vehicle, in particular a convertible, with a vehicle door handle ( 1 . 15 . 21 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in dependence of the sensor signal ( 32 ) A position of a vehicle component is changeable. Vehicle, in particular a convertible, with a vehicle door ( 22 ) according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein depending on the sensor signal ( 32 ) A position of a vehicle component is changeable. Vehicle according to claim 6 or 7, wherein in dependence of the sensor signal ( 32 ) a vehicle window is automatically on and / or extendable. Method for detecting a hand on a vehicle door handle ( 1 . 15 . 21 ) characterized by - detecting an object and / or an object movement within a room ( 6 ) between the vehicle door handle ( 1 . 15 . 21 ) and a vehicle door ( 22 ) and - providing a corresponding sensor signal ( 32 ). Method according to Claim 9, in which, depending on the sensor signal ( 32 ) a vehicle window is automatically retracted and / or extended.