EP2291570B1 - Exterior door handle - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an outside door handle, in particular for vehicles. Such door handles today often include electronic components which are e.g. to identify a user's access authorization to the vehicle. Difficult with these exterior door handles is that on the one hand the electrical contact of these electronic components to the vehicle electronics must be made. On the other hand, it is also important to protect the outside of the door located electronic components from moisture.

US2007 / 216174A1 discloses an outside door handle for vehicles with a bow-shaped at least partially hollow handle, which has two handle hooks. The handle hooks are used to attach the handle to the vehicle door. Within a cavity of the outside door handle electronic components are arranged, which have lines that are connectable to the electronics of the vehicle. The handle has at least one approximately U-shaped handle shell, whose space can be used to hold the electronic components, as well as a screen, which serves to close the opening of the handle. The electronic components are sealed watertight in the handle shell.

From the EP1035276A2 and the EP1052349A1 It is generally known to permanently connect cables in the grip hook.

The DE 102 56 842 A1 proposes to vorzuvergießen the electronic components and then introduce the pre-molded electronics in the handle of the outside door handle with one of the handle hooks and to close the handle with the handle hook. The disadvantage here, however, is that moisture can get into the interior of the handle so. For example, if the electronic components provide multiple capacitive sensors, they may be connected together by a moisture film and thereby cease to function, or at least not perform the desired functions.

In the EP 1 212 502 an outside door handle is shown in which the electronics in the handle is completely encapsulated with a potting compound. As a result, there are no more problems with leaks. However, a hole for the electrical connection lines must be provided in the handle to the connect electronic components to the vehicle electronics and connect to this. The cables are usually guided along one of the handle hooks. However, they are thus virtually exposed and can be damaged.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide an outside door handle, in which the electronic components are completely protected from moisture, on the other hand, the electrical leads for the electronic components are not freely accessible. This is inventively achieved by the characterizing features of claim 1, which have the following special significance.

The electrical lines are permanently connected to one of the handle hooks. This can preferably be done by casting or else in that the lines are already encapsulated by the handle hook material in the manufacture of the handle hook. By means of this handle hook, the lines can then be passed through the door outer panel into the interior, there to make a contact with the vehicle electronics.

In order to simplify the contact with the vehicle electronics, the handle hook may have at its other end a plug, the vehicle electronics conveniently has a mating connector, so that the contact can take place by mating the plug with the mating connector.

At one end of the handle hooks may have connection points, which are connectable to counter-connection points of the electronic components. Depending on the application, it may be useful to solder the connection points and the mating connection points together in order to establish a particularly secure contact.

The handle hook and the handle shell can be formed in two parts. In this case, it is particularly advantageous, the connection points of the handle hook and the First to contact each other with counter-connection points of the electronic components and then to introduce the handle hook and the electronic components as an assembly in the handle shell. It is then particularly advantageous to introduce this assembly from above into the opening of the handle shell and to position it there. Between the handle hook and the handle shell then preferably a labyrinth seal can be provided, which ensures that no moisture can get into the cavity of the outside door handle.

It is of course also possible to form the one and / or the other handle hook with the handle shell in one piece. The connection points provided on the one grip hook can then be designed and arranged in such a way that, when the electronic components are introduced into the grip shell, the contact points are automatically contacted with the connection points. As a result, a particularly simple installation of the outside door handle is possible. Then then the casting can be done.

The applied on the handle shell panel can be connected to this in many ways, for example by gluing, welding, clipping, latching, screwing or other releasable connection.

It when the potting compound, which serves for potting the electronic components in the space of the handle shell, the space fills up to a level of just below the upper edge of the handle is particularly advantageous. This ensures that the electronic components are all safely shed, on the other hand, however, does not overflow potting compound. Has proven particularly useful is a level of about 1 mm or less below the upper edge of the handle.

The potting compound itself may be a casting resin, a wax or a two-component potting compound. Here are all known in the prior art casting compounds.

Depending on the application, a button may be provided on the outside of the handle. In this case, the button is first preassembled on the handle shell, then brought in the electronic components and finally cast and mounted the panel. It is of course also possible to provide sensors with, for example, external sensor surfaces instead of the button.

Fig. 1

einen erfindungsgemäßen Türaußengriff in Vorderansicht,

Fig. 2

den Türaußengriff aus Fig. 1 und Draufsicht im Schnitt,

Fig. 3

den Türaußengriff aus Fig. 1 entlang des Schnittes III-III,

Fig. 4

den Türaußengriff aus Fig. 1 entlang des Schnittes IV-IV.

Fig. 5

einen weiteren erfindungsgemäßen Türaußengriff in einer Darstellung analog zu Fig. 3.

The invention and its embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims and the drawings. Show here:

Fig. 1

an outside door handle according to the invention in front view,

Fig. 2

the outside door handle Fig. 1 and top view in section,

Fig. 3

the outside door handle Fig. 1 along the section III-III,

Fig. 4

the outside door handle Fig. 1 along the section IV-IV.

Fig. 5

a further outside door handle according to the invention in a representation analogous to Fig. 3 ,

In Fig. 1 an inventive outside door handle 10 is shown. This has a handle 11, which consists of a handle shell 12 and a diaphragm 14. Furthermore, a button 50 is provided on the outer side 18 of the handle 11.

The internal structure of the outside door handle 10 and the handle 11 is from the Fig. 2 to 4 can be seen in more detail, which are all sectional drawings of the outside door handle 10 Fig. 1 represent.

Fig. 2 shows the outside door handle 10 in plan view in section. It can be seen the electronic components 30, which are connected via the mating connection points 32 with the connection points 24 of a handle hook 20. The one handle hook 20 and the handle shell 12 are here formed in two parts.

While at one end 22 of a handle hook 20, the connection points 24 are arranged at the other end 23 of a handle hook 20 of the connector 25 is located. This serves for contacting the electronic components 30 with the vehicle electronics. In the production of a handle hook 20, the plug can be pre-fabricated and only inserted and overmolded by the material of a handle hook 20. But it is also possible to provide only the lines and in the production of a handle hook 20 to encase them so that the plug 25 is molded with.

In contrast to a handle hook 20, the other handle hook 21 is formed integrally with the handle shell 12.

Between the one handle hook 20 and the handle shell 12, a labyrinth seal 26 is formed, on the one hand serves to seal the space 13 of the handle shell 12 against the ingress of dirt and moisture, but on the other hand is there that during the casting of the electronic components 30 in the grip 12 can escape any potting compound 40 to the outside. For further attachment of a handle hook 20 on the handle shell 12 is still, as can be seen here, a fastening means, here a screw provided.

The contacting of the connection points 24 and the counter-connection points 32 can be done automatically or be brought about by crimping or soldering.

The inner structure after filling the potting compound 40 in the handle shell 12 can be seen from the 3 and 4 , Here it can be seen that the level 41 of the potting compound 40 to scarce, here about 1 mm, below the opening 15 of Handle shell 12 is sufficient. This level 41 is particularly favorable, since on the one hand, the electronic components 30 safely and completely potted and thus both safely stored in the handle shell 12 and are protected from moisture and dirt. On the other hand, however, no potting compound 40 spill over the edge of the handle shell 12 during casting and thus contaminate the handle shell 12.

After the Vergießvorgang is completed, the aperture 14 is mounted, which completely covers the opening 15 of the handle shell 12.

Fig. 5 shows a further advantageous embodiment of the invention in a representation according to Fig. 3 , The door outer handle 10 according to the invention here comprises the handle 11, which also consists of a handle shell 12 and a diaphragm 14. The one handle hook 20 and the handle shell 12 are formed in two parts. This serves, as already mentioned, the tightness of the handle 11, both during filling of the potting compound 40 in the handle shell 12 and during operation of the outside door handle 10 according to the invention with respect to the penetration of moisture and dirt ,

The one end 22 of the one handle hook 20, which also has the connection points 24, is bent. As a result, the connection points 24 form an approximately horizontal plane. When mounting the outside door handle 10 so the first handle hook 20 can be mounted with the handle shell 12. Thereafter, the electronic components 30, which here comprise a printed circuit board, which is equipped with other components include, are introduced into the space 13 of the handle shell 12 and the contacting of the connection points 24 of a handle hook 20 with the mating connection points 32 of the electronic components 30 done in a simple manner. This contacting can also be brought about here for example by soldering or crimping. Alternatively, however, the terminals 24 and the mating terminals 32 may also be included This embodiment may be designed so that the contacting takes place automatically when positioning the electronic components 30 in the space 13 of the handle shell 12. Particularly advantageous in the embodiment shown here is that the electronic components 30 need not be pre-assembled with the one handle hook 20. Thus, the risk of damage to the electronic components 30 during assembly is significantly minimized.

The embodiments shown here have in common that the contact region, that is to say the region of the connection points 24 and the counter-connection points 32, lies within the potting compound 40. As a result, subsequent damage, contamination, corrosion or the like, which may affect the operation of the electronic components 30, avoided. Finally, it should be pointed out that the embodiments illustrated here represent only exemplary implementations of the invention. Rather, all sorts of modifications are possible within the scope of the invention defined by the claims. In particular, the grip can also consist of several parts, as well as the aperture. It is also possible to connect both handle hooks as separate elements with the handle shell. The plug on the handle hook can have many forms and it can also lead more than two lines from the electronic components to the vehicle electronics. It is also possible for a door handle with a button first to mount the electronic components and then the button or previously form a unit from the button and the components.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Outside door handle

11

handle

12

grip

13

Room of 12

14

cover

15

Opening of 12

16

cavity

17

Top edge of 12

18

Outside of 11

20

A grip hook

21

Other handle hook

22

One end of 20

23

Other end of 20

24

Connection points at 20

25

plug

26

labyrinth seal

30

Electronic components

31

management

32

Counter connection points at 30

40

potting compound

41

Level of 40

50

button

Claims (14)

1. An external door handle (10), in particular for vehicles,
   having a bow-shaped hand grip (11), which is hollow at least in some regions and has one or two grip hooks (20, 21), which are used to fasten the hand grip (11) to the vehicle door,
   in the cavity (16) of which electronic components (30) can be accommodated, which have lines (31) that can be connected to the electronic system of the vehicle,
   the hand grip (11) having at least one approximately U-shaped grip shell (12), the chamber (13) of which can be used to accommodate the electronic components (30),
   and a cover (14), which is used to close the opening (15) in the grip shell (12),
   and the electronic components (30) being cast (40) in a watertight manner in the grip shell (12),
   characterised in that
   the lines (31) are connected non-detachably to one of the grip hooks (20), in particular cast with it or encapsulated by it,
   and the lines (31) are guided by means of said grip hook (20) through the external door panel into the interior in order to allow contact there with the vehicle electronic system.
2. The external door handle according to claim 1, characterised in that one grip hook (20) has connection points (24) at one end (22), which can be connected to counter connection points (32) of the electronic components (30).
3. The external door handle according to claim 2, characterised in that the connection points (24) and the counter connection points (32) are soldered or crimped to each other after contact is made.
4. The external door handle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that one grip hook (20) has a connector (25) at its other end (23), with which connector said grip hook can be connected to the vehicle electronic system.
5. The external door handle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that one grip hook (20) and the grip shell (12) are in two parts.
6. The external door handle according to claim 5, characterised in that the connection points (24) of one grip hook (20) and the counter connection points (32) of the electronic components (30) are first brought into contact with each other and then the grip hook (20) and the electronic components (30) are introduced as a module into the grip shell (12).
7. The external door handle according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterised in that a labyrinth seal (26) is formed between one grip hook (20) and the grip shell (12).
8. The external door handle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that one grip hook (20) and/or the other grip hook (21) and the grip shell (12) are formed integrally.
9. The external door handle according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterised in that the connection points (24) are configured and arranged in such a manner that, when the electronic components (30) are introduced into the grip shell (12), contact is made automatically between the counter connection points (32) and the connection points (24).
10. The external door handle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the cover (14) is screw-fastened, clipped, latched, adhesively bonded, welded or detachably connected to the grip shell (12).
11. The external door handle according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the casting compound (40) that is used to cast the electronic components (30) fills the chamber (13) of the grip shell (12) up to a fill level (41) that lies just below, in particular 1 mm below, the upper edge (17) of the grip shell (12), in particular, the fill level (41) lies above the connection points (24) and counter connection points (32).
12. The external door handle according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that a casting resin, a wax or a 2-component casting compound is used as the casting compound (40).
13. The external door handle according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that a button (50) is provided on the outside (18) of the hand grip (11)
    and said button (50) is mounted before the electronic components (30) are introduced into the grip shell (12).
14. The external door handle according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the electronic components (30) comprise a printed circuit board that is populated with further elements.

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