Car door handle module

• US 20040233677A1
• Filed: 05/19/2004
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Exon Science, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Exon Science, Inc.
• Inventors: Wu, Hsien-Jen, Hsiao, Shun-Hsiang, Chen, Kuei-Hung, Su, Wen-Wei
• Application Number:
  US10/848,840
• Publication Number:
  US 20040233677A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/501
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2669 on door or boot handles lighting devices for vehicle interior on door handles B60Q3/267
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/267 Door handles; Hand grips

Abstract

A door handle module of a car optionally illuminates for locating and/or safety purposes. The illuminating portion of the door handle module can be arranged on either the handle portion or the base portion. When the driver unlocks the door, particularly when practiced via a remote car controller, the illuminating portion of the door handle module emits light so that the driver can find the handle portion easily to open the door. On the other hand, when the driver or passenger is ready to get off the car, the illumination portion also emits light to warn the oncoming vehicles or pedestrians to prevent from hitting on the opening door.

Claims

1. A door handle module of a vehicle, comprising:

a main body mounted on a door of the vehicle and manipulated to open the door; and

an illumination portion attached to said main body for automatically emitting light in response to a door control signal.

2. The door handle module according to claim 1 wherein said main body comprises a base portion fixed on the door and a handle portion coupled to said base portion to be manipulated to open the door.

3. The door handle module according to claim 2 wherein said illumination portion is arranged on said base portion.

4. The door handle module according to claim 2 wherein said illumination portion is arranged on the outside surface of said handle portion opposite said base portion.

5. The door handle module according to claim 2 wherein said illumination portion is arranged on the inside surface of said handle portion facing said base portion.

6. The door handle module according to claim 1 wherein said illumination portion includes at least one bulb, light-emitting diode (LED) or electroluminescent (EL) emitter.

7. The door handle module according to claim 1 wherein said door control signal is asserted when the vehicle is unlocked via a key.

8. The door handle module according to claim 1 wherein said door control signal is asserted when the vehicle is unlocked via a remote controller.

9. The door handle module according to claim 1 wherein said door control signal is asserted when the vehicle is unlocked via a central control lock/unlock switch inside the vehicle.

10. The door handle module according to claim 1 wherein said door control signal is asserted when said handle portion is manipulated to open the door.

11. The door handle module according to claim 1 wherein said door control signal is asserted when an inside handle of the vehicle corresponding to said handle portion is manipulated to open the door.

12. A door handle module of a vehicle, comprising:

a main body mounted on a door of the vehicle and manipulated to open the door; and

an illumination portion attached to said main body for automatically emitting light in response to an indication control signal.

13. The door handle module according to claim 12 wherein said main body comprises a base portion fixed on the door and a handle portion coupled to said base portion to be manipulated to open the door.

14. The door handle module according to claim 13 wherein said illumination portion is arranged on said base portion.

15. The door handle module according to claim 13 wherein said illumination portion is arranged on the outside surface of said handle portion opposite said base portion.

16. The door handle module according to claim 13 wherein said illumination portion is arranged on the inside surface of said handle portion facing said base portion.

17. The door handle module according to claim 12 wherein said illumination portion includes at least one bulb, light-emitting diode (LED) or electroluminescent (EL) emitter.

18. The door handle module according to claim 12 wherein said indication control signal is asserted when the direction indicator light of the vehicle is enabled.

19. The door handle module according to claim 12 wherein said indication control signal is asserted when the brake indicator light of the vehicle is enabled.

20. The door handle module according to claim 12 wherein said indication control signal is asserted when the emergency indicator light of the vehicle is enabled.

21. The door handle module according to claim 12 wherein said indication control signal is asserted when the headlamp light of the vehicle is enabled.

22. A door handle module of a vehicle, comprising:

a main body mounted on a door of the vehicle and manipulated to open the door; and

an illumination portion attached to said main body for emitting light in response to a light control signal.

23. The door handle module according to claim 22 wherein said light control signal is asserted when a selected button of the remote car controller is enabled.