Door handle equipped with an automatic retractable flap

• US 7,108,301 B2
• Filed: 06/11/2002
• Issued: 09/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Louvel, Philippe
• Primary Examiner(s): Glessner, Brian E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lugo, Carlos
• Application Number:
  US10/482,385
• Publication Number:
  US 20040177478A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,561 Days
• Field of Search: 292/336.3, 292/201, 292/216, 292/DIG.37, 200/50.1, 702/55, 702/57, 702/781, 702/77
• US Class Current: 292/336.3
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 79/06 Mounting of handles, e.g. to the wing or to the lock
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 79/20 using flexible connections, e.g. Bowden cables
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/06 using rotary motors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/28 Linearly reciprocating elements
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/77 comprising sensors detecting the presence of the hand of a user
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/78 as part of a hands-free locking or unlocking operation
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/01 Mechanical arrangements specially adapted for hands-free locking or unlocking handles with means for initiation of a hands-free locking or unlocking process E05B81/78
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/103 creating a completely closed wing surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/37 Push button operators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1082 Motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/57 Operators with knobs or handles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7068 Actuated after correct combination recognized [e.g., numerical, alphabetical, or magnet[s] pattern]

Abstract

A door handle for the side door, rear door or trunk of a motor vehicle, the door handle being fitted with a flap (1) that retracts automatically when the handle is used. The flap is fitted with a sensor (5) that detects the presence of a handle opposite the flap. When the flap is not in use, it is closed in such a way as to be flush with the external surface (2) of the door and it is held in position by a spring recall system. A computer-controlled actuation device is designed to retract the flap at the appropriate moment in order to provide access to the door opening control (8). The flap systems can be connected to an electric or mechanical opening control.

Claims

1. An automobile door handle system, for a side door, a rear door or a trunk of the automobile, the system comprising:

a retractable flap configured to enclose a door handle housing;

a sensor configured to detect the presence of a hand or a finger when the hand or the finger is in proximity to the retractable flap, the sensor being positioned near the retractable flap,

wherein the retractable flap retracts automatically inside the housing when the sensor detects the presence of the hand or the finger.

2. The automobile door handle system of claim 1, wherein

the sensor is a capacitive sensor, and

the sensor is completely hidden behind the retractable flap.

3. The automobile door handle system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a folding means configured to perform a manual folding action on the retractable flap, and

a spring return system configured to allow the retractable flap to return to a closed position.

4. The automobile door handle system according to claim 1, further comprising an electrical door control having no direct mechanical link to a door latch, the electrical door control configured to operate the door latch.

5. The automobile door handle system according to claim 1, further comprising a mechanical door control having a direct mechanical link from the handle to a door latch, the mechanical door control configured to operate the door latch.

6. The automobile door handle system according to claim 1, wherein the retractable flap matches the outer form of the automobile body when the retractable flap is in a closed position.

7. The automobile door handle system according to claim 1, wherein the retractable flap is configured to rotate along a longitudinal axis located near a bottom part of the retractable flap.

8. The automobile door handle system according to claim 1, wherein the retractable flap is configured to be in a closed position when not being used to protect a handle control from the environment.

9. A control process of the automobile door handle system according to claim 1, the process comprising:

constantly monitoring the sensor output,

retracting the retractable flap to give access to the door opening control when the sensor indicates a presence of a finger or a hand and door unlatching authorization is present or obtained.

10. The control process according to claim 9, the process further comprising returning the retractable flap to a rest position if the sensor fails to detect the presence of a hand or finger for a period of several hundred milliseconds.