Door handle device

• US 7,210,715 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2003
• Issued: 05/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.)
• Inventors: Aoki, Koji, Murakami, Yuichi, Kobayashi, Norikazu, Fukunaga, Katsutoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Walsh; John B.
• Application Number:
  US10/671,544
• Publication Number:
  US 20040125545A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,310 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 292/336.3
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/76 Detection of handle operation; Detection of a user approaching a handle; Electrical switching actions performed by door handles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/25 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/57 Operators with knobs or handles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5889 For automotive vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5973 Remote control

Abstract

A door handle device includes a frame fixed to the inside of an outer panel of a vehicle door and a grip provided on the frame from the outside of a vehicle and including an electrical component. The frame is integrally provided with a circuit electrically connected to the electrical component. The door handle device further includes a chassis integrally formed with the frame, and the circuit is provided within the chassis.

Claims

1. A door handle device, comprising:

a frame fixed to the inside of an outer panel of a vehicle door;

a grip provided on the frame from the outside of a vehicle and including a sensor electrode for detecting a user approaching the vehicle door based on a variation of capacitance;

a circuit electrically connected to the sensor electrode and mounted in the frame, wherein the circuit is positioned between the frame and the outer panel of the door; and

wherein the frame comprises a chassis that includes a lower opening portion opening downward, and a connecting member for connecting the sensor electrode to the circuit extends through the lower opening portion.

2. A door handle device, according to claim 1, wherein the chassis includes a case portion and a cover portion, the case portion including a base wall portion having predetermined width along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and extending upward from the frame and an outer opening portion opening at least outside, and the cover portion covers the outer opening portion from the outside of the vehicle.

3. A door handle device, according to claim 2, wherein the chassis includes an upper wall portion integrally extending outside from the upper side of the base wall portion, and a connected portion between the upper wall portion and the cover portion has a labyrinthine structure.

4. A door handle device according to claim 1, wherein the circuit that is electrically connected to the sensor electrode is also connected to a controller which is connected to a door lock device.

5. A door handle device, comprising:

a frame fixed to the inside of an outer panel of a vehicle door;

a grip provided on the frame from the outside of a vehicle and including a sensor electrode for detecting a user approaching the vehicle door based on a variation of capacitance;

a circuit electrically connected to the sensor electrode and mounted in the frame, wherein the circuit is positioned between the frame and the outer panel of the door; and

wherein the frame comprises a main frame and a chassis, and the chassis includes a case portion and a cover portion, the case portion including a base wall portion having predetermined width along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and extending upward from the main frame and an outer opening portion opening at least outside, and the cover portion covers the outer opening portion from the outside of the vehicle.

6. A door handle device, according to claim 5, wherein the chassis includes an upper wall portion integrally extending outside from the upper side of the base wall portion, and a connected portion between the upper wall portion and the cover portion has a labyrinthine structure.

7. A door handle device, according to claim 6, wherein the upper wall portion extends outside beyond the connected portion.

8. A door handle device according to claim 5, wherein the circuit that is electrically connected to the sensor electrode is also connected to a controller which is connected to a door lock device.

9. A door handle device, according to claim 5, wherein an upper side of the chassis is aslant outside.

10. A door handle device, according to claim 9, wherein the chassis includes an upper wall portion integrally extending outside from the upper side of the base wall portion, and a connected portion between the upper wall portion and the cover portion has a labyrinthine structure.

11. A door handle device, comprising:

a frame fixed to the inside of an outer panel of a vehicle door;

a grip mounted on the frame and located at an outside of the vehicle door, the grip including a sensor electrode which detects a user approaching the vehicle door;

a signaling circuit electrically connected to the sensor electrode and integrally provided with the frame, the signaling circuit comprising a sensor detection portion which transmits a signal in response to the sensor electrode detecting a user approaching the vehicle door;

a connecting member connecting the sensor electrode to the signal circuit; and

wherein the frame comprises a main frame and a chassis, and the chassis includes a case portion and a cover portion, the case portion including a base wall portion having predetermined width along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and extending upward from the main frame and an outer opening portion opening at least outside, and the cover portion covers the outer opening portion from this outside of the vehicle.

12. A door handle device, according to claim 11, wherein the chassis includes a lower opening portion opening downward, and the connecting member extends through the lower opening portion.

13. A door handle device, according to claim 11, wherein an upper side of the chassis is aslant outside.

14. A door handle device, according to claim 11, wherein the chassis includes an upper wall portion integrally extending outside from the upper side of the base wall portion, and a connected portion between the upper wall portion and the cover portion has a labyrinthine structure.

15. A door handle device, according to claim 14, wherein the upper wall portion extends outside beyond the connected portion.