Vehicle unlocking control device provided with an outer control member having an over-molded mounting

• US 10,253,530 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2010
• Issued: 04/09/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CAM Italy SPA
• Original Assignee: U-Shin Italia S.p.A. (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Inventors: Savant, Fiorenzo, Giaccone, Vittorio, Lesueur, Guillaume
• Primary Examiner(s): Fulton, Kristina R
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ahmad, Faria F
• Application Number:
  US13/394,557
• Publication Number:
  US 20120167642A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,063 Days
• Field of Search: 2923363, 292DIG 22, 292DIG 23, 292DIG 30, 292DIG 31, 161101
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/10 Illuminating devices on or for locks or keys; Transparent or translucent lock parts; Indicator lights
• 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: 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 85/107 Pop-out handles, e.g. sliding outwardly before rotation
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/14 Handles pivoted about an axis parallel to the wing
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/16 a longitudinal grip part being pivoted at one end about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the grip part
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/18 a longitudinal grip part being pivoted about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the grip part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/57 Operators with knobs or handles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5155 Door

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle handle unlocking control device which includes: a motor vehicle door leaf handle, the handle including a member for receiving a command from outside the device, an output signal electronic processing unit of the member, and a mounting which is over-molded over at least a portion of the receiving member and separate from the unit, whereby the over-molded mounting does not cover any output signal electronic processing unit of the receiving member.

Claims

1. A vehicle handle for a door leaf of a vehicle, the vehicle handle comprising:

a device for controlling the locking or unlocking of the vehicle handle, the device comprising;

a receiving member configured to receive a command from outside the device;

an electronic signal processing unit configured to receive signals output by the receiving member, process the signals received therefrom, and output an output signal; and

a mounting overmolded on at least part of the receiving member and independent of the electronic signal processing unit such that the overmolded mounting does not cover any electronic signal processing unit for processing signals output by the receiving member,

the receiving member being arranged to be actuated from outside the handle, and extending away from the electronic signal processing unit,

wherein the handle further comprises;

a fixed component bearing the receiving member such that the receiving member is mounted to the fixed component, the fixed component being configured to be rigidly coupled to a main external panel of the door leaf so that the fixed component is stationary relative to the main external panel; and

a lever mounted and able to move with respect to the fixed component and extending on a side of the receiving member that is opposite to a side of the receiving member that is sensitive to the command,

wherein the lever is mounted to move toward the fixed component,

wherein the receiving member comprises a moving button fixed in a fluidtight manner to the mounting, the moving button being configured to be actuated independent of the lever, and

wherein the electronic signal processing unit is fixed to the lever for movement with the lever relative to the fixed component.

2. The vehicle handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiving member and the electronic signal processing unit are mounted without the ability to move one relative to one another.

3. The vehicle handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiving member and the electronic signal processing unit are fixed to components of the vehicle handle that are mounted with the ability to move one relative to one another.

4. The vehicle handle as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a lock operated by a key.

5. The vehicle handle as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an at least partial covering that is electrically conductive.

8. The vehicle handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiving member comprises a capacitive sensor including electrodes that are at least partially embedded in the mounting.

9. The vehicle handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiving member comprises a piezoelectric sensor or a pressure sensor that is at least partially embedded in the mounting.

10. The vehicle handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiving member comprises a switch.

11. The vehicle handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic signal processing unit bears at least one light source.

12. The vehicle handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixed component is a cover.

6. A vehicle door leaf, comprising:

a main external panel;

a vehicle handle comprising a device for controlling the locking or unlocking of the vehicle handle, the device comprising;

a receiving member configured to receive a command from outside the device;

an electronic signal processing unit configured to receive signals output by the receiving member, process the signals received therefrom, and output an output signal; and

a mounting overmolded on at least part of the receiving member and independent of the electronic signal processing unit such that the overmolded mounting does not cover any electronic signal processing unit for processing signals output by the receiving member,

the receiving member being arranged to be actuated from outside the handle, and extending away from the electronic signal processing unit, and

the receiving member being mounted to a fixed component of the handle, wherein the fixed component of the handle is rigidly coupled to the main external panel of the vehicle door leaf so that the fixed component is stationary relative to the main external panel,

wherein the handle further comprises;

the fixed component, the fixed component bearing the receiving member such that the receiving member is mounted to the fixed component; and

a lever mounted and able to move with respect to the fixed component and extending on a side of the receiving member that is opposite to a side of the receiving member that is sensitive to the command,

wherein the lever is mounted to move toward the fixed component,

wherein the receiving member comprises a moving button fixed in a fluidtight manner to the mounting, and

wherein the electronic signal processing unit is rigidly fixed to the lever for movement with the lever relative to the fixed component.

7. The vehicle door leaf as claimed in claim 6, wherein an electronically conductive partial covering is one selected from a group consisting of a conductive chrome plating or a conductive paint.

13. The vehicle door leaf as claimed in claim 6, wherein a fixed component is a cover.

14. The vehicle door leaf as claimed in claim 6, wherein the receiving member is configured to be actuated independent of movement of the lever.