Vehicle handle assembly

• US 6,854,870 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Issued: 02/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Huizenga, David J.
• Primary Examiner(s): CARIASO, ALAN B
• Application Number:
  US10/184,540
• Publication Number:
  US 20030031025A1
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 702/37, 702/39, 702/56, 702/57, 702781-2783, 180/287, 180/289, 307/10.2, 362/85, 362/100, 362/394, 362/501
• 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: 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 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: G07C 9/0069 actuated in a predetermined sequence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5898 With switch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7068 Actuated after correct combination recognized [e.g., numerical, alphabetical, or magnet[s] pattern]

Abstract

A handle assembly for a vehicle includes a base, which is adapted to mount to a vehicle, and a handle portion, which is movably mounted to the base. The handle portion is adapted to connect to a vehicle latching mechanism. The handle assembly includes at least one switch mounted to the handle portion and an electrical circuit, which is adapted to connect to a locking control system for the vehicle latching mechanism. The switch is adapted to open and close the electrical circuit to generate electrical signals to the locking control system to unlock the vehicle latching mechanism.

Claims

1. A handle assembly for a vehicle said handle assembly comprising:

a base adapted to mount to a vehicle;

a handle portion movably mounted to said base, said handle portion being adapted to connect to a vehicle latching mechanism;

a flexible circuit member mounted to said handle portion, said flexible circuit member conformable to a surface of said handle portion, said flexible circuit member having a touch keypad with a plurality of touch keys, each of said touch keys associated with a switch;

said flexible circuit member adapted to connect to a locking control system for the vehicle latching mechanism, said switches being adapted to generate electrical signals to the locking control system to unlock the vehicle latching mechanism when said touch keys are pressed in a preselected sequence.

2. The handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein said flexible circuit member comprises a flexible carrier, said flexible carrier supporting said switches.

3. The handle assembly according to claim 2, wherein said carrier further supports at least one light source for illuminating a portion of said base.

4. The handle assembly according to claim 1, further comprising at least one light source operable to illuminate at least one of said touch keys.

5. The handle assembly according to claim 4, wherein said at least one light source comprises at least one light emitting diode.

6. A handle assembly according to claim 3, for a vehicle, said handle assembly comprising:

a base adapted to mount to a vehicle

a handle portion moveably mounted to said base, said handle portion being adapted to connect to a vehicle latching mechanism;

at least one switch mounted to said handle portions;

a flexible carrier, said flexible carrier supporting said switch, said carrier further supporting at least one light source for illuminating a portion of said base; and

an electrical circuit adapted to connect to a locking control system for the vehicle latching mechanism, said switch being adapted to open and close said electrical circuit to generate electrical signals to the locking control system to unlock the vehicle latching mechanism, wherein said light source lights said portion through said handle portion.

7. The handle assembly according to claim 6, wherein said carrier supports a plurality of said switches.

8. The handle assembly according to claim 6, wherein said handle portion includes at least one transverse passage extending therethrough, said light source projecting light through said transverse passage on said portion of said base.

9. The handle assembly according to claim 8, wherein said handle portion includes a light directing member in said transverse passage for directing the light from s light source to said portion of said base.

10. The handle assembly according to claim 9, wherein said light directing member comprises a light pipe.

11. The handle assembly according to claim 10, wherein said light pipe comprises an acrylic light pipe.

12. The handle assembly according to claim 6, further comprising a user actuatable member, said switch located as said user actuatable member.

24. The handle assembly of claim 2, further comprises another light source operable to illuminate a portion of said base.

25. The handle assembly of claim 24, where in said flexible carrier member includes said other light source.

13. The handle assembly for a vehicle, said handle assembly comprising:

a base adapted to mount to a vehicle;

a handle portion moveably mounted to said base, said handle portion being adapted to connect to a vehicle latching mechanism;

at least one switch mounted to said handle portion;

a user actuatable member, said switch located at said actuatable member;

at least one light source operable to illuminate said user actuatable member; and

an electrical circuit adapted to connect to a locking control system for the vehicle latching mechanism, said switch being adapted to open and close said electrical circuit to generate electrical signals to the locking control system to unlock the vehicle latching mechanism wherein said light source is adapted to be actuatable in response to at least one of a touch of said handle portion, a movement of said handle portion, actuation of a remote key-less entry device, a detection of motion at the vehicle, and an insertion of a key into a handle assembly keyhole.

14. The handle assembly according to claim 14, wherein said user actuatable member comprises a touch key.

15. The handle assembly according to claim 14, further comprising a plurality of said switches and a key pad having a plurality of touch keys, each of said switches being adapted to close a circuit to generate an electrical signal to the locking control system, and each of said touch keys being associated with one of said switches.

16. The handle assembly according to claim 15, wherein said keypad has at least one light source for illuminating said touch keys.

17. A handle assembly for a vehicle, said handle assembly comprising:

a base adapted to mount to a vehicle;

a handle portion mounted to said base, said handle portion being operable to latch or unlatch a vehicle latching mechanism via movement of said handle portion relative to said base;

a flexible carrier having a plurality of electrical switches and a corresponding plurality of user actuatable members associated with said switches, said mounted to said handle portion assembly; and

a flexible tape coupled to said carrier, said flexible tape having electrical paths, said switches adapted to selectively open and close said electrical paths to generate electrical signals to a locking control system for locking or unlocking the vehicle latching mechanism when said user actuatable members are actuated in a preselected sequence.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein said handle portion includes an outer side and an inner side facing said base, said flexible carrier member being mounted at said outer side of said handle portion.

19. The assembly of claim 17, wherein said flexible carrier member is mounted to said handle portion by an adhesive.

20. The handle assembly of claim 17, wherein said handle portion includes a recessed portion, said carrier member positioned in said recessed portion.

21. The handle assembly of claim 20, wherein said carrier member is substantially flush with an outer surface of said handle portion when positioned in said recessed portion and mounted to said handle portion.

22. The handle assembly according to claim 17, further comprising at least one light source operable to illuminate at least one of said user actuatable members.

23. The handle assembly according to claim 22, wherein at least one light source comprises at least one light emitting diode.

26. The handle assembly of claim 17, wherein said base includes a recess defining a finger cup area.

27. The handle assembly of claim 26, wherein said carrier member includes at least one light source operable to illuminate at least a portion of said recesses.

28. The handle assembly of claim 17, wherein said handle portion comprises a strap handle.

29. The handle assembly of claim 17, wherein said user actuatable members comprise buttons.

30. A handle assembly for a vehicle, said handle assembly comprising:

a base adapted to mount to a vehicle;

a handle portion movably mounted to said base, said handle portion being operable to latch or unlatch a vehicle latching mechanism via the movement of said handle portion relative to said base;

a flexible carrier having at least one electrical switch and a user actuatable member associated with said switch, said flexible carrier mounted to said handle portion, said handle portion including a recessed portion, said carrier member positioned in said recess portion; and

a flexible tape coupled to said carrier, said flexible tape having an electrical path, with switch adapted to selectively open and close said electrical path for generating electrical signals to a locking control system for locking or unlocking the vehicle latching mechanism, said handle portion having a cover over at least an exposed portion of said flexible tape to protect to protect said flexible tape.

31. The handle assembly according to claim 30, wherein said flexible carrier conforms to a contour of said handle portion.

32. A handle assembly for a vehicle, said handle assembly comprising:

a base adapted to mount to a vehicle;

a handle portion movably mounted to said base, said handle portion being operably to latch or unlatch a vehicle latching mechanism via movement of said handle portion relative to said base;

a flexible carrier having at least one electrical signal and a user actuatable member associated with said switch, said flexible carrier mounted to said handle assembly;

at least one light source operable to illuminate said user actuatable member, wherein said light source is adapted to be actuatable in response to one of a touch of said handle portion, a movement of said handle portion, actuation of a remote key-less entry device, a detection of motion at the vehicle, and an insertion of a key into a handle assembly keyhole; and

a flexible tape coupled to said carrier, said flexible tape having an electrical path, said switch adapted to a locking control system for locking or unlocking the vehicle latch mechanism.

33. A handle assembly for a vehicle, said handle assembly comprising:

a base adapted to mount to a vehicle;

a handle portion moveably mounted to said base, said handle portion being operable to latch or unlatch a vehicle latching mechanism via movement of said handle portion relative to said base;

a flexible carrier having at least one electric member associated with said switch, said flexible carrier mounted to said handle assembly;

at least one light source operable to illuminate said user actuable member;

another light source operable to illuminate a portion of said base, wherein said flexible carrier member includes said other light source, and wherein said other light source is adapted to be actuatable in response to at least one of a touch of said handle portion, a movement of said handle portion, actuation of a remote key-less entry device, a detection of motion at the vehicle, and am insertion of a key into a handle assembly keyhole and a flexible tape coupled to said carrier, said flexible tape having an electrical path, said switch adapted to selectively open and close said electrical path for generating electrical signals to a locking control system for locking and unlocking the vehicle latching mechanism.

34. The handle assembly of claim 33, wherein said flexible carrier is mounted to said base.

35. The handle assembly of claim 34, wherein said flexible carrier includes a plurality of user actuatable members and a plurality of said switches, each said switches being adapted to selectively open and close an electrical path to generate electrical signals to the locking control system, said user actuatable members being associated with said switches.

36. A handle assembly for a vehicle, said handle assembly comprising:

a base adapted to mount to a vehicle;

a handle portion moveably mounted to said base, said handle portion being operable to latch or unlatch a vehicle latching mechanism via movement of said handle portion relative to said base;

a flexible carrier having at least one electrical switch and a user actuatable member associated with said switch, said flexible carrier mounted to said handle assembly;

at least one light source operable to illuminate a portion of said base, wherein said flexible carrier member includes said other light source and wherein said other light source, and wherein said other light directs light through said handle to a locking control system for locking or unlocking the vehicle latching mechanism;

a flexible tape coupled to said carrier, said flexible tape having an electrical path, said switch adapted to selectively open and close said electrical path for generating electrical signals to a locking control system for locking or unlocking the vehicle latching mechanism.

37. A handle assembly for a vehicle, said handle assembly comprising:

a base adapted to mount to a vehicle;

a handle portion moveably mounted to said base, said handle portion being operable to latch or unlatch a vehicle latching mechanism via movement of said handle portion relative to said base;

a flexible carrier having at least one electrical switch and a user actuatable member associated with said switch, said flexible carrier mounted to said handle assembly;

at least one light source operable to illuminate said user actuatable member;

another light source operable to illuminate a portion of said base, wherein said flexible carrier member includes said other light source, and wherein said handle portion includes a transverse opening, said other light source directing light through said transverse opening; and

a flexible tape coupled to said carrier, said flexible tape having an electrical path, said switch adapted to selectively open and close said electrical path for generating electrical signals to a locking control system for locking or unlocking the vehicle latching mechanism.

38. The handle assembly of claim 37, wherein said base includes a recess defining a finger cup area.

39. A handle assembly of a vehicle, said handle assembly comprising:

a base adapted to mount to a vehicle;

a handle portion movably mounted to said base, said handle portion being operable to latch or unlatch a vehicle latching mechanism via movement of said handle portion relative to said base, and said handle portion having an outer side and an inner side facing said base;

a flexible circuit member mounted to said handle portion; and

said flexible circuit member comprising a flexible carrier supporting a plurality of light sources, said handle portion having a plurality of openings extending through said inner side, and said light sources projecting light through said handle portion and and through said openings to illuminate a portion of said base.

40. The handle assembly of claim 39, further comprising a plurality of light directing members to direct light from said light sources through said handle portion and said openings.

41. The handle assembly of claim 40, wherein said base includes a recessed portion defining a finger cup area, said light source being operable to illuminate said recessed portion.

42. The handle assembly of claim 40, wherein said light directing members comprise light pipes.

43. The handle assembly of claim 40, wherein light directing members comprise lenses.

44. The handle assembly of claim 39, wherein said light sources comprise light emitting diodes.

45. The handle assembly of claim 44, wherein said handle portion comprises a strap handle.

46. The handle assembly for a vehicle, said handle assembly comprises

a fixed portion adapted to mount to a vehicle;

a movable portion movably mounted to said fixed position, said movable portion being adapted to connect to a vehicle latching mechanism, said movable portion having an outer side and an inner side, and inner side facing said fixed portion, and said outer side having a contour; and

a flexible circuit member comprising a flexible carrier and a touch key pad, said touch pad having a plurality of touch keys adapted to generate signals to a locking control system for the vehicle latching mechanism, said touch keys adapted to unlock the vehicle latching mechanism when said touch keys are pressed in a predetermined sequence and said flexible circuit member being mounted at said outer side of said movable portion and following said contour.

47. The handle assembly according to claim 46, wherein said flexible circuit member includes a plurality of switches, said switches being adapted to generate signals to the locking control system.

48. The handle assembly according to claim 47, wherein said carrier is coupled to a flexible tape with a plurality of electrical paths, said switches opening and closing said electrical paths to generate said signals.

49. The handle assembly according to claim 48, wherein said carrier further supports at least one light source for illuminating a portion of said fixed portion.

50. A handle assembly for a vehicle, said handle assembly comprising:

a fixed portion adapted to mount to a vehicle;

a movable portion movably mounted to said fixed portion, said movable portion being adapted to connect to a vehicle latching mechanism;

at least one switch mounted to said movable portion;

a flexible carrier, said flexible carrier including a plurality of switches, including said at least one switch, said carrier further supporting at least one light source for illuminating a portion of said fixed portion, said light source lighting said portion of said fixed portion through said movable portion; and

an electrical circuit adapted to connect to a locking control system for the vehicle latching mechanism, said switches being adapted to generate electrical signals to the locking control system through said electrical circuit to unlock the vehicle latching mechanism.

51. The handle assembly according to claim 50, wherein said movable portion includes at least one transverse passage extending therethrough, said light source projecting light through said transverse passage on said fixed portion.

52. The handle assembly according to claim 51, wherein said movable portion includes a light directing member in said transverse passage for directing the light from said light source to said portion of fixed portion.

53. The handle assembly according to claim 52, wherein said light directing member comprises a light pipe.

54. The handle assembly according to claim 50, further comprising user actuatable members, said switches located at user actuatable members.

55. The handle assembly according to claim 54, further comprising at least one light source operable to illuminate said actuatable members.

56. The handle assembly according to claim 55, wherein said at least one light source comprises at least one light emitting diode.

57. A handle assembly for a vehicle, said handle assembly comprising:

a fixed portion adapted to mount to a vehicle;

a movable portion movably mounted to said fixed portion, said movable portion being adapted to connect to a vehicle latching mechanism;

at least one switch mounted to said movable portion;

a user actuatable member, said switch located at said user actuatable member;

at least one light source operable to illuminate said user actuatable member wherein said at least one light source comprises at least one light emitting diode, and wherein said light source is actuatable in response to at least one of said movable portion, a movement of said movable portion, actuation of a remote key-less entry device, a detection of motion at the vehicle, and an insertion of a key into a handle assembly keyhole; and

an electrical circuit adapted to connect to a locking control system for the vehicle latching mechanism, said switch being adapted to open and close said electrical circuit to generate electrical signals to the locking control system to unlock the vehicle latching mechanism.