Proximity switch based door latch release
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of actuating a vehicle latch assembly comprising:
- detecting a user'"'"'s hand gripping an interior handle for a door m a vehicle with proximity sensors on first and second sides of the handle;
actuating a door latch to unlatch the door based on the hand gripping the handle;
detecting with the proximity sensors an object inside the vehicle not gripping the handle and in close proximity to the handle; and
activating a warning when the object is detected.
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Abstract
A vehicle door latch assembly includes a first proximity sensor on a first side of a door handle and a second proximity sensor on a second side of the door handle. The assembly also includes a latch operative to latch the door closed and to unlatch the door to allow the door to open. The assembly further includes control circuitry for activating the latch to unlatch the door based on an object such as an operator'"'"'s hand sensed with both the first and second proximity sensors.
552 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of actuating a vehicle latch assembly comprising:
- detecting a user'"'"'s hand gripping an interior handle for a door m a vehicle with proximity sensors on first and second sides of the handle;
actuating a door latch to unlatch the door based on the hand gripping the handle; detecting with the proximity sensors an object inside the vehicle not gripping the handle and in close proximity to the handle; and activating a warning when the object is detected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- detecting a user'"'"'s hand gripping an interior handle for a door m a vehicle with proximity sensors on first and second sides of the handle;
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9. A method of controlling a vehicle door latch assembly comprising:
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detecting a hand gripping a door handle in a vehicle with first and second proximity sensors on first and second sides of the door handle; determining when the vehicle is moving; waiting for a time delay when the vehicle is moving; and actuating the door release to the unlocked position following expiration of the time delay. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A door latch assembly comprising:
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first capacitive, sensors on a first side of an interior door handle; a second capacitive sensor on a second side of the door handle; a latch operative to latch the door closed and to unlatch the door to allow the door to open; and control circuitry for activating the latch to unlatch the door based on a hand sensed with the first capacitive sensors and the second capacitive sensor, wherein the control circuitry further detects with the first and second capacitive sensors an object inside the vehicle that is not gripping the handle and is in close proximity to the handle, and further activates a warring, when the object is detected. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification