阅读说明：本技术 具有操纵装置的门解锁和/或开门机构 (Door unlocking and/or opening mechanism with operating device ) 是由 A·霍夫曼 M·赫德林 P·施洛瑟 R·赫恩 于 2020-04-24 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种具有操纵装置(3)的门解锁和/或开门机构(2),所述操纵装置包括至少一个操纵元件(3.1),壳体(3.2)和至少一个检测单元(3.3),所述检测单元具有传感器(3.3.1)、触发元件(3.3.2)和分析单元(3.3.3),其中所述检测单元(3.3)布置在所述壳体(3.2)中。(The invention relates to a door unlocking and/or opening mechanism (2) having an actuating device (3) comprising at least one actuating element (3.1), a housing (3.2) and at least one detection unit (3.3) having a sensor (3.3.1), a trigger element (3.3.2) and an evaluation unit (3.3.3), wherein the detection unit (3.3) is arranged in the housing (3.2).)

1. Door unlocking and/or opening mechanism (2) with an operating device (3) comprising

At least one actuating element (3.1),

a housing (3.2) and

at least one detection unit (3.3) having a sensor (3.3.1), a trigger element (3.3.2) and an evaluation unit (3.3.3), wherein the detection unit (3.3) is arranged in the housing (3.2),

wherein the actuating element (3.1) is arranged outside the housing (3.2) and in an area accessible from the outside for actuation,

wherein the triggering element (3.3.2) is arranged at a distance from the sensor (3.3.1) in the locked state of the door unlocking and/or door opening mechanism (2),

wherein the actuating element (3.1) deforms the triggering element (3.3.2) when the actuating element (3.1) is actuated in the direction of the housing (3.2) and the sensor (3.3.1) arranged therein, and

wherein the sensor (3.3.1) detects a change in the distance (a) between the trigger element (3.3.2) and the sensor (3.3.1), and

wherein the evaluation unit (3.3.3) transmits an opening signal (s1) to the door unlocking and/or opening device (2) when it determines, on the basis of the change in distance detected by the sensor (3.3.1), that the distance between the trigger element (3.3.2) and the sensor (3.3.1) has decreased.

2. Door unlocking and/or opening mechanism (2) according to claim 1, wherein the triggering element (3.3.2) is constructed to be elastically deformable.

3. Door unlocking and/or opening mechanism (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing (3.2) is a one-piece plastic housing.

4. Door unlocking and/or opening mechanism (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (3.2) has a resilient housing side (3.2.1.2) covering the triggering element (3.2).

5. Door unlocking and/or opening mechanism (2) according to claim 4, wherein the operating element (3.1) is arranged on the resilient housing side (3.2.1.2).

6. Door unlocking and/or opening mechanism (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said sensor (3.3.1) is a capacitive sensor.

7. Door unlocking and/or opening mechanism (2) according to claim 6, wherein the triggering element (3.3.2) is connected with a zero potential (GND) and is electrically switchable coupled to the analyzing unit (3.3.3).

8. Door unlocking and/or opening mechanism (2) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sensor (3.3.1) is an inductive sensor.

9. Door unlocking and/or opening mechanism (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one reset element (3.1.3) is arranged between the operating element (3.1) and the housing (3.2).

10. Door unlocking and/or opening mechanism (2) according to claim 9, wherein the reset element (3.1.3) is a closed cell foam.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a door unlocking and/or opening mechanism with an operating device.

Background

Door unlocking and/or opening mechanisms are known, for example, in certain vehicles, in which the lock of a vehicle door is unlocked electrically.

For this purpose, for example, DE 102014107809 a1 discloses a door handle, in particular an outer door handle of a motor vehicle, having a sensor which comprises a first metal surface arranged in the interior of the door handle and a second metal surface arranged at a distance therefrom, which second metal surface can be bent in the direction of the first metal surface, and having a detection device which can be used to detect a change in capacitance or inductance as a result of a change in the distance between the metal surfaces.

Other door access systems for vehicles are known, for example, from DE 102017120393 a1, DE 102016122550 a1 or US 2018/0209182 a 1.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a door unlocking and/or opening mechanism, in particular for an electric vehicle lock, which is improved compared to the prior art and has an actuating device.

The solution of the invention to achieve the above object is a door unlocking and/or opening mechanism having the features of claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, the door unlocking and/or opening mechanism is provided with an actuating device which comprises at least one actuating element, a housing and a detection unit which has at least one sensor, at least one triggering element and an evaluation unit, wherein the detection unit is arranged in the housing. The trigger element arranged in the housing is arranged at a distance from the sensor in the locked state of the door unlocking and/or opening mechanism, wherein the sensor detects a change in the distance between the trigger element and the sensor. The sensor generates a signal, in particular when the trigger element moves into the detection range of the sensor as a result of a change in distance. The sensor is used here as a fixed electrode, in particular a measuring electrode, and the trigger element as a movable electrode, in particular a reference electrode. The evaluation unit evaluates the sensor signal and transmits an opening signal to the door unlocking and/or opening mechanism if it determines a reduction in the distance between the trigger element and the sensor as a function of the change in the distance detected by the sensor.

The actuating device thus constructed achieves a compact construction which requires less installation space than conventional actuating devices. In this case, since the detection unit is arranged in the housing, it is not necessary to open the housing, for example, for a switching operation, as in the known actuating device. Therefore, the housing is isolated from external influences. Furthermore, the door unlocking and/or opening mechanism realizes a switch-free operating unit for electrically opening the door, so that the wear of the actuating device is reduced in comparison with actuating devices based on switches.

According to one embodiment, the trigger element is designed to be elastically deformable. The trigger element is in particular a metal sheet, for example a metal tongue or a metal tongue plate. In this way, the triggering element can be elastically deformed under the action of force, in particular when the actuating element is actuated. The distance change is caused by the elastic deformation and is detected by the sensor. The change in distance between the trigger element and the sensor may also include a local change in distance between the trigger element and the sensor. In other words: the trigger element is deformed only in a specific region in the direction of the sensor, so that only the distance between this region of the trigger element and the sensor changes. Alternatively, the triggering element can also be formed from a non-metallic, elastically deformable material.

According to another embodiment, the housing is a unitary plastic housing. This allows the housing to be optimally shielded from external influences. Thus, the detection unit arranged within the housing is protected. Since the actuating device is designed without a switch, it is not necessary to open the housing.

The housing has, for example, a housing side, in particular a housing wall, which covers the triggering element and is designed to be elastically deformable. This makes it possible to transmit force from the housing to the triggering element when the actuating element is actuated. The wall thickness of this housing side is for example smaller than the other housing sides, so that the elasticity of the housing in this region is increased. Alternatively or additionally, the plastic can also be provided with an elastic material in this region, which either interacts with the plastic on the outside or is covalently bonded to the plastic. Furthermore, the elastic housing side can also be formed from another material than the remaining housing, so that the housing is not formed in one piece, but rather is formed in two parts or consists of several parts.

According to a further embodiment, the actuating element is arranged on the elastic housing side. This makes it possible to transmit a force in the actuating direction from the actuating element to the housing and thus to the triggering element. The actuating element has, in particular in the actuating region, a high-quality plastic surface, by means of which the actuating element has mechanical stability, corrosion protection and an attractive appearance.

According to another embodiment, the sensor is a capacitive sensor, so that a change in distance between the sensor and the trigger element is detected from a change in capacitance between the trigger element and the sensor, in the process the trigger element and the sensor constituting a parallel plate capacitor. Wherein the sensor generates a sensor signal for analysis based on the change in capacitance. Furthermore, the trigger element can be connected, for example, to a zero potential and can be electrically coupled to the evaluation unit. This makes it possible to analyze the capacitance detected between the triggering element and the sensor and the capacitance of the triggering element detected relative to zero potential alternately in time. The latter is used in particular for detecting the approach of an object, in particular a hand of a user, to the operating element.

In an alternative embodiment, the sensor is an inductive sensor, in particular a so-called inductive digital conversion (LDC) sensor. Wherein the change in distance is detected based on a frequency shift of a resonant circuit of the sensor; the shift frequency is caused by a change in the distance between the trigger element and the sensor. For this purpose, the sensor comprises an oscillator which generates an alternating electromagnetic field formed by the active surface of the sensor by means of a resonant circuit. Such an inductive sensor achieves a particularly high sensitivity, wherein the shift frequency of the resonant circuit can be detected simply.

The detection unit is based in particular on the so-called Metal over Cap (MoC) technology, in which the sensor is shielded from external influences. Wherein the hand or finger of the user in the detection area of the sensor is replaced by the trigger element. This also enables the sensing of micromotion. Furthermore, the detection unit is robust and heat resistant to vibrations.

In order to automatically reset the actuating element into an initial position, in particular an inoperative position, at least one reset element is arranged between the actuating element and the housing. According to one embodiment, the reduction element is a closed cell foam, for example a flexible foam made of polyurethane. The restoring element is characterized by good compressibility, which enables the actuating element to be restored quickly and with low wear.

Furthermore, the door unlocking and/or opening mechanism comprises a door lock and a control unit. The door unlocking and/or opening mechanism has, for example, the following functions:

an evaluation unit of the actuating device transmits an opening signal to the control unit if the evaluation unit detects a change in distance, in particular a change in distance between the trigger element and the sensor, as a function of the position detected by the sensor, and

the control unit of the door unlocking and/or opening mechanism generates a control signal as a function of the opening signal and transmits the control signal to the door lock to unlock the same.

In a door unlocking and/or opening mechanism constructed in this way, the trigger threshold for transmitting the opening signal can be determined individually. This allows the door unlocking and/or opening mechanism to be individually adjusted according to the desires and/or the manufacturer's preset values.

The door unlocking and/or opening mechanism is particularly suitable for vehicle doors, such as vehicle side doors and/or vehicle tailgate.

According to a further embodiment, the actuating device can be arranged in the region of the outside door handle. The actuating device is arranged, for example, on the outer side of the outside door handle or on the side of the outside door handle facing the vehicle.

Alternatively, the actuating device can be arranged in a latching recess which is inserted into the vehicle skin panel. The detent recess can be arranged in any region of the vehicle skin panel. For example, the detent recess is arranged in the region of a vehicle skin panel of the vehicle door facing the door outer handle. Since the installation space requirement of the actuating device is low, the arrangement position of the actuating device in the vehicle door can be adjusted as desired and/or as preset by the manufacturer.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Wherein:

fig. 1 is a block diagram with a vehicle door, comprising a door unlocking and/or opening mechanism, with an operating device, a door lock and a control unit,

figure 2 is a block diagram of an operating device having a vehicle door and being in the region of an outside door handle,

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an operating device having a vehicle door and in the region of a detent depression,

figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of an operating device for a door unlocking and/or opening mechanism,

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the detection unit of the manipulating device, an

Fig. 6 is a schematic top view of the detecting unit shown in fig. 5.

Detailed Description

Like parts are designated by like reference numerals throughout the drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a block diagram with a vehicle door 1, which comprises a door unlocking and/or opening mechanism 2.

The vehicle door 1 is a component of a vehicle, not shown in detail, such as a vehicle side door or a vehicle tailgate. For opening the vehicle door 1, this vehicle door has a door unlocking and/or opening mechanism 2.

The door unlocking and/or opening mechanism 2 comprises an actuating device 3, a door lock 4, in particular an electrically controlled door lock 4, and a control unit 5.

The handling device 3 is shown and described in detail in fig. 4 to 6. The actuating device 3 is in particular suitable for detecting an actuation for unlocking and opening the vehicle door 1 and for transmitting it to the control unit 5. The actuating device 3 transmits in particular an opening signal s1 to the control unit 5, which thereupon transmits a control signal s2 to the door lock 4, which is thereby unlocked, so that the vehicle door 1 is opened.

Fig. 2 shows a block diagram with a vehicle door 1 and an actuating device 3 arranged in the region of an outside door handle 6. The actuating device 3 is arranged, for example, on the outer side of the outside door handle 6 or on the side of the outside door handle 6 facing the vehicle door 1.

Fig. 3 shows a block diagram with an alternative arrangement of the actuating device 3 in the vehicle door 1. The actuating device 3 is arranged in the region of an engagement recess 7, which is inserted into a vehicle outer panel of the door 1. The detent recesses 7 can be arranged in any region of the vehicle skin. For example, the catch recess is arranged in the region of the vehicle outer skin of the vehicle door 1 arranged opposite the door outside handle 6.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the handling device 3.

The actuating device 3 comprises an actuating element 3.1, a housing 3.2 and a detection unit 3.3.

The actuating element 3.1 is arranged in the housing 3.2 and in an area of the vehicle door 1 that is visible to the user or at least accessible by hand for actuation.

The actuating element 3.1 is substantially plate-shaped, wherein the actuating element 3.1 has a substantially U-shaped cross section in the exemplary embodiment shown. The lateral edge is formed by a curved edge region 3.1.1. The central leg is formed by a control plate 3.1.2 which connects the curved edge regions 3.1.1 and runs substantially parallel to the elastic housing region 3.2.1. The curved edge region 3.1.1 of the actuating element 3.1 is in this case looped around the elastic housing region 3.2.1 on the edge side. For this purpose, the open end of the bent edge region 3.1.1 is designed as a hook and is snapped into a form-fitting manner into the undercut 3.2.1.1 of the elastic housing region 3.2.1 on the outside, in particular on the outer edge side.

The actuating plate 3.1.2 rests with a centrally arranged reinforcement 3.1.2.1 on the elastic housing area 3.2.1, so that forces can be transmitted from the actuating plate 3.1.2 to the elastic housing area 3.2.1. The reinforcement 3.1.2.1 is formed by a bulge of the wall thickness of the actuating plate 3.1.2.

In the region next to the reinforcement 3.1.2.1, the actuating plate 3.1.2 is arranged at a distance from the elastic housing region 3.2.1. In each of the intermediate chambers formed in this way, a reset element 3.1.3 is arranged. The resetting element 3.1.3 resets the actuating element 3.1 into the initial position shown in the drawing, which corresponds in particular to the non-actuated position. The restoring element 3.1.3 is, for example, a closed-cell foam, for example a flexible foam made of polyurethane. In the exemplary embodiment shown, two restoring elements 3.1.3 are arranged between the elastic housing region 3.2.1 and the actuating plate 3.1.2.

The actuating element 3.1 also has a high-quality plastic surface at least in the region of the actuating plate 3.1.2, in particular on the side facing away from the housing 3.2, with which the actuating element 3.1 has mechanical stability, corrosion protection and an attractive appearance.

The housing 3.2 surrounds the detection unit 3.3 and is, for example, a one-piece plastic housing. This optimally insulates the housing 3.2 from external influences. Thus, the detection unit 3.3 arranged within the housing 3.2 is protected.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the housing 3.2 has an elastic housing region 3.2.1 and a rigid housing region 3.2.2 which is curved relative thereto. The two housing regions 3.2.1, 3.2.2 form an L shape, the rigid housing region 3.2.2 forming a leg which is vertical in the viewing direction and the elastic housing region 3.2.1 forming a leg which is horizontal in the viewing direction.

The rigid housing region 3.2.2 serves in particular to fasten the actuating device 3 in the vehicle door 1. The elastic housing region 3.2.1 serves for the transmission of force from the actuating plate 3.1.2 to the detection unit 3.3 and is elastic, since it has an elastic housing side 3.2.1.2 parallel to the actuating plate 3.1.2.

In order to be elastic, this housing side 3.2.1.2 is provided, for example, with a smaller wall thickness than the other housing. Alternatively or additionally, the material, in particular plastic, can also be provided with an elastic material in this region, which either interacts with the material on the outside or is covalently bonded to the material. Furthermore, the elastic housing side 3.2.1.2 can also be made of another material than the remaining housing 3.2, so that the housing is not formed in one piece, but rather is formed in two parts or is composed of multiple parts.

The detection unit 3.3 arranged in the housing 3.2 comprises a sensor 3.3.1, a trigger element 3.3.2 and an evaluation unit 3.3.3. The sensor 3.3.1 arranged in the housing 3.2 forms in particular a fixed electrode, and the triggering element 3.3.2 likewise arranged in the housing 3.2 forms a movable electrode relative to the fixed electrode. The evaluation unit 3.3.3 is used to determine the actuation of the actuating element, which is inferred if a reduction in the distance is detected between the sensor 3.3.1 and the trigger element 3.3.2, and in the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 5 and 6 is an integral component of the printed circuit board L, to which the sensor 3.3.1 is also arranged, in particular fastened.

The sensor 3.3.1 is, for example, a capacitive sensor, which detects a change in the distance between the sensor 3.3.1 and the trigger element 3.3.2 as a function of a change in capacitance between the sensor and the trigger element. In this process, the sensor 3.3.1 and the triggering element 3.3.2 are ideally parallel plate capacitors. The sensor 3.3.1 generates a sensor signal, in particular as a function of a change in capacitance, which is evaluated by the evaluation unit 3.3.3.

As an alternative, the sensor 3.3.1 is an inductive sensor, which is based on the so-called inductive digital conversion (LDC) technique. Wherein the change in distance between the sensor 3.3.1 and the trigger element 3.3.2 is detected on the basis of the frequency shift of the resonant circuit of the sensor 3.3.1. For this purpose, the sensor 3.3.1 comprises, for example, an oscillator (not shown) which generates an alternating electromagnetic field formed by the active surface of the sensor 3.3.1 by means of a resonant circuit. The signal generated by the sensor 3.3.1 from the detected frequency shift is converted into a digital signal and analyzed by the analyzing unit 3.3.3.

The triggering element 3.3.2 is arranged within the housing 3.2 at a predetermined distance a from the sensor 3.3.1 in the locked state of the door unlocking and/or door opening mechanism 2 and is covered by the elastic housing side 3.2.1.2. The triggering element 3.3.2 can be elastically deformed, for example, a metal sheet, in particular a metal tongue or a metal tongue plate. Alternatively, the triggering element 3.3.2 can also be formed from a non-metallic, elastically deformable material.

Furthermore, the tripping element 3.3.2 is fastened to the end side of the printed circuit board L. The triggering element 3.3.2 is screwed and/or soldered, for example, to the printed circuit board L. The triggering element 3.3.2 therefore extends over the sensor 3.3.1 in a substantially semicircular manner, wherein the distance between the triggering element 3.3.2 and the printed circuit board L is greatest in the center of the triggering element 3.3.2. In this region, the sensor 3.3.1 is arranged on the printed circuit board L.

The above-described elasticity, arrangement and fastening of the triggering element 3.3.2 are such that the triggering element 3.3.2 is deformed in the direction of the sensor 3.3.1 in the central region under the action of force, in particular when the actuating element 3.1 is actuated. In the process, the deformation of the triggering element 3.3.2 takes place in the micrometer to millimeter range, for example between 0.1 millimeter and 10 micrometers.

In the embodiment shown, the trigger element 3.3.2 is also connected to the zero potential GND and thus to ground. Furthermore, the trigger element 3.3.2 is electrically switchable coupled to the evaluation unit 3.3.3. This makes it possible to analyze, for example, the capacitance between the triggering element 3.3.2 and the sensor 3.3.1 and the capacitance between the triggering element 3.3.2 and the zero potential GND alternately in time. The latter is used in particular for detecting the approach of an object, in particular a hand of a user, to the actuating element 3.1. This can be used as additional protection for the door request. Thus, the approach of the actuating element 3.1 and the mechanical actuation of the actuating element 3.1 can be simultaneously detected by the actuating device 3. Thus, the "electronic lock open" function and the "vehicle unlock" function may be implemented within the same functional plane.

As an alternative, the detection unit 3.3 can also be designed such that only the actuation of the actuating element 3.1 is detected.

The operating device 3 has a particularly compact construction, wherein, due to the arrangement of the detection unit 3.3 within the housing 3.2, it is not necessary to open the housing 3.2 and the detection unit 3.3 is protected from external influences.

Alternatively, the detection unit 3.3 can also be used as a snap-action disk switch. The snap-action disk switch is purely mechanical and enables tactile feedback.

Fig. 6 of fig. 5 shows a different view of the detection unit 3.3. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the detection unit 3.3 and fig. 6 is a top view of the detection unit.

An exemplary flow of the door unlocking and/or opening mechanism 2 is described below: the user approaches the door 1 and wants to open it. The door lock 4 of the vehicle door 1 is locked. To open the vehicle door 1, the hand of the user approaches the actuating device 3. The detection unit 3.3.1 detects the approach of the user's hand by detecting the capacitance between the trigger element 3.3.2 and the zero potential GND. Subsequently, the user actuates the actuating element 3.1, in that the user exerts a pressure on the actuating plate 3.1.2. This pressure is transmitted from the actuating plate 3.1.2 to the elastic housing side 3.2.1.2, which in turn transmits the pressure to the triggering element 3.3.2 by deformation. The trigger element 3.3.2 is deformed in the direction of the sensor 3.3.1, which thus detects the change in capacitance, generates a sensor signal and transmits it to the evaluation unit 3.3.3. The evaluation unit 3.3.3 evaluates the sensor signals and identifies an actuation of the actuating element 3.1. Thereby, the evaluation unit 3.3.3 generates an opening signal s1 and transmits it to the control unit 5. The control unit 5 recognizes the opening desire of the user from the opening signal s1 and generates a control signal s2, which is transmitted to the door lock 4 and unlocks the latter. The user can open the door 1. The actuating plate 3.1.2 is moved back into its initial position by means of the restoring element 3.1.3. In this way, no pressure acts on the elastic housing side 3.2.1.2 and the triggering element 3.3.2, so that the housing side and the triggering element likewise move back into their initial position.

List of reference numerals

1 vehicle door

2 door unlocking and/or opening mechanism

3 operating device

3.1 operating element

3.1.1 curved edge region

3.1.2 operating panel

3.1.2.1 reinforcements

3.1.3 reset element

3.2 case

3.2.1 elastic housing region

3.2.1.1 undercutting

3.2.1.2 elastic housing side

3.2.2 rigid housing region

3.3 detection Unit

3.3.1 sensor

3.3.2 trigger element

3.3.3 analytical units

4 door lock

5 control unit

6 outer door handle

7 engaging recess

GND zero potential

L-shaped printed circuit board

a distance

s1 opening signal

s2 control signal