Door handle device and vehicle door

Abstract

The invention relates to a door handle device (2), in particular an outside door handle device, comprising at least: a handle element (3); an electric drive unit (12) coupled with the handle element (3) in order to move the handle element (3) between a starting position (P0) and an open position (P1), in which the electric drive unit (12) is adapted to directly or indirectly generate a user haptically perceptible movement at the handle element (3). The invention also relates to a vehicle door (1) having a door handle device (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a door handle device, in particular to an outer door handle device for a vehicle, and a vehicle door having the door handle device. Background Art

[0002] Door handle arrangements for vehicles are known in the prior art. In order to move a door handle, in particular a flush door handle, between a starting position and an open position, in particular an actuating position or a gripping position, an electric drive is usually used. The door handle can be gripped by its protruding position relative to the vehicle door. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a door handle device which is improved compared with the prior art and has improved functions, and a vehicle door having such an improved door handle device.

[0004] The invention achieves this object by a door handle arrangement having the features of claim 1. The invention achieves a further object by a vehicle door having the features of claim 10 .

[0005] The door handle device of the present invention, in particular the outside door handle device, comprises at least: a handle element or a door handle, in particular the outside door handle; an electric drive unit coupled to the door handle so as to move the door handle between a starting position and an open position, in particular an operating position or a gripping position, wherein the drive unit is adapted to directly or indirectly generate a movement at the handle element that is tactilely perceptible to the user.

[0006] In a preferred development of the invention, the drive unit is adapted to generate both an extension movement or a lifting movement of the handle element and a haptically perceptible movement at the handle element, in particular a vibration at the handle element.

[0007] In this case, different, in particular distinguishable, haptically perceptible movements can be generated. For example, the haptically perceptible movements can be generated differently and distinguishably depending on the function and / or when using several sensors (also referred to as sensor units) depending on the respective sensor that detects a specific physical quantity. For example, the haptically perceptible movements can be generated more intensely and / or at a higher frequency, in particular a higher or lower vibration frequency, in order to distinguish between functions and / or sensors.

[0008] The advantages achieved by the invention are in particular that the electric drive unit not only implements the extension of the door handle, in particular a flush door handle, but also generates tactile information (also called tactile feedback). No additional components need to be integrated. This provides a door handle device with tactile information, which is designed in an optimized manner with regard to costs, installation and space consumption.

[0009] In a possible variant, the electric drive unit drives an eccentric unit, which is rotatably supported and kinematically coupled to the handle element. In particular, the eccentric unit is adapted to transfer the door handle from the starting position to the open position when the rotation exceeds a predetermined first angle range, and to generate vibration and / or tactile information as a tactilely perceptible movement at the handle element (door handle) when the rotation exceeds a predetermined second angle range.

[0010] The generated tactile information or the generated tactilely perceptible vibration serves in particular to indicate to the user that an actuation of the sensor has been detected and that the desired function can be carried out.

[0011] Preferably, the eccentric unit has a projection contour, which is adapted to generate both an extension movement or a lifting movement of the handle element and a haptically perceptible movement, in particular a vibration, at the handle element. The projection contour can be, for example, an outer contour, in particular an edge contour, or an inner contour, in particular a ribbed contour.

[0012] Alternatively, the drive unit can drive a cam which is rotatably mounted and kinematically coupled to the handle element. The cam has, for example, a cam profile which is adapted to both generate an extension or lifting movement of the handle element and to generate a haptically perceptible movement, in particular a vibration, at the handle element.

[0013] Furthermore, a control unit can be provided, which is adapted to control the drive unit via control signals. A sensor unit can also be provided, which is adapted to detect the approach of the handle element and / or the manipulation of the handle element, wherein the control unit is further adapted to control the drive unit in such a way that a tactile signal can be or is generated at the handle element as a tactilely perceptible movement when the approach of the handle element and / or the manipulation of the handle element is detected by the sensor unit.

[0014] For example, a vibration is generated at the handle element as a tactile signal. In particular, according to the detected approach of the handle element and / or the detected manipulation of the handle element, a control signal for driving and controlling the drive unit is changed to generate a tactile signal as a tactilely perceptible vibration.

[0015] For example, the control signal is a pulse signal, in particular a modulated pulse signal. In particular, the generated pulse signal has a constant amplitude with a variable pulse duration. Due to the inertia of the drive unit controlled by the control signal, the electric drive unit, in particular the electric motor, generates mechanical vibrations, which are propagated and transmitted through the handle support and / or the handle housing to the handle element. This mechanical vibration can be felt as a tactilely perceptible movement at the handle element gripped by the user.

[0016] By the desired / targeted setting of the pulse duration, an undesired displacement of the position of the handle element can be avoided. By means of a controllable / variable pulse duration of the control signal of the control drive unit, the signal strength and the signal frequency of the mechanical vibration can be set. As a result, a characteristic, perceptible tactile signal (also called feedback or feedback signal) can be generated at the door handle / handle element. The change of the tactile signal can be set and generated by repeating the pulse with a predeterminable frequency (also called clock frequency or clock rate) and / or a predeterminable time interval (also called pulse duration or cycle duration).

[0017] In addition, a vehicle door equipped with the door handle device is also provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] Figure 1 A vehicle having at least one door handle arrangement is schematically shown in a side view;

[0020] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a door handle device according to a first embodiment, the door handle device having a door handle, a drive unit having an eccentric unit;

[0021] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a drive unit with an eccentric unit;

[0022] Figure 4 schematically shows a door handle device according to a second embodiment, the door handle device having a protruding handle element and a sensor unit arranged in the handle element; and

[0023] Figure 5 Schematically shown from behind Figure 4 A door handle device is provided, the door handle device having a handle support and a drive unit.

[0024] The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Figure 1 A vehicle F is schematically shown in a side view and has two vehicle doors 1 , each of which has a door handle arrangement 2 .

[0026] The vehicle F is oriented in the vehicle length direction toward the front V and toward the rear H. The corresponding door handle device 2 is designed as an outer door handle device.

[0027] The door handle arrangement 2 comprises a handle element 3, in particular an exterior door handle. The handle element 3 can be coupled mechanically or electrically to a locking mechanism (not shown) for a door lock (not shown). For example, actuation of the handle element 3 causes the locking mechanism to move from a locked position to an unlocked position, thereby enabling the corresponding vehicle door 1 to be opened.

[0028] When the handle element 3 is placed in the starting position P0 (also called the non-use position or the rest position), Figure 1 As shown, the handle element 3 , in particular the outer handle surface of the handle element 3 , is positioned almost flush with the outer facade of the outer door wall 1 . 1 of the vehicle door 1 .

[0029] The door handle device 2 includes an electric drive unit 12 (such as Figure 2 ), the electric drive unit is coupled to the handle element 3 for movement between the starting position P0 and the open position P1 (as shown in FIG. Figure 4 Move the handle element 3 between the two.

[0030] The electric drive unit 12 is further adapted to directly or indirectly generate a movement at the handle element 3 which is haptically perceptible to a user.

[0031] In particular, the electric drive unit 12 is adapted to generate both an extension movement or a lifting movement of the handle element 3 and a haptically perceptible movement at the handle element 3 , in particular a vibration at the handle element 3 .

[0032] Figure 2 A perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a door handle device 2 is shown, which has a handle element 3 , an extension unit 4 and an eccentric unit 5 , which is driven by an electric drive unit 12 , in particular an electric motor.

[0033] The handle element 3 is coupled to the eccentric unit 5 via the extension unit 4, which is in the starting position P0 (eg Figure 1 ) and the open position P1 or the gripping position (as shown Figure 4 Move the handle element 3 between the two.

[0034] The eccentric unit 5 is non-rotatably coupled to an output shaft 6 (e.g., a motor) of a drive unit (not shown). The eccentric unit 5 is designed in a disk or wheel shape. The drive unit can be driven under coupling and control by a motor control unit (ECU for short) (not shown in detail).

[0035] Instead of the eccentric unit 5, a cam, in particular a wheel cam or a disk cam, can also be provided. The electric drive unit 12 drives the cam, which is, for example, rotatably supported and motion-coupled to the handle element 3. The cam can, for example, have a cam profile that is adapted to both generate an extension or lifting movement of the handle element 3 and generate a haptically perceptible movement, in particular a vibration, at the handle element 3.

[0036] The extension unit 4, in particular an extension lever, is supported in an articulated manner on the one hand on the handle element 3 and on the other hand on the door wall 1.1 and is movable about a rotation axis 7 in order to move the handle element 3 out or in relative to the door wall 1.1.

[0037] The eccentric unit 5 has a projection contour 8 for the handle element 3. The projection contour 8 can be designed, for example, as a surrounding contour, a ribbed contour, a web contour, a channel or the like at the eccentric unit 5. The projection contour 8 can be designed as an outer or inner contour.

[0038] The extension unit 4 can be pivoted under control by means of the extension contour 8 of the eccentric unit 5, both for the extension movement or lifting movement of the handle element 3 and for generating vibrations or tactile information as a tactilely perceptible movement on the handle element 3. For this purpose, the extension contour 8 cooperates with a rolling element 9 which is rotatably mounted on the extension unit 4. The rolling element 9 rolls on the extension contour 8 on the eccentric unit 5.

[0039] The rolling element 9 is, for example, rotatably mounted on a holding arm 10 which projects from the extension unit 4 toward the eccentric unit 5 .

[0040] Figure 3 A perspective view of the cooperating extension unit 4 and the eccentric unit 5 is shown.

[0041] The eccentric unit 5 is adapted to transfer the handle element 3 from the starting position P0 to the open position P1 or the gripping position under control by extending the contour 8 when the rotation exceeds a predetermined first angular range 100, and to generate vibration and / or tactile information at the handle element 3 by extending the contour 8 when the rotation exceeds a predetermined second angular range 101.

[0042] The first angular range 100 for the extension movement of the handle element 3 is, for example, in the range from 0° to 300°, in particular in the range from 0° to 270°. The second angular range 101 follows the first angular range 100. The second angular range 101 is smaller than the first angular range 100. The second angular range 101 is, for example, in the range from 270° to 360°, in particular in the range from 300° to 350° or in the range from 270° to 320°.

[0043] The projecting profile section 8 . 1 assigned to the first angular range 100 has a flat or smooth profile surface.

[0044] The vibration profile portion 8 . 2 assigned to the second angular range 101 can be provided with structural features 8 . 2 . 1 , in particular corrugations, teeth, a rough surface profile or similar structural features, which generate vibrations or haptic information when rolling elements 9 pass by.

[0045] Additionally or alternatively, the rolling element 9 can be provided with the structural feature 9 . 1 instead of the structural feature 8 . 2 . 1 on the eccentric unit 5 .

[0046] The vibration or tactile information generated as a tactilely perceptible movement in the handle element 3 is transmitted via the rolling element 9 and the extension unit 4 to the handle element 3 which can be placed in the open position P1 and grasped by the user, who can perceive such vibration or tactile information at the handle element 3 .

[0047] Figure 4 The door handle device 2 is schematically shown in a perspective view from behind, with a protruding handle element 3 and a sensor unit 15 arranged in the handle element 3 .

[0048] The door handle device 2 is designed as an outer door handle device.

[0049] The door handle arrangement 2 comprises a handle element 3, in particular an exterior door handle. The handle element 3 can be coupled mechanically or electrically to a locking mechanism (not shown) for a door lock (not shown). For example, actuation of the handle element 3 causes the locking mechanism to move from a locked position to an unlocked position in order to release the vehicle door 1 (e.g. Figure 1 as shown).

[0050] The handle element 3, in particular the outer handle surface of the handle element 3, is positioned in a starting position P0 (also referred to as a rest position or a starting position or a non-use position, such as Figure 5 1 . 1 of the vehicle door 1).

[0051] exist Figure 4In the embodiment, the handle element 3 is placed in an open position P1 (also called use position, gripping position or operating position) protruding, in particular moved out, relative to the outer door surface and the handle support 17 or the handle housing, in which the handle element 3 can be gripped by a user to open, for example, the vehicle door 1.

[0052] The sensor unit 15 is integrated in the handle element 3. The sensor unit 15 is, for example, a capacitive or inductive proximity sensor and / or a manipulation sensor. The sensor unit 15 is configured to detect a user approaching the handle element 3 and / or manipulating the handle element 3.

[0053] Figure 5 A perspective view of a door handle device 2 is shown from the rear, which has a handle element 3, a handle support 17 and an electric drive unit 12, in particular an electric motor, which is coupled to the handle element 3 via an adjustment mechanism 11, in particular a joint mechanism or a lever mechanism, so as to move the handle element between a starting position P0 and an open position P1.

[0054] The door handle device 2 further comprises a control unit 13, which is adapted to control the drive unit 12 via a control signal 200. The control unit 13 is further adapted to control the drive unit 12, when the approach of the handle element 3 and / or the manipulation of the handle element is detected via the sensor unit 15, in such a way that a tactile signal 202 can be or is generated at the handle element 3 as a tactilely perceptible movement.

[0055] For example, vibrations are generated at the handle element 3 as haptic signal 202. In particular, the control signal 200 driving and controlling the drive unit 12 is changed according to the detected approach of the handle element 3 and / or the detected manipulation of the handle element, so that the haptic signal 202 is generated.

[0056] For example, the control signal 200 is a pulse signal, in particular a variable pulse signal, such as a modulated pulse signal. In particular, the generated pulse signal has a constant amplitude with a variable pulse duration. Due to the inertia of the drive unit 12 controlled by the variable control signal 200, the electric drive unit 12 generates mechanical vibrations, which are propagated and transmitted as tactile signals 202 through the handle support 17 and / or the handle housing to the handle element 3. This mechanical vibration can be felt at the handle element 3 gripped by the user.

[0057] A variable pulse signal is also understood to be a pulse reversal in order to bring about a change in direction 204 at the drive unit 12 , which also results in the generation of a haptic signal 202 .

[0058] By the desired / targeted setting of the pulse duration and / or the pulse reversal, an undesired displacement of the position of the handle element 3 can be avoided. By means of a controllable / variable pulse duration and / or pulse reversal of the control signal 200 of the control drive unit 12, the signal strength and the signal frequency of the tactile signal 202 generated as a mechanical vibration can be set. As a result, a characteristic, perceptible tactile signal 202 (also referred to as feedback or feedback signal) can be generated at the door handle / handle element 3 as a tactilely perceptible movement. The change of the tactile signal 202 can be set and generated by repeating the pulse at a predeterminable frequency (also referred to as clock frequency or clock rate) and / or a predeterminable time interval (also referred to as pulse duration or cycle duration) and / or by changing the pulse polarity.

[0059] Reference numerals list

[0060] 1 Door

[0061] 1.1 Door wall

[0062] 2 Door handle device

[0063] 3 handle elements

[0064] 4 extension unit

[0065] 5 eccentric units

[0066] 6 Output shaft

[0067] 7 Rotation Axis

[0068] 8. Extend the outline

[0069] 8.1 Extended contour

[0070] 8.2 Vibration profile section

[0071] 8.2.1 Structural features

[0072] 9 Rolling elements

[0073] 9.1 Structural characteristics

[0074] 10 Holding arm

[0075] 11 Adjustment mechanism

[0076] 12 Electric drive unit

[0077] 13 Control unit

[0078] 15 Sensor unit

[0079] 17 Handle support

[0080] 100, 101 Angle range

[0081] 200 Control signal

[0082] 202 Tactile Signals

[0083] 204 Turn Change

[0084] F Vehicle

[0085] After H

[0086] P0 Starting position

[0087] P1 Open position

[0088] V front

Claims

1. A door handle device (2), in particular an exterior door handle device, comprising at least: - a handle element (3); an electric drive unit (12) coupled to the handle element (3) in order to move the handle element (3) between a starting position (P0) and an open position (P1), The electric drive unit (12) is adapted to directly or indirectly generate a movement on the handle element (3) that is tactilely perceptible to a user.

2. The door handle device (2) according to claim 1, The electric drive unit (12) is adapted to generate both an extension movement or a lifting movement of the handle element (3) and a haptically perceptible movement at the handle element (3), in particular a vibration at the handle element (3).

3. The door handle device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, The electric drive unit (12) drives an eccentric unit (5), which is rotatably mounted and motion-coupled to the handle element (3). The eccentric unit (5) is adapted to transfer the handle element (3) from the starting position (P0) to the gripping position when the rotation exceeds a predetermined first angular range (100), and to generate vibration and / or tactile information at the handle element (3) as the tactilely perceptible movement when the rotation exceeds a predetermined second angular range (101).

4. The door handle device (2) according to claim 3, The eccentric unit (5) has a projection contour (8) which is adapted to generate both the extension movement or the lifting movement of the handle element (3) and the haptically perceptible movement, in particular a vibration, at the handle element (3).

5. The door handle device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, The electric drive unit (12) drives a cam which is rotatably mounted and motion-coupled to the handle element (3).

6. The door handle device (2) according to claim 5, The cam has a cam profile which is adapted to generate both the extension movement or the lifting movement of the handle element (3) and the haptically perceptible movement, in particular a vibration, at the handle element (3).

7. The door handle device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, A control unit (13) is provided, which is adapted to control the drive unit (12) via a control signal (200); and A sensor unit (15) is provided, which is adapted to detect the approach of the handle element (3) and / or the manipulation of the handle element, The control unit (13) is further adapted to control the drive unit (12) in such a way that a tactile signal (202) can be generated or produced at the handle element (3) as the tactilely perceptible movement when the approach of the handle element (3) and / or the manipulation of the handle element is detected by the sensor unit (15).

8. The door handle device (2) according to claim 7, The control unit (13) is adapted to change a control signal (200) for driving and controlling the drive unit (12) in accordance with the approach of the handle element (3) detected by the sensor unit (15) and / or the detected manipulation of the handle element, so as to generate the tactilely perceptible movement at the handle element (3).

9. The door handle device (2) according to claim 7 or 8, The control unit (13) generates a pulse signal with a variable pulse duration as the control signal (200) for the drive unit (12).

10. A vehicle door (1) having a door handle device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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