Door for motor vehicle, in particular for passenger vehicle, and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a door (2) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising a handle element (18) on the outside of the door, which handle element is arranged above a door edge (11) of the door (2), at least one actuating element (22) being integrated in the handle element (18) for electrically locking and / or unlocking a lock by means of which the door edge (11) of the door (2) can be opened and closed. A door (2), which can be arranged on the structure of the motor vehicle (1) in a movable manner between a closed position and at least one open position, can be fixed in the closed position. Alternatively or in addition, at least one gesture sensor (23) is integrated in the handle element (18), by means of which at least one gesture of a person can be detected. Alternatively or in addition, at least one voice recognition sensor (24) is integrated in the handle element (18), by means of which at least one voice command expressed by a person can be detected. Alternatively or additionally, at least one near field communication sensor (25) is integrated in the handle element (18).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a door for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, having at least one such door. Background Art

[0002] Document WO 2007 / 118552 A1 discloses a motor vehicle having a door, the door having a door lower part and an upper window part, which are separated by a window edge. Document WO 2020 / 01137 A1 is known as a device for operating a door of a vehicle, the device comprising a sensor device, the sensor device being designed to detect forces acting on the door and generate corresponding sensor data. In addition, document DE 10 2017 202 114 A1 discloses a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle comprising at least one side door, the side door having a door body. In addition, document WO 2006 / 007916 A1 discloses a motor vehicle door, the motor vehicle door comprising an interior module and an exterior module. In addition, document DE 102010 101 164 A1 is known as a door handle unit for operating a lock of a door or a lid. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a door for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle, and a motor vehicle, which allow particularly advantageous operation.

[0004] This object is achieved according to the invention by a vehicle door having the features of claim 1 and by a motor vehicle having the features of claim 8. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0005] A first aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle door, also simply referred to as a door and, for example, as a side door, for a motor vehicle, preferably designed as a passenger car and also referred to as a vehicle or motor vehicle. This means that a motor vehicle, also referred to as a motor vehicle or vehicle, whose interior space is also referred to as a passenger compartment or passenger space, for example, is formed by a structure of a vehicle body, especially a self-supporting structure, in its fully manufactured state, has a structure and a vehicle door. The vehicle door has a handle element on the outside of the door, which is arranged above the door window edge (Türbrüstung) of the vehicle door in the vehicle height direction of the motor vehicle, especially in the installation position of the vehicle door (the vehicle door occupies its installation position in the fully manufactured state of the motor vehicle). The handle element is also referred to as an outer handle or an outer door handle. In the fully manufactured state of the motor vehicle, the vehicle door is held on the structure in a movable, especially pivotable manner, so that the vehicle door is arranged or can be arranged on the structure in a movable, especially pivotable manner, that is, it is held or can be held on the structure. In particular, the vehicle door is provided with a structural opening (Aufbauöffnung) of the structure, which is especially a door opening. If the vehicle door is a side door, the door opening is a lateral door opening, which is arranged, for example, on the left or right side of the structure or the motor vehicle as viewed in the vehicle transverse direction of the motor vehicle. The vehicle door can be moved, in particular pivoted, relative to the structure between a closed position and at least one open position. In the closed position, at least one sub-area of ​​the structural opening is closed by the vehicle door. In the open position, the vehicle door releases the sub-area of ​​the structural opening, so that a person can enter the interior space or leave the interior space via the released sub-area of ​​the structural opening, for example, in the open position of the vehicle door. In particular, it is provided that the handle element is arranged above the door window edge in the installation position of the vehicle door and in the vehicle height direction of the motor vehicle with respect to the closed position of the vehicle door. The door window edge is also simply called the window edge or the window window edge or the edge or the cabin edge (Bordkante), or the door window edge is formed by the cabin edge or coincides with the cabin edge. In particular, a door window edge is an edge or forms an edge, in particular a lower edge, by which a window opening, for example for the glass of a vehicle door, in particular for the side glass of a vehicle door, also called a glass opening, is at least partially delimited, in particular in the installed position of the vehicle door and in relation to the closed position of the vehicle door towards the bottom in the vehicle height direction of the motor vehicle.

[0006] For example, a person who is in the surroundings of the motor vehicle and thus of the vehicle door can grasp the handle element with his hand and, for example, at least partially surround it and, for example, then exert a force on the handle element and, therefore, via the handle element, on the vehicle door in order to control the vehicle door, that is, in particular, to enable the vehicle door to move, in particular to pivot, relative to the structure. For example, a person can exert such a force on the vehicle door via the handle element that the vehicle door is opened by the force and, therefore, moves from a closed position to an open position relative to the structure. Furthermore, for example, a person who is in the surroundings can exert such a force on the handle element and, therefore, on the vehicle door that the vehicle door is closed by the force and, therefore, moves from an open position to a closed position. The feature that the handle element is arranged on the outside or on the outside of the door, and is therefore an outside or door-outside handle element and, therefore, an outside door handle, should be understood to mean that the handle element is arranged on the outside of the vehicle door, and the outside of the vehicle door in the installed position of the vehicle door and at least in the closed position of the vehicle door faces away from the interior and toward the surroundings.

[0007] In order to now be able to achieve a particularly advantageous operation, i.e. manipulation, of the vehicle door (especially via the handle element), it is provided according to the invention that at least one operating element for electrically locking and / or unlocking a lock, also called a door lock, is integrated in the handle element, wherein the vehicle door, which can be arranged on the structure of the motor vehicle in a manner movable between a closed position and an open position, can be fixed in the closed position by means of the lock. In principle, it is conceivable that the operating element is held on the handle element or is a component of the handle element. In particular, it is conceivable that the operating element is held on the base of the handle element, wherein it is conceivable that the operating element is designed separately from the base. The operating element can be held on the base or on the handle element in a non-movable manner or in a movable, especially pivotable manner. By means of the operating element, a lock, also called a door lock, can be electrically unlocked and / or electrically locked, and the vehicle door, which can be arranged or can be arranged on the structure of the motor vehicle in a manner movable, especially pivotable, between a closed position and the at least one open position, can be fixed in the closed position in particular relative to the structure by means of the lock. In order to thereby, for example, open a vehicle door which is initially in the closed position and is therefore closed and which is fixed in the closed position by means of a lock, in particular relative to a structure, a person who is in the surroundings, for example, operates, in particular actuates, an operating element, thereby, for example, electrically unlocking the lock, i.e., thereby causing electrical unlocking of the lock. In particular, the person touches the operating element. It is also conceivable, for example, that, in particular after the vehicle door has been closed, the lock is electrically locked by means of the operating element, whereby the vehicle door is fixed in the closed position relative to the structure. In order to lock the lock, for example, the person who is in the surroundings, as described above, operates, in particular touches, an operating element, in particular, in particular while the vehicle door is in the closed position.

[0008] A door which is arranged or can be arranged on a structure of a vehicle (motor vehicle) in a manner that can be moved, in particular pivoted, between a closed position and at least one open position is fixed or can be fixed in a closed position (in particular relative to the structure) by means of a lock, so that the door cannot be moved from the closed position to the open position undesirably. By unlocking the lock, the lock releases the door for movement from the closed position to the open position. In particular, the lock can be a component of the door, so that the lock can be moved, in particular pivoted, together, for example, in the door relative to the structure between the closed position and the open position. The lock can be adjusted, for example, between a locked state and an unlocked state. By unlocking the lock, the lock is brought from the locked state to, that is, converted into an unlocked state. By locking the lock, the lock is brought from the unlocked state to, that is, converted into a locked state. If, for example, the door is in the closed position, and during this period the lock is in the locked state, the door is fixed in the closed position, for example, by means of a lock, and is therefore protected from undesired movement to the open position relative to the structure. It can be seen that the vehicle door is a leaf element, which is arranged or can be arranged on the structure in a manner that can move, especially pivot, between an open position and a closed position. Here, the vehicle door (leaf element) is in particular a mounting part that is constructed separately from the structure, and the mounting part is held or can be held on the structure in a manner that can move between an open position and a closed position. In order to, for example, open a vehicle door that is first closed and thus first in a closed position, so that it is thus moved from the closed position to the open position, in particular, the operating element is operated, in particular, by a person staying in the surrounding environment. By operating, in particular manipulating the operating element, the lock is electrically unlocked, so that it is thus electrically converted from a locked state to an unlocked state, so that the lock releases the vehicle door for movement from a closed position to an open position relative to the structure. Alternatively or additionally, for example, the lock can be locked by operating, in particular manipulating the operating element, in particular during the period when the vehicle door is in the closed position. For example, a locking element, such as a locking bolt, also called a locking bolt, or a locking hook, also called a locking bow, is fixed to the structure, in particular to a vehicle column, for example, which is designed as a door column and is also called a vehicle column or structural column. In the closed position of the vehicle door and in the locked state of the lock, for example, the lock, in particular the fork bolt of the lock, cooperates with the locking element in a form-fitting manner, so that the vehicle door is fixed or can be fixed in the closed position in a form-fitting manner. For example, the lock has a locking element, which can be, for example, the fork bolt mentioned above. In the closed position of the vehicle door and in the locked state of the lock, for example, the locking element cooperates with the locking element in a form-fitting manner, so that the vehicle door is fixed or can be fixed in the closed position in a form-fitting manner.For example, the locking element can move (especially translationally and / or rotationally) between a locked position and an unlocked position relative to a basic element of the lock and in particular relative to the locking element. In the closed position of the vehicle door and in the locked position of the locking element, the locking element, in particular, interacts with the locking element in a form-fitting manner, so that the vehicle door is fixed or can be fixed in the closed position. By unlocking the lock or when the lock is unlocked, for example, the locking element is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position, in which the locking element and the locking element do not interact. As a result, the vehicle door is released for movement from the closed position to the open position relative to the structure. If, for example, the vehicle door is in the closed position and, for example, the locking element, in particular, interacts with the locking element in a form-fitting manner and then, for example, the lock is locked, in particular by operation, in particular by manipulating an operating element, the fixing element, for example, in particular relative to the locking element and / or relative to the locking element, moves from the released position to the fixed position. In the release position, for example, the fixing element releases the locking element in order to move the locking element from the locked position into the unlocked position, so that in the release position of the fixing element, the locking element can be moved from the locked position into the unlocked position and the vehicle door can be opened as a result. In the fixed position, for example, the fixing element cooperates with the locking element, in particular in a form-fitting manner, whereby, for example, the locking element is fixed, in particular in a form-fitting manner, to prevent the locking element from moving from the locked position into the unlocked position. Thus, for example, the locking element can be moved from the locked position into the unlocked position if and in particular only if (in particular before) the fixing element is moved or has moved, in particular translationally and / or rotationally, from the fixed position into the release position, whereby (in particular before) the lock is unlocked or has been unlocked.

[0009] The operating element can be, for example, a mechanical operating element, such as, for example, a button, a key or a key, so that the operating element can be moved, for example, relative to the handle element and / or relative to the base, between an initial position and an operating position (especially translationally and / or rotationally). By operating, especially manipulating the operating element, the operating element is moved, for example, from the initial position relative to the handle element and / or relative to the base to the operating position, thereby electrically unlocking and / or electrically locking the lock, so that the electrical unlocking and / or electrical locking of the lock can be caused thereby. In addition, it is conceivable that the operating element is configured as a touch-sensitive surface or includes a touch-sensitive surface, wherein the operating element is operated, that is, can be operated, by contacting the touch-sensitive surface. In addition, it is conceivable that the operating element is an electronic component or has at least one or exactly one electronic component. In addition, it is conceivable that the operating element is configured to detect the approach of a person, that is, for example, the approach of a body part of a person, such as a finger, to the operating element, especially in a non-contact manner, that is, without contact between the person and the operating element, thereby in particular being able to operate the operating element in a non-contact manner, that is, without the person contacting the operating element. Thus, for example, the lock can be electrically unlocked and / or electrically locked by the approach, in particular contactlessly, that is, in particular without a person touching the operating element. The electronic component is thus, for example, a proximity sensor, by means of which the approach is detected. Alternatively or additionally, the electronic component can be a contact sensor, which can detect the contact with a touch-sensitive surface, wherein the contact sensor can, for example, have the touch-sensitive surface. Furthermore, it is particularly conceivable that the operating element can be operated or can be operated by (in particular only by) touching the touch-sensitive surface, that is, when and preferably only when a person touches the touch-sensitive surface, for example with his finger.

[0010] The feature that the lock can be electrically unlocked and / or electrically locked by operating, in particular manipulating the operating element, should be understood in particular as follows: an electrically drivable actuator, in particular an electric motor, is (in particular electrically) controlled, for example, by operating the operating element. The actuator is electrically operated by controlling the actuator, so that, for example, the lock element moves from a locked position to an unlocked position and / or from an unlocked position to a locked position by means of the actuator (in particular using electrical energy and thus electrically). Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the actuator is electrically operated by controlling the actuator, so that, for example, the previously described fixing element moves from a fixed position to a released position and / or from a released position to a fixed position by means of the actuator (in particular using electrical energy and thus electrically). This means that the lock element moves, for example, electrically from a locked position to an unlocked position and / or from an unlocked position to a locked position, whereby the lock element is unlocked or locked electrically, that is, using the previously described electrical energy. Alternatively or additionally, for example, the fixing element is electrically moved from the fixing position into the release position and / or from the release position into the fixing position, whereby the lock is unlocked or locked electrically, i.e., with the previously described electrical energy. The movement of the door from the closed position into the open position following the electrical unlocking of the lock can then be manually caused by a person staying in the surroundings, for example, in particular by the person manually applying a force, in particular a pulling force, to the handle element and thus moving the door relative to the structure from the closed position into the open position. It is also conceivable that, due to the operation of the operating element, in particular due to the electrical unlocking of the lock, the door is electrically moved or movable relative to the structure from the closed position into the open position, i.e., with electrical energy, in particular in such a way that the lock has been (in particular electrically) unlocked. For this purpose, for example, an electrically operable movement device is provided, which for example has the previously described electrically operable actuator and / or at least one other electrically operable actuator. As a result of the actuation of the operating element and in particular of the unlocking of the lock, the movement device is, for example, actuated, in particular electrically, whereby the movement device, for example, moves the door from a closed position, in particular pivots relative to the structure, using electrical energy and therefore electrically, into an open position. The lock can thus be unlocked or locked particularly conveniently, and the door can be opened or locked particularly conveniently. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that, for example, as a result of the actuation of the operating element, the movement device is actuated (in particular electrically), whereby the movement device moves the door, which is first in the open position, using electrical energy and therefore electrically relative to the structure, from an open position, in particular pivots, into a closed position, whereupon, for example, the lock is locked, in particular electrically, i.e., for example, the locking element is moved electrically from the unlocked position into the locked position and / or the fixing element is moved electrically from the released position into the fixed position.

[0011] Alternatively or additionally, at least one or exactly one gesture sensor is integrated into the handle element, by means of which at least one gesture of a person, for example a person standing in the surroundings, can be detected. Due to the detection of the gesture, for example, at least one function of a door, in particular a lock and / or a vehicle can be implemented, i.e. moved or executed. For example, it is conceivable that due to the detection of the gesture, the lock is electrically unlocked and / or electrically locked, in particular in the manner described above. This makes it possible to achieve particularly simple, comfortable and advantageous operation of the door. For example, the gesture sensor is or has at least one or exactly one electronic component.

[0012] Alternatively or additionally, at least one voice recognition sensor is integrated in the handle element, by means of which at least one voice command acoustically expressed, i.e. spoken, by a person, e.g. a person located in the surroundings, can be detected. For example, the voice recognition sensor is or has at least one or exactly one electronic component. Due to the detection of the voice command, for example, at least one function of a door, in particular a lock and / or a vehicle can be implemented, i.e. caused. For example, due to the detection of the voice command, the lock can be electrically locked and / or unlocked, in particular in the manner described above.

[0013] Alternatively or additionally, at least one near field communication sensor, also referred to as an NFC sensor (NFC-near field communication (Near Field Communication)-near field communication), is integrated into the handle element. In particular, the near field communication sensor is or has at least one electronic component. The near field communication sensor is designed for near field communication (NSC). Near field communication (NFC-near field communication) is an international transmission standard based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, which is used to exchange data contactlessly via electromagnetic induction by means of loosely coupled coils, in particular over short distances of a few centimeters and at a data transmission rate of, for example, a maximum of 4 to 4 kilobits per second.

[0014] In order to be able to realize a particularly advantageous operation, in particular manipulation, of the vehicle door in a particularly space-saving manner, it is provided in one embodiment of the invention that at least one or exactly one circuit board (Platine), also referred to as a printed circuit board (Leiterplatte), circuit card (Leiterkarte) or printed circuit, is arranged in the handle element, on which the at least one operating element and / or at least one gesture sensor and / or at least one voice recognition sensor and / or at least one near-field communication sensor, and thus the corresponding previously mentioned electronic components are arranged. Thus, the at least one operating element, the at least one gesture sensor, the at least one voice recognition sensor and / or the at least one near-field communication sensor, and thus the corresponding previously mentioned components are carried by the circuit board. This ensures that the functional elements or functions are integrated into the handle element in a particularly advantageous and space-saving manner.

[0015] In order to be able to operate the vehicle door particularly advantageously, in another embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the handle element has a housing that can be visually and tactilely perceived by a person who is in the vehicle door, especially in the surroundings of the motor vehicle as a whole. The housing of the handle element is also referred to as the handle element housing. In other words, the person who is in the surroundings can see the housing with his eyes and thus visually perceive the housing, and the person who is in the surroundings can, for example, directly touch the housing with his hands, especially with his fingers, and thus tactilely perceive the housing, especially in the fully manufactured state of the vehicle door and especially the motor vehicle as a whole. The housing is therefore a surface of the handle element that can be visually and tactilely perceived by a person who is in the surroundings or is formed by such a surface. In this regard, it is particularly conceivable that the above-mentioned contact-sensitive surface is a part of the handle element housing, also referred to as a detection part. It is particularly conceivable that the vehicle door as a whole has a housing that can be visually and tactilely perceived by a person who is in the surroundings, also referred to as the overall housing, wherein the previous and following descriptions of the handle element housing can also be transferred to the overall housing without any problem and vice versa. In this case, in particular, the handle element housing is the first part of the overall housing. For example, the vehicle door has a frame structure, also referred to as a door frame structure, wherein it is conceivable that, in particular in the fully manufactured state of the motor vehicle, the vehicle door is held or can be held on the structure of the motor vehicle via the frame structure in a movable, in particular pivotable manner. In other words, for example, the vehicle door is held or can be held on the structure via the frame structure in a movable, in particular pivotable manner. For this purpose, it is provided, for example, that the vehicle door has at least one first hinge part, which is, for example, at least indirectly, in particular directly, fixed, in particular fastened to the frame structure. The first hinge part is, for example, a component of a hinge, also referred to as a door hinge, which also has a second hinge part, which is, in particular, constructed separately from the first hinge part. The second hinge part is, at least indirectly, in particular directly, fixed or can be fixed to the structure of the motor vehicle, in particular to the above-mentioned vehicle pillar. The hinge parts are connected or can be connected to each other in a movable, in particular pivotable manner, so that the frame structure is arranged or can be arranged, that is, held or can be held on the structure via the hinge and the vehicle door as a whole via the frame structure in a movable, in particular pivotable manner. For example, the frame structure is at least partially formed from a metal material. In particular, it is conceivable that the frame structure is a component of the base body of the vehicle door. It is also conceivable that the vehicle door, in particular the base body, has at least one outer panel element, which is also simply referred to as a panel element. For example, the outer panel element is designed separately from the frame structure and is in particular directly fastened to the frame structure. The outer panel element is also called a door trim or door outer trim.At least one region of the frame structure is covered and thus concealed by the outer paneling element, in particular with respect to the closed position of the vehicle door and in the installed position of the vehicle door, towards the surroundings and therefore towards the outside (i.e. in a direction pointing away from the interior of the motor vehicle). In this case, the outer paneling element has, for example, a housing which is also referred to as a paneling outer shell, wherein the above and following descriptions for the handle element outer shell and for the overall outer shell can also be transferred without problems to the paneling outer shell and vice versa. In this case, for example, the paneling outer shell is or forms a second part of the overall outer shell of the vehicle door. In particular, it is conceivable that the outer paneling element and therefore at least a part of the paneling outer shell in the installed position of the vehicle door and here, in particular in the closed position of the vehicle door, is connected downwardly to the glass opening and / or the door window edge in the vehicle height direction of the motor vehicle.

[0016] In order to be able to achieve a particularly advantageous handling, in particular actuation, of the vehicle door, it is advantageously provided that the handle element has a first sub-region which forms a first part of the handle element housing, also referred to as a first main part, the first sub-region having a first extension direction and thus extending along the first extension direction. It is conceivable here that the first sub-region protrudes from the base body along the first extension direction or along the first extension direction. The first extension direction is also referred to as the first direction. In the installed position of the vehicle door and in the closed position of the vehicle door, for example, the first direction extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle, in particular outwards and therefore towards the surroundings. It is therefore preferably provided that the first sub-region protrudes from the base body, in particular from the cover element, along the first direction.

[0017] In addition, the handle element preferably has a second sub-region, also referred to as the second main body part, which forms the second part of the handle element housing. The second sub-region of the handle element is connected to the first sub-region of the handle element, in particular to the end of the first sub-region of the handle element facing away from the base body, wherein the second sub-region of the handle element protrudes from the first sub-region of the handle element along a second extension direction (the second extension direction is also referred to as the second direction) extending obliquely or perpendicularly to the first extension direction (the first direction). Thus, for example, the second sub-region is spaced apart from the base body and is arranged in a manner that overlaps with the base body at least partially. In particular, the second sub-region extends along the second extension direction. In the installation position of the vehicle door and with respect to the closed position of the vehicle door, for example, the second direction (the second extension direction) extends upward in the vehicle height direction. For example, in the installation position of the vehicle door and with respect to the closed position of the vehicle door, the second sub-region of the handle element is overlapped by the base body and therefore, for example, a part of the cover plate housing in the vehicle transverse direction inward and therefore toward the interior space. Thus, for example, a person who is in the vicinity can grip the handle element (in particular the second subregion of the handle element) with his hand particularly advantageously and ergonomically, in particular from the back, in particular so that, for example, the person can move at least one of his fingers or a plurality of his fingers between the second subregion of the handle element and the base body. Subsequently, the person can particularly advantageously exert a force on the handle element in order to thereby particularly advantageously control the vehicle door, i.e. in particular to move it relative to the structure, in particular to pivot it.

[0018] For example, when a person performs a gesture on the side of the handle element, in particular the second subregion, facing away from the base body and / or on the side facing the base body, the gesture can be detected. In other words, for example, a person can perform a gesture between the second subregion and the base body and thus on the side of the handle element, in particular the second subregion, facing the base body, wherein the gesture can thus be detected, for example, by means of a gesture sensor. In particular, the gesture is to be understood as at least one movement of at least a part of the person extending along a predetermined or predeterminable movement trajectory, so that the gesture is detected or can be detected, for example, without the person touching the handle element.

[0019] In order to enable a particularly haptically advantageous and particularly ergonomic and comfortable operation, in particular manipulation of the vehicle door, it is provided in another embodiment of the invention that the handle element (in particular overall and therefore viewed as a whole) is designed to be L-shaped or V-shaped and thus has an L-shape or V-shape by the second sub-area protruding from the first sub-area in the second extension direction. Here, the sub-areas of the handle element form an L-shape or V-shape, wherein the sub-areas of the handle element are the respective legs of the L-shape or V-shape. Here, it is provided in particular that the handle element is connected to the base body via the first sub-area of ​​the handle element.

[0020] In particular, the base body has a housing, also referred to as a base housing, wherein the previous and following descriptions of the handle element housing, of the overall housing and of the panel housing can also be transferred to the base housing without any problems and vice versa. At least a part of the base housing is a panel housing or is formed by a panel housing. The base housing is therefore part of the overall housing of the vehicle door. In particular, it can be provided that a first sub-region of the handle element protrudes from the base housing in a first direction (first extension direction), in particular in the installation position of the vehicle door and in the closed position of the vehicle door toward the surroundings and therefore away from the interior. This can ensure a particularly advantageous, in particular particularly ergonomic and comfortable handling and therefore operation of the vehicle door.

[0021] In order to be able to implement a particularly advantageous range of functions and therefore particularly advantageous operation of the vehicle door in a particularly structurally space-advantageous manner, it is provided in a further embodiment of the invention that the circuit board is at least partially, in particular at least predominantly and therefore more than half but also completely, arranged in the first sub-area and / or the second sub-area.

[0022] Another embodiment is characterized in that the operating element is designed to detect the approach of a person, for example a person in the surroundings as described above, to at least one area of ​​the handle element and to cause electrical unlocking and / or locking due to the detection of the approach, in particular without the person touching the at least one area. Thus, for example, contactless unlocking and / or locking of the lock can be caused.

[0023] Another embodiment is characterized in that the operating element is designed to detect a contact by a person on at least one contact area of ​​the handle element and, in particular, to cause electrical unlocking and / or locking of the lock first or only as a result of the detection of the contact. For example, the contact area is a touch-sensitive surface. Thus, for example, a person can electrically unlock and / or lock the lock by, for example, touching the contact area with one of his fingers. This ensures particularly advantageous operation.

[0024] A second aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle, also referred to as a vehicle or motor vehicle, preferably designed as a passenger car, which has at least one door according to the first aspect of the invention. The advantages and advantageous embodiments of the first aspect of the invention can be regarded as advantages and advantageous embodiments of the second aspect of the invention and vice versa. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Further details of the invention will be found in the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments together with the associated drawings. Figure 1A schematic perspective view of a section of a vehicle designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car and also referred to as a motor vehicle, including a vehicle door, is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Figure 1 A motor vehicle 1, which is designed here as a passenger car and is also referred to as a motor vehicle or vehicle, is shown in a schematic perspective view in part, the interior of which is also referred to as a passenger compartment or passenger space, which is formed by the structure of the body of the motor vehicle 1, which is in particular designed as a self-supporting structure. The motor vehicle 1 has at least one door 2, which is also referred to simply as a door. The door 2 is a leaf element, which is designed here as a door 2. The door is also referred to simply as a door and is a side door here. The door 2 is provided with a structural opening of the structure, wherein the structural opening is Figure 1 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the door 2 is configured as a lateral door opening of the structure. The door 2 is held movably, in particular pivotably, relative to the structure between a closed position and at least one open position, and is therefore arranged on the structure. In the closed position, at least one sub-region of the structural opening is closed by the door 2. In the open position, the door 2 releases at least one sub-region of the structural opening, so that, for example, a person who is initially located in the motor vehicle 1 and thus in the surroundings 3 having the door 2 can enter the interior space via the released sub-region of the structural opening. In addition, for example, a person who is initially located in the interior space can leave the interior space via the released sub-region of the structural opening and thus reach the surroundings 3.

[0027] The vehicle door 2 has a base body 4, also called a basic body or door body, which has a also called door frame structure and is Figure 1 The door 2 is held on the structure of the motor vehicle 1 via the frame structure in a movable manner, in particular in a pivotable manner. The base body 4 has at least one outer panel element 6, also simply referred to as a panel element, which is constructed separately from the frame structure and is (in particular directly) connected to the frame structure. The outer panel element 6 is also referred to as a door trim or door outer trim. At least one first area of ​​the frame structure is covered and thereby concealed by the outer panel element 6, in particular with respect to the closed position of the door 2, towards the surroundings 3 and therefore towards the outside (thus in a direction pointing away from the interior). Figure 1 It can be seen that the vehicle door 2 has a trim element 5 which is designed, for example, separately from the outer covering element 6. For example, the trim element 5 is at least indirectly, in particular directly, held on the frame structure. In particular, it is conceivable that at least one second region of the frame structure is overlapped by the trim element 5 and thus covered, i.e. concealed, at least with respect to the closed position of the vehicle door 2, towards the surroundings 3 and thus towards the outside. The vehicle door 2 has a shell, also referred to as an overall shell 7, which is located at the vehicle door 2. Figure 1The closed position shown in FIG. 2 can be perceived visually and tactilely by a person who is in the surroundings 3. A first part of the overall shell 7 is formed by a shell of the outer panel element 6, also referred to as the panel shell 8. A second part of the overall shell 7 is formed by a shell of the trim element 5, also referred to as the trim shell 9. The trim element 5 is formed, for example, from plastic. For example, the trim element 5 is configured as a baffle, or the trim element 5 is also referred to as a baffle. In particular, it can be provided that the vehicle pillar of the structure, in particular configured as a B-pillar, is at least partially overlapped and thus covered in the closed position of the door 2 in the vehicle transverse direction of the motor vehicle outwards and therefore towards the surroundings 3 by means of the trim element 5, so that the trim element 5 is also referred to, for example, as a B-pillar baffle.

[0028] Especially well by Figure 1 It can be seen that the door 2 has a door window edge 11, also called window edge or window edge, which is also called the cabin edge or forms the cabin edge of the motor vehicle 1. In addition, the door 2 includes a side glass 12, also simply called glass, which is movable in the vehicle height direction of the motor vehicle 1 relative to the frame structure and relative to the outer panel element 6 at least with respect to the closed position of the door 2. In particular, the base body 4 comprises, for example, a frame structure, an outer panel element 6 and a trim element 5. In addition, the base body 4 can include, for example, the side glass 12. It is conceivable that, for example, a third part of the overall shell 7 is formed by a shell of the side glass 12, also called glass shell 14. The vehicle height direction is illustrated by the double arrow 13. In particular, the side glass 12 can be moved in the vehicle height direction of the motor vehicle 1 at least with respect to the closed position of the door 2. Figure 1 The closed position shown in the figure and the open position not shown in the figure are moved, i.e. displaced, in particular in translation, relative to the frame structure and relative to the outer panel element 6 and also relative to the trim element 5. The open position is also referred to as the glass open position and the closed position is also referred to as the glass closed position. The window area 15, also referred to as the glass area, is at least partially delimited by the door window edge 11, in particular in the installed position of the vehicle door 2 and downwardly in the vehicle height direction of the motor vehicle 1. In this case, Figure 1 , the door 2 is shown in its installed position, wherein the door 2 assumes its installed position in the completely finished state of the motor vehicle 1 having the door 2. Figure 1In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 , the glass region (window region 15) is a window opening, also referred to as a glass opening, which can be delimited, for example, by a window frame of the vehicle door 2, wherein the window frame comprises, for example, a door window edge 11. In particular, the window frame is, for example, a component of the base body 4. In the closed position, the side window 12 is at least partially arranged in the window region 15, in particular so that the window opening is at least partially, in particular at least predominantly and therefore at least to more than half, but also completely, closed by the side window 12. In particular, it is provided that in the closed position of the side window 12 (glass closed position), the door window edge 11 is connected to the side window 12 in the installation position of the vehicle door 2 in the vehicle height direction downward, in particular with respect to the closed position of the vehicle door 2.

[0029] The door 2 has, for example, a groove, also referred to as a glass groove or window groove, which is formed by the frame structure and / or by the outer panel element 6 in the installed position of the door 2 and in the closed position of the door 2 in the vehicle transverse direction outwards and thus in the surroundings 3 (in particular directly). In particular, the groove is overlapped by the outer panel element 6 and / or by the frame structure in the installed position of the door 2 and in the closed position of the door 2 in the vehicle transverse direction of the motor vehicle 1 and thus in the surroundings 3. The vehicle transverse direction is illustrated by the double arrow 17. Thus, in the glass opening position of the side window 12, a subregion of the side window 12, also referred to as a glass subregion, is arranged in the groove and therefore in particular outside the window region 15, in particular such that the glass subregion is arranged in the open position in the vehicle height direction of the motor vehicle 1 below the door window edge 11 and also below the window region 15, in particular with respect to the installed position of the door 2 and with respect to the closed position of the door 2. In the closed position of the side window 12 (glass closed position), the glass sub-region is arranged outside the groove and in the window region 15, in particular, in such a way that the glass sub-region is arranged above the door window edge 11 in the vehicle height direction, in particular at least with respect to the installation position and the closed position of the vehicle door 2. In other words, the door window edge 11 is connected downwardly to the glass sub-region in the vehicle height direction in the glass closed position. For example, in the closed position of the side window 12 (glass closed position), the window region 15 or the glass opening is at least partially, in particular at least predominantly and therefore at least more than halfway or completely closed by the glass sub-region.

[0030] The vehicle door 2 further comprises a handle element 18 on the outside of the door, which is also referred to as an outer handle or door outer handle. The handle element 18 is arranged in the installation position of the vehicle door 2 and in relation to the closed position of the vehicle door 2 (in particular at least partially and completely preferably at least mainly or completely) in the vehicle height direction of the motor vehicle 1 above the door window edge 11. The feature that the handle element 18 is arranged on the outside or the outer side of the door, and is therefore an outer side or door outer side handle element, is to be understood as meaning that the handle element 18 is arranged on the outer side AS of the vehicle door 2, which in the installation position of the vehicle door 2 and at least in the closed position of the vehicle door 2 faces away from the interior and toward the surroundings 3. A person who is in the surroundings 3 can, for example, grasp the handle element 18 with his hand and here, for example, at least partially surround it and then exert a force, in particular a pulling force, on the handle element 18, in order thereby, for example, to open the vehicle door 2 that is initially closed, and thus to move it relative to the structure from the closed position into the open position.

[0031] In order to now be able to operate, in particular actuate, the vehicle door 2 particularly easily, in particular ergonomically and comfortably, the handle element 18 has a first sub-area TB1, referred to as a first main body area or first main body part, with a first extension direction, which is also referred to as a first direction and is in Figure 1 The first sub-region TB1 extends along the first direction. Figure 1 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , it is provided that the first sub-region TB1 protrudes from the base body 4, in particular from the trim element 5, in a first direction (arrow 20). In particular, the first direction extends in the installation position of the vehicle door 2 and in relation to the closed position of the vehicle door 2 in the vehicle transverse direction, in particular outward. In addition, the handle element 18 has a second sub-region TB2, which is also referred to as a second main body region or second main body portion. The second sub-region TB2 extends in a first direction (arrow 20) from the base body 4, in particular from the trim element 5. In particular, the first direction extends in the vehicle transverse direction, in particular outward, in the installation position of the vehicle door 2 and in relation to the closed position of the vehicle door 2. Figure 1 The second extension direction (also referred to as the second direction) indicated by the arrow 21 in the figure protrudes from the first sub-area TB1. Here, the second sub-area TB2 extends along the second extension direction. It can be seen from the arrows 20 and 21 that the first direction and the second direction extend perpendicularly or obliquely to each other, wherein here, the second direction points upward in the vehicle height direction, especially in the installation position of the vehicle door 2 and with respect to the closed position of the vehicle door 2. In particular, the second sub-area TB2 is connected to the end of the first sub-area TB1, especially in the first direction, facing away from the base body 4, so that or thereby in Figure 1 In the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the handle element 18 is designed to be L-shaped (especially when viewed overall) and thus has an L-shape (especially when viewed overall). Here, the L-shape is formed by the sub-areas TB1 and TB2. Thus, the handle element 18 is Figure 1In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the sub-regions TB1 and TB2 are L-shaped. Here, the sub-regions TB1 and TB2 are corresponding legs of the L-shape, wherein the handle element 18 is connected to the base body 4, in particular to the skeleton structure, via the sub-region TB1. The sub-region TB2 is connected to the sub-region TB1, in particular in such a way that the sub-region TB2 is connected to the end of the first sub-region TB1, in particular facing away from the base body 4 in the first direction.

[0032] In order to now enable particularly advantageous operation of the vehicle door 2, at least one operating element 22 for electrically locking and / or unlocking a lock is integrated in the handle element 18, by means of which the vehicle door 2 can be fixed in the closed position relative to the structure. Alternatively or additionally, at least one gesture sensor 23 is integrated in the handle element 18, by means of which at least one gesture of a person located in the surroundings 3 can be detected, in particular without the person touching the handle element 18. Alternatively or additionally, at least one voice recognition sensor 24 is integrated in the handle element 18, by means of which at least one voice command expressed, that is, spoken, by a person located in the surroundings 3 can be detected. Alternatively or additionally, at least one near field communication sensor 25 (NFC sensor) is integrated in the handle element. Operating element 22, gesture sensor 23, voice recognition sensor 24 and near field communication sensor 25 are also generally referred to as elements. In particular, the gesture sensor 23, the voice recognition sensor 24 and / or the near field communication sensor 25 are or have at least one or exactly one sensor, which can be designed in particular as an electronic component. It is also conceivable that the operating element 22 has at least one or exactly one sensor or is a sensor, which can also be designed in particular as an electronic component.

[0033] In this case, for example, at least one or exactly one circuit board is arranged in the handle element, on which the corresponding sensor, preferably the sensor, is arranged. The circuit board is therefore preferably a common circuit board for the sensors, and thus the electronic components, via which the sensor or the electronic components are carried.

[0034] The handle element 18 has a housing which is also referred to as a handle element housing 19 and which can be visually and tactilely perceived by a person who is located in the vehicle door 2, in particular in the surroundings 3 of the motor vehicle 1 as a whole, and by which, for example, a fourth overall housing 7 is formed, and which is therefore in particular a fourth part of the overall housing 7. In this case, a first part of the handle element housing 19 is formed by a first subregion TB1, and a second part of the handle element housing 19 is formed by a second subregion TB2.

[0035] The elements are, for example, integrated at different locations of the handle element 18, in particular separately, that is, in particular spaced apart from one another. It is thus possible, for example, that the elements can respond, that is, be operated, in particular independently or separately from one another, so that, for example, when one of the elements is operated, another of the elements is not also operated. The operating element 22 is designed, for example, to detect the approach of a person to the operating element 22 and to cause an electrical unlocking or locking of the lock due to the approach and in particular when the person does not touch the operating element 22 or the handle element 18 as a whole. It is also conceivable that the operating element 22 is designed to detect contact with the operating element 22 by a person and to cause an electrical unlocking or locking of the lock when, and preferably only when, the person touches the operating element 22. For this purpose, the person, for example, applies pressure to the operating element 22, so that, for example, the person presses on the operating element 22.

[0036] Since the element is integrated into the handle element 18 and since the element is or has an electronic component, an electrification of the handle element 18, in particular a high degree of electrification of the handle element 18, is provided, so that the handle element 18 is an electrified, in particular a highly electrified, highly compact operator interface that can be operated by a person. The operation of the gesture sensor 23 is to be understood, in particular, that the person performs a gesture detected by means of the gesture sensor 23. As a result, for example, at least one function of the door 2 and / or the vehicle is initiated. The operation of the voice recognition sensor 24 is to be understood, for example, that the person utters a voice command detected by the voice recognition sensor 24. As a result, for example, at least one function of the door 2 and / or the motor vehicle 1 is initiated. Thus, voice control of the door 2 and / or the motor vehicle 1 can be realized. The operation of the near-field communication sensor 25 is to be understood, for example, that the person holds a communication element, in particular, which is constructed separately from the handle element 18, in the vicinity of the near-field communication sensor 25, so that the communication element and the near-field communication sensor 25 can exchange data with each other via radio. As a result, for example, at least one function of the door 2 and / or the motor vehicle 1 can be initiated. The functions include, for example, electrical unlocking and / or locking of a lock. Thus, for example, vehicle access can be achieved in a simple manner. Overall, it can be seen that, by indicating the elements of the handle element 18 , a plurality of applications or functions can be integrated into the handle element 18 .

[0037] In order for the gesture sensor 23 to recognize and thus detect a gesture, the gesture is carried out, for example, between the subregion TB2 and the trim element 5 or on an outer side 26 of the subregion TB2 pointing away from the trim element 5 and thus away from the interior.

[0038] The corresponding functions that can be initiated by operating the corresponding elements include, for example, the electrical unlocking and / or locking described above with the aid of the operating element 22 , so that a particularly simple and comfortable operation of the vehicle door 2 is possible.

[0039] Reference numerals list

[0040] 1Motor Vehicle

[0041] 2 doors

[0042] 3 Surrounding environment

[0043] 4 Matrix

[0044] 5 Trim components

[0045] 6. External cladding elements

[0046] 7 total shell

[0047] 8 cladding shell

[0048] 11 Door and window edges

[0049] 12 side glass

[0050] 13 Double Arrow

[0051] 14 Glass shell

[0052] 15 Window Area

[0053] 17 Double Arrow

[0054] 18 handle elements

[0055] 19Handle element housing

[0056] 20 arrows

[0057] 21 Arrows

[0058] 22 operating elements

[0059] 23 Gesture Sensor

[0060] 24 Voice Recognition Sensors

[0061] 25 Near Field Communication Sensors

[0062] 26 Outer side

[0063] AS outer side

[0064] TB1 first sub-region

[0065] TB2 second sub-region

Claims

1. A door (2) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising a handle element (18) arranged on the outside of the door above a door window edge (11) of the door (2), characterized in that: Integrated into the handle element (18) are: - at least one operating element (22) for electrically locking and / or unlocking a lock, by means of which a door (2) arranged on a structure of the motor vehicle (1) in a movable manner between a closed position and at least one open position can be fixed in the closed position; and / or - at least one gesture sensor (23), by means of which at least one gesture of a person can be detected; and / or - at least one speech recognition sensor (24), by means of which at least one speech command expressed by a person can be detected; and / or - At least one near field communication sensor (25).

2. The vehicle door (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that At least one or exactly one circuit board is arranged in the handle element (18), on which the at least one operating element (22) and / or the at least one gesture sensor (23) and / or the at least one voice recognition sensor (24) and / or the at least one near field communication sensor (25) are arranged.

3. The vehicle door (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The handle element (18) has: - a housing (19) which is visually and tactilely perceptible to a person who is in the surroundings (3) of the vehicle door (2); - a first sub-region (TB1) forming a first part of the housing of the handle element (18), the first sub-region having a first extension direction (20); as well as A second subregion (TB2) forming a second part of the housing (19) of the handle element (18) and connected to the first subregion (TB1), the second subregion protruding from the first subregion (TB1) along at least one second extension direction (21) extending obliquely or perpendicularly to the first extension direction (20).

4. The vehicle door (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that The handle element is designed to be L-shaped or V-shaped because the second sub-region (TB2) protrudes from the first sub-region (TB1) along the second extension direction (20).

5. The vehicle door (2) according to claim 3 or 4 referring back to claim 2, characterized in that: The circuit board is at least partially arranged in the first sub-region (TB1) and / or the second sub-region (TB2).

6. The vehicle door (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The operating element (22) is designed to detect an approach of a person to at least one region of the handle element (18) and to cause an electrical unlocking and / or locking of the lock as a result of the detection of the approach.

7. The vehicle door (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The operating element (22) is designed to detect contact by a person on at least one contact area of ​​the handle element (18) and to cause electrical unlocking and / or locking of the lock as a result of the detection of the contact.

8. Motor vehicle (1) comprising at least one door (2) according to one of the preceding claims.

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