Door handle device and method for manufacturing door handle device

Abstract

The invention provides a door handle device and a manufacturing method of the door handle device capable of suppressing false detection caused by water immersion. A door handle device (100) is provided with: a base plate (101); a first electrode (130A) provided on the first surface or inside of the substrate; a second electrode (130B) provided so as to face the second surface of the substrate; a door handle type handle housing (110) having an inner housing (111) having a first housing recess (111D) for housing the substrate, and an outer housing (112) provided so as to cover an opening (111C) of the first housing recess of the inner housing; a cover (140) provided on the second surface of the substrate, the cover (140) having an opening (143) facing the second surface and a second housing recess (144) communicating with the opening and recessed in a direction away from the second surface, the cover (140) having a second electrode (130B) provided on a depth end surface of the second housing recess or in a depth end wall (141) of the second housing recess; and a sealing member (150) which is formed by injecting a potting agent into the first housing recess, covers and seals the substrate and the first electrode in the first housing recess, and exposes the outer surface of the depth end wall of the cover.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a door handle device and a method for manufacturing the door handle device. Background Art

[0002] In the past, there was a door handle device as follows: while locking electrodes, unlocking electrodes and circuit components are arranged on a substrate and maintained in a mold, molten thermoplastic resin is injected at low pressure to form a sealing member that seals the substrate, locking electrodes, unlocking electrodes and circuit components, thereby arranging a unitized electrostatic sensor in a door handle housing (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-133150 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] However, when water enters the door handle housing from between the inner housing and the outer housing, the water may be retained in the gap between the inner surface of the door handle housing and the sealing member. When the water is retained in this way, the electrostatic capacitance changes to the same extent as when a human body such as a hand approaches the door handle device, and there is a risk of false detection that the hand has touched the door handle device.

[0008] Here, for example, if the thickness of the sealing member is increased to leave a sufficient distance between the portion where water may accumulate and the lock electrode or the unlock electrode, such a problem may be solved. However, if the thickness of the sealing member is increased, there will be a problem of increasing the size of the door handle device, or there will be a problem of dents (missing portions of the thermosetting resin), pores, or warping during the cooling process of the thermosetting resin used for the sealing member.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a door handle device and a method for manufacturing the door handle device that can suppress erroneous detection due to intrusion of water.

[0010] Means for solving problems

[0011] The door handle device of the embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a substrate; a first electrode, which is arranged on the first surface of the substrate or inside the substrate; a second electrode, which is arranged opposite to the second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface; a door handle type handle shell, which has an inner shell and an outer shell, the inner shell has a first receiving recess for receiving the substrate, and the outer shell is arranged in a manner covering the opening of the first receiving recess of the inner shell; a cover, which is arranged on the second surface of the substrate, has an opening facing the second surface and a second receiving recess connected to the opening and recessed in a direction away from the second surface, and the second electrode is arranged on the depth end surface of the second receiving recess or in the depth end wall of the second receiving recess; and a sealing member, which is formed by injecting a potting agent into the first receiving recess, covers and seals the substrate and the first electrode in the first receiving recess, and exposes the outer surface of the depth end wall of the cover.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] The present invention can provide a door handle device and a method for manufacturing the door handle device that can suppress erroneous detection due to water intrusion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the door handle device according to the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 It is an exploded view showing an example of the structure of the door handle device according to the embodiment.

[0016] Figure 3 It is shown from the bottom Figure 1 Figure 2. The AA section view of the .

[0017] Figure 4 Yes Figure 3 A portion of the diagram is shown enlarged.

[0018] Figure 5 Shown from Figure 1 The door handle device shown is an example of a state in which the outer shell is removed and the double-sided tape is not adhered to the cover.

[0019] Figure 6 It is shown from Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a sealing member is removed.

[0020] Figure 7 It is shown from Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the inner shell is removed.

[0021] Figure 8 It is shown from Figure 7FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a sealing member is removed.

[0022] Fig. 9 It shows that Figure 8 A diagram showing an example of a disassembled state of each component shown.

[0023] Fig.10 is shown as viewed from the bottom Figure 8 A diagram showing an example of the state of the components shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of a door handle device and a method for manufacturing a door handle device to which the present disclosure is applied will be described.

[0025] Below, an XYZ coordinate system is defined for explanation. The direction parallel to the X-axis (X direction), the direction parallel to the Y-axis (Y direction), and the direction parallel to the Z-axis (Z direction) are mutually orthogonal. In addition, below, for the sake of convenience, the -Z direction side is sometimes referred to as the lower side or lower, and the +Z direction side is sometimes referred to as the upper side or upper, but this does not represent a general up-down relationship. In addition, top view refers to XY plane observation.

[0026] In addition, in order to make the structure easier to understand, the length, thickness, thickness, etc. of each part may be exaggeratedly shown below. In addition, the words "parallel" and "upper and lower" allow deviations to the extent that the effects of the embodiments are not impaired.

[0027] <Implementation Method>

[0028] Figure 1 It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the door handle device 100 which concerns on embodiment. Figure 2 It is an exploded view showing an example of the structure of the door handle device 100. Figure 3 It is shown from the bottom Figure 1 The door handle device 100 is mounted on the outer surface of a door 10 of a vehicle.

[0029] The door handle device 100 includes a door handle housing 110, a substrate 120, an unlocking electrode 130A, a locking electrode 130B, a cover 140, a double-sided tape 145, and a sealing member 150. The door handle housing 110 is an example of a handle housing, and has an inner housing 111 and an outer housing 112. The unlocking electrode 130A is an example of a first electrode, and the locking electrode 130B is an example of a second electrode. The double-sided tape 145 is an example of a fixing member. It should be noted that the double-sided tape or adhesive layer for fixing the locking electrode 130B to the cover 140 is omitted.

[0030] The following, except Figures 1 to 3 In addition, we also use Figures 4 to 10 Provide explanation. Figure 4 It is enlarged to show Figure 3 Part of the diagram. Figure 5 Shown from Figure 1 The door handle device 100 shown is an example of a state in which the outer shell 112 is removed and the double-sided tape 145 is not adhered to the cover 140. Figure 6 It is shown from Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the sealing member 150 is removed. Figure 7 It is shown from Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the inner housing 111 is removed. Figure 8 It is shown from Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the sealing member 150 is removed. Fig. 9 It shows that Figure 8 A diagram showing an example of a disassembled state of each component shown. Fig.10 is shown as viewed from the bottom Figure 8 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the state of the components shown. Fig.10 In the embodiment, the double-sided tape 145 is adhered to the upper surface of the upper wall 141 of the cover 140 .

[0031] <Door handle housing 110>

[0032] The door handle housing 110 includes an inner housing 111 and an outer housing 112. As an example, the inner housing 111 and the outer housing 112 are made of synthetic resin. When the door handle housing 110 is mounted on the vehicle door 10, the inner housing 111 is located closer to the vehicle door 10 than the outer housing 112, and is located on the inner side of the outer housing 112 at the joint with the outer housing 112. The inner housing 111 and the outer housing 112 form an internal space in a combined state.

[0033] The inner housing 111 has a bottom wall 111A, side walls 111B, an opening 111C, a receiving recess 111D, and a partition wall 111E. The receiving recess 111D is an example of a first receiving recess. The inner housing 111 is a box-shaped housing composed of a bottom wall 111A located at the bottom side and side walls 111B surrounding the sides on all sides.

[0034] The bottom wall 111A has an arched portion 111A1 in the center in the Y direction. The arched portion 111A1 is a portion that a user grasps to open the door 10 . Portions of the bottom wall 111A on both sides of the arched portion 111A1 in the Y direction are disposed on the door 10 .

[0035] The upper end of the side wall 111B is the opening 111C. The portion surrounded by the bottom wall 111A and the side wall 111B is the receiving recess 111D, and the receiving recess 111D is connected to the opening 111C. The receiving recess 111D receives the substrate 120, the unlocking electrode 130A, the locking electrode 130B, the cover 140, the double-sided tape 145, and the sealing member 150. It should be noted that receiving means allowing at least a portion of the substrate 120, the locking electrode 130B, the cover 140, and the double-sided tape 145 to protrude further outward than the opening 111C when viewed in the YZ plane.

[0036] The partition wall 111E is provided on the +Y direction side of the arched portion 111A1 in a manner of connecting the bottom wall 111A, the side wall 111B on the +X direction side, and the side wall 111B on the -X direction side. The partition wall 111E is a thin plate-shaped wall portion parallel to the XZ plane, and as an example, the position of the upper end is equal to the position of the upper end of the side wall 111B. The partition wall 111E divides the receiving recess 111D into the +Y direction side and the -Y direction side, and is provided to prevent the potting agent used to form the sealing member 150 from flowing into the +Y direction side. The potting agent is a thermosetting resin or a two-component curing resin such as a polyurethane resin, an epoxy resin, or a silicone resin.

[0037] For example, the upper ends of the side walls 111B on the +X direction side and the -X direction side are bent toward the Y direction, and the central part where the arched portion 111A1 is located is the highest in the Y direction, and the +Y direction side is lower than the -Y direction side. The sealing member 150 is not formed on the upper side (+Z direction side) of the partition wall 111E.

[0038] The outer shell 112 has an outer wall 112A and a side wall 112B, and is a box-shaped shell having a recessed portion that is an inverted recessed portion 111D of the inner shell 111. Figure 3 As shown, when the outer shell 112 is combined with the inner shell 111, the lower end of the side wall 112B of the outer shell 112 covers the outer side of the upper end of the side wall 111B of the inner shell 111. The lower end of the side wall 112B of the outer shell 112 overlaps with the upper end of the side wall 111B of the inner shell 111, but water may penetrate into the interior through the gap.

[0039] <Substrate 120>

[0040] The substrate 120 is a wiring substrate having an insulating layer and wiring (wiring pattern), etc., on which circuit components such as ICs are installed, and terminals or leads (not shown) for electrical connection to the circuit components and the outside of the door handle device 100 are connected. In addition, as an example, the substrate 120 is a rectangular shape that is elongated in the Y direction when viewed from above. In the manufacturing process of the door handle device 100, the substrate 120 is sealed by a potting agent in a state of overlapping on the unlocking electrode 130A arranged on the upper surface of the arched portion 111A1 of the bottom wall 111A of the inner housing 111. Therefore, the upper surface and four side surfaces of the substrate 120 are sealed by a sealing member 150. The lower surface of the substrate 120 abuts against the upper surface of the unlocking electrode 130A. It should be noted that there are terminals connected to the unlocking electrode 130A on the lower surface of the substrate 120.

[0041] <Unlocking Electrode 130A>

[0042] The unlocking electrode 130A is arranged on the upper surface of the arched portion 111A1 of the bottom wall 111A of the inner housing 111, and is sealed by the sealing member 150 when the substrate 120 overlaps the upper side thereof. In order to detect the situation that the door handle device 100 is held by hand when the locking mechanism of the vehicle door 10 is unlocked, the unlocking electrode 130A is arranged on the arched portion 111A1 of the door handle housing 110. It should be noted that, as an example, the unlocking electrode 130A can be made of a copper plate or the like. In addition, the unlocking electrode 130A can also be buried inside the substrate 120. That is, as an example, the unlocking electrode 130A can also be realized by a metal layer included in the inner layer of the wiring substrate as the substrate 120. Furthermore, the unlocking electrode 130A can also be formed together with the wiring by etching the copper foil of the substrate 120 having the copper foil formed on the surface.

[0043] <Locking Electrode 130B>

[0044] The locking electrode 130B is fixed to the lower surface of the upper wall 141 inside the receiving recess 144 of the cover 140. As an example, the locking electrode 130B is aligned with the inclination of the lower surface of the upper wall 141 of the cover 140, and is inclined in a manner that the -Y direction side becomes lower. As an example, the locking electrode 130B is a rectangular electrode. As an example, the locking electrode 130B is fixed to the lower surface of the upper wall 141 by a double-sided tape. The locking electrode 130B is arranged at intervals in the X direction and the Y direction relative to the side wall 142 of the cover 140. That is, the locking electrode 130B is provided in a manner separated from the side wall 142 of the cover 140 by a predetermined distance.

[0045] The locking electrode 130B is provided to detect that the user has touched the end of the outer surface of the outer wall 112A of the outer shell 112 on the -Y direction side when the locking mechanism is locked in the state of the vehicle door 10 being closed. It should be noted that the position of the locking electrode 130B is an example, and it can be provided inside any part of the outer wall 112A of the outer shell 112. In addition, the locking electrode 130B can also be embedded inside the upper wall 141 of the cover 140. As an example, such a structure can be realized by insert molding.

[0046] The locking electrode 130B is connected to an extension portion 131B. As an example, the extension portion 131B extends obliquely downward from the end portion of the locking electrode 130B on the +Y direction side, and the lower end of the extension portion 131B is connected to the wiring on the upper surface side of the substrate 120. As an example, such a locking electrode 130B can be manufactured by performing sheet metal processing on a copper plate together with the extension portion 131B. The extension portion 131B is an example of a connection portion that connects the locking electrode 130B to the wiring of the substrate 120. It should be noted that the locking electrode 130B can also be connected to the wiring of the substrate 120 using a harness or the like instead of the extension portion 131B.

[0047] <Hood 140>

[0048] The cover 140 has an upper wall 141, side walls 142, an opening 143, and a receiving recess 144. The receiving recess 144 is an example of a second receiving recess. The cover 140 is a box-shaped cover composed of an upper wall 141 and side walls 142 provided below four sides of the outer edge of the upper wall 141.

[0049] The end of the upper wall 141 on the +Y direction side is parallel to the XY plane, but the portion other than the end on the +Y direction side is inclined to become lower on the −Y direction side in accordance with the shape of the outer case 112 , for example.

[0050] like Figure 4 As shown, the lower end of the side wall 142 on the -Y direction side of the lower end of the side wall 142 (-Z direction) is configured so that the surface in the +Y direction (the surface on the side of the receiving recess 144) is in contact with or close to the side surface on the -Y direction side of the substrate 120. Similarly, the lower ends of the side walls 142 on the +X direction side and the -X direction side are configured so that the surfaces on the side of the receiving recess 144 are in contact with or close to the side surfaces on the +X direction side and the -X direction side of the substrate 120, respectively. The side wall 142 on the +Y direction side of the lower end of the side wall 142 spans the substrate 120, so that the lower end of the center in the X direction is located at a position that is higher than the lower ends on the +X direction side, the -X direction side, and the -Y direction side by an amount corresponding to the thickness of the substrate 120. As a result, the opening 143 of the cover 140 is blocked by the substrate 120. In addition, as an example, a snap-fitting engaging portion 142A (see Fig.10 ) and the cover 140 is held on the substrate 120.

[0051] The opening 143 is a portion surrounded by the lower end of the side wall 142 and communicates with the housing recess 144. The housing recess 144 is a recess surrounded by the upper wall 141 and the side walls 142 provided below the four sides of the outer edge of the upper wall 141.

[0052] In such a cover 140, the lower surface of the upper wall 141 is an example of a deep end surface located at the deepest part of the housing recess 144. In addition, the upper wall 141 is an example of a deep end wall.

[0053] When the locking electrode 130B is fixed to the lower surface of the upper wall 141, the cover 140 has the opening 143 blocked by the substrate 120, and as an example, is mounted by snapping the three engaging portions 142A with respect to the substrate 120. It should be noted that the lower ends of all the side walls 142 may be brought into contact with the upper surface of the substrate 120 to block the opening 143 through the substrate 120.

[0054] The height of the cover 140 is configured such that, in a state in which the cover 140 is mounted on the upper surface of the substrate 120, the upper wall 141 protrudes toward the +Z direction side relative to the side wall 111B and the opening 111C. More specifically, the height of the cover 140 is configured such that, in a state in which the cover 140 is mounted on the upper surface of the substrate 120, the position in the Z direction of the lock electrode 130B mounted on the lower surface of the upper wall 141 is located at a position closer to the +Z direction side than the upper end of the partition wall 111E. This is to position the lock electrode 130B at a position closer to the +Z direction side than the upper surface of the seal member 150 when the seal member 150 is formed.

[0055] The locking electrode 130B is located at a position closer to the +Z direction side than the upper surface of the sealing member 150 in order to reduce the amount of the sealing member 150 used. That is, when the locking electrode 130B is directly buried in the sealing member 150 and sealed without using the cover 140, it is necessary to make the sealing member 150 located at a position closer to the +Z direction side than the upper surface of the locking electrode 130B, so a large number of sealing members are required. In this embodiment, the locking electrode 130B is accommodated inside the receiving recess 144 of the cover 140, so that the locking electrode 130B can be sealed with a small number of sealing members 150. In addition, regarding the locking electrode 130B being located at a position closer to the +Z direction side than the upper surface of the sealing member 150, since the upper surface of the upper wall 141 is located at a position closer to the +Z direction side than the upper surface of the sealing member 150, the upper surface of the upper wall 141 is located at a position closer to the +Z direction side than the upper surface of the sealing member 150. Therefore, the sealing member 150 is not located between the locking electrode 130B and the hand. This is to suppress erroneous detection at the locking electrode 130B. The relative dielectric constant of the sealing member 150 formed by the potting agent is greater than 1. If the sealing member 150 is located between the locking electrode 130B and the hand, the influence on the electrostatic capacitance detected by the locking electrode 130B becomes greater. In order to avoid such a situation, the locking electrode 130B is located at a position closer to the +Z direction side than the upper surface of the sealing member 150. In this way, erroneous detection at the locking electrode 130B can be suppressed.

[0056] It should be noted that, when the cover 140 is mounted on the upper surface of the substrate 120, the locking electrode 130B may not necessarily be located at a position closer to the +Z direction side than the upper surface of the sealing member 150. When the cover 140 is mounted on the upper surface of the substrate 120, it is sufficient as long as at least the upper surface of the upper wall 141 is located closer to the +Z direction side than the upper surface of the sealing member 150 in the Z direction. This is because, as long as the upper surface of the upper wall 141 is exposed from the upper surface of the sealing member 150, the sealing member 150 is not located on the upper side of the locking electrode 130B, and the influence on the electrostatic capacitance detected by the locking electrode 130B is suppressed to a minimum.

[0057] In addition, the position of the upper surface of the sealing member 150 is equal to the position of the upper end of the partition wall 111E, or is lower than the position of the upper end of the partition wall 111E. Therefore, preferably, when the cover 140 is mounted on the upper surface of the substrate 120, the locking electrode 130B only needs to be located at the +Z direction side of the upper end of the partition wall 111E, and at least the upper surface of the upper wall 141 only needs to be located at the +Z direction side of the upper end of the partition wall 111E in the Z direction.

[0058] In addition, if Figure 4As shown in FIG. 1 , the distance between the side wall 142 on the -Y direction side of the cover 140 and the side wall 111B of the inner housing 111 is A. The distance in the Y direction between the surface on the -Y direction side of the side wall 142 on the -Y direction side and the end on the -Y direction side of the locking electrode 130B is B. The distance B is an example of a predetermined distance. The distance in the Y direction between the surface on the +Y direction side of the side wall 142 on the +Y direction side and the end on the +Y direction side of the locking electrode 130B is C.

[0059] In the door handle device 100, the distance B is configured to be a certain distance. A certain distance refers to a sufficient distance to the extent that the electrostatic capacitance of the locking electrode 130B will not be affected even if water accumulates between the side wall 142 on the -Y direction side of the cover 140 and the side wall 111B of the inner housing 111. If the distance B is short, when water accumulates between the side wall 142 on the -Y direction side of the cover 140 and the side wall 111B of the inner housing 111, the electrostatic capacitance changes to the same degree as the proximity of the hand due to the influence of the water, which may cause false detection. By leaving a sufficient distance B in the door handle device 100, false detection can be suppressed. It should be noted that in order to suppress false detection, the distance C is also set to a sufficient distance. In addition, the same is true in the X direction.

[0060] It should be noted that if the sealing component 150 is set closer to the +Z direction side, the amount of water accumulated between the side wall 142 on the -Y direction side of the cover 140 and the side wall 111B of the inner shell 111 can be suppressed, thereby suppressing false detection. However, in this embodiment, the amount of the sealing component 150 is suppressed, and even if the amount of accumulated water increases, false detection will not occur.

[0061] It should be noted that in the existing example where the unitized electrostatic sensor is arranged in the door handle housing without using the cover 140, water accumulates in the gap between the sealing member and the receiving recess 111D of the inner housing 111. In order to avoid false detection in this case, the thickness of the sealing member needs to be set, which may cause problems such as enlargement and dents, pores or warping when enlarged. However, the door handle device according to the present invention can reduce the possibility of such problems.

[0062] <Double-sided tape 145>

[0063] The double-sided tape 145 is provided to bond the upper surface of the upper wall 141 of the cover 140 to the inner surface of the outer wall 112A of the outer shell 112, and to tightly fix the cover 140 to the inner side of the outer shell 112. The cover 140 and the outer shell 112 are fixed by the double-sided tape 145 so that there is no gap between them and the outer shell 112, and water does not penetrate. Such double-sided tape 145 should be able to prevent water from penetrating between the cover 140 and the outer shell 112, and in order to make the cover 140 tightly adhere to the inner side of the outer shell 112, a relatively thick tape can be used.

[0064] <Sealing member 150>

[0065] The sealing member 150 is formed by injecting a potting agent into a portion of the receiving recess 111D closer to the -Y direction than the partition 111E, and heating it to cure it, while the substrate 120 on which the unlocking electrode 130A and the cover 140 on which the locking electrode 130B are fixed is received in the receiving recess 111D closer to the -Y direction than the partition 111E. Then, the potting agent is placed at room temperature. In this way, the door handle device 100 including the sealing member 150 is manufactured.

[0066] That is, the manufacturing method of the door handle device 100 includes the following steps: when the substrate 120 on which the unlocking electrode 130A and the cover 140 on which the locking electrode 130B is fixed is accommodated in the accommodating recess 111D, a potting agent is injected into a portion of the accommodating recess 111D that is closer to the -Y direction side than the partition wall 111E and is cured, thereby forming a sealing component 150.

[0067] The height of the upper surface of the sealing member 150 thus formed is lower than the height of the upper end of the partition wall 111E. This is because the potting agent shrinks slightly when solidifying, and the upper surface of the potting agent is lower than the height of the upper end of the partition wall 111E when the potting agent is injected.

[0068] The sealing member 150 is formed in a portion of the receiving recess 111D surrounded by the bottom wall 111A on the -Y direction side relative to the partition wall 111E and the side walls 111B on the +X direction side, the -X direction side, and the -Y direction side. Figure 7 Shape as shown.

[0069] In addition, the lower end of the cover 140 is in contact with or close to the upper surface and the side surface of the substrate 120, so the lower end of the cover 140 is sealed by the sealing member 150 while preventing the sealing member 150 from intruding into the receiving recess 111D. Figure 6As shown, the cover 140 is accommodated in the accommodation recess 111D from the lower end to a certain height. However, with respect to the side wall 142 of the cover 140, in the -Z direction where the opening 143 is located, the lower end center of the side wall on the +Y direction side (the center in the X direction) is in contact with the upper surface of the substrate 120, and the surface of the side wall on the -Y direction side, the side wall on the +X direction side, and the side wall on the -X direction side of the accommodation recess 111D side are in contact with the side surface of the substrate 120. Therefore, even if the potting agent is injected, it is possible to suppress the potting agent from flowing into the inside of the cover 140. That is, in the manufacturing method of the door handle device 100, when the potting agent is injected into the accommodation recess 111D, the potting agent does not flow into the inside of the cover 140, and the outside of the lower end side of the cover 140 is sealed together with the substrate 120 by the sealing member 150. The relative dielectric constant of the sealing member 150 formed by the potting agent is greater than 1. If the sealing member 150 is located close to the lower surface of the locking electrode 130B, the value of the electrostatic capacitance caused by the parasitic capacitance becomes larger accordingly. Therefore, as a person approaches, the change in the electrostatic capacitance detected by the locking electrode 130B becomes relatively small. In order to avoid such a situation, the potting agent is set not to flow into the inside of the cover 140.

[0070] It should be noted that, as a method of preventing the sealing member 150 from intruding into the receiving recess 111D, the opening 143 is blocked by the substrate 120, but the bottom wall 111A of the inner housing 111 may be provided with a shape that contacts the lower end surface (surface parallel to the XY plane) of the cover 140 in the -Z direction, and the opening 143 is blocked in cooperation with the substrate 120. In this case, when the potting agent is injected into the receiving recess 111D, it may be done in a state where the outer surface (upper surface) of the upper wall 141 of the cover 140 is pressed from the +Z direction to the -Z direction.

[0071] Furthermore, the potting agent may flow into the inside of cover 140 . Even in this case, the lower surface of lock electrode 130B and sealing member 150 can be arranged to be separated from each other with a space therebetween, so that the value of electrostatic capacitance due to parasitic capacitance can be suppressed.

[0072] Therefore, even if water intrudes into the interior from the joint between the inner housing 111 and the outer housing 112, it is possible to suppress the water from intruding into the interior of the cover 140. Therefore, it is possible to suppress erroneous detection due to the intrusion of water into the cover 140.

[0073] <Effect>

[0074] The door handle device 100 includes: a substrate 120; an unlocking electrode 130A, which is arranged on a first surface of the substrate 120 or inside the substrate 120; a locking electrode 130B, which is arranged opposite to a second surface of the substrate 120 opposite to the first surface; a door handle type door handle housing 110, which has an inner housing 111 and an outer housing 112, wherein the inner housing 111 has a receiving recess 111D for receiving the substrate 120, and the outer housing 112 is arranged in a manner of covering an opening 111C of the receiving recess 111D of the inner housing 111; and a cover 14 0, which is arranged on the second surface of the substrate 120, has an opening portion 143 facing the second surface and a receiving recess 144 connected to the opening portion 143 and recessed in a direction away from the second surface, and a locking electrode 130B is arranged on the deep end surface of the receiving recess 144 or in the upper wall 141 of the receiving recess 144; and a sealing member 150, which is formed by injecting a potting agent into the receiving recess 111D, covers and seals the substrate 120 and the unlocking electrode 130A in the receiving recess 111D, and exposes the outer surface of the upper wall 141 of the cover 140.

[0075] Therefore, if the outer surface (upper surface) of upper wall 141 is exposed from sealing member 150 , sealing member 150 is not located above lock electrode 130B, and the influence on the electrostatic capacitance detected by lock electrode 130B is minimized.

[0076] Therefore, it is possible to provide the door handle device 100 which can suppress erroneous detection due to intrusion of water.

[0077] In addition, the locking electrode 130B is installed on the lower surface (deep end surface) of the upper wall 141, so that a structure in which the sealing component 150 is not located on the upper side of the locking electrode 130B can be achieved, and the influence of the electrostatic capacitance detected by the locking electrode 130B can be minimized, thereby providing a door handle device 100 and a manufacturing method of the door handle device 100 that can suppress erroneous detection caused by water intrusion.

[0078] In addition, the lock electrode 130B is provided so as to be separated from the side wall 142 of the cover 140 between the opening 143 and the upper wall 141 by a distance B (predetermined distance). The distance B is a sufficient distance to prevent the electrostatic capacitance of the lock electrode 130B from being affected even if water accumulates between the side wall 142 of the cover 140 and the side wall 111B of the inner housing 111, thereby providing a door handle device 100 and a method for manufacturing the door handle device 100 that can suppress erroneous detection caused by water intrusion around the cover 140. In addition, by sufficiently leaving the distance B, the door handle device 100 can be miniaturized.

[0079] In addition, it is also possible to consider not providing the cover 140 and making the thickness of the sealing member covering the locking electrode 130B, the substrate 120, and the unlocking electrode 130A that need to be waterproof thicker in the X, Y, and Z directions to leave a sufficient distance between the part where water may accumulate and the locking electrode or the unlocking electrode, but this may cause the door handle device to be enlarged, and problems such as unevenness in the sealing member due to dents, pores, or warping in the sealing member. In contrast, in the door handle device 100 of the embodiment, the sealing member 150 can be made thinner, so such problems are not easily caused.

[0080] In addition, a double-sided tape 145 is included to fix the upper surface (outer surface) of the upper wall 141 of the cover 140 to the inner surface of the outer shell 112, so that water can be prevented from entering between the cover 140 and the outer shell 112 by making the cover 140 and the outer shell 112 close to each other. Therefore, it is possible to provide a door handle device 100 and a method for manufacturing the door handle device 100 that can more effectively prevent erroneous detection caused by the entry of water.

[0081] In addition, it is also considered to inject a sealing member instead of using the double-sided tape 145 to make the cover 140 and the outer shell 112 close together, but in order to set the sealing member at a high position such as between the cover 140 and the outer shell 112, a large amount of potting agent will be injected, making it difficult to cheaply manufacture the door handle device 100. In contrast, in the door handle device 100, by using the double-sided tape 145 to make the cover 140 and the outer shell 112 close together, in addition to suppressing the intrusion of water, it is also possible to reduce costs.

[0082] In addition, since the extended portion 131B of the wiring connecting the lock electrode 130B and the substrate 120 is included, the lock electrode 130B and the substrate 120 can be reliably connected according to the size of the door handle housing 110 .

[0083] In addition, the opening 143 side of the cover 140 is fixed to the substrate 120, so the cover 140 and the substrate 120 can be integrated, and the operation becomes easy. It should be noted that when the side wall 142 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the substrate 120 and the opening 143 is blocked by the substrate 120, the potting agent forming the sealing member 150 can be suppressed from flowing into the inside of the cover 140 from the opening 143 with a simple structure. The inside of the cover 140 becomes a space filled with air, so the detection accuracy of the lock electrode 130B can be improved.

[0084] In addition, the manufacturing method of the door handle device 100 is a method for manufacturing the door handle device 100, which includes: a substrate 120; an unlocking electrode 130A, which is provided on a first surface of the substrate 120 or inside the substrate 120; a locking electrode 130B, which is provided opposite to a second surface of the substrate 120 opposite to the first surface; a door handle type door handle housing 110, which has an inner housing 111 and an outer housing 112, the inner housing 111 has a receiving recess 111D for receiving the substrate 120, and the outer housing 112 is provided in a manner to cover an opening of the receiving recess 111D of the inner housing 111; and The cover 140 is arranged on the second surface of the substrate 120, and has an opening portion facing the second surface and a receiving recess 144 connected to the opening portion and recessed in a direction away from the second surface. A locking electrode 130B is arranged on the deep end surface of the receiving recess 144 or in the upper wall 141 of the receiving recess 144. The manufacturing method of the door handle device 100 includes the following steps: a sealing component 150 is formed by injecting a potting agent into the receiving recess 111D, and the sealing component 150 covers and seals the substrate 120 and the unlocking electrode 130A in the receiving recess 111D, and exposes the outer surface of the upper wall 141 of the cover 140.

[0085] Therefore, if the outer surface (upper surface) of upper wall 141 is exposed from sealing member 150 , sealing member 150 is not located above lock electrode 130B, and the influence on the electrostatic capacitance detected by lock electrode 130B is minimized.

[0086] Therefore, it is possible to provide a method for manufacturing the door handle device 100 that can suppress erroneous detection due to intrusion of water.

[0087] As mentioned above, the door handle device and the manufacturing method of the door handle device according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described, but the present disclosure is not limited to the specific disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the technical solution.

[0088] It should be noted that the present international application claims priority based on Japanese patent application No. 2022-190682 filed on November 29, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0089] Description of reference numerals:

[0090] Door handle device 100

[0091] Door handle housing 110 (an example of a handle housing)

[0092] Inner housing 111

[0093] Bottom wall 111A

[0094] Side wall 111B

[0095] Opening 111C (an example of a first opening)

[0096] Accommodation recess 111D (an example of a first accommodation recess)

[0097] Next door 111E

[0098] Outer shell 112

[0099] Substrate 120

[0100] Unlock electrode 130A (an example of a first electrode)

[0101] Locking electrode 130B (an example of a second electrode)

[0102] Extension portion 131B (an example of a connection portion)

[0103] Hood 140

[0104] Upper wall 141 (an example of a deep end wall)

[0105] Side wall 142

[0106] Opening 143 (an example of a second opening)

[0107] Accommodation recess 144 (an example of a second accommodation recess)

[0108] Double-sided tape 145 (an example of a fastening member)

[0109] Sealing member 150 .

Claims

1. A door handle device, comprising: substrate; A first electrode, which is disposed on the first surface of the substrate or inside the substrate; a second electrode disposed opposite to a second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface; A door handle type handle housing, comprising an inner housing and an outer housing, wherein the inner housing has a first receiving recess for receiving the substrate, and the outer housing is arranged in a manner covering a first opening of the first receiving recess of the inner housing; a cover, which is arranged on the second surface of the substrate, and has a second opening facing the second surface and a second receiving recessed portion communicating with the second opening and recessed in a direction away from the second surface, wherein the second electrode is arranged on a deep end surface of the second receiving recessed portion or in a deep end wall of the second receiving recessed portion; as well as A sealing member is formed by injecting a potting agent into the first housing recess, covers and seals the substrate and the first electrode in the first housing recess, and exposes an outer surface of the deep end wall of the cover.

2. The door handle device according to claim 1, wherein: The second electrode is installed on the deep end surface.

3. The door handle device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The second electrode is provided so as to be separated by a predetermined distance from a side wall of the cover between the second opening and the rear end wall.

4. The door handle device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The door handle device further includes a fixing member that fixes the outer surface of the deep end wall of the cover and the inner surface of the outer shell.

5. The door handle device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The door handle device further includes a connection portion connecting the second electrode and a wiring of the substrate.

6. The door handle device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The second opening portion side of the cover is fixed to the substrate.

7. A method for manufacturing a door handle device, wherein: The door handle device comprises: substrate; A first electrode, which is disposed on the first surface of the substrate or inside the substrate; a second electrode disposed opposite to a second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface; A door handle type handle housing having an inner housing and an outer housing, wherein the inner housing has a first receiving recess for receiving the substrate, and the outer housing is provided in a manner covering an opening of the first receiving recess of the inner housing; and a cover, which is arranged on the second surface of the substrate, and has an opening facing the second surface and a second receiving recessed portion communicating with the opening and recessed in a direction away from the second surface, wherein the second electrode is arranged on the deep end surface of the second receiving recessed portion or in the deep end wall of the second receiving recessed portion, The manufacturing method of the door handle device comprises the following steps: A sealing member is formed by injecting a potting agent into the first housing recess, the sealing member covers and seals the substrate and the first electrode in the first housing recess, and exposes an outer surface of the deep end wall of the cover.

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