Actuating unit for motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuating unit comprising a housing (11a, 11b) and having a printed circuit board (2), the printed circuit board (2) being mounted in the housing (11a, 11b) and comprising an inductive sensor (3a, 3b). A metallic target (4a, 4b) is associated with the inductive sensor, wherein the target (4a, 4b) extends partially between the inductive sensor (3a, 3b) and the housing (11a, 11b). The object (4a, 4b) is associated with a support means (5a) on the circuit board (2) or the housing and rests on and / or is attached to the support means (5a), and wherein the object (4a, 4b) is at least partially elastic. The target (4a, 4b) adjoins the housing (11a, 11b) in a section extending above the inductive sensor (3a, 3b) and is in a compressed state between the housing (11a, 11b) and the support device (5a) within an elastic range of the target (4a, 4b).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an actuating unit for a motor vehicle. In particular, the present invention relates to an actuating unit in the form of an actuator or a handle for a door or a flap of a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] The housing of the actuating unit can be attached to a motor vehicle to operate a door, a flap or other functions of the motor vehicle. The housing can have an external shape that forms a graspable or holdable handle for the user, and the housing can consist of several parts. The housing has a cavity at least in sections to accommodate functional components, in particular electronic components, in the housing. These components can be inserted into the housing section before the housing is closed by connecting one housing section to other housing sections.

[0003] Inside the housing, there is a printed circuit board fixed to the housing. The circuit board forms the basis for the electronic components of the actuating unit, and the circuit board has conductor tracks and electronic components. In particular, an inductive sensor is arranged on the circuit board.

[0004] Inductive sensors (also referred to as inductive proximity switches or starters) are widely used in automation and process engineering as well as in the automotive industry and for various applications in vehicles. The advantage of inductive sensors is that they operate without mechanical contact adjustment and they are not susceptible to wear and contamination. They are characterized by high reliability. They are used both for recording technical processes in the vehicle (such as ABS) and for recording interactions with the user. Inductive sensors work based on the principle of a change in the impedance of a conducting coil, which is caused by eddy currents in a conductive target sensed by the sensor. The sensor can be excited by an oscillator, for example, which generates an electromagnetic field that interacts with a nearby (current decoupled) target.

[0005] The signal processing electronics detects the change in the impedance of the coil when the distance between the sensor (conducting coil) and the target changes and converts this change into an available displacement signal. The signal processing can be performed using, for example, circuits derived from the use or combination of the following types of circuits: Colpitts circuits, phase circuits, and bridge circuits (such as Maxwell bridges). A metal target is assigned to the sensor in the actuating unit and the metal target is accommodated in the housing of the vehicle door handle within its detection area, and a change in the position of the metal target relative to the sensor is detected. The target extends in the section between the inductive sensor and the housing. Thus, it is located near the sensor and inside the housing.

[0006] Such an arrangement of a vehicle door handle with a housing accommodating an inductive sensor and a metallic target assigned to the sensor can be used to detect the influence of forces on the door handle. If the application of a force causes the housing to deform, the target attached to the housing is displaced and the inductive sensor inside the housing detects the displacement of the target. In the prior art, the target is attached inside the housing, for example as a metal foil or a metal part, such that the application of a force to the outside of the housing in the attachment area causes the target to move relative to the inductive sensor, which is attached to a circuit board in the housing and fixed in a stationary position.

[0007] However, when installing such an actuating unit that detects deformation of the housing caused by the application of a force by inductive means, it must always be ensured that the target is precisely and correctly aligned with the inductive sensor. The target must be installed at a defined distance inside the housing of the actuating unit. It must also be positioned within the detection range of the inductive sensor coil. Deviations during installation can lead to a decrease in sensor sensitivity, for example if the target on the housing is not exactly positioned within the detection range of the inductive sensor. However, this is bound to happen, especially since the target is usually attached to a first housing part that is initially separated from another housing part accommodating a printed circuit board with an inductive sensor before assembly, and only when the housing parts are joined together do the cooperating parts become aligned, making subsequent position correction no longer possible. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The object of the invention is to create an actuating unit in the form of a vehicle door handle that is error - prone during assembly and enables repeatable alignment of the target in order to always detect deformation of the housing relative to the inductive sensor.

[0009] This object is solved by a vehicle door handle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0010] According to the present invention, a support device on a printed circuit board and / or a housing is associated with a target object. Herein, the term "support device" should be understood as any fastening device, receptacle or support on which a metallic target object is supported and held or fixed in any other way. Thus, the support device can also have means for connecting the target object to the support device, in particular by force-fitting, form-fitting or material-fitting connection of the target object to the support device. The support for the target object can be formed on the printed circuit board itself, for example, in the case where the support device is in the form of a hole into which the feet of the target object are inserted, or in the case where the support device is in the form of a soldering point, and the target object is attached to the soldering point by a material binder. However, particularly in the case of a multi-part housing, the support device can also be formed in the housing part that also houses the printed circuit board, and the target object is arranged on the support device in the housing independently of the printed circuit board.

[0011] In an embodiment according to the invention, the target object is at least partially elastic. The elasticity of the target object can be achieved, for example, by shaping it, in particular by a spring-like design of a section of the target object, for example in the form of a leaf spring. Alternatively, the elasticity can also be achieved by forming a section (such as an elastic transition region) with a non-metallic elastic material.

[0012] According to the invention, the target object is arranged in the housing such that it abuts against the housing in the region extending above the inductive sensor. Thus, the target object is supported on the one hand on its support device, which is located, for example, on the printed circuit board or on a housing section below the printed circuit board, and on the other hand abuts against the housing section extending above the inductive sensor. The target object is compressed between the housing and the support device within the elasticity range of the target object.

[0013] Since the support device and the printed circuit board with the inductive sensor are always in a stable position relative to each other because they are attached to the same component, the object is in a defined position relative to the inductive sensor due to being positioned on the relevant support device. The compression between the housing and the support device of the object ensures reliable contact between the object and the housing at all times, and thus ensures reliable transmission of the deformation of the housing when a force is applied in this area to the movement of the object. This is ensured by the elasticity of the object, which can also compensate for minor manufacturing or assembly tolerances regarding the distance between the housing and the inductive sensor. In addition, it is ensured that the position of the object relative to the inductive sensor always remains fixed and complies with the specifications, because this positional relationship is determined by the local positioning of the support member rather than by the arrangement of the object on the housing part that can be subsequently installed. Even if parts of the object remain movable during compression and subsequent deformation due to the application of a force to the housing, due to the flexibility of the object, the object and its fixed relationship with the support device always remain unchanged. The object itself deforms, i.e., its shape deforms, and the object extends between the support device and the attachment to the housing. Due to compression, the object adjusts its contact with the housing during assembly relative to its contact with the housing itself, but always maintains a defined alignment with the inductive sensor, which in turn does not change its position relative to the support device of the object.

[0014] For example, if the support device is provided on the printed circuit board itself that also bears the inductive sensor, the positioning of the object relative to the inductive sensor is also fixed by this positional relationship of the support device. If the circuit board is then inserted into a housing part of the actuating unit (e.g., the handle housing), and after assembly another housing part is fitted as a housing cover, the elastic object is compressed at this time. The shape and elasticity of the elastic object are designed such that it is compressed in any case when the housing cover is fitted but still remains fixed in position on the support device. This ensures that even in the case of assembly deviations, the object is always in the expected alignment with the inductive sensor, and on the other hand, there is always mechanical contact between the object and the housing to transfer the deformation of the housing into the displacement of the sections of the object, while the object remains unchanged due to its elasticity and is fixed in place on the support device.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inductive sensor is designed as a printed, sectionally spiral conductor track on the printed circuit board.

[0016] Designing the inductive sensor as a printed conductor track guided in a spiral manner on the printed circuit board enables the design of the inductive sensor to be particularly flat and cost-effective, because this is formed together with other conductor tracks on the printed circuit board in a unified process.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the actuating unit, the object has at least one folding or bending portion, wherein at least one section of the object located on the first side of the folding or bending portion is supported on the supporting device, and at least one further section of the object located on the other side of the bending portion, i.e., the second side, is supported on the housing.

[0018] The formation of a folding or flipping portion in the material of the object can be achieved by a simple mechanical folding process during the manufacture of the object, and ensures the elasticity of the object, in particular the elasticity along the route of the folding or flipping portion and in the region of the sections of the object extending therefrom.

[0019] Particularly preferably, the object is at least partially bent in the section adjacent to the housing, and the convex side of the bent section is supported on the housing.

[0020] The bent design of the object ensures that when the housing is deformed, the object can slide in the bent section on the housing, so that the object can be deformed, and when the force is removed, the object can also return to its original position with low friction.

[0021] In a further advantageous development of the invention, the object has at least three resilient mounting legs, wherein the section extending above the inductive sensor extends between the resilient mounting legs, and wherein the mounting legs extend between the section extending above the inductive sensor and the supporting device.

[0022] In such an arrangement, the region of the object extending between the legs is formed as, for example, a flat section, and the legs connect this section to the supporting device and the legs themselves are elastically deformable. Thus, the object can be elastically deformed on the legs, so that the legs have a certain spring effect. The legs can be provided with elasticity by shaping, for example by introducing S-shaped sections or wavy sections or folding sections.

[0023] In a further preferred embodiment of the actuating unit, the object is deformed in the section adjacent to the housing such that at least one elevation is formed in the direction of the housing, which elevation preferably has the shape of a truncated cone or a rounded truncated pyramid.

[0024] This design of the object having an elevation in the direction of the housing again causes the object to come into contact with the housing only in a reduced area, and causes the force to be transmitted from the housing to the object in a defined manner at this contact point, while ensuring that the housing slides on the object.

[0025] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the actuating unit, the support of the object is formed only on the printed circuit board.

[0026] The design of the support element located only on the printed circuit board enables the printed circuit board to be adapted to all components including the object and the completed assembly to be inserted into the housing. If a multi-part housing is used, the completed assembly can be inserted into the housing through the mounting opening, thereby pressing the object together between the housing and its support means on the printed circuit board. If a multi-part housing is used, the printed circuit board with the object mounted thereon can be inserted into the first housing part and fixed there, and the second housing part can be placed on top as a cover, thereby compressing the object between its support means and the attached housing part during attachment.

[0027] Particularly preferably, the support means of the object has a receiving seat or latching means which cooperates with a complementary fastening section of the object to fasten the object to the support means.

[0028] Forming complementary fastening means on the object on the one hand and on the support means on the other hand enables the object to be arranged in a particularly reproducible positional relationship with other components. For example, the holding part into which a part of the object is inserted ensures a reproducible and immovable position.

[0029] If the support means of the object has a receiving seat or latching means which cooperates with a complementary fastening section of the object to fasten the object to the support means, particularly rapid assembly ability is ensured because the object can be fixed in its position without waiting time, for example in the case of an interlocking connection between the object and the support means.

[0030] In certain applications, it is particularly advantageous if the object is fixed to the support means by means of a material-to-material connection. Material-adaptive connections produced, for example, by welding or gluing are generally more complex to assemble but can produce particularly durable connections. In addition, if an electrical connection between the object and the support means is required at certain points, this can be ensured by using a conductive connection material for the material-to-material connection.

[0031] In a further development of the invention, the object has an electrical connection to the contacts on the printed circuit board.

[0032] Electrically connecting the object via the support means or in separate contact with the contacts on the printed circuit board enables the control device to use the object for sensing purposes, for example, or to ensure that a predetermined potential is always maintained at the object, for example to ground the object.

[0033] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the object is connected to a control circuit on the printed circuit board, which can be the same control circuit for controlling and evaluating an inductive sensor. In this embodiment, the control circuit temporarily controls the object as a capacitive sensor electrode.

[0034] Thus, in this embodiment, the target object performs a dual function. On the one hand, it acts as a metallic target object, being detected by an inductive sensor upon its approach, and over time, it can be analyzed as an electrode of a capacitive sensor, for example, to evaluate the non-contact approach of an operator in the vicinity of the target object. The control circuit can control the corresponding operating modes of the target object, being on the one hand the target object of the inductive sensor and on the other hand an independent capacitive sensor in a time-division multiplexing operation, or select the function according to the vehicle state.

[0035] Although the present invention can in principle be used for various actuation units in a vehicle to enable user interaction, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the actuation unit is designed as a vehicle door handle. The vehicle door handle has a graspable handle on which a user can apply a force to a body part (such as a door or a tailgate). A circuit board with an inductive sensor is installed inside the handle, and the target object is accommodated in the handle. The force applied by the user to the handle affects the handle area where the housing contacts the target object and thus compresses the target object, causing a detectable displacement of the target object.

[0036] As already described above, the actuation unit can basically have an integral housing, in which, for example, a circuit board with an inductive sensor and the target object are inserted. However, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the actuation unit is formed by a housing in several parts before assembly. The printed circuit board with the inductive sensor and the target object are inserted and positioned in the first housing part, where the target object rests on a support device on the printed circuit board or on its support device on the first housing part. If the second housing part is placed as a cover on the first housing part, the components are encapsulated between the housing parts, and the target object is compressed between the second housing part and its support device in the first housing part or on the printed circuit board. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0038] Figures 1a to 1d A schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention in the form of a motor vehicle door handle is shown;

[0039] Figure 2 The signal connection between the control device of a first embodiment of the operating device according to the present invention and other components is schematically shown;

[0040] Figure 3a A side view of a second embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown, in which the target object is folded;

[0041] Figure 3b Shows according to Figure 3aSchematic top view of the arrangement;

[0042] Figure 4 Schematically shows a third embodiment, in which the object is supported on the printed circuit board by flexible legs;

[0043] Figure 5 Schematically shows a fourth embodiment, in which the object is supported on the printed circuit board by flexible legs;

[0044] Figure 6 Schematically shows a fifth embodiment, in which the object is formed with elastic legs and a bending part;

[0045] Figure 7 Schematically shows a sixth embodiment, in which the object is formed with an elastic folding part and straight legs for connection to the printed circuit board;

[0046] Figure 8 Schematically shows a seventh embodiment, in which the object is formed with elastic legs and a folding part with a stop limit;

[0047] Figure 9 Schematically shows an eighth embodiment, in which the object is formed with a frustoconical projection and elastic legs;

[0048] Figure 10 Schematically shows a ninth embodiment, in which the object is formed with a truncated pyramidal projection and elastic legs. Detailed embodiments

[0049] Figure 1a Shows a first embodiment of the present invention. The housing of the operating device is formed by housing parts 1a and 1b, which, in the illustration in Figure 1a are not yet connected to each other. After assembly, the housing parts 1a and 1b form a handle for a vehicle door handle, which can be attached to a body component of the vehicle.

[0050] A fastening device 6 is formed on the housing part 1b, and a printed circuit board 2 is coupled to the fastening device 6. Thus, the printed circuit board 2 is fixed to the housing part 1b, and the fastening device 6 can have, for example, a latch device or a holding device. A control device 8 in the form of a microcontroller is arranged on the printed circuit board 2. In addition to the components described here, other components can also be arranged on the printed circuit board 2; furthermore, signal lines and power supply lines from the printed circuit board to external components are not shown in order to focus the description on the actuation unit according to the present invention.

[0051] The printed circuit board also carries two inductive sensors 3a and 3b, which are arranged on the printed circuit board. Inductive targets 4a and 4b are arranged above the inductive sensors 3a and 3b. These inductive targets 4a and 4b are held in these support means 5a and 5b, which in this exemplary embodiment are solder joints on the printed circuit board 2, and the inductive targets 4a and 4b are fastened and supported on the printed circuit board 2 by these support means. As described above, the support means for the inductive targets can also be formed in other ways, for example by pins, coupling means or holding means.

[0052] As Figure 1a seen, and as Figure 1d more clearly shown in the enlarged view of the left-hand inductive target 4a in, the inductive target has a base section and an elastic section extending from the printed circuit board towards the housing section 1a, and the connection to the support means 5a and 5b extends from this base section. This elastic section of the inductive target 4a or 4b is elastically deformable, such that during the assembly of the housing, the inductive target in this section extending above the inductive sensors 3a and 3b is compressed between the housing section 1a, the inductive sensors 3a and 3b, and the printed circuit board 2. Figure 1b The fully assembled connection between the housing sections 1a and 1b is shown, from which it can be seen that the elastic sections of the targets 4a and 4b are compressed between the housing section 1a, the inductive sensors 3a and 3b, and the printed circuit board 2. More precisely, the compression of the components occurs between the supports 5a and 5b and the parts of the targets 4a and 4b that rest on the housing section 1a.

[0053] Figure 1c The application of a force to the housing section 1a in the direction and at the location of the arrow 10 is shown, causing a slight deformation (exaggerated here) of the housing section 1a, which in turn causes the target 4a to be compressed. The deformation of the target 4a causes a displacement of the metal components of the target 4a, which is detected by the inductive sensor 3a, which reacts very sensitively to changes in the distance of the metal components within its detection range. As Figure 1d shown, when pressed into the housing section 1a, the elastic deformation of the free section can be sufficient to exert a lever force on the section of the target 4a that spans the inductive sensor 3a. Alternatively, as shown in other figures, notches can also be formed in the base section of the target 4a that extends between the support points 5a, so that the inductive sensor 3a located below can directly detect the elastic section of the target that extends to the housing section 1a through the notches in the base section.

[0054] Figure 2Shows the functional connection of the control device 8 according to this embodiment of the present invention with other functional components. The control device 8 is connected to the inductive sensors 3a and 3b to detect their inductance based on the deformation of the respectively assigned target objects 4a or 4b. The control device 8 does not need to control the target objects 4a and 4b to detect the inductance. However, in this exemplary embodiment, it is stipulated that the control device 8 also has an electrical connection to the target objects 4a and 4b to operate them as capacitive sensor electrodes when needed, as an alternative to detecting the deformation of the housing. Therefore, this exemplary embodiment provides that the control device 8 can operate the device according to the present invention in different ways in a time-division multiplexing or switching mode, that is, on the one hand, by interrogating the inductive sensors 3a and 3b, and on the other hand, by operating the metal target objects 4a and 4b as capacitive sensors. The advantage of this multifunctional use of the arrangement is that certain actuations (e.g., depending on the vehicle position or vehicle state) can detect the operation requests of the user more reliably. The capacitive sensor already responds to the approach of an object (e.g., the user's hand), while the inductive sensor only responds to the force applied to the housing and the displacement of the target object. Both of these operating concepts can be used with the device in a customized and useful way.

[0055] Figure 3a and Figure 3b Shows a second embodiment of the combination of an inductive sensor and a related target object. The outer housing is here formed by the housing parts 11a and 11b, where the printed circuit board 12 is directly placed on the lower housing part 11b in this illustration. As already explained above, the printed circuit board 12 can have a large number of other electronic components, and the illustration focuses on the components crucial for the present invention. In this embodiment, an inductive sensor in the form of a printed conductor spiral 13 is formed on the printed circuit board 12. Although Figure 3a shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the components, the spiral conductor structure of the inductive sensor 13 is in Figure 3bis shown in a top view, in which the upper part of the housing 11a is omitted so that only the remaining components are visible. In this embodiment, the metal target 14a is formed with a folding portion and is shaped like a U-shaped bracket, which is supported on the printed circuit board 12 on the one hand and pressed together by the housing part 11a on the other hand. The inductor target 14a has a notch 14b in the section or leg where it rests on the printed circuit board 12, so that the conductor spiral 13, which is a metal component below, detects the upper section or leg of the inductor target 14a that rests on the housing part 11a. Thus, when a force is applied to the housing part 11a through the notch 14b, the inductive sensor 13 detects the approach or removal of the upper section of the inductive target 14a. In this exemplary embodiment, it should be noted that the support means for the inductive target 14a on the printed circuit board 12 is formed by a flat support, whereby the attachment of the inductive target 14a on the printed circuit board can be fixed in these sections, for example by soldering or gluing.

[0056] Figure 4 and Figure 5 schematically show alternative embodiments of the targets 24 and 34, respectively, whereby it is shown here that a support as in Figure 4 can be formed for the elastic inductive targets on the printed circuit board. However, in Figure 5 , the metal target 34 is designed such that its elastic legs are stacked with the printed circuit board 12 and it is directly supported on the housing 11b. Thus, Figure 4 and Figure 5 differ in the position where the support means for forming the targets 24 or 34 are located, while the elastic designs of the targets 24 and 34 are similar. Both the target 24 and the target 34 have bent legs extending from the central section to the respective support means, and both the target 24 and the target 34 have wavy deformed sections to ensure the elasticity of the targets. In both the target 24 and the target 34, a frustoconical protrusion is formed in the central section, which is intended to be in contact with the housing part 11a to ensure a clear and precise deformation connection between the targets 24 and 34 and the housing part 11a.

[0057] Figures 6 to 10 shows a schematic perspective view of a further embodiment of the present invention, each embodiment being different in the shape of the target.

[0058] In these representations, for the sake of clarity, the housing having the housing parts 11a and 11b is designed as a cubic pressure-actuating part, although the housing parts 11a and 11b can have any desired shape, in particular also the Figures 1a to 1d design shown as a door handle.

[0059] Figures 6 to 10 The embodiments are particularly different in particular in terms of how the object shown is mounted on the printed circuit board and which sections of the object are elastic.

[0060] In Figure 6 , the object 18 is formed with elastic lateral legs, and the section of the object 18 supported by the legs is formed with a bent section in the form of a fold to form a contact section against the housing part 11a. The inductive sensor 13 is arranged on the printed circuit board 12, and when a deformation force acts on the housing section 11a, the inductive sensor 13 records the change in the position of the object 18. In this case, the object 18 bounces on its legs mounted on the printed circuit board 12, and the inductance of the inductive sensor 13 changes.

[0061] Figure 7 Shows a configuration of an object 19 similar to that in Figure 6 , but here the mounting legs are designed as elongated legs extending from the central section of the object 19, and here the mounting legs are used to mount the object on the printed circuit board 12.

[0062] In Figure 8 , the object 44 is again formed with elastic legs, but in the section where the object rests against the housing part 11a and is compressed, it has a stronger development in the direction of the printed circuit board 12, so as to form a deformed stop within the elastic range in this way.

[0063] In Figure 9 , an object is formed, which is provided with a circular central section and 3 spring legs, and thus the spring legs of the object 54 extend into the relevant support openings of the printed circuit board 12. Therefore, the external shape of the object 54 approximately corresponds to the embodiment example according to Figure 4 , where the support device here is formed by a receiving seat for the spring struts in the printed circuit board.

[0064] Figure 10 Shows an alternative embodiment, where the object is formed in the shape of an elongated metal sheet, having 4 elastic legs, and the central section extends between these elastic legs. The central section of the object 64 is formed as a rounded truncated pyramid, which rests against the housing part 11a on the longer section, and thus forms an enlarged actuating surface.

Claims

1. An actuating unit, comprising a housing (11a, 11b), The actuation unit has a printed circuit board (2; 12), wherein: The printed circuit board (2; 12) is installed in the housing (11a, 11b), The actuation unit has an inductive sensor (3a, 3b; 13), which is arranged on the printed circuit board. The actuation unit has a metal target (4a, 4b; 14a; 18; 19; 24; 34; 44; 54; 64), the metal target is assigned to the inductive sensor, wherein the target (4a, 4b; 14a; 18; 19; 24; 34; 44; 54; 64) extends in a portion between the inductive sensor (3a, 3b; 13) and the housing (11a, 11b), It is characterized in that The target object (4a, 4b; 14a; 18; 19; 24; 34; 44; 54; 64) is associated with a supporting device (5a) on the printed circuit board (2; 12) and / or the housing, wherein the target object (4a, 4b; 14a; 18; 19; 24; 34; 44; 54; 64) rests on the supporting device (5a), and / or the target object (4a, 4b; 14a; 18; 19; 24; 34; 44; 54; 64) attached to said supporting means, Wherein, the target object (4a, 4b; 14a; 18; 19; 24; 34; 44; 54; 64) is at least partially elastic, Wherein, the target object (4a, 4b; 14a; 18; 19; 24; 34; 44; 54; 64) abuts against the housing (11a, 11b) in a section extending above the inductive sensor (3a, 3b; 13), and wherein the target object (4a, 4b; 14a; 18; 19; 24; 34; 44; 54; 64) on the target (4a, 4b; 14a; 18; 19; 24; 34; 44; 54; 64) is in a compressed state between the shell (11a, 11b) and the supporting device (5a).

2. The actuation unit according to claim 1, wherein: The inductive sensor (13) is in the form of a printed conductor track on the printed circuit board (12), the printed conductor track being at least partially spiral-shaped.

3. Actuation unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: The target object (4a, 4b; 14a; 18; 19; 44) has at least one bent portion or folded portion, wherein at least one section located on a first side of the bent portion or the folded portion is supported on the supporting device (5a), and wherein at least one section on the other side, i.e., the second side, of the bent portion or the folded portion is adjacent to the shell.

4. Actuation unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: The target (4a, 4b; 14a; 18; 19; 24; 34; 44; 54; 64) is at least partially curved in a section resting on the housing, wherein the convex side of the curved section abuts against the housing.

5. Actuation unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: The target object (18; 19; 24; 34; 44; 54; 64) having at least three flexible mounting legs, wherein a section extending above the inductive sensor (13) extends between the flexible mounting legs, and wherein the mounting legs extend between the support device (5a) and the section extending above the inductive sensor (13).

6. Actuation unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: The target object (24; 34; 54; 64) The section of the target object in contact with the shell (11a) is shaped so as to form at least one protrusion in the direction of the shell (11a), wherein the protrusion preferably has the shape of a truncated cone or a rounded truncated pyramid.

7. Actuation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The supporting device (5a) of the target object is formed only on the printed circuit board.

8. Actuation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The support means of the object comprises a receiving seat or latching means cooperating with a complementarily formed fastening portion of the object to fasten the object to the support means.

9. Actuation unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: The support means of the object comprises a receiving seat or latching means cooperating with a complementarily formed fastening portion of the object to fasten the object to the support means.

10. Actuation unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: The target is secured to the support means by an interlocking connection.

11. An actuation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The target has an electrical connection to contacts on the circuit board.

12. The actuation unit according to claim 11, wherein: The target is coupled to a control circuit, wherein the control circuit temporarily controls the target as a capacitive sensor electrode.

13. Actuation unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: The actuation unit is designed as a vehicle door handle, wherein the vehicle door handle has a grippable handle, the printed circuit board and the inductive sensor as well as the target object being accommodated in the interior of the grippable handle.

14. Actuation unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: The housing is formed of several parts, and wherein the printed circuit board with the inductive sensor as well as the support device and the target object are accommodated in a first housing part, and wherein the second housing part is formed as a cover of the first housing part, wherein the target object abuts against the second housing part and the target object is compressed between the support device and the second housing part.

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