Actuating device for door handle assembly of vehicle door

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuating device for a door handle assembly for actuating, in particular unlocking and / or opening a vehicle door, in particular an outer vehicle door, in which the actuating device comprises a handle element which projects at least partially or partially from the vehicle door or vehicle body, in particular from the outer vehicle skin, when the actuating device is used as intended, wherein the handle member comprises an actuating surface. According to the invention, in particular, a transmission mechanism is integrated in the handle part, which transmission mechanism is designed to convert a pressure applied, in particular manually, to an actuation surface of the handle part into a movement that can be detected by a sensor device, in particular integrated in the handle part, wherein the transmission mechanism comprises a sliding block-shaped or sliding block-shaped actuating element which is at least partially or partially accommodated in the handle part, and the sliding block-shaped or sliding block-shaped actuating element can perform translational movement relative to an actuating surface when pressure is exerted on the actuating surface of the handle part.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an actuating device for actuating a vehicle door, in particular for unlocking and opening an outer door of a vehicle. The invention also relates to a corresponding vehicle door having such an actuating device.

[0002] In the automotive industry, there's a growing trend away from the "classic" manual opening and closing of vehicle doors and flaps, particularly exterior vehicle doors. Instead, the corresponding opening and closing movements, and in particular the locking and unlocking of vehicle doors, are often performed automatically, particularly electrically. For this purpose, electric actuators are typically used, which drive the mechanisms for unlocking or locking the doors and flaps as needed. In order to generate an opening or closing signal for such, particularly electric, actuators or to output it to a corresponding control device, a sensor system, particularly a switch, may be provided that generates the desired signal upon user actuation. Such switches can be configured as buttons that generate the aforementioned signal when pressed by the user.

[0003] In addition to the corresponding switch for unlocking the door, a handle is also required so that the corresponding door can be opened after unlocking. The handle and button are usually difficult to reach with just a single hand movement, so unlocking and opening the door usually have to be done separately.

[0004] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention, inter alia, to provide an actuating device for actuating a door handle assembly of a vehicle door, which actuating device is configured such that the vehicle door can be unlocked and simultaneously opened with a single movement.

[0005] Furthermore, the actuating device needs to detect the operator's opening request in a reliable manner.

[0006] The object underlying the invention is achieved in particular by an actuating device according to independent patent claim 1 , wherein advantageous developments of the actuating device according to the invention are specified in the dependent patent claims.

[0007] The present invention therefore relates in particular to an actuating device for a door handle assembly for actuating, in particular unlocking and / or opening a vehicle door, in particular an exterior vehicle door. The actuating device comprises a handle element which, when the actuating device is used as intended, at least partially or partially projects from the vehicle door or from the vehicle body, in particular from the vehicle outer skin.

[0008] It is also proposed that the handle element comprises an actuating surface.

[0009] According to the present invention, it is particularly proposed that a transmission mechanism is at least partially or partially integrated in the handle part, which is configured to convert a pressure applied in particular manually to an actuating surface of the handle part into a movement that can be detected by a sensor device in particular integrated in the handle part.

[0010] For this purpose, the transmission mechanism preferably comprises a slider-shaped or slide-like actuating element which is at least partially or partially accommodated in the handle part and which can perform a translational movement relative to the actuating surface when pressure is applied to the actuating surface.

[0011] By providing such a transmission mechanism, which is at least partially or partially integrated into the handle, it is possible to reliably detect the pressure exerted on the actuation surface by means of the sensor device in a simple yet effective manner and then generate a corresponding unlocking and / or opening signal. The transmission mechanism is particularly configured in such a way that it is unimportant in which region of the actuation surface of the handle the operator actually applies pressure. Thus, even with relatively large actuation surfaces, it is always ensured that the sensor device, particularly integrated into the handle, detects a corresponding opening request by the operator.

[0012] Furthermore, the solution according to the invention provides a great degree of design freedom for the realization of the handle element. The handle element can have different shapes, and in particular a flat design of the handle element is conceivable.

[0013] Since the transmission mechanism together with the sensor element can be completely integrated into the handle element, additional installation space is saved.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the actuating device of the present invention, a slider-shaped or slide-type actuating element is movable within the handle between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is a rest position of the slider-shaped or slide-type actuating element, in which the slider-shaped or slide-type actuating element is located when no pressure is applied to the actuating surface of the handle. In the second position of the slider-shaped or slide-type actuating element, the slider-shaped or slide-type actuating element is at least partially or partially within the detection range of the sensor device.

[0015] The outstanding feature of this design is that the structure is particularly simple. In particular, the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element can be designed to be relatively flat, so that the entire transmission mechanism can be easily integrated into the handle of the actuating device without any necessary design changes.

[0016] Preferably, the slide-shaped or slide-like actuating element is associated with a prestressing element, in particular in the form of a spring, in order to prestress the slide-shaped or slide-like actuating element into its first position, ie its rest position.

[0017] In this context, in order to save additional components, it is conceivable that the preload element is designed as an elastic, in particular spring-elastic, region of a slide-shaped or slider-like actuating element.

[0018] In this regard, it is particularly conceivable that the elastic and in particular spring-elastic area of the slider-shaped or slider-like actuating element is formed at or in a first end area of the slider-shaped or slider-like actuating element, wherein the end area of the elastic and in particular spring-elastic area facing away from the main body of the slider-shaped or slider-like actuating element is preferably loosely connected to the housing structure of the handle part.

[0019] In a further improvement of the last-mentioned embodiment, it is proposed that in the second position of the slider-shaped or slide-type actuating element, a second end region of the slider-shaped or slide-type actuating element, opposite to the first end region of the slider-shaped or slide-type actuating element, is at least partially or partially located in the detection range of the sensor device.

[0020] In order to ensure a defined and, in particular, guided, translational movement of a slider-shaped or slide-like actuating element at least partially or partially integrated into the handle, a design variant of the actuating device according to the invention provides that the transmission mechanism comprises a linear guide (linear guide) arranged at least partially or partially in the handle, by means of which the slider-shaped or slide-like actuating element can be translated. The linear guide is preferably implemented by a corresponding guide surface that is connected to or formed by the housing structure of the handle.

[0021] Preferably, the transmission mechanism comprises at least one stop associated with the slide-shaped or slide-like actuating element in order to be able to limit the translational movement that the slide-shaped or slide-like actuating element can perform.

[0022] Here, it is also expedient if the at least one stop element associated with the slide-shaped or slide-like actuating element is formed integrally with the housing structure of the handle element.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment of the actuating device of the present invention, the transmission mechanism is configured to convert the pressure applied to the actuating surface of the handle into a translational movement of a slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element according to the inclined plane principle.

[0024] In order to achieve this, according to an embodiment variant of the actuating device of the present invention, it is proposed that at least one wedge-shaped or ramp-shaped protrusion is formed on the rear side of the actuating surface of the handle part, and the at least one wedge-shaped or ramp-shaped protrusion is at least partially or partially accommodated in a receiving area in the main body of an actuating element that is particularly configured in the shape of a slider or a slider.

[0025] The at least one wedge-shaped or ramp-shaped protrusion of the actuating surface of the handle piece and / or the accommodating area associated with the wedge-shaped or ramp-shaped protrusion of the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element are particularly designed so that when pressure is applied to the actuating surface, the wedge-shaped or ramp-shaped protrusion of the actuating surface of the handle piece moves further into the accommodating area, so that the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element is pushed in the direction of the translational movement that the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element can perform.

[0026] However, a kinematic reversal is of course also conceivable, in which the receiving area of the slider-shaped or slide-like actuating element has a wedge-shaped or ramp-shaped surface, against which the projection of the actuating surface of the handle piece abuts, and when pressure is exerted on the actuating surface, a translational movement of the slider-shaped or slide-like actuating element is generated.

[0027] Preferably, a plurality of wedge-shaped or ramp-shaped protrusions are formed on the rear side of the actuating surface of the handle piece, which interact with corresponding receiving areas in the body of a slider-shaped or slide-type actuating element, in particular, so that the transmission mechanism is implemented to be as insensitive as possible to the area of the actuating surface of the handle piece in which the operator ultimately applies pressure.

[0028] It is particularly preferred that the transmission mechanism is configured such that the slider-shaped or slide-like actuating element is moved in translation relative to the actuating surface only when a threshold pressure, in particular a predefined or definable threshold pressure, applied to the actuating surface is reached or exceeded. This effectively prevents the transmission mechanism from responding even at low pressures. This is the case, for example, when the operator merely touches the actuating surface but does not apply pressure to it due to an actual opening request.

[0029] In this context, it is also preferred that the transmission mechanism comprises a pressure point which the operator can perceive acoustically and / or, in particular haptically, via the actuating surface of the handle element when a critical pressure applied to the actuating surface is reached or exceeded.

[0030] In order to realize this improvement, various implementations are considered.

[0031] On the one hand, it is conceivable that, in order to achieve a pressure point that can be perceived acoustically and / or in particular haptically via the actuation surface, the transmission mechanism comprises a snap-action spring, in particular embodied as a snap-action frog spring.

[0032] In a development of this embodiment variant, it is conceivable that the snap-action spring is configured as a contact transmission component relative to the sensor device, in particular as a snap dome.

[0033] As an alternative or in addition to the use of a snap-action spring, in particular in the form of a snap-action frog spring, it is conceivable that the slider-shaped or slide-like actuating element comprises at least one spring-elastic bearing area, which in the first position of the slider-shaped or slide-like actuating element abuts a projection, which projection is in particular connected to the housing structure of the handle part, wherein the engagement between the at least one spring-elastic bearing area and the projection is released when a critical pressure applied to the actuating surface is reached or exceeded.

[0034] In this regard, it is particularly conceivable that: the at least one spring-elastic support area includes an arm area extending in the direction of the translational movement that can be performed by the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element, wherein a stop surface, in particular a wedge-shaped stop surface, in particular an inclined surface, is formed at a first end area of the arm area, which stop surface abuts against a protrusion of the housing structure of the handle part in the first position of the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element, wherein a second end area of the arm area opposite to the first end area of the arm area is connected to the main body of the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the actuation device according to the present invention, the sensor device integrated into the handle is preferably configured as a switch, in particular a microswitch. However, it is also conceivable that the sensor device is designed as a switch, in particular a microswitch. However, other embodiments of the sensor device, in particular integrated into the handle, are of course also conceivable.

[0036] A design variant of the actuating device according to the invention provides that the actuating device comprises a mounting structure which, when the actuating device is used as intended, is at least partially or partially attached to the vehicle door or accommodated in the vehicle door.

[0037] In this case, the housing structure of the handle part should preferably be connected to the mounting structure and preferably be formed integrally with the mounting structure.

[0038] In particular, it is conceivable that the mounting structure of the actuating device and the housing structure of the handle part are formed together within the context of a plastic injection molding process.

[0039] In an embodiment of the actuating device according to the present invention, it is provided that, when the actuating device is used as intended, the handle member at least partially or partially protrudes from the vehicle door or body, so that the handle member can be at least partially or partially grasped manually. Preferably, the actuating surface of the handle member is arranged on or within the surface of the handle member facing the vehicle door or body.

[0040] To form the actuating surface, it is conceivable that at least the surface of the handle facing the body or door is at least partially or partially and preferably completely formed by the cover, wherein the actuating surface of the handle is formed by a spring-elastic area formed in the cover.

[0041] The present invention further relates to an actuating device as claimed in parallel claim 22. It is proposed that the actuating device further comprises a capacitive proximity switch.

[0042] This further aspect of the invention is particularly distinguished in that the capacitive proximity switch comprises at least one capacitive sensor with at least one measuring electrode, wherein the at least one measuring electrode is formed at least partially or partially by a surface of the handle element to which a conductive ink or a conductive layer has been applied, in particular in a pad printing process.

[0043] In this way, it is possible to integrate the electronics of the capacitive proximity switch, for example, in a housing structure of the actuating device, wherein the measuring field of the capacitive proximity switch or the at least one capacitive sensor can however be expanded as required.

[0044] Finally, the invention relates to a door handle assembly having an actuating device of the type described above for actuating, in particular unlocking and / or opening, a vehicle door, in particular an exterior vehicle door.

[0045] The invention further relates to a vehicle door, in particular an outer vehicle door, having such a door handle assembly.

[0046] In particular, it is proposed that the vehicle door and / or door handle assembly and / or actuating device forms a handle area, which has a longitudinal direction for coming into contact with multiple fingers of an operator along the longitudinal direction, wherein the extension of the handle area in the longitudinal direction is at least 2 cm, and wherein the actuating surface forms the surface of the handle area and is arranged on at least 50% of the handle area in the longitudinal direction.

[0047] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0048] In the attached figure:

[0049] Figure 1 Schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the actuating device of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 2 Schematically and in cross-section, the Figure 1 The region of the handle member of the exemplary embodiment of the actuating device of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 3 Schematically showing approximately Figure 1 A sectional view taken along the cutting line A in FIG; and

[0052] Figure 4 Schematically showing approximately Figure 1 Sectional view along the cutting line B in .

[0053] The exemplary embodiment of the actuating device 1 according to the invention shown in the figures is an actuating device 1 for a door handle assembly for actuating and in particular for unlocking and / or opening a vehicle door, in particular an exterior vehicle door.

[0054] As in Figure 1 As schematically illustrated in FIG, the actuating device 1 comprises a mounting structure 2, preferably made of plastic, which, when the actuating device 1 is used as intended, is at least partially or partially attached to a vehicle door (not shown in the figures) or is accommodated in a vehicle door.

[0055] Furthermore, the actuating device 1 comprises a handle element 3 which, when the actuating device 1 is used as intended, at least partially or region-wise projects from the vehicle door or the vehicle body and in particular from the vehicle outer skin. Figure 4 The handle can be seen in the cross-sectional view.

[0056] The handle 3 includes a housing structure 4, which is preferably formed from plastic. The housing structure 4 of the handle 3 is integrally connected to the assembly structure 2 of the actuator 1. It is convenient for the housing structure 4 of the handle 3 and the assembly structure 2 of the actuator 1 to be formed together as part of an injection molding process.

[0057] The handle element 3 further comprises an actuation surface 5 .

[0058] When the actuating device 1 is used as intended, the handle part 3 protrudes at least partially or partially from the vehicle door or the body / vehicle outer skin in such a way that the handle part 3 can be grasped at least partially or partially by hand (see Figure 4 ).

[0059] In this case, it is provided in particular that the actuating surface 5 of the handle part 3 is arranged on or in the surface of the handle part 3 facing the vehicle door or the body.

[0060] In accordance with Figure 1 an overall view and in particular from the Figure 4 It can be seen in the sectional view of : the surface of the handle part 3 facing the vehicle body or the door is preferably completely formed by the cover part 8. Here, the actuating surface 5 is formed by the elastic area configured in the cover part 8.

[0061] For this reason, Figure 4 As shown, a joint or hinge region 9 is provided on the rear side of the cover 8. The joint or hinge region 9 is formed in particular by a groove-like depression.

[0062] Furthermore, a groove-shaped elastic region 10 is formed opposite the joint or articulation region 9 , so that the actuating surface 5 of the cover 8 is formed by the joint or articulation region 9 and the groove-shaped elastic region 10 .

[0063] exist Figure 2 It can be seen from the sectional view that a transmission mechanism is integrated at least partially or partially in the handle part 3, which is configured to convert a pressure applied in particular manually to the actuating surface 5 of the handle part 3 into a movement that can be detected by a sensor device 6 in particular integrated in the handle part 3.

[0064] In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, a microswitch is used as the sensor device 6 integrated in the handle part 3 .

[0065] In order to convert the pressure applied to the actuating surface 5 of the handle piece 3 into a movement that can be detected by the sensor device 6, a slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element 7 is accommodated in the handle piece 3. When pressure is applied to the actuating surface 5 of the handle piece 3, the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element can make a translational movement relative to the actuating surface 5 (and relative to the housing structure 4 of the handle piece 3).

[0066] Specifically, the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element 7 can be Figure 2 The first position of the slider-shaped or slide-like actuating element 7 is a rest position of the actuating element 7, in which the slider-shaped or slide-like actuating element 7 is situated when no pressure is applied to the actuating surface 5 of the handle part 3.

[0067] In contrast, in the second position of the slide-shaped or slide-like actuating element 7 , the slide-shaped or slide-like actuating element 7 is at least partially or regionally located in the detection range of the sensor device 6 .

[0068] In other words, in the second position of the slider-shaped or slide-type actuating element 7, the actuating protrusion 13 of the actuating element 7 arranged at the end area of the actuating element 7 hits the microswitch serving as the sensor device 6, so that a corresponding opening signal indicating an operator's opening request is generated or can be generated.

[0069] In accordance with Figure 2 It can also be seen in the sectional view that the slider-shaped or slider-like actuating element 7 is associated with a prestressing element in order to prestress the slider-shaped or slider-like actuating element 7 into its first position (rest position).

[0070] Although it is in principle conceivable to use a corresponding spring as prestressing element, in the exemplary embodiment of the actuating device 1 according to the invention shown in the figures it is provided that the prestressing element is configured as an elastic and in particular spring-elastic region 11 of the slide-shaped or slide-like actuating element 7 .

[0071] Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment of the actuating device 1 of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings, it is proposed that the elastic and especially spring-elastic area 11 of the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element 7 is formed at or in the first end area of the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element 7, wherein the end area of the elastic and especially spring-elastic area 11 facing away from the main body 12 of the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element 7 is preferably loosely connected to the housing structure 4 of the handle part 3.

[0072] In the second position of the slider-shaped or slide-type actuating element 7, the second end area of the slider-shaped or slide-type actuating element 7, opposite to the first end area of the slider-shaped or slide-type actuating element 7, and in particular the above-mentioned actuating protrusion 13 of the actuating element 7, are at least partially or partially located in the detection area of the sensor device 6, which is in particular designed as a micro switch.

[0073] exist Figure 2 It can also be seen in the sectional view that the transmission mechanism of the exemplary embodiment of the actuator device 1 of the present invention includes a linear guide 14 that is at least partially or partially arranged in the handle part 3, with the help of which the slider-shaped or slider-type actuator element 7 can perform translational movement.

[0074] In addition, based on Figure 2 As can be seen from the sectional view of FIG, the transmission mechanism comprises two opposite stops 15, which are associated with the slider-shaped or slide-like actuating element 7. The stops 15 serve to establish a first position of the slider-shaped or slide-like actuating element 7 and, in particular, to limit the translational movement that the slider-shaped or slide-like actuating element 7 can perform towards the first position.

[0075] In this case, it is provided in particular that the stop element 15 associated with the slide-shaped or slide-like actuating element 7 is formed integrally with the housing structure 4 of the handle part 3 .

[0076] In accordance with Figure 3 It can be seen from the cross-sectional view that the transmission mechanism of the exemplary embodiment of the actuating device 1 of the present invention is configured to convert the pressure applied to the actuating surface 5 of the handle 3 into a translational movement of the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element 7 according to the inclined plane principle.

[0077] Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment of the actuating device 1 of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings, it is proposed that a total of multiple wedge-shaped or ramp-shaped protrusions 16 are formed on the rear side of the actuating surface 5 of the handle member 3, and the multiple wedge-shaped or ramp-shaped protrusions are at least partially or partially accommodated in corresponding associated accommodating areas 17, which are configured in the main body 12 of the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element 7.

[0078] Here, the wedge-shaped or ramp-shaped protrusion 16 of the actuating surface 5 of the handle piece 3 and / or the corresponding associated accommodating area of the main body 12 of the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element 7 are designed so that: when pressure is applied to the actuating surface 5 of the handle piece 3, the wedge-shaped or ramp-shaped protrusion 16 moves further into the corresponding accommodating area 17 of the main body 12 of the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element 7, as a result of which the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element 7 is pushed in the direction of the translational movement that the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element 7 can perform.

[0079] Furthermore, the exemplary embodiment of the actuator device 1 according to the invention shown in the accompanying drawings is particularly distinguished in that the transmission mechanism of the actuator device 1 is configured such that the slider-shaped or slider-like actuator element 7 is only moved translationally relative to the actuating surface 5 or relative to the base body of the handle part 3 when a critical pressure, which is particularly predefined or definable and applied to the actuating surface 5 of the handle part 3, is reached or exceeded.

[0080] Furthermore, it is provided in this context that the transmission mechanism comprises a pressure point which the operator of the actuating device 1 can perceive acoustically and / or haptically via the actuating surface 5 when a critical pressure is reached or exceeded on the actuating surface 5 of the handle part 3 .

[0081] In principle, it is conceivable for the transmission mechanism to include a snap-action spring, in particular in the form of a snap-action frog spring, in order to achieve a pressure point that the operator can perceive acoustically and / or tactilely via the actuating surface 5 of the handle element 3. It is also conceivable in this context that the snap-action spring is configured as a contact transmission component with respect to the sensor device 6 (with respect to the microswitch) and is in particular in the form of a snap-action dome.

[0082] However, in the embodiment variant of the actuating device 1 according to the invention schematically shown in the figures, other implementations of pressure points are used which the operator can perceive acoustically and / or haptically via the actuating surface 5 of the handle 3 .

[0083] Specifically, the embodiment shown in the drawings (see in particular Figure 2 ) proposes that the slider-shaped or slide-like actuating element 7 comprises at least one spring-elastic bearing area 18, which, in a first position of the slider-shaped or slide-like actuating element 7, abuts against a projection 19, which is connected in particular to the housing structure 4 of the handle part 3. When a critical pressure applied to the actuating surface 5 of the handle part 3 is exceeded or reached, the engagement between the spring-elastic bearing area 18 and the projection 19 is released.

[0084] In the design variant of the actuating device 1 according to the invention shown in the drawings, two opposing spring-elastic bearing regions 18 are used. Each spring-elastic bearing region 18 has an arm region that extends in the direction of the translational movement that the slider-shaped or slide-like actuating element 7 can perform. A particularly wedge-shaped stop surface 20, particularly an inclined surface, is formed at a first end region of each arm region. This stop surface strikes the aforementioned projection 19 of the housing structure 4 of the handle part 3 in the first position of the slider-shaped or slide-like actuating element 7. A second end region of the arm region of each spring-elastic bearing region 18, opposite to the first end region of the arm region, is connected to the body 12 of the slider-shaped or slide-like actuating element 7.

[0085] As in Figure 4 As can be seen in the sectional view of FIG, it is conceivable that the housing structure 4 of the handle part 3 of the actuator device 1 is formed at least partially from a transparent material 21, in particular a plastic material. It is also proposed that a light source (LED 22) is accommodated in the handle part 3, which is activated, for example, when the capacitive proximity switch detects that the operator's hand is approaching the actuator device 1, in particular the handle area of the actuator device 1.

[0086] Although not shown in the figures, it is conceivable in this regard that the actuating device 1 includes a corresponding capacitive proximity switch, which has at least one capacitive sensor with at least one measuring electrode, wherein the at least one measuring electrode is formed at least partially or partially by a surface of the handle 3 to which a conductive ink / conductive layer has been applied, in particular during a pad printing process.

[0087] The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments of the actuating device 1 shown in the figures, but rather results from an overview of all features disclosed herein.

[0088] List of Reference Numerals

[0089] 1 Actuator

[0090] 2 Assembly structure

[0091] 3 handles

[0092] 4. Handle shell structure

[0093] 5 Actuating surface of the handle

[0094] 6 Sensor unit / micro switch

[0095] 7 Slider-shaped or slider-type actuator

[0096] 8 Cover

[0097] 9 Hinge area of the cover

[0098] 10 Elastic area of the cover

[0099] 11 Prestressing element / elastic area of the slide-shaped actuating element

[0100] 12 Main body of a slider-shaped or slider-type actuator

[0101] 13 Actuating protrusion

[0102] 14 Linear guides / guiding surfaces

[0103] 15 Stopper

[0104] 16 Wedge-shaped or sloped protrusions

[0105] 17 Accommodation Area

[0106] 18 Spring elastic support area

[0107] 19 protrusion

[0108] 20 Wedge-shaped stop surface

[0109] 21 Transparent Area

[0110] 22 Light Source / LED

Claims

1. An actuating device (1) for a door handle assembly for actuating, in particular unlocking and / or opening, a vehicle door, in particular an exterior vehicle door, wherein the actuating device (1) comprises: a handle part (3) which, when the actuating device (1) is used as intended, projects at least partially or sectionally from the vehicle door or the vehicle body, in particular from the vehicle outer skin, wherein the handle part (3) comprises an actuating surface (5), It is characterized by: A transmission mechanism is at least partially or partially integrated in the handle (3), and the transmission mechanism is configured to convert pressure, in particular pressure applied manually on the actuating surface (5) of the handle (3) into a movement that can be detected by a sensor device (6) in particular integrated in the handle (3), wherein the transmission mechanism includes a slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element (7) at least partially or partially accommodated in the handle (3), and when pressure is applied to the actuating surface (5) of the handle (3), the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element (7) can perform a translational movement relative to the actuating surface (5).

2. The actuator (1) according to claim 1, The slider-shaped or slide-type actuating element (7) is capable of moving between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is a rest position of the slider-shaped or slide-type actuating element (7), in which the slider-shaped or slide-type actuating element (7) is located when no pressure is applied to the actuating surface (5), and wherein in the second position of the slider-shaped or slide-type actuating element (7), the slider-shaped or slide-type actuating element (7) is at least partially or partially located in the detection range of the sensor device (6).

3. The actuator (1) according to claim 2, The slide-shaped or slide-like actuating element (7) is associated with a prestressing element, in particular in the form of a spring, for prestressing the slide-shaped or slide-like actuating element (7) into its first position.

4. Actuating device (1) according to claim 3, The prestressing element is configured as an elastic, in particular spring-elastic, region (11) of the slide-shaped or slide-like actuating element (7).

5. Actuating device (1) according to claim 4, The elastic and especially spring-elastic area (11) of the slider-shaped or slider-like actuating element (7) is formed at or in a first end area of the slider-shaped or slider-like actuating element (7), wherein the end area of the elastic and especially spring-elastic area (11) facing away from the main body (12) of the slider-shaped or slider-like actuating element (7) is preferably releasably connected to the housing structure (4) of the handle part (3).

6. Actuating device (1) according to claim 5, Wherein, in the second position of the slider-shaped or slide-type actuating element (7), a second end region of the slider-shaped or slide-type actuating element (7) opposite to the first end region of the slider-shaped or slide-type actuating element (7) is at least partially or partially located in the detection range of the sensor device (6).

7. Actuating device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, The transmission mechanism comprises a linear guide rail (14) at least partially or partially formed in the handle member (3), by means of which the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element (7) can perform translational movement.

8. Actuating device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, The transmission mechanism comprises at least one stop (15) associated with the slider-shaped or slide-type actuating element (7) for limiting the translational movement that the slider-shaped or slide-type actuating element (7) can perform.

9. Actuating device (1) according to claim 8, The at least one stop member (15) associated with the slider-shaped or slide-type actuating element (7) is formed integrally with the housing structure (4) of the handle member (3).

10. Actuating device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, The transmission mechanism is configured to convert the pressure applied to the actuating surface (5) into a translational movement of the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element (7) according to the inclined plane principle.

11. Actuating device (1) according to claim 10, At least one wedge-shaped or ramp-shaped protrusion (16) is formed on the rear side of the actuating surface (5), and the at least one wedge-shaped or ramp-shaped protrusion (16) is at least partially or locally accommodated in a accommodating area (17) in a body (12) of the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element (7), wherein the at least one wedge-shaped or ramp-shaped protrusion (16) and / or the accommodating area (17) are configured such that when pressure is applied to the actuating surface (5) of the handle member (3), the wedge-shaped or ramp-shaped protrusion (16) moves further into the accommodating area (17), thereby pushing the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element (7) in the direction of the translational movement that the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element (7) can perform.

12. Actuating device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, The transmission mechanism is configured such that the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element (7) performs a translational movement relative to the actuating surface (5) only when a critical pressure, in particular a predefined or definable pressure, applied to the actuating surface (5) of the handle (3) is exceeded.

13. Actuating device (1) according to claim 12, The transmission mechanism comprises a pressure point which can be perceived acoustically and / or tactilely via the actuating surface (5) when the critical pressure applied to the actuating surface (5) of the handle (3) is exceeded.

14. Actuating device (1) according to claim 13, In order to achieve the pressure point that can be perceived acoustically and / or haptically via the actuating surface (5), the transmission mechanism comprises a snap-action spring, in particular designed as a snap-action frog spring.

15. Actuating device (1) according to claim 14, The snap-action spring is configured as a contact transmission component relative to the sensor device (6) and is in particular embodied as a snap dome.

16. Actuating device (1) according to claim 12 or 13 and claim 2, The slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element (7) comprises at least one spring-elastic supporting area (18), which, in the rest position of the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element (7), contacts a protrusion (19), which is in particular connected to the housing structure (4) of the handle part (3), wherein when a critical pressure applied to the actuating surface (5) of the handle part (3) is exceeded, the engagement between the at least one spring-elastic supporting area (18) of the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element (7) and the protrusion (19) of the housing structure (4) of the handle part (3) is released.

17. Actuating device (1) according to claim 16, The at least one spring-elastic support area (18) comprises an arm area extending in the direction of the translational movement that the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element (7) can perform, wherein a stop surface (20) in particular a wedge shape, in particular an inclined surface, is formed at a first end area of the arm area, the stop surface (20) encountering the protrusion (19) of the housing structure (4) of the handle part (3) in the first position of the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element (7), wherein a second end area opposite to the first end area of the arm area is connected to the main body (12) of the slider-shaped or slider-type actuating element (7).

18. Actuating device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 17, The sensor device (6) is configured in the form of a switch, in particular a microswitch, or is designed with a switch, in particular a microswitch.

19. Actuating device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 18, The actuating device (1) further comprises an assembly structure (2), which is at least partially or partially fastened to the vehicle door or accommodated in the vehicle door when the actuating device (1) is used as intended, wherein the housing structure (4) of the handle member (3) is connected to the assembly structure (2) and is preferably formed integrally with the assembly structure (2).

20. Actuating device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 19, When the actuating device (1) is used as intended, the handle member (3) protrudes at least partially or partially from the vehicle door or from the vehicle body, in particular from the vehicle outer skin, so that the handle member (3) can be at least partially or partially grasped manually, wherein the actuating surface (5) of the handle member (3) is formed on or within the surface of the handle member (3) facing the vehicle door or the vehicle body, in particular the vehicle outer skin.

21. Actuating device (1) according to claim 20, At least the surface of the handle (3) facing the vehicle door or the vehicle body is at least partially or partially and preferably completely formed by the cover (8), wherein the actuating surface (5) is formed by an elastic area (10) formed in the cover (8) and a hinge area (9) formed in the cover (8).

22. Actuating device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 21 or according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein the actuating device (1) further comprises a capacitive proximity switch, It is characterized by: The capacitive proximity switch comprises at least one capacitive sensor having at least one measuring electrode, wherein the at least one measuring electrode is formed at least partially or partially by a surface of the handle (3) which has been previously printed with conductive ink, in particular in a pad printing process.

23. A door handle assembly for actuating, in particular unlocking and / or opening a vehicle door, in particular an outer door of a vehicle, wherein the door handle assembly comprises an actuating device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 22.

24. A vehicle door, in particular a vehicle exterior door, comprising a door handle assembly according to claim 23.

25. The vehicle door according to claim 24, The vehicle door and / or the door handle assembly and / or the handle member (3) of the actuating device (1) form a handle area, the handle area having a longitudinal direction, the handle area being used to contact multiple fingers of an operator along the longitudinal direction, the extension dimension of the handle area in the longitudinal direction being at least 2 cm, and the actuating surface (5) forming the surface of the handle area and being arranged on at least 50% of the handle area in the longitudinal direction.

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