Car door emergency handle switch with backlight characters
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202610080152.X
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-27
AI Technical Summary
Existing emergency door handle switches are difficult for occupants to identify in low-light conditions. Traditional solutions increase component costs, take up space, and are prone to glare, failing to meet the requirements of the new national standard.
The emergency door handle switch with backlit characters is used. The cavity is formed by the emergency handle switch knob and base made of non-transparent material, combined with the character part made of transparent material and the light source module. The light guide is used to focus the light to achieve glare-free character illumination, and automatic lighting is achieved through ambient light sensor and controller.
It achieves clear character display in low-light environments, avoids glare, and improves visual comfort and operational safety. It also has a red flashing function that automatically responds to vehicle malfunction or collision signals, improving rescue efficiency in emergency situations.
Smart Images
Figure CN121572882A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive parts technology, and in particular to a door emergency handle switch with backlit characters. Background Technology
[0002] As automotive industrial design increasingly focuses on human-machine interaction safety and user experience, the visibility and intuitive operation of functional components inside vehicles are becoming important design indicators. Among them, the emergency door handle switch, as a key safety device that ensures the timely and safe evacuation of occupants in emergency situations, is particularly important for its rapid identification and operability under any lighting conditions.
[0003] Currently, the indicator characters on the traditional emergency door handle switches used in most car models on the market typically lack active illumination. The display of these characters relies primarily on surface treatment processes such as screen printing, painting, or laser engraving. These processes only create color contrast on the substrate surface, making the characters visible during the day or in well-lit environments. However, in dark environments such as at night, underground garages, and tunnels, due to the lack of self-illumination or effective backlighting, these characters are difficult or even impossible for occupants to notice, significantly hindering the rapid location and activation of the emergency handle function in emergencies.
[0004] To address this safety hazard, the latest automotive safety technical specifications (hereinafter referred to as the "New National Standard") have clearly required that such emergency warning signs must be clearly visible at night and in low-light conditions. Existing conventional emergency handle structures cannot meet this technical requirement. Installing a separate light near the handle not only increases the cost of additional components and assembly complexity, but also occupies valuable interior space. Furthermore, the light often fails to focus precisely on the character area, easily creating glare that affects driving safety and disrupts the overall aesthetic design of the interior. If a light source is installed inside the translucent handle, the lack of precise light guiding and shielding design results in the entire handle or a large area being uniformly illuminated instead of accurately outlining the character contours, reducing character legibility and failing to achieve clear and unambiguous information transmission. Additionally, the increased ergonomic space may be reduced due to the larger light fixture. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a car door emergency handle switch with backlit characters to solve the above-mentioned problems. It can realize the addition of a backlit character light-emitting structure to the car door emergency handle switch, thereby achieving glare-free backlit character illumination and emergency handle position indication.
[0006] This invention proposes a vehicle door emergency handle switch with backlit characters, comprising:
[0007] The emergency pull handle switch is located on the door panel frame and is made of non-transparent material.
[0008] The emergency handle switch character section is located on the emergency handle switch knob and is made of light-transmitting material to form light-transmitting characters.
[0009] The emergency handle switch base is located on the inside of the door panel frame and is made of non-transparent material. It forms a cavity with the emergency handle switch knob, and there is a gap at the joint between the emergency handle switch base and the emergency handle switch knob.
[0010] The light source module is located inside the base of the emergency handle switch and is used to provide light.
[0011] The light guide, with one end connected to the light source module and the other end connected to the inside of the emergency handle switch base, is used to converge and guide light.
[0012] The light source module provides light that is focused and diffused by a light guide into the cavity formed by the emergency handle switch base and the emergency handle switch knob, illuminating the characters on the emergency handle switch and the gap between the emergency handle switch base and the emergency handle switch knob.
[0013] In one embodiment, the emergency handle switch knob and the emergency handle switch character part are integrally molded by a two-material injection molding process.
[0014] In one embodiment, the characters on the emergency handle switch are formed into translucent characters through a combination of spray painting and laser engraving.
[0015] In one embodiment, the door emergency handle switch with backlit characters also includes a light sensor and controller mounted on the vehicle body;
[0016] The light sensor is used to collect information on the ambient light intensity of the vehicle and generate an ambient light intensity signal for the vehicle.
[0017] The controller is connected to the light sensor and the light source module respectively, receives the ambient light intensity signal of the vehicle, and controls the light source module to light up when it determines that the ambient light intensity is lower than the threshold.
[0018] In one embodiment, the emergency door handle switch with backlit characters further includes a backup power supply, which is connected to the controller and the light source module respectively;
[0019] The controller also collects vehicle fault and / or collision signals. When a vehicle fault or collision signal is received, it controls the backup power supply to power the light source module and controls the light source module to flash.
[0020] In one embodiment, the light source module includes an LED light, a protective housing, and a circuit board;
[0021] One side of the LED light faces the light guide, and the other side is connected to the circuit board;
[0022] The circuit board is used to provide current and voltage to the LED lights;
[0023] The protective casing surrounds the circuit board and LED lights, and is fixedly connected to the light guide.
[0024] In one embodiment, the light guide is detachably and fixedly connected to the inside of the emergency handle switch base via a first snap-fit;
[0025] The light source module is detachably and securely connected to the light guide and the emergency pull switch base via a second snap-fit.
[0026] In one embodiment, the light guide is made of polymethyl methacrylate.
[0027] In one embodiment, both the emergency handle switch base and the emergency handle switch toggle body are made of opaque ABS material;
[0028] The characters on the emergency handle switch are made of translucent PC material.
[0029] In one embodiment, the overall thickness of the light source module and the light guide along the optical path direction is no more than 10 mm.
[0030] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the backlit character emergency door handle switch of the present invention are as follows:
[0031] 1) The light source module and light guide in this invention occupy little installation space and can be easily adapted to the emergency handle installation position of most car models without modifying the main structure of the car door. It completely maintains the original structure of the emergency handle switch, meets the human-machine space requirements for finger operation, and has strong versatility and economy.
[0032] 2) By using light guide and spray painting laser engraving technology, an indirect light path that is "invisible to the light source" is constructed. The light is precisely guided and shines out evenly only from the light-transmitting character part and the bottom gap, avoiding the glare problem caused by the direct exposure of the LED light source to the human eye. This can achieve soft, clear, and high-contrast character display, improving visual comfort and a sense of sophistication.
[0033] 3) This invention can not only illuminate the characters on the emergency handle switch, but also illuminate the bottom of the emergency handle switch, so that in dark environments, passengers can not only clearly read the function markings, but also quickly locate the specific position of the handle by the light overflowing from the bottom.
[0034] 4) The present invention ensures the strong connection and weather resistance between the character part and the button body through a two-material injection molding process.
[0035] 5) By introducing an ambient light sensor and communication capabilities with the vehicle network, this invention enables automatic illumination. In response to vehicle malfunctions or collision signals, the emergency handle light can be transformed into a flashing red emergency beacon, greatly improving the efficiency of post-accident rescue and the possibility of occupants' self-rescue.
[0036] 6) This invention enables core components such as the light source module to be quickly and tool-free disassembled and replaced through a snap-fit connection structure, which greatly reduces the maintenance cost and time in the later stage. Attached Figure Description
[0037] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a vehicle door emergency handle switch with backlit characters according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] Figure 2 This is an installation diagram of a vehicle door emergency handle switch with backlit characters according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0039] Figure 3 This is a side view of a vehicle door emergency handle switch with backlit characters according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0040] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path in a vehicle door emergency handle switch with backlit characters according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0041] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the control based on light signals in a vehicle door emergency handle switch with backlit characters according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0042] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the control based on fault or collision signals in a vehicle door emergency handle switch with backlit characters according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] Figure Labels
[0044] 1. Protective shell; 2. LED light; 3. Light guide; 4. First buckle; 5. Second buckle; 6. Emergency handle switch toggle; 7. Emergency handle switch base; 8. Emergency handle switch character section; 9. Controller; 10. Light sensor; 11. Backup power supply; A. Door panel frame. Detailed Implementation
[0045] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention more readily understood, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that while many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the invention, the invention can also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein. Those skilled in the art can make similar extensions without departing from the spirit of the invention; therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.
[0046] Secondly, the present invention is described in detail with reference to the schematic diagrams. When detailing the embodiments of the present invention, for ease of explanation, the cross-sectional views illustrating the device structure may be partially enlarged, not adhering to the usual scale. Furthermore, the schematic diagrams are merely examples and should not limit the scope of protection of the present invention. In addition, actual fabrication should include three-dimensional spatial dimensions of length, width, and depth.
[0047] Secondly, the phrase "an embodiment" or "an embodiment" in this application refers to a specific feature, structure, or characteristic that may be included in at least one implementation of the invention. The phrases "in one embodiment" and "an embodiment" appearing in different places in this specification do not all refer to the same embodiment, nor are they embodiments that are mutually exclusive, either alone or selectively, with other embodiments. The terms "comprising" or "including" indicate the presence of the claimed feature but do not exclude the presence of one or more other features. The term "and / or" as used in this application includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.
[0048] This invention proposes a car door emergency handle switch with backlit characters, see [link / reference]. Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 The system includes an emergency handle switch knob 6, an emergency handle switch character section 8, an emergency handle switch base 7, a light source module, and a light guide 3. The emergency handle switch knob 6 is mounted on the door panel frame A and is made of a non-transparent material. The emergency handle switch character section 8 is mounted on the emergency handle switch knob 6 and uses a translucent material to form translucent characters. The emergency handle switch base 7 is located inside the door panel frame A and is made of a non-translucent material, forming a cavity with the emergency handle switch knob 6. A gap exists at the joint between the emergency handle switch base 7 and the emergency handle switch knob 6, allowing the user to insert their finger to activate the emergency handle switch knob 6. The light source module is located inside the emergency handle switch base 7 and provides light. One end of the light guide 3 is fixedly connected to the light source module, and the other end is fixedly connected to the inside of the emergency handle switch base 7. The light-inlet end of the light guide 3 is coaxially aligned with the light-emitting center of the light source module to converge and guide the light. The light-concentrating light guide structure and the small-sized modular light source module can be used as a single module to realize the light source part, while the light source is invisible, thus avoiding the problem of glare.
[0049] In this application, "inner side" refers to the side facing the internal structure of the door. The light provided by the light source module is converged by the light guide 3 and then guided and diffused into the cavity formed by the emergency handle switch base 7 and the emergency handle switch knob 6, illuminating the emergency handle switch character section 8 and the gap between the emergency handle switch base 7 and the emergency handle switch knob 6, such as... Figure 4 As shown.
[0050] In one embodiment of the present invention, the emergency handle switch knob 6 and the emergency handle switch character part 8 are integrally formed by a two-material injection molding process.
[0051] Specifically, the one-piece molding process includes the following steps:
[0052] 1) Prepare a precision two-material injection mold whose inner cavity shape matches the final three-dimensional structure of the emergency pull handle switch knob and includes raised or recessed structures for forming translucent characters.
[0053] 2) Add a colored (usually black or dark gray) opaque material to the first injection unit of the mold for the first injection molding, forming the main structure of the emergency pull switch knob. This main structure constitutes the knob's skeleton and most of its surface.
[0054] 3) While the part formed in the first injection molding is still inside the mold, the mold's slider or core will perform a specific action to expose the area where the translucent characters need to be formed. Then, a high-transmittance (e.g., ≥92%) translucent material is added to the second injection unit of the mold for a second injection molding. The molten translucent material flows into and fills the translucent area defined by the mold and the already formed opaque body, bonding tightly with the opaque body at the molecular level to form the emergency pull switch character part.
[0055] By using a two-material injection molding process to form a single piece, there are no seams or adhesives between the translucent characters and the non-translucent body, which avoids problems such as detachment and cracking caused by long-term use or environmental changes, ensuring the durability of the product. At the same time, integrating multiple parts into one injection molding cycle simplifies the production process and reduces manufacturing costs.
[0056] In one embodiment of the present invention, the character section 8 of the emergency handle switch is formed with light-transmitting characters through a combination of spray painting and laser engraving, so that light can only illuminate the characters on the emergency handle switch knob. Specifically, an opaque paint (such as black paint) is first applied to the light-transmitting material surface of the character area of the emergency handle switch, which has already undergone double-injection molding. Then, a precision CNC laser engraving machine is used to ablate the opaque paint layer covering the light-transmitting character section according to a preset character graphic program, precisely removing the paint layer within the character stroke area, thereby forming a light-transmitting channel that perfectly matches the shape of the character.
[0057] An embodiment of the vehicle door emergency handle switch with backlit characters of the present invention further includes a light sensor 10 and a controller 9 disposed on the vehicle body, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 5The light sensor 10 is used to collect ambient light intensity information of the vehicle and generate an ambient light intensity signal. The controller 9 is connected to both the light sensor 10 and the light source module, receives the ambient light intensity signal, and controls the light source module to light up when the ambient light intensity is below a threshold. Specifically, when the light sensor 10 detects that the external environment of the vehicle is dark, such as at night, the controller 9 receives the corresponding LIN signal and lights up the light source module after processing.
[0058] An embodiment of the vehicle door emergency handle switch with backlit characters of the present invention further includes a backup power supply 11, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 6 A backup power supply 11 is connected to both the controller 9 and the light source module. The controller 9 also collects vehicle fault and / or collision signals. Upon receiving a vehicle fault or collision signal, it controls the backup power supply 11 to supply power to the light source module and controls the light source module to switch to a red flashing mode, presenting a breathing effect. The flashing mode can use a breathing effect with a frequency of 0.5-2Hz.
[0059] Specifically, the backup power source is preferably a supercapacitor or a small-capacity rechargeable lithium battery. Controller 9 can be directly connected to the vehicle's CAN bus via a CAN bus analyzer (such as PCAN, Vector, Kvaser, etc.) to collect raw data frames broadcast on the bus by all nodes, including the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) and sensors, thereby obtaining vehicle fault and collision signals. It can also be directly connected to the ECU and the airbag ACU (the airbag ACU typically provides a hard-wired collision signal output) to receive vehicle fault and collision signals. Controller 9 can be installed independently in the vehicle or integrated into the overall vehicle controller as one of its control units.
[0060] An embodiment of the present invention provides a light source module comprising an LED lamp 2, a protective shell 1, and a circuit board. One side of the LED lamp 2 faces the light guide, and the other side is connected to the circuit board. The circuit board provides stable current and voltage to the LED lamp 2 and efficiently transfers the heat generated by the LED lamp to the protective shell. The protective shell 1 surrounds the circuit board and the LED lamp 2 and is fixedly connected to the light guide 3. The circuit board, also known as a metal-based circuit board, has the following structure: circuit layer (copper foil) - insulating layer - metal base layer (usually aluminum). The aluminum base layer is primarily used for heat dissipation. The heat generated by the LED lamp passes through the circuit layer, through the thin insulating layer, and is rapidly absorbed by the large-area aluminum base layer before being conducted to the protective shell. The copper foil is etched with specific circuits to connect the LED chips in series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel connections for precise control of their lighting, extinguishing, or other effects (such as flickering). The protective shell primarily protects the delicate internal LED lamp and circuit board from vibration, impact, moisture, dust, and chemical corrosion, and dissipates the heat transferred from the circuit board into the surrounding air through its large surface area.
[0061] In one embodiment of the present invention, the light guide 3 is detachably and fixedly connected to the inside of the emergency handle switch base 7 via a first snap fastener 4. The light source module is detachably and fixedly connected to the light guide 3 and the emergency handle switch base 7 via a second snap fastener 5. Both the first snap fastener 4 and the second snap fastener 5 are elastic plastic snap fasteners, and the snap fasteners have anti-slip teeth on their snap-fit surfaces, forming an interference fit with the snap slot of the emergency handle switch base 7 to achieve tool-free assembly.
[0062] In one embodiment of the present invention, the light guide 3 is made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and has a continuous parabolic focusing channel inside, used to focus the light provided by the light source module into a directional beam. The light guide 3 can also be made of polycarbonate material.
[0063] In one embodiment of the present invention, both the base 7 and the toggle switch 6 of the emergency handle switch are made of opaque ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer) material. The character portion 8 of the emergency handle switch is formed of translucent PC (polycarbonate) material.
[0064] In one embodiment of the present invention, the overall thickness of the light source module and the light guide 3 along the optical path direction is no more than 10mm, so as to meet the installation space requirements and make it easy to be installed into the pre-embedded frame of the door trim panel of most car models.
[0065] It should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. Such expressions are only for the purpose of making the description of the present invention simpler and more convenient, and do not indicate or imply that the component referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation.
[0066] Furthermore, in this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, terms such as "connection" and "setup" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can also refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.
[0067] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:
[0068] 1) The light source module and light guide in this invention occupy little installation space and can be easily adapted to the emergency handle installation position of most car models without modifying the main structure of the car door. It completely maintains the original structure of the emergency handle switch, meets the human-machine space requirements for finger operation, and has strong versatility and economy.
[0069] 2) By using light guide and spray painting laser engraving technology, an indirect light path that is "invisible to the light source" is constructed. The light is precisely guided and shines out evenly only from the light-transmitting character part and the bottom gap, avoiding the glare problem caused by the direct exposure of the LED light source to the human eye. This can achieve soft, clear, and high-contrast character display, improving visual comfort and a sense of sophistication.
[0070] 3) This invention can not only illuminate the characters on the emergency handle switch, but also illuminate the bottom of the emergency handle switch, so that in dark environments, passengers can not only clearly read the function markings, but also quickly locate the specific position of the handle by the light overflowing from the bottom.
[0071] 4) The present invention ensures the strong connection and weather resistance between the character part and the button body through a two-material injection molding process.
[0072] 5) By introducing an ambient light sensor and communication capabilities with the vehicle network, this invention enables automatic illumination. In response to vehicle malfunctions or collision signals, the emergency handle light can be transformed into a flashing red emergency beacon, greatly improving the efficiency of post-accident rescue and the possibility of occupants' self-rescue.
[0073] 6) This invention enables core components such as the light source module to be quickly and tool-free disassembled and replaced through a snap-fit connection structure, which greatly reduces the maintenance cost and time in the later stage.
[0074] The constructions and arrangements of this application shown in several different exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative. Although only a few embodiments are described in detail in this disclosure, those who consult this disclosure will readily understand that many modifications are possible (e.g., size, structure, shape and proportion, as well as parameter values, installation arrangements, use of materials, color, etc.) without substantially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described in this application. For example, an element shown as integrally formed may be composed of multiple parts or elements, the position of the elements may be inverted or otherwise changed, and the nature or number or position of the discrete elements may be altered or changed. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be changed or rearranged according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any "device plus function" clause is intended to cover the structure described herein that performs the function, and not only structurally equivalent but also equivalent in structure. Various corresponding modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art according to this invention without departing from the spirit and essence of the invention, but such corresponding modifications and variations should fall within the protection scope of this invention.
Claims
1. A vehicle door emergency handle switch with backlit characters, characterized in that, include: The emergency pull handle switch is located on the door panel frame and is made of non-transparent material. The emergency handle switch character section is located on the emergency handle switch knob and is made of light-transmitting material to form light-transmitting characters. The emergency handle switch base is located on the inside of the door panel frame and is made of non-transparent material. It forms a cavity with the emergency handle switch knob, and there is a gap at the joint between the emergency handle switch base and the emergency handle switch knob. The light source module is located inside the base of the emergency handle switch and is used to provide light. The light guide, with one end connected to the light source module and the other end connected to the inside of the emergency handle switch base, is used to converge and guide light. The light source module provides light that is focused and diffused by a light guide into the cavity formed by the emergency handle switch base and the emergency handle switch knob, illuminating the characters on the emergency handle switch and the gap between the emergency handle switch base and the emergency handle switch knob.
2. The emergency door handle switch with backlit characters according to claim 1, characterized in that, The emergency handle switch knob and the emergency handle switch character part are integrally molded using a two-material injection molding process.
3. The emergency door handle switch with backlit characters according to claim 2, characterized in that, The characters on the emergency handle switch are made translucent through spray painting and laser engraving.
4. The emergency door handle switch with backlit characters according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes light sensors and controllers installed on the vehicle body; The light sensor is used to collect information on the ambient light intensity of the vehicle and generate an ambient light intensity signal for the vehicle. The controller is connected to the light sensor and the light source module respectively, receives the ambient light intensity signal of the vehicle, and controls the light source module to light up when it determines that the ambient light intensity is lower than the threshold.
5. The emergency door handle switch with backlit characters according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a backup power supply, which is connected to the controller and the light source module respectively; The controller also collects vehicle fault and / or collision signals. When a vehicle fault or collision signal is received, it controls the backup power supply to power the light source module and controls the light source module to flash.
6. The emergency door handle switch with backlit characters according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light source module includes LED lights, a protective housing, and a circuit board; One side of the LED light faces the light guide, and the other side is connected to the circuit board; The circuit board is used to provide current and voltage to the LED lights; The protective casing surrounds the circuit board and LED lights, and is fixedly connected to the light guide.
7. The emergency door handle switch with backlit characters according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light guide is detachably and securely connected to the inside of the emergency handle switch base via the first snap-fit. The light source module is detachably and securely connected to the light guide and the emergency pull switch base via a second snap-fit.
8. The emergency door handle switch with backlit characters according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical guide is made of polymethyl methacrylate.
9. The emergency door handle switch with backlit characters according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the base of the emergency handle switch and the body of the emergency handle switch knob are made of non-transparent ABS material; The characters on the emergency handle switch are made of translucent PC material.
10. The emergency door handle switch with backlit characters according to claim 1, characterized in that, The overall thickness of the light source module and the light guide along the optical path is no more than 10mm.