Motor vehicle with vehicle door and handle element

Abstract

A motor vehicle is described with a vehicle door that includes, on the outside of the door, a decorative trim panel with a highly light-reflecting surface and a handle element arranged in the area of ​​or adjacent to the trim panel. The handle element includes at least one integrated control element for locking and / or unlocking a lock, in particular electrically. A lighting unit with a light-emitting element for emitting light is integrated into the handle element, the lighting unit being configured to emit light in the direction of the decorative trim panel. The lighting unit is further configured to control the light-emitting element such that the light reflected from a reflective surface of the trim panel has a luminous intensity greater than 10 mCd and less than 500 mCd.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle with at least one vehicle door, wherein the vehicle door comprises a handle element and a decorative panel on the outside of the door.

[0002] It is known from the prior art to integrate light elements into a vehicle door handle. For example, DE 10 2015 101 164 A1 describes a door handle unit for operating a lock on a vehicle door, wherein the door handle unit comprises a door handle and a mounting element. The door handle can be attached to the vehicle door by means of the mounting element. A light source in the door handle signals the approach of an object to the door handle, with the light rays emitted by the light source being directed in the direction of the approaching object.

[0003] Due to legal regulations, the luminous intensity for directly visible light emanating from light sources in door handles is limited to 10 mCd, meaning that the light source is only perceptible in dark or nighttime environments.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a motor vehicle with a vehicle door and a handle element which, in compliance with legal regulations, ensures the visibility of light emission even in bright ambient conditions.

[0005] This problem is solved by a motor vehicle according to the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0006] A motor vehicle with at least one door is proposed. The door comprises a decorative panel located on the outside of the door, which covers the basic structure of the door body and has a highly light-reflecting surface, as well as a handle element located on the outside of the door, in the area of ​​or adjacent to the decorative panel. The handle element comprises at least one operating element integrated into the handle element for locking and / or unlocking a lock, in particular electrically, by means of which the door, which can be movably arranged on a body of the motor vehicle between a closed position and at least one open position, is to be secured in the closed position; and a lighting unit integrated into the handle element with a light element for emitting light, wherein the lighting unit is configured to emit light in the direction of the decorative panel.The lighting unit is further designed to control the lighting element in such a way that the light reflected by a reflective surface of the decorative diaphragm has a luminous intensity greater than 10 mCd and less than 500 mCd.

[0007] Because the light from the lighting unit is emitted towards the decorative trim, the light does not propagate directly towards a person outside the vehicle. Therefore, the light source is not directly visible to the person outside the vehicle. Instead, the light propagates via reflection from the decorative trim, which is highly reflective in the area where the light emitted by the lighting element strikes. This area constitutes the reflective surface. As a result of this reflection, the light emitted by the lighting unit can then propagate towards the person. Due to this indirect light propagation, the luminous intensity is not limited to the legal limit of 10 mCd and can therefore be emitted at a higher intensity than required by current regulations.

[0008] The reflective surface of the decorative panel is thus used to convey the desired information towards a user outside the vehicle. Since light reflection on the reflective surface is not subject to legal regulations, the light emitted from the reflective surface can be much brighter than would be the case with a light unit that directs light directly towards the user.

[0009] The handle is located on the outside of the vehicle door. It is therefore also referred to as an exterior handle or door handle. In a fully assembled state, the vehicle door is movable, and in particular pivotable, and is held against the vehicle body. The vehicle door can be moved, and in particular pivoted, relative to the body between the closed position and at least one open position. In the closed position, the vehicle door closes at least part of an opening in the vehicle body. In the open position, the vehicle door releases this part of the opening, allowing a person to enter or exit the interior through the released portion of the opening.

[0010] In the vehicle door's installed position and relative to the closed position, the handle is located above a door sill. The door sill is also referred to as a sill, window sill, edge, or shoulder. The door sill may be formed by a shoulder or coincide with it. Specifically, the door sill is or forms an edge, particularly a lower edge, which at least partially limits a window opening (also called a pane opening) for a pane, especially a side window, in the vehicle door, particularly in the vehicle door's installed position and relative to the closed position.

[0011] A person standing near the vehicle, and thus near the vehicle door, can grasp the handle with their hand, at least partially gripping it. This allows the person to exert force on the handle and, consequently, on the vehicle door. This enables the vehicle door to be operated, specifically moved relative to the vehicle body. For example, the person can exert enough force on the handle to open the door, moving it from the closed position to the open position relative to the vehicle body. Conversely, the person can exert enough force on the handle to close the door, moving it from the open position to the closed position.

[0012] To enable operation of the vehicle door, particularly via the handle, it is provided that at least one control element for electrically locking and / or unlocking a lock is integrated into the handle. The lock secures the vehicle door, which is movably positioned between the closed and open positions on the vehicle body, in the closed position. The control element can be attached to the handle or be an integral part of it. Specifically, the control element can be attached to a base of the handle, or it can be separate from the base. The control element can be fixed or movable, particularly pivotable, on the base or on the handle. The control element then allows the lock to be electrically unlocked and / or electrically locked.To open a vehicle door that is initially in the closed position and thus secured by the lock in the closed position, particularly relative to the vehicle body, a person nearby operates or activates the control element, thereby unlocking the lock electrically. In doing so, the person must touch the control element. It is also conceivable that, for example, the control element, particularly after the vehicle door has been closed, electrically locks the door, thus securing it in the closed position relative to the vehicle body.

[0013] Unlocking the lock allows the vehicle door to move from the closed to the open position. In particular, the lock can be an integral part of the vehicle door, so that, for example, it is movable, and especially pivotable, relative to the door frame between the closed and open positions. The lock can be adjusted between a locked and an unlocked state. Unlocking the lock moves it from the locked to the unlocked state. Locking the lock moves it from the unlocked to the locked state.

[0014] The control element can be, for example, a mechanical control element such as a knob, a push button, or a key, such that the control element can be moved relative to the handle element and / or relative to the aforementioned base between its initial position and an operating position, in particular translationally and / or rotationally. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the control element is designed as a touch-sensitive surface or comprises a touch-sensitive surface, wherein the control element is operated by touching the touch-sensitive surface.

[0015] Alternatively, the control element can comprise an electronic component, or at least or exactly one electronic component. The control element can be configured to detect the approach of a person, i.e., for example, the approach of a body part such as a person's finger to the control element. This allows the control element to be operated without physical contact, i.e., without the person touching the control element. The electronic component can then be a proximity sensor, which detects the aforementioned approach. Alternatively or additionally, the electronic component can be a touch sensor, which can detect the aforementioned touching of the touch-sensitive surface, whereby the touch sensor can, for example, encompass the touch-sensitive surface itself.Alternatively, it can be provided that the control element can only be operated by touching the touch-sensitive surface. This means that an opening or closing process of the lock is only triggered when a person touches the touch-sensitive surface with their finger.

[0016] The feature that the lock can be electrically unlocked and / or electrically locked by operating the control element means, in particular, that an electrically operated actuator, such as an electric motor, is electrically controlled as a result of operating the control element. By controlling the actuator, the actuator is electrically operated, so that, for example, the lock is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position and / or from the unlocked position to the locked position using electrical energy. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that, by controlling the actuator, the actuator is electrically operated, so that, for example, a locking element is moved, particularly using electrical energy and thus electrically, from a locking position to a release position and / or from the release position to the locking position.

[0017] The control element can also be implemented using a gesture sensor, which can detect at least one gesture from a person. As a result of the gesture detection, a function of the vehicle door, in particular the lock, can be executed. For example, as a result of the gesture detection, the lock can be electrically unlocked and / or electrically locked in the manner described above.

[0018] In a further embodiment, the control element integrated into the handle can be or include a speech recognition sensor by which at least one voice command uttered acoustically by a person, such as someone in the vicinity, can be detected. As a result of detecting the voice command, a function of the vehicle door, in particular the lock, can be executed. For example, as a result of detecting the voice command, the lock can be electrically locked and / or electrically unlocked in the manner described above.

[0019] According to the invention, a lighting unit is integrated into the handle element. The lighting unit is designed to emit light. For this purpose, the lighting unit comprises a light source designed to emit white or colored light. The light source can, for example, be a light-emitting diode (LED). For example, light of different colors (e.g., red, green, and blue) from several LEDs can be mixed to produce a desired color. Alternatively, the light source can be a so-called RGB LED. Red, green, and blue LEDs, so-called RGB LEDs, derived from the term RGB color space, are combined in an LED housing in such a way that their light mixes well and thus appears white from the outside when the individual LEDs are appropriately controlled. Additional optical components, such as a diffuser, are usually provided for better light mixing.With this combination of light-emitting diodes, different colored light can also be produced by appropriately controlling the individual light-emitting diodes, and smooth color transitions are also possible.

[0020] The control unit manages the lighting element. This control unit, for example a microchip, is designed to individually control the lighting element with regard to its emitted color and / or brightness. The control unit uses corresponding control signals for this purpose. Control occurs, for example, in response to the reception of a suitable signal. This signal can be received from the control element, but also from any other component of the vehicle. The signal represents, for example, a vehicle status, which is then indicated by controlling the lighting element with a predefined light signature.

[0021] The term "light signature" refers to a dynamic or static light or light pattern, where the lighting element is individually controlled with regard to the color and / or brightness it emits. The light signature can, for example, be a static light of a specific color. A dynamic light signature is created by varying the brightness of the lighting element over time. For instance, a specific vehicle state can be indicated by controlling the lighting element in one way, while a different vehicle state can be indicated by controlling the lighting element in a different way, with the same or different light color, pattern, and / or brightness.

[0022] Depending on the number of vehicle states that need to be signaled to a person in the vehicle, different light signatures can be used. Generally, at least one light signature is assigned to each vehicle state.

[0023] Because a lighting unit is integrated into the handle, designed to signal the vehicle's status to a person, separate lighting units on the vehicle are unnecessary. In particular, it is possible to signal the vehicle's status solely via the handle itself, especially the handle a person is approaching or moving away from. This means that, unlike when using flashing lights to lock or unlock the vehicle, not all of the vehicle's lights are activated to signal the status, allowing for discreet vehicle status indication.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the lighting unit comprises a beam-directing device formed in the handle element, which is configured to direct the light towards the reflective surface, in particular obliquely upwards in a first direction. The beam-directing device can comprise, for example, one or more diffusers and / or reflectors and / or light guides, and the like, as optical components. The beam-directing device is arranged in close proximity to the lighting element so that light emitted by the lighting element can be coupled into the beam-directing device.

[0025] A light extraction surface for the beam-directing device is provided at a suitable location in the handle element to direct light in the desired direction onto the reflective surface. The term "in a first direction obliquely upwards" refers to the installation of the handle element. Specifically, the first direction, obliquely upwards, refers to a direction of light propagation that illuminates the decorative cover that conceals the basic structure of the vehicle door. Such a decorative cover is used, for example, to visually conceal the handle element's fastening elements (e.g., screws) on the basic structure.

[0026] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the beam-directing device is also designed to direct the light in one direction away from the reflective surface and towards a surface of the vehicle door, and in a second direction obliquely downwards. According to this embodiment, the lighting element of the lighting unit can emit light not only towards the decorative trim, but also, for example, towards a floor surface below the handle. Since the legal regulations regarding maximum luminous intensity do not apply here either, the light emitted in the second direction can be very bright, for example, to provide approach lighting in the area of ​​the vehicle door.

[0027] Furthermore, the beam guidance device is expediently designed and arranged in the handle element in such a way that light emanating from the beam guidance device is not directly visible to a user outside the vehicle. This complies with the legal requirements.

[0028] In another practical embodiment, the surface of the decorative trim is high-gloss. This can be easily achieved, for example, by making the trim from a plastic, in particular PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate). This material has the inherent property of being high-gloss. Furthermore, it can be easily processed.

[0029] According to another practical design, the decorative trim covers a B-pillar of the basic body of the vehicle door. As described above, this not only provides the high-gloss reflective surface, but also aesthetically conceals the mechanical attachment points or means of the handle element on the vehicle door body.

[0030] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the reflective surface onto which the light emitted from the lighting element towards the decorative panel is directed has a predefined structure or contour. This enhances the signaling effect for a user outside the vehicle.

[0031] The handle element can be designed in the conventional manner as a handlebar grip, extendable handle, recessed grip, or pull element. However, it can also be designed, for example in a particularly aerodynamically advantageous way, as a so-called "winglet," as is used in newer vehicle designs.

[0032] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1. A schematic representation of a left-hand vehicle door in a closed state without any bodywork surrounding the vehicle door; and Fig. 2 an enlarged view of a handle element according to the invention, which is in Fig. 1 vehicle door shown;

[0033] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the left-hand door 1 of a motor vehicle (not shown in detail), viewed from the rear. The door 1 is pivotally mounted to the passenger compartment (i.e., the body of the motor vehicle, which is designed as a self-supporting structure) in a known manner. In its installed position, the door 1 is located on the left side of the body of the motor vehicle (not shown) in a left-right direction (transverse axis direction). This spatial arrangement is also illustrated by the coordinate system shown next to the door 1. In this coordinate system, the left-right direction corresponds to the transverse axis direction of the motor vehicle (not shown). The up-down direction corresponds to the vehicle's vertical axis. The front-back direction corresponds to the vehicle's longitudinal axis.

[0034] As is known to those skilled in the art, vehicle door 1 is associated with a superstructure opening of the (not shown) superstructure, the superstructure opening being designed as a side door opening of the superstructure. Vehicle door 1 is held on the superstructure so that it can be moved, or pivoted, between a closed position and at least one open position relative to the superstructure. In the closed position, vehicle door 1 closes at least a portion of the superstructure opening.

[0035] In the open position, vehicle door 1 exposes at least part of the opening in the vehicle body, allowing, for example, a person initially in the vicinity of vehicle 1 (i.e., on the exterior of the vehicle 3) to enter the interior (i.e., towards the interior of the vehicle 4) via the exposed portion of the opening. Furthermore, a person initially inside vehicle 4 can exit the interior via the exposed portion of the opening and thus reach the surrounding area or the exterior of the vehicle 3.

[0036] The vehicle door 1 has a base body 7, which is a door shell in Fig. The vehicle body 1 has a bare frame that is not readily apparent. The vehicle door 1 is pivotally mounted to the body of the vehicle 1 via the bare frame. The base body 7 includes a visible trim element, which is formed separately from and connected to the bare frame. This trim element is referred to as the door panel or door outer panel. At the upper end of the base body 7 is a door sill 8. This is also referred to as the door edge or forms the door edge of the vehicle. The vehicle door 1 also includes a side window 6, referred to as a window, which is movable relative to the bare frame and relative to the trim element, at least with respect to the closed position of the vehicle door 1, in the vertical direction of the vehicle. In the area of ​​a window surround of the so-called B-pillar (not shown), a decorative trim panel 20 is arranged, which has a surface that strongly reflects light on the outside.The decorative cover 20, for example, can be made of a glossy plastic. PMMA is particularly suitable due to its inherently high-gloss properties.

[0037] In the area of ​​the door sill 8, a handle element 10 is located below the decorative trim 20. The handle element 10 comprises a first section 11, which forms a mounting section and extends outwards (to the left) from the base body 7 in the direction of the vehicle's transverse axis. From the free end of the mounting section 11, a second section 12, referred to as the handle section, extends upwards in the direction of the vehicle's vertical axis. The handle element 10 allows a user of the vehicle to engage the handle section 12 from above or at least partially grasp it and exert a mechanical force on the handle element 10 and then on the door 1.

[0038] A lock 9 is provided in the rough frame 10 of the vehicle door 1, by means of which the vehicle door 1 can be fixed to the body of the motor vehicle 2. The lock 9 secures the vehicle door 1 in the closed position relative to the body, thus preventing any unwanted movement of the vehicle door 1 from the closed to the open position. Unlocking the lock 9 releases the vehicle door 1 from the closed position (in Fig. (1 shown) into the open position. In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the lock 9 is part of the vehicle door 1, so that it can move in the vehicle door 1 relative to the structure between the closed position and the open position.

[0039] Lock 9 can be moved between a locked and an unlocked state. Unlocking lock 9 moves it from the locked state to the unlocked state. Locking lock 9 moves it from the unlocked state to the locked state.

[0040] Is vehicle door 1 located in the Fig. If the door 1 is in the closed position shown and the lock 9 is in the locked state during this time, the vehicle door 1 is secured in the closed position by means of the lock 9 and against an unwanted movement into the open position relative to the body.

[0041] As can be seen from the depiction of the Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the handle element 10 comprises one or more operating elements 14 integrated into the handle element 10, which serve, in particular electrically, to lock and / or unlock the lock 9. By means of the operating element 14, which, for example, includes a sensor, the state of the lock 9 can be changed from the locked state to the unlocked state. The sensor can be, for example, a touch sensor, a mechanical push button, and the like. When the operating element 14 is actuated, for example, an actuator (not shown in the figures) is activated, which causes the lock 9 to be unlocked.

[0042] In addition to the control element 14, the handle element 10 includes a lighting unit 15 integrated into the handle element 10. The lighting unit 15 comprises a lighting element 16, which is designed to emit white or colored light. The lighting element 16 can, for example, be an RGB LED. The light emitted by the lighting element 16 is coupled into a beam guiding device, which comprises a first light guide 21 and a second light guide 22, and coupled out of the handle element 10 at light coupling surfaces in a manner described in more detail below.

[0043] The lighting element 16 of the lighting unit 15 is controlled by a control unit 17, which in the present embodiment is also integrated into the handle element 10. However, this is not mandatory. The control unit could also be a central control unit of the motor vehicle.

[0044] The control unit 17 is designed to individually control the light element 16 with regard to the color and / or brightness it emits, in order to signal at least one vehicle state with a predefined light signature in response to the reception of a signal (status signal) representing a vehicle state.

[0045] Optionally, a sensor 18 integrated into the handle element can also be provided, which is designed to detect a person's approach to the vehicle and / or a person's gesture and to provide a corresponding approach signal. In this case, the approach signal represents a status signal that indicates a vehicle state and causes the control unit 17 to control the lighting element 16 in such a way that a predefined light signature is generated.

[0046] The operating element 14, the lighting unit 15 with the lighting element 16, the control unit 17, and the optional sensor 18 are arranged on a circuit board 19, which is exemplified by being located in the handle section 12 of the handle element 10. The elements of the beam guidance device can also be attached to the circuit board. The aforementioned components are preferably overmolded with a material of the handle element 10 and together with it form an optically and haptically perceptible outer skin 13 of the handle element 10.

[0047] As shown in the schematic representation in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the lighting element 16 and the beam-directing device are arranged in the handle element 10 such that light is emitted in the direction of the decorative cover 20. For this purpose, light from the lighting element 16 is emitted via the first light guide 21 (optical component) of the beam-directing device obliquely upwards in a first direction R1 towards the decorative cover 20. The light then strikes a reflective surface 23 of the decorative cover 20.

[0048] The reflective surface 23 of the decorative cover 20, which is made of a high-gloss material, reflects the light away from the surface of the decorative cover 20 towards an observer / user located outside the vehicle 2. Since the light exiting the first light guide 21 of the beam-guiding device is not directly visible to the user outside the vehicle 1, the brightness of the lighting element 16 can be dimensioned such that the light reflected by the reflective surface 23 has a luminous intensity greater than the legal limit of 10 mCd. Preferably, the luminous intensity is such that the reflected light has a luminous intensity of less than 500 mCd. This ensures that the light signature is perceptible even in daylight.

[0049] The decorative panel 20 can have a predefined structure or contour in the area of ​​the reflective surface 23 to increase the visibility of an "object" illuminated by the lighting element 16. In particular, the described lighting unit 15, which generates an indirect image in the area of ​​the reflective surface, can be used to visualize the locked state of the vehicle 1. The visualization is also perceptible to a user outside the vehicle in daylight environments, since the light reflected by the reflective surface has a luminous intensity that is greater than or significantly greater than the legally prescribed limit of 10 mCd.

[0050] Due to the reflection on a highly reflective surface, contours, e.g., of the handle element 10, can be clearly seen by an observer. This is utilized by the handle element 10 creating a mirror image on its inner surface on the reflective surface 23.

[0051] What next? Fig. 2, which can be removed, the beam guiding device comprises a second light guide 22 (as a further optical component), which is arranged and designed in the handle element 10 such that the light is directed in one direction away from the reflective surface 23 and towards a surface of the door. This second direction is in Fig. 2 marked with the arrow R2. In particular, the second light guide 22 of the beam guidance device can be used to provide foreground or ambient lighting of the floor near the door.

[0052] Since the light emerging from the beam guidance device is not directly visible to a user outside the vehicle 2, the light can also be emitted obliquely downwards with a high luminous intensity. Reference sign 1 vehicle door 2 motor vehicles 3 Vehicle exterior 4 Vehicle interior 5 window area 6 side window 7 Basic bodies 8 Door sill 9 Castle 10 handle element 11 First sub-area (fortification section) 12 second section (handle section) 13 Handle outer skin (outer skin) 14 Control element 15 light units 16 lighting elements 17 Control unit 18 Sensor 19 circuit boards 20 decorative trim 21 Beam guidance device (first light guide) 22 Beam guidance device (second light guide) 23 Reflective surface QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2015 101 164 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (2) with at least one vehicle door (1), wherein the vehicle door (1) comprises: - a decorative panel (20) arranged on the outside of the door, which covers a basic structure of a base body (7) of the vehicle door (1) and has a highly light-reflecting surface; - a handle element (10) arranged on the outside of the door, in the area of ​​or adjacent to the decorative panel (20), comprising: - at least one operating element (14) integrated into the handle element (10) for locking and / or unlocking a lock (9), in particular electrically, by means of which the vehicle door (1), which can be movably arranged on a body of the motor vehicle (2) between a closed position and at least one open position, is to be secured in the closed position, - a light unit (15) integrated into the handle element (10) with a light element (16) for emitting light, wherein the light unit (15) is designed to emit light in the direction of the decorative panel (20); - wherein the lighting unit (15) is further configured to control the lighting element (16) such that the light reflected by a reflective surface (23) of the decorative diaphragm (20) has a luminous intensity greater than 10 mCd and less than 500 mCd. [2] Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the control unit (17) is designed to control the light element (16) with regard to the color and / or brightness it emits. [3] Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the lighting unit (15) comprises LEDs, in particular RGB LEDs, as the lighting element (16). [4] Motor vehicle (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the lighting unit (15) comprises a beam steering device (21, 22) formed in the handle element (10), which is designed to direct the light in the direction of the reflective surface (23), in particular in a first direction obliquely upwards. [5] Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the beam steering device (21, 22) is further designed to direct the light in one direction away from the reflective surface (23) and towards a surface of the vehicle door (1), in particular in a second direction obliquely downwards. [6] Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by , that the beam steering device (21, 22) is designed and arranged in the handle element (10) in such a way that light emerging from the beam steering device (21, 22) is not directly visible to a user outside the motor vehicle (2). [7] Motor vehicle (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the surface of the decorative trim (20) is high-gloss. [8] Motor vehicle (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the decorative cover (20) is made of a plastic, in particular PMMA. [9] Motor vehicle (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the decorative trim (20) covers a B-pillar of the body shell of the base body (7) of the vehicle door (1). [10] Motor vehicle (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the reflective surface (23) onto which the light emitted from the luminous element (16) in the direction of the decorative diaphragm (20) has a predetermined structure or contour. [11] Motor vehicle (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the handle element (10) is designed as a bow handle or extendable handle or grip recess or pull element.

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