Door handle arrangement for a motor vehicle with a power transmission device

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a door handle arrangement for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] Locking devices are known from the prior art which have an electronic motor vehicle key for wireless communication with a vehicle-mounted control device in order to unlock and / or lock the motor vehicle lock. The door can be opened by operating a door handle arranged on a door. A disadvantage of such locking devices is that if the motor vehicle key's battery is discharged or malfunctioning, the lock can no longer be unlocked or locked. In this case, a locking cylinder is assigned to the lock, which can be operated with a mechanical emergency key in order to open the door by operating the door handle. This leads to increased costs for the motor vehicle due to the additional components such as the locking cylinder and the connection of the locking cylinder to the lock, as well as the mechanical key.Another possibility for emergency opening of the motor vehicle is to provide the energy for unlocking and / or locking the motor vehicle from the outside using an external device.

[0003] Publications EP3144904A2 and FR3013069A1 represent relevant prior art.

[0004] The present invention is based on the object of minimizing the energy consumption of the door handle assembly.

[0005] The object of the invention is achieved by the characterizing part of patent claim 1. The dependent claims specify advantageous and particularly useful embodiments of the invention.

[0006] The invention provides a door handle assembly for a motor vehicle that has a contactless power transmission device with very low energy consumption. This is achieved by activating the power transmission device only when a user activates the power transmission via a switching device, thus saving the motor vehicle's energy. This eliminates the need for constant polling of the NFC transmitter in search of a suitable external device. Furthermore, the locking cylinder and the locking cylinder connections to the lock, as well as the emergency key, can be dispensed with. Furthermore, the contactless energy transmission increases the convenience of emergency unlocking.

[0007] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the power transmission device can comprise an NFC transmitting unit operating according to at least one NFC standard, in particular an NFC charging coil. This is achieved by inserting and holding the external device into an electromagnetic field of an NFC transmitting device using the NFC antenna of the external device for inductive coupling. Energy is transmitted inductively from the NFC transmitting device as an alternating magnetic field, whereby a voltage is induced in the antenna, which is designed as a coil or in the manner of a coil, and thus a current is generated in the antenna.An electronic unit is arranged in the external device, in particular in an electronic vehicle key or mobile phone, which is advantageously designed such that this current can be used as provided energy for contactless actuation of the vehicle's locking device via an air interface. This arrangement requires very little installation space and can therefore be installed in the vehicle door handle. The NFC standard used allows various external devices that have a suitable interface to be charged, since the NFC standard is already present in many devices, especially mobile phones, and NFC technology will become increasingly prevalent in the future.

[0008] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that a first code is interchangeable between an external device and a vehicle-side control unit for unlocking and / or locking the motor vehicle, wherein a second code can be read from the external device by means of the NFC transmitter unit for activating the power transmission device at a distance of less than 10 cm using the NFC transmitter unit. The second code is then compared with a code pre-stored in the control unit to determine whether the second code matches the code pre-stored in the control unit. This measure makes it possible to prevent misuse of the power transmission device, so that the vehicle battery is not discharged by unauthorized persons if an unsuitable external device is located in the vicinity of the power transmission device.

[0009] The construction is very cost-effective and simple if the external device is a mobile phone.

[0010] The design is very cost-effective and simple if the external device is an electronic vehicle key.

[0011] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the switching means is capacitive and / or inductive and / or mechanical and / or optical and / or piezoelectric. This arrangement ensures that the contactless power transmission is deliberately activated. The capacitive switching means has the advantage that current locking devices already have a capacitive sensor, so that the existing capacitive sensor can be used. Mechanical, optical and piezoelectric switching means have the advantage that they function reliably, especially under adverse environmental influences such as rainwater, and do not trigger nuisances. According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the switching means can be activated by a gesture, in particular by a hand movement of the user.This arrangement ensures that the contactless power transmission is activated consciously.

[0012] The design is very cost-effective and simple if the user's gesture is performed by moving the vehicle door handle, in particular by pushing or pulling on the vehicle door handle. Furthermore, the vehicle door handle can be pivoted or extendable, or fixed on and / or in the carrier.

[0013] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control unit arranged in the vehicle door handle can be provided with a circuit board, with the NFC charging coil being arranged on the circuit board. This arrangement has the advantage that the power transmission device is designed as a module. This eliminates the need for the cable connections and connectors required to connect the charging coil and the control unit.

[0014] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the

[0015] The power transmission device can be automatically deactivated by the control unit after a predetermined time, in particular after 2 minutes. This has the advantage that no power consumption occurs if the switching device is accidentally left unswitched.

[0016] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the switching means can be activated only when the motor vehicle is locked. This prevents the door from being opened in a keyless entry system, for example, by pulling the vehicle door handle to activate the power transmission device.

[0017] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first code can be designed differently from the second code. This makes it easy to distinguish between unlocking and / or locking, and thus both processes can be performed separately.

[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control unit 6 for controlling the power transmission device 4 can be formed as an integral part with the vehicle-mounted control unit 7. By combining the control unit 6 and the vehicle-mounted control unit 7, a reduction in the number of components can be achieved.

[0019] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is defined only by the claims.

[0020] Further details, features, and advantages of the subject matter of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawing, which illustrates exemplary preferred embodiments of the invention. The drawing shows: Figure 1 : a sectional view of a first embodiment of the door handle arrangement with a mechanical switching means. Figure 2 : a sectional view of a second embodiment of the door handle arrangement with an inductive switching means. Figure 3: a sectional view of a third embodiment of the door handle arrangement with a capacitive switching means.

[0021] Figure 1shows a sectional view of a first embodiment of the door handle assembly 1 according to the invention with a mechanical switching means 8. The door handle assembly 1 comprises a motor vehicle door handle 3, which is provided on an outer side 17 of a door 17 or flap. The motor vehicle door handle 3 has at least one fastening section 18 for fastening to a carrier 11. A power transmission device 4 is arranged in the cavity 19 of the motor vehicle door handle 3. The power transmission device 4 comprises an NFC transmission unit 9, in particular an NFC charging coil, and a control unit 6. The control unit 6 has a printed circuit board 20 on which the NFC transmission unit 9 can be arranged. Alternatively, the NFC transmission unit 9 can be connected to the control unit 6 by means of a cable connection. The control unit 6, in turn, interacts with a mechanical switching means 8, which activates the NFC transmission unit 9 by means of the control unit 6.The switching means 8 can be activated by actuating, in particular by pulling, the motor vehicle door handle 3. The actuation signal is transmitted to the control unit 6 via a cable connection. To minimize misuse of the power transmission device 4, a second code can be read from the external device 5 using the NFC transmitter unit 9 to activate the power transmission device 4 at a distance of less than 10 cm. The second code is then compared with a code pre-stored in the control unit 6 to determine whether the second code matches the code pre-stored in the control unit 6. Furthermore, the control unit 6 has a connection to a vehicle-mounted control unit 7, which is supplied with power by a vehicle-mounted battery 12. The vehicle-mounted control unit 7 controls a lock 13 arranged in the door 17 to unlock and / or lock the motor vehicle 2.The lock 13 can have an actuator (not shown) that performs the unlocking or locking process. The lock 13 can be in the "locked position," in which the vehicle door handle 3 is ineffective. This can be achieved by a coupling (not shown). The vehicle door handle 3 can be connected to the lock 13 by means of a mechanical lock connection 15. The connection is decoupled when the coupling is in the "locked position." As long as the "locked position" is maintained, any actuation of the vehicle door handle 3 by unauthorized persons is not transmitted to the lock 13. If the "locked position" is maintained, a so-called "keyless entry system" ensures that only authorized persons can gain access to the interior of the motor vehicle 2.This occurs through an authentication process between the motor vehicle 2, in particular the vehicle-mounted ECU 7, and an external device 5, in particular an ID transmitter or a mobile phone, which is carried by the authorized person. Normally, using the electrical energy of the battery 12, an electric field is created around the motor vehicle door handle 3 by the capacitive sensors (not shown in detail). The capacitive sensor can be integrated into the control unit 6. When a hand approaches the motor vehicle door handle 3, the electronics located in the motor vehicle door handle 3 are awakened by the changing capacitance of the electric field, and the authentication query is subsequently triggered.A first code is used between an external device 5 and a vehicle-mounted control unit 7 to unlock and / or lock the motor vehicle 2. In an "unlocked position," the connection between the lock 13 and the vehicle door handle 3 is re-established by means of the coupling. The door 17 can then be opened by operating the vehicle door handle 3.

[0022] Figure 2shows a sectional view of a second embodiment of the door handle assembly with an inductive switching means. The door handle assembly 1 comprises a motor vehicle door handle 3, which is provided on an outer side 17 of a door 17 or flap. The motor vehicle door handle 3 has at least one fastening section 18 for fastening to a carrier 11. A power transmission device 4 is arranged in the cavity 19 of the motor vehicle door handle 3. The power transmission device 4 comprises an NFC transmission unit 9, in particular an NFC charging coil, and a control unit 6. The control unit 6 has a printed circuit board 20 on which the NFC transmission unit 9 can be arranged. Alternatively, the NFC transmission unit 9 can be connected to the control unit 6 by means of a cable connection. The control unit 6, in turn, interacts with an inductive switching means 8, which activates the NFC transmission unit 9 by means of the control unit 6.The switching means 8 comprises at least one magnet 21, which can be arranged on a lock cylinder tower 14, and at least one sensitive element 8, in particular a reed switch 8 or a Hall element 8, arranged in or on the motor vehicle door handle 3. The switching means 8 can be activated by actuating, in particular by pulling, the motor vehicle door handle 3. The actuation signal is transmitted to the control unit 6 via a cable connection. To minimize misuse of the power transmission device 4, a second code can be read from the external device 5 using the NFC transmitter unit 9 to activate the power transmission device 4 at a distance of less than 10 cm. The second code is then compared with a code pre-stored in the control unit 6 to determine whether the second code matches the code pre-stored in the control unit 6.Furthermore, the control unit 6 has a connection to a vehicle-mounted control unit 7, which is supplied with power by a vehicle-mounted battery 12. The vehicle-mounted control unit 7 controls a lock 13 arranged in the door 17 for unlocking and / or locking the motor vehicle 2. The lock 13 can have an actuator (not shown) that carries out the unlocking or locking process. The lock 13 can be in the "locked position," in which the vehicle door handle 3 is ineffective. This can be achieved by a coupling (not shown). The vehicle door handle 3 can be connected to the lock 13 by means of a mechanical lock connection 15. The connection is decoupled when the coupling is in the "locked position." As long as the "locked position" is present, an operation of the vehicle door handle 3 by unauthorized persons is not transmitted to the lock 13.If the "locked position" is present, a so-called "keyless entry system" ensures that only authorized persons can gain access to the interior of the motor vehicle 2. This occurs through an authentication process between the motor vehicle 2, in particular the vehicle-mounted ECU 7, and an external device 5, in particular an ID transmitter or a mobile phone, which is carried by the authorized person. Normally, using the electrical energy of the battery 12, an electric field is created around the motor vehicle door handle 3 by the capacitive sensors (not shown in detail). The capacitive sensor can be integrated into the control unit 6. When a hand approaches the motor vehicle door handle 3, the electronics located in the motor vehicle door handle 3 are awakened by the changing capacitance of the electric field, and the authentication query is subsequently triggered.A first code is used between an external device 5 and a vehicle-mounted control unit 7 to unlock and / or lock the motor vehicle 2. In an "unlocked position," the connection between the lock 13 and the vehicle door handle 3 is re-established by means of the coupling. The door 17 can then be opened by operating the vehicle door handle 3.

[0023] Figure 3shows a sectional view of a third embodiment of the door handle assembly with a capacitive switching means. The door handle assembly 1 comprises a motor vehicle door handle 3, which is provided on an outer side 17 of a door 17 or flap. The motor vehicle door handle 3 has at least one fastening section 18 for fastening to a carrier 11. A power transmission device 4 is arranged in the cavity 19 of the motor vehicle door handle 3. The power transmission device 4 comprises an NFC transmission unit 9, in particular an NFC charging coil, and a control unit 6. The control unit 6 has a printed circuit board 20 on which the NFC transmission unit 9 can be arranged. Alternatively, the NFC transmission unit 9 can be connected to the control unit 6 via a cable connection. The control unit 6, in turn, interacts with at least one capacitive switching means 8, which activates the NFC transmission unit 9 by means of the control unit 6.The switching means 8 comprises at least one capacitive sensor, which can be arranged in or on the motor vehicle door handle 3. The switching means 8 can be activated by approaching and / or touching the area of ​​the capacitive sensor 8 with one hand. If at least two capacitive sensors are connected in series, a deliberate actuation signal can be generated by a gesture. The control unit 6 can switch on the power transmission device 4 if two capacitive sensors are actuated either simultaneously or sequentially. The actuation signal is transmitted to the control unit 6 via a cable connection. To minimize misuse of the power transmission device 4, a second code can be read from the external device 5 using the NFC transmitter unit 9 to activate the power transmission device 4 at a distance of less than 10 cm.The second code is then compared with a code pre-stored in the control unit 6 to determine whether the second code matches the code pre-stored in the control unit 6. Furthermore, the control unit 6 is connected to a vehicle-mounted control unit 7, which is powered by a vehicle-mounted battery 12. The vehicle-mounted control unit 7 controls a lock 13 arranged in the door 17 to unlock and / or lock the motor vehicle 2. The lock 13 can have an actuator (not shown) that performs the unlocking or locking process. The lock 13 can be in the "locked position," in which the vehicle door handle 3 is ineffective. This can be achieved by a coupling (not shown). The vehicle door handle 3 can be connected to the lock 13 by means of a mechanical lock connection 15.The connection is decoupled when the coupling is in the "locked position." As long as the "locked position" is present, any actuation of the motor vehicle door handle 3 by unauthorized persons is not transmitted to the lock. If the "locked position" is present, a so-called "keyless entry system" ensures that only authorized persons can gain access to the interior of the motor vehicle 2. This occurs through an authentication process between the motor vehicle 2, in particular the vehicle-mounted ECU 7, and an external device 5, in particular an ID transmitter or a mobile phone, which is carried by the authorized person. Normally, an electric field is created around the motor vehicle door handle 3 by the capacitive sensors (not shown in detail), using the electrical energy of the battery 12. The capacitive sensor can be integrated into the control unit 6.When a hand approaches the motor vehicle door handle 3, the electronics located in the motor vehicle door handle 3 are awakened by the changing capacitance of the electric field, and the authentication query is subsequently triggered. A first code is exchanged between an external device 5 and a vehicle-mounted control unit 7 to unlock and / or lock the motor vehicle 2. In an "unlocked position," the connection between the lock 13 and the vehicle door handle 3 is reestablished via the coupling. The door 17 can then be opened by operating the vehicle door handle 3.

[0024] The invention described above is, of course, not limited to the described and illustrated embodiments. It is clear that numerous modifications to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings may be made to the intended application, without departing from the scope of the invention. The invention encompasses everything contained in the description and / or illustrated in the drawings, including anything that deviates from the specific embodiments and is obvious to one skilled in the art. List of reference symbols

[0025] 1 Door handle assembly 2 Motor vehicle 3 Vehicle door handle 4 Power transmission device 5 External device 6 Control unit 7 Vehicle-side control unit 8 Switching device 9 NFC transmitter unit 10 NFC charging coil 11 Carrier 12 Battery 13 Lock 14 Lock cylinder tower 15 Lock connection 16 Exterior 17 Door 18 Mounting section 19 Cavity 20 Circuit board 21 Magnet

Claims

1. Door handle assembly (1) for a motor vehicle (2) with a vehicle door handle (3) and preferably a support (11) for securing the vehicle door handle (3), wherein the vehicle door handle (3) is provided on an outer side (16) of a door (17) or flap, wherein a power transmission device (4) is arranged inside the vehicle door handle (3) for wirelessly transmitting power from the vehicle door handle (3) to an external apparatus (5), wherein the vehicle door handle (3) has a switching means (8), which is preferably arranged inside the vehicle door handle (3) and / or on the support (11), wherein the power transmission device (4) can be activated by a user, in particular exclusively, characterized in that the power transmission device (4) arranged inside the cavity (19) of the vehicle door handle (3) comprises a NFC transmission unit (9), in particular a NFC charging coil, and a control unit (6), wherein the control unit (6) cooperates with a mechanical, inductive or capacitive switching means (8) that brings about an activation of the NFC transmission unit (9) by means of the control unit (6).

2. Door handle assembly (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the switching means (8) is designed to operate capacitively and / or inductively and / or mechanically and / or optically and / or piezoelectrically.

3. Door handle assembly (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the switching means (8) can be activated by a gesture, in particular by a hand movement of the user.

4. Door handle assembly (1) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the gesture by the user is performed by a movement of the vehicle door handle (3), in particular a pressing or pulling on the vehicle door handle (3).

5. Door handle assembly (1) according to at least one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control unit (6) arranged inside the vehicle door handle (3) includes a printed circuit board (20), wherein the NFC charging coil (10) is arranged on the printed circuit board (20).

6. Door handle assembly (1) according to at least one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the power transmission device (4) can be deactivated automatically by the control unit (6) after a predetermined time.

7. Door handle assembly (1) according to at least one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that switching means (8) can only be activated when the motor vehicle (2) is locked.