ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLY FOR MOTOR VEHICLE DOORS OR MOTOR VEHICLE FLAPES

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electronic assembly for motor vehicle doors or motor vehicle flaps, an outside door handle for a vehicle and a trim part for motor vehicle doors or motor vehicle flaps with such an electronic assembly according to the respective independent claims.

[0002] Such vehicle door handle assemblies for operating the doors of a motor vehicle are known. Furthermore, it is known to arrange electronic components in the vehicle door handle, such as an antenna for automatically establishing a radio connection to an external identification transmitter and / or capacitive sensors.

[0003] Generic electronic assemblies are known, for example, from DE102017008340A1 and DE102016010561A1.

[0004] In such known vehicle door handles, a user approaches the vehicle door handle, which is accessible from the outside and has an electronic assembly in the cavity of the vehicle door handle. The electronic assembly can be arranged at another location in the motor vehicle, e.g., behind a vehicle door panel or in a C-pillar. The electronic assembly comprises a container with a detection device arranged within the container, which has a circuit board with at least one capacitive sensor element and electronics for handling communication with the ID transmitter for keyless entry. In order to supply the electronic assembly with power and to exchange information with these components, it is connected to a vehicle-side voltage and / or control line.Keyless access – also within the meaning of the present invention – is understood to mean an automatic system in which a motor vehicle can be unlocked without actively using an ID transmitter. The electronic assembly is suitable for activation by the user in the vicinity of the motor vehicle. After activation, authentication is carried out between an ID transmitter worn by the user and a motor vehicle security system. The motor vehicle security system, in particular a main control unit, then controls a motor vehicle lock arranged in the motor vehicle door or hatch in order to unlock it. With the motor vehicle lock unlocked, the user can then open the motor vehicle door or hatch by operating the vehicle door handle. Furthermore, the motor vehicle door or hatch can be opened automatically after unlocking by means of a drive.Since the use of such devices on the exterior of vehicles places increased demands on resistance to dirt and moisture, it is important that the detection device in particular is sealed accordingly. Therefore, the detection device, which is housed in a container, is encapsulated with casting resin, for example. Otherwise, if moisture and dirt penetrate, the electronic assembly in the door handle may not perform as desired or may trigger false alarms. A problem with such arrangements is that the electrical cables for powering the detection device must be routed through the container. The encapsulation compound must not leak out of the container when encapsulating the electronics.To solve this problem, plugs are already known which are inserted into a recess in a container wall, wherein the recess is provided for the passage of electrical contacts. A disadvantage of such known solutions is that the potting compound can leak out of the container. Furthermore, the electrical contacts must be soldered to the detection device. In order to perform the soldering in a quick and easy manner, it is known to use a soldering aid. The electrical contacts are aligned complementarily to the connections of the detection device. A further requirement for an electronic assembly is secure mounting of the detection device in the container in order to prevent the detection device from surfacing during potting and to ensure a predetermined position. To solve this requirement, plastic carriers are known to facilitate assembly, which take this requirement into account.The disadvantage of the known solution is that the costs for the required fixtures are too high.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to at least partially remedy the aforementioned disadvantages. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a solution that ensures reliable, cost-effective, and simple contacting of the detection device, with the detection device offering improved protection against false triggering. Furthermore, the detection device is to be installed cost-effectively and quickly in the container with reduced device complexity.

[0006] The object of the invention is achieved by an electronic assembly having the features of claim 1, an exterior door handle having the features of claim 9, and a trim part having the features of claim 11. Further features and details of the invention emerge from the subclaims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the electronic assembly according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the exterior door handle according to the invention and the trim part according to the invention, and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, reference is always made to each other.

[0007] According to the invention, the connector and / or the connector receptacle has a sealing means.

[0008] The essential advantage of this electronic assembly according to the invention is that the potting compound arranged in the container cannot escape to the outside, whereby the inventive design of the connector and / or the connector receptacle nevertheless ensures that the electrical contacts are safely led out of the container, whereby the performance of the detection device is not reduced.

[0009] A measure improving the invention provides for at least one guide to be formed on the base body of the connector. This guides the connector into a desired mounting position, which helps ensure secure storage during the potting of the detection device. Furthermore, the connection formed by a press fit between the connector and the connector receptacle can serve as a sealant, making the design very cost-effective and simple.

[0010] Furthermore, according to the invention, the sealing means can be designed in the form of at least one crimp rib on the connector base body and / or on the connector receptacle. This can significantly improve the sealing effect between the connector receptacle and the connector. Furthermore, the device complexity is reduced.

[0011] It is also conceivable that the sealant could be provided in the form of at least one sealing lip molded onto the connector body. This eliminates the need for a separate seal, further reducing fixture complexity.

[0012] Advantageously, the sealing lip can be molded onto the base body of the connector using a 2-component injection molding process.

[0013] According to the invention, at least one fastening means for the detection device, in particular in the form of at least one locking hook, is provided on the base body of the connector. This type of fastening has the advantage that after the detection device, in particular the electrical circuit board connections, and the electrical conductors of the connector have been aligned, they remain in this mounting position. This allows for a subsequent soldering process to be carried out quickly and easily.

[0014] Furthermore, according to the invention, a support surface can be formed on the base body of the connector, and a bearing for securing the detection device can be formed within the container. This represents a particularly simple and cost-effective way of mounting the detection device, especially when the connector is secured in the connector receptacle by a press fit. This eliminates the need for an additional support to secure the detection device in the container, thus reducing the device complexity.

[0015] The design is very cost-effective and simple if the connector has a connector for the vehicle-mounted control device, whereby the connector can be arranged at a distance from the connector. The connector can be connected to the connector using a wiring harness. This allows for flexible installation of the electronic assembly, which is not the case with a connector molded onto the container, for example. Furthermore, a lighting connection for connecting a lighting device can be provided on the wiring harness. This approach does not require an additional connector for connecting the lighting device. This further reduces the fixture complexity.

[0016] The present invention also relates to an exterior door handle for a vehicle, comprising a handle body with a receiving space and a handle body cover. The electronic assembly according to the invention is arranged in the receiving space of the handle body and covered by the handle body cover. Thus, an exterior door handle according to the invention offers the same advantages as those explained in detail with reference to the electronic assembly according to the invention.

[0017] An exterior door handle according to the invention can be further developed such that the handle body has an opening for a lighting unit. This is used to illuminate the area in front of the vehicle door or vehicle lid, or the recessed area of ​​the exterior door handle.

[0018] The present invention also relates to a trim part for motor vehicle doors or motor vehicle tailgates, comprising an electronic assembly according to the invention. Thus, a trim part according to the invention offers the same advantages as those explained in detail with reference to the electronic assembly according to the invention.

[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: Fig. 1 a perspective detail view of an outside door handle according to the invention, Fig. 2 a perspective view of a pre-assembly unit, Fig. 3 a perspective view of an electronic assembly according to the invention, Fig. 4 a perspective view of a connector, Fig. 5 a perspective view of an electronic assembly according to the invention with a lighting unit, Fig. 6 a detailed view of the connector, Fig. 7 a detailed view of the pre-assembly unit, Fig. 8 a perspective view of a container, Fig. 9 a side view of a motor vehicle.

[0021] In Fig. 1 is a perspective detail view of an outside door handle 10 according to the invention. The structure of the outside door handle 10, which is suitable for motor vehicle doors 22 or motor vehicle flaps 23, is shown in the illustration of the Fig. 8 The outside door handle 10 comprises a handle body 3 with a container receptacle 17 and an electronic assembly 1 for arrangement in the container receptacle 17 as well as a handle body cover 2 for closing the handle body 3. Furthermore, the handle body 3 can have an opening 6 for a lighting unit 15. The lighting unit 15 can be connected to the electronic assembly 1, as in Fig. 5 shown, whereby the outside door handle 10 can be designed with and without lighting unit 15.

[0022] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a pre-assembly unit 20. The pre-assembly unit 20 comprises a detection device 8 and a connector 7. The connector 7 and the detection device 8 are connected to each other both mechanically and electrically, so that the two components form a unit. A fastening means 13 arranged on the detection device 8 in the form of two locking hooks, which encompass the detection device 8, serves for the mechanical connection. The electrical connection is made by means of electrical conductors 14 (as in Fig. 6 und Fig. 7 shown), which extend through the connector 7 and are soldered to the detection device 8 or circuit board terminals 12 of the detection device 8.

[0023] In Fig. 3 A perspective view of an electronic assembly 1 according to the invention is shown. The electronic assembly 1 comprises a container 5 and a pre-assembly unit 20 in the assembled state. The container 5 has an elongated shape with a longitudinal wall 29 and two side walls 27; the longitudinal wall 29 and the two side walls 27 form a cavity 28 for inserting the pre-assembly unit 20. In the assembled state, the cavity is then filled with potting compound. For reasons of clarity, the potting compound is not shown in the figures. For mounting the pre-assembly unit 20, a bearing 25 and a connector receptacle 16 are formed within the container 5. The bearing 25 is designed as a rib along an inner wall on a side wall 27 of the container 5 and extends in the mounting direction of the detection device 8.In order to ensure secure mounting of the detection device 8 on the bearing 25, the mounting can be designed to be frictionally connected, in that the detection device 8 is inserted between the bearing 25 and an inner wall of the container 5. The plug connector receptacle 16 is formed in the opposite side wall 27 of the bearing 25. For this purpose, one side wall 27 has a U-shaped recess. The plug connector receptacle 16 has a groove-like shape. The plug connector receptacle 16 can extend circumferentially along the inner wall of the container 5. A more detailed illustration of the container is shown in FIG. Fig. 8 can be found.

[0024] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a connector 7. Furthermore, Fig. 6 a section of a detailed view of the connector 7. The connector 7 comprises a base body 3 made of plastic and electrical conductors 14 arranged at least partially within the base body 3 as well as a cable harness 9 with a plug 4. In the region of the connection, the connector has a geometrically complementary shape to the connector receptacle 16. Furthermore, guides 21 are provided on the base body 3 in the assembly direction of the electronics assembly 1. The guides 21 are designed as projections on the base body 3 and extend radially outwards orthogonal to the assembly direction of the electronics assembly 1. A sealant in the form of pinch ribs 35 is arranged on the guides 21 and run parallel to the guides. The sealant can also be arranged as an injection-molded sealing lip on the guides instead of the pinch rib 35. This can be done using a 2-component plastic injection molding process.In addition, the base body 3 has a fastening means 13 in the form of at least two locking hooks. The detection device 8 can comprise a circuit board 26, which is provided with at least one capacitive sensor element and electronics for handling communication with the ID transmitter for keyless access. Furthermore, the base body has a support surface 24, which serves as a bearing for the detection device 8. The electrical conductors 14 are connected to the cable harness 9. The base body 18 is formed by a plastic overmolding process of the electrical conductor 14. In addition, the cable harness 9 can have a lighting connection 11, which can be connected directly to a lighting unit 15 without a plug. In . Fig. 5 a perspective view of an electronic assembly according to the invention with such a lighting unit 15 connected to the cable harness 9 is shown.

[0025] Fig. 9 shows a side view of a motor vehicle 40. The motor vehicle has motor vehicle doors 22 and a motor vehicle tailgate 23. A trim part 30 is shown on the motor vehicle door 22. The electronic assembly 1 according to the invention is integrated into the trim part 30. The electronic assembly 1 is arranged inside the motor vehicle door 22 behind the trim part 30 made of plastic. The electronic assembly 1 can be attached to the trim part 30 either with a clip connection or a screw connection. Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the container 5 and the trim part 30 to be made of the same material.

[0026] The invention described above is, of course, not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated. It is clear that numerous modifications to the embodiments illustrated in the figure may be made to those skilled in the art, depending on the intended application, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Bezugszeichenliste

[0027] 1 Electronic assembly 2 Handle body cover 3 Handle body 4 Connector 5 Container 6 Opening 7 Connector 8 Detection device 9 Wiring harness 10 Outside door handle 11 Lighting connection 12 Printed circuit board connection 13 Fastener 14 Electrical conductor 15 Lighting unit 16 Connector receptacle 17 Container receptacle 18 Base body 19 Tongue and groove connection 20 Pre-assembly unit 21 Guide 22 Vehicle door 23 Vehicle lid 24 Support surface 25 Bearing 26 Printed circuit board 27 Side wall 28 Cavity 29 Longitudinal wall 30 Trim part 35Sealant 40Vehicle

Claims

1. An electronic assembly (1), in particular for motor vehicle doors (22) or motor vehicle flaps (23), having: a detection apparatus (8) for keyless access to the vehicle (40), a container (5) for arranging the detection device (8), wherein the container (8) has a plug connector receptacle (16), potting compound (24) arranged inside the container (5) to protect the detection apparatus (8) from environmental influences and improve performance, a plug connector (7) for the feedthrough of electrical conductors (14) from the inside to the outside of the container, wherein the plug connector (7) has at least one electrical conductor (14) for coupling a lighting device (15) and / or a vehicle-side controller with the detection apparatus (8) and a base body (18) for receiving the electrical conductor (14), wherein the base body (18) is produced in a plastic encapsulation process of the electrical conductor (14), wherein the plug connector (7) can be arranged in the plug connector receptacle (16) of the container (5), wherein the plug connector (7) and / or the plug connector receptacle (16) includes a sealing means (35), characterized in that at least one fastening means (13) for the detection apparatus (8) is provided on the base body (18) of the plug connector (7), in particular in the form of at least one locking hook.

2. The electronic assembly (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least one guide (21) is formed on the base body (18) of the plug connector (7) .

3. The electronic assembly (1) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the sealing means (35) is provided on the guide (21).

4. The electronic assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing means (35) is conformed on the base body (18) of the plug connector (7) and / or on the plug connector receptacle (16) in the form of at least one compression rib (35).

5. The electronic assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing means (35) is provided in the form of at least one sealing lip moulded on the base body (18) of the plug connector (7).

6. The electronic assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing lip is moulded onto the base body (18) of the plug connector (7) by means of a 2-component injection moulding process.

7. The electronic assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a supporting surface (24) is formed on the base body (18) of the plug connector (7), and a bearing (25) is formed inside the container (5) for fastening the detection apparatus (8).

8. The electronic assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug connector (7) includes a plug (4) for the vehicle-side controller.

9. An external door handle (10) for a vehicle (40), having a handle body (3) with a receiving space an electronic assembly (1) according to Claim 1 for arrangement in the container receptacle (17) a handle body cover (2) to cover the handle body.

10. The external door handle (10) according to Claim 9, wherein the handle body (3) has an opening (6) for a lighting unit (15).

11. A cover part (30) for motor vehicle doors (22) or motor vehicle flaps (23), having an electronic assembly (1) according to Claim 1.