Door handle housing for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Door handle housing (100) for a vehicle door (2) of a motor vehicle (23), wherein a heater (3) is integrated in the door handle housing (100) and is in thermally conductive connection with an inner side (104) of the door handle housing (100), on which inner side a door handle (1) can be arranged, wherein the heater (3) comprises an electrically conductive polymer material (7).

Description

[0001] The present invention generally relates to door handle housings with an integrated heating mechanism for, in particular, extendable, exterior door handles on vehicle doors.

[0002] Various automotive designs include exterior door handles that extend for use. These door handles are flush-mounted and generally inaccessible when the occupant is inside the vehicle or when the vehicle is parked and not in use. When the occupant approaches the vehicle from outside, the door handles extend, allowing the occupant to grasp the extendable handle to operate the door handle and enter the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0003] It has been found that such door handles are regularly at risk of icing up, so that extending the door handles is no longer possible due to ice on the vehicle's exterior surface.

[0004] Based on this, the object of the present invention is to at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art. This object is achieved by the invention according to the features of the independent patent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims as well as in the description and, in particular, in the description of the figures. It should be noted that the person skilled in the art can combine the individual features in a technologically expedient manner and thus arrive at further embodiments of the invention.

[0005] Described here is a door handle housing for a vehicle door of a motor vehicle, wherein a heater is integrated in the door handle housing and is in thermally conductive connection with an inner side of the door handle housing, on which a door handle can be arranged, wherein the heater comprises an electrically conductive polymer material.

[0006] The door handle housing, which can also be referred to as a recessed grip, serves to accommodate the (retractable) door handle. The door handle housing is typically inserted into the outer door panel, which forms the outer surface of the vehicle door.

[0007] Particularly advantageously, the door handle housing has an inner shell which forms the inside of the door handle housing and a receiving space, wherein the heater forms an insert in the receiving space of the inner shell.

[0008] The receiving space can be formed on the inside or on an outside of the inner shell opposite the inside.

[0009] In addition to the inner shell, the door handle housing can comprise further components, such as an outer shell. The inner shell can, for example, be arranged entirely within the outer shell and connected to it. Such a connection can, for example, be an adhesive connection. If the door handle housing has an outer shell, the outer side of the inner shell is directed, in particular, toward the outer shell when the door handle housing is assembled.

[0010] The door handle housing can be arranged on the vehicle door and is in particular part of a door opening mechanism of a vehicle door of a motor vehicle. The door opening mechanism serves to selectively release a vehicle door from a closed position to an open position. A door handle arranged in the door handle housing can be moved between a flush position and an extended position. In the flush position, an outer side of the door handle is flush with a portion of an outer surface of the vehicle door that immediately surrounds the door handle, so that only the outer side of the door handle can be accessed. In the extended position, the outer side of the door handle is moved away from the outer surface of the vehicle door, so that a rear surface of the door handle can be accessed.

[0011] The door handle is preferably not operable by an operator in the flush position. In the extended position, the door handle is operable by an operator. Preferably, the operator can grasp the door handle in the extended position to pull on the door handle and thereby open the vehicle door. Preferably, the operator can then access a rear surface of the door handle, which is opposite the exterior side.

[0012] The heater is preferably in thermal communication with the outer side of the door handle and / or the outer surface of the vehicle door immediately surrounding the door handle. In particular, the heater can be used to heat a peripheral contour of the outer side of the door handle in order to melt a layer of ice on the outer side. Such a layer of ice can block the door handle, making it impossible to move from the flush position to the extended position. This effect can be prevented or reversed by using the heater. The heater is preferably configured so that heat for melting a layer of ice is generated primarily in the region of the peripheral contour of the outer side of the door handle.

[0013] The heater comprises an electrically conductive polymer material. The electrically conductive polymer material forms a heating resistor in which electrical current is converted into heat. The electrically conductive polymer material is preferably arranged in a receiving space of the door handle housing. The electrically conductive polymer material preferably completely fills the receiving space of the inner shell. The electrically conductive polymer material preferably covers, in particular, a base of the receiving space of the inner shell. The electrically conductive polymer material preferably rests against a housing material of the door handle housing or the inner shell in the receiving space.

[0014] It is also advantageous if the electrically conductive polymer material is cast, inserted, glued or injected into the inner shell.

[0015] The door handle housing or its inner shell is preferably made of a plastic material. The electrically conductive polymer material is preferably also a plastic material. The electrical conductivity of the electrically conductive polymer material is ensured in particular by the structure of the polymer material and, if applicable, additives in the polymer material. The electrically conductive polymer material is preferably significantly softer than the material of the housing or the material of the outer shell.

[0016] By injecting and / or pouring the electrically conductive polymer material, a very strong, heat-conducting bond between the electrically conductive polymer material and the inner shell can be achieved.

[0017] In some embodiments, the electrically conductive polymer material can also be embedded in the inner shell. Preferably, the embedded electrically conductive polymer material is subjected to a pressure that presses the embedded electrically conductive polymer material against the inner shell to ensure good heat transfer between the electrically conductive polymer material and the inner shell.

[0018] The electrically conductive polymer material can also be additionally glued into the inner shell. Preferably, an adhesive is used that ensures good thermal conductivity between the electrically conductive polymer material and the inner shell.

[0019] The material thickness of the inner shell in the inner area is preferably between 1 mm [millimeter] and 5 mm. Heat generated in the electrically conductive polymer material thus preferably reaches the inside and subsequently the outside of the door handle quickly and with minimal loss, where it can melt any layer of ice.

[0020] It is particularly preferred if the heater is arranged in the door handle housing in such a way that in particular an edge surrounding the inside of the door handle housing can be heated with the heater.

[0021] The door handle is preferably designed so that, when flush, it forms a flat surface with the outer surface of the door. For this reason, the outer side of the door handle is essentially flat. For this reason, the outer side of the door handle has a circumferential edge surrounding the (flat) outer side.

[0022] The door handle in particular has regions that are moved more than other regions when the door handle is moved from the flush position to the extended position. For example, the door handle or the outer side of the door handle is tilted relative to the outer surface of the vehicle door when it is moved from the flush position to the extended position. For this purpose, the door handle is particularly preferably moved about a pivot point. The heater or, in particular, the electrically conductive polymer material is particularly preferably arranged in the door handle housing in such a way that greater heating occurs in regions that are moved further when moving from the flush position to the extended position or that are further away from a pivot point of the door handle.

[0023] In further embodiments, the door handle is moved parallel or at least partially parallel from the flush position to the extended position. The door handle then preferably has a drive comprising two or more drive motors that push the door handle out of the door in parallel, so that the outer side of the door handle protrudes from the outer surface of the vehicle door.

[0024] The electrically conductive polymer material particularly preferably has PTC properties.

[0025] The electrically conductive polymer material can, for example, be an intrinsically conductive polymer (or an intrinsically conductive plastic). In other words, this means, in particular, that the electrically conductive polymer material is one that is itself electrically conductive. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the electrically conductive polymer material is electrically conductive due to at least one electrically conductive additive or filler, such as aluminum flakes or carbon black, which is contained or embedded in a (not necessarily itself conductive) polymer.

[0026] Preferably, at a switching temperature, a change in the structure of the polymer material occurs, which leads to the deactivation of electrically conductive paths in the polymer material.

[0027] If the resistance of a material increases with increasing temperature, it has a positive temperature coefficient. Materials with metal-like conductivity generally possess a positive temperature coefficient with respect to their electrical resistance (PTC properties or PTC resistance properties). With metal-like conductivity, the resistance increases almost linearly with increasing temperature. In contrast, electrically conductive polymer materials generally exhibit a strong increase in resistance within a very narrow temperature range. These polymer materials are generally abbreviated as PPTC. PPTC stands for Polymer Positive Temperature Coefficient.

[0028] In other words, the electrically conductive polymer material with PTC resistance properties can also be described as a so-called (polymer) PTC thermistor. A PTC thermistor, PTC resistor, or PTC thermistor is a temperature-dependent resistor that belongs specifically to the group of thermistors. One property it has is a positive temperature coefficient and conducts electrical current better at low temperatures than at high temperatures.

[0029] The electrically conductive polymer material with PTC effect is preferably designed such that it has a switching temperature between 10° Celsius and 40° Celsius. This allows temperatures of the door handle housing and thus also of the door handle to be achieved that are sufficient to melt a layer of ice, while at the same time preventing excessive consumption of electrical energy by the heating in the door handle housing. Furthermore, the switching temperature is preferably selected such that the door handle cannot become too hot due to heating. In particular, the door handle should not become so hot due to heating that an operator finds it annoying / uncomfortable when grasping the door handle. For this reason, the switching temperature is preferably a maximum of 40°C or lower.

[0030] It is also advantageous if electrical conductor structures for applying electrical current to the electrically conductive polymer material are arranged between the inner shell, preferably a bottom of the receiving space, and the electrically conductive polymer material.

[0031] The electrically conductive structures are preferably arranged in the receiving space, and in particular therein beneath the electrically conductive polymer material. If the receiving space is opposite the inner side, the electrically conductive structures are arranged in particular between the inner side and the electrically conductive polymer material.

[0032] It is also advantageous if the electrical conductor structures comprise at least one first electrical conductor structure and at least one second electrical conductor structure, each having comb-like sections, wherein the comb-like sections of the first electrical conductor structure and the second electrical conductor structure interlock.

[0033] The electrical conductor structures are preferably metallic, and in particular metallic sheet metal elements, for example made of copper, silver, or aluminum, and / or coated with copper, silver, or aluminum. Two separate electrical conductor structures can apply a voltage to the electrically conductive polymer material. This allows an electrical current (heating current) to flow through the electrically conductive polymer material. This generates heat in the electrically conductive polymer material.

[0034] In principle, the distance between the at least two separate electrical conductive structures in the polymer material is a parameter with which the necessary electrical voltage to generate a desired heating current can be adjusted. The distance is preferably in a range between 1 mm (millimeter) and 10 mm (millimeter).

[0035] It is also advantageous if the at least two separate electrical conductive structures form comb structures that engage with each other at least in some areas.

[0036] Comb structures feature a small distance between at least two separate electrically conductive structures. Such comb structures are particularly suitable when a particularly uniform distribution of electrical current across the electrically conductive polymer material is desired. Furthermore, such comb structures can ensure that only relatively short paths of electrical current through the electrically conductive polymer material occur, thus keeping the operating voltage of the heater within a low range.

[0037] Particularly preferably, the electrically conductive polymer material covers the electrical conductor structures in the receiving space. The door handle housing is preferably manufactured such that the inner shell is first provided, and the electrical conductor structures are inserted into the inner shell. The electrical conductor structures are preferably subsequently covered with the electrically conductive polymer material, for example, by casting or injecting the electrically conductive polymer material into the inner shell. The electrically conductive polymer material preferably fixes the conductor structures to the inner shell.

[0038] Furthermore, it is advantageous if an inner shell, which forms the inside of the door handle housing, has a plug section directed outwards, away from the inside, to which a power supply plug for supplying the heater with electrical current can be connected.

[0039] The plug section is preferably made of the (less soft) material of the inner shell and not of the electrically conductive polymer material.

[0040] Furthermore, it is advantageous if electrical conductor structures for applying electrical current to the electrically conductive polymer material of the heater form connecting pins which extend into the plug section in such a way that a power supply plug connected to the plug section is connected to the connecting pin.

[0041] Preferably, the plug section is designed such that a metal structure forming the electrical conductor structures can be inserted into the inner shell such that sections of the metal structure forming the connection pins are positioned in the plug section and can act there as connection pins for connecting to a supply plug.

[0042] Also to be described here is a system comprising a door handle housing according to the invention and a seal which is arranged around the door handle housing and, in an assembled state, between the door handle housing and the vehicle door, wherein a further heater is integrated in the seal.

[0043] The seal is preferably arranged circumferentially around the door handle housing. The heater can be arranged circumferentially around the door handle housing or in only one section or in several sections of the seal.

[0044] Heating the seal can, on the one hand, serve to melt the layer of ice. On the other hand, heating the seal can ensure that the heat generated by the heater in the door handle housing is not transferred, or only in a reduced form, through the seal into the vehicle door, particularly the outer door panel. This prevents or reduces heat flow that is not conducive to melting the layer of ice on the door handle.

[0045] It is particularly preferred that the further heater comprises an electrically conductive polymer material.

[0046] The electrically conductive polymer material is preferably a highly electrically conductive polymer material or a highly electrically conductive plastic. The electrically conductive polymer material is preferably elastic and preferably has properties similar to rubber. It can be provided that the entire seal is made of the electrically conductive polymer material.

[0047] Like the electrically conductive polymer material on the door handle housing, the electrically conductive polymer material forms a heating resistor in which electrical current is converted into heat. The previously described properties of the electrically conductive polymer material on the door handle housing can be applied analogously to the electrically conductive polymer material on the seal.

[0048] The electrically conductive polymer material can preferably be activated and deactivated by means of a signal, also referred to as a bus signal or pulse signal, and in particular transmitted via a bus.

[0049] As an alternative to the electrically conductive polymer material, the heater may comprise a heating cable arranged on or in the seal.

[0050] Also to be described here is a door opening mechanism for selectively releasing a vehicle door of a motor vehicle from a closed position, comprising a door handle housing according to the invention or a system according to the invention, further comprising a door handle which is arranged on the inside of the door handle housing, wherein the door opening mechanism has a drive with which the door handle can be moved back and forth between a flush position and an extended position, wherein in the flush position an outer side of the door handle is flush with a portion of an outer surface of the vehicle door which immediately surrounds the door handle and wherein in the extended position the outer side of the door handle is moved away from the outer surface of the vehicle door so that an operator can access a rear surface of the door handle.

[0051] The special advantages and design features described above in connection with the door handle housing also apply to the door opening mechanism described.

[0052] It is particularly advantageous if the door opening mechanism has a temperature sensor with which a temperature of the door handle housing and / or the seal can be monitored in order to detect a risk of icing of the door handle and / or door handle housing.

[0053] As a general rule, unnecessary heating of the door handle housing (when there is no layer of ice blocking the door handle from extending) should be avoided whenever possible. For this reason, it is advantageous to monitor the temperature. Blocking of the door handle by a layer of ice is only possible at low temperatures. The door opening mechanism is preferably configured so that the door handle housing is only heated by the heater when temperatures are such that a layer of ice on the door handle or vehicle door is possible.

[0054] It is also advantageous if the drive for moving the door handle from the flush position to the extended position is designed to mechanically test in a test operation whether the door handle is blocked.

[0055] In principle, it is possible that no layer of ice is present even at low temperatures (where the formation of layers of ice on the door or door handle is theoretically possible). Such situations can be reliably detected by operating a door handle drive in test mode to determine whether the door handle is blocked or not. During test mode, the drive can, for example, be operated with standard drive currents that are usually used to move the door handle. Preferably, it is detected based on parameters (for example, electrical parameters of the drive) that the door handle is not moving. If the door handle is not moving, the heating in the door handle housing and / or the heating in the seal can be started if necessary.

[0056] Most preferably, the heater is only activated when several conditions are met that together indicate that operating the heater can clear a potentially existing blockage in the door handle. For example, the heater is activated when, on the one hand, a temperature sensor detects low temperatures, indicating the possibility of a layer of ice, and, on the other hand, the test operation described has determined that the door handle is indeed blocked.

[0057] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the door opening mechanism has a control unit which is designed to detect a signal of an approach of an operator to the motor vehicle and, when an operator approaches, to carry out measures to detect possible icing of the door handle and / or door handle housing and, if necessary, to activate the heating in the door handle housing and / or in the seal.

[0058] It generally takes some time for the heater to sufficiently dissolve or partially dissolve the ice layer so that the door handle can be extended. When an operator approaches the motor vehicle, they generally expect the door handles to be available for operation and, in particular, to be in the extended position. Particularly preferably, operation of the door handle housing heater is initiated when a signal indicating the approach of an operator is present and, at the same time, other conditions exist, such as the low temperatures described and, if applicable, the detection of a door handle blockage by a test operation of the drive. If necessary, further conditions can be checked before the heater is activated. A control unit of the door opening mechanism is preferably configured to check such conditions and, if applicable, to activate the heater as a function of these conditions.

[0059] In further embodiments, the control unit and / or the drive are designed in such a way that in the test operation, based on at least one operating parameter of the drive, it is possible to determine how thick a layer of ice can be and the heating is controlled depending on this.

[0060] The ice layer normally has a certain degree of flexibility. Testing may cause the ice layer to deform, which can be detected based on the drive's operating parameters. While this prevents the door handle from extending, it can be determined that the heating required to clear the blockage is reduced.

[0061] The invention and the technical context of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The figures show preferred embodiments to which the invention is not limited. It should be noted in particular that the figures, and in particular the proportions depicted in the figures, are only schematic. They show: Fig. 1: a retractable door handle in an extended position; Fig. 2: a retractable door handle in a retracted position; Fig. 3a: a door handle housing for a retractable door handle; Fig. 3b / 3c: various views of a door handle housing with a heater; Fig. 4: a door handle housing with a seal; Fig. 5: an arrangement of electrical conductive structures for a heater; and Fig. 6: a schematic representation of a motor vehicle.

[0062] The Fig. 1 and the Fig. 2 show a retractable door handle 1. The retractable door handle 1 is arranged in a door handle housing 100 and mounted thereon. In Fig. 1 The retractable door handle 1 is shown in an extended position 18. In Fig. 2 The retractable door handle 1 is shown in a flush position 17. A section of the vehicle door 2 or the outer surface 19 of the vehicle door 2 in the immediate vicinity of the door handle 1 can be seen. If the door handle 1 is in the position shown in Fig. 2 In the flush position 17, the outer side 4 of the door handle 1 is flush with the outer surface 19 of the vehicle door 2. The outer side 4 of the door handle 1 has a circumferential edge 28, which forms the transition from the outer side 4 of the door handle 1 to the outer surface 19 of the vehicle door 2. The door handle housing 100 also has a circumferential edge 107, which forms the transition from the door handle housing 100 to the outer surface 19 of the vehicle door 2. A layer of ice can then form on the outer surface 19 of the vehicle door 2, preventing the door handle 1 from being extended. In the extended position 18 according to Fig. 2 An operator can grasp the door handle 1 and, in particular, exert force on the door handle 1 from a rear surface 20 of the door handle 1 in order to pull the door. In the retracted position, the door handle 1 is arranged in the door handle housing 100 on the inside 104 of the door handle housing 100. The inside 104 of the door handle housing 100 is marked again in Fig. 1 (with the door handle 1 extended).

[0063] Fig. 3a bis 3c each show a door handle housing 100 proposed here for a retractable door handle 1. An inner shell 105 of the door handle housing 100 forms the inner side 104 of the door handle housing 100, on which the door handle 1 can be arranged. The inner shell 105 has a (shell-shaped) receiving space 106 directed away from the inner side 104. The heater 3 proposed here is arranged in the receiving space 106. The heater 3 can be used to heat the inner shell 105 and in particular the peripheral edge 107. The heater 3 comprises the described electrically conductive polymer material 7. The electrically conductive polymer material 7 is connected to the electrical conductor structures 8, 9 (see Fig. 5 ) is supplied with an electrical current. The electrical current is converted into heat in the electrically conductive polymer material 7 in order to heat the door handle housing 100. The electrical conductor structures 8, 9 are introduced, for example cast or injected, into the receiving space 106 of the inner shell 105 between a base 106a of the receiving space 106 and the electrically conductive polymer material 7. A plug section 11 is also formed on the inner shell 105, which plug section extends (starting from the receiving space 106) away from the inner side 104 to the outside and to which a power supply plug 12 (not shown) can be connected.Preferably, the plug section 11 is designed such that electrical conductor structures 8, 9, which are inserted into the interior, can extend into the plug section 11 such that connection pins 13 formed therein are located in the plug section 11, so that a power supply plug 12 can be connected thereto.

[0064] Fig. 4 shows a door handle housing 100 proposed here with a seal 200 proposed here. In the present case, the seal 200 is arranged circumferentially around the door handle housing 100. Integrated into the seal 200 is a further heater 203, which comprises an electrically conductive polymer material 7.

[0065] Preferably, there is a first electrical conductor structure 8 and a second electrical conductor structure 9.

[0066] In Fig. 5 , the described conductor structures 8, 9 are shown, with which the electrically conductive polymer material 7 of the heater 3 can be supplied with current. There is at least a first electrical conductor structure 8 and a second electrical conductor structure 9, between which an electrical voltage can be applied in order to generate an electrical current through the electrically conductive polymer material 7. The conductor structures 8, 9 each have interlocking comb-like sections 10, between which the electrical voltage can be applied. The electrically conductive polymer material 7 surrounds the electrical conductor structures 8, 9 such that an electrical current through the electrically conductive polymer material 7 occurs as a result of an electrical voltage between the electrical conductor structures 8, 9.Connecting pins 13 are provided on each of the electrical conductor structures 8, 9, which preferably extend into the plug section 11 in order to be able to be connected there to a power supply plug 12 for supplying the heater 3 with electrical current.

[0067] Fig. 6 shows a motor vehicle 23 having at least one vehicle door 2 with a retractable door handle 1 arranged in the described door handle housing 100. The door handle housing 100 has a receiving space 106 in which the heater 3 forms an insert. The heater 3 is in thermally conductive contact with the inner side 104 of the door handle housing 100, on which the door handle 1 is arranged. The door handle 1 is shown here in the flush position 17, in which an outer surface 19 of the door is flush with an outer side 4 of the door handle 1. An example of icing 22 is shown, which in such a situation prevents the door handle 1 from being extended from the flush position 17 into the extended position 18. The door handle housing 100 and the door handle 1 are part of a door opening mechanism 14, with which an operator can open the vehicle door 2.The door opening mechanism 14 also includes a drive 16 (in particular an electric drive motor) with which the door handle 1 can be moved from the flush position 17 into the extended position 18, as well as a control unit 24 with which the drive 16 can be controlled. The drive 16 can preferably also be used to drive the door handle 1 for test purposes in order to detect any resistance caused, for example, by icing 22. If such resistance is detected, the control unit 24 can preferably switch on the heater 3 in the door handle housing 100 and / or the heater 203 in the seal 200 arranged circumferentially around the door handle housing 100 (cf. Fig. 4) to remove the ice. Also shown is a temperature sensor 21, with which an ambient temperature and / or a temperature of the door handle 1 and / or the door handle housing 100 can be measured. Preferably, the control unit 24 is configured to check, based on the temperature, whether ice formation 22 of the door handle 1 is at all plausible and to initiate further steps to remove ice formation 22 only if ice formation 22 has been detected. List of reference symbols

[0068] 1 Door handle 2 Vehicle door 3 Heater 4 Exterior 7 Electrically conductive polymer material 8 First electrical conductor structure 9 Second electrical conductor structure 10 Comb-like section 11 Connector section 12 Power supply connector 13 Connection pin 14 Door opening mechanism 16 Drive 17 Flush position 18 Extended position 19 Outer surface 20 Rear surface 21 Temperature sensor 22 Icing 23 Motor vehicle 24 Control unit 28 Surrounding edge 100 Door handle housing 104 Inside 105 Inner shell 106 Receiving space 106a Floor (receiving space) 107 Surrounding edge 200 Seal 203 Additional heater

Claims

1. Door handle housing (100) for a vehicle door (2) of a motor vehicle (23), wherein a heater (3) is integrated in the door handle housing (100) and is in thermally conductive connection with an inner side (104) of the door handle housing (100), on which inner side a door handle (1) can be arranged, wherein the heater (3) comprises an electrically conductive polymer material (7).

2. Door handle housing (100) according to claim 1, comprising an inner shell (105) which forms the inner side (104) of the door handle housing (1) and a receiving space (106), wherein the heater (3) forms an insert in the receiving space (106) of the inner shell (105).

3. Door handle housing (100) according to claim 2, wherein the electrically conductive polymer material (7) is cast, inserted, glued or injected into the inner shell (105).

4. Door handle housing (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heater (3) is arranged in the door handle housing (100) in such a way that in particular an edge (107) surrounding the inner side (104) of the door handle housing (100) can be heated with the heater (3).

5. Door handle housing (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrically conductive polymer material (7) has PTC properties.

6. Door handle housing (100) according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein electrical conductor structures (8, 9) for applying electrical current to the electrically conductive polymer material (7) are arranged between the inner shell (105), preferably a bottom (106a) of the receiving space (106), and the electrically conductive polymer material (7).

7. Door handle housing (100) according to claim 6, wherein the electrical conductor structures (8, 9) comprise at least a first electrical conductor structure (8) and at least one second electrical conductor structure (9), each having comb-like sections (10), wherein the comb-like sections (10) of the first electrical conductor structure (8) and the second electrical conductor structure (9) engage with one another.

8. Door handle housing (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an inner shell (105) forming the inner side (104) of the door handle housing (100) has a plug section (11) directed outwards, away from the inner side (104), to which a power supply plug (12) for supplying the heater (3) with electrical current can be connected.

9. Door handle housing (100) according to claim 8, wherein electrical conductor structures (8, 9) for supplying the electrically conductive polymer material (7) of the heater (3) with electrical current form connecting pins (13) which extend into the plug section (11) in such a way that a power supply plug (12) connected to the plug section (11) is connected to the connecting pin (13).

10. System with a door handle housing (100) according to one of the preceding claims and a seal (200) which is arranged around the door handle housing (100) and in an assembled state between the door handle housing (100) and the vehicle door (2), wherein a further heater (203) is integrated in the seal (200).

11. System according to claim 10, wherein the further heater (203) comprises an electrically conductive polymer material (7).

12. Door opening mechanism (14) for selectively releasing a vehicle door (2) of a motor vehicle (23) from a closed position (15), comprising a door handle housing (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9 or a system according to one of claims 10 and 11, further comprising a door handle (1) which is arranged on the inside (104) of the door handle housing (100), wherein the door opening mechanism (14) has a drive (16) with which the door handle (1) can be moved back and forth between a flush position (17) and an extended position (18), wherein in the flush position (17) an outer side (4) of the door handle (1) is flush with a portion of an outer surface (19) of the vehicle door (2) which immediately surrounds the door handle (1), and wherein in the extended position (18) the outer side (4) of the door handle (1) is separated from the outer surface (19) of the vehicle door (2) is moved away so that an operator can access a rear surface (20) of the door handle (1).

13. Door opening mechanism (14) according to claim 12, comprising a temperature sensor (21) with which a temperature of the door handle housing (100) and / or the seal (200) can be monitored in order to detect a risk of icing of the door handle (1) and / or door handle housing (100).

14. Door opening mechanism (14) according to one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the drive (16) for moving the door handle (1) from the flush position (17) into the extended position (18) is designed to mechanically test, in a test operation, whether there is a blockage of the door handle (1).

15. Door opening mechanism (14) according to one of claims 12 to 14, comprising a control unit (24) which is designed to detect a signal of an approach of an operator to the motor vehicle (23) and, when an operator approaches, to carry out measures to detect possible icing of the door handle (1) and / or door handle housing (100) and, if necessary, to activate the heater (3) in the door handle housing (100) and / or in the seal (200).

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