Vehicle door with a handle assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle door, having: a door outer panel and a door inner panel; a handle assembly comprising a body which has a handle section and an electronics receiving section and which is arranged on a shaft reinforcement panel of the door, wherein a printed circuit board is provided in the electronics receiving section, said printed circuit board being equipped with a sensor, and the handle section is designed to protrude from the plane of the door outer lining, said electronics receiving section being provided between the door outer lining and the door inner lining; and a conductive activation element, in particular a metal activation element. The position of the sensor relative to the activation element can be modified by exerting a force onto the handle section by means of the user, whereby the opening signal and / or the locking signal of the door is triggered.

Description

[0001] Vehicle door with a handle arrangement.

[0002] The invention relates to a vehicle door with a handle arrangement for initiating an opening signal or a locking signal of the door and to a method for opening or locking a vehicle door.

[0003] It is known that a vehicle door is opened or locked by means of a door handle arranged on the outside of the vehicle door. The outward-projecting door handle disadvantageously leads to a deterioration in aerodynamics and air resistance as well as to wind noise due to the disruptive geometry and surface jumps. Furthermore, a flush-mounted door handle is known which is designed to be movable at least between a rest position and an open position, wherein in the rest position the door handle is arranged flush with the outer door panel and in the open position the door handle is arranged so that it protrudes from the outer door panel. The disadvantage is the high design complexity for the movable mechanism.

[0004] Based on the prior art, the object of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a vehicle door which has a simple construction and is easy to operate by a user.

[0005] The invention is based on the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments and refinements are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0006] Accordingly, a vehicle door is provided, comprising: a door outer panel and a door inner panel; a handle assembly having a housing which

[0007] Handle section and an electronics receiving section and is arranged on a shaft reinforcement plate of the door, wherein a circuit board is provided in the electronics receiving section, on which a sensor is arranged, wherein the handle section is provided so as to protrude from the door outer panel plane and the electronics receiving section is provided between the door outer panel and the door inner panel; a conductive, in particular metallic, activation element, wherein the position of the sensor relative to the activation element can be changed by the user exerting force on the handle section, thereby triggering an opening signal or a locking signal for the door. The body of the handle arrangement is preferably a housing.

[0008] A vehicle door designed in this way enables a compact construction that requires less installation space than vehicle doors with conventional door handle arrangements. Since the handle section protruding from the outer door panel level can now be reduced to the absolute minimum, allowing for design freedom, the aerodynamic properties of the door are significantly improved. The shape of the handle section can itself represent a design feature. Preferably, the body or housing is formed monolithically from the plastic. This enables optimal sealing of the body or housing. Alternatively, the body or housing can be constructed in a shell construction from several shells. The handle arrangement also enables comfortable operation. In the rest position, the handle section is provided fixedly on or at the door.To actuate the handle arrangement, the user exerts a compressive or tensile force, preferably of at least 15 N, on the handle section so that the electronics receiving section moves along with it and leaves its original position. The aim is to change the position of the sensor relative to the activation element. The activation element can be arranged in the door directly or indirectly, rigidly or movably. The activation element can be designed as an additional component such as a metal foil or a metal strip on a door component, as a metal coating on a door component, or integrated into a door component. The arrangement can be configured such that the position of the activation element is not influenced by the force exerted by the user on the handle section. Alternatively, the activation element can be moved when the user exerts force.In this case, however, it must be ensured that the movement of the activation element differs from the movement of the sensor relative to the fixed outer door panel, inner door panel, or shaft reinforcement panel, so that a relative position change between the sensor and the activation element is possible. A further advantage is that the handle section can be operated even in cold temperatures and on ice. This eliminates the need for a separate emergency opening mechanism, which is often required with flush-mounted door handles.

[0009] It is also conceivable for the body or housing of the electronics section to be designed as a shell open toward the vehicle interior. The open side can be sealed with a potting material to protect the circuit board from environmental influences, such as moisture, water, or other external influences. The circuit board can be embedded in the potting material. Alternatively, the potting material can surround a space formed in the electronics section or around the circuit board.

[0010] Within the scope of the invention, the sensor supplies a signal which is representative of a distance between the sensor and the activation element. The sensor can be an inductive sensor, in particular a so-called inductance-to-digital converter (LDC) sensor. In this case, the change in distance is detected by the frequency shift caused by the resonant circuit of the sensor. Alternatively, the sensor can be a capacitive sensor. In this case, the change in distance is detected based on a change in capacitance between the sensor and the activation element. The sensor behaves as a measuring electrode and the activation element as a reference electrode. In particular, this is what is known as metal-over-cap (MoC) technology, in which a conductive activation element is arranged over the capacitive sensor in order to advantageously shield the sensor from external influences and to convert the user’s force load into a change in capacitance.In an advantageous embodiment, the distance between the sensor and the activation element in the rest position is less than 3 mm.

[0011] It can further be provided that the body or housing is pivotally mounted on the shaft reinforcement plate between the outer door panel and the inner door panel by means of a pivot bearing, in particular a bearing bush. In this way, a pivoting movement of the handle assembly from the rest position is permitted when the user exerts force. During pivoting, the body or housing of the handle assembly may also be deformed at the same time.

[0012] Instead of a pivot bearing, the body or housing can be mounted between the outer and inner door panels by a fixed bearing element on the shaft reinforcement plate. The change in position of the sensor relative to the outer door panel, inner door panel, or shaft reinforcement plate is made possible by the plastic deformation of the housing.

[0013] Preferably, it can be provided that the body or the housing of the handle arrangement has a fastening point between the handle section and the electronics receiving section, as a result of which the handle arrangement is carried by the upper edge of the shaft reinforcement plate. The handle arrangement can be carried directly by the upper edge of the shaft reinforcement plate or indirectly via the outer door plate, in the situation that the upper edge of the shaft reinforcement plate is flanged over by the upper edge of the outer door plate, by the upper edge of the shaft reinforcement plate. The fastening point can, for example, be designed as a recess in the body or housing, as a result of which the handle arrangement is plugged onto the upper edge of the shaft reinforcement plate. In this way, a stable and, at the same time, easy-to-assemble fastening of the handle arrangement is ensured.In this case, no additional connecting element is required at the fastening point. In a further development of the invention, it can be provided that a sealing element made of elastomer is provided between the upper edge of the shaft reinforcement plate and the fastening point of the handle arrangement, which sealing element encloses the upper edge of the shaft reinforcement plate in a U-shape in cross-section. In the unconfirmed rest position, the upper edge of the shaft reinforcement plate or the upper edge of the outer door panel flanged around the upper edge of the shaft reinforcement plate is clamped in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner by the handle arrangement under the pre-tension of the elastomer. The sealing element can perform a connecting, restoring and sealing function at the same time. When the user exerts force on the handle section, the elastomer of the sealing material is pressed against the upper edge of the shaft reinforcement plate orpressed against the upper edge of the outer door panel, which is folded over the upper edge of the shaft reinforcement panel, so that the handle assembly leaves the rest position. Once the user has stopped exerting force, the elastomer is automatically reset. The handle assembly is also moved back to the rest position. A metal insert is preferably embedded in the elastomer as a reinforcement part. The sealing element can be designed separately from or as an extension of the shaft seal, which extends along the window opening to prevent water and dirt from entering the interior of the door via a gap between the window pane and the outer door panel.

[0014] It is advantageous for the sealing element to have a surface profile, particularly in the form of ribs, lips, or beads, that compresses under a force load. Thus, the sealing element offers a greater degree of deformation at the surface.

[0015] It is particularly preferred that the force exerted is a pulling force or a pushing force by the user, wherein the opening signal of the door is triggered when the handle section is pulled and the locking signal of the door is triggered when the handle section is pushed.

[0016] In order to integrate further electronic functions into the handle arrangement, a second circuit board can be arranged in the handle section, on which an NFC antenna and / or a proximity sensor, in particular a capacitive proximity sensor, is arranged to detect the presence and / or approach of the user. After the user has been detected, the sensor electronics in the electronics receiving section are woken up. This allows the sensor electronics to be operated in an energy-efficient manner. NFC communication enables a secure and contact-free exchange of access data between the vehicle and an active access device, e.g. a cell phone, tablet, etc., or a passive access device, e.g. a user card. The NFC communication interface also enables energy transfer in an emergency if the vehicle battery or the accumulator of the access device is empty.

[0017] According to the above-mentioned embodiment, a guide channel for the cable of the second circuit board can be provided in or on the body or housing of the electronics receiving section, thereby preventing cable twisting and cable compression. The cable of the second circuit board is thus efficiently combined with the cable of the first circuit board located in the electronics receiving section to form a single plug-in element.

[0018] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the shaft reinforcement plate is designed as an activation element or the activation element is arranged on the shaft reinforcement plate. As a result of the force exerted by the user on the handle section, the handle arrangement, together with the sensor arranged in the electronics receiving section, moves closer or further away from the shaft reinforcement plate, so that a parameter change of the sensor is detected. Within the scope of the above-mentioned embodiment, a sealing part can be arranged on the activation element, in particular between the activation element and the outer wall of the housing of the electronics receiving section, wherein the sealing part consists in particular of a sealing pad or a sealing ring made of elastic material in order to eliminate possible disruptive influences such as protection, water or moisture.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the activation element is fastened to the inner housing wall of the electronics receiving section and the circuit board is arranged so as to be able to swing in the electronics receiving section. The circuit board can be firmly mounted on the housing of the electronics receiving section either only at the lower end (as viewed in the vehicle Z-axis) or the upper end, and the rest of the circuit board can swing freely. The sensor is aligned so as to face the activation element. Due to the force exerted by the user, the degree of deformation of the housing of the handle arrangement at the location of the activation element is different, in particular greater than the degree of deformation at the location where the circuit board is fastened. This creates a relative change in position between the sensor and the activation element.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the grip section has an extended oscillating section which extends into the electronics receiving section to at least the height of the sensor and is movable in an oscillating manner in the electronics section, wherein the activation element is arranged opposite the sensor on the oscillating section / the oscillating section is designed as an activation element. Due to the force exerted by the user, the degree of deformation of the grip section or of the fastening point of the oscillating section is different, in particular greater than the degree of deformation of the housing of the electronics receiving section where the circuit board is arranged. This creates a relative change in position between the sensor and the activation element.

[0021] According to the above-mentioned embodiment, the swinging section can be an extension of an inner reinforcement part of the handle section, which is injection-molded or glued to the inner wall of the handle section.

[0022] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for opening or locking a door, the door comprising: an outer door panel and an inner door panel; a handle assembly having a body which has a

[0023] Handle section and an electronics receiving section and is arranged on a shaft reinforcement plate of the door , wherein a printed circuit board is provided in the electronics receiving section , on which a sensor is arranged , wherein the handle section is provided protruding from the door outer panel plane and the electronics receiving section is provided between the door outer panel and the door inner panel ; a conductive , in particular metallic ,

[0024] Activation element, by the following process step:

[0025] - Changing the position of the sensor relative to the activation element by the user exerting force on the handle portion to initiate the door opening signal and / or the door locking signal. Preferably, the body of the handle assembly is a housing.

[0026] Preferably, the force exerted is a pulling force or a pushing force, whereby when the handle section is pulled, the

[0027] The door opening signal is triggered and the door locking signal is triggered when the handle section is pressed.

[0028] A vehicle door according to the invention can be used for the method according to the invention. Advantages and preferred developments of the proposed method arise from an analogous and analogous application of the statements made above in connection with the proposed vehicle door.

[0029] Further advantages, features, and details will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments are described in detail, where appropriate with reference to the drawings. Identical, similar, and / or functionally equivalent parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0030] Fig. 1 a motor vehicle with a door according to the invention

[0031] Fig. 2 the handle arrangement according to Fig. 1

[0032] Fig. 3 a vehicle door in a schematic sectional view in an embodiment

[0033] Fig.4a the schematic sketch of the relative position representation between the sensor and the activation element in the rest position of the handle arrangement according to the embodiment in Fig. 3

[0034] Fig.4b the schematic diagram of the relative position representation between the sensor and the activation element in the actuated position of the handle assembly under the force Fl according to the embodiment in Fig. 3

[0035] Fig.4c the schematic sketch of the relative position representation between the sensor and the activation element in the actuated position of the handle assembly under the force F2 according to the embodiment in Fig. 3

[0036] Fig. 5 a vehicle door in a schematic sectional view in a further embodiment

[0037] Fig.6a the schematic sketch of the relative position representation between the sensor and the activation element in the rest position of the handle arrangement according to the embodiment in Fig. 5

[0038] Fig.6b the schematic sketch of the relative position representation between the sensor and the activation element in the rest position of the handle assembly under the force Fl according to the embodiment in Fig. 5

[0039] Fig.6c the schematic diagram of the relative position representation between the sensor and the activation element in the rest position of the handle assembly under the force F2 according to the embodiment in Fig. 5

[0040] Fig. 7 a vehicle door in a schematic sectional view in a further embodiment

[0041] Fig.8a the schematic sketch of the relative position representation between the sensor and the activation element in the rest position of the handle arrangement according to the embodiment in Fig. 7

[0042] Fig.8b the schematic sketch of the relative position representation between the sensor and the activation element in the actuated position of the handle assembly under the force Fl according to the embodiment in Fig. 7

[0043] Fig.8c the schematic diagram of the relative position representation between the sensor and the activation element in the actuated position of the handle assembly under the force F2 according to the embodiment in Fig. 7

[0044] Fig. 9 shows a sealing element fitted onto the outer door panel in a schematic sectional view

[0045] Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle 1 in which the present invention is implemented. The vehicle door 2 according to the invention, visible in Figure 1, comprises an outer door panel 3 and a handle assembly 4. The handle assembly 4 has a body in the form of a housing made of plastically preformable plastic. The handle assembly 4 is supported on the shaft reinforcement panel (invisible in Figure 1) of the vehicle door 2.

[0046] Fig. 2 shows that the handle arrangement has a handle section 5 and an electronics receiving section 6. The handle section is arranged so as to protrude from the outer door panel plane, while the electronics receiving section is provided between the outer door panel and the inner door panel and is therefore invisible from the outside of the vehicle. A printed circuit board 7, on which a sensor 8 is arranged, is provided in the housing of the electronics receiving section. The sensor 8 is an inductive sensor based on what is known as inductance-to-digital converter (LDC) technology. Here, the change in distance between the sensor and an activation element is detected due to a frequency shift of an oscillating circuit of the sensor 8. Alternatively, the sensor 8 can be a capacitive sensor, which detects the change in distance between the sensor and an activation element based on the change in capacitance.A second circuit board 9 is arranged in the handle section 5, on which an NFC antenna and a capacitive proximity sensor are arranged to detect the presence and / or approach of the user.

[0047] In detail, Figs. 3 to 5 show different embodiments of the vehicle door according to the invention. Fig. 3 shows a first embodiment. Fig. 3 shows the arrangement of the handle assembly 4 in the unactuated rest position in relation to the outer door panel 3, inner door panel 13, and shaft reinforcement panel 10 of the door 2. Fig. 3 shows that the shaft reinforcement panel 10 is inserted onto the upper edge of the outer door panel 3 by flanging the outer door panel 3 around the upper edge of the shaft reinforcement panel 10. The handle assembly is inserted at its fastening point 14 onto the upper edge of the shaft reinforcement panel 10 or the outer door panel 3. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the handle arrangement 4 is carried directly by the upper edge of the shaft reinforcement plate 10, without the upper edge being flanged by the outer door plate 3.

[0048] 6, which is likewise plugged onto the upper edge of the outer door panel and thus encloses the upper edge of the shaft reinforcement plate. 3 not explicitly displayed.

[0049] On the side opposite the fastening point 14, the handle assembly 4 is attached to an assembly bracket 16 of the shaft reinforcement plate 10 via a pivot bearing 15. The printed circuit board 7 is fastened in the housing of the electronics receiving section 6. The sensor 8 is aligned facing the shaft reinforcement plate 10. For example, the printed circuit board 7 is sealed with potting while still in the housing of the electronics receiving section to protect the printed circuit board against water, dirt, and moisture.

[0050] In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 3, the conductive activation element 11 is attached to the shaft reinforcement plate 10 at the level of the sensor. The activation element 11 can be formed as a metal foil, a metal strip, or a metal coating on the shaft reinforcement plate 10. A sealing pad 12, which is designed to be elastically compressible, is arranged between the activation element 11 and the outer wall of the housing of the electronics receiving section 6.

[0051] The handle section 5 is designed to absorb the loads indicated by arrows F1 and F2 that can be applied to the door handle assembly 4 by a user. When the user pulls or pushes the handle section 5, the attachment point 14 of the handle assembly 4 presses the sealing element against the upper edge of the outer door panel 3. The entire handle assembly 4 pivots about the pivot bearing 15. This changes the position of the sensor 8 in relation to the activation element 11 on the shaft reinforcement panel 10. As a result, the sensor electronics detects the user's operation. The detection of a tensile load, as indicated by arrow 1, triggers an opening signal for the door 2, while the detection of a compressive load, as indicated by arrow 2, triggers a locking signal.If the user stops the actuation and / or no longer exerts force on the handle section 5, the sealing element ensures that the handle arrangement 5 is automatically returned to the rest position.

[0052] Figs. 4a to 4c show the relative change in position between the sensor 8 and the activation element 11. The relative change in position is disproportionately large in the schematic diagrams and not to scale. Fig. 4b shows that when the user exerts a tensile force F1 on the handle section, the circuit board pivots toward the activation element 11 on the shaft reinforcement plate 10, thus shortening the distance between the sensor 8 and the activation element 11. In contrast, when the user exerts a compressive force F2 on the handle section, the distance between the sensor 8 and the activation element 11 is increased, as can be seen in Fig. 4c.

[0053] Fig. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of a further exemplary embodiment of a vehicle door 2 according to the invention. Fig. 5 shows the arrangement of the handle arrangement 4 in the unactuated rest position in relation to the outer door panel 3, the inner door panel 13 and the shaft reinforcement panel 10 of the door 2. Similar to the exemplary embodiment in Fig. 3, the handle arrangement 4 is plugged at its fastening point 14 onto the upper edge of the shaft reinforcement panel 10 or the outer door panel 3. For sealing, a U-shaped sealing element made of elastomers, as shown, for example, in Fig. 9, which is likewise plugged onto the upper edge of the outer door panel and thus encloses the upper edge of the shaft reinforcement panel, is arranged between the upper edge of the outer door panel 3 and the fastening point 14 of the handle arrangement 4. The sealing element is not explicitly shown in Fig. 5.On the opposite side to the fastening point 14, the handle arrangement 4 is attached via a fixed bearing 17 to the arrangement bracket 16 of the shaft reinforcement plate 10.

[0054] The circuit board 7 is arranged in the electronics receiving section 6 in such a way that it is fixedly mounted on the housing of the electronics receiving section 6 only at the lower end, as viewed along the vehicle's Z-axis, and the rest of the circuit board can swing freely within the housing. The sensor 8 is oriented toward the shaft reinforcement plate 10. Figure 4 further shows that the activation element 11 is arranged opposite the sensor 8 on the inner wall of the housing. The activation element 11 can be formed as a metal foil, a metal strip, or a metal coating.

[0055] The handle section 5 is designed to absorb the loads indicated by arrows F1 and F2 that can be applied to the door handle assembly 4 by a user. When the user pulls or pushes the handle section 4, the attachment point 14 of the handle assembly 4 presses the sealing element against the upper edge of the outer door panel 10. The housing of the handle assembly 4 deforms. The degree of deformation of the housing at the location of the activation element 11 is greater than the degree of deformation at the location where the circuit board 8 is attached. This creates a relative position change between the sensor 8 and the activation element 11. As a result, the sensor electronics detects the user's operation. The detection of a tensile load, as indicated by arrow 1, triggers a door opening signal, while the detection of a compressive load, as indicated by arrow 2, triggers a locking signal.If the user stops the actuation and / or no longer exerts force on the handle section, the sealing element ensures that the handle assembly automatically returns to the rest position.

[0056] 6a to 6c show the relative change in position between the sensor 8 and the activation element 11. The relative change in position is disproportionately large in the schematic diagrams and not to scale. Fig. 6b shows that the housing 6 deforms when the user exerts a tensile force F1. Because the circuit board 7 is only connected to the housing at its lower end and the opposite end section, where the sensor 8 is arranged, is designed to be movable in an oscillating manner, the distance between the sensor 8 and the activation element 11 is thus increased. In contrast, when the user exerts a compressive force F2 on the handle section, the distance between the sensor 8 and the activation element 11 is reduced, as can be seen in Fig. 6c.

[0057] Fig. 7 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a vehicle door 2 according to the invention in a schematic sectional view. Fig. 7 shows the arrangement of the handle arrangement 4 in the unactuated rest position in relation to the outer door panel 3, the inner door panel 13 and the shaft reinforcement panel 10 of the door 2. Similar to the exemplary embodiment in Fig. 3, the handle arrangement 4 is plugged at its fastening point 14 onto the upper edge of the shaft reinforcement panel 10 or the outer door panel 3. For sealing, an upside-down U-shaped sealing element made of elastomer, as shown in Fig. 9, is arranged between the upper edge of the outer door panel 3 and the fastening point 14 of the handle arrangement 4. This sealing element is also plugged onto the upper edge of the outer door panel and thus encloses the upper edge of the shaft reinforcement panel. The sealing element is not explicitly shown in Fig . 7 .On the opposite side to the fastening point 14, the handle arrangement 4 is attached via a fixed bearing 17 to an arrangement bracket 16 of the shaft reinforcement plate 10.

[0058] The printed circuit board 7 is mounted in the electronics receiving section. The sensor 8 is oriented away from the shaft reinforcement plate 10. It is also conceivable that the printed circuit board 7 is fixedly mounted on the housing of the electronics receiving section at only one of the ends, as viewed along the vehicle's Z-axis, as shown in Fig. 5. Thus, the printed circuit board is also designed to be movable in a pendulum motion.

[0059] Unlike in the exemplary embodiments of Fig. 3 and Fig. 5, it can be seen in Fig. 7 that the handle section 5 has an extended oscillating section 18 which extends into the electronics receiving section 6 to at least the height of the sensor 8 and hangs in the electronics section 6 so as to be able to swing, the activation element 11 being arranged on the oscillating section 18 opposite the sensor 8. The activation element 11 can be designed as a metal foil, a metal strip or metal coating. Alternatively, the oscillating section 18 can be conductive itself, at least partially at the height of the sensor 8, or can be designed as the activation element 11. The oscillating section 18 is an extension of an inner reinforcement part of the handle section, which is injection-molded or glued to the inner wall of the handle section. Alternatively, the oscillating section 18 can be designed as an extended part of the housing itself.

[0060] The handle section is designed to absorb the loads indicated by arrows F1 and F2 that can be applied to the door handle assembly 4 by a user. When the user pulls or pushes the handle section 5, the attachment point 14 of the handle assembly 5 presses the sealing element against the upper edge of the outer door panel 3. The housing of the handle assembly 4 deforms. The degree of deformation of the housing of the handle section 5 is greater than the degree of deformation at the point where the circuit board 7 is attached. This creates a relative position change between the sensor 8 and the activation element. As a result, the sensor electronics detects the user's operation. The detection of a tensile load, as indicated by arrow 1, triggers a door opening signal, while the detection of a compressive load, as indicated by arrow 2, triggers a locking signal.If the user stops the actuation and / or no longer exerts force on the actuating section, the sealing element ensures that the handle assembly automatically returns to the rest position.

[0061] 8a and 8b show the relative change in position between the sensor 8 and the activation element 11. The relative change in position is disproportionately large in the schematic diagrams and not to scale. In Fig. 8b it can be seen that the housing 6 is deformed by the user exerting a tensile force F1, and the sensor 8 thus deviates from its original position. Because the oscillating section 18 is only connected to the housing at its upper end and the opposite end section, where the sensor 8 is arranged, is designed to be movable, the distance between the sensor 8 and the activation element 11 is thus increased. In contrast, when the user exerts a compressive force F2 on the handle section, the distance between the sensor 8 and the activation element 11 is reduced, as can be seen in Fig. 8c.

[0062] Fig. 9 shows a detailed view of the sealing element 19 which can be used in the exemplary embodiments of Fig. 3, 5 and 7. As Fig. 9 suggests, the upper edge of the outer door panel 3 is flanged onto the upper edge of the shaft reinforcement panel 10. An upside-down U-shaped sealing element 19 is placed onto the upper edge of the outer door panel 3. Lips 20 protrude from the inside of the sealing element 19 and serve as an elastically effective clamping fastening and are compressed when a force is applied. The sealing element 19 thus offers an even greater degree of deformation. The sealing element is further reinforced by a metal insert 21 which is strip-shaped in cross-section and is embedded in the elastomer of the sealing element 19.

[0063] The above explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention exclusively within the framework of examples. Of course, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another, provided they are technically feasible, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Vehicle door comprising: an outer door panel and an inner door panel; a handle arrangement with a body which has a handle section and an electronics receiving section and is arranged on a shaft reinforcement panel of the door, wherein a circuit board is provided in the electronics receiving section, on which a sensor is arranged, wherein the handle section is provided so as to protrude from the door outer panel plane and the electronics receiving section is provided between the door outer panel and the door inner panel; a conductive, in particular metallic, activation element, wherein the position of the sensor relative to the activation element can be changed by the user exerting force on the handle section, thereby triggering the opening signal and / or the locking signal of the door.

2. Vehicle door according to claim 1, characterized in that the body of the handle assembly is a housing.

3. Vehicle door according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sensor is an inductive sensor.

4. Vehicle door according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sensor is a capacitive sensor.

5. Vehicle door according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body is pivotally mounted on the shaft reinforcement plate between the outer door panel and the inner door panel by a pivot bearing, in particular a bearing bush.

6. Vehicle door according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body is mounted between the outer door panel and the inner door panel by a fixed bearing element on the shaft reinforcement panel.

7. Vehicle door according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body of the handle assembly has a fastening point between the handle portion and the electronics receiving portion, whereby the Handle arrangement is supported by the upper edge of the shaft reinforcement plate.

8. Vehicle door according to claim 7, characterized in that between the upper edge of the shaft reinforcement plate and the fastening point of the handle arrangement, a sealing element made of elastomer is provided, which in cross-section encloses the upper edge of the shaft reinforcement plate in a U-shape.

9. Vehicle door according to claim 8, characterized in that the sealing element has a surface profile, in particular in the form of ribs, which is compressed under a force load.

10. Vehicle door according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force exerted is a pulling force or a pushing force, wherein when pulling the The door opening signal is triggered when the handle section is pressed, and the door locking signal is triggered when the handle section is pressed.

11. Vehicle door according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the user exerts force on the handle section, the body of the handle arrangement pivots about the bearing element and / or the body deforms.

12. Vehicle door according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a second circuit board is arranged in the handle section, on which an NFC antenna and / or a proximity sensor, in particular a capacitive proximity sensor, are arranged in order to detect the presence and / or approach of the user.

13. Vehicle door according to claim 11, characterized in that a guide groove for a cable line of the second printed circuit board is provided in or on the body of the electronics receiving section.

14. Vehicle door according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shaft reinforcement plate is designed as an activation element or the activation element is arranged on the shaft reinforcement plate.

15. Vehicle door according to claim 14, characterized in that a sealing part is arranged on the activation element, in particular between the activation element and the outer wall of the housing of the electronics receiving section, wherein the sealing part is in particular a sealing pad or a sealing ring made of elastic material.

16. Vehicle door according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the activation element is fastened to the housing inner wall of the electronics receiving section and the circuit board is arranged so as to be able to swing in the electronics receiving section.

17. Vehicle door according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the handle section has an extended swinging section which extends into the electronics receiving section to at least the height of the sensor and hangs in the electronics section so as to be able to swing, wherein the activation element is arranged on the swinging section opposite the sensor or the swinging section is designed as an activation element.

18. Vehicle door according to claim 17, characterized in that the swing section is an extension of an inner reinforcement part of the handle section, which is injection-molded or glued to the inner wall of the handle section.

19. A method for opening and / or locking a door, which is particularly designed according to one of claims 1-18, wherein the door comprises: an outer door panel and an inner door panel; a handle assembly having a body which has a handle portion and an electronics receiving portion and is arranged on a shaft reinforcement panel of the door, wherein a circuit board is provided in the electronics receiving portion, on which a sensor is arranged, wherein the handle portion is provided protruding from the door outer panel plane and the electronics receiving portion is provided between the door outer panel and the door inner panel; a metallic activation element, by the following method step: - Change the position of the sensor relative to the activation element by the user exerting force on the handle section in order to trigger the opening signal and / or the locking signal of the door.

20. Method according to claim 19, characterized in that the force exerted is a pulling force or a pushing force, wherein pulling the handle portion initiates the opening signal of the door and pushing the handle portion initiates the locking signal of the door.

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