Actuation module for a motor vehicle

Abstract

An actuation module (1) for a motor vehicle, having a housing (2) and an electronic unit (3), wherein the electronic unit comprises at least one inductive sensor and a metallic layer (3.3) and is held in the housing (2) by holding elements (4).

Description

[0001] Actuation module for a motor vehicle

[0002] The present invention relates to an actuation module for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing and an electronic unit.

[0003] Actuation modules, such as door handles, that incorporate inductive sensors are known from the state of the art. The metallic target is often attached, particularly glued, directly to a housing. The electronics unit with the sensor is usually positioned and mounted separately at a distance.

[0004] DE102015111311 A1 relates to a door handle with a sensor device and a metallic layer attached to an outer wall of the handle.

[0005] The disadvantage of this is that several assembly steps are required for the sensor, as it consists of two separate components.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide an actuation module in which assembly is facilitated.

[0007] This object is achieved by an actuation module according to independent patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

[0008] The actuation module according to the invention comprises a housing and an electronics unit, wherein the electronics unit comprises at least one inductive sensor and a metallic layer spaced apart from the sensor. The electronics unit is held in the housing by means of retaining elements. This design makes it possible to form the electronics unit as a single assembly and to place it in the housing in a single assembly step.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the holding elements are formed integrally with the housing.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electronics unit is completely encapsulated in the housing. This, in addition to the retaining elements, secures the electronics unit and protects it from environmental influences, particularly moisture and dirt. The housing can then be closed with a cover.

[0011] According to a further preferred embodiment, at least one holding element is designed such that a deformation of the housing by an external force is passed on to the metallic layer of the electronic unit with the aid of the holding element.

[0012] The force for the deformation can be caused, in particular, by a user who wants to trigger a function of the motor vehicle. The sensor detects a change in the distance of the metallic layer. To ensure that the deformation of the housing causes a change in the distance of the metallic layer, at least one retaining element is shaped in such a way that the deformation due to the force is transmitted, in particular through the encapsulation.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one inductive sensor is arranged on a circuit board. Furthermore, the space between the circuit board and the metallic layer can be filled with a compressible material, in particular a foam pad. This allows the metallic layer to move closer to the sensor. Furthermore, this prevents potting compound from getting between the metallic layer and the circuit board during the encapsulation process.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment, the electronic unit additionally has a capacitive sensor, wherein the metallic layer can serve as an electrode for the sensor.

[0015] The housing of the actuation module is preferably a door handle housing or an emblem housing.

[0016] The actuation module is described in more detail using a schematically illustrated embodiment. The figures show:

[0017] Fig.1 shows a section of a first embodiment of an actuating module according to the invention in a sectional view

[0018] Fig. 2 shows a section of a second embodiment of an actuating module according to the invention in plan view

[0019] Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an actuation module 1. Within a housing 2 is an electronics unit 3, which is held in place by several retaining elements 4. The retaining elements comprise horizontally and vertically aligned retaining elements 4, which are formed integrally with the housing 2. The retaining elements are distributed along the length of the housing, so that the electronics unit is held in position. This ensures simple insertion of the electronics unit during assembly, and in the event of the electronics unit becoming encapsulated in the housing, the electronics unit retains its position.

[0020] The housing shown can be closed in a further step with a housing cover not shown.

[0021] The electronics unit 3 consists of three different components. A metallic layer 3.3 faces at least one retaining element 4, and a compressible material 3.2 is arranged adjacent to it. This layer is followed by a circuit board 3.1 on which at least one inductive sensor is arranged. This arrangement enables the deformation caused by the externally acting force F to be transmitted to the metallic layer via at least one retaining element 4. The compressible layer reduces the distance between the metallic layer 3.3 and the circuit board 3.1, on which at least one inductive sensor is located. This change in distance can then be detected by the sensor and output a corresponding signal.

[0022] Fig. 2 shows a plan view of an actuation module 1 according to the invention. The housing 2, into which the electronics unit 3 is inserted, is filled with a potting compound 5. The potting compound 5 stabilizes the electronics unit 3 and additionally protects it from environmental influences. Fig. 2 shows how the force F applied by a user is transmitted via the holding element 4 to the metallic layer 3.3 of the electronics unit 3. The holding element 4 is more rigid than the potting compound 5, ensuring that the deformation caused by the force is transmitted on the outside of the housing 2 to the metallic layer 3.3.

[0023] List of reference symbols

[0024] 1 actuation module

[0025] 2 housings

[0026] 3 Electronic unit

[0027] 3.1 Circuit board

[0028] 3.2 Grain primable material

[0029] 3.3 Metallic layer

[0030] 4 Holding element

[0031] 5 Potting compound

Claims

Patent claims 1. Actuation module (1) for a motor vehicle comprising a housing (2) and an electronic unit (3), characterized in that the electronic unit comprises at least one inductive sensor and a metallic layer (3.3) and is held in the housing (2) by holding elements (4).

2. Actuating module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding elements (4) are formed in one piece with the housing (2).

3. Actuating module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic unit (3) is completely encapsulated in the housing (2).

4. Actuating module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one holding element (4) is designed such that a deformation on the housing (2) due to a force F is passed on to the metallic layer (3.3) and the inductive sensor detects this.

5. Actuation module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one inductive sensor is located on a circuit board (3.1).

6. Actuating module (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that a compressible material (3.2), in particular a foam pad, is located between the circuit board and the metallic layer.

7. Actuation module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic unit additionally has a capacitive sensor.

8. Actuating module (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the metallic layer serves as an electrode for the capacitive sensor.

9. Actuating module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing is a door handle housing or an emblem housing.

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