Vehicle door handle

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle door handle (3) with a carrier component (7) and a housing (4) supported by the carrier component (7), wherein the housing (4) comprises a first housing component (8) and a second housing component (9), wherein in the assembled state of the housing (4) the first housing component (8) and the second housing component (9) form a receiving space (19), wherein a printed circuit board (12) is arranged within the receiving space (19), which has at least one sensor (14, 17) for detecting operation of the vehicle door handle (3), wherein a potting tray (31) for the printed circuit board (12) is arranged in the housing (4), wherein a first printed circuit board area (23) of the printed circuit board (12) is arranged within the potting tray (31), which is encapsulated with a potting material (30), and wherein a second printed circuit board area (26) of the printed circuit board (12), on which the at least one sensor (14, 17) is attached, is arranged 17) is ordered,is arranged in a gap-free and potting-material-free partial space (35), which is part of the receiving space (19) formed by the second housing component (9).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle door handle with a carrier component and a housing supported by the carrier component, wherein the housing comprises a first housing component with a first coupling edge and a second housing component with a second coupling edge, wherein in the assembled state of the housing the first coupling edge and the second coupling edge are arranged at least partially overlapping, wherein the first housing component and the second housing component form at least one receiving space, wherein a circuit board is arranged within the at least one receiving space of the housing, which has at least one sensor for detecting an operation of the vehicle door handle, and wherein a potting tray for the circuit board is arranged in the housing.

[0002] Common vehicle door handles are shell-shaped and are also known as shell handles, consisting, for example, of two housing halves that, when assembled, form a recess. This recess houses a circuit board, sensors (which may be mounted on the board), and other electronic components, such as processors mounted on the board that interact with the sensors. The challenge lies in effectively protecting these components from mechanical damage and environmental influences such as moisture, dust, and temperature fluctuations. One known method is to completely encapsulate the circuit board, its electronics, and sensors with a potting compound.While this option offers a high level of protection against external influences, it complicates the precise detection and processing of the vehicle door handle's operation. Another known option is to encapsulate the circuit board, other electronics, and sensors in an additional housing within the vehicle door handle. This alternative requires a secure seal around the gaps of the additional housing to protect the electronics from environmental factors, which complicates the manufacturing process and potentially incurs additional costs.

[0003] The invention aims to provide a structurally simple solution for an improved vehicle door handle in which the circuit board, other electronic components, and sensors are reliably protected against external influences without impairing the operation of the door handle. The invention is intended to enable cost-effective and simple manufacturing by integrating innovative protection for the circuit board and the sensors mounted on it.

[0004] In a vehicle door handle of the type described above, the problem is solved according to the invention by arranging a first circuit board area of ​​the circuit board within the potting tray, which is encased with a potting material, wherein a second circuit board area of ​​the circuit board, on which the at least one sensor is arranged, is arranged in a gap-free and potting material-free partial space, which is part of the receiving space formed by the second housing component.

[0005] Advantageous and appropriate embodiments and further developments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

[0006] The invention provides a vehicle door handle that offers an improved solution for protecting the circuit board, electronics, and sensors in vehicle door handles by employing an innovative design principle to meet the requirements for weather resistance, functionality, and cost-efficiency. The circuit board extends within both the first and second housing components. According to the invention, the potting compound provides partial encapsulation of the circuit board, within which a first circuit board section is arranged. Electronic components, such as a processor and wiring, are located in this first circuit board section and are protected from weather-related and mechanical influences by the potting compound.At least one sensor for detecting operation of the vehicle door handle is arranged on the second circuit board area. This second circuit board area is free of potting material, thus guaranteeing the functionality of the at least one sensor. According to the invention, the gap-free design of the partial space also prevents the sensor from being affected by weather conditions. The functionality of the at least one sensor is further ensured by the fact that the partial space allows movement of the housing, which deforms during operation, relative to the circuit board, a movement that is not possible if the circuit board is completely potted.

[0007] In one embodiment of the invention, the potting tray extends over the first coupling edge and / or the second coupling edge. The potting tray thus extends over the area of ​​the housing where the first and second housing components abut and are arranged in a superimposed position. This allows for a large-area potting process. A further advantage is that the components to be potted no longer need to be completely enclosed within a single housing component. Rather, according to the invention, the components to be potted can be arranged extending over the superimposed coupling edges.

[0008] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous if an inner wall section of the second housing component forms a subsection of the potting tray. By additionally utilizing this inner wall section, components and material can be saved.

[0009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the printed circuit board is positioned within the housing by holding it on a printed circuit board support arranged in the housing. The printed circuit board support is designed to be slid into and positioned within the housing.

[0010] In an advantageous embodiment, the invention further provides that the printed circuit board carrier forms a section of the potting compound tray. This additional use of the printed circuit board carrier results in further savings in components and material.

[0011] In order to eliminate the need for the components to be encapsulated to be completely enclosed within a housing component, the invention advantageously provides that the printed circuit board carrier extends over the first coupling edge and the second coupling edge.

[0012] In a further embodiment, the invention provides for the formation of a potting-material-free partial space by means of a sealing collar which is arranged around the circuit board and which rests against the circuit board.

[0013] Accordingly, in a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the sealing collar is designed to seal the gap-free and potting material-free partial space.

[0014] The sealing collar consists of a flexible and compressible material, so that in an embodiment of the invention the sealing collar forms a dividing line between the first printed circuit board area and the second printed circuit board area and supports the printed circuit board on an inner wall section of the second housing component.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the invention further provides that the sealing collar forms a section of the casting tray. This additional use of the sealing collar results in further savings in components and material.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous for the sealing collar to be detachably connected to the circuit board via a positive locking connection, thus ensuring a secure hold of the sealing collar on the circuit board and for precise positioning of the circuit board by the sealing collar.

[0017] To connect the support component and the housing, the invention further provides that at least one additional potting tray is provided inside the housing, wherein the support component has at least one support arm which is arranged at least partially in the at least one additional potting tray and is encased there with a potting material.

[0018] In a further embodiment, the invention provides that the at least one sensor is designed as an inductive sensor with at least one conductor coil to detect deformations of the housing, wherein the housing is designed in a housing section which is arranged opposite the at least one conductor coil with at least one metallic target for sensory interaction with the at least one conductor coil.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the invention provides that the at least one sensor is designed as a capacitive sensor with a conductor surface to detect an operator's approach to the vehicle door handle in order to detect an operator's approach to the vehicle door handle.

[0020] In an embodiment of the invention, the vehicle door handle can be designed as a so-called wing handle, wherein the housing has a gripping section and a base section, wherein the gripping section extends at an angle from the base section and wherein the circuit board extends at least partially within the gripping section.

[0021] Finally, it is particularly advantageous for the installation of the vehicle door handle according to the invention if, in an embodiment of the invention, the support component extends on one side out of the base section of the housing in order to allow coupling with a body component of a motor vehicle.

[0022] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is defined solely by the claims.

[0023] Further details, features and advantages of the subject matter of the invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the drawing, in which an exemplary and preferred embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0024] The drawing shows: Figure 1 a schematic side view of a motor vehicle with a vehicle door handle according to the invention, Figure 2 a perspective detail view of the vehicle door handle according to the invention, which is arranged on a motor vehicle door, Figure 3 a side view of a housing and a support component of the vehicle door handle according to the invention, Figure 4 a perspective view of individual parts of the vehicle door handle according to the invention, Figure 5 a perspective view of a printed circuit board, a sealing collar and a printed circuit board carrier of the vehicle door handle according to the invention, Figure 6 a lateral sectional view through the vehicle door handle according to the invention, Figure 7 a perspective front view of the circuit board, in which a circuit board area is encased in a potting material, Figure 8 a perspective rear view of the representation from Figure 7 , Figure 9a perspective top view of a housing component before the potting material enters a potting tray, and Figure 10 a perspective top view of the housing component made of Figure 9 , after the potting material has entered a potting tray.

[0025] In the Figure 1 A motor vehicle 1 in the form of a passenger car is shown as an example, which in this example has four vehicle doors 2 (two of which are made of Figure 1 (as can be seen). It is located on the front vehicle door 2, i.e., the left vehicle door 2 in Figure 1 A vehicle door handle 3 according to the invention is attached, with the aid of which the vehicle door 2 can be opened. The vehicle door handle 3 is a type of fixed handle which is largely immovable relative to the vehicle door 2.

[0026] The in Figure 1 The vehicle door handle 3, shown only schematically, has a housing 4 which consists of the Figures 2, 3and 4The housing 4 is visibly shaped like a wing and protrudes from the vehicle door 2. It comprises a base section 5 and a gripping section 6. The base section 5 extends horizontally away from the vehicle door 2, with the gripping section 6 extending at the end of the base section 5, i.e., at its free end, such that a gap is formed between the base section 5 and the gripping section 6. A user's hand can be inserted into this gap and grasp the gripping section 6 from behind to actuate it. Actuation can be achieved by either a pulling or pushing motion on the gripping section 6. The gripping section 6 extends at an angle from the base section 5.In particular, the gripping section 6 is designed in the form of a winglet, i.e., a wing-like ear, and extends from the end of the base section 5, whereby the extension at the free end of the base section 5 may be oblique or curved. As further illustrated, for example, the... Figure 3 As can be seen, the vehicle door handle 3 has a support component 7, which allows coupling with a body component of the vehicle 1 and which supports the housing 4, so that the housing 4 is firmly connected to the vehicle 1 via the support component 7. The support component 7 extends section by section within the housing 4 and on one side out of the base section 5 to enable coupling with the body component of the vehicle 1.

[0027] As the Figure 4As shown, the housing 4 comprises a first housing component 8 and a second housing component 9. The first housing component 8 has a first coupling edge 10, and the second housing component 9 has a second coupling edge 11. In the assembled state of the housing 4, the first coupling edge 10 and the second coupling edge 11 are arranged to overlap, at least partially. The vehicle door handle 3 according to the invention also comprises a circuit board 12, which is arranged inside the housing 4 and extends, at least partially, into the gripping section 6. The circuit board 12 has at least one sensor for detecting operation of the vehicle door handle 3.

[0028] From the Figures 4 to 8It is evident that the circuit board 12 is equipped with two sensors. One of the two sensors is designed as an inductive sensor 14 with conductor coils 16 to detect deformations of the housing 4, wherein the housing 4, in a housing section arranged opposite the conductor coils 15, is designed with a metallic target 16 for sensory interaction with the conductor coils 15. The other of the two sensors is designed as a capacitive sensor 17 with a conductor surface 18 to detect an operator approaching the vehicle door handle 3. As the Figure 6 As can be seen, the first housing component 8 and the second housing component 9 form a receiving space 19, with the circuit board 12 being arranged inside the receiving space 19.

[0029] The vehicle door handle 3 according to the invention further comprises a printed circuit board carrier 20 (see for example the following): Figures 4, 5 and 6) which is arranged within the housing 4. The printed circuit board carrier 20 has an outer contour that is aligned with and corresponds to the inner wall 21 of the second housing component 9, or is designed to be complementary to it, such that the printed circuit board carrier 20 can be inserted into the second housing component 9 and is positioned within it. Insertion slots 22 are formed on the printed circuit board carrier 20. In the assembled state of the vehicle door handle 3, the printed circuit board 12 with a first printed circuit board section 23 is inserted into and held in the insertion slots 22. The first printed circuit board section 23 is a section of the printed circuit board 12 on which electronic components 24, such as a microprocessor and the like, and wiring 25 are arranged.On a second circuit board area 26, the capacitive sensor 17 and the inductive sensor 14 are arranged, whereby it can be seen that on the second circuit board area 26 only one capacitive or inductive sensor can be arranged or that on the second circuit board area 26 more than the two mentioned sensors (capacitive and inductive sensor) can be arranged.

[0030] The vehicle door handle 3 also has a sealing collar 27, which is located in the Figures 4, 5 and 6The sealing collar 27 forms a dividing line 28 between the first printed circuit board area 23 and the second printed circuit board area 26, wherein the sealing collar 27 is arranged circumferentially around the printed circuit board 12 and rests against the printed circuit board 12. In particular, the sealing collar 27 is detachably connected to the printed circuit board 12 via a positive-locking connection 32. The positive-locking connection 32 is formed by pins 33, which project on the inside of the sealing collar 27, and by recesses 34 formed in the printed circuit board 12, which are designed and arranged correspondingly to the pins 33. The pins 33 engage in the recesses 34, so that the sealing collar 27 is positively connected to the printed circuit board 12. In the assembled state of the vehicle door handle 3, the sealing collar 27 supports the circuit board 12 or the second circuit board area 26 against an inner wall section or the inner wall 21 of the second housing component 9.For support, the sealing collar 27 has elastic arms 29 that press against the inner wall 21 of the second housing component 9 and thus seal against the inner wall 21. The sealing function of the sealing collar 27 serves a potting material 30, which is poured into a potting tray 31 for curing. The potting tray 31 is formed and arranged within the housing 4. The potting tray 31 is also open on one side in the direction of the first housing component 8.

[0031] In the Figures 6, 7 and 8The potting compound 30 is shown cured. The potting tray 31 is designed such that the first circuit board area 23 of the circuit board 12 is arranged within the potting tray 31. Consequently, the first circuit board area 23 of the circuit board 12 is encased in the potting compound 30. In the assembled state of the vehicle door handle 3, however, the second circuit board area 26 of the circuit board 12, on which the sensors 14, 17 are arranged, is arranged in a gap-free and potting compound-free partial space 35. The gap-free and potting compound-free partial space 35 is part of the receiving space 19 formed by the second housing component 9 and has no gap, such as a gap 36 in Figure 6) for example, between the first coupling edge 10 and the second coupling edge 11, and especially in the area of ​​the first printed circuit board section 23, which allows moisture to penetrate. For this reason, the first printed circuit board section 23 is also encapsulated with the potting material 30, with the sealing collar 27 sealing the second printed circuit board section 26, which is located in the subspace 35. The sealing collar 27 is therefore designed to seal the gap-free and potting material-free subspace 35.

[0032] The Figure 6 further shows that the printed circuit board carrier 20 extends over the first coupling edge 10 and the second coupling edge 11. As can be seen from the Figure 6As further shown, the potting tray 31 is formed by a section of the inner wall 21 of the second housing component 9. Additionally, the printed circuit board carrier 20 also forms a section of the potting tray 31. Finally, the sealing collar 27 also forms a section of the potting tray 31. The sealing collar 27 constitutes the bottom of the potting tray 31. Consequently, the potting tray 31 is only formed when the printed circuit board 12, held in the printed circuit board carrier 20, is inserted into the receiving space 19 of the housing 4 and when the sealing collar 27 has previously been positively connected to the printed circuit board 12. This is shown in Figure 9 shown, in which the assembled module consisting of circuit board 12, circuit board carrier 20 and sealing collar 27 is inserted into the second housing component 9. As can be seen from the Figure 9As can be seen, the printed circuit board carrier 20 projects beyond the second coupling edge 11 of the second housing component 9, so that the potting compound 31 also extends beyond the second coupling edge 11. This allows the printed circuit board 12 to be encased over a much greater height range than was previously known in the art, because in the prior art the potting compound is formed by the housing or by a housing component itself, so that the height of the potting is limited by the coupling edge. From the Figure 9 It can also be seen that support arms 37 of the support component 7 are arranged in additional potting trays 38, with the additional potting tray 38 being for the left support arm 37 in Figure 9 formed by the circuit board carrier 20, whereas the additional potting tray 38 for the right support arm 37 in Figure 9 is formed by the second housing component 9. Figure 10The potting compound 30 is then poured into the potting tray 31 and the additional potting trays 38 and cured. The carrier component 7 is thereby bonded to the second housing component 9 via the potting compound 30, and the first circuit board area is encased or coated with the potting compound 30.

[0033] The invention described above is, of course, not limited to the embodiment described and illustrated. It is evident that numerous modifications, obvious to a person skilled in the art according to the intended application, can be made to the embodiment shown in the drawing without departing from the scope of the invention. The invention includes everything contained in the description and / or illustrated in the drawing, including anything that would be obvious to a person skilled in the art in contrast to the specific embodiment. Reference symbol list

[0034] 1 Motor vehicle 2 Motor vehicle doors 3 Vehicle door handle 4 Housing 5 Base section 6 Gripping section 7 Support component 8 First housing component 9 Second housing component 10 First coupling edge 11 Second coupling edge 12 Printed circuit board 14 Inductive sensor 15 Conductor coil 16 Metallic target 17 Capacitive sensor 18 Conductor area 19 Receiving space 20 Printed circuit board support 21 Inner wall 22 Insert slots 23 First printed circuit board area 24 Electronic components 25 Wiring 26 Second printed circuit board area 27 Sealing collar 28 Separation line 29 Elastic arms 30 Potting material 31 Potting tray 32 Positive locking connection 33 Pin 34 Recesses 35 Partial space 36 Gap 37 Support arms 38 Additional potting tray

Claims

1. Vehicle door handle (3) with a carrier component (7) and a housing (4) supported by the carrier component (7), wherein the housing (4) comprises a first housing component (8) with a first coupling edge (10) and a second housing component (9) with a second coupling edge (11), wherein in the assembled state of the housing (4) the first coupling edge (10) and the second coupling edge (12) are arranged at least partially overlapping, wherein the first housing component (8) and the second housing component (9) form at least one receiving space (19), wherein a circuit board (12) is arranged within the at least one receiving space (19) of the housing (4), which has at least one sensor (14, 17) for detecting operation of the vehicle door handle (3), and wherein a potting tray (31) for the circuit board (12) is arranged in the housing (4). characterized by thatwithin the potting tray (31) a first circuit board area (23) of the circuit board (12) is arranged, which is encased with a potting material (30), wherein a second circuit board area (26) of the circuit board (12), on which the at least one sensor (14, 17) is arranged, is arranged in a gap-free and potting material-free partial space (35), which is part of the receiving space (19) formed by the second housing component (9).

2. Vehicle door handle (3) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the potting tray (31) extends over the first coupling edge (10) and / or the second coupling edge (11).

3. Vehicle door handle (3) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that an inner wall section (21) of the second housing component (9) forms a subsection of the potting tray (31).

4. Vehicle door handle (3) according to one of the preceding claims 2, characterized by the fact thatthe printed circuit board (12) is held on a printed circuit board carrier (20) arranged in the housing (4).

5. Vehicle door handle (3) according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the printed circuit board carrier (20) forms a section of the potting tray (31).

6. Vehicle door handle (3) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by the fact that the printed circuit board carrier (20) extends over the first coupling edge (10) and the second coupling edge (11).

7. Vehicle door handle (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that a sealing collar (27) is provided which is arranged around the circuit board (12) and which rests against the circuit board (12).

8. Vehicle door handle (3) according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that the sealing collar (27) forms a separation line (28) between the first printed circuit board area (23) and the second printed circuit board area (26) and supports the printed circuit board (12) on an inner wall section (21) of the second housing component (9).

9. Vehicle door handle (3) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by the fact that The sealing collar (27) is designed to seal the gap-free and potting material-free partial space (35).

10. Vehicle door handle (3) according to claim 7, 8 or 9, characterized by the fact that the sealing collar (27) forms a section of the casting tray (31).

11. Vehicle door handle (3) according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized by the fact that The sealing collar (27) is detachably connected to the circuit board (12) via a positive locking connection (32).

12. Vehicle door handle (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that at least one additional potting tray (38) is provided within the housing (4), wherein the support component (7) has at least one support arm (37) which is arranged at least partially in the at least one additional potting tray (38) and is encased there with a potting material (30).

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