Vehicle door opening assembly and associated vehicle door

Abstract

To provide a vehicle door opening assembly capable of being hidden by a vehicle door design, and being mounted in a door or a trunk in an inexpensive and easy manner.SOLUTION: A vehicle door opening assembly 10 comprises: a housing 11 having a recessed part with an opening part; an elastic lever disposed inside the recessed part, having a first edge part embedded inside the housing 11 and a second free edge part extending towards a front of the opening part; a sensor that detects a deformation of the elastic lever or a displacement of the second free edge part of the elastic lever; and fixing means provided on a periphery of the housing 11 and fixed on an inside of a vehicle door panel 3. The vehicle door opening assembly 10 is configured such that the second free edge part of the elastic lever contacts a pin attached on the inside of the vehicle door panel 3 at a front portion of an outside position associated with an opening operation area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vehicle door opening assemblies for controlling the opening of vehicle doors, and in particular to vehicle door opening assemblies adapted for use in a trunk, such as a trunk door or trunk lid. [Background technology]

[0002] It is becoming increasingly common for door opening actuators to be hidden from the user's view or integrated into other devices or parts of the vehicle.

[0003] One way of achieving such a goal is to use optical means adapted to detect a predetermined user movement that leads to the opening of the trunk. Such a solution is usually expensive, since it requires optical detection means and associated processing means for analyzing the signal provided by the optical detection means.

[0004] Another solution is to integrate a door opening mechanism such as a rotating door handle with a brand logo or a membrane that needs to be pressed to activate. Nearly all of these concepts use mechanical switches that require a single press action that is recognizable to the end user. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, such solutions are costly and bulky.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle door opening assembly which is hidden within the vehicle door design and which is inexpensive and easy to implement in the door or trunk. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to a housing having a recess with an opening; - a resilient lever disposed within said recess and having a first end recessed within said housing and a second free end extending forward of said opening; a sensor adapted to detect a deformation of said elastic lever or a displacement of said second free end of said elastic lever; - fastening means arranged around the periphery of said housing and adapted to be fastened to an inner side of a vehicle door panel, The second free end of the elastic lever is adapted to contact a pin attached to the inside of the vehicle door panel in front of an outer position associated with an opening operating area, and pressure applied to the opening operating area results in a displacement of the second free end of the elastic lever that can be detected by the sensor.

[0008] By using a resilient lever and an associated sensor adapted to detect deformation or displacement of the resilient lever, the application of pressure applied to an opening actuation area located on a vehicle door can be detected.

[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, the vehicle door panel is a trunk door panel or a trunk lid panel.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, the resilient lever is a metal plate.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, the fastening means comprises a resilient part adapted to be compressed when pressure is applied to the opening actuation area.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, the sensor comprises at least one strain gauge disposed on the resilient lever and adapted to deform when the second free end of the resilient lever is displaced.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, the sensor comprises a capacitive, inductive or piezoelectric sensor adapted to detect the displacement of the second free end of the resilient lever.

[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, the fastening means is disposed on a bracket that includes a central frame adapted to receive the housing and a plurality of legs extending about the periphery of the central frame.

[0015] The present invention also relates to a vehicle door comprising the aforementioned vehicle door opening assembly, the vehicle door also comprising a pin arranged on the inside of the vehicle door panel, the resilient lever being preloaded by said pin.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle door includes a vehicle door panel, an opening provided in the vehicle door panel, and a cover fastened to the vehicle door panel adapted to cover the opening, wherein a fastening means is fastened to an inner side of the vehicle door panel, and the cover corresponds to an opening operating area.

[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, the cover is a brand logo.

[0018] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a resilient element is combined with the fastening means to allow for displacement of the cover relative to the vehicle door panel.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, the cover is made of a resilient material different from the material of the vehicle door panel. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a trunk with a vehicle door opening assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a first perspective view of a housing of the vehicle door opening assembly of FIG. 1; FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a second perspective view of the housing of the vehicle door opening assembly of FIG. 1; [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a housing of the vehicle door opening assembly of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a housing of the vehicle door opening assembly of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 2 is a perspective view of a housing and a fastening means of the vehicle door opening assembly of FIG. 1; FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a perspective view of a housing and a fastening means of the vehicle door opening assembly of FIG. 1; FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is an exploded view of the housing and fastening means of the vehicle door opening assembly of FIG. 1. [Figure 9] 2 is an exploded view of the housing and fastening means of the vehicle door opening assembly of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] The following examples are by way of example only. Although this specification refers to one or more embodiments, it does not imply that each reference refers to the same embodiment or that a feature applies only to a single embodiment. Simple features of different embodiments may be combined to provide other embodiments.

[0022] In the following description, the terms top, upper, lower, lower, vertical and horizontal refer to relative positions or orientations when the vehicle door opening assembly is assembled on the vehicle.

[0023] The present invention relates to a vehicle door opening assembly, and more particularly to a vehicle door opening assembly adapted for use with a trunk, such as a trunk door or trunk lid.

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a trunk 2 equipped with such a vehicle door opening assembly 10.

[0025] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, an opening 1 is arranged in a vehicle door panel 3. This opening can have various sizes and shapes. A cover 5 is arranged in the opening and fixed to the vehicle door panel 3. Fastening means, e.g. screws 7, are arranged on the inside of the vehicle door panel 3 and are not visible from the outside of the vehicle door panel 3. Furthermore, a resilient element 28, such as an elastomer damper or a spring, can be associated with the fastening means, such that the cover 5 can be slightly displaced relative to the vehicle door panel 3 by pressure applied by the user. Alternatively, the cover 5 can be flexible enough to bend on its own by pressure applied by the user. The cover 5 can be a brand logo of the car manufacturer. The cover 5 can be made of a material different from that of the vehicle door panel 3. The cover 5 is made of, for example, a plastic material. The cover 5 defines an opening actuation area that the user is to press to open the vehicle door 2, in this embodiment the trunk.

[0026] Alternatively, the opening operating area may be defined by a portion of the vehicle door panel 3 that is flexible enough to allow elastic displacement of a few millimeters or more toward the inside of the vehicle door 2.

[0027] The vehicle door opening assembly 10 includes a housing 11, which is more clearly shown in Figures 2-4. The housing 11 may have a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 11 is a hollow housing having a recess 12 with an opening 13 on one side of the housing 11, for example on one of the larger faces of the housing 11. Preferably, a potting resin is injected into the recess 12 to protect and seal the internal components and electrical connections. The potting resin may surround all of the internal components disposed within the recess 12, except for the plate 15. Particularly preferably, the potting resin surrounds all of the internal components except for the second free end 15b of the plate 15.

[0028] The housing 11 may be comprised of a first portion 11a and a second portion 11b that are clipped together.

[0029] The vehicle door opening assembly 10 also includes a resilient lever, such as a plate 15, disposed within the recess 12. The plate 15 is, for example, a metal plate, such as a steel plate. Other types of resilient levers or other materials, such as plastic materials, may also be used. The plate 15 has a first end 15a that is recessed into the housing 11, for example via a screw 17. A second free end 15b is a free end that extends forward of the opening 13.

[0030] The vehicle door opening assembly 10 also comprises a sensor 14 adapted to detect the deformation of the resilient lever, here a plate 15, or the displacement of the second free end 15b of the resilient lever 15. In this embodiment, the sensor 14 comprises strain gauges 19 arranged on the plate 15, for example in the intermediate part 15c located between the first end 15a and the second free end 15b. The sensor 14 comprises a printed circuit board 16. The sensor 14 comprises a Wheatstone bridge, the strain gauges 19 being arranged in different legs of the Wheatstone bridge. The strain gauges 19 are adapted to detect the deformation of the plate 15 when the second free end 15b of the plate 15 is displaced. The strain gauges 19 may be arranged on both sides of the plate 15. The strain gauges 19 may be thermally compensated.

[0031] Alternatively, the sensor 14 may be a capacitive, inductive or piezoelectric sensor adapted to detect the displacement of the second free end 15 b of the plate 15 .

[0032] A connector 21 may also be located on the housing 11. The connector 21 may be connected to the printed circuit board 16. The connector 21 may provide power to the sensor 14 (a Wheatstone bridge in this example) and send a detection signal to a central controller to open the trunk.

[0033] The vehicle door opening assembly 10 also comprises fastening means 20 adapted to be fixed to the inside of the vehicle door panel 3. The fastening means 20 may be arranged around the housing 11. As represented in figures 6 and 7, the fastening means 20 may comprise legs 23 extending around the housing 11, for example four legs 23 distributed at the four corners of the housing 11. At the ends of the legs 23 are provided holes 25 for receiving screws 7 and possibly elastic elements 28, such as dampers made of elastomer or other damping material (the screws 7 are thus used to fasten both the legs 23 and the cover 5). Alternatively, different fastening or fastening means can be used for the cover 5 and the legs 23. As represented in figures 8 and 9, the legs 23 can be collected in a single piece comprising a central frame 24 forming a bracket and adapted to receive the housing 11. The housing 11 may comprise two opposing lateral arms 11c, 11d with holes at their ends. The housing 11 can then be fixed to the central frame 24 by means of screws 26 placed in holes in the lateral arms 11c, 11d. Other types or shapes of fastening means 20 can also be used.

[0034] The cover 5 comprises a pin 31 (shown in Figs. 1 and 5) arranged on the inside of the cover 5 and protruding into the opening 13 of the housing 11 to contact the second free end 15b of the plate 15. The cover 5 and the housing 11 can be arranged such that the plate 15 is preloaded or prestressed by the pin 31 in the open operating region, where no pressure is applied to the cover 5. The housing 11 can comprise a stopper 33 arranged in front of the pin 31 to limit the bending of the plate 15 in the elastic bending region. The stroke of the second free end 15b can be, for example, from a few tenths to a few millimeters.

[0035] The cover 5 is arranged such that when a user applies pressure to the cover 5 from the outside, as represented by the arrow 6 in FIG. 1, the elastic element 28 is compressed and the cover 5 is displaced relative to the vehicle door panel 3 and the housing 11. The pin 31 on the inside of the cover 5 is also displaced, and since the pin 31 is in contact with the plate 15, the second free end 15b of the plate 15 is displaced. The displacement of the second free end 15b of the plate 15 corresponds to a bending of the plate 15, and the strain gauge 19 is distorted. Such a distortion of the strain gauge 19 leads to a change in the resistance of the strain gauge in the Wheatstone bridge. Such a change in resistance leads to a change in the output voltage of the Wheatstone bridge. This change in output voltage leads to the transmission of an opening electrical signal for opening the trunk 2. As with other sensors adapted to detect the displacement of the second free end 15b of the plate 15, the displacement of the cover 5 leads to the transmission of an opening electrical signal for opening the trunk.

[0036] Therefore, the vehicle door opening assembly 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention allows a user to open a vehicle door 2, for example, a trunk, by applying pressure to the opening actuation area. The opening actuation area can be defined by a brand logo, such that the vehicle door opening assembly 10 is hidden behind the brand logo. Therefore, the opening actuation area is integrated with the design of the brand logo, and the command button is not visible to the user. Moreover, no special design of the vehicle door is required to realize such an opening actuation area. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1 Opening 2 Vehicle doors, trunks 3 Vehicle door panel 5 Cover 7 Screws 10 Vehicle Door Opening Assembly 11. Housing 11a Part 1 11b Part 2 11c Lateral Arm 11d Lateral Arm 12 Recess 13 Opening 14 Sensors 15 Plate, elastic lever 15a First end 15b Second free end 16 Printed Circuit Board 17 Screws 19 Strain Gauges 20 Fixing means 21 Connector 23 Legs 24 Center Frame 25 holes 26 Screws 28 Elastic Elements 31 pin 33 Stopper

Claims

1. a housing (11) provided with a recess (12) having an opening (13); a resilient lever (15) arranged in said recess (12) and having a first end (15a) recessed in said housing (11) and a second free end (15b) extending in front of said opening (13); a sensor (14) adapted to detect the deformation of said elastic lever (15) or the displacement of said second free end (15b) of said elastic lever (15); - fastening means (20) arranged around the periphery of said housing (11) and adapted to be fixed to the inside of a vehicle door panel (3), The second free end (15b) of the elastic lever (15) is adapted to contact a pin attached to the inside of the vehicle door panel (3) in front of an outer position associated with an opening operating area, and pressure applied to the opening operating area results in a displacement of the second free end (15b) of the elastic lever (15) that can be detected by the sensor (14).

2. The vehicle door opening assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the vehicle door panel (3) is a trunk door panel or a trunk lid panel.

3. The vehicle door opening assembly (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said resilient lever (15) is a metal plate.

4. 3. A vehicle door opening assembly (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said fixing means (20) comprise a resilient element (28) adapted to be compressed when pressure is applied to said opening operating area.

5. 3. The vehicle door opening assembly (10) of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sensor (14) comprises at least one strain gauge (19) arranged on the resilient lever (15) and adapted to deform when the second free end (15b) of the resilient lever (15) is displaced.

6. The vehicle door opening assembly (10) of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sensor (14) comprises a capacitive, inductive or piezoelectric sensor adapted to detect the displacement of the second free end (15b) of the resilient lever (15).

7. 3. A vehicle door opening assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fixing means (20) is arranged on a bracket comprising a central frame (24) adapted to receive the housing (11) and a plurality of legs (23) extending around the periphery of the central frame (24).

8. The vehicle door (2) also comprises a pin (31) arranged on the inside of the vehicle door panel (3), and the elastic lever (15) is preloaded by the pin (31).

9. 9. The vehicle door (2) according to claim 8, comprising a vehicle door panel (3), an opening (1) provided in the vehicle door panel (3), and a cover (5) fastened to the vehicle door panel (3) so as to cover the opening (1), wherein a fastening means is fastened to the inside of the vehicle door panel (3), and the cover (5) corresponds to an opening operating area.

10. 10. The vehicle door (2) according to claim 9, characterized in that the cover (5) is a brand logo.

11. 10. Vehicle door (2) according to claim 9, characterized in that an elastic element (28) is combined with the fastening means to allow displacement of the cover (5) relative to the vehicle door panel (3).

12. Vehicle door (2) according to claim 9, characterized in that the cover (5) is made of an elastic material different from the material of the vehicle door panel (3).

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