Motor Vehicle Door Handle Sensor Electrode Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle door handles require a separate sensor electrode for each design, which increases production costs and space usage, and the sensor electrodes are vulnerable to environmental influences due to their exposure.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle door handle design where the sensor electrode is partially led out of the electronic module and can be arranged flexibly, with sections that can be looped back into the module, allowing for standardization of the electronic module and protection from environmental influences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor electrode is arranged entirely within the electronic module, then the electronic module can be standardized and protected from environmental influences, but the positioning flexibility and adaptability to different handle designs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor electrode is divided into two segments: a protected section housed within the electronic module and an exposed section extending outward to perform sensing functions. This segmentation allows the electrode to simultaneously benefit from protection while maintaining adaptability to different handle designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic module serves as an intermediary structure that partially houses the sensor electrode, providing protection where needed while allowing exposure where sensing functionality is required. This intermediary arrangement resolves the conflict between protection and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate sensor electrode is designed for each handle design, then the sensor can be perfectly adapted to each specific application, but production costs increase and standardization is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic module is designed as a universal component that can accommodate sensor electrodes for different handle designs. By extending the sensor electrode partially outside the standardized module, the same module can serve multiple handle configurations, reducing production costs while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor electrode is segmented into a standardized portion housed within the universal electronic module and a customizable exposed portion that can be adapted to different handle designs. This segmentation enables standardization of the module while allowing customization where needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor electrode is led out of the electronic module, then positioning flexibility is improved, but the sensor electrode becomes vulnerable to environmental influences
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor electrode is segmented into a protected section housed within the electronic module and an exposed section extending outward for sensing. This segmentation allows the electrode to simultaneously benefit from protection while maintaining positioning flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor electrode is designed as a flexible conductor that can be routed partially outside the electronic module. This flexible design allows the electrode to extend where needed for positioning flexibility while the portion remaining within the module benefits from protection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enhances flexibility in module positioning, reduces production costs by allowing a standard electronic module to be used across different handle types, and protects the sensor electrodes from environmental factors, maintaining operating comfort and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor electrode (6) of a first capacitive sensor for triggering an unlocking process when detecting an approach to the intervention space (8)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a motor-vehicle door handle (1), and in particular to a motor-vehicle door handle (1) having an electronics module (4), which comprises at least one electronics subassembly (5) and encompasses the latter in full, and having a first sensor electrode (6) for a first capacitive sensor for triggering an unlocking operation when an approach to a grasping area (8) is sensed, wherein the sensor electrode (6) is connected electrically to the electronics subassembly (5). In the case of motor-vehicle door handles of the generic type, it is necessary, due to the sensor electrode (6) being arranged within the electronics module (4), for the latter to be arranged a) over a large surface area and b) always adjacent to the grasping area (8). In the case of the motor-vehicle door handle according to the invention, such an arrangement is no longer necessary; there is improved flexibility in respect of position and configuration of the electronics module. This is achieved by the first sensor electrode (6) being, in part, led out of the electronics module (4), that part of the sensor electrode (6) which is led out having a portion (7) which is arranged adjacent to the grasping area in the motor-vehicle door handle such that an approach to the grasping area (8) can be sensed.