Fixed Vehicle Door Handle Sensing for Intentional e-Latch Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric door lock systems for motor vehicles lack reliable and secure mechanisms to differentiate between intentional and unintentional actuations, particularly in environments like car washes where external forces can trigger door opening, compromising safety and security.
Innovation Solution
A fixed door handle arrangement equipped with capacitive proximity sensors to detect reaching behind the handle, combined with force-sensitive sensors and inductive sensors along the handle, ensures that only deliberate and intentional actions to grip and open the door are recognized, preventing accidental openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed door handle with electric door lock is used, then mechanical complexity is reduced and weight is saved, but reliability in detecting intentional actuation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The door handle is segmented into multiple sensor zones (first sensor region, second sensor region, third sensor region) that independently detect different aspects of user interaction. This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between accidental contact and intentional actuation by evaluating patterns across multiple zones, thereby maintaining high reliability while using a fixed mechanical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical actuation mechanisms with a multi-sensor detection system. Instead of relying on mechanical movement or force thresholds, the system uses capacitive, inductive, or optical sensors to detect the presence, position, and movement of the user's hand, transforming mechanical interaction detection into an electronic sensing problem that can be solved with a fixed handle structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the door handle is fixed to the vehicle, then mechanical stability is improved, but the ability to detect reaching behind the handle deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds temporal and spatial dimensions to the detection process by monitoring the sequence and pattern of sensor activations across multiple regions. Instead of relying on mechanical deflection in one dimension, the system detects reaching behind by analyzing the temporal sequence of sensor signals from the first, second, and third sensor regions, enabling precise detection with a fixed handle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensor fields (capacitive, inductive, or optical) as intermediaries between the user's hand and the door handle. These fields extend the detection capability beyond the physical handle surface, allowing the system to detect the approach and position of the hand in the space around the handle without requiring mechanical movement or deflection.
3Reliability
If multiple sensors are arranged in the handle, then security against unintentional opening is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensor types (capacitive, inductive, optical) and multiple sensor regions into a unified evaluation system. The control unit integrates signals from all sensors and applies a coordinated evaluation logic that considers the spatial and temporal relationships between sensor activations, achieving high security through systematic integration rather than through individual complex sensor designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the sensor system with universal detection capabilities that can identify various types of interactions (intentional actuation, accidental contact, reaching behind) using the same hardware infrastructure. The multi-functional sensor array and evaluation algorithm provide a single system that handles multiple detection tasks, reducing overall complexity compared to having separate specialized systems for each function.
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
The multi-sensor system significantly enhances the security and reliability of door handle operations by accurately detecting user intent, reducing the risk of unintentional door openings due to external forces or environmental influences, ensuring safe and secure door operation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of these sensors being a capacitive proximity sensor... the capacitive proximity sensor is arranged in the handle in such a way that reaching behind the handle is detected by the capacitive proximity sensor
Data Source
Figure 1a~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle door handle having a sensor assembly for detecting an operation request, wherein the vehicle door handle is formed as a fixed door handle (2; 12) for actuating an electric lock (8) (e-latch). The sensor assembly has at least one first capacitive sensor (3; 14) that is arranged in the door handle (2; 12), wherein the capacitive sensor (3; 14) is oriented towards the inner side of the door handle, and monitors a first handle section which is to be gripped when actuating the handle. The sensor assembly also has at least one second and one third sensor, which are arranged along the axial extension of the handle in an offset manner in relation to the capacitive sensor in the door handle. The second sensor (6; 16) is oriented towards the outer side of the door handle, and monitors a touching of the door handle from the outer side in a second handle section, and the third sensor (7; 17, 17b; 19a, 19b) is oriented towards the inner side of the door handle, and monitors a touching from the inner side in the second handle section. The electronic control and evaluation device (5; 15) generates an opening signal, when both the capacitive sensor (3; 14) detects a gripping of the door handle, and the second sensor (6; 16) and the third sensor (7; 17, 17b; 19a, 19b) simultaneously each detect a touching.