Vehicle door handle with capacitive proximity sensor

US9447604B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG · DE

Inventors

• Martin Witte · Ahaus, DE
• Andreas Peschl · Velbert, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 25, 2013
• Grant date: Sep 20, 2016
• Expiry date: May 11, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T292/57
• WIPO field: Civil engineering
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

A door handle for motor vehicles includes a handle body and a cover which cooperate to form a handle for a user. An accommodating space for electronic components is formed between the handle body and the cover. A capacitive proximity sensor is arranged in the space. The sensor has an active capacitive face directed towards the cover for detecting approaching movements. The capacitive face is coupled to an evaluation circuit which detects changes in the capacitance of the capacitive face. A sealing element composed of a closed-cell foam is located in the space. The sealing element has at least one continuous opening spaced from an edge. The opening is located above the active face of the proximity sensor and is compressed between the cover and the handle body with the result that at least one area above the active face of the sensor is free of foam.