Powered vehicle door latch and exterior handle with sensor
US9834964B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 2014 |
| Grant date | Dec 5, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 1, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T292/0945
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A vehicle door includes a powered latch configured to selectively retain the door in a closed position when the powered latch is latched, and permits the door to be opened when the powered latch is unlatched. The vehicle door further includes an exterior door handle having an outer side that faces away from the door structure, and an inner side that is spaced apart from an outer surface of the door to define a gap. A force sensor on the exterior door handle detects impact forces on the handle. The door also includes an unlatch switch that can be actuated by a user to request unlatching of the powered latch. A controller is configured to deny an unlatch request generated by actuation of the unlatch switch if the force sensor detects an impact on the exterior handle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.