FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to a door handle structure for opening a door of vehicle, and, in particular, to a door handle switch 5 assembly for actuating passive entry system to unlock the door and then to unlatch the door by opening operation of door handle.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
[002] Generally doors of the vehicle are unlocked by two ways, one is mechanical via key rotation and another via remote key controller, outer handle is 10 pulled to unlatch the door. In the remote key controller, a vehicle access is provided by direct actuation to body control module which unlocks k the door. The remote key controller works on radio frequency for authentication and authorization process. The passive entry system has a transmitter and a receiver to transmit and receive authentication information from the remote key controller. 15 The passive entry systems has strong security features, such has encryption and decryption for authentic access of the vehicle.
[003] Figure. 1 and 2 illustrate structure and assembly of door handle with the switch to actuate the passive entry system as known in the art. In the door handle assembly, a handle 102 is mounted on the door panel 101. The handle 102 has a 20 switch 103 which is accessible from the outer panel of the door. The switch 103 is mounted in the handle 102. In order to actuate the passive entry system, operator comes within the vicinity, i.e., approx. 1 or 0.9 meter of the door 101 having remote key controller with him/her. The operator presses the key switch 103 available on the handle to unlock door. The operator pulls the handle to unlatch 25 and open the door.
[004] In the existing passive entry systems, the operator has to perform two actions, one is to press the switch to unlock the door and other is to pull the handle to unlatch the door. There are several disadvantages associated with existing door handle assembly. Due to presence of switch on the handle, aesthetic appearance of 30
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the handle is not good and uneven gap around the switch is present with the handle. The user has to perform two actions one is pressing of switch and other is pulling of handle to open the door. Further to package switch in the existing handle assembly, handle is assembled in two parts one is gripper base and another is gripper cover. To package the switch in the handle, a split type construction in 5 handles is required which makes the assembly of the handle costly from tooling and assembly point of view.
[005] In order to overcome the above mentioned technical problems related to double piece handle assembly having switch on outer surface, an simple and efficient handle switch assembly is required which can eliminate the technical 10 problems of two part assembly.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[006] The principal objective of the present invention is to provide a passive entry system through door handle by switch assembly.
[007] Another objective of the present subject matter is to provide a door handle 15 switch assembly for unlocking and unlatching vehicle door.
[008] Another objective of the present subject matter is to provide a switch at back side of the door handle to unlock the door.
[009] Another objective of the present subject matter is to provide a single part door handle switch assembly for unlocking and unlatching vehicle door. Another 20 objective of the present subject matter is to use a plunger type switch to trigger the switch and to actuate passive entry system for unlocking the door.
[0010] Another objective of the present subject matter is to use only door handle to unlock and unlatch the door without any additional pressing of switch.
[0011] Another objective of the present subject matter is to couple the switch with 25 the door handle so that switch can be triggered by pull of the handle.
[0012] Another objective of the present subject matter is to provide a switch which is triggered by pull of the door handle during opening of the door.
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[0013] Yet another objective of the present subject matter is to provide a simple and cost efficient door handle switch assembly which can be used to unlock and unlatch the door through pull operation of the door handle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0014] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a door handle switch 5 assembly for actuating passive entry system of vehicle for unlocking the door and for unlatching vehicle door. The door handle and switch assembly includes a handle frame, a handle gripper, and a switch. The handle frame is mounted inside outer panel of the vehicle door to support the handle assembly on the outer panel of the door. The handle gripper mounted on the outer panel of the vehicle door. 10 The handle gripper is pulled by operator for opening the vehicle door. The handle gripper has an integrated gripper lever with which the switch is positioned inside the door assembly. The integrated gripper lever moves along with the movement of the handle gripper. For example, if the user pulls the handle gripper, the gripper lever moves outside along with the handle gripper. The gripper lever avoids dis-15 assembly of the handle gripper from the handle assembly. Further, the gripper lever has a bent restrictor at end to restrict movement of the handle gripper beyond a predetermined distance or beyond the assembled point. The bent restrictor has tapered profile. The switch is mounted on the handle frame inside the door assembly. 20
[0015] The switch is operatively coupled with the integrated gripper lever for actuating the passive entry system of the vehicle to unlock the door. The switch is disposed on the handle frame and remains coupled with the bent restrictor of the gripper lever. The switch has spring and plunger. The plunger of the switch remains in contact with bent restrictor. When the operator pulls the handle 25 gripper, the gripper lever also moves along with the handle gripper and de-coupled with the plunge of the switch to trigger the switch. The triggering of the switch actuates the passive entry system of the vehicle to do all authentication and authorization with remote key controller and antenna present inside the door to unlock the door. The switch has a spring which moves the plunger in inward and 30
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outward direction in tandem with handle gripper to actuate the passive entry system of the vehicle to unlock the door. Once the door is unlock, the operator further pulls the handle gripper upto unlatching distance which unlatch the door and opens the door for entry. In the present door handle switch assembly, there is no requirement for placing the switch on outer surface of the handle. Further, the 5 handle is one part device which is used to unlock and unlatch the door.
[0016] In order to further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit scope of the present subject matter. 10
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the 15 accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, 20 and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0018] Fig. 1 and 2 illustrates structure of the existing door handle switch assembly as known in the art;
[0019] Fig. 3 illustrates structure of a door handle switch assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and 25
[0020] Fig. 4 illustrates cross section view of the door handle switch assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0021] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from
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the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0022] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a door handle switch 5 assembly for actuating passive entry system of vehicle for unlocking the door and for unlatching vehicle door. The door handle and switch assembly includes a handle frame, a handle gripper, and a switch. The handle frame is mounted inside outer panel of the vehicle door to support the handle assembly on the outer panel of the door. The handle gripper mounted on the outer panel of the vehicle door. 10 The handle gripper is pulled by operator for opening the vehicle door. The handle gripper has an integrated gripper lever which is positioned inside the outer door or basically in the door assembly. The integrated gripper lever moves along with the movement of the handle gripper. For example, if the user pulls the handle gripper, the gripper lever moves outside along with the handle gripper. The gripper lever 15 avoids dis-assembly of the handle gripper from the handle assembly. Further, the gripper lever has a bent restrictor at end to restrict movement of the handle gripper beyond a predetermined distance or beyond the assembled point. The bent restrictor has tapered profile. The switch is mounted on the handle frame inside the door assembly. The switch is operatively coupled with the integrated gripper 20 lever for actuating the passive entry system of the vehicle to unlock the door. The switch is disposed on the handle frame and remains coupled with the bent restrictor of the gripper lever. The switch has spring and plunger. The plunger of the switch remains in contact with bent restrictor. When the operator pulls the handle gripper, the gripper lever also moves along with the handle gripper and de-25 coupled with the plunger of the switch to trigger the switch. The triggering of the switch actuates the passive entry system of the vehicle to do all authentication and authorization with remote key controller and antenna present inside the door to unlock the door. The switch has a spring which moves the plunger in inward and outward direction in tandem with handle gripper to actuate the passive entry 30
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system of the vehicle to unlock the door. Once the door is unlock, the operator further pulls the handle gripper upto unlatching distance which unlatch the door and opens the door for entry. In the present door handle switch assembly, there is no requirement for placing the switch on outer surface of the handle. Further, the handle is one part device which is used to unlock and unlatch the door. 5
[0023] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those 10 skilled in the art that by devising various assembly that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the 15 concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the 20 following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.
[0024] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject 25 matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
[0025] Fig. 3 illustrates a door handle switch assembly for unlock and unlatch the door, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Fig. 4 30
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illustrates cross section of the door handle switch assembly, in accordance with the present subject matter. A door handle switch assembly 400 for actuating passive entry system of vehicle for unlocking the door and for unlatching the door. The door handle switch assembly 400 includes a handle frame 403, a handle gripper 401, and a switch 404. The handle frame 403 is mounted inside outer 5 panel 402 of the vehicle door to support the handle assembly on the outer panel 402 of the door. The handle gripper 401 mounted on the outer panel 402 of the vehicle door. The handle gripper 401 is pulled by operator for opening the vehicle door. When the operator/user pulls the handle gripper 401 outside and the handle gripper reaches to position 401a. The handle frame 403 is positively mounted on 10 the door panel by screw mounting or by any other positive mounting means. The handle frame 403 provides support to the handle gripper 401 for pull out movement. The present handle gripper 401 is single part device which can be molded in a single die.
[0026] The handle gripper 401 has an integrated gripper lever 405 which is 15 positioned inside the outer door or basically in the door assembly. The integrated gripper lever 405 moves along with the movement of the handle gripper 401. For example, if the user pulls the handle gripper 401, the gripper lever 405 also moves outside along with the handle gripper 401. The gripper lever 405 avoids dis-assembly of the handle gripper 401 from the handle assembly. Further, the gripper 20 lever has a bent restrictor 405a at end to restrict movement of the handle gripper 405 beyond a predetermined distance or beyond the assembled point in the door panel. The bent restrictor 405a is bent in L shape. The front end of the bent restrictor 405a of the gripper lever 405 has tapered profile. The switch 404 is mounted on the handle frame inside the door assembly. The switch 404 is 25 operatively coupled with the integrated gripper lever 405 for actuating the passive entry system of the vehicle to unlock the door. The switch 404 is disposed on the handle frame 403 and remains coupled with the bent restrictor 405a of the gripper lever 405.
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[0027] The switch 404 has spring 404a and plunger 404b. The plunger 404b of the switch 404 is operatively coupled with the bent restrictor 405a of the gripper lever 405. The plunger 404b of the switch may have tapered profile at end to easily coupled with the tapered profile of the bent restrictor 405a of the gripper lever 405. The tapered profile of the plunger 404b is in opposite direction of the 5 tapered profile of the bent restrictor 405a. The tapered profile of both the plunger 404b and the bent restrictor 405 of the gripper lever 405 helps in easy coupling and decoupling.
[0028] When the operator pulls the handle gripper 401, the gripper lever 405 also moves along with the handle gripper 401 and de-coupled with the plunger 404b of 10 the switch 404 to trigger the switch 404. The triggering of the switch 404 actuates the passive entry system of the vehicle to do all authentication and authorization with remote key controller and unlock the door. The switch 404 has the spring 404a which moves the plunger 404b in inward and outward direction in tandem with handle gripper 401 to actuate the passive entry system of the vehicle to 15 unlock the door. Once the door is unlock, the operator further pulls the handle gripper 401 upto unlatching distance which unlatch the door and opens the door for entry.
[0029] Working of the door handle switch assembly
[0030] In the present a door handle switch assembly, the switch 404 is coupled 20 with the bent restrictor 405a of the gripper handle 405 which is integrated with the handle gripper 401. The operator pulls the handle gripper to unlock and unlatch the door. When the operator pulls the handle gripper 401 upto a switch triggering distance in the assembly, the switch 404 get decoupled from the bent restrictor 405a of the gripper lever 405 to trigger the switch 404. Upon triggering the switch 25 404, the switch 404 actuates the passive entry system for authentication and authorization process through body control module and antenna. The passive entry system matches all the encrypted messages received from and sent to key remote controller. Once authentication and authorization done, the passive entry system takes minimum processing time 30
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for performing the authentication and unlocking the door. When the operator pulls the handle gripper 401 for unlocking the door, the handle gripper 401 is pulled upto a switch triggering distance which decouples the plunger of the switch from the gripper lever and actuate the passive entry system. The passive entry system unlocks the door before the operator pulls the handle gripper 401 to 5 unlatched position.
[0031] When the operator further pulls the handle gripper 401 in outboard direction for unlatching the door. The door is unlocked by the passive entry system during movement of the handle gripper 401 along the switch triggering distance. The handle gripper 401 is pulled upto an unlatching distance which 10 unlatches the door and open the door. The unlatching distance includes the switch triggering distance, therefore, the unlatching distance is more than the switch triggering distance.
[0032] It is easy to manufacture the present door handle switch assembly, because it is single piece device. Further, the gripper lever is also integrated with the 15 handle gripper therefore, both the handle gripper and gripper lever can be molded in a single die. Further the switch is positioned at the handle frame which eliminates requirement of two part handle to incorporate switch in the handle. The present door handle switch assembly is cost efficient and easy to manufacture. Further assembly of the door handle switch assembly on the door panel is time 20 saving which ultimately saves cost. From the present door handle switch assembly, the operator can unlock and unlatch the door by single side movement of the handle gripper. The present door handle switch assembly upgrades the passive entry system, i.e., two actions (pressing of switch to unlock the door and pulling handle to unlatch the door) of prior art. The present door handle switch 25 assembly completes all operation, i.e., unlock and unlatch the door in milliseconds which is operatively fast and efficient as compared to conventional handle assemblies. The present door handle switch assembly can be assembled in the existing vehicles, because the present assembly does not change authentication and authorization process of the passive entry system. Further, the assembly of the 30
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present door handle switch assembly does not change the location of transmitter and receiver of the passive entry system.
[0033] The term “vehicle” as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to any moving vehicle that is capable of carrying one or more human occupants and is powered by any form of energy. The term “vehicle” is a motor 5 vehicle which includes, but is not limited to: cars, trucks, vans, minivans, hatchback, sedan, MUVs, and SUVs.
[0034] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps 10 or components. The present invention contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the invention, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. In addition, while a feature of the present invention may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated 15 embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present invention. The present invention also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the 20 practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited feature.
[0035] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the present 25 subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system/component of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is
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intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.

We claim:
1. A door handle switch assembly (400) for actuating passive entry system of vehicle and for unlatching vehicle door, the door handle switch assembly (400) comprising:
a handle frame (403) mounted inside outer panel (402) of the vehicle door;
a handle gripper (401) mounted on the outer panel (402) of the vehicle door, the 5 handle gripper (401) is supported by the handle frame (403) for movement;
a gripper lever (405) is integrated with the handle gripper (401), the gripper lever (405) being movable inside the door along with pull movement of the handle gripper (401), wherein the gripper lever (405) has a bent restrictor (405a) which restrict disassembly of the handle gripper (401) from the door panel (402); 10
a switch (404) mounted on the handle frame (403), the switch (404) is operatively coupled with the bent restrictor (405) of the integrated gripper lever (405) for actuating the passive entry system of the vehicle to unlock the door.
2. The door handle switch assembly (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle gripper 15 (401) is pulled for unlocking and unlatching the door.
3. The door handle switch assembly (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch (404) being triggered when plunger (404b) of the switch (404) is decoupled with the bent restrictor (405a) of the gripper lever (405) during pull movement of the handle gripper 20 (401).
4. The door handle switch assembly (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch (404) has a plunger (404b) which moves inward and outward in tandem with the handle gripper (401) 25 to actuate the passive entry system of the vehicle to unlock the door.
5. The door handle switch assembly (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle gripper (401) is pulled upto a switch triggering distance to decouple the plunger (404b) of the switch (404) from the bent restrictor (405a) of the gripper lever (405) to trigger the switch 30 (404) and to actuate the passive entry system to unlock the door.
6. The door handle switch assembly (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle gripper (401) pulled upto an unlatching distance which includes a switch triggering distance to unlatch the door. 35
7. The door handle switch assembly (400) as claimed in claim 5 and 6, wherein the unlatching distance is more than the switch triggering distance.
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8. The door handle switch assembly (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bent restrictor (405a) of the gripper lever (405) has tapered profile to couple and decouple with plunger (404b) of the switch (404).
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9. The door handle switch assembly (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein plunger (404b) of the switch (404) has tapered profile to couple and decouple with the tapered profile of the bent restrictor (405a) of the gripper lever (405).
10. The door handle switch assembly (400) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the switch (404) has 10 a spring (404a) for inward and outward movement of the plunger (404b) during pull and release of the handle gripper (401).