US 10,590,677 B2 · Heated mechanism for deployable exterior door handle for a vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle includes a door-operating mechanism for selectively releasing a vehicle door from a closed position. A door handle is in communication with the door operating mechanism. The door handle is operable between a flush position, wherein an outer face of the door handle is flush with a portion of an exterior surface of the vehicle door such that only the outer face of the door handle is accessible, and an extended position, wherein the outer face of the door handle is moved away from the exterior surface of the vehicle door such that a rear surface of the door handle is accessible. A heating mechanism is in thermal communication with the outer face of the door handle and the exterior surface of the vehicle door. A remote transmitter is in communication with the heating mechanism, wherein the remote transmitter selectively activates the heating mechanism.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A vehicle door comprising:

a door-operating mechanism;
a door handle operable between a flush position, wherein the door handle is inoperable with respect to the door-operating mechanism, and an extended position, wherein the door handle is selectively operable with respect to the door-operating mechanism;
a heating mechanism in thermal communication with an outer face of the door handle;
a ferromagnetic member disposed in thermal communication with the outer face of the door handle;
and
an electrical component positioned distal from and in electromagnetic communication with the ferromagnetic member and outside the door handle, wherein activation of the electrical component generates inductive heating that increases a surface temperature of the outer face of the door handle.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Heated mechanism for deployable exterior door handle for a vehicle

Life of this patent

Heated mechanism for deployable exterior door handle for a vehicle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9