US 2026/0275778 A1 · Door Lock Actuating Device for Actuating a Door Lock of a Vehicle Door

Abstract

A door lock actuation arrangement for a vehicle door, particularly for a flush door handle, includes an actuating element that moves from a flush rest position to an extended operating position through a linkage connected to a fixed support structure. A sensor is integrated directly into a movable part of the linkage, such as a lever arm. The sensor detects mechanical forces acting on the actuating element and distinguishes between pulling and pushing actions. A pulling force signals a request to open the door, while a pushing force indicates a locking request. The sensor may also detect the position of the actuating element through a defined mechanical bias in the rest position. Integrating the sensor in the linkage allows a single component to detect user intent, monitor handle position, and support safety functions such as pinch protection while reducing component count, packaging space, and system complexity.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A door lock actuation assembly (1) for actuating a door lock of a vehicle door, comprising:

a manually actuatable actuating element (2) in the form of a door handle;
a support structure (3), which is preferably fixed or fixable to a vehicle door and serves to support the actuating element (2);
a mechanism connected to the support structure (3) and associated with the actuating element (2) for transferring the actuating element (2) from a flush or retracted position as needed, which preferably represents a rest position, in which the actuating element (2) is flush or retracted with respect to a door outer surface, into an extended position, which preferably represents an actuation position, in which the actuating element (2) projects with respect to the door outer surface or projects to a greater extent than in the flush or retracted position;
and
a sensor system with a sensor (4), which is arranged in the mechanism and is configured such that different types of force application exerted or exertable on the actuating element (2) are detected or are detectable by the sensor (4) in a differentiated manner.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Door Lock Actuating Device for Actuating a Door Lock of a Vehicle Door

Life of this patent

Door Lock Actuating Device for Actuating a Door Lock of a Vehicle Door

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21