US 11,808,062 B2
Handle assembly for vehicular closure panels having integrated antenna and force sensor configuration
Kurt Matthew Schatz, Uxbridge (CA)
Assigned to Magna Mirrors of America, Inc., Holland, MI (US)
Filed by Magna Mirrors of America, Inc., Holland, MI (US)
Filed on Dec. 30, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/148,455.
Application 18/148,455 is a continuation of application No. 16/949,757, filed on Nov. 13, 2020, granted, now 11,542,732, issued on Jan. 3, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/991,169, filed on Mar. 18, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/935,381, filed on Nov. 14, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0135008 A1, May 4, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E05B 81/78 (2014.01); E05B 85/10 (2014.01); G07C 9/00 (2020.01); B60R 25/24 (2013.01)
CPC E05B 81/78 (2013.01) [B60R 25/245 (2013.01); E05B 85/10 (2013.01); G07C 9/00309 (2013.01); G07C 2009/00317 (2013.01)] 44 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicular door handle assembly, the vehicular door handle assembly comprising:
a handle portion configured to be disposed at a door of a vehicle, the handle portion comprising an outer wall, wherein, with the handle portion disposed at the door of the vehicle, the handle portion is contactable by a user to open the door of the vehicle;
a first sensor disposed within the handle portion, wherein the first sensor is configured to communicate with a remote device that is located exterior the vehicle and that is located within communication range of the first sensor;
a second sensor disposed within the handle portion;
wherein a deformable portion of the outer wall is configured to deform responsive to force applied at the deformable portion of the outer wall, and wherein the second sensor is configured to sense force applied at the deformable portion of the outer wall, and wherein non-deformable portions of the outer wall do not deform responsive to force applied at the outer wall;
wherein, with the handle portion disposed at the door of the vehicle, the first sensor, responsive to communication with the remote device, communicates a first signal to an electronic control unit;
wherein, with the handle portion disposed at the door of the vehicle, the electronic control unit determines proximity of the remote device to the vehicular door handle assembly responsive to the first signal;
wherein, with the handle portion disposed at the door of the vehicle, the second sensor communicates a second signal to the electronic control unit for controlling the vehicular door handle assembly responsive to sensing by the second sensor of force applied by the user at the deformable portion of the outer wall; and
wherein, responsive to the first signal and responsive to the second signal, the electronic control unit allows the door of the vehicle to be opened by the user.