Illuminated door handle

[0001] This application claims the benefit of prior U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/753,742, filed on Dec. 23, 2005.

[0002] The present invention relates generally to vehicle door handles, and more particularly to an illuminated door handle system indicating a variety of vehicle conditions and improving visibility of the vehicle.

[0003] Auto manufacturers are investigating exterior vehicle lighting for enhancing the convenience of accessing a vehicle in dimly lit conditions. For instance, one known vehicle includes a pair of side view mirror assemblies having a light source that illuminates the vehicle's surroundings, such as when the doors are unlocked by a remote key fob. In this way, the vehicle can be readily found in a large overcrowded parking lot. It will also be appreciated that providing light can enhance the safety of a driver approaching the vehicle.

[0004] Auto manufacturers are also developing various exterior vehicle lighting systems for indicating a variety of vehicle conditions. One example is a vehicle with front headlamp assemblies with a light source that emits light to indicate when the engine of the vehicle is running.

[0005] Conventional vehicles include door handles without any light source, which can be difficult to find in poorly lit conditions.

[0006] It is therefore desirable to provide an illuminated door handle for a vehicle that enhances convenience in opening a vehicle door and indicates a variety of vehicle conditions.

[0007] An illuminated door handle for a vehicle door includes a mounting frame, a handle arm, an LED, an LED light guide, and a back plate. The handle arm is pivotally attached to the mounting frame. The handle arm includes one or more window portions and a cavity, with the LED light guide extending into the cavity and emitting light through the window portion. The back plate is attached to the handle arm and extends across the cavity. The LED is attached to the LED light guide and transmits light through the LED light guide.

[0008] One advantage of the invention is that an illuminated door handle is provided that facilitates a person in finding the door handle in poorly lit conditions.

[0009] Another advantage of the invention is that an illuminated door handle is provided that can signal a variety of vehicle conditions.

[0010] Yet another advantage of the invention is that an illuminated door handle is provided that has enhanced comfort and grip for opening a vehicle door.

[0011] Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon considering the following detailed description and appended claims, and upon reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] In the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same components in the various views.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a front perspective view of a vehicle 10 having a first row door 12 and a second row door 14, each with an illuminated door handle 16, 16′ (“door handle”), according to one embodiment of the claimed invention. It will be appreciated that two first row doors 12 and two second row doors 14 are attached to opposing sides of the vehicle 10. However, for illustrative purposes only, FIG. 1 only shows one side of the vehicle 10 with one first row door 12 and one second row door 14. As detailed below, the door handle 16 is beneficial for indicating a variety of vehicle conditions and facilitating a person in opening the doors 12, 14.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, first row door 12 has a rear portion 18 with door handle 16 positioned in a first orientation. Second row door 14 has a forward portion 20 with door handle 16′ in a second orientation diametrically opposed to the first orientation of the door handle 16 on the first row door 12. In this regard, the second row door 14 pivots outboard in the opposite direction of the first row door 12. It is contemplated that more or less than four door handles 16, 16′ can be attached to a variety of suitable portions of the vehicle 10.

[0022] With attention to FIGS. 2, 3, 4A and 4B, each door handle 16, 16′ includes a mounting frame 22, a handle arm 24, an LED 26, an LED light guide 28, and a back plate 30 (best shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B). The handle arm 24 is pivotally attached to the mounting frame 22. The handle arm 24 includes one or more window portions 32 and a cavity 34 (best shown in FIG. 4B). The LED light guide 28 extends into the cavity 34 and emits light through the window portion 32. The back plate 30 is attached to the handle arm 24 and extends across the cavity 34. The LED 26 is attached to the LED light guide 28 and Transmits light through the LED light guide 28.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 5, the mounting frame 22 has an outboard surface 36 for reflecting light outboard from the LED light guide 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the outboard surface 36 is formed from bright plated material, such as chrome, with a substantially high index of reflection. However, it is contemplated that the outboard surface 36 can be formed from various other suitable materials as styling dictates. The back plate 30 includes one or more light ports 38 (shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B) for transmitting light from the LED light guide to the outboard surface 36 of the mounting frame 22.

[0024] As best shown in FIG. 4B, the back plate 30 is formed from rubber with an uneven textured surface 40 for enhancing comfort and friction of grip. It is understood that back plate 30 can be otherwise textured and be formed from other suitable materials.

[0025] With attention to FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 includes a passive entry system 42, a door lock system 44, a turning signal system 46, and a running light system 48, each with the illuminated door handles 16, 16′. In this embodiment, the LED 26 is a multicolor LED emitting a series of colors for indicating a variety of vehicle conditions.

[0026] The passive entry system 42 includes a transponder 50, a proximity sensor 52, a controller 54, and the door handles 16. The transponder 50 is carried by a vehicle occupant. The proximity sensor 52 is integrated within the vehicle 10 and detects the transponder 50 within a predetermined range of distance, such as eight feet. The controller 54 is coupled to the proximity sensor 52 and a locking device 56 for the vehicle door 12, 14. The controller 54 actuates the locking device 56 to unlock the vehicle door 12, 14 when the proximity sensor 52 detects the transponder 50 within the predetermined range of distance. Also, the controller 54 actuates the LED 26 to emit a predetermined color, e.g. green, to indicate that the vehicle door 12, 14 is unlocked.

[0027] The door lock system 44 includes a lock sensor 55, the controller 54, and the door handle 16, 16′. The lock sensor 55 is integrated within the vehicle door 12, 14 and detects when the vehicle door 12, 14 is locked. The controller 54 is integrated within the vehicle 10 and is coupled to the lock sensor 55. The controller 54 actuates the LED 26 to emit a predetermined color, e.g. red, to indicate that the vehicle door 12,14 is locked.

[0028] The turning signal system 46 includes a turning signal arm 24, the controller 54, and the door handles 16, 16′. The turning signal arm 57 is attached to a steering column (not shown) of the vehicle and coupled to the controller 54. The controller actuates the LED 26 to intermittently emit a predetermined color, e.g. amber, in sync with a headlamp turning signal 59 so as to indicate that the vehicle 10 is turning.

[0029] The running light system 48 includes a sensor 60, the controller 54, and the door handles 16, 16′. The sensor 60 is attached to the engine (not shown) of the vehicle 10 and detects when the engine is running. The controller 54 is coupled to the sensor 60 and actuates the LED 26 to steadily emit a constant predetermined color, e.g. amber, to indicate that the engine is running.

[0030] While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only in terms of the appended claims.