Hybrid electronic/mechanical release handle for a vehicle interior

1 . A hybrid electronic/mechanical release handle for positioning on the interior of a vehicle door panel comprising:

a bezel cup carrier containing an electronic sensor and mechanical handle, wherein said bezel cup carrier defines an opening for insertion of one or a plurality of a user's fingers into the bezel cup where the electronic sensor is mechanically engaged to the bezel cup carrier and covered by at least a portion of the mechanical handle; and

lighting to provide different color outputs as a function of: (a) vehicle motion or no vehicle motion; or (b) presence or absence of objects that would impede opening of the vehicle door, wherein the lighting is triggered by user engagement with either the electronic sensor or the mechanical handle;

wherein the hybrid electronic/mechanical release handle is configured to allow a user to preselect one option from among the following:

programming the vehicle door to open when the user engages with the electronic sensor, except when the electronic sensor is disengaged upon the user rotating the mechanical handle in the range of 20° to 90°; and

disabling the electronic sensor thereby limiting the hybrid electronic/mechanical release handle to only allow mechanical opening of the vehicle door.

2 . The hybrid electronic/mechanical handle of claim 1 wherein said sensor is selected from a force sensor, touch sensor or proximity sensor.

3 . The hybrid electronic/mechanical handle of claim 1 , wherein said release handle includes a recess and said electronic sensor is positioned in said recess.

4 . The hybrid electronic/mechanical handle of claim 1 , further including one or more object sensors which communicate with said hybrid electronic/mechanical release handle wherein said object sensors are configured to detect objects that would impede opening of said vehicle door.

5 . A hybrid electronic/mechanical release handle for positioning on the interior of a vehicle door panel comprising:

a bezel cup carrier having an opening including an electronic sensor in said opening and including a mechanical handle, where the handle together with the bezel cup carrier defines an opening for insertion of one or a plurality of a user's fingers; and

lighting to provide different color outputs as a function of: (a) vehicle motion or no vehicle motion; or (b) presence or absence of objects that would impede opening of the vehicle door, wherein the lighting is triggered by user engagement with either the electronic sensor or the mechanical handle;

wherein the hybrid electronic/mechanical release handle is configured to allow a user to preselect one option from among the following:

programming the vehicle door to open when the user engages with the electronic sensor, except when the electronic sensor is disengaged upon the user rotating the mechanical handle in the range of 20° to 90°; and

disabling the electronic sensor thereby limiting the hybrid electronic/mechanical release handle to only allow mechanical opening of the vehicle door.

6 . A method of operation of an interior vehicle door handle for a vehicle door having a user programmable, hybrid mechanical/electronic release handle including an electronic sensor in communication with a vehicle controller, wherein said sensor is responsive to touch or proximity of a user, including a door release system to implement door opening in communication with said electronic sensor and mechanical handle, comprising:

the user preselecting from:

programming the vehicle door to open when the user engages with the electronic sensor, except when the electronic sensor is disengaged upon the user rotating the mechanical handle in the range of 20° to 90°; and

disabling the electronic sensor thereby limiting the hybrid electronic/mechanical release handle to only allow mechanical opening of the vehicle door;

opening said interior vehicle door by performing at least one of:

detecting touch or proximity of a user by said sensor to generate an opening signal and forwarding of said signal to said door release system to open said interior vehicle door; and

detecting mechanical operation of said release handle and mechanically opening said interior vehicle door; and

activating lighting in response to either detecting touch or proximity by the user or to detecting mechanical operation of the release handle, wherein the lighting provides different color output as a function of: (a) vehicle motion or no vehicle motion; or (b) the presence or absence of objects that would impede opening of the vehicle door.

7 . The method of claim 6 further including one or more object sensors in communication with said hybrid mechanical/electronic release handle and detecting one or more objects that would impede opening of said vehicle door.