IP Library Granted Patent US 12,646,669
Granted Patent B2
US 12,646,669 · App. 18/213,410 · Granted Jun 2, 2026

Module for generating opening signals

Inventors: Joachim Oberst (Großrinderfeld, DE); Zsolt Wilke (Bad Mergentheim, DE); Erik Dilje (Würzburg, DE); Andreas Rudolf (Eibelstadt, DE)
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
H01H21/22H01H9/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,646,669
App. No.
18/213,410
Granted
Jun 2, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A module includes a housing having a plug-in region and a switch region; at least one switch, which is connected releasably to the switch region of the housing; and electrical contacts, which are releasably connectable to the at least one switch and extend from the switch region at least partially into the plug-in region. The electrical contacts are configured so as to make electrical contact with an on-board plug for transmitting an electrical signal, wherein the electrical contacts each comprise a first end which, in the installed state, is biased against one of the contacts of the at least one switch.

Claims (17)

1 . A module for generating signals, in particular signals for opening vehicle doors or flaps, wherein the module comprises:

a housing having a plug-in region and a switch region;

at least one switch, in particular a microswitch, which is connected, in particular releasably connected to the switch region of the housing, wherein the at least one switch includes switch electrical contacts;

electrical contacts, which are releasably connectable to the at least one switch and extend from the switch region at least partially into the plug-in region, wherein the electrical contacts are configured so as to make electrical contact with an on-board plug for transmitting an electrical signal,

wherein the electrical contacts each comprise a first end which, in an installed state, is biased against one of the switch electrical contacts of the at least one switch,

wherein the module is releasably connectable to a door lever housing, and wherein the electrical contacts are arranged in the module such that at least the first ends of the electrical contacts are preloaded by the door lever housing against the switch electrical contacts of the at least one switch when the module is connected to the door lever housing.

2 . The module according to claim 1 , wherein the first ends of the electrical contacts are configured elastically.

3 . The module according to claim 1 , wherein the first ends of the electrical contacts are configured so as to establish a linear contact between the first ends of the electrical contacts and the switch electrical contacts of the at least one switch.

4 . The module according to claim 3 , wherein at least one of the first ends of the electrical contacts comprises an arc-shaped or pointed, in particular U-shaped or V-shaped, region, for contacting the contacts of the at least one switch.

5 . The module according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first ends of the electrical contacts comprises a flaring.

6 . The module according to claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises snap connectors, in particular wherein the snap connectors comprise protrusions for snap hooks, for releasably connecting to the door lever housing.

7 . The module according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical contacts extend substantially at a 90° angle between the switch region and the plug-in region.

8 . The module according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical contacts comprise anchoring elements, which can be releasably inserted into corresponding openings, in particular wherein the corresponding openings comprise elongated holes, of the housing.

9 . An actuating mechanism for opening vehicle doors, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises:

a door lever housing having an operating element, in particular housing a door lever, stored therein in a movable and pivotable, manner; and

a module according to claim 1 , wherein the module is releasably connected to the door lever housing.

10 . A vehicle having the actuating mechanism according to claim 9 .

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 27, 2023
From: OBERST, JOACHIM; WILKE, ZSOLT; DILJE, ERIK
To: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Reel/Frame 064418/0565 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 27, 2023
From: RUDOLF, ANDREAS
To: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Reel/Frame 064418/0611 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2022 115 844.6 · Jun 24, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230420200A1 · Dec 28, 2023
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