A vehicular exterior component, such as a handle assembly for a closure of a vehicle, includes a force-based sensor disposed behind an outer wall and responsive to forces applied thereto. The vehicular exterior component may include a force-sensitive printed circuit board (PCB) configured to detect touch forces at either of an inner surface or an outer surface of the outer wall of the vehicular exterior component and to distinguish between those different touch forces in order to provide corresponding unlock or lock signals. A short-range RADAR antenna may be disposed within the vehicular exterior component and adjacent to the outer wall. A passive keyless entry (PKE) antenna may also disposed within the vehicular exterior component and adjacent to the outer wall.

A vehicular exterior component, such as a handle assembly for a closure of a vehicle, includes a force-based sensor disposed behind an outer wall and responsive to forces applied thereto. The vehicular exterior component may include a force-sensitive printed circuit board (PCB) configured to detect touch forces at either of an inner surface or an outer surface of the outer wall of the vehicular exterior component and to distinguish between those different touch forces in order to provide corresponding unlock or lock signals. A short-range RADAR antenna may be disposed within the vehicular exterior component and adjacent to the outer wall. A passive keyless entry (PKE) antenna may also disposed within the vehicular exterior component and adjacent to the outer wall.

A method for extending and retracting a handle of a door handle assembly for a door of a vehicle includes providing a door handle assembly having a base portion, a handle portion that is movably attached at the base portion, and an electrically operable actuator that operates to move the handle portion relative to the base portion. A control controls operation of the actuator to move the handle portion between a recessed position and a partially extended position. Responsive to detecting presence of an authorized user, a sensing system determines a motion vector of the user that is indicative of a direction that the user is moving relative to the vehicle. Responsive to determining that the determined motion vector is indicative of the user approaching the door of the vehicle, the control controls operation of the actuator to move the handle portion to the partially extended position.

An operation input device includes a resistance element to generate a capacitance between an operating medium and the resistance element in response to an approach of the operating medium to the resistance element, and a power source to supply electric charge to one end and the other end of the resistance element. A first electric unit measures a first electric charge transfer amount supplied to the one end of the resistance element in response to generation of the capacitance. A second unit measures a second electric charge transfer amount supplied to the other end of the resistance element in response to generation of the capacitance. A controller is connected to the first and second units, and detects a position of the operating medium in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the resistance element based on a sum of the first and second electric charge transfer amounts.

An operation input device includes a resistance element to generate a capacitance between an operating medium and the resistance element in response to an approach of the operating medium to the resistance element, and a power source to supply electric charge to one end and the other end of the resistance element. A first electric unit measures a first electric charge transfer amount supplied to the one end of the resistance element in response to generation of the capacitance. A second unit measures a second electric charge transfer amount supplied to the other end of the resistance element in response to generation of the capacitance. A controller is connected to the first and second units, and detects a position of the operating medium in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the resistance element based on a sum of the first and second electric charge transfer amounts.

A system is used to control access into a vehicle having a vehicle body defining a vehicle interior, a vehicle exterior, and an access opening. The vehicle also has an access door for selectively covering and uncovering at least a portion of the access opening. The system includes a latch configured to selectively fasten the door to the vehicle body and release the door therefrom. The system also includes a cable configured to operate the latch and thereby release the door from the vehicle body. The system additionally includes a door presenter configured to shift the door away from the vehicle body. The system also includes a mechanism configured to sequentially actuate the cable and the door presenter. The system further includes an electric motor configured to power the mechanism such that the door is shifted away from the vehicle body by the door presenter after the door is released.

A system is used to control access into a vehicle having a vehicle body defining a vehicle interior, a vehicle exterior, and an access opening. The vehicle also has an access door for selectively covering and uncovering at least a portion of the access opening. The system includes a latch configured to selectively fasten the door to the vehicle body and release the door therefrom. The system also includes a cable configured to operate the latch and thereby release the door from the vehicle body. The system additionally includes a door presenter configured to shift the door away from the vehicle body. The system also includes a mechanism configured to sequentially actuate the cable and the door presenter. The system further includes an electric motor configured to power the mechanism such that the door is shifted away from the vehicle body by the door presenter after the door is released.

A method and device for unlatching a door from a frame, using a keyless door latch system, is provided. In one embodiment, a secondary unlocking component receives a signal and derives power from the signal to provide a power source for the keyless door latch system. A microcontroller generates a control signal and an actuator, in response to receiving the control signal, actuates the secondary unlocking component, which allows an energy source, from an exterior of the door, to be transferred to the keyless door latch system for the unlatching of the door.

A motion detection device includes a plurality of sensor electrodes configured to detect static capacitance, and a sensor bracket to which the plurality of sensor electrodes are attached. The sensor bracket is provided with an engagement portion to be engaged with an engaged portion of each of the sensor electrodes. The engagement portion of the sensor bracket and the engaged portion of the sensor electrode are formed in a shape that allows mutual engagement between regular combinations and regulates mutual engagement other than the regular combinations.

A device and a method for locking and/or unlocking a motor vehicle opening panel and vehicle having the device. The device includes a detection wall having an inner side and an opposite outer side, the outer side forming a contact detection region, and a detection component arranged against the inner side for detecting contact between a user's finger or hand and the outer side. The detection component includes a sensor having a layer of a piezoelectric material which has surface undulations in the form of ridges. The layer of piezoelectric material is configured to detect predetermined contact on the outer side with a view to controlling the locking or unlocking of the opening panel.