US Patent 7199317 Vehicle door handle apparatus

A vehicle door handle apparatus includes a door handle having an inner space therein, a first wall portion having an operation surface at an outer side thereof, and a first inner surface at an inner side thereof, the first inner surface being a part of a surface defining the inner space of the door handle; a sensor electrode positioned inside the inner space so as to face the first inner surface of the first wall portion and capable of generating electrostatic capacitance between the sensor electrode and a dielectric approaching the operation surface; and a controlling member housed within the inner space and capable of adjusting the sensor electrode to come in contact with the inner surface of the first wall portion.