Door handle device for a vehicle

Abstract

The present application provides a door handle device for a vehicle, in which an operating handle is connected to a handle base so as to be able to project from an initial position to a use position. The handle device is provided with: first and second link members which are spaced apart by a certain distance from each other and are each rotatably connected to the handle base by a pin; and an electric actuator which rotatably drives the first link member. The operating handle is rotatably connected to the end portions of the first and second link members, and the handle base, the first and second link members, and the operating handle form a link mechanism which maintains a posture parallel to the initial position when the operating handle is in the use position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a door handle device for a vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] The device described in Patent Literature 1 is called a door handle device for a vehicle, which is housed in a position not protruding from the outer surface of the vehicle when not in use, and protrudes from the outer surface of the vehicle when in use.

[0003] In the prior art example, a handle device is formed, which includes a housing and a handle rotatably connected to the housing about a pivot device. The handle is accommodated in the housing when not in use, and is rotatably driven by a motor about the pivot device when in use.

[0004] The user can release a door lock device by grasping an end of the handle that is popped out of the housing by rotation and further rotating the end to open the door.

[0005] PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

[0006] PATENT LITERATURE

[0007] [Patent Literature 1] JP-T-2015-533964 SUMMARY

[0008] PROBLEMS

[0009] In the above-described prior art example, since the end of the handle protrudes to the outside only when in use, the hand-held portion held by the user is narrow and difficult to grasp, and thus usability is poor.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present application, a door handle device for a vehicle with good usability can be achieved.

[0011] SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present application, a door handle device for a vehicle, in which an operation handle is connected to a handle base so as to be able to protrude from an initial position to a use position, includes: first and second link members that are disposed at a certain interval and are respectively rotatably pinned to the handle base; and an electric actuator configured to rotatably drive the first link member. The operation handle is rotatably connected to the ends of the first and second link members, and the handle base, the first and second link members, and the operation handle form a link mechanism, in which the operation handle in the use position is held in a posture parallel to the initial position.

[0013] The two end portions of the operation handle 2 are connected to the first and second link members 3, 4, which are pinned to the handle base 1, and form a link mechanism in which the handle base 1 is a fixed link and the first and second link members 3, 4 and the operation handle 2 are movable links.

[0014] In the link mechanism, the length of each link and the pairing of the first and second link members 3, 4 and the operation handle 2 are appropriately adjusted so that the operation handle 2 assumes a posture parallel to the initial position when it is projected from the initial position to the use position. In addition to the case in which the operation handle 2 assumes a parallel posture like a parallel crank mechanism throughout the entire movement from the initial position to the use position, the operation handle 2 can also include a non-parallel posture during movement.

[0015] According to the embodiment of the present application, by assuming a posture parallel to the initial position in the use position, the substantial operation portion can be widened compared to the case in which one end serves as a rotation center and a rotation tip portion is operated, and the operation of opening the door by holding the operation handle 2 by hand becomes easy.

[0016] In particular, in order to secure sufficient hand-holding space when the rotation tip portion is operated, the projection size from the door surface becomes large, but in the present application in which the use position is parallel to the initial position, the entire rear surface of the operation handle 2 can be used as a hand-holding portion, making it possible to suppress the projection size from the door surface when the operation handle 2 is operated without reducing operability.

[0017] Further, since the handle base 1 is fixed to the door, rainwater that has passed through the door, washing water during vehicle washing, and the like often adhere to the handle base 1, and the handle base can freeze and malfunction in cold regions. In particular, the sliding pair has a longer path length than the rotation process, and since the path is often exposed to the outside, the freezing possibility increases. By using pin connections for the connection between the handle base 1 and the first and second link members 3, 4 while avoiding the sliding pair, it is possible to reduce the risk of malfunction due to freezing.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the present application, the door handle device for a vehicle can be configured as a five-bar slider crank mechanism in which the connection portion between one of the first and second link members 3, 4 and the operation handle 2 becomes a rotation pair, and the connection portion between the other link and the operation handle 2 becomes a rotation plus sliding pair.

[0019] Although the five-bar slider crank mechanism is an infinite linkage mechanism having two degrees of freedom, by applying a pressing force for maintaining the connection pin that forms the rotation plus sliding pair at the end position of the sliding pair by a torsion spring 6 wound around the rotation center of the operation handle 2 or a link, the five-bar slider crank mechanism can be used as a substantially finite linkage.

[0020] As a result, conditions such as the first and second link members 3, 4 having the same length can be relaxed, and the degree of freedom in setting each link can be increased.

[0021] Further, according to another embodiment of the present application, the operating handle 2 can have the ability to swing in the initial position by utilizing the increase in the degree of freedom. In the door handle device for a vehicle, a cylinder lock that is covered by the operating handle in the initial position and can be unlocked by a key operation in the swung state can be fixed to the handle base.

[0022] In the handle device configured as described above, when the cylinder lock 8 is provided on the swing end side, the operating handle 2 can swing to expose the cylinder lock 8 hidden by the operating handle 2 in the initial state even when the electric actuator 5 becomes inoperable. Thereafter, by operating the cylinder lock 8 using a predetermined unlocking key 7, the door lock device can be switched to the unlocked state.

[0023] According to another embodiment of the present application, a press operation portion that switches the operating handle to the swung state by press operation can be provided at the end of the swing center side of the operating handle.

[0024] According to another embodiment of the present application, in the door handle device for a vehicle, the connecting pins of the first and second link members, the operating handle, and the handle base can be arranged at positions forming a parallel crank. A sliding hole is formed in the connecting portion of the second link member and the operating handle, and the connecting pin of the operating handle can be movably fitted into the sliding hole. Thus, the structure is simplified and allows the operating handle 2 to be moved to the use position while maintaining the posture substantially parallel to the initial position.

[0025] Advantages of the Invention

[0026] According to the present application, since the operating handle maintains the posture parallel to the initial position in the use position, a wide operation portion can be provided for the user and the usability is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 Figs. (a) and (b) are views showing an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 (a) is a front view showing a state fixed to a door of a vehicle. Figure 1 (b) is a sectional view taken along line IB-IB in (a). Figure 1 (a) is a front view showing a state fixed to a door of a vehicle.

[0028] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 Figs. (a) and (b) are views showing an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 (a) is a perspective view as viewed from the front side. Figure 2(b) is a perspective view from the back side.

[0029] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3 (a) and 3(b) are diagrams showing the present application. Figure 3 (a) is a diagram showing the use state. Figure 1 (a) is a sectional view taken along the line 3A-3A in Figure 3 (b) is a diagram showing the configuration of the link.

[0030] [ Figure 4 ] Figure 4 (a) to 4(c) are diagrams showing the operation of the first link member. Figure 4 (a) is a diagram showing the initial rotational position. Figure 4 (b) is a diagram showing the operation rotational position. Figure 4 (c) is a diagram showing the use position.

[0031] [ Figure 5 ] Figure 5 (a) and 5(b) are diagrams showing the operation of the link member. Figure 5 (a) is a diagram showing the use state. Figure 5 (b) is a diagram showing the unlocked state.

[0032] [ Figure 6 ] Figure 6 (a) and 6(b) are diagrams showing another embodiment of the present application. Figure 6 (a) is a diagram corresponding to Figure 3 (a). Figure 6 (b) is a diagram showing Figure 6 the configuration of the link in (a).

[0033] [ Figure 7 ] Figure 7 (a) and 7(b) are diagrams showing the operation of the link member. Figure 7 (a) is a diagram showing the use state. Figure 7 (b) is a diagram showing the unlocked state.

[0034] [ Figure 8 ] Figure 8 is a diagram showing the emergency state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] As shown in Figure 1 , the door handle device is formed by connecting the operation handle 2 to the handle base 1 fixed to the door of the vehicle on the handle base 1 through the first and second link members 3, 4.

[0036] A flush surface type handle device is provided in which the operation handle 2 is flush with the surface of the door when the door is closed. Figure 4 the initial position shown in (a) andFigure 5 (a) The handle base 1 is fixed to the door and the surface of the operating handle 2 in the initial position is on the same surface as the door surface (outer door panel 11) and is accommodated in the handle receiving opening 11a formed in the outer door panel 11.

[0037] like Figure 1 (b) and Figure 3 As shown, the operating handle 2 is formed by connecting the rear cover 2b to the rear surface of the handle body 2a, and the front linkage connection portion 12 is provided at the front end of the handle body 2a (in this specification, Figure 1 In (a), the left side is referred to as the "front side" and the right side as the "back side". Figure 1 (b) The left side is referred to as the “front surface” direction, and the opposite direction is referred to as the “rear surface” direction, and the rear link connection 13 is provided at the rear end so as to protrude toward the rear surface side.

[0038] A hand-held recess 14 is formed between the front and rear link connecting portions 12 and 13 of the operating handle 2, and a rear cover 2b forms the surface of the hand-held recess 14. Furthermore, the front end and rear end of the operating handle 2 extend further forward and backward from the front link connecting portion 12 and the rear link connecting portion 13, respectively. The protrusion from the front link connecting portion 12 to the front side is called the pressing operation portion 9, and the protrusion from the rear link connecting portion 13 to the rear side is called the cylindrical shielding portion 15.

[0039] The detection electrode 16a of the electrostatic capacitance sensor is provided on the press operation part 9 to form a lock / unlock switch part 16. The lock / unlock switch part 16 is formed as a recess so that the user is aware of it.

[0040] Furthermore, on the side wall of the rear linkage connection 13, specifically on the upward-facing side wall when fixed to the door, a detection electrode for an electrostatic capacitance sensor (not shown) and an initial position return switch 17 are provided at the position where the operating handle 2 is in the initial position and recessed into the door. The initial position return switch 17 is formed on a surface for making the detection electrode known to the user. The wiring harness (not shown) connected to the detection electrode of the initial position return switch 17 is pulled out to the front end through the gap formed between the front cover and the rear cover 2b.

[0041] On the other hand, the handle base 1 is configured to contact the rear surface of the door outer panel 11, the first link member 3 is rotatably pinned to the front end, and the second link member 4 is rotatably connected to the middle part.

[0042] like Figure 4 As shown, the first link member 3 is pinned to the handle base 1 at its front end, and... Figure 4The first torsion spring 18, which is wound around the connecting pin 3a, pushes counterclockwise. The handle base 1 is formed with a first spring receiving wall 1a, and one leg of the first torsion spring 18 makes pressure contact with the first spring receiving wall 1a.

[0043] Furthermore, in the first linkage member 3, a fan-shaped follower 3b is provided at the front end, and the middle part is bent into a V shape toward the rear surface side, and the bent part forms pressure contact with the rubber first stop member 19 formed on the handle base 1 and is held in the initial rotation position.

[0044] One end of the second link member 4 is pinned to the handle base 1, and the other end is pinned to the operating handle 2. The middle portion forms pressure contact with the rubber second stop member 20 formed on the handle base 1 and is held in the initial rotational position. The second torsion spring 21 is wound around the rotating shaft 4a at the connection point between the second link member 4 and the handle base 1, and the second link member 4... Figure 3 It was pushed counterclockwise.

[0045] like Figure 3 As shown in (b), if the connection point between the first link member 3 and the handle base 1 is (P13), the connection point between the first link member 3 and the operating handle 2 is (P23), the connection point between the second link member 4 and the handle base 1 is (P14), and the connection point between the second link member 4 and the operating handle 2 is (P24), each connection point is configured such that the distance between connection points (P13, P14) is equal to the distance between connection points (P13, P24), and the distance between connection points (P14, P24) is equal to the distance between connection points (P13, P23). Figure 3 As shown in (b), the first and second links 3' and 4', the handle base link 1' and the operating handle link 2' form a four-bar parallel crank mechanism.

[0046] Therefore, in this example, the operating handle 2 is held in an initial position in a certain state in which the first link member 3 is in pressure contact with the first stop member 19 of the handle base 1 by the pushing force of the first torsion spring 18, and when the second link member 4 is in pressure contact with the second stop member 20, the occurrence of play due to the gap at the connection point is prevented.

[0047] Furthermore, a motor and a worm gear 22, which serve as an electric actuator 5, are provided on the handle base 1. The worm gear 22 meshes with a worm gear 5a fixed to the rotating shaft of the motor 5. A cam member 23 having a cam surface 23a is connected to the worm gear 22, which is rotatably driven around the rotating shaft 22a, and rotates coaxially with the worm gear 22.

[0048] like Figure 4As shown in (a), the cam member 23 is disposed in the moving region of the follower portion 3b of the first link member 3, and when the motor 5 is driven from the state shown in Figure 4 (a) corresponding to the initial position of the operation handle 2, the cam member 23 is driven in the state shown in Figure 4 (a) and is rotated clockwise. The rotation angle of the cam member 23 is detected by the two sensors 24, 25, and Figure 4 the initial position corresponding state shown in (a) and Figure 4 the use position corresponding state shown in (c) are recognized.

[0049] When the cam member 23 is further rotatably driven from the state shown in Figure 4 (a), the flat follower surface 3c formed at the front end of the follower portion 3b of the first link member 3 comes into pressure contact with the cam surface 23a of the cam member 23 through the first torsion spring 18, and thereafter follows the change in the cam surface 23a (see (b)). Figure 4

[0050] When the cam member 23 is further rotatably driven from this state, the follower surface 3c is pushed against and held at the operation rotation position shown in Figure 4 (c) by the cam surface 23a, and the first link member 3 can be returned to the initial rotation position by driving the cam member 23 counterclockwise from this state.

[0051] As described above, since the first and second link members 3, 4, the operation handle 2, and the handle base 1 include a four-bar parallel crank mechanism, the operation handle 2 is moved from the initial position to the use position shown in (a) while maintaining a parallel posture. In the use position, the hand-held recess 14, which is buried in the door in the initial position, is exposed to the outside, and a sufficient hand-holding space (S) is ensured between the hand-held recess 14 and the door surface. Thereafter, the door lock device can be unlocked by inserting a hand into the hand-holding space (S) and pulling the operation handle 2 toward the outside of the door and moving the operation handle 2 to the unlock position shown in (b). Figure 5 Figure 5

[0052] In order to prevent the operation handle 2 from being further moved in the pull-out direction from the unlock position, the operation handle 2 and the handle base 1 are provided with appropriate stops (not shown) which are locked in the unlock position to control the pull-out travel.

[0053] In this example, the unlocking of the door lock device is performed by an electric actuator (not shown). That is, as Figure 5 ​​​When the handle 2 is moved to the use position, the switch pusher 13a protruding from the rear link connecting portion 13 of the handle 2 pushes the micro switch 26 attached to the handle base 1, thereby driving the electric actuator for unlocking to unlock the door lock device, as shown in (b).

[0054] In this state, the door opening operation can be performed by pulling the handle 2 to the outside of the vehicle. Thereafter, when the pull-out operation force applied to the handle 2 is released, the handle 2 is moved in the initial position direction by the restoring force of the first and second torsion springs 18, 21, and stopped at the use position where the follower surface 3c of the first link member 3 comes into contact with the cam surface 23a.

[0055] When the handle 2 is moved to the use position, the switch pusher 13a protruding from the rear link connecting portion 13 of the handle 2 pushes the micro switch 26 attached to the handle base 1, thereby driving the electric actuator for unlocking to unlock the door lock device, as shown in (b). Figure 5 (b) in the initial position, the initial position return switch 17 is exposed to the outside of the door, and when the initial position return switch 17 is touched in this state, the electric actuator 5 is driven and the handle 2 is returned to the initial position.

[0056] Therefore, in this example, when the lock / unlock switch portion 16 provided in the press operation portion 9 is touched, an authentication operation for a portable device (not shown) carried by the user is started, and when the authentication is established, the door lock device is switched to the unlocked state, the motor 5 is further driven, and the handle 2 is moved to the use position.

[0057] When the handle 2 is moved to the use position, the switch pusher 13a protruding from the rear link connecting portion 13 of the handle 2 pushes the micro switch 26 attached to the handle base 1, thereby driving the electric actuator for unlocking to unlock the door lock device, as shown in (b).

[0058] Further, when the lock / unlock switch portion 16 is touched in the state where the door is closed, an authentication operation for a portable device carried by the user is started, and when the authentication is established, the handle 2 is returned to the initial position, and the door lock device is switched to the locked state.

[0059] In contrast, when the initial position return switch 17 is touched in the state where the handle 2 is in the use position, only the operation of returning the handle 2 to the initial position is performed, without locking the door lock device.

[0060] Figure 6 Another embodiment of the present application is shown. In this embodiment, components substantially the same as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0061] The construction in this example is the same as that in the above embodiment, except that a sliding hole 10 is formed in the second link member 4 of the above embodiment for loosely fitting the pin 4b protruding from the operating handle 2 therein, and a torsion spring 6, which applies a pushing force to the operating handle 2 counterclockwise with reference to the first link member 3, is wound around the connection point between the first link member 3 and the operating handle 2.

[0062] As a result, roughly as follows Figure 6 As shown in (b), the linkage configuration in this example becomes a five-bar linkage mechanism, wherein a sliding pair (S24) that can slide along link 4' is added. Figure 3 (b) Pin connection point (P24). In this example linkage mechanism, the positions of connection points (P13, P23, P14) are the same as in the above embodiment, and only the position of connection point (P24) is variable, such as... Figure 6 As shown in (a), the variable connection point (P24) is almost restricted at the top of the sliding hole 10 formed as a triangle by the restoring force of one of the torsion springs 6, 18, 21 or a combination of these restoring forces, so the linkage mechanism operates essentially as a four-bar parallel crank mechanism.

[0063] As a result, when the electric actuator 5 is in the operating handle 2 position Figure 6 When the initial position shown in (a) is activated, the operating handle 2 moves to a position that is parallel to the initial position while maintaining the posture of the initial position. Figure 7 The usage location is shown in (a).

[0064] When the operating handle 2 is pulled further outward from this state, as Figure 7 As shown in (b), the operating handle 2 surrounds the connection point (P23) with the first link member 3. Figure 7 (b) Rotate clockwise. This posture corresponds to the unlocking position in the above embodiment.

[0065] By moving to the unlock position, the switch push part 13a of the operating handle 2 pushes the micro switch 26 of the handle base 1, thereby driving the electric actuator for unlocking to unlock the door lock device.

[0066] Furthermore, in this example, because a gap is formed between the sliding hole 10 and the pin 4b, when the operating handle 2 is in the initial position, as... Figure 8 As shown, via the connection point (P23) around the operating handle 2 and the first connecting rod member 3... Figure 8 Rotating the handle clockwise will switch the operating handle 2 to the emergency operation position.

[0067] The movement to the emergency operation position is performed by pushing the pressing operation portion 9 into the door, and the cylindrical cover portion 15 of the operation handle 2 in the emergency operation position is raised from the door surface, as a result, a gap is formed between the cylindrical cover portion 15 and the door surface.

[0068] The cylinder lock 8 is provided at a position where the unlocking key 7 can be inserted by using the gap formed in the emergency operation position, and after the operation handle 2 is moved to the emergency operation position, the user can operate the cylinder lock 8 by inserting the unlocking key 7 into the cylinder lock 8 in the direction indicated by the arrow in the middle. Figure 8

[0069] Therefore, in this example, in the case where the authentication operation cannot be performed due to the battery of the portable device being depleted, after the operation handle 2 is manually moved to the emergency operation position, when the cylinder lock 8 is operated using the unlocking key 7, the door lock device is switched to the unlocked state, and thereafter, the door can be opened by performing an operation similar to the normal operation.

[0070] Further, in the embodiment of the present application and the subsequent drawings, by configuring the positions of the connecting pins of the links 1', 2', 3', and 4' in positions including a parallel crank mechanism, and by setting the sliding amount in the sliding pair to be small, an example that allows switching to a substantially emergency state is shown. Figure 6

[0071] However, it is also possible to appropriately set the relationship between the positions of the links 1', 2', 3', 4' and the lengths of the links such that the operation handle in the initial position is parallel to the operation handle in the use position, without maintaining the parallel relationship during the movement of the operation handle from the initial position to the use position.

[0072] The present application is based on Japanese Patent Application JP-A-2018-042785 filed on March 9, 2018, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0073] List of Reference Signs

[0074] 1 handle base

[0075] 2 operation handle

[0076] 3 first link member

[0077] 4 second link member

[0078] 5 electric actuator

[0079] 6 torsion spring

[0080] 7 unlocking key

[0081] 8 cylinder lock

[0082] ​​9 Pressing operation portion

[0083] 10 Sliding hole

Claims

1. A door handle device for a vehicle, wherein an operating handle is connected to a handle base to be protruding from an initial position to a use position, the door handle device for a vehicle comprising: The first and second connecting rod members are arranged at a certain interval and are rotatably pinned to the handle base, respectively; and An electric actuator configured to rotatably drive a first linkage member. The operating handle is rotatably connected to the ends of the first and second linkage members, and the handle base, the first and second linkage members, and the operating handle form a linkage mechanism, wherein the operating handle in the use position remains parallel to the initial position. In this configuration, one of the first and second linkage components is connected to the operating handle via a pin, and the other linkage is connected to the operating handle via a sliding pair. The torsion spring of the constraint linkage mechanism is attached to the operating handle or the link of one of the first and second linkage components. The operating handle, in its initial position, is swayable about its connection point with one of the first and second linkage members, and The cylindrical lock, which is covered by the operating handle in its initial position and can be unlocked by a key in a swinging state, is fixed to the handle base. A pressing operation part is provided at the end of the swing center side of the operating handle, which switches the operating handle to the swing state by pressing.

2. The door handle device for a vehicle according to claim 1, in, The connecting pins of the first and second connecting rod members, the operating handle, and the handle base are configured to form a parallel crank. A sliding hole is formed in the connection between the second link member and the operating handle, and the connecting pin of the operating handle is movably fitted into the sliding hole.

Images