Door handle and control method thereof

Abstract

According to the door handle and the control method thereof provided by the invention, the electric control clutch device is converted from the clutch mode to the clutch release mode through the mechanical unlocking action of the mechanical transmission device, so that the mechanical transmission device can drive the door latch lock to realize unlocking, that is, effective control required during normal use of the door handle can be realized; and when an abnormal state occurs, the door latch can be opened independently through the normal mechanical unlocking action of the door handle, so that rescue personnel can normally unlock the latch, and internal personnel can get away from the dangerous situation at the first time, thereby greatly improving the reliability and safety of the access control system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of access control system, and in particular to a door handle and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Existing exterior door handles on automobiles generally only serve the most basic transmission function when unlocking the vehicle, and are basically controlled and managed by the door latch. Once the door latch locks the transmission mechanism of the exterior door handle to the door latch through its internal electric / mechanical structure, the door latch cannot be unlocked by the mechanical unlocking action of the exterior door handle, thereby preventing the vehicle from being opened by unauthorized persons.

[0003] However, this method of controlling the external door handle through the vehicle door latch, after the vehicle door latch locks the external door handle, when the vehicle encounters an abnormal situation and the vehicle system is unable to unlock the door latch, especially when the occupants in the vehicle are unable to perform an emergency unlocking of the door latch by themselves, will make it impossible for rescue personnel outside the vehicle to open the door latch through the external door handle, thereby seriously affecting the rescue efficiency. Rescuers are often required to use large tools such as hydraulic cutters and hydraulic shears to forcibly destroy the overall structure of the door and body locking point in order to force the door to open.

[0004] Existing vehicle door handles, especially exterior door handles, should have more functions so that when an abnormality occurs in the vehicle, rescue personnel can directly unlock the door latch through the normal mechanical unlocking action of the exterior handle, that is, the daily operation of opening the door, so that rescue personnel can carry out rescue operations on the occupants in the vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the defects of the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for mechanically unlocking a door latch by performing a normal mechanical unlocking action on a door handle when an abnormality occurs in the door latch control system.

[0006] The purpose of this application is to provide a door handle, comprising: The mechanical transmission device is used to receive the mechanical unlocking action from the outside and is responsible for transmitting the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch to achieve unlocking; An electronically controlled clutch device with three different states: clutch mode, clutch release mode, and unlock failure mode; When the electronically controlled clutch device is in the clutch mode, the mechanical transmission device cannot transmit the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch, but the electronically controlled clutch device will be able to switch to the clutch release mode through the mechanical unlocking action of the mechanical transmission device; When the electronically controlled clutch device is in the clutch release mode, the mechanical transmission device transmits the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch; When the electronically controlled clutch device is in the unlock failure mode, the mechanical transmission device cannot transmit the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch, and the electronically controlled clutch device cannot be switched from the clutch mode to the clutch release mode.

[0007] Furthermore, the electronically controlled clutch device includes an electronically controlled clutch component and a mechanical clutch component, and both the electronically controlled clutch component and the mechanical clutch component have a coupled state and a decoupled state; When the electronically controlled clutch is in the coupled state, the mechanical transmission device converts the mechanical clutch from the decoupled state to the coupled state through a mechanical unlocking action; When the electronically controlled clutch is in a decoupled state, the mechanical transmission device cannot convert the decoupled clutch into a coupled state through a mechanical unlocking action; When the mechanical clutch member is in the coupled state, the mechanical transmission device transfers the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch; When the mechanical clutch is in the decoupled state, the mechanical transmission device cannot transmit the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch; When the electronically controlled clutch device is in the clutch mode, the electronically controlled clutch component is in a coupled state, and the mechanical clutch component is in a decoupled state; When the electronically controlled clutch device is in the clutch release mode, the electronically controlled clutch component is in a coupled state, and the mechanical clutch component is in a coupled state; When the electronically controlled clutch device is in the unlocking failure mode, the electronically controlled clutch component is in a decoupled state, and the mechanical clutch component is in a decoupled state.

[0008] Furthermore, the door handle also includes a sensing module for sensing changes in the state of the mechanical transmission device itself and / or sensing changes in the state of the electronically controlled clutch device itself.

[0009] Furthermore, the door handle also includes an electronic control module: The electronic control module controls the electronically controlled clutch device to perform a driving action, thereby placing the electronically controlled clutch device in an unlocking failure mode; and the electronic control module controls the electronically controlled clutch device to not perform a driving action, so that the electronically controlled clutch device remains in a clutch mode and can be converted to a clutch release mode by a mechanical unlocking action; Alternatively, the electronic control module controls the electronically controlled clutch device to not perform a driving action, thereby keeping the electronically controlled clutch device in an unlocking failure mode; And the electronic control module controls the electronically controlled clutch device to perform a driving action, so that the electronically controlled clutch device is in a clutch mode and can be converted to a clutch release mode by a mechanical unlocking action.

[0010] Furthermore, the electronically controlled clutch device or electronically controlled clutch component refers to a device comprising at least one electric control unit, which is an electromagnet, and / or an electric magnet, and / or a motor, and / or a corresponding mechanical structure that cooperates with the above-mentioned electric control unit, and is used to control the mechanical unlocking action received by the mechanical transmission device to be transmitted to the door latch, or to control the mechanical unlocking action received by the mechanical transmission device to be unable to be transmitted to the door latch.

[0011] Furthermore, the door handle also includes a parking lock device, which has a fully locked mode and a fully unlocked mode; When it is in the fully locked mode, the mechanical transmission device cannot transmit the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch; When it is in the fully unlocked mode, the electronically controlled clutch device will be able to switch between the clutch mode, clutch release mode and unlock failure mode.

[0012] A door handle control method, characterized by comprising: When the mechanical transmission device of the door handle is not triggered, the electronically controlled clutch device is in clutch mode; Before or when the mechanical transmission device receives a mechanical unlocking action, the electronic system determines whether to execute or not execute the driving action on the electronically controlled clutch device based on the preset conditions; If the driving action is executed, the electronically controlled clutch device will be switched to the unlocking failure mode, and the mechanical transmission device will drive the electronically controlled clutch device to move, but the electronically controlled clutch device will still be in the unlocking failure mode, and the mechanical transmission device will not be able to transmit the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch, and the door latch will not be able to unlock; When the mechanical unlocking action of the mechanical transmission device is released and restored to the initial state, the electronically controlled clutch device also returns to the clutch mode; If the driving action is not performed, the electronically controlled clutch device will remain in the clutch mode, the mechanical transmission device will drive the electronically controlled clutch device to move and switch to the clutch release mode, and the mechanical transmission device will further transmit the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch, and the door latch will be unlocked.

[0013] A door handle control method, characterized by comprising: When the mechanical transmission device of the door handle is not triggered, the electronically controlled clutch device is in unlocking failure mode; Before or when the mechanical transmission device receives a mechanical unlocking action, the electronic system determines whether to execute or not execute the driving action on the electronically controlled clutch device based on the preset conditions; If the driving action is not performed, the mechanical clutch device drives the electric clutch device to move, but the electric clutch device will still be in the unlocking failure mode, and the mechanical transmission device cannot transmit the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch, and the door latch will not be unlocked; When the mechanical unlocking action of the door handle mechanism is released and the mechanical transmission device returns to its initial state, the electronically controlled clutch device also remains in the unlocking failure mode; If the driving action is performed, the electronically controlled clutch device will be in the clutch mode, and the mechanical transmission device will drive the electronically controlled clutch device to move and switch it from the clutch mode to the clutch release mode. The mechanical transmission device will further transmit the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch, and the door latch will be unlocked.

[0014] Furthermore, in the door handle control method, the mechanical transmission device drives the electronically controlled clutch device to move and switch it from the clutch mode to the clutch release mode. The mechanical transmission device further transmits the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch, and the door latch is unlocked; this refers to: The mechanical transmission device drives the electronically controlled clutch device to move and convert it from a clutch mode to a clutch release mode; At this time, the mechanical unlocking action of the mechanical transmission device is released, the mechanical transmission device returns to the initial state, and the electronically controlled clutch device remains in the clutch release mode; The mechanical transmission device is driven again to perform a mechanical unlocking action, and the mechanical transmission device transmits the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch, and the door latch is unlocked; Alternatively, the mechanical transmission device drives the electronically controlled clutch device to move and convert it from the clutch mode to the clutch release mode; At this time, the mechanical transmission device continues to be driven to perform the mechanical unlocking action, and the mechanical unlocking action is transmitted to the door latch through the mechanical transmission device, and the door latch is unlocked.

[0015] Furthermore, in the door handle control method, when the mechanical unlocking action of the mechanical transmission device is released and restored to the initial state, the electronically controlled clutch device also returns to the clutch mode; this means: When the mechanical unlocking action of the mechanical transmission device is released and restored to the initial state, the electronic system cuts off the power to the electronically controlled clutch device, and the electronically controlled clutch device returns to the clutch mode through its own reset mechanism; Alternatively, when the mechanical unlocking action of the mechanical transmission device is released and restored to the initial state, the electronic system drives the electronically controlled clutch device in reverse, thereby converting the electronically controlled clutch device into the clutch mode; Alternatively, when the mechanical unlocking action of the mechanical transmission device is released and restored to the initial state, the electronic system cuts off the power to the electronically controlled clutch device. In the process of restoring to the initial state, the mechanical transmission device drives the electronically controlled clutch device to switch from the unlocking failure mode to the clutch mode.

[0016] The present invention provides a door handle and a control method thereof, which are provided with a mechanical transmission device and an electronically controlled clutch device, and have a unique function of converting the electronically controlled clutch device from a clutch mode to a clutch release mode through the mechanical unlocking action of the mechanical transmission device. That is, it can meet the control and management of the existing door handle during normal use, and when an abnormal state occurs, the door latch can be opened solely through the normal mechanical unlocking action of the door handle, so that rescue personnel can unlock the latch normally, and internal personnel can escape from danger as soon as possible, thereby greatly improving safety and reliability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a door handle in a clutch mode according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the door handle of the embodiment when it is in unlock failure mode; Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the door handle when it is in the clutch release mode according to the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the door handle unlocking the door latch when the door handle is in the clutch release mode; Figure 5 yes Figure 1 An architectural diagram of a door handle performing a secondary unlocking process according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 yes Figure 1 An architectural diagram of a door handle including a parking lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the door handle in the initial state according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 It is a schematic structural diagram of the initial state of a door handle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Door handle-100; Door latch-200; Electronic control module-300; Mechanical transmission device-110; Steel wire rope-120; Electronically controlled clutch device-130; Electronically controlled clutch component 131; Mechanical clutch component 132 Sensing module-140; Parking lock - 150. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0020] In order to make the technical solutions implemented in this application easier to understand, the present invention will be further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0021] See also Figures 1 to 5 , which is a schematic diagram of the door handle structure of this embodiment. Figure 1 As shown, the mechanical transmission device of the door handle is responsible for receiving the mechanical unlocking action from the outside, and transmitting the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch for unlocking through mechanical means (such as a wire rope, or a connecting rod, or a rack / gear, etc.); the electronically controlled clutch device is used to control whether the mechanical transmission device can transmit the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch for unlocking, and the sensing module is used to sense the status of the mechanical transmission device.

[0022] Further, Figure 1 The electronically controlled clutch device includes an electronically controlled clutch component and a mechanical clutch component. The electronically controlled clutch component controls whether the mechanical clutch component can be coupled, thereby transmitting the mechanical unlocking action of the mechanical transmission device to the door latch. If the mechanical clutch component is in the decoupled state, the mechanical transmission device cannot transmit the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch. If the mechanical clutch component is in the coupled state, the mechanical transmission device can transmit the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch, thereby unlocking the door.

[0023] When the electronically controlled clutch component is in the coupled state, the mechanical clutch component in the decoupled state can be converted to the coupled state through the mechanical unlocking action of the mechanical transmission device; when the electronically controlled clutch component is in the decoupled state, the mechanical clutch component in the decoupled state cannot be converted to the coupled state through the mechanical unlocking action of the mechanical transmission device.

[0024] Furthermore, the electronically controlled clutch component is electrically controlled by the electronic control module; that is, when the electronically controlled clutch device is in the release clutch mode or the clutch mode, the electronic control module controls the electronically controlled clutch component to be in the coupled state; and when the electronically controlled clutch device is in the unlock failure mode, the electronic control module controls the electronically controlled clutch component to be in the decoupled state.

[0025] Figure 1 In this state, the mechanical transmission device is not driven by external force and is in the closed state. The sensing module is not triggered. At this time, the electronically controlled clutch device is in the clutch mode. In the clutch mode, the electronically controlled clutch is in the coupled state, while the mechanical clutch is in the decoupled state. At this time, the door latch remains locked.

[0026] Figure 2 In the embodiment of the present invention, the mechanical transmission device is driven by external force to perform a mechanical unlocking action; at this time, the sensing module is triggered, and after obtaining the triggering information of the sensing module, the electronic control module drives the electronically controlled clutch device to be in the unlocking failure mode, that is, drives the electronically controlled clutch component to be decoupled; therefore, the mechanical clutch component will still remain in the decoupling mode, and the mechanical transmission device will not be able to transmit the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch, and the door latch will still remain in the locked state.

[0027] Releasing the door handle means releasing the mechanical unlocking action of the mechanical transmission device, and the mechanical transmission device returns to its initial closed state, and the sensing module returns to its untriggered state; at this time, the electronically controlled clutch device will also return to the clutch mode, that is, the electronically controlled clutch is in the coupling mode.

[0028] It is understood that when the mechanical transmission device is driven by an external force to perform a mechanical unlocking action, the sensing module will be triggered. The sensing module can sense the mechanical unlocking action of the mechanical transmission device, or it can sense the action of a human body approaching or contacting the door handle, such as a pressure sensor or capacitive sensor located on the door handle. The sensing module can be installed on the door handle or, as needed, in a corresponding location in the vehicle, such as a proximity sensor or camera installed on or near the vehicle door for sensing the approach of a human body. In this case, the sensing module is considered to be triggered. All of these should be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] It can be understood that after releasing the door handle, the sensing module will return to the untriggered state, and the electronically controlled clutch device will also return to the clutch mode at this time, that is, the electronically controlled clutch is in the coupling mode; and this electronically controlled clutch device returns to the clutch mode, and the electronically controlled clutch device can be restored to the clutch mode after the electronic control module cuts off the power to the electronically controlled clutch device, and the electronically controlled clutch device recovers by itself, such as an electromagnet with a reset spring, when the power is turned on, the movable iron core compresses the reset spring and retracts, and after the power is cut off, the movable iron core can automatically extend under the action of the reset spring; of course, it is also possible to use a motor device with a reset function after power off, such as a motor device with a reset spring / torsion spring, when the motor drives the related mechanical structure, the reset spring / torsion spring is compressed, and after the motor is powered off, the related mechanical structure can automatically return to the initial state under the action of the reset spring / torsion spring. Alternatively, the electronic control module drives the electric clutch device in reverse to restore it to its initial state, such as by using an electromagnet with bidirectional driving capability, whose movable iron core has the ability to move in two directions under different magnetic fields of the electromagnet; or the motor rotates forward / reverse to drive the rack structure to extend / retract; or the electric clutch device is reset by the corresponding recovery action of the mechanical transmission device when it is released, such as by using the electromagnet with bidirectional driving capability mentioned above, when the mechanical transmission device is released and restored to its initial position, the mechanical transmission device will push the movable iron core of the electromagnet in the retracted state to convert it to the extended state, thereby restoring the electric clutch device to the clutch mode. All of this should be regarded as the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] It is understood that after releasing the door handle, the sensing module will return to the untriggered state, at which point the electronically controlled clutch device will also return to clutch mode. The electronically controlled clutch device can return to clutch mode from unlock failure mode immediately upon the sensing module returning to the untriggered state, or it can be delayed by the electronic control module for several seconds after the sensing module returns to the untriggered state. Both of these considerations are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0031] Figure 3 In the process, the mechanical transmission device is driven by external force to perform mechanical unlocking action; after the sensing module is triggered, the electronic control module chooses not to drive the electronically controlled clutch device, and the electronically controlled clutch device remains in clutch mode, that is, the electronically controlled clutch member is in coupling; then the mechanical transmission device will convert the mechanical clutch member from decoupling to coupling through mechanical unlocking action; during this process, the door latch remains in the locked state.

[0032] It is understood that during this process, after the sensing module is triggered, the electronic control module chooses not to drive the electronically controlled clutch device. This may be because the electronic control module has failed due to a power outage or a system crash, thus being unable to control and drive the electronically controlled clutch device. Alternatively, the electronic control module may choose not to control the electronically controlled clutch device due to a preset program, such as the locomotive system having issued a command to the electronic control module to release the restriction on the door handle. All of these should be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] At this time, the mechanical unlocking action of the mechanical transmission device will continue to drive the door latch, thereby unlocking it. Figure 4 shown.

[0034] Furthermore, considering the actual effective stroke of the mechanical transmission device and the complexity of the design, after the mechanical clutch is converted to coupling by the mechanical unlocking action, the door handle can be released, that is, the mechanical unlocking action of the mechanical transmission device is released, the mechanical transmission device is restored to the initial closed state, and the sensing module is restored to the untriggered state; Figure 5 As shown, at this point, the mechanical clutch member remains in a coupled state, while the door latch remains locked. Thereafter, if the door handle is actuated again, the mechanical transmission device transmits the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch via the coupled mechanical clutch member, thereby unlocking the door latch. Therefore, it is understood that the continued mechanical unlocking action of the mechanical transmission device described above can be a single mechanical unlocking action or two or more consecutive mechanical unlocking actions. All such actions are considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] It is understood that the electronic control module can be the vehicle-mounted system, a separate small control circuit board attached to the door handle, or a control circuit board controlled by the vehicle-mounted system but independent of the door handle. All of the above can be referred to as the "electronic system" controlling the door handle and should be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] It is understood that the sensing module can also be directly connected in series with the electronically controlled clutch component. When the sensing module is not triggered, it is in an off-circuit state, thereby disconnecting the electronically controlled clutch component. When the sensing module is triggered and in an on-state, it directly connects the power supply of the electronically controlled clutch component, thereby driving the electronically controlled clutch component to decouple. When the electronically controlled clutch component needs to be coupled, a simple control circuit can be implemented by disconnecting the common power supply of the sensing module and the electronically controlled clutch component. This should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0037] It is understood that the electrically controlled clutch device, which is composed of both an electrically controlled clutch component and a mechanical clutch component, can be implemented in a variety of ways, depending on the different configurations of various door handles. Furthermore, the electrically controlled clutch component and the mechanical clutch component can be separately disposed on the door handle and the door latch, ultimately forming a structure having the same function. This is also within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0038] It can be understood that in the above embodiment, the electronically controlled clutch device is initially in the clutch mode, and the electronic control module will drive and control the electronically controlled clutch device only when the sensing module is triggered, so that the electronically controlled clutch device begins to be in the unlocking failure mode.

[0039] Furthermore, the door handle can only be effectively controlled when the power supply is normal. However, if the handle needs to be effectively powered every time it is triggered during long periods of parking, there will be power consumption problems. In addition, if the power fails (such as a sudden battery failure), the door can be opened directly. These situations should not exist in the normal use of door latches. In this case, it is necessary to design a separate parking lock device, such as Figure 6 As shown, it has a fully locked mode and a fully unlocked mode; When it is in the fully locked mode, the mechanical transmission device cannot transmit the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch, and the door latch will always be in the locked state; When it is in the fully unlocked mode, the electronically controlled clutch device will be able to switch between the clutch mode, clutch release mode and unlock failure mode.

[0040] It is understood that the parking lock device can be controlled during the process of the mechanical transmission device transmitting the mechanical unlocking action to the electronically controlled clutch device; it can also be used to directly control the electronically controlled clutch device to always be in an unlocking failure mode; it can also be used to directly control the electronically controlled clutch component and / or the mechanical clutch component to always be in a decoupled state, thereby effectively preventing the mechanical transmission device from transmitting the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch; or even by adding corresponding structures to the door latch to disable the mechanical unlocking action transmitted by the door handle. The ultimate goal is to completely prevent the mechanical unlocking action of the mechanical transmission device from being transmitted to the door latch through its control, thereby achieving effective control. All of these should be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0041] Furthermore, the device also includes a mechanical key transmission receiving mechanism for driving the parking lock device to switch it between a fully locked mode and a fully unlocked mode. This structure can be implemented in a variety of ways. For example, when the parking lock device comprises a motor and a gear transmission mechanism, the mechanical key drives the lock cylinder to rotate, thereby driving the gear to rotate, thereby controlling the parking lock device. This should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0042] It is understood that in this embodiment, the door handle can be either an exterior handle on the outside of the vehicle door or an interior handle on the inside of the vehicle door. However, some current electric vehicles utilize electronic handles that cannot be mechanically operated, and are equipped with a separate emergency mechanical unlocking button or hidden pull cable. The technical solution of this embodiment effectively controls the mechanical unlocking action of either the interior or exterior handle, as well as the emergency mechanical unlocking button. All of these are considered within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0043] It can be understood that in this embodiment, the electronically controlled clutch device is initially in clutch mode. The electronic control module only activates and controls the electronically controlled clutch device when the sensing module is triggered, placing the electronically controlled clutch device in unlock failure mode. This approach effectively controls the door handle to meet the required requirements. In the event of an abnormality, the door latch can be unlocked through normal mechanical unlocking, thus preventing the vehicle door from being unable to open.

[0044] In another embodiment of the present invention, the difference from the above embodiment is that: When the mechanical transmission device of the door handle is not triggered, the electronically controlled clutch device is in unlocking failure mode; The mechanical transmission device will drive the electronically controlled clutch device to move before or when receiving the mechanical unlocking action; At this time, the electronic control module determines whether to execute or not execute the driving action on the electronically controlled clutch device according to the existing preset conditions; If the driving action is not performed, the electronically controlled clutch device will be in unlocking failure mode, the mechanical transmission device cannot transmit the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch, and the door latch will not be unlocked; When the mechanical unlocking action of the door handle mechanism is released and the mechanical transmission device returns to its initial state, the electronically controlled clutch device also remains in the unlocking failure mode; If the driving action is performed, the electronically controlled clutch device will be in the clutch mode, and will be converted from the clutch mode to the clutch release mode under the action of the mechanical transmission device. The mechanical transmission device will further transmit the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch, and the door latch will be unlocked.

[0045] Compared to the aforementioned embodiment, when it is necessary to restrict the mechanical unlocking action of the door handle so that it cannot achieve the unlocking purpose, the electronically controlled clutch device is converted from the clutch mode to the unlocking failure mode, so that the electronic control module must sense the mechanical unlocking action of the door handle and control the electronically controlled clutch device immediately; while in this embodiment, the electronically controlled clutch device is in the unlocking failure mode in the initial state, which greatly reduces the reaction time required by the electronic control module and almost eliminates the need for a sensing module, thereby simplifying the overall design. When it is necessary to remove the restriction on the door handle, it is only necessary to drive the electronically controlled clutch device through the electronic control module to convert it to the clutch mode, and then mechanical unlocking can be further achieved through the mechanical transmission device. This should also be considered as the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0046] It is understood that the above-mentioned need to release the restriction on the door handle can be performed after the electronic system issues a command to release the restriction on the door handle, or after obtaining the trigger sensing of the sensing module and making a judgment, etc. This should be considered as the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0047] It is understood that in this embodiment, the electronic control module drives the electronically controlled clutch device to switch to the clutch mode. This means that the electronic control module may de-energize the automatically reset electronically controlled clutch device to automatically switch to the clutch mode; the electronic control module may reversely drive the electronically controlled clutch device to switch to the clutch mode; or the electronic control module may de-energize the electronically controlled clutch device, causing the mechanical clutch mechanism to drive the electronically controlled clutch device to switch to the clutch mode during the reset process. All of these should be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0048] like Figure 7 As shown, this is an implementation of the present embodiment, wherein the electronically controlled clutch device is composed of an electronically controlled clutch component and a mechanical clutch component, and in the initial state, the electronic control device puts the electronically controlled clutch device in an unlocking failure mode, that is, both the electronically controlled clutch component and the mechanical clutch component are in a decoupled state; after the electronically controlled clutch component is converted to a coupled state, the mechanical transmission device converts the mechanical clutch component to a coupled state, and then the mechanical transmission device can drive the door latch to mechanically unlock.

[0049] And as Figure 8 As shown, this is another implementation of this embodiment, wherein the electronically controlled clutch device is directly composed of a single electronically controlled clutch element. Then, after the electronically controlled clutch element is in the coupled state, the mechanical transmission device can directly drive the door latch to mechanically unlock it.

[0050] The advantage of this embodiment is that if the electronic control device continuously drives the electronically controlled clutch device in the unlocked failure mode, although there will be a slight power loss, the control logic is simple, the response time given to the electronic control module or the vehicle system is relatively ample, and the sensor module can be eliminated. This should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0051] It is understood that the door handle and control method thereof in the above-listed embodiments are not only applicable to vehicles. Besides having comprehensive control and management functions, they also have the characteristic of being able to unlock the door through normal mechanical unlocking when an electronic control system anomaly occurs. Therefore, they are very suitable for use in places where complete control of the door lock system is required and normal mechanical unlocking must be possible in the event of an electronic system anomaly. Therefore, the scope of application of the present invention should not be limited.

[0052] The present invention provides a door handle and a control method thereof, which arranges a mechanical transmission device and an electronically controlled clutch device on the door handle, and the mechanical unlocking action received by the mechanical transmission device can convert the electronically controlled clutch device from a clutch mode to a clutch release mode, thereby meeting the functions of normal use of existing vehicle door locks, and when the vehicle is in an abnormal state, the door can be opened normally through the inside / outside door handle alone, so that the occupants can leave the vehicle in the first time, and the rescue personnel can open the door normally, avoiding secondary injury accidents to the occupants in the vehicle, thereby greatly improving safety and reliability.

[0053] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that the terms "up", "down", "extend", "retract", "inside", "outside", "movement", "rotation" and other indicators of orientation or action are based on the orientation or action described in the accompanying drawings, which are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0054] The basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention are shown and described above. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments. The foregoing embodiments and descriptions are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Such changes and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention. The scope of protection claimed in the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A door handle, characterized in that: Includes: The mechanical transmission device is used to receive the mechanical unlocking action from the outside and is responsible for transmitting the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch to achieve unlocking; An electronically controlled clutch device with three different states: clutch mode, clutch release mode, and unlock failure mode; When the electronically controlled clutch device is in the clutch mode, the mechanical transmission device cannot transmit the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch, but the electronically controlled clutch device will be able to switch to the clutch release mode through the mechanical unlocking action of the mechanical transmission device; When the electronically controlled clutch device is in the clutch release mode, the mechanical transmission device transmits the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch; When the electronically controlled clutch device is in the unlock failure mode, the mechanical transmission device cannot transmit the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch, and the electronically controlled clutch device cannot be switched from the clutch mode to the clutch release mode.

2. The door handle according to claim 1, wherein: The electronically controlled clutch device includes an electronically controlled clutch component and a mechanical clutch component, and both the electronically controlled clutch component and the mechanical clutch component have a coupled state and a decoupled state; When the electronically controlled clutch is in the coupled state, the mechanical transmission device converts the mechanical clutch from the decoupled state to the coupled state through a mechanical unlocking action; When the electronically controlled clutch is in a decoupled state, the mechanical transmission device cannot convert the decoupled clutch into a coupled state through a mechanical unlocking action; When the mechanical clutch member is in the coupled state, the mechanical transmission device transfers the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch; When the mechanical clutch is in the decoupled state, the mechanical transmission device cannot transmit the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch; When the electronically controlled clutch device is in the clutch mode, the electronically controlled clutch component is in a coupled state, and the mechanical clutch component is in a decoupled state; When the electronically controlled clutch device is in the clutch release mode, the electronically controlled clutch component is in a coupled state, and the mechanical clutch component is in a coupled state; When the electronically controlled clutch device is in the unlocking failure mode, the electronically controlled clutch component is in a decoupled state, and the mechanical clutch component is in a decoupled state.

3. The door handle according to claim 1, wherein: It also includes a sensing module for sensing changes in the state of the mechanical transmission device itself and / or sensing changes in the state of the electronically controlled clutch device itself.

4. The door handle according to claim 1, wherein: Also includes the electronic control module: The electronic control module controls the electronically controlled clutch device to perform a driving action, thereby placing the electronically controlled clutch device in an unlocking failure mode; and the electronic control module controls the electronically controlled clutch device to not perform a driving action, so that the electronically controlled clutch device remains in a clutch mode and can be converted to a clutch release mode by a mechanical unlocking action; Alternatively, the electronic control module controls the electronically controlled clutch device to not perform a driving action, thereby keeping the electronically controlled clutch device in an unlocking failure mode; And the electronic control module controls the electronically controlled clutch device to perform a driving action, so that the electronically controlled clutch device is in a clutch mode and can be converted to a clutch release mode by a mechanical unlocking action.

5. The door handle according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The electronically controlled clutch device or electronically controlled clutch component refers to a device that includes at least one electric control unit, which is an electromagnet, and / or an electric magnet, and / or a motor, and / or a corresponding mechanical structure that cooperates with the above-mentioned electric control unit, and is used to control the mechanical unlocking action received by the mechanical transmission device to be transmitted to the door latch, or to control the mechanical unlocking action received by the mechanical transmission device to be unable to be transmitted to the door latch.

6. The door handle according to claim 1, wherein: Also included is a parking lock device with a fully locked mode and a fully unlocked mode; When it is in the fully locked mode, the mechanical transmission device cannot transmit the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch; When it is in the fully unlocked mode, the electronically controlled clutch device will be able to switch between the clutch mode, clutch release mode and unlock failure mode.

7. The door handle control method according to claim 1 to claim 6, characterized in that: Includes: When the mechanical transmission device of the door handle is not triggered, the electronically controlled clutch device is in clutch mode; Before or when the mechanical transmission device receives a mechanical unlocking action, the electronic system determines whether to execute or not execute the driving action on the electronically controlled clutch device based on the preset conditions; If the driving action is executed, the electronically controlled clutch device will be switched to the unlocking failure mode, and the mechanical transmission device will drive the electronically controlled clutch device to move, but the electronically controlled clutch device will still be in the unlocking failure mode, and the mechanical transmission device will not be able to transmit the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch, and the door latch will not be able to unlock; When the mechanical unlocking action of the mechanical transmission device is released and restored to the initial state, the electronically controlled clutch device also returns to the clutch mode; If the driving action is not performed, the electronically controlled clutch device will remain in the clutch mode, the mechanical transmission device will drive the electronically controlled clutch device to move and switch to the clutch release mode, and the mechanical transmission device will further transmit the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch, and the door latch will be unlocked.

8. The door handle control method according to claim 1 to claim 6, characterized in that: Includes: When the mechanical transmission device of the door handle is not triggered, the electronically controlled clutch device is in unlocking failure mode; Before or when the mechanical transmission device receives a mechanical unlocking action, the electronic system determines whether to execute or not execute the driving action on the electronically controlled clutch device based on the preset conditions; If the driving action is not performed, the mechanical clutch device drives the electric clutch device to move, but the electric clutch device will still be in the unlocking failure mode, and the mechanical transmission device cannot transmit the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch, and the door latch will not be unlocked; When the mechanical unlocking action of the door handle mechanism is released and the mechanical transmission device returns to its initial state, the electronically controlled clutch device also remains in the unlocking failure mode; If the driving action is performed, the electronically controlled clutch device will be in the clutch mode, and the mechanical transmission device will drive the electronically controlled clutch device to move and switch it from the clutch mode to the clutch release mode. The mechanical transmission device will further transmit the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch, and the door latch will be unlocked.

9. The door handle control method according to claim 7 or claim 8, characterized in that: The mechanical transmission device drives the electric clutch device to move and switch it from the clutch mode to the clutch release mode. The mechanical transmission device further transmits the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch, and the door latch is unlocked; this means: The mechanical transmission device drives the electronically controlled clutch device to move and convert it from a clutch mode to a clutch release mode; At this time, the mechanical unlocking action of the mechanical transmission device is released, the mechanical transmission device returns to the initial state, and the electronically controlled clutch device remains in the clutch release mode; The mechanical transmission device is driven again to perform a mechanical unlocking action, and the mechanical transmission device transmits the mechanical unlocking action to the door latch, and the door latch is unlocked; Alternatively, the mechanical transmission device drives the electronically controlled clutch device to move and convert it from the clutch mode to the clutch release mode; At this time, the mechanical transmission device continues to be driven to perform the mechanical unlocking action, and the mechanical unlocking action is transmitted to the door latch through the mechanical transmission device, and the door latch is unlocked.

10. The door handle control method according to claim 7, characterized in that: When the mechanical unlocking action of the mechanical transmission device is released and restored to the initial state, the electronically controlled clutch device also returns to the clutch mode; this means: When the mechanical unlocking action of the mechanical transmission device is released and restored to the initial state, the electronic system cuts off the power to the electronically controlled clutch device, and the electronically controlled clutch device returns to the clutch mode through its own reset mechanism; Alternatively, when the mechanical unlocking action of the mechanical transmission device is released and restored to the initial state, the electronic system drives the electronically controlled clutch device in reverse, thereby converting the electronically controlled clutch device into the clutch mode; Alternatively, when the mechanical unlocking action of the mechanical transmission device is released and restored to the initial state, the electronic system cuts off the power to the electronically controlled clutch device. In the process of restoring to the initial state, the mechanical transmission device drives the electronically controlled clutch device to switch from the unlocking failure mode to the clutch mode.

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