Vehicle door handle device
The door handle device controlled by proximity detection and shaft torque sensor solves the problem of poor operability and convenience of pop-up door handles, and realizes a smooth switch between narrow standby position and wide grip position, ensuring smooth operation and convenience.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SUBARU CORP
- Filing Date
- 2024-03-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-31
AI Technical Summary
Existing pop-out door handle devices, with limited protrusion, have poor operability and convenience, are prone to startling pedestrians or snagging clothing, and are inconvenient to use in keyless entry systems.
The door handle device, which employs proximity detection and shaft torque sensor control, extends the handle to a narrow standby position when the proximity detection unit detects the approach of an occupant, and provides auxiliary torque to extend it to a wide gripping position when the occupant operates it. Combined with touch switches and a smart entry system, it ensures smooth operation.
It improves the operability and convenience of door handles, avoids surprise to pedestrians and snagging on clothing, while meeting the legal requirements for the number of keyless entry points and enhancing the convenience of the keyless entry system.
Smart Images
Figure CN122497793A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a door handle device for a vehicle. Background Technology
[0002] Previously, door handle devices with pop-out handle bars were known. These devices retract the handle bar into the door panel when the door is not in use, such as when parking or driving, making the handle bar's outer surface approximately coplanar with the door panel's outer surface. This reduces the step difference on the door panel's outer surface, improving design and reducing air resistance during driving (flush surfaced design).
[0003] Furthermore, in this door handle device, the handle lever pops out when an occupant wants to enter the vehicle. By grasping the popped-out handle lever and operating it in a predetermined manner, the occupant unlocks the latch locked to the vehicle body and opens the side door.
[0004] In most cases, this door handle device is linked with vehicles equipped with smart entry systems, as well as vehicles with keyless entry systems that allow unlocking or locking of side doors by operating a keyless key button.
[0005] In other words, in a smart entry system, when a user carrying a wireless portable device (smart key) (most often the driver) enters a pre-defined area of the vehicle, the handle mechanism pops out the handle lever. Additionally, in a keyless entry system, if the driver presses the keyless key unlock button within a pre-defined area of the vehicle, the handle mechanism pops out the handle lever.
[0006] However, for pop-out door handles, the handle is retracted until occupants, including the driver, approach the vehicle to enter it. If the handle suddenly pops out while a pedestrian is crossing the vehicle, it can startle them. Furthermore, the popped-out handle could potentially snag on a pedestrian's clothing. Therefore, some countries have legal regulations regarding the amount of the handle protruding when popped out (the dimension from the outer surface of the door panel to the end of the handle protruding in the width of the vehicle).
[0007] However, with the extension of the handle bar restricted when it pops out, occupants cannot easily grip the handle bar, resulting in poor operability. Consequently, occupants find it difficult to open the door, causing inconvenience.
[0008] For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-130913 discloses a technique for ejecting a handlebar while limiting its protrusion. The handlebar disclosed in this publication is designed so that an occupant's hand can be inserted from below or above towards the inner surface of the handlebar and pulled forward to release the lock. An extension is formed on the side of the handlebar opposite to the position where the occupant's hand is inserted. This extension prevents the occupant's fingers from disengaging from the handlebar.
[0009] With respect to the technology disclosed in this publication, by removing the extension formed on the open side end of the handlebar, a wider space for hand insertion can be ensured. This ensures the operability of the handlebar.
[0010] However, the technology disclosed in this publication involves a structure that unlocks the door panel while limiting the amount of the handle lever's protrusion. Therefore, a series of operations are required to unlock the door and open the side door while the handle lever's protrusion is limited, resulting in poor usability.
[0011] The purpose of this invention is to provide a door handle device for a vehicle, which provides good operability and ease of use even when the handle bar stored in the door panel is popped out to a predetermined position. Summary of the Invention
[0012] Technical solution One aspect of the present invention is a door handle device for a vehicle, comprising: a handle unit disposed on a door of the vehicle; an actuator for unfolding or retracting a handle bar disposed on the handle unit; and a control unit for controlling the drive of the actuator, the control unit comprising: a proximity detection unit for detecting the approach of a handle bar operator to the vehicle; a first unfolding drive processing unit for driving the actuator to unfold the retracted handle bar to a standby position with a narrow unfolding width when the proximity detection unit detects the approach of the handle bar operator; and a second unfolding drive processing unit for assisting the handle bar operator in operating the handle bar to unfold it to a gripping position with a wide unfolding width when the proximity detection unit detects that the handle bar operator is pulling the unfolded end of the handle bar located in the standby position forward. Attached Figure Description
[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle equipped with door handles.
[0014] Figure 2 This is a 3D view of the handle unit.
[0015] Figure 3A This is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the handle.
[0016] Figure 3B This indicates the state where the handle lever is extended to the standby position. Figure 3A A comparable horizontal cross-sectional view.
[0017] Figure 3C This indicates the state in which the handle is extended to the gripping position. Figure 3A A comparable horizontal cross-sectional view.
[0018] Figure 4A This is a flowchart (one of) showing the lever control routine.
[0019] Figure 4B This is a flowchart (part two) showing the handle control routine. Detailed Implementation
[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and attention should be paid to the fact that the relationship between the thickness and width of each component, the ratio of the thickness of each component, etc., are different from reality. Of course, the drawings also include the dimensional relationships and ratios of the components.
[0021] Figure 1 The vehicle M shown has side doors 1 at the front and rear on both sides. Figure 1 Each side door 1 shown is a single-leaf type, opening and closing from the rear side with the front side as the fulcrum. A handle unit 2 is installed on each side door 1. The handle units 2 installed on the front and rear side doors 1 have the same structure. In addition, the handle units 2 installed on the left and right side doors 1 have a symmetrical structure.
[0022] Figure 2 The structure of handle unit 2 is shown. Handle unit 2 shown in the figure is installed on the left side door 1. The handle unit installed on the right side door 1 has a symmetrical structure to the handle unit 2 on the left, therefore its description is omitted.
[0023] The handle unit 2 has a handle bar 3 for gripping when the side door 1 is opened. The handle bar 3 is housed in the housing 4. The housing 4 is fixed to the side door 1. A recess 4a is formed in the housing 4 to house the handle bar 3. The open end 4b of the recess 4a is exposed on the outer surface of the side door 1. The open end 4b is substantially coplanar with the outer surface of the side door 1.
[0024] The handlebar 3 is horizontally elongated. The handlebar 3 has a gripping part 3a and a finger rest part 3b. When the occupant wants to ride in the vehicle M, they grip the gripping part 3a. Figure 3C The single-dot dashed line represents the occupant's hand H. Additionally, a hinge pin 5 is fitted into the front end of the grip 3a. The rear side of the handle 3 is designed to rotate freely from the recess 4a outwards from the body, centered on the hinge pin 5.
[0025] The finger rest 3b is formed at the end of the handlebar 3 on the extended side, i.e., the rear side of the vehicle body. The grip part 3a protrudes from the outer surface side toward the rear side of the vehicle body. The outer surfaces of the grip part 3a and the finger rest 3b are coplanar.
[0026] The handle 3 and hinge pin 5 rotate together. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the hinge pin 5 extends in the vertical direction. The upper and lower portions of the hinge pin 5 protruding from the handle 3 are supported by the housing 4 in a rotatable manner.
[0027] The base of hinge pin 5 (in) Figure 2 The lower part (middle section) is inserted into the handle actuator housing 6. The handle actuator 12 (see reference 12) is housed within the handle actuator housing 6. Figure 1 The handle actuator 12 is, for example, an electric motor.
[0028] Handle actuator 12 moves handle 3 to the retracted position. Figure 3A The status) and the standby position based on the pop-up ( Figure 3B The handle 3 rotates between the states of (the state of the handle 3 and the state of the side door 1). When the handle 3 is stored in the recess 4a, the outer surface of the handle 3 is approximately coplanar with the outer surface of the side door 1 (Flush Surface).
[0029] Additionally, when moving the handle lever 3 from the standby position to the lever grip position ( Figure 3C During the period up to the point where the handlebar lever 3 is in its extended position, the handlebar actuator 12 generates a shaft torque that reduces the burden on the fingers F of the person riding in the vehicle who wants to operate the handlebar lever 3. Furthermore, the handlebar actuator 12 rotates the handlebar lever 3 from its extended to its standby position and its grip position to its retracted position for storage. The handlebar actuator 12 operates according to commands from the handlebar control unit 21a, described later.
[0030] A touch switch 13a (upper surface), a touch switch 13b (lower surface), and a touch switch 13c (inner side) are respectively provided on the upper surface, lower surface, and inner side of the grip portion 3a of the handle 3. Additionally, a touch switch 14 (finger rest portion) is provided on the inner side of the finger rest portion 3b. Furthermore, a shaft torque sensor 15 is provided on the hinge pin 5. This shaft torque sensor 15 detects, for example, the torsional torque generated in the hinge pin 5.
[0031] In addition, vehicle M is equipped with an intelligent entry system. This intelligent entry system includes an intelligent entry control unit (intelligent entry_ECU) 21 installed in vehicle M, a smart key 22 which is a portable device carried by the person who wants to ride in vehicle M (mainly the driver), and an intelligent signal receiver 16.
[0032] The smart key 22 sends a unique identification code (ID code). The smart signal receiver 16 receives the ID code output from the smart key 22. Upon receiving the ID code, the smart entry ECU 21 detects the approach of the person carrying the smart key 22 who wishes to enter the vehicle.
[0033] The intelligent entry ECU21 is composed of a microcontroller, which includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, rewritable non-volatile memory (flash memory or EEPROM), and peripheral devices. The ROM stores programs and fixed data required for execution of various processes in the CPU. The RAM serves as the CPU's working area and temporarily stores various data within the CPU. It should be noted that the CPU is also called an MPU (Microprocessor) or processor. Alternatively, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or GSP (Graphics Streaming Processor) can be used instead of the CPU. Alternatively, a combination of CPU, GPU, and GSP can be selectively used.
[0034] The intelligent entry ECU 21 includes a handlebar control unit 21a. Touch switches 13a-13c, 14, a shaft torque sensor 15, and an intelligent signal receiver 23 are connected to the input side of the handlebar control unit 21a. Additionally, a handlebar actuator 12 is connected to the output side of the handlebar control unit 21a.
[0035] The handlebar control unit 21a outputs a signal to the handlebar actuator 12 to rotate the handlebar 3 based on the signals received from each of the touch switches 13a-13c, 14, the shaft torque sensor 15, and the smart signal receiver 23.
[0036] Specifically, the rotation control of the handle lever 3 executed by the handle lever control unit 21a is in accordance with... Figure 4A , Figure 4B The handlebar control routine shown is used for control. It should be noted that, hereinafter, the person (mainly the driver) who carries the smart key 22 and wants to get into vehicle M will be referred to as the "handlebar operator".
[0037] In this routine, in steps S1 to S3, the handlebar control unit 21a detects the approach of the handlebar operator. Therefore, the processing in steps S1 to S3 corresponds to the proximity detection unit of the present invention.
[0038] First, the lever control unit 21a checks whether an ID code has been received from the smart key 22 (step S1). If an ID code has been received from the smart key 22 (yes), the lever control unit 21a proceeds to step S2. If no ID code has been received (no), the routine exits.
[0039] In step S2, the lever control unit 21a compares the ID code stored in the storage unit with the ID code sent from the smart key 22. Then, the lever control unit 21a determines whether the ID codes match (step S3). If the ID codes do not match, the lever control unit 21a exits the processing routine (RETURN).
[0040] On the other hand, if the ID codes are determined to match, the handlebar control unit 21a drives the handle actuator 12. The handle actuator 12, according to the command from the handlebar control unit 21a, causes the handlebar 3 to unfold (pop up) to the standby position. Figure 3B (location) (step S4).
[0041] The pop-out of the handle 3 is set to any of the following actions.
[0042] (1) Only the handle bar 3 of the handle unit 2 that the handle bar operator is approaching will pop out.
[0043] (2) Make all the handles 3 of the handle units 2 pop out.
[0044] (3) Can choose (1) and (2) at will.
[0045] It should be noted that the processing in step S4 corresponds to the first deployment drive processing unit of the present invention.
[0046] The unfolded width W1 of the handle bar 3 in the standby position is a relatively narrow unfolded width from the surface of the side door 1 to the outer front end of the finger rest 3b. This unfolded width W1 is set to a value that satisfies all of the following conditions.
[0047] (1) The unfolded width W1 is a value that will not surprise pedestrians passing by vehicle M even if the handle bar 3 is popped out.
[0048] (2) The unfolded width W1 is the value of the handle bar 3, which is difficult for pedestrians' clothes to be hooked by the pop-out.
[0049] (3) such as Figure 3B As shown, the unfolded width W1 is the value that allows the operator's fingers F to be hooked onto the finger rest 3b.
[0050] The unfolded width W1 of the handle 3 is set to, for example, about 40 mm as a value that satisfies the above conditions.
[0051] Next, the handlebar control unit 21a investigates whether it receives an activation signal from the finger rest touch switch 14 within a predetermined time (e.g., 10-15 seconds) after the handlebar 3 is extended (step S5). The finger rest touch switch 14 is located on the inner surface of the finger rest 3b. Therefore, when the operator's finger F hooks onto the finger rest 3b, the finger rest touch switch 14 outputs an activation signal.
[0052] Furthermore, if an on signal is received from the touch switch 14 within a predetermined time, the handle control unit 21a reads the shaft torque applied to the hinge pin 5. This shaft torque is detected by the shaft torque sensor 15 (step S6). The shaft torque sensor 15 detects the shaft torque, for example, based on the torsion generated by the hinge pin 5.
[0053] Next, the handlebar control unit 21a outputs an auxiliary torque corresponding to the shaft torque detected by the shaft torque sensor 15 to the handlebar actuator 12. Thus, the handlebar actuator 12 provides an auxiliary torque to the extent that the handlebar operator's fingers F feel a slight reaction force, causing the handlebar 3 to unfold (step S7).
[0054] Subsequently, the handle control unit 21a investigates whether the handle 3 is extended to the gripping position. Figure 3C (Step S8). The unfolded width W2 of the gripping position is a relatively wide unfolded width from the surface of the side door 1 to the outer side of the front end of the finger rest 3b. This unfolded width W2 is a preset value that allows the gripping part 3a of the handle bar 3 to be gripped by the hand H of the handle bar operator. It should be noted that the processing of steps S5 to S8 corresponds to the second unfolding drive processing unit of the present invention.
[0055] Furthermore, if the handlebar 3 has not yet been extended to the gripping position (step S8: No), the handlebar control unit 21a returns to step S7. Alternatively, if it is determined that the handlebar 3 has been extended to the gripping position (step S8: Yes), the handlebar control unit 21a investigates whether an on signal has been output from any of the handlebar upper surface touch switch 13a, handlebar lower surface touch switch 13b, and handlebar inner touch switch 13c within a predetermined time (step S9).
[0056] Here, the predetermined time refers to the elapsed time after the handle lever 3 reaches the gripping position. This predetermined time is the time used to determine whether the handle lever operator intends to open the side door 1. This predetermined time is, for example, 10 to 15 seconds. It should be noted that, hereinafter, the upper surface touch switch 13a, the lower surface touch switch 13b, and the inner side touch switch 13c of the handle are collectively referred to as handle touch switches 13a to 13c.
[0057] Furthermore, if no activation signal is detected from any of the handle touch switches 13a to 13c even after a predetermined time (step S9: No), the handle control unit 1a determines that the handle operator has not operated the handle 3 and proceeds to step S14.
[0058] In addition, if an on signal is detected from any of the handle touch switches 13a to 13c within a predetermined time (step S9: Yes), the handle control unit 21a investigates whether an on signal is detected from all of the handle touch switches 13a to 13c (step S10).
[0059] If it is determined that no activation signal is detected from all handle touch switches 13a-13c (step S10: No), the handlebar control unit 21a returns to step S9. Conversely, if an activation signal is detected from all handle touch switches 13a-13c (step S10: Yes), the handlebar control unit 21a determines that the handlebar operator's hand H is holding the handlebar 3 and performing handle operation. It should be noted that the processing in steps S9 and S10 corresponds to the operation detection unit of the present invention.
[0060] Furthermore, if the determination in step S10 is yes, the handle control unit 21a allows the latch release operation (step S11). A door latch is provided on the side door 1. On the other hand, a latch eye for engaging the door latch is provided on the vehicle body side. It should be noted that the process in step S11 corresponds to the latch release operation allowing section of the present invention.
[0061] The side door 1 is kept fully closed by engaging the latch with the latch eye. The latch is equipped with a latch release mechanism. By activating this mechanism, the latch is released from the latch eye. Releasing the latch from the latch eye allows the side door 1 to be opened.
[0062] There are two types of latch release mechanisms: electric and mechanical. An electric latch release mechanism releases the latch by driving an electric actuator. For a mechanical latch release mechanism, the handle 3 and the latch are connected via cables or the like.
[0063] If the latch release operation is permitted in step S11, then in the electrically operated latch release mechanism, if the handle lever operator gently pulls the handle lever 3 from the gripping position forward, the latch release switch (not shown) is activated. If the handle lever control unit 21a detects the activation signal of the latch release switch, it drives the electric actuator to release the latch.
[0064] Furthermore, in the mechanical latch release mechanism, with the operator holding the handle lever 3a, the handle lever 3 is rotated further forward from the holding position. The operating force on the handle lever 3 at this time is transmitted to the latch via a cable or the like to release the latch.
[0065] After the latch is released, the handlebar control unit 21a checks whether all handle touch switches 13a-13c are off (step S12). Furthermore, if any of the handle touch switches 13a-13c are on (no), it waits until all handle touch switches 13a-13c are off. If at least one of the handle touch switches 13a-13c is on, the handlebar control unit 21a determines that the operator's hand H is still in contact with the handlebar 3.
[0066] On the other hand, when all the handle touch switches 13a-13c are off (step S12: Yes), the handle control unit 21a determines that the handle operation performed by the handle operator has ended. It should be noted that the process in step S12 corresponds to the handle operation end determination unit of the present invention.
[0067] If the condition is met in step S12, the handle control unit 21a determines the handle storage condition (step S13). It should be noted that the processing in step S13 corresponds to the storage condition determination unit of the present invention.
[0068] For example, any of the following conditions could be considered as conditions for handle storage.
[0069] (1) Has a certain amount of time elapsed since side door 1 was opened? (2) Whether the latch of side door 1 is engaged with the latch eye; (3) Whether the gear lever (shift lever) is set to drive (D) mode; (4) Whether the predetermined speed was reached after starting.
[0070] In step S8, one of them is determined. Furthermore, if the handle storage condition is not met (No), the handle lever control unit 21a waits until the handle storage condition is met. On the other hand, if the handle storage condition is determined to be met (Yes), the handle lever control unit 21a proceeds to step S14.
[0071] If step S14 is entered from any of steps S5, S9, or S13, the handlebar control unit 21a drives the handle actuator 12 in the storage direction and exits the routine (RETURN). It should be noted that the processing in step S14 corresponds to the handlebar storage processing unit of the present invention.
[0072] If the handle lever control unit 21a drives the handle actuator 12 in the retracting direction, the handle lever 3 rotates about the hinge pin 5 towards the recess 4a. Then, as... Figure 3AAs shown, the handle 3 is housed in the recess 4a. With the handle 3 housed in the recess 4a, the outer surface of the handle 3 is approximately coplanar with the outer surface of the side door 1.
[0073] Thus, in this embodiment, when the handlebar control unit 21a detects that a handlebar operator is approaching the vehicle M, it extends the handlebar 3 to a predetermined standby position. Before the extension action, the handlebar 3 is housed in the recess 4a of the housing 4 in a state that is approximately coplanar with the surface of the side door 1. The handlebar operator places their fingers F on the finger resting portion 3b of the handlebar 3 extended to the standby position and pulls it forward.
[0074] The handlebar control unit 21a detects the axial torque applied to the hinge pin 5 when the handlebar operator pulls the finger rest 3b of the handlebar 3. Then, the handlebar control unit 21a drives the handle actuator 12 to generate an auxiliary torque corresponding to the axial torque in the handlebar 3. Thus, the handlebar 3 unfolds to the gripping position following the operator's fingers F. This reduces the burden on the operator's fingers F.
[0075] Because the handlebar 3 is extended to the gripping position, the operator can easily grip the gripping part 3a of the handlebar 3. As a result, the operator has good operability and ease of use of the handlebar 3.
[0076] It should be noted that the door handle device of the present invention is not limited to the side door 1, but can also be applied to sliding doors that move in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body. Furthermore, the door handle device of the present invention can also be applied to keyless entry systems.
Claims
1. A door handle device of a vehicle, characterized by comprising: have: Handle unit, which is located on the door of the vehicle; An actuator that causes the handle lever disposed on the handle unit to extend or retract; and The control unit controls the driving of the actuator. The control unit includes: Approach detection unit, whose detection handle operator approaches the vehicle; The first unfolding drive processing unit, when the proximity detection unit detects the approach of the handlebar operator, drives the actuator to unfold the retracted handlebar to a standby position with a narrow unfolding width. as well as The second unfolding drive processing unit, upon detecting that the handlebar operator pulls the unfolded end of the handlebar, which is in the standby position, forward, assists the handlebar operator in operating the handlebar to unfold it to a gripping position with a wide unfolding width.
2. The door handle device for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit also includes: An operation detection unit detects whether the operator has operated the handle lever up to the gripping position; and The latch release operation permission unit allows the release of the door latch that is engaged with the latch eye on the vehicle body side when the operation detection unit detects the operation of the handle lever by the operator.
3. The door handle device for a vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that, The control unit also includes: The handle operation completion determination unit determines whether the handle operation performed by the handle operator has ended after the latch release operation permission unit has allowed the door latch release operation. The storage condition determination unit determines the storage conditions of the handle bar; as well as The handlebar storage unit drives the actuator to store the handlebar when the handle operation end determination unit determines that the handle operation performed by the handlebar operator has ended and the storage condition determination unit determines that the storage condition of the handlebar is met.
4. The door handle device for a vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that, In the storage condition determination unit, the storage condition is determined to be met when the door is opened for a certain period of time, or when the door latch engages with the latch eye, or when the gear lever is set to drive gear, or when a predetermined speed is reached after starting.
5. The door handle device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, A finger rest is formed at the extended end of the handle bar for the operator's fingers to rest on.