Door handle device of a vehicle

Abstract

Door handle device of a vehicle, comprising: a base plate (100); an opening lever (400) which is rotatably coupled to the base plate (100) by means of a hinge pin (220) such that it locks and releases a door in dependence on its rotation; a release lever (200) which is rotatably coupled to the base plate (100) together with the opening lever (400) by means of the hinge pin (220) and has a first slot (262) extending with a predetermined length; a locking lever (500) which is rotatably coupled to the base plate (100) by means of a hinge axis (520) and has at one end a pressing projection (540) which is in contact with a lower end of the release lever (200) such that the release lever (200) is rotated by rotation of the locking lever (500); an operating lever (600) provided on the base plate (100) so as to be rotatable and vertically displaceable, and having a second slot (662) formed in a central portion (660) of the operating lever (600) and a locking projection (642) formed at a lower end (640) of the operating lever (600) and engaged with the first slot (262) of the release lever (200), wherein, when the release lever (200) rotates, the locking projection (642) pushes and rotates the opening lever (400) so that the door is released; and an inertia lever (800) rotatably coupled to the base plate (100) by means of a rotation axis (820) and having at one end an insertion projection (860) engaging with the second slot (662), wherein, upon a side collision of the vehicle, the inertia lever (800) is rotated in the reverse direction by an inertial force such that the insertion projection (860) moves the operating lever (600) downwards, so that the operating lever (600) is displaced from a position in which the locking projection (642) of the operating lever (600) presses the opening lever (400).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a door handle device of a vehicle which is configured such that the opening of a door is prevented in the event of a side collision and the opening of the door is enabled after the side collision.

[0002] Fig. 1 is a view of a conventional vehicle door handle device in a locked state. Fig. 2 is a view of the door handle device of Fig. 1 in unlocked state. Fig. 3 is a side view of the door handle device of Fig. 1, where the base plate is omitted for simplicity.

[0003] As in the Fig. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a conventional doorknob device includes a release lever 20 rotatably mounted on a base plate 10. A locking portion 24 extending downward by a predetermined length is provided on the release lever 20, and a rotary lever 30 is rotatably installed at a position adjacent to the locking portion 24 on the base plate 10. A cable is connected to a lower end 31 of the rotary lever 30, so that when a passenger operates a door handle, the cable is pulled, thereby rotating the rotary lever 30 clockwise.

[0004] Furthermore, a locking projection 32 is provided at an upper end of the rotary lever 30. When the cable is pulled, the rotary lever 30 rotates clockwise around a rotary shaft 33, and the locking projection 32 pushes the locking portion 24 of the release lever 20 counterclockwise. Due to the counterclockwise rotation of the release lever 20, an opening lever 40 also rotates counterclockwise. Finally, the counterclockwise rotating opening lever 40 unlocks the door lock.

[0005] The release lever 20 is provided with a return spring 22 so that when the pulling force transmitted from the door handle to the release lever 20 via the cable is removed, the release lever 20 can return to its original position.

[0006] In the conventional door handle device with the construction described above, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, e.g. when an impact is exerted on the door in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 Seen from the left, when a passenger operates the door handle, the rope is directly pulled, causing the door to open unintentionally.

[0007] In other words, the conventional door handle device allows the door to be locked and released even in the event of a side collision. This means that there is a risk that the door will open in the event of a collision, compromising vehicle safety.

[0008] For safety reasons in the event of a side collision, the door should not open in the event of a collision, and the door should be able to be opened after the collision to allow a passenger to exit the vehicle. Therefore, a door handle device with such safety in the event of a collision is required.

[0009] US 2010 / 0 283 268 A1 describes a door handle device of a vehicle, comprising a base plate, an opening lever which is rotatably coupled to the base plate by means of a hinge pin such that it locks and releases a door depending on its rotation, a release lever which, together with the opening lever, is rotatably coupled to the base plate by means of the hinge pin and has a slot extending over a predetermined length, a locking lever which is rotatably coupled to the base plate by means of a hinge pin and has a pressing projection at one end which is in contact with a lower end of the release lever such that the release lever is rotated by rotation of the locking lever, an operating lever which is provided on the base plate such that it is displaceable and which has a locking projection formed at a lower end of the operating lever,and an inertia lever which is rotatably coupled to the base plate by means of a rotation axis and has a projection at one end which engages with the actuating lever, wherein in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the inertia lever is rotated in the reverse direction by an inertial force.

[0010] Another door handle device of a vehicle is known from DE 41 17 110 C1.

[0011] The invention provides a door handle device of a vehicle which is configured to prevent the opening of a door in the event of a side collision and to enable the opening of the door after the side collision.

[0012] According to the invention, a door handle device of a vehicle comprises: a base plate, an opening lever rotatably coupled to the base plate by means of a hinge pin such that it locks and releases a door depending on its rotation, a release lever rotatably coupled to the opening lever by means of the hinge pin and having a first slot extending a predetermined length, a locking lever rotatably coupled to the base plate by means of a hinge pin and having at one end a pressing projection that is in contact with a lower end of the release lever such that the release lever is rotated by rotation of the locking lever, an operating lever provided on the base plate such that it is rotatable and vertically displaceable, and a second slot formed in a central portion of the operating lever,and a locking projection formed at a lower end of the operating lever and engaged with the first slot of the release lever, wherein, when the release lever rotates, the locking projection pushes and rotates the opening lever so that the door is released, and an inertia lever rotatably coupled to the base plate by means of a rotation axis and having an insertion projection at one end that engages the second slot, wherein, upon a side collision of the vehicle, the inertia lever is rotated in the reverse direction by an inertial force such that the insertion projection moves the operating lever downward, so that the operating lever is displaced from a position in which the locking projection of the operating lever pushes the opening lever.

[0013] A rope of a door handle may be connected to a first end of the locking lever.

[0014] The release lever may have a downwardly extending extension portion in which the first slot is formed longitudinally, wherein the lower end of the opening lever is shorter than the first slot and, together with the first slot, is in contact with the locking projection.

[0015] The release lever and the opening lever may be spring-mounted around the pivot pin so that they return to their original positions after being rotated.

[0016] A hinge projection may be provided at another end of the operating lever, and an auxiliary support may be provided on the base plate, which auxiliary support has a third slot with which the hinge projection of the operating lever engages and along which it moves and rotates vertically.

[0017] The auxiliary support may be resiliently and rotatably coupled to the base plate so that when the inertial force is removed after the operating lever has been rotated by the opposite rotation of the inertia lever, the auxiliary support returns to its original position, causing the operating lever to move upward.

[0018] The joint projection may be provided at an upper end of the operating lever.

[0019] A central portion of the inertia lever may be coupled to the base plate via the rotation axis, the insertion projection may be provided at a first end of the inertia lever, and a counterweight may be provided at a second end of the inertia lever.

[0020] A first end and a second end of the inertia lever may be bent toward each other with respect to a central portion of the inertia lever, wherein the central portion of the inertia lever is coupled to the base plate by means of the rotation axis, the insertion projection is provided at the first end of the inertia lever, and a counterweight is provided at the second end of the inertia lever.

[0021] The door handle device according to the invention utilizes a weight structure such that, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the door cannot be opened, even if a door handle is operated by a passenger or objects in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. On the other hand, after the vehicle collision, the passenger can again open the door using the door handle.

[0022] Therefore, the door is prevented from opening during a collision, and the door is allowed to open after the collision. As a result, safety during a collision can be ensured.

[0023] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 is a view of a conventional door handle device of a vehicle in the locked state; Fig. 2 a view of the door handle device from Fig. 1 in unlocked state; Fig. 3 a side view of the door handle device from Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a view of a door handle device of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention in a first state; Fig. 5 a view of the door handle device from Fig. 4 in a second state; Fig. 6 a perspective view of the door handle device of Fig. 5 viewed from a different angle; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an important portion of the door handle device of Fig. 6; and Fig. 8 a view of the door handle device from Fig. 4 in a third state.

[0024] In the figures, identical parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0025] With reference to the Fig. 4 to 8, a door handle device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention includes an opening lever 400, a release lever 200, a locking lever 500, an operating lever 600, and an inertia lever 800. The opening lever 400 is mounted to a base plate 100 by means of a pivot pin 220 and is rotated to lock or unlock a vehicle door. The release lever 200, together with the opening lever 400, is provided around the pivot pin 220. A first slot 262 is formed in the release lever 200 and extends vertically downward. The locking lever 500 is mounted to the base plate 100 by means of a pivot pin 520. A cable of a door handle is connected to a first end 560 of the locking lever 500. A pressing projection 540 is provided at a second end of the locking lever 500. The pressing projection 540 contacts a lower end of the release lever 200.Therefore, when the cable is pulled, the locking lever 500 rotates such that the pushing projection 540 pushes the lower end of the release lever 200, thereby rotating the release lever 200. The operating lever 600 is provided on the base plate 100 so that it is rotatable and vertically slidable. A locking projection 642 is provided on a lower end 640 of the operating lever 600 and is disposed in the first slot 262 of the release lever 200, so that when the release lever 200 rotates, the locking projection 642 pushes and rotates the opening lever 400, thereby releasing the door. A second slot 662 is formed in a central portion 660 of the operating lever 600. The inertia lever 800 is provided on the base plate 100 via a pivot axis 820. An insertion projection 860 is provided at one end of the inertia lever 800 and disposed in the second slot 662.In the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the inertia lever 800 is rotated in the reverse direction by inertia, so that the insertion projection 860 moves the operating lever 600 downward, thereby displacing the operating lever 600 from a position in which the locking projection 642 of the operating lever 600 can push the opening lever 400.

[0026] In detail, as in Fig. 4, in the doorknob device according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the locking lever 500 is coupled to the base plate 100 via the hinge shaft 520, the cable of the door handle is connected to the first end 560 of the locking lever 500, and the pushing projection 540 in contact with the lower end of the release lever 200 is provided at the second end of the locking lever 500. Therefore, the locking lever 500 is operated such that when the cable is pulled, the locking lever 500 rotates, and the pushing projection 540 pushes the lower end of the release lever 200, thereby rotating the release lever 200.

[0027] The door handle is provided in the passenger compartment of the vehicle and is connected to the locking lever 500 via the cable. To release the door, the cable is pulled by operating the door handle, causing the locking lever 500 to rotate clockwise.

[0028] When the locking lever 500 rotates clockwise, the pushing projection 540 of the locking lever 500 pushes the lower end of the release lever 200, causing the release lever 200 to rotate counterclockwise. Then, the opening lever 400 located behind the release lever 200 is also pushed by the locking projection 642 and rotated counterclockwise, thereby releasing the door.

[0029] The opening lever 400 is provided together with the release lever 200 by means of the pivot pin 220 on the base plate 100. The opening lever 400 serves to lock or release the door depending on the rotation and is a well-known opening lever, so further detailed description thereof will be omitted. The position of the opening lever 400 is shown in the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 shown.

[0030] The operating lever 600 is provided on the base plate 100 in such a way that it is rotatable and vertically displaceable. When the release lever 200 rotates counterclockwise, the operating lever 600 rotates counterclockwise together with the release lever 200 by a predetermined angle because the locking projection 642 is disposed in the first slot 262 of the release lever 200.

[0031] A joint projection 682 is provided on the operating lever 600, which is arranged in a third slot 720 of the base plate 100 such that it is vertically movable and can also rotate in the third slot 720 by a predetermined angle since it is arranged in the third slot 720 with an appropriate play.

[0032] Fig. 5 shows the door handle device according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention in a state in which the inertia acts on the inertia lever 800 just after a side collision of the vehicle. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, when the vehicle is subjected to a side collision, an inertial force is exerted on the inertial lever 800 in the collision direction. Therefore, the inertial lever 800 rotates counterclockwise to the collision direction.

[0033] The release lever 200 is provided together with the opening lever 400 on the hinge pin 220. The first slot 262, which extends vertically downward, is formed in the release lever 200. The locking lever 500 is mounted on the base plate 100 via the hinge axis 520. The cable of the door handle is connected to the first end 560 of the locking lever 500. The pushing projection 540, which contacts the lower end of the release lever 200, is provided at the second end of the locking lever 500. By pulling the cable, the locking lever 500 rotates, so that the pushing projection 540 pushes the lower end of the release lever 200, thereby rotating the release lever 200.

[0034] The operating lever 600 is coupled to the base plate 100 in such a way that it is rotatable and vertically displaceable. The locking projection 642 is provided at a lower end 640 of the operating lever 600 and is arranged in the first slot 262 of the release lever 200, so that when the release lever 200 rotates, the locking projection 642 presses the opening lever 400 and rotates it, thereby releasing the door. The second slot 662 is formed in the middle portion 660 of the operating lever 600.

[0035] The inertia lever 800 is coupled to the base plate 100 via the pivot shaft 820. The insertion protrusion 860 is provided at the end of the inertia lever 800 and is disposed in the second slot 662. Therefore, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the inertia lever 800 is rotated in the reverse direction by inertia, so that the insertion protrusion 860 moves the operating lever 600 downward. Then, the locking protrusion 642 of the operating lever 600 is displaced from the position where it can push the opening lever 400.

[0036] When the inertia lever 800 is rotated counterclockwise due to the inertia caused by a side collision, the insertion protrusion 860 of the inertia lever 800 pushes the operating lever 600 and moves it downward. This causes the locking protrusion 642 of the operating lever 600 to move downward and thus displace it from the position where it can push the opening lever 400.

[0037] Even if a passenger in the passenger compartment operates the door handle or the cable is pulled by other components during a side collision, the locking projection 642 only pushes and rotates the release lever 200, but the locking projection 642 cannot push the opening lever 400. Since the opening lever 400 does not rotate, it is impossible to release the door. This state is in Fig. 8 shown.

[0038] On the other hand, after the collision, that is, after the inertia force is removed, the inertia lever 800 returns to its original position, so that the locking projection 642 moves upward again to the position where it can push the opening lever 400, allowing the door to be released when the cable is pulled. To return the inertia lever 800, a spring or the like may be provided. The spring may be provided on an auxiliary bracket 700 to which the operating lever 600 is connected. This structure will be explained later herein.

[0039] By the inertia lever 800 acting in this manner, it is impossible to open the door in the event of a collision, and it is possible to open the door after the collision, thereby allowing the passenger to get out of the vehicle.

[0040] The release lever 200 has an extension portion 260 that extends downward by a predetermined length. The first slot 262 is formed vertically in the extension portion 260. The lower end of the opening lever 400, together with the first slot 262, is in contact with the locking projection 642. The lower end of the opening lever 400 is shorter than the first slot 262, so that under normal conditions, the locking projection 642 of the operating lever 600 can push the opening lever 400. However, after the operating lever 600 is moved downward, the locking projection 642 can only push the release lever 200 and not the opening lever 400.

[0041] The Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 clearly show the relationship between the above components.

[0042] The release lever 200 and the opening lever 400 are provided with the spring on the hinge pin 220 so that they can return to their original positions after being rotated, thereby making it possible to repeat the operation of opening the door.

[0043] In addition, the joint projection 682 is provided at an upper end 680 of the operating lever 600. The third slot 720 is formed in the auxiliary support 700, which is mounted on the base plate 100. The joint projection 682 of the operating lever 600 is arranged in the third slot 720 such that it is rotatable and vertically movable. The auxiliary support 700 is in Fig.6. In detail, the auxiliary support 700 is coupled to the base plate 100 by a spring. When the inertia force is removed after the operating lever 600 is moved downward by the opposite rotation of the inertia lever 800, the auxiliary support 700 returns to its original position, causing the operating lever 600 to move upward. The hinge projection 682 of the operating lever 600 is arranged in the third slot 720 of the auxiliary support 700 and is comparatively long, so that when the operating lever 600 moves up or down, the hinge projection 682 rotates the auxiliary support 700, and when the operating lever 600 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, the hinge projection 682 can rotate within a predetermined angular range because there is an appropriate clearance between the hinge projection 682 and the third slot 720.

[0044] Furthermore, the operating lever 600 has the joint projection 682 at its upper end 680, the second slot 662 in its middle section 660 and the locking projection 642 at its lower end 640.

[0045] The central portion of the inertia lever 800 is coupled to the base plate 100 via the rotation axis 820. The insertion protrusion 860 is provided at a first end of the inertia lever 800, and a counterweight 840 is provided at a second end of the inertia lever 800. The first and second ends of the inertia lever 800 are bent toward each other with respect to the central portion of the inertia lever 800. Therefore, the inertia lever 800 can be effectively rotated by inertia.

[0046] As described above, the door handle device according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention utilizes a weight structure such that, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the door cannot be opened even if the door handle is operated by a passenger or objects in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. On the other hand, after the vehicle collision, the door handle can be used again by a passenger to open the door.

[0047] Therefore, the door is prevented from opening during a collision, and the door is allowed to open after the collision. As a result, safety during a collision can be ensured.

[0048] For ease of explanation and accurate definition of the appended claims, the terms "top" and "bottom," "inside" and "outside" are used to describe the features of the exemplary embodiment with respect to their positions in the figures.

Claims

[1] Door handle device of a vehicle, comprising: a base plate (100); an opening lever (400) which is rotatably coupled to the base plate (100) by means of a hinge pin (220) such that it locks and releases a door in dependence on its rotation; a release lever (200) which is rotatably coupled to the base plate (100) together with the opening lever (400) by means of the hinge pin (220) and has a first slot (262) extending with a predetermined length; a locking lever (500) which is rotatably coupled to the base plate (100) by means of a hinge axis (520) and has at one end a pressing projection (540) which is in contact with a lower end of the release lever (200) such that the release lever (200) is rotated by rotation of the locking lever (500); an operating lever (600) provided on the base plate (100) so as to be rotatable and vertically displaceable, and having a second slot (662) formed in a central portion (660) of the operating lever (600) and a locking projection (642) formed at a lower end (640) of the operating lever (600) and engaged with the first slot (262) of the release lever (200), wherein, when the release lever (200) rotates, the locking projection (642) pushes and rotates the opening lever (400) so that the door is released; and an inertia lever (800) rotatably coupled to the base plate (100) by means of a rotation axis (820) and having at one end an insertion projection (860) engaging with the second slot (662), wherein, upon a side collision of the vehicle, the inertia lever (800) is rotated in the reverse direction by an inertial force such that the insertion projection (860) moves the operating lever (600) downwards, so that the operating lever (600) is displaced from a position in which the locking projection (642) of the operating lever (600) presses the opening lever (400). [2] Door handle device according to claim 1, wherein a cable of a door handle is connectable to a first end (560) of the locking lever (500). [3] The door handle device according to claim 1, wherein the release lever (200) has a downwardly extending extension portion (260) in which the first slot (262) is formed longitudinally, and wherein the lower end of the opening lever (400) is shorter than the first slot (262) and, together with the first slot (262), is in contact with the locking projection (642). [4] A door handle device according to claim 1, wherein the release lever (200) and the opening lever (400) are resiliently pivotable about the pivot pin (220) so that they return to their original positions after being rotated. [5] Door handle device according to claim 1, wherein a hinge projection (682) is provided at another end (680) of the operating lever (600), and an auxiliary support (700) is provided on the base plate (100) which has a third slot (720) with which the hinge projection (682) of the operating lever (600) is engaged and along which it moves and rotates vertically. [6] The door handle device according to claim 5, wherein the auxiliary support (700) is resiliently and rotatably coupled to the base plate (100) such that when the inertia force is released after the operating lever (600) is rotated by the reverse rotation of the inertia lever (800), the auxiliary support (700) returns to its original position, causing the operating lever (600) to move upward. [7] Door handle device according to claim 5, wherein the hinge projection (682) is provided at an upper end (680) of the operating lever (600). [8] The door handle device according to claim 1, wherein a central portion of the inertia lever (800) is coupled to the base plate (100) by means of the rotation axis (820), the insertion projection (860) is provided at a first end of the inertia lever (800), and a counterweight (840) is provided at a second end of the inertia lever (800). [9] The door handle device according to claim 1, wherein a first end and a second end of the inertia lever (800) are bent toward each other with respect to a central portion of the inertia lever (800), the central portion of the inertia lever (800) is coupled to the base plate (100) by means of the rotation axis (820), the insertion projection (860) is provided at the first end of the inertia lever (800), and a balance weight (840) is provided at the second end of the inertia lever (800).

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