Vehicle door device

Abstract

Vehicle door device (10) comprising: a locking mechanism (30) formed on a door body (22) of a vehicle, wherein, when the door body (22) is in a closed state, the locking mechanism (30) is configured to switch between a locking state in which a bolt (34) engages with a locking bar (18) located on one side of the vehicle body and opening of the door body (22) is restricted, and an unlocking state in which the bolt (34) does not engage with the locking bar (18) and opening of the door body (22) is not restricted; a door handle (40) formed on the door body (22), wherein the door handle (40) is configured to switch between a first position in which the door handle (40) is arranged so that it is flush with an outer surface (22B) of the door body (22), and a second position in which at least a part of the door handle (40) extends towards an outside of the vehicle with respect to the first position and in which an operator can grasp the door handle (40), thereby enabling the door handle (40) to move from the first position towards an inside of the door body (22); and a door handle extension / retraction mechanism (80) configured to perform a door handle extension operation, wherein the door handle extension / retraction mechanism (80) moves the door handle (40) from the first position to the second position and maintains a state in which the door handle (40) is in the second position, and a door handle retraction operation, wherein the door handle extension / retraction mechanism (80) moves the door handle (40) from the second position to the first position and maintains the state in which the door handle (40) is in the first position, wherein the door handle extension / retraction mechanism (80) comprises the following: a pretensioning element (82) which is designed to pretension the door handle (40) so that it can be stowed inside the main body of the door (22), and a switching mechanism (84) that performs a switching operation, wherein the switching mechanism (84) is configured such that a distal end section (88A) of a movable section (88) faces the door handle (40), and the movable section (88) travels along a door width direction, and wherein the switching mechanism (84) is capable of switching against the preload force of the preload element (82) between a first state in which the door handle (40) is held in the first position and a second state in which the door handle (40) is held in the second position, wherein, when an outer surface (40A) of the door handle (40) is pressed in the first position and the door handle (40) moves towards the inside of the door main body (22), the switching mechanism (84) performs a switching operation from the first state to the second state by pushing the movable section (88) from a section of an inner surface side of the door handle (40D) towards an inside of the vehicle and causing the movable section (88) to make a stroke towards an outside of the vehicle, characterized by the fact that The switching mechanism (84), when the latch (34) is pressed by the locking bar (18) and rotates because the main door body (22) is moved towards a closed position, performs a switching operation from the second state to the first state by pushing the movable section (88) towards the vehicle interior by an engagement mechanism (104) which operates according to a rotation of the latch (34) and by causing the movable section (88) to travel a stroke towards the vehicle interior.

Description

BackgroundTechnical area

[0001] The present application relates to a vehicle door device. State of the art

[0002] Technologies related to handle devices of vehicle doors are known. For example, JP 2017-66605 A discloses a technology relating to an outside handle device for a vehicle, in which, at times when an outside handle is not operated, the outside handle is arranged such that its outer surface is flush with the outer surface of an exterior panel. A brief description thereof follows: In this technology, when the outside handle is pushed by a vehicle occupant to an electric motor operating position, a switch is pressed, and the outside handle is rotated to a handle position (a position where the outside handle can be operated). Then, when the outside handle arranged in the handle position is pulled by the vehicle occupant and rotated to an operating position, a lock of the door is released.

[0003] In addition, in a structure in which the door handle is housed and arranged to be capable of rotating around an axis extending along the door vertical direction with respect to the door main body, and such that the outer surface of the door handle becomes flush with the outer surface of the door main body, there are cases in which the door handle is rotated and caused to protrude manually. In such cases, it is considered to adopt a structure that urges the door handle toward the side of the door main body while taking the stowage of the door handle into consideration.

[0004] However, with such a structure, even if the door handle is manually rotated and caused to extend, the door handle will return to the door main body side due to the preload force, and therefore, operational comfort at the time the user grasps the door handle is poor.

[0005] Vehicle door devices with extendable door handles similar to the preamble of claim 1 are also known from GB 2 536 671 A, DE 10 2013 212 198 A1 and DE 11 2016 004 844 T5. Summary

[0006] The present invention provides a vehicle door device that can improve operating convenience by maintaining an extended state of a door handle when the door handle is grasped, and can return the door handle to a state in which it is arranged such that the outer surface thereof becomes flush with the outer surface of the door main body when the door main body is placed in a closed state.

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention is a vehicle door device comprising: a locking mechanism formed on a door main body of a vehicle, wherein, when the door main body is in a closed state, the locking mechanism is configured to switch between a locking state in which a latch engages with a striker located on a vehicle body side and opening of the door main body is restricted, and an unlocking state in which the latch does not engage with the striker and opening of the door main body is not restricted; a door handle formed on the door main body, wherein the door handle is configured to switch between a first position in which the door handle is arranged to be flush with an outer surface of the door main body and a second position,in which at least a portion of the door handle extends toward a vehicle outer side with respect to the first position and in which an operator can grip the door handle, allowing the door handle to move from the first position toward an inner side of the door main body; and a door handle extending / retracting mechanism configured to perform a door handle extending operation in which the door handle extending / retracting mechanism moves the door handle from the first position to the second position and maintains a state in which the door handle is in the second position, and a door handle retracting operation in which the door handle extending / retracting mechanism moves the door handle from the second position to the first position and maintains a state in which the door handle is in the first position, wherein the door handle extending / retracting mechanism comprises: a biasing member configuredto urge or bias the door handle to be stowed within the door main body, and a switching mechanism that performs a switching operation, wherein the switching mechanism is configured such that a distal end portion of a movable portion faces the door handle, and the movable portion travels along a door width direction, and wherein the switching mechanism is capable of switching between a first state in which the door handle is held in the first position and a second state in which the door handle is held in the second position against the biasing force of the biasing member. When an outer surface of the door handle in the first position is pressed and the door handle moves toward the inside of the door main body, the switching mechanism performs a switching operation from the first state to the second state.by pushing the movable portion toward a vehicle interior from a portion of an inner surface side of the door handle and causing the movable portion to travel a stroke toward a vehicle exterior, and wherein the switching mechanism, when the latch is pushed by the striker and rotates because the door main body is moved toward a closed position, performs a switching operation from the second state to the first state by pushing the movable portion toward the vehicle interior by an engagement mechanism actuated in accordance with rotation of the latch, and causing the movable portion to travel a stroke toward the vehicle interior.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, when the door main body is in a closed state, the locking mechanism formed on the door main body of the vehicle can switch between a locking state in which the latch engages with the striker located on a vehicle body side and opening of the door main body is restricted, and an unlocking state in which the latch does not engage with the striker and opening of the door main body is not restricted.Furthermore, the door handle formed on the door main body can move between a first position in which it is arranged to be flush with the outer surface of the door main body and a second position, which is a position in which at least a portion of the door handle is extended toward the vehicle exterior with respect to the first position, and an operator can grasp the door handle. Furthermore, movement of the door handle from the first position toward the inside of the door main body is enabled.Further, the door handle extending / retracting mechanism performs a door handle extending operation in which the door handle extending / retracting mechanism moves the door handle from the first position to the second position and maintains the state in which the door handle is in the second position, and a door handle retracting operation in which the door handle extending / retracting mechanism moves the door handle from the second position to the first position and maintains the state in which the door handle is in the first position.

[0009] The biasing member of the door handle extension / retraction mechanism biases the door handle so that the door handle is stored within the door main body. Furthermore, the switching mechanism of the door handle extension / retraction mechanism is a mechanism that performs a switching operation, and the distal end portion of the movable portion faces the door handle, and the movable portion reciprocates along the door width direction. The switching mechanism can switch between a first state in which the door handle is held in the first position and a second state in which the door handle is held in the second position against the biasing force of the biasing member.

[0010] Here, in the switching mechanism, the switching operation from the first state to the second state is performed because, when the outer surface of the door handle located in the first position is pressed and the door handle moves toward the inside of the door main body, the movable portion is pushed and operated toward the vehicle interior from a portion of an inner surface side of the door handle, and the movable portion travels a stroke toward the vehicle exterior. Consequently, the door handle is held in the second position by the switching mechanism, and therefore, the operator can easily grasp and pull the door handle located in the second position.Furthermore, in the switching mechanism, when the latch is pushed by the striker and rotates because the door main body is moved toward the closed position, the movable portion is pushed and actuated toward the vehicle interior by an engagement mechanism actuated in accordance with rotation of the latch, and the movable portion is caused to travel a stroke toward the vehicle interior. Therefore, there is no need to separately perform an operation for returning the door handle.

[0011] A second aspect of the present invention may further comprise, in the above first aspect, an electric unlocking operating mechanism configured to move the locking mechanism from the locking state to the unlocking state by operating an electric actuator through operation of a switch, wherein the electric unlocking operating mechanism may be configured such that when the outer surface of the door handle in the first position is pressed and the door handle moves toward the inside of the door main body, the switch is operated from another portion of the inner surface side of the door handle.

[0012] According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the outer surface of the door handle located in the first position is pressed and the door handle moves toward the inside of the door main body, the switch is operated from another portion of the inner surface side of the door handle. Further, since the switch is operated, the electric actuator is driven, and the electric unlocking operating mechanism moves the locking mechanism from the locking state to the unlocking state. In this way, the operator can switch the locking mechanism from the locking state to the unlocking state with a single action of pressing the outer surface of the door handle located in the first position.

[0013] In a third aspect of the present invention, in the aspects described above, when the door main body is operated in an opening direction from the second position, the door handle may move to a third position in which the door handle protrudes further toward the vehicle outside than in the second position in a state where the door handle is not held by the switching mechanism, and the vehicle door device may include a mechanical unlocking operation mechanism that, in a case where the locking mechanism is in the locking state when the door handle moves from the second position to the third position, moves the locking mechanism from the locking state to the unlocking state in association with the movement of the door handle.

[0014] According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the door main body is operated in an opening direction from the second position, the door handle moves to a third position in which the door handle protrudes further toward the vehicle exterior than in the second position, in a state where the door handle is not held by the switching mechanism. In a case where the locking mechanism is in the locking state, when the door handle moves from the second position to the third position, the mechanical unlocking operating mechanism moves the locking mechanism from the locking state to the unlocking state in conjunction with the movement of the door handle.

[0015] According to the aspects described above, the vehicle door device of the present application can improve the operating convenience by maintaining an extended state of a door handle when the door handle is grasped, and can return the door handle to a state in which it is arranged such that the outer surface thereof becomes flush with the outer surface of the door main body when the door main body is placed in a closed state. Short description of the drawing

[0016] Exemplary embodiments are described in detail based on the following figures, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic side view illustrating the structure of a portion of a vehicle to which a vehicle door device relating to an exemplary embodiment is applied; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the schematic structure of the vehicle door device of Fig. 1 in a state viewed from the inside of a door and a rear of a vehicle; Fig. 3A is a diagram showing a state in which a latch of a locking mechanism of Fig. 2 is arranged in a locking position, viewed from the inside of the door; Fig. Figure 3B is a drawing showing the state as viewed in the direction of arrow 3B in Fig. 3A; Fig. Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view showing a state in which a door handle made of Fig. 2 is arranged in a first position; Fig. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing the state in which the door handle of Fig. 2 is arranged in the first position; Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a portion of the vehicle door device of Fig. 2 in a state viewed from the inside of the door and a front of the vehicle; Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a switching mechanism of Fig. 2 and structural elements at the edge thereof are shown in an exploded view; Fig. Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view showing a state in which an outer surface of the door handle of Fig. 2 is pressed; Fig. Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view showing the state in which the outer surface of the door handle of Fig. 2 is pressed; Fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which an electric unlocking operating mechanism is operated, as viewed from the inside of the door; Fig. 11A is a drawing illustrating a state in which the electric unlocking operating mechanism is operated, as viewed from the inside of the door; Fig. 11B is a drawing showing the state as viewed in the direction of arrow 11B of Fig. 11A; Fig. 12 is a horizontal sectional view showing a state in which the door handle of Fig. 2 is arranged in a second position; Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view showing the state in which the door handle of Fig. 2 is arranged in the second position; Fig. 14 is a horizontal sectional view showing a state in which the door handle used in the Fig. 12, is pulled and reaches a third position; Fig. 15A is a drawing showing a change in the state of a crank mechanism at a time when the door handle is in the position shown in Fig. 12, from a state viewed from the inside of the door; Fig. 15B is a drawing showing the state of the crank mechanism at a time when the door handle is in the position shown in Fig. 14 shown state; Fig. 16 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a mechanical unlocking operating mechanism is operated, as viewed from the inside of the door; Fig. 17A is a drawing illustrating the state in which the mechanical unlocking operating mechanism is operated, as viewed from the inside of the door; Fig. 17B is a drawing showing the state as viewed in the direction of arrow 17B of Fig. 17A; Fig. 18A is a drawing illustrating a state in which operations of the locking mechanism, a wire-operated lever, and the like are viewed from the door inside at a time when the door handle is pulled to the first position, and illustrates an unlocking state; Fig. 18B is a drawing illustrating a state in which a striker pushes the latch at a time when a door is closed; Fig. 18C is a drawing illustrating a locking state; Fig. 19A is a vertical sectional view illustrating operations of a door handle extending / retracting mechanism and the door handle and the like at the time when the door handle is retracted to the first position, and a drawing illustrating the state of the door handle extending / retracting mechanism and the like at a time when a wire is in the Fig. 18A; Fig. 19B is a drawing showing the state of the door handle extending / retracting mechanism and the like at a time when the wire is in the Fig. 18B; and Fig. 19C is a drawing showing the state of the door handle extending / retracting mechanism and the like at a time when the wire is in the Fig. 18C shown state. Detailed description

[0017] A vehicle door device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is manufactured using Fig. 1 to Fig. 19C. Note that the arrow RR, conveniently shown in these figures, indicates the vehicle rear, the arrow UP indicates the vehicle top, the arrow OUT indicates the vehicle transverse outer side, and the arrow IN indicates the vehicle transverse inner side.

[0018] A portion of the vehicle 12 constructed such that a vehicle door device 10 according to a present exemplary embodiment is applied thereto is shown in Fig. 1 is a schematic side view. As shown in this drawing, the vehicle 12 includes a side door 20. The front end portion of the side door 20 is pivotally connected to an A-pillar 16A of a vehicle body 16 via a pair of upper and lower hinges 14. The side door 20 can open and close a door opening 16H formed in a side portion of the vehicle body 16 to allow a vehicle occupant to enter / exit. Note that in the state where the side door 20 is closed, the door width direction coincides with the vehicle width direction.In cases where a description is given using only directions related to the vehicle, such as the vehicle width direction and the vehicle length direction and the like, these directions in the following explanation refer to the directions when viewed in a state where the side door 20 is closed, unless otherwise stated.

[0019] The side door 20 includes a door main body 22, a door frame 24 for a window frame connected to the upper portion of the door main body 22, and a door trim (not shown) attached to the vehicle cabin interior of the door main body 22. The door main body 22 is configured to include a door outer panel 22A made of metal and structuring an outer plate disposed on the outer side of the door main body 22 in the vehicle width direction, and a door inner panel (not shown) made of metal and structuring an inner plate disposed on the inner side of the door main body 22 in the vehicle width direction. The door outer panel 22A extends in the vehicle vertical direction and the vehicle longitudinal direction.In a horizontal sectional view from the vehicle top, the intermediate portion of the door outer panel 22A in the vehicle longitudinal direction is convex toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and in a vertical sectional view from the vehicle front, the intermediate portion of the door outer panel 22A in the vehicle vertical direction is convex toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction. On the other hand, the door inner panel (not shown) constituting the inner panel of the door main body 22 extends in the vehicle vertical direction and the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the front and rear ends and the lower end thereof are connected to the front and rear ends and the lower end of the door outer panel 22A by folding. Due to this, an interior space is formed in the door main body 22.

[0020] The schematic structure of the vehicle door device 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment is shown in Fig. 2 in a perspective view from the inside of the door and the rear of the vehicle. As shown in Fig. 2, a locking mechanism 30 is formed on the inside of the door main body 22. It should be noted that in Fig. 2, the locking mechanism 30 and the portions at its edge are shown enlarged to easily illustrate the structure of the locking mechanism 30. As in Fig. 1, the locking mechanism 30 comprises a base member 32 (shown schematically) arranged at the end portion of the door main body 22 on the vehicle rear side and fixed to the door main body 22. The locking mechanism 30 comprises a latch 34 held on the base member 32 via a holding shaft S1 (only its central axis is shown in the drawing) which is Fig. 2. The support shaft S1 is arranged such that a direction along the vehicle longitudinal direction is its axial direction. The latch 34 can be rotated around the support shaft S1 between a locking position 34X shown in Fig. 3B, and an unlocking position 34Y, which is shown in Fig. 11B, and is urged by a spring (not shown) towards the unlocking position 34Y shown in Fig. 11B, pre-stressed (see arrow D).

[0021] As in Fig. 3B, a concave engaging portion 34A for holding a striker 18 (see Fig. 1) on the latch 34. As shown in Fig. 1, the striker 18 is fixed to a B-pillar 16B of the vehicle body 16 and, although not shown, is U-shaped when viewed from the vehicle top. Furthermore, the locking mechanism 30, when the door main body 22 is in a closed state, can be switched between a locking state in which the latch 34, which is arranged in the locking position 34X (see Fig. 3B for both), is engaged with the striker 18 arranged on the side of the vehicle body 16 and an opening of the door main body 22 is restricted, and an unlocking state in which the latch 34 arranged in the unlocking position 34Y (see Fig. 11B for both), is not engaged with the striker 18 and opening of the door main body 22 is not restricted.

[0022] As in Fig. 2, an extension portion 34C is formed on the outer edge side of the latch 34, and an anchoring portion 34B is formed at the end portion of a region continuous with the extension portion 34C and formed in a notch shape. Furthermore, in a state where the latch 34 is engaged with the striker 18 (see Fig. 3B), rotation of the latch 34 is stopped because the anchoring portion 34B is anchored to a distal anchoring end portion 36A1 of a first arm portion 36A of a rod 36. Note that the distal anchoring end portion 36A1 is a region convex toward the upper side on the distal end side of the first arm portion 36A.

[0023] The rod 36 is fixed to the base element 32 (see Fig. 1). The support shaft S2 is arranged such that a direction along the vehicle longitudinal direction is its axial direction. The rod 36 can be rotated around the support shaft S2 between a locking position 36X, which is shown in the Fig. 2, Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B, and an unlocking position 36Y, which is shown in the Fig. 10, Fig. 11A, Fig. 11B and the like. The rod 36 is biased by a spring (not shown) toward the locking position 36X, which is Fig. 3B (see arrow R1). The rod 36 is designed to be actuated in conjunction with the rotation of a door handle 40 (also referred to as an “outside handle”) which is attached to the Fig. 2. Due to an operation of the door handle 40, the rod 36 is rotated towards the unlocking position 36Y (see Fig. 10 and Fig. 16).

[0024] A horizontal sectional view of a state in which the door handle 40 is arranged to be flush with an outer surface 22B of the door main body 22 is shown in Fig. 4. The door handle 40 can move between a first position 40X, in which the door handle 40 is arranged so that it is flush with the outer surface 22B of the door main body 22, and a second position 40Y, which is Fig. 12 and is a position in which the majority of the door handle 40 (in a broader sense, a portion thereof) is extended or protruded toward the vehicle outer side with respect to the first position 40X, and an operator can grasp the door handle 40.

[0025] Furthermore, as in Fig. 8, a movement of the door handle 40 from the first position 40X (see Fig. 4) towards the inside of the door main body 22. As shown in Fig. 1, the door handle 40 is arranged such that the right-left direction is the longitudinal direction thereof when the door is viewed from the front. Since the door handle 40 is rotated about the axis of a shaft 42 running along the door vertical direction, the door handle 40 can move between the first position 40X (see Fig. 4) and the second position 40Y (see Fig. 12). The shaft 42 is located on the end portion side located on the front side in the vehicle longitudinal direction, which is one side of a longitudinal direction of the door handle 40 when the door is viewed from the front.

[0026] As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 4, a convex portion 40C protruding toward the door inner side is formed in a region located at the front side in the vehicle longitudinal direction (one side of the longitudinal direction) of an inner surface 40B of the door handle 40. The convex portion 40C has a flat surface 40D facing the door inner side and extending along the longitudinal direction of the door handle 40, and has an extension portion 40E further extended toward the door inner side from the end portion of the flat surface 40D in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The extension portion 40E structures the end portion of the inner surface 40B side of the door handle 40 on the front side in the vehicle longitudinal direction (one side of the longitudinal direction).An inclined surface 40E1 which is slightly inclined toward the vehicle front side while extending toward the door inner side is formed on the vehicle rear side surface of the extending portion 40E.

[0027] As in Fig. 2, the vehicle door device 10 includes an electric unlocking operating mechanism 50 for causing the rod 36 to be operated in conjunction with the operation of the door handle 40. The electric unlocking operating mechanism 50 includes a switch 52 arranged to face an end portion 40G on the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction on the side of the inner surface 40B of the door handle 40 (other side of the longitudinal direction) and spaced therefrom by a predetermined distance. The electric unlocking operating mechanism 50 is configured such that when the outer surface 40A of the door handle 40, which is located in the Fig. 4, and the door handle 40 moves towards the inside of the door main body 22, as shown in Fig. 8, the switch 52 is actuated by the end portion 40G on the side of the inner surface 40B of the door handle 40 on the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the switch 52 is connected to an ECU 54 (shown as a block in the drawing and also referred to as a "control device"). When the switch 52 is operated by pressing, the switch 52 can output a signal to the ECU 54. Furthermore, an electric motor 56 serving as an electric actuator for unlocking is connected to the ECU 54. When the switch 52 is pressed, the ECU 54 performs control to operate the electric motor 56 according to the operation signal from the switch 52.

[0028] The electric motor 56 is held on the base element 32 (see Fig. 1). A first gear 58 is fixed coaxially to the output shaft of the electric motor 56. The first gear 58 meshes with a second gear 60. The second gear 60 has a larger diameter than the first gear 58 and is fixed to the base element 32 (see Fig. 1) is held via a support shaft 60S (only its central axis is shown in the drawing) and can rotate around the support shaft 60S. The support shaft 60S is arranged such that a direction along the vehicle transverse direction is its axial direction. Teeth 60T are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second gear 60. An extending portion 60A is formed in the shape of a pin on the side surface of the second gear 60 so as to protrude therefrom. The extending portion 60A is arranged such that the vehicle transverse direction is its axial direction and contacts the surface of a first arm portion 62A of a lever 62. The lever 62 is attached to the base member 32 (see Fig. 1) is supported via a support shaft S3 (only its central axis is shown in the drawing) and can rotate around the support shaft S3. The support shaft S3 is arranged such that a direction along the vehicle transverse direction is its axial direction. The lower surface of the distal end side of a second arm portion 36B of the rod 36 contacts the upper surface of the distal end side of a second arm portion 62B, which extends toward the opposite side from the first arm portion 62A, on the lever 62. Note that the second arm portion 36B of the rod 36 extends toward the opposite side from the first arm portion 36A on the rod 36.

[0029] When the electric motor 56 is operated and rotates (see arrow 56R), due to the rotation of the first gear 58 and the second gear 60, the extension section 60A here pushes the first arm section 62A of the lever 62 downwards, and, connected thereto, the second arm section 62B of the lever 62 pushes the second arm section 36B of the rod 36 upwards, as in Fig. 11A. Then, when the second arm portion 36B of the rod 36 is pushed upward, the first arm portion 36A of the rod 36 falls, as shown in Fig. 11B, and the distal anchoring end portion 36A1 of the first arm portion 36A of the rod 36 moves away from the anchoring portion 34B of the latch 34. Further, when the distal anchoring end portion 36A1 of the first arm portion 36A of the rod 36 moves away from the anchoring portion 34B of the latch 34, the latch 34 rotates toward the unlocking position 34Y (see arrow D) against the biasing force of the spring (not shown).

[0030] Due to the above, the electric unlocking actuating mechanism 50 shown in Fig. 10, when the back of the outer surface 40A of the door handle 40 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, in Fig. 1, is pressed because the switch 52 is connected by the end portion 40G on the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction on the side of the inner surface 40B of the door handle 40, in Fig. 10, the electric motor 56 is actuated and the locking mechanism 30 is moved from the locking state to the unlocking state.

[0031] If, however, as in Fig. 14, the door handle 40 from the second position 40Y (see Fig. 12) is operated in the opening direction of the door main body 22 (see arrow R), the door handle 40 moves to a third position 40Z, in which the door handle 40 protrudes further towards the outside of the vehicle than when it is in the second position 40Y (see Fig. 12). Furthermore, the vehicle door device 10, as shown in Fig. 2, a mechanical release actuation mechanism 70 for causing the door handle 40 and the rod 36 to operate or be actuated mechanically in conjunction with each other.

[0032] A perspective view of a state in which a portion of the vehicle door device 10 is viewed from the door inside and the vehicle front side is shown in Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 6, the mechanical unlocking operating mechanism 70 includes a crank mechanism 72 on the inside of the door handle 40. The crank mechanism 72 is L-shaped as viewed in the vehicle transverse direction. A first arm portion 72B and a second arm portion 72C protrude from a base portion 72A, and the crank mechanism 72 is supported on the door main body 22 side via a support shaft S4 (only its central axis is shown in the drawing) formed on the base portion 72A. The support shaft S4 is arranged such that a direction along the vehicle transverse direction is its axial direction. The crank mechanism 72 can be rotated around the support shaft S4 between a reference position 72X shown in Fig. 15A, and an actuating position 72Y, which is shown in Fig. 15B. The crank mechanism 72 is biased by a spring 74 for the crank mechanism (e.g., a torsion coil spring) toward the reference position 72X, which is Fig. 15A (see arrow 74R).

[0033] The first arm portion 72B of the crank mechanism 72 is arranged at a position spaced from the inclined surface 40E1 located on the side of the inner surface 40B of the door handle 40, which is arranged at the first position 40X shown in Fig. 4. Further, the first arm portion 72B contacts the inclined surface 40E1 located on the inner surface 40B side of the door handle 40 located at the second position 40Y shown in Fig. 12, and which is in a state where it is pressed by the inclined surface 40E1 located on the side of the inner surface 40B of the door handle 40 located at the third position 40Z shown in Fig. 14, is arranged (see arrow A).

[0034] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, a distal end portion 76A, which is a portion of a rod 76 and is curved toward the door outer side, is fixed to the distal end portion of the second arm portion 72C of the crank mechanism 72 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the vehicle transverse direction. The rod 76 has an intermediate portion 76B that is elongated and extends toward the vehicle rear and underside, and a lower portion 76C that is curved in the shape of a crank from the lower end side of the intermediate portion 76B.

[0035] The lower portion 76C of the rod 76 is guided through a ring portion 78R of a lever 78 with a ring. The ring portion 78R is formed on the distal end side of a first arm portion 78A of the lever 78 with a ring and arranged such that the vehicle vertical direction is the direction of passage therethrough. A curved portion 78C, which is curved obliquely toward the vehicle upper side and the inside in the vehicle transverse direction, is formed on the distal end side of a second arm portion 78B, which is located on the opposite side from the first arm portion 78A, of the lever 78 with a ring. This curved portion 78C is arranged directly below the second arm portion 36B of the rod 36. The lever 78 with a ring is fixed to the base member 32 (see Fig. 1) is held by a support shaft S5 (only its central axis is shown in the drawing) and can rotate around the support shaft S5. The support shaft S5 is arranged such that the direction running along the vehicle's longitudinal direction is its axial direction.

[0036] When the door handle 40 is moved from the second position 40Y, in Fig. 12, in the third position 40Z, in Fig. 14, the rod 76 falls here due to the rotation of the crank mechanism 72, which is in Fig. 16, and is pressed by the inclined surface 40E1 on the side of the inner surface 40B of the door handle 40. Then, as shown in the Fig. 17A and Fig. 17B, ​​when the rod 76 falls (see arrow 76D), the ring portion 78R of the lever 78 with ring is pushed down, and the lever 78 with ring rotates (see arrow B), and the curved portion 78C of the lever 78 with ring pushes the second arm portion 36B of the rod 36 upward. Due to this, the rod 36 rotates (see arrow C) and the first arm portion 36A of the rod 36 falls and the distal anchoring end portion 36A1 of the first arm portion 36A of the rod 36 moves away from the anchoring portion 34B of the latch 34. Further, when the distal anchoring end portion 36A1 of the first arm portion 36A of the rod 36 moves away from the anchoring portion 34B of the latch 34, the latch 34 rotates toward the unlocking position 34Y (see arrow D) by a spring (not shown).

[0037] Due to the above, the mechanical release actuating mechanism 70, which is shown in Fig. 2, in a case where the locking mechanism 30 is set in the locking state, the locking mechanism 30 is moved from the locking state to the unlocking state as shown in Fig. 16 when the door handle 40 moves from the second position 40Y (see Fig. 12) to the third position 40Z (see Fig. 14) in conjunction with the movement of the door handle 40.

[0038] On the other hand, the vehicle door device 10 of the present exemplary embodiment includes a door handle extending / retracting mechanism 80 that performs a door handle extending operation in which the door handle extending / retracting mechanism 80 pushes the door handle 40 shown in Fig. 4, moved from the first position 40X to the second position 40Y, shown in Fig. 12, and maintains the state in which the door handle 40 is in the second position 40Y, and performs a door handle retraction operation in which the door handle extension / retraction mechanism 80 moves the door handle 40 from the second position 40Y to the first position 40X, shown in Fig. 4, and maintains the state in which the door handle 40 is in the first position 40X. The door handle extension / retraction mechanism 80 is constructed to include a spring 82 serving as a biasing member and biasing the door handle 40 to be stored in the door main body 22, and to include a switching mechanism 84 formed on the door inner side with respect to the convex portion 40C located on the inner surface 40B side of the door handle 40. It should be noted that the cross section of the switching mechanism 84 is different from the cross-sectional views in Fig. 1 to Fig. 19C has been omitted to make the drawing easier to understand. The spring 82 is, for example, a torsion coil spring and biases the door handle 40 such that the door handle 40 is retracted to a position slightly farther toward the inside of the door than the first position 40X (but a position at which the switch 52 is not actuated by the door handle 40).

[0039] The switching mechanism 84 is a mechanism that performs a switching operation and includes a movable portion 88 that is set such that a distal end portion 88A of the movable portion 88 faces the door handle 40, and the movable portion 88 reciprocates along the door width direction. The switching mechanism 84 can switch between a first state in which the door handle 40 is held in the first position 40X and a second state in which the door handle 40 is held in the second position 40Y against the biasing force of the biasing member 82 (see Fig. 12). It should be noted that when the door handle 40 is moved from the second position (see Fig. 12) is moved in the direction of opening of the door main body 22, in the state in which the door handle 40 is not actuated by the switching mechanism 84 as shown in Fig. 14, the door handle 40 moves into the third position 40Z, in which the door handle 40 protrudes further towards the outside of the vehicle than in the second position (see Fig. 12).

[0040] The state of the switching mechanism 84 and the portions at the edge thereof are in the state in which the door handle 40 is positioned at the first position 40X, in Fig. 5 in a vertical sectional view. As shown in the Fig. 5 and Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the door handle extension / retraction mechanism 80 includes a housing 90 that houses the switching mechanism 84, and a base member 92 that slidably receives a portion of the housing 90 and to which a side portion of the switching mechanism 84 is fixed. The base member 92 is attached to the door main body 22 via a fastening member (not shown).

[0041] The structure of the switching mechanism 84 and the sections at its edge are shown in Fig. 7 in a perspective exploded view. As shown in Fig. 7, the switching mechanism 84 is a structural body substantially shaped like a shaft as a whole, and formed such that a non-movable portion 86 and the movable portion 88 are aligned in the axial direction. The non-movable portion 86 is configured to include a housing portion substantially shaped like a cylindrical tube, which forms the outer shape of the non-movable portion 86. The non-movable portion 86 includes a first structural portion 86A formed on the opposite side from the movable portion 88, and a second structural portion 86B formed between the first structural portion 86A and the movable body 88, and whose diameter is larger than that of the first structural portion 86A.Convex portions 86T for fixing, which are intended to be fixed to the base member 92, are formed to protrude from the side portions of the second structural portion 86B. Further, the movable portion 88 can reciprocate in the axial direction thereof, and the end portion thereof, which is on the opposite side from the non-movable portion 86 side, is the distal end portion 88A.

[0042] The switching mechanism 84 can assume a closed state 84X (see Fig. 4), in which the switching mechanism 84 maintains a state in which the distance from the non-movable portion 86 to the distal end portion 88A of the movable portion 88 is short, and an open state 84Y (see Fig. 12), in which the closed state 84X is terminated and the distance from the non-movable distance 86 to the distal end portion 88A of the movable portion 88 is longer than when it is in the closed state 84X. The switching mechanism 84 is constructed such that each time the distal end portion 88A is subjected to a predetermined pressure operation, it switches between the closed state 84X (see Fig. 4) and the open state 84Y (see Fig. 12). Namely, the switching mechanism 84 is extended and held in the open state 84Y (see Fig. 12) when the distal end portion 88A is pressed and operated while the switching mechanism 84 is in the closed state 84X (see Fig. 4). Furthermore, the switching mechanism 84 is kept in the closed state 84X (see Fig. 4), when the distal end portion 88A is pressed and operated to retract by a predetermined amount or more while the switching mechanism 84 is in the open state 84Y (see Fig. 12).

[0043] The housing 90 is a structure that has no side walls on the lateral sides of the switching mechanism 84 accommodated therein, and is formed as a whole in the shape of a frame and arranged so that the longitudinal direction thereof has the same direction as the switching mechanism 84. Namely, the housing 90 has an upper wall portion 90B and a lower wall portion 90C extending in the longitudinal direction of the housing 90, and an outside vertical wall portion 90A arranged on the side of the door handle 40 (see Fig. 6), and a vertical wall portion 90D on an inner side, which is arranged on the door inside. The length in the longitudinal direction of the inside of the housing 90 is set to be sufficiently longer than the length in the longitudinal direction of the switching mechanism 84 in the open state 84Y (see Fig. 12) is set.

[0044] As in Fig. 5, the distal end portion 88A of the switching mechanism 84 is pressed against the outside vertical wall portion 90A of the housing 90. A convex portion 90A1, which protrudes toward the side of the door handle 40, is formed on the side surface of the door handle 40 of the outside vertical wall portion 90A. As shown in Fig. 7, a through hole 90H is formed at the central portion of the inside of the vertical wall portion 90D of the housing 90, and a ball receiving portion 90E is formed projecting from the peripheral portion of the through hole 90H to the outside of the housing.

[0045] The base member 92 includes a rectangular frame-shaped portion 92A through which the intermediate portion is inserted and removed in the longitudinal direction of the housing 90. The base member 92 includes an upper wall portion 92B and a lower wall portion 92C, each extending toward the inside of the door from the upper and lower portions of the frame-shaped portion 92A. The respective door-inside end portions of the upper wall portion 92B and the lower wall portion 92C are vertically connected by an inside structural portion 92D.

[0046] Fixing parts 92E are formed which extend towards the side of the door handle 40 (see Fig. 6 and the like) extend from both sides of the intermediate portion in the vertical direction of the frame-shaped portion 92A. The convex portions 86T for fixing the switching mechanism 84 are fixed to these fixing parts 92E. As shown in Fig. 5, the upper surface of the door-inside region of the upper wall portion 90B of the housing 90 contacts the lower surface of the upper wall portion 92B of the base member 92, and the lower surface of the door-inside region of the lower wall portion 90C of the housing 90 contacts the upper surface of the lower wall portion 92C of the base member 92. The inside structural portion 92D includes an inside upper wall portion 92D1 formed from the upper wall portion 92B so as to form a downward step therefrom, an inside lower wall portion 92D3 formed from the lower wall portion 92C so as to form an upward step therefrom, and an inside vertical wall portion 92D2 vertically connecting the respective door-inside end portions of the inside upper wall portion 92D1 and the inside lower wall portion 92D3. connects.

[0047] Due to the above, in the switching mechanism 84, when the outer surface 40A of the door handle 40, which is in the first position 40X, is pressed and the door handle 40 moves toward the inside of the door main body 22 (see arrow P in Fig. 8), as in the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, the movable portion 88 is pressed and actuated by the flat surface 40D of the convex portion 40C on the side of the inner surface 40B of the door handle 40 toward the vehicle interior (see arrow 88P in Fig. 9), and the movable section 88 moves a stroke towards the outside of the vehicle (see arrow 88S from Fig. 13), as in the Fig. 12 and Fig. 13. Thus, a switching operation of the switching mechanism 84 from the first state to the second state is carried out.

[0048] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, a through-hole 92H for fixing an outer covering (also called an "outer cable") 96 is formed in the central portion of the inside vertical wall portion 92D2. The outer covering 96 structures a portion of a control cable 94. The outer covering 96 includes an outer covering main body 96A formed in a tube shape and a terminal fixing portion 96B formed in a tube shape at one end portion of the outer covering main body 96A. The terminal fixing portion 96B is fitted and fixed into the through-hole 92H of the inside vertical wall portion 92D2 of the base member 92.

[0049] In addition to the outer casing 96, the control cable 94 further includes a wire (also called an "inner cable") 98 inserted through the interior of the outer casing 96 so that it can slide freely. One end of the wire 98 is drawn out from one end portion of the outer casing 96. A ball 99 is fixed to one end portion of the wire 98. One end of the wire 98 passes through the through-hole 92H of the base member 92 and the through-hole 90H of the housing 90 and can be arranged on the inside of the housing 90. Furthermore, the ball 99 can pass through the through-hole 90H of the housing 90. When the wire 98 moves toward the inside of the door relative to the housing 90, the ball 99 anchors itself on the ball receiving portion 90E.

[0050] As in Fig. 2, another end side of the control cable 94 extends to the top of the locking mechanism 30. It should be noted that the outer cover 96 is fixed to the door main body 22 via a holding member (not shown). As shown in the Fig. 18A to 18C, a wire-operated lever 100 is fixed to another end side of the wire 98. The wire-operated lever 100 is fixed to the base member 32 (see Fig. 1). The support shaft S6 is arranged such that the direction along the vehicle longitudinal direction is its axial direction. The wire-operated lever 100 is arranged at a position where the extending portion 34C of the latch 34 can abut against the wire-operated lever 100 when the latch 34 rotates. When the extending portion 34C abuts against the wire-operated lever 100 at the time the latch 34 rotates, the wire-operated lever 100 rotates around the support shaft S6. Furthermore, in the state where the wire-operated lever 100 does not abut against the latch 34, the wire-operated lever 100 is biased by a spring 102 (for example, a torsion coil spring) toward a reference position 100X (see arrow 100R) shown in Fig. 18C.

[0051] In the present exemplary embodiment, an engagement mechanism 104 for pressing and operating the switching mechanism 84 is constructed to include the housing 90, the base member 92, the control cable 94 and the wire-operated lever 100, which are shown in Fig. 2. The engagement mechanism 104 is constructed such that because the wire-operated lever 100 (see arrow 100A) rotates at the time the latch 34, shown in Fig. 18B, rotates, the wire 98 is pulled (see arrow 98P), and because the Fig. 19B, the housing 90 is retracted toward the inside of the door, the outside vertical wall portion 90A of the housing 90 presses and actuates the movable portion 88. Then, at the time when the latch 34, shown in Fig. 18B, is pressed by the striker 18 (see arrow 18P) and rotates because the door main body 22 is moved to the closed position, the movable section 88, which is in Fig. 19B, the locking mechanism 104 is pushed and actuated toward the vehicle interior (see arrow 88T) by the engaging mechanism 104, which is actuated in accordance with the rotation of the latch 34 (see arrow 34P), and the movable portion 88 is caused to travel a stroke toward the vehicle interior. Thus, a switching operation from the second state to the first state is performed on the switching mechanism 84.

[0052] Next, an operation of the present exemplary embodiment will be described.

[0053] As in Fig. 4, the door handle 40 is biased by the spring 82 (see arrow 82R) to be stored in the door main body 22. On the other hand, in the switching mechanism 84, the distal end portion 88A of the movable portion 88 faces the door handle 40, and a switching operation can be performed, and the movable portion 88 reciprocates along the door width direction. Furthermore, the switching mechanism 84 can switch, against the biasing force of the spring 82, between the first state in which the switching mechanism 84 holds the door handle 40 in the first position 40X and the second state in which the switching mechanism 84 holds the door handle 40 in the second position 40Y (see Fig. 12).

[0054] When the outer surface 40A of the door handle 40 located in the first position 40X is pressed, and the door handle 40 moves toward the inside of the door main body 22, as shown in Fig. 8, here on the switching mechanism 84, the movable portion 88 is pressed and actuated by the flat surface 40D of the convex portion 40C on the side of the inner surface 40B of the door handle 40 toward the vehicle interior. Due to this, as shown in Fig. 12, the switching mechanism 84 switching from the first state (that shown in Fig. 4) to the second state (the one shown in Fig. 12) because the movable portion 88 travels a stroke toward the vehicle exterior. Consequently, the door handle 40 is held in the second position 40Y by the switching mechanism 84. Therefore, the operator can easily grasp and pull the door handle 40 located at the second position 40Y.

[0055] In the case where the door main body 22 is moved toward the closed position in the order of Fig. 19A, Fig. 19B and Fig. 19C, the switching mechanism 84 is further switched from the second state (the one shown in Fig. 12) to the first state (the one shown in Fig. 4 shown state).

[0056] To describe this in detail: first, when the door main body 22 is moved toward the closed position, the latch 34, which is in the state of Fig. 18A was, as in Fig. 18B, the locking bracket 18 is pressed (see arrow 18P) and rotates (see arrow 34P). At this time, the engaging mechanism 104 is actuated in accordance with the rotation of the latch 34. Namely, in the engaging mechanism 104, because the wire-operated lever 100 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the latch 34, the wire 98 is pulled (see arrow 98P). As shown in Fig. As shown in Fig. 19B, when the wire 98 is pulled (see arrow 98P), the outside vertical wall portion 90A of the housing 90 pushes and actuates the movable portion 88 toward the vehicle interior when the wire 98 is pulled (see arrow 98P), because the housing 90 is guided to retract toward the door interior in conjunction with the movement of the ball 99. Due to this, the movable portion 88 is caused to travel a stroke of a predetermined amount toward the vehicle interior (to the position where the switching mechanism 84 is locked). In this state, the door handle 40 is locked due to the biasing force of the spring 82 (see Fig. 4) is arranged at a position adjacent to the outside vertical wall portion 90A of the housing 90.

[0057] Next, as in Fig. 18C, the wire-operated lever 100 returns to the reference position 100X (see arrow 100R) due to the spring 102 when the latch 34 moves to the state in which it is engaged with the striker 18 and the wire-operated lever 100 moves away from the extension portion 34C of the latch 34. Since the position of the wire 98 is also reset (see arrow 98Q), as shown in Fig. 19C, the switching mechanism 84 is therefore also returned to the closed state position 84X (ie, it extends very slightly in the direction of the arrow 84P).

[0058] Due to the above, the switching mechanism 84 moves from the second state, in Fig. 12, in the first state, in Fig. 4, and the door handle 40 is returned to the first position 40X. Therefore, there is no need to separately perform an operation for returning the door handle 40.

[0059] As described above, according to the vehicle door device 10 of the present exemplary embodiment, the operating convenience is improved because the extended state of the door handle 40 shown in Fig. 12, at the time the door handle 40 is grasped, and at the same time, when the door main body 22 is set in the closed state, as in Fig. 19C, the outer surface 40A of the door handle 40 is returned to the state in which it is arranged to be flush with the outer surface 22B of the door main body 22.

[0060] Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment, when the outer surface 40A of the door handle 40 located in the Fig. 4, and the door handle 40 moves towards the inside of the door main body 22, as shown in Fig. 8, the switch 52 is actuated by the end portion 40G on the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction, which is located on the side of the inner surface 40B of the door handle 40. Then, the electric unlocking actuating mechanism 50, shown in Fig. 10, due to the operation of the switch 52, the electric motor 56 is actuated and the locking mechanism 30 is moved from the locked state to the unlocked state. In this way, the operator can switch the locking mechanism 30 from the locked state to the unlocked state by the single action of pressing the outer surface 40A of the door handle 40, which is located in the Fig. 4 shown first position 40X is pressed.

[0061] To control the operation of the electric release actuating mechanism 50, which is Fig. 10, to further explain: when the electric motor 56, which is in Fig. 11A, the second gear 60 rotates (see arrow 60R) because the first gear 58 rotates, and the extension portion 60A formed on the second gear 60 pushes the first arm portion 62A of the lever 62 downward. Due to this, the lever 62 rotates (see arrow 62R), and the second arm portion 62B of the lever 62 pushes the second arm portion 36B of the rod 36 upward. As shown in Fig. 11B, when the second arm portion 36B of the rod 36 is pushed upward, the rod 36 rotates (see arrow 36R), and therefore the first arm portion 36A of the rod 36 falls, and the distal anchoring end portion 36A1 of the first arm portion 36A of the rod 36 moves away from the anchoring portion 34B of the latch 34. At this time, the latch 34 rotates toward the unlocking position 34Y (see arrow D) due to the biasing force of the unillustrated spring, and the latch 34 moves away from the striker 18.

[0062] It should be noted that after the operator releases the blockage of the opening of the door main body 22 shown in Fig. 12, the operator can grasp the door handle 40 and open the door main body 22, or the operator can grasp an end edge portion 22Z of the opening portion where the door handle 40 is formed on the door main body 22 and open the door main body 22. In this way, degrees of freedom can be given to the operator's operation in the present exemplary embodiment.

[0063] If the door handle 40, in Fig. 12 and the like, is operated from the second position 40Y in the direction of opening the door main body 22, as shown in Fig. 14, in the present embodiment, the door handle 40 further moves to the third position 40Z, in which the door handle 40 protrudes further toward the vehicle exterior than at the second position 40Y (see Fig. 12) in a state where the door handle 40 is not held by the switching mechanism 84. In a case where the Fig. 2 is in the locking state, the mechanical unlocking actuating mechanism 70 moves in Fig. 16, the locking mechanism 30 from the locking state to the unlocking state when the door handle 40 moves from the second position 40Y (see Fig. 12) in conjunction with the movement of the door handle 40 to the third position 40Z (see Fig. 14). Therefore, the operator can move the locking mechanism 30 from the locked state to the unlocked state even if a power failure occurs.

[0064] To describe the operation of the mechanical unlocking actuation mechanism 70 in more detail: when the door handle 40 is moved from the second position 40Y, shown in Fig. 12, to the third position 40Z, shown in Fig. 14, rotates, the crank mechanism 72 rotates, which is pressed by the inclined surface 40E1 on the side of the inner surface 40B of the door handle 40, as shown in Fig. 14. Due to this, the rod 76, which is in Fig. 16. When the rod 76 falls, as shown in the Fig. 17A and Fig. 17B, ​​the ring portion 78R of the lever 78 with ring is pressed downward by the lower portion 76C of the rod 76 and the lever 78 with ring rotates (see arrow B in Fig. 17B). Due to this, the curved portion 78C of the lever 78 with ring pushes the second arm portion 36B of the rod 36 upward, and the rod 36 thereby rotates (see arrow C). At this time, as the first arm portion 36A of the rod 36 falls, the distal anchoring end portion 36A1 of the first arm portion 36A of the rod 36 moves away from the anchoring portion 34B of the latch 34. When the distal anchoring end portion 36A1 of the first arm portion 36A of the rod 36 moves away from the anchoring portion 34B of the latch 34 due to the biasing force of the unillustrated spring, the latch 34 rotates toward the unlocking position 34Y (see arrow D), and the latch 34 moves away from the striker 18.

[0065] It should be noted that in the exemplary embodiment described above, the door handle 40 shown in Fig.2 and the like, is formed on the door main body 22 so as to be rotatable. However, as a modified example of the above-described exemplary embodiment, the door handle may be formed so as to be capable of, for example, extending and retracting from the door main body by moving parallel to the door width direction.

[0066] Furthermore, a structure may be adopted in which the electronic unlocking operating mechanism 50 of the above-described exemplary embodiment is not formed and a different unlocking operating mechanism is formed. Furthermore, a structure may be adopted in which the mechanical unlocking operating mechanism 70 of the above-described exemplary embodiment is not formed and a different unlocking operating mechanism is formed.

[0067] It should be noted that the above-described exemplary embodiments and the above-described modified examples can be implemented by appropriately combining them.

Claims

[1] Vehicle door device (10) comprising: a locking mechanism (30) formed on a door main body (22) of a vehicle, wherein, when the door main body (22) is in a closed state, the locking mechanism (30) is configured to switch between a locking state in which a latch (34) engages with a striker (18) located on a vehicle body side and opening of the door main body (22) is restricted, and an unlocking state in which the latch (34) does not engage with the striker (18) and opening of the door main body (22) is not restricted; a door handle (40) formed on the door main body (22), the door handle (40) being configured to switch between a first position in which the door handle (40) is arranged to be flush with an outer surface (22B) of the door main body (22), and a second position in which at least a part of the door handle (40) extends toward a vehicle outer side with respect to the first position and in which an operator can grasp the door handle (40), allowing the door handle (40) to move from the first position toward an inner side of the door main body (22); and a door handle extending / retracting mechanism (80) configured to perform a door handle extending operation in which the door handle extending / retracting mechanism (80) moves the door handle (40) from the first position to the second position and maintains a state in which the door handle (40) is in the second position, and a door handle retracting operation in which the door handle extending / retracting mechanism (80) moves the door handle (40) from the second position to the first position and maintains the state in which the door handle (40) is in the first position, wherein the door handle extending / retracting mechanism (80) comprises: a biasing member (82) configured to bias the door handle (40) to be stowed within the door main body (22), and a switching mechanism (84) that performs a switching operation, wherein the switching mechanism (84) is configured such that a distal end portion (88A) of a movable portion (88) faces the door handle (40), and the movable portion (88) travels along a door width direction, and wherein the switching mechanism (84) is capable of switching between a first state in which the door handle (40) is held in the first position and a second state in which the door handle (40) is held in the second position against the biasing force of the biasing member (82), wherein, when an outer surface (40A) of the door handle (40) is pressed in the first position and the door handle (40) moves toward the inside of the door main body (22), the switching mechanism (84) performs a switching operation from the first state to the second state by pushing the movable portion (88) from a portion of an inner surface side of the door handle (40D) toward a vehicle inside and causing the movable portion (88) to travel a stroke toward a vehicle outside, characterized by , that the switching mechanism (84), when the latch (34) is pushed by the striker (18) and rotates because the door main body (22) is moved toward a closed position, performs a switching operation from the second state to the first state by pushing the movable portion (88) toward the vehicle interior by an engagement mechanism (104) operating in accordance with rotation of the latch (34) and causing the movable portion (88) to travel a stroke toward the vehicle interior. [2] The vehicle door device according to claim 1, further comprising an electric unlocking operating mechanism (50) configured to move the locking mechanism (30) from the locking state to the unlocking state by operating an electric actuator by operating a switch (52), wherein the electric unlocking operating mechanism (50) is configured such that when the outer surface (40A) of the door handle (40) is pressed in the first position and the door handle (40) moves toward the inside of the door main body (22), the switch (52) is operated from another portion of the inner surface side (40G) of the door handle (40). [3] Vehicle door device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: when the door main body (22) is operated in an opening direction from the second position, the door handle (40) moves to a third position in which the door handle (40) protrudes further toward the vehicle outside than in the second position, in a state in which the door handle (40) is not held by the switching mechanism (84), and the vehicle door device comprises a mechanical unlocking actuating mechanism (70) which, in a case where the locking mechanism (30) is in the locking state when the door handle (40) moves from the second position to the third position, moves the locking mechanism (30) from the locking state to the unlocking state in conjunction with the movement of the door handle (40).

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