Vehicle door handle

Abstract

To provide a vehicle door handle with improved user convenience.SOLUTION: A vehicle door handle 20 is arranged on an outer surface 13 of a door 12 that is attached to a vehicle body 11 so as to be openable and closable, and is configured to be operated when an occupant gets in or out of the vehicle. The vehicle door handle 20 has a first door handle part 21 and a second door handle part 22. The first door handle part 21 is fixed to the door 12. The second door handle part 22 is configured to be slidable relative to the first door handle part 21. The vehicle door handle 20 can take a handle-closed state and a handle-opened state. In the handle-opened state, the second door handle part 22 slides in a direction away from the door 12, thereby forming a grip part 23 that can be gripped by an occupant.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a door handle for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A conventional vehicle door handle has a structure as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes an outside door handle for a vehicle that allows a user to easily get into the vehicle. Specifically, the outside door handle for a vehicle described in Patent Document 1 includes a handle body, a base that holds the handle body, and a moving mechanism that movably connects the handle body to the base. This allows a user to more easily get into the vehicle after gripping the handle body.

[0004] The vehicle door handle device described in Patent Document 2 includes a base member, a door handle, and a bell crank. The door handle has a guide arm with a groove formed therein. The bell crank has a free end lever with a groove formed therein. An axis is provided at the tip of the guide arm parallel to the support shaft. The door handle is slidable in an oblique upward and downward direction relative to the horizontal direction of the vehicle while rotating in the horizontal direction of the vehicle or around the support shaft. Therefore, the door can be unlocked regardless of the direction in which the door handle slides.

[0005] Patent Document 3 describes a flush handle control mechanism with a reduced volume. Specifically, the flush handle control mechanism is movable between a rest position and an actuated position. The flush handle control mechanism further includes a first lever, a second lever, and a tie rod. At least one of the ends has a gap facing the longitudinal direction of the tie rod. Furthermore, the first lever, the second lever, the tie rod, and the handle form a deformable quadrilateral that is folded for the rest position, and the unfolding of the quadrilateral causes a translational displacement of the handle. This allows the control mechanism to be accommodated in a small volume within the case, whether in the rest position or in the actuated position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-084457 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2017-031557 A [Patent Document 3] Special Publication No. 2020-519796 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, the vehicle door handles described in the above-mentioned patent documents leave room for improvement in terms of convenience, etc.

[0008] Specifically, when snow accumulates on a vehicle, the snow gets stuck in the gap between the vehicle door handle and the vehicle body, making it difficult for occupants to insert their hands into this gap, resulting in the problem that operating the vehicle door handle is difficult.

[0009] In addition, since the vehicle door handle protrudes outward in the width direction from the panel of the vehicle body, there is a problem that the vehicle door handle deteriorates the aerodynamic characteristics.

[0010] Furthermore, the outer panel in the portion where the vehicle door handle is disposed is formed into a concave shape so that an occupant can easily insert his / her hand into the concave shape. This causes a problem that the formability of the outer panel manufactured by press forming a steel plate is deteriorated.

[0011] Furthermore, when an occupant operates a vehicle door handle, the occupant inserts his / her hand into the vehicle door handle from diagonally above, which causes the occupant's fingernail or the like to come into contact with the outer panel of the vehicle door handle, resulting in a problem of the outer panel being damaged.

[0012] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle door handle with improved convenience and the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] A vehicle door handle according to an embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle door handle that is disposed on the outer surface of a door that is attached to a vehicle body so as to be able to be opened and closed, and is operated when an occupant gets in and out of the vehicle, and has a first door handle portion fixed to the door and a second door handle portion that is slidable relative to the first door handle portion, and can be in a handle closed state and a handle open state, and is characterized in that in the handle open state, the second door handle portion slides in a direction away from the door, thereby forming a gripping portion that can be gripped by the occupant. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the vehicle door handle of the embodiment of the present invention, when the handle is in an open state, the second door handle portion slides in a direction away from the door, forming a grip portion. Therefore, an occupant can easily open and close the door by gripping the grip portion. Furthermore, when the handle is in a closed state, the grip portion is not formed, so the amount of protrusion of the door handle is suppressed. Therefore, snow does not get stuck between the vehicle door handle and the vehicle body when it snows. Furthermore, the deterioration of aerodynamic characteristics when the vehicle is traveling can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle equipped with a vehicle door handle according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2A] 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle door handle according to an embodiment of the present invention in a handle closed state; [Figure 2B] 1 is a top view showing a vehicle door handle according to an embodiment of the present invention in a handle closed state; [Figure 3A] 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle door handle according to an embodiment of the present invention in a handle open state; [Figure 3B] 1 is a top view showing a vehicle door handle according to an embodiment of the present invention in a handle open state; [Figure 4A] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a vehicle door handle according to another embodiment of the present invention in a handle closed state. [Figure 4B] 11 is a top view showing a vehicle door handle according to another embodiment of the present invention in a handle closed state. FIG. [Figure 5A] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a vehicle door handle according to another embodiment of the present invention in an open state; [Figure 5B] 11 is a top view showing a vehicle door handle according to another embodiment of the present invention in a handle open state. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] A vehicle door handle 20 and a vehicle 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the front, rear, up, down, left and right directions are used, and left and right refer to the left and right when the vehicle 10 is viewed from the front. Furthermore, in the following description, the same components are basically given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations will be omitted. In the following description, the vehicle width direction and the left and right direction are the same. Moreover, the right side is the outer side in the width direction, and the left side is the inner side in the width direction.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle 10 equipped with a vehicle door handle 20. As shown in FIG.

[0018] The vehicle 10 is, for example, an engine vehicle, a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), a HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), or the like.

[0019] A door 12 is attached to a vehicle body 11 of the vehicle 10. The door 12 is a member that closes a side opening of the vehicle body 11 in an openable and closable manner. When the door 12 is in an open state, passengers can get on and off through the side opening. The door 12 is, for example, a hinged door whose front end is rotatably connected to the vehicle body 11 and can rotate about the connection part. The door 12 may also be a sliding door that opens and closes the side opening by sliding in the front-rear direction.

[0020] The door lock unit 14 is configured to perform a locking operation and an unlocking operation of the door 12. The door lock unit 14 is disposed at the rear of the door 12. The door lock unit 14 has a striker unit (not shown) attached to a pillar of the vehicle body 11 and a latch unit (not shown) attached to the rear end of the door 12. The vehicle door handle 20 and the door lock unit 14 are connected via a wire, for example. When the door lock unit 14 is in a locked state, the latch unit latches the striker unit, and the door 12 is in a closed state. When the door lock unit 14 is in an unlocked state, the latch unit does not latch the striker unit, and an occupant or a third party can open the door 12 by operating the vehicle door handle 20.

[0021] The vehicle door handle 20 is disposed on an outer surface 13 of a door 12 that is attached to a vehicle body 11 so as to be openable and closable, and is configured to be operated by an occupant when getting in or out of the vehicle. The occupant can open the door lock unit 14 by operating the vehicle door handle 20. This operation is, for example, by touching a touch panel unit or pressing a push button. The occupant can also open or close the door 12 by gripping the vehicle door handle 20.

[0022] Fig. 2A is a perspective view showing a handle closed state of the vehicle door handle 20. Fig. 2B is a top view showing the handle closed state of the vehicle door handle 20. Here, the handle closed state refers to a state in which the vehicle door handle 20 is closed and integrated.

[0023] The vehicle door handle 20 can be in a handle closed state and a handle open state. The handle closed state is a state in which the vehicle door handle 20 is shaped like a single plate, as shown in FIG. 2A and other figures. When the vehicle 10 is running or parked, the vehicle door handle 20 is in the handle closed state. On the other hand, the handle open state is a state in which the gripping portion 23 is formed on the vehicle door handle 20, as shown in FIG. 3A and other figures. When opening or closing the door 12, the vehicle door handle 20 is in the handle open state.

[0024] 2A and 2B, the configuration of the vehicle door handle 20 in the handle closed state will be described. The vehicle door handle 20 mainly includes a first door handle portion 21 and a second door handle portion 22. In addition, a slide mechanism 25 is provided between the first door handle portion 21 and the second door handle portion 22.

[0025] In the handle closed state shown in FIG. 2A, the vehicle door handle 20 is in the form of a single plate. That is, the vehicle door handle 20 does not have a gripping portion 23, which will be described later. In other words, the vehicle door handle 20 in the handle closed state does not have any portion that protrudes in the front-rear or left-right directions, and further does not have a hole-shaped portion into which an occupant's finger is inserted. In addition, no gap is formed between the outer surface 13 of the door 12 and the vehicle door handle 20, large enough for an occupant's finger to be inserted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent snow from getting stuck between the outer surface 13 of the door 12 and the vehicle door handle 20 during snowfall.

[0026] The first door handle portion 21 is fixed to the outer surface 13 of the door 12. The first door handle portion 21 does not move in the handle closed state and the handle open state.

[0027] The second door handle portion 22 is configured to be slidable relative to the first door handle portion 21. Specifically, the second door handle portion 22 is assembled to the first door handle portion 21 from the right side. In a handle closed state, the second door handle portion 22 is disposed to the right of the first door handle portion 21 and partially disposed forward.

[0028] The slide mechanism 25 is a mechanism for assembling the second door handle portion 22 to the first door handle portion 21 in a slidable state. The slide mechanism 25 is disposed between the first door handle portion 21 and the second door handle portion 22. For example, a mechanism consisting of a slide groove and a slide wall can be used as the slide mechanism 25. As one example, the slide groove is formed on the right side surface of the first door handle portion 21, and the slide wall is formed on the left side surface of the second door handle portion 22. The slide mechanism 25 is configured by the slide wall of the second door handle portion 22 slidably fitting into the slide groove of the first door handle portion 21.

[0029] 2B, in the handle closed state, the length L10 by which the vehicle door handle 20 protrudes to the right from the outer surface 13 of the door 12 is short. Specifically, L10 is shorter than the length L11 by which the vehicle door handle 20 protrudes to the right in the handle open state, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 3B. This makes it possible to suppress deterioration of the aerodynamic characteristics when the vehicle 10 is traveling.

[0030] 2A and 2B, in order to realize the handle open state, the second door handle portion 22 is slid toward the rear right side. As a result, the vehicle door handle 20 is in the handle open state shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B described below. The second door handle portion 22 may be slid by an occupant or by an actuator such as a motor. When slid by an occupant, the occupant slides the second door handle portion 22 toward the rear right side with his / her hand. When slid by an actuator, a motor or the like (not shown) slides the second door handle portion 22 toward the rear right side based on the operation of the occupant.

[0031] Fig. 3A is a perspective view showing the vehicle door handle 20 in an open state, and Fig. 3B is a top view showing the vehicle door handle 20 in an open state.

[0032] In the handle open state, the second door handle portion 22 slides toward the rear right side, that is, in a direction away from the door 12. This forms a grip portion 23 that can be gripped by an occupant as part of the vehicle door handle 20. The grip portion 23 protrudes rearward beyond the rear end of the first door handle portion 21 in a generally rod-like shape.

[0033] In this manner, an occupant can grip the grip portion 23 of the vehicle door handle 20 with his / her hand and perform an opening or closing operation of the door 12. When an occupant performs an opening operation of the door 12, the occupant grips the grip portion 23 and pulls it toward the right, which brings the door lock unit 14 shown in Fig. 1 into an unlocked state, allowing the door 12 to be easily opened. On the other hand, when an occupant performs a closing operation of the door 12, the occupant grips the grip portion 23 and pushes it toward the left, which brings the door 12 into a closed state and the door lock unit 14 into a locked state.

[0034] Furthermore, the distance L12 between the grip portion 23 and the outer surface 13 of the door 12 is set to a length that allows an occupant to insert his / her finger. Here, since the grip portion 23 protrudes sufficiently to the right, there is no need to recess the outer surface 13 at the portion where the vehicle door handle 20 is to be installed. In other words, the outer surface 13 at the portion where the vehicle door handle 20 is to be installed can be made substantially flat. This improves formability when the outer surface 13 is press-molded in the vehicle manufacturing process.

[0035] When the opening and closing operation of the door 12 is completed, the second door handle portion 22 slides forward and enters the handle closed state shown in Figures 2A and 2B. The sliding of the second door handle portion 22 to transition from the handle open state to the handle closed state may be performed by an occupant's operation, or may be performed by an actuator built into the vehicle door handle 20 or an elastic member such as a spring.

[0036] The configuration and operation of a vehicle door handle 20 according to another embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4A to 5B. The vehicle door handle 20 shown in Figures 4A to 5B differs from the vehicle door handle 20 shown in Figures 2A to 3B in that an opening 24 is formed when the handle is in an open state, but other points are the same. The following description will focus on these differences.

[0037] Fig. 4A is a perspective view showing a vehicle door handle 20 according to another embodiment in a handle closed state. Fig. 4B is a top view showing a vehicle door handle 20 according to another embodiment in a handle closed state.

[0038] 4A and 4B, the vehicle door handle 20 has a first door handle portion 21 and a second door handle portion 22.

[0039] Two first door handle portions 21 are provided on the outer surface 13 of the door 12. Specifically, the first door handle portion 21 has a front first door handle portion 211 and a rear first door handle portion 212. The front first door handle portion 211 and the rear first door handle portion 212 are disposed to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction. An opening 24, which will be described later, for an occupant to insert his or her finger is formed between the front first door handle portion 211 and the rear first door handle portion 212.

[0040] The second door handle portion 22 is disposed on the outer side of the first door handle portion 21. The second door handle portion 22 is slidable relative to the first door handle portion 21.

[0041] The slide mechanism 25 is a mechanism for assembling the first door handle portion 21 and the second door handle portion 22 in a state in which they can slide relative to each other. The detailed configuration of the slide mechanism 25 is the same as that described above. The slide mechanism 25 has a front slide mechanism 251 and a rear slide mechanism 252. The front slide mechanism 251 is disposed between the front first door handle portion 211 and the second door handle portion 22. The rear slide mechanism 252 is disposed between the rear slide mechanism 252 and the second door handle portion 22.

[0042] In the handle closed state, the first door handle portion 21 and the second door handle portion 22 are shaped like a single plate. That is, in the handle closed state, no gap is formed between the outer surface 13 of the door 12 and the vehicle door handle 20. Specifically, in the handle closed state, an opening 24, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 5A etc., is not formed. Therefore, even when it snows, the gap is not filled with snow.

[0043] 4B, the length L20 by which the vehicle door handle 20 protrudes in the left-right direction in the handle closed state is shorter than the protruding length L21 of the vehicle door handle 20 in the handle open state, which will be described later with reference to Fig. 5B etc. Thus, the protruding amount of the vehicle door handle 20 during driving can be suppressed, and the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle 10 during driving can be improved.

[0044] Fig. 5A is a perspective view showing a vehicle door handle 20 according to another embodiment in an open state, and Fig. 5B is a top view showing a vehicle door handle 20 according to another embodiment in an open state.

[0045] In the handle open state shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the second door handle portion 22 slides toward the rear right side via the front slide mechanism 251 and the rear slide mechanism 252, thereby forming an opening 24 near the grip portion 23.

[0046] The vehicle door handle 20 in the handle open state has a front grip portion 231 and a rear grip portion 232 as the grip portion 23. The front grip portion 231 is formed in the middle portion of the second door handle portion 22 in the front-rear direction, and is formed on the right side of the opening 24. The rear grip portion 232 is a portion that protrudes in a substantially rod-like shape from the rear end of the second door handle portion 22.

[0047] 5B, the opening 24 is an opening region surrounded by the outer surface 13 and the vehicle door handle 20. Specifically, the opening 24 is surrounded by the outer surface 13 from the left side, and by the front first door handle portion 211 and the second door handle portion 22 from the front side. Furthermore, the opening 24 is surrounded by the rear first door handle portion 212 and the second door handle portion 22 from the rear side, and by the front grip portion 231 from the right side. In addition, the length L20 of the opening 24 in the left-right direction and the length L22 of the opening 24 in the front-rear direction are set to be equal to or greater than the length through which an occupant's finger can be inserted.

[0048] In this manner, an occupant can insert a finger into the opening 24 of the vehicle door handle 20 to grip the front grip portion 231 and perform an opening or closing operation of the door 12. When opening the door 12, the occupant inserts a finger into the opening 24, grips the front grip portion 231, and pulls it toward the right. This brings the door lock portion 14 shown in FIG. 1 into an unlocked state, and the door 12 can be easily opened. On the other hand, when closing the door 12, the occupant inserts a finger into the opening 24, grips the front grip portion 231, and pushes it toward the left, bringing the door 12 into a closed state and the door lock portion 14 into a locked state.

[0049] Here, a rear gripping portion 232 is also formed at the rear end of the second door handle portion 22, and the door 12 can be opened and closed by gripping the rear gripping portion 232 as well.

[0050] When the opening and closing operation of the door 12 is completed, the second door handle portion 22 slides forward and assumes the handle closed state shown in Figures 4A and 4B. The sliding of the second door handle portion 22 to transition from the handle open state to the handle closed state may be performed by an occupant's operation, or may be performed by an actuator built into the vehicle door handle 20 or an elastic member such as a spring.

[0051] The technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiment will be described below together with their effects.

[0052] The vehicle door handle of the present invention is disposed on the outer surface of a door that is attached to a vehicle body so as to be openable and closable, and is operated when an occupant gets in and out of the vehicle. The vehicle door handle has a first door handle portion fixed to the door and a second door handle portion that is slidable relative to the first door handle portion, and can take a handle closed state and a handle open state. In the handle open state, the second door handle portion slides in a direction away from the door, forming a grip portion that the occupant can grip. According to the vehicle door handle according to the embodiment of the present invention, in the handle open state, the second door handle portion slides in a direction away from the door, forming a grip portion. Therefore, the occupant can easily open and close the door by gripping the grip portion. In addition, in the handle closed state, since the grip portion is not formed, the protrusion amount of the door handle is suppressed.

[0053] In the vehicle door handle of the present invention, in the handle open state, the second door handle portion performs the sliding operation to form the substantially rod-shaped grip portion. According to the vehicle door handle of the present invention, an occupant can easily open and close the door by gripping the substantially rod-shaped grip portion.

[0054] In addition, in the vehicle door handle of the present invention, the gripping portion is not formed when the handle is in the closed state. According to the vehicle door handle of the present invention, since the gripping portion is not formed when the handle is in the closed state, it is possible to prevent snow from getting stuck in the gripping portion when it snows.

[0055] In the vehicle door handle of the present invention, in the handle open state, the second door handle portion performs the sliding, so that an opening is formed near the grip portion. According to the vehicle door handle of the present invention, a passenger can easily open and close the door by inserting a finger into the opening and gripping the grip portion.

[0056] In addition, in the vehicle door handle of the present invention, the opening is not formed when the handle is in the closed state. According to the vehicle door handle of the present invention, since the opening is not formed when the handle is in the closed state, it is possible to prevent snow from clogging the opening when it snows.

[0057] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, the above-described embodiments can be combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 10 Vehicles 11 Body 12 Doors 13 Exterior 14 Door lock section 20. Vehicle door handle 21 First door handle part 211 Front first door handle 212 Rear first door handle 22 Second door handle section 23 Gripping part 231 Front grip part 232 Rear grip part 24 Opening 25 Slide mechanism 251 Forward sliding mechanism 252 Rear slide mechanism

Claims

1. A vehicle door handle is provided on an outer surface of a door that is attached to a vehicle body so as to be capable of being opened and closed, and is operated by a passenger when getting in and out of the vehicle. a first door handle portion fixed to the door and a second door handle portion slidable relative to the first door handle portion, The handle can be in a closed state and an open state. A vehicle door handle characterized in that, in the handle open state, the second door handle portion slides in a direction away from the door to form a grip portion that can be gripped by the occupant.

2. 2. The vehicle door handle according to claim 1, wherein, in the handle open state, the second door handle portion performs the sliding operation, thereby forming the grip portion having a substantially rod-like shape.

3. 3. The vehicle door handle according to claim 2, wherein the gripping portion is not formed when the handle is in a closed state.

4. 2. The vehicle door handle according to claim 1, wherein, in the handle open state, the second door handle portion performs the sliding operation, so that an opening is formed near the grip portion.

5. 5. The vehicle door handle according to claim 4, wherein the opening is not formed when the handle is in a closed state.

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