Door handle device

Abstract

To provide a door handle device configured to improve the design including outer appearance of a door, while suppressing unintended handle operation to an emergency operation position when in normal operation.SOLUTION: A door handle device 20 includes: a handle 30 which can be rotated from an initial position where the handle is partially located in a recess 25c of a base 25, via a normal operation position, to an emergency operation position for opening a door 1; a detection unit 35 which outputs a signal for electrically opening a door latch device 10 when detecting an operation of the handle 30; a transmission mechanism 40 which allows the door latch device 10 to be manually opened through operating the handle 30; and a regulation mechanism 60 which can move between a regulation position in which rotation of the handle 30 to the emergency operation position is regulated and a regulation-released position in which the regulation is released. An operation unit 61b of the regulation mechanism 60 is arranged on the back of the handle 30 located in the initial position and in the recess 25c.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a door handle device.

Background Art

[0002] A door latch device is arranged on a vehicle door, which has a latch mechanism that can be switched from a latched state holding a striker arranged on the vehicle body to an unlatched state releasing the striker. This door latch device is operated by a door handle device attached to the same door.

[0003] The door handle device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a switch that outputs a signal indicating that the handle has been opened, and a transmission mechanism for transmitting the operating force of the handle to the door latch device. Normally, by operating the handle to the normal operating position, the switch is turned on and outputs a signal, and the door latch device that receives this signal electrically switches the latch mechanism from the latched state to the unlatched state by an actuator. On the other hand, in an emergency when the actuator cannot operate, the handle is operated beyond the normal operating position to the emergency operating position, and this operating force is transmitted to the door latch device through the transmission mechanism, and the latch mechanism is manually switched from the latched state to the unlatched state.

[0004] In this type of door handle device, if the handle is unintentionally operated to the emergency operating position during normal times, the latch mechanism of the door latch device may be actuated by both electric operation by the actuator and manual operation by the transmission mechanism, resulting in malfunction. Therefore, the door handle device of Patent Document 1 is provided with a trigger button that restricts the operation of the handle from the normal operating position to the emergency operating position. That is, the handle cannot be operated to the emergency operating position without operating the trigger button. The trigger button is arranged adjacent to the rotation axis of the handle and is exposed to the outside.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-94436 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the door handle device of Patent Document 1, since the trigger button is exposed, if this door handle device is arranged on the outer side of the vehicle door, there is a risk of spoiling the appearance of the door. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the design property including the appearance of the door when the door handle device of Patent Document 1 is attached to the door.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a door handle device capable of improving the design property including the appearance of the door while suppressing an unintentional handle operation to an emergency operation position during normal times. Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The present invention includes a base disposed inside the door panel so as to define a recess facing an opening formed in the door panel of the door, a handle pivotally supported by the base and having a part located in the recess, and being rotatable from an initial position to a normal operation position through which the door is opened to an emergency operation position for opening the door, and from the emergency operation position through the normal operation position to the initial position; a detection unit that outputs a signal for electrically operating a door latch device that holds the door in a closed state with respect to the vehicle body when the operation of the handle from the initial position to the normal operation position is detected; a transmission mechanism having an operating member movable in conjunction with the rotation of the handle, and the movement of the operating member caused by the rotation of the handle to the emergency operation position manually operates the door latch device; and a regulating mechanism having an operating portion that regulates the rotation of the handle from the normal operation position to the emergency operation position through the operating member in a non-operating state of the operating portion, and releases the rotation regulation of the handle through the operating member by the operation of the operating portion. The operating portion is disposed on the back of the handle in the recess and at the initial position, providing a door handle device.

[0009] In the non-operating state of the operating portion, a regulating mechanism is provided that restricts the rotation of the handle from the normal operating position to the emergency operating position via the actuating member, and releases the restriction on the rotation of the handle via the actuating member by operating the operating portion. Thereby, since the handle cannot be operated to the emergency operating position without operating the operating portion, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the latch mechanism is actuated by both the first actuator and the transmission mechanism of the door latch device during normal times.

[0010] The operating portion that is not required to be operated during normal times is disposed on the back of the handle in the concave portion and at the initial position. That is, the operating portion is disposed in a portion that is difficult to visually observe from the outside by the handle. Therefore, the designability of the door handle device including the appearance of the vehicle door can be improved.

Effects of the Invention

[0011] In the present invention, it is possible to improve the designability including the appearance of the door while suppressing an unintentional handle operation to the emergency operating position during normal times.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a door handle device 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to an outer panel (door panel) 2 of a door 1 and can operate a door latch device 10 shown in FIG. 5 disposed on the same door 1 to open the closed door 1. The door handle device 20 of the present embodiment is for a right side door. However, the door handle device 20 may be for a left side door, a sliding door, or a hatchback door.

[0015] In the attached drawings, the X direction is the vehicle length direction, the direction indicated by the arrow is the rear side, and the direction opposite to the arrow is the front side. The Y direction is the vehicle width direction and the thickness direction of the door 1 in the present invention, the direction indicated by the arrow is the inner side (inside the vehicle), and the direction opposite to the arrow is the outer side (outside the vehicle). The Z direction is the vehicle height direction, the direction indicated by the arrow is the upper side, and the direction opposite to the arrow is the lower side.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 5, the door handle device 20 is connected to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 5 mounted on the vehicle. The ECU 5 all has a calculation unit, a storage unit, and a communication unit (not shown), reads out a program stored in advance in the storage unit, and executes information processing according to the steps instructed by the program. Further, the ECU 5 performs wireless communication with an electronic key (not shown) and performs authentication processing of the electronic key. The door latch device 10 is further connected to the ECU 5. The ECU 5 operates the door latch device 10 electrically based on the signal input from the door handle device 20.

[0017] To explain the outline of the door latch device 10, the door latch device 10 is arranged along an end panel (not shown) of the door 1 shown in FIG. 2. The door latch device 10 includes a latch mechanism 11, an actuator 12, a latch switching mechanism 13, a lock mechanism 14, an actuator 15, and a lock switching mechanism 16.

[0018] The latch mechanism 11 includes a fork and a claw, and can be switched between a latched state and an unlatched state. In the latched state, the fork holds the striker of the vehicle body and holds the door 1 shown in FIG. 2 in a closed state. In the unlatched state, the fork releases the striker and the door 1 can be opened. The switching from the unlatched state to the latched state is performed by the entry (rotation) of the striker into the fork by closing the open door 1. The switching from the latched state to the unlatched state (open operation) is performed in two ways by the operation of the door handle device 20. In the first method, the ECU 5 drives the actuator 12 by the signal input from a release switch (detection unit) 35 provided in the door handle device 20, and the actuator 12 operates the latch switching mechanism 13 to perform it electrically. In the second method, the user rotates the handle 30 provided in the door handle device 20, and transmits the operating force to the latch switching mechanism 13 through the transmission mechanism 40 and the lock mechanism 14 to perform it manually.

[0019] The locking mechanism 14 is composed of a plurality of levers or the like, and can be switched between an unlocked state in which the operating force of the handle 30 can be transmitted to the latch switching mechanism 13 and a locked state in which the operating force of the handle 30 cannot be transmitted to the latch switching mechanism 13. The switching between the unlocked state and the locked state is performed in two ways by operating the door handle device 20. In the first method, for example, in an emergency such as when the vehicle collides, a vibration sensor (not shown) that detects the impact outputs a collision signal, and the ECU 5 to which the collision signal is input operates the actuator 15 to perform it electrically. In the second method, the user operates the key cylinder 27 provided in the door handle device 20, and manually transmits the operating force to the lock switching mechanism 16 via a rod (transmission member).

[0020] In the door latch device 10 configured as described above, during normal operation, if the latch mechanism 11 is simultaneously opened electrically by the actuator 12 and manually by the transmission mechanism 40, malfunction may occur. Therefore, in the door handle device 20 of the present embodiment, a regulating mechanism 60 for restricting the rotational operation of the handle 30 is provided to suppress an unintended manual opening operation during normal operation. Further, in the present embodiment, with respect to the door handle device 20 including the regulating mechanism 60, the design property including the appearance of the door 1 is improved.

[0021] Hereinafter, the door handle device 20 of the present embodiment will be specifically described.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the door handle device 20 includes a base 25 attached to the inner side of the outer panel 2 of the vehicle. The door handle device 20 further includes a key cylinder 27, a handle 30, a transmission mechanism 40, an actuator 50, and a regulating mechanism 60, all of which are attached to the base 25. The transmission mechanism 40 is composed of a joint (intermediate member) 41 and a latch lever (operating member) 44. The regulating mechanism 60 is composed of a push button (operating part) 61 and a regulating member 63.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 5, when the door handle device 20 can operate the door latch device 10 electrically, the touch sensor 36 provided on the handle 30 detects a pop-up operation by the user and outputs a signal during normal times. The ECU 5 operates the actuator 50 to open the handle 30 from the initial position to the unlocking position. Also, during normal times, the door handle device 20 detects an opening operation by the user through the release switch 35 provided on the handle 30 and outputs a signal, and the ECU 5 electrically operates the latch mechanism 11 to open it.

[0024] On the other hand, when the door handle device 20 cannot operate the door latch device 10 electrically during an emergency, the operating force of the key cylinder 27 is transmitted to the lock switching mechanism 16, and the lock mechanism 14 is manually switched from the locked state to the unlocked state. Also, during an emergency, the door handle device 20 transmits the operating force of the handle 30 to the latch switching mechanism 13 via the transmission mechanism 40 and the lock mechanism 14, and manually operates the latch mechanism 11 to open it.

[0025] Next, the configurations of the base 25, the key cylinder 27, the handle 30, the transmission mechanism 40, the actuator 50, and the restricting mechanism 60 will be specifically described.

[0026] (Configuration of the base) Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the base 25 is disposed inside the outer panel 2 and is fixed to a boss (not shown) provided on the outer panel 2 by bolting. The base 25 has an elongated rectangular shape in the vehicle length direction when viewed directly from the outside in the vehicle width direction (the thickness direction of the door 1). The handle 30 is attached to the outer side of the base 25 in the vehicle width direction. The key cylinder 27, the transmission mechanism 40, the actuator 50, and the restricting mechanism 60 other than the handle 30 are attached to the inner side of the base 25 in the vehicle width direction.

[0027] The base 25 includes a rectangular tubular frame wall 25a and a partition wall 25b provided inside the frame wall 25a. The base 25 is formed with a recess 25c that is recessed from the outer side to the inner side in the vehicle width direction and faces an opening 2a formed in the outer panel 2. The recess 25c has an elongated shape in the vehicle length direction so as to surround the outer periphery of the steering wheel 30, and includes a tubular peripheral wall 25d that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction. A part of the partition wall 25b constitutes the bottom of the recess 25c. The outer end of the peripheral wall 25d in the vehicle width direction is an opening 25e of the recess 25c.

[0028] The base 25 is further provided with an exposure hole 25f, a cylinder mounting portion 25g, a through hole 25h, a guide groove 25i, a shaft portion 25j, and an exposure hole 25k. These configurations will be described in detail later.

[0029] (Configuration of the key cylinder) The key cylinder 27 is used to manually switch the lock mechanism 14 shown in FIG. 5 between the locked state and the unlocked state in an emergency. The key cylinder 27 is not normally used. The key cylinder 27 includes an insertion port 27a into which a mechanical key (not shown) is inserted and a rod 28 that rotates by operating the mechanical key.

[0030] The key cylinder 27 is attached at the rearmost side in the vehicle length direction on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the base 25. In order to expose the insertion port 27a to the outside of the vehicle, a circular exposure hole 25f is provided in the recess 25c of the base 25. A cylinder mounting portion 25g is provided on the back side of the partition wall 25b so as to surround the exposure hole 25f. The cylinder mounting portion 25g is tubular and protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction, and is inclined upward from the inner side to the outer side in the vehicle width direction. By attaching to the cylinder mounting portion 25g, the key cylinder 27 is inclined upward toward the outside of the vehicle. This allows the mechanical key to be inserted into the insertion port 27a obliquely downward from above the steering wheel 30.

[0031] (Configuration of the steering wheel) Referring to FIG. 5, the handle 30 is provided to perform the opening operation of the latch mechanism 11 of the door latch device 10. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the handle 30 is disposed in the recess 25c from the outside in the vehicle width direction with respect to the base 25 and is rotatably supported by a rotation shaft (second rotation shaft) 33.

[0032] The handle 30 can be rotated about the rotation shaft 33 in the direction A1 (outside in the vehicle width direction) from the initial position shown in FIGS. 1 and 15 through the normal operation position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 to the emergency operation position shown in FIG. 18 by the operation of the user. Further, the handle 30 can be rotated about the rotation shaft 33 in the direction A2 (inside in the vehicle width direction) from the emergency operation position shown in FIG. 18 through the normal operation position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 to the initial position shown in FIGS. 1 and 15 by the biasing force of the kick spring (biasing member) 34 shown in FIG. 4. One end of the kick spring 34 is locked to the handle 30, and the other end of the kick spring 34 is locked to the base 25.

[0033] In the initial position before the operation shown in FIGS. 1 and 15, a part of the handle 30 on the vehicle interior side is located in the recess 25c of the base 25 and is surrounded by the peripheral wall 25d. That is, the handle 30 closes the opening 25e of the recess 25c when rotated to the initial position. The closing here means a state where there is no gap for the user to insert a finger between the handle 30 and the peripheral wall 25d. Thereby, when the handle 30 is viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction, the insertion port 27a (see FIG. 17) of the key cylinder 27 located at the back of the handle 30 in the recess 25c is covered by the handle 30.

[0034] In the normal operation position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the handle 30 rotates outward in the vehicle width direction from the initial position shown in FIGS. 1 and 15 and is positioned with a gap S that allows the insertion of a mechanical key and the operation of the push button 61 of the restriction mechanism 60 with respect to the opening 25e of the recess 25c. That is, in this state, a part of the insertion port 27a of the key cylinder 27 and the push button 61 of the restriction mechanism 60 is exposed to the outside of the vehicle.

[0035] In the emergency operation position shown in FIG. 18, the handle 30 is rotated outward in the vehicle width direction compared to the normal operation position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. Of course, in this state, a part of the insertion port 27a of the key cylinder 27 and the push button 61 of the regulating mechanism 60 is exposed to the outside of the vehicle.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 9, the handle 30 is composed of a base member 31 and a cover 32 that covers the outside in the vehicle width direction of the base 31.

[0037] The base member 31 is provided with a shaft mounting portion 31a having a shaft hole through which a rotating shaft 33 passes. The shaft mounting portion 31a protrudes vertically from the base member 31. By arranging the handle 30 in the recess 25c of the base 25 shown in FIG. 3 and passing the rotating shaft 33 through the base 25 and the shaft mounting portion 31a, the handle 30 is pivotally supported by the base 25. In the vehicle length direction, the shaft mounting portion 31a is provided on the rear side of the front end of the entire length of the handle 30 and on the front side of the center. Thus, by pushing the front end portion 30a on the front side in the vehicle length direction of the handle 30 more inward in the vehicle width direction, the handle 30 can be rotated in the direction A1 as in the state of the normal operation position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17.

[0038] The base member 31 is provided with a bearing portion 31b for rotatably supporting the joint 41 of the transmission mechanism 40. The bearing portion 31b is composed of a pair of protruding pieces 31c provided at intervals in the vehicle height direction. Each protruding piece 31c has a shaft hole, protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction from above and below the shaft mounting portion 31a, and extends along the XY plane. Referring to FIG. 3, the bearing portion 31b penetrates the partition wall 25b of the base 25 and is arranged from the outside to the inside in the vehicle width direction. The base 25 is provided with a through hole 25h for passing through the bearing portion 31b. The through hole 25h is square and is provided at an offset position on the front side in the vehicle length direction of the recess 25c.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, a release switch (detection portion) 35 and a touch sensor 36 are attached to the internal space defined by the base member 31 and the cover 32.

[0040] The release switch 35 is disposed at the rear side in the vehicle length direction within the steering wheel 30. The release switch 35 is constituted by a push switch that outputs a signal in the on state and cuts off the signal output in the off state, and is connected to the ECU 5. Referring to FIGS. 2, 4, and 9, an operation member 37 that is movable in the vehicle width direction is attached to the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the steering wheel 30. The operation member 37 is located within the recess 25c of the base 25 and cannot be operated when the steering wheel 30 is in the initial position shown in FIGS. 1 and 15.

[0041] The release switch 35 is turned on and outputs a signal when the user holds the steering wheel 30 and moves the operation member 37 outward in the vehicle width direction. As a result, when the authentication of the electronic key is established, the ECU 5 shown in FIG. 5 activates the actuator 12 to open the latch mechanism 11. As a result, the door 1 shown in FIG. 2 can be opened. On the other hand, when the authentication of the electronic key is not established, the ECU 5 does not activate the actuator 12 or open the latch mechanism 11 even when receiving a signal from the release switch 35.

[0042] The release switch 35 may be attached to the base 25, for example, and may be configured to be switched to the on state when the steering wheel 30 abuts thereon by operating the steering wheel 30 from the initial position shown in FIGS. 1 and 15 to the normal operation position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. That is, the release switch 35 may be in an operable state by rotating the steering wheel 30 from the initial position to the normal operation position, or may be operated by rotating the steering wheel 30 from the initial position to the normal operation position. The detection unit is not limited to the release switch (push switch) 35 and can be changed as necessary as long as it can detect the opening operation of the user.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the touch sensor 36 is disposed near the mounting portion 31a that is forward in the vehicle length direction of the release switch 35 within the handle 30. The touch sensor 36 is constituted by a capacitance sensor capable of detecting an operation by a user based on a change in capacitance, and is connected to the ECU 5. That is, the touch sensor 36 detects the operation of the user via the cover 32.

[0044] When the user touches (performs a pop-up operation) the vicinity of the mounting portion 31a of the cover 32 of the handle 30, the touch sensor 36 outputs a signal. As a result, the ECU 5 shown in FIG. 5 operates the actuator 50 of the door handle device 20, and rotates the handle 30 from the initial positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 15 to the normal operation positions shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. However, the detection unit for the pop-up operation is not limited to the touch sensor (capacitance sensor) 36, and can be changed as necessary as long as it can detect the pop-up operation by the user.

[0045] (Configuration of Transmission Mechanism) Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the transmission mechanism 40 includes a joint 41 and a latch lever 44, and is disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the base 25 on the side opposite to the handle 30. The joint 41 and the latch lever 44 transmit the operating force of the handle 30 for operating the latch mechanism 11 shown in FIG. 5 during an emergency to the latch switching mechanism 13 of the door latch device 10. Further, during normal times, the joint 41 transmits the driving force of the actuator 50 to the handle 30, and rotates the handle 30 from the initial positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 15 to the normal operation positions shown in FIGS. 16 and 17.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 9, the joint 41 is elongated in the vehicle length direction like the handle 30, has a thick plate shape in the vehicle width direction, and is swingably supported by a rotating shaft 42 disposed on the handle 30. A shaft hole 41a penetrating the rotating shaft 42 is provided on the rear side in the vehicle length direction of the joint 41. The joint 41 with respect to the handle 30 is disposed between a pair of projecting pieces 31c of the bearing portion 31b, and is pivotally supported by penetrating and attaching the rotating shaft 42.

[0047] When the handle 30 rotates toward the direction A1, the joint 41 moves from the initial position shown in FIGS. 1 and 15 to the abutting position (see FIG. 14), the opening operation restriction position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, and then to the opening operation position shown in FIG. 18 in sequence, and moves toward the direction B1 (rear side in the vehicle commander's direction). Also, when the hand is released from the handle 30, the joint 41 moves from the opening operation position shown in FIG. 18 to the opening operation restriction position and the abutting position (see FIG. 14) shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 in sequence, and then moves to the initial position shown in FIGS. 1 and 15 along the vehicle commander's direction and toward the direction B2 (front side in the vehicle commander's direction) in conjunction with the rotation of the handle 30 toward the direction A2 by the biasing force of the kick spring 34.

[0048] When the handle 30 is located at the initial position shown in FIGS. 1 and 15, the joint 41 is located at the initial position shown in the same FIGS. 1 and 15. The joint 41 at the initial position does not abut on any of the movable members 52 provided on the latch lever 44 and the actuator 50, and is located at a distance from them.

[0049] When the handle 30 is located at a predetermined position between the initial position shown in FIGS. 1 and 15 and the normal operation position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the joint 41 is located at the abutting position (see FIG. 14) where it abuts on the latch lever 44. The movable member 52 of the actuator 50 normally abuts on the joint 41 at the abutting position, but is located at a distance without abutting in the event of an emergency.

[0050] When the handle 30 is in the normal operating position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the joint 41 is in the opening operation restricting position shown in the same FIGS. 16 and 17. The joint 41 in the opening operation restricting position abuts against the latch lever 44, and the movement of the joint 41 in the direction B1 is restricted by the restricting mechanism 60 against which the latch lever 44 abuts. Further, the movable member 52 of the actuator 50 normally abuts against the joint 41 in the opening operation restricting position, but is positioned at a distance without abutting in an emergency. However, the opening operation restricting position of the joint 41 may be positioned in the direction A1 (outer side in the vehicle width direction) with respect to the normal operating position of the handle 30 shown in FIGS. 16 and 17.

[0051] When the handle 30 is in the emergency operating position shown in FIG. 18, the joint 41 is in the opening operation position shown in the same FIG. 18. The joint 41 in the opening operation position abuts against the latch lever 44, and the restrictions on the movement of the joint 41 in the directions B1 and B2 by the restricting mechanism 60 are released. Further, the movable member 52 of the actuator 50 is positioned at a distance without abutting against the joint 41 in either the normal or emergency situation.

[0052] The joint 41 includes a pair of guide convex portions 41b protruding vertically. The pair of guide convex portions 41b are provided at intervals in the front side in the vehicle length direction with respect to the shaft hole 41a. These guide convex portions 41b are respectively arranged in guide grooves 25i formed in the base 25 shown in FIG. 3 (only the lower side is shown in FIG. 4), and guide the movement direction of the joint 41 in the directions B1 and B2.

[0053] Among the joint 41, the end portion in the direction B1, which is on the rear side in the vehicle length direction with respect to the shaft hole 41a, constitutes a pressing operation portion 41c for pressing and operating the latch lever 44. Among the joint 41, the end portion in the direction B2, which is on the front side in the vehicle length direction with respect to the guide convex portion 41b, constitutes an operation receiving portion 41d for receiving the driving force of the actuator 50. Further, an operation convex portion 41e for operating a pair of switches 43 for detecting the movement position of the joint 41 is provided at the upper end of the joint 41. The pair of switches 43 are attached to the base 25.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the latch lever 44 is disposed adjacent to the rear side in the vehicle length direction of the joint 41. The latch lever 44 is rotatably supported by the shaft portion 25j of the base 25, rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the handle 30 via the joint 41, and transmits the operating force of the handle 30 to the latch switching mechanism 13 via the locking mechanism 14 shown in FIG. 5. The latch lever 44 includes a base portion 44a, an operating arm portion 44b, and a protruding portion (holding portion) 44d, and is generally L-shaped as a whole.

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 6, 7, and 14, when the protruding portion 44d of the latch lever 44 is pressed by the movement of the joint 41 in the direction B1, the latch lever 44 rotates about the shaft portion 25j shown in FIG. 4 from the non-operating position through the restricted position to the open operating position in the direction C1 (clockwise in FIG. 3). Further, when the pressing of the joint 41 against the protruding portion 44d is released, the latch lever 44 rotates about the shaft portion 25j shown in FIG. 4 from the open operating position through the restricted position to the non-operating position in the direction C2 (counterclockwise in FIG. 3) by the biasing force of the kick spring (biasing member) 45. One end of the kick spring 45 is locked to the latch lever 44, and the other end of the kick spring 45 is locked to the base 25.

[0056] The latch lever 44 is in the non-operating position shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 when the handle 30 is in the initial position shown in FIGS. 1 and 15. Further, the latch lever 44 is in the restricted position shown in FIGS. 14 and 16 when the handle 30 is in the normal operating position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. Further, the latch lever 44 is in the open operating position shown in FIGS. 14 and 18 when the handle 30 is in the emergency operating position shown in FIG. 18. The latch lever 44 in the non-operating position and the restricted position cannot open-operate the latch mechanism 11 shown in FIG. 5. The latch lever 44 in the open operating position opens-operates the latch mechanism 11 shown in FIG. 5.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 9, the base portion 44a is generally cylindrical and is rotatably supported by the shaft portion 25j protruding inward in the vehicle width direction from the base 25 shown in FIG. 4.

[0058] The operation arm portion 44b protrudes rearward in the vehicle commander direction from the base portion 44a. A connection portion 44c for mechanically connecting to the lock mechanism 14 shown in FIG. 5 is provided at the tip of the operation arm portion 44b. The other end of a wire (not shown) having one end connected to the lock mechanism 14 shown in FIG. 5 is connected to the connection portion 44c.

[0059] The protruding portion 44d is generally quadrangular prism-shaped and protrudes downward from the base portion 44a. That is, the protruding portion 44d protrudes in a direction intersecting with the directions B1 and B2 in which the operation arm portion 44b and the joint 41 move. Referring to FIGS. 10 to 12, the front surface of the protruding portion 44d in the vehicle commander direction constitutes an operation receiving surface 44e that receives the operating force of the handle 30 via the joint 41 by the contact of the pressing operation portion 41c of the joint 41. The rear surface of the protruding portion 44d in the vehicle commander direction constitutes a contact surface 44f that restricts the rotation of the latch lever 44, the movement of the joint 41, and the rotation of the handle 30 by the contact of the restricting member 63 provided in the restricting mechanism 60. Referring to FIG. 12, the outer surface of the protruding portion 44d in the vehicle width direction constitutes a holding surface 44g for holding the restricting member 63 in the restriction release position. The holding surface 44g is a flat surface extending along the XZ plane. This holding surface 44g releases the holding of the restricting member 60 by the rotation of the latch lever 44 due to the rotation of the handle 30 toward the initial position shown in FIGS. 1 and 15 beyond the normal operation position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17.

[0060] (Configuration of the actuator) Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, the actuator 50 normally rotates the handle 30 via the joint 41. The actuator 50 is disposed at the front end in the vehicle commander direction on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the base 25. More specifically, the actuator 50 is attached adjacent to the front side in the vehicle commander direction of the joint 41. The actuator 50 includes a motor 51 and a movable member 52 that rotates by the rotation of the motor 51 and moves the joint 41. In the initial state before the actuator 50 operates, the movable member 52 is positioned at a distance in the vehicle commander direction from the operation receiving portion 41d of the joint 41.

[0061] The actuator 50 is controlled by the ECU 5 shown in FIG. 5. By the ECU 5, the actuator 50 moves the joint 41 from the initial positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 15 to the opening operation restriction position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 in the direction B1, thereby interlocking the handle 30 and rotating it to the normal operation position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 (opening operation). By the ECU 5, the actuator 50 is returned to the initial state before operation (return operation). By the return operation of the actuator 50, the handle 30 and the joint 41 move to the initial positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 15 by the biasing force of the kick spring 34. The actuator 50 can be changed as necessary as long as it is configured to be able to rotate the handle 30 via the joint 41.

[0062] (Configuration of the restriction mechanism) Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the restriction mechanism 60 includes a push button 61 and a restriction member 63, and is disposed between the key cylinder 27 and the latch lever 44 in the vehicle length direction on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the base 25.

[0063] In the non-operated state of the push button 61, the restriction mechanism 60 restricts the rotation of the latch lever 44 in the direction C1 from the restricted position shown in FIGS. 14 and 16 to the opening operation position shown in FIGS. 14 and 18 by the restriction member 63. Thereby, the rotation of the handle 30 from the normal operation position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 to the emergency operation position shown in FIG. 18 is restricted via the latch lever 44 and the joint 41. On the other hand, by pressing the push button 61 inward in the vehicle width direction, the rotation restriction of the latch lever 44 by the restriction member 63 is released and rotation is permitted. Thereby, the rotation restriction of the handle 30 from the normal operation position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 to the emergency operation position shown in FIG. 18 is also released and rotation is permitted.

[0064] The push button 61 is provided to rotate the restricting member 63 from the restricting position shown in FIGS. 10 and 16 to the restriction release position shown in FIGS. 12 and 18. The push button 61 is arranged adjacent to the front side in the vehicle length direction of the key cylinder 27 with respect to the base 25, and is rotatably supported by a rotation shaft (third rotation shaft) 62. The push button 61 arranged in this way can move forward and backward (rotate) between the non-operation position shown in FIGS. 10 and 12 and the operation position shown in FIG. 11. However, since the rotation angle range between the non-operation position shown in FIGS. 10 and 12 and the operation position shown in FIG. 11 is extremely narrow, it can be said that the push button 61 can move substantially linearly in the vehicle width direction. Of course, the push button 61 can be changed as necessary as long as it is configured to be rotatable from the restricting position shown in FIGS. 10 and 16 to the restriction release position shown in FIGS. 12 and 18.

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 9, the push button 61 includes a base portion 61a that is rectangular in shape and long in the vehicle height direction. The lower portion of this base portion 61a is rotatably supported by a rotation shaft 62 arranged on the base 25. The rotation shaft 62 extends in the vehicle length direction so as to intersect the axes of the rotation shafts 33 and 42 of the handle 30 and the joint 41, and the shaft portion 25j of the latch lever 44.

[0066] The push button 61 further includes an operation portion 61b that bulges outward in the vehicle width direction from the base portion 61a. In order to expose this operation portion 61b to the outside of the vehicle, an exposure hole 25k is provided in the recess 25c of the base 25. The exposure hole 25k has a rectangular shape corresponding to the operation portion 61b, and is provided adjacent to the front side in the vehicle length direction of the exposure hole 25f including the insertion port 27a. That is, the exposure hole 25k is provided near the end portion on the rear side in the vehicle length direction in the recess 25c.

[0067] The exposed hole 25k including the operation part 61b is located so as to overlap the back of the handle 30 when viewed from directly in front from the outside in the vehicle width direction when the handle 30 is in the initial position shown in FIGS. 1 and 15, and is covered by the handle 30. On the other hand, the exposed hole 25k including the operation part 61b is exposed to the outside in the vehicle width direction when the handle 30 is in the normal operation position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 and when the handle 30 is in the emergency operation position shown in FIG. 18.

[0068] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the restricting member 63 is disposed between the protruding portion 44d of the latch lever 44 and the push button 61 with respect to the base 25, and is rotatably supported by a rotating shaft (first rotating shaft) 64. The rotating shaft 64 extends in the vehicle height direction in the same manner as the rotating shafts 33 and 42 of the handle 30 and the joint 41, and extends in a direction intersecting the shaft portion 25j of the latch lever 44 and the rotating shaft 62 of the push button 61.

[0069] The restricting member 63 is rotatable about the rotating shaft 64 from the restricting position shown in FIGS. 10 and 16 to the restriction release position shown in FIGS. 12 and 18 in the direction D1 (outside in the vehicle width direction) by the operation of the push button 61. Further, the restricting member 63 is rotatable about the rotating shaft 64 from the restriction release position shown in FIGS. 12 and 18 to the restricting position shown in FIGS. 10 and 16 in the direction D2 (inside in the vehicle width direction) by the urging force of the kick spring (urging member) 65. One end of the kick spring 65 is locked to the restricting member 63, and the other end of the kick spring 65 shown in FIG. 4 is locked to the base 25.

[0070] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 9, the restricting member 63 includes a base portion 63a, an operation receiving portion 63b, and a contact portion 63c.

[0071] The base portion 63a is cylindrical and extends in the vehicle height direction, has a shaft hole penetrating the rotating shaft 64, and is rotatable about the rotating shaft 64.

[0072] The operation receiving part 63b is plate-shaped and protrudes rearward in the vehicle length direction from the base part 63a, that is, toward the side where the push button 61 is located. When the regulating member 63 is in the regulating position shown in FIGS. 10 and 16, the end part on the rear side in the vehicle length direction of the operation receiving part 63b is in contact with the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the push button 61. Thereby, the operation receiving part 63b can receive the operation of the push button 61 toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

[0073] The contact part 63c is continuous with the base part 63a via the extending part 63d. The contact part 63c and the extending part 63d are plate-shaped with a thickness in the vehicle width direction thicker than that of the operation receiving part 63b, and protrude forward in the vehicle length direction from the base part 63a, that is, toward the protruding part 44d of the latch lever 44. The contact part 63c is bent inward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the extending part 63d. More specifically, when the regulating member 63 is in the regulating release position shown in FIGS. 12 and 18, the contact part 63c is slightly inclined inward in the vehicle width direction from the rear side to the front side in the vehicle length direction with respect to the holding surface 44g of the latch lever 44, but extends substantially parallel. If the posture of the contact part 63c with respect to this holding surface 44g can be ensured, the extending part 63d may not be provided.

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 10 to 12, among the contact part 63c, the front end surface on the front side in the vehicle length direction constitutes the surface 63e to be contacted by the latch lever 44, and the surface on the inner side in the vehicle width direction constitutes the sliding contact surface 63f with which the latch lever 44 makes sliding contact. That is, the contact part 63c is configured such that a compressive force acts in the protruding direction by the contact of the latch lever 44. Since the rigidity in the protruding direction against an external force is higher than the rigidity in the shearing direction, the strength of the contact part 63c against the contact of the latch lever 44 can be ensured.

[0075] When the contact surface 63e is in the position where the regulating member 63 is in the regulating position shown in FIGS. 10 and 16 and the latch lever 44 is in the non-operating position, it faces the contact surface 44f of the latch lever 44 corresponding to the vehicle width direction and spaced apart in the vehicle length direction. That is, in this state, the contact surface 63e is located within the rotation locus of the protruding portion 44d of the latch lever 44, and the rotation of the latch lever 44 in the direction C1 is restricted by the contact of the protruding portion 44d. On the other hand, when the regulating member 63 is in the regulation release position shown in FIGS. 12 and 18, the contact surface 63e is adjacent to the outside in the vehicle width direction with respect to the contact surface 44f of the latch lever 44. That is, in this state, the contact surface 63e is located outside the rotation locus of the protruding portion 44d of the latch lever 44, and allows the rotation of the latch lever 44 without contacting the contact surface 44f.

[0076] The sliding contact surface 63f slides in contact with the holding surface 44g of the latch lever 44 only when the regulating member 63 is in the regulation release position shown in FIGS. 12 and 18 and the latch lever 44 rotates toward the opening operation position shown in FIGS. 14 and 18 rather than the regulated position shown in FIGS. 14 and 16. That is, except for this state, the sliding contact surface 63f cannot slide in contact with the holding surface 44g. Thereby, when the sliding contact of the sliding contact surface 63f with respect to the holding surface 44g is released by the rotation of the latch lever 44, that is, when the holding of the contact portion 63c by the protruding portion 44d of the latch lever 44 is released, the regulating member 60 returns to the regulating position shown in FIGS. 10 and 16.

[0077] (Opening operation of the door latch device) Next, the operation of the door handle device 20 when switching the latch mechanism 11 to the unlatched state to open the door 1 shown in FIG. 2 when the lock mechanism 14 of the door latch device 10 shown in FIG. 5 is in the locked state will be described.

[0078] When the door latch device 10 shown in FIG. 5 is operable electrically under normal conditions, the user first operates the touch sensor 36 of the door handle device 20. Then, if the ECU 5 cannot receive an identification signal from the electronic key or the received identification signal from the electronic key does not match, the ECU 5 stores a flag indicating authentication failure in the storage unit. And the actuator 50 of the door handle device 20 is not operated.

[0079] On the other hand, when the touch sensor 36 of the door handle device 20 is operated, if the identification signal received from an electronic key (not shown) by the ECU 5 matches, the ECU 5 stores a flag indicating successful authentication in the storage unit and operates the actuator 50 of the door handle device 20. As a result, the joint 41 moves in direction B1 from the initial position shown in FIGS. 1 and 15 to the opening operation restriction position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. Consequently, the handle 30 rotates in direction A1 from the initial position shown in FIGS. 1 and 15 to the normal operation position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 in conjunction with the joint 41.

[0080] Subsequently, the user grips the main body portion 30b of the handle 30 protruding from the recess 25c of the base 25 and operates the operation member 37. As a result, the release switch 35 is turned on and outputs a signal, and the ECU 5 that has received this signal operates the actuator 12 of the door latch device 10 to switch the latch mechanism 11 to the unlatched state. As a result, the door 1 shown in FIG. 2 can be opened. After that, the ECU 5 stops the operation of the actuator 50 of the door handle device 20. Thereby, the actuator 50 returns to the initial state, and the handle 30 and the joint 41 return to the initial position shown in FIGS. 1 and 15 by the biasing force of the kick spring 34.

[0081] When the door latch device 10 shown in FIG. 5 cannot be operated electrically in an emergency, the user can open the door 1 shown in FIG. 2 by operating the door handle device 20 according to the procedure shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

[0082] Specifically, the user first pushes the front end portion 30a of the steering wheel 30 inward in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the steering wheel 30 rotates in the direction A1 toward the normal operation position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 (Pa1 in FIG. 14), and in conjunction with this rotation, the joint 41 moves in the direction B1 (Pb1 in FIG. 14).

[0083] Subsequently, the user grips the main body portion 30b of the steering wheel 30 that has protruded from the recess 25c of the base 25 and pulls it in the direction A1 toward the normal operation position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. As a result, the joint 41 moves in the direction B1 in conjunction with the rotation of the steering wheel 30. Then, when the joint 41 moves in the direction B1 to the contact position (Pb2 in FIG. 14), the pressing operation portion 41c contacts the operation receiving surface 44e of the protruding portion 44d, and the latch lever 44 begins to rotate in the direction C1 (Pc1 in FIG. 14).

[0084] When the latch lever 44 rotates in the direction C1 to the restricted position via the joint 41 by the opening operation of the steering wheel 30, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the contact surface 44f of the protruding portion 44d contacts the portion 63c to be contacted of the restricting member 63. As a result, the rotation of the latch lever 44 in the direction C1 toward the opening operation position shown in FIG. 18 is restricted (Pc2 in FIG. 14). Consequently, the movement of the joint 41 in the direction B1 toward the opening operation position is also restricted (Pb3 in FIG. 14), and the rotation of the steering wheel 30 in the direction A1 toward the emergency operation position is also restricted (Pa2 in FIG. 14).

[0085] When the restricted state shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 is reached, the user holds the steering wheel 30 in a rotated state, inserts a mechanical key into the insertion port 27a of the key cylinder 27 in the exposed recess 25c, and performs an unlocking operation. As a result, the lock switching mechanism 16 of the door latch device 10 shown in FIG. 5 is operated, and the lock mechanism 14 is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0086] Subsequently, the user pushes the push button 61 in the exposed recess 25c inward in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the push button 61 is pushed inward into the vehicle, and in conjunction with the movement of the push button 61, the regulating member 63 rotates in the direction D2 from the regulating position shown in FIG. 10 to the regulating release position shown in FIG. 11 (Pd1, Pd2 in FIG. 14). As a result, the regulation of the latch lever 44, the joint 41, and the handle 30 by the regulating member 63 is released, and they become movable.

[0087] Subsequently, while keeping the push button 61 operated, the rotation of the handle 30 in the direction A1 toward the emergency operation position shown in FIG. 18 is resumed (Pa3 in FIG. 14). As a result, the movement of the joint 41 in the direction B1 toward the open operation position is also resumed (Pb4 in FIG. 14), and the rotation of the latch lever 44 in the direction C1 toward the open operation position is also resumed (Pc3 in FIG. 14). As a result, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 18, the protruding portion 44d of the latch lever 44 is positioned inside the vehicle width direction of the contact portion 63c of the regulating member 63. Therefore, when the finger is released from the push button 61, the regulating member 63 tries to rotate in the direction D2, which is the regulating position, by the biasing force of the kick spring 65. However, since the sliding contact surface 63f abuts on the holding surface 44g, the regulating member 63 is maintained at the regulating release position (Pd3 in FIG. 14).

[0088] Subsequently, when the handle 30 is rotated in the direction A1 to the emergency operation position shown in FIG. 18 by the opening operation by the user (Pa4 in FIG. 14), the joint 41 moves in the direction B1 to the open operation position (Pb5 in FIG. 14), and the latch lever 44 rotates in the direction C1 to the open operation position (Pc4 in FIG. 14). As a result, the latch switching mechanism 13 is operated via the unlocking state lock mechanism 14 of the door latch device 10 shown in FIG. 5, and the latch mechanism 11 is switched from the latched state to the unlatched state. As a result, the door 1 shown in FIG. 2 becomes openable.

[0089] When the above opening operation is completed, the user releases their hand from the handle 30. As a result, the handle 30 rotates in the direction A2 from the emergency operation position shown in Fig. 18, through the normal operation positions shown in Figs. 16 and 17 (Pa5 in Fig. 14), to the initial position shown in Figs. 1 and 15 (Pa6 in Fig. 14), by the biasing force of the kick spring 34. Also, the joint 41 moves in the direction B2 from the opening operation position, through the opening operation restriction position and the contact position in sequence (Pb6, Pb7 in Fig. 14), to the initial position (Pb8 in Fig. 14), by the biasing force of the kick spring 34. Further, the latch lever 44 rotates in the direction C2 from the opening operation position, through the restricted position (Pc5 in Fig. 14), to the non-operating position (Pc6 in Fig. 14), by the biasing force of the kick spring 45.

[0090] Fig. 19 shows the point in time (return process) when, during the return of the handle 30 from the emergency operation position shown in Fig. 18 to the initial position shown in Figs. 1 and 15, it exceeds the normal operation positions shown in Figs. 16 and 17 (Pa5 in Fig. 14). In this state, the joint 41 exceeds the opening operation restriction position (Pb6 in Fig. 14), and the latch lever 44 exceeds the restricted position (Pc5 in Fig. 14). Therefore, the holding surface 44g of the latch lever 44 and the sliding contact surface 63f of the regulating member 63 are spaced apart in the vehicle length direction and are in a non-contact state. Thus, the holding of the contact portion 63c of the regulating member 63 by the protruding portion 44d of the latch lever 44 is released, and the regulating member 63 rotates from the regulation release position (Pd4 in Fig. 14) to the regulation position (Pd5 in Fig. 14) by the biasing force of the kick spring 65.

[0091] In this way, when the handle 30 after the opening operation returns to the initial position, the holding of the contact portion 63c of the regulating member 63 by the protruding portion 44d of the latch lever 44 is released, and the regulating member 63 returns to the regulation position. That is, when returning the handle 30 from the emergency operation position to the initial position, the latch lever 44 is not regulated again by the regulating member 63, so there is no need to operate the push button 61.

[0092] The door handle device 20 configured in this way has the following features.

[0093] In the non-operating state of the operation unit 61b, the rotation of the handle 30 from the normal operation position to the emergency operation position is restricted via the latch lever 44, and a restriction mechanism 60 is provided that releases the rotation restriction of the handle 30 via the latch lever 44 by operating the operation unit 61b. Thereby, since the handle 30 cannot be operated to the emergency operation position without operating the operation unit 61b, it is possible to suppress the inconvenience that the latch mechanism 11 is operated by both the electric operation by the actuator 12 of the door latch device 10 and the manual operation by the transmission mechanism 40 (lock mechanism 14) during normal times.

[0094] Normally, the operation unit 61b that does not require operation is disposed inside the concave portion 25c and at the back of the handle 30 in the initial position. That is, the operation unit 61b is disposed at a portion that is difficult to visually observe from the outside by the handle 30. Therefore, the designability of the door handle device 20 including the appearance of the vehicle door 1 can be improved.

[0095] When the handle 30 is viewed directly, the operation unit 61b is disposed at a position overlapping the handle 30. Therefore, since the operation unit 61b becomes more difficult to visually observe from the outside, the designability of the door handle device 20 including the appearance of the vehicle door 1 can be surely improved.

[0096] When the handle 30 rotates to the initial position, it closes the opening 25e of the concave portion 25c. Thereby, since the operation unit 61b can be disposed in a state where it cannot be visually observed from outside the vehicle, the design of the door handle device 20 including the appearance of the vehicle door 1 can be improved.

[0097] The restricting member 63 included in the restricting mechanism 60 receives the operation by the push button 61 by an operation receiving portion 63b protruding rearward in the vehicle length direction from the base portion 63a, and restricts the movement of the latch lever 44 by a contact portion 63c protruding forward in the vehicle length direction from the base portion 63a, thereby restricting the movement of the handle 30. Thereby, the push button 61 provided with the operation unit 61b for releasing the restriction is disposed away from the latch lever 44 to be restricted. Therefore, the degree of freedom in arranging the push button 61 can be improved, and the design of the door handle device 20 including the appearance of the vehicle door 1 can be improved.

[0098] The rotation axis 64 of the regulating member 63 extends along the rotation axis 33 of the handle 30. That is, since the handle 30 and the regulating member 63 can be arranged along the same vehicle length direction with respect to the base 25, the dimension in the direction (height direction) intersecting the extending direction (vehicle length direction) of the handle 30 on the base 25 can be reduced.

[0099] The rotation axis 62 of the push button 61 extends in the height direction (the thickness direction of the door 1) and in a direction intersecting the rotation axis 64. Thereby, the operating force of the push button 61 is transmitted to the operating receiving portion 63b of the regulating member 63, and the contact portion 63c can be reliably moved from the regulating position to the regulating release position.

[0100] An actuator 50 for rotating the handle 30 from the initial position to the normal operation position is provided via a joint 41 for moving the latch lever 44, and the operating member 37 of the release switch 35 is arranged on the handle 30 so as to be located within the recess 25c. Therefore, normally, the release switch 35 arranged on the handle 30 becomes operable by the operation of the joint 41 by the actuator 50. On the other hand, normally, the operating member 37 of the release switch 35 located within the recess 25c is inoperable. Thus, it is possible to prevent the door 1 from being opened due to the release switch 35 being inadvertently operated in the non-operated state during normal times. Also, it is possible to easily perform an operation on the operating receiving portion 63b from above with respect to the door handle device 20.

[0101] Note that the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

[0102] For example, the actuating member may be constituted by the joint 41, and normally, the movement of the joint 41 due to the rotation of the handle 30 from the normal operation position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 to the emergency operation position shown in FIG. 18 may be regulated by the regulating member 63. Also, the actuating member whose movement is regulated by the regulating member 63 can be changed as necessary as long as it is a component constituting the transmission mechanism 40.

[0103] The operating member 37 of the release switch 35 may partially protrude from the handle 30 when viewed from the front, as long as it can improve the design of the door handle device 20 including the appearance of the door 1.

[0104] The restricting mechanism 60 may be composed only of the restricting member 63, and the operation receiving portion 63b may function as an operation portion. That is, the restricting mechanism 60 may be configured without using the push button 61.

[0105] The directions in which the rotation axis 33 of the handle 30, the rotation axis 42 of the joint 41, and the shaft portion (rotation axis) 25j of the latch lever 44 extend can be changed as necessary, as long as the rotation of the handle 30 can be transmitted to the latch lever 44 via the joint 41.

[0106] The push button 61 and the restricting member 63 are not limited to a configuration in which they are rotatably attached, and can be changed as necessary, as long as the operating force of the push button 61 can be transmitted to the restricting member 63 and the restricting member 63 can be moved from a restricting position where it can contact the latch lever 44 to a restricting release position where it cannot contact.

Explanation of Signs

[0107] 1 Door 2 Outer panel (door panel) 2a Opening 5 ECU 10 Door latch device 11 Latch mechanism 12 Actuator 13 Latch switching mechanism 14 Lock mechanism 15 Actuator 16 Lock switching mechanism 20 Door handle device 25 Base 25a Frame wall 25b Partition wall 25c Recess 25d Peripheral wall 25e Opening 25f Exposed hole 25g Cylinder mounting part 25h Through hole 25i Guide groove 25j Shaft part 25k Exposed hole 27 Key cylinder 27a Insertion port 28 Rod 30 Handle 30a Front end part 30b Body part 31 Base member 31a Shaft mounting part 31b Bearing part 31c Projection 32 Cover 33 Rotation shaft (second rotation shaft) 34 Kick spring 35 Release switch (detection part) 36 Touch sensor 37 Operating member 40 Transmission mechanism 41 Joint (intermediate member) 41a Shaft hole 41b Guide projection 41c Pressing operation part 41d Operation receiving part 41e Operation projection 42 Rotation shaft 43 Switch 44 Latch lever (actuating member) 44a Base part 44b Operating arm part 44c Connection part 44d Projection (holding part) 44e Operation receiving surface 44f Contact surface 44g Holding surface 45 Kick spring 50 Actuator 51 Motor 52 Movable member 60 Regulation mechanism 61 Push button 61a Base part 61b Operating part 62 Rotation shaft (third rotation shaft) 63 Regulation member 63a Base part 63b Operation receiving part 63c Contact part 63d Extension part 63e Surface to be contacted 63f Folding contact surface 64 Rotation axis (first rotation axis) 65 Kick spring (biasing member) S Gap X Vehicle length direction Y Vehicle width direction (door thickness direction) Z Vehicle height direction

Claims

1. A base disposed inside the door panel so as to define a recess facing an opening formed in the door panel of the door, and a handle pivotally supported on the base, capable of pivoting from an initial position where a part thereof is located within the recess, through a normal operation position, to an emergency operation position for opening the door, and from the emergency operation position, through the normal operation position, back to the initial position; a detection unit that outputs a signal for electrically actuating an electric door latch device that holds the door in a closed state with respect to the vehicle body when the operation of the handle from the initial position to the normal operation position is detected; a transmission mechanism having an actuating member movable in conjunction with the rotation of the handle, and configured such that the movement of the actuating member caused by the rotation of the handle to the emergency operation position manually actuates the door latch device; a restricting mechanism having an operating portion that restricts the rotation of the handle from the normal operation position to the emergency operation position via the actuating member when the operating portion is not operated, and releases the restriction on the rotation of the handle via the actuating member when the operating portion is operated. The door handle device is provided with: The operating portion is disposed on the back of the handle at the initial position within the recess.

2. When viewed directly facing the handle, the operating portion is disposed at a position overlapping the handle. The door handle device according to Claim 1.

3. When the handle rotates to the initial position, it closes the opening of the recess. The door handle device according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The restricting mechanism includes a push button that is the operating portion and can advance and retreat in the thickness direction of the door, and a restricting member that can rotate from a restricting position to a restriction release position by operating the push button. The restricting member has a base portion rotatable about a first rotation axis extending along the base so as to intersect the thickness direction, an operation receiving portion that protrudes from the base portion to one side in a direction intersecting the thickness direction and the first rotation axis, and receives the operation by the push button, and a contact portion that protrudes from the base portion to the other side in a direction intersecting the thickness direction and the first rotation axis, toward the actuating member. The restricting member has: The contact portion when the restricting member is in the restricting position, contacts the actuating member that moves by the rotation of the handle from the initial position to the normal operation position, and restricts the rotation of the handle via the actuating member. On the other hand, The door handle device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the regulating member is located at the regulation release position, it is located outside the movement locus of the operating member and permits the movement of the operating member by the rotation of the handle between the normal operation position and the emergency operation position.

5. The door handle device according to claim 4, wherein the first rotation axis extends along the second rotation axis of the handle.

6. The door handle device according to claim 5, wherein the push button is rotatable about a third rotation axis extending in a direction intersecting the thickness direction and the first rotation axis.

7. The transmission mechanism has an intermediate member that moves in conjunction with the rotation of the handle between the handle and the operating member and moves the operating member by abutting against the operating member. An actuator is provided for rotating the handle from the initial position to the normal operation position via the intermediate member. The door handle device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detection unit is disposed on the handle so as to be located within the recess.

Images