Door handle device

Abstract

To provide a door handle device improved in operability when opening a door in an emergency while suppressing unintended handle operation to an emergency operation position in a normal state.SOLUTION: A door handle device 20 includes a handle 30 that can be rotated from an initial position before operation to an emergency operation position via a normal operation position, a detection unit 35 that outputs a signal to electrically operate a door latch device 10 to open, a transmission mechanism 40 that manually operates the door latch device 10 to open by operating the handle 30, and a restriction mechanism 60 that can move to a restriction position where rotation of the handle 30 is restricted and to a release position where the restriction is released. An operating member 44 has a holding portion 44d that holds a restriction member 63 in the release position. When the operating member 44 moves due to rotation of the handle 30 toward the initial position beyond the normal operation position, the holding of the restriction member 63 by the holding portion 44d is released, and the restriction member 63 returns to the restriction position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] A door latch device that can switch from a latched state holding a striker arranged on a vehicle body to an unlatched state releasing the striker is arranged on a vehicle door. 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 inadvertently 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.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the door handle device of Patent Document 1, when returning the handle operated to the emergency operation position to the initial position, it is necessary to re-operate or continuously operate the trigger button. That is, since it is necessary to operate the handle with one hand and intermittently or continuously operate the trigger button with the other hand, there is room for improvement in the operability when opening the door in an emergency for the door handle device of Patent Document 1.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a door handle device that can improve the operability when opening the door in an emergency while suppressing an unintentional handle operation to the emergency operation position during normal times.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The present invention relates to a base fixed to a door, a handle pivotally supported on the base, which can rotate from an initial position before operation 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 to the initial position, a detection unit that outputs a signal for electrically operating an opening operation of a door latch device that holds the door in a closed state with respect to a vehicle body by detecting an operation of the handle from the initial position to the normal operation position, 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, an operation receiving unit, and a regulating member movable when the operation receiving unit receives an operation from a regulating position that regulates the rotation of the handle from the normal operation position to the emergency operation position by the contact of the operating member to a regulating release position where the rotation regulation of the handle via the operating member is released. The operating member has a holding portion that holds the regulating member at the regulating release position when the regulating member is located at the regulating release position and the operating member moves due to the rotation of the handle from the normal operation position to the emergency operation position. The holding of the regulating member by the holding portion is released by the movement of the operating member caused by the rotation of the handle toward the initial position beyond the normal operation position, and the regulating member returns to the regulating position, providing a door handle device.

[0009] A regulating member is provided that is movable from a regulating position that regulates the rotation of the handle from the normal operation position to the emergency operation position by the contact of the operating member to a regulating release position where the movement regulation of the handle via the operating member is released. Thereby, if the operation receiving portion of the regulating member does not receive an operation by the user, the handle cannot be operated to the emergency operation position, so that the inconvenience that the latch mechanism is operated by both the actuator and the transmission mechanism of the door latch device during normal times can be suppressed.

[0010] The actuating member has a holding portion that holds the restricting member in the restriction release position when the restricting member moves to the restriction release position and moves due to the rotation of the handle from the normal operation position toward the emergency operation position. Thereby, in a state where the handle is positioned between the normal operation position and the emergency operation position, the rotation of the handle via the actuating member is not restricted by the restricting member. On the other hand, the holding of the restricting member by the holding portion is released by the movement of the actuating member due to the rotation of the handle toward the initial position beyond the normal operation position, and the restricting member returns to the restriction position. That is, when returning the handle rotated to the emergency operation position to the initial position, the actuating member is not restricted again by the restricting member, so there is no need to operate the restricting member via the operation receiving portion. Therefore, when the door latch device cannot be electrically operated in an emergency, the operability when manually opening the door by operating the door handle device can be improved.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] In the present invention, it is possible to improve the operability when opening the door in an emergency while suppressing an unintended handle operation to the emergency operation position during normal times.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

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Figure 10

Figure 11

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Figure 13

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Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

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Figure 20

Figure 21

Figure 22

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

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

[0014] (First Embodiment) 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 slide 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 has an arithmetic unit, a storage unit, and a communication unit (not shown in any figure), 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 disposed 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 the 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 when closing the open door 1. The switching from the latched state to the unlatched state (opening operation) is performed in two ways by operating the door handle device 20. In the first method, the ECU 5 drives the actuator 12 based on a signal input from the 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, when the user rotates the handle 30 provided in the door handle device 20, the operating force is transmitted to the latch switching mechanism 13 via the transmission mechanism 40 and the lock mechanism 14 to perform it manually.

[0019] The lock mechanism 14 is composed of a plurality of levers and 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 that receives the collision signal operates the actuator 15 to perform it electrically. In the second method, when the user operates the key cylinder 27 provided in the door handle device 20, the operating force is transmitted to the lock switching mechanism 16 via a rod (transmission member) to perform it manually.

[0020] In the door latch device 10 configured as described above, during normal operation, if the latch mechanism 11 is simultaneously actuated to open by both the electric drive of the actuator 12 and the manual operation of the transmission mechanism 40, malfunction may occur. Therefore, in the door handle device 20 of the present embodiment, a restricting mechanism 60 for restricting the rotational operation of the handle 30 is provided to suppress an unintended manual opening operation during normal times. Further, in the present embodiment, regarding the door handle device 20 provided with the restricting mechanism 60, the operability when opening the door 1 in an emergency 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 restricting 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 (actuating member) 44. The restricting mechanism 60 is composed of a push button (operating portion) 61 and a restricting member 63.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 5, when the door handle device 20 can operate the door latch device 10 electrically during normal times, a touch sensor 36 provided on the handle 30 detects a pop-up operation by the user and outputs a signal, and the ECU 5 actuates 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 by a release switch 35 provided on the handle 30 and outputs a signal, and the ECU 5 electrically actuates the latch mechanism 11 to open.

[0024] On the other hand, when the door latch device 10 cannot be operated electrically in an emergency, the door handle device 20 transmits the operating force of the key cylinder 27 to the lock switching mechanism 16, and manually switches the lock mechanism 14 from the locked state to the unlocked state. Further, in 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.

[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 in 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 outside 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 inside 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 outside to the inside 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 handle 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 the 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 case of emergency. The key cylinder 27 is not used under normal circumstances. The key cylinder 27 includes an insertion port 27a for inserting a mechanical key (not shown) and a rod 28 that rotates by operating the mechanical key.

[0030] The key cylinder 27 is attached at the rearmost position in the vehicle length direction inside 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 in a cylindrical shape protruding inward in the vehicle width direction and is inclined upward from the inside to the outside 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. Thereby, the mechanical key can 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 steering wheel 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 steering wheel 30 is disposed in the recess 25c with respect to the base 25 from the outside in the vehicle width direction and is rotatably supported by a rotation shaft (second rotation shaft) 33.

[0032] The steering wheel 30 can be rotated around 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 steering wheel 30 can be rotated around 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 steering wheel 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 inner side of the vehicle of the handle 30 is located within 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. Thus, when looking at the handle 30 from the outer side 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 within 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 positions with a gap S that allows the insertion of the 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 are exposed to the outside of the vehicle.

[0035] In the emergency operation position shown in FIG. 18, the handle 30 rotates further outward in the vehicle width direction than 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 restriction mechanism 60 are 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 outer side 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 for passing through the rotating shaft 33. 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 on 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. As a result, by pushing the front end portion 30a of the handle 30 on the front side in the vehicle length direction with respect to the shaft mounting portion 31a 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 constituted by a pair of projecting pieces 31c provided at intervals in the vehicle height direction. Each projecting 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 is arranged from the outside to the inside in the vehicle width direction through the partition wall 25b of the base 25. The base 25 is provided with a through hole 25h for passing through the bearing portion 31b. The through hole 25h has a rectangular shape and is provided at an offset position on the front side in the vehicle length direction in 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 arranged at the rear side in the vehicle length direction within the steering wheel 30. The release switch 35 is composed of 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 can move 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 against it 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 shaft mounting portion 31a, which is in front of the release switch 35 in the vehicle length direction 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 an operation of the user via the cover 32.

[0044] The touch sensor 36 outputs a signal when the user touches (performs a pop-up operation) the vicinity of the shaft mounting portion 31a of the cover 32 of the handle 30. Thereby, 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 a 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 opening the latch mechanism 11 shown in FIG. 5 to the latch switching mechanism 13 of the door latch device 10 in the event of an emergency. Further, the joint 41 normally 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 rotary shaft 42 disposed on the handle 30. A shaft hole 41a penetrating the rotary 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 protruding pieces 31c of the bearing portion 31b, and is pivotally supported by penetrating and attaching the rotary shaft 42.

[0047] When the handle 30 rotates toward the direction A1, the joint 41 moves from the initial positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 15 to the abutting position (see FIG. 14), the opening operation restriction positions shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, and then to the opening operation position shown in FIG. 18 in sequence, moving toward the direction B1 (rear side in the 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 positions and the abutting position (see FIG. 14) shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 in sequence, and then to the initial position shown in FIGS. 1 and 15, moving along the commander's direction toward the direction B2 (front side in the 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 against any of the movable members 52 provided on the latch lever 44 and the actuator 50, and is located at an interval from these.

[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 against the latch lever 44. The movable member 52 of the actuator 50 normally abuts against the joint 41 at the abutting position, but is located at an interval without abutting in the event of an emergency.

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

[0051] When the handle 30 is in the emergency operation 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 movement restriction in the directions B1 and B2 by the restriction mechanism 60 is released. Further, the movable member 52 of the actuator 50 is positioned at an interval without abutting against the joint 41 in the opening operation position, either normally or in an emergency.

[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 opening operation 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 opening operation 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 operation position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. Further, the latch lever 44 is in the opening operation position shown in FIGS. 14 and 18 when the handle 30 is in the emergency operation 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 opening operation 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 a shaft portion 25j protruding inward in the vehicle width direction from the base 25 shown in FIG. 4.

[0058] The operation arm part 44b protrudes rearward in the vehicle commander direction from the base part 44a. A connection part 44c for mechanically connecting to the lock mechanism 14 shown in FIG. 5 is provided at the tip of the operation arm part 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 part 44c.

[0059] The protruding part 44d is generally quadrangular prism-shaped and protrudes downward from the base part 44a. That is, the protruding part 44d protrudes in a direction intersecting with the directions B1 and B2 in which the operation arm part 44b and the joint 41 move. Referring to FIGS. 10 to 12, the front surface of the protruding part 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 part 41c of the joint 41. The rear surface of the protruding part 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 part 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 an interval in the vehicle commander direction with respect to the operation receiving part 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 position shown in FIGS. 1 and 15 to the opening operation restriction position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 in the direction B1, thereby rotating the handle 30 in conjunction with 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 position 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 regulation mechanism) Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the regulation mechanism 60 includes a push button 61 and a regulation 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-operating state of the push button 61, the regulation mechanism 60 restricts the rotation of the latch lever 44 in the direction C1 from the regulated position shown in FIGS. 14 and 16 to the opening operation position shown in FIGS. 14 and 18 by the regulation 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 regulation 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 regulating member 63 from the regulating position shown in FIGS. 10 and 16 to the regulation 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 thus arranged 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 linearly substantially in the vehicle width direction. Of course, the push button 61 can be changed as necessary as long as it is configured to be able to rotate the regulating member 63 from the regulating position shown in FIGS. 10 and 16 to the regulation release position shown in FIGS. 12 and 18.

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 9, the push button 61 includes a rectangular base portion 61a that is 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 on the rear side in the vehicle length direction within 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 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 rotation shaft (first rotation shaft) 64. The rotation shaft 64 extends in the vehicle height direction similarly to the rotation 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 rotation shaft 62 of the push button 61.

[0069] The restricting member 63 can be rotated about the rotation shaft 64 in the direction D1 (outside in the vehicle width direction) from the restricting position shown in FIGS. 10 and 16 to the restriction release position shown in FIGS. 12 and 18 by the operation of the push button 61. Further, the restricting member 63 can be rotated about the rotation shaft 64 in the direction D2 (inside in the vehicle width direction) from the restriction release position shown in FIGS. 12 and 18 to the restricting position shown in FIGS. 10 and 16 by the biasing force of the kick spring (biasing 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 rotation shaft 64, and is rotatable about the rotation shaft 64.

[0072] The operation receiving portion 63b is plate-shaped and protrudes rearward in the vehicle length direction from the base portion 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 rear end portion of the operation receiving portion 63b in the vehicle length direction is in contact with the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the push button 61. Thereby, the operation receiving portion 63b can receive the operation of the push button 61 toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

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

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 10 to 12, among the contact portion 63c, the front end surface in the vehicle length direction constitutes a surface 63e to be contacted by the latch lever 44, and the surface on the inner side in the vehicle width direction constitutes a sliding contact surface 63f with which the latch lever 44 makes sliding contact. That is, the contact portion 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 portion 63c against the contact of the latch lever 44 can be ensured.

[0075] When the contact surface 63e is in the regulation position shown in FIGS. 10 and 16 of the regulation member 63 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 regulation 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 the rotation of the latch lever 44 is allowed without contacting the contact surface 44f.

[0076] The sliding contact surface 63f slides on the holding surface 44g of the latch lever 44 only when the regulation 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, in other states, the sliding contact surface 63f cannot slide on 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 regulation member 60 returns to the regulation 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. Then, the actuator 50 of the door handle device 20 is not actuated.

[0079] On the other hand, when the touch sensor 36 of the door handle device 20 is operated, if the identification signal received from the electronic key (not shown) matches, the ECU 5 stores a flag indicating successful authentication in the storage unit and actuates the actuator 50 of the door handle device 20. As a result, the joint 41 moves in the 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 the 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 that has protruded from the recess 25c of the base 25 and operates the operating 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 actuates 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 becomes openable. 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] In an emergency when the door latch device 10 shown in FIG. 5 cannot be operated electrically, 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 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 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. When the joint 41 moves to the contact position in the direction B1 (Pb2 in FIG. 14), the pressing operation portion 41c abuts against the operation receiving surface 44e of the protruding portion 44d, causing the latch lever 44 to start rotating in the direction C1 (Pc1 in FIG. 14).

[0084] When the latch lever 44 rotates to the restricted position in the direction C1 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 abuts against the portion 63c to be abutted 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 the 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. Thereby, the lock switching mechanism 16 of the door latch device 10 shown in FIG. 5 is operated to switch the lock mechanism 14 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 regulation 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 tends 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 regulation 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 in 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 position 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 position shown in Figs. 16 and 17 (Pa5 in Fig. 14). In this state, the joint 41 has exceeded the opening operation restriction position (Pb6 in Fig. 14), and the latch lever 44 has exceeded the restricted position (Pc5 in Fig. 14). Therefore, the contact surface 63f of the regulating member 63 and the holding surface 44g of the latch lever 44 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 characteristics.

[0093] A regulating member 63 is provided which is movable from a regulating position that restricts the rotation of the handle 30 from its normal operating position to its emergency operating position by the abutment of the latch lever 44 to a regulation release position where the movement regulation of the handle 30 via the latch lever 44 is released. Thereby, if the operation receiving portion 63b of the regulating member 63 does not receive an operation by the user, the handle 30 cannot be operated to the emergency operating position. Therefore, during normal times, the inconvenience that the latch mechanism 11 is actuated 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) can be suppressed.

[0094] The latch lever 44 has a holding portion 44d that holds the regulating member 63 in the regulation release position when the regulating member 63 moves to the regulation release position and moves due to the rotation of the handle 30 from the normal operating position toward the emergency operating position. Thereby, in a state where the handle 30 is positioned between the normal operating position and the emergency operating position, the rotation of the handle 30 via the latch lever 44 is not restricted by the regulating member 63. On the other hand, the holding of the regulating member 63 by the holding portion 44d is released by the movement of the latch lever 44 due to the rotation of the handle 30 toward the initial position beyond the normal operating position, and the regulating member 63 returns to the regulating position. That is, when returning the handle 30 rotated to the emergency operating position to the initial position, since the latch lever 44 is not restricted again by the regulating member 63, it is not necessary to operate the regulating member 63 via the operation receiving portion 63b. Therefore, the operability when manually opening the door 1 by operating the door handle device 20 can be improved in an emergency when the door latch device 10 cannot be operated electrically.

[0095] The protruding portion 44d provided on the latch lever 44 faces the regulating member 63 at the regulating position and includes a contact surface 44f that contacts the regulating member 63 when the handle 30 rotates from the initial position to the normal operating position. Therefore, when the regulating member 63 is at the regulating position, the handle 30 can rotate from the initial position to the normal operating position without being regulated by the regulating member 63 via the latch lever 44. Further, the protruding portion 44d constituting the holding portion includes a holding surface 44g that extends along the regulating member 63 located at the regulation release position. That is, since one surface of the outer peripheral surface constituting the protruding portion 44d forms the contact surface 44f and the other surface forms the holding surface 44g, the rotation regulation of the handle 30 by the regulating member 63 at the regulating position and the holding of the regulating member 63 at the regulation release position can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0096] The regulating member 63 has an operation receiving portion 63b protruding from the base portion 63a to one side and a contact portion 63c protruding to the other side. Among them, the contact portion 63c protrudes toward the contact surface 44f of the latch lever 44 located at the regulating position, and since the rigidity in the protruding direction in which a compressive force acts due to the contact of the latch lever 44 is higher than the rigidity in the shearing direction, the strength of the contact portion 63c of the regulating member 63 can be ensured. Therefore, even if the thickness of the contact portion 63c of the regulating member 63 is reduced, the movement of the latch lever 44 can be regulated, and thus the regulating member 63 can be miniaturized.

[0097] An urging member 65 that urges the regulating member 63 from the regulation release position toward the regulating position is provided. Therefore, when the operation receiving portion 63b receives an operation and rotates to the regulation release position, the regulating member 63 held at the regulation release position by the latch lever 44 can surely return to the regulating position by the movement of the latch lever 44 due to the rotation of the handle 30 toward the initial position beyond the normal operating position.

[0098] The first rotation axis 64 of the regulating member 63 extends along the second rotation axis 33 of the handle 30. That is, since the handle 30 and the regulating member 63 can be arranged along the same direction of the base 25, the dimension in the direction intersecting the extending direction of the handle 30 in the base 25 can be reduced.

[0099] The third rotation axis 62 of the push button 61 that operates the operation receiving part 63b of the regulating member 63 extends in the thickness direction Y of the door 1 and in a direction intersecting the first rotation axis 64. Thereby, the operating force of the push button 61 is transmitted to the operation receiving part 63b of the regulating member 63, and the contact part 63c can be surely moved from the regulating position to the regulating release position. Further, with respect to the door handle device 20, an operation on the operation receiving part 63b from above can be easily performed.

[0100] The actuator 50 that rotates the handle 30 from the initial position to the normal operation position is provided via the intermediate member 41 for moving the latch lever 44, and the detection part 35 is arranged on the handle 30 so as to face the door 1. Therefore, normally, the detection part 35 arranged on the handle 30 becomes operable by the operation of the intermediate member 41 by the actuator 50. Thus, normally, the opening of the door 1 due to the unintentional operation of the detection part 35 in the non-operating state can be suppressed.

[0101] Hereinafter, other embodiments and various modifications of the present invention will be described. In these descriptions, points not particularly mentioned are the same as those in the first embodiment. In the drawings referred to below, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements as those in the first embodiment.

[0102] (Second Embodiment) Referring to FIGS. 20 to 22, the door handle device 20 of the second embodiment is different from the door handle device 20 of the first embodiment in that the holding of the regulating member 63 by the protruding part (holding part) 44d of the latch lever 44 at the regulating release position is only when the regulation by the regulating mechanism 60 is released.

[0103] Specifically, on the outer surface in the vehicle width direction of the protruding part 44d provided on the latch lever 44, a holding surface 44g, a differential surface 44h, and an inclined surface 44i are formed.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 21, the holding surface 44g holds the regulating member 63 at the regulating release position by the contact of the contact part 63c, similarly to the first embodiment.

[0105] Referring to FIG. 22, the difference surface 44h is continuous with the holding surface 44g via the inclined surface 44i and is spaced inward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the holding surface 44g. That is, the outer surface in the vehicle width direction of the protruding portion 44d has a concavo-convex shape. The difference surface 44h allows the movement of the regulating member 63 from the regulation release position shown in FIG. 21 toward the regulation position shown in FIG. 20 and does not hold the regulating member 63 at the regulation release position. The difference surface 44h is positioned parallel to the holding surface 44g and holds the regulating member 63 at an intermediate position between the regulation position shown in FIG. 20 and the regulation release position shown in FIG. 21 by the contact of the contact portion 63c. However, the difference surface 44h may be inclined with respect to the holding surface 44g, or the regulating member 63 may be movable to the regulation position shown in FIG. 20.

[0106] The inclined surface 44i is continuous with the front end in the vehicle length direction of the holding surface 44g and the rear end in the vehicle length direction of the difference surface 44h and is inclined inward in the vehicle width direction from the rear side to the front side in the vehicle length direction. When the steering wheel 30 is rotated from the normal operation position to the emergency operation position, the inclined surface 44i guides the contact portion 63c from the holding surface 44g to the difference surface 44h, that is, guides the regulating member 63 from the regulation release position toward the regulation position. On the other hand, when the steering wheel 30 is returned from the emergency operation position to the normal operation position, the inclined surface 44i guides the contact portion 63c from the difference surface 44h to the holding surface 44g by the rotation of the latch lever 44, that is, guides the regulating member 63 from the regulation position toward the regulation release position.

[0107] The contact portion 63c provided on the regulating member 63 includes a convex portion 63g protruding inward in the vehicle width direction. The convex portion 63g is provided to prevent the portion other than the convex portion 63g of the contact portion 63c including the extending portion 63d from interfering with the holding surface 44g of the latch lever 44 when the regulating member 63 rotates from the regulation release position shown in FIG. 21 to the intermediate position shown in FIG. 22. The front end surface in the vehicle length direction of the contact portion 63c including the convex portion 63g constitutes a contact surface 63e with which the latch lever 44 contacts. The inner surface in the vehicle width direction of the convex portion 63g provided on the contact portion 63c constitutes a sliding contact surface 63f with which the latch lever 44 makes sliding contact.

[0108] In the second embodiment configured as described above, as in the first embodiment, when the latch lever 44 is rotated from the inoperative position to the restricted position by the operation of the handle 30 via the joint 41, as shown in FIG. 20, the contact surface 44f contacts the contact surface 63e of the restricting member 63, and the rotation of the handle 30 is restricted via the latch lever 44 and the joint 41.

[0109] Subsequently, when the restricting member 63 is rotated to the restriction release position by the operation of the push button 61 and the opening operation of the handle 30 is resumed, as shown in FIG. 21, the holding surface 44g holds the restricting member 63 in the restriction release position. Thereafter, by the subsequent handle operation, the restricting member 63 rotates toward the restriction position along the inclined surface 44i by the biasing force of the kick spring 65 shown in FIG. 4, and then, as shown in FIG. 22, is held at the intermediate position by the difference surface 44h. In this state, the rotation of the latch lever 44 is not restricted by the restricting member 63. Therefore, the handle 30 can be rotated to the emergency operation position, and the latch mechanism 11 of the door latch device 10 shown in FIG. 5 can be opened.

[0110] When the above opening operation is completed and the hand is released from the handle 30, the handle 30 and the joint 41 rotate toward the initial position by the biasing force of the kick spring 34 shown in FIG. 4. As a result, the latch lever 44 rotates toward the inoperative position by the biasing force of the kick spring 45 shown in FIG. 4. When the handle 30 returns from the emergency operation position to the normal operation position, the inclined surface 44i guides the restricting member 63 from the restriction position side to the restriction release position by the rotation of the latch lever 44. Thereafter, when the handle 30 rotates beyond the normal operation position toward the initial position, the holding of the contact portion 63c by the protruding portion 44d of the latch lever 44 is released, and the restricting member 63 returns to the restriction position shown in FIG. 20.

[0111] In the door handle device 20 of the second embodiment configured as described above, as in the first embodiment, an unintended handle operation to the emergency operation position can be suppressed during normal times. Moreover, when opening the door shown in FIG. 2 in an emergency, it is not necessary to re-operate the push button 61, so the operability can be improved.

[0112] Note that the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

[0113] For example, the actuating member may be constituted by the joint 41, and the movement of the joint 41 caused by 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 restricted by the restricting member 63 during normal times. Further, the actuating member whose movement is restricted by the restricting member 63 can be changed as necessary as long as it is a component constituting the transmission mechanism 40.

[0114] The restricting mechanism 60 may be constituted only by 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 not to use the push button 61.

[0115] 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.

[0116] 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 is 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 Reference Numerals

[0117] 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 Protrusion (holding part) 44e Operation receiving surface 44f Contact surface 44g Holding surface 44h Difference surface 44i Inclined surface 45 Kick spring 50 Actuator 51 Motor 52 Movable member 60 Regulation mechanism 61 Push button 61a Base part 61b Operation part 62 Rotation axis (third rotation axis) 63 Regulation member 63a Base part 63b Operation receiving part 63c Contact part 63d Extended part 63e Surface to be contacted 63f Folding contact surface 63g Protrusion 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 fixed to the door, a handle pivotally supported on the base, capable of rotating from an initial position before operation 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 to the initial position, a detection unit that outputs a signal for electrically actuating a door latch device that holds the door in a closed state with respect to the vehicle body when the handle is detected to be operated from the initial position to the normal operation position, a transmission mechanism having an actuating member movable in conjunction with the rotation of the handle, and 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 regulating member that has an operation receiving portion and is movable when the operation receiving portion receives an operation from a regulating position that regulates the rotation of the handle via the actuating member to a regulating release position where the rotation regulation of the handle via the actuating member is released, from a position where the actuating member abuts to regulate the rotation of the handle from the normal operation position to the emergency operation position, and comprising the actuating member has a holding portion that holds the regulating member at the regulating release position when the regulating member is located at the regulating release position and the actuating member moves due to the rotation of the handle from the normal operation position to the emergency operation position, A door handle device, wherein the movement of the actuating member caused by the rotation of the handle toward the initial position beyond the normal operation position releases the holding of the regulating member by the holding portion, and the regulating member returns to the regulating position.

2. The actuating member includes a contact surface that faces the regulating member at the regulating position and contacts the regulating member when the handle rotates from the initial position to the normal operation position, and a holding surface that extends along the regulating member at the regulating release position, and has a protruding portion that constitutes the holding portion. The door handle device according to claim 1.

3. The regulating member includes a base portion rotatable about a first rotation axis extending along the base so as to intersect the thickness direction of the door, and the operation receiving portion protruding from the base portion to one side in a direction intersecting the thickness direction and the first rotation axis. When located at the regulation position, it protrudes from the base portion toward the contact surface of the operating member to the other side in the thickness direction and the direction intersecting the first rotation axis, and contacts the contact surface that moves by the rotation of the handle from the initial position to the normal operation position. A contact portion The door handle device according to claim 2, comprising:

4. The protruding portion of the operating member is continuous with the contact surface via an inclined surface on the side opposite to the contact surface with respect to the holding surface, and includes a differential surface that allows the movement of the regulating member from the regulation release position toward the regulation position. When the handle is rotated from the emergency operation position through the normal operation position to the initial position, the movement of the operating member causes the regulating member to move from the regulation position through the regulation release position to the regulation position via the inclined surface. The door handle device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The door handle device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a biasing member that biases the regulating member from the regulation release position toward the regulation position.

6. The door handle device according to claim 3, wherein the first rotation axis extends along the second rotation axis of the handle.

7. The door handle device according to claim 6, further comprising a push button that is rotatable about a third rotation axis extending in the thickness direction and the direction intersecting the first rotation axis, and operates the operation receiving portion of the regulating member.

8. 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 contacting the operating member. An actuator is provided to rotate the handle from the initial position to the normal operation position via the intermediate member. The door handle device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the detection unit is disposed on the handle so as to face the door.

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