Vehicle door handle device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle door handle device that can prevent or suppress a latch release lever from being mistaken for a commonly used operating member while improving aesthetics.SOLUTION: A vehicle door handle device 10 includes a guide member 31 that is open on the outside of the vehicle and has a recess into which a user can insert fingers from outside the vehicle, and a latch release lever 26 which is attached to the guide member 31 so as to be movable between an initial position and an operating position, and which cooperates with a door lock device 54 so as to switch the door lock device 54 from a latched state to an unlatched state by moving from the initial position to the operating position, the inner peripheral surface of the recess includes a rear surface portion that is located on the inside of the vehicle and at the rear end of the recess relative to the exterior surface of the vehicle door 50, and faces approximately forward, and the latch release lever 26 forms at least a part of the rear surface portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The vehicle door handle device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an operating member (button: Taster) rotatably attached to a frame, and a microswitch (Mikroschalters) that is operated by the movement of the operating member. A user can open the vehicle door by inserting their hand into the recess in the frame and rotating the operating member to operate the microswitch.

[0003] Furthermore, the vehicle door handle device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a latch release lever (emergency operation lever: Notbetatigungshebels). The latch release lever is a member used to open the vehicle door when the vehicle door cannot be opened using the operating member due to an abnormality in the control device or the like. The latch release lever is configured to be movable between an initial position (Ruhe position) and an operating position (Betatigungs position). A user can open the vehicle door by hooking their finger on the latch release lever through a recess in the frame and pulling it out. In principle, the latch release lever is used only to open the vehicle door in an emergency and is not used under normal circumstances. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] WO-A1-2019 / 120599 Summary of the Invention

[0005] (Problem to be solved by the invention) In the vehicle door handle device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the initial position of the latch release lever is a position where the surface of the latch release lever facing outward from the vehicle is flush with the frame of the door handle device. With this configuration, the latch release lever is conspicuous (particularly the front end (parting edge) of the latch release lever is conspicuous), which could lead a user to mistakenly recognize the latch release lever as an operating member normally used to open the vehicle door. Furthermore, the conspicuous nature of the latch release lever mars the aesthetic appeal of the door handle device.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a door handle device for a vehicle that can prevent or suppress the latch release lever from being mistaken for a commonly used operating member while improving aesthetics (improving design).

[0007] (Means for solving the problem) In order to achieve the above object, a door handle device for a vehicle according to the present invention comprises: A door handle device for a vehicle that is attached to a vehicle door having a door lock device that can be switched between a latched state in which the vehicle door is not allowed to be opened and an unlatched state in which the vehicle door is allowed to be opened, a housing having an opening on the outside of the vehicle and a recess into which a user can insert their finger from the outside of the vehicle; a latch release lever attached to the housing so as to be movable between an initial position and an operating position, and which cooperates with the door lock device so as to switch the door lock device from the latched state to an unlatched state by moving from the initial position to the operating position; Equipped with an inner peripheral surface of the recessed portion including a rear surface portion that is located on the vehicle interior side of the vehicle door and at a rear end of the recessed portion, and that faces substantially forward; The unlatch lever forms at least a portion of the rear face.

[0008] In the vehicle door handle device according to the present invention, the latch release lever is located at the rear end of the recess and forms at least a part of the rear surface of the recess, which is the surface facing the front of the inner circumferential surface. This makes the latch release lever less noticeable, preventing or suppressing users from mistaking the latch release lever for a component normally used to open the vehicle door (a component regularly used to open the vehicle door). Furthermore, this configuration also makes the boundary between the latch release lever and other components less noticeable (i.e., the border of the design portion of the latch release lever is less noticeable), improving aesthetics (improving design). [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle door to which a vehicle door handle device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the vehicle door handle device according to the embodiment of the present invention is attached to a vehicle door. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a door handle device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a door handle device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is an exploded view of a door handle device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is an exploded view of the vehicle door handle device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is an exploded view of a door handle device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is an exploded view of the vehicle door handle device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a door handle device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a door handle device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a door handle device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the front of a vehicle to which the door handle device is applied is indicated by an arrow Fr, the rear is indicated by an arrow Rr, the outer side in the vehicle width direction (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "outside of the vehicle") is indicated by an arrow Out, the inner side in the vehicle width direction (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "inside of the vehicle") is indicated by an arrow In, the upper side is indicated by an arrow Up, and the lower side is indicated by an arrow Dw. In the following description, the directions of the door handle device and the components of the door handle device and their relative positions are based on the respective directions of the vehicle.

[0011] <Vehicle door configuration example> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a vehicle door 50 to which a door handle device 10 is applied, as viewed from the vehicle exterior. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the door handle device 10 attached to the vehicle door 50. In this embodiment, the door handle device is applied to a driver's door. The vehicle door 50 is a swing-type door that opens and closes by rotating around its front end relative to the vehicle body. The vehicle door 50 includes a door main body 51 that forms its lower half and a door sash 52 that is provided in its upper half. The door main body 51 includes an outer panel 53 that forms its outer surface, an inner panel (not shown) that is fixed to the interior side of the outer panel 53, and a resin trim (not shown) that is fixed to the inner surface of the inner panel and forms the interior surface of the door main body 51. A panel opening 531 is provided near the rear end and the upper end of the outer panel 53. The panel opening 531 is a through-hole that is elongated in the front-to-rear direction and penetrates in the vehicle width direction.

[0012] In addition to the door handle device 10, a door lock device 54 is also disposed in the door main body 51. The door lock device 54 is disposed below the door handle device 10. The door lock device 54 includes a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism of the door lock device 54 is configured to be switchable between a latched state in which the vehicle door 50 is not permitted to be opened and an unlatched state in which the vehicle door 50 is permitted to be opened, by the driving force of the driving force source and manual operation by the user. Furthermore, the door lock device 54 is configured to be switchable between an unlocked state in which the latch mechanism is permitted to be switched from the latched state to the unlatched state, and a locked state in which the switching is not permitted.

[0013] The door lock device 54 may include a "member configured to switch the latch mechanism from a latched state to an unlatched state by moving at least a portion thereof downward." Examples of such a door lock device 54 include the door lock devices disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-117102 or Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-79282. The door lock devices disclosed in these publications include an open lever that is rotatably supported on the housing of the door lock device. These door lock devices are configured so that the latch mechanism switches from a latched state to an unlatched state when the open lever rotates in such a manner that one end of the open lever moves downward. In the following description, the "member configured to switch the latch mechanism from a latched state to an unlatched state by moving at least a portion thereof downward" will be referred to as an "open lever."

[0014] In addition, the vehicle is equipped with an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that controls the door lock device 54.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the door handle device 10 is attached to the inside of the outer panel 53 when viewed in the vehicle width direction, at a position overlapping the panel opening 531 (near the rear end and near the upper end of the outer panel 53).

[0016] <Configuration of door handle device> Figures 3A and 3B are perspective views showing the configuration of the door handle device 10. Figures 4A and 4B are exploded views showing the configuration of the case assembly 11 of the door handle device 10. Figures 5A and 5B are exploded views showing the configuration of the cover assembly 12. The door handle device 10 includes the case assembly 11 attached to the inner side of the outer panel 53, and the cover assembly 12 attached to the case assembly 11 from the outer side of the outer panel 53.

[0017] The case assembly 11 includes a case body 20 , an inner cover 21 , an outer peripheral pad 22 , a switch assembly 23 , a flap 24 , a bell crank 25 , a latch release lever 26 , and a key cylinder 27 .

[0018] The case body 20 is a member that forms the housing of the door handle device 10. The case body 20 includes a frame portion 201, a storage portion 202, and a key cylinder attachment portion 203. The case body 20 is made of a resin material, and the above-mentioned portions are integrally formed.

[0019] The frame portion 201 is a portion that is arranged so as to overlap the panel opening 531 when viewed in the vehicle width direction. When viewed in the vehicle width direction, the frame portion 201 has a shape that is long in the front-rear direction, specifically, has approximately the same shape as the panel opening 531.

[0020] The storage section 202 is configured to be able to store the flap 24, the switch assembly 23, and the guide member 31 of the cover assembly 12, which will be described later. The storage section 202 has a rectangular cylindrical shape (which can also be called a box shape with both ends open in the vehicle width direction) that penetrates in the vehicle width direction. An upper part 204 of the storage section 202 (parts corresponding to the top, front, and rear plates of the rectangular tube or box) is provided so as to extend from the upper end (which can also be called the upper edge) of the frame section 201 or its vicinity, toward the interior of the vehicle and diagonally upward. A lower part 205 of the storage section 202 (part corresponding to the lower plate of the rectangular tube or box) is provided so as to extend from the lower end (which can also be called the lower edge) of the frame section 201 or its vicinity, toward the interior of the vehicle and diagonally upward.

[0021] The upper part 204 of the accommodating section 202 is configured to rotatably support the flap 24, which will be described later, via a flap support shaft 245. Specifically, a rear shaft hole 206, which is a through-hole that is approximately parallel to the front-to-rear direction and through which the flap support shaft 245 can be inserted from the rear side, is provided at the rear end of the upper part 204 of the accommodating section 202. Furthermore, a first support shaft attachment portion 207, which has a protruding shape and protrudes toward the interior of the vehicle, is provided at the interior surface of the upper part 204 of the accommodating section 202. A front shaft hole 208, which is a hole coaxial with the rear shaft hole 206 and through which the tip end (front end) of the flap support shaft 245 can be inserted (or inserted) is provided in this first support shaft attachment portion 207.

[0022] In addition, a first stopper 209 that defines the movable range of the flap 24 is provided on the upper part 204 of the storage part 202. The first stopper 209 is a part that has a protruding structure that protrudes from the surface of the upper part 204 of the storage part 202 facing the vehicle interior toward the vehicle interior.

[0023] Key cylinder attachment portion 203 is a portion configured to allow attachment of key cylinder 27. Key cylinder attachment portion 203 is provided at or near the rear end of frame portion 201, rearward of accommodating portion 202. Key cylinder attachment portion 203 has a cylindrical configuration that extends from frame portion 201 toward the interior of the vehicle and diagonally downward.

[0024] The inner cover 21 is a member that is attached to the vehicle interior side of the storage portion 202 of the case main body 20. The inner cover 21 has a generally plate-like configuration. When the inner cover 21 is attached to the vehicle interior side of the storage portion 202, the opening of the storage portion 202 on the vehicle interior side is closed.

[0025] The outer peripheral pad 22 is a member attached to the outer side of the frame portion 201. The outer peripheral pad 22 is a frame-shaped portion provided with an opening (a through-hole that penetrates in the vehicle width direction) that has approximately the same shape and size as the panel opening 531. The outer peripheral pad 22 is disposed on the inner side of the outer panel 53 so as to follow the inner peripheral edge of the panel opening 531.

[0026] The switch assembly 23 includes a base member 231, a switch 232, a light source 233, and a light-guiding member 234. The base member 231 is a member to which the switch 232, the light source 233, and the light-guiding member 234 are attached. The switch 232 is a normally-open push button switch that changes its state from OFF to ON when the push button is pressed. The light source 233 and the light-guiding member 234 are configured to emit light into the internal space of a fingertip guide portion 312 of the guide member 31, which will be described later. The switch assembly 23 is fixed to the interior surface of the upper portion 204 of the accommodation portion 202 of the case main body 20. The switch assembly 23 is arranged so that the push button of the switch 232 faces the interior of the vehicle (so that the state changes from OFF to ON when the push button is pressed from the interior of the vehicle). The switch assembly 23 is also arranged in front of the flap 24. The switch 232 and the light source 233 of the switch assembly 23 are connected to the ECU.

[0027] The flap 24 is a member that is manually operated by a user when switching the latch mechanism of the door lock device 54 from a latched state to an unlatched state under normal circumstances. The flap 24 includes a first finger grip portion 241, a pressing portion 242, a second support shaft mounting portion 243, and a second stopper 244. The flap 24 is a member formed by injection molding of a resin material, and the above-mentioned portions are integrally formed.

[0028] The first finger hook 241 has a box-like shape (which can also be described as a shell-like shape that is open on the interior side and bottom side) that is closed on the exterior side, top side, front side, and rear side. The pressing portion 242 is a portion for switching the state of the switch 232 of the switch assembly 23 (described later). The pressing portion 242 has a rod-like configuration that protrudes substantially forward from the interior side and bottom end (or the vicinity thereof) of the front end surface of the first finger hook 241. The second support shaft attachment portion 243 is a portion configured to be able to attach the flap support shaft 245, and is provided above the first finger hook 241. Specifically, the second support shaft attachment portion 243 has a protrusion-like configuration that protrudes upward from the top surface of the first finger hook 241. The second support shaft attachment portion 243 has a shaft hole that penetrates substantially in the front-rear direction and through which the flap support shaft 245 can be inserted.

[0029] The flap 24 is disposed inside the storage compartment 202 of the case body 20, on the vehicle interior side of the upper portion 204 of the storage compartment 202. The flap 24 is rotatably supported relative to the case body 20 via a flap support shaft 245. Specifically, the flap support shaft 245 is inserted from the rear side through the shaft hole of the second support shaft attachment portion 243 of the flap 24 and the rear shaft hole 206 and the front shaft hole 208 of the storage compartment 202. A metal round bar is used for the flap support shaft 245. The center line (axis) of the flap support shaft 245 is approximately parallel to the front-rear direction, so the flap 24 can rotate relative to the case body 20 about the axis approximately parallel to the front-rear direction. The first finger hook 241 of the flap 24 is located below the flap support shaft 245, so the first finger hook 241 can move back and forth approximately in the vehicle width direction while swinging like a pendulum around the flap support shaft 245.

[0030] The flap 24 can be moved between an initial position and an operating position by rotating with respect to the case body 20. The initial position is a position when the first finger hook 241 is located at the inner end of the movable range. The initial position can also be said to be a position when the first finger hook 241 is located farthest from the outer panel 53. Specifically, it is a position where the second stopper 244 of the flap 24 contacts the outer surface of the inner cover 21. The operating position is a position when the first finger hook 241 is located at the outer end of the movable range. Specifically, it is a position where the outer surface of the first finger hook 241 contacts the first stopper 209 of the storage portion 202. When the flap 24 is in the initial position, it does not press the push button of the switch 232 of the switch assembly 23 (i.e., it keeps the state of the switch 232 OFF), and when it is moved from the initial position to the operating position, it presses the push button of the switch 232 (i.e., it switches the state of the switch 232 from OFF to ON).

[0031] The flap 24 is constantly elastically biased toward the initial position by the flap biasing member 246. Therefore, when no external force other than that from the flap biasing member 246 is applied to the flap 24, the flap 24 is held in the initial position by the biasing force of the flap biasing member 246. A torsion coil spring with arms provided on both ends is used as the flap biasing member 246. The flap biasing member 246 is arranged so that the flap support shaft 245 is inserted through the coil-shaped portion, one arm contacts the case main body 20, and the other arm contacts the flap 24.

[0032] Bell crank 25 is a member that links to door lock device 54 via rod member 28 (see FIG. 8). Bell crank 25 is configured to switch the latch mechanism of door lock device 54 from a latched state to an unlatched state via rod member 28 by moving in conjunction with latch release lever 26. Bell crank 25 includes a substantially rod-shaped rod connecting portion 251 that extends in a direction substantially parallel to the vehicle width direction, a protruding latch release lever engaging portion 252 that protrudes downward from the vehicle exterior end of rod connecting portion 251, and a shaft portion 253 that is provided at the vehicle exterior end of rod connecting portion 251 and protrudes in the front-rear direction. Therefore, bell crank 25 has a substantially "L" shape when viewed in the front-rear direction.

[0033] Bell crank 25 is disposed rearward of accommodating portion 202 of case main body 20. Bell crank 25 is supported at the vehicle-exterior end of rod connecting portion 251 via shaft portion 253 so as to be rotatable relative to case main body 20 about an axis substantially parallel to the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, bell crank 25 is rotatable relative to case main body 20 such that rod connecting portion 251 moves substantially in the vertical direction and bell crank engaging portion 261 moves substantially in the vehicle width direction. Bell crank 25 is movable between an initial position and an operating position by rotating relative to case main body 20. The initial position of bell crank 25 is a position where the tip end (interior end) of rod connecting portion 251 is located at the upper end of its movable range and the tip end (lower end) of latch release lever engaging portion 252 is located at the interior end of its movable range. The operating position of the bell crank 25 is the position where the tip of the rod connecting portion 251 is located at the lower end of its movable range and the tip of the latch release lever engaging portion 252 is located at the outer end of its movable range.

[0034] Bell crank 25 is constantly elastically biased toward the initial position by bell crank biasing member 254. Therefore, bell crank 25 is held in the initial position when no external force is applied other than by bell crank biasing member 254. Bell crank biasing member 254 uses a torsion coil spring with arms on both ends. Bell crank biasing member 254 is arranged so that shaft 253 of bell crank 25 is inserted into the coil-shaped portion, one arm engages with bell crank 25, and the other arm engages with case main body 20.

[0035] The latch release lever 26 is a member that is manually operated by the user in an emergency or the like when switching the latch mechanism of the door lock device 54 from a latched state to an unlatched state. An emergency refers to a situation where the latch mechanism of the door lock device 54 cannot be switched from a latched state to an unlatched state by operating the flap 24, or where the flap 24 cannot be manually operated, and more specifically, a situation where the ECU does not operate because the battery is not charged enough, for example.

[0036] The latch release lever 26 is a curved rod-like member having a substantially U-shape (or a substantially C-shape) when viewed from the up-down direction. The latch release lever 26 includes a bell crank engagement portion 261, a second finger hook portion 262, and a third stopper 263. The bell crank engagement portion 261 is provided in the middle of the latch release lever 26 in the front-to-rear direction and has a protruding configuration that protrudes toward the exterior of the vehicle. The second finger hook portion 262 is provided at the front end and its vicinity and is configured to allow a user to hook their finger. The second finger hook portion 262 has a plate-like shape. The third stopper 263 is a portion that determines the initial position of the latch release lever 26, which will be described later. The third stopper 263 is provided at a position closer to the interior of the vehicle than the second finger hook portion 262 and has a surface facing the interior of the vehicle.

[0037] The latch release lever 26 is disposed rearward of the accommodation portion 202 of the case body 20, at a position overlapping the bell crank 25 in a vertical view, with the opening of the "U" shape (or "C" shape) facing outward. The latch release lever 26 is supported rotatably about an axis that is substantially parallel to the case body 20 in the vertical direction, with the rear end portion facing outward as the center. Therefore, the second finger hook portion 262 and the bell crank engagement portion 261 of the latch release lever 26 can reciprocate substantially in the vehicle width direction. The latch release lever 26 can move between an initial position and an operating position by rotating relative to the case body 20. The initial position of the latch release lever 26 is a position where the second finger hook portion 262 is located at the inner end of its movable range, specifically, a position where the third stopper 263 of the latch release lever 26 contacts the case body 20. The operating position of the latch release lever 26 is a position where the second finger hook portion 262 is located further outward than the initial position.

[0038] The bell crank 25 and the latch release lever 26 are arranged in positions where they overlap each other when viewed in the up-down direction. Also, the bell crank 25 and the latch release lever 26 are arranged such that the bell crank engagement portion 261 of the latch release lever 26 is located on the vehicle interior side of the latch release lever engagement portion 252 of the bell crank 25, and the latch release lever engagement portion 252 of the bell crank 25 and the bell crank engagement portion 261 of the latch release lever 26 overlap each other when viewed in the vehicle width direction.

[0039] When the bell crank 25 and the latch release lever 26 are positioned as described above, the latch release lever engaging portion 252 of the bell crank 25 elastically urges the bell crank engaging portion 261 of the latch release lever 26 toward the vehicle interior by the urging force of the bell crank urging member 254. Therefore, the latch release lever 26 is constantly elastically urged toward the initial position by the urging force of the bell crank urging member 254 transmitted via the bell crank engaging portion 261. Therefore, the latch release lever 26 is held in the initial position when no urging force other than the urging force of the bell crank urging member 254 is applied. Furthermore, when the latch release lever 26 moves from the initial position toward the operating position, the latch release lever engaging portion 252 of the bell crank 25 is pushed toward the vehicle exterior by the bell crank engaging portion 261 of the latch release lever 26 and moves from the initial position to the operating position against the urging force of the bell crank urging member 254. In this way, the bell crank 25 and the latch release lever 26 are mechanically linked to each other so that when the latch release lever 26 is in its initial position, the bell crank 25 is also in its initial position, and when the latch release lever 26 is in its operating position, the bell crank 25 is also in its operating position.

[0040] The key cylinder 27 is a component that can be manually operated by a user using a suitable key. The key cylinder 27 is mechanically linked to the door lock device 54 so as to be switchable between a locked state, which does not allow the latch mechanism of the door lock device 54 to switch from a latched state to an unlatched state, and an unlocked state, which allows the latch mechanism to switch from a latched state to an unlatched state. The configuration of the key cylinder 27 and the configuration of the link between the key cylinder 27 and the door lock device 54 are not limited, and any conventionally known configuration can be applied. The key cylinder 27 is supported by the case body 20 by being inserted into the cylindrical interior of the key cylinder attachment portion 203.

[0041] The rod member 28 is a generally rod-shaped member. The rod member 28 is disposed with its longitudinal direction oriented generally vertically. The upper end of the rod member 28 is connected to the vehicle interior end of the rod connecting portion 251 of the bell crank 25. The lower end of the rod member 28 is connected to the open lever of the door lock device 54 or is freely engageable with and disengageable from the open lever. When the bell crank 25 moves from the initial position to the operating position, the rod member 28 is pushed down by the rod connecting portion 251 of the bell crank 25 and presses down the open lever of the door lock device 54. This switches the latch mechanism of the door lock device 54 from the latched state to the unlatched state. In this way, the rod member 28 is mechanically linked to the bell crank 25 and the door lock device 54 so that the latch mechanism of the door lock device 54 is switched from the latched state to the unlatched state when the bell crank 25 moves from the initial position to the operating position.

[0042] The cover assembly 12 includes an exterior member 30 and a guide member 31 .

[0043] The exterior member 30 is a member located on the outermost side of the door handle device 10 and forms part of the exterior appearance of the door handle device 10. The exterior member 30 is a plate-like member having substantially the same shape as the panel opening 531 when viewed in the vehicle width direction, and is configured to be able to fit into the panel opening 531 of the vehicle door 50. The exterior member 30 is provided with a fingertip insertion hole 301 into which a user can insert their fingertip from outside the vehicle. The fingertip insertion hole 301 is a through-hole that is elongated in the front-rear direction and penetrates in the vehicle width direction. When the exterior member 30 is attached to the outer panel 53 of the vehicle door 50, the exterior surface of the exterior member 30 is exposed to the exterior of the vehicle through the panel opening 531 so that it is substantially flush with the exterior surface of the outer panel 53 of the vehicle door 50.

[0044] The guide member 31 is a member that forms the housing of the door handle device 10. The guide member 31 is a member to which the exterior member 30 is attached. The guide member 31 includes a main body portion 311, a fingertip guide portion 312, and a key cover attachment portion 313. The main body portion 311 is a portion that is disposed on the interior side of the exterior member 30 so as to overlap the exterior member 30, and has a plate-like outer shape that is approximately the same shape and size as the exterior member 30. Furthermore, the main body portion 311 is provided with an opening that is approximately the same shape and size as the fingertip insertion hole 301 of the exterior member 30.

[0045] The fingertip guide portion 312 is a portion for guiding the user's fingertip inserted through the panel opening 531 into the interior of the storage portion 202 of the case main body 20 (more specifically, the interior-facing surface of the first finger hook portion 241 of the flap 24 disposed inside the storage portion 202). The fingertip guide portion 312 is provided so as to extend from near the lower end (near the lower edge) of the main body portion 311 toward the interior of the vehicle and diagonally upward. The fingertip guide portion 312 has a shallow box-like configuration (which can also be called a tray-like configuration) that is open on the exterior side, top side, and rear side and closed on the bottom side and front side. The fingertip guide portion 312 is provided with an inclined surface (guide surface) facing the upper side and exterior side of the vehicle and sloping upward toward the interior side of the vehicle.

[0046] Key cover attachment portion 313 is a portion configured to allow key cover 32 to be attached and detached, and is provided behind fingertip guide portion 312 and near the rear end of guide member 31. Key cover attachment portion 313 is, for example, a plate-shaped portion provided with a through-hole that penetrates in the vehicle width direction (or it can be said to be a frame-shaped portion provided with an opening on the inner periphery).

[0047] The key cover 32 is a member that covers (in other words, hides) the end face of the key cylinder 27 (the face where the key hole is provided) by being placed on the vehicle exterior side of the end face of the key cylinder 27 that is attached to the key cylinder attachment portion 203 of the case body 20. The key cover 32 is also a member that can be attached and detached to the key cover attachment portion 313. For example, the key cover 32 has a flat plate shape and is configured to be attachable and detachable to the key cover attachment portion 313 by a snap-fit ​​structure.

[0048] 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the door handle device 10 attached to the outer panel 53, taken along a plane approximately perpendicular to the vertical direction. As shown in Fig. 6, when the cover assembly 12 is attached to the case assembly 11, the case body 20 of the case assembly 11 and the guide member 31 of the cover assembly 12 form the housing of the door handle device 10. The fingertip guide portion 312 of the guide member 31 and the second finger hook portion 262 of the latch release lever 26 form a recess in the housing of the door handle device 10 that opens on the exterior side of the vehicle and into which a user can insert their fingertip from the exterior side of the vehicle.

[0049] The key cover 32 attached to the key cover attachment portion 313 covers the end surface of the key cylinder 27 facing outward from the vehicle and is exposed to the exterior of the vehicle through the fingertip insertion hole 301 in the exterior member 30. The second finger hook portion 262 of the latch release lever 26 attached to the case assembly 11 is located on the interior side of the vehicle and in front of the key cylinder attachment portion 203, and is exposed diagonally forward from the exterior of the vehicle through the fingertip insertion hole 301 in the exterior member 30. In this way, the key cover 32 and the latch release lever 26 form part of the exterior of the door handle device 10. In particular, the second finger hook portion 262 of the latch release lever 26 is located at the rear end of the fingertip guide portion 312 of the guide member 31 (i.e., the recess into which the user can insert their fingertip) and closes the opening at the rear end of the fingertip guide portion 312. The latch release lever 26 is located at the rear end of the fingertip guide portion 312 (i.e., the rear end of the recess where the user can insert their fingertip), and forms a rear surface portion of the inner circumferential surface of the recess (the surface located at the rear end of the recess and facing approximately forward) that faces substantially forward. More specifically, the portion of the rear surface that is closer to the exterior side of the vehicle is formed by the second finger hook 262. Furthermore, the portion of the rear surface that is closer to the interior side of the vehicle (the portion that is closer to the interior side of the second finger hook 262) is formed by a portion of the latch release lever 26 that is closer to the interior side of the vehicle than the second finger hook 262.

[0050] Additionally, when viewed from the top and bottom, the exterior surface of the key cover 32 and the front surface of the second finger hook 262 of the latch release lever 26 are inclined relative to the front-to-rear direction so as to incline toward the interior of the vehicle as they extend forward. However, the inclination angles of the exterior surface of the key cover 32 and the front surface of the latch release lever 26 relative to a line parallel to the front-to-rear direction are different. Specifically, the angle between a line parallel to the front-to-rear direction and the exterior surface of the key cover 32 is smaller than the angle between a line parallel to the front-to-rear direction and the front surface of the latch release lever 26. The front surface of the latch release lever 26 is curved near its exterior end and is continuously connected to the exterior surface of the key cover 32 (is substantially flush with the exterior surface of the key cover 32). With this configuration, the second finger hook 262 of the latch release lever 26 and the key cover 32 appear to be integrated (continuous), thereby improving aesthetics (improving design).

[0051] Furthermore, the front surface of the second finger hook 262 of the latch release lever 26 can also be said to be inclined with respect to the vehicle width direction so as to protrude forward as it approaches the interior of the vehicle. The interior end of the second finger hook 262 of the latch release lever 26 protrudes further forward than the portion of the second finger hook 262 that is located more interior than the second finger hook 262. Therefore, a user can place their fingertip on the interior end of the second finger hook 262 of the latch release lever 26. Note that the interior end of the second finger hook 262 of the latch release lever 26 and the portion located further interior than the interior end are discontinuous, but the interior end of the second finger hook 262 of the latch release lever 26 is located deep within the fingertip insertion hole 301 of the guide member 31 and is therefore not noticeable.

[0052] According to this embodiment, the latch release lever 26 is located at the rear end of the recess (fingertip guide portion 312) into which a fingertip can be inserted, and forms the rear surface (the surface facing forward) of the inner circumferential surface of this recess, making the latch release lever 26 less noticeable. This prevents or inhibits a user from mistakenly identifying the latch release lever 26 as "a component commonly used to unlatch the vehicle door 50." Furthermore, with this configuration, the boundary between the latch release lever 26 and other portions becomes less noticeable (i.e., the border of the design portion can be made less noticeable), thereby improving the aesthetics (improving the design).

[0053] The exterior surface of the key cover 32 attached to the key cover attachment portion 313 is positioned more inward than the exterior surface of the exterior member 30 (in other words, more recessed toward the interior of the vehicle than the exterior surface of the exterior member 30). That is, the exterior surface of the exterior member 30 and the exterior surface of the key cover 32 attached to the key cover attachment portion 313 are discontinuous. With this configuration, the exterior end of the latch release lever 26 is also positioned more inward than the exterior surface of the exterior member 30 (in other words, more recessed toward the interior of the vehicle than the exterior surface of the exterior member 30). This further enhances the effect of making the latch release lever 26 less noticeable. Furthermore, with this configuration, the boundary between the latch release lever 26 and other portions is positioned more inward than the interior surface of the exterior member 30, thereby further enhancing the effect of making this boundary less noticeable.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the bell crank 25 and the latch release lever 26 are disposed above the key cylinder 27 in a position overlapping the key cylinder 27 in a vertical view. This configuration allows the front-to-rear dimension of the door handle device 10 to be reduced compared to a configuration in which the bell crank 25 and the latch release lever 26 are disposed at positions offset from the key cylinder 27 in the front-to-rear direction without overlapping the key cylinder 27 in a vertical view. The key cylinder 27 is disposed at an angle so that the end on the vehicle interior side is positioned lower than the end on the vehicle exterior side. Therefore, this configuration allows the bell crank 25, the latch release lever 26, and the key cylinder 27 to be disposed overlapping each other in the vertical direction without interfering with each other.

[0055] <Door handle device operation> Next, the operation of the door handle device 10 will be described. When the flap 24 is located in the initial position, the pressing portion 242 moves away from the switch 232 of the switch assembly 23 toward the interior of the vehicle, and therefore the push button of the switch 232 is not pressed. Therefore, when the flap 24 is located in the initial position, the state of the switch 232 is maintained in the OFF state. On the other hand, when the flap 24 moves from the initial position toward the operating position, the pressing portion 242 presses the push button of the switch 232. Then, when the flap 24 is located in the operating position, the push button of the switch 232 is pressed by the pressing portion 242, and the state of the switch 232 becomes ON.

[0056] The user inserts his or her fingertips into the panel opening 531 with the palm facing upward, and places the fingertips from below on the lower end of the first finger hook portion 241 of the flap 24. Then, when the user pulls the first finger hook portion 241 toward the outside of the vehicle in this state, the first finger hook portion 241 moves toward the outside of the vehicle against the biasing force of the flap biasing member 246. As a result, the pressing portion 242 moves toward the outside of the vehicle together with the first finger hook portion 241, and presses the push button of the switch 232 assembled in the switch assembly 23. This switches the state of the switch 232 from OFF to ON.

[0057] When the ECU detects that the state of the switch 232 has changed from OFF to ON, it switches the latch mechanism of the door lock device 54 from a latched state to an unlatched state. If the door lock device 54 is in a locked state, the ECU switches the door lock device 54 to an unlocked state, and then switches the door lock device 54 to an unlatched state. The user can open the vehicle door 50 by pulling the first finger grip portion 241 outward from the vehicle. When the user removes their fingertip from the first finger grip portion 241, the flap 24 moves to its initial position by the biasing force of the flap biasing member 246, and the state of the switch 232 changes from ON to OFF. In this way, under normal circumstances, the user can open the vehicle door 50 (switch the door lock device 54 from a latched state to an unlatched state) by operating the flap 24.

[0058] In addition, in an emergency such as when the ECU is not operating, the user can manually operate the latch release lever 26 to switch the latch mechanism of the door lock device 54 from the latched state to the unlatched state. Figures 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the latch release lever 26 and the bell crank 25.

[0059] When the door lock device 54 is in a locked state, the user removes the key cover 32 and uses the key to operate the key cylinder 27 to switch the door lock device 54 from a locked state to an unlocked state. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the user moves the latch release lever 26 from the initial position to the operating position. In FIG. 7, the latch release lever 26 in the initial position is indicated by a solid line, and the latch release lever 26 in the operating position is indicated by a two-dot chain line. At this time, the user can hook their finger on the end of the second finger hook 262 of the latch release lever 26 on the interior side of the vehicle and pull the second finger hook 262 outward.

[0060] When the latch release lever 26 moves from the initial position toward the operating position, the bell crank engaging portion 261 of the latch release lever 26 pushes the latch release lever engaging portion 252 of the bell crank 25 toward the interior of the vehicle. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8 , the bell crank 25 rotates about the shaft 253 and moves from the initial position to the operating position. At this time, the rod connecting portion 251 of the bell crank 25 pushes the rod member 28 downward. In FIG. 8 , the bell crank 25 in the initial position is indicated by a solid line, and the bell crank 25 in the operating position is indicated by a two-dot chain line. When the open lever of the door lock device 54 is pushed downward by the rod member 28, the latch mechanism of the door lock device 54 switches from the latched state to the unlatched state. In this way, the latch release lever 26 is mechanically linked to the door lock device 54 via the bell crank 25 and the rod member 28 so that the latch mechanism of the door lock device 54 switches from the latched state to the unlatched state when the latch release lever 26 moves from the initial position to the operating position.

[0061] In this way, the door handle device 10 is configured to be able to switch the latch mechanism of the door lock device 54 from a latched state to an unlatched state via the rod member 28. Furthermore, since the rod member 28 is less expensive than a wire, the component costs of the door handle device 10 can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the door handle device 10 is connected to the door lock device 54 by a wire.

[0062] <Summary of the embodiment> (1) A vehicle door handle device 10 attached to a vehicle door 50, the vehicle door 50 including a door lock device 54 switchable between a latched state in which the vehicle door 50 is not allowed to be opened and an unlatched state in which the vehicle door 50 is allowed to be opened, a housing (case body 20, guide member 31) that is open on the vehicle exterior side and has a recess (fingertip guide portion 312) into which a user can insert their finger from the vehicle exterior side; a latch release lever 26 that is attached to the housing (case body 20, guide member 31) so as to be movable between an initial position and an operating position, and that interacts with the door lock device 54 so as to switch the door lock device 54 from the latched state to the unlatched state by moving from the initial position to the operating position; Equipped with The inner peripheral surface of the recess (fingertip guide portion 312) includes a rear surface portion that is located on the vehicle interior side of the vehicle exterior surface of the vehicle door 50 and at the rear end of the recess (fingertip guide portion 312), and faces substantially forward; The unlatch lever 26 forms at least a portion of the rear face.

[0063] According to this embodiment, the latch release lever 26 is located at the rear end of the recess (fingertip guide portion 312) of the housing (case main body 20, guide member 31) and forms the rear surface, which is the surface of the inner circumferential surface of the recess (fingertip guide portion 312) that faces the front, making the latch release lever 26 less noticeable. Therefore, this configuration can prevent or suppress a user from mistaking the latch release lever 26 for a component used to open the vehicle door 50 under normal circumstances (a component that is regularly used to open the vehicle door 50). Furthermore, this configuration can make the boundary between the latch release lever 26 and other components less noticeable (i.e., the border of the design portion can be made less noticeable), thereby improving the aesthetics (improving the design).

[0064] (2) The vehicle door handle device 10 according to this embodiment includes: a key cylinder 27 linked to the door lock device 54 so as to be switchable between a locked state that does not allow the door lock device 54 to switch from the latched state to the unlatched state and an unlocked state that allows the door lock device 54 to switch from the latched state to the unlatched state; The latch release lever 26 and the key cylinder 27 overlap each other when viewed in the up-down direction.

[0065] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent or suppress the size of the door handle device 10 in the front-rear direction from increasing.

[0066] (3) The vehicle door handle device 10 according to this embodiment includes: a bell crank 25 that is arranged to be movable between an initial position and an operating position relative to the housing (case body 20, guide member 31), and that links with the latch release lever 26 so that it is positioned at the initial position when the latch release lever 26 is positioned at the initial position, and is positioned at the operating position when the latch release lever 26 is positioned at the operating position; and a rod member 28 that communicates with the bell crank 25 and the door lock device 54 so as to switch the door lock device 54 from the latched state to the unlatched state when the bell crank 25 moves from the initial position to the operating position.

[0067] The rod member 28 is a generally rod-shaped member and is less expensive than a wire, so the component costs of the door handle device 10 can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the door handle device 10 is connected to the door lock device 54 by a wire.

[0068] (4) In the vehicle door handle device 10 according to this embodiment, The bell crank 25 is configured to move the rod member 28 downward by moving from the initial position to the operating position.

[0069] A conventional door lock device 54 is known that includes an open lever and is configured to switch from a latched state to an unlatched state when the open lever moves downward. The vehicle door handle device 10 according to this embodiment can be applied to a vehicle door 50 that includes such a door lock device 54.

[0070] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and such modifications are also included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0071] For example, in the above embodiment, the rear surface of the recess is formed only by the latch release lever 26, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the fingertip guide 312 of the guide member 31 may be provided with a portion that forms the "rear surface of the recess," and the second finger hook 262 and the fingertip guide 312 may form the "rear surface of the recess." In short, it is sufficient that the latch release lever 26 forms at least a part of the "rear surface of the recess."

[0072] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the vehicle door handle device 10 is configured to include the key cylinder 27, but the vehicle door handle device 10 does not have to include the key cylinder 27. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the switch assembly 23 is disposed in front of the flap 24, but the positional relationship between the flap 24 and the switch assembly 23 is not limited to that in the above embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10...vehicle door handle device, 20...case body, 25...bell crank, 26...latch release lever, 27...rod member, 28...key cylinder, 31...guide member, 50...vehicle door, 53...outer panel of vehicle door, 531...panel opening, 54...door lock device, 202...accommodating portion of case body, 312...fingert guide portion of guide member

Claims

1. A door handle device for a vehicle, which is attached to a vehicle door, and which includes a door lock device switchable between a latched state in which the vehicle door is not allowed to be opened and an unlatched state in which the vehicle door is allowed to be opened, a housing having an opening on the outside of the vehicle and a recess into which a user can insert their finger from the outside of the vehicle; a latch release lever attached to the housing so as to be movable between an initial position and an operating position, and which cooperates with the door lock device so as to switch the door lock device from the latched state to the unlatched state by moving from the initial position to the operating position; Equipped with an inner peripheral surface of the recessed portion including a rear surface portion that is located on the vehicle interior side of the vehicle door and at a rear end of the recessed portion, and that faces substantially forward; The latch release lever forms at least a portion of the rear surface.

2. 2. The vehicle door handle device according to claim 1, a key cylinder linked to the door lock device so as to be switchable between a locked state in which the door lock device is not permitted to switch from the latched state to the unlatched state and an unlocked state in which the door lock device is permitted to switch from the latched state to the unlatched state; A door handle device for a vehicle, wherein the latch release lever and the key cylinder overlap when viewed in the up-down direction.

3. 2. The vehicle door handle device according to claim 1, a bell crank that is arranged to be movable between an initial position and an operating position relative to the housing, the bell crank being positioned at the initial position when the latch release lever is positioned at the initial position, and being positioned at the operating position when the latch release lever is positioned at the operating position; a rod member communicating with the bell crank and the door lock device to switch the door lock device from the latched state to the unlatched state when the bell crank moves from the initial position to the operating position; A door handle device for a vehicle.

4. 4. The door handle device for a vehicle according to claim 3, The bell crank is configured to move the rod member downward by moving from the initial position to the operating position.

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