Outside handle device

Abstract

When installing retractable door handles on vehicle doors, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the vehicle's aerodynamic characteristics. [Solution] An elongated hole 12 is formed in the door outer panel 10. The elongated hole 12 is oriented longitudinally in the vehicle's front-rear direction. The first door handle 40 is positioned on the inner surface 13 side of the door outer panel 10 and near the elongated hole 12. The second door handle 50 and the mechanical key cylinder 70 are positioned inside the elongated hole 12. The cover 60 covers the mechanical key cylinder 70. The mechanical key cylinder 70 is positioned at the rear end of the elongated hole 12. The exposed surface 62 of the cover 60 is inclined such that its front end is inward in the vehicle width direction compared to its rear end.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification discloses an outside handle device for a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] An outside handle is provided on a vehicle door. In Patent Document 1, a so-called flush handle device is disclosed. The flush handle device includes a door handle. When the door handle is retracted, the exposed surface (outer surface) of the door handle is arranged flush with the door outer panel.

[0003] Also, as another handle device, a retractable outside handle is known. An opening is formed in the door outer panel. A door handle is provided at the depth of this opening. For example, the door handle is a part of an electric opening / closing mechanism. When a sensor detects an operation of the door handle, a motor operates to wind up a wire. Then, the door latch is released by the wire.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, when providing a retractable door handle, an opening is formed in the door outer panel. During vehicle travel, there is a risk that the air characteristics of the vehicle may deteriorate due to air flowing into this opening.

[0006] Therefore, in this specification, an outside handle device is provided. This device can suppress a decrease in the air characteristics of the vehicle when providing a retractable door handle on the vehicle door.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] This specification discloses an outside handle device. The outside handle device comprises a door outer panel, a first door handle, a second door handle, a mechanical key cylinder, and a cover. An elongated hole is formed in the door outer panel. The elongated hole is longitudinally oriented in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The first door handle is positioned on the inner side of the door outer panel and near the elongated hole. Furthermore, the first door handle is part of an electrically operated opening and closing mechanism. The second door handle is positioned within the elongated hole. Furthermore, the second door handle is part of a mechanical opening and closing mechanism. The mechanical key cylinder unlocks and locks the vehicle door. The mechanical key cylinder is also positioned within the elongated hole. The cover covers the mechanical key cylinder. The mechanical key cylinder is positioned at the rear end of the elongated hole. The exposed surface of the cover is inclined such that its front end is inward in the vehicle width direction compared to its rear end.

[0008] The airflow along the door outer panel changes direction so that it slopes from the leading edge of the elongated hole into the interior of the opening. With the above configuration, the exposed surface of the cover positioned at the rear end of the elongated hole deflects the airflow and guides it out of the vehicle.

[0009] Furthermore, in the above configuration, a second door handle may be positioned in front of the mechanical key cylinder. In this case, the exposed surface of the second door handle is positioned at an angle. That is, the front end of the exposed surface of the second door handle is positioned inward in the vehicle width direction more than the rear end. In addition, the rear end of the exposed surface of the second door handle is connected to the front end of the exposed surface of the cover.

[0010] According to the above configuration, an inclined surface is formed that extends continuously from the front end of the exposed surface of the second door handle to the rear end of the exposed surface of the cover.

[0011] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the cover may have an insertion hole. The insertion hole is provided for removing the cover. This insertion hole is formed between the rear end of the cover and the rear end of the elongated hole.

[0012] For example, a user inserts a mechanical key into the slot and pries open the cover. By placing the slot away from the second door handle, damage to the second door handle during prying is avoided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the outside handle device disclosed herein, when a retractable door handle is installed on a vehicle door, the deterioration of the vehicle's aerodynamic characteristics can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a side view of a vehicle illustrating the outside handle device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view AA in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of BB. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged view of Figure 3, illustrating the operation of the second door handle. [Figure 5] This is an enlarged view of Figure 3, illustrating the airflow during vehicle operation. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] The outside handle device according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The shapes, materials, quantities, and numerical values ​​described below are illustrative examples for illustrative purposes. These shapes, etc., can be appropriately changed according to the specifications of the outside handle device. In addition, the same reference numerals are used for equivalent elements in all drawings below.

[0016] Furthermore, in Figures 1-5, a Cartesian coordinate system consisting of the FR axis, RW axis, and UP axis is used to represent the position and direction of each component. The FR axis is the vehicle's longitudinal axis. The RW axis is the vehicle's width axis. The UP axis is the vehicle's vertical axis. The FR axis is considered positive towards the front of the vehicle. The RW axis is considered positive towards the right side of the vehicle. The UP axis is considered positive towards the upward direction.

[0017] The outside handle device according to this embodiment is provided on the driver's door of a vehicle. In FIGS. 1 to 5, the outside handle device in a so-called right-hand drive vehicle is illustrated. The outside handle device according to this embodiment includes a door outer panel 10, a first door handle 40 (see FIG. 2), a second door handle 50 (see FIG. 4), a mechanical key cylinder 70, and a cover 60.

[0018] 1. Vehicle side FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a vehicle. More specifically, an enlarged view of the right vehicle door is illustrated in FIG. 1. As a panel material on the exposed surface (outer surface) side of the vehicle door, the door outer panel 10 is provided on the vehicle door.

[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates the A-A cross section of FIG. 1. The door outer panel 10 is made of a metal material or a resin material such as CFRP. The door outer panel 10 includes an exposed surface 14 and an inner surface 13. The exposed surface 14 is exposed to the outside. The inner surface 13 is the opposite surface of the exposed surface 14. The inner surface 13 faces a door inner panel (not shown).

[0020] A space is provided in the vehicle door by the door outer panel 10 and a door inner panel (not shown). An electric opening / closing mechanism illustrated in FIG. 2 is arranged in this space.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, a long hole 12 is drilled in the door outer panel 10. The long hole 12 has a longitudinal direction in the vehicle front-rear direction. A garnish 20 is fitted into the long hole 12. The garnish 20 includes an exposed surface 26 and an opening 22. The exposed surface 26 is arranged on the same surface as the exposed surface 14 of the door outer panel 10. An opening 22 is formed on the rear side in the vehicle front-rear direction of the exposed surface 26. An electric opening / closing mechanism and a mechanical opening / closing mechanism are arranged in the opening 22. The detailed structures of the electric opening / closing mechanism and the mechanical opening / closing mechanism will be described later.

[0022] The garnish 20 includes a guide surface 23 that connects to the opening 22. The guide surface 23 is connected to the lower edge of the opening 22. Referring to Figure 2, the guide surface 23 has an upward sloping structure, becoming more upward as it moves inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0023] When a hand is inserted into the opening 22, the fingertips are guided upward along the guide surface 23. In other words, the fingertips are guided into the operating space 34 according to the guide surface 23. When the fingers then touch the first door handle 40 in the operating space 34, the first door handle 40 is operated.

[0024] 2.Electric opening / closing mechanism Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle door is provided with an electrically operated opening and closing mechanism. The electrically operated opening and closing mechanism comprises a housing 30 and a first door handle 40.

[0025] The housing 30 has an opening 35 at its lower end. The opening 35 of the housing 30 is connected to the opening 22 of the garnish 20. The housing 30 extends upward from the opening 35. For example, the housing 30 has an inverted U-shaped cross-section in cross section AA (Figure 2). For example, the housing 30 includes a housing outer 31 and a housing inner 32.

[0026] The internal space of the housing 30 becomes the operating space 34. The first door handle 40 is positioned within the operating space 34. That is, the first door handle 40 is positioned on the inner surface 13 side of the door outer panel 10 and near the elongated hole 12. In other words, the first door handle 40 is housed within the opening 22.

[0027] The first door handle 40 is rotatable around the shaft 42 as its axis of rotation. The shaft 42 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Therefore, the first door handle 40 swings along the vehicle width direction from the basic position shown by the solid line to the contact position shown by the dashed line. At the contact position, the first door handle 40 contacts the housing outer 31.

[0028] When the first door handle 40 is moved from its basic position to the contact position, the vehicle door is opened by an electrical unlocking operation. Since this unlocking operation is known, it will be briefly described below.

[0029] The movement of the first door handle 40 is detected by a sensor (not shown). The detection signal is sent to a matching ECU (not shown). The matching ECU searches for a vehicle key in the vicinity of the vehicle. When the identification information of the found vehicle key matches pre-registered information, the matching ECU sends an unlock command to the body ECU (not shown).

[0030] The body ECU unlocks the vehicle door. For example, the body ECU switches an actuator (not shown) for the latch (not shown) from a disconnected state to an energized state. Furthermore, the body ECU drives the actuator to release the vehicle door latch from the striker (not shown). This opens the vehicle door.

[0031] Thus, in the electrically operated opening and closing mechanism, the vehicle door can be locked and opened solely by operating the first door handle 40.

[0032] 3. Mechanical opening / closing mechanism Referring to Figures 1 and 3, the outside handle device according to this embodiment includes a mechanical opening / closing mechanism. The mechanical opening / closing mechanism is a so-called emergency opening / closing mechanism. For example, the mechanical opening / closing mechanism does not require a power supply.

[0033] Referring to Figures 1 and 3, the mechanical opening and closing mechanism comprises a second door handle 50, a mechanical key cylinder 70, and a cover 60. The second door handle 50, the mechanical key cylinder 70, and the cover 60 are located within the elongated hole 12 of the door outer panel 10. More specifically, the second door handle 50, the mechanical key cylinder 70, and the cover 60 are located within the opening 22.

[0034] A mechanical key cylinder 70 is positioned at the rear end portion of the elongated hole 12 and the opening 22, along the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The cover 60 covers the mechanical key cylinder 70. Therefore, the cover 60 is also positioned at the rear end portion of the elongated hole 12.

[0035] A second door handle 50 is positioned adjacent to the front of the mechanical key cylinder 70. As will be described later, an inclined surface is formed by the exposed surface 52 of the second door handle 50 (see Figure 5) and the exposed surface 62 of the cover 60. This inclined surface functions as a guide surface that guides the air flowing into the opening 22 to the outside of the vehicle.

[0036] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate enlarged views of Figure 3. The second door handle 50 comprises an exposed surface 52 and an operating surface 54. The exposed surface 52 is exposed to the outside of the vehicle. The exposed surface 52 is also inclined so that its front end is inward in the vehicle width direction than its rear end.

[0037] For example, the inclination angle θ1 (see Figure 5) of the front end of the exposed surface 52 is greater than the inclination angle θ2 of the exposed surface 62 of the cover 60 (θ1 > θ2). In other words, the front end of the exposed surface 52 extends deep into the opening 22. As will be described later, the air that enters the opening 22 is scooped up by the exposed surfaces 52 and 62 and discharged outside the vehicle.

[0038] An operating surface 54 is connected to the front end of the exposed surface 52. The operating surface 54 faces the housing inner 32. In other words, when the vehicle door is viewed from the side, the operating surface 54 is a hidden surface. The operator's fingers come into contact with the operating surface 54.

[0039] The second door handle 50 is movable along the width of the vehicle. In Figure 4, the basic position of the second door handle 50 is shown by a solid line, and the open position of the second door handle 50 is shown by a dashed line. The rear end of the exposed surface 52 in the basic position is connected to the front end of the cover 60. In other words, the exposed surface 52 of the second door handle 50 and the exposed surface 62 of the cover 60 form a continuous inclined surface.

[0040] The mechanical key cylinder 70 unlocks and locks the vehicle doors. A mechanical key (not shown) owned by the user is inserted into the mechanical key cylinder 70. When the mechanical key is inserted and the mechanical key cylinder is turned, the vehicle doors are switched from the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0041] For example, in the unlocked state, the second door handle 50 is connected to a wire (not shown). The wire is connected to a latch (not shown) on the vehicle door. In other words, when the second door handle 50 is pulled from its basic position to the open position, the latch is pulled by the wire and rotated. This opens the vehicle door.

[0042] The mechanical key cylinder 70 is seated in the housing inner 32. The second door handle 50 and the mechanical key cylinder 70 are adjacent to each other in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, the mechanical key cylinder 70 is covered by a cover 60.

[0043] The cover 60 is positioned on the outside of the mechanical key cylinder 70 in the vehicle width direction. The cover 60 has an exposed surface 62 and claws 64. The claws 64 extend in the vehicle width direction. The claws 64 are provided at the front and rear ends of the cover 60.

[0044] The claw 64 engages with the frame 75. For example, the frame 75 is coaxially positioned with the mechanical key cylinder 70. For example, the mechanical key cylinder 70 is positioned within the frame of the frame 75.

[0045] Referring to Figure 1, an insertion hole 68 is formed between the rear end of the cover 60 and the rear end of the elongated hole 12. The insertion hole 68 is formed to remove the cover 60. For example, a notch 66 is formed at the rear end of the cover 60. The notch 66 creates an insertion hole 68 between the rear end of the cover 60 and the rear end of the opening 22.

[0046] Referring to Figures 1 and 4, a mechanical key (not shown) or a tool such as a screwdriver is inserted into the insertion hole 68. The cover 60 is then pried open by the inserted mechanical key or tool. By forming the insertion hole 68 at a location separate from the second door handle 50, damage to the second door handle 50 during the prying operation is suppressed.

[0047] The cover 60 has an exposed surface 62. The exposed surface 62 is inclined so that its front end is inward in the vehicle width direction compared to its rear end. The front end of the exposed surface 62 is connected to the rear end of the exposed surface 62 of the second door handle 50. Furthermore, the rear end of the exposed surface 62 is connected to the garnish 20.

[0048] 4. Aerodynamic characteristics of mechanical opening and closing mechanisms Referring to Figure 5, an inclined surface is formed by the exposed surface 52 of the second door handle 50 and the exposed surface 62 of the cover 60. This inclined surface curves inward in the vehicle width direction as it approaches the front of the vehicle.

[0049] A sloping surface is formed at the rear end of the opening 22, allowing air that enters the opening 22 to be expelled outside the vehicle. For example, when the vehicle is traveling at high speed (e.g., 80 km / h or more), air as shown by flow L1 enters the opening 22. The airflow L1 is guided by the exposed surface 62 of the cover 60 and expelled outside the vehicle.

[0050] Furthermore, even if the inflow angle of outside air exceeds the angle θ10 due to external environmental factors, the exposed surface 52 of the second door handle 50 scoops up the incoming air. The scooped-up air is sent to the exposed surface 62 of the cover 60 and discharged outside the vehicle.

[0051] Thus, according to the outside handle device of this embodiment, air that flows into the opening 22 while the vehicle is in motion is discharged to the outside of the vehicle by the inclined surfaces of the second door handle 50 and the cover 60. Therefore, the stagnation of air in the opening 22 is suppressed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] 10 Door outer panel, 12 Slotted hole, 13 Inner surface of door outer panel, 14 Exposed surface of door outer panel, 20 Garnish, 22 Garnish opening, 30 Housing, 34 Operating space, 40 First door handle, 50 Second door handle, 52 Exposed surface of second door handle, 60 Cover, 62 Exposed surface of cover, 66 Notch, 68 Insertion hole, 70 Mechanical key cylinder.

Claims

1. A door outer panel having an elongated hole formed with the vehicle's front-to-rear direction as its longitudinal direction, The first door handle of the electric opening and closing mechanism is located on the inner side of the door outer panel and near the elongated hole, A second door handle of a mechanical opening and closing mechanism is arranged within the aforementioned elongated hole, A mechanical key cylinder, positioned within the aforementioned elongated hole, is used to unlock and lock the vehicle door. A cover that covers the mechanical key cylinder, Equipped with, The mechanical key cylinder is positioned at the rear end portion of the elongated hole. The exposed surface of the cover is inclined such that the front end is inward in the vehicle width direction compared to the rear end. Outside handle device.

2. An outside handle device according to claim 1, The second door handle is positioned in front of the mechanical key cylinder. The exposed surface of the second door handle is inclined such that its front end is inward in the vehicle width direction compared to its rear end. The rear end of the exposed surface of the second door handle is connected to the front end of the exposed surface of the cover. Outside handle device.

3. An outside handle device according to claim 1 or 2, The cover has an insertion hole for removing the cover. The insertion hole is formed between the rear end of the cover and the rear end of the elongated hole. Outside handle device.

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