Handle device

Abstract

To provide a handle device that can effectively reduce the knocking sound that occurs when the handle is closed. [Solution] The handle device 10 comprises a fixed member 12 having a cylindrical portion with one end open and the other end being the bottom, a handle 14 rotatably mounted on the fixed member 12 and taking on an open state and a closed state by rotation, a biasing member that biases the handle 14 in the closing direction, and a piston inserted into the cylindrical portion and provided to be able to move back and forth. The piston has a sliding portion provided on its outer circumferential surface. When the handle 14 rotates in the closing direction, the piston is pushed and retracts toward the bottom, and in accordance with this retraction, the sliding portion slides toward the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, thereby providing resistance to the closing operation of the handle 14.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a handle device provided with a piston between a handle and a fixing member.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a lock device for an opening / closing body that is attached to an opening of a fixed body in an openable / closable manner. This lock device includes a lock portion provided at the opening of the fixed body, an operation member for sliding a lock member, a base member for rotatably supporting the operation member, and a rubber damper attached to the base member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] A damper is provided for countermeasures against hitting sounds when the operation member described in Patent Document 1 rotates, but it is desirable to achieve more effective reduction of hitting sounds.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a handle device that can effectively reduce hitting sounds generated when the handle closes.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a handle device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a fixed member having a cylindrical portion with one end open and the other end being a bottom; a handle rotatably mounted on the fixed member and taking an open state and a closed state by rotation; a biasing member that biases the handle in the closing direction; and a piston inserted into the cylindrical portion and provided to be able to move back and forth. The piston has a sliding portion provided on its outer circumferential surface. When the handle rotates in the closing direction, the piston is pushed and retracts toward the bottom, and in accordance with this retraction, the sliding portion slides toward the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, thereby providing resistance to the closing operation of the handle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a handle device can be provided that can effectively reduce the knocking sound generated when the handle is closed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the handle device of the embodiment in the closed state. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the handle device of an embodiment in the open position. [Figure 3] This is an exploded view of the handle device of the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the handle device shown by line segment AA. [Figure 5] Figure 5(a) is a front view of the piston, and Figure 5(b) is a cross-sectional view of the piston. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the handle device shown by line segment BB. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is a partially enlarged view of the handle mechanism shown. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view of the steering mechanism in its fully open position. [Figure 9] This is a diagram illustrating the piston in the first variant example. [Figure 10] This is a diagram illustrating the piston in the second variation example. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view of the fixing member of the third modified example. [Figure 12] This is a cross-sectional view of the handle device of the third modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the handle device 10 in the closed state. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the handle device 10 in the open state. The handle device 10 is attached to the opening / closing body and is used to open and close the opening / closing body.

[0010] The opening / closing body is provided to open and close the opening of a fixed body, such as a glove box, in the vehicle, and functions as a lid. The opening / closing body is supported by a locking member that is linked to the operation of the handle device 10. The locking member locks the opening / closing body in the closed position of the fixed body's opening. When the user operates the handle device 10, the locking member is released, allowing the opening / closing body to be opened. In other words, the handle device 10 also functions as a locking device. The opening / closing body has mounting holes for attaching the handle device 10.

[0011] The handle device 10 is not limited to being attached to the opening and closing mechanism of the glove box, but may also be attached to the opening and closing mechanism of, for example, the console box. The handle device 10 may be mounted on a fixed body and gripped by the user. The fixed body is not limited to the glove box, but may also be an interior panel or a vehicle body panel.

[0012] The handle 14 of the handle device 10 shown in Figure 1 is in a closed position relative to the fixing member 12. The handle 14 shown in Figure 2 is in an open position relative to the fixing member 12. The handle device 10 will be described with reference to the new drawings.

[0013] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the handle device 10. The handle device 10 comprises a fixing member 12, a handle 14, a biasing member 16, a spring 18, a piston 20, and a locking member (not shown). The fixing member 12 is fixed to the opening / closing body or the fixing body. The handle 14 is rotatably mounted on the fixing member 12 and takes an open state and a closed state by rotation.

[0014] The biasing member 16 abuts against the fixing member 12 and the handle 14 respectively, and biases the handle 14 in the closing direction. The biasing member 16 is a coil spring, but is not limited to this embodiment, and may be a leaf spring.

[0015] The piston 20 is provided between the fixing member 12 and the handle 14, and suppresses the hitting sound generated when the handle 14 hits the fixing member 12 when the handle 14 closes. The spring 18 biases the piston 20 toward the handle 14. The moment exerted by the spring 18 on the handle 14 via the piston 20 is much smaller than the moment exerted by the biasing member 16 on the handle 14.

[0016] The fixing member 12 has a side wall portion 22, a shaft support portion 24, an elastic claw portion 26, a first support protrusion 28, a cylindrical portion 30, a first attachment portion 32, a second attachment portion 34, a suspension portion 36, a bottom portion 37, a stopper portion, and an insertion hole 39.

[0017] A pair of opposing side wall portions 22 are formed. The shaft support portion 24 protrudes from the outer surface of the side wall portion 22 and is formed in an arc shape. The shaft support portion 24 supports the handle 14. The elastic claw portion 26 is formed on the side wall portion 22 so as to be bendable. The first support protrusion 28 protrudes upward and supports one end of the biasing member 16.

[0018] The first attachment portion 32 projects forward of the fixing member 12. The second attachment portion 34 is formed at the rear portion of the fixing member 12 and is formed in a claw shape having elasticity. The elastic claw portion 26, the first attachment portion 32, and the second attachment portion 34 are respectively hooked on the opening and closing body. The suspension portion 36 is located at the upper end of the front portion of the fixing member 12.

[0019] The cylindrical portion 30 houses the spring 18 and the piston 20. The cylindrical portion 30 is open on the handle 14 side. The insertion hole 39 is formed to penetrate the bottom portion 37, and a part of the handle 14 can be inserted therethrough.

[0020] The handle 14 has a decorative surface 40, a side wall portion 42, a bearing portion 44, a protective wall portion 46, a transmission portion 48, a back surface, and a second support projection. The decorative surface 40 is formed in a position that is exposed from the mounting hole of the opening / closing body and is located on the front side of the handle device 10.

[0021] The side wall portions 42 are formed in pairs facing each other. The bearing portion 44 is formed in the side wall portion 42 in a hole-like manner and is formed in an arc shape. The bearing portion 44 receives the pivot portion 24 of the fixing member 12. The protective wall portion 46 is formed across the pair of side wall portions 42 so as to be perpendicular to the back surface of the handle 14. The protective wall portion 46 prevents the user's fingers from entering the inside of the handle device 10.

[0022] The transmission section 48 is formed in a columnar shape, extends from the back surface in a direction perpendicular to the back surface, is inserted into the insertion hole 39 of the fixing member 12, and protrudes from the back side of the fixing member 12 as shown in Figure 2. The transmission section 48 is displaced on the back side of the fixing member 12 as the handle 14 rotates.

[0023] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of line segment AA of the handle device 10 shown in Figure 1. The biasing member 16 is supported at one end by the first support projection 28 of the fixing member 12 and at the other end by the second support projection 52 of the handle 14. The second support projection 52 is formed on the back surface 50. The biasing member 16 biases the handle 14 in the closing direction against the spring 18.

[0024] The transmission unit 48 is inserted into the insertion hole 39 of the fixing member 12. A stopper portion 38 is formed on the edge of the bottom portion 37 that forms the insertion hole 39. The stopper portion 38 abuts against the transmission unit 48 and stops the rotation of the handle 14 in the opening direction. The piston 20 acts to rotate the handle 14 in the closing direction.

[0025] The transmission unit 48 is inserted through the insertion hole 74a of the locking member 74. The transmission unit 48 transmits a stroke to the locking member 74 in accordance with the rotational movement of the handle 14, moving the locking member 74 from the locked position to the unlocked position. When the handle 14 is closed as shown in Figure 4, the locking member 74 is in the locked position. When the handle 14 is fully open, the locking member 74 takes the unlocked position. The locking member 74 is provided on the opening / closing body and locks to the fixed body, but is not limited to this configuration; it may also be provided on the fixed body and lock to the opening / closing body.

[0026] Figure 5(a) is a front view of the piston 20, and Figure 5(b) is a cross-sectional view of the piston 20. The piston 20 is made of a soft resin material. The piston 20 has a contact portion 54, an opening 56, a cushion portion 58, an extension portion 60, and a sliding portion 62.

[0027] The contact portion 54 is located at one end of the piston 20 and is capable of contacting the back surface 50 of the handle 14. The opening 56 is located at the other end of the piston 20 and opens. The cushion portion 58 is formed by bulging outwards on one end side of the piston 20. The end of the cushion portion 58 becomes the contact portion 54. The cushion portion 58 has a stepped portion 58a that protrudes radially outward.

[0028] The extension portion 60 is formed in a cylindrical shape with an open end at the other end. One end of the extension portion 60 forms the bottom surface 60a. The extension portion 60 forms a space for housing the spring 18. The spring 18 is located inside the extension portion 60, with one end in contact with the bottom surface 60a.

[0029] The sliding portion 62 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the extension portion 60, protruding radially outward and forming an annular shape. The sliding portion 62 is located at the other end of the piston 20 and on the open end side of the extension portion 60. The sliding portion 62 slides against the cylindrical portion 30 of the fixing member 12.

[0030] The rib 64 is formed protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the piston 20. The rib 64 is formed midway along the piston 20, away from the sliding portion 62. When the handle 14 rotates in the closing direction, the piston 20 receives a force from the handle 14 in a direction intersecting the central axis of the cylindrical portion 30, but the rib 64 prevents the piston 20 from tilting and functions as a guide when the piston 20 moves forward and backward. The rib 64 is formed with a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 30. The rib 64 is located on the contact portion 54 side of the bottom surface 60a.

[0031] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of line segment BB of the handle device 10 shown in Figure 1. Figure 7 is a partially enlarged view of the handle device 10 shown in Figure 6. The cylindrical portion 30 has an opening 66, a bottom portion 68, an orifice portion 70, and a column portion 72. The cylindrical portion 30, the spring 18, and the piston 20 are arranged coaxially. The cylindrical portion 30 is located on the opposite side of the biasing member 16, straddling the rotation axis of the handle 14.

[0032] The opening 66 is located at one end of the cylindrical portion 30, and the bottom portion 68 is located at the other end of the cylindrical portion 30. The orifice portion 70 is formed in the bottom portion 68 and connects the inside and outside of the cylindrical portion 30. The column portion 72 is erected from the bottom portion 68. The column portion 72 is inserted into the spring 18 and supports the spring 18.

[0033] The piston 20 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 30 and is provided to be able to move back and forth. The outer diameter of the sliding portion 62 is larger than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 30. Therefore, the sliding portion 62 contacts the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 30 over its entire circumference and seals it. As a result, the sliding portion 62 slides against the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 30 in accordance with the movement of the piston 20, exerting a resistance force.

[0034] The extension 60 opens toward the bottom 68 of the cylindrical portion 30. Ignoring the orifice 70, the piston 20 and the cylindrical portion 30 form a closed space. The pressure in the space changes as the piston 20 moves back and forth, functioning as a damper.

[0035] The spring 18 is housed in the cylindrical portion 30 and is located inside the extension portion 60. One end of the spring 18 abuts against the bottom portion 68 and the other end abuts against the bottom surface 60a of the piston 20, biasing the piston 20 in the direction of movement out of the cylindrical portion 30. As a result, the movement of the piston 20 does not create resistance to the handle 14, and the piston 20 can follow the handle 14 as it rotates in the opening direction. By positioning the spring 18 inside the extension portion 60, the piston 20 and the spring 18 can be configured to be shorter in the axial direction. The sliding portion 62 is formed in the extension portion 60 and is located on the side of the opening 56 of the extension portion 60. Because the piston 20 is made longer by the extension portion 60, when the handle 14 opens and the piston 20 extends far out of the cylindrical portion 30, the extension portion 60 remains inside the cylindrical portion 30, making it less likely for the piston 20 to tip over. Since the sliding portion 62 is pressed against the cylindrical portion 30 at the open end of the extended portion 60, it is easier to maintain the posture of the piston 20.

[0036] The stepped portion 58a stops the piston 20 from retracting by hitting the edge of the opening 66 of the cylindrical portion 30, thereby stopping the closing operation of the handle 14. This prevents the handle 14 from directly hitting the fixing member 12 when closing, and the cushion portion 58 can absorb the impact when the handle 14 closes.

[0037] The central axis direction of the cylindrical portion 30 intersects with the design surface 40 and is approximately perpendicular to the design surface 40 in the closed state. Since the piston 20 is in contact with the back surface 50, the configuration that suppresses the impact of closing the handle 14 by the piston 20 and the cylindrical portion 30 can be arranged on the back side of the design surface 40 so as not to be exposed, and the handle device 10 can be made smaller.

[0038] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the handle device 10 in its fully open state. When the handle 14 is fully open, the piston 20 is biased by the spring 18 and maintains contact with the back surface 50. When the user releases their fingers from the handle 14, the handle 14 rotates in the closing direction due to the biasing member 16.

[0039] The piston 20 is pushed when the handle 14 rotates in the closing direction and retracts toward the bottom 68. In accordance with this retraction, the sliding part 62 slides against the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical part 30, thereby providing resistance to the closing motion of the handle 14. This reduces the noise produced when the handle 14 closes.

[0040] The space within the cylindrical portion 30, sealed by the sliding portion 62, is compressed by the retraction of the piston 20, providing resistance to the closing movement of the handle 14. This significantly reduces the noise produced when the handle 14 collides with the fixed member 12 due to the frictional force of the sliding portion 62 and the compressed air pressure. The compressed air inside the cylindrical portion 30 is gradually released by the orifice portion 70.

[0041] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the piston 120 of the first modified example. The piston 120 has a different shape from the piston 20 shown in Figure 7. The piston 120 has a contact portion 54, an opening 56, an extension portion 60, a rib 64, and a groove portion 76. The groove portion 76 is formed in an annular shape on the outer circumferential surface of the extension portion 60.

[0042] The sliding portion 78 is formed in an annular shape from rubber material and held by the groove portion 76. The sliding portion 78 contacts the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 30 over its entire circumference to provide a seal. When the piston 120 retracts, the sliding portion 78 slides against the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 30 in accordance with its retraction, thereby providing resistance to the closing operation of the handle 14. The space of the cylindrical portion 30 sealed by the sliding portion 78 is compressed by the retraction of the piston 120, providing resistance to the closing operation of the handle 14.

[0043] The width of the groove 76 along the central axis of the piston 120 is greater than the diameter of the sliding portion 78, and the sliding portion 78 is movable axially within the groove 76. Therefore, when the sliding portion 78 is not in contact with the inner wall of the groove 76, the groove 76 functions as an orifice, connecting the inside of the cylindrical portion 30 to the outside.

[0044] Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating the piston 220 of the second modification example. Compared to the piston 120 shown in Figure 9, the piston 220 is not biased by the spring 18, but is instead connected to the handle 14 and configured to follow the movement of the handle 14.

[0045] The piston 220 has a connecting portion 254, a rib 64, and a groove 76. The connecting portion 254 is provided on one end of the piston 220, and the groove 76 is provided on the other end of the piston 220. The connecting portion 254 is formed in a flange shape that protrudes radially outward and is always connected to the handle 14.

[0046] The handle 14 has a fitting portion 80 formed on its back surface 50. The fitting portion 80 has claws that protrude radially inward. The fitting portion 80 may be a pair of opposing elastic claws. The fitting portion 80 engages with the connecting portion 254. Since the piston 220 is always connected to the handle 14, a spring to bias the piston 220 can be eliminated.

[0047] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the fixing member 312 of the third modified example. The fixing member 312 differs from the fixing member 12 shown in Figure 3 in that the position of the cylindrical portion 30 is different and it has a holding portion 82. The holding portion 82 is capable of holding the cushion member. The cylindrical portion 30 and the holding portion 82 are spaced apart in the width direction and are positioned at approximately equidistant from the first support projection 28, i.e., the biasing member 16.

[0048] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the handle device 310 of the third modified example. Figure 12 shows a cross-section of the fixing member 312 at the position of line segment CC shown in Figure 11. The handle device 310 includes not only the piston 20 but also a cushion member 84.

[0049] The retaining portion 82 is formed in a cylindrical shape and into which a part of the cushioning member 84 can be inserted. The retaining portion 82 has a plurality of claw portions 82a.

[0050] The cushion member 84 has a projection 84a that protrudes radially outward at the middle of its axial position. The cushion member 84 has a bulging shape at one end, which extends outside the holding portion 82. The claw portion 82a engages with the projection 84a to hold the cushion member 84. This restricts the axial movement of the cushion member 84.

[0051] The cushion member 84 can be installed at a lower cost than the spring 18 and piston 20. On the other hand, the spring 18 and piston 20 can significantly reduce the noise when the handle 14 is closed compared to the cushion member 84. The handle device 310 may consist of either the air damper configuration of the spring 18 and piston 20 or the cushion member 84. This allows for selection of either the spring 18 and piston 20 or the cushion member 84 depending on the application.

[0052] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications, such as design changes, can be made to each embodiment based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and embodiments with such modifications may also be included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0053] 10 Handle device, 12 Fixing member, 14 Handle, 16 Biasing member, 18 Spring, 20 Piston, 22 Side wall, 24 Axle support, 26 Elastic claw, 28 First support projection, 30 Cylinder, 32 First mounting part, 34 Second mounting part, 36 Suspension part, 37 Bottom, 38 Stopper part, 39 Insertion hole, 40 Design surface, 42 Side wall, 44 Bearing part, 46 Protective wall, 48 Transmission part, 50 Back surface, 52 Second support projection, 54 Contact part, 56 Opening, 58 Cushion part, 58a Step part, 60 Extension part, 60a Bottom surface, 62 Sliding part, 64 Rib, 66 Opening, 68 Bottom section, 70 Orifice section, 72 Column section, 74 Locking member, 76 Groove section, 78 Sliding section, 80 Fitting section, 82 Holding section, 84 Cushioning member, 254 Connecting section.

Claims

1. A fixing member having a cylindrical portion with one end open and the other end being the bottom, A handle is rotatably mounted on the aforementioned fixing member and takes on an open and closed state by rotation, A biasing member that biases the handle in the closing direction, The cylindrical portion includes a piston that is inserted into the cylindrical portion and is provided to be movable back and forth, The piston has a sliding portion provided on its outer surface, The handle device is characterized in that the piston is pushed when the handle rotates in the closing direction and retracts toward the bottom, and in accordance with this retraction, the sliding part slides against the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical part, thereby providing resistance to the closing operation of the handle.

2. The aforementioned handle is Design aspects, The design surface has a back surface that receives the piston, The handle device according to claim 1, characterized in that the central axis direction of the cylindrical portion intersects the design surface.

3. The sliding portion is formed in an annular shape and seals against the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion. The handle device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cylindrical portion or the piston has an orifice portion that connects the inside and outside of the cylindrical portion.

4. The handle device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a spring housed in the cylindrical portion, with one end abutting the bottom and the other end abutting the piston, and biasing the piston in the direction of travel out of the cylindrical portion.

5. The piston is formed in a cylindrical shape and has an extension that opens toward the bottom, The spring is located inside the extension, The handle device according to claim 4, characterized in that the sliding portion is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the extension portion and is located on the opening side of the extension portion.

6. The piston has ribs that protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the piston, The handle device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rib is formed in the middle of the piston, away from the sliding portion.

7. The piston has a cushion portion formed on one end, The cushion portion has a stepped portion that protrudes radially outward, The handle device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the stepped portion hits the opening edge of the cylindrical portion when the piston is pushed back by the handle, stopping the back movement and stopping the closing operation of the handle.

8. The piston has a connecting portion formed on one end that is always connected to the handle, The handle device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the handle has a fitting portion that fits into the connecting portion.

9. It includes a locking member that can move between a locked position and an unlocked position, The handle device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the handle moves the locking member to a locked position or an unlocked position by rotational movement.

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