Vehicle door handle system

Abstract

We offer a compact vehicle door handle system that does not protrude outwards, while being compatible with a wide range of applications and vehicle designs. [Solution] The present invention relates to a vehicle door handle system (8) equipped with a wing handle (9), wherein the wing handle (9) is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, in the retracted position the outer surface (10) of the wing handle (9) is configured to be flush with the outer surface (7) of an adjacent window lower belt (6), and in the extended position the wing handle (9) is configured to protrude outward relative to the outer surface (7) of the window lower belt (6), and the vehicle door handle system (8) is equipped with an actuator (18) configured to move the wing handle (9) between the retracted position and the extended position, wherein the movement of the wing handle (9) between the retracted position and the extended position includes, for example, translational movement from and to the retracted position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to vehicles, and more specifically to a vehicle door handle system.

Background Art

[0002] Some vehicle door handles are called wing handles. Wing handles generally have a flat design and an elongated shape. The wing handle is arranged along the lower window belt of the vehicle door. A conventional wing handle is fixedly attached to each door panel via its long side and has at least one longitudinally free end. A conventional wing handle is actuated by manual operation through slightly deforming the wing handle.

[0003] Conventional wing handles protrude outward, causing airflow turbulence, which may increase fuel consumption and accelerate battery drain, thereby reducing the cruising range of the vehicle. In addition, there is a risk of increasing aerodynamic noise, which is a particularly important issue for electric vehicles.

[0004] Since the conventional wing handle always protrudes relative to the vehicle door, it becomes an obstacle in terms of design and may be considered unsightly. Furthermore, since a vehicle door generally tapers from bottom to top, space is insufficient near the upper portion of the door panel, which may make it impossible to incorporate the actuation mechanism of the wing handle.

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Therefore, there is a need to fundamentally solve the aforementioned problems of existing wing handles, that is, to fundamentally solve the reduction of the vehicle's cruising range, reduce the generation of noise, provide the possibility of sophisticated vehicle design, and provide a vehicle door handle system that can accommodate a wide range of implementation forms and vehicle designs.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The present invention relates to a vehicle door handle system equipped with a wing handle, wherein the wing handle is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the aforementioned storage position, the outer surface of the wing handle is configured to be flush with the outer surface of the adjacent window lower belt. In the deployed position, the wing handle is configured to protrude outward relative to the outer surface of the lower window belt. The vehicle door handle system includes an actuator configured to move the wing handle between the retracted position and the deployed position. The movement of the wing handle between the retracted position and the deployed position is characterized by including, for example, translational movement from and / or to the retracted position.

[0007] By moving the wing handle between a retracted and extended position, the vehicle door handle system can be mounted in a lower position within the vehicle door, i.e., in an area with a larger internal volume within the vehicle door. Furthermore, even in the extended position, the vehicle user can easily reach and operate the wing handle. As a result, a wider range of mounting positions for the vehicle door handle system becomes possible during the vehicle design phase.

[0008] Furthermore, because the wing handles become flush with the vehicle body when retracted, noise caused by air resistance is reduced, and the vehicle's energy consumption during operation is also lowered, improving user comfort. This wing handle design also contributes to the vehicle's sophisticated design, enhancing the overall aesthetics and visual impression of the vehicle.

[0009] A vehicle door handle system can have the following functions, either individually or in any technically possible combination:

[0010] The movement of the wing handle between the retracted position and the deployed position includes rotational movement, characterized in that, for example, the wing handle pivots outward toward the deployed position and / or inward toward the retracted position.

[0011] The movement of the wing handle between the retracted position and the deployed position includes the translational movement of the wing handle, and the rotational movement of the wing handle occurs before and after this movement.

[0012] The movement of the wing handle between the retracted position and the deployed position includes deploying the wing handle from the retracted position to the deployed position, and the deployment is characterized in that it includes the translational movement of the wing handle followed by the rotational movement of the wing handle.

[0013] The movement of the wing handle between the retracted position and the deployed position includes retracting the wing handle from the deployed position to the retracted position, and the retraction includes the rotational movement of the wing handle followed by the translational movement of the wing handle.

[0014] The vehicle door handle system is characterized by comprising a rotating member, for example, the wing handle being integrally attached to the rotating member, the actuator being configured to translate the rotating member so as to translate the wing handle, for example, from and to the retracted position, and / or the actuator being configured to pivot the rotating member so as to rotate the wing handle, for example, outward toward the deployed position and / or inward toward the retracted position.

[0015] The vehicle door handle system comprises a bracket configured to be fixedly attached to a predetermined position on the lower window belt, the rotating member comprises at least one pivoting member, the pivoting member defines a first axis, the rotating member is attached to the bracket via the at least one pivoting member, and the rotating member is configured to rotate around the first axis relative to the bracket when the actuator pivots the rotating member to rotate the wing handle, for example, to the outward deployed position.

[0016] The rotating member further comprises at least one first guide member, and the bracket comprises at least one second guide member, wherein the at least one first guide member and the at least one second guide member are configured to cooperate slidably with each other to guide the rotating member when the actuator pivots the rotating member.

[0017] The first guide member is a finger portion, the at least one of which extends along a second axis parallel to the first axis on which the at least one swivel member extends, the second guide member is a curved guide rib, and the finger portion and the curved guide rib are configured such that, with respect to rotational movement, the finger portion moves along the curved guide rib when the rotating member rotates around the at least one swivel member.

[0018] The bracket has the at least one elongated hole, and the at least one swivel member is slidably and swivelably mounted within the at least one elongated hole, and with respect to translational movement, the rotating member translates relative to the bracket by the at least one swivel member translating within the elongated hole to the first end of the elongated hole, and the first end of the elongated hole forms a contact position for the at least one swivel member. With respect to rotational movement, the rotating member is characterized in that it can rotate around the swivel member relative to the bracket at the contact position of the swivel member at the first end of the elongated hole.

[0019] The bracket comprises at least one linear guide rib, and with respect to translational movement, for example, the at least one swivel member translates within the elongated hole to the first end of the elongated hole, while at the same time, at least one finger portion translates relative to the at least one linear guide rib, for example, to the at least one curved guide rib extending from the at least one linear guide rib.

[0020] The vehicle door handle system is characterized in that it comprises a link arm slidably mounted within the bracket, and the actuator is configured to translate the link arm relative to the bracket (16) so as to interact with the rotating member, for example by applying a pressing force to the rotating member and moving the wing handle toward the deployed position.

[0021] The present invention further relates to a vehicle door equipped with a vehicle door handle system, wherein the vehicle door is equipped with a window lower belt, In the aforementioned storage position, the outer surface of the wing handle is configured to be flush with the outer surface of the lower window belt. In the deployed position, the wing handle is configured to protrude outward relative to the outer surface of the lower window belt.

[0022] The present invention further relates to a vehicle comprising one or more vehicle doors and / or one or more of the aforementioned vehicle door handle systems, wherein the vehicle comprises a window lower belt (6), In the aforementioned storage position, the outer surface of the wing handle is configured to be flush with the outer surface of the lower window belt. In the deployed position, the wing handle is configured to protrude outward relative to the outer surface of the lower window belt.

[0023] The above objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention, as well as other objects, features, aspects and advantages thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments, which is given for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote similar components or components having similar functions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing a part of a vehicle side surface including a vehicle door handle system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an exploded view of the vehicle door handle system of Fig. 1 showing a wing handle, a rotating member, a link arm, a bracket, and an actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A] It is a perspective view showing an assembled state and a stored position of the vehicle door handle system of Figs. 1 and 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3B] It is a perspective view showing an assembled state and a stored position of the vehicle door handle system of Figs. 1 and 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4A] It is a side view of the vehicle door handle system of Figs. 1 and 2 at the stored position according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4B] It is a side view of the vehicle door handle system of Figs. 1 and 2 at an intermediate position according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4C] It is a side view of the vehicle door handle system of Figs. 1 and 2 at the deployed position according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a detailed side view showing the relationship among the wing handle, the rotating member, and the strain gauge of the vehicle door handle system of Figs. 1 and 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6]This figure shows an exemplary embodiment of the wing handle shown in Figures 1 and 2, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7A] This is a cross-sectional side view of the rotating member shown in Figure 2, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7B] This is a perspective view of the rotating member shown in Figure 7A, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bracket body according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view showing the inside of the cover of the bracket shown in Figure 8, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] Referring to Figure 1, the vehicle 1, the vehicle door 2, and the door handle system 8 will be described. The vehicle 1 shown in Figure 1 is equipped with a vehicle door 2. The vehicle door 2 is equipped with a door panel 4 (partially shown in Figure 1), a window 5, and / or a lower window belt 6. The door panel 4 extends between an outer body plate 3a and an inner body plate 3b. As shown in Figure 1, the shape of the vehicle door 2 tapers from the lower part 3c to the upper part 3d.

[0026] Vehicle 1 and / or vehicle door 2 may include a door handle system 8, which will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 2. The door handle system 8 is preferably partially housed within the door panel 4.

[0027] The door handle system 8 includes a handle, for example, a wing handle 9. Here, "wing handle" refers to a grip element located in the B-pillar area that allows the user to pull the door. The wing handle 9 can be, for example, elongated and generally flat in design. Here, the wing handle 9 is movable between a retracted position and an extended position.

[0028] When the wing handle 9 is in the retracted position, the outer surface 10 of the wing handle 9 is configured to be flush with the outer surface 7 of the adjacent window lower belt 6. When the wing handle 9 is in the deployed position, it is configured to protrude outward relative to the outer surface 7 of the window lower belt 6.

[0029] The door handle system 8 includes an actuator 18 configured to move the wing handle 9 between a retracted position and an extended position, for example, when the wing handle 9 moves between a retracted position and an extended position. The movement of the wing handle 9 between the retracted position and the extended position includes translational movement. For example, the translational movement is performed in the direction of the extended position and / or the direction of the retracted position, for example, from the retracted position and / or to the retracted position.

[0030] This translational movement of the wing handle 9 allows it to move relative to the vehicle door 2 from the lower part 3c to the upper part 3d. This movement expands the installation space inside the vehicle door 2.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the vehicle door 2 of the vehicle 1 has a recess 11 (Figure 1). The recess 11 may be formed on the outer periphery of the door panel 4. In the stowed position of the wing handle 9, the wing handle 9 is housed within the recess 11.

[0032] The wing handles 9, shown individually in Figure 6, may comprise a gripping portion 40, a connecting wall 41, and a connecting flange 42. In the illustrated embodiment, the gripping portion 40 is bent substantially along the longitudinal direction.

[0033] The gripping portion 40 may have an outer surface 10. The outer surface 10 is provided as an external surface facing the outside of the vehicle. Therefore, the outer surface 10 is visible to the vehicle user and contributes to the overall design of the vehicle. The outer surface 10 may be flat or curved. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer surface 10 is curved in particular along substantially the longitudinal direction. However, the configuration of the gripping portion 40 and / or the shape of the outer surface 10 are not limited to these.

[0034] The connecting wall 41 extends from the longitudinal edge 40a of the gripping portion 40. Each connecting flange 42 may be provided with a connecting leg 43 and an eyelet 44. In the illustrated embodiment, the wing handle 9 has three connecting flanges 42. The number of connecting flanges 42 may be different from three, for example, one, two, or more than three. Here, two of the connecting flanges 42 are further provided with stoppers 45 at their distal ends.

[0035] The connecting flange 42, particularly the connecting leg 43, extends from the edge 41a of the connecting wall 41 on the side opposite to the side connected to the gripping portion 40. The connecting flange 42 is used to connect to the rotating member using a fixing element such as a screw or shaft. Each connecting leg 43 has an eyelet 44 formed therein. Each eyelet 44 is provided with a cylindrical opening 46. The opening 46 is positioned along the axis X3'.

[0036] The actuator 18 may comprise a lever 20 and components such as a socket 19 for ensuring torque transmission between the actuator and the lever (Figure 2). The lever 20 may comprise an arm 20a, a ribbed cylindrical portion 20b, and finger portions 20c. The arm 20a is preferably substantially flat. The ribbed cylindrical portion 20b and the finger portions 20c preferably both extend from the same side of the arm 20a. The socket 19 may have a ribbed cylindrical inner wall. This allows the ribbed cylindrical portion 20b to be tightly inserted into and held in the socket 19. By rotating the socket 19, the lever 20 inserted inside can be rotated. The actuator 18 can be driven electrically or electronically. For example, the actuator 18 may include a brushless motor (not shown).

[0037] In the door handle system 8, the movement between the retracted position and the extended position of the wing handle 9 includes rotational movement. The wing handle 9 can, for example, pivot outward toward the extended position and / or inward from the extended position. Such movement involving both rotation and translation between the retracted and extended positions further expands the possibilities of vehicle design.

[0038] The movement of the wing handle 9 between the retracted position and the deployed position consists of a translational movement of the wing handle 9 and a subsequent or preceding rotational movement of the wing handle 9.

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, movement of the wing handle 9 between the retracted position and the deployed position includes deploying the wing handle 9 from the retracted position to the deployed position, which includes translational movement of the wing handle 9 followed by rotational movement of the wing handle 9.

[0040] The door handle system 8 may include a rotating member 12. For example, a wing handle 9 may be integrally attached to the rotating member 12. The actuator 18 may be configured to move the wing handle 9, for example, from or to a retracted position, by moving the rotating member 12. The actuator 18 may be configured to pivot the rotating member 12, for example, to rotate the wing handle 9 outward toward an extended position and / or inward toward a retracted position.

[0041] The rotating member 12, shown separately in Figures 7A and 7B, has a body 50 formed between two opposing surfaces 51. In one embodiment, the surfaces 51 are parallel to each other. A hollow lattice structure 52 is provided between the two surfaces 51, and this lattice structure 52 extends from one surface 51 to the other. As will be described later, this hollow lattice structure 52 provides the rotating member 12 with a balance between rigidity during operation, weight limitations, and sufficient elasticity for the rotating member 12 to deform in order to contact the strain gauge 30 of the door handle system 8.

[0042] The rotating member 12 may comprise at least one swivel member 24. The swivel member 24 may define an axis X2, for example, a first axis X2. At least one swivel member 24 may have at least a partially cylindrical, for example, circular cross-section.

[0043] At least one swivel member 24 may have at least one finger portion 54b. This finger portion 54b may have an internal housing 60 (Figures 7A and 7B) that houses another pin 54a (Figure 2), the pin 54a extending along axis X2. Alternatively, although not shown, at least one swivel member 24 may be integrally formed with the rotating member 12.

[0044] At least one swivel member 24 may consist of, for example, a pair of swivel members 24. These swivel members 24 may extend outward from each other, projecting from their respective surfaces 51. Preferably, both swivel members 24 extend along axis X2.

[0045] The door handle system 8 may further include a bracket 16. For example, the bracket 16 may be configured to be fixedly mounted to the lower window belt 6. The rotating member 12 may be mounted to the bracket 16 via at least one swivel member 24. When the actuator 18 swivels the rotating member 12 to rotate the wing handle 9, for example, outward to the deployed position, the rotating member 12 may be configured to rotate about an axis X2 relative to the bracket 16.

[0046] By providing the bracket 16, the rotating member 12 can be attached to the vehicle 1, i.e., the vehicle door 2, in the correct position, and then the wing handle 9 can be attached to the rotating member 12.

[0047] The rotating member 12 may further comprise at least one first guide member 53 or 93, and the bracket 16 may comprise at least one second guide member 93 or 53, and the at least one first guide member 53 or 93 and the at least one second guide member 93 or 53 may be configured to guide the rotating member 12 by sliding cooperation with each other when the actuator 18 pivots the rotating member 12. The first and / or second guide members 53, 93 may be formed by one axis or two axes.

[0048] For example, at least one first guide member 53 or 93 may be a finger portion 53. At least one finger portion 53 may extend along an axis X1, for example, along a second axis X1 parallel to the axis X2 on which at least one swivel member 24 extends. The second guide member 93 or 53 may be a curved guide rib 93. With respect to rotational movement, the finger portion 53 and the curved guide rib 93 may be configured such that the finger portion 53 moves along the curved guide rib 93 when the rotating member 12 rotates around at least one swivel member 24.

[0049] The first and second guide members 53 and 93 ensure that the rotating member 12 follows a precise trajectory when the door handle is moved between the retracted position and the extended position.

[0050] At least one first guide member 53 may preferably be a pair of finger portions 53. The finger portions 53 may extend outward from each other, projecting from their respective surfaces 51. Both finger portions 53 may be positioned along axis X1.

[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, the rotating member 12 is also provided with a plurality of flanges 55 (Figure 7B), in this case two. The flanges 55 are preferably flat projections and extend generally parallel to each other. Here, each flange 55 is provided with a cylindrical opening 57. The openings 57 are arranged along the axis X3. The number of flanges 55 may vary, for example, one, three, or more.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, axes X1 and X2 are parallel to each other. As an example, as shown in Figure 7B, axis X3 may also be parallel to axes X1 and X2.

[0053] The rotating member 12 may further include an eyelet 56 (Figure 7A). The eyelet 56 may have an opening 61. The opening 61 serves as a mounting point for an elastic member 26, such as a spring. The eyelet 56 is provided on the rotating member 12 between the contact surface 62 (described later) and the swivel member 24. In other words, the eyelet 56 and the contact surface 62 are located on the same side of the swivel member 24.

[0054] The main body 50 of the rotating member 12 has recesses 58 formed on both sides of the flange 55. Furthermore, the main body 50 has recesses 59 that penetrate the bottom surface of the recesses 58. These recesses 58 and 59 are provided to position the handle in a predetermined position before assembly and to prevent the handle from rotating during assembly.

[0055] The rotating member 12 may further include a contact portion 64 having a contact surface 62, a contact surface 63, and / or a contact surface 64a (Figures 5 and 7A). The contact surface 62 is for contacting the contact portion 14b. Therefore, the contact surface 62 is preferably convex. The inside of the curved portion faces the flange 55 and the finger portion 54b. The contact surface 63 is flat, although this is not limited to it. The contact surface 63 is for contacting the strain gauge 30 shown in Figure 5. The wing handle 9 and the rotating member 12 are assembled together within the door handle system 8. When assembled, the connecting flange 42 of the wing handle 9 cooperates with the flange 55 of the rotating member 12, for example in an engaging manner, with a recess 58 configured to accommodate the eyelet 44.

[0056] In one embodiment, the recess 59 accommodates the stopper 45 so as to fit snugly. This allows the opening 46 of the eyelet 44 and the opening 57 of the flange 55 to be aligned with each other. As shown in Figure 5, the wing handle 9 is connected to the rotating member 12 using assembly members 47 such as bolts. In this way, the wing handle 9 is fixedly attached to the rotating member 12. Once the assembly is complete, the wing handle 9 and the rotating member 12 become a single unit and can move together in translation and / or rotation. Preferably, in this assembled state, the axis X3' overlaps with the axis X3.

[0057] The bracket 16 may be provided with at least one elongated hole 89. At least one swivel member 24 can be slidably and swivelably mounted within at least one elongated hole 89. With respect to translational movement, as the at least one swivel member 24 translates within the elongated hole 89, the rotating member 12 can translate relative to the bracket 16 until it reaches the first end 89a of the elongated hole 89, thereby forming a contact position between the first end 89a of the elongated hole 89 and at least one swivel member 24. With respect to rotational movement, the rotating member 12 can rotate relative to the bracket 16 around the swivel member 24 at the contact position of the swivel member 24 at the first end 89a of the elongated hole 89.

[0058] The bracket 16 may include at least one linear guide rib 92, in which case, with respect to translational movement, at least one finger portion 53 may translate relative to the at least one linear guide rib 92, for example, simultaneously with the translational movement of at least one swivel member 24 within the elongated hole 89 to the first end 89a of the elongated hole 89. For example, at least one curved guide rib 93 may extend from at least one linear guide rib 92.

[0059] The door handle system 8 may include a link arm 14 slidably mounted within a bracket 16, and the actuator 18 is configured to translate the link arm 14 relative to the bracket 16 and to interlock with a rotating member 12. For example, this is to apply a pressing force to the rotating member 12 and move the wing handle 9 toward the deployed position.

[0060] The link arm 14 can have an elongated shape (Figure 2). In the illustrated embodiment, the link arm 14 has a flat plate shape. The link arm 14 may have a linear opening 14a at its first end. The link arm 14 may also have a contact portion 14b at its second end opposite the first end.

[0061] With the actuator's finger portion 20c slidably inserted into the opening 14a, rotating the lever 20 allows the link arm 14 to begin moving.

[0062] As shown individually in Figure 8, the bracket 16 is the frame portion of the door handle system 8. In the assembled state of the door handle system 8, the bracket 16 houses the actuator 18, the link arm 14, and the rotating member 12, and also serves as a guide for the link arm 14 and the rotating member 12. The bracket 16 in this specification comprises a body 22a and a cover 22b (Figure 9). Furthermore, the bracket 16 in this specification comprises a first chamber 70, a second chamber 71, and a third chamber 72. According to one embodiment, each of the chambers 70, 71, and 72 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, a first partition wall 73 within the bracket 16 separates the first chamber 70 from the second chamber 71, and a second partition wall 74 separates the third chamber 72 from both the first chamber 70 and the second chamber 71. The first chamber 70 is for housing the actuator 18. The first chamber 70 can open to the first side 80 of the bracket 16 so that the actuator 18 can be easily inserted into the first chamber 70 when assembling the door handle system 8. The first chamber 70 can also open to the second side 81 of the bracket 16, i.e., the side adjacent to the first side 80 in this specification. This allows the connector 18a of the actuator 18 and the cable (not shown) connected to the actuator 18 to pass through the outer wall 74 of the first chamber 70 to the outside of the bracket 16 (see Figures 3A and 3B).

[0064] The second chamber 71 is for housing the link arm 14. Therefore, the second chamber 71 preferably has a flat, elongated shape, as shown in the illustrated embodiment. In this specification, an opening 85 is provided in the outer wall 82 on the first side surface 80 of the bracket 16. In the illustrated embodiment, this opening 85 can be arc-shaped. The opening 85 is preferably located adjacent to the first chamber 70, and particularly adjacent to the open first side surface 80. This opening 85 allows the actuator finger portion 20c to be inserted into the elongated opening 14a of the second chamber 71 and the link arm 14, thereby allowing the actuator 18 to actuate the link arm 14. The second chamber 71 is connected to the third chamber 72 through a first opening 86 provided in the second partition wall 74. The opening 86 allows the link arm 14 to move in and out of the third chamber 72, as will be described later. The second chamber 71 is also accessible from the outside of the bracket 16 through a second opening 87 provided in the second partition wall 74.

[0065] The third chamber 72 is for housing the rotating member 12. The third chamber 72 is partitioned by two opposing walls 88 and a connecting wall 96. Each wall 88 is oriented laterally, preferably perpendicularly, to both the second partition wall 74 and the connecting wall 96. The connecting wall 96 is provided with a free edge 97 facing the second partition wall 74.

[0066] In one embodiment, each wall 88 is provided with an elongated hole 89. Preferably, the elongated hole 89 extends parallel to the connecting wall 96. Each elongated hole 89 extends between a first end 89a and a second end 89b. As will be described later, the elongated hole 89 is for receiving the swivel member 24. The first end 89a forms a first contact position with respect to the swivel member 24. The second end 89b can form a second contact position. One side of the wall 88 is provided with a further opening 90 so that the assembly member 47 can be inserted into the bracket 16 when assembling the wing handle 9 and the rotating member 12. Each wall 88 may also be provided with a rib 91 on the surface 88a of the wall 88 facing the third chamber 72 (Figure 8).

[0067] The rib 91 can integrally form a guide member for the finger portion 53. In each wall 88, the rib 91 includes a pair of straight ribs 92, and preferably also includes a curved rib 93, as shown in Figure 8. The straight ribs 92 provided on the same wall 88 extend parallel to each other, thereby forming a straight guide portion for the finger portion 53. The curved rib 93 extends from each wall 88 while maintaining a constant distance from the first end 89a of each opening 89. As a result, the curved rib 93 forms a cam surface on which each finger portion 53 can move. A contact portion 94 is formed at one end of the curved rib 93. In each wall 88, the straight rib 92 closest to the opening 89 can extend continuously to the curved rib 93.

[0068] The bracket 16 may include a hook 75 that serves as a lower fixing point for attaching the elastic member 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the hook 75 protrudes from the outer wall 76 of the bracket 16. More specifically, the hook 75 may be formed in the outer wall 76 behind the second chamber 71 (Figure 5).

[0069] The elastic member 26 may be a return spring such as a coil spring as shown in Figure 2. Preferably, the elastic member 26 is provided with hooks 26a at each end.

[0070] The arrangement of each component of the door handle system 8 in its assembled state will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in Figures 3A and 3B. In vehicle 1, the bracket 16 is fixedly attached to the lower window belt 6 in a predetermined position. The role of the bracket 16 is to define the position and movement path of the actuator 18, link arm 14, and pivot section 12 so that the wing handle 9 can move as needed from the retracted position to the deployed position and vice versa, as described later. Therefore, any movement of the movable part relative to the bracket 16 will result in a similar movement relative to the lower window belt 6.

[0071] In particular, the actuator 18 may be housed within the first chamber 70. The lever 20 protrudes from the first chamber 70, and its finger portion 20c is inserted into the second chamber 71 through the opening 85 and also into the opening 14a.

[0072] The cover 22b is preferably in close contact with the main body 22a, at least on the first side surface 80, so as to close the first chamber 70. This protects the actuator 18 from external interference.

[0073] In the assembled state, the link arm 14 is slidably housed within the second chamber 71 and protrudes from the opening 86. The link arm 14 is longitudinally movable within the second chamber 71. The biasing member 26 extends through the opening 87. One end hook 26a of the biasing member 26 is attached to the eyelet 56 of the rotating member 12 (see Figures 2 and 3B). The other end hook 26a is attached to a fixed lower end point of the bracket 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixed lower end point is the hook 75 (Figure 5). Due to the action of the biasing member 26, the rotating member 12 is pulled toward the hook 75. As a result, the rotating member 12 is always pulled toward the link arm 14 between the retracted and deployed positions of the wing handle 9, which will be described later. Therefore, during the deployment process of the wing handle 9, the contact portion 14b maintains constant contact with the contact surface 62, thereby allowing the actuator 18 to apply thrust to the rotating member 12 via the link arm 14.

[0074] In the assembled state, the rotating member 12 is housed within the third chamber 72. The swivel members 24 engage with their respective elongated holes 89. Each swivel member 24 is slidable within its respective elongated hole 89. Each swivel member 24 can move longitudinally within the elongated hole 89 between its two ends 89a and 89b. In other words, the elongated holes 89 serve as guides for the movement of the swivel members 24. Furthermore, the finger portions 53 are slidably engaged with the ribs 91, namely the straight ribs 92 and curved ribs 93, which serve as guides for the movement of the finger portions 53.

[0075] The strain gauge 30 is positioned in a fixed location relative to the bracket 16, facing the contact surface 63. In the illustrated embodiment, the strain gauge 30 may be attached to the cover 22b as shown in Figure 5.

[0076] The door handle system 8 can be operated from the retracted position shown in Figures 3A, 3B, and 4A, through the temporary intermediate position shown in Figure 4B, to the deployed position shown in Figures 4C and 5. The interaction between the components during the transition from the retracted position to the deployed position will be described in detail below.

[0077] In the retracted position shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the lever arm 20 is retracted and the link arm 14 is pulled into the second chamber 71. Due to the action of the biasing member 26, the rotating member 12 is held in the third chamber 72 and the wing handle 9 is retracted. In the vehicle door 2, in the retracted position, the outer surface 10 of the wing handle 9 is flush with the outer surface 7 of the adjacent window lower belt 6. More precisely, the outer surfaces 7 and 10 are aligned with each other toward the front of the vehicle 1. In other words, in the retracted position, the wing handle 9 is contained within the geometric shape defined by the outer shape of the adjacent window lower belt 6.

[0078] When a trigger signal is received from the vehicle's electronic equipment, the actuator 18 initiates a deployment stroke of the wing handle 9 from the stowed position to the deployed position.

[0079] From its stowed position, the actuator 18 first rotates the lever 20. As the lever 20 rotates, the link arm 14 translates toward the rotating member 12, causing the finger portion 20c to slide within the opening 14a. Because the contact portion 14b is in contact with the contact surface 62, the translational movement of the link arm 14 within the second chamber 71 pushes the rotating member 12 away from the second partition wall 74. As a result, the swivel member 24 slides within the elongated hole 89, and the finger portion 53 slides between the linear ribs 92. In this way, both the rotating member 12 and the wing handle 9 perform linear movement, i.e., a translational substroke. This translational substroke continues until the swivel member 24 reaches the first contact position 89a. At that point, the translational movement of the swivel member 24 stops. The rotating member 12 and the wing handle 9 have reached a temporary intermediate position as shown in Figure 4B. In this specification, temporary intermediate positions are mentioned in order to properly understand the movement between the translational substroke and the subsequent rotational substroke. In fact, such a state is possible and is not excluded herein, but it is not intended that the door handle system 8 stop deploying or halting at that point between these two substrokes.

[0080] As the lever 20 continues to rotate, the link arm 14 continues to extend into the third chamber 72, and the contact portion 14b remains pressed against the contact surface 62. Subsequently, the rotating member 12 and the wing handle 9 perform a rotational substroke. With respect to the rotational substroke movement, the rotating member 12, together with the wing handle 9, rotates around the axis X2 of the swivel member 24, thereby causing the finger portion 53 to rotate around the curved rib 93. When the actuator 18 reaches a predetermined stopping position, the rotation of the lever 20 stops, the link arm 14 stops its translational movement along the second chamber 71, and the rotating member 12 and the wing handle 9 stop rotating around the swivel member 24. The contact portion 94 supports the load and prevents the finger portion 53 from rotating excessively around the swivel member 24. At this point, the wing handle 9 is in the deployed position (Figure 4C).

[0081] In the deployed position, for example, the wing handle 9 is positioned to protrude outward relative to the lower window belt 6. This makes the wing handle 9 easier for the user to operate, allowing the vehicle 1 to be opened manually.

[0082] To open vehicle 1, the user must pull the wing handle 9. When the wing handle 9 is pulled, the user applies an outward force to the grip 40. The wing handle 9 and the rotating member 12 rotate outward around the pivoting member 24. This causes the rotating member 12 to elastically deform, bringing the contact surface 63 into contact with the strain gauge 30. When the contact surface 63 contacts the strain gauge 30, it deforms the strain gauge 30. The strain gauge 30 is configured to send a door unlock signal to the vehicle 1's ECU (electronic control unit, not shown), thereby unlocking the door. In the illustrated embodiment, the contact portion 64 is provided as a stopper against excessive operation of the wing handle 9. In fact, the contact between the contact portion 64 and the free edge portion 97, which forms a secondary stopper, prevents the rotating member 12 and the wing handle 9 from excessively pivoting around the finger portion 53 and damaging the strain gauge 30.

[0083] When the need for operation ceases, for example, when the user starts vehicle 1, or when the electronics of vehicle 1 detect that the door is closed and the user has left vehicle 1, the door handle system 8 can be retracted and the wing handle 9 can be returned to the retracted position. In the illustrated embodiment, movement of the wing handle 9 between the retracted and extended positions includes retracting the wing handle 9 from the extended position to the retracted position. For example, this retraction includes rotating the wing handle 9 followed by translating the wing handle 9. Such retraction returns the lever 20 together with the link arm 14 to its original position and / or allows the biasing member 26 to pull back the rotating member 12. Thus, retraction can be performed in the reverse order of the extension operation. Retraction from the extended position shown in Figure 4C to the retracted position shown in Figure 4A may include reaching a temporary intermediate position shown in Figure 4B.

[0084] According to one embodiment, the vehicle 1 may be provided with a second vehicle door 2a adjacent to the vehicle door 2. This adjacent vehicle door 2a may be provided with a door panel 4a (Figure 1), a window 5a, and / or a window lower belt 6a. The adjacent vehicle door 2a may also be provided with another door handle system 8a having a wing handle 9a. In the stowed position, the outer surface 10 of the wing handle 9 of the vehicle door 2 may be configured to be flush with the outer surface 10a of the wing handle 9a and / or the outer surface 7a of the window lower belt 6a (Figure 1).

[0085] According to one embodiment, a recess 11a is provided in the adjacent vehicle door 2a of the vehicle 1 (Figure 1). This recess 11a is formed on the outer periphery of the door panel 4a, and when the wing handle 9a is in the retracted position, the wing handle 9a fits into the recess 11a.

[0086] The descriptions of the various embodiments described above are provided for the purpose of explaining to those skilled in the art. They are not intended to be exhaustive, nor are they intended to limit the scope of this disclosure to the embodiments disclosed. Numerous alternatives and variations to this disclosure are obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, while certain alternatives and embodiments are presented here, other embodiments are also obvious to those skilled in the art or can be easily conceived. The limitations in the appended claims should be interpreted broadly based on the language used in the claims, and such limitations are not limited to the specific embodiments described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1 vehicle 2, 2a Vehicle Doors 3a Outer main plate 3b Inner main body plate 3c bottom 3d top 4, 4a Door panel 5, 5a Window 6, 6a Window lower belt 7, 7a External surface 8, 8a Door handle system 9, 9a Wing Handle 10, 10a External surface 11, 11a recess 12 Rotating member 14 Link Arm 14a First end 14b Second end 16 brackets 18 Actuators 18a connector 19 sockets 20 Lever 20a Arm 20b Ribbed cylindrical section 20c finger part 22a Main Unit 22b Cover 24 Swivel Member 26 Elastic members 26a Hook 30 strain gauges 40 Gripping part 40a Longitudinal edge 41 Connecting wall 41a Edge 42 Connection flange 43 connecting legs 44 eyelets 45 Stopper 46 openings 47 Assembly parts 50 Main Unit 51 sides 52 Hollow lattice structure 53 Finger section 54a pin 54b Finger section 55 Flange 56 eyelets 57 Opening 58, 59 Recess 60 Internal Housing 61 Opening 62, 63 contact surface 64 Contact part 64a Contact surface 70 First Chamber 71. Second Chamber 72 Third Chamber 73. First partition wall 74. Second partition wall 75 hooks 76 Exterior Wall 80 First aspect 81 Second aspect 82 Exterior Wall 85 Opening 86 First opening 87 Second opening 88 Wall 88a side 89 long hole 89a 1st end 89b 2nd end 90 Opening 91 Rib 92 Linear guide ribs 93 Curved guide ribs 94 Contact part 96 Connecting Walls 97 Free edge X1, X2, X3, X3' axis

Claims

1. A vehicle door handle system (8) comprising a wing handle (9), wherein the wing handle (9) is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the aforementioned storage position, the outer surface (10) of the wing handle (9) is configured to be flush with the outer surface (7) of the adjacent window lower belt (6). In the deployed position, the wing handle (9) is configured to protrude outward relative to the outer surface (7) of the lower window belt (6). The vehicle door handle system (8) includes an actuator (18) configured to move the wing handle (9) between the retracted position and the deployed position. A vehicle door handle system characterized in that the movement of the wing handle (9) between the retracted position and the deployed position includes, for example, translational movement from and to the retracted position.

2. The vehicle door handle system according to claim 1, characterized in that the movement of the wing handle (9) between the retracted position and the deployed position includes rotational movement, for example, the wing handle (9) pivots outward toward the deployed position and / or inward toward the retracted position.

3. The vehicle door handle system according to claim 2, characterized in that the movement of the wing handle (9) between the retracted position and the deployed position includes the translational movement of the wing handle (9), and the rotational movement of the wing handle (9) is performed before and after this movement.

4. The vehicle door handle system according to claim 3, wherein the movement of the wing handle (9) between the retracted position and the deployed position includes deploying the wing handle (9) from the retracted position to the deployed position, and the deployment includes the translational movement of the wing handle (9) followed by the rotational movement of the wing handle (9).

5. The vehicle door handle system according to claim 4, characterized in that the movement of the wing handle (9) between the retracted position and the deployed position includes retracting the wing handle (9) from the deployed position to the retracted position, and the retraction includes the rotational movement of the wing handle (9) followed by the translational movement of the wing handle (9).

6. The vehicle door handle system (8) includes a rotating member (12), for example, the wing handle (9) is integrally attached to the rotating member (12), The actuator (18) is configured to move the rotating member (12) so as to move the wing handle (9) from and / or to the storage position, and / or The vehicle door handle system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the actuator (18) is configured to pivot the rotating member (12) so as to rotate the wing handle (9) outward toward the deployed position and / or inward toward the retracted position.

7. The vehicle door handle system according to claim 6, comprising a bracket (16) configured to be fixedly attached to the lower window belt (6) at a predetermined position, the rotating member (12) comprising at least one swivel member (24) the swivel member (24) defining a first axis (X2), the rotating member (12) being attached to the bracket (16) via the at least one swivel member (24), and the actuator (18) swiveling the rotating member (12) to rotate the wing handle (9) to, for example, the outward deployment position, wherein the rotating member (12) is configured to rotate around the first axis (X2) relative to the bracket (16).

8. The vehicle door handle system according to claim 7, wherein the rotating member (12) further comprises at least one first guide member (53; 91, 93), the bracket (16) comprises at least one second guide member (91, 93; 53), and the at least one first guide member (53; 93) and the at least one second guide member (91, 93; 53) are configured to cooperate in a slidable manner with respect to the rotating member (12) when the actuator (18) pivots the rotating member (12).

9. The vehicle door handle system according to claim 8, characterized in that the at least one first guide member (53; 91, 93) is a finger portion (53), the at least one finger portion (53) extends along a second axis (X1) parallel to the first axis (X2) on which the at least one swivel member (24) extends, the second guide member (91, 93; 53) is a curved guide rib (93), and the finger portion (53) and the curved guide rib (91, 93) are configured such that, with respect to rotational movement, the finger portion (53) moves along the curved guide rib (91, 93) when the swivel member (12) rotates around the at least one swivel member (24).

10. The bracket (16) has at least one elongated hole (89), and the at least one swivel member (24) is slidably and swivelably mounted within the at least one elongated hole (89). With respect to translational movement, the rotating member (12) translates relative to the bracket (16) by the translational movement of at least one swivel member (24) within the elongated hole (89) to the first end (89a) of the elongated hole (89), and the first end (89a) of the elongated hole (89) forms the contact position of the at least one swivel member (24). With respect to rotational movement, the vehicle door handle system according to claim 9 is characterized in that the rotating member (12) can rotate around the pivoting member (24) relative to the bracket (16) at the contact position of the pivoting member (24) at the first end (89a) of the elongated hole (89).

11. The vehicle door handle system according to 10, wherein the bracket (16) comprises at least one linear guide rib (91, 92), and with respect to translational movement, for example, the at least one swivel member (24) translates within the elongated hole (89) to the first end (89a) of the elongated hole (89), and at the same time, at least one finger portion (53) translates relative to the at least one linear guide rib (91, 92), for example, to the at least one curved guide rib (93) extending from the at least one linear guide rib (91, 92).

12. The vehicle door handle system according to claim 11, further comprising a link arm (14) slidably mounted within the bracket (16), wherein the actuator (18) is configured to translate the link arm (14) relative to the bracket (16) so as to interact with the rotating member (12), for example by applying a pressing force to the rotating member (12) and moving the wing handle (9) toward the deployed position.

13. A vehicle door (2) comprising a vehicle door handle system (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the vehicle door (2) comprises the window lower belt (6), In the aforementioned storage position, the outer surface (10) of the wing handle (9) is configured to be flush with the outer surface (7) of the lower window belt (6). In the deployed position, the vehicle door (2) is characterized in that the wing handle (9) is configured to protrude outward relative to the outer surface (7) of the lower window belt (6).

14. A vehicle (1) comprising one or more vehicle door handle systems (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and a window lower belt (6), In the aforementioned storage position, the outer surface (10) of the wing handle (9) is configured to be flush with the outer surface (7) of the lower window belt (6). In the deployed position, the wing handle (9) is configured to protrude outward relative to the outer surface (7) of the lower window belt (6), characterized in that the vehicle (1) is configured to protrude outward.

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