Door handle device for vehicle

Abstract

To prevent unintentional opening of a vehicle door with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A vehicle door handle unit comprises: a latch release handle that is arranged on the inner side of a vehicle door, and can be operated from the outer side of the vehicle door through an opening provided on the vehicle door, and releases a latch of the vehicle door when it has moved from a base position up to a predetermined release position; a lid member that can open and close the opening and moves between a closed position for closing the opening and an open position for opening the opening; and a restriction member that moves along with the movement of the lid member and restricts the latch release handle from reaching the predetermined release position from the base position side in the state where the lid member is located at the closed position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle door handle device that releases a latch of a vehicle door when an operating handle is operated by an operator to a predetermined release position is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The vehicle door handle device described in Patent Document 1 includes an inertia stopper. The inertia stopper is a member that rotates from a standby position to a restriction position due to an inertial force applied when a side collision occurs to the vehicle. The inertia stopper is provided on a handle base fixed to the vehicle door. When the inertia stopper rotates to the restriction position, it restricts the operation of the operating handle before the operating handle reaches the predetermined release position. Therefore, even if an inertial force occurs during a vehicle side collision, the operating handle can be prevented from moving to the predetermined release position due to contact with the inertia stopper, and the vehicle door can be prevented from being unintentionally opened. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-125612 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, since the inertia stopper provided on the vehicle door side is a dedicated part for preventing unintentional opening of the vehicle door, the above-mentioned vehicle door handle device results in increased costs and a complex structure.

[0005] In addition, the inertial stopper rotates to a restricted position due to the inertial force acting upon a side collision from outside the panel against the vehicle door on which the inertial stopper is provided, thereby restricting the operating handle from reaching a predetermined release position, but when a side collision occurs against the vehicle door on the opposite side of the vehicle body, the inertial stopper cannot rotate to the restricted position. Therefore, when a side collision occurs against the vehicle door on the opposite side of the vehicle body, when the operating handle moves once in a direction away from the predetermined release position due to the inertial force caused by the side collision and then the inertial force disappears and the operating handle moves toward the predetermined release position in reaction, the inertial stopper may not be able to restrict the operating handle from reaching the predetermined release position, and there is a risk that the vehicle door may be opened unintentionally.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and has an object to provide a vehicle door handle device that has a simple structure and is capable of preventing unintended opening of a vehicle door. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle door handle device comprising: a latch release handle arranged on the inner side of a vehicle door, operable from the outer side of the vehicle door through an opening provided in the vehicle door, and releasing the latch of the vehicle door when moved from a reference position to a predetermined release position; a lid member capable of opening and closing the opening and moving between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening; and a regulating member that moves in conjunction with the movement of the lid member and regulates the latch release handle from the reference position side to the predetermined release position when the lid member is located in the closed position.

[0008] According to this configuration, unintentional opening of the vehicle door can be prevented with a simple structure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a vehicle door handle device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the outside of a door. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle door handle device according to an embodiment, as viewed from the inside of a door. [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle door handle device according to an embodiment (with an upper member of a base member removed), viewed from inside a door. [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective view showing a positional relationship between a lid member and a driving rotary member in an accommodation space of the vehicle door handle device according to the embodiment (part of the view is cut away); FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V of FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle door handle device according to an embodiment, as viewed from the front side; [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle door handle device according to an embodiment (with a lower member of a base member removed) as viewed from the front side; [Figure 8] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle door handle device according to an embodiment (with a base member removed) as viewed from the front side; [Figure 9] 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a vehicle door handle device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in a state where the vehicle door handle device is disposed on the inner side of a vehicle door and a lid member is located in an open position; [Figure 10] 1 is a perspective view of a main portion of a vehicle door handle device according to an embodiment, as viewed from inside the door when a lid member is near a closed position and when the lid member is located at the closed position; [Figure 11] 3 is a cross-sectional view for explaining an opening and closing operation of a lid member in the vehicle door handle device according to the embodiment; FIG. [Figure 12] 1 is a perspective view from the inside of the door for illustrating an opening and closing operation of a lid member in a vehicle door handle device according to an embodiment (with an upper member of a base member removed); FIG. [Figure 13] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle door handle device according to an embodiment, taken along a plane including inward / outward directions and upward / downward directions when a lid member is near a closed position and at the closed position. [Figure 14]1 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle door handle device according to an embodiment, taken along a plane including the inward / outward directions and the front-rear directions when a lid member is near a closed position and when the lid member is located at the closed position. [Figure 15] 1 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle door handle device of the embodiment when a lid member is in an open position and an unlatch handle is operated to an unlatched position; [Figure 16] 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a positional restriction of the latch release handle when an impact load is applied to the vehicle door with the lid member in the closed position in the vehicle door handle device of the embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of a vehicle door handle device according to the present invention will be described. The vehicle door handle device 1 of this embodiment is a device that controls a latch of a vehicle door 3 provided in a vehicle. Specifically, the vehicle door handle device 1 releases the latch of the vehicle door 3 when a predetermined operation is performed on a latch release handle provided on the vehicle door 3.

[0011] The vehicle door 3 is a door that can be opened and closed relative to the vehicle body. The vehicle door 3 is a door through which vehicle occupants get in and out, a rear door through which luggage is loaded and unloaded, a bonnet for opening and closing an engine room, or a door cover for opening and closing a fuel filler or a charging port. The vehicle door 3 is latched by the vehicle door handle device 1 in a state where it is closed relative to the vehicle body, and can be unlatched by a predetermined operation to be opened relative to the vehicle body. Note that the vehicle door 3 may be locked by a lock device (not shown) in a latched state, and unlocked by a predetermined unlocking operation. Also, a part of the vehicle door 3 is shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 12, and the like.

[0012] In addition, when the vehicle door 3 is a door for getting in and out, particularly when it is a door for getting in and out with a built-in window that can be opened and closed, it may have an inner panel (not shown) on the inside of the vehicle, an outer panel 3a on the outside of the vehicle, and a gap space 3b between the inner panel and the outer panel 3a. The vehicle door handle device 1 is accommodated in this gap space 3b.

[0013] Hereinafter, the vehicle door 3 is assumed to be an entry / exit door having an outer panel 3a and a clearance space 3b, and is assumed to be provided on the left and right sides of the vehicle body. For convenience, the direction perpendicular to the door surface of the vehicle door 3 attached to the vehicle body is referred to as the inside / outside direction I / O, and the direction extending horizontally on the door surface of the vehicle door 3 is referred to as the front / rear direction F / B. A position or area on the inside side of a reference part or part is referred to as the door inside I side of the part or part, and similarly, a position or area on the outside side is referred to as the door outside O side, a position or area on the front side is referred to as the door front F side, and a position or area on the rear side is referred to as the door rear B side.

[0014] The vehicle door handle device 1 is provided for each vehicle door 3 provided in the vehicle. When the vehicle doors 3 are applied to a plurality of entry / exit doors in the vehicle, the vehicle door handle device 1 may have a common shape or structure for each vehicle door 3, or may have a symmetrical shape or structure for the vehicle doors 3 on the left and right sides of the vehicle body. In the following description, the vehicle door handle device 1 is assumed to be provided on the right side of the vehicle body.

[0015] The vehicle door handle device 1 includes a base member 10, a latch release handle 20, a lid member 30, and a drive device 40, as shown in FIGS.

[0016] The base member 10 is a member that houses the latch release handle 20 and the lid member 30 that constitute the vehicle door handle device 1, and also houses all or a part of the drive device 40. The base member 10 is formed to a size corresponding to the gap space 3b between the inner panel and the outer panel 3a, and is housed in the gap space 3b. The base member 10 is attached and fixed to a mounting portion (not shown) provided on the back side of the outer panel 3a. This attachment and fixation is performed, for example, by bolting or welding. The base member 10 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has a lower member 11 and an upper member 12.

[0017] The lower member 11 is a storage box that forms a storage space 13 that houses the latch release handle 20 and the lid member 30. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the lower member 11 has a bottom wall 11a and four side walls 11b erected from the four sides of the bottom wall 11a. The bottom wall 11a and each of the side walls 11b are formed in a rectangular shape. The bottom wall 11a and the four side walls 11b form the storage space 13. The storage space 13 has a necessary and sufficient size (capacity) to allow the latch release handle 20 and the lid member 30 to move along a predetermined trajectory, respectively.

[0018] The bottom wall 11a is adjacent to and faces the rear surface of the outer panel 3a. Two of the four side walls 11b face in the up-down direction U / D and face each other. The remaining two side walls 11b face in the front-rear direction F / B and face each other. The portion of the lower member 11 facing the bottom wall 11a across the storage space 13 on the door inward I side is open.

[0019] The upper member 12 is a cover member that closes an opening of the lower member 11 on the door inward I side. The upper member 12 is formed in a substantially plate shape. The upper member 12 is attached and fixed to the lower member 11. The upper member 12 and the lower member 11 are attached and fixed by, for example, bolting or welding. The upper member 12 has a plate-shaped cover plate portion 12a.

[0020] The vehicle door 3 (specifically, the outer panel 3a) has an opening 3d that exposes the clearance space 3b to the door outer side of the vehicle door 3. The base member 10 is disposed in the vicinity of the opening 3d of the vehicle door 3. The bottom wall 11a of the lower member 11 has an opening 11c that exposes the storage space 13 of the base member 10 to the outside of the base member 10. The opening 11c of the lower member 11 is formed to be substantially the same size as the opening 3d of the outer panel 3a. The openings 3d and 11c are large enough to allow an operator's hand to be inserted. The lower member 11 and therefore the base member 10 are attached and fixed to the attachment portion such that the opening 11c of the bottom wall 11a communicates with the opening 3d of the outer panel 3a. The storage space 13 of the base member 10 can be exposed to the door outer side of the vehicle door 3 through the openings 3d and 11c.

[0021] The unlatch handle 20 is an operating part that performs an input operation (hereinafter referred to as an unlatch operation) for unlatching the vehicle door 3 when the vehicle door 3 is closed. The unlatch handle 20 can be operated to unlatch by an operator positioned on the outer side of the vehicle door 3. When the unlatch operation of the unlatch handle 20 is performed, the latch of the vehicle door 3 to the vehicle body is released and the vehicle door 3 is opened.

[0022] The latch release handle 20 is accommodated in the accommodation space 13 of the base member 10, and is disposed on the door inner side I of the vehicle door 3 (specifically, the outer panel 3a), above the door opening 11c, at a position U above the door. The latch release handle 20 is formed in a handle or lever shape, and extends in the front-rear direction F / B. The latch release handle 20 is rotatably supported on the base member 10 (specifically, on the two front and rear side walls 11b of the lower member 11). The latch release handle 20 is rotatable about a horizontal axis (specifically, an axis extending in the front-rear direction F / B). The latch release handle 20 has a handle main body 21 and a rotation axis 22.

[0023] The handle main body 21 is an operating part that is touched by an operator's hand to perform a rotation operation (latch release operation). The handle main body 21 is formed in a plate shape. The handle main body 21 extends in the front-rear direction F / B. The rotation shaft 22 is an axial part that rotates the handle main body 21 relative to the base member 10 by the rotation of the rotation shaft 22. The rotation shaft 22 is formed in a columnar or cylindrical shape. The rotation shaft 22 is integrated with the handle main body 21. The rotation shaft 22 is provided so as to penetrate the handle main body 21 and protrude from the front end of the handle main body 21 toward the door front F and from the rear end of the handle main body 21 toward the door rear B.

[0024] The lower member 11 has a support groove 11d having a semicircular cross section. The support groove 11d is provided at an end portion of a protruding wall 11e protruding from the bottom wall 11a of the lower member 11 toward the door inside I. The protruding wall 11e is provided adjacent to the inside of each of the two front and rear side walls 11b. The protruding wall 11e may be a part of the side wall 11b. The protruding wall 11e is provided in a stepped shape so that the end portion on the door inside I side changes depending on the vertical position. The support groove 11d is provided at the upper portion of the protruding wall 11e.

[0025] The upper member 12 also has a support groove 12d having a semicircular cross section. The support groove 12d is provided at an end portion of a protruding wall 12e protruding from the cover plate portion 12a of the upper member 12 toward the door outside O. The protruding wall 12e is provided adjacent to the inside of each of the two front and rear side walls 11b of the lower member 11 and facing the protruding wall 11e of the lower member 11 in the inward / outward direction I / O. The protruding wall 12e is provided in a stepped shape such that the end portion of the door outside O changes depending on the up-down position in correspondence with the protruding wall 11e of the lower member 11. The support groove 12d is provided at the upper portion of the protruding wall 12e.

[0026] The support groove 11d of the lower member 11 and the support groove 12d of the upper member 12 form a circular support hole that supports the rotating shaft 22 when the upper member 12 is attached and fixed to the lower member 11. The rotating shaft 22 is rotatably supported by the base member 10 in a state where it is fitted into the support groove 11d of the lower member 11 and the support groove 12d of the upper member 12.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 5, the latch release handle 20 is configured such that the handle body 21 extends radially outward from the pivot shaft 22. The latch release handle 20 is biased by a biasing member such as a torsion spring so that the handle body 21 rotates from the latch release position to the latched position. The biasing direction is the clockwise direction in Fig. 5 around the pivot shaft 22. The latch release handle 20 can be rotated (unlatched) from the latch position to the latch release position against the biasing force of the biasing member. The biasing direction is the counterclockwise direction in Fig. 5 around the pivot shaft 22.

[0028] The latch release handle 20 is released by the operator pulling the radial tip of the handle main body 21 from the latch position toward the door outer side O (toward the operator outside the vehicle) around the pivot axis 22.

[0029] The pivot shaft 22 is disposed on the door outer side O within the accommodation space 13. The pivot shaft 22 is connected to a door latch device (not shown). The door latch device is disposed on one end side (e.g., the left side as viewed from the front surface side of the base member 10) of the pivot shaft 22. The above-mentioned latched position is a position where the vehicle door 3 is latched by the door latch device. The above-mentioned unlatched position is a position where the vehicle door 3 is unlatched by the door latch device.

[0030] At the latched position, the handle body 21 extends obliquely downward from the rotation shaft 22 (specifically, toward the door inward I and downward D) (the state shown in FIG. 5). The angle that the handle body 21 makes with a vertical line passing through the axis of the rotation shaft 22 at the latched position is greater than 0° and less than 90°, and is set to, for example, 30° so that an operator can easily insert his or her hand into the accommodation space 13 through the openings 3d, 11c to perform an unlatching operation of the handle body 21.

[0031] Furthermore, in the unlatch position, the handle body 21 extends from the rotation shaft 22 toward substantially the door downward D. The angle that the handle body 21 makes with respect to a vertical line passing through the axis of the rotation shaft 22 in the unlatch position is set to be smaller than the angle that the handle body 21 makes with respect to the latch position. In the process in which the unlatch handle 20 moves from the latch position toward the unlatch position, the radial tip of the handle body 21 moves toward the door outer side O just before reaching the unlatch position.

[0032] The lid member 30 is a panel cover that opens and closes the opening 11c of the base member 10 and the opening 3d of the vehicle door 3. The lid member 30 is formed in a plate shape so as to be larger than the openings 3d, 11c overall. The lid member 30 is accommodated in the accommodation space 13. The lid member 30 can fit into the openings 3d, 11c to close the openings 3d, 11c, and can retract from the openings 3d, 11c to open the openings 3d, 11c. The lid member 30 moves between a closed position that closes the openings 3d, 11c and an open position that opens the openings 3d, 11c in the door inner space of the vehicle door 3 (specifically, in the accommodation space 13).

[0033] The storage space 13 of the base member 10 is wider below the door D than the opening 11c. The lower area of ​​the storage space 13 can accommodate the lid member 30 moving from the closed position to the open position. The open position of the lid member 30 is at the height of the opening 11c, i.e., at a position below the door D, lower than the closed position of the lid member 30. The lid member 30 moves in the up-down direction U / D between the closed position and the open position, and also moves in the inward-outward direction I / O to prevent interference with the outer panel 3a and the base member 10 near the closed position.

[0034] Within the accommodation space 13, the movement path of the unlatch handle 20 between the latch position and the unlatch position and the movement path of the lid member 30 between the closed position and the open position overlap each other to some extent, so that the unlatch handle 20 and the lid member 30 may interfere with each other.

[0035] The overlapping range is limited to a part of the movement trajectory of the latch release handle 20 and also to a part of the movement trajectory of the lid member 30. Specifically, the area near the latch release position of the latch release handle 20 and the area near the closed position of the lid member 30 overlap with each other. That is, when the latch release handle 20 is located near the latch release position and the lid member 30 is located near the closed position, the latch release handle 20 and the lid member 30 may interfere with each other. The timing at which the latch release handle 20 and the lid member 30 interfere with each other will be described in detail later.

[0036] When the unlatch handle 20 is in the latched position, there is no interference between the lid member 30 and the latch handle 20 when the lid member 30 moves between the closed position and the open position. Also, when the lid member 30 is in the open position, there is no interference between the unlatch handle 20 and the lid member 30 when the unlatch handle 20 moves between the latched position and the unlatched position.

[0037] The lid member 30 has a closing portion 31, a peripheral portion 32, a guide portion 33, and an interference portion 34. The closing portion 31 is a portion that fits into the openings 3d, 11c to close the openings 3d, 11c. The closing portion 31 is provided on the door outer side O of the lid member 30. The closing portion 31 has a size (area) corresponding to the size (area) of the openings 3d, 11c, and a predetermined thickness in the inward and outward directions.

[0038] The above-mentioned predetermined inward / outward thickness is set so that the surface of the blocking portion 31 on the door outer side O is flush with the surface of the outer panel 3a when the peripheral edge 32 of the lid member 30 is in contact with the bottom wall 11a, i.e., when the lid member 30 is in the closed position. For example, the inward / outward thickness of the blocking portion 31 is equal to the sum of the inward / outward thickness of the outer panel 3a near the opening 3d and the inward / outward thickness of the bottom wall 11a near the opening 11c. The surface of the blocking portion 31 on the door outer side O is flush with the surface of the outer panel 3a when the lid member 30 is in the closed position.

[0039] The peripheral edge portion 32 is a flange portion that spreads outward in a plate shape from the periphery of the closing portion 31. The peripheral edge portion 32 is provided around the entire periphery so as to surround the closing portion 31. The peripheral edge portion 32 forms the outer edge portion of the lid member 30. The peripheral edge portion 32 is disposed facing the bottom wall 11a of the lower member 11 of the base member 10 and the cover plate portion 12a of the upper member 12. When the lid member 30 is in the closed position, the peripheral edge portion 32 abuts against the bottom wall 11a of the lower member 11 to regulate the position of the lid member 30.

[0040] When the lid member 30 is in the closed position, a seal member 50 may be disposed between the peripheral portion 32 of the lid member 30 and the bottom wall 11a of the base member 10 (see FIG. 5). The seal member 50 is an O-ring or the like for ensuring the sealing of the accommodation space 13 when the lid member 30 is in the closed position. When the lid member 30 is in the closed position, the seal member 50 is interposed between the outer surface of the peripheral portion 32 (i.e., the surface of the peripheral portion 32 facing outward from the door) and the inner surface of the outer panel 3a (more specifically, the surface of the bottom wall 11a of the base member 10 facing inward from the door). The seal member 50 is formed in an annular shape around the peripheral portions of the openings 3d, 11c in the bottom wall 11a, and is attached to the bottom wall 11a.

[0041] The peripheral portion 32 has a flat portion 32a in the shape of a flat plate and a curved portion 32b in the shape of a curved plate. The flat portion 32a is provided on the periphery of the blocking portion 31. The curved portion 32b is formed integrally with the flat portion 32a on the door lower side D of the flat portion 32a. The curved portion 32b is curved from one end (i.e., the end connected to the flat portion 32a) to the other end so as to be located on the door lower side D and on the door inner side I. In other words, the curved portion 32b is curved around an axis extending in the front-rear direction F / B so that the other end is located on the door lower side D and on the door inner side I.

[0042] The curved portion 32b is disposed in a lower region of the storage space 13, and is located in the storage space 13 below the door D and below the openings 3d, 11c not only when the lid member 30 is in the open position but also when it is in the closed position. The vicinity of the other end of the curved portion 32b extends linearly in the inward / outward direction I / O. Note that it is preferable that the linear distance of this portion is set to at least the inward / outward thickness of the blocking portion 31 in order to prevent the blocking portion 31 from interfering with the peripheral portions of the openings 3d, 11c.

[0043] The guide portion 33 is a portion that guides the lid member 30 that moves between the closed position and the open position. The guide portion 33 is formed in a columnar or cylindrical shape. The guide portion 33 is provided at the upper end and the lower end of the peripheral portion 32, and is also provided at the front end and the rear end of the peripheral portion 32. The two guide portions 33 on the door front F side each protrude from the front end of the peripheral portion 32 toward the door front F. The two guide portions 33 on the door rear B side each protrude from the rear end of the peripheral portion 32 toward the door rear B.

[0044] The base member 10 has guide grooves 14 that guide the lid member 30. The guide grooves 14 are grooves into which the guide portions 33 of the lid member 30 are slidably fitted. The guide portions 33 and the guide grooves 14 form a guide mechanism that guides the lid member 30. The guide grooves 14 are provided in four locations to match the four guide portions 33. That is, the guide grooves 14 are provided in two locations, one above and one below, on the front side of the base member 10, and in two locations, one above and one below, on the rear side of the base member 10. Each of the four guide portions 33 fits into one of the four guide grooves 14.

[0045] The upper and lower guide grooves 14 are formed in substantially the same shape. The front and rear guide grooves 14 are formed in substantially the same shape. Each guide groove 14 is formed corresponding to the shape of the front-rear end of the peripheral portion 32 and extends linearly. Each guide groove 14 has a straight portion 14a that extends linearly in the up-down direction U / D corresponding to the flat portion 32a of the peripheral portion 32, and a curved portion 14b that extends curvedly with a predetermined curvature corresponding to the curved portion 32b of the peripheral portion 32.

[0046] The straight portion 14a and the curved portion 14b are integrated so as to be continuously connected to each other. The curved portion 14b is curved from one end (i.e., the end connected to the straight portion 14a) to the other end opposite the connected end so as to be located on the door upper U side and the door outer O side. In other words, the curved portion 14b is curved about an axis extending in the front-rear direction F / B so that the other end is located on the door upper U side and the door outer O side. The vicinity of the other end of the curved portion 14b extends linearly in the inward / outward direction I / O.

[0047] The four guide grooves 14 are formed between an end portion of the protruding wall 11e of the lower member 11 on the door inner side I side and an end portion of the protruding wall 12e of the upper member 12 on the door outer side O side when the upper member 12 is attached and fixed to the lower member 11. The four guide portions 33 slide along the four guide grooves 14 by being driven by the drive unit 40, thereby moving the lid member 30 between the closed position and the open position.

[0048] When the lid member 30 is in the closed position, the guide portion 33 is located at the farthest point from the connection portion of the curved portion 14b with the straight portion 14a, as shown in Figures 5 and 11(A). When the lid member 30 is in the open position, the guide portion 33 is located at the farthest point from the connection portion of the straight portion 14a with the curved portion 14b, as shown in Figure 11(C).

[0049] The blocking portion 31 protrudes from the peripheral portion 32 toward the door outside O. The length of protrusion of the blocking portion 31 from the peripheral portion 32 corresponds to the thickness of the blocking portion 31, and is approximately equal to the sum of the inner / outer thickness of the outer panel 3a near the opening 3d and the inner / outer thickness of the bottom wall 11a near the opening 11c. The blocking portion 31 and the peripheral portion 32 are configured so that a step corresponding to the openings 3d, 11c is formed on the surface on the door outside O side.

[0050] The surface of the blocking portion 31 on the door outer side O is exposed to the door outer side O when the lid member 30 is in the closed position. Therefore, the blocking portion 31 may be formed from the same material as the outer panel 3a, or may be a portion that has been subjected to a surface treatment such as gloss or matte, in order to ensure the appearance design and visibility of the surface on the door outer side O.

[0051] The interference portion 34 is a restricting portion that can interfere with the latch release handle 20. The interference portion 34 moves with the movement of the lid member 30 between the closed position and the open position. The interference portion 34 restricts the latch release handle 20 from reaching the latch release position from the latch position when the lid member 30 is in the closed position. The interference portion 34 is provided at a location where the latch release handle 20 can pass through the movement path of the lid member 30. Specifically, the interference portion 34 is provided integrally with the peripheral portion 32 (specifically, the inner surface facing the inside of the door). The interference portion 34 interferes with the latch release handle 20 before it reaches the latch release position in the process of the latch release handle 20 moving from the latch position to the latch release position when the lid member 30 is in the closed position, thereby restricting the position of the latch release handle 20.

[0052] The interference portion 34 may protrude from the inner surface of the peripheral portion 32 of the lid member 30 toward the door inward I, or may extend in the front-rear direction F / B along the inner surface of the peripheral portion 32. In this case, the protruding length of the interference portion 34 from the peripheral portion 32 may be set to a length necessary to ensure positional regulation before the latch release handle 20 reaches the latch release position. The length of the interference portion 34 in the front-rear direction F / B may correspond to the length of the latch release handle 20 in the front-rear direction F / B. Furthermore, the interference portion 34 may extend without gaps in the front-rear direction F / B, or may be scattered with gaps in the front-rear direction F / B.

[0053] The drive device 40 is a device that moves the lid member 30 between a closed position and an open position. The drive device 40 has an electric actuator 41 and a drive rotating member 42. The drive device 40 rotates the drive rotating member 42 by driving the electric actuator 41, thereby moving the lid member 30.

[0054] The electric actuator 41 is an actuator that rotates the driving rotating member 42. The electric actuator 41 is a motor that operates by supplying electric power. The electric actuator 41 can rotate in both the forward and reverse directions. The electric actuator 41 is housed in the base member 10. The electric actuator 41 may be housed in the gap space 3b outside the base member 10 and disposed adjacent to the base member 10. The electric actuator 41 is attached to the base member 10. The output shaft of the electric actuator 41 is connected to the driving rotating member 42 directly or via a reducer.

[0055] The rotational drive of the electric actuator 41 is controlled by a control unit mainly composed of a microcomputer. When an operation is performed to request the opening of the vehicle door 3, the control unit operates the electric actuator 41 to move the lid member 30 from the closed position to the open position. The opening request operation is, for example, the lid member 30 being pushed toward the door inward I relative to the outer panel 3a, the switch provided on the outer surface of the lid member 30 being pressed, the verification by wireless communication with a portable device carried by the operator being completed, the lock release switch or the latch release switch provided on the portable device being pressed, or a combination of these operations.

[0056] Furthermore, when an operation is performed to request closing of the vehicle door 3, the control unit actuates the electric actuator 41 to move the lid member 30 from the open position toward the closed position. The closing request operation is, for example, when it is detected that the operator's hand has been pulled out of the accommodation space 13, when a switch provided on the outer surface of the lid member 30 is pressed, when wireless communication with a portable device carried by the operator is no longer established, when a lock switch or a latch switch provided on the portable device is pressed, or when a combination of these operations is performed.

[0057] Furthermore, when the lid member 30 is in the closed position, the control unit causes the electric actuator 41 to generate a torque in the driving rotating member 42 to maintain the lid member 30 in the closed position, which is preferable in order to prevent the lid member 30 from vibrating slightly in the closed position due to vehicle vibration, etc., resulting in abnormal noise, etc.

[0058] Furthermore, the control unit may detect that the lid member 30 is in the closed position using a sensor 60 (see FIG. 10), and when the closed position of the lid member 30 is detected during the control of the movement of the lid member 30 from the open position to the closed position by the operation of the electric actuator 41, for example, the control unit may switch the operation of the electric actuator 41 to maintain the lid member 30 in the closed position. Note that the control unit may perform the movement control of the lid member 30 from the open position to the closed position by the operation of the electric actuator 41 only at a predetermined timing, without relying on the detection information of the sensor 60, and thereafter switch the operation of the electric actuator 41 to maintain the lid member 30 in the closed position.

[0059] The driving rotation member 42 is a shaft that is driven to rotate about an axis extending in the front-rear direction F / B, i.e., parallel to the surface of the lid member 30. The driving rotation member 42 is formed in a columnar or cylindrical shape. The driving rotation member 42 is driven to rotate by a driving force generated by the electric actuator 41. The driving rotation member 42 is accommodated in the accommodation space 13. The driving rotation member 42 is rotatably supported on the base member 10 (specifically, on the two front and rear side walls 11b of the lower member 11). One end of the driving rotation member 42 (e.g., the left end as viewed from the surface side of the base member 10) is connected to the output shaft of the electric actuator 41 that penetrates the side wall 11b of the lower member 11.

[0060] The lower member 11 has a semicircular support groove (not shown) provided at an end of the protruding wall 11e on the door inner side. This support groove is provided in the center of the protruding wall 11e. The upper member 12 has a semicircular support groove (not shown) provided at an end of the protruding wall 12e on the door outer side. This support groove is provided in the center of the protruding wall 12e. The support groove of the lower member 11 and the support groove of the upper member 12 form a circular support hole that supports the driving rotation member 42 in a state in which the upper member 12 is attached and fixed to the lower member 11. The driving rotation member 42 is rotatably supported by the base member 10 in a state in which it is fitted into the support groove of the lower member 11 and the support groove of the upper member 12.

[0061] The drive device 40 has a conversion mechanism 44 that converts the rotation of the driving rotation member 42 into the movement of the lid member 30. The conversion mechanism 44 converts the rotation of the driving rotation member 42 into the movement of the lid member 30 between the closed position and the open position using a rack-and-pinion system. Specifically, the conversion mechanism 44 has a rack portion 45 that extends linearly and has a plurality of teeth arranged at predetermined intervals, and a pinion portion 46 made of a circular gear. The rack portion 45 and the pinion portion 46 engage with each other to convert the rotation of the driving rotation member 42 into the movement of the lid member 30.

[0062] The rack portion 45 is provided on the lid member 30. As shown in Fig. 4, the rack portion 45 includes a first rack portion 45a and a second rack portion 45b. That is, the lid member 30 has the first rack portion 45a and the second rack portion 45b. The first rack portion 45a is provided as a pair on the lid member 30 at a predetermined distance apart. The second rack portion 45b is provided as a pair on the lid member 30 at a predetermined distance apart.

[0063] The first rack portion 45a is a portion that extends linearly. The first rack portion 45a is formed on the surface of the peripheral portion 32 on the door inner side, and is disposed on the flat portion 32a. The first rack portion 45a extends linearly in the vertical direction. The length of the first rack portion 45a is set to a size necessary for moving the lid member 30 between the closed position and the open position, and is preferably a size necessary for completely opening the openings 3d and 11c when the lid member 30 is in the open position. The length of the first rack portion 45a may be, for example, a length that makes the driving rotary member 42 rotate 1.5 times. The teeth of the first rack portion 45a have a shape that extends in the front-rear direction while protruding toward the inside of the door, and are aligned in the vertical direction at a first interval. The pair of first rack portions 45a are disposed in front of and behind the closing portion 31 on the peripheral portion 32.

[0064] The second rack portion 45b is a portion that extends in a curved shape with a predetermined curvature. The second rack portion 45b is formed on the surface of the peripheral portion 32 on the door inner side, and is disposed on the curved portion 32b. The second rack portion 45b is curved about an axis extending in the front-rear direction. The curvature of the second rack portion 45b is set to a value required for the lid member 30 to move smoothly in the inward / outward direction I / O and in the upward / downward direction U / D without interfering with the base member 10 or the outer panel 3a when the lid member 30 moves near the closed position. The teeth of the second rack portion 45b have a shape that protrudes toward the center of the curvature and extends in the front-rear direction F / B, and are arranged at second intervals along the curved surface in the approximately upward / downward direction U / D.

[0065] The second rack portion 45b is disposed below the first rack portion 45a. The second rack portion 45b is curved from one end (i.e., the end connected to the first rack portion 45a) to the other end so as to be located downward and on the inside of the door. The vicinity of the other end of the second rack portion 45b extends linearly in the inward / outward direction. The linear distance of this portion is set to at least the thickness of the blocking portion 31 in the inward / outward direction. The pair of second rack portions 45b are disposed in front of and behind the blocking portion 31 in the peripheral portion 32.

[0066] The first rack portion 45a and the second rack portion 45b are arranged to be shifted from each other in the front-rear direction, i.e., in the direction in which the axis of the driving rotation member 42 extends. That is, the first rack portion 45a and the second rack portion 45b are not arranged in a state in which their ends are directly connected to each other at the same front-rear direction position, but are arranged obliquely on the peripheral edge portion 32. Note that the first rack portion 45a and the second rack portion 45b may be arranged, for example, so that one crest of the teeth overlaps each other, or may be arranged obliquely so that the teeth do not overlap at all, as long as smooth movement of the lid member 30 between the closed position and the open position can be ensured.

[0067] The pinion portion 46 is provided on the driving rotation member 42. As shown in Fig. 4, the pinion portion 46 includes a first pinion portion 46a and a second pinion portion 46b. That is, the driving rotation member 42 has the first pinion portion 46a and the second pinion portion 46b. The first pinion portion 46a is provided as a pair on the driving rotation member 42 at a predetermined distance apart. The second pinion portion 46b is provided as a pair on the driving rotation member 42 at a predetermined distance apart.

[0068] The first pinion portion 46a is a portion that engages with the first rack portion 45a. The second pinion portion 46b is a portion that engages with the second rack portion 45b. The first pinion portion 46a and the second pinion portion 46b are formed or attached to the outer surface of the driving rotation member 42, and are disposed at both ends of the driving rotation member 42. The pair of first pinion portions 46a are disposed at positions corresponding to the pair of first rack portions 45a. The pair of second pinion portions 46b are disposed at positions corresponding to the pair of second rack portions 45b.

[0069] The first pinion portion 46a and the second pinion portion 46b are arranged on the outer surface of the driving rotation member 42 so as to be shifted from each other in the front-rear direction, that is, in the direction in which the axis of the driving rotation member 42 extends.

[0070] In the process of the lid member 30 moving between the closed position and the open position, the engagement between the first rack portion 45a and the first pinion portion 46a and the engagement between the second rack portion 45b and the second pinion portion 46b occur successively in a predetermined order. Specifically, when the lid member 30 moves from the closed position to the open position, the second rack portion 45b and the second pinion portion 46b are initially engaged with each other, and then, after the second rack portion 45b and the second pinion portion 46b are disengaged, the first rack portion 45a and the first pinion portion 46a are engaged with each other. In addition, when the lid member 30 moves from the open position to the closed position, the first rack portion 45a and the first pinion portion 46a are initially engaged with each other, and then, after the first rack portion 45a and the first pinion portion 46a are disengaged, the second rack portion 45b and the second pinion portion 46b are engaged with each other.

[0071] The distance over which the first rack portion 45a and the first pinion portion 46a move relative to each other while being engaged with each other during one rotation of the driving rotation member 42 (hereinafter referred to as the first pitch length) and the distance over which the second rack portion 45b and the second pinion portion 46b move relative to each other while being engaged with each other during one rotation of the driving rotation member 42 (hereinafter referred to as the second pitch length) may be the same as each other, or may be different from each other. For example, in order to reduce the impact between the lid member 30 and the lower member 11 when the lid member 30 abuts against the bottom wall 11a of the base member 10 and reaches the closed position, or in order to increase the moving speed when the lid member 30 moves toward the door lower side D toward the open position and when it moves toward the door upper side U from the open position, it is preferable that the second pitch length is shorter than the first pitch length.

[0072] The operation of the vehicle door handle device 1 will now be described. First, a normal operation of the vehicle door handle device 1 will be described. When the vehicle door 3 is closed relative to the vehicle body, the latch release handle 20 is in the latched position and the lid member 30 is in the closed position (FIGS. 11(A) and 12(A)).

[0073] At this time, the rack portion 45 of the lid member 30 and the pinion portion 46 of the driving rotation member 42 are positioned such that the first rack portion 45a and the first pinion portion 46a are disengaged and the second rack portion 45b and the second pinion portion 46b are engaged. Specifically, the second pinion portion 46b is engaged with the second rack portion 45b near the other end of the curved portion 32b. Also, the guide portion 33 of the lid member 30 is positioned near the other end of the curved portion 14b of the guide groove 14 of the base member 10. At this time, the surface of the lid member 30 (i.e., the blocking portion 31) on the door outer side is flush with the surface of the outer panel 3a, so that the exterior design of the vehicle door 3 is ensured.

[0074] When an operation is performed to open the vehicle door 3, the electric actuator 41 is operated to move the lid member 30 from the closed position to the open position. When the electric actuator 41 is operated, the driving rotary member 42 is rotationally driven in the clockwise direction shown in Figures 5, 11, and 13.

[0075] When the lid member 30 is in the closed position, as described above, the second rack portion 45b and the second pinion portion 46b are engaged with each other near the other end of the curved portion 32b, i.e., near the other end of the second rack portion 45b, and the guide portion 33 is located near the other end of the curved portion 14b. The other end of the curved portion 32b, the other end of the second rack portion 45b, and the other end of the curved portion 14b extend linearly in the inward and outward directions. Therefore, when the driving rotary member 42 is initially driven to rotate in the clockwise direction, the lid member 30 moves toward the inside of the door relative to the base member 10. Then, the guide portion 33 fits into the curved portion 14b while the second rack portion 45b and the second pinion portion 46b are engaged with each other (FIG. 11(B)). In this case, the lid member 30 turns and moves diagonally downward including toward the inside of the door relative to the base member 10 according to the curvature of the second rack portion 45b.

[0076] Next, as the movement of the guide portion 33 on the curved portion 14b progresses, the engagement between the rack portion 45 of the lid member 30 and the pinion portion 46 of the driving rotation member 42 switches from the engagement between the second rack portion 45b and the second pinion portion 46b to the engagement between the first rack portion 45a and the first pinion portion 46a, and the guide portion 33 fits into the straight portion 14a. The first rack portion 45a and the straight portion 14a extend linearly in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the first rack portion 45a and the first pinion portion 46a engage with each other, the lid member 30 moves downward relative to the base member 10. Then, when the upper end of the first rack portion 45a engages with the first pinion portion 46a and the guide portion 33 reaches the lower end of the straight portion 14a, the movement of the lid member 30 is stopped and the lid member 30 reaches the open position (FIGS. 9, 11(C), and 12(B)). Then, when the lid member 30 reaches the open position, the operation of the electric actuator 41 is switched to control for maintaining the lid member 30 in the open position.

[0077] When the lid member 30 is in the open position, an operator can insert his / her hand into the accommodation space 13 from the door outer side of the vehicle door 3 through the openings 3d, 11c, and can perform an unlatching operation of the latch release handle 20 in the accommodation space 13 to the unlatched position against the biasing force of the biasing member. When the latch release handle 20 is unlatched from the latched position and reaches the unlatched position as shown in Fig. 15, the door latch device releases the latch of the vehicle door 3 from the vehicle body, and in the unlatched state, the operator can further pull the vehicle door 3 together with the latch release handle 20 toward the door outer side to open the vehicle door 3.

[0078] When the operator releases the latch release handle 20, the latch release handle 20 moves toward the latched position due to the biasing force of the biasing member. When the latch release handle 20 reaches the latched position, the door latch device is able to latch the vehicle door 3 to the vehicle body. When the vehicle door 3 is pushed from the open side in this latchable state to close, the vehicle door 3 is latched in the closed state.

[0079] Furthermore, when a predetermined condition is met after the operator's hand is pulled out of the storage space 13, the electric actuator 41 is operated to move the lid member 30 from the open position toward the closed position. When the electric actuator 41 is operated, the driving rotation member 42 is rotationally driven in the counterclockwise direction shown in Figures 5, 11, and 13.

[0080] When the lid member 30 is in the open position, the first rack portion 45a and the first pinion portion 46a are engaged with each other near the upper end of the first rack portion 45a, and the guide portion 33 is located near the lower end of the straight portion 14a. The first rack portion 45a and the straight portion 14a extend linearly in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the driving rotation member 42 is rotationally driven in the counterclockwise direction, the lid member 30 moves upward relative to the base member 10.

[0081] Next, as the guide portion 33 continues to move along the straight portion 14a, the engagement between the rack portion 45 of the lid member 30 and the pinion portion 46 of the driving rotation member 42 switches from the engagement between the first rack portion 45a and the first pinion portion 46a to the engagement between the second rack portion 45b and the second pinion portion 46b, and the guide portion 33 fits into the curved portion 14b (FIG. 11(B)). In this case, the lid member 30 pivots and moves obliquely upward, including toward the outside of the door, relative to the base member 10 in accordance with the curvature of the second rack portion 45b.

[0082] Then, the second rack portion 45b and the second pinion portion 46b engage with each other near the other end of the second rack portion 45b, and the guide portion 33 reaches the vicinity of the other end of the curved portion 14b (FIGS. 13(A) and 14(A)). The vicinity of the other end of the second rack portion 45b and the vicinity of the other end of the curved portion 14b extend linearly in the inward and outward directions. Therefore, when the second rack portion 45b and the second pinion portion 46b engage with each other near the other end of the second rack portion 45b and the guide portion 33 reaches the vicinity of the other end of the curved portion 14b, the lid member 30 moves outward from the door relative to the base member 10.

[0083] Finally, when the other end of the second rack portion 45b engages with the second pinion portion 46b and the guide portion 33 reaches the other end of the curved portion 14b, the movement of the lid member 30 is stopped and the lid member 30 reaches the closed position (FIGS. 11(A), 12(A), 13(B), and 14(B)). Then, when the lid member 30 reaches the closed position, the operation of the electric actuator 41 is switched to control for maintaining the lid member 30 in the closed position.

[0084] In this way, in the vehicle door handle device 1, the lid member 30 can be moved in two directions between a closed position where the opening 3d of the outer panel 3a is closed and an open position where the opening 3d is opened by the rack-and-pinion system. Specifically, when the lid member 30 is located near the closed position, the lid member 30 can be moved inward and outward, and when the lid member 30 is not located near the closed position, the lid member 30 can be moved upward and downward.

[0085] According to this configuration, the lid member 30 moves in the inward / outward direction I / O near the closed position, thereby preventing the lid member 30 from interfering with the openings 3d, 11c in the outer panel 3a and the base member 10, and since the lid member 30 moves in the upward / downward direction U / D along the vehicle door 3 other than near the closed position, the openings 3d, 11c can be opened and closed to expose the storage space 13 to the outside of the door.

[0086] In the vehicle door handle device 1, the moving mechanism for moving the lid member 30 in the inward / outward direction I / O near the closed position and in the upward / downward direction U / D near other than the closed position is a rack-and-pinion type using a rack portion 45 and a pinion portion 46. The movement of the lid member 30 in the inward / outward direction I / O near the closed position is realized by the engagement between the first rack portion 45a and the first pinion portion 46a, and the movement of the lid member 30 in the upward / downward direction U / D near other than the closed position is realized by the engagement between the first rack portion 45a and the first pinion portion 46a. During the process in which the lid member 30 moves between the closed position and the open position, the engagement between the first rack portion 45a and the first pinion portion 46a and the engagement between the second rack portion 45b and the second pinion portion 46b occur successively in a predetermined order.

[0087] According to this configuration, while keeping the lid member 30 parallel to the vehicle door 3, it can be moved in the inward / outward direction I / O near the closed position, moved in the upward / downward direction U / D near a position other than the closed position, and further, can be turned so that the movement components in the inward / outward direction I / O and the upward / downward direction U / D are both included at the switching point between the movement in the inward / outward direction I / O and the movement in the upward / downward direction U / D. Therefore, the lid member 30 can be moved smoothly between the closed position and the open position.

[0088] The rack portion 45 has a first rack portion 45a extending linearly in the up-down direction U / D and a second rack portion 45b extending curvedly with a predetermined curvature around an axis extending in the front-rear direction F / B. The pinion portion 46 has a first pinion portion 46a engaging with the first rack portion 45a and a second pinion portion 46b engaging with the second rack portion 45b. In this configuration, the structure for moving the lid member 30 in the inward / outward direction I / O and in the upward / downward direction U / D between the closed position and the open position can be simplified.

[0089] Therefore, the vehicle door handle device 1 can smoothly and simply achieve movement of the lid member 30 between the closed and open positions using the rack and pinion system (specifically, movement in two directions, inward / outward directions I / O and upward / downward directions U / D).

[0090] Moreover, the first rack portion 45a and the second rack portion 45b are disposed in the lid member 30 so as to be shifted from each other in the front-rear direction F / B in which the axis extends. Moreover, the first pinion portion 46a and the second pinion portion 46b are disposed in the lid member 30 so as to be shifted from each other in the front-rear direction F / B on the outer surface of the driving rotation member 42. For this reason, the movement of the lid member 30 in the inward / outward direction I / O caused by the engagement between the first rack portion 45a and the first pinion portion 46a and the movement of the lid member 30 in the upward / downward direction U / D caused by the engagement between the second rack portion 45b and the second pinion portion 46b can be individually parameterized, thereby increasing the design freedom in moving the lid member 30 between the closed position and the open position.

[0091] Furthermore, the lid member 30 is guided by a guide mechanism when it moves between the closed position and the open position. The lid member 30 has a guide portion 33. The base member 10 has a guide groove 14 into which the guide portion 33 slidably fits to guide the lid member 30. The guide groove 14 has a straight portion 14a that extends linearly in the up-down direction U / D corresponding to the flat portion 32a of the peripheral portion 32, and a curved portion 14b that extends curvedly with a predetermined curvature corresponding to the curved portion 32b of the peripheral portion 32. Therefore, when the lid member 30 moves between the closed position and the open position, the posture of the lid member 30 can be kept in a predetermined posture.

[0092] In particular, the guide portions 33 are provided at four locations in accordance with the plate-shaped lid member 30, and the guide grooves 14 are provided at four locations in accordance with the guide portions 33. Therefore, when the lid member 30 moves between the closed position and the open position, the orientation of the lid member 30 can be kept parallel to the vehicle door 3.

[0093] The second pitch length at which the second rack portion 45b and the second pinion portion 46b engage may be set shorter than the first pitch length at which the first rack portion 45a and the first pinion portion 46a engage. The engagement between the first rack portion 45a and the first pinion portion 46a contributes to the movement of the lid member 30 in the up-down direction U / D, and the engagement between the second rack portion 45b and the second pinion portion 46b contributes to the movement of the lid member 30 in the inward / outward direction I / O. Therefore, according to this configuration, the movement speed of the lid member 30 in the up-down direction U / D can be increased while suppressing the movement speed of the lid member 30 in the inward / outward direction I / O when the lid member 30 reaches the closed position, so that the movement of the lid member 30 in the up-down direction U / D can be quickly realized while mitigating the impact between the lid member 30 and the lower member 11 when the lid member 30 reaches the closed position.

[0094] In addition, according to such a configuration in which the first pitch length and the second pitch length are allowed to be different from each other, the second rack portion 45b can be formed with the smallest possible radius of curvature to make the second pitch length as short as possible. Therefore, when switching the movement of the lid member 30 between the movement in the inward / outward direction I / O and the movement in the upward / downward direction U / D, a sudden change in angle can be realized without interfering with the gears of the rack and pinion, and therefore it is possible to avoid restricting the shapes of the openings 3d, 11c in order to realize the change.

[0095] In addition, in the vehicle door handle device 1, after the lid member 30 moves inward I of the door from a closed position that closes the opening 3d of the outer panel 3a toward an open position that opens the opening 3d, the latch release handle 20 is pulled toward the door outward O from the latch position to the latch release position to perform an unlatch operation, thereby unlatching the vehicle door 3.

[0096] In this configuration, when the latch release handle 20 is operated to release the latch of the vehicle door 3, the lid member 30 and other components do not protrude beyond the outer panel 3a of the vehicle door 3 toward the door outside O. This makes it possible to prevent the exterior design of the vehicle door 3 from being impaired when the latch release handle 20 is operated to release the latch of the vehicle door 3.

[0097] In addition, in the above configuration, the movement of the lid member 30 between the closed position and the open position is limited to within the accommodation space 13, so even if a failure occurs in the drive device 40, the lid member 30 and other components will not remain protruding beyond the outer panel 3a of the vehicle door 3 toward the door outside O while the vehicle is traveling. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the external design of the vehicle door 3 from being impaired when the drive device 40 or the like fails, and also to prevent a decrease in the aerodynamic characteristics while the vehicle is traveling.

[0098] Incidentally, the latch release handle 20 is biased toward the latched position by a biasing member, and is maintained at the latched position unless an unlatch operation is input. In addition, in the latched position, the latch release handle 20 extends from the pivot shaft 22 diagonally downward, including toward the door downward D. For this reason, in this structure, when an impact load is input toward the door inward I due to a vehicle side collision against the host vehicle door 3, the latch release handle 20 of the host vehicle door 3 may rotate toward the unlatch position due to inertia, and the host vehicle door 3 may unintentionally reach the unlatch position and be unlatched.

[0099] In contrast, in the vehicle door handle device 1, the movement path of the unlatch handle 20 between the latched position and the unlatch position and the movement path of the lid member 30 between the closed position and the open position have a mutually overlapping range. Specifically, the area near the unlatch position of the unlatch handle 20 and the area near the closed position of the lid member 30 overlap with each other. For this reason, the unlatch handle 20 and the lid member 30 may interfere with each other.

[0100] Furthermore, the direction in which the latch release handle 20 moves from the latched position to the unlatched position is opposite to the direction in which the lid member 30 moves from the closed position to the open position. Specifically, in the process in which the latch release handle 20 moves from the latched position to the unlatched position, the radial tip of the latch release handle 20 moves toward the door outside O just before the unlatched position, while on the other hand, when the lid member 30 moves from the closed position to the open position, the lid member 30 moves toward the door inside I with respect to the base member 10.

[0101] In the above configuration, when an impact load is applied to the door inward I of the vehicle door 3 with the lid member 30 in the closed position, the latch release handle 20 moves to the latch release position side due to inertial force, and the lid member 30, while in the closed position, is pressed against the bottom wall 11a of the base member 10 due to inertial force. In addition, the lid member 30 is held in the closed position by the torque of the electric actuator 41.

[0102] When the lid member 30 is in the open position (more specifically, when the lid member 30 is outside the overlapping range in the movement trajectory), the latch release handle 20 does not interfere with the lid member 30 when the latch release handle 20 moves between the latch position and the unlatch position. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 16, when the lid member 30 is in the closed position (more specifically, when the lid member 30 is in the overlapping range in the movement trajectory), the latch release handle 20 interferes with an interference portion 34 of the lid member 30 before reaching the unlatch position from the latch position, and is restricted in position. Therefore, when the lid member 30 is in the closed position, even if the latch release handle 20 moves, it is restricted from reaching the unlatch position.

[0103] Therefore, when the lid member 30 is in the closed position, even if the latch release handle 20 moves toward the latch release position due to the inertial force caused by the input of an impact load to the inside I of the vehicle door 3, the latch of the vehicle door 3 can be prevented from being released, thereby preventing unintended opening of the vehicle door 3.

[0104] Furthermore, in order to prevent unintentional opening of the vehicle door 3, it is sufficient that the latch release handle 20 and the lid member 30 interfere with each other when the lid member 30 is in the closed position. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a separate dedicated part such as an inertia stopper, and it is possible to reduce the number of parts and the storage space in the vehicle door handle device 1. Therefore, with a simple structure, it is possible to prevent unintentional opening of the vehicle door 3.

[0105] In addition, when an impact load is input to the door outward O of the vehicle door 3 due to a vehicle side collision with the vehicle door 3 on the opposite side of the vehicle body, the latch release handle 20 will first rotate from the latched position in a direction away from the latched position, but then may rotate toward the latched position due to a reaction and reach the latched position. In addition, when this impact load is input, the lid member 30 may first move toward the door inward I away from the closed position relative to the base member 10 due to inertia, so the latch release handle 20 may not interfere with the lid member 30 before it reaches the latched position, and the latch of the vehicle door 3 may be unintentionally released.

[0106] In the vehicle door handle device 1, the drive device 40 has an electric actuator 41 that rotates a drive rotation member 42. In this configuration, the drive rotation member 42 is restricted in rotation by frictional resistance with the electric actuator 41 except when the drive rotation member 42 is rotated by the electric actuator 41, and further, when the lid member 30 is located in the closed position, the electric actuator 41 generates torque to hold the lid member 30 in the closed position. Therefore, even if an inertial force is applied to the latch release handle 20 or the lid member 30 in either the case of an inward side collision or an outward side collision against the vehicle door 3 described above, the lid member 30 can be prevented from moving from the closed position to the open position.

[0107] Therefore, even if any of the above-mentioned side collisions occur when the lid member 30 is in the closed position, the lid member 30 can be prevented from moving out of the above-mentioned overlapping range in its movement trajectory before interference between the latch release handle 20 and the lid member 30 occurs, and the above-mentioned interference can be reliably caused to occur before the latch release handle 20 reaches the latch release position from the latch position, thereby improving the function of preventing unintended opening of the vehicle door 3.

[0108] In the above embodiment, the latch position corresponds to the "reference position" described in the claims, the unlatched position corresponds to the "predetermined release position" described in the claims, and the interference portion 34 of the lid member 30 corresponds to the "regulating member" described in the claims.

[0109] In the above embodiment, the first rack portion 45a and the second rack portion 45b are arranged to be shifted from each other in the front-rear direction F / B on the lid member 30, and the first pinion portion 46a and the second pinion portion 46b are arranged to be shifted from each other in the front-rear direction F / B on the driving rotation member 42. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In a structure in which the lid member 30 can move between the closed position and the open position while the driving rotation member 42 rotates once, the first rack portion 45a and the second rack portion 45b may be arranged separately in the up-down direction U / D at the same front-rear position on the lid member 30 without being shifted from each other in the front-rear direction F / B, and the first pinion portion 46a and the second pinion portion 46b may be arranged separately in the up-down direction U / D at the same front-rear position on the driving rotation member 42 without being shifted from each other in the front-rear direction F / B.

[0110] In the above embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4 etc., the first rack portion 45a is disposed outside the peripheral portion 32, the second rack portion 45b is disposed inside the peripheral portion 32, and the second rack portion 45b is disposed closer to the blocking portion 31 than the first rack portion 45a. Also, the first pinion portion 46a is disposed outside the driving rotation member 42 in the axial direction, and the second pinion portion 46b is disposed inside the driving rotation member 42 in the axial direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the arrangement of the first rack portion 45a and the second rack portion 45b, and the arrangement of the first pinion portion 46a and the second pinion portion 46b may be reversed.

[0111] Also, in the above embodiment, the interference portion 34 is provided on the lid member 30 and moves with the movement of the lid member 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the interference portion as a restricting member that restricts the position of the latch release handle 20 when the lid member 30 is in the closed position may be provided on a part other than the lid member 30 as long as it moves with the movement of the lid member 30.

[0112] For example, in a structure in which the lid member 30 can move between the closed position and the open position while the driving rotation member 42 rotates once, an interference portion as a regulating member may be provided on, for example, the driving rotation member 42, which is different from the lid member 30, to regulate the position of the latch release handle 20 when the lid member 30 is in the closed position. Also, an interference portion as a regulating member may be provided on the base member 10 side so as to be movable in association with the movement of the lid member 30, and may not regulate the position of the latch release handle 20 when the lid member 30 is in a position other than the closed position, but may enter the movement trajectory of the latch release handle 20 to regulate its position when the lid member 30 is in the closed position.

[0113] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modified forms, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 1: vehicle door handle device, 3: vehicle door, 3a: outer panel, 3d: opening, 10: base member, 14: guide groove, 20: latch release handle, 30: lid member, 31: closing portion, 32: peripheral portion, 33: guide portion, 34: interference portion, 40: drive device, 41: electric actuator, 42: drive rotating member, 44: conversion mechanism, 45: rack portion, 45a: first rack portion, 45b: second rack portion, 46: pinion portion, 46a: first pinion portion, 46b: second pinion portion, 50: sealing member.

Claims

[Claim 1] an unlatching handle that is disposed on an inner side of the vehicle door, is operable from an outer side of the vehicle door through an opening provided in the vehicle door, and unlatches the vehicle door when moved from a reference position side to a predetermined unlatching position; a lid member capable of opening and closing the opening and moving between a closed position at which the opening is closed and an open position at which the opening is opened; a restricting member that moves in association with the movement of the lid member and restricts the latch release handle from reaching the predetermined release position from the reference position side when the lid member is in the closed position; Equipped with the lid member has a closing portion that closes the opening and a peripheral portion that extends outwardly from a peripheral edge of the closing portion in a plate-like shape, and moves between the closed position and the open position in an inner space of the vehicle door; the restricting member is integrally provided on an inner surface of the peripheral portion of the lid member, a seal member interposed between an outer surface of the peripheral portion and an inner surface of an outer panel of the vehicle door when the lid member is in the closed position.

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