Door handle device for vehicle

Abstract

To provide a door handle device for a vehicle equipped with a switch device for operating an electronically controlled device mounted on a vehicle door, and an operation part therefor, which suppresses an occurrence of a malfunction in the operation part.SOLUTION: A door handle device for a vehicle 1 comprises: a hollow housing 10 that is gripped from outside a vehicle interior when the door is opened, provided with an opening O; a switch device 241 fixed inside the housing 10, in which a movable contact part CP is arranged so as to face towards the opening O of the housing 10; an operation member fitted in the opening O, supported so as to be movable in a first direction from inside the housing 10 towards the outside, and a second direction which is in an opposite direction; and a protector 243, having a main body part covered on the switch device 241 and a first sealing part inserted in a gap between an inner peripheral part of the opening O and an outer peripheral part of the operation member to block the gap, which is pressed by the operation member and presses the movable contact part CP of the switch device 241.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle door handle device equipped with a switch device for operating an electronically controlled door lock device that locks and unlocks vehicle doors, an electronically controlled door latch device that holds vehicle doors closed, etc. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle door handle device equipped with a switch device (as a trigger for transmitting an operation signal) for operating an electronically controlled device of a vehicle door. This vehicle door handle device has a housing (grip) extending in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. A switch device is housed inside the housing. This switch device is a push-button type normally open switch.

[0003] An opening is provided on the surface of the housing facing the inside of the vehicle cabin (the portion facing the door panel). The switch device is fixed inside the housing so that the movable contact portion of the switch device faces the opening. A switch operation portion (key top) is fitted into the opening. When the switch operation portion is pressed from the outside to the inside of the housing, the switch operation portion moves slightly into the housing. The switch operation portion presses the movable contact portion of the switch device and makes contact with the fixed contact portion. This changes the switch device from an off state to an on state. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-322834 Summary of the Invention

[0005] If water droplets enter the housing through the gap between the outer periphery of the switch operation part and the inner periphery of the opening and then freeze, the operation part may become stuck to the housing. Also, if dust enters the housing through the gap, the dust may interfere with the switch operation part, making it difficult to push the switch operation part into the housing. In the above cases, there is a high possibility that electronically controlled devices (electronically controlled door lock devices, electronically controlled door latch devices, etc.) will not operate as intended.

[0006] The present invention has been made to address the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a vehicle door handle device including a switch device for operating an electronically controlled device mounted on a vehicle door and an operating unit thereof, wherein the vehicle door handle device suppresses the occurrence of malfunctions of the operating unit. Note that in the description of each component of the present invention below, to facilitate understanding of the present invention, the reference numerals of corresponding parts in the embodiment are written in parentheses, but each component of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the configuration of the corresponding parts indicated by the reference numerals in the embodiment.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the vehicle door handle device (1) of the present invention comprises: a hollow housing (10) attached to a vehicle exterior surface of a door panel (DP) of a vehicle door (VD) and gripped from the exterior of the vehicle interior when the door is opened, the housing having an opening (O); a switch device (241) fixed inside the housing, the switch device being arranged so that a movable contact portion (CP) thereof faces the opening of the housing; an operating member (242) fitted in the opening and supported so as to be movable in a first direction from the inside to the outside of the housing and in a second direction opposite thereto; a protector (243) that has a main body portion covering the switch device and a first seal portion (P1) that is inserted into a gap (D) between an inner periphery of the opening and an outer periphery of the operating portion to seal the gap, and that is pressed by the operating member to press a movable contact portion of the switch device; Equipped with.

[0008] In the vehicle door handle device configured as described above, the first seal portion of the protector is fitted into and seals the gap between the inner periphery of the opening and the outer periphery of the operating member. This makes it difficult for water droplets, dust, and the like to enter the housing through the gap. Therefore, according to the present invention, malfunctions of the operating member due to frozen water droplets and malfunctions of the operating member due to dust are unlikely to occur.

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle door handle device, a holder (21) for supporting the switch device; The protector extends from the surface of the main body to the Thrust in the first direction and a second seal portion (P2) extending so as to surround the first seal portion on the outer circumferential side of the first seal portion, The second seal portion is sandwiched between the holder and the inner surface of the housing and is in close contact with the inner surface.

[0010] With this, in addition to the first seal, the second seal prevents water droplets, dust, etc. from entering the housing. That is, even if a small gap occurs between the first seal and the inner periphery of the opening and a small amount of water droplets, dust, etc. enters through the gap, the second seal prevents the water droplets or dust from further entering the housing.

[0011] In addition, in a vehicle door handle device according to another aspect of the present invention, A through hole (TH 11a ) is provided.

[0012] With this, even if a small amount of water droplets, dust, or the like enters the housing through the gap between the operating member and the opening, these are discharged to the outside of the housing through the through-hole.

[0013] In addition, in a vehicle door handle device according to another aspect of the present invention, The protector is made of rubber, The first seal portion is the operating memberThe groove extends parallel to the outer circumferential surface of the opening and the inner circumferential surface of the opening.

[0014] With this, when the operating member moves in the first or second direction, the first seal portion is more likely to deform in response to the movement than if the first seal portion were solid. In other words, the operating member feels light and comfortable to operate.

[0015] In addition, in a vehicle door handle device according to another aspect of the present invention, The operating member is made of resin, A capacitance sensor (251) is disposed between the operating member and the protector.

[0016] According to this , Misao Because the operating member is made of resin, the operating member itself is less likely to deform than if it were made of rubber. This prevents the capacitance sensor from being subjected to a load caused by deformation of the operating member, thereby preventing damage to the capacitance sensor. Furthermore, because the operating member is made of resin, when the operating member is pressed by hand, the part of the operating member that the hand touches is less likely to deform. This provides a better operating feel than if the operating member were made of rubber. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle door to which a vehicle door handle device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied; [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle door handle device of FIG. 1, showing the left side, bottom and front side (viewed from the inside of the vehicle compartment and obliquely from the front). FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the vehicle door handle device of FIG. [Figure 4A] 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle door handle device of FIG. 1, showing the right side, top and front (as viewed from outside the vehicle compartment and obliquely from the front). FIG. [Figure 4B]2 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle door handle device of FIG. 1, showing the right side, bottom side, and rear side (as viewed from outside the vehicle compartment and obliquely rearward). FIG. [Figure 4C] 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle door handle device of FIG. 1, showing the left side, bottom and front side (viewed from the inside of the vehicle compartment and obliquely from the front). FIG. [Figure 4D] 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle door handle device of FIG. 1, showing the left side, top side, and rear side (viewed from the inside of the vehicle compartment and obliquely from the rear). FIG. [Figure 5A] 4D is an exploded perspective view of the electric circuit device of FIG. 4C as seen from the inside of the vehicle compartment and obliquely from the front. FIG. [Figure 5B] 4D is an exploded perspective view of the electric circuit device of FIG. 4C as seen from outside the vehicle compartment and obliquely from the front. FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] BB cross-sectional view of FIG. 3. [Figure 8] 10 is a perspective view of a cover portion of a vehicle door handle device according to a modified example of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] A vehicle door handle device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, a schematic configuration of a vehicle door VD (see FIG. 1) to which the vehicle door handle device 1 is applied will be described. Note that this embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to a vehicle door handle device 1 attached to a vehicle door VD on the right side of a vehicle, but the present invention can also be applied to vehicle door handle devices attached to other vehicle doors.

[0019] The vehicle door VD is assembled to the entrance / exit opening of the vehicle body. The front edge of the vehicle door VD is attached to the front edge of the entrance / exit opening of the vehicle body via a hinge having a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction. The vehicle door VD includes a door panel DP. The door panel DP includes an inner panel IP arranged on the inside of the vehicle compartment and an outer panel OP arranged on the outside of the vehicle compartment. The edge of the inner panel IP and the edge of the outer panel OP are joined. The inner panel IP and the outer panel OP are press-formed in advance so that a space is formed between the two panels when they are joined.

[0020] A door latch device L1 is attached inside the door panel DP. The door latch device L1 engages with a striker ST provided on the inner peripheral edge of the vehicle entrance (opening) to hold the vehicle door VD closed. The door latch device L1 includes a latch body L1a that can engage with the striker ST and an electronically controlled actuator L1b that drives (rotates) the latch body L1a. As will be described in detail later, this electronically controlled actuator L1b releases the engagement between the latch body L1a and the striker ST when a predetermined operator is operated (when a push-button switch device 241, described later, transitions from an off state to an on state).

[0021] Furthermore, a door lock device L2 is attached inside the door panel DP. The door lock device L2 switches between a state in which the opening of the vehicle door VD (rotation of the latch body L1a) is prohibited and a state in which the opening of the door is permitted. The door lock device L2 includes a mechanism L2a for switching between a state in which the driving force of the electronically controlled actuator L1b is transmitted to the latch body L1a and a state in which the driving force is not transmitted to the latch body L1a, depending on the operation state of a predetermined operator (in this embodiment, a touch sensor and a portable terminal (key)), and an electronically controlled actuator L2b for driving the mechanism L2a.

[0022] The vehicle door handle device 1 is disposed on an outer surface of an outer panel OP of the vehicle door VD. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the vehicle door handle device 1 is provided to extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the vehicle will be simply referred to as the longitudinal direction. The vehicle height direction will be referred to as the vertical direction, and the vehicle width direction will be referred to as the horizontal direction. In each drawing, arrow X1 indicates the front, and arrow X2 indicates the rear. Arrow Y1 indicates the upper direction, and arrow Y2 indicates the lower direction. Arrow Z1 indicates the left (the interior side of the vehicle compartment as viewed from the vehicle door handle device 1), and arrow Z2 indicates the right (the exterior side of the vehicle compartment as viewed from the vehicle door handle device 1).

[0023] The vehicle door handle device 1 is supported (fixed) on a door handle frame (not shown) provided in a door panel DP.

[0024] 4A to 4D, the vehicle door handle device 1 includes a housing 10 and an electronic circuit device 20. The electronic circuit device 20 is accommodated in the housing 10.

[0025] The housing 10 includes a base portion 11 and a cover portion 12 .

[0026] The base portion 11 extends in the front-rear direction. The base portion 11 is made of synthetic resin and is integrally formed. The base portion 11 is a box-shaped member having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is open to the right (toward the outside of the vehicle cabin). The depth of the front end portion 11b is slightly greater than the depth (left-right dimension) of the middle portion 11a in the front-rear direction of the base portion 11, and the depth of the rear end portion 11c is even greater than the depth of the front end portion 11b. The bottom wall portion 11a1 of the middle portion 11a is curved so that the front and rear end portions are positioned slightly to the left (inward the vehicle cabin) of the center portion in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) (see Figures 4C and 4D). The bottom wall portion 11a1 has a substantially rectangular opening O extending in the front-rear direction. In addition, a leg portion 11d is provided extending leftward from the left surface of the front end portion 11b. The rear end portion 11c and the leg portion 11d are inserted into the door panel DP through an opening (not shown) provided in the outer panel OP and attached to a door handle frame (not shown) provided in the door panel DP. A recess is formed in the outer panel OP at a location facing the middle portion 11a so that a space is formed between the bottom wall portion 11a1 of the middle portion 11a and the outer panel OP when the rear end portion 11c and the leg portion 11d are attached to the door handle frame. A user can insert their hand into this space from outside the vehicle to grip the housing 10.

[0027] Furthermore, a relatively small through hole TH is formed in the downwardly facing surface of the intermediate portion 11a. 11a are provided (see FIGS. 4A and 4B).

[0028] The cover part 12 extends in the front-rear direction. The cover part 12 is made of synthetic resin and is formed as a single unit. The cover part 12 is formed in a dome shape so as to have a space inside. The cover part 12 is placed over the base part 11 from the right side of the base part 11 and is engaged with the base part 11 when the electronic circuit device 20 (described later) is housed in the base part 11.

[0029] The electronic circuit device 20 includes a holder 21, an antenna 22, a locking operation element 23, an unlatching operation element 24, an unlocking operation element 25, and a connector 26.

[0030] The holder 21 extends in the front-rear direction and includes support portions that respectively support a locking operation element 23, an unlatching operation element 24, an unlocking operation element 25, and a connector 26, which will be described below.

[0031] The antenna 22 extends in the front-to-rear direction. The antenna 22 transmits signals (radio waves) representing various information to a portable terminal (key) carried by the user. The antenna 22 also receives signals (radio waves) representing various information from the portable terminal (key). The antenna 22 is attached to the front half of the right surface of the holder 21.

[0032] The locking operation element 23 has a capacitance sensor unit 231 (touch sensor) and a terminal unit 232. The capacitance sensor unit 231 is a metal plate that extends in the front-rear direction and is perpendicular to the left-right direction. The locking operation element 23 outputs an electrical signal from the terminal unit 232 in accordance with a change in capacitance of the capacitance sensor unit 231. The locking operation element 23 is attached to the front end portion (forward of the antenna 22) on the right surface of the holder 21.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the unlatch operator 24 includes a switch device 241, an operating lever 242, and a protector 243.

[0034] The switch device 241 is composed of a push button type normally open switch 241a, a switch case 241b, an output terminal (wire harness) 241c, etc. The switch device 241 is attached to the right surface of the rear end portion of the holder 21. A through hole TH 21 This through hole TH 21 The movable contact portion CP of the switch device 241 is disposed inside the opening portion 241 and faces the rear of the opening portion 0.

[0035] The operating lever 242 is formed in a generally plate-like shape extending in the front-rear direction. The operating lever 242 is made of a relatively hard synthetic resin (at least harder than the protector 243 described below) and is formed as a single unit. The operating lever 242 includes a main body portion 242a, a hinge portion 242b, a claw portion 242c, and a hook portion 242d. The shape of the main body portion 242a is generally the same as the shape of the opening O. The hinge portion 242b protrudes slightly forward from the front end of the main body portion 242a. The main body portion 242a is fitted into the opening O. The dimensions of the main body portion 242a and the opening O are set so that a relatively small gap D is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 242a and the inner peripheral surface of the opening O (see Figures 6 and 7). A protrusion P extending in the vertical direction is provided on the left surface of the hinge portion 242b. 242b is provided.

[0036] The hinge portion 242b is sandwiched between the holder 21 and a portion of the right surface (the inner surface of the housing 10) of the bottom wall portion 11a1 of the base portion 11, which is located slightly forward of the front edge of the opening portion O (see FIG. 7). 242b The protrusion P abuts against the right surface of the bottom wall 11a1 of the base 11 (the inner surface of the housing 10). 242b A protrusion P extending in the vertical direction is provided at a portion located slightly behind the contact portion between the base portion 11 and the bottom wall portion 11a1 of the base portion 11. 11a The protrusion P 11a is the protrusion P 242b This prevents the operating lever 242 from moving rearward and falling off the housing 10.

[0037] The claw portion 242c extends rearward from the rear end of the main body portion 242a. Extension The claw portion 242c is located in a space S provided between the holder 21 and the base portion 11.

[0038] The hook portion 242d protrudes rightward from the right surface of the main body portion 242a, and its tip portion is bent forward and extends slightly.

[0039] The protector 243 is formed in a generally plate-like shape extending in the front-rear direction. The protector 243 is disposed between the holder 21 and the operating lever 242. The protector 243 includes a main body 243a, a first convex portion P1, a second convex portion P2, and a third convex portion P3. The protector 243 is made of synthetic rubber that is softer than the operating lever 242, and is formed integrally with the operating lever 242. The main body 243a is a generally rectangular plate-like portion. The right surface of the main body 243a abuts against the left surface of the holder 21. The main body 242a is located at the portion on the left surface of the holder 21 where the switch device 241 is attached (through-hole TH 21 ) is covered.

[0040] The first protrusion P1 is formed on the left surface of the main body 243a. The first protrusion P1 extends along the gap D and is fitted into the gap D to close the gap D (see FIG. 6). The first protrusion P1 is hollow. That is, a cross section perpendicular to the extension direction of the first protrusion P1 has a substantially U-shaped groove G. In other words, the first protrusion P1 has a first side wall W1 along the outer peripheral surface of the main body 242a of the operating lever 242, a second side wall W2 along the inner peripheral surface of the opening O, and an arc-shaped bottom wall W3 connecting the left ends of the first side wall W1 and the second side wall W2. The first protrusion P1 corresponds to the first seal of the present invention.

[0041] The second protrusion P2 extends along the outer edge (upper side, lower side, and rear side) of the left surface of the main body 243a. That is, the second protrusion P2 surrounds the first protrusion P1. The second protrusion P2 abuts against the left surface of the bottom wall 11a1 of the base 11 (the inner surface of the housing 10) and is slightly deformed. That is, the second protrusion P2 is in close contact with the bottom wall 11a1. The second protrusion P2 corresponds to the second seal of the present invention.

[0042] The third protrusion P3 has a cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction. Its right half protrudes rightward from the right surface of the main body 253a, and its left half protrudes leftward from the left surface of the main body 243a. The top surface of the right half of the third protrusion P3 faces the movable contact CP of the switch device 241.

[0043] Furthermore, the protector 243 has a through hole TH 243 The hook portion 242d of the operating lever 242 is inserted through the through hole TH 243 In the normal state (when the operating lever 242 is not operated), the through-hole TH 243 The periphery of the

[0044] The unlocking operation element 25 has a capacitance sensor unit 251 and a terminal unit 252. The capacitance sensor unit 251 is a metal plate that extends in the front-rear direction and is perpendicular to the left-right direction. The capacitance sensor unit 251 is engaged with the right surface of the operating lever 242. The unlocking operation element 25 outputs an electrical signal from the terminal unit 252 that corresponds to a change in capacitance of the capacitance sensor unit 251.

[0045] The connector 26 is attached to the front end of the holder 21. The connector 26 includes a housing 261 and a plurality of contact pins 262. The housing 261 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending leftward from the front end of the holder 21. The plurality of contact pins 262 are housed within the housing 261 and aligned in a predetermined order.

[0046] Terminals of the antenna 22, locking operation element 23, unlatching operation element 24, and unlocking operation element 25 are connected to each contact pin 262 via a wire harness, a bus bar, etc. A plug of a communication cable that connects a control device (not shown) provided in the vehicle body with the electronic circuit device 20 is fitted into the housing 261. In this way, the antenna 22, locking operation element 23, unlatching operation element 24, and unlocking operation element 25 are connected to the vehicle control device, and an electrical signal indicating the operation state of each operator is supplied to the control device.

[0047] In a normal state, the operating lever 242 is biased by the elastic force of the protector 243 so that the main body 242a of the operating lever 242 is directed outward from the housing 10, and the claw 242c is stationary with the operating lever 242 in contact with the base 11.

[0048] When the vehicle door VD is closed and locked, and the user carrying the portable terminal (key) is not present in a predetermined area around the vehicle, the control device prohibits the door lock device L2 from transitioning the vehicle door VD from a locked state to an unlocked state. In other words, in this state, the vehicle door VD remains locked, and no one else can open the vehicle door VD from outside the vehicle.

[0049] When a user carrying a portable terminal (key) approaches their vehicle and enters the predetermined area, a signal (radio wave) transmitted from the portable terminal is received by antenna 22 and supplied to the vehicle's control device. An authentication process is then executed between the control device and the portable terminal. If the portable terminal is compatible with their vehicle, the control device authenticates the portable terminal as a legitimate terminal.

[0050] In this state, when the user touches the surface of the main body 242a of the operating lever 242, the capacitance of the capacitance sensor 251 of the unlocking operation element 25 changes. Based on the change in capacitance of the capacitance sensor 251, the control device recognizes that the user is requesting unlocking. Then, the control device controls the door lock device L2 to transition the vehicle door VD from a locked state to an unlocked state. That is, the control device allows the latch main body L1a of the door latch device L1 to rotate.

[0051] In this state, when the user pushes the main body 242a of the operating lever 242 toward the housing 10, the hinge portion 242b of the operating lever 242 bends, and the main body 242a moves into the housing 10 and presses the protector 243. This causes the protector 243 to elastically deform. The claw portion 242c of the operating lever 242 comes into contact with the holder 21 and stops. At this time, the third protrusion P3 presses the movable contact portion CP of the switch device, causing the switch device 241 to transition from the OFF state to the ON state. When the control device detects that the switch device 241 has transitioned from the OFF state to the ON state, it controls the door latch device L1 (by driving the electronically controlled actuator L1b) to disengage the latch main body L1a from the striker ST. Then, when the user grasps the housing 10 of the vehicle door handle device 1 and pulls it toward themselves, the vehicle door VD opens.

[0052] When the user closes the vehicle door VD and touches the front end (lock operation element 23) of the cover portion 12 of the housing 10, the capacitance of the capacitance sensor portion 251 of the lock operation element 23 changes. The control device recognizes that the user is requesting locking based on this change in capacitance of the capacitance sensor portion 251. The control device then controls the door lock device L2 to transition the vehicle door VD from an unlocked state to a locked state.

[0053] In the vehicle door handle device 1 configured as described above, the first protrusion P1 of the protector 243 is fitted into and blocks the gap D between the outer peripheral surface of the operating lever 242 and the inner peripheral surface of the opening O. Therefore, water droplets, dust, etc. are unlikely to enter the inside of the housing 10 through the gap D. Furthermore, the second protrusion P2 arranged on the outside of the first protrusion P1 prevents water droplets, dust, etc. from entering the housing 10. That is, even if a small gap is generated between the first protrusion P1 and the inner peripheral surface of the opening P and a small amount of water droplets, dust, etc. enters through the gap, the second protrusion P2 prevents these water droplets or dust from further entering the housing 10. Even if a small amount of water droplets, dust, etc. enters the housing 10, they will not enter the housing 10 through the through-hole TH. 11ais discharged to the outside of the housing 10. Therefore, according to this embodiment, malfunction of the operating lever 242 due to frozen water droplets and malfunction of the operating lever 242 due to dust are unlikely to occur. Furthermore, the first protrusion P1 is configured so that its cross section is U-shaped. That is, the first protrusion P1 is formed hollow. Therefore, when the operating lever 242 is pressed into the housing 10, the first protrusion P1 is more likely to deform in response to the movement, compared to when the first protrusion P1 is solid. In other words, the operating feel of the operating lever 242 is light and satisfactory.

[0054] Furthermore, the capacitance sensor unit 251 is disposed on the right surface (rear surface) of the main body 242a of the operating lever 242, which is made of synthetic resin. Therefore, when the main body 242a of the operating lever 242 is pressed, the main body 242a is less likely to deform than when the operating lever 242 is made of synthetic rubber. Therefore, almost no load caused by deformation of the main body 242a is applied to the capacitance sensor unit 251, and damage to the capacitance sensor unit 251 can be suppressed. Furthermore, because the operating lever 242 is made of synthetic resin, when the main body 242a is pressed with a hand, the portion of the main body 242a that the hand touches is hardly deformed. Therefore, a better operating feel can be obtained than when the operating lever 242 is made of synthetic rubber.

[0055] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the object of the present invention.

[0056] For example, in the above embodiment, the switch device 241 functions as an operator for driving the door latch device L1, but the switch device 241 may be configured to function as an operator for operating other devices. Also, in the above embodiment, a push-button type switch device 241 is used, but other switch devices having movable contacts may be used.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the opening O is provided on the surface of the housing 10 facing the door panel DP. Alternatively, for example, as shown in Fig. 8, the opening O may be provided on the surface of the housing 10 facing away from the door panel DP (cover portion 12). In this case, the unlatch operation element 24 and the unlock operation element 25 are attached inside the housing 10 so that their orientation in the vehicle width direction is opposite to that in the above embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1...vehicle door handle device, 10...casing, 11...base portion, 12...cover portion, 20...electronic circuit device, 21...holder, 22...antenna, 23...locking operation element, 24...unlatching operation element, 25...unlocking operation element, 26...connector, 241...switch device, 242...operating lever, 243...protector, L1...door latch device, L2...door lock device, O...opening, P1...first convex portion, P2...second convex portion, P3...third convex portion, ST...striker, VD...vehicle door

Claims

1. a hollow housing attached to a vehicle door panel on an exterior side of the vehicle compartment and gripped from the exterior side of the vehicle compartment when the door is opened, the housing having an opening; a switch device fixed inside the housing, the switch device being arranged so that a movable contact portion faces the opening of the housing; an operating member fitted in the opening and supported so as to be movable in a first direction from the inside to the outside of the housing and in a second direction opposite thereto; a protector that has a main body that covers the switch device and a first seal that is inserted into a gap between an inner periphery of the opening and an outer periphery of the operation member to close the gap, and that is pressed by the operation member to press a movable contact of the switch device; A vehicle door handle device comprising:

2. The vehicle door handle device according to claim 1, a holder for supporting the switch device; the protector has a second seal portion that protrudes from a surface of the main body portion in the first direction and extends so as to surround the first seal portion on an outer circumferential side of the first seal portion, the second seal portion is sandwiched between the holder and an inner surface of the housing and is in close contact with the inner surface; A door handle device for a vehicle.

3. 3. The vehicle door handle device according to claim 1, A through hole is provided in a portion of the housing facing downward. A door handle device for a vehicle.

4. 4. The vehicle door handle device according to claim 1, The protector is made of rubber, The first seal portion has a groove portion extending parallel to an outer circumferential surface of the operating member and an inner circumferential surface of the opening. A door handle device for a vehicle.

5. 5. The vehicle door handle device according to claim 1, The operating member is made of resin, a capacitance sensor disposed between the operating member and the protector; A door handle device for a vehicle.

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