Door handle device for vehicle

Abstract

To provide a vehicle door handle device capable of suppressing vertical looseness of a handle member during movement thereof from its projection position to its storage position.SOLUTION: The present invention includes a handle member 2 configured to be rotatable from a storage position where the handle member 2 is flush with a front face of a door panel 9 to an open position where a door is opened via a projection position, and a stopper device 6. The handle member 2 includes a grip portion 222 located at the other end portion in the longitudinal direction and formed so as to be gripped by a user at the projection position, and an extension portion 23 protruding inward in the vehicle-width direction from the grip portion 222. The stopper device 6 is configured, when the handle member 2 is in the storage position, to cause a first gripping member 615 and a second gripping member 62 to sandwich the extension portion 23 from above and below, and when the handle member 2 is in a position other than the storage position, to cause the first gripping member 615 and the second gripping member 62 to separate from each other to release the sandwiched state of the extension portion 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Recently, so-called flush-surface (or pop-up) door handle devices have been developed, which allow the door panel and door handle to be flush with each other, as described in, for example, JP 2017-101488 A. In such door handle devices, the handle member is configured to be rotatable from a stored position to an open position via a protruding position. A flush-surface door handle device improves the aerodynamic performance of a vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-101488 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, when the vehicle is moving, the handle member is positioned in a storage position where it is flush with the door panel. Furthermore, when a user with a key approaches the door to get into the vehicle, the handle member is rotated around a rotation axis at the front end by a drive unit. This causes the rear end of the handle member to protrude from the door panel and move to a protruding position (also known as a gripping position). The user can open the door by grasping the protruding portion of the handle member and rotating the handle member further outward to an open position. This type of door handle is also called a single-hinge flush door handle, and has a hinge at the front or rear of the vehicle and rotates to deploy the door.

[0005] In this configuration, the front end of the handle member is located where the rotation axis is located, making operation relatively stable. However, the rear end of the handle member is farther from the rotation axis, making operation less accurate than the front end. For example, when the handle member is moved to the storage position, the rear end experiences relatively greater play (misalignment) in the vertical direction than the front end. If the handle member comes into contact with another component, such as the door panel, increased sliding resistance may cause malfunction of the handle member. Therefore, designers must consider the generation of play when designing the gap (installation gap) between the door panel and the handle member. In other words, the play at the rear end of the handle member affects the design of the installation gap.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle door handle device that can suppress rattle of the handle member in the up and down direction when the handle member moves from the extended position to the retracted position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The vehicle door handle device of the present invention includes a handle member, a drive unit, and a storage member. The handle member is configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis provided at one longitudinal end from a storage position where it is flush with the surface of a door panel, through a protruding position where the other longitudinal end protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the door panel, to an open position where the door is open. The drive unit rotates the handle member from the storage position to the protruding position. The storage member is disposed on the inner side of the door panel in the vehicle width direction and stores the handle member in the storage position. The handle member includes a main body portion and an extension portion. The main body portion has a shaft holding portion at one longitudinal end that holds the rotation axis, and a grip portion formed at a portion including the other longitudinal end that is grippable by a user at the protruding position. The extension portion protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction from the grip portion. A stopper device having a first gripping member and a second gripping member is provided within the storage member. The stopper device is configured such that when the handle member is in the storage position, the first gripping member and the second gripping member clamp the extension portion from above and below, and when the handle member is in a position other than the storage position, the first gripping member and the second gripping member move apart, thereby releasing the clamping of the extension portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, when the handle member is in the storage position, the extension portion located at the other longitudinal end away from the rotation shaft is positioned by being sandwiched from above and below by the first gripping member and the second gripping member. As a result, the other longitudinal end of the handle member, which is prone to vertical rattle, is positioned in a fixed position in the storage position. When the handle member is in a position other than the storage position, the first gripping member and the second gripping member are spaced apart, so the extension portion can move smoothly without getting caught on the stopper device. According to the present invention, vertical rattle of the handle member can be suppressed when the handle member moves from the extended position to the storage position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a conceptual diagram of a vehicle door handle device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a stored position. [Figure 2] 1 is a conceptual diagram of a vehicle door handle device according to an embodiment of the present invention in an open position; [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view (conceptual diagram) taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view (conceptual diagram) taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a cross section of a stopper device in a fully open state according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a cross section of a stopper device in a gripping state according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A vehicle door handle device (hereinafter simply referred to as "door handle device") 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In addition to the following examples, the present invention can be embodied in various forms with various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. The door handle device 1 of this embodiment is a single-hinge flush door handle with a hinge at the front of the vehicle.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a door handle device 1 is provided on the outside of a vehicle door (side door) 90. The surface of the door 90 is formed by a door panel 9. A handle member 2 of the door handle device 1 protrudes from the door panel 9 by the driving force of a drive device 3. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the door handle device 1 includes the handle member 2, the drive device 3, a housing member 4, a cushion member 5, and a stopper device 6.

[0012] The handle member 2 is configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis 2a provided at one longitudinal end (front end) from a storage position, via a protruding position, to an open position. The storage position is a position where the handle member 2 is flush with the surface of the door panel 9. The protruding position is a position where the handle member 2 protrudes outward from the door panel 9 in the vehicle width direction. The open position is a position where the door 90 is open. The open position can also be said to be a position where the door 90 is unlocked. The angle between the handle member 2 and the door panel 9 increases in the order of the storage position, the protruding position, and the open position. The handle member 2 is rotated from the storage position to the protruding position by a drive unit 3. The handle member 2 is rotated from the protruding position to the open position by the force of the user. The handle member 2 is also called a handle lever and is mainly made of metal. The position of the handle member 2 in Figure 1 represents the storage position, and the position in Figure 2 represents the open position. The protruding position is located between the storage position and the open position. The handle member 2 is configured to be rotatable between the storage position and the open position.

[0013] The handle member 2 returns from the extended position to the retracted position at a predetermined timing due to the force of the spring 2b, which will be described later. Furthermore, for example, when a user with a key for a vehicle approaches an unmanned parked vehicle, the drive unit 3 is activated by a wireless signal output from the key. As a result, the handle member 2, which is in the retracted position, rotates to the extended position. When the user grasps the handle member 2, which is in the extended position, and rotates it to the open position, the latch mechanism (not shown) is activated, and the door 90 opens. After getting in, when the user closes the door, the force of the drive unit 3 is released, and the handle member 2 is returned to the retracted position due to the force of the spring 2b.

[0014] The handle member 2 comprises a surface portion 21, a main body portion 22, and an extension portion 23. The surface portion 21 is a portion that forms the surface (outer surface) of the handle member 2. The surface portion 21 is a plate-like member that is flush with the door panel 9 when the handle member 2 is in the storage position. In the storage position, a predetermined gap is formed between the outer edge of the surface portion 21 and the door panel 9. This gap is an operation gap and is designed so that the door panel 9 does not interfere with the rotation of the handle member 2. Figure 4 shows the gap in the vertical direction (installation gap). The surface portion 21 is connected to the outer side of the main body portion 22 in the vehicle width direction.

[0015] The main body portion 22 is arranged on the inner side of the surface portion 21 in the vehicle width direction. The main body portion 22 and the surface portion 21 are integrally linked. A rotating shaft 2a is arranged at one longitudinal end of the main body portion 22. In other words, the rotating shaft 2a is arranged in the front portion of the main body portion 22. In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction corresponds to the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. In other words, one longitudinal side corresponds to the front, and the other longitudinal side corresponds to the rear. The longitudinal width of the main body portion 22 corresponds to the longitudinal width of the surface portion 21.

[0016] The rotating shaft 2a extends in the vertical direction and is held, for example, by a structure (not shown) inside the door 90. A spring 2b is provided on the rotating shaft 2a to urge the handle member 2 toward the storage position. The spring 2b is, for example, a torsion spring. In FIG. 3, the spring 2b urges (presses) the main body 22 counterclockwise around the rotating shaft 2a.

[0017] The main body 22 includes a shaft holding portion 221, a grip portion 222, and a central portion 223. The shaft holding portion 221 is located at one end (front end) in the longitudinal direction and is a portion that holds the rotating shaft 2a. In this manner, a hinge is provided on the front side of the vehicle. The grip portion 222 is located at the other end (rear end) in the longitudinal direction and is formed so that it can be grasped by the user at the protruding position. The central portion 223 is located at the center in the longitudinal direction and is a portion that connects the shaft holding portion 221 and the grip portion 222.

[0018] The length of the grip portion 222 in the vehicle width direction is smaller than the lengths of the shaft holding portion 221 and the central portion 223 in the vehicle width direction. An end surface 222a on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the grip portion 222 is located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of a wall portion 223a on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the central portion 223. This allows the user to hook their fingers on the grip portion 222 when the handle member 2 is in the protruding position. The longitudinal cross section of the central portion 223 has a groove shape that opens outward in the vehicle width direction (see FIG. 4). The longitudinal cross section is a cross section of an object cut by a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0019] A lever-shaped transmission member 24 is provided on the shaft holding portion 221 so as to extend inward in the vehicle width direction from the rotary shaft 2a. The transmission member 24 extends in the radial direction of the rotary shaft 2a. When the transmission member 24 rotates about the rotary shaft 2a, the handle member 2 rotates about the rotary shaft 2a in conjunction with the rotation of the rotary shaft 2a. In FIG. 3, when the drive unit 3 moves the mechanism 31 to the right, the transmission member 24 and the handle member 2 rotate clockwise. In this way, the main body 22 has the shaft holding portion 221 that holds the rotary shaft 2a at one end in the longitudinal direction, and has a grip portion 222 formed at a protruding position in a portion including the other end in the longitudinal direction so as to be grippable by a user.

[0020] The extension portion 23 protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction from the grip portion 222. The extension portion 23 is formed such that the upper wall portion of the grip portion 222 is extended inward in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the extension portion 23 extends inward in the vehicle width direction continuously from the upper wall portion of the grip portion 222. In this embodiment, the extension portion 23 also extends inward in the vehicle width direction from a part of the main body portion 22. The extension portion 23 is formed in a portion including the grip portion 222. The inner end portion in the vehicle width direction of the extension portion 23 is located more inward in the vehicle width direction than a wall portion 223a on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the central portion 223. The inner end portion in the vehicle width direction of the extension portion 23 is located more inward in the vehicle width direction than a wall portion 41a on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of a main body storage portion 41 described later. The extension portion 23 is formed in a flat plate shape extending in the vehicle width direction and the front-rear direction.

[0021] In the protruding position, the extension 23 protrudes from an upper portion of the grip portion 222 inward in the vehicle width direction so as to cover the end surface 222a of the grip portion 222 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. In the protruding position, the extension 23 has a function of hiding the end surface 222a so that the user cannot see the end surface 222a of the grip portion 222 from above. This encourages the user to grip the handle member 2 from below, not from above, when the handle member 2 is in the protruding position. In other words, the grip portion 222 is gripped by the user from below the handle member 2.

[0022] This configuration prevents, for example, a user from closing the door 90 while gripping the handle member 2 from above, and prevents a large load from being applied to the mechanism unit 31. In addition, the presence of the extension portion 23 can prevent a passerby's bag or the like from getting caught on the handle member 2 in the protruding position.

[0023] The drive unit 3 is a device that rotates the handle member 2 from the storage position to the extended position. The drive unit 3 is, for example, an electric motor. The drive unit 3 applies power to the transmission member 24 via a mechanism unit 31. The drive unit 3 rotates the transmission member 24, thereby rotating the handle member 2. The drive unit 3 can also rotate the handle member 2 from the extended position to the storage position by applying a force to the mechanism unit 31 that is opposite to the above force.

[0024] The mechanism 31 includes, for example, multiple gears and transmits the power of the drive unit 3 to the transmission member 24. The mechanism 31 and the transmission member 24 are engaged with each other. When the mechanism 31 is moved to the right in FIG. 3 by the drive unit 3, the tip of the transmission member 24 moves to the right, and the handle member 2 rotates from the storage position to the extended position. The drive unit 3 moves the handle member 2 between the storage position and the extended position based on a command from the control unit 7. The control unit 7 is, for example, an ECU and is configured to receive a wireless signal from the key. When the drive unit 3 no longer applies force to the mechanism 31, the handle member 2 is returned to the storage position by the spring 2b. When the handle member 2 is moved from the extended position to the storage position, the control unit 7, for example, stops the supply of power to the drive unit 3.

[0025] The accommodating member 4 is disposed on the inner side of the door panel 9 in the vehicle width direction, and accommodates the handle member 2 in the storage position. The accommodating member 4 is formed from a plate-like member into a container shape that opens outward in the vehicle width direction. The accommodating member 4 can also be said to be a groove forming portion of the door panel 9. The accommodating member 4 is spaced apart from the handle member 2. The accommodating member 4 is configured to entirely cover the main body portion 22 and the extension portion 23 of the handle member 2 in the storage position. The accommodating member 4 includes a main body accommodating portion 41 and an extension accommodating portion 42.

[0026] The main body accommodating portion 41 accommodates the main body portion 22 of the handle member 2. A through window is formed in a portion of the main body accommodating portion 41 corresponding to the transmission member 24 so that the transmission member 24 can move in the front-to-rear direction. A cushion member 5 is provided on a wall portion 41a of the main body accommodating portion 41 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. The cushion member 5 is an elastic member that absorbs impacts, and is a rubber member in this embodiment. The cushion member 5 is provided on the accommodating member 4 and abuts against the handle member 2 in the storage position to position the handle member 2. The cushion member 5 is fitted into a through hole provided in the wall portion 41a. A central portion 223 of the handle member 2 abuts against the cushion member 5 in the storage position. A key cylinder 8 is provided at the rear end of the main body accommodating portion 41 and is arranged to extend inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0027] The extension accommodating portion 42 protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction from the main body accommodating portion 41 and accommodates the extension portion 23 of the handle member 2. The extension accommodating portion 42 extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the wall portion 41a. The extension accommodating portion 42 is formed in the shape of a container with an opening on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The internal space of the extension accommodating portion 42 and the internal space of the main body accommodating portion 41 are connected. The main body portion 22 and the extension portion 23 move integrally within the accommodating member 4.

[0028] The extension accommodating portion 42 and the extension portion 23 are designed not to come into contact with each other. In other words, the extension portion 23 and the extension accommodating portion 42 are spaced apart regardless of the position of the extension portion 23. Although not shown, each portion of the handle member 2 and each portion of the accommodating member 4 are connected to each other.

[0029] (Stopper device) The stopper device 6 is provided in the extension accommodation portion 42 of the accommodation member 4. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the stopper device 6 includes a gripping mechanism member 61 including a first gripping member 615 and a second gripping member 62. The stopper device 6 is configured so that, when the handle member 2 is in the storage position, the first gripping member 615 and the second gripping member 62 sandwich the extension portion 23 from above and below. The stopper device 6 is configured so that, when the handle member 2 is in a position other than the storage position, the first gripping member 615 and the second gripping member 62 move away from each other, thereby releasing the sandwiched portion 23. In other words, when the handle member 2 is in a position other than the storage position, the first gripping member 615 and the second gripping member 62 move away from the extension portion 23, thereby releasing the extension portion 23. In this embodiment, the separation distance between the first gripping member 615 and the second gripping member 62 increases as the handle member 2 moves from the storage position toward the extended position.

[0030] The gripping mechanism member 61 of this embodiment is formed in an L-shape overall. The gripping mechanism member 61 is configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis (corresponding to a "stopper rotation axis") 61a extending in the vehicle width direction. The rotation axis 61a is provided at a corner of the L-shaped gripping mechanism member 61. The gripping mechanism member 61 includes a first arm portion 611, a second arm portion 612, a shaft installation portion 613, a cushion rubber 614, a first gripping member 615, and a spring 616.

[0031] The shaft installation portion 613 connects the first arm portion 611 and the second arm portion 612. A rotation shaft 61a of the gripping mechanism member 61 is installed in the shaft installation portion 613. The first arm portion 611 and the second arm portion 612 extend from the shaft installation portion 613 in directions that intersect with each other. In this embodiment, the first arm portion 611 and the second arm portion 612 extend perpendicularly from the shaft installation portion 613. The first arm portion 611, the second arm portion 612, and the shaft installation portion 613 form an L shape.

[0032] Generally, the first arm 611 extends downward from the rotation shaft 61a, and the second arm 612 extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the rotation shaft 61a. The first arm 611 is positioned below and inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the second arm 612. The first arm 611 and the second arm 612 rotate integrally around the rotation shaft 61a mounted on the shaft mounting portion 613.

[0033] The first arm portion 611 is formed in a plate shape. One surface of the first arm portion 611 faces outward in the vehicle width direction. A plate-shaped cushion rubber 614 is fixed to the other surface of the first arm portion 611. The cushion rubber 614 is provided on the first arm portion 611 so as to face the extension accommodating portion 42 (wall portion 42a). When the handle member 2 is in the storage position, the cushion rubber 614 abuts against the wall portion 42a of the extension accommodating portion 42 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the cushion rubber 614 is provided on the first arm portion 611 so as to abut against the extension accommodating portion 42 in the storage position. The cushion rubber 614 is an example of an elastic member that absorbs shock, that is, a cushion member.

[0034] The second arm 612 is formed in a plate shape. One surface of the second arm 612 faces downward when the handle member 2 is in the storage position. The first gripping member 615 protrudes from one surface of the second arm 612. When the handle member 2 is in the storage position, the first gripping member 615 abuts against the upper surface of the extension portion 23. The first arm 611, the second arm 612, the shaft installation portion 613, and the first gripping member 61 are, for example, a single metal or resin member and are integrally molded.

[0035] The spring 616 biases the gripping mechanism member 61 in a direction that separates the first gripping member 615 and the second gripping member 62. The spring 616 is an example of a biasing member (no power required). The spring 616 biases the gripping mechanism member 61 in the counterclockwise direction in Figures 5 and 6. The spring 616 is, for example, a torsion spring, and is provided on the rotation shaft 61a.

[0036] The second gripping member 62 protrudes upward from the lower wall portion 42b of the extension accommodating portion 42. The second gripping member 62 is formed in a position facing the first gripping member 615 across the extension portion 23 when the handle member 2 is in the storage position. The second gripping member 62 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. When the handle member 2 is in the storage position, the second gripping member 62 abuts against the extension portion 23. In the storage position, the first gripping member 615 abuts against one surface (upper surface) of the extension portion 23 in the vertical direction, and the second gripping member 62 abuts against the other surface (lower surface) of the extension portion 23 in the vertical direction.

[0037] The upper surface of the second gripping member 62 is located lower than the position of the lower surface of the extension 23 when the handle member 2 is in the protruding position. This positional relationship is designed to allow a certain degree of play in the up and down direction of the handle member 2. This prevents the second gripping member 62 from interfering with the movement of the extension 23 when the extension 23 moves.

[0038] (Operation of the stopper device) As shown in FIG. 5 , when the extension 23 is not in contact with the first arm 611, the spring 616 presses the second arm 612 against the upper surface of the extension accommodating portion 42. This state is also referred to as the fully open state. In the fully open state, the protruding end surface of the first gripping member 615 faces downward and outward in the vehicle width direction. In the fully open state, the protruding end surface of the first gripping member 615 is located above the upper surface of the extension 23. In the fully open state, the upper surface of the second gripping member 62 is located below the lower surface of the extension 23. In the fully open state, the first gripping member 615 and the second gripping member 62 are farthest apart. In the fully open state, the first gripping member 615 and the second gripping member 62 are designed not to come into contact with the extension 23. In the fully open state, the vertical positions of the extension 23, the first gripping member 615, and the second gripping member 62 are designed taking into consideration the vertical play of the handle member 2. In this way, in the fully open state, an operating gap is formed between the extension 23 and the stopper device 6.

[0039] When the handle member 2 is at least between the extended position and the released position, the stopper device 6 is in a fully open state. For example, when the handle member 2 is moving from the stored position to the extended position, the extension portion 23 and the first arm portion 611 separate from each other, and the stopper device 6 is in a fully open state.

[0040] When the handle member 2 moves from the extended position to the retracted position, the extension 23 moves inward in the vehicle width direction while passing between the first gripping member 615 and the second gripping member 62, which are in the fully open state. As the handle member 2 moves to the retracted position, the extension 23 comes into contact with the first arm 611 of the gripping mechanism member 61 and presses the first arm 611 inward in the vehicle width direction. This causes the gripping mechanism member 61 to rotate about the rotation shaft 61a against the biasing force of the spring 616. In other words, the gripping mechanism member 61 rotates in a direction in which the first gripping member 615 approaches the second gripping member 62 (hereinafter also referred to as the "gripping direction"). The gripping mechanism member 61 rotates clockwise in FIGS. 5 and 6. The rotation shaft 61a extends in the vehicle width direction and is held in the extension accommodating portion 42.

[0041] Rotation of the gripping mechanism member 61 in the gripping direction causes the first gripping member 615 to come into contact with the extension 23. Furthermore, the extension 23 presses the first arm 611, causing the first gripping member 615 to press the extension 23 downward, and the extension 23 also comes into contact with the second gripping member 62. As a result, the extension 23 is sandwiched and fixed between the first gripping member 615 and the second gripping member 62. This state is also referred to as a gripping state.

[0042] The extension 23 moves slightly downward when pressed by the first gripping member 615, so the handle member 2 tilts slightly when in the gripped state. The handle member 2 can tilt slightly due to the gap between the rotation shaft 2a and the shaft holding portion 221, etc. Taking this tilt of the handle member 2 into consideration, the position of the handle member 2, etc. is designed so that the handle member 2 is flush with the door panel 9 in the storage position.

[0043] In the gripped state, the cushion rubber 614 abuts against the wall 42a of the extension accommodating section 42. The extension 23 applies force to the first arm 611 to crush the cushion rubber 614. In this embodiment, the cushion rubber 614 abuts against the wall 42a shortly before the gripped state is reached. As the cushion rubber 614 deforms, the extension 23 is sandwiched between the first gripping member 615 and the second gripping member 62. As a result, the handle member 2 including the extension 23 is positioned at a predetermined position. The stopper device 6 can also be said to be a positioning device.

[0044] Conversely, when the handle member 2 moves from the retracted position to the extended position, the extension portion 23 moves outward in the vehicle width direction. The first arm portion 611 moves outward in the vehicle width direction following the extension portion 23 due to the force of the spring 616. The gripping mechanism member 61 rotates due to the spring 616 in a direction in which the first gripping member 615 and the second gripping member 62 move away from each other. The extension portion 23 moves outward in the vehicle width direction and slightly upward, and moves away from the first gripping member 615 and the second gripping member 62. As shown in FIG. 5 , as the extension portion 23 moves outward in the vehicle width direction, the extension portion 23 moves away from the first arm portion 611, and the second arm portion 612 abuts against the upper surface of the extension accommodating portion 42.

[0045] The gripping mechanism member 61 is configured so that, when the handle member 2 rotates from the protruding position to the retracted position, the first arm 611 is pressed by the extension portion 23 and moves inward in the vehicle width direction, causing the second arm 612 to rotate about the rotation shaft 61a and bring the first gripping member 615 closer to the extension portion 23. Furthermore, the gripping mechanism member 61 is configured so that, when the handle member 2 rotates from the retracted position to the protruding position, the extension portion 23 moves outward in the vehicle width direction, causing the second arm 612 to rotate about the rotation shaft 61a by the spring 616, thereby moving the first gripping member 615 away from the extension portion 23.

[0046] According to this embodiment, when the handle member 2 is in the storage position, the extension 23 located at the rear end is sandwiched and positioned by the first gripping member 615 and the second gripping member 62. As a result, the rear end of the handle member 2, which is prone to rattle in the up and down direction, is positioned in a fixed position when in the storage position. When the handle member 2 is in a position other than the storage position, the gripping mechanism member 61 and the second gripping member 62 are spaced apart, so the extension 23 can move smoothly without getting caught on the stopper device 6. According to this embodiment, rattle in the up and down direction of the handle member 2 when the handle member 2 moves from the extended position to the storage position can be suppressed. The first gripping member 615 and the second gripping member 62 sandwich the extension 23 from above and below, which directly suppresses vertical displacement of the handle member 2.

[0047] The stopper device 6 of this embodiment is equipped with a gripping mechanism member 61, and is brought into a fully open state by the force of the spring 616, and into a gripping state by the pressure of the extension portion 23. Therefore, there is no need to supply or control power to the stopper device 6, and this configuration is advantageous in terms of power saving and structural simplification. Furthermore, since the first arm portion 611 and the second arm portion 612 extend perpendicular to each other, the stopper device 6 can be made compact.

[0048] (others) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the extension portion 23 may protrude inward in the vehicle width direction from a lower portion (lower wall portion) of the grip portion 222. Alternatively, the extension portion 23 may protrude inward in the vehicle width direction from a central portion of the grip portion 222 in the up-down direction. At least one of the first gripping member 615 and the second gripping member 62 may be configured to be electrically operated. For example, at least one of the first gripping member 615 and the second gripping member 62 may be configured to be movable in the up-down direction by an electrically operated drive source (e.g., a motor). In this case, the drive source may be controlled by the control device 7. For example, if a drive source is provided for the first gripping member 615, the first gripping member 615 approaches the second gripping member 62 in the storage position in response to a command from the control device 7, and moves away from the second gripping member 62 when the handle member 2 moves from the storage position to the protruding position. In this manner, the stopper device 6 may be electrically operated.

[0049] 5 and 6. The rotation axis 2a (hinge) of the handle member 2 may be disposed at the rear end of the main body 22. In this case, the grip portion 222 constitutes the front end of the main body 22. In addition, in the terms used in the description of this embodiment, for example, "rotation," "turn," and "movement" generally have the same meaning and can be appropriately interchanged. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1...vehicle door handle device, 2...handle member, 21...surface portion, 22...main body portion, 221...shaft holding portion, 222...grip portion, 223...central portion, 23...extension portion, 2a...rotating shaft, 3...drive device, 4...accommodating member, 41...main body accommodating portion, 42...extension accommodating portion, 6...stopper device, 61...gripping mechanism member, 611...first arm portion, 612...second arm portion, 613...shaft installation portion, 614...cushion rubber (cushion member), 615...first gripping member, 616...spring (biasing member), 61a...rotating shaft (stopper rotating shaft), 62...second gripping member, 9...door panel, 90...door.

Claims

1. a handle member configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis provided at one end in the longitudinal direction from a storage position where the handle member is flush with the surface of the door panel, through a protruding position where the other end in the longitudinal direction protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the door panel, to an open position where the door is open; a drive device that rotates the handle member from the retracted position to the extended position; a housing member disposed on an inner side of the door panel in a vehicle width direction and configured to house the handle member in the storage position; Equipped with The handle member is a main body having a shaft holding portion at one end in the longitudinal direction for holding the rotating shaft, and a grip portion formed at the protruding position in a portion including the other end in the longitudinal direction so as to be grippable by a user; an extension portion protruding inward in the vehicle width direction from the grip portion; Equipped with a stopper device having a first gripping member and a second gripping member is provided within the housing member; The stopper device is configured such that, when the handle member is in the storage position, the first gripping member and the second gripping member sandwich the extension portion from above and below, and when the handle member is in a position other than the storage position, the first gripping member and the second gripping member move apart, thereby releasing the sandwiching of the extension portion. A door handle device for a vehicle.

2. The containing member is a main body accommodating portion that accommodates the main body portion at the storage position; an extension accommodating portion that protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction from the main body accommodating portion and accommodates the extension portion in the storage position; Equipped with The stopper device is provided in the extension housing portion. The vehicle door handle device according to claim 1 .

3. The extension portion extends from an upper portion of the grip portion toward the inside in the vehicle width direction so as to cover an end surface of the grip portion on the inside in the vehicle width direction at the protruding position. The vehicle door handle device according to claim 1 .

4. The stopper device includes a gripping mechanism member, the gripping mechanism member includes a first arm portion, a second arm portion, a shaft installation portion, a cushion member, the first gripping member, and a biasing member; a stopper rotation shaft, which is a rotation shaft of the gripping mechanism member, is installed in the shaft installation portion; the first arm portion and the second arm portion extend from the shaft installation portion in directions intersecting each other, the biasing member biases the gripping mechanism member in a direction in which the first gripping member and the second gripping member move away from each other, the cushion member is provided on the first arm portion so as to abut against the storage member in the storage position, the first gripping member is provided on the second arm portion so as to face the second gripping member in the storage position, The gripping mechanism member is When the handle member rotates from the protruding position to the retracted position, the first arm portion is pressed by the extension portion and moves inward in the vehicle width direction, causing the second arm portion to rotate around the stopper rotation axis and bring the first gripping member into contact with the extension portion, When the handle member rotates from the storage position to the protruding position, the second arm rotates around the stopper rotation axis due to the biasing member as the extension portion moves outward in the vehicle width direction, thereby separating the first grip member from the extension portion. The vehicle door handle device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The first arm portion and the second arm portion extend perpendicularly to each other from the shaft installation portion.

5. The vehicle door handle device according to claim 4.

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