Vehicle door handle device

Abstract

This door handle device for a vehicle has an actuator for deploying or stowing a handle lever of a handle unit provided to a door of a vehicle, and a control unit for controlling driving of the actuator. The control unit is provided with an approach detection unit for detecting the approach of a handle lever operator, a first deployment drive processing unit for driving the actuator and deploying the stowed handle lever to a standby position having a narrow deployment width when the approach detection unit has detected the approach of the handle lever operator, and a second development drive processing unit for assisting the operation of the handle lever by the handle lever operator and deploying the handle lever to a gripping position having a wide deployment width when it is detected that the handle lever operator has pulled the deployment-side end part of the handle lever in the standby position.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a door handle device having a pop-up type handle lever is known. In this type of door handle device, when the door handle is not in use, such as when the vehicle is parked or traveling, the handle lever is stored in the door panel so that the design surface (outer surface) of the handle lever is substantially flush with the design surface (outer surface) of the door panel. This reduces the step on the outer surface of the door panel, improves the design, and reduces the air resistance during traveling (flush surfaced design).

[0003] Also, in this type of door handle device, when a passenger tries to board the vehicle, the handle lever is popped up. The passenger grips the popped-up handle lever and operates it in a predetermined manner to release the latch locked to the vehicle body and open the side door.

[0004] This type of door handle device is often linked to vehicles equipped with a smart entry system and vehicles equipped with a keyless entry system that unlocks or locks the side door by button operation of a keyless key.

[0005] That is, in the smart entry system, when a user (in many cases, the driver) carrying a portable device (smart key) having a wireless function detects that they have entered a preset area of the vehicle, the handle device pops up the handle lever. Also, in the keyless entry system, when the driver presses the unlock button of the keyless key within a preset area of the vehicle, the handle device pops up the handle lever.

[0006] Incidentally, with pop-up door handles, the handle lever remains retracted until the occupants, including the driver, approach the parked vehicle to board it. If the door handle suddenly pops up while a pedestrian is passing by the vehicle, it can startle the pedestrian. Furthermore, the popped-up handle lever could catch on the pedestrian's clothing. For this reason, some countries have regulations regarding the amount the handle lever protrudes when popped up (the distance from the outer surface of the door panel to the end of the handle lever protruding in the vehicle width direction).

[0007] However, when the amount of protrusion of the handle lever is restricted during pop-up operation, occupants cannot easily grasp the handle lever, resulting in poor operability. As a result, occupants have difficulty opening the door, causing inconvenience.

[0008] For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-130913 discloses a technology for popping up a handle lever while restricting its protrusion. The handle lever disclosed in this publication allows the occupant to insert their hand from below or above into the inner side of the handle lever and pull the handle lever towards them to release the lock. An extended portion is formed on the handle lever opposite to the position where the occupant's hand is inserted. This extended portion prevents the occupant's fingers from popping out of the handle lever.

[0009] The technology disclosed in this publication involves cutting out an extension formed at the open end of the handle lever, thereby ensuring a wider space for inserting a hand into the handle lever. This ensures the operability of the handle lever.

[0010] However, the technology disclosed in this publication has a structure that allows the door panel lock to be released while the amount of protrusion of the handle lever is restricted when it pops up. Therefore, the entire process from unlocking the door to opening the side door must be performed with the handle lever's protrusion restricted, which is inconvenient to use.

[0011] The present invention aims to provide a vehicle door handle device that is easy to use and allows for good operability of the handle lever even when the handle lever, which is stored in the door panel, is popped up to a predetermined position. [Disclosure of the Invention] [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] One aspect of the present invention relates to a vehicle door handle device having a handle unit provided on the door of a vehicle, an actuator for extending or retracting a handle lever provided on the handle unit, and a control unit for controlling the drive of the actuator, wherein the control unit includes a proximity detection unit for detecting the approach of a handle lever operator to the vehicle, a first extension drive processing unit which, when the proximity detection unit detects the approach of the handle lever operator, drives the actuator to extend the retracted handle lever to a standby position with a narrow extension width, and a second extension drive processing unit which, when it detects that the handle lever operator has pulled the extension end of the handle lever in the standby position toward the operator, assists the operator in operating the handle lever to extend it to a gripping position with a wide extension width. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of a vehicle equipped with a door handle device [Figure 2] Perspective view of the handle unit [Figure 3A] Horizontal cross-sectional view of the handle section [Figure 3B] A horizontal cross-sectional view equivalent to Figure 3A, showing the handle lever in the popped-up standby position. [Figure 3C] A horizontal cross-sectional view equivalent to Figure 3A, showing the handle lever extended to the gripping position. [Figure 4A] Flowchart showing the handle lever control routine (Part 1) [Figure 4B] Flowchart showing the handle lever control routine (Part 2) [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0014] One embodiment of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings. It should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the relationship between the thickness and width of each component, the ratio of the thicknesses of each component, etc., will differ from those in reality. Naturally, there will also be parts where the dimensional relationships and ratios differ between the drawings themselves.

[0015] The vehicle M shown in Figure 1 is equipped with side doors 1 on both the front and rear sides. Each side door 1 shown in Figure 1 is a single-leaf type, with the rear opening and closing with the front as the pivot point. A handle unit 2 is attached to each of these side doors 1. The handle units 2 attached to the front and rear side doors 1 have the same structure. Furthermore, the handle units 2 attached to the left and right side doors 1 have a symmetrical structure.

[0016] Figure 2 shows the structure of the handle unit 2. The handle unit 2 shown in the figure is attached to the left side door 1. The handle unit attached to the right side door 1 has a structure symmetrical to the left handle unit 2, so its explanation is omitted.

[0017] The handle unit 2 has a handle lever 3 that is gripped when opening the side door 1. This handle lever 3 is housed in a housing 4. The housing 4 is fixed to the side door 1. The housing 4 has a recess 4a formed therein for housing the handle lever 3. The open end 4b of this recess 4a is exposed on the outer surface of the side door 1. This open end 4b is almost flush with the outer surface of the side door 1.

[0018] The steering lever 3 has a horizontally long shape. The steering lever 3 has a gripping portion 3a and a finger-hooking portion 3b. The gripping portion 3a is gripped by an occupant when getting on the vehicle M. The dashed line in FIG. 3C indicates the hand H of the occupant. Further, a hinge pin 5 is fitted to the front-end portion of the gripping portion 3a on the vehicle body side. The rear body side of the steering lever 3 is rotatable outward from the recess 4a about the hinge pin 5.

[0019] The finger-hooking portion 3b is formed at the end portion on the rear body side which is the deployment side of the steering lever 3. The gripping portion 3a projects from the outer surface side toward the rear body side. The outer surfaces of the gripping portion 3a and the finger-hooking portion 3b are flush with each other.

[0020] The steering lever 3 rotates integrally with the hinge pin 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the hinge pin 5 extends in the vertical direction. The upper and lower portions of the hinge pin 5 protruding from the steering lever 3 are rotatably supported by the housing 4.

[0021] The base portion (the lower end portion in FIG. 2) of the hinge pin 5 is inserted into the steering actuator box 6. A steering actuator 12 (see FIG. 1) is built in the steering actuator box 6. The steering actuator 12 is, for example, an electric motor.

[0022] The steering actuator 12 rotates the steering lever 3 between the storage position (the state in FIG. 3A) and the standby position by popping up (the state in FIG. 3B). In the storage position where the steering lever 3 is stored in the recess 4a, the outer surface of the steering lever 3 and the outer surface of the side door 1 are substantially flush (Flush Surface).

[0023] Also, the steering wheel actuator 12 generates an axial torque that reduces the burden on the finger F of a person attempting to board the vehicle by operating the steering wheel lever 3 during the period from the standby position to the lever grip position (the state shown in FIG. 3C). Further, the steering wheel actuator 12 rotates and stores the steering wheel lever 3 from the standby position and the deployed state at the steering wheel grip position to the storage position. The steering wheel actuator 12 operates according to a command from a steering wheel lever control unit 21a described later.

[0024] A steering wheel upper surface touch switch 13a, a steering wheel lower surface touch switch 13b, and a steering wheel inner touch switch 13c are provided on the upper surface, lower surface, and inner side of the grip portion 3a of the steering wheel lever 3, respectively. Further, a finger hook portion touch switch 14 is provided inside the finger hook portion 3b. Also, a shaft torque sensor 15 is provided on the hinge pin 5. This shaft torque sensor 15 detects, for example, the torsional torque generated in the hinge pin 5.

[0025] Also, the vehicle M is equipped with a smart entry system. This smart entry system includes a smart entry control unit (smart entry_ECU) 21 mounted on the vehicle M, a smart key 22 which is a portable device carried by a person attempting to board the vehicle M (mainly the driver), and a smart signal receiver 16.

[0026] The smart key 22 transmits a unique identification code (ID code). The smart signal receiver 16 receives the ID code output from the smart key 22. By receiving the ID code, the smart entry_ECU 21 detects the approach of a person attempting to board the vehicle while carrying the smart key 22.

[0027] The Smart Entry ECU21 consists of a microcontroller equipped with a CPU, RAM, ROM, rewritable non-volatile memory (flash memory or EEPROM), and peripheral devices. The ROM stores programs and fixed data necessary for the CPU to execute various processes. The RAM is provided as the CPU's work area, where various data from the CPU is temporarily stored. The CPU is also called an MPU (Microprocessor) or processor. Alternatively, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or GSP (Graph Streaming Processor) may be used instead of the CPU. Alternatively, a selective combination of CPU, GPU, and GSP may be used.

[0028] The smart entry ECU21 includes a handle lever control unit 21a. The touch switches 13a-13c, 14, the shaft torque sensor 15, and the smart signal receiver 23 are connected to the input side of this handle lever control unit 21a. The handle actuator 12 is connected to the output side of this handle lever control unit 21a.

[0029] The handle lever control unit 21a outputs a signal to the handle actuator 12 to rotate the handle lever 3 according to the signals input from each touch switch 13a to 13c, 14, the shaft torque sensor 15, and the smart signal receiver 23.

[0030] The rotational control of the handle lever 3, performed by the handle lever control unit 21a, is specifically controlled according to the handle lever control routine shown in Figures 4A and 4B. In the following, the person (mainly the driver) who is carrying the smart key 22 and intending to get into the vehicle M will be referred to as the "handle lever operator."

[0031] In this routine, in steps S1 to S3, the handle lever control unit 21a detects the approach of a handle lever operator. Therefore, the processing in steps S1 to S3 corresponds to the approach detection unit of the present invention.

[0032] First, the handle lever control unit 21a checks whether or not an ID code has been received from the smart key 22 (step S1). If the handle lever control unit 21a has received an ID code from the smart key 22 (YES), it proceeds to step S2. If no ID code has been received (NO), it exits the routine.

[0033] In step S2, the handle lever control unit 21a compares the ID code stored in the memory unit with the ID code transmitted from the smart key 22. Then, the handle lever control unit 21a determines whether the ID codes match or not (step S3). If it determines that the ID codes do not match, the handle lever control unit 21a exits the processing routine (RETURN).

[0034] On the other hand, if the ID code is determined to be a match, the handle lever control unit 21a drives the handle actuator 12. The handle actuator 12 deploys (pops up) the handle lever 3 to the standby position (position in Figure 3B) according to the command from the handle lever control unit 21a (step S4).

[0035] The pop-up of this handle lever 3 will operate in one of the following ways: (1) Only the handle lever 3 of the handle unit 2 that the handle lever operator is approaching will be popped up. (2) Pop up the handle levers 3 of all handle units 2. (3) Allow users to choose between (1) and (2) at will. Furthermore, the processing in step S4 corresponds to the first deployment drive processing unit of the present invention.

[0036] The deployed width W1 of the handle lever 3 in the standby position is a relatively narrow deployed width from the surface of the side door 1 to the outside of the tip of the finger rest 3b. This deployed width W1 is set to a value that satisfies all of the following conditions. (1) The deployed width W1 is such that the pop-up of the handle lever 3 does not startle pedestrians passing by the vehicle M. (2) The extended width W1 is such that it is difficult for pedestrians' clothing or other items to get caught on the popped-up handle lever 3. (3) As shown in Figure 3B, the extended width W1 is such that the operator's fingers F can be hooked onto the finger rest 3b.

[0037] The extended width W1 of the handle lever 3 is set to a value of approximately 40 mm, for example, to satisfy the conditions described above.

[0038] Next, the handle lever control unit 21a checks whether it has received an ON signal from the finger rest touch switch 14 within a predetermined time (for example, 10 to 15 seconds) after the handle lever 3 pops up (step S5). The finger rest touch switch 14 is located on the inner surface of the finger rest 3b. Therefore, the finger rest touch switch 14 outputs an ON signal when the finger F of the handle lever operator hooks onto the finger rest 3b.

[0039] Then, if the handle lever control unit 21a receives an ON signal from the finger rest touch switch 14 within a predetermined time (YES), it reads the axial torque applied to the hinge pin 5. This axial torque is detected by the axial torque sensor 15 (step S6). The axial torque sensor 15 detects the axial torque, for example, from the twisting that occurs in the hinge pin 5.

[0040] Next, the handle lever control unit 21a outputs an assist torque to the handle actuator 12 corresponding to the shaft torque detected by the shaft torque sensor 15. The handle actuator 12 then extends the handle lever 3 with an assist torque that causes the handle lever operator's finger F to feel a slight resistance (step S7).

[0041] Subsequently, the handle lever control unit 21a checks whether the handle lever 3 has been extended to the gripping position (position in Figure 3C) (step S8). The extended width W2 at the gripping position is a relatively wide extended width from the surface of the side door 1 to the outside of the tip of the finger rest 3b. This extended width W2 is a preset value that allows the handle lever operator's hand H to grip the gripping portion 3a of the handle lever 3. Note that the processing from steps S5 to S8 corresponds to the second extension drive processing unit of the present invention.

[0042] Then, if the handle lever control unit 21a has not yet extended the handle lever 3 to the gripping position (step S8: NO), it returns to step S7. Also, if the handle lever control unit 21a determines that the handle lever 3 has been extended to the gripping position (step S8: YES), it checks whether an ON signal has been output from any of the handle top touch switch 13a, handle bottom touch switch 13b, or handle inside touch switch 13c within a predetermined time (step S9).

[0043] Here, the predetermined time is the elapsed time after the handle lever 3 reaches the gripping position. This predetermined time is the time required to determine whether or not the handle lever operator intends to open the side door 1. This set time is, for example, 10 to 15 seconds. In the following, the handle top touch switch 13a, the handle bottom touch switch 13b, and the handle inside touch switch 13c will be collectively referred to as handle touch switches 13a to 13c.

[0044] Then, if the handle lever control unit 1a does not detect an ON signal from any of the handle touch switches 13a to 13c after a predetermined time has elapsed (step S9: NO), it determines that the handle lever operator is not operating the handle lever 3 and jumps to step S14.

[0045] Furthermore, if the handle lever control unit 21a detects an ON signal from any of the handle touch switches 13a to 13c within a predetermined time (step S9: YES), it checks whether an ON signal was detected from all of the handle touch switches 13a to 13c (step S10).

[0046] If the handle lever control unit 21a determines that no ON signals have been detected from all handle touch switches 13a to 13c (step S10: NO), it returns to step S9. If an ON signal is detected from all handle touch switches 13a to 13c (step S10: YES), the handle lever control unit 21a determines that the handle lever operator's hand H is gripping the handle lever 3 and performing steering operations. Note that the processing in steps S9 and S10 corresponds to the operation detection unit of the present invention.

[0047] Then, if the handle lever control unit 21a determines YES in step S10, it permits the latch release operation (step S11). The door latch is provided on the side door 1. On the other hand, the vehicle body side is provided with a striker that engages with this door latch. Note that the processing in step S11 corresponds to the latch release operation permitting unit of the present invention.

[0048] The door latch engages with the striker, maintaining the fully closed position of side door 1. The door latch is equipped with a latch release mechanism. Activating this latch release mechanism releases the door latch from the striker. With the door latch released from the striker, side door 1 can be opened.

[0049] There are two types of latch release mechanisms: electric and mechanical. The electric latch release mechanism releases the latch by driving an electric actuator. The mechanical latch release mechanism connects the handle lever 3 and the door latch via a cable or similar means.

[0050] In step S11, when the latch release operation is permitted, the electric latch release mechanism turns ON when the handle lever operator lightly pulls the handle lever 3 towards them from the gripping position. When the handle lever control unit 21a detects this ON signal from the latch release switch, it drives the electric actuator to release the latch.

[0051] In the mechanical latch release mechanism, the operator of the handle lever grips the gripping portion 3a and rotates the handle lever 3 further forward from the gripping position. The operating force applied to the handle lever 3 at that time is transmitted to the latch via a cable or the like, and the latch is released.

[0052] After the latch is released, the handle lever control unit 21a checks whether all handle touch switches 13a to 13c are OFF or OFF (step S12). If any of the handle touch switches 13a to 13c are ON (NO), it waits until all of the handle touch switches 13a to 13c are OFF. If at least one of the handle touch switches 13a to 13c is ON, the handle lever control unit 21a determines that the handle lever operator's hand H is still touching the handle lever 3.

[0053] On the other hand, if all handle touch switches 13a to 13c are OFF (step S12: YES), the handle lever control unit 21a determines that the handle operation by the handle lever operator has ended. Note that the processing in step S12 corresponds to the handle operation completion determination unit of the present invention.

[0054] If the result in step S12 is determined to be YES, the handle lever control unit 21a determines the handle retraction condition (step S13). Note that the processing in step S13 corresponds to the retraction condition determination unit of the present invention.

[0055] The following are some possible conditions for retracting the handlebars: (1) Has a certain amount of time elapsed since side door 1 was opened? (2) Whether the door latch of side door 1 engaged with the striker (3) Is the select lever (shift lever) set to the drive (D) range? (4) Has the predetermined speed been reached after starting?

[0056] In step S8, one of these conditions is determined. If the handle lever control unit 21a does not satisfy the handle retraction condition (NO), it waits until the handle retraction condition is met. On the other hand, if the handle lever control unit 21a determines that the handle retraction condition is met (YES), it proceeds to step S14.

[0057] When the process proceeds from step S5, step S9, or step S13 to step S14, the handle lever control unit 21a drives the handle actuator 12 in the retraction direction and exits the routine (RETURN). Note that the processing in step S14 corresponds to the handle lever retraction processing unit of the present invention.

[0058] When the handle lever control unit 21a drives the handle actuator 12 in the retraction direction, the handle lever 3 rotates around the hinge pin 5 towards the recess 4a. Then, as shown in Figure 3A, the handle lever 3 is retracted into the recess 4a. When the handle lever 3 is retracted into the recess 4a, the outer surface of the handle lever 3 becomes almost flush with the outer surface of the side door 1.

[0059] As described above, when the handle lever control unit 21a of this embodiment detects that a handle lever operator is approaching the vehicle M, it pops up the handle lever 3 to a predetermined standby position. Before the pop-up operation, the handle lever 3 is stored in the recess 4a of the housing 4, almost flush with the surface of the side door 1. The handle lever operator places their fingers F on the finger rest 3b of the handle lever 3, which is deployed in the standby position, and pulls it towards them.

[0060] The handle lever control unit 21a detects the axial torque applied to the hinge pin 5 when the handle lever operator pulls the finger rest 3b of the handle lever 3. The handle lever control unit 21a then drives the handle actuator 12 to generate an assist torque on the handle lever 3 corresponding to the axial torque. As a result, the handle lever 3 extends to the gripping position, following the handle lever operator's finger F. This reduces the burden on the handle lever operator's finger F.

[0061] Because the handle lever 3 is extended to the gripping position, the operator can easily grasp the gripping portion 3a of the handle lever 3. As a result, the handle lever 3 is easy to operate and user-friendly.

[0062] Furthermore, the door handle device according to the present invention is not limited to side doors 1, but can also be applied to sliding doors that move in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle body. In addition, the door handle device according to the present invention can also be applied to a keyless entry system.

Claims

1. The handle unit located on the vehicle door, An actuator for extending or retracting the handle lever provided on the handle unit, A control unit that controls the drive of the actuator and In a door handle device of a vehicle having, The control unit, An approach detection unit that detects the approach of the person operating the steering lever to the vehicle, When the proximity detection unit detects the approach of the handle lever operator, the first deployment drive processing unit drives the actuator to deploy the stored handle lever to a standby position with a narrow deployment width, When it is detected that the operator of the handle lever has pulled the unfolding end of the handle lever, which is in the standby position, a second unfolding drive processing unit assists the operator in operating the handle lever to unfold it to a gripping position with a wide unfolding width. A vehicle door handle device characterized by comprising the following:

2. The control unit, An operation detection unit that detects whether or not the handle lever operator has operated the handle lever which has been extended to the gripping position, When the operation detection unit detects that the handle lever has been operated by the operator of the handle lever, the latch release operation permit unit permits the release operation of the door latch engaged with the striker on the vehicle body side. The door handle device for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising the following:

3. The control unit, After the latch release operation permission unit permits the release operation of the door latch, a handle operation completion determination unit determines whether or not the handle operation by the handle lever operator has been completed, A storage condition determination unit for determining the storage conditions of the handle lever, When the handle operation completion determination unit determines that the handle operation by the handle lever operator has ended, and the storage condition determination unit determines that the storage condition for the handle lever has been met, the handle lever storage processing unit drives the actuator to store the handle lever. The door handle device for a vehicle according to claim 2, further comprising the following:

4. The storage condition determination unit determines that the storage condition is met when a certain amount of time has elapsed since the door was opened, or when the door latch engages with the striker, or when the select lever is set to the drive range, or when a predetermined speed is reached after starting. The door handle device for a vehicle according to feature 3.

5. A finger rest is formed at the extension end of the handle lever for the operator to place their fingers on. A door handle device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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