Vehicle door handle device

Abstract

To improve operability.SOLUTION: In a vehicle door handle device 10, a detent mechanism 50 imparts the detent feeling to an operation lever 30 at the detent position between a switch operation position and a release position of an operation lever 30, and the operation load of the operation lever 30 is maximized at the detent position at which the detent feeling is imparted within the entire operation range of the operation lever 30. Therefore, a favorable detent feeling can be given to the operation lever 30. That is, it is possible to cause an occupant to satisfactorily recognize that the operation lever 30 has passed through the switch operation position and has been rotated toward the release position. Further, since the operation load of the operation lever 30 is maximized at the detent position, the operation load does not become higher than an operation load F3 at the detent position after passing through the detent position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In the vehicle door opener device (vehicle door handle device) described in Patent Document 1 below, during normal operation of the vehicle, the door lock is electrically released by rotating the lever to a predetermined operating position. On the other hand, in an emergency situation of the vehicle such as when the vehicle power supply is lost, the lever is rotated further from the predetermined operating position, and the cable is pulled by the lever to mechanically release the door lock.

[0003] Further, the lever is rotatably connected to the movable plate, and a lever spring is provided between the lever and the movable plate. Furthermore, the movable plate is rotatably connected to the base, and a plate spring is provided between the movable plate and the base. When the operating lever rotates further than the predetermined operating position, the operating fulcrum of the lever switches from the lever axis to the plate axis, so the operating direction of the lever changes. Thereby, a sense of moderation can be generated in the lever. Also, when the operating lever rotates further than the predetermined operating position, the distance from the rotation fulcrum of the lever to the operating portion becomes shorter. For this reason, the increase amount of the operating load with respect to the rotation angle of the lever becomes higher with the predetermined operating position as the boundary. As described above, the operator can recognize that the lever has exceeded the predetermined operating position.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, there is room for improvement in the vehicle door opener device in the following respects. Specifically, in the above vehicle door opener device, when the lever moves beyond a predetermined operating position, the change in the operating load on the lever is relatively small, and only the direction of operation of the lever changes. As a result, it becomes difficult for the operator to clearly perceive when the lever has passed the predetermined operating position. Therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of improving the operability of the lever.

[0006] Furthermore, in vehicle door opener devices, as described above, the increase in operating load relative to the lever's rotation angle increases significantly beyond a predetermined operating position. Therefore, after the lever passes the predetermined operating position, the operator's workload increases. Thus, from this perspective as well, there is room for improvement in terms of enhancing the operability of the lever.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a vehicle door handle device that can improve operability, taking the above facts into consideration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One or more embodiments of the present invention are vehicle door handle devices comprising: a base provided on a vehicle door; a switch provided on the base and outputting a signal for electrically activating a latch mechanism; an operating lever connected to the base so as to be rotatable in a first direction axially, which activates the switch by being rotated from an initial position to a switch operating position on one side in the rotation direction, and mechanically switches the latch mechanism from a latched state to a latched state by being rotated via the switch operating position to a release position; a lever biasing member that biases the operating lever to the other side in the rotation direction and holds the operating lever in an initial position; and a detent mechanism that provides a sense of detent to the operating lever at an intermediate position between the switch operating position and the release position, wherein the operating load of the operating lever is maximum at the intermediate position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, operability can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a side view from the left, showing a vehicle equipped with the vehicle door handle device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a side view from the right side showing a vehicle door handle device according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a side view of the vehicle door handle device, seen from the left side. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view (section 4-4 in Figure 3) of the lower part of the vehicle door handle device shown in Figure 3, viewed from above. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view (section 5-5 in Figure 4) showing the restraint mechanism, viewed from the left rear. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is a rear-view perspective showing the positional relationship between the detent part and the detent pin of the detent mechanism. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the detent mechanism and the detent pin during rotational operation of the operating lever. [Figure 8] This graph schematically shows the operating load when the operating lever is rotated. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The vehicle door handle device 10 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle door handle device 10 is installed on the side door 60 of a vehicle (automobile). In the drawings, the arrows UP, FR, and LH, as indicated as appropriate, indicate the upper side, front side, and left side (one side in the vehicle width direction) of the vehicle V, respectively. When describing the directions up and down, front and back, and left and right below, unless otherwise specified, they refer to the vehicle's vertical direction, the vehicle's front and back direction, and the vehicle's left and right direction. The vertical direction corresponds to the first direction of the present invention, the front and back direction corresponds to the second direction of the present invention, and the left and right direction corresponds to the third direction of the present invention.

[0012] The vehicle door handle device 10 will now be described using a side door 60 located on the left side of the vehicle V. The front end of the side door 60 is rotatably connected to the vehicle body of the vehicle V with the vertical direction as the axial direction by a hinge mechanism (not shown), and when the side door 60 is opened or closed, the side door 60 rotates around its front end. When the side door 60 is closed, the thickness direction of the side door 60 coincides with the left-right direction, and the front-rear direction of the side door 60 coincides with the front-rear direction of the vehicle V.

[0013] The vehicle door handle device 10 is located in the lower part of the side door 60 and is exposed to the interior of the vehicle so as to be operable from the side door 60. The side door 60 is also provided with a latch mechanism 62, which is configured to be switchable between a latched state that holds the side door 60 closed and prevents it from opening or closing, and a latched state that allows it to open or close. The latch mechanism 62 has a motor 62A, and when the motor 62A is activated, the latch mechanism 62 is electrically switched between the latched state and the latched state.

[0014] Also, although details will be described later, when the operator (occupant) rotates the operation lever 30 of the vehicle door handle device 10 to the switch operation position, the motor 62A operates, and the latch mechanism 62 is electrically switched to the latched state or the unlatched state. Further, when the occupant further rotates the operation lever 30 beyond the switch operation position and operates it to the release position, the latch mechanism 62 is manually operated to switch from the latched state to the unlatched state. That is, the vehicle door handle device 10 has two functions: a function for driving the motor 62A to electrically (electronically) operate the latch mechanism 62, and a function for manually (mechanically) operating the latched latch mechanism 62.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the vehicle door handle device 10 includes a base 20, an operation lever 30, and a damper mechanism 50.

[0016] (Regarding the base 20) The base 20 is formed in a substantially rectangular box shape that is open to the right side (inside the vehicle compartment) and the front side, and is fixed to the inner panel (not shown) of the side door 60. A support shaft 22 is spanned between the upper wall and the lower wall at the rear of the base 20, and the support shaft 22 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with the vertical direction as the axial direction. Further, an intermediate support wall 20A protruding to the left is integrally formed on the bottom wall (left wall) of the base 20, and the intermediate portion in the axial direction of the support shaft 22 is also supported by the intermediate support wall 20A. Further, an opening 20B is formed through the bottom wall at the rear of the base 20 below the intermediate support wall 20A.

[0017] (Regarding the operation lever 30) The operation lever 30 is formed in a substantially L-shaped block shape with the vertical direction being the thickness direction. Specifically, the rear end portion of the operation lever 30 is a lever mounting portion 30A as a supported portion, and the lever mounting portion 30A protrudes to the left side compared to other portions. A concave portion 30B that is open to the left side is formed in the lever mounting portion 30A. The upper wall of the concave portion 30B bulges at a position one step higher than the upper surface of the operation lever 30. A pair of upper and lower lever support holes 30C (see FIG. 6) are formed through the upper wall and the lower wall of the concave portion 30B, and the pair of lever support holes 30C are arranged coaxially (in FIG. 6, only the upper lever support hole 30C is shown). Then, the lever mounting portion 30A is disposed between the lower wall of the base 20 and the intermediate support wall 20A, and the lower portion of the support shaft 22 is inserted into the lever support hole 30C. Thereby, the operation lever 30 is connected to the base 20 via the support shaft 22 so as to be rotatable about the vertical direction as the axial direction.

[0018] The front portion of the operation lever 30 (the portion extending forward from the lever mounting portion 30A) is configured as a handle portion 30D. A gripping portion 30E that is open to the upper side and the left side is formed in the handle portion 30D. Further, the handle portion 30D is cut out so as to be open to the front side and the left side in a plan view.

[0019] Also, the operation lever 30 is exposed so as to be rotatable from the side door 60 to the vehicle interior side. Thereby, when the occupant grips the handle portion 30D of the operation lever 30 and rotates the operation lever 30, the operation lever 30 is configured to rotate in one direction of the rotation direction (the direction of arrow A in FIGS. 4 and 6) around the axis of the support shaft 22. Specifically, the handle portion 30D of the operation lever 30 is configured to be rotatable from the initial position (refer to the operation lever 30 shown by the solid line in FIG. 4) via the switch operation position (refer to the operation lever 3-to the release position (refer to the operation lever 30-2 shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 4). When the operation lever is rotated further in one direction of the rotation direction from the release position, the operation lever 30 abuts on the base 20 at a position not shown, and the rotation of the operation lever 30 is restricted.

[0020] Furthermore, a return spring 32, configured as a torsion spring, is externally fitted to the support shaft 22. The return spring 32 is housed in a recess 30B of the operating lever 30. One end of the return spring 32 is locked to the base 20, and the other end of the return spring 32 is locked to the operating lever 30, so the return spring 32 biases the operating lever 30 in the other direction of rotation. This holds the operating lever 30 in its initial position. Note that in the initial position of the operating lever 30, the operating lever 30 abuts against the base 20 at a position not shown, restricting the rotation of the operating lever 30 in the other direction of rotation.

[0021] A lever arm 30F is provided at the lower part of the lever mounting portion 30A of the operating lever 30, extending to the left. The tip of the lever arm 30F protrudes slightly to the left from the opening 20B of the base 20 and is configured to activate a switch 34 provided on the base 20. The switch 34 is located below the tip of the lever arm 30F and is electrically connected to the control unit 64. When the operating lever 30 is rotated to the switch operating position, the lever arm 30F presses the switch portion of the switch 34, switching the switch 34 to the ON state and outputting an output signal to the control unit 64. As a result, the control unit 64 drives the motor 62A of the latch mechanism 62, electrically operating the latch mechanism 62.

[0022] Furthermore, one end of a wire 36 (see Figures 3 and 4) is connected to the tip of the lever arm 30F, and the wire 36 extends from the lever arm 30F toward the rear. The other end of the wire 36 is connected to the latch mechanism 62. As a result, when the operating lever 30 is rotated, the wire 36 pulls the latch mechanism 62 toward the front, thereby manually activating the latch mechanism 62. Specifically, when the operating lever 30 is rotated to the release position, the operating force input to the latch mechanism 62 causes the latch mechanism 62 to mechanically switch from the latched state to the unlocked state.

[0023] (Regarding the moderation mechanism 50) The detension mechanism 50 is composed of a detension section 52, a detension pin 54 as a detension-applying member, and a detension spring 56 (see Figure 5) as a detension-biasing member.

[0024] The joint portion 52 is integrally formed on the outer circumference of the rear end of the lever mounting portion 30A of the operating lever 30. The joint portion 52 is formed in a substantially rectangular block shape with the radial direction of the support shaft 22 as the thickness direction, protruding from the rear surface of the operating lever 30 and located on the rear side of the support shaft 22. In a plan view, the joint portion 52 extends along the circumferential direction of the support shaft 22 (the rotation direction of the operating lever 30), and the aforementioned lever arm 30F is located on one side of the rotation direction of the operating lever 30 relative to the joint portion 52 in a plan view (see Figure 4).

[0025] A first inclined surface 52A and a second inclined surface 52B are formed on the upper surface of the joint portion 52 (see Figures 5 to 7), with the first inclined surface 52A positioned on one side in the rotational direction of the operating lever 30 relative to the second inclined surface 52B. Viewed from the radial direction of the support shaft 22, the first inclined surface 52A is inclined downward as it moves toward one side in the rotational direction of the operating lever 30, and the second inclined surface 52B is inclined downward as it moves toward the other side in the rotational direction of the operating lever 30. In other words, the upper surface of the joint portion 52 is formed in a mountain shape that is convex upward. The inclination angle AG1 of the first inclined surface 52A with respect to a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical direction (see Figure 5) is set to be greater than the inclination angle AG2 of the second inclined surface 52B with respect to the horizontal plane (see Figure 5). A top surface 52C is formed at the connection point between the first inclined surface 52A and the second inclined surface 52B. The top surface 52C is formed to follow the horizontal plane and constitutes the top of the joint section 52. In other words, in the joint section 52, the connection point between the first inclined surface 52A and the second inclined surface 52B is smoothly connected by the top surface 52C. Furthermore, the extended length of the second inclined surface 52B in the rotational direction of the operating lever 30 is significantly longer than the extended length of the first inclined surface 52A. That is, the top surface 52C is located on the end side of the upper surface of the joint section 52 in the rotational direction.

[0026] The nodal pin 54 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with its axial direction in the vertical direction. The nodal pin 54 is supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction by a support sleeve 24 (see Figure 5) provided at the rear end of the base 20. The support sleeve 24 is formed in a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape that is open to the bottom, and a pin hole 24A is formed through the upper wall of the support sleeve 24. The nodal pin 54 is inserted into the support sleeve 24 so as to be movable in the vertical direction.

[0027] When the shim pin 54 is inserted into the support sleeve 24, the upper end of the shim pin 54 protrudes upward from the pin hole 24A. A stopper pin 58 is provided at the upper end of the shim pin 54, extending radially from the shim pin 54, with both ends of the stopper pin 58 protruding radially outward from the shim pin 54. The stopper pin 58 is locked to the upper surface of the support sleeve 24, restricting the downward movement of the shim pin 54.

[0028] The lower end of the shim pin 54 is configured as a pin-side sliding portion 54A, which protrudes downward from the support sleeve 24 and is spaced apart from the upper part of the shim pin 52 (first inclined surface 52A and second inclined surface 52B) on one side in the rotational direction of the operating lever 30 (see Figure 5). The pin-side sliding portion 54A is formed in a substantially conical shape that is convex downward, and the lower end surface of the pin-side sliding portion 54A is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape. The diameter of the upper end of the pin-side sliding portion 54A is set to be larger than the diameter of the shim pin 54, and the upper end of the pin-side sliding portion 54A is inserted into the pin hole 20C.

[0029] As shown in Figure 5, the damping spring 56 is configured as a compression coil spring. The damping spring 56 is externally fitted onto the damping pin 54 and is also located within the support sleeve 24. The upper end of the damping spring 56 is locked to the support sleeve 24, and the lower end of the damping spring 56 is locked to the pin-side sliding portion 54A, so that the damping spring 56 biases the damping pin 54 downward. This holds the damping pin 54 in the non-operating position (the position shown in Figure 5).

[0030] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the detent mechanism 50 is positioned in a plan view so as to overlap with the lever arm 30F in the rotational direction of the operating lever 30. That is, in a plan view, the detent portion 52, the detent pin 54, and the lever arm 30F are arranged in line in the rotational direction of the operating lever 30, and the detent pin 54 is positioned between the detent portion 52 and the lever arm 30F.

[0031] As will be explained in more detail later, when the operating lever 30 is rotated from its initial position, the first inclined surface 52A of the detension part 52 comes into contact with the pin-side sliding part 54A of the detension pin 54 after the operating lever 30 has passed the switch operating position (this position is shown in (1) of Figure 7, and hereafter this position of the operating lever 30 will be referred to as the detension start position). When the operating lever 30 rotates further from the detension start position, the first inclined surface 52A slides on the outer circumferential surface of the pin-side sliding part 54A, causing the detension pin 54 to move upward due to the first inclined surface 52A. Then, as the operating lever 30 rotates further, the top surface 52C of the detension part 52 reaches the lower end surface of the pin-side sliding part 54A (this position is shown in (2) of Figure 7, and hereafter this position of the operating lever 30 will be referred to as the detension position as an intermediate position). As the operating lever 30 rotates further from the detent position, the second inclined surface 52B slides on the outer circumferential surface of the pin-side sliding part 54A, causing the detent pin 54 to move downward. Also, the detent pin 54 is set to return to the non-operating position at the longitudinal middle portion of the second inclined surface 52B. As a result, the contact between the second inclined surface 52B and the pin-side sliding part 54A is released, and the pin-side sliding part 54A is set to move away from the upper side of the second inclined surface 52B (this position is shown in (3) in Figure 7, and this position of the operating lever 30 is called the detent completion position). After the operating lever 30 passes the detent completion position, the operating lever 30 (detent part 52) ​​is set to reach the release position (the position shown in (4) in Figure 7). Furthermore, in the vehicle door handle device 10, the spring loads of the detent spring 56 and the return spring 32 are set so that the operating force of the operating lever 30 is maximized at the detent position.

[0032] (Effects and Benefits) Next, the operation of the vehicle door handle device 10 will be explained using the graph shown in Figure 8, and the effects of this embodiment will be described. The graph shown in Figure 8 schematically shows the operating load when the operating lever 30 is rotated, with the horizontal axis representing the rotational position of the operating lever 30 and the vertical axis representing the operating load of the operating lever 30.

[0033] In the initial position of the operating lever 30, the operating lever 30 is biased in the opposite direction of rotation by the return spring 32, and the operating load in the initial position is F0. When the operating lever 30 is rotated from the initial position against the biasing force of the return spring 32 to the switch operating position, the operating load gradually increases from F0 to F1. Then, in the switch operating position of the operating lever 30, the lever arm 30F turns on the switch 34, and an ON signal is output from the switch 34 to the control unit 64. As a result, the control unit 64 drives the motor 62A of the latch mechanism 62, and the latch mechanism 62 is electrically operated by the motor 62A. In addition, in the switch operating position of the operating lever 30, the detent portion 52 of the operating lever 30 is positioned spaced apart from the pin-side sliding portion 54A of the detent pin 54 in the opposite direction of rotation, and the detent mechanism 50 is maintained in a non-operating state.

[0034] When the operating lever 30 is rotated from the switch operating position to the detension start position, the operating load gradually increases from F1 to F2. At the detension start position of the operating lever 30, the first inclined surface 52A of the detension portion 52 of the operating lever 30 comes into contact with the pin-side sliding portion 54A of the detension pin 54.

[0035] When the operating lever 30 is rotated further from the detension start position to the detension position, the first inclined surface 52A of the detension part 52 slides on the pin-side sliding part 54A of the detension pin 54 as the operating lever 30 rotates, and the top surface 52C of the detension part 52 comes into contact with the pin-side sliding part 54A. At this time, the detension pin 54 moves upward from the non-operating position against the biasing force of the detension spring 56. As a result, the operating load increases sharply from F2 to F3. Therefore, the occupant recognizes that the operating lever 30 has rotated past the switch operating position for operating the switch 34 and moved toward the release position.

[0036] As the operating lever 30 is rotated further from the detent position, the operating lever 30 rotates while the second inclined surface 52B of the detent part 52 slides on the pin-side sliding part 54A of the detent pin 54. At this time, the second inclined surface 52B is inclined downward as it moves toward the other side in the direction of rotation, and the detent spring 56 biases the detent pin 54 downward, so the operating load decreases sharply from F3 to below F2. As a result, the operating lever 30 is given a detent feel as it moves beyond the detent position. Therefore, the occupant recognizes that the operating lever 30 has moved beyond the detent position.

[0037] Then, when the operating lever 30 reaches the detent position, the detent pin 54 returns to the non-operating position. The operating load at this time is F4, and the operating load F4 is lower than the operating load F3. Also, when the operating lever 30 rotates from the detent position to the detent position, the operating load F4 is higher than the operating load F2 because the operating lever 30 is rotated against the biasing force of the return spring 32.

[0038] When the operating lever 30 is rotated from the fully engaged position to the released position against the biasing force of the return spring 32, the operating load gradually increases from F4 to F5. The operating load F5 is lower than the operating load F3. When the operating lever 30 is in the released position, the latch mechanism 62 is pulled forward by the wire 36, and the latch mechanism 62 is mechanically switched from the latched state to the unlocked state. This allows the latch mechanism 62 to be manually operated in emergencies when the latch mechanism 62 does not operate electrically due to factors such as insufficient power supply from the vehicle V's battery.

[0039] As described above, in the vehicle door handle device 10, when the operating lever 30 is in the switch operating position, the switch 34 turns on and the latch mechanism 62 is electrically activated. Furthermore, when the operating lever 30 is operated to the release position, the operating lever 30 pulls the latch mechanism 62 via the wire 36, and the latch mechanism 62 switches from the latched state to the unlocked state. Here, the detent mechanism 50 provides a detent feel to the operating lever 30 at a detent position between the switch operating position and the release position, and the operating load of the operating lever 30 is maximized at this position. In other words, the operating load is maximized at the detent position where a detent feel is provided throughout the entire operating range of the operating lever 30. For this reason, compared to a configuration in which, for example, the increase in operating load relative to the amount of rotation of the operating lever 30 is increased with the detent position as the boundary, a better detent feel can be provided to the operating lever 30. In other words, the occupant (operator) can be clearly recognized that the operating lever 30 has passed the switch operating position and rotated toward the release position.

[0040] Furthermore, since the operating load of the control lever 30 is maximum at the detent position, the operating load after passing the detent position does not exceed F3, the operating load at the detent position. This reduces the load on the occupant (operator) operating the control lever 30. As a result, the operability of the control lever 30 can be improved.

[0041] Furthermore, the detent mechanism 50 includes a detent portion 52 that is integrally rotatable with the operating lever 30, a detent pin 54 that is spaced apart from the detent portion 52 on one side in the rotational direction, and a detent spring 56 that biases the detent pin 54 downward. When the operating lever 30 is operated in one side in the rotational direction, the pin-side sliding portion 54A of the detent pin 54 moves upward against the biasing force of the detent spring 56 and passes over the detent portion 52, thereby providing the operating lever 30 with a detent feel. This makes it possible to provide the operating lever 30 with a detent feel with a simple configuration.

[0042] Furthermore, during rotational operation of the operating lever 30 from its initial position to the tactile start position, and during rotational operation from the tactile completion position to the release position, the operating force of the operating lever 30 is determined by the spring load and spring constant of the return spring 32. Therefore, the increase in operating load relative to the amount of rotation of the operating lever 30 can be made the same during rotational operation of the operating lever 30 from its initial position to the tactile start position, and during rotational operation from the tactile completion position to the release position. In addition, by setting the spring load and spring constant of the return spring 32 low, the operating load of the operating lever 30 during rotational operation from the initial position to the tactile start position, and during rotational operation from the tactile completion position to the release position can be made relatively low. Thus, the load on the occupant (operator) operating the operating lever 30 can be further reduced. Consequently, the operability of the operating lever 30 can be further improved.

[0043] Furthermore, the detent portion 52 has a first inclined surface 52A and a second inclined surface 52B that slide on the pin-side sliding portion 54A of the detent pin 54 when the operating lever 30 is rotated. The first inclined surface 52A is positioned on one side of the second inclined surface 52B in the direction of rotation and inclined downward as it moves toward that side in the direction of rotation, while the second inclined surface 52B is inclined downward as it moves toward the other side in the direction of rotation. In other words, the upper surface of the detent portion 52 is formed in a mountain shape that is convex upward, and the pin-side sliding portion 54A of the detent pin 54 crosses over the top surface 52C, which is the boundary between the first inclined surface 52A and the second inclined surface 52B, thereby providing a sense of detent. As a result, by appropriately setting the inclination angle AG1 of the first inclined surface 52A and the inclination angle AG2 of the second inclined surface 52B, a good sense of detent can be provided to the operating lever 30. Furthermore, after the operating lever 30 passes to the switch operating position, the first inclined surface 52A of the operating lever 30 comes into contact with the tactile pin 54. That is, after the switch 34 is activated by the operating lever 30, the operating lever 30 reaches the tactile start position, and the tactile sensation of the operating lever 30 begins to be applied. This allows, for example, an occupant (operator) who operates the operating lever 30 to electrically activate the latch mechanism 62 under normal circumstances to clearly recognize that the operation of the switch 34 has been completed. Therefore, the operability of the operating lever 30 can be effectively improved.

[0044] Furthermore, the inclination angle AG1 of the first inclined surface 52A with respect to the horizontal plane is greater than the inclination angle AG2 of the second inclined surface 52B. In other words, the rotational distance from the detension start position to the detension position is shorter than the distance from the detension position to the detension completion position. This allows the detension pin 54 to cross over the top surface 52C of the detension part 52 earlier, thereby providing the operating lever 30 with a detension feel. In other words, the period during which the operating load increases rapidly can be made relatively short, while still providing the operating lever 30 with a detension feel. Therefore, the operability of the operating lever 30 can be improved even more effectively.

[0045] Furthermore, the detent portion 52 is integrally formed with the operating lever 30. This contributes to cost reduction and a reduction in assembly man-hours compared to a structure in which the detent portion 52 is configured separately from the operating lever 30 and fixed to the operating lever 30.

[0046] Furthermore, in the operating lever 30, the handle portion 30D extends forward from the lever mounting portion 30A, and the tactile portion 52 is integrally provided at the rear end of the lever mounting portion 30A. Therefore, the tactile portion 52 can be provided on the operating lever 30 while suppressing an increase in the size of the operating lever 30 in the front-rear direction.

[0047] Furthermore, in the operating lever 30, the lever arm 30F extends to the left from the lever mounting portion 30A, and one end of the wire 36 is connected to the tip of the lever arm 30F. Also, when the operating lever 30 is rotated to the switch operating position, the switch 34 is pressed and activated by the lever arm 30F. Therefore, the lever arm 30F can function as a common part for operating the latch mechanism 62 both electrically and manually. This simplifies the structure of the operating lever 30 and contributes to miniaturizing the operating lever 30.

[0048] Furthermore, in a plan view, the detent mechanism 50 is positioned to overlap with the lever arm 30F in the rotational direction of the operating lever 30. That is, the detent portion 52, the detent pin 54, and the lever arm 30F are arranged side by side in the rotational direction of the operating lever 30. This makes it possible to provide the detent mechanism 50 to the vehicle door handle device 10 while suppressing an increase in the overall size of the vehicle door handle device 10. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0049] 10. Vehicle door handle device 20 base 30 Operating levers 30A Lever mounting section (supported section) 30F Lever Arm (Arm Section) 34 switches 36 wires 50 Moderation mechanism 52 Measure section 52A 1st slope 52B 2nd slope 54. Retaining pin (retaining member) 56. Retaining spring (retaining biasing member) 60 Side Doors (Vehicle Doors) 62 Latch mechanism AG1 Inclination angle of the first inclined surface AG2 Second Inclined Surface Incline Angle

Claims

1. A base provided on the vehicle door, A switch provided on the base outputs a signal for electrically activating the latch mechanism, An operating lever is connected to the base so as to be rotatable in the first direction as an axial direction, and when rotated from an initial position to a switch operating position on one side in the rotation direction, it activates the switch, and when rotated via the switch operating position to a release position, it mechanically switches the latch mechanism from a latched state to a latched state. A lever biasing member biases the operating lever to the other side in the rotational direction and holds the operating lever in its initial position, A tactile mechanism that provides a tactile sensation to the operating lever at an intermediate position between the switch operating position and the release position of the operating lever, Equipped with, A vehicle door handle device in which the operating load of the operating lever is maximized at the intermediate position.

2. The aforementioned moderation mechanism is, A shim section is provided on the aforementioned operating lever so as to be rotatable integrally with it, A joint-applying member configured to be movable in the first direction and positioned spaced apart from the joint portion on one side in the rotational direction, A restraint biasing member that biases the restraint-applying member toward one side in the first direction, It is composed of including, The vehicle door handle device according to claim 1, wherein when the operating lever is rotated, the detent-providing member overcomes the detent portion against the biasing force of the detent-biasing member, thereby providing the operating lever with a sense of detent.

3. The aforementioned detent portion has a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface that contact the detent-applying member when the operating lever is rotated. The first inclined surface is positioned on one side of the second inclined surface in the direction of rotation, and as it moves toward the one side in the direction of rotation, it inclins toward the one side in the first direction. The second inclined surface is inclined toward one side in the first direction as it moves toward the other side in the rotational direction, The vehicle door handle device according to claim 2, wherein the detent-providing member contacts the first inclined surface after the operating lever has passed to the switch operating position.

4. The vehicle door handle device according to claim 3, wherein the inclination angle of the first inclined surface with respect to a surface along a direction perpendicular to the first direction is greater than the inclination angle of the second inclined surface.

5. The vehicle door handle device according to claim 2, wherein the tactile part and the operating lever are composed of a single, indivisible component.

6. The operating lever extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and one end of the operating lever in the second direction is provided with a supported portion that is rotatably supported on a support shaft whose axis is oriented in the first direction. The vehicle door handle device according to claim 3, wherein the detent portion is provided at one end of the supported portion in the second direction.

7. The third direction is the direction perpendicular to the first and second directions. The operating lever has an arm portion that extends from the supported portion toward one side in the third direction, The vehicle door handle device according to claim 6, wherein one end of a wire connected to the latch mechanism is connected to the arm portion, and the switch is pressed and activated by the arm portion when rotated to the switch operating position.

8. The vehicle door handle device according to claim 7, wherein, when viewed from the first direction, the detent mechanism is positioned to overlap with the arm portion in the rotational direction of the operating lever.

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