Door handle device for vehicle

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

Door handle device for vehicle

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

[0002] Conventionally, door handle devices with pop-up handle levers have been known. In this type of door handle device, when the door handle is not in use, such as when the vehicle is stopped or moving, the handle lever is stored in the door panel, making the design surface (outer surface) of the handle lever approximately flush with the design surface (outer surface) of the door panel. This reduces the step on the outer surface of the door panel, improving the design and reducing air resistance when moving (flush surfaced design).

[0003] In this type of door handle device, when an occupant wants to get into the vehicle, they pop up the handle lever. The occupant then grasps the popped-up handle lever and operates it in a specific manner to release the latch that is 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 doors by operating the buttons on a keyless key.

[0005] That is, in a smart entry system, when a user (usually the driver) carrying a portable device (smart key) with wireless functionality enters a predetermined area of ​​the vehicle, the steering device pops up the steering lever. In a keyless entry system, when the driver presses the unlock button on the keyless key within the predetermined area of ​​the vehicle, the steering device pops up the steering lever.

[0006] Pop-up door handles remain in a retracted position until the driver or other occupants approach a parked vehicle to enter. If the door handle suddenly pops up while a pedestrian is passing by the vehicle, the pedestrian may be surprised. Furthermore, the pop-up handle may catch on the pedestrian's clothing. For this reason, some countries have legal regulations regarding the amount of protrusion of the handle when popped up (the distance from the outer surface of the door panel to the end of the handle protruding in the vehicle width direction).

[0007] However, when the handle lever protrusion amount is restricted during pop-up, the occupant cannot easily grasp the handle lever, making it difficult to open the door and causing inconvenience to the occupant.

[0008] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open 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 the handle lever into the inner side and pull the handle lever toward themselves to unlock it. An extension portion is formed on the handle lever on the side opposite the position where the occupant's hand is inserted. This extension portion prevents the occupant's fingers from protruding from the handle lever.

[0009] The technology disclosed in this publication secures a large space for inserting the hand into the handle lever by cutting out an extension formed at the open end of the handle lever, thereby ensuring ease of operation of the handle lever.

[0010] However, the technology disclosed in this publication is designed to unlock the door panel while restricting the amount of protrusion of the handle lever when popping up, which means that the entire process from unlocking the door to opening the side door must be performed while the amount of protrusion of the handle lever is restricted, making it inconvenient to use.

[0011] To provide a door handle device for a vehicle which has good operability of a handle lever even when the handle lever stored in a door panel is popped up to a specified position, and is easy to use.

[0012] One aspect of the present invention is a door handle device for a vehicle having a handle unit provided on a vehicle door, an actuator that deploys or retracts a handle lever provided on the handle unit, and a control unit that controls the driving of the actuator, wherein the control unit includes an approach detection unit that detects the approach of a handle lever operator to the vehicle, a first deployment drive processing unit that, when the approach detection unit detects the approach of the handle lever operator, drives the actuator to deploy the stored handle lever to a standby position with a narrow deployment width, and a second deployment drive processing unit that, when it detects that the handle lever operator has pulled the deployment side end of the handle lever that is in the standby position toward himself, assists the handle lever operator in operating the handle lever to deploy it to a grip position with a wide deployment width.

[0013] Schematic diagram of a vehicle equipped with a door handle device. Perspective view of a handle unit. Horizontal cross-sectional view of a handle portion. Horizontal cross-sectional view equivalent to FIG. 3A showing a state in which the handle lever is popped up to the standby position. Horizontal cross-sectional view equivalent to FIG. 3A showing a state in which the handle lever is extended to the grip position. Flowchart showing a handle lever control routine (part 1). Flowchart showing a handle lever control routine (part 2).

[0014] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings are schematic, and the relationship between the thickness and width of each member, the thickness ratio of each member, etc., differ from the actual relationship, and of course, the dimensional relationships and ratios between the various drawings also differ.

[0015] A 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-wing door that opens and closes at the rear side with the front side as a fulcrum. A handle unit 2 is attached to each side door 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 symmetrical structure to the left handle unit 2, so its description will be omitted.

[0017] The handle unit 2 has a handle lever 3 that is gripped when opening the side door 1. The handle lever 3 is stored in a housing 4. The housing 4 is fixed to the side door 1. A recess 4a that stores the handle lever 3 is formed in the housing 4. An open end 4b of the recess 4a is exposed on the outer surface of the side door 1. The open end 4b is substantially flush with the outer surface of the side door 1.

[0018] The handle lever 3 has a horizontally long shape. The handle lever 3 has a grip portion 3a and a finger hook portion 3b. The grip portion 3a is gripped by an occupant when getting into the vehicle M. The dashed dotted line in Figure 3C indicates the occupant's hand H. A hinge pin 5 is fitted to the end of the grip portion 3a on the front side of the vehicle body. The rear side of the handle lever 3 on the rear side of the vehicle body is rotatable from the recess 4a to the outside of the vehicle body around the hinge pin 5.

[0019] The finger hook 3b is formed on the end of the handle lever 3 on the rear side of the vehicle body, which is the deployment side. The grip 3a protrudes from the outer surface toward the rear side of the vehicle body. The outer surfaces of the grip 3a and the finger hook 3b are formed flush with each other.

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

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

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

[0023] Furthermore, the handle actuator 12 generates a shaft torque sufficient to reduce the burden on the fingers F of a person who is trying to operate the handle lever 3 to get on the vehicle while the handle lever 3 is being moved from the standby position to the lever grip position (the state in FIG. 3C ). Furthermore, the handle actuator 12 rotates the handle lever 3 from the deployed state at the standby position and the handle grip position to the stored position and stores it therein. The handle actuator 12 is operated in accordance with commands from a handle lever control unit 21 a, which will be described later.

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

[0025] The vehicle M is also equipped with a smart entry system. The 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 (mainly the driver) intending to get into the vehicle M, 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. Upon receiving the ID code, the smart entry ECU 21 detects the approach of a person carrying the smart key 22 who is trying to get into the vehicle.

[0027] The smart entry ECU 21 is composed of a microcontroller including a CPU, RAM, ROM, rewritable non-volatile memory (flash memory or EEPROM), and peripheral devices. The ROM stores programs and fixed data required for the CPU to execute various processes. The RAM serves as a work area for the CPU and temporarily stores various data for the CPU. The CPU is also called an MPU (microprocessor) or a processor. A GPU (graphics processing unit) or a GSP (graph streaming processor) may be used instead of the CPU. Alternatively, a CPU, GPU, and GSP may be selectively combined.

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

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

[0030] Specifically, the rotation control of the handle lever 3 executed by the handle lever control unit 21a is controlled in accordance with the handle lever control routine shown in Figures 4A and 4B. Note that, hereinafter, a person (mainly the driver) carrying the smart key 22 and intending to get into the vehicle M will be referred to as a "handle lever operator."

[0031] In this routine, the handle lever control unit 21a detects the approach of a handle lever operator in steps S1 to S3. 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), the process proceeds to step S2. If the ID code has not been received (NO), the process exits the routine.

[0033] In step S2, the handle lever control unit 21a compares the ID code stored in the storage unit with the ID code transmitted from the smart key 22. Then, the handle lever control unit 21a determines whether the ID codes match (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 it is determined that the ID codes 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 (the position in FIG. 3B) in accordance with a command from the handle lever control unit 21a (step S4).

[0035] The pop-up of the handle lever 3 is performed in one of the following ways: (1) Pop up only the handle lever 3 of the handle unit 2 that the handle lever operator is approaching. (2) Pop up the handle levers 3 of all handle units 2. (3) Make it possible to arbitrarily select either (1) or (2). 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 width from the surface of the side door 1 to the outside of the tip of the finger hook 3b. This deployed width W1 is set to a value that satisfies all of the following conditions: (1) The deployed width W1 must be a value that will not startle pedestrians passing by the vehicle M even when the handle lever 3 pops up. (2) The deployed width W1 must be a value that will prevent pedestrians' clothing from getting caught on the popped-up handle lever 3. (3) As shown in Figure 3B, the deployed width W1 must be a value that allows the finger F of the handle lever operator to hook on the finger hook 3b.

[0037] The deployed width W1 of the handle lever 3 is set to a value that satisfies the above-mentioned conditions, for example, about 40 mm.

[0038] Next, the handle lever control unit 21a checks whether or not an ON signal has been received from the finger hook touch switch 14 within a predetermined time (e.g., 10 to 15 seconds) after the handle lever 3 pops up (step S5). The finger hook touch switch 14 is provided on the inner surface of the finger hook 3b. Therefore, the finger hook touch switch 14 outputs an ON signal when the handle lever operator's finger F is hooked on the finger hook 3b.

[0039] If the handle lever control unit 21a receives an ON signal from the finger hook 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 from, for example, the torsion generated in the hinge pin 5.

[0040] Next, the handle lever control unit 21a outputs an assist torque corresponding to the shaft torque detected by the shaft torque sensor 15 to the handle actuator 12. Then, the handle actuator 12 deploys the handle lever 3 with an assist torque that causes a slight reaction force to be felt by the fingers F of the handle lever operator (step S7).

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

[0042] If the handle lever 3 has not yet been extended to the grip position (step S8: NO), the handle lever control unit 21a returns to step S7. If the handle lever control unit 21a determines that the handle lever 3 has been extended to the grip position (step S8: YES), it checks whether an ON signal has been output from any of the handle upper surface touch switch 13a, the handle lower surface touch switch 13b, and the handle inside touch switch 13c within a predetermined time (step S9).

[0043] Here, the predetermined time is the time that has elapsed since the handle lever 3 reached the grip position. This predetermined time is the time required to determine whether 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 an ON signal is not detected from any of the handle touch switches 13a to 13c after a predetermined time has elapsed (step S9: NO), the handle lever control unit 1a 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 has been detected from all of the handle touch switches 13a to 13c (step S10).

[0046] If the handle lever control unit 21a determines that an ON signal has not been detected from any of the handle touch switches 13a to 13c (step S10: NO), the process returns to step S9. If the handle lever control unit 21a detects an ON signal from any of the handle touch switches 13a to 13c (step S10: YES), the handle lever control unit 21a determines that the hand H of the handle lever operator is gripping the handle lever 3 and operating the handle. The processes in steps S9 and S10 correspond to the operation detection unit of the present invention.

[0047] If the answer to step S10 is YES, the handle lever control unit 21a permits the latch release operation (step S11). The door latch is provided on the side door 1. On the other hand, a striker with which the door latch engages is provided on the vehicle body side. The process in step S11 corresponds to the latch release operation permitting unit of the present invention.

[0048] The side door 1 is maintained in a fully closed state by the door latch engaging with the striker. The door latch is provided with a latch release mechanism. By operating this latch release mechanism, the door latch is released from the striker. When the door latch is released from the striker, the side door 1 can be opened.

[0049] The latch release mechanism can be either electric or 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 the like.

[0050] When the latch release operation is permitted in step S11, in the electric latch release mechanism, when the handle lever operator lightly pulls the handle lever 3 toward himself from the grip position, the latch release switch (not shown) turns ON. When the handle lever control unit 21a detects the ON signal of this latch release switch, it drives the electric actuator to release the latch.

[0051] In addition, in the mechanical latch release mechanism, the operator of the handle lever grips the grip portion 3a and rotates the handle lever 3 further toward the operator from the grip position. At that time, the operating force on the handle lever 3 is transmitted to the latch via a cable or the like, thereby releasing the latch.

[0052] After the latch is released, the handle lever control unit 21a checks whether all of the handle touch switches 13a to 13c are OFF (step S12). If any of the handle touch switches 13a to 13c is ON (NO), the control unit 21a 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 hand H of the handle lever operator is still touching the handle lever 3.

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

[0054] If the answer to step S12 is YES, the handle lever control unit 21a determines whether a handle storage condition exists (step S13). The process in step S13 corresponds to the storage condition determination unit of the present invention.

[0055] The handle retraction condition may be, for example, any of the following: (1) Whether a certain time has elapsed since the side door 1 was opened; (2) Whether the door latch of the side door 1 has engaged with the striker; (3) Whether the selector lever (shift lever) has been set to the drive (D) range; or (4) Whether a predetermined speed has been reached after starting.

[0056] In step S8, the handle lever control unit 21a determines whether the handle storage condition is satisfied. If the handle storage condition is not satisfied (NO), the handle lever control unit 21a waits until the handle storage condition is satisfied. On the other hand, if the handle lever control unit 21a determines that the handle storage condition is satisfied (YES), the process 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 retracting direction and exits the routine (RETURN). The process 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 storage direction, the handle lever 3 rotates around the hinge pin 5 toward the recessed portion 4a. Then, as shown in Fig. 3A, the handle lever 3 is stored in the recessed portion 4a. When the handle lever 3 is stored in the recessed portion 4a, the outer surface of the handle lever 3 is substantially flush with the outer surface of the side door 1.

[0059] In this way, the handle lever control unit 21a according to this embodiment pops up the handle lever 3 to a predetermined standby position when it detects that the handle lever operator is approaching the vehicle M. Before the pop-up operation, the handle lever 3 is stored in the recess 4a of the housing 4 in a state where it is substantially flush with the surface of the side door 1. The handle lever operator places his / her finger F on the finger hook portion 3b of the handle lever 3 that is deployed to the standby position and pulls it toward himself / herself.

[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 hook 3b of the handle lever 3. Then, the handle lever control unit 21a drives the handle actuator 12 to generate an assist torque corresponding to the axial torque in the handle lever 3. Then, the handle lever 3 is deployed to the grip position following the fingers F of the handle lever operator. This reduces the burden on the fingers F of the handle lever operator.

[0061] Because the handle lever 3 is deployed to the grip position, the handle lever operator can easily grip the grip portion 3a of the handle lever 3. As a result, the handle lever 3 is easy to operate and convenient to use.

[0062] The door handle device of the present invention can be applied not only to the side door 1 but also to a sliding door that moves in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body. The door handle device of the present invention can also be applied to a keyless entry system.

Claims

1. A vehicle door handle device having a handle unit provided on a vehicle door, an actuator that deploys or retracts a handle lever provided on the handle unit, and a control unit that controls the driving of the actuator, wherein the control unit comprises: an approach detection unit that detects the approach of a handle lever operator to the vehicle, a first deployment drive processing unit that, when the approach detection unit detects the approach of the handle lever operator, drives the actuator to deploy the stored handle lever to a standby position with a narrow deployment width, and a second deployment drive processing unit that, when it detects that the handle lever operator has pulled the deployment side end of the handle lever that is in the standby position toward himself, assists the handle lever operator in operating the handle lever to deploy it to a grip position with a wide deployment width.

2. The vehicle door handle device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit further comprises: an operation detection unit that detects whether the handle lever operator has operated the handle lever that has been extended to the grip position; and a latch release operation permission unit that, when the operation detection unit detects operation of the handle lever by the handle lever operator, permits the release operation of the door latch engaged with the striker on the vehicle body side.

3. The vehicle door handle device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit further comprises: a handle operation completion determination unit that determines whether the handle operation by the handle lever operator has ended after the latch release operation permission unit has permitted the release operation of the door latch; a storage condition determination unit that determines a storage condition for the handle lever; and a handle lever storage processing unit that drives the actuator to store 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 is met.

4. The vehicle door handle device according to claim 3, characterized in that the storage condition determination unit determines that the storage condition is met when a certain time has passed since the door was opened, or when the door latch engages with the striker, or when the selector lever is set to the drive range, or when a predetermined speed is reached after starting.

5. A vehicle door handle device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a finger hook portion for hooking the fingers of a person operating the handle lever is formed at the deployment side end of the handle lever.