This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-123146, filed on Jul. 28, 2021, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
This disclosure generally relates to a door handle apparatus for a vehicle. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a door handle apparatus for a vehicle in which a grip is housed in a door panel in a normal state, and the grip protrudes (pops up) to the outside of the door panel when a user opens the door from the outside of a vehicle.
A known door handle apparatus for a vehicle (hereinafter, referred to as a “conventional apparatus”) including a grip gripped when a door is opened from outside of a vehicle is disclosed (refer to, for example, JP 2008-248631 A). In general, a door panel of the vehicle includes an inner panel located on a vehicle interior side and an outer panel located on a vehicle exterior side. A space is provided between the inner panel and the outer panel. The conventional apparatus is disposed in the door panel (between the inner panel and the outer panel).
The conventional apparatus includes a base and a grip. The base is a support member that supports the grip. The grip extends in a front-rear direction of the vehicle. The grip is rotatably supported around a first shaft member extending in a height direction of the vehicle. The outer panel is provided with an opening, and the grip is located in the opening. The grip is biased by a torsion spring such that one end side (a portion behind the first shaft member) of the grip in a longitudinal direction is directed toward the vehicle interior side. In a normal state (a state in which the user does not touch the grip), the grip is in contact with the base and is stationary. In this state, there is no step at a boundary between the outer surface of the grip and the outer surface of the door panel, and both the outer surfaces (the outer surface of the grip and the outer surface of the door panel) are located in the same plane. When the user pushes the other end of the grip (a portion in front of the first shaft member) toward the vehicle interior side, the grip rotates around the first shaft member, and one end of the grip protrudes (pops up) outside from the outer surface of the outer panel.
In the conventional apparatus described above, a push-button switch for locking a door may be disposed adjacent to the other end of the grip. The push-button switch includes a switch element (tact switch) and a switch cover. The switch element is attached to the base. The switch cover is attached to a body of the switch element (or the surface of a push button portion) so as to cover the push button portion of the switch element.
From the viewpoint of vehicle design, an aerodynamic characteristic, and the like, it is preferable that the outer surface of the switch cover is located in the same plane as the outer surface of the grip in the normal state. For this purpose, it is necessary to keep accuracy of attaching the switch element to the base and accuracy of attaching the switch cover to the switch element high, and assemblability of the door handle apparatus for a vehicle is low.
A need thus exists for a door handle apparatus for a vehicle which is not susceptible to the drawback mentioned above.
A door handle apparatus for a vehicle according to the present disclosure is assembled to the door panel of the vehicle. The door handle apparatus for a vehicle includes a base that is fixed to the door panel, a grip that is allowed to be gripped from a vehicle exterior of the door panel, and a switch device that is disposed adjacent to the grip.
The grip is supported by the base so as to be rotatable around a first shaft extending in a predetermined direction, rotates from a state in which an outer surface of the grip is located in a same plane as an outer surface of the door panel, and is transitionable to a state of protruding from the outer surface of the door panel.
The switch device includes a switch body disposed in the door panel and a switch cover covering the switch body.
The switch cover is supported by the base so as to be rotatable around a second shaft extending in a predetermined direction, rotates around the second shaft from a state in which an outer surface of the switch cover is located in a same plane as the outer surface of the door panel, enters an inner surface of the door panel, and engages with the switch body to switch ON and OFF states of a switch element.
The foregoing and additional features and characteristics of this disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description considered with the reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Hereinafter, a door handle apparatus 1 for a vehicle (hereinafter, simply referred to as “door handle apparatus 1”) according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. First, an outline of a door DR to which the door handle apparatus 1 is applied will be described with reference to
The door DR includes a door panel DP and a door frame DF. The door panel DP includes an inner panel DPa and an outer panel DPb. Outer peripheral edges of the inner panel DPa and the outer panel DPb are joined to each other. The inner panel DPa and the outer panel DPb are press-molded in advance such that a space is formed between the inner panel DPa and the outer panel DPb in a state which the outer peripheral edges of the inner panel DPa and the outer panel DPb are joined to each other. That is, the door panel DP has a box shape (or a bag shape). The door frame DF as a window frame is attached to an upper portion of the door panel DP.
A front end surface of the door panel DP is assembled to an inner peripheral portion of the entrance with a hinge (not illustrated). The door panel DP rotates around a shaft of the hinge to open and close the door panel DP.
A door lock apparatus DL and the door handle apparatus 1 are attached to the door panel DP.
The door lock apparatus DL is disposed at a rear portion in the door panel DP. The door lock apparatus DL includes a latch mechanism LM that engages with a striker ST provided on the inner peripheral portion of the entrance of the vehicle to hold a state in which the door DR is closed (fully closed state). A part of the latch mechanism LM is exposed in an opening provided on a rear end surface of the door panel DP. When the door DR is closed, the striker ST enters the door panel DP through the opening, and the latch mechanism LM and the striker ST are engaged with each other.
The door lock apparatus DL includes a release mechanism RM (opening mechanism) that releases the engagement between the latch mechanism LM and the striker ST. The release mechanism RM includes a lever and a link member, which engage with the latch mechanism LM. The release mechanism RM is coupled to the door handle apparatus 1 via a rod RD. When the user pulls the grip of the door handle apparatus 1 in a state in which the door DR is closed, the release mechanism RM is driven via the rod RD, and the engagement between the latch mechanism LM and the striker ST is released.
The door lock apparatus DL further includes a locking mechanism KM. The locking mechanism KM includes an electric actuator that performs switching between a state in which the rod RD and the release mechanism RM are engaged (locked state) and a state in which the engagement is released (unlocked state). The electric actuator of the locking mechanism KM is driven by a control device (hereinafter, referred to as “ECU”) (not illustrated).
(Configuration)
Next, a specific configuration of the door handle apparatus 1 will be described. The door handle apparatus 1 is assembled to an opening OPDpb provided on the rear side of the outer panel DPb and above the door lock apparatus DL.
As illustrated in
The base 10 is a support member that supports the handle 20, the switch device 30, the pop-up mechanism 40, and the bell crank 50, which will be described later. As illustrated in
The base 10 includes flange portions 12a, 12b, and 12c (refer to
Through holes TH11b penetrating in a vehicle height direction are provided in an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion of the peripheral wall portion 11b of the base 10. A shaft member 13 that rotatably supports the handle 20 to be described later is inserted into and fixed to the through holes TH11b.
A pair of upper and lower bearing portions 14 and 14 rotatably supporting a switch cover 32 to be described later are provided at a front end portion (portion in front of the opening OP11a) of the housing portion 11 of the base 10. The bearing portions 14 and 14 have a columnar shape extending rightward from the bottom wall portion 11a. In a plan view of the base 10, distal end portions of the bearing portions 14 and 14 are cut out in a semicircular shape. As will be described later, a shaft portion 323 of a switch cover 32 is inserted into and supported by a cutout portion C.
In addition, on a left surface of the base 10, shaft portions 15a, 15b, and 15c extending leftward are provided (refer to
The handle 20 includes a grip 21 (refer to
The switch device 30 includes a tact switch 31, the switch cover 32, and a holder 33. The tact switch 31 is fixed to a wall portion constituting the space S1 in a state in which a push button portion of the tact switch 31 is directed rightward (refer to
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In a state in which the tact switch 31 is fixed in the space S1, the shaft portions 323 and 323 of the switch cover 32 is inserted into the bearing portions 14 and 14 from the right side of the bearing portions 14 and 14. Next, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
The pop-up lever 41 is a plate-like member. The pop-up lever 41 includes a base portion 411 and arms 412, 413, and 414. The base portion 411 is rotatably supported around the shaft portion 15a. The base portion 411 is biased by a torsion spring (not illustrated) so as to rotate clockwise in
When viewed from the left side of the pop-up lever 41, the arms 412, 413, and 414 extend outward from an outer edge portion of the base portion 411 (outward in a radial direction of the shaft portion 15a). The arm 412 and the arm 413 extend in directions opposite to each other when viewed from a rotation center of the pop-up lever 41. The arm 414 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extending direction of the arm 412 (414).
The actuator lever 42 is a plate-like member. The actuator lever 42 is rotatably supported around the shaft portion 15b. The actuator lever 42 has a slit-like opening OP42 having a short arc shape extending in the rotation direction of the actuator lever 42.
The electric actuator 43 is disposed behind and below the actuator lever 42. The electric actuator 43 includes an electric motor. An output shaft of the electric motor extends forward and upward, and a worm gear is attached to a distal end portion of the output shaft. A worm wheel is attached to the actuator lever 42, and the worm wheel meshes with the worm gear of the electric motor. The electric motor of the electric actuator 43 is controlled by the ECU.
The stopper 44 is disposed adjacent to the right side of the actuator lever 42. The stopper 44 includes a guide plate 441 and a head portion 442. The guide plate 441 is a plate-like portion parallel to the actuator lever 42. The guide plate 441 is provided with a slit-like opening OP441. The opening OP441 is disposed on the right side of the opening OP42, and partially communicates with the opening OP42. The opening OP441 linearly extends such that one end of the opening OP441 in the extending direction is located above the other end. The slit width of the opening OP441 is slightly smaller than the slit width of the opening OP42.
The head portion 442 includes a base portion and a flange portion. The base portion is a rectangular plate-like portion parallel to the actuator lever 42. A cylindrical protrusion P1 protruding leftward is provided on the left surface of the base portion. The protrusion P1 is inserted into the opening OP441 and the opening OP42. The flange portion is a rectangular plate-like portion connected to one peripheral end surface of the base portion. The base portion and the flange portion are orthogonal to each other. That is, the head portion 442 has a T shape. The plate thickness direction of the flange portion is parallel to the extending direction of the opening OP441.
One end of a coil spring (compression spring) (not illustrated) is supported by the base 10, and the other end of the coil spring is connected to the head portion 442. The coil spring presses the head portion 442 to bias the head portion 442 rearward and upward (in a direction parallel to the opening OP441).
The switch 45 is disposed below and behind the pop-up lever 41, when viewed from the rotation center of the pop-up lever 41. The switch 45 is a tact switch, and the push button portion of the switch 45 is directed to the rotation center side of the pop-up lever 41. The switch 45 is connected to the ECU, and the ECU monitors an ON and OFF state of the switch 45.
The bell crank 50 is a plate-like member. The bell crank 50 includes a base portion 511 and arms 512, 513, and 514. The base portion 511 is rotatably supported around the shaft portion 15c. The base portion 511 is biased by a torsion spring (not illustrated) so as to rotate counterclockwise in
When viewed from the left side of the bell crank 50, the arms 512, 513, and 514 extend outward from an outer edge portion of the base portion 511 (outward in a radial direction of the shaft portion 15c). The arm 512 and the arm 513 extend in directions substantially orthogonal to each other. The arm 514 is disposed between the arm 512 and the arm 513. That is, an angle between the arm 512 (513) and the arm 514 is approximately 45°.
(Operation)
When the user opens the door DR from the vehicle exterior side, the door handle apparatus 1 operates as follows.
<Initial State>
Before the user starts the operation of opening the door DR (in the initial state), the handle 20 is biased by a torsion spring, and the grip 21 is housed in the housing portion 11 and is stopped (refer to
Here, as described above, the pop-up lever 41 is biased clockwise by the torsion spring in
In this state, the arm 414 of the pop-up lever 41 extends forward and downward (lower left side in
The protrusion P1 of the stopper 44 is moved to the other end portion (lower left side in
The arm 413 extends rearward and downward (lower right side in
In the initial state, the locking mechanism KM is in a locked state. That is, the door DR is locked.
<Transition to Standby State>
In the initial state, when the user performs an unlocking operation by using a portable terminal (key) (not illustrated), the door handle apparatus 1 transitions to the standby state illustrated in
The head portion 442 is biased by the coil spring, moves in the upper right direction in
As illustrated in
<Transition to Pop-Up State>
When the user pushes the front end portion of the grip 21 of the handle 20 (a portion in front of the shaft member 13) in the standby state, the door handle apparatus 1 transitions to the pop-up state illustrated in
When the pop-up lever 41 rotates and the distal end portion of the arm 414 is separated from the head portion 442, the head portion 442 protrudes in the upper right direction by the biasing force of the coil spring in
The arm 413 presses the push button portion of the switch 45, and the switch 45 transitions from the OFF state to the ON state. Accordingly, the ECU can recognize that the door handle apparatus 1 is in the pop-up state.
<Transition to Door-Open State>
When the user grips the grip 21 of the handle 20 in the pop-up state, and pulls the grip 21 toward the user, the door handle apparatus 1 transitions to the door-open state illustrated in
<Transition to Initial State (Regression)>
When it is detected that the switch 45 transitions from the OFF state to the ON state, the ECU starts measuring an elapsed time. When the elapsed time (measurement result) exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the ECU drives the electric actuator 43 to return the actuator lever 42 to the initial position. Accordingly, the head portion 442 of the stopper 44 moves to the lower left side (initial position side) in
(Effects)
In a case where the switch cover 32 is supported by a body portion of the tact switch 31, in order to position the surface of the switch cover 32 and the surface of the outer panel DPb in the same plane, it is necessary to keep attachment position accuracy of the tact switch 31 with respect to the base 10 and attachment position accuracy of the switch cover 32 with respect to the tact switch 31 high. On the other hand, as described above, in the present embodiment, the switch cover 32 is directly supported by the base 10. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the attachment position of the switch cover 32 is hardly affected by the attachment position accuracy of the tact switch 31. That is, according to the present embodiment, the surface of the switch cover 32 is easily positioned in the same plane as the surface of the outer panel DPb.
The switch cover 32 is disposed adjacent to the front side of the grip 21. The extending direction of the rotation shaft of the switch cover 32 and the extending direction of the rotation shaft of the grip 21 are parallel to each other. In a case where each of the shaft portions 323 of the switch cover 32 is disposed on the front end side of the switch cover 32, when the user pushes the front end portion of the grip 21 to pop up the grip 21, the user may erroneously push the rear end portion of the switch cover 32. In this case, there is a case where the switch cover 32 rotates, the tact switch 31 transitions from the OFF state to the ON state, and thus the door DR is locked. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the shaft portion 323 of the switch cover 32 is disposed at the rear end portion of the switch cover 32 (near a boundary between the grip 21 and the cover portion 321). Accordingly, in a case where the user pushes the front end portion of the grip 21 to pop up the grip 21, even when the user erroneously pushes the rear end portion of the switch cover 32, the pushed portion is near the shaft portion 323, and thus it is difficult for the switch cover 32 to rotate. Therefore, when the grip 21 is popped up, a situation hardly occurs in which the door DR is erroneously locked.
In the door handle apparatus 1, when the grip 21 is popped up, the pop-up lever 41 is locked to the stopper 44, and the pop-up state is temporarily held. That is, even when the user releases the hand from the grip 21, the grip 21 is in the pop-up state, and the user can grip the grip 21 again. For example, the user can grip the grip 21 and open the door DR again in the middle of closing the door DR.
The electric actuator 43 is a device for driving the stopper 44, and does not drive the grip 21 on which a relatively large force (biasing force of the torsion spring) acts. Therefore, a relatively small (low output (low torque)) electric motor can be adopted. Accordingly, the door handle apparatus 1 can be downsized.
As described above, the door handle apparatus 1 has high assemblability and practicality (operability).
A door handle apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the door handle apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment is configured such that the user pushes the switch cover 32 to unlock the door handle apparatus 1, and then pushes the front end portion of the grip 21 of the handle 20 to cause the door handle apparatus 1 to transition from the initial state to the pop-up state. On the other hand, the door handle apparatus 2 is configured such that when the user pushes the switch cover 32 to unlock the door handle apparatus 2, the door handle apparatus 2 automatically transitions from the initial state to the pop-up state.
In the door handle apparatus 2, a pop-up lever 61 and an actuator lever 62, which are illustrated in
The pop-up lever 61 is a plate-like member. Like the pop-up lever 41, the pop-up lever 61 includes a base portion 611, an arm 612, an arm 613, and an arm 614.
The base portion 611 is rotatably supported around the shaft portion 15a. When viewed from the left side of the pop-up lever 61, the arms 612, 613, and 614 extend outward from an outer edge portion of the base portion 611 (outward in a radial direction of the shaft portion 15a). The arm 612 and the arm 613 extend in directions opposite to each other. The arm 614 extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the arm 612 (613). A cylindrical protrusion P2 extending rightward is provided on the right surface of the distal end portion of the arm 614. A protrusion P3 protruding rightward is provided in an intermediate portion of the arm 614. When viewed from the left side of the pop-up lever 61, the protrusion P3 has a substantially triangular shape. The protrusion P3 is disposed at an edge portion of the arm 614 on a side opposite to the arm 612.
The actuator lever 62 is a plate-like member. A base portion 621 and an arm 622 are provided. The base portion 621 extends in a predetermined direction. One end portion of the base portion 621 is rotatably supported around the shaft portion 15c. A slit-like opening OP62 extending in a rotation direction of the base portion 621 is provided in an intermediate portion of the base portion 621 in the longitudinal direction. The arm 622 is provided at the other end (distal end portion) of the base portion 621.
The arm 622 is wider than the base portion 621. An opening OP622 is provided in a central portion of the arm 622. That is, a portion excluding the outer edge portion of the arm 622 is opened. In other words, the arm 622 has an annular shape. The opening OP 622 has a substantially trapezoidal shape. That is, the opening OP622 has four sides (E1 to E4).
The actuator lever 62 is disposed adjacent to the right side of the pop-up lever 61, and the protrusion P1 and the protrusion P2 are inserted into the opening OP621 and the opening OP622, respectively.
In the second embodiment, an electric motor having an output torque greater than that of the first embodiment is adopted in the electric actuator 43.
(Operation)
Before the user starts the operation of opening the door DR (in the initial state), the grip 21 is housed in the housing portion 11 and is stopped similarly to the first embodiment. The arm 23 is located on the front end portion of the opening OP11a The bell crank 50 is also stopped similarly to the first embodiment.
The distal end portion of the arm 612 comes into contact with the front surface of the arm 23.
The arm 614 extends forward and downward (lower left side in
The protrusion P1 of the stopper 44 is stopped at the other end portion (lower left side in
<Transition to Pop-Up State>
In the initial state, when the user performs an unlocking operation by using a portable terminal (key) (not illustrated), the ECU drives the electric actuator of the locking mechanism KM, and causes the locking mechanism KM to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state. The ECU drives the electric actuator 43 to rotate the actuator lever 62 from the state illustrated in
When the opening OP621 of the actuator lever 62 rotates clockwise in
The pop-up lever 61 rotates from the state of
The arm 613 presses the push button portion of the switch 45, and the switch 45 transitions from an OFF state to an ON state. Accordingly, the ECU can recognize that the door handle apparatus 1 is in the pop-up state.
<Transition to Door-Open State>
In the pop-up state illustrated in
<Transition to Initial State (Regression)>
In the door-open state, when the user releases the hand from the grip 21, the grip 21 and the bell crank 50 are biased by the torsion spring to return to the pop-up position. The ECU measures the elapsed time from the time of transition to the pop-up state, and when the measurement result exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the ECU drives the electric actuator 43 to rotate the actuator lever 62 counterclockwise in
(Effects)
In a case where the door handle apparatus 1 is adopted, the user needs to push the front end portion of the grip 21 to pop up the grip 21. On the other hand, in a case where the door handle apparatus 2 is adopted, when the user unlocks the door DR, the electric actuator 43 is driven to automatically pop up the grip 21. Therefore, the convenience of the door handle apparatus 2 is higher than that of the door handle apparatus 1.
A pop-up lever 71 and an actuator lever 72, which are illustrated in
The pop-up lever 71 is a plate-like member similar to the pop-up lever 41, but has a plate thickness greater than that of the pop-up lever 41. The pop-up lever 71 has a plurality of ribs. The pop-up lever 71 includes a base portion 711 and arms 712, 713, 714 in a similar manner to the pop-up lever 41. However, unlike the above-described pop-up lever 61, a substantially columnar protrusion P4 extending to a “left side” is provided at the distal end portion of the arm 714. The protrusion P3 is provided in an intermediate portion of the arm 714 similarly to the arm 614.
The actuator lever 72 includes a base portion 721 and an arm 722. One end portion of the base portion 721 is rotatably supported around the shaft portion 15b. A slit-like opening OP721 extending in a rotation direction of the base portion 721 is provided at a corner portion of the other end portion of the base portion 721 in the longitudinal direction. The arm 722 is rotatably assembled to the other end portion of the base portion 721. A rotation angle of the arm 722 with respect to the base portion 721 is restricted within a predetermined range by a rotation restriction mechanism 73. The arm 722 extends outward from the base portion 721. A substantially elongated circular opening OP722 is provided at the distal end portion of the arm 722. A width of the opening OP722 is equal to a diameter of the protrusion P4.
The actuator lever 72 is disposed adjacent to the left side of the pop-up lever 71, and the protrusion P1 and the protrusion P4 are inserted into the opening OP721 and the opening OP722, respectively.
(Operation)
Before the user starts the operation of opening the door DR (in the initial state), the grip 21 is housed in the housing portion 11 and is stopped similarly to the first embodiment. As illustrated in
The rear surface of a distal end portion 712a of the arm 712 of the pop-up lever 71 comes into contact with the front surface of the arm 23 of the handle 20.
The arm 713 extends rearward and downward (lower right side in
The arm 713 of the pop-up lever 71 extends rearward and downward (lower right side in
An angle between the base portion 721 of the actuator lever 72 and the arm 722 is the maximum value of a variable range of the angle. That is, the rotation restriction mechanism 73 restricts the rotation of the arm 722 with respect to the base portion 721 such that the angle between the base portion 721 and the arm 722 does not increase beyond the variable range.
The protrusion P1 of the stopper 44 is stopped at the other end portion (lower left side in
<Transition to Pop-Up State>
In the initial state, when the user performs an unlocking operation by using a portable terminal (key) (not illustrated), the ECU drives the electric actuator of the locking mechanism KM, and causes the locking mechanism KM to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state. The ECU drives the electric actuator 43 to rotate the actuator lever 72 from the initial position illustrated in
When the opening OP721 of the actuator lever 72 rotates clockwise in
As illustrated in
The arm 713 presses the push button portion of the switch 45, and the switch 45 transitions from an OFF state to an ON state. Accordingly, the ECU can recognize that the door handle apparatus 1 is in the pop-up state.
<Transition to Door-Open State>
In the pop-up state, when the user pulls the grip 21 toward the user, the state transitions from the pop-up state to the door-open state as in the first embodiment.
<Transition to Initial State (Regression)>
In the door-open state, when the user releases the hand from the grip 21, the grip 21 and the bell crank 50 are biased by the torsion spring to return to the pop-up position. The ECU measures the elapsed time from the time of transition to the pop-up state, and when the measurement result exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the ECU drives the electric actuator 43 to rotate the actuator lever 72 counterclockwise in
A door handle apparatus 3 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. As illustrated in
The base 10A includes shaft portions 15d and 15e similarly to the shaft portions 15a and 15c of the base 10. The shaft portion 15d is located above an opening OP11a The shaft portion 15e is located below the opening OP11a Other configurations of the base 10A are similar to those of the base 10.
The damping mechanism 80 includes a lever 81 and a rotary damper 82. A lever 81 includes a base portion 811 and an arm 812. The base portion 811 is rotatably supported by the shaft portion 15d. A part of the outer peripheral portion of the base portion 811 has an arc shape, and a tooth T1 meshing with a tooth T2 of a spur gear G of the rotary damper 82 to be described later is provided in an arc portion 811a. Another part of the outer peripheral portion of the base portion 811 has a cam shape. That is, in a cam portion 811b, the radial dimension of the cam portion 811b gradually increases as being directed from one end side to the other end side in the peripheral direction of the base portion 811. The arm 812 is disposed between the arc portion 811a and the cam portion 811b in the outer peripheral portion of the base portion 811. When viewed from the left side of the lever 81, the arm 812 extends outward in the radial direction of the base portion 811. An opening OP812 is provided in the arm 812. The opening OP812 has a substantially rectangular shape. The arm 23 is inserted into the opening OP 812.
The rotary damper 82 includes a case 821. A rotor and oil having a relatively high viscosity are housed in the case 821. A shaft portion connected to the rotor protrudes outward from the case. The spur gear G is attached to the shaft portion. The case 821 is fixed to the base 10A such that a center axis of the spur gear G is positioned behind and above the shaft portion 15d (upper right side in
The bell crank 50A includes a base portion 50A1, an arm 50A2, and an arm 50A3. The base portion 50A1 is rotatably supported by the shaft portion 15e. The arm 50A2 extends outward in the radial direction of the base portion 50A1 from the outer peripheral portion of the base portion 50A1. The distal end portion of a rod RD is connected to the distal end portion of the arm 50A2. The arm 50A3 protrudes from a portion between the central portion of the base portion 50A1 and the distal end portion of the arm 50A2. The arm 50A3 extends in a direction inclined with respect to the extending direction of the arm 50A2.
A switch 45 is disposed in front of and above the shaft portion 15d (upper left side in
(Operation)
Before the user starts the operation of opening the door DR (in the initial state), the handle 20 is biased by a torsion spring, and as illustrated in
<Transition to Pop-Up State>
In the initial state, when the user performs an unlocking operation by using a portable terminal (key) (not illustrated), the ECU drives the electric actuator of the locking mechanism KM, and causes the locking mechanism KM to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state.
When the user pushes the front end portion of the grip 21 of the handle 20 (portion in front of the shaft member 13), the grip 21 rotates counterclockwise in
<Transition to Door-Open State>
In the pop-up state, when the user grips and pulls the grip 21 of the handle 20 toward the user, the distal end of the arm 23 moves rearward. The distal end portion of the arm 50A3 of the bell crank 50A is pressed rearward by the arm 23, and the bell crank 50A rotates clockwise in
<Transition to Initial State (Regression)>
In the door-open state, when the user releases the hand from the grip 21, the grip 21 and the bell crank 50A are biased by the torsion spring to rotate, and return to the pop-up position. The grip 21 is biased by the torsion spring to rotate, and returns to the initial position. As described above, in the process in which the door handle apparatus 3 returns from the door-open state to the initial state, the lever 81 rotates clockwise in
(Effects)
In the door handle apparatus 3, the rotation speed of the grip 21 when the grip 21 moves from the pop-up position to the initial position can be reduced. Therefore, even when the user releases the hand from the grip 21, the grip 21 is in the pop-up state for a while, and the user can grip the grip 21. For example, the user can grip the grip 21 and open the door DR again in the middle of closing the door DR.
The rotary damper 82 described above is configured to generate a resistance force against both a forward rotation direction (clockwise direction in
A door handle apparatus for a vehicle according to the present disclosure is assembled to the door panel of the vehicle. The door handle apparatus for a vehicle includes a base that is fixed to the door panel, a grip that is allowed to be gripped from a vehicle exterior of the door panel, and a switch device that is disposed adjacent to the grip.
The grip is supported by the base so as to be rotatable around a first shaft extending in a predetermined direction, rotates from a state in which an outer surface of the grip is located in a same plane as an outer surface of the door panel, and is transitionable to a state of protruding from the outer surface of the door panel.
The switch device includes a switch body disposed in the door panel and a switch cover covering the switch body.
The switch cover is supported by the base so as to be rotatable around a second shaft extending in a predetermined direction, rotates around the second shaft from a state in which an outer surface of the switch cover is located in a same plane as the outer surface of the door panel, enters an inner surface of the door panel, and engages with the switch body to switch ON and OFF states of a switch element.
In the door handle apparatus for a vehicle according to the present disclosure, the switch cover is directly supported by the base. Therefore, the attachment position of the switch cover is hardly affected by the attachment position accuracy of the switch element. That is, according to the present disclosure, the surface of the switch cover is easily positioned in the same plane as the outer surface of the door panel. That is, assemblability of the door handle apparatus for a vehicle is high.
In the door handle apparatus for a vehicle according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the grip extends in a front-rear direction of the vehicle, the first shaft and the second shaft extend in a vehicle height direction, the switch cover is disposed adjacent to one end of the grip in a longitudinal direction, the first shaft is disposed between the one end and a central portion of the grip in the longitudinal direction, and the second shaft is disposed at an end portion of the switch cover, the end portion being located on one end side of the grip.
In the door handle apparatus for a vehicle according to the aspect, the switch cover is disposed adjacent to the front side of the grip. The extending direction of the rotation shaft of the switch cover and the extending direction of the rotation shaft of the grip are parallel to each other. In a case where the shaft portion (second shaft) of the switch cover is disposed on one end side of the switch cover, when the user pushes a front end portion of the grip to pop up the grip, the user may erroneously push the end portion of the switch cover. In this case, there is a case where the switch cover rotates, the switch element transitions from the OFF state to the ON state. On the other hand, in the door handle apparatus for a vehicle according to the aspect, the shaft portion of the switch cover is disposed at the end portion of the switch cover (near a boundary between the grip and the switch cover). Accordingly, in a case where the user pushes one end portion of the grip to pop up the grip, even when the user erroneously pushes the end portion of the switch cover, the pushed portion is near the shaft portion, and thus it is difficult for the switch cover to rotate. Therefore, when the grip is popped up, a situation hardly occurs in which the switch element transitions to ON state.
The principles, preferred embodiment and mode of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. However, the invention which is intended to be protected is not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes and equivalents which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims, be embraced thereby.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2021-123146 | Jul 2021 | JP | national |