Door handle device for vehicle

A door handle device for a vehicle includes a handle base, a first link and a second link and an operation handle connected to the first link and the second link and to be driven from an initial position to a use position. The operation handle is manually operable to a latch operation position beyond the use position. The second link includes an end holding spring to apply an urging force to hold a rotation center of the second link and the operation handle at an initial end position. The handle base includes a latch release lever to be driven by the second link with a movement of the operation handle from the use position to the latch operation position and to transmit a latch release operation force to a door latch device fixed to the door.

TECHNICAL FIELD

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

BACKGROUND

Patent Literature 1 (JP2016-537532A) discloses a door handle device for a vehicle.

In the handle device for a vehicle disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the handle device includes an operation lever20having one end rotatably connected to a housing portion (a handle base) and the other end rotatably connected to a door handle14(an operation handle), and an unlocking lever32rotatably connected to the other end of the door handle14. When the operation lever20is rotationally driven, the door handle14is moved in parallel from an initial posture to an operating position such that a guide portion28fixed to the door handle14is guided by a slotted guide26formed in the housing portion.

Reference numerals in this column indicate the reference numerals attached to the respective portions in Patent Literature 1, and names of components in parentheses indicate names of components of the present invention corresponding to components of Patent Literature 1.

A guide portion34is protruded from one end of the unlocking lever32, and as the door handle14moves to the operating position, the guide portion34is guided by a second slotted guide36and moves by a first distance.

Thereafter, when the door handle14is rotated to an open position, the guide portion34is moved to a bottom end portion54of the slotted guide36, and a lock device is released via a Bowden cable38connected to the guide portion34.

In the handle device for a vehicle disclosed in Patent Literature 1, since it is necessary to form the slotted guide to guide the door handle for the door handle to move the door handle in parallel and the second slotted guide to guide a guide portion of the unlocking lever, a structure becomes complicated.

SUMMARY

Illustrative aspects of the present invention provide a door latch device can be operated with a simple structure in a handle device for a vehicle.

According to an illustrative aspect of the present invention, a door handle device for a vehicle includes a handle base1configured to be fixed to a door of the vehicle, a first link2and a second link3each having a first end and a second end, the first ends of the first link2and the second link3being rotatably connected to the handle base1and an operation handle4rotatably connected to the second ends of the first link2and the second link3and configured to be driven from an initial position to a use position with the first link2as a driving link. A connection portion at which the operation handle4and the second end of the first link2are connected with each other includes a first rotation center (C24). Another connection portion at which the operation handle4and the second end of the second link3are connected with each other includes a second rotation center8. The operation handle4is configured such that the second rotation center8is slidable from an initial end position along one of the second link3and the operation handle4, and the operation handle4is configured to be manually operable to a latch operation position beyond the use position of the operation handle4by the operation handle4at the use position being allowed to rotate about the first rotation center (C24). The second link3includes an end holding spring5configured to apply an urging force to the second rotation center8to hold the second rotation center8at the initial end position. The handle base1includes a latch release lever7configured to be driven by the second link3along with a movement of the operation handle4from the use position to the latch operation position and to transmit a latch release operation force to a door latch device6fixed to the door.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated inFIG.1and the following drawings, a door handle device includes a handle base1, an operation handle4, and a first link2and a second link3for connecting the operation handle4to the handle base1, and is fixed to a door of a vehicle at the handle base1.

In a state in which the handle base1is fixed to the door, the operation handle4can be moved from an initial position illustrated inFIGS.1and3, to a use position illustrated inFIG.4Aand to a latch operation position at which one end of the operation handle4is pulled further from the use position, as illustrated inFIG.4B.

The door handle device has a flush surface specification in which, when the operation handle4is not in use, the operation handle4is accommodated in the door and a surface of the operation handle4is substantially in the same plane as a door surface. The initial position of the operation handle4corresponds to a non-use posture. The handle base1is formed with a handle accommodating recess1ato accommodate the operation handle4at the initial position (seeFIGS.6A and6B).

As illustrated inFIG.3, a first link2and a second link3are connected to the handle base1so as to be rotatable about third and fourth rotation centers (C12), (C13). The third and fourth rotation centers (C12), (C13) of the first link2and the second link3with respect to the handle base1are appropriately spaced apart from each other in a front-rear direction, that is, in a longitudinal direction of the handle base1. The third rotation center (C12) of the first link2is disposed in front of the fourth rotation center (C13) of the second link3.

In this specification, a left side ofFIG.1is referred to as “front”, a right side is referred to as “rear”, a front side of a paper surface ofFIG.1is referred to as a “front surface” direction, and an opposite direction thereof is referred to a “back surface” direction.

Further, an electric actuator9such as a motor is fixed to the handle base1. A cam surface2awhich is in pressure contact with a cam body9awhich is to be rotationally driven by the electric actuator9is formed on the first link2, and when the cam body9ais rotationally driven, the first link2can be rotated about the third rotation center (C12). An urging force in a counterclockwise direction inFIG.3is applied to the first link2by a torsion spring (not illustrated) wound around the third rotation center (C12), and the cam surface2ais brought into pressure contact with the cam body9a.

The operation handle4is provided with link connecting portions11a,11bprotruding toward a back surface side at both front and rear end portions of the operation handle4, and a handhold recess4ato serve as a handhold when the operation handle4is operated is formed between the link connecting portions11a,11bof front and rear portions (seeFIGS.3,4A, and4B).

The other end of the first link2, one end of which is connected to the handle base1, is rotatably connected to the front link connecting portion11aof the operation handle4, and the other end of the second link3is connected to the rear link connecting portion11b.

The second link3and the operation handle4are rotatably and slidably connected to each other. In this example, a connecting pin, which is fixed to the rear link connection portion11band serves as a second rotation center8, is inserted into a long hole10formed in an end portion of the second link3. Therefore, the connecting pin or the second rotation center8is slidable in the long hole10. The connecting pin is inserted into the long hole10and then retained by retaining means as appropriate.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the third rotation center (C12) of the first link2with respect to the handle base1, a first rotation center (C24) of the first link2with respect to the operation handle4, the second rotation center8of the operation handle4, and the fourth rotation center (C13) of the second link3with respect to the handle base1are disposed at vertex positions of a parallelogram. In the long hole10, the position of the connecting pin8at the vertex position of the parallelogram is set as one end position (an initial end position), and the long hole10extends toward a rear side and a back surface direction, that is, toward a direction in which a link length of the second link3can be extended by the connecting pin8sliding.

Further, as illustrated inFIGS.3,4A, and4B, by a torsion spring wound around the fourth rotation center (C13) of the handle base1and the second link3, the second link3is urged toward an initial rotation position side corresponding to the initial position of the operation handle4. A torsion spring12urging the first link2toward the initial rotation position side corresponding to the initial position of the operation handle4is wound around the first rotation center (C24) of the first link2and the operation handle4. The torsion spring wound around the fourth rotation center (C13) of the second link3and the handle base1functions as an end holding spring5. The end holding spring5urges the connecting pin8toward the initial end position in the long hole10, that is, toward a vertex position side of the aforementioned parallelogram, and holds the connecting pin8at the initial end position.

Therefore, in this example, when the electric actuator9is driven to rotate the cam body9acounterclockwise inFIG.3in a state in which the operation handle4is at the initial position illustrated inFIG.3, the first link2rotates clockwise about the third rotation center (C12).

As described above, since the connecting pin of the second link3and the operation handle4is held at the initial end position at which the link length of the second link3is minimized due to the end holding spring5, the first link, the second link3, the operation handle4, and the handle base1form a parallel crank mechanism having the handle base1as a fixed link. Therefore the operation handle4moves from the initial position to the use position illustrated inFIG.4Aby the rotation of the first link2while maintaining the parallel posture.

When the operation handle4reaches the use position, the driving of the electric actuator9is stopped by a switch (not illustrated), and the operation handle4is held at the use position, and when the electric actuator9is reversely driven from this state, the first link2returns to the initial rotation position by the torsion spring12wound around the third rotation center (C12), and the operation handle4returns to the initial position.

At the use position, the operation handle4is held in a posture parallel to the door surface, and thereafter, by pulling out a rear end side of the operation handle4to an outer side of the door, the operation handle4is rotated about the first rotation center (C24) of the first link2and the operation handle4until the operation handle4comes into contact with a stopper (not illustrated), and as illustrated inFIG.4B, the operation handle4can be moved to a latch release position inclined from a front end portion toward the rear end portion.

As illustrated inFIG.4B, the rotation of the operation handle4from the use position to the latch release position is allowed when the connecting pin slides to an opposite end side of the long hole10in the long hole10and the link length of the second link3becomes substantially longer.

The rotation of the operation handle4from the use position to the latch release position is performed manually, and the second link3further rotates beyond a use rotation position, which corresponds to the use position of the operation handle4, and rotates to the latch release rotation position in accordance with the rotation operation of the operation handle4to a latch release rotation position.

Further, as illustrated inFIGS.5A to5C, a support column13extending in an axial direction of the fourth rotation center (C13) of the second link3with respect to the handle base1is erected on the second link3, and a lever operating protruding portion14protrudes toward a front side from a distal end of the support column13.

Meanwhile, the handle base1is provided with a latch release lever7. The latch release lever7includes a cable connecting portion7aand a driven protruding portion7b, and is attached to the handle base1so as to be rotatable about a rotation center (C17) extending in the front-rear direction. The latch release lever7is held clockwise inFIG.5B, that is, at the initial rotation position illustrated inFIG.5Bby a torsion spring (not illustrated) wound around the rotation center (C17).

As illustrated inFIG.5B, the driven protruding portion7bof the latch release lever7enters an operating plane(S) of the lever operating protruding portion14when the second link3rotates, and the lever operating protruding portion14moves in an arrow direction inFIG.5Band clockwise inFIG.5Calong with the movement of the operation handle4from the initial position to the use position and to the latch release position.

As is clear fromFIGS.5A to5Cillustrating the initial position of the operation handle4, when the second link3is at the initial rotation position, the lever operating protruding portion14and the driven protruding portion7bof the latch release lever7do not contact each other, and when the second link3is rotated to the use rotation position by operating the operation handle4from this state to the use position, the lever operating protruding portion14comes into contact with the driven protruding portion7bas illustrated inFIG.6A.

From this state, when the operation handle4is rotated to the latch release position and the second link3is rotated to the latch release rotation position, as illustrated inFIG.6B, the lever operating protruding portion14pushes the driven protruding portion7band rotates counterclockwise about the rotation center (C17) against a reaction force of the torsion spring.

An inner cable15bof the cable device15which is movably inserted into the outer cable15ais connected to the cable connecting portion7aof the latch release lever7. One end of the outer cable15aof the cable device15is fixed to the handle base1and the other end thereof is fixed to a door latch device6fixed to the door, and when the latch release lever7rotates, the operation force is transmitted to the door latch device6via the inner cable15b, and a latch release operation is performed.

Further, an inertia stopper mechanism16to prevent the door from being opened when a side collision load is applied to the vehicle is incorporated in the handle device. As illustrated inFIGS.5A to5C, the inertia stopper mechanism16includes a stopper protruding portion17protruding from the support column13of the second link3, and an inertia stopper18disposed on the handle base1.

The stopper protruding portion17extends in parallel to the lever operating protruding portion14described above. The stopper protruding portion17protrudes in a direction opposite to a direction in which the lever operating protruding portion14extends, that is, rearward. The stopper protruding portion17has a wing piece shape. The stopper protruding portion17is formed in a stepped shape including a first stopper17a, which is parallel to a side wall surface of the second link3and faces the second link3, and a second stopper17b, which is disposed so as to be stacked on the first stopper17ain a direction away from the side wall surface of the second link3(seeFIGS.7A,7B,8A and8B).

The stopper protruding portion17is fixed to the second link3. The stopper protruding portion17rotates about the fourth rotation center (C13) of the second link3with respect to the handle base1along with the rotation of the second link3. The stopper protruding portion17is at an initial corresponding position shown inFIG.7Awhen the operation handle4is at the initial position, that is, when the second link3is at the initial rotation position. The stopper protruding portion17moves to a use corresponding position shown inFIG.7Bwhen the second link3is at the use rotation position.

Meanwhile, the inertia stopper18is rotatable about a rotation center (C118) between a standby rotation position illustrated inFIGS.7A and7Band a stopper rotation position illustrated inFIGS.8A and8B. As illustrated inFIG.7A, the inertia stopper18is urged toward a standby rotation position side by a torsion spring19wound around the rotation center (C118).

The inertia stopper18is formed as a cylindrical body in which a position of the center of gravity is set such that the inertia stopper18moves from the standby rotation position to the stopper rotation position due to inertia when a collision force due to a side collision is applied to the inertia stopper18.

Further, the inertia stopper18has first and second stopper surfaces18a,18bformed by utilizing a side wall. As illustrated inFIG.7A, the first stopper surface18ais disposed on a rotation plane of the first stopper17a, and is formed to have a diameter smaller than a diameter (D) of the second stopper surface18b, which is to be described later.

When the inertia stopper18is at the standby rotation position, the first stopper surface18aof the inertia stopper18is opened at a position facing the first stopper17aof the stopper protruding portion17which is at the initial corresponding position as illustrated inFIG.7A, and a gap18cto allow the first stopper17ato enter from the opened portion toward inner side is formed. The gap allows the first stopper17ato move beyond the use corresponding position to a position corresponding to the latch release rotation position of the second link3.

Meanwhile, when the inertia stopper18is at the standby rotation position, the second stopper surface18bof the inertia stopper18is opened at a position facing the second stopper17bin the use corresponding position as illustrated inFIG.7B, and is provided with a recess18dto allow the second stopper17bto move to a position corresponding to the latch release rotation position of the second link3.

Therefore, when the inertia stopper18is at the standby rotation position, the rotation of the second link3is not limited, and the operation handle4can be moved to the initial position, the use position, and to the latch release position.

On the other hand, when a side collision force of the vehicle is applied, the inertia stopper18rotates from the standby rotation position to the stopper rotation position. When the operation handle4is at the initial position, a movement path of the first stopper17ais blocked by the first stopper surface18aof the inertia stopper18as illustrated inFIG.8A. When the operation handle4is at the use position, a movement path of the second stopper17bis blocked by the second stopper surface18bof the inertia stopper18as illustrated inFIG.8B, so that the movement is limited.

As a result, regardless of the position of the operation handle4, it is possible to reliably prevent the second link3from moving due to the side collision and the latch release lever7from being operated, and the door from being opened unnecessarily.

The operation handle4can operate as a four-bar link mechanism rotatably connected to the other ends of the first link2and the second link3, one ends of which are rotatably connected to the handle base1, and in this state, the first link2can be moved from the initial position to the use position by being driven as the driving link by an electric actuator9such as a motor.

Further, the second rotation center8of the operation handle4and the second link3is slidable from the initial end position along one of the second link3and the operation handle4. By pressing the second rotation center8against the initial end position by the urging force applied by the end holding spring5to restrain the second rotation center8, it is ensured that the second rotation center8operates as the four-bar link mechanism when the first link2is driven as the driving link.

By making the second rotation center8of the operation handle4and the second link3slidable, it is possible to move the second rotation center8against the urging force applied by the end holding spring5. As a result, the second link3can further rotate about a fourth rotation center (C13) of the second link3and the handle base1from a use rotation position corresponding to the use position of the operation handle4. As a result, the operation handle4can be manually operated from the use position to the latch operation position, to which the operation handle4is further rotated from the use position about a first rotation center (C24) of the first link2and the operation handle4.

The latch release lever7attached to the handle base1is operated by a rotation operation of the second link3to a latch operation rotation position caused by a moving operation of the operation handle4to the latch operation position beyond the use position thereof, a latch release operation force is transmitted to the door latch device6fixed to the door, thereby making the door latch released, and the door can be opened.

In the embodiment of the present invention in which the operation handle4is operated by a simple link mechanism in which the operation handle4, the first link2, and the second link3are connected to the handle base1, since it is not necessary to form a guide or the like, the structure can be simplified.

Further, while the first link2is driven as the driving link and the operation handle4is moving to the use position, the second rotation center8of the second link3and the operation handle4is held at the initial end position due to the end holding spring5. Therefore, the operation handle4reliably behaves as the four-bar link mechanism. As a result, since the second link3does not inadvertently move to the latch operation position to operate the latch release lever7, the operation reliability can be improved, and the structure for urging the second rotation center8of the operation handle4and the second link3to the initial end position can be easily realized, the structure is also simplified.

The second rotation center8of the second link3and the operation handle4is slidable by inserting the pin-shaped second rotation center8in a movable manner into the long hole10formed in one of the second link3and the operation handle4. In the case where the long hole10is provided in the second link3, the second rotation center8can be configured to be slidable in an extension and contraction direction of a link length of the second link3, and can be held at the initial end position at which the link length of the second link3is minimized by the urging force of the end holding spring5.

The end holding spring5may directly press the second rotation center8against the end of the long hole10, or may urge the second link3toward an initial rotation position side corresponding to the initial position of the operation handle4.

Further, when the handle base1, the first link2, the second link3, and the operation handle4constitute a parallel crank mechanism having the first link2as the driving link in a state in which the second rotation center8of the second link3and the operation handle4is held at the initial end position, the operation handle4can be operated in parallel from the initial position.

While the present invention has been described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.