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FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a vehicle door opening-closing device that controls the opening or closing of a vehicle door based on an opening or closing operation of a door handle. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In the prior art, a variety of vehicle door opening-closing device have been proposed. For example, patent document  1  describes a vehicle door opening-closing device that is applied to a vehicle door that slides to open and close a door opening formed in a vehicle body. 
         [0003]    The vehicle door opening-closing device includes a door handle that is pivotally supported by a vehicle door, an opening-closing operation detector that detects an operation of the opening or closing operation of the door handle, a door drive mechanism that drives and opens or closes the vehicle door, and a controller that actuates the door drive mechanism based on a detection signal received from the opening-closing operation detector. For example, when a user pushes the door handle toward an inner side of the vehicle when the vehicle door is fully closed, the opening-closing operation detector detects a door handle opening operation and outputs a detection signal to the controller. When receiving the detection signal, the controller drives the door drive mechanism to move the vehicle door in an opening direction. Thus, the vehicle door automatically moves in the opening direction from the fully closed state when the user pushes the door handle toward the inner side of the vehicle. 
       PRIOR ART DOCUMENT 
     Patent Document 
       [0004]    Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2007-182748 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems that are to be Solved by the Invention 
       [0005]    In the vehicle door opening-closing device described in patent document 1, however, the opening-closing operation detector detects the door handle opening operation when the user pushes the door handle. Then, the opening-closing operation detector outputs the detection signal to the controller. That is, when the user pushes the door handle, the vehicle door automatically starts moving in the opening direction from the fully closed state. Under this situation, the user may continue to hold the door handle. This may pull the user, who is holding the door handle, in the opening direction as the vehicle door moves in the opening direction. Thus, the opening operation of the vehicle door may produce an operational feel that is annoying to the user. The same problem occurs during the closing operation of the vehicle door. 
         [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle door opening-closing device that performs opening and closing operations of a vehicle door and improves the operational feel of the vehicle door during an opening or closing operation. 
       Means for Solving the Problem 
       [0007]    To achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention includes a door handle that is supported by a vehicle door arranged on a vehicle body, wherein the door handle is movable from an initial position to a movement position and operated to open or close the vehicle door, an urging member that urges and moves the door handle from the movement position to the initial position, an opening-closing operation detector that detects movement of the door handle from the movement position to the initial position, a door drive mechanism configured to drive and open or close the vehicle door, and a controller that actuates the door drive mechanism based on a detection signal that is output from the opening-closing operation detector. 
         [0008]    Another aspect of the present invention includes an opening-closing operation detector configured to detect movement of a door handle from a movement position to an initial position. The door handle is arranged on a vehicle door and supported by the vehicle door so that the door handle is movable between the initial position and the movement position and operated to open or close the vehicle door. The door handle is urged by an urging member to move from the movement position to the initial position. The aspect of the present invention further includes a door drive mechanism configured to drive and open or close the vehicle door and a controller that actuates the door drive mechanism based on a detection signal that is output from the opening-closing operation detector. 
         [0009]    In the above structure, when the door handle is operated to open or close the vehicle door, the opening-closing operation detector detects movement of the door handle from the movement position to the initial position, and the vehicle door is driven to open or close. Here, the door handle is urged by the urging member to move from the movement position to the initial position. This allows the door handle to move from the movement position to the initial position without being held by the user. 
         [0010]    Accordingly, the vehicle door may be driven to open or close without the door handle being held by the user. This improves the operational feel of the vehicle door during the opening or closing operation when the vehicle door is driven to open or close. 
       Effects of the Invention 
       [0011]    As described above in detail, the operational feel during an opening or closing operation of the vehicle door may be improved when the vehicle door is driven to open or close. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a side view showing a portion of a vehicle that includes a vehicle door opening-closing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a top view showing a mode when a door handle of the embodiment is in an initial position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a top view showing a mode when a door handle of the embodiment is in a movement position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing an opening-closing drive control executed when the vehicle door is fully open or closed. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing the opening-closing drive control when the vehicle door is ajar. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    One embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 3 . In the embodiment, one example of a vehicle door opening-closing device that is applied to a sliding side door including a power assist mechanism (power sliding door) will be described. 
         [0018]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a vehicle door opening-closing device  1  is installed in a power sliding door  3  (vehicle door). The vehicle door opening-closing device  1  includes an actuator  6  located in the power sliding door  3 , a transmission mechanism such as a door opening-closing wire  7  located between the power sliding door  3  and a vehicle  2 , and a controller  10 . The actuator  6  and the door opening-closing wire  7  forms a door drive mechanism. 
         [0019]    The power sliding door  3  is installed in such a manner that the power sliding door  3  is slidable in a front-rear direction of the vehicle  2  along a slide rail  11  to open and close a door opening  8  that is formed in a vehicle body  9  of the vehicle  2 . When the power sliding door  3  slides toward the rear, the door opening  8  opens. When the power sliding door  3  slides toward the front, the door opening  8  closes. 
         [0020]    The actuator  6 , which includes an electric motor, is electrically connected to the controller  10  and driven based on a control signal from the controller  10 . Driving power transmitted from the actuator  6  through the door opening-closing wire  7  slides the power sliding door  3  in the front-rear direction. The controller  10  includes an electronic control unit (ECU) that includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The controller  10  performs a calculation in advance in accordance with a control program, which is stored in the ROM or the like. 
         [0021]    A door panel  5  of the power sliding door  3  includes an outside door handle  4  (door handle) that is operated to open or close the power sliding door  3 . The actuator  6  is driven based on an opening operation or a closing operation performed on the outside door handle  4 , and the power sliding door  3  accordingly slides in the opening direction or in the closing direction. The actuator  6  is driven based on the opening-closing operation of the outside door handle  4  when the power sliding door  3  is fully closing or fully opening the door opening  8  or when the power sliding door  3  is stopped at an intermediate position (for example, the door opening  8  is half open). 
         [0022]    A door lock device  12 , which restricts an opening movement of the power sliding door  3  from the fully closed state, and a full-open stopper  13 , which restricts a closing movement of the power sliding door  3  from a fully open state, are each arranged between the power sliding door  3  and the vehicle  2 . Whenever the power sliding door  3  performs an opening operation from the fully closed state, the controller  10 , which is located in the power sliding door  3 , cancels the restriction of the door lock device  12 . When the power sliding door  3  performs a closing operation from the fully open state, the controller  10  cancels the restriction of the full-open stopper  13 . The door lock device  12  moves and locks the power sliding door  3  using an electric motor, and functions as a so-called easy closer. 
         [0023]    The vehicle door opening-closing device  1  includes a position sensor (not shown in the drawings) that detects the position of the power sliding door  3 . In the embodiment, the position sensor includes, for example, a hall IC. The hall IC outputs the number of rotations generated in the actuator  6 . The controller  10  detects the position of the power sliding door  3  based on the number of rotations generated in the actuator  6 . 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the outside door handle  4  includes a door grip  30 , which is attached to an outer side of the door panel  5  of the power sliding door  3 , and a frame member  31 , which is fixed to an inner side of the door panel  5  opposing the door grip  30 . The door grip  30  extends in the sliding direction of the power sliding door  3 . One end (right end in  FIG. 2 ) of the door grip  30  includes an engagement arm  32  formed integrally with the door grip  30 . A distal end of the engagement arm  32  is pivotally supported by a distal end of the frame member  31  with a pivot pin  33 . The other end (left end in  FIG. 2 ) of the door grip  30  includes a protruded engagement portion  34  formed integrally with the door grip  30 . A distal end of the protruded engagement portion  34  includes an engagement shaft  35 . 
         [0025]    One end of the frame member  31  includes an insertion hole, into which the engagement arm  32  is inserted. The distal end of the engagement arm  32  is pivotal about the pivot pin  33 . The other end of the frame member  31  includes an insertion hole, into which the protruded engagement portion  34  is inserted, and a pivot pin  36 . A pivot arm  37  is pivotally supported by the pivot pin  36 . A hook portion  38 , which extends from a distal end of the pivot arm  37 , may abut against the engagement shaft  35 . The door grip  30  is linked with the pivot arm  37  in such a manner that the movement of the door grip  30  may be transmitted to the pivot arm  37  when the engagement shaft  35  contacts the hook portion  38 . A spring member  40  (urging member) is wound around the pivot pin  36 . One end of the spring member  40  is fixed to the frame member  31 . The other end of the spring member  40  is fixed to the pivot arm  37 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the pivot arm  37  is urged by the spring member  40  in the counterclockwise direction. The urging force of the spring member  40  is applied to the door grip  30  through the hook portion  38 , which contacts the engagement shaft  35 . This urges the door grip  30  toward an initial position A. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , when a user holds the door grip  30  and pulls the door grip  30  toward the outer side of the vehicle, the door grip  30  pivotally moves toward the outer side of the vehicle about the pivot pin  33 . The engagement shaft  35  of the protruded engagement portion  34  moves toward the outer side of the vehicle as the door grip  30  pivots toward the outer side of the vehicle. The engagement shaft  35  pushes the hook portion  38  of the pivot arm  37  against the urging force of the spring member  40 . This pivots the pivot arm  37  in the clockwise direction. The movement of the door grip  30  toward the outer side of the vehicle is restricted when the engagement shaft  35  of the door grip  30  contacts the hook portion  38 . At this point, the door grip  30  reaches a maximum movement position B (movement position). When the door grip  30 , which is positioned at the maximum movement position B, is released from the held position, the pivot arm  37  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction by the urging force of the spring member  40 . The hook portion  38  rotates integrally with the pivot arm  37  in the counterclockwise direction. This moves the engagement shaft  35 , which is engaged with the hook portion  38 , toward the inner side of the vehicle. Accordingly, the door grip  30  returns to the initial position A from the maximum movement position B as the engagement shaft  35  moves toward the inner side of the vehicle. 
         [0027]    The present embodiment employs a structure in which the door grip  30  is urged in the counterclockwise direction when the pivot arm  37  is urged in the counterclockwise direction by the urging force of the spring member  40 . However, there is no limit to such a structure, and any structure that urges the door grip  30  may be employed. For example, the door grip  30  may be connected to the door lock device  12  with a cable. In this case, the door grip  30  is urged in the counterclockwise direction with an urging member that is arranged in the door lock device  12  or on the cable. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the vehicle door opening-closing device  1  includes an opening-closing operation detector  50  that detects an opening or closing operation of the outside door handle  4 . In the present embodiment, the opening-closing operation detector  50  includes, for example, a limit switch or the like. The opening-closing operation detector  50  electrically detects movement of the door grip  30  when the outside door handle  4  is operated and outputs a detection result (opening-closing operation detection signal) to the electrically connected controller  10 . That is, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the opening-closing operation detector  50  outputs an off signal or an on signal to the controller  10  in accordance with pivot positions of the pivot arm  37  respectively corresponding to when the door grip  30  is at the initial position A or at the maximum movement position B. More specifically, the opening-closing operation detector  50  outputs, to the controller  10 , an off signal when the pivot arm  37  reaches a pivot position C that corresponds to the initial position A of the door grip  30  and an on signal when the pivot arm  37  reaches a pivot position D that corresponds to the maximum movement position B of the door grip  30 . The opening-closing operation detector  50  outputs the on signal when the pivot arm  37  is at the rotation position D. Instead, the opening-closing operation detector  50  may output the on signal when the pivot arm  37  is at a position located slightly toward the pivot position C from the pivot position D. In the present embodiment, the opening-closing operation detector  50  detects the initial position A and the maximum movement position B of the door grip  30  each based on the rotation position of the pivot arm  37 . However, any configuration that detects the initial position A and the maximum movement position B of the door grip  30  may be employed. 
         [0029]    A mode in which the power sliding door  3  opens and closes based on opening and closing operations of the outside door handle  4  in the present embodiment will now be described. 
         [0030]    The controller  10  drives the power sliding door  3  based on an opening-closing operation detection signal received from the opening-closing operation detector  50 . More specifically, when the opening-closing operation detector  50  detects that the outside door handle  4  has been operated in accordance with an opening-closing operation mode that is set in the controller  10  in advance, the controller  10  determines that the detected opening-closing operation has been performed on the power sliding door  3 . In the present embodiment, the opening-closing operation mode is set as an aspect in which the door grip  30  moves from the initial position A to the maximum movement position B when a pulling operation is performed, and subsequently moves from the maximum movement position B to the initial position A. In other words, in the opening-closing operation mode, the controller  10  shifts from a state in which an off signal is received from the opening-closing operation detector  50  to a state in which an on signal is received and subsequently shifts to a state in which an off signal is received. Consequently, the controller  10  determines that the opening-closing operation mode has been performed on the power sliding door  3  and drives the power sliding door  3 . Here, the controller  10  locks or unlocks the full-open stopper  13  or the door lock device  12 . Then, the controller  10  drives the door drive mechanism to slide the power sliding door  3 . 
         [0031]    The mode in which the controller  10  controls the door drive mechanism when an opening or closing operation is performed on the power sliding door  3  that is in the fully closed state or in the fully open state will now be described with reference to the flowchart shown in  FIG. 4 . Here, the process is repeatedly performed in a predetermined cycle. 
         [0032]    When a user performs an opening or closing operation on the power sliding door  3 , in step ST 1 , the controller  10  determines whether or not the controller  10  receives, from the opening-closing operation detector  50 , an opening-closing operation detection signal indicating that the opening-closing operation mode, which has been set in advance in the controller  10 , has been performed on the power sliding door  3 . That is, the controller  10  determines whether or not the above opening-closing operation mode has been performed on the outside door handle  4 . The controller  10  proceeds to step ST 2  if a determination result is Yes and temporarily terminates the process if the determination result is No. 
         [0033]    In step ST 2 , when the controller  10  determines that the opening-closing operation mode has been performed on the outside door handle  4 , a door lock (restriction of the door lock device  12  or the full-open stopper  13 ) is released. Then, the controller  10  determines whether the door is fully closed or fully open. If the door is fully open, the controller  10  drives the actuator  6  to fully open the power sliding door  3  and stop the power sliding door  3  when completely open (ST 3 ). If the power sliding door  3  is not fully closed, the controller  10  determines that the power sliding door  3  is fully open. Then, the controller  10  drives the actuator  6  to fully close the power sliding door  3  and stop the power sliding door  3  when completely closed (ST 4 ). In step ST 2  of the present embodiment, the controller  10  determines whether or not the power sliding door  3  is fully closed when driving the power sliding door  3 . Instead, for example, the controller  10  may determine whether or not the power sliding door  3  is fully open when driving the power sliding door  3 . 
         [0034]    A mode of the controller  10  for controlling the door drive mechanism when an opening or closing operation is performed on the power sliding door  3  that is stopped at an intermediate position will now be described with reference to the flowchart shown in  FIG. 5 . Here, the process is repeatedly performed in a predetermined cycle. 
         [0035]    When a user performs an opening or closing operation on the power sliding door  3 , in step ST 11 , the controller  10  determines whether or not the controller  10  receives, from the opening-closing operation detector  50 , an opening-closing operation detection signal indicating that a predetermined opening-closing operation mode set in advance in the controller  10  has been performed on the power sliding door  3 . That is, the controller  10  determines whether or not the above opening-closing operation mode has been performed on the outside door handle  4 . The controller  10  proceeds to step ST 2  if a determination result is Yes and temporarily terminates the process if the determination result is No. 
         [0036]    When determining that the opening-closing operation mode has been performed on the outside door handle  4 , in step ST 12 , the controller  10  determines whether the power sliding door  3  has been stopped during an opening operation and is ajar or the power sliding door has been stopped during a closing operation and is ajar. When the power sliding door  3 , which is ajar, has been stopped during an opening operation, the controller  10  drives the actuator  6  to fully close the power sliding door  3  and stop the power sliding door  3  when completely closed (ST 13 ). If the power sliding door  3 , which is ajar, has not been stopped during an opening operation, the controller  10  determines that the power sliding door  3 , which is ajar, has been stopped during a closing operation. In this case, the controller  10  drives the actuator  6  to fully open the power sliding door  3  and stop the power sliding door  3  when completely opened (ST 14 ). 
         [0037]    In ST 12  of the present embodiment, the controller  10  determines whether or not the power sliding door  3  is ajar after being stopped during an opening operation to control the driving of the power sliding door  3 . Instead, for example, the controller  10  may determine whether or not the power sliding door  3  is ajar after being stopped during a closing operation to control the driving of the power sliding door  3 . Further, if the controller  10  determines that the opening-closing operation mode has been performed on the outside door handle  4  when the power sliding door  3  is ajar after being stopped during an opening operation, the controller  10  may drive the actuator  6  to fully open the power sliding door  3 . If the controller  10  determines that the opening-closing operation mode has been performed on the outside door handle  4  when the power sliding door  3  is ajar after being stopped during a closing operation, the controller  10  may drive the actuator  6  to fully close the power sliding door  3 . 
         [0038]    Accordingly, the present embodiment has the advantages described below. 
         [0039]    (1) The outside door handle  4  is operated to open or close the power sliding door  3 . When the opening-closing operation detector  50  detects movement of the door grip  30  from the movement position to the initial position A, the power sliding door  3  is driven to open or close. Here, the door grip  30  is urged by the spring member to move from the movement position to the initial position A. This allows the door grip  30  to move from the movement position to the initial position A without being held by a user. Accordingly, the power sliding door  3  may be driven to open or close without the door grip  30  being held by the user. This improves the operational feel during an opening or closing operation of the power sliding door  3  when the power sliding door  3  is driven to open or close. 
         [0040]    (2) When the opening-closing operation detector  50  detects movement of the door grip  30  from the maximum movement position B to the initial position A after detecting a movement of the door grip  30  from the initial position A to the maximum movement position B, the power sliding door  3  is driven to open or close. In other words, the power sliding door  3  is not driven to open or close unless the opening-closing operation detector  50  detects movement of the door grip  30  from the initial position A to the maximum movement position B. This inhibits the power sliding door  3  from being driven to open or close when an unintentional operation is performed on the door grip  30 , such as when the door grip  30  is slightly moved from the initial position A and then moved to the initial position A. That is, the power sliding door  3  may not be driven to open or close when the outside door handle  4  is erroneously operated. 
         [0041]    (3) The outside door handle  4  is operated to open or close the power sliding door  3 . When the opening-closing operation detector  50  detects movement of the door grip  30  from the movement position to the initial position A, the power sliding door  3  slides in the front-rear direction of the vehicle to open or close. This prevents a user from being pulled, while holding the door grip  30 , in the front-rear sliding direction of the power sliding door  3  as the power sliding door  3  opens or closes. Thus, the operational feel during an opening or closing operation of the power sliding door  3  may be improved when the power sliding door  3  is driven to open or close. 
         [0042]    The above embodiment may be modified as described below. 
         [0043]    In the above embodiment, the controller  10  drives the power sliding door  3  to open or close based on an opening or closing operation in accordance with an opening-closing operation mode of the outside door handle  4 . Instead, the power sliding door  3  may be driven to open or close based on an opening or closing operation in accordance with an opening-closing operation mode of an inside door handle  20  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0044]    In the above embodiment, the door grip  30  is urged by the spring member  40  arranged in the frame member  31  that forms the outside door handle  4 . Instead, the door grip  30  may be urged by a spring member arranged in a vehicle body. 
         [0045]    In the above embodiment, one end of the door grip  30  is pivotally supported by the frame member  31 , and the other end is movably hooked to the outer side of the vehicle. Instead, both ends of the door grip  30  each may be pivotally supported by the frame member  31 . 
         [0046]    In the above embodiment, the vehicle door opening-closing device  1  is applied to the power sliding door. Instead, the vehicle door opening-closing device  1  may be applied to a swing door. 
         [0047]    In the above embodiment, the opening-closing operation mode is set in advance in the controller  10  such that the door grip  30  is moved from the initial position A to the maximum movement position B when a pulling operation is performed on the door grip  30 , and subsequently the door grip  30  is moved from the maximum movement position B to the initial position A. Instead, an opening-closing operation mode may be set in advance in the controller  10  such that the door grip  30  is moved from the initial position A to an intermediate movement position located between the initial position A and the maximum movement position B, and then moved from the intermediate movement position to the initial position. 
       DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 
       [0048]      1  Vehicle Door Opening-Closing Device 
         [0049]      3  Power Sliding Door (Vehicle Door) 
         [0050]      4  Outside Door Handle (Door Handle) 
         [0051]      6  Actuator 
         [0052]      8  Door Opening 
         [0053]      9  Vehicle Body 
         [0054]      10  Controller 
         [0055]      30  Door Grip 
         [0056]      40  Spring Member (Urging Member) 
         [0057]      50  Opening-Closing Operation Detector

Summary:
A vehicle door opening/closing device, which enhances the operation feeling during opening and closing of a vehicle door, includes: an outside door handle provided to a power sliding door for opening and closing a door opening, the outside door handle being supported to move between an initial position and a maximum movement position relative to the power sliding door, and being operated to open and close the power sliding door; a spring unit urging the outside door handle to move from the maximum movement position to the initial position; an opening/closing operation detection unit for detecting movement of the outside door handle from the maximum movement position to the initial position; a door drive mechanism for driving the opening and closing of the power sliding door; and a control unit for actuating the door drive mechanism on the basis of a detection signal outputted from the opening/closing operation detection unit.