Patent Publication Number: US-11649659-B2

Title: Mechanism for opening a vehicle door

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application represents the United States National Stage of International Application No. PCT/US2018/067285, filed Dec. 21, 2018, which claims priority to, Chinese patent application number 201711447689.2, filed Dec. 27, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application relates to a mechanism for opening a vehicle door, in particular to a mechanism for opening a vehicle door for use in a concealed vehicle door. 
     BACKGROUND 
     An operating mechanism for opening a vehicle door, for example, a handle, is provided on the sheet metal of the vehicle door. In a conventional design, the handle is generally disposed to protrude beyond the sheet metal plane of the vehicle door to facilitate operations. However, a handle that protrudes beyond the sheet metal plane of the vehicle door occupies a large space and is susceptible to scraping and accumulating dust, and also increases the wind resistance of the vehicle during travel. The present application seeks to provide a concealed operating mechanism for opening a vehicle door such that its outer surface is flush with or slightly below the sheet metal plane of the vehicle door. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to overcome the above problems, the present application provides a concealed mechanism for opening a vehicle door, the mechanism for opening a vehicle door comprising: an operating cavity, the operating cavity housing a component for opening the vehicle door; a cover plate, the cover plate covering the operating cavity such that the cover plate is concealed in the sheet metal of the vehicle door; and a first fixed rotational axle, the first fixed rotational axle being mounted near an opening of the operating cavity or in the operating cavity, one side edge of the cover plate being mounted on the first fixed rotational axle such that when an external force is applied to the cover plate, the cover plate is rotatable about the first fixed rotational axle to enter the operating cavity so that an operator&#39;s hand can extend into the operating cavity to operate a component in the operating cavity for opening the vehicle door. 
     The mechanism for opening a vehicle door as described above further comprises: a transmission mechanism, housed in the operating cavity and driven by rotation of the cover plate; when the cover plate rotates inside the operating cavity about the first fixed rotational axle by more than a predetermined angle, the cover plate drives the transmission mechanism such that the transmission mechanism actuates a component for opening the vehicle door. 
     In the mechanism for opening a vehicle door as described above, the transmission mechanism comprises a connecting rod, the connecting rod comprising a first rod, a second rod, and a third rod, the first rod is connected to the cover plate and rotatable about the first fixed rotational axle; the second rod is connected to the first rod by a first moving axle, and the third rod and the second rod are connected by a second moving axle; the mechanism for opening a vehicle door further comprises an actuator, the actuator is mounted on a second fixed rotational axle and is rotatable about the second fixed rotational axle, and the actuator is connected to the third rod such that the transmission mechanism causes the actuator to actuate a component for opening the vehicle door. 
     The mechanism for opening a vehicle door as described above comprises a connecting rod limiter, and the connecting rod limiter is capable of limiting a range of movement of the second moving axle. 
     In the mechanism for opening a vehicle door as described above, the connecting rod limiter comprises a limiting plate, the limiting plate is provided with a limiting slot, and the second moving axle is inserted in the limiting slot. 
     The mechanism for opening a vehicle door as described above is characterized in that it further comprises: an operating component, the operating component being mounted on the second fixed rotational axle and rotatable about the second fixed rotational axle; the operating component comprises a handle operating portion and an actuator; when an operator applies a force to the handle operating portion, the operating component is rotatable such that the actuator actuates a component for opening the vehicle door. 
     In the mechanism for opening a vehicle door as described above, the operating component is an L-shaped plate, the L-shaped plate comprises a first plate and a second plate that is connected to the first plate, the first plate comprises a handle operating portion, the second plate comprises an actuator, and the second fixed rotational axle is mounted at a junction of the first plate and the second plate such that the L-shaped plate is rotatable about the second fixed rotational axle. 
     In the mechanism for opening a vehicle door as described above, the component for opening a vehicle door further comprises: a rocker arm, the rocker arm being mounted on a third fixed rotational axle and rotatable about the third fixed rotational axle; the rocker arm comprises an actuated portion and an execution portion, and the actuator of the operating component drives the actuated portion of the rocker arm such that the rocker arm rotates about the third fixed rotational axle, thereby enabling the execution portion of the rocker arm to open a vehicle door lock. 
     In the mechanism for opening a vehicle door as described above, the first fixed rotational axle comprises two sections of first fixed rotational axle, and the two sections of first fixed rotational axle are connected to one side of the cover plate. 
     In the mechanism for opening a vehicle door as described above, the mechanism for opening a vehicle door further comprises a cover plate resetter, the cover plate resetter being for resetting the cover plate. 
     With the mechanism for opening a vehicle door according to the present invention, the surface of the vehicle door is flat, and not prone to scraping or accumulating dust; in addition, the wind resistance of the vehicle during travel is reduced, and the appearance of the vehicle is uniform and esthetically pleasing. The mechanism for opening a vehicle door according to the present invention has a simple structure and a low cost, and is easy to manufacture and repair; is not prone to damage, and has a long service life. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description in conjunction with the attached drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for the same components, wherein: 
         FIG.  1 A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a mechanism for opening a vehicle door according to the present invention; 
         FIG.  1 B  is a perspective view of another angle of the mechanism for opening a vehicle door according to the present invention shown in  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIG.  1 C  is an exploded view of the mechanism for opening a vehicle door according to the present invention shown in  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIG.  2 A  is a perspective view of the housing shown in  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIG.  2 B  is a perspective view of another angle of the housing shown in  FIG.  2 A ; 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of the cover plate assembly shown in  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of the operating component assembly shown in  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of the rocker arm assembly shown in  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIG.  6 A  is a schematic view showing the combination of the cover plate, the connecting rod and the operating component shown in  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIGS.  6 B,  6 C, and  6 D  are schematic views of an initial state, an intermediate state, and a final state of the cover plate, the connecting rod, and the operating component in  FIG.  6 A , respectively, during opening of the vehicle door; 
         FIG.  7    is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A shown in  FIG.  1 B ; 
         FIGS.  8 A,  8 B, and  8 C  are schematic views of the rear side of the mechanism for opening a vehicle door according to the present invention, respectively showing the fitting relationship between the operating component and the rocker arm in an initial state, an intermediate state, and a final state during the opening of the vehicle door; and 
         FIGS.  9 A,  9 B, and  9 C  are schematic views of an initial state, an intermediate state, and a final state of a cover plate and an operating component in the process of opening a door in another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS 
     Various specific embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings which form a part of this specification. It should be understood that although terms referring to directions, such as “front”, “back”, “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, “top”, “bottom”, etc. are used to describe or illustrate the various example structural components and elements according to the present invention, these terms are used herein for purposes of illustration only, and are based on the example orientation shown in the figures. Since the disclosed embodiments can be arranged in different orientations, these terms are merely illustrative and should not be taken as limiting. In the following drawings, the same reference numerals are used for the same components, and similar components are given similar reference numerals, thereby avoiding any repeated description. 
       FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  are respectively perspective structural diagrams showing a front view and a rear view of an embodiment of a mechanism for opening a door according to the present invention, and  FIG.  1 C  is an exploded view of the mechanism for opening a vehicle door shown in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B . As shown in  FIGS.  1 A,  1 B, and  1 C , the mechanism  100  for opening a vehicle door comprises a housing  107 , a cover plate  101 , a rocker arm  103 , an operating component  102 , and a connecting rod  109 . An operating cavity  105  is disposed on the front side of the housing  107 , and the cover plate  101  covers the operating cavity  105 . The rocker arm  103 , the operating component  102 , and the connecting rod  109  are disposed on the rear side of the housing  107 . During use, after the mechanism  100  for opening a vehicle door is mounted in a corresponding position on the vehicle door, an operator can push the cover plate  101  into the operating cavity  105 . Then, the operator&#39;s hand can extend into the operating cavity  105  to operate a component for opening the vehicle door, thereby opening the door. The process of opening the vehicle door will be described in detail below. On a corresponding door, the cover plate  101  is flush with the sheet metal plane of the door or not higher than the sheet metal plane of the door, so that the mechanism  100  for opening a vehicle door is concealed in the door, and the surface of the door is smooth and streamlined. 
       FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  are schematic perspective views showing two different angles of the housing  107  of the mechanism  100  for opening a vehicle door in  FIG.  1 A . As shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , the housing  107  is provided with a front side  201  and a rear side  202 . During use, the front side  201  faces the outside of the door, the rear side  202  faces the interior of the vehicle. Between the front side  201  and the door mounting location, a gasket may be provided for reinforcing the seal between the housing  107  and the door. The operating cavity  105  is recessed toward the interior from the front side  201 . The operating cavity  105  is provided with an opening  151 , and the cover plate  101  can cover the opening  151 . The rear side  202  of the housing  107  is provided with first axle brackets  221 . 1 ,  221 . 2  for mounting first fixed rotational axles  301 . 1 ,  301 . 2  (shown in  FIG.  3   ), a second axle bracket  222  for mounting a second fixed rotational axle  407  (shown in  FIG.  4   ), a third axle bracket  209  for mounting a third fixed rotational axle  509  (shown in  FIG.  5   ), and a limiter  203  for limiting the movement range of a second moving axle  605  (shown in  FIG.  6 A ). These components will be described in detail below. 
       FIG.  3    shows a perspective structural view of the cover plate  101  of the mechanism  100  for opening a vehicle door shown in  FIG.  1 A  and its associated components. As shown in  FIG.  3   , one side edge  110  (see  FIG.  6 A ) of the cover plate  101  is mounted on the first fixed rotational axles  301 . 1 ,  301 . 2 , and is fixedly connected with the first fixed rotational axles  301 . 1 ,  301 . 2 , so that the cover plate  101  rotates with the rotation of the first fixed rotational axles  301 . 1 ,  301 . 2 . The first fixed rotational axles  301 . 1 ,  301 . 2  are mounted on the first axle brackets  221 . 1 ,  221 . 2  of the housing  107  and are rotatable relative to the first axle brackets  221 . 1 ,  221 . 2 . When an external force is applied to the cover plate  101 , the cover plate  101  drives the first fixed rotational axles  301 . 1 ,  301 . 2  to rotate relative to the first axle brackets  221 . 1 ,  221 . 2 , so that the cover plate  101  can enter the operating cavity  105 . In the present embodiment, the first fixed rotational axles  301 . 1 ,  301 . 2  are two separate sections, comprising a first section  301 . 1  and a second section  301 . 2 , and the first section  301 . 1  and the second section  302 . 2  are coaxially disposed. In another embodiment, the first fixed rotational axle can be one section. 
     A cover plate resetter is disposed between the cover plate  101  and the housing  107  such that the cover plate  101  is held in an initial position parallel or substantially parallel to the surface of the front side  201  of the housing  107  when subjected to an external force. When the cover plate  101  is pushed inward, the force provided by the cover plate resetter needs to be overcome. In one embodiment, the cover plate resetter is a pair of torsion springs  302 . 1 ,  302 . 2 , and each of the pair of torsion springs  302 . 1 ,  302 . 2  is respectively sheathed on the first section  301 . 1  of first fixed rotational axle and the second section  301 . 2  of first fixed rotational axle. When the cover plate  101  is mounted on the housing  107 , the pair of torsion springs  302 . 1 ,  302 . 2  remains in a compressed state. 
       FIG.  4    is a schematic perspective view showing the operating component  102  and the second fixed rotational axle  407  shown in  FIG.  1 A . As shown in  FIG.  4   , the operating component  102  comprises a first plate  401  and a second plate  402 , and the first plate  401  and the second plate  402  are connected to each other to form an included angle such that the operating component  102  is substantially L-shaped. A second fixed rotational axle  407  may be disposed at a joint of the first plate  401  and the second plate  402 . The second fixed rotational axle  407  is mounted on the second axle bracket  222  of the housing  107 . The operating component  102  is rotatable relative to the housing  107  about the second fixed rotational axle  407 . A handle operating portion  411  is formed on the first plate  401 , and an actuator  422  is formed on the second plate  402 . 
       FIG.  5    is a perspective view showing the rocker arm  103  of  FIG.  1 A  and its components. As shown in  FIG.  5   , the rocker arm  103  is provided with a third fixed rotational axle  509 , and the third fixed rotational axle  509  is mounted on the third axle bracket  209  of the housing  107 , so that the third fixed rotational axle  509  can rotate relative to the third axle bracket  209 , allowing the rocker arm  103  to rotate relative to the housing  107  about the third fixed rotational axle  509 . The rocker arm  103  comprises an actuated portion  501  and an execution portion  502 ; the execution portion  502  is connected to a bolt (not shown); the actuated portion  501  is driven by the actuator  422  of the operating component  102  such that the rocker arm  103  rotates about the third fixed rotational axle  509 ; thus, the execution portion  502  of the rocker arm  103  pulls the bolt to open a door lock. After the door lock is opened, an operator can open the door. The rocker arm  103  is provided with a rocker arm resetter for holding the actuated portion  501  of the rocker arm  103  against the actuator  422  of the operating component  102 . The rocker arm resetter is a torsion spring  507 , and the torsion spring  507  is disposed on the third fixed rotational axle  509 . 
       FIG.  6 A  is a perspective structural view showing the connecting rod, as well as the fitting relationship among the cover plate, the connecting rod, and the operating component in  FIG.  1 A . The connecting rod  109  forms a transmission mechanism that can transmit the rotation of the cover plate  101  to actuate the component for opening the door. Specifically, as shown in  FIG.  6 A , the cover plate  101  is connected to the operating component  102  via the connecting rod  109 , so that the cover plate  101  can drive the operating component  102  to rotate by the connecting rod  109 . The connecting rod  109  comprises a first rod  621 , a second rod  622 , and a third rod  623 . The first rod  621  is fixedly connected to the cover plate  101  and can rotate about the first fixed rotational axles  301 . 1 ,  301 . 2  along with the cover plate  101 . The first fixed rotational axles  301 . 1 ,  301 . 2  are close to a first end  641  of the first rod. A first end  651  of the second rod  622  is connected to a second end  642  of the first rod  621  by a first moving axle  603 , and the second rod  622  and the first rod  621  are both rotatable about the first moving axle  603 ; in addition, the first moving axle  603  can rotate about the first fixed rotational axle  301 . 1  within a certain range, thereby enabling the first moving axle  603  to move relative to the housing  107 . Similarly, a second end  662  of the third rod  623  and a second end  652  of the second rod  622  are connected by a second moving axle  605 , so that the third rod  623  and the second rod  622  can both rotate about the second moving axle  605 ; in addition, the second moving axle  605  can rotate about the second fixed rotational axle  407  within a certain range, thereby enabling the second moving axle  605  to move relative to the housing  107 . The second fixed rotational axle  407  is close to the second end  661  of the third rod, and the third rod  623  is fixedly connected relative to the operating component  102 . When the third rod  623  is driven by the second rod  622  to rotate about the second fixed rotational axle  407 , the operating component  102  rotates together with the third rod  623 . 
     It should be noted that the first rod  621  of the connecting rod  109  and the cover plate  101  can be directly fixedly connected, or the first rod  621  of the connecting rod  109  and the cover plate  101  are respectively fixed with the first fixed rotational axles  301 . 1 ,  301 . 2  so that they are fixedly connected to each other. Therefore, the rotation of the cover plate  101  can drive the rotation of the first rod  621 . Further, the third rod  623  of the connecting rod  109  and the operating component  102  may be directly fixedly connected, or the third rod  623  of the connecting rod  109  and the operating component  102  may be fixedly connected to the second fixed rotational axle  407 , respectively, so that they are fixedly connected to each other. Thus, the rotation of the third rod  623  of the connecting rod  109  can drive the rotation of the operating component  102  such that the connecting rod  109  can drive the operating component  102  to actuate the component for opening the door. 
       FIGS.  6 B,  6 C, and  6 D  respectively show an initial state, an intermediate state, and a final state of the cover plate, the connecting rod, and the operating component in  FIG.  6 A  during the opening of the door, showing changes in the relative positions of the cover plate, the connecting rod, and the operating component in the process of opening the door. As shown in  FIG.  6 B , in the initial state, the cover plate  101  is held in an initial position by a force applied by the torsion spring  302 . 1 , and the cover plate  101  is concealed in the sheet metal of the door. In this case, the actuator  422  of the operating component  102  is also at the lowest position. 
       FIG.  6 C  shows a state of the operation of opening the door. As shown in  FIG.  6 C , to open the door, an operator applies a thrust to the cover plate  101 , and the thrust overcomes the force provided by the torsion spring  302 . 1 , so that the cover plate  101  rotates around the first fixed rotational axle  301 . 1  toward the interior of the door. Due to the fixed connection between the first rod  621  and the cover plate  101 , the first rod  621  and the cover plate  101  rotate together in a first direction (counterclockwise in the figure) about the first fixed rotational axle  301 . 1 . When the first rod  621  rotates about the first fixed rotational axle  301 . 1 , the first moving axle  603 , driven by the second end  642  of the first rod  621 , moves upward about the first fixed rotational axle  301 . 1  in a circumferential direction. When the first moving axle  603  moves upward in the circumferential direction about the first fixed rotational axle  301 . 1 , the second rod  622  is driven to move upward. When the second rod  622  moves upward, the second moving axle  605  is driven to move upward. When the second moving axle  605  moves upward, the second end  662  of the third rod  623  moves upward, so that the third rod  623  rotates about the second fixed rotational axle  407 . Since the third rod  623  is fixedly connected to the operating component  102 , when the third rod  623  rotates about the second fixed rotational axle  407 , the operating component  102  is driven by the third rod to rotate about the second fixed rotational axle  407  in a first direction (counterclockwise in the figure), causing the actuator  422  of the operating component  102  to move upward, thereby driving the rocker arm  103  (not shown) to rotate for opening the door lock so that the door can be opened. The rocker arm  103  will be described in detail below. During the movement of the connecting rod  109 , both the first rod  621  and the second rod  622  can rotate relative to the first moving axle  603 , and both the second rod  622  and the third rod  623  can rotate relative to the second moving axle  605 . 
       FIG.  6 D  shows the final state of the operation of opening the door. When the cover plate  101  is pushed into the operating cavity  105 , an operator can extend his/her hand into the operating cavity  105 , thereby pulling the handle operating portion  411  of the operating component  102 , and driving the operating component  102  to continue rotating about the second fixed rotation axle  407  in a first direction to the position as shown in  FIG.  6 D . In this case, the actuator  422  reaches a final position upward, thereby causing the rocker arm  103  to rotate to the final position, and the rocker arm  103  pulls the bolt out to open the door lock so that the door can be opened. The initial and final positions of the connecting rod are defined by the connecting rod limiter, as will be explained in the following description of  FIG.  7   . 
     It should be noted that, since the cover plate  101  and the operating component  102  are both connected to the connecting rod  109 , when the cover plate  101  is rotated, the operating component  102  can be simultaneously rotated by the connecting rod  109 ; conversely, when the operating component  102  is rotated, the cover plate  101  can also be rotated by the connecting rod  109 . In other words, the mechanism shown in  FIGS.  6 A to  6 D  provides at least two operation modes for opening the door lock. In one mode, an operator pushes the cover plate  101  so that his/her hand can be extended into the operating cavity  105 , and then pulls the operating component  102 , thereby causing the rocker arm  103  to open the door lock. In the other mode, an operator pushes the cover plate  101  so that his/her hand can be extended into the operating cavity  105 , then continues pushing the cover plate  101  to the final position, while the operating component  102  continues rotating as the cover plate  101  continues rotating, thereby driving the rocker arm  103  to open the door lock. In other words, the process of opening the door lock is completed by the operating component  102  driving the rocker arm  103  to the final position, and the process of opening the door lock can be realized by rotating the operating component  102  via the cover plate  101  or by directly pulling the operating component  102 . When the door lock is opened, the operator can open the door by pulling the door. 
       FIG.  7    is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A shown in  FIG.  1 B  for illustrating the specific structure of the connecting rod limiter  203 . As shown in  FIG.  7   , the connecting rod limiter  203  comprises a limiting plate  703 , the limiting plate  703  is fixed on the housing  107 , and the limiting plate  703  is provided with a limiting slot  705 . The limiting slot  705  is curved, and the second moving axle  605  can be inserted into the limiting slot  705  and moved along the trajectory of the limiting slot  705 . The lowest position of the limiting slot  705  limits the farthest distance by which the second moving axle  605  moves downward, and the downward movement of the second moving axle  605  causes the second rod  622  to move downward to drive the first rod  621  and the cover plate  101  to rotate against a first direction. In other words, the lowest position of the limiting slot  705  limits the final position of the cover plate  101  in the process of resetting, which means that the cover plate  101  exactly covers the position of the operating cavity  105 . The cover plate  101  exactly covers the position of the operating cavity  105 , that is, the initial position of the cover plate  101  when it is not subjected to a thrust applied by an operator. The limiter  203  and the cover plate resetter can cooperate to hold the cover plate in the initial position. The highest position of the limiting slot  705  limits the farthest distance by which the second moving axle  605  moves upward, and the upward movement of the second moving axle  605  causes the second rod  622  to move upward, thereby driving the first rod  621  and the cover plate  101  to rotate in a first direction. In other words, the highest position of the limiting slot  705  limits the final position that the cover plate  101  can reach when being subjected to an external force. 
       FIGS.  8 A,  8 B, and  8 C  are schematic views of the rear side of the mechanism  100  for opening a vehicle door according to the present invention, respectively showing the fitting relationship between the operating component and the rocker arm in the initial state, the intermediate state, and the final state during the opening of the door. The state of the operating component in  FIG.  8 A  corresponds to  FIG.  6 B , the state of the operating component in  FIG.  8 B  corresponds to  FIG.  6 C , and the state of the operating component in  FIG.  8 C  corresponds to  FIG.  6 D . As shown in  FIGS.  8 A to  8 C , as described above, the rocker arm  103  is mounted on the housing  107  and is rotatable about the third fixed rotational axle  509 , and both ends of the rocker arm  103  are the actuated portion  501  and the execution portion  502 , respectively. The actuated portion  501  abuts against the actuator  422 , and the execution portion  502  is provided with a connection assembly  802  for connection with a bolt (not shown); when the bolt is pulled out, the vehicle door is opened. As described above, a rocker arm resetter is provided between the rocker arm  103  and the housing  107  to hold the actuated portion of the rocker arm  103  against the actuator  422 , so that the rocker arm  103  is reset when the operating component  102  is reset. 
     In the initial state shown in  FIG.  8 A , the actuator  422  of the operating component  102  is at the lowest position, and the actuated portion  501  is also at the lowest position. As shown in  FIG.  8 B , when the operator applies a force to the cover plate  101  or the operating component  102 , the operating component  102  rotates and the actuator  422  moves upward, enabling the actuated portion  501  to also move upward, so that the rocker arm  103  rotates about the third fixed rotational axle  509 , driving the execution portion  502  to move downward. As shown in  FIG.  8 C , when the operator further applies force to the cover plate  101  or the operating component  102  to bring the operating component  102  to the final position, the actuator  422  moves further upward, enabling the actuated portion  501  to also move further upward so that the rocker arm  103  continues rotating about the third fixed rotational axle  509 , driving the execution portion  502  to move further downward; finally, the door lock is opened by pulling out the bolt connected to the connection assembly  802 , so that the door can be opened. 
       FIGS.  9 A,  9 B, and  9 C  are schematic diagrams showing an initial state, an intermediate state, and a final state of a cover plate and an operating component in the process of opening a vehicle door in another embodiment according to the present invention. The embodiment shown in  FIGS.  9 A to  9 C  is similar to the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  6 A to  6 C , except that in the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  9 A to  9 C , no connecting rods are provided between the cover plate  101  and the operating component  102 ; thus, the cover plate  101  and the operating component  102  are rotated independent of each other. The position of the cover plate  101  and that of the operating component  102  with no external force applied are shown in  FIG.  9 A . When the door needs to be opened, an operator applies a thrust to the cover plate  101  until it reaches the position shown in  FIG.  9 B . In this case, the operator can extend his/her hand into the cavity to rotate the operating component  102  until the operating component  102  reaches the final position shown in  FIG.  9 C , driving the rocker arm  103  to pull out the bolt for opening the door lock. In the present embodiment, the cover plate  101  and the operating component  102  do not rotate at the same time, and the action performed by the operator to push the cover plate  101  is solely to enable his/her hand to enter a space in which the operating component  102  can be operated. In the present embodiment, an operating component resetter is provided between the operating component  102  and the housing  107  so that the operating component can be returned to the initial position shown in  FIG.  9 A  after the door lock is opened. 
     While certain features of the present invention have been particularly described above with reference to drawings and preferred embodiments, it should be understood that those of ordinary skill in the art can make various substitutions and improvements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the attached claims.