Patent ID: 12203299

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. Advantages and features of the present disclosure, and a method of achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments to be described below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and these embodiments are only provided to make the disclosures complete, and to fully inform the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs. The disclosure is only defined by the scope of the claims. The same reference numerals refer to the same components throughout the specification.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the present specification may be used as meanings that can be commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. In addition, terms defined in a commonly used dictionary are not to be interpreted too ideally or excessively unless explicitly defined specifically.

FIG.1is a perspective view of a door handle assembly for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.2is an exploded perspective view of the door handle assembly for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIGS.1and2, a door handle assembly10for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a door handle100, a handle housing200, a drive lever400, an actuator300, and an unlocking unit500.

The door handle100may be grasped by a user and may be used to open a door of a vehicle. For example, the user may open the door of the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as “a vehicle door”) by pulling the door handle100towards the outside of the vehicle.

Furthermore, the door handle100may emit light that corresponds to a signal received from the vehicle (e.g., a controller in the vehicle). Accordingly, the door handle100may be used not only to open the vehicle door, but also to emit light that allows the user to notice the status of the vehicle.

The handle housing200may provide an accommodation space of the door handle100. In the present disclosure, the door handle100may be in a state of being accommodated in the handle housing200or in a state of being deployed therefrom, i.e., in a state of being discharged from the handle housing200. The handle housing200may be fixedly coupled to the vehicle door. When the door handle100is accommodated in the handle housing200, the door handle100may be retracted (e.g., withdrawn) within the vehicle door. Meanwhile, when the door handle100is deployed from the handle housing200, the door handle100may protrude from the exterior surface of the vehicle door. The user may open the vehicle door by pulling the door handle100that protrudes from the vehicle door.

The handle housing200may include a housing body210and a housing cover220. The housing body210may be fixedly coupled to the vehicle door to provide an accommodation space of the door handle100. The housing cover220may be coupled to the housing body210to provide an entry port through which the door handle100is accommodated in the housing body210or deployed therefrom.

In addition, the housing cover220may seal at least a part of an opening of the housing body210. For example, the housing cover220may seal the remainder of the opening of the housing body210, except the space for moving the door handle100. Accordingly, external substances can be prevented from being introduced into the housing body210, and the components accommodated into the housing body210can be prevented from being observed from the outside.

The drive lever400may be rotatably coupled to the handle housing200and the door handle100. The door handle100may be inserted into the handle housing200or deployed from the handle housing200as the drive lever400rotates with respect to the handle housing200. In the present disclosure, the door handle100may be disposed substantially parallel with the vehicle door both in the state where it is accommodated in the handle housing200(hereinafter referred to as “an accommodated state”) and in the state where it is deployed from the handle housing200(hereinafter referred to as “a deployed state”). For example, in the accommodated state and the deployed state, the door handle100may have a posture parallel to the vehicle door. More specifically, in the accommodated state, the door handle100may be buried in the vehicle door and have a posture parallel to the vehicle door, and in the deployed state, the door handle100may protrude from the vehicle door and have a posture parallel to the vehicle door. In addition, during the accommodation operation or the deployment operation, the door handle100may temporarily have an inclined posture. For example, the door handle100may have a posture parallel to the vehicle door in the accommodated state, a posture inclined with respect to the vehicle door during the deployment, and a posture parallel to the vehicle door again when the deployment is completed.

The door handle100may be rotatably coupled to the drive lever400so that the door handle100may have a posture parallel to the vehicle door in both the accommodated state and the deployed state. The door handle100may rotate with respect to the drive lever400while the drive lever400rotates with respect to the handle housing200, thus determining the posture of the door handle100for the vehicle door.

The actuator300may deploy the door handle100from the handle housing200by transmitting a driving force to the drive lever400. As described above, the drive lever400may rotate with respect to the handle housing200, so that the door handle100may be inserted into the handle housing200, or the door handle100may be deployed from the handle housing200. When the actuator300transmits the driving force to the drive lever400, the drive lever400may rotate with respect to the handle housing200, and the door handle100may be simultaneously deployed from the handle housing200.

As the drive lever400rotates with respect to the handle housing200by the driving force of the actuator300and the door handle100rotates with respect to the drive lever400, the entire door handle100may be deployed from the handling housing200. When the door handle100is deployed from or accommodated in the handle housing200, the door handle100may have the posture parallel to the vehicle door following the temporarily inclined posture to the vehicle door. In the accommodated state, the door handle100may have the posture parallel to the vehicle door and may have the posture inclined to the vehicle door while being deployed from the handle housing200, and when the deployment is completed, the door handle100may have the posture parallel to the vehicle door again. Likewise, in the deployed state, the door handle100may have the posture parallel to the vehicle door and may have the posture inclined to the vehicle door while being accommodated into the handle housing200, and when the accommodation is completed, the door handle100may have the posture parallel to the vehicle door again.

The unlocking unit500may be connected to the drive lever400and may operate by rotation of the drive lever400and unlock the vehicle door. A detailed description of the structure and function of the unlocking unit500will be provided below with reference toFIGS.8and9.

FIG.3depicts a buffer provided in the housing body. Referring toFIG.3, a housing body210may include a buffer230. The buffer230may be provided in the handle housing200to buffer or absorb the impact between the door handle100and the handle housing200. The housing body210may include an accommodating groove211for arranging a buffer230. The buffer230may be accommodated in the accommodating groove211to alleviate (e.g., buffer or absorb) the impact between the housing body210and at least one of the door handle100or the drive lever400.

FIG.3illustrates an example where one buffer member230is provided in the housing body210. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and a plurality of buffers230may be provided in the housing body210.

FIG.4illustrates the door handle accommodated in the handle housing,FIG.5illustrates the door handle being deployed from the handle housing, andFIG.6illustrates the entire door handle deployed from the handle housing. Further,FIG.7depicts a force unlocking the vehicle door being exerted on the door handle,FIG.8depicts the coupling relation between the drive lever and the unlocking unit, andFIG.9depicts an operation of the unlocking unit.

Referring toFIGS.4to6, the door handle100may be deployed from the handle housing200as the drive lever400rotates with respect to the handle housing200. As illustrated inFIG.4, the door handle100may have the posture parallel to a vehicle door20while being accommodated in the handle housing200. In such case, the door handle100may be disposed in the handle housing200such that an outer surface of the door handle100and an outer surface of the door are disposed on a substantially same plane (e.g., “flush” with each other).

The drive lever400may include a first elastic member610. The first elastic member610may generate an elastic force between the handle housing200and the drive lever400. The first elastic member610may generate an elastic force that biases the door handle100toward being inserted into the handle housing200. The elastic force of the first elastic member610may act as a rotational force that rotates the drive lever400with respect to the handle housing200, and upon removing the driving force of the actuator300, the door handle100may be accommodated in the handle housing200by the elastic force of the first elastic member610, as illustrated inFIG.4.

As illustrated inFIGS.5and6, the door handle100may be deployed from the handle housing200while the drive lever400rotates with respect to the handle housing200by the driving force of the actuator300. When the driving force of the actuator300exceeds the elastic force of the first elastic member610that resists the rotation, the drive lever400may rotate with respect to the handle housing200about a first rotation axis Ax. As the drive lever400rotates, the door handle100may be deployed from the handle housing200.

A second elastic member620may be provided between the drive lever400and the door handle100. The second elastic member620may generate an elastic force between the drive lever400and the door handle100. The elastic force of the second elastic member620may bias the door handle100to be rotated toward one direction with respect to the drive lever400.

When the drive lever400rotates by the driving force of the actuator300, the door handle100may rotate with respect to the drive lever400about a second rotation axis Bx by the elastic force of the second elastic member620. As illustrated inFIG.5, the drive lever400may rotate with respect to the handle housing200by the driving force of the actuator300, and the door handle100may simultaneously rotate with respect to the drive lever400such that the door handle100has the posture inclined with respect to the vehicle door20. When the door handle100has the position inclined to the vehicle door20, a part of the door handle100may be discharged to the outside of the handle housing200.

The rotation of the door handle100with respect to the drive lever400may be continued up to a predetermined angle, and as illustrated inFIG.6, the predetermined angle may be selected as an angle at which the door handle100becomes parallel to the door when the rotation of the drive lever400with respect to the handle housing200is completed.

When only a part of the door handle100is deployed from the handle housing200, the door handle100may not be easily grasped by the user. As illustrated inFIG.6, conversely, with the deployment of the entire door handle100from the handle housing200, the user can more easily grasp the door handle100.

Referring toFIG.7, when a force F1is exerted on the door handle100in a direction away from the handle housing200in a state where the entire door handle100is deployed from the handle housing200, the vehicle door20may be unlocked. The user may pull the door handle100in a state where the entire door handle100is deployed from the handle housing200. In response, the vehicle door20may be unlocked while the drive lever400rotates together with the door handle100. With the unlocking of the vehicle door20, the vehicle door20may be opened.

Referring toFIGS.8and9, when the door handle100is deployed from the handle housing200, an unlocking pin411of the drive lever400may abut the unlocking unit500. When the user pulls the door handle100in a state where the door handle100is deployed from the handle housing200, the drive lever400may rotate with respect to the handle housing200. With the rotation of the drive lever400, the unlocking pin411may press (or slide) the unlocking unit500.

The unlocking unit500may include a release rod510and a release lever520. The release rod510may be in contact with the unlocking pin411and may be configured to move with respect to the handle housing200when the unlocking pin411presses the unlocking unit500. The release lever520may be provided in an end of the release rod510. The release lever520may be rotatably coupled to the handle housing200. The release lever520may rotate with respect to the handle housing200about a third rotation axis Cx. When the release rod510is moved by the unlocking pin411, the release lever520may rotate with respect to the handle housing200. The release lever520may be connected to a locking means of the vehicle door20, and with the rotation of the release lever520, the vehicle door20may be unlocked.

FIG.10is an exploded perspective view of an actuator,FIG.11illustrates an output shaft,FIG.12is a view illustrating that a common electrode pin and a first position electrode pin are electrically connected, andFIG.13is a view illustrating that the common electrode pin and a second position electrode pin are electrically connected.

Referring toFIG.10, the actuator300may include an actuator housing310, a drive motor320, an output shaft330, and a connector pin340.

The actuator housing310may accommodate the drive motor320, the output shaft330, and the connector pin340. The actuator housing310may be directly or indirectly coupled to the handle housing200.

The drive motor320may generate the driving force, for example, a rotational torque. The drive motor320may operate with electrical power supplied externally.

The output shaft330may be horizontally (e.g., axially) moved by the driving force of the drive motor320and may press the drive lever400. The driving force of the drive motor320may act as a force for the horizontal movement of the output shaft330, thus allowing the output shaft330to move horizontally. To this end, the drive motor320may be provided with a worm gear321, and the output shaft330may be provided with a worm wheel331. The worm gear321may be gear-coupled to the worm wheel331. When the worm gear321rotates by the driving force of the drive motor320, the worm wheel331may be rotated.

Further, the output shaft330may be screw-coupled to the worm wheel331. When the worm wheel331rotates, the output shaft330may be moved horizontally with respect to the actuator housing310due to the screw-coupling that converts the rotational movement of the worm wheel331to a linear movement of the output shaft330.

The connector pin340may supply the electrical power to the drive motor320or provide a path for a signal that represents a position of the output shaft330with respect to the actuator housing310.

Referring toFIG.11, the output shaft330may include a connection pin332configured to electrically connect a pair of connector pins among the connector pins340. As the output shaft330moves with respect to the actuator housing310, the connection pin332may electrically connect the pair of connector pins among the connector pins340.

Referring toFIGS.12and13, the connector pin340may include a first position electrode pin341, a second position electrode pin342, a common electrode pin343, and power supply pins344and345.

The power supply pins344and345may serve as terminals for supplying the electrical power to the drive motor320. When power is supplied via the power supply pins344and345, the drive motor320may generate the driving force to rotate the worm gear321.

The worm gear321may rotate the worm wheel331, and the worm wheel331may rotate in a state where its axial movement is restricted in the actuator housing310. Accordingly, the worm wheel331may cause the output shaft330to move linearly with respect to the actuator housing310.

The actuator300may include a position provision unit. The position provision unit may provide a position of the output shaft330relative to the actuator housing310. For example, the position provision unit may provide whether the output shaft330is in a position that presses the drive lever400or not. The position of the output shaft330determined by the position provision unit may be provided to an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle or a separate control means and be used for operation of the vehicle. Hereinafter, it will be mainly described that position information of the output shaft330is provided to the electronic control unit as an example.

The position provision unit may include the common electrode pin343, the first position electrode pin341, the second position electrode pin342, and the connection pin332. The common electrode pin343may be electrically connected to the first position electrode pin341or the second position electrode pin342to provide information associated with the position of the output shaft330.

More specifically, when the first position electrode pin341is electrically connected to the common electrode pin343, as shown inFIG.12, it may indicate that the output shaft330is in the position that does not press the drive lever400. Accordingly, the electronic control unit may determine that the output shaft330is in the position that does not press the drive lever400. When the second position electrode pin342is electrically connected to the common electrode pin343, as shown inFIG.13, it may indicate that the output shaft330is in the position that presses the drive lever400. Accordingly, the electronic control unit may determine that the output shaft330is in the position that presses the drive lever400.

As described above, the output shaft330may include the connection pin332. Through the connection pin332, may the first position electrode pin341or the second electrode pin342be electrically connected to the common electrode pin343. With the movement of the output shaft330, the position of the connection pin332may be changed, thereby to alternatively connect the first position electrode pin341or the second position electrode pin342to the common electrode pin343.

FIG.14is an exploded perspective view of the door handle, andFIG.15is a perspective view of the handle body. Referring toFIGS.14and15, the door handle100may include a handle body110, a handle cover120, an optical housing130, an optical cover140, an optical device150, and a weight body160.

The handle body110may be coupled to the handle cover120to accommodate the optical housing130, the optical cover140, the optical device150, and the weight body160therein. In addition, an assembly of the handle body110and the handle cover120may form an outer appearance of the door handle100. The user may open the vehicle door20by grasping the assembly of the handle body110and the handle cover120.

The handle cover120may be coupled to the handle body110, thus providing accommodation spaces of the optical housing130, the optical cover140, the optical device150, and the weight body160. The handle cover120may include at least one light emission portion121(or light emission aperture) to emit light generated from the optical device150. As described below, the optical device150may generate light. The light generated from the optical device150may be emitted to the exterior via the light emission portion121provided in the handle cover120.

The light emission portion121may be formed over at least a part of the entire area of the handle cover120exposed to the exterior.FIG.14illustrates an example where the light emission portion121is formed in a part of one surface of the handle cover120. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the light emission portion121may be formed across substantially the entire area of the handle cover120.

The light emission portion121may be formed by perforating a surface of the handle cover120that is exposed to the exterior. The light emission portion121may remain a perforated state such that the inside and outside of the handle cover120are communicated or may be filled with a material that can transmit light.

The optical housing130and the optical cover140may accommodate the optical device150therein. The optical device150may be accommodated in the handle body110and the handle cover120in a state where it is accommodated in the optical housing130and the optical cover140. The optical cover140may include a material that can transmit light. The light generated from the optical device150may be transmitted to the handle cover120by passing through the optical cover140. Meanwhile, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the optical housing130and the optical cover140may be omitted, and the optical device150may be directly accommodated in the handle body110and the handle cover120.

The optical device150may be configured to generate the light that correspond to signals received from the vehicle. In addition, the optical device150may receive a signal for the deployment of the door handle100. The configuration and function of the optical device150will be described below with reference toFIGS.22to26.

In some embodiments, the optical device150may be accommodated in one longitudinal side of the handle body110. When the optical device150, the optical housing130, and the optical cover140are loaded on one longitudinal side of the handle body110, a weight imbalance may occur in the door handle100. In other words, the weight of the portion of the door handle100where the optical device150, the optical housing130, and the optical cover140are loaded may be greater than other portions. When the weight imbalance occurs in the door handle100, noise may be generated by the door handle100during driving. In order to prevent or reduce the noise, the weight body160may be accommodated in the handle body110. The handle body110may accommodate the optical device150on one side thereof and the weight body160on the other side thereof with respect to the rotation axis Bx of the drive lever400. The weight body160may make the weight of both sides more uniform with respect to the rotation axis Bx of the drive lever400. Specifically, the weight body160may reduce a mass moment of inertia of the door handle100. As the weight body160reduces the moment of inertia of the door handle100, the weight imbalance of the door handle100, vibration of the door handle100, as well as the noise caused by the door handle100during driving, may be prevented or reduced.

Referring toFIG.15, a support protrusion111may be provided in the handle body110. The support protrusion111may protrude from the handle body110and be supported by a support rod to be described below. As the support protrusion111is supported by the support rod, a force exerted by the user on the door handle100may be transmitted to the drive lever400.

FIG.16is a perspective view of the drive lever, andFIG.17is a rear perspective view of the drive lever. Referring toFIGS.16and17, the drive lever400may include a lever body410and a lever cover420. The lever body410and the lever cover420may be coupled to each other, thus providing accommodation spaces of the support rod700and the link800.

A pressure delivery groove412may be formed in the lever body410. The output shaft330provided in the actuator300may be inserted into the pressure delivery groove412to transmit the driving force of the actuator300to the drive lever400. With the movement of the output shaft330with one end of the output shaft330being inserted into the pressure delivery groove412, the drive lever400may rotate with respect to the handle housing200.

The support rod700may horizontally move inside the drive lever400. The support rod700may horizontally move with respect to the drive lever400to support an end of the door handle100. Specifically, the support rod700may support the support protrusion111of the door handle100. When the support protrusion111is supported by the support rod700, the rotation of the door handle100with respect to the drive lever400may be prevented, and the force exerted on the door handle100may be transmitted to the drive lever400.

A link800may be configured to move the support rod700while rotating with respect to the handle housing200by the rotation of the drive lever400. A detailed description of the movement of the support rod700by the link800will be given below with reference toFIGS.18to20.

FIG.18illustrates a positional relationship between the support rod700and the drive lever400when the door handle100is accommodated in the handle housing200,FIG.19illustrates the positional relationship between the support rod700and the drive lever400when the door handle100is deployed from the handle housing200, andFIG.20illustrates the door handle100being supported by the support rod700.

Referring toFIG.18, when the door handle100is accommodated in the handle housing200, the support rod700may remain unengaged with the support protrusion111of the door handle100. Referring toFIG.19, the link800may cause the support rod700to be moved with respect to the drive lever400as the drive lever begins to rotate with respect to the handle housing200. More particularly, as the drive lever400rotates with respect to the handle housing200about the first rotational axis Ax, the link800may be rotated with respect to the handle housing200and may push the support rod700at the same time due to the linkage mechanism. Consequently, the support rod700may be moved horizontally and simultaneously brought proximate to the support protrusion111of the door handle100. Referring toFIG.20, the support rod700pushed by the link800may be engaged with and support the support protrusion111of the door handle100.

The door handle100may be supported by the support rod700via the support protrusion111. When the force is exerted on the door handle100in a direction opposite to the direction of the handle housing200while the door handle100is supported by the support rod700, the rotation of the door handle100with respect to the drive lever400may be prevented such that the force acting on the door handle100may be transmitted to the drive lever400. As such, when the door handle100is deployed from the handle housing200, the user may pull the door handle100to open the vehicle door20. In such case, since the support protrusion111is supported by the support rod700, the rotation of the door handle100with respect to the drive lever400may be prevented, and the user's force exerted on the door handle100may be transmitted to the drive lever400.

When the drive lever400is rotated by the force transmitted from the door handle100, the unlocking pin411of the drive lever400may press the unlocking unit500, which may, in turn, unlock the vehicle door20.

When the driving force of the actuator300is removed, the support rod700may be returned to its original position by the link800, and the support of the support protrusion111by the support rod700may be released. In such case, the door handle100may be allowed to rotate with respect to the drive lever400, and the door handle100may be accommodated in the handle housing200.

FIG.21illustrates a part of the door handle being deployed from the handle housing by an external force. Referring toFIG.21, a part of the door handle100may be deployed from the handle housing200by an external force F2. When the force F2is exerted on one side of the door handle100, a part of the door handle100may be deployed from the housing since the door handle100is rotated with respect to the drive lever400. For instance, when the pressing force F2is exerted on the part of the door handle100that accommodates the weight body160therein, the door handle100may be rotated with respect to the drive lever400, and a part of the door handle100that accommodates the optical device150may be simultaneously exposed to the exterior of the handle housing200. Such a behavior may provide a back-up means to operate the door handle100.

For example, when a signal receiver154(which will be described below with reference toFIG.22) or the actuator300does not function normally, the door handle100may not be deployed by the driving force of the actuator300. In such case, the user may press one side of the door handle100such that the other side thereof may be partially exposed to the exterior of the handle housing200. Subsequently, the user may open the vehicle door20by grasping and pulling the door handle100exposed to the exterior. When the vehicle door20is opened and the user's force pulling the door handle100is released, the door handle100may be accommodated in the handle housing200again and converted into an accommodation state by the elastic force of the first elastic member610.

FIG.22is an exploded perspective view of the optical device,FIG.23depicts the function of an optical guide,FIG.24is a bottom perspective view of the optical guide,FIG.25depicts the function of a light diffusion part,FIG.26depicts the function of a controller, andFIG.27depicts light being emitted from a vehicle door handle assembly.

Referring toFIG.22, the optical device150may include a light source151, a substrate152, an optical guide153, a signal receiver154, and a controller155. The light source151may irradiate light. For instance, the light source151may be provided in the form of a light emitting diode (LED). The substrate152may support the light source151. In the present disclosure, a plurality of light sources151may be provided. The plurality of light sources151may irradiate light with colors different from one another. Alternatively, each of the plurality of light sources151may be capable of irradiating light in different colors. The light guide153may guide the light irradiated from the light source151and emit the light to the handle cover120.

Referring toFIG.23, the light guide153may include a light incident part153a, a light reflection part153b, and a light emission part153c. The light incident part153amay receive light L from the light source151. To this end, the light incident part153amay be disposed adjacent to the light source151. The light reflection part153bmay reflect the light L incident on the light incident part153ato the light emission part153c. In the present disclosure, the light emission part153cmay be formed in an elongated shape, and the light reflection part153bmay irradiate the reflected light along the longitudinal direction of the light emission part153c.

The light emission part153cmay emit the light L incident on the light incident part153a. Specifically, the light emission part153cmay emit the light L reflected by the light reflection part153b. The light emission part153cmay include a light emission surface ES and a light diffusion surface DS. The light emission surface ES may be disposed towards the handle cover120, and may emit the light incident on the light incident part153ato the handle cover120. The light emission part153cmay perform surface emission of the light in a shape corresponding to the shape of the light emission surface ES.

The light diffusion surface DS may be provided on the opposite side of the light emission surface ES and may diffuse the light L incident on the light incident part153atowards the light emission surface ES. Referring toFIGS.24and25, the light diffusion surface DS may include at least one light diffusion part153dconfigured to diffuse the incident light L. The light diffusion part153dmay be formed by recessing the light diffusion surface DS inwards in a conical shape. In some embodiments, the light diffusion part153dmay be formed in a hemisphere shape. The light diffusion part153dmay be formed over at least a portion of the light diffusion surface DS.FIG.24illustrates an example where the light diffusion part153dis formed over the entire area of the light diffusion surface DS.

As illustrated inFIG.25, the light diffusion part153dmay diffuse the incident light L and irradiate it to the light emission surface ES. As the light diffused by the light diffusion part153dis emitted through the light emission surface ES, the light emission part153cmay perform surface emission of the light corresponding to the shape of the light emission surface ES.

Referring back toFIG.22, the light guide153may include a leg153e. The leg153emay be coupled to the optical housing130. For instance, the leg153emay be coupled to the optical housing130by a coupling means such as a screw. Since the leg153eis coupled to the optical housing130, the light guide153may be fixed to the optical housing130.

The signal receiver154may receive a signal associated with the deployment of the door handle100. For example, the signal may be received using short-range wireless communication such as radio-frequency identification (RFID) or near field communication (NFC). The user may bring the communication means with an RFID tag or an NFC tag attached thereto proximate to the optical device150. When the communication means is brought proximate to the optical device150, the signal receiver154of the optical device150may receive the signal associated with the deployment of the door handle100from the communication means.

Referring toFIGS.22and26, the controller155may be configured to control an operation of the light source151. For example, the controller155may be configured to control the light source151to irradiate light of a particular color or pattern depending on the signal received from the vehicle. For example, when a first vehicle signal is received, the controller155may be configured to control the light source151to irradiate red light. Accordingly, a light source151that irradiates the red light may be turned on under the control of the controller155. Alternatively, when a second vehicle signal is received, the controller155may be configured to control the light source151to produce blinking blue light. Accordingly, the light source151that irradiates the blue light may blink under the control of the controller155.

The vehicle signal may include a welcome signal, a door locking signal, a door unlocking signal, a companion boarding signal, a hand engagement signal, an emergency light signal, a vehicle problem signal, or the like. The controller155may be configured to control the light source151to irradiate the light in a color or pattern corresponding to the vehicle signal.

FIG.27illustrates the light being emitted from the vehicle door handle assembly. As the optical device150generates the light, the light may be emitted through the light emission portion121formed in the handle cover120of the door handle100. The user may recognize the status of the vehicle by referring to the light emitted through the door handle100. For instance, the user may also check whether the vehicle door20has been changed to a locked or unlocked state by referring to the light emitted through the door handle100. Alternatively, by referring to the light emitted through the door handle100, the user may check whether a companion has embarked the vehicle or whether any problem has occurred in the vehicle.

FIG.28is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a door handle assembly for a vehicle according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.28, the controller155may be configured to receive the vehicle signal from the vehicle (S710) and control the light source151provided in the door handle100so that the light color and/or pattern that corresponds to the vehicle signal may be emitted from the door handle100(S720).

In the present disclosure, the vehicle signal may include a welcome signal, a door locking signal, a door unlocking signal, a companion boarding signal, a hand engagement signal, an emergency light signal, a vehicle problem signal, or the like, such that the user may be able to check the status of the vehicle by referring to the light emitted from the door handle100.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with reference to the above and the accompanying drawings, those of ordinary skill in the art, to which the present disclosure pertains, can understand that the present disclosure may be implemented in other forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative and non-limiting in any respects.