JP7836635B2 - Vehicle door handle device - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a vehicle door handle device.

Conventionally, door handle devices with pop-up handle levers are known. In this type of door handle device, when the door handle is not in use, such as when the vehicle is stopped or in motion, the handle lever is retracted into the door panel, making the design surface (outer surface) of the handle lever nearly flush with the design surface (outer surface) of the door panel. This reduces the step difference on the outer surface of the door panel, improving the design aesthetics and reducing air resistance during driving (flush surfaced design).

Furthermore, in this type of door handle device, the handle lever pops up when an occupant is about to enter the vehicle. The occupant grasps the popped-up handle lever and operates it in a predetermined manner to release the latch locked to the vehicle body and open the side door.

This type of door handle device is often integrated with vehicles equipped with a smart entry system, and with a keyless entry system that allows the side doors to be unlocked or locked by pressing a button on the keyless key.

In other words, in a smart entry system, when the system detects that a user (usually the driver) carrying a wireless-enabled portable device (smart key) has entered a pre-set area of the vehicle, the steering wheel device will pop up the steering wheel lever. Similarly, in a keyless entry system, when the driver presses the unlock button on the keyless key within a pre-set area of the vehicle, the steering wheel device will pop up the steering wheel lever.

Incidentally, with pop-up door handles, the handle lever remains retracted until the occupants, including the driver, approach the parked vehicle to board it. If the door handle suddenly pops up while a pedestrian is passing by the vehicle, it can startle the pedestrian. Furthermore, the popped-up handle lever could catch on the pedestrian's clothing. For this reason, some countries have legal regulations regarding the amount the handle lever protrudes when popped up (the distance from the outer surface of the door panel to the protruding end of the handle lever in the vehicle width direction).

However, when the amount of the handle lever protrudes during pop-up mode is restricted, occupants cannot easily grasp the handle lever, resulting in poor operability. Consequently, occupants find it difficult to open the door, causing inconvenience.

For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-130913 discloses a technology for popping up a steering lever while restricting its protrusion. The steering lever disclosed in this publication allows the occupant to insert their hand from below or above into the inner surface of the lever and pull it towards them to release the lock. An extended portion is formed on the opposite side of the steering lever from where the occupant's hand is inserted. This extended portion prevents the occupant's fingers from slipping out of the steering lever.

The technology disclosed in this publication involves cutting out an extension formed at the open end of the handle lever, thereby ensuring a wider space for inserting a hand into the handle lever. This ensures the operability of the handle lever.

However, the technology disclosed in this publication has a structure that releases the door panel lock while the amount of protrusion of the handle lever is restricted when it pops up. Therefore, the entire process from unlocking the door to opening the side door must be performed with the handle lever's protrusion restricted, which is inconvenient to use.

The present invention aims to provide a vehicle door handle device that offers good operability and ease of use, even when the handle lever stored in the door panel is popped up to a predetermined position.

One aspect of the present invention relates to a vehicle door handle device comprising a handle unit provided on the door of a vehicle, an actuator for extending or retracting a handle lever provided on the handle unit, and a control unit for controlling the drive of the actuator, wherein the control unit includes: a proximity detection unit for detecting the approach of a handle lever operator to the vehicle; a first extension drive processing unit that, when the proximity detection unit detects the approach of the handle lever operator, drives the actuator to extend the retracted handle lever to a standby position with a narrow extension width; and a second extension drive processing unit that, when it detects that the handle lever operator has pulled the extension-side end of the handle lever in the standby position toward the operator, assists the operator in operating the handle lever to extend it to a gripping position with a wide extension width.

Schematic diagram of a vehicle equipped with a door handle device Perspective view of the handle unit Horizontal cross-sectional view of the handle section A horizontal cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 3A, showing the handle lever in the popped-up standby position. A horizontal cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 3A, showing the handle lever extended to the gripping position. Flowchart showing the steering lever control routine (Part 1) Flowchart showing the steering lever control routine (Part 2)

The following describes one embodiment of the present invention based on the drawings. It should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the relationship between the thickness and width of each component, the ratio of the thicknesses of each component, etc., may differ from reality. Naturally, there are also parts where the dimensional relationships and ratios differ between the drawings themselves.

The vehicle M shown in Figure 1 is equipped with side doors 1 on both the front and rear sides. Each side door 1 shown in Figure 1 is a single-leaf type, with the rear opening and closing with the front as the pivot point. A handle unit 2 is attached to each of these side doors 1. The handle units 2 attached to the front and rear side doors 1 have the same structure. Furthermore, the handle units 2 attached to the left and right side doors 1 have a symmetrical structure.

Figure 2 shows the structure of the handle unit 2. The handle unit 2 shown in this figure is attached to the left side door 1. The handle unit attached to the right side door 1 has a structure symmetrical to the left handle unit 2, so its explanation is omitted.

The handle unit 2 has a handle lever 3 that is gripped when opening the side door 1. This handle lever 3 is housed in a housing 4. The housing 4 is fixed to the side door 1. The housing 4 has a recess 4a for housing the handle lever 3. The open end 4b of this recess 4a is exposed on the outer surface of the side door 1. This open end 4b is almost flush with the outer surface of the side door 1.

The handle lever 3 has a horizontally elongated shape. The handle lever 3 has a gripping portion 3a and a finger rest portion 3b. The gripping portion 3a is grasped by the occupant when boarding the vehicle M. The dashed line in Figure 3C represents the occupant's hand H. A hinge pin 5 is fitted to the front end of the gripping portion 3a. The rear end of the handle lever 3 is rotatable outwards from the vehicle body through a recess 4a around the hinge pin 5.

The finger rest portion 3b is formed at the rear end of the handle lever 3, which is the extension side of the vehicle body. The gripping portion 3a protrudes from the outer surface side toward the rear of the vehicle body. The outer surfaces of the gripping portion 3a and the finger rest portion 3b are formed flush with each other.

The handle lever 3 rotates integrally with the hinge pin 5. As shown in Figure 2, the hinge pin 5 extends in the vertical direction. The upper and lower portions of the hinge pin 5 that protrude from the handle lever 3 are rotatably supported by the housing 4.

The base of the hinge pin 5 (the lower end portion in Figure 2) is inserted into the handle actuator box 6. The handle actuator 12 (see Figure 1) is housed within this handle actuator box 6. The handle actuator 12 is, for example, an electric motor.

The handle actuator 12 rotates the handle lever 3 between the retracted position (state shown in Figure 3A) and the pop-up standby position (state shown in Figure 3B). In the retracted position, where the handle lever 3 is stored in the recess 4a, the outer surface of the handle lever 3 and the outer surface of the side door 1 are almost flush.

Furthermore, the handle actuator 12 generates an axial torque sufficient to reduce the burden on the fingers F of the person attempting to ride by operating the handle lever 3, when the handle lever 3 is in the position from the standby position to the lever gripping position (the state shown in Figure 3C). In addition, the handle actuator 12 rotates the handle lever 3 from the deployed state in the standby and handle gripping positions to the retracted position for storage. The handle actuator 12 operates according to commands from the handle lever control unit 21a, which will be described later.

The handle lever 3 is equipped with a handle top touch switch 13a, a handle bottom touch switch 13b, and a handle inside touch switch 13c on its upper, lower, and inner surfaces, respectively. Furthermore, a finger rest touch switch 14 is provided on the inside of the finger rest 3b. In addition, an axial torque sensor 15 is provided on the hinge pin 5. This axial torque sensor 15 detects, for example, the torsional torque generated in the hinge pin 5.

Furthermore, vehicle M is equipped with a smart entry system. This smart entry system comprises a smart entry control unit (smart entry ECU) 21 installed in vehicle M, a smart key 22 which is a portable device carried by the person intending to enter vehicle M (mainly the driver), and a smart signal receiver 16.

The smart key 22 emits a unique identification code (ID code). The smart signal receiver 16 receives the ID code output from the smart key 22. Upon receiving the ID code, the smart entry ECU 21 detects the approach of a person carrying the smart key 22 and attempting to enter the vehicle.

The Smart Entry ECU 21 consists of a microcontroller equipped with a CPU, RAM, ROM, rewritable non-volatile memory (flash memory or EEPROM), and peripheral devices. The ROM stores programs and fixed data necessary for the CPU to execute various processes. The RAM is provided as the CPU's work area, where various data from the CPU is temporarily stored. The CPU is also called an MPU (Microprocessor) or processor. Alternatively, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or GSP (Graph Streaming Processor) may be used instead of the CPU. Alternatively, a selective combination of CPU, GPU, and GSP may be used.

The smart entry ECU 21 includes a handle lever control unit 21a. The touch switches 13a-13c, 14, the shaft torque sensor 15, and the smart signal receiver 23 are connected to the input side of this handle lever control unit 21a. Furthermore, the handle actuator 12 is connected to the output side of this handle lever control unit 21a.

The handle lever control unit 21a outputs a signal to the handle actuator 12 to rotate the handle lever 3, according to the signals input from each touch switch 13a to 13c, 14, the shaft torque sensor 15, and the smart signal receiver 23.

The rotational control of the handle lever 3, performed by the handle lever control unit 21a, is specifically controlled according to the handle lever control routine shown in Figures 4A and 4B. In the following, the person carrying the smart key 22 and attempting to board the vehicle M (primarily the driver) will be referred to as the "handle lever operator."

In this routine, in steps S1 to S3, the handle lever control unit 21a detects the approach of a handle lever operator. Therefore, the processing in steps S1 to S3 corresponds to the approach detection unit of the present invention.

First, the handle lever control unit 21a checks whether or not an ID code has been received from the smart key 22 (step S1). If the handle lever control unit 21a has received an ID code from the smart key 22 (YES), it proceeds to step S2. If no ID code has been received (NO), it exits the routine.

In step S2, the handle lever control unit 21a compares the ID code stored in the memory unit with the ID code transmitted from the smart key 22. Then, the handle lever control unit 21a determines whether the ID codes match or not (step S3). If it determines that the ID codes do not match, the handle lever control unit 21a exits the processing routine (RETURN).

On the other hand, if the ID code is determined to be a match, the handle lever control unit 21a drives the handle actuator 12. The handle actuator 12 extends (pops up) the handle lever 3 to the standby position (position in Figure 3B) according to the command from the handle lever control unit 21a (step S4).

The pop-up of this handle lever 3 will be performed in one of the following ways:
(1) Only the handle lever 3 of the handle unit 2 that the handle lever operator is approaching is popped up.
(2) Pop up the handle levers 3 of all handle units 2.
(3) Allow users to choose between (1) and (2) at will.
Furthermore, the processing in step S4 corresponds to the first deployment drive processing unit of the present invention.

The extended width W1 of the handle lever 3 in the standby position is a relatively narrow extended width from the surface of the side door 1 to the outside of the tip of the finger rest 3b. This extended width W1 is set to a value that satisfies all of the following conditions.
(1) The deployed width W1 is such that even when the handle lever 3 pops up, it does not startle pedestrians passing by the vehicle M.
(2) The extended width W1 is such that it is difficult for pedestrians' clothing or other items to get caught on the popped-up handle lever 3.
(3) As shown in Figure 3B, the unfolded width W1 is such that the operator's fingers F can be hooked onto the finger rest 3b.

The extension width W1 of the handle lever 3 is set to a value that satisfies the above-mentioned conditions, for example, to about 40 mm.

Next, the handle lever control unit 21a checks whether it has received an ON signal from the finger rest touch switch 14 within a predetermined time (for example, 10 to 15 seconds) after the handle lever 3 pops up (step S5). The finger rest touch switch 14 is located on the inner surface of the finger rest 3b. Therefore, the finger rest touch switch 14 outputs an ON signal when the finger F of the handle lever operator hooks onto the finger rest 3b.

Then, if the handle lever control unit 21a receives an ON signal from the finger rest touch switch 14 within a predetermined time (YES), it reads the axial torque applied to the hinge pin 5. This axial torque is detected by the axial torque sensor 15 (step S6). The axial torque sensor 15 detects the axial torque, for example, from the twisting that occurs in the hinge pin 5.

Next, the handle lever control unit 21a outputs an assist torque to the handle actuator 12 corresponding to the shaft torque detected by the shaft torque sensor 15. The handle actuator 12 then extends the handle lever 3 with an assist torque such that the operator of the handle lever feels a slight resistance force on their finger F (step S7).

Subsequently, the handle lever control unit 21a checks whether the handle lever 3 has been extended to the gripping position (position in Figure 3C) (step S8). The extended width W2 at the gripping position is a relatively wide extended width from the surface of the side door 1 to the outside of the tip of the finger rest 3b. This extended width W2 is a preset value that allows the handle lever operator's hand H to grip the gripping portion 3a of the handle lever 3. Note that the processing from steps S5 to S8 corresponds to the second extension drive processing unit of the present invention.

Then, if the handle lever control unit 21a has not yet extended the handle lever 3 to the gripping position (step S8: NO), it returns to step S7. Also, if the handle lever control unit 21a determines that the handle lever 3 has been extended to the gripping position (step S8: YES), it checks whether an ON signal has been output from any of the handle top touch switch 13a, handle bottom touch switch 13b, or handle inside touch switch 13c within a predetermined time (step S9).

Here, the predetermined time is the elapsed time after the handle lever 3 reaches the gripping position. This predetermined time is the time required to determine whether or not the handle lever operator intends to open the side door 1. This set time is, for example, 10 to 15 seconds. In the following, the handle top touch switch 13a, the handle bottom touch switch 13b, and the handle inside touch switch 13c will be collectively referred to as handle touch switches 13a to 13c.

Then, if the handle lever control unit 1a does not detect an ON signal from any of the handle touch switches 13a to 13c after a predetermined time has elapsed (step S9: NO), it determines that the handle lever operator is not operating the handle lever 3 and jumps to step S14.

Furthermore, if the handle lever control unit 21a detects an ON signal from any of the handle touch switches 13a to 13c within a predetermined time (step S9: YES), it checks whether an ON signal was detected from all of the handle touch switches 13a to 13c (step S10).

If the handle lever control unit 21a determines that no ON signals have been detected from all handle touch switches 13a to 13c (step S10: NO), it returns to step S9. If an ON signal is detected from all handle touch switches 13a to 13c (step S10: YES), the handle lever control unit 21a determines that the handle lever operator's hand H is gripping the handle lever 3 and performing steering operations. Note that the processing in steps S9 and S10 corresponds to the operation detection unit of the present invention.

Then, if the handle lever control unit 21a determines YES in step S10, it permits the latch release operation (step S11). The door latch is provided on the side door 1. On the other hand, the vehicle body side is provided with a striker that engages with this door latch. Note that the processing in step S11 corresponds to the latch release operation permitting unit of the present invention.

The door latch engages with the striker, maintaining the fully closed position of the side door 1. The door latch is equipped with a latch release mechanism. Activating this latch release mechanism releases the door latch from the striker. With the door latch released from the striker, the side door 1 becomes open.

There are two types of latch release mechanisms: electric and mechanical. The electric latch release mechanism releases the latch by driving an electric actuator. The mechanical latch release mechanism connects the handle lever 3 and the door latch via a cable or similar means.

In step S11, when the latch release operation is permitted, the electric latch release mechanism turns ON when the handle lever operator lightly pulls the handle lever 3 towards them from the gripping position. When the handle lever control unit 21a detects this ON signal from the latch release switch, it drives the electric actuator to release the latch.

Furthermore, in a mechanical latch release mechanism, the operator of the handle lever, while gripping the gripping portion 3a, rotates the handle lever 3 further forward from the gripping position. The operating force applied to the handle lever 3 at that time is transmitted to the latch via a cable or the like, thereby releasing the latch.

After the latch is released, the handle lever control unit 21a checks whether all handle touch switches 13a to 13c are OFF or OFF (step S12). If any of the handle touch switches 13a to 13c are ON (NO), it waits until all of the handle touch switches 13a to 13c are OFF. If at least one of the handle touch switches 13a to 13c is ON, the handle lever control unit 21a determines that the handle lever operator's hand H is still touching the handle lever 3.

On the other hand, if all handle touch switches 13a to 13c are OFF (step S12: YES), the handle lever control unit 21a determines that the handle operation by the handle lever operator has ended. Note that the processing in step S12 corresponds to the handle operation completion determination unit of the present invention.

If the result in step S12 is YES, the handle lever control unit 21a determines the handle retraction condition (step S13). Note that the processing in step S13 corresponds to the retraction condition determination unit of the present invention.

The following are some possible conditions for retracting the handlebars:
(1) Has a certain amount of time elapsed since the side door 1 was opened? (2) Has the door latch of the side door 1 engaged with the striker? (3) Has the select lever (shift lever) been set to the drive (D) range? (4) Has the vehicle reached a predetermined speed after starting?

In step S8, one of these conditions is determined. If the handle lever control unit 21a does not satisfy the handle retraction condition (NO), it waits until the handle retraction condition is met. On the other hand, if the handle lever control unit 21a determines that the handle retraction condition is met (YES), it proceeds to step S14.

When the process proceeds from step S5, step S9, or step S13 to step S14, the handle lever control unit 21a drives the handle actuator 12 in the retraction direction and exits the routine (RETURN). Note that the processing in step S14 corresponds to the handle lever retraction processing unit of the present invention.

When the handle lever control unit 21a drives the handle actuator 12 in the retraction direction, the handle lever 3 rotates around the hinge pin 5 towards the recess 4a. Then, as shown in Figure 3A, the handle lever 3 is retracted into the recess 4a. When the handle lever 3 is retracted into the recess 4a, the outer surface of the handle lever 3 becomes almost flush with the outer surface of the side door 1.

As described above, the handle lever control unit 21a in this embodiment detects that a handle lever operator is approaching the vehicle M and pops up the handle lever 3 to a predetermined standby position. Before the pop-up operation, the handle lever 3 is stored in the recess 4a of the housing 4, almost flush with the surface of the side door 1. The handle lever operator places their fingers F on the finger rest 3b of the handle lever 3, which is deployed in the standby position, and pulls it towards them.

The handle lever control unit 21a detects the axial torque applied to the hinge pin 5 when the handle lever operator pulls the finger rest 3b of the handle lever 3. The handle lever control unit 21a then drives the handle actuator 12 to generate an assist torque on the handle lever 3 corresponding to the axial torque. As a result, the handle lever 3 extends to the gripping position, following the operator's finger F. This reduces the burden on the operator's finger F.

Because the handle lever 3 is extended to the gripping position, the operator can easily grasp the gripping portion 3a of the handle lever 3. As a result, the handle lever 3 is easy to operate and user-friendly.

Furthermore, the door handle device according to the present invention is not limited to side doors 1, but can also be applied to sliding doors that move in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle body. In addition, the door handle device according to the present invention can also be applied to keyless entry systems.

Claims (5)

The handle unit located on the vehicle door,
An actuator for extending or retracting the handle lever provided on the handle unit,
A vehicle door handle device having a control unit that controls the drive of the actuator,
The control unit,
An approach detection unit that detects the approach of the person operating the steering lever to the vehicle,
When the proximity detection unit detects the approach of the handle lever operator, the first deployment drive processing unit drives the actuator to deploy the stored handle lever to a standby position with a narrow deployment width,
A vehicle door handle device comprising a second deployment drive processing unit that, when it detects that the operator of the handle lever has pulled the deployment end of the handle lever, which is in the standby position, toward the operator, assists the operator in operating the handle lever to deploy it to a gripping position with a wide deployment width. The control unit,
An operation detection unit that detects whether or not the handle lever operator has operated the handle lever which has been extended to the gripping position,
The door handle device for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising: an operation detection unit that detects an operation of the handle lever by the operator of the handle lever, and a latch release operation permitting unit that permits the release operation of the door latch engaged with the striker on the vehicle body side. The control unit,
After the latch release operation permission unit permits the release operation of the door latch, a handle operation completion determination unit determines whether or not the handle operation by the handle lever operator has been completed,
A storage condition determination unit for determining the storage conditions of the handle lever,
The door handle device for a vehicle according to claim 2, further comprising a handle operation completion determination unit that determines that the handle operation by the handle lever operator has ended, and a handle lever storage condition determination unit that determines that the storage condition for the handle lever has been met, and a handle lever storage processing unit that drives the actuator to store the handle lever. The door handle device for a vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that the storage condition determination unit determines that the storage condition is met when a certain amount of time has elapsed after the door has been opened, or the door latch engages with the striker, or the select lever is set to the drive range, or a predetermined speed is reached after starting. A door handle device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a finger rest portion for the operator of the handle lever to place their fingers on is formed at the unfolding end of the handle lever.