EP4667689A1

EP4667689A1 - Door handle control device and door handle control method

Info

Publication number: EP4667689A1
Application number: EP23921600.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tetsuzo KINUTA; Takashi Yanagihara; Takaya ISHIKUBO; Yutaro ONO
Original assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
Current assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-02-17
Filing date: 2023-02-17
Publication date: 2025-12-24
Also published as: JPWO2024171426A1; WO2024171426A1; CN120712395A

Abstract

A door handle control device makes a door handle protrude from a door when a key fob approaches a vehicle until the distance from the vehicle becomes equal to or less than a first distance (D1), and stores the door handle inside the door when the key fob moves away from the vehicle until the distance from the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined second distance (D2). Then, when a door lock is locked at a position where the distance between the key fob and the vehicle is equal to or less than second distance (D2), the door handle control device maintains the door handle protruding from the door while the distance between the key fob and the vehicle is equal to or less than second distance (D2), and stores the door handle inside the door when the distance between the key fob and the vehicle exceeds second distance (D2).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a door handle control device and a door handle control method.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

For example, a patent document 1 discloses a handle device in which, in the stored state, the outer surface of a handle is on the same surface as the surrounding door surface, and in the extended state, the second end of the handle protrudes sufficiently from a slot on the door surface.
In the handle device of the patent document 1, the handle moves to the stored state when the door is locked. Furthermore, in the handle device of the patent document 1, when getting in a vehicle with the door locked, it is necessary to operate a key fob with unlocking authority to unlock the door and extend the handle.
Therefore, in the handle device of the patent document 1, there is a possibility that a person cannot quickly enter the vehicle when the person needs to enter the vehicle immediately after the door is locked for some reason.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT(S)

PATENT DOCUMENT(S)

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6293708

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the present invention, a door handle of a vehicle that can be stored inside a door of the vehicle so as to be flush with an outer surface of the door includes: a door lock locking portion that locks a door lock that can lock the door such that the door does not open; and a door lock unlocking portion that is provided on the door handle so as to be positioned inside the door in a state in which the door handle is stored inside the door, and unlocks the door lock, and the door handle protrudes from the outer surface of the door when the electronic terminal approaches the vehicle until a distance between the electronic terminal and the vehicle is equal to or less than a predetermined first distance, and when the door lock is locked at a position where the distance between the electronic terminal and the vehicle is equal to or less than a predetermined second distance, the door handle is maintained in a state of protruding from the outer surface of the door while the distance between the electronic terminal and the vehicle is equal to or less than the second distance, and is stored inside the door when the distance between the electronic terminal and the vehicle exceeds the second distance.
According to the present invention, it is possible for a vehicle user to quickly unlock the door lock by operating the door lock unlocking portion of the door handle when unlocking the door lock immediately after locking the door lock. Therefore, according to the present invention, even immediately after locking the door lock, it is possible for a vehicle user to quickly open the door, thereby enabling the vehicle user to quickly get in the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the system configuration of a door handle control device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the state in which the door handle protrudes from the outer surface of a door.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the state in which the door handle protrudes from the outer surface of the door.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the control content of the door handle and a door lock.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control flow of the door handle control device according to the present invention.

MODE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

In the following, an embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the system configuration of a door handle control device 1 according to the present invention. Door handle control device 1 is mainly composed of a key fob 2 that serves as an electronic terminal held by the driver of a vehicle and an on-vehicle unit 3 mounted on the vehicle.
Key fob 2 enables locking and unlocking of a door lock 9 (described later) of the vehicle from a remote location. Door lock 9 is locked or unlocked by the operation, such as pressing, of a predetermined portion of key fob 2. In addition, key fob 2 has the function of causing a door handle 5 to protrude (described later) from an outer surface 10a of a door 10 (described later) when approaching the vehicle, and storing door handle 5 (described later) into the inside of door 10 (described later) when moving away from the vehicle.
On-vehicle unit 3 includes a hands-free module 4, a door handle 5, a CDL (center door lock) switch 6, a vehicle speed detection module 7, a vehicle body control module 8, and a door lock 9.
Hands-free module 4 is capable of two-way communication with key fob 2, receiving operation results from key fob 2 and detecting the position information of key fob 2. The position of key fob 2 (distance from the vehicle) can be detected, for example, using the strength of a signal sent from key fob 2. In addition, hands-free module 4 receives a door lock locking signal (operation signal) from a door lock locking portion 15 (described later) and a door lock unlocking signal (operation signal) from a door lock unlocking portion 16 (described later) of door handle 5.
FIGS. 2 and 3 are explanatory diagrams schematically showing a state in which door handle 5 protrudes from an outer surface 10a of a door 10. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of door handle 5. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of door handle 5 as seen from above (looking down from the upper side).
Door handle 5 is provided for each door 10 of the vehicle and is used by a vehicle user to grip (hold) it when opening or closing a corresponding door 10. Door handle 5 is capable of being stored inside door 10 such that an outer surface 5a of door handle 5 is flush with an outer surface 10a of door 10 of the vehicle. In other words, door handle 5 is capable of being stored inside door 10 such that outer surface 5a of door handle 5 is on the same plane as outer surface 10a of door 10 of the vehicle. Door handle 5 is capable of moving up and down between a predetermined lower limit position, in which it is stored inside door 10, and a predetermined upper limit position, in which it protrudes from outer surface 10a of door 10. At the above lower limit position, outer surface 5a of door handle 5 is flush with outer surface 10a of door 10.
Door handle 5 includes a main body 11 and a protrusion/storing mechanism 12 capable of raising and lowering main body 11 with respect to outer surface 10a of door 10.
Main body 11 includes a pair of columnar leg portions 13 spaced apart from each other, and a columnar grip portion 14 connected at both ends to the distal ends of pair of leg portions 13, and the whole has a substantially U-shaped configuration. Grip portion 14 is a portion that is gripped by a vehicle user when opening or closing door 10.
Pair of leg portions 13 are stored inside door 10 at the lower limit position mentioned above. Grip portion 14 is stored inside door 10 such that an outer surface 14a of grip portion 14 is flush with outer surface 10a of the door 10, at the lower limit position mentioned above. In other words, grip portion 14 is stored inside door 10 such that outer surface 14a is on the same plane as outer surface 10a of door 10, at the lower limit position mentioned above. In the present embodiment, outer surface 14a of grip portion 14 is outer surface 5a of door handle 5. Pair of leg portions 13 and grip portion 14 protrude from outer surface 10a of door 10 at the above-mentioned upper limit position.
Main body 11 of door handle 5 moves up and down by parallel movement between the above-mentioned lower limit position and upper limit position. That is, outer surface 14a of grip portion 14 at the lower limit position is parallel to outer surface 14a of grip portion 14 at the upper limit position.
Furthermore, main body 11 includes a door lock locking portion 15 that senses when an operation to lock door lock 9 is performed by a vehicle user pressing or touching it, and a door lock unlocking portion 16 that senses when an operation to unlock door lock 9 is performed by a vehicle user pressing or touching it.
Door lock locking portion 15 is configured, for example, by a touch sensor, and is provided so as to be exposed to outer surface 14a of grip portion 14, as shown in FIG. 2. Door lock locking portion 15 is formed so as to be substantially flush with outer surface 14a of grip portion 14. That is, door lock locking portion 15 is exposed outside the vehicle even when door handle 5 is stored inside door 10.
Door lock locking portion 15 is operated when door lock 9 is locked. Door lock locking portion 15 is visible from the outside, has substantially the same size as a fingertip and is relatively small. When operated by a vehicle user, door lock locking portion 15 outputs an operation signal (door lock locking signal) to vehicle body control module 8 via hands-free module 4.
Door lock unlocking portion 16 is configured, for example, by a touch sensor, and is exposed on the back side of grip portion 14, as shown in FIG. 3. That is, door lock unlocking portion 16 is located inside door 10 and is not exposed outside the vehicle in a state in which door handle 5 is stored inside door 10. In other words, door lock unlocking portion 16 is in a state in which door lock 9 cannot be unlocked when door handle 5 is stored inside door 10. Door lock unlocking portion 16 is formed over the entire surface of the rectangular area corresponding to the substantially entire surface on the back side of grip portion 14, as shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 2. When operated by a vehicle user, door lock unlocking portion 16 outputs an operation signal (door lock unlocking signal) to vehicle body control module 8 via hands-free module 4. In addition, door lock unlocking portion 16 may be intermittently provided on the back side of grip portion 14 or provided at a limited predetermined position on the back side of grip portion 14.
Protrusion/storing mechanism 12 is configured to advance or retreat main body 11 of door handle 5 using, for example, an electric actuator (not shown).
CDL switch 6 is provided in the vehicle interior and is configured to simultaneously lock or unlock door locks 9 of, for example, all seats or all seats other than the seat for the driver. That is, CDL switch 6 is a switch that enables so-called centralized door locking.
Vehicle speed detection module 7 is capable of detecting the vehicle speed. Vehicle speed detection module 7 is, in other words, a vehicle speed sensor.
Door lock 9 is provided for each door 10 of the vehicle and has the function of locking a corresponding door 10 so as not to be opened or unlocking a corresponding door 10 so as to be opened.
Vehicle body control module 8 controls the locking or unlocking of door lock 9 of each door 10 of the vehicle and the operation of protrusion/storing mechanism 12 of door handle 5 based on the result of the operation of key fob 2, the position information of key fob 2, and the information input from hands-free module 4, door lock locking portion 15, door lock unlocking portion 16, CDL switch 6, and vehicle speed detection module 7.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the control content of door handle 5 and door lock 9 by vehicle body control module 8. In detail, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the flow of changes in the states of door handle 5 and door lock 9 in response to a series of movements by a vehicle user approaching a stopped vehicle, entering the vehicle, starting the vehicle, stopping the vehicle, getting out of the vehicle and leaving it.
The vehicle is stopped in a state in which door lock 9 is locked and all door handles 5 are stored inside doors 10.
When a user holding key fob 2 approaches the vehicle, door handle control device 1 controls door handle 5 stored inside door 10 to make it protrude from the outer surface 10a of door 10. Specifically, when key fob 2 approaches the vehicle such that the distance between key fob 2 and the vehicle is equal or less than a predetermined first distance D1, door handle control device 1 activates protrusion/storing mechanisms 12 of all doors 10 to rise main bodies 11 of door handles 5 stored inside doors 10 to the above-mentioned upper limit position so as to make them protrude from outer surfaces 10a of doors 10.
Door handle control device 1 unlocks door locks 9 of all doors 10 when it detects that a vehicle user grabs door handle 5 and touches door lock unlocking portion 16 on the back side of grip portion 14. With this, the vehicle user can open door 10 of the vehicle and get in the vehicle.
Door handle control device 1 stores door handles 5 into all doors 10 and locks door locks 9 for all doors 10 when the vehicle reaches a predetermined set speed after the vehicle user gets in the vehicle and the vehicle starts moving. In addition, door handle control device 1 stores door handles 5 into doors 10 for all doors 10 when the vehicle user gets in the vehicle and locks door locks 9 using CDL switch 6.
When the vehicle stops after completing travel and the ignition switch (not shown) is pressed (turned off), door handle control device 1 causes door handles 5 of all doors 10 to protrude from outer surfaces 10a of doors 10 and unlocks door locks 9 of all doors 10. Furthermore, door handle control device 1 causes door handles 5 of all doors 10 to protrude from outer surfaces 10a of doors 10 when the vehicle user stops the vehicle and unlocks door locks 9 using CDL switch 6.
Door handle control device 1 locks door locks 9 of all doors 10 when it detects that a vehicle user gets out of the vehicle and touches door lock locking portion 15 on the front side of grip portion 14. At this time, door handle control device 1 maintains door handles 5 in a state of protruding from outer surfaces 10a of doors 10.
Then, door handle control device 1 stores door handles 5 into doors 10 when the user holding key fob 2 moves away from the vehicle. Specifically, when the distance between key fob 2 and the vehicle exceeds a predetermined second distance D2, door handle control device 1 activates protrusion/storing mechanisms 12 of all doors 10 to lower main bodies 11 of door handles 5 to the above-mentioned lower limit position and stores them inside doors 10.
In addition, when a state in which the distance between key fob 2 and the vehicle is equal to or less than second distance D2 continues for a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) or more after the vehicle user gets out of the vehicle and door locks 9 of all doors 10 are locked, door handle control device 1 activates protrusion/storing mechanisms 12 of all doors 10 to lower main bodies 11 of door handles 5 to the above-mentioned lower limit position and stores them inside doors 10
Here, when a predetermined time has elapsed after door locks 9 are locked and door handles 5 are stored inside doors 10, a state is maintained in which door handles 5 are stored inside doors 10 even if the distance between key fob 2 and the vehicle becomes within first distance D1, unless door locks 9 are unlocked by key fob 2.
In addition, second distance D2 is set to a value greater than first distance D1. That is, in the vehicle, when it is necessary to make the door handle 5 stored inside the door 10 protrude from the outer surface 10a of door 10, it requires key fob 2 to be brought closer to the vehicle compared to when it is necessary to store the door handle 5 protruding from the outer surface 10a of the door 10 inside the door 10,.
In addition, door handle control device 1 stores door handle 5 inside door 10 even if the distance between key fob 2 and the vehicle is equal to or less than second distance D2 when door lock 9 is locked from inside the vehicle.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control flow of door handle control device 1 in the above-mentioned embodiment, and there is shown the control flow of door handle 5 when door lock 9 is locked.
In a step S1, the locking operation of door lock 9 is detected.
In a step S2, it is determined whether the locking of door lock 9 is performed from outside the vehicle or from outside the vehicle. When it is determined in step S2 that the locking of door lock 9 is performed from inside the vehicle, the step proceeds to a step S3. When it is determined in step S2 that the locking of door lock 9 is performed from outside the vehicle, the step proceeds to a step S4.
In step S3, door handle 5 is stored inside door 10.
In step S4, it is determined whether the user holding key fob 2 moves away from the vehicle than second distance D2. When it is determined in step S4 that the user holding key fob 2 moves away from the vehicle than second distance D2, the step proceeds to step S3. When it is determined in step S4 that the user holding key fob 2 does not move away from the vehicle than second distance D2, the step proceeds to a step S5.
In step S5, door handle 5 is maintained in a state in which it is protruding from outer surface 10a of door 10. In addition, in step S5, when a predetermined time has elapsed while door handle 5 is protruding from outer surface 10a of door 10, door handle 5 is stored inside door 10.
As explained above, door handle control device 1 of the present embodiment mentioned above includes vehicle body control module 8 as a door handle control unit that is configured to make the door handle 5 protrude from the outer surface 10a of the door 10, when key fob 2 approaches the vehicle until the distance between key fob 2 and the vehicle is equal to or less than first distance D1, and store the door handle 5 inside the door 10, when key fob 2 moves away from the vehicle until the distance between key fob 2 and the vehicle is equal to or greater than predetermined second distance D2.
Furthermore, when door lock 9 is locked at a position where the distance between key fob 2 and the vehicle is equal to or less than second distance D2, vehicle body control module 8 maintains door handle 5 in a state of protruding from outer surface 10a of door 10 while the distance between key fob 2 and the vehicle is equal to or less than the second distance D2, and when the distance between key fob 2 and the vehicle becomes greater than second distance D2, it stores door handle 5 inside door 10.
With this, door handle control device 1 enables to allow the vehicle user to quickly unlock door lock 9 by operating door lock unlocking portion 16 of door handle 5 when performing the unlocking of door lock 9 immediately after door lock 9 is locked. Therefore, door handle control device 1 enables the vehicle user to quickly open door 10 even immediately after door lock 9 is locked, and thereby the vehicle user can quickly get in the vehicle.
The door handle control device 1 is set such that first distance D1 is less than second distance D2.
With this, in door handle control device 1, it is possible to suppress door handle 5 from being stored inside door 10 against the intent of the key fob 2 holder.
In addition, in door handle control device 1, it is possible to suppress door handle 5 from accidentally protruding from the stored state when the key fob 2 holder does not intend to get in the vehicle.
As the above, although a specific embodiment of the present invention has been explained, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and various changes might be made to the embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention.
For example, in door handle control device 1, a smartphone to which a dedicated application software is downloaded may be used as an electronic terminal instead of key fob 2. In this case, the smartphone as an electronic terminal is sufficient to have the same functions as key fob 2 described above (locking/unlocking function of door lock 9, and function to make the door handle protrude/store the door handle according to the distance from the vehicle).
For example, door handle control device 1 may stop the transmission and reception between key fob 2 and hands-free module 4 as a position detection part which detects the position of key fob 2, when key fob 2 is inside the vehicle. With this, it is possible to suppress power consumption of the battery built into key fob 2, thereby extending the service life of the battery.
The above-mentioned embodiment relates to a door handle control device 1 and a door handle control method.

Claims

A door handle control device comprising:
a door handle of a vehicle that can be stored inside a door of the vehicle so as to be flush with an outer surface of the door;

a door lock that can lock the door such that the door does not open;

a door lock locking portion provided on the door handle and operated when locking the door lock;

a door lock unlocking portion provided on the door handle so as to be positioned inside the door in a state in which the door handle is stored inside the door, and operated when unlocking the door lock;

an electronic terminal capable of performing the locking and unlocking operations of the door lock; and

a door handle control unit configured to cause the door handle to protrude from the outer surface of the door when the electronic terminal approaches the vehicle until a distance between the electronic terminal and the vehicle is equal to or less than a predetermined first distance,

wherein the door handle control unit maintains, when the door lock is locked at a position where the distance between the electronic terminal and the vehicle is equal to or less than a predetermined second distance, the door handle in a state of protruding from the outer surface of the door while the distance between the electronic terminal and the vehicle is equal to or less than the second distance, and stores the door handle inside the door when the distance between the electronic terminal and the vehicle exceeds the second distance.
The door handle control device according to claim 1,
wherein when the door lock is locked from inside the vehicle, the door handle is stored inside the door.
The door handle control device according to claim 1,
wherein even if the distance between the electronic terminal and the vehicle is equal to or less than the second distance, the door handle is stored inside the door when a predetermined time has elapsed after the door lock is locked.
The door handle control device according to claim 1,
wherein the first distance is set to be less than the second distance.
The door handle control device according to claim 3,
wherein when the predetermined time has elapsed after the locking and the door handle is stored inside the door, the door handle can be caused to protrude from the outer surface of the door by the unlocking of the door lock by an operation of the electronic terminal.
The door handle control device according to claim 1,
wherein when a vehicle speed reaches or exceeds a predetermined speed in a state in which the door lock is unlocked, the door lock is locked and the door handle is stored inside the door.
The door handle control device according to claim 1,
Wherein, when the vehicle traveling in a state in which the door lock is locked stops and an ignition switch of the vehicle is turned off, the door lock is unlocked and the door handle is caused to protrude from the outer surface of the door.
The door handle control device according to claim 1,
wherein when the electronic terminal is inside the vehicle, a transmission and reception between a position detection part for detecting a position of the electronic terminal and the electronic terminal is stopped.
A method for controlling a door handle of a vehicle that can be stored inside a door of the vehicle so as to be flush with an outer surface of the door, wherein the door handle comprises: a door lock locking portion that locks a door lock that can lock the door such that the door does not open; and a door lock unlocking portion that is provided on the door handle so as to be positioned inside the door in a state in which the door handle is stored inside the door, and unlocks the door lock, the method comprising:
causing the door handle to protrude from the outer surface of the door when an electronic terminal capable of operating the locking and unlocking of the door lock approaches the vehicle until a distance between the electronic terminal and the vehicle is equal to or less than a predetermined first distance; and

maintaining, when the door lock is locked at a position where the distance between the electronic terminal and the vehicle is equal to or less than a predetermined second distance, the door handle in a state of protruding from the outer surface of the door while the distance between the electronic terminal and the vehicle is equal to or less than the second distance, and storing the door handle inside the door when the distance between the electronic terminal and the vehicle exceeds the second distance.