WO2014155176A1 - Exterior door handle device fitting structure - Google Patents

Exterior door handle device fitting structure Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014155176A1
WO2014155176A1 PCT/IB2014/000397 IB2014000397W WO2014155176A1 WO 2014155176 A1 WO2014155176 A1 WO 2014155176A1 IB 2014000397 W IB2014000397 W IB 2014000397W WO 2014155176 A1 WO2014155176 A1 WO 2014155176A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
vehicle
exterior
door
door handle
outer panel
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2014/000397
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Yoshiki Ishikawa
Original Assignee
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha filed Critical Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
Publication of WO2014155176A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014155176A1/en

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B77/00—Vehicle locks characterised by special functions or purposes
    • E05B77/44—Burglar prevention, e.g. protecting against opening by unauthorised tools
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B17/00—Accessories in connection with locks
    • E05B17/14—Closures or guards for keyholes
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B79/00—Mounting or connecting vehicle locks or parts thereof
    • E05B79/02—Mounting of vehicle locks or parts thereof
    • E05B79/06—Mounting of handles, e.g. to the wing or to the lock
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B85/00—Details of vehicle locks not provided for in groups E05B77/00 - E05B83/00
    • E05B85/06—Lock cylinder arrangements
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B85/00—Details of vehicle locks not provided for in groups E05B77/00 - E05B83/00
    • E05B85/10—Handles
    • E05B85/14—Handles pivoted about an axis parallel to the wing
    • E05B85/16—Handles pivoted about an axis parallel to the wing a longitudinal grip part being pivoted at one end about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the grip part
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B17/00—Accessories in connection with locks
    • E05B17/04—Devices for coupling the turning cylinder of a single or a double cylinder lock with the bolt operating member
    • E05B17/041—Coupling device with a shaft projecting axially rearwardly from the cylinder, e.g. affording a degree of universal motion to compensate for misalignment
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B85/00—Details of vehicle locks not provided for in groups E05B77/00 - E05B83/00
    • E05B85/10—Handles
    • E05B85/14—Handles pivoted about an axis parallel to the wing
    • E05B85/18—Handles pivoted about an axis parallel to the wing a longitudinal grip part being pivoted about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the grip part

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an exterior door handle device fitting structure.
  • An exterior door handle device has been known that includes an exterior door handle fitted to a vehicle exterior side of a door outer panel (see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 201 1-178279 (JP 201 1-178279 A), Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-162383 (JP 201 1 -178279 A), for example).
  • JP 2008-162383 A a key hole of a key cylinder is exposed from a key opening that is formed in the exterior door handle, there is room for improvement in appearance.
  • the present invention provides an exterior door handle device fitting structure in which appearance of an exterior door handle device is improved.
  • An exterior door handle device fitting structure includes a door outer panel that forms an outer plate of a vehicle door; an exterior door handle that is tumably fitted to a vehicle exterior side of the door outer panel, and releases restraint of the vehicle door with respect to a vehicle body when the exterior door handle is turned; and a key cylinder having a key hole disposed on a vehicle interior side with respect to the exterior door handle, and exposed from a clearance that is formed between the exterior door handle and the door outer panel due to turning of the exterior door handle, the key cylinder being fitted to the door outer panel.
  • the key hole of the key cylinder is disposed on the vehicle interior side with respect to the exterior door handle, and therefore, the key hole is covered by the exterior door handle from the vehicle exterior side. Accordingly, the key hole is invisible from outside a vehicle.
  • the key hole is exposed from the clearance that is formed between the exterior door handle and the door outer panel due to turning of the exterior door handle. Accordingly, a key (key plate) can be inserted in the key hole.
  • the key hole may be formed in a vehicle exterior side end of the key cylinder, and the key cylinder may be inserted through a fitting opening formed in the door outer panel from the vehicle exterior side, and the key cylinder may be tilted with respect a thickness direction of the door outer panel.
  • the key cylinder is tilted with respect to the thickness direction of the door outer panel, and therefore, the key hole is exposed from the clearance that is formed between the exterior door handle and the door outer panel due to turning of the exterior door handle.
  • the exterior door handle device fitting structure in the above aspect may further include a door locking device that is disposed on the vehicle interior side with respect to the door outer panel, has a device connecting portion facing the fitting opening, and restrains the vehicle door with respect to the vehicle body; and a lever link having one end that is turnably connected to the key cylinder and another end that is tumably connected to the device connecting portion, wherein the key cylinder may be turnably supported by the door outer panel.
  • the device connecting portion of the door locking device faces the fitting opening of the door outer panel. Accordingly, when the key cylinder and the lever link in a state in which the one end of the lever link is connected to the key cylinder are inserted through the fitting ⁇ opening from the vehicle exterior side, the other end of the lever link can be connected to the device connecting portion of the door locking device.
  • the key cylinder is turnably supported by the door outer panel. Accordingly, by turning the key cylinder with respect to the door outer panel, the key cylinder can be tilted with respect to the thickness direction of the door outer panel.
  • the one end of the lever link is turnably connected to the key cylinder, and the other end thereof is turnably- connected to the device connecting portion of the door locking device. Accordingly, when the key cylinder is turned with respect to the door outer panel in a state in which the other end of the lever link is connected to the device connecting portion, the one end of the lever link is turned with respect to the key cylinder, and the other end of the lever link is turned, with respect to the device connecting portion. Thus, connection between the other end of the lever link and the device connecting portion is retained.
  • the exterior door handle device fitting structure in the above aspect may further include a fixed protector that is disposed between the fitting opening and the device connecting portion, and has a fixed insertion opening through which the lever link is inserted; and a movable protector that is slidably supported by the fixed protector, has a movable insertion opening through which the lever link is inserted, slides with respect to the fixed protector due to turning of the key cylinder, and closes a portion of the fixed insertion opening.
  • the key cylinder may include an engaging portion and the movable protector may include an engaged portion that is engaged with the engaging portion in a sliding direction in which the movable protector slides with respect to the fixed protector.
  • the key cylinder may be tilted downward in a top-bottom direction of a vehicle with respect to a thickness direction of the door outer panel.
  • the key cylinder is tilted downward in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle with respect to the thickness direction of the door outer panel, and therefore, the key hole can be exposed from the clearance that is formed between the door outer panel and a lower edge of the exterior door handle due to turning of the exterior door handle. [0025] Therefore, according to the above exterior door handle device fitting structure, the key can be easily inserted in the key hole.
  • the exterior door handle may turn about a turning shaft that extends in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle.
  • FIG. 1 is a plane sectional view showing a front side door to which an exterior door handle device fitting structure according to an embodiment is applied;
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a door outer panel, a pad, and a lock operation member shown i FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged back view of a fixed protector shown in FIG. 1 seen from a vehicle interior side;
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing the fixed protector and a movable protector shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a state before the lock operation member is fitted to a handle base, and corresponding to FIG. 3.
  • an arrow UP indicates an upper side in a top-bottom direction of a vehicle
  • an arrow FR indicates a front side in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle
  • an arrow OUT indicates an outer side in a width direction of the vehicle (i.e., a vehicle exterior side).
  • the "vehicle exterior side” signifies the outer side in the width direction of the vehicle
  • the "vehicle interior side” signifies the inner side in the width direction of the vehicle.
  • FIG. 1 shows a front side door 12 and an exterior door handle device 30 to which an exterior door handle device fitting structure 10 according to the embodiment is applied.
  • the front side door 12 that is a vehicle door includes a door outer panel 14 that forms an outer plate, a door inner panel (not shown) that is disposed on a vehicle interior side with respect to the door outer panel 14, and that forms an inner plate, and a door locking device 16 that is accommodated between the door outer panel 14 and the door inner panel.
  • the front side door 12 is supported to be able to swing about a door hinge of a front pillar (not shown).
  • the door outer panel 14 and the door inner panel are disposed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, face each other in the width direction of the vehicle, and are connected to each other at peripheral edges thereof.
  • the door locking device 16 is accommodated in a rear side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The door locking device 16 restrains the front side door 12 with respect to a vehicle body (not shown), in a state in which the front side door 12 is in a closed state.
  • the door locking device 16 includes a latch, and the front side door 12 is restrained with respect to the vehicle body when the latch is engaged with a striker that is provided in a center pillar (not shown).
  • the door locking device 16 also includes a restraint release lever (not shown) that disengages the latch from the striker to release the restraint of the front side door 12 with respect to the vehicle body (i.e., to stop restraining the front side door 12 with respect to the vehicle body).
  • the door locking device 16 includes a lock lever (not shown) that switches a state of the door locking device 16 between a locked state in which the restraint release lever is prohibited from disengaging the latch from the striker, and an unlocked state in which the restraint release lever is permitted to disengage the latch from the striker.
  • a lever link 62 of a lock operation member 50 which will be described later, is connected to the lock lever via a connecting recess 16A of the door locking device 16.
  • a handle fitting portion 14A that is recessed to the vehicle interior side is formed in the rear side of the door outer panel 14 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, hi the handle fitting portion 14A, a pair of a front side fitting opening 18 and a rear side fitting opening 20 is formed. The front side fitting opening 18 and the rear side fitting opening 20 are separated from each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
  • the exterior door handle device 30 is fitted to the handle fitting portion 14A.
  • the exterior door handle device 30 includes an exterior door handle 32 that is turned by an occupant, a handle base 40 that supports the exterior door handle 32 so that the exterior door handle 32 is turnable, and the lock operation member 50 that operates the lock lever of the door locking device 16, which is described above.
  • the handle base 40 is disposed on the vehicle interior side with respect to the door outer panel 14 in a manner such that a longitudinal direction of the handle base 40 is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
  • the handle base 40 is fixed to the door outer panel 14 by bolts and nuts that are not shown.
  • a handle shaft receiving portion 40 A is provided in a front end side of the handle base 40 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
  • the exterior door handle 32 is disposed on the vehicle exterior side with x respect to the door outer panel 14 in a manner such that a longitudinal direction of the exterior door handle 32 is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
  • the exterior door handle 32 faces the handle base 40 in the width direction of the vehicle with the handle fitting portion 14A being located between the exterior door handle 32 and the handle base 40.
  • the exterior door handle 32 includes a handle main body 34 and a handle cover 36 that covers the handle main body 34 from the vehicle exterior side.
  • a support arm 34A which extends to an area On the vehicle interior side with respect to the door outer panel 14 through the front side fitting opening 18, is provided in a front side of the handle main body 34 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
  • the support arm 34A is supported by the handle shaft receiving portion 40A of the handle base 40 so that the support arm 34A is turnable about a turning shaft 38 that extends in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle.
  • a holding portion 34B that is held by the occupant is provided in an intermediate portion of the handle main body 34 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
  • the exterior door handle 32 is turned about the turning shaft 38 when the occupant pulls the holding portion 34B to the vehicle exterior side.
  • a restraint release arm 34C which extends to an area on the vehicle interior side with respect to the door outer panel 14 through the rear side fitting opening 20, is provided in a rear side of the handle main body 34 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
  • the restraint release arm 34C is connected to the restraint release lever of the door locking device 16 described above, through a link mechanism (not shown). Accordingly, the restraint release lever is operated due to an operation of turning the exterior door handle 32, which is performed by the occupant.
  • a holding portion 40B that holds the lock operation member 50 is provided in the rear side of the handle base 40 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
  • an accommodating hole 42 is formed to extend through the handle base 40 in the width direction of the vehicle.
  • the lock operation member 50 is accommodated in the accommodating hole 42 through the rear side fitting opening 20 of the door outer panel 14.
  • the lock operation member 50 includes a key cylinder 52 that is disposed on the vehicle interior side with respect to the exterior door handle 32, and the lever link 62 that extends from the key cylinder 52 to the vehicle interior side and is connected to the connecting recess 16A of the door locking device 16.
  • the key cylinder 52 is formed in a substantially columnar shape and is accommodated in the accommodating hole 42 of the handle base 40 in a manner such that an axial direction of the key cylinder 52 is the width direction of the vehicle.
  • a key hole 54 in which a key plate 24 (see FIG. 3) is inserted is formed in a vehicle exterior side end 52A of the key cylinder 52 in the axial direction.
  • the key hole 54 is covered by the exterior door handle 32 and thus the key hole 54 is invisible from the vehicle exterior side (i.e., the key hole 54 is invisible from outside the vehicle).
  • a key cover 56 is attached to the vehicle exterior side end 52A of the key cylinder 52.
  • a shaft pin 58 that serves as a turning shaft portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is provided at an upper end of the key cylinder 52.
  • the shaft pin 58 is turnably supported by a cylinder shaft receiving portion 44 that is formed in the holding portion 40B of the handle base 40.
  • a pad 22 is disposed on a peripheral edge portion around the rear side fitting opening 20 of the door outer panel 14.
  • the key cylinder 52 is fitted to the handle base 40 in a state in which the key cylinder 52 is tilted in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle with respect to a thickness direction of the door outer panel 14 (the width direction of the vehicle) so that the key hole 54 faces downward. Accordingly, as indicated by a two-dot chain line, the key hole 54 is exposed through a clearance S that is formed between the door outer panel 14 and a lower edge of the exterior door handle 32, when the exterior door handle 32 is turned.
  • the lever link 62 that is formed in a rod shape with a substantially circular cross section is connected to a vehicle interior side end 52B of the key cylinder 52 in the axial direction.
  • the lever link 62 is disposed coaxially with the key cylinder 52 and is rotated with respect to the key cylinder 52 due to the rotation of the key plate 24 that is inserted in the key hole 54.
  • a long hole 66 is formed in an end 62A of the lever link 62 in a longitudinal direction thereof. In the long hole 66, a shaft pin 64 that serves as a turning shaft portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is slidably inserted.
  • the end 62 A of the lever link 62 is turnably connected to the vehicle interior side end 52B of the key cylinder 52 through the shaft pin 64.
  • Another end 62B of the lever link 62 in the longitudinal direction thereof is fitted in (connected to) the connecting recess 16A of the door locking device 16 that faces the rear side fitting opening 20 of the door outer panel 14, and is connected to the lock lever described above, through the connecting recess 16A. Accordingly, when the key plate 24 that is inserted in the key hole 54 is rotated, the lock lever is operated through the lever link 62, and the state of the door locking device 16 is switched between the locked state and the unlocked state.
  • the other end 62B of the lever link 62 is connected to the connecting recess 16A so that the other end 62B is turnable about the turning shaft portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle within a range allowed by the connecting recess 16A.
  • a fixed protector 70 and a movable protector 80 are disposed between the connecting recess 16A that serves as a device connecting portion and the rear side fitting, opening 20 of the door outer panel 14.
  • the fixed protector 70 is formed of a steel plate or the like, disposed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and fitted to the vehicle interior side of the handle base 40.
  • an upper attachment 70A which extends toward the vehicle exterior side and is fixed to the handle base 40 by a bolt (not shown), is provided in an upper end of the fixed protector 70.
  • paired lower attachments 70B, 70C which extend toward the vehicle exterior side and are fixed to the handle base 40 by bolts 72 (see FIG. 4), are provided in a lower end of the fixed protector 70.
  • a fixed insertion opening 74 through which the lever link 62 of the lock operation member 50 is inserted, is formed in a center portion of the fixed protector 70.
  • the fixed insertion opening 74 is an elongated hole that extends in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle.
  • an upper protector 76 which extends from an upper end of the fixed protector 70 toward the vehicle interior side, is provided in the upper end. The upper protector 76 prevents a tool or the like that is inserted through a space between a window glass (not shown) and the door outer panel 14 from reaching the connecting recess 16A of the door locking device 16.
  • the movable protector 80 that is formed of a steel plate or the like is disposed on the vehicle exterior side with respect to the fixed protector 70.
  • the movable protector 80 is overlapped with the fixed protector 70 from the vehicle exterior side and is supported by the fixed protector 70 so as to be slidable in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle.
  • a lower portion of the fixed insertion opening 74 of the fixed projector 70 is opened or closed.
  • a movable insertion opening 82 through which the lever link 62 of the lock operation member 50 is inserted, is formed in an upper center portion of the movable protector 80.
  • the movable insertion opening 82 is formed in a substantially U shape that opens from above.
  • a state of the movable protector 80 fitted to the handle base 40 is indicated by a two-dot chain line
  • a state of the movable protector 80 before the movable protector 80 is fitted to the handle base 40 is indicated by a solid line.
  • the paired engaged ribs 84A, 84B, which are the paired engaged portions, are respectively engaged with the paired engaging arms 60A, 60B (see FIG. 2) of the key cylinder 52 from the lower side in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle. Accordingly, the movable protector 80 slides in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle with respect to the fixed protector 70 due to turning of the key cylinder 52.
  • an attachment groove 88 through which a bolt 86 (see FIG. 4) is inserted, is formed in a vehicle exterior side end portion of the rear wall 80B of the movable protector 80.
  • the bolt 86 fixes the key cylinder 52 to the handle base 40.
  • the movable protector 80 is, together with the key cylinder 52, fastened to the handle base 40 by the bolt 86.
  • the handle base 40 is fixed to the vehicle interior side of the door outer panel 14 by a bolt or the like (not shown).
  • the fixed protector 70 and the movable protector 80 are fitted to the handle base 40 in advance.
  • the door locking device 16 is disposed on the vehicle interior side with respect to the door outer panel 14 in advance.
  • the lock operation member 50 is inserted through the rear side fitting opening 20 of the door outer panel 14 from the vehicle exterior side in the thickness direction of the door outer panel 14, and the key cylinder 52 is accommodated in the accommodating hole 42 of the handle base 40.
  • the shaft pin 58 of the key cylinder 52 is inserted in the cylinder shaft receiving portion 44 (see FIG. 2) that is formed in the holding portion 40B, and the other end 62B of the lever link 62 is fitted in the connecting recess 16A of the door locking device 16.
  • the key cylinder 52 is turnably supported by the handle base 40, and the other end 62B of the lever link 62 is connected to the lock lever (not shown) through the connecting recess 16A.
  • the paired engaging arms 60A, 60B provided in the key cylinder 52 are respectively disposed below the paired engaged ribs 84A, 84B provided in the movable protector 80, in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle.
  • the key cylinder 52 is turned about the shaft pin 58 in an arrow R direction with respect to the handle base 40. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle interior side end 52B of the key cylinder 52 and the end 62A of the lever link 62 turn relatively to each other about the shaft pin 64 while moving upward in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle. In addition, the other end 62B of the lever link 62 turns upward in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle about the turning shaft portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, with respect to the connecting recess 16A.
  • the paired engaging arms 60A, 60B of the key cylinder 52 are respectively engaged with the paired engaged ribs 84A, 84B of the movable protector 80 in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle, and the movable protector 80 slides upward in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle along the fixed protector 70.
  • the lower portion of the fixed insertion opening 74 of the fixed protector 70 is closed by the movable protector 80 that has been slid. Accordingly, for example, a tool or the like that is inserted through a space between the rear side fitting opening 20 of the door outer panel 14 and the key cylinder 52 is prevented from reaching the connecting recess 16A of the door locking device 16.
  • the movable protector 80 and the key cylinder 52 are fastened (fixed) together to the handle base 40 by the bolt 86 (see FIG. 4).
  • the exterior door handle 32 is fitted to the vehicle exterior side of the door outer panel 14. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 , the support arm 34A for the exterior door handle 32 is inserted through the front side fitting opening 18 of the door outer panel 14 from the vehicle exterior side, and is fitted to the handle shaft receiving portion 40A of the handle base 40. In addition, the restraint release arm 34C of the exterior door handle 32 is inserted through the rear side fitting opening 20 of the door outer panel 14 from the vehicle exterior side, and is connected to the restraint release lever of the door locking device 16 through the link mechanism (not shown). As described above, the exterior door handle device 30 is fitted to the handle fitting portion 14A of the door outer panel 14.
  • the key hole 54 of the key cylinder 52 is disposed on the vehicle interior side with respect to the exterior door handle 32 and is covered by the exterior door handle 32 from the vehicle exterior side. Accordingly, the key hole 54 of the key cylinder 52 is invisible from the vehicle exterior side. This improves the appearance of the exterior door handle device 30.
  • the key cylinder 52 is fitted to the handle base 40 in a state in which the key cylinder 52 is tilted in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle with respect to the thickness direction of the door outer panel 14 so that the key hole 54 faces downward. Accordingly, as indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, when the occupant turns the exterior door handle 32, the key hole 54 is exposed from the clearance S that is formed between the lower edge of the exterior door handle 32 and the door outer panel 14. The key plate 24 can be inserted into the key hole 54 from the clearance S.
  • the appearance of the exterior door handle device 30 can be improved by using a simple structure in which the key cylinder 52 is tilted in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle with respect to the thickness direction of the door outer panel 14.
  • the key hole 54 is exposed from the clearance S that is formed between the lower edge of the exterior door handle 32 and the door outer panel 14 due to turning of the exterior door handle 32, there is no need to form a notch or the like for exposing the key hole 54 in the exterior door handle 32. Therefore, the appearance of the exterior door handle device 30 can be improved further. ⁇
  • the lock operation member 50 when the lock operation member 50 is fitted to the handle base 40, the lock operation member 50 is inserted through the rear side fitting opening 20 of the door outer panel 14 from the vehicle exterior side in the thickness direction of the door outer panel 14, and the other end 62B of the lever link 62 is fitted in the connecting recess 16A of the door locking device 16, and is connected to the connecting recess 16A.
  • the key cylinder 52 By turning the key cylinder 52 about the shaft pin 58 in this state, the key cylinder 52 can be tilted with respect to the thickness direction of the door outer panel 14. Therefore, the number of man-hours required for fitting the lock operation member 50 to the exterior door handle 32 can be reduced.
  • the paired engaging arms 60 A, 60B that are provided in the key cylinder 52 are respectively disposed below the paired engaged ribs 84 A, 84B that are provided in the movable protector 80 in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle.
  • the key cylinder 52 is turned in this state, the paired engaging arms 60 A, 60B are respectively engaged with the paired engaged ribs 84A, 84B in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle, and the movable protector 80 is lifted upward in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle.
  • the movable protector 80 slides upward in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle with respect to the fixed protector 70. Accordingly, the lower portion of the fixed insertion opening 74 of the fixed protector 70 is closed by the movable protector 80 that has slid. Therefore, for example, a tool or the like that is inserted from the space between the rear side fitting opening 20 of the door outer panel 14 and the key cylinder 52 is prevented from reaching the connecting recess 16A of the door locking device 16 through the fixed insertion opening 74.
  • the movable protector 80 can be disposed in a predetermined position by turning the key cylinder 52. Therefore, the number of man-hours required for fitting the movable protector 80 can also be reduced.
  • the above embodiment shows the example in which the key cylinder 52 is tilted in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle with respect to the thickness direction of the door outer panel 14 so that the key hole 54 faces downward; however, the present invention is not limited thereto.
  • the key cylinder 52 may be disposed in any manner as long as the key cylinder 52 is tilted with respect to the thickness direction of the door outer panel 14 such that the key hole 54 is exposed from the clearance that is formed between the exterior door handle 32 and the door outer panel 14 due to turning of the exterior door handle 32.
  • the key cylinder 52 may be tilted in the top-hottom direction of the vehicle with respect to the thickness direction of the door outer panel 14 so that the key hole 54 faces upward.
  • the key hole 54 may be exposed from a clearance that is formed between an upper edge of the exterior door handle 32 and the door outer panel 14 due to turning of the exterior door handle 32.
  • the key cylinder 52 may be tilted in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with respect to the thickness direction of the door outer panel 14 so that the key hole 54 faces rearward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
  • the key hole 54 may be exposed from a clearance that is formed between a rear end of the exterior door handle 32 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and the door outer panel 14.
  • a tilting direction of the key cylinder 52 is changed as described above, in accordance with the tilting direction of the key cylinder 52, a turning direction of the key cylinder 52 with respect to the handle base 40, a turning direction of the lever link 62 with respect -to the key cylinder 52, a sliding direction of the movable protector 80 with respect to the fixed protector 70, and the like may be appropriately changed.
  • the above embodiment also shows the example in which the exterior door handle 32 turns about the turning shaft 38 that extends in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle; however, the present invention is not limited thereto.
  • the exterior door handle 32 may be turned about a handle shaft that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
  • the above embodiment can be applied to an exterior door handle device of a pull-up type.
  • the key hole 54 may be exposed from a clearance that is formed between the lower edge of the exterior door handle 32 and the door outer panel 14 due to turning of the exterior door handle 32.
  • the above embodiment further shows the example in which the paired engaging arms 60A, 60B are provided in the key cylinder 52; however, shapes and the number of the engaging arms 60A, 60B can be appropriately changed. Similarly, shapes and the number of the engaged ribs 84 A, 84B that are provided in the movable protector 80 can be appropriately changed.
  • the fixed insertion opening 74 of the fixed protector 70 and the movable insertion opening 82 of the movable protector 80 are not limited to the shapes and sizes described above but can appropriately be changed.
  • the fixed protector 70 and the movable protector 80 may be provided if necessary and can appropriately be omitted.
  • the above embodiment shows the example in which the exterior door handle device fitting structure 10 is applied to the front side door 12; however, the present invention is not limited thereto.
  • the exterior door handle device fitting structure 10 according to the above embodiment can also be applied to a rear side door or a rear door.
  • the embodiment of the present invention has been described so far. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment and may be implemented by appropriately combining the embodiment and various modified examples or may be implemented in various forms without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Abstract

An exterior door handle device fitting structure includes a door outer panel (14) that forms an outer plate of a vehicle door; an exterior door handle (32) that is turnably fitted to a vehicle exterior side of the door outer panel (14), and releases restraint of the vehicle door with respect to a vehicle body when the exterior door handle (32) is turned; and a key cylinder (52) having a key hole (54) disposed on a vehicle interior side with respect to the exterior door handle (32), and exposed from a clearance that is formed between the exterior door handle (32) and the door outer panel (14) due to turning of the exterior door handle (32), the key cylinder (52) being fitted to the door outer panel (14).

Description

EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE DEVICE FITTING STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to an exterior door handle device fitting structure.
2. Description of Related Art
[0002] An exterior door handle device has been known that includes an exterior door handle fitted to a vehicle exterior side of a door outer panel (see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 201 1-178279 (JP 201 1-178279 A), Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-162383 (JP 201 1 -178279 A), for example).
[0003] However, in technologies described in JP 201 1-178279 A and Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-162383 (JP 2008-162383 A), a key hole of a key cylinder is exposed from a key opening that is formed in the exterior door handle, there is room for improvement in appearance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In view of the above, the present invention provides an exterior door handle device fitting structure in which appearance of an exterior door handle device is improved.
[0005] An exterior door handle device fitting structure according to an aspect of 1 the invention includes a door outer panel that forms an outer plate of a vehicle door; an exterior door handle that is tumably fitted to a vehicle exterior side of the door outer panel, and releases restraint of the vehicle door with respect to a vehicle body when the exterior door handle is turned; and a key cylinder having a key hole disposed on a vehicle interior side with respect to the exterior door handle, and exposed from a clearance that is formed between the exterior door handle and the door outer panel due to turning of the exterior door handle, the key cylinder being fitted to the door outer panel.
[0006] According to the exterior door handle device fitting structure in the above aspect, the key hole of the key cylinder is disposed on the vehicle interior side with respect to the exterior door handle, and therefore, the key hole is covered by the exterior door handle from the vehicle exterior side. Accordingly, the key hole is invisible from outside a vehicle.
[0007] The key hole is exposed from the clearance that is formed between the exterior door handle and the door outer panel due to turning of the exterior door handle. Accordingly, a key (key plate) can be inserted in the key hole.
[0008] Therefore, according to the exterior door handle device' fitting structure in the above aspect, it is possible to improve appearance of an exterior door handle device.
[0009] In the exterior door handle device fitting structure in the above aspect, the key hole may be formed in a vehicle exterior side end of the key cylinder, and the key cylinder may be inserted through a fitting opening formed in the door outer panel from the vehicle exterior side, and the key cylinder may be tilted with respect a thickness direction of the door outer panel.
[0010] According to the above exterior door handle device fitting structure, the key cylinder is tilted with respect to the thickness direction of the door outer panel, and therefore, the key hole is exposed from the clearance that is formed between the exterior door handle and the door outer panel due to turning of the exterior door handle.
[0011] Therefore, according to the above exterior door handle device fitting structure, it is possible to improve the appearance of the exterior door handle device by using a simple structure. : ,
[0012] The exterior door handle device fitting structure in the above aspect may further include a door locking device that is disposed on the vehicle interior side with respect to the door outer panel, has a device connecting portion facing the fitting opening, and restrains the vehicle door with respect to the vehicle body; and a lever link having one end that is turnably connected to the key cylinder and another end that is tumably connected to the device connecting portion, wherein the key cylinder may be turnably supported by the door outer panel.
[0013] According to the above exterior door handle device fitting structure, the device connecting portion of the door locking device faces the fitting opening of the door outer panel. Accordingly, when the key cylinder and the lever link in a state in which the one end of the lever link is connected to the key cylinder are inserted through the fitting · opening from the vehicle exterior side, the other end of the lever link can be connected to the device connecting portion of the door locking device.
[0014] The key cylinder is turnably supported by the door outer panel. Accordingly, by turning the key cylinder with respect to the door outer panel, the key cylinder can be tilted with respect to the thickness direction of the door outer panel.
[0015] Further, the one end of the lever link is turnably connected to the key cylinder, and the other end thereof is turnably- connected to the device connecting portion of the door locking device. Accordingly, when the key cylinder is turned with respect to the door outer panel in a state in which the other end of the lever link is connected to the device connecting portion, the one end of the lever link is turned with respect to the key cylinder, and the other end of the lever link is turned, with respect to the device connecting portion. Thus, connection between the other end of the lever link and the device connecting portion is retained.
[0016] Therefore, according to the above exterior door handle device fitting structure, it is possible to reduce the number of man-hours required for fitting the key cylinder and the lever link to the door outer panel.
[0017] The exterior door handle device fitting structure in the above aspect may further include a fixed protector that is disposed between the fitting opening and the device connecting portion, and has a fixed insertion opening through which the lever link is inserted; and a movable protector that is slidably supported by the fixed protector, has a movable insertion opening through which the lever link is inserted, slides with respect to the fixed protector due to turning of the key cylinder, and closes a portion of the fixed insertion opening.
[0018] According to the above exterior door handle device fitting structure, when the key cylinder is turned with respect to the door outer panel, the movable protector slides with respect to the fixed protector. Accordingly, a portion of the fixed insertion opening is closed by the movable protector.
[0019] Therefore, according to the above exterior door handle device fitting structure, it is possible to reduce the number of man-hours required for fitting the movable protector.
[0020] In the exterior door handle device fitting structure in the above aspect, the key cylinder may include an engaging portion and the movable protector may include an engaged portion that is engaged with the engaging portion in a sliding direction in which the movable protector slides with respect to the fixed protector.
[0021] According to the above exterior door handle device fitting structure, when the engaging portion of the key cylinder is engaged with the engaged portion of the movable protector, the movable protector slides with respect to the fixed protector due to turning of the key cylinder with respect to the door outer panel. Accordingly, the portion of the fixed insertion opening is closed by the movable protector.
[0022] Therefore, according to the above exterior door handle device fitting structure, it is possible to close the portion of the fixed insertion opening while reducing the number of man-hours required for fitting the movable protector.
[0023] In the exterior door handle device fitting structure in the above aspect, the key cylinder may be tilted downward in a top-bottom direction of a vehicle with respect to a thickness direction of the door outer panel.
[0024] According to the above exterior door handle device fitting structure, the key cylinder is tilted downward in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle with respect to the thickness direction of the door outer panel, and therefore, the key hole can be exposed from the clearance that is formed between the door outer panel and a lower edge of the exterior door handle due to turning of the exterior door handle. [0025] Therefore, according to the above exterior door handle device fitting structure, the key can be easily inserted in the key hole.
[0026] In the exterior door handle device fitting structure in the above aspect, the exterior door handle may turn about a turning shaft that extends in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a plane sectional view showing a front side door to which an exterior door handle device fitting structure according to an embodiment is applied;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a door outer panel, a pad, and a lock operation member shown i FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged back view of a fixed protector shown in FIG. 1 seen from a vehicle interior side;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing the fixed protector and a movable protector shown in FIG. 1 ; and
FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a state before the lock operation member is fitted to a handle base, and corresponding to FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0028] A description will hereinafter be provided on an exterior door handle device fitting structure according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, an arrow UP indicates an upper side in a top-bottom direction of a vehicle, an arrow FR indicates a front side in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and an arrow OUT indicates an outer side in a width direction of the vehicle (i.e., a vehicle exterior side). In other words, the "vehicle exterior side" signifies the outer side in the width direction of the vehicle, and the "vehicle interior side" signifies the inner side in the width direction of the vehicle.
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a front side door 12 and an exterior door handle device 30 to which an exterior door handle device fitting structure 10 according to the embodiment is applied. The front side door 12 that is a vehicle door includes a door outer panel 14 that forms an outer plate, a door inner panel (not shown) that is disposed on a vehicle interior side with respect to the door outer panel 14, and that forms an inner plate, and a door locking device 16 that is accommodated between the door outer panel 14 and the door inner panel. The front side door 12 is supported to be able to swing about a door hinge of a front pillar (not shown).
[0030] The door outer panel 14 and the door inner panel are disposed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, face each other in the width direction of the vehicle, and are connected to each other at peripheral edges thereof. In an area between the door outer panel 14 and the door inner panel, the door locking device 16 is accommodated in a rear side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The door locking device 16 restrains the front side door 12 with respect to a vehicle body (not shown), in a state in which the front side door 12 is in a closed state.
[0031] The door locking device 16 includes a latch, and the front side door 12 is restrained with respect to the vehicle body when the latch is engaged with a striker that is provided in a center pillar (not shown). The door locking device 16 also includes a restraint release lever (not shown) that disengages the latch from the striker to release the restraint of the front side door 12 with respect to the vehicle body (i.e., to stop restraining the front side door 12 with respect to the vehicle body).
[0032] The door locking device 16 includes a lock lever (not shown) that switches a state of the door locking device 16 between a locked state in which the restraint release lever is prohibited from disengaging the latch from the striker, and an unlocked state in which the restraint release lever is permitted to disengage the latch from the striker. A lever link 62 of a lock operation member 50, which will be described later, is connected to the lock lever via a connecting recess 16A of the door locking device 16. [0033] A handle fitting portion 14A that is recessed to the vehicle interior side is formed in the rear side of the door outer panel 14 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, hi the handle fitting portion 14A, a pair of a front side fitting opening 18 and a rear side fitting opening 20 is formed. The front side fitting opening 18 and the rear side fitting opening 20 are separated from each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The exterior door handle device 30 is fitted to the handle fitting portion 14A.
[0034] The exterior door handle device 30 includes an exterior door handle 32 that is turned by an occupant, a handle base 40 that supports the exterior door handle 32 so that the exterior door handle 32 is turnable, and the lock operation member 50 that operates the lock lever of the door locking device 16, which is described above.
[0035] The handle base 40 is disposed on the vehicle interior side with respect to the door outer panel 14 in a manner such that a longitudinal direction of the handle base 40 is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The handle base 40 is fixed to the door outer panel 14 by bolts and nuts that are not shown. A handle shaft receiving portion 40 A is provided in a front end side of the handle base 40 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
[0036] The exterior door handle 32 is disposed on the vehicle exterior side with x respect to the door outer panel 14 in a manner such that a longitudinal direction of the exterior door handle 32 is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The exterior door handle 32 faces the handle base 40 in the width direction of the vehicle with the handle fitting portion 14A being located between the exterior door handle 32 and the handle base 40. The exterior door handle 32 includes a handle main body 34 and a handle cover 36 that covers the handle main body 34 from the vehicle exterior side.
[0037] A support arm 34A, which extends to an area On the vehicle interior side with respect to the door outer panel 14 through the front side fitting opening 18, is provided in a front side of the handle main body 34 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The support arm 34A is supported by the handle shaft receiving portion 40A of the handle base 40 so that the support arm 34A is turnable about a turning shaft 38 that extends in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle. A holding portion 34B that is held by the occupant is provided in an intermediate portion of the handle main body 34 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The exterior door handle 32 is turned about the turning shaft 38 when the occupant pulls the holding portion 34B to the vehicle exterior side.
[0038] A restraint release arm 34C, which extends to an area on the vehicle interior side with respect to the door outer panel 14 through the rear side fitting opening 20, is provided in a rear side of the handle main body 34 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The restraint release arm 34C is connected to the restraint release lever of the door locking device 16 described above, through a link mechanism (not shown). Accordingly, the restraint release lever is operated due to an operation of turning the exterior door handle 32, which is performed by the occupant.
[0039] A holding portion 40B that holds the lock operation member 50 is provided in the rear side of the handle base 40 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In the holding portion 40B, an accommodating hole 42 is formed to extend through the handle base 40 in the width direction of the vehicle. The lock operation member 50 is accommodated in the accommodating hole 42 through the rear side fitting opening 20 of the door outer panel 14.
[0040] The lock operation member 50 includes a key cylinder 52 that is disposed on the vehicle interior side with respect to the exterior door handle 32, and the lever link 62 that extends from the key cylinder 52 to the vehicle interior side and is connected to the connecting recess 16A of the door locking device 16. The key cylinder 52 is formed in a substantially columnar shape and is accommodated in the accommodating hole 42 of the handle base 40 in a manner such that an axial direction of the key cylinder 52 is the width direction of the vehicle.
[0041] A key hole 54 in which a key plate 24 (see FIG. 3) is inserted is formed in a vehicle exterior side end 52A of the key cylinder 52 in the axial direction. The key hole 54 is covered by the exterior door handle 32 and thus the key hole 54 is invisible from the vehicle exterior side (i.e., the key hole 54 is invisible from outside the vehicle). A key cover 56 is attached to the vehicle exterior side end 52A of the key cylinder 52. [0042] As shown in FIG. 2, a shaft pin 58 that serves as a turning shaft portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is provided at an upper end of the key cylinder 52. The shaft pin 58 is turnably supported by a cylinder shaft receiving portion 44 that is formed in the holding portion 40B of the handle base 40. A pad 22 is disposed on a peripheral edge portion around the rear side fitting opening 20 of the door outer panel 14.
[0043] - Paired engaging arms 60A, 60B, which extend toward the vehicle interior side, are provided in a lower end of the key cylinder 52. In a state in which the key cylinder 52 is accommodated in the accommodating hole 42 of the holding portion 40B, the engaging arms 60A, 60B, which are paired engaging portions, are disposed below paired engaged ribs 84A, 84B of a movable protector 80, which will be described later, in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, the key cylinder 52 is fitted to the handle base 40 in a state in which the key cylinder 52 is tilted in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle with respect to a thickness direction of the door outer panel 14 (the width direction of the vehicle) so that the key hole 54 faces downward. Accordingly, as indicated by a two-dot chain line, the key hole 54 is exposed through a clearance S that is formed between the door outer panel 14 and a lower edge of the exterior door handle 32, when the exterior door handle 32 is turned.
[0045] The lever link 62 that is formed in a rod shape with a substantially circular cross section is connected to a vehicle interior side end 52B of the key cylinder 52 in the axial direction. The lever link 62 is disposed coaxially with the key cylinder 52 and is rotated with respect to the key cylinder 52 due to the rotation of the key plate 24 that is inserted in the key hole 54. A long hole 66 is formed in an end 62A of the lever link 62 in a longitudinal direction thereof. In the long hole 66, a shaft pin 64 that serves as a turning shaft portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is slidably inserted. The end 62 A of the lever link 62 is turnably connected to the vehicle interior side end 52B of the key cylinder 52 through the shaft pin 64. [0046] Another end 62B of the lever link 62 in the longitudinal direction thereof is fitted in (connected to) the connecting recess 16A of the door locking device 16 that faces the rear side fitting opening 20 of the door outer panel 14, and is connected to the lock lever described above, through the connecting recess 16A. Accordingly, when the key plate 24 that is inserted in the key hole 54 is rotated, the lock lever is operated through the lever link 62, and the state of the door locking device 16 is switched between the locked state and the unlocked state. The other end 62B of the lever link 62 is connected to the connecting recess 16A so that the other end 62B is turnable about the turning shaft portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle within a range allowed by the connecting recess 16A.
[0047] A fixed protector 70 and a movable protector 80 are disposed between the connecting recess 16A that serves as a device connecting portion and the rear side fitting, opening 20 of the door outer panel 14. As shown in FIG. 4, the fixed protector 70 is formed of a steel plate or the like, disposed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and fitted to the vehicle interior side of the handle base 40.
[0048] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, an upper attachment 70A, which extends toward the vehicle exterior side and is fixed to the handle base 40 by a bolt (not shown), is provided in an upper end of the fixed protector 70. In addition, paired lower attachments 70B, 70C, which extend toward the vehicle exterior side and are fixed to the handle base 40 by bolts 72 (see FIG. 4), are provided in a lower end of the fixed protector 70.
[0049] Further, a fixed insertion opening 74, through which the lever link 62 of the lock operation member 50 is inserted, is formed in a center portion of the fixed protector 70. The fixed insertion opening 74 is an elongated hole that extends in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle. Moreover, an upper protector 76, which extends from an upper end of the fixed protector 70 toward the vehicle interior side, is provided in the upper end. The upper protector 76 prevents a tool or the like that is inserted through a space between a window glass (not shown) and the door outer panel 14 from reaching the connecting recess 16A of the door locking device 16. [0050] The movable protector 80 that is formed of a steel plate or the like is disposed on the vehicle exterior side with respect to the fixed protector 70. The movable protector 80 is overlapped with the fixed protector 70 from the vehicle exterior side and is supported by the fixed protector 70 so as to be slidable in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle. When the movable protector 80 slides in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle with respect to the fixed protector 70, a lower portion of the fixed insertion opening 74 of the fixed projector 70 is opened or closed. In addition, a movable insertion opening 82, through which the lever link 62 of the lock operation member 50 is inserted, is formed in an upper center portion of the movable protector 80. The movable insertion opening 82 is formed in a substantially U shape that opens from above. In FIG. 5, a state of the movable protector 80 fitted to the handle base 40 is indicated by a two-dot chain line, and a state of the movable protector 80 before the movable protector 80 is fitted to the handle base 40 is indicated by a solid line.
[0051] A front wall 80A and a rear wall 80B, which extend toward the vehicle exterior side, are provided at respective ends of the movable protector 80 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The paired engaged ribs 84A, 84B, which extend toward the inner side, are respectively provided at the upper ends of the front wall 80A and the rear wall 80B. The paired engaged ribs 84A, 84B, which are the paired engaged portions, are respectively engaged with the paired engaging arms 60A, 60B (see FIG. 2) of the key cylinder 52 from the lower side in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle. Accordingly, the movable protector 80 slides in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle with respect to the fixed protector 70 due to turning of the key cylinder 52.
[0052] Further, an attachment groove 88, through which a bolt 86 (see FIG. 4) is inserted, is formed in a vehicle exterior side end portion of the rear wall 80B of the movable protector 80. The bolt 86 fixes the key cylinder 52 to the handle base 40. In other words, the movable protector 80 is, together with the key cylinder 52, fastened to the handle base 40 by the bolt 86.
[0053] Next, an example of a method of fitting the exterior door handle device 30 to the door outer panel 14 will be described. [0054] First, as shown in FIG. 6, the handle base 40 is fixed to the vehicle interior side of the door outer panel 14 by a bolt or the like (not shown). The fixed protector 70 and the movable protector 80 are fitted to the handle base 40 in advance. In addition, the door locking device 16 is disposed on the vehicle interior side with respect to the door outer panel 14 in advance.
[0055] Next, the lock operation member 50 is inserted through the rear side fitting opening 20 of the door outer panel 14 from the vehicle exterior side in the thickness direction of the door outer panel 14, and the key cylinder 52 is accommodated in the accommodating hole 42 of the handle base 40. At this time, the shaft pin 58 of the key cylinder 52 is inserted in the cylinder shaft receiving portion 44 (see FIG. 2) that is formed in the holding portion 40B, and the other end 62B of the lever link 62 is fitted in the connecting recess 16A of the door locking device 16. Accordingly, the key cylinder 52 is turnably supported by the handle base 40, and the other end 62B of the lever link 62 is connected to the lock lever (not shown) through the connecting recess 16A. Further, the paired engaging arms 60A, 60B provided in the key cylinder 52 are respectively disposed below the paired engaged ribs 84A, 84B provided in the movable protector 80, in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle.
[0056] Then, when an operator presses down the key plate 24 that is inserted in the key hole 54, the key cylinder 52 is turned about the shaft pin 58 in an arrow R direction with respect to the handle base 40. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle interior side end 52B of the key cylinder 52 and the end 62A of the lever link 62 turn relatively to each other about the shaft pin 64 while moving upward in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle. In addition, the other end 62B of the lever link 62 turns upward in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle about the turning shaft portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, with respect to the connecting recess 16A.
[0057] Moreover, due to turning of the key cylinder 52, the paired engaging arms 60A, 60B of the key cylinder 52 are respectively engaged with the paired engaged ribs 84A, 84B of the movable protector 80 in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle, and the movable protector 80 slides upward in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle along the fixed protector 70. As a result, the lower portion of the fixed insertion opening 74 of the fixed protector 70 is closed by the movable protector 80 that has been slid. Accordingly, for example, a tool or the like that is inserted through a space between the rear side fitting opening 20 of the door outer panel 14 and the key cylinder 52 is prevented from reaching the connecting recess 16A of the door locking device 16. In this state, the movable protector 80 and the key cylinder 52 are fastened (fixed) together to the handle base 40 by the bolt 86 (see FIG. 4).
[0058] Next, the exterior door handle 32 is fitted to the vehicle exterior side of the door outer panel 14. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 , the support arm 34A for the exterior door handle 32 is inserted through the front side fitting opening 18 of the door outer panel 14 from the vehicle exterior side, and is fitted to the handle shaft receiving portion 40A of the handle base 40. In addition, the restraint release arm 34C of the exterior door handle 32 is inserted through the rear side fitting opening 20 of the door outer panel 14 from the vehicle exterior side, and is connected to the restraint release lever of the door locking device 16 through the link mechanism (not shown). As described above, the exterior door handle device 30 is fitted to the handle fitting portion 14A of the door outer panel 14.
[0059] Next, effects of this embodiment will be described.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 3, the key hole 54 of the key cylinder 52 is disposed on the vehicle interior side with respect to the exterior door handle 32 and is covered by the exterior door handle 32 from the vehicle exterior side. Accordingly, the key hole 54 of the key cylinder 52 is invisible from the vehicle exterior side. This improves the appearance of the exterior door handle device 30.
[0061] Meanwhile, the key cylinder 52 is fitted to the handle base 40 in a state in which the key cylinder 52 is tilted in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle with respect to the thickness direction of the door outer panel 14 so that the key hole 54 faces downward. Accordingly, as indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, when the occupant turns the exterior door handle 32, the key hole 54 is exposed from the clearance S that is formed between the lower edge of the exterior door handle 32 and the door outer panel 14. The key plate 24 can be inserted into the key hole 54 from the clearance S.
[0062] As described above, in this embodiment, the appearance of the exterior door handle device 30 can be improved by using a simple structure in which the key cylinder 52 is tilted in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle with respect to the thickness direction of the door outer panel 14. In addition, because the key hole 54 is exposed from the clearance S that is formed between the lower edge of the exterior door handle 32 and the door outer panel 14 due to turning of the exterior door handle 32, there is no need to form a notch or the like for exposing the key hole 54 in the exterior door handle 32. Therefore, the appearance of the exterior door handle device 30 can be improved further. ·
[0063] Further, as described above, when the lock operation member 50 is fitted to the handle base 40, the lock operation member 50 is inserted through the rear side fitting opening 20 of the door outer panel 14 from the vehicle exterior side in the thickness direction of the door outer panel 14, and the other end 62B of the lever link 62 is fitted in the connecting recess 16A of the door locking device 16, and is connected to the connecting recess 16A. By turning the key cylinder 52 about the shaft pin 58 in this state, the key cylinder 52 can be tilted with respect to the thickness direction of the door outer panel 14. Therefore, the number of man-hours required for fitting the lock operation member 50 to the exterior door handle 32 can be reduced.
[0064] Moreover, when the lock operation member 50 is inserted through the rear side fitting opening 20 of the door outer panel 14 from the vehicle exterior side, the paired engaging arms 60 A, 60B that are provided in the key cylinder 52 are respectively disposed below the paired engaged ribs 84 A, 84B that are provided in the movable protector 80 in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle. When the key cylinder 52 is turned in this state, the paired engaging arms 60 A, 60B are respectively engaged with the paired engaged ribs 84A, 84B in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle, and the movable protector 80 is lifted upward in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle. In other words, due to turning of the key cylinder 52, the movable protector 80 slides upward in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle with respect to the fixed protector 70. Accordingly, the lower portion of the fixed insertion opening 74 of the fixed protector 70 is closed by the movable protector 80 that has slid. Therefore, for example, a tool or the like that is inserted from the space between the rear side fitting opening 20 of the door outer panel 14 and the key cylinder 52 is prevented from reaching the connecting recess 16A of the door locking device 16 through the fixed insertion opening 74.
[0065] As described above, in this embodiment, the movable protector 80 can be disposed in a predetermined position by turning the key cylinder 52. Therefore, the number of man-hours required for fitting the movable protector 80 can also be reduced.
[0066] Next, a modified example of the above embodiment will be described.
[0067] The above embodiment shows the example in which the key cylinder 52 is tilted in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle with respect to the thickness direction of the door outer panel 14 so that the key hole 54 faces downward; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. The key cylinder 52 may be disposed in any manner as long as the key cylinder 52 is tilted with respect to the thickness direction of the door outer panel 14 such that the key hole 54 is exposed from the clearance that is formed between the exterior door handle 32 and the door outer panel 14 due to turning of the exterior door handle 32.
[0068] Accordingly, for example, the key cylinder 52 may be tilted in the top-hottom direction of the vehicle with respect to the thickness direction of the door outer panel 14 so that the key hole 54 faces upward. In this case, the key hole 54 may be exposed from a clearance that is formed between an upper edge of the exterior door handle 32 and the door outer panel 14 due to turning of the exterior door handle 32. In addition, for example, the key cylinder 52 may be tilted in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with respect to the thickness direction of the door outer panel 14 so that the key hole 54 faces rearward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In this case, the key hole 54 may be exposed from a clearance that is formed between a rear end of the exterior door handle 32 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and the door outer panel 14. [0069] If a tilting direction of the key cylinder 52 is changed as described above, in accordance with the tilting direction of the key cylinder 52, a turning direction of the key cylinder 52 with respect to the handle base 40, a turning direction of the lever link 62 with respect -to the key cylinder 52, a sliding direction of the movable protector 80 with respect to the fixed protector 70, and the like may be appropriately changed.
[0070] The above embodiment also shows the example in which the exterior door handle 32 turns about the turning shaft 38 that extends in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the exterior door handle 32 may be turned about a handle shaft that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In other words, the above embodiment can be applied to an exterior door handle device of a pull-up type. In this case, for example, the key hole 54 may be exposed from a clearance that is formed between the lower edge of the exterior door handle 32 and the door outer panel 14 due to turning of the exterior door handle 32.
[0071] The above embodiment further shows the example in which the paired engaging arms 60A, 60B are provided in the key cylinder 52; however, shapes and the number of the engaging arms 60A, 60B can be appropriately changed. Similarly, shapes and the number of the engaged ribs 84 A, 84B that are provided in the movable protector 80 can be appropriately changed.
[0072] Furthermore, the fixed insertion opening 74 of the fixed protector 70 and the movable insertion opening 82 of the movable protector 80 are not limited to the shapes and sizes described above but can appropriately be changed. The fixed protector 70 and the movable protector 80 may be provided if necessary and can appropriately be omitted.
[0073] Moreover, the above embodiment shows the example in which the exterior door handle device fitting structure 10 is applied to the front side door 12; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. The exterior door handle device fitting structure 10 according to the above embodiment can also be applied to a rear side door or a rear door. ' [0074] The embodiment of the present invention has been described so far. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment and may be implemented by appropriately combining the embodiment and various modified examples or may be implemented in various forms without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An exterior door handle device fitting structure comprising:
a door outer panel that forms an outer plate of a vehicle door;
an exterior door handle that is turnably fitted to a vehicle exterior side of the door outer panel, and releases restraint of the vehicle door with respect to a vehicle body when the exterior door handle is turned; and
a key cylinder having a key hole disposed on a vehicle interior side with respect to the exterior door handle, and exposed from a clearance that is formed between the exterior door handle and the door outer panel , due to turning of the exterior door handle, the key cylinder being fitted to the door outer panel
2. The exterior door handle device fitting structure according to claim 1, wherein the key hole is formed in a vehicle exterior side end of the key cylinder, and the key cylinder is inserted through a fitting opening formed in the door outer panel from the vehicle exterior side, and the key cylinder is tilted with respect a thickness direction of the door outer panel.
3. The exterior door handle device fitting structure according to claim 2, further comprising:
a door locking device that is disposed on the vehicle interior side with respect to the door outer panel, has a device connecting portion facing the fitting opening, and restrains the vehicle door with respect to the vehicle body; and
a lever link having one end that is turnably connected to the key cylinder and another end that is turnably connected to the device connecting portion, wherein the key cylinder is turnably supported by the door outer panel.
4. The exterior door handle device fitting structure according to claim 3, further comprising: a fixed protector that is disposed between the fitting opening and the device connecting portion, and has a fixed insertion opening through which the lever link is inserted; and
a movable protector that is slidably supported by the fixed protector, has a movable insertion opening through which the lever link is inserted, slides with respect to the fixed protector due to turning of the key cylinder, and closes a portion of the fixed insertion opening.
5. The exterior door handle device fitting structure according to claim 4, wherein the key cylinder includes an engaging portion and the movable protector includes an engaged portion that is engaged with the engaging portion in a sliding direction in which the movable protector slides with respect to the fixed protector.
6. The exterior door handle, device fitting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the key cylinder is tilted downward in a top-bottom direction of a vehicle with respect to a thickness direction of the door outer panel.
7. The exterior door handle device fitting structure according to claim 6, wherein the exterior door handle turns about a turning shaft that extends in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle.
PCT/IB2014/000397 2013-03-29 2014-03-21 Exterior door handle device fitting structure WO2014155176A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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JP2013-074284 2013-03-29
JP2013074284A JP2014198939A (en) 2013-03-29 2013-03-29 Assembling structure of door outside handle device

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20170159332A1 (en) * 2015-12-07 2017-06-08 Huf Huelsbeck & Fuerst Gmbh & Co. Kg Door handle assembly for a vehicle
CN107429527A (en) * 2015-03-30 2017-12-01 胡夫·许尔斯贝克和福斯特有限及两合公司 Door handle for motor vehicle
WO2018001623A1 (en) * 2016-06-30 2018-01-04 Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst Gmbh & Co. Kg Handle unit with a movable locking cylinder
CN110017069A (en) * 2017-12-19 2019-07-16 株式会社有信 Door lock assembly
EP3581739A1 (en) * 2018-06-12 2019-12-18 U-Shin Italia S.p.A. Protection device for mechanism for unlocking a door latch of the type with flush handle
US20200071968A1 (en) * 2018-08-30 2020-03-05 Kabushiki Kaisha Honda Lock Outer handle device for vehicle door

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ES2928686T3 (en) * 2017-05-16 2022-11-21 U Shin Italia Spa Unlocking device for a door lock

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JPH01118058U (en) * 1988-02-01 1989-08-09
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JP2008162383A (en) 2006-12-27 2008-07-17 Mitsubishi Motors Corp Door
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US20090205383A1 (en) * 2008-02-19 2009-08-20 Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho Vehicle door handle device
JP2011178279A (en) 2010-03-01 2011-09-15 Toyota Motor Corp Shielding member installing structure of vehicle door and method for installing the same
EP2562338A2 (en) * 2011-08-24 2013-02-27 Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG Door handle assembly of a motor vehicle

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS583571U (en) * 1981-06-30 1983-01-11 日産自動車株式会社 door handle device
JPH01118058U (en) * 1988-02-01 1989-08-09
EP0856623A1 (en) * 1997-02-04 1998-08-05 Meritor Light Vehicle Systems-France Mechanical lock control device for the outside locking of a vehicle side door
DE19823188A1 (en) * 1998-05-23 1999-12-02 Kiekert Ag Car door lock cylinder linked to lock by shaft in lock nut
US6240755B1 (en) * 1999-02-12 2001-06-05 Valeo Securite Habitacle Handle for the door of an automobile vehicle comprising a lock cylinder cap
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DE102005022970B3 (en) * 2005-05-19 2006-10-19 Dr.Ing.H.C. F. Porsche Ag Lock arrangement for a vehicle door comprises a shaft arranged between a door lock and a closing cylinder to interact with a rotating receiving element on the door lock
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US20090205383A1 (en) * 2008-02-19 2009-08-20 Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho Vehicle door handle device
JP2011178279A (en) 2010-03-01 2011-09-15 Toyota Motor Corp Shielding member installing structure of vehicle door and method for installing the same
EP2562338A2 (en) * 2011-08-24 2013-02-27 Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG Door handle assembly of a motor vehicle

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107429527A (en) * 2015-03-30 2017-12-01 胡夫·许尔斯贝克和福斯特有限及两合公司 Door handle for motor vehicle
US20170159332A1 (en) * 2015-12-07 2017-06-08 Huf Huelsbeck & Fuerst Gmbh & Co. Kg Door handle assembly for a vehicle
WO2018001623A1 (en) * 2016-06-30 2018-01-04 Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst Gmbh & Co. Kg Handle unit with a movable locking cylinder
CN110017069A (en) * 2017-12-19 2019-07-16 株式会社有信 Door lock assembly
CN110017069B (en) * 2017-12-19 2022-02-08 株式会社有信 Door lock device
EP3581739A1 (en) * 2018-06-12 2019-12-18 U-Shin Italia S.p.A. Protection device for mechanism for unlocking a door latch of the type with flush handle
US20200071968A1 (en) * 2018-08-30 2020-03-05 Kabushiki Kaisha Honda Lock Outer handle device for vehicle door
US10774568B2 (en) * 2018-08-30 2020-09-15 Kabushiki Kaisha Honda Lock Outer handle device for vehicle door

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