FLUSH HANDLE SYSTEM


  1. CONSTRUCTION


    1. Handle Mechanism


      1. When the flush handles are needed to open and close the doors while entering and exiting the vehicle, they electronically extend to be used as door knobs, and when they are not needed such as when driving or parking, they electronically retract flush with the outer panel surface.

        A004DL5C01
        *1 Flush Handle LH (Door Outside Handle Sub-assembly LH) - -
        *a Retracted *b Extended

    2. Electronic Extend/Retract Mechanism


      1. The flush handle assembly is composed of components such as a handle assembly, bell crank, flush handle motor, unlock request switch, lock request switch, extend position detection switch and door outside handle illumination light.

        A004DK6C01
        *1 Flush Handle LH (Door Outside Handle Sub-assembly LH) *2 Handle Assembly
        *3 Door Outside Handle Illumination Light *4 Unlock Request Switch
        *5 Extend Position Detection Switch *6 Lock Request Switch
        *7 Flush Handle Motor *8 Bell Crank

      2. The handle assembly and bell crank are held in the retract direction by the torque of the spring.

      3. The flush handle motor rotates the bell crank, which moves in conjunction with the movement of the handle assembly.

      4. An unlock request switch, lock request switch and extend position detection switch are provided. The switches detect the condition of the bell crank, which rotates in conjunction with the movement of the handle assembly. When the flush handle is retracted, all of the switches are off.

      5. The unlock request switch detects an entry unlock operation when the depression on the front end of a retracted flush handle is pressed. The unlock request switch turns on when it is released.

      6. The lock request switch detects an entry lock operation when the rear end of an extended flush handle is pressed. The lock request switch turns on when it is pressed.

      7. The extend position detection switch detects the extended condition of the flush handle. The extend position detection switch turns on when it is pressed.

        Figure 1. Handle Retracted

        A004DNGC01
        *1 Flush Handle LH (Door Outside Handle Sub-assembly LH) *2 Extend Position Detection Switch
        *3 Lock Request Switch *4 Flush Handle Motor
        *5 Handle Assembly *6 Bell Crank
        *7 Unlock Request Switch - -

    3. Door Open Mechanism


      1. The flush handle has a mechanism where the rod presses the lock lever down to release the latch and open the door when the handle is pulled. The rod is provided with a clearance to prevent the latch from releasing while a retracted flush handle is extending.

        A004DAFC01
        *1 Flush Handle LH (Door Outside Handle Sub-assembly LH) *2 Front Door Lock with Motor Assembly LH
        *3 Rod *4 Lock Lever
        *a Retracted *b Extended
        *c Clearance - -

    4. Flush Handle Manual Extension


      1. If the auxiliary battery is depleted, the rear end of the flush handle can be manually extended by pressing the depression on the front end of the flush handle more than required for performing an entry unlock operation. If the door is unlocked, it can be opened by pulling the extended handle to the latch release position. Also, the flush handle will return to the retracted position once the handle is released.

        A004DJ0C01
        *1 Flush Handle LH (Door Outside Handle Sub-assembly LH) - -
        *a Unlock Operation Position *b Rear End of Handle can be Manually Extended by Pressing Depression on Front End

    5. Door Outside Handle Illumination Light


      1. When the handle is extended or a door is opened or closed with the engine switch off, the door outside handle illumination light built into the flush handle illuminates the door surface under the flush handle.

      2. Light is emitted from the illumination LED, striking the reflective area inside the handle to illuminate the door surface under the flush handle.

        A004DJCC01
        *1 Flush Handle LH (Door Outside Handle Sub-assembly LH) *2 Door Outside Handle Illumination Light
        *3 Reflective Area *4 Illumination LED

  2. OPERATION


    1. Extend Operation (except during Entry Unlock Operation)


      1. When the flush handle motor receives an extend operation signal while the flush handle is retracted, the flush handle motor rotates in the extend direction to rotate the bell crank, extending the flush handle. At this time, the extend position detection switch turns on (pressed).

        A004DJQC01
        *1 Flush Handle LH (Door Outside Handle Sub-assembly LH) *2 Extend Position Detection Switch
        *3 Bell Crank *4 Flush Handle Motor
        *a On (Pressed) *b Center of Rotation
        A004DYG Flush Handle Movement (Extend Operation) A004DTZ Bell Crank Movement
        A004E27 Flush Handle Motor Movement (Rotation in Extend Direction) - -

    2. Retract Operation (except during Entry Lock Operation)


      1. When the flush handle motor receives a retract operation signal while the flush handle is extended, the flush handle motor rotates in the retract direction to return the bell crank to its initial position, retracting the flush handle. At this time, the extend position detection switch turns off (released).

        A004DYQC01
        *1 Flush Handle LH (Door Outside Handle Sub-assembly LH) *2 Unlock Request Switch
        *3 Bell Crank *4 Flush Handle Motor
        *a Off (Pressed) *b Center of Rotation
        A004DYG Flush Handle Movement (Retract Operation) A004DTZ Bell Crank Movement
        A004E27 Flush Handle Motor Movement (Rotation in Retract Direction) - -

    3. Extend Operation (during Entry Unlock Operation)


      1. When an entry unlock operation is performed by pressing the depression on the front end of the flush handle while the flush handle is extended, the bell crank simultaneously rotates, turning the unlock request switch on (released).

        A004DEGC01
        *1 Flush Handle LH (Door Outside Handle Sub-assembly LH) *2 Unlock Request Switch
        *3 Bell Crank - -
        *a On (Released) *b Center of Rotation
        A004DYG Flush Handle Movement (Depression on Front End Pressed) A004DTZ Bell Crank Movement

      2. When the unlock request switch turns on (released), the flush handle motor rotates in the extend direction to rotate the bell crank, extending the flush handle. At this time, the extend position detection switch turns on (pressed).

        A004DYYC01
        *1 Flush Handle LH (Door Outside Handle Sub-assembly LH) *2 Extend Position Detection Switch
        *3 Bell Crank *4 Flush Handle Motor
        *a On (Pressed) *b Center of Rotation
        A004DYG Flush Handle Movement (Extend Operation) A004DTZ Bell Crank Movement
        A004E27 Flush Handle Motor Movement (Rotation in Extend Direction) - -

    4. Retract Operation (during Entry Lock Operation)


      1. When the rear end of an extended flush handle is pressed to perform an entry lock operation, the lever of the bell crank contacts the lock request switch, turning the lock request switch on (pressed).

        A004DXDC01
        *1 Flush Handle LH (Door Outside Handle Sub-assembly LH) *2 Lock Request Switch
        *3 Bell Crank - -
        *a On (Pressed) *b Center of Rotation
        A004DYG Flush Handle Movement (Rear End Pressed) A004DTZ Bell Crank Movement

      2. When the lock request switch turns on (pressed), the flush handle motor rotates in the retract direction to return the bell crank to its initial position, retracting the flush handle with the torque of the spring. At this time, the extend position detection switch turns off (released).

        A004DCRC01
        *1 Flush Handle LH (Door Outside Handle Sub-assembly LH) *2 Unlock Request Switch
        *3 Bell Crank *4 Flush Handle Motor
        *a Off (Pressed) *b Center of Rotation
        A004DYG Flush Handle Movement (Retract Operation) A004DTZ Bell Crank Movement
        A004E27 Flush Handle Motor Movement (Rotation in Retract Direction) - -