Door handle device

A door handle device, comprising:

• a door handle provided on a door outer panel side, the door handle being configured to become operable through a transition from a first state in which the door handle is pulled in along a surface of a door outer panel to a second state in which the door handle protrudes from the surface of the door outer panel;
• a mechanical portion configured to cause a transition to a third state in which the door handle is further pulled out by a first stroke amount from the second state in response to an operation from a user in the second state, and to cause a transition to a fourth state in which the door handle is further pulled out by a second stroke amount from the third state in response to an operation from the user in the third state;
• a signal generation unit configured to generate an electric signal based on a movement of the door handle from the second state to the third state;
• a door latch device mechanically connected to the mechanical portion;
• and
• a door latch drive unit configured to electrically drive the door latch device to be unlocked based on the electric signal, wherein
• the mechanical portion includes a first bell crank, a second bell crank, and a lever,
• the first bell crank rotates from a first rotation position to a second rotation position about a first rotation shaft in response to a transition of the door handle from the second state to the third state, and rotates from the second rotation position to a third rotation position about the first rotation shaft in response to a transition of the door handle from the third state to the fourth state,
• the second bell crank rotates from a fourth rotation position to a fifth rotation position about a second rotation shaft in response to the transition of the door handle from the third state to the fourth state,
• the lever is coupled to the first bell crank and the second bell crank such that the second bell crank rotates from the fourth rotation position to the fifth rotation position in conjunction with rotation of the first bell crank from the second rotation position to the third rotation position, and
• rotation of the second bell crank from the fourth rotation position to the fifth rotation position causes the door latch device to mechanically operate to be unlocked.