INTUITIVE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE

摘要

An intuitive exterior door handle assembly is provided for a heavy duty power assisted vehicle door for opening and closing the door. The exterior handle assembly pivots about an axis for movement between pushed in and pushed out positions to actuate the power assist unit in opposite directions and thereby close and open the door, respectively. A switch or valve assembly controls actuation of the power assist unit in response to pulling or pushing the door handle so as to open and close the door. An override system is built into the handle assembly to actuate the power unit without pivoting the handle. The assembly and override system mount through a single common hole in the door. In the method of operating the vehicle door, the exterior handle is pushed inwardly to close the door and pulled outwardly to open the door through retraction and extension of the power assist assembly.