GB2365487A

GB2365487A - Vehicle door lock apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2365487A
Application number: GB0118335A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shigeru Hayakawa; Makoto Suzumura; Akira Muramatsu; Katsutoshi Fukunaga; Norio Konomoto; Ryujiro Akizuki; Yasuhiko Sono
Original assignee: Aisin Seiki Co Ltd
Current assignee: Aisin Corp
Priority date: 2000-07-27
Filing date: 2001-07-27
Publication date: 2002-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 2021-07-27
Also published as: DE10136405B4; GB2365487B; GB0118335D0; DE10136405A1

Abstract

A vehicle door lock apparatus includes a first operation mechanism 20 having a locking function and second operation mechanism 30 having a double-locking function. The second operation mechanism 30 including an engaged lever 31 and output lever 32. The engaged lever being associated with the first operation mechanism 20 upon actuation thereof for being shifted selectively to double-lock operation and non-double-look operation positions. The output lever 32 being selectively shifted to a set position for establishing a retained condition of the engaged lever 31 and a rest position for releasing the retained condition of the engaged lever 31. The double-locked state being established in such a manner that the engaged lever 31 is held at a double lock operation position by driving the output lever 32.

Description

2365487 VEHICLE DOOR LOCK APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

The present Invention is generally directed to a vehicle door lock apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the conventional vehicular doojp lock apparatuses la disclosed In W095118904, for example. This conventional vehicular door lock apparatuses Includes a first operation. mechanism and a second operation mechanism. The f Irst operation. mechanism selectively makes the door lock apparatus locked and unlocked states which are impossIble and possible, respectively, to release an engaged condition of an engaging portion which Is made up of a striker at a vehicle-body side and a latch at a door side. The second operation mechanism selectively makes the door lock apparatus a double locked and non-double locked states. The double locked state makes It Impo ssIble to release the locked state established by the first operation mechanism, while the non-double locked state makes the double locked state released.

The aforementIcned conventional vehicle door lock appa=atus is of a socalled 'do-able lcck function (or au-:)e= lock f-,mlct-on,) Y and the double lcck function serves as a useL3U-- J'-ur-ctio--1 T,:4hich retains (-t.e. lecks) the lc,,--.kc-. d,3tate estcblls--,ied kf t2ief irst cpe-.&'-'-lcn n,.. ec-;hc-nls-m su-, zh th at -even If an ente=al--y =,.uthcmr!7.ed, wwiipu-la-tljn ...........

2 of the a door lock knob is performed the locked state can not be released.

Due to the fact that the second operation mechanism having the aforementioned double lock function is closely related, in construction and function, to the first operation mechanism which makes it possible to release the locked state, the second operation mechanism is inevitably made complex in structure or construction. 10 Thus, a need exist to provide, for overcoming the aforementioned drawback, a vehicle door lock apparatus SUM OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a vehicle door lock apparatus comprising: a first operation mechanism selectively establishing locked and unlocked states; and a second operation mechanism selectively establishing double- locked and un-doublelocked states, such that when the second operating mechanism is in the double-locked state the first operating mechanism is prohibited from entering its unlocked state from C5 its locked state, wherein the second operation mechanism includes drive means and driven means, the driven means being associated with the first operating mechanism such that upon actuation of the first operating means the driven means is shifted selectively to double-unlock and non-double- unlock operation positions, and the double-locked state is established in such a manner that the driven means is held in the double-unlock operation position by driving the dnive means from a rest position to a set position.

3 In accordance with the aspect of the present Invention, the double lock function can be made active by the second operation mechanism. Above all, the second operation mechanism is made to Include the driven means and the drive means, the driven means being associated with th first operation mechanism upon actuation thereof for being shifted selectively to double-lock operation and non-double-lock operation positions, the drive means being selectively shifted to a set position for establishing a retained condition of the double-locked means and a rest position for releasing the retained condition, which makes it posslble to simplify the second operation mechanism In structure when compared to the conventional second operation mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present Invention will be more apparent and more readily appreciated from the following detailed description of preferred exemplary embo dim ents of the present Invention, taken In connection with the accompanying drawings, In Which; FIG.1 illus'-trates a plane view of a vehicle Cocr lock appa=atus in acccrdan-,e wi.'.-h an embcdJmen, t of the present -in-,rer,-t-on; w-, c-.n-"'arge.1 -iewsl,,ecti-fe vAeT-e-7 of a 4 portion of the vehicle door lock apparatus In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 Illustrates an enlarged perspective view of another portion of the vehicle door lock apparatus In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 illustrates a side view which shows how each element operates while the vehicle door lock apparatus is bein placed at an unlocked state; FIG. 5 Illustrates a side view which shows how each element operates while the vehicle door lock apparatus is being placed at a locked state; FIG. 6 illustrates a side view which shows how each element operates upon a one-motion operation while the vehicle door lock apparatus is being placed at a locked state; FIG. 7 Illustrates a side view which shows how each element operates while the vehicle door lock apparatus Is being placed at a double-locked state; FIG. 8 Illustrates a side view which shows how each elealent operates upon door lock knob opening cperatlcn whille the veialcle door lock apparatus is being placed at a double-locked state; FIG. 9 Illustrates a side view which shows how each element op3re--tes upon Inside hand--e open.-ilng cperatlcn ih-4le the -je-Uicle docr loch- apparatus is being placed at a.Ioub-e-leck--d stata; and FIG.10 Illustrates a side view which shows how each element operates upon key blade opening operation while the vehicle door lock apparatus Is being placed at a double-locked state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicular door lock.apparatus in accordance with the present Invention will be described, In great detail, with reference to th; attached drawings.

First of all, referring to FIG.1, there in illustrated a plane view of a vehicle door lock apparatus In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention A perspective view of a port onand a perspective view of another portion of the vehicle door lock apparatus are r Illustrated, In lager scale, In FIG2 and FIG.3, respectively. The door lock apparatus, which is accommodated or placed In a vehicular door (not shown) as well known, is constructed such that a housing 10 is provided therein with a first operation mechanism 20, a second operation mechanism 30, a third operation mechanism 40, and a latch mechanism 50. As to how elements link with each other whichconstltute the first operation mechanism, 20 and the second operation mechanism 30 which are accommodatedIn the housing 10, FIGs. 4 to 10 nclusIve shoulld be referred with. It 19 to be noted that arrows indicate t;hC insIde ch cl,r a \j"ic-- 3C Tha hou. sIng 10 o:-z the deor lock appare-tus _ s 2made up of c h3using main bcdy 11, a f cover member 12, an.1 4 sec,:)njl cover mewter 13. The tod2P -11 6 in lztc OCIte C 41-1-- \r-hc,\p- decl- Includes a dish-shaped first case portion lla which opens A inside and a dish-shaped second case portion llb which extends pe-r-perato-acyz r-- the first case portion 11a. An open'side of the first case portion 11 is coupled with a first cover member 12 to close, while an open side of the second case portion llb Is coupled. with a second cover member 13 to close.

FG. '2_ inside a portion defined between the first case portion lla and the first cover member 12 of the housing main body 11, there are provided components or elements of the first operation mechanism and the second operation mechanism 30. PkG,- Inside a portion between the second case member 11b and the second cover member 13 of the housing main body 11, there are provided a sub base pl ate 14 and elements of the third operation mechanism 40. A rear. open portion of the second cover member 13 Is coupled with a base plate to close. Inside a portion between the second cover member 13 and the base plate 15, there are provided elements of the latch mechanism 50.

The first operation mechanism 20 Includes a first InsIde lever 21, a second Inside lever 22, an open link 23, a lock operation lever 24, an electric motor 25, a wheel gear 26, an active lever 27, a key lever 28, and an Idle lover 29.

The fIrst insi-de lever 21 Is p:ivoted by a support pi.n 21a to an inside of the f i=st- cover member 12 so as to be rotatable in the clockw71se and countercleck-glse dJ--Lect-ilor-a Jn the (frEwlng. third insic-.]e lever 61:Ls 3C pl,,7o-l--ed ty t-he cmu,.om s-up.po:r, pJ-n 2L5i to an outSIC13 of the -1!.":Lrst cover member 12 so z-9 to be rotatable In Che and d:lrejtor-s JIn tha 4,-ra7,Y:Ln,.g.

7 The f irst Inside lever 21 has an Integral engaging projection 2:%WhIch extends toward the first cover member 12. which passes through an a=shaped slot 12a, of the first cover member 12, and which Is In engagement with a connecting hole 61a of the third Inside lever 61, resulting In that the first inside lever Is connected to the third Inside lever 61 as one-unit. The third inside lever 61 Is connected to one end of an Inside cable 62 whose other end is connected to anInside handle providea Inside a vehicle door (both are not shown) and causes the first inside lever 21 to rotate In the clockwise direction due to manipulating the inside handle In open direction (opening operation of the Inside lever)..

The second Inside lever 22 is connected to the InsIde of the first cover member 12 so as'to be rotatable In the clockwise and counterclockwise directions In the drawing and Is placed outside the first ins-tde lever 21. The second Inside lever 22 has an engaging pIn 22a which extends toward the first cover member 12 and an engagIng arm portion 22b which is placed at a side of the housing main body 11. As to the second inside lever 22, the second inside lever 22 Is linked to the first Inside lever 21 by passing the en. gaging p-In 22a, through a slot 21c of the first Inside lever 21.

The open 1-tnk, 23 Is placed cNeA the secand side lever 22. The cpen. link 23 has a longitudinal engaging alot 23a with which a engaging pin 27b of tha active liever 27 in slicb,mg engagement as be detailed lete=, an L-sha-,jea portlgn 23b w .th which a diatal end 22d o. J. t-he fir. st nsida lever 21 Is:!n 23c to, ta,.,-onne..at3d anga,, - & ger-ent, ard s c)naeat-n. portica 8 to the open lever 41 as will be detailed later. The open link 23 is supported by both the active lever 27 and the open lever 41.

The lock operation lever 24 is coupled to the Inside of the first case portion lla of the housing main body 11 so as to be rotatable in the clockwise and count erclockwIse directions In the drawing. The lock operation lever 24 has a mounting hole 24a for securing therein a locking cable 63, a receiving portion 24b, fo receiving a third engaging pin 27d of.the active lever 27 as will be detailed later, an engaging portion 24c which is engaged with one end of an engaged lever 31 as will be detailed later, and an abutting portion 24d on which a distal end of an engaging arm 22b, of the second inside lever 22. The locking cable 63 Is connected to a lock knob (not shown) provided at inboard side of the door and Is connected at the mounting hole 24 to the lock operation lever 24. When the lock knob is manipulated to lock (unlock), the locking cable 63 transmits the resultant force to the lock operation lever 24 to rotate In the clockwise direction (counterclockwIse direction) in the drawing.

The electric motor 25, as an electrically operated actuator, functions to output an operation force to drive the first operation mechanism 20. The electric motor 2 in mcunted inside Che f irst cover m,r 12. The electric motror 25 has an cutpu-r-. shaft on which is f xedly wounited a,qozm 25a wh ch J.1s In meshing angagement with a gear pc--t--lor-, o22 F- wheel gei-rr 26. rhe alact-ric motor 25 is unider 3C reciote cc:at--.ol ma:nipulatic;,, af a liocklunZock sw.JLtch -h-ic---, is riountad ir- emch o212 c key bladG eL-id a loor-inaide tr.im, Tha wheel g.--a= 126, v,:-'iioh 9 acts as an output portion of the electric motor 25, in provided at its outer side with a pair of engaging pins 26a and 26b and is rotatably held between the first cover portion 11a and the first cover member 12. The engaging pins 2 6a. and 2 6b are placed In a spaced manner on a common circumference so as to oppose to each other with respect to the rotation axis of the wheel gear 26. One of the pi n 26a. and 26b Is brought into engagement with (disengagement from) a sector portion of the active lever 27 and the other is moved Into (from) an engaging concavity 27a of the active lever 27 when the wheel gear 26 Is rotated In one direction (the other direction).

The active lever 27,as a lock release operation lever, has a locking operation function as well as an unlocking operation function. T he active lever 27 is supported by both the first case portion lla and the f irst .,cover member 12 so as to rotatable in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions in the drawing and is placed between the open link 23 and the lock operation lever 24.

The active lever 27 has the engaging concavity 27a (cf.

FIG. 4), a first engaging pin 27b (cf. FIG. 4), and a second engaging pIn 27c which are:atxrg the first cover member 12. The active lever 27 has a third engaging pin 27d end a projection portion 27e which the fJ-rst case portion 11a. The active lever 27 also has an arm 27f which is in engagement w th a projection piece IC in elastical manner, which is fcrmed with the housing Maln bcl.y 11.

As to the actIve leve:r 27, i-C--5 angajJ-ng cor-cavdl---y 3C 27.aj;-9 Qp]pos-.d tc the whael gear 26 c--Ad tha -':"JLrst engaging PI.n. 27t Is fItted int-,a the emgcgl--ig slot 29b. T.-ie sezond angagir-. ,g pin 27c 13 7Itted nLE:o a Beaond -anga(ljir-,g alot 29b of the Idle lever 29 as will be detailed later. The third engaging pin 27d' Is received In the receiving portion 24b of the lock operation lever 24. The projection portion 27e is placed so as to be close to an output lever '5 32. In addition, when the wheel gear 26 Is rotated In one directIon (the other direction), pin 26a or 26b is selectively moved into (from) the engaging concavity 27a of the active lever 27 to engage therewith (disengage therefrom), thereby rotating the active lever 27 In th clockwise direction (the counterclockwise direction).

The key lever 28 Is made up of a column-shaped or bar-shaped main body 28a and a lever portion 28 which is formed Integrally therewith. The key lever 28 Is supported, together with the Idle lever 29, by the first case portion 11a of the housing main body 11 so as to be rotatable. The column-shaped main body 28a is formed therein with a groove 28c into which a key cylinder extension (not shown) Is fitted. A backside of the lever portion 28b Is formed with an engaging pin 28d (cf. FIG. 4) which Is to be fitted Into an arc-shaped first engaging slot 29a of the Idle lever 29. The Idle lever 29 Is provided at Its distal end with a second engaging slot 29b whose dIstal end is opened. The second engaging slot 29b is fitted with the seccnd engaging pin 270 of the active lever 27. The key lever 28, which Is rotated when tha key cylinder Is ro,2-"atee- by. manipulating key blade (not shown). causes the idle lever 29 to rotate selectively in the clockelse directlon an6- the countercleck-ff:Lse U=ect-.son. In the d=avjir-g anC causes, by wey of the Idle 30 1e7er. 29, the ac-tire lever 27 tc r3tate sal--ctvely tha ciockw--,lse cl.-Lre,-.Ot-iOn and t--,.,ie count,,--.,,rcicck-xlse in the The second operation mechanism 30 Includes the engaged lever 31, the output lever 32, and a driving motor 33. The engaged lever 31, which Is formed of a wire steel spring (of course other elastic wire material a are 5 available), has a coll-formed base portion 31a, a lever gib portion which Is of a predetermined extension from the base portion 31a, and a hook-shaped engaged portion 31c which Is formed at a distal end of the lever portion 31b. With respect to the engaged lever 31, one end of the bas portion 31a Is In engagement with the.engaging portion 24c of the lock operation lever 24 and an Intermediate portion of the lever portion 31b is in engagement with the engaging portion 24e of the lock operation lever 24 while the base portion 31a Is wound around the support pin 24f which rotatably supports the lock operation lever 24. The engaged lever 31 is assembled to the lock operation lever 24 to b, ck j, C_ 1 t in the counterclockwise direction In the drawing. At backside of the distal end of the lever portion 31a, the third engaging pin 27d of the active lever 27 is received at the receiving portion 24b of the lock operation lever 24.

The output lever 32, which Is rotatably connected to both the fIrst case portion lla and the first cover member 12, as shown in FIGA, is provided at opposite ends thereof w th a first swing arm po=t:lon 32a and a second sw_-'ng arm porticn 32c, respec-'Q-.:Lvely. The fi--st swing arm portion 32a is formed at its ddlistal e-nd with an e-ngr-9J^ag p=tion, 22b, while the second aw:,lng: arm, 3 G Do--t--'on 52c is J2-ormel. at its:UatF-1 peri..jher,,v Y7:1t2i an arn-she-lped :ecx portItan 32d. Th3 cle-t=:Lcaotor 33 RntaWS tha -,3u-;-:pu.t le-,re:- ':2 a w:)rn- 33c- fix,3d--Ly 12 mounted on an output shaft of the motor 33.1s in meshing engagement with the gear. portion 32d of the output lever 32. The electric motor 33 Is under remote control manipulaticsy) ai a double lock switch which Is mounted in each of the key blade and the door-inside trim (set/reset operation). the engaged lever 31 is being moved Into G +h-> -1cckf a -5-PCL- the double-lock operation position shown in FIG. 5, the electric motor 33 is driven In A - C na the clockwise direction In the drawIng th 10 output lever 32 retainsthe engaged lever 31 in such a manner that as shown In FIG.7 the engaging portion 32b, of the first swing arm portion 32a is brought Into engagement with the engaged portion 31c, of the engaged lever 31.

The resultant engagement between the output lever 32 and the engaged lever 31 (1. e. a double-clocked state) is made released when the output lever 32 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction In the drawing. Such a rotation of the output lever 32 can be established by 1-7 transferring the active lever A to its unlock operation In addition to reversing the electric motor 33.

While the output lever 32 is in engagement with the engaged lever 31 (at set position), the active lever 27 Is shifted to the lock operation position as shown In FIG. 7 and the projection portion 27a cf the active lever 27 Is placed near an upper side of the first swing a--.m pc.rtAon 32a of the output lever 32. Thus, if the actiVe leve= 27 is rotated in the clockw:-'se direc-,^i-.icn In the draw:inj, the projectAor- portlen 27a cf the act ve 1.3v---r 3C 27 to t:rought int-o angagenent,:yith -the upper side of the fl=s---- portIon 32a cf "--he oztp.ut leve= 3,2 ---o urge th-3:rc.-zk::n. 22 In the djwLn-WCXCT.

13 rotates the output lever 32 to rotate through an angle In the count erclockwise direction, resulting In that the engagement between the output lever 32 and the engaged lever 31 Is released (at rest position).

Each of the elements of the third operation mechanism 40 is accommodated within a space between the second case portion 11b and the second cover member 13 of the housing' main body 11. The operation mechanism 40 includes an open lever 41 and a lift leve 42. The open lever 41 is rotatably supported by a support pin 43a and a torsion spring 43b between the second case portion llb and the sub base plate 14. A rotation end 41a of the open lever 41 is connected to an outside link which Is in association with an outside handle at a vehicle -outboard side, while another rotation end 41b Is connected with an end 23o of the open link 23.

The open lever 41 Is rotated, when the outside handle Is manipulated In opening operation. to move the rotation end 41b In the upward direction against the urging force of the torsion spring 43b. The lift lever 42 is fixedly mounted on a shaft portion 52b of a pawl 52 which extends through the second cove= member 13 as will be detailed later. The lif t lever 42 Is formed at Its periphery with an engaging piece 42a whIch is placed above an upper end of the engaging piece 23b of the open link 23.

The latch mectianlsna 50 includes a latch 51, a parAl 52, anC z pair cf to=sion, spr--'ngs 53 and 54 which urge tha --ajk--ct 51 anc th6 pawl 52, respectIvely. The latch 3C --nech.m.sw 50 s arranged 7,,?itb-Li a space dr=f lned]bet-.can tha c- ec3nd covar membar 13 and a basa plr-te 15. The latch 51, es anz- 7a5:eC means, le- b:--t-7,een -rhe c:)Ver 14 member 13 and the base plate 15 so as to be rotatable on a support pin 55 which passes between the second cover member 13 and the base plate 15. One end of the torsion spring 53 which Is wound on the support pin 55 is engaged 5 with the latch 51. The other end of the torsion spring 53 Is engaged with the second cover member 13 for restricting a rotation of the latch 51 and for urging the latch 51 to return when the latch 51 is rotated. The torsion spring 53 acts on the latch 51 such that an open:Ln of an engagJng groove Sla. of the latch 51 is substantially in coincidence with an opening of an insert groove 15a of the base plate 15.

The pawl 52 Includes a block-shaped main body 52 and an shaft portion 52b which extends therefrom perpendicularly. The shaft portion 52b of the pawl 52 extends through the second cover member 13 and the sub base plate 14 so as to be supported thereby In rotatable fashion and terminates In an inner space of the second case portion llb of the housing main body 11. The torsion spring 54 Is wound on a portion of the shaft portion 52b of the pawl 52 which locates between the second cover member 13 and the sub base plate 14. A distal end of the shaft portion 52b is fitted with the lift lover 42 so as to rotate n one-piece. The torsion spring 54 whose opposite ends are in engagement with the pawl 52 and the sub base plate 14, respectively, for restricting a rotatien of the pawl 52 and for returning the pawl 52 when tha pawl 52 is retated. The ma:ln L:)o--:-tion 52a of the Pawl 52 is w-ad,3 to be in eagagement w:.th an outer surface of th-- Zatct 51 Whan a st=:LI.:er 5.3 prc-rc2ecl- a.-- E. veh--'c13--."dy SJUde re:L&,:iT,.,el-y the g:zoove 13.a of Ukie base plate 15, the latch 51 receives the striker 56 against the urging force of the torsion spring 53. Meanwhile, the pawl 52 is In sliding engagement with an outer surface of the latch 51 to be engaged with the engaging portion 51b. Thus, the latch 51 is In a rotated state wherein the striker 56 is received therein and Is held by the pawl 52, thereby engaging the striker 56 and keeping the resultant engaging state. Under such a state, the door Is In closed state.

Under the engaging state, the latch' 51 19 continually urged by the torsion spring 53 to return, If the pawl 52 is rotated to remove from the engaging portion 51b due to a rotation of the lift lever 42, the latch 51 is returned by the torsion spring 53 and the opening of the engag ng groove Sla Is rotated to be In coincidence with the open:Ing of the fitting groove 15a of the base plate 15. Under the resultant condition, the strike 56 is possible to move from the engaging groove 51a of the latch 51 and the f itting groove 15a of the base plate 15.

Thus. under this condition, the door is ready - open. The pawl 52 acts to selectively establish an engagement between the latch 51 and the striker 56 and a disengagement between the latch 51 and the striker 56. When the pawl 52 is rotated against the urging force Of the torsion spring 54, the pawl 52 is cllsangaged from the engaging p=tion 51b cf the lw.tch 51 to release the engagement between the latch, 51 and the striker 56.

"-c present door lod--c apparatus carries cut the fo-llow:lnc_ cpera:"-; ion as will ba detailed later: An 3C. op-.rmt-orL WL-Ach ast-ablishas a locked at-ate =der W-Mch tha enjagem3nrL-- bet-,ireen the -1a:-tcti. 51 and the strike:r 56 zaa::ot La Te:-ec.3el; Ar- c?e----a-.lcn eat ab:iE-.hea <m- 16 unlocked state under which the engagement between the latch 51 and the striker 56 can be released; An operation which is performed for opening and closing the door under the locked and, the unlocked conditions; An operation a which establishes a double-locked state under which the locked state can not be released to the unlocked state; and An operation which relea--e-s the double-locked state.

A first operation Is to open the door b manipulating the inside. handle at the inboard of the vehicle when the door lock apparatus Is in the unlocked state as shown In FIGA. When the Inside handle is manipulated to open the door, the resultant force IS transmitted to the third Inside lever 61 by way of the inside cable 62, which R6to-t the third inside lever 61 In the clockwise direction in the drawing, thereby rotating the first inside lever 21 In the clockwise direction in the drawing. While the f irst inside lever 21 Is being rotated in the clockwise direction In the drawing (FIGA), the distal end 21d of the Inside lever 21 Is brought into engagement with the lower side of the engaging piece 23b, of the open link 23. Then, the open link 23 is moved In the upward direction, which results In that the upper end of the engag-ing piece 23b of the open link 23 Is brought into engagement with the engaging place 42a of the lIft lever 42. thereby rotatIng the llft lever 42. The --esultaa..t lift lever 42causes the pawl 52 to rotete for clisengage- from the engaging -:>o--t--lor- 51b of- the latch 51.

Thus, the latoh 5-11 Y,:7hi..zh beccmes free fr= the :rejt=icti3n 1)17 the pawl.152, 1.3::eturned,y the Urg nig =C:-cn '2 the tercic.-.i eprIng 53. Whar- the TOzi-ce WhAIGh Acts C= 17 to open the door moves the latch 51 from the striker 56, the latch 51 Is releases the engagement between the latch 51 and the striker 56 while the latch 51 rotates. That Is, the opening manipulating of the inside handle releases the engagement between the latch 51 and the striker 56 to make It possible to open the door.

A second operation Is to open ' the door by manipulating the. out handle at the outboard of the vehicle when the door lock apparatus Is in the unlocked state as shown In FIG. 4. When the handle Is manipulated to open the door, the open lever 41 Is rotated against the urging force of the torsion spring 43b. Then, the open link 23 Is moved In the upward direction, which results in that the upper end of the engaging piece 23b of the open link 23 19 brought into engagement with the engaging piece 42a of the lift lever 42, thereby rotating the lift lever 42.

The resultant lift lever 42 causes the pawl 52 to rotate for disengagement from the engaging portion 51b of the latch 51.

Thus, the latch 51 Which.becomes free from the restriction by the pawl 52, Is returned by the urging force of the torsion spring 53. When the force which acts to open the door moves the latch 51 from the striker 56, the latch 51 Is releases the engagement between the latch 51 an.d the striker 56 while the latch 51 rotates. That Is, the openIng nwApulat:lng of the outside handle releases the engagement bet-ween the latch 51 and the st--..1i:?ler 56 to ma-ke possible -'L..o open the door.

A -th . o-,jeratio--Li is tro es.'-.albli-sh the -locked stw--e 3C by mm-eprlir-tiag the lcck lmcb at the Inbcard of t - le ve31cle ander -,,which disengc-g"e-,it between the la:.-"-cl.i 51 an.l the s-'-r.kc-.r 56 I.G AL3n tb-e -10,,:)r 18 lock apparatus is In the unlocked state as shown 1n FIG. 4, the locking cable 63 is moved due to the locking operation of the lock knob, the lock operation lever 24 Is rotated In the clockwise direction In the drawing. The resultant force Is transmitted to the third engaging pin 27d, which causes the active lever 27 to rotate in the counterclockwise direction In the drawing. The resultant rotation of the active lever 27 causes the open link 23 to rotate about a portion at which the open link 23 ana the open lever 41 are connected wIth each other, which results In that the open link 2 3 is shifted from the unlock operation position shown In FIG.4 (as an operation position at which the unlocked state Is established) to the lock operation position (as an operation position at which the locked state is established). Thus, evenif the open link 23 Is operated by manipulating the Inside handle or the outside handle, the open link 23 f ails to engage with the engaging piece 42a of the lift lever 42, thereby odrlhw j the lift lever 42 and the pawl 52. 20 As a result, even though the Inside handle or the outside handle is manipulated to open the door, the unlocked state can not be established under which releasing the engagement between the latch 51 and the striker 56 Is made possible, thereby marinating or holding the locked state, resulting in that the door f ails to open. it Is to he noted that when the open link 23 19 at the leck operation position (as shown In FIG.5) the engaged portion 32c of the engaged lever 31 la pc.s:L----icned abcve the engaging po -2on 32b of the ou-tplat le-.re= -52, PfnIch it possIbla to engage the engag.3d le;7e-.-. 32 Y.1t2i the er.ga.gi:ig po:rt--- or. 32c.,)f tha cut-Pu--"- 13var 32 W---er.,. t.-2e ot:tp.-.,.it leve:r 32 is reActed. i-n th..3 clcck-A:L, 3e direction In the drawIng. In addition, when the open link 2 3 is at the unlock operation position (as shown in FIG. 4), the engaged portion 31c of the engaged lever 31 Is out of engagement with the engaging portion 32b of the output lever 32, which places the engaged lever 31 at a standby position (un-double-lock operation position) at which the engaged lever 31 can not be engaged with the engaging portion 32b of the output lever 32 even though the output lever 32 Is rotated in the clockwise dJLrectio In the drawing.

A fourth operation is to establish the locked state and the unlocked state of the door lock apparatus by vehicle -outboard key blade manipulation to rotate the key cylinder. If the key cylinder Is rotated by the key blade, the lever portion 28b of the key lever 28 is rotated to rotate the idle lever 29. The resultant idle lever 29, by way of the second engaging pin 27c, causes the active lever 27 to selectively rotate to the unlock operation position (FIG. 4) and the lock operation position (FIG. 5).

Thus, the active lever 27 causes the open link 23 to selectively shift to the unlock position (FIG.4) and the lock operation position (FIG.5), resulting in that the unlocked state or the locked state can be selectively established under which the engagement between the latch 51 and the striker 56 can be released oe x-eVcu4^e-d when the outside handle Is man-ipulated to open the docr.

A fifth operation Is to establish the locked state and t---he unlocked state of the dcor lock apparatus -Ahen 3C th3 electric motor 25:s tu--med on by. e- ramate control operat--'-or. such zo out-bcard E:anip-,alc-tJ-on of t - -1e lc.:,:-k,,'urlc-zk stAtch p=ovid..ad ir, thle key blada. When the lock/unlock switch provided in the key blade Is manipulated, the electric motor 25 is driven In one direction or the other direction, which causes the wheel gear 26 to rotate thorough an angle by way of the worm 25a, resulting in that one of the engaging pins 26a and 26b or the other Is brought Into engagement with the engaging concavity 27a of the active lever 27, thereby rotating the active lever selectively to the unlocked operation position shown In FIG.4 and the lock operation position shown in FIG. 5. Thus, the actIve lever 27 causes the open link 23 to shift selectively to the unlocked operatIon position shown In FIG.4 and the lock operation position shown in FIG.5, resulting In that the unlocked state or the locked state can be selectively established under which the engagement between the latch 51 and the striker 56 can be released and can not be released when the lock/unlock switch provided in the key blade Is manipulated to open the door.

A sixth operation Is to establish a one-motion operation In which unlock-ing operatIon of the locked state and a door-opening operation can be performed successively if the inside handle Is manIpulated to open the dor while the door lock apparatus s In the locked state CPIG.5) under which the engagement between the l&--ch 51 and the striker 56 Is L ssible release. WhIle the door leck apparatus is An the locked state, t"--ie angaging arm portion 22b of the second Inside lever 22 is placee-, as shown in 7IG.5, close '-'-o the abutting p,o--t--iorL 24d of the lock, ope:,ra.Acn lever 24. Under Such 3C a cor-di---:Lon, When the:Inslrle Liardle is manip-alated -'_-0 z)pan the oc-c, tt.e 3econd.nsicia ---e-,7er 22 1.3 W0tat3d tcge.,ther wl-hh the f =e-7b-. inoi-a le-fez- 21, u:-_g65 th-3 loo-k 21 operation lever 24 to rotate, together with the engaged lever 31 In the counterclockwise dJLrect:Lonin the drawing, resulting in that the engaged lever 31 causes the active lever 27 to rotate in the clockwise direction In the drawing by way of the third engaging pin 27d which is held between the receiving portions 24b of the lock operation lever 24 and which In In elastic engagement with the engaged lever 31.

Thus, the active lever 27 is rotated from the locic operation position shown. in FIG. 5 to the unlock operation position shown In FIG. 6, which brings the door lock apparatus Into the unlocked state as shown in FIG. 6. The contInu. operation of the Inside handle to open the door causes the open link 23 to lift by way of the first 15:inside lever 21, which rotates the lift lever 42, thereby rotating the pawl 52. Then, the door:La ready 1 >pen.

A seventh operation is to bring the locked state of the door lock apparatus under which the engagement between the latch 51 and the striker 56 is Impossible to release into a second locked state (I.e. double-locked state) under which t- ks, When the door lock apparatus Is In the locked state, the engaged portion 31c of the engaged lever 31:La faced to the rocking arm portion 32a of the output lever 32 so as to be brought into engagement therewith when the output lever 32 la ro'-,ated In the clockwise direction:Ln the CrewIng. Thus, when the elactric motor 33 la driven In ncraal directLon b.:f manipulating a double-lock switch of the 'Ae7- blade (rmote contrcl operation) for rctwt:Lng 3C th3 output le-tyer 52 th=ough aa angle In tChe clcclcqise.

J17eatfor- In the drawing frOm the rest P05-A:1On shOwn In 1% engaged t-o tha set r,.ositztor,. shc,-,,m In TIC-7, "--he 2 2d lever 31 Is brought Into engagement with the output lever 32. Thus, the resultant engaged lever 31 and the output lever 32 bring the door lock apparatus into double-locked state.

5. The double-locked state of the door lock apparatus Is ImpossIble to release when an external unlawful or unauthorized unlocking operation, for example, is made to the doorknob In addition to the outside handle manipulation. In order A release the double-locked state first of all, the electric motor 33 Is reversed through an angle by remote control operation, which causes the output lever 32 to rotate through an angle in the counterclockwise direction In FIG. 7, resulting In that the engaged lever 31 is returned ' to the standby position at which the engaged lever 31 is ready for being engaged with the engaging portion 3 2b of the output lever 3 2 (1. e the rest position of the output lever 32).. While the engaged lever 31 is In the standby posItion, the door lock apparatus is in the locked state as shown In FIG.S. The locked state can be changed to the unlocked state as shown In FIG.4 when the lock release operation is performed by the manipulation of the key blade or by the remote control driving of the electric motor 25.

An eighth operation Is an operation which is performed when the door lockknob is unlawfully manipulated to unlock exte=nally while the door lock apparatus is In the doub-1c-lecked state as shown In FIG - 7.

While the cloo:r lock ap-paratus is in the do-ab-1,e-lccked state cs shown In FIG. 7, if -"%-,he locIi)mob s -manlpulat--d to unleck, the lock.J--,ag ccbl3 63 is moved to rotate the lc,,jk op3rat- on lever 2.4 in'the c.:)u-iterclo.,alczyTlse directIon in. FI-G. B. He.we- fe--1, -th3 r-ctlv.3 laY3r 27 cc-,,n --.io.-.- t.a shi-ft,,3d 23 to the unlock operation position the engagedlever 31 is in engagement with the output lever 32 which prevents the rotation of the engaged lever 31 together with the lock operation lever 24 (i.e. the lock operation lever 24 performs an idle operation after the engaging portion 24e of the lock operation lever 24 is disengaged from the engaged lever 31)..Thus, the door lock apparatus remains in the locked state. It Is to be noted that the external unlawful acces to the door lock knob lo.ceased the lock operation lever 24 Is rotated by the urging force from the engaged lever 31 in the clockwise direction to return to the lock. operation position as shown In FIG.7.

A ninth operation is an. operation which is 15 performed when the Inside handle is unlawfully manipulated to open the door externally while the door lock apparatus Is In the double-locked state as shown In FIG.7. The opening manipulation of the Inside handle corresponds to the one-motion operation as described in the sixth operation explanation. When the door lock apparatus is In the double-locked state as shown in FIG. 7, the engaging arm 22b of the second inside lever 22 Is placed close to the abutting portion 24d of the lock operation lever 24 as shown in FIG.7. Under such a condition, if the inside handle Is manipulated to open the door, the second inside lever 22 is rotated together with the first Inside leve-- 22, which urges the lock oparat on lever 24, thereby rctating the lock operation le-,rer 24 -.-i-.o ret&te In the ccun-terc--iockw:ise d:Lract:Lcn In 3C FIG.9. Hc.w.e,.rer,, th.3 active le-jer 27 can. not be shift.--zd tct. te--mlockopera:tl.,3ni)osif;icn the engaI-IeC lavar 31 i3 _--n er.gagez-.ierit -mdLhh 24 the output lever 32 which prevents the rotation of the engaged lever 31 together with the lock operation lever 24 (i.e. the lock operation lever 24 perform an idle operation after the engaging portion 24e of the lock operation lever 24 Is disengaged from the engaged lever 31). Thus, the door lock apparatus remains In the locked state. It Is to be noted that the external unlawful access to the Inside handle is ceased the lock operation lever 24 Is rotated by the urging force from the engaged leve:

31 in the clockwise direction to return to the lock operation position as shown in FIG.7.

A tenth operation is an operation for bringIng the unlocked state of the door lock apparatus --bmediately when the double-locked state is released under wh-ich the engagement between the latch 51 and the striker 56,1s impossible to release as shown in FIG.7. While the door lock apparatus Is In the double-locked state, the active lever 27 is placed In Its lock operation position and its rocking arm 27e is placed close to a place above the'f irst swing arm portion 32a of the output lever 32. Thus, If the key blade is manipulated to release the lock or If a remote control is made for reversing the electric motor 25, the door lock apparatus can be made In the unlocked state as shown In FIG.4.

In the aforementioned tenth operation, which Is designed on the assumption of occurrence of malfunction In driving system for the elect:clo motor 33, upon key blade lock release operatlon,'the key lever 28 ffokes the Idle 13yer 2SD to rctate the act_'ve lever 27 in the 3C clock-w:Ls6 dLI--ectlon:".n FIG. 10.

j C upon atIca ef th3 lock/un-lock aw-ltch In tt-a --ze7 la e (rm-te cor-trol or-.erat:-.0n) fcr -re-,7ersl-ng the e--.ectr:Lo motor 25, the wheel gear 26 is rotated In the counterclo,ckwise direction in the drawing, which causes the active lever 27 to rotate in the clockwise direction in FIG.10. When the active lever 27 Is rotated in the clockwise direction in the drawing, first of all, Its projection 27 is brought into engagement with the first swing arm portion 32a of the output lever 32, which causes the engaging lever to rotate in the counterclockwise direction In the drawing, thereby releasing th engagement between the engaged lever 31 and the output lever 32. Thert further rotation of the active lever 27 causes the open link 23 to rotate to the unlock operation position, thereby the unlocked state. Thus, similar to the explanation of the second operation, the opening manipulation of the outside handle make It possible to open the door when the door lock apparatus in this unlocked state.

The invention has thus been shown and description with reference to specific embodiments, however, it should be understood that the invention Is in no way limited to the details of the illustrates structures but changes and modifications may be made without departing from th6 scope of the appended claims.

1: 11 26

Claims

1. A vehicle door lock apparatus comprising:

a first operation mechanism selectively establishing locked and unlocked states; and a second operation mechanism selectively establishing double-locked and un-double-locked states, such that when the second operating mechanism is in the double-locked state the first operating mechanism is prohibited from entering its unlocked state from its locked state, wherein the second operation mechanism includes drive means and driven means, the driven means being associated with the first operating mechanism such that upon actuation of the first operating means the driven means is shifted selectively to double-unlock and non-double-unlock operation positions, and the double-locked state is established in such a manner that the driven means is held in the double-unlock operation position by driving the drive means from a rest position to a set position.

2. A vehicle door lock apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the driven means is an engaged lever which rotates together with locking and unlocking operations of a lock operation lever of the first operation mechanism, and the drive means is an output lever that swings between the rest position and the set position under instruction from a remote controller.

3. A vehicle door lock apparatus according to claim 2, wherein with the first operating mechanism in its unlocked state, the engaged lever moves simultaneously with the lock operation lever, with the first operating mechanism in its locked state and the drive means at its rest position, the engaged lever moves simultaneously with the lock operation lever, and with the first operating mechanism in its locked state and the drive means at its set position, the engaged lever is prevented from simultaneous 27 movement with the lock operation lever such that the lock operation lever is brought into idle movement even if it is operated for establishing its unlock operation.

4. A vehicle door lock apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the engaged lever is formed of an elastic material and the elastic deformation of the engaged lever allows the lock operation lever to operate its unlock operation while the engaged lever is held secure in the double-lock operation position by the output lever.

5. A vehicle door lock apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the second operation mechanism further includes a double-lock release means which shifts the drive means from its set position to its rest position when a key blade of the first operation mechanism or a remote controller is manipulated.

6. A vehicle door lock apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the doublelock release means is an active lever from the first operation mechanism.

7. A vehicle door lock apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the first operation means is coupled to a lock release means shifts the first operation means from its locked state to its unlocked state upon opening operation of an inside door handle.

8. A vehicle door lock apparatus according to preceding claim 7, wherein the lock release means comprises a lock release operation lever from the first operation mechanism which is association with the lock operation lever and the opening operation of the inside handle shift the first operation mechanism from its locked to its unlocked state.

9. A vehicle door lock apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.