GB2458549A - Door lock having double action mechanism with child locking and double locking functions - Google Patents

Abstract

A door lock apparatus includes a lock mechanism 40 movable between an unlocked state and locked state depending on the position of a lock lever 80 which is driven by an actuator 60 between unlocked and locked positions; in the unlocked state lock mechanism 40 transmits open operation of a handle, which may act via levers 20, 30, to a latch mechanism and in the locked state prevents transmission of handle operation to the latch, e.g. by rotating lock mechanism 40 out of alignment with a release lever 15a of the latch; a double action mechanism that, when an inside door handle is open-operated while a lock mechanism 40 is in a locked state, unlocks the lock lever 80 by the open-operation; and a double lock mechanism configured to switch from an unset state and a set state by subsequently driving the actuator when the lock lever is in the locked position wherein in the set state the lock lever is maintained at the locked position by disabling transmission of the inside handle to the lock lever thus preventing the lock lever from being moved to its unlocked position. A child-lock 70 is also provided.

Description

DOOR LOCK APPARATUS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a door lock apparatus applied to a vehicle, such as a four-wheel automobile.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a door lock apparatus that includes a double lock mechanism.

2. Description of the Related Art

Some door lock apparatuses applied to vehicles such as a four-wheel automobile include a lock mechanism that holds a door in a closed position with respect to a vehicle main body, by inactivating an open-operation of a door handle, and a so-called double lock mechanism. The double lock mechanism inactivates a manual operation to cancel a locked state of the lock mechanism, for example, by turning into a set state from an unset state, by driving an actuator, while the lock mechanism is in the locked state. With the door lock apparatus that includes this type of the double lock mechanism, it is possible to significantly improve the anti-theft function of the vehicle applied therewith.

Related technology is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2005-133320.

In the door lock apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2005-133320, the locked/unlocked state of the lock mechanism and the set/unset state of the double lock mechanism are switched, by disposing a lock lever driven by the actuator to three different positions. In other words, if the lock lever is disposed at a first actuating position, the lock mechanism is turned in the unlocked state, and the double lock mechanism is turned in the unset state. If the lock lever is disposed at a second actuating position, the lock mechanism is turned in the locked state, and the double lock mechanism is turned in the unset state. If the lock lever is disposed at a third position, the lock mechanism is turned in the locked state, and the double lock mechanism is turned in the set state. With such a door lock apparatus, there is no need to prepare an individual actuator f or the lock mechanism and the double lock mechanism. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the door lock apparatus from getting bigger, compared with that in which an individual actuator is included.

However, with the door lock apparatus in which the lock lever is disposed so as to be at three different positions, the positions of all the other members connected to the lock lever will also change. Therefore, to smoothly move an individual lever, adjusting members such as a control lever is required between the levers, thereby increasing the number of components and complicating the configuration. In particular, in these days, there is a trend towards adding a double action mechanism and a child lock mechanism to improve the convenience of the door lock apparatus. Accordingly, it is important to simplify the configuration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to at least partially solve at least one of the problems in the conventional technology.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a door lock apparatus is provided, comprising: a latch mechanism that restricts movement of a door in an open direction by latching when the door is in a closed position with respect to a main body of a vehicle; a lock mechanism that is interposed between a door handle and the latch mechanism, is configured to switch between an unlocked state and a locked state depending on a position of a lock lever, turned in the unlocked state when the lock lever is disposed at an unlocked position and cancels a latched state by transmitting an open-operation of the door handle to the latch mechanism, and turned in the locked state when the lock lever is disposed at a locked position and maintains the latched state of the latch mechanism by inactivating the open-operation of the door handle; an actuator unit that switches the lock mechanism in the unlocked state to the locked state, by locking the lock lever when a lock command is issued, and switches the lock mechanism in the locked state to the unlocked state, by unlocking the lock lever when an unlock command is issued; and a child lock mechanism that is configured to switch between a transmitting state and a non-transmitting state, and transmits an open-operation of an inside door handle arranged inside the vehicle to the lock mechanism in the transmitting state and blocks a power transmission to the lock mechanism from the inside door handle in the non-transmitting state, wherein the door lock apparatus includes: a double action mechanism that, when the inside door handle is open-operated while the lock mechanism is in the locked state, unlocks the lock lever by the open-operation, and a double lock mechanism that is configured to switch from an unset state to a set state by driving the actuator unit when the lock lever is disposed at the locked position, and maintains the lock lever at the locked position by blocking the power transmission to the lock lever disposed at the locked position in the set state.

The above and other features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a door lock apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along a line Il-Il in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along a line 111-111 in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along a line IV-IV in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along a line V-V in Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along a line VI-VI in Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along a line Vu-Vu in Fig. 1; Fig. BA is a schematic of an inside handle lever applied to the door lock apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 8B is a fragTnentary view taken in the direction of the arrow X in Fig. BA; Fig. 9A is a schematic of a lock lever applied to the door lock apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 9B is a fragmentary view taken in the direction of the arrow X in Fig. 9A; Fig. 1OA is a schematic of a sector lever applied to the door lock apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. lOB is a fragmentary view taken in the direction of the arrow X in Fig. 1OA; Fig. hA is a schematic of a double lock pin lever applied to the door lock apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 11B is a fragmentary view taken in the direction of the arrow X in Fig. hA; Fig. 12A is a schematic of a knob lever applied to the door lock apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. l2B is a fragmentary view taken in the direction of the arrow X in Fig. ].2A; Fig. 13A is a schematic of a double lock lever applied to the door lock apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 13B is a fragmentary view taken in the direction of the arrow X in Fig. 13A; Fig. 14A is a conceptual plan view of an essential section of a four-wheel automobile to which the door lock apparatus shown in Fig. 1 is applied; Fig. 14B is a schematic of a door of the four-wheel automobile shown in Fig. 14A viewed from the inside of the vehicle; Fig. 15 is a schematic of a latch mechanism applied to the door lock apparatus shown in Fig. 1 viewed from the rear side of the vehicle; Fig. 16 is a schematic of a state when the door lock apparatus shown in Fig. 1 has cancelled the latch mechanism; Fig. 17 is a schematic of a locked state of the door lock apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 18 is a schematic of a double action mechanism in progress in the door apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 19 is a schematic of a set state of a double lock mechanism in the door lock apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 20 is a schematic of a state when an inside door handle is open-operated, while a child lock mechanism is in a non-transmitting state in the door lock apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 21 is a schematic of the child lock mechanism in the non-transmitting state in the door lock apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Figs. 22A to 22E are conceptual diagrams of an essential section showing a process that a lock mechanism is switched to a locked state from an unlocked state, in the door lock apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Figs. 23A to 23E are conceptual diagrams of an essential section showing a process that the lock mechanism is switched to the unlocked state from the locked state, in the door lock apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Figs. 24A to 24E are conceptual diagrams of an essential section showing a process that the lock mechanism is switched to a double lock set state from the locked state, in the door lock apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Figs. 25A to 25D are conceptual diagrams of an essential section showing a process that the lock mechanism is switched to an unset (unlocked) state from the double lock set state, in the door lock apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 26 is a block diagram of a drive control system of an electric motor in the door lock apparatus shown in Fig.1; and Fig. 27 is a modification of the door lock apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of a door lock apparatus according to the present invention are described below in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figs. 1 to 13 are conceptual diagrams of a door lock apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 14A, a door lock apparatus 1 explained here is provided in a door D that has a front hinge disposed at a right rear seat in a vehicle main body B of a four-wheel automobile. The door lock apparatus 1 includes a main body case lA and a latch case lB. The main body case 1A is arranged along an inside panel IP of the door D in a portion positioned at the rear side of the vehicle of the door D. The latch case 13 extends towards the outside of the vehicle, from a portion positioned at the rear side of the vehicle in the main body case 1A, and arranged along the portion positioned at the rear side of the vehicle of the door D. The latch case lB accommodates therein a latch mechanism 10 that meshes and holds a striker S included in the vehicle main body B. The latch mechanism 10, as shown in Fig. 15, includes a latch 11 and a ratchet 12.

The latch 11 is rotatably arranged in the latch case 13, at a position above a striker introducing groove 1C formed in the latch case lB. about a latch shaft 13 that extends substantially horizontally along a front-rear direction of the vehicle main body B. The latch 11 includes a meshing groove ha, a hooking portion hib, and an engaging portion hic. The meshing groove ha is formed towards the latch shaft 13 from an outer peripheral surface of the latch 11, and formed in a width that can accommodate the striker S. The hooking portion 11b is a portion positioned inside the vehicle than the meshing groove ha, when the meshing groove ha is opened downwards. The hooking portion llb, as shown in a solid line in Fig. 15, stops at a position to cut across the striker introducing groove].C of the latch case 1B, when the latch 11 is rotated to the maximum anti-clockwise extent. The hooking portion lib, as shown in the two-point chain line in Fig. 15, is also formed so as to stop at a position that opens the striker introducing groove 1C, when the latch 11 is rotated to the maximum clockwise extent. The engaging portion lic is a portion positioned outside the vehicle than the meshing groove ha, when the meshing groove lla is opened downwards. The engaging portion llc, as shown in the two-point chain line in Fig. 15, stops in the state to cut across the striker introducing groove 1C when the latch 11 is rotated to the maximum clockwise extent, and gradually inclined upwards towards the back side (outside of vehicle) of the striker introducing groove 1C. Although not shown, a latch spring that continuously rotates the latch 11 in a clockwise direction in Fig. 15 is provided between the latch 11 and the latch case lB.

The ratchet 12 is rotatably arranged in the latch case 1B, at a position below the striker introducing groove 1C of the latch case lB and inside the vehicle than the latch shaft 13, about a ratchet shaft 14 that extends substantially horizontally along the front-rear direction of the vehicle main body B. The ratchet 12 includes an engaging portion 12a and an acting portion 12b. The engaging portion l2a is a portion that extends outward in a radial direction towards the outside of the vehicle from the ratchet shaft 14. Moreover, the engaging portion 12a can be detachably engaged to the hooking portion lib and the engaging portion lic of the latch 11, via the protruding facet by rotating about the ratchet shaft 14.

The acting portion 12b is a portion that extends outward in a radial direction towards the inside of the vehicle from the ratchet shaft 14. The ratchet 12 includes a ratchet lever 15 that integrally rotates about the center of the ratchet shaft 14 with the ratchet 12, at the front side of the vehicle. The ratchet lever 15 includes an abutting portion 15a that extends towards the same direction as the acting portion l2b of the ratchet 12 from the ratchet shaft 14. Although not shown, a ratchet spring that continuously biases the ratchet 12 in an anti-clockwise direction in Fig. is provided between the ratchet 12 and the latch case lB.

In the latch mechanism 10 formed as the above, as shown in the solid line in Fig. 14A, when the door D is in an open state with respect to the vehicle main body B, as shown in the two-point chain line in Fig. 15, the latch 1].

is disposed at a position to open the striker introducing groove 1C. From this state, as shown in the two-point chain line in Fig. 14A, when the door D is moved to a closed position, the striker S provided on the vehicle main body B, as shown in Fig. 15, enters the striker introducing groove lC of the latch case lB. Subsequently, the striker S abuts to the engaging portion lic of the latch 11. As a result, the latch 11 rotates in an anti-clockwise direction in Fig. 15, against an elastic force of the latch spring (not shown). During this time, because the protruding facet of the engaging portion 12a slides on the outer peripheral surface of the latch 11, by the elastic force of the ratchet spring (not shown), the ratchet 12 suitably rotates about the center of the ratchet shaft 14, corresponding to the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the latch 11. When the door D is further moved to the closed direction from the above-mentioned state, an entering amount of the striker S with respect to the striker introducing groove 1C is increased gradually.

Subsequently, the engaging portion 12a of the ratchet 12 reaches the meshing groove ha of the latch 11. Then, as shown in the solid line in Fig. 15, the hooking portion lib of the latch 11 abuts to the engaging portion 12a. of the ratchet 12, thereby preventing the clockwise rotation of the latch 11, by the elastic restoring force of the latch spring (not shown). In this state, the hooking portion lib of the latch 11 is disposed so as to cut across the striker introducing groove 1C, thereby preventing the striker S from moving towards a disengaging direction from the back side (outside of vehicle) of the striker introducing groove 1C by the hooking portion lib. As a result, the door D is maintained in the closed state with respect to the vehicle main body B (latched state).

From the latched state, when the abutting portion 15a of the ratchet lever 15 is rotated upwards in Fig. 15, against the elastic force of the ratchet spring (not shown), the abutting/engaging state between the hooking portion lib of the latch 11 and the engaging portion l2a of the ratchet 12 is cancelled, thereby rotating the latch 11 in a clockwise direction in Fig. 15, by the elastic restoring force of the latch spring (not shown). As a result, as shown in the two-point chain line in Fig. 15, the striker introducing groove].C is opened, and the striker S can move in the disengaging direction from the striker introducing groove 1C. Accordingly, the door D can be opened and moved with respect to the vehicle main body B (unlatched state).

The door lock apparatus 1, as shown in Fig. 1, includes an outside handle lever 20, an inside handle lever 30, a lock mechanism 40, a contact lever 50, an actuator unit 60, and a child lever 70 in the main body case 1A.

The outside handle lever 20, as shown in Figs. 1 and 7, is rotatably arranged about an outside handle lever shaft 21 that extends substantially horizontally along the front-rear direction of the vehicle main body B. The outside handle lever 20 includes an operating end 22 and a pressure-receiving portion 23 at the end positioned inside the vehicle. The operating end 22 of the outside handle lever 20 is disposed at a lower region of the abutting portion isa in the ratchet lever 15. The pressure-receiving portion 23 of the outside handle lever 20 extends substantially horizontally at the region lower than the operating end 22, and the lower surface forms a pressure-receiving surface 23a. Although not shown, an outside door handle OH is connected to the end of the outside handle lever 20, positioned at the outside of the vehicle. The outside door handle OH, as shown in Fig. 14A, is an operating member provided at an outside panel OP of the door D, and can be open-operated from the outside of the vehicle. When the outside door handle OH is open-operated, the outside handle lever 20 suitably rotates about the outside handle lever shaft 21, and formed so as the operating end 22 and the pressure-receiving portion 23 respectively move upwards in Fig. 1. Although not shown, an outside handle lever spring that continuously biases the operating end 22 and the pressure-receiving portion 23 in Fig. 1, is interposed between the outside handle lever 20 and the main body case lA.

The inside handle lever 30, as shown in Figs. 1, 6, 8A, and SB, is rotatably arranged at the main body case 1A, at the front side region of the vehicle than the outside handle lever 20, about the inside handle lever shaft 31 that extends substantially horizontally along the lef t-right direction of the vehicle main body B. The inside handle lever 30 includes an inside handle connecting portion 32, a double action abutting portion 33, and a child lever connecting portion 34.

The inside handle connecting portion 32, when the inside handle lever 30 is at a normal position not being operated, is a portion that extends outward in a radial direction upwards from the inside handle lever shaft 31.

The tip end of the inside handle connecting portion 32 is exposed to the outside of the main body case].A. An inside door handle IH is connected to the portion that the inside handle connecting portion 32 is exposed to the outside of the main body case 1A. The inside door handle IH, as shown in Figs. 14A and 14B, is an operating member provided on the inside panel IP of the door D, and can be open-operated from the inside of the vehicle. When the inside door handle IH is open-operated, in the inside handle connecting portion 32, the inside handle lever 30 is formed so as to rotate in an anti-clockwise direction from the normal position shown in Fig. 1.

The double action abutting portion 33, as shown in Figs. 1, 6, BA, and BB, is formed at the upper end of a portion that bends toward the outside of the vehicle, after extending towards the rear of the vehicle from the portion positioned inside of the main body case 1A in the inside handle connecting portion 32.

The child lever connecting portion 34 is a portion that extends outward in a radial direction, downwards from the inside handle lever shaft 31, and includes a child lock groove 35. The child lock groove 35 is a series of notches that includes a lock groove 35a and an unlock groove 35b.

The lock groove 35a is an arc about the inside handle lever shaft 31. The unlock groove 35b extends outward in a radial direction of the inside handle lever shaft 31 from the end positioned at the most rear side of the vehicle in the lock groove 35a.

The lock mechanism 40 switches between an unlocked state and a locked state. The unlocked state can cancel the latched state of the latch mechanism 10, when the outside door handle OH and the inside door handle IH (hereinafter, generally referred to as "door handle") are open-operated. The locked state maintains the latched state of the latch mechanism 10, even if the door handle is open-operated. The lock mechanism 40 includes an open link lever 41 and a panic lever 42.

The open link lever 41, as shown in Figs. 1 and 7, is rotatably supported to the operating end 22, by inserting the operating end 22 of the outside handle lever 20 in a rotation allowing groove 41a formed at the base. The rotation allowing groove 4la restricts the rotation range of the open link lever 41 with respect to the outside handle lever 20 to approximately 30 degrees. The open link lever 41 includes a lever link portion 41b. The lever link portion 4Th is a portion that extends outward in a radial direction from the operating end 22 of the outside handle lever 20, and the extended end has a lever link groove 41c.

The lever link groove 41c is a groove formed linearly along the extending direction of the lever link portion 41b. The open link lever 41, as shown in Fig. 1, when rotated to the maximum clockwise extent, is disposed so as the lever link portion 41b moves along the vertical direction at the front side of the vehicle, than the ratchet lever 15 of the latch mechanism 10. When rotated to the maximum anti-clockwise extent in Fig. 1, the open link lever 41, as shown in Fig. 17, is disposed at a position where the lever link portion 4lb is inclined toward the front side of the vehicle.

The panic lever 42 is supported to the base of the open link lever 41, so as to rotate about the same shaft center as that of the open link lever 41, and includes a latch engaging portion 42a. The latch engaging portion 42a is a portion that extends outward in a radial direction from the rotating center of the panic lever 42. A panic spring 43 is interposed between the panic lever 42 and the open link lever 41. The panic spring 43 applies the elastic force so as to maintain the state that the latch engaging portion 42a and the lever link portion 4th of the open link lever 41 are always extended along the same direction. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 1, when the open link lever 41 is rotated to the maximum clockwise extent and the lever link portion 4lb is disposed along the vertical direction, the panic spring 43 functions so as to dispose the latch engaging portion 42a upwards and maintains the state that the tip end is adjacent to the ratchet lever 15 of the latch mechanism 10 (hereinafter, "unlocked state"). When the open link lever 41 is rotated to the maximum anti-clockwise extent in Fig. 1, and as shown in Fig. 17, the lever link portion 4lb is in the state inclined towards the front side of the vehicle, the panic spring 43 makes the latch engaging portion 42a of the panic lever 42 inclined towards the front side of the vehicle, by the elastic force, and maintains the state that the tip end of the latch engaging portion 42a is shifted from the ratchet lever 15 (hereinafter, "locked state").

In either state, if the panic lever 42 is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction in Fig. 1, with respect to the open link lever 41, as shown in Fig. 18, it is possible to move to the state that the latch engaging portion 42a is adlacent to the lever link portion 41b, against the elastic force of the panic spring 43. If an external force applied to the panic lever 42 is removed, the open link lever 41 and the panic lever 42 return to the state shown in Fig. 1, by the elastic restoring force of the panic spring 43.

A lock lever 80 is connected to the open link lever 41, via the lever link groove 41c of the lever link portion 41b.

The lock lever 80, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 5, 9A, and 9B, is rotatably arranged at the main body case 1A at a region slightly above the inside handle lever shaft 31 at the front side of the vehicle, about a lock lever shaft 81 that extends substantially horizontally along the left-right direction of the vehicle. The lock lever 80 is connected to the open link lever 41, by slidably inserting a link pin 83 included in a latch link lever portion 82 into the lever link groove 41c of the lever link portion 41b.

With the lock lever 80, unlocking is the anti-clockwise rotation in Fig. 1, and when rotated to the maximum anti-clockwise extent in Fig. 1, the lock lever 80 is turned in the unlocked position. When the lock lever 80 is disposed at the unlocked position, the link pin 83 included in the latch link lever portion 82 is disposed at the upper end of the lever link groove 41c, at the state that the lever link portion 41b of the open link lever 4].

is disposed along the vertical direction.

With the lock lever 80, locking is the clockwise rotation in Fig. 1, and when rotated to the maximum clockwise extent in Fig. 1, the lock lever 80 is turned in the locked position shown in Fig. 17. When the lock lever is disposed at the locked position, the lock mechanism is switched to the locked state, because the open link lever 41 is inclined towards the front side of the vehicle via the link pin 83.

In the lock mechanism 40 formed as the above, while in the unlocked state as shown in Fig. 1, the latch engaging portion 42a of the panic lever 42 is adjacent to the ratchet lever 15 of the latch mechanism 10. Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 16, if the operating end 22 of the outside handle lever 20 moves upward, the latch engaging portion 42a abuts to the ratchet lever 15, thereby moving the ratchet lever 15 upwards. As a result, even if the latch mechanism 10 is in the latched state, the latched state is cancelled, thereby enabling to open and move the door D with respect to the vehicle main body B. From the unlocked state shown in Fig. 1, when the lock lever 80 is rotated to the maximum clockwise extent and reaches the locked position as shown in Fig. 17, the tip end of the latch engaging portion 42a shifts from the position opposed to the ratchet lever 15. Accordingly, even if the operating end 22 of the outside handle lever 20 moves upward, and moving the latch engaging portion 42a upwards, the latch engaging portion 42a does not abut to the ratchet lever 15. As a result, if the latch mechanism is in the latched state, the latched state will be maintained, thereby maintaining the door D in a closed position with respect to the vehicle main body B. From the locked state shown in Fig. 17, when the lock lever 80 is rotated to the maximum anti-clockwise extent and returned to the unlocked position shown in Fig. 1, the open link lever 41 rotates in a clockwise direction via the link pin 83, thereby positioned along the vertical direction. Accordingly, the latch engaging portion 42a of the panic lever 42 comes adjacent to the ratchet lever 15 of the latch mechanism 10, thereby moving the operating end 22 of the outside handle lever 20 upwards. Accordingly, the door D can be opened and moved with respect to the vehicle main body B. The lock lever 80, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 5, 9A, and 9B, includes a lost motion pin 84, a pin sliding groove 85, a lock side lever abutting portion 86, and a lock side sensor abutting portion 87. The lost motion pin 84 is a projected member projected from a surface positioned at the inside of the vehicle in the latch link lever portion 82.

The pin sliding groove 85 is a notch that extends towards a radial direction about the lock lever shaft 81, and formed so as to incline towards a region above the lock lever shaft 81 and the rear side of the vehicle, when the lock lever 80 is disposed at the unlocked position. The lock side lever abutting portion 86 is a portion formed in a fan shape about the lock lever shaft 81, and provided at a region at the front side of the vehicle in the portion adjacent to the pin sliding groove 85. The lock side sensor abutting portion 87 is a fan-shaped portion extended towards the front side of the vehicle from the lock lever shaft 81. An over-center spring 88 is interposed between the lock lever 80 and the main body case lA. The over-center spring 88 maintains the state that the lock lever 80 is disposed at either the unlocked position or the locked position.

The contact lever 50 is rotatably arranged at the main body case 1A about the inside handle lever shaft 31. The contact lever 50 is curved towards the rear side of the vehicle, after extending outwards in a radial direction downward from the inside handle lever shaft 31. The contact lever 50 includes a contact lock groove 51. The contact lock groove 51 is a notch that extends outward in a radial direction from the inside handle lever shaft 31.

The contact lock groove 51 can be fitted to the unlock groove 35b of the child lock groove 35 formed in the inside handle lever 30, by suitably rotating the contact lever 50.

As shown in Fig. 1, if the contact lock groove 51 is fitted to the unlock groove 35b of the child lock groove 35, while the inside handle lever 30 is at a normal position, an extended end of the contact lever 50 is formed so as to oppose to the pressure-receiving portion 23 of the outside handle lever 20 in an adlacent state.

The actuator unit 60 switches the lock lever 80 between the unlocked position and the locked position. As shown in Fig. 1, the actuator unit 60 includes an electric motor 61, a worm wheel 62, and a sector lever 63.

The electric motor 61 is a rotating actuator that can rotate in a normal direction or in a reverse direction.

The electric motor 61 is accommodated in a region at the front side of the vehicle than the lock lever shaft 81, in the main body case 1A. An output shaft 61a of the electric motor 61 is disposed in a posture slightly inclined downwards towards the rear side of the vehicle. A worm 64 is fixed to the output shaft 61a of the electric motor 6]..

The worm wheel 62 is rotatably arranged at the main body case 1A at a region at the front side of the vehicle than the inside handle lever shaft 31, about a wheel shaft that extends substantially horizontally along the lef t-right direction of the vehicle. The worm wheel 62 is meshed with the worm 64 of the electric motor 61 at the peripheral surface of the front side of the vehicle. The worm wheel 62 includes a return spring 66 and a drive gear 67. The return spring 66 deforms elastically, when the worm wheel 62 is rotated by applying an external force from a neutral position, and returns the worm wheel 62 to the neutral position, when the external force is removed therefrom. The drive gear 67 is a spur gear with a small diameter integrally provided on one facet of the worm wheel 62, and formed so as to rotate about the same shaft center as that of the worm wheel 62.

The sector lever 63 is rotatably arranged at a region inside the vehicle than the lock lever 80 in the lock lever shaft 81. As shown in Figs. 1, 2, bA, and lOB, the sector lever 63 includes a sector gear portion 63a, a sector side lever abutting portion 63b, and a pair of lost motion gears 63c and 63d. The sector gear portion 63a includes a spur gear 63a' at an outer peripheral surface of the fan-shaped portion, about the lock lever shaft 81. The sector gear portion 63a is meshed with the drive gear 67 of the worm wheel 62. In the following, for convenience, as shown in Fig. 1, when the sector lever 63 is disposed at a neutral position, a midpoint along the circumference direction of the sector gear portion 63a is meshed with the drive gear 67 of the worm wheel 62 returned to the neutral position.

D

The sector side lever abutting portion 63b, similar to the lock side lever abutting portion 86 of the lock lever 80, is a portion formed in a fan shape about the lock lever shaft 81. The sector side lever abutting portion 63b, as shown in Fig. 1, when the sector lever 63 is disposed at the neutral position, is placed side by side in the circumference direction with the lock side lever abutting portion 86 of the lock lever 80 in the unlocked position.

The pair of lost motion gears 63c and 63d, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, bA, and 103, are portions projected outward in a radial direction about the lock lever shaft 81, respectively. The pair of lost motion gears 63c and 63d is formed so that the lost motion pin 84 of the lock lever 80 is interposed therebetween. More specifically, when the lock lever 80 is disposed at the unlocked position in the state that the sector lever 63 is disposed at the neutral position, as shown in Fig. 1, one of the lost motion gears (hereinafter, "lock gear 63c") abuts to the lost motion pin 84. When the lock lever 80 is disposed at the locked position in the state that the sector lever 63 is disposed at the neutral position, as shown in Fig. 17, the other lost motion gear (hereinafter, "unlock gear 63d") is formed so as to abut to the lost motion pin 84.

The child lever 70, as shown in Fig. 1, is rotatably arranged at the main body case lA at a region between the base of the open link lever 41 and the inside handle lever shaft 31, about a child lever shaft 71 that extends substantially horizontally along the left-right direction of the vehicle. The child lever 70 includes an operating lever portion 72 and a child pin connecting portion 73.

The operating lever portion 72 is a portion that extends towards the rear side of the vehicle from the child lever shaft 71, and includes an operating protrusion 74 at a region positioned at the inside of the vehicle in the extended end. Although not shown, the operating protrusion 74 is exposed outside of the door D via an opening formed at the main body case 1A and an opening formed at the inside panel IP of the door D, thereby enabling to operate from the outside of the door D. More specifically, as shown in Figs. 14A and 14B, the operating protrusion 74 is provided at a surface positioned at the inside of the vehicle in the inside panel IP of the door D, and a sealed position with the vehicle main body B, when the door D is disposed at the closed position.

The child pin connecting portion 73, when the operating lever portion 72 is disposed substantially horizontally towards the rear side of the vehicle, is a portion at a region below the child lever shaft 71 and extends so as to gradually incline downward towards the front of the vehicle. The child pin connecting portion 73 includes a pin connecting groove 75. The pin connecting groove 75, when the operating lever portion 72 is disposed substantially horizontally towards the rear of the vehicle, is a notch formed so as to gradually incline downward toward the front of the vehicle. The pin connecting groove slidably supports a child pin 90. The child pin 90 includes a child selecting pin 91. The child selecting pin 91 is a pin member inserted through the child lock groove of the inside handle lever 30 and the contact lock groove 51 of the contact lever 50. The child selecting pin 91 can slide the child lock groove 35 and the contact lock groove 51.

The child lever 70, the child lock groove 35 of the inside handle lever 30, the contact lock groove 51 of the contact lever 50, and the child selecting pin 91 form a child lock mechanism 100 in the door lock apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

The child lock mechanism 100 is turned in a transmitting state, as shown in Fig. 1, when the operating lever portion 72 of the child lever 70 is disposed substantially horizontally towards the rear side of the vehicle. In the transmitting state, the child selecting pin 91 of the pin connecting groove 75 is positioned at the end of the front side of the vehicle, and also positioned at the lower end in the unlock groove 35b of the child lock groove 35 formed in the inside handle lever 30. The child selecting pin 91 is also positioned at the lower end in the contact lock groove 51 of the contact lever 50. In the transmitting state, the inside handle lever 30 is connected to the contact lever 50 via the child selecting pin 91, and moves in conjunction with the contact lever 50, when the inside handle lever 30 is rotated. In other words, if the inside handle lever 30 is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction in Fig. 1, while the child lock mechanism 100 is in the transmitting state, the rotation is transmitted to the contact lever 50 via the child selecting pin 91.

Accordingly, the extended end presses the pressure-receiving portion 23 of the outside handle lever 20, thereby moving the open link lever 41 and the panic lever 42 of the lock mechanism 40 upwards with the operating end 22. If the inside handle lever 30 and the contact lever 50 rotate, the child selecting pin 91 moves along the pin connecting groove 75 of the child lever 70. Subsequently, the child pin 90 does not move and is maintained in the transmitting state.

When the child lever 70 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the child selecting pin 91 moves upward, and as shown in Fig. 20, the child selecting pin 91 is positioned at the lock groove 35a in the child lock groove 35 of the inside handle lever 30. In this state, even if the inside handle lever 30 is rotated, the rotation is not transmitted to the child selecting pin 91. Accordingly, the contact lever 50 does not move in conjunction therewith. In other words, if the child lever 70 is rotated in a clockwise direction, a power transmission to the lock mechanism 40 from the inside handle lever 30 via the contact lever 50 is blocked, thereby turning the child lock mechanism 100 in a non-transmitting state.

If the child lever 70 is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction from the non-transmitting state, as shown in Fig. 1, the child selecting pin 91 is positioned again at the lower end of the unlock groove 35b of the child lock groove formed in the inside handle lever 30. The child selecting pin 91 is also positioned at the lower end of the contact lock groove 51 of the contact lever 50.

Accordingly, the child lock mechanism 100 is returned to the transmitting state.

In the door lock apparatus 1, a double lock pin lever 110, a knob lever 120, and a double lock lever 130 are arranged in the main body case 1A.

The double lock pin lever 110 is rotatably arranged at a region between the lock lever 80 and the sector lever 63 in a shaft direction of the lock lever shaft 81. The double lock pin lever 110, as shown in Figs. 1, hA, and liB, includes a slide insertion hole 11]. in the center. By inserting the lock lever shaft 81 in the slide insertion hole ill, the double lock pin lever 110 can be slid towards an extending direction of the slide insertion hole 111 with respect to the lock lever shaft 81. The double lock pin lever 110 includes a lock pin forming portion 112 and a double lock side sensor abutting portion 113. The lock pin forming portion 112 is a portion that extends outward in a radial direction of the lock lever shaft 81, so as to extend along the extending direction of the slide insertion hole 111. The lock pin forming portion 112 includes a double lock pin 114 on the extended end. The double lock pin 114 is a columnar member formed on the lock pin forming portion 112, so as to be substantially horizontal along the left-right direction of the vehicle. The double lock pin 114 is protruded from a surface opposed to the inside of the vehicle as well as a surface positioned at the outside of the vehicle in the lock pin forming portion 112. The portion protruded towards the inside of the vehicle from the lock pin forming portion 112 in the double lock pin 114 is inserted through the pin sliding groove 85 formed in the lock lever 80. The outside dimension of the double lock pin 114 is set, so as the double lock pin 114 can slide inside the pin sliding groove 85 formed in the lock lever 80. The double lock side sensor abutting portion 113 is a fan-shaped portion that extends toward the front side of the vehicle from the lock lever shaft 81.

The knob lever 120 is rotatably arranged at a region inside the vehicle than the sector lever 63 in the shaft direction of the lock lever shaft 81. As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 12A, and l2B, the knob lever 120 includes a pin engaging groove 121, a knob lever connecting portion 122, and an inside handle abutting portion 123.

The pin engaging groove 121 is a notch that extends in the radial direction about the lock lever shaft 81, and that the outer peripheral end is being opened. The pin engaging groove 121 is formed so as to have the same width as the pin sliding groove 85 formed in the lock lever 80.

The inner wall positioned in the pin engaging groove 121 in a clockwise direction (hereinafter, spin engaging inner wall l2la") is formed, so as the distance from the lock lever shaft 8]. becomes smaller than the outer diameter of the double lock pin 114, than the inner wall (hereinafter, "normal abutting inner wall 121b") positioned in the pin engaging groove 121 in an anti-clockwise direction. The normal abutting inner wall 12Th is formed so as the distance from the lock lever shaft 81 is smaller than the outer diameter of the double lock pin 114, than the inner wall of the pin sliding groove 85 formed in the lock lever 80.

The knob lever connecting portion 122, as shown in Fig. 1, when the pin engaging groove 121 is fitted with respect to the pin sliding groove 85 of the lock lever 80 disposed at the unlocked position (hereinafter, the state is referred to as "unlocked position of knob lever 120"), is a portion that slightly inclined and extended upwards at the front side of the vehicle from the lock lever shaft 81. In the knob lever connecting portion 122, a lock operating member NL is connected to the end positioned at the most outer periphery. The lock operating member NL, as shown in Fig. 14B, is retractably arranged at the inside of the vehicle. The lock operating member NL is protruded inside the vehicle, when the knob lever 120 is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction. The lock operating member NL can also rotate the knob lever 120 in a clockwise direction, when pressed and deeply inserted in the door D. The inside handle abutting portion 123, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 12A, and 12B, when the knob lever 120 is disposed at the unlocked position, is a portion inclined and extended upwards toward the rear side of the vehicle from the lock lever shaft 81. The inside handle abutting portion 123, as shown in Fig. 21, when the pin engaging groove 121 is fitted with respect to the pin sliding groove of the lock lever 80 disposed at the locked position (hereinafter, the state is referred to as "locked position of knob lever 120"), is formed so as to oppose in the adjacent state to the double action abutting portion 33 of the inside handle lever 30 disposed at a normal position.

From this state, when the inside handle lever 30 is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction, the double action abutting portion 33 abuts to the inside handle abutting portion 123, thereby rotating the knob lever 120 in an anti-clockwise direction.

An abutting spring 140 is interposed between the knob lever 120 and the double lock pin 114. The abutting spring biases the lock lever 80 so as to relatively rotate in the unlocked direction with respect to the knob lever 120, via the double lock pin 114, by the elastic force thereof.

As shown in Fig. 1, a position defining protrusion 141 is provided at a portion abutted to the double lock pin 114 in the abutting spring 140. When the double lock pin 114 is disposed at the inner peripheral end of the pin sliding groove 85 and the pin engaging groove 121 of the knob lever (hereinafter, "engaging position of double lock pin 114"), the position defining protrusion 141 abuts to the outer peripheral surface of the double lock pin 114 and restricts the movement of the double lock pin 114 towards the outer periphery. When an external force towards the outer periphery of the pin sliding groove 85 is applied to the double lock pin 114, the movement of the double lock pin 114 is allowed, because the abutting spring 140 bends elastically. When the double lock pin 114 moves to the outer periphery by crossing over the position defining protrusion 141 and disposed at the outer peripheral end of the pin sliding groove 85 while disengaging from the pin engaging groove 121 of the knob lever 120 (hereinafter, "disengaging position of double lock pin 114"), the position defining protrusion 141 returns elastically, and then restricts the double lock pin 114 from moving towards the inner periphery of the pin sliding groove 85. When the external force towards the inner periphery of the pin sliding groove 85 is applied to the double lock pin 114, the movement of the double lock pin 114 is allowed, because the abutting spring 140 bends elastically. Accordingly, the double lock pin 114 is disposed at the engaging position again.

The double lock lever 130, as shown in Figs. 1, 13A, and 13B, is rotatably arranged at the main body case 1A at a region above the knob lever 120 and adjacent to the double lock pin 114, via a double lock lever shaft 131 substantially horizontally extended along the left-right direction of the vehicle. The double lock lever 130 includes an unset lever portion 132, a set lever portion 133, and a position restricting portion 134.

The unset lever portion 132 and the set lever portion 133 are fork portions that extend in a radial direction about the double lock lever shaft 131. The unset lever portion 132 and the set lever portion 133, when the double lock lever 130 is rotated, can be abutted to the portion protruded towards the outside of the vehicle from the lock pin forming portion 112 in the double lock pin 114, respectively. The unset lever portion 132, as shown in Fig. 1, can be abutted to a peripheral surface of the double lock pin 114 from the outer periphery of the pin sliding groove 85, in the state that the double lock pin 114 is disposed at the engaging position. At this time, the set lever portion 133 is disposed at the front side of the vehicle at the state that extends along the extending direction of the pin sliding groove 85. From th�s state, when the double lock lever 130 is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 19, the unset lever portion 132 separates from the double lock pin 114. At the same time, the set lever portion 133 abuts to the peripheral surface of the double lock pin 114 and moves the double lock pin 114 towards the outer periphery from the inner periphery of the pin sliding groove 85. Accordingly, the double lock pin 114 is disposed at the disengaging position.

The position restricting portion 134 is a portion projected towards the inside of the vehicle from the base side of the set lever portion 133. The position restricting portion 134 can be abutted to the outer peripheral surface of the lock side lever abutting portion 86 at the lock lever 80 and the outer peripheral surface of the sector side lever abutting portion 63b at the sector lever 63. When the position restricting portion 134 is abutted to the lock side lever abutting portion 86 and the sector side lever abutting portion 63b, the rotation of the double lock lever 130 in an anti-clockwise direction is restricted.

As apparent from Fig. 1, a double lock spring 135 is interposed between the double lock lever 130 and a boss portion 1D included in the main body case 1A. The double lock spring 135 rotates the double lock lever 130 with respect to the main body case 1A in an anti-clockwise direction in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, when the lock side lever abutting portion 86 or the sector side lever abutting portion 63b are disposed on a swinging range of the position restricting portion 134, the position restricting portion 134 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the lock side lever abutting portion 86 or the outer peripheral surface of the sector side lever abutting portion 63b by the pressing force of the double lock spring 135, thereby restricting the rotation. In this state, the set lever portion 133 does not abut to the double lock pin 114. As shown in Fig. 21, when the lock lever 80 is at the locked position and the sector lever 63 is disposed at the neutral position, the lock side lever abutting portion 86 and the sector side lever abutting portion 63b are evacuated from the swinging range of the position restricting portion 134. Accordingly, the double lock lever 130 rotates in an anti-clockwise direction, and the position restricting portion 134 is disposed between the lock side lever abutting portion 86 and the sector side lever abutting portion 63b. Subsequently, the set lever portion 133 abuts to the outer peripheral surface of the double lock pin 114 disposed at the engaging position.

The double lock pin lever 110, the knob lever 120, and the double lock lever 130 form a double lock mechanism 150 in the door lock apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

In the double lock mechanism 150, the unset state shown in Fig. 1 is when the double lock pin 114 of the double lock pin lever 110 is disposed at the engaging position. In the unset state, the lock lever 80 and the knob lever 120 are engaged to each other, via the double lock pin 114 disposed at the engaging position.

Therefore, in the unset state, for example, when the lock operating member NL arranged at the inside of the vehicle is pressed against the inside of the door D, the knob lever 120 rotates in a clockwise direction, and the lock lever 80 also rotates in a clockwise direction.

Accordingly, it is possible to switch the lock mechanism 40 in the unlocked state to the locked state shown in Fig. 17.

When the electric motor 61 is driven and the sector lever 63 is rotated in a clockwise direction in the unset state shown in Fig. 1, as sequentially shown in Figs. 22A to 22D, the lock lever 80 rotates in a clockwise direction, because the lock gear 63c of the sector lever 63 is abutted to the lost motion pin 84. Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 17, the open link lever 41 connected via the link pin 83 of the lock lever 80 rotates in an anti-clockwise direction, thereby switching the lock mechanism 40 in the locked state.

If the electric motor 61 is stopped after the lock mechanism 40 is switched to the locked state, as shown in Fig. 22E, the worm wheel 62 and the sector lever 63 are returned to the neutral position, by the elastic restoring force of the return spring 66.

Contrarily, if the electric motor 61 is driven reverse to the above in the locked state shown in Fig. 17, and the sector lever 63 is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction, as sequentially shown in Figs. 23A to 23D, the lock lever rotates in an anti-clockwise direction, because the unlock gear 63d of the sector lever 63 abuts to the lost motion pin 84. Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 1, the open link lever 41 connected via the link pin 83 of the lock lever 80 rotates in a clockwise direction, thereby switching the lock mechanism 40 in the unlocked state. If the electric motor 61 is stopped after the lock mechanism is switched to the unlocked state, as shown in Fig. 23E, the worm wheel 62 and the sector lever 63 return to the neutral position, by the elastic restoring force of the return spring 66.

When the inside door handle 111 is open-operated in the locked state shown in Fig. 17, as shown in Fig. 18, the inside handle lever 30 rotates in an anti-clockwise direction. Accordingly, the double action abutting portion 33 abuts to the inside handle abutting portion 123.

Because the knob lever 120 rotates in an anti-clockwise direction, the lock lever 80 also rotates in an anti-clockwise direction. Therefore, the lock mechanism 40 in the locked state is switched to the unlocked state.

Subsequently, if the inside door handle IH is open-operated again, as shown in Fig. 16, the door D can be opened and moved with respect to the vehicle main body B, by cancelling the latch mechanism 10 (double action mechanism).

If the double lock mechanism 150 is in the unset state, even if the child lock mechanism 100 is in the non- transmitting state, when the inside door handle IH is open-operated, as shown in Fig. 20, the inside handle lever 30 rotates in an anti-clockwise direction and the double action abutting portion 33 abuts to the inside handle abutting portion 123. Accordingly, the knob lever 120 and the lock lever 80 rotate in an anti-clockwise direction, thereby switching the lock mechanism 40 in the locked state to the unlocked state. However, even if the inside door handle IH is open-operated again, when the child lock mechanism 100 is in the non-transmitting state, the power transmission to the lock mechanism 40 from the inside handle lever 30 via the contact lever 50 will be blocked.

Accordingly, the latch mechanism 10 will not be cancelled.

When the electric motor 61 is driven in the locked state shown in Fig. 17, and the sector lever 63 is further rotated in a clockwise direction from the state disposed at the neutral position, as sequentially shown in Figs. 24A to 24C, the unlock gear 63d is separated from the lost motion pin 84. Accordingly, the lock lever 80 will not be rotated.

However, the sector side lever abutting portion 63b is abutted to the position restricting portion 134 of the double lock lever 130, thereby rotating the double lock lever 130 in an anti-clockwise direction in Fig. 24.

Subsequently, as shown in Figs. 19 and 24C, the set lever portion 133 of the double lock lever 130 abuts to the double lock pin 114 disposed at the engaging position, thereby moving the double lock pin 114 to the disengaging position. If the electric motor 61 is stopped after the state shown in Fig. 24C, as shown in Fig. 24D, the worm wheel 62 and the sector lever 63 return to the neutral position, by the elastic restoring force of the return spring 66.

In the state that the double lock pin 114 has moved to the disengaging position, the double lock pin 114 does not engage with the pin engaging groove 121 of the knob lever 120. Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 24E, even if the inside door handle IH is open-operated and the knob lever 120 is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction, the rotation of the knob lever 120 is not transmitted to the lock lever 80.

Subsequently, the lock mechanism 40 is maintained in the locked state, and the door D cannot be opened or moved (set state of double lock mechanism 150).

To switch the double lock mechanism 150 to the set state from the unset state as the above, it is only required to move the double lock pin 114 to the disengaging position at the outer periphery, from the state that the lock lever 80 is disposed at the locked position.

Accordingly, for example, there is no need to move the other members such as the knob lever 120 connected to the lock lever 80. Therefore, it is possible to significantly improve the anti-theft function of the vehicle in which the smooth movement to the set state from the unset state is obtained and applied, without requiring an adjusting member such as a control lever.

If the electric motor 61 is driven from the set state of the double lock mechanism 150 shown in Fig. 19, and the sector lever 63 is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction, as sequentially shown in Figs. 25A to 25C, the lock lever is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction in Fig. 25, because the unlock gear 63d is abutted to the lost motion pin 84 of the lock lever 80. If the lock lever 80 is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 1, the open link lever 41 connected via the link pin 83 rotates in a clockwise direction and positioned along the vertical direction. Accordingly, the lock mechanism 40 is turned in the unlocked state.

During this time, the double lock lever 130 rotates in a clockwise direction in Fig. 25, because the lock side lever abutting portion 86 is abutted to the position restricting portion 134 of the double lock lever 130.

Accordingly, the unset lever portion 132 of the double lock lever 130 is abutted to the double lock pin 114, thereby moving the double lock lever 130 in the engaging position.

When the double lock pin 114 is abutted to the normal abutting inner wall 121b of the knob lever 120, the knob lever 120 is moved to the inner periphery of the pin sliding groove 85. The rotation of the lock lever 80 is transmitted to the knob lever 120 after the double lock pin 114 is abutted to the normal abutting inner wall 121b, until the double lock pin 114 is engaged to the pin engaging groove 121. Accordingly, the knob lever 120 is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction and returns to the state shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 25D, by stop driving the electric motor 61, the worm wheel 62 and the sector lever 63 return to the neutral position (unset state of double lock mechanism 150).

Similarly, to switch the double lock mechanism 150 to the unset state from the set state, it is only required to move the double lock pin 114 to the engaging position at the inner periphery. Accordingly, there is no need to move the other members such as the knob lever 120 connected to the lock lever 80. Therefore, it is possible to significantly improve the anti-theft function of the vehicle in which the smooth operation to the set state from the unset state is obtained and applied, without requiring an adjusting member such as a control lever.

The electric motor 61 that switches the lock mechanism between the locked state and the unlocked state is also used as an actuator that switches the double lock mechanism between the set state and the unset state. Therefore, it is possible to significantly minimize the door lock apparatus 1.

Fig. 26 is a block diagram of a drive control system of the electric motor 6]. in the door lock apparatus 1. A lock controller 200 shown in Fig. 26 controls the drive of the electric motor 6]., based on an operating signal from a lock/unlock switch 201 and a double lock set/unset switch 202, and a detecting signal from a lock detection sensor 203 and a double lock detection sensor 204 included in the main body case 1A.

The lock/unlock switch 201 is a switching switch, for example, provided inside the vehicle, and the double lock set/unset switch 202 is a switching switch, for example, provided in a remote control key.

The lock detection sensor 203, as shown in Fig. 1, detects the lock side sensor abutting portion 87 of the lock lever 80, of which the position is changed between the locked state and the unlocked state of the lock mechanism 40. More specifically, when the lock mechanism 40 is in the unlocked state shown in Fig. 1, a contact is pressed by the lock side sensor abutting portion 87. Accordingly, the lock detection sensor 203 outputs an ON signal to the lock controller 200. On the other hand, when the lock mechanism is turned in the locked state, the lock lever 80 is rotated in a clockwise direction, and the lock side sensor abutting portion 87 is separated from the contact.

Accordingly, the lock detection sensor 203 outputs an OFF signal to the lock controller 200.

The double lock detection sensor 204 detects the double lock side sensor abutting portion 113 of the double lock pin lever 110 of which the position is changed between the set state and the unset state of the double lock mechanism 150. More specifically, if the double lock mechanism 150 is in the unset state shown in Fig. 1, the contact is pressed by the double lock side sensor abutting portion 113. Accordingly, the double lock detection sensor 204 outputs an ON signal to the lock controller 200. When the double lock mechanism 150 is turned in the set state, the double lock pin lever 110 slides with respect to the lock lever shaft 81, and rotates in a clockwise direction in Fig. 1, thereby separating the double lock side sensor abutting portion 113 from the contact. Accordingly, the double lock detection sensor 204 outputs an OFF signal to the lock controller 200.

In the lock controller 200, for example, if a lock command is issued from the lock/unlock switch 201, the electric motor 61 is driven in the direction that the sector lever 63 rotates in a clockwise direction in Fig. 1.

After the electric motor 61 is driven, the lock controller monitors the lock detection sensor 203 and stops driving the electric motor 61, when an OFF signal is output from the lock detection sensor 203, in other words, when the lock mechanism 40 is turned in the locked state.

When an unlock command is issued from the lock/unlock switch 201, while the lock mechanism 40 is in the locked state, the lock controller 200 drives the electric motor 61 in the direction that the sector lever 63 rotates in an anti-clockwise direction in Fig. 1. After the electric motor 61 is driven, the lock controller 200 monitors the lock detection sensor 203, and stops driving the electric motor 61, when an ON signal is output from the lock detection sensor 203, in other words, when the lock mechanism 40 is turned in the unlocked state.

As a result, by the command issued from the lock/unlock switch 20]., it is possible to switch the lock mechanism 40 between the locked state and the unlocked state.

When the sector lever 63 is rotated in a clockwise direction while the lock mechanism 40 is in the locked state, the double lock mechanism 150 is switched to the set state from the unset state, irrespective of the intention of the operator. Therefore, when a lock command is issued from the lock/unlock switch 201 while the OFF signal is issued from the lock detection sensor 203, the lock controller 200 cancels this, and prevents a situation that the double lock mechanism 150 is switched to the set state from the unset state.

When the set command is issued from the double lock set/unset switch 202 in the state shown in Fig. 1, the lock controller 200 detects whether the lock mechanism 40 is in the locked state through the lock detection sensor 203. If it is determined that the lock mechanism 40 is in the unlocked state, the lock mechanism 40 is switched to the locked state, by locking the lock mechanism 40.

The lock controller 200, under the condition that the lock mechanism 40 is in the locked state, then drives the electric motor 61 in the direction that the sector lever 63 rotates in a clockwise direction in Fig. 1. After the electric motor 61 is driven, the lock controller 200 monitors the double lock detection sensor 204 and stops driving the electric motor 61, when an OFF signal is output from the double lock detection sensor 204, in other words, when the double lock mechanism 150 is turned in the set state.

If an unset command is issued from the double lock set/unset switch 202, while the double lock mechanism 150 is in the set state, the lock controller 200 drives the electric motor 61 in the direction that the sector lever 63 rotates in an anti-clockwise direction in Fig. 1. After the electric motor 61 is driven, the lock controller 200 monitors the double lock detection sensor 204, and stops driving the electric motor 61, when an ON signal is output from the double lock detection sensor 204, in other words, when the double lock mechanism 150 is turned in the unset state. With the door lock apparatus 1, the lock mechanism is also turned in the unlocked state, at the same time when the double lock mechanism 150 is turned in the unset state.

As a result, by the command issued from the double lock set/unset switch 202, it is possible to switch the double lock mechanism 150 between the set state and the unset state.

In the embodiment, whether the lock mechanism 40 is in the locked state is detected, when the set command is issued from the double lock set/unset switch 202. However, it is not limited to this. For example, when the set command is issued from the double lock set/unset switch 202, the sector lever 63 may be rotated only twice in an anti-clockwise direction, irrespective of the state of the lock mechanism 40 and the state of the double lock mechanism 150.

In other words, after rotating the sector lever 63 in a clockwise direction in Fig. 1, the sector lever 63 is temporarily returned to the neutral position by stopping the electric motor 61, when an OFF signal of the lock detection sensor 203 is output, or after a predetermined period of time has passed. When the sector lever 63 is then further rotated in a clockwise direction in Fig. 1, the double lock mechanism 150 is switched to the set state without fail. In this case, the sector lever 63 is temporarily returned to the neutral position, and the power is transmitted by a lost motion mechanism formed by the lost motion pin 84 and the pair of lost motion gears 63c and 63d disposed between the sector lever 63 and the lock lever 80. Accordingly, even if the lock mechanism 40 is already in the locked state, the two rotations of the sector lever 63 will not cause any problem.

In the embodiment, the child lever 70 is manually operated to be used as the child lock mechanism 100.

However, as shown in a modification in Fig. 27, a child lock mechanism 100' may be switched between the transmitting state and the non-transmitting state, by driving a child electric motor 210. In other words, in the modification in Fig. 27, a child worm wheel 76' is integrally formed with a child lever 70', and by preparing the child electric motor 210 fixed with a worm 212 on an output shaft 211, the worm 212 of the child electric motor 210 is meshed with a child worm wheel 76'. In the modification shown in Fig. 27, the same members as those in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

With the modification, if the child electric motor 210 is driven in a suitable direction, it is possible to switch the child lock mechanism 100' between the transmitting state and the non-transmitting state, without operating manually.

According to the invention, the double lock function is realized by blocking the power transmission with respect to the lock lever, while the lock mechanism is in the locked state. Therefore, it is only required to move the lock lever to two positions of the locked position and the unlocked position, and there is no need to move the lock lever to the third position, while the double lock mechanism is in the set state. As a result, the positions of the other members connected to the lock lever do not change, irrespective of the set/unset state of the doable lock mechanism. Accordingly, an adjusting member such as a control lever is not required. With this, the double lock mechanism can be formed without significantly increasing the number of components, thereby improving the anti-theft function of the vehicle to be applied, while preventing the complication of the structure.

Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.

Claims (16)

1. CLAIMS1. A door lock apparatus comprising: a latch mechanism that restricts movement of a door in an open direction by latching when the door is in a closed position with respect to a main body of a vehicle; a lock mechanism that is interposed between a door handle and the latch mechanism, is configured to switch between an unlocked state and a locked state depending on a position of a lock lever, turned in the unlocked state when the lock lever is disposed at an unlocked position and cancels a latched state by transmitting an open-operation of the door handle to the latch mechanism, and turned in the locked state when the lock lever is disposed at a locked position and maintains the latched state of the latch mechanism by inactivating the open-operation of the door handle; an actuator unit that switches the lock mechanism in the unlocked state to the locked state, by locking the lock lever when a lock command is issued, and switches the lock mechanism in the locked state to the unlocked state, by unlocking the lock lever when an unlock command is issued; and a child lock mechanism that is configured to switch between a transmitting state and a non-transmitting state, and transmits an open-operation of an inside door handle arranged inside the vehicle to the lock mechanism in the transmitting state and blocks a power transmission to the lock mechanism from the inside door handle in the non-transmitting state, wherein the door lock apparatus includes: a double action mechanism that, when the inside door handle is open-operated while the lock mechanism is in the locked state, unlocks the lock lever by the open-operation, and a double lock mechanism that is configured to switch from an unset state to a set state by driving the actuator unit when the lock lever is disposed at the locked position, and maintains the lock lever at the locked position by blocking the power transmission to the lock lever disposed at the locked position in the set state.
2. 2. The door lock apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a lock operating member that is operably arranged in the inside of the vehicle and switches the lock mechanism in the unlocked state to the locked state, by locking the lock lever when a lock operation is performed, wherein the double lock mechanism blocks a power transmission system to the lock lever from the lock operating member while in the set state.
3. 3. The door lock apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the double lock mechanism is formed so as to switch to the set state when the actuator unit locks in a state where the lock lever is disposed at the locked position.
4. 4. The door lock apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a knob lever rotatably arranged about a same shaft center as the lock lever; and a double lock pin movably arranged so as to be engaged and detached between the knob lever and the lock lever, where in the double lock mechanism engages the knob lever and the lock lever to each other by engaging the double lock pin in the unset state, and cancels an engaging state between the knob lever and the lock lever by separating the double lock pin in the set state, and the double action mechanism rotates the knob lever in an unlock direction when the inside door handle is open-operated, and unlocks the lock lever while being engaged to the knob lever by the double lock pin.
5. 5. The door lock apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a lock operating member that is operably arranged in the inside of the vehicle and switches the lock mechanism in the unlocked state to the locked state, by locking the lock lever when a lock operation is performed; a knob lever rotatably arranged about a same shaft center as the lock lever; and a double lock pin movably arranged so as to be engaged and detached between the knob lever and the lock lever, wherein the lock operating member rotates the knob lever in a lock direction when the lock operation is performed, and locks the lock lever while being engaged to the knob lever by the double lock pin.
6. 6. The door lock apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the actuator unit includes a lock motor having a drive gear on an output shaft thereof and a sector lever meshed with the drive gear, and the sector lever rotates in a lock direction from a neutral position while being locked and returns to the neutral position after disposing the lock lever at the locked position, and rotates in an unlock direction from the neutral position while being unlocked and returns to the neutral position after disposing the lock lever at the unlocked position.
7. 7. The door lock apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the double lock mechanism includes a double lock lever that engages with the double lock pin while being rotated in a set direction and separates the double lock pin while being rotated in an unset direction.
8. 8. The door lock apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the actuator unit includes a lock motor having a drive gear on an output shaft thereof and a sector lever meshed with the drive gear, the sector lever rotates in a lock direction from a neutral position while being locked and returns to the neutral position after disposing the lock lever at the locked position, and rotates in an unlock direction from the neutral position while being unlocked and returns to the neutral position after disposing the lock lever at the unlocked position, and the double lock lever rotates in the set direction when the sector lever returned to the neutral position is rotated in the lock direction in a state that the lock lever is disposed at the locked position, and rotates in the unset direction when the sector lever returned to neutral is rotated in the unlock direction in the set state.
9. 9. The door lock apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the actuator unit includes a lock motor having a drive gear on an output shaft thereof and a sector lever meshed with the drive gear, and the sector lever is engaged with the lock lever via a lost motion mechanism, and transmits a rotation power to the lock lever from the lost motion mechanism after a predetermined idling time when rotated in reverse.
10. 10. The door lock apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the actuator unit includes a lock motor having a drive gear on an output shaft thereof and a sector lever meshed with the drive gear, and after rotating the sector lever in a lock direction when a set command is issued, returns the sector lever returned to neutral to a neutral position by further rotating the sector lever in the lock direction.
11. 11. The door lock apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the actuator unit includes a lock motor having a drive gear on an output shaft thereof and a sector lever meshed with the drive gear, and after rotating the sector lever in an unlock direction when an unset command is issued, returns the sector lever to neutral.
12. 12. The door lock apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the actuator unit cancels, when a lock command is issued while the lock mechanism is in the locked state, the command.
13. 13. The door lock apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising: an abutting spring interposed between the knob lever and the double lock pin, wherein the abutting spring biases the lock lever so as to relatively rotate with respect to the knob lever in an unlock direction, via the double lock pin by an elastic force of the abutting spring, and relatively rotates the knob lever and the lock lever against the elastic force of the abutting spring when the inside door handle is open-operated while the double lock mechanism is in the set state.
14. 14. The door lock apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a main body case arranged along an inside panel positioned at the inside of the vehicle of the door, wherein the actuator unit includes a lock motor having a drive gear on an output shaft thereof and a sector lever meshed with the drive gear, and the main body case houses therein the lock mechanism, the lock motor, the sector lever, the child lock mechanism, the double action mechanism, and the double lock mechanism.
15. 15. The door lock apparatus according to claim 2 or 5, wherein the lock operating member is retractably arranged in the inside of the vehicle and protrudes to the inside of the vehicle only when the lock mechanism is in the unlocked state.
16. 16. A door lock apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the any of the accompanying drawings.