Lock assembly for onboard opening cover
First Claim
1. A lock assembly for an onboard opening cover which can be opened and closed to cover an opening of a vehicle comprising:
- a lock mechanism for blocking an opening operation of the onboard opening cover;
means for detecting an open or closed condition of the onboard cover;
means for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant within the vehicle including;
a detecting electrode which establishes an electric field passing through at least part of an occupant;
means for detecting a capacitance defined by the detecting electrode; and
decision means for determining the presence or absence of an occupant based on a change in the capacitance detected; and
control means for locking the lock mechanism whenever the absence of an occupant is detected and the closed condition of the onboard opening cover is detected.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An arrangement for locking a cover which can be opened and closed to cover an opening of a vehicle such as a door or luggage lid is disclosed. Means for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant within the vehicle as well as means for detecting the open or closed condition of the cover are provided. When the absence of an occupant is detected and the closed condition of the opening cover is detected, a lock mechanism which blocks an opening movement of the opening cover is locked. In this manner, if an occupant has forgotten to lock a door or doors when getting off his vehicle, the doors are automatically locked, thus reliably preventing a theft or tampering with the vehicle.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A lock assembly for an onboard opening cover which can be opened and closed to cover an opening of a vehicle comprising:
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a lock mechanism for blocking an opening operation of the onboard opening cover; means for detecting an open or closed condition of the onboard cover; means for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant within the vehicle including; a detecting electrode which establishes an electric field passing through at least part of an occupant; means for detecting a capacitance defined by the detecting electrode; and decision means for determining the presence or absence of an occupant based on a change in the capacitance detected; and control means for locking the lock mechanism whenever the absence of an occupant is detected and the closed condition of the onboard opening cover is detected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification