Vehicular door lock control apparatus

• US 6,075,453 A
• Filed: 03/24/1997
• Issued: 06/13/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Inventors: Mizuno, Takashi, Aoki, Hisashi, Koga, Shinichi, Kokubu, Sadao
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dalencourt, Yves
• Application Number:
  US08/823,210
• Time in Patent Office: 1,177 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.31, 340/825.72, 340/825.54, 340/426, 340/10.1, 380/23, 380/46, 292/359, 70/277, 70/278
• US Class Current: 340/5.72
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00777 by induction
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/96 Latch-spindle catches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]

Abstract

A vehicular door lock control apparatus for unlocking a door lock mechanism includes a key for performing a first unlocking operation and a second unlocking operation. A door key cylinder is actuable to an unlock position by using the key. The key is insertable into the door key cylinder. A transmitter-receiver is disposed at the key, and transmits an answer signal that indicates a specific identification code upon receipt of at least one of a power signal and an inquiry signal. An operating force transmission mechanism, actuable between a transmission mode and a non-transmission mode, transmits an unlocking force applied by the key during the second unlocking operation to the door lock mechanism when in the transmission mode. A control mechanism transmits at least one of the power signal and the inquiry signal to the transmitter-receiver when the key performs the first unlocking operation, and actuates the operating force transmission mechanism to the transmission mode when the identification code received from the transmitter-receiver conforms to a pre-set identification code.

Claims

1. A vehicular door lock control apparatus for unlocking a door mechanism, comprising:

a key for mechanically performing a first unlocking operation and a second unlocking operation;

a door key cylinder actuable to an unlock position by using the key, the key being insertable into the door key cylinder;

a transmitter-receiver disposed at the key, for transmitting an answer signal that indicates a specific identification code upon receipt of at least one of a power signal and an inquiry signal;

operating force transmission means, actuable between a transmission mode and a non-transmission mode, for transmitting a mechanical unlocking force applied by the key during the second unlocking operation to the door lock mechanism when in the transmission mode, and

a control means for determining that the key has performed the first unlocking operation when the key actuates the door key cylinder to the unlock position for a first time;

wherein the control means transmits at least one of the power signal and the inquiry signal to the transmitter-receiver when the key performs the first unlocking operation, and for actuating the operating force transmission means to the transmission mode when the identification code received from the transmitter-receiver conforms to a pre-set identification code.

2. A vehicular door lock control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means immobilizes a vehicle if the identification code received from the transmitter-receiver does not conform to the pre-set identification code.

3. A vehicular door lock control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter-receiver includes a power source.

4. A vehicular door lock control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operating force output means includes a clutch plate, a lever and a solenoid.

5. A vehicular door lock control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the solenoid is disposed at a first side of the lever and the clutch plate is disposed at an opposite second side of the lever.

6. A vehicular door lock control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the lever has a projecting cut-and-raised portion which receives and stops a peripheral portion of the clutch plate.

7. A vehicular door lock control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the door key cylinder includes a rotatable rotor.

8. A vehicular door lock control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the transmitter-receiver includes an antenna coil disposed around the door key cylinder.

9. A vehicular door lock control apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the rotor includes a protrusion which supports the clutch plate and the lever.

10. A vehicular door lock control apparatus according to claim 9, further including a rotational position detecting sensor for detecting a rotational position of the rotor and transmitting the rotational position of the rotor to control means.

11. A vehicular door lock control apparatus according to claim 10, further including a manual knob which locks and unlocks the door lock mechanism.