Lid lock controller

• US 9,037,313 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2012
• Issued: 05/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Inventors: Inoue, Tomohiro, Nishimoto, Keigo
• Primary Examiner(s): Algahaim, Helal A
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, JELANI A
• Application Number:
  US13/707,896
• Publication Number:
  US 20130158744A1
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 701/2, 340/457, 340/5.61, 340/5.65, 340/5.72, 343/713, 70/84, 702/41, 702/57
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/05 Inlet covers
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/053 with hinged connection to the vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0576 with actuator fixed to the vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0584 the locking bolt is linearly moved to lock or unlock
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/08 using electromagnets or solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/18 to effect movement of a bolt or bolts E05B81/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/64 Monitoring or sensing, e.g. by using switches or sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/34 for fuel inlet covers essentially flush with the vehicle surface
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/01 Mechanical arrangements specially adapted for hands-free locking or unlocking handles with means for initiation of a hands-free locking or unlocking process E05B81/78
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/63 Comprising locating means for detecting the position of the data carrier, i.e. within the vehicle or within a certain distance from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

A lid lock controller includes a lid lock unit operable in a lock state, which keeps the lid closed, and an unlock state, which allows for the lid to open. A detection unit detects an unlocking operation performed on the lid lock unit. A key check unit checks whether or not an electronic key is located in the vicinity of the vehicle through wireless communication between the vehicle and the electronic key when the unlock operation is detected. An unlocking unit switches the lid lock unit to the unlock state when the electronic key is located in the vicinity of the vehicle. The unlocking unit switches the lid lock unit to the unlock state even when the electronic key is not located in the vicinity of the vehicle as long as a further lid unlock condition is satisfied.

Claims

1. A lid lock controller that controls locking and unlocking of a lid of a vehicle, wherein the lid is configured to open and close a fuel filler or a power inlet arranged in the vehicle, the lid lock controller comprising:

a lid lock unit operable in a lock state, which keeps the lid closed, and an unlock state, which allows for the lid to open;

a detection unit that detects an unlocking operation performed on the lid lock unit;

a key check unit that checks whether an electronic key is located in a vicinity of the vehicle through wireless communication between the vehicle and the electronic key when the unlock operation is detected;

an unlocking unit that switches the lid lock unit to the unlock state when the electronic key is located in the vicinity of the vehicle, wherein the unlocking unit switches the lid lock unit to the unlock state even when the electronic key is not located in the vicinity of the vehicle and a further lid unlock condition is satisfied; and

a vehicle door lock-unlock detection unit that detects an unlock state of a user-operable vehicle door,

wherein the unlocking unit switches the lid lock unit to the unlock state as long as the unlocking unit receives a detection signal, which indicates the unlock state of the vehicle door, from the vehicle door lock-unlock detection unit even if the electronic key is not located in the vicinity of the vehicle and not in electronic communication with the vehicle when the unlock operation performed on the lid lock unit is detected.

2. The lid lock controller according to claim 1, wherein

the lid lock unit includes

a lid lock pin engageable with the lid, and

an urging member that urges the lid lock pin in a lock direction,

when the lid is being closed, the lid pushes the lid lock pin in an unlock direction against an urging force of the urging member, and

when the lid is fully closed and the lid lock pin is released from a force pushed by the lid, the lid lock pin is moved by the urging force of the urging member in the lock direction and engaged with the lid.

3. The lid lock controller according to claim 1, wherein

the lid lock unit includes

a lid lock pin engageable with the lid, and

an actuator capable of drawing the lid lock pin in an unlock direction,

the lid lock pin engages with the lid when the actuator is deactivated, and

the lid lock pin is drawn in the unlock direction and separated from the lid when the actuator is activated.

4. The lid lock controller according to claim 1, wherein the key check unit checks whether or not the electronic key is located in the vicinity of the vehicle by determining whether or not verification of the electronic key has been accomplished through near field communication performed between the electronic key and the vehicle.

5. The lid lock controller according to claim 1, wherein the unlock operation performed on the lid lock unit is an operation that long-pushes the lid, which is closed, further inward to an over stroke position.

6. A lid lock controller that controls locking and unlocking of a lid of a vehicle, wherein the lid is configured to open and close a fuel filler or a power inlet arranged in the vehicle, the lid lock controller comprising:

a lid lock unit operable in a lock state, which keeps the lid closed, and an unlock state, which allows for the lid to open;

a detection unit that detects an unlocking operation performed on the lid lock unit;

a key check unit that checks whether an electronic key is located in a vicinity of the vehicle through wireless communication between the vehicle and the electronic key when the unlock operation is detected; and

an unlocking unit that switches the lid lock unit to the unlock state when the electronic key is located in the vicinity of the vehicle, wherein the unlocking unit switches the lid lock unit to the unlock state even when the electronic key is not located in the vicinity of the vehicle and a further lid unlock condition is satisfied,

wherein the unlocking unit switches the lid lock unit to the unlock state as long as the unlocking unit receives a lid unlock permission signal from an electronic terminal, located at a position separated from the vehicle, through wide area communication even if the electronic key is not located in the vicinity of the vehicle and not in electronic communication with the vehicle when the unlock operation performed on the lid lock unit is detected.

7. The lid lock controller according to claim 6, wherein

the lid lock unit includes

a lid lock pin engageable with the lid, and

an urging member that urges the lid lock pin in a lock direction,

when the lid is being closed, the lid pushes the lid lock pin in an unlock direction against an urging force of the urging member, and

when the lid is fully closed and the lid lock pin is released from a force pushed by the lid, the lid lock pin is moved by the urging force of the urging member in the lock direction and engaged with the lid.

8. The lid lock controller according to claim 6, wherein

the lid lock unit includes

a lid lock pin engageable with the lid, and

an actuator capable of drawing the lid lock pin in an unlock direction,

the lid lock pin engages with the lid when the actuator is deactivated, and

the lid lock pin is drawn in the unlock direction and separated from the lid when the actuator is activated.

9. The lid lock controller according to claim 6, wherein the key check unit checks whether or not the electronic key is located in the vicinity of the vehicle by determining whether or not verification of the electronic key has been accomplished through near field communication performed between the electronic key and the vehicle.

10. The lid lock controller according to claim 6, wherein the unlock operation performed on the lid lock unit is an operation that long-pushes the lid, which is closed, further inward to an over stroke position.