Door lock apparatus

• US 9,249,605 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2012
• Issued: 02/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: U-Shin Limited (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Original Assignee: U-Shin Limited (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Inventors: Yamagata, Mikio, Akagi, Nobuya
• Primary Examiner(s): GALL, LLOYD A
• Application Number:
  US13/451,717
• Publication Number:
  US 20120266639A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,383 Days
• Field of Search: 702/37, 702/64, 702/787, 702/791, 292/201, 292/216
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/002 Geared transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0025 in the form of grooves
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/32 allowing simultaneous actuation of locking or unlocking elements and a handle, e.g. preventing interference between an unlocking and an unlatching action
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 79/08 Mounting of individual lock elements in the lock, e.g. levers
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/06 using rotary motors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/16 operating on locking elements for locking or unlocking action
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/34 of geared transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/42 Cams
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/02 Lock casings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7667 Operating elements, parts and adjuncts

Abstract

A door lock apparatus includes: a latch mechanism; a lock mechanism having a link that can move the latch mechanism to an unlock position and a lock position, and a lock plate that moves the link; a key-operation-force transfer mechanism that transfers an operation force of a key cylinder to the lock plate of the lock mechanism; and a housing in which at least the lock mechanism and the key-operation-force transfer mechanism are accommodated. The door lock apparatus further includes a positioning portion and an engaging portion that position the key-operation-force transfer mechanism in a neutral state corresponding to a neutral position of the key cylinder with respect to the housing.

Claims

1. A door lock apparatus comprising:

a latch mechanism for engaging with and disengaging from a striker;

a lock mechanism including;

a link movable between an unlock position where the latch mechanism can be operated and a lock position where the latch mechanism cannot be operated; and

a lock plate configured to move the link to the unlock position and the lock position;

a key-operation-force transfer mechanism configured to transfer an operation force of a key cylinder disposed on a door to the lock plate of the lock mechanism, the key-operation-force transfer mechanism including;

a key lever to which a rotation rod projecting from a rear end of the key cylinder is directly connected, the key lever configured to turn in accordance with an operation of the key cylinder;

a key link connected to the key lever and configured to reciprocate; and

a key sub-lever connected to the key link and engaging with the lock plate with play;

a housing in which at least the lock mechanism and the key-operation-force transfer mechanism are accommodated, the key sub-lever being turnably disposed in the housing; and

a positioning mechanism configured to position the key-operation-force transfer mechanism in a neutral state corresponding to a neutral position of the key cylinder with respect to the housing, the positioning mechanism including;

a positioning portion in the housing; and

an engaging portion on the key link and resiliently detachably engaged with the positioning portion;

wherein the housing has;

a guide groove, the key link being linearly guided in the guide groove; and

an abutment wall extending parallel to the guide groove and with which the engaging portion slides, the abutment wall having the positioning portion thereon.

2. The door lock apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion is integrally formed on the key link.

3. The door lock apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the key-operation-force transfer mechanism further includes a key-operation detection switch configured to detect an operation position of the key-operation-force transfer mechanism.

4. The door lock apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide groove is an elongated linear groove for guiding a reciprocating linear movement of the key link.