GB2415740A

GB2415740A - Vehicle door lock apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2415740A
Application number: GB0510275A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Akira Takahashi; Mikio Ichinose
Original assignee: Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co Ltd
Current assignee: Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co Ltd
Priority date: 2004-06-30
Filing date: 2005-05-19
Publication date: 2006-01-04
Anticipated expiration: 2025-05-19
Also published as: DE102005030291A1; DE102005030291B4; GB0510275D0; GB2415740B

Abstract

A vehicle door lock device has a lock mechanism including a connect lever 63 being actuated to a lock state and an unlock state by a first motor 675, and a super or double lock mechanism including a sector gear 74 being actuated to a super lock state and a release state by a second motor 755. A link unit for linking the connect lever 63 and the sector gear 74 is provided. In the unlock state of the lock mechanism, switching the super lock mechanism in the super lock state by the second motor 755 sets the lock mechanism in the lock state. In the super lock state of the super lock mechanism, switching the lock mechanism to the unlock state by the first motor 675 sets the super lock mechanism in the release state. As a result, operation time for switching the unlock state to the super lock state and for switching the super lock state to the unlock state can be reduced.

Description

DOOR LOCK APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a door lock apparatus for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a door lock apparatus including a super lock mechanism that makes an operation of a lock knob inside a vehicle for releasing a lock state disabled when the lock knob is in a state in which opening of a door is prevented.

A door lock apparatus including a super lock mechanism in addition to a lock mechanism for preventing opening of a door from outside a vehicle is currently in use. The super lock mechanism makes an operation of a lock knob inside the vehicle disabled to prevent an illegal action of releasing a lock by an unauthorized operation of the lock knob for improving antitheft performance. A door lock apparatus of such a type is configured to actuate a super lock mechanism by an actuator activated corresponding to a signal generated by an operation of a remote control device or, by a key cylinder being rotationally operated by a key, to switch the super lock mechanism in a super lock state to make the operation of the lock knob disabled. In this case, it is necessary to actuate the lock mechanism to switch to a lock state, which means, the door lock apparatus includes the actuator for actuating the lock mechanism. Furthermore, the door lock apparatus is constituted to release the super lock state of the super lock mechanism to set an unlock state where the door can be opened by a key operation without actuating the actuator.

A first type of a conventional door lock apparatus includes two actuators for a super lock mechanism and for a lock mechanism. The super lock mechanism or the lock mechanism is actuated corresponding to selective actuation of the respective actuators so that a super lock state, a lock state, or an unlock state is set. The door lock apparatus can achieve the super lock state by the super lock mechanism, which prevents a releasing operation of the lock mechanism by a lock knob (see, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 3400747).

A second type of the conventional door lock apparatus includes two actuators for a super lock mechanism and for a lock mechanism like the first type of the conventional door lock apparatus. This door lock apparatus can achieve a super lock state by the super lock mechanism, which makes a releasing operation of the lock mechanism by a lock knob strike at the air (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laidopen No. 2000-17921).

A third type of the conventional door clock apparatus is configured to actuate a super lock mechanism or a lock mechanism corresponding to actuation of a single actuator to achieve a super lock state, a lock state, or an unlock state. The door lock apparatus achieves the super lock state by the super lock mechanism, which makes making a releasing operation of the lock mechanism by a lock knob strike at the air (see, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 3029966).

In the first type of the conventional door lock apparatus, in order to switch an unlock state to a super lock state, it is necessary to first actuate the actuator for the lock mechanism to switch the same to the lock state, and then actuate the actuator for a super lock mechanism to switch the same to the super lock state. Furthermore, in order to switch the super lock state to the unlock state, it is necessary to first actuate the actuator for a super lock mechanism to switch the same to the lock state, and then actuate the actuator for a lock mechanism to switch the same to the unlock state. Thus, in this type of the conventional door lock apparatus, since the actuator for the lock mechanism and the actuator for the super lock mechanism have to be sequentially actuated, there is a problem that a long operation time is 1 5 required.

In the second type of the conventional door lock apparatus, in order to switch an unlock state to a super lock state, it is necessary to first actuate the actuator for a lock mechanism to switch the same to a lock state, and then actuate the actuator for a super lock mechanism to switch the same to a super lock state. Thus, in this type of the conventional door lock apparatus, since the actuator for the lock mechanism and the actuator for the super lock mechanism have to be sequentially actuated to switch the unlock state to the super lock state, there is a problem that a long operation time is required.

In the third type of the conventional door lock apparatus, such a configuration is employed that a neutral position is set in an actuator, and a super lock state is set by an operation of the actuator from the neutral position to one direction via a lock state, while an unlock state is set by actuation of an actuation from the neutral position to another direction. Therefore, in this type of the conventional door lock apparatus, since switching to the super lock state or the unlock state has to go through the lock state, there is a problem that a long operation time is required.

Furthermore, in the second and the third type of the conventional door lock apparatuses, the super lock state is achieved by the super lock mechanism, which makes a releasing operation of the lock mechanism by the lock knob to no avail. In this case, the lock knob is constituted to return back to its original position (a lock state position) by a spring or the like, when the lock knob is released at a position for the releasing operation by a hand of a user in a vehicle, after the releasing operation is made to no avail. However, when the super lock mechanism is returned from the super lock state to a release state, the super lock mechanism cannot be switched to the release state, if the lock knob is operated to the position for the releasing operation.

It is an object of the present invention to solve at least the above problems in the conventional technology.

A door lock apparatus for a vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention includes a lock mechanism including a lock working unit that is engaged with a lock lever linked to a lock knob disposed inside the vehicle, where the lock working unit is actuated by driving a first driving unit in such a manner that the lock lever is switched to a lock position or an unlock position, and the lock mechanism switches between a lock state where a door opening operation by a door handle of the vehicle is disabled and an unlock state where the door opening operation by the door handle is enabled; a super lock mechanism including a super-lock working unit that is actuated by driving a second driving unit in such a manner that an engagement of the lock lever positioned at the lock position with the lock working unit is disabled or enabled, where the super lock mechanism switches between a super lock state where an operation of the lock lever from the lock position to the unlock position is disabled and a release state where the operation of the lock lever from the lock position to the unlock position is enabled; and a link unit that mutually links the super-lock working unit and the lock working unit, switches the super-lock working unit to the release state with switching of the lock working unit to the unlock state in the super lock state, and switches the lock working unit to the lock state with switching of the super-lock working unit to the super lock state in the unlock state.

The other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are specifically set forth in or will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a door lock apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from a rear side of a vehicle; Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the door lock apparatus shown in Fig. 1, viewed from an exterior side of the vehicle; Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the door lock apparatus shown in Fig. 1, viewed from an interior side of the vehicle; Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the door lock apparatus shown in Fig. 1, viewed from the interior side of the vehicle after a sub-casing is detached; Fig. 5 A is a conceptual diagram of a latch mechanism in an opened state; lo Fig. 5B IS a conceptual alayrulil Al LlIt: IONS' t'.ea''';' ''' llalT-lalCn stale, Fig. 5C is a conceptual diagram of the latch mechanism in a full-latch state; Fig. 6A is a conceptual diagram of a relationship between an open lever and a link lever in an initial state; Fig. 6B is a conceptual diagram of a relationship between the open lever and the link lever when an out handle is operated for door opening; Fig. 7A is a conceptual diagram of a relationship between an inner handle lever and the link lever in the initial state; Fig. 7B is a conceptual diagram of a relationship between the inner handle lever and the link lever when an inside handle lever is operated for door opening; Fig. 8 is a partially exploded conceptual diagram of a lock mechanism and a super lock mechanism; Fig. 9A is a conceptual diagram of the lock mechanism when the lock mechanism is switched to an unlock state by a key operation; Fig. 9B is a conceptual diagram of the lock mechanism when the lock mechanism is switched to a lock state by a key operation; Fig. 10 is a conceptual diagram of the lock mechanism and the super lock mechanism when the lock mechanism is switched to the unlock state; Fig. 11 is a conceptual diagram of the JOCK mecnamsm ano one super lock mechanism when the lock mechanism is switched to the lock state; Fig. 12 is a conceptual diagram of the lock mechanism and the super lock mechanism when the super lock mechanism is switched to a super lock state; Fig. 13 is a conceptual diagram of a movement when the super lock mechanism is switched to the super lock mechanism; Fig. 14 is a diagram of a door lock apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the interior side of the vehicle after a sub-case is detached; Fig. 15A is a conceptual diagram of a relationship between an open lever and a link lever in an initial state in the door lock apparatus according to the second embodiment; Fig. 15B is a conceptual diagram of a relationship between the open lever and the link lever when an out handle lever is operated for door opening in the door lock apparatus according to the second embodiment; Fig. 16A is a conceptual diagram of a relationship between an inner handle lever and the link lever in an initial state in the door lock apparatus according to the second embodiment; Fig. 16B is a conceptual diagram of the inner handle lever and the link lever when an inside handle lever is operated for door opening; Fig. 17 is a conceptual diagram of a lock mechanism and a super lock mechanism when the lock mechanism is switched to an unlock state; Fig. 18 is a conceptual diagram of the lock mechanism and tne super lock mechanism when the lock mechanism is switched to a lock state; Fig. 19 is a conceptua'aagrau' a, .,,, 'tt;'a'''e a,,- I,._ super lock mechanism when the super lock mechanism is switched to a super lock state; _ Fig. 20 is a conceptual diagram of a movement when the super lock mechanism is switched to the super lock state; Fig. 21 is a conceptual diagram of a movement when a door is closed without performing door opening operation of a door handle in the super lock situation and in a door-opened state; Fig. 22 is a conceptual diagram of a movement when the door handle is operated for door opening in the super lock state and in the door-opened state; Fig. 23 is a conceptual diagram of a movement when the door is closed by a door-opening operation of the door handle in the super lock state and in the door-opened state; Fig. 24 is a sectional diagram of an engaging protrusion of a link arm in a door lock apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 25A is a conceptual plan diagram of a guide face of an engaging arm; Fig. 25B is a conceptual side diagram of the guide face of the engaging arm; Fig. 26A is a conceptual diagram of a movement of a working guide unit; Fig. 26B is another conceptual diagram of a movement of the Fig. 26C is still another conceptual diagram of a movement of the working guide unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figs. 1 to 4 are schematic diagrams of a door lock apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. A door lock apparatus described here is provided between an outside handle D1 serving as a door handle and a latch mechanism 20 in a side door (a door D on a driver's seat side in a vehicle with a right-side steering wheel) of a front hinge arranged on a right side of a front seat of a vehicle or an automobile, and is provided with a main-casing 2 and a sub-casing 3.

The main-casing 2 and the sub-casing 3 are each made from synthetic resin. A housing 10 is configured by joining the main-casing 2 and the subcasing 3 together and fastening them with fastening members 4 such as screws.

The housing 10 constituted of the main-casing 2 and the sub-casing 3 is provided with a latch mechanism accommodating unit 11 extending along interior and exterior directions of the door D and a lock mechanism accommodating unit 12 extending from an end of the latch mechanism accommodating unit 11 positioned on an interior side along front and rear directions of the door D, and it appears as a L shape when viewed from the above. As shown in Fig. 4, a packing member 5 is interposed between portions of joined faces of the main-casing 2 and the sub-casing 3 that extend from a lower side of a vehicle front side to a vehicle rear side (the latch mechanism accommodating unit 11) via a vehicle upper side, so that a desired water-tight property can be ensured.

The latch mechanism accommodating unit 11 of the housing 10 has, at an almost central portion in a height direction thereof, a horizontally notched groove 13 extending substantially horizontally from a vehicle interior side toward a vehicle exterior side and it accommodates the latch mechanism 20 therein.

The latch mechanism 20 is similar to a conventional one for holding a striker S provided on a vehicle body of the automobile in a meshing manner and is provided with a latch 21 and a ratchet 22, as shown in Figs. 5A to 5C.

The latch 21 is arranged to be rotatable via a latch shaft 23 extending substantially horizontally along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body at a position above the horizontal notched groove 13 in the latch mechanism accommodating unit 11. The latch 21 has a meshing groove 21a, a hook portion 21b, and an engaging portion 21c.

The meshing groove 21a of the latch 21 is formed to be opened from an outer peripheral face of the latch 21 toward the latch shaft 23.

The meshing groove 21a is formed to have a width that allows accommodation of the striker S. The hook portion 21a of the latch 21 is positioned on the interior side from the meshing groove 21a when the meshing groove 21a is opened downwardly. As shown in Fig. 5A, the hook portion 21b stops at a position (an opening position) where the horizontal notched groove 13 is opened when the latch 21 is rotated about the latch shaft 23 in a clockwise direction. On the other hand, the hook portion 21b is configured to stop at a position (a half-latch position) where it crosses the horizontal notched groove 13, as shown in Fig. 5B, or at a position (a latch position) where it crosses the horizontal notched groove 13, as shown in Fig. 5C, when the latch 21 is rotated about the latch shaft 23 in a counterclockwise direction.

The engaging portion 21c of the latch 21 is positioned on the interior side from the meshing groove 21a when the meshing groove 21a is opened downwardly. As shown in Fig. 5A, the engaging portion 21c is constituted to stop in a state that it crosses the horizontal notched groove 13 and gradually incline upwardly toward a depth (the exterior side) of the horizontal notched groove 13 when the latch 21 is rotated about the latch shaft 23 in a clockwise direction. A latch spring (not shown) that always biases the latch 21 about the latch shaft 23 in a clockwise direction in Figs. 5A to 5C is provided between the latch 21 and the latch mechanism accommodating unit 11.

The ratchet 22 is disposed below the horizontal notched groove 13 of the latch mechanism accommodating unit 11 and on the interior side from the latch shaft 23 to be rotatable through the ratchet shaft 24 extending approximately horizontally along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The ratchet 22 has an engaging portion 22a and a working unit 22b.

The engaging portion 22a of the ratchet 22 extends in a diametrically outer direction from the ratchet shaft 24 toward the exterior side. The engaging portion 22a can engage the hook portion 21b and the engaging portion 21c of the latch 21 via a projecting end face thereof when the ratchet 22 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction in Figs. 5A to 5C. The working unit 22b of the ratchet 22 extends from the ratchet shaft 24 toward the interior side in a diametrically outer direction.

As shown in Figs. 4, 6A, and 6B, the ratchet 22 is provided with a ratchet lever 25. The ratchet lever 25 together with the ratchet 22 is rotated about the ratchet shaft 24 at a position corresponding to the vehicle front side. The ratchet lever 25 has an abutting portion 25a formed by bending, in direction of a vehicle front (side of the lock mechanism accommodating unit 12), a portion extending from the ratchet shaft 24 in the same direction as the working unit 22b of the ratchet 22 and bending a lower part of the bent portion to the vehicle interior side, and a working end portion 25b formed by bending, in a direction of the vehicle interior, a portion further extending from the abutting portion 25a upwardly to the vehicle front side. The ratchet lever 25 is coupled so as to be rotated together with the ratchet 22 via a link pin 26 shown in Figs. 5A to 5C. A ratchet spring (not shown) that always biases the ratchet 22 about the ratchet shaft 24 in a counterclockwise direction in Figs. 5A to 5C is provided between the ratchet 22 and the latch mechanism accommodating unit 11.

In the latch mechanism 20, a switch 27 that detects a position of the latch 21 is disposed above the latch 21. The switch 27 is configured such that an armature thereof can come in sliding contact with an outer peripheral face of the latch 21. The switch 27 detects that the latch 21 is in a latch position by separation of the armature from the outer peripheral face of the latch 21, and it turns on a vehicle interior lamp (not shown) or the like when the latch 21 is in a position other than the latch position (for example, a release position and a half-latch position) .

In the latch mechanism 20 constituted above, as shown in Fig. 5A, when the door D is in an opened state (a door-opened state) to the vehicle body, the latch 21 is positioned at a releasing position where the interior light in the vehicle is on. When the door D is operated for opening from this state, the striker S provided on the side of the vehicle body advances in the horizontal notched groove 13 of the latch mechanism accommodating unit 11 to abut on the engaging portion 21c of the latch 21. As a result, the latch 21 is rotated about the latch shaft 23 in a counterclockwise direction against a resilient force of a latch spring (not shown). In the meantime, the projecting end face of the engaging portion 22a slides into contact with the outer peripheral face of the latch 21, so that the ratchet 22 is rotated properly about the ratchet shaft 24 according to an outer peripheral face contour of the ratchet 21.

As shown in Fig. 5B, when the door D is further operated for closing from the above state, since an advancing amount of the striker S into the horizontal notched groove 13 gradually increases, the latch 21 is further rotated in a counterclockwise direction, so that the engaging portion 22a of the ratchet 22 reaches the meshing groove 21a of the latch 21. In this state, since the engaging portion 21c of the latch 21 abuts on the engaging portion 22a of the ratchet 22, the ratchet 21 is prevented from being rotated against a resilient restoring force of the ratchet spring (not shown) in a clockwise direction of the latch 21. In addition, since the hook portion 21b of the latch 21 is positioned so as to cross the horizontal notched groove 13, the striker S is moved in a direction in which it is released from the horizontal notched groove 13 by the hook portion 21b, namely, the door D is stopped from being operated for opening from the vehicle body (a half-latch state) As shown in Fig. 5C, when the door D is further operated for opening from the half- latch state, the latch 21 is further rotated about the latch shaft 23 in a counterclockwise direction via the engaging portion 21c by the striker S advancing into the horizontal notched groove 13 and the striker S reaches the depth (the exterior side) of the horizontal notched groove 13. In the meantime, the ratchet 22 is rotated about the ratchet shaft 24 in a clockwise direction in Fig. 5C against the resilient force of the ratchet spring (not shown) by abutting of the hook portion 21b of the latch 21 on an upper face of the engaging portion 22a, and it is rotated in a counterclockwise direction by the resilient restoring force of the ratchet spring (not shown) just when the hook portion 21b of the latch 21 passes through the engaging portion 22a. As a result, as shown in Fig. 5C, since the hook portion 21b of the latch 21 abuts on the engaging portion 22a of the ratchet 22, the latch 21 is prevented from being rotated in a clockwise direction against the resilient restoring force of the latch spring (not shown).

Even in this state, since the hook portion 21b of the latch 21 is positioned so as to cross the horizontal notched groove 13, the striker S is stopped from being moved to escape from the depth (the interior side) of the horizontal notched groove 13 by the hook portion 21b, so that the door D is maintained in a closed state thereof to the vehicle body (a full latch state) and the interior lamp in the vehicle is turned off.

Furthermore, when the working unit 22b of the ratchet 22 or the abutting portion 25a of the ratchet lever 25 is rotated about the ratchet shaft 24 from the full latch state in a clockwise direction in Fig. 5C against the resilient force of the ratchet spring (not shown), the hook portion 21b of the latch 21 and the engaging portion 22a of the ratchet 22 is disengaged from each other so that the latch 21 is rotated in a clockwise direction in Fig. 7 by the resilient recovering force of the latch spring (not shown). As a result, as shown in Fig. 5A, the horizontal notched groove 13 is opened and the striker S is made movable to leave the horizontal notched groove 13, so that the door D can be operated for door opening to the vehicle body and the interior lamp in the vehicle is turned on.

In the latch mechanism 20, it is detected by the switch 27 that the latch 21 is in the latch position, and when the latch 21 is in a position (for example, a release position or a half-latch position) other than the latch position, the interior lamp (not shown) or the like in the vehicle is tuned on. Instead of the switch 27, though not shown, a switch that detects a closed state or an opened state of the door D can be provided between the vehicle body and the door D. The switch has a detecting piece extending from the vehicle body to the door D, for example. The switch detects the closed state of the door from such an event that the detecting piece is pushed by the door D in the closed state of the door D. On the other hand, the switch detects the opened state of the door from such an event that the detecting piece is not pushed by the door D in the closed state of the door D (and the half-latch state of the latch mechanism 20). The switch is also used as a switch for the interior lamp in the vehicle to turn off the interior lamp in the closed state of the door D and to turn on the interior lamp in the opened state (and the half- latch state of the latch mechanism 20) of the door D. As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the lock mechanism accommodating unit 12 of the housing 10 accommodates an open lever 30, a link lever 40, an inner handle lever 50, a lock mechanism 60, and a super lock mechanism 70.

The open lever 30 is disposed further below the ratchet 22 of the latch mechanism 20 so as to be rotatable via an open lever shaft 31 extending approximately horizontally along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and has an open working end portion 30a, an open operation end portion 30b, and a pressure receiving portion 30c, as shown in Figs. 6A and 6B.

The open working end portion 30a of the open lever 30 extends in a diametrical outer direction from the open lever shaft 31 toward the exterior side, and an extending end portion thereof projects outside the housing 10. A part of the open working end portion 30a extending outside the housing 10 is connected with an outside handle linking unit 32 such as a link linking with an outside handle D1 provided on the door D. Specifically, the outside handle linking unit 32 is connected such that, when the outside handle D1 is operated for door opening, the open lever 30 is rotated about the open lever shaft 31 in a counterclockwise direction as shown in Fig. 6B.

The open operation end portion 30b of the open lever 30 extends in a diametrical outer direction from the open lever shaft 31 toward the interior side, and an extending end portion thereof is positioned below the abutting portion 25a of the ratchet lever 25 within the housing 10.

The link lever 40 is attached to the open operation end portion 30b of the open lever 30. As shown in Figs. 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B, the link lever 40 has an attaching hole 40a at a proximal end thereof. The attaching hole 40a is formed in a rotary piece 40aa provided so as to be rotatable about an axial center along interior and exterior directions of the vehicle body to the link lever 40. The link lever 40 is provided so as to be movable vertically together with the open operation end portion 30b and is supported so as to be rotatable about an axial center along interior and exterior directions of the vehicle body to the open operation end portion 30b via the rotary piece 40aa by inserting the open operation end portion 30b of the open lever 30 into the attaching hole 40a. The link lever 40 is provided with a ratchet driving portion 40b, a panic lever coupling portion 40c, and a lock preventing portion 40d.

The ratchet driving portion 40b of the link lever 40 extends in a diametrical outer direction from the attaching hole 40a toward the abutting portion 25a of the ratchet lever 25. The ratchet driving portion 40b is provided so as to be capable of pressing the abutting portion 25a of the ratchet lever 25 corresponding to an upward movement of the link lever 40.

The panic lever coupling portion 40c of the link lever 40 extends upwardly from the attaching hole 40a toward a side of the operating end portion 25b of the ratchet lever 25. The extending part of the panic lever coupling portion 40c is formed with a coupling groove hole 40e as an elongated hole extending vertically.

The lock preventing portion 40d of the link lever 40 is positioned adjacent to the operating end portion 25b of the ratchet lever 25 for preventing a rotation of the link lever 40 when the latch 21 is positioned at the release position. The lock preventing portion 40d extends from a side of the panic lever coupling portion 40c toward the vehicle rear side and further extends downwardly.

As shown in Figs. 4, 7A, and 7B, the inner handle lever 50 is disposed below the open lever 30 so as to be rotatable via an inner lever shaft 51 extending substantially horizontally along the interior and exterior directions of the vehicle body. The inner handle lever 50 has an inner working unit 50 and an operating end portion sob.

The inner working unit 50a of the inner handle lever 50 extends upwardly from the inner lever shaft 51, and an extending portion thereof projectsoutside the housing 10, as shown in Fig. 3. A part of the inner working unit 50a projecting outside the housing 10 is connected with an inside handle linking unit 52 such as a link or a wire linking with an inside handle D2 provided on an interior side of the door D. Specifically, the inside handle coupling unit 50 is connected such that, when the inside handle D2 is operated for door opening, the inner handle lever 50 is rotated about the inner level shaft 51 in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 7B.

The operating end portion 50b of the inner handle lever 50 abuts on the pressure receiving portion 30c of the open lever 30 to press the same upwardly, when the inner handle lever 50 is rotated about the inner lever shaft 51 in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 7B.

The lock mechanism 60 is configured to be switched between an unlock state that a rotational movement of the open lever 30 corresponding to a door opening operation of the outside handle D1 is transmitted to the latch mechanism 20 and a lock state that the rotational movement of the open lever 30 corresponding to a door opening operation of the outside handle D1 is not transmitted to the latch mechanism 20. The lock mechanism 60 is provided with a key lever 61, a key sub-lever 62, a connect lever 63, a sector gear 65, a panic lever 66, and a worm wheel 67 on an opposing face of the main-casing 2 to the sub-casing 3, namely, a face of the main-casing 2 covered with the sub-casing 3, as shown in Figs. 4 and 8.

The key lever 61 is rotatably disposed in a lower part of the housing 10. As shown in Figs. 8, 9A, and 9B, the key lever 61 has an input shaft portion 611, a rotational recessed portion 612, and a lever portion 613.

As shown in Fig. 1, the input shaft portion 611 of the key lever 61 serves as an input portion for inputting a rotational driving force when a key cylinder KC provided in the door D is key-operated. The input shaft portion 611 is connected with a key cylinder linking unit 615, such as a link or a cable, transmitting a rotational driving force of the key cylinder KC by a key operation. Specifically, the key cylinder linking unit 615 is connected to the input shaft portion 611 such that, when the key cylinder KC is operated for locking, the key lever 61 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 9B, and when the key cylinder KC is operated for unlocking, the key lever 61 is rotated in a clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 9A.

The rotational recessed portion 612 of the key lever 61 is recessed in the input shaft portion 611. The rotational recessed portion 612 is fitted on a projection (not shown) formed on the sub-casing 3 to rotatably support the key lever 61.

The lever portion 613 of the key lever 61 extends in a diametrical outer direction of the input shaft portion 611. An extended distal end of the lever portion 613 is formed with a key-iink coupling hole 614.

As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the key sub-lever 62 is disposed on the vehicle front side of the key lever 61 above the same. The key sub-lever 62 is a rotational hole 621, a key-link coupling portion 622, a lock- switching projection 623, an unlock-switching projection 624, a lock- operation recognizing projection 625 for, and an unlock-operation recognizing projection 626 for.

The rotational hole 621 of the key sub-lever 62 is inserted with a cylindrical projecting portion 201 formed to extend inside the housing (on the interior side of the vehicle body) in the main-casing 2.

Thereby, the rotational hole 621 allows arrangement of the key sub-lever 62 to be arranged rotatably about the projecting portion 201 in Figs. 8 and 9.

The key-link coupling portion 622 of the key sub-lever 62 extends in a diametrical outer direction from an axial center of the rotational hole 621 (the projecting portion 201). A key-link coupling hole 622a is formed at a distal end of the key-link coupling portion 622.

The key-link coupling portion 622a and the key-link coupling hole 614 are coupled to each other by a key link 627. That is, a rotational movement of the key lever 61 can be transmitted to the key sub-lever 62 via the key link 627.

Both the lock-switching projection 623 and the unlock-switching projection 624 of the key sub-lever 62 are formed to extend in a diametrical outer direction from an axial center of the rotational hole 621. Corresponding to a rotation of the key sub-lever 62, the lock mechanism 60 is switched from an unlock state to a lock state by the lock- switching projection 623 (see Fig. 9B). On the other hand, corresponding to a rotation of the key sub-lever 62, the lock mechanism is switched from the lock state to the unlock state by the projection 624 for unlock switching (see Fig. 9A).

Both the lock-operation recognizing projection 625 and the unlockoperation recognizing projection 626 of the key sub-lever 62 are formed in a diametrical outer direction from the axial center of the rotational hole 621. When the lock mechanism 60 is switched from the unlock state to the lock state corresponding to a rotation of the key sub-lever 62, the lock-operation recognizing projection 625 brings down the detecting piece 628a of the switch 628 in a clockwise direction (see Fig. 9B). On the other hand, when the lock mechanism 60 is switched from the lock state to the unlock state corresponding to a rotation of the key sub-lever 62, the unlock-operation recognizing projection 626 breaks down the detecting piece 628a of the switch 628 in a counterclockwise direction (see Fig. 9A) . Thus, the lock-operation recognizing projection 625 and the unlockoperation recognizing projection 626 of the key sub-lever 62 operate the detecting piece 628a of the switch 628 to identify a key operation of the key cylinder KC, namely, a locking operation or an unlocking operation.

The connect lever 63 serves as a lock working unit according to the present invention, and it is disposed so as to overlap a vehicle interior side of the key sub-lever 62, a shown in Fig.4. As shown in Fig. 8, the connect lever 63 has a rotational hole 631, a switching projection 632, a sector-gear coupling portion 633, and a switch lever 634.

The rotational hole 631 of the connect lever 63 is inserted with the projection 201. Thereby, the rotational hole 631 allows the connect lever 63 to be arranged rotatably about the projection 201. That is, the connect lever 63 is rotatably attached on the same axial center as the rotational hole 621 of the key sub-lever 62.

The switching projection 632 of the connect lever 63 is a projection for switching the connect lever 63 from an unlock position to a lock position or from the lock position to the unlock position corresponding to a rotation of the key sub-lever 62. The switching projection 632 is formed on a face of the connect lever 63 opposed to the key sub-lever 62. Specifically, the switching projection 632 is provided so as to be capable of abutting on the lock-switching projection 623 and the unlock- switching projection 624 of the key sub-lever 62. The lock-switching projection 623 abuts on the switching projection 632 to press the same so that the connect lever 63 is switched from the unlock position to the lock position (see Fig. 9B).

On the other hand, the unlock-switching projection 624 abuts on the switching projection 632 to press the same so that the connect lever 63 is switched from the lock position to the unlock position (see Fig. 9A).

The sector-gear coupling portion 633 of the connect lever 63 extends in a diametrical outer direction from the rotational hole 631 of the connect lever 63. The sector-gear coupling portion 633 is provided at a distal end of an extended portion thereof with a coupling projection 635. The coupling projection 635 extends approximately horizontally in an exterior direction of the vehicle from a face thereof positioned on the exterior side at a distal end of the sector-gear coupling portion 633.

The switch lever 634 of the connect lever 63 is for detecting a position of the connect lever 63. The switch lever 634 turns off the switch 636, when the connect lever 63 is positioned at the unlock position (see Fig. 10). On the other hand, the switch lever 634 turns on the switch 636, when the connect lever 63 is switched to the lock position (see Fig. 11).

A spring 637 is provided between the connect lever 63 and the main-casing 2. The spring 637 maintains the connect lever 63 at the unlock position (see Fig. 10) or the lock position (see Fig. 11) during a rotation of the connect lever 63.

As shown in Fig. 8, a sector gear 65 is arranged rotatably via a gear shaft 651 extending approximately horizontally along interior and exterior directions of the vehicle body. The sector gear 65 has a connect lever coupling portion 652, a driven gear portion 654, and a panic-lever abutting portion 655.

As shown in Fig. 8, the driven gear portion 654 of the sector gear 65 is formed in a fan shape about the gear shaft 651. The driven gear portion 654 has a pair of external teeth 654a, 654b, a first passive tooth 654c, and a second passive tooth 654d. The pair of external teeth 654a and 654b, the first passive tooth 654c, and the second passive tooth 654d are provided at positions of three stages different in height from one another along an extending direction of the gear shaft 651. The pair of external teeth 654a and 654b are provided on both sides of the driven gear portion 654, and they are disposed at position corresponding to the most interior side. The first passive tooth 654c is provided at a position nearer to one external tooth 654a of the pair of external teeth 654a and 654b between the pair of external teeth 654a and 654b; and it is disposed at an intermediate position along the extending direction of the gear shaft 651. The second passive tooth 654d is provided at a position between the other external tooth 654b and the first passive tooth 654c, and it is disposed at a position corresponding to the most exterior side.

The panic-lever abutting portion 655 of the sector gear 65 is formed to project from a vehicle rear side edge of the sector gear 65 to the interior side.

As shown in Fig. 4, the panic lever 66 is for coupling the sector gear 65 and the link lever 40 to each other. As shown in Fig. 8, the panic lever 66 is rotatably attached to the gear shaft 651. The panic lever 66 is formed to extend in a diametrical outer direction from the gear shaft 651 downwardly, and it is provided with a coupling projection 661 and a sector-gear abutting portion 662.

The sector-gear abutting portion 662 of the panic lever 66 is a stepped portion formed in an intermediate part of the panic lever 66 on a vehicle rear side. The sector-gear abutting portion 662 abuts on the panic-lever abutting portion 655 to be movable in an interlocking manner.

A panic spring 663 is interposed between the sector gear 65 and the panic lever 66 to perform biasing such that the sector-gear abutting portion 662 of the panic gear 66 abuts on the panic-lever abutting portion 655 of the sector gear 65.

An intermittent gear 672 of the worm wheel 67 has a base tooth 672a, a pair of first driving teeth 672b, and a pair of second driving teeth 672c. The intermittent gear 672 constitutes a one directional power transmitting unit in association with the pair of external teeth 654a and 654b, the first passive tooth 654c, and the second passive tooth 654d. That is, the basis tooth 672a, the pair of first driving teeth 672b, and the pair of second driving teeth 672c of the intermittent gear 672 are provided at positions of three stages different in height from one another along the extending direction of a worm shaft 671 like the pair of external teeth 654a and 654b, the first passive tooth 654c, and the second passive tooth 654c of the driven gear portion 654, where such a configuration is employed that the base tooth 672a meshes with only the external teeth 654a and 654b, the first driving tooth 672b meshes with only the first passive tooth 654c, and the second driving tooth 672c meshes with only the second passive tooth 654d. A neutral position returning spring 673 for maintaining such a state that the basic tooth 672a in the intermittent gear 672 of the worm wheel 67 is biased to the axial center of the gear shaft 651 (hereinafter, simply "a neutral state") is provided between the worm wheel 67 and the main-casing 2.

When the sector gear 65 is rotated about the gear shaft 651 from a position (hereinafter, simply "unlock position") shown in Fig. 10 to a position (hereinafter, simply "lock position") shown in Fig. 11 in a clockwise direction, none of respective teeth 654a, 654b, 654c, and 654d of the driven gear portion 654 in the sector gear 65 meshes with the respective teeth 672a, 672b, and 672c of the intermittent gear 672, so that worm wheel 67 is not rotated. Similarly, even when the sector gear 65 rotated about the gear shaft 651 from the lock position shown in Fig. 11 to the unlock position shown in Fig. 10 in a counterclockwise direction, the worm wheel 67 is not rotated.

As shown in Fig. 4, the worm wheel 67 meshes with a worm 676 fixed to an output shaft of a driving motor 675 serving as a first driving unit. When the worm wheel 67 is rotated about the worm shaft 671 from a state shown in Fig. 10 in a counterclockwise direction, after the basis tooth 672a meshes with the external tooth 654a, the first driving tooth 672 meshes with the first passive tooth 654c, and further the second driving gear 672c meshes with the second passive tooth 654d.

Thereby, as shown in Fig. 11, the sector gear 65 is rotated about the gear shaft 651 via the driven gear portion 654 in a clockwise direction.

In addition, the link lever 40 is rotated about the open operation end portion 30b of the open lever 30 via the rotary piece 40aa in a counterclockwise direction corresponding to a rotation of the sector gear 65 in a clockwise direction, to be displaced to the lock position.

Simultaneously, the connect lever 63 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction corresponding to the rotation of the sector gear 65 in a clockwise direction, to be displaced to the lock position.

After the sector gear 65, the link lever 40, and the connect lever 63 are displaced from the unlock position shown in Fig. 10 to the lock position shown in Fig. 11 by a rotation of the worm wheel 67, the sector gear 65 cannot be rotated by the intermittent gear 672 any more, so that the worm wheel 67 is returned back to the neutral position by a resilient restoring force of the neutral position returning spring 673 without rotating the sector gear 65.

When the worm wheel 67 is rotated about the worm shaft 671 from the state shown in Fig. 11 in a clockwise direction by driving of the driving motor 675, after the basic tooth 672a meshes with the external tooth 654b, the second driving tooth 672c meshes with the second passive tooth 654d, and further first driving tooth 672b meshes with the first passive tooth 654c. Thereby, the sector gear 65 is rotated about the gear shaft 651 via the driven gear portion 654 in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 10. In addition, the link lever 40 is rotated about the open operation end portion 30b of the open lever 30 via the rotary piece 40aa in a clockwise direction corresponding to a rotation of the sector gear 65 in a counterclockwise direction, to be displaced to the unlock position. Simultaneously, the connect lever 63 is rotated in a clockwise direction corresponding to the rotation of the sector gear 65 in a counterclockwise direction, to be displaced to the unlock position.

After the sector gear 65, the link lever 40, and the connect lever 63 are displaced from the lock position shown in Fig. 11 to the unlock position shown in Fig. 10 corresponding to the rotation of the worm wheel 67, the sector gear 65 cannot be rotated by the intermittent gear 672 any more, so that the worm wheel 67 is returned back to the neutral position by the resilient restoring force of the neutral position returning spring 673 without rotating the sector gear 65.

When the lock mechanism 60 is in a lock state, the super lock mechanism 70 is switched between a release state where an operation of a lock knob D3 arranged in a vehicle interior is transmitted to the lock mechanism 60 and a super lock state where the operation of the lock knob D3 is not transmitted to the lock mechanism 60. As shown in Figs. 4 and 8, the super lock mechanism 70 is provided with a link arm 71, a rotary shaft 72, an engaging arm 73, a sector gear 74, and a worm wheel 75 on a face of the main-casing 2 opposed to the sub-casing 3, namely, a face of the maincasing 2 covered with the sub-casing 3.

The link arm 71 constitutes a link unit and it is provided on the connect lever 63. The link arm 71 extends from the rotational hole 631 of the connect lever 63 in a diametrical outer direction opposed from the sectorgear coupling portion 633. The link arm 71 is provided with an engaging projection 711 on a face of an extending distal end portion thereof on the interior side. The engaging projection 711 is provided to project on the interior side of the vehicle and forms an approximately rectangular shape. The link arm 71 is provided with a link pin 713 on a face of the extending distal end portion thereof on the exterior side.

The link pin 713 extends in the interior direction of the vehicle.

The rotary shaft 72 is provided on the projection 301 serving as a rotational center of the connect lever 63. A central portion of the projection 201 is formed with a shaft hole 201a, and the rotary shaft 72 is inserted into the shaft hole 201a. The rotary shaft 72 is rotatably inserted into the shaft hole 201a at one end thereof, and the other end thereof penetrates the sub-casing 3 to project outside the housing 10.

That is, the rotary shaft 72 is rotatably supported between the maincasing 2 and the sub-casing 3 on the same axis as those of the key sublever 62 and the connect lever 63. The rotary shaft 72 is integrally provided with a sliding guide portion 72 positioned on the interior side of the connect lever 63 inside the housing 10. The sliding guide portion 721 is made of a plate member extending in a diametrical outer direction of the rotary shaft 72, and it is provided on a face of the plate member with a guide projection 722 extending toward a predetermined diametrical outer direction of the rotary shaft 72.

The engaging arm 73 constitutes a linking unit according to the present invention, and engages the rotary shaft 72. The engaging arm 73 has an engaging elongated hole 731 in which the rotary shaft 72 is inserted and which extends in a predetermined diametrical outer direction of the rotary shaft 72 while engaging the guide projection 722 of the sliding guide portion 721. That is, the engaging arm 73 is provided so as to be always rotatable together with the rotary shaft 72, and is provided to be slidable in the predetermined diametrical outer direction of the rotary shaft 72.

The engaging arm 73 has an insertion hole 732 at a distal end of a portion of the rotary shaft 72 extending in a predetermined diametrical outer direction. The insertion hole 732 is formed in an arc shape approximately about the rotary shaft 72 and is formed to be opened only in a counterclockwise direction approximately about the rotary shaft 72 in Fig. 8. An engaging groove 733 extending in a predetermined diametrical outer direction of the rotary shaft 72 is provided on the depth side of the insertion groove 732. As shown in Fig. 10, the engaging projection 711 provided in the link arm 71 is inserted into the insertion groove 732 with a play. The engaging projection 711 is engaged with the engaging groove 733. The engaging groove 733 and the engaging projection 711 are engaged with each other when the engaging arm 73 is slid in a direction of approaching to the rotary shaft 72 (see Figs. 10 and 11). When the engaging groove 733 and the engaging projection 711 are engaged with each other, the engaging arm 73 is switched in a state that it is rotated integrally with the connect lever 63. On the other hand, the engaging groove 733 and the engaging projection 711 are separated from each other, when the engaging arm 83 is slid in a direction of separating from the rotary shaft 72 (see Fig.12). When the engaging groove 733 and the engaging projection 711 are disengaged from each other, the engaging arm 73 is switched in a state that it is rotated independently from the connect lever 63.

The engaging arm 73 is provided with an interlocking pin 734 on a face of a distal end of a part of the rotary shaft 72 extending in a predetermined diametrical outer direction. The interlocking pin 734 extends in an exterior direction of the vehicle.

The other end of the rotary shaft 72 projecting outside the housing 10 is attached with a lock lever 76. That is, the lock lever 76 is provided so as to be always rotatable integrally with the engaging arm 73 together with the rotary shaft 72. Therefore, as described above, when the engaging groove 733 of the engaging arm 73 and the engaging projection 711 of the link arm 71 are in engagement with each other, the lock lever 76 is put in a state that it is rotated integrally with the connect lever 63 via the link arm 71. On the other hand, when the engaging groove 733 and the engaging projection 711 is in separation from each other, the lock lever 76 is put in a state that it is rotated independently from the connect lever 63 without interposition of the link arm 71.

As shown in Fig. 3, the lock lever 76 has a button coupling portion 76a. The button coupling portion 76a is a distal end of the lock lever 76 extending from the rotary shaft 72 in a diametrical outer direction. The button coupling portion 76a is connected with a lock knob linking unit 77, such as a link or a wire, linking with the lock knob D3 provided on the interior side of the vehicle. That is, when the lock lever 76 is rotated together with the connect lever 63, corresponding to a locking operation of the lock knob D3 from the unlock position to the lock position, a driving force from the operation is transmitted to the lock lever 76 via the lock knob link unit 77 and the lock lever 76 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction (to the lock position) in Fig. 3 to rotate the rotary shaft 72 in a counterclockwise direction. On the other hand, corresponding to an unlocking operation of the lock knob D3 from the lock position to the unlock position, a driving from the operation is transmitted to the lock lever 76 via the lock knob link unit 77 and the lock lever 76 is rotated in a clockwise direction (to the unlock position) to rotate the rotary shaft 72 in a clockwise direction. Thus, a driving force from the outside of the housing 10 corresponding to an operation of the lock knob D3 is transmitted and inputted into the rotary shaft 72 via the lock knob link unit 77.

When the connect lever 63 is moved from the unlock position to the lock position, the lock lever 76 is rotated from the unlock position to the lock position so that the lock knob D3 is moved to the lock position via the lock knob link unit 77. On the other hand, when the connect lever 63 is transferred from the lock position to the unlock position, the lock lever 76 is rotated from the lock position to the unlock position so that the lock knob D3 is moved to the unlock position via the lock knob link unit 77.

The sector gear 74 constitutes a super-lock working unit in the present invention, and it is disposed to be rotatable via a gear shaft 741 extending approximately horizontally along interior and exterior directions of the vehicle body, as shown in Fig. 8. The sector gear 74 has an arm coupling portion 742 and a driven gear portion 743.

The arm coupling portion 742 of the sector gear 74 is formed to extend in a diametrical direction of the gear shaft 741. The arm coupling portion 742 is formed with a link arm coupling groove hole 744 serving as a first cam portion constituting the link unit according to the present invention. The link arm coupling groove hole 744 is inserted with the link pin 713 formed on the link arm 71 provided on the connector lever 63. Only when the sector gear 74 is being rotated in a clockwise direction (to a super lock position), as shown in Fig. 12, the link arm coupling groove hole 744 rotates the connect lever 63 positioned at the lock position in a clockwise direction (to the unlock position) to rotate the sector gear 74 about the gear shaft 741 in a counterclockwise direction (to the release position), as shown in Fig. 10.

On the other hand, only when the connect lever 63 is being rotated in a clockwise direction (to the unlock position), as shown in Fig. 10, the link arm coupling groove hole 744 rotates the sector gear 74 positioned at the release position in a clockwise direction (to the super lock position) to rotate the connect lever 63 in a counterclockwise direction (to the lock position), as shown in Fig. 12. The link arm coupling groove hole 744 otherwise makes a relative rotation between the connect lever 63 and the sector gear 74 disabled.

The arm coupling portion 742 is formed with an engaging-arm-coupling groove hole 745 serving as a second cam portion constituting the link unit in the present invention. The engaging-arm-coupling groove hole 745 is inserted with the interlocking pin 734 formed on the engaging arm 73. As shown in Fig. 12, when the sector gear 74 is rotated in a clockwise direction (to the super lock position), the engaging-arm-coupling groove hole 745 slides the engaging arm 73 in a direction of separating from the rotary shaft 72 to disengage the engaging groove 733 and the engaging projection 711 from each other. On the other hand, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, when the sector gear 74 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction (to the release position), the engaging-arm-coupling groove hole 745 slides the engaging arm 73 in a direction of approaching to the rotary shaft 72 to engage the engaging groove 733 and the engaging projection 711 with each other.

As shown in Fig. 8, the driven gear portion 743 of the sector gear 74 is formed in a fan shape about the gear shaft 741. The driven gear portion 743 has a pair of external teeth 743a and 743b, a first passive tooth 743c, and a second passive tooth 743d. The pair of external teeth 743a and 743b, the first passive tooth 743c and the second passive tooth 743d, are provided at positions of three stages different in height from one another along an extending direction of the gear shaft 741. The pair of external teeth 743a and 743b are provided on both sides of the driven gear portion 743 and are disposed at a position on the most interior side. The first passive tooth 743c is provided at a position near to one external tooth 743a of the pair of external teeth 743a and 743b therebetween to be disposed at an intermediate position along an extending direction of the gear shaft 741.

The second passive tooth 743d is provided at a position between the other external tooth 743b and the first passive tooth 743c to be disposed at a position on the most exterior side.

A spring 746 is provided between the sector gear 74 and the main-casing 2. The spring 46 maintains the sector gear 74 at the release position shown in Fig. 10 or Fig. 11 or the super lock position shown in Fig. 12 during a rotation of the sector gear 74.

As shown in Fig. 8 is the worm wheel 75 is arranged rotatably via the worm shaft 751 extending approximately horizontally along in interior and exterior directions of the vehicle body below the sector gear 74. An intermittent gear 752 is fixed on the same axial center as that of the worm wheel 75.

The intermittent gear 752 of the worm wheel 75 has a basic tooth 752a, a pair of first driving teeth 752b, and a pair of second driving teeth 752c. The intermittent tooth 752 constitutes a one direction power transmitting unit in association with the pair of external teeth 743a and 743b, the first passive tooth 743c, and the second passive tooth 743d provided on the driven gear portion 743 of the sector gear 74 That is, the basic tooth 752a, the pair of first driving teeth 752b, and the pair of second drivingteeth 752c of the intermittent gear 752 are provided at positions different in height from one another along an extending direction of the worm shaft 751 like the pair of external teeth 743a and 743b, the first passive tooth 743c, and the second passive tooth 743c of the driven gear portion 743, and the intermittent tooth 752 is constituted such that the basis tooth 752a meshes with only the external teeth 743a and 743b, the first driving teeth 752b mesh with only the first passive tooth 743c, and the second driving teeth 752c mesh with only the second passive tooth 743c. A neutral position returning spring 753 for maintaining a state that the basis tooth 752a in the intermittent gear 752 of the worm wheel 75 is biased to the axial center of the gear shaft 741 (hereinafter, simply "neutral state") is provided between the worm wheel 75 and the maincasing 2.

When the sector gear 74 is rotated about the gear shaft 741 in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 10 or Fig. 11 (hereinafter, simply "release position") to the position shown in Fig. 12 (hereinafter, simply"super lock position"), none of the respective teeth 743a, 743b, 743c, and 743d of the driven gear portion 743 in the sector gear 74 meshes with the teeth 752a, 752b, and 752c, so that the worm wheel 75 is not rotated. Similarly, even when the sector gear 74 is rotated about the gear shaft 741 in a counterclockwise direction from the super lock position shown in Fig. 12 to the release position shown in Fig. 11, the worm wheel 75 is not rotated.

As shown in Fig. 4, the worm wheel 75 meshes with a worm 756 fixed to an output shaft of a driving motor 755 serving as a second driving unit. When the worm wheel 75 is rotated about the worm shaft 751 in a counterclockwise direction from the state shown in Fig. 10 or Fig. 11 by driving of the driving motor 755, after the basic tooth 752a meshes with the external tooth 743a, the first driving teeth 752b mesh with the first passive tooth 743c, and further the second driving teeth 752c mesh with the second passive tooth 743d. Thereby, as shown in Fig. 12, the sector gear 74 is rotated about the gear shaft 741 in a clockwise direction via the driven gear portion 743, to be displaced to the super lock position.

Even after the sector gear 74 is displaced from the release position shown in Fig. 10 or Fig. 11 to the super lock position shown in Fig. 12 corresponding to a rotation of the worm wheel 75, the sector gear 74 cannot be rotated by the intermittent gear 752 any more, so that the worm wheel 75 is returned back to the neutral state by a resilient restoring force of the neutral spring 753 without rotating the sector gear 74.

When the worm wheel 75 is rotated about the worm shaft 751 in a clockwise direction from the state shown in Fig. 12 by driving of the driving motor 755, after the basis tooth 752a meshes with the external tooth 743b, the second driving teeth 752c mesh with the second passive tooth 743d, and further the first driving teeth 752b mesh with the first passive tooth 743c. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 11, the sector gear 74 is rotated about the gear shaft 741 via the driven gear portion 743, to be displaced to the release position.

After the sector gear 74 is displaced from the super lock position shown in Fig. 12 to the release position shown in Fig. 11 corresponding to a rotation of the worm wheel 75, the sector gear 74 cannot be rotated by the intermittent gear 752 any more, so that the worm wheel 75 is returned back to the neutral position by a resilient restoring force of the neutral returning spring 753 without rotating the sector gear 74.

In the door lock apparatus described above, when the lock mechanism 60 is in the unlock state, as shown in Fig. 10, during a closed state of the door D (door-closed state), the ratchet driving portion 40b of the link lever 40 is positioned below the abutting portion 25a in the ratchet lever 25, as shown in Figs. 6A and 7A.

In the unlock state, the outside handle D1 is operated for door opening, so that the open lever 30 is rotated about the open lever shaft 31 in a counterclockwise direction in Fig. 6A. Thereby, the abutting portion 25a of the ratchet lever 25 presses the ratchet driving portion 40b of the link lever 40 to move the same upwardly corresponding to an upward movement of the open working end portion sob, as shown in Fig. 6B. As a result, the engaging and abutting state of the hook portion 21b of the latch 21 and the engaging portion 22a of the ratchet 22 is cancelled, namely, they are disengaged from each other, so that the door D can be operated for opening to the vehicle body.

In the unlock state, the inside handle D2 is operated for door opening, so that the inner handle lever 50 is rotated about the inner lever shaft 51 in a counterclockwise direction in Fig. 7A. Thereby, the ratchet driving portion 40b of the link lever 40 presses the abutting portion 25a of the ratchet lever 25 to move the same upwardly corresponding to an upward movement of the working end portion 50 of the inner handle lever 50, as shown in Fig. 7B. As a result, the hook portion 21b of the latch 21 and the engaging portion 22a of the ratchet 22 is disengaged from each other, so that the door D can be operated for opening to the vehicle body.

In the closed state of the door D, as shown in Fig. 10, when the lock knob D3 is operated for unlocking in the unlock state of the lock mechanism 60, the lock lever 76 rotated in a counterclockwise direction as shown in Fig. 11 rotates the rotary shaft 72 in a counterclockwise direction. The connect lever 63 rotates the rotary shaft 72 about the projection 201 in a counterclockwise direction corresponding to the rotation of the rotary shaft 72. Thereby, the sector gear 65 coupled to the connect lever 63 via the coupling projection 635 and the coupling groove hole 656 is rotated about the gear shaft 651 in a clockwise direction. When the sector gear 65 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the panic-lever abutting portion 655 of the sector gear 65 presses the sector-gear abutting portion 662 of the panic lever 66 so that the panic lever 66 is rotated about the gear shaft 651 in a clockwise direction.

Furthermore, the link lever 50 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction corresponding to the rotation of the panic lever 66, so that the lock mechanism 60 is switched to the lock state.

In the lock state, even if the outside handle D1 is operated for door opening to rotate the open lever 30 in a clockwise direction in Fig. 1, since the ratchet driving unit 40b of the link lever 40 and the abutting portion 25a of the ratchet lever 25 are separated from each other, as shown in Fig. 11, the ratchet driving unit 40b and the abutting portion 25a are not caused to abut on each other, so that the hook portion 21 b of the latch 21 and the engaging portion 22a of the ratchet 22 are not disengaged from each other. As a result, the door D is maintained in a closed state to the vehicle body, so that the vehicle can be locked.

With regard to switching or transferring from the unlock state shown in Fig. 10 to the lock state shown in Fig. 11, such a configuration can be employed, instead of the locking operation of the lock knob D3, that the worm wheel 67 is rotated about the worm shaft 671 in a counterclockwise direction by the driving motor (shown in Fig. 4) so that the sector gear 65 is rotated about the gear shaft 651 in a clockwise direction. Alternatively, the key sub-lever 62 can be rotated about the projection 201 in a counterclockwise direction of the projection 201 by a key operation of the key cylinder KC, as shown as Fig. 9B.

When the lock knob D3 is operated for unlocking in the lock state 60 shown in Fig. 11, as shown in Fig. 10, the lock lever 76 rotated in a counterclockwise direction rotates the rotary shaft 72 in a clockwise direction. The connect lever 63 is rotated about the projection 201 in a clockwise direction corresponding to the rotation of the rotary shaft 72. Thereby, the sector gear 65 coupled to the connect lever 63 via the coupling projection 635 and the coupling groove hole 656 is rotated about the gear shaft 651 in a counterclockwise direction. When the sector gear 65 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the panic lever 66 biased by the panic spring 663 is rotated about the gear shaft 651 in a counterclockwise direction in an interlocking manner with the sector gear 65.

Furthermore, the link lever 40 is rotated in a clockwise direction corresponding to the rotation of the panic lever 66, so that the lock mechanism 60 is switched to the unlock state.

With regard to switching from the lock state shown in Fig. 11 to the unlock state shown in Fig. 10, such a configuration can be employed, instead of the unlocking operation of the lock knob D3, that the worm wheel 67 is rotated about the worm shaft 671 in a clockwise direction by the driving motor 675 (shown in Fig. 4) so that the sector gear 65 is rotated about the gear shaft 651 in a counterclockwise direction. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 9A, the key lever 62 can be rotated about the projection 201 in a clockwise direction by a key operation of the key cylinder KC.

In the opened state of the door D, when the lock mechanism 60 is in the unlock state, the lock mechanism 60 cannot be switched to the lock state by operating only the lock knob D3 for locking. This is because, when the door D is in an opened state, namely, the latch 21 and the ratchet 22 are not in the abutting and engaging state, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6A, the working end portion 25b of the ratchet lever 25 and the lock preventing portion 40d of the link lever 40 are positioned adjacent to each other, and the working end portion 25b of the ratchet lever 25 prevents the link lever 40 from rotating in a counterclockwise direction. However, in the opened state of the door D, when the lock knob D3 is operated for locking during door opening operation conducted by the outside handle D1 or the inside handle D2, the lock mechanism 60 can be switched to a lock state. This is because the link lever 40 is moved upwardly corresponding to a door opening operation of the door D by the outside handle D1 or the inside handle D2 even in the opened state of the door D, as shown in Figs. 6B and 7B, the neighboring relationship of the working end portion 25b of the ratchet lever 25 and the lock preventing portion 40d of the link lever 40 is canceled so that the working end portion 25b of the ratchet lever 25 does not stop a rotation of the link lever 40 in a counterclockwise direction. In the opened state of the door D, after the lock mechanism is switched to the lock state, when the door D is closed in a usual manner, the door D is locked.

In this super lock state, when lock knob D3 is operated for unlocking, as shown in Fig.13, the lock lever 76 rotated in a clockwise direction rotates the rotary shaft 72 in a clockwise direction. However, since the engaging groove 733 and the engaging projection 711 are separated from each other, only the engaging arm 73 is rotated together with the lock lever 76, and the connect lever 63 is not rotated.

That is, the engagement of the lock lever 76 positioned at the lock position is disengaged from the connect lever 63 and the lock lever 76 is made to no avail to the connect lever 63, so that an operation from the lock position of the lock lever 76 to the unlock position is made disabled. As a result, even if the lock knob D3 or the lock lever 76 is operated, the door D is maintained in the closed state to the vehicle body, so that the vehicle can be locked.

Although not shown in the super lock state shown in Fig. 12, when the lock knob D3 is operated to the unlock position to be rotated as shown in Fig. 13, the lock lever 76 is biased by a spring member or the like so as to return back to the position shown in Fig. 12. However, the spring member does not stop an operation to the unlock state or the lock state by the lock knob D3 in the lock state or the unlock state.

With regard to switching to the super lock state shown in Fig. 12, it is not required to perform switching from the lock state shown in Fig. 11 necessarily. Specifically, when the lock mechanism 60 shown in Fig. is in the unlock state, the worm wheel 75 is rotated about the worm shaft 751 in a counterclockwise direction by the driving motor 755 (shown in Fig. 4). The sector gear 74 is rotated about the gear shaft 741 in a clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 12. Thereby, the link arm coupling groove hole 744 provided in the sector gear 74 is moved about the gear shaft 741 in a clockwise direction. When the link arm coupling groove hole 744 is moved, the link pin 713 of the link arm 71 inserted into the link arm coupling groove hole 744 is moved about the rotary shaft 72 in a counterclockwise direction. The connect lever 63 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction corresponding to the movement of the link pin 713 so that the lock mechanism 60 is switched to the lock state. Simultaneously, the engaging-arm-coupling groove hole 745 provided in the sector gear 74 is moved about the gear shaft 741 in a clockwise direction, as shown above. When the engaging-arm- coupling groove hole 745 is moved, the link pin 734 of the engaging arm 73 inserted into the engaging-arm-coupling groove hole 745 is moved in a predetermined diametrical outer direction (a direction S1 in Fig. 12) of the rotary shaft 72. The engaging arm 73 is slid in a direction of separating from the rotary shaft 72 (the direction S1 in Fig. 12) corresponding to the movement of the link pin 734, and the engaging groove 733 and the engaging projection 711 are separated from each other, so that the super lock mechanism 70 is switched to the super lock state.

In the super lock state shown in Fig. 12, the worm wheel 75 is rotated about the worm shaft 751 in a clockwise direction by the driving motor 755 (shown in Fig. 4). The sector gear 74 is rotated about the gear shaft 741 in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 11.

Thereby, the engaging-arm-coupling groove hole 745 provided in the sector gear 74 is moved about the gear shaft 741 in a counterclockwise direction. When the engaging-arm-coupling groove hole 745 is moved, the link pin 734 of the engaging arm 73 inserted into the engaging-arm-coupling groove hole 745 is moved in a predetermined diametrical outer direction (a direction S2 in Fig. 11) of the rotary shaft 72. The engaging arm 73 is slid in a direction (the direction S2 in Fig. 11) of approaching to the rotary shaft 72 corresponding to the movement of the link pin 734, and the engaging groove 733 and the engaging projection 711 are engaged with each other, so that the super lock mechanism 70 is switched to the release state and the lock mechanism 60 is switched to the lock state.

On the other hand, the worm wheel 67 is rotated about the worm shaft 671 in a clockwise direction by the driving motor 675 (shown in Fig. 4) in the super lock state shown in Fig. 12. The sector gear 65 is rotated about the gear shaft 651 in a clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 10. Thereby, the lock mechanism 60 is switched to the unlock state. Simultaneously, the connect lever 63 is rotated about the projection 201 in a clockwise direction corresponding to the rotation of the sector gear 65. When the connect lever 63 is rotated, the link pin 713 of the link arm 71 provided on the connect lever 63 is moved in a clockwise direction together with the connect lever 63. The sector gear 74 is rotated about the gear shaft 741 in a counterclockwise direction via the link arm coupling groove hole 744 by the link pin 713.

Thereby, the engaging-arm-coupling groove hole 745 provided in the sector gear 74 is moved about the gear shaft 741 in a counterclockwise direction. When the engaging-arm-coupling groove hole 745 is moved, the link pin 734 of the engaging arm 73 inserted into the engaging-arm-coupling groove hole 745 is moved in a predetermined diametrical outer direction (see the direction S2 in Fig. 11) of the rotary shaft 72. The engaging arm 73 is slid in a direction (see the direction S2 in Fig. 11) of approaching to the rotary shaft 72 corresponding to the movement of the link pin 734, and the engaging groove 733 and the engaging projection 711 are engaged with each other, so that the super lock mechanism 70 is switched to the release state, as shown in Fig. 10.

Switching from the super lock state shown in Fig. 12 to the release state (the unlock state of the lock mechanism 60) shown in Fig. can be performed by rotating the key sub-lever 62 about the projection 201 by a key operation of the key cylinder KC, as shown in Fig. 9A, to rotate the connect lever 63 about the projection 201 in a clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 10 instead of driving the driving motor 675. That is, by performing switching from the super lock state to the release state by the key operation of the key cylinder KC, it is made possible to release the super lock state even when a failure occurs in the driving motor 675 or the driving motor 755, or the voltage of a battery lowers.

In the door lock apparatus thus configured, the link arm 71 (the engaging projection 711 and the link pin 713), the engaging arm 73 (the interlocking pin 734), and the link arm coupling groove hole 744 and the engaging-arm-coupling groove hole 745 provided in the sector gear 74, which constitute the link unit are provided in the configuration where the driving motor 675 performing switching of the lock mechanism 60 between the lock state and the unlock state and the driving motor 755 performing switching of the super lock mechanism 70 between the super lock state and the release state are provided. It is made possible by the link unit to drive the driving motor 755 of the super lock mechanism 70 to switch the super lock mechanism 70 to the super lock state while the lock mechanism 60 is in the unlock state. It is made possible by the link unit to drive the driving motor 675 of the lock mechanism 60 to switch the lock mechanism 60 to the unlock state while the super lock mechanism 70 is in the super lock state. As a result, it is made possible to reduce the operation time from the unlock state to the super lock state and the switching time from the super lock state to the unlock sate, so that getting on and getting off the vehicle can be made smooth, especially, getting on the vehicle is made further smooth. In the door lock apparatus, since the lock lever 76 is made to no avail to the connect lever 63, no collision among respective constituent parts occurs, which is different from the conventional door lock apparatus (see, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 3400747) having such a configuration that the operation for releasing the lock state by the lock knob is stopped, so that unnecessary load in not put on the respective constituent parts.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, like parts as those in the first embodiments are designated by like reference signs, explanation thereof will be omitted, and parts or configurations different from the first embodiment will be explained. Specifically, configurations in the second embodiment different from the first embodiment include the ratchet lever 25 of the latch mechanism 20, and the link lever 40 and a release lever 80 constituting the release unit according to the present invention.

As shown in Figs.14, 15A, and 15B, the ratchet 22 is provided with the ratchet lever 25. The ratchet lever 25 together with the ratchet 22 is rotated about the ratchet shaft 24 at a position on the vehicle front side. The ratchet lever 25 has an abutting portion formed by bending, to a vehicle front side (side of the lock mechanism accommodating unit 12), a portion extending from the ratchet shaft 24 in the same direction as the working unit 22b of the ratchet 22 and bending a lower part of the bent portion to the vehicle interior side, and a working end portion 25b formed by bending a portion further extending from the abutting portion 25a to the vehicle front side. The ratchet lever 25 is coupled so as to be rotated together with the ratchet 22 via a link pin 26 shown in Figs. 5A to 5C.

The link lever 40 constitutes the release unit according to the present invention and it is attached to the open work end portion 30b of the open lever 30. As shown in Figs.15A, 15B,16A, and 16B, the link lever 40 has an attaching hole 40a at its proximal end. The attaching hole 40a is formed in a rotary piece 40aa provided in the link lever 40 so as to be rotatable about an axial center along interior and exterior directions of the vehicle body. The link lever 40 is provided so as to be movable vertically together with the open operation end portion 30b and is supported to the open operation end portion 30b so as to be rotatable about the axial center along interior and exterior directions of the vehicle body via the rotary piece 40aa by inserting the open operation end portion 30b of the open lever 30 into the attaching hole 40a. The link lever 40 is provided with the ratchet driving portion 40b, and the lever coupling portion 40c.

The lever coupling portion 40c of the link lever 40 extends upwardly from the attaching hole 40a toward a side of the working end portion 25b of the ratchet lever 25. The extending portion of the lever coupling portion 40c is formed with a panic lever coupling groove hole 40e as an elongated hole extending vertically. A release lever coupling groove hole 40f that is an elongated hole extending vertically is formed at a proximal end of the lever coupling portion 40c near the attaching hole 40a thereof. A bulging groove hole 4Og bulging toward the vehicle rear side is formed below a lower end of the releasing lever coupling groove hole 40e.

The release lever 80 constitutes a release unit according to the present invention, and it is provided on the interior side of the link lever 40 inside the housing 10, as shown in Fig. 14. The releasing lever 80 is disposed rotatably about a release lever shaft 81 extending in interior and exterior directions of the vehicle and attached to the sub-casing 3.

The releasing lever 80 is formed in an approximately C shape, and has an abutting portion 80a extending from the release lever shaft 81 toward the vehicle rear side up to above the working end portion 25b of the ratchet lever 25 and an operating portion 80b extending from the release lever shaft 81 toward the vehicle rear side up to the interior side of the release lever coupling groove hole 40f in the link lever 40.

The operating portion 80b is provided with an engaging pin 80c inserted to be engaged with the bulging groove hole 4Og.

According to the door lock apparatus described above, in a closed state of the door D, when the lock mechanism 60 is in an unlock state, as shown in Fig. 17, the ratchet driving unit 40b of the link lever is positioned below the abutting portion 25a of the ratchet lever 25, as shown in Figs. 15A and 16A.

In the unlock state, the outside handle D1 is operated for door opening to rotate the open lever 30 about the open lever shaft 31 in a counterclockwise direction in Fig. 15A. Thereby, the ratchet driving portion 40b of the link lever 40 presses the abutting portion 25a of the ratchet lever 25 to move the same upwardly corresponding to an upward movement of open working end portion Bob, as shown in Fig. 15B. As a result, the hook portion 21b of the latch 21 and the engaging portion 22a of the ratchet 22 are disengaged from each other, so that the door D can be operated for opening to the vehicle body.

In the unlock state, the inside handle D2 is operated for door opening to rotate the inner handle lever 50 about the inner lever shaft 51 in a counterclockwise direction in Fig. 16A. Thereby, the ratchet driving portion 40b of the link lever 40 presses the abutting portion 25a of the ratchet lever 25 to move the same upwardly corresponding to an upward movement of the working end portion 50b of the inner handle lever 50, as shown in Fig. 16B. As a result, the hook portion 21b of the latch 21 and the engaging portion 22a of the ratchet 22 are disengaged from each other, so that the door D can be operated for opening to the vehicle body.

in the closed state of the door D, as shown in Fig. 17, when the lock knob D3 is operated for locking while the lock mechanism 60 is in the unlock state, the lock lever 76 rotated in a counterclockwise direction rotates the rotary shaft 72 in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 18. The connect lever 63 is rotated about the projection 201 in a counterclockwise direction corresponding to the rotation of the rotary shaft 72. Thereby, the sector gear 65 coupled to the connect lever 63 via the coupling projection 635 and the coupling groove hole 656 is rotated about the gear shaft 651 in a clockwise direction. When the sector gear 65 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the panic-lever abutting portion 655 of the sector gear 65 presses the sector-gear abutting portion 662 of the panic lever 66 to rotate the panic lever 66 about the gear shaft 651 in a clockwise direction. Furthermore, the link lever 40 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction corresponding to the rotation of the panic lever 66, so that the lock mechanism 60 is switched to the lock state.

When the link lever 40 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the release lever 80 engaged with the link lever 40 is rotated about the release lever shaft 81 in a clockwise direction to move the abutting portion 80a to such a position that the abutting portion 80a can abut on the working end portion 25b of the ratchet lever 25, as shown in Fig. 18.

in the lock state, even if the outside handle D1 is operated for door opening to rotate the open lever 30 in a clockwise direction in Fig. 1, since the ratchet driving portion 40b of the link lever 40 and the abutting portion 25a of the ratchet lever 25 are separated from each other, as shown in Fig. 18, the ratchet driving portion 40b and the abutting portion 25a are not caused to abut on each other, and the hook portion 21b of the latch 21 and the engaging portion 22a of the ratchet 22 are not disengaged from each other. As a result, the door D is maintained in the closed state to the vehicle body, so that the vehicle can be locked.

With regard to switching from the unlock state shown in Fig. 17 to the lock state shown in Fig. 18, instead of the locking operation conducted by the lock knob D3, the sector gear 65 can be rotated about the gear shaft 651 in a clockwise direction by rotating worm wheel 67 about the worm shaft 671 in a counterclockwise direction by the driving motor 675 (shown in Fig. 14). Alternatively, the key sub-lever 62 can be rotated about the projection 201 in a counterclockwise direction by a key operation of the key cylinder KC, as shown in Fig. 9B.

In the lock state shown in Fig. 18, when the lock knob D3 is operated for unlocking, the lock lever 76 rotated in a clockwise direction rotates the rotary shaft 72 in a clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 17. The connect lever 63 is rotated about the projection 201 in a clockwise direction corresponding to the rotation of the rotary shaft 72.

Thereby, the sector gear 65 coupled to the connect lever 63 via the coupling projection 635 and the coupling groove hole 656 is rotated about the gear shaft 651 in a counterclockwise direction. When the sector gear 65 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the panic lever 66 biased by the panic spring 663 is rotated about the gear shaft 651 in a counterclockwise direction in an interlocking manner with the sector gear 65. Furthermore, the link lever 40 is rotated in a clockwise direction corresponding to the rotation of the panic lever 66 so that the lock mechanism is switched to the unlock state.

With regard to switching from the lock state shown in Fig. 18 to theunlock state shown in Fig. 17, instead of the unlocking operation conducted by the lock knob D3, the sector gear 65 can be rotated about the gear shaft 651 in a counterclockwise direction by rotating worm wheel 67 about the worm shaft 671 in a clockwise direction by the driving motor 675 (shown in Fig. 14). Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 9A, the key sub-lever 62 can be rotated about the projection 201 in a clockwise direction by a key operation of the key cylinder KC.

In the opened state of the door D, when the lock mechanism 60 is in the unlock state, the lock mechanism 60 can be switched to the lock state by operating only the lock knob D3 for locking. However, when the lock mechanism 60 is switched to the lock state in the opened state of the door D, the lock mechanism 60 can be returned back to the unlock state by closing the door D as it is. This is because, when the door D is closed from the opened state, the latch mechanism 20 is switched to a full latch state via a half latch state. Specifically, with reference to Figs. 5A and 5B, the engaging portion 22a of the ratchet 22 climbs over the engaging portion 21c of the latch 21 in the course from the opened state (Fig. 5A) of the door D to the half latch state (Fig. 5B). At this time, the working unit 22b of the ratchet 22 is moved upwardly. Similarly, the engaging portion 22a of the ratchet 22 climbs over the working unit 21b of the latch 21 in the course from the half latch state (Fig. 5B) to the full latch state (Fig. 5C). At this time, the working unit 22b of the ratchet 22 is moved upwardly. When the working unit 22b of the ratchet 22 is raised, the operating end portion 25b of the ratchet lever 25 rotated integrally with the ratchet 22 is also moved upwardly. Here, as shown in Fig. 18, the release lever 80 is moved at a position where the abutting portion 80a can abut on the operating end portion 25b of the ratchet lever 25. That is, the operating end portion 25b of the ratchet lever 25 moved upwardly pushes the abutting portion 80a of the release lever 80 upwardly to rotate the release lever 80 about the release lever shaft 81 in a counterclockwise direction as shown in Fig. 17. As a result, since the engaging pin 80c of the release lever 80 is moved about the release lever shaft 81 in a counterclockwise direction to rotate the link lever 40 in a clockwise direction, the lock mechanism 60 is switched to the unlock state.

On the other hand, when the lock mechanism 60 is switched to the lock state in the opened state of the door D, the lock mechanism 60 can be maintained in the lock state by closing the door D during a door opening operation of the outside handle D1 (or the inside handle D2).

This is because the link lever 40 is moved upwardly corresponding to a door opening operation of the outside handle D1 (or the inside handle D2) and the engaging pin 80c of the release lever 80 is positioned at a lower end of the release lever coupling groove hole 40f of the link lever 40, as shown in Fig. 22. That is, as shown in Fig. 23, the abutting portion 80a of the release lever 80 is pushed upwardly by the operating end portion 25b of the ratchet lever 25 moved upwardly to rotate the release lever 80 about the release lever shaft 81 in a counterclockwise direction. However, since the engaging pin 80c of the release lever 80 moved about the release lever shaft 81 in a counterclockwise direction advances into the bulging groove hole 409 of the link lever 40 to prevent a rotation of the link lever 40 in a clockwise direction, the lock mechanism 60 is maintained in the lock state.

When the lock knob D3 is operated for unlocking in the super lock state, the lock lever 76 rotated in a clockwise direction rotates the rotary shaft 72 in a clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 20. However, since the engaging groove 733 and the engaging projection 711 are separated from each other, only the engaging arm 73 is rotated integrally with the lock lever 76, and the connect lever 63 is not rotated.

That is, the lock lever 76 positioned at the lock position is disengaged from the connect lever 63 and the lock lever 76 is made to no avail to the connect lever 63, so that an operation of the lock lever 76 from the lock position to the unlock position is made disabled. As a result, even if the lock knob D3 or the lock lever 76 is operated, the door D is maintained in the closed state to the vehicle body, so that the vehicle can be locked.

Although not shown, the lock lever 76 is biased so as to return back to the position shown in Fig. 19 by a spring member or the like, when the lock knob D3 is operated to the unlock position in the super lock state shown in Fig. 19 to rotate the lock lever 76 as shown in Fig. 20. However, the spring member does not stop an operation to the unlock state or the lock state conducted by the lock knob D3 in the lock state or the unlock state.

With regard to switching to the super lock state shown in Fig. 19, it is not required to perform the switching from the lock state shown in Fig. 18 necessarily. Specifically, when the lock mechanism 60 shown in Fig. 17 is in the unlock state, the worm wheel 75 is rotated about the worm shaft 751 in a counterclockwise direction by the driving motor 755 (shown in Fig. 14). The sector gear 74 is rotated about the gear shaft 741 in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 19. Thereby, the link arm coupling groove hole 744 provided in the sector gear 74 is moved about the gear shaft 741 in a clockwise direction. When the link arm coupling groove hole 744 is moved, the link pin 713 of the link arm 71 inserted into the link arm coupling groove hole 744 is moved about the rotary shaft 72 in a counterclockwise direction. The connect lever 63 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction corresponding to the movement of the link pin 713 so that the lock mechanism 60 is switched to the lock state. Simultaneously, the engaging-arm-coupling groove hole 745 provided in the sector gear 74 is moved about the gear shaft 741 in a clockwise direction, as shown above. When the engaging-arm- coupling groove hole 745 is moved, the link pin 734 of the engaging arm 73 inserted into the engaging-arm-coupling groove hole 745 is moved in a predetermined diametrical outer direction (a direction S1 in Fig. 19) of the rotary shaft 72. The engaging arm 73 is slid in a direction (the direction S1 in Fig. 19) of separating from the rotary shaft 72 corresponding to the movement of the link pin 734, and the engaging groove 733 and the engaging projection 711 are separated from each other, so that the super lock mechanism 70 is switched to the super lock state.

The worm wheel 75 is rotated about the worm shaft 751 in a clockwise direction by the driving motor 755 (shown in Fig. 14) in the super lock state shown in Fig. 19. The sector gear 74 is rotated about the gear shaft 741 in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 18.

Thereby, the engaging-arm-coupling groove hole 745 provided in the sector gear 74 is moved about the gear shaft 741 in a counterclockwise direction. When the engaging-arm-coupling groove hole 745 is moved, the link pin 734 of the engaging arm 73 inserted into the engaging-arm-coupling groove hole 745 is moved in a predetermined diametrical outer direction (a direction S2 in Fig. 18) of the rotary shaft 72. The engaging arm 73 is slid in a direction (the direction S2 in Fig. 18) of approaching to the rotary shaft 72 corresponding to the movement of the link pin 734, and the engaging groove 733 and the engaging projection 711 is engaged with each other, so that the super lock mechanism 70 is switched to the release state and the lock mechanism 60 is switched to the lock state.

On the other hand, the worm wheel 67 is rotated about the worm shaft 671 in a clockwise direction by the driving motor 675 (shown in Fig. 14) in the super lock state shown in Fig. 19. The sector gear 65 is rotated about the gear shaft 651 in a clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 17. Thereby, the lock mechanism 60 is switched to the unlock state. Simultaneously, the connect lever 63 is rotated about the projection 201 in a clockwise direction corresponding to the rotation of the sector gear 65. When the connect lever 63 is rotated, the link pin 713 of the link arm 71 provided on the connect lever 63 is moved in a clockwise direction together with the connect lever 63. The sector gear 74 is rotated about the gear shaft 741 in a counterclockwise direction via the link arm coupling groove hole 744 by the link pin 713.

Thereby, the engaging-arm-coupling groove hole 745 provided in the sector gear 74 is moved about the gear shaft 741 in a counterclockwise direction. When the engaging-arm-coupling groove hole 745 is moved, the link pin 734 of the engaging arm 73 inserted into the engaging-arm-coupling groove hole 745 is moved in a predetermined diametrical outer direction (see the direction S2 in Fig. 18) of the rotary shaft 72. The engaging arm 73 is slid in a direction (see the direction S2 in Fig. 18) of approaching to the rotary shaft 72 corresponding to the movement of the link pin 734, and the engaging groove 733 and the engaging projection 711 are engaged with each other, so that the super lock mechanism 70 is switched to the release state, as shown in Fig. 17.

Switching from the super lock state shown in Fig. 19 to the release state (the unlock state of the lock mechanism 60) shown in Fig. 17 can be performed by rotating the key sub-lever 62 about the projection 201 by a key operation of the key cylinder KC, as shown in Fig. 9A, to rotate the connect lever 63 about the projection 201 in a clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 17 instead of driving the driving motor 675. That is, by performing switching from the super lock state to the release state by the key operation of the key cylinder KC, it is made possible to release the super lock state even when a failure occurs in the driving motor 675 or the driving motor 755, or the voltage of a battery lowers.

In the opened state of the door D, when it is detected by the switch for detecting the opened state and the closed state of the door D that the door D is in the closed state, the super lock mechanism 70 can be switched to the super lock state by driving of the driving motor 755 (shown in Fig. 14), as described above. However, when the super lock mechanism 70 is switched to the super lock state in the opened state of the door D, it is made possible to switch the lock mechanism 60 to the unlock state to return the super lock mechanism 70 to the release state by closing the door D without accompanying the door opening operation of the outside handle D1 (or the inside handle D2). This is because, when the lock mechanism 60 is switched to the lock state in the opened state of the door D, as described above, the operation for returning the lock mechanism 60 to the unlock state occurs in the same manner as the operation for switching the super lock mechanism 70 from the super lock state to the release state performed by driving of the driving motor 675.

Specifically, in the opened state of the door D and In line sups, lock state shown in Fig. 19, when the door D is closed without accompanying the door opening operation conducted by the outside handle D1 (or the inside handle D2), the operating end portion 25b of the ratchet lever 25 moved upwardly pushes the abutting portion 80a of the release lever 80 to rotate the release lever 80 about the release lever shaft 81 in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 21.

Since the engaging pin 80c of the release lever 80 is moved about the release lever shaft 81 in a counterclockwise direction to rotate the link lever 40 in a clockwise direction, the lock mechanism 60 is switched to the unlock state. Furthermore, when the lock mechanism 60 is switched to the unlock state, the sector gear 65 is rotated about the gear shaft 651 in a counterclockwise direction to rotate the connect lever 63 about the projection 201 in a clockwise direction. As a result, the super lock mechanism 70 is switched to the release state.

On the other hand, when the super lock mechanism 70 is switched to the super lock state in the opened state of the door D, the super lock mechanism 70 can be maintained in the super lock state by closing the door D while maintaining the door opening operation of the outside handle D1 (or the inside handle D2). This is because the link lever 40 is moved upwardly to position the engaging pin 80c of the release lever 80 at a lower end of the release lever coupling groove hole 40f corresponding to the door opening operation of the outside handle D1 (or the inside handle D2), as shown in Fig. 22. That is, as shown in Fig. 23, the abutting portion 80a of the release lever 80 is moved upwardly to rotate the release lever 80 about the release lever shaft 81 in a counterclockwise direction corresponding to the operating end portion 25b of the ratchet lever 25 moved upwardly. However, since the engaging pin 80c of the release lever 80 moved about the release lever shaft 81 in a counterclockwise direction advances into the bulging groove hole 4Og to prevent a rotation of the link lever 40 in a clockwise direction, the super lock mechanism 70 is maintained in the super lock state.

In the door lock apparatus thus constituted, the link arm 71 (the engaging projection 711 and the link pin 713), the engaging arm 73 (the interlocking pin 734), and the link arm coupling groove hole 744 and the engaging-arm-coupling groove hole 745 provided in the sector gear 74, which constitute the link unit are provided in the configuration where the driving motor 675 performing switching of the lock mechanism 60 between the lock state and the unlock state and the driving motor 755 performing switching of the super lock mechanism 70 between the super lock state and the release state are provided. It is made possible by the link unit to drive the driving motor 755 of the super lock mechanism 70 to switch the super lock mechanism 70 to the super lock state while the lock mechanism 60 is in the unlock state. It is also made possible by the link unit to drive the driving motor 675 of the lock mechanism 60 to switch the lock mechanism 60 to the unlock state while the super lock mechanism 70 is in the super lock state. As a result, it is made possible to reduce the switching time from the unlock state to the super lock state and the switching time form the super lock state to the unlock sate, so that it is made smooth for a passenger to get on and get off the vehicle can be made smooth, and in particular getting on the vehicle is made further smooth. In the door lock apparatus, since the lock lever 76 is made to no avail to the connect lever 63, no collision among respective constituent parts occurs, which is different from the conventional door lock apparatus (for example, see Japanese Patent Publication No. 3400747) having such a configuration that the operation for releasing the lock state by the lock knob is stopped, so that such an event that the respective constituent parts are loaded can be prevented.

In the door lock apparatus, since the release lever 80 and the link lever 40 serving as the release unit are provided, when the super lock mechanism 70 is switched to the super lock state in the opened state of the door D, the lock mechanism 60 is switched to the unlock state and the super lock mechanism 70 is switched to release state corresponding to the operation of the link unit. As a result, even if the super lock mechanism 70 is switched to the super lock state in the opened state of the door D, problems such as damage to the door lock apparatus can be avoided.

A third embodiment of the present invention will be explained below. According to the third embodiment, like parts as those in the first and the second embodiments are designated by like reference signs, explanation thereof will be omitted, and parts or configurations different from the first and the second embodiments will be explained below. Specifically, configurations in the third embodiment different from the first and the second embodiments include a working guide unit according to the present invention pertaining to the link arm 71 and the engaging arm 73.

The engaging projection 711 of the link arm 71 constitutes a working guide unit according to the present invention. As shown in Fig. 24, in the engaging projection 711, a distal end face thereof provided in a projecting manner is formed in a slope face 711a inclined toward a distal end of the link arm 71. The engaging projection 711 is inserted into a recessed hole 711b provided in the link arm 71 via a compression spring 711c. The engaging projection 711 engages a lid portion 711d provided in an opening of the recessed hole 711, so that the engaging projection 711 is resiliently supported toward a projecting position projecting from the link arm 71 by a resilient force of the compression spring 711 c.

As shown in Figs. 25A and 25B, the engaging arm 73 is provided with a guide face 735 constituting the working guide unit according to the present invention. The guide face 735 is provided at a hook-shaped portion that is positioned on a vehicle interior side face (a lower face) of the engaging arm 73 provided with the link pin 734, as shown in Fig. 25B, and extends from the engaging groove 733 toward the an opening direction of the insertion groove 732, as shown in Fig. 25A. The guide face 735 is provided to be inclined from the distal end side of the engaging arm 73 toward the insertion groove 732 and to be inclined from the engaging groove 733 toward the opening direction (a distal end of the hook shape) of the insertion hole 732.

As shown in Fig. 13, when the lock knob D3 is operated for unlocking in the super lock state, the lock lever 76 rotated about the rotary shaft 72 in a clockwise direction is rotated in a clockwise direction to be moved to the unlock position, as shown in Fig. 13.

Thereafter, if the lock knob D3 is kept in the unlocked state, the lock lever 76 is held at the unlock position. Thus, when the lock lever 76 is held at the unlock position in the super lock state, the door lock apparatus is actuated in the following manner by driving the driving motor 755 in the super lock mechanism 70 to move the sector gear 74 to the release position.

That is, when the lock lever 76 is held at the unlock position in the super lock position, the engaging projection 711 of the link arm 71 is positioned at a position of the opening portion of the insertion groove 732 in the engaging arm 73, as shown in Fig. 13. At this time, as shown in Fig. 26A, the slope face 711a of the engaging projection 711 and the guide face 735 of the engaging arm 73 face each other. In this state, the sector gear 74 is rotated about the gear shaft 741 in a counterclockwise direction by driving the driving motor 755 in the super lock mechanism 70. The engaging arm 73 is slid to approach to the rotary shaft 72 via the interlocking pin 734 of the engaging arm 73 inserted into the engagingarm-coupling groove hole 745 corresponding to the movement of the engaging-arm-coupling groove hole 745 provided in the sector gear 74, as shown in Fig. 26B. When the engaging arm 73 is slid, the guide face 735 and the slope face 711a abut on each other, and the engaging projection 711 is guided by the moving guide face 735 to move into the recessed hole 711b against the resilient force of the compression spring 711c in an immersing manner.

The engaging projection 711 enters under a lower face of the hook-shaped portion of the engaging arm 73 so that the engaging projection 711 retreats from the engaging arm 73. As a result, movements of the sector gear 74 to the release position are allowed.

Thereafter, when holding of the lock lever 76 to the unlock position is released, the lock knob D3 (the lock lever 76 and the engaging arm 73) is returned back to the lock position by a spring member (not shown).

The engaging projection 711 is guided and moved to a position of engaging the engaging groove 733 according to the guide face 735, while the engaging projection 711 remains under the lower face of the hook-shaped portion of the engaging arm 73, as shown in Fig. 26C, so that the super lock mechanism 70 is switched to the release state, as shown in Fig. 11.

In the door lock apparatus thus configured, the engaging projection 711 of the link arm 71 serving as the working guide unit is constituted to move from a its projecting position in the immersing manner and the guide face 735 is provided on the engaging arm 73 so as to abut on the slope face 711 of the engaging projection 711. When the driving motor 755 in the super lock mechanism 70 is driven while the lock lever 76 is being held at the unlock position in the super lock state, the slope face 711a of the engaging projection 711 and the guide face 735 abut on each other, and the engaging projection 711 is guided by the moving guide face 735 to move into the recessed hole 711b against the resilient force of the compression spring 711c in an immersing manner. Therefore, since the engaging projection 711 retreats from the engaging arm 73, movements of the sector gear 74 to the release position are allowed. As a result, the super lock mechanism 70 can be switched from the super lock state to the release state regardless of operation of the lock knob D3.

While exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been explained above in order to disclose the invention thoroughly and clearly, the scope of the appended claims of the invention is not limited by the embodiments. It should be noted that the claims are configured such that, within the scope of the basic points described in the specification, all of modifications and alternative configurations that occur to persons skilled in the art can be realized.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a specific embodiment 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 which fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.

Claims

1. A door lock apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: a lock mechanism including a lock working unit that is engaged with a lock lever linked to a lock knob disposed inside the vehicle, the lock working unit being actuated by driving a first driving unit in such a manner that the lock lever is switched to a lock position or an unlock position, the lock mechanism switching between a lock state where a door opening operation by a door handle of the vehicle is disabled and an unlock state where the door opening operation by the door handle is enabled; a super lock mechanism including a super-lock working unit that is actuated by driving a second driving unit in such a manner that an engagement of the lock lever positioned at the lock position with the lock working unit is disabled or enabled, the super lock mechanism switching between a super lock state where an operation of the lock lever from the lock position to the unlock position is disabled and a release state where the operation of the lock lever from the lock position to the unlock position is enabled; and a link unit that mutually links the super-lock working unit and the lock working unit, switches the super-lock working unit to the release state with switching of the lock working unit to the unlock state in the super lock state, and switches the lock working unit to the lock state with switching of the super-lock working unit to the super lock state in the unlock state.

2. The door lock apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the link unit includes a link arm provided on the lock working unit; an engaging arm engageable with the link arm and disengageable from the link arm and movable integrally with the lock lever; a first cam portion that is provided on the super lock portion being engaged with the link arm, switches the super-lock working unit to the release state via the link arm with switching of the lock working unit to the unlock state in the super lock state, and switches the lock working unit to the lock state via the link arm with switching of the super-lock working unit to the super lock state; and a second cam portion that is provided on the super- lock working unit being engaged with the engaging arm, engages the engaging arm with the link arm with switching of the super-lock working unit to the release state, and disengages the engaging arm from the link arm with switching of the super-lock working unit to the super lock state.

3. The door lock apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a release unit that switches the lock working unit to the unlock state, when a door is closed in a door opened state with the super lock state, without accompanying a door opening operation by the door handle.

4. The door lock apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the release unit includes a link lever that moves with an operation of the lock working unit and a door opening operation by the door handle; and a release lever that is provided to be engageable with the latch mechanism and disengageable from the latch mechanism that maintains a door closed state with a movement of the link lever, and engages the latch mechanism to switch the lock working unit to the unlock state via the link lever, when the door is closed in the door opened state with the super lock state, without accompanying the door opening operation by the door handle.

5. The door lock apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a working guide unit that is provided on the link unit and allows switching of the super-lock working unit to the release position, when the super- lock working unit is switched to a release position while the lock lever is maintained at the unlock position in the super lock state.

6. The door lock apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the working guide unit includes an engaging projection that resiliently supports toward a projecting position of projecting from the link arm to cause the engaging arm to engage the link arm, and is movable from the projecting position against a resilient force so as to retreat from the engaging arm; and a guide face that is provided on the engaging arm, and causes the engaging projection to retreat when the super-lock working unit is switched to the release position while maintaining the lock lever in the unlock position in the super lock state.

7. A door lock apparatus substantially as described with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1 to 13, Figures 14 to 23, or Figures 24 to 26C of the accompanying drawings.