Automatic door locking/unlocking device for an automotive vehicle

Claim 2

' A door lock/unlock system for an automotive vehicle comprising: a mechanically operable door lock mechanism operable between a door lock position and a door unlock position; an electrically operable actuator including: electrical driving means mechanically connected to said door lock mechanism for operating said door lock mechanism between said door lock and unlock positions; and a first switch coupled to said driving means and having a first and a second position settable respectively corresponding to the door lock and unlock positions of the door lock mechanism; and a driving circuit connecting said driving means to an electric power source, said circuit having a second switch switchable between a first position in which said driving means is driven for operating said door lock mechanism in a door locking direction to move said door lock mechanism to said door lock position and a second position in which said driving means is driven for operating said door locking mechanism in a door unlocking direction to move said door lock mechanism to said door unlock position, said circuit also including said first switch to disable the driving means for operating said door lock mechanism in said door locking direction while said first switch is in first position and to disable the .driving means for operating said door lock mechanism in said door unlocking direction while said first swtich is in said second position.

Claim 3

A door lock/unlock system for an automotive vehicle comprising: a door lock mechanism coupled to a manually operable door lock knob for operation between a door lock position and a door unlock position; an electrically operable actuator mechanically coupled to said door lock. mechanism to operate the latter between said lock and unlock positions, said actuator including an electrically operable driving means operable in alternative directions for operating said door lock mechanism in a door locking direction to move said door lock mechanism to said door lock position and in a door unlocking direction to move said door lock mechanism to said door unlock position; a first switch incorporated within said actuator and operable between a first and a second position respectively corresponding to the door lock and unlock positions of the door lock mechanism; and a driving circuit connecting said driving means in said actuator to an electric power source, said circuit having a second switch switchable between a first position in which said driving means is driven for operating said door lock mechanism in said locking direction and a second position in which said driving means is driven for operating said door lock mechanism in said door unlocking direction, said circuit also including said first switch to disable the driving means for operating said door lock mechanism in said door locking direction while said first switch is in said first position and to disable the driving means for operating said door lock mechanism in said door unlocking direction while said first switch is in said second position.

Claim 4

A door lock/unlock system for an automotive vehicle comprising: a door lock mechanism coupled to a manually operable door lock knob for operation between a door lock position and a door unlock position; an electrically operable actuator mechanically coupled to said door lock. mechanism to operate the latter between said lock and unlock positions, said actuator including an electrically operable driving means operable in alternative directions for operating said door lock mechanism in a door locking direction to move said door lock mechanism to said door lock position and in a door unlocking direction to move said door lock mechanism to said door unlock position; a first switch incorporated within said actuator and operable between a first and a second position respectively corresponding to the door lock and unlock positions of the door lock mechanism; and a driving circuit connecting said driving means in said actuator to an electric power source, said circuit having a second switch switchable between a first position in which said driving means is driven for operating said door lock mechanism in said locking direction and a second position in which said driving means is driven for operating said door lock mechanism in said door unlocking direction, said circuit also including said first switch to disable the driving means for operating said door lock mechanism in said door locking direction while said first switch is in said first position and to disable the driving means for operating said door lock mechanism in said door unlocking direction while said first switch is in said second position.

Claim 5

The system as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein said actuator includes a portion movable by said driving means between first and second positions, and means coupling said movable portion with said door lock mechanism, said first and second positions of said movable portion corresponding respectively to said door lock and unlock positions of said door lock mechanism.

Claim 6

The system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said movable portion is coupled with said first switch to move said first switch between said first and second positions thereof, and said first switch includes means for holding said first switch in said first and second position thereof.

Claim 7

The system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said driving means includes decoupling means for permitting said .door lock mechanism to be manually locked and unlocked without operation of said driving means.

Claim 8

A door lock/unlock system for an automotive vehicle having a mechanically operable door lock mechanism adapted for operation between a door lock and a door unlock position and an electrically operable actuator operating the door lock mechanism between the door lock and unlock positions, said actuator having a reversible motor operable in a first and a second direction respectively corresponding to the lock and unlock positions of the door lock mechanism, said system comprising: a first switch movable between a first and a second position in accordance with operation of the actuator in one of said door lock and unlock directions, said first switch including means for holding the first switch in one of said first and second positions which corresponds to the position of the door lock mechanism; and a circuit including a second switch, said reversible motor and said first switch, said second switch manually operable to supply electric power in said circuit in alternative directions for the reversible motor to operate said reversible motor in said first and second directions thereby operating said actuator in said door lock and unlock directionsrespectively, said circuit preventing connection of said power supply to said motor when the second switch is operated to actuate said reversible motor in said first direction while the door lock mechanism is in said lock position and to prevent connection of said power supply to said reversible motor when the second switch is operated in said second direction while the door lock mechanism is in unlocking position.

Claim 9

A door lock/unlock system for an automotive vehicle having a mechanically operable door lock mechanism adapted for operation between a door lock and a door unlock position and an electrically operable actuator operating the door lock mechanism between the door lock and unlock positions, said actuator having a reversible motor operable in a first and a second direction respectively corresponding to the lock and unlock positions of the door lock mechanism, said system comprising: a first switch movable between a first and a second position in accordance with operation of the actuator in one of said door lock and unlock directions, said first switch including means for holding the first switch in one of said first and second positions which corresponds to the position of the door lock mechanism; and a circuit including a second switch, said reversible motor and said first switch, said second switch manually operable to supply electric power in said circuit in alternative directions for the reversible motor to operate said reversible motor in said first and second directions thereby operating said actuator in said door lock and unlock directionsrespectively, said circuit preventing connection of said power supply to said motor when the second switch is operated to actuate said reversible motor in said first direction while the door lock mechanism is in said lock position and to prevent connection of said power supply to said reversible motor when the second switch is operated in said second direction while the door lock mechanism is in unlocking position.

Claim 10

The system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said actuator further comprises a reduction gear and a rack member which is associated with the door lock mechanism, said reduction gear being interpositioned between said reversible motor and said rack member so that it drives the rack member in first and second directions corresponding to said door lock and unlock directions of said reversible motor.

Claim 11

The system as set forth in claim 7, wherein said reduction gear comprises a pair of idler gears interconnected via a spring biased coupling means for permiting the rack member to move independently of the motor rotation while said door lock mechanism is manually operated.

Claim 12

The system as set forth in claim 7, wherein said first switch is connected with said rack member so that it is moved according to the movement of the rack member.