Door lock system

Abstract

To provide a door lock system which can open a door with a normal door lock device even when there is abnormality in another door lock device, while securing safety during travel.SOLUTION: A door lock system 1 includes: a first door lock device 10A which includes a first latch mechanism 15A for holding a first door, a first motor 20A for releasing the hold, a first drive part 21A for driving the first motor 20A, and a first control part 22A for outputting a first opening signal to the first drive part 21A when a first opening condition is established and an opening operation is detected; a second door lock device 10B which includes a second latch mechanism 15B for holding a second door, a second motor 20B for releasing the hold, a second drive part 21B for driving the second motor 20B, and a second control part 22B for outputting a second opening signal to the second drive part 21B when a second opening condition is established and the opening operation is detected; and a first nullification part 25A for nullifying the drive of the second motor 20B by the second drive part 21B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a door lock system. [Background technology]

[0002] The vehicle door is equipped with an electric door lock device that automatically opens the door when the door opening conditions are met and the door opening operation is detected. The door opening conditions include the vehicle not being in motion, i.e., stopped.

[0003] In a configuration where control is based solely on the result of a single control unit determining whether the opening conditions are met, if, for example, there is an abnormality in the wiring connecting the vehicle's speed sensor and the control unit and the speed sensor's detection result is not input to the control unit, there is a risk that the latch mechanism will be opened and the door will be able to open even while the vehicle is moving. Therefore, the door lock system disclosed in Patent Document 1 electrically connects two door lock devices located on different doors, and when the results of the determinations made by both control units regarding the satisfaction of the opening conditions match, the motor is driven to open the latch mechanism. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-116705 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the door lock system of Patent Document 1, if one of the two control units is broken or if there is an abnormality in the wiring connecting the two door lock devices, the other control unit that is working properly cannot receive the result of the other control unit's determination that the opening condition is met. Therefore, even if the door lock device is working properly, the user cannot open the door even if the opening condition is met.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a door lock system that ensures safety during driving and allows a door to be opened with a normal door lock device even if another door lock device has an abnormality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a first door lock device having a first latch mechanism that holds a first door in a closed position so as to be releasable, a first motor that opens the first latch mechanism to release the hold of the first door, a first drive unit that drives the first motor, and a first control unit that determines whether a first opening condition of the first latch mechanism, including a vehicle being stopped, is satisfied and outputs a first open signal to the first drive unit to open the first latch mechanism when the first opening condition is satisfied and an opening operation of the first door is detected; a second latch mechanism that holds a second door in a closed position so as to be releasable; Provided is a door lock system comprising: a second door lock device having a second motor that is activated to release the hold of the second door; a second drive unit for driving the second motor; a second control unit that determines whether a second opening condition of the second latch mechanism, including a vehicle being stopped, is met, and that outputs a second open signal to the second drive unit to operate the second latch mechanism to open when the second opening condition is met and an opening operation of the second door is detected; and a first disabling unit that disables driving of the second motor by the second drive unit when the first control unit determines that the first opening condition is not met.

[0008] The vehicle further includes a first disabling unit that disables driving of the second motor by the second drive unit when the first control unit determines that the first opening condition is not satisfied, which is effective when an abnormality occurs in the second door lock device while the vehicle is moving, and when an abnormality occurs in the first door lock device while the vehicle is stopped.

[0009] If there is an abnormality in the wiring connecting the sensor for determining the second opening condition and the second control unit, the second control unit determines that the second opening condition is met even while the vehicle is moving, and outputs a second opening signal to open the second latch mechanism when it detects an opening operation of the second door. On the other hand, the first control unit of a normal first door lock device determines that the first opening condition is not met while the vehicle is moving. Therefore, the first disabling unit disables the drive of the second motor by the second drive unit. This prevents the second door from being accidentally opened, ensuring safety while driving.

[0010] If the first control unit is malfunctioning or if there is an abnormality in the wiring connecting the first control unit and the first disabling unit, the first control unit's determination that the first opening condition is not satisfied is not input to the first disabling unit. When the second door locking device is functioning normally, the second control unit determines that the second opening condition is not satisfied while the vehicle is moving, and therefore does not open the second latch mechanism. On the other hand, when the vehicle is stopped, the second control unit outputs a second open signal that opens the second latch mechanism upon detecting an opening operation of the second door, since the second opening condition is satisfied. In this case, the determination that the first opening condition is not satisfied is not input to the first disabling unit, and the second motor can be driven by the second drive unit to open the second latch mechanism. Therefore, even if there is an abnormality in the first door locking device, a functioning second door locking device allows the user to open the second door through an opening operation.

[0011] It is preferable to further include a second disabling unit that disables driving of the first motor by the first drive unit when the second control unit determines that the second opening condition is not satisfied. In this way, the opening of the two doors can be reliably prevented when the vehicle is traveling, and the doors can be reliably opened when the vehicle is stopped unless a control unit provided in the door lock device has malfunctioned. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, safety during driving is ensured, and even if another door lock device has an abnormality, the door can be opened by the normal door lock device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a door lock system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 4 is a flowchart of control performed by each control unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] Fig. 1 shows a door lock system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 1, the door lock system 1 includes two door lock devices 10 arranged on different doors (not shown). In the following description, one of the two door lock devices 10 (on the left in Fig. 1) may be referred to as a first door lock device 10A, and the other (on the right in Fig. 1) may be referred to as a second door lock device 10B.

[0016] Each door locking device 10 is electrically operated and includes a latch mechanism 15, a motor 20, a drive unit 21, and a control unit 22. The control unit 22 operates the motor 20 to open the latch mechanism 15, thereby automatically opening the door. The first door locking device 10A includes a first disabling unit 25A incorporated into the second door locking device 10B. The second door locking device 10B includes a second disabling unit 25B incorporated into the first door locking device 10A.

[0017] The first control unit 22A and the first disabling unit 25A are communicatively connected, and the second control unit 22B and the second disabling unit 25B are communicatively connected. That is, the first door locking device 10A and the second door locking device 10B are communicatively connected. The first latch mechanism 15A of the first door locking device 10A and the second latch mechanism 15B of the second door locking device 10B are opened based on the determination results of both the control units 22A and 22B, rather than just the individual control units. This improves safety while the vehicle is traveling.

[0018] Specifically, the latch mechanism 15 includes a fork 16 and a claw 17. In FIG. 1, the first latch mechanism 15A is shown holding the first door in a closed position, and the second latch mechanism 15B is shown holding the second door open. The fork 16 is rotatable between an open position (position on the latch mechanism 15B side) and a latched position (position on the latch mechanism 15A side) and is biased to the open position by a spring. The claw 17 is rotatable between an engaged position (position on the latch mechanism 15A side) and an unlocked position (position on the latch mechanism 15B side) and is biased to the engaged position by a spring.

[0019] When the open door is closed, the striker 18 provided on the vehicle body enters the engagement groove of the fork 16 and rotates the fork 16 from the open position to the latched position. As a result, the claw 17, which is biased to the locking position, locks the fork 16, and the door is held in the closed position. When the claw 17 in the locking position is rotated to the unlocking position, the fork 16, which is released from the lock by the claw 17, rotates to the open position. This allows the striker 18 to disengage from the fork 16, allowing the door to be opened.

[0020] The motor 20 is a DC motor that can rotate forward and backward, and is electrically connected to a drive unit 21. The motor 20 is mechanically connected to the claw 17, and rotates the claw 17 from the locked position to the unlocked position, thereby releasing the hold of the striker 18 (door) by the fork 16 (latch mechanism 15). Any connection structure between the motor 20 and the claw 17 can be applied as long as it allows the claw 17 to rotate from the locked position to the unlocked position. However, the connection structure between the motor 20 and the claw 17 may also be configured to allow the claw 17 to rotate to both the locked position and the unlocked position.

[0021] The drive unit 21 is electrically connected to the control unit 22 and drives the motor 20. The drive unit 21 is formed of, for example, an H-bridge circuit, and can rotate the motor 20 in the forward direction and the reverse direction by changing the direction of current flow.

[0022] The control unit 22 is configured with one or more microcomputers and other electronic devices. The control unit 22 is connected to the drive unit 21 via a first connection line 23 connected to the first port, and is also connected to the drive unit 21 via a second connection line 24 connected to the second port. The control unit 22 outputs an open signal (ON signal) to the drive unit 21 via the first connection line 23, causing the drive unit 21 to rotate the motor 20 in the forward direction, moving the claw 17 from the locked position to the unlocked position, i.e., opening the latch mechanism 15. The control unit 22 outputs a return signal (ON signal) to the drive unit 21 via the second connection line 24, causing the drive unit 21 to rotate the motor 20 in the reverse direction, returning the claw 17 from the unlocked position to the locked position. In this embodiment, when the motor 20 releases the pressure on the claw 17, the claw 17 returns to the locked position due to the biasing force of the spring.

[0023] The control unit 22 is electrically connected to two types of switches 30 and 31 and three types of sensors 32 to 34 mounted on the vehicle.

[0024] The opening switches 30 include a first opening switch 30A provided on the first door where the first door locking device 10A is installed, and a second opening switch 30B provided on the second door where the second door locking device 10B is installed. The opening switches 30A and 30B are on-off switches that output an on signal when the user performs an opening operation and do not output an on signal when the user does not perform an operation. The first opening switch 30A is electrically connected to the first control unit 22A, and the second opening switch 30B is electrically connected to the second control unit 22B.

[0025] Switch 31 is an ignition switch located inside the vehicle, which outputs an ON signal when an electrical device mounted on the vehicle is in use (accessory position and ON position), and does not output an ON signal when not in use (OFF position). Sensor 32 is a speed sensor mounted on the vehicle, which detects the vehicle speed and outputs a signal according to the detection result to control unit 22. Sensor 33 is a parking brake sensor mounted on the vehicle, which outputs an ON signal when the parking brake is operated and does not output an ON signal when the parking brake is not operated. Sensor 34 is a foot brake sensor mounted on the vehicle, which outputs an ON signal when the foot brake is operated and does not output an ON signal when the foot brake is not operated. Switch 31 and sensors 32 to 34 are electrically connected to control units 22A and 22B of door lock devices 10A and 10B, respectively.

[0026] The control unit 22 determines whether an opening condition that allows the latch mechanism 15 to be opened is met based on input signals (detection results) from the switch 31 and the sensors 32 to 34. The opening condition determined based on the detection results of the switch 31 and the sensors 32 to 34 includes information regarding whether the vehicle is moving or stopped. For example, if the switch 31 outputs an ON signal and no speed signal is input from the speed sensor 32, or if the parking brake sensor 33 outputs an ON signal, or if the foot brake sensor 34 outputs an ON signal, it can be determined that the vehicle is stopped. In this embodiment, the first opening condition determined by the first control unit 22A and the second opening condition determined by the second control unit 22B are the same because they are determined based on the detection results of the common switch 31 and sensors 32 to 34. However, the first opening condition and the second opening condition may be different as long as they include the condition that the vehicle is stopped.

[0027] When the opening condition, that is, the vehicle is stopped, is met and the door opening operation is detected by an input signal (ON signal) from the opening switch 30, the control unit 22 outputs an opening signal (ON signal) to the drive unit 21 through the first connection line 23 to operate the latch mechanism 15 to open it. When the opening condition is not met or when the opening operation is not detected by the opening switch 30, the control unit 22 does not output the opening signal.

[0028] When it is determined that the opening condition is not satisfied because the vehicle is moving, the control unit 22 outputs a disabling signal (ON signal) to the disabling unit 25. When the opening condition is satisfied, the control unit 22 does not output a disabling signal to the disabling unit 25.

[0029] When the control unit 22 determines that the open condition is not satisfied, the disabling unit 25 disables the driving of the motor 20 by the drive unit 21. Specifically, the disabling unit 25 includes a switching element 25a electrically connected to the first connection line 23, and blocks the open signal to the drive unit 21 upon input of a disabling signal. In other words, disabling in this embodiment means preventing the open signal output from the control unit 22 from being input to the drive unit 21.

[0030] The switching element 25a is made up of a transistor, with its base connected to the control unit 22, its collector connected to the first connection line 23, and its emitter grounded. When a disabling signal is input to the base, the collector and emitter become conductive, and an open signal from the control unit 22 to the drive unit 21 flows to the switching element 25a side. As a result, no open signal is input to the drive unit 21, and the motor 20 does not drive.

[0031] Next, the control by the control unit 22 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0032] In step S1, the control unit 22 determines whether or not the door opening conditions are met based on the detection results of the switch 31 and the sensors 32 to 34. If it is determined that the door opening conditions are met, the process proceeds to step S2, and if it is determined that the door opening conditions are not met, the process proceeds to step S4.

[0033] In step S2, it is determined whether or not the door has been opened based on an open operation signal from the open switch 30. If an open operation signal has been input (open operation), the process proceeds to step S3, an open signal is output to the drive unit 21, and the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, if an open operation signal has not been input (open operation), the process returns to step S1 without executing step S3.

[0034] If the open condition is not met in step S1, a disabling signal is output to the disabling unit 25 in step S4, and the process returns to step S1. This disabling signal continues to be output until the open condition is met.

[0035] In the door lock system 1, in which the above control is performed by the control units 22A and 22B of the two door lock devices 10A and 10B, respectively, the opening of the two doors can be reliably prevented when the vehicle is moving, and the doors can be reliably opened when the vehicle is stopped unless the control units 22A and 22B are malfunctioning.

[0036] Below, the abnormality contents and operation of the first door locking device 10A or the second door locking device 10B will be explained with reference to Table 1. In Table 1, "◯" indicates a state in which the door can be opened, and "×" indicates a state in which the door cannot be opened.

[0037] [Table 1]

[0038] (No abnormalities) If there is no abnormality in the first door locking device 10A and the second door locking device 10B, neither the first nor the second door can be opened while the vehicle is moving, but can be opened while the vehicle is stopped. Specifically, this is as follows.

[0039] When the vehicle is traveling, both control units 22A and 22B determine that the opening conditions are not met based on the detection results of switch 31 and sensors 32-34, and output a disable signal. In this state, both control units 22A and 22B do not output an open signal even when they detect operation of open switches 30A and 30B, and therefore do not open latch mechanisms 15A and 15B using motors 20A and 20B, respectively. Therefore, neither the first nor second door can be opened while the vehicle is traveling.

[0040] When the vehicle is stopped, both the control units 22A and 22B determine whether the opening condition is met based on the detection results of the switch 31 and the sensors 32-34, and do not output a disabling signal. In this state, the control units 22A and 22B output an open signal when they detect the operation of the open switches 30A and 30B. At this time, the disabling units 25A and 25B, to which no disabling signal has been input, do not block (disable) the open signal from the control units 22A and 22B to the drive units 21A and 21B. Therefore, the drive units 21A and 21B drive the motors 20A and 20B, and the latch mechanisms 15A and 15B open. Therefore, the first and second doors can be opened when the vehicle is stopped.

[0041] (Failure of the first control unit) If the first control unit 22A is out of order, the first door cannot be opened whether the vehicle is moving or stopped. On the other hand, the second door cannot be opened when the vehicle is moving, but can be opened when the vehicle is stopped. Specifically, this is as follows.

[0042] Whether the vehicle is moving or stopped, the failed first control unit 22A cannot determine whether the first opening condition is met, and cannot output the first opening signal or the first disabling signal. Therefore, whether the vehicle is moving or stopped, the first door cannot be opened.

[0043] When the vehicle is traveling, the failed first control unit 22A cannot output the first disabling signal, and the normal second control unit 22B determines that the second opening condition is not met based on the detection results of the switch 31 and sensors 32-34, and outputs the second disabling signal. In this state, the second control unit 22B does not output the second opening signal even when it detects operation of the second opening switch 30B, and therefore does not cause the second motor 20B to open the second latch mechanism 15B. Therefore, the second door cannot be opened while the vehicle is traveling.

[0044] When the vehicle is stopped, the faulty first control unit 22A cannot output the first disabling signal, while the normal second control unit 22B determines that the second opening condition is met based on the detection results of the switch 31 and sensors 32-34 and does not output the second disabling signal. In this state, the second control unit 22B outputs the second open signal when it detects operation of the second open switch 30B. At this time, the first disabling unit 25A, to which the first disabling signal is not input, does not block the second open signal from the second control unit 22B to the second drive unit 21B. Therefore, the second motor 20B is driven by the second drive unit 21B, and the second latch mechanism 15B is opened. Therefore, the second door can be opened when the vehicle is stopped.

[0045] (Failure of the second control unit) If the second control unit 22B is out of order, the first door cannot be opened when the vehicle is moving, but can be opened when the vehicle is stopped. On the other hand, the second door cannot be opened either when the vehicle is moving or stopped. Specifically, this is as follows.

[0046] When the vehicle is traveling, the failed second control unit 22B cannot output the second disabling signal, and the normal first control unit 22A determines that the first opening condition is not met based on the detection results of the switch 31 and sensors 32-34, and outputs the first disabling signal. In this state, the first control unit 22A does not output the first opening signal even when it detects operation of the first opening switch 30A, and therefore does not cause the first motor 20A to open the first latch mechanism 15A. Therefore, the first door cannot be opened while the vehicle is traveling.

[0047] When the vehicle is stopped, the faulty second control unit 22B cannot output the second disabling signal, while the normal first control unit 22A determines that the first open condition is met based on the detection results of the switch 31 and sensors 32-34 and does not output the first disabling signal. In this state, the first control unit 22A outputs the first open signal when it detects operation of the first open switch 30A. At this time, the second disabling unit 25B, to which the second disabling signal is not input, does not block the first open signal from the first control unit 22A to the first drive unit 21A. Therefore, the first motor 20A is driven by the first drive unit 21A, and the first latch mechanism 15A is opened. Therefore, the first door can be opened when the vehicle is stopped.

[0048] Whether the vehicle is moving or stopped, the failed second control unit 22B cannot determine whether the second opening condition is met, and cannot output the second opening signal or the second disabling signal. Therefore, whether the vehicle is moving or stopped, the second door cannot be opened.

[0049] (wiring error between the control unit and the invalidation unit) If there is an abnormality (disconnection) in the connection line 26 between the first control unit 22A and the first disabling unit 25A, or if there is an abnormality in the connection line 26 between the second control unit 22B and the second disabling unit 25B, neither the first door nor the second door can be opened while the vehicle is moving, but can be opened while the vehicle is stopped.

[0050] When the vehicle is traveling, both control units 22A and 22B determine that the opening conditions are not met based on the detection results of switch 31 and sensors 32-34, and output a disable signal. In this state, both control units 22A and 22B do not output an open signal even if they detect operation of open switches 30A and 30B, so motors 20A and 20B do not open latch mechanisms 15A and 15B. Therefore, the first and second doors cannot be opened while the vehicle is traveling.

[0051] When the vehicle is stopped, both control units 22A and 22B determine whether the opening condition is met based on the detection results of switch 31 and sensors 32-34 and do not output a disabling signal. In this state, both control units 22A and 22B output an open signal when they detect operation of open switches 30A and 30B. At this time, regardless of whether there is an abnormality (disconnection) in connection line 26, no disabling signal is input to disabling units 25A and 25B, so disabling units 25A and 25B do not block the open signal from control units 22A and 22B to drive units 21A and 21B. Therefore, motors 20A and 20B are driven by drive units 21A and 21B, and latch mechanisms 15A and 15B are opened. Therefore, the first and second doors can be opened when the vehicle is stopped.

[0052] (wiring error between the first control unit and the sensor) If there is an abnormality (disconnection) in the wiring connecting the first control unit 22A to the switch 31 and any of the sensors 32 to 34, and the first control unit 22A cannot determine that the first opening condition is not met, neither the first door nor the second door can be opened while the vehicle is traveling, but can be opened while the vehicle is stopped.

[0053] When the vehicle is running, first control unit 22A, which has a wiring abnormality, cannot determine that the first open condition is not met based on the detection results of switch 31 and sensors 32 to 34. In other words, it determines that the first open condition is met and does not output a first disabling signal. On the other hand, second control unit 22B, which has no wiring abnormality, determines that the second open condition is not met based on the detection results of switch 31 and sensors 32 to 34 and outputs a second disabling signal.

[0054] In this state, when the first control unit 22A detects operation of the first open switch 30A, it outputs a first open signal. At this time, the second disabling unit 25B, to which the second disabling signal is input, cuts off the first open signal from the first control unit 22A to the first drive unit 21A. As a result, the first motor 20A is not driven by the first drive unit 21A, and the first latch mechanism 15A does not perform an opening operation. Therefore, the first door cannot be opened while the vehicle is traveling.

[0055] On the other hand, because the second control unit 22B determines that the second opening condition is not met, it does not output a second opening signal even if it detects operation of the second opening switch 30B. Therefore, regardless of whether the first disabling signal is input to the first disabling unit 25A, the second motor 20B does not operate to open the second latch mechanism 15B. Therefore, the second door cannot be opened while the vehicle is traveling.

[0056] When the vehicle is stopped, both control units 22A and 22B determine whether the opening condition is met based on the detection results of switch 31 and sensors 32-34 and do not output a disabling signal. In this state, both control units 22A and 22B output an open signal when they detect operation of open switches 30A and 30B. At this time, disabling units 25A and 25B to which no disabling signal is input do not block the open signal from control units 22A and 22B to drive units 21A and 21B, so motors 20A and 20B are driven by drive units 21A and 21B, and latch mechanisms 15A and 15B are opened. Therefore, the first and second doors can be opened when the vehicle is stopped.

[0057] (wiring error between the second control unit and the sensor) If there is an abnormality (disconnection) in the wiring connecting the second control unit 22B to the switch 31 and any of the sensors 32 to 34, and the second control unit 22B cannot determine that the second opening condition is not satisfied, neither the first door nor the second door can be opened while the vehicle is traveling, but can be opened while the vehicle is stopped.

[0058] When the vehicle is running, first control unit 22A, which has no wiring abnormality, determines that the first open condition is not met based on the detection results of switch 31 and sensors 32 to 34, and outputs a first disabling signal. On the other hand, second control unit 22B, which has a wiring abnormality, cannot determine that the second open condition is not met based on the detection results of switch 31 and sensors 32 to 34. In other words, it determines that the second open condition is met, and does not output a second disabling signal.

[0059] In this state, the first control unit 22A determines that the first opening condition is not met, and therefore does not output a first opening signal even if it detects operation of the first opening switch 30A. Therefore, regardless of whether or not the second disabling signal is input to the second disabling unit 25B, the first motor 20A does not open the first latch mechanism 15A. Therefore, the first door cannot be opened while the vehicle is traveling.

[0060] On the other hand, when the second control unit 22B detects the operation of the second open switch 30B, it outputs a second open signal. At this time, the first disabling unit 25A, to which the first disabling signal is input, cuts off the second open signal from the second control unit 22B to the second drive unit 21B. As a result, the second motor 20B is not driven by the second drive unit 21B, and the second latch mechanism 15B does not perform the opening operation. Therefore, the second door cannot be opened while the vehicle is traveling.

[0061] When the vehicle is stopped, both control units 22A and 22B determine whether the opening condition is met based on the detection results of switch 31 and sensors 32-34 and do not output a disabling signal. In this state, both control units 22A and 22B output an open signal when they detect operation of open switches 30A and 30B. At this time, disabling units 25A and 25B to which no disabling signal is input do not block the open signal from control units 22A and 22B to drive units 21A and 21B, so motors 20A and 20B are driven by drive units 21A and 21B, and latch mechanisms 15A and 15B are opened. Therefore, the first and second doors can be opened when the vehicle is stopped.

[0062] As described above, in the door lock system 1 of this embodiment, even if an abnormality occurs in one of the control units 22A, 22B, the wiring connecting the switch 31 or the sensors 32-34 to the door lock devices 10A, 10B, or the connection line 26 between the door lock devices 10A, 10B, the doors will not be able to be opened while the vehicle is traveling, thereby improving safety. Furthermore, when the vehicle is stopped, the doors of door lock devices 10A, 10B equipped with non-faulty control units 22A, 22B can be opened by user operation, thereby improving convenience.

[0063] The door lock system 1 configured in this manner has the following features.

[0064] The door lock device 10A includes a first disabling unit 25A that disables driving of the second motor 20B by the second drive unit 21B when the first control unit 22A determines that the first opening condition is not met, and a second disabling unit 25B that disables driving of the first motor 20A by the first drive unit 21A when the second control unit 22B determines that the second opening condition is not met. Therefore, the opening of the two doors can be reliably prevented when the vehicle is traveling, and the doors can be reliably opened when the vehicle is stopped unless the control units 22A, 22B provided in the door lock devices 10A, 10B malfunction.

[0065] Specifically, even if an abnormality occurs in the wiring between one of the control units 22A, 22B and the switch 31 or the sensors 32-34 while the vehicle is traveling and it is not possible to determine whether the opening condition is satisfied, a disable signal is output from the other of the control units 22A, 22B, so that the door locking device 10A, 10B with the abnormality will not open. Also, even if an abnormality (disconnection) occurs in the wiring between the door locking devices 10A, 10B, the control units 22A, 22B will determine that the opening condition is not satisfied, so that the door locking devices 10A, 10B will not open. This ensures safety while traveling.

[0066] When the vehicle is stopped, even if one of the control units 22A, 22B is faulty or if an abnormality occurs in the wiring between the door lock devices 10A, 10B, no disabling signal is input to either of the disabling units 25A, 25B. Therefore, the faulty door lock device 10A, 10B cannot open, but the other door lock device 10A, 10B that is normal can. This eliminates the inconvenience of the door lock device 10A, 10B with the normal control unit 22A, 22B being unable to open the door even when the user performs an open operation.

[0067] Disabling units 25A, 25B have switching elements 25a that cut off the open signal to drive units 21A, 21B in response to input of a disabling signal. In this way, with a simple configuration using switching elements 25a, it is possible to prevent input of the open signal from control units 22A, 22B to drive units 21A, 21B and reliably disable driving of motors 20A, 20B, thereby simplifying the configuration of door lock system 1.

[0068] The first control unit 22A and the second control unit 22B determine whether the opening condition is met based on the detection results of the common detection units (switch 31 and sensors 32 to 34). Therefore, if both the first door locking device 10A and the second door locking device 10B are normal, there will be no difference in the determination results, and safety can be reliably ensured.

[0069] The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

[0070] For example, only the first disabling unit 25A may be provided without providing the second disabling unit 25B. In this case, it is effective when an abnormality occurs in the second door locking device 10B while the vehicle is moving, and is effective when an abnormality occurs in the first door locking device 10A while the vehicle is stopped.

[0071] Specifically, if there is an abnormality in the wiring connecting the switch 31 or sensors 32-34 to the second control unit 22B, the second control unit 22B determines that the second open condition is met even while the vehicle is traveling, and outputs a second open signal to open the second latch mechanism 15B when it detects an opening operation of the second door. On the other hand, a normal first control unit 22A determines that the first open condition is not met while the vehicle is traveling. Therefore, the first disabling unit 25A disables the driving of the second motor 20B by the second drive unit 21B. This prevents the second door from being accidentally opened, ensuring safety while the vehicle is traveling.

[0072] If the first control unit 22A is malfunctioning or if there is an abnormality in the wiring connecting the first control unit 22A and the first disabling unit 25A, the first disabling signal (the result of determining that the first opening condition is not satisfied) from the first control unit 22A is not input to the first disabling unit 25A. If the second door lock device 10B is normal, the second control unit 22B determines that the second opening condition is not satisfied while the vehicle is moving, and therefore does not open the second latch mechanism 15B. On the other hand, the second control unit 22B outputs a second open signal to open the second latch mechanism 15B when it detects an opening operation of the second door while the vehicle is stopped, because the second opening condition is satisfied. In this case, the first disabling signal is not input to the first disabling unit 25A, and therefore the second drive unit 21B can drive the second motor 20B to open the second latch mechanism 15B. Therefore, even if the first door locking device 10A has an abnormality, the second door can be opened by the user's opening operation in the normal second door locking device 10B.

[0073] The first invalidation unit 25A may be incorporated into the second driving unit 21B, and the second invalidation unit 25B may be incorporated into the first driving unit 21A. In other words, the first control unit 22A and the second driving unit 21B, and the second control unit 22B and the first driving unit 21A may be connected by connection lines 26 for communicating invalidation signals.

[0074] A relay or an FET may be used as the switching element 25a. The disabling unit 25 is not limited to the switching element 25a, and can be modified as needed as long as it is configured to block (disable) the input of an open signal so that the motor 20 cannot be driven by the driving unit 21.

[0075] The number of door lock devices 10 constituting the door lock system 1 is not limited to two, but may be three or more.

[0076] The control unit 22 may receive input signals from the switch 31 and the sensors 32 to 34 from an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) mounted on the vehicle via CAN communication or LIN communication.

[0077] It is preferable to configure the system so that failures of the control unit 22, wiring abnormalities between the control unit 22 and the disabling unit 25, and wiring abnormalities between the control unit 22 and the switch 31 or the sensors 32 to 34 can be detected and notified to the user so that these failures and abnormalities do not remain hidden. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1 Door Lock System 10, 10A, 10B Door lock device 15, 15A, 15B latch mechanism 16 forks 17 Claws 18 Striker 20, 20A, 20B motor 21, 21A, 21B Drive unit 22, 22A, 22B Control section 23 First connecting line 24 Second connecting line 25, 25A, 25B Disabled section 25a Switching element 26 connecting wire 30, 30A, 30B Open switch 31 Switch 32~34 Sensors

Claims

1. a first latch mechanism that releasably holds the first door in a closed position; a first motor that opens the first latch mechanism to release the hold of the first door; a first drive unit for driving the first motor; a first control unit that determines whether a first opening condition of the first latch mechanism, including a state where the vehicle is stopped, is satisfied, and that outputs a first opening signal to the first drive unit to open the first latch mechanism when the first opening condition is satisfied and an opening operation of the first door is detected; a first door lock device having a second latch mechanism that releasably holds the second door in a closed position; a second motor that operates the second latch mechanism to open and release the second door; a second drive unit for driving the second motor; a second control unit that determines whether a second opening condition of the second latch mechanism, including a state where the vehicle is stopped, is satisfied, and that outputs a second opening signal to the second drive unit to open the second latch mechanism when the second opening condition is satisfied and an opening operation of the second door is detected; a second door lock device having a first disabling unit that disables driving of the second motor by the second driving unit when the first control unit determines that the first opening condition is not satisfied; A door lock system.

2. 2. The door lock system according to claim 1, further comprising a second disabling unit that disables driving of the first motor by the first driving unit when the second control unit determines that the second opening condition is not satisfied.

3. When the second control unit determines that the second opening condition is not satisfied, the second control unit outputs a second disabling signal to the second disabling unit, The door lock system according to claim 2 , wherein the second disabling unit includes a switching element that blocks the first open signal to the first drive unit in response to the input of the second disabling signal.

4. When the first control unit determines that the first opening condition is not satisfied, the first control unit outputs a first disabling signal to the first disabling unit, The door lock system according to claim 1 , wherein the first disabling unit includes a switching element that blocks the second open signal to the second drive unit in response to the input of the first disabling signal.

5. the first control unit determines whether the first opening condition is satisfied based on a detection result from a detection unit disposed in the vehicle; The second control unit determines whether the second opening condition is satisfied based on the detection result of the detection unit common to the first control unit. The door lock system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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