Claims:We Claim:

1. A safety locking system (200) for a door (100) of a vehicle, comprising:
a lever (1) connected to the door (100), wherein the lever (1) is operable between a first position (10a) and a second position (10b) and vice versa,
a first switch (2) linked to the lever (1), wherein the first switch (2) is adapted to toggle position of the lever (1) from the second position (10b) to the first position (10a) and vice versa; and
a control unit (3) interfaced with the first switch (2) and the lever (1), is configured to determine condition of the first switch (2) and position of the lever (1), wherein the control unit (3) restricts operation of the first switch (2) to toggle the lever (1) from the first position (10a) to the second position (10b), when the lever (1) is manually operated by a user to the first position (10a).

2. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first position (10a) of the lever (1) corresponds to a locked position of the door (100).

3. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second position (10b) of the lever (1) corresponds to an unlocked position of the door (100).

4. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, comprises an actuation unit (4) interfaced to the control unit (3), wherein the actuation unit (4) is configured to operate the door (100) between an open condition and a closed condition, when the first switch (2) is operated.

5. The system (200) as claimed in claim 4 , comprises a second switch (5) associated with the control unit (3), wherein the second switch (5) receives input signal from the control unit (3) to restrict the operation of the actuation unit (4), when the lever (1) is at the first position (10a) and the first switch (2) is operated.

6. The system (200) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second switch (5) receives input signal from the control unit (3) to assist the operation of the actuation unit (4), when the lever (1) is at the second position (10b) and the first switch (2) is operated.

7. A method of operating a safety locking system (200) for a door (100) of a vehicle, the method comprising:
determining, by a control unit (3), position of a lever (1), wherein the lever (1) is connected to the door (100), operable between a first position (10a) and a second position (10b);
determining, by the control unit (3), condition of a first switch (2), wherein the first switch (2) is configured to operate the lever (1) from the second position (10b) to the first position (10a) and vice versa; and
restricting, by the control unit (3), operation of the first switch (2) to toggle the lever (1) from the first position (10a) to the second position (10b), when the lever (1) is manually operated by a user to the first position (10a).

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, comprises receiving, by a second switch (5), an input signal from the control unit (3) to restrict the operation of the actuation unit (4), when the lever (1) is at the first position (10a) and the first switch (2) is operated.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein receiving, by the second switch (5), the input signal from the control unit (3) to assist the operation of the actuation unit (4), when the lever (1) is at the second position and the first switch (2) is operated.

10. A vehicle comprising a safety locking system (200) for a door (100) as claimed in claim 1.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure relates to a field of automobile engineering. Particularly, but not exclusively, the disclosure relates to a safety system for a vehicle. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a safety lock system for a door of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Conventionally, a myriad of vehicles such as cars, buses, trucks, and the like, are employed by a vast number of commuters as means of transportation. In the earlier stages of development of the vehicles, vehicle manufacturers neglected incorporation of safety features within vehicles. However, over time, as the number of commuters utilizing vehicles in their lifestyle increased, the concern for safety in vehicles raised exponentially. Safety of the commuters became one of the primary factors that required attention from the manufacturers. Not only were the safety features limited to passenger cars, modern day commercial vehicles are also equipped with adequate safety features to keep the occupants safe. Some of these safety features included, inclusion of seat belts, anti-lock braking system, speed sensing door locking mechanism, automatic opening and/or closing of doors and various other safety features.

In certain commercial vehicles such as a bus or van, the driver is seated at the front part of the vehicle. As means of safety and convenience, doors of such vehicles are equipped with automatic door opening and door closing systems. Such vehicles incorporating the automatic door opening and/or door closing may be electronically controlled. Although such electronically controlled systems are reliable and need little or no maintenance, they are continuously prone to external factors such as water, dust, debris etc., which can short these systems, rendering them to malfunction.

In addition, there have been instances where the automatic opening and/or closing of the doors have failed during movement of the vehicle due to electrical failures or other potential reasons. This exposes the commuters or occupants seated within the vehicle to fall off the vehicle leading to severe injuries or even death.

In several other instances, child occupants of the vehicle tend to operate these electronic systems without having the knowledge of the problems they may cause. Due to convenient reach of buttons of the electronic systems such as a push button or toggle switch on the dashboard of the vehicle, the child occupants may always have a tendency of operating the same.
The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitation associated with the prior arts.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
One or more shortcoming of the prior arts and conventional methods are overcome by providing a safety locking system for a door of a vehicle.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a safety locking system for a door of a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises a lever connected to the door, wherein the lever is operable between a first position and a second position, and vice versa. Further, a first switch is linked to the lever, wherein the first switch is adapted to toggle position of the lever from the second position to the first position, and vice versa. The system also includes a control unit, which is interfaced with the first switch and the lever. The control unit is configured to determine condition of the first switch and position of the lever, wherein the control unit restricts operation of the first switch to toggle the lever from the first position to the second position, when the lever is manually operated by a user to the first position.

In an embodiment, the first position of the lever corresponds to a locked position of the door.

In an embodiment, the second position of the lever corresponds to an unlocked position of the door.

In an embodiment, the system comprises an actuation unit interfaced to the control unit. The actuation unit is configured to operate the door between an open condition and a closed condition, when the first switch is operated.

In an embodiment, the system further comprises a second switch, which is associated with the control unit. The second switch receives input signal from the control unit to restrict the operation of the actuation unit, when the lever is at the first position and the first switch is operated.

In an embodiment, the second switch receives input signal from the control unit to assist the operation of the actuation unit, when the lever is at the second position and the first switch is operated.

In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of operating a safety locking system for a door of a vehicle is disclosed. The method comprises steps of determining, by a control unit, position of a lever, wherein the lever is connected to the door, operable between a first position and a second position, and vice versa. Further, the control unit is configured to determine condition of a first switch, wherein the first switch is configured to operate the lever from the second position to the first position, and vice versa. The control unit is then configured to restrict operation of the first switch to toggle the lever from the first position to the second position, when the lever is manually operated by a user to the first position.

In an embodiment, a second switch is configured to receive an input signal from the control unit to restrict the operation of the actuation unit, when the lever is at the first position and the first switch is operated.

In an embodiment, the second switch is configured to receive the input signal from the control unit to assist the operation of the actuation unit, when the lever is at the second position and the first switch is operated.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only, and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the detailed disclosure. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a safety lock system for a door, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 2 is a body-in-white diagram of the door with a lever for locking and unlocking the door, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 3 is a flow chart of the safety lock system of Figure 1.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described hereinbelow. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art would be motivated by the present disclosure and may be motivated to modify various compositions, shapes, profiles, and configurations of a safety locking system of the door. However, such modification should be construed within the scope and spirit of the instant disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings show only those specific details that are pertinent to understand the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a system and a method that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or an apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or mechanism.

Embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a safety locking system for a door of a vehicle. The system comprises a lever connected to the door, wherein the lever is operable between a first position and a second position and vice versa. Further, a first switch is linked to the lever, wherein the first switch is adapted to toggle position of the lever from the second position to the first position and vice versa. The system also includes a control unit, which is interfaced with the first switch and the lever. The control unit is configured to determine condition of the first switch and position of the lever, wherein the control unit restricts operation of the first switch to toggle the lever from the first position to the second position, when the lever is manually operated by a user to the first position.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure discloses a method of operating a safety locking system for a door of a vehicle. The method comprises steps of determining, by a control unit, position of a lever, wherein the lever is connected to the door, operable between a first position and a second position. Further, the control unit is configured to determine condition of a first switch, wherein the first switch is configured to operate the lever from the second position to the first position and vice versa. The control unit is then configured to restrict operation of the first switch to toggle the lever from the first position to the second position, when the lever is manually operated by a user to the first position.

In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying figures that form a part hereof, and in which the mechanism is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described with sufficient details to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a safety locking system (200) for a door (100) of a vehicle [not shown in Figures]. The safety locking system (200), herein also referred to as “the system (200)”, is an electromechanical system . The system (200) may be equipped for door (100) of the vehicle such as, but not limited to, passenger compartment doors, luggage or boot space door/tailgate, a ramp door , and the like.

The system (200) comprises a lever (1), which is connected to the door (100). The lever (1) may adapted to be manually operable by the operator and/or the user, herein may commonly be referred to as “the user”. The user may displace or operate the lever (1) between a first position (10a) and a second position (10b), and vice versa. In an embodiment, the first position (10a) of the lever (1) may be configured to operate the door (100) in a locked condition, while the second position (10b) of the lever (1) may configured to operate the door (100) in an unlock condition. Here, the operation of the door (100) to the unlocked condition, i.e. operating the lever (1) to the second position (10b), may require intervention of the user to manually operate the lever (1) from the first position (10a), which is the locked condition, to the second position (10b) for unlocking the door (100).

The system (200) further includes a first switch (2), which may be suitably positioned in the vehicle, for effortless reach and/or access by the user to operate the door (100). The first switch (2) is intended to electronically control and operate the door (100), when the first switch (2) is operated and/or accessed by the user. Here, the first switch (2) is connected to a control unit (3), where the control unit (3) is further connected to an actuation unit (4), and in turn to the door (100) of the vehicle. Upon operation of the first switch (2), the door (100) is operated between the open condition and the closed condition, as desired by the user. Further, the control unit (3) is configured to determine condition of the first switch (2), when operated and/or accessed by the user. It may be noted that the condition of the first switch (2) may be toggled between an ON condition and an OFF condition, to operate the door (100) between the open condition and the closed condition. In an embodiment, on operating the first switch (2), for manipulating and/or operating the door (100) to the open condition, the lever (1) connected to the door (100) may require to be manually operated by the user from the first position (10a) to the second position (10b). In view of this, the first switch (2) may be regulated by the control unit (3) from operating the door (100), when the door (100) is in the locked condition, i.e. when the lever (1) is manually operated by the user to the first position (10a). Also, the control unit (3) is communicatively coupled to the lever (1), and is configured to determine the position of the lever (1), when the first switch (2) is operated and/or toggled by the user. The control unit (3), based on the determined condition of the first switch (2) and the determined position of the lever (1), transmits an operational signal to the actuation unit (4), which is coupled to the door (100). The actuation unit (4) may be configured to operate the door (100) between the open condition and the closed condition, upon receiving the operational signals from the control unit (3).

The control unit (3) may be further associated with a second switch (5). The second switch (5) is adapted to electrically connect the lever (1) and the actuation unit (4), for operating the door (100) of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the second switch (5) is a circuit breaker or a limit switch, which is configured to receive an input signal from the control unit (3), based on the condition of the first switch (2) and the position of the lever (1) determined therein. Upon determining the condition of the first switch (2) and the position of the second switch (5), the control unit (3) is configured to transmit an input signal to the second switch (5), whereby the second switch (5) may be adapted to restrict and/or assist in the operation of the actuation unit (4).

In an embodiment, the control unit (3) on determining, the lever (1) in the first position (10a) and the first switch (2) in the ON condition, then the control unit (3) transmits the input signal to the second switch (5) for restricting the operation of the actuation unit (4). Due to this, the condition of the door (100) is unaltered, and hence, the door (100) is maintained in the closed condition and locked therein. Further, the control unit (3) on determining the lever (1) in the second position (10b), i.e. the door (100) in the unlocked condition, and the first switch (2) is in the ON condition, then the control unit (3) transmits the input signal to the second switch (5) for assisting in the operation of the actuation unit (4). Here, the actuation unit (4) is triggered, and thus, is adapted to displace and/or toggle the door (100) from the closed condition to the open condition. Additionally, it may be noted that the actuation unit (4) may be operated by the control unit (3) to displace the door (100) from the open condition to the closed condition, upon determining that the first switch (2) is operated to the OFF condition, by the user. It may further be noted that, during operation of the actuation unit (4) and to displace the door (100) from the open condition to the closed condition, the actuation unit (4) may adaptably toggle the lever (1) from the second position (10b) to the first position (10a). At this juncture, one skilled in the art would recognize that the control unit (3) and the second switch (5) are configured such that, the actuation unit (4) may only be operable when the door (100) is at the unlocked condition, i.e. when the lever (1) is at the second position (10b), thereby minimizing possibility of inadvertent opening of the door (100).

Referring now to Figure 2, which illustrates a body-in-white diagram of the door (100), provisioned with the system (200). The door (100) includes the lever (1), where the lever (1) may be configured to a plurality of mechanisms. The plurality of mechanisms aids in locking and unlocking the door, when the lever (1) is operated from the first position (10a) to the second position (10b), and vice versa. The lever (1) may connected to the plurality of mechanism through links, to impart force or motion applied on the lever (1) to the plurality of mechanisms for operating the door (100) in the locked condition and the unlocked condition. In an embodiment, the lever (1) is connected with three link mechanisms, where each of the three link mechanisms may be adapted to be displaced, on application of force and/or pressure on the lever (1), for displacing the link (1) from the first position (10a) to the second position (10b), and vice versa. Due to application of the force and/or the pressure, the lever (1) may be adapted to pivot about a pivotal point (P), whereby linearly displacing each of the three link mechanisms. In an embodiment, minimal operational force may be required for the user to operate and/or toggle the lever (1) from the first position (10a) to the second position (10b), whereas a comparatively greater operational force may be required to operate the lever (1) from the second position (10b) to the first position (10a). Additionally, each of the three link mechanisms is provisioned with a deadbolt (1a, 1b, and 1c) at one end, while other end of each of the three link mechanisms are connected to the lever (1), at its pivotal point (P). Here, each of the deadbolts (1a, 1b, and 1c) may lock with at least one deadbolt hole [not shown in figures] provided on at least one edge of the door (100). For example, on toggling the lever (1), by the user, from the first position (10a) to the second position (10b), each of the three link mechanisms may be linearly retracted such that, the each of the deadbolts (1a, 1b, and 1c) of each of the three link mechanisms may be adapted to be retrieved from corresponding deadbolt hole, to unlock the door (100). Similarly, on toggling the lever (1), by the user, from the second position (10b) to the first position (10a), each of the three link mechanisms may linearly extended such that, the each of the deadbolts (1a, 1b, and 1c) may be adapted to lock with the corresponding deadbolt hole, for operating the door (100) in the locked condition. However, one skilled in the art would recognize that the linear extension and/or linear retraction of each of the deadbolts (1a, 1b, and 1c) may be performed with at least one of a door frame, A-pillar, B-pillar, roof rail, and the like. This assists the user to effortlessly toggle the lever (1) between the first position (10a) to the second position (10b).

Figure 3 is a flow chart, which illustrates the operational flow of the system (200), in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

At block 301, the door (100) of the vehicle is at the closed condition, with the lever (1) being manually operably from the first position (10a) to the second position (10b).

At block 302, the user operates the first switch (2) to the ON condition, in order to operate the door (100) to the open condition. The control unit (3), coupled to the first switch (2), is configured to determine the condition of the first switch (2), through a signal, at block 303.

Upon determining the condition of the first switch (2), the control unit (3) further determines the position of the lever (1), at block 304. Here, when the control unit (3) determines that the lever (1) is at the first position (10a), i.e. the door (100) is at the locked condition, the control unit (3) discards the signal from the first switch (2) to operate the door (100) to the open condition. At this juncture, the control unit (3) may be configured to direct the user back to the block 301, via the second switch (5), and indicate to the user regarding the locked condition of the door (100) manually by the user. In an embodiment, the user may be indicated by the control unit (3) through audio means, visual means or in some cases both. Based on this indication from the control unit (3), the user may then operate the lever (1) from the first position (10a) to the second position (10b).

However, when the control unit (3) determines that the lever (1) is at the second position (10b), i.e. the door (100) is at the unlocked condition, the control unit (3) processes and/or analyzes the signal from the first switch (2). Thereafter, the control unit (3) is configured to transmit the operational signal to the actuation unit (4). The actuation unit (4) may be including, but not limited to, a pneumatic unit, a hydraulic unit, a piezoelectric unit, a electromechanical unit, a mechanical unit, and the like. Here, the actuation unit (4), upon receiving the operational signal, operate the door (100) to open condition, as at block 306. In an embodiment, the user may be indicated by the control unit (3) through audio means, visual means or in some cases both, upon operating the door (100) to the open condition.

At block 307, the door (100) is at the open condition. Further, when the user operates the first switch (2) to the OFF condition, the control unit (3) receives the signal from the first switch (2) and transmits the operational signal to the actuation unit (4), as disclosed in blocks 308 and 309.
The actuation unit (4), upon receiving the operating signal from the control unit (3), operates the door (100) from the open condition to the closed condition. During this operation of the door (100), the lever (1) is advertently displaced from the second position (10b) to the first position (10a), thereby ensuring that the door (100) is at the locked condition, when the door (100) is operated from the open condition to the closed condition, as disclosed in block 301.
In an embodiment, the system (200) may be employed in a passenger vehicle, a goods vehicle, an all-terrain vehicle, an amphibious vehicle, and the like.

In an embodiment, the lever (1) may be including, but not limited to, a pivotable bar, a push bar, a pull bar, a slidable bar, and/or a combination of one or more categories thereof.

In an embodiment, the control unit (3) may be including, but not limited to, a centralized vehicle control unit, a safety control unit, a body control module, and the like, which may assist the user in automatically operating the door (100).

In an embodiment, the first switch (2) may be positioned at a preferred location within the vehicle, which may be including, but not limited to, a dashboard, a control panel on a steering wheel, a side panel of the door (100), and the like.

In an embodiment, the control unit (3) may be a centralized control unit of the vehicle or may be a dedicated control unit (3) to the system associated with the centralized control unit of the vehicle. The control unit (3) may include specialized processing units such as integrated system (bus) controllers, memory management control units, floating point units, graphics processing units, digital signal processing units, etc. The processing unit may include a microprocessor, such as AMD Athlon, Duron or Opteron, ARM’s application, embedded or secure processors, IBM PowerPC, Intel’s Core, Itanium, Xeon, Celeron or other line of processors, and the like. The control unit (3) may be implemented using mainframe, distributed processor, multi-core, parallel, grid, or other architectures. Some embodiments may utilize embedded technologies like application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), microcontroller, and the like.

EQUIVALENTS

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation, no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

REFERRAL NUMERALS

Particular Numeral
Lever 1
Deadbolt 1a, 1b, and 1c
First switch 2
Control unit 3
Actuation unit 4
Second switch 5
First position 10a
Second position 10b
Door 100
System 200
Pivotal point P