Side door latch

Abstract

A side door latch including an integral motor and power release gear for performing the power release function of the latch, wherein rotation of the motor in the power release direction will drive the power release gear to sequentially strike a power release lever to move a pawl release lever, whereby the former can interact with a pawl lifter connected to the latch pawl, thereby allowing the pawl to rotate to its open position. The side door latch further includes a retraction override lever which allows the retraction function to be overridden at any time during the retraction stroke by interacting with a retraction override clutch which in turn interacts with the retraction device. The retraction override clutch lever is connected to the pawl release lever and the retraction override lever. These interactions within the latch will allow the retraction drive link to disengage from the latch pawl.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the following: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 194,980, filed May 29, 2021; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 061,563, filed August 5, 2020, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are suitable for existing technology of vehicle latches. Background Technology

[0004] As technology has a significant impact on industries, including automobile production lines, the interface between vehicles and people is also changing. For this reason, there is a need to improve latches so that people interact with doors when closing and opening them. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A remote tightening actuator includes an integrated motor, a built-in switch, and a two-stage gear drive system coupled to a cable rod, which is mechanically attached to the latch via a cable to perform a tightening function.

[0006] A vehicle side door lock has power release, tightening, and over-control capabilities. The power release mechanism comprises an integrated motor, wherein rotation of the motor in one direction drives the power release gear and the power release lever, thereby allowing movement of the pawl release lever, which in turn contacts a pawl lifter coupled to the pawl, releasing the pawl from a primary position to freely rotate to its open position. The tightening mechanism includes a tightening link connected via a cable to a tightening actuator. The lever moves the tightening link driver, which is also connected to a bearing that passes through a channel of the tightening over-control lever and continues the tightening stroke path, interacting with the pawl so that it can rotate on its pivot from an auxiliary position to a primary position. Therefore, the overrun function is a means of stopping the tightening operation at any time during the tightening stroke and when the vehicle battery is depleted. It consists of a overrun lever that interacts with an overrun clutch lever and connects to the overrun linkage, which is also connected to a pawl release lever, thus allowing the drive linkage to disengage from the latch pawl. It is worth noting that the overrun function is enabled by both the internal and external manual release levers, regardless of whether the latch is tightened.

[0007] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, both the vehicle side door latch and the remote tightening actuator also include an integrated switch.

[0008] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the vehicle tightening latch includes an integrated switch that communicates with the body controller to identify the functional positions of the latch pawl, the latch ratchet, and the tightening / releasing mechanism. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a latch according to this disclosure;

[0010] Figure 2 A latching component according to this disclosure is shown;

[0011] Figure 3 A latching component according to this disclosure is shown;

[0012] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a remote tightening actuator according to the present disclosure;

[0013] Figures 5A-5D The start and completion of the tightening function of the latch according to this disclosure are shown;

[0014] Figure 6A and 6B The power release function (locked and unlocked) of the latch according to this disclosure is shown;

[0015] Figure 7A and 7B The manual release of the latch tightening control according to this disclosure is shown;

[0016] Figure 8A and 8B The diagram illustrates the switch positions of the latch and remote tightening actuator according to this disclosure; and

[0017] Figure 9A and 9B This is a view showing a latch and remote tightening actuator according to the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Detailed descriptions of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and methods are presented herein by way of example rather than limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] Referring now to the accompanying drawings, this document discloses a side door latch 10 and a remote tightening actuator 40 with power release, tightening and over-control capabilities.

[0020] The side door latch 10 has a tightening over-control function (see Figures 7A-7BThe side door latch 10 and the internal and external service release devices for manual operation also serve as emergency release devices in case of battery depletion. The side door latch 10 operates electrically with a remote tightening actuator 40. The tightening actuator 40 uses an integrated motor 52, the rotation of which drives two-stage drive gears 44, 46, which are coupled to a cable rod 42, which is connected to a tightening lever 26 within the side door latch 10 via a cable 48. The tightening lever 26 moves a tightening drive link 28, which is connected to a bearing 54 that passes through a channel in the tightening lever 36 to maintain the tightening path of the tightening drive link 28. The tightening drive link 28 moves a pawl 30, thus allowing the latch pawl 30 to rotate freely about its axis to its closed / primary position.

[0021] The side door latch 10 has an electric release via cable without the need for a manual device (see...). Figures 6A-6B The door's ability to open is due to the mechanism containing a motor 14 that rotates the power release gear 12, causing the power release lever 16 to move and contact the pawl release lever 22, which in turn moves to the pawl lifter 38 connected to the latch pawl 32, thereby allowing the pawl 30 to rotate on its pivot to its open position.

[0022] In addition, the side latch 10 includes a tightening overlock lever 36 to stop the tightening operation in the event of a power failure or at any time during the entire tightening stroke (see [link]). Figures 5A-5D The overrun lever 36 operates by interacting with the overrun clutch lever 34. This allows movement of the overrun clutch linkage 20, which is connected to the overrun clutch lever 34 and the pawl release lever 22. These interactions result in the disengagement of the overrun drive linkage 28 from the latch pawl 30. Manual service release, internal or external 18, 24, and power release (see [link to manual service release]). Figures 6A-6B The latch 10 will be released by tightening the overdrive lever 36, regardless of whether it is tightened or not.

[0023] In addition, there is an integrated switch within the side door latch 10 (see Figures 8A-8B It will communicate with the body controller to identify the functional position of the selected lever (pawl 32, pawl 30, tightening / releasing mechanism).

[0024] The integrated switch 50 will communicate with the body controller to identify the functional position of the tightening mechanism within the remote tightening actuator 40.

[0025] An internal manual release lever 18 is operatively coupled to an internal handle of the vehicle, to which a latch 10 is secured. An external manual release lever 24 is operatively coupled to an external handle of the vehicle, to which a latch 10 is secured. In a non-limiting embodiment of this disclosure, the power release lever 16, the internal manual release lever 18, and the external manual release lever 24 are all operatively coupled to a pawl release lever 22 such that their movement in certain operations moves the pawl lifter 38 to the latch pawl 32, thereby allowing the pawl 30 to rotate on its pivot to its open position.

[0026] This article discloses a side door latch, which was developed to obtain a new generation of latches and incorporates multiple power and manual operations in the same product. It is versatile, mainly electrically operated, but can also be manually operated as a backup when needed.

[0027] The term “approximately” is intended to include the degree of error associated with a measurement based on a specific quantity of equipment available at the time of application submission. For example, “approximately” could include a range of ±8%, 5%, or 2% of a given value.

[0028] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit this disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprising” and / or “including,” as used in this specification, designate the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and / or groups thereof.

[0029] While this disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made and elements thereof can be substituted with equivalents without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt particular situations or materials to the teachings of this disclosure without departing from the essential scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but rather this disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle side door latch, comprising: Remote tightening actuator; The motor is located within the remote tightening actuator; and A two-stage gear system, located within the remote tightening actuator and used to support the tightening function of the vehicle side door latch, wherein the rotation of the motor drives a transmission gear and a driven gear, the driven gear being connected to a cable rod, the cable rod being mechanically attached to a tightening lever within the vehicle side door latch via a cable, the tightening lever being driven by the cable moving a tightening drive linkage, the tightening drive linkage being connected to a bearing, the bearing moving along with the tightening drive linkage and moving through a channel of the tightening control lever, this maintaining the tightening travel path of the tightening drive linkage and allowing the engagement of the pawl of the vehicle side door latch and the tightening drive linkage to rotate the pawl on its axis from a secondary position to a primary position; A motor embedded in the side latch drives a power release gear, which in turn drives a power release lever via a cam on the gear. This drive, in turn, causes a pawl release lever to move, which then contacts a pawl lifter connected to the pawl, allowing the pawl to rotate freely to its open position. Tighten the overrunning clutch linkage to stop the tightening function at any time during the tightening process of the vehicle side door latch. A tightening overrunning clutch lever interacts with a tightening overrunning lever. One end of the tightening overrunning clutch lever is connected to a tightening overrunning clutch connecting rod, and the other end of the tightening overrunning clutch connecting rod is connected to a pawl release lever. The tightening overrunning clutch connecting rod, through movement of the pawl release lever, disengages the tightening drive connecting rod from the pawl. An internal manual release lever and an external manual release lever, each operably connected to the pawl release lever, allow over-control of the tightening function regardless of whether the vehicle side door latch is tightened.

2. The vehicle side door latch according to claim 1, wherein the side door latch further comprises an integrated switch.

3. The vehicle side door latch according to claim 2, wherein, The integrated switch communicates with the body controller to identify the functional positions of the latch pawl and the latch ratchet.

4. The vehicle side door latch according to claim 1, wherein, The remote tightening actuator also includes an integrated switch.

5. The vehicle side door latch according to claim 4, wherein, The integrated switch communicates with the body controller to identify the functional position of the tightening mechanism within the remote tightening actuator.

6. The vehicle side door latch according to claim 5, wherein, It also includes an integrated switch that communicates with the body controller to identify the functional positions of the pawl and the claw.

7. A vehicle side door latch, comprising: Tighten the overrunning clutch linkage to stop the tightening function at any time during the tightening process of the vehicle side door latch; A tightening lever is used to drive a tightening drive linkage connected to a bearing that moves along with the tightening drive linkage and through a channel of the tightening control lever. This maintains the tightening travel path of the tightening drive linkage and allows the engagement of the pawl of the vehicle side door latch and the tightening drive linkage to rotate the pawl on its axis from a secondary position to a primary position. A tightening overrunning clutch lever interacts with a tightening overrunning lever, one end of which is connected to a tightening overrunning clutch linkage, and the other end of which is connected to a pawl release lever, wherein the tightening overrunning clutch linkage disengages the tightening drive linkage from the pawl by movement of the pawl release lever; and An internal manual release lever and an external manual release lever, each operably connected to the pawl release lever, allow over-control of the tightening function regardless of whether the vehicle side door latch is tightened.

8. The vehicle side door latch according to claim 7, further comprising: An electric motor, located within the side latch, drives a power release gear, which in turn drives a power release lever via a cam on the power release gear. When driven, this causes a pawl release lever to move, which then contacts a pawl lifter connected to the pawl, allowing the pawl to rotate freely to its open position.

9. The vehicle side door latch according to claim 8, wherein, Also includes: A remote tightening actuator is operably connected to the vehicle side door latch via a cable, and the remote tightening actuator enables the vehicle side door latch to have the tightening function.

10. The vehicle side door latch according to claim 7, wherein, Also includes: A remote tightening actuator is operably connected to the vehicle side door latch via a cable, and the remote tightening actuator enables the vehicle side door latch to have the tightening function.

11. A method for stopping the tightening function at any time during the tightening process of a vehicle side door latch, wherein, include: The overrunning clutch linkage is moved by moving a pawl release lever connected to one end of the overrunning clutch linkage; and When the overrunning clutch link, which is operably connected to the other end of the tightening overrunning clutch link, is moved by the pawl release lever, the tightening drive link disengages from the pawl of the vehicle side door latch.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, Also includes: A tightening lever is used to drive the tightening drive linkage, which is connected to a bearing that moves along with the tightening drive linkage and through a channel of the tightening control lever. This maintains the tightening travel path of the tightening drive linkage and allows the engagement of the pawl of the vehicle side door latch and the tightening drive linkage to rotate the pawl on its axis from a secondary position to a primary position.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, Also includes: An internal manual release lever and an external manual release lever, each operably connected to the pawl release lever, allow over-control of the tightening function regardless of whether the vehicle side door latch is tightened.

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