Vehicle latch and method for manually overriding a vehicle latch

Abstract

A vehicle latch, the vehicle latch comprising: an override mechanism having: a central door lock sector; a double lock sector; a double lock link that operably couples the central door lock sector to the double lock sector; a lock core; and a lock core link that operably couples the lock core to the central door lock sector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of vehicle door latches. Background Art

[0002] A vehicle door latch includes features that allow the latch to be in a locked state, where operation of a handle operably coupled to the latch does not cause the latch to be operated (e.g., opened). In some applications, the vehicle latch is moved from a locked state to an unlocked state via an electric motor. In the event that power is lost to the vehicle and / or the latch, manual operation of the latch is also required.

[0003] Thus, there is a desire to provide an improved vehicle door latch that can be manipulated between a locked state and an unlocked state. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A vehicle latch is disclosed, the vehicle latch including: an override mechanism having: a central door lock sector; a double lock sector; a double lock link that operably couples the central door lock sector to the double lock sector; a lock core; and a lock core link that operably couples the lock core to the central door lock sector.

[0005] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the vehicle latch further includes: an internal release lever; an internal release bypass lever; and a sub-lock link movably mounted on the internal release bypass lever, the sub-lock link being movable between a bypass position and a fully engaged position, when the sub-lock link is in the fully engaged position, the internal release lever interacts and causes the internal release bypass lever to move through a protrusion of the sub-lock link located between a portion of the internal release lever and the internal release bypass lever, and wherein when the sub-lock link is in the bypass position, the protrusion of the sub-lock link is not located between the portion of the internal release lever and the internal release bypass lever.

[0006] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the double lock sector is rotatably mounted to an actuator housing, and the central door lock sector is rotatably mounted to the actuator housing.

[0007] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the double lock link is pivotally fixed to the double lock sector and the central door lock sector via a protrusion of the double lock sector that slides within an elongated opening of the double lock link.

[0008] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the elongated opening has a curved configuration.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the lock cylinder is rotatably mounted to the actuator housing, and the lock cylinder link is pivotally connected at one end to the central door lock sector and at the other end to the lock cylinder.

[0010] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the double lock sector is rotatably mounted to the actuator housing, and the central door lock sector is rotatably mounted to the actuator housing.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the double lock link is pivotally fixed to the double lock sector and the central door lock sector via a projection of the double lock sector that slides within an elongated opening of the double lock link.

[0012] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the elongated opening has a curved configuration.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the lock cylinder is rotatably mounted to the actuator housing, and the lock cylinder link is pivotally connected at one end to the central door lock sector and at the other end to the lock cylinder.

[0014] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the double lock link is pivotally fixed to the double lock sector and the central door lock sector via a projection of the double lock sector that slides within an elongated opening of the double lock link.

[0015] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the elongated opening has a curved configuration.

[0016] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the lock cylinder is rotatably mounted to the actuator housing, and the lock cylinder link is pivotally connected at one end to the central door lock sector and at the other end to the lock cylinder.

[0017] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the lock cylinder is rotatably mounted to the actuator housing, and the lock cylinder link is pivotally connected at one end to the central door lock sector and at the other end to the lock cylinder.

[0018] Also disclosed is a method of manually overriding a vehicle latch, the method comprising the steps of: rotating a core of the latch, a core link operably coupling the core to a central door lock sector of the latch, the central door lock sector being operably coupled to a double lock sector by a double lock link, wherein rotation of the core causes a sub-lock link to move between a bypass position and a fully engaged position when the sub-lock link is in the fully engaged position, an internal release lever interacting and causing an internal release bypass lever to move by movement of a protrusion of the sub-lock link, the protrusion being located between a portion of the internal release lever and the internal release bypass lever, and wherein when the sub-lock link is in the bypass position, the protrusion of the sub-lock link is not located between the portion of the internal release lever and the internal release bypass lever. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The following description should not be regarded as limiting in any way. Referring to the drawings, like elements are numbered alike:

[0020] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle latch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 2 is a view of components of a vehicle latch typically used with a cable and rod operating mechanism, wherein the latch is in a primary engaged position and the rod is secured thereto.

[0022] Figure 3 is a view of components of a vehicle latch in a door locked position; and

[0023] Figure 4 is a view of components of a vehicle latch in a door unlocked position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and methods is given herein by way of example and not limitation with reference to the drawings.

[0025] Figure 1 and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle latch 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle latch 10 has a retaining plate 12, a housing (not shown), an actuator housing 14, and a cover (not shown).

[0026] The latch 10 also has a pawl 18 and a ratchet pawl 20 each pivotally mounted to the retaining plate 12. The pawl 18 is capable of rotating about a first stud or pin 19, and the pawl is configured to engage and hold a striker (not shown) when it is received within the latch 10. The ratchet pawl 20 is capable of rotating about a second stud or pin 21.

[0027] The pawl 18 is capable of moving between a first or latched position or a closed or main position (wherein the firing pin is engaged through the throat of the pawl 18) and a second or open position (wherein the firing pin is free to be released from the throat of the pawl 18). When the retaining plate 12 is engaged or latched by the pawl 18, the retaining plate 12 will also have complementary openings to receive the firing pin therein. In one embodiment, the pawl 18 may be spring-biased by a spring or biasing member into the second or open position.

[0028] Alternatively or in addition to the spring biasing force applied to the pawl, a movable member having a latch fixed thereto (e.g., a door, a panel, a liftgate, etc.) may also be spring-biased or biased into the open position such that when the latch 10 is released, the pawl 18 will rotate and release the firing pin. A non-limiting example of an article providing such a force is a compressed weatherstrip or sealing member located around the outer periphery of an opening that is covered by the movable member. In other words, when the vehicle door or other movable member is closed, the sealing member is compressed and the latch 10 engages the firing pin. Thereafter and when the latch 10 is released, the sealing member may provide a driving force to open the door or an access opening, etc.

[0029] During operation and in order to hold the latch 10 or the pawl 18 in the latched position, the pawl 20 is pivotally fixed to the latch 10 to move between an engaged position or latched position and a disengaged position or released position. When the pawl 20 is in the engaged position, the surface of the pawl 18 is engaged by the surface of the pawl 20 and prevents the pawl 18 from moving from the latched position towards the unlocked position.

[0030] In one non-limiting embodiment, a first spring may be provided to bias the pawl towards the open position, while a second spring may be provided to bias the pawl in the direction of the engaged position such that moving the pawl to the latched position will cause the pawl 20 to move to the engaged position.

[0031] Now referring Figures 1-4 to a portion of the override mechanism 22 according to the present disclosure. The override mechanism 22 includes a central door lock sector 24, a double lock sector 26, a double lock link 28, a lock cylinder 30, and a lock cylinder link 32. An interior release lever 34, an interior release bypass lever 36, and a sub-lock link 38 are also shown.

[0032] The sub-lock link 38 is mounted on the interior release bypass lever 36 and is rotatable about a mounting pivot hole on the interior release bypass lever 36. When the sub-lock link 38 rotates in the direction of arrow 40, it moves between a bypass state or bypass state position ( Figure 3 ) and a fully engaged state or fully engaged position ( Figure 4 ).

[0033] When the sub-lock link 38 is in the fully engaged state or fully engaged position ( Figure 4) interact with the internal release lever 34 and cause the internal release bypass lever 36 located between the portion of the internal release lever 34 and the internal release bypass lever 36 to move via the protrusion 42 of the sub-lock link 38, such that the movement of the internal release lever 34 will cause the movement of the internal release bypass lever 36, which in turn will cause the movement of the pawl 20 when the internal release bypass lever 36 is operatively coupled to the pawl via one or more components 25, 27.

[0034] On the other hand, when the sub-lock link 38 is in the bypass state or bypass position ( Figure 3 ), the internal release levers 34 cannot mechanically interact and move the internal release bypass lever 36 when the sub-lock link 38 is in the bypass state or bypass position. The movement of the internal release lever 34 is achieved by actuation of a vehicle interior release handle operatively coupled to the internal release lever 34.

[0035] The double-lock sector 26 is pivotally or rotatably mounted to the actuator housing 44 such that it can move in the direction of arrow 46 and provide the desired movement of the sub-lock link 38 in the direction of arrow 40. In this operation, the movement of the double-lock sector 26 is achieved via a motor (not shown) operatively coupled to the double-lock sector 26. As shown, the double-lock sector 26 has a plurality of teeth for meshing with the worm of the motor.

[0036] The central door lock sector 24 is pivotally or rotatably mounted to the actuator housing 44 such that it can move in the direction of arrow 48. As shown, the double-lock link 28 operatively couples the double-lock sector 26 to the central door lock sector 24.

[0037] The double-lock link 28 is pivotally fixed to the double-lock sector 26 and the central door lock sector 24 via a protrusion 50 of the double-lock sector 26 that slides within the elongated opening 52 of the double-lock link 28. In one embodiment, the elongated opening 52 has an arcuate or curved configuration.

[0038] In one operation, the movement of the central door lock sector 24 is achieved via a motor 25 operatively coupled to the central door lock sector 24. As shown, the central door lock sector 24 has a plurality of teeth for meshing with the worm 25 of the motor.

[0039] The lock cylinder 30 is rotatably mounted to the actuator housing 44 to move in the direction of arrow 54, which in turn causes the lock cylinder link 32 to translate in the direction of arrow 56, which causes the central door lock sector 24 to move in the direction of arrow 48. This is because the lock cylinder link 32 is pivotally connected to the central door lock sector 24 at one end and to the lock cylinder 30 at the other end. The movement of the lock cylinder 30 in the direction of arrow 54 is achieved via a key inserted into the vehicle latch 10 from the outside of the vehicle. This is particularly useful in the case where the motor operatively coupled to the central door lock sector 24 and the double lock sector 26 loses power. In this way, the operator of the vehicle can unlock the latch 10 by inserting the key into the lock cylinder and rotating the key to cause the sub-lock link 38 to make the required movement.

[0040] In one operation and in order to transition the sub-lock link 38 from a bypass state or bypass position ( Figure 3 ) to a fully engaged state or fully engaged position ( Figure 4 ), the lock cylinder 30 is rotated in the direction of arrow 58, which causes the lock cylinder link 32 to move in the direction of arrow 60, which causes the central door lock sector 24 to rotate in the direction of arrow 70, which in turn causes the double lock sector 26 to rotate in the direction of arrow 72, since the double lock link 28 operatively couples the central door lock sector 24 to the double lock sector 26.

[0041] In this way, a manual override system is provided via the lock cylinder 30, which is particularly useful in the case where the latch 10 is de-energized.

[0042] The term "about" is intended to include the degree of error associated with a particular quantity measurement based on the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For example, "about" can include a range of ±8% or 5% or 2% of a given value.

[0043] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit the 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 also be understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising", when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0044] Although the present 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 replaced with equivalents without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Accordingly, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle latch (10), the vehicle latch (10) comprising: An override mechanism (22), the override mechanism (22) having: A central door lock sector (24); A double lock sector (26); A double lock link (28), the double lock link (28) operably coupling the central door lock sector (24) to the double lock sector (26); A lock core (30); and A lock core link (32), the lock core link (32) operably coupling the lock core (30) to the central door lock sector (24); Wherein the double lock link (28) is pivotally fixed to the double lock sector (26) and the central door lock sector (24) via a protrusion (50) of the double lock sector (26), and the protrusion (50) of the double lock sector (26) slides within an elongated opening (52) of the double lock link (28); Wherein the vehicle latch (10) has a retaining plate (12), and the vehicle latch (10) further has a pawl (18) and a ratchet (20) each pivotally mounted to the retaining plate (12).

2. The vehicle latch (10) according to claim 1, the vehicle latch (10) further comprising: An internal release lever (34); An internal release bypass lever (36); And A sub-lock link (38) movably mounted to the internal release bypass lever (36), the sub-lock link (38) being movable between a bypass position and a fully engaged position, and when the sub-lock link (38) is in the fully engaged position, the internal release lever (34) interacts and causes the internal release bypass lever (36) to move through a protrusion (42) of the sub-lock link (38) located between a portion of the internal release lever (34) and the internal release bypass lever (36), and wherein when the sub-lock link (38) is in the bypass position, the protrusion of the sub-lock link (38) is not located between the portion of the internal release lever (34) and the internal release bypass lever (36).

3. The vehicle latch (10) according to claim 1, wherein the double lock sector (26) is rotatably mounted to an actuator housing (44), and the central door lock sector (24) is rotatably mounted to the actuator housing (44).

4. The vehicle latch (10) according to claim 1, wherein the elongated opening (52) has a curved configuration.

5. The vehicle latch (10) according to claim 1, wherein the lock core (30) is rotatably mounted to an actuator housing (44), and the lock core link (32) is pivotally connected to the central door lock sector (24) at one end and pivotally connected to the lock core (30) at the other end.

6. The vehicle latch (10) according to claim 2, wherein the double lock sector (26) is rotatably mounted to an actuator housing (44), and the central door lock sector (24) is rotatably mounted to the actuator housing (44).

7. The vehicle latch (10) according to claim 2, wherein the double-lock link (28) is pivotally fixed to the double-lock sector (26) and the central door-lock sector (24) via a protrusion (50) of the double-lock sector (26), and the protrusion (50) of the double-lock sector (26) slides within an elongated opening (52) of the double-lock link (28).

8. The vehicle latch (10) according to claim 7, wherein the elongated opening (52) has a curved configuration.

9. The vehicle latch (10) according to claim 2, wherein the lock cylinder (30) is rotatably mounted to the actuator housing (44), and the lock-cylinder link (32) is pivotally connected at one end to the central door-lock sector (24) and at the other end to the lock cylinder (30).

10. The vehicle latch (10) according to claim 3, wherein the double-lock link (28) is pivotally fixed to the double-lock sector (26) and the central door-lock sector (24) via a protrusion (50) of the double-lock sector (26), and the protrusion (50) slides within an elongated opening (52) of the double-lock link (28).

11. The vehicle latch (10) according to claim 10, wherein the elongated opening (52) has a curved configuration.

12. The vehicle latch (10) according to claim 11, wherein the lock cylinder (30) is rotatably mounted to the actuator housing (44), and the lock-cylinder link (32) is pivotally connected at one end to the central door-lock sector (24) and at the other end to the lock cylinder (30).

13. The vehicle latch (10) according to claim 3, wherein the lock cylinder (30) is rotatably mounted to the actuator housing (44), and the lock-cylinder link (32) is pivotally connected at one end to the central door-lock sector (24) and at the other end to the lock cylinder (30).

14. A method of manually overriding a vehicle latch (10) as claimed in claim 2, the method comprising: Rotate the core (30) of the latch (10), the core link (32) operably couples the core (30) to the central door latch portion (24) of the latch (10), the central door latch portion (24) is operably coupled to the double latch portion (26) by a double lock link (28), wherein rotation of the core (30) moves the sub-lock link (38) between a bypass position and a fully engaged position, and when the sub-lock link (38) is in the fully engaged position, the internal release lever (34) interacts and causes the internal release bypass lever (36) to move through a protrusion (42) of the sub-lock link (38), the protrusion (42) of the sub-lock link (38) being located between a portion of the internal release lever (34) and the internal release bypass lever (36), and wherein when the sub-lock link (38) is in the bypass position, the protrusion (42) of the sub-lock link (38) is not located between a portion of the internal release lever (34) and the internal release bypass lever (36); wherein the double lock link (28) is pivotally fixed to the double latch portion (26) and the central door latch portion (24) via a protrusion (50) of the double latch portion (26), the protrusion (50) of the double latch portion (26) sliding within an elongated opening (52) of the double lock link (28).

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