A closure latch assembly having a power operated actuator that provides multiple power functions

Abstract

The present invention relates to a power latch assembly for motor vehicle closure applications having a single motor operable to move a pawl from a ratchet holding position to a ratchet release position and to place the power latch assembly in at least one of a locked state and a child lock state.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 342,806, filed May 17, 2022; U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 298,409, filed January 11, 2022; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 283,826, filed November 29, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to automotive door latches, and more specifically to a power latch assembly equipped with a single power motor that drives multiple functions, including power release, locking, and child lock. Background Technology

[0004] This section provides background information related to automotive door latches and is not necessarily prior art related to the concepts associated with this disclosure.

[0005] A vehicle closing panel, such as a side door of a vehicle passenger compartment, is hinged to swing between an open position and a closed position and includes a latch assembly mounted to the door. The latch assembly operates in a known manner to latch the door when it is closed and to unlatch and release the door to allow subsequent movement to the open position. As is also known, the latch assembly includes a latching mechanism for latching the door and a release mechanism for unlatching the door. The release mechanism can be powered to unlatch the door.

[0006] During the power actuation of the latching mechanism, it is known to use a first motor to actuate a first gear mechanism to move the pawl from a ratchet holding position to a ratchet release position, thereby allowing the ratchet to move from a pin-captured position to a pin-released position, in which the door can move from a closed position to an open position.

[0007] In addition, it is known that, in addition to the primary motor, an auxiliary motor is also provided. For example, the auxiliary motor is used to move the locking mechanism to a mechanical double-pull position / double-lock position and / or a child lock position. While such auxiliary motors can prove useful, they introduce increased costs, increased complexity in manufacturing, assembly, and operation, increased power requirements, and an increased overall package size (enclosure) of the latch assembly, thereby requiring increased space within the vehicle closure panel and thus limiting the design options for the vehicle closure panel.

[0008] Therefore, there is still a need to develop alternative arrangements for latching mechanisms used in vehicle door latches that optimize the ability to perform multiple functions without requiring multiple motors to achieve the desired functionality. SUMMARY

[0009] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to provide full details regarding the disclosure.

[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a powered latch assembly for motor vehicle closure applications that overcomes at least those shortcomings associated with known powered latch assemblies discussed above.

[0011] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a powered latch assembly for motor vehicle closure applications that has a single motor that is optimized to have a minimum size while having sufficient power to perform multiple powered functions.

[0012] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a powered latch assembly for motor vehicle closure applications that has a single motor that is capable of performing at least two or more functions including: a powered release function that moves a pawl from a ratchet holding position to a ratchet release position; placing the powered latch assembly in a double pull mechanical release state; and placing the powered latch assembly in a child lock state.

[0013] According to these and other objects, features, and advantages, a powered latch assembly for a closure panel includes a ratchet configured to move between a striker capture position and a striker release position and biased toward the striker release position, and a pawl configured to move between a ratchet holding position in which the pawl holds the ratchet in the striker capture position and a ratchet release position in which the pawl releases the ratchet to move to the striker release position. A powered actuator is configured to move the powered latch assembly from an unlocked state to an open state in which the pawl moves from the ratchet holding position to the ratchet release position. The powered actuator is also configured to perform at least two of: place the powered latch assembly in a child lock state in which the pawl is prevented from moving from the ratchet holding position to the ratchet release position regardless of a number of actuations of an inboard release mechanism; release the powered latch assembly from the child lock state; and place the powered latch assembly in a lock state in which the pawl is prevented from moving from the ratchet holding position to the ratchet release position during a first mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the power release gear is configured to be operably coupled with a power actuator. The power actuator is configured to move the power release gear from an original position to a release position in a first direction, at which the power latch assembly is in an unlocked state, and to drive the power release gear from the original position in a second direction to place the power latch assembly in at least one of a child lock state and a locked state, at which the power latch assembly is in an open state.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the power actuator is configured to move the power release gear from the original position in the second direction to place the power latch assembly in the child lock state and the locked state at different times.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the power actuator is configured to move the power release gear in the first direction to move the power latch assembly from the child lock state to at least one of the locked state and the unlocked state.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the power actuator is configured to move the power release gear in the first direction to move the power latch assembly from the child lock state to the locked state during a first actuation of the power actuator, and to move the power release gear in the first direction from the locked state to move the power latch assembly from the locked state to the unlocked state during a second actuation of the power actuator.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the power release gear includes a first cam configured to move the pawl from the ratchet holding position to the ratchet release position when the power release gear is moved from the original position to the release position in the first direction, and a second cam configured to place the power latch assembly in at least one of the locked state and the child lock state when the power release gear is driven from the original position in the second direction.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the first cam and the second cam are located on opposite sides of the power release gear, thereby reducing design complexity of the power latch assembly and reducing overall size of the latch assembly.

[0020] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the second cam is configured to place the power latch assembly in the locked state and the child lock state at different times, thereby reducing design complexity of the power latch assembly and reducing overall size of the latch assembly.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the power latch assembly includes an inside release lever and a link coupled to one another via a pivotal connection. The inside release lever is configured to move from an inside release lever at-rest position to an inside release lever deployed position in response to mechanical actuation of the inside release mechanism, whereupon the link moves the power latch assembly from an unlocked state to an open state when the power release gear is in the home position.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the power latch assembly includes a pawl release lever configured to operably couple with the pawl to move the pawl from a ratchet wheel hold position to a ratchet wheel release position when the pawl release lever moves from a pawl release lever at-rest position to a pawl release lever deployed position. The link is configured to move the pawl release lever from the pawl release lever at-rest position to the pawl release lever deployed position when the inside release lever moves from the inside release lever at-rest position to the inside release lever deployed position in response to mechanical actuation of the inside release mechanism.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the link is prevented from moving the pawl release lever from the pawl release lever at-rest position to the pawl release lever deployed position when the power latch assembly is in a child lock state.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the power release gear includes a third cam. The link is configured to engage the third cam during movement of the inside release lever from the inside release lever at-rest position to the inside release lever deployed position in response to a first mechanical actuation of the inside release mechanism when the power latch assembly is in a locked state, whereby the power release gear moves to a home position in which the power latch assembly is in an unlocked state, such that a second mechanical actuation of the inside release mechanism causes the pawl release lever to move from the pawl release lever at-rest position to the pawl release lever deployed position, whereby the power latch assembly moves from the unlocked state to an open state.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the link has a first abutment surface and a second abutment surface. The first abutment surface is configured to engage the third cam during movement of the inside release lever from the inside release lever at-rest position to the inside release lever deployed position when the power latch assembly is in a locked position, and the second abutment surface is configured to engage the pawl release lever to move the pawl release lever from the pawl release lever at-rest position to the pawl release lever deployed position when the power latch assembly is in an unlocked position.

[0026] According to another aspect of the disclosure, the power release gear is configured to be operably coupled with a single power actuator, wherein the single power actuator is configured to drive the power release gear from an original position to a release position, whereby the power release gear is operable to drive the pawl from a ratchet holding position to a ratchet release position and from the original position to a locked position, whereby the power release gear is operable to place the power latch assembly in one of a double pull lock state and a child lock state.

[0027] According to another aspect of the disclosure, the power release gear drives the first cam to move the pawl from the ratchet holding position to the ratchet release position when the power release gear is driven from the original position to the release position, and the power release gear drives the second cam to place the power latch assembly in one of a double pull lock state and a child lock state when the power release gear is driven from the original position to the locked position.

[0028] According to another aspect of the disclosure, the first abutment surface is located between the second abutment surface and a pivot connection of the inboard release lever and the link.

[0029] According to another aspect of the disclosure, the pawl release lever can be provided with a first leg configured to engage the first cam and a second leg configured to engage the link.

[0030] According to another aspect of the disclosure, the power release gear can be configured to be operably coupled with a power actuator, wherein the power actuator is configured to move the power release gear from an original position to a release position in a first direction, at which original position the power latch assembly is in an unlocked state, at which release position the power latch assembly is in an open state, and the power actuator is configured to drive the power release gear from the original position in a second direction to place the power latch assembly in a child lock state and a locked state, wherein the power release gear is in the same position when in the child lock state and the locked state.

[0031] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the inboard release lever and the link can be coupled to one another via a pivotal connection, wherein the inboard release lever is configured to move from an inboard release lever rest position to an inboard release lever deployed position in response to mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism, whereby, when the power release gear is in the home position, the link moves the power latch assembly from the unlocked state to the open state in response to the inboard release lever moving from the inboard release lever rest position to the inboard release lever deployed position; and when the power release gear is in the locked position, the link moves the power release gear from the locked position to the home position with the power latch assembly in the unlocked state in response to the inboard release lever moving from the inboard release lever rest position to the inboard release lever deployed position in a first pull, and the link moves the power latch assembly from the unlocked state to the open state in response to the inboard release lever moving from the inboard release lever rest position to the inboard release lever deployed position in a second pull; and when the power release gear is in the child lock position, the link moves the power release gear from the child lock position to the home position in response to the inboard release lever moving from the inboard release lever rest position to the inboard release lever deployed position, whereby the power actuator drives the power release gear from the home position back to the child lock position in the second direction.

[0032] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the at least one sensor can be configured to operably associate with the latch ECU to detect when the power actuator is actuated to drive the power release gear from the home position back to the child lock position in the second direction.

[0033] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a ring magnet can be fixed on an output shaft of the power actuator, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect when the power release gear moves from the child lock position to the home position when the inboard release lever moves from the inboard release lever rest position to the inboard release lever deployed position.

[0034] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the at least one sensor can be configured to detect when the inboard release lever returns from the inboard release lever deployed position toward the inboard release lever rest position, whereby the latch ECU actuates the power actuator to drive the power release gear from the home position back to the child lock position in the second direction.

[0035] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of configuring a power latch assembly to perform multiple functions by a single power actuator is provided, wherein the power latch assembly has a ratchet configured to move between a striker capture position and a striker release position, wherein the ratchet is biased toward the striker release position, and a pawl configured to move between a ratchet hold position, in which the pawl holds the ratchet in the striker capture position, and a ratchet release position, in which the pawl releases the ratchet to move the ratchet to the striker release position. The method includes configuring the single power actuator to move the pawl from the ratchet hold position to the ratchet release position when the power latch assembly is in an unlocked state with the latch closed. Further, the single power actuator is configured to selectively place the power latch assembly in a locked state, in which the pawl moves from the ratchet hold position to the ratchet release position upon completion of a first mechanical actuation and a second mechanical actuation of an inboard release mechanism. Further, the single power actuator is configured to place the power latch assembly in a child lock state, in which repeated mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism fails to move the pawl from the ratchet hold position to the ratchet release position.

[0036] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method includes configuring the single power actuator to drive a power release gear having a first cam configured to move the pawl from the ratchet hold position to the ratchet release position when the power release gear is driven from a home position in a first direction to a release position, and configuring the single power actuator to drive the power release gear having a second cam configured to place the power latch assembly in one of the locked state and the child lock state when the power release gear is driven from the home position in a second direction opposite the first direction.

[0037] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method includes configuring the power release gear to be driven in the first direction to move the power latch assembly from the child lock state to at least one of the locked state and the unlocked state.

[0038] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method further includes coupling the inboard release lever and the link to each other via a pivotal connection, and configuring the inboard release lever to move from an inboard release lever at-rest position to an inboard release lever deployed position in response to mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism, whereby the link moves the power latch assembly from the unlocked state to the open state when the power release gear is in the home position.

[0039] According to another aspect of the disclosure, the method further includes configuring the pawl release lever to operably couple with the pawl to move the pawl from the ratchet holding position to the ratchet releasing position when the pawl release lever is moved from the pawl release lever rest position to the pawl release lever deployed position, and configuring the link to move the pawl release lever from the pawl release lever rest position to the pawl release lever deployed position when the inboard release lever is moved from the inboard release lever rest position to the inboard release lever deployed position in response to the mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism.

[0040] According to another aspect of the disclosure, the method further includes configuring the power release gear to have a third cam, and configuring the link to engage the third cam during the movement of the inboard release lever from the inboard release lever rest position to the inboard release lever deployed position in response to the first mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism when the power latch assembly is in the locked state to move the power release gear to the home position in which the power latch assembly is in the unlocked state, such that the second mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism causes the pawl release lever to move from the pawl release lever rest position to the pawl release lever deployed position in which the power release assembly moves from the unlocked state to the open state.

[0041] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method of controlling a power latch assembly having a child lock state and a locked state includes detecting movement of a power release gear from a child lock position / locked position to a home position in response to a first pull of an inboard handle, the child lock position / locked position being one of the child lock state or the locked state of the power latch assembly. Further, actuating a power actuator to return the power release gear to the child lock position / locked position immediately when the power release gear moves to the home position to prevent the power latch assembly from being unlatched in response to a single pull of an inboard release lever.

[0042] According to another aspect of the disclosure, the method of controlling a power latch assembly having a child lock state and a locked state can further include detecting that the power release gear is moved to the home position using a first sensor configured to detect movement of a magnetic ring on an output shaft of the power actuator.

[0043] According to another aspect of the disclosure, the method of controlling a power latch assembly having a child lock state and a locked state can further include causing the power actuator to be actuated to return the power release gear to the child lock position / locked position immediately in response to detecting that the inboard release lever is moved from the deployed position toward the non-deployed rest position.

[0044] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method of controlling a power latch assembly having a child lock state and a lock state can further include causing the power actuator to be actuated immediately to return the power release gear to the child lock position / lock position in response to detecting the power release gear moving to the home position.

[0045] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method of controlling a power latch assembly having a child lock state and a lock state can further include providing a control unit to receive an instruction as to whether the child lock position / lock position is to operate in the child lock state or the lock state.

[0046] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method of controlling a power latch assembly having a child lock state and a lock state can further include detecting that the power latch assembly is in a lock state in which the control unit does not actuate the power actuator to return the power release gear to the child lock position / lock position when the power release gear moves to the home position.

[0047] According to other aspects, a power latch assembly for a closure panel includes a ratchet configured to move between a striker capture position and a striker release position and biased toward the striker release direction; a pawl configured to move between a ratchet hold position in which the pawl holds the ratchet in the striker capture position and a ratchet release position in which the pawl releases the ratchet to move to the striker release position; a manual release mechanism configured to be mechanically actuated by a door handle, the manual release mechanism having an unlocked state to couple the handle to the pawl to allow the pawl to move to the ratchet release position by the handle and a locked state to decouple the handle from the pawl to prevent the pawl from moving to the ratchet release position by the handle, wherein the manual release mechanism is adapted to change the state from the locked state to the unlocked state in response to a first actuation of the handle and to allow the pawl to move to the ratchet release position in response to a second actuation of the handle; and a power release actuator system configured to control power actuation of the pawl to move the pawl from the ratchet hold position to the ratchet release position and to control the manual release mechanism to automatically place the manual release mechanism in the locked state after the first actuation of the handle.

[0048] According to another aspect, there is provided a power latch assembly for a closure panel, the power latch assembly comprising a ratchet, a pawl, a double-pull manual release chain configured to move the pawl in response to two manual actuations of the double-pull manual release chain in a double-pull closed state, and configured to prevent the pawl from moving in response to a first manual actuation of the double-pull manual release chain in a double-pull open state, wherein a locked state of the power latch assembly is provided by automatically resetting the manual release chain from the double-pull closed state to the double-pull open state in response to the first manual actuation.

[0049] In a related aspect, there is provided a power latch assembly for a closure panel, the power latch assembly operably coupled to a handle, the power latch assembly comprising: a ratchet configured to move between a striker capture position and a striker release position, and biased toward the striker release position; and a pawl configured to move between a ratchet hold position, in which the pawl holds the ratchet in the striker capture position, and a ratchet release position, in which the pawl releases the ratchet to move to the striker release position; a double-pull mechanism having a double-pull open state and a double-pull closed state, wherein, with the double-pull mechanism in the double-pull open state, a first actuation of the handle transitions the double-pull mechanism from the double-pull open state to the double-pull closed state and prevents the handle from moving the pawl, and, with the double-pull mechanism in the double-pull closed state, a second actuation of the handle moves the pawl to the ratchet release position; and a motor adapted to transition the double-pull mechanism from the double-pull closed state to the double-pull open state after the first actuation. In a related aspect, the motor is adapted to transition the double-pull mechanism from the double-pull closed state to the double-pull open state before the second actuation.

[0050] Other areas of applicability and functionality of the power latch assembly and its single motor will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to be limiting of the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0051] These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0052] Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a motor vehicle having a side door equipped with a power latch assembly embodying the teachings of the present disclosure;

[0053] Figure 2is a bottom side plan view of a power latch assembly embodying the teachings of the present disclosure, shown schematically in operative association with various components of a side door, with some components removed for purposes of clarity only;

[0054] Figure 2A is a front side elevation view of a power latch assembly embodying the teachings of the present disclosure, shown schematically in operative association with various components of a side door, with some components removed for purposes of clarity only;

[0055] Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2A illustrating various gear components;

[0056] Figure 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating Figure 2A and Figure 3 various gear positions of a power release gear of a power latch assembly;

[0057] Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2A illustrating a power latch assembly in a power child lock open position;

[0058] Figure 4A is a view similar to Figure 4 illustrating an inboard release lever being mechanically actuated from an inboard release lever rest position to an inboard release lever deployed position;

[0059] Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2A illustrating a power latch assembly in a power child lock closed position and in a lock open position;

[0060] Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 illustrating a power release gear being moved to an unlocked position via actuation of a single power actuator of a power latch assembly;

[0061] Figure 6A is a view similar to Figure 6 wherein an inboard release lever is mechanically actuated from an inboard release lever rest position to an inboard release lever deployed position;

[0062] Figures 7A to 7D illustrates a sequence of a first mechanical actuation of an inboard release lever when in a lock open position;

[0063] Figures 8A to 8D illustrates a sequence of a second mechanical actuation after performing a first mechanical actuation of an inboard release lever when in a lock open position;

[0064] Figure 9A and Figure 9B FIG. illustrates a sequence of power release of a power latch assembly via actuation of a single power actuator;

[0065] Figure 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method for configuring a power latch assembly to perform multiple functions by a single power actuator, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure;

[0066] Figure 11 is a view of a power latch assembly embodying the teachings of the present disclosure, similar to Figure 2A FIG. is a view of a power latch assembly embodying the teachings of the present disclosure, similar to

[0067] Figure 12 is a flow chart illustrating a sequence of detection and operation of a power latch assembly embodying the teachings of the present disclosure for releasably holding the power latch assembly in a child lock state; and

[0068] Figure 13 is a flow chart illustrating a sequence of detection and operation of a power latch assembly embodying the teachings of the present disclosure, depending on whether the power latch assembly is in a non-child lock state or in a child lock state.

[0069] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] One or more example embodiments of a power latch assembly of the type that is well suited for use in a motor vehicle closure system will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. These example embodiments are provided only so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments can be embodied in many different forms and that the intent and scope of the disclosure are to be measured only by reasonable equivalents. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Reference throughout this document to "an example embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described is included in at least one embodiment of what the present disclosure can provide. Thus, usage of the term "in one example embodiment" or "in an example embodiment" or "in one example embodiment" appearing

[0071] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" can be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having," are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of 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. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order

[0072] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it can be directly on, engaged, connected, or coupled to the other element or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers can be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0073] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms can be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as "first," "second" and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0074] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "inner," "outer," "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," "top," "bottom" and the like can be used herein for the purpose of describing one element or feature's relationship to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms can be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0075] Referring initially to Figure 1 , a non-limiting example of a power latch assembly, hereinafter simply referred to as latch assembly 10, is shown mounted in a closure panel, such as for example, a passenger side swing door of a motor vehicle 14, and more particularly a rear passenger side swing door 12. The latch assembly 10 includes a latch mechanism 16 configured to releasably latch and hold a striker 18 of a rocker portion 20 mounted to a vehicle body 22 when the swing door 12 is closed. The latch assembly 10 can be selectively actuated via mechanical actuation of an inboard release mechanism such as an inboard door handle 24, an outboard door handle 26, and a remote key 28 Figure 2A ) as examples of manual handles can include an unactuated position when at rest, defined by a bias, for example, a spring, and an actuated position when manually acted upon by a user to overcome such bias for non-motorized operation of the power latch assembly 10. For example, when the user releases the handle after actuation, the bias causes the handle to return from the actuated position to the unactuated position. As a non-limiting example, such bias can be provided as part of the handle assembly, part of the latch assembly 10, or part of both the handle assembly and the latch assembly 10. As detailed below, the latch assembly 10 is configured to be power operated to perform multiple power functions by selective actuation of a single power release actuator, also referred to as a power actuator, such as an electric motor 30. By powering multiple functions via a single power release actuator 30, the latch assembly 10 is able to be minimized in size and weight, thereby improving design flexibility of the closure panel, while also reducing costs associated with its manufacture and assembly.

[0076] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 2A , shown is the latch assembly 10 and the latch mechanism 16Figure 2 In a non-limiting embodiment, the latch assembly 10 and the latch mechanism 16 are housed in a housing, which is partially shown by the latch frame plate 29, wherein some parts have been removed for clarity. The latch mechanism 16 includes at least one ratchet 32, at least one pawl 34, and a release lever, also referred to as a release link, pawl release link, or pawl release lever 36 (which in... Figure 2 The diagram schematically shows a configuration for operably engaging with the power release actuator 30. The ratchet 32 ​​is capable of operating in both a pin-captured position and a pin-release position. Figure 2 The ratchet moves between the two positions. In the pin-captured position, the ratchet uses the pin groove 38 of the ratchet 32 ​​to hold the pin 18 and keep the swing door 12 in the closed position. In the pin-released position, the ratchet 32 ​​allows the pin 18 to be released from the pin groove 38 and from the fish mouth portion 40 provided by the latch housing 29 of the latch assembly 10, so as to allow the swing door 12 to move to the open position. Figure 1 The ratchet biasing member 42, such as a spring, is configured to bias the ratchet 32 ​​toward the ratchet 32's pin-release position under normal conditions. The pawl 34 is movable between a ratchet holding position and a ratchet release position. In the ratchet holding position, the pawl 34 engages the main locking surface 44 of the ratchet 32 ​​to hold the ratchet 32 ​​in the ratchet 32's pin-capture position. In the ratchet release position, the pawl 34 allows the ratchet 32 ​​to move to the ratchet 32's pin-release position under the bias of the ratchet biasing member 42. The ratchet 32 ​​may also include an auxiliary locking surface 46 to allow the pawl 34 to releasably hold the ratchet in an auxiliary pin-capture position, as will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art of vehicle latching (POSA). The pawl biasing member 49, such as a suitable spring, is configured to bias the pawl 34 toward the ratchet holding position of the pawl 34 under normal conditions.

[0077] A single power actuator 30 is configured to move the power latch assembly 10 from an unlocked state to an open state, in which the pawl 34 moves from a ratchet holding position to a ratchet release position. The power actuator 30 is also configured to perform at least two of the following operations, and in the illustrated embodiment, the power actuator 30 performs all of the following operations: placing the power latch assembly 10 in a child lock state (…). Figure 4 and Figure 4A In the child lock state, regardless of the number of times the inner release mechanism 24 is actuated, it will prevent the pawl 34 from moving from the ratchet holding position to the ratchet release position; release the power latch assembly 10 from the child lock state; and place the power latch assembly 10 in the locked state (double pull open state), such as Figure 5 As shown, in this locked state, the pawl 34 is prevented from moving from the ratchet holding position to the ratchet releasing position during the first mechanical actuation of the inner release mechanism 24.

[0078] When it is desired to move the pawl 34 from the ratchet retaining position to the ratchet release position under normal use conditions, such as when a person approaches the motor vehicle 14 with the electronic remote key 28 Figure 2A ) and actuates the outboard door handle 26, for example, both the presence of the remote key 28 is sensed and the outboard door handle 26 is sensed to have been actuated (e.g., the outboard door handle 26 is actuated via the electronic switch 62 Figure 2 , where the inboard door handle 24 is also capable of being actuated via the electronic switch 63) and the latch electronic control unit (ECU) shown at 64 that at least partially controls operation of the latch assembly 10 is actuated via electronic communication between the two. In turn, the latch ECU 64 actuates the power release motor 30 to rotatably drive the drive gear 50 by rotating the output shaft 48 of the power actuator 30 in the first direction, thereby rotatably driving the power release gear 52 from the home position HP Figure 3A and Figure 9A ) to the release position RP Figure 3A and Figure 9B ) to release the latch mechanism 16 and transition the latch assembly 10 into an unlatched operational state to facilitate subsequent opening of the vehicle swing door 12. Alternatively, for example, when a person approaches the vehicle 14 with the electronic remote key 28 Figure 2A ) and actuates the proximity sensor 66, such as a capacitive or other touch / non-touch sensor, based on recognition of proximity of an object, such as recognition of a touch / swipe / hover / gesture or hand or finger, etc., the power release motor 30 can be enabled as part of a proximity sensor-based entry feature (e.g., radar-based proximity detection) (e.g., the power release motor 30 is enabled via communication between the proximity sensor 66 and the latch ECU 64 that at least partially controls operation of the latch assembly 10). In turn, if a normal use condition is detected, by way of example and not limitation, such as detection of the presence of the electronic remote key 28, the latch ECU 64 actuates the power release motor 30 to rotate the output gear 50 in the first direction and thus the power release gear 52 in the first direction to release the latch mechanism 16 and transition the latch assembly 10 into an unlatched operational state to facilitate subsequent opening of the vehicle door 12, as discussed above.

[0079] As noted above, the power release gear 52 is configured to operably couple with the power actuator, and, in the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, the drive gear 50 is configured to meshingly engage with the power release gear 52 to cause simultaneous rotation between the drive gear 50 and the power release gear 52. The power actuator 30 is configured to move the power release gear 52 from a home position HP of the power latch assembly 10 in an unlocked state to a release position RP of the power latch assembly 10 in an open state in a first direction shown in Figure 9A as a counterclockwise direction. Further, the power actuator 30 is configured to drive the power release gear 52 from the home position HP in a second direction shown in Figure 4 as a clockwise direction to place the power latch assembly 10 in at least one of a locked state and a child lock state, and the power latch assembly 10 is shown in Figure 4 as the child lock state. It should be appreciated that the power release gear 52 can stop before reaching a child lock position corresponding to the child lock state of the latch assembly 10, where the power release gear 52 can move to a locked position corresponding to the locked state of the latch assembly 10 ( Figure 5 ).

[0080] To facilitate moving the power latch assembly 10 to the open state, a first cam 68 extends outwardly from a side of the power release gear 52, where the first cam 68 has an outer cam surface 70 that is eccentric with respect to an axis of rotation Al of the power release gear 52, the first cam 68 being configured to operably move the pawl 34 from the ratchet holding position to the ratchet release position when the power release gear 52 is moved from the home position HP in the first direction to the release position RP. As the first cam 68 is co-rotated with the power release gear 52 from the home position HP in the counterclockwise direction, the cam surface 70 engages with a release lever, also referred to as a pawl release lever 72, for moving the pawl 34 in now illustratively described manner. The pawl release lever 72 is configured to operably couple with the pawl 34, whether directly or indirectly via another lever, to move the pawl 34 from the ratchet holding position to the ratchet release position when the pawl release lever 72 is moved from a pawl release lever rest position ( Figure 2A ) to a pawl release lever deployed position ( Figure 9B ). The pawl release lever 72 can be provided with a first leg 74 that is configured to engage with the first cam 68.

[0081] The power actuator 30 is shown as being configured to move the power release gear 52 from the home position HP in the second direction to place the power latch assembly in the child lock state ( Figure 4 and Figure 4A ) and the locked state ( Figure 5). To facilitate manual actuation of the power latch assembly 10 and to further facilitate placing the power latch assembly 10 in one of the locked state or the child lock state, the power latch assembly 10 comprises an inboard release lever 76 and a link 78 coupled to each other via a pivotal connection 80. The inboard release lever 76 is configured to move from an inboard release lever rest position Figure 7A and Figure 8B (corresponding to a non-actuation position of the handle) to an inboard release lever deployed position Figure 7C and Figure 8D (corresponding to an actuation position of the handle), whereby the link 78 moves the power latch assembly 10 from the unlocked state to the open state when the power release gear 52 is in the home position HP. Thus, the link 78 is configured to move the pawl release lever 72 from the pawl release lever rest position to the pawl release lever deployed position when the inboard release lever 76 moves from the inboard release lever rest position to the inboard release lever deployed position in response to mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism 24. However, when the power latch assembly 10 is in the child lock state, the link 78 is prevented from being able to move the pawl release lever 72 from the pawl release lever rest position to the pawl release lever deployed position. Illustratively, the link 78, the pawl release lever 72, the inboard release lever 76 coupled to the handle (either the outer or the inner handle) form a manual release mechanism adapted to transmit movement of the handle to the pawl 34 when in the unlocked state, e.g. when the link 78 is in an aligned state as shown in Figure 6 and adapted to prevent transmission of movement of the handle to the pawl 34 when in the locked state, e.g. when the link 78 is in a bypassed state as shown in Figure 5 According to another possible configuration, instead of a bypassed arrangement, the manual release mechanism can be configured as a blocked arrangement. Although the manual release mechanism is illustrated with respect to the components link 78, pawl release lever 72 and inboard release lever 76, the manual release mechanism can comprise more or less components forming part of a movement release chain between the handle and the pawl, the movement release chain having a coupled state in which handle actuation causes the pawl 34 to move and a decoupled state in which handle actuation does not cause the pawl 34 to move.

[0082] The power release gear 52 has a second cam 82 configured to place the power latch assembly 10 in at least one of the locked state and the child lock state when the power release gear 52 is driven from the home position HP in the second direction (the clockwise direction). The second cam 82 is located on an opposite side of the power release gear 52 from the first cam 68, thereby reducing the design complexity and overall size of the latch assembly 10. In the illustrated example embodiment, the second cam 82 is configured to place the latch assembly 10 in the locked state and the child lock state at different times depending on commands sent from the latch ECU 64 to the power actuator 30, thereby further reducing the design complexity and overall size of the power latch assembly. Accordingly, the second cam 82 has a locked cam surface 84 and a separate child lock cam surface 86 spaced apart from the locked cam surface 82, such that the respective surfaces 84, 86 can be selectively rotated into a position in camming engagement with the link 78.

[0083] When the latch ECU 64 commands the power actuator 30 to place the latch assembly 10 in the locked state, the power release gear 52 is thereby driven from the home position HP to the locked position LP, the locked cam surface 84 of the second cam 82 is driven into engagement with the link 78 by the power release gear 52. By contrast, when the latch ECU 64 commands the power actuator 30 to place the latch assembly 10 in the child lock state, the power release gear 52 is thereby driven from the home position HP to the child lock position CLP, the child lock cam surface 86 of the second cam 82 is driven into engagement with the link 78 by the power release gear 52. Depending on the starting position of the power release gear 52, to place the latch assembly 10 in the locked state, the power actuator 30 is commanded to rotate the power release gear 52 in one of a first (counter-clockwise) direction or a second (clockwise) direction. For example, if the latch assembly 10 is in the unlocked state, the power release gear 52 is in its home position HP, and if a command is sent to the power actuator 30 via the latch ECU 64 to place the latch assembly 30 in the locked state, the power actuator 30 rotates the power release gear 52 in the second (clockwise) direction until the locked cam surface 84 moves into engagement with the link 78. However, if the latch assembly 10 is in the child lock state, the power release gear 52 is in its child lock position CLP, and if a command is sent to the power actuator 30 via the latch ECU 64 to place the latch assembly 10 in the locked state, the power actuator 30 rotates the power release gear 52 in the first (counter-clockwise) direction until the locked cam surface 84 moves into engagement with the link 78. Thus, the power actuator 30 is configured to move the power release gear 52 in the first direction to move the power latch assembly 10 from the child lock state to at least one of the locked state and the unlocked state. Thus, it should be understood that the power actuator 30 is configured to move the power release gear 52 from the child lock position CLP in the first (counter-clockwise) direction during a first power actuation of the power actuator 30 to move the power latch assembly 10 to the locked state, and the power actuator 30 is configured to move the power release gear 52 from the locked position LP in the first (counter-clockwise) direction during a second power actuation of the power actuator 30 to move the power latch assembly 10 from the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0084] When the latch assembly 10 is in the locked state, the link 78 is prevented from being able to move the pawl release lever 72, and thus, the pawl release lever 72 is prevented from being able to move from the pawl release lever at-rest position to the pawl release lever deployed position by mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism 24 when the power latch assembly 10 is in the child lock state.

[0085] When the latching assembly 10 is in the locked state, the power release gear 52 is in its locked position LP, allowing manual actuation of the latching assembly 10 by double-pull actuation of the inboard release mechanism 24. This is achieved in part by the power release gear 52 having an override cam, also referred to as a third cam 88. To further assist double-pull actuation of the inboard release mechanism 24, the link 78 has a first abutment surface 90 and a second abutment surface 92, with the first abutment surface 90 being located between the second abutment surface 92 and the pivotal connection 80 of the inboard release lever 76 and the link 78. The first abutment surface 90 is configured to engage the third cam 88 during movement of the inboard release lever 76 from the inboard release lever rest position to the inboard release lever deployed position via first mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism 24 when the power latching assembly 10 is in the locked position LP. Thus, as shown in Figures 7A to 7D FIG. 6, when the power release gear 52 is in the locked position LP, also referred to as the double-locked position, first mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism 24 causes the first abutment surface 90 to engage and drive the third cam 88 in a first direction (counterclockwise) and to drive the power release gear 52, which is fixed with the third cam 88, in the first direction until the power release gear 52 moves from the locked position LP to the unlocked home position HP. This movement of the third cam 88 is in response to non-motorized or manual actuation (e.g., not using the motor 30). Thus, with the link 78 in the decoupled or bypassed position, or with the release chain in the double-pull open state, as illustratively shown in Figures 7A to 7C FIG. 7, first mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism 24 does not cause actuation of the pawl 34. With the link 78 in the coupled position, or with the release chain in the double-pull closed state, as shown in Figure 7D FIG. 8, subsequent actuation of the inboard release mechanism 24 can cause actuation of the pawl 34. Thus, as shown in Figures 8A to 8DAs shown in FIG. 6, second mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism 24 can be performed, whereby the second abutment surface 92 of the link 78 is configured to engage the pawl release lever 72 to move the pawl release lever 72 from the pawl release lever at-rest position to the pawl release lever deployed position. In the non-limiting embodiment shown, the release lever has a second leg 75 configured to engage the second abutment surface 92 of the link 78 during the second actuation of the inboard release mechanism 24. The second abutment surface 92 drives the second leg 75 of the pawl release lever 72 such that the pawl 34 moves from its ratchet holding position to its ratchet release position, whereby the ratchet 32 is free to move to the latch release position under the bias of the ratchet biasing member 42. As discussed above, when the latch assembly 10 is in the child lock state, no matter how many times the inboard release mechanism 24 is actuated, the mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism 24 cannot move the power release gear 52 from its original position to its release position, and thus, the door 12 remains locked. This is due to the third cam 88 being moved out of possible engagement with the link 78 and in particular, out of possible engagement with the first abutment surface 90, as Figure 4 as shown in FIG. 6.

[0086] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method 1000 for configuring a power latch assembly 10 to perform multiple functions by a single power actuator 30, wherein the power latch assembly 10 has a ratchet 32 configured to move between a latch catch position and a latch release position, wherein the ratchet 32 is biased towards the latch release position, and a pawl 34 configured to move between a ratchet holding position, in which the pawl 34 holds the ratchet 32 in the latch catch position, and a ratchet release position, in which the pawl 34 releases the ratchet 32 for the ratchet 32 to move to the latch release position. The method 1000 includes a step 1100 of configuring the single power actuator 30 to move the pawl 34 from the ratchet holding position to the ratchet release position when the power latch assembly 10 is in an unlocked state with the latch closed. Further, there is included a step 1150 of configuring the single power actuator 30 to selectively place the power latch assembly 10 in a locked state, in which upon completion of a first mechanical actuation and a second mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism 24, the pawl 34 moves from the ratchet holding position to the ratchet release position. Further, there is included a step 1200 of configuring the single power actuator 30 to place the power latch assembly 10 in a child lock state, in which repeated mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism 24 cannot move the pawl 34 from the ratchet holding position to the ratchet release position.

[0087] According to another aspect of the disclosure, the method includes the step 1250 of configuring the single power actuator 30 to drive the power release gear 52 with a first cam 68 configured to move the pawl 34 from the ratchet hold position to the ratchet release position when the power release gear 52 is driven from the home position in a first direction to the release position, and configuring the single power actuator 30 to drive the power release gear 52 with a second cam 82 configured to place the power latch assembly 10 in one of the locked state and the child lock state when the power release gear 52 is driven from the home position in a second direction opposite the first direction.

[0088] According to another aspect of the disclosure, the method includes the step 1300 of configuring the power release gear 52 to be driven in the first direction to move the power latch assembly 10 from the child lock state to at least one of the locked state and the unlocked state.

[0089] According to another aspect of the disclosure, the method further includes the step 1350 of coupling the inboard release lever 76 and the link 78 to one another via the pivotal connection 80, and configuring the inboard release lever 76 to move from the inboard release lever rest position to the inboard release lever deployed position in response to mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism 24, whereby the link 78 moves the power latch assembly 10 from the unlocked state to the open state when the power release gear 52 is in the home position.

[0090] According to another aspect of the disclosure, the method further includes the step 1400 of configuring the pawl release lever 72 to operatively couple with the pawl 34 to move the pawl 34 from the ratchet hold position to the ratchet release position when the pawl release lever 72 moves from the pawl release lever rest position to the pawl release lever deployed position, and configuring the link 78 to move the pawl release lever 72 from the pawl release lever rest position to the pawl release lever deployed position when the inboard release lever 76 moves from the inboard release lever rest position to the inboard release lever deployed position in response to mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism 24.

[0091] According to another aspect of the disclosure, the method further includes the step 1450 of configuring the power release gear 52 to have a third cam 88, and configuring the link 78 to engage the third cam 88 during movement of the inboard release lever 76 from the inboard release lever rest position to the inboard release lever deployed position in response to first mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism 24 when the power latch assembly 10 is in the locked state to move the power release gear 52 to the home position with the power latch assembly 10 in the unlocked state, such that second mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism 24 causes the pawl release lever 72 to move from the pawl release lever rest position to the pawl release lever deployed position, whereby the power latch assembly 10 moves from the unlocked state to the open state.

[0092] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, with reference to Figure 2A and Figure 5 the latching ECU 64 can be configured to provide instructions to the power release actuator 30 to move the power latching assembly 110 from the unlocked state to an open state in which the pawl 34 is moved from the ratchet holding position to the ratchet release position, and to place the power latching assembly 110 in the locked state Figure 5 ) or double-pull locked state in which the pawl 34 is prevented from moving from the ratchet holding position to the ratchet release position during the first mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism 24, and to place the power latching assembly 110 in a child lock state (identical to the locked state Figure 5 , but remaining / returning to this position as long as the power latching assembly 110 is in the child lock state, as explained further below) in which the pawl 34 is prevented from moving from the ratchet holding position to the ratchet release position regardless of the number of actuations of the inboard release mechanism 24, and to release the power latching assembly 110 from the child lock state.

[0093] When in the unlocked state and the locked state, the operation of the power latching assembly 110 is identical to that discussed above for the power latching assembly 10, and thus, it can be considered that no further discussion is required for the power latching assembly 110 in the unlocked state and the locked state. Accordingly, the discussion below is directed specifically to the power latching assembly 110 in the child lock state.

[0094] The power latching assembly 110 can be placed in the child lock state by command of the latching ECU 64, such as by way of example and without limitation, a suitable button / switch within or on the motor vehicle 14, including a button / switch on the power latching assembly 110, or by the key fob 28. When placed in the child lock state, either the power actuator 30 drives the power release gear 52 from the home position HP in the second direction to a position in which the power latching assembly 110 is in the child lock state Figure 5 ), which coincides with the position of the locked state, or the latching ECU 64 changes the instructions related to the locked state to the instructions related to the child lock state; however, unlike the locked state, as long as the power latching assembly 110 remains in the child lock state, upon the first pull of the inboard release lever 76, the power release gear 52 is immediately returned to the position shown in Figure 5 by the power release actuator 30, and thus, subsequent pulls of the inboard release lever 76 (movement from the undeployed position toward the deployed position) do not cause the power latching assembly 110 to release to the open state. Accordingly, the movement of the power release gear 52 away from the child lock position during the first actuation of the inboard release lever 76 is identical to Figures 7A to 7BThe motion is the same as illustrated in the diagram, but on the other hand, when the inner release lever 76 is released to or returns to the non-deployed position, the power release actuator 30 immediately drives the power release gear 52 clockwise back to the child lock position. Figure 5 Therefore, the power release gear 52 can be moved to the same position by the power release actuator 30. Figure 5 Furthermore, the power release gear 52 can be placed in either a locked position or a child lock position according to a command from the latch ECU 64. Therefore, depending on the desired operating state, with the power release gear 52 in the same position, two separate operating states of the power latch assembly 110 can be achieved: a locked state and a child lock state, corresponding to the locked position and child lock position of the power release gear 52. The locked state is illustratively a double-pull locking state, while the child lock state is a modified double-pull locking state configured to prevent a second actuation of the handle from releasing the latch. Therefore, Figure 10 The latch 10 shown has a third position—in which the first abutment surface 90 remains disaligned with the third cam 88, for example, the movement of the linkage 78 caused by pulling the handle does not cause rotation of the gear 52—the child lock configuration can be eliminated, thus resulting in a gear 52 having the following three positions: (i) original position / unlocked position ( Figure 6 (ii) Power release position ( Figure 9B (iii) Lock position (double pull to open) Figure 5 This simplifies the positioning of gear 52 in different positions. Therefore, the double-pull configuration of latch 10 can provide an additional child lock state via electronic control without the need for additional position coordination of gear 52.

[0095] To facilitate the timing of the following movements, one or more sensors can be installed. Figure 11 Used to detect the position of the power release gear 52 and / or linkage 78: the power release gear 52 is temporarily moved to the unlocked position during the first pull of the inner release lever 76. Figure 7B Then return to the child lock position. Figure 5 and Figure 7A) to return the power release gear 52 to the child lock position. When in the child lock state, where the sensor is configured in operable communication with the latch ECU 64, the latch ECU 64 can signal the power release actuator 30 to drive the power release gear 52 as needed to place the power release gear 52 in the desired position. In an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment, a magnetic ring 94 can be fixed to the output shaft 48 in co-rotation therewith, where a first position sensor 96 is configured in operable communication with the magnetic ring 94 to detect the position of the power release gear 52. It will be appreciated that as the magnetic ring 94 rotates in response to actuation of the power release actuator 30, the first position sensor 96 is able to detect the precise rotational position of the power release gear 52, where the gear reduction between the drive gear 50 and the power release gear 52 further improves the precision such that the precise rotational position of the power release gear 52 is communicated to the latch ECU 64. Additionally, whether in isolation or in combination with the first sensor 96, a second sensor 98 can be included to detect the position of the inboard release lever 76, where the position of the inboard release lever 76 is communicated to the latch ECU 64. In this manner, the latch ECU 64 is aware of when the inboard release lever 76 is in the undeployed position Figure 7A ) and the deployed position Figure 7B ). Accordingly, an actuation sequence for returning the power release actuator 30 to the child lock position can be established to avoid potential stressing of the power release actuator 30. Stressing of the power release actuator 30 can occur if the inboard release lever 76 remains in the deployed (released) position and the power release actuator 30 is actuated to return the power release gear 52 in the clockwise direction, thereby causing the third cam 88 to forcibly engage against the first abutment surface 90 of the link 78. Accordingly, it is desirable to actuate the power release actuator 30 only after the inboard release lever 76 is free to return to its undeployed position, thereby avoiding such a collision between opposing components. Accordingly, the method 300 of controlling the locked state of the latch assembly can begin with a determination that the power latch assembly 110 is in the child lock state 302, and a detection via the first position sensor 96 that the power release gear 52 has been moved 304, i.e., from the child lock position Figure 12 , Figure 5 , Figure 7A Figure 7B ​) movement. Additionally, and optionally, in step 306, as part of the automatic reset or conversion of the latch 10 to the child lock state, the actuation of the power release actuator 30 can be delayed or postponed until the detection, via the second position sensor 98, that the inboard release lever 76 is returning or has returned to the non-deployed position (e.g., corresponding to the handle returning from the actuated position to the non-actuated position). Then, after confirming that the power release gear 52 has moved to the home position HP by the first actuation of the inboard release lever 76 and optionally confirming that the inboard release lever 72 has returned to its non-deployed position, in step 308, the power release actuator 30 is actuated to rotate clockwise from the home position HP back to the child lock position CLP. The actuation of the power release actuator 30 can be based on the kinematics and / or dimensions of the components of the latch 10, e.g., the actuation of the power release actuator 30 can return to the child lock position or double-pull lock position before the second abutment surface 92 aligns with the second leg 75 of the pawl release lever 72 during the return stroke of the link 78 to avoid an impatient passenger re-actuating the handle before it is fully returned from the actuated position to the non-actuated position. In addition to this, it is contemplated herein that the actuation of the power release actuator 30 can be based on a time factor. Thus, to return the power release gear 52 to the child lock position CLP, the power release actuator 30 can be actuated within a predetermined time from the moment the inboard release lever 76 is detected to move to the deployed position and / or can be actuated when the power release gear 52 is detected to have reached the unlocked position. Regardless, the timing is such that a second or any subsequent movement of the inboard release lever 76 from the non-deployed position to the deployed position does not cause the pawl release lever 72 to move to release the pawl 34, the power release actuator 30 automatically returns the latch 10 to the child lock state after the first actuation of the handle and before the second actuation of the handle, thereby maintaining the power latch assembly 110 in the child lock state. In possible configurations, this automatic state change from locked to unlocked can occur before the manual release mechanism returns to the non-actuated state, e.g., the handle returns to the non-actuated position. In possible configurations, this automatic state change from locked to unlocked can occur during the return of the manual release mechanism to the non-actuated state, e.g., as the handle is returning to the non-actuated position, but before the handle has returned to the non-actuated position.

[0096] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, as Figure 13As illustrated in the middle, a method of controlling the lock state of the latch assembly 400 is provided, for example, implemented by the latch ECU 64, which can be configured to monitor the interface between the child lock switch / BCM to determine whether the power latch assembly 110 is in the child lock position CLP or in a normal mode of operation other than the child lock position 402, such as the lock position LP, the double lock position DLP, or the unlock position. If the latch ECU 64 detects the interface in one of the normal positions in step 404 and detects the activation of the inboard release lever 76 and / or the activation of the inboard handle 24 in step 406, the power release gear is driven to one of the normal positions associated with the lock position, the double lock position, or the unlock position discussed above for the power release gear in step 408. In contrast, if the latch ECU 64 detects the interface in the child lock position CLP in step 404 and detects the activation of the inboard release lever 76 and / or the activation of the inboard handle 24 in step 410, the power release gear is driven to remain in the child lock position CLP regardless of the number of times the inboard release lever 76 is moved to the deployed position, as discussed above.

[0097] The foregoing description of implementations has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Various elements or features of a particular implementation are often not limited to that particular implementation, but are interchangeable with each other, and / or can be used in selected implementations, even if not specifically shown or described. The various elements or features of a specific implementation can vary from implementation to implementation. These variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

[0098] Embodiments of the present invention can be understood with reference to the following numbered paragraphs:

[0099] 1. A power latch assembly for closing a panel, the power latch assembly comprising:

[0100] a ratchet configured to move between a striker capture position and a striker release position, and the ratchet is biased toward the striker release position;

[0101] a pawl configured to move between a ratchet hold position, in which the pawl holds the ratchet in the striker capture position, and a ratchet release position, in which the pawl releases the ratchet to move to the striker release position; and

[0102] a power actuator configured to move the power latch assembly from an unlocked state to an open state in which the pawl is moved from a ratchet retaining position to a ratchet releasing position, and the power actuator is configured to perform at least two of the following: place the power latch assembly in a child lock state in which the pawl is prevented from moving from the ratchet retaining position to the ratchet releasing position; release the power latch assembly from the child lock state; place the power latch assembly in a lock state in which the pawl is prevented from moving from the ratchet retaining position to the ratchet releasing position during a first mechanical actuation of an inboard release mechanism; and release the power latch assembly from the lock state.

[0103] 2. The power latch assembly of paragraph 1, further comprising a power release gear configured to be operably coupled with the power actuator, the power actuator configured to move the power release gear from an original position in which the power latch assembly is in the unlocked state to a release position in which the power latch assembly is in the open state in a first direction, and the power actuator configured to drive the power release gear from the original position in a second direction to place the power latch assembly in at least one of the child lock state and the lock state.

[0104] 3. The power latch assembly of paragraph 2, wherein the power actuator is configured to move the power release gear from the original position in the second direction to place the power latch assembly in the child lock state and the lock state at different times.

[0105] 4. The power latch assembly of paragraph 3, wherein the power actuator is configured to move the power release gear in the first direction to move the power latch assembly from the child lock state to at least one of the lock state and the unlocked state.

[0106] 5. The power latch assembly of paragraph 4, wherein the power actuator is configured to move the power release gear in the first direction during a first actuation of the power actuator to move the power latch assembly from the child lock state to the lock state, and move the power release gear in the first direction during a second actuation of the power actuator to move the power latch assembly from the lock state to the unlocked state.

[0107] 6. The power latch assembly of paragraph 2, wherein the power release gear includes a first cam configured to move the pawl from the ratchet hold position to the ratchet release position when the power release gear is moved from the home position to the release position in the first direction, and a second cam configured to place the power latch assembly in at least one of the locked state and the child lock state when the power release gear is driven from the home position in the second direction.

[0108] 7. The power latch assembly of paragraph 6, wherein the first cam and the second cam are located on opposite sides of the power release gear.

[0109] 8. The power latch assembly of paragraph 6, wherein the second cam is configured to place the power latch assembly in the locked state and the child lock state at different times.

[0110] 9. The power latch assembly of paragraph 6, further comprising an inboard release lever and a link coupled to one another via a pivotal connection, the inboard release lever configured to move from an inboard release lever rest position to an inboard release lever deployed position in response to mechanical actuation of an inboard release mechanism, whereby the link moves the power latch assembly from the unlocked state to the open state when the power release gear is in the home position.

[0111] 10. The power latch assembly of paragraph 9, further comprising a pawl release lever configured to operatively couple with the pawl to move the pawl from the ratchet hold position to the ratchet release position when the pawl release lever moves from a pawl release lever rest position to a pawl release lever deployed position, the link configured to move the pawl release lever from the pawl release lever rest position to the pawl release lever deployed position when the inboard release lever moves from the inboard release lever rest position to the inboard release lever deployed position in response to mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism.

[0112] 11. The power latch assembly of paragraph 10, wherein the link is prevented from being able to move the pawl release lever from the pawl release lever rest position to the pawl release lever deployed position when the power latch assembly is in the child lock state.

[0113] 12. The power latch assembly of paragraph 11, wherein the power release gear includes a third cam, the link is configured to engage the third cam during movement of the inboard release lever from the inboard release lever rest position to the inboard release lever deployed position in response to a first mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism when the power latch assembly is in the locked state to move the power release gear to the home position in which the power latch assembly is in the unlocked state such that a second mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism causes the pawl release lever to move from the pawl release lever rest position to the pawl release lever deployed position in which the power latch assembly moves from the unlocked state to the open state.

[0114] 13. The power latch assembly of paragraph 12, wherein the link has a first abutment surface and a second abutment surface, the first abutment surface is configured to engage the third cam during movement of the inboard release lever from the inboard release lever rest position to the inboard release lever deployed position when the power latch assembly is in the locked position, and the second abutment surface is configured to engage the pawl release lever to move from the pawl release lever rest position to the pawl release lever deployed position when the power latch assembly is in the unlocked position.

[0115] 14. The power latch assembly of paragraph 13, wherein the first abutment surface is located between the second abutment surface and the pivotal connection.

[0116] 15. The power latch assembly of paragraph 10, wherein the pawl release lever has a first leg configured to engage the first cam and a second leg configured to engage the link.

[0117] 16. The power latch assembly of paragraph 2, further comprising a power release gear configured to be operatively coupled with the power actuator, the power actuator is configured to move the power release gear from a home position in which the power latch assembly is in the unlocked state to a release position in a first direction in which the power latch assembly is in the open state, and the power actuator is configured to drive the power release gear from the home position in a second direction to place the power latch assembly in the child lock state and the locked state, wherein the power release gear is in the same position in the child lock state and the locked state.

[0118] 17. The power latch assembly of paragraph 16, further comprising an inboard release lever and a link coupled to one another via a pivotal connection, the inboard release lever configured to move from an inboard release lever rest position to an inboard release lever deployed position in response to mechanical actuation of an inboard release mechanism, whereby, when the power release gear is in the home position, the link moves the power latch assembly from the unlocked state to the open state in response to the inboard release lever moving from the inboard release lever rest position to the inboard release lever deployed position; and, when the power release gear is in the locked position, the link moves the power release gear from the locked position to the home position in response to the inboard release lever moving from the inboard release lever rest position to the inboard release lever deployed position in a first pull, in which the power latch assembly is in the unlocked state, and the link moves the power latch assembly from the unlocked state to the open state in response to the inboard release lever moving from the inboard release lever rest position to the inboard release lever deployed position in a second pull; and, when the power release gear is in the child lock position, the link moves the power release gear from the child lock position to the home position in response to the inboard release lever moving from the inboard release lever rest position to the inboard release lever deployed position, whereby the power actuator drives the power release gear from the home position back to the child lock position in the second direction.

[0119] 18. A power latch assembly for closing a panel, the power latch assembly operably coupled to a handle, the power latch assembly comprising:

[0120] a ratchet configured to move between a striker capture position and a striker release position, and the ratchet is biased toward the striker release position;

[0121] a pawl configured to move between a ratchet hold position, in which the pawl holds the ratchet in the striker capture position, and a ratchet release position, in which the pawl releases the ratchet to move to the striker release position;

[0122] a double pull mechanism having a double pull open state and a double pull closed state, wherein, with the double pull mechanism in the double pull open state, a first actuation of the handle transitions the double pull mechanism from the double pull open state to the double pull closed state and prevents the handle from moving the pawl, and, with the double pull mechanism in the double pull closed state, a second actuation of the handle moves the pawl to the ratchet release position; and

[0123] a single motor adapted to move the pawl to the ratchet release position and to transition the dual pull mechanism from the dual pull closed state to the dual pull open state after the first actuation.

[0124] 19. The power latch assembly of paragraph 18, wherein the motor is adapted to transition the dual pull mechanism from the dual pull closed state to the dual pull open state during return of the handle from an actuated position to an unactuated position after the first actuation.

[0125] 20. A method of configuring a power latch assembly to perform multiple functions by a single powered actuator, the power latch assembly having a ratchet configured to move between a striker capture position and a striker release position, and biased toward the striker release position, and a pawl configured to move between a ratchet hold position, in which the pawl holds the ratchet in the striker capture position, and a ratchet release position, in which the pawl releases the ratchet to move the ratchet to the striker release position, the method comprising:

[0126] configuring the single powered actuator to move the pawl from the ratchet hold position to the ratchet release position when the power latch assembly is in an unlatched, closed position;

[0127] configuring the single powered actuator to selectively place the power latch assembly in a locked state in which the pawl moves from the ratchet hold position to the ratchet release position upon completion of a first mechanical actuation and a second mechanical actuation of an inboard release mechanism; and

[0128] configuring the single powered actuator to place the power latch assembly in a child lock state in which repeated mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism fails to move the pawl from the ratchet hold position to the ratchet release position.

Claims

1. A power latch assembly (10, 110) for closing a panel (12), the power latch assembly comprising: a ratchet wheel (32) configured to move between a striker capture position and a striker release position, and biased toward the striker release position; a pawl (34) configured to move between a ratchet wheel hold position, in which the pawl (34) holds the ratchet wheel (32) in the striker capture position, and a ratchet wheel release position, in which the pawl (34) releases the ratchet wheel (32) to move to the striker release position; a power actuator (30) configured to move the power latch assembly (10) from an unlocked state to an open state, in which the pawl (34) moves from a ratchet wheel hold position to a ratchet wheel release position, and to at least two of: place the power latch assembly (10) in a child lock state, in which the pawl (34) is prevented from moving from the ratchet wheel hold position to the ratchet wheel release position; release the power latch assembly (10) from the child lock state; place the power latch assembly (10) in a lock state, in which the pawl (34) is prevented from moving from the ratchet wheel hold position to the ratchet wheel release position during a first mechanical actuation of an inboard release mechanism (24); and release the power latch assembly (10) from the lock state; and a power release gear (52) configured to be operably coupled with the power actuator (30), the power actuator (30) configured to move the power release gear (52), wherein the power release gear is operable to move the pawl to the ratchet wheel release position, wherein the power release gear (52) includes a first cam (68) configured to move the pawl (34) from the ratchet wheel hold position to the ratchet wheel release position when the power release gear (52) is moved, and a second cam (82) configured to place the power latch assembly (10) in at least one of the lock state and the child lock state. The power actuator includes a single motor, and the power release gear is back drivable.

2. The power latch assembly (10, 110) of claim 1, wherein, The first cam (68) and the second cam (82) are located on opposite sides of the power release gear (52).

3. The power latch assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein, The power release gear (52) further includes an override cam (88) configured to allow non-motorized movement of the power release gear (52).

4. The power latch assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein, The override cam (88) is adapted to move in response to enabling mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism.

5. The power latch assembly (10) of claim 4, wherein, The power release gear (52) is configured to move in response to enabling mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism without using the override cam (88) if the power latch assembly is in the child lock state.

6. The power latch assembly (10) of claim 5, wherein, ​ 7. The power latch assembly (10) of claim 1, further comprising a link (78) having an aligned position and a bypass position, wherein, In the aligned position, the pawl is movable by mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism, and in the bypassed position, the pawl is not movable by mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism, wherein the second cam is adapted to position the link in the bypassed position and the first cam is used to move the pawl.

8. The power latch assembly (10) of claim 5, wherein, The power release gear (52) is configured to move in response to a first mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism (24) using the override cam (88) with the power latch assembly in the locked state to transition the power latch assembly to an unlocked state, wherein the actuator is adapted to automatically transition the power latch assembly to the locked state prior to a second mechanical actuation of the inboard release mechanism (24).

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