Vehicle latch and method of slowing rotation of a gear of a power release mechanism of the vehicle latch

Abstract

A vehicle latch comprising a power release mechanism for transitioning the vehicle latch from a locked state to an unlocked state, the power release mechanism including a motor that rotates a worm, the worm being meshingly engaged with a power release gear, the power release gear being operably coupled to a pawl of the latch, and a spring arranged to reduce the speed of the gear when the gear is back driven to a home position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure relate to prior art vehicle latches, particularly vehicle latches with a power release mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] Some vehicle side door latches with power release mechanisms may jam, preventing the latches from completing all required cycles. It has been noted that jamming only occurs after reverse drive operation. For example, when power release is performed under high voltage, the gear mechanism reaches a hard stop and the motor used for reverse drive stalls, resulting in a high shock to the gear mechanism. This can cause a loss of engagement between the gears and worm gear teeth, leading to jamming. When this occurs, the motor cannot move to the initial / stationary position. Summary of the Invention

[0003] A vehicle latch with a power release mechanism.

[0004] A vehicle latch is disclosed, comprising: a power release mechanism for switching the vehicle latch from a locked state to an unlocked state, the power release mechanism including a motor for rotating a worm gear meshing with a power release gear operably coupled to a pawl of the latch, and a spring configured to reduce the speed of the gear when the gear is reverse-driven to its original position.

[0005] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the spring has a leg that directly contacts the cam of the gear when the gear is rotated to the original position.

[0006] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, one end of the spring is operably connected to the cover of the vehicle latch, such that one end of the spring's leg is free.

[0007] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the cover is configured to be secured to the complementary housing of the vehicle latch.

[0008] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the leg of the spring is also configured to provide a recessed area that is configured to receive a complementary portion of the cam when the gear is reverse-driven to the original position.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the complementary portion of the cam is the angular portion of the cam.

[0010] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the recessed region is curved.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the gear is operably coupled to a power release lever, the power release lever is operably coupled to a pawl release lever, the pawl release lever is operably coupled to a pawl lifter, and the pawl lifter is operably coupled to the pawl.

[0012] A method for slowing the rotation of a gear in a power release mechanism of a vehicle latch is also disclosed, comprising: rotating the gear of the power release mechanism to an original position; and when the gear is rotated to the original position by a motor, contacting and deflecting a spring fixed to a cover of the vehicle latch by a cam of the gear, wherein the spring reduces the speed of the gear when the gear is reversed to the original position.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the spring has a leg that directly contacts the cam of the gear when the gear is rotated to the original position.

[0014] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, one end of the spring is operably connected to the cover of the vehicle latch, such that one end of the spring's leg is free.

[0015] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the cover is configured to be secured to the complementary housing of the vehicle latch.

[0016] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the leg of the spring is also configured to provide a recessed area that is configured to receive a complementary portion of the cam when the gear is reverse-driven to the original position.

[0017] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the complementary portion of the cam is the angular portion of the cam.

[0018] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the recessed region is curved.

[0019] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the gear is operably coupled to a power release lever, the power release lever is operably coupled to a pawl release lever, the pawl release lever is operably coupled to a pawl lifter, and the pawl lifter is operably coupled to the pawl. Brief description of the attached figures The following description should not be construed as limiting in any way. Referring to the accompanying drawings, similar components are numbered the same: Figure 1 This is a view of the vehicle latch in its initial position when the latch is released by power; Figure 2 This is a view of the vehicle latch when the gear of the power release mechanism is reversed; Figure 3 This is a view of the vehicle latch when the gear of the power release mechanism is driven in the complete reverse direction; Figure 4 This shows the spring holding the cover of the vehicle latch; and Figures 5-7 This is a perspective view of the vehicle latch when the power release mechanism of the vehicle latch has been fully reversed. Detailed Implementation

[0020] This document provides a detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed devices and methods by way of example rather than by way of reference figures.

[0021] Referring now to the accompanying drawings, a side door vehicle latch 10 with power release capability is shown.

[0022] The side door vehicle latch 10 includes a power release mechanism 12 for changing the vehicle latch 10 from a locked state to an unlocked state. The power release mechanism 12 includes a motor 14 that rotates a worm gear 16, which meshes with a power release gear 18. When the worm gear 16 rotates a power release lever 20, the lever 20 moves and contacts a pawl release lever 22, causing the pawl release lever 22 to move. The pawl release lever 22 is operatively coupled to a pawl lifter 24, which is operatively coupled to a pawl 26 of a latch. The pawl 26 is configured to move between an engaged position and a disengaged position, in which the pawl 26 prevents a pawl 28 from moving from a locked position to an unlocked position. When the pawl 26 moves to the disengaged position, the pawl 28 is free to move from the locked position to the unlocked position. The pawl 26 and pawl 28 are rotatably mounted to a rear panel 29 of the vehicle latch 10. In a non-limiting embodiment, pawl 26 is spring-biased to the engaged position by a spring, and pawl 28 is spring-biased to the unlocked position by a spring.

[0023] As described above, the power release mechanism 12 may jam during reverse drive operation. This jamming condition can cause the power release gear 18 to separate from the worm 16 and / or deform the gear teeth of the worm 16 and / or gear 18, thereby preventing the power release function of the vehicle latch 10.

[0024] To eliminate jamming between gear 18 and worm 16 under high pressure during reverse drive, a spring 30 is provided to reduce the speed of gear 18, instead of using motor 14 or electrical input (reducing voltage and changing duty cycle). The spring 30 has a leg 32 that directly contacts the cam 34 of gear 18, which acts as a brake during the reverse drive function of gear 18.

[0025] One end of the spring 300 is operably connected to the cover 36 of the vehicle latch 1, allowing the support leg 32 to be free and to act as a brake when the gear 18 is reverse-driven by the motor 14 and when the support leg 32 contacts the cam 34. The cover 36 is configured to be fixed to the complementary housing 38 of the vehicle latch 10.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a view of the vehicle latch 10 in its initial position when it is powered out by the power release mechanism 12. In this position, gear 18 is already relative to... Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 5 to 7 From the original position (e.g.) Figure 3 Rotating clockwise causes the cam 34 of gear 18 to contact the power release lever 20, which in turn rotates the lever 20 and moves the pawl from the engaged position to the disengaged position, thus allowing the pawl to move from the locked position to the unlocked position. The power release lever 20 is operatively connected to a pawl release lever 22, which is operatively connected to a pawl lifter 24, which is operatively connected to a latching pawl 26. Pawl 26 is configured to move between an engaged position and a disengaged position; in the engaged position, pawl 26 prevents the pawl 28 from moving from the locked position to the unlocked position. When pawl 26 moves to the disengaged position, the pawl 28 is free to move from the locked position to the unlocked position. Thus, gear 18 is operatively connected to pawl 26.

[0027] Once the power release mechanism moves the pawl to the disengaged position, gear 18 of the power release mechanism is reversed (relative to...). Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 5 to 7 (Counter-clockwise drive) Back Figure 3 The original position is shown.

[0028] Figure 2 This occurs after latch 10 is released (the pawl is in the unlocked position), and the gear is relative to... Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 5 to 7 counterclockwise Figure 3After the original position is reversed, the vehicle latch 12 is viewed as a view of the gear 18 of the power release mechanism 12 of the vehicle latch 10. The cam 34 of the gear 18 contacts the support leg 32 of the spring 30, initiating the deflection of the spring 30. At least as Figure 4 As shown, spring 30 is fixed to cover 36, and the support leg 32 of spring 30 has a free end 40. The support leg 32 of spring 30 is also configured to provide a bent or recessed area 42, which is configured to bend or recessed when the gear is reversed to its original position (e.g., ...). Figure 3 When receiving the complementary part of cam 34 or angle 44.

[0029] Figure 3 This is a view of the vehicle latch 12 when the gear 18 of the power release mechanism 12 of the vehicle latch 10 is fully reversed to the gear's original position and the cam 34 further deflects the spring 30. For example, the outrigger 32, due to its free end being able to... Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 5 to 7 It deflects clockwise. In this position, the deflecting spring acts as a brake to slow the rotation of gear 18 without abruptly stopping, which, as mentioned above, could lead to a jamming event. Therefore, spring 30 provides a means and method for slowing the rotation of gear 18 as it finishes its rotation and returns to its original position.

[0030] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit this disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should be further understood that the terms “comprising” and / or “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups.

[0031] While this disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made and equivalents of its elements can be substituted without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt particular situations or materials to the teachings of the invention without departing from its essential scope. Therefore, this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but rather to include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle latch, comprising: A power release mechanism for transferring the vehicle latch from a locked state to an unlocked state, the power release mechanism including a motor for rotating a worm gear, the worm gear engaging with a power release gear operably connected to a pawl of the vehicle latch, and... A spring is provided to reduce the speed of the gear when the gear is reversed to its original position. The spring has a support leg, which directly contacts the cam of the gear when the gear rotates to the original position. One end of the spring is operably connected to the cover of the vehicle latch, such that one end of the spring's support leg is free; The cover is configured to be secured to the complementary housing of the vehicle latch; The spring's legs are also configured to provide a recessed area, which is configured to receive a complementary portion of the cam when the gear is reverse-driven back to the original position.

2. The vehicle latch according to claim 1, wherein, The recessed area is curved.

3. The vehicle latch according to claim 1, wherein, The complementary portion of the cam is the angular portion of the cam.

4. The vehicle latch according to claim 3, wherein, The recessed area is curved.

5. The vehicle latch according to claim 4, wherein, The gear is operably connected to a power release lever, the power release lever is operably connected to a pawl release lever, the pawl release lever is operably connected to a pawl lifter, and the pawl lifter is operably connected to the pawl.

6. A method for slowing the rotation of a gear in a power release mechanism of a vehicle latch, comprising: Rotate the gear of the power release mechanism back to its original position; as well as When the gear is driven by the motor to rotate to the original position, the cam of the gear contacts and deflects the spring fixed to the cover of the vehicle latch, wherein the spring reduces the speed of the gear when the gear is reversed to the original position; The spring has a support leg, which directly contacts the cam of the gear when the gear rotates to the original position. One end of the spring is operably connected to the cover of the vehicle latch, such that one end of the spring's support leg is free; The cover is configured to be secured to the complementary housing of the vehicle latch; The spring's legs are also configured to provide a recessed area, which is configured to receive a complementary portion of the cam when the gear is reverse-driven back to the original position.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The recessed area is curved.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The complementary portion of the cam is the angular portion of the cam.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The recessed area is curved.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The gear is operably connected to a power release lever, the power release lever is operably connected to a pawl release lever, the pawl release lever is operably connected to a pawl lifter, and the pawl lifter is operably connected to the pawl.

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