Door latch

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle door latch, comprising: a housing configured to receive a striker in a closed position of a door, a rotatable hook configured to be detachably engaged with the striker by rotation, a pawl mechanism configured to move between a blocking position and a release position, in which the pawl mechanism blocks the rotation of the rotatable hook, an electric motor linked to the pawl and configured to move the pawl from its blocking position to its release position, and vice versa, a manual release mechanism comprising an actuating device linked to the pawl mechanism, and the manual release mechanism comprising a rod that can be grasped by a user to manually move the pawl mechanism from its blocking position to its release position, and vice versa, the manual release mechanism also comprising a blocking device, the blocking device being used to block the actuating device in the release position or the blocking position of the pawl mechanism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vehicle door latches for controlling vehicle door locking, and in particular to electric latches. Background Art

[0002] Electric latches are widely used in the automotive industry to provide safety and comfort to the user. Such electric latches include an electric motor powered by the vehicle's battery. With such electric latches, the door unlocks upon receiving an electric signal, which is sent by a handle upon detection of a user's actuation or by a remote device.

[0003] To ensure user safety, it is necessary to foresee a backup manual mechanism in the event of a malfunction of the electrical latch, such as in the event of a power outage, particularly for users who are within a vehicle.

[0004] Utilizing prior art backup manual mechanisms, it is often necessary to disassemble the latch to restore it to its normal function (via the electric motor) after the fault has been repaired.

[0005] However, since failure of an electrical latch can be quickly and easily repaired, for example in the event of a power shortage, requiring only charging of the battery, it may be useful to have a backup manual mechanism that is easily reversible by the user without requiring cumbersome handling or intervention by a maintenance technician.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electronic latch that includes a readily reversible backup manual mechanism. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention relates to a vehicle door latch, comprising:

[0008] a housing configured to be arranged on a door of a vehicle and comprising an opening configured to receive a striker in a closed position of the door, the striker being arranged on the vehicle body,

[0009] - a rotatable hook disposed in the housing and configured to detachably engage with the striker by rotating between a closed position and an open position,

[0010] a pawl mechanism disposed in the housing and configured to move between a blocking position and a release position, in which the pawl mechanism blocks the rotation of the rotatable hook,

[0011] an electric motor linked to the pawl mechanism and configured for moving the pawl mechanism from its blocking position to its releasing position and vice versa,

[0012] - A manual release mechanism comprising an actuating device which is linked to the pawl mechanism and extends to the outside of the housing and comprises a rod which can be grasped by a user to manually move the pawl mechanism from its blocking position to its release position, and vice versa, and a blocking device for blocking the actuating device in the release position or the blocking position of the pawl mechanism.

[0013] Such a vehicle door latch is capable of providing a manual release mechanism that can be easily used by a user in the event that an electrical component of the latch fails, and the manual release mechanism is reversible to easily manually unlock or lock the door, and the manual release mechanism can be easily blocked by a user in a locked or unlocked position.

[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, the lever is pulled by the user to move the pawl mechanism from its blocking position to its releasing position, and is pushed by the user to move the pawl mechanism from its releasing position to its blocking position.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, the actuating device includes a rod linked to the pawl mechanism and extending outside the housing.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, the actuating device includes a Bowden cable linked to the pawl mechanism and extending to the outside of the housing.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, the blocking device includes an elastic portion configured to be compressed by the housing to block the displacement of the actuating device in the release position of the pawl mechanism.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, the blocking device includes a clip configured to hook onto the housing in a released position of the pawl mechanism.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, the housing includes an additional opening through which the actuating device extends to the outside of the housing, and wherein an umbrella or a water guide is arranged on a portion of the actuating device adjacent to the additional opening to provide waterproofness.

[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, the housing comprises an additional opening through which the actuating device extends to the outside of the housing, wherein the additional opening has the shape of a hollow cylinder, and wherein the actuating device comprises a cylindrical portion which is complementary to the hollow cylinder and is configured to be introduced into the hollow cylinder in the blocking position of the pawl mechanism to provide water resistance.

[0021] According to another aspect of the invention, the housing comprises an additional opening through which the actuating device extends to the exterior of the housing, wherein the additional opening comprises a flexible portion associated with the narrow section, and wherein the actuating device comprises a slider having a cam configured to deform the flexible portion when the slider slides within the narrow section.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present invention, the vehicle door latch further comprises an elastic device, such as a return spring, which is configured to constrain the pawl mechanism in its blocking position.

[0023] The present invention also relates to a vehicle door comprising the vehicle door latch as described above.

[0024] According to another aspect of the invention, a vehicle door comprises a housing which is arranged beside the latch and is closed by a flap arranged on the inner side of the door, and wherein the rod is disposed in the housing.

[0025] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a vehicle door as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle door latch according to the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle door latch according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A side view of a manual release mechanism of a door latch;

[0029] Figure 4 A manual release mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, which is in a blocking position of a pawl mechanism;

[0030] Figure 5 express Figure 4 The manual release mechanism is in the release position of the pawl mechanism;

[0031] Figure 6 express Figure 4 The manual release mechanism is blocked in the release position of the pawl mechanism;

[0032] Figure 7 Indicates unlocking from the release position of the pawl mechanism Figure 4 Manual release mechanism;

[0033] Figure 8 shows a blocking device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a first position;

[0034] Fig. 9 Indicates the second position Figure 8blocking device;

[0035] Fig.10 Indicates the third position Figure 8 blocking device;

[0036] Fig.11 A perspective view showing an umbrella arranged on an actuating device of a manual release mechanism;

[0037] Fig.12 A perspective view showing a water conduit arranged on an actuating device of a manual release mechanism;

[0038] Fig.13 and Fig.14 A perspective view showing an alternative embodiment of an actuating device for a vehicle door latch;

[0039] Fig.15 express Fig.13 A side view of an actuating device;

[0040] Figures 16 to 19 A side view of another embodiment of a vehicle door latch is shown in different positions of an actuator of a manual release mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The following achievements are examples. Although the specification mentions one or several embodiments, it does not imply that each reference refers to the same embodiment or that features apply to only a single embodiment. Simple features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments.

[0042] The present invention relates to a vehicle door latch, and more particularly to an electric door latch for locking or unlocking a vehicle door. The term "door" herein refers to a passenger door or a trunk lid or a tailgate. Figure 1 As shown, the latch 1 comprises a housing 3 configured to be arranged on a door of a vehicle and surrounding a latch mechanism 5. An opening 7 is arranged in the housing 3 to enable the introduction of a striker 9 arranged on the vehicle body when the door is in the closed position.

[0043] The latch mechanism 5 includes a rotatable hook 11 configured to detachably engage with the striker 9 by rotating between a closed position that blocks relative displacement (such as when the latch 1 (and thus the door) and the striker 9) and an open position. Figure 1 The rotation of the rotatable hook 11 may be controlled by a handle linked to the rotatable hook 11 by a Bowden cable (not shown) or via an electric motor connected to the handle.

[0044] The latch mechanism 5 further includes a pawl mechanism 13 disposed beside the rotatable hook 11. The pawl mechanism 13 may include a pawl 13a and an opening lever 13b, and is configured to move between a blocking position and a release position, in which the pawl mechanism 13 blocks the rotation of the hook 11. The movement of the pawl mechanism 13 may be as follows: Figure 1 Rotation shown. Figure 1 The position of the pawl mechanism 13 and the hook 11 in the housing 3 corresponds to the locked position of the door. From this position, the pawl mechanism 13 can be rotated counterclockwise toward its release position. The hook 11 can then be rotated counterclockwise toward its open position. The striker 9 can then be separated from the latch mechanism 5 through the opening 7 of the housing 3.

[0045] The latch mechanism 5 also includes an electric motor 15, which is linked to the pawl mechanism 13 via a driving force mechanism 17, and the driving force mechanism 17 includes, for example, a shaft, a rod, a gear, a cam, etc., so as to form a power transmission path for transmitting the rotational torque to the pawl mechanism 13. Therefore, the electric motor 15 is configured to move the pawl mechanism 13 from its blocking position to its release position, and vice versa. The electric motor 15 can be driven in the forward and reverse directions. The electric motor 15 can be powered by the battery 19 of the vehicle via a connector 21 arranged on the housing 3. The electric motor 15 can be driven by the controller 23 to lock or unlock the latch 1 when receiving a signal sent by the remote controller 25. The controller 23 can be a computer with a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, and an input / output interface. The remote controller 25 can include a smart key with a button switch, a door lock switch set on the door, and any known remote controller. The remote controller 25 can also be connected to the controller 23 by a wire. The controller 23 can also be arranged in the housing 3. The controller 23 can also be powered by the battery 19 of the vehicle.

[0046] The latch mechanism 5 further comprises a manual release mechanism 27 comprising an actuating device linked to the pawl mechanism 13, for example linked to the opening lever 13b of the pawl mechanism 13. The manual release mechanism 27 extends to the outside of the housing 3 through the additional opening 8 and comprises a lever 29 which can be grasped by a user to manually move the pawl mechanism 13 from its blocking position to its releasing position and vice versa.

[0047] according to Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the embodiment shown, the manual release mechanism 27 comprises a Bowden cable 35, which is linked at one end to the pawl mechanism 13, for example to the opening lever 13b of the pawl mechanism 13, and at the other end to the rod 29. A sheath 37 may be arranged around the Bowden cable 35, in particular for the portion of the Bowden cable 35 located outside the housing 3.

[0048] According to another embodiment not shown, the manual release mechanism 27 may include a rotatable rod 29, which is rotated in a first direction, for example via the opening rod 13b of the pawl mechanism 13, to rotate the pawl mechanism 13 from its blocking position to its releasing position, and is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction to rotate the pawl mechanism 13 from its releasing position to its blocking position.

[0049] The actuating means of the manual release mechanism 27 may also include shafts, gears, cams, etc. to ensure force transmission between the rod 29 and the pawl mechanism 13. Some of these actuating means may be shared with the drive force mechanism 17 associated with the electric motor 15.

[0050] The manual release mechanism 27 also includes blocking means for blocking the actuating means (here the rod 31 or the Bowden cable 35) in the release position of the pawl mechanism 13. The pawl mechanism 13 can be constrained in its blocking position by elastic means such as a return spring. In this case, the blocking means provides a sufficiently high force, such as a friction force, to overcome the force applied by the elastic means.

[0051] according to Figures 4 to 7 In the embodiment shown, the blocking means comprises a clamp 39 which can be arranged in the rod 29. The clamp 39 is configured to hook onto the edge 30 of the housing 3 in the release position of the pawl mechanism 13, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown. The clamp 39 can be formed by a corner arranged in the rod 29. Therefore, Figure 4 The pawl mechanism 13 is shown in a blocking position. Preferably, the clamp 39 is still in the housing 3 at this time. Figure 5 This represents the displacement of the manual release mechanism 27 when the user pulls the lever 29, causing the pawl mechanism 13 to rotate towards its release position. Preferably, the clamp 39 is thereby moved from the interior of the housing 3 to the exterior of the housing 3, and can also be outside the housing 3 at this time. Figure 6 It is shown that the manual release mechanism is blocked in the release position of the pawl mechanism 13 by hooking the clamp 39 on the edge 30 of the housing 3 . Figure 7 It is shown that the blocking device is released by pulling the lever 29 again and unhooking the clamp 39 from the edge 30 of the housing 3. The pawl mechanism 13 can then be brought back to the blocking position by pushing the lever 29 towards the housing 3. Preferably, to unlock the clamp 39, the lever 29 is pulled again, which releases the clamp 39 from the housing and allows the lever 29 to be returned to the blocking position by pushing the lever 29 towards the inside of the housing 3.

[0052] according to Figures 8 to 10In another embodiment shown, the blocking device comprises an elastic portion 41 configured to be elastically compressed by the housing 3, for example, by a pin 43 arranged in the housing 3. The elastic portion 41 may be arranged on the rod 29. Alternatively, the elastic portion may be arranged in the housing 3 and compressed by a pin arranged on the rod 29. The elastic deformation of the elastic portion 41 due to its compression generates a huge friction force and blocks the displacement of the actuating device (e.g., the rod 31 or the Bowden cable 35) in the release position of the pawl mechanism 13. Figure 8 The position of the rod 29 is shown when the pawl mechanism 13 is in the blocking position. Fig. 9 represents the position of the lever 29 when the user pulls the lever 29 to rotate the pawl mechanism 13 toward its release position by overcoming the friction force generated by the elastic portion 41, and Fig.10 4 shows the position of the rod 29 when the pawl mechanism 13 is in the release position. The combination of the resilient portion 41 and the pin 43 of the housing 3 prevents the rod 29 from moving back toward the pawl mechanism 13, and thus prevents the pawl mechanism 13 from rotating back to its blocking position when the user does not apply force on the rod 29. By pushing the rod 29 toward the housing 3, the user can overcome the friction between the resilient portion 41 and the housing 3, and thus can cause the pawl mechanism 13 to rotate back to its blocking position.

[0053] Thus, the blocking device is able to block the pawl mechanism 13 in its blocking position or in its release position according to the action of the user on the rod 29. These blocking devices can be applied to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The embodiments presented in .

[0054] The housing 3 may also include a device for preventing water from entering the housing 3 in the additional opening 8, through which the manual release mechanism 27 or the rod 29 extends to the outside of the housing 3. Such a device may refer to an umbrella 45 arranged on the actuating device, in particular, on a portion adjacent to the additional opening 8, to provide water resistance, such as Fig.11 When the pawl mechanism 13 is in its blocking or releasing position, the umbrella 45 surrounds the actuating means such as the rod 29 and covers the additional opening 8. Alternatively, it may refer to a water guide 47 arranged on the actuating means (here the rod 29) to prevent liquid drops from entering the housing 3, such as Fig.12 shown.

[0055] according to Figures 13 to 15 In another embodiment shown, the housing 3 comprises an additional opening 8, through which the actuating means, in particular the rod 29, extend to the outside of the housing 3. The additional opening 8 has the shape of a hollow cylinder, and the actuating means comprises a cylindrical portion complementary to the hollow cylinder of the additional opening 8. In the blocking position of the pawl mechanism 13, the cylindrical portion is introduced into the hollow cylinder, as shown in FIG. Fig.13This configuration provides water resistance. The latch 1 functions in other respects similarly to the previous embodiment, such that a user pulls on the lever 29 to direct the pawl mechanism 13 toward its release position, as shown. Fig.14 shown.

[0056] according to Figures 16 to 19 In another embodiment of the blocking device shown, the housing 3 includes an additional opening 8, through which the actuating device extends to the outside of the housing 3. The additional opening 8 may have a cylindrical shape. The additional opening 8 includes a narrow section 51 and a flexible portion associated with the narrow section 51, such as a flexible cover 53, so that deformation of the flexible cover can expand the narrow section 51. The narrow section 51 can be extended by Fig.16 The actuation device comprises a slider 55, which is configured to slide in the additional opening 8 when the user pulls or pushes the rod 29. The slider comprises a cam 57, which overcomes the narrow section 51 by deforming the flexible cover 53 when the rod 29 slides through the narrow section 51, as shown in FIG. Fig.18 As shown. The cam 57 is made of opposite slopes to produce a ramp up and a ramp down. Due to the deformation of the flexible cover 53, when the user pulls or pushes the slider, the cam 57 enables the slider to pass through the narrow section 51. The cam 57 is located on one side of the slider 55, in this case, on the bottom side, and the flexible cover 53 is located on the other side, in this case, on the upper side. Therefore, when the rod 29 is as shown in FIG. Fig.17 and 18 When the slider 55 is pulled as shown by the arrow P in FIG. 1 , the first cam 57 of the slider 55 causes the slider 55 to move toward the flexible cover 53. The flexible cover 53 is as shown in FIG. Fig.18 The deformation of the flexible cover 53 enables the slider 55 to overcome the wall forming the narrow section 51 to reach the stopper corresponding to the release position of the pawl mechanism 13, as shown in FIG. Fig.19 In this position, the flexible cover 53 returns to its original position due to its elasticity and flexibility. The second cam 57 opposite to the first cam 57 enables the slider 55 to slide in the opposite direction and overcome the narrow section 51 when the rod 29 is pushed back toward the blocking position of the pawl mechanism 13.

[0057] Thus, in normal function, the pawl mechanism 13 is rotated between its blocking position and its release position by the electric motor 15 to lock or unlock the latch 1 and enable or disable the door to be opened by the rotation of the hook 11. The electric motor 15 is driven by a controller 23. The controller 23 may communicate with a remote controller 25 operated by a user.

[0058] In the event that the electric motor 15 (or one of the elements for controlling the electric motor 15) fails or malfunctions, for example due to a power shortage, a user located inside the vehicle can access the lever 29 of the manual release mechanism 27, for example by opening a shutter of the housing that encloses the lever 29. The user can then pull the lever 29 to rotate the pawl mechanism 13 from its blocking position to its release position, thereby manually unlocking the latch 1. The pawl mechanism 13 can then be blocked in the release position due to a blocking device (for example, an elastic portion 41 compressed by the housing 3). When the latch 1 is unlocked, the user can open the door, for example by pulling a handle linked to the rotatable hook 11. The user can then obtain a device for repairing the fault, such as a charger for charging the battery 19. When the pawl mechanism 13 remains in the release position, the user can leave the vehicle and return later with a repair device such as a charger and still have access to the vehicle. After the fault has been repaired, for example after the vehicle's battery 19 has been charged, the user can return the pawl mechanism 13 to the blocking position by pushing the lever 29 with a force that exceeds the friction required to reintroduce the resilient portion 41 into the housing 3 .

[0059] Therefore, the vehicle door latch according to the present invention is able to provide an electric latch 1 with a manual release mechanism 27, which is easy to be manipulated by the user, which is easily reversible, and can achieve a stable position in the locked or unlocked position of the latch 1 in the event of a failure of the electric components of the latch 1.

Claims

1. A vehicle door latch (1), comprising: a housing (3) configured to be arranged on a door of a vehicle and comprising an opening (7) configured to receive a striker (9) in a closed position of the door, the striker (9) being arranged on the vehicle body, a rotatable hook (11) disposed in the housing (3) and configured to detachably engage with the striker (9) by rotating between a closed position and an open position, a pawl mechanism (13) disposed in the housing (3) and configured to move between a blocking position and a release position, in which the pawl mechanism (13) blocks the rotation of the rotatable hook (11), an electric motor (15) linked to the pawl mechanism (13) and configured to move the pawl mechanism (13) from its blocking position to its releasing position and vice versa, - a manual release mechanism (27), the manual release mechanism (27) comprising an actuating device (31, 35) which is linked to the pawl mechanism (13) and extends to the outside of the housing (3), and the manual release mechanism (27) comprises a rod (29) which can be grasped by a user to manually move the pawl mechanism (13) from its blocking position to its releasing position, and vice versa, the manual release mechanism (27) further comprising a blocking device (39, 41) which is used to block the actuating device (31, 35) in the releasing position or the blocking position of the pawl mechanism (13).

2. The vehicle door latch (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The lever (29) is pulled by a user to move the pawl mechanism (13) from its blocking position to its releasing position, and is pushed by a user to move the pawl mechanism (13) from its releasing position to its blocking position.

3. A vehicle door latch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The actuating device (31, 35) comprises a rod (31) linked to the pawl mechanism (13) and extending to the outside of the housing (3).

4. The vehicle door latch (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The actuating device (31, 35) comprises a Bowden cable (35) linked to the pawl mechanism (13) and extending to the outside of the housing (3).

5. A vehicle door latch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The blocking device (39, 41) comprises an elastic portion (41) configured to be compressed by the housing (3) to block the displacement of the actuating device (41) in the release position of the pawl mechanism (13).

6. A vehicle door latch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The blocking device (39, 41) comprises a clamp (39) which is configured to hook onto the housing (3) in the release position of the pawl mechanism (13).

7. A vehicle door latch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The housing (3) comprises an additional opening (8), the actuating device extends to the outside of the housing (3) through the additional opening, and wherein an umbrella (45) or a water guide tube (47) is arranged on a portion of the actuating device adjacent to the additional opening (8) to provide waterproofness.

8. The vehicle door latch (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The housing (3) comprises an additional opening (8) through which the actuating device extends to the outside of the housing (3), wherein the additional opening (8) has the shape of a hollow cylinder, and wherein the actuating device comprises a cylindrical portion which is complementary to the hollow cylinder and is configured to be introduced into the hollow cylinder in the blocking position of the pawl mechanism (13) to provide water resistance.

9. The vehicle door latch (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The housing (3) comprises an additional opening (8) through which the actuating device extends to the outside of the housing (3), wherein the additional opening (8) comprises a flexible portion (53) associated with the narrow section (51), and wherein the actuating device comprises a slider (55) having a cam (57), the slider (55) being configured to deform the flexible portion (53) when the slider (55) slides in the narrow section (51).

10. A vehicle door latch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The vehicle door latch also includes an elastic device configured to constrain the pawl mechanism (13) in its blocking position.

11. A vehicle door comprising a door latch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. The vehicle door according to claim 11, wherein: The vehicle door comprises a housing (33) which is arranged beside the latch (1) and is closed by a flap arranged on the inner side of the door, and wherein the rod (29) is arranged in the housing (33).

13. A vehicle comprising a door according to claim 11 or 12.

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