Closure latch assembly for vehicle closure member

Abstract

A closure latch assembly for a vehicle closure member is disclosed. A tether power actuator for a closure latch assembly of a vehicle closure member includes a motor, an output gear configured to be driven in response to energization of the motor, a cam fixed to the output gear for eccentric rotation about an axis of rotation of the output gear, a cycloid disc configured to be driven in an eccentric manner by the cam, and an output disc configured to be driven about an axis of rotation of the output gear by the cycloid disc, where the output disc is configured to drive the cable to move the ratchets of the closing latch assembly from the secondary striker capture position to the primary striker capture position.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 564,605, filed on March 13, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to closure latches for vehicle closure panels. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to vehicle closure latches equipped with a tie-down mechanism. Background Art

[0004] This section provides background information related to closure latches and is not necessarily prior art to the closure latches of the present disclosure.

[0005] Many modern closure latches offer a variety of power-operated features, including power release, power lock, and power tie functions. Power tie—also known as "soft close"—completes door closure when the door is only partially closed. Typically, the tie mechanism has one or more gear reductions configured for operative driving communication with a power actuator. The gear reductions drive one or more rods that are arranged to drive a ratchet from a partially closed position to a tie position. While known rod-driven tie mechanisms are well-suited for their intended uses, they also have drawbacks. For example, the gear reductions and rods have numerous interacting components, which introduces complexity, cost, and excessive clearance (play). This requires a large stroke, including pre-travel, to achieve actuation, resulting in undesirable noise and potential durability issues. Furthermore, the gear reductions and rods are often inefficient, with low to moderate torque capabilities, requiring excessive movement to achieve actuation. Furthermore, the gear reductions and rods typically occupy a significant amount of space, increasing the package size of the latch assembly. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure but is not intended to be considered a comprehensive and exhaustive listing of its full scope or all of its aspects, features, and objectives.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a closure latch assembly for a vehicle closure panel, wherein the closure latch assembly has a tie-down mechanism that overcomes at least the above-mentioned shortcomings, thereby having low clearance, high torque capacity, high durability, high efficiency, compactness and being quiet in operation.

[0008] A closure latch assembly for a vehicle closure member has a powered actuator, a latch mechanism including a ratchet, a pawl, and a cinch mechanism having a cycloidal drive. The pawl is movable between a ratchet retaining position, wherein the pawl retains the ratchet in one of a primary striker capture position and a secondary striker capture position, and a ratchet release position, wherein the pawl allows the ratchet to move to its striker release position. The powered actuator is arranged to drive the cycloidal drive when the ratchet is in the secondary striker capture position, whereby the cycloidal drive causes the ratchet to move from the secondary striker capture position to the primary striker capture position. In a related aspect, the closure latch assembly includes a cinch mechanism configured to move the ratchet, wherein the cycloidal drive is coupled to the cinch mechanism to cause the ratchet to move from the secondary striker capture position to the primary striker capture position.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a tie-pull power actuator for a closure latch assembly of a vehicle closure member includes a motor and an output gear configured to be driven in response to energization of the motor. Furthermore, a cam is secured to the output gear for eccentric rotation about the output gear's rotational axis, and a cycloidal disk is configured to be eccentrically driven by the cam. Furthermore, the output disk is configured to be driven about the output gear's rotational axis by the cycloidal disk, wherein the output disk is configured to drive a cable to move a ratchet of the closure latch assembly from a secondary striker-capturing position to a primary striker-capturing position.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the output disc has a slot configured to receive a ferrule secured to the cable therein, wherein the ferrule is configured to idle in the slot as the output disc rotates about the axis of rotation of the output gear, thereby allowing inertia to build before the ratchet is engaged and a reset operation to be performed after the ratchet is engaged.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the slot has a drive end configured to engage the ferrule to pull the cable and move the ratchet from the secondary striker capture position to the primary striker capture position.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a tie-pull powered actuator has a housing including a drive pocket configured to receive a cycloidal disc therein, the cycloidal disc having a plurality of radially outwardly extending protrusions for receipt within a plurality of notches of the drive pocket.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the cycloidal disk has a plurality of pins fixed thereto, and the output disk has a plurality of openings, each of the plurality of pins being disposed in a separate one of the plurality of openings.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the opening is sized to provide a loose clearance fit of the pin therein.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the output disc is supported for concentric movement about the rotation axis of the output gear.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the output disc is disposed between the output gear and the cycloid disc.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a bearing supports the cycloid disk for relative motion on the cam.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the bearing rotates eccentrically about the rotation axis of the output gear.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a closing latch assembly for a vehicle closing member has a tie-pulling power actuator including a motor and a cycloidal drive, a latch mechanism including a ratchet and a pawl. The ratchet is movable between a primary striker capture position, a secondary striker capture position, and a striker release position. The pawl is movable between a ratchet holding position, in which the pawl holds the ratchet in one of its primary striker capture position and its secondary striker capture position, and a ratchet release position, in which the pawl allows the ratchet to move to its striker release position. The motor is arranged to drive the cycloidal drive when the ratchet is in the secondary striker capture position, whereby the cycloidal drive causes the ratchet to move from the secondary striker capture position to the primary striker capture position.

[0020] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the motor is arranged to cause the worm to be driven in a rotatable manner about a first axis, and the cycloid drive includes a driven gear configured to be driven in a rotatable manner about a second axis in response to rotation of the worm about the first axis, and the cycloid drive also includes a cam configured to be driven together with the driven gear in an eccentric relationship about the second axis.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a cycloidal drive includes a cycloidal disk configured to be driven in an eccentric relationship about a second axis in response to rotation of a cam about the second axis.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a tie-pull powered actuator has a housing including a drive pocket configured to receive a cycloidal disc therein, the cycloidal disc having a plurality of radially outwardly extending protrusions for receipt within a plurality of notches of the drive pocket.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the cycloid disk is configured to rotate eccentrically within the drive pocket.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, when the cycloid disk eccentrically rotates within the drive pocket, the plurality of protrusions move into and out of the plurality of pockets.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a tie-pull powered actuator has an output disc configured to be driven about a second axis by a cycloidal disc and also includes a cable operatively coupling the output disc to a ratchet.

[0026] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the cycloidal disk has a plurality of pins fixed thereto, and the output disk has a plurality of openings, each of the plurality of pins being disposed in a separate one of the plurality of openings.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the output disc has a slot, and the cable has a ferrule secured thereto, the ferrule being configured to rotate idly within the slot as the output disc rotates about the second axis.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the slot has a drive end configured to engage the ferrule to pull the cable and move the ratchet from the secondary striker capture position to the primary striker capture position.

[0029] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein.As stated above, the description and any specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The drawings described herein have been provided to illustrate selected embodiments and certain features thereof and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Figure 1A is a partial perspective view of a motor vehicle having a side door equipped with a powered latch assembly embodying the teachings of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 1B is a side view of a closure member for a motor vehicle having a closure latch assembly and a tie-down mechanism constructed in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 1C yes Figure 1B A perspective view of a non-limiting example ratchet and pawl arrangement of a closure latch assembly;

[0034] Figure 2A and Figure 2B are front and rear views, respectively, of a powered actuator for a cinch mechanism of the closure latch assembly of FIG. 1 ;

[0035] Figure 3A and Figure 3B They are Figure 2A and Figure 2B Left and right views of a power actuator;

[0036] Figure 4A yes Figures 2A to 3B A perspective view of a power actuator;

[0037] Figure 4B yes Figure 4A A top view of the power actuator with the top cover removed for clarity of the internal components;

[0038] Figure 4C yes Figure 4A A bottom view of the power actuator with the bottom cover removed for clarity of the internal components;

[0039] Figure 4D yes Figure 4A An exploded view of a power actuator;

[0040] Figure 5 yes Figure 4A an enlarged partial top view of a power actuator of , wherein the top cover is transparent for clarity purposes only and the output disk is removed for clarity purposes only;

[0041] Figure 6A is roughly along the Figure 3B The right side view from the same direction shows Figure 4A a motor, a drive worm, a driven gear and a cam for a power actuator;

[0042] Figure 6B yes Figure 4A A perspective view of a driven gear, cam, and cycloid disk of a power actuator, wherein the output disk is removed from between the driven gear and the cycloid disk for clarity purposes only;

[0043] Figure 6C is a perspective view of a driven gear and a cycloidal disk, wherein a top cover is shown arranged in driving engagement with the cycloidal disk, wherein the output disk is removed from between the driven gear and the cycloidal disk for purposes of clarity only;

[0044] Figure 6D is a perspective view of a driven gear, a cam and a cycloid disk, wherein the output disk is arranged between the driven gear and the cycloid disk;

[0045] Figure 6E From different angles Figure 6D a similar perspective view with the cables secured to the output tray; and

[0046] Figure 6F is a perspective view illustrating a cable secured for lost motion within a slot in an output disc, with the cycloidal disc removed for clarity purposes only. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Example embodiments of a closure latch for use in a motor vehicle door closure system are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Numerous specific details, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed and that the example embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

[0048] The terms used herein are only used to describe the purpose of specific example embodiments and are not intended to be restrictive. As used herein, the singular forms "one", "a kind of" and "the" may also be intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprise", "including", "comprising" and "having" are inclusive and therefore specify the existence of the features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or parts described, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or their groups. Unless specifically indicated in the order of execution, the method steps, processing and operations described herein should not be interpreted as necessarily requiring them to be performed in the particular order discussed or illustrated. It should also be understood that additional steps or alternative steps may be adopted.

[0049] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on another element or layer," "engaged to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, the element or layer may be directly on, directly engaged to, connected to, or coupled to another element or layer, or there may be an intermediate element or layer. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on another element or layer," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intermediate element or layer. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements (e.g., "between" and "directly between," "adjacent" and "directly adjacent," etc.) should be interpreted in a similar manner. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0050] Although the terms first, second and third etc. can be used in this article 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 only be used to distinguish an element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Unless clearly indicated by the context, terms such as "first", "second" and other numerical terms do not imply order or sequence when used in this article. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below can be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0051] For ease of description, spatially relative terms, such as "inside," "outside," "below," "beneath," "lower," "above," "upper," "top," "bottom," etc., may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation other than the orientation depicted in the accompanying drawings. For example, if the device in the drawings is turned over, an element described as "below other elements or features" or "below other elements or features" will be oriented to be "above other elements or features." Thus, the exemplary term "below" may encompass both above and below orientations. The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated a certain degree or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptions used herein are interpreted accordingly.

[0052] First refer to Figures 1A to 1C A non-limiting example of a powered closure latch assembly, also referred to as a closure latch assembly and hereinafter referred to simply as a latch assembly 10, is shown installed in a closing face portion 16 of a closure member, also referred to as a closure panel, such as a door, which is shown by way of example and not limitation as a passenger side swing door 12 of a motor vehicle 11. The latch assembly 10 includes a latch mechanism 13 configured for engagement with a tie-pull powered actuator 14 ( Figure 1B ) is operatively connected to the ratchet 15 ( Figure 1C ), thereby releasably latching and retaining the striker 17 mounted to the rocker portion 19 of the vehicle body 21 when the swing door 12 is closed. The latch assembly 10 can be selectively actuated via the interior door handle 23, the exterior door handle 25, and the key card. The pawl 27 ( Figure 1C) is capable of moving between a ratchet holding position, in which the pawl 27 holds the ratchet 15 in at least one of the primary striker capture position and the secondary striker capture position, and a ratchet release position, in which the pawl 27 allows the ratchet 15 to move to the striker release position, in which the striker 17 can be removed from the latch assembly 10 to allow the swing door 12 to move to the fully open position ( Figure 1A ), such as discussed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2023 / 0167660, co-owned by Tomaszewski under U.S. patent application serial number 17 / 988,751 filed on November 16, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0053] When it is desired to move the pawl 27 from the ratchet-hold position to the ratchet-release position during normal use conditions, such as when a person approaches the motor vehicle 11 using an electronic key fob and actuates the exterior door handle 25, as discussed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2023 / 0034544, commonly owned by Mozola under U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17 / 868,289, filed on July 19, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, a latch electronic control unit (ECU) at least partially controls operation of the latch assembly 10, including: facilitating the cinch operation via the cinch power actuator 14, sensing the presence of the key fob and that the exterior door handle 25 has been actuated, and signaling the latch power actuator to move the pawl to the ratchet-release position. Then, when it is desired to cinch the ratchet 15 to the primary striker-captured position, the ECU signals the cinch power actuator 14, via communication with one or more sensors, to move the ratchet to the primary striker-captured position.

[0054] In the belay operation, the belay powered actuator, which is hereinafter referred to as the powered actuator 14, is connected to the actuator via a cable 18, such as a Bowden cable ( Figure 1B ) is operatively coupled to the latch mechanism 13. The cinch power actuator 14 includes a cinch mechanism having a cycloidal drive mechanism, hereinafter referred to as a cycloidal drive 20 (in Figure 4B 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6C ). The powered actuator 14 is arranged to drive the cycloid drive 20 when the ratchet 15 is in the secondary striker captured position, whereby the cycloid drive 20 moves the ratchet 15 from the secondary striker captured position to the primary striker captured position, as described above.

[0055] By way of example and not limitation, when the ratchet 15 reaches the secondary striker capture position from the striker release position, the cinch power actuator 14 can be energized via a signal from the ECU based on the position of the ratchet 15, and can be de-energized via a signal from the ECU when the cinch operation is completed. Upon reaching the overtravel position, the ratchet 15 can automatically return to the primary striker capture position via a bias applied by a ratchet biasing member, as is known and understood by those skilled in the art of motor vehicle latches (POSA).

[0056] When the ratchet 15 moves to the secondary striker capture position during a closure panel closing event, the cinch power actuator 14 may be automatically energized via a signal from the ECU, thereby causing the cycloid drive 20 to move from the starting position to the cinch position, thereby driving the ratchet 15 from the secondary striker capture position to the cinch overtravel position via the cable 18. When the ratchet 15 reaches the overtravel position, the cinch power actuator 14 returns the cycloid drive 20 from the cinch position to the original position.

[0057] like Figures 4A-4D As best shown in FIG. 1 , the tie-pull power actuator 14 includes a housing having an upper or top cover 22a and a lower or bottom cover 22b. The housing is configured to receive therein an electric motor 24, an output gear also referred to as a driven gear 28, a cam 30, and a cycloidal disk 34. The motor 24 is configured to rotate about a first axis A1 ( Figure 4D 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6A ) drives a driving gear, shown as a worm 26 by way of example and not limitation, so that a driven gear 28 arranged to meshingly engage with the worm 26 is driven by the worm 26. In addition, a cam 30 fixed to the driven gear 28 is driven to rotate together with the driven gear 28, wherein the driven gear 28 and the cam 30 are supported by a shaft 32 so as to rotate about the second axis A2 (at Figure 4D and Figure 6A 2 (best shown in FIG. 2 ), wherein the first axis A1 and the second axis A2 are generally transverse to each other. In addition, when the cam 30 is driven by the shaft 32, the driven gear 28, the worm 26 and ultimately the motor 24, the cycloid disc 34 is supported by the bearing 33 in the housing for driving in the recessed drive pocket 35 (at the top cover 22a) of the top cover 22a. Figure 5 and Figure 6C3 (best shown in FIG), the cam 30 is driven to rotate about the second axis A2 by the action of the cam 30. The bearing 33 supports the cycloid disc 34 for relative movement on the cam 30, wherein the cam 30 extends through the hole of the bearing 33 and the cycloid disc 34 is supported on the outer surface of the bearing 33. Therefore, the recessed drive pocket 35 is particularly configured to receive the cycloid disc 34 therein. When the cam 30 is driven about the second axis A2, the output disc 36, which is directly coupled to the cable 18 and supported for rotation by the bearing 33, is driven by the cycloid disc 34 to rotate about the second axis A2. In the illustrated embodiment, the output disc 36 is supported on a journal 31 ( Figure 4D 、 Figure 6A and Figure 6F ) and concentrically move about second axis A2 on the driven gear 28, wherein the cam 30 extends axially outward from the journal 31. Thus, the output disc 36 is disposed in a sandwiched relationship between the driven gear 28 and the cycloidal disc 34. When the output disc 36 is driven about the second axis A2 from its original position corresponding to when the ratchet 15 is in the secondary striker-capturing position to the cinch position, the ferrule 18a secured to the cable 18 traverses the slot 38 in a lost motion until the ferrule 18a engages the driving end 38a of the slot 38, thereby pulling the cable 38 to effect cinch of the ratchet 15. Thus, the cable 18 operatively couples the output disc 36 to the ratchet 15. As the output disk 36 continues to be rotatably driven about the second axis A2 with the collar 18a engaging the drive end 38a of the slot 38, the cable 18 is pulled and the ratchet 15 is cinched from the secondary striker-capturing position to the overtravel position or primary striker-capturing position via operative communication with the cable 18 (e.g., the cable 18 may be directly or indirectly coupled to the ratchet 15 to cause movement of the ratchet 15 in response to movement of the cable 18), thereby moving the door 12 to the fully closed latched position. Upon completion of the cinch process, the motor 24 reverses direction via a signal from the ECU, thereby reversely driving the cycloid disk 34 and the output disk 36 to their original positions in a reset operation. During the reset operation, the collar 18a of the cable 18 is allowed to move in a freewheeling manner within the slot 38 of the output disk 36, away from the drive end 38a of the slot 38.

[0058] like Figure 5 As best shown in FIG, the recessed drive pocket 35 of the top cover 22a has a plurality of radially outwardly extending drive notches, hereinafter referred to as notches 40. The notches 40 may be formed on the top cover 22a or on a base plate 41 secured to the top cover 22a. The notches 40 are evenly distributed around the annular outer periphery in an equidistantly spaced relationship from one another and extend radially outward into the outer periphery delimiting the recessed drive pocket 35.

[0059] The cycloid disc 34 has a plurality of drive cogs, also referred to as dogs or projections 42, extending radially outwardly from the annular outer periphery of the cycloid disc 34. The projections 42 are evenly distributed in an equidistant relationship from one another and correspond in number to the number of drive notches 40.

[0060] exist Figures 6A to 6F The operation of the cycloid drive 20 is generally illustrated in FIG. The motor 24 drives the driven gear 28 about the second axis A2 via rotation of the worm 26 about the first axis A1, thereby driving a cam 30 fixed to the driven gear 28 via a shaft 32 to rotate in a fixed relationship with the driven gear 28 about the second axis A2. The cam 30 has an outer drive surface 30a that is eccentric relative to the rotational axis A2 of the driven gear 28, wherein the drive surface 30a is arranged in operable driving engagement with a cycloid disk 34 via a bearing 33. Thus, as the cam 30 rotates about the second axis A2, the drive surface 30a drives the bearing 33 in an eccentric relationship about the second axis A2, thereby driving the cycloid disk 34 in a corresponding eccentric relationship about the second rotational axis A2 of the driven gear 28.

[0061] When the cycloid disc 34 is driven eccentrically in the concave drive recess 35, the protrusion 42 is located in the concave drive recess 35 ( Figure 5) is driven into a fixed recess 40 formed in the outer periphery of the cycloidal disk 34, thereby driving the cycloidal disk 34 about the circumference of the recessed drive pocket 35. When the cycloidal disk 34 is driven eccentrically relative to the recessed drive pocket 35, the protrusion 42 is moved into and out of the fixed recess 40, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the disclosure herein. The output disk 36 has a plurality of pins 44 extending laterally outwardly from a side 46 thereof in a fixed relationship, wherein the pins 44 are received in a plurality of openings 48 of the cycloidal disk 34. It should be understood that each of the plurality of pins 44 is disposed in a separate one of the plurality of openings 48. The openings 48 are sized to provide a loose clearance fit for the pins 44 therein, enabling the pins 44 to move laterally within the openings 48 in a transverse relationship relative to the second axis A2, thereby allowing the cycloidal disk 34 to perform eccentric movement relative to the second axis A2 while maintaining the output disk 36 in a concentric relationship for rotation about the second axis A2. Therefore, when the cycloidal disc 34 is driven about the periphery of the recessed pocket 35, the pin 44 is driven by the cycloidal disc 34, thereby rotatably driving the output disc 36 about the second rotational axis A2 of the driven gear 28. As the output disc 36 is rotatably driven about the second rotational axis A2, the cable 18 is pulled in the cinch direction via the engagement of the ferrule 18a with the drive end 38a of the slot 38, which in turn drives the ratchet 15 in a cinch manner from the secondary striker-capturing position to the primary striker-capturing position. After cinching the ratchet 15 and thereby capturing the striker 17, the motor 24 can be reset, thereby causing reverse motion of the driven gear 28, the cycloidal disc 34, and the output disc 36, thereby allowing the cable 18 and its ferrule 18a to return to idle rotation within the slot 38.

[0062] In view of the above-described operational details of the tie-pull powered actuator 14, by including the simplified cycloidal drive 20 discussed and illustrated in detail herein, the elimination of gear reductions and levers allows for the amplification of torque from the motor 24 to the output disc 36 to be maximized in the smallest possible space and with the potential for noise generation minimized.

[0063] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for the purpose of illustration and description. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure. The individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but are interchangeable where applicable and can be used for the selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The individual elements or features of a particular embodiment also can be changed in many ways. Such variations are not considered to depart from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0064] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be understood with reference to the following numbered paragraphs:

[0065] 1. A closure latch assembly for a vehicle closure member, the closure latch assembly comprising:

[0066] a tied-power actuator comprising a motor and a gerotor drive; and

[0067] a latch mechanism comprising a ratchet and a pawl, wherein the ratchet is movable between a primary striker capture position, a secondary striker capture position, and a striker release position, and the pawl is movable between a ratchet holding position and a ratchet release position, wherein the pawl holds the ratchet in one of the primary striker capture position and the secondary striker capture position of the ratchet, and wherein the pawl allows the ratchet to move to the ratchet striker release position of the ratchet,

[0068] Wherein, the motor is arranged to drive the cycloid drive when the ratchet is in the secondary striker capturing position, whereby the cycloid drive moves the ratchet from the secondary striker capturing position to the primary striker capturing position.

[0069] 2. A closing latch assembly according to paragraph 1, wherein the motor is arranged to cause the worm to be driven in a rotatable manner about a first axis, and the cycloidal drive includes a driven gear, which is configured to be driven in a rotatable manner about a second axis in response to rotation of the worm about the first axis, and the cycloidal drive also includes a cam configured to be driven together with the driven gear in an eccentric relationship about the second axis.

[0070] 3. The closure latch assembly of paragraph 2, wherein the cycloidal drive includes a cycloidal disc configured to be driven in an eccentric relationship about the second axis in response to rotation of the cam about the second axis.

[0071] 4. A closed latch assembly according to paragraph 3, wherein the pull power actuator has a housing, the housing includes a drive recess, the drive recess is configured to receive the cycloid disk in the drive recess, the cycloid disk has a plurality of protrusions extending radially outward, and the plurality of protrusions are used to be received in a plurality of recesses in the drive recess.

[0072] 5. The closure latch assembly of paragraph 4, wherein the cycloidal disk is configured to rotate eccentrically within the drive pocket.

[0073] 6. The closure latch assembly of paragraph 5, wherein the plurality of protrusions move into and out of the plurality of notches when the cycloidal disk rotates eccentrically within the drive pocket.

[0074] 7. The closure latch assembly of paragraph 5, wherein the cinch power actuator has an output disk configured to be driven about the second axis by the cycloidal disk, and further comprising a cable operatively coupling the output disk to the ratchet.

[0075] 8. The closure latch assembly of paragraph 7, wherein the cycloidal disk has a plurality of pins secured thereto, and the output disk has a plurality of openings, each of the plurality of pins being disposed in a separate one of the plurality of openings.

[0076] 9. The closure latch assembly of paragraph 8, wherein the output disk has a slot and the cable has a ferrule secured to the cable, the ferrule being configured for lost motion within the slot when the output disk rotates about the second axis.

[0077] 10. The closure latch assembly of paragraph 9, wherein the slot has a drive end configured to engage the ferrule to pull the cable and move the ratchet from the secondary striker capture position to the primary striker capture position.

[0078] 11. A cinch-power actuator for a closure latch assembly of a vehicle closure member, the cinch-power actuator comprising:

[0079] motor;

[0080] an output gear configured to be driven in response to energization of the motor;

[0081] a cam fixed to the output gear for eccentric rotation about an axis of rotation of the output gear;

[0082] a cycloid disk configured to be driven eccentrically about a rotation axis of the output gear by the cam; and

[0083] an output disc configured to be driven about the rotation axis of the output gear by the cycloid disc,

[0084] The output disk is configured to drive a cable to move a ratchet of the closure latch assembly from a secondary striker capture position to a primary striker capture position.

[0085] 12. The tied-power actuator of paragraph 11, wherein the output disc has a slot configured to receive a ferrule secured to the cable therein, the ferrule configured to idle in the slot as the output disc rotates about the axis of rotation of the output gear.

[0086] 13. The cinch-power actuator of paragraph 12, wherein the slot has a drive end configured to engage the ferrule to pull the cable and move the ratchet from the secondary striker capture position to the primary striker capture position.

[0087] 14. A tethered power actuator according to paragraph 11, wherein the tethered power actuator has a housing, the housing includes a drive recess, the drive recess is configured to receive the cycloid disk in the drive recess, the cycloid disk has a plurality of protrusions extending radially outward, the plurality of protrusions are used to be received in a plurality of recesses in the drive recess.

[0088] 15. The tie-force actuator of paragraph 11, wherein the cycloidal disk has a plurality of pins secured thereto, and the output disk has a plurality of openings, each of the plurality of pins being disposed in a separate one of the plurality of openings.

[0089] 16. The cinch powered actuator of paragraph 15, wherein the opening is sized to provide a loose clearance fit of the pin therein.

[0090] 17. The tie-power actuator of paragraph 11, wherein the output disc is supported for concentric movement about the axis of rotation of the output gear.

[0091] 18. The tie-power actuator of paragraph 11, wherein the output disc is disposed between the output gear and the cycloid disc.

[0092] 19. The tie-power actuator of paragraph 18, further comprising a bearing supporting the cycloid disk for relative movement on the cam.

[0093] 20. The tie-pull powered actuator of paragraph 19, wherein the bearing rotates eccentrically about the axis of rotation of the output gear.

Claims

1. A closure latch assembly (10) for a vehicle closure member (12), the closure latch assembly (10) comprising: a tie-pull powered actuator (14), the tie-pull powered actuator (14) comprising a motor (20) and a cycloidal drive (20); as well as A latch mechanism (13) comprising a ratchet (15) and a pawl (27), wherein the ratchet (15) is movable between a primary striker capture position, a secondary striker capture position, and a striker release position, and wherein the pawl (27) is movable between a ratchet holding position and a ratchet release position, wherein the pawl (27) holds the ratchet (15) in one of the primary striker capture position and the secondary striker capture position of the ratchet (15), and wherein the pawl (27) allows the ratchet (15) to move to the striker release position of the ratchet (15). The motor (20) is arranged to drive the cycloid drive (20) when the ratchet (15) is in the secondary striker capture position, whereby the cycloid drive (20) moves the ratchet (15) from the secondary striker capture position to the primary striker capture position.

2. The closure latch assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein: The motor (20) is arranged to drive a worm (26) in a rotatable manner about a first axis (A1), and the cycloidal drive (20) includes a driven gear (28) configured to be rotatably driven about a second axis (A2) in response to rotation of the worm (26) about the first axis (A1), and the cycloidal drive (20) further includes a cam (30) configured to be driven in conjunction with the driven gear (28) in an eccentric relationship about the second axis (A2).

3. The closure latch assembly (10) of claim 2, wherein: The cycloid drive (20) includes a cycloid disc (34) configured to be driven in an eccentric relationship about the second axis (A2) in response to rotation of the cam (30) about the second axis (A2).

4. The closure latch assembly (10) according to claim 3, wherein: The tie-pulling power actuator (14) has a housing including a drive recess (35) configured to receive the cycloid disc (34) therein, the cycloid disc (34) having a plurality of protrusions (42) extending radially outward, the plurality of protrusions (42) being received within a plurality of notches (40) of the drive recess (35).

5. The closure latch assembly (10) of claim 4, wherein: The cycloid disc (34) is configured to rotate eccentrically within the drive pocket (35).

6. The closure latch assembly (10) of claim 5, wherein: When the cycloid disk (34) rotates eccentrically within the drive pocket (35), the plurality of protrusions (42) move into and out of the plurality of recesses (40).

7. The closure latch assembly (10) of claim 5, wherein: The tie-pull power actuator (14) has an output disc (36) configured to be driven about the second axis (A2) by the cycloidal disc (34), and also includes a cable (18) operatively coupling the output disc (36) to the ratchet (15).

8. The closure latch assembly (10) of claim 7, wherein: The cycloidal disk (34) has a plurality of pins (44) fixed thereto, and the output disk (36) has a plurality of openings (48), each of the plurality of pins (44) being disposed in a separate one of the plurality of openings (48).

9. The closure latch assembly (10) of claim 8, wherein: The output disk (36) has a slot (38), and the cable (18) has a ferrule (18a) fixed to the cable (18), the ferrule (18a) being configured for freewheeling within the slot (38) when the output disk (36) rotates about the second axis (A2).

10. The closure latch assembly (10) of claim 9, wherein: The slot (38) has a drive end (38a) configured to engage the ferrule (18a) to pull the cable (18) and move the ratchet (15) from the secondary striker capture position to the primary striker capture position.

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