Vehicle latch assembly

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a "vehicle latch assembly." A latch assembly for a vehicle has a latch body configured to be assembled on one of a movable portion on the vehicle and a fixed portion on the vehicle. A latch is coupled to one of the latch body and a vehicle body and has a pawl configured to latch onto a striker on the other of the movable portion and the fixed portion in a latched position. A load spring is coupled to the latch body and is configured to be compressed in the latched position by a force applied to the striker.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to vehicle latches, and more specifically to a loadable latch assembly that reduces rattling noises in opening and closing mechanisms, such as those found in motor vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] Motor vehicles are typically equipped with latches, such as closure latches. For example, pickup trucks often have a tailgate at the rear of the cargo bed, which includes a pair of latch assemblies on opposite lateral sides. These latch assemblies are configured to engage a pair of pins in the cargo bed sidewalls at the rear of the vehicle body to lock the tailgate in a closed position. To ensure a tight fit and reduce movement, the latch assemblies may include rubber stop blocks. It is desirable to provide a tailgate latch assembly that provides a preload force to reduce tailgate squeaking while enhancing performance. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, a latch assembly for a vehicle has a latch body configured to be assembled to one of a movable portion and a fixed portion of the vehicle. A latch is coupled to one of the latch body and the vehicle body and has a claw-like member configured to lock in a locked position to a striker on the other of the movable portion and the fixed portion. A load spring is coupled to the latch body and configured to compress in the locked position due to a force applied to the striker.

[0004] Embodiments of the first aspect of this disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features:

[0005] The fixed part is the vehicle body, and the movable part is the vehicle opening and closing mechanism;

[0006] The vehicle opening and closing component is the rear tailgate;

[0007] The spring includes a metal spring;

[0008] The metal spring comprises steel;

[0009] The spring has an arcuate shape, which is configured to engage the pin and deform to provide a biasing force;

[0010] A rigid support member that connects the spring to the latch body;

[0011] The rigid support component includes nylon; and

[0012] The latch includes a pawl and a ratchet for holding the pawl in the locked position, wherein the pawl moves to the unlocked position in response to user input.

[0013] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, a vehicle tailgate includes a tailgate latch assembly having a latch body configured to be mounted on one of the vehicle tailgate and a fixed body section of the vehicle. A latch is coupled to the latch body and has a locking pawl configured to lock in a locked position onto a striker on the other of the tailgate and the fixed body section. A load spring is coupled to the latch body and configured to compress in the locked position due to a force applied to the striker.

[0014] Embodiments of the second aspect of this disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features:

[0015] The spring includes a metal spring;

[0016] The metal spring comprises steel;

[0017] The spring has an arcuate shape, which is configured to engage the pin and deform to provide a biasing force;

[0018] A rigid support member that connects the spring to the latch body;

[0019] The rigid support component includes nylon; and

[0020] The latch includes a pawl and a ratchet for holding the pawl in the locked position, wherein the pawl moves to the unlocked position in response to user input.

[0021] According to a third aspect of this disclosure, a vehicle has a body that generally defines a cargo box, the cargo box having a floor and first and second lateral sidewalls. A first and second striker are disposed at the rear ends of the cargo box in corresponding first and second lateral sidewalls. A tailgate is pivotally coupled to the rear end of the body and movable between a vertically closed position and a downwardly horizontal position forming the rear wall of the cargo box. A first and second latch assemblies are disposed on opposite lateral sides of the tailgate. The first and second latch assemblies have latch bodies configured to be assembled onto the tailgate of the vehicle. A latch is coupled to the latch body and has a locking pawl configured to lock onto the striker in a locked position. A load spring is coupled to the latch body and configured to compress in the locked position due to a force applied to the striker.

[0022] Embodiments of the third aspect of this disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features:

[0023] The latch assembly spring includes a metal spring;

[0024] The metal spring comprises steel;

[0025] The latch assembly spring has an arcuate shape, which is configured to engage the striker and deform to provide a biasing force; and

[0026] A rigid support member that spring-connects the latch assembly to the latch body.

[0027] These and other features, advantages and objectives of this disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon reference to the following specification, claims and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0028] In the attached diagram:

[0029] Figure 1 This is a rear upper perspective view of a motor vehicle configured as a pickup truck according to one embodiment, the pickup truck having a tailgate with a latch assembly;

[0030] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The enlarged view of section II shown illustrates one of the latch assemblies on the rear baffle in the closed rear baffle position;

[0031] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The diagram shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the latch assembly engaging the striker in the closed rear baffle position;

[0032] Figure 3A yes Figure 3 The side view of the cross-sectional view shown further illustrates the engagement of the latch assembly with the striker pin in the closed rear baffle position;

[0033] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional perspective view of the latch assembly disengaged from the striker in the partially opened rear panel position;

[0034] Figure 4A yes Figure 4 The side view of the latch assembly shown shows the latch assembly disengaged from the striker pin;

[0035] Figure 5 It is an enlarged perspective view of the load spring engaged with the rigid support of the latch assembly, as shown on the first side; and

[0036] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 The view shown is a perspective view of the load spring and rigid support on the opposite second side. Detailed Implementation

[0037] Reference will now be made in detail to preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Where possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. In the drawings, structural elements are depicted not to scale, and some parts are enlarged relative to others for emphasis and understanding purposes.

[0038] Detailed embodiments of this disclosure are disclosed herein as needed; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of this disclosure and may be implemented in various alternative forms. The accompanying drawings are not necessarily detailed designs; some schematic diagrams may be enlarged or minimized to show a functional overview. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but rather serve only as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to employ this disclosure in different ways.

[0039] For descriptive purposes, the terms "up," "down," "right," "left," "back," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and their derivatives should be used in this document. Figure 1 The concept of orientation is used. However, it should be understood that the concept may present various alternative orientations unless explicitly stated otherwise. It should also be understood that the specific apparatus and processes shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept defined in the appended claims. Therefore, unless otherwise expressly stated in the claims, the specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting.

[0040] The embodiments shown here primarily concern a combination of method steps and apparatus components related to a latch assembly for a motor vehicle. Therefore, apparatus components and method steps have been indicated by conventional symbols in the accompanying drawings where appropriate, with only those specific details relevant to understanding the embodiments of this disclosure shown so as not to obscure the disclosure in ways that would be obvious to those skilled in the art who would benefit from the description herein. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same elements in the specification and drawings.

[0041] As used herein, the term "and / or" when used with two or more listed items means that any one of the listed items may be used alone, or any combination of two or more of the listed items may be used. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition may contain: A only; B only; C only; a combination of A and B; a combination of A and C; a combination of B and C; or a combination of A, B, and C.

[0042] In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom are used individually to distinguish one entity or action from another, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprising,” “including,” or any other variation thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article of manufacture, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article of manufacture, or apparatus. Without further constraints, an element preceded by “comprising…” does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article of manufacture, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0043] As used herein, the term "about" means that a quantity, dimension, formulation, parameter, and other quantity and characteristic is not precise, nor is it required to be precise, but may be approximate and / or larger or smaller as needed to reflect tolerances, conversion factors, rounding, measurement errors, and other factors known to those skilled in the art. When the term "about" is used to describe an endpoint of a value or range, this disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or the mentioned endpoint. Whether or not the endpoints of numerical values ​​or ranges in this specification are referred to as "about," the endpoints are intended to include two embodiments: one modified by "about" and one not modified by "about." It should also be understood that each endpoint of a range is significant both in relation to and independent of another endpoint.

[0044] As used herein, the terms “substantially,” “basically,” and variations thereof are intended to indicate that the described feature is equal to or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a “substantially planar” surface is intended to indicate a planar or approximately planar surface. Additionally, “substantially” is intended to mean that two values ​​are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, “substantially” may indicate that the values ​​are within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.

[0045] Unless explicitly indicated otherwise, as used herein, the terms “the,” “an,” or “a” mean “at least one” and should not be limited to “only one.” Thus, for example, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, references to “component” include embodiments having two or more such components.

[0046] refer to Figures 1 to 6 The diagram generally shows a motor vehicle 10 in the form of a pickup truck, having a pair of vehicle latch assemblies 30 located in a tailgate 20 and configured to engage a pair of strike pins 40 on opposing sidewalls at the rear end of the vehicle body 12. Each latch assembly 30 includes a latch body 32 configured to be mounted on one of a movable portion (such as on the tailgate 20) or a fixed portion (such as on a body panel or a support attached to a body panel) of the motor vehicle 10. A latch is coupled to the latch body 32 and has a claw-like element configured to engage and lock in a locked position onto the strike pin 40 on the other of the movable and fixed portions of the motor vehicle 10. The latch assembly 30 also includes a load spring 50 coupled to the latch body 32 and configured to compress in the locked position due to a force applied to the strike pin 40.

[0047] Figure 1 The motor vehicle 10 shown is a wheeled vehicle configured as a pickup truck, having a body 12 that typically includes a passenger compartment 14 positioned generally in the middle of the motor vehicle 10 and a cargo bed 16 at the rear of the motor vehicle 10. The passenger compartment 14 typically defines a cargo bed interior 18, which typically includes configured vehicle seats for accommodating vehicle occupants. The cargo bed 16 at the rear of the motor vehicle 10 has a cargo bed floor 62, opposing left and right cargo bed side walls 24 and 26, a front wall 22 near the front of the cargo bed 16 (near the rear of the passenger compartment 14), and a rear cargo bed wall provided by a tailgate 20 in a closed position. The motor vehicle 10 is equipped with multiple tires and wheel assemblies 64.

[0048] The motor vehicle 10 includes a tailgate 20 pivotally connected to the vehicle body 12 via a pair of pivot connectors 100 located at the lower end of the cargo box 16 at its rear end. The pivot connectors 100 extend from the left cargo box sidewall 24 and the right cargo box sidewall 26 and can be supported by a support structure such as a rear support pillar. The tailgate 20 is an opening and closing element, a rotatable movable portion, and has a pair of latch assemblies 30 on opposite lateral sides of the tailgate 20, the pair of latch assemblies being configured to engage a pair of corresponding strike pins 40 located at the rear ends of the left cargo box sidewall 24 and the right cargo box sidewall 26 of the cargo box 16. The strike pins 40 can be supported by a support structure such as a rear support pillar. The latch assembly 30 can be released via a latch release handle 28 centrally located on the upper outer surface of the rear bumper 20. This allows a user to pull the release handle 28 to pull the release cable 60 to release a pair of latch assemblies 30, allowing the rear bumper 20 to move from a closed vertical position to an open horizontal position, which allows access to the cargo compartment 16 of the motor vehicle 10 from the rear. It should be understood that the latch release handle 28 can be spring-biased to a locked position and can be coupled to the first latch assembly and the second latch assembly 30 via a pair of cables 60 extending on opposite sides.

[0049] Latch assembly 30 in Figures 2 to 3A The rear bumper 20 is shown in an upright closed position. The latch assembly 30 includes a latch body 32, which is attached to a rear bumper sidewall 66 on the inside of the rear bumper 20 via fasteners, rivets, welding, or other connectors. The latch body 32 typically has latching components assembled thereon and supports the latch assembly 30, which is mounted to the rear bumper 20 in a position aligned to engage a strike pin 40 extending from the upper rear end of sidewalls 24 and 26 into the vehicle. In one configuration, the strike pin 40 is shown as an elongated cylindrical rod with an enlarged head at its end. It should be understood that the strike pin 40 may take other shapes (such as U-shapes) and may be configured in other sizes.

[0050] The latch assembly 30 includes a pawl 36 on a lower portion and a pawl 38 on an upper portion, wherein the pawl 36 and pawl 38 are configured to engage and be held against a striker 40 in a locked position. The pawl 36 includes a first latch spring 42 for biasing the pawl 36 toward the locked position. Similarly, the pawl 38 includes a second latch spring 44 that biases the pawl 38 into a locked pawl position that engages with teeth on the lock. When the rear panel 20 moves from the open position to the closed position to lock closed, the pawl 36 allows the striker 40 to pass over and engage within and be held by the pawl and pawl 38 to maintain the striker 40 in the locked position within the latch assembly 30. When the user pulls the release handle 28 on the rear panel 20, the pawl 38 is actuated to move to the open position to release the engagement of the pawl 36 with the striker 40 and allow the rear panel 20 to move from the closed position to the open position. It should be understood that the latch assembly 30 may be configured with alternative latch components that differ from the pawl and ratchet arrangements shown in other embodiments.

[0051] The latch assembly 30 is configured to include a load spring 50 coupled to the latch body 32 and configured to compress in the locked position due to a force applied to the strike pin 40, in order to reduce or minimize movement of the rear bumper 20 and any rattling that may occur between the rear bumper 20 and the strike pin 40 or other body components due to movement of the movable rear bumper 20 relative to the strike pin 40 and the fixed body of the motor vehicle 10. The load spring 50 is supported on a rigid support 46, which is in turn connected to the latch body 32 and has a portion 48 extending to the opposite side of the base plate 3. The rigid support 46 is rigid enough that it will not compress and may be made of a material such as, for example, nylon or, according to another example, metal. The load spring 50 has a shape and size configured to be fitted within the rigid support 46 and abut and contact the strike pin 40 in the locked position, and to provide a loaded spring biasing force between the load spring 50 and the strike pin 40. It should be understood that, according to other embodiments, the load spring 50 may be otherwise connected to the latch assembly 30, such as directly to the latch body 32 or other components, such that the load spring 50 is compressed in the locked position by the force applied to the strike pin 40.

[0052] Latch assembly 30 in Figure 4 and Figure 4A The diagram shows that as the rear baffle 20 moves from the closed position toward the open position, the latch assembly 30 is in the open position and is released and disengaged from the striker 40. In this position, the rear baffle 20 is free to move from the vertical closed position to the horizontal open position, and the load spring 50 is no longer in contact with the striker 40.

[0053] refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6The load spring 50 is shown having a generally C-shaped shape, wherein a first spring end portion 52 and a second spring end portion 54 interconnect with an arcuate contact surface 56. According to one example, the first spring end portion 52 and the second spring end portion 54 may be inserted into a similarly shaped channel within a rigid support 46. According to another example, the first spring end portion 52 and the second spring end portion 54 may be molded into the rigid support 46. According to other configurations, the load spring 50 may be otherwise supported on the latch assembly 30. According to one embodiment, the load spring 50 may be configured as a metal spring. According to one example, the metal load spring 50 may comprise steel. According to another example, the metal load spring 50 may be made of carbon fiber. The arcuate portion 56 of the load spring 50 has a concave shape, which is configured to engage the strike pin 40 in the locked position and to deform at least partially when compressed under force to provide a biasing force load on the strike pin 40 when the latch assembly 30 is in the locked position.

[0054] The latch assembly 30 can be assembled to one of a movable portion and a fixed portion of the vehicle 10 to engage a strike pin 40 located on the other of the movable portion and the fixed portion of the vehicle 10. In the example shown and described herein, the latch assembly 30 is disposed on a movable portion of a rear bumper 20 of the vehicle 10, and the strike pin 40 is disposed on a fixed portion, which may include a support post on or near the body 12 of the vehicle 10. It should be understood that, according to other embodiments, the latch assembly 30 may otherwise be disposed on the fixed portion of the vehicle 10 to engage the strike pin 40 disposed on the movable portion of the vehicle 10.

[0055] While this document shows and describes a latch assembly 30 for locking the tailgate 20 of the motor vehicle 10 to a fixed support structure on or near the body 12 of the motor vehicle 10, it should be understood that the latch assembly 30 may be otherwise configured to lock other movable parts to fixed parts on the motor vehicle 10. For example, the latch assembly 30 may be used for other opening and closing mechanisms, such as locking a liftgate on a sport utility vehicle (SUV) to a closed position at the rear of the motor vehicle 10, or locking a side door of the motor vehicle 10 to a closed position, or locking the hood or trunk of the motor vehicle to a closed position. It should also be understood that the latch assembly 30 for the motor vehicle 10 may be used to lock a seat assembly, such as locking the seat back to a seat base and allowing the seat back to fold into a stowed position, and further for locking the seat base to an underlying support structure on the passenger compartment floor to allow the seat to fold into a stowed position, such as a forward upright position.

[0056] Therefore, a latch assembly 30 for a motor vehicle 10 is provided, which advantageously includes a load spring 50 for applying a biasing force to a strike pin 40 in order to reduce or minimize movement of movable portions such as a rear bumper 20 relative to a fixed vehicle structure, which could otherwise lead to undesirable movement of the movable portions and associated rattling noises. This advantageously reduces the need for rubber stop blocks and can provide an enhanced tolerance range.

[0057] It should be understood that changes and modifications may be made to the foregoing structures without departing from the concept of this disclosure, and it should also be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless otherwise expressly stated in their language.

[0058] According to the present invention, a latch assembly for a vehicle is provided, the latch assembly comprising: a latch body configured to be assembled to one of a movable portion and a fixed portion of the vehicle; a latch coupled to one of the latch body and the vehicle body and having a claw-like member configured to lock in a locked position to a striker on the other of the movable portion and the fixed portion; and a load spring coupled to the latch body and configured to compress in the locked position due to a force applied to the striker.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the fixed part is the vehicle body, and the movable part is a vehicle opening / closing component.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the vehicle opening and closing element is a tailgate.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the spring comprises a metal spring.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the metal spring comprises steel.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the spring has an arcuate shape, which is configured to engage the pin and deform to provide a biasing force.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a rigid support member that connects the spring to the latch body.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the rigid support member comprises nylon.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the latch includes a pawl and a ratchet for holding the pawl in the locked position, wherein the pawl moves to the unlocked position in response to user input.

[0067] According to the present invention, a vehicle tailgate is provided, the vehicle tailgate having: a tailgate latch assembly, the tailgate latch assembly comprising: a latch body configured to be assembled to one of the vehicle tailgate and a fixed body portion of the vehicle; a latch coupled to the latch body and having a locking pawl configured to lock in a locked position to a striker on the other of the tailgate and the fixed body portion; and a load spring coupled to the latch body and configured to compress in the locked position due to a force applied to the striker.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the spring comprises a metal spring.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the metal spring comprises steel.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the spring has an arcuate shape, which is configured to engage the pin and deform to provide a biasing force.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a rigid support member that connects the spring to the latch body.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the rigid support member comprises nylon.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the latch includes a pawl and a ratchet for holding the pawl in the locked position, wherein the pawl moves to the unlocked position in response to user input.

[0074] According to the present invention, a vehicle is provided, the vehicle having: a body that generally defines a cargo box having a floor and a first lateral sidewall and a second lateral sidewall; a first striker and a second striker disposed at the rear end of the cargo box in corresponding first and second lateral sidewalls; a tailgate pivotally connected to the rear end of the body and movable between a vertically closed position and a downwardly horizontal position forming the rear wall of the cargo box; and a first latch assembly and a second latch assembly disposed on opposite lateral sides of the tailgate, wherein each of the first latch assembly and the second latch assembly includes: a latch body configured to be assembled on the tailgate of the vehicle; a latch coupled to the latch body and having a locking pawl configured to lock onto the striker in a locked position; and a load spring coupled to the latch body and configured to compress in the locked position due to a force applied to the striker.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the latch assembly spring includes a metal spring, and wherein the metal spring comprises steel.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the latch assembly spring has an arcuate shape, which is configured to engage the striker and deform to provide a biasing force.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a rigid support member that spring-connects the latch assembly to the latch body.

Claims

1. A latch assembly for a vehicle, the latch assembly comprising: A latch body, the latch body being configured to be assembled on one of a movable part on the vehicle and a fixed part on the vehicle; A latch, which is connected to one of the latch body and the vehicle body and has a claw-like member configured to lock in a locked position onto a striker on the other of the movable part and the fixed part; as well as A load spring is coupled to the latch body and configured to compress in the locked position due to a force applied to the strike pin.

2. The latch assembly of claim 1, wherein the fixed portion is the vehicle body and the movable portion is a vehicle opening / closing element.

3. The latch assembly according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle opening / closing element is a rear tailgate.

4. The latch assembly of claim 1, wherein the spring comprises a metal spring.

5. The latch assembly of claim 4, wherein the metal spring comprises steel.

6. The latch assembly of claim 1, wherein the spring has an arcuate shape, the arcuate shape being configured to engage the striker and deform to provide a biasing force.

7. The latch assembly of claim 1, further comprising a rigid support member connecting the spring to the latch body.

8. The latch assembly of claim 7, wherein the rigid support comprises nylon.

9. The latch assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the latch includes a pawl and a ratchet for holding the pawl in the locked position, and wherein the pawl moves to the unlocked position in response to user input.

10. A vehicle tailgate, comprising: Rear bumper latch assembly, the rear bumper latch assembly comprising: A latch body configured to be assembled on one of the rear tailgate of the vehicle and a fixed body section of the vehicle; A latch, the latch being coupled to the latch body and having a locking claw, the locking claw being configured in a locked position to a striker on the other of the rear bumper and the fixed body section; and A load spring is coupled to the latch body and configured to compress in the locked position due to a force applied to the strike pin.

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