Vehicle latch assembly

Abstract

A vehicle latch assembly includes: a remote tightening actuator and a vehicle latch, the vehicle latch including: a latch housing; a pawl pivotally mounted to the latch housing; a tightening lever pivotally mounted to the latch housing; an ejection rod pivotally mounted to the tightening rod; an actuator housing fixed to the latch housing; a release lever pivotally mounted to an inner side of the actuator housing; a bypass lever pivotally mounted to the inner release lever; a power release lever pivotally mounted to the actuator housing; a pawl to which the power release lever is operably coupled; a bypass lever having an arm passing through an opening in the inner release lever, the arm having a middle portion and a distal end portion; a sector gear pivotally mounted to the actuator housing; and a child lock link operably coupled at one end to the distal end portion and operably connected at an opposite end to the sector gear.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of vehicle latches. Background Art

[0002] In vehicle door latches with a power release mechanism, the associated vehicle door sometimes does not transition from the locked position to the open position, possibly due to the door being frozen to the opening it is secured in. This can be caused by moisture freezing between the door seal and the vehicle body in cold temperatures.

[0003] Therefore, the ability to unblock vehicle doors in extreme freezing conditions has become a real market need. For side door latches, ice can accumulate around the door, making it difficult for passengers to pull the handle and open the door. Therefore, it is desirable to provide the latch assembly with a mechanism that assists in opening the door, making it easier for passengers to enter their vehicles in extremely cold temperatures. Utility Model Content

[0004] A vehicle latch assembly is disclosed, comprising: a remote tightening actuator and a vehicle latch, wherein the vehicle latch comprises: a latch housing; a pawl pivotally mounted to the latch housing; a tightening lever pivotally mounted to the latch housing; an ejection lever pivotally mounted to the tightening lever; an actuator housing fixed to the latch housing; an inboard release lever pivotally mounted to the actuator housing; a bypass lever pivotally mounted to the inboard release lever, the bypass lever being movable relative to the inboard release lever between a first position and a second position; a power release lever pivotally mounted to the actuator housing; a pawl, the power release lever operably coupled to the pawl, wherein movement of the power release lever causes the pawl to move between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the pawl preventing rotation of the pawl when the pawl is in the engaged position and not preventing rotation of the pawl when the pawl is in the disengaged position; wherein the bypass lever has an arm extending through an opening in the inner release lever, the arm having a middle portion and a distal portion; When the lever is in the first position, the intermediate portion engages the protrusion of the power release lever so that movement of the inner release lever causes movement of the power release lever and the pawl, and when the bypass lever is in the second position, the intermediate portion does not engage the protrusion of the power release lever so that movement of the inner release lever does not cause movement of the power release lever and the pawl; a sector gear pivotally mounted to the actuator housing; a child lock link, the child lock link being operably connected to the distal portion at one end and operably connected to the sector gear at an opposite end, wherein movement of the sector gear causes the bypass lever to move between the first position and the second position; and wherein the remote tightening actuator is operably connected to the tightening lever by a cable, wherein actuation of the remote tightening actuator causes rotation of the tightening lever, and during rotation of the tightening lever, the push-out lever moves in one of a bypass path in which the push-out lever does not contact the pawl and a push-out path in which the push-out lever contacts the pawl and provides an opening force to the pawl.

[0005] Additionally or alternatively to any of the embodiments above, in addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the embodiments described above, a motor may be operably coupled to the gear sector, wherein actuation of the motor causes movement of the gear sector.

[0006] Additionally or alternatively to any of the embodiments above, the ejection rod is spring biased toward the bypass path by an ejection rod spring.

[0007] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the above embodiments, the vehicle latch further comprises a clutch lever movable between a bypass position and a non-bypass position, wherein when the clutch lever is in the non-bypass position, the ejection lever is moved in the ejection path when the take-up lever is rotated.

[0008] Additionally or alternatively to any of the embodiments above, the clutch lever is spring-biased to the bypass position by a clutch lever spring.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the embodiments described above, the ejection lever further includes a feature that engages the clutch lever when the clutch lever is in the non-bypass position to guide the ejection lever into the ejection path.

[0010] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the above embodiments, the vehicle latch also includes a control link, a power release lever and a pawl, wherein the power release lever is operably connected to the pawl, wherein movement of the power release lever causes the pawl to move between an engaged position and a disengaged position; when the pawl is in the engaged position, the pawl prevents rotation of the pawl; when the pawl is in the disengaged position, the pawl does not prevent rotation of the pawl; the control link is operably connected to the pawl so that movement of the pawl causes movement of the control link, and the control link is operably connected to the clutch lever so that when the pawl is in the disengaged position, the clutch lever is in a non-bypass position due to movement of the override link.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the above embodiments, the clutch lever has a protrusion that is received within a recess in the override link so that when the override link is moved, the clutch lever will rotate between the non-bypass position and the bypass position.

[0012] Additionally or alternatively to any of the above features, or in an alternative to any of the above embodiments, the clutch lever spring is secured at one end to the override link and at another end to the clutch lever.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the above embodiments, the ejector rod spring is secured to the takeup rod at one end and to the ejector rod at another end.

[0014] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the above embodiments, the tightening lever further comprises a tightening link pivotally mounted to the tightening lever, wherein when the tightening lever is rotated, the pawl is in the secondary position and the pawl is in the engaged position, the tightening link contacts the pawl and provides a closing force to the pawl.

[0015] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the above embodiments, the clutch lever has a guide feature that contacts a portion of the latch housing when the pawl is in the engaged position so that the clutch lever cannot rotate from the bypass position to the non-bypass position.

[0016] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the above embodiments, when the pawl is in the disengaged position, the guide feature does not contact the portion of the latch housing, allowing the clutch lever to rotate from the bypass position to the non-bypass position.

[0017] and actuating the remote tightening actuator to cause the tightening rod to rotate, and during the rotation of the tightening rod, an ejection rod rotatably mounted to the tightening rod travels in an ejection path, wherein the ejection rod contacts the pawl and provides an opening force to the pawl; and moving a bypass rod pivotally mounted to the inside release rod of the vehicle latch relative to the inside release rod between a first position and a second position, wherein the bypass rod has an opening in the inside release rod that passes through. and a lever, the lever being adapted to engage the lever and engage the pawl when the lever is in the first position so that movement of the lever does not cause movement of the lever and the pawl.

[0018] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the above embodiments, when the pawl of the vehicle latch is in an engaged position relative to the claw of the vehicle latch, actuation of the remote tightening actuator causes rotation of the tightening rod, and during rotation of the tightening rod, an ejection rod rotatably mounted to the tightening rod travels in a bypass path, wherein the ejection rod does not contact the claw.

[0019] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the above embodiments, when the pawl of the vehicle latch is in the engaged position relative to the claw of the vehicle latch and the claw is in the secondary position where the pawl contacts the claw, actuation of the remote tightening actuator causes rotation of the tightening lever, and during rotation of the tightening lever, a tightening link pivotally mounted on the tightening lever contacts the claw and rotates the claw to the primary position.

[0020] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the above embodiments, the vehicle latch also includes a clutch lever that is movable between a bypass position and a non-bypass position, wherein when the clutch lever is in the non-bypass position, the clutch lever causes the ejection lever to travel in an ejection path when the take-up lever is rotated, and wherein the clutch lever is biased to the bypass position by a clutch lever spring. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 is a view of a vehicle latch assembly according to the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 2 is a view of the interior components of a vehicle latch according to the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 3 is an exploded view of some of the internal components of a vehicle latch according to the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 An enlarged view of some of the components shown in ;

[0025] Figure 5 At least Figure 2 An enlarged view of some components of the vehicle latch is shown;

[0026] Figures 6-10A shows a tightening operation according to the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 11-16B An opening assistance for a vehicle latch according to the present disclosure is shown;

[0028] Figure 17 and Figure 17Ashows a portion of a vehicle latch according to the present disclosure; and

[0029] Figures 18-21 The electronic child lock function according to the present disclosure is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method is given herein by way of example and not limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] According to the present disclosure, the ejector lever is riveted and pivoted into the take-up lever. The ejector lever will have a pivot riveted to the ejector lever that acts as a guide feature. Additionally, the ejector lever will be spring-loaded or biased so that whenever the take-up lever is rotated, it will fall into the bypass path unless it is redirected by the clutch lever.

[0032] Therefore, each time the take-up lever is rotated, the ejection lever will follow two possible paths: an ejection path or a bypass path. The path the ejection lever will take will be determined by the latch position (e.g., held open). The pivot riveted to the ejection lever will slide through these paths.

[0033] The clutch lever is pivotally mounted to the latch and moves when the latch is in the hold-open position. As used herein, hold-open refers to when the latch's pawl is held in an open or disengaged position, where the pawl does not contact the latch's pawl. The clutch lever allows the ejector rod to follow the ejection path in the latch housing, thereby enabling contact between the ejector rod and the pawl.

[0034] If the latch is not in the hold open or open position, the ejection rod will only follow the bypass path.

[0035] Whenever the push rod contacts the blank portion of the claw, it will have the ability to move it out of the secondary position.

[0036] The design also eliminates the possibility of simultaneous tightening and assisted opening operations.

[0037] Now refer to Figure 1 , a vehicle latch assembly 10 is shown. The vehicle latch assembly 10 includes a vehicle latch 12 operatively coupled to a remote tightening actuator 14 via a cable that is slidably housed in a cable sheath 16 extending from the vehicle latch 12 to the remote tightening actuator 14. In one non-limiting embodiment, the vehicle latch assembly 10 is configured for use with a side door of a vehicle.

[0038] Figure 2 The vehicle latch 12 is shown with the cover 18 removed from the latch housing 20. Figures 1-4 ,in particular Figure 3 and Figure 4, showing a portion of the vehicle latch 12. Specifically, Figure 3 and Figure 4 An exploded view of a portion or component of the vehicle latch 12 is illustrated. The override link 22, back plate 24, clutch lever 26, clutch lever spring 28, take-up lever 30, take-up link 32, ejector lever 34, and ejector lever spring 36 are shown. The take-up lever 30 is pivotally or rotationally mounted to the latch housing 20 via a pivot 38. The take-up link 32 is pivotally mounted to the take-up lever 30 via a rivet 40, and the ejector lever 34 is pivotally mounted to the take-up lever 30 via a rivet 42. The ejector lever 34 has a pivot or feature 44 riveted thereto, which serves as a guide for the ejector lever 34. The clutch lever spring 28 provides a biasing force to the clutch lever 26, and the ejector lever spring 36 provides a biasing force to the ejector lever 34. The clutch lever 26 is pivotally mounted to the back plate 24. One end of the clutch lever spring 28 contacts or is fixed to the clutch lever 26, and the other end contacts or is fixed to the back plate 24. One end of the ejection rod spring 36 is in contact with or fixed to the take-up rod 30 , while the other end of the ejection rod spring 36 is in contact with or fixed to the ejection rod 34 .

[0039] Now refer to Figure 5 , shows an enlarged portion of the override link 22 and clutch lever 26. As shown, the clutch lever 26 has a protrusion or feature 46 that is received within a recess 48 of the override link 22 so that when the override link 22 is moved, the clutch lever 26 will rotate. The clutch lever 26 also has a guide feature or cam surface 50 that interacts with the pivot or feature 44 and causes the ejector rod 34 to follow one of two paths, a bypass path or an open auxiliary path, depending on the position of the clutch lever 26.

[0040] Figure 6-Figure 8 A tightening operation of the vehicle latch 12 is shown. Figure 6-Figure 8 is a bottom view of the latch housing 20 (relative to at least Figures 1 to 3 view of the mounting plate removed). Figure 6 In the embodiment, the pawl 52 is in the secondary position and the ratchet 54 is engaged with the pawl 52 so that it cannot be moved from Figure 6 Turn to the open position or counterclockwise.

[0041] As used herein and as known in the related art, the primary position of the pawl 52 refers to the closed position of the vehicle latch 12, wherein the pawl 52 retains a striker (not shown), the door associated with the vehicle latch 12 is fully closed, and the pawl 54 is in an engaged position that retains the pawl 52 in the closed or primary position. As used herein and as known in the related art, the open position of the vehicle latch 12 refers to the pawl 52 no longer retaining the striker, the door associated with the vehicle latch 12 is open or openable, and the pawl 54 has moved to a disengaged position so that the pawl 52 can rotate from the closed or primary position to the open position. As used herein and as known in the related art, the secondary position refers to the partially closed position of the vehicle latch 12, wherein the pawl 52 retains the striker, the door associated with the vehicle latch 12 is partially closed, and the pawl 54 is in an engaged position that retains the pawl 52 in the secondary position.

[0042] As such, the vehicle latch 12 is configured to perform a powered tightening operation wherein the pawl 52 is urged from the secondary position to the primary or closed position.

[0043] exist Figure 7 In the embodiment of the present invention, the tightening operation has begun, which may be referred to as the tightening operation when a rotational force is applied to the tightening rod 30 by the cable 31, which is fixed at one end to the tightening rod 30, and the drum (not shown) of the remote tightening actuator 14 is driven or rotated by the motor (not shown) of the remote tightening actuator 14, so that the cable 31 is wound around the drum and rotates the tightening rod. During this movement, the tightening link 32 contacts the surface 56 of the pawl 52. As a result, the tightening link 32 will rotate the pawl to the position as shown in FIG. Figure 8 The primary or fully locked position is shown. In this position, the pawl 54 holds the pawl 52 in the primary or fully locked position. During this movement, the ejector lever 34 follows a bypass path and does not contact the pawl 52. This is due to the biasing force of the ejector lever spring 36 and the fact that the pivot or feature 44 is not redirected by the guide feature or cam surface 50 of the clutch lever 26. This is also due to the fact that the clutch lever 26 is not moved by the override link. See also Figure 9 and Figure 10 , which shows the relative Figures 6 to 8 Movement on the other side of the vehicle latch 12 (cover removed). See also Figure 9A and Figure 10A , wherein only some components of the vehicle latch 12 are illustrated with respect to at least Figures 6 to 8 This movement is on the opposite side of the vehicle latch 12 (with the cover removed).

[0044] Now refer to Figures 11 to 13, the override link 22 moves in the direction of arrow 58. Due to this movement of the override link 22 in the direction of arrow 58, the clutch lever 26 is now moved to a position that prevents the biasing force of the ejector rod spring 36 from causing the ejector rod 34 to travel along the bypass path, where the ejector rod 34 would contact the pawl 52. This position of the clutch lever 26 can be referred to as at least Figure 2 、 Figure 9 、 Figure 9A 、 Figure 10 and Figure 10A The non-bypass position or second position and the clutch lever 26 position shown in , may be referred to as the bypass position or first position.

[0045] Now refer to Figures 11 to 16B , movement of the override link 22 in the direction of arrow 58 is facilitated by a power release operation, wherein a motor 60 rotates a worm 62 which rotates a power release gear 64 having a cam feature 70 which contacts and rotates a power release lever 72. The power release lever 72 is operatively coupled to a pawl release lever 74. The pawl release lever 74 has a protrusion 76 which is received within an opening 78 in the override link 22. The pawl release lever 74 is operatively coupled to a pawl lifter 80 which is operatively coupled to the pawl 54. As such, and when the pawl release lever 74 is rotated by the power release lever 72, the pawl 54 is in a position at least as Figure 14 and Figure 15 However, as Figure 14 and Figure 15 As shown, the claw 52 is still in the closed or main position. This may be due to the vehicle door associated with the vehicle latch 12 being frozen or stuck (as described above).

[0046] If this happens, the remote tightening actuator 14 is activated so that the tightening rod 30 can be tightened by Figure 12 and 13 , the cable 31 is rotated to move the pawl 52 of the vehicle latch 12 to the open position. However, the override link 22 has now moved in the direction of arrow 58. This moves the clutch lever 26 to the non-bypass position or second position. This is because the movement of the override link 22 overcomes the biasing force of the clutch spring 28 (which, as will be appreciated, biases the clutch lever 26 to the bypass position or first position of the clutch lever) due to the override link 22 moving in the direction of arrow 58 and the clutch lever 26 rotating to the non-bypass position or second position. When the clutch lever 26 is in the non-bypass position or second position and the takeup lever 30 is relative to at least Figures 11 to 13 When rotated in a clockwise direction as shown in FIG, the pivot or feature 44 will contact the surface 84 of the clutch lever 26 and, therefore, the ejector lever 34 will not be rotated into the bypass passage by the ejector lever spring 36.

[0047] Therefore, and as the take-up lever 30 is rotated, the distal end 86 of the ejector lever 34 will contact the protrusion or nub 88 of the pawl 52, and the rotational force of the take-up lever 30 will be applied to the pawl 52 to move it to the open position. Figure 15 and Figure 16 The force applied to the pawl 52 by the ejector rod 34 can be used to break a frozen state in which the door secured by the vehicle latch 12 is frozen in the closed position. The distal end 86 of the ejector rod 34 can have a curved surface configured to engage the curved surface of the protrusion or blank 88.

[0048] In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, and to provide power assistance for opening the vehicle latch 12, actuation of the remote take-up actuator 14 occurs only when the pawl 54 is in the disengaged position and the pawl 52 is still in the primary or closed position (see at least Figure 14 and Figure 15 ). As a result, the remote tightening actuator 14 will be activated and the ejector rod 34 will contact the pawl 52 and push it from the primary position to the open position. Activation of the remote tightening actuator 14 will occur when the first switch determines that the pawl 54 is in the disengaged position and the second switch determines that the pawl 52 is still in the primary position. The first switch and the second switch are each operably coupled to a controller, which is operably coupled to the motor of the remote tightening actuator 14.

[0049] Thus, the remote tightening actuator 14 can perform two functions: 1) wherein the pawl 52 is tightened closed from the secondary position to the primary position, or 2) wherein the pawl is pushed open from the primary position. The type of activation applied by the remote tightening actuator 14 will be based on the position of the clutch lever 26, which corresponds to the position of the pawl 54.

[0050] Now refer to Figure 2 and Figures 18 to 21 , an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Here, the vehicle latch 12 includes an electronic child lock feature. It should be understood that the vehicle latch 12 can be configured to have an electronic child lock feature in conjunction with a remote tightening actuator 14 having both bypass and non-bypass operation to provide tightening and / or assisted opening, or that the remote tightening actuator 14 having both bypass and non-bypass operation to provide tightening and / or assisted opening can be exclusive to the vehicle latch 12. In other words, various embodiments of the present disclosure contemplate a vehicle latch 12 having only a remote tightening actuator 14 having both bypass and non-bypass operation to provide tightening and / or assisted opening, and without an electronic child lock feature.

[0051] like Figure 2 and Figures 18 to 21As shown, the motor 100 provides driving force to a worm 102, which is operatively coupled to a sector gear 104 that is pivotally mounted on an actuator housing 105 of the vehicle latch 12. The actuator housing 105 is fixed to the latch housing 20, or the actuator housing 105 and the latch housing 20 are formed together as a single component.

[0052] A child bypass lever or bypass lever 106 is pivotally mounted to an inside release lever 108. The inside release lever 108 is also pivotally mounted to the actuator housing 105. The child bypass lever 106 has an arm portion 110 that extends through an opening 112 in the inside release lever 108. The arm portion 110 is operably coupled to a child lock link 114, which is operably coupled to the other end of the sector gear 104. The arm portion 110 has a center portion 116 and a distal portion 118. The distal portion 118 engages the child lock link 114, and the center portion 116 engages a protrusion 120 of the power release lever 72.

[0053] Thus, when the child bypass lever 106 is in the first position (see Figure 18 ), and when the inside release lever 108 rotates in the direction of arrow 122, the intermediate portion 116 contacts the protrusion 120 of the power release lever 72, thereby rotating the power release lever 72 in the direction of arrow 122, and then the pawl release lever 74 rotates the pawl lifter 80, which rotates the pawl 54. In other words, this movement opens the vehicle latch 12.

[0054] On the other hand, if the motor 100 is activated and the sector gear 104 is rotated, the child lock link 114 will move in the direction of arrow 124 and the child bypass lever 106 will rotate in the direction of arrow 122. This causes the arm 110 to move in the opening 112 so that the middle portion 116 of the arm 110 does not contact the protrusion 120 of the power release lever 72 when the inside release lever 108 is rotated in the direction of arrow 122. Figures 1 to 21 Thus, in this position, operation of the inside release lever 108 will not open the vehicle latch 12 .

[0055] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with respect to only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the present disclosure is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the present disclosure may be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions, or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described but commensurate with the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, while various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it should be understood that aspects of the present disclosure may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the present disclosure should not be construed as limited by the foregoing description, but only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle latch assembly (10), characterized in that: include: a remote tightening actuator (14); and A vehicle latch (12), the vehicle latch (12) comprising: a latch housing (20); a pawl (52) pivotally mounted to the latch housing (20); a take-up lever (30) pivotally mounted to the latch housing (20); an ejection lever (34) pivotally mounted to the take-up lever (30); an actuator housing (105) secured to the latch housing (20); an inside release lever (108) pivotally mounted to the actuator housing (105); a bypass lever (106) pivotally mounted to the inside release lever (108), the bypass lever (106) being movable relative to the inside release lever (108) between a first position and a second position; a power release lever (72) pivotally mounted to the actuator housing (105); a pawl (54), the power release lever (72) being operably coupled to the pawl (54), wherein movement of the power release lever (72) causes the pawl (54) to move between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein the pawl (54) prevents rotation of the pawl (52) when the pawl (54) is in the engaged position and does not prevent rotation of the pawl (52) when the pawl (54) is in the disengaged position; wherein the bypass lever (106) has an arm portion (110) extending through an opening (112) in the inner release lever (108), the arm portion (110) having a middle portion (116) and a distal portion (118); when the bypass lever (106) is in the first position, the middle portion (116) engages a protrusion (120) of the power release lever (72) such that movement of the inner release lever (108) causes movement of the power release lever (72) and the pawl (54); and when the bypass lever (106) is in the second position, the middle portion (116) does not engage the protrusion (120) of the power release lever (72) such that movement of the inner release lever (108) does not cause movement of the power release lever (72) and the pawl (54); a sector gear (104) pivotally mounted to the actuator housing (105); a child lock link (114) operably coupled to the distal portion (118) at one end and operably connected to the sector gear (104) at an opposite end, wherein movement of the sector gear (104) causes the bypass lever (106) to move between the first position and the second position; and The remote tightening actuator (14) is operably connected to the tightening rod (30) via a cable, wherein actuation of the remote tightening actuator (14) causes rotation of the tightening rod (30), and during rotation of the tightening rod (30), the ejection rod (34) moves in one of a bypass path in which the ejection rod (34) does not contact the claw (52) and an ejection path in which the ejection rod (34) contacts the claw (52) and provides an opening force to the claw (52).

2. The vehicle latch assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The vehicle latch assembly (10) also includes a motor operably coupled to the sector gear (104), actuation of the motor causing the sector gear (104) to move.

3. The vehicle latch assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The ejection rod (34) is spring-biased toward the bypass path by an ejection rod spring (36).

4. The vehicle latch assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The vehicle latch (12) further includes a clutch lever (26) movable between a bypass position and a non-bypass position, wherein when the clutch lever (26) is in the non-bypass position, the ejection lever (34) is moved in the ejection path when the takeup lever (30) is rotated.

5. The vehicle latch assembly (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that The clutch lever (26) is spring biased to the bypass position by a clutch lever spring (28).

6. The vehicle latch assembly (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that The ejection rod (34) is spring-biased toward the bypass path by an ejection rod spring (36).

7. The vehicle latch assembly (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that The ejection lever (34) further includes a pivot (44) that engages the clutch lever (26) when the clutch lever (26) is in the non-bypass position to guide the ejection lever (34) into the ejection path.

8. The vehicle latch assembly (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that The vehicle latch (12) further includes an override link (22), a power release lever (72), and a pawl (54), wherein the power release lever (72) is operably coupled to the pawl (54), wherein movement of the power release lever (72) causes the pawl (54) to move between an engaged position and a disengaged position; when the pawl (54) is in the engaged position, the pawl (54) prevents rotation of the pawl (52); and when the pawl (54) is in the disengaged position, the pawl (54) prevents rotation of the pawl (52). The override link (22) is operably coupled to the pawl (54) such that movement of the pawl (54) causes movement of the override link (22), and the override link (22) is operably coupled to the clutch lever (26) such that when the pawl (54) is in the disengaged position, the clutch lever (26) is in the non-bypass position due to movement of the override link (22).

9. The vehicle latch assembly (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that The clutch lever (26) has a feature (46) that is received within a recess (48) of the override link (22) such that when the override link (22) is moved, the clutch lever (26) will rotate between the non-bypass position and the bypass position.

10. The vehicle latch assembly (10) of claim 8, wherein: The clutch lever spring (28) is secured to the override link (22) at one end and to the clutch lever (26) at the other end.

11. The vehicle latch assembly (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that The ejection rod spring (36) is fixed to the take-up rod (30) at one end and to the ejection rod (34) at the other end.

12. The vehicle latch assembly (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that The ejection rod spring (36) is fixed to the take-up rod (30) at one end and to the ejection rod (34) at the other end.

13. The vehicle latch assembly (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that The tightening lever (30) also includes a tightening link (32) pivotally mounted to the tightening lever (30), wherein when the tightening lever (30) is rotated, the pawl (52) is in the secondary position and the pawl (54) is in the engaged position, the tightening link (32) contacts the pawl (52) and provides a closing force to the pawl (52).

14. The vehicle latch assembly (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that The clutch lever (26) has a guide feature (50) that contacts a portion (82) of the latch housing (20) when the pawl (54) is in the engaged position such that the clutch lever (26) cannot be rotated from the bypass position to the non-bypass position.

15. The vehicle latch assembly (10) according to claim 14, characterized in that When the pawl (54) is in the disengaged position, the guide feature (50) does not contact the portion (82) of the latch housing (20), allowing the clutch lever (26) to rotate from the bypass position to the non-bypass position.

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