EP0131398A1 - Sensor for vehicle door latch - Google Patents
Sensor for vehicle door latch Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0131398A1 EP0131398A1 EP84304086A EP84304086A EP0131398A1 EP 0131398 A1 EP0131398 A1 EP 0131398A1 EP 84304086 A EP84304086 A EP 84304086A EP 84304086 A EP84304086 A EP 84304086A EP 0131398 A1 EP0131398 A1 EP 0131398A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- latch
- contacts
- bolt
- pin
- sleeve
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B17/00—Accessories in connection with locks
- E05B17/22—Means for operating or controlling lock or fastening device accessories, i.e. other than the fastening members, e.g. switches, indicators
Definitions
- This invention relates to door latches for motor vehicles and is concerned with the provision of sensor means for providing an Indication or signal to the effect that the latch is in its fully latched condition.
- a microswitch is mounted on the back plate of'the latch and the latch bolt is provided with a small projection positioned to engage the contact of the microswitch when the latch is in its fully closed position, the arrangement being such that,. if the vehicle ignition switch is actuated when the door latch is not fully closed and thus the microswitch is not operated, a warning light is actuated on the vehicle dashboard.
- a vehicle latch which has a generally U-shaped pivotally mounted latch bolt arranged for engagement with a keeper, wherein the bolt is provided with a projecting pin on which an electrically conductive sleeve is rotatably mounted, the bolt being movable between a position in which the sleeve is located between a pair of contacts to complete an electrical circuit and a position in which the sleeve is spaced from said contacts and the circuit is not completed.
- the arrangement is preferably such that the circuit is not completed when the latch bolt is in its fully latched position whereas, when the latch bolt is in its open position or in its first safety or secondary latched position, the circuit is completed.
- the electrical circuit may include an internal courtesy light with the arrangement such that, when any one or more of the doors of the vehicle is not fully closed, the courtesy light is actuated.
- the electrical circuit may alternatively or additionally include an indicator light specific to each latch such that the light appropriate to a particular latch is actuated if that latch is not fully closed.
- the latch preferably includes two parallel metal plates between which a moulded plastics housing is located, the U-shaped bolt being mounted on one of a pair of pivot pins extending between the two plates.
- a pawl for holding the bolt in its fully latched position in engagement with the striker is mounted on the other- of the two pivot pins.
- the moulded plastics housing preferably includes formations for locating the two contacts, the contacts being mounted on a printed circuit board so as to project therefrom with one of the two contacts arranged to pass through a slot in the plastics housing and the other contact having a U-shaped portion which sits in a recess in a wall of the plastics moulding.
- the projecting pin is preferably a moulded plastics pin which extends from a lobe of the U-shaped latch bolt, and the sleeve is freely rotatable on' the pin so that, as the sleeve passes between the two contacts, it will rotate on the pin to generate a cleaning action and ensure that no one part of the sleeve becomes worn.
- the two contacts preferably have curvate portions between which the sleeve is arranged to pass so as to effect resiltent deflection of the contacts.
- the latch includes a cover plate 10 and a back plate 11 between which a moulded plastics housing 12 is located.
- Two pivot pins 13 and 14 extend between the two plates 10 and 11.
- the first pivot pin 13 provides a mounting for a generally U-shaped bolt 15, the pivot mounting including a flanged plastic bush and an elastomeric block which fits round the pin 13 to provide a vibration and sound damping action on closure of the latch.
- the second pivot pin 14 provides a pivot mounting for a pawl 16 which engages the bolt 15 to hold it in its fully latched condition or in its partially latched condition, the latch components being shown in the drawing in the positions which they occupy when the bolt 15 is in its fully latched position in engagement with a striker (not shown).
- the latch also includes a number of levers as illustrated to effect the-required locking and unlocking and release functions of the latch.
- the U-shaped bolt 15 has two arms and is mounted with 'the pivot pin 13 passing through the centre of the base of the U.
- a lobe 17 projects from the base of the U on the side of the pivot pin 13 remote from the two arms of the U, and this lobe 17 is formed with an aperture in which is fitted a moulded plastics pin 18.
- the pin 18 carries a phosphor bronze sleeve 19 which is freely rotatable on the pin 18. As the latch bolt 15 is pivoted about the axis. of the pin 13 during movement of the bolt 15 into its first safety position and then into its fully open position, the sleeve 19 will pass between a pair of metal contacts 20 and 21 mounted on a printed circuit board 22 slotted into a receiving channel in the moulded plastics housing 12.
- the upper contact 20 has a main curvate portion and a bent end portion 23 which is passed through a slot in the plastics housing 12 in such manner as to locate the contact 20 while permitting . limited resilient deflection thereof when engaged by the sleeve 19.
- the lower contact 21 has an intermediate portion 24 of generally U-shape which is located within a recess in the plastics housing 12, with the arrangement again such as to permit limited resilient deflection of the contact 21 when engaged by the sleeve 19.
- a diode 25 is mounted on the printed circuit board 22 to prevent feed-back between the different parts of the overall circuit which includes a courtesy light, operated if any one of the vehicle doors is not fully closed, and a plurality of warning lights mounted in a display panel on the vehicle dashboard. A specific warning light is operated to indicate which vehicle door is not fully closed should one or more of the doors not be fully closed when the vehicle ignition switch is actuated.
- the electrical switch constituted by the pair of contacts 20 and 21 and the sleeve 19 is illustrated in the circuit'drawing as 26 and, when closed, provides an electrical connection between a line 27 and a pair of lines 28 and 29.
- the sleeve 19 is spaced from the contacts 20 and 21 when the latch bolt 15 is in its fully latched position so that the switch 26 will be open and neither the courtesy light nor the particolar warning light will be actuated.
- the sleeve 19 will move into a position between the two contacts 20 and 21.
- resiliently di-splaceable positive contact will be established between the sleeve 19 and contacts 20 and 21 to ensure a positive electrical connection and to provide a cleaning action as the sleeve wipes over the contacts.
- any corrosive film which might tend to form on the contacts 20 and 21 will be removed during opening and closing of the door.
- the contacts 20 and 21 and sleeve 19 perform the function of a courtesy light switch as well as a sensor, an overall vehicle cost saving is obtained.
Landscapes
- Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
- Arrangements Of Lighting Devices For Vehicle Interiors, Mounting And Supporting Thereof, Circuits Therefore (AREA)
- Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
Abstract
A vehicle door latch includes a pair of electrical contacts (20, 21) for actuating e.g. a courtesy light and/or warning lights to show that a door is not properly closed. A pivotally mounted bolt (15) of the latch mounts freely rotatable metal sleeve (19) on a pin (18), the sleeve passing between the contacts to complete the circuit and its rotation providing a wiping action to ensure good contact. Preferably the circuit is only completed when the bolt is not at the fully latched position at which the door is properly closed.
Description
- This invention relates to door latches for motor vehicles and is concerned with the provision of sensor means for providing an Indication or signal to the effect that the latch is in its fully latched condition.
- In one existing construction a microswitch is mounted on the back plate of'the latch and the latch bolt is provided with a small projection positioned to engage the contact of the microswitch when the latch is in its fully closed position, the arrangement being such that,. if the vehicle ignition switch is actuated when the door latch is not fully closed and thus the microswitch is not operated, a warning light is actuated on the vehicle dashboard.
- It is an object of the invention to provide a vehicle latch having a sensor mechanism which is less expensive than the microswitch arrangement referred to above. More specifically it is an object of the invention to provide a vehicle latch having a sensor mechanism including a self-cleaning action so that it will be extremely reliable throughout its working life.
- According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle latch which has a generally U-shaped pivotally mounted latch bolt arranged for engagement with a keeper, wherein the bolt is provided with a projecting pin on which an electrically conductive sleeve is rotatably mounted, the bolt being movable between a position in which the sleeve is located between a pair of contacts to complete an electrical circuit and a position in which the sleeve is spaced from said contacts and the circuit is not completed.
- The arrangement is preferably such that the circuit is not completed when the latch bolt is in its fully latched position whereas, when the latch bolt is in its open position or in its first safety or secondary latched position, the circuit is completed. The electrical circuit may include an internal courtesy light with the arrangement such that, when any one or more of the doors of the vehicle is not fully closed, the courtesy light is actuated. The electrical circuit may alternatively or additionally include an indicator light specific to each latch such that the light appropriate to a particular latch is actuated if that latch is not fully closed.
- The latch preferably includes two parallel metal plates between which a moulded plastics housing is located, the U-shaped bolt being mounted on one of a pair of pivot pins extending between the two plates. A pawl for holding the bolt in its fully latched position in engagement with the striker is mounted on the other- of the two pivot pins. The moulded plastics housing preferably includes formations for locating the two contacts, the contacts being mounted on a printed circuit board so as to project therefrom with one of the two contacts arranged to pass through a slot in the plastics housing and the other contact having a U-shaped portion which sits in a recess in a wall of the plastics moulding.
- The projecting pin is preferably a moulded plastics pin which extends from a lobe of the U-shaped latch bolt, and the sleeve is freely rotatable on' the pin so that, as the sleeve passes between the two contacts, it will rotate on the pin to generate a cleaning action and ensure that no one part of the sleeve becomes worn. The two contacts preferably have curvate portions between which the sleeve is arranged to pass so as to effect resiltent deflection of the contacts.
- The invention wilt now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one form of door latch and in which one sheet illustrates the general form of the latch whilst the other sheet illustrates the contact construction.
- The latch includes a
cover plate 10 and a back plate 11 between which amoulded plastics housing 12 is located. Twopivot pins plates 10 and 11. Thefirst pivot pin 13 provides a mounting for a generallyU-shaped bolt 15, the pivot mounting including a flanged plastic bush and an elastomeric block which fits round thepin 13 to provide a vibration and sound damping action on closure of the latch. Thesecond pivot pin 14 provides a pivot mounting for apawl 16 which engages thebolt 15 to hold it in its fully latched condition or in its partially latched condition, the latch components being shown in the drawing in the positions which they occupy when thebolt 15 is in its fully latched position in engagement with a striker (not shown). The latch also includes a number of levers as illustrated to effect the-required locking and unlocking and release functions of the latch. - The U-shaped
bolt 15 has two arms and is mounted with 'thepivot pin 13 passing through the centre of the base of the U. Alobe 17 projects from the base of the U on the side of thepivot pin 13 remote from the two arms of the U, and thislobe 17 is formed with an aperture in which is fitted amoulded plastics pin 18. Thepin 18 carries aphosphor bronze sleeve 19 which is freely rotatable on thepin 18. As thelatch bolt 15 is pivoted about the axis. of thepin 13 during movement of thebolt 15 into its first safety position and then into its fully open position, thesleeve 19 will pass between a pair ofmetal contacts circuit board 22 slotted into a receiving channel in the moulded plastics housing 12. - The
upper contact 20 has a main curvate portion and abent end portion 23 which is passed through a slot in the plastics housing 12 in such manner as to locate thecontact 20 while permitting . limited resilient deflection thereof when engaged by thesleeve 19. Thelower contact 21 has anintermediate portion 24 of generally U-shape which is located within a recess in theplastics housing 12, with the arrangement again such as to permit limited resilient deflection of thecontact 21 when engaged by thesleeve 19. - A
diode 25 is mounted on the printedcircuit board 22 to prevent feed-back between the different parts of the overall circuit which includes a courtesy light, operated if any one of the vehicle doors is not fully closed, and a plurality of warning lights mounted in a display panel on the vehicle dashboard. A specific warning light is operated to indicate which vehicle door is not fully closed should one or more of the doors not be fully closed when the vehicle ignition switch is actuated. - The electrical switch constituted by the pair of
contacts sleeve 19 is illustrated in the circuit'drawing as 26 and, when closed, provides an electrical connection between a line 27 and a pair oflines 28 and 29. - As explained above, the
sleeve 19 is spaced from thecontacts latch bolt 15 is in its fully latched position so that theswitch 26 will be open and neither the courtesy light nor the particolar warning light will be actuated. When, however, the latch is partly or fully opened, thesleeve 19 will move into a position between the twocontacts sleeve 19 is freely rotatable on itspin 18 and thecontacts sleeve 19 and contacts 20 and 21 to ensure a positive electrical connection and to provide a cleaning action as the sleeve wipes over the contacts. Thus, any corrosive film which might tend to form on thecontacts contacts sleeve 19 perform the function of a courtesy light switch as well as a sensor, an overall vehicle cost saving is obtained.
Claims (13)
1. A vehicle door latch including a pivotally mounted latch bolt, a keeper for releasable engagement with the bolt to retain the latter at a fully latched position, a pair of electrical contacts, and a projecting pin on the latch bolt on which an electrically conductive sleeve is rotatably mounted, the sleeve being carried between the contacts during movement of the latch bolt to complete an electric circuit in use.
2. A latch as in Claim 1 wherein the circuit is only completed when the bolt is not at the fully ' latched position.. -
3. A latch as in Claim 1 or 2 including two parallel metal plates, first and second pivot pins extending between the plates, the bolt being mounted on the first pivot pin and the keeper in the form of a pawl being pivotally mounted on the second pin, and a moulded plastics housing located between the plates and locating the pair of contacts.
4. A latch as in Claim 3 including a printed circuit board, the contacts being mounted on the latter so as to project therefrom, one of the contacts being arranged to pass through a slot in the housing and the other contact including a U-shaped portion which is seated in a recess in a wall of the housing.
5. A latch as in any preceding claim wherein the contacts include curved portions, the sleeve passing therebetween so as to effect resilient deflection of the contacts.
6'. A latch as in any preceding claim wherein the latch bolt is general U-shaped and includes a lobe from which the pin extends.
7. A latch as in any preceding claim wherein the pin is a moulded plastics pin and the sleeve is formed of metal freely rotatable on the pin.
8. A vehicle door latch substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
9. Vehicle door latching means including a latch as in any preceding claim and an electrical circuit including at least one light arranged so that the light is energised when the latch bolt is not at the fully latched position.
10. Latching means as in Claim 9 wherein the light is an internal courtesy light.
11. Latching means as in Claim 9 including a plurality of latches as in any preceding claim each associated with a respective door of the vehicle and a plurality of warning lights each associated with a respective latch to indicate whether any of the doors are not fully closed.
12. Latching means as in Claim 11 including an internal courtesy light which is energised if any one of the doors is not fully closed.
13. A vehicle including a latch as in any one of claims 1 to 8 or latching means as in any one of claims 9 to 12.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB8317060 | 1983-06-23 | ||
GB08317060A GB2142077B (en) | 1983-06-23 | 1983-06-23 | Sensor for vehicle door latch |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0131398A1 true EP0131398A1 (en) | 1985-01-16 |
Family
ID=10544676
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19840902464 Withdrawn EP0148875A1 (en) | 1983-06-23 | 1984-06-14 | Sensor for vehicle door latch |
EP84304086A Withdrawn EP0131398A1 (en) | 1983-06-23 | 1984-06-18 | Sensor for vehicle door latch |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19840902464 Withdrawn EP0148875A1 (en) | 1983-06-23 | 1984-06-14 | Sensor for vehicle door latch |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (2) | EP0148875A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2142077B (en) |
WO (1) | WO1985000192A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2628138A1 (en) * | 1987-12-02 | 1989-09-08 | Kiekert Gmbh Co Kg | CLOSING SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLE DOORS WITH CLOSING KEY AND LOCK |
EP0395503A1 (en) * | 1989-04-27 | 1990-10-31 | Automobiles Peugeot | Device for indicating closed condition of motor car doors |
WO1992007155A1 (en) * | 1990-10-23 | 1992-04-30 | Mandor Research & Marketing Services Limited | Lock monitor |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB8507101D0 (en) * | 1985-03-19 | 1985-04-24 | Politz R E | Locking apparatus |
GB2184005B (en) * | 1985-09-18 | 1990-05-23 | Goodall Melvyn John | Improved vehicle seat |
GB2233703B (en) * | 1989-04-27 | 1993-06-09 | Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co | Switch box of lock device for vehicle |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2638516A (en) * | 1951-02-20 | 1953-05-12 | Chrysler Corp | Vehicle switching device |
US3281564A (en) * | 1965-10-18 | 1966-10-25 | Charles F Maxted | Chain link electric switch |
FR2388115A1 (en) * | 1977-04-21 | 1978-11-17 | Kiekert Soehne Arn | AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE DOOR LOCK WITH PROBING ASSEMBLY |
GB2019480A (en) * | 1978-04-13 | 1979-10-31 | Saseb Ag | Lock for the doors of automobiles |
-
1983
- 1983-06-23 GB GB08317060A patent/GB2142077B/en not_active Expired
-
1984
- 1984-06-14 EP EP19840902464 patent/EP0148875A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1984-06-14 WO PCT/GB1984/000204 patent/WO1985000192A1/en unknown
- 1984-06-18 EP EP84304086A patent/EP0131398A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2638516A (en) * | 1951-02-20 | 1953-05-12 | Chrysler Corp | Vehicle switching device |
US3281564A (en) * | 1965-10-18 | 1966-10-25 | Charles F Maxted | Chain link electric switch |
FR2388115A1 (en) * | 1977-04-21 | 1978-11-17 | Kiekert Soehne Arn | AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE DOOR LOCK WITH PROBING ASSEMBLY |
GB2019480A (en) * | 1978-04-13 | 1979-10-31 | Saseb Ag | Lock for the doors of automobiles |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2628138A1 (en) * | 1987-12-02 | 1989-09-08 | Kiekert Gmbh Co Kg | CLOSING SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLE DOORS WITH CLOSING KEY AND LOCK |
EP0395503A1 (en) * | 1989-04-27 | 1990-10-31 | Automobiles Peugeot | Device for indicating closed condition of motor car doors |
FR2646384A1 (en) * | 1989-04-27 | 1990-11-02 | Peugeot | |
WO1992007155A1 (en) * | 1990-10-23 | 1992-04-30 | Mandor Research & Marketing Services Limited | Lock monitor |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2142077A (en) | 1985-01-09 |
WO1985000192A1 (en) | 1985-01-17 |
EP0148875A1 (en) | 1985-07-24 |
GB8317060D0 (en) | 1983-07-27 |
GB2142077B (en) | 1986-10-01 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR IT LI LU NL SE |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 19850917 |
|
RIN1 | Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected) |
Inventor name: VILAIN, FRANCIS LEON Inventor name: JEAVONS, PHILIP SWINGEWOOD |