EP1069269B1 - Latch mechanism - Google Patents
Latch mechanism Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1069269B1 EP1069269B1 EP20000306055 EP00306055A EP1069269B1 EP 1069269 B1 EP1069269 B1 EP 1069269B1 EP 20000306055 EP20000306055 EP 20000306055 EP 00306055 A EP00306055 A EP 00306055A EP 1069269 B1 EP1069269 B1 EP 1069269B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- striker
- pawl
- latch mechanism
- limiting member
- latch
- 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.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B77/00—Vehicle locks characterised by special functions or purposes
- E05B77/02—Vehicle locks characterised by special functions or purposes for accident situations
- E05B77/10—Allowing opening in case of deformed bodywork, e.g. by preventing deformation of lock parts
Definitions
- the present invention relates to latch assemblies and in particular to latch assemblies for releasably securing vehicle doors when such doors are in a closed position.
- a typical vehicle door latch mechanism essentially comprises a rotatable claw mounted on the vehicle door which co-operates with a striker pin mounted on the vehicle body.
- the action of closing the door causes the claw to rotate to a closed position whereupon it engages and retains the striker pin.
- the claw is maintained in the closed position by a sprung pawl which abuts an appropriately shaped portion of the claw.
- forces experienced by the latch mechanism can lead to relative movement between the claw and pawl, with the result that the two become misaligned and the pawl no longer maintains the claw in the closed position.
- the mechanism 10 includes a pawl 12, a latch bolt in the form of a claw 14, and a retention plate 16.
- the pawl 12 is pivotally mounted via a pawl pivot 20 which is connected to the retention plate 16.
- the pawl pivot 20 is defined by a pin extending from the retention plate 16.
- the pawl 12 includes a pawl engagement portion 22.
- the retention plate 16 in conjunction with further components of the latch mechanism 10 (not shown) which do not move relative to the retention plate 16 during use, form a chassis of the latch mechanism.
- the claw jaw 26 releasably secures a striker 34 in the mouth 32 of the retention plate 16.
- the claw 14 can be secured in its closed position, as shown in figure 1, by the pawl 12, and in particular by abutment of the pawl engagement portion 22 with the claw closed engagement portion 28.
- the striker 34 comprises a pin 36 having at opposite ends thereof a base 38 and an end flange 40. In use, the base 38 of the striker 34 is secured at a location of a vehicle body.
- the latch mechanism 10 is provided with a substantially planar striker engagement plate 42 within the chassis of the latch mechanism.
- the striker engagement plate 42 is positioned in the chassis such that it lies on the respective second sides 12B,14B of the pawl 12 and claw 14.
- striker engagement plate 42 is arranged substantially parallel to the retention plate 16 and may be carried by the pins defining the pawl and claw pivots 20,24.
- the claw jaw 26 releasably secures the striker 34 both in the mouth 32 of the retention plate 16 and a corresponding mouth 44 of the striker engagement plate 42.
- the striker engagement plate 42 is positioned between the claw 12 and pawl 14 and the end flange of the 40 of the striker 34. Under the abnormal conditions described above, the striker engagement plate 42 acts to resist misalignment of the pawl 12 and claw 14.
- Movement of the claw 12 and/or pawl 14 can result in each or either of them moving into contact with the retention plate 16 and/or the striker engagement plate 42, with the plates 16,42 then acting to constrain further movement of the claw 12 and/or pawl 14.
- the proximity of the striker engagement plate 42 to the striker end flange 40 means that any distortion or flexing of the striker engagement plate 42 causes it to abut the end flange 40. Further distortion or flexing of the striker engagement plate 42 is resisted by the end flange 40.
Description
- The present invention relates to latch assemblies and in particular to latch assemblies for releasably securing vehicle doors when such doors are in a closed position.
- When known latch assemblies are used in car doors, and the car has subsequently been involved in a road accident where an impact has deformed the door, the very act of deforming the door has been known to cause the latch assembly to unlatch and allow the door to open.
- It is generally recognised that occupants of a vehicle which is involved in an accident are safer if they remain inside the vehicle during the accident and immediately thereafter until, for example, the vehicle comes to a stop or is no longer in danger. The presence of an open door during an accident increases the chance of an occupant being injured. Furthermore, the structural rigidity of a vehicle passenger cell is enhanced if all doors remain shut.
- A typical vehicle door latch mechanism essentially comprises a rotatable claw mounted on the vehicle door which co-operates with a striker pin mounted on the vehicle body. The action of closing the door causes the claw to rotate to a closed position whereupon it engages and retains the striker pin. The claw is maintained in the closed position by a sprung pawl which abuts an appropriately shaped portion of the claw. In the event of an accident, forces experienced by the latch mechanism can lead to relative movement between the claw and pawl, with the result that the two become misaligned and the pawl no longer maintains the claw in the closed position.
- A known latch mechanism is shown in US5860683, and includes a limiting member in the form of a retention shaft which cooperates with a cover plate to resist unlatching during an accident.
- The present invention seeks to provide a latch mechanism which is less likely to unlatch during an accident.
- According to the present invention there is provided a latch mechanism as defined in claim 1.
- In a preferred embodiment the limiting member is configured so as to substantially surround a portion of the striker when the striker is secured in the closed position. The limiting member may be substantially planar and provided with a mouth adapted to receive said portion of the striker.
- An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
- Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic side view of a latch mechanism according to the present invention; and
- Figure 2 shows the end view indicated by arrow A in figure 1.
-
- Referring to the drawings there is shown a latch mechanism generally designated 10. The
mechanism 10 includes apawl 12, a latch bolt in the form of aclaw 14, and aretention plate 16. Thepawl 12 is pivotally mounted via a pawl pivot 20 which is connected to theretention plate 16. In the embodiment shown the pawl pivot 20 is defined by a pin extending from theretention plate 16. Thepawl 12 includes apawl engagement portion 22. - The
retention plate 16, in conjunction with further components of the latch mechanism 10 (not shown) which do not move relative to theretention plate 16 during use, form a chassis of the latch mechanism. - The
claw 14 is pivotally mounted on aclaw pivot 24 which is secured to theretention plate 16. in the embodiment shown theclaw pivot 24 is defined by a pin extending from theretention plate 16 Theclaw 14 includes aclaw jaw 26 and a claw closedengagement portion 28 and a claw firstsafety engagement portion 30. Theretention plate 16 includes amouth 32. - In use, the
claw jaw 26 releasably secures astriker 34 in themouth 32 of theretention plate 16. Theclaw 14 can be secured in its closed position, as shown in figure 1, by thepawl 12, and in particular by abutment of thepawl engagement portion 22 with the claw closedengagement portion 28. Thestriker 34 comprises apin 36 having at opposite ends thereof abase 38 and anend flange 40. In use, thebase 38 of thestriker 34 is secured at a location of a vehicle body. - Known release means allow the
pawl 12 to be rotated anticlockwise when viewing figure 1 to disengage thepawl engagement portion 22 from the claw closedengagement portion 28, to allow theclaw 14 to rotate in an anticlockwise direction and thus release thestriker 34 form themouth 32. - As can best be seen from figure 2, the
pawl 12 andclaw 14 are substantially planar having respective firstplanar sides retention plate 16 is positioned on the respectivefirst sides pawl 12 andclaw 14. Thepawl 12 andclaw 14 are pivotable aboutrespective pivot axes - Under abnormal conditions, such as when the latch mechanism is secured in a door of a vehicle and the door receives a side impact during a road traffic accident, the
retention plate 16 can be distorted with the result that thealignment pivot axes engagement portion 28, and thereby allowing the door to open. - To counter this eventuality, the
latch mechanism 10 is provided with a substantially planarstriker engagement plate 42 within the chassis of the latch mechanism. Thestriker engagement plate 42 is positioned in the chassis such that it lies on the respective second sides 12B,14B of thepawl 12 andclaw 14. In the embodiment shownstriker engagement plate 42 is arranged substantially parallel to theretention plate 16 and may be carried by the pins defining the pawl andclaw pivots 20,24. - In use, and as shown in the figures, the
claw jaw 26 releasably secures thestriker 34 both in themouth 32 of theretention plate 16 and a corresponding mouth 44 of thestriker engagement plate 42. As can be readily seen from figure 2, when theclaw jaw 26 is secured to thestriker 34, thestriker engagement plate 42 is positioned between theclaw 12 andpawl 14 and the end flange of the 40 of thestriker 34. Under the abnormal conditions described above, thestriker engagement plate 42 acts to resist misalignment of thepawl 12 andclaw 14. Movement of theclaw 12 and/orpawl 14 can result in each or either of them moving into contact with theretention plate 16 and/or thestriker engagement plate 42, with theplates claw 12 and/orpawl 14. The proximity of thestriker engagement plate 42 to the striker end flange 40 (the spacing therebetween is exaggerated in figure 2), means that any distortion or flexing of thestriker engagement plate 42 causes it to abut theend flange 40. Further distortion or flexing of thestriker engagement plate 42 is resisted by theend flange 40.
Claims (8)
- A latch mechanism (10) having a latch bolt (14) for releasably securing a striker (34) in a closed position, the latch bolt being movably mounted on a chassis of the latch mechanism, and a pawl movably mounted on the chassis and engageable with the latch bolt to releasably secure it in a closed position, the latch mechanism further including a limiting member (42) mounted in the chassis, the limiting member being positioned adjacent the pawl and latch bolt characterised in that when the striker is secured in the closed position, following the application of an abnormal load to the latch mechanism the limiting member limits relative movement between the latch bolt and the pawl by co-operation with an engagement portion (40) of the striker.
- A latch mechanism as claimed in claim 1, the chassis including a retention plate (16) situated on a first side (12A, 14A) of the pawl and latch bolt and having a mouth (32) to receive the striker, wherein the limiting member is situated in the chassis on a second side (12B, 14B) of the pawl and latch bolt such that the pawl and latch bolt are between the retention plate and limiting member.
- A latch mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the limiting member is provided with a mouth (44) to receive the striker.
- A latch mechanism as claimed in claim 3 wherein the engagement portion of the striker is larger than the mouth of the limiting member.
- A latch mechanism as claimed in claim 4 wherein the engagement portion is defined by a flange (40) of the striker.
- A latch mechanism as claimed in claim 5 wherein the limiting member is positioned between the second sides of the pawl and latch bolt and the flange of the striker when the striker is secured in the closed position.
- A latch mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, the chassis including pins about which the pawl and lock bolt are movably mounted, wherein the limiting member is located on said pins.
- A latch mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the limiting member is substantially planar.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB9916632.4A GB9916632D0 (en) | 1999-07-16 | 1999-07-16 | Latch mechanism |
GB9916632 | 1999-07-16 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1069269A1 EP1069269A1 (en) | 2001-01-17 |
EP1069269B1 true EP1069269B1 (en) | 2005-03-02 |
Family
ID=10857306
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP20000306055 Expired - Lifetime EP1069269B1 (en) | 1999-07-16 | 2000-07-17 | Latch mechanism |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1069269B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60018332T2 (en) |
GB (1) | GB9916632D0 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102006031226B4 (en) * | 2006-07-06 | 2012-05-31 | Audi Ag | Lock for a vehicle door |
US8474883B2 (en) * | 2010-08-03 | 2013-07-02 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC | Latching mechanism |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB1561538A (en) * | 1976-11-29 | 1980-02-20 | Chrysler Uk | Vehicle bodies |
JP3096552B2 (en) * | 1994-01-11 | 2000-10-10 | 三井金属鉱業株式会社 | Door lock device for vehicle sliding door |
JP3360157B2 (en) * | 1995-06-09 | 2002-12-24 | 株式会社大井製作所 | Door lock device for automobile |
FR2760778B1 (en) * | 1997-03-11 | 1999-05-14 | Valeo Systemes De Fermetures | LOCK FOR MOTOR VEHICLE |
-
1999
- 1999-07-16 GB GBGB9916632.4A patent/GB9916632D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2000
- 2000-07-17 EP EP20000306055 patent/EP1069269B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-07-17 DE DE2000618332 patent/DE60018332T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE60018332D1 (en) | 2005-04-07 |
DE60018332T2 (en) | 2005-06-30 |
EP1069269A1 (en) | 2001-01-17 |
GB9916632D0 (en) | 1999-09-15 |
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