EP1121503B8 - Door latch - Google Patents

Door latch Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1121503B8
EP1121503B8 EP99949159A EP99949159A EP1121503B8 EP 1121503 B8 EP1121503 B8 EP 1121503B8 EP 99949159 A EP99949159 A EP 99949159A EP 99949159 A EP99949159 A EP 99949159A EP 1121503 B8 EP1121503 B8 EP 1121503B8
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
lock
lever
link
release lever
abutments
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
Application number
EP99949159A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1121503B1 (en
EP1121503A1 (en
Inventor
Veronique Mejean
Jean Pierre Noel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Systems UK Ltd
Original Assignee
ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Systems UK Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Systems UK Ltd filed Critical ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Systems UK Ltd
Publication of EP1121503A1 publication Critical patent/EP1121503A1/en
Publication of EP1121503B1 publication Critical patent/EP1121503B1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1121503B8 publication Critical patent/EP1121503B8/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B81/00—Power-actuated vehicle locks
    • E05B81/02—Power-actuated vehicle locks characterised by the type of actuators used
    • E05B81/04—Electrical
    • E05B81/06—Electrical using rotary motors
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B81/00—Power-actuated vehicle locks
    • E05B81/12—Power-actuated vehicle locks characterised by the function or purpose of the powered actuators
    • E05B81/16—Power-actuated vehicle locks characterised by the function or purpose of the powered actuators operating on locking elements for locking or unlocking action
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B83/00—Vehicle locks specially adapted for particular types of wing or vehicle
    • E05B83/36—Locks for passenger or like doors
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B81/00—Power-actuated vehicle locks
    • E05B81/12—Power-actuated vehicle locks characterised by the function or purpose of the powered actuators
    • E05B81/14—Power-actuated vehicle locks characterised by the function or purpose of the powered actuators operating on bolt detents, e.g. for unlatching the bolt
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B85/00—Details of vehicle locks not provided for in groups E05B77/00 - E05B83/00
    • E05B85/01—Mechanical arrangements specially adapted for hands-free locking or unlocking

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to door latches and in particular to door latches for motor vehicles.
  • Door latches are known which include a release lever operable between a first closed position and a second released position, a pawl lifter operable between a first closed position and a second released position, and a lock-link operable between a first locked position and a second unlocked position.
  • a release lever operable between a first closed position and a second released position
  • a pawl lifter operable between a first closed position and a second released position
  • a lock-link operable between a first locked position and a second unlocked position.
  • a door latch including a latching means, a release lever operable between a first closed position and a second released position, a pawl lifter operable between a first closed position and a second released position, and a lock-link operable between a first locked and second unlocked position characterized in that movement of the lock-link from the first locked position to the second unlocked position when the release lever is in its second position and the pawl lifter is in its first position causes unlatching of the latch means.
  • abutments on the lock-link engage with corresponding abutments on the pawl lifter and release lever so as to cam them (the pawl lifter and release lever abutments) apart to cause movement of the pawl lifter relative to the release lever to unlatch the latch means.
  • the lock-link is at least moved from its first locked position to its second unlocked position by an actuator.
  • the lock-link is moved from its second unlocked position to its first locked position by the actuator.
  • the actuator is an electrical actuator.
  • the latch means is a latch claw.
  • Figure 1 is a cut away view of a door latch according to the present invention with the release lever and pawl lifter in their respective first closed positions and with the lock-link in its first locked position;
  • Figure 2 is a view similar to figure 1 with the release lever in its second released position, the pawl lifter in its first closed position and the lock-link in its first locked position;
  • Figure 3 is a view similar to figure 1 showing the release lever and pawl lifter in their respective second release positions and the lock-link in its second unlocked position.
  • a latch assembly including a rotatable latch claw (12) which engages a pin or striker bar (not shown) of a door (not shown) in a known manner.
  • the latch claw (12) is held in a closed position (as shown in figure 1) by a latch pawl (14) acting on abutment (12A) when the associated door is in a fully closed position, and on abutment (12B) when the associated door is in a first safety position.
  • the pawl (14) is connected to a pawl lifter (16), rotation of pawl lifter (16) anti-clockwise as shown in figure 1 causing anti-clockwise rotation of the pawl (14) thus disengaging the pawl from the abutment (12A) or (12B) as appropriate to allow the associated door to open.
  • pawl (14) and pawl lifter (16) both rotate about axis A (see figure 3).
  • the latch assembly (10) also includes a release lever (20) which is also capable of pivoting about axis A and is connected, in this case via cable (22) to an outside door handle (not shown) of the associated door. Operation of the outside door handle causes movement of the release lever (20) from its first closed position as shown in figure 1 to its second release position as shown in figures 2 and 3.
  • Release lever (20) includes adjacent abutment faces (24) and (26).
  • Pawl lifter (16) includes adjacent abutment faces (17) and (18).
  • Latch assembly also includes a lock-lever (30) pivoted about axis B.
  • a lock-link (32) is pivotally connected to the lock-lever at pivot (34).
  • Lock- link (32) includes abutments (36) and (38) on its opposite sides remote from pivot (34).
  • Lock-lever (30) can be moved between a first locked position as shown in figure 1 and 2 to a second unlocked position as shown in figure 3 by an electrical actuator (not shown).
  • lock-link (32) being mounted on lock-lever (30) is moved between a first locked position as shown in figures 1 and 2 to a second unlocked position as shown eg.in figure 3.
  • the latch assembly is locked from opening via the outside door handle since operation of the outside door handle only causes the release lever to move between its first and second positions without affecting the pawl lifter.
  • the lock-lever (30) is caused to rotate anti-clockwise thus moving abutments (36) and (38) of lock-link (32) to a position between abutments (17) and (24) of pawl lifter (16) and release lever (20) respectively (this position is not shown).
  • Operation of the outside door handle causes the release lever to rotate about axis A which results in abutment (24) pushing on abutment (38) which in turn causes abutment (36) to push on abutment (17) causing rotation of the pawl lifter and hence disengagement of the pawl from abutment (12A) or (12B) as the case may be.
  • the lock-link rotates about pivot (34).
  • lock-lever and lock-link being in a locked position means that abutments (36) and (38) cannoi contact respective abutments (17) and (24) (see figure 1).
  • abutments (36) and (38) are positioned between abutments (17) and (24) and this is the case irrespective of the position of the outside door handle.
  • the lock-link (32) can be in its second unlocked position with the release lever and pawl lifter in their respective first closed positions, and the lock-link can still be in a second unlocked position whilst the release lever and pawl lifter are in their respective second released positions.
  • the invention is particularly useful when used in conjunction with passive entry systems for automotive vehicles.
  • passive entry systems operate as follows:
  • a The vehicle is left in a locked condition with the lock-lever and lock- link being positioned in their first locked position.
  • B Operation of the outside door handle will activate the passive entry system whereby the system attempts to recognize the person operating the door handle eg. by identification means carried about their person.
  • the lock-lever and lock-link are moved by the electrical actuator from the first locked position to the second unlocked position thus unlocking the door.
  • the unlocking operation can occur whether the release lever (20) is in its first closed position, second released position or any position intermediate these two extremes.
  • the invention enables unlocking of the latch irrespective of the speed of operation of the outside door handle or the speed of operation of the electrical actuator in moving the lock- link from its first locked position to its second unlocked position. This allows the door to be unlocked and unlatched with a single operating movement of the release lever (20), and in a preferred embodiment such unlocking and unlatching is achieved by a single actuator.

Abstract

The latch 10 includes a latch claw 12, a release lever 20 operable between a closed and released position, a pawl 14 connected to a pawl lifter 16 operable between a closed position and a released position, and a lock link 32 operable between a locked and an unlocked position. During unlocking, a lock lever 30 rotates anti-clockwise to move abutments 36,38 (Fig.1) of the lock link to a position between abutments 17,24 (Fig.1) of the pawl lifter and release lever respectively (Fig.2). Operation of an outside door handle (not shown), connected to the release lever via a cable 22, causes the release lever to rotate about axis A (Fig.3) such that abutments 24,36 push on abutments 38,17 respectively. This action causes anti-clockwise rotation of the pawl lifter and disengagement of the pawl from abutment 12A (Fig. 3) of the latch claw to allow the door to open. The lock lever and link may be electrically actuated.

Description

DOOR LATCH
The present invention relates to door latches and in particular to door latches for motor vehicles. Door latches are known which include a release lever operable between a first closed position and a second released position, a pawl lifter operable between a first closed position and a second released position, and a lock-link operable between a first locked position and a second unlocked position. With the lock-link in the second unlocked position operation of the release lever from the first closed position to the second released position causes the release lever to operate on the lock-link which in turn operates on the pawl lifter to move it from its first closed position to its second released position thus causing unlatching of latching means.
Clearly when the lock-link is in its first locked position and an attempt is made to open the latch by moving the release lever to its second release position unlatching does not occur. A subsequent attempt to unlatch the latching means requires the release lever to be returned to its first closed position, the lock-link to be moved to its second unlocked position and only then can the release lever be moved from its first closed position to its second release position to unlatch the door latch.
Thus according to the present invention there is provided a door latch including a latching means, a release lever operable between a first closed position and a second released position, a pawl lifter operable between a first closed position and a second released position, and a lock-link operable between a first locked and second unlocked position characterized in that movement of the lock-link from the first locked position to the second unlocked position when the release lever is in its second position and the pawl lifter is in its first position causes unlatching of the latch means.
Preferably abutments on the lock-link engage with corresponding abutments on the pawl lifter and release lever so as to cam them (the pawl lifter and release lever abutments) apart to cause movement of the pawl lifter relative to the release lever to unlatch the latch means.
Preferably the lock-link is at least moved from its first locked position to its second unlocked position by an actuator. Preferably the lock-link is moved from its second unlocked position to its first locked position by the actuator. Preferably the actuator is an electrical actuator. Preferably the latch means is a latch claw.
The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the drawings in which:-
Figure 1 is a cut away view of a door latch according to the present invention with the release lever and pawl lifter in their respective first closed positions and with the lock-link in its first locked position;
Figure 2 is a view similar to figure 1 with the release lever in its second released position, the pawl lifter in its first closed position and the lock-link in its first locked position; and
Figure 3 is a view similar to figure 1 showing the release lever and pawl lifter in their respective second release positions and the lock-link in its second unlocked position.
With reference to figures 1 to 3 there is shown a latch assembly (10) including a rotatable latch claw (12) which engages a pin or striker bar (not shown) of a door (not shown) in a known manner.
The latch claw (12) is held in a closed position (as shown in figure 1) by a latch pawl (14) acting on abutment (12A) when the associated door is in a fully closed position, and on abutment (12B) when the associated door is in a first safety position.
The pawl (14) is connected to a pawl lifter (16), rotation of pawl lifter (16) anti-clockwise as shown in figure 1 causing anti-clockwise rotation of the pawl (14) thus disengaging the pawl from the abutment (12A) or (12B) as appropriate to allow the associated door to open. In this case pawl (14) and pawl lifter (16) both rotate about axis A (see figure 3).
The latch assembly (10) also includes a release lever (20) which is also capable of pivoting about axis A and is connected, in this case via cable (22) to an outside door handle (not shown) of the associated door. Operation of the outside door handle causes movement of the release lever (20) from its first closed position as shown in figure 1 to its second release position as shown in figures 2 and 3. Release lever (20) includes adjacent abutment faces (24) and (26).
Pawl lifter (16) includes adjacent abutment faces (17) and (18).
Latch assembly also includes a lock-lever (30) pivoted about axis B. A lock-link (32) is pivotally connected to the lock-lever at pivot (34). Lock- link (32) includes abutments (36) and (38) on its opposite sides remote from pivot (34). Lock-lever (30) can be moved between a first locked position as shown in figure 1 and 2 to a second unlocked position as shown in figure 3 by an electrical actuator (not shown).
Similarly lock-link (32) being mounted on lock-lever (30) is moved between a first locked position as shown in figures 1 and 2 to a second unlocked position as shown eg.in figure 3.
Operation of the latch assembly is as follows:
With the various components positioned as shown in figure 1 the latch assembly is locked from opening via the outside door handle since operation of the outside door handle only causes the release lever to move between its first and second positions without affecting the pawl lifter. When the door is unlocked the lock-lever (30) is caused to rotate anti-clockwise thus moving abutments (36) and (38) of lock-link (32) to a position between abutments (17) and (24) of pawl lifter (16) and release lever (20) respectively (this position is not shown). Operation of the outside door handle causes the release lever to rotate about axis A which results in abutment (24) pushing on abutment (38) which in turn causes abutment (36) to push on abutment (17) causing rotation of the pawl lifter and hence disengagement of the pawl from abutment (12A) or (12B) as the case may be. During such unlatching operation the lock-link rotates about pivot (34).
However when the lock-link is in its first locked position and the outside door lever is actuated to move the release lever from its first closed position to its second release position, abutment (24) approaches but does not contact abutment (17), see figure 2. Under these circumstances abutments (36) and (38) are positioned between abutments (18) and (26). Subsequent operation of the electrical actuator to move the lock-lever and hence the lock- link from the first locked position to the second unlocked locked position whilst the release lever remains in its second release position causes abutments (36) and (38) of the lock-link to force their way between the convergent gap formed by abutments (18) and (26). With the door lever held in the open position, the movement of the lock-link from its first locked position to its second unlocked position causes rotation of the pawl lifter (16) in an anticlockwise direction thus releasing the door latch.
Subsequent release of the outside door handle will allow the release lever (20) and pawl lifter (16) to return to their first position with abutments (36) and (38) remaining between abutments (17) and (24) (since the lock-lever is still in its unlocked position).
It should be noted that reference to the lock-lever and lock-link being in a locked position means that abutments (36) and (38) cannoi contact respective abutments (17) and (24) (see figure 1). Conversely when the lock- lever and lock-link are in an unlocked position abutments (36) and (38) are positioned between abutments (17) and (24) and this is the case irrespective of the position of the outside door handle. Thus the lock-link (32) can be in its second unlocked position with the release lever and pawl lifter in their respective first closed positions, and the lock-link can still be in a second unlocked position whilst the release lever and pawl lifter are in their respective second released positions.
The invention is particularly useful when used in conjunction with passive entry systems for automotive vehicles. Such passive entry systems operate as follows:
A The vehicle is left in a locked condition with the lock-lever and lock- link being positioned in their first locked position. B Operation of the outside door handle will activate the passive entry system whereby the system attempts to recognize the person operating the door handle eg. by identification means carried about their person.
C Should the system fail to recognise the person eg. by identification means not being present, then the lock-lever and lock-link remain in their first locked position.
D However should the system recognise the person eg. by the identification means being present, the lock-lever and lock-link are moved by the electrical actuator from the first locked position to the second unlocked position thus unlocking the door.
It should be noted that the unlocking operation can occur whether the release lever (20) is in its first closed position, second released position or any position intermediate these two extremes. In particular the invention enables unlocking of the latch irrespective of the speed of operation of the outside door handle or the speed of operation of the electrical actuator in moving the lock- link from its first locked position to its second unlocked position. This allows the door to be unlocked and unlatched with a single operating movement of the release lever (20), and in a preferred embodiment such unlocking and unlatching is achieved by a single actuator.

Claims

1. A door latch including a latching means, a release Jever operable between a first closed position and a second released position, a pawl lifter operable between a first closed position and a second released position, and a lock link operable between a first locked and second unlocked position characterized in that the movement of the lock link from the first locked position to the second unlocked position when the released lever is in its second position and the pawl lifter is in its first position causes the lock link to co-operate with the release lever and pawl lifter such that the pawl lifter acts to unlatch the latch means.
2. A door latch as defined in Claim 1 in which abutments on the lock link engage with corresponding abutments on the pawl lifter and release lever so as to cam the pawl lifter and release lever abutments apart to cause movement of the pawl lifter relative to the release lever to unlatch the latch means.
3. A door latch as defined in Claims 1 or 2 in which the lock link is at least moved from its first locked position to its second unlocked position by an actuator.
4. A door latch as defined in any preceding claim in which the lock link is moved from its second unlocked position to its first locked position by an actuator.
5. A door latch as defined in Claims 3 or 4 in which the actuator is an electric actuator.
6. A door latch as defined in any preceding claim in which the lock link is pivotally mounted on a lock lever.
7. A door latch as defined in Claim 6 in which the lock lever is pivotally mounted.
8. A door latch as defined in Claim 6 or 7 when dependent upon Claim 3,4 or 5 in which the lock lever is moved by the actuator to cause the lock link to move between its first and second positions.
9. A door latch substantially as herein described with reference to or as shown in the drawings.
EP99949159A 1998-10-06 1999-10-06 Door latch Expired - Lifetime EP1121503B8 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9821782A GB2342383B (en) 1998-10-06 1998-10-06 Door latch
GB9821782 1998-10-06
PCT/GB1999/003297 WO2000020710A1 (en) 1998-10-06 1999-10-06 Door latch

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1121503A1 EP1121503A1 (en) 2001-08-08
EP1121503B1 EP1121503B1 (en) 2005-12-14
EP1121503B8 true EP1121503B8 (en) 2006-03-01

Family

ID=10840099

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99949159A Expired - Lifetime EP1121503B8 (en) 1998-10-06 1999-10-06 Door latch

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1121503B8 (en)
AT (1) ATE312988T1 (en)
DE (1) DE69928954T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2255762T3 (en)
GB (1) GB2342383B (en)
WO (1) WO2000020710A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA2299921A1 (en) 1999-03-05 2000-09-05 Strattec Security Corporation Modular latch apparatus and method
US6786070B1 (en) 1999-03-05 2004-09-07 Sirattec Security Corporation Latch apparatus and method
US6463773B1 (en) 1999-03-05 2002-10-15 Strattec Security Corporation Electronic latch apparatus and method
US6575505B1 (en) 2000-10-25 2003-06-10 Strattec Security Corporation Latch apparatus and method
AU2002233228A1 (en) 2000-12-07 2002-06-18 Witte-Strattec Llc Lock with a latch held in a closed position by a detent pawl
DE10131965B4 (en) * 2000-12-07 2009-01-22 Witte-Strattec Llc, Troy Lock with a latch held by a pawl in a closed position
GB0031062D0 (en) 2000-12-20 2001-01-31 Meritor Light Vehicle Sys Ltd Latch arrangement
US6776442B2 (en) 2001-01-09 2004-08-17 Strattec Security Corporation Latch apparatus and method
EP1580366A3 (en) * 2004-03-23 2009-10-28 Brose Schliesssysteme GmbH & Co. KG Motor vehicle lock
FR2871830A1 (en) * 2004-06-18 2005-12-23 Arvinmeritor Light Vehicle Sys LOCK OF MOTOR VEHICLE
WO2006096600A2 (en) 2005-03-05 2006-09-14 Southco, Inc. Rotary pawl latch and rocker switch
EP1870612B2 (en) 2006-06-23 2012-08-08 Muhr und Bender KG Surface layer improvement of disc springs or corrugated springs
KR101673685B1 (en) * 2014-10-28 2016-11-07 현대자동차주식회사 Device for preventing opening of door
FR3048010B1 (en) * 2016-02-19 2023-03-17 Inteva Products Llc Vehicle door lock assembly and system

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4311785C2 (en) * 1993-04-09 1995-03-09 Kiekert Gmbh Co Kg Motor vehicle door lock, which has a closing and opening aid with a motor drive
US5803515A (en) * 1996-09-04 1998-09-08 General Motors Corporation Vehicle door latch

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1121503B1 (en) 2005-12-14
GB2342383B (en) 2002-07-17
EP1121503A1 (en) 2001-08-08
DE69928954D1 (en) 2006-01-19
ES2255762T3 (en) 2006-07-01
ATE312988T1 (en) 2005-12-15
DE69928954T2 (en) 2006-08-10
WO2000020710A1 (en) 2000-04-13
GB2342383A (en) 2000-04-12
GB9821782D0 (en) 1998-12-02

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