EP1290301B1 - Procede et appareil pour verrou - Google Patents

Procede et appareil pour verrou Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1290301B1
EP1290301B1 EP01935539A EP01935539A EP1290301B1 EP 1290301 B1 EP1290301 B1 EP 1290301B1 EP 01935539 A EP01935539 A EP 01935539A EP 01935539 A EP01935539 A EP 01935539A EP 1290301 B1 EP1290301 B1 EP 1290301B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
control element
path
locking element
ratchet
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
Application number
EP01935539A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1290301A4 (fr
EP1290301A2 (fr
Inventor
Steven J. Dimig
James R. Edgar
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.)
Strattec Security Corp
Original Assignee
Strattec Security Corp
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
Priority claimed from US09/571,340 external-priority patent/US6786070B1/en
Application filed by Strattec Security Corp filed Critical Strattec Security Corp
Publication of EP1290301A2 publication Critical patent/EP1290301A2/fr
Publication of EP1290301A4 publication Critical patent/EP1290301A4/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1290301B1 publication Critical patent/EP1290301B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • E05B77/00—Vehicle locks characterised by special functions or purposes
    • E05B77/22—Functions related to actuation of locks from the passenger compartment of the vehicle
    • E05B77/30—Functions related to actuation of locks from the passenger compartment of the vehicle allowing opening by means of an inner door handle, even if the door is locked
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B79/00—Mounting or connecting vehicle locks or parts thereof
    • E05B79/10—Connections between movable lock parts
    • E05B79/20—Connections between movable lock parts using flexible connections, e.g. Bowden cables
    • 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
    • E05B81/10—Hydraulic or pneumatic
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B47/00—Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means
    • E05B47/0001—Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means with electric actuators; Constructional features thereof
    • E05B47/0009—Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means with electric actuators; Constructional features thereof with thermo-electric actuators, e.g. heated bimetals
    • 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
    • E05B77/22—Functions related to actuation of locks from the passenger compartment of the vehicle
    • E05B77/24—Functions related to actuation of locks from the passenger compartment of the vehicle preventing use of an inner door handle, sill button, lock knob or the like
    • E05B77/26—Functions related to actuation of locks from the passenger compartment of the vehicle preventing use of an inner door handle, sill button, lock knob or the like specially adapted for child safety
    • 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
    • E05B77/22—Functions related to actuation of locks from the passenger compartment of the vehicle
    • E05B77/24—Functions related to actuation of locks from the passenger compartment of the vehicle preventing use of an inner door handle, sill button, lock knob or the like
    • E05B77/28—Functions related to actuation of locks from the passenger compartment of the vehicle preventing use of an inner door handle, sill button, lock knob or the like for anti-theft purposes, e.g. double-locking or super-locking
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to latches and latching methods, and more particularly to devices and methods for controlling and switching a latch between latched and unlatched states.
  • Conventional latches are used to restrain the movement of one member or element with respect to another.
  • conventional door latches restrain the movement of a door with respect to a surrounding door frame.
  • the function of such latches is to hold the door secure within the frame until the latch is released and the door is free to open.
  • Existing latches typically have mechanical connections linking the latch to actuation elements such as handles which can be actuated by a user to release the latch. Movement of the actuation elements is transferred through the mechanical connections and will cause the latch to release.
  • the mechanical connections can be one or more rods, cables, or other suitable elements or devices.
  • Most current vehicle door latches contain a restraint mechanism for preventing the release of the latch without proper authorization. When in a locked state, the restraint mechanism blocks or impedes the mechanical connection between a user-operable handle (or other door opening device) and a latch release mechanism, thereby locking the door.
  • Many conventional door latches also have two or more lock states, such as unlocked, locked, child locked, and dead locked states. Inputs to the latch for controlling the lock states of the latch can be mechanical, electrical, or parallel mechanical and electrical inputs. For example, by the turn of a user's key, a cylinder lock can mechanically move the restraint mechanism, thereby unlocking the latch.
  • cable or rod elements connecting a door handle to the latch release mechanism can be controlled by one or more electrical power actuators. These actuators, sometimes called “power locks” can use electrical motors or solenoids as the force generator to change between locked and unlocked states.
  • connecting rods are used to mechanically link door handles or user-operable lock buttons to the latch, while in other applications bowden cables are more suitable.
  • the terms "user-operable”, “user-actuatable”, and the like include direct and indirect user operation and actuation. Therefore, devices or elements described in such manner include those that are operated upon or actuated indirectly by a user in some manner (e.g., via electronic actuation, mechanical linkage, and the like), and are not necessarily limited to devices or elements intended for direct contact and manipulation by a user in normal operations of the latch.
  • latch space and location constraints mentioned above can also require latch connections to be made only from certain sides or the latch or only at certain angles with respect to portions of the latch.
  • Conventional latch manufacturers address such problems by providing specialized latches for specific applications or groups of applications. Once again, this solution requires a manufacturer, installer, or servicer of door latches to incur the expense of keeping a wide variety of different door latches in inventory.
  • latch weight and size are related to the problem of latch complexity.
  • the inclusion of more elements and more complex mechanisms within the latch generally undesirably increases the size and weight of the latch.
  • weight and size of any component is a concern.
  • increased weight and size of elements and assemblies within the latch necessarily requires more power and greater force to operate the latch.
  • power is also at a premium in many applications (especially in vehicular applications)
  • numerous elements and complex assemblies within conventional door latches are an inefficiency that is often wrongly ignored. Not only are larger and more complex latches a power drain, but such latches are typically unnecessarily slow.
  • Latch operating speed continues to be important to the latch design viability, particularly with the increasingly common use of electro-mechanical assemblies in many latch applications.
  • the time required to perform each latch operation has been reduced to well under one second in vehicular applications, and significant advantages exist for reducing such time even further.
  • it is most desirable to reduce the amount of time to change the state of a latch such as from a locked state to an unlocked state, from a child-locked state to an unlocked state, etc.
  • numerous conventional mechanisms exist for accelerating latch state changes the speed at which such changes are performed remains far from optimal. This is due at least in part to the incremental improvement of conventional mechanical assemblies in lieu of using significantly different mechanisms and devices for changing latch states.
  • actuation devices capable of very rapidly and significantly changing the state of a mechanical assembly are not common.
  • Such actuation devices that do exist are often not suitable for use in mechanical devices having moving and inertial forces that are significantly larger than the actuation device itself (as is the case with many types of latches).
  • the restraint mechanism is a ratchet selectively held in a locked position by a movable pawl
  • conventional door latches have multiple direct and/or indirect connections to the pawl from multiple user-operable devices.
  • Each such connection added to a latch assembly provides another latch input that is subject to manipulation by an unauthorized user to unlock the latch.
  • multiple connections are necessary to full latch functionality, many existing latch designs employ separate and independent connections without regard for the ability to reduce the number of force transmitting paths into the latch.
  • inputs to latch assemblies typically include one or more user-operable devices such as handles, buttons, levers, and the like for releasing the latch restraint mechanism and one or more user-operable devices such as lock cylinders, sill buttons, and the like for changing the lock state of the latch.
  • user-operable devices such as handles, buttons, levers, and the like for releasing the latch restraint mechanism
  • user-operable devices such as lock cylinders, sill buttons, and the like for changing the lock state of the latch.
  • the conventional practice of employing separate connections to the latch for such inputs increases latch complexity, weight, and expense, and increases the design difficulty in selectively disabling or isolating any particular input as desired.
  • a number of existing latch assembly designs provide for elements or devices that can be powered to change the locked or unlocked state of the latch assembly. Some latch assemblies even have elements or devices that can be powered to drive the latch assembly into a latched state. However, due at least in part to safety issues, conventional latch assemblies do not have elements or devices that are powered for unlatching the latch assembly. Such latch assemblies are not designed with protection against inadvertent or accidental latch release in mind, and do not provide any mechanism by which powered unlatching can be reliably employed. As such, full functionality of conventional latch assemblies is significantly limited.
  • EP 1035284 (Strattec Security Corporation) is a document according to Article 54(3) EPC and describes a modular latch apparatus movable from a latched to unlatched position depending upon an engagement element.
  • DE 4129706 (SWF Auto-Electric GmbH) describes an electric motor actuator comprising a locking lever secured to a rotary shaft on which it pivots between locked and free positions.
  • a mechanical device such as a latch
  • Each preferred embodiment of the present invention achieves one or more of these results.
  • the present invention employs at least one control element movable in at least two different manners defining locked and unlocked states of the latch assembly. Movement of the control element in each manner is preferably defined by engagement and disengagement with another element. Specifically, the control element is movable in a first manner through a first path when engaged by the engagement element and is movable in a second manner through a second path when disengaged from the engagement element. Preferably, movement of the control element through the first path either directly or indirectly imparts motion to a latch element or mechanism (e.g., a ratchet). Such motion moves the latch element or mechanism to move to its unlatched position to unlatch the door.
  • a latch element or mechanism e.g., a ratchet
  • control element moves through the second path, the control element does not impart motion (or sufficient motion) to the latch element or mechanism for unlatching the door. Therefore, whether movement or actuation of the control element by a user will unlatch the latch depends upon whether the control element moves in the first or the second manner.
  • control element can be moved from the second path to the first path even if already partially or fully actuated through the second path (and preferably, vice versa).
  • control element can be moved from the first to the second path and from the second to the first path regardless of control element position in either path. Unlike conventional latch assemblies, this flexibility permits the state of the latch assembly to be changed even if an input to the latch assembly is already partially or fully actuated.
  • the ability to change a latch assembly input between its locked and unlocked states in a range of latch assembly input positions significantly increases the latch functionality in numerous applications. For example, where a user attempting to unlatch the latch has already partially or fully actuated the latch assembly input in its locked state, the latch assembly input can still be placed in its unlocked state without requiring the user to release and re-actuate the latch assembly input.
  • at least two inputs e.g., a first input coupled to the control element for unlatching the latch and a second input for placing the first input in its locked and unlocked states
  • the latch assembly of the present invention is preferably capable of receiving a number of external inputs used to control the operation and state of the latch.
  • these inputs are connected to one or more user-operable devices for releasing the latch and to one or more user-operable devices for changing the state of the latch (e.g., to and between latch states such as unlocked, locked, child locked, and dead locked, states).
  • the element or mechanism directly generating release of the latch e.g., a fork bolt or a ratchet releasably engaged with a striker bar
  • the inputs of this embodiment of the present invention are preferably connected to this element or mechanism "in series”. Fewer separate and independent latch releasing paths through the latch assembly result in a latch that is more resistant to unauthorized release, less complex, requires fewer elements and components, and is less expensive to manufacture, assemble, service, and maintain than its conventional counterparts.
  • the latch assembly of the present invention operates to quickly change the manner of control element motion by preferably moving (e.g., extending or retracting, shifting back and forth, etc.) one or more elements that guide or limit the motion of the control element.
  • These elements can be pins which are quickly extended and retracted by one or more actuators, levers movable into pressing, camming, or other force-transmitting contact with the control element, members movable to at least partially define the bounds of control element motion, and the like, although still other elements can be used effectively.
  • Each control element, pin, and actuator set is preferably connected to and corresponds to at least one input to the latch assembly, such as to a user-operable handle, lever, lock cylinder, sill button, etc.
  • each control element, pin, and actuator set is coupled to a respective door handle.
  • the actuator can be extended to insert the pin into an aperture in the control element and can also be retracted to retract the pin from the aperture.
  • the control element preferably pivots through a first path about a first pivot point.
  • the control element when the actuator and pin are retracted and are thereby disengaged from the control element, the control element preferably pivots through a second path about a second pivot point. Movement of the control element through the first path preferably brings the control element into contact with a pawl that is coupled to the latch element or mechanism. This contact causes the latch element or mechanism to release, thereby unlatching the door. The control element in the first path is therefore is in an unlocked state. In contrast, movement of the control element through the second path preferably does not bring the control element into such contact, or at least into contact sufficient to release the latch element or mechanism. The control element in the second path therefore is in a locked state.
  • each control element is connected to a respective user-operable input and is movable in its unlocked state to contact the pawl and to release the ratchet.
  • each control element does not rely upon another control element for latch release.
  • the user-operable inputs connected to the control elements in these embodiments are therefore "in parallel” as described above because each can separately and independently generate latch release.
  • the user-operable inputs in other embodiments of the present invention are connected "in series" as also described above. Where two control element, pin, and actuator sets are used with respective user-operable inputs, actuation of a first control element in its unlocked state preferably releases the ratchet without substantial interaction with the second control element.
  • Actuation of the second control element in its unlocked state preferably releases the ratchet only via contact and force transmission through the first control element in its unlocked state.
  • the second control element is always in its unlocked state, and depends upon the state of the first control element to transmit ratchet-releasing force therethrough.
  • the latch assembly preferably has more latch-releasing inputs (e.g., door handles, levers, and the like) than control elements capable of releasing the ratchet without required actuation of another control element.
  • a latch assembly is provided with two control elements each having a respective actuator and pin set.
  • This latch assembly has two latch inputs for changing the state of the latch, such as between a locked to an unlocked state or between a child locked and an unlocked state.
  • a set of levers is connected to the these inputs and is movable to mechanically attract or repel armatures of the actuators.
  • actuation of the inputs causes the levers to move and to push the armatures into engagement with control elements, thereby changing the state of the latch.
  • This motion can serve as "backup" for the force provided by solenoid coils in the actuator, can supplement such force, or can even replace such force in some embodiments of the present invention.
  • the connection between at least one of the inputs and the levers can be disabled to prevent the manual actuation just described.
  • a first control element is preferably coupled via a linking member to an inside door handle and a second control element is preferably coupled to an outside door handle.
  • the engagement element e.g., pin, lever, or the like
  • actuation of the control elements by either handle causes the actuated control element to directly or indirectly move a ratchet to unlatch the door. This is the unlocked state of the latch assembly.
  • actuation of the control elements by either handle does not move the ratchet or does so insufficiently to unlatch the door.
  • Latch assembly operations for placing the control elements in their locked and unlocked states are therefore preferably quickly performed via actuators.
  • the relatively small number of elements e.g., an actuator, engagement element, control element, and, if desired, a pawl as described in more detail below
  • Preferred embodiments of the present invention are therefore lighter, smaller, can be operated using less power, and can be manufactured, maintained, and repaired at less expense.
  • the latch assembly preferably provides linking access to the control elements therein (e.g., capability to connect the control elements to actuation elements external to the latch assembly via cables, rods, or other "input” or “linking” elements) either by ports for interior linking or by housing apertures permitting control elements to extend outside of the latch assembly for exterior linking.
  • the input elements linked to the latch assembly for actuation thereof are preferably fully interchangeable with multiple control elements and with the pawl.
  • the control elements and the pawl can therefore be connected in a number of different ways to the actuation elements, thereby providing a large amount of flexibility to install the latch for operation in a variety of different ways.
  • the latch assembly preferably has a sufficient number of control element and actuator positions so that an assembler can selectively install one or more control elements and actuators in desired locations to create a latch assembly best suited for a particular application. By selecting how many control elements and associated actuators are to be installed (and where) in each particular latch, the assembler is able to easily modify each latch for a specific application without requiring any modification to the latch assembly.
  • the latch assemblies of the present invention preferably also have at least one manual override which permits a user to manually shift an engagement element into engagement with a control element to establish an unlocked state of the control element.
  • a manual override can also or instead permit a user to manually shift an engagement element out of engagement with a control element to establish a locked state of the control element.
  • the manual override is also capable of shifting an engagement element in such manner in response to movement of another control element in its unlocked state or in response to movement of the pawl to its unlocked state.
  • Another feature of the present invention is related to its assembly. Specifically, highly preferred latch assembly embodiments are assembled in layers of elements. Most preferably, a majority of elements are positioned and installed within the latch layer upon layer without requiring numerous re-orientations of the latch assembly by the assembler and without requiring access to more than one side of the latch assembly. This saves considerable assembly, service, and maintenance time, thereby lowering the cost to manufacture, service, and maintain the latch.
  • FIGS. 1-11 A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-11 .
  • the latch assembly 910 illustrated in FIGS. 1-11 is shown without a front cover, cover plate, actuators, or rear mounting plate for purposes of easier assembly description.
  • the latch assembly 910 preferably has two control elements 912, 914 corresponding to respective elements or devices for actuation by a user.
  • alternative embodiments of the present invention can employ only one control element 912, 914 to perform some of the functions of the preferred embodiment described below, full latch functionality is possible by employing two control elements.
  • three or more control elements having respective inputs for actuation and having respective engagement elements for switching between control element states are also possible. Therefore, it should be noted that the latch assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is described and illustrated herein as having two control elements by way of example only.
  • the latch assembly 910 further includes a ratchet 916.
  • the ratchet 916 is preferably mounted for rotation between a latched position in which a striker (not shown) is captured by the latch assembly 910 and an unlatched position in which the striker is free to enter and exit the latch assembly 910.
  • the ratchet 916 is mounted for rotation about a pivot post 918 attached to or integral with the housing 920 with reference to ratchet pivot posts.
  • the pivot post 918 can be attached to or integral with a rear mounting plate (not shown) of the latch assembly 910 or to the ratchet itself for rotation in one or more apertures or lugs in the housing 920 and/or rear mounting plate.
  • the ratchet 916 is preferably biased to move into its unlatched position, and most preferably is biased thereto by interaction of a ratchet pin 922 on the ratchet 922 and a ratchet spring 924.
  • the ratchet pin 922 is preferably received within a groove or other aperture 925 in the housing 920, and can move therein against the force of the spring 924 biasing the pin 922 and ratchet 916 to the unlatched ratchet position.
  • ratchet 916 Numerous other conventional elements and devices can be used to bias the ratchet 916 to its unlatched position, such as a torsion spring mounted upon the pivot post 918 and biasing the ratchet 916 to its unlatched position, one or more leaf springs biased against one or more surfaces of the ratchet 916 to rotate the ratchet 916 to its unlatched position, or even opposing magnets on the ratchet 916 and on the housing 920, respectively, repelling one another and thereby causing rotation of the ratchet 916.
  • a torsion spring mounted upon the pivot post 918 and biasing the ratchet 916 to its unlatched position
  • leaf springs biased against one or more surfaces of the ratchet 916 to rotate the ratchet 916 to its unlatched position
  • opposing magnets on the ratchet 916 and on the housing 920 repelling one another and thereby causing rotation of the ratchet 916.
  • the latch assembly 910 preferably has a pawl 926 releasably engagable with the ratchet 916.
  • the pawl 926 (see FIGS. 2 and 4 ) is preferably mounted for rotation about a pivot post 928 in substantially the same manner as the ratchet 916 about its pivot post 922.
  • the pawl 926 is also preferably biased into engagement with the ratchet 916 by a pawl spring 930 as is best shown in FIG. 2 . Therefore, the pawl 926 preferably holds the ratchet 916 in its latched position when moved into engagement therewith.
  • the ratchet 916 preferably has a stop surface 932 against which a lobe, tooth, hook, or other surface 934 (preferably acting as a bearing surface) of the pawl 926 contacts and engages when the ratchet 916 is rotated to its latched position shown in FIGS. 1-9 .
  • the ratchet 916 is preferably free to rotate to its unlatched position as described above.
  • the striker when a striker (not shown) enters the latch assembly 910 as described above, the striker preferably rotates the ratchet 916 toward its latched position in which the pawl 926 (under spring force from the pawl spring 930) engages the ratchet 916 to hold the ratchet 916 in its latched position.
  • the pawl spring 930 is preferably a helical compression spring attached to or mounted upon the pawl 926 and received in a seat 935 integral with or attached to the housing 920 and/or to the rear mounting plate (not shown).
  • Other spring types can be used to bias the pawl 926 against the ratchet 916, such as those described above with reference to the ratchet spring 924.
  • Such alternative spring types and their manner of attachment to the pawl 926 and surrounding latch structure are well known to those skilled in the art.
  • the ratchet 916 and pawl 926 can be movable in other manners to capture and release the striker and to engage and disengage the ratchet 916.
  • either or both the ratchet 916 and pawl 926 can be movable via shifting, sliding, or other translation in which the ratchet 916 does not rotate or substantially rotate.
  • the either or both the ratchet 916 and pawl 926 can move through a combination of translation and rotation in their above-described functions.
  • Alternative ratchet and pawl devices operating in different manners to perform these functions exist, are well known to those skilled in the art, and can be employed in the present invention if desired.
  • Both of the control elements 912, 914 preferably have a locked state and an unlocked state.
  • control element actuation does not impart movement or imparts insufficient movement to move the pawl 926 and to thereby release the ratchet 916.
  • unlocked state control element actuation imparts sufficient movement to the pawl 926 to release the ratchet 916.
  • this control element actuation brings some part of the actuated control element (or an element connected thereto) into pressing contact with a surface of the pawl 926 whereby further actuation of the control element 912, 914 causes the control element 912, 914 to move the pawl 926.
  • each control element 912, 914 can have locked and unlocked states, preferably each control element 912, 014 in the latch assembly 910 has both states. Control elements 912,914 not having both states are preferably always in an unlocked state, whereby actuation of such control elements 912, 914 generates pawl movement and ratchet release.
  • the locked and unlocked states of the control elements 912, 914 are at least partially defined by one or more engagement elements that can be moved, energized, or otherwise brought into engagement with the control elements 912, 914 to change their manner of movement when actuated.
  • the engagement elements can take a number of different forms, two of which are employed in the latch assembly 910.
  • the upper control element 914 is preferably releasably engagable by a pin 936 movable into and out of an aperture 938 in the upper control element 914, while the lower control element 912 is releasably engagable by a locking element 942 movable into and out of contact with a surface of the lower control element 912.
  • the pin 936 is preferably axially movable by an actuator (not shown).
  • the actuator is an electromagnetic solenoid, but can be any of the types of actuators described above.
  • actuation of the upper control element 914 causes the upper control element 914 to rotate about the pin 936.
  • actuator retracts the pin 936 from the aperture 938 of the upper control element 914 the upper control element 914 instead rotates about a pivot point 940 as described in more detail below.
  • the engagement element for the lower control element 912 is preferably a lever: locking element 942.
  • the locking element 942 is preferably rotatable about a pivot 944 into and out of contact with the lower control element 912.
  • the pivot 944 is preferably received within an aperture in the locking element 942 and is integral to the housing 920 or is attached thereto in any conventional manner, including without limitation by welding, gluing, one or more conventional fasteners, a threaded connection, press-fitting, and the like.
  • the pivot 944 can extend from the cover plate or front housing (not shown) of the latch assembly 920, or can be integral to or connected for rotation with the locking element 942 itself and rotate within an aperture in the housing 920.
  • any manner in which the locking element 942 can be mounted for rotation about a pivot 944 can be employed in the present invention.
  • actuation of the lower control element 912 preferably causes the lower control element 912 to rotate about a pivot point 946 as described in more detail below.
  • actuation of the lower control element 912 preferably causes the lower control element 912 to rotate about the pawl pivot post 928 extended through the housing 920 (or about another pivot post preferably at or near this same location).
  • the locking element 942 in contact with the lower control element 912 preferably defines a new fulcrum location for the lower control element 912.
  • the pin 936 and locking element 942 are different types of engagement elements, they both perform the same function of changing control element mobility between the respective engaged and disengaged states.
  • the actuated control elements 912, 914 move in one manner when engaged with their respective engagement elements and in a different manner when disengaged from their respective engagement elements. More preferably, the actuated control elements 912, 914 pivot about one point when engaged with their respective engagement elements and about a different point when disengaged from their respective engagement elements.
  • Engaged control element movement can trigger movement of the pawl 926 to release the ratchet 916 in a number of different manners.
  • movement of the pawl 926 is triggered by direct contact of an engaged and actuated control element against the pawl 926.
  • actuation of the engaged and actuated control element can trigger movement of the pawl 926 through one or more other elements, if desired.
  • the pawl 926 need not be contacted at all for the control elements 912, 14 to move the pawl (e.g., by using magnetic force between a magnet on the pawl 926 and a magnet on the control element 912, 914 to attract or repel the pawl 926 and thereby to move the pawl 926 as described below).
  • FIGS. 1-11 illustrates two different ways in which motion can be transferred from engaged control elements 912, 914 to the pawl 926 to move the pawl 926 and release the ratchet 916.
  • the upper control element 914 preferably has a pin 948 integral, attached thereto in any conventional manner, or otherwise extending therefrom and movable with movement of the upper control element 914 into contact with the pawl 926. As shown in FIG. 2 , the pin 948 is movable through an aperture 950 into and out of contact with a surface of the pawl 926.
  • the lower control element 912 preferably has an aperture 951 therein within which is received a pin 952 attached in any conventional manner to, integral with, or otherwise extending from the pawl 926.
  • the pin 952 of the pawl 926 preferably extends through an aperture 954 in the housing 920, and is movable in the aperture 954 as described below.
  • actuation of the lower control element 912 preferably causes the lower control element 912 to pivot about the pawl pin 952 at the top of the housing aperture 954. This rotation generates no transmission of motion to the pawl 926, or at least does not move the pawl 926 sufficiently to release the ratchet 916.
  • Both control elements 912, 914 of the illustrated preferred embodiment are elongated in shape and function as levers to pivot about different points responsive to engagement with or disengagement from an engagement element (whether in the form of a pin 936, a lever 942, or other element).
  • an engagement element whether in the form of a pin 936, a lever 942, or other element.
  • the control elements 912, 914 can be shaped in a number of different manners depending at least in part upon the desired location of the control elements 912, 914 in the latch assembly 910, the manner in which connections are made to the latch assembly 910, and the desired motion of the control elements 912, 914 when in their locked and unlocked states.
  • a portion of the upper control element 914 in the illustrated preferred embodiment is hook-shaped to avoid interference with the locking element pivot 944 and to permit connection to an external linking element at a desired location in the latch assembly 910.
  • Either control element 912, 914 can be bar-shaped, curved, angled, have multiple bends, or be shaped in any other manner desired.
  • both control elements 912, 914 in the illustrated preferred embodiment have purely rotational or substantially rotational motion when in their locked and unlocked states (i.e., fully disengaged and fully engaged with their respective engagement elements 942, 936).
  • This type of motion is not required to practice the present invention.
  • the motion of either control element 912, 914 in either of its locked or unlocked states can be non-rotational or can be a combination of rotation and translation while still performing the same functions as described above.
  • the upper control element 914 can be connected for substantially translational movement when not engaged by the pin 936, such as by being guided within one or more tracks, rails, or other elements when actuated.
  • the upper control element 914 can both rotate and translate when disengaged from the pin 936.
  • control element motion when in a locked state or an unlocked state
  • engagement elements can be replaced by an aperture and a pin, respectively.
  • engagement of any control element can be accomplished by one or more pins driven by one or more actuators into positions alongside the control element to limit or guide the control element in its movement when actuated, and can be retracted to establish different movement of the control element (or vice versa).
  • the upper control element 914 could be releasably engagable by a lever to change lock states of the upper control element 914 in much the same way as the locking element 942 engages with the lower control element 912.
  • the lower control element 912 could also pivot about or otherwise have its motion guided or limited by one or more retractable pins in much the same way as the pin 936 and aperture 938 of the upper control element 914 described above. These pin(s) could be extended within the lower control element 912 and/or into positions beside or adjacent to the lower control element 912 to control, guide, or limit motion of the lower control element 912.
  • control elements 912, 914 can be employed as desired, including without limitation one or more magnet sets, walls, bumps, etc. at least partially defining a path in which a control element 912, 914 is movable when actuated.
  • Such other engagement elements and the different types of motion they enable for the control elements 912, 914 will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art and fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
  • the pin 948 of the upper control element 914 is preferably movable into contact with the pawl 926 when the upper control element 914 is actuated in its unlocked state
  • the pawl 926 can instead be provided with a pin extending through the aperture 950 in the housing 920 and received within an aperture in the upper control element 914 or positioned to be contacted by a surface of the upper control element 914 when actuated in its unlocked state.
  • the lower control element 912 can be provided with a pin extending through the aperture 954 in the housing 920 and received within an aperture in the pawl 926 or positioned to contact the pawl 926 when the lower control element 912 is actuated in its unlocked state.
  • a peripheral surface of either control element 912, 914 can be used to transfer motive force from the control element 912, 914 when in its unlocked state to the pawl 926.
  • the pawl pin 952 can be pressed by a peripheral edge of the lower control element 912 when actuated in its unlocked state to move the pawl 926 out of engagement with the ratchet 916, or the upper control element 914 can be actuated in its unlocked state into contact with the pawl pin 952 to move the pawl 926 out of engagement with the ratchet 916.
  • the upper control element pin 948 and housing aperture 950 can be eliminated.
  • the upper control element 914 when the upper control element 914 is in its unlocked state (e.g., engaged with the engagement pin 936), the upper control element 914 is actuatable to pass between the housing 920 and the lower control element 912 or to pass over the lower control element 912. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-12 , the upper control element 914 preferably passes between the lower control element 912 and the housing 920 when the upper control element 914 is actuated in its unlocked state. When thus actuated, a bearing or camming surface 949 of the upper control element 914 preferably contacts and then pushes, cams, or otherwise exerts motive force upon the pawl pin 952 extending past the housing 920 and into the lower control element aperture 951.
  • Each control element 912, 914 is preferably connected in a conventional manner to a respective linking element 958, 956 to permit external actuation of the control elements 912, 914.
  • the linking elements 956, 958 take any form described above, such as the rods 956, 958 shown in the figures, and can be run through apertures in any location in the housing 920 as desired.
  • the linking elements 958, 956 can be connected to the control elements 912, 914 in any conventional manner, such as by conventional fasteners, by pivotable joints, or in any manner described above.
  • the illustrated preferred embodiment is directed to application in a vehicle door in which the upper control element 914 corresponds to an inside door handle (not shown) and the lower control element 912 corresponds to an outside door handle (also not shown). Therefore, actuation of an inside door handle to actuate the upper control element 914 via the linking element 956 will generate release of the ratchet 916 if the upper control element 914 is in its unlocked state and will not generate release of the ratchet 916 if the upper control element 914 is in its locked state.
  • the upper control element 914 preferably moves through a first path in its locked state in which ratchet release is not triggered and in a second path in its unlocked state in which ratchet release is triggered.
  • actuation of an outside door handle to actuate the lower control element 912 via the linking element 958 will generate release of the ratchet 916 if the lower control element 912 is in its unlocked state and will not generate release of the ratchet 916 if the lower control element 912 is in its locked state.
  • the preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a number of advantages by virtue of its use of a member (e.g., locking element 942) movable into and out of contact against a surface of a control element (e.g., lower control element 912) to define the unlocked and locked states of the control element.
  • the locking element 942 is a lever having a generally elongated shape and pivotable about the pivot 944.
  • the locking element 942 preferably has an abutment portion 960 that contacts a bearing or camming surface 953 of the lower control element 912 when the locking element 942 is rotated to its unlocked position shown in FIGS. 9-11 .
  • This abutment portion 960 serves to limit motion of the lower control element 912 when the locking element 942 is in its unlocked position, thereby at least partially defining the manner in which the lower control element 912 can move. By moving the abutment portion 960 out of interference with the lower control element 912, the lower control element 912 is permitted to move in a different manner.
  • a portion of the locking element 942 extends a distance from its pivot 944 to provide a lever arm 962 that can be actuated to move the locking element 942 between its locked position shown in FIGS. 6-8 and its unlocked position shown in FIGS. 9-11 .
  • the lever arm 962 can be connected to a user-actuatable element or device (e.g., a button, lever, switch, and the like) for unlocking and locking the lower control element 912 to unlock and lock the outside door handle.
  • a user-actuatable element or device e.g., a button, lever, switch, and the like
  • the lever arm 962 can be connected to an actuator (not shown) internal or external to the latch assembly 910 and operable by the user or by a conventional controller to unlock and lock the lower control element 912.
  • connection can be made to the lever arm 962 in any conventional manner, such as by a pin and aperture connection as employed in the illustrated preferred embodiment, by one or more conventional fasteners, and the like.
  • the lever arm 962 can take any shape desired to permit connection of the locking element 942 to a linking element or actuator and to permit a range of motion needed for proper operation of the locking element 942. As with the shape of the entire locking element 942, the lever arm 962 can be straight, bent, angled, bowed, or take any other shape providing a connection point for actuation thereof and an abutment portion 960 for contact and engagement with the locking element 942.
  • the locking element 942 moves to engage the lower control element 912 to thereby place the lower control element 912 in its unlocked position (capable of triggering the pawl 926 upon its actuation).
  • the illustrated preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-11 provides one manner in which the locking element 942 can be moved to accomplish this function.
  • pivotal movement in response to actuation of a lever arm 962 on the locking element 942 is one manner in which to engage the lower control element 912
  • the locking element 942 can be mounted for translational or substantially translational movement in response to actuation thereof, or movement having translational and rotational components or stages.
  • the locking element 942 can be positioned in the latch assembly 910 so that such movement brings the locking element 942 into and out of engagement with the lower control element 912.
  • Other locking element movement (such as orbital, sliding, and the like) is possible to perform this same function.
  • the pivot 944 in the illustrated preferred embodiment can be replaced with or supplemented by one or more guidance surfaces, posts, walls, abutments, or stops (see, for example, walls 555, 559 in the third preferred embodiment of the present invention above) on the housing 920, cover plate (not shown), front cover (also not shown), or other latch assembly structure.
  • the pivot 944 can be a pin, extension, elbow, or other protrusion of the locking element 942 pivotably received within an aperture in the housing 920.
  • the locking element 942 can additionally or instead be movable through one or more tracks, rails, slides, or other elements in any conventional manner, such as via a pin and groove connection, a slidable carriage or one or more bearing sets in the track, rail, slide, or like element, etc.
  • Such elements and devices for guiding, limiting, or otherwise controlling the path taken by the locking element 942 when actuated fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
  • locking element 942 is preferably actuated by actuation of a lever arm 962 as shown in the figures, locking element actuation can be performed in a number of different manners well known to those skilled in the art.
  • a stepper motor or other conventional rotational positioning device can be connected to drive the pivot 944 and locking element 942 in different rotational positions.
  • the locking element 942 can instead be driven by a rotating cam or lever brought into contact with the locking element 942 and capable of pushing the locking element 942 into its locked and unlocked positions.
  • one or more electromagnet sets mounted adjacent to the locking element 942 can be selectively energized to move the locking element 942 between its locked and unlocked positions.
  • the locking element 942 can be provided with a set of gear teeth (e.g., on a surface thereof near the pivot 944, by a spur gear mounted on the pivot 944, etc.) meshed with a gear driven in any conventional manner to rotate the locking element 942 between its locked and unlocked positions. Still other manners of actuating the locking element 942 between these positions are possible and will be readily recognized by those skilled in the art.
  • the shape and form of the locking element 942 can be significantly different from that shown in the figures.
  • certain manners of locking element actuation such as the alternative manners described above do not require a lever arm 962.
  • the locking element 942 of the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-11 is shown adjacent to the lower and upper control elements 912, 914.
  • the locking element 942 can be located a greater distance from the control elements 912,914 and have an abutment portion 960 that is longer to interact with the control elements 912, 914.
  • Still other locking element shapes can be employed in the present invention as desired.
  • the locking element 942 is connected to an actuator in a conventional manner as described above for automatic movement of the locking element 942 responsive to latch control circuitry (e.g., passive entry electronic controls, a keypad or button and associated circuitry, and the like).
  • latch control circuitry e.g., passive entry electronic controls, a keypad or button and associated circuitry, and the like.
  • the locking element 942 can instead or also be connected to an actuating element 964 that is manually actuatable by a user.
  • the actuating element 964 is preferably connected to a user-accessible device or element such as a lever, button, or handle. Where the user-accessible device or element is located on the outside of a vehicle such as in the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-11 , the actuating element 964 is more preferably connected to a key-operated lock cylinder 966.
  • the actuating element 964 can be connected directly to the lock cylinder 966 or can be connected to the lock cylinder 966 via a linking element (not shown) which is itself connected to the lock cylinder 966 and to the actuating element 964 in any conventional manner for transferring motion of the lock cylinder 966 to motion of the actuating element 964.
  • the actuating element 964 is mounted in a conventional manner for pivotal movement about a pivot 968.
  • the pivot 968 is preferably attached to the housing 920 in any conventional manner and is received within an aperture in the actuating element 964.
  • the actuating element 964 can be mounted for pivotal movement about the pivot 968 in any of the manners described above with reference to the locking element 942 mounted for pivotal movement about its pivot 944.
  • the actuating element 964 is connected to the locking element 942 to transmit actuation force from the user-operable actuating element 964 (e.g., the lock cylinder 966) to the locking element 942.
  • this connection is a pin 970 integral with or attached to the locking element 942 in any conventional manner and received within an aperture 972 in the actuating element 964.
  • other connections permitting relative motion of the actuating element 964 and the locking element 942 can be used as desired.
  • a pin or other extension on the actuating element 964 can extend within an aperture in the locking element 942, one or more linking members or flexible members can be pivotably connected to the actuating element 964 at one end and to the locking element 942 at another, the pin 970 on the locking element 942 can be pushed or cammed against an exterior surface of the actuating element 964 (providing for actuation of the locking element 942 by the actuating element 964 in one direction and therefore with less functionality), and the like.
  • the aperture 972 in the pin and aperture connection between the locking element 942 and the actuating element 964 permits movement of the pin 970 in the aperture 972.
  • the lost motion provided by such a connection permits movement of the locking element 942 without consequent movement of the actuating element 964. This is particularly useful in a number of applications such as in the illustrated preferred embodiment, where movement of the locking cylinder 966 in response to movement of the various elements in the latch assembly 920 is not desirable.
  • the actuating element 964 when the actuating element 964 is actuated by movement of the lock cylinder 966, the actuating element 964 pivots about pivot 968.
  • the actuating element 964 When actuated in one direction, the actuating element 964 preferably rotates the locking element 942 via the pin and aperture connection to its locked position shown in FIGS. 6-8 , thereby moving the locking element 942 out of engagement with the lower control element 912 and placing the lower control element 912 in its locked state.
  • the actuating element 964 When actuated in an opposite direction, the actuating element 964 preferably rotates the locking element 942 via the pin and aperture connection to its unlocked position shown in FIGS. 9-11 , thereby causing engagement of the locking element 942 with the lower control element 912 and placing the lower control element 912 in its unlocked state.
  • the actuating element 964 is preferably movable by rotation about a pivot, but can instead be moveable in a number of different manners still functioning to transfer motion from the user-operable input (e.g., locking cylinder 966) to the locking element 942 for placing the lower control element 912 in its locked and unlocked states.
  • This motion of the actuating element 964 can be purely rotational, purely translational, or a combination thereof acting in series or concurrently or in a combination thereof. Any of the elements or structure described above with reference to locking element actuation can be used to guide, limit, or otherwise control the motion of the actuating element 964 when actuated.
  • the lower and upper control elements 912, 914 can be placed in their respective unlocked and locked states by engagement or disengagement with respect to the locking element 942 and engagement pin 936, respectively.
  • the locked states for both control elements 912, 914 are shown in FIG. 6 .
  • the engagement pin 936 is not engaged in the aperture 938 in the upper control element 914, and the locking element 942 is not moved to engage the abutment portion 960 with the lower control element 912.
  • actuation of the lower control element 912 causes the lower control element 912 to rotate through a first path about the pin 952 of the pawl 926.
  • This rotation preferably generates no movement of the pin 952 or pawl 926, or at least generates insufficient movement to disengage the pawl 926 from the ratchet 916 as described above.
  • actuation of the upper control element 914 (connected, for example, to an inside door handle of a vehicle) when in its locked state causes the upper control element 914 to rotate about the pin 948 of the upper control element 914.
  • This rotation also preferably generates no movement of the pawl 926, or at least generates insufficient movement to disengage the pawl 926 from the ratchet 916 as described above.
  • the pin 948 extending from the upper control element 914 either pivots in place in the aperture 950 or travels therein without contacting the pawl 926 or without exerting sufficient force against the pawl 926 to trigger disengagement of the ratchet 916.
  • the lower control element 912 When the locking element 942 is moved through a path (preferably a rotational path) to engage the abutment portion 960 thereof with the lower control element 912 as shown in FIG. 9 , the lower control element 912 is in its unlocked state. Actuation of the lower control element 912 when in this unlocked state causes the lower control element 912 to rotate through a third path about the pivot post 928 as discussed above.
  • the abutment portion 960 of the locking element 942 preferably holds a portion of the lower control element 912 (e.g., an end as shown in the figures) in place so that the lower control element 912 pivots about the pivot post 928 rather than the pawl pin 952. As shown in FIG.
  • the upper control element 914 When the engagement pin 936 is moved into the aperture 938 of the upper control element 914, the upper control element 914 is in its unlocked state. Actuation of the upper control element 914 when in this unlocked state causes the upper control element 914 to rotate through a fourth path about the engagement pin 936 as discussed above. As shown in FIG. 10 , rotation of the upper control element 914 eventually brings the pin 948 on the upper control element 914 into pressing contact with the pawl 926 to move the pawl 926 and thereby to release the ratchet 916.
  • the control elements 912,914 are preferably rotatable about different points when engaged with and disengaged from their respective control elements 942, 936. Preferably, these points at least partly define (and more preferably, substantially fully define) the paths taken by the control elements 912, 914 in their engaged and disengaged states. Other control element motion is possible in various embodiments of the present invention, but the control elements 912, 914 preferably still pivot to some degree about pivot points 928, 936, 952, 970 as described above. In less preferred embodiments, the control elements 912, 914 do not pivot when actuated in their engaged and/or disengaged states, but instead move by orbiting, translating, or other motion.
  • the engagement elements of the present invention at least partially define the manner in which the control elements move when engaged therewith.
  • the paths taken by the control elements 912, 914 need not necessarily be defined solely by the engagement elements 942, 936, but can be the result of one or more other elements (e.g., latch assembly walls, surfaces, and the like) affecting the manner in which the control elements 912, 914 react to actuation forces.
  • the lower control element 912 is connected to an outside vehicle door handle in highly preferred embodiments of the present invention, and can be placed in its locked and unlocked positions by actuation of a manually-actuated user operable device (such as a lock cylinder 966 accessible from outside of the vehicle) coupled to the locking element 942 and by actuation of an actuator also coupled to the locking element 942 and preferably responsive to electrical controls as described above.
  • a manually-actuated user operable device such as a lock cylinder 966 accessible from outside of the vehicle
  • an actuator also coupled to the locking element 942 and preferably responsive to electrical controls as described above.
  • the upper control element 914 is connected to an inside vehicle door handle and can be placed in its locked and unlocked positions by actuation of a manually-actuated user operable device (such as a lever, switch, button, and the like) coupled to the engagement pin 936.
  • the locked and unlocked states of the two control elements 912, 914 define four states of the latch assembly 910.
  • the latch assembly 910 is in a fully unlocked mode.
  • the latch assembly 910 is in a child locked mode.
  • the latch assembly 910 is in a locked mode (openable by a user inside the vehicle but not by a user outside the vehicle).
  • the latch assembly 910 is in a deadlocked mode.
  • both engagement elements 942, 936 for the control elements 912, 914 are preferably driven manually or by an actuator as described above, it should be noted that either control element 912, 914 can be actuated manually or by an actuator, and can include any number of actuators and/or manual user-manipulatable devices, each of which can be located as desired with respect to the latch assembly 910.
  • both engagement elements 936, 942 can be connected exclusively to user-operable handles, levers, buttons, and other manual devices for changing the lock states of the control elements 912, 914.
  • both engagement elements 936, 942 can be connected to respective actuators responsive to electrical controls or other actuation devices (including without limitation hydraulic, pneumatic, electro-magnetic, and other devices as described above with reference to the other preferred embodiments of the present invention) for the same purpose.
  • electrical controls or other actuation devices including without limitation hydraulic, pneumatic, electro-magnetic, and other devices as described above with reference to the other preferred embodiments of the present invention
  • the locking element 942 can preferably be placed in its locked and unlocked positions with respect to the lower control element 912 by movement of the upper control element 914.
  • actuation of the upper control element 914 by an inside door handle or other device preferably causes the locking element 942 to move to its unlocked position in engagement with the lower control element 912. Therefore, the outside door handle or other input to the lower control element 912 is unlocked by actuation of the inside door handle or other input to the upper control element 914.
  • the pin 948 of the upper control element 914 preferably extends to a position in the path traveled by the locking element 942 when actuated. Movement of the upper control element 914 therefore causes the pin 948 to contact a surface of the locking element 942 and to move the locking element 942. Most preferably, movement of the upper control element 914 in one direction causes the pin 948 to move the locking element 942 to its locked position while movement of the upper control element 914 in an opposite direction causes the pin 948 to move the locking element 942 to its unlocked position.
  • the pin 948 only contacts and moves the locking element 942 in one direction of upper control element movement (actuation of the upper control element 914 thereby only capable of moving the lower control element 912 to its locked state but not to its unlocked state or only capable of moving the lower control element 912 to its unlocked state but not to its locked state).
  • the pin 948 is preferably located between the abutment portion 960 and an extension 974 of the locking element 942, thereby transmitting motive force from the upper control element 914 to the locking element 942 in both rotational directions of the upper control element 914.
  • the pin 948 can be received between two portions of the locking element 942 (as shown in the figures) for this purpose, it should be noted that many alternative connections between the pin 948 and the locking element 942 are possible.
  • the pin 948 can be received within an aperture in the locking element 942, can cam along one or more surfaces of the locking element 942 to transfer motive force thereto, and the like.
  • the pin 948 can be replaced by a number of other elements and structure for transmitting motive force to the locking element 942, including without limitation an extension, leg, boss, or other element on the upper control element 914 movable into contact with a surface on the locking element 942, or an aperture within which is received an pin, extension, leg, boss, or other element on the locking element 942.
  • the upper control element 914 and the locking element 942 can be arranged in the latch assembly 910 so that an edge of the upper control element 914 contacts and cams, pushes, or rides against an edge of the locking element 942 to transmit motive force to the locking element 942.
  • connection between the upper control element 914 and the locking element 942 is employed for transmitting motive force from the upper control element 914 to the locking element 942
  • force can also preferably be transmitted from the locking element 942 to the upper control element 914 to move the upper control element 914 into different positions corresponding to the locked and unlocked positions of the locking element 942. While such a relationship between the positions of the locking element 942 and the upper control element 914 is not required to practice the present invention, it is nevertheless preferred.
  • actuation of the upper control element 914 preferably changes the position of the locking element 942 and its engaged state with respect to the lower control element 912.
  • Elements and structure similar to that described above can instead or in addition be included in the latch assembly 910 to transfer actuation motion of the lower control element 912 to another locking element in order to engage or disengage the upper control element 914.
  • control elements each capable (when actuated) of generating engagement or disengagement of the another control element it is even possible to employ control elements each capable (when actuated) of generating engagement or disengagement of the another control element.
  • a connection between a control element and a locking element similar to that described above and illustrated in the figures can be employed for similar purposes with any control element in the latch assembly 910.
  • the use of the locking element 942 and the force-transmitting relationship between the upper control element 914 and the locking element 942 (e.g., via the upper control element pin 948 and the locking element 942 in the illustrated preferred embodiment) described above offers still other advantages over conventional latches.
  • the locking element 942 is capable of engagement with its associated control element 912 in a range of control element positions. This capability is valuable regardless of which control element is engaged by the locking element 942, but is described herein and illustrated in the accompanying figures as being used to permit engagement of a control element 912 connected to an outside vehicle door handle.
  • the locking element 942 In operation, when the locking element 942 is engaged with the lower control element 912 as shown in FIG. 9 , the lower control element 912 is in its unlocked position. However, when the lower control element 912 has already been partially or fully actuated prior to actuation of the locking element 942, the locking element 942 is still capable of placing the lower control element 912 in its unlocked (engaged) state.
  • the path of motion traveled by the locking element 942 when actuated to its unlocked state preferably brings the locking element 942 into contact with the lower control element 912 regardless of the position of the lower control element 912.
  • the abutment portion 960 of the locking element 942 can preferably be brought into contact with the lower control element 912 not just when the lower control element 912 is in its at rest or non-actuated position shown in FIG. 6 , but also in at least one actuated position of the lower control element 912.
  • the abutment portion 960 is brought into contact with the lower control element 912 in a range of lower control element positions when actuated in its locked state. More preferably, the abutment portion 960 is brought into contact with the lower control element 912 in any position of the lower control element 912 when actuated in its locked state. Upon contact with the lower control element 912 after partial or fully actuation in its locked state, further actuation of the locking element 942 preferably moves the lower control element 912 into an engaged position where the locking element 942 is engaged with the lower control element 912 (see FIGS. 9-11 ).
  • the lower control element 912 has an engaged state shown in FIGS. 9-11 in which the lower control element 912 moves through a first path when actuated.
  • the first path is defined by rotation of the lower control element 912 about or substantially about the pivot post 928.
  • the lower control element 912 is pressed against the pivot post 928 by the abutment portion 960 of the locking element 942 in its unlocked position.
  • the abutment portion 960 pressed against the lower control element 912 preferably defines a pivot axis of the lower control element 912 that is the same as the pivot axis of the pawl 926 (i.e., the pawl pivot 928) or that is near the pivot axis of the pawl 926.
  • the lower control element 912 in less preferred embodiments can be pivotable about an axis disposed from the pawl pivot 928 when engaged by the abutment portion 960 of the locking element 942 while still permitting the transmission of force against the pawl pivot 952 by the lower control element 912 when thus engaged.
  • the control element 912 need not be pressed against the pawl pivot 928 when engaged, and can instead be pressed against a post, pin, wall, protrusion, or other latch structure adjacent to or disposed from the pawl pivot 928.
  • the lower control element 912 moves through a second path when actuated. The second path is defined by rotation of the lower control element 912 about the pawl pin 952. In this disengaged state, the lower control element 912 may contact the locking element 942, but is incapable of transferring motive force or sufficient motive force to the pawl pin 952 to release the ratchet 916.
  • the lower control element 912 When the locking element 942 is actuated to its unlocked state, the lower control element 912 preferably can be in its rest or unactuated position shown in FIG. 6 or can be in at least one position in its second path of motion (partially or fully actuated). When partially or fully actuated in its second path of motion, the lower control element 912 is preferably contacted by the locking element 942 and is moved thereby to the lower control element's first path of motion. Preferably, the position to which the lower control element 912 is moved in its first path of motion is dependent upon the extent to which the lower control element 912 has already been actuated.
  • the lower control element 912 is preferably moved to a position in the first path of motion in which the lower control element 912 must be further actuated to trigger disengagement of the pawl 926. If already fully actuated, the lower control element 912 is preferably moved to a position in the first path of motion in which the lower control element 912 triggers disengagement of the ratchet 916.
  • the outside vehicle door handle can be partially or fully actuated by a user prior to actuation of the locking element 942 to its unlocked position (e.g., by an actuator connected to the lever arm 962 and triggered by remote keyless entry controls, by a key turned in the lock cylinder 966, and the like) without requiring the user to release and re-actuate the outside door handle.
  • the locking element 942 contacts and moves the lower control element 912 to its first path so that further actuation of the outside door handle generates release of the ratchet 916.
  • the locking element 942 contacts and moves the lower control element 912 to a position in its first path in which the pawl 926 is triggered to release the ratchet 916.
  • the locking element 942 is movable into contact with the lower control element 912 and can thereby move the lower control element 912 into an engaged position in the lower control element's first path of motion.
  • this contact is a camming contact in which a cam or bearing surface 976 of the locking element 942 contacts and then pushes against a surface of the lower control element 912.
  • many other types of force-transmitting contact between the locking element 942 and the lower control element 912 can be employed to achieve this same result, including without limitation rolling, sliding, pushing, pulling, camming, pressing, and other contact of the locking element 942 against the lower control element 912.
  • the type of contact between the locking element 942 and the lower control element 912 can be against peripheral surfaces of the locking element 942 and the lower control element 912 (as shown in the figures) or can be between any other surfaces of these elements desired, such as between a pin on the locking element 942 contacting a peripheral surface of the lower control element 912, an interior surface of an elongated aperture in the locking element 942 within which is received a post or block on the lower control element 912 (preferably providing for lost motion of the lower control element 912 in the elongated aperture), and the like.
  • actuation of the locking element 942 between its locked and unlocked states preferably generates movement of the upper control element 914 between its unactuated and partially actuated states, respectively, as described above. This relationship between the locking element 942 and the upper control element 914 can be severed by eliminating the pin 948 from the upper control element 914.
  • FIG. 12 illustrates a latch assembly 910 substantially the same as the latch assembly shown in FIGS. 1-11 (with the exception of the camming surface 949 of the upper control element 914 triggering the pawl 926 rather than the pin 948 as described above), but which employs a second engagement element 953 for the lower control element 912.
  • the second engagement element 953 is releasably engagable with the lower control element 912.
  • This second engagement element can take a number of forms, but most preferably is an actuator 953 mounted in the latch assembly 910 to extend to and retract from the lower control element 912.
  • the actuator 953 is an electromagnetic actuator, can be a lever movable (e.g., pivotable or slidable) into and out of engagement with the lower control element 912 in a manner similar to the locking element 942, etc.
  • the actuator 953 can be connected in a conventional manner to a latch controller or to a user-manipulatable device such as a button, lever, handle, and the like.
  • the actuator 953 Upon actuation, the actuator 953 preferably moves into contact with the bearing surface 955 of the lower control element 912 and thereby exerts force against the lower control element 912 to either hold the lower control element 912 in its unlocked state (as described above with reference to the abutment portion 960 of the locking element 942) or to move the lower control element 912 into its first path of motion if not already there.
  • the actuator 953 is preferably positioned to push the lower control element 912, but can be positioned in the latch assembly 910 and/or can be connected to the locking element 942 to move the locking element 942 in any of the alternative manners also described above.
  • the actuator 953 is preferably positioned with respect to the lower control element 912 so that the actuator 953 can contact and exert motive force to push the lower control element 912 into the second path from at least one position in the first path, and most preferably from any position in the first path.
  • the actuator 953 can replace the locking element 942.
  • the actuator 953 is preferably connected to one or more inputs for actuation in a similar manner to actuation of the locking element 954. Without a connection between the actuator 953 and the upper control element 914 however, the above-described relationship between the upper control element 914 and the lower control element 914 (e.g., actuation of the upper control element 914 generating engagement of the lower control element 912) is lost.
  • one or more motion or proximity sensors, mechanical trips, buttons, and the like can be directly or indirectly connected to the actuator 953 and positioned within the latch assembly 910 to detect actuation of the upper control element 914 and to trip the actuator 953 in response thereto.
  • the actuator 953 can also or instead be connected to the actuating element 964 in a similar manner to provide the ability of a user to change the state of the actuator 953 (and therefore of the lower control element 912). More preferably however, the actuator 953 is employed in conjunction with the locking element 942 described above.
  • the lower control element 912 can be moved to its first path (or held therein if already in its first path) without changing the state of the locking element 942 and without moving the upper control element 912 or the actuating element 964.
  • the locking element 942 is moved to its unlocked position only for a period of time to permit actuation of the lower control element 912 in its unlocked state (in the first path), after which time the locking element 942 is automatically returned to its locked state.
  • the locking element 942 of the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-11 would preferably return the upper control element 914 and the actuating element 964 to their unactuated positions.
  • a locking element actuator (not shown) is coupled to a latch controller for moving the locking element 942 between its unlocked and locked states as described above
  • the latch controller (conventional in fashion) can be programmed or otherwise configured to trigger the actuator to its unlocked position for a period of time after which the actuator returns the locking element 942 to its locked position.
  • the amount of time the locking element 942 is in its unlocked position can be selected as desired. Still other manners of moving the locking element 942 briefly to its unlocked position are possible and would be recognized by one having ordinary skill in the art.
  • any number of manual or actuator-driven inputs can be connected to the control elements 912, 914 and the locking element 942 to drive these elements into their respective positions. If desired, it is even possible to combine different input types into one latch input. For example, rather than have one input to the upper control element 914 for actuation thereof in its locked and unlocked states, this input can also be used to change the state of the lower control element 912 as discussed above. Therefore, the input is not only used for actuating the upper control element 914, but also for engaging and/or disengaging the lower control element 912 (i.e., changing the state of the lower control element 912).
  • the upper control element 914 moves through a first path in which it is incapable of moving or sufficiently moving the pawl 926 to release the ratchet 916, while if actuated when engaged with the pin 936, the upper control element 914 preferably moves through a two-stage second path causing release of the ratchet 916.
  • a first stage of upper control element movement engages the locking element 942 with the lower control element 912 as described above.
  • a second stage of upper control element movement i.e., further actuation of the upper control element 914) in the second path preferably causes the upper control element 914 to move the pawl 926 and to release the ratchet 916.
  • the extension 974 and pin 948 connection between the upper control element 914 and the locking element 942 can be eliminated so that the only inputs capable of changing the state of the lower control element 912 are a linking element (not shown) connected to the lever arm 962 of the locking element 942 and the actuating element 964 connected to the lock cylinder 966.
  • the control elements 912, 914 are preferably mounted in the latch assembly 910 having lost motion at least with respect to the pawl 926.
  • the pin 952 of the pawl 926 is preferably received within the elongated aperture 951 of the lower control element 912 so that motion of the pawl 926 by actuation of the upper control element 914 does not generate actuation of the lower control element 912.
  • the pin 952 of the pawl 926 is preferably located a sufficient distance from the upper control element 914 so that motion of the pawl 926 by actuation of the lower control element 912 does not generate actuation of the upper control element 914. Still other conventional manners of providing lost motion for the lower and upper control elements 912, 914 are possible and fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
  • the ratchet 916 need not be releasably engagable with a pawl 926 for the latch assembly 910 to function as described.
  • the control elements 912, 914 can releasably engage the ratchet 916 directly, such as by a surface, aperture, notch, or other portion of the ratchet 916.
  • the control elements 912, 914 would preferably move in one manner when engaged with their respective engagement elements 942, 936 (in which control element engagement with the ratchet 916 is released) and in another manner when not thus engaged (in which control element engagement with the ratchet 916 is maintained).
  • the engaged states of the control elements 912, 914 need not necessarily correspond to the pawl-releasing paths of the control elements 912, 914 when actuated as described above and illustrated in the figures.
  • the control elements 912, 914 can be shaped and/or arranged in the latch assembly 910 so that movement of either or both control elements 912, 914 when engaged with their respective engagement elements 942, 936 triggers release of the ratchet 916 while movement of either or both control elements 912, 914 when disengaged therefrom does not trigger such release.
  • the control elements 912, 914 move through a first path when engaged with their engagement elements 942, 936 and through a different path when not so engaged.
  • the path generating ratchet release can be selected as desired.
  • the preferred embodiment of the present invention offers without limitation the advantages of arranging the latch assembly 910 in layers (the ratchet 916 and pawl 926 in one layer, the control elements 912, 914 and linking elements 958, 956 in another layer, and engagement elements 936, 942 at least partially located in yet another layer), latch modularity and ease of adaptation to different applications, latch speed, weight, and complexity, and the like.
  • movement of an element in or through a "path” does not necessarily mean that the element is moved completely through the entire path available to it, but just that the element is moved some distance along the path available to it.
  • the preferred embodiment of the latch assembly according to the present invention demonstrates the application flexibility of the present invention.
  • the latch assemblies described above and illustrated in the figures can be quickly adapted for use in a number of different applications.
  • multiple ports can be located in different locations around the sides of the housing and/or front cover.
  • An installer can therefore run any desired linking element (preferably bowden cables or rods) from outside the latch assembly to the control elements inside from a number of different angles with respect to the latch assembly.
  • Such a latch assembly can be immediately installed into a large number of applications in which linking elements are run from different locations with limited space for re-routing such linking elements.

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  • Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Transition And Organic Metals Composition Catalysts For Addition Polymerization (AREA)
  • Peptides Or Proteins (AREA)

Claims (28)

  1. Ensemble de verrou (910), comprenant :
    un cliquet (916), présentant une position verrouillée et une position non verrouillée ;
    un élément de commande (912), déplaçable dans un premier chemin, entre une position au repos, non actionnée, et une position actionnée, ne générant pas le déverrouillage du cliquet à la position non verrouillée, et dans un deuxième chemin, générant le déverrouillage du cliquet (916) à la position non verrouillée, l'élément de commande (912) étant susceptible de pivoter autour d'un premier point, définissant au moins partiellement le premier chemin, et autour d'un deuxième point, définissant au moins partiellement le deuxième chemin ;
    un élément de verrouillage (942), présentant une position verrouillée et une position déverrouillée ; et
    un actionneur (953) couplé à l'élément de verrouillage (942), caractérisé par l'actionnement de l'élément de verrouillage (942) à sa position déverrouillée, lorsque l'élément de commande (91.2) est actionné, passant de sa position au repos, non actionnée, dans son deuxième chemin, générant un déplacement de l'élément de commande (912), passant de son deuxième chemin à son premier chemin, et
    le cliquet (916) étant déverrouillable, de la position verrouillée à la position déverrouillée, en réponse à l'actionnement de l'élément de verrouillage (942) à sa position déverrouillée, durant l'actionnement au moins partiel de l'élément de commande (912), à partir de la position au repos, non actionnée.
  2. Ensemble de verrou (910) selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre un doigt d'encliquetage (926), susceptible d'être mis en prise de façon déverrouillable avec le cliquet (916), le doigt d'encliquetage (926) étant déverrouillable par l'élément de commande (912) dans son premier chemin de déplacement.
  3. Ensemble de verrou (910) selon la revendication 2, dans lequel l'élément de commande (912) est susceptible de pivoter autour d'un point de pivotement, dans son premier chemin de déplacement, pour déclencher le déverrouillage du doigt d'encliquetage (926).
  4. Ensemble de verrou (910) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'élément de verrouillage (942) est monté pour effectuer un mouvement de pivotement, entre les positions verrouillée et déverrouillée.
  5. Ensemble de verrou (910) selon la revendication 4, dans lequel l'élément de verrouillage (942) est en contact avec l'élément de commande (912) dans la position déverrouillée, pour limiter au moins partiellement l'élément de commande (912) à son premier chemin, et dans lequel l'élément de verrouillage (942) est pratiquement hors de contact avec l'élément de commande (912) dans la position verrouillée, pour permettre le déplacement de l'élément de commande (912) dans le deuxième chemin.
  6. Ensemble de verrou (910) selon la revendication 4, dans lequel l'élément de commande (912) présente une surface, contre laquelle l'élément de verrouillage (942) est pressé, lorsqu'il se trouve à la position déverrouillée.
  7. Ensemble de verrou (910) selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre un élément d'actionnement (964), manipulable par l'utilisateur, couplé à l'élément de verrouillage (942), pour que l'utilisateur commande la position de l'élément de verrouillage (942).
  8. Ensemble de verrou (910) selon la revendication 71, dans lequel l'élément d'actionnement (964), manipulable par l'utilisateur, est un cylindre de serrure (966).
  9. Ensemble de verrou (910) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'élément de commande (912) est un premier élément de commande (912), l'ensemble de verrou (910) comprenant en outre un deuxième élément de commande (914), déplaçable par un troisième chemin, l'élément de verrouillage (942) étant déplaçable vers au moins l'une des positions verrouillée et déverrouillée, par le deuxième élément de commande (914), dans le troisième chemin.
  10. Ensemble de verrou (910) selon la revendication 9, comprenant en outre un doigt d'encliquetage (926), susceptible d'être mis en prise de façon désolidarisable avec le cliquet (916), le deuxième élément de commande (914) étant déplaçable par le troisième chemin, pour déclencher le déverrouillage du cliquet (916), via le déplacement du doigt d'encliquetage (926).
  11. Ensemble de verrou (910) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'élément de commande (912) est un premier élément de commande (912), l'ensemble de verrou (910) comprenant en outre :
    un doigt d'encliquetage (926), susceptible de venir en prise avec le cliquet (916) ; et
    un deuxième élément de commande (914), monté à pivotement pour effectuer un déplacement dans un troisième chemin, le deuxième élément de commande (914) étant déplaçable à l'encontre de l'élément de verrouillage (942), dans le troisième chemin, de manière à déplacer le doigt d'encliquetage (926) et à mettre hors de prise le cliquet (916) .
  12. Ensemble de verrou (910) selon la revendication 11, dans lequel le deuxième élément de commande (914) est également déplaçable à l'encontre de l'élément de verrouillage (942), dans le troisième chemin, de manière à modifier la position de l'élément de verrouillage (942).
  13. Ensemble de verrou (910) selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre un élément de liaison (956, 958), couplé à l'élément de commande (912), de manière à permettre une manipulation de l'élément de commande (912) par l'utilisateur.
  14. Procédé de déverrouillage d'un ensemble de verrou (910), comprenant :
    la fourniture d'un cliquet (916), présentant une position verrouillée et une position non verrouillée ;
    l'actionnement au moins partiel d'un élément de commande (912), dans un premier chemin ;
    la retenue du cliquet (916) de manière à empêcher le déverrouillage avec passage à la position non verrouillée, tout en actionnant au moins partiellement l'élément de commande (912) dans le premier chemin ;
    l'actionnement d'un élément de verrouillage (942), déplaçable par rapport à l'élément de commande (912) ;
    caractérisé en ce que le procédé comprend :
    le déplacement de l'élément de commande (912), actionné au moins partiellement, à une position dans un deuxième chemin, par actionnement de l'élément de verrouillage (942), pour mettre en prise l'élément de commande (912) avec l'élément de verrouillage (942) ; et
    le déverrouillage du cliquet (916).
  15. Procédé selon la revendication 14, dans lequel le cliquet (916) est déverrouillé lors du déplacement de l'élément de commande (912) à la position dans le deuxième chemin.
  16. Procédé selon la revendication 14, comprenant en outre l'actionnement supplémentaire de l'élément de commande (912), après déplacement de l'élément de commande (912) à la position dans le deuxième chemin, pour déverrouiller le cliquet (916).
  17. Procédé selon la revendication 14, dans lequel le premier chemin est défini par rotation de l'élément de commande (912) autour d'un point de pivot.
  18. Procédé selon la revendication 17, dans lequel dans lequel le deuxième chemin est défini par rotation de l'élément de commande (912) autour d'un autre point de pivot.
  19. Procédé selon la revendication 14, dans lequel dans lequel le deuxième chemin est défini par rotation de l'élément de commande (912) autour d'un point de pivot.
  20. Procédé selon la revendication 14, comprenant en outre le déplacement de l'élément de verrouillage (942) pour obtenir la mise en contact avec l'élément de commande (912), avant de déplacer l'élément de commande (912).
  21. Procédé selon la revendication 20, dans lequel l'élément de verrouillage (942) est déplacé, pour obtenir la mise en contact avec l'élément de commande (912), en au moins une position de l'élément de commande (912), dans le premier chemin.
  22. Procédé selon la revendication 20, dans lequel le déplacement de l'élément de verrouillage (942), en contact avec l'élément de commande (912), se produit indépendamment de la position de l'élément de commande (912) dans le premier chemin.
  23. Procédé selon la revendication 14, dans lequel le déplacement de l'élément de verrouillage (942), à la position dans le deuxième chemin, comprend le déplacement de l'élément de commande (912), via le déplacement de l'élément de verrouillage (942).
  24. Procédé selon la revendication 20, dans lequel l'élément de commande (912) est déplacé par pressage d'une surface de portée de l'élément de verrouillage (942), contre une surface de portée de l'élément de commande (912).
  25. Procédé selon la revendication 14, dans lequel l'élément de commande (912) est déplacé par effet de came d'une surface de l'élément de verrouillage (942), contre une surface de l'élément de commande (912).
  26. Procédé selon la revendication 14, dans lequel l'actionnement de l'élément de verrouillage (942) comprend l'actionnement d'un actionneur (953), couplé à l'élément de verrouillage (942).
  27. Procédé selon la revendication 14, dans lequel l'élément de commande (912, 914) est un premier l'élément de commande (912), et dans lequel l'actionnement de l'élément de verrouillage (942) comprend l'actionnement d'un deuxième élément de commande (914), pour déplacer l'élément de verrouillage (942), le deuxième élément de commande (914) étant déplaçable sur un troisième chemin, de manière à déclencher le déverrouillage du cliquet (916).
  28. Procédé selon la revendication 27, dans lequel l'élément de verrouillage (942) est déplaçable, par pressage d'une surface du deuxième élément de commande (914), contre une surface de l'élément de verrouillage (942), pour déplacer l'élément de verrouillage (942) de manière à le mettre en prise avec le premier l'élément de commande (912).
EP01935539A 2000-05-16 2001-05-16 Procede et appareil pour verrou Expired - Lifetime EP1290301B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/571,340 US6786070B1 (en) 1999-03-05 2000-05-16 Latch apparatus and method
US571340 2000-05-16
PCT/US2001/015705 WO2001088314A2 (fr) 2000-05-16 2001-05-16 Procede et appareil pour verrou

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1290301A2 EP1290301A2 (fr) 2003-03-12
EP1290301A4 EP1290301A4 (fr) 2004-06-30
EP1290301B1 true EP1290301B1 (fr) 2008-08-20

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EP01935539A Expired - Lifetime EP1290301B1 (fr) 2000-05-16 2001-05-16 Procede et appareil pour verrou

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EP (1) EP1290301B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE405717T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2001261626A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2409171A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE60135459D1 (fr)
MX (1) MXPA02011502A (fr)
WO (1) WO2001088314A2 (fr)

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US8426429B2 (en) 2004-08-06 2013-04-23 Jansssen Pharmaceutica N.V. 2-amino-quinazoline derivatives useful as inhibitors of β-secretase (BACE)
US8383637B2 (en) 2004-08-06 2013-02-26 Jansssen Pharmaceutica N.V. 2-amino-quinazoline derivatives useful as inhibitors of β-secretase (BACE)
CN106812380B (zh) * 2017-04-11 2021-12-28 温州瓯海利尔达五金制品有限公司 一种轨道旋转式快装分体锁
US11753853B2 (en) * 2018-07-03 2023-09-12 Inteva Products, Llc Vehicle door latch
DE102019108252A1 (de) * 2019-03-29 2020-10-01 Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft Schloss für ein kraftfahrzeug

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2161854A (en) * 1984-07-21 1986-01-22 Ford Motor Co Vehicle door lock system
DE4129706A1 (de) * 1991-09-06 1993-03-11 Swf Auto Electric Gmbh Elektromotorischer aktuator, insbesondere fuer eine zentrale tuerverriegelungsanlage eines kraftfahrzeugs
DE19547727A1 (de) * 1995-12-20 1997-06-26 Vdo Schindling Einrichtung zum Entriegeln von Türen
CA2299921A1 (fr) * 1999-03-05 2000-09-05 Strattec Security Corporation Methode et appareil de verrouillage modulaire

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2001261626A1 (en) 2001-11-26
EP1290301A4 (fr) 2004-06-30
DE60135459D1 (de) 2008-10-02
ATE405717T1 (de) 2008-09-15
CA2409171A1 (fr) 2001-11-22
WO2001088314A2 (fr) 2001-11-22
MXPA02011502A (es) 2005-09-08
WO2001088314A3 (fr) 2002-04-11
EP1290301A2 (fr) 2003-03-12

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