GB2518142A

GB2518142A - Energy dampening arrangement for vehicle latch assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2518142A
Application number: GB1315031.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gareth L Shaw; Michael J Smith; Gurbinder S Kalsi; Philippe Ottolini
Original assignee: Inteva Products LLC
Current assignee: Inteva Products LLC
Priority date: 2013-08-22
Filing date: 2013-08-22
Publication date: 2015-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 2033-08-22
Also published as: GB201315031D0; GB2518142B; CN104420735A; EP2840207A3; EP2840207A2

Abstract

The vehicle latch assembly 10 comprises: a housing 12; a frame plate 14 coupled to the housing; a back plate 24 coupled to the housing; an eccentric 18 extending from a first end to a second end 25, the first end 22 disposed in close proximity to the back plate and the second end disposed in close proximity the frame panel. In one version a fastener is connected to the eccentric and disposed between an outer surface of the eccentric and the frame plate. The fastener may be a washer or a bushing which is riveted to the eccentric and may be metallic. A second bushing may be connected to the backplate and disposed between the outer surface of the eccentric and the back plate. In another version aperture 40 extends through the eccentric from the first end to the second end and a pin 42 extending through the aperture and fixedly connected to the eccentric. Also claimed is a method of forming a vehicle latch assembly.

Description

FNERGY DAMPENING ARRANGEMENI FOR VEHICLE IXICI-I ASSEMBLY

BACKGROUND

[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to latch assemblies, and more particularly to an energy reducing arrangement for a vehicle latch assembly.

[0002] Often, cons uniers equate the performance and qualit.y of vehicles and vehicle components with sound qualit.y and minimal noise, vibration, and harshness (NVI-l) charactedstics of vehicle components including the latching mechanism of a vehicle door. Providing a vehicle door that opens and closes propcrly and pcrfomis each of those functions with minimal audible indication can suggest to a consumer that Ue overall door assembly, Lhe door closing mechanism, and the vehicle are of high quality.

10003] Door latch assemblies Lypically include multiple metallic components and the interaction of these components during latch operation may contribute to noise that is unpleasant to the consumer. Therefore, a reduction in generated noise is desired.

SUMMARY

10004] According to one embodiment, a vehicle latch assembly includes a housing. Also included is a Frame plate operatively coupled to the housing. Further included is a hackplate operatively coupled to the housing. Yet lurther included is an eccentric extending from a first end to a second end, thc first end disposed in close proximity to the hackplate and the second end disposed in close proximity to the frame plate. Also included is a fastener fixedly connect.ed to the eccentric and disposed between an outer surface of the eccentric and the frame plate.

[0005] According to another embodiment, a vehicle latch assembly includes a housing. Also included is a frame plate operatively couplcd to the housing. Further included is a hackplate operatively coupled to the housing. Yet further included is an eccentric extending from a first end t.o a second end, the first. end disposed in close proximity to the hackplate and the second end disposed in close proximity to the frame plate. Also included is an aperture extending through the eccentric from the first end to the second end. Further included is a pin extending through the aperture and fixedly connected to the eccentric.

[0006] According to yet another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a vehicle latch assembly is pmvided. l'he method includes fonning an aperture through an eccentric. I'he method also includes operativdy coupling a housing, a frame plate, a hackplate, and the eccentric to each other. The method further includes disposing a main portion of a pin through the aperture of the eccentric. The method yet further includes riveting the pin t.o the eccentric to reduce axial movement, of the frame plate, the hackplate and the eccentric relative to each other.

L0007] I'hese and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRII ii' Dl iSCRIP1'ION 01 IF] DRAWINGS L0008] I'he subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification.

The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: [0009] Referring now to the figures, which are exemphiy embodiments, and wherein like elements are numbered alike: [0010] 1110. lisa partial cross-sectional view ofabtch assembly according to a first embodiment; [0011] HG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the latch assembly according to a sccond embodiment; [0012] HG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the latch assembly according to the embodiment of FIG. 2; 100131 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the latch assembly according to yet another embodiment; and 100141 FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of manufacturing the vehicle latch assembly.

[0015] The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TIlE INVENTION

100161 Referring now 1.0 FIG. 1, the reference numeral 10 generally designates a vehicle latch assembly. Ilie vehicle latch assembly 10 is generally designed for use on a vehicle (not illusftated) having a vehicle door with a door handle. Ihe vehicle latch assembly 10 may he installed on the driver side door, passenger side door, or rear passenger doors. Additionally, the vehicle latch assembly 10 may he installed in alternative locations of the vehicle, such as a vehicle door opening on the B-pillar or may he used in conjunction with a rear door of the vehicle, such as a liftgate, tmnk or tailgate, for example.

10017] l'he vehicle latch assembly 10 includes housing 12 behind a frame plate 14 that helps protect the vehicle latch assembly 10 from damage, as well as dirt and debris. The housing 12 is mounted to the vehicle door, such as with a plurality of mechanical fasteners or welding, for example. A rotatable catch (not illustrated) releasahly retains a striker to hold the door (or liftgate, trnnk, tailgate, etc.) in a closed position. The catch is held in the closed position by a pawl 16, which is operatively coupled to an eccentric 18. The eccentric 18 operates as a crank shall, that is operatively coupled to an inner lever 20 that allows a user to rotate the eccentric 18, thereby actuating the pawl 1 6 to disengage from the catch. I'his operation releases the striker from the catch and facilitates an opening of the vehicle door.

[0018] The eccentric 18 extends in an axial direction from a first end 22 to a second end 25. The first end 22 is operatively coupled to the inner lever 20 and is in close proximity to a hackplate 24 that forms a structural boundary foT the vehicle latch assenthly 10, in combination with the frame plate 14. The second end 25 is disposed in close proximity to the frame plate 14. As noted above, the eccentric 18 is rotatable to work in conjunction with the pawl 16 during an opening and closing action of the vehicle door. The eccentric 18 is retained by at. least. one eccentric bearing 26.

100i91 To reduce or einunate axial float between the eccentric 18 and at least the other above-described components, at least one fastener is dispsed at least partially around portions of the eccentric 18. In particular, the at least one fastener is positioned in regions where metallic faces of components are prone to contact each other. The fastener may be selected from numerous fasteners, such as a washer 11 (FIG. 4) or one or more bushings, as will be described in detail below.

0020] In a first cmhodiment, a first hushing 28 is fixedly connected to the eccentric 18 and disposed between an outer surface 30 of the eccentric 18 and the frame plate 14. Thc fixed connection between the first bushing 28 and the eccentric 18 niay accomplished in a number of contemplated attachment. methods. lin one embodiment, the first bushing 28 is riveted to the eeeentTic IS. I'he first bushing 28 significantly reduces potential vertical movement of the eccentric 18, as the first bushing 28 is fixed between the eccentric 18 and the frame plate 14.

[0021] In another embodiment, a second hushing 32 is included. The second bushing 32 is fixedly connected to the backplate 24 and disposed between the outer surface 30 of the eccentric 15 and the backplate 24. As with the first bushing 28, the fixed connection between the second bushing 32 and the hackplate 24 may be accomplished in a number of manners, such as riveting, for example. The second bushing 32 insulates the eccentric 18 from the hackplate 24 to reduce or eliminate noise generated from contact between the outer surface 30 of the eccentric and the haekplate 24.

[0022] The first. bushing 28 and the second bushing 32 each provide an interface between faces of components, as described above, to damp the energy transmitted through the first bushing 28 and the second hushing 32. Various structures of known bushings may he employed. In one enibcxliment, the first hushing 28 and/or the second bushing 32 is an annular cylinder of flexible material disposed inside a metallic casing or outer tube. The first and second bushings 28, 32 may be formed of numerous contemplated energy dampening materials. Exemplary materials include rubber, a synthetic rubber, or polyurethane, for example. The preceding list, is merely illustrative and is not exhaustive. As noted above, the first and second bushings 28, 32 separate the faces of objects, while allowing a certain amount of movement.. This movement allows the eccentric 18 t.o move freely, while reducing or eliminating transmission of noise and vibrations associated with cont.act. hcwcen the components of the vehicle latch assembly 10.

0023j RefelTing now to l'IGS. 2 and 3, the vehicle latch assembly 10 according to a second embodiment is illustrated. The second embodiment of the vehicle latch assembly 10 is structurally and functionally similar in many respects to the first embodiment, such that similar reference numerals are employed wherein appropriate and duplicative description ol the elements is omitted.

100241 Ihe eccentric 18 includes an aperture 40 extending therethrough in an axial direction 1mm the first end 22 to the second end 25. The aperture 40 is typically a through-hole of constant diameter, however, a slot or other shape may form the aperturc 40. A pin 42 is disposcd within the aperture 40 and includes a head portion 44 and a main portion 46. The main portion 46 is disçosed within the aperture 40 and the head portion 44 includes a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the aperture to ensure disposal of the head portion 44 at a location external to the aperture 40.

[he head portion 44 may be a flat head or may comprise a bulbous structure, for example. Regardless of the precise geometry of the head portion 44, the pin 42 is riveted to the eccentric IS (at the inner lever end 22). The first bushing 28 described in detail above may be included. In addition to the above-described benefits, the first bushing 28 provides a flange surface for the head portion 44 to form the rivet with the eccentric 18. Such an embodiment tightens the overall axial structure of the vehicle latch assenibly 10, thereby reducing the likelihood of undesirably component contact.

100251 A method of manufacturing a vehicle latch assembly 100 is also provided, as illustrated in FIG. 4 and with reference to PIGS. 1-3. The vehicle latch assembly 10 has been previously described and specific structural components need not be described in further detail. The method 100 includes forming 102 an aperture 40 through the eccentric 18 and operatively coupling 104 the housing 12, the frame plate 14, the hackplate 24, and the eccentric 18 to each other, directly or indircctly.

The main portion 46 of the pin 42 is disposed 106 through the aperture 40 of the eccentric 18 and riveted 108 t.o the eccentric 18 to reduce axial movement of t.he frame plate 14, the hackplate 24 and the eccentric 18, relative t.o each other.

[00261 The above-described emhodiment.s maintain vehicle door operability, while minimizing noise associated therewith. Ibis reduction in noise appeals to consumers and allows continued optimal opening and closing operation of the vehicle door.

[0027] While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should he readily underst.ood that t.he invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can he modified to incorpoTate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, hut which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally. while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only sonic of the described enibodiments. Accordingly. the invention is not to he seen as limited by the foregoing description, hut is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

(i I AIMS: What is claimed is: I. A vehicle latch assembly comprising: a housing; a frame plate operatively coupled to the housing; a hackplate operatively coupled to the housing; an eccentric extending from a first end to a second end, the first end disposed in close proximity to the hackplat.e and the second end disposed in close proximity to the frame plate; and a fastener fixedly connected to the eccentric and disposed between an outcr surface of the eccentric and the frame plate.
2. I'he vehicle latch assembly of claim I, wherein the fastener comprises a washer.
3. The vehicle latch assembly of claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises afirstbushing.
4. The vehicle latch assembly of claim 3, wherein the first bushing is riveted to the eccentric.
5. The vehicle latch assembly of claim 3, wherein the first bushing comprises a metallic material.
6. The vehicle latch assembly of claim 3, further comprising a second bushing fixedly connected to the hackplate and disposed between the outer surface of the eccentric and the hackplate.
7. The vehicle latch assembly of claim 6, wherein the second bushing is riveted lo the eccentric.
8. ftc vehicle latch assembly oF claim 6, wheTern the second hushing comprises a rubber materiaL
9. A vehicle latch assembly comprising: a housing; a frame plate operatively coupled to the housing; a backplate operatively coupled to the housing; an eccentric extending froni a firsi. end to a second end, the lIrst. end disposed in close proximity to the hackplate and the second end disposed in close proximity to the frame plate; an aperture extending through the eccentric from the first end to the second end; and a pin extending through the aperture and fixedly connected to the eccentric.
10. The vehicle latch assembly of claim 9, wherein the pin comprises a main portion and a head portion, the main portion disposed within the aperture and the head portion fixedly connected to the eccentric proximate the second end.
II. The vehicle latch assembly of claim 10, wherein the head portion is riveted to the second end of the eccentric.
12. I'hc vehicle latch assembly of claim 9, further comprising a hushing operatively coupled to the eccentric proximate the second end of the eccentric.
13. The vehicle latch assembly of claim 12, wherein the hushing is disposed between the eccentric and the frame plate.
14. A method of manufacturing a vehicle latch assembly comprising: forming an aperture through an eccentric; operatively coupling a housing, a Frame plate, a hackplate, and the eccentric to cach other; disposing a main portion of a pin through the aperture of the eccentric; and riveting the pin to the eccentric to reduce axial movement of the frame plate, S the haekplate and the eccentric rdativc to each othcr.
15. I1e method of claim 14, further comprising riveting a hushing to the eccentric proximate the second end in a location between the eccentric and the frame plate.