GB2604641A

GB2604641A - Sensor arrangement for a power cinch system of a vehicle side door latch apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2604641A
Application number: GB2103419.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edwards Sean
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2021-03-12
Filing date: 2021-03-12
Publication date: 2022-09-14
Also published as: GB202103419D0; DE112022001469T5; WO2022189670A1

Abstract

A vehicle side door latch apparatus for a side door comprising a ratchet comprising a claw 402 and a pawl 404 and having a primary ratchet position where it is fully latched and a secondary ratchet position where it is half latched, and an intermediate position where it is between the primary and secondary latched positions, a power cinch system 422 configured to actuate the ratchet from the secondary ratchet position and preferably the intermediate position to the primary ratchet position in dependence on output from a sensor arrangement 438, 442, 452 comprising: a sensor set 438, 442 to detect of the primary and secondary ratchet positions and a further sensor 452 to detect the intermediate position of the ratchet, wherein the sensor set does not enable detection of the intermediate position. Preferably the sensors detect the position of the claw. The sensors may be mechanically actuatable electrical sensors. The cinch movement may be interrupted by a sensor detecting movement of an exterior door handle. The power cinch may run in reverse to reset the system on detection of the primary ratchet position.

Description

SENSOR ARRANGEMENT FOR A POWER CINCH SYSTEM OF A VEHICLE SIDE DOOR LATCH APPARATUS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a sensor arrangement for a power cinch system of a vehicle side door latch apparatus. In particular, but not exclusively it relates to the sensor arrangement having a further sensor for eliminating a sensor blind zone, and in some examples to a cinch interrupt sensor for interrupting a cinching operation.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, a vehicle side door comprises exterior and interior door handles and a latch apparatus. Typically, the latch apparatus comprises a door-mounted ratchet. The ratchet comprises a claw and a pawl. The claw comprises a mouth configured to receive a vehicle-mounted striker as the door is closed. The claw can rotate into a primary ratchet position to hook around the received striker, latching the door closed.

A user will need to push firmly on the door to ensure that the primary ratchet position is reached. If the user does not push hard enough, the ratchet may only reach a secondary ratchet position in which the door is latched in a slightly-ajar position.

A power cinch system, also referred to as a soft close system, comprises an electrical actuator and a corresponding mechanism configured to automatically move the door from the slightly-ajar latched position to a fully closed position. Such systems rely on sensors for determining whether the electrical actuator needs to be actuated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved vehicle side door latch apparatus. The invention is as defined in the appended independent claims.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle side door latch apparatus for a side door of a vehicle, the side door latch apparatus, or latch apparatus, comprising: a ratchet comprising a primary ratchet position and a secondary ratchet position, the ratchet comprising a claw and a pawl; a power cinch system configured to actuate the ratchet from the secondary ratchet position to the primary ratchet position in dependence on output from a sensor arrangement; and the sensor arrangement, comprising: a sensor set configured to enable detection of the secondary ratchet position and configured to enable detection of the primary ratchet position; and a further sensor configured to enable detection of an intermediate position of the ratchet, between the secondary ratchet position and the primary ratchet position wherein the sensor set does not enable detection of the intermediate position.

An advantage is that a power cinch function is less sensitive to how hard a user initially pushes the door, because the further sensor eliminates a blind zone of the sensor set.

In some examples, the sensor set comprises a first sensor and a second sensor, wherein a combination of outputs from the first sensor and the second sensor is configured to discriminate between the secondary ratchet position and the primary ratchet position.

In some examples, the sensor arrangement is configured to enable detection of a release position of the ratchet indicating that the side door is unlatched.

In some examples, the further sensor is configured to discriminate between the release position and the intermediate position.

In some examples, the sensor arrangement is configured to detect a position of the claw and is configured to detect a position of the pawl.

In some examples, a first output from the further sensor is configured to indicate a position of the claw, wherein a second output from a sensor of the sensor set is configured to indicate a position of the claw, and wherein a movement of the claw in a first direction through the secondary ratchet position to the primary ratchet position results in a sequential change of the first and second outputs.

In some examples, the sequential change comprises, first, a change in the first output after the secondary ratchet position has been passed, and second, a change in the second output as the primary ratchet position is approached or reached.

In some examples, the sensor arrangement comprises mechanically-actuatable electrical sensors.

In some examples, the latch apparatus comprises a cinch interrupt sensor configured to detect user manipulation of a handle of the side door, wherein output from the cinch interrupt sensor enables stopping of the movement of the ratchet by the power cinch system.

In some examples, the handle is an exterior door handle.

In some examples, the cinch interrupt sensor comprises a mechanically-actuatable electrical 15 sensor.

In some examples, the latch apparatus comprises circuitry configured to detect the secondary ratchet position, the primary ratchet position and the intermediate position based on combinations of outputs from the sensor arrangement.

In some examples, the circuitry is configured to cause the power cinch system to initiate the movement of the side door in dependence on detection of the secondary ratchet position and is configured to cause the power cinch system to initiate the movement of the side door in dependence on detection of the primary ratchet position.

In some examples, the circuitry is configured to cause the power cinch system to output a reverse actuation to reset the power cinch system, in dependence on detection of the primary ratchet position.

In some examples, the latch apparatus comprises a home position sensor configured to detect a home position of the power cinch system, wherein output from the home position sensor indicates that resetting of the power cinch system is complete.

In some examples, the power cinch system comprises a power cinch mechanism configured to move the claw with a mechanical advantage greater than one.

In some examples, the power cinch mechanism comprises a cinching lever arrangement, movable by a cinch actuator.

In some examples, the cinching lever arrangement is configured to engage a protrusion on the claw to enable the cinching lever arrangement to move the claw.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle side door latch apparatus for a side door of a vehicle, the latch apparatus comprising: a ratchet comprising a primary ratchet position and a secondary ratchet position, the ratchet comprising a claw and a pawl; a power cinch system configured to actuate the ratchet from the secondary ratchet position to the primary ratchet position in dependence on output from a sensor arrangement; and a cinch interrupt sensor configured to detect user manipulation of a handle of the side door, wherein output from the cinch interrupt sensor enables stopping of the movement of the ratchet by the power cinch system.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle side door comprising the latch apparatus.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle comprising the vehicle side door.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination that falls within the scope of the appended claims. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination that falls within the scope of the appended claims, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a vehicle; FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a vehicle side door latch assembly with a claw in a released position; FIG. 2B illustrates an example of the vehicle side door latch assembly with the claw in a primary latched position; FIG. 3A illustrates an example of a power cinch system before moving a claw; FIG. 3B illustrates an example of the power cinch system after moving the claw; FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate sequential actuation of a sensor set by movement of a ratchet; FIG. 4D graphically illustrates outputs from the sensor set of FIGS. 4A-4C; FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate the sequential actuation of FIGS. 4A-4C with a further sensor included; FIG. 5D graphically illustrates outputs from the sensors of FIGS. 5A-5C; FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate actuation of a cinch interrupt sensor by movement of an exterior release lever; and FIG. 7 schematically illustrates example circuitry.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a vehicle 10 in which embodiments of the invention can be implemented. In some, but not necessarily all examples, the vehicle 10 is a passenger vehicle, also referred to as a passenger car or as an automobile. In other examples, embodiments of the invention can be implemented for other applications, such as commercial vehicles.

The vehicle 10 comprises side doors 12, 14 such as the illustrated rear side door 12 and front side door 14. Each side door 12, 14 has a respective exterior door handle 120, 140. The side doors 12, 14 enable access to seats of the vehicle 10. Each side door 12, 14 comprises a vehicle side door latch assembly as described herein.

FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a vehicle side door latch assembly 200. The latch assembly 200 comprises a latch apparatus 400 and a striker 300. Various known features of the latch apparatus 400 are omitted for simplicity of the drawings. The latch apparatus 400 can be connected to a vehicle side door 12 or 14. In the following examples, the front door 14 is referred to for illustrative purposes. The striker 300 can be connected to a body of the vehicle 10. Alternatively, the striker 300 can be door-connected and the latch apparatus 400 can be body-connected. The illustrated striker 300 is loop-shaped or can have another shape.

The latch apparatus 400 comprises a claw 402 and a pawl 404 which function together as a ratchet 401. The claw 402 comprises a mouth 420 configured to receive the striker 300.

The claw 402 is rotatable about a claw pivot 406 defining a claw axis. The claw 402 is rotatable between a release position of the ratchet 401 shown in FIG. 2A and a primary ratchet position as shown in FIG. 2B. In the primary ratchet position, the striker 300 is inside the mouth 420 and the claw 402 has rotated to hook around the striker 300, preventing the door 14 from swinging open. In other words, the striker 300 is 'latched'. In the release position, the claw 402 does not hook around the striker 300 so the door 14 can swing open. In other words, the striker 300 is 'released/unlatched.

The claw 402 comprises a toothed edge 418 which contacts a tooth 416 of a pawl 404 to function as a ratchet 401. The toothed edge 418 of the claw 402 comprises a plurality of teeth 412, 414 (steps in the toothed edge 418) each configured to prevent rotation of the claw 402 away from a respective ratchet position.

The toothed edge 418 of the claw 402 can comprise a release position tooth 410 which engages with the pawl tooth 416 when the claw 402 is in the released (unlatched) ratchet position.

The toothed edge 418 of the claw 402 can comprise a secondary ratchet position tooth 412 which engages with the pawl tooth 416 when the claw 402 is in a secondary ratchet position. In this position, the striker 300 is latched although the door 14 may be in a slightly-ajar position.

The toothed edge 418 of the claw 402 can comprise a primary ratchet position tooth 414 which engages with the pawl tooth 416 when the claw 402 is in a primary ratchet position. In this position, the striker 300 is latched and the door 14 is in a fully closed position.

The pawl 404 is rotatable about a pawl pivot 408 defining a pawl axis. If the pawl 404 is rotated away from the tooted edge of the claw 402 far enough to disengage the pawl tooth 416 from one of the teeth 410, 412, 414 of the toothed edge 418 of the claw 402, the claw 402 may spring back into its release position, aided by a claw return spring (not shown). A locking system (not illustrated) can be operable to prevent at least one actuator from causing this rotation of the pawl 404, to prevent release.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate an example of the latch apparatus 400 comprising a power cinch system 422 connectable to the claw 402. The power cinch system 422 comprises a power cinch mechanism 426, 428, 434 configured to actuate the ratchet 401 from the secondary ratchet position, as shown in FIG. 3A, to the primary ratchet position as shown in FIG. 38.

Also illustrated is a cinch actuator 424 configured to actuate the power cinch mechanism 426, 428, 434. The cinch actuator 424 may comprise an electric motor. It would be appreciated that the power cinch system 422 could be implemented in various other ways from that shown.

The illustrated power cinch mechanism 426, 428, 434 comprises a mechanical input 430 configured to receive actuation force from the cinch actuator 424. In some examples, the cinch actuator 424 is remote so the mechanical input 430 comprises a Bowden cable connector (e.g., hoolc/loop/aperture) configured to connect to a Bowden cable 426, wherein the Bowden cable 426 connects the mechanical input 430 to a pulley of the cinch actuator 424.

In some examples, the mechanical input 430 is to a first side of a pivot 432 of a Class 1 lever 428. An opposite side of the Class 1 lever 428 comprises an elbow 436 connecting the Class 1 lever 428 to an actuating arm 434. In the illustration, the angle between the Class 1 lever 428 and the actuating arm 434 varies during actuation.

The actuating arm 434 comprises a mechanical output 435 configured to contact the claw 402 and move the claw 402. In the illustrated example, the mechanical output 435 comprises a finger 435 at the end of the actuating arm 434.

The finger 435 may be configured to engage with the release position tooth 410 of the claw 402. In FIG. 3A, the power cinch system 422 is not active and the finger 435 does not contact the claw 402. In FIG. 38, the power cinch mechanism 426, 428, 434 has been rotated and translated, causing the finger 435 to engage with the release position tooth 410 of the claw 402. Once engaged with the release position tooth 410, force from the cinch actuator 424 via the release position tooth 410 causes the claw 402 to be rotated about the claw pivot 406.

The rotation of the claw 402 in the direction shown will cause the ratchet 401 to move until the pawl 404 falls into the next, primary ratchet position. This resulting effect is that the door 14 is cinched into the fully closed position.

The illustrated power cinch mechanism 426, 428, 434 provides a mechanical advantage greater than one to minimise the required size, energy consumption and noise of the cinch actuator 424. The mechanical advantage is a function of the distances between the mechanical input 430, the mechanical output 435 and the pivot 432.

The power cinch system 422 may comprise a home position sensor 425, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 3A, configured to detect whether the cinch actuator 424 and/or the power cinch mechanism 426, 428, 434 is at a first, home position. The home position sensor 425 may comprise a switch sensor similar to the other sensors described above.

FIGS. 4A-4D and FIGS. 5A-5D compare the performance of a sensor arrangement 438, 442, 452 without a further sensor 452 (FIGS. 4A-4D) and with a further sensor 452 (FIGS. 5A-5D).

In the following examples, the sensors are mechanically-actuatable electrical sensors. The sensors may be switch sensors. An example of a switch sensor is an electric switch configured to be depressed by a mechanism of the latch apparatus 400, causing the sensor to output an electrical signal indicating a status (e.g. position) associated with said mechanism. Each sensor can be a binary sensor with two possible values of the electrical output (el or e0).

First, FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate sequential actuation of a sensor set 438, 442 of two sensors by the ratchet 401 due to continued movement of the ratchet 401, such as when the door 14 is pushed closed by the user. FIG. 4D graphically illustrates the electrical outputs from the sensor set 438, 442 of FIGS. 4A-4C.

The sensor set comprises a first sensor 438 and a second sensor 442. The first sensor 438 comprises a pawl switch configured to detect whether the secondary ratchet position is reached. The second sensor 442 comprises a claw switch configured to detect whether the primary ratchet position is approached or reached.

In a non-limiting example, the pawl switch 438 is configured to be actuated by a leg 440 of the pawl 404, to the opposite side of the pawl pivot 408 as the pawl tooth 416.

The claw switch 442 does not directly contact the claw 402, but is configured to be actuated by a mechanism that follows the motion of the claw 402. The illustrated mechanism for actuating the claw switch 442 can comprise a switch pusher 444. The switch pusher 444 can be a portion of material, an edge of which actuates the claw switch 442 and is tangential to the claw switch 442. The switch pusher 444 can be moved until the edge no longer contacts the claw switch 442. The switch pusher 444 is connected to a follower 446 via a pivot 448.

The follower 446 is configured to contact a cam portion 450 on the claw 402. The illustrated cam portion 450 is a boss attached to a side of the claw 402, but could alternatively be any other suitable type of cam including eccentrics. Rotation of the claw 402 will change the angular position of the cam portion 450, which causes the follower 446 to rotate. Therefore, the switch pusher 444 pivotably connected to the follower 446 rotates tangentially to the claw switch 442 until the claw switch 442 is released (or pushed, depending on implementation and direction). The illustrated arrangement protects the sensors during construction of the latch apparatus and in use.

The sensor set 438, 442 is configured to sense three states of the ratchet 401: a release state (FIG. 4A); a secondary latched state (FIG. 48); and a primary latched state (FIG. 4C).

However, as described in the following paragraphs, there is a range of intermediate positions of the ratchet 401 within the secondary latched state which correspond to a blind zone of the sensor set 438, 442. This blind zone is obviated by the further sensor 452 of FIGS. 5A-5D.

In the release state (FIG. 4A), the pawl tooth 416 contacts the toothed edge 418 of the claw 402 between the release position tooth 410 and the secondary ratchet position tooth 412. In this state, the ratchet 401 is in a release position so the door 14 is unlatched.

In the secondary latched state (FIG. 48), the pawl tooth 416 has passed the secondary ratchet position tooth 412. The pawl tooth 416 may contact the toothed edge 418 of the claw 402 between the secondary ratchet position tooth 412 and the primary ratchet position tooth 414. Back-rotation past the secondary ratchet position is prevented.

In the primary latched state (FIG. 4C), the pawl tooth 416 has passed the primary ratchet position tooth 414. Back-rotation past the primary ratchet position is prevented.

In theory, two binary sensors 438, 442 can detect three states because they can provide four unique electrical output combinations. In practice, a difficulty is encountered because the first sensor 438 is a pawl switch 438 that follows the motion of an oscillating pawl 404. Since the pawl 404 oscillates, the pawl switch 438 will be pushed twice, not once, as the ratchet 401 transitions through the three states. The combined electrical outputs are unable to determine whether the pawl switch 438 is being pushed for the first time or for the second time.

FIG. 4D schematically illustrates an example of the combined electrical outputs of the sensor set 438, 442, showing the effect of the double-actuation of the pawl switch 438. Whether or not the switches are normally closed or normally open and how they are wired is implementational and not limiting. The results of FIG. 4D are summarised in Table 1 below.

Latch state Pawl switch 438 Claw switch 442 Cinch instruction Release state (FIG. 4A) e0 ml el ml Stop Secondary latched state, at secondary el m0 el ml Start ratchet position (FIG. 4B) Secondary latched state, at intermediate position e0 ml el ml Stop (not desired) Primary latched state, at primary ratchet position (FIG. 4C) el m0 e0 m0 Stop Table 1: switch electrical outputs and mechanical status of FIG. 4D. Switch logic: el = electrically closed circuit, e0 = electrically open circuit; ml = mechanically operated; m0 = mechanically unoperated.

The intermediate position is a range of positions along the toothed edge 418 of the claw 402, between the secondary ratchet position tooth 412 and the primary ratchet position tooth 414. When the pawl tooth 416 contacts the toothed edge 418 of the claw 402 at an intermediate position, the electrical outputs (e0, el) of the pawl switch 438 and the claw switch 442 are the same as their electrical outputs in the release state (e0, el).

This intermediate position can be colloquially referred to as a 'blind zone' because the power cinch system 422 will assume that the door 14 is open. The blind zone can be made as small as possible. For example, the electrical output of the claw switch 442 can change slightly before the primary ratchet position is reached, as shown in FIG. 4D. However, the length of the blind zone can still correspond to several millimetres of ratchet travel.

Minimisation of the blind zone would not fully solve the problem. It would remain the case that if a user pushes their door 14 closed with a specific range of force, the door 14 could settle at the blind zone without a detection triggering the power cinch system 422. This will be inconvenient to the user who has to pull the door 14 close enough to the secondary ratchet position to get the power cinch system 422 to work.

The specific range of force is any value high enough that the detectable portion of the secondary latched state is passed faster than the pawl switch debounce time (no detection), but not high enough to overcome frictional resistance as the door 14 approaches the primary latched state. Such frictional resistance can be high in a luxury vehicle with tightly-sealed doors. The door 14 can then settle in the blind zone without a detection.

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate the system and sensor outputs of FIGS. 4A-4D but with a further sensor 452 added to eliminate the blind zone.

The further sensor 452 can be a same type of sensor as the sensor set 438, 442 of FIGS. 4A-4D. The further sensor 452 is referred to as an ajar switch, describing its function of indicating that the door 14 is still ajar.

In the illustrated example, but not necessarily in all examples, an electrical output of the ajar switch 452 is configured to indicate a position of the claw 402. Therefore, the ajar switch 452 may be implemented as an additional claw switch.

In a non-limiting example, the mechanism for actuating the ajar switch 452 is the same as the mechanism for actuating the claw switch 442. The ajar switch 452 may be actuated by the switch pusher 444. For packaging reasons, the ajar switch 452 and the claw switch 442 may be located to opposite sides of the switch pusher 444, each actuated by a different edge of the switch pusher 444.

The positioning of the ajar switch 452 relative to the claw switch 442 determines a sequence of release/actuation of the ajar switch 452 and the claw switch 442 by the switch pusher 444. It is desired that the ajar switch 452 produces a first electrical output for the release state and a different electrical output for the intermediate positions of the secondary latched state. This will enable the release state to be discriminated from the secondary latched state, over substantially all positions of the secondary latched state.

FIG. 5D corresponds to FIG. 4D but with an additional indication of the electrical output of the ajar switch 452. It can be seen that the electrical outputs of the ajar switch 452 and the claw switch 442 change sequentially as the claw 402 rotates in a direction through the secondary ratchet position to the primary ratchet position. The electrical output of the ajar switch 452 changes first, at a position not before the secondary ratchet position is reached and not after the start of the blind zone. In other words, the change occurs after the first switch state change of the pawl switch 438 indicating the secondary latched state, and before the next switch state change of the pawl switch 438, indicating the intermediate position. The electrical output of the claw switch 442 changes second, as the primary ratchet position is approached or reached.

The results of FIG. 5D are summarised in Table 2 below.

Latch state Ajar switch Pawl switch Claw switch Cinch 452 438 442 instruction Release state (FIG. 4A) el ml e0 ml el ml Stop Secondary latched state, at el ml el m0 el ml Start secondary ratchet position (FIG. 4B) Secondary latched state, at e0 m0 e0 ml el ml Start intermediate position Primary latched state, at primary ratchet position (FIG. 4C) BO m0 el m0 BO m0 Stop Table 1: switch electrical outputs and mechanical status of FIG. 50, including ajar switch 452.

As illustrated above, the ajar switch 452 has successfully detected the intermediate position of the ratchet 401, between the secondary ratchet position and the primary ratchet position, which the pawl switch 438 and the claw switch 442 alone cannot detect. Therefore, cinching can be started while the ratchet 401 is in the blind zone of FIGS. 4A-4D.

Once a power cinch operation is complete, the cinch actuator 424 may mechanically output a reverse actuation to reset the power cinch mechanism 426, 428, 434. For instance, the Bowden cable 426 may be actuated in reverse, returning the power cinch mechanism 428, 434 from the fully actuated position of FIG. 3B to a home position of FIG. 3A.

For example, the final change of electrical output of the pawl switch 438 (FIG. 5D) can be used as a reset trigger, because the change of electrical output occurs once the pawl tooth 416 has securely fallen into engagement with the primary ratchet position tooth 414.

Electrical output from the home position sensor 425 can be processed by circuitry to verify that the home position has been reached. When the home position has been reached, the reverse actuation may cease.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate an example means for interrupting actuation of the power cinch system 422 if the user manipulates the exterior door handle 140 of the door 14. The exterior door handle 140 may be a lever or any other suitable interface such as a switch.

A cinch interrupt sensor 464 is provided to detect the user manipulation.

According to the illustrated example, the cinch interrupt sensor 464 is configured to detect a position of a component of an exterior release mechanism configured to be actuated based on manipulation (e.g., pulling) of the exterior door handle 140. The cinch interrupt sensor 464 may comprise a switch sensor like the other sensors described above. The exterior release mechanism may be actuated directly by the exterior door handle 140, or indirectly via an electrical actuator.

The component of the exterior release mechanism may be part of the latch apparatus 400. In other examples, the cinch interrupt sensor 464 may be located remotely from the latch apparatus 400, at the exterior door handle 140.

The illustrated component comprises an exterior release lever 454. The exterior release lever 454 can comprise a Class 1 lever. The exterior release lever 454 comprises a mechanical input 458, such as a Bowden cable connector (e.g., aperture/hook/loop), wherein the Bowden cable (not shown) connects the mechanical input 458 to an actuating component such as an exterior door handle mechanism or an electrical actuator.

In some examples, the mechanical input 458 is to a first side of a pivot 456 of the exterior release lever 454. An opposite side of the exterior release lever 454 comprises a mechanical output 460 such as a finger. If the exterior release lever 454 is rotated from a non-actuated position of FIG. 6A to an actuated position of FIG. 6B, due to the user actuating the exterior door handle 140, the mechanical output 460 of the exterior release lever 454 may transmit force to cause the pawl 404 to rotate away from the toothed edge 418 of the claw 402 to unlatch the latch apparatus 400. In some examples, the mechanical output 460 may transmit force to the pawl 404 indirectly via at least a separate transmission lever (not shown), rather than directly.

The exterior release lever 454 may be provided with an exterior release lever cam portion 462 configured to actuate the cinch interrupt sensor 464 as the exterior release lever 454 is rotated. If the electrical output of the cinch interrupt sensor 464 indicates that the exterior door handle 140 is being actuated, then a control signal may be transmitted to the cinch actuator 424 to stop the cinch actuator 424 from actuating the power cinch mechanism 426, 428, 434 to stop movement of the ratchet 401. This will enable the user to open the door 14 during a power cinching operation.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates circuitry 468 configured to enable any one or more of the functions described above. The circuitry 468 is configured to receive electrical output from a sensor arrangement 466 comprising the sensors 438, 442, 452 described above. The circuitry 468 may comprise one or more logic gates configured to evaluate combinations of the electrical outputs to detect the ratchet positions/state of the ratchet 401. The circuitry 468 can comprise at least one processor. The circuitry 468 may be configured to output a control signal to the cinch actuator 424 in dependence on the detected ratchet positions/state.

The circuitry 468 may also interrupt a power cinching operation if the cinch interrupt sensor 464 indicates actuation of the exterior door handle 140.

The circuitry 468 may also connect to the home position sensor 425.

It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, a pawl switch 438 could be omitted in favour of at least three claw switches that are actuated in sequence for each of the three state transitions of FIG. 4D/5D. The absence of a pawl switch 438 means that the arrangement may not be able to confirm whether the claw 402 is being correctly retained by the pawl 404, either in the secondary latched or primary latched positions.

In some examples, the sensors are other than switch sensors and each sensor may be configured to provide more than two electrical output values. Such implementations can enable the use of fewer than three sensors to eliminate the blind zone.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon

Claims

CLAIMS1. A side door latch apparatus for a vehicle, the side door latch apparatus comprising: a ratchet comprising a primary ratchet position and a secondary ratchet position, the ratchet comprising a claw and a pawl; a power cinch system configured to actuate the ratchet from the secondary ratchet position to the primary ratchet position in dependence on output from a sensor arrangement; and the sensor arrangement, comprising: a sensor set configured to enable detection of the secondary ratchet position and configured to enable detection of the primary ratchet position; and a further sensor configured to enable detection of an intermediate position of the ratchet, between the secondary ratchet position and the primary ratchet position wherein the sensor set does not enable detection of the intermediate position.
2. The side door latch apparatus of claim 15 wherein the sensor set comprises a first sensor and a second sensor, wherein a combination of outputs from the first sensor and the second sensor is configured to discriminate between the secondary ratchet position and the primary ratchet position.
3. The side door latch apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor arrangement is configured to enable detection of a release position of the ratchet indicating that the side door is unlatched.
4. The side door latch apparatus of claim 3, wherein the further sensor is configured to discriminate between the release position and the intermediate position.
5. The side door latch apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the sensor arrangement is configured to detect a position of the claw and is configured to detect a position of the pawl. 30
6. The side door latch apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein a first output from the further sensor is configured to indicate a position of the claw, wherein a second output from a sensor of the sensor set is configured to indicate a position of the claw, and wherein a movement of the claw in a first direction through the secondary ratchet position to the primary ratchet position results in a sequential change of the first and second outputs.
7. The side door latch apparatus of claim 6, wherein the sequential change comprises, first, a change in the first output after the secondary ratchet position has been passed, and second, a change in the second output as the primary ratchet position is approached or reached.
8. The side door latch apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the sensor arrangement comprises mechanically-actuatable electrical sensors.
9. The side door latch apparatus of any preceding claim, comprising a cinch interrupt sensor configured to detect user manipulation of a handle of the side door, wherein output from the cinch interrupt sensor enables stopping of the movement of the ratchet by the power cinch system.
10. The side door latch apparatus of claim 9, wherein the handle is an exterior door handle.
11. The side door latch apparatus of claim 9 or 10, wherein the cinch interrupt sensor comprises a mechanically-actuatable electrical sensor.
12. The side door latch apparatus of any preceding claim, comprising circuitry configured to detect the secondary ratchet position, the primary ratchet position and the intermediate position based on combinations of outputs from the sensor arrangement.
13. The side door latch apparatus of claim 12, wherein the circuitry is configured to cause the power cinch system to initiate the movement of the side door in dependence on detection of the secondary ratchet position and is configured to cause the power cinch system to initiate the movement of the side door in dependence on detection of the primary ratchet position.
14. The side door latch apparatus of claim 12 or 13, wherein the circuitry is configured to cause the power cinch system to output a reverse actuation to reset the power cinch system, in dependence on detection of the primary ratchet position.
15. The side door latch apparatus of any preceding claim, comprising a home position sensor configured to detect a home position of the power cinch system, wherein output from the home position sensor indicates that resetting of the power cinch system is complete.
16. The side door latch apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the power cinch system comprises a power cinch mechanism configured to move the claw with a mechanical advantage greater than one.
17. The side door latch apparatus of claim 16, wherein the power cinch mechanism comprises a cinching lever arrangement, movable by a cinch actuator.
18. The side door latch apparatus of claim 17, wherein the cinching lever arrangement is configured to engage a protrusion on the claw to enable the cinching lever arrangement to move the claw.
19. A vehicle side door comprising the side door latch apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 18.
20. A vehicle comprising the vehicle side door of claim 19.