GB2604643A

GB2604643A - Speed-based blocking mechanism for a vehicle door latch release mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2604643A
Application number: GB2103421.0A
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
Anticipated expiration: 2041-03-12
Also published as: GB202103421D0; GB2604643B

Abstract

A latch apparatus for a vehicle comprising a release mechanism (401 Fig 3) to receive force from a release actuator (140 Fig 3) to allow de-latching when moved at up to a first speed; and a blocking mechanism 451 such that when the release mechanism is actuated at up to the first speed, not block the release mechanism from de-latching the latch apparatus; and when the release mechanism is actuated at a second speed, greater than the first speed, block the release mechanism from de-latching the latch apparatus. Preferably the blocking is carried out by a blocking member 452 comprising a hammer 432 which hits blocking surface 460. The blocking member is mounted to a release lever 422 via pivot 430 and has a torsion coil spring 454 with has a latency due to its stiffness such that if the release lever moves above the second speed, the blocking member rotates too quickly and the hammer engages with the blocking surface preventing the release lever moving and unlatching. The latch apparatus is designed to prevent the door lock from releasing when the vehicle is in an accident and the handle may move to an open position due to the acceleration at point of impact.

Description

SPEED-BASED BLOCKING MECHANISM FOR A VEHICLE DOOR LATCH RELEASE

MECHANISM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a speed-based blocking mechanism for a vehicle door latch release mechanism.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, a vehicle side door will comprise exterior and interior door handles and a latch apparatus. Typically, the latch apparatus comprises a door-mounted movable claw comprising a mouth configured to receive a vehicle-mounted striker as the door is closed. The claw can rotate into a primary latched position to hook around the received striker, keeping the door closed. A release mechanism can be provided to enable an exterior door handle to unlatch the latch apparatus.

If the vehicle is struck from the side, it is desirable for the side doors to remain latched closed.

However, if the vehicle is struck hard enough, the latch apparatus may become unlatched.

Previously, if crash tests identified a possibility of de-latching, the skilled person would generally reinforce the latching system to add stiffness, at the expense of added weight. Such discoveries would generally be made during physical testing, with limited freedom to re-design and re-tool components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a latch apparatus for a vehicle, the latch apparatus comprising: a release mechanism configured to receive force from a release actuator to enable user de-latching of the latch apparatus at up to a first speed; and a blocking mechanism configured to: when the release mechanism is actuated at up to the first speed, not block the release mechanism from de-latching the latch apparatus; and when the release mechanism is actuated at a second speed, greater than the first speed, block the release mechanism from de-latching the latch apparatus.

An advantage is a blocking mechanism that more reliably enables de-latching when a user wishes to open a door, and more reliably prevents de-latching when struck.

In some examples, the release mechanism is an exterior release mechanism, and wherein the release actuator is an exterior release actuator, to enable user de-latching of the latch apparatus from an exterior of the vehicle.

In some examples, the blocking mechanism is configured to rest in a blocking alignment when the release mechanism is not actuated, and is configured to move out of the blocking alignment with a latency that increases with increasing speed of actuation of the release mechanism, so that the actuation at the second speed or faster does not enable the blocking mechanism to leave the blocking alignment fast enough to prevent the blocking.

An advantage of starting in a blocking alignment is increased reliability of operation, which differentiates this speed-based blocking solution from inertia-based solutions.

In some examples, the blocking mechanism is configured to be moved by a bias force, wherein the actuation at the first speed enables the bias force to move the blocking mechanism fast enough to prevent the blocking, and wherein the actuation at the second speed does not enable the bias force to move the blocking mechanism fast enough to prevent the blocking.

In some examples, the blocking mechanism comprises a guide portion configured to follow a static guide surface to control a moveability of the blocking mechanism, wherein the bias force biases the guide portion against the guide surface, and wherein the actuation at the first speed moves the guide portion away from the guide surface to enable the bias force to move the blocking mechanism to maintain sliding contact between the guide portion and the guide surface.

In some examples, the blocking mechanism comprises a blocking mechanism pivot so that movement of the blocking mechanism comprises rotation around the blocking mechanism pivot.

In some examples, the blocking mechanism pivot secures the blocking mechanism to the release mechanism.

In some examples, the release mechanism comprises a release lever configured to rotate about a release lever pivot, separate from the blocking mechanism pivot, and wherein the blocking mechanism is secured to the release lever via the blocking mechanism pivot.

In some examples, the release lever is configured to be actuated by a cable.

In some examples, the blocking mechanism comprises a movable blocking member configured to contact a static blocking surface when the release mechanism is actuated at the second speed, to block the release mechanism from de-latching the latch apparatus.

In some examples, the contact comprises a hammering contact.

In some examples, the blocking mechanism comprises a resilient member coupling the blocking member to the release mechanism, and wherein a minimum threshold speed of actuation of the release mechanism to cause the blocking depends on a stiffness of the resilient member.

In some examples, the blocking mechanism is configured to cause the blocking by contacting a metallic housing portion of the latch apparatus.

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

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

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. 3 illustrates an example of an exterior release mechanism configured to actuate the pawl; 20 and FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a blocking mechanism.

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 inboard seats of the vehicle 10. When a side door is closed, it is sealed against a vehicle body 11 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 11 of the vehicle 10. 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 device. 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 released position shown in FIG. 2A and a primary latched position as shown in FIG. 2B. In the primary latched 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 released 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. 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 latched 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) position.

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

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

The pawl 404 is rotatable about a pawl pivot 408 defining a pawl axis. If the pawl 404 is rotated away from the toothed edge 418 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 released position, aided by a claw return spring 450 (FIG. 3). 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.

As shown in FIG. 3, the latch apparatus 400 can be configured so that the pawl 404 is rotatable by a release mechanism 470, 422, 434, 448. In some examples, the release mechanism is an exterior release mechanism 401, actuated when an exterior release actuator is actuated, such as a Bowden cable 470 connected to the exterior door handle 140 or connected to an electronic actuator that is triggered by use of the exterior door handle 140.

The exterior release mechanism 401 of FIG. 3 comprises an exterior release lever 422. The exterior release lever 422 can comprise a Class 1 lever. The exterior release lever 422 comprises a mechanical input 424, such as a Bowden cable connector (e.g., aperture/hook/loop). A Bowden cable 470 connects the mechanical input 424 directly or indirectly to the exterior door handle 140.

The mechanical input 424 is to a first side of an exterior release lever pivot 428 of the exterior release lever 422. An opposite side of the exterior release lever 422 comprises a mechanical output 426 such as a finger. If the exterior release lever 422 is rotated from a non-actuated position to an actuated position, due to the user actuating the exterior door handle 140, the mechanical output 426 of the exterior release lever 422 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 the illustrated example, the mechanical output 426 can transmit force to the pawl 404 indirectly via a separate transmission lever 434. The transmission lever 434 can comprise a Class 1 lever configured to rotate about a transmission lever pivot 438. The transmission lever 434 can comprise a mechanical input 436, such as a contact surface configured to be actuated by the finger 426. The transmission lever 434 can comprise a mechanical output 440, such as a finger configured to transmit force to cause the pawl 404 to rotate away from the toothed edge 418 of the claw 402.

The ability of the exterior release mechanism 401 to actuate the pawl 404 may depend on whether the latch apparatus 400 is in an unlocked state or a locked state. For example, the ability of the finger 440 of the transmission lever 434 to cause the pawl 404 to rotate may depend on whether the latch apparatus 400 is in the unlocked state or the locked state.

In the illustrated example, the finger 440 of the transmission lever 434 is configured to make contact with a movable leg 448, wherein the movable leg 448 is movable into or out of a path of the finger 400 by a locking mechanism 401. In an unlocked state of the latch apparatus 400, the movable leg 448 is at a first position over one or more portions 444, 446 of the pawl 404, in a path of the finger 440 of the transmission lever 434. This position enables the finger 440 to hit the movable leg 448. The finger 440 can push the movable leg 448 against the portions 444, 446 of the pawl 404 which causes the pawl 404 to move.

In a locked state, the movable leg 448 is moved to a second position outside the path of the finger 440 of the transmission lever 434. Therefore, the finger 440 will miss the movable leg 448 and therefore will be unable to push the movable leg 448 against the portions 444, 446 of the pawl 404 to move the pawl 404.

In some examples, the movable leg 448 comprises a spring leg configured to be pushed in an off-axis direction by an end of the finger 440, against a portion 444, 446 of the pawl 404.

Alternatively, the movable leg 448 can comprise another appropriate mechanical means (mechanical component). In some examples, the portions 444,446 of the pawl 404 over which the spring leg 448 rests comprise rigid legs that protrude from a side of the pawl 404 for the spring leg 448 to rest on. The rigid legs can comprise one or more dowel-shaped legs or any other appropriate means.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an example of a speed-based blocking mechanism 451 configured to prevent the exterior release mechanism 401 from de-latching the latch apparatus 400 when subjected to high-speed operation, for example, when the vehicle 10 is involved in a crash event, but release as normal when a customer wishes to release the door 14 using the exterior door handle 140.

The blocking mechanism 451 is configured to: when the release mechanism is actuated at up to a first speed (e.g., up to 600mm/s), not block the release mechanism from de-latching the latch apparatus 400; and when the release mechanism is actuated at a second speed (e.g., >1900mm/s), greater than the first speed, block the release mechanism from de-latching the latch apparatus 400. The first speed is a speed suitable for user release of the door 14. The second speed is a speed significantly faster than a user is capable of. The second speed is a speed typically encountered in a crash event.

The blocking mechanism 451 illustrated in FIG. 4 comprises a movable blocking member 452 secured to a side of one of the above-mentioned levers such as the exterior release lever 422. The blocking member 452 is configured to contact (e.g., hammer) a static blocking surface 460 when the exterior release lever 422 is actuated at the second speed or greater, to limit a full range of motion of the exterior release lever 422. This prevents the exterior release lever 422 from rotating far enough to cause de-latching. If the exterior release lever 422 is actuated slowly, at up to the first speed or less, the blocking member 452 will miss the static blocking surface 460 so the exterior release lever 422 has its full range of motion.

In some examples, the static blocking surface 460 comprises a blocking contour (e.g., edge) of a metallic housing portion 468 of the latch apparatus 400. In some examples, the metallic housing portion 468 comprises a back plate that supports components such as the exterior release lever pivot 428. The back plate is suitably rigid and un-deformable not to buckle when hammered by the blocking member 452.

In some examples, the blocking member 452 starts in a blocking alignment when the exterior release lever 422 is not actuated. The blocking member 452 is mechanically moved out of the blocking alignment as long as the exterior release lever 422 moves slowly enough, e.g., at up to the first speed. If the exterior release lever 422 is moved too fast, the blocking member 452 is not moved out of the blocking alignment quickly enough and will hammer against the static blocking surface 460. An advantage of starting in a blocking alignment is increased reliability of operation, and differentiates this speed-based blocking solution from inertia-based solutions.

The speed-dependent blocking can be enabled by configuring the manner in which the blocking member 452 is coupled to the exterior release lever 422, as well as by guiding the motion of the blocking member 452 In the illustrated example, the blocking member 452 is a rotatable blocking lever. The blocking lever 452 comprises a hammer head 432 for hammering the static blocking surface 460. At an illustrated first angular position of the blocking member 452 illustrated in FIG. 4, the hammer head 432 is aligned with the static blocking surface 460. At a second angular position of the blocking member 452, the hammer head 432 is not aligned with the static blocking surface 460.

The blocking member 452 is secured to a side surface of the exterior release lever 422 by a blocking mechanism pivot 430 about which the blocking member 452 can rotate. The blocking mechanism pivot 430 is radially separate from the exterior release lever pivot 428, so the entire blocking member 452 is translated in an arc by rotation of the exterior release lever 422.

A permanent bias force is provided which biases the blocking member 452 away from the blocking alignment. In some examples, a resilient member 454 such as a torsion spring 454 provides the bias force. The torsion spring 454 is anchored to the blocking mechanism pivot 430 and wraps around said pivot, and a leg of the torsion spring 454 is anchored to a location 462 on the surface of the exterior release lever 422. The torsion spring 454 biases the blocking member 452 either clockwise or anti-clockwise, depending on its winding direction.

While the exterior release lever 422 is in a non-actuated position, the resilient member 454 is prevented from moving the blocking member 452 out of the blocking alignment, by a guide portion 456 (e.g., protruding cam-like structure) on the blocking member 452. The guide portion 456 is biased against a static guide surface 458 (e.g., linear edge) of a nearby housing portion (e.g., plastic moulding) of the latch apparatus 400, so that the blocking member 452 cannot rotate out of the blocking alignment unless the exterior release lever 422 is rotated. If the exterior release lever 422 is rotated, the guide portion 456 moves away from the static guide surface 458 because the entire blocking member 452 moves away from the static guide surface 458 in an arced path. The resilient member 454 can now rotate the blocking member 452, causing the guide portion 456 to follow (e.g., slide along) the static guide surface 458. The angular position of the blocking member 452 about its blocking mechanism pivot 430 can be described as proportional to the angular position of the exterior release lever 422 about its exterior release pivot.

As long as the actuation of the exterior release lever 422 is not too fast, the resilient member 454 will rotate the hammer head 432 of the blocking member 452 out of alignment with the static blocking surface 460. However, the resilient member 454 has an inherent latency based on its stiffness properties (e.g., spring constant). Therefore, if the actuation of the exterior release lever 422 is too fast (e.g., second speed), the resilient member 454 cannot move the blocking member 452 out of the blocking alignment fast enough to prevent blocking. Due to the latency, the guide portion 456 of the blocking member 452 may not remain in continuous biased contact with the static guide surface 458 and may physically lift away from the static guide surface 458, because the blocking member 452 is not rotating fast enough.

It would be appreciated that various other means for guiding the motion of the blocking member 452 can be provided. It would also be appreciated that other sources of mechanical latency than a resilient member 454 can be provided.

Further, a limiter 464, 466 can optionally be provided to limit a total range of rotation of the blocking member 452. The illustrated limiter comprises an elongated slot 464 in the surface of the exterior release lever 422, through which a small portion 466 of the blocking member 452 protrudes. The slot 464 can be curved to follow an approximately constant radius from the blocking mechanism pivot 430. The protruding portion 466 of the blocking member 452 can hit the ends of the slot 464 if the blocking member 452 rotates too far. The total range of rotation of the blocking member 452 can be configured based on the length of the slot 464.

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.

Examples of the blocking mechanism 451 could work for another type of release mechanism such as an interior release mechanism.

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 latch apparatus for a vehicle, the latch apparatus comprising: a release mechanism configured to receive force from a release actuator to enable user de-latching of the latch apparatus at up to a first speed; and a blocking mechanism configured to: when the release mechanism is actuated at up to the first speed, not block the release mechanism from de-latching the latch apparatus; and when the release mechanism is actuated at a second speed, greater than the first speed, block the release mechanism from de-latching the latch apparatus.
2. The latch apparatus of claim 1, wherein the release mechanism is an exterior release mechanism, and wherein the release actuator is an exterior release actuator, to enable user de-latching of the latch apparatus from an exterior of the vehicle.
3. The latch apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the blocking mechanism is configured to rest in a blocking alignment when the release mechanism is not actuated, and is configured to move out of the blocking alignment with a latency that increases with increasing speed of actuation of the release mechanism, so that the actuation at the second speed or faster does not enable the blocking mechanism to leave the blocking alignment fast enough to prevent the blocking.
4. The latch apparatus of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the blocking mechanism is configured to be moved by a bias force, wherein the actuation at the first speed enables the bias force to move the blocking mechanism fast enough to prevent the blocking, and wherein the actuation at the second speed does not enable the bias force to move the blocking mechanism fast enough to prevent the blocking.
5. The latch apparatus of claim 4, wherein the blocking mechanism comprises a guide portion configured to follow a static guide surface to control a moveability of the blocking mechanism, wherein the bias force biases the guide portion against the guide surface, and wherein the actuation at the first speed moves the guide portion away from the guide surface to enable the bias force to move the blocking mechanism to maintain sliding contact between the guide portion and the guide surface.
6. The latch apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the blocking mechanism comprises a blocking mechanism pivot so that movement of the blocking mechanism comprises rotation around the blocking mechanism pivot.
7. The latch apparatus of claim 6, wherein the blocking mechanism pivot secures the blocking mechanism to the release mechanism.
8. The latch apparatus of claim 7, wherein the release mechanism comprises a release lever configured to rotate about a release lever pivot, separate from the blocking mechanism pivot, and wherein the blocking mechanism is secured to the release lever via the blocking mechanism pivot.
9. The latch apparatus of claim 8, wherein the release lever is configured to be actuated by a cable.
10. The latch apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the blocking mechanism comprises a movable blocking member configured to contact a static blocking surface when the release mechanism is actuated at the second speed, to block the release mechanism from de-latching the latch apparatus.
11. The latch apparatus of claim 10, wherein the contact comprises a hammering contact.
12. The latch apparatus of claim 10 or 11, wherein the blocking mechanism comprises a resilient member coupling the blocking member to the release mechanism, and wherein a minimum threshold speed of actuation of the release mechanism to cause the blocking depends on a stiffness of the resilient member.
13. The latch apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the blocking mechanism is configured to cause the blocking by contacting a metallic housing portion of the latch apparatus.
14. A vehicle door comprising the latch apparatus of any preceding claim.
15. A vehicle comprising the latch apparatus of any one of claims '1 to 13 or the door of claim 14.