Method to detect end-of-life in latches
First Claim
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1. A door latch system for vehicle doors, comprising:
- a latch for vehicle doors that is configured to shift between latched and unlatched configurations, wherein the latch includes a spring and a rotatable claw that is configured to engage a striker, and a pawl that engages the claw and prevents rotation of the claw when the latch is in a latched configuration, wherein the spring is operably connected to the claw and/or the pawl such that the spring cycles upon movement of the claw and/or the pawl, the latch having a predicted life based on a number of times the latch is used;
a sensor that generates one or more signals that can be used to determine if the latch has reached a predefined end-of-life criteria;
wherein the spring is configured to fail after a predefined number of cycles, and wherein failure of the spring causes actuation of the sensor; and
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wherein the system is configured to generate an end-of-life signal based on the one or more signals from the sensor when the signals indicate that the latch has reached the predefined end-of-life criteria.
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Abstract
A door latch system for vehicle doors, deck lids, hatches, hoods, or the like includes a latch. The latch has a predicted life that may be based on a number of times the latch is used. A sensor that generates a signal that can be used to determine if the latch has reached the predicted life and/or if the latch is approaching the predicted life and/or if the latch has exceeded the predicted life. The system may include a controller that causes a display in a vehicle interior to display an end-of-life signal.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A door latch system for vehicle doors, comprising:
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a latch for vehicle doors that is configured to shift between latched and unlatched configurations, wherein the latch includes a spring and a rotatable claw that is configured to engage a striker, and a pawl that engages the claw and prevents rotation of the claw when the latch is in a latched configuration, wherein the spring is operably connected to the claw and/or the pawl such that the spring cycles upon movement of the claw and/or the pawl, the latch having a predicted life based on a number of times the latch is used; a sensor that generates one or more signals that can be used to determine if the latch has reached a predefined end-of-life criteria; wherein the spring is configured to fail after a predefined number of cycles, and wherein failure of the spring causes actuation of the sensor; and
;wherein the system is configured to generate an end-of-life signal based on the one or more signals from the sensor when the signals indicate that the latch has reached the predefined end-of-life criteria. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A door latch system for vehicle doors comprising:
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a latch for vehicle doors having latched and unlatched configurations, wherein, in use, the latch cycles between the latched and unlatched configuration; a counting device that counts the number of cycles of the latch and/or the number of configuration changes from one of the latched and unlatched states to the other of the latched and unlatched states; a controller that is operably connected to the counting device, the controller being configured to generate an end-of-life signal indicating that the latch has reached an end-of-life condition and/or is approaching an end-of-life condition, wherein the controller generates the end-of-life signal based on predefined criteria, the predefined criteria comprising at least one of an allowable number of cycles of the latch and/or an allowable number of configuration changes of the latch. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A vehicle latch system, comprising:
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a vehicle door latch; a sensor that detects latch operations including latching and/or unlatching of the latch; a controller configured to generate an end-of-life signal if the controller determines that a predefined number of latch operations has occurred. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification