Mechanism

• US 20030006617A1
• Filed: 05/30/2002
• Published: 01/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meritor Technology, Inc. (Cummins Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Meritor Technology, Inc. (Cummins Incorporated)
• Inventors: Willats, Robin, Spurr, Nigel, Kalsi, Gurbinder, Drysdale, Stephen, Dixon, Alan, Fisher, Sidney, Emson, John, Didier, Jean
• Granted Patent: US 7,097,212 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 292/137
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0033 using electro-rheological or magneto-rheological substances
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/00 Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means electric permutation locks E05B49/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 51/02 by pneumatic or hydraulic means E05B17/0029 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 21/065 Use of electro- or magnetosensitive fluids, e.g. electrorheological fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/53 Means for adjusting damping characteristics by varying fluid viscosity, e.g. electromagnetically F16F13/30 takes precedence; brakes comprising a medium with electrically or magnetically controlled friction F16D57/002; electrorheological fluids per se C10M171/001; magnetorheological fluids per se H01F1/447
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/03 Miscellaneous
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/096 Sliding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1082 Motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/11 Magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7051 Using a powered device [e.g., motor]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7102 And details of blocking system [e.g., linkage, latch, pawl, spring]

Abstract

A mechanism for selectively locking and unlocking a vehicle door latch, comprising a rheological fluid in operable connection with an output and an input, the fluid acting so as to in a first state prevent actuation of the output upon actuation of the input and in a second state permit such actuation.

Claims

1. A mechanism for selectively locking and unlocking a vehicle door latch comprising a rheological fluid in operable connection with an output and an input, the fluid acting so as to in a first state prevent actuation of the output upon actuation of the input and in a second state permit actuation of the output upon actuation of the input.

2. The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein in the first state the fluid has a relatively low viscosity and in the second state the fluid has a relatively high viscosity.

3. The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the fluid is a magneto-rheological fluid.

4. The mechanism according to claim 3 wherein a magnetic field is applied across the fluid in the second state and substantially no magnetic field is applied across the fluid in the first state.

5. The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the fluid is an electro-rheological fluid.

6. The mechanism according to claim 5 wherein a potential difference is applied across the fluid in the second state and substantially no potential difference is applied across the fluid in the first state.

7. The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the fluid is held within a cylinder.

8. The mechanism according to claim 7 wherein a piston is slidably disposed within the cylinder.

9. The mechanism according to claim 8 wherein resistance to movement of the piston in a first direction is greater than resistance to movement of the piston in a second direction.

10. The mechanism according to claim 8 wherein the piston is operably interconnected via a linkage of the mechanism to the output.

11. The mechanism according to claim 10 wherein the linkage includes an arm pivotally interconnecting a ram connected to the piston and the input and output of the mechanism.

12. The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the input is connected to a handle associated with a door.

13. The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the mechanism is a lock mechanism.

14. The mechanism according to claim 13 wherein the lock mechanism is locked when the fluid is in the first state and unlocked when the fluid is in the second state.

15. A keyless entry system comprising a locking mechanism for selectively locking and unlocking a vehicle door latch comprising a rheological fluid in operable connection with an output and an input, the fluid acting so as to in a first state prevent actuation of the output upon actuation of the input and in a second state permit actuation of the output upon actuation of the input, wherein the input is connected to a handle associated with a door.

16. A vehicle door latch comprising a locking mechanism utilizing a rheological fluid, an output of the locking mechanism being operably connected to a door release mechanism of the latch and an input of the locking mechanism being suitable for operable connection to a door handle, the fluid acting so as to in a first state prevent actuation of the output upon actuation of the input and in a second state permit such actuation of the output upon actuation of the input.