Door release and engagement mechanism

• US 20030052490A1
• Filed: 09/16/2002
• Published: 03/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meritor Technology, Inc. (Cummins Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Meritor Technology, Inc. (Cummins Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kalsi, Gurbinder S., Spurr, Nigel V., Willats, Robin H., Drysdale, Stephen P., Fisher, Sidney E., Emson, John, Didier, Jean B., Dixon, Alan G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,070,213 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 292/216
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/70 the wing position
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/76 Detection of handle operation; Detection of a user approaching a handle; Electrical switching actions performed by door handles
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/12 Inner door handles
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/26 Cooperation between bolts and detents
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/23 Vehicle door latches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1047 Closure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1082 Motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/57 Operators with knobs or handles

Abstract

A door release and engagement mechanism for a vehicle comprising a combined inside release and door pull handle and a latch operably connected thereto, wherein the mechanism is so constructed and arranged as to disable the operable connection when the door is ajar and/or unlatched so as to prevent the latch from being mis-set prior to subsequent re-closure of the door.

Claims

1. A door release and engagement mechanism for a vehicle comprising a combined inside release and door pull handle and a latch operably connected thereto, wherein the mechanism disables the operable connection when the door is unlatched to prevent the latch from being mis-set prior to subsequent re-closure of the door.

2. The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the operable connection is an electrical connection.

3. The mechanism according to claim 2 wherein the electrical connection includes one of a sensor and a switch arranged to determine whether the door is ajar.

4. The mechanism according to claim 3 wherein the one of a sensor and a switch is arranged in series with an electrical output of the handle.

5. The mechanism according to claim 3 wherein the electrical connection further includes a controller and a handle switch and the one of a sensor and a switch and handle switch provide separate inputs to the controller.

6. The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the operable connection is a mechanical connection.

7. The mechanism according to claim 6 wherein the mechanical connection operates if an electrical connection is non-functional.

8. The mechanism according to claim 6 wherein a block is provided in a release linkage of the latch when the door is ajar.

9. The mechanism according to claim 8 wherein the block is provided in the linkage by a block link arranged to disable operation of the linkage when the latch is unlatched and to permit operation of the linkage when the latch is latched.

10. The mechanism according to claim 9 wherein in the block link is arranged to move between a blocked position and an unblocked positions due to rotation of a claw of the latch.

11. The mechanism according to claim 10 wherein actuation of an inside release lever of the latch is substantially prevented in the blocked position.

12. A door comprising a door release and engagement mechanism for a vehicle comprising a combined inside release and door pull handle and a latch operably connected thereto, wherein the mechanism disables the operable connection when the door is unlatched to prevent the latch from being mis-set prior to subsequent re-closure of the door.

13. A vehicle comprising a door including a door release and engagement mechanism for a vehicle comprising a combined inside release and door pull handle and a latch operably connected thereto, wherein the mechanism disables the operable connection when the door is unlatched to prevent the latch from being mis-set prior to subsequent re-closure of the door.

14. A door release and engagement mechanism for a vehicle comprising a combined inside release and door pull handle and a latch operably connected thereto, wherein the mechanism disables the operable connection when the door is ajar to prevent the latch from being mis-set prior to subsequent re-closure of the door.