Vehicle subassembly

• US 20030094793A1
• Filed: 11/20/2002
• Published: 05/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meritor Technology, Inc. (Cummins Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Arvinmeritor Light Vehicle Systems FRA (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
• Inventors: Fisher, Sidney E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,938,921 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/728.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21 in vehicle side panels, e.g. doors pillar mounted arrangements B60R21/213
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/02 for accident situations
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 79/20 using flexible connections, e.g. Bowden cables
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/06 using rotary motors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/23 Vehicle door latches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/65 Emergency or safety
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0908 Emergency operating means

Abstract

A vehicle subassembly comprising a door latch and an emergency release mechanism for use in unlatching the latch, the mechanism comprising release means arranged so as to act on a latch input and to supply an increased unlatching force relative to that normally capable of being supplied to the latch and engagement means actuable by a person to operate the release means, wherein a first non-emergency condition of an associated vehicle, the engagement means is substantially prevented from being actuated, and in a second emergency condition of the associated vehicle actuation of the engagement means is allowed.

Claims

1. A vehicle subassembly comprising a door latch and an emergency release mechanism for use in unlatching the latch, the mechanism comprising release means arranged so as to act on a latch input and to supply an increased unlatching force relative to that normally capable of being supplied to the latch and engagement means actuable by a person to operate the release means, wherein a first non-emergency condition of an associated vehicle, the engagement means is substantially prevented from being actuated, and in a second emergency condition of the associated vehicle actuation of the engagement means is allowed.

2. A subassembly according to claim 1 wherein the release means is arranged so as to act directly on a pawl lifter of the latch.

3. A subassembly according to claim 1 wherein the release means comprises a device in which energy is stored whilst in the first condition for the selective release thereof to cause unlatching of the latch in the second condition.

4. A subassembly according to claim 3 wherein the release means comprises resilient means.

5. A subassembly according to claim 3 wherein the release means comprises a chemical propellant.

6. A subassembly according to claim 3 wherein the release means comprises a compressed fluid.

7. A subassembly according to claim 1 wherein the release means is configured to provide a mechanical advantage to a force provided by the user to the engagement means so as to effect unlatching.

8. A subassembly according to claim 1 wherein the subassembly comprises a cover to substantially prevent actuation in the first condition, the cover being displaced to permit actuation in the second condition.

9. A subassembly according to claim 8 wherein the cover is also a cover for obscuring an airbag provided on the vehicle in the first condition.

10. A subassembly according to claim 8 wherein a controller is provided so as to cause the cover to be displaced when a vehicle impact is detected.

11. A vehicle subassembly comprising a door latch, and an emergency release mechanism for use in unlatching the latch, the mechanism comprising release means arranged to act on a latch input and to supply an increased unlatching force relative to that normally capable of being supplied to the latch and engagement means actuable by a person to operate the release means, wherein actuation of the engagement means is only possible with an appropriate access authorisation device.

12. A vehicle subassembly according to claim 11 wherein the engagement means is located on the vehicle exterior.

13. A vehicle subassembly according to claim 12 wherein the engagement means is provided in an obscured position on the vehicle exterior.

14. A door assembly including a door latch and an emergency release mechanism for use in unlatching the latch, the mechanism comprising release means arranged so as to act on a latch input and to supply an increased unlatching force relative to that normally capable of being supplied to the latch and engagement means actuable by a person to operate the release means, wherein a first non-emergency condition of an associated vehicle, the engagement means is substantially prevented from being actuated, and in a second emergency condition of the associated vehicle actuation of the engagement means is allowed.

15. A vehicle incorporating a subassembly including a door latch and an emergency release mechanism for use in unlatching the latch, the mechanism comprising release means arranged so as to act on a latch input and to supply an increased unlatching force relative to that normally capable of being supplied to the latch and engagement means actuable by a person to operate the release means, wherein a first non-emergency condition of an associated vehicle, the engagement means is substantially prevented from being actuated, and in a second emergency condition of the associated vehicle actuation of the engagement means is allowed.