Single actuator power close latch mechanism with failsafe

• US 20060028029A1
• Filed: 08/09/2004
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Inteva Products LLC (Renco Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Meritor Technology, Inc. (Cummins Incorporated)
• Inventors: Spurr, Nigel V.
• Granted Patent: US 7,261,338 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 292/216
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 15/0086 Toggle levers toggle fasteners E05C19/14
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2015/0493 Overcenter springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/06 using rotary motors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/14 operating on bolt detents, e.g. for unlatching the bolt
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/20 for assisting final closing or for initiating opening
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/21 with means preventing or detecting pinching of objects or body parts
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/90 Manual override in case of power failure
• 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 292/11 Magnetic

Abstract

A latch mechanism includes a claw rotatable between a latched position and an unlatched position, and an actuator motor. A toggle link that includes a first end, a second end, and a joint between the first end and the second end of the toggle link has one end attached to the actuator motor. The other end of the toggle link interacting with the claw to rotate the claw between the latched position and the unlatched position. A pawl engages the claw when the claw is in a latched position. A release link is attached between the joint of the toggle link and the pawl.

Claims

1. A latch mechanism comprises:

a claw rotatable between a latched position and an unlatched position;

an actuator motor;

a toggle link further comprisises;

a first member;

a second member, the first member attached to the second member at joint, one of the first member and the second member of the toggle link interacting with the claw to rotate the claw between the latched position and the unlatched position, and the other of the first member and the second member of the toggle link driven by the actuator motor;

a joint between the first member and the second member of the toggle link;

an offset from a line between the distal ends of the first member and the second member and a pawl for engaging the claw when the claw is in a latched position; and

means for disengaging the pawl from the claw as the offset of the toggle link increases.

2. The latch mechanism of claim 1 further comprising means for controlling the offset of the toggle link.

3. The latch mechanism of claim 2 wherein the means to control the offset of the toggle link effects closure of the latch mechanism.

4. The latch mechanism of claim 2 wherein the means to control the offset of the toggle link directs an actuator motor output to the claw.

5. The latch mechanism of claim 2 wherein the means to control the offset of the toggle link to effect unlatching of the latch mechanism.

6. The latch mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a release lever attached to the pawl.

7. The latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the means for disengaging the pawl includes a release link.

8. The latch mechanism of claim 7 wherein the release link is coupled to the pawl.

9. The latch mechanism of claim 7 further comprising a release lever coupled to the pawl, wherein the release link moves the pawl by moving the release lever.

10. The latch mechanism of claim 7 further comprising means for restricting the offset of the toggle link.

11. The latch mechanism of claim 10 wherein the means for restricting the toggle joint offset further comprises:

an electromagnet; and

an armature attached to a portion of the latch mechanism, wherein the portion of the latch mechanism restricts the offset to the direct motion from the actuator to the claw when the electromagnet is energized.

12. The latch mechanism of claim 10 wherein the armature is engaged with the electromagnet when the electromagnet is energized.

13. The latch mechanism of claim 10 wherein the means for restricting the toggle joint offset further comprises:

an electromagnet; and

an armature attached to a portion of the latch mechanism, wherein the portion of the latch mechanism restricts the offset to the direct motion from the actuator to the pawl when the electromagnet is de-energized.

14. The latch mechanism of claim 7 further comprising means to prevent collapse of the toggle joint during the closure cycle.

15. The latch mechanism of claim 14 wherein means to prevent collapse of the toggle link during the closure cycle further comprises:

an electromagnet; and

an armature attached to a portion of the latch mechanism.

16. The latch mechanism of claim 14 wherein means to prevent collapse of the toggle link during the closure cycle further comprises a pawl that engages with the release lever which is manually released by the vehicle user if it is required to open the latch during the closure cycle or in the event of power failure.

17. The latch mechanism of claim 7 further comprising:

an electromagnet; and

an armature attached to a portion of the latch mechanism.

18. The latch mechanism of claim 1 further comprising:

a release lever attached to the pawl;

an electromagnet; and

an armature attached to the release lever.

19. The latch mechanism of claim 5 wherein the electromagnet is energized to prevent movement of the release lever and the pawl while the latch is being driven to the latched position by the actuator motor.

20. The latch mechanism of claim 10 wherein the electromagnet is energized to prevent movement of the release lever and the pawl as the rotatable claw is moved toward the latched position.

21. The latch mechanism of claim 10 wherein the electromagnet is deenergized during a power failure

22. The latch mechanism of claim 10 wherein the claw may be rotated to an unlatched position when the electromagnet is deenergized during a powered closing cycle.

23. The latch mechanism of claim 10 wherein the claw opens during a power closing by transferring motion from the claw via the toggle joint and releasing the release lever and pawl.

24. The latch mechanism of claim 1 further comprising:

a release lever attached to the pawl, wherein the release link is attached to the pawl by way of the release lever;

an armature attached to the free end of the release lever; and

an electromagnet located to attract the armature when the electromagnet is carrying current.

25. The latch mechanism of claim 1 further comprising means for ensuring the armature is in contact with the electromagnet when the actuator is in the rest position.

26. The latch mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a means for guiding one of the first and the second end of the toggle link interacting with the claw to rotate the claw.

27. The latch mechanism of claim 26 further comprising means for transfer of force between the toggle link and claw.

28. The latch mechanism of claim 27 wherein the means for transfer of force between the toggle link and claw further comprises an actuator pin for traveling in the guide slot, the actuator pin attached to the one of the first member and the second members of the toggle link interact with the claw.

29. The latch mechanism of claim 1 further comprising an interlock cam for guiding one of the first and the second end of the toggle link interacting with the claw to rotate the claw during a portion of the path and holding the one of the first and the second end of the toggle link in a rest position when the latch mechanism is in a latched position.

30. The latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the claw further comprises:

a first surface for engaging the pawl; and

a second surface for engaging the pawl.

31. The latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein movement of the actuator motor is controlled by a motor controller.

32. The latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the actuator motor further comprises an actuator lever, the actuator lever attached to the other of the first and the second end of the toggle link.

33. A latch mechanism comprising:

a plate having a guide slot;

an actuator pin for traveling in the guide slot;

a claw rotatably attached to the plate;

a toggle link further comprising;

a first end;

a second end;

a joint between the first end and the second end, the first end attached to the actuator pin;

an actuator motor;

an actuator lever attached to the actuator motor and attached second end of the toggle link;

a pawl for engaging the claw in a latched position; and

a release link attached between the joint of the toggle link and the pawl.

34. The latch mechanism of claim 34 further comprising a release lever attached to the pawl.

35. The latch mechanism of claim 34 wherein the release link is attached to the pawl by way of the release lever.

36. The latch mechanism of claim 35 further comprising;

an electromagnet; and

an armature attached to the release lever.

37. The latch mechanism of claim 36 wherein the electromagnet is energized to prevent the release lever from moving while the actuator is driving the latch to the closed position.

38. The latch mechanism of claim 36 wherein the electromagnet is deenergized during a power failure.

39. A method for latching and unlatching a pawl and a claw of a locking mechanism, the method comprising:

placing a jointed link between an actuator motor and a claw;

attaching a lever between a pawl and an electromagnet;

linking the jointed link and the lever with a release link; and

using the output from actuator motor to move the jointed link to engage the claw and to move the claw from an open position to a closed position when the electromagnet is energized.

40. The method of claim 39 further comprising using the output from actuator motor to collapse the jointed link.

41. The method of claim 39 further comprising imparting motion to the pawl to cause unlatching of a latch mechanism.

42. The method of claim 39 further comprising using the actuator motor to collapse the jointed link and to impart motion to the pawl via the release link and release lever to cause unlatching

43. The method of claim 39 further comprising holding a portion of the lever between the pawl and electromagnet by energizing the electromagnet.

44. The method of claim 39 further comprising holding the lever between the pawl and electromagnet by energizing the electromagnet and continuing to energize the electromagnet while the pawl and claw of the locking mechanism is in a latched position.

45. The method of claim 39 further comprising releasing the lever between the pawl and electromagnet by deenergizing the electromagnet.

46. The method of claim 39 further comprising releasing the lever between the pawl and electromagnet to disengage the pawl from the claw.

47. The method of claim 39 further comprising releasing the lever between the pawl and electromagnet to allow the claw to move to an unlatched position.