Vehicle Door Latch Assembly
First Claim
1. A vehicle door comprising:
- a door outer panel;
a door inner panel affixed to the door outer panel and defining a door wet cavity therebetween, the door inner panel including an access hole;
a door trim panel mounted to the door inner panel and defining a door dry cavity between the door trim panel and the door inner panel;
a door latch located in the door wet cavity;
a latch locking lever exposed to the door dry cavity and shielded from the door wet cavity, the latch locking lever operatively engaging the door latch; and
a lock rod having a first end attached to the latch locking lever, the lock rod extending through the access hole and between the door inner panel and the door trim panel toward a second end spaced from the latch locking lever, whereby the lock rod is not exposed to the door wet cavity.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle door and a vehicle door latch assembly is disclosed. The vehicle door includes a door outer panel; a door inner panel affixed to the door outer panel and defining a door wet cavity, with the door inner panel including an access hole; and a door trim panel mounted to the door inner panel and defining a door dry cavity. A door latch is located in the door wet cavity; a latch locking lever is exposed to the door dry cavity and shielded from the door wet cavity, with the latch locking lever engaging the door latch; and a lock rod has a first end attached to the latch locking lever, with the lock rod extending through the access hole and between the door inner panel and the door trim panel, whereby the lock rod is not exposed to the door wet cavity.
45 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A vehicle door comprising:
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a door outer panel; a door inner panel affixed to the door outer panel and defining a door wet cavity therebetween, the door inner panel including an access hole; a door trim panel mounted to the door inner panel and defining a door dry cavity between the door trim panel and the door inner panel; a door latch located in the door wet cavity; a latch locking lever exposed to the door dry cavity and shielded from the door wet cavity, the latch locking lever operatively engaging the door latch; and a lock rod having a first end attached to the latch locking lever, the lock rod extending through the access hole and between the door inner panel and the door trim panel toward a second end spaced from the latch locking lever, whereby the lock rod is not exposed to the door wet cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A vehicle door latch assembly for use with a vehicle door having a door outer panel and a door inner panel having an access hole, the vehicle door latch assembly comprising:
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a door latch housing configured to be located between the door outer panel and the door inner panel and including a flange defining a pass-through chamber configured to be adjacent to the access hole; a seal extending around a periphery of the flange, the seal configured to be in sealing engagement between the door inner panel and the door latch housing; a latch locking lever located in the pass-through chamber; and a lock rod having a first end attached to the latch locking lever, the lock rod adapted to extend through the access hole. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification