Motor-vehicle latch system with power open

• US 6,338,508 B1
• Filed: 03/15/2000
• Issued: 01/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kiekert AG (Lingyun Industrial Corporation Limited)
• Original Assignee: Kiekert AG (Lingyun Industrial Corporation Limited)
• Inventors: Kleefeldt, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Oberleitner, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KRAMER, DEVON C
• Application Number:
  US09/526,111
• Time in Patent Office: 671 Days
• Field of Search: 702/64, 292/216, 292/201, 292/DIG.23
• US Class Current: 292/201
• 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 81/16 operating on locking elements for locking or unlocking action
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/01 Mechanical arrangements specially adapted for hands-free locking or unlocking handles with means for initiation of a hands-free locking or unlocking process E05B81/78
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1047 Closure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1082 Motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/65 Central control

Abstract

A door latch for a motor-vehicle central-latch system has a housing, a locking element displaceable on the housing between a door-bolt-holding position and a door-bolt-releasing position, and a pawl displaceable on the housing between a retaining position holding the locking element in its bolt-holding position and a freeing position allowing the locking element to assume its bolt-releasing position. A release lever pivotal on the housing into an actuated position can put the paws into the freeing position. A outside operating lever is pivotal on the housing between actuated and unactuated positions and a main locking lever is pivotal on the housing by an electric motor between locked and unlocked positions. A link engageable between the main locking lever, the outside operating lever, and the release lever serves for, when the main locking lever is in the unlocked position and the outside operating lever is in its unactuated position, coupling the outside operating lever to the release lever to displace same into its freeing position on movement of the outside operating lever into its actuated position. When the main locking lever is in the locked position and the outside operating lever is in its actuated position, the link displaces the release lever into its freeing position on movement of the main locking lever into its unlocked position. Normally the link, when the main locking lever holds in the locked position, decouples the outside locking lever from the release lever.

Claims

1. A door latch for a motor-vehicle central-latch system having a central electronic controller and an operator for the controller, the door latch comprising:

a housing;

a locking element displaceable on the housing between a position holding a door bolt and a position releasing the door bolt;

a pawl displaceable on the housing between a retaining position holding the locking element in its bolt-holding position and a freeing position allowing the locking element to assume its bolt-releasing position;

a release lever pivotal on the housing into an actuated position putting the pawl in the freeing position;

an outside operating lever pivotal on the housing between actuated and unactuated positions;

a main locking lever pivotal on the housing between locked and unlocked positions;

means including an electric motor in the housing for displacing the main locking lever between its locked and unlocked positions; and

means including a link engageable between the main locking lever, the outside operating lever, and the release lever for,

when the main locking lever is in the unlocked position and the outside operating lever is in its unactuated position, coupling the outside operating lever to the release lever to displace same into its freeing position on movement of the outside operating lever into its actuated position, for,

when the main locking lever is in the locked position and the outside operating lever is in its actuated position, displacing the release lever into its freeing position on movement of the main locking lever into its unlocked position, and for,

when the main locking lever holds in the locked position, decoupling the outside locking lever from the release lever.

2. The motor-vehicle door latch defined in claim 1 wherein the drive further includes

a worm mounted on the drive motor,

a worm wheel meshing with the worm, and

an eccentric on the worm wheel engageable with the main locking lever.

3. The motor-vehicle door latch defined in claim 2 wherein the main locking lever has a forked end formed with a recess in which the eccentric is engageable.

4. The motor-vehicle door latch defined in claim 1 wherein the main locking lever and release lever are formed with crossing slots and the link is engaged in both of the slots.

5. The motor-vehicle door latch defined in claim 4 wherein the link is a pin engaged through both of the slots and provided with a retaining disk between the main locking and release levers.

6. The motor-vehicle door latch defined in claim 4 wherein the outside operating lever is pivotal on the housing about an axis parallel to axes of rotation of the main locking and release levers.

7. The motor-vehicle door latch defined in claim 6 wherein the outside operating lever has an angled cam edge engageable with the link n the actuated position of the outside operating lever on movement of the main locking lever from the locked position to the unlocked position.