Latch mechanism

• US 6,540,272 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2001
• Issued: 04/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Inteva Products USA LLC (Intevac)
• Original Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems UK Limited (Cummins Incorporated)
• Inventors: Spurr, Nigel Victor
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, J. J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rodgers, Matthew E.
• Application Number:
  US09/816,845
• Publication Number:
  US 20010024040A1
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 292/216, 292/DIG.65, 292/DIG.23, 292/DIG.27, 702/64
• US Class Current: 292/216
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/16 operating on locking elements for locking or unlocking action
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/90 Manual override in case of power failure
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/243 with a bifurcated bolt
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/23 Vehicle door latches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/27 Disconnectable handle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/65 Emergency or safety
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1047 Closure

Abstract

A latch mechanism includes a latch bolt having an open position for releasing a striker in use, and a closed position for retaining a striker in use, and a pawl having a retaining position for retaining the latch bolt in at least its closed position, and a release position for allowing the latch bolt to move between its open and closed positions, a release element having a rest position and an actuated position, a release link having an engaging position and a disengaged position, movement of the release element between its rest position and its activated position causing movement of the release link, movement of the release element from the rest position to the actuated position when the release link is in its engaging position causing the pawl to move to its release position, and movement of the release element from the rest position to the actuated position when the release link is in its disengaged position allowing the pawl to remain in its retaining position, and a locking member having a locked position, wherein the release link is held in its disengaged position and an unlocked position allowing the release link to move to its engaging position. A biasing member is provided which provides a bias action force and a bias reaction force, the action force acting to bias the release link towards its engaging position and the bias reaction force acting to bias the latch bolt towards its open position.

Claims

1. A latch mechanism comprising:

a latch bolt having an open position for releasing a striker in use, and a closed position for retaining a striker in use;

a pawl having a retaining position for retaining said latch bolt in at least said closed position, and a release position for allowing said latch bolt to move between said open and closed positions;

a release element having a rest position and an actuated position;

a release link having an engaging position and a disengaged position, movement of said release element between said rest position and said actuated position causing movement of said release link, movement of said release element from said rest position to said actuated position when said release link is in said engaging position causing said pawl to move to said release position, and movement of said release element from said rest position to said actuated position when said release link is in said disengaged position allowing said pawl to remain in said retaining position;

a locking member having a locked position, wherein said release link is held in said disengaged position and an unlocked position allowing said release link to move to said engaging position; and

a biasing member providing a bias action force and a bias reaction force, said action force acting to bias said release link towards said engaging position and said bias reaction force acting to bias said latch bolt towards said open position.

2. The latch mechanism as recited in claim 1 wherein said biasing member is a spring.

3. The latch mechanism as recited in claim 2 wherein said spring is of a torsion type.

4. The latch mechanism as recited in claim 3 wherein said spring has two arms.

5. The latch mechanism as recited in claim 4 wherein a first arm which acts on said latch bolt and a second arm which acts on said release link.

6. The latch mechanism as recited in claim 5 wherein an abutment surface is provided on said latch bolt against which said first arm acts.

7. The latch mechanism as recited in claim 1 wherein said release link has a transverse arm upon which said biasing member acts.

8. The latch mechanism as recited in claim 7 wherein said transverse arm has a tab upon which said biasing member acts.

9. The latch mechanism as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of said latch bolt, said pawl, said release element, said release link and said locking member are pivotally mounted.

10. The latch mechanism as recited in claim 9 wherein said latch bolt and said release element share a first common pivot.

11. The latch mechanism as recited in claim 2 wherein a body of said spring is mounted on a first common point.

12. The latch mechanism as recited in claim 1 wherein said release element and said release link share a second common pivot.

13. A motor vehicle comprising:

a vehicle door; and

a latch mechanism utilized on said vehicle door including a latch bolt having an open position for releasing a striker in use, and a closed position for retaining a striker in use, a pawl having a retaining position for retaining said latch bolt in at least said closed position, and a release position for allowing said latch bolt to move between said open and closed positions, a release element having a rest position and an actuated position, a release link having an engaging position and a disengaged position, movement of said release element between said rest position and said actuated position causing movement of said release link, movement of said release element from said rest position to said actuated position when said release link is in said engaging position causing said pawl to move to said release position, and movement of said release element from said rest position to said actuated position when said release link is in said disengaged position allowing said pawl to remain in said retaining position, a locking member having a locked position, wherein said release link is held in said disengaged position and an unlocked position allowing said release link to move to said engaging position, and a biasing member providing a bias action force and a bias reaction force, said action force acting to bias said release link towards said engaging position and said bias reaction force acting to bias said latch bolt towards said open position.