Inside door release mechanism

• US 7,105,943 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2002
• Issued: 09/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Inteva Products LLC (Renco Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Systems (UK) Ltd. (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
• Inventors: Emson, John, Willats, Robin, Spurr, Nigel, Kalsi, Gurbinder, Drysdale, Stephen, Dixon, Alan, Fisher, Sidney, Didier, Jean
• Primary Examiner(s): Sircus, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAVALLARI, DANIEL J
• Application Number:
  US10/246,871
• Publication Number:
  US 20030132667A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,454 Days
• Field of Search: 702/77, 702/71, 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 340/5.72
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/24 preventing use of an inner door handle, sill button, lock knob or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/30 allowing opening by means of an inner door handle, even if the door is locked
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/54 Automatic securing or unlocking of bolts triggered by certain vehicle parameters, e.g. exceeding a speed threshold triggered by vehicle collision E05B77/12
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/76 Detection of handle operation; Detection of a user approaching a handle; Electrical switching actions performed by door handles
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/12 Inner door handles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/60 Systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7028 Electric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]

Abstract

An inside door release mechanism for a vehicle comprises first and second inputs arranged to be mounted in a mutually spaced relationship on a door inner face and an output to a latch wherein the mechanism is so constructed and arranged to be capable of causing the latch to be unlatched when both inputs are actuated simultaneously.

Claims

1. An inside door release mechanism for a vehicle comprising first and second input means arranged to be mounted in a mutually laterally spaced relationship on a door inner face and an output to a latch wherein the mechanism is so constructed and arranged to be capable of causing the latch to be unlatched only when both input means are actuated simultaneously, and the mechanism includes a controller arranged so as to receive signals from the input means, and to determine whether to signal the unlatching of the latch in response thereto.

2. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the at least one of the first and second input means comprise a strain gauge or force transducer.

3. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the at least one of the first and second input means comprise a switch.

8. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the mechanism includes a vehicle motion sensor arranged such that signals therefrom prevent unlatching whilst the vehicle is in motion.

13. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the mechanism is incorporated in a door.

4. An inside door release mechanism for a vehicle comprising first and second input means arranged to be mounted in a mutually spaced relationship on a door inner face of a door and an output to a latch wherein the mechanism is so constructed and arranged to be capable of causing the latch to be unlatched only when both input means are actuated simultaneously, the mechanism includes a door pull handle fixed against movement relative to the door, and the first input means is operably connected to the door pall handle.

5. A mechanism according to claim 4 wherein the first input means mounts the pull handle to the door inner face.

6. A mechanism according to claim 4 wherein a second of said input means is mounted on a substantially planar portion of the inner face of the door.

7. A mechanism according to claim 6 wherein the second input means is arranged such that, in use, the elbow and or lower arm portion of a user located in the vehicle may contact the second input means whilst simultaneously grasping the pull handle.

9. An inside door release mechanism for a vehicle comprising first and second input means arranged to be mounted in a mutually laterally spaced relationship on a door inner face and an output to a latch wherein the mechanism is so constructed and arranged to be capable of causing the latch to be unlatched when both input means are actuated simultaneously wherein the mechanism includes a controller arranged so as to receive signals from the input means, and to determine whether to signal the unlatching of the latch in response thereto.

10. A mechanism according to claim 9 wherein the controller is capable of signalling a power door latch actuator of the latch to effect unlatching.

11. A mechanism according to claim 9 wherein the controller is further capable of receiving an put from a lock status indicator of the latch.

12. A mechanism according claim 9 wherein the controller is capable of signalling a power door lock actuator of the latch so as to change the lock state of the latch.

14. A mechanism according to claim 9 wherein the controller is arranged so as to determine the locked state of the latch from a lock status indicator if the signals received from the first and second input means exceed a predetermined threshold value.