Power-actuated motor-vehicle door latch with quick unlock

• US 7,399,010 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2006
• Issued: 07/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Keykert USA Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Keykert USA Incorporated
• Inventors: Hunt, Robert, Julien, Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): Engle; Patricia
• Assistant Examiner(s): Williams; Mark
• Application Number:
  US11/525,227
• Publication Number:
  US 20080073915A1
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 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 81/16 operating on locking elements for locking or unlocking action
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/34 of geared transmissions
• 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: Y10S 292/23 Vehicle door latches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1047 Closure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1082 Motor

Abstract

A motor-vehicle door latch has a housing, latch parts in the housing operable to unlock a vehicle door, and an actuating element. A linkage engageable between the actuating element and the latch parts is shiftable between a coupled position for operation of the latch parts by the actuating element and a decoupled position operatively disconnecting the actuating element from the latch parts. A blocking element connected to the linkage is operable to shift the linkage between its coupled and decoupled positions. A drive motor operates the blocking element, and a quick-unlock element pivoted on the blocking element is operable by the drive.

Claims

1. A motor-vehicle door latch comprising:

a housing;

latch parts in the housing operable to unlock a vehicle door;

an actuating element;

means in the housing including a linkage engageable between the actuating element and the latch parts and shiftable between a coupled position for operation of the latch parts by the actuating element and a decoupled position operatively disconnecting the actuating element from the latch parts;

a blocking element connected to the linkage and operable to shift the linkage between its coupled and decoupled positions;

drive means including a drive-motor for operating the blocking element; and

a quick-unlock element pivoted on the blocking element, coupled to the linkage, and operable by the drive means to unlock the vehicle door directly on operation of the drive means.

2. The motor-vehicle door latch defined in claim 1 wherein the quick-unlock element is pivotal in two directions by the drive means relative to the blocking element.

3. The motor-vehicle door latch defined in claim 2, further comprising a pin passing through and coupling together the blocking element and the quick-unlock element.

4. The motor-vehicle door latch defined in claim 3 wherein the blocking element is formed with a hole in which the pin engages.

5. The motor-vehicle door latch defined in claim 4, further comprising

a transmission lever formed with a hole into which the pin also engages.

6. The motor-vehicle door latch defined in claim 5 wherein the drive includes an orbital formation engageable with the quick-unlock element and forming therewith a one-way coupling between the formation and the blocking element.

7. The motor-vehicle door latch defined in claim 5 wherein the blocking element is pivotal on the transmission lever.

8. The motor-vehicle door latch defined in claim 7 wherein the blocking element has one end pivoted on the transmission lever and an opposite end engageable with a link of the linkage.

9. A motor-vehicle door latch comprising:

a housing;

latch parts in the housing operable to unlock a vehicle door;

an actuating element;

means in the housing including a linkage engageable between the actuating element and the latch parts and shiftable between a coupled position for operation of the latch parts by the actuating element and a decoupled position operatively disconnecting the actuating element from the latch parts;

a blocking element connected to the linkage, formed with a hole, and operable to shift the linkage between its coupled and decoupled positions;

drive means including a drive motor for operating the blocking element;

a quick-unlock element pivotal in two directions by the drive means relative to the blocking element;

a pin passing through the quick-unlock element and the hole of the blocking element and coupling together the blocking element and the quick-unlock element;

a transmission lever formed with a hole into which the pin also engages, whereby the blocking element is pivotal on the transmission lever; and

spring means urging the linkage into the coupled position.

10. The motor-vehicle door latch defined in claim 9 wherein on quick unlocking the blocking element disengages from the link and the spring means returns the linkage to the coupled position.

11. A motor-vehicle door latch comprising:

a housing;

latch parts in the housing operable to unlock a vehicle door;

an actuating element;

means in the housing including a linkage engageable between the actuating element and the latch parts and shiftable between a coupled position for operation of the latch parts by the actuating element and a decoupled position operatively disconnecting the actuating element from the latch parts;

a blocking element connected to the linkage and operable to shift the linkage between its coupled and decoupled positions;

drive means including a drive motor for operating the blocking element; and

a quick-unlock element pivoted on the blocking element and operable by the drive means; and

spring means urging the linkage into the coupled position.

12. The motor-vehicle door latch defined in claim 11 wherein on quick unlocking the blocking element disengages from the link and the spring means returns the linkage to the coupled position.