Actuator assembly for a vehicle door latch

• US 8,616,595 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2011
• Issued: 12/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Wellborn, Carl W. Sr., Windrim, Rory, Ezzat, Hesham A
• Primary Examiner(s): Lugo, Carlos
• Application Number:
  US13/075,015
• Publication Number:
  US 20120248798A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,008 Days
• Field of Search: 292/336.3, 292/DIG.31
• US Class Current: 292/336.3
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 79/20 using flexible connections, e.g. Bowden cables
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/12 Inner door handles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/57 Operators with knobs or handles

Abstract

An actuator assembly for a vehicle door latch includes, but is not limited to, a pushable member. The actuator assembly further includes a mounting member connected to the pushable member and configured for connection to a vehicle door. The mounting member is further configured to mount the pushable member to the vehicle door in a manner that enables the pushable member to be pushed from a closed position to an open position. The actuator assembly further includes a latch engaging member connected to the mounting member and configured for engagement with a latch of the vehicle door. The latch engaging member is configured to move the latch from a latched position to an unlatched position when the pushable member moves from the closed position to the open position, whereby the user is enabled to both unlatch the vehicle door and open the vehicle door with a single pushing movement.

Claims

1. An actuator assembly for a vehicle door latch, the actuator assembly comprising:

a pushable member configured for engagement by a user;

a mounting member connected to the pushable member and configured for connection to a vehicle door, the mounting member further configured to mount the pushable member to the vehicle door in a manner that enables the pushable member to be pushed by the user from a closed position to an open position; and

a latch engaging member connected to the mounting member and configured for engagement with a latch of the vehicle door, the latch engaging member configured to move the latch from a latched position to an unlatched position when the pushable member moves from the closed position to the open position, whereby the user is enabled to both unlatch the vehicle door and open the vehicle door with a single pushing movement,

wherein the latch engaging member comprises a cable, wherein the mounting member comprises a pivot, wherein the cable is mounted to the pivot, and wherein the cable is configured to wrap at least partially around the pivot as the pushable member moves from the closed position to the open position whereby the cable pulls on the latch of the vehicle door to move the latch from the latched position to the unlatched position.

2. The actuator assembly of claim 1, further comprising a stopping member configured to engage the pushable member and positioned to obstruct the pushable member from moving beyond the open position.

3. The actuator assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting member comprises a pivot having a longitudinal axis, the pivot being configured to enable the pushable member to pivot between the closed position and the open position.

4. The actuator assembly of claim 3, wherein the longitudinal axis is oriented substantially vertically when the pivot is connected to the vehicle door.

5. The actuator assembly of claim 3, wherein the longitudinal axis is oriented substantially horizontally when the pivot is connected to the vehicle door.

6. The actuator assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting member defines a recess configured to receive a portion of the pushable member and wherein the pushable member is configured to move into the recess when the pushable member moves from the closed position to the open position.

7. The actuator assembly of claim 1, wherein the pushable member and the mounting member comprise a single component.

8. An actuator assembly for a vehicle door latch, the actuator assembly comprising:

a pushable member configured for engagement by a user;

a mounting member connected to the pushable member and configured for connection to a vehicle door, the mounting member further configured to mount the pushable member to the vehicle door in a manner that enables the pushable member to be pushed by the user from a closed position to an open position;

a biasing member connected to the pushable member and configured to bias the pushable member towards the closed position; and

a latch engaging member connected to the mounting member and configured for engagement with a latch of the vehicle door, the latch engaging member configured to move the latch from a latched position to an unlatched position when the pushable member moves from the closed position to the open position, whereby the user is enabled to both unlatch the vehicle door and open the vehicle door with a single pushing movement,

wherein the latch engaging member comprises a cable, wherein the mounting member comprises a pivot, wherein the cable is mounted to the pivot, and wherein the cable is configured to wrap at least partially around the pivot as the pushable member moves from the closed position to the open position whereby the cable pulls on the latch of the vehicle door to move the latch from the latched position to the unlatched position.

9. The actuator assembly of claim 8, further comprising a first stopping member configured to engage the pushable member and positioned to obstruct the pushable member from moving beyond the closed position.

10. The actuator assembly of claim 9, further comprising a second stopping member configured to engage the pushable member and positioned to obstruct the pushable member from moving beyond the open position.

11. The actuator assembly of claim 8, wherein an inboard surface of the pushable member is substantially flush with a portion of the vehicle door when the pushable member is in the closed position.

12. The actuator assembly of claim 8, wherein the mounting member comprises a pivot having a longitudinal axis, the pivot being configured to enable the pushable member to pivot between the closed position and the open position.

13. The actuator assembly of claim 12, wherein the longitudinal axis is oriented substantially vertically when the pivot is connected to the vehicle door.

14. The actuator assembly of claim 12, wherein the longitudinal axis is oriented substantially horizontally when the pivot is connected to the vehicle door.

15. The actuator assembly of claim 8, wherein the mounting member defines a recess configured to receive a portion of the pushable member and wherein the pushable member moves into the recess when the pushable member moves from the closed position to the open position.

16. An actuator assembly for a vehicle door latch, the actuator assembly comprising:

a pushable member configured for engagement by a user;

a mounting member connected to the pushable member and configured for connection to a vehicle door, the mounting member further configured to mount the pushable member to the vehicle door in a manner that enables the pushable member to be pushed by the user from a closed position to an open position;

a blocking member connected to the pushable member and configured to move between a blocking position and a non-blocking position, the blocking member obstructing movement of the pushable member from the closed position when the blocking member is in the blocking position and the blocking member permitting movement of the pushable member from the closed position when the blocking member is in the non-blocking position; and

a latch engaging member connected to the mounting member and configured for engagement with a latch of the vehicle door, the latch engaging member configured to move the latch from a latched position to an unlatched position when the pushable member moves from the closed position to the open position, whereby the user is enabled to both unlatch the vehicle door and open the vehicle door with a single pushing movement,

wherein the latch engaging member comprises a cable, wherein the mounting member comprises a pivot, wherein the cable is mounted to the pivot, and wherein the cable is configured to wrap at least partially around the pivot as the pushable member moves from the closed position to the open position whereby the cable pulls on the latch of the vehicle door to move the latch from the latched position to the unlatched position.

17. The actuator assembly of claim 16 further comprising a first biasing member connected to the blocking member and configured to bias the blocking member towards the blocking position.

18. The actuator assembly of claim 16, further comprising a second biasing member connected to the pushable member and configured to bias the pushable member towards the closed position.