Electro-mechanical protector for vehicle latches during crash conditions and method for operating the same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle door latch crash condition protector system, comprising:
- a Restraint Control Module (RCM) having memory and data tables stored therein and configured to;
receive data from at least one vehicle sensor, anddetermine pre-crash, crash and post-crash events based on said received data and said data tables;
a vehicle door latch configured to engage a striker of a vehicle door to secure the vehicle door in a closed position;
a pawl pivotably movable between a locked position, in which said pawl engages said latch to retain the striker and secure the vehicle door closed, and an unlocked position, in which said pawl disengages from said latch allowing said latch to release the striker and open the door; and
a latch protector apparatus configured to;
receive an indication from the RCM indicative of at least one of a pre-crash event and a crash event,based on said indication, engage a plunger into a detent of said pawl to inhibit rotational motion of said pawl from the locked position into the unlocked position, thereby preventing said door from opening,receive a second indication from the RCM indicative of a post-crash event, andbased on said second indication, disengage said plunger from said detent of said pawl, thereby permitting said vehicle door to open.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to an electronic mechanical protector system for vehicle door latches during crash conditions, vehicle door equipped with such a system, and methods for operating the system.
19 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A vehicle door latch crash condition protector system, comprising:
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a Restraint Control Module (RCM) having memory and data tables stored therein and configured to; receive data from at least one vehicle sensor, and determine pre-crash, crash and post-crash events based on said received data and said data tables; a vehicle door latch configured to engage a striker of a vehicle door to secure the vehicle door in a closed position; a pawl pivotably movable between a locked position, in which said pawl engages said latch to retain the striker and secure the vehicle door closed, and an unlocked position, in which said pawl disengages from said latch allowing said latch to release the striker and open the door; and a latch protector apparatus configured to; receive an indication from the RCM indicative of at least one of a pre-crash event and a crash event, based on said indication, engage a plunger into a detent of said pawl to inhibit rotational motion of said pawl from the locked position into the unlocked position, thereby preventing said door from opening, receive a second indication from the RCM indicative of a post-crash event, and based on said second indication, disengage said plunger from said detent of said pawl, thereby permitting said vehicle door to open. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A vehicle door safety system, comprising:
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a vehicle door pivotally connected at one end to a vehicle support member and equipped at its opposite end with a vehicle door latch mechanism including a latch configured to engage a striker to secure the vehicle door in a closed position and a pawl pivotably movable between a locked position, in which said pawl engages said latch to retain the striker and secure the vehicle door closed, and an unlocked position, in which said pawl disengages from said latch allowing said latch to release the striker and open the door; a Restraint Control Module (RCM) having memory and tables therein; at least one sensor electronically connected to said RCM to transmit data from said sensors to said RCM during pre-crash, crash and post-crash events; and a latch protector apparatus configured to; receive an indication from the RCM indicative of at least one of a pre-crash event and a crash event, based on said indication, engage a plunger into a detent of said pawl to inhibit rotational motion of said pawl from the locked position into the unlocked position thereby preventing said door from opening, receive a second indication from the RCM indicative of a post-crash event, and based on said second indication, disengage said plunger from said detent of said pawl, thereby permitting said vehicle door to open. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method to operate a vehicle door latch safety system to prevent said door latch from operating during pre-crash and crash events, comprising;
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determining, by a Restraint Control Module (RCM), that a pre-crash threat event is imminent; providing an indication from the RCM indicative of the pre-crash event to a latch protector apparatus, the latch protector apparatus, based on said indication, engaging a plunger into a detent of a pawl to inhibit rotational motion of said pawl from a locked position, in which said pawl engages said latch to retain a striker of a vehicle door securing the vehicle door in a closed position, and an unlocked position, in which said pawl disengages from said latch allowing said latch to release the striker and open the door; receiving a second indication from the RCM indicative of a post-crash event; and based on said second indication, disengaging said plunger from said detent of said pawl, thereby permitting said vehicle door to open.
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Specification