Keyless vehicle door latch system with powered backup unlock feature
First Claim
1. A keyless door latch system for doors of motor vehicles, the keyless door latch system comprising:
- a movable door handle that is configured to be mechanically connected to a mechanical door latch by mechanical linkage such that movement of the door handle unlatches the mechanical door latch;
wherein the mechanical door latch includes a powered lock that is configured to be operably connected to a first electrical power supply, the powered lock defining an unlocked condition in which the door handle is mechanically connected to the mechanical door latch such that the latch is released upon movement of an exterior door handle when the powered lock is unlocked, the powered lock further defining a locked condition in which the door handle is mechanically disconnected from the mechanical door latch such that the latch does not release upon movement of an exterior door handle when the powered lock is locked;
a first electrical power supply;
an electronic controller operably connected to the powered lock;
a backup device including a second electrical power supply configured to be operably connected to the powered lock; and
a user input device configured to communicate with the electronic controller and with the backup device, the user input device including first and second user input features, and wherein the door latch system is configured to cause the electronic controller to unlock the powered lock utilizing electrical power from the first electrical power supply if a user actuates the first user input feature, and wherein the door latch system is configured to cause the backup device to unlock the powered lock utilizing electrical power from the second electrical power supply if a user actuates the second user input feature, whereby a lock cylinder is not required to unlock the door latch in the event the door latch cannot be unlocked utilizing power from the first electrical power supply.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A keyless door latch system for doors of motor vehicles includes a backup electrical power supply to unlock the door latch in the event the primary power supply fails, thereby eliminating the need for a lock cylinder. The latch system includes a user input device having first and second user input features. The door latch system is configured to supply electrical power from the primary electrical power supply to unlock the latch upon actuation of the first user input feature, and to supply electrical power from the backup electrical power supply to unlock the latch upon actuation of the second user input feature. The user input device may comprise a wireless portable device that generates first and second wireless signals upon actuation of the first and second user input features, respectively.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A keyless door latch system for doors of motor vehicles, the keyless door latch system comprising:
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a movable door handle that is configured to be mechanically connected to a mechanical door latch by mechanical linkage such that movement of the door handle unlatches the mechanical door latch; wherein the mechanical door latch includes a powered lock that is configured to be operably connected to a first electrical power supply, the powered lock defining an unlocked condition in which the door handle is mechanically connected to the mechanical door latch such that the latch is released upon movement of an exterior door handle when the powered lock is unlocked, the powered lock further defining a locked condition in which the door handle is mechanically disconnected from the mechanical door latch such that the latch does not release upon movement of an exterior door handle when the powered lock is locked; a first electrical power supply; an electronic controller operably connected to the powered lock; a backup device including a second electrical power supply configured to be operably connected to the powered lock; and a user input device configured to communicate with the electronic controller and with the backup device, the user input device including first and second user input features, and wherein the door latch system is configured to cause the electronic controller to unlock the powered lock utilizing electrical power from the first electrical power supply if a user actuates the first user input feature, and wherein the door latch system is configured to cause the backup device to unlock the powered lock utilizing electrical power from the second electrical power supply if a user actuates the second user input feature, whereby a lock cylinder is not required to unlock the door latch in the event the door latch cannot be unlocked utilizing power from the first electrical power supply. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A vehicle door latch comprising:
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a movable handle connected to a latch by mechanical linkage; an electrically powered lock that disconnected the linkage when locked; first and second electrical power supplies; a wireless remote fob having first and second user inputs that, when actuated, cause electrical power to be supplied to the lock from the first and second electrical power supplies, respectively, whereby the lock can be unlocked utilizing power from either electrical power supply. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A keyless door latch system for doors of motor vehicles, the keyless door latch system comprising:
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a movable door handle; a mechanical door latch; a mechanical linkage configured to mechanically interconnect the door handle and the mechanical door latch; a powered lock that selectively disconnects the mechanical linkage such that movement of the door handle does not unlatch the mechanical door latch when the powered lock is in a locked state, and wherein, when the powered lock is in an unlocked state, the door handle and the mechanical latch are mechanically interconnected by the mechanical linkage such that movement of the door handle mechanically unlatches the mechanical door latch; first and second electrical power supplies; and a user input device having first and second user input features; and
wherein;the door latch system is configured to supply electrical power from the first electrical power supply to the powered lock to unlock the powered lock by mechanically interconnecting the door handle and the mechanical door latch upon actuation of the first user input feature, and wherein the system is configured to supply electrical power from the second electrical power supply to unlock the powered lock by mechanically interconnecting the door handle and the mechanical door latch upon actuation of the second user input feature. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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19. A keyless door latch system for doors of motor vehicles, the keyless door latch system comprising :
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a door latch; a powered lock that selectively prevents unlatching of the door latch when the powered lock is in a locked state; first and second electrical power supplies; and a user input device having first and second user input features; and
wherein;the door latch system is configured to supply electrical power from the first electrical power supply to the powered lock to unlock the powered lock upon actuation of the first user input feature, and wherein the system is configured to supply electrical power from the second electrical power supply to unlock the powered lock upon actuation of the second user input feature; wherein the user input device comprises a wireless portable device that is configured to generate a first wireless signal upon actuation of the first user input feature, and to generate a second wireless signal upon actuation of the second user input feature; and
including;first and second receivers operably connected to the first and second electrical power supplies, respectively, and wherein the first and second receivers are configured to receive the first and second wireless signals, respectively, to unlock the powered lock.
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Specification