Door release and engagement mechanism

• US 7,070,213 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2002
• Issued: 07/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Meritor Technology, Inc. (Cummins Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Arvinmeritor Light Vehicle Systems FRA (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
• Inventors: Willats, Robin H., Drysdale, Stephen P., Fisher, Sidney E., Emson, John, Didier, Jean B., Dixon, Alan G., Kalsi, Gurbinder S., Spurr, Nigel V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Glessner, Brian E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lugo, Carlos
• Application Number:
  US10/245,867
• Publication Number:
  US 20030052490A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,387 Days
• Field of Search: 292/DIG.42, 292/DIG.43, 292/201, 292/216, 292/DIG.23, 292/336.3
• US Class Current: 292/216
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/70 the wing position
• 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: E05B 85/26 Cooperation between bolts and detents
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/23 Vehicle door latches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1047 Closure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1082 Motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/57 Operators with knobs or handles

Abstract

A door release and engagement mechanism for a vehicle comprising a combined inside release and door pull handle and a latch operably connected thereto, wherein the mechanism is so constructed and arranged as to disable the operable connection when the door is ajar and/or unlatched so as to prevent the latch from being mis-set prior to subsequent re-closure of the door.

Claims

1. A door release and engagement mechanism for a pivoting door for a vehicle comprising:

a handle operable as both an inside release and a door pull handle to pull the door from an angled, open position with respect to the vehicle to a closed, aligned position with respect to the vehicle,

a latch connected to the handle by an operable connection, and

means for disabling the operable connection between the latch and the handle as a result of the door being in an ajar condition, such that when the handle moves the door from the open position to the closed position the latch is in a condition to latch the door in response to the door assuming the closed position, wherein the operable connection is an electrical connection.

2. The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the electrical connection includes one of a sensor and a switch arranged to determine whether the door is ajar.

3. The mechanism according to claim 2 wherein the one of a sensor and a switch is arranged in series with an electrical output of the handle.

4. The mechanism according to claim 2 wherein the electrical connection further includes a controller and a handle switch and the one of a sensor and a switch and handle switch provide separate inputs to the controller.

5. A door release and engagement mechanism for a vehicle comprising:

a handle operable as both an inside release and a door pull handle,

a latch connected to the handle by an electrical operable connection, and

means for disabling the operable connection between the latch and the handle when the handle moves the door from an open position to a closed position such that the latch is in a condition to latch the door in response to the door assuming the closed position, the mechanism further comprising a mechanical connection, the mechanical connection being configured to operate if the electrical connection is non-functional.

6. The mechanism according to claim 5 wherein the disabling means is configured to disable the operable connection between the latch and the handle as a result of the door being in an ajar condition, such that when the handle moves the door from the open position to the closed position the latch is in a condition to latch the door in response to the door assuming the closed position.

7. A door release and engagement mechanism for a pivoting door for a vehicle comprising:

a handle operable as both an inside release and a door pull handle to pull the door from an angled, open position with respect to the vehicle to a closed, aligned position with respect to the vehicle,

a latch connected to the handle by an operable connection, and

means for disabling the operable connection between the latch and the handle as a result of the door being in an ajar condition, such that when the handle moves the door from the open position to the closed position the latch is in a condition to latch the door in response to the door assuming the closed position, wherein the operable connection is a mechanical connection, a block is provided in a release linkage of the latch when the door is ajar, the block is provided in the linkage by a block link arranged to disable operation of the linkage when the latch is unlatched and to permit operation of the linkage when the latch is latched, and the block link is arranged to move between a blocked position and an unblocked position due to rotation of a claw of the latch.

8. The mechanism according to claim 7 wherein actuation of an inside release lever of the latch is substantially prevented in the blocked position.

9. A door comprising:

a hinge for pivotally mounting the door to a vehicle;

a door release and engagement mechanism for the vehicle, the mechanism comprising (i) a handle operable as both an inside release and a door pull handle, (ii) a latch connected to the handle by an electrical operable connection, and (iii) means for disabling the operable connection between the latch and the handle as a result of the door being in an ajar condition, such that when the handle moves the door from an open position to a closed position the latch is in a condition to latch the door in response to the door assuming the closed position.

10. A vehicle comprising a door, the door being pivotally mounted to the vehicle and including:

a door release and engagement mechanism for the vehicle, the mechanism comprising (i) a handle operable as both an inside release and a door pull handle, (ii) a latch connected to the handle by an electrical operable connection, and (iii) means for disabling the operable connection between the latch and the handle as a result of the door being in an ajar condition, such that when the handle moves the door from an open position to a closed position the latch is in a condition to latch the door in response to the door assuming the closed position.