Latch system for a door of an automobile

• US 8,376,416 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2008
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Arabia, Frank J. Jr., Konchan, Jeffrey L.
• Primary Examiner(s): FULTON, KRISTINA ROSE
• Application Number:
  US12/204,086
• Publication Number:
  US 20100052337A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,629 Days
• Field of Search: 292/216, 292/201, 292/DIG.23, 340/426.28, 340/540
• US Class Current: 292/216
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/06 using rotary motors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/14 operating on bolt detents, e.g. for unlatching the bolt
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/64 Monitoring or sensing, e.g. by using switches or sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/82 using batteries other than the vehicle main battery
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/86 using capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1047 Closure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1078 Closure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1082 Motor

Abstract

A system is provided for latching a door of an automobile. The system includes, but is not limited to, a first power source, second power source, a latch for the door coupled to the first power source and the second power source, and an electronic control unit configured to control an operation of the latch. The electronic control unit is further configured to determine a status of the first power source, evaluate the status of the first power source, and control the operation of the latch with the second power source if the evaluation of the status indicates the first power source is unavailable.

Claims

1. A latch system for a door of an automobile, comprising:

a first power source;

a second power source;

a latch assembly for the door coupled to the first power source and the second power source;

an electronic control unit configured to control an operation of the latch assembly, the electronic control unit further configured to;

determine a status of the first power source,

evaluate the status of the first power source, and

select the second power source for operation of the latch assembly if the evaluation of the status indicates the first power source is insufficient to operate the latch assembly; and

a Single-Pole, Double-Throw (SPDT) switch having a common terminal coupled to the latch assembly, a first line terminal coupled to the first power source, and a second line terminal coupled to the second power source,

wherein the electronic control unit is configured to place the SPDT switch in a first throw position that couples the first power source to the latch assembly when the evaluation of the status indicates that the first power source is sufficient to operate the latch assembly and in a second throw position when the evaluation of the status indicates that the first power source is insufficient to operate the latch assembly.

2. The latch system of claim 1, further comprising an electronic handle switch coupled to the electronic control unit, the electronic control unit further configured to control the operation of the latch assembly based at least in part upon an activation of the electronic handle switch.

3. The latch system of claim 2, wherein the electronic handle switch is mounted to an interior of the door.

4. The latch system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless switch wirelessly coupled to the electronic control unit.

5. The latch system of claim 1, wherein the first power source is a battery.

6. The latch system of claim 1, wherein the second power source is a battery.

7. The latch system of claim 1, wherein the second power source is a capacitor.

8. The latch system of claim 1, wherein the electronic control unit is a body control unit.

9. The latch system of claim 1, further comprising a theft sensor coupled to the electronic control unit, the electronic control unit further configured to evaluate the theft sensor and inhibit operation of the latch assembly upon detection of a break-in.

10. The latch system of claim 1, further comprising a latch assembly having a single motor.

11. The latch system of claim 10, further comprising a water resistant structure enclosing the single motor.

12. A latch system for a first door and a second door of an automobile, comprising:

a first power source having a status;

a second power source;

a first latch assembly for the first door that is coupled to the first power source and the second power source;

a second latch assembly for the second door that is coupled to the first power source and the second power source; and

an electronic control unit coupled to the first power source, the second power source, the first latch assembly, and the second latch assembly, the electronic control unit configured to;

determine a status of the first power source,

evaluate the status of the first power source, and

select the second power source for operation of the first latch assembly and the second latch assembly if the evaluation of the status indicates the first power source is insufficient to operate the latch assembly a Single-Pole, Double-Throw (SPDT) switch having a common terminal coupled to the first and second latch assemblies, a first line terminal coupled to the first power source, and a second line terminal coupled to the second power source, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to place the SPDT switch in a first throw position that couples the first power source to the first and second latch assemblies when the evaluation of the status indicates that the first power source is sufficient to operate the first and second latch assemblies and in a second throw position when the evaluation of the status indicates that the first power source is insufficient to operate the first and second latch assemblies.

13. The latch system of claim 12, wherein the first latch assembly comprises a single motor.

14. The latch system of claim 12, wherein the electronic control unit is externally located from the first door and the second door.

15. The latch system of claim 12, wherein the second power source is located within the first door.

16. The latch system of claim 12, wherein the first power source is a battery.

17. The latch system of claim 12, wherein the second power source is a capacitor.

18. The latch system of claim 12, further comprising a first handle switch and a second handle switch coupled to the electronic control unit, the electronic control unit further configured to control a first operation of the first latch assembly based at least in part upon a first activation of the first handle switch and control a second operation of the second latch assembly based at least in part upon a second activation of the second handle switch.