EP1290301B1

EP1290301B1 - Latch apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: EP1290301B1
Application number: EP01935539A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Steven J. Dimig; James R. Edgar
Original assignee: Strattec Security Corp
Current assignee: Strattec Security Corp
Priority date: 2000-05-16
Filing date: 2001-05-16
Publication date: 2008-08-20
Anticipated expiration: 2021-05-16
Also published as: DE60135459D1; MXPA02011502A; WO2001088314A3; AU2001261626A1; WO2001088314A2; ATE405717T1; CA2409171A1; EP1290301A2; EP1290301A4

Abstract

A latch assembly (910) having at least one control element (912) having a first path of motion in which a ratchet (916) is moved to an unlatched position and a second path of motion in which the ratchet (916) is not so moved, the path of motion taken by the control element (912) dependent upon whether an engagement element (942) is engaged with the control element (912) or disengaged therefrom. Preferably, the control element (912) moves the ratchet (916) by contact with a pawl (926) which itself can be engaged with the ratchet (916). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control element (912) can be partially or fully actuated through its second path of motion while still being engagable with its engagement element (942). If already partially or fully actuated through its second path of motion, the engagement element (942) is preferably movable into contact with the control element (912) and can move the control element (912) to its first path of motion.

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to latches and latching methods, and more particularly to devices and methods for controlling and switching a latch between latched and unlatched states.

Background of the Invention

Conventional latches are used to restrain the movement of one member or element with respect to another. For example, conventional door latches restrain the movement of a door with respect to a surrounding door frame. The function of such latches is to hold the door secure within the frame until the latch is released and the door is free to open. Existing latches typically have mechanical connections linking the latch to actuation elements such as handles which can be actuated by a user to release the latch. Movement of the actuation elements is transferred through the mechanical connections and will cause the latch to release. The mechanical connections can be one or more rods, cables, or other suitable elements or devices. Although the following discussion is with reference to door latches (e.g., especially for vehicle doors) for purposes of example and discussion only, the background information provided applies equally to a wide variety of latches used in other applications.
Most current vehicle door latches contain a restraint mechanism for preventing the release of the latch without proper authorization. When in a locked state, the restraint mechanism blocks or impedes the mechanical connection between a user-operable handle (or other door opening device) and a latch release mechanism, thereby locking the door. Many conventional door latches also have two or more lock states, such as unlocked, locked, child locked, and dead locked states. Inputs to the latch for controlling the lock states of the latch can be mechanical, electrical, or parallel mechanical and electrical inputs. For example, by the turn of a user's key, a cylinder lock can mechanically move the restraint mechanism, thereby unlocking the latch. As another example, cable or rod elements connecting a door handle to the latch release mechanism can be controlled by one or more electrical power actuators. These actuators, sometimes called "power locks" can use electrical motors or solenoids as the force generator to change between locked and unlocked states.
A number of problems exist, however, in the conventional door latches described above. For example, conventional restraint mechanisms in such latches are typically quite complex, with numerous parts often having relatively complicated movements. Such latches are thus more expensive to manufacture, assemble, maintain, and repair. This problem is compounded in latches having multiple lock states as mentioned above. These latches often require separate sets of elements corresponding to and controlling each lock state of the latch.
In addition, because conventional door latches are typically relatively complex (especially latches having multiple lock states), the ability of a latch design to be used in diverse applications suffers significantly. For example, many conventional door latches are suitable for installation in a particular door, but cannot readily be installed in other door designs. As another example, door latch applications in which only limited latching functions are needed generally call for a different door latch than door latch applications in which full latching functions are needed. Conventional door latches are far from being "universal" (capable of installation in a number of different applications and easily adaptable to applications varying in functionality). Therefore, it is often necessary for a manufacturer, installer, or servicer of door latches to keep a wide variety of different door latches in inventory - an expensive and inefficient practice.
Space and location constraints for door latches varies significantly from application to application. In some applications for example, connecting rods are used to mechanically link door handles or user-operable lock buttons to the latch, while in other applications bowden cables are more suitable. As used herein and in the appended claims, the terms "user-operable", "user-actuatable", and the like include direct and indirect user operation and actuation. Therefore, devices or elements described in such manner include those that are operated upon or actuated indirectly by a user in some manner (e.g., via electronic actuation, mechanical linkage, and the like), and are not necessarily limited to devices or elements intended for direct contact and manipulation by a user in normal operations of the latch.
The latch space and location constraints mentioned above can also require latch connections to be made only from certain sides or the latch or only at certain angles with respect to portions of the latch. Conventional latch manufacturers address such problems by providing specialized latches for specific applications or groups of applications. Once again, this solution requires a manufacturer, installer, or servicer of door latches to incur the expense of keeping a wide variety of different door latches in inventory.
For obvious reasons, increased latch complexity also has a significant impact upon assembly and repair cost. Conventional door latches are generally difficult to assemble and require a significant amount of assembly time. An assembler must often orient the latch assembly in several directions during the assembly process (i.e., flip the latch over or turn the latch repeatedly). Also, the large number of small and intricate parts typically used in conventional door latches adds to assembly cost. Particularly in light of the specialized nature, function, and redundancy of many door latch parts, conventional door latches designs are far from being optimized.
Problems of latch weight and size are related to the problem of latch complexity. The inclusion of more elements and more complex mechanisms within the latch generally undesirably increases the size and weight of the latch. In virtually all vehicle applications, weight and size of any component is a concern. Additionally, increased weight and size of elements and assemblies within the latch necessarily requires more power and greater force to operate the latch. Because power is also at a premium in many applications (especially in vehicular applications), numerous elements and complex assemblies within conventional door latches are an inefficiency that is often wrongly ignored. Not only are larger and more complex latches a power drain, but such latches are typically unnecessarily slow.
Latch operating speed continues to be important to the latch design viability, particularly with the increasingly common use of electro-mechanical assemblies in many latch applications. The time required to perform each latch operation has been reduced to well under one second in vehicular applications, and significant advantages exist for reducing such time even further. Specifically, it is most desirable to reduce the amount of time to change the state of a latch, such as from a locked state to an unlocked state, from a child-locked state to an unlocked state, etc. Although numerous conventional mechanisms exist for accelerating latch state changes, the speed at which such changes are performed remains far from optimal. This is due at least in part to the incremental improvement of conventional mechanical assemblies in lieu of using significantly different mechanisms and devices for changing latch states. Also, compact actuation devices capable of very rapidly and significantly changing the state of a mechanical assembly are not common. Such actuation devices that do exist are often not suitable for use in mechanical devices having moving and inertial forces that are significantly larger than the actuation device itself (as is the case with many types of latches).
Another problem with conventional door latches relates to their operation. Particularly where a latch has multiple lock states, the ability of a user to easily and fully control the latch in its various lock states is quite limited. For example, many latches having a child locked state (i.e., the inside door handle is disabled but the outside door handle is not) require a user to manually set the child locked state by manipulating a lever or other device on the latch. Other latches do not permit the door to enter a dead locked state (i.e., both the inside and outside door handles being disabled). Also, conventional door latches generally do not permit a user to place the door latch in all lock states remotely, such as by a button or buttons on a key fob. These examples are only some of the shortcomings in existing door latch operability.
Still another problem of conventional door latches is related to power locks. The design of existing power lock systems has until now significantly limited the safety of the latch. Latch design limitations exist in conventional latches to ensure, for example, that dead locked latches operated by powered devices or systems will reliably unlock in the event of power interruption or failure. Such limitations have resulted in latch designs which permit less than optimal user operability. Although manual overrides for conventional door latches do exist, these overrides typically add a significant amount of complexity to the door latch and are difficult to install and assemble. Therefore, a reliable design having a failure mode and a simple manual override for an electrically powered latch which is electrically actuatable in all locked states remains an elusive goal.
In conventional door latches, yet another problem is caused by the fact that an unauthorized user can often manipulate the restraint mechanism within the latch and/or the connections of the latch to the door locks to unlock the latch. Because conventional door latches typically have at least some type of mechanical linkage from the user-operable elements (e.g., lock cylinders) to the restraint mechanism in the latch, the ability of an unauthorized user to unlock the latch as just described has been a persistent problem. Many existing door latches have multiple paths through which force is transmitted from a user-operable device to the restraint mechanism in the latch. For example, where the restraint mechanism is a ratchet selectively held in a locked position by a movable pawl, conventional door latches have multiple direct and/or indirect connections to the pawl from multiple user-operable devices. Each such connection added to a latch assembly provides another latch input that is subject to manipulation by an unauthorized user to unlock the latch. Although multiple connections are necessary to full latch functionality, many existing latch designs employ separate and independent connections without regard for the ability to reduce the number of force transmitting paths into the latch.
As described above, inputs to latch assemblies typically include one or more user-operable devices such as handles, buttons, levers, and the like for releasing the latch restraint mechanism and one or more user-operable devices such as lock cylinders, sill buttons, and the like for changing the lock state of the latch. The conventional practice of employing separate connections to the latch for such inputs increases latch complexity, weight, and expense, and increases the design difficulty in selectively disabling or isolating any particular input as desired.
Another shortcoming of conventional latch assemblies involves the inability of conventional door locks to correctly respond to more than one latch assembly input at one time. In a well-recognized example, conventional vehicle door latches having a power unlock feature typically require one or more electrical signals to trigger a change of state in the latch (e.g., from a locked state to an unlocked state) before actuation of a handle or other user-manipulatable device will unlatch the latch. If a user actuates the handle before the latch has changed states, this actuation can require the user to release and re-actuate the handle, and can even prevent the latch from changing between its locked and unlocked states. At best, either result is an annoying attribute that remains unaddressed in conventional latch assembly designs. In this and other examples, a conventional latch assembly is unable to respond to actuation of more than one input at a time, or is only responsive to one of two inputs actuated simultaneously or closely in time.
A number of existing latch assembly designs provide for elements or devices that can be powered to change the locked or unlocked state of the latch assembly. Some latch assemblies even have elements or devices that can be powered to drive the latch assembly into a latched state. However, due at least in part to safety issues, conventional latch assemblies do not have elements or devices that are powered for unlatching the latch assembly. Such latch assemblies are not designed with protection against inadvertent or accidental latch release in mind, and do not provide any mechanism by which powered unlatching can be reliably employed. As such, full functionality of conventional latch assemblies is significantly limited.
EP 1035284 (Strattec Security Corporation) is a document according to Article 54(3) EPC and describes a modular latch apparatus movable from a latched to unlatched position depending upon an engagement element. DE 4129706 (SWF Auto-Electric GmbH) describes an electric motor actuator comprising a locking lever secured to a rotary shaft on which it pivots between locked and free positions.
In light of the problems and limitations of the prior art described above, a need exists for a latch assembly which can be used in many applications, is modular and which therefore has easily adaptable functionality to meet the needs of a large number of applications (i.e., from limited to full functionality), has the fewest elements and assemblies possible, is smaller, faster, and lighter than existing latches, consumes less power in operation, is less expensive and easier to manufacture, assemble, maintain, and repair, provides a high degree of flexibility in user operation to control the lock states of the latch, is capable of properly responding to concurrent or nearly concurrent actuation of multiple latch assembly inputs, can be powered to an unlatched state responsive to actuation of more than one input to the latch assembly actuated concurrently or nearly concurrently, has a simple and reliable design for manual override in the event of power interruption or failure, offers improved security against unlocking by an unauthorized user, has as few inputs as possible for unlatching the latch while still retaining full latch functionality, and provides the ability to quickly isolate desired combinations of latch inputs. A need also exists for an actuation device that is compact, fast, capable of rapidly changing the states of a mechanical device (such as a latch), and is operable significantly independent of the size of device input and inertial forces. Each preferred embodiment of the present invention achieves one or more of these results.

Summary of the Invention

These results are achieved by the latch assembly according to the present invention as defined in the appended claim 1 and by the method of unletching a latch assembly as defined in the appended claim 14.
The present invention employs at least one control element movable in at least two different manners defining locked and unlocked states of the latch assembly. Movement of the control element in each manner is preferably defined by engagement and disengagement with another element. Specifically, the control element is movable in a first manner through a first path when engaged by the engagement element and is movable in a second manner through a second path when disengaged from the engagement element. Preferably, movement of the control element through the first path either directly or indirectly imparts motion to a latch element or mechanism (e.g., a ratchet). Such motion moves the latch element or mechanism to move to its unlatched position to unlatch the door. In contrast, when the control element moves through the second path, the control element does not impart motion (or sufficient motion) to the latch element or mechanism for unlatching the door. Therefore, whether movement or actuation of the control element by a user will unlatch the latch depends upon whether the control element moves in the first or the second manner.
The control element can be moved from the second path to the first path even if already partially or fully actuated through the second path (and preferably, vice versa). In highly preferred embodiments of the present invention, the control element can be moved from the first to the second path and from the second to the first path regardless of control element position in either path. Unlike conventional latch assemblies, this flexibility permits the state of the latch assembly to be changed even if an input to the latch assembly is already partially or fully actuated.
The ability to change a latch assembly input between its locked and unlocked states in a range of latch assembly input positions significantly increases the latch functionality in numerous applications. For example, where a user attempting to unlatch the latch has already partially or fully actuated the latch assembly input in its locked state, the latch assembly input can still be placed in its unlocked state without requiring the user to release and re-actuate the latch assembly input. As such, at least two inputs (e.g., a first input coupled to the control element for unlatching the latch and a second input for placing the first input in its locked and unlocked states) are preferably used to cause the latch to unlatch. In a common vehicle door application where the control element is placed in its locked and unlocked states by a powered latch assembly input, the user can therefore actuate an outside door handle prior to being unlocked, during or after which time the powered latch assembly input can be actuated to unlock the door handle input and well as to unlatch the latch assembly. This arrangement serves as a power unlatching feature requiring user actuation during unlatching, and therefore addresses the shortcomings of power unlatching described above.
As just illustrated, the latch assembly of the present invention is preferably capable of receiving a number of external inputs used to control the operation and state of the latch. Preferably, these inputs are connected to one or more user-operable devices for releasing the latch and to one or more user-operable devices for changing the state of the latch (e.g., to and between latch states such as unlocked, locked, child locked, and dead locked, states).
In some highly preferred embodiments of the present invention, preferably only a limited number of paths exist through the latch for releasing the latch. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the element or mechanism directly generating release of the latch (e.g., a fork bolt or a ratchet releasably engaged with a striker bar) is acted upon through one path shared by two or more inputs to the latch. In other words, where conventional latch assemblies typically employ multiple inputs connected "in parallel" to the element or mechanism directly generating release of the latch, the inputs of this embodiment of the present invention are preferably connected to this element or mechanism "in series". Fewer separate and independent latch releasing paths through the latch assembly result in a latch that is more resistant to unauthorized release, less complex, requires fewer elements and components, and is less expensive to manufacture, assemble, service, and maintain than its conventional counterparts.
The latch assembly of the present invention operates to quickly change the manner of control element motion by preferably moving (e.g., extending or retracting, shifting back and forth, etc.) one or more elements that guide or limit the motion of the control element. These elements can be pins which are quickly extended and retracted by one or more actuators, levers movable into pressing, camming, or other force-transmitting contact with the control element, members movable to at least partially define the bounds of control element motion, and the like, although still other elements can be used effectively.
One highly preferred embodiment of the present invention has two control elements, pins, and actuators. Each control element, pin, and actuator set is preferably connected to and corresponds to at least one input to the latch assembly, such as to a user-operable handle, lever, lock cylinder, sill button, etc. Most preferably, each control element, pin, and actuator set is coupled to a respective door handle. In each control element, pin, and actuator set, the actuator can be extended to insert the pin into an aperture in the control element and can also be retracted to retract the pin from the aperture. When the actuator and pin are extended and thereby engage the control element, the control element preferably pivots through a first path about a first pivot point. However, when the actuator and pin are retracted and are thereby disengaged from the control element, the control element preferably pivots through a second path about a second pivot point. Movement of the control element through the first path preferably brings the control element into contact with a pawl that is coupled to the latch element or mechanism. This contact causes the latch element or mechanism to release, thereby unlatching the door. The control element in the first path is therefore is in an unlocked state. In contrast, movement of the control element through the second path preferably does not bring the control element into such contact, or at least into contact sufficient to release the latch element or mechanism. The control element in the second path therefore is in a locked state.
In some embodiments of the present invention, each control element is connected to a respective user-operable input and is movable in its unlocked state to contact the pawl and to release the ratchet. In these embodiments, each control element does not rely upon another control element for latch release. The user-operable inputs connected to the control elements in these embodiments are therefore "in parallel" as described above because each can separately and independently generate latch release. However, the user-operable inputs in other embodiments of the present invention are connected "in series" as also described above. Where two control element, pin, and actuator sets are used with respective user-operable inputs, actuation of a first control element in its unlocked state preferably releases the ratchet without substantial interaction with the second control element. Actuation of the second control element in its unlocked state preferably releases the ratchet only via contact and force transmission through the first control element in its unlocked state. In another similar embodiment, the second control element is always in its unlocked state, and depends upon the state of the first control element to transmit ratchet-releasing force therethrough. Still other embodiments of the present invention employing multiple latch inputs connected "in series" via two or more control elements are possible. In each such embodiment, the latch assembly preferably has more latch-releasing inputs (e.g., door handles, levers, and the like) than control elements capable of releasing the ratchet without required actuation of another control element.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a latch assembly is provided with two control elements each having a respective actuator and pin set. This latch assembly has two latch inputs for changing the state of the latch, such as between a locked to an unlocked state or between a child locked and an unlocked state. A set of levers is connected to the these inputs and is movable to mechanically attract or repel armatures of the actuators. When not otherwise disabled, actuation of the inputs causes the levers to move and to push the armatures into engagement with control elements, thereby changing the state of the latch. This motion can serve as "backup" for the force provided by solenoid coils in the actuator, can supplement such force, or can even replace such force in some embodiments of the present invention. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the connection between at least one of the inputs and the levers can be disabled to prevent the manual actuation just described.
When the latch assembly of the present invention is used on a vehicle door, a first control element is preferably coupled via a linking member to an inside door handle and a second control element is preferably coupled to an outside door handle. When the engagement element (e.g., pin, lever, or the like) corresponding to each control element is actuated to engage the first and second control elements, respectively, actuation of the control elements by either handle causes the actuated control element to directly or indirectly move a ratchet to unlatch the door. This is the unlocked state of the latch assembly. When the engagement element corresponding to each control element is actuated to disengage from the first and second control elements, actuation of the control elements by either handle does not move the ratchet or does so insufficiently to unlatch the door. This is the dead locked state of the latch assembly. When the engagement element corresponding to the first control element is actuated to engage the first control element and when the engagement element corresponding to the second control element is actuated to disengage from the second control element, actuation of the inside door handle will directly or indirectly move a ratchet to unlatch the door, but actuation of the outside door handle will not do so. This is the locked state of the latch assembly. When the engagement element corresponding to the first control element is actuated to disengage from the first control element and the engagement element corresponding to the second control element is actuated to engage the second control element, actuation of the outside door handle will move the pawl and unlatch the door, but actuation of the inside door handle will not do so. This is the child locked state of the latch assembly. Of course, in other embodiments of the present invention, one, three, or even more control element, engagement element, and actuator sets can be used as desired.
Latch assembly operations for placing the control elements in their locked and unlocked states are therefore preferably quickly performed via actuators.
Also, the relatively small number of elements (e.g., an actuator, engagement element, control element, and, if desired, a pawl as described in more detail below) employed to place the latch assembly in its various lock states is a significant advantage over prior art latches. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are therefore lighter, smaller, can be operated using less power, and can be manufactured, maintained, and repaired at less expense.
In addition to the above-noted advantages of the present invention, a number of preferred embodiments are also highly adaptable for installation in a number of different applications and in a number of different configurations, thereby providing a latch which can easily be changed from a latch having minimal functionality to a latch with full functionality, and to a number of different states in between. First, the latch assembly preferably provides linking access to the control elements therein (e.g., capability to connect the control elements to actuation elements external to the latch assembly via cables, rods, or other "input" or "linking" elements) either by ports for interior linking or by housing apertures permitting control elements to extend outside of the latch assembly for exterior linking. Second, the input elements linked to the latch assembly for actuation thereof are preferably fully interchangeable with multiple control elements and with the pawl. The control elements and the pawl can therefore be connected in a number of different ways to the actuation elements, thereby providing a large amount of flexibility to install the latch for operation in a variety of different ways. Third, the latch assembly preferably has a sufficient number of control element and actuator positions so that an assembler can selectively install one or more control elements and actuators in desired locations to create a latch assembly best suited for a particular application. By selecting how many control elements and associated actuators are to be installed (and where) in each particular latch, the assembler is able to easily modify each latch for a specific application without requiring any modification to the latch assembly.
The latch assemblies of the present invention preferably also have at least one manual override which permits a user to manually shift an engagement element into engagement with a control element to establish an unlocked state of the control element. Such a manual override can also or instead permit a user to manually shift an engagement element out of engagement with a control element to establish a locked state of the control element. In a highly preferred embodiment, the manual override is also capable of shifting an engagement element in such manner in response to movement of another control element in its unlocked state or in response to movement of the pawl to its unlocked state.
Another feature of the present invention is related to its assembly. Specifically, highly preferred latch assembly embodiments are assembled in layers of elements. Most preferably, a majority of elements are positioned and installed within the latch layer upon layer without requiring numerous re-orientations of the latch assembly by the assembler and without requiring access to more than one side of the latch assembly. This saves considerable assembly, service, and maintenance time, thereby lowering the cost to manufacture, service, and maintain the latch.
More information and a better understanding of the present invention can be achieved by reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be noted that the invention as disclosed in the accompanying drawings is illustrated by way of example only. The various elements and combinations of elements described below and illustrated in the drawings can be arranged and organized differently to result in embodiments which are still within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a latch mechanism according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown with the front cover, actuators, cover plate, and rear mounting plate removed;
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the latch mechanism shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the latch mechanism shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the front;
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the latch mechanism shown in FIGS. 1-3, viewed from the rear,
FIG. 5 is a front perspective detail view of the latch mechanism shown in FIGS. 1-4, shown with the upper engagement element removed;
FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the latch mechanism shown in FIGS. 1-5, with the latch mechanism fully locked and with both the upper and lower control elements in their unactuated positions;
FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the latch mechanism shown in FIGS. 1-6, with the latch mechanism fully locked and with the lower control element fully actuated:
FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the latch mechanism shown in FIGS. 1-7, with the latch mechanism fully locked and with the upper control element fully actuated:
FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the latch mechanism shown in FIGS. 1-8, with the latch mechanism fully unlocked and with the upper control element partially actuated;
FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the latch mechanism shown in FIGS. 1-9, with the latch mechanism fully unlocked and triggered to its unlatched state by the upper control element;
FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the latch mechanism shown in FIGS. 1-10, with the latch mechanism fully unlocked and triggered to its unlatched state by the lower control element; and
FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a latch mechanism according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-11. The latch assembly 910 illustrated in FIGS. 1-11 is shown without a front cover, cover plate, actuators, or rear mounting plate for purposes of easier assembly description.
Like the latch assemblies described above, the latch assembly 910 preferably has two control elements 912, 914 corresponding to respective elements or devices for actuation by a user. Although alternative embodiments of the present invention can employ only one control element 912, 914 to perform some of the functions of the preferred embodiment described below, full latch functionality is possible by employing two control elements. Also, three or more control elements having respective inputs for actuation and having respective engagement elements for switching between control element states are also possible. Therefore, it should be noted that the latch assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is described and illustrated herein as having two control elements by way of example only.
The latch assembly 910 further includes a ratchet 916. Specifically, the ratchet 916 is preferably mounted for rotation between a latched position in which a striker (not shown) is captured by the latch assembly 910 and an unlatched position in which the striker is free to enter and exit the latch assembly 910. Preferably, the ratchet 916 is mounted for rotation about a pivot post 918 attached to or integral with the housing 920 with reference to ratchet pivot posts. Alternatively, the pivot post 918 can be attached to or integral with a rear mounting plate (not shown) of the latch assembly 910 or to the ratchet itself for rotation in one or more apertures or lugs in the housing 920 and/or rear mounting plate.
The ratchet 916 is preferably biased to move into its unlatched position, and most preferably is biased thereto by interaction of a ratchet pin 922 on the ratchet 922 and a ratchet spring 924. Specifically, the ratchet pin 922 is preferably received within a groove or other aperture 925 in the housing 920, and can move therein against the force of the spring 924 biasing the pin 922 and ratchet 916 to the unlatched ratchet position. Numerous other conventional elements and devices can be used to bias the ratchet 916 to its unlatched position, such as a torsion spring mounted upon the pivot post 918 and biasing the ratchet 916 to its unlatched position, one or more leaf springs biased against one or more surfaces of the ratchet 916 to rotate the ratchet 916 to its unlatched position, or even opposing magnets on the ratchet 916 and on the housing 920, respectively, repelling one another and thereby causing rotation of the ratchet 916. Such alternative biasing elements fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
The latch assembly 910 preferably has a pawl 926 releasably engagable with the ratchet 916. The pawl 926 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) is preferably mounted for rotation about a pivot post 928 in substantially the same manner as the ratchet 916 about its pivot post 922. The pawl 926 is also preferably biased into engagement with the ratchet 916 by a pawl spring 930 as is best shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, the pawl 926 preferably holds the ratchet 916 in its latched position when moved into engagement therewith. For this purpose, the ratchet 916 preferably has a stop surface 932 against which a lobe, tooth, hook, or other surface 934 (preferably acting as a bearing surface) of the pawl 926 contacts and engages when the ratchet 916 is rotated to its latched position shown in FIGS. 1-9. When the pawl 926 is rotated to disengage the pawl surface 934 from the stop surface 932 of the ratchet 916, the ratchet 916 is preferably free to rotate to its unlatched position as described above. Alternatively, when a striker (not shown) enters the latch assembly 910 as described above, the striker preferably rotates the ratchet 916 toward its latched position in which the pawl 926 (under spring force from the pawl spring 930) engages the ratchet 916 to hold the ratchet 916 in its latched position. The pawl spring 930 is preferably a helical compression spring attached to or mounted upon the pawl 926 and received in a seat 935 integral with or attached to the housing 920 and/or to the rear mounting plate (not shown). Other spring types can be used to bias the pawl 926 against the ratchet 916, such as those described above with reference to the ratchet spring 924. Such alternative spring types and their manner of attachment to the pawl 926 and surrounding latch structure are well known to those skilled in the art.
The ratchet 916 and pawl 926 can be movable in other manners to capture and release the striker and to engage and disengage the ratchet 916. For example, either or both the ratchet 916 and pawl 926 can be movable via shifting, sliding, or other translation in which the ratchet 916 does not rotate or substantially rotate. As another example, the either or both the ratchet 916 and pawl 926 can move through a combination of translation and rotation in their above-described functions. Alternative ratchet and pawl devices operating in different manners to perform these functions exist, are well known to those skilled in the art, and can be employed in the present invention if desired.
Both of the control elements 912, 914 preferably have a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, control element actuation does not impart movement or imparts insufficient movement to move the pawl 926 and to thereby release the ratchet 916. In the unlocked state, control element actuation imparts sufficient movement to the pawl 926 to release the ratchet 916. Most preferably, this control element actuation brings some part of the actuated control element (or an element connected thereto) into pressing contact with a surface of the pawl 926 whereby further actuation of the control element 912, 914 causes the control element 912, 914 to move the pawl 926. Although as few as one control element 912, 914 can have locked and unlocked states, preferably each control element 912, 014 in the latch assembly 910 has both states. Control elements 912,914 not having both states are preferably always in an unlocked state, whereby actuation of such control elements 912, 914 generates pawl movement and ratchet release.
The locked and unlocked states of the control elements 912, 914 are at least partially defined by one or more engagement elements that can be moved, energized, or otherwise brought into engagement with the control elements 912, 914 to change their manner of movement when actuated. As described in more detail below, the engagement elements can take a number of different forms, two of which are employed in the latch assembly 910. Specifically, the upper control element 914 is preferably releasably engagable by a pin 936 movable into and out of an aperture 938 in the upper control element 914, while the lower control element 912 is releasably engagable by a locking element 942 movable into and out of contact with a surface of the lower control element 912. The pin 936 is preferably axially movable by an actuator (not shown). Most preferably, the actuator is an electromagnetic solenoid, but can be any of the types of actuators described above. When the actuator is actuated to extend the pin 936 into the aperture 938 of the upper control element 914, actuation of the upper control element 914 causes the upper control element 914 to rotate about the pin 936. When actuator retracts the pin 936 from the aperture 938 of the upper control element 914, the upper control element 914 instead rotates about a pivot point 940 as described in more detail below.
The engagement element for the lower control element 912 is preferably a lever: locking element 942. The locking element 942 is preferably rotatable about a pivot 944 into and out of contact with the lower control element 912. The pivot 944 is preferably received within an aperture in the locking element 942 and is integral to the housing 920 or is attached thereto in any conventional manner, including without limitation by welding, gluing, one or more conventional fasteners, a threaded connection, press-fitting, and the like. Alternatively, the pivot 944 can extend from the cover plate or front housing (not shown) of the latch assembly 920, or can be integral to or connected for rotation with the locking element 942 itself and rotate within an aperture in the housing 920. In short, any manner in which the locking element 942 can be mounted for rotation about a pivot 944 can be employed in the present invention.
When the locking element 942 is pivoted away from interference with lower control element movement, actuation of the lower control element 912 preferably causes the lower control element 912 to rotate about a pivot point 946 as described in more detail below. However, when the locking element 942 is pivoted into engagement with the lower control element 912, actuation of the lower control element 912 preferably causes the lower control element 912 to rotate about the pawl pivot post 928 extended through the housing 920 (or about another pivot post preferably at or near this same location). Specifically, the locking element 942 in contact with the lower control element 912 preferably defines a new fulcrum location for the lower control element 912.
Although the pin 936 and locking element 942 are different types of engagement elements, they both perform the same function of changing control element mobility between the respective engaged and disengaged states. The actuated control elements 912, 914 move in one manner when engaged with their respective engagement elements and in a different manner when disengaged from their respective engagement elements. More preferably, the actuated control elements 912, 914 pivot about one point when engaged with their respective engagement elements and about a different point when disengaged from their respective engagement elements.
Engaged control element movement can trigger movement of the pawl 926 to release the ratchet 916 in a number of different manners. Preferably, movement of the pawl 926 is triggered by direct contact of an engaged and actuated control element against the pawl 926. However, actuation of the engaged and actuated control element can trigger movement of the pawl 926 through one or more other elements, if desired. In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the pawl 926 need not be contacted at all for the control elements 912, 14 to move the pawl (e.g., by using magnetic force between a magnet on the pawl 926 and a magnet on the control element 912, 914 to attract or repel the pawl 926 and thereby to move the pawl 926 as described below).
The preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-11 illustrates two different ways in which motion can be transferred from engaged control elements 912, 914 to the pawl 926 to move the pawl 926 and release the ratchet 916. The upper control element 914 preferably has a pin 948 integral, attached thereto in any conventional manner, or otherwise extending therefrom and movable with movement of the upper control element 914 into contact with the pawl 926. As shown in FIG. 2, the pin 948 is movable through an aperture 950 into and out of contact with a surface of the pawl 926. With reference also to FIGS. 6 and 8, when the pin 936 is removed from the upper control element 914 to place the upper control element 914 in its locked state, actuation of the upper control element 914 causes the upper control element 914 to rotate about the pin 948 at the top of the aperture 950. This rotation preferably generates no transmission of motion to the pawl 926, or at least insufficient motion to trigger release of the ratchet 916. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 10, when the pin 936 is engaged in the aperture 938 in the upper control element 914 to place the upper control element 914 in its unlocked state, actuation of the upper control element 914 causes the upper control element 914 to rotate about the pin 936. This rotation causes the pin 948 of the upper control element 914 to move with the upper control element 914, eventually contacting and pressing against the pawl 926 to pivot the pawl 926 about its pivot post 928 and to release the ratchet 916.
The lower control element 912 preferably has an aperture 951 therein within which is received a pin 952 attached in any conventional manner to, integral with, or otherwise extending from the pawl 926. The pin 952 of the pawl 926 preferably extends through an aperture 954 in the housing 920, and is movable in the aperture 954 as described below. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, when the locking element 942 is moved away from interference with lower control element motion, actuation of the lower control element 912 preferably causes the lower control element 912 to pivot about the pawl pin 952 at the top of the housing aperture 954. This rotation generates no transmission of motion to the pawl 926, or at least does not move the pawl 926 sufficiently to release the ratchet 916. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 11, when the locking element 942 is moved into engagement with the lower control element 912, actuation of the lower control element 912 causes the lower control element 912 to pivot about pivot post 928 (or preferably about a point near the pivot post 928). This rotation causes the pawl pin 952 to be moved out of its position, thereby moving the pawl 926 and releasing the ratchet 916.
Both control elements 912, 914 of the illustrated preferred embodiment are elongated in shape and function as levers to pivot about different points responsive to engagement with or disengagement from an engagement element (whether in the form of a pin 936, a lever 942, or other element). However, it will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that the control elements 912, 914 can be shaped in a number of different manners depending at least in part upon the desired location of the control elements 912, 914 in the latch assembly 910, the manner in which connections are made to the latch assembly 910, and the desired motion of the control elements 912, 914 when in their locked and unlocked states. For example, a portion of the upper control element 914 in the illustrated preferred embodiment is hook-shaped to avoid interference with the locking element pivot 944 and to permit connection to an external linking element at a desired location in the latch assembly 910. Either control element 912, 914 can be bar-shaped, curved, angled, have multiple bends, or be shaped in any other manner desired.
Also, both control elements 912, 914 in the illustrated preferred embodiment have purely rotational or substantially rotational motion when in their locked and unlocked states (i.e., fully disengaged and fully engaged with their respective engagement elements 942, 936). This type of motion is not required to practice the present invention. Instead, the motion of either control element 912, 914 in either of its locked or unlocked states can be non-rotational or can be a combination of rotation and translation while still performing the same functions as described above. For example, the upper control element 914 can be connected for substantially translational movement when not engaged by the pin 936, such as by being guided within one or more tracks, rails, or other elements when actuated. Alternatively, the upper control element 914 can both rotate and translate when disengaged from the pin 936.
Still other types of control element motion (when in a locked state or an unlocked state) are possible with the use of different engagement elements and/or different manners of control element engagement. For example, any of the above-described structures employing a pin in an aperture (including the pin and aperture engagement element arrangement for the upper control element 914) can be replaced by an aperture and a pin, respectively. Alternatively, engagement of any control element can be accomplished by one or more pins driven by one or more actuators into positions alongside the control element to limit or guide the control element in its movement when actuated, and can be retracted to establish different movement of the control element (or vice versa). As another example, the upper control element 914 could be releasably engagable by a lever to change lock states of the upper control element 914 in much the same way as the locking element 942 engages with the lower control element 912. The lower control element 912 could also pivot about or otherwise have its motion guided or limited by one or more retractable pins in much the same way as the pin 936 and aperture 938 of the upper control element 914 described above. These pin(s) could be extended within the lower control element 912 and/or into positions beside or adjacent to the lower control element 912 to control, guide, or limit motion of the lower control element 912. As will be described more fully below, other elements performing similar motion limiting or enabling functions can be employed as desired, including without limitation one or more magnet sets, walls, bumps, etc. at least partially defining a path in which a control element 912, 914 is movable when actuated. Such other engagement elements and the different types of motion they enable for the control elements 912, 914 will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art and fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Although the pin 948 of the upper control element 914 is preferably movable into contact with the pawl 926 when the upper control element 914 is actuated in its unlocked state, it will be appreciated that the pawl 926 can instead be provided with a pin extending through the aperture 950 in the housing 920 and received within an aperture in the upper control element 914 or positioned to be contacted by a surface of the upper control element 914 when actuated in its unlocked state. Similarly, although the pin 952 of the pawl 926 is preferably received within the aperture 951 of the lower control element 912, the lower control element 912 can be provided with a pin extending through the aperture 954 in the housing 920 and received within an aperture in the pawl 926 or positioned to contact the pawl 926 when the lower control element 912 is actuated in its unlocked state.
Alternatively, a peripheral surface of either control element 912, 914 can be used to transfer motive force from the control element 912, 914 when in its unlocked state to the pawl 926. For example, the pawl pin 952 can be pressed by a peripheral edge of the lower control element 912 when actuated in its unlocked state to move the pawl 926 out of engagement with the ratchet 916, or the upper control element 914 can be actuated in its unlocked state into contact with the pawl pin 952 to move the pawl 926 out of engagement with the ratchet 916. In the latter case, illustrated by way of example in FIG. 12, the upper control element pin 948 and housing aperture 950 can be eliminated. Specifically, when the upper control element 914 is in its unlocked state (e.g., engaged with the engagement pin 936), the upper control element 914 is actuatable to pass between the housing 920 and the lower control element 912 or to pass over the lower control element 912. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-12, the upper control element 914 preferably passes between the lower control element 912 and the housing 920 when the upper control element 914 is actuated in its unlocked state. When thus actuated, a bearing or camming surface 949 of the upper control element 914 preferably contacts and then pushes, cams, or otherwise exerts motive force upon the pawl pin 952 extending past the housing 920 and into the lower control element aperture 951. This alternative to extending the pin 948 of the upper control element 912 through an aperture 950 in the housing 920 as described above is more preferred because it eliminates the need for the aperture 950, thereby permitting that portion of the latch assembly between the housing 920 and the front cover (not shown) to be more fully enclosed. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that still other elements can be used to transfer motion between a control element 912, 914 in its unlocked state and the pawl 926.
Each control element 912, 914 is preferably connected in a conventional manner to a respective linking element 958, 956 to permit external actuation of the control elements 912, 914. The linking elements 956, 958 take any form described above, such as the rods 956, 958 shown in the figures, and can be run through apertures in any location in the housing 920 as desired. The linking elements 958, 956 can be connected to the control elements 912, 914 in any conventional manner, such as by conventional fasteners, by pivotable joints, or in any manner described above.
Although the present invention can be employed in numerous applications with the linking elements 956, 958 running to and connected to any user-manipulatable device desired, the illustrated preferred embodiment is directed to application in a vehicle door in which the upper control element 914 corresponds to an inside door handle (not shown) and the lower control element 912 corresponds to an outside door handle (also not shown). Therefore, actuation of an inside door handle to actuate the upper control element 914 via the linking element 956 will generate release of the ratchet 916 if the upper control element 914 is in its unlocked state and will not generate release of the ratchet 916 if the upper control element 914 is in its locked state. The upper control element 914 preferably moves through a first path in its locked state in which ratchet release is not triggered and in a second path in its unlocked state in which ratchet release is triggered. Similarly, actuation of an outside door handle to actuate the lower control element 912 via the linking element 958 will generate release of the ratchet 916 if the lower control element 912 is in its unlocked state and will not generate release of the ratchet 916 if the lower control element 912 is in its locked state.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a number of advantages by virtue of its use of a member (e.g., locking element 942) movable into and out of contact against a surface of a control element (e.g., lower control element 912) to define the unlocked and locked states of the control element. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the locking element 942 is a lever having a generally elongated shape and pivotable about the pivot 944. The locking element 942 preferably has an abutment portion 960 that contacts a bearing or camming surface 953 of the lower control element 912 when the locking element 942 is rotated to its unlocked position shown in FIGS. 9-11. This abutment portion 960 serves to limit motion of the lower control element 912 when the locking element 942 is in its unlocked position, thereby at least partially defining the manner in which the lower control element 912 can move. By moving the abutment portion 960 out of interference with the lower control element 912, the lower control element 912 is permitted to move in a different manner. Although not required, a portion of the locking element 942 extends a distance from its pivot 944 to provide a lever arm 962 that can be actuated to move the locking element 942 between its locked position shown in FIGS. 6-8 and its unlocked position shown in FIGS. 9-11. The lever arm 962 can be connected to a user-actuatable element or device (e.g., a button, lever, switch, and the like) for unlocking and locking the lower control element 912 to unlock and lock the outside door handle. Alternatively, the lever arm 962 can be connected to an actuator (not shown) internal or external to the latch assembly 910 and operable by the user or by a conventional controller to unlock and lock the lower control element 912. Regardless of the connected actuating device used, connection can be made to the lever arm 962 in any conventional manner, such as by a pin and aperture connection as employed in the illustrated preferred embodiment, by one or more conventional fasteners, and the like. The lever arm 962 can take any shape desired to permit connection of the locking element 942 to a linking element or actuator and to permit a range of motion needed for proper operation of the locking element 942. As with the shape of the entire locking element 942, the lever arm 962 can be straight, bent, angled, bowed, or take any other shape providing a connection point for actuation thereof and an abutment portion 960 for contact and engagement with the locking element 942.
The locking element 942 moves to engage the lower control element 912 to thereby place the lower control element 912 in its unlocked position (capable of triggering the pawl 926 upon its actuation). The illustrated preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-11 provides one manner in which the locking element 942 can be moved to accomplish this function. Although pivotal movement in response to actuation of a lever arm 962 on the locking element 942 is one manner in which to engage the lower control element 912, one having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other locking element motion can perform the same function. For example, the locking element 942 can be mounted for translational or substantially translational movement in response to actuation thereof, or movement having translational and rotational components or stages. The locking element 942 can be positioned in the latch assembly 910 so that such movement brings the locking element 942 into and out of engagement with the lower control element 912. Other locking element movement (such as orbital, sliding, and the like) is possible to perform this same function.
Any of the types of locking element motion just described can be accomplished in a number of manners well known to those skilled in the art. By way of example only, the pivot 944. in the illustrated preferred embodiment can be replaced with or supplemented by one or more guidance surfaces, posts, walls, abutments, or stops (see, for example, walls 555, 559 in the third preferred embodiment of the present invention above) on the housing 920, cover plate (not shown), front cover (also not shown), or other latch assembly structure. Alternatively, the pivot 944 can be a pin, extension, elbow, or other protrusion of the locking element 942 pivotably received within an aperture in the housing 920. The locking element 942 can additionally or instead be movable through one or more tracks, rails, slides, or other elements in any conventional manner, such as via a pin and groove connection, a slidable carriage or one or more bearing sets in the track, rail, slide, or like element, etc. Such elements and devices for guiding, limiting, or otherwise controlling the path taken by the locking element 942 when actuated fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Although the locking element 942 is preferably actuated by actuation of a lever arm 962 as shown in the figures, locking element actuation can be performed in a number of different manners well known to those skilled in the art. For example, where the pivot 944 is connected to the locking element 942 in any conventional manner for rotation therewith, a stepper motor or other conventional rotational positioning device can be connected to drive the pivot 944 and locking element 942 in different rotational positions. The locking element 942 can instead be driven by a rotating cam or lever brought into contact with the locking element 942 and capable of pushing the locking element 942 into its locked and unlocked positions. Alternatively, one or more electromagnet sets mounted adjacent to the locking element 942 (e.g., on the housing 920, pivot post 928, etc.) and upon the locking element 942 can be selectively energized to move the locking element 942 between its locked and unlocked positions. As another example, the locking element 942 can be provided with a set of gear teeth (e.g., on a surface thereof near the pivot 944, by a spur gear mounted on the pivot 944, etc.) meshed with a gear driven in any conventional manner to rotate the locking element 942 between its locked and unlocked positions. Still other manners of actuating the locking element 942 between these positions are possible and will be readily recognized by those skilled in the art.
Due at least in part to the different possible manners of driving the locking element 942, it should be noted that the shape and form of the locking element 942 can be significantly different from that shown in the figures. For example, certain manners of locking element actuation such as the alternative manners described above do not require a lever arm 962. As another example, the locking element 942 of the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-11 is shown adjacent to the lower and upper control elements 912, 914. In other possible arrangements of the latch assembly 910, the locking element 942 can be located a greater distance from the control elements 912,914 and have an abutment portion 960 that is longer to interact with the control elements 912, 914. One having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that still other locking element shapes can be employed in the present invention as desired.
As described above, movement of the locking element 942 to its unlocked position shown in FIGS. 9-11 causes engagement of the locking element 942 with the lower control element 912, while movement of the locking element 942 to its locked position shown in FIGS. 6-8 causes disengagement of the locking element 942 from the lower control element 912. Therefore, the resulting unlocking and locking of the lower control element 912 and the outside door handle preferably connected thereto is determined by the position of the locking element 942. In highly preferred embodiments of the present invention, the locking element 942 is connected to an actuator in a conventional manner as described above for automatic movement of the locking element 942 responsive to latch control circuitry (e.g., passive entry electronic controls, a keypad or button and associated circuitry, and the like). However, the locking element 942 can instead or also be connected to an actuating element 964 that is manually actuatable by a user.
The actuating element 964 is preferably connected to a user-accessible device or element such as a lever, button, or handle. Where the user-accessible device or element is located on the outside of a vehicle such as in the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-11, the actuating element 964 is more preferably connected to a key-operated lock cylinder 966. The actuating element 964 can be connected directly to the lock cylinder 966 or can be connected to the lock cylinder 966 via a linking element (not shown) which is itself connected to the lock cylinder 966 and to the actuating element 964 in any conventional manner for transferring motion of the lock cylinder 966 to motion of the actuating element 964. Preferably, the actuating element 964 is mounted in a conventional manner for pivotal movement about a pivot 968. The pivot 968 is preferably attached to the housing 920 in any conventional manner and is received within an aperture in the actuating element 964. However, the actuating element 964 can be mounted for pivotal movement about the pivot 968 in any of the manners described above with reference to the locking element 942 mounted for pivotal movement about its pivot 944.
The actuating element 964 is connected to the locking element 942 to transmit actuation force from the user-operable actuating element 964 (e.g., the lock cylinder 966) to the locking element 942. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in the figures, this connection is a pin 970 integral with or attached to the locking element 942 in any conventional manner and received within an aperture 972 in the actuating element 964. However, other connections permitting relative motion of the actuating element 964 and the locking element 942 can be used as desired. For example, a pin or other extension on the actuating element 964 can extend within an aperture in the locking element 942, one or more linking members or flexible members can be pivotably connected to the actuating element 964 at one end and to the locking element 942 at another, the pin 970 on the locking element 942 can be pushed or cammed against an exterior surface of the actuating element 964 (providing for actuation of the locking element 942 by the actuating element 964 in one direction and therefore with less functionality), and the like. Preferably, the aperture 972 in the pin and aperture connection between the locking element 942 and the actuating element 964 permits movement of the pin 970 in the aperture 972. The lost motion provided by such a connection permits movement of the locking element 942 without consequent movement of the actuating element 964. This is particularly useful in a number of applications such as in the illustrated preferred embodiment, where movement of the locking cylinder 966 in response to movement of the various elements in the latch assembly 920 is not desirable.
With reference to the illustrated preferred embodiment, when the actuating element 964 is actuated by movement of the lock cylinder 966, the actuating element 964 pivots about pivot 968. When actuated in one direction, the actuating element 964 preferably rotates the locking element 942 via the pin and aperture connection to its locked position shown in FIGS. 6-8, thereby moving the locking element 942 out of engagement with the lower control element 912 and placing the lower control element 912 in its locked state. When actuated in an opposite direction, the actuating element 964 preferably rotates the locking element 942 via the pin and aperture connection to its unlocked position shown in FIGS. 9-11, thereby causing engagement of the locking element 942 with the lower control element 912 and placing the lower control element 912 in its unlocked state.
Like the locking element 942 described above, the actuating element 964 is preferably movable by rotation about a pivot, but can instead be moveable in a number of different manners still functioning to transfer motion from the user-operable input (e.g., locking cylinder 966) to the locking element 942 for placing the lower control element 912 in its locked and unlocked states. This motion of the actuating element 964 can be purely rotational, purely translational, or a combination thereof acting in series or concurrently or in a combination thereof. Any of the elements or structure described above with reference to locking element actuation can be used to guide, limit, or otherwise control the motion of the actuating element 964 when actuated. It should also be noted that it is even possible in some alternative embodiments of the present invention to connect the user-operable input 966 directly to the locking element 942, if desired, in which case the actuating element 964 is not needed in the latch assembly 910. Such a connection is limited at least in part by the location of the user-operable input 966 with respect to the latch assembly 910 and by the shape of the locking element 942.
In operation of the preferred embodiment (described by way of example, with reference to the latch assembly 910 shown in FIGS. 1-11), the lower and upper control elements 912, 914 can be placed in their respective unlocked and locked states by engagement or disengagement with respect to the locking element 942 and engagement pin 936, respectively. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the locked states for both control elements 912, 914 are shown in FIG. 6. Specifically, the engagement pin 936 is not engaged in the aperture 938 in the upper control element 914, and the locking element 942 is not moved to engage the abutment portion 960 with the lower control element 912. With reference to FIG. 7, actuation of the lower control element 912 (connected, for example, to an outside door handle of a vehicle) when in its locked state causes the lower control element 912 to rotate through a first path about the pin 952 of the pawl 926. This rotation preferably generates no movement of the pin 952 or pawl 926, or at least generates insufficient movement to disengage the pawl 926 from the ratchet 916 as described above. With reference to FIG. 8, actuation of the upper control element 914 (connected, for example, to an inside door handle of a vehicle) when in its locked state causes the upper control element 914 to rotate about the pin 948 of the upper control element 914. This rotation also preferably generates no movement of the pawl 926, or at least generates insufficient movement to disengage the pawl 926 from the ratchet 916 as described above. Specifically, the pin 948 extending from the upper control element 914 either pivots in place in the aperture 950 or travels therein without contacting the pawl 926 or without exerting sufficient force against the pawl 926 to trigger disengagement of the ratchet 916.
When the locking element 942 is moved through a path (preferably a rotational path) to engage the abutment portion 960 thereof with the lower control element 912 as shown in FIG. 9, the lower control element 912 is in its unlocked state. Actuation of the lower control element 912 when in this unlocked state causes the lower control element 912 to rotate through a third path about the pivot post 928 as discussed above. In particular, the abutment portion 960 of the locking element 942 preferably holds a portion of the lower control element 912 (e.g., an end as shown in the figures) in place so that the lower control element 912 pivots about the pivot post 928 rather than the pawl pin 952. As shown in FIG. 11, rotation of the lower control element 912 about the pivot post 928 moves the pawl pin 952 received in the aperture 951 of the lower control element 912, thereby moving the pawl 926 out of engagement with the ratchet 916 to release the ratchet 916.
When the engagement pin 936 is moved into the aperture 938 of the upper control element 914, the upper control element 914 is in its unlocked state. Actuation of the upper control element 914 when in this unlocked state causes the upper control element 914 to rotate through a fourth path about the engagement pin 936 as discussed above. As shown in FIG. 10, rotation of the upper control element 914 eventually brings the pin 948 on the upper control element 914 into pressing contact with the pawl 926 to move the pawl 926 and thereby to release the ratchet 916.
The control elements 912,914 are preferably rotatable about different points when engaged with and disengaged from their respective control elements 942, 936. Preferably, these points at least partly define (and more preferably, substantially fully define) the paths taken by the control elements 912, 914 in their engaged and disengaged states. Other control element motion is possible in various embodiments of the present invention, but the control elements 912, 914 preferably still pivot to some degree about pivot points 928, 936, 952, 970 as described above. In less preferred embodiments, the control elements 912, 914 do not pivot when actuated in their engaged and/or disengaged states, but instead move by orbiting, translating, or other motion. Regardless of the manner in which the control elements 912, , 914 move when engaged with or disengaged from their respective engagement elements 942, 936 (such motion possibly being purely rotational, purely translational, or any combination of these types of motion), the engagement elements of the present invention at least partially define the manner in which the control elements move when engaged therewith. When the control elements 912, 914 are actuated, the paths taken by the control elements 912, 914 need not necessarily be defined solely by the engagement elements 942, 936, but can be the result of one or more other elements (e.g., latch assembly walls, surfaces, and the like) affecting the manner in which the control elements 912, 914 react to actuation forces.
As described above, the lower control element 912 is connected to an outside vehicle door handle in highly preferred embodiments of the present invention, and can be placed in its locked and unlocked positions by actuation of a manually-actuated user operable device (such as a lock cylinder 966 accessible from outside of the vehicle) coupled to the locking element 942 and by actuation of an actuator also coupled to the locking element 942 and preferably responsive to electrical controls as described above. Also in highly preferred embodiments, the upper control element 914 is connected to an inside vehicle door handle and can be placed in its locked and unlocked positions by actuation of a manually-actuated user operable device (such as a lever, switch, button, and the like) coupled to the engagement pin 936. As with earlier embodiments of the present invention, the locked and unlocked states of the two control elements 912, 914 define four states of the latch assembly 910. When the lower and upper control elements 912, 914 are in their engaged states with the locking element 942 and the engagement pin 936, respectively as shown in FIG. 9, the latch assembly 910 is in a fully unlocked mode. When the lower control element 912 is engaged with the locking element 942 as shown in FIG. 9 but the upper control element 914 is disengaged from the engagement pin 936, the latch assembly 910 is in a child locked mode. When the lower control element 912 is disengaged from the locking element 942 as shown in FIG. 6-8 but the upper control element 914 is engaged with the engagement pin 936, the latch assembly 910 is in a locked mode (openable by a user inside the vehicle but not by a user outside the vehicle). When both the lower and upper control elements 912, 914 are disengaged from the locking element 942 and engagement pin 936, respectively as shown in FIG. 6, the latch assembly 910 is in a deadlocked mode.
Although the engagement elements 942, 936 for the control elements 912, 914 are preferably driven manually or by an actuator as described above, it should be noted that either control element 912, 914 can be actuated manually or by an actuator, and can include any number of actuators and/or manual user-manipulatable devices, each of which can be located as desired with respect to the latch assembly 910. For example, both engagement elements 936, 942 can be connected exclusively to user-operable handles, levers, buttons, and other manual devices for changing the lock states of the control elements 912, 914. Alternatively, both engagement elements 936, 942 can be connected to respective actuators responsive to electrical controls or other actuation devices (including without limitation hydraulic, pneumatic, electro-magnetic, and other devices as described above with reference to the other preferred embodiments of the present invention) for the same purpose.
It may be desirable to change the locked state of one control element 912, 914 in response to actuation of another control element 914, 912. This operation can be performed in any of the manners described above. Another manner in which to perform this operation is provided by the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the locking element 942 can preferably be placed in its locked and unlocked positions with respect to the lower control element 912 by movement of the upper control element 914. Although this feature is not required to practice the present invention, it is particularly desirable in applications such as the vehicle door application described above. Where the upper control element 914 is in its unlocked state (pin 936 engaged therewith) and the lower control element 912 is in its locked state (disengaged from the locking element 942), actuation of the upper control element 914 by an inside door handle or other device preferably causes the locking element 942 to move to its unlocked position in engagement with the lower control element 912. Therefore, the outside door handle or other input to the lower control element 912 is unlocked by actuation of the inside door handle or other input to the upper control element 914.
To transfer movement of the upper control element 914 to the locking element 942, the pin 948 of the upper control element 914 preferably extends to a position in the path traveled by the locking element 942 when actuated. Movement of the upper control element 914 therefore causes the pin 948 to contact a surface of the locking element 942 and to move the locking element 942. Most preferably, movement of the upper control element 914 in one direction causes the pin 948 to move the locking element 942 to its locked position while movement of the upper control element 914 in an opposite direction causes the pin 948 to move the locking element 942 to its unlocked position. However, in less preferred embodiments, the pin 948 only contacts and moves the locking element 942 in one direction of upper control element movement (actuation of the upper control element 914 thereby only capable of moving the lower control element 912 to its locked state but not to its unlocked state or only capable of moving the lower control element 912 to its unlocked state but not to its locked state).
With reference again to the illustrated preferred embodiment, the pin 948 is preferably located between the abutment portion 960 and an extension 974 of the locking element 942, thereby transmitting motive force from the upper control element 914 to the locking element 942 in both rotational directions of the upper control element 914. Although the pin 948 can be received between two portions of the locking element 942 (as shown in the figures) for this purpose, it should be noted that many alternative connections between the pin 948 and the locking element 942 are possible. For example, the pin 948 can be received within an aperture in the locking element 942, can cam along one or more surfaces of the locking element 942 to transfer motive force thereto, and the like. Also, the pin 948 can be replaced by a number of other elements and structure for transmitting motive force to the locking element 942, including without limitation an extension, leg, boss, or other element on the upper control element 914 movable into contact with a surface on the locking element 942, or an aperture within which is received an pin, extension, leg, boss, or other element on the locking element 942. Alternatively, the upper control element 914 and the locking element 942 can be arranged in the latch assembly 910 so that an edge of the upper control element 914 contacts and cams, pushes, or rides against an edge of the locking element 942 to transmit motive force to the locking element 942. Still other structure and elements for transferring motive force between the upper control element 914 and the locking element 942 are possible and would be recognized by one skilled in the art. Any alternative embodiment can permit the transmission of motive force to the locking element 942 in only one direction of motion of the upper control element 914. More preferably however, motive force can be transmitted to the locking element 942 in both directions of motion of the upper control element 914 as described above.
Where a connection between the upper control element 914 and the locking element 942 is employed for transmitting motive force from the upper control element 914 to the locking element 942, force can also preferably be transmitted from the locking element 942 to the upper control element 914 to move the upper control element 914 into different positions corresponding to the locked and unlocked positions of the locking element 942. While such a relationship between the positions of the locking element 942 and the upper control element 914 is not required to practice the present invention, it is nevertheless preferred.
In the illustrated preferred embodiment of the latch assembly 910, actuation of the upper control element 914 preferably changes the position of the locking element 942 and its engaged state with respect to the lower control element 912. Elements and structure similar to that described above can instead or in addition be included in the latch assembly 910 to transfer actuation motion of the lower control element 912 to another locking element in order to engage or disengage the upper control element 914. Employing similar elements and structure, it is even possible to employ control elements each capable (when actuated) of generating engagement or disengagement of the another control element. In short, a connection between a control element and a locking element similar to that described above and illustrated in the figures can be employed for similar purposes with any control element in the latch assembly 910.
Although not required to practice the present invention, the use of the locking element 942 and the force-transmitting relationship between the upper control element 914 and the locking element 942 (e.g., via the upper control element pin 948 and the locking element 942 in the illustrated preferred embodiment) described above offers still other advantages over conventional latches. Unlike several other types of engagement elements, the locking element 942 is capable of engagement with its associated control element 912 in a range of control element positions. This capability is valuable regardless of which control element is engaged by the locking element 942, but is described herein and illustrated in the accompanying figures as being used to permit engagement of a control element 912 connected to an outside vehicle door handle.
In operation, when the locking element 942 is engaged with the lower control element 912 as shown in FIG. 9, the lower control element 912 is in its unlocked position. However, when the lower control element 912 has already been partially or fully actuated prior to actuation of the locking element 942, the locking element 942 is still capable of placing the lower control element 912 in its unlocked (engaged) state. The path of motion traveled by the locking element 942 when actuated to its unlocked state preferably brings the locking element 942 into contact with the lower control element 912 regardless of the position of the lower control element 912. Specifically, the abutment portion 960 of the locking element 942 can preferably be brought into contact with the lower control element 912 not just when the lower control element 912 is in its at rest or non-actuated position shown in FIG. 6, but also in at least one actuated position of the lower control element 912.
Preferably, the abutment portion 960 is brought into contact with the lower control element 912 in a range of lower control element positions when actuated in its locked state. More preferably, the abutment portion 960 is brought into contact with the lower control element 912 in any position of the lower control element 912 when actuated in its locked state. Upon contact with the lower control element 912 after partial or fully actuation in its locked state, further actuation of the locking element 942 preferably moves the lower control element 912 into an engaged position where the locking element 942 is engaged with the lower control element 912 (see FIGS. 9-11).
In other words, the lower control element 912 has an engaged state shown in FIGS. 9-11 in which the lower control element 912 moves through a first path when actuated. The first path is defined by rotation of the lower control element 912 about or substantially about the pivot post 928. In the engaged state, the lower control element 912 is pressed against the pivot post 928 by the abutment portion 960 of the locking element 942 in its unlocked position. The abutment portion 960 pressed against the lower control element 912 preferably defines a pivot axis of the lower control element 912 that is the same as the pivot axis of the pawl 926 (i.e., the pawl pivot 928) or that is near the pivot axis of the pawl 926. However, the lower control element 912 in less preferred embodiments can be pivotable about an axis disposed from the pawl pivot 928 when engaged by the abutment portion 960 of the locking element 942 while still permitting the transmission of force against the pawl pivot 952 by the lower control element 912 when thus engaged. Also, the control element 912 need not be pressed against the pawl pivot 928 when engaged, and can instead be pressed against a post, pin, wall, protrusion, or other latch structure adjacent to or disposed from the pawl pivot 928. When the locking element 942 is moved sufficiently from its unlocked position, the lower control element 912 moves through a second path when actuated. The second path is defined by rotation of the lower control element 912 about the pawl pin 952. In this disengaged state, the lower control element 912 may contact the locking element 942, but is incapable of transferring motive force or sufficient motive force to the pawl pin 952 to release the ratchet 916.
When the locking element 942 is actuated to its unlocked state, the lower control element 912 preferably can be in its rest or unactuated position shown in FIG. 6 or can be in at least one position in its second path of motion (partially or fully actuated). When partially or fully actuated in its second path of motion, the lower control element 912 is preferably contacted by the locking element 942 and is moved thereby to the lower control element's first path of motion. Preferably, the position to which the lower control element 912 is moved in its first path of motion is dependent upon the extent to which the lower control element 912 has already been actuated. For example, if only slightly actuated, the lower control element 912 is preferably moved to a position in the first path of motion in which the lower control element 912 must be further actuated to trigger disengagement of the pawl 926. If already fully actuated, the lower control element 912 is preferably moved to a position in the first path of motion in which the lower control element 912 triggers disengagement of the ratchet 916. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that different arrangements and shapes of the lower control element 912 and locking element 942 can be employed to generate disengagement of the ratchet 916 when the lower control element 912 is moved from any actuated position (partially or fully) in the second path of motion, from only a fully actuated position in the second path of motion, or from only a desired range or number of partially actuated positions in the second path of motion.
When the locking element 942 is employed as just described on the preferred vehicle door application described above, the outside vehicle door handle can be partially or fully actuated by a user prior to actuation of the locking element 942 to its unlocked position (e.g., by an actuator connected to the lever arm 962 and triggered by remote keyless entry controls, by a key turned in the lock cylinder 966, and the like) without requiring the user to release and re-actuate the outside door handle. Preferably, if the outside door handle has already been partially actuated, the locking element 942 contacts and moves the lower control element 912 to its first path so that further actuation of the outside door handle generates release of the ratchet 916. Also preferably, if the outside door handle has already been fully actuated, the locking element 942 contacts and moves the lower control element 912 to a position in its first path in which the pawl 926 is triggered to release the ratchet 916.
In the preferred embodiment of the latch assembly 910 described above and illustrated in FIGS. 1-11, the locking element 942 is movable into contact with the lower control element 912 and can thereby move the lower control element 912 into an engaged position in the lower control element's first path of motion. Preferably, this contact is a camming contact in which a cam or bearing surface 976 of the locking element 942 contacts and then pushes against a surface of the lower control element 912. However, many other types of force-transmitting contact between the locking element 942 and the lower control element 912 can be employed to achieve this same result, including without limitation rolling, sliding, pushing, pulling, camming, pressing, and other contact of the locking element 942 against the lower control element 912. The type of contact between the locking element 942 and the lower control element 912 can be against peripheral surfaces of the locking element 942 and the lower control element 912 (as shown in the figures) or can be between any other surfaces of these elements desired, such as between a pin on the locking element 942 contacting a peripheral surface of the lower control element 912, an interior surface of an elongated aperture in the locking element 942 within which is received a post or block on the lower control element 912 (preferably providing for lost motion of the lower control element 912 in the elongated aperture), and the like. Contact between these elements does not even have to exist to achieve the above-described results, such as where one or more magnet sets on the locking element 942 and the lower control element 912 are used to generate repelling magnetic force between these elements, where one or more elements are located between the locking element 942 and the lower control element 912 (and no direct physical contact exists between the locking element 942 and the lower control element 912), etc.
It may be desirable in certain applications to permit engagement of the lower control element 912 without employing the locking element 942. For example, engagement of the lower control element 912 without resulting actuation of the upper control element 912 and/or without actuation of the locking element 942 can be preferred in some applications. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-11, actuation of the locking element 942 between its locked and unlocked states preferably generates movement of the upper control element 914 between its unactuated and partially actuated states, respectively, as described above. This relationship between the locking element 942 and the upper control element 914 can be severed by eliminating the pin 948 from the upper control element 914. However, some highly preferred embodiments of the present invention can retain this relationship while permitting engagement of the lower control element 912 in another manner. For example, FIG. 12 illustrates a latch assembly 910 substantially the same as the latch assembly shown in FIGS. 1-11 (with the exception of the camming surface 949 of the upper control element 914 triggering the pawl 926 rather than the pin 948 as described above), but which employs a second engagement element 953 for the lower control element 912. The second engagement element 953 is releasably engagable with the lower control element 912. This second engagement element can take a number of forms, but most preferably is an actuator 953 mounted in the latch assembly 910 to extend to and retract from the lower control element 912. Preferably, the actuator 953 is an electromagnetic actuator, can be a lever movable (e.g., pivotable or slidable) into and out of engagement with the lower control element 912 in a manner similar to the locking element 942, etc. The actuator 953 can be connected in a conventional manner to a latch controller or to a user-manipulatable device such as a button, lever, handle, and the like.
Upon actuation, the actuator 953 preferably moves into contact with the bearing surface 955 of the lower control element 912 and thereby exerts force against the lower control element 912 to either hold the lower control element 912 in its unlocked state (as described above with reference to the abutment portion 960 of the locking element 942) or to move the lower control element 912 into its first path of motion if not already there. As with the relationship between the locking element 942 and the lower control element 912 described above, the actuator 953 is preferably positioned to push the lower control element 912, but can be positioned in the latch assembly 910 and/or can be connected to the locking element 942 to move the locking element 942 in any of the alternative manners also described above. Also preferably, the actuator 953 is preferably positioned with respect to the lower control element 912 so that the actuator 953 can contact and exert motive force to push the lower control element 912 into the second path from at least one position in the first path, and most preferably from any position in the first path.
Although not preferred, it should be noted that the actuator 953 can replace the locking element 942. In such a case, the actuator 953 is preferably connected to one or more inputs for actuation in a similar manner to actuation of the locking element 954. Without a connection between the actuator 953 and the upper control element 914 however, the above-described relationship between the upper control element 914 and the lower control element 914 (e.g., actuation of the upper control element 914 generating engagement of the lower control element 912) is lost. If this relationship is still desired, however, one or more motion or proximity sensors, mechanical trips, buttons, and the like can be directly or indirectly connected to the actuator 953 and positioned within the latch assembly 910 to detect actuation of the upper control element 914 and to trip the actuator 953 in response thereto. Such sensors and devices and their connection and operation are well known to those skilled in the art and are not therefore described further herein. If desired, the actuator 953 can also or instead be connected to the actuating element 964 in a similar manner to provide the ability of a user to change the state of the actuator 953 (and therefore of the lower control element 912). More preferably however, the actuator 953 is employed in conjunction with the locking element 942 described above.
By employing the actuator 953 for releasable engagement with the lower control element 912, the lower control element 912 can be moved to its first path (or held therein if already in its first path) without changing the state of the locking element 942 and without moving the upper control element 912 or the actuating element 964. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the locking element 942 is moved to its unlocked position only for a period of time to permit actuation of the lower control element 912 in its unlocked state (in the first path), after which time the locking element 942 is automatically returned to its locked state. As a result, the locking element 942 of the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-11 would preferably return the upper control element 914 and the actuating element 964 to their unactuated positions. Where a locking element actuator (not shown) is coupled to a latch controller for moving the locking element 942 between its unlocked and locked states as described above, the latch controller (conventional in fashion) can be programmed or otherwise configured to trigger the actuator to its unlocked position for a period of time after which the actuator returns the locking element 942 to its locked position. The amount of time the locking element 942 is in its unlocked position can be selected as desired. Still other manners of moving the locking element 942 briefly to its unlocked position are possible and would be recognized by one having ordinary skill in the art.
As mentioned above, any number of manual or actuator-driven inputs can be connected to the control elements 912, 914 and the locking element 942 to drive these elements into their respective positions. If desired, it is even possible to combine different input types into one latch input. For example, rather than have one input to the upper control element 914 for actuation thereof in its locked and unlocked states, this input can also be used to change the state of the lower control element 912 as discussed above. Therefore, the input is not only used for actuating the upper control element 914, but also for engaging and/or disengaging the lower control element 912 (i.e., changing the state of the lower control element 912). If actuated when disengaged from the pin 936, the upper control element 914 moves through a first path in which it is incapable of moving or sufficiently moving the pawl 926 to release the ratchet 916, while if actuated when engaged with the pin 936, the upper control element 914 preferably moves through a two-stage second path causing release of the ratchet 916. In the second path, a first stage of upper control element movement engages the locking element 942 with the lower control element 912 as described above. A second stage of upper control element movement (i.e., further actuation of the upper control element 914) in the second path preferably causes the upper control element 914 to move the pawl 926 and to release the ratchet 916. Therefore, one having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that two functions can be performed by the same latch assembly input, if desired. As an alternative to a single upper control element input functioning as just described, the extension 974 and pin 948 connection between the upper control element 914 and the locking element 942 can be eliminated so that the only inputs capable of changing the state of the lower control element 912 are a linking element (not shown) connected to the lever arm 962 of the locking element 942 and the actuating element 964 connected to the lock cylinder 966.
To prevent undesirable motion of one control element 912, 914 as a result of actuation of another control element 914, 912 (such as during actuation of one control element 912, 914 in its unlocked state to generate release of the pawl 926), the control elements 912, 914 are preferably mounted in the latch assembly 910 having lost motion at least with respect to the pawl 926. For example, the pin 952 of the pawl 926 is preferably received within the elongated aperture 951 of the lower control element 912 so that motion of the pawl 926 by actuation of the upper control element 914 does not generate actuation of the lower control element 912. As another example, the pin 952 of the pawl 926 is preferably located a sufficient distance from the upper control element 914 so that motion of the pawl 926 by actuation of the lower control element 912 does not generate actuation of the upper control element 914. Still other conventional manners of providing lost motion for the lower and upper control elements 912, 914 are possible and fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It should be noted that the ratchet 916 need not be releasably engagable with a pawl 926 for the latch assembly 910 to function as described. Specifically, the control elements 912, 914 can releasably engage the ratchet 916 directly, such as by a surface, aperture, notch, or other portion of the ratchet 916. Employing operational principles similar to those described above, the control elements 912, 914 would preferably move in one manner when engaged with their respective engagement elements 942, 936 (in which control element engagement with the ratchet 916 is released) and in another manner when not thus engaged (in which control element engagement with the ratchet 916 is maintained).
Also, the engaged states of the control elements 912, 914 need not necessarily correspond to the pawl-releasing paths of the control elements 912, 914 when actuated as described above and illustrated in the figures. One having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the control elements 912, 914 can be shaped and/or arranged in the latch assembly 910 so that movement of either or both control elements 912, 914 when engaged with their respective engagement elements 942, 936 triggers release of the ratchet 916 while movement of either or both control elements 912, 914 when disengaged therefrom does not trigger such release. The control elements 912, 914 move through a first path when engaged with their engagement elements 942, 936 and through a different path when not so engaged. The path generating ratchet release can be selected as desired.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention offers without limitation the advantages of arranging the latch assembly 910 in layers (the ratchet 916 and pawl 926 in one layer, the control elements 912, 914 and linking elements 958, 956 in another layer, and engagement elements 936, 942 at least partially located in yet another layer), latch modularity and ease of adaptation to different applications, latch speed, weight, and complexity, and the like.
As used herein and in the appended claims, movement of an element in or through a "path" does not necessarily mean that the element is moved completely through the entire path available to it, but just that the element is moved some distance along the path available to it.
The preferred embodiment of the latch assembly according to the present invention demonstrates the application flexibility of the present invention. For example, the latch assemblies described above and illustrated in the figures can be quickly adapted for use in a number of different applications. For a more universal latch assembly, multiple ports can be located in different locations around the sides of the housing and/or front cover. An installer can therefore run any desired linking element (preferably bowden cables or rods) from outside the latch assembly to the control elements inside from a number of different angles with respect to the latch assembly. Such a latch assembly can be immediately installed into a large number of applications in which linking elements are run from different locations with limited space for re-routing such linking elements.

Claims

A latch assembly (910), comprising:
a ratchet (916) having a latched position and an unlatched position;

a control element (912) movable in a first path between an unactuated at rest position and an actuated position not generating release of the ratchet to the unlatched position and in a second path generating release of the ratchet (916) to the unlatched position, the control element (912) is pivotable about a first point at least partially defining the first path and about a second point at least partially defining the second path;

a locking element (942) having a locked position and an unlocked position; and

an actuator (953) coupled to the locking element 942), characterized by actuation of the locking element (942) to its unlocked position when the control element (912) is actuated from the unactuated at rest position in its second path generating movement of the control element (912) from its second path to its first path, and
the ratchet (916) being releasable from the latched position to the unlatched position responsive to actuation of the locking element (942) to its unlocked position during at least partial actuation of the control element (912) from the unactuated at rest position.
The latch assembly (910) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a pawl (926) releasably engagable with the ratchet (916), the pawl (926) releasable by the control element (912) in its first path of motion.
The latch assembly (910) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control element (912) is pivotable about a pivot point in its first path of motion to trigger release of the pawl (926).
The latch assembly (910) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking element (942) is mounted for pivotal movement between the locked and unlocked positions.
The latch assembly (910) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the locking element (942) is in contact with the control element (912) in the unlocked position to at least partially limit the control element (912) to its first path, and wherein the locking element (942) is substantially free from contact with the control element (912) in the locked position to permit control element (912) movement in the second path.
The latch assembly (910) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the control element (912) has a surface against which the locking element (942) is pressed when in the unlocked position.
The latch assembly (910) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a user-manipulatable actuating element (964) coupled to the locking element (942) for user control of locking element (942) position.
The latch assembly (910) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the user-manipulatable actuating element (964) is a lock cylinder (966).
The latch assembly (910) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control element (912) is a first control element (912), the latch assembly (910) further comprising a second control element (914) movable through a third path, the locking element (942) movable to at least one of the locked and unlocked positions by the second control element (914) in the third path.
The latch assembly (910) as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a pawl (926) releasably engagable with the ratchet (916), the second control element (914) movable through the third path to trigger ratchet (916) release via movement of the pawl (926).
The latch assembly (910) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control element (912) is a first control element (912), the latch assembly (910) further comprising:
a pawl (926) releasably engagable with the ratchet (916); and

a second control element (914) pivotably mounted for movement through a third path, the second control element (914) movable against the pawl (926) in the third path to move the pawl (926) and disengage the ratchet (916).
The latch assembly (910) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second control element (914) is also movable against the locking element (942) in the third path to change the position of the locking element (942).
The latch assembly (910) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a linking element (956,958) coupled to the control element (912) for user manipulation of the control element (912).
A method of unlatching a latch assembly (910), comprising:
providing a ratchet (916) having a latched position and an unlatched position;

at least partially actuating a control element (912) in a first path;

restraining the ratchet (916) against release to the unlatched position while at least partially actuating the control element (912) in the first path;

actuating a locking element (942) movable with respect to the control element (912); characterised in that the method comprises

moving the at least partially actuated control element (912) to a position in a second path by actuation of the locking element (942) to engage the control element (912) with the locking element (942); and

releasing the ratchet (916).
The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the ratchet (916) is released upon moving the control element (912) to the position in the second path.
The method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising actuating the control element (912) further after moving the control element (912) to the position in the second path to release the ratchet (916).
The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first path is defined by rotation of the control element (912) about a pivot point.
The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the second path is defined by rotation of the control element (912) about another pivot point.
The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second path is defined by rotation of the control element (912) about a pivot point.
The method as claimed in claim 14, further including moving the locking element (942) into contact with the control element (912) prior to moving the control element (912).
The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the locking element (942) is moved into contact with the control element (912) in at least one position of the control element (912) in the first path.
The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein moving the locking element (942) into contact with the control element (912) occurs independently of control element (912) position in the first path.
The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein moving the control element (912) to the position in the second path includes moving the control element (912) via movement of the locking element (942).
The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the control element (912) is moved by pressing a bearing surface of the locking element (942) against a bearing surface of the control element (912).
The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the control element (912) is moved by camming a surface of the locking element (942) against a surface of the control element (912).
The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein actuating the locking element (942) includes actuating an actuator (953) coupled to the locking element (942).
The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the control element (912,914) is a first control element (912), and wherein actuating the locking element (942) includes actuating a second control element (914) to move the locking element (942), the second control element (914) movable through a third path to trigger release of the ratchet (916).
The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the locking element (942) is movable by pressing a surface of the second control element (914) against a surface of the locking element (942) to move the locking element (942) into engagement with the first control element (912).