Patent Grant
12049773
The present invention relates to the field of latches or connector systems configured to provide a mechanical connection between adjacent components, and particularly to latch systems for securing automotive glove box or accessory compartment doors in the closed position.
Automotive closure systems, such as glove boxes and the like, typically include a housing, a door, and a latch that cooperates with one or more strikers to hold the door in the closed position to cover the housing.
Such closure systems typically are manufactured by multiple different entities. These entities can have different manufacturing processes, and different manufacturing tolerance thresholds. For example, a company making a door or molded plastic may deal with significantly different issues than another company making a latch assembly. It is important, but sometimes difficult, for such companies to cooperate to provide parts that assemble together with tight tolerances and high final product quality.
Automotive closure systems also may be provided in different model configurations, which can vary by automobile manufacturer, automobile model, and automobile trim or accessory level. For example, a particular automobile may be provided in a convertible model or a high-end model in which it may be desirable to have a lock on the closure system, as well as a low-end or non-convertible model in which a closure lock is not provided. Thus, it is desirable, but sometimes difficult, to provide a latch assembly that can meet the various different model or manufacturer requirements while still maintaining cost efficiency and general a uniformity of the latch assembly design.
It has been found that there is a continuing need to improve upon or provide alternatives to existing door closure systems.
According to a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a latch assembly having a base and a paddle. The paddle is rotatably connected to the base to pivot about a paddle axis, and the paddle has a drive surface located at a position offset from the paddle axis, the drive surface being movable, upon rotation of the paddle about the paddle axis, through a first travel path extending between a first drive surface position and a second drive surface position. A catch assembly having a catch pinion and activation surface is connected to the base. The catch pinion is rotatably connected to the base to rotate about a pinion axis that is generally perpendicular to the paddle axis, and the catch pinion has a pinion plate facing the paddle and having a concave recess to receive at least a portion of the drive surface when the drive surface moves between the first drive surface position and the second drive surface position. The activation surface extends from the pinion plate at a location offset from the pinion axis, and the activation surface is movable, upon rotation of the catch pinion about the pinion axis, through a second travel path extending between a first activation surface position adjacent the first drive surface position and a second activation surface position adjacent the second drive surface position. The second travel path intersects the first travel path such that the drive surface can contact at least a portion of the activation surface throughout the first travel path.
A paddle return spring may be connected between the base and the paddle and configured to generate a restoring force to move the paddle towards the first drive surface position.
The latch assembly may have at least one release member movably mounted to the base to move between a first release member position and a second release member position, wherein the catch pinion is operatively connected to the at least one release member to move the at least one release member from the first release member position to the second release member position upon rotation of the catch pinion from the first activation surface position to the second activation surface position. The latch assembly may further include a release member return spring connected between the base and the at least one release member and configured to generate a restoring force to move the at least on release member towards the first release member position. The release member return spring may be connected between the base and the catch pinion.
The base may include a chamber that receives at least a portion of the at least one release member, and the pinion plate is shaped as a cover to enclose a corresponding opening into the chamber. The catch pinion may be operatively connected to the at least one release member by a drive gear rotationally fixed to the catch pinion and a rack gear fixed to the at least one release member with the rack gear in meshing engagement with the drive gear, and the release member may be slidingly mounted to the base such that rotation of the drive gear causes linear movement of the at least one release member. The at least one release member may include a first release member slidingly mounted to the base to move along a first sliding axis and a second release member slidingly mounted to the base to move along a second sliding axis.
A drive pinion may be rotationally fixed to the catch pinion, and each of the first release member and the second release member may include a respective surface held in engagement with the drive pinion such that rotation of the drive pinion causes the first release member and the second release member to slide relative to the base. The drive pinion may include a gear, and the respective surfaces held in engagement with the drive pinion may be respective gear racks in meshing engagement with the drive gear. The first sliding axis may be parallel to the second sliding axis.
The at least one release member may include a catch rigidly fixed to the release member. When the at least one release member is in the first release member position, the catch extends a first distance outside the base, and when the at least one release member is in the second release member position, the catch extends a second distance outside the base, the second distance being less than the first distance, or the catch does not extend outside the base.
The at least one release member may include a catch receiver. A remote catch may be operatively connected to the catch receiver. The remote catch may be connected to the catch receiver by a ball and socket joint. The remote catch may be releasably connected to the catch receiver.
The latch assembly may include a lock movably mounted to the paddle and having a first lock surface that is selectively movable to a locking position at which the lock engages the catch pinion to prevent rotation of the catch pinion in at least one direction about the pinion axis. The pinion plate may have a second lock surface that is located at the locking position when the catch pinion is in the first activation surface position.
The activation surface may be a post extending from the catch plate. The activation surface and the drive surface may be shaped such that the drive surface contacts the activation surface at a first distance from the pinion axis when the catch pinion is in the first activation surface position, and the drive surface contacts the activation surface at a second distance from the pinion axis when the catch pinion is in the second activation surface position, the second distance being different from the first distance. The second distance may be less than the first distance.
In another exemplary aspect, there is provided a latch assembly having a base and a paddle. The paddle is rotatably connected to the base to pivot about a paddle axis, and the paddle has a drive surface located at a position offset from the paddle axis, the drive surface being movable through a first travel path when the paddle rotates about the paddle axis. A catch pinion is rotatably connected to the base to rotate about a pinion axis that is generally perpendicular to the paddle axis, the catch pinion including an activation surface positioned in the first travel path such that movement of the drive surface through the first travel path in at least one direction generates a force on the activation surface to rotate the catch pinion about the pinion axis. A lock is movably mounted to the paddle and includes a first lock surface that is selectively movable to a locking position at which the lock engages the catch pinion to prevent rotation of the catch pinion in at least one direction about the pinion axis.
The paddle may be rotatable about the paddle axis between a first paddle position and a second paddle position, and the first travel path may extend between a first drive surface position when the paddle is in the first paddle position and a second drive surface position when the paddle is in the second paddle position, and the lock may have a first lock surface movably mounted to the paddle and selectively movable, when the paddle is in the first paddle position, to a latch locking position located offset from the paddle axis. A paddle return spring may be connected between the base and the paddle and configured to generate a restoring force to move the paddle towards the first paddle position. The catch pinion may be rotatable about the pinion axis between a first pinion position and a second pinion position, and the activation surface may be at a first location offset from the pinion axis and is movable, upon rotation of the catch pinion from the first pinion position to the second pinion position, through a second travel path extending from a first activation surface position adjacent the first drive surface position to a second activation surface position adjacent the second drive surface position, wherein the second travel path intersects the first travel path such that the drive surface can contact at least a portion of the activation surface throughout the first travel path. A catch pinion return spring may be connected between the base and the catch pinion and configured to generate a restoring force to move the catch pinion towards a first pinion position.
The catch pinion may also include a second lock surface at a second location offset from the pinion axis, the second lock surface being movable, upon rotation of the catch pinion from the first pinion position to the second pinion position, through a third travel path extending from a first lock surface position to a second lock surface position, wherein the latch locking position is located along the third travel path and adjacent the first lock surface position, and the first lock surface and the second lock surface are configured to prevent rotation of the catch pinion to the second pinion position when the first lock surface is located in the latch locking position. The latch locking position may be offset from the first travel path in a direction parallel to the paddle axis, and the pinion axis may be located, with respect to the paddle axis, between the latch locking position and the first travel path.
The catch pinion may have a plate that faces the paddle, and the activation surface may extend from the plate, and the plate may have a concave recess to receive at least a portion of the drive surface when the drive surface moves through the first travel path.
The latch assembly may also have at least one release member movably mounted to the base to move between a first release member position and a second release member position, wherein the catch pinion is operatively connected to the at least one release member to move the at least one release member from the first release member position to the second release member position upon rotation of the catch pinion from a first pinion position to a second pinion position. The base may have a chamber that receives at least a portion of the at least one release member, the catch pinion passes through an opening into the chamber, and the catch pinion comprises a plate that closes the opening. The activation surface may be a post extending from the plate.
The paddle may be rotatable about the paddle axis between a first paddle position and a second paddle position, and the lock may include a first lock surface movably mounted to the paddle and selectively movable, when the paddle is in a first paddle position, to a latch locking position located offset from the paddle axis, and the catch pinion may include a second lock surface extending from the plate and configured to engage the first lock surface when the first lock surface is in the latch locking position to prevent rotation of the paddle to the second paddle position.
The catch pinion may include a drive gear, and the at least one release member may be slidingly mounted to the base and comprises a rack gear in meshing engagement with the drive gear, such that rotation of the drive gear causes linear movement of the at least one release member.
The at least one release member may include a first release member slidingly mounted to the base to move along a first sliding axis and a second release member slidingly mounted to the base to move along a second sliding axis. Each of the first release member and the second release member may include a respective surface held in engagement with the catch pinion such that rotation of the catch pinion causes the first release member and the second release member to slide relative to the base. The catch pinion may include a gear, and the respective surfaces held in engagement with the catch pinion may have respective gear racks in meshing engagement with the drive gear. The first sliding axis may be parallel to the second sliding axis.
The at least one release member may include a catch rigidly fixed to the release member, the catch being movable between a first position and a second position upon rotation of the catch pinion, with the first position at a first distance outside the base, and the second position is at a second distance outside the base that is less than the first distance, or at a location that is not outside the base.
The at least one release member may include a catch receiver. A remote catch may be operatively connected to the catch receiver.
In another exemplary aspect, there is provided a latch assembly having a base and a paddle. The paddle is rotatably connected to the base to pivot about a paddle axis between a first paddle position and a second paddle position. A drive surface is located at a position offset from the paddle axis, and the drive surface is reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the drive surface is not movable relative to the paddle, and a second configuration in which the drive surface is movable relative to the paddle. When the drive surface is in the first configuration, rotation of the paddle about the paddle axis from the first paddle position to the second paddle position forces the drive surface to move through a first travel path from a first drive surface position to a second drive surface position. When the drive surface is in the second configuration, rotation of the paddle about the paddle axis does not force the drive surface to move through the first travel path from the first drive surface position to the second drive surface position. A catch pinion is rotatably connected to the base to rotate about a pinion axis that is generally perpendicular to the paddle axis, the catch pinion including an activation surface positioned in the first travel path at a location offset from the pinion axis, such that movement of the drive surface through the first travel path from the first drive surface position to the second drive surface position generates a force on the activation surface to rotate the catch pinion about the pinion axis from a first activation surface position to a second activation surface position.
A paddle return spring may be connected between the base and the paddle and configured to generate a restoring force to move the paddle towards the first paddle position.
A catch pinion return spring may be connected between the catch pinion and the base and configured to generate a restoring force to bias the catch pinion towards the first activation surface position.
The drive surface may be attached to a lever that is rotatably connected to the paddle about a lever pivot axis, the lever pivot axis being parallel to the paddle axis. A first lock surface may be movably mounted to the paddle, the first lock surface being movable between an engaged position in which the first lock surface engages the lever to hold the drive surface in the first configuration, and a disengaged position in which the first lock surface does not engage the lever to hold the drive surface in the first configuration. The first lock surface may be rotatably connected to the paddle to rotate between the engaged position and the disengaged position. The lever may have a second lock surface located adjacent the first lock surface when the first lock surface is in the engaged position, and an opening located adjacent the first lock surface when the first lock surface is in the disengaged position.
The second travel path may intersect the first travel path such that the drive surface can contact at least a portion of the activation surface throughout the first travel path.
The catch pinion may include a plate that faces the paddle, the activation surface may extend from the plate, and the plate may have a concave recess to receive at least a portion of the drive surface when the drive surface moves through the first travel path.
The latch assembly also may have at least one release member movably mounted to the base to move between a first release member position and a second release member position, wherein the catch pinion is operatively connected to the at least one release member to move the at least one release member from the first release member position to the second release member position upon rotation of the catch pinion from a first pinion position to a second pinion position. The base may have a chamber that receives at least a portion of the at least one release member, the catch pinion may pass through an opening into the chamber, and the catch pinion may have a plate that closes the opening. The activation surface may include a post extending from the plate.
The catch pinion may include a drive gear, and the at least one release member may be slidingly mounted to the base and include a rack gear in meshing engagement with the drive gear, such that rotation of the drive gear causes linear movement of the at least one release member.
The at least one release member may include a first release member slidingly mounted to the base to move along a first sliding axis and a second release member slidingly mounted to the base to move along a second sliding axis. Each of the first release member and the second release member may have a respective surface held in engagement with the catch pinion such that rotation of the catch pinion causes the first release member and the second release member to slide relative to the base. The catch pinion may include a gear, and the respective surfaces held in engagement with the catch pinion may include respective gear racks in meshing engagement with the drive gear. The first sliding axis may be parallel to the second sliding axis.
The at least one release member may include a catch rigidly fixed to the release member, the catch being movable between a first position and a second position upon rotation of the catch pinion, the first position being a first distance outside the base, and the second position being a second distance outside the base that is less than the first distance, or at a location that is not outside the base.
The at least one release member may include a catch receiver. A remote catch may be operatively connected to the catch receiver.
The above and other aspects and features of the present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the invention.
A first embodiment of a latch assembly 100 incorporating aspects of the present invention is illustrated in
The catch pinion 108 may have a pinion plate 112 located at an end of the catch pinion 108 adjacent the paddle 104. The pinion plate 112 extends generally orthogonally from the pinion axis 110, and a surface 114 of the pinion plate 112 faces the paddle 104.
An activation surface 116 extends from the catch pinion 108 towards the paddle 104. The activation surface 116 may comprise, for example, a portion of a post that extends from the pinion plate surface 114. The activation surface 116 (or at least a portion thereof) is located at a position that is offset from the catch pinion axis 110. Thus a force applied to the activation surface 116 generates a moment that tends to rotate the catch pinion 108 about the pinion axis 110, assuming such force is not oriented along the pinion axis 110 and does not directly intersect the pinion axis 110.
A drive surface 118 extends from the paddle 104 towards the catch pinion 108. The drive surface 118 is located at a position that is offset from the paddle axis 106, such that the drive surface 118 travels through a movement path as the paddle 104 rotates about the paddle axis 106. The drive surface 118 is positioned such it can contact the activation surface 116 through at least a portion of the drive surface's travel path. This provides a means for converting the pivoting movement of the paddle 104 into a rotational movement of the catch pinion 108, as explained in more detail below.
The catch pinion 108 is operatively connected to one or more release members 120 that are movably connected to the base 102. The release members 120 are movable between a first position in which they (or extensions thereof) engage respective strikers (not shown) to prevent or inhibit movement of the latch assembly 100 relative to the striker, and a second position in which they do not engage the respective striker to allow movement of the latch assembly 100 relative to the striker. For example, the latch assembly 100 may be secured to a glove box door, such as described below, and the release members may selectively engage corresponding strikers in a dashboard assembly that surrounds the glove box door.
The latch assembly 100 also may include a paddle return spring (see
Referring now to
The drive surface 118 is positioned to engage and move the activation surface 116 as the drive surface 118 moves along the drive surface travel path A. Specifically, the activation surface 116 is movable between a first drive surface position as shown in
It has been found that the nature of the contact between the drive surface 118 and the activation surface 116 can affect the performance of the latch assembly 100. Specifically, the shapes of the drive surface 118 and activation surface 116 can change the physical feel of the latch assembly 100 by providing varying degrees of resistance throughout the movement of the paddle 104. Various physical parameters may affect the resistance. For example, as the drive surface 118 moves along its path A, the particular part of the drive surface 118 in contact with the activation surface 116 may move closer or further from the paddle axis 106, resulting in reduced or increased resistance to the force applied by the user. Similarly, as the activation surface 116 moves along its path B, the portion of the activation surface 116 contacted by the drive surface 118 may move closer or further from the pinion axis 110, resulting in increased or decreased resistance. Still another factor is the angular position about the pinion axis 110 of the point of contact between the drive surface 118 and the activation surface 116. Such changes in resistance are functions of conventional lever mechanics, which need not be described herein. The amount of resistance also can depend on friction, the strength of any return springs, and other variables that need not be discussed.
In the embodiment of
As shown in
The catch pinion 108 is installed by sliding it into an opening 712 formed in the base 102. When fully inserted (
The catch pinion 108 is fixed in the radial direction on the pinion axis 110 by contact between the lower bearing surface 702 and a corresponding lower bearing receiver 704, and by contact between an upper bearing surface 706 (which may be formed at the outer perimeter of the pinion plate 112 or elsewhere) and an upper bearing receiver 708. The bearing surfaces 702, 706 and bearing receivers 704, 708 may comprise durable plastic materials, metal materials (e.g., bronze), or the like, to provide low friction and wear resistance. Lubrication or low-friction liners also may be provided to reduce friction and provide a secure fit. In other embodiments the catch pinion 108 may be held on the pinion axis 110 by other means. For example, the catch pinion 108 may have a cylindrical bore to receive a pin located in the base 102. Other alternatives and variations will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present disclosure.
It may be desirable in some embodiments to at least partially enclose the operative parts of the catch assembly. For example, it may be desirable to enclose the drive gear 700 and the gear racks 600 in a chamber located inside the base 102. To this end, the tracks 604 may be provided in a chamber within the base 102, such that the base shields the tracks 604 and enclosed portions of the release members 120 from dust and debris. The drive gear 700 of the catch pinion 108 is located inside this chamber in order to engage the gear racks 600. Accordingly, at least a portion of the catch pinion 108 extends through an opening 712 into the chamber. The entry of dust and debris through this opening 712 can be inhibited by shaping a portion of the catch pinion 108 as a cover to seal the opening 712. For example, as shown in
The protective chamber around the catch assembly also may include additional openings to allow assembly or manufacturability of the parts, and corresponding covers for those openings. For example,
The pinion return spring 122 preferably is configured to bias the pinion into the first pinion position, in which the release members 120 are positioned to lock the latch assembly 100. In this case, the pinion return spring 122 is installed in a minimum pre-compression state when the release members 120 are in their fully-extended position. A rotation force must be applied to resiliently flex the pinion return spring 122 in order to rotate the catch pinion 108 and move the release members 120 to their fully-contracted position. Upon releasing this rotation force, the flexed pinion return spring 122 releases stored energy to rotate the catch pinion 108 back to the first position, and the catch pinion 108 simultaneously drives the release members 120 to the extended latching position. Thus, the pinion return spring 122 also acts as a release member return spring.
The pinion return spring 122 also may serve an additional function of retaining the catch pinion 108 in the base 102. To this end, the pinion return spring 122 may engage a slot 902 on the end of the catch pinion 108, and have a hook 904 that projects into the slot 902 to hook onto a corresponding ledge (not shown) within the body of the catch pinion 108.
The exemplary pinion return spring 122 is a helical spring, but other kinds of spring may be used. The pinion return spring 122 also may be supplemented or replaced by other return springs. For example, each release member 120 may have its own separate spring operatively connected between the release member 120 and the base 102.
The release members 120 or base 102 also may include features to help reduce or prevent unwanted movement or rattling of the release members 120 relative to the base 102. For example, the release members 120 may include resilient tabs 1004 that extend from the release members 120 to contact a surface 1006 on the base 102. Exemplary tabs 1004 are shown in more detail in
It has been found that consistent assembly of the parts of a latch assembly is an ongoing challenge because the parts can be difficult to align properly, and errors may be difficult to discover. The latch assembly 100 may include various features to help prevent or reduce the likelihood of assembly errors. For example, the drive gear 700 may have one or more oversized teeth 1200 or similar features that only fit into a single specific respective tooth gap 1202 or other opening in each gear rack 600. Thus, the catch pinion 108 can only be installed when the two release members 120 and the drive gear 700 are oriented properly relative to the base 102. In this example, proper orientation for assembly may be obtained by sliding both release members 120 fully into the base 102, at which point the drive gear 700 can be rotated to a position in which it properly engages both gear racks 600 simultaneously. The gear racks 600 and/or drive gear 700 also may have features to prevent the drive gear 700 from rotating far enough to fully release the gear racks 600. For example, the drive gear 700 may have a blocked tooth gap 1204 that contacts a terminal end 1206 of the gear rack 600 to prevent further rotation that might cause the gear rack 600 to disengage from the drive gear 700. Other alternatives and variations will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present disclosure.
The drive gear 700 and gear racks 600 also may include additional features to help prevent looseness, rattling or possible disengagement under high operation loads. For example, the gear racks 600 may be bent slightly towards the drive gear 700, such that the drive gear 700 presses the gear racks 600 in a radial outwards direction when the drive gear 700 is installed between the gear racks 600. Thus, each gear rack 600 acts as a spring-loaded cantilever to generate an engagement force with the drive gear 700 to prevent rattling. Also, the base 102 may include structures, such as fixed protrusions 1208 or resilient tabs that surround the outer sides of the gear racks 600, to help prevent the gear racks 600 from displacing away from the drive gear 700.
It will be appreciated that the foregoing embodiments may be modified in a variety of ways. For example, the gear racks 600 may comprise arcuate gear segments that move along semicircular paths instead of linear gear segments. As another example, the release members 120 may comprise rotating parts, such as gears that are rotatably mounted to the base 102. The drive gear 700 and gear racks 600 also may be replaced by other suitable mechanisms. For example, the drive gear 700 may comprise a smooth or untoothed pinion that contacts similar smooth or untoothed racks on the release members 120, to provide driving engagement by friction rather than mechanical meshing. In this example, the pinion and/or racks may comprise high-friction materials, such as rubber, synthetic rubber, or the like, to help prevent slippage. In another alternative example, the drive gear 700 and gear racks 600 may be replaced by linkages, such as a rotating arm that is driven by the catch pinion and connected by a pivot to a driven arm, or the catch pinion may have a cam surface that moves a release member in the form of a cam follower. Other alternatives and variations will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present disclosure.
The paddle 104 and/or base 102 also may include features to prevent or reduce unwanted rattling or slack movement between these parts. For example, the paddle 104 may include cantilevered tabs 1306 that abut and resiliently engage corresponding surfaces 1308 of the base 102. The cantilevered tabs 1306 generate a force against the surfaces 1308 to cause frictional resistance against moving the paddle 104 relative to the base 102. This frictional force prevents or reduces rattling between the parts. In the exemplary embodiment of
As best shown in
The base 1402 includes a catch pinion 1410 that is drivingly connected to one or more release members 1412. Such engagement may be, for example, by meshed engagement between a drive gear 1414 rotationally fixed to the catch pinion 1410 and gear teeth 1416 on the release members 1412, or by other mechanisms, such as those described above. Each release member 1412 may comprise a catch receiver 1418 to connect with a remote catch, or an integral or rigidly attached catch structure, such as a pawl. The release members 1412 are movably mounted to the base 1402 between a first position corresponding to the latch assembly 1400 being latched, and a second position corresponding to the latch assembly 1400 being unlatched.
As with the previous embodiment, the latch assembly 1400 includes an activation surface 1424 that is operatively connected to the catch pinion 1410. In the shown example, the activation surface 1424 again comprises a portion of a post that extends from a concave recess formed in an upper surface 1426 of a catch plate 1428. As with the previous embodiment, the catch plate 1428 may cover an opening into a chamber that houses various parts of the catch assembly, such as shown in
The latch assembly 1400 also may include features such as a catch pinion return spring 1420, one or more dust covers 1422, a paddle return spring 1604 (described below), and so on.
The latch assembly 1400 includes a lock mechanism that may be operated to selectively prevent or allow the paddle 1404 to be used to move the activation surface 1424 from the latched position to the unlatched position. In this example, the lock mechanism includes a drive surface 1700 that is connected to the paddle 1404 by a movable connection that allows relative movement between the drive surface 1700 and the paddle 1404, and a mechanism, such as a paddle lock 1432, to selectively prevent such relative movement by creating a rigid connection between the paddle 1404 and the drive surface 1700. When the paddle lock 1432 is in a state that allows relative movement between the drive surface 1700 and the paddle 1404, the paddle 1404 can move through its range of travel without applying a force to the drive surface 1700 to move the activation surface 1424; thus, the drive surface 1700 and activation surface 1424 remain in place as the paddle 1404 moves. When the paddle lock 1432 is in a state that prevents relative movement between the drive surface 1700 and the paddle 1404, rotation of the paddle 1404 causes the drive surface 1700 to move through a drive surface travel path that intersects the activation surface 1424, and thereby moves the activation surface 1424 from its first position to its second position. In this example, the paddle lock 1432 comprises a rotating device that fits within a paddle lock barrel 1434 that extends from the outer face 1436 of the paddle 1404 towards the base 1402, but other devices may be used in other embodiments.
Referring to
The lever 1600 may be connected to the paddle 1404 by one or more pivot pins 1602, or the like. As shown in
Referring back to
The first lock surface 1606 is configured to selectively engage a second lock surface 1612 located on the lever 1600. Engagement between the first lock surface 1606 and the second lock surface 1612 holds the lever 1600 and the drive surface 1700 at a fixed position relative to the paddle 1404, causing them to rotate along with the paddle 1404. The exemplary second lock surface 1612 is located at a distal end of the lever 1600. The second lock surface 1612 is located in the travel path of the first lock surface 1606 when the first lock surface 1606 is in its first position relative to the paddle 1404. In this position, the lever 1600 and the paddle 1404 are locked together, and a force applied to rotate the paddle 1404 about the paddle axis 1406 generates a corresponding force at the drive surface 1700 to move the activation surface 1424 to unlock the latch assembly 1400. In contrast, when the first lock surface 1606 is in its second position, it does not contact the second lock surface 1612, and instead is free to pass through an opening 1614 in the lever 1600. In this position, a force applied to rotate the paddle 1404 will move the first lock surface 1606 through the opening 1614, and will not generate a corresponding force to press the drive surface 1700 against the activation surface 1424. Thus, the paddle 1404 will move freely without unlatching the latch assembly 1400. This type of condition, in which the unlatching mechanism (in this case, the paddle) remains movable even when it is disabled from effecting unlatching of the latch assembly, is sometimes referred to as a “soft” locking system.
The operation of the paddle lock 1432 is illustrated in detail in
When the paddle lock 1432 is in its engaged position, the first lock surface 1606 abuts the second lock surface 1612, and the drive surface 1700 abuts the activation surface 1424. As the paddle 1404 rotates from the first position to the second position, first lock surface 1606 travels along a path that intersects the second lock surface 1612, and pushes against the second lock surface 1612 to move the lever 1600 and drive surface 1700 in unison with the paddle 1404. At the same time, the drive surface 1700 contacts and moves the activation surface 1424 from its first position, as shown in
From the foregoing, it will be understood that placing the paddle lock 1432 and the first lock surface 1606 in the engaged position corresponds to unlocking the latch assembly 1400, by configuring the latch assembly 1400 such that it can be unlatched by rotating the paddle 1404. In contrast, placing the paddle lock 1432 and the first lock surface 1606 in the disengaged position corresponds to locking the latch assembly 1400, by rendering the paddle 1404 incapable of unlatching the latch assembly 1400.
The exemplary paddle lock 1432 is illustrated in
It will also be appreciated that the embodiment of
The latch assembly 2400 has a base 2402 and a paddle 2404 pivotally connected to the base 2402 to rotate about a paddle axis 2406 defined by one or more pivot bosses 2408. The paddle 2404 includes a drive surface 2500 (
The base 2402 includes a catch pinion 2410 that is drivingly connected to one or more release members 2412. Such engagement may be, for example, by meshed engagement between a drive gear 2414 rotationally fixed to the catch pinion 2410 and gear teeth 2416 on the release members 2410, or by other mechanisms, such as those described above. Each release member 2412 may comprise a catch receiver 2418 to connect with a remote catch, or an integral or rigidly attached catch structure, such as a pawl. The release members 2412 are movably mounted to the base 2402 between a first position corresponding to the latch assembly 2400 being latched, and a second position corresponding to the latch assembly 2400 being unlatched.
The latch assembly 2400 includes an activation surface 2424 that is operatively connected to the catch pinion 2410. The catch pinion 2410 is mounted to the base 2402 to rotate about a pinion rotation axis 2430, and the activation surface 2424 is located at a position that is offset from the pinion rotation axis 2430. Thus, as before, the activation surface 2424 is movable through a travel path between a first position corresponding to the latch assembly 2400 being latched, and a second position corresponding to the latch assembly 2400 being unlatched.
The latch assembly 2400 also may include features such as a catch pinion return spring 2420, one or more dust covers 2422, and so on.
In use, the paddle 2404 may be rotated from its first position to its second position, causing the drive surface 2500 to move from its first position to its second position. Simultaneously, the drive surface 2500 contacts and drives the activation surface from its first position to its second position, to thereby rotate the catch pinion 2410 and displace the release members 2412 to unlatch the latch assembly 2400.
In this embodiment, the latch assembly 2400 also includes a “hard” locking mechanism. In general terms, the hard locking mechanism includes a feature, such as a first lock surface 2502, that is movable between an unlocked position in which the paddle 2404 is free to rotate from the first paddle position to the second paddle position, and a locked position in which the paddle 2404 cannot move to the second paddle position. In the shown exemplary embodiment, the first lock surface 2502 is provided on a rotary barrel lock 2504 that is received within a lock barrel 2426 formed in or connected to the paddle 2404. The barrel lock 2504 is rotatable about a lock axis 2506, and the first lock surface 2502 comprises a protrusion that is fixed to the barrel lock 2504 and extends towards the catch pinion 2410.
The first lock surface 2502 is offset from the paddle axis 2406, such that rotation of the paddle 2404 causes the first lock surface 2502 to sweep through a travel path located near the catch pinion 2410. The first lock surface 2502 is also offset from the lock axis 2506, such that rotation of the barrel lock 2504 displaces the first lock surface 2502 about the lock axis 2506. The barrel lock 2504 and first lock surface 2502 are rotatable between an unlocked position and a locked position. When the first lock surface 2502 is in the locked position, it engages a second lock surface 2428 to prevent the paddle 2404 from rotating. However, when the first lock surface 2502 is in the unlocked position, it does not engage the second lock surface 2428 and the paddle 2404 is free to rotate to the second paddle position to unlatch the latch assembly 2400.
A variety of different configurations may be used for the first lock surface 2502 and the second lock surface 2428. In the shown example, the second lock surface 2428 is provided on the catch pinion 2410, such that rotation of the catch pinion 2410 causes the second lock surface 2428 to move through a travel path about the pinion axis 2430. The first lock surface 2502 is movable to a locked position at a point along the second lock surface's travel path, such that contact between the first lock surface 2502 and the second lock surface 2428 prevents the catch pinion 2410 from rotating. In this position, a force is applied by the drive surface 2500 to the activation surface 2424 is opposed by contact between the first lock surface 2502 and the second lock surface 2428, which locks the latch assembly 2400 by preventing the paddle 2404 from rotating to its second position. The first lock surface 2502 is movable to an unlocked position in which it does not intersect the second lock surface's travel path, to unlock the latch assembly 2400.
The position where the first lock surface 2502 and the second lock surface 2428 contact one another to prevent the catch pinion 2410 from rotating can vary among different embodiments.
The first lock surface's locked position may be selected to prevent the generation of extraneous bending or torque loads on the various parts. For example, in the embodiment of
Other embodiments may place the first and second lock surfaces 2502, 2428 at different locations. For example, the activation surface 2424 and second lock surface 2428 may be located along the paddle axis 2406 on the same side of the pinion axis 2430, and the first lock surface 2502 may be movable to a position that intersects second lock surface's travel path to prevent the catch pinion 2410 from rotating. Other alternatives and variations will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present disclosure.
It will also be appreciated that the first lock surface's locking position may be selected at any point along the second lock surface's travel path, so long as contact is made to prevent the paddle 2404 from rotating far enough to release the latch assembly 2400. In many cases, some amount of movement of the paddle 2404 may be acceptable without risking inadvertent unlatching. Nevertheless, in the embodiment of
In still other embodiments, the second lock surface 2428 may be positioned anywhere that is stationary relative to the movement of the paddle 2404. For example, the second lock surface 2428 may be a surface that is integrally formed with the remainder of the base 2402. However, it is preferred for the second lock surface 2428 to be a surface formed on or connected to the catch pinion 2410, which can provide a relatively simple and compact arrangement of parts.
In this example, the parts may be assembled as shown in the progression illustrated in
When fully assembled, the latch assembly 2902 may have a paddle 2904 that lies generally flush with the surrounding outer surface 2704 of the door, with the recess 2702 forming an opening 2906 between a lip 2908 of the paddle 2904 and the outer surface 2704 to receive an operator's fingers. For aesthetic and operational reasons, it may be desirable for the remaining perimeter of the paddle 2904 (i.e., the portions other than the lip 2908) to be evenly spaced from the adjacent portions of the outer surface 2704. To this end, the opening 2706 and latch base 2800 also may include other features, such as corresponding registration features to help properly align and hold the parts. For example, the opening 2706 may include one or more slots 2712 and the latch base 2800 may include one or more corresponding ribs 2804 that fit snugly into the slots 2712 to provide a tight fit in the horizontal direction. In this example, the protrusions 2802 and detents 2710 also may provide a further registration feature that aligns the parts in the vertical direction. By making these particular parts of the door and the latch assembly with high tolerances, one can help assure that each latch assembly will properly fit with each door.
The foregoing embodiment of a connection system is expected to provide various benefits. For example, the latch 2904 can be quickly and easily assembled to the door 2700. Furthermore, if self-activating snap hooks or similar fasteners are used to hold the latch base 2800 in place, assembly can be performed from one side of the door 2700 in a single movement as shown in
In some cases, the parts may be positioned and dimensioned such that the release member or members 3104 can reach directly into the striker(s) 3106. In these cases, the release members 3104 may be formed as pawls that engage the strikers 3016 to latch the door 3102 to the strikers 3106, and thus hold the door 3102 against the housing.
In other cases, such as shown in
It is expected that the assembly configurations of
While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it will be understood that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes and substitutions will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the appended claims cover all such variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application is a U.S. National Phase of PCT International Application No. PCT/US2018/066671, filed on 20 Dec. 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/609,003, filed on 21 Dec. 2017, both of which are incorporated by reference herein.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2018/066671 | 12/20/2018 | WO |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2019/126427 | 6/27/2019 | WO | A |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200392772 A1 | Dec 2020 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62609003 | Dec 2017 | US |
