Patent Application
20220106817
The present disclosure relates to latch assemblies for motor vehicles, and more particularly, to double pull latch assemblies for motor vehicle front hoods.
Latches for vehicle front hoods, whether for front engine hoods or front trunk hoods, are typically actuated in two stages. During a first stage a first release device, such as a handle, is actuated from inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle which moves the latch from a primary closed position to secondary closed position, wherein the latch is partially released, but still retains a striker of the hood to keep the hood from being fully opened. To release the latch completely the vehicle occupant typically must exit the vehicle and actuate a second release device, such as a lever, that is under the hood. This may be inconvenient in some situations.
Double-pull release latches for vehicle hoods are also known, which allows a user to pull twice on the hood release handle located inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle, or actuate an electric actuator system, such as via a key fob or an actuator button located inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle, operably connected to an actuator, to cause the latch to both transition from the primary closed position to the secondary closed position upon the first pull, and then to fully release the latch from the secondary closed position to a fully open position upon the second pull. One drawback of such a double-pull release latch for a vehicle hood is that the user may unintentionally release the hood, which can be particularly problematic if the hood is a front hood that is caused to open while the vehicle is moving. Another drawback of such an electric actuator system of a double-pull release latch for a vehicle hood is that the electric actuator may become stuck between the first and second actuations, such as due to excessive friction and/or a power failure, thereby preventing a full release of the latch in a second actuation of the double-pull release latch, thus preventing the latch from being released to the fully open position.
Desired is a latch which can be unlatched in a multiple stage release actuations from inside of the passenger compartment of the vehicle when intended, and wherein the latch is inhibited from being fully released to an open position when not desired. Further, it is desired to be able to open the hood when desired upon performing a double pull actuation, and to then be able to readily return the hood to a selected partially closed position and fully closed position. Further desired is a double pull latch which can be unlatched via a power actuator in a multiple stage release actuations when powered and via an alternate actuator that can override the power actuator if the latch becomes stuck or otherwise inoperable between the first and second actuations
This section provides a general summary of the present disclosure and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features, aspects and objectives.
In accordance an aspect of the disclosure, a double pull latch assembly for a front hood, trunk and/or frunk, collectively referred to hereafter as hood, of a motor vehicle is provided.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the latch assembly can be actuated to partially open the hood, but prevent the hood from moving to a fully open position until desired.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the latch assembly can be released by performing a first pull on a pawl assembly of the latch assembly, which acts to move a ratchet assembly of the latch assembly to a secondary striker position, whereat a striker fixed to the hood is prevented from being released from the latch assembly, and whereupon a second pull acts to move the ratchet assembly to a release position, whereat the striker can be lifted out from the ratchet assembly to move the ratchet assembly to an open position.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the ratchet assembly is prevented from moving from the release position toward the primary striker capture position prior to being moved to the open position.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a hold-open device can be configured to engage a portion of the ratchet assembly and a portion of the pawl assembly while the ratchet assembly is in the release position to prevent the portion of the ratchet assembly being engaged by the hold-open device from moving toward the primary striker capture position.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a latch assembly for a hood of a vehicle is provided. The latch assembly includes a housing. A ratchet is mounted in the housing for movement between a striker capture position, for retaining a striker fixed to the hood, and an open position, for releasing the striker, wherein the ratchet is biased toward the open position. A primary pawl is configured for operable communication with a release member and is mounted in the housing for movement between a rest position and an actuated position in response to actuation of the release member, wherein the primary pawl is biased toward the rest position. A safety hook is mounted in the housing for movement between a closed position, a secondary striker capture position whereat the striker is releasably prevented from being removed from the latch assembly by the safety hook, a release position in overlying relation with the striker, and an open position whereat the striker is removed from the latch assembly. A safety hook pawl is mounted in the housing for movement between a home position, a secondary locking position whereat the safety hook is releasably maintained in the secondary closed position, a secondary unlocking position whereat the safety hook is in the release position, and an open position whereat the safety hook pawl releasably maintains the safety hook in its open position, the safety hook pawl being biased from the home position toward the secondary locking position. While the ratchet is in the striker capture position, and while performing a first actuation of the release member, the primary pawl moves from the rest position to the actuated position and the ratchet moves from the striker capture position to the striker release position, and the safety hook pawl moves from the home position to the secondary locking position to releasably maintain the safety hook in the secondary striker capture position. Then, while the safety hook is in the secondary striker capture position, and while performing a second actuation of the release member, the primary pawl moves from the rest position to the actuated position and causes the safety hook pawl to move against a bias of the secondary hook biasing member to the secondary unlocking position.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the latch assembly further includes a hold-open device, also referred to as safety lever, having a first projection configured for engagement with the safety hook pawl to releasably hold the safety hook pawl in the secondary unlocking position and a second projection configured for engagement with the safety hook to facilitate movement of the safety hook to its open position and the safety hook pawl to its open position.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the latch assembly further includes a coupling lever having a leg arranged in abutment with the ratchet while the ratchet is in its striker capture position whereat the ratchet holds the coupling lever against a rotational bias.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the coupling lever has a lug arranged in abutment with the safety hook pawl while the safety hook pawl is in the secondary locking position, whereat the primary pawl is arranged in abutment with the coupling lever.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, while performing the second actuation of the release member, the primary pawl imparts a bias on the coupling lever to move the safety hook pawl to the secondary unlocking position.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, upon performing the second actuation of the release member, the first projection of the safety lever engages a first leg of the safety hook pawl to hold the safety hook pawl in the secondary unlocking position.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, while the safety hook is in the release position, and while removing the striker from the latch assembly, the striker engages a first hook of the safety hook and moves the safety hook, whereupon the safety hook has a safety hook first projection that imparts a bias on the second projection of the safety lever, thereby causing the first projection of the safety lever to move out of engagement from the first leg of the safety hook pawl to allow the safety hook pawl to move to its open position and the safety hook to move to its open position, whereat a second leg of the safety hook pawl engages the safety hook first projection.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the safety hook has a safety hook second projection that imparts a bias on the second leg of the safety hook pawl upon engaging a second hook of the safety hook with the striker upon returning the striker into said latch assembly.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the ratchet engages the coupling lever to move the lug of the coupling lever into engagement with a tab of the safety hook pawl and move the safety hook pawl to its home position.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a latch assembly is provided, including a ratchet assembly having a primary striker capture position for retaining a striker in a fully closed state, a secondary striker capture position for retaining the striker in a partially closed state, a release position for releasing the striker, and an open position upon removing the striker from the ratchet assembly; a pawl assembly for releasably locking the ratchet assembly in the primary striker capture position and in the secondary striker capture position and for releasing the ratchet assembly to the release position; and a hold-open device for preventing the pawl assembly from moving from the unlatched position back to latched position while the ratchet assembly is in the release position.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the ratchet assembly includes a primary ratchet for retaining the striker in the fully closed state and a secondary ratchet for retaining the striker in a partially closed state.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the pawl assembly includes a primary pawl for releasably locking the primary ratchet in the primary striker capture position and a secondary pawl for releasably locking the secondary ratchet in the secondary striker capture position.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the hold-open device is configured for locking engagement with the secondary pawl and the secondary ratchet while the secondary ratchet is in the release position, whereat the secondary ratchet is prevented from moving toward the secondary striker capture position without first moving to the open position.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, movement of the secondary ratchet to the open position causes movement of the hold-open device out from locking engagement with the secondary ratchet.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the secondary ratchet, while moving to the open position, forcibly engages the hold-open device to pivot the hold-open device out from locking engagement with the secondary ratchet.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of operating a double pull latch assembly is provided. The method includes actuating a pawl assembly in a first actuation to move from a latched position to an unlatched position to release a ratchet assembly from a primary striker capture position, whereat a striker is in a fully closed state, to a secondary striker capture position, whereat the striker is in a partially closed stated. Then, actuating the pawl assembly in a second actuation to move from the latched position to the unlatched position to release the ratchet assembly from the secondary striker capture position to a striker release position, and engaging a hold-open device to prevent the pawl assembly from moving from the unlatched position back to the latched position while the ratchet assembly is in the striker release position.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method can further include providing the ratchet assembly including a primary ratchet for retaining the striker in the fully closed state and a secondary ratchet for retaining the striker in a partially closed state, and engaging the hold-open device with the secondary ratchet while the ratchet assembly is in the striker release position.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method can further include engaging the hold-open device with the secondary ratchet to release the pawl assembly from the unlatched position back to the latched position while moving the ratchet assembly striker from the release position to the open position.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method can further include engaging the hold-open device with the secondary ratchet to release the pawl assembly from the unlatched position back to the latched position while moving the ratchet assembly from the striker release position toward the primary striker capture position.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method can further include providing the pawl assembly including a primary pawl for releasably locking the primary ratchet in the primary striker capture position and a secondary pawl for releasably locking the secondary ratchet in the secondary striker capture position, and engaging the hold-open device in locking engagement with the secondary pawl while the ratchet assembly is in the striker release position to prevent the secondary pawl from moving from the unlatched position back to the latched position.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method can further include releasing the hold-open device from locking engagement with the secondary pawl upon moving the ratchet assembly from the striker release position to the open position.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method can further include releasing the hold-open device from locking engagement with the secondary pawl upon moving the ratchet assembly from the striker release position toward the primary striker capture position.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the method can further include forcibly engaging the hold-open device with the secondary ratchet and causing the hold-open device to pivot out from locking engagement with the secondary pawl upon forcibly engaging the secondary ratchet with the striker while removing the striker from the ratchet assembly.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a double pull latch assembly for a front trunk hood, or frunk, is provided, wherein the latch assembly can be opened independent from a power actuator in the event the power actuator becomes inoperable.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the double pull latch assembly can be opened from within a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle via an actuation member (button, switch or otherwise), a key fob, or via another device configured in electrical communication with a powered actuator, whereupon a first actuation causes a first pull to move the latch to a secondary, partially open position, and whereupon a second actuation causes a second pull to move the latch to a fully open position, wherein a disengagement mechanism is configured to override the power actuator if the actuator becomes stuck or otherwise inoperable to move the latch to the fully open position in the event the power actuator becomes inoperable.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a latch release system is provided including: a latch having a ratchet and a primary pawl. The disengagement mechanism has a primary release lever configured for moving the primary pawl from a locking position to an unlocking position relative to the ratchet, and a secondary release lever configured for overriding a position of the primary release lever to allow the primary pawl to return to its locking position independent of the position of the primary release lever.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the primary release lever is configured for moving the primary pawl from a primary locking position to a primary unlocking position relative to the ratchet when the primary release lever is moved from a rest position to an actuated position, and the secondary release lever is moveable for transitioning a pawl release lever from an actuated position to an unactuated, rest position to allow the primary pawl to return to the latched position.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the primary release lever is moveable by a motorized actuator and the secondary release lever is manually moveable.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the primary release lever is connected to an actuator having an electric motor and the secondary release lever is connected to a mechanically actuatable member (e.g., handle, lever, button) moveable by a user.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the actuator is configured to move the primary release lever a first time to move the primary pawl from a primary locking state to a secondary locking state to allow the ratchet to move to a secondary closed position, and to move the primary release lever a second time to move a secondary pawl from a secondary locking state to an unlocking state to allow the ratchet to move to a fully opened position.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the secondary release lever has a home position and an actuated position, where actuation of the mechanically actuatable member moves the secondary release lever to the actuated position and release of the mechanically actuatable member allows the secondary release lever to return to the home position regardless of the position of the primary release lever.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the secondary release lever is biased from the actuated position toward the home position.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the latch is a frunk latch.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the primary release lever and secondary release lever are not mounted to the latch.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the primary release lever and secondary release lever are remote from the latch.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the primary release lever and secondary release lever are mounted to a separate frame plate, where the frame plate is mounted to the vehicle at a different location than the latch mounting to the vehicle.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a latch release system includes: a latch having a ratchet moveable between at least one striker capture position, whereat the ratchet prevents a striker from being released from the ratchet, and a striker release position, whereat the ratchet allows the striker to be released from the ratchet; a pawl moveable between a latched position, whereat the pawl maintains the ratchet in the at least one striker capture position, and a released position, wherein the pawl allows the ratchet to move to its striker release position; a primary release lever moveable from a rest position to an actuated position for moving the pawl from the latched position to the released position; and a secondary release lever for overriding a position of the primary release lever to allow the pawl to move independent from the primary release lever.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a latch release system includes a ratchet and at least one pawl; a primary release lever; an energizable actuator configured in operable communication with the primary release lever for moving the primary release lever to an actuated position in a first actuation to move the at least one pawl from a latched position to a released position relative to the ratchet to allow the ratchet to move to from a striker capture position to a partially open position and for moving the primary release lever to an actuated position in a second actuation to move the at least one pawl from a latched position to a released position relative to the ratchet to allow the ratchet to move to from the partially open position to a fully open position; a pawl release lever in operable communication with the at least one pawl to move the at least one pawl between the latched position and the released position, the pawl release lever being coupled to the primary release lever in a fixed state for conjoint, fixed movement with the primary release lever during the first and second actuations of the energizable actuator, the pawl release lever being coupled to the primary release lever for movement from the fixed state to a lost motion state for movement relative to the primary release lever while the primary release lever is in the actuated position; and a secondary release lever configured for manual action while the primary release lever is in the actuated state to move the pawl release lever from the fixed state to the lost motion state, wherein the pawl release lever is able to move relative to the primary release lever to allow the at least one pawl to move from the released positon to the latched position while the primary release lever remains in the actuated state.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the latch release system can further including a floating pin operably coupling the primary release lever to the pawl release lever.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the secondary release lever can be configured to engage the floating pin to move the floating pin in a slot of the pawl release lever and within a lost motion channel of the primary release lever to move the pawl release lever from the fixed state to the lost motion state.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the latch release system can further include a preload lever biased into engagement with the floating pin, wherein manual actuation of the secondary release lever causes the floating pin to move against the bias imparted by the preload lever, such that the preload lever acts to maintain the floating pin in a desired position during use.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a latch actuation device for connecting a power actuator to a latch for actuating the latch under power operation and for connecting a manual actuator to the latch for actuating the latch under manual operation is provided. The latch actuation device includes a primary release lever assembly for operably coupling the power actuator to a pawl) of the latch; and a secondary release lever operable by the manual actuator for acting on the primary release lever assembly to decouple of the power actuator from the pawl.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of actuating a latch having a ratchet assembly and a pawl assembly is provided, the method comprising the steps of: moving a primary release lever operably coupled to the pawl assembly to an actuated position to move the pawl assembly from a locking position to an unlocking position; and moving a secondary release lever to override the position of the primary release lever while in the actuated position to allow the pawl assembly to return to the locking position.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the step of moving the primary release lever includes using an actuator having an electric motor to move the primary release lever operably coupled to the pawl assembly; and wherein the step of moving the secondary release lever includes using a manually actuatable member to move the secondary release lever.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a latch actuation device for operably connecting a power actuator and a manual actuator to a latch assembly for actuating the latch assembly is provided, the latch actuation device includes a primary release lever for operably coupling the power actuator to a double pull release mechanism of the latch assembly; and a secondary release lever operable by the manual actuator for acting on the primary release lever to decouple of the power actuator from the double pull release mechanism.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the latch actuation device, upon decoupling the power actuator from the double pull release mechanism, allows the pawl assembly to return to its unactuated, home position, thereby allowing further actuation of the latch assembly via the manual actuator.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the secondary release lever acts on the primary release lever to decouple of the power actuator when the power actuator is in a first actuated state and the double pull release mechanism of the latch is in a first double pull state to allow the double pull mechanism to transition from the first double pull state to a second double pull state.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the power actuator is automatically recoupled with the latch assembly upon restoring power to the power actuator, thereby allowing continued selective power actuation of the latch assembly.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a latch assembly for a closure panel of a vehicle includes a housing, a ratchet mounted in the housing for movement between a striker capture position for retaining a striker fixed to the closure panel in a striker capture position and an open position for releasing the striker, wherein the ratchet is biased toward the open position, a primary pawl configured for operable communication with a release member and being mounted in the housing for movement between a rest position whereat the pawl is positioned to prevent the ratchet from moving from the striker capture position and an actuated position whereat the pawl is positioned to allow the ratchet to move from the striker capture position to the open position to allow the striker to move from a primary striker captured position to a pop-up position whereat the safety hook is positioned to prevent the striker from being removed from the latch assembly, the primary pawl being biased toward the rest position, a safety hook mounted in the housing for movement between a striker capture position whereat the safety hook is positioned to prevent the striker from being removed from the latch assembly and a striker releasing position whereat the safety hook is positioned to allow the striker to be removed from the latch assembly, and a safety hook pawl configured for operable communication with the release member and being mounted in the housing for movement between a rest position and an actuated position in response to actuation of the release member, wherein performing a first actuation of the release member while the ratchet is in the striker capture position causes the primary pawl to move from the rest position to the actuated position to allow the ratchet to move from the striker capture position to the striker release position and the striker to move to a pop-up position whereat the striker is releasably prevented from being removed from the latch assembly by the safety hook, wherein performing a second actuation of the release member while the ratchet is in the striker release position causes the safety hook to move from the rest position to the actuated position to allow the striker to be removed from the latch assembly.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the safety hook and the ratchet are mounted about different pivot axes.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the safety hook pawl and the pawl are mounted about different pivot axes.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, performing the second actuation of the release member activates a hold-open device to maintain the safety hook pawl in the actuated position following the second actuation of the release member.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, removal of the striker from the latch assembly deactivates the hold-open device to allow the safety hook pawl to return from the actuated position to the rest position. In a related aspect, removal of the striker causes the safety hook to move to cause the deactivation of the hold-open device.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
In general, example embodiments of double pull latch assemblies constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure will now be disclosed. The example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail, as they will be readily understood by the skilled artisan in view of the disclosure herein.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.
Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” “top”, “bottom”, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element's or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptions used herein interpreted accordingly.
Reference is made to
The front hood 13, as permitted by latch assembly 10, can be moved from a fully closed position to various open positions, including a partially open position, whereat the front hood 13 is prevented from being fully opened absent further actuation of latch assembly 10, a released position, whereat the striker 22 of front hood 13 remains within latch assembly 10 but is readily removable therefrom without further actuation of latch assembly 10, and a fully open position, whereat front hood 13 is lifted and striker 22 is removed from latch assembly 10 (
Referring to
The ratchet assembly 12 is shown, by way of example and without limitation, as having a primary ratchet, also referred to as ratchet 30, pivotably connected to the housing 20. Ratchet 30 is movable between a primary striker capture position, also referred to as primary closed position or closed position (
The ratchet assembly 12 is further shown, by way of example and without limitation, as having a secondary ratchet, also referred to as safety hook 32, pivotably connected to the housing 20. Safety hook 24 is movable between a closed position (
The pawl assembly 14 is configured for movement between a latched position whereat the pawl assembly 14 releasably locks the ratchet assembly 12 in the primary striker capture position and the secondary striker capture position, and an unlatched position whereat the pawl assembly 14 releases the ratchet assembly 12 to the release position. The hold-open device 16 prevents the pawl assembly 14 from moving from the unlatched position back to latched position while the ratchet assembly 12 is in the release position.
The pawl assembly 14 includes a primary pawl 36 configured for operable communication with the release member 24. The primary pawl 36 can be mounted in the housing 20 for movement between a rest position and an actuated position in response to actuation of the release member 24, wherein the primary pawl 36 is shown biased toward the rest position (counter clockwise as indicated by arrow 37′ in
The pawl assembly 14 includes a secondary pawl, also referred to as safety hook pawl 38, configured for operable communication with the release member 24, with primary pawl 36 functioning as an intermediate connection between release member 24 and secondary pawl 38, as discussed further below. Safety hook pawl 38 is mounted in the housing 20 for movement between a home position (
Latch assembly 10 further includes a safety lever, also referred to as hold-open device 42, supported within housing 20 for pivotal movement, and in the exemplary embodiment, is supported by a pin 44 for pivoting movement about an axis of pin 44. Hold-open device 42 has a hold-open first projection 46 extending radially outwardly from pin 44 for engagement with a first leg 47 of the safety hook pawl 38 under a bias imparted by a hold-open biasing member 48 in the direction of arrow 48′ to hold the safety hook pawl 38 in the secondary unlocking position, wherein hold-open first projection 46 is configured to releasably hold the secondary pawl 38 in the secondary unlocking position. Hold-open device 42 has a hold-open second projection 50, shown as extending generally transversely to hold-open first projection 46, configured for engagement with the secondary ratchet 32 in a notch 52 (
Latch assembly 10 further includes a coupling lever 58 supported for pivoting movement relative to secondary pawl 38, shown as being support for pivotal movement about an axis of pin 40. Coupling lever 58 has a coupling lever leg 60 arranged in abutment with a projection 62 of the primary ratchet 30 while the primary ratchet 30 is in its primary striker capture position whereat the primary ratchet 30 holds the coupling lever 58 against a rotational bias imparted by a coupling lever biasing member 64 (
While the safety hook 32 is in the release position, and while removing the striker 22 from the latch assembly 10, the striker 22, which is received in a slot 71 delineated by an upper hook, also referred to as first hook 72, and a lower hook, also referred to a second hook 74, of the safety hook 32, moves the safety hook 32 about pin 33 via engagement with the first hook 72. As the safety hook 32 pivots toward its open position, the first projection 54 imparts a bias on the second projection 50 of the hold-open device 42, thereby causing the first projection 46 of the hold-open device 42 to move out of engagement from the first leg 47 of the safety hook pawl 38 to allow the safety hook pawl 38 to move to its open position and the safety hook 32 to move under the bias of secondary pawl biasing member 38′ to its open position, whereat the second leg 49 of the safety hook pawl 38 engages the safety hook first projection 54, thus, holding the safety hook 32 in its open position (
In
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, as illustrated in
The method 1000 can further include a step 1400 of providing the ratchet assembly 12 including a primary ratchet 30 for retaining the striker 22 in the fully closed state and a secondary ratchet 32 for retaining the striker 22 in a partially closed state, and engaging the hold-open device 42 with the secondary ratchet 32 to release the pawl assembly 14 from the unlatched position back to the latched position.
The method 1000 can further include a step 1500 of engaging the hold-open device 42 with the secondary ratchet 32 to release the pawl assembly 14 from the unlatched position back to the latched position while moving the ratchet assembly 12 from the release position to the open position.
The method 1000 can further include a step 1600 of engaging the hold-open device 42 with the secondary ratchet 32 to release the pawl assembly 14 from the unlatched position back to the latched position while moving the ratchet assembly 12 from the striker release position toward the primary striker capture position.
The method 1000 can further include a step 1700 of providing the pawl assembly 14 including a primary pawl 36 for releasably locking the primary ratchet 30 in the primary striker capture position and a secondary pawl 38 for releasably locking the secondary ratchet 32 in the secondary striker capture position, and engaging the hold-open device 42 in locking engagement with the secondary pawl 38 while the ratchet assembly 12 is in the striker release position to prevent the secondary pawl 38 from moving from the unlatched position back to the latched position.
The method 1000 can further include a step 1800 of releasing the hold-open device 42 from locking engagement with the secondary pawl 38 upon moving the ratchet assembly 12 from the striker release position to the open position.
The method 1000 can further include a step 1900 of releasing the hold-open device 42 from locking engagement with the secondary pawl 38 upon moving the ratchet assembly 12 from the striker release position toward the primary striker capture position.
The method 1000 can further include a step 2000 of forcibly engaging the hold-open device 42 with the secondary ratchet 32 and causing the hold-open device 42 to pivot out from locking engagement with the secondary pawl 38 upon forcibly engaging the secondary ratchet 32 with the striker 22 while removing the striker 22 from the ratchet assembly 12.
In accordance with a further aspect, reference is made to
Referring to
Primary pawl 114 has a primary locking surface 126 configured for selective engagement with a primary lock surface 142 of ratchet 112 while primary pawl 114 is in a home position. Primary pawl 114 is biased toward the ratchet 112 to its home position and the primary locking position via any suitable biasing member, such as a spring member, shown schematically in
Secondary pawl 116 has a secondary locking surface 134 biased into abutment with ratchet 112 via any suitable biasing member, such as a spring member, shown schematically in
The coupling lever 118 is pivotably mounted to the secondary pawl 116 via pin 138 for movement between a disengaged position, also referred to as home position (
As shown schematically in
In use, in a normal release condition, with the coupling lever 118 in the disengaged position and the ratchet 112 in the primary closed position (
In
During selective and intended actuation of mechanical release lever 35, secondary release lever 212 is caused to pivot under the pulling force of cable 33 counterclockwise about a pin 218 against the bias of spring member 212′. An arm 220 of secondary lever 212, extending radially outwardly from pin 218, moves a floating pin 222 against a bias imparted by a preload lever 223 (biased on preload lever 223 is in a clockwise direction to maintain preload lever 223 in constant engagement with floating pin 222, wherein bias can be imparted via a spring member indicated by arrow 223′) through an elongate slot 224 of pawl release lever 214 and through a slot 226 of primary release lever 210. During movement of floating pin 222 through slots 224, 226, floating pin 222 initiates upward movement (as viewed in
In
In
In
In
The method 1000 can further include moving the primary release lever 210 to the actuated position with an actuator 338 having an electric motor.
The method 1000 further includes a step 1150 of moving the secondary release lever 212 to override the position of the primary release lever 210 while the primary release lever 210 remains in the actuated position using a manually actuatable mechanism 35.
The method 1000 further includes a step 1200 of actuating the mechanical mechanism 35 in a first actuation to return the pawl 114 to the latched position, and actuating the mechanical mechanism 35 in a second actuation to move the ratchet 112 from the secondary closed position to an open position, thereby allowing the hood 13 to be opened.
The method 1000 can further include a step 1250 of coupling a pawl release lever 214 for fixed movement with the primary release lever 210 while moving the primary release lever 210 to the actuated position and coupling the pawl release lever 214 to the pawl 114 with a first connection member 133.
The method 1000 can further include a step 1300 of establishing a lost motion connection between the pawl release lever 214 and the primary release lever 210 while moving the secondary release lever 212 to the override the position, thereby allowing the pawl release lever 214 to move relative to the primary release lever 210 to allow the pawl 114 to return to the latched position.
The method 1000 can further include a step 1350 of operably coupling the secondary release lever 212 to the pawl 114 with a second connection member 33′ separate from the first connection member 133.
The method 1000 can further include a step 1400 of directly coupling the secondary release lever 212 to a latch service lever 228 and configuring the latch service lever 228 to interact with one of the at least one pawl 114, 116 to move the ratchet 112 from the secondary closed position to the open position upon actuating the mechanical mechanism 35 in the second actuation.
Now referring to
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements, assemblies/subassemblies, or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/142,848, filed Jan. 28, 2021, of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/129,485, filed Dec. 22, 2020, of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/109,902, filed Nov. 5, 2020, and of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/086,786, filed Oct. 2, 2020, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63142848 | Jan 2021 | US | |
| 63129485 | Dec 2020 | US | |
| 63109902 | Nov 2020 | US | |
| 63086786 | Oct 2020 | US |
