Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate generally to latches and, more particularly, to latches for vehicles.
Some known vehicles typically include displaceable panels such as doors, windows, hood, trunk lid, hatch and the like which are affixed for hinged or sliding engagement with a vehicle body. Cooperating systems of latches and strikers are typically provided to ensure that such panels remain secured in their fully closed position when the panel is closed.
A latch typically includes a fork bolt or claw that is pivoted between an unlatched position and a primary latched position when the door is closed to latch the door in the closed position. The fork bolt is typically held in the primary latched position by a detent lever or pawl that pivots between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The detent lever holds the fork bolt in the primary latched position when in the engaged position and releases the fork bolt when in the disengaged position so that the door can be opened.
The fork bolt is pivoted to the primary latched position by a striker attached to, for example, an associated doorjamb when the door is closed. Once in the primary latched position, the detent lever engages the fork bolt to ensure the assembly remains latched.
In some known vehicles, doors may be automatically power closed by a motor when the door is in a certain position, for example, a first safety position. Typically, a switch associated with the detent lever may fail to indicate when the door is open. This may lead to the motor constantly trying to power close the door when the door is not in a position for a successful power close operation. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved latch assembly.
In one non-limiting embodiment, a latch assembly is provided. The latch assembly includes a claw movable between a latched position and an unlatched position, and a pawl movable between a first position and a second position. The pawl engages and holds the claw in the latched position when the pawl is in the first position, and the pawl disengages the claw for movement to the unlatched position when the pawl is in the second position. The latch assembly also includes a switch cam movable between a switch-off position and a switch-on position. The claw engages and holds the switch cam in the switch-on position when the claw is in the unlatched position, and the claw releases the switch cam for movement to the switch-off position when the claw rotates to the latched position.
In another non-limiting embodiment, a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a controller, a door, and a door latch assembly. The door latch assembly includes a claw movable between a latched position and an unlatched position, and a pawl movable between a first position and a second position. The pawl engages and holds the claw in the latched position when the pawl is in the first position, the pawl disengaging the claw for movement to the unlatched position when the pawl is in the second position. The latch assembly further includes a switch cam movable between a switch-off position and a switch-on position. The claw engages and holds the switch cam in the switch-on position when the claw is in the unlatched position, and the claw releases the switch cam for movement to the switch-off position when the claw rotates to the latched position. The latch assembly further includes a switch communicatively coupled to the controller. The switch cam engages the switch in the switch-on position and the switch sends a signal to the controller indicating an open/closed condition of the door.
In yet another non-limiting embodiment, a method of overriding a pawl switch when a vehicle door is opened is provided. The method includes rotating a claw from a latched position to an unlatched position, the claw engaging a cam switch in the unlatched position, rotating the switch cam from a switch-off position to a switch-on position when the claw engages the switch cam, and transitioning the pawl switch from an “off” condition to an “on” condition when the switch cam rotates to the switch-on position.
The above-described and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Described herein is an exemplary latch assembly that includes a pawl override system. In some known systems, a motor of a power close mechanism may continue to operate when a door is in a position where the power close mechanism cannot perform its intended function (e.g., when the door is open and too far from the mechanism). Accordingly, the exemplary pawl override system facilitates preventing the motor of the power close mechanism from operating when not required.
Referring now to the FIGS., an exemplary latch assembly 10 is illustrated in an open position (
Claw 12 is pivotally or rotationally mounted about a pivot pin (not shown) that is received within an opening 22. Claw 12 is capable of rotational movement between an open or unlatched position shown in
Latch assembly 10 is attached to a vehicle structure such that claw 12 is moved between the open position (
Pawl 14 is pivotally mounted by a stud 26 received within a stud aperture 28 formed within pawl 14. Pawl 14 cooperates with claw 12 in a well-known manner to retain claw 12 in the safety position (
In the exemplary embodiment, claw 12 has a surface 36 that slides along a complimentary surface 38 of pawl 14 when claw 12 rotates from the open position (
Claw 12 also includes a second shoulder portion 46 that is engaged by pawl shoulder portion 42 when claw 12 has been engaged by the striker as the door is closed to the safety position (
In the exemplary embodiment, latch assembly 10 includes a pawl override system 50 that interrupts the normal operation of pawl switch 20 during a door open condition. Pawl override system 50 includes switch cam 16 and switch drive 18, which facilitate transitioning switch 20 between an “on” condition and an “off” condition for communication with controller 48.
Switch cam 16 is pivotally or rotationally mounted by stud 26 received within a stud aperture 52, and switch cam 16 may rotate with or independently from pawl 14 during rotation of switch cam 16, as described herein in more detail. In the exemplary embodiment, switch cam 16 includes a shoulder portion 54, a ramp channel 56 and a pawl contact portion 58. Switch cam shoulder portion 54 is engaged by a ramp 60 of claw 12 when claw 12 is in the open position (
Switch drive 18 is pivotally or rotationally mounted by a stud 62 received within a drive stud aperture 64 formed within switch drive 18. Switch drive 18 includes a first arm 66 and a second arm 68. The distal end of first arm 66 includes a projection 70 sized to be slotted within ramp channel 56, and the distal end of second arm 68 engages switch 20. First arm 66 is engaged by ramp channel 56 when switch cam 16 is in the switch-on position (
In the exemplary embodiment, pawl switch 20 is a microswitch that provides a signal to controller 48, as described herein in more detail. However, pawl switch 20 may be any suitable switch or sensor that enables assembly 10 to function as described herein. Switch 20 is positioned to engage switch drive second arm 68 such that rotation of switch drive 18 from the second position to the first position causes switch 20 to transition from an “off” position to an “on” position. Although described as “off” and “on” positions, switch 20 have may any suitable position or condition that enables system 10 to function as described herein. In the “off” position, switch 20 sends a signal (or indicates a lack of a signal) to controller 48 to control power closing mechanism 49 to transition latch assembly 10 from the safety position (
In an exemplary operation, claw 12 begins in an unlatched position (
As the vehicle door moves from the open position (
As the vehicle door moves from the safety position (
As the vehicle door returns to the open position (
A method of overriding pawl switch 20 is provided. The method includes rotating claw 12 from the latched position (
Described herein is a latch assembly that includes a pawl override system. The latch assembly facilitates controlling a power close mechanism to operate when a vehicle component is in a safety position and to facilitate preventing operation when the vehicle component is in an open/closed position. The latch assembly and override system include a claw ramp that causes selective rotation of a switch cam, which in turn causes selective rotation of a switch drive to control a condition of a switch. The switch indicates a position of the vehicle component such that the pawl override system prevents unnecessary powering of a power close mechanism. Accordingly, the system facilitates prolonged system life, improved door closure safety, and increased vehicle occupant safety.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 61/845,184 filed on Jul. 11, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61845184 | Jul 2013 | US |