Vehicle storage compartment latch assemblies with shape memory alloy actuator

A latch assembly for an access door of a storage compartment in a vehicle, the latch assembly comprising:

• a locking bar coupled to the access door, the locking bar configured to be movable into (i) an engaged configuration which enables the access door to be placed and held into a closed position and (ii) a disengaged configuration which permits the access door to be placed into an opened position;
• and
• an automatic locking mechanism including a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator coupled to the access door, the SMA actuator configured to be coupled to the access door, the automatic locking mechanism further including a locking feature having a central axis parallel to a central axis of the locking bar, the locking feature including a protruding bolt, the protruding bolt operably coupled to a portion of the locking bar, the SMA actuator having a receiving opening to receive the protruding bolt and having a locking slider movable in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the locking feature, the locking slider configured to engage and disengage the protruding bolt as the locking bar respectively moves between the engaged and disengaged configurations, wherein when the access door is placed into the closed position and the protruding bolt is engaged with the SMA actuator and the SMA actuator is electrically energized to move into a locked position to prohibit the locking feature from moving, the locking bar is prohibited from moving and locks the access door in the closed position.