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US 12,000,186 B1Granted
Three-point door closure mechanism with passive latch
AssigneeZoox, Inc.
InventorAdam Christopher Mapson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A door assembly includes a door, a door actuator mechanism configured to transition the door between an open position and a closed position, a first latch configured to hold the door in the closed position, and a second latch engaging with a portion of the door actuator mechanism and being configured to hold the door in the closed position. The second latch includes a cam and a biasing member coupled to the cam. The biasing member is configured to transition the cam between a first position in which the cam engages the portion of the door actuator mechanism, and a second position in which the cam disengages the portion of the door actuator mechanism.
Claims20
A door assembly comprising:
- a door including a striker;
- a first door actuator mechanism positioned proximate a top of the door to transition the door between an open position and a closed position;
- a second door actuator mechanism positioned proximate a bottom of the door to transition the door between the open position and the closed position;
- a first latch positioned at a first location around a perimeter of the door and engaging with the door to hold the door in the closed position;
- and
- a second latch positioned at a second location around the perimeter of the door and engaging with the door to hold the door in the closed position, the second latch comprising:
- a cam having a cam surface, and
- a biasing member coupled to the cam, the biasing member being configured to transition the cam between a first position in which the cam surface is urged against the striker to prevent the cam moving over center to transition the door to the open position, and a second position in which the cam is urged against the cam surface and moves over center such that the cam surface disengages the striker to permit the door to transition to the open position, wherein:
- the second latch is further configured to transition to the cam to the second position in response to the door opening.
6 more elements
A vehicle comprising:
- a door;
- a first door actuator mechanism coupled to the door and forming a first point of contact with the door, the first door actuator mechanism being configured to traverse the door between an open position and a closed position;
- a second door actuator mechanism coupled to the door and forming a second point of contact with the door, the second door actuator mechanism being configured to traverse the door between the open position and the closed position;
- a latch forming a third point of contact with the door and being configured to hold the door in the closed position;
- and
- a passive latch engaging with a portion of the second door actuator mechanism, the passive latch comprising:
- a cam, and
- a biasing member coupled to the cam, the biasing member being configured to apply a first amount of force to position the cam in a first position over center and engage the portion of the second door actuator mechanism to prevent the door transitioning to the open position, and apply a second amount of force to position the cam in a second position over center and disengage the portion of the second door actuator mechanism to permit the door transitioning to the open position.
5 more elements
A door assembly comprising:
- a door;
- a first door actuator mechanism configured to transition the door between an open position and a closed position;
- a second door actuator mechanism configured to transition the door between the open position and the closed position;
- a first latch configured to hold the door in the closed position;
- and
- a second latch engaging with a portion of the first door actuator mechanism, the second latch comprising:
- a cam, and
- a biasing member coupled to the cam, the biasing member configured to:
- force the cam over center to a first position in which the cam engages the portion of the first door actuator mechanism in response to the portion of the first door actuator mechanism being urged against the cam in a first direction, and
- force the cam over center to a second position in which the cam disengages the portion of the first door actuator mechanism in response to the portion of the first door actuator mechanism being urged against the cam in a second direction.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.