US 2005/0134053 A1 · Storage of actuation energy in automotive door latch

Storage of actuation energy in automotive door latch

AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.

InventorsNigel Spurr, Michael Shelley, Richard Hayes, William Eaton, Hugh Gibson, Alex Crawford, Ajaykumar Vaidhyanathan, Scott Vorwald, Kenneth Bechtold, Curtis Johnson, Duncan Murchie, Daniel Kilker, Abanni Maxwell, Patrick Shannon, Gillian Madden, Adrian Kettle

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Abstract

In general, a spring or spring mechanism can be associated with a latch mechanism wherein the spring is wound to a particular position thereof to store energy for dissipation and actuation of the latch mechanism. The latch mechanism is responsive to the spring, and can be actuated based on energy stored and dissipated from the spring. When required, spring energy can therefore be dissipated to actuated the latch or latch mechanism. Thus, a motor with low current consumption and suitable gearing can be utilized to apply a high force to the spring.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A latch actuation system, comprising:

a spring associated with a latch mechanism wherein said spring is wound to a particular position thereof to store energy for dissipation and actuation of said latch mechanism;
a latch mechanism responsive to said spring, wherein said latch mechanism and said spring are integrated with a door latch assembly, wherein said latch mechanism is actuated based on energy stored and dissipated from said spring within said door latch assembly, and
a gear mechanism for applying a high force to said spring to initiate a release of energy from said spring actuation of said latch mechanism, wherein said gear mechanism comprises a gear train.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.