Closure latch assembly with single motor actuator configured to control multiple latch functions
AssigneeMagna Closures Inc.
InventorsMarco TAURASI, Francesco CUMBO
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power latch assembly for motor vehicle closure applications has a single motor operable to move a pawl from a ratchet holding position to a ratchet releasing position; place the power latch assembly in a double pull mechanical release state, and place the power latch assembly in a child lock state.
Claims20
A power latch assembly for a closure panel, comprising:
- a ratchet configured for movement between a striker capture position and a striker release position and being biased toward said striker release position;
- a pawl configured for movement between a ratchet holding position, whereat said pawl maintains said ratchet in said striker capture position, and a ratchet releasing position, whereat said pawl releases said ratchet for movement of said ratchet to said striker release position;
- and
- a single power actuator configured to move the pawl from the ratchet holding position to the ratchet releasing position, to selectively place the power latch assembly in a double pull ON state, whereat a double mechanical actuation of an inside mechanical release mechanism moves the pawl from the ratchet holding position to the ratchet releasing position, and to place the power latch assembly in a child lock ON state, whereat repeated mechanical actuation of the inside mechanical release mechanism does not move the pawl from the ratchet holding position to the ratchet releasing position.
A method of performing multiple functions with a single power actuator of a power latch assembly having a ratchet configured for movement between a striker capture position and a striker release position and being biased toward the striker release position and a pawl configured for movement between a ratchet holding position, whereat the pawl maintains the ratchet in the striker capture position, and a ratchet releasing position, whereat the pawl releases the ratchet for movement of the ratchet to the striker release position, comprising:
- configuring the single power actuator to move the pawl from the ratchet holding position to the ratchet releasing position when the power latch assembly is in a latch closed, unlocked position;
- configuring the single power actuator to place the power latch assembly in a child lock ON state, whereat repeated mechanical actuation of an inside release mechanism fails to move the pawl from the ratchet holding position to the ratchet releasing position;
- and
- configuring the single power actuator to place the power latch assembly in a double pull ON state, whereupon a first mechanical actuation of the inside release mechanism moves the power latch assembly from the double pull ON state to a double pull OFF state.
A method of performing multiple functions with a power latch assembly having a single power actuator, the multiple functions comprising:
- energizing the single power actuator and causing a pawl to move from a ratchet holding position to a ratchet releasing position;
- energizing the single power actuator and causing the power latch assembly to be moved into a double pull ON state, whereat a double mechanical actuation of an inside release mechanism moves the pawl from the ratchet holding position to the ratchet releasing position;
- and
- energizing the single power actuator and causing the power latch assembly to be moved into a child lock ON state, whereat repeated mechanical actuation of an inside release mechanism does not cause the pawl to move from the ratchet holding position to the ratchet releasing position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.