Abstract: A latch assembly and system therewith configured for retaining a closure panel of a motor vehicle in a closed position relative to a vehicle body during and upon the latch assembly experiencing an impact force during a crash condition and/or a power shortage to the latch assembly and prior to the latch assembly having been intentionally actuated to move to an unlatched state.

Abstract: A power latch assembly for a vehicle door of a motor vehicle includes a ratchet configured for movement between striker capture and striker release positions, wherein the ratchet is 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 to the striker release position. A powered actuator is energizable to move the pawl from the ratchet holding position to the ratchet releasing position, and a multistage mechanism operably connecting an output of the power actuator to at least one of the pawl and the ratchet has at least two power takeoffs, with each power takeoff being configured to apply a different torque output to at least one of the pawl and/or the ratchet.

Abstract: A door latch system is provided for a motor vehicle having a front door having a forward portion configured for sealed engagement with an A-pillar and a rear door having a rearward portion configured for sealed engagement with a C-pillar, the front and rear doors being configured for movement relative to a vehicle body of the motor vehicle to bring respective rearward and forward portions into sealed engagement with one another to close off a B-pillarless opening bounded by the vehicle body. The door latch system includes a retractable striker assembly and/or retractable ratchet assembly attached to one of the front and rear doors and includes a respective retractable striker and/or retractable ratchet movable between extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: A closure latch assembly equipped with a power-operated actuator having a spring-assist mechanism and which is applicable for providing power release and/or power cinching functionality.

Abstract: A closure latch assembly for automotive closure systems includes a latch mechanism, a latch release mechanism, a handle-actuated release mechanism, and an inertia-activated bypass mechanism disposed between the handle-actuated release mechanism and the latch release mechanism. The inertia-activated bypass mechanism is operable in a coupled mode for drivingly connecting the two mechanisms so as to permit the latch release mechanism to actuate the latch mechanism and is further operable in an uncoupled mode for disconnecting the two mechanisms so as to inhibit operation of the latch release mechanism. An inertia force above a predetermined acceleration threshold applied to a coupling component of the bypass mechanism causes shifting from the coupled mode into the uncoupled mode, thereby inhibiting unintended release of the latch mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle latch has a housing and a ratchet pivotally mounted to the housing. The ratchet is operable to move between an unlatched position, a secondary latched position, and a primary latched position. A release lever is pivotally mounted to the housing and operatively connects to the ratchet for unlatching the ratchet from either of the secondary or primary latched positions. The operative connection has a guide pin. A cinching lever has a cam surface that slidingly engages the guide pin. The cam surface defines a predetermined path of travel as the cinching lever is drivingly reciprocated in a cinching cycle. The predetermined path enables the cinching lever to be initially out of the path of travel of the ratchet, to engage the ratchet when the ratchet is in the secondary position and drivingly rotating the ratchet to the primary latched position, and thereafter move out of the path of travel of the ratchet.

Abstract: A vehicle latch has a housing and a ratchet pivotally mounted to the housing. The ratchet is operable to move between an unlatched position, a secondary latched position, and a primary latched position. A release lever is pivotally mounted to the housing and operatively connects to the ratchet for unlatching the ratchet from either of the secondary or primary latched positions. The operative connection has a guide pin. A cinching lever has a cam surface that slidingly engages the guide pin. The cam surface defines a predetermined path of travel as the cinching lever is drivingly reciprocated in a cinching cycle. The predetermined path enables the cinching lever to be initially out of the path of travel of the ratchet, to engage the ratchet when the ratchet is in the secondary position and drivingly rotating the ratchet to the primary latched position, and thereafter move out of the path of travel of the ratchet.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch assembly is moveable between an unlocked condition, a locked condition and a double locked condition. The door latch assembly has a support housing with a cover having a projecting block. A cam is rotatably mounted to the cover and includes an integral notch defining a pair of stops for selective engagement with the block. A rocker is movably mounted to the cover for selectively engaging at least one of the stops of the notch within the cam. A first controller rotates the cam into selective engagement with the block and the rocker for defining the unlocked condition and the locked condition, respectively, of the door lock. A second controller rotates the rocker to release the rocker from one of the stops of the notch to allow further rotation of the cam from the locked condition to the double locked condition.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch assembly moveable between an unlocked condition, a locked condition and a double locked condition. The door latch assembly has a support housing with a cover having a projecting block. A ratchet is mounted to the support housing between a latched position and an unlatched position. A pawl is mounted to the support housing and is moveable between a blocking position securing the ratchet in the latched position and a release position permitting the ratchet to pivot toward the unlatched position. A release mechanism is mounted to the support housing for moving the pawl into the release position. A coupler is couples between the pawl and the release mechanism. The coupler moves between an engaged position aligned with the release mechanism and a disengaged position spaced from the release mechanism. A cam is rotatably mounted to the cover and includes an integral notch defining a pair of stops for selective engagement with the block.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch assembly is moveable between an unlocked condition, a locked condition and a double locked condition. The door latch assembly has a support housing with a cover having a projecting block. A cam is rotatably mounted to the cover and includes an integral notch defining a pair of stops for selective engagement with the block. A rocker is movably mounted to the cover for selectively engaging at least one of the stops of the notch within the cam. A first controller rotates the cam into selective engagement with the block and the rocker for defining the unlocked condition and the locked condition, respectively, of the door lock. A second controller rotates the rocker to release the rocker from one of the stops of the notch to allow further rotation of the cam from the locked condition to the double locked condition.