Abstract: Methods for improved die bonding. In some embodiments, a method includes applying hot air to a die. The method also includes placing the die on a substrate after applying the hot air to the die. The method further includes waiting a predefined bonding period in order to establish a bond between the die and the substrate.

Abstract: In one non-limiting embodiment, a latch system for a door of a vehicle is provided. The latch system includes a latch assembly, an accelerometer configured to measure acceleration of the vehicle, and a controller communicatively coupled to the accelerometer. The controller is configured to control an operation of the latch assembly. The controller prevents transition of the latch assembly to a disengaged position when the measured acceleration exceeds a predetermined threshold to facilitate preventing the door from opening.

Abstract: Method and device for improved die bonding. In some embodiments, a bonding device includes a heating element configured to heat air. The bonding device also includes an application element having a plurality of holes configured to apply the heated air to a die, the application element is characterized by an arrangement of the plurality of holes that satisfies one or more directionality criteria. The bonding device further includes a controller configured to control the heating element and to set the temperature of the heated air expelled through the plurality of holes of the application element in order to satisfy one or more bonding criteria.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate latch is provided. The latch having: a first portion; a second portion; a linkage for rotatably securing the first portion to the second portion, wherein the second portion is rotatably secured to the first portion for movement about a vertical axis with respect to the first portion; and a latching mechanism for releasing the second portion from the first portion.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a release mechanism for a latch is provided. The release mechanism having: a first release lever, the first release lever having a first lever and a second lever; a second release lever operatively coupled to the first release lever; and a spring operatively coupled to the first lever and the second lever such that a biasing force of the spring must be overcome in order to effectuate movement of the second release lever via the first release lever.

Abstract: A dual pull latch assembly and method of unlatching a panel are disclosed. The double cable pull includes a pull rod, a selector lever, and a linkage, wherein the selector lever is selectively disposed in a first feature or second feature of the linkage. In another embodiment, the double pull latch includes a release arm, a lever, and a hold open lever to hold the lever in the intermediate position.

Abstract: A latch includes a housing, a fork bolt operably coupled to the housing and pivotal between an unlatched position, a primary latched position, and a secondary latched position, and a detent lever operably coupled to the housing and arranged to cooperate with the fork bolt. A drive link is operatively connected to the fork bolt and to the detent lever. An override lever is operably coupled to the drive link. A manual release lever is operably coupled to the override lever. The manual release lever is movable between a rest position and a release position. The drive link is automatically moved out of a path of rotation of the fork bolt when the manual release lever is moved to the release position.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch assembly is disclosed herein, having: a fork bolt movably secured to the latch assembly; a detent lever movably secured to the latch assembly, the detent lever being capable of movement between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the detent lever retains the fork bolt in a latched position when the detent lever is in the engaged position and an engagement surface of the detent lever contacts an engagement surface of the fork bolt; an inertia block out assembly for preventing the detent lever from moving into the disengaged position when the inertia block out assembly is in a blocking position; and a manual override mechanism for the inertia block out assembly, wherein the manual override mechanism requires at least three independent actions to be performed to move the inertia block out assembly from the blocking position to an unblocking position.

Abstract: A latch includes a housing, a fork bolt, and a detent lever. The fork bolt is coupled to the housing and is movable between an unlatched position, a primary latched position, and a secondary latched position. The detent lever is operably coupled to the housing and is arranged to cooperate with the fork bolt. A drive link is operatively connected to the fork bolt and to the detent lever. The drive link is movable in a first direction to engage the detent lever to open the latch and is movable in a second direction to engage the fork bolt to cinch the latch.

Abstract: Method and device for improved die bonding. In some embodiments, a bonding device includes a heating element configured to heat air. The bonding device also includes an application element having a plurality of holes configured to apply the heated air to a die, the application element is characterized by an arrangement of the plurality of holes that satisfies one or more directionality criteria. The bonding device further includes a controller configured to control the heating element and to set the temperature of the heated air expelled through the plurality of holes of the application element in order to satisfy one or more bonding criteria.

Abstract: A vehicle latch is provided herein. The vehicle latch having: a claw rotationally mounted to the latch for movement about an axis; a pawl rotationally mounted to the latch for movement about an axis between a first position and a second position, wherein the pawl restricts movement of the claw when it is in the first position and wherein the pawl does not restrict movement of the claw when it is in the second position; and an inertia locking device for limiting movement of the pawl towards the second position, wherein the inertia locking device includes a mass-spring damper system configured to react to acceleration forces applied to the pawl in order to limit the movement of the pawl.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate latch is provided. The latch having: a first portion; a second portion; a linkage for rotatably securing the first portion to the second portion, wherein the second portion is rotatably secured to the first portion for movement about a vertical axis with respect to the first portion; and a latching mechanism for releasing the second portion from the first portion.

Abstract: A latch having: a claw configured to rotate between an unlatched position and a latched position; a pawl configured for movement between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein the pawl retains the claw in the latched position when the pawl is in the engaged position and wherein the pawl releases the claw when it is in a disengaged position and the claw is free to move from the latched position to the unlatched position; a bumper located on the pawl to dampen noises as the pawl is moved by a portion of the claw; and wherein the detent lever is pivotally mounted to a frame of the latch proximate to a corner of an opening of the latch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a mechanical seal between two objects is provided. The mechanical interface including a protrusion located on a first component; and a pair of cantilevered beams located on a second component, wherein the pair of cantilevered beams are forced outwardly on opposite sides of the protrusion when a tab portion of the second component is received in an opening of the first component. The method of including the steps of: forcing a pair of cantilevered beams located on a second component outwardly from opposite sides of the protrusion when as a tab portion of the second component is received in an opening of a first component.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch assembly is disclosed herein, having: a fork bolt movably secured to the latch assembly; a detent lever movably secured to the latch assembly, the detent lever being capable of movement between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the detent lever retains the fork bolt in a latched position when the detent lever is in the engaged position and an engagement surface of the detent lever contacts an engagement surface of the fork bolt; an inertia block out assembly for preventing the detent lever from moving into the disengaged position when the inertia block out assembly is in a blocking position; and a manual override mechanism for the inertia block out assembly, wherein the manual override mechanism requires at least three independent actions to be performed to move the inertia block out assembly from the blocking position to an unblocking position.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch assembly is disclosed herein, having: a fork bolt movably secured to the latch assembly; a detent lever movably secured to the latch assembly, the detent lever being capable of movement between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the detent lever retains the fork bolt in a latched position when the detent lever is in the engaged position and an engagement surface of the detent lever contacts an engagement surface of the fork bolt; an inertia block out assembly for preventing the detent lever from moving into the disengaged position when the inertia block out assembly is in a blocking position; and a manual override mechanism for the inertia block out assembly, wherein the manual override mechanism requires at least three independent actions to be performed to move the inertia block out assembly from the blocking position to an unblocking position.

Abstract: An actuator for a latch is provided, the actuator having: a motor operatively coupled to a gear train; and a rack moveably mounted to the actuator for linear movement with respect to a housing of the actuator, wherein the gear train comprises: a worm; a worm gear and a pinion gear, wherein the pinion gear is rotatably mounted to the worm gear and the pinion gear has a plurality of teeth configured to engage a portion of the rack, wherein the axis of rotation of the worm is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the worm gear and the pinion gear and wherein the rack is configured to operatively couple the gear train to a locking lever of the latch and the rack also has a cam surface configured to actuate a switch as the rack is moved by the gear train.

Abstract: An actuator for a latch is provided, the actuator having: a motor operatively coupled to a gear train; and a rack moveably mounted to the actuator for linear movement with respect to a housing of the actuator, wherein the gear train comprises: a worm; a worm gear and a pinion gear, wherein the pinion gear is rotatably mounted to the worm gear and the pinion gear has a plurality of teeth configured to engage a portion of the rack, wherein the axis of rotation of the worm is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the worm gear and the pinion gear.

Abstract: A latch, having: an actuator housing configured to be “snap fit” or coupled to a latch housing of the latch.

Abstract: In one non-limiting embodiment, a latch system for a door of a vehicle is provided. The latch system includes a latch assembly, an accelerometer configured to measure acceleration of the vehicle, and a controller communicatively coupled to the accelerometer. The controller is configured to control an operation of the latch assembly. The controller prevents transition of the latch assembly to a disengaged position when the measured acceleration exceeds a predetermined threshold to facilitate preventing the door from opening.