Abstract: An electrical latch for a closure system of a motor vehicle and method of operating are provided. The electrical latch includes a latching mechanism having a pawl and ratchet, a cinching mechanism having a cinching lever, and an electric actuator mechanism for actuating at least the cinching lever. The electrical latch further includes a control unit powered by a main power source and having a control circuit controlling operation of the actuator mechanism to affect the position of the cinch lever, and a backup energy source providing power to the control circuit and the actuator mechanism in the event a fault condition is experienced by the main power source. The electrical latch is configured to return the cinching lever to a home uncinched position in response to switching of power from the main power source to the backup energy source.

Abstract: A method of operating an entry system of a motor vehicle includes monitoring a battery voltage and the entry system continuously using a control circuit of the latch assembly in a non-emergency mode. Power is provided to the control circuit in the event of a loss of power from a main power source using a backup energy source of the control circuit. The method includes transitioning to an emergency mode in response to determining loss of power from the main power source or failure of the component of the entry system. An actuation group associated with the latch assembly is operated with the control circuit using power from the backup energy source of the control circuit in response to determining that actuation from a plurality of pins of a mechanical emergency switch assembly indicates a command from a user to unlatch the closure member in the emergency mode.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a closure of a vehicle includes a force-based sensor disposed beneath an uninterrupted class-A surface and responsive to a force applied thereto. The handle assembly includes a handle ECU, configured to monitor the force-based sensor and to communicate with an electronic latch controller. A super-capacitor is disposed on a PCB within the handle assembly for providing electrical power to the handle ECU and the force-based sensor. The handle ECU includes one or more feedback devices such as LED lights, acoustic, and haptic devices to provide information about the status of the closure and the electronic latch system. The handle assembly is also configured to provide different responses to two or more different levels of force applied to the force-based sensor. An output interface in the handle assembly provides wired and wireless backup communications to the electronic latch controller.

Abstract: A method of operating an entry system of a motor vehicle includes monitoring a battery voltage and the entry system continuously using a control circuit of the latch assembly in a non-emergency mode. Power is provided to the control circuit in the event of a loss of power from a main power source using a backup energy source of the control circuit. The method includes transitioning to an emergency mode in response to determining loss of power from the main power source or failure of the component of the entry system. An actuation group associated with the latch assembly is operated with the control circuit using power from the backup energy source of the control circuit in response to determining that actuation from a plurality of pins of a mechanical emergency switch assembly indicates a command from a user to unlatch the closure member in the emergency mode.

Abstract: A closure latch assembly, operable in one of a normal operating mode and an emergency mode, has a power release motor, a ratchet and a pawl, with the ratchet being moveable between a striker capture position and a striker release position and the pawl being moveable between a ratchet holding position, whereat ratchet is maintained in the striker capture position, and a ratchet release position, whereat ratchet is biased toward the striker release position. The power release motor is configured to operate using primary control signals received from a primary controller external to closure latch assembly during the normal operating mode of closure latch assembly and to operate using secondary control signals received from a secondary controller internal to closure latch assembly during the emergency operating mode of closure latch assembly and not operate using the secondary control signals received from secondary controller during the normal operating mode.

Abstract: A touch pad for operating an e-latch assembly of a motor vehicle entry system that includes a control circuit with a backup energy source and method of operating the entry system are provided. The touch pad includes a touch pad controller in communication with the control circuit of the e-latch assembly. The touch pad also includes at least one entry input sensor coupled to the touch pad controller for outputting a signal indicative of a touch to operate the e-latch assembly. The touch pad further includes a mechanical emergency switch assembly adjacent the at least one entry input sensor and including a plurality of pins electrically coupled to the control circuit for operating the e-latch assembly when the at least one input sensor is not operable due to one of a power loss and malfunction of the at least one input sensor.

Abstract: An electrical latch for a closure system of a motor vehicle and method of operating are provided. The electrical latch includes a latching mechanism having a pawl and ratchet, a cinching mechanism having a cinching lever, and an electric actuator mechanism for actuating at least the cinching lever. The electrical latch further includes a control unit powered by a main power source and having a control circuit controlling operation of the actuator mechanism to affect the position of the cinch lever, and a backup energy source providing power to the control circuit and the actuator mechanism in the event a fault condition is experienced by the main power source. The electrical latch is configured to return the cinching lever to a home uncinched position in response to switching of power from the main power source to the backup energy source.

Abstract: An electrical latch for a closure system of a motor vehicle and method of operating are provided. The electrical latch includes a latching mechanism having a pawl and ratchet, a cinching mechanism having a cinching lever, and an electric actuator mechanism for actuating at least the cinching lever. The electrical latch further includes a control unit powered by a main power source and having a control circuit controlling operation of the actuator mechanism to affect the position of the cinch lever, and a backup energy source providing power to the control circuit and the actuator mechanism in the event a fault condition is experienced by the main power source. The electrical latch is configured to return the cinching lever to a home uncinched position in response to switching of power from the main power source to the backup energy source.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a closure of a vehicle includes a force-based sensor disposed beneath an uninterrupted class-A surface and responsive to a force applied thereto. The handle assembly includes a handle ECU, configured to monitor the force-based sensor and to communicate with an electronic latch controller. A super-capacitor is disposed on a PCB within the handle assembly for providing electrical power to the handle ECU and the force-based sensor. The handle ECU includes one or more feedback devices such as LED lights, acoustic, and haptic devices to provide information about the status of the closure and the electronic latch system. The handle assembly is also configured to provide different responses to two or more different levels of force applied to the force-based sensor. An output interface in the handle assembly provides wired and wireless backup communications to the electronic latch controller.

Abstract: An e-latch assembly for a closure member and a method of operating the e-latch assembly coupled to a closure member are provided. The e-latch assembly includes an actuation group operable to selectively secure the closure member. An electronic control circuit is coupled to the actuation group and includes a control unit configured to manage a plurality of handle activation signals. The control unit is also configured to receive a plurality of signals indicative of the state of a vehicle. Additionally, the control unit is configured to control the actuation group to selectively allow the closure member to be opened in response to receiving the plurality of signals indicative of the state of the vehicle and based on the plurality of handle activation signals.

Abstract: A touch pad for operating an e-latch assembly of a motor vehicle entry system that includes a control circuit with a backup energy source and method of operating the entry system are provided. The touch pad includes a touch pad controller in communication with the control circuit of the e-latch assembly. The touch pad also includes at least one entry input sensor coupled to the touch pad controller for outputting a signal indicative of a touch to operate the e-latch assembly. The touch pad further includes a mechanical emergency switch assembly adjacent the at least one entry input sensor and including a plurality of pins electrically coupled to the control circuit for operating the e-latch assembly when the at least one input sensor is not operable due to one of a power loss and malfunction of the at least one input sensor.

Abstract: An electrical latch for a closure system of a motor vehicle and method of operating are provided. The electrical latch includes a latching mechanism having a pawl and ratchet, a cinching mechanism having a cinching lever, and an electric actuator mechanism for actuating at least the cinching lever. The electrical latch further includes a control unit powered by a main power source and having a control circuit controlling operation of the actuator mechanism to affect the position of the cinch lever, and a backup energy source providing power to the control circuit and the actuator mechanism in the event a fault condition is experienced by the main power source. The electrical latch is configured to return the cinching lever to a home uncinched position in response to switching of power from the main power source to the backup energy source.