Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes sensing movement of an interior door handle of the vehicle with a sensing device, such as a door lock switch. A position of a door of the vehicle is sensed with a door position sensor, after movement of the interior door handle is sensed, to determine if the door remains in an unopened position after movement of the interior door handle is sensed, or if the door moves into an opened position after movement of the interior door handle is sensed. When movement of the interior door handle is sensed and the door remains in the unopened position after movement of the interior door handle, instructions are provided with an audio or video device related to the proper procedure for unlocking and opening the door.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes sensing movement of an interior door handle of the vehicle with a sensing device, such as a door lock switch. A position of a door of the vehicle is sensed with a door position sensor, after movement of the interior door handle is sensed, to determine if the door remains in an unopened position after movement of the interior door handle is sensed, or if the door moves into an opened position after movement of the interior door handle is sensed. When movement of the interior door handle is sensed and the door remains in the unopened position after movement of the interior door handle, instructions are provided with an audio or video device related to the proper procedure for unlocking and opening the door.

Abstract: A door assembly having an anti-theft device is provided. The assembly includes a door component defining an internally protruding cavity. A locating tab extends from the anti-theft device and is insertable in the cavity in the door component, thereby locating the anti-theft device relative to the door component. The door component includes a locking tab attached or integrally formed on the door component and adapted to snap into an opening in the anti-theft device, thereby securing the anti-theft device relative to the door component. The anti-theft device may be a shield and the door component may be a latch mechanism.

Abstract: A locking mechanism secures a plug of a charging cord in a charging receptacle of a vehicle and includes an actuator, a linear-actuated cam connected thereto and driven along a linear travel path thereby (the cam defining a slot therein positioned at an angle relative to the path), and a locking arm pivotally mounted at a pivot point to a component disposed adjacent the arm. The arm includes a follower pin that engages the slot. The arm pivots about the point to move between locked and unlocked positions in response to movement of the cam along the path. A housing of the vehicle includes the receptacle, a charging interface connected with the plug to allow current to flow from a charging unit to a system of batteries of the vehicle during a charging operation, and the mechanism.

Abstract: A door latch system for a vehicle having a front door and a back door includes electric latch mechanisms associated with each door. Open switches are associated with each door to request opening of the doors. Lock switches are associated with each door to request locking and unlocking of the doors. An override switch is associated with the front passenger door and configured to send at least one of an override signal and an enabled signal. A controller prevents unlocking of the doors using the lock switches associated with the back doors unless the back door is open.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a plurality of doors, each secured by a lock, peripheral control units, each connected to one of said locks, for sending a command signal to an actuator of the lock, a central control unit for sending command signals to the actuators of the locks, and an accident detector. If the accident detector has detected an accident, at least one of the actuators is switchable from a central operating mode in which it executes command signals of the central control unit and its associated peripheral control unit into a peripheral operating mode in which it executes only command signals from its peripheral control unit.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for door latches for vehicles. The system includes an electric door latch mechanism movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. Exterior and interior open switches are disposed a door for receiving an unlatch request from an outside or an inside of the vehicle. A controller is in communication with the exterior open switch, the interior open switch, and the electric door latch mechanism. The controller is configured to assign either a locked state or an unlocked state for each of the open switches. The controller is also configured to control operation of the electric door latch mechanism such that the electric door latch mechanism is commanded to move from the closed position to the open position in response to the unlatch request from the open switches when the respective open switch is in the unlocked state.

Abstract: A door latch system of a vehicle includes a fork bolt lever engagable with a striker and is movable between a latched position for securing the striker and an unlatched position. A detent is movable between an engaged position in which the detent engages with the fork bolt lever to hold the fork bolt lever in the latched position and a disengaged position in which the detent is disengaged from the fork bolt lever to permit the fork bolt lever to move to the unlatched position. A motor, controllable by the controller, is coupled to the detent lever to move the detent lever between the engaged and disengaged positions. A switch may send an unlatch command to the controller. The controller actuates the motor to position the detent in the disengaged position such that the detent is held in the disengaged position until a predetermined condition occurs.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for door latches for vehicles. The system includes an electric door latch mechanism movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. Exterior and interior open switches are disposed a door for receiving an unlatch request from an outside or an inside of the vehicle. A controller is in communication with the exterior open switch, the interior open switch, and the electric door latch mechanism. The controller is configured to assign either a locked state or an unlocked state for each of the open switches. The controller is also configured to control operation of the electric door latch mechanism such that the electric door latch mechanism is commanded to move from the closed position to the open position in response to the unlatch request from the open switches when the respective open switch is in the unlocked state.

Abstract: Select variations may include a vehicle door locking system, which may have a vehicle door, a latch, a knob, a conduit an attachment, and a cable. The cable may extend through the conduit and connects the latch to the knob. The conduit may be connected only to the vehicle door but not to the latch or the knob.

Abstract: A door of a vehicle having a door inner panel, a door latch assembly mounted to the inner panel adjacent to a fish mouth opening, with the latch assembly having a lock lever; and a door trim panel mounted on the inner panel including a lock hole on a surface of the trim panel. A manual lock assembly has a mounting bracket, a button cap, a main shaft and a cam. The mounting bracket is mounted to the door trim panel. The button cap telescopically slides in the bracket and has an end extending through the lock hole. The main shaft slides in the bracket, engages with the button cap and extends into contact with the cam. The cam engages the lock lever to cause locking of the latch assembly when the button cap is pushed.

Abstract: A locking mechanism secures a plug of a charging cord in a charging receptacle of a vehicle and includes an actuator, a linear-actuated cam connected thereto and driven along a linear travel path thereby (the cam defining a slot therein positioned at an angle relative to the path), and a locking arm pivotally mounted at a pivot point to a component disposed adjacent the arm. The arm includes a follower pin that engages the slot. The arm pivots about the point to move between locked and unlocked positions in response to movement of the cam along the path. A housing of the vehicle includes the receptacle, a charging interface connected with the plug to allow current to flow from a charging unit to a system of batteries of the vehicle during a charging operation, and the mechanism.

Abstract: A latch system for securing a panel assembly in a closed position relative to a body of a vehicle includes a striker and a latch mechanism positioned relative to each other within an allowable assembly variance measured along a lateral axis. A bumper is fixed in position relative to the latch mechanism to engage the striker in abutting engagement when the striker is disposed in the closed position. The bumper includes a contact surface having an axial length measured along the lateral axis. The contact surface completely contacts the striker along the entire axial length of the contact surface when the striker is disposed in any position within the allowable assembly variance relative to the latch mechanism.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a plurality of doors, each secured by a lock, peripheral control units, each connected to one of said locks, for sending a command signal to an actuator of the lock, a central control unit for sending command signals to the actuators of the locks, and an accident detector. If the accident detector has detected an accident, at least one of the actuators is switchable from a central operating mode in which it executes command signals of the central control unit and its associated peripheral control unit into a peripheral operating mode in which it executes only command signals from its peripheral control unit.

Abstract: A door assembly is provided with a handle that is movable between a first handle position where the door assembly is unlatched and a second handle position where the door assembly is latched. The handle may also be movable to a third handle position where the door assembly is locked. A hollow conduit is operatively connected to the handle at a first end. A wire is disposed within the conduit and operatively connected to the handle such that the wire translates within the conduit when the handle is moved. A damping material is positioned between an outer surface of the wire and an inner surface of the conduit. The damping material is configured to dampen the motion of the handle. In one example, the damping material is silicone grease.

Abstract: A door of a vehicle having a door inner panel, a door latch assembly mounted to the inner panel adjacent to a fish mouth opening, with the latch assembly having a lock lever; and a door trim panel mounted on the inner panel including a lock hole on a surface of the trim panel. A manual lock assembly has a mounting bracket, a button cap, a main shaft and a cam. The mounting bracket is mounted to the door trim panel. The button cap telescopically slides in the bracket and has an end extending through the lock hole. The main shaft slides in the bracket, engages with the button cap and extends into contact with the cam. The cam engages the lock lever to cause locking of the latch assembly when the button cap is pushed.

Abstract: A system is provided for latching a door of an automobile. The system includes, but is not limited to, a first power source, second power source, a latch for the door coupled to the first power source and the second power source, and an electronic control unit configured to control an operation of the latch. The electronic control unit is further configured to determine a status of the first power source, evaluate the status of the first power source, and control the operation of the latch with the second power source if the evaluation of the status indicates the first power source is unavailable.

Abstract: A door assembly having an anti-theft device is provided. The assembly includes a door component defining an internally protruding cavity. A locating tab extends from the anti-theft device and is insertable in the cavity in the door component, thereby locating the anti-theft device relative to the door component. The door component includes a locking tab attached or integrally formed on the door component and adapted to snap into an opening in the anti-theft device, thereby securing the anti-theft device relative to the door component. The anti-theft device may be a shield and the door component may be a latch mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle door and a vehicle door latch assembly is disclosed. The vehicle door includes a door outer panel; a door inner panel affixed to the door outer panel and defining a door wet cavity, with the door inner panel including an access hole; and a door trim panel mounted to the door inner panel and defining a door dry cavity. A door latch is located in the door wet cavity; a latch locking lever is exposed to the door dry cavity and shielded from the door wet cavity, with the latch locking lever engaging the door latch; and a lock rod has a first end attached to the latch locking lever, with the lock rod extending through the access hole and between the door inner panel and the door trim panel, whereby the lock rod is not exposed to the door wet cavity.

Abstract: A clip assembly for securing a latch rod includes a main body and a pivoting body rotatably coupled to the main body. The pivoting body is moveable between an open position allowing insertion of the latch rod relative to the clip assembly, and a closed position securing the latch rod relative to the clip assembly. A fastening mechanism is moveable between a fastened position securing the pivoting body relative to the main body and an un-fastened position allowing the rotational movement of the pivoting body relative to the main body. A biasing device is coupled to the main body and biases the pivoting body into the open position when the fastening mechanism is in the un-fastened position to visually and/or functionally indicate that the pivoting body is not fastened to the main body, and the latch rod is not properly secured within the clip assembly.