Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention is directed to a closure latch for a vehicle closure panel, having at least three lock states all of which are achieved using a single control member. The control member may be movable to at least three positions to achieve the lock states. A single motor may be used to move the control member between the positions. In a second aspect, the invention is directed to a closure latch that is movable to a safety locking position, wherein the inside and outside door levers are disabled and wherein the pawl is prevented from releasing the ratchet. The safety locking position may be used when the vehicle controller senses an impending crash or that a crash is occurring as a way of inhibiting inadvertent opening of the vehicle closure panel (eg. a vehicle door).

Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention is directed to a closure latch for a vehicle closure panel, having at least three lock states all of which are achieved using a single control member. The control member may be movable to at least three positions to achieve the lock states. A single motor may be used to move the control member between the positions. In a second aspect, the invention is directed to a closure latch that is movable to a safety locking position, wherein the inside and outside door levers are disabled and wherein the pawl is prevented from releasing the ratchet. The safety locking position may be used when the vehicle controller senses an impending crash or that a crash is occurring as a way of inhibiting inadvertent opening of the vehicle closure panel (e.g. a vehicle door).

Abstract: A passive entry system for an vehicle door requires no active operator input to gain entrance to the vehicle. A door module recognizes the signal transmitted by an authorized key fob to identify the operator of the vehicle. The authentication of the operator coupled with the operator touching a sensor on the door to be opened actuates a release actuator that unlatches the selected door. The spring-load provided by the door seal will pop the door open from the closed position. A key cylinder, which can be located substantially anywhere on the door, is coupled mechanically to the release latch for use if the battery is weak and cannot activate the release actuator. An LED signals the state of the opening sequence for the door. The fixed door handle can incorporate a membrane switch or a capacitive sensor to indicate the selection of the door by the operator when touched.

Abstract: An improved latch assembly (14) is provided for securing a vehicle door (12) in a closed position. Specifically, in one embodiment, the improved latch assembly (14) is intended to secure a first door fastener (16) to an opposing second door fastener (18) when the vehicle door (12) is subjected to a substantial acceleration. In this embodiment, the improved latch assembly (14) includes a release lever (26) coupled to the first door fastener (16). This release lever (26) is intended to selectively disengage the first door fastener (16) from the opposing second door fastener (18) thereby releasing the vehicle door (12) from its closed position. The Improved latch assembly (14) further includes an inertia-actuated detent lever (38) that is intended to block a predetermined path of the release lever (26) and prevent the release lever (26) from unlatching the vehicle door (12) from its closed position.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention is directed to a closure latch for a vehicle closure panel, having at least three lock states all of which are achieved using a single control member. The control member may be movable to at least three positions to achieve the lock states. A single motor may be used to move the control member between the positions. In a second aspect, the invention is directed to a closure latch that is movable to a safety locking position, wherein the inside and outside door levers are disabled and wherein the pawl is prevented from releasing the ratchet. The safety locking position may be used when the vehicle controller senses an impending crash or that a crash is occurring as a way of inhibiting inadvertent opening of the vehicle closure panel (e.g. a vehicle door).

Abstract: A vehicle passive entry side door latch release system engageable with a release cable connected a door latch includes a moveable linkage assembly engageable with the cable, and a motor including an output shaft engaged with a tensioning gear for driving a ratcheting gearwheel rotatably affixed to a coil spring, with the gearwheel including external teeth engageable with a rack affixed to the linkage to move the cable to unlatch the door latch. A pivotable ratcheting pawl may be engageable with the gearwheel to allow or prevent rotation of the gearwheel. Operation of the motor may drive the gear to drive the gearwheel in a rotary direction to energize the spring, and disengagement of the pawl from the gearwheel may allow stored energy in the spring to drive the gearwheel in an opposite rotary direction to thereby drive the rack to move the cable to unlatch the door latch.

Abstract: A passive entry system for an vehicle door requires no active operator input to gain entrance to the vehicle. A door module recognizes the signal transmitted by an authorized key fob to identify the operator of the vehicle. The authentication of the operator coupled with the operator touching a sensor on the door to be opened actuates a release actuator that unlatches the selected door. The spring-load provided by the door seal will pop the door open from the closed position. A key cylinder, which can be located substantially anywhere on the door, is coupled mechanically to the release latch for use if the battery is weak and cannot activate the release actuator. An LED signals the state of the opening sequence for the door. The fixed door handle can incorporate a membrane switch or a capacitive sensor to indicate the selection of the door by the operator when touched.

Abstract: A vehicle passive entry side door latch release system engageable with a release cable connected a door latch includes a moveable linkage assembly engageable with the cable, and a motor including an output shaft engaged with a tensioning gear for driving a ratcheting gearwheel rotatably affixed to a coil spring, with the gearwheel including external teeth engageable with a rack affixed to the linkage to move the cable to unlatch the door latch. A pivotable ratcheting pawl may be engageable with the gearwheel to allow or prevent rotation of the gearwheel. Operation of the motor may drive the gear to drive the gearwheel in a rotary direction to energize the spring, and disengagement of the pawl from the gearwheel may allow stored energy in the spring to drive the gearwheel in an opposite rotary direction to thereby drive the rack to move the cable to unlatch the door latch.

Abstract: An emergency-locking latch assembly (14) is provided for securing a vehicle door (12) in a closed position. Specifically, in one embodiment, the emergency-locking latch assembly (14) is intended to secure a first door fastener (16) to an opposing second door fastener (18) when the vehicle door (12) is subjected to a substantial acceleration. In this embodiment, the emergency-locking latch assembly (14) includes a release lever (26) coupled to the first door fastener (16). This release lever (26) is intended to selectively disengage the first door fastener (16) from the opposing second door fastener (18) thereby releasing the vehicle door (12) from its closed position. The emergency-locking latch assembly (14) further includes an inertia-actuated detent lever (38) that is intended to block a predetermined path of the release lever (26) and prevent the release lever (26) from unlatching the vehicle door (12) from its closed position.

Abstract: A truck latch system has a handle presented from the decklid within the trunk in substantially vertical fashion and is operative to move a trunk latch to an unlatched position when grasped and pulled in a generally downward direction to prevent the decklid from latching to a rear trunk wall and to unlatch the decklid from the trunk wall when latched thereto.

Abstract: An automotive door latching system can include a first latch for locking one vehicle door, a second latch for locking a second vehicle door, and an electric switch controlled by the first switch for supplying current to an electrically-operated latch release means associated with the second latch. The latching system requires that the first latch be in the door release state before the second latch can be moved to the door release state. Consequently the doors are openable only in a predetermined sequence.