Abstract: A latch assembly having primary position, a secondary position, and an unlatched position is disclosed. The latch assembly includes a striker and a retention member. A slot of the retention member is shaped to receive the striker when the latch assembly is in the primary position. The latch assembly includes a detent lever defining a catch configured to engage with the retaining feature of the retention member to secure the latch assembly in the secondary position. The latch assembly includes a linking member coupled to the detent lever, a memory lever moveable about a pivot axis, and a release lever. The memory lever defines a retention surface configured to engage with the linking member when the latch assembly is in the unlatched position. The release lever is rotatable about a shared axis of rotation and operatively connected to the memory lever when the latch assembly is in the unlatched position.

Abstract: A latching mechanism releasably engages a striker. The latching mechanism includes a housing secured to the vehicle body, and defining a striker channel through which the striker is selectively movable along a striker path. The latching mechanism includes a release lever pivotally connected to the housing and configured to rotate in a first direction in response to a tensile force. A detent is pivotally connected to the housing and to the release lever, and is movable with lost motion relative to the release lever. A fork bolt is adjustably connected to the housing and movable between a fully latched position, where the fork bolt fixes the striker relative to the housing, and a secondary position, where the striker is movable relative to the housing. Moving the fork bolt from the secondary position to the fully latched position causes the lost motion between the detent and the release lever.

Abstract: A vehicle hood latching mechanism is disclosed. The latching mechanism includes a housing securable to the vehicle body, a latch member pivotally connected to the first side of the housing, the latch member includes an external surface defining an abutment surface, a fork bolt adjustably connected to the second side of the housing and movable between a fully latched position, and an actuator assembly pivotally connected to the second side of the housing. The actuator assembly includes a first lever configured to selectively abut against the engagement surface of the fork bolt and a second lever configured to selectively engage the abutment surface of the latch member. The first lever is pivotally connected proximal to a first end of the mounting plate and the second lever is pivotally connected proximal to a second end of the mounting plate.

Abstract: A service latch assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The latch assembly includes a striker member and a latch mechanism configured to selectively engage and release the strike member. The latch mechanism includes a frame plate defining a guideway configured to receive the striker member, a striker guard inserted into the guideway, a latch member pivotally connected to the frame plate, a stop tab extending from a closed end of the guideway, a stop bumper inserted onto the stop tab, and an over-mold fitted over the latch member. The over-mold includes a pivot limiter bumper configured to cooperate with the stop bumper to limit the pivot of the latch member in an open position and a striker retention feature nested onto an edge retention surface of a first lever arm of the latch member.

Abstract: A cable release system configured to actuate a latch mechanism includes a cable arrangement configured to shift in response to an actuation force. The shifting of the cable arrangement is thereby configured to actuate the latch mechanism. The cable release system also includes a lockout mechanism configured to selectively impede shifting of the cable arrangement in response to the actuation force. Such selective impeding of the shifting of the cable arrangement is thereby configured to prevent actuation of the latch mechanism. A vehicle may employ the cable release system configured to actuate a latch mechanism to thereby unlatch a panel from the vehicle body.

Abstract: A latch mechanism includes a detent lever attached to a vehicle, and a release lever attached adjacent the detent to move between a pulled position, pushing the detent lever to an unlocked position responsive to activation of a release handle, and a released position, releasing the detent to move to a locked position responsive to deactivation of the release handle. A forkbolt is attached to the vehicle to move between: a first position—engaging the detent, retaining the striker at one location, and latching a compartment closure assembly closed; a second position—disengaging the detent, retaining the striker at another location, and latching the closure assembly in one pop-up position; a third position—reengaging the detent, retaining the striker at yet another location, and latching the closure assembly in another pop-up position; and a fourth position—disengaging the detent and allowing the closure assembly to open.

Abstract: A vehicle hood latching mechanism, having a latch member pivotally connected to a housing defining a striker channel. The latch member includes a primary catch portion between the intersection of a first lever arm and a second lever arm, a secondary catch portion on the first lever arm facing the primary catch portion, and a latch cam surface on the second lever arm proximal to the primary catch portion. The latch cam surface is configured such that a force applied onto the latch cam surface causes the latch member to pivot to a first position. A cancel lever is pivotally mounted to an end of the second lever arm of the latch member and includes an exterior cam surface configured such that a force applied onto the exterior cam surface induces a moment M onto the second lever arm causing the latch member to rotate into the first position.

Abstract: Disclosed are lock mechanisms for latch assemblies of vehicle compartment hoods, methods for making or using such lock mechanisms, and motor vehicles equipped with a multi-pull latch and lock system for releasably locking a hood assembly. A lock mechanism includes a gear that couples a closure latch to a latch release mechanism. The gear moves between a latched position, whereat the closure latch secures the closure in a closed position, and an unlatched position, whereat the gear transfers activation forces from the release mechanism to disengage the closure latch from the closure. A pawl is movable between a locked position, whereat the pawl engages and locks the gear in the latched position, and an unlocked position, whereat the pawl disengages the gear. An actuator is operatively engaged with a vehicle door to automatically move the pawl to the unlocked position responsive to movement of the door to an open position.

Abstract: A vehicle hood latching mechanism is disclosed. The latching mechanism includes a housing securable to the vehicle body, a latch member pivotally connected to the first side of the housing, the latch member includes an external surface defining an abutment surface, a fork bolt adjustably connected to the second side of the housing and movable between a fully latched position, and an actuator assembly pivotally connected to the second side of the housing. The actuator assembly includes a first lever configured to selectively abut against the engagement surface of the fork bolt and a second lever configured to selectively engage the abutment surface of the latch member. The first lever is pivotally connected proximal to a first end of the mounting plate and the second lever is pivotally connected proximal to a second end of the mounting plate.

Abstract: A latching mechanism releasably engages a striker. The latching mechanism includes a housing secured to the vehicle body, and defining a striker channel through which the striker is selectively movable along a striker path. The latching mechanism includes a release lever pivotally connected to the housing and configured to rotate in a first direction in response to a tensile force. A detent is pivotally connected to the housing and to the release lever, and is movable with lost motion relative to the release lever. A fork bolt is adjustably connected to the housing and movable between a fully latched position, where the fork bolt fixes the striker relative to the housing, and a secondary position, where the striker is movable relative to the housing. Moving the fork bolt from the secondary position to the fully latched position causes the lost motion between the detent and the release lever.

Abstract: A cable release system configured to actuate a latch mechanism includes a cable arrangement configured to shift in response to an actuation force. The shifting of the cable arrangement is thereby configured to actuate the latch mechanism. The cable release system also includes a lockout mechanism configured to selectively impede shifting of the cable arrangement in response to the actuation force. Such selective impeding of the shifting of the cable arrangement is thereby configured to prevent actuation of the latch mechanism. A vehicle employing the cable release system and configured to actuate a latch mechanism to thereby unlatch a panel from the vehicle body is also disclosed.

Abstract: A latching mechanism configured to fasten a hood panel to a vehicle body for covering a vehicle under-hood compartment includes a fork bolt positionable between a first position and at least one second position having a channel configured to capture the striker. A device releasably engages the fork bolt to adjust the fork bolt from the first position to the second position. A latch is positionable between at least the second position and a third position and includes a body including a primary catch portion and a secondary catch portion configured to releasably engage the striker in the second position. An actuator cooperates with the device and includes a projection configured to engage a portion of the latch body to adjust the latch from the second position to the third position. The secondary catch portion releases the striker in the third position.

Abstract: A latch assembly having primary position, a secondary position, and an unlatched position is disclosed. The latch assembly includes a striker and a retention member. A slot of the retention member is shaped to receive the striker when the latch assembly is in the primary position. The latch assembly includes a detent lever defining a catch configured to engage with the retaining feature of the retention member to secure the latch assembly in the secondary position. The latch assembly includes a linking member coupled to the detent lever, a memory lever moveable about a pivot axis, and a release lever. The memory lever defines a retention surface configured to engage with the linking member when the latch assembly is in the unlatched position. The release lever is rotatable about a shared axis of rotation and operatively connected to the memory lever when the latch assembly is in the unlatched position.

Abstract: Latch mechanisms for vehicle compartment closure assemblies, methods for making or using such latch mechanisms, and motor vehicles with a latch system for sensing latching/unlatching of a closure assembly are presented. A latch mechanism includes a forkbolt that attaches to the vehicle body and moves between a latched position, engaging a striker and thereby latching a compartment closure assembly in a closed position, and an unlatched position, disengaging the striker. A detent lever attaches to the vehicle body adjacent the forkbolt and moves between a locked position, locking the forkbolt in the latched position, and an unlocked position, disengaging the forkbolt. A memory lever adjacent the forkbolt moves between a catching position, retaining the detent lever in the unlocked position, and a releasing position, disengaging the detent lever. The forkbolt, when moving from the unlatched to the latched position, moves the memory lever from the catching to the releasing position.

Abstract: A vehicle hood latching mechanism, having a latch member pivotally connected to a housing defining a striker channel. The latch member includes a primary catch portion between the intersection of a first lever arm and a second lever arm, a secondary catch portion on the first lever arm facing the primary catch portion, and a latch cam surface on the second lever arm proximal to the primary catch portion. The latch cam surface is configured such that a force applied onto the latch cam surface causes the latch member to pivot to a first position. A cancel lever is pivotally mounted to an end of the second lever arm of the latch member and includes an exterior cam surface configured such that a force applied onto the exterior cam surface induces a moment M onto the second lever arm causing the latch member to rotate into the first position.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a vehicle is provided that includes a body, a propulsion system, a hood, a sensor, and a processor. The propulsion system is configured to generate movement of the body. The sensor is disposed onboard the vehicle and configured to provide sensor data pertaining to one or more components of the vehicle. The processor is disposed onboard the vehicle, coupled to the sensor, and is configured to: determine whether the hood is closed via a latching mechanism, using the sensor data; and provide instructions to a drive system of the vehicle, to take a control action to adjust movement of the vehicle when it is determined that the hood of the vehicle is not closed via the latching mechanism.

Abstract: A service latch assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The latch assembly includes a striker member and a latch mechanism configured to selectively engage and release the strike member. The latch mechanism includes a frame plate defining a guideway configured to receive the striker member, a striker guard inserted into the guideway, a latch member pivotally connected to the frame plate, a stop tab extending from a closed end of the guideway, a stop bumper inserted onto the stop tab, and an over-mold fitted over the latch member. The over-mold includes a pivot limiter bumper configured to cooperate with the stop bumper to limit the pivot of the latch member in an open position and a striker retention feature nested onto an edge retention surface of a first lever arm of the latch member.

Abstract: A latch mechanism includes a detent lever attached to a vehicle, and a release lever attached adjacent the detent to move between a pulled position, pushing the detent lever to an unlocked position responsive to activation of a release handle, and a released position, releasing the detent to move to a locked position responsive to deactivation of the release handle. A forkbolt is attached to the vehicle to move between: a first position—engaging the detent, retaining the striker at one location, and latching a compartment closure assembly closed; a second position—disengaging the detent, retaining the striker at another location, and latching the closure assembly in one pop-up position; a third position—reengaging the detent, retaining the striker at yet another location, and latching the closure assembly in another pop-up position; and a fourth position—disengaging the detent and allowing the closure assembly to open.

Abstract: A latching mechanism to fasten a hood panel to a vehicle body includes a housing, a fork bolt releasably securing a striker and a component releasably engaging the fork bolt to adjust the fork bolt. A latch includes a body, a primary catch portion, a secondary catch portion and a pin extending from the body. A memory lever includes a body having a recess to receive the latch pin. A cancel lever includes a body having a first end adjustably connected to the memory lever and a second end extending proximate the second catch portion. The cancel lever cooperates with the secondary catch portion to engage the striker in the first unlatched position. The latch pin is received by the memory lever recess to releasably secure the latch in the second unlatched position and allow the striker to move from the latching mechanism to unfasten the hood panel.

Abstract: Disclosed are latch mechanisms for vehicle compartment closure assemblies, methods for making or using such latch mechanisms, and motor vehicles with a latch system for sensing latching/unlatching of a closure assembly. A latch mechanism includes a forkbolt that attaches to the vehicle body and moves between a latched position, engaging a striker and thereby latching a compartment closure assembly in a closed position, and an unlatched position, disengaging the striker. A detent lever attaches to the vehicle body adjacent the forkbolt and moves between a locked position, locking the forkbolt in the latched position, and an unlocked position, disengaging the forkbolt. A memory lever adjacent the forkbolt moves between a catching position, retaining the detent lever in the unlocked position, and a releasing position, disengaging the detent lever. The forkbolt, when moving from the unlatched to the latched position, moves the memory lever from the catching to the releasing position.