Abstract: A sealed latch assembly for a vehicle closure panel is provided. The latch assembly includes a housing having an interior sized for receipt of internal components of the latch assembly. A cover is attached to the housing to enclose at least a portion of the cavity. At least one release cable is configured for operable connection to at least one of the internal components. A cable bushing is attached to the cover. The latch bushing can have a coupling mechanism including a tab and slot arrangement for releasably coupling a body of the cable bushing in a receptacle of the cover. The latch bushing can have a retaining mechanism oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis for inhibiting disconnection of the cable bushing from the cover in a direction along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A latch comprising: a housing having a slot for a striker; a ratchet rotationally mounted on the housing and biased for release of the striker from the slot and retaining of the striker in the slot dependent upon angular position of the ratchet with respect to the housing, the ratchet having a ratchet surface; a pawl rotationally mounted on the housing and biased towards the ratchet, the pawl having a pawl surface; and a rotatable bearing positioned between the pawl surface and the ratchet surface for rotation there between during rotation of the ratchet and the pawl, such that contact between the ratchet and the pawl is facilitated by one or more localized contact regions between an exterior surface of the bearing and adjacent respective at least one of the pawl surface or the ratchet surface; wherein the contact region is a localized contact region with respect to the exterior surface having a spheroidal shape.

Abstract: A vehicle closure panel latch assembly having pivotable actuator lever sealed against the ingress of water into a housing of the latch assembly is provided. The actuator lever is configured for receipt in an opening of the housing and for operable connection to an internal latch component. A seal member is disposed about a portion of the actuator lever to form a water-tight seal between the housing and the actuator lever to prevent the passage of water through the opening.

Abstract: A latch comprising: a housing having a slot for a striker; a ratchet rotationally mounted on the housing and biased for release of the striker from the slot and retaining of the striker in the slot dependent upon angular position of the ratchet with respect to the housing, the ratchet having a ratchet surface; a pawl rotationally mounted on the housing and biased towards the ratchet, the pawl having a pawl surface; and a rotatable bearing positioned between the pawl surface and the ratchet surface for rotation there between during rotation of the ratchet and the pawl, such that contact between the ratchet and the pawl is facilitated by one or more localized contact regions between an exterior surface of the bearing and adjacent respective at least one of the pawl surface or the ratchet surface; wherein the contact region is a localized contact region with respect to the exterior surface having a spheroidal shape.

Abstract: A latch comprising: a housing having a slot for a striker; a ratchet rotationally mounted on the housing and biased for release of the striker from the slot and retaining of the striker in the slot dependent upon angular position of the ratchet with respect to the housing, the ratchet having a ratchet surface; a pawl rotationally mounted on the housing and biased towards the ratchet, the pawl having a pawl surface; and a rotatable bearing positioned between the pawl surface and the ratchet surface for rotation there between during rotation of the ratchet and the pawl, such that contact between the ratchet and the pawl is facilitated by one or more localized contact regions between an exterior surface of the bearing and adjacent respective at least one of the pawl surface or the ratchet surface; wherein the contact region is a localized contact region with respect to the exterior surface having a spheroidal shape.

Abstract: A vehicle closure panel latch assembly having pivotable actuator lever sealed against the ingress of water into a housing of the latch assembly is provided. The actuator lever is configured for receipt in an opening of the housing and for operable connection to an internal latch component. A seal member is disposed about a portion of the actuator lever to form a water-tight seal between the housing and the actuator lever to prevent the passage of water through the opening.

Abstract: A sealed latch assembly for a vehicle closure panel is provided. The latch assembly includes a housing having an interior sized for receipt of internal components of the latch assembly. A cover is attached to the housing to enclose at least a portion of the cavity. At least one release cable is configured for operable connection to at least one of the internal components. A cable bushing is attached to the cover. The latch bushing can have a coupling mechanism including a tab and slot arrangement for releasably coupling a body of the cable bushing in a receptacle of the cover. The latch bushing can have a retaining mechanism oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis for inhibiting disconnection of the cable bushing from the cover in a direction along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A closure latch assembly for a dual-door closure system in a motor vehicle and configured to provide an anti-chucking mechanism in cooperation with a latch mechanism. The anti-chucking mechanism cooperates with the latch mechanism to provide an anti-chucking feature.

Abstract: A latch comprising: a housing having a slot for a striker; a ratchet rotationally mounted on the housing and biased for release of the striker from the slot and retaining of the striker in the slot dependent upon angular position of the ratchet with respect to the housing, the ratchet having a ratchet surface; a pawl rotationally mounted on the housing and biased towards the ratchet, the pawl having a pawl surface; and a rotatable bearing positioned between the pawl surface and the ratchet surface for rotation there between during rotation of the ratchet and the pawl, such that contact between the ratchet and the pawl is facilitated by one or more localized contact regions between an exterior surface of the bearing and adjacent respective at least one of the pawl surface or the ratchet surface; wherein the contact region is a localized contact region with respect to the exterior surface having a spheroidal shape.

Abstract: A housing assembly for a power operated device and method of manufacturing the housing assembly are disclosed. The housing assembly includes a housing body with a motor platform and a switch platform and a connector platform each extending upwardly from the housing body. A connector is attached to the housing body in engagement with the connector platform and includes a plurality of connector terminals electrically connected to the connector platform. A plurality of traces are formed by laser directed structuring on the housing body and are electrically connected to and extend from the switch and motor platforms to the connector platform. A motor engages the motor platform for moving components of the power operated device and a switch engages the switch platform to detect the position of the components.

Abstract: A method for controlling a blocking component for a latch of a closure panel of a vehicle, the latch having latch components including a ratchet and pawl, the method comprising: determining whether an occupant is in the vehicle and whether a speed of the vehicle is above a first threshold; and blocking release of the latch by positioning the blocking component whenever the occupant is in the vehicle and the speed is above the first threshold, automatically without occupant intervention, into a blocking position adjacent to at least one of the latch components to restrict movement of the at least one of the latch components which movement would cause the latch to open, wherein the blocking position is adjacent either the ratchet or the pawl, and restricts movement of the ratchet or pawl, respectively.