Motor Patents (Class 292/201)
  • Patent number: 11555337
    Abstract: A vehicle door latch apparatus has latch mechanism, powered release means, manual release means and lock mechanism that is switched between a locked state and an unlocked state. Powered release means has cam wheel that is rotated in normal and in reverse rotational directions from a reference position by motor power. When cam wheel is rotated in the normal rotational direction from the reference position, latch mechanism is released while lock mechanism is held in the locked state When cam wheel is rotated in the reverse rotational direction from the reference position, cam wheel switches lock mechanism to the unlocked state. Cam wheel returns lock mechanism to the locked state when cam wheel is rotated in the normal rotational direction back to the reference position in the unlocked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Ishiguro, Hirotaka Nishijima, Shunsuke Tamura, Shintaro Okawa
  • Patent number: 11542726
    Abstract: Surface mount electric strikes according having a housing with an opening for a door latch bolt. First and second opposing latches are movably mounted to the housing and operable to open or block the lack bolt opening. First and second keepers can be in the housing each of which is arranged to cooperate with a respective one of the first and second opposing latches to block or not movement of its latch. A single actuating device is also in the housing and is controlled by an electrical signal. It is arranged to operate on the first and second keepers and is moveable in the housing between two positions. One or more mode control screws can be included that engages the actuating device through the housing and are movable between at least two screw positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventors: David Christian Moen, Gilbert D. Bolanos, Jr., David Geringer
  • Patent number: 11542730
    Abstract: A motor control system for a closure latch assembly is provided and includes a power release motor operatively coupled to a power release gear of the closure latch assembly. A plurality of relays are coupled between one of a first motor terminal and a second motor terminal and one of a voltage supply and an electrical ground to provide one of a first motor current flow to drive the power release motor in a first direction and a second motor current flow to drive the power release motor in a second direction. An electronic control unit is coupled to the plurality of relays and configured to command the plurality of relays to provide the first motor current flow in one of a power release mode and a release mode and the second motor current flow in one of a reset mode and an unlock mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES (KUNSHAN) CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Hua Yong
  • Patent number: 11536056
    Abstract: A locking device for a motor vehicle comprising an actuator, a lock with a locking mechanism, comprising a rotary latch and at least one pawl, the actuator and the lock can be interconnected by a Bowden cable and the Bowden cable has provision for actively blocking a force transmitted by the Bowden cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Carsten Fuchs
  • Patent number: 11536059
    Abstract: A motor vehicle lock, including a detent mechanism with a catch and a pawl. The motor vehicle lock may include a drivetrain arrangement with a drive element that may move in a predefined drive direction. During a cinching sequence, the drive element moves in the predefined drive direction, so that the drivetrain arrangement engages and drives the catch in a closing direction to a primary closed position. During a release sequence, the drive element may move in the predefined drive direction, so that the drivetrain arrangement engages and drives the pawl in a release direction to a release state. During the release sequence, the drive element moves in the predefined drive direction, so that the drivetrain arrangement moves to a clearance state, such that the pawl is in a release state and the catch may pivot to an open position drivetrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Brose Schliesssysteme GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Wuppertal
    Inventor: David Rosales
  • Patent number: 11536057
    Abstract: A locking device for a motor vehicle includes an actuating lever, a lock and at least one Bowden cable, which is arranged between the actuating lever and the lock, wherein the lock can be actuated by means of the actuating lever and with the help of the Bowden cable and a functional unit, which is arranged on the Bowden cable and has an electric drive, and wherein the lock can be actuated by means of the functional unit at least in an assisting manner or an actuation can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Claus Töpfer, Winfried Schlabs, Tim Sonnenschein, Inga Heinzen
  • Patent number: 11525288
    Abstract: A motor vehicle locking system for a door or hatch, comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and a pawl for latching the rotary latch, a drive pulley for an electrical opening means, which drive pulley can be rotated in a motorized manner in an operating direction for tripping the locking mechanism, and a return spring for rotating the drive pulley in the direction opposite the operating direction, wherein the drive pulley can be rotated in the operating direction without being influenced by the return spring or at least without spring load. Therefore, higher loads can be moved by the drive pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Holger Schiffer, Michael Scholz, Ömer Inan, Michael Herrmann
  • Patent number: 11525287
    Abstract: Lock mechanism is provided between pawl lever and manual release mean. The present vehicle door latch apparatus includes ratchet member that engages latch and that can be released from latch by release component force F2, latch restraint that prevents ratchet member from being disengaged from latch and powered release means that moves ratchet restraint. Ratchet member includes base lever and pawl lever. When ratchet restraint is moved, base lever is moved to a non-regulated position, where pawl lever can be disengaged from latch by release component force F2. Manual release means is connected to pawl lever. Lock mechanism is provided between pawl lever and manual release means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Ishiguro, Hirotaka Nishijima, Shunsuke Tamura, Shintaro Okawa
  • Patent number: 11512504
    Abstract: A closure latch assembly for a decklid configured to provide a power release operation and a power cinch operation. The power cinch operation is a dual-stage cinch operation having a first non-driven cinching stage and a second driven cinching stage. The first cinching stage utilizes the weight of the decklid to drive the decklid from a pop-up position to a cinched position. The second cinching stage utilizes a cinch mechanism to drive the decklid from its cinched position into a fully-closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA BÖCO GMBH
    Inventors: Vladmir Lebsak, Jörg Thomas Klein, Henrik Johann
  • Patent number: 11495584
    Abstract: A modular distributed control LED display system, comprising several LED display module units (100) which are spliced together to form an integrated LED display screen, each of the LED display module units (100) comprises a lamp board (110) and an independent controller (120), wherein the lamp board (110) is provided with a number of LED light sources, and the independent controller (120) is provided on the back of the lamp board (110), the independent controller (120) is used to control the working state and display mode of the LED light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Shenzhen Chip Optech Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: XiaoGang Wu
  • Patent number: 11486171
    Abstract: One example embodiment is an armored vehicle door quick-release mechanism includes a handle, a slide lock latch, and an actuator mechanism. The handle is coupled to the slide lock latch. The movement of the handle in a first direction causes the slide lock latch to move in a first direction to a first position so that the slide lock latch is adapted to attach the vehicle door to the actuator mechanism adapted to open and close the vehicle door. A movement of the handle in a second direction causes that slide lock latch to move in a second direction to a second position to detach the vehicle door from the actuator mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Government of the United States, as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Kirill Pavlov, William E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11486174
    Abstract: A vehicular door lock device includes a rotary member being movable between a releasing position and an unlocking correspondent position by rotation of an electric motor and being elastically urged to a neutral position, a release lever switching a latch mechanism to an unlatched state by rotation of the rotary member from the neutral position to the releasing position, an active lever switching the vehicular door lock device to an unlocked state by rotational movement of the rotary member from the neutral position to the unlocking correspondent position and switching the vehicular door lock device to a locked state by rotational movement of the rotary member to a locking correspondent position, and a block lever blocking rotational movement of the rotary member from the locking correspondent position to the releasing position when switching from the unlocked state to the locked state is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: AISIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuaki Tanino, Yasuhiko Sono, Takumi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11473344
    Abstract: A locking system for a motor vehicle having a disc-shaped rotational member, a drive for rotating the rotational member around a rotational axis and a lever which can be moved by the rotational member. A ramp is provided on the disc-shaped rotational member and the locking system is set up in such a manner that the lever can be pivoted by the ramp when the rotational member is rotated by the drive. A particularly flexible adjustment to the available installation space can thus be achieved, at the same time as a particularly high degree of efficiency of the mechanical power transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Ömer Inan, Holger Schiffer, Michael Scholz, Peter Szegeny
  • Patent number: 11466482
    Abstract: A door lock device for a vehicle includes: a support member; a latch supported to be rotatable around a first shaft member supported by the support member and rotating in a first direction and engaging with a striker provided in a vehicle main body when a vehicle door is closed; a pawl supported to be rotatable around a second shaft member supported by the support member and restricting rotation of the latch in a second direction by engaging with the latch engaged with the striker; and an elastic member having one and other end portions and elastically deformed by an external force, in which in a state where the elastic member is elastically deformed, the one end portion engages with the pawl, the other end portion is supported by the support member, and an elastic force is applied to the pawl to bias the pawl to the latch side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: AISIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shogo Izumi, Kazunori Kojima, Yoshiki Odaka
  • Patent number: 11454051
    Abstract: In a vehicle door latch apparatus, a one-motion operation can be allowed. Switching element is in a double unlocked state when it is in the connected position and is in a double locked state when it is in the disconnected position. The double unlocked state enables a one-motion operation, in which switching element is linked to the release operation of first inside lever in order to switch the locking mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state and in which the release operation of first inside lever is transmitted to second inside lever in order to open the door, and in the double locked state, switching element is not linked to the release operation of first inside lever, prevents the release operation of first inside lever from being transmitted to second inside lever and prevents the locking mechanism from being switched from the locked state to the unlocked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoharu Nagaoka, Hiroaki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 11447987
    Abstract: An actuator for presenting a handless door of a vehicle. The actuator including: an extendable extension bar supporting a pawl/catch system, the pawl/catch system having an actuator catch that cooperates with a dedicated striker; an actuator housing for housing a motor and a gear train operatively coupled to the motor, the gear train comprising a gear that has an integrated wormscrew; a nut located on the integrated wormscrew that translates linearly on the wormscrew as it is rotated by the motor, wherein movement of the nut causes the extendable extension bar to be moved outwardly and inwardly from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: INTEVA FRANCE
    Inventors: Philippe Ottolini, Mathias Barth
  • Patent number: 11447986
    Abstract: A handle device for a vehicle in which an operating member linked to a base fixed to a door of a vehicle to be rotatably operable is operated so as to displace an output portion and operate a door lock device in the door linked to the output portion. A displacement amount in the output portion per unit operation angle of the operating member changes according to a rotation position of the operating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: ALPHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Ono, Masaya Onoda
  • Patent number: 11441333
    Abstract: An electronic deadbolt includes a face plate and a housing having a first end and an opposite second end. The first end is releasably coupled to the face plate, and the housing further includes a bolt compartment defining a bolt axis and a battery compartment defining a battery axis. The bolt axis is substantially parallel to and offset from the battery axis, and the bolt compartment is separated from the battery compartment proximate the second end of the housing. The electronic deadbolt further includes a bolt module disposed within the bolt compartment. The bolt module includes a motor and a deadbolt, and the deadbolt is configured to be selectively linearly extended from the face plate along the bolt axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Amesbury Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary E. Tagtow, Michael Lee Anderson, Tracy Lammers, Bruce Hagemeyer, Douglas John Criddle
  • Patent number: 11441337
    Abstract: A vehicle latch assembly, including: a pawl pivotally mounted to the vehicle latch assembly; a claw pivotally mounted to the vehicle latch assembly; a switch cam lever; a first switch; a second switch, the switch cam lever has a first cam profile configured to engage the first switch and a second cam profile configured to engage the second switch, the first cam profile engaging the first switch; and wherein the second cam profile engages the second switch when the vehicle latch assembly is in a secondary position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Alexander Ney, Donald Michael Perkins
  • Patent number: 11441336
    Abstract: A motor-driven door latch for a vehicle includes a catch part which is caught on a striker mounted on the vehicle. A door locking and releasing part includes a main motor and applies torque to the catch part through the main motor to allow the catch part to be locked to or released from the striker. A motor-driven emergency door releasing part is provided with an auxiliary motor and is contacted with the door locking and releasing part. An inside emergency operating lever is connected with an inside handle installed at the door for the vehicle. An outside emergency operating lever is connected with an outside handle installed at the door for the vehicle. A manual emergency door release part is connected with the inside emergency operating lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jinwoo Nam, Kyoung Taek Kwak, Jungho Han
  • Patent number: 11428031
    Abstract: A motor vehicle lock including a catch, a pawl, and a drivetrain arrangement with a drive element. When the catch is in the secondary closed position, the pawl is moveable from the engaged state the released state to release the catch. The drive element may be configured to move in a predefined drive direction. The motor vehicle lock may include a first coupling element, provided with a first coupling surface and a second coupling element, provided with a second coupling surface. During the cinching sequence, the first coupling surface and the second coupling surface may be engaged with one another to move the catch. During the release sequence the drive element is moved in the predefined drive direction such that the first coupling surface and the second coupling surface are disengaged from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Brose Schliesssysteme GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Wuppertal
    Inventor: David Rosales
  • Patent number: 11428026
    Abstract: A locking module (42) for selectively coupling a first component and a second component of a lockable device (20) includes a housing (44) and a locking element (62) movably connected to said housing (44) between a locked position and an unlocked position. A rotatable shaft (46) including a magnet (70) extends into said housing (44). The shaft (46) has an opening (66) complementary to a portion of said locking element (62). A biasing mechanism (64) is coupled to said locking element (62) to bias said locking element (62) towards said locked position. In said unlocked position, said locking element (62) is positioned within said opening (66) in said shaft (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Matthew S. Hill
  • Patent number: 11421451
    Abstract: A closure latch assembly for a motor vehicle closure panel is equipped with a common kinematic chain of components for a latch release mechanism utilizing a first range of handle travel to initiate a power release of a latch mechanism and further utilizing a second range of handle travel to initiate a mechanical release of the latch mechanism. An actuation rod may include a magnet that, when moved out of range of a sensor, signals to initiate the power release. In the event that the power release does not occur, further movement of the actuation rod forces the mechanical release. In both the power release and mechanical release, a pawl is rotated from a ratchet holding position to a ratchet release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventors: Francesco Patane, Enrico Boeri, Carlo Quartieri
  • Patent number: 11414903
    Abstract: A closure latch assembly for a motor vehicle closure panel includes a common kinematic chain of components for a latch release mechanism utilizing a first range of handle travel to initiate a power release of a latch mechanism and further utilizing a second range of handle travel to initiate a mechanical release of the latch mechanism. An actuation rod may include a magnet that, when moved out of range of a sensor, signals to initiate the power release. In the event that the power release does not occur, further movement of the actuation rod forces the mechanical release. In both the power release and mechanical release, a pawl is rotated from a ratchet holding position to a ratchet release position. The actuation rod may have a first segment connected to a door handle and a second segment connected to a key cylinder, where either segment may provide the mechanical release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventors: Francesco Patane, Carlo Quartieri, Enrico Boeri
  • Patent number: 11384563
    Abstract: An actuator mechanism of a vehicle latch assembly includes an electric motor having an output shaft. Also included is a worm coupled to the output shaft. Further included is a worm gear driven by the worm. Yet further included is a spring operatively coupled to the worm gear and to a latch housing, the spring having a first leg extending through an aperture defined by the worm gear and a second leg extending into a receiving hole defined by the housing, the first leg including a first segment extending along a first leg axis and a second segment oriented at a non-parallel angle to the first leg axis, the second segment contacting a face of the worm gear to prevent removal of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Hongqiang Zhang, Michel Noel
  • Patent number: 11377897
    Abstract: A part of a touch sensor which couples to a curve of a flange includes an oblique wall and a seal lip. The curve is on a belt line of a sliding door. The oblique wall and the seal lip are close to an interior of an automobile and fit a shape of the curve. A closure wall extends toward an exterior of the automobile and forms a continuous surface with the oblique wall. The closure wall covers a large space from a front side of the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: NISHIKAWA RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Michihiko Matsumoto, Tomohiro Taguchi
  • Patent number: 11377880
    Abstract: A latch assembly for a vehicular latching system configured to provide an anti-chucking locking function in cooperation with a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism has a ratchet that is moveable by a striker between a striker release position, a striker capture position, and a striker over-travel position. A pawl is operable in a ratchet holding position to hold the ratchet when the ratchet is in the striker capture position and operable in a ratchet releasing position to release the ratchet to allow the ratchet to return to its striker release position. A latch release mechanism operates to move the pawl between its ratchet holding and ratchet releasing positions. The anti-chuck locking function is provided by the pawl having a lock tooth and the ratchet having a lock notch for locking engagement therebetween when the pawl holds the ratchet in its striker capture position for muting vibrations of the latch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventor: Adrian Mihail
  • Patent number: 11377882
    Abstract: A motor vehicle lock, preferably an electrically actuatable motor vehicle lock, comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, a release lever, an electric drive unit, wherein the release lever can be actuated by the electric drive unit, and the locking mechanism can be unlocked by the release lever, also comprising a release aid, wherein additional momentum for unlocking the locking mechanism can be guided into the locking mechanism by means of the release aid, the additional momentum can be generated using the electric drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Holger Schiffer
  • Patent number: 11370332
    Abstract: A latch mechanism for a vehicle seat includes a latch, a plate and a second cam. The latch is movable between a first position in which the latch is engaged with a striker and a second position in which the latch is disengaged from the striker. The plate defines an arcuate slot. The second cam is coupled to the plate and includes a body and a protrusion extending outwardly from the body. The protrusion is received in the arcuate slot and is configured to traverse the arcuate slot when the latch is in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Fisher & Company, Incorporated
    Inventor: Srinivas Pejathaya
  • Patent number: 11371267
    Abstract: A motor vehicle lock including a rotary latch and a pawl for latching the rotary latch in a latching position, in particular main latching position, and also a lock plate with a screw-on point for attaching the motor vehicle lock to a vehicle door or vehicle flap, wherein the rotary latch comprises a support which is provided in such a manner that, in the latching position, in particular main latching position, the rotary latch can be supported on the screw-on point via the support in the event of an overload. Opening of a vehicle door or flap can thus be avoided even in the event of a crash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Tobias Steffen, Thomas Heide
  • Patent number: 11359411
    Abstract: A surface-mountable electric strike having a keeper arranged to pivot about a first shaft extending in a longitudinal direction; a lock lever for locking the keeper in a door-locking position, the lock lever being arranged to pivot about a second shaft extending in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal direction and parallel to the backside of the strike; and an actuation mechanism for actuating the lock lever, the actuation mechanism comprising an electromagnet that is situated next to the lock lever in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the backside of the strike thereby enabling the electromagnet to act directly upon the lock lever providing a simple construction. Moreover, the orientation of the second shaft enables arranging the lock lever, and the electromagnet, above and/or underneath the keeper, thereby reducing the total depth of the strike.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: LOCINOX
    Inventor: Joseph Talpe
  • Patent number: 11359418
    Abstract: A motor vehicle lock has a pawl and a catch that may be moved into an open position, a preliminary latching position and a main latching position. In one latching position, that catch is or may be brought into holding engagement with a lock striker. During a cinching routine, the catch is moved into its main latching position by a cinching drive. An overload clutch with two clutch elements is provided in the drive train between the cinching drive and the catch. The clutch elements are in engagement with each other for the transmission of cinching forces. The engagement is load dependent in a beginning section of the cinching routine, such that the engagement, and thereby the overload clutch, is disconnected in reaction to exceeding a predefined limit load in the drive train. The engagement is load independent in the remaining, subsequent section of the cinching routine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Brose Schliesssysteme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: David Rosales
  • Patent number: 11352819
    Abstract: A door lock device including: a latch; a ratchet; an output shaft configured to rotate by a motor; an output lever configured to move the latch from a half latch position to a full latch position when the output shaft is rotated in a normal direction, and to release an engagement of the ratchet to the latch when the output shaft is rotated in a reverse direction; a first metal bracket including a first shaft support hole configured to rotatably support the output shaft; and a second metal bracket including a second shaft support hole configured to rotatably support the output shaft at a location different from that of the first shaft support hole, wherein the first metal bracket and the second metal bracket are fixed to each other by two or more screw holes of the first metal bracket and two or more holes of the second metal bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Yokota, Naoto Fujiwara, Makoto Kondo
  • Patent number: 11346137
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to be able to constantly open a locking mechanism of an electrically actuated lock of a motor vehicle with sufficiently large force, without having to provide an excessively large electric motor and/or an excessively large gearing transmission ratio for this purpose. In order to solve the problem, a lock for a motor vehicle comprises a locking mechanism (3) and an actuator device for opening the locking mechanism (3). The actuation device comprises a rotatable actuator (1) which can be rotated by a motorised drive (15), in particular by an electric drive. A rotating of the actuator (1) brings about an unlocking, i.e. an opening, of the locking mechanism (3). The locking mechanism (3) can be opened independently of the direction of rotation of the actuator (1). Opening of the locking mechanism (3) is therefore not dependent upon a defined direction of rotation. The force with which the locking mechanism (3) is opened depends on the direction of rotation of the actuator (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Holger Schiffer
  • Patent number: 11349171
    Abstract: An exemplary method of securing a battery array includes attaching a twist-lock to a case, and securing a battery array to the case by rotating the twist-lock from a first position to a second position. Another exemplary method of securing a battery array includes securing a twist-lock to a case, and rotating the twist-lock from a first position to a second position where a portion of a battery array is clamped between the twist-lock and the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajaram Subramanian, Patrick Daniel Maguire, Rohit Gunna, Steve Droste
  • Patent number: 11313151
    Abstract: A locking device assembly for a door located at a door frame. The locking device assembly includes a door strike assembly including a magnetized ferromagnetic material and a latchbolt assembly located at the door. The latchbolt assembly includes a latchbolt and a magnetic field sensor, wherein the magnetic field sensor senses a magnetic field provided by the door strike assembly. The door strike assembly includes, in different embodiments, a magnet located in a frame of the door strike assembly or a magnetic roller. The magnetic field sensor includes a magnetometer configured to determine the presence of a magnetic field provided by the door strike assembly. In the event that the door strike assembly has been removed to defeat the locking device, the lack of the magnetic field indicates that a security condition exists. An alert is provided to indicate the existence of the security condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventor: Dan Pfunder
  • Patent number: 11313156
    Abstract: The manual release mechanism described herein enables a passenger to attempt to manually open the transit door, but delays opening until the vehicle is no longer moving. A motion transfer device (14) moves to an unlocking position of the door lock (10) only when the manual release mechanism is activated to store energy in a mechanical energy storage device (40), and an electromechanical device (26) is de-energized to release the motion transfer device (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andre Stojc, Daniel Filion
  • Patent number: 11306518
    Abstract: The subject matter of the present invention is a motor vehicle door lock, in particular tailgate lock, which is provided with a locking mechanism (1, 2) essentially consisting of a rotary latch (1) and a pawl (2). Furthermore, as required, an unlocking/opening actuator (6) as well as a locking actuator (7) may be realised. In addition at least one sensor (12, 13) assigned to the locking actuator (7) is provided. According to the invention the sensor (12, 13) is arranged at a distance from a locking mechanism plane protected in the lock interior, and is impacted by means of an actuating element (14) following the locking actuator (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Bryan D. Bishop, Keith Robertson, John Dey
  • Patent number: 11306515
    Abstract: A resettable inertia lock assembly may include a chassis configured to be mounted within an access closure of a motor vehicle, a cassette, a reset structure defined on one of the chassis and the cassette, a resettable locking apparatus carried by the cassette and including an inertia-activated member and an engagement coupler, the engagement coupler movable between a first position securing the inertia-activated member in an inertia-activated position and a second position in which the engagement coupler does not secure the inertia-activated member in the inertia-activated position, and a movement device for producing a relative movement between the chassis and the cassette to cause the reset structure to engage and move the engagement coupler from the first position to the second position thereof to allow the inertia-activated member to move from the inertia-activated position to a home position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: ADAC Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Allyn VandenBrink
  • Patent number: 11293205
    Abstract: A vehicle door lock device, including: a latch unit provided at a vehicle door, selectively adopting an unlatched state in which the vehicle door can be opened, or a latched state in which the vehicle door is maintained in a closed state, and transitioning from the unlatched state to the latched state in a case, in the unlatched state, in which the vehicle door is closed relative to the vehicle body; a mechanical operation unit switching the latch unit from the latched state to the unlatched state by means of at least one of operative parts being operated; an electrical operation unit connected to the mechanical operation unit, and switching the latch unit to the latched state or to the unlatched state, by means of power from a drive unit; and a cancellation unit that releases the connection between the electrical operation unit and the mechanical operation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Shiratori
  • Patent number: 11279214
    Abstract: In a driver, supposing that an angular position of the rotator in a state where a coupler coupling a link member and the rotator together is located at a rearmost position is regarded as a reference angular position, a first angular position is an angular position where the rotator is shifted from the reference angular position in a first rotation direction by an angle ?1, and a second angular position is an angular position where the rotator is shifted from the reference angular position in a second direction opposite to the first rotation direction by an angle ?2 smaller than the angle ?1. The driver has a regulating portion which does not allow the rotator to rotate in the second rotation direction from the second angular position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: WEBASTO JAPAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Sawahata, Osamu Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11280121
    Abstract: A power latch assembly for motor vehicle closure applications is provided that is normally actuated via electrical signals whereat inside and outside door handles are mechanically disengaged and wherein the inside and outside door handles can be selectively and/or automatically changed for mechanically engaged actuation. The inside door handles can be provided to be mechanically actuatable in direct response to selective disengagement of a child lock. The outside door handles can be provided to be mechanically actuatable in direct response to a crash condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventors: Dunia Sardelli, Marco Taurasi, Francesco Cumbo
  • Patent number: 11274478
    Abstract: A two-pull, automatic reset, latch system is configured to operate during a no-power scenario and a power scenario. The latch system includes a release system, a release lever, and a coupling lever. The manual release lever is pivotally engaged to a stationary structure about a first axis. The coupling lever pivots about a second axis offset from the first axis, and is adapted to couple the release lever to the release system during a no-power scenario and upon two manual actuations of the release lever. The coupling lever is further adapted to maintain decoupling of the release lever from the release system during a power scenario.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Alexander Ney, Donald Michael Perkins
  • Patent number: 11274477
    Abstract: A latch assembly for a closure panel of a vehicle, the latch assembly including: a housing; a ratchet and pawl pivotally coupled to the housing, the ratchet for interaction with a striker such that one of the latch assembly and the striker being mounted on the closure panel and the other of the latch assembly and the striker being mounted on a body of the vehicle; a presentment mechanism mounted to the housing having one or more presentment members, such that the one or more presentment members is driven for influencing a position of the ratchet during presentment of the striker out of a slot of the ratchet to a presentment position; and an actuator for engaging with the presentment mechanism to effect the driven of the one or more presentment members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Inventors: Francesco Cumbo, Luca Bigazzi
  • Patent number: 11274476
    Abstract: A latch having: a fork bolt movably mounted thereto; a detent lever movably mounted thereto, wherein the detent lever prevents the fork bolt from moving from a closed position to an open position when the detent lever is in a latched position; a bell crank lever movably mounted to the latch for movement between a first position and a second position, wherein the bell crank lever moves the detent lever from the latched position to the released position as the bell crank lever moves from the first position to the second position; a release lever movably mounted to the latch for movement between a first position and a second position; and an intermittent pin operatively coupled to bell crank lever and the release lever, wherein movement of the release lever is not transferred to the bell crank lever when the intermittent pin is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Francisco Javier Vazquez, Ari Mino, Alfredo Martinez
  • Patent number: 11261629
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety locking device for interlocking a safety door, having a movable part designed for being fastened to a moving part of the safety door and having a locking element, and a stationary part designed for being fastened to a non-moving part of the safety door. The stationary part includes a receiving section having an opening for the reception of the locking element, where the locking element can be inserted into the receiving section from different insertion directions when the locking element is aligned in the insertion direction. The stationary part includes a latch selectively movable from a locking position into a release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: SICK AG
    Inventors: Pavel Gerasimov, Stefan Schunke, Julio Sandino Tagaro Plariza
  • Patent number: 11255117
    Abstract: A control apparatus controlling an opening and closing member for a vehicle includes a drive control unit operating an opening and closing member of the vehicle by a motor serving as a drive source, and a catch detection unit detecting a catch of a foreign object caught by the opening and closing member in response to a current value of the motor. The drive control unit includes a motor control signal output unit outputting a motor control signal for supplying a drive power to the motor, and an advance-angle value setting unit setting an advance-angle value for advancing a phase of the motor control signal. The advance-angle value setting unit includes an advance-angle value increase prohibition unit prohibiting increase setting of the advance-angle value in a case where the current value of the motor reaches an advance-angle value increase prohibition current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Takenaka, Kohei Kobayashi, Takashi Kaino
  • Patent number: 11246800
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a lockable canister for retaining and selectively dispensing medications is disclosed. To prevent drug diversion, a plurality of doses of medication may be loaded into the locking canister at a central pharmacy and then the canister may be locked to prevent unauthorized removal of medication in transit to a remote automated dispensing unit that may be located in a remote pharmacy. The lockable canister may include a canister housing and a canister cover that may be locked to the canister housing to enclose the plurality of doses of medication. The canister cover may include tamper evident or tamper resistant features. The canister may include one or more locking mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to the medication in the canister in transit or before it is specifically authorized for dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Alixa Rx, LLC
    Inventors: Huan Nguyen, Ronald Silva, Philip M. Anthony, III, Evan P. Thompson, Trevor K. Wesolowski
  • Patent number: 11247595
    Abstract: A latching device for automotive applications, in particular a backrest latch for the bolting and unbolting of seat backrests in motor vehicles, with a locking mechanism fundamentally comprising a catch and at least one pawl, and with a manually and/or mechanically impingeable unbolting element for the locking mechanism, wherein the unbolting element is a component of an exchangeable unbolting module which defines a latch casing together with a basic module incorporating the locking mechanism is proposed. A latching device where only the unbolting module is adapted to the specific purpose of use is provided, considerably reducing manufacturing, installation and warehousing costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: John Dey, Pat Mullins, Jim Zhuang
  • Patent number: 11248402
    Abstract: A lock for a motor vehicle includes a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, a drive motor, a worm connected to the drive motor, a worm gear, wherein the worm gear can be driven by the drive motor and with the aid of the worm, and a transmission stage for transmitting a torque from the worm gear to a pawl, wherein the transmission stage is a gear stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Jan Faitl