Abstract: A door lock system includes a first link lever, a second link lever, and a spring. The first link lever moves to a transmitting position in response to an unlocking operation. The second link lever includes a ratchet driver that is formed integrally with a bushing. The ratchet driver is rotatable between a first rotational position and a second rotational position on the first link lever. In response to a door-opening operation, when the ratchet driver is in the first rotational position and the first link lever is in the transmitting position, the second link lever allows a ratchet lever to disengage a ratchet from a latch. The spring maintains the second link lever in the first rotational position when the first link lever moves to the transmitting position.

Abstract: Motor vehicle lock with a ratchet, latch, actuation lever, internal actuation chain, external actuation chain and a control, the ratchet having an engagement position in which it holds the latch in the closed position, and a raised position in which the latch is released, the ratchet being movable from the engagement position into the raised position by the actuating lever, the control having different operating states and depending on the state, the ratchet is actuatable via the actuation lever by the internal actuation chain from an inside door handle and/or by the external actuation chain from an outside door handle or not at all. In the base state, the internal actuation chain and the external actuation chain are coupled to the actuation lever and the internal actuation chain and/or the external actuation chain can be decoupled from the actuation lever by the control depending on the operating state.

Abstract: A door latch system for an automotive vehicle uses a push-pull cable linked to a lock cylinder and to a latch to move the latch assembly into the locked position while simultaneously blocking the latch's lock/unlock lever from moving into the unlocked position.

Abstract: A door lock apparatus includes: a link member interposed between a latch mechanism and an open lever and selectively operated between an unlock position and a lock position, the unlock position in which an operation of the open lever is transmitted to the latch mechanism, and the lock position in which the operation is not transmitted to the latch mechanism; and a lock operation lever including an active lever and a sub lever, the sub lever configured to operate integrally with the active lever when the link member is switched to the lock position and to cooperate with the active lever via a biasing member when the link member is switched to the unlock position. The lock operation lever is an assembly containing the active lever, the sub lever and the biasing member.

Abstract: A latch assembly is provides selective locking of a front portion of a convertible top to a windshield header. The latch assembly includes a latch mechanism, an actuator and a frame. The latch mechanism has a hook movable between locked and unlocked states with a striker bar on the front portion of the convertible top. The actuator is operatively coupled to the latch mechanism for actuating the hook between locked and unlocked states. The frame supports both the latch mechanism and the actuator so that the entire latch assembly can be assembled to the windshield header as a unit.

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: The lock includes an opening lever and a locking lever capable of displacing a connecting rod between a first position, in which the opening lever can cooperate with the connecting rod to cause the opening of the lock, and a second position which prevents the opening of the lock, blocking means for preventing a displacement of the rod between the first and second positions when the opening lever is put into an opening position before the locking lever is actuated, and an elastic device capable of memorizing both an unlocking action and a locking action when the locking lever is actuated while the connecting rod is being blocked by storing an unlocking energy or a locking energy in response to the actuation of the locking lever to automatically cause an unlocking or a locking of the lock when the opening lever returns into a position of rest.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing a door of a vehicle includes a knob that is arranged on one door panel, a holding unit that holds the door in a fully closed state, a control unit that is arranged on other door panel, and allows opening and closing of the door by releasing the holding unit in response to an operation of the knob, a link unit that is arranged outside of a moving area of an opening/closing member that opens and closes a window opening of the door, a first wire cable that connects the link unit to the knob, and a second wire cable that connects the link unit to the control unit. The operation of the knob is transmitted to the link unit, and the operation transmitted is relayed by the link unit to the control unit, making the control unit operate.

Abstract: Rotary latch lock for the locking closing of a vehicle door, having a lock case 2 exhibiting a cut-out recess for a lock pin, in which two rotatably mounted rotary latches, two rotary latch springs for imposing a load on the rotary latches and one pivotable, engaging lock element are arranged, which are capable of interacting in such a way as to actuate the lock, in conjunction with which an actuating element engaging in the lock case is provided, which element is capable of interacting operatively with the lock element, and by means of which locking is capable of being released, in conjunction with which an engaging locking element capable of pivoting and actuating this latch is provided for each rotary latch, in conjunction with which the locking elements are capable of interacting operatively with at least one actuating element, and in conjunction with which the rotary latch lock preferably exhibits an arrangement for locating, centering and guiding the vehicle door in relation to the body during opening a

Abstract: To accurately control opening and closing of a door, a device includes an opening/closing switch lever arranged at an opening end of a striker receiving groove, and configured to shift between a retreated position and an advanced position. When a striker is positioned in an engagement groove of a latch, the opening/closing switch lever is positioned at the retreated position, and when the striker is removed from the engagement groove and then from a receiving groove, the opening/closing switch lever is positioned at the advanced position. The device further includes an opening/closing switch that performs a switching operation when the opening/closing switch lever that has been positioned at the advanced position shifts toward the retreated position.

Abstract: A secondary latch assembly includes a mounting bracket, a release hook, and a release handle operably connected to the release hook. The release handle is pivotable relative to the mounting bracket between a first position wherein the release handle is out of view, a second position wherein the release handle is presented and the release hook is engaging the striker, and a third position wherein the release handle is rotated from its second position and the release hook is released from the striker. A spring member biases the release handle towards the first position. The release hook is pivotable relative to the release handle between a locked position wherein the release hook is lockingly engageable with the striker and a released position wherein the release hook is out of locking engagement with the striker while the release handle remains in the first position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device for the door of an apparatus comprising a rotary drum, and to a latch for one such device. The inventive device comprises a latch articulated to a moving leaf of the door, and a control box attached to a fixed frame of the door and configured to receive and immobilize the tip of the latch into a passage provided therein. The aforementioned tip acts primarily as a control tip. The latch comprises at least one second tip acting as a coupling tip which is spaced apart from the control tip and which is configured such that it can be coupled in a retaining stop that is attached to the fixed frame of the door in a position spaced apart from the passage in the control box.

Abstract: A rotary latch mechanism that includes at least one support plate that pivotally supports both a latch fork and a lock cam is disclosed. The lock cam is movable from a first position where the lock cam prevents rotation of the latch fork to a second position where the lock cam does not interfere with the movement of the latch fork. A spring is attached to the latch fork and the lock cam and extends between the latch fork and the lock cam, so that the spring biases the lock cam towards the first position while biasing the latch fork to a release position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor-vehicle door latch, comprising a locking mechanism (8, 9), furthermore comprising at least one locking lever (7), at least one motor drive (3, 4, 5, 6), further a linkage (10, 11, 12) between an actuating-lever assembly (13) and the locking mechanism (8, 9), and a quick-unlock element (14) that is associated with the drive (3, 4, 5, 6), characterized in that the quick-unlock element (14) operates the linkage (10, 11, 12), wherein a blocking element (15) is interconnected

Abstract: A lock for a motor vehicle is described. The lock includes a lock latch which is displaced upon closing of the lock by a closing element from an open position in the direction of a closed position. A spring element loads the lock latch in its closed position, which is fixed in its open position in a frictional and/or formfitting way by a removable open-position retention part. Upon closing of the lock, the closing element or another component detaches the open-position retention part from the lock latch.

Abstract: The invention refers to a vehicle door latch with a catch and pawl, in which the catch contains a cushioning stop and said cushioning stop being designed as a spring stop for the reset spring of the catch on its non-cushioning side.

Abstract: A motor vehicle door and to a motor vehicle door lock and a method for mounting the motor vehicle door lock in a motor vehicle door, the motor vehicle door lock having an inside locking lever, and when installed, being located in a hollow space of the door and coupled to an inside safety element via a connecting rod that extends through a passage opening in an inside wall segment of the door body. To facilitate installation, the connecting rod is formed of two segments, a lower connecting rod segment extending through the passage opening and being connected to a an upper connecting rod segment at a location that is outside of the hollow space in proximity to the passage opening.

Abstract: A motor vehicle door latch having a locking mechanism (1, 2) and a base housing (6). The locking mechanism (1, 2) is optionally lodged in connection with other lock components (3, 4, 5) in the base housing (6) and forms a base module (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) with the base housing. The base module (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) is designed to receive a complementary module (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) with a drive mechanism (8, 9, 10, 11) for opening the locking mechanism (1, 2).

Abstract: A rotary latch having a pivoting handle mounted in the recess of a mounting plate includes a turn-key member that rotates within the handle's free end, and the turn-key member is mechanically linked to a catch rod where rotation of the turn-key member results in a corresponding rotation of the catch rod. As a result of the rotation of the turn-key member, the catch rod has two positions—a “lock” position that does not engage a swiveling trip lever, and an “unlocked” position that engages the swiveling trip lever. When the turn-key member rotates the catch rod into the unlocked position, an actuation/pivoting of the handle about the pivot pin rotates the free end of the handle away from the mounting plate recess to linearly displace the catch rod. The linear displacement of the catch rod causes it to come into contact with and pivot the arm of a swiveling trip lever. The trip lever arm, when rotated by the catch rod, rotates an adjacent kicker journaled on the mounting plate's rear surface.

Abstract: A door lock apparatus for a vehicle includes a latch mechanism, an open operation lever, an open lever operatively connected to the open operation lever, a locking lever being switchable between an unlocked position and a locked position, a link operation lever operatively connected to the locking lever, a link member operatively connected to the link operation lever, the link member being able to transmit an operation of the open lever to the latch mechanism when the locking lever is in the unlocked position, the link member being unable to transmit the operation of the open lever to the latch mechanism when the locking lever is in the locked position, and a lever member operatively connected to the open lever and the locking lever, the lever member moving the locking lever from the locked position to the unlocked position by means of the operation of the open lever.

Abstract: A lock system includes: a latch which is rotatably supported on a housing, and is brought into engagement with and disengagement from a striker; a spring for biasing the latch in a direction in which the engagement of the latch with the striker is released; a slide member which is rotatably supported on the housing, controls the rotation of the latch, and is an integrated molded part; a rotation preventing portion which prevents a rotation of the latch in a biased direction; a rotation permitting portion which permits the rotation of the latch in the biased direction; and a driven portion which links with a manual operation unit, wherein: the rotation preventing portion and the rotation permitting portion are provided at one end portion of the slide member; and the driven portion is provided at the other end portion of the slide member.

Abstract: A door opening/closing device includes, between a door operating lever and an open-door latch unit, a first connection link connected to the door operating lever and a third wire cable. One end of the third wire cable is connected to the first connection link and the other end is connected to the open-door latch unit to connect the first connection link and the open-door latch unit to each other.

Abstract: The present invention is a dual door release handle and related mechanisms for use with cabs of industrial vehicles that an operator may reach from outside of such a cab in order to fully release a door that has been propped open in order to close it. The dual door release handle of the present invention includes a latching mechanism having a handle mounted on the inside of the cab that extends into the doorway such that it may be reached through the open door of the cab by an operator who is located outside and/or below the cab. A linkage is provided between this handle and an operable device associated with the release mechanism inside the cab. The linkage is operatively attached to the handle and to the release mechanism such that turning the handle causes the linkage to move the release mechanism. Movement of the handle pulls the linkage and releases the holdback holding the open door against the side of the cab.

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 closure for multi-point locking of doors or wall parts in housings or cabinets by a—preferably securable—actuating element such as a handle lever comprises a coupling element which is connected with the actuating element mounted in the door or wall so as to be rigid against rotation relative to it and which transforms a rotational movement into a substantially translational movement and which is coupled with a rod that is mounted near the edge of the door or wall so as to be displaceable, one or more locking elements being coupled with the rod by a coupling element, respectively, in such a way that they move from a locked position into an unlocked position (or vice versa) by the displacement of the rod from a first position into a second position, wherein the locking elements and the coupling elements are formed in each instance by a two-armed, one-piece lever, one of whose lever arms is a locking tongue and whose other lever arm is articulated by its end at the rod.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch with a locking mechanism (1, 2) comprising mainly a catch (1) and a pawl (2), and with a locking mechanism shock absorber (8). The locking mechanism shock absorber (8) and the respective locking mechanism stops (10, 11) restrict an opening as well as a closing movement of the locking mechanism (1, 2). In a particular embodiment, the locking mechanism shock absorber (8) is designed as a revolving shock absorber rotatably disposed in the frame box (6) and/or latch housing.

Abstract: A ratchet shaft is mounted on the base plate beforehand. The ratchet shaft includes, at its base end with a flange collar, a first stepped portion that supports a ratchet lever to be rotatable, and a second stepped portion that receives the thickness of a base plate at the front end of the first stepped portion. The second stepped portion is caulked to the base plate with the ratchet lever resting on the first stepped portion and the base plate resting on the second stepped portion.

Abstract: A vehicle door lock (1) having a fork (2) which rotates about a first axis (A) between a release position and at least one lock position engaging a fixed striker (15), and a latch (3) which rotates about a second axis (B), is loaded elastically towards the fork (2), and has a catch portion (25) which clicks onto a tooth (11) of the fork (2) to lock the fork (2) releasably in the lock position. The fork (2) is defined by a main body (6) made of rigid material, and by an outer coating (7) made of relatively yielding material and having, adjacent to the tooth (11), a slot (33) defining a peripheral edge (34) which flexes inwards of the slot (33) when struck by the catch portion (25) of the latch (3) engaging the tooth (11) of the fork (2).

Abstract: An automotive door lock having a lock mechanism (3) for releasably engaging a striker (4), and a release mechanism (5) interacting with the lock mechanism (3) to release the lock (1). The release mechanism (5) has a control member (18) which interacts with the lock mechanism (3), is loaded elastically into a rest position, and can be set to a work position to release the lock (1). The release mechanism (5) has an actuating member (31) activated selectively to move the control member (18), in a forward movement, from the rest position to the work position; and, during a return movement of the control member (18) to the rest position, the control member (18) and the actuating member (31) are disconnected to minimize the time taken to complete the return movement.

Abstract: Described herein is a lock for a door of a motor vehicle provided with a closing mechanism designed to cooperate with a lock striker fixed to an upright of the door itself; the closing mechanism is provided with: a fork, which can assume an opening position, in which it enables engagement and disengagement between the lock striker and a seat thereof, and a closing position, in which it withholds the lock striker within its seat and prevents disengagement thereof; a dog coupled via snapaction with the fork for blocking it in a releasable way in the closing position; and an auxiliary lever, which can be actuated by the fork during coupling with the lock striker for exerting an action of thrust on the dog and causing it to couple with the fork itself.

Abstract: A door latch apparatus for a vehicle includes: a base member fixed in a door by a plurality of bolts; an engagement mechanism supported by the base member, and arranged to be engaged with a striker of a vehicle body; and an outside lever pivotably supported by the base member, and connected through an operating force transmitting member to an outside handle provided to an outer door panel of the door, the outside lever being pivoted in accordance with an operation of the outside handle so as to release the engagement between the engagement mechanism and the striker, the outside lever including a connection portion connected with the operating force transmitting member, and disposed in a region inside of the outer edge of the base member in the lateral direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A latch (1) for a deck lid includes a load lever (41) that operates after the latch (1) is released to prevent the pawl (22) from immediately returning to a latched position. The load lever (41) acts on a pawl lever (21) which in turn acts on the pawl (22). The load lever (41) enables the latch (1) to release even under load such as that created by a heavy layer of snow on the deck lid. The load lever (41) only operates during the opening cycle of the latch (1) and automatically resets as the ratchet (29) moves to the fully open condition.

Abstract: A door latch device includes a striker, a fork, a pawl lever that locks rotation of the fork, the fork having a first locking part which locks the striker when the fork is shifted from an open state though a half-grasped state to a full-grasped state and a second locking part which is locked with the pawl lever in the half-grasped state, a stopper member which restricts rotation of the pawl lever, and a sound adjusting unit that makes a first striking sound which occurs when the striker strikes the first locking part larger than a third striking sound which occurs when the pawl lever strikes the stopper member is in the full-grasped state of the fork, and that makes a second striking sound which occurs when the pawl lever strikes the second locking part larger than the third striking sound.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch comprising a catch, the catch having a main catch surface; a reset spring for resetting the catch; a cushioning stop mounted on the catch for rotation therewith and for providing a point of attachment for the reset spring; a cushioning element for cushioning the catch; and a latch housing having a receiving groove; wherein the cushioning element is disposed in the receiving groove; the cushioning element is stacked above the main catch surface; the cushioning stop limits opening movement of the catch by engaging against the cushioning element; and the reset spring is connected to the cushioning stop.

Abstract: A latch system includes a latch bolt, a pawl for releasably retaining the latch bolt in a closed position, a first release member, a first transmission path connecting the first release member to the pawl, a second release member, and a second transmission path connecting the second release member to the pawl. A portion of the first transmission path and a portion of the second transmission path have a common portion, the common portion including a lock link having a first position at which the lock link completes the first transmission path and the second transmission path such that operation of either the first release member or the second release member opens a latch, and the lock link having a second position at which the lock link breaks the first transmission path and the second transmission path such that a single operation of either the first release member or the second release member does not open the latch.

Abstract: One actuator selectively operates a latch lever linked to a latch and a ratchet lever, a push rod, a bell crank and a pull rod linked to a ratchet. When the front door and the rear door of a car having the center pillarless design are closed, the actuator operates the latch lever causing the latch to engage with a striker to connect the front door and the rear door. When the front door and the rear door are connected and a passenger opens either of the two doors, the actuator operates the ratchet lever, the push rod, the bell crank, and the pull rod causing the latch and the striker to be disengaged to disconnect the front door and the rear door.

Abstract: In the case of a locking device (1), in particular for a vehicle seat, with a housing (3); a latch (11) which is arranged in the housing (3), is pivotably mounted on a first bearing element (13) and is intended for locking with a mating element (B); and at least one securing element (25, 27) which is likewise arranged in the housing (3), is pivotably mounted on a second bearing element (23) and secures a locked state by interaction with the latch (11), the housing (3) has at least one insert (6) of a higher strength material, and at least one of the bearing elements (13, 23) and the insert (6) are joined together and are at least partially encased by a softer material, forming the housing (3).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a motor vehicle lock having a lock catch and a locking pawl. The lock catch may be brought into an opening position, a main locking position and a preliminary locking position. The locking pawl can be brought into a lowered and raised position. The locking pawl may be arranged to hold and release the lock catch in a direction of its opening position. A memory element is assigned to the locking pawl and arranged to keep the locking pawl in the raised position. The memory element may operate with a control apparatus. The locking pawl may be releasable by motor from the raised position and may further be moveable in a direction of its lowered position unhindered by the memory element. The release by motor of the locking pawl is controllable at a predetermined triggering time by the control apparatus.

Abstract: To prevent an erroneous installation of a rotational detection lever and a rotational element, one of a plurality of toothed portions of a rotational element is made into a larger toothed portion which is larger in pitch and/or tooth height, and one of a plurality of tooth grooves of a rotation detection lever is made into a larger tooth groove which can mesh with the larger toothed portion when the rotational element and the rotation detection lever are positioned so as to correspond to each other.

Abstract: The invention is a dual release actuating assembly. In detail, the invention includes a link having first and second ends and a center section. A locking mechanism having a pin coupled to the center section of the is provided to prevent movement of the pin. An actuation rod is coupled to the second end of the link. A first actuator coupled to the first end of the link for moving the actuation rod in a first direction. A second actuator is coupled to the first end of the link for moving the actuation rod in a second direction. A unlocking system is includes to release the locking mechanism such that pin may translate allowing the link to rotate about the first end.

Abstract: An actuating assembly for an automotive door latch device comprises a housing that operatively installs therein basic elements that are commonly used in an override function unit and a child proof function unit. The override function unit has a function wherein a manipulation of an inside door handle induces cancellation of the engaged condition of the latch means irrespective of the condition of the locking/unlocking means. The child proof function unit has a function wherein the manipulation of the inside door handle is made inoperative irrespective of the condition of the locking/unlocking means, thereby to make the cancellation of the engaged condition of the latch means impossible. The actuating assembly further comprises a cover that is coupled to the housing and holds thereon a selected element that is exclusively used in either one of the override function unit and the child proof function unit.

Abstract: When an inside lock button is operated for locking, an inner wire of a wire cable is drawn into an outer tube of the wire cable so that a lock lever shifts from an unlock state to a lock state, whereas when the inside lock button is operated for unlocking, the inner wire of the wire cable is pushed out of the outer tube of the wire cable so that the lock lever shifts from a lock state to an unlock state.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a vehicle lock device that can be shifted between a locked position and an unlocked position. The vehicle lock includes a lock casing and a cable sheath fixed in relation to the lock casing and in which a cable is displaceably arranged. The end of the cable pointing to the lock casing is designed, by pushing down the other end of the cable in the cable sheath, to be brought into engagement with a cable seat. The cable seat is operatively connected to a catch for actuation of the catch. By actuating the catch, it is disengaged from a rotary bolt, thereby releasing the bolt. In the lock casing there is an element designed to act upon the cable end pointing towards the lock casing. By doing so, the cable end is directed for engagement with the cable seat in the unlocked position, and is directed to the side of the cable seat in the locked position.

Abstract: An automotive childproof safety lock control apparatus including a door latch which can hold a door of a vehicle in a closed position, a childproof safety lock unit which can be displaced to an unlocking state where the release of the door latch from a latching state is enabled by controlling an inner handle provided inside of the vehicle to open the door and a locking state where the release of the door latch from the latching state is disabled, and a drive unit which is linked to the childproof safety lock unit and the door latch so as to displace the childproof safety lock unit from the locking state to the unlocking state and release the door latch from the latching state when activated in one direction and to displace the childproof safety lock unit from the unlocking state to the locking state when activated in the other direction.

Abstract: A latch for a pivotal door has a respective pair of bolts on each of two opposite edges of the doors. The bolts are independently movable between latching positions projecting from the respective door edge and freeing positions at least partially recessed in the respective door edge, respective rods having outer ends connected to the bolts and inner ends. Respective actuating elements each connected to two of the inner ends are independently operable to shift the respective bolts between the respective latching and freeing positions. Respective adjacent handles coupled to the actuating are both shiftable independently of each other in generally the same direction between an unactuated position with the respective element setting the respective bolts in the latching positions and an actuated position setting with the respective element setting the respective bolts in the freeing positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing a door of a vehicle, which allows a door of a vehicle to be slidably moved, includes a door operation lever that is rotated when an inside knob is operated; a door holding unit that is released by rotation of the door operation lever; an operation output unit that is included in the inside knob; and a base plate on which the inside knob is arranged in such a manner that the inside knob is moved to be operated, and on which the door operation lever is arranged in such a manner that the door operation lever partially faces an area in which the operation output unit is moved in response to an operation of the inside knob. The door operation lever is rotated by making the operation output unit abut on the door operation lever when the inside knob is operated.

Abstract: A door latch apparatus closes a door of a vehicle by, when a striker and a latch are in a first engagement state, shifting the striker and the latch into a second engagement state through an effective operation of an output lever by driving an actuator. When the shift of the striker and the latch into the second engagement state is restricted, the output lever is allowed to perform a retracting operation by driving the actuator.

Abstract: A latch mechanism includes a latch plate associated with a first object, and a claw rotatably attached to the latch plate. A toggle link is rotatably attached to the latch plate. A primary pawl is rotatably attached to the toggle link. The primary pawl retains the claw. A secondary pawl is rotatably attached to the latch plate. The secondary pawl retains the toggle link.

Abstract: A latching apparatus may have a normal mode of operation in which a mechanical signal is employed to actuate a door pawl, and hence to release a door latch ratchet. An electrical actuator may be employed to send that mechanical signal, and operation of the actuator may be governed by an electronic control unit (ECU). The latch apparatus may also have a second, or emergency, mode of operation in which a second mechanical signal path is employed either to cause an augmented force to be employed to release the pawl, or to cause a sudden impulse to urge the pawl to release, the sudden impulse being driven by a release of energy from an energy storage device, in particular a mechanical energy storage device. The apparatus may include either an electrical or a mechanical door handle interrupt to prevent unwanted activation. The device may also include an auxiliary electrical back-up power source in the event of a main power source failure.

Abstract: An auxiliary latch release assembly, and method of operation, for use with a vehicle having a body defining a cargo area, a door, and a door latch mounted in the door and including an auxiliary latch release is disclosed. The assembly may comprise a handle that is accessible in the cargo area, a release cable having a first end engaging the handle and a second end extending in the body adjacent to the door having the door latch, and an e-latch override assembly mounted in the body that engages the second end of the release cable and includes a latch release member. The latch release member can be actuated by the e-latch override assembly to engage the auxiliary latch release to release the door latch.