U.S. patent application number 17/751715 was filed with the patent office on 2022-09-08 for latch assembly for motor vehicle closure system having power release mechanism with override/reset.
The applicant listed for this patent is Magna Closures Inc.. Invention is credited to Dunia SARDELLI, Marco TAURASI.
Application Number | 20220282532 17/751715 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006351935 |
Filed Date | 2022-09-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220282532 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TAURASI; Marco ; et
al. |
September 8, 2022 |
LATCH ASSEMBLY FOR MOTOR VEHICLE CLOSURE SYSTEM HAVING POWER
RELEASE MECHANISM WITH OVERRIDE/RESET
Abstract
A power closure latch assembly with a manually actuatable
release link, vehicle door therewith and method of allowing a power
actuatable closure latch assembly to be converted for selective
manual actuation is provided. The release link is configured to
operably communicate an actuator lever with a release lever for
conjoint movement therebetween, to provide power-assisted movement
of a pawl between ratchet releasing and ratchet holding positions,
when the release link is in a "normal" first operating position.
The release link is further configured to allow the release lever
to move independently from the actuator lever when the release link
is in a manually deployed "override/reset" second position to
provide spring-biased movement of the pawl from the ratchet
releasing position back to the ratchet holding position.
Inventors: |
TAURASI; Marco; (Livorno,
IT) ; SARDELLI; Dunia; (Livorno, IT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Magna Closures Inc. |
Newmarket |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006351935 |
Appl. No.: |
17/751715 |
Filed: |
May 24, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16197747 |
Nov 21, 2018 |
11377883 |
|
|
17751715 |
|
|
|
|
62592939 |
Nov 30, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05Y 2900/531 20130101;
E05B 81/34 20130101; E05B 81/16 20130101; E05B 81/06 20130101; E05B
81/14 20130101; E05B 81/36 20130101; E05B 81/20 20130101; B60J
5/047 20130101; E05B 81/90 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E05B 81/90 20060101
E05B081/90; E05B 81/16 20060101 E05B081/16; E05B 81/36 20060101
E05B081/36; E05B 81/20 20060101 E05B081/20; E05B 81/06 20060101
E05B081/06; E05B 81/34 20060101 E05B081/34; E05B 81/14 20060101
E05B081/14 |
Claims
1. A closure latch assembly for use with a closure panel in a motor
vehicle, comprising: a ratchet moveable between a striker release
position whereat the ratchet is positioned to release a striker and
a striker capture position whereat the ratchet is positioned to
retain the striker, the ratchet being biased toward the striker
release position; a pawl moveable between a ratchet holding
position whereat the pawl is positioned to hold the ratchet in the
striker capture position and a ratchet releasing position whereat
the pawl is located to permit movement of the ratchet to the
striker release position, the pawl being biased toward the ratchet
holding position; a power release actuator; and a power release
chain connecting the power release actuator with the pawl, the
power release chain having an activated state whereat the power
release actuator is in operable communication with the pawl and has
a deactivated state whereat the power release actuator is out of
operable communication with the pawl, wherein the power release
chain in the deactivated state allows the pawl to move from the
ratchet holding releasing position to the ratchet holding
position.
2. The closure latch assembly of claim 1 further comprising a
manually actuatable override/reset feature having an activated
override/reset state and a deactivated rest state, wherein the
power release chain is in the deactivated state in response to the
manually actuatable override/reset being in the activated
override/reset state.
3. The closure latch assembly of claim 2, wherein the power release
chain comprises a bridging relation, wherein the manually
actuatable override/reset feature acts to move the bridging
relation.
4. The closure latch assembly of claim 3, wherein the bridging
relation comprises a pivotal link moveable between a first position
and a second position, the pivotal link being biased toward the
first position, wherein the first position corresponds to the power
release chain operating in the activated state and wherein the
second position corresponds to the power release chain operating in
the deactivated state.
5. The closure latch assembly of claim 4, wherein in response to
the manually actuatable override/reset feature moving the bridging
relation from the first position to the second position, the power
release chain is automatically moved from the activated state to
the deactivated state.
6. The closure latch assembly of claim 4, wherein movement of the
manually actuatable override/reset from the activated
override/reset state to the deactivated rest state causes the
pivotal link to move from the first position to the second
position.
7. The closure latch assembly of claim 3, wherein the power release
chain comprises a release lever configured in operable
communication with the pawl, the release lever being biased away
from the pawl; and an actuator lever configured in operable
communication with the power release actuator, wherein the bridging
relation is provided between the actuator lever and the release
lever.
8. The closure latch assembly of claim 7, wherein the bridging
relation comprises a biased link pivotally mounted to the release
lever, wherein the biased link has a first position whereat the
biased link is in communication with the actuator lever and a
second position whereat the biased link is out of communication
with the actuator lever.
9. The closure latch assembly of claim 1 further including a backup
release lever configured in operable communication with the power
release chain to move the power release chain from the activated
state to the deactivated state, wherein the backup actuation lever
is accessible through an access port provided in a housing of the
closure latch assembly.
10. The closure latch assembly of claim 9, wherein the access port
is positioned on a shut face of the closure panel when the closure
latch is mounted to the closure panel.
11. The closure latch assembly of claim 9, wherein the backup
actuation lever is configured for receipt of a vehicle key and for
rotation in response to rotation of the vehicle key, wherein
rotation of the backup actuation lever causes pivotal movement of
the backup release lever.
12. The closure latch assembly of claim 3 further comprising a pawl
lever disposed between the release lever and the pawl, the pawl
lever being biased by a pawl lever spring to impart the bias on the
pawl toward the ratchet holding position.
13. The closure latch assembly of claim 1 further comprising a gear
member operatively coupled to the power release actuator, the gear
member having a cam lobe configured for abutment with the actuator
lever to pivot the actuator lever and move the pawl between the
ratchet holding position and the ratchet releasing position in
response to selective actuation of the power release actuator.
14. A closure latch assembly for use with a closure panel in a
motor vehicle, comprising: a ratchet moveable between a striker
release position whereat the ratchet is positioned to release a
striker and a striker capture position whereat the ratchet is
positioned to retain the striker, the ratchet being biased toward
the striker release position; a pawl moveable between a ratchet
holding position whereat the pawl is positioned to hold the ratchet
in the striker capture position and a ratchet releasing position
whereat the pawl is located to permit movement of the ratchet to
the striker release position, the pawl being biased toward the
ratchet holding position; a power release actuator; a power release
chain connecting the power release actuator with the pawl, the
power release chain having an activated state whereat the power
release actuator is in operable communication with the pawl and has
a deactivated state whereat the power release actuator is out of
operable communication with the pawl; and a backup release lever
operably coupled to the power release chain, the backup release
lever having a rest state and an activated state, wherein movement
of the backup release lever from the rest state to the activated
state causes the power release chain to automatically move from the
activated state to the deactivated state.
15. The closure latch assembly of claim 14, wherein the backup
release lever is not configured to move the pawl to the ratchet
releasing position.
16. The closure latch assembly of claim 14, wherein the power
release chain is moved from the activated state to the deactivated
state before the backup release lever is returned to the rest state
from the activated state.
17. The closure latch assembly of claim 16, wherein the backup
release lever is accessible from the shut face of the closure
panel.
18. A method of allowing a power actuatable closure latch assembly
to be converted for selective manual actuation during a power
interruption to the power actuated latch assembly, the method
comprising: providing a ratchet being moveable between a striker
release position and a striker capture position; providing a pawl
being moveable between a ratchet holding position to hold the
ratchet in the striker capture position and a ratchet releasing
position to permit movement of the ratchet to the striker release
position; providing a power release actuator; providing a power
release chain connecting the power release actuator with the pawl,
the power release chain having an activated state whereat the power
release actuator is in operable communication with the pawl and has
a deactivated state whereat the power release the power release
actuator is out of operable communication with the pawl; providing
a backup release lever operably coupled to the power release chain;
and moving the backup release lever from a rest state to an
activated state to cause the power release chain to automatically
move from the activated state to the deactivated state.
19. The method of claim 18 further including configuring the backup
release lever not to move the pawl to the ratchet releasing
position.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein automatically moving the power
release chain from the activated state to the deactivated state
occurs before the backup release lever is returned from the
activated state to the rest state.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 16/197,747 filed on Nov. 21, 2018 and which claims the benefit
of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/592,939 filed on Nov.
30, 2017. The above applications are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to closure latch
assemblies of the type used in motor vehicle closure systems for
controlling the locking and release of a closure panel. More
particularly, the present disclosure relates to a power-operated
closure latch assembly providing a power unlatching feature and
being equipped with mechanical pawl reset mechanism to restore
ratchet retention function.
BACKGROUND
[0003] This section provides background information related to the
present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
[0004] In view of increased consumer demand for motor vehicles
equipped with advanced comfort and convenience features, many
modern motor vehicles are now provided with passive entry systems
to permit locking and release of closure panels (i.e., doors,
tailgates, liftgates and decklids) without use of a traditional
key-type entry system. In this regard, some popular features now
available with vehicle latch systems include power
locking/unlocking, power release and power cinching. These
"powered" features are provided by a power closure latch assembly
mounted to the closure panel and which is typically equipped with a
ratchet and pawl type of latch mechanism controlled via at least
one power-operated actuator. Typically, the closure panel is held
in a closed position by virtue of the ratchet being held in a
striker capture position to releaseably retain a striker that is
mounted to a structural body portion of the vehicle. The ratchet is
held in its striker capture position by the pawl engaging the
ratchet when the pawl is located in a ratchet holding position. In
many ratchet and pawl type of latch mechanisms, the pawl is
operable in its ratchet holding position to retain the ratchet in
one of a secondary or "soft close" striker capture position and a
primary or "hard close" striker capture position. When the ratchet
is held by the pawl in its secondary striker capture position, the
latch mechanism functions to latch the closure panel in a
partially-closed position relative to the body portion of the
vehicle. Likewise, when the ratchet is held by the pawl in its
primary striker capture position, the latch mechanism functions to
latch the closure panel in a fully-closed position relative to the
body portion of the vehicle.
[0005] To release the closure panel from its fully-closed position,
a power latch release mechanism is actuated for moving the pawl
from its ratchet holding position into a ratchet releasing
position, whereby a ratchet biasing arrangement, in cooperation
with the seal loads exerted on the striker, act to forcibly pivot
the ratchet from its primary striker capture position into a
striker release position. With the ratchet located in its striker
release position, the latch mechanism unlatches the closure panel
for subsequent movement toward its open position. In closure latch
assemblies providing a power release feature, the latch release
mechanism is typically controlled by a power-operated release
actuator.
[0006] A problem associated with some power-actuated closure latch
assemblies providing an ability to release the closure panel from
its fully-closed position can arise if power is interrupted upon
moving the pawl from its ratchet holding position into the ratchet
releasing position. In such instances of power interruption, the
power-actuated component(s) responsible for driving the pawl
against a bias of a spring member to the ratchet releasing position
are unable to be further actuated as a result of loss of power, and
thus, the pawl can be prevented from returning under the bias of
the spring member to the ratchet holding position. As such, the
closure panel is effectively prevented from being able to be
returned to either a secondary or primary striker capture position
as long as the pawl remains disengaged from the ratchet in the
ratchet releasing position. Accordingly, only upon restoration of
power to the latch assembly is the pawl able to be returned to the
ratchet holding position, which in turn, will allow the closure
panel to be returned to a closed or partially closed position.
[0007] Accordingly, while current power closure latch assemblies
are sufficient to meet regulatory requirements and provide enhanced
comfort and convenience, a need still exists to advance the
technology and provide alternative features and arrangements that
address and overcome at least some of the shortcomings associated
therewith.
SUMMARY
[0008] This section provides a general summary of the present
disclosure and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope
or all of its features, aspects and objectives.
[0009] It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a power
closure latch assembly for a motor vehicle closure system
configured to provide a manually actuatable override/reset
feature.
[0010] It is a related aspect of the present disclosure to provide
the power closure latch assembly with a manually actuatable release
link configured to operably and selectively communicate an actuator
lever with a release lever for conjoint movement of the actuator
lever with the release lever, to provide power-assisted movement of
a pawl between ratchet releasing and ratchet holding positions,
when the release link is in a "normal" first operating position,
and to allow the release lever to move independently from the
actuator lever when the release link is in a manually deployed
"override/reset" second position to provide spring biased movement
of the pawl from the ratchet releasing position back to the ratchet
holding position.
[0011] It is a related aspect of the present disclosure to provide
the release link being biased into the "normal" first operating
position such that the release link remains in bridging relation
between the actuator lever and the release lever until acted on by
a selectively, manually applied external force sufficient to
overcome the bias.
[0012] It is another related aspect of the present disclosure to
configure the release link to automatically return to the "normal"
first operating position from the "override/reset" second position
under the bias of a spring member upon restoration of power to the
power closure latch assembly and powered actuation of the power
closure latch assembly.
[0013] It is another related aspect of the present disclosure to
provide the release link being selectively, manually actuatable to
move to the "override/reset" second position via selective manual
actuation of a lever arm.
[0014] It is another related aspect of the present disclosure to
configure the manually actuatable override/reset feature for
operable movement in response to manual actuation of a vehicle
key.
[0015] It is another related aspect of the present disclosure to
configure the manually actuatable override/reset feature for
operable movement in response to manual actuation of a release
handle.
[0016] It is to be recognized that one possessing ordinary skill in
the art will readily appreciate these and further aspects of the
power closure latch assembly upon viewing the disclosure
herein.
[0017] In accordance with these and other aspects, a power closure
latch assembly is provided which comprises: a ratchet moveable
between a striker release position whereat the ratchet is
positioned to release a striker, a striker capture position whereat
the ratchet is positioned to retain the striker, the ratchet being
biased toward its striker release position. A pawl is provided that
is moveable between a ratchet holding position whereat the pawl is
positioned to hold the ratchet in its striker capture position and
a ratchet releasing position whereat the pawl is located to permit
movement of the ratchet to its striker release position, with the
pawl being biased toward the ratchet holding position. Further,
power closure latch assembly includes a power driven actuator and
an actuator lever configured in operable communication with the
power driven actuator. A release lever is configured in operable
communication with the pawl, with the release lever being biased
away from the pawl. A release link is configured to bridge the
actuator lever and the release lever to operably communicate the
actuator lever with the release lever when the release link is in a
"normal" first position to provide conjoint movement between the
actuator lever and the release lever and to provide power-assisted
movement of the pawl between the ratchet releasing position and the
ratchet holding position in response to selective actuation of the
power driven actuator, and to allow the release lever to move
independently from the actuator lever when the release link is in a
manually deployed "override/reset" second position to allow
movement of the pawl from the ratchet releasing position back to
the ratchet holding position.
[0018] In accordance with a further aspect, a release lever link
spring member can bias the release lever link toward the "normal"
first position, thereby facilitating return to normal, power
actuated use upon restoration of power to the power driven
actuator.
[0019] In accordance with a further aspect, a backup release lever
can be configured in operable communication with the release lever
link to move the release lever link from the "normal" first
position to the "override/reset" second position.
[0020] In accordance with a further aspect, the backup release
lever can be configured for manual actuation independent from the
power driven actuator to move the release lever link from the
"normal" first position to the "override/reset" second position via
a vehicle key, such as during a power interruption to the power
driven actuator.
[0021] In accordance with a further aspect, a backup actuation
lever can be operably coupled to the backup release lever, with the
backup actuation lever being configured for receipt of the vehicle
key and for rotation in response to rotation of the vehicle key,
wherein rotation of the backup actuation lever causes pivotal
movement of the backup release lever into abutment with the release
lever link to move the release lever link from the "normal" first
position to the "override/reset" second position.
[0022] In accordance with a further aspect, a link arm can be
provided to extend between the backup release lever and the backup
actuation lever, with the link arm being pivotably coupled to the
backup release lever to move the release lever link against the
bias of the release link spring member from the "normal" first
position to the "override/reset" second position in response to
rotation of the vehicle key.
[0023] In accordance with a further aspect, the backup release
lever can be supported for pivotal movement on the actuator
lever.
[0024] In accordance with a further aspect, the link arm can be
configured for linear movement to cause the pivotal movement of the
backup release lever in response to rotation of the vehicle
key.
[0025] In accordance with a further aspect, a closure panel for a
motor vehicle is provided. The closure panel has an outer panel and
an inner panel with a shut face extending therebetween, with a
power closure latch assembly mounted along the shut face. The power
closure latch assembly includes a ratchet moveable between a
striker release position whereat the ratchet is positioned to
release a striker to allow the closure panel to be opened, a
striker capture position whereat the ratchet is positioned to
retain the striker to maintain the closure panel in a closed
position, wherein the ratchet is biased toward its striker release
position. A pawl is provided that is moveable between a ratchet
holding position whereat the pawl is positioned to hold the ratchet
in its striker capture position and a ratchet releasing position
whereat the pawl is located to permit movement of the ratchet to
its striker release position, with the pawl being biased toward the
ratchet holding position. Further, power closure latch assembly
includes a power driven actuator and an actuator lever configured
in operable communication with the power driven actuator. A release
lever is configured in operable communication with the pawl, with
the release lever being biased away from the pawl. A release link
is configured to bridge the actuator lever and the release lever to
operably communicate the actuator lever with the release lever when
the release link is in a "normal" first position to provide
concurrent movement between the actuator lever and the release
lever and to provide power-assisted movement of the pawl between
the ratchet releasing position and the ratchet holding position in
response to selective actuation of the power driven actuator, and
to allow the release lever to move independently from the actuator
lever when the release link is in a manually deployed
"override/reset" second position to allow movement of the pawl from
the ratchet releasing position back to the ratchet holding
position.
[0026] In accordance with a further aspect, the release link can be
manually deployed to the "override/reset" second position via a
vehicle key being inserted through an aperture in the end face and
rotated.
[0027] In accordance with a further aspect, a method of providing
for a power actuatable closure latch assembly to be converted for
selective manual actuation is provided. The method includes:
providing a ratchet being moveable between a striker release
position and a striker capture position; providing a pawl being
moveable between a ratchet holding position to hold the ratchet in
the striker capture position and a ratchet releasing position to
permit movement of the ratchet to the striker release position;
providing a power driven actuator; providing an actuator lever
configured in operable communication with the power driven
actuator; providing a release lever configured in operable
communication with the pawl; and providing a release lever link
operably communicating the actuator lever with the release lever
when the release lever link is in a "normal" first position to
provide concurrent movement between the actuator lever and the
release lever and to provide power-assisted movement of the pawl
between the ratchet holding position and the ratchet releasing
position in response to selective actuation of the power driven
actuator, and to allow the release lever link to be manually
deployed to an "override/reset" second position whereat the release
lever link is moved out of communication between the actuator lever
and the release lever to allow the release lever to move
independently from the actuator lever, thereby allowing the pawl to
move under manual actuation from the ratchet releasing position
back to the ratchet holding position.
[0028] In accordance with a further aspect, the method can further
include providing a backup actuation lever operably coupled to the
release lever link and configuring the backup actuation lever for
receipt of a vehicle key such that rotation of the vehicle key
causes the release lever link to move from the "normal" first
position to the "override/reset" second position.
[0029] In accordance with a further aspect, the method can further
include biasing the release lever link toward the "normal" first
position to allow the release lever link to be automatically
returned to the "normal" first position from the "override/reset"
second position upon power being restored to the power actuated
latch assembly.
[0030] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
detailed description provided herein. The description and specific
examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration
only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0031] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
disclosure will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better
understood by reference to the following detailed description when
considered in connection with the accompanying drawings
wherein:
[0032] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a motor vehicle
having a closure panel equipped with a power closure latch assembly
that is constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure;
[0033] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the power closure latch
assembly in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure
generally illustrating the components of the assembly with a
ratchet thereof shown in a door closed, striker capture position in
latched engagement with a striker of the motor vehicle;
[0034] FIG. 2A is a view similar to FIG. 2 with the striker removed
therefrom for further clarity;
[0035] FIG. 2B is a view looking generally along the direction of
arrow 2B of FIG. 2A;
[0036] FIG. 3 is another perspective view of a pawl lever, a pawl
and a ratchet of the power closure latch assembly shown in FIG.
2;
[0037] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the power closure latch
assembly of FIG. 2 similar to FIG. 2A with a manually actuatable
override/reset feature thereof removed for further clarity of
remaining components of the assembly;
[0038] FIG. 5 is a side view of the power closure latch assembly of
FIG. 2A shown in the door closed, striker capture position;
[0039] FIG. 5A is a partial cross-sectional, elevational view of
components of the assembly as shown in FIG. 5;
[0040] FIG. 6 is a side view of the power closure latch assembly of
FIG. 2A shown in a door open, power actuator release and striker
release position;
[0041] FIG. 6A is a partial cross-sectional, elevational view of
components of the assembly as shown in FIG. 6;
[0042] FIG. 7 is a side view of the power closure latch assembly of
FIG. 2A shown in a power loss, door open, power actuator release
and striker release position with a manually actuatable
override/reset feature of the assembly shown in an activated
override/reset state;
[0043] FIG. 7A is a partial cross-sectional, elevational view of
components of the assembly as shown in FIG. 7;
[0044] FIG. 8 is a side view of the power closure latch assembly of
FIG. 2A shown in the power loss, door open, power actuator release
and striker release position with the release lever and pawl lever
shown freely biased back to a rest position with the manually
actuatable override/reset feature shown returned to a deactivated
rest state;
[0045] FIG. 8A is a partial cross-sectional, elevational view of
components of the assembly as shown in FIG. 8;
[0046] FIG. 9 is a side view of the power closure latch assembly of
FIG. 2A shown in the power loss, door closed, power actuator
release and striker capture position;
[0047] FIG. 9A is a partial cross-sectional, elevational view of
components of the assembly as shown in FIG. 9;
[0048] FIG. 10 is a side view of the power closure latch assembly
of FIG. 2A shown in a power restored, door closed, power actuator
rest and striker capture position;
[0049] FIG. 10A is a partial cross-sectional, elevational view of
components of the assembly as shown in FIG. 5;
[0050] FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of a power closure
latch assembly housing illustrating the manually actuatable
override/reset feature of the power closure latch assembly
thereof;
[0051] FIG. 11A is an elevation view illustrating the manually
actuatable override/reset feature of FIG. 11;
[0052] FIG. 11B is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 11 showing a
vehicle key for actuating the manually actuatable override/reset
feature;
[0053] FIG. 12 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 2A of a power
closure latch assembly in accordance with another aspect of the
present disclosure;
[0054] FIG. 13A illustrates the power closure latch assembly of
FIG. 12 in a door open, power actuator release and striker release
position, similar to FIG. 6;
[0055] FIG. 13B illustrates the power closure latch assembly of
FIG. 12 in a power loss, door open, power actuator release and
striker release position with a manually actuatable override/reset
feature of the assembly shown in an activated override/reset state,
similar to FIG. 7;
[0056] FIG. 13C illustrates the power closure latch assembly of
FIG. 12 in the power loss, door closed, power actuator release and
striker release position with the release lever and pawl lever
shown freely biased back to a rest position with the manually
actuatable override/reset feature shown returned to a deactivated
rest state, similar to FIG. 9;
[0057] FIG. 13D illustrates the power closure latch assembly of
FIG. 12 in a power restored, door closed, power actuator rest and
striker capture position, similar to FIG. 10;
[0058] FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic top view of the power closure
latch assembly of FIG. 1 mounted to the inner panel and shut face,
in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; and
[0059] FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating a method of allowing a
power actuatable closure latch assembly to be converted for
selective manual actuation during a power interruption to the power
actuated latch assembly, in accordance with an illustrative
embodiment
[0060] Corresponding reference numerals are used throughout the
various views of the drawings to indicate corresponding
components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0061] An example embodiment of a closure panel and power closure
latch assembly therefor for use in a motor vehicle closure system
will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying
drawings. To this end, the example embodiment of the power closure
latch assembly is provided so that this disclosure will be
thorough, and will fully convey its intended scope to those who are
skilled in the art. Accordingly, numerous specific details are set
forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and
methods, to provide a thorough understanding of a particular
embodiment of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent
to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be
employed, that the example embodiment may be embodied in many
different forms, and that the example embodiment should not be
construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some
parts of the example embodiment, well-known processes, well-known
device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in
detail.
[0062] In the following detailed description, the expression "power
closure latch assembly" will be used to generally indicate any
power-operated latch device adapted for use with a vehicle closure
panel. Additionally, the expression "closure panel" will be used to
indicate any element mounted to a vehicle body portion of a motor
vehicle and moveable between an open position and at least one
closed position, respectively opening and closing an access to an
inner compartment of the motor vehicle, and therefore includes,
without limitations, decklids, tailgates, liftgates, bonnet lids,
and sunroofs in addition to the sliding or pivoting passenger doors
of the motor vehicle to which the following description will make
explicit reference, purely by way of example.
[0063] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be
limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the"
may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises,"
"comprising," "including," and "having," are inclusive and
therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,
operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the
presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The
method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to
be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the
particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically
identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood
that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
[0064] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on,"
"engaged to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or
layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the
other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be
present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being
"directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or
"directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no
intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to
describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in
a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between,"
"adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the
term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of
the associated listed items.
[0065] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used
herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers
and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or
sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be
only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or
section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as
"first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do
not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the
context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section
discussed below could be termed a second element, component,
region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of
the example embodiments.
[0066] Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer,"
"beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," "top", "bottom", and
the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe
one element's or feature's relationship to another element(s) or
feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms
may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device
in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the
figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over,
elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or
features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or
features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an
orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise
oriented (rotated degrees or at other orientations) and the
spatially relative descriptions used herein interpreted
accordingly.
[0067] Referring initially to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a motor
vehicle 10 is shown to include a vehicle body 12 defining an
opening 14 to an interior passenger compartment. A closure panel
16, for example a vehicle door 16, is illustratively shown
pivotably mounted to vehicle body 12 for movement between an open
position (shown) and a fully-closed position to respectively open
and close opening 14. A power closure latch assembly 18 is shown
secured to closure panel 16 adjacent to an edge portion 16A, also
referred to as "shut face" extending between inner panel 31 and
outer panel 29, thereof and includes a latch mechanism 19 that is
releasably engageable with a striker 20 fixedly secured to a
recessed edge portion 14A of opening 14. As will be detailed, power
closure latch assembly 18 is operable to engage striker 20 and
releaseably hold closure panel 16 in its fully-closed position. An
outside handle 22 and an inside handle 24 are provided for
selectively actuating the latch mechanism 19 of power closure latch
assembly 18 to release striker 20 from the latch mechanism and
permit subsequent movement of closure panel 16 to its open
position. An optional lock knob 26 provides a visual indication of
the locked state of power closure latch assembly 18 and which may
also be operable to mechanically change the locked/unlocked state
of power closure latch assembly 18. A weather seal 28 is mounted on
edge portion 14A of opening 14 in vehicle body 12 and is adapted to
be resiliently compressed upon engagement with a mating sealing
surface of closure panel 16 when closure panel 16 is held by the
latch mechanism 19 of power closure latch assembly 18 in its
fully-closed position so as to provide a sealed interface
therebetween which is configured to prevent entry of rain and dirt
into the passenger compartment while minimizing audible wind noise.
For purpose of clarity and functional association with motor
vehicle 10, the closure panel is hereinafter referred to as vehicle
door 16.
[0068] A detailed description of a non-limiting example of power
closure latch assembly 18, constructed in accordance with the
teachings of the present disclosure, will now be provided. In
general, power closure latch assembly 18 includes a power release
actuator 30, an actuator lever 32, a gear 34 operably connecting
the power release actuator 30 to the actuator lever 32, a release
lever 36, a release lever link 38 bridging and operably connecting
the actuator lever 32 to the release lever 36, a pawl 40, a pawl
lever 42 operably connecting the release lever 36 to the pawl 40, a
ratchet 44 configured for selective locked engagement with the pawl
40 and for selective locked engagement with the striker 20 when the
closure panel 16 is in a closed position, and a manually actuatable
override/reset feature or mechanism shown generally at 46. It will
be readily appreciate by one skilled in the art that the above
components can be mounted to and within a housing, sometimes
referred to as frame plate 48, suitably shaped for the intended
vehicle application, with a housing cover or frame plate cover 50
supporting and enclosing the above-noted mechanisms and power
actuators. Housing cover 50 illustratively includes a first body
108 configured for mounting along side the inner surface of the
shut face 16A, (e.g. housing cover portion 50a is positioned
adjacent the shut face 16A), and a second body 109 configured for
mounting along side the inner surface of inner panel 31 (e.g.
housing cover portion 50b is positioned adjacent the shut face
16A). Bodies 108, 109 are arranged transversally, or substantially
perpendicular, to one another, so as to define an L-shaped
configuration of frame plate 48 when viewed along a plane
perpendicular to both the bodies 108, 109 (e.g. see FIG. 14). In
particular, body 108 is substantially plate-shaped and carries
latch pawl lever 42, the pawl 40, and the ratchet 44, whilst body
109 is a casing internally housing power release actuator 30, an
actuator lever 32, gear 34, release lever 36, and a release lever
link 38 in accordance with the exemplary embodiment. It is
recognized that the components of power closure latch assembly 18
may be distributed within bodies 108, 109 differently, so as to
form a power release chain sequentially connecting the power
release actuator 30 with the pawl 40. While illustratively the
power release chain is shown as forming a sequence of activatable
elements including actuator lever 32, gear 34, release lever 36,
release lever link 38, latch pawl lever 42, for imparting a
movement of pawl 40 in response to the activation of power release
actuator 30, other intervening components interconnecting such
elements together in the sequence chain may be provided.
Plate-shaped body 108 extends parallel to a first plane P1,
configured to be secured to and flush against the shut face 16A.
Body 109 is positioned parallel to a second plane P2, transversal
to plane P1; in particular, planes P1 and P2 are substantially
orthogonal and, in the example shown, form an angle slightly
exceeding 90.degree. (see FIG. 14). Body 109 may also be configured
to be secured to the inner panel 31, such that second plane P2 is
positioned adjacent the inner panel 31.
[0069] Frame plate 48 is a rigid component, shown in the
non-limiting embodiment as being configured to be fixedly secured
to edge portion 16A of vehicle door 16 and which defines an entry
aperture 52, known as a fishmouth, through which striker 20 travels
upon movement of vehicle door 16 relative to vehicle body 12. Latch
mechanism 19 is shown, in this non-limiting example, as a single
ratchet and pawl arrangement including the ratchet 44 and pawl 40.
Ratchet 44 is supported for rotational movement relative to frame
plate 48 via a ratchet pivot pin 54. Ratchet 44 is configured to
include a contoured guide channel 56 which terminates in a striker
capture pocket 58, a closing notch 60, and a cam surface 62
extending between closing notch 60 and a nose-shaped terminal end
segment 64. A ratchet biasing member, schematically shown by arrow
66, is adapted to normally bias ratchet 44 to rotate about ratchet
pivot pin 54 in a first, opening or "releasing" direction (i.e.
counterclockwise in FIGS. 2, 6A). As will be detailed, ratchet 44
is moveable through a range of motion between its striker release
position and a striker capture (i.e. the "hard closed") position,
with intermediate positions (i.e. the "soft closed" position)
contemplated herein.
[0070] Pawl 40 is supported for rotational movement relative to a
pawl pivot pin 68 extending from frame plate 48. Pawl 40 is
configured to include a body segment having a latch shoulder 70
that is adapted to ride against cam surface 62 of ratchet 44 in
response to movement of ratchet 44 between its striker capture and
striker release positions. Latch shoulder 70 on pawl 40 is also
configured to engage closing notch 60 when ratchet 44 is located in
its striker capture position. A pawl biasing member, schematically
illustrated by arrow 72, is provided for normally biasing pawl 40
in a first rotary direction (i.e. clockwise in FIG. 5A) toward its
ratchet holding position. Pawl 40 is shown in FIGS. 2-5A and 9-10A
located in its ratchet holding position and is shown in FIGS. 6-8
located in its ratchet releasing position.
[0071] Further biasing members include a pawl lever biasing member,
schematically illustrated by arrow 74, is provided for normally
biasing pawl lever 42 in a first rotary direction (i.e. clockwise
in FIG. 3). A release lever biasing member, schematically
illustrated by arrow 76, is provided for normally biasing release
lever 36 in a first rotary direction (i.e. clockwise in FIG. 4). A
release lever link biasing member, schematically illustrated by
arrow 78, is provided for normally biasing release lever link 38 in
a first rotary direction (i.e. clockwise in FIG. 2A) such that the
release lever link 38 is biased to remain in bridging relation
between the actuator lever 32 and the release lever 36, thereby
bring the actuator lever 32 and the release lever 36 into operable
communication with one another.
[0072] In accordance with a non-limiting aspect, the manually
actuatable override/reset feature 46 is shown having backup release
lever 80, a backup knob, also referred to as backup actuation lever
82, and a backup link, also referred to as backup link arm 84,
wherein the backup link arm 84 interconnects the backup actuation
lever 82 to the backup release lever 80 for operable communication
therebetween, such that the backup actuation lever 82 is ultimately
brought into operable communication with the release lever link 38,
as discussed further below. The manually actuatable override/reset
feature 46 provides an ability to override and reset the power
closure latch assembly 18 in the event of power interruption,
during any operational state of the power closure latch assembly
18, thereby allowing the vehicle closure panel 16 to be returned
from the open, unlatched position to the closed, latched position,
as is discussed in more detail hereafter. While reference is made
herein to the manually actuatable override/reset feature 46
providing an ability to override and reset the power closure latch
assembly 18 in the event of power interruption, other conditions
preventing the reset of the power closure latch assembly 18, such
as a failure in the motor 86, may be overcome with the manually
actuatable override/reset feature 46.
[0073] The power release actuator 30, by way of example and without
limitation, is shown as including a selectively actuatable electric
motor 86 having a drive shaft, shown as a drive worm shaft, also
referred to as worm gear 88, configured for meshed, driving
engagement with the gear 34. The gear 34 is support for selective
rotation about a gear shaft 94 in response to actuation of the
motor 86, with the gear 34 having a cam lobe 90 configured for
driving engagement with a cam surface 92 on the actuator lever 32.
As such, when the electric motor 86 drives the drive worm shaft 88
in a first direction, the drive worm shaft 88 causes the gear 34
and cam lobe 90 fixed thereto to rotate in a first unlocking,
release direction 96, and when the electric motor 86 drives the
drive worm shaft 88 in a second direction opposite the first
direction, the drive worm shaft 88 causes the gear 34 and cam lobe
90 fixed thereto to rotate in a second locking or latching
direction 98 (FIG. 2).
[0074] In normal use, under fully functional electrical operation,
the release lever link 38 is configured to operably communicate the
actuator lever 32 with the release lever 36 when the release lever
link 38 is in a "normal" first position, bridging the actuator
lever 32 and the release lever 36. In direct response to movement
of the cam lobe 90 rotating in biased engagement with the cam
surface 92, the release lever link 38 provides conjoint and
concurrent movement between the actuator lever 32 and the release
lever 36 to provide electrically power-assisted movement of the
pawl 40 between the ratchet holding position and the releasing
position in response to selective actuation of the power release
actuator 30. On the other hand, during a power out or power
interruption condition, when the electric motor 86 is unable to be
powered, selective manual actuation of the backup actuation lever
82 causes the backup link arm 84 and backup release lever 80 to
pivot the release lever link 38 out of bridging relation and out of
operable communication from between the actuator lever 32 and the
release lever 36 to an "override/reset" second position to allow
the release lever 36 to move independently from the actuator lever
32, which remains fixed, which in turn allows return movement of
the release lever 36 and pawl 40 from the ratchet releasing
position back to the ratchet holding position, thereby allowing the
ratchet 44 to be maintained in the striker capture position by pawl
40 and the vehicle closure panel 16 to be locked in the closed
position in the absence of power to the power closure latch
assembly 18.
[0075] In reference to the FIGS., in FIGS. 5 and 5A, the power
closure latch assembly 18 and latch mechanism 19 thereof are shown
in a fully functional, door closed, power release actuator rest
state. Accordingly, the ratchet 44 is in the striker capture, "hard
closed") position with the striker 20 shown received therein (FIG.
5A). Further, in this state, the release lever link 38 remains
biased via the biasing member 78 into bridging relation between the
actuator lever 32 and the release lever 36. As such, as shown in
FIGS. 6 and 6A, upon selective, intentional actuation of the power
release actuator 30, the drive worm shaft 88 causes the gear 34 and
cam lobe 90 to rotate conjointly in the counterclockwise first
unlocking, release direction 96, thereby driving the chain of
components including the actuator lever 32, release lever link 38,
release lever 36, pawl lever 42 and pawl 40, such that the latch
shoulder 70 of the pawl 40 is pivoted outwardly and out of
engagement from the closing notch 60 of the ratchet 44.
Accordingly, the ratchet 44 rotates freely under the bias of the
ratchet biasing member 66 to the striker release position,
whereupon the vehicle closure panel 16 is free to be opened. As
best seen in FIG. 6A, while in this state, the pawl 40, including
the latch shoulder 70, are maintained in biased relation out of
contact from the ratchet 44 and cam surface 62 thereof.
Accordingly, in this state, if the closure panel 16 is moved into a
closed position, the ratchet 44 will not be able to locked in the
striker capture, "hard closed") position by the pawl 40, and thus,
the closure panel 16 will be unable to remain in the closed
position. As such, if power is interrupted to the motor 86 of the
power release actuator 30, absent the override/reset feature 46,
the vehicle closure panel 16 could not be secured in a closed state
until power is restored to the motor 86. It is to be recognized
that under a normal, fully operational powered condition, upon
selectively actuating the power release actuator 30 to allow the
ratchet 44 to move to the striker release position, the power
release actuator 30 will then reverse drive directions of the drive
worm shaft 88, which then causes the gear 34 and cam lobe 90
thereof to rotate in the second locking or latching direction 98,
which allows the latch shoulder 70 of pawl 40 to move into biased
abutment with the cam surface 62 of ratchet 44.
[0076] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 7A, in the event the latch shoulder
70 of pawl 40 is unable to return into biased abutment with the cam
surface 62 of ratchet 44 (and also latch shoulder 70 on pawl 40 is
unable to return into biased abutment and engagement with closing
notch 60 when ratchet 44 is located in its striker capture
position) during a power interruption, as discussed above, the
override/reset feature 46 can be manually activated to bypass the
power release actuator 30. As shown in FIG. 11B, a vehicle key 100
can be inserted through the entry aperture 52 and into a receptacle
101 (illustratively a corresponding sized slot to receive the tip
103 of the vehicle key 100) of the backup actuation lever 82,
whereupon the vehicle key 100 can be rotated to pivot the backup
actuation lever 82 illustrated as arrow B and cause conjoint and
concurrent movement of the backup link arm 84 and backup release
lever 80 along the directions of arrows A, A' (FIG. 7),
respectively, which brings a drive lug 102 of backup release lever
80 into driving engagement with a driven lug 104 of release lever
link 38, thus, causing the release lever link 38 to be pivoted
against the biasing member 78 relative to release lever 36 and
outwardly from bridging engagement between the actuator lever 32
and release lever 36. It is recognized that backup link arm 84 may
be configured such that a different action of the key 100 may
impart a movement of backup link arm 84 in direction A, key 100 may
push backup actuation lever 82 to urge backup link arm 84 in
direction A, a bias such as a spring being further provided to urge
backup link arm 84 in the direction opposite direction A when not
engaged with the key 100. Backup actuation lever 82 is accessible
through an access port or aperture 27 in the housing face 50b
and/or frame plate 48. When power closure latch assembly 18 is
mounted to the vehicle door 12, access port 27 is aligned with a
panel access port or aperture 127 provided on the inner panel 31,
illustratively shown as being aligned along a common axis A1 (See
FIG. 14). As such, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 8A, with the release
lever link 38 moved from between the actuator lever 32 and release
lever 36, the release lever 36 is free to pivot under the bias of
biasing member 76, thereby allowing the pawl lever 42 and pawl 40
to pivot under their respective biasing members 74, 72 to bring the
latch shoulder 70 into biased engagement with the cam surface 62 of
ratchet 44. Thus, when the ratchet 44 is pivoted against the bias
of ratchet biasing member 66 via forced engagement with striker 20
during a door closing event, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 9A, the latch
shoulder 70 of pawl 40 is able to move into locked engagement with
the closing notch 60 of ratchet 44, thereby maintaining the ratchet
44 in the striker capture "hard closed" position. As can be seen,
this occurs even though the cam lobe 90 is preventing the return of
actuator lever 32 due to the power interruption. It is recognized
that other tools other than the vehicle key 100 may be used to
engage receptacle 101.
[0077] Then, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 10A, upon the restoration of
power to the power release actuator 30, the motor 86 is able to
drive the drive worm shaft 88 to cause the gear 34 and cam lobe 90
to rotate in the second locking, latching direction 98, thereby
causing the actuator lever 32 to return under the bias of a biasing
member, thereby allowing the simultaneous return of release lever
36, which then allows the release lever link 38 to return under the
bias of biasing member 78 to its "normal" bridging relation between
the actuator lever 32 and release lever 36. In FIG. 12, a power
closure latch assembly 118 is shown in accordance with another
aspect of the disclosure, with the same reference numerals as used
above, offset by a factor of 100, being used to identify like
features. Many of the components of the power closure latch
assembly 118 are the same or substantially the same as discussed
above for power closure latch assembly 18, including a power driven
actuator 130; an actuator lever 132 configured in operable
communication with the power driven actuator 130; a release lever
136 configured in operable communication with a pawl 140 via a pawl
lever 142, the release lever 136 being biased away from pawl
release lever 142 and pawl 140, wherein the pawl 140 is selectively
moveable via an override/reset feature 146 from a ratchet releasing
position back to a ratchet holding position, thereby allowing a
ratchet 144 to be maintained in the striker capture position by
pawl 140 and the vehicle closure panel 16 to be locked in the
closed position in the absence of power to the power closure latch
assembly 18. Thus, the discussion hereafter is largely limited to
some notable differences, particularly with regard to orientation
of the components respective to one another and the override/reset
feature 146 of power closure latch assembly 118.
[0078] The override/reset feature 146 is shown without a separate
backup release lever and a backup link arm, but rather, simply
includes a combination backup actuation/release lever 182 which
serves to function as both a backup actuation lever and backup
release lever, as discussed above. As such, the backup
actuation/release lever 182 has an actuation portion 182' and a
release lever portion 180 having a drive lug 102' configured for
operable engagement, such as direct engagement with a driven lug
104' of a release lever link 138, which is configure as discussed
above for release lever link 38, thus, being biased by a release
lever link spring member 178 toward a "normal" first position. A
further notable distinction is with regard to special orientation
of components, wherein the override/reset feature 146 lies along a
plane transverse to the plane along which the backup actuation
lever 82 lies, such that the backup actuation/release lever 182 and
actuation portion 182' thereof lie along a plane transverse to the
plane of ratchet 144. Backup actuation/release lever 182 is
accessible through a port 25 in the frame plate 48 along a plane
transverse to the plane of ratchet 144 to allow tip 103 to engage
actuation/release lever 182. Backup actuation/release lever 182 and
port 25 illustratively both being aligned along axis A2 (see FIG.
14). A fishmouth port 125 aligned with port 25 formed in the shut
face 16A, illustrated as the being also aligned with entry aperture
52 allows the key 100 to engage the actuation/release lever 182
through the shut face 16A sheet metal. As such, access to backup
actuation/release lever 182 and actuation portion 182' can be
provided from within a cabin of the vehicle. For example, a
matching port or aperture 33 provided within the inner panel 31 and
optionally interior trim portion 35 may be provided so that the
vehicle key 100 may pass there through and into engagement with the
actuation portion 182' to impart a rotation of the actuation
portion 182' in a direction shown as arrow C. In another
embodiment, the actuation portion 182' may be accessible from
within the interior vehicle 37 compartment directly through an
access port in the housing or frame plate 48. A person skilled in
the art would recognize that different orientations of the backup
actuation/release lever 82, 182 may be provided depending on the
angle of access of the vehicle key 100 into engagement therewith,
or to facilitate interactions with an inside or outside release
levers.
[0079] Function of the override/reset feature 146 is generally
similar to that discussed above for override/reset feature 46, with
various stages of operation shown in FIGS. 13A-13D. In summary,
FIG. 13A corresponds to the description for FIGS. 6 and 6A, FIG.
13B corresponds to the description for FIGS. 7 and 7A, FIG. 13C
corresponds to the description for FIGS. 8 and 8A, and FIG. 13D
corresponds to the description for FIGS. 10 and 10A, with one
skilled in the art readily appreciating the selective manual
actuation of override/reset feature 146, such a via the vehicle key
100, without need of further description.
[0080] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, and
with reference to FIG. 15, a method 1000 of allowing a power
actuatable closure latch assembly 18, 118 to be converted for
selective manual actuation during a power interruption to the power
actuatable closure latch assembly 18, 118 is provided. The method
1000 includes providing 1002 a ratchet 44, 144 being moveable
between a striker release position and a striker capture position.
Further, providing 1004 a pawl 40, 140 being moveable between a
ratchet holding position to hold the ratchet 44, 144 in the striker
capture position and a ratchet releasing position to permit
movement of the ratchet 44, 144 to the striker release position.
Providing 1006 a power driven actuator 30, 130 and providing 1008
an actuator lever 32, 132 configured in operable communication with
the power driven actuator 30, 130. Further, providing 1010 a
release lever 36, 136 configured in operable communication with the
pawl 40, 140, and providing 1012 a release lever link 38, 138
operably communicating the actuator lever 32, 132 with the release
lever 36, 136 when the release lever link 38, 138 is in a "normal"
first position to provide concurrent movement between the actuator
lever 32, 132 and the release lever 36, 136 and to provide
power-assisted movement of the pawl 40, 140 between the ratchet
holding position and the ratchet releasing position in response to
selective actuation of the power driven actuator 30, 130, and to
allow the release lever link 38, 138 to be manually deployed to an
"override/reset" second position whereat the release lever link 38,
138 is moved out of communication between the actuator lever 32,
132 and the release lever 36, 136 to allow the release lever 36,
136 to move independently from the actuator lever 32, 132, thereby
allowing the pawl 40, 140 to move under manual actuation from the
ratchet releasing position back to the ratchet holding
position.
[0081] In accordance with a further aspect, the method can further
include providing a backup actuation lever 82, 182 operably coupled
to the release lever link 38, 138, either directly or indirectly,
such as via an intervening link arm 84, and configuring the backup
actuation lever 82, 182 for receipt of a vehicle key 100 such that
rotation of the vehicle key 100 causes the release lever link 38,
138 to move from the "normal" first position to the
"override/reset" second position.
[0082] In accordance with a further aspect, the method can further
include biasing the release lever link 38, 138 toward the "normal"
first position to allow the release lever link 38, 138 to be
automatically returned to the "normal" first position from the
"override/reset" second position upon power being restored to the
power driven actuator 30, 130.
[0083] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been
provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual
elements, assemblies/subassemblies, or features of a particular
embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment,
but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a
selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.
The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not
to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such
modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the
disclosure.
* * * * *