阅读说明：本技术 用于闭合面板的使用多个闩锁的闩锁机构 (Latch mechanism for closure panel using multiple latches ) 是由 约翰·迪斯泰法诺 于 2021-05-06 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于促进车辆的闭合面板的打开及关闭的闩锁机构,该闩锁机构包括：第一闩锁,其在第一位置中安装至车辆的车身和闭合面板中的一者,第一位置定位在车辆的第一侧部上,第一闩锁在与对应的第一配合闩锁部件接合时将闭合面板联接至车辆的车身；第二闩锁,其在第二位置中安装至车身和闭合面板中的一者,第二位置定位在车辆的第二侧部上,第二闩锁在与对应的第二配合闩锁部件接合时将闭合面板联接至车辆的车身；其中,当闭合面板在打开位置与关闭位置之间移动时,第一闩锁和第二闩锁中的一者被保持在闩锁状态,并且第一闩锁和第二闩锁中的另一者处于解除闩锁状态。本发明还涉及一种用于对上述闩锁机构进行操作的方法。(The present invention relates to a latch mechanism for facilitating opening and closing of a closure panel of a vehicle, the latch mechanism comprising: a first latch mounted to one of a body and a closure panel of the vehicle in a first position, the first position positioned on a first side of the vehicle, the first latch coupling the closure panel to the body of the vehicle when engaged with a corresponding first mating latch component; a second latch mounted to one of the body and the closure panel in a second position, the second position positioned on a second side of the vehicle, the second latch coupling the closure panel to the body of the vehicle when engaged with a corresponding second mating latch component; wherein one of the first latch and the second latch is held in a latched state and the other of the first latch and the second latch is in an unlatched state when the closure panel is moved between the open position and the closed position. The invention also relates to a method for operating the above latch mechanism.)

1. A latch mechanism (16) for facilitating opening and closing of a closure panel (13) of a vehicle (11), the latch mechanism comprising:

a first latch (12a), the first latch (12a) being mounted to one of a body (10) of the vehicle and the closure panel in a first position (8a) located on a first side (19a) of the vehicle, the first latch, when engaged with a corresponding first mating latch component (14a), coupling the closure panel to the body of the vehicle;

a second latch mounted to one of the body and the closure panel in a second position (8b) located on a second side (19b) of the vehicle, the second latch coupling the closure panel to the body of the vehicle when engaged with a corresponding second mating latch component (14 b);

wherein one of the first latch and the second latch is held in a latched state and the other of the first latch and the second latch is in an unlatched state when the closure panel is moved between an open position and a closed position.

2. The latch mechanism of claim 1, wherein the closure panel moves between the open position and the closed position when the first latch is held in the latched state and the second latch is in the unlatched state.

3. The latch mechanism of claim 2, wherein the closure panel moves between the open position and the closed position when the second latch is held in the latched state and the first latch is in the unlatched state.

4. The latch mechanism of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first latch and the second latch are mounted on the body and the first and second cooperating latch components are mounted on the closure panel.

5. The latch mechanism of any of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an actuator mechanism (22), the actuator mechanism (22) being coupled between the vehicle body and the closure panel in a third position (8c), the third position being between the first and second positions, the actuator mechanism for facilitating movement of the closure panel between the open and closed positions.

6. The latch mechanism of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the closure panel covers a storage compartment (20) of the vehicle.

7. The latch mechanism of claim 6, wherein the storage chamber is positioned adjacent a front portion (1) of the vehicle such that the first and second side portions extend between the front and rear portions of the vehicle.

8. The latch mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the ratchet (40) of the first latch retains a mating latch component (14a, 14b) in a slot (17) when the mating latch component pivots about a pivot axis (17a) of the slot.

9. The latch mechanism of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first latch is a first pair of latches and the second latch is a second pair of latches.

10. A method for operating a latch mechanism (16) for facilitating opening and closing of a closure panel (13) of a vehicle (11), the method comprising the steps of:

unlatching a first latch (12a) mounted to one of a body (10) of the vehicle and the closure panel in a first position (8a) positioned on a first side (19a) of the vehicle, the first latch coupling the closure panel to the body of the vehicle when engaged with a corresponding first mating latch component (14 a); and

maintaining a latched state of a second latch mounted to one of the body and the closure panel in a second position (8b) positioned on a second side (19b) of the vehicle, the second latch coupling the closure panel to the body of the vehicle when engaged with a corresponding second mating latch component (14 a);

wherein the closure panel moves between an open position and a closed position when the second latch is held in the latched state.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to latch mechanisms for closing panels.

Background

Some vehicles are equipped with a closure panel, such as a lift gate, that is driven between an open position (position 2) and a closed position (position 1) using an electrically driven lift or opening system. Disadvantages of current systems include a bulky form factor that occupies valuable vehicle cargo space, for example, space along the vertical supports that define the opening and access to the rear lift gate or space commonly referred to as a front spare box (storage space accessed via the front hood of a battery powered vehicle). Thus, current systems tend to limit the size of the passageway through the opening and into the interior cargo space, require additional lift support systems such as gas struts and other counterbalance mechanisms in series, have unacceptable impact on manual opening and closing operations requiring greater manual force applied by the operator at the panel handle, and/or have temperature effects resulting in variable manual operation required by the operator due to fluctuations in ambient temperature.

In addition, conventional open hoods, trunks, and lift doors do not accommodate convenient roadside access. In addition, items stored toward the rear of the storage compartment may be difficult to access from the front of the vehicle. As electric vehicles become more prevalent, the use of a front-end box will become more prevalent. Accordingly, the ability to access a compartment (e.g., a storage chamber) other than directly from the front of the compartment is desirable. In addition, new power actuated opening and closing systems are required which do not impede access to the compartments.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a latch mechanism which obviates or mitigates at least one of the above disadvantages.

One aspect provides a latch mechanism for facilitating opening and closing of a closure panel of a vehicle, the latch mechanism comprising: a first latch mounted to one of a body and a closure panel of the vehicle in a first position, the first position positioned on a first side of the vehicle, the first latch coupling the closure panel to the body of the vehicle when engaged with a corresponding first mating latch component; a second latch mounted to one of the body and the closure panel in a second position, the second position positioned on a second side of the vehicle, the second latch coupling the closure panel to the body of the vehicle when engaged with a corresponding second mating latch component; wherein one of the first latch and the second latch is held in a latched state and the other of the first latch and the second latch is in an unlatched state when the closure panel is moved between the open position and the closed position.

A second aspect provides a method for operating a latch mechanism for facilitating opening and closing of a closure panel of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: unlatching a first latch mounted to one of a body and a closure panel of the vehicle in a first position, the first position positioned on a first side of the vehicle, the first latch coupling the closure panel to the body of the vehicle when engaged with a corresponding first mating latch component; and maintaining a latched state of a second latch mounted to one of the body and the closure panel in a second position, the second position positioned on a second side of the vehicle, the second latch coupling the closure panel to the body of the vehicle when engaged with a corresponding second mating latch component; wherein the closure panel moves between the open position and the closed position when the second latch is held in the latched state.

A third aspect provides a control system for operating a latch mechanism for a closure panel of a vehicle, the latch mechanism having a first latch mounted to one of a body and the closure panel of the vehicle on a first side of the vehicle and a second latch mounted to one of the body and the closure panel on a second side of the vehicle, the control system having: a controller for adjusting release of the first latch to an unlatched state while setting the second latch to a latched state; a first side control coupled to the controller for operating the first latch; and a second side control coupled to the controller for operating the second latch; wherein the second latch is held in a latched state and the first latch is in an unlatched state when the closure panel is moved between the open position and the closed position.

Yet another aspect provides a control system wherein the first latch and the second latch each have a power release actuator for operating the first latch and the second latch as an electrical latch.

Yet another aspect provides a control system wherein the signal connection between the controller and the first side controller is a wireless connection.

Yet another aspect provides a control system wherein the signal connection between the controller and the first side controller is a wired connection.

Yet another aspect provides a control system wherein the signal connection between the controller and the second side controller is a wireless connection.

Yet another aspect provides a control system wherein the signal connection between the controller and the second side controller is a wired connection.

Yet another aspect provides for the control system wherein the controller is configured to operate an actuator mechanism coupled between the body and the closure panel in an intermediate position between the first side and the second side, the actuator mechanism for facilitating movement of the closure panel between the open position and the closed position.

Yet another aspect provides for the control system wherein the ratchet of the second latch retains the mating latch component in the slot as the mating latch component pivots about the pivot axis of the slot.

Other embodiments of the above-described aspects, as well as other aspects, including methods of operation, will become apparent based upon the following description and the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

By way of example only, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle having one or more closure panels;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a vehicle having one or more closure panels, illustrating a latch mechanism operating as a hinge and latch;

FIG. 3 is a first operation of the latch mechanism of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an alternative operation of the latch mechanism of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 illustrates a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the latch mechanism of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of the control system of FIGS. 2 and 5;

FIG. 7 is an example operation of the mechanism of FIGS. 2-6;

FIG. 8 is an example latching configuration of the latching mechanism of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 9 is the example actuator mechanism of FIG. 2.

Detailed Description

In the present specification and claims, the use of the article "a," "an," or "the" in reference to an item is not intended to exclude the possibility of including multiple items in some embodiments. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that in at least some examples in this specification and the appended claims, multiple items may be included in at least some embodiments. Likewise, use of plural forms on items is not intended to exclude the possibility of including one of the items in some embodiments. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that in at least some examples in this specification and the appended claims, one of the items may be included in at least some implementations.

In the following description, details are set forth to provide an understanding of the present disclosure. In some instances, certain software, circuits, structures, techniques, and methods have not been described or shown in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. The term "controller" is used herein to refer to any machine for processing data, including data processing systems, computer systems, modules, electronic control units ("ECUs"), microprocessors, etc., for providing control of the systems described herein, which may include hardware and/or software components for performing processing to provide control of the systems described herein. A computing device is another term used herein to refer to any machine for processing data, including microprocessors and the like for providing control of the systems described herein. The present disclosure may be implemented in any computer programming language (e.g., control logic) provided that the operating system of the control unit provides the facilities that may support the requirements of the present disclosure. Any limitations presented will be the result of a particular type of operating system or computer programming language, and are not limitations of the present disclosure. The present disclosure may also be implemented in hardware or in a combination of hardware and software.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, a latch system 16 (e.g., having two or more latches 12a, 12 b-see the embodiment of fig. 3 and 5, for example only) is provided, the latch system 16 for engaging with a corresponding mating latch component 14, such as a striker pin. In one embodiment, as shown, the latches 12a, 12b are mounted to the body 10 of the vehicle 11, while the mating latch component 14 is mounted on the closure panel 13 (e.g., hood). In an alternative embodiment, the latch 12 may be mounted to a closure panel 13 of the vehicle 11 (e.g., in the first and second positions 8a and 8b — see fig. 3) while the mating latch component 14 is mounted on the vehicle body 10. The location 8a may be referred to as being on a first side 19a of the vehicle 11 and the location 8b may be referred to as being on a second side 19b of the vehicle 11 such that the first side 19a of the vehicle 11 and the second side 19b of the vehicle 11 are opposite one another (e.g., n opposite sides). Similarly, the first position 8a and the second position 8b are opposite to each other.

The vehicle 11 has a plurality of latch controls (e.g., buttons, switches, proximity sensors of mechanical handles, etc.) 5 (e.g., 5a, 5b) for controlling selected latches 12 of the latch system 16, as described further below. Each of the latch controls 5a, 5b may be connected to a portion of the latch 12 of the latching system 16 corresponding to each of the latch controls 5a, 5b by a respective connection 21 (e.g., a bowden cable, an electrical signal cable, and/or a wireless connection, e.g., a wireless connection related to a suitably configured wireless transmitter such as a FOB). For example, each latch control 5a, 5b may be located in a separate location of the vehicle 11 (e.g., on either side 19a, 19b of the vehicle body 10 to facilitate access to the operator 3 or passenger 4 of the vehicle 11-see fig. 3, 4). In addition, the vehicle 11 has a front end portion 1 and a rear end portion 2 such that side portions 19a, 19b extend between the front end portion 1 and the rear end portion 2.

One example of a latch control 5 is an opening button 5a, 5b provided on each respective side 19a, 19 b. The opening buttons 5a, 5b may be configured similarly to a powered opening/release button (not shown) for operating the latch of the lift gate 13. For example, the buttons 5a, 5b may be located at a lower portion on the side view mirrors 150a, 150 b. The latch controls 5a, 5b may be connected to the controller 100 of the vehicle 11 to open the respective latches 12a, 12b that a user (e.g., operator 3 or passenger 4) is opening. In another possible configuration, an obstacle detection system, which may comprise radar, capacitive sensors, optical sensors or ultrasonic sensors, may be associated with each side 19a, 19b for detecting persons adjacent to the side 19a, 19b, for example for detecting persons adjacent to a front fender as an example. Such an obstacle detection sensor may be in communication with the controller 100, the controller 100 determining that the controller 100 may unlatch the latch 12 of the side portion 19a, 19b that has detected the user using the obstacle detection system, and optionally further controlling the actuator mechanism 22, when the controller 100 receives an open signal command from the wireless FOB key, for example an open signal command indicating to the controller 100 that the user intends to open the closure panel 13 to access the storage space from one of the side portions 19a, 19b and detecting that the user is located at one of the side portions 19a, 19 b. It should be appreciated that a user at one of the side portions 19a, 19b may be detected in other ways, such as by detecting the proximity or position of the wireless key FOB about the side portions 19a, 19 b.

As shown in fig. 2, the closure panel 13 may be used to cover an interior (e.g., storage) space 20 of the vehicle 11, and thus, the closure panel 13 may be used to provide controlled closure and access to the space 20 (e.g., containing luggage 20a) facilitated by the latching system 16. As described further below, operation of the closure panel 13 between the open position (see fig. 3, 4) and the closed position (see fig. 2) may be assisted by an actuator mechanism 22 of the latch system 16. It should also be appreciated that the opening and closing of the closure panel 13 may be performed manually by a user of the vehicle 11. It should be appreciated that in the closed position, the respective latch 12a, 12b may provide the corresponding striker 14a, 14b and associated ratchet 40 to serve as a pivot point when moving the closure panel 13 between the open and closed positions (see fig. 2, 3 and 4).

In view of the foregoing, the latch system 16 is advantageously used with a vehicle closure panel 13 to provide opening and closing operation of one or more closure panels 13 of the vehicle 11. Other applications of the latch system 16 for closure panels 13 that are typically used both inside and outside of vehicle applications include advantageously aiding in the optimization of the overall retention and manual effort for the operation of the closure panel 13. It should also be appreciated that the latch system 16 examples provided below may be advantageously used as the sole means of opening and closing assistance of the closure panel 13, or may be advantageously used in combination (e.g., in series) with other closure panel 13 biasing members (e.g., spring-loaded hinges, biasing struts, etc.). In particular, the latching system 16 may be used to provide or otherwise assist a retention force (or torque) for the closure panel 13. Further, it should be appreciated that the latch system 16 may be facilitated in conjunction with the portion of the latch 12 that operates as a hinge (see fig. 3, 4) of the closure panel 13, as further described below.

Referring again to fig. 1 and 2, a vehicle 11 is shown including a vehicle body 10 having one or more closure panels 13. With respect to the vehicle 11, the closure panel 13 may be referred to as a bulkhead or door, and the closure panel 13 may generally operate in an articulated manner but may sometimes be attached by other mechanisms such as rails in front of an opening for ingress and egress of personnel and/or cargo (e.g., luggage) into and out of the interior of the vehicle 11. It should also be appreciated that in some applications, the closure panel 13 may be used as an access panel for systems of the vehicle 11, such as an engine compartment, and may also be used as an access panel for a conventional trunk compartment of an automotive-type vehicle 11.

The closure panel 13 may be opened to provide access to the space 20 or may be closed to protect or otherwise restrict access to the space 20. Such as a trunk lid, a front spare (e.g., front luggage), a hood, a tailgate may be referred to as a closure panel 13. The closure panel 13 may also be used for center consoles, glove compartments, pickup truck tarpaulins, windows, etc. having a hinged lid configuration. It should also be appreciated that the closure panel 13 may have one or more intermediate retention positions between the fully open and fully closed positions as provided at least in part by the actuator mechanism 22. For example, once positioned in an intermediate Hold Position, the actuator mechanism 22 may assist in biasing movement of the closure panel 13 away from the one or more intermediate Hold positions, also referred to as a Third Position Hold point (TPH) or a Stop N Hold point (Stop-N-Hold). It should also be appreciated that the actuator mechanism 22 may be provided as part of the assembly of the closure panel 13 as desired.

An actuator mechanism 22 (see, e.g., fig. 9) may be coupled between the body 10 and the closure panel 13 in a third position 8c, the third position 8c being between the first and second positions 8a, 8b, the actuator mechanism 22 for facilitating movement of the closure panel 13 between the open and closed positions.

The closure panel 13 may be manually and/or electrically opened via a latch mechanism 16, wherein the powered closure panel 13 may be found on a minivan, high-end automobile, or Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), among others. Additionally, one feature of the closure panel 13 is that some form of force-assisted opening and closing mechanism (or mechanisms) such as the actuator mechanism 22 is used to facilitate the operation of the opening and closing operations by an operator (e.g., a vehicle driver) of the closure panel 13 due to the weight of the material used in the manufacture of the closure panel 13. The force assisted opening and closing actuator mechanism 22, when used as part of the closure panel 13 assembly, may be provided by a torsion element, a motor and/or any biasing member external to the latch mechanism 16 (e.g., a spring loaded hinge, a spring loaded strut, a gas loaded strut, an electromechanical strut, etc.) as desired. An example of an actuator assembly 22 is shown in fig. 9, as described further below.

Referring again to fig. 5, in the context of a vehicle 11 application of the closure panel 13 by way of example only, the closure panel 13 is movable between a closed position (see fig. 2) and a plurality of open positions (as shown in fig. 3, 4). In the illustrated embodiment, the closure panels 13 pivot about respective spaced apart pivot axes 15a, 15b between the open and closed positions, which pivot axes 15a, 15b may be configured horizontally or otherwise parallel to the support surface 9 (e.g., curb) of the vehicle 10. In other embodiments, the pivot axes 15a, 15b may have some other orientation, such as vertical or otherwise extending at an angle outwardly from the support surface 9 of the vehicle 10.

Referring to fig. 8, an example latch 12 is shown including a ratchet 40 and a pawl 42 such that pawl 42 holds ratchet 40 in a latched position (i.e., holds mating latch components 14a, 14b within slot 17 of ratchet 40). For example, when the latch 12 is operated between a latched position (shown) and an unlatched position (i.e., when the mating latch member 14 is allowed to exit the slot 17 — see also fig. 3 and 4), the ratchet 40 pivots about the ratchet pivot axis 41 and the pawl 42 pivots about the pawl pivot axis 43. The ratchet 40 and pawl 42 are mounted (e.g., by a pin not shown) to a latch frame 46, the latch frame 46 being shown, for example, in phantom. It should be appreciated that the latch 12 is mounted to the closure panel 13 or vehicle body 10 by the latch frame 46. For example, it should be appreciated that movement of pawl 42 about pawl pivot 43 (e.g., caused by operation of controller 100-see fig. 5-such as, for example, a vehicle controller module known in the art) disengages pawl 42 from ratchet 40 and thus facilitates pivoting of ratchet 40 about ratchet pivot 41 and thus allows mating latching component 14 to exit slot 17. Similarly, limiting the movement of pawl 42 about pawl pivot 43 (e.g., by a pawl biasing element such as a torsion spring as known in the art) keeps pawl 42 engaged with ratchet 40 and thus prevents ratchet 40 from pivoting about ratchet pivot 41 and thus maintains the position of mating latch component 14 within slot 17. As discussed above, when the closure panel 13 is moved between the open and closed positions (e.g., by the actuator mechanism 22), the cooperating latch members 14 may pivot about the pivot axis 17a while remaining in the slots 17.

The configuration of the latch of fig. 8 corresponds to the state of latch 12b shown in fig. 2 and the state of latch 12a shown in fig. 3, such that the mating latch component 14 pivots 44 about pivot axis 17a in slot 17 as the closure panel 13 moves between the open and closed positions. The closure panel 13 and the body 11 of the vehicle 11 are not shown in fig. 8 for ease of illustration only.

Referring again to fig. 5, the controller 100 may be connected to the latches 12 of the latch system 16 by signal connections 102 (e.g., wires, wirelessly) such that control signals 104 issued by the controller 100 and received sensor signals 106 (e.g., position sensors not shown) may be used by the controller to operate the latches as electrical latches (e.g., electrical latches including one or more motors not shown, for example, for actuating movement of the pawl 42 and/or ratchet 40, respectively, of each latch 12). In the case of the electrical latches 12a, 12b, the signal connection 102 may also be wireless.

In view of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the latches 12a, 12b of the latching system 16 are selectively operated (e.g., by the latch controls 5a, 5b and/or the controller 100) to effectively select which side 19a, 19b the closure panel 13 is to open. In other words, one or some of the latches 12a, 12b of the latching system 16 operate in a latched state (e.g., latch 12b of fig. 3 or latch 12a of fig. 4) to a selected side (e.g., 19b or 19a, respectively), while the other latches 12a, 12b of the latching system 16 operate in an unlatched state (e.g., latch 12a of fig. 3 or latch 12b of fig. 4) to a selected side (e.g., 19a or 19b, respectively). In this way, while one side portion 19a, 19b has the latch 12a, 12b in the unlatching state, the other side portion 19a, 19b has the latch 12a, 12b in the latching state. In this way, during operation of the closure panel 13 between the open and closed positions, those latches 12a, 12b (see, e.g., latch 12b of fig. 3) that are in the latched state act as hinges (for pivoting the closure panel 13 about pivot axes 15a, 15 b-see fig. 5). When the selected latch 12a, 12b is in the latched state, the other of the latches 12a, 12b in the unlatched state (see, e.g., latch 12a of fig. 3) is used to release its respective mating latch component 14 from its respective slot 17 to facilitate operation of the closure panel 13 from the closed position to the open position. Further, as shown in fig. 2, when both side portions 19a, 19b of the latch mechanism 16 have their latches 12a, 12b in a latched state, then the closure panel 13 is in a closed (e.g., locked) position. Thus, it is contemplated that during normal operation of the closure panel 13, only one side 19a (or the other side 19b) will have its latch 12a, 12b in an unlatched condition to facilitate simulated hinging operation of the closure panel 13 as it moves between the open and closed positions.

In view of the foregoing, the latch mechanism 16 provides a side 19a, 19b openable closure panel 13, which closure panel 13 may be selectively opened from either side 19a, 19b of the vehicle 11, thereby advantageously providing access while preventing access blockage due to side-mounted pillars, counterbalancing mechanisms, hinges, and the like.

In addition, the latch mechanism 16 also provides a configuration of an intermediately (e.g., centrally) mounted actuator mechanism 22 (e.g., a vertically positioned power strut), which actuator mechanism 22 may be used to assist in the raising and lowering of the closure panel 13 while preventing loading and unloading obstructions relative to access to the sides 19a, 19b of the storage device 20 via the open closure panel 13.

Referring to FIG. 6, an example control system 99 for operation of the latch mechanism 16 is shown. The control system 99 may have one or more power release actuators 6a, 6b, the power release actuators 6a, 6b being co-operable with respective latch controls 5a, 5 b. The powered actuator 22 (and the corresponding power release actuator 6a, 6b, e.g., for the latch 12a, 12b acting as an electrical latch) may be powered by a power source 108 (e.g., a main battery) of the vehicle 11. The powered actuator 22 may be used to power selected operations of the latch 12a or 12b in conjunction with side controls 102a, 102b that are adjusted by the controller 100 (based on the command signal 104 and/or the sensor signal 106-see fig. 5). In addition, the FOB 112 may also be configured with selective controls 112a, 112b that communicate wirelessly with the controller 100. In short, the example control system 99 facilitates a side 19a, 19b loading configuration for operation of the closure panel 13 that allows side loading by pivoting the closure panel 13 from one of the sides 19a, 19b at a time. In other words, for the sides 19a, 19b not to be opened, the latch 12 positioned on the closed sides 19a, 19b acts as a hinge for the closing panel 13, e.g. the cooperating latch member 14 rotates in the slot 17 of the ratchet 40 (about the pivot 17 a-see fig. 8), while the cooperating latch member 14 is still held by the slot 17.

Referring to fig. 7, a method for operating a latch mechanism 16 for facilitating opening and closing of a closure panel 13 of a vehicle 11 includes the steps of: receiving 202 an open signal 104 with respect to one side 19a, 19b of the vehicle 11; unlatching a first latch 12a mounted to one of the body 10 and the closure panel 13 of the vehicle 11 in a first position 8a, the first position 8a being located on the first side 19a of the vehicle 11, the first latch 12a coupling the closure panel 13 to the body 10 of the vehicle 11 when engaged with a corresponding first mating latch member 14 a; and maintaining 206 a latched state of a second latch 12b mounted to one of the body 10 and the closure panel 13 in a second position 8b, the second position 8b being positioned on a second side 19b of the vehicle 11, the second latch 12b, when engaged with a corresponding second mating latch component 14b, coupling the closure panel 13 to the body 10 of the vehicle 11; wherein the closure panel 13 moves between the open position and the closed position when the second latch 12b is held in the latched state. Optionally, at step 208, the actuator mechanism 22 may be powered to facilitate powered opening/closing of the closure panel 13.

Referring to fig. 9, the actuator mechanism 22 is shown by way of example. One embodiment of the electromechanical strut 22 includes a lower housing 12 ', an upper housing 14 ', and a telescoping shaft 16 '. The first pivot mount 18 'at the end of the lower shell 12' may be pivotally mounted to a portion of the vehicle body 10 that defines an interior cargo area in the vehicle 11. The second pivot mount 20 'may be attached to a distal end of the telescoping shaft 16' and may be pivotally mounted to the closure panel 13 of the vehicle 11. The interior of the lower housing 12' is shown in more detail. The lower housing 12 ' provides a cylindrical sidewall 22 ' defining a chamber 24 '. The pivot mounting 18 ' is attached to an end wall 26 ' of the lower housing 12 ' proximate the vehicle body (not shown). The upper housing 14 'provides a cylindrical sidewall 32' defining a chamber 34 ', the chamber 34' being open at both ends. The distal end wall 28 ' of the lower housing 12 ' includes an aperture 30 ' such that the chambers 24 ' and 34 ' communicate with each other. The diameter of the upper housing 14 'is smaller than the diameter of the lower housing 12'. However, it is contemplated that the lower and upper housings 12 ', 14' may also be formed as a single cylindrical or frustoconical member. Other form factors for the lower housing 12 'and the upper housing 14' will occur to those skilled in the art. The upper housing 14 'may be integrally formed with the lower housing 12', or the upper housing 14 'may be secured to the lower housing 12' by conventional means (threaded couplings, welded joints, etc.). The motor gear box assembly 36 'is seated in the chamber 24'.

The motor-gearbox assembly 36 'includes an electric motor 42', a slip clutch 44 ', and a gear-driven reduction gear set 46', the gear-driven reduction gear set 46 'being operable for driving a rotary drive member, such as the power screw 40' associated with a spindle-type drive mechanism. A motor 42 ' is mounted within the chamber 24 ' adjacent the end wall 26 '. A motor 42 ' is secured to at least one of the cylindrical side wall 36 ' and the end wall 26 ' to prevent undesired vibration or rotation. The motor 42' may be a direct current bi-directional electric motor. Power and directional control of the motor 42 'is provided via cables connected from the vehicle body through apertures (not shown) in the end wall 26'. The clutch 44 'is connected to the output shaft of the motor 42'. The clutch 44 ' provides selective engagement between the output shaft of the motor 42 ' and the rotating input member of the reduction gear set 46 '. The clutch 44 ' may be an electro-mechanical clutch that engages a reduction gear set 46 ' when the motor 42 ' is activated. When the clutch 44 ' is engaged, torque is transferred from the motor 42 ' to the reduction gear set 46 '. When the clutch 44 ' is disengaged, no torque is transmitted between the motor 42 ' and the reduction gear set 46 ' so that reverse drive does not occur if, for example, the closure panel 13 is manually closed. The clutch 44 ' may also be a passive torque limiting friction clutch configured to disconnect the motor 42 ' from the reduction gear set 46 ' when manual operation of the closure panel 13 occurs. As an alternative arrangement, the clutch 44 ' may be operatively disposed between the output member of the gear set 46 ' and the power screw 40 '.

The reduction gear set 46 'provides speed reduction and torque multiplication for the power screw 40'. The reduction gear set 46 ' is configured as a planetary gear set having a ring gear 50 ' driven by the output of the clutch 44 '. Further, a plurality of planet gears 52 ' transmit power from the ring gear 50 ' to the power screw 40 ' via an output gear 51 ', the output gear 51 ' being centrally disposed within the planetary gear set 46 ' for providing a desired gear reduction ratio to the power screw 40 '. The output gear 51 'acts as the sun gear in the planetary gear set 46'. In the present embodiment, the planetary gear set 46' provides about 47: 1 gear reduction ratio. Other gear reduction ratios will occur to those skilled in the art. The power screw 40 'extends into the upper housing 14'. A coupling unit 53 'interconnects the output gear 51' of the planetary gear set 46 'to the input section of the power screw 40'. The coupling unit 53 ' may allow and accommodate misalignment between the output gear 51 ' and the power screw 40 ' while providing a damping feature to minimize impact loads. The coupling unit 53 'and the slip clutch 44' may be combined into a common assembly to provide enhanced functionality and increased packaging efficiency.

The telescoping shaft 16 'has a cylindrical sidewall 54' defining a chamber 56 ', and the telescoping shaft 16' is concentrically mounted between the upper housing 14 'and the power screw 40'. As previously mentioned, the second pivot mounting is attached to the distal end of the telescopic shaft 16'. The proximal end of the telescopic shaft 16' is open. A drive nut 58 ', also associated with a spindle-type drive mechanism, is mounted about the proximal end of the telescoping shaft 16' relative to the lower housing 12 ', and the drive nut 58' is threadedly connected with the power screw 40 'to convert the rotational motion of the power screw 40' into linear motion of the telescoping shaft 16 'along the axis of the power screw 40'. The combination of the threaded power screw 40 'and the threaded drive nut 58' defines a rotary to linear conversion device, and more particularly a threaded spindle-type drive assembly. More specifically, internal threads formed in the drive nut 58 'are threadedly engaged with external threads formed on the power screw 40'. The drive nut 58 ' includes two external splines 60 ' that extend into opposing coaxial grooves 62 ' formed on the inside of the upper housing 14 ' to prevent rotation of the drive nut 58 '. The length of the slot 62 'defines the retracted position and the extended position of the retractable shaft 16'. Alternatively, the spindle drive assembly may be used in an electromechanical strut 22 having an internally threaded drive nut 58 ', which drive nut 58 ' is driven by the output of the planetary gear set 46 ' and is in threaded engagement with an externally threaded power screw 40 ' connected to the telescoping shaft 16 '. As another alternative, a ball screw drive assembly may be used in place of the spindle drive assembly without departing from the scope of the present invention. An integrally formed outer lip 64 ' in the upper housing 14 ' provides an environmental seal between the chamber 34 ' and the exterior.

A spring housing 38 'is provided in the lower housing 12', and the spring housing 38 'is defined by the cylindrical side wall 22', the end wall 28 ', and the flange 66'. Within the spring housing 38 ', a power spring 68 ' is coiled around the power screw 40 ', providing a mechanical balance to the weight of the closure panel 13. A power spring 68', preferably formed of steel strap, assists in raising the closure panel 13 in both the powered and unpowered modes of the closure panel 13. One end of the power spring 68 ' is attached to the power screw 40 ' and the other end is secured to a portion of the cylindrical sidewall 22 '. When the retractable shaft 16 ' is in its retracted position, the power spring 68 ' is tightly coiled around the power screw 40 '. As the power screw 40 'rotates to extend the retractable shaft 16', the power spring 68 'unwinds, releasing its stored energy and transmitting an axial force through the retractable shaft 16' to help raise the closure panel 13. When the power screw 40 'is subsequently rotated to retract the retractable shaft 16', the power spring 68 'is recharged by rewinding around the power screw 40'.

The power spring 68 ' stores sufficient energy when coiled to drive the power screw 40 ' and thereby fully raise the closure panel 13, even when the motor gear assembly 36 ' is not engaged (typically by manually raising the closure panel 13 by unlatching the closure panel 13). In addition to assisting in driving the power screw 40 ', the power spring 68 ' provides a preload force that reduces the starting resistance and wear of the motor 42 '. In addition, the power spring 68' provides a damping aid when the closure panel 13 is closed. Unlike gas struts, the power spring 68' is generally not affected by temperature changes, nor does it unduly resist manual work closing the closure panel 13. Although the present embodiment describes a power spring 68 'that unwinds to assist in raising the closure panel 13 and rewinds to lower the closure panel 13, it is contemplated that a power spring 68' may be provided that unwinds when lowering the lift door and rewinds when raising the closure panel 13.

Embodiments of the invention may be understood with reference to the following numbered paragraphs:

1. a latch mechanism 16 for facilitating opening and closing of a closure panel 13 of a vehicle 11, the latch mechanism comprising:

a first latch 12a mounted to one of the body 10 of the vehicle and the closure panel in a first position 8a positioned on a first side 19a of the vehicle, the first latch coupling the closure panel to the body of the vehicle when engaged with a corresponding first mating latch component 14 a;

a second latch mounted to one of the body and the closure panel in a second position 8b positioned on a second side 19b of the vehicle, the second latch coupling the closure panel to the body of the vehicle when engaged with a corresponding second mating latch component 14 b;

wherein one of the first latch and the second latch is held in a latched state and the other of the first latch and the second latch is in an unlatched state when the closure panel is moved between an open position and a closed position.

2. The latch mechanism of paragraph 1, wherein the closure panel moves between the open position and the closed position when the first latch is held in the latched state and the second latch is in the unlatched state.

3. The latch mechanism of paragraph 2, wherein the closure panel moves between the open position and the closed position when the second latch is held in the latched state and the first latch is in the unlatched state.

4. The latch mechanism of paragraph 1, wherein the first latch and the second latch are mounted on the body and the first and second cooperating latch components are mounted on the closure panel.

5. The latch mechanism of paragraph 1, further comprising an actuator mechanism 22, the actuator mechanism 22 being coupled between the vehicle body and the closure panel in a third position 8c, the third position being between the first and second positions, the actuator mechanism for facilitating movement of the closure panel between the open and closed positions.

6. The latch mechanism of paragraph 1, wherein the closure panel covers a storage compartment 20 of the vehicle.

7. The latch mechanism of paragraph 6, wherein the closure panel is for enclosing a front-up compartment that is the storage compartment of the vehicle.

8. The latch mechanism of paragraph 6, wherein the storage chamber is located adjacent a front 1 of the vehicle such that the first and second side portions extend between the front and rear of the vehicle.

9. The latch mechanism of paragraph 2, wherein the ratchet 40 of the first latch retains the mating latch components 14a, 14b in the slot 17 when the mating latch components are pivoted about the pivot axis 17a of the slot.

10. The latch mechanism of paragraph 3, wherein the ratchet of the second latch retains the mating latch component in the slot 17 when the mating latch component pivots about the pivot axis 17a of the slot.

11. The latch mechanism of paragraph 1, wherein the first latch is a first pair of latches and the second latch is a second pair of latches.

12. A control system for operating a latch mechanism 16 for a closure panel of a vehicle, the latch mechanism having a first latch 12a mounted to one of a body and the closure panel of the vehicle on a first side of the vehicle and a second latch 12b mounted to one of the body and the closure panel on a second side of the vehicle, the control system having:

a controller 100 for adjusting the release of the first latch to an unlatched state while setting the second latch to a latched state;

a first side control 102a coupled to the controller for operating the first latch; and

a second side control 102b coupled to the controller for operating the second latch;

wherein the second latch is held in the latched state and the first latch is in the unlatched state when the closure panel is moved between an open position and a closed position.

13. The control system of paragraph 12, wherein the first and second latches each have a power release actuator 6a, 6b for operating the first and second latches as electrical latches.

14. The control system of paragraph 12, wherein the signal connection between the controller and the first side controller is a wireless connection.

15. The control system of paragraph 12, wherein the signal connection between the controller and the first side controller is a wired connection.

16. The control system of paragraph 12, wherein the signal connection between the controller and the second side controller is a wireless connection.

17. The control system of paragraph 12, wherein the signal connection between the controller and the second side controller is a wired connection.

18. The control system of paragraph 12, wherein the controller is configured to operate an actuator mechanism 22 coupled between the body and the closure panel in an intermediate position between the first and second sides, the actuator mechanism for facilitating movement of the closure panel between the open and closed positions.

19. The control system of paragraph 12, wherein the ratchet 40 of the second latch retains the mating latch component 14b in the slot 17 when the mating latch component pivots about the pivot axis 17a of the slot.

20. A method for operating a latch mechanism 16 for facilitating opening and closing of a closure panel 13 of a vehicle 11, the method comprising the steps of:

unlatching a first latch 12a mounted to one of the body 10 and the closure panel of the vehicle in a first position 8a, the first position being located on a first side 19a of the vehicle, the first latch coupling the closure panel to the body of the vehicle when engaged with a corresponding first mating latch component 14 a; and

maintaining a latched state of a second latch mounted to one of the body and the closure panel in a second position 8b, the second position being located on a second side 19b of the vehicle, the second latch coupling the closure panel to the body of the vehicle when engaged with a corresponding second mating latch component 14 a;

wherein the closure panel moves between an open position and a closed position when the second latch is held in the latched state.