Granted Patent B2

US 8,382,167 · App. 12/187,440 · Granted Feb 26, 2013

Abstract

Claims (45)

1. A latch system for a liftgate of a motor vehicle comprising:

a handle configured to be rotatable relative to the liftgate-between a first position and a second position;

a switch including a first contact biased apart from a second contact by a biasing member, the first contact movable relative to the second contact to close the switch upon rotation of the handle;

a power actuation system in communication with and responsive to the switch to move the liftgate from the closed position to the opened position when the switch is in the closed position; and

a housing, with at least a portion of each of the first contact and the second contact disposed within the housing,

wherein the first contact includes a contact housing and a cable, the contact housing including at least an exposed positive contact and an exposed ground contact, the contact housing being received within the housing of the switch and movable relative to the housing, the cable being coupled to the contact housing to move the contact housing, the cable extending beyond the housing of the switch and coupled to the handle, and wherein the biasing member is coupled between the contact housing and an interior of the housing.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the handle further comprises a receptacle and the cable further comprises a grip that is received within the receptacle to couple the first contact to the handle.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the handle is configured to be manually pivotable relative to the liftgate, and when the handle is released, the biasing member moves the contact housing to return the switch to the opened position.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the second contact further comprises:

a positive contact coupled to a side of the housing of the switch such that the positive contact is in communication with the positive contact of the first contact when the contact housing is moved by the cable;

a ground contact coupled to the side of the housing of the switch such that the ground contact is in communication with the ground contact of the first contact when the contact housing is moved by the cable; and

wherein the positive contact of the second contact is in communication with the power actuation system.

5. The system of claim 4 , further comprising:

a latch that is adapted to couple the liftgate to the motor vehicle when the liftgate is in a closed position; and

wherein the rotation of the handle unlatches the latch for uncoupling the liftgate from the motor vehicle.

6. The system of claim 5 , further comprising:

a controller responsive to the switch and in communication with the latch to actuate the latch to unlatch the latch when the switch is closed by the rotation of the handle.

7. A latch system and a liftgate of a motor vehicle comprising:

a latch adapted to couple the liftgate to the motor vehicle when the liftgate is in a closed position;

a handle adapted to rotate relative to the liftgate and communicate with the latch to uncouple the liftgate from the motor vehicle upon rotation of the handle;

a switch including a first contact spaced apart from a second contact in a first, opened position, the first contact movable into communication with the second contact in a second, closed position, the first contact coupled to the handle;

a controller responsive to the switch and in communication with the latch to actuate the latch to unlatch the latch when the switch is closed by the rotation of the handle;

a power actuation system in communication with and responsive to the switch and coupled to the liftgate to move the liftgate from the closed position to the opened position when the switch is in the closed position; and

wherein rotation of the handle moves the first contact into communication with the second contact to close the switch,

wherein the switch further comprises a housing, with at least a portion of each of the first contact and the second contact disposed within the housing,

wherein the first contact further comprises:

a contact housing that includes at least an exposed positive contact and an exposed ground contact, the contact housing received within the housing of the switch and movable relative to the housing;

a cable coupled to the contact housing to move the contact housing, the cable extending beyond the housing of the switch and coupled to the handle; and

a biasing member coupled between the contact housing and an interior of the housing that biases the first contact apart from the second contact.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the handle further comprises a receptacle and the cable further comprises a grip that is received within the receptacle to couple the first contact to the handle.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the handle is manually pivotable relative to the liftgate, and when the handle is released, the biasing member moves the contact housing to return the switch to the opened position.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the second contact further comprises:

a positive contact coupled to a side of the housing of the switch such that the positive contact is in communication with the positive contact of the first contact when the contact housing is moved by the cable;

a ground contact coupled to the side of the housing of the switch such that the ground contact is in communication with the ground contact of the second contact when the contact housing is moved by the cable; and

wherein each of the positive contact and the negative contact are in communication with the power actuation system.

11. A latch system for a liftgate of a motor vehicle comprising:

a latch adapted to couple the liftgate to the motor vehicle when the liftgate is in a closed position;

a handle graspable to be rotated relative to the liftgate and in communication with the latch to uncouple the liftgate from the motor vehicle upon rotation of the handle;

a switch including a first contact, a second contact and a biasing member, the first contact biased apart from the second contact in a first, opened position, by the biasing member and slidable into communication with the second contact in a second, closed position, the first contact including a cable coupled to the handle such that rotation of the handle pulls the cable to slide the first contact into communication with the second contact;

a power actuation system in communication with and responsive to the switch to move the liftgate from the closed position to the opened position when the switch is in the second, closed position; and

a housing, with at least a portion of each of the first contact and the second contact disposed within the housing,

wherein the biasing member moves the switch into the first, opened position when the handle is released, and

wherein the first contact includes a contact housing and a cable, the contact housing including at least an exposed positive contact and an exposed ground contact, the contact housing being received within the housing of the switch and movable relative to the housing, the cable being coupled to the contact housing to move the contact housing, the cable extending beyond the housing of the switch and coupled to the handle, and wherein the biasing member is coupled between the contact housing and an interior of the housing.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the handle further comprises a receptacle and the cable further comprises a grip that is received within the receptacle to couple the first contact to the handle.

13. The system of claim 11 , further comprising a controller responsive to the switch and in communication with the latch to actuate the latch to unlatch the latch when the switch is closed by the rotation of the handle.

Assignments (20)