Rear compartment latch with power and manual release mechanism
View Patent ↗A latch is provided including a claw configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position. A pawl is rotatable in and out of engagement with the claw. The latch includes a first release mechanism, a second release mechanism, and a third release mechanism. The first release mechanism applies a rotational force to a first portion of the pawl to rotate the pawl out of engagement with the claw. The second release mechanism applies a rotational force to a second portion of the pawl to rotate the pawl out of engagement with the claw. The third release mechanism applies a rotational force to a first portion of the pawl to rotate the pawl out of engagement with the claw.
1. A latch, comprising:
a claw configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position;
a pawl configured to rotate, wherein the pawl rotates into and out of engagement with the claw;
a power release mechanism that contacts a first portion of the pawl during operation of the power release mechanism in order to apply a rotational force to the first portion of the pawl to pivot the pawl out of engagement with the claw, wherein the power release mechanism includes a bellcrank lever rotatably mounted about an axis, wherein the bellcrank lever includes a curved portion extending from a portion of the bellcrank lever rotatably mounted about the axis and a foot extending from the portion of the bellcrank lever rotatably mounted about the axis, wherein the foot is positioned adjacent to the first portion of the pawl; a motor, wherein a first gear is coupled to a shaft of the motor; and a second gear coupled for rotation with the first gear, the second gear being rotatably mounted about a stud and having a gear protrusion for engagement with a first end of the bellcrank lever, wherein the curved portion of the bellcrank lever is positioned about the stud;
a manual release mechanism that contacts a second portion of the pawl during operation of the manual release mechanism in order to apply a rotational force to the second portion of the pawl to pivot the pawl out of engagement with the claw, wherein the manual release mechanism comprises a manual release lever located in a position in which it can freely rotate without interference from the power release mechanism; and
an emergency release mechanism, wherein operation of the emergency release mechanism applies a rotational force to the first portion of the pawl to pivot the pawl out of engagement with the claw.
2. The latch according to claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the pawl is located opposite the claw and the first portion of the pawl is located adjacent an opposite surface of the pawl.
3. The latch according to claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the pawl is a protrusion extending generally perpendicular from a planar surface of the pawl.
4. The latch according to claim 1 , wherein operation of the motor causes the foot to rotate into engagement with the first portion of the pawl.
5. The latch according to claim 1 , wherein a spring biases the pawl and the bellcrank lever into a home position.
6. The latch according to claim 1 , wherein the second gear is a rotary gear.
7. The latch according to claim 1 , wherein the manual release lever is configured to rotate about an axis, wherein the manual release lever is operably coupled to a handle; and
an arm lever is fastened to the manual release lever, the arm lever having a first end positioned adjacent the second portion of the pawl.
8. The latch according to claim 7 , wherein actuation of the handle causes the first end of the arm lever to rotate into engagement with the second portion of the pawl.
9. The latch according to claim 7 , wherein a spring biases the pawl and the arm lever into a home position.
10. The latch according to claim 7 , wherein the handle is an external handle.
11. The latch according to claim 7 , wherein the handle is an internal handle.
12. The latch according to claim 1 , wherein the emergency release mechanism further comprises:
a slot, wherein a rotational force applied to the slot causes a rotational force to be applied to the first portion of the pawl.
13. The latch according to claim 1 , wherein the claw is metal over molded in plastic.
14. The latch according to claim 1 , wherein a claw bumper is disposed adjacent the claw.
15. The latch according to claim 1 , wherein a detent bumper is disposed adjacent the pawl.
16. The latch according to claim 1 , wherein a resilient member extends from a housing adjacent the claw such that rotation of the claw causes the resilient member to engage a switch.
17. The latch according to claim 1 , wherein a striker bumper is disposed adjacent the claw.