Dual pawl latch mechanism for a dual door assembly

A latch mechanism used in conjunction with a dual door access system, wherein the dual door access system is actuated between a latched position and an open position by the latch mechanism using a dual pawl design which is configured such that each door in the dual door access system has its own dedicated latch pawl within the latch mechanism for retaining the doors in the latched position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/694,978, filed on Aug. 30, 2012, entitled “DUAL PAWL LATCH MECHANISM FOR A DUAL DOOR ASSEMBLY,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a latch mechanism for use in a console disposed in a vehicle interior, and more particularly, to a latch mechanism used in conjunction with a dual door console access system, wherein the dual door console access system is actuated between a closed or latched position and an open position. The latch mechanism employs a dual pawl design which is configured such that each individual door in the dual door access system has a dedicated latch pawl within the latch mechanism for separately retaining each door in the latched position. The dedicated latching of each door separately provides a dual door access system exhibiting reduced deflection between the doors as latched.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dual door access systems are used within vehicle interiors to provide access to console features such as trays, storage compartments, cup holders and the like. When using a dual door access system it is desirable to couple the doors in a gear train arrangement, such that the door movement between door assemblies is mirrored or in concert. Further, it is desirable to provide a dual access door system wherein the doors remain latched and in proper position when closed, such that outside forces acting on the doors' exterior surfaces do not cause undue deflection in the doors. Door deflection causes for undesirable gaps to be formed between door assemblies that exceed asthetic standards. Further, undue deflection provides a poor quality feel and appearance. Thus, it is desirable to provide a dual door access system having a latch mechanism that can retain the doors in their latched state and withstand or reduce deflection under outside forces as imparted on the doors.

The present invention provides a dual pawl system which operates with a single push button actuation mechanism disposed on one door of a dual door access system, such that the push button mechanism actuates with the door between open and closed positions, and further wherein, each door has a dedicated latch pawl to separately retain each door assembly in place with reduced potential for deflection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention includes a latching mechanism for a vehicle interior, wherein the latching mechanism includes first and second doors which are operable between open and closed positions about a cup holder or other like storage compartment. The first and second doors include forward and rearward pivot arms which couple the first and second doors to a housing. The forward pivot arms of each door assembly include latch strikers which are adapted to engage first and second latch pawls of a latch mechanism when the doors are in a closed position. The latch strikers on the pivot arms of the door assemblies are coupled to the housing and biased by torsion springs, such that when the latch mechanism is activated to release the doors from a latched position, a latch actuator retracts a pair of latch pawls such that the pivot arms are free to rotate in a direction as biased by the torsion springs, such that the first and second door assemblies open to provide access to the storage compartment.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a latch mechanism for a console compartment comprising a console housing having an actuator coupled thereto, wherein the actuator includes first and second pawl assemblies which are slidably supported on the actuator between latched and unlatched positions. First and second pivot arms are rotatably coupled to the console housing and are operable between open and closed positions. Each pivot arm includes a latch striker which is engageable with one of the pawl assemblies such that when the latch striker is engaged with one of the pawl assemblies, the pivot arm is retained in a closed position.

Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a latch mechanism for a console compartment comprising first and second pivot arms rotatably coupled to the console compartment and operable between open and closed positions. Each pivot arm includes a latch striker. An actuator is coupled to the console compartment and moveable between first and second positions. Pawl assemblies are supported on the actuator between latched and unlatched positions and are adapted to separately engage the latch strikers of the pivot arms in the latched position.

Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a latch mechanism for a console compartment comprising a console housing having first and second console doors coupled to and supported therefrom by first and second support arms. The first and second support arms are rotatably coupled to the console housing at circular ends such that the first and second doors are operable between open and closed positions. Latch strikers are disposed on each circular end of the first and second support arms, wherein the latch strikers extend outwardly from the circular ends. An actuator is coupled to the console housing and includes first and second pawl assemblies which are slidably supported on the actuator between latched and unlatched positions. Each latch striker is associated with one of the first and second pawl assemblies such that each latch striker is adapted to engage the associated pawl assembly when the pawl assemblies are in the latched position, thereby providing a dedicated retaining mechanism for each of the first and second console doors.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification and appended drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIG. 1, the reference numeral10generally designates a console assembly, which is adapted to be disposed in the center of a vehicle interior generally between the driver side and passenger side seats. The console assembly10, as shown inFIGS. 1-3, generally includes a tray12, a compartment14, and a cup holder assembly16. In this embodiment, the tray12includes a cover13, and the compartment14also includes a cover15. The cup holder assembly16includes a right hand “master” door18and a left hand “slave” door20which are operable between a closed position A, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 4, and an open position B, as shown inFIG. 7. The console assembly10has a car-forward first end11and a car-rearward second end11a, such that the right hand master door18is disposed on a right side of the console assembly, and the left hand slave door20is disposed on the left hand side of the console assembly10as viewed by a vehicle occupant seated on a driver's side of the console assembly10. While the present invention may be used to provide access to a variety of vehicle interior components, the present disclosure will describe and exemplify the use of the present invention as an access and concealment system on a cup holder assembly16, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

As shown inFIG. 4, the cup holder assembly16has right and left “bomb bay” style console doors18,20which have car-forward ends18a,20aand car-rearward ends18b,20b. A gap22is disposed between the right and left hand console doors18,20disposed along an interior length thereof. The right hand master door18, as shown inFIG. 4, comprises a jogged or protruding section18c, which carries over into the front portion20aof the left hand slave door20. The left hand slave door20has a recess20cwhich is complimentary to the jogged portion18cof the right hand master door18, such that jogged portion18ceffectively nests in the recess20cof slave door20. As shown inFIG. 4, the jogged portion18cof the master door18comprises an actuator button24, which is disposed in an aperture32and is substantially housed with an interior or body portion of master door18. In operation, the actuator button24is used to actuate a latch mechanism, as further described below, to open the cup holder assembly16from the closed or latched position A (FIG. 1). Generally, when the actuator button24is actuated by a user, the console doors18,20open as indicated by arrows C and D respectively to provide access to the cup holder16. As shown inFIGS. 5 and 8, the cup holder assembly16comprises a cup holder or console housing26which is shown covered by console doors18,20in the latched position A inFIG. 6.

Referring now toFIGS. 7 and 9, the console doors18,20are in an open position B thereby providing access to the cup holder interior30. As shown inFIG. 7, the master right hand door18has an aperture32which, in assembly, houses the actuator button24such that an actuator contact portion34of the actuator button24is disposed on interior side18dof master door18. As shown inFIG. 7, the cup holder housing26generally comprises a planar portion36having an aperture38disposed thereon in which an upper contact surface42for a latch actuator40,FIG. 14, is disposed. Therefore, in assembly, the actuator button24is disposed through the body portion of the master door18in aperture32, such that the actuator button24has a contact portion34which is disposed and aligned with aperture32on the interior or underside18dof master door18. In assembly, the contact portion34of the actuator button24is aligned with and capable of contacting upper contact surface42as disposed in aperture38of the cup holder housing26. The actuation of the latch actuator40(FIG. 14) by the actuator button24, allows the right and left console doors18,20to open into the fully open position B as shown inFIG. 7and further described below.

Referring now toFIG. 10, a cup holder assembly16is shown with a latch mechanism50disposed at a car-forward end of the cup holder16. The console doors18,20have L-shaped pivot arms44,45, respectively, which are coupled to the interior or underside surface18d,20dof each console door18,20. The L-shaped pivot arms44,45are coupled to the latch mechanism50at coupling landings54,55disposed on a latch plate52. As shown inFIG. 11, the latch mechanism50is exploded away from the cup holder assembly16such that the L-shaped pivot arms44,45are clearly shown. The cup holder housing26has a car-forward front plate27having spindles29disposed thereon. In assembly, the spindles29align with and couple to circular ends or door pivots44′ and45′ of the L-shaped pivot arms44,45. In this way, the L-shaped pivot arms44,45are pivotally coupled to the cup holder housing26, such that the console doors18,20can rotate between open and closed positions. The front plate27of the cup holder housing26further comprises spindles31which are adapted to rotatably receive cogs56which serve to couple the console doors18,20together in a gear train configuration as further described below.

As shown inFIG. 12, the car-rearward ends18b,20bof the console doors18, further comprise L-shaped pivot arms46,47which extend therefrom and are pivotally coupled to a car-rearward end27′ of the cup holder housing26. Together, the L-shaped pivot arms44,45,46and47serve to couple the console doors18,20in a rotatable fashion to the cup holder housing26such that the console doors18,20can articulate between open and closed positions along directional arrows C and D as noted above. As shown inFIG. 13, the latch mechanism50is exploded away from the cup holder assembly16and coupling landings54,55are better shown having projections29′ which are adapted to couple to and encase spindles29(FIG. 11) disposed on the front plate27of the cup holder housing26. The latch plate52further comprises projections31′ which are adapted to couple to spindles31, thereby securing cogs56to the housing26as shown inFIG. 11. In this way, the latch plate52couples to the housing26of the cup holder assembly to encase the gear train98of the dual console doors18,20of the cup holder assembly16.

Turning now toFIG. 14, the latch mechanism50is shown from an interior view of the latch plate52as connected to the cup holder assembly16. As shown inFIG. 14, the actuator button24has an arm25with a coupling portion25′ that is adapted to pivotably couple to the master door18in assembly. In this way, the actuator button24couples to an interior portion of the master door18in a pivotal fashion, such that the actuator button24can be pushed downward in a direction as indicated by arrow E. With this downward movement, the actuator arm25rotates in a direction as indicated by arrow E′. Thus, the contact portion34contacts an upper contact surface42of the latch actuator40as the actuator button24is pressed downward or actuated. In this way, the latch actuator40is moveable between at-rest and actuated positions as shown inFIGS. 15 and 15Arespectively.

As further shown inFIG. 14, the latch actuator40has first and second coupling portions70,72, which are coupled to latch pawls80,82, such that latch pawl80is associated with slave holder door20and latch pawl82is associated with master door18. The coupling portions70,72further comprise connecting pegs74,76which are adapted to couple to the latch pawls80,82at inclined apertures or slots84,86as best shown inFIG. 15. When the latch actuator40is in the fully upright or at-rest position as shown inFIG. 15, the connecting pegs74,76are disposed at the upper portion of the inclined apertures84,86such that the latch pawls80,82are fully extended laterally outward to engage latch strikers90,92disposed on the door pivots44′,45′ of the L-shaped pivot arms44,45. When the latch pawls80,82are fully extended laterally outward from the latch actuator40, the latch strikers90,92are abutted against a bottom portion of each latch pawl80,82, such that the console doors18,20remain latched in a closed position A as shown inFIG. 1. It is noted that the latch pawls80,82are gravitationally disposed to the outwardly extended position shown inFIG. 15, whether the latch strikers90,92are engaged or not. When a user presses on actuator button24in a downward direction as indicated by arrow E, the latch actuator40moves vertically downward in a direction as indicated by arrow F (FIG. 14) against a latch actuator biasing spring99which generally biases the latch actuator40to the fully upright or at-rest position. As the latch actuator40moves downward towards the actuated position, the biasing spring99loads and connecting pegs74,76move downward along inclined apertures84,86such that the latch pawls80,82retract or move inwardly towards the latch actuator40as indicated by arrows G. Thus, when the actuator button24is fully depressed, the latch pawls80,82are no longer engaged with the latch strikers90,92as shown inFIG. 15Aand with the latch pawls80,82in this unlatched position, the console doors18,20are free to open.

As shown inFIG. 15A, the circular ends or door pivots44′,45′ of the pivot arms44,45comprise toothed sections94,96that are adapted to engage the teeth57disposed on first and second cogs56, such that a gear train98is formed between door18and door20. As shown inFIG. 15A, the circular ends of door pivots44′,45′ of the pivot arms44,45are coupled to the spindles29of the car-forward face27of the cup holder housing26and are further coupled to torsion springs100which bias the door pivots44′,45′ in opening directions as indicated by arrows R1, R2, shown inFIG. 14. In this way, the torsion springs100drive the door pivots44′,45′ in a direction which opens the console doors18,20of the cup holder assembly16. As shown inFIG. 15A, the toothed sections94,96of the pivot arms44,45each couple to cogs56which are further coupled to each other by teeth57to form the gear train98. In this way, master door18is in mechanical or geared communication with slave door20such that as one door oscillates between an open and closed condition, the other will mirror such movement. In this way, the console doors18,20are gearingly coupled to one another and thereby provide complimentary movement relative to one another.

As noted above, the latch mechanism50is shown inFIG. 15Ain an unlatched position wherein latch pawls80,82are not engaged with the latch strikers90,92. In this unlatched position, the torsion action imparted by the torsion springs100will cause the console doors18,20to rotate in opposite directions as indicated by arrows C and D to a partially open position as shown inFIG. 15B, and then to a fully open position as shown inFIG. 15C.

Referring now toFIG. 15C, the latch strikers90,92include inclined or ramped underside portions90′,92′ which are adapted to contact the latch pawls80,82, respectively, thereby forcing the latch pawls80,82inward, in a direction as indicated by arrow G inFIG. 14. In this way, the latch strikers90,92can displace the latch pawls80,82to the unlatched position, thereby allowing the latch strikers90,92to rotate past the latch pawls80,82. Thus, when the console doors18,20are closing, the latch pawls80,82will have moved inwardly enough, as biased by inclined surfaces90′,92′ of latch strikers90,92, such that the latch strikers90,92can move to a latched or closed position (FIG. 15). Once the latch strikers90,92have fully rotated past the latch pawls80,82, the latch pawls80,82will return to their gravitationally biased outward position, thereby retaining the console doors18,20in a latched condition by engaging the latch strikers90,92. When closing the console doors18,20of the cup holder assembly16, a user must engage one of the console doors18,20and move it to its closed condition which will initiate mirrored or complimentary movement of the opposite door. This is because both console doors18,20are gearingly connected to the other throughout their separate ranges of motion via gear train98. The gear train98ensures symmetrical movement of the doors in operation.

Further, as the console doors18,20are closed, the torsion springs100are loaded and ready to impart a rotational force, as indicated by arrows R1, R2inFIG. 14, to open the cup holder assembly16. The torsional force imparted by torsion springs100also serves to keep latch strikers90,92positively engaged with latch pawls80,82to help reduce rattle noise and vibration during vehicle movement. Further, as the console doors18,20of the cup holder assembly16are closed, it is contemplated that the console doors18,20can be urged by a user such that the console doors18,20move beyond the closed position A to a position wherein latch strikers90,92are disposed well below latch pawls80,82. In this way, the latch pawls80,82are not in contact with the latch strikers90,92such that the latch pawls80,82are provided with adequate room to gravitationally move outward from the upper contact surface42to a position wherein the latch pawls80,82are prepared to engage the latch strikers90,92as the console doors18,20recoil under the torsional spring force imparted by torsional springs100to the latched or closed position A. By allowing the user to close the console doors18,20to a position wherein the latch strikers90,92are disposed below and not in contact with the latch pawls80,82, the latch mechanism50is adapted to consistently provide proper placement of the latch pawl80,82for ensuring engagement with the latch strikers90,92to secure the console doors18,20in the closed position.

As shown inFIG. 16, a dampener110can be included on the latch plate52, wherein the dampener110is in communication with either cog wheel56such that the dampener110can dampen the movement of the console doors18,20from a closed position A to an open position B. In this way, the torsional bias imparted by torsion springs100does not cause for the doors18,20to open at an undesirable accelerated rate. As shown inFIG. 16, the dampener110comprises teeth112which engaged teeth57of cog56. It is contemplated that the dampener110is a viscous dampener and one or more dampeners110can be used with the present invention for controlling the rate of opening for the console doors18,20.

Thus, the present latch mechanism incorporates a dual pawl system wherein latch pawls80,82are coupled to a latch actuator40, which is further adapted to be actuated by a actuator button24. Actuator button24is used to disengage the pawls80,82from latch strikers90,92of console doors18,20. The actuator button24is a push button latch actuator mechanism that is substantially disposed within an interior or body portion of the master door18, such that the actuator button24moves along a direction as indicated by arrow C with master door18between open and closed positions A and B. In this way, the present invention provides a “bomb bay” door style cup holder assembly16having dual console doors18,20with dual latch pawls80,82, and dual latch strikers90,92that are fully operated by one latch actuator40and one actuator button24. The console doors18,20are coupled together with a gear train98and latched via a dual latch design using a single point of actuation (actuator button24). The single point of actuation, actuator button24, moves with master door18between open and closed positions and is not a fixed actuator button disposed on the latch mechanism50. In this way, dual latch pawls80,82are separately associated with each console door18,20, thereby decreasing the amount of deflection in the doors in use. In other known systems, only one door will actually latch to a latch pawl in a latch mechanism, such that the other corresponding door depends entirely on a geared connection with the latching door to stay latched and in proper position while closed. Such a system leads to door deflection noted at the gap between the doors, such as gap22inFIG. 4. The present invention involves a dual pawl dual latch striker system such that each door is operably coupled to a dedicated latch pawl in a latched position, thereby decreasing the deflection, or the displacement of a door assembly under a load force, such that the console doors18,20remain in place during use. Thus, gap22(FIG. 4) remains relatively constant between the console doors18,20as compared to a system without dedicated latching structures for each door. The latch mechanism50of the present invention can reduce door deflection by up to 3-4 mm as compared to systems which latch only one door, and then rely on the gear train coupling of the doors to hold the other corresponding door in place. Such systems are susceptible to deflection between doors as forces applied to exterior surfaces of the unlatched door can generate rotational moments about the door pivots. This type of rotational moment can translate through the gear train allowing for significant deflection of the unlatched door which significantly increases the gap between corresponding doors. Thus, the ability of the latch mechanism50of the present invention to separately latch both console doors18,20of the dual door access system reduces the total deflection in the system.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the invention as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, and those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention.