Patent Publication Number: US-2022235590-A1

Title: Vehicle door including push button actuator

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/141,517, filed on Jan. 26, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to a door release for a vehicle. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a door of a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a vehicle body. The door includes a door body coupled to the vehicle body. The door body is movable relative to the vehicle body between an open position and a closed position. The door further includes a latch movable relative to the door body between a latched position and an unlatched position. The latch is configured to secure the door body in the closed position when the latch in the latched position. An actuator is supported by the door body and operable to move the latch from the latched position to the unlatched position, and a push button is actuator supported by the door body and operable to move the latch from the unlatched position to the latched position. The actuator is operable to move the latch from the latched position to the unlatched position without operating the push button actuator, and the push button actuator is operable to move the latch from the latched position to the unlatched position without operating the actuator 
     In another aspect, a door of a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a vehicle body. The door includes a door body coupled to the vehicle body. The door body is movable relative to the vehicle body between an open position and a closed position. The door also includes a latch movable relative to the door body between a latched position and an unlatched position. The latch is configured to secure the door body in the closed position when the latch is in the latched position. A first actuator is supported by the door body and operable to move the latch from the latched position to the unlatched position. A second actuator is supported by the door body and operable to move the latch from the unlatched position to the latched position. The first actuator is operable to move the latch from the latched position to the unlatched position without operating the second actuator, and the second actuator is linearly movable to move the latch from the latched position to the unlatched position without operating the first actuator. 
     In another aspect, an actuator assembly for use with a door of a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a vehicle body, and the door includes a door body coupled to the vehicle body. The door body is movable relative to the vehicle body between an open position and a closed position. A latch is movable relative to the door body between a latched position and an unlatched position. The latch is configured to secure the door body in the closed position when the latch is in the latched position. The actuator assembly includes an actuator supported by the door body and movable along a first axis, a cam selectively engageable by the actuator and rotatable about a second axis that is different than the first axis, and a linkage operably coupled between the cam and the latch and oriented along a third axis that is different from the first axis and second axis. The actuator is operable to rotate the cam thereby causing a force coincident with the third axis to be exerted on the linkage to move the latch from the latched position to the unlatched position. 
     Other aspects will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vehicle according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  illustrating an entry door and a second door. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a vehicle according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  shows first and second doors for use with either the vehicle of  FIG. 1 or 3 , each of the first and second doors including an actuator, a first latch, a second latch, a first push button actuator, and a second push button actuator. 
         FIG. 5  is a view of the first and second doors of  FIG. 4  with a portion removed. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the first latch of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a view of the actuator. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the first push button actuator of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 9  is another perspective view of the first push button actuator of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the second push button actuator of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 11  is another perspective view of the second push button actuator of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the first and second push button actuators of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded view of the first and second push button actuators of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 14  is another perspective view of the first and second push button actuators of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a portion of the first and second push button actuators of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 16  is another perspective view of the portion of the first and second push button actuators of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of another portion of the first and second push button actuators of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 18  is a view of another door suitable for use with the vehicle of  FIG. 3 , the door including an actuator, a first latch, a second latch, a first push button actuator, and a second push button actuator. 
         FIG. 19  is a view of the door of  FIG. 18  with a portion removed. 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the first push button actuator of  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 21  is another perspective view of the first push button actuator of  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 22  is another perspective view of the second push button actuator of  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of another of the second push button actuator of  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 24  is another perspective view of another of the first push button actuator of  FIG. 18 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The term “approximately” as defined in this application means plus or minus three inches. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. 
       FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a vehicle  10  including a vehicle body  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle  10  is an emergency vehicle or an ambulance and includes a cab  26  and a passenger patient compartment  30 . A first door  34  is positioned on one side of the cab  26  and a second door  34  is positioned on another side of the cab  26 . The doors  34  are operable to allow access to an interior of the cab  26 . The patient compartment  30  is sized to accommodate one or more patients and one or more emergency personnel. The patient compartment  30  of the vehicle  10  of  FIGS. 1-3  includes a first door  38  and a second door  38 . The first and second  38  are operable to allow access to an interior of the patient compartment  30 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second doors  38  are rear entry doors, but in other embodiments, the patient compartment  30  may include doors in other locations (e.g., side entry doors, discussed below). 
     Each of the first and second rear entry doors  38  are coupled to the vehicle body  14  and movable relative to the vehicle body  34  between an open position and a closed position. The first and second doors rear entry doors  38  are substantially similar and operate in a similar manner. Therefore, although only the first rear entry door  38  is discussed in detail, the second rear entry door  38  includes similar structure and operates in a similar manner. As shown in  FIGS. 2, 4-5 , the first rear entry door  38  includes a body  54  that is movably (e.g., pivotably, hingeably, slideably) coupled to the vehicle body  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, a frame  58  encloses or surrounds the body  54 . A latch  80  is supported by the body  54  adjacent the frame  58 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first rear entry door  38  includes two latches  80 —one positioned near a first or upper side of the first door  38  and one positioned near a second or lower side of the first rear door  38 . The latch  80  is movable relative to the first rear entry door  38  between a latched position and an unlatched position. The latch  80  is configured to secure the first rear entry door  38  in the closed position when the latch  80  in the latched position. The first rear entry door  38  further includes an actuator  66 , a first push button actuator  70 , and a second push button actuator  70 . The first push button actuator  70  corresponds to the upper latch  80  and the second push button actuator  70  corresponds to the lower latch  80 . The actuator  66  is operable to simultaneously move the latches  80  from the unlatched position to the latched position to open the first rear entry door  38 . The first and second push button actuators  70  are separately operable to move the adjacent latch  80  from the latched position to the unlatched position. The first and second push button actuators  70  are configured to actuate the adjacent latches  80  should the actuator  66  become inoperable. 
     With respect to  FIG. 6 , each of the upper and lower latches  80  is part of a latch assembly. Although only one latch assembly is described in detail, both the upper and lower latch assemblies of the first rear entry door  38  have the same elements and operate in a similar manner. In addition to the latch  80 , the latch assembly includes an intermediate latch  84  that selectively engages the latch  80 , a cam  88  that selectively engages the intermediate latch  84 , a first spring  92   a,  a second spring  92   b,  and a third spring  92   c.    
     The latch  80  includes a first recess  100  and a second recess  104 . The first recess  100  selectively receives and secures a component (e.g., rod, recess, projection, etc., not shown) positioned on the vehicle body  14  of the vehicle  10  and a second recess  104 . The first spring  92   a  biases the latch in the unlatched position. The intermediate latch  84  includes a first projection  108 , a second projection  112 , and a third projection  116 . The second spring  92   b  biases the first projection  108  of the intermediate latch  84  into engagement with the second recess  104  the latch  80 . The cam  88  includes a projection  120 , a first leg  124 , and a second leg  132 . The first leg  124  is operably coupled to the actuator  66  by a first linkage  128 . The second leg  132  is operably coupled to the respective push button actuator  70  by a second linkage  136 . The third spring  92   c  biases the projection  120  of the cam  88  out of engagement with the second projection  112  of the intermediate latch  84 . When the latch  80  is in the latched position, the projection  120  engages the second projection  112  of the intermediate latch  84  and the first projection  108  engages the second recess  104  of the latch  80  such that the latch  80  is prevented from moving to from the latched to the unlatched position via the bias of the first spring  92   a.    
     With respect to  FIGS. 6-8 and 10 , the actuator  66  is movable (e.g., rotatable, pivotable, slideable, depressible, etc.) to simultaneously move the latch  80  between the latched position and latched position. Actuation (e.g., rotatable movement, pivotable movement, slideable movement, depressible movement, etc.) of the actuator  66  causes the first linkage  128  to exert a force on the cam  88  in the direction of arrow  150  (e.g., away from the respective latch assembly). In the illustrated embodiments, the actuator is a rotatable actuator and is therefore rotatable to simultaneously move the latch  80  between the latched position and latched position. In other embodiments, the actuator  66  may be another type of actuator, such as a slideable actuator for example. The force on the cam  88  in the direction of arrow  150  causes the cam  88  to move (e.g., rotate, pivot) against the bias of the third spring  92   c  in a first direction. That is, in the illustrated embodiment, the force on the cam  88  of the upper latch assembly causes the cam  88  to rotate clockwise in the views shown in  FIGS. 8-9 . Similarly, the force on the cam  88  of the lower latch assembly causes the cam  88  to rotate counterclockwise in the views shown in  FIG. 10-11 . The projections  120  of the respective cam  88  engage the second projection  112  of the intermediate latch  84 . As the projection  120  of the cam  88  engages the second projection  112  of the intermediate latch  84 , the intermediate latch  84  moves (e.g., rotates, pivots) against the bias of the second spring  92   b  in the first direction such that the first projection  108  thereof disengages the second recess  104  of the latch  80 . As the first projection  108  of the intermediate latch  84  disengages the second recess  104  of the latch  80 , the latch  80  moves (e.g., rotates, pivots) with the bias of the first spring  92   a  in the first direction from the latched to the unlatched position. 
     Release of the actuator  66  causes the first linkages  128  to exert a force on the respective cam  88  in the direction opposite of arrow  150 . This causes the cam  88  to move (e.g., rotate, pivot) with the bias of the third spring  92   c  in a second direction opposite the first direction. That is, in the illustrated embodiments, the cam  88  of the upper latch assembly rotates counterclockwise in the views shown in  FIGS. 8-9 . Similarly, the cam  88  of the lower latch assembly rotates clockwise in the views shown in  FIG. 10-11 . Therefore, the projection  120  of the respective cam  88  disengages the second projection  112  of the intermediate latch  84 . As the projection  120  of the cam  88  disengages the second projection  112  of the intermediate latch  84 , the intermediate latch  84  moves (e.g., rotates, pivots) with the bias of the second spring  92   b  in the second direction such that the first projection  108  thereof engages the second recess  104  of the latch  80 . As the first projection  108  of the intermediate latch  84  engages the second recess  104  of the latch  80 , the intermediate latch  84  moves (e.g., rotates, pivots) the latch  80  against the bias of the first spring  92   a  in the second direction from the latched to the unlatched position. 
     The push button actuator  70  is shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 8-17 . As noted above, the push button actuator  70  is configured to actuate the latch  80  should the actuator  66  become inoperable. That is, should the actuator  66  or either of the first linkages  128  become inoperable due to damage in a collision, for example, the push button actuator  70  may actuate the respective latch  80  to open the respective door  38 . The push button actuators  70  are operable separately (e.g., independently) from one another to actuate the respective latch  80  to open the door  38 . Like the actuator  66 , the push button actuator  70  is operable to move the corresponding latch  80  between the unlatched position and the latched position. Although only one push button actuator  70  is described in detail herein, both push button actuators  70  of each of the doors  38  have the same elements and operate in a similar manner. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12-17 , the push button actuator  70  includes a housing  200 , a cam  204  movably supported by the housing  200 , a push button  208  (e.g., a linear actuator) movably supported by the housing  200 , and a spring  212  positioned between housing  200  and the push button  208 . In the illustrated embodiment, retainer clip  216  supports the housing  200  relative to the door  28 . In some embodiments, the retainer clip  216  may be omitted. 
     The housing  200  includes a body that has a first portion  230 , a second portion  234 , and an axis A. The first portion  230  includes a recess  238  and an opening  242  extending through a wall  246  of the recess  238 . The second portion  234  extends from the first portion  230  and is aligned with the opening  238  in the recess  238 . A first aperture  250  extends through a wall  254  of the second portion  234  and a second aperture  258  extends through the wall  254  of the second portion  234 . The spring  212  is at least partially positioned within the second portion  234  and supported by the wall  254  of the second portion  234 . The first aperture  250 , the second aperture  258 , and the spring  212  are oriented in parallel with the axis A. A first leg  262  having a first aperture  266  extends from the first portion  230 , and a second leg  270  having a second aperture  270  extends from the first portion  230 . The first and second legs  266 ,  270  are offset relative to the second portion  234 . The first and second legs  262 ,  270  are parallel with one another and spaced apart from one another by a gap  278 . The first and second legs  262 ,  270  are oriented parallel to the axis A. The first and second apertures  266 ,  274  of the respective first and second legs  262 ,  270  are aligned with (e.g., coincident with) one another. 
     The cam  204  is positioned within the gap  276  between the first leg  262  and the second leg  270  of the housing  200 . The cam  204  includes a first portion  290  and a second portion  294  that is integrally formed with (or otherwise coupled to) the first portion  290 . The first portion  290  defines an axis B and the second portion  294  defines an axis C that is positioned at an angle relative to the axis B. In the illustrated embodiment, the axis C is positioned at a non-parallel and non-perpendicular angle relative to the axis B. A first aperture  300  and a second aperture  304  extend through of the first portion  290 . The first and second apertures  300 ,  304  are positioned at opposite ends of the first portion  290 . The first aperture  300  is aligned with (e.g., coincident with) the first and second apertures  300 ,  304  of the respective first and second legs  262 ,  270 . The first aperture  300  receives a pin  308  that movably (e.g., pivotably or rotationally) couples the cam  204  to the first and second legs  262 ,  270  of the housing  200 . The pin  308  defines an axis D that is perpendicular to the axis A in the illustrated embodiment. The second aperture  304  secures the second linkage  136  to the first portion  290  of the cam  204 . 
     The push button  208  is at least partially positioned within the housing  200 . The push button  208  includes a body that has an actuatable portion  320  and a first leg  324  and a second leg  328  that extend from the actuatable portion  320 . The first leg  324  and the second leg  328  are parallel with one another and spaced apart from one another by a gap  332 . The actuatable portion  320  is positioned in the recess  238  of the first portion  230  of the housing  200 , and the first and second legs  324 ,  328  are at least partially positioned in the second portion  234 . The actuatable portion  230  defines an actuatable surface that is accessible to a user. The first and second legs  324 ,  328  extend through the respective first and second apertures  250 ,  258  of the second portion  234  of housing  200  parallel to the axis A, while the wall  254  of the second portion  234  and the spring  212  are positioned within gap  332  between the first leg  324  and the second leg  328  of the push button  208 . A coupler or clip  336  couples the distal ends of first and second legs  324 ,  328  of the push button  208  and prevents removal of the push button  208  from the housing  200 . The clip  236  is selectively configured to engage the second portion  294  of the cam  204 , as will be discussed in greater detail below. 
     The push button  208  is movable relative to the housing  200  between a first, unactuated position and a second, actuated position. The spring  212  biases the push button  208  into the unactuated position. 
     Operation of each of the push button actuators  70  is as follows. Actuation of the push button  208  moves the latch  80  of the respective latch assembly from the latched position to the unlatched position. As shown in  FIGS. 8-11 , a force exerted on the actuating surface of the push button  208  in the direction of arrow  350 , moves (e.g., linearly moves, depresses) the push button  208  in the direction of the arrow  350  from the unactuated position to the actuated position such that the push button  208  moves further into the recess  238  of the housing  200 . As the push button  208  moves further into the recess of the housing  200 , the distal ends of the legs  324 ,  328  of the push button  208  move through the respective first and second apertures  250 ,  258  toward the cam  204  such that the clip  332  engages the second portion  294  of the cam  204 . As the clip  332  engages the second portion  294  of the cam  204 , the cam  204  rotates about the axis D of the pin  308  and the second linkage  136  moves linearly in the direction of arrow  360  (e.g., away from the respective latch assembly). As the second linkage  136  moves in the direction of arrow  360 , the second linkage  360  to exerts a force on the cam  88  in the direction of arrow  360 , which causes latch  80  to move from the latched to the unlatched position via the sequential movement of the cam  88 , intermediate latch  84 , and latch  80 , as discussed above with respect to the operation of the actuator  66 . 
     Release of the push button  208  moves the latch  80  of the respective latch assembly from the unlatched position to latched position. Release of the push button  208  (e.g., removable of the force on the push button  208 ) causes the spring  212  to move the push button  208  from the actuated position to the unactuated position. The cam  204  then rotates about the axis D of the pin  308  such that the second linkage  136  exerts a force on the cam  204  in the direction opposite of arrow  360  (e.g., toward the respective latch assembly) causes latch  80  to move from the unlatched to the latched position via the sequential movement of the cam  88 , intermediate latch  84 , and latch  80 , as discussed above with respect to the operation of the actuator  66 . 
     The patient compartment  30  of the vehicle  10  may have other door configurations. For example, the patient compartment  30  of the vehicle of  FIG. 3  includes the first and second rear entry doors  38  (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) and a side entry door  400 . The side entry door  400  is shown in greater detail with respect to  FIGS. 18-24 . The rear entry doors  38  may operate as discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 4-17 . As shown, the side entry door  400  has similar features to the rear entry doors  38  so like reference numerals will be used for like structure and only the differences discussed herein. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 20-24 , latch assemblies of the side entry door  400  include different cams than the latch assemblies of  FIGS. 4-17 . As shown in  FIGS. 20-22 , one of the latch assemblies (e.g., the upper latch assembly in the illustrated embodiment), includes a first cam  404  and a second cam  408  instead of the single cam  88 . The first cam  404  includes a body. The body has one end with a projection  412  that is configured to engage the second projection  112  of the intermediate latch  84 . The body has an opposite end that is coupled to the first linkage  128 . The second cam  208  includes a projection  416  that is configured to engage the third projection  116  of the intermediate latch  84 . The second linkage  136  is coupled to the second cam  416 . As shown in  FIGS. 23-24 , one of the latch assemblies (e.g., the lower latch assembly in the illustrated embodiment), includes a single cam  430 . The cam  430  includes a body. The body has one end with a projection  434  that is configured to engage the second projection  112  of the intermediate latch  84 . The body has an opposite end that is coupled to both the first linkage  128  and the second linkage  136 . 
     Actuation (e.g., rotatable or pivotable movement) of the actuator  66  causes the first linkages  128  to simultaneously exert a force on the cam  404 ,  430  of the respective upper and lower latch assemblies in the direction of arrow  150 . The force in the direction of arrow  150  on the cam  404 ,  430  causes the respective latch  80  to move from the latched to the unlatched position via the sequential movement of the cam  404 ,  434 , intermediate latch  84 , and latch  80 , as discussed above with respect to the operation of the embodiment of  FIGS. 4-17 . Release of the actuator causes the first linkages  128  to exert a force on the cam  404 ,  434  of the respective upper and lower latch assemblies in the direction opposite of arrow  150 . The force in direction opposite the arrow  150  on the cam  404 ,  430 , causes latch  80  to move from the unlatched to the latched position via the sequential movement of the cams  404 ,  434 , intermediate latch  84 , and latch  80 , as discussed above operation of the embodiment of  FIGS. 4-17 . 
     Actuation of the push button  208  moves the latch  80  of the respective latch assemblies from the latched position to the unlatched position in a similar manner as discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 4-17 . With respect to the upper latch assembly, as the second linkage  136  moves in the direction of arrow  360  (e.g., away from the upper latch assembly), the second linkage  236  to exerts a force on the second cam  408  in the direction of arrow  360 . The projection  416  of the second cam  408  thus engages the third projection  416  of the intermediate latch  84  to move the intermediate latch  84  in the first direction (e.g., counterclockwise in the views of the upper latch assembly of  FIGS. 20-22 ). Therefore, movement of the second linkage  62  in the direction of arrow  360  causes latch  80  to move from the latched to the unlatched position via the sequential movement of the cam  408 , intermediate latch  84 , and latch  80 , as discussed above. With respect to the lower latch assembly, as the second linkage  136  moves in the direction of arrow  360  (e.g., away from the lower latch assembly), the second linkage  236  exerts a force on the cam  430  in the direction of arrow  360 . The projection  434  of the second cam  430  thus engages the second projection  412  of the intermediate latch  84  to move the intermediate latch  84  in the first direction (e.g., clockwise in the views of the upper latch assembly of  FIGS. 23-24 ). Therefore, movement of the second linkage  62  in the direction of arrow  360  causes latch  80  to move from the latched to the unlatched position via the sequential movement of the cam  430 , intermediate latch  84 , and latch  80 , as discussed above. 
     Release of the push button  208  moves the latch  80  of the respective latch assembly from the unlatched position to latched position. Release of the push button  208  (e.g., removable of the force on the push button  208 ) causes the second linkages  136  to exert a force on the respective cams  408 ,  434  in the direction opposite of arrow  360  (e.g., toward the respective latch assembly) and the projections  416 ,  434  thereof to disengage the projections  112 ,  116  of the intermediate latches  84  to move opposite the first direction. Therefore, movement of the second linkages  136  in the direction of arrow  360  causes latch  80  to move from the latched to the unlatched position via the sequential movement of the cams  408 ,  434 , intermediate latch  84 , and latch  80 , as discussed above. 
     Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.