Patent Publication Number: US-2005116478-A1

Title: Methods and systems for magnetic coupling of latch mechanisms

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
      Embodiments are generally related to door latch assemblies, including door latching mechanisms utilized in automobiles and other vehicles. Embodiments are also related to magnetic coupling techniques and devices.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Latching mechanisms are utilized in a variety of commercial and industrial applications, such as automobiles, airplanes, trucks, and the like. For example, an automotive closure, such as a door for an automobile passenger compartment, is typically hinged to swing between open and closed positions and conventionally includes a door latch that is housed between inner and outer panels of the door. The door latch functions in a well-known manner to latch the door when it is closed and to lock the door in the closed position or to unlock and unlatch the door so that the door can be opened manually.  
      The door latch can be operated remotely from inside the passenger compartment by two distinct operators—a button or an electric switch that controls the locking function and a handle that controls the latching function. The door latch is also operated remotely from the exterior of the automobile by a handle or push button that controls the latching function. A second distinct exterior operator, such as a key lock cylinder, may also be provided to control the locking function, particularly in the case of a front vehicle door. Each operator is accessible outside the door structure and extends into the door structure where it is operatively connected to the door latch mechanism by a cable actuator assembly or linkage system located inside the door structure.  
      Vehicles, such as passenger cars, are therefore commonly equipped with individual door latch assemblies which secure respective passenger and driver side doors to the vehicle. Each door latch assembly is typically provided with manual release mechanisms or lever for unlatching the door latch from the inside and outside of the vehicle, e.g. respective inner and outer door handles. In addition, many vehicles also include an electrically controlled actuator for remotely locking and unlocking the door latches.  
      One of the problems inherent with conventional latching mechanisms is that it is difficult, but necessary, to seal an area of a vehicle door latch through which motion must pass to an unsealed area. Motion must be coupled in the sealed area to achieve motion in the unsealed area and vice versa. Conventional latching assemblies do not provide stability and efficiency in achieving such motion. It therefore believed that a need exists for improved methods and systems for achieving motion within a latching mechanism without the instability and inefficiency inherent with conventional latching devices.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The following summary of the invention is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the present invention and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the invention can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole.  
      It is, therefore, one aspect of the present invention to provide for an improved latch mechanism.  
      It is another aspect of the present invention to provide for improved latching methods and systems for use in automobiles and other vehicles.  
      It is yet a further aspect of the present invention to provide for magnetic coupling of motion between sealed and unsealed areas in a vehicle door latch environment.  
      The aforementioned aspects of the invention and other objectives and advantages can now be achieved as described herein. Latching systems and methods are disclosed herein. A latch mechanism includes one or more sealed areas and one or more unsealed areas thereof. Also, a magnetic coupling mechanism is provided for coupling motion between the sealed area and the unsealed area and vice versa. The magnetic coupling mechanism can be configured to include a permanent magnet which generates a magnetic field for coupling the motion from the unsealed area to the sealed area and vice versa. The magnetic coupling mechanism can also be configured to include an electromagnet for generating a magnetic field for coupling thereof.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate views and which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, further illustrate the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.  
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle door mounted to a passenger vehicle in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention can be implemented; and  
       FIG. 2  illustrates a high-level block diagram of a system which can be implemented in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      The particular values and configurations discussed in these non-limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate at least one embodiment of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.  
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle door  12  mounted to a passenger vehicle in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention can be implemented. A vehicle, such as an automobile can be equipped with one or more individual door latch assemblies  10 , which secure respective passenger and driver side doors to the vehicle  14 . Each door latch assembly  10  is typically provided with manual release mechanisms or lever for unlatching the door latch from the inside and outside of the vehicle, e.g. respective inner and outer door handles.  
      In addition, many vehicles can also be equipped with electrically controlled actuators for remotely locking and unlocking the door latches. As indicated in  FIG. 1 , a door latch assembly  10  can be mounted to a driver&#39;s side vehicle door  12  of a passenger vehicle  14 . The door latch assembly  10  may be mounted to front and rear passenger side doors thereof and may be incorporated into a sliding side door, rear door, a rear hatch or a lift gate thereof, depending upon design constraints.  
       FIG. 2  illustrates a high-level block diagram of a system  200 , which can be implemented in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. System  200  generally includes a latch mechanism  210  having at least one sealed area  204  and at least one unsealed area  206  thereof. System  210  also includes a magnetic coupling mechanism  202  for coupling motion between said sealed area  204  and unsealed area  206  and vice versa. Magnetic coupling mechanism  202  can be configured to include a magnet  208 , which can be implemented as a permanent magnet or an electromagnetic to generate respective permanent or electromagnetic fields to couple motion in sealed area  204  to achieve motion in unsealed area  206  and vice versa.  
      System  200  thus permits sealing of a vehicle door latch, such as the door latch assembly  10  depicted in  FIG. 1  through which motion must pass to an unsealed area thereof. It can be appreciated that coupling mechanism  202  can be configured to comprise one or more shafts (i.e., a single shaft or a plurality of shafts) coupled to the magnetic coupling mechanism for engaging sealed area  204  with the unsealed area  206 . Such shafts can be integrated with the coupling mechanism  202 . System  200  can be implemented in the context of latch assembly  10  of  FIG. 1 . For example, latch mechanism  210  of system  200  can be implemented as an assembly similar to latch assembly  10  of  FIG. 1 , but which includes one or more sealed areas  204  and one or more unsealed areas  206 .  
      The embodiments and examples set forth herein are presented to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those skilled in the art to make and utilize the invention. Those skilled in the art, however, will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purpose of illustration and example only. Other variations and modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art, and it is the intent of the appended claims that such variations and modifications be covered.  
      The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching without departing from the scope of the following claims. It is contemplated that the use of the present invention can involve components having different characteristics. It is intended that the scope of the present invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.