Patent Publication Number: US-2013247473-A1

Title: Multi stage closure assembly

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention generally relates to a closure assembly for securing a moveable panel, such as a liftgate, a decklid, or a hatch, to a body of a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Vehicles include moveable panels for sealing openings in a body of the vehicle. The moveable panels may be but are not limited to a liftgate for sealing a rear opening of a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), a decklid for sealing a trunk space of a sedan, or a hatch for sealing a rear opening of a hatchback. It should be appreciated that the opening and the moveable panel may be located anywhere on the vehicle, and may be positioned in any suitable orientation. 
     A closure assembly secures the moveable panel relative to the body of the vehicle. The closure assembly includes a striker assembly and a latch mechanism. Typically, the striker assembly is attached to the body, and the latch mechanism is attached to and moveable with the panel. However, the relative positions of the striker assembly and the latch mechanism may be reversed, with the latch mechanism attached to the body and the striker assembly attached to and moveable with the panel. The striker assembly includes a wire striker, which generally forms a loop. The panel and the latch mechanism move along a path into and out of engagement with the striker assembly. The latch mechanism engages the wire striker of the striker assembly in interlocking engagement to secure the panel relative to the body. The interlocking engagement between the striker assembly and the latch mechanism must minimize and/or eliminate movement of the panel in both a lateral direction and/or a fore-aft direction to prevent undesirable noise, paint chips, and the structural feel of the panel. 
     SUMMARY 
     A closure assembly for securing a moveable panel relative to a body of a vehicle is provided. The closure assembly includes a striker assembly having a base and a wire striker fixedly attached to the base. A latch mechanism is moveable along a path between a closed position and an open position. When in the closed position, the latch mechanism is configured for engaging the wire striker in interlocking engagement to secure the latch mechanism relative to the striker assembly. When in the open position, the latch mechanism is configured for not engaging the wire striker in interlocking engagement to allow movement of the latch mechanism along the path relative to the striker assembly. A biasing mechanism includes a bumper fixedly attached to the base of the striker assembly, and an arm fixedly attached to the latch mechanism. The arm is flexible about an axis in one of an inward direction toward, or an outward direction away from the path. The arm engages the bumper and is moved inward toward the path in response to movement of the latch mechanism from the open position into the closed position. The inward movement of the arm biases the latch mechanism in both a lateral direction relative to the path and an axial direction along the path, which dampens movement of the latch mechanism relative to the striker assembly. 
     A vehicle is also provided. The vehicle includes a body defining an opening, and a panel moveably attached to the body for selectively sealing the opening. A closure assembly secures the panel relative to the body. The closure assembly includes a striker assembly having a base and a wire striker fixedly attached to the base, and a latch mechanism moveable along a path between a closed position and an open position. When in the closed position, the latch mechanism is configured for engaging the wire striker in interlocking engagement to secure the latch mechanism relative to the striker assembly. When in the open position, the latch mechanism is configured for not engaging the wire striker in interlocking engagement to allow movement of the latch mechanism along the path relative to the striker assembly. A biasing system includes a first biasing mechanism and a second biasing mechanism. The first biasing mechanism and the second biasing mechanism are mirror images of each other, with the first biasing mechanism disposed opposite the second biasing mechanism on opposing lateral sides of the path. Each of the first biasing mechanism and the second biasing mechanism includes a bumper fixedly attached to the base of the striker assembly, and an arm fixedly attached to the latch mechanism. The arm of each of the first biasing mechanism and the second biasing mechanism is flexible about an axis in one of an inward direction toward, or an outward direction away from the path. The arm of each of the first biasing mechanism and the second biasing mechanism engages the bumper of the first biasing mechanism and the second biasing mechanism respectively, and is biased inward toward the path in response to movement of the latch mechanism from the open position into the closed position. The arm of each of the first biasing mechanism and the second biasing mechanism is biased inward for simultaneously biasing the latch mechanism in a lateral direction relative to the path and an axial direction along the path to dampen movement of the latch mechanism relative to the striker assembly. 
     Accordingly, the arms of the first biasing mechanism and the second biasing mechanism bias against the bumpers of the first biasing mechanism and the second biasing mechanism respectively to bias the latch mechanism in opposing lateral directions to offset each other and minimize and/or eliminate any lateral movement of the latch mechanism relative to the striker assembly, thereby damping lateral movement of the closure assembly to manage chucking. Furthermore, the arms of the first biasing mechanism and the second biasing mechanism bias against the bumpers of the first biasing mechanism and the second biasing mechanism respectively to bias the latch mechanism against the wire striker in an axial direction, along the path of the latch mechanism, to maintain a constant pressure between the latch mechanism and the wire striker, thereby minimizing and/or eliminating any axial movement of the latch mechanism along the path of the latch mechanism, and damping axial movement of the closure assembly to manage chucking. 
     The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic plan view of a vehicle showing a closure assembly in an open position. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic plan view of the vehicle showing the closure assembly in the open position with a biasing mechanism providing a first rate of damping resistance. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic plan view of the vehicle showing the closure assembly in a closed position with the biasing mechanism providing a second rate of damping resistance. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as “above,” “below,” “upward,” “downward,” “top,” “bottom,” etc., are used descriptively for the figures, and do not represent limitations on the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims. 
     Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a vehicle is generally shown at  20 . The vehicle  20  includes a body  22  that defines an opening  24 . The opening  24  may include, for example, a rear access to a cargo van or a sport utility vehicle, or a trunk to a sedan. It should be appreciated that the opening  24  may be located and oriented in any position on the body  22  of the vehicle  20 . A panel  26  is moveably attached to the body  22 , for example, by one or more hinges. The panel  26  moves between an open position, shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , to allow access to the opening  24 , and a closed position, shown in  FIG. 3 , to selectively seal the opening  24 . 
     A closure assembly  28  secures the panel  26  relative to the body  22  in the closed position. The closure assembly  28  includes a striker assembly  30  and a latch mechanism  32 . The striker assembly  30  includes a base  34  supporting a wire striker  36 . As shown, the base  34  is configured for attachment to the body  22  of the vehicle  20 , and secures the wire striker  36  to the vehicle  20 , with the panel  26  and the latch mechanism  32  moveable along a path  38  relative thereto. The wire striker  36  may define a loop as is known. As shown, the striker assembly  30  is attached to the body  22 , and the latch mechanism  32  is attached to and moves with the panel  26  along the path  38 , between the closed position and the open position. However, it should be appreciated that the relative positions of the striker assembly  30  and the latch mechanism  32  may be reversed, with the latch mechanism  32  attached to the body  22 , and the striker assembly  30  attached to and moveable with the panel  26 . The path  38  is generally aligned along a longitudinal axis of the wire striker  36 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the latch mechanism  32  engages the wire striker  36  in interlocking engagement to secure the latch mechanism  32  relative to the striker assembly  30 . When the latch mechanism  32  and the panel  26  are in the open position, such as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the latch mechanism  32  does not engage the wire striker  36  in interlocking engagement, i.e., the latch mechanism  32  is disengaged from the interlocking engagement with the wire striker  36 , to allow movement of the latch mechanism  32  and the panel  26  relative to the striker assembly  30 . The latch mechanism  32  and wire striker  36  may include any suitable combination, and/or configuration known to those skilled in the art and/or capable of securely latching the panel  26  to the body  22 . Accordingly, the specifics of the wire striker  36 , the latch mechanism  32 , and the operation of the interlocking engagement therebetween are not described in detail herein. 
     The closure assembly  28  includes a biasing system  40 . When the latch mechanism  32  is disposed in the closed position in interlocking engagement with the wire striker  36 , the biasing system  40  simultaneously biases the latch mechanism  32  in a lateral direction relative to the path  38  of the latch mechanism  32 , i.e., substantially perpendicular to the path  38 , and an axial direction along the path  38  of the latch mechanism  32 , i.e., longitudinally along or parallel with the path  38 . The lateral direction is generally indicated by the direction arrow  42  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , and the axial direction is generally indicated by the direction arrow  44  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The biasing system  40  biases the latch mechanism  32  in the lateral direction  42  and the axial direction  44  to dampen movement of the latch mechanism  32  relative to the striker assembly  30 . Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the biasing system  40  dampens movement within the closure assembly  32 , i.e., the biasing system  40  dampens movement between the striker assembly  30  and the latch mechanism  32 , thereby managing chucking of the panel relative to the body. As used herein, the term dampen may be defined as the dynamic displacement, bending or compression of an object to reduce the magnitude of a force and/or movement of another object. 
     The biasing system  40  includes a first biasing mechanism  46  and a second biasing mechanism  48 . The first biasing mechanism  46  and the second biasing mechanism  48  are mirror images of each other, with the first biasing mechanism  46  disposed opposite the second biasing mechanism  48  on opposing lateral sides of the path  38 , with the wire striker  36  disposed between the first biasing mechanism  46  and the second biasing mechanism  48 . 
     The first biasing mechanism  46  includes a first arm  50  and a first bumper  52 . The second biasing mechanism  48  includes a second arm  54  and a second bumper  56 . The second arm  54  opposes the first arm  50 , and is disposed opposite the first arm  50  across the path  38 . The second bumper  56  opposes the first bumper  52 , and is disposed opposite the first bumper  52  across the path  38 . The first bumper  52  and the second bumper  56  are fixedly attached to the base  34  of the striker assembly  30 . The first arm  50  and the second arm  54  are fixedly attached to the latch mechanism  32 . The first arm  50  is flexible about a first axis  58  inward toward or outward away from the path  38 , while the second arm  54  is flexible about a second axis  60  inward toward or outward away from the path  38 . The first arm  50  and the second arm  54  are independently flexible relative to each other. 
     The first bumper  52  presents a first contact surface  62  for engaging the first arm  50 . The first contact surface  62  is angled relative to the path  38  to define a first contact angle  64  therebetween. The first contact angle  64  is preferably but not necessarily between the range of 15° and 75°. Similarly, the second bumper  56  presents a second contact surface  66  for engaging the second arm  54 . The second contact surface  66  is angled relative to the path  38  to define a second contact angle  68  therebetween. The second contact angle  68  is preferably but not necessarily between the range of 15° and 75°. Preferably, the first contact angle  64  and the second contact angle  68  are equal to each other. The angle of first contact surface  62  and second contact surface  66  relative to the path  38  directs a resultant force, generated from the first arm  50  engaging the first bumper  52  and the second arm  54  engaging the second bumper  56  respectively, inward toward the path  38  at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the path  38  (described in greater detail below). 
     The first arm  50  and the second arm  54  are flexible in response to relative movement between the latch mechanism  32  and the striker assembly  30  along the path  38 . Accordingly, as the latch mechanism  32  moves along the path  38 , the first arm  50  engages the first bumper  52  and/or the second arm  54  engages the second bumper  56 , causing the first arm  50  and/or the second arm  54  to flex inward toward the path  38 . The flexure of the first arm  50  and/or the second arm  54  generates a bias force within each of the first arm  50  and the second arm  54  independently of each other. The bias force of the first arm  50  and the second arm  54  simultaneously biases the latch mechanism  32  in the lateral direction  42  and the axial direction  44  to dampen movement of the latch mechanism  32  relative to the striker assembly  30 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the bias force F 1  of the first arm  50  is directed toward the latch mechanism  32  at an angle relative to the path  38  of the latch mechanism  32  due to the angle of the first contact surface  62  relative to the path  38 . As such, the bias force F 1  of the first arm  50  includes a lateral component F 1L  and an axial component F 1A . The lateral component F 1L  of force F 1  biases the latch mechanism  32  in the lateral direction  42 , and the axial component F 1A  of force F 1  biases the latch mechanism  32  in the axial direction  44 . Similarly, the bias force F 2  of the second arm  54  is also directed toward the latch mechanism  32  at an angle relative to the path  38  of the latch mechanism  32  due to the angle of the second contact surface  66  relative to the path  38 . As such, the bias force F 2  of the second arm  54  includes a lateral component F 2L  and an axial component F 2A . The lateral component F 2L  of force F 2  biases the latch mechanism  32  in the lateral direction  42 , opposite and against lateral force F 1L , and the axial component F 2A  of force F 2  biases the latch mechanism  32  in the axial direction  44 , in combination or addition to axial force F 1A . Accordingly, it should be appreciated that when the first arm  50  first contacts the first bumper  52  and/or the second arm  54  first contacts the second bumper  56 , the axial components of the bias forces F 1  and F 2  are greater than the lateral components of the bias forces F 1  and F 2 . However, as the latch mechanism  32  moves further inward along the path  38  toward the wire striker  36 , thereby further flexing the first arm  50  about the first axis  58  and the second arm  54  about the second axis  60 , the axial components of the bias forces F 1  and F 2  decrease, and the lateral components of the bias forces F 1  and F 2  increase. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that if the first arm  50  and the second arm  54  are centered between the first bumper  52  and the second bumper  56 , the bias forces F 1  and F 2  are substantially equal in magnitude. However, if the latch mechanism  32  should move closer to one of the first bumper  52  or the second bumper  56 , the magnitude of the bias forces F 1  and F 2  will differ. For example, if the latch mechanism  32  moves closer to the first bumper  52 , thereby flexing the first arm  50  more than the second arm  54 , the magnitude of the bias force F 1  will be greater than the magnitude of the bias force F 2 , thereby operating to center the latch mechanism  32  between the first bumper  52  and the second bumper  56  of the first biasing mechanism  46  and the second biasing mechanism  48  respectively. 
     The first arm  50  and the second arm  54  each include a spring  70  to generate the bias force. For example, the first arm  50  and the second arm  54  may each include a piece of spring steel attached to the latch mechanism  32  at the first axis  58  and the second axis  60  respectively. Alternatively, the first arm  50  and the second arm  54  may each include a coil spring interconnecting the first arm  50  and the second arm  54  to the latch mechanism  32 . It should be appreciated that the first arm  50  and the second arm  54  may be configured and attached to the latch mechanism  32  in any manner capable of allowing the first arm  50  and the second arm  54  to generate the bias forces F 1  and F 2  when engaged and flexed inward by the first bumper  52  and the second bumper  56  respectively. 
     The first bumper  52  and the second bumper  56  may each include and be manufactured from an elastomeric material, including but not limited to a rubber material, or may alternatively include some other material capable of damping the movement between the first arm  50  and the first bumper  52 , and the second arm  54  and the second bumper  56 . 
     The first biasing mechanism  46  may further include a first damping pad  72  attached to the first arm  50 . The first damping pad  72  is configured for engaging, i.e., contacting, the first bumper  52 . The second biasing mechanism  48  may further include a second damping pad  74  attached to the second arm  54 . The second damping pad  74  is configured for engaging, i.e., contacting, the second bumper  56 . The first damping pad  72  and the second damping pad  74  assist to dampen the movement of the first arm  50  relative to the first bumper  52  and the second arm  54  relative to the second bumper  56  respectively. The first damping pad  72  and the second damping pad  74  may include an elastomeric material, including but not limited to a rubber material, or may alternatively include some other material capable of damping the movement between the first arm  50  and the first bumper  52 , and the second arm  54  and the second bumper  56 . 
     The first biasing mechanism  46  may further include a first compression block  76 . The first compression block  76  is attached to the latch mechanism  32  in a fixed position relative to the first axis  58 , and is disposed inward of the first arm  50  relative to the path  38 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the first arm  50  contacts and compresses the first compression block  76  in response to the first arm  50  flexing inward beyond a pre-determined limit, thereby providing additional damping resistance to the movement of the latch mechanism  32  along the path  38  of the latch mechanism  32 . The pre-determined limit is the point at which the first arm  50  flexes inward toward and initially engages the first compression block  76 . The further the first arm  50  flexes inward beyond the pre-determined limit of the first arm  50 , the more the first compression block  76  is compressed. Similarly, the second biasing mechanism  48  may further include a second compression block  78 . The second compression block  78  is independently compressible relative to the first compression block  76 . The second compression block  78  is attached to the latch mechanism  32  in a fixed position relative to the second axis  60 , and is disposed inward of the second arm  54  relative to the path  38 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the second arm  54  contacts and compresses the second compression block  78  in response to the second arm  54  flexing inward beyond a pre-determined limit, thereby providing additional damping resistance to the movement of the latch mechanism  32  along the path  38  of the latch mechanism  32 . The pre-determined limit is the point at which the second arm  54  flexes inward toward and initially engages the second compression block  78 . The further the second arm  54  flexes inward beyond the pre-determined limit of the second arm  54 , the more the second compression block  78  is compressed. 
     The first compression block  76  and the second compression block  78  may include but are not limited to a viscoelastic material, or may alternatively include some other material capable of damping the movement of the first arm  50  and the second arm  54  beyond their respective pre-determined limits. Furthermore, the first compression block  76  and the second compression block  78  may alternatively include a damping mechanism, such as but not limited to a hydraulic damper, a pneumatic damper, a coil spring  70 , or some other similar mechanism capable of damping the movement of the first arm  50  and the second arm  54  beyond their respective pre-determined limits. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first arm  50  and the second arm  54  provide a first damping rate to resist movement of the latch mechanism  32  along the path  38  of the latch mechanism  32 , i.e., dampen movement within the closure assembly  28 . The first damping rate is the bias force provided by the first arm  50  acting against the first bumper  52  and/or the second arm  54  acting against the second bumper  56 . If the latch mechanism  32  moves further inward, thereby flexing the first arm  50  and/or the second arm  54  inward into engagement with the first compression block  76  and the second compression block  78  respectively, then the first compression block  76  and/or the second compression block  78  operate to provide a second damping rate, as shown in  FIG. 3  to further dampen movement within the closure assembly  28 . The second damping rate is the bias force provided by the first arm  50  in combination with the first compression block  76 , and/or the second arm  54  in combination with the second compression block  78 . 
     The detailed description and the drawings or figures are supportive and descriptive of the invention, but the scope of the invention is defined solely by the claims. While some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the claimed invention have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing the invention defined in the appended claims.