Patent ID: 6848727

Claim:
A power door latch assembly for engaging a door striker, comprising: a ratchet for engaging the striker, the ratchet being rotatable between a closed position and an open position and including at least one detent surface and biasing member for biasing the ratchet towards the open position; a pawl for engaging the at least one detent surface to selectively resist rotation of the ratchet towards the open position; a rotary actuator for rotating the ratchet toward the closed position and for disengaging the pawl from the at least one detent surface; a drive actuator including a prime mover, an output member in engagement with the rotary actuator, and a clutch coupled between the prime mover and the output member for selectively transferring torque between the prime mover and the rotary actuator; a drive controller for controlling the operation of the drive actuator, the drive controller being coupled to the clutch and being configured for disengaging the prime mover from the rotary actuator when the ratchet is disposed in one of the closed and open positions; said rotary actuator having a cinching arm engaging said ratchet upon rotation of said rotary actuator in a first sense to rotate said ratchet towards the closed position, and said rotary actuator having a relating arm engaging said pawl upon rotation of said rotary actuator in a second sense opposite said first sense to disengage said pawl from the at least one detent surface; a release lever including an arm extending out therefrom, said release lever pivotally secured to said pawl such that said release lever rotates when said pawl rotates; a first switch for selectively operating said clutch when said ratchet is disposed in the closed position, said first switch stopping said prime mover only when said first switch is closed; and a second switch for starting operation of said prime mover, said second switch actuated by said arm of said release lever only when said pawl engages said detent surface.