Vehicle door locking assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024200367-A1
Application number	US-202218069188-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 20, 2022
Priority date	Dec 20, 2022
Publication date	Jun 20, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

A vehicle door locking assembly includes a vehicle body structure, a door movably connected to the vehicle body structure, a fastener fixed to the door, and a locking member fixed to the vehicle body structure. The door is movable between a closed position and an open position relative to the vehicle body structure. The fastener is received by an opening in the vehicle body structure when the door is in the closed position. The locking member is configured to be received by the fastener upon an impact event to the vehicle body structure such that the door is prevented from moving from the closed position to the open position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A vehicle door locking assembly comprising:
a vehicle body structure; a door movably connected to the vehicle body structure, the door being movable between a closed position and an open position relative to the vehicle body structure; a fastener fixed to the door, the fastener being received by an opening in the vehicle body structure when the door is in the closed position; and a locking member fixed to the vehicle body structure, the locking member being configured to be received by the fastener upon an impact event to the vehicle body structure such that the door is prevented from moving from the closed position to the open position.

2 . The vehicle door locking assembly according to claim 1 , wherein
the fastener is a substantially U-shaped member.

3 . The vehicle door locking assembly according to claim 2 , wherein
the fastener includes a first leg and a second leg connected by a curved portion, the locking member being configured to pass between the first leg and a second leg responsive to the impact event.

4 . The vehicle door locking assembly according to claim 3 , wherein
the curved portion is configured to engage the locking member to prevent movement of the door from the closed position to the open position.

5 . The vehicle door locking assembly according to claim 1 , wherein
the locking member is a metallic bolt.

6 . The vehicle door locking assembly according to claim 1 , wherein
a boot is disposed in the opening in the vehicle body structure, the boot being configured to receive the fastener when the door is in the closed position.

7 . The vehicle door locking assembly according to claim 6 , wherein
the boot is made of a rubber material.

8 . The vehicle door locking assembly according to claim 6 , wherein
the locking member is configured to pass through the boot when the locking member moves responsive to the impact event.

9 . The vehicle door locking assembly according to claim 7 , wherein
the fastener is made of a metallic material.

10 . The vehicle door locking assembly according to claim 1 , wherein
the locking member is configured to move in a forward direction of the vehicle responsive to the impact event.

11 . The vehicle door locking assembly according to claim 6 , wherein
an angle between a vertical line and a longitudinal axis of the boot is approximately thirty degrees.

12 . The vehicle door locking assembly according to claim 6 , wherein
a longitudinal axis of the locking member is disposed above a lowermost portion of the boot.

13 . The vehicle door locking assembly according to claim 6 , wherein
a drain hole is disposed in the boot.

14 . The vehicle door locking assembly according to claim 1 , wherein
an angle between a longitudinal axis of the fastener when the door is in the closed position and a longitudinal axis of the locking member is less than ninety degrees.

15 . A vehicle door locking assembly comprising:
a vehicle body structure; a door movably connected to the vehicle body structure, the door being movable between a closed position and an open position relative to the vehicle body structure; a fastener fixed to the door; a boot connected to the vehicle body structure, the boot being configured to receive the fastener when the door is in the closed position; and a locking member fixed to the vehicle body structure, the locking member being configured to pass through the boot and to be received by the fastener upon an impact event to the vehicle body structure such that the door is prevented from moving from the closed position to the open position, the fastener and the boot being made of different materials.

16 . The vehicle door locking assembly according to claim 15 , wherein
the fastener is a substantially U-shaped member including a first leg and a second leg connected by a curved portion, the locking member being configured to pass between the first leg and a second leg responsive to the impact event.

17 . The vehicle door locking assembly according to claim 16 , wherein
the curved portion is configured to engage the locking member to prevent movement of the door from the closed position to the open position.

18 . The vehicle door locking assembly according to claim 15 , wherein
the locking member is configured to move in a forward direction of the vehicle responsive to the impact event.

19 . The vehicle door locking assembly according to claim 18 , wherein
an angle between a vertical line and a longitudinal axis of the boot is approximately thirty degrees.

20 . The vehicle door locking assembly according to claim 15 , wherein
a longitudinal axis of the locking member is disposed above a lowermost portion of the boot.

Assignees

• Nissan North America Inc

Inventors

• Kovie David
• Orcsik Edward
• Herrala Christopher
• Haupt James

Classifications

• E05B77/04 Primary

  Preventing unwanted lock actuation, e.g. unlatching, at the moment of collision · CPC title

• E05B77/12

  Automatic locking or unlocking at the moment of collision · CPC title

• E05B83/18

  for car boot lids or rear luggage compartments · CPC title