Keyless vehicle door latch system with powered backup unlock feature

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9909344-B2
Application number	US-201414468634-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 26, 2014
Priority date	Aug 26, 2014
Publication date	Mar 6, 2018
Grant date	Mar 6, 2018

Abstract

A keyless door latch system for doors of motor vehicles includes a backup electrical power supply to unlock the door latch in the event the primary power supply fails, thereby eliminating the need for a lock cylinder. The latch system includes a user input device having first and second user input features. The door latch system is configured to supply electrical power from the primary electrical power supply to unlock the latch upon actuation of the first user input feature, and to supply electrical power from the backup electrical power supply to unlock the latch upon actuation of the second user input feature. The user input device may comprise a wireless portable device that generates first and second wireless signals upon actuation of the first and second user input features, respectively.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A keyless door latch system for doors of motor vehicles, the keyless door latch system comprising:
a movable door handle that is configured to be mechanically connected to a mechanical door latch by mechanical linkage such that movement of the door handle unlatches the mechanical door latch;
wherein the mechanical door latch includes a powered lock that is configured to be operably connected to a first electrical power supply, the powered lock defining an unlocked condition in which the door handle is mechanically connected to the mechanical door latch such that the latch is released upon movement of an exterior door handle when the powered lock is unlocked, the powered lock further defining a locked condition in which the door handle is mechanically disconnected from the mechanical door latch such that the latch does not release upon movement of an exterior door handle when the powered lock is locked;
a first electrical power supply;
an electronic controller operably connected to the powered lock;
a backup device including a second electrical power supply configured to be operably connected to the powered lock; and
a user input device configured to communicate with the electronic controller and with the backup device, the user input device including first and second user input features, and wherein the door latch system is configured to cause the electronic controller to unlock the powered lock utilizing electrical power from the first electrical power supply if a user actuates the first user input feature, and wherein the door latch system is configured to cause the backup device to unlock the powered lock utilizing electrical power from the second electrical power supply if a user actuates the second user input feature, whereby a lock cylinder is not required to unlock the door latch in the event the door latch cannot be unlocked utilizing power from the first electrical power supply.

2. The keyless door latch system of claim 1 , wherein:
the user input device comprises a wireless communication device that transmits wireless signals to the electronic controller and to the backup device.

3. The keyless door latch system of claim 1 , wherein:
the user input device comprises a portable hand held transmitter that transmits wireless signals to the electronic controller and to the backup device.

4. The keyless door latch system of claim 3 , wherein:
the first user input feature comprises a first switch, and the second user input feature comprises a second switch.

5. The keyless door latch system of claim 4 , wherein:
the user input device includes first and second portable electrical power supplies, and wherein the second portable electrical power supply is configured to provide power to enable transmitting a wireless signal to the backup device to unlock the powered lock upon actuation of the second switch even if the first portable electrical power supply fails.

6. The keyless door latch system of claim 1 , wherein:
the first electrical power supply comprises a battery that is configured to be operably connected to an electrical system of a motor vehicle;
the second electrical power supply comprises at least one of a capacitor and a rechargeable battery.

7. The keyless door latch system of claim 6 , wherein:
the second electrical power supply comprises a capacitor.

8. The keyless door latch system of claim 6 , wherein:
the second electrical power supply is configured to be recharged utilizing electrical power from an electrical system of a vehicle.

9. The keyless door latch system of claim 8 , wherein:
the electronic controller is configured to determine if the second electrical power supply is storing sufficient electrical energy to operate the powered lock, and wherein the electronic controller generates a signal if the second electrical power supply is not storing sufficient electrical energy to thereby alert a user that action should be taken to restore operation of the second electrical power supply.

10. The keyless door latch system of claim 1 , wherein:
the backup device comprises a module configured to be mounted in a vehicle door.

11. The keyless door latch system of claim 1 , wherein:
the backup device includes an antenna configured to receive a wireless signal from the user input device whereby the backup device unlocks the powered lock.

12. A vehicle door latch comprising:
a movable handle connected to a latch by mechanical linkage;
an electrically powered lock that disconnected the linkage when locked;
first and second electrical power supplies;
a wireless remote fob having first and second user inputs that, when actuated, cause electrical power to be supplied to the lock from the first and second electrical power supplies, respectively, whereby the lock can be unlocked utilizing power from either electrical power supply.

13. The vehicle door latch of claim 12 , wherein:
the wireless remote fob generates a first wireless signal upon actuation of the first user input; and including:
a first receiver configured to receive the first wireless signal, and wherein the first receiver is configured to cause the first electrical power supply to supply electrical power to the electrically powered lock such that the electrically powered lock is unlocked.

14. The vehicle door latch of claim 13 , wherein:
the wireless remote fob generates a second wireless signal upon actuation of the second user input; and including:
a second receiver configured to receive the second wireless signal, and wherein the second receiver is configured to cause the second electrical power supply to supply electrical power to the electrically powered lock such that the electrically powered lock is unlocked.

15. The vehicle door latch of claim 14 , wherein:
the first and second user inputs comprise first and second pushbuttons.

16. The vehicle door latch of claim 15 , wherein:
the wireless remote fob is configured to receive first and second batteries, respectively, that supply power to generate the first and second wireless signals, respectively.

17. The vehicle door latch of claim 12 , wherein:
the first electrical power supply comprises a main vehicle battery;
the second electrical power supply comprises a backup power supply having sufficient electrical power to actuate the electrically powered lock even if the main vehicle batter fails.

18. A keyless door latch system for doors of motor vehicles, the keyless door latch system comprising:
a movable door handle;
a mechanical door latch;
a mechanical linkage configured to mechanically interconnect the door handle and the mechanical door latch;
a powered lock that selectively disconnects the mechanical linkage such that movement of the door handle does not unlatch the mechanical door latch when the powered lock is in a locked state, and wherein, when the powered lock is in an unlocked state, the door handle and the mechanical latch are mechanically interconnected by the mechanical linkage such that movement of the door handle mechanically unlatches the mechanical door latch;
first and second electrical power supplies; and
a user input device having first and second user input features; and wherein:
the door latch system is configured to supply electrical power from the first electrical power supply to the powered lock to unlock the powered lock by mechanically interconnecting the door handle and the mechanical door latch upon actuation of the first user input feature, and wherein the system is configured to supply electrical power from the second elect

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Krishnan Venkatesh
• Puscas Livianu Dorin

Classifications

• E05B81/82

  using batteries other than the vehicle main battery · CPC title

• E05B81/80

  characterised by the power supply; Emergency power operation · CPC title

• B60R25/245

  where the antenna reception area plays a role · CPC title

• G07C2009/00634

  Power supply for the lock · CPC title

• E05B81/86

  using capacitors · CPC title