KEYLESS VEHICLE DOOR LATCH SYSTEM WITH POWERED BACKUP UNLOCK FEATURE

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A keyless door latch system for doors of motor vehicles, the keyless door latch system comprising:
a door latch including a powered lock that is configured to be operably connected to a first electrical power supply, the powered lock defining locked and unlocked conditions whereby the latch is released upon movement of an exterior door handle when the powered lock is unlocked, and wherein 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; 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.