Electro-mechanical protector for vehicle latches during crash conditions and method for operating the same

摘要

The present invention relates to an electronic mechanical protector system for vehicle door latches during crash conditions, vehicle door equipped with such a system, and methods for operating the system.

主权项

1. A vehicle door latch crash condition protector system, comprising:
a Restraint Control Module (RCM) having memory and data tables stored therein and configured to:
receive data from at least one vehicle sensor, anddetermine pre-crash, crash and post-crash events based on said received data and said data tables; a vehicle door latch configured to engage a striker of a vehicle door to secure the vehicle door in a closed position; a pawl pivotably movable between a locked position, in which said pawl engages said latch to retain the striker and secure the vehicle door closed, and an unlocked position, in which said pawl disengages from said latch allowing said latch to release the striker and open the door; and a latch protector apparatus configured to:
receive an indication from the RCM indicative of at least one of a pre-crash event and a crash event,based on said indication, engage a plunger into a detent of said pawl to inhibit rotational motion of said pawl from the locked position into the unlocked position, thereby preventing said door from opening,receive a second indication from the RCM indicative of a post-crash event, andbased on said second indication, disengage said plunger from said detent of said pawl, thereby permitting said vehicle door to open.