Inertial lockout mechanism

摘要

An inertial lockout mechanism is coupled to a latch mechanism, such that, during a collision event, the inertial lockout mechanism will move to an interference position such that the latch mechanism will be retained in a locked position as an inertial force is realized on the latch mechanism. Specifically tailored compression spring configurations ensure that the inertial lockout mechanism will move to the interference position before the latch mechanism can move to the unlocked position.

主权项

1. A latch assembly for a vehicle armrest comprising:
a latch pawl coupled to an armrest housing and operable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the latch pawl being biased to the locked position by a first compression spring having an associated compression stiffness; a catch mechanism pivotally coupled to the armrest housing and operable between an interference position, wherein the catch mechanism retains the latch pawl in the locked position, and a non-interference position, wherein the catch mechanism is disengaged from the latch pawl; a second compression spring configured to bias the catch mechanism to the non-interference position, wherein the second compression spring has an associated compression stiffness that is less than the compression stiffness of the first compression spring; and further wherein the second compression spring is configured to compress under a lower inertial force as compared to the first compression spring during a rear-end collision event such that the catch mechanism gravitationally pivots to the interference position prior to the latch pawl moving to the unlocked position; and an actuator coupled to the second compression spring and moveable in a same direction as the second compression spring, the actuator being biased by the second compression spring to engage the catch mechanism, wherein the actuator disengages the catch mechanism when an inertial load is realized on the latch assembly that compresses the second compression spring, wherein the latch pawl has a recess receiving the catch mechanism when the catch mechanism is in the interference position.