Vehicle door latch with override link to ensure that manual operation of a pawllifter is unaffected by failure of power actuation of an input crank

摘要

The latch includes a pivotally mounted claw 10 (Fig.1) operatively co-acting with a striker as a door nears its closed position. A pawl 16 (Fig.1) self-engages with the claw to hold it in latched condition to retain the door. Unlatching means, which includes a pawl lifter 20, is selectively operable to disengage the pawl for door opening. The lifter is movable from a rest position to carry the pawl out of engagement with the claw. A power output lever 24 (Fig.4) is movable to engage and displace the lifter from the rest position. An input crank 30 (Fig.4) is power actuated between first and second positions (Figs.2,3). A clutch 38,32 (Fig.4) releasably drive connects the crank to the output lever to cause shifting of the lever as the crank moves to its second position. An overriding link 36 (Fig.4) carries the clutch into and out of the drive connection. The link is operatively coupled to a manually operable release link of the door (e.g. a door handle) to ensure that manual operation (Fig.4) of the lifter is not obstructed by failure or malfunction of power actuation of the crank.