Door latch assemblies for vehicles including bell crank blocking structures
US10689887B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 10, 2018 |
| Grant date | Jun 23, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 9, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE05B83/40
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A vehicle door assembly includes an outer door panel and a door latch assembly operable to latch and unlatch the vehicle door assembly. The door latch assembly includes a door handle assembly, a bell crank operatively coupled to the door handle assembly, wherein rotation of the bell crank causes the door latch assembly to unlatch the vehicle door assembly, and a bell crank blocking structure. The bell crank blocking structure includes a first leg coupled to a support structure within the vehicle door assembly and an overhang portion connected to the first leg. The overhang portion extends outwardly from the first leg and is spaced from a plane of rotation of the bell crank during normal vehicle operating conditions. The overhang portion is configured to deform toward the plane of rotation of the bell crank during a side impact condition to block rotation of the bell crank.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.