Actuator apparatus and related methods for use with vehicle locks are disclosed. A disclosed locking system for a vehicle includes a movable component of the vehicle and a lock operatively coupled to the movable component. The locking system also includes an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes a housing coupled to a vehicle body, an actuator supported by the housing, and a linkage mechanism connecting the actuator to the lock. The locking system also includes an input device supported by the housing. Activation of the input device causes the actuator to change a state of the lock.

The present invention relates to a vehicle door latch, and more particularly, to a vehicle door latch having a safety device, which is capable of mechanically or electrically preventing an electrical malfunction of the vehicle door latch, installed at the interior or exterior thereof so that safety of the vehicle door latch is improved.

A latch actuator comprises a motor, a speed reduction gearing coupled to an output shaft of the motor, a spindle, and a motion conversion mechanism. The spindle has a threaded portion in engagement with the speed reduction gearing. The spindle is supported to be rotatable about an axis. The threaded portion is rotationally fixed relative to the spindle. The motion conversion mechanism is configured to cause a displacement of the spindle along the axis when the spindle rotates.

A motor vehicle lock, including a detent mechanism with a catch and a pawl. The motor vehicle lock may include a drivetrain arrangement with a drive element that may move in a predefined drive direction. During a cinching sequence, the drive element moves in the predefined drive direction, so that the drivetrain arrangement engages and drives the catch in a closing direction to a primary closed position. During a release sequence, the drive element may move in the predefined drive direction, so that the drivetrain arrangement engages and drives the pawl in a release direction to a release state. During the release sequence, the drive element moves in the predefined drive direction, so that the drivetrain arrangement moves to a clearance state, such that the pawl is in a release state and the catch may pivot to an open position drivetrain.

A motor vehicle lock including a catch, a pawl, and a drivetrain arrangement with a drive element. When the catch is in the secondary closed position, the pawl is moveable from the engaged state the released state to release the catch. The drive element may be configured to move in a predefined drive direction. The motor vehicle lock may include a first coupling element, provided with a first coupling surface and a second coupling element, provided with a second coupling surface. During the cinching sequence, the first coupling surface and the second coupling surface may be engaged with one another to move the catch. During the release sequence the drive element is moved in the predefined drive direction such that the first coupling surface and the second coupling surface are disengaged from one another.

The invention relates to an actuating unit (14) having an actuating element (15), in particular to a closing drive for a motor vehicle lock, comprising a drive unit, a housing (18, 19), a spindle nut (16), and a spindle (15), wherein the spindle nut (16) is accommodated in the housing (18, 19) of the actuating unit (14), and a Bowden cable (20), wherein the Bowden cable (20) is connected to the spindle (15), wherein the spindle (15) has a stop (21), which interacts with the spindle nut (15), such that the travel of the spindle (15) can be limited.

An actuator for a latch is provided, the actuator having: a motor operatively coupled to a gear train; and a sector gear pivotally mounted to the actuator and operatively coupled to the gear train, wherein rotational movement of the sector gear is translated into linear movement of a link operatively coupled to the sector gear and wherein linear movement of the link causes a linear movement of a portion of a lock lever operatively coupled to the actuator.

The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock which is equipped with a locking mechanism (1, 2) consisting of essentially a rotary latch (1) and a pawl (2), in addition to an actuating lever chain (4) and a locking unit (5, 6). Said motor vehicle door lock also comprises a security device (8, 9, 10) which can optionally set the actuating lever chain (4) and/or the locking unit (5, 6) in a non-functioning state/functioning state. According to the invention, said security device (8, 9, 10) is designed as a retrofitted module (8, 9, 10) which can be connected, according to requirements, to a base module (1-6 and 11), said module surrounding the largest part of the locking mechanism (1, 2), the actuating lever chain (4) and the locking unit (5, 6).

A power actuator for actuating separate mechanically driven members includes a motor and a drive gear configured to be selectively driven in opposite directions. A common gear is configured in operable communication with the drive gear to be selectively driven from a home position in opposite directions in response to movement of the drive gear. A first drive member is attached to the common gear with a first cable extending between the first drive member and one of the mechanically driven members. A second drive member is attached to the common gear with a second cable extending between the second drive member and the other of the mechanically driven members. Movement of the common gear from the home position in one direction moves of one mechanically driven member and movement of the common gear from the home position in an opposite direction moves the other mechanically driven member.

An actuation system for a closure panel of a vehicle, the actuation system having: a base portion for mounting to a body of the vehicle, the base portion having mounted thereon on a latch mechanism for latching the closure panel between a locked and an unlocked state and a presenter mechanism for presenting the closure panel with respect to the body between a home position and a presentment position; and a remote actuator positioned on the body of the vehicle remote from the base portion, such that a presenter linkage operatively couples operation of the remote actuator to the presenter mechanism, in order to move a presentment member of the presenter mechanism from the home position to the presentment position.