The present disclosure refers to a latch assembly including a locking bar configured to be movable into (i) an engaged configuration with a storage compartment which enables an access door to be placed and held into a closed position and (ii) a disengaged configuration with the storage compartment in a vehicle to be placed into an opened position and a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator. The SMA actuator comprises an SMA wire guided around a conductive pulley, and the SMA actuator is configured to move the locking bar into the disengaged configuration and permit the access door of the storage compartment in the vehicle to open. The present disclosure also refers to vehicle storage compartment with such a latch assembly and a method of activation and deactivation of such a latch assembly.

A motor vehicle door latch device comprises an engagement unit that can engage with a striker and an operating unit attached to the engagement unit. The operating unit comprises an operating mechanism. The operating mechanism comprises a locking motor; a locking mechanism comprising mechanical elements that can be shifted to an unlock state and a lock state based on drive of the locking motor; an electric release motor for releasing the opening lever regardless of a state of the locking mechanism based on drive of the releasing motor; and an inside lever that is pivotally mounted, via a first shaft, for pivotally mounting the electric release lever to a housing and is rotated based on a door opening action of the internal mechanical elements thereby releasing the opening lever, when the locking mechanism is in an unlock state.

A motor vehicle door latch device comprises a locking motor; a locking rotary member that can be rotated by the locking motor; locking mechanism comprising a mechanical element that can be shifted to an unlock state or a lock state by rotation of the locking rotary member; a releasing motor; and an electric release lever pivotally mounted to a housing via a release shaft and rotated by the releasing motor to enable an engagement mechanism to be released regardless of a state of the locking mechanism. If an entering line along which a striker enters a striker entering groove of a body to engage with the engagement mechanism is defined as a striker entering line, a case for the locking motor is positioned above the striker entering line and a case for releasing motor is positioned below the striker entering line.

A motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, which is equipped with an electromotive drive for an actuation lever chain and in particular locking lever chain. An emergency energy store for providing electrical power to the drive in the event of emergency activation and in particular emergency unlocking is also provided. In accordance with the invention, the drive, for emergency actuation and in particular emergency unlocking, acts on the actuation lever chain or locking lever chain against the force of a restoring spring.

A motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, which is equipped with an electromotive drive for an actuation lever chain and in particular locking lever chain. An emergency energy store for providing electrical power to the drive in the event of emergency activation and in particular emergency unlocking is also provided. In accordance with the invention, the drive, for emergency actuation and in particular emergency unlocking, acts on the actuation lever chain or locking lever chain against the force of a restoring spring.

An access control device is for a door of a vehicle. The access control device has: an actuation element with an actuator, the actuation element being controllably configured to be brought from a blocking state into a release state and vice-versa; a power supply interface, which is configured to supply the access control device with power; a controller, which is configured to carry out open-loop and/or closed-loop control of a state of the actuation element; and a near-field communication interface, which is configured to read out a digital access authorisation and to transmit the digital access authorisation to the controller. The controller is configured to carry out the open-loop and/or closed-loop control of the state of the actuation element in accordance with a validity of the digital access authorisation. The power supply interface is configured such that a portable energy store is connectable without the use of tools.

An access control device is for a door of a vehicle. The access control device has: an actuation element with an actuator, the actuation element being controllably configured to be brought from a blocking state into a release state and vice-versa; a power supply interface, which is configured to supply the access control device with power; a controller, which is configured to carry out open-loop and/or closed-loop control of a state of the actuation element; and a near-field communication interface, which is configured to read out a digital access authorisation and to transmit the digital access authorisation to the controller. The controller is configured to carry out the open-loop and/or closed-loop control of the state of the actuation element in accordance with a validity of the digital access authorisation. The power supply interface is configured such that a portable energy store is connectable without the use of tools.

A detachable roof panel assembly for a vehicle has a locking structure that can be easily locked to secure the roof panel assembly upon mounting the assembly to a roof of the vehicle. The detachable roof panel assembly includes a plurality of roof panels detachably installed on the roof of the vehicle and a locking unit installed on the roof of the vehicle to lock the plurality of roof panels at predetermined positions.

A detachable roof panel assembly for a vehicle has a locking structure that can be easily locked to secure the roof panel assembly upon mounting the assembly to a roof of the vehicle. The detachable roof panel assembly includes a plurality of roof panels detachably installed on the roof of the vehicle and a locking unit installed on the roof of the vehicle to lock the plurality of roof panels at predetermined positions.

A latch assembly for a closure member of a motor vehicle, including a ratchet and pawl assembly and a power release mechanism having a power release gear movable by a motor in a single direction to actuate the ratchet and pawl assembly, with a blocking mechanism movable in response to movement of the power release gear between a blocking position, whereat rotation of power release gear is impeded, and an unblocking position, whereat rotation of the power gear is permitted.