A powered latch includes a forkbolt pivotable about a first axis between a latched position for retaining a striker and an unlatched position for releasing the striker. A detent lever is pivotable about a second axis and engageable with the forkbolt to secure the forkbolt in the latched position. The latch further includes a powered actuator and a power release lever rotatable about a third axis by the powered actuator to release the detent lever from the forkbolt. The power release lever is manually movable along the third axis from a first position to a second position. Movement of the power release lever from the first position to the second position is operable to release the detent lever.

A powered latch includes a forkbolt pivotable about a first axis between a latched position for retaining a striker and an unlatched position for releasing the striker. A detent lever is pivotable about a second axis and engageable with the forkbolt to secure the forkbolt in the latched position. The latch further includes a powered actuator and a power release lever rotatable about a third axis by the powered actuator to release the detent lever from the forkbolt. The power release lever is manually movable along the third axis from a first position to a second position. Movement of the power release lever from the first position to the second position is operable to release the detent lever.

A clutch engagement assembly for a door lock device includes a first shaft having at an end thereof an insertion end portion in which a channel is formed; a second drive shaft having a hollow engagement end portion into which the insertion end portion of the first shaft is inserted; a driving member which provides a driving force; and a pin member that is installed in a state of being elastically supported in the engagement end portion of the second shaft and is movable by the driving member so as to extending through (be inserted in) at least a part of the first shaft and at least a part of the second shaft, thereby causing a clutch engagement or a disengagement between a first shaft and a second shaft. The clutch engagement assembly may provide a relatively small size structure of the door lock device and a firm engagement force.

A door latch for a motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a pawl, a release lever, and a clutch selectively engaged by a magnetic field. Further, when the clutch is engaged, motion of the release lever is transmitted to the pawl via the clutch. A method is also disclosed.

A motor vehicle lock, preferably an electrically actuatable motor vehicle lock, comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, a release lever, an electric drive unit, wherein the release lever can be actuated by the electric drive unit, and the locking mechanism can be unlocked by the release lever, also comprising a release aid, wherein additional momentum for unlocking the locking mechanism can be guided into the locking mechanism by means of the release aid, the additional momentum can be generated using the electric drive unit.

A lock mechanism for a vehicle latch includes a cable link. Also included is a pawl release link, the cable link and the pawl release link switchable between an engaged condition and a disengaged condition, the engaged condition allowed manual release of the vehicle latch, the disengaged condition preventing release of the vehicle latch. Further included is an electrically driven gear operatively coupled to the cable link and the pawl release link to reset the cable link and the pawl release link to the disengaged condition.

A latch assembly for a vehicle closure includes a latch having a catch and a pawl, a clutch, and an electric actuator selectively connected to the latch by the clutch. The electric actuator is configured rotate the pawl out of blocking engagement with the catch to open the latch when the clutch is engaged. A manual release is configured to rotate the pawl out of blocking engage with the catch to open the latch when the clutch is disengaged.

A latch assembly for a vehicle closure includes a latch having a catch and a pawl, a clutch, and an electric actuator selectively connected to the latch by the clutch. The electric actuator is configured rotate the pawl out of blocking engagement with the catch to open the latch when the clutch is engaged. A manual release is configured to rotate the pawl out of blocking engage with the catch to open the latch when the clutch is disengaged.

Disclosed are lock mechanisms for latch assemblies of vehicle compartment hoods, methods for making or using such lock mechanisms, and motor vehicles equipped with a multi-pull latch and lock system for releasably locking a hood assembly. A lock mechanism includes a gear that couples a closure latch to a latch release mechanism. The gear moves between a latched position, whereat the closure latch secures the closure in a closed position, and an unlatched position, whereat the gear transfers activation forces from the release mechanism to disengage the closure latch from the closure. A pawl is movable between a locked position, whereat the pawl engages and locks the gear in the latched position, and an unlocked position, whereat the pawl disengages the gear. An actuator is operatively engaged with a vehicle door to automatically move the pawl to the unlocked position responsive to movement of the door to an open position.

A door latch assembly is positionable between an unlatched position, an intermediate position, and a latched position. The door latch assembly includes a housing, a drive mechanism disposed within the housing, a rotor pivotally coupled to the housing and disposed therein, and a catch assembly pivotally coupled to the housing and disposed therein. The rotor has an outer surface which forms at least two notches. A bearing is rotatably coupled to the catch assembly. In the unlatched position, the bearing is located in contact with the outer surface but not within either of the at least two notches. In the intermediate position, the bearing is located in a first notch and in the latched position the bearing is located in a second notch.