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.

The invention provides a digital lock (100, 1001, 1002) including at least two magnets. One magnet is a semi hard magnet (310) and the other magnet is a hard magnet (320). The hard magnet (320) is configured to open or close the digital lock (100, 1001, 1002). The semi hard magnet (310) and the hard magnet (320) are placed adjacent to each other. A change in magnetisation polarisation of the semi hard magnet (310) is configured to push or pull the hard magnet (320) to open or close the digital lock (100, 1001, 1002).

The invention provides a digital lock including at least two magnets. One magnet is a semi-hard magnet and the other magnet is a hard magnet. The hard magnet is configured to move to close the digital lock in the event of malicious attack, blocking the intruder thereby the magnets acting as a blocking pin, and the mechanical and/or electromagnetic energy of the attack is configured to move the hard magnet to seal the digital lock from the intruder.

Electromechanical lock and method are disclosed. The lock includes: a movable permanent magnet to move between a first position and a second position; a stationary permanent semi-hard magnet; and an electrically powered magnetization coil positioned adjacent to the stationary permanent semi-hard magnet to switch a polarity of the stationary permanent semi-hard magnet between a first magnetization configuration and a second magnetization configuration. The first magnetization configuration of the stationary permanent semi-hard magnet attracts the movable permanent magnet to the first position. The second magnetization configuration of the stationary permanent semi-hard magnet repels the movable permanent magnet to the second position. A magnetic axis of the movable permanent magnet is side by side with a magnetic axis of the stationary permanent semi-hard magnet.

The invention provides a magnetic actuator (100, 1001, 1002) including at least two magnets. One magnet is a semi hard magnet (310) and the other magnet is a hard magnet (320). The hard magnet (320) is configured to open or close the magnetic actuator (100, 1001, 1002). The semi hard magnet (310) and the hard magnet (320) are placed adjacent to each other. A change in magnetization polarization of the semi hard magnet (310) is configured to push or pull the hard magnet (320) to open or close a digital lock realised with the magnetic actuator 100, 1001, 1002. The magnetic actuator of the invention can also be used to realise a valve.

A digital lock including at least two magnets is disclosed. One magnet is a semi-hard magnet and the other magnet is a hard magnet. The hard magnet is configured to open or close the digital lock. The semi hard magnet and the hard magnet are placed adjacent to each other. A change in magnetization polarization of the semi hard magnet is configured to push or pull the hard magnet to open or close the digital lock.

The invention provides a digital lock including at least two magnets. One magnet is a semi-hard magnet and the other magnet is a hard magnet. The hard magnet is configured to move to close the digital lock in the event of malicious attack, blocking the intruder thereby the magnets acting as a blocking pin, and the mechanical and/or electromagnetic energy of the attack is configured to move the hard magnet to seal the digital lock from the intruder.

A clutch assembly for a lock includes a driver (1), having a driver shaft (9); a coupler (3); and a follower (2). The driver (1), the coupler (3) and the driver shaft (9) are configured to rotate concentrically together. The coupler (3) is configured to move along the central axis of the driver shaft (9) to couple to or decouple from the follower (2). The driver (1) and the follower (2) are configured to rotate concentrically together when the coupler (3) is engaged to the follower (2), and wherein the driver (1) and the follower (2) are configured to rotate independently when the coupler (3) is disengaged from the follower (2).

A door lock that includes a clutch mechanically arranged between a drive motor and a lock drive with the clutch having a clutch gear that is movable between engaged and disengaged positions to selectively couple and uncouple the drive motor from the lock drive from the drive motor. The clutch gear may be movable along a pathway between engaged and disengaged positions, e.g., in a direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of the clutch gear. The clutch gear may selectively couple and uncouple the drive motor from the lock drive based on movement of the drive motor.

A door lock includes a motor and thumb turn that can be selectively used to move a lock drive and lock mechanism between lock and unlock positions. A position sensor can detect a position of the lock drive independent of movement of any drive train component operating to move the lock drive, such as a motor, transmission or other drive train element. The position sensor may be coupled to a position gear that moves in response to lock drive movement, but is independent of any drive train component, i.e., the position gear does not transmit drive energy to the lock drive. A clutch may be provided that decouples the drive train from the lock drive.