Abstract
This present disclosure relates to a rotary latch assembly (1). The rotary latch assembly comprises: a latch (2) rotatable about a first rotational axis (R1) between a striker releasing position (L1) in which the latch (2) is positioned to release a striker (20X), and a striker retaining position (L2) in which the latch (2) is adapted to retain the striker (20X), a pawl (3) rotatable about a second rotational axis (R2) between a latch engaging position (P1) in which the pawl (3) is adapted to engage with the latch (2) by means of an engaging member (6), and a latch disengaging position (P2) in which the engaging member (6) is disengaged from the latch (2), and a latch biasing member (4) adapted to bias the latch (2) toward the striker releasing position (L1), and a pawl biasing member (5) adapted to bias the pawl (3) toward the latch engaging position (P1), wherein the engaging member (6) is a rotatable member rotatable about a rotation axle, and adapted to provide a rotatable interface (60) between the latch (2) and the pawl (3) to facilitate the latch (2) and the pawl (3) to move relative each other, wherein at least one of the latch biasing member (4) and the pawl biasing member (5) is a torsion spring with a portion (40, 50) that serves as the rotation axle of the rotatable member (6).
Claims
1. A rotary latch assembly, comprising: a latch rotatable about a first rotational axis between a striker releasing position in which the latch is positioned to release a striker, and a striker retaining position in which the latch is adapted to retain the striker, a pawl rotatable about a second rotational axis between a latch engaging position in which the pawl is adapted to engage with the latch by means of an engaging member, and a latch disengaging position in which the engaging member is disengaged from the latch, and a latch biasing member adapted to bias the latch toward the striker releasing position, and a pawl biasing member adapted to bias the pawl toward the latch engaging position, wherein the engaging member is a rotatable member rotatable about a rotation axle, and adapted to provide a rotatable interface between the latch and the pawl to facilitate the latch and the pawl to move relative each other, wherein at least one of the latch biasing member and the pawl biasing member is a torsion spring with a portion that serves as the rotation axle of the rotatable member.
2. The rotary latch assembly according to claim 1, wherein the engaging member is a roller.
3. The rotary latch assembly according to any of claims 1-2, comprising two rivets serving as rotation axles for the latch and the pawl to rotate about.
4. The rotary latch assembly according to claim 3, comprising a first elastic member and a second elastic member arranged in-between the rivets and the latch and the pawl, respectively.
5. The rotary latch assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first and second elastic members are made of rubber.
6. The rotary latch assembly according to claim 1, wherein both the latch biasing member and the pawl biasing member are torsion springs.
7. The rotary latch assembly according to claim 1, wherein the latch biasing member and the pawl biasing member are interconnected.
8. The rotary latch assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pawl comprises a recess for retaining the engaging member, wherein the recess is adapted in size and shape so that the pawl extends along at least half of the engagement member's circumference when arranged in the pawl recess, or between 50-70 percent of said circumference, or between 50-60 percent of said circumference.
9. The rotary latch assembly according to claim 1, wherein the latch comprises a first engaging member receiving recess for receiving the engaging member when the latch is in the striker retaining position.
10. The rotary latch assembly according to claim 9, wherein the latch comprises a second engaging member receiving recess for receiving the engaging member when in a position in-between the striker releasing position and the striker retaining position.
11. The rotary latch assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a housing, and a support member adapted to extend between two opposing interior surfaces of the housing, wherein the support member is further adapted in size and shape to define ranges of movement of the latch and the pawl.
12. The rotary latch assembly according to claim 11, wherein the support member at least partly encapsulates the elastic members.
13. The rotary latch assembly according to any of claims 11-12, wherein the support member comprises a slot adapted to receive the engaging member.
14. The rotary latch assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support member is made of plastic.
15. A vehicle door comprising a rotary latch assembly comprising: a latch rotatable about a first rotational axis between a striker releasing position in which the latch is positioned to release a striker, and a striker retaining position in which the latch is adapted to retain the striker, a pawl rotatable about a second rotational axis between a latch engaging position in which the pawl is adapted to engage with the latch by means of an engaging member, and a latch disengaging position in which the engaging member is disengaged from the latch, and a latch biasing member adapted to bias the latch toward the striker releasing position, and a pawl biasing member adapted to bias the pawl toward the latch engaging position, wherein the engaging member is a rotatable member rotatable about a rotation axle, and adapted to provide a rotatable interface between the latch and the pawl to facilitate the latch and the pawl to move relative each other, wherein at least one of the latch biasing member and the pawl biasing member is a torsion spring with a portion that serves as the rotation axle of the rotatable member.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0070] The invention will in the following be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:
[0071] FIG. 1 shows a perspective front view of a rotary latch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0072] FIG. 2 shows a perspective back view of a rotary latch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0073] FIG. 3a shows a side view of a rotary latch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention as seen from the top;
[0074] FIG. 3b shows a side view of a rotary latch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention as seen from the left;
[0075] FIG. 3c shows a side view of a rotary latch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention as seen from the front;
[0076] FIG. 3d shows a side view of a rotary latch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention as seen from the right;
[0077] FIG. 3e shows a side view of a rotary latch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention as seen from the bottom;
[0078] FIG. 4a shows a perspective front view of a rotary latch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention when the housing is omitted;
[0079] FIG. 4b shows a perspective back view of a rotary latch assembly according to embodiment of the invention when the housing is omitted;
[0080] FIG. 5a shows a front view of a rotary latch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention when the housing is omitted;
[0081] FIG. 5b shows a back view of a rotary latch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention when the housing is omitted;
[0082] FIGS. 6a-6i show the working principle of a rotary latch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0083] FIG. 7a shows a perspective back view of a support member according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0084] FIG. 7b shows a perspective front view of a support member according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0085] FIG. 8 shows a cross sectional view of a support member according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0086] FIG. 9 shows a cross sectional view of a rotary latch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0087] FIGS. 10a-10b show a perspective front and back view respectively of a rotary latch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0088] FIGS. 11a-11b show a perspective front and back view of the rotary latch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention when the housing is omitted;
[0089] FIGS. 12a-12b show a back view of the rotary latch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention when some components have been omitted, and
[0090] FIGS. 13a-13b show perspective views of support members according to an embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0091] The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.
[0092] The rotary latch assembly 1 according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in the following in reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The rotary latch assembly 1 comprises a latch 2, a pawl 3, a latch biasing means 4, a pawl biasing means 5, and an engaging member 6. The latch 2 is rotatable about a first rotational axis R1 between a striker releasing position L1 in which the latch 2 is positioned to release a striker 20X, and a striker retaining position L2 in which the latch 2 is adapted to retain the striker 20X to the housing 10. The pawl 3 is rotatable about a second rotational axis R2 between a latch engaging position P1, P3 in which the pawl 3 is adapted to engage with the latch 2 by means of the engaging member 6, and a latch disengaging position P2 in which the engaging member 6 is disengaged from the latch 2. The latch biasing member 4 is adapted to bias the latch 2 toward the striker releasing position L1, and the pawl biasing member 5 is adapted to bias the pawl 3 toward the latch engaging position P1. Moreover, the engaging member 6 is a rotatable member rotatable about a rotation axle, and adapted to provide a rotatable interface 60 between the latch 2 and the pawl 3 to facilitate the latch 2 and the pawl 3 to move relative each other. Also, the pawl biasing member 5 is a torsion spring with a portion 50 that serves as the rotation axle of the engaging member 6. The rotatable interface 60 provided by the rotatable engaging member 6 facilitates the latch 2 and the pawl 3 when disengaging from each other, i.e. the magnitude of the opening force is effectively reduced even if the rotary latch assembly is very compact in design. Moreover, by having the engaging member 6 being rotatable about the pawl biasing member, a simple and compact design is achieved. Moreover, the engaging member provides a buffer in-between the latch 2 and the pawl 3, so as to mitigate abrasive motions that may occur there in-between.
[0093] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rotary latch assembly 1 comprises a housing 10. The housing 10 offers a protective casing to the components therein, while also offering suitable mounting means to a door or a door frame. The housing 10 is constituted by a front portion 11 and a back portion 12 which are adapted to be assembled together to define a cuboid cavity there in-between. By having two separate housing portions, a front portion 11 and a back portion 12, the latch 2, the pawl 3, the latch biasing means 4, the pawl biasing means 5, the engaging member 6, etc. are more easily placed inside cuboid cavity of the housing 10. As will be evident in the following description, the housing 10 is adapted to house other components as well.
[0094] The front portion 11 and the back portion 12 of the housing 10 are each provided with two circular holes. The holes of the front portion 11 and the back portion 12 are adapted to receive a first and a second rivet 7a, 7b which function as the rotational axles for the latch 2 and the pawl 3, respectively. The first rivet 7a and the second rivet 7b extend through the holes of the front side 11 of the housing to the back side 12 of the housing, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and in particular FIG. 9 which shows a cross sectional view of the rotary latch assembly 1, wherein the cross sectional plane intersects each rivet 7a, 7b. When assembling the housing 10, the holes of the front portion 11 and the holes of the back portion 12 are aligned as seen from the front. Hence, the rivets 7a, 7b placed therein are arranged parallel, as is shown in FIG. 9. Moreover, the rivets 7a, 7b may hold the front portion 11 and the back portion 12 together with all the components securely arranged inside.
[0095] The latch 2 comprises a striker receiving recess 20 for receiving the striker 20X when placed therein. The latch 2 comprises a circular through-hole, and the latch 2 is adapted to be arranged to the first rivet 7a so that the first rivet 7a extends through the circular through-hole of the latch 2. Moreover, the latch comprises an engaging member receiving recess 21 for receiving the engaging member 6 when the latch 2 is in the striker retaining position L2. The latch 2 also comprises a second engaging member receiving recess 22 for receiving the engaging member 6, when in a position L3 in-between the striker releasing position L1 and the striker retaining position L2. The position L3 in-between the striker releasing position L1 and the striker retaining position L2 provides an additional safety measure, as it may hinder the striker 20X from being fully released from the rotary latch if the pawl 3 is accidentally actuated toward the latch disengaging position P2.
[0096] Also, the pawl 3 comprises a circular through-hole, and the pawl 3 is adapted to be arranged to the second rivet 7b so that the second rivet 7b extends through the circular through-hole of the pawl 3. Also, the pawl 3 comprises a recess 30 for retaining the engaging member 6. The recess 30 for retaining the engaging member 6 is located on a protrusion 31 extending outwardly from the rotational axis R3 of the pawl 3. The recess 30 is located a distance from the second rotational axis R2. The protrusion 31 may be adapted in size and shape so as to increase or decrease the distance between the recess 30 and the second rotational axis R2, so as to increase or decrease the angular travel distance of the engaging member 6, when the pawl 3 is moved in-between the latch engaging position P1 and the latch disengaging position P2.
[0097] The housing 10 comprises a striker opening 10X. The striker opening 10X is formed by recesses provided on the front portion 11 and the back portion 12, respectively. The recesses on the front portion 11 and the back portion 12 allow a striker to be received at a location in-between the rivets 7a, 7b. The housing 10 is adapted to receive a striker 20X in the striker opening 10X along a striker receiving direction X as shown in e.g. FIGS. 1, 3c. The striker 20X may be released from the housing 10 along a striker releasing direction X′ as shown in e.g. FIGS. 1, 3c. The striker receiving direction X and the striker releasing direction X′ are oriented opposite to each other. The housing 10 is adapted in size and shape so as to limit the striker's 20X ability to move in a direction transversal to the striker receiving direction X and the striker releasing direction X′. As will be discussed in more detail in reference to FIGS. 7a, 7b, 8, 9, the rotary latch assembly 1 comprises an elastic member 8c which supports the striker 20X when retained in the striker receiving recess 20.
[0098] The right side of housing 10 as viewed from the front (see FIG. 3c, FIG. 3d) is provided with an opening through which the pawl 3 is adapted to protrude. On this protruding end of the pawl 3, a circular through-hole 35 is provided (see FIG. 2, FIG. 3c). Operating means may be coupled to the pawl 3 via the circular through-hole 35 to operatively control the pawl 3 to move between the latch engaging position P1 and the latch disengaging position P2. Such operating means may be an actuator, for instance a linear actuator, a rotary actuator, a mechanical lever, or the like. The operating means and the pawl 3 may be connected to each other by means of a cable, for instance a routed cable. The operating means may be operated to displace the cable to apply a pulling force on the pawl 3 to move the pawl 3 towards the latch disengaging position P2.
[0099] In FIGS. 3a-3e, the rotary latch assembly 1 is illustrated as seen in different perspectives. FIG. 3a shows the top side surface of the housing 10, FIG. 3b shows the left side surface of the housing 10, FIG. 3c shows the front side surface of the housing 10, FIG. 3d shows the right side surface of the housing 10, and FIG. 3e shows the bottom side surface of the housing 10. The housing 10 is provided with a plurality of curved edges, as can be seen in FIGS. 3a-3e. FIGS. 3a and 3e show that the back side surface of the housing 10 curves toward the left side surface (FIG. 3b) and the right side surface (FIG. 3d) of the housing 10, respectively. FIGS. 3b and 3d show that the front side surface of the housing 10 curves toward the top side surface (FIG. 3a) and the bottom side surface (FIG. 3e). The top side surface (FIG. 3a), the left side surface (FIG. 3b), the right side surface (FIG. 3d) and the bottom side surface (FIG. 3e) are defined by a combination of the front portion 11 and the back portion 12.
[0100] FIGS. 4a-4b, 5a-5b, show the rotary latch assembly 1′, in which figures the housing 10 of the rotary latch assembly 1 has been omitted. FIGS. 4a-4b show perspective views of the front and back of the rotary latch assembly 1′, respectively. FIG. 5a show a front view of the rotary latch assembly 1′, while FIG. 5b show a back view of the rotary latch assembly 1′.
[0101] In FIGS. 4a-4b, 5a-5b, some more components of the rotary latch assembly 1 are shown. As previously stated, the rotary latch assembly 1 comprises the latch 2, the pawl 3, the latch biasing member 4, the pawl biasing member 5, the engaging member 6. The rotary latch assembly 1 also comprises a first rivet 7a, and a second rivet 7b. Moreover, the rotary latch assembly 1 comprises elastic members 8a, 8b, 8c and a support member 9, which will be described in more detail in reference to FIG. 7a, 7b, 8, 9. It may however be briefly stated that the elastic members 8a, 8b, 8c and the support member 9 provide various means for improving the durability of the rotary latch assembly 1. Also, the support member 9 comprises a slot 91 adapted to guide the engaging member 6 along its path when moved between the two different positions corresponding to the latch engaging position P1 and the latch disengaging position P2 of the pawl 3.
[0102] In FIG. 4b, the latch biasing means 4 and the pawl biasing means 5 are shown. The latch biasing means 4 and the pawl biasing means 5 are torsion springs. Each of them have a helical portion 40, 50 through which each respective rivet 7a, 7b extends through. The helical portions 40, 50 are provided with a certain number of windings. The helical portion 40 associated with the latch 2 comprises approximately four windings. By approximately four windings, it is meant that the helical portion 40 associated with the latch 2 comprises closer to four windings than three or five windings. The helical portion 50 associated with the pawl 3 comprises approximately two windings. By approximately two windings, it is meant that the helical portion 50 associated with the pawl 3 comprises closer to two windings than one or three windings. The number of windings may affect the stiffness of the biasing means. The latch biasing means 4 comprises a L-shaped end portion 41 which extends out from the helical portion 40. The L-shaped end portion 41 is arranged to abut the latch 2 on an inner side facing into the housing 10. The latch biasing means 4 is pre-biased, meaning that the latch biasing means 4 will force the latch 2 to move toward the striker releasing position L1. Likewise, the pawl biasing means 5 comprises a L-shaped end portion 51 which extend out from the helical portion 50 of the pawl biasing means 5. The L-shaped end portion 51 is adapted to serve as a rotation axle for the rotatable engaging member 6 so as to enable the engaging member 6 to rotate about a third rotational axis R3. By this, a simple and compact design is achieved. Moreover, the pawl 3 is provided with an engaging member recess 30 adapted to retain the engaging member 6. Thus, the pawl biasing member 5 is biasing the pawl 3 via the engaging member 6 to rotate into a latch engaging position P1, P3.
[0103] Additionally, the latch biasing member 4 and the pawl biasing member 5 are interconnected by a connecting spring portion 45. The connecting spring portion 45 connects to the helical portions 40, 50 of the latch biasing member 2, the pawl biasing member 3, via helical end portions 42, 52. Hence, a single torsion spring comprising the latch biasing means 4 and the pawl biasing means 5.
[0104] The working principle of the rotary latch assembly 1 is described in the following in reference to FIGS. 6a-6i. In these figures, the connecting spring portion 45 has been omitted in order to more clearly illustrate the components underneath.
[0105] In FIG. 6a, the rotary latch assembly 1 is shown retaining a striker 20X in the striker retaining recess 20 of the latch 2. The latch 2 is positioned in the striker retaining position L2. The latch 2 is shaped in size and formed so that the striker retaining recess 20 in this position opens up in a direction to the right in FIG. 6a. Since the striker 20X is retained in the striker retaining recess 20, and the striker retaining recess 20 opens up to the right in FIG. 6a, the striker 20X is unable to be displaced from the rotary latch assembly 1 in a striker releasing direction X′. Also, the striker 20X is prevented from being displaced in transversal directions relative the striker releasing direction X′ due to the shape of the housing 10, when held in the striker retaining recess 20.
[0106] In FIG. 6b, the pawl 3 is rotated from the latch engaging position P1 to the latch disengaging position P2, in which position the engaging member 6 is displaced from the first receiving recess 21. When rotating the pawl 3 from the latch engaging position P1 to the latch disengaging position P2, the engaging member 6 is caused to rotate about the third rotational axis R3. By this, the engaging member 6 basically rolls out of the first engaging member receiving recess 21. The latch 2, now freely rotatable, rotates from the striker retaining position L2 in a direction towards the striker releasing position L1 under influence of the latch biasing means 4. By this, the striker 20X is allowed to move along a striker releasing direction X′.
[0107] In FIG. 6c, the latch 2 is positioned in the striker releasing position L1. In this position, the striker retaining recess 21 opens up into the exterior of the rotary latch assembly 1 such that the striker 20X is free to move in the striker releasing direction X′. The pawl 3, which is biased toward a latch engaging position P1 by the pawl biasing means 5, is pushed toward the latch 2. However, due to the orientation of the latch 2, the engaging member 6 is unable to be placed in either the first engaging member retaining recess 21 or the second engaging member retaining recess 22. Basically, it is placed behind the latch 2, as seen when looking into the rotary latch assembly 1 through the striker opening 10X.
[0108] In FIG. 6d, the striker 20X is instead moved toward the latch 2 of the rotary latch assembly 1 along a striker receiving direction X. The striker 20X starts to press onto an interior edge of the striker retaining recess 20. Consequently, the latch 2 will start to rotate about the first rotational axis R1. The latch 2 will in turn press onto the protruding portion 31 of the pawl 3, causing it to rotate about the second rotational axis R2 from its resting position to the latch disengaging position P2.
[0109] In FIG. 6e, the striker 20X has moved further into the striker retaining recess 20. Consequently, the latch 2 has rotated into a position where it engages with the engaging member 6. When the striker 20X moves further along the striker receiving direction X, the latch 2 will rotate further into the housing 10. The engaging member 6 will in turn start to rotate about the third rotational axis R3, thereby facilitating the latch 2 to move toward the striker retaining position L2 although it is meeting a counterforce from the engaging member 6 due to the pawl biasing member 5.
[0110] In FIG. 6f, the striker 20X has moved a certain distance along the striker receiving direction X that has caused the latch 2 to have rotated relative the housing 10 into a position where the second engaging member retaining recess 22 has received the engaging member 6.
[0111] In FIG. 6g, the striker 20X is caused to move beyond the position shown in FIG. 6g along the striker receiving direction X. The latch 2 consequently rotates about the first rotational axis R1 and is moved further into the housing 10. The latch 2, as it rotates about the first rotational axis R1, pushes onto the pawl 3 and the engaging member 6, so that the pawl 3 rotates about the second rotational axis R2 from the latch engaging position P1 toward the latch disengaging position P2.
[0112] In FIG. 6h, the striker 20X has been pushed a distance further into the striker opening 10X along the striker receiving direction X. Consequently, the latch 2 has rotated a bit further about the first rotational axis R1. The latch 2 in turn engages with the engaging member 6. If the striker 20X is pushed further into the striker opening 10X, the engaging member 6 starts to rotate about the third rotational axis R3 so that the latch 2 more easily can reach the striker retaining position L2.
[0113] In FIG. 6i, the striker 20X is securely retained in the striker retaining recess 20. Even if being forced to move in the striker releasing direction X′, the latch 2 will not rotate since it is secured in position by the pawl 3 which has been moved under influence of the pawl biasing means 5 into the latch engaging position P1. Only by rotating the pawl 3 about the second rotational axis R2 a certain angle so that the engaging member 6 is moved out of the first engaging member receiving recess 21 can the striker 20X start to move along the striker releasing direction X.
[0114] As previously stated, the rotary latch assembly 1 comprises a support member 9. These will now be described in reference to FIGS. 7a-7b, 8, and FIG. 9. Generally, the support member 9 comprises a body resembling a cuboid, having a certain height, length, and width, each of which are adapted so that the support member 9 can fit in the cuboid cavity of the housing 10. Moreover, the support member 9 is adapted in size and shape with recesses that define ranges of movement of the latch 2 and the pawl 3. The support member 9 comprises a major recess, and two circular through-holes 9a, 9b in the major recess. The two through-holes are adapted to receive the first rivet 7a and the second rivet 7b, respectively. Each through-hole 9a, 9b is bounded by a hollow cylindrical portion that extends out of the major recess of the support member 9. Around each cylindrical portion, in the major recess, there is provided an elevated surface 92. The elevated surface 92 is adapted to provide a suitable surface for the latch 2 and the pawl 3 to move along when being rotated. The guide slot 91 adapted to retain the engaging member 6, and to define its range of movement is enclosed by this elevated surface 92. This facilitates the latch 2 and the pawl 3 being moved in the vicinity of the guide slot 91. Moreover, the elevated surface 92 extends in-between the two cylindrical portions, and around each cylindrical portion in respective cylindrical elevated surface portions 92a, 92b. The support member 9 also comprises a striker recess 90. The striker recess 90 extends into a position in-between the cylindrical portions bounding the circular through-holes 9a, 9b. The support member 9 comprises a first support piece 95a and a second support piece 95b. The first support piece 95a and the second support piece 95b are arranged in opposite corners along the edge at which the striker recess 90 is located. The support member 9 also comprises a latch stop 93 adapted to limit the range of movement of the latch 2 in the housing 10. The support member 9 also comprises a pawl stop 94 adapted to limit the range of movement of the pawl 3 in the housing 10. The latch stop 93 and the pawl stop 94 are arranged in the remaining two corners of the support member 9. Also, the support member 9 comprises a third support piece 96. The third support piece 96 is arranged in-between the latch stop 93 and the pawl stop 94. The first, second, and third support piece 95a, 95b, 95c and the latch stop 93 and the pawl stop 94 are all provided with the same height, as measured from the major recess.
[0115] The rotary latch assembly 1 also comprises elastic member(s) 8, 8a, 8b, 8c. The rotary latch assembly 1 comprises a first elastic member 8a. The first elastic member 8a comprises a cylindrical portion. The first elastic member 8a is adapted to be arranged in-between the first rivet 7a and the latch 2. The rotary latch assembly 1 comprises a second elastic member 8b. The second elastic member 8b comprises a cylindrical portion. The second elastic member 8b is adapted to be arranged in-between the second rivet 7b and the pawl 3. The rotary latch assembly 1 comprises a third elastic member 8c. The third elastic member 8c is adapted to be arranged in the striker recess 90. The third elastic member 8c is adapted to prevent the striker 20X from being inserted to heavily into the striker opening The bridge portion 8c is adapted to be exposed in the striker recess 90, thereby providing a flexible receiving surface for the striker 20X when positioned into the striker retaining recess 20.
[0116] Moreover, the first elastic member 8a, the second elastic member 8b, and the third elastic member 8c are formed as an integral part, i.e. an elastic member 8. The support member 9 and the elastic member 8, i.e. the first elastic member 8a, the second elastic member 8b, and the third elastic member 8c, are also formed as an integral piece, as shown in FIG. 8. The elastic member(s) 8, 8a, 8b, 8c are made of rubber. The support member 9 is made of plastic.
[0117] FIG. 9 shows a cross sectional view of the rotary latch assembly 1 when the cross section is taken along a plane parallel to the first rotational axis R1 and the second rotational axis R2. In FIG. 9, the support member 9 is shown when mounted accordingly in the housing 10. In particular, the cylindrical portions of the support member 9 bounding the circular through-holes through which the rivets 7a, 7b are inserted, are shown having different heights. Moreover, the elastic members 8a, 8b also have different heights. The second elastic member 8b has an increased height as compared to the first elastic member 8a. This is done to compensate for the different numbers of windings of the helical portions 40, 50 of the latch biasing means 4 and the pawl biasing means 5. The number of winding of the helical portions 40, 50 of the latch biasing means 4 and the pawl biasing means 5 are adapted for the required stiffness of each biasing member. The helical portion of the pawl biasing means 5 may be provided with a lower number of windings as compared to the helical portion of the latch biasing means 4 in order to be more easily rotated in-between the latch engaging position P1 and the latch disengaging position P2. The helical portion of the latch biasing means 4 may be provided with a certain number of windings to provide a certain biasing force acting on the latch 2. The biasing force of the latch biasing means 4 may affect how easily the latch 2 is moved from the striker retaining position L2 and the striker releasing position L1.
[0118] The rotary latch assembly 1 is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle door to engage with a striker 20X arranged to a vehicle door frame. In an alternative embodiment, the rotary latch assembly 1 is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle door frame to intact with a striker 20X arranged to a vehicle door. Moreover, the rotary latch assembly 1 may be used for trunk compartments and other vehicle applications.
[0119] In the following, an additional embodiment of the invention is described in reference to FIGS. 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a, 13b. The rotary latch assembly 1′ is similar to the previously disclosed rotary latch assembly 1 in that it comprises a latch 2, a pawl 3, a latch biasing means 4, a pawl biasing means 5, and an engaging member 6. It may also comprise a housing 10 and a support member 9a, 9b. Like the previously disclosed embodiment, the latch 2 is rotatable about a first rotational axis R1 between a striker releasing position in which the latch 2 is positioned to release a striker, and a striker retaining position in which the latch 2 is adapted to retain the striker to the housing 10. Further, the pawl 3 is also rotatable about a second rotational axis R2 between a latch engaging position in which the pawl 3 is adapted to engage with the latch 2 by means of the engaging member 6, and a latch disengaging position in which the engaging member 6 is disengaged from the latch 2. The latch biasing member 4 is adapted to bias the latch 2 toward the striker releasing position, and the pawl biasing member 5 is adapted to bias the pawl 3 toward the latch engaging position.
[0120] This additional embodiment 1′ of the rotary latch assembly differs from the previously disclosed embodiment 1 in that the latch 2 is configured to face away from the pawl 3 when in the striker retaining position, see FIG. 12a, 12b. This embodiment is configured to satisfy the requirements of the AR1-hole pattern standard common in the field of invention. Further, in accordance with the AR1-hole pattern standard, this additional embodiment implements only one engaging member retaining recess 21 on the latch 2 for retaining the engaging member 6. When the latch 2 is moved to the striker releasing position in which the latch 2 is positioned to release a striker, the pawl 3 may engage with the latch 2 to prevent it from returning to the striker retaining position. The pawl 3 may be configured to engage directly with a portion of the latch 2 to prevent it from returning to the striker retaining position, see FIG. 12b. Since the pawl 3 is biased against the latch 2 by means of pawl biasing member 5, the latch may, if pushed into the housing with a force of sufficient magnitude, the latch 2 may push the pawl 3 out of the way to allow the latch 2 to return to the striker retaining position.
[0121] Further, similar to the previously disclosed embodiment 1, the additional embodiment 1′ comprises a support member 9a and elastic members 8a, 8b, 8c, see e.g. FIGS. 13a, 13b. However, in the additional embodiment 1′, the elastic members 8a, 8b, 8c are rearranged as compared to the previously disclosed embodiment 1 (see FIG. 13b and FIGS. 7a-7b. Further, the additional embodiment 1′ comprises an additional elastic member 8d which extends out of the support member 9a and comprises a portion similar in shape to elastic member 8c, which is also configured to provide support to the striker when retained by the rotary latch assembly 1′. The additional embodiment 1′ also comprises a second support member 9b. The first and second support members 9a, 9b are configured to at least partly encapsulate the latch 2 and the pawl 3 between them. The second support member 9b comprises a recess 99 configured to receive a portion of the additional elastic member 8d. Also, the first support member 9a comprises a set of flexible clamps 97 configured to engage in a latching manner with a corresponding set of protrusions 98 of the second support member 9b.
[0122] In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.
