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A latch mechanism includes a claw rotatable between a latched position and an unlatched position, and an actuator motor. A toggle link that includes a first end, a second end, and a joint between the first end and the second end of the toggle link has one end attached to the actuator motor. The othe

A latch mechanism includes a claw rotatable between a latched position and an unlatched position, and an actuator motor. A toggle link that includes a first end, a second end, and a joint between the first end and the second end of the toggle link has one end attached to the actuator motor. The other end of the toggle link interacting with the claw to rotate the claw between the latched position and the unlatched position. A pawl engages the claw when the claw is in a latched position. A release link is attached between the joint of the toggle link and the pawl.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A latch mechanism comprising: a claw rotatable between a latched position and an unlatched position; an actuator motor; and a toggle link including: a first member, a second member, wherein the first member is attached to the second member at a joint, one of the first m

The invention claimed is: 1. A latch mechanism comprising: a claw rotatable between a latched position and an unlatched position; an actuator motor; and a toggle link including: a first member, a second member, wherein the first member is attached to the second member at a joint, one of the first member and the second member of the toggle link interacts with the claw to rotate the claw between the unlatched position and the latched position, and the other of the first member and the second member of the toggle link is driven by the actuator motor, an offset from a line between distal ends of the first member and the second member and the joint, and a pawl for engaging the claw when the claw is in the latched position, a member for disengaging the pawl from the claw as the offset of the toggle link increases; and a system for controlling the offset including an electromagnet and an armature attached to a portion of the latch mechanism, wherein the portion of the latch mechanism controls the offset so as to direct motion from the actuator motor to the claw when the electromagnet is energized. 2. The latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the system for controlling the offset of the toggle link effects closure of the latch mechanism. 3. The latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the system for controlling the offset of the toggle link effects unlatching of the latch mechanism. 4. The latch mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a release lever attached to the pawl. 5. The latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the member for disengaging the pawl includes a release link. 6. The latch mechanism of claim 5 wherein the release link is coupled to the pawl. 7. The latch mechanism of claim 5 further comprising a release lever coupled to the pawl, wherein the release link moves the pawl by moving the release lever. 8. The latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the armature is engaged with the electromagnet when the electromagnet is energized. 9. The latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the portion of the latch mechanism does not restrict the offset so as to direct motion from the actuator motor to the pawl when the electromagnet is de-energized. 10. The latch mechanism of claim 5 wherein the system for controlling the offset prevents collapse of the toggle link during a closure cycle. 11. The latch mechanism of claim 10 wherein the system for controlling the offset comprises a release lever that is engaged to the pawl and that is manually released if the latch mechanism is required to open during the closure cycle or if a power failure occurs. 12. The latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the portion of the latch mechanism is a release lever attached to the pawl, wherein the armature is attached to the release lever. 13. The latch mechanism of claim 12 wherein the electromagnet is energized to prevent movement of the release lever and the pawl while the latch mechanism is being driven to the latched position by the actuator motor. 14. The latch mechanism of claim 12 wherein the electromagnet is energized to prevent movement of the release lever and the pawl as the claw is moved toward the latched position. 15. The latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the electromagnet is de-energized during a power failure. 16. The latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the claw is rotatable to the unlatched position when the electromagnet is de-energized during a powered closing cycle. 17. The latch mechanism of claim 12 wherein the claw opens during a power closing by transferring motion from the claw via the toggle link and releasing the release lever and the pawl. 18. The latch mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a member for ensuring the armature is in contact with the electromagnet when the actuator motor is in a rest position. 19. The latch mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a guide feature for guiding one of the first member and the second member of the toggle link that interacts with the claw to rotate the claw. 20. The latch mechanism of claim 19 further comprising a member for transferring force between the toggle link and the claw. 21. The latch mechanism of claim 20 wherein the member for transferring force between the toggle link and the claw comprises an actuator pin for traveling in the guide feature, and wherein the actuator pin, which is attached to the one of the first member and the second member of the toggle link, interacts with the claw. 22. The latch mechanism of claim 1 further comprising an interlock cam for guiding one of the first member and the second member of the toggle link and that interacts with the claw to rotate the claw during a portion of a path and for holding the one of the first member and the second member of the toggle link in a rest position when the latch mechanism is in the latched position. 23. The latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the claw further comprises a first surface for engaging the pawl and a second surface for engaging the pawl. 24. The latch mechanism of claim 1 wherein movement of the actuator motor is controlled by a motor controller. 25. The latch mechanism of claim 22 wherein the actuator motor further comprises an actuator lever, and the actuator lever is attached to the other of the first member and the second member of the toggle link. 26. A latch mechanism comprising: a claw rotatable between a latched position and an unlatched position; an actuator motor; a toggle link including; a first member, a second member, wherein the first member is attached to the second member at a joint, one of the first member and the second member of the toggle link interacts with the claw to rotate the claw between the unlatched position and the latched position, and the other of the first member and the second member of the toggle link is driven by the actuator motor, an offset from a line between distal ends of the first member and the second member and the joint, and a pawl for engaging the claw when the claw is in the latched position, a member for disengaging the pawl from the claw as the offset of the toggle link increases; a release lever attached to the pawl, wherein a release link is attached to the pawl by way of the release lever; an armature attached to a free end of the release lever; and an electromagnet located to attract the armature when the electromagnet is carrying current. 27. A latch mechanism comprising: a plate having a guide slot; an actuator pin for traveling in the guide slot; a claw rotatably attached to the plate; a toggle link including: a first end, a second end, a joint between the first end and the second end, wherein the first end is attached to the actuator pin, an actuator motor; an actuator lever attached to the actuator motor and attached to the second end of the toggle link; a pawl for engaging the claw in a latched position, and a release link attached between the toggle link and the pawl. 28. The latch mechanism of claim 27 further comprising a release lever attached to the pawl. 29. The latch mechanism of claim 28 wherein a release link is attached to the pawl by way of the release lever. 30. The latch mechanism of claim 29 further comprising an electromagnet and an armature attached to the release lever. 31. The latch mechanism of claim 30 wherein the electromagnet is energized to prevent the release lever from moving while the actuator motor is driving the latch mechanism to a closed position. 32. The latch mechanism of claim 30 wherein the electromagnet is de-energized during a power failure. 33. The latch mechanism of claim 27 wherein the release link is attached between the joint of the toggle link and the pawl.