GB1461598A - Locking mechanisms for vehicle doors - Google Patents

Abstract

1461598 Locking mechanism for a vehicle door WILMOT-BREEDEN Ltd 26 Sept 1974 [8 Sept 1973] 42317/73 Heading E2A An electrically and mechanically operated locking mechanism for a vehicle door latching structure comprises a locking lever 1, a doubleacting solenoid 7 coupled to the locking lever 1 for moving the latter between locking and unlocking positions, and a switch assembly which is mechanically operable from an off condition in one direction to close a solenoid circuit for locking and in the other direction to close a solenoid circuit for unlocking, and is mechanically operable to shift the locking lever 1 after each circuit closure to ensure the locking or unlocking movement of the lever 1. The locking lever 1 is pivotally mounted at 2 to a backplate 3, is biassed into locking and unlocking positions by an overcentre spring 4, and is coupled to the solenoid 7 by an arm 5 of the lever 1 and a link 6. The lever 1 has an arm 12 which is connected by a known mechanism to a latch-releasing member. The. solenoid is actuated by a key inserted and turned to operate a switch 22, turning of the key in one direction for effecting unlocking. In the event that the lever 1 is not operated by the solenoid, further turning of the key in either direction will manually move the lever 1. The switch 22 comprises a member 23. Figs. 3 and 4 having contacts 26 and hub 24 by which the switch is secured to a pin 21. A lever 28 pivots on the pin 21, has a spring-plate contact strip 29, attached by a rivet 30, which strip 29 slidably abuts a face 25 of the member 23 when moving into engagement with either contact 26, and is provided with an arm 31 which is actuated, via linkage, when the key is turned. The lever 28, having a tongue 33, is centralised by a spring 32. Closing of the switch 22 completes a locking or unlocking relay circuit to energise the solenoids of a number or door latches and, in use, the lever 1 transfers movement to a coupling lever 35, pivoted on the pin 21 and passing through a fork extension 36 of the lever 1. An end of the lever 35 is located in a slot 37 in the backplate 3 and moves between guide tangs 38 formed at each side of the slot. Thus the turning movement of the lever 28 resulting from further turning of the key is applied, by a stud extension 39, Fig. 4, of the rivet 30, to the coupling .lever 35, so that the locking lever 1 is mechanically operated by said further turning of the key.