US Patent 11466478 Side impact-initiated door latch locking system

Apparatuses and methods for preventing a vehicle door from opening in response to a side impact. An apparatus comprises a cover structure and a latch mechanism. The cover structure is located between an outer panel of a vehicle door and an inner panel of the vehicle door. The cover structure has an inboard surface with a sloped portion. The latch mechanism is associated with an inside handle that is attached to the inner panel of the vehicle door. Movement of the outer panel towards the inner panel causes the sloped portion of the inboard surface of the cover structure to contact the latch mechanism and move the latch mechanism into a latched position.