Abstract:
In an aspect, a window regulator module kit is provided, comprising a guide rail having substantially no helical twist, a carrier plate having a selected mounting arrangement configured to bring the guide rail to a selected helically twisted position when the guide rail is mounted to the carrier plate, a lifter mountable to the guide rail, wherein the lifter is configured to hold a window glass, and a cable drive assembly connectable to the lifter so as to slide the lifter along the arcuate rail.
Abstract:
In an aspect, an actuator is provided for moving a top cover panel that covers a stowage area for a retractable top on a vehicle between a closed position and an open position. The actuator includes a motor positionable in a rain trough of the vehicle, a gear train driven by the motor, a linkage and a slip coupling. The linkage is connected to the top cover panel and driven by the motor through the gear train, wherein the linkage is movable in a plane between a first position corresponding to the closed position of the top cover panel and a second position corresponding to the open position of the top cover panel, and wherein the motor axis is generally parallel to the plane.
Abstract:
In an aspect, a swing door actuation system is provided for moving a door about a vertical axis between open closed positions relative to a vehicle body. The system includes a housing connectable to one of the swing door and the vehicle body, an extensible member that moves relative to the housing, and connects to the other of the swing door and the vehicle body, a motor connected to a gear train that is non- backdrivable, and a normally engaged clutch. The motor is operatively connected to a clutch input end through the gear train. The output end is operatively connected to the extensible member. The clutch is disengageable to disconnect the motor from the extensible member. The clutch has a slip torque that is sufficiently high to prevent movement of the door when the door is exposed to less than a selected external torque and the motor is stopped.
Abstract:
In one aspect, the invention is directed to a motor/drive arrangement for a window regulator in a vehicle, whereby the motor/drive arrangement includes a motor and a gearbox. The gearbox includes a plurality of gears including a final gear, and further includes a back-drive prevention mechanism that is configured to transfer rotational power from the final gear to a gearbox output shaft, and that is also configured to prevent the transfer of rotational power from the gearbox output shaft to the final gear. As a result, neither the motor nor the gear teeth of any of the gears are required to resist back-driving forces. As a result a potential source of failure is eliminated. In some embodiments, all the gears in the gearbox may be high efficiency gears. In particular the first gear in the gearbox may be a high efficiency gear, such as a worm with a relatively high efficiency tooth profile and lead angle. By using a high efficiency gear, the motor used to drive the window regulator may be smaller, may consume less power, may be lighter, and/or may be less expensive.
Abstract:
In another particular embodiment, a parking brake assembly is provided and includes a parking brake lever, a first locking member that is connectable to the parking brake cable, a second locking member and a spring. The parking brake lever is operatively connected to the second locking member for movement between a locking position wherein the second locking member engages the first locking member and locks the first locking member for movement with the parking brake lever in a first direction, and an unlocking position wherein the second locking member unlocks the first locking member from the parking brake lever during movement of the parking brake lever in the first direction. The spring is positioned to apply a tensioning force to the parking brake cable and is positioned to bias the second locking member towards the locking position.
Abstract:
In a particular embodiment, the door latch system includes a ratchet, a pawl, a release lever, a lock link, a double lock lever and a double lock override lever. The ratchet is movable between a closed position for holding a striker, and an open position. The pawl is movable between a ratchet locking position wherein the pawl holds the ratchet in the closed position, and a ratchet release position wherein the pawl permits the ratchet to move to the open position. The release lever is movable between a rest position and a pawl release position. The lock link is movable between an engagement position and a disengagement position. In the engagement position the lock link is positioned to transfer movement of the release lever to the pawl release position into movement of the pawl to the ratchet release position. In the disengagement position the lock link does not transfer movement of the release lever to the pawl release position into movement of the pawl to the ratchet release position. The double lock lever is movable between a double locking position wherein the double lock lever prevents movement of the lock link out of the disengagement position, and an undouble locking position wherein the double lock lever permits movement of the lock link to the engagement position. The double lock override lever is movable between a first position wherein the double lock override lever prevents the double lock lever from being in the double locking position, and a second position wherein the double lock lever is movable to the double locking position. The ratchet has a double lock override control surface thereon that is positioned to move the double lock override lever to the first position when the ratchet moves to the open position.
Abstract:
A sliding door drive assembly for a motor vehicle having a sliding door includes a transmission operatively connected to a motor for transmitting a rotating force to an output shaft. A cable drum is fixedly secured to the output shaft and rotates therewith. First and second cables are wound about the cable drum in opposite directions. The first cable extends from the cable drum forward along the sliding door. The second cable extends from the cable drum rearward along the sliding door. Support guides extend tangentially out from the cable drum to guide the first and second cables outwardly and away from the cable drum along a path minimizing frictional forces. Front and rear pulley assemblies are mounted to the motor vehicle and are operatively coupled to the first and second cables between the sliding door drive assembly and the sliding door for tensioning the first and second cables.
Abstract:
The invention is a decklid latch with a SMA actuator. The actuator includes a latch plate with a ratchet rotatably mounted to the latch plate and is pivotal between a released position and an engaged position operable to retain a striker. A pawl is rotatably mounted to the latch plate and is pivotal between a an engaged position operable to retain the ratchet, and a release position operable to allow the ratchet to pivot. An selectively-contractible wire is connected to the pawl by a lost motion connection and is operable to move the pawl to the release position when contracted to actuate the latch. Portions of the selectively contractible wire have been annealed to reduce brittleness. Multiple material crimps are used to further reduce strain on the selectively contractible wire.
Abstract:
A power operator assembly is provided for moving a sliding door between a sliding door of a motor vehicle between a closed position and an open position. The power operator assembly includes a guide rail fixedly secured to the motor vehicle and defining a rail length. A slide mechanism slidingly engages the guide rail. A drive is fixedly secured to the guide rail for selectively moving the slide mechanism along the guide rail in either direction. First and second cables each extend between the sliding door and the slide mechanism for moving the sliding door as the slide mechanism is driven along the guide rail. A compound pulley set is operatively connected to the drive and receives the first and second cables for powered movement of the sliding door a multiplied distance greater than the rail length as the slide mechanism is driven along the guide rail.
Abstract:
A window regulator that resists backdrive forces directly at the lift plate and rail, rather than by the drive assembly. A locking shoe mounted within the lift plate and selectively frictionally engages the rail while the drive assembly is at rest. Thus, any backdrive forces are transmitted from the window glass to the lift plate, and then directly to the rail, avoiding the drive assembly. A release fork that is coupled to the drive cable automatically disengages the locking shoe when the drive assembly is activated, and engages the locking shoe when the drive assembly disengages.