Abstract:
A hinge assembly for coupling a sliding door of a vehicle to a drive unit for sliding the sliding door from an open position to a closed position, the drive unit causing the hinge assembly to slide within a guide track as the door moves between the open position and the closed position, the hinge assembly comprising: a first hinge portion; a second hinge portion, the first hinge portion being pivotally secured to the second hinge portion; a cable attachment being secured to the second hinge portion; and a guide surface disposed on a surface of the first hinge portion, the guide surface being configured to make contact with a portion of a cable having an end secured to the cable attachment when the second hinge portion is in a first orientation with respect to the position of the first hinge portion and the cable no longer makes contact with the guide surface as the second hinge portion moves from the first orientation to a second orientation with respect to the first hinge portion.
Abstract:
An actuating mechanism for moving a vehicle body panel, such as tailgate, between an open and closed position includes a motor having a drive cable coupled to a rod and cylinder assembly to drive the tailgate between the open and closed positions. A mechanical control including a spring and pulley assembly is coupled to the drive cable to allow acceleration during opening or closing movement of the vehicle panel in response to a user input force.
Abstract:
A reel drum is rotatably supported on a board, and a tensioner case is detachably mounted to the board in the vicinity of the reel drum. Wires are extended from the reel drum in directions opposite to each other. A pair of tension rollers pressed onto the respective wires and roller holders rotatably supporting the respective tension rollers are attached to the tensioner case to be allowed to move in directions substantially orthogonal to the respective wires when the wires are tensioned. Moreover, the tensioner case is provided with biasing means to bias the roller holders in directions that the tension rollers are pressed onto the respective wires. The biasing means is a torsion spring. A contact portion of each roller holder which a wire end extended portion of the torsion spring is in contact with has an angle shape with a ridge aligned in a direction orthogonal to the wire end extended portion of the torsion spring.
Abstract:
A window regulator cable tensioner includes a screw and nut assembly having an irreversible thread lead angle, a first spring to absorb reversible slack in the cable, and a second spring to actuate the screw and nut assembly. The stiffness of the first spring is greater than the stiffness of the second spring. The cable tensioner absorbs reversible slack in the cable differently from irreversible slack in the cable.
Abstract:
A hinge assembly for coupling a sliding door of a vehicle to a drive unit for sliding the sliding door from an open position to a closed position, the drive unit causing the hinge assembly to slide within a guide track as the door moves between the open position and the closed position, the hinge assembly comprising: a first hinge portion; a second hinge portion, the first hinge portion being pivotally secured to the second hinge portion; a cable attachment being secured to the second hinge portion; and a guide surface disposed on a surface of the first hinge portion, the guide surface being configured to make contact with a portion of a cable having an end secured to the cable attachment when the second hinge portion is in a first orientation with respect to the first hinge portion position and the cable no longer makes contact with the guide surface as the second hinge portion moves from the first orientation to a second orientation with respect to the first hinge portion.
Abstract:
A cable tension sensing apparatus is mounted on a wall having a door opening. The jack shaft garage door operator includes a drive unit having an electric motor for driving a jack shaft mounted above a door opening. A pull-up cable drum is connected to the jack shaft and has a multi-strand steel pull-up cable that may be payed out to lower a door or wound up to raise the door. The cable tension sensing apparatus includes a cable guide to retain the cable a substantially fixed distance from the wall and a spring driven cable follower which urges against the cable extending between the drum periphery and the cable guide. An alerting switch is connected to the cable follower and sends a signal indicating loss of cable tension when the cable follower moves beyond a predetermined distance. Additionally, the movement of the cable follower moves a door blocking arrangement to a position to block movement of the door when being raised without use of the motor.
Abstract:
A drive system is provided for a moveable barrier, such as a garage door, that limits unauthorized shifting thereof. The drive system includes a cable actuator for lowering the door. The cable actuator is tensioned with a biasing mechanism to minimize cable throw, and a stop assembly of the biasing mechanism limits travel of the garage door from the closed position by a predetermined amount that is sufficiently small so as to keep intruders out of the garage.
Abstract:
The window lifter comprises a window slider, a cable driving said window slider, a spring having a mobile cable tensioning portion and having a fixed cable return portion, both portions engaging the cable. This window lifter provides a simplified fabrication and a reduced number of parts.
Abstract:
A window lifter comprises a cable, a window linkage driven by the cable, a fixed device and a cable redirecting device. The cable redirecting device is rotatably mounted on the fixed device and adapted to automatically lock onto the fixed device upon reaching a predetermined angular position. In addition, the cable redirecting device has a cable guiding portion which is not a figure of revolution about the axis of rotation relative to the fixed device. This window lifting mechanism provides a simple structure with few elements. Its assembly is also simple: the cable-redirecting device is rotatably mounted on the fixed device; it is thereafter rotated for tensioning the cable and then locked in a position where the cable is tensioned.
Abstract:
An automatic door operator for swing doors which uses a worm gear transmission to connect the motor to a belt and pulley which in turn is connected to a spur gear and drive gear. The door arm of the swing door is connected to a double-ended shaft which is part of the drive gear. A rack and pinion gear and spring are used to provide the closing force to the door arm. The motor is mounted over the spring and the belt and pulleys are located alongside the motor which results in a compact non-handed design.