Abstract:
A vehicle has a power operated liftgate (12) and at least one power unit (20) comprising a fixed linear guide channel (24) and a follower (30) that moves in the guide channel. The follower (30) is universally connected to a rod (34) at one end and the opposite end of the rod is universally connected to the vehicle lift gate. A flexible drive loop (46, 56 or 58) which is attached to the follower wraps part way around two pulleys (42, 44) at opposite ends of the guide channel. The flexible drive loop is driven by a bi-directional drive unit (48) that includes a reversible electric motor (49), an electromagnetic clutch (52) and a drive wheel (50) that engages the flexible drive loop. The flexible drive loop may be a drive cable (56), a drive tape(58), or a drive chain (46) or a combination of cable, tape and/or chain.
Abstract:
An improved four-bar hinge assembly for attaching a trunk deck lid to a vehicle body in which the control link of the four-bar linkage has its usual vehicle-mounted pivot pin replaced by the rotatably driven output drive shaft of a power drive mechanism that is rigidly and directly coupled to the control link to swing to the same and thereby power actuate the four-bar linkage in order to pivot the deck lid between open and closed positions. The hinge elements are located on the weather side of the vehicle body components and the drive shaft extends through the vehicle sheet metal into the weather sealed trunk compartment so that the electro-mechanical drive components are mounted within the weather sealed trunk.
Abstract:
A vehicle has a power operated liftgate (12) and at least one power unit (20) comprising a fixed linear guide channel (24) and a follower (30) that moves in the guide channel. The follower (30) is universally connected to a rod (34) at one end and the opposite end of the rod is universally connected to the vehicle lift gate. A flexible drive loop (46, 56 or 58) which is attached to the follower wraps part way around two pulleys (42, 44) at opposite ends of the guide channel. The flexible drive loop is driven by a bi-directional drive unit (48) that includes a reversible electric motor (49), an electromagnetic clutch (52) and a drive wheel (50) that engages the flexible drive loop. The flexible drive loop may be a drive cable (56), a drive tape(58), or a drive chain (46) or a combination of cable, tape and/or chain.
Abstract:
An improved four-bar hinge assembly for attaching a trunk deck lid to a vehicle body in which the control link of the four-bar linkage has its usual vehicle-mounted pivot pin replaced by the rotatably driven output drive shaft of a power drive mechanism that is rigidly and directly coupled to the control link to swing to the same and thereby power actuate the four-bar linkage in order to pivot the deck lid between open and closed positions. The hinge elements are located on the weather side of the vehicle body components and the drive shaft extends through the vehicle sheet metal into the weather sealed trunk compartment so that the electro-mechanical drive components are mounted within the weather sealed trunk.