Abstract:
In an aspect, a drive system is provided for a closure panel for a vehicle. The drive system is capable of supporting the closure panel in an intermediate position between open and closed positions. The drive system supports the closure panel against a closing force.
Abstract:
A counterbalance mechanism for coupling with a closure panel to assist in opening and closing of the closure panel for at least a portion of a path between a fully closed position and a fully open position of the closure panel, the counterbalance mechanism including: a frame; a biasing element mounted on the frame and configured to have a first biasing state to provide an opening force to assist in the opening of the closure panel and a second biasing state to provide a closing force to assist in the closing of the closure panel, the opening force opposite in direction to the closing force with respect to a weight of the closure panel.
Abstract:
A counterbalance mechanism for coupling with a closure panel to assist in opening and closing of the closure panel between a fully closed position and a fully open position of the closure panel, the counterbalance mechanism including: a housing coupled at one end to one of the closure panel and a body of a vehicle by a first connector and at another end by a second connector to the other of the body and the closure panel, the housing containing an extension member and a spring positioned along a longitudinal axis, the spring positioned adjacent to the first connector; the first connector having a body with a connection portion coupled by a connection to an end of the housing positioned at the one end; and a spring retention mechanism for inhibiting extension of the spring out of the one end of the housing, the spring retention mechanism including: a spring retainer positioned between the spring and the end; and a retainer pin positioned between the spring retainer and the end; wherein upon decoupling of the connection portion with the end, the retainer pin inhibits movement of the spring and the spring retainer towards the one end along the longitudinal axis.
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.