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:
A latch assembly for driving a closure panel from a closed panel position to an open panel position. The latch assembly comprises: a latch mechanism having a first latch element for retaining a mating latch component in a latched position and for moving the mating latch component from the latched position to an unlatched position when released, the movement of the first latch element biased towards the unlatched position by a latch biasing element; and an actuation system having: a mechanical energy storage system having a device for storing mechanical potential energy for assisting the latch biasing element in moving the mating latch component from the latched position to the unlatched position; a mechanical advantage system having a plurality of advantage elements for engaging the device, such that movement of the plurality of advantage elements is associated with a trigger force and cooperation of the plurality of advantage elements provides for amplification of the trigger force as an initiating force to release the stored mechanical potential energy; and a trigger system configured to provide the trigger force to release the stored mechanical potential energy.
Abstract:
A latch assembly for driving a closure panel from a closed panel position to an open panel position. The latch assembly comprises: a latch mechanism having a first latch element for retaining a mating latch component in a latched position and for moving the mating latch component from the latched position to an unlatched position when released, the movement of the first latch element biased towards the unlatched position by a latch biasing element; and an actuation system having: a mechanical energy storage system having a device for storing mechanical potential energy for assisting the latch biasing element in moving the mating latch component from the latched position to the unlatched position; a mechanical advantage system having a plurality of advantage elements for engaging the device, such that movement of the plurality of advantage elements is associated with a trigger force and cooperation of the plurality of advantage elements provides for amplification of the trigger force as an initiating force to release the stored mechanical potential energy; and a trigger system configured to provide the trigger force to release the stored mechanical potential energy.
Abstract:
A bed, comprising: a user support structure including a body support member having a head region and a foot region, and a foot support member positioned proximate the foot region of the body support member and projecting laterally from the body support member; a frame for supporting the user support structure on a support surface; a coupling mechanism coupling the user support structure to the frame and providing for relative movement there-between; and an actuator that is configured to move the user support structure relative to the frame between a user rest position and a user reception/departure position, such that when in the user rest position the body support member is oriented to support the body of a user lying at least indirectly thereon, and when in the user reception/departure position, the body support member is oriented laterally to the foot support member such that the foot support member is oriented to support the user standing thereon.
Abstract:
In an aspect, the invention is directed to a window regulator assembly that includes a carrier, a set of lifter plates, a drive motor and drive cables for operatively connecting the drive motor to the lifter plates. At least one rail may be integral with the carrier. The carrier has a carrier seal that is co-molded therewith. The carrier has a pulley assembly thereon that includes a pulley and a pulley bearing member that has a pulley bending load bearing surface that is conical and that mates with a carrier bending load bearing surface that is inner-conical. The lifter plate is capable of a relatively strong connection to a vehicle window. The lifter plate has a window pass-through member that passes through a locking aperture in the vehicle window. The window pass-through member has two ends and is supported at both ends against vertical withdrawal of the vehicle window. The lifter plate also has a reduced tendency to bind when in use. The lifter plate has lateral engagement surfaces that are for engagement with lateral guide surfaces and has cable mounts for receiving drive cables. The cable mounts are positioned laterally between the lateral engagement surfaces. Additionally, the vehicle window lifter plate has lateral engagement surfaces that are for engagement with lateral guide surfaces. The lateral engagement surfaces are biased against the lateral guide surfaces, thereby giving the lifter plate the capability to accommodate lateral forces with a reduced tendency to bind. A wiring harness clip for holding wiring harnesses to the carrier is provided. The wiring harness clip has two clip elements that together define a wiring harness retaining aperture in a longitudinal direction and an inlet thereto. The wiring harness inlet is canted to a non-zero angle relative to the longitudinal direction. The perpendicular spacing between the two clip elements is larger than the distance between them in the transverse direction.
Abstract:
A vehicle headlight has a segmented light guide device in which segments are selectively controlled to operate in an output state that reduces glare to oncoming vehicle drivers. Vehicle sensors and controller circuitry are used to identify areas of glare removal in the light pattern of the headlight and control the corresponding segments in the light guide device to operate in a selected light output state that reduces glare. The segments can be operated in a focused output state for vehicle driver visibility, or in a scattered output state to reduce glare. The segments can be operated in a clear or transparent output state for vehicle driver visibility, or in a reflected output state to reduce glare. Reflected light can optionally be re-directed. The light guide device can employ bi-stable liquid crystal shuttering or liquid crystal switchable mirror technology.
Abstract:
A tire inflation apparatuses is provided for maintaining a predetermined inflation pressure of a pair of tires mounted on a dual wheel unit of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a first and a second pump unit that are connected to a housing that includes a mounting structure for engaging a complementary mounting structure of the dual wheel unit. The first and second pump include first and second pump rods configured to translate in response to rotation of the dual wheel unit. A gearset and an eccentric drive mechanism are arranged to reciprocate the first and second pump rods.
Abstract:
A closure panel assembly including: a closure panel configured for coupling to a vehicle and for being operated between a closed position and an open position; a closure panel drive system mounted on the closure panel, the closure panel drive system including a motor; and a first drive shaft coupling a drive output of the motor to a first attachment pivot point of a first linear actuator used in operating the closure panel between the closed position and the open position, such that the closure panel drive system is mounted remotely from the first attachment pivot point.
Abstract:
A method is provided for molding an integral joint including a stationary member and an enclosure rotatable about the stationary member. The method utilizes a joint formation assembly defining an inner cavity, a first passageway connected to the inner cavity, an outer cavity surrounding the inner cavity, and a second passageway connected to the outer cavity. The method includes the steps of: introducing moldable material into the inner cavity from the first passageway to form the stationary member; introducing moldable material into the outer cavity from the second passageway to form the enclosure; and divorcing the inner cavity from the outer cavity for separately and independently forming the enclosure around the stationary member to allow rotatable movement of the enclosure about the stationary member.
Abstract:
A method is provided for molding an integral joint including a stationary member and an enclosure rotatable about the stationary member. The method utilizes a joint formation assembly defining an inner cavity, a first passageway connected to the inner cavity, an outer cavity surrounding the inner cavity, and a second passageway connected to the outer cavity. The method includes the steps of: introducing moldable material into the inner cavity from the first passageway to form the stationary member; introducing moldable material into the outer cavity from the second passageway to form the enclosure; and divorcing the inner cavity from the outer cavity for separately and independently forming the enclosure around the stationary member to allow rotatable movement of the enclosure about the stationary member.