Abstract:
A vehicle door cinching apparatus for assisting the final closing motion of a sliding vehicle door includes an electromagnet, a ferrous metal plate, a cinch drive and a controller. The electromagnet mounts on either an outer periphery of a vehicle sliding door or an inner periphery of a vehicle sliding door frame that's shaped to receive the sliding door as the door moves along a final inward cinching portion of a door path to a final closed position within the door frame. The plate is supported on the other of the outer periphery of the door and the inner periphery of the door frame in a position where the plate can magnetically engage the electromagnet when the door is disposed along the final cinching portion of the door path. Whichever of the plate and electromagnet is supported on the inner periphery of the door frame is also supported for lateral movement in a direction generally parallel to the cinching portion of the door path. According to the method, the cinch drive moves whichever of the electromagnet and plate is supported on the inner periphery of the door frame to drive the door along the final cinching portion of the door path and into the final closed position. The controller de-energizes the electromagnet and releases the door from the cinching apparatus once the door has reached its final closed position.
Abstract:
A latch handle assembly for permitting power or manual unlatching of a door latch. The assembly includes a latch handle for manual unlatching of the vehicle door. A mechanical linkage is attached to the latch handle and is adapted to interconnect with the door latch. The latch handle assembly also includes a switch disposed on the latch handle. The switch interconnects with a power-assisted unlatching mechanism that allows the switch to unlatch the door. Finally, there is a handle lock disposed adjacent the latch handle for disabling the latch handle in the normal condition when power is on and the power-assisted unlatching function is operable. The handle lock is operative to move from a locked position preventing the latch handle from moving, and an unlocked position allowing movement of the latch handle.
Abstract:
A pivot and slide door system for an automotive vehicle includes a door adapted to be disposed in a door opening of a vehicle body. The pivot and slide door system also includes a pivot assembly attached to the vehicle body and cooperating with the door to pivot the door from a closed position to a pivot position. The pivot and slide door system further includes a slide assembly cooperating with the pivot assembly to slide the door from the pivot position to an open position.
Abstract:
A drive apparatus, in particular for the automatic actuation of a sliding door of a motor vehicle, comprising a fast running motor, the motor shaft of which is connected to a transmission with a large step-down ratio, the transmission having a first gear wheel which can be secured against rotation, via a releasable blocking device, and a second rotatable gear wheel which is rotationally fixedly connected to an output drive shaft and which is rotatable relative to the first gear wheel by the rotation of the motor when the first gear wheel is blocked, with the number of teeth of the first gear wheel only differing by a few teeth from the number of teeth of the second gear wheel and with the large step-down ratio being determined by this difference of the tooth numbers. By releasing the blocking device, the step-down ratio of the transmission changes. In particular a step-down ratio of 1:1 results. The transmission is thereby capable of being driven in reverse, so that a manual actuation of the sliding door of a motor vehicle is possible, without the requirement for a releasable clutch device between the sliding door and the drive apparatus.
Abstract:
A window regulator mechanism for raising and lowering a window that slides up and down in a hollow closure. The window regulator mechanism includes a base plate that supports a tape drive that pulls the window up and pulls the window down. The tape wraps around upper and lower rollers that rotate on axes that are substantially parallel to the length of the closure. Two slack take-up devices for the tape are disclosed. An alternate window regulator mechanism drives the tape with conformation and does not need any slack take-up.
Abstract:
A vehicle door latch has a locking mechanism and an unlatching mechanism that cooperate so that the door latch can be unlocked when the unlatching operation is initiated prematurely.
Abstract:
A self locking forkbolt for pivoting the end of a pivoting seat back frame to a vehicle body includes a pin that is locked into a slot by the end of a hook that swings on a pivot axis across the slot, from an open to a closed position. A locking lever fixed to the hook moves with the hook, and a cam lever pivoted to the same pivot axis, located on to of the locking lever, has a striker edge that is engaged by the pin first as the pin is pushed into the slot. The force transfer connection between the cam lever and the hook/locking lever is indirect, consisting of a spring that is compressed by the pivoting cam lever to, in turn, push on the hook. The locking lever pops into a latched position as the hook swings closed, and the spring remains at least slightly compressed, reducing rattle of the pin within the slot.
Abstract:
A vehicle door latch has a locking mechanism and an unlatching mechanism that cooperate with each other and an inside handle lever so the door latch can be unlocked and unlatched by an inside door handle or the like.
Abstract:
A vehicle door latch has a rotatable fork bolt that is latched by a detent in primary or an intermediate secondary latch position. The detent is operated via an intermittent lever that is operated by a transfer lever that is actuated by inside and outside door handles via suitable mechanical linkage. The door latch includes a locking lever that disables the door handles from operating the intermittent lever when it is in the locked position. The door latch also includes a cinching mechanism that automatically engages the fork bolt in the primary latch position when the intermediate secondary latch position is reached. The cinching mechanism shifts out of the way responsive to an unlatching operation to provide a fail-safe feature.
Abstract:
A passenger van is equipped with a drive mechanism for power operation of a slideable side door. The drive mechanism has an endless flexible drive member that travels in a closed loop which includes travel through a center track that supports and guides a hinge and roller assembly that is attached to the rear of the side door. A clutch is mounted on the hinge and roller assembly to clamp onto the flexible drive member for power operation. The clutch is operated by an actuator that includes a solenoid and a linkage between the solenoid and a moveable plate of the clutch. An electromagnetic clutch may be used as an alternative.