Linear drive actuator for a movable vehicle panel
First Claim
1. A drive actuator for use on a motor vehicle having a body and a moveable panel, the drive actuator comprising:
- a first drive element coupleable to one of the body and the moveable panel;
a drivescrew coupled to the first drive element, the drivescrew defining a first axis therethrough;
a second drive element threadably coupled to the drivescrew and moveable with respect to the first drive element along the first axis between an open position and a closed position;
a gimbal device coupled to and extending between the second drive element and the other of the body and the movable panel, the gimbal device providing freedom of relative rotation in at least two normal axes between the second drive element and the other of the body and the moveable panel; and
a motor coupled to the first drive element and operatively coupled to the drivescrewa clutch releasably interconnecting the motor and the drivescrew, the clutch configured to disconnect the motor from the drivescrew in response to sensing excessive loads therebetween.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for opening and closing a deck lid of a vehicle body includes a jack-screw type drive unit having two elongated relatively rotatable drive elements which are threadably engaged for bi-directional displacement. An electric motor engages the rotatable drive element. A first mounting device pivotally connects the rotatable drive element to a relatively fixed point on the vehicle. A second mounting device pivotally connects the non-rotatable drive element to the deck lid, or vice versa. The motor is energized to affect bi-directional control of the drive unit while enabling low back-drive effort. A concentric spring counters loading due to the weight of the deck lid.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A drive actuator for use on a motor vehicle having a body and a moveable panel, the drive actuator comprising:
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a first drive element coupleable to one of the body and the moveable panel; a drivescrew coupled to the first drive element, the drivescrew defining a first axis therethrough; a second drive element threadably coupled to the drivescrew and moveable with respect to the first drive element along the first axis between an open position and a closed position; a gimbal device coupled to and extending between the second drive element and the other of the body and the movable panel, the gimbal device providing freedom of relative rotation in at least two normal axes between the second drive element and the other of the body and the moveable panel; and a motor coupled to the first drive element and operatively coupled to the drivescrew a clutch releasably interconnecting the motor and the drivescrew, the clutch configured to disconnect the motor from the drivescrew in response to sensing excessive loads therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A drive actuator for use on a motor vehicle having a body and a moveable panel, the drive actuator comprising:
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a first drive element coupleable to one of the body and the moveable panel; a drivescrew coupled to the first drive element, the drivescrew defining a first axis therethrough; a second drive element threadably coupled to the drivescrew and moveable with respect to the first drive element along the first axis between an open position and a closed position; a gimbal device coupled to and extending between the second drive element and the other of the body and the movable panel, the gimbal device providing freedom of relative rotation in at least two normal axes between the second drive element and the other of the body and the moveable panel; and a motor coupled to the first drive element and operatively coupled to the drivescrew a damper interconnecting the motor and the drivescrew, the damper being operable independently of the slip clutch and configured to absorb momentary torsional loads. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A drive actuator for use on a motor vehicle having a body and a moveable panel, the drive actuator comprising:
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a first drive element coupleable to one of the body and the moveable panel; a drivescrew coupled to the first drive element, the drivescrew defining a first axis therethrough; a second drive element threadably coupled to the drivescrew and moveable with respect to the first drive element along the first axis between an open position and a closed position; a gimbal device coupled to and extending between the second drive element and the other of the body and the movable panel, the gimbal device providing freedom of relative rotation in at least two normal axes between the second drive element and the other of the body and the moveable panel; and a motor coupled to the first drive element and operatively coupled to the drivescrew a clutch releasably interconnecting the second drive element and the gimbal, the clutch configured to disconnect the second drive element from the gimbal in response to sensing excessive loads therebetween.
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Specification