Power swing door actuator with articulating linkage mechanism
First Claim
1. A power swing door actuator for moving a vehicle door relative to a vehicle body between a closed position and an open position, the power swing door actuator comprising:
- a power-operated drive mechanism connected to the vehicle door and having a linearly extensible actuation member; and
an articulating pivot linkage mechanism pivotably connecting the extensible actuation member to the vehicle body,wherein linear movement of the extensible actuation member in a first direction causes movement of the vehicle door in an opening direction from the closed position toward the open position and linear movement of the extensible actuation member in a second direction causes movement of the vehicle door in a closing direction from the open position toward the closed position,wherein the articulating pivot linkage mechanism includes a connector link having a first link segment, pivotably coupled to the extensible actuation member for pivoting movement about a first axis, extending through the extensible actuation member, and a second link segment, pivotably coupled to a body-mounted pivot bracket secured to the vehicle body for pivoting movement about a second axis, wherein the first axis and the second axis are substantially parallel with one another.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power swing door actuator for moving a passenger swing door relative to a body portion of a motor vehicle. The power swing door actuator includes a housing rigidly fixed to the swing door, a motor mounted to the housing, a connector link having a first end pivotably coupled to the vehicle body portion and a second end pivotably coupled to a drive nut of a spindle drive mechanism. A leadscrew of the spindle drive mechanism is rotatably driven by the motor for causing relative translational movement between the drive nut and the leadscrew which, in turn, results in pivoting movement of the connector link while the vehicle door swings between open and closed positions in response to selective actuation of the motor.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A power swing door actuator for moving a vehicle door relative to a vehicle body between a closed position and an open position, the power swing door actuator comprising:
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a power-operated drive mechanism connected to the vehicle door and having a linearly extensible actuation member; and an articulating pivot linkage mechanism pivotably connecting the extensible actuation member to the vehicle body, wherein linear movement of the extensible actuation member in a first direction causes movement of the vehicle door in an opening direction from the closed position toward the open position and linear movement of the extensible actuation member in a second direction causes movement of the vehicle door in a closing direction from the open position toward the closed position, wherein the articulating pivot linkage mechanism includes a connector link having a first link segment, pivotably coupled to the extensible actuation member for pivoting movement about a first axis, extending through the extensible actuation member, and a second link segment, pivotably coupled to a body-mounted pivot bracket secured to the vehicle body for pivoting movement about a second axis, wherein the first axis and the second axis are substantially parallel with one another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A power swing door actuator for moving a vehicle door relative to a vehicle body between a closed position and an open position, comprising:
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a mounting unit fixedly secured within an internal door cavity formed within the vehicle door; an electric motor mounted to the mounting unit; a spindle drive unit having a leadscrew rotatably driven by the electric motor and a drive nut in threaded engagement with the leadscrew; and a connector link having a first link segment pivotably connected to the drive nut and a second link segment pivotably connected to a pivot bracket fixedly secured to the vehicle body, wherein rotation of the leadscrew in a first rotary direction causes linear movement of the drive nut relative to the leadscrew from a retracted position toward an extended position for moving the vehicle door from the closed position toward the open position, wherein rotation of the leadscrew in a second rotary direction causes linear movement of the drive nut relative to the leadscrew from the extended position toward the retracted position for moving the vehicle door from the position toward the closed position, and wherein the connecter link pivots with respect to the drive nut and the pivot bracket to accommodate swinging movement of the vehicle door. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification