Coreless motor door closure system

• US 20030089042A1
• Filed: 10/25/2002
• Published: 05/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Atoma International Corp.
• Original Assignee: Atoma International Corp.
• Inventors: Oxley, Peter Lance, Mrkovic, Dragan, Pribisic, Mirko, Oberheide, G. Clark
• Granted Patent: US 7,032,349 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 49/360
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/60 using electrical actuators
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/646 allowing or involving a secondary movement of the wing, e.g. rotational or transversal
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/474 Compression springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/668 Pulleys; Wheels
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/672 Tensioners, tension sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/3014 Back driving the transmission or motor
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/3015 Power assistance
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/334 by using pulse generators
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/445 Switches
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/312 Horizontal motion
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/454 in or on the motor
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/00 Details, accessories and auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/205 forming a unit
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/21 of identical elements, e.g. of identical compression springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors

Abstract

An automation assembly is adapted to be connected to a door system of a motor vehicle. The automation assembly is modular and includes a frame that is fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. A motor is fixedly secured to the frame and adapted to receive power. The motor converts the power into a rotational output force. The motor includes a non-ferrous core. A set of pulleys and rollers are fixedly secured to the frame at predetermined positions to direct the path of a continuous belt. The continuous belt is fixedly secured to the door system such that the motor moves the continuous belt and the door system bidirectionally between an open position and a closed position. Sensors are used to determine the position of the door, the speed thereof and whether the door is being moved manually.

Claims

1. A closure assembly for closing an opening of a motor vehicle, said closure assembly comprising:

a closure panel sized to cover the opening of the motor vehicle, said closure panel including a hinge;

a belt fixedly secured to said hinge, said belt defining a path;

a coreless motor positioned along said path for moving the belt through said path to move said closure panel; and

a tensioning device for absorbing tension in said belt when said closure panel is moved manually.

2. A closure assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tension absorbing device includes a first tension plunger and a second tension plunger.

3. A closure assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first tension plunger and said second tension plunger are positioned along said path on either side of the position of said coreless motor.

4. A closure assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said coreless motor includes a pinion gear.

5. A closure assembly as set forth in claim 4 including a drive gear engagable with said pinion gear.

6. A coreless motor comprising:

a disk having a hollow center and defining a periphery, said disk rotatable about an axis;

a magnetized member extending coaxially with said axis of said disk;

an electrical conductor being wound about said periphery of said disk; and

at least two conductors connecting said electrical conductor to an electrical current such that the electrical current passing through said electrical conductor moves said disk with respect to said magnetized member.

7. An automation assembly adapted to be connected to a door system of a motor vehicle, said automation assembly comprising:

a frame fixedly secured to the motor vehicle;

a motor fixedly secured to said frame and adapted to receive power and convert the power into a rotational output force, said motor including a non-ferrous core;

a set of rollers fixedly secured at predetermined positions along said frame; and

a continuous belt extending around said set of rollers and said motor, said belt being fixedly secured to the door system such that said motor moves said continuous belt and the door system bidirectionally between an open position and a closed position.

8. An automation assembly adapted to be connected to a door system of a motor vehicle, the door system having a door and a track for movement of the door system therealong, said automation assembly comprising:

a frame slideably engaged with the track of the door system;

a motor fixedly secured to said frame and adapted to receive power and to convert the power into a rotational output force;

a set of rollers fixedly secured to said frame at predetermined positions therealong; and

a belt extending between a first end and a second end, each of said first and second ends being secured to the motor vehicle, wherein said rotational output force generated by said motor moves said frame and the door assembly along the track between an open position and a closed position.

9. An automation assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said motor includes a nonferrous core.