Power release actuator

• US 20050184534A1
• Filed: 06/22/2004
• Published: 08/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures, Inc.
• Inventors: Oberheide, G. Clarke, Jorgensen, Gregory A., Zeabari, John G., McGettrick, Thomas L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,261,334 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 292/201
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/14 operating on bolt detents, e.g. for unlatching the bolt
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/20 for assisting final closing or for initiating opening
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/23 Vehicle door latches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1047 Closure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1082 Motor

Abstract

A method as disclosed for operating a motor bidirectionally to cinch and release a closure panel of a motor vehicle. The motor is operatively connected to a pawl, ratchet and spring of a latch for the closure panel. The method includes the step of driving the motor in a cinching direction to rotate the ratchet to cinch the closure panel in the closed position. The motor is then returned to a park position by driving the motor in a park direction opposite to the cinching direction. Power is applied to the motor to drive the motor in a release direction to drive the motor past the park position with respect to the cinching direction. In doing so, the motor contracts the spring as it moves in the release direction. Power is then removed from the motor allowing the spring to force the motor to return to the park position as the spring returns to its steady state position.

Claims

1. An actuating assembly for actuating a latch to cinch and release a striker, said actuating assembly comprising:

a motor disposed adjacent the latch and including an output shaft extending downwardly, said output shaft drivable in first and second directions from a park position;

a transmission operatively connected between said output shaft and the latch to move the latch in a cinching direction when said output shaft is drivable in said first direction and a releasing direction when said output shaft is drivable in said second direction; and

a spring engaged with said transmission to force said motor to said park position after said motor is turned off and the latch has moved in the release direction.

2. An actuating assembly for a closure panel of a motor vehicle, said actuating assembly comprising:

a latch having a sector gear movable between first and second positions;

a motor spaced from said latch, said motor including an output shaft extending out therefrom, said output shaft drivable in first and second directions from a park position;

a transmission operatively connected between said output shaft and said latch to move the latch in a cinching direction when said output shaft is drivable in said first direction and a releasing direction when said output shaft is drivable in said second direction;

a spring engaged with said sector gear to force said motor to said park position after said motor is turned off and the latch has moved in the release direction.

3. An actuating assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said sector gear includes a drive pin that expands said spring when said motor moves in the release direction.

4. An actuating assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said drive pin extends out from sector gear perpendicularly thereto.

5. An actuating assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said latch includes a ratchet.

6. An actuating assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said ratchet includes a channel to allow said drive pin to move relative thereto without moving said ratchet.