MULTI-PHASE CLOSURE CHECK LINK MECHANISM

• US 20130031747A1
• Filed: 08/04/2011
• Published: 02/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Gobart, James G., Houck, Thomas E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,414,062 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 16/82
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/1028 for maintaining the hinge in two or more positions, e.g. intermediate or fully open
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/546 Tailgates

Abstract

A check link mechanism for a closure pivotally connected to a vehicle. The check link mechanism includes a check link rotatable about a central axis, and is operably connected to the vehicle. The check link has a cam surface and a free surface, which is rotated about the central axis relative to the cam surface. A detent assembly is configured to apply a substantially-constant detent force to the check link. An actuator is configured to selectively rotate the check link between at least a holding position and a free position. The holding position aligns the cam surface to be substantially perpendicular to the substantially-constant detent force, and the free position aligns the free surface to be substantially perpendicular to the substantially-constant detent force.

Claims

1. A check link mechanism for a closure pivotally connected to a vehicle, the check link mechanism comprising:

a check link rotatable about a central axis and operably connected to the closure and to the vehicle, the check link having;

a cam surface, and

a free surface, wherein the free surface is rotated about the central axis relative to the cam surface;

a detent assembly configured to apply a substantially-constant detent force to the check link; and

an actuator configured to rotate the check link between at least;

a holding position, which aligns the cam surface to be substantially perpendicular to the substantially-constant detent force, and

a free position, which aligns the free surface to be substantially perpendicular to the substantially-constant detent force.

2. The check link mechanism of claim 1, wherein the detent assembly includes two detent buttons applying the substantially-constant detent force, such that the two detent buttons contact the cam surface when the check link is in the holding position.

3. The check link mechanism of claim 2, wherein the two detent buttons apply the substantially-constant detent force to opposite sides of the check link.

4. The check link mechanism of claim 3, wherein the free surface is rotated from the cam surface by approximately forty-five degrees.

5. The check link mechanism of claim 3, wherein the free surface is rotated from the cam surface by approximately ninety degrees.

6. The check link mechanism of claim 5, wherein the actuator is an electronic actuator controlled by a first input device located on the closure.

7. The check link mechanism of claim 6, wherein the actuator is also controlled by a second input device located on the vehicle.

8. The check link mechanism of claim 4, wherein the actuator is a mechanical actuator controlled by a first input device located on the closure, wherein the first input device has a mechanical connection to the actuator.

9. A check link mechanism for a closure pivotally connected to a vehicle, the check link mechanism comprising:

a check link rotatable about a central axis and operably connected to the closure and to the vehicle, the check link having;

a cam surface, and

a free surface, wherein the free surface is rotated about the central axis relative to the cam surface by approximately ninety degrees;

a detent assembly configured to provide a substantially-constant detent force to the check link; and

an actuator configured to rotate the check link between at least;

a holding position, which aligns the cam surface to be substantially perpendicular to the substantially-constant detent force, and

a free position, which aligns the free surface to be substantially perpendicular to the substantially-constant detent force.

10. The check link mechanism of claim 9, wherein the detent assembly includes two detent buttons applying the substantially-constant detent force, such that the two detent buttons contact the cam surface when the check link is in the holding position.

11. The check link mechanism of claim 10, wherein the actuator is an electronic actuator controlled by a first input device located on the closure.

12. The check link mechanism of claim 11, wherein the two detent buttons apply the substantially-constant detent force to opposite sides of the check link.

13. A check link mechanism for a closure pivotally connected to a vehicle, the check link mechanism comprising:

a check link rotatable about a central axis and operably connected to the closure and to the vehicle, the check link having;

a holding plane intersecting the central axis,

a cam surface substantially parallel to the holding plane,

a free plane intersecting the central axis, wherein the free plane is rotationally offset from the holding plane, and

a free surface substantially parallel to the free plane;

a detent assembly configured to provide a substantially-constant detent force to the check link;

an actuator configured to rotate the check link between at least;

a holding position, which aligns the holding plane to be substantially perpendicular to the substantially-constant detent force, such that the detent assembly applies the substantially-constant force to the cam surface, and

a free position, which aligns the free plane to be substantially perpendicular to the substantially-constant detent force, such that the detent assembly applies the substantially-constant force to the free surface.

14. The check link mechanism of claim 13, wherein the free plane is offset from the holding plane by approximately ninety degrees.

15. The check link mechanism of claim 13, wherein the free plane is offset from the holding plane by approximately forty-five degrees.

16. The check link mechanism of claim 15, wherein the detent assembly includes two detent buttons applying the substantially-constant detent force, such that the two detent buttons contact the cam surface when the check link is in the holding position.

17. The check link mechanism of claim 16, wherein the two detent buttons apply the substantially-constant detent force to opposite sides of the check link.