Method and apparatus for load compensating doors and hatches
First Claim
1. An apparatus for moving a vehicle door relative to a vehicle frame, comprising:
- a cylinder;
a motor situated in said cylinder for rotating a shaft;
a first threaded member coupled to the shaft of said motor, wherein said first threaded member is mechanically linked to the vehicle;
a second threaded member which cooperates with said first threaded member so that said second threaded member does not rotate but moves linearly relative to said first threaded member when said first threaded member is rotated by the shaft of said motor, wherein said second threaded member is mechanically linked to the vehicle door; and
a piston associated with said second threaded member and coupled to a vehicle component; and
said piston being situated in said cylinder and defining a first pressure area and a second pressure area on each side of said piston;
said first threaded member cooperating with said second threaded member when said motor is energized to drive said piston in a first direction to move said vehicle component to an open position and increasing pressure in said first pressure area to provide a counterbalancing pressure to assist movement of said piston in a second direction opposite said first direction when a user moves said vehicle component to a closed position.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus is disclosed for moving a vehicle door relative to a vehicle frame. The apparatus includes a motor for rotating a shaft. The apparatus further includes a first threaded member coupled to the shaft of the motor, wherein the first threaded member is mechanically linked to the vehicle frame. In addition, the apparatus includes a second threaded member which cooperates with the first threaded member so that the second threaded member is moved relative to the first threaded member when the first threaded member is rotated by the shaft of the motor, wherein the second threaded member is mechanically linked to the vehicle door. A method for moving a vehicle door relative to a vehicle frame is also disclosed.
65 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An apparatus for moving a vehicle door relative to a vehicle frame, comprising:
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a cylinder; a motor situated in said cylinder for rotating a shaft; a first threaded member coupled to the shaft of said motor, wherein said first threaded member is mechanically linked to the vehicle; a second threaded member which cooperates with said first threaded member so that said second threaded member does not rotate but moves linearly relative to said first threaded member when said first threaded member is rotated by the shaft of said motor, wherein said second threaded member is mechanically linked to the vehicle door; and a piston associated with said second threaded member and coupled to a vehicle component; and said piston being situated in said cylinder and defining a first pressure area and a second pressure area on each side of said piston; said first threaded member cooperating with said second threaded member when said motor is energized to drive said piston in a first direction to move said vehicle component to an open position and increasing pressure in said first pressure area to provide a counterbalancing pressure to assist movement of said piston in a second direction opposite said first direction when a user moves said vehicle component to a closed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 24)
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10. An apparatus for moving a vehicle door relative to a vehicle frame, comprising:
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a cylinder; a motor situated in said cylinder for rotating a shaft; a first threaded member coupled to the shaft of said motor, wherein said first threaded member is mechanically linked to the vehicle; a second threaded member which cooperates with said first threaded member so that said second threaded member does not rotate but moves linearly relative to said first threaded member when said first threaded member is rotated by the shaft of said motor, wherein said second threaded member is mechanically linked to the vehicle frame; and a piston associated with said second threaded member and coupled to a vehicle component; and said piston being situated in said cylinder and defining a first pressure area and a second pressure area on each side of said piston; when said motor is energized, said first threaded member cooperates with said second threaded member to drive said piston in a first direction to move said vehicle component to an open position and increasing pressure in said first pressure area and providing a pressure which assists movement of said piston in a second direction opposite said first direction to assist a user when moving said vehicle component to a closed position. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 23)
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19. A method of moving a vehicle door relative to a vehicle frame, with the vehicle frame being connected to a first threaded member and the vehicle door being connected to a second threaded member, comprising the steps of:
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providing said second threaded member with a piston; situating said first and second threaded members in a cylinder;
said piston defining a first pressure area and a second pressure area;providing a motor for rotatable driving the first threaded member so that the second threaded member drives said piston to move said vehicle door between an open position and a closed position; and said piston pressurizing fluid in said first pressure area such that a pressure assist is provided when a user moves the vehicle door to a closed position. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 25)
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Specification