Power liftgate device

• US 6,202,350 B1
• Filed: 06/17/1999
• Issued: 03/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Dettling, Michael, Montgomery, Kyle, Addison, William R., Dering, Timothy
• Primary Examiner(s): REDMAN, JERRY E
• Application Number:
  US09/335,065
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 493/39, 493/40, 493/41, 493/42, 491/39, 491/40, 746/25, 74/891.8, 296/146.8, 296/56
• US Class Current: 49/139
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1091 with a gas spring E05F1/1292 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/619 using flexible or rigid rack-and-pinion arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/216 Clutches
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/218 Holders
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/246 by motors, magnets, springs or weights
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/416 for counterbalancing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/462 Electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/722 Racks
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/546 Tailgates

Abstract

A power liftgate device for a liftgate of a vehicle having a power drive unit and a pneumatic actuator. The pneumatic actuator is pivotally coupled between the liftgate and the vehicle and exerts a force opposing retraction of the liftgate. A driven gear is fixed to the pneumatic actuator to pivot therewith and is selectively driven by the power drive unit. The liftgate assembly further includes an engaging device that is coupled to the vehicle for engaging the power drive unit with the driven gear, thereby enabling the power drive unit to drive the driven gear. Specifically, the engaging device is positionable between an engaged and a disengaged position, wherein the engaging device is operable in the engaged position to engage the power drive unit into driving connection with the driven gear. The engaging device is also operable in the disengaged position to disengage the power drive unit from the driven gear to enable the actuator to actuate freely.

Claims

1. A power liftgate device for a liftgate of a vehicle, said device comprising:

a power drive unit;

a pneumatic actuator adapted to be pivotally coupled between the liftgate and the vehicle, said actuator exerting a force opposing retraction of the liftgate;

a driven gear being selectively driven by said power drive unit, said driven gear being fixed to said actuator to pivot therewith; and

an engaging device adapted to be coupled to the vehicle for engaging said power drive unit with said driven gear, thereby enabling said power drive unit to drive said driven gear, said engaging device being positionable between an engaged and a disengaged position, wherein said engaging device is operable in said engaged position to engage said power drive unit into driving connection with said driven gear, said engaging device is operable in said disengaged position to disengage said power drive unit from said driven gear to enable said actuator to actuate freely.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein said engaging device is a solenoid.

3. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a trim panel extending substantially around said power drive unit and said driven gear, thereby enclosing said power drive unit and said plurality of driven gears from a cargo area of the vehicle.

4. The device according to claim 1 wherein said driven gear is formed integrally with said actuator.

5. The device according to claim 1 wherein said power drive unit is operable to drive said driven gear in a first direction to open the liftgate of the vehicle and operable to drive said driven gear in a second direction to close the liftgate of the vehicle.

6. The device according to claim 1 wherein said power drive unit is an electrically-driven, reversible motor.

7. A power liftgate system for a vehicle, comprising:

a liftgate adapted to be pivotally attached to the vehicle, said liftgate being positionable in an opened or closed position;

a power drive unit;

a pneumatic actuator being pivotally mountable between said liftgate and the vehicle, said actuator biasing said liftgate in said opened position;

a driven gear being selectively driven by said power drive unit, said driven gear being fixed to said actuator to pivot therewith; and

an engaging device adapted to be coupled to the vehicle for engaging said power drive unit with said driven gear, thereby enabling said power drive unit to drive said driven gear, said engaging device being positionable between an engaged and a disengaged position, wherein said engaging device is operable in said engaged position to engage said power drive unit into driving connection with said driven gear, said engaging device is operable in said disengaged position to disengage said power drive unit from said driven gear to enable said actuator to actuate freely.

8. The power liftgate system according to claim 7 wherein said engaging device is a solenoid.

9. The power liftgate system according to claim 7, further comprising:

a trim panel extending substantially around said power drive unit and said driven gear, thereby enclosing said power drive unit and said plurality of driven gears.

10. The power liftgate system according to claim 7 wherein said power drive unit is operable to drive said driven gear in a first direction to position said liftgate in said opened position and operable to drive said driven gear in a second direction to position said liftgate in said closed position.

11. The power liftgate system according to claim 7 wherein said power drive unit is an electrically-driven, reversible motor.

12. The power liftgate system according to claim 7 wherein said driven gear is formed intergrally with said actuator.