Automotive deck lid actuator

• US 6,232,684 B1
• Filed: 07/21/1999
• Issued: 05/15/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Mork, Neil, Haag, Ronald Helmut, Delaporte, Dany Paul, Anahid, Hassan
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Nestor
• Assistant Examiner(s): JONES, JUDSON
• Application Number:
  US09/358,230
• Time in Patent Office: 664 Days
• Field of Search: 310/68.R, 310/89, 702/40, 702/41, 702/77, 702/79, 292/DIG.42, 292/DIG.43, 292/201, 292/206
• US Class Current: 310/68.00R
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/00 Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means electric permutation locks E05B49/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/06 using rotary motors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/14 operating on bolt detents, e.g. for unlatching the bolt
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/34 of geared transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/54 Electrical circuits for locking several wings simultaneously E05B77/48
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/16 Locks for luggage compartments, car boot lids or car bonnets
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/0141 Shields associated with casings, enclosures or brackets
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/02 for suppression of electromagnetic interference
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/026 Suppressors associated with brushes, brush holders or their supports
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/028 Suppressors associated with the rotor
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/225 Terminal boxes or connection arrangements specially adapted for submersible motors H02K5/132
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 15/00 Suppression or limitation of noise or interference by means associated with receiver H04B1/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/43 Rear deck lid latches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1082 Motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]

Abstract

An automotive rear deck lid actuator assembly including an electronic filter that reduces electromagnetic interference (EMI) conduction and a shield that limits EMI radiation. The assembly includes a clamshell-type housing closed by a flat metal backplate. An actuator power supply terminal and an actuator ground terminal are supported on the housing and connect the actuator assembly to a vehicle electrical system. An electric motor that drives a latch mechanism is disposed in the housing and includes a motor power supply terminal connected to the actuator power supply terminal and a motor ground terminal connected to the actuator ground terminal. The electronic filter is disposed in the housing is and connected between the motor terminals and the actuator terminals. The shield is disposed in the housing, at least partially surrounds the motor and is connected to ground.

Claims

1. An actuator assembly for releasably latching an automotive rear deck lid, the assembly comprising:

a housing;

a latch mechanism disposed in the housing for releasably latching the automotive rear deck lid;

an actuator power supply terminal and an actuator ground terminal supported on the housing and configured to connect the actuator assembly to a vehicle electrical system;

an electric motor disposed in the housing for moving the latch mechanism between latched and unlatched positions, the electric motor including a motor power supply terminal connected to the actuator supply terminal and a motor ground terminal connected to the actuator ground terminal, and

an electronic filter disposed in the housing and connected between the motor terminals and the actuator terminals, the filter being configured to reduce EMI conduction into the vehicle electrical system.

the filter including a combination of low profile circuit components surface mounted on and interconnected through a printed circuit board disposed in the housing.

2. An actuator assembly as defined in claim 1 in which a shield is disposed in the housing and around the motor and is connected to ground.

3. An actuator assembly as defined in claim 2 in which the combination of circuit components is configured to impede high frequency noise currents generated by the motor without impeding the flow of normal operating current.

4. An actuator assembly for releasably latching an automotive rear deck lid, the assembly comprising:

a housing;

an actuator power supply terminal and an actuator ground terminal supported on the housing and configured to connect the actuator assembly to a vehicle electrical system;

an electric motor disposed in the housing and including a motor power supply terminal connected to the actuator power supply terminal and a motor ground terminal connected to the actuator ground terminal; and

characterized by;

an electronic filter disposed in the housing and connected between the motor terminals and the actuator terminals the filter being configured to reduce EMI conduction into the vehicle electrical system,

a shield disposed in the housing and around the motor and connected to ground,

the electronic filter including a combination of circuit components configured to impede high frequency noise currents generated by the motor without impeding the flow of normal operating current, and

the electronic filter circuit components including;

first and second inductors connected in series with one of the motor terminals with the first inductor connected between the one motor terminal and the second inductor, the inductors each being configured to appear as a high impedence to high frequency currents generated by the motor; and

a capacitor having one lead connected between the first and second inductors and a second lead connected to a current path extending from the other of the motor terminals to one of the actuator terminals the capacitor configured to appear as lower impedance to high frequency noise currents than the second inductor and configured to appear as high impedance to low frequency currents.

5. An actuator assembly for releasably latching an automotive rear deck lid, the assembly comprising:

a housing;

an actuator power supply terminal and an actuator ground terminal supported on the housing and configured to connect the actuator assembly to a vehicle electrical system;

an electric motor disposed in the housing and including a motor power supply terminal connected to the actuator power supply terminal and a motor ground terminal connected to the actuator ground terminal; and

characterized by;

an electronic filter disposed in the housing and connected between the motor terminals and the actuator terminals the filter being configured to reduce EMI conduction into the vehicle electrical system,

a shield disposed in the housing and around the motor and connected to ground,

the electronic filter including a combination of circuit components configured to impede high frequency noise currents generated by the motor without impeding the flow of normal operating current, and

the filter circuit components being supported on and interconnected through a printed circuit board disposed in the housing.

6. An actuator assembly as defined in claim 5 in which:

the housing is partitioned to include a motor chamber configured to receive the motor;

the motor is disposed in the motor chamber;

the housing is further partitioned to include a printed circuit board slot in the motor chamber, the printed circuit board slot configured to receive the printed circuit board; and

the printed circuit board is disposed in the printed circuit board slot.

7. An actuator assembly as defined in claim 5 in which the filter circuit components are surface mount devices.

8. An actuator assembly as defined in claim 5 in which a terminal stamping is disposed in the housing and includes current paths that connect the motor terminals to the filter and the filter to the actuator terminals.

9. An actuator assembly as defined in claim 5 in which:

the current paths include printed circuit board slot terminals that project into the motor chamber adjacent the printed circuit board slot; and

the printed circuit board includes spring contacts that contact the printed circuit board slot terminals when the printed circuit board is installed in the printed circuit board slot.

10. An actuator assembly as defined in claim 8 in which the shield includes a metallic conductive coating disposed on an inner surface of the housing.

11. An actuator assembly as defined in claim 10 in which the conductive coating includes non-oxidizing copper.

12. An actuator assembly as defined in claim 10 in which the terminal stamping includes a grounding input terminal disposed in a position contacting the metallic conductive coating.

13. An actuator assembly as defined in claim 10 further including a metal backplate that closes the motor chamber and is electrically grounded.

14. An actuator assembly as defined in claim 13 in which:

the terminal stamping includes a ring terminal disposed in an interior surface of the housing and connected to a ground circuit terminal of the terminal stamping; and

the ring terminal is electrically connected to the backplate.

15. An actuator assembly as defined in claim 10 in which:

the motor includes a metal motor casing connected to the motor ground terminal; and

the metal motor casing contacts the shield.

16. An actuator assembly as defined in claim 15 in which the motor chamber includes a raised rib disposed in a position to contact the metal motor casing when the motor is installed in the motor chamber, the rib being coated by the conductive metal coating.