Headliner mounted power liftgate drive mechanism
First Claim
1. A power liftgate drive assembly for moving a liftgate of a motor vehicle between an open position and a closed position, said power liftgate assembly comprising:
- a bracket mounted to the motor vehicle adjacent the liftgate;
a drive mechanism fixedly secured to said bracket, said drive mechanism providing a bidirectional rotational force;
a gear pivotally secured to said bracket and coupled to said drive mechanism to receive said bidirectional rotational force to pivot said gear with respect to said bracket, said gear defining a slot extending between first and second ends;
a striker bar coupled to said gear, said striker bar slideable through said slot;
a guide rod connecting said striker bar to the liftgate; and
a latch secured to said gear and operable between a latched position and an unlatched position, said latch engaging said striker bar when in said latched position preventing said striker bar from moving along said slot to power the liftgate between the open and closed positions, and said latch disengaging said striker bar when in said unlatched position allowing said striker bar to move along said slot allowing the liftgate to be moved manually between the open and closed positions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power liftgate drive assembly automatically moves the liftgate of a vehicle between its open and closed positions. The drive assembly is secured to the vehicle at a position near the top of the liftgate. The drive assembly includes a motor that drives a sector gear between two positions. A guide rod is secured to the sector gear to translate the rotational movement of the sector gear into the pivotal movement of the liftgate. A slot extends through the sector gear that allows the liftgate to be moved manually. A latch locks the guide rod in position with respect to the sector gear for automated movement whereas the latch releases the guide rod to move in the slot for manual operation.
55 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A power liftgate drive assembly for moving a liftgate of a motor vehicle between an open position and a closed position, said power liftgate assembly comprising:
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a bracket mounted to the motor vehicle adjacent the liftgate;
a drive mechanism fixedly secured to said bracket, said drive mechanism providing a bidirectional rotational force;
a gear pivotally secured to said bracket and coupled to said drive mechanism to receive said bidirectional rotational force to pivot said gear with respect to said bracket, said gear defining a slot extending between first and second ends;
a striker bar coupled to said gear, said striker bar slideable through said slot;
a guide rod connecting said striker bar to the liftgate; and
a latch secured to said gear and operable between a latched position and an unlatched position, said latch engaging said striker bar when in said latched position preventing said striker bar from moving along said slot to power the liftgate between the open and closed positions, and said latch disengaging said striker bar when in said unlatched position allowing said striker bar to move along said slot allowing the liftgate to be moved manually between the open and closed positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A power liftgate drive assembly for moving a liftgate of a motor vehicle between an open position and a closed position, said power liftgate assembly comprising:
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a bracket mounted to the motor vehicle adjacent the liftgate;
a drive mechanism fixedly secured to said bracket, said drive mechanism providing a bidirectional rotational force;
a gear pivotally secured to said bracket and coupled to said drive mechanism to receive said bidirectional rotational force to pivot said gear with respect to said bracket, said gear defining a linear slot extending between first and second ends;
a striker bar coupled to said gear, said striker bar slideable through said linear slot;
a guide rod connecting said striker bar to the liftgate; and
a latch secured to said gear and operable between a latched position and an unlatched position, said latch engaging said striker bar when in said latched position preventing said striker bar from moving along said linear slot to power the liftgate between the open and closed positions, and said latch disengaging said striker bar when in said unlatched position allowing said striker bar to move along said linear slot allowing the liftgate to be moved manually between the open and closed positions. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
and including a solenoid fixedly secured to said gear to control said latch.
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17. A power liftgate drive assembly for moving a liftgate of a motor vehicle between an open position and a closed position, said power liftgate assembly comprising:
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a bracket mounted to the motor vehicle adjacent the liftgate;
a drive mechanism fixedly secured to said bracket, said drive mechanism providing a bidirectional rotational force;
a gear pivotally secured to said bracket and coupled to said drive mechanism to receive said bidirectional rotational force to pivot said gear with respect to said bracket, said gear defining a slot extending between first and second ends;
a striker bar coupled to said gear, said striker bar slideable through said slot;
a guide rod connecting said striker bar to the liftgate;
a latch secured to said gear and operable between a latched position and an unlatched position, said latch engaging said striker bar when in said latched position preventing said striker bar from moving along said slot to power the liftgate between the open and closed positions, and said latch disengaging said striker bar when in said unlatched position allowing said striker bar to move along said slot allowing the liftgate to be moved manually between the open and closed positions; and
a solenoid actuator securable to said bracket for moving said latch between said latched position and said unlatched position. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification