Coreless motor door closure system for motor vehicles

• US 7,032,349 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2001
• Issued: 04/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Atoma International Corp.
• Original Assignee: Atoma International Corp.
• Inventors: Oxley, Peter Lance, Pribisic, Mirko, Mrkovic, Dragan, Oberheide, G. Clark
• Primary Examiner(s): Strimbu, Gregory J.
• Application Number:
  US10/258,644
• Publication Number:
  US 20030089042A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,824 Days
• Field of Search: 493/60, 493/24, 493/52, 493/49
• US Class Current: 49/360
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/60 using electrical actuators
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/646 allowing or involving a secondary movement of the wing, e.g. rotational or transversal
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/474 Compression springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/668 Pulleys; Wheels
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/672 Tensioners, tension sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/334 by using pulse generators
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/445 Switches
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/312 Horizontal motion
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/454 in or on the motor
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/00 Details, accessories and auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/112 Back driving the transmission or motor
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/113 Power assistance
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/205 forming a unit
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/21 of identical elements, e.g. of identical compression springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors

Abstract

An automation assembly is adapted to be connected to a door system of a motor vehicle. The automation assembly is modular and includes a frame that is fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. A motor is fixedly secured to the frame and adapted to receive power. The motor converts the power into a rotational output force. The motor includes a non-ferrous core. A set of pulleys and rollers are fixedly secured to the frame at predetermined positions to direct the path of a continuous belt. The continuous belt is fixedly secured to the door system such that the motor moves the continuous belt and the door system bidirectionally between an open position and a closed position. Sensors are used to determine the position of the door, the speed thereof and whether the door is being moved manually.

Claims

1. A closure assembly for closing an opening of a motor vehicle, said closure assembly comprising:

a closure panel sized to cover the opening of the motor vehicle;

to endless belt fixedly secured to said closure panel, said belt defining a path;

a coreless motor operatively engaging said belt along said path for moving said belt through said path to move said closure panel; and

a tensioning device for absorbing tension in said belt when said closure panel is moved manually, said tensioning device including a first pulley and a second pulley, wherein each of said first and second pulleys operatively engage said belt; and

a compression spring extending between said first and second pulleys and biasing said first and second pulleys to each independently pivot with respect to the coreless motor.

2. A closure assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said coreless motor includes a pinion gear.

3. A closure assembly as set forth in claim 2 including a drive gear engagable with said pinion gear.

4. A closure assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a sensor for sensing the amount of potential energy stored in said spring, said sensor creating a potential signal.

5. A closure assembly as set forth in claim 4 including an electronic controller electrically connected to said sensor for receiving the potential signal and for operating said coreless motor to minimize the potential energy in said spring.