Power release actuator

• US 7,261,334 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2004
• Issued: 08/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures, Inc.
• Inventors: Oberheide, G. Clarke, Jorgensen, Gregory A., Zeabari, John G., McGettrick, Thomas L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barrett; Suzanne Dino
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOSWELL, CHRISTOPHER J
• Application Number:
  US10/873,789
• Publication Number:
  US 20050184534A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,162 Days
• Field of Search: 292/201, 292/210, 292/216, 292/DIG.22, 292/DIG.23, 292/DIG.65
• US Class Current: 292/201
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/14 operating on bolt detents, e.g. for unlatching the bolt
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/20 for assisting final closing or for initiating opening
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/23 Vehicle door latches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1047 Closure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1082 Motor

Abstract

A method as disclosed for operating a motor bidirectionally to cinch and release a closure panel of a motor vehicle. The motor is operatively connected to a pawl, ratchet and spring of a latch for the closure panel. The method includes the step of driving the motor in a cinching direction to rotate the ratchet to cinch the closure panel in the closed position. The motor is then returned to a park position by driving the motor in a park direction opposite to the cinching direction. Power is applied to the motor to drive the motor in a release direction to drive the motor past the park position with respect to the cinching direction. In doing so, the motor contracts the spring as it moves in the release direction. Power is then removed from the motor allowing the spring to force the motor to return to the park position as the spring returns to its steady state position.

Claims

1. An actuating assembly for a closure panel of a motor vehicle, said actuating assembly comprising:

a ratchet engageable with a striker of the closure panel, said ratchet including a cinch surface and a drive surface defining an opening therebetween;

a sector gear movable in opposing first and second directions, said sector gear including a drive pin extending out perpendicularly therefrom and received within said opening of said ratchet for selective engagement with said cinch and drive surfaces thereof;

a motor spaced apart from said sector gear, said motor including an output shaft extending out therefrom, said output shaft drivable in cinching and releasing directions from a park position;

a transmission operatively connected between said output shaft and said sector gear for moving said sector gear in said first direction in order to drive said drive pin against said cinch surface of said ratchet to lock the striker within said ratchet when said output shaft is drivable in said cinching direction and for moving said sector gear in said second direction in order to drive said drive pin against said drive surface of said ratchet to release the striker from said ratchet when said output shaft is drivable in said releasing direction; and

a spring having one end disposed within said opening and engageable with said drive pin for forcing said sector gear into movement in said first direction in order to return said motor to said park position after said motor is turned off and said output shaft has moved in the releasing direction.

2. An actuating assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drive pin travels within said opening relative to said ratchet after the striker is locked within said ratchet in order to return said motor to said park position.

3. An actuating assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said spring is a coil that is expanded by said drive pin as said drive pin is driven against said drive surface of said ratchet.

4. An actuating assembly as set forth in claim 3 including a belt extending between said output shaft and said transmission.

5. An actuating assembly for cinching and releasing a striker bar fixedly secured to a closure panel of a motor vehicle, said actuating assembly comprising:

a ratchet engageable with the striker bar of the closure panel;

a sector gear movable in opposing first and second directions, said sector gear including a drive pin extending out perpendicularly therefrom for selectively engaging said ratchet;

a motor including an output shaft drivable in cinching and releasing directions from a park position;

a transmission operatively connected between said output shaft and said sector gear, said transmission moving said sector gear in said first direction when said output shaft is driven in said cinching direction in order to drive said drive pin against said ratchet to lock the striker within said ratchet, said transmission moving said sector gear in said second direction when said output shaft is driven is said releasing direction in order to drive said drive pin against said ratchet to release the striker from said ratchet; and

a spring having a first end operably connected to said transmission and a second end engageable with said drive pin, said drive pin expanding said spring as said sector gear moves in said second direction to drive said drive pin against said ratchet to release the striker, said spring forcing said sector gear into movement in said first direction after said motor is turned off in order to return said motor to said park position.

6. An actuating assembly as set forth in claim 5 including a belt extending between said output shaft and said transmission.