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Power tailgate system and method

  • US 9,636,978 B2
  • Filed: 09/05/2013
  • Issued: 05/02/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A split power door system for a vehicle comprising:

  • an upper door arranged to articulate between a closed position and an open position;

    a lower door hingedly mountable to a vehicle for articulation about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position, the lower door comprising a cavity;

    an actuator mechanism disposed within the cavity, the actuator mechanism being pivotally coupleable to the vehicle at a position offset from the pivot axis; and

    drive means for driving the actuator mechanism to articulate the lower door between said closed and said open positions;

    wherein the actuator mechanism comprises an actuator and a bell crank, and wherein the actuator provides linear motion and is coupled at a first end thereof to a hinge via the bell crank, the bell crank being pivotally mounted to the lower door within the cavity, the actuator being pivotally coupled at a second end thereof to the lower door.

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