Powered actuating device for a closure panel of a vehicle

• US 7,648,189 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2007
• Issued: 01/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Magna Closures Company Limited (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Closures Company Limited (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Paton, Gordon Andrew, Daniels, Andrew R., Vasilescu, Eduard, Vitale, Salvatore, Mrkovic, Dragan, Mitchell, Stephen A. G., Niskanen, Jason David, Porat, Alex, Oxley, Peter Lance
• Primary Examiner(s): Engle; Patricia L
• Assistant Examiner(s): BLACK, MELISSA ANN
• Application Number:
  US11/657,713
• Publication Number:
  US 20070261310A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,090 Days
• Field of Search: 296/146.4, 296/146.8, 296/56, 296/106, 493/34, 493/43, 493/41, 493/40, 493/39
• US Class Current: 296/146.4
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1091 with a gas spring E05F1/1292 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/622 using screw-and-nut mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/11 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/40 Mounting location; Visibility of the elements
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/29 forming a unitary piece with another element
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/548 Trunk lids

Abstract

An actuating device is provided for moving a closure panel between an open position spaced apart from a vehicle body and a closed position abutting the vehicle body to close an access opening thereof. The actuating device includes a telescopic arm having a first member coupled to one of the closure panel and the vehicle body and a second member coupled to the other of the closure panel and the vehicle body. The first and second members are slidable relative to one another to move the actuating device between a retracted position corresponding with the closed position and an extended position corresponding with the open position. A screw is rotatable relative to the first member. The screw includes a cavity formed therewithin. A nut is secured to the second member and threadingly engages the screw such that rotation of the screw moves the second member towards and away from the first member to move the actuating device between the respective retracted and extended positions. A gas spring is at least partially disposed within the cavity of the screw for urging the actuating device into the extended position to move the closure panel into the open position.

Claims

1. An actuating device for moving a closure panel between an open position spaced apart from a vehicle body and a closed position abutting the vehicle body to close an access opening thereof, said actuating device comprising:

a telescopic arm including a first member coupled to one of the closure panel and the vehicle body and a second member coupled to the other of the closure panel and the vehicle body, said first and second members slidable relative to one another to move said actuating device between a refracted position corresponding with the closed position and an extended position corresponding with the open position;

said first member including an outer tubular casing and having a screw journaled therein, said screw being rotatable in situ relative to said outer tubular casing, said screw including a cavity formed therewithin;

said second member including an inner tubular casing partially disposed within said outer tubular casing, said inner tubular casing including a nut disposed on an inner wall thereof and threadingly engaging said screw such that rotation of said screw moves said second member towards and away from said first member to move said actuating device between said respective refracted and extended positions; and

a gas spring at least partially disposed within said cavity of said screw for urging said actuating device into said extended position to move the closure panel into the open position, said gas spring comprising a cylinder filled with pressurized fluid formed within said cavity of said screw and a piston, connected to said outer tubular casing, movable within said cylinder.

2. An actuating device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said gas spring includes a piston rod having one end fixedly secured to said piston within said cylinder and an opposing end extending out of said cylinder.

3. An actuating device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said cylinder is fixedly secured to said screw.

4. An actuating device as set forth in claim 3 including a motor assembly operably coupled to said screw for rotating said screw in opposing first and second directions.

5. An actuating device as set forth in claim 4 including a cable extending between said motor assembly and said screw.