Closure panel extension mechanism with multiple springs

An extension mechanism for coupling with a closure panel to assist in opening and closing of the closure panel of a vehicle between a fully closed position and a fully open position of the closure panel, the extension mechanism including:

• an inner tube having an outer surface;
• an outer tube having an inner surface and overlapping the inner tube for at least a portion of the outer surface along an extension axis, such that the inner surface and the outer surface are adjacent to one another when overlapped;
• a first spring positioned along the extension axis in an interior of the outer tube;
• a second spring positioned along the extension axis in an interior of the inner tube;
• and
• a stopper to engage the first spring at one end and engage the second spring at an opposite end such that the first spring and the second spring are in series with one another along the extension axis;
• wherein the stopper is configured to move during one of an expansion or a compression of at least one of the first spring and the second spring.

A method for operating an extension mechanism coupled with a closure panel to assist in opening and closing of the closure panel of a vehicle between a fully closed position and a fully open position of the closure panel, the method comprising the steps of:

• moving an inner tube relative to an outer tube during said opening and closing, the inner tube having an outer surface, the outer tube having an inner surface and overlapping the inner tube for at least a portion of the outer surface along an extension axis, such that the inner surface and the outer surface are adjacent to one another when overlapped, a seal being positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface;
• expanding or contracting a first spring, the first spring positioned along the extension axis in an interior of the outer tube;
• expanding or contracting a second spring, the second spring positioned along the extension axis in an interior of the inner tube;
• and
• engaging by a first end of the stopper the first spring at one end and the second spring at an opposite second end of the stopper such that the first spring and the second spring are in series with one another along the extension axis;
• wherein the first end and the second end are spaced apart from one another such that the seal is positioned between the first and second end.