Counterbalance mechanism with friction

A method for operating a friction based counterbalance mechanism (15) of a closure panel (14) of a vehicle (10), the friction based counterbalance mechanism to assist in opening and closing of the closure panel by extending and retracting of an extension member (35) with respect to a second housing along an axis (132), the method comprising the steps of:

• connecting a first pivot connection mount (38) of a first housing to one of a body of the vehicle and the closure panel, such that the extension member is coupled to the first housing, the second housing coupled adjacent to the first housing, the second housing for connecting by a second pivot connection mount to the other of the body and the closure panel;
• using a rotational friction mechanism (46) having a resilient friction element to provide rotating friction during said extending and retracting;
• and
• using a sliding friction mechanism (15a) having a shaped sleeve mounted on one of the extension member and the second housing, the shaped sleeve providing an exterior friction surface, and a second resilient friction element to provide sliding friction with the shaped sleeve during said extending and retracting, a diameter of the exterior friction surface being varied along a length of the shaped sleeve;
• wherein said extending and retracting of the extension member along the axis imparts a rotational motion about the axis for operating the rotational friction mechanism while at the same time imparts a linear motion along the axis for operating the sliding friction mechanism.

A counterbalance mechanism (15) of a closure panel (14) of a vehicle (10), the counterbalance mechanism comprising an extension member (35) to extend and retract with respect to a second housing during opening and closing of the closure panel, the counterbalance mechanism (15) comprising:

• a first housing having a first pivot connection mount for connecting to one of a body of the vehicle and the closure panel, such that the extension member is coupled to the first housing;
• the second housing coupled adjacent to the first housing, the second housing for connecting by a second pivot connection mount to the other of the body and the closure panel;
• a rotational friction mechanism (46) having a resilient friction element to provide rotating friction during said extending and retracting;
• and
• a sliding friction mechanism (15a) having a shaped sleeve mounted on one of the extension member and the second housing, the shaped sleeve providing an exterior friction surface, and a second resilient friction element to provide sliding friction with the shaped sleeve during said extending and retracting, a diameter of the exterior friction surface being varied along a length of the shaped sleeve;
• wherein said extending and retracting of the extension member imparts a rotational motion for operating the rotational friction mechanism to generate the rotating friction while at the same time imparts a linear motion for operating the sliding friction mechanism to generate the sliding friction, wherein the rotating friction and the sliding friction act to resist the opening and closing of the closure panel.