Single drive dual motion actuator assembly

A single drive dual motion actuator assembly comprising:

• a double-handed threaded lead screw comprising a left hand threaded section and a right hand threaded section operatively connected to a gear motor;
• a left hand threaded carrier disposed on the left hand threaded section and a right hand threaded carrier disposed on the right hand threaded section, the left hand threaded carrier and the right hand threaded carrier configured to move in opposite directions along the double-handed threaded lead screw when rotated;
• a first female ball socket attached to a first attachment plate, wherein the first attachment plate is affixed to a first closure panel of a closure panel assembly;
• a second female ball socket attached to a second attachment plate, wherein the second attachment plate is affixed to a second closure panel of the closure panel assembly;
• a first ball stud extending from the left-hand threaded carrier and received in the first female ball socket, wherein the first female ball socket comprises a front slot and a rear slot configured to receive a metal spring clip to secure the first ball stud within the first female ball socket;
• wherein the second female ball socket is movably attached to the second attachment plate to accommodate alignment tolerance during motion of the second closure panel;
• a lead screw cover configured to enclose the double-handed threaded lead screw, the lead screw cover comprising cut-outs dimensioned to allow vertical insertion of the first and second female ball sockets, the cut-outs being closable using trim covers secured with push-pin fasteners;
• a split bushing positioned between the left-hand threaded section and the right-hand threaded section of the double-handed threaded lead screw and a bushing cover configured to retain the split bushing in position;
• a brake positioned between the double-handed threaded lead screw and the gear motor, the brake configured to resist forced entry or back-driving of the closure panels when external manual force is applied;
• and
• wherein the gear motor comprises a built-in Hall sensor configured to detect a position of the closure panels and provide closed-loop motion control, the Hall sensor further configured to detect an obstruction during a closing operation and automatically initiate a stopping or reversing action of the gear motor in response to the obstruction.