US 2008/0250720 A1 · POWER LIFTGATE DRIVE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A powered closure drive mechanism is provided for moving a closure between open and closed positions. An elongated housing extends between first and second ends that are movable in opposite directions toward and away from each other. A rotatable lead screw is disposed longitudinally within the elongated housing. A reversible motor rotates the lead screw in a first direction and a second direction to urge the first and second ends of the housing toward and away from each other. A sensor assembly includes a worm fixed to the lead screw for rotation therewith and a rotatable gear meshingly engaged with the worm. The worm and gear are geared such that the gear rotates less than one revolution in response to the closure moving between the open and closed positions.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A powered closure drive mechanism for moving a closure between an open position and a closed position, said powered closure drive mechanism comprising:

an elongated housing extending between first and second ends, said first and second ends being movable in opposite directions toward and away from each other;
a rotatable lead screw disposed longitudinally within said elongated housing;
a reversible motor operatively coupled to said lead screw for rotation of said lead screw in a first direction and a second direction thereby urging said first and second ends of said elongated housing toward and away from each other;
and
a sensor assembly including a worm fixed to said lead screw for rotation therewith, and a rotatable gear meshingly engaged with said worm, wherein said worm and gear are geared such that said gear rotates not more than one revolution in response to the closure moving between the open and closed positions.

2 more elements

A powered closure for a motor vehicle having an opening, said powered closure comprising:

a rear liftgate pivotally coupled to the motor vehicle for movement between an open position pivoted away from the motor vehicle uncovering the opening and a closed position adjacent the motor vehicle covering the opening;
at least one strut assembly extending between a first end operatively coupled to the motor vehicle and a second end operatively coupled to said rear liftgate, wherein said first and second ends are movable in opposite directions toward and away from each other to move said rear liftgate between said open and closed positions;
and
an absolute position encoder including a two-pole magnet and a sensor, said magnet having a magnetic field and operatively coupled to said at least one strut assembly to rotate not more than one revolution in response to said rear liftgate moving between said open and closed positions, said sensor mounted to said at least one strut assembly for sensing said magnetic field of said magnet and generating an output signal to determine a rotational position of said magnet which corresponds to the position of said rear liftgate between said open and closed positions.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Power liftgate drive assembly

Life of this patent

Power liftgate drive assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17