Power actuator for automotive passenger door

Abstract

A power actuator is configured for a hinged vehicle door with a generally vertical hinge axis. The power actuator includes a motor-gearbox assembly, a slip clutch, a friction brake, a threaded spindle with a motor-side bearing, and a spindle nut affixed to a spindle tube, configured to travel along the threaded spindle during a rotation of the spindle. The slip clutch and the friction brake are operatively positioned between the motor-gearbox assembly and the motor-side bearing. The power actuator does not need to include a biasing element acting on the spindle nut toward an extended position because such a biasing element is unnecessary where the hinge axis is generally parallel to the direction of gravity.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.