Door and window drive clutch assembly
AssigneeJoalto Design, Inc.
InventorJohn A. Townsend
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle door and window drive assembly is disclosed for simultaneously or independently driving a vertically moving door and its associated window between respective open and closed positions. A single prime mover, such as a reversible electric motor, a door moving mechanism, and a window moving mechanism are selectively coupled and uncoupled with each other in various combinations by three electromagnetically operated clutches to provide for synchronized manual or powered movement of the door with the window or independent door and window operation.
Claims18
A vehicle door moving apparatus for use in driving a vertically sliding door between a closed position covering a portion of a door opening and an open position exposing the door opening in conjunction with driving a window panel relative to the door between an extended position covering a remaining portion of the door opening not covered by the door in the closed position and a retracted position exposing at least part of the remaining portion, the apparatus comprising:
- single prime mover means for providing power to move the door between the closed and open positions and to move the window panel between the extended and retracted positions;
- door drive means for directing the power from the single prime mover means to move the door;
- window drive means for directing the power from the single prime mover means to move the window panel;
- and
- clutch means for selectively coupling and uncoupling the single prime mover means to the door and window drive means such that the door and window panel can be moved simultaneously or independently by the single prime mover means.
A vehicle door moving apparatus for use in driving a vertically sliding door between a raised position and lowered position in conjunction with driving a window between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the door, wherein the door covers a portion of a door opening when in the raised position and is stowed below a vehicle floor exposing the door opening when in the lowered position, and wherein the window is located on and is movable with the door and retracts within the door when in the retracted position, the window cooperating with the door to cover the entire door opening when the door is in the raised position and the window is in the extended position, the apparatus comprising:
- single prime mover means for providing power to move the door between the raised and lowered positions and to move the window between the extended and retracted positions;
- door drive means for directing the power from the single prime mover means to move the door;
- window drive means for directing the power from the single prime mover means to move the window;
- a first electric clutch which is normally uncoupled but which couples the prime mover means to the door drive means when an electrical current is supplied to the first electric clutch;
- a second electric clutch which is normally uncoupled but which couples the prime mover means to the window drive means when an electrical current is supplied to the second electric clutch;
- and
- a third electric clutch which normally couples the door drive means to the window drive means but which uncouples when an electrical current is supplied to the third electric clutch.
A vehicle door moving apparatus for use in driving a vertically sliding door between a raised position and lowered position in conjunction with driving a window between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the door, wherein the door covers a portion of a door opening when in the raised position and is stowed below a vehicle floor exposing the door opening when in the lowered position, and wherein the window is located on and is movable with the door and retracts within the door when in the retracted position, the window cooperating with the door to cover the entire door opening when the door is in the raised position and the window is in the extended position, the apparatus comprising:
- an electric motor for providing power to move the door between the raised and lowered positions and to move the window between the extended and retracted positions;
- door drive shafts for directing the power from the electric motor to move the door;
- a window drive cable for directing the power from the electric motor to move the window;
- a first electric clutch which is normally uncoupled but which couples the electric motor to the door drive shafts when an electrical current is supplied to the first electric clutch;
- a second electric clutch which is normally uncoupled but which couples the electric motor to the window drive cable when an electrical current is supplied to the second electric clutch;
- and
- a third electric clutch which normally couples the door drive shafts to the window drive cable but which uncouples when an electrical current is supplied to the third electric clutch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.