Powered drive assembly

A power-assisted slidable window assembly comprising:

• a window frame;
• a slidable window supported within and slidably positionable relative to said window frame in a first direction;
• a drive housing disposed adjacent said frame and having a longitudinal bore formed through said housing substantially parallel to said first direction;
• a motor assembly;
• a drive cable having a first end rotatably coupled to said motor assembly and extending therefrom and a drive portion disposed within said longitudinal bore and supported for rotation in said drive housing;
• a coupling bracket having a first portion securable to said slidable window and a second portion engaging said drive portion of said drive cable;
• and
• a drive interface having a helical surface formed on one of said drive portion and said second portion and a protuberance formed on another of said drive portion and said coupling bracket, said protuberance engaging said helical surface such that rotation of said motor assembly rotates said drive portion within said longitudinal bore and axially drives said coupling bracket along said housing in said first direction.

In combination a slidable member and a powered drive assembly therefor comprising:

• a track having a longitudinal bore formed therethrough;
• a slidable member slidably positionable along said track in a first direction;
• a motor assembly;
• a drive cable having a first end rotatably coupled to said motor assembly and extending therefrom and a drive portion disposed within said longitudinal bore and supported for rotation in said track;
• a coupling bracket having a first portion secured to said slidable member and a second portion engaging said drive portion of said drive cable;
• and
• a drive interface having a helical surface formed on one of said drive portion and said second portion and a protuberance formed on another of said drive portion and said coupling bracket, said protuberance engaging said helical surface such that rotation of said motor assembly rotates said drive portion within said longitudinal bore and axially drives said coupling bracket along said track in said first direction.

A drive assembly for positioning a slidable member within a frame, the drive assembly comprising:

• a motor assembly;
• a drive housing having a longitudinal bore formed therethrough, said drive housing securable to the frame such that said longitudinal bore is substantially parallel to a direction of movement of said slidable member;
• a drive cable having a first end rotatably coupled to said motor assembly and extending therefrom and a drive portion disposed within said longitudinal bore and supported by said drive housing, said drive cable further including a flexible inner core, flocking covering said inner core and an outer coil wrapping said flexible inner core and said flocking to form a helical surface;
• a coupling bracket having a first portion securable to the slidable member and a second portion engaging said helical surface such that rotation of said motor assembly rotates said drive cable causing linear translation of said coupling bracket along said housing.