Drive arrangement for a power liftgate including clutching mechanism
AssigneesDaimlerChrysler AG, Atoma International Inc.
InventorsFrederick C Butler, Peter L Oxley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A drive arrangement for articulating a liftgate of a motor vehicle between an open position and a closed position. The liftgate is mounted to a body of the motor vehicle for articulation about a pivot axis. The drive arrangement includes a mounting member for attachment to the body of the motor vehicle. A drive motor is attached to the mounting member. A crank arm is pivotally interconnected to the mounting member. The crank arm includes a driven gear. A linkage includes a first end attached to the crank arm and a second end attached to the liftgate. A drive gear is driven by the drive motor. A clutching mechanism is operative for selectively coupling and decoupling the driven gear to the drive gear.
Claims17
A drive arrangement for articulating a liftgate of a motor vehicle between an open position and a closed position, the liftgate mounted to a body of the motor vehicle for articulation about a pivot axis, the drive arrangement comprising:
- a mounting member for attachment to the body of the motor vehicle;
- a drive motor attached to said mounting member;
- a first gear driven by said drive motor;
- a crank arm pivotally interconnected to said mounting member, said crank arm including a second gear;
- and
- a linkage including a first end attached to said crank arm and a second end for attachment to said liftgate;
- and
- a clutching mechanism operative for selectively coupling and decoupling said second gear to said first gear, said clutching mechanism including a first pinion gear in constant meshing engagement with said second gear.
A motor vehicle comprising:
- a body;
- a closure panel mounted to said body for articulation about a pivot axis between an open position and a closed position;
- and
- a drive arrangement for articulating said closure panel between said open position and said closed position under a source of power, said drive arrangement including:
- a mounting member interconnected to said body of the motor vehicle;
- a drive motor attached to said mounting member;
- a first gear driven by said drive motor;
- a crank arm pivotally interconnected to said mounting member, said crank arm including a driven gear;
- and
- a linkage including a first end attached to said crank arm and a second end attached to said closure panel;
- and
- a clutching mechanism operative for selectively coupling and decoupling said second gear to said first gear, said clutching mechanism including a first pinion gear in constant meshing engagement with said second gear.
A motor vehicle comprising:
- a body defining a rear opening;
- a liftgate mounted to said body for articulation about a horizontally extending pivot axis between an open position and a closed position for selectively providing access to said rear opening;
- a drive arrangement for articulating said closure panel between said open position and said closed position under a source of power, said drive arrangement including:
- a mounting member interconnected to said body of the motor vehicle;
- a drive motor attached to said mounting member;
- a drive gear driven by said drive motor;
- a crank arm pivotally interconnected to said mounting member, said crank arm including a sector gear;
- and
- a linkage including a first end attached to said crank arm and a second end attached to said liftgate;
- and
- a clutching mechanism operative for selectively coupling and decoupling said sector gear to said drive gear, said clutching mechanism including a first pinion gear in constant meshing engagement with said second gear.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.