Operating device for vehicle component assembly

A vehicle component assembly comprising:

• an operated component having a movable portion that moves between at least a first position and a second position;
• and
• an actuating device operatively coupled to said operated component to move said movable portion between said first position and said, second position, said actuating device including
• an operating portion having a supply of pressurized fluid with a control valve and a control mechanism, said control mechanism including a cable release member and a cable pulling member, said cable release member and said cable pulling member being levers,
• a mechanical coupling portion operatively coupled between said control mechanism of said operating portion and said movable portion of said operated component to control movement of said movable portion between said first position and said second position in response to movement of said mechanical coupling portion, said mechanical coupling portion including a flexible cable having a first end coupled to said movable portion and a second end coupled to said operating portion of said actuating device, and
• a piston portion operatively coupled to said supply of pressurized fluid of said operating portion and said movable portion of said operated component to fluidly bias said movable portion from said first position to said second position.

A vehicle component assembly comprising:

• an operated component having a movable portion that moves between at least a first position and a second position;
• and
• an actuating device operatively coupled to said operated component to move said movable portion between said first position and said second position, said actuating device including
• an operating portion having a supply of pressurized fluid with a control valve and a control mechanism, said control mechanism including a cable release member and a cable pulling member, said control valve including a switch located on said cable pulling member,
• a mechanical coupling portion operatively coupled between said control mechanism of said operating portion and said movable portion of said operated component to control movement of said movable portion between said first position and said second position in response to movement of said mechanical coupling portion, said mechanical coupling portion including a flexible cable having a first end coupled to said movable portion and a second end coupled to said operating portion of said actuating device, and
• a piston portion operatively coupled to said supply of pressurized fluid of said operating portion and said movable portion of said operated component to fluidly bias said movable portion from said first position to said second position.

A method of operating a vehicle component assembly, comprising the steps of:

• providing an operated component having a movable portion that moves between a first position and a second position;
• providing an actuating device operatively coupled to said operated component to move said movable portion between said first and second positions;
• supplying pressurized fluid from a supply of pressurized fluid to a piston that is operatively coupled to said movable portion of said operated component such that pressure in said piston normally applies a biasing force on said movable portion to move said movable portion from said first position to said second position by said biasing force when a mechanical coupling portion operatively coupled to said movable portion is moved in a first direction;
• and
• releasing pressure in said piston and moving said mechanical coupling portion in a second direction to move said movable portion from said second position to said first position.

An actuating device for a vehicle comprising:

• an operating mechanism arranged to move a control element in a first direction and to release said control element to allow movement of said control element in a second direction via fluid pressure;
• an indexing mechanism operatively coupled to said operating mechanism and having at least two positions to selectively maintain said control element in said two positions in response to movement of said operating mechanism;
• a valve mechanism operatively coupled to said operating mechanism to open and close a fluid passageway in response to movement of said operating mechanism to selectively apply an operating force in said second direction on said control element via said fluid pressure;
• and
• a manually operated member with an attachment portion arranged to operate said indexing mechanism in parallel with said valve mechanism.

An actuating device for a vehicle comprising:

• an operating mechanism arranged to move a control element;
• an indexing mechanism operatively coupled to said operating mechanism and having at least two positions to selectively maintain said control element in said two positions in response to said operating member, said indexing mechanism including a cable winding member with a cable attachment portion;
• and
• a valve mechanism operatively coupled to said operating mechanism to open and close a fluid passageway in response to said operating mechanism,
• said operating mechanism including a cable release member and a cable pulling member coupled to said cable winding member, said cable release member and said cable pulling member being levers.

An operated component for a vehicle comprising:

• a base member;
• a movable member movably coupled to said base member between at least a first position and a second position, said movable member having a mechanical coupling connection adapted to be coupled to a mechanical coupling assembly to move said movable member from said second position to said first position;
• and
• a piston member coupled to said movable member in parallel with the mechanical coupling assembly and adapted to be fluidly coupled to a supply of pressurized fluid to move said movable member from said first position to said second position.

An actuating device for a vehicle comprising:

• an operating mechanism arranged to move a control element;
• an indexing mechanism operatively coupled to said operating mechanism and having at least two positions to selectively maintain said control element in said two positions in response to said operating member, said indexing mechanism including a cable winding member with a cable attachment portion;
• and
• a valve mechanism operatively coupled to said operating mechanism to open and close a fluid passageway in response to said operating mechanism,
• said operating mechanism including a cable release member and a cable pulling member coupled to said cable winding member, said valve mechanism including a switch located on said cable pulling member.