Vehicle liftgate window component module
AssigneeValeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
InventorsTerence M. Gates, Philippe Gougeon, Leonida S. Vaitus, William Ethan A. McClure
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A liftgate component module mountable on a pivotal liftgate window provides a unitary mounting platform for a plurality of components including a window wiper drive motor and a window latch. A unitary bracket carries the wiper drive apparatus and the window latch apparatus. A handle, which may include an electrical switch, is also mounted on the window. The electrical connections between the handle switch and a controller carried on the window as part of the motor enables instantaneous response of the latch to activation of the handle switch. The same controller can also control a liftgate latch and a liftgate electrical switch handle.
Claims11
A liftgate component module mountable on a movable liftgate window carried on a vehicle liftgate, the module comprising:
- a window wiper drive means for reciprocating a wiper arm;
- a window latch means for releasably latching a liftgate window to a liftgate;
- means for unitarily joining the wiper drive means and window latch means;
- the unitarily joining means fixedly mounted to the liftgate window;
- and
- handle means mounted exteriorly to the liftgate window, the handle means operative to effect release of the latch means for opening movement of the window relative to the liftgate.
A liftgate component apparatus mountable on a movable liftgate window carried on a vehicle liftgate, the apparatus comprising:
- a window wiper drive means for reciprocating a wiper arm;
- a window latch means for releasably latching a liftgate window to a liftgate;
- a liftgate latch means for releasably latching a liftgate to a vehicle;
- electrical handle means for generating a window latch release signal when activated;
- electrical handle means for generating a liftgate latch release signal when activated;
- and
- control means, carried on the liftgate window, and responsive to the window latch release signal and the liftgate latch release signal, for controlling the operation of the window latch and the liftgate latch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.