US 9,353,566 B2 · Power door actuation system

Abstract

A power door actuation system for moving a vehicle door relative to a vehicle body between an open position and a closed position includes a motor assembly connectable to one of the vehicle door and the vehicle body that is configured to generate a rotational force. A drive shaft is interconnected to the motor assembly and extends from a first end disposed adjacent the motor assembly to a second end. The second end of the drive shaft is rigidly attached to one of a body strap or a door strap of a hinge for transferring the rotational force from the motor assembly to the respective rigidly attached strap to rotate the respective rigidly attached strap relative to the other of the door strap and the body strap for automatically moving the vehicle door between the open and closed positions.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A power door actuation system for moving a passenger door of a motor vehicle between open and closed positions relative to a vehicle body, the power door actuation system comprising:

a power-operated actuator mechanism secured within an internal cavity of the passenger door;
a rotary drive mechanism driven by said power-operated actuator mechanism and coupled to or in proximity to a first door hinge;
said power-operated actuator mechanism being coupled to or in proximity to a second door hinge;
said first door hinge defining a pivot axis about which the passenger door pivotably swings relative to the vehicle body;
said rotary drive mechanism including a drive member accommodating angular movement of said passenger door relative to said vehicle body;
said drive member including a drive shaft extending from a first end coupled to said power-operated actuator mechanism to a second end coupled to an adapter attached to said first door hinge;
wherein the adapter and said first door hinge are co-axial;
and
said drive shaft transferring rotational force from said power-operated actuator mechanism to said first door hinge.

6 more elements

A power door actuation system for moving a passenger door of a motor vehicle between open and closed positions relative to a vehicle body, the power door actuation system comprising:

a first door hinge having a first door hinge strap secured to the passenger door, a first body hinge strap secured to the vehicle body, and a first pivot pin pivotably connecting said first door hinge strap to said first body hinge strap;
a second door hinge having a second door hinge strap secured to the passenger door, a second body hinge strap secured to the vehicle body, and a second pivot pin pivotably connecting said second door hinge strap to said second body hinge strap;
said first door hinge defining a pivot axis about which the passenger door pivotably swings relative to the vehicle body;
a power-operated actuator mechanism secured within a cavity of the passenger door adjacent to said first door hinge strap of said first door hinge and having a rotary output component;
a rotary drive mechanism including a drive shaft extending from a first portion coupled to said rotary output component of said power-operated actuator mechanism to a second portion coupled to said second body hinge strap said second door hinge and an adapter attached to said second door hinge, wherein the adapter and said second door hinge are co-axial, said drive shaft transferring a rotational force generated by said power-operated actuator mechanism from said rotary output component to said second door hinge strap for causing pivotable movement of the passenger door relative to the vehicle body;
and
said rotary drive mechanism accommodating angular movement of said passenger door relative to said vehicle body.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Power door actuation system

Life of this patent

Power door actuation system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24