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Daimlerchrysler Corporation

Atoma International Corporation

Frederick C Butler

Peter Lance Oxley

Andrew R Daniels

Thomas P Frommer

Wieslaw Nowicki

Grzegorz Baniak

Robert Brady Mooney

Andre Olivier

Victor Gusev

Richard A Manning

A power drive mechanism () for a motor vehicle liftgate includes a linking arm () pivotally connected with the liftgate, a crank arm () drivable for pivotal movement and connected with the linking arm (), and a gear train () operatively engaging the crank arm (). A drive motor () is operatively connected with the crank arm () through the gear train () to provide power assisted opening and closing of the liftgate. The gear train () is disengagable from the drive motor () to permit manual opening and closing of the liftgate without backdriving the drive motor (). An actuator () is operatively connected with the gear train () to move the gear train into and out of engagement with the drive motor. A holding linkage () is operatively associated with the gear train () to maintain the gear train () in engagement during power assisted opening and closing of the liftgate.

Power drive mechanism for a motor vehicle liftgate having a disengageable gear train

A power drive mechanism ( ) for a motor vehicle liftgate includes a linking arm ( ) pivotally connected with the liftgate, a crank arm ( ) drivable for pivotal movement and connected with the linking arm ( ), and a gear train ( ) operatively engaging the crank arm ( ). A drive motor ( ) is operatively connected with the crank arm ( ) through the gear train ( ) to provide power assisted opening and closing of the liftgate. The gear train ( ) is disengageable from the drive motor ( ) to permit manual opening and closing of the liftgate without backdriving the drive motor ( ). An actuator ( ) is operatively connected with the gear train ( ) to move the gear train into and out of engagement with the drive motor. A holding linkage ( ) is operatively associated with the gear train ( ) to maintain the gear train ( ) in engagement during power assisted opening and closing of the liftgate.

A pinch sensing arrangement for a motor vehicle power liftgate mounted to the body of the motor vehicle and driven by a drive mechanism between an open position and a closed position. The pinch sensing arrangement includes a mounting track, a sensor and a control module. The mounting track is attached to the liftgate. The sensor is attached to the mounting track and elongated along at least one of the lateral sides of the liftgate. The sensor is operative for generating an electrical signal when compressed. The control module is in electrical communication with the sensor and is adapted to control the drive mechanism to articulate the liftgate to the open position upon receiving the electrical signal.

Pinch sensing arrangement for a motor vehicle power liftgate

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.

Drive arrangement for a power liftgate including clutching mechanism

A drive arrangement for articulating a liftgate of a motor vehicle between an open position and a closed position under a source of power. The liftgate is mounted to a body of the motor vehicle for articulation about a horizontally extending 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 first gear is ultimately driven by the drive motor. A crank arm is pivotally interconnected to the mounting member. The crank arm includes a second gear in meshing relationship with the first gear. The second gear is preferably a sector gear having a plurality of teeth formed on a concavely curved surface thereof. A linkage has a first end attached to the crank arm and a second end for attachment to the liftgate.

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Davisburg, MI, United States of America

Frederick C Butler