Hi-lex Corporation

Heather Golen

Kevin Richard Koneval

Fred Eberle

Favad Shah

Jay Sypen

A power actuator for moving automotive closure panels between opened and closed positions. The actuator is particularly adapted for actuating the rear tailgate of a pickup truck type vehicle and includes an electric drive motor, a flexible cable assembly, and a strut assembly coupled to the hinge of the tailgate. Electrical control signals are applied to cause the opening and closing motion upon appropriate input electrical signals from vehicle mounted switches. The actuator assembly provides controlled opening rotational rate of the tailgate against the force of gravity through the application of a reduced electrical power level applied to the motor by a separate power source or by shunting the motor to an electrodynamic braking effect. Closing of the tailgate is caused by applying full power to the electric motor. The invention also involves the design of a hinge assembly which efficiently transfers torque between the vehicle body and closure panel, while allowing serviceability of the closure panel.

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Linden, MI, United States of America

Heather Golen