Motor Driven Patents (Class 49/349)
  • Patent number: 8418405
    Abstract: A speed reducer (32) including a gear case (33) is attached in an electric motor, and a pinion is provided to an output shaft (35) protruding from the gear case (33). A base portion (33a) protruding in a diametrical direction is provided to the gear case (33) and a support shaft is mounted to the base portion (33b). A sector gear (42) is fixed to a base end of a lift arm (24), and the sector gear (42) is swingably supported by the support shaft and meshed with the pinion. In addition, a groove portion (42c) in a circular arc shape is provided to the sector gear (42), and a gear cover (51) is fixed to the gear case (33) by a bolt (58) penetrating the groove portion (42c) and a bolt (54) disposed on an outer periphery side than the sector gear (42), and the gear cover (51) covers a mesh portion of the pinion and the sector gear (42) and presses the sector gear (42) toward the gear case (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignees: MITSUBA Corporation, Johnan Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasushi Yoshida, Junichi Busujima, Takashi Takizawa, Takeshi Miyagawa, Seiichi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 8414058
    Abstract: A vehicle hinge set for supporting and operating decklid closures on a vehicle include at least one primary unit, at least one secondary drive unit slidably receivable against a primary unit, and a mount for supporting the aligned primary and secondary units. The primary unit combines a decklid strap pivotably connected to the primary unit, and may include a biasing mechanism. The secondary unit is mechanically and electrically coupled for motorized displacement of the strap of the primary unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: M&C Corporation
    Inventor: Michael John Duffy
  • Patent number: 8405337
    Abstract: A door position control including an electric door actuator having a motor and a motor controller in communication with a system controller. A motor actuation operation is selected from a plurality of predetermined motor actuation operations to provide control signals to the motor controller for controlling actuation of the motor for control of door movement. Control of door movement is effected with reference to parameters specific to an installation location including an angular sweep of the door between open and closed positions and with reference to an available bus voltage for supplying power to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Globe Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven A. Gebhart, Syed A. Hossain
  • Patent number: 8402694
    Abstract: The invention relates to a supporting element which takes the form of an angle bar. Suitable means are used to provide the bar with a cable guide sheave and the supporting element and the sheave, together with the aforementioned means, are mounted on a guide section of the type used in window regulators. Preferably, a supporting element and a sheave are provided close to each of the ends of the above-mentioned section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventor: Melchor Daumal Castellon
  • Patent number: 8397433
    Abstract: A rear edge side window catch assembly for a vehicle side window may include a rear edge side window guide and a side window catch bracket. The rear edge side window guide may include an upper end, a lower end and a substantially U-shaped channel formed by an exterior side wall and an interior side wall connected by a back wall. The channel may extend substantially the entire length between the upper end and the lower end. The side window catch bracket may include a connection section and a catch section, wherein the connection section may connect to the rear edge side window guide and the catch section may extend from the rear edge side window guide along the exterior side wall in a direction towards an opening of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: George William Holmes
  • Publication number: 20130055642
    Abstract: A vehicle comprises an outer shell having an opening and a cover for the opening. The cover comprises: a housing, a window and a motor for moving the window. The motor management unit stores three predetermined positions of the window relative to the housing. When the housing is engaged with the opening: in the first predetermined position the window is resiliently retained within the seal and the cover can be released from the opening without damage to the cover; in the second predetermined position the window does not engage with the seal; and in the third predetermined position the window extends into the seal and the window is prevented from being released from the seal without the window first being retracted to the first or second positions. The motor management unit causes the motor to extend the window to the third predetermined position when the vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: McLaren Automotive Limited
    Inventor: Neil Patterson
  • Patent number: 8390219
    Abstract: A door operator with an electrical back check feature is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention are realized by a motorized door operator that electrically creates a back check force for an opening door. The door operator simulates the back check normally created by hydraulic means in convention door closers, but without the use of pistons, springs or hydraulic fluid. The door operator includes a motor disposed to operatively connect to a door so that the door will open when the motor moves, and a position sensor to determine a position of the door. A processor is programmed to exert a closing force on the door in the back check region. In some embodiments, the closing force is exerted by injecting a voltage into the electric motor of the door operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Yale Security Inc.
    Inventor: Blue Houser
  • Publication number: 20130047514
    Abstract: The invention relates to a door closing device having a door closer and a fastening plate (100) for a door closer, having a receptacle side (102) provided for receiving the door closer and having a support side (101) opposite to the receptacle side, the sides (101, 102) being separated by a peripheral edge (103). It is provided that at least one projection (105a-105d) which protrudes outward on the edge is implemented on the peripheral edge (103), the projection being provided for the purpose of engaging in a formfitting manner in a corresponding recess (205a-205d) on the door closer to be fastened, to thus cause an alignment of the door closer to be fastened relative to the fastening plate. The invention also relates to a door closing device having such a fastening plate (100) and a door closer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: ASSA ABLOY SICHERHEITSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Kaestle, Fritz Feucht
  • Patent number: 8381848
    Abstract: Children's ride-on vehicles having window mechanisms, and window mechanisms for such vehicles. In some embodiments, the window mechanism is a manual window mechanism, and in some embodiments the window mechanism is a powered, or motorized, window mechanism. The window mechanism includes a window drive assembly that selectively drives movement of a window member relative to the vehicle body. In some embodiments, the window drive assembly is a powered window drive assembly that includes a window motor assembly and a window linkage to couple the output of the window motor assembly to the window member. In some embodiments, the window drive assembly is a manual window drive assembly. In some embodiments, the window member includes a receiving region coupled to the window linkage. In some embodiments, the window mechanism includes a window support assembly that maintains the window member in a predetermined orientation relative to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Asbach, David M. Bapst, Kurt J. Huntsberger, Jacob J. Clark
  • Publication number: 20130042531
    Abstract: A gate operator for opening and closing an exterior gate includes an elongate hollow housing for rigid vertical mounting relative to the ground. First and second spaced-apart hinge assemblies for securing to the gate are mounted within the housing for pivoting relative to the housing. A motor is mounted within the housing and is coupled to at least one of the first and second hinge assemblies for causing the at least one of the first and second hinge assemblies to pivot between first and second positions and thus cause the gate to pivot between opened and closed positions. A method for manufacturing the gate operator and a folded gate assembly utilizing the gate operator are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: ADVANTAGE GATE PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Arthur Douglas Hird, JR., John Martin
  • Publication number: 20130014442
    Abstract: A door actuation mechanism for a sliding door of a motor vehicle is disclosed as having a motor driven door actuator connected to first and second actuation cables used for opening and closing the door. Both of the actuation cables has a portion extending away from the door actuator in a direction in which the respective cable moves the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: David Maurice Ginn, Rob Anthony Richardson, Heath SidneyEng Sargeant
  • Patent number: 8353129
    Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention is directed to a window regulator for a vehicle window on a sliding vehicle door. The window regulator includes a ratchet that is positionable in a first position and a second position and a pawl that is positionable in a ratchet release position and a ratchet locking position. The position of the ratchet determines the position of a door interlock member for controlling whether the vehicle door is fully openable or not. The window regulator includes a mechanism for separating the ratchet and pawl from each other prior to movement of at least one of the ratchet and pawl from one of its associated positions to the other of its associated positions. The mechanism preferably separates the ratchet and pawl from each other prior to movement of each of the ratchet and pawl from one of its associated positions to the other of its associated positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Magna Closures Inc.
    Inventors: Itsuto Nakanishi, John P. McCorkell
  • Publication number: 20130000204
    Abstract: An automatic slide cover opening/closing device includes a slide member formed with a guide slot, a base seat slidably connected with the slide member and a power member connected with a conductive contact. An engagement section is disposed on one side of the guide slot. The base seat is formed with a guide hollow intersecting the guide slot. An electrical conductor is disposed on one side of the guide hollow and connected to an external power supply. The power member serves to rotate an engagement member positioned at an intersection of the guide hollow and the guide slot. At least one elastic member is disposed on one side of the power member for elastically keeping the engagement member in abutment with the engagement section. The conductive contact can contact the electrical conductor during a stage of sliding travel of the slide member to power on the power member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: FIRST DOME CORPORATION
    Inventors: AN SZU HSU, CHIEN NAN TSAI
  • Publication number: 20120285092
    Abstract: A longitudinal-slide door controlling mechanism is provided to improve door controlling for large vehicles, such as buses. The door controlling mechanism is designed to longitudinal-slide to save space-occupied by the door and enhance safety. The mechanism includes a track, a slider group, a flexible transmission group, and a drive element. The flexible transmission group is used to drive the slider group to move along the track. And the track is attached to the bus body. Therefore the bus door is driven to longitudinal-slide along the bus body. The space-occupied caused by the conventional rotary door is saved. Also, the passerby struck by the door during opening would be eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventor: Chih-Hung Li
  • Publication number: 20120209477
    Abstract: A computing device computes at least one index value for an execution history of opening/closing movement of an openable and closable member. A sensing device outputs signals one after another in response to a change in a rotational state of the electric motor, which is sensed by the sensing device. A setting device sets a masking range for at least one of the signals based on the at least one index value. A determination device determines whether an object is pinched by the openable and closable member based on at least another one of the signals, which is outputted in a range other than the masking range, without referring to the at least one of the signals in the masking range during execution of the opening/closing movement of the openable and closable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: ASMO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiromichi ONO, Takahiro SUMIYA, Shinichiro NODA
  • Publication number: 20120180394
    Abstract: A power window apparatus includes a movable member, a motor, a pulse generator that generates a pulse as the motor rotates, and a controller. The controller includes a reference position setting unit that sets a pulse reference value corresponding to a reference position, a position detecting unit that detects a level of the height of the movable member on the basis of pulses, a lock detecting unit that, on the basis of pulses, detects a locked or unlocked state of the motor, a pinch detecting unit that, in the case where the locked state of the motor is detected, determines, on the basis of whether the level of the height of the movable member is positioned in a non-detection area, whether the movable member has reached the upper-end lock position or a pinch has occurred, and a voltage detecting unit that detects a driving voltage applied to the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: Akihiko Shinohara
  • Patent number: 8209908
    Abstract: A vehicle windowpane holder for connecting a vehicle windowpane to a window regulator mechanism, including: a leg section to be connected to the window regulator mechanism; a glass holding section including opposed surface portions extending from the leg section and a bottom surface portion, each of the opposed surface portions having a width in a longitudinal direction thereof that gradually increases as the surface portions extend away from the leg section, and the opposed surface portions and the bottom surface portion defining a windowpane receiving groove; and weir portions at both side edges of the opposed surface portions so as to close both ends of the windowpane receiving groove, each of the weir portions extending obliquely relative to a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface portion and are removed upon insertion of the windowpane into the windowpane receiving groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Faltec Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahito Mori
  • Publication number: 20120159853
    Abstract: An internally powered sliding panel has a power source and drive train contained internally within the stiles and rails of a frame. A driven wheel is rotatably mounted on the frame and connected to the power source via the drive train. The panel may further include a lift system including a second power source, a lift mechanism, and a lift drive which are contained internally within the stiles and rails of the frame. The power sources, drive train, lift mechanism, and lift drive may be contained completely inside the stiles and rails of the frame. The movement of the panel along a fixed path, and the raising and lowering of the panel, may be regulated by a control system. The control system includes a microcontroller and sensor used to determine the position of the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: WEILAND SLIDING DOORS & WINDOWS, INC.,
    Inventors: Brad Mickelson, Susan Weiland
  • Patent number: 8196349
    Abstract: The lifting window (15) has a windowpane (17) which can be raised and lowered by means of a lifting device and which is guided here by two guide rails (24; 25). In the region of at least one side edge (19), the windowpane (17) is guided, at a point remote from the lifting device, only indirectly by the associated guide rail (24) by means of an adjusting device (38). The adjusting device (38) has a guide strip (39) which interacts with the associated guide rail (24). The guide strip (39) is guided by means of a guide device (41) so as to be moveable at least approximately perpendicularly to the windowpane (17). Said guide strip (39) can be adjusted relative to the windowpane (17) by means of an adjustment device (42) and can be fixed in the desired relative position by means of a fixing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Richard Fritz GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Silvester Golub, Andreas Waser
  • Publication number: 20120137590
    Abstract: A barrier apparatus and method are provided to reciprocate a gate or barrier between an open or closed position with one or more linear drives having one or more traveler mechanisms where at least one motor rotates the one or more shafts and moves the traveler mechanisms to move the barrier. The moving traveler mechanisms are coupled to one or more connecting arms which are coupled to the gate and the movement traveler mechanisms push and pull the arms which in turn push and pull the barrier to reciprocate the barrier between and open and closed position. The gate may be rotated and reciprocated around a horizontal axis from a generally vertical position (i.e., generally perpendicular to the ground where access to a controlled area is open) to a generally horizontal position (i.e., generally parallel to the ground where the gate extends across the entryway to the controlled area).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: THE CHAMBERLAIN GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: Edward S. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8191317
    Abstract: Provided herein is a curb-mounted skylight having a rigid plastic curb frame, a mechanism for firmly securing the curb frame to an opening in a building, a transparent or translucent covering element, and a mechanism for retaining the covering element on the frame. The curb frame includes a fixed base frame (having an interior frame and a counter-flashing element) and a moveable sash frame (having an accessory shelf and a sash). The base frame and the sash frame may be connected to one another by a first hinge member integral with the counter-flashing element and a cooperative and complementary-shaped second hinge member attached to the sash. The hinge members form a watertight seal and may be disengaged to permit the sash to be removed from the skylight assembly during installation, if so desired. Because the frame and hinge components are made of plastic, the skylight assembly is relatively lightweight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: VKR Holding A/S
    Inventors: Christian Aage Lundsgaard, James Eric Brinton
  • Patent number: 8181763
    Abstract: A window winder drive functions with a freewheeling coupling, which has an outer coupling part and an inner coupling part, which is concentric thereto, and comprises clamping bodies arranged between a clamping face of the outer coupling part and a clamping face of the inner coupling part, wherein the clamping bodies are arranged in pairs in the annular space formed between the clamping faces, and the first clamping body of a pair of clamping bodies demonstrates a clamping effect exclusively in a specific direction of rotation of the outer coupling part in relation to the inner coupling part, while the second clamping body of the pair of clamping bodies exclusively has a clamping effect in the opposite direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ross A. Gresley, Thomas C. Catrett
  • Patent number: 8176679
    Abstract: A gear mechanism part for a cable-controlled window lifter is provided that includes a gear wheel and a cable drum that can be driven by the gear wheel. The gear wheel and cable drum are disposed on a common axis. The gear wheel and the cable drum are coupled by a positive fit to an outside gearing disposed on an outside circumference projection. In the cable drum, a fitting chamber for cable end fastening is provided. The fitting chamber is disposed inside the outer circumference projection on a cross-sectional plane projected perpendicular to the axis. In this way, a more compact design of the cable drum and transmission of higher driving torque are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft
    Inventors: Uwe Klippert, Horst Weber, Armin Stahn, Stephan Stetter
  • Patent number: 8166705
    Abstract: A resin window includes a plate-shaped main body portion and a gear projection portion that is molded integrally with the main body portion so as to project in a thickness direction of the main body portion from a rear end portion of the main body portion. A part of a side face of the gear projection portion is surrounded by a gear-side guide frame for guiding the raising/lowering of the resin window. The gear projection portion includes a meshing gear provided along a vertical direction to mesh with a drive gear, and positioning members provided respectively on upper and lower end portions of the gear projection portion to abut on an inside surface of the gear-side guide frame. When the drive gear is rotated, the positioning members slide relative to the inside surface of the gear-side guide frame, and thus the resin window can be raised or lowered along the gear-side guide frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Yasushi Iimori, Kenji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8143832
    Abstract: In a method for operating an electromechanical adjusting device, having an actuating part driven by a controller controlled motor, and which can be adjusted according to a manual specification for a controller operating element between a first and a second end position, the controller detects the precise position of a blockage of an adjusting movement from fed sensor signals, wherein user action performed on the operating element adjusts the actuating part by a first movement directed toward the end position to a position at which mechanical blockage occurs in order to determine a reference position, and adjusts the actuating part by a second movement into the second end position to examine the validity of the previously determined reference position by a test program which decides whether an automatic operating mode, in which an actuating process runs automatically, is activated, or blocked, as a function of the test result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Holzmann, Roman Morawek, Daniel Zuffer
  • Patent number: 8141300
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a powered actuator for use in a vehicle is provided, with regard to an end position of an actuating element which is easy to achieve and conserves easily damaged mechanical components of the actuator made from plastic, rubber or similar. According to an example embodiement, in a calibrating step, the actuator is operated with recording and analysis of an actuation speed measured parameter such that the actuating element is moved in the direction of the end position and reaching the end position is recognized when the value of the actuation speed measured parameter reaches or drops below a given threshold. A temperature parameter characterizing the temperature of the actuator is evaluated before or during the calibration process. The calibration step is then only carried out if the value of the temperature parameter does not exceed an upper temperature limit. An actuator suitable for carrying out said method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft
    Inventors: Felix Heckmann, Klaus Wagner, Detlef Russ
  • Publication number: 20120072034
    Abstract: An automatic hatch system is disclosed. The system includes a hatch frame and a hatch cover connected thereto. A pneumatic actuator assembly is connected to the hatch frame and the hatch cover. The system also includes an automated member for controlling the pneumatic actuator assembly to open, close or adjust the opening of the hatch. The automated member for controlling the pneumatic actuator includes a compressor assembly, a valve assembly, and a controller assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: Bruce C. Cathcart
  • Patent number: 8127496
    Abstract: In a window regulator 10, when a pin bolt 42 provisionally attached to a pulley 22 and a pulley support 54 is fastened to a door panel 14 by a nut 52, the pulley 22 and the pulley support 54 are supported on the pin bolt 42 and attached to a predetermined position on the door panel 14. Here, in the above-described provisionally attached state, the pin bolt 42 is held in the pulley 22 by pin member holding claws 74 of the pulley 22, and the pulley 22 is held in the pulley support 54 by pulley holding claws 68 of the pulley support 54. Consequently, when the pin bolt 42 is to be fastened to a body panel, the pulley 22, the pulley support 54, and the pin bolt 42 can be handled as a single part. Thus, the work of attaching a pulley and a pulley support to a body panel of a vehicle can be facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Shiroki Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuaki Maruyama, Takanori Natsume, Kimihiro Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 8129930
    Abstract: A method of controlling an operation of an induction actuated container cover includes the steps of (a) normally retaining a cover panel of the container cover in a closed position; (b) detecting a target movement of a user by a sensor; (c) generating a first actuating signal to an actuation unit when the sensor detects the target movement of the user; (d) generating an actuation output from the actuation unit to the cover panel of the container cover, wherein the actuation output contains a decelerating and torque enhancing force which moves the cover panel of the container cover at an opened position; (e) pivotally actuating the cover panel of the container cover at the opened position via the actuation output to expose a storage cavity, and (f) generating a second actuating signal to pivotally actuate the cover panel of the container cover back to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventors: Xin Wang, Jiangqun Chen, ShiPing Wang
  • Publication number: 20120047807
    Abstract: A fuel door opening/closing apparatus for a vehicle is configured to lock and release a fuel door for opening and closing an oil filling opening of the vehicle. The fuel door opening/closing apparatus for a vehicle includes a housing mounted to a hinge of a fuel door rotatably mounted to a fuel door housing, a motor installed within the housing, a locking rod configured to be moved between a locking position for locking the fuel door and a releasing position for releasing a locked state of the fuel door, and a power transmission configured to receive power of the motor, convert rotation of the motor to linear movement, and transmit the linear movement to the locking rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicants: Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sang Hyun Lee, In Chan Kim, Won Seok Oh
  • Patent number: 8109039
    Abstract: A unit support for a motor vehicle door includes at least one longitudinally extended guide rail of a motor vehicle window lifter arranged on the unit support, which extends between a first and a second end portion and on which a drive element serving to receive a window pane to be adjusted along an adjusting path of the guide rail defined by guide surfaces is movably guided. A hollow body is integrally formed on the unit support in the region of at least one end portion of the guide rail. The hollow body extends the guide surfaces of the guide rail serving to guide the drive element, defining the adjusting path and/or a deflection element is provided on the hollow body for deflecting a flexible traction means of the window lifter, in order to increase the length of travel of the motor vehicle window lifter in the direction of extension of the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Harald KrĂĽger, Olaf Kriese, Martin Schlechtriemen
  • Patent number: 8104822
    Abstract: A vehicle roller blind or a sunshield roller blind for motor vehicles includes a roller blind web which is connected to a thrust element, which is rigid in compression and/or bending-resistant, for tensioning the roller blind web, and having an adjusting device which actuates the thrust element, which is embodied in the manner of a single-strand cable window lifter and which is at least partially encapsulated together with the thrust element. The thrust element and the adjusting device are arranged in a housing which holds the thrust element and the adjusting device and which comprises a drive housing for the roller blind drive and a preferably tubular guide channel which holds the thrust element and the flexible traction means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co., KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Olaf Kriese, Markus Schultz
  • Publication number: 20120017512
    Abstract: A door opening/closing device for an ice dispenser is disclosed. The door opening/closing device includes a DC motor 1 which is rotated in forward and reverse directions, a 2-staged spur gear 3 meshed with a worm gear 2 installed on a driving shaft, a 3-staged spur gear 4 meshed with the 2-staged spur gear 3, and a fan-shaped output gear 5 meshed with the 3-staged spur gear 4 and rotated in forward and reverse directions by interconnection of the motor 1 and the gears 2, 3 and 4. If the output gear 5 is rotated in the forward direction, a rod-shaped boss 5a pushes and rotates a link lever 6a to press a coil spring 8 wound around an opening/closing link 6 and thus open a door 7. If the output gear 5 is rotated in the reverse direction, the coil spring 8 is released from a pressurized state, and the rod-shaped boss 5a rotates in the reverse direction while abutting against the link lever 6a, so that the door 7 is closed without generating impact and sound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: SCD
    Inventors: Sang Ho LEE, Jin Sung Park, So Yeon Won, Jin Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 8096080
    Abstract: In an embodiment an adjustable window regulator lifter plate assembly is provided. The adjustable window regulator lifter plate assembly includes a base, a window holder and a cross-car orientation adjustment mechanism. The base is configured for movement along a path. The base has an inboard side and an outboard side. The window holder is configured to receive and hold a vehicle window. The window holder is movably connected to the base. The cross-car orientation adjustment mechanism is operable by a cross-car orientation adjustment tool and is operatively connected to the window holder to control the cross-car orientation of the window holder. The cross-car orientation adjustment mechanism includes a cross-car orientation adjustment mechanism tool-receiving member configured to receive the cross-car orientation adjustment tool. The cross-car orientation adjustment mechanism tool-receiving member is accessible from the inboard side of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Magna Closures Inc.
    Inventors: Milos Pavlovic, Nick Marando
  • Publication number: 20120000131
    Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention is directed to a window regulator for a vehicle window on a sliding vehicle door. The window regulator includes a ratchet that is positionable in a first position and a second position and a pawl that is positionable in a ratchet release position and a ratchet locking position. The position of the ratchet determines the position of a door interlock member for controlling whether the vehicle door is fully openable or not. The window regulator includes a mechanism for separating the ratchet and pawl from each other prior to movement of at least one of the ratchet and pawl from one of its associated positions to the other of its associated positions. The mechanism preferably separates the ratchet and pawl from each other prior to movement of each of the ratchet and pawl from one of its associated positions to the other of its associated positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Itsuto Nakanishi, John P. McCorkell
  • Publication number: 20110314741
    Abstract: A retrofit conversion kit for converting a generally moisture intolerant door operating apparatus from overhead use to underground use and for operating a swinging door while protecting the door apparatus against moisture and dust encroachment within its underground location. The kit includes an enclosure to be mounted in a sub-floor stratum beneath a swinging door, with all of the door operating and controlling apparatus, whether electronic or mechanical, being self-contained within the enclosure. A seal arrangement provides the contamination encroachment protection while permitting access to the self-contained operating apparatus within the enclosure while the door remains in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: OPCON MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Angelo NIXON
  • Publication number: 20110314740
    Abstract: A window opening device for use in an automobile door. The device including a motor having a drive gear comprised of a tooth region and a head region. The diameter of the head region is greater than the diameter of the tooth region. A sector gear engages the tooth region and the head region overlaps the sector gear. A first lever arm has a drive end engaging the sector gear and a window end engaging a window. The motor is secured to a body plate configured for mounting to a door. The body plate includes an opening through which the drive gear passes to facilitate engagement with the sector gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Masatoshi Mori, Kenichi Kitayama
  • Publication number: 20110308162
    Abstract: In a vehicle door, an opening/closing control device is provided. In the device, a controller is connected to an input current path connected to a vehicle battery. By a switching relay circuit, electricity is supplied from the vehicle battery to a closing motor or a release motor selectively. Between the switching relay circuit and the closing motor, a closing relay circuit is provided. If electricity is supplied to the closing motor, the closing relay circuit will be switched to ON where electricity is supplied to the closing motor or OFF where electricity is not supplied to the closing motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventor: Haruo KAMIYA
  • Publication number: 20110302842
    Abstract: An intuitive exterior door handle assembly is provided for a heavy duty power assisted vehicle door for opening and closing the door. The exterior handle assembly pivots about an axis for movement between pushed in and pushed out positions to actuate the power assist unit in opposite directions and thereby close and open the door, respectively. A switch or valve assembly controls actuation of the power assist unit in response to pulling or pushing the door handle so as to open and close the door. An override system is built into the handle assembly to actuate the power unit without pivoting the handle. The assembly and override system mount through a single common hole in the door. In the method of operating the vehicle door, the exterior handle is pushed inwardly to close the door and pulled outwardly to open the door through retraction and extension of the power assist assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: TRIMARK CORPORATION
    Inventors: TOM F. SONNEK, LIOR TIKOZENSKI
  • Patent number: 8069611
    Abstract: A sensor assembly and method includes a window regular mechanism having a main lift arm supporting the pane and a drive mechanism. The main lift arm includes a sector gear plate that is drivingly rotated by the drive mechanism. A slot defined in the sector gear plate receives a guide of a sensor mechanism. The guide is moved along the slot as the sector gear plate is rotated such that the guide is moved into a first portion of the slot when the sector gear plate is driven in a first rotatable direction to move the window pane toward its closed position and moved into a second portion of the slot when the sector gear plate is driven in a second, opposite rotatable direction to move the window pane toward its open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Kitayama
  • Patent number: 8069610
    Abstract: A device and method for adjusting a mounting position of a window lifter guide rail of a motor vehicle window, particularly in a frameless motor vehicle door. The device comprises a locking member which includes a lower member, an upper member, and a screw that extends through the locking member. The screw is in engagement with a nut that may be rotated to adjust the mounting position of the guide rail in a vertical direction. The upper and lower members may also be moved relative to one another to adjust the mounting position of the guide rail in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Lisa Draexlmaier GmbH
    Inventors: Friedrich Graf, Martin Feineis, Franz Sturm
  • Patent number: 8066140
    Abstract: A door sealing system is used to seal a container of a vacuum system. In a preferred embodiment the vacuum system has a container door supported on a frame and adapted to seal the container when the container door is closed. A latch assembly supported on the container door is used to latch the container door to the container along a load bearing axis. A power operated pulling assembly located within the container forces the container door against the container by applying a load on the door that is collinear with the load bearing axis of the latch assembly. The power operated pulling assembly seals the container door to the container. The mechanical locking assembly is adapted to maintain the door in a sealed configuration after the power operated pulling assembly has sealed the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Kendall Clark Young, Gregory L. Stone
  • Publication number: 20110283622
    Abstract: A vehicle window opening/closing device 1 comprises: an inversion pulley 12 provided to an upper portion of a guide rail 10; a drive mechanism 14 provided, in line, to a lower end of the guide rail 10, and constituted so that a speed reduction mechanism including a worm and a worm wheel, and a drum connected concentrically with the worm wheel are received into a same housing 15; a close-side cable 24, whose one end is fixed to the drum and whose other end is coupled to a carrier plate 11 via the inversion pulley 12; an open-side cable 25, whose one end is fixed to the drum and whose other end is coupled directly to the carrier plate 11; and an electric motor 17 having an armature coupled mechanically to the worm, the electric motor being capable of being coupled to the drive mechanism 14.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Yoshida, Masayuki Tamura
  • Patent number: 8061083
    Abstract: A drive apparatus for opening and closing a window glass provided in a door having an inner panel is disclosed. The drive apparatus includes a motor provided in the door and a regulator that receives drive force from the motor and selectively open and close the window glass. The door noise includes motor operating noise and vibration transmission noise that is generated when vibration of the motor is transmitted to the inner panel via the regulator. The motor is configured such that a first-order frequency component in vibration of the motor is greater than any other nth component (n is an integer greater than or equal to two), so that the first-order frequency component in the door noise is greater than any other nth frequency component (n is an integer greater than or equal to two).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nakatsune Shirai, Hidenori Ishihara, Tomoki Yamashita, Hiroaki Yamamoto, Katsumi Endo
  • Patent number: 8020345
    Abstract: A door module of a vehicle includes: a panel of door glass including an upper peripheral edge and a lower peripheral edge; a lift plate coupled to the lower peripheral edge of the door glass such that a regulator may move the door glass between a full-up position and a full-down position within the door module via the lift plate; and a position block movable within the door module to: (i) a first position below the lift plate such that the lift plate rests on the position block and the door glass is at a position above the full-down position when the door glass is inserted into the lift plate during manufacture, and (ii) after such insertion, a second position that permits the lift plate to move further downward such that the door glass is at the full-down position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Faurecia Interior Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Twork, James S. Coleman, Shawn Filipowicz
  • Publication number: 20110192087
    Abstract: A magnetic path is formed, in response to the rotation of a motor, by a magnetic detector (24 or 26) (more exactly, a magnetic wire (70)), a magnetic pole of the magnet (22), which is placed counter to each magnetic detector, and the rotating shaft (20). The magnetic wire (70) is formed of a magnetic material capable of causing a large Barkhausen jump. Whenever the magnetic pole opposite each magnetic element changes in response to the rotation of the motor, the direction of magnetic field constituting the magnetic path changes precipitously and a pulse signal in response to the change is outputted from the magnetic detector. Since the direction of magnetization of the magnetic wire (70) changes with a change in magnetic flux density received from a magnet (22), an induced electromotive force occurs due to a change in magnetic flux received by a detection coil. This makes enables the magnetic detector to output pulse signals without power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: MABUCHI MOTOR CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Toru Tategami
  • Publication number: 20110193041
    Abstract: A powered post assembly includes an enclosed actuator that supports rotation of a gate. An outer tube defines a hollow interior space. A fixed post and a rotating post are both disposed within the oval tube. The actuator is mounted within the fixed post and drives rotation of the rotating post. Because the actuator is disposed within the fixed tube, it is sheltered from the elements and from undesired tampering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventor: Edward J. Stull
  • Publication number: 20110173892
    Abstract: A drive component for a motor vehicle unit, in particular a motor vehicle door unit, especially a closing/opening device (1) in or on a motor vehicle door lock (2), comprising at least one motor (3) and at least one rubber-elastic bearing (4) for fixing the motor (3) on a base (5), wherein the bearing (4) has different spring rates (D1, D2) in the axial direction (A) and/or the radial direction (R).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: KIEKERT AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thorsten Bendel, Claus Topfer
  • Publication number: 20110138692
    Abstract: An automatic door driving system that includes a motor, a driving member and a belt cooperating with the driving member. The belt is attached to a door panel to be moved. The motor, the driving member and the endless belt are disposed in a footprint defined by the width and dept of the door frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: Intradoor Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Auke Lemstra
  • Patent number: 7950185
    Abstract: A window regulator device includes a rail having at least one projecting lug, a plate having at least one lug, a drive cable, and a cable drum placed in a recess of the plate. The plate is fixed to the rail by a joint action of a tensioned drive cable and the mutual imbrication of the lugs of the plate and the rail. The assembly of the window regulator device is simplified, and the drum can be fixed independently of the mounting and removal of an actuation motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Arvinmeritor Light Vehicle Systems—France
    Inventors: Francois Lefevre, Eric Simonneau, Michel Mounie, Nicolas Galliot, Francois-Paul Meurou, Jacky Mercier, Franck Corgier