Abstract: A power closure actuator for powering a movable closure includes an output member configured to drive movement of the movable closure, a motor coupled through a gear reduction to drive the output member, and an integrated brake-clutch unit having an input configured to receive drive power from the electric motor. The brake-clutch unit provides independent braking and clutching between the electric motor and the output member via an electric brake actuator and an electric clutch actuator, respectively. Brake and clutch portions of the brake-clutch unit act on a rotor, and brake force can be maintained on the rotor without powering the brake actuator. A clutch disc is biased disengaged from the rotor. The integrated brake-clutch unit provides a drive state between the electric motor and the output member when the brake portion is released concurrently with the clutch portion establishing a power coupling between the clutch disc and the rotor.

Abstract: An actuator for opening and closing a decklid or other closure on a motor vehicle is described and shown. The actuator can include a motor, a rod coupled to and driven by the motor, a first sleeve coupled to and driven by the rod, and a second sleeve coupled to and driven by the first sleeve. The first and second sleeves can be slidably coupled to one another, and/or can be rotatably locked relative to one another.

Abstract: A power system for a vehicle having a vehicle body and door includes a first battery disposed on the vehicle body, a second, rechargeable battery disposed on the door, a first electrical contact disposed on the vehicle body, and a second electrical contact disposed on the vehicle door. The first and second electrical contacts are coupled to the first and second batteries such that when the door is in a fully closed position relative to the vehicle body the first and second batteries are electrically coupled to one another and the second battery is charged by the first battery, and when the door is not in a fully closed position the first and second batteries are electrically de-coupled from one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing a deck lid of a vehicle body includes a jack-screw type drive unit having two elongated relatively rotatable drive elements which are threadably engaged for bi-directional displacement. An electric motor engages the rotatable drive element. A first mounting device pivotally connects the rotatable drive element to a relatively fixed point on the vehicle. A second mounting device pivotally connects the non-rotatable drive element to the deck lid, or vice versa. The motor is energized to affect bi-directional control of the drive unit while enabling low back-drive effort. A concentric spring counters loading due to the weight of the deck lid.

Abstract: The tailgate drive includes a motor assembly in operable communication with a pickup tailgate that is adjustable between a manual mode of operation and an automatic mode of operation, where the motor assembly permits free rotation of the tailgate between the open and closed positions during manual mode of operation and wherein the motor assembly drives the tailgate body between the open and closed position during the automatic mode of operation.

Abstract: A drive unit comprising a guide channel that has a first pulley at one end that rotates about a fixed pulley axis. The drive unit also includes a flexible drive member having a plurality of spaced windows, an attachment assembly moveably attached to the guide channel, and an adjustable pulley assembly coupled to the guide channel that has a second pulley that rotates around a moveable pulley axis that can be adjusted to change the distance between the fixed pulley axis and the moveable pulley axis to take up slack in the flexible drive member.

Abstract: A door cable pulley system for use with a motor vehicle having a closure movable between an open and closed position. The door cable pulley system includes a first tension pulley, a second tension pulley, a cable drum driven by a motor, and a pair of drive cables. The first drive cable includes a first end coupled to the cable drum and a second end coupled to the closure, where the first drive cable extends from the cable drum, passes over the first tension pulley, and exits the body through the second exit opening. The second drive cable includes a first end coupled to the cable drum and a second end coupled to the closure, where the second drive cable extends from the cable drum, passes over the second tension pulley, and exits the body through the first exit opening.

Abstract: A power tailgate system for a vehicle includes an actuator for moving a tailgate of the vehicle between an open position and a closed position. The power tailgate system also includes a spring spaced apart from the actuator for counter-balancing a weight of the tailgate and a coupler assembly for removably coupling the tailgate to the power tailgate system.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing a deck lid of a vehicle body includes a jack-screw type drive unit having two elongated relatively rotatable drive elements which are threadably engaged for controlled bi-directional displacement. An electric motor engages the rotatable drive element. A first mounting device pivotally connects the rotatable drive element to a relatively fixed point on the vehicle. A second mounting device pivotally connects the non-rotatable drive element to the deck lid, or vice versa. The motor is energized to affect bi-directional control of the drive unit while enabling low back-drive effort. A concentric spring counters loading due to the weight of the deck lid.

Abstract: A power actuator for a window in a building includes a drive unit, a cable system, and a controller. The drive unit is positioned within a sill of the window. The cable system is engagable with the drive unit for moving a pane of the window relative to a window frame between an opened position and a closed position. The controller is electrically coupled to the drive unit and a power outlet located in the building and connected to an external power grid.

Abstract: A vehicle closure assembly includes a closure movable relative to a vehicle opening between closed and open positions. A latch is coupled to one of a threshold of the vehicle opening and the closure, and a striker is coupled to the other of the threshold of the vehicle opening and the closure. The striker and latch are engageable to secure the closure in the closed position. A striker cover is movable relative to the striker between a concealing position in which the striker is substantially concealed from the latch, and an exposing position in which the striker is substantially exposed to the latch. An actuator is coupled to the striker cover and is operable to move the striker cover to the concealing position or the exposing position from the other position in response to movement of the closure relative to the vehicle opening.

Abstract: An actuator for moving a closure between an open and a closed position. The actuator having a first mode, where the closure is free to move with respect to a closure frame, and a second mode where the actuator resists movement between the closure and the closure frame.

Abstract: An access system for use in a vehicle. The access system includes a frame supported on a vehicle and a ramp having a support surface and a leading edge. The ramp is moveable with respect to the frame between a stowed position, in which the leading edge of the ramp is proximate the frame, and a deployed position, in which the leading edge is positioned away from the frame. A first track and a second track are coupled to one of the frame and the ramp, where the contours of the first and second tracks at least partially define the tilt angle of the ramp with respect to the frame.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a sliding door is disclosed, the drive assembly having a power drive unit for providing a rotational force to rotate a cable drum of the drive assembly, the power drive unit being mounted within the sliding door; a cable having one end secured a guide track of the drive assembly and another end secured to the guide track; a roller assembly configured to slidably engage the guide track; an arm fixedly secured to the sliding door and pivotally mounted to the roller assembly at a pivot point; a pulley rotationally mounted to the roller assembly, the axis of rotation of the pulley being aligned with the pivot point and the cable engages the pulley in opposite directions as the cable drum rotates and the roller assembly slides along the guide track as the cable drum rotates, wherein movement of the roller assembly causes movement of the sliding door.

Abstract: A power actuator system for a movable vehicle panel such as a lift gate assembly includes a position sensor that detects the pivotal movement of a strut mechanism of the power lift gate assembly relative to the host vehicle. A rotary sensor is coupled directly to an end component of the strut mechanism and provides signals that indicate the total amount of pivotal or rotary movement of the strut mechanism and the lift gate during the opening and closing of the lift gate. The signals provide information to determine the absolute position of the strut and the lift gate for processing in the vehicle's electronic control unit.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a vehicle door is provided. The drive assembly includes a motor having a driving member. The drive assembly further includes a housing having a shaft rotatably received therein. The drive assembly further includes an input member being rotatably received upon the shaft. The input member is operatively associated with the driving member. The drive assembly further includes a rotor fixedly secured to the shaft. The drive assembly further includes first and second Hall effect sensor modules mounted to the housing in a facing spaced relationship with respect to the plurality of teeth of the rotor that generate first and second signals, respectively. The first and second signals have a quadrature relationship with respect to one another and indicate a rotational direction of the rotor when the plurality of teeth are rotating past the first and second Hall effect sensor modules.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed towards systems and methods for providing improved access to vehicles for physically challenged individuals. In one exemplary embodiment, a wheelchair access system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes a first track and a second track, the first and second tracks being located on opposite sides of the frame assembly. The system also includes a ramp formed of a porous structural member disposed between a first skin member and a second skin member. The ramp has a first edge portion with one or more rollers attached thereto and a second edge portion having one or more rollers attached thereto. The one or more rollers on the first and second edge portions travel within the first and second tracks, respectively, of the frame assembly. The system further includes a drive motor engaging a first rotatable drum member and a second rotatable drum member.

Abstract: A cable drum assembly for a power drive assembly for a vehicle sliding door, the cable drum assembly comprising: a first drum configured for use as a front drum or a rear drum of the cable drum assembly, the first drum having a first plurality of locating holes; and a second drum configured for use as a front drum or a rear drum of the cable drum assembly, the second drum having a second plurality of locating holes, the first plurality of locating holes have a first pair of locating holes configured to align with a first pair of location holes of the second plurality of locating holes when the first drum is used as a rear drum of the drum assembly and the second drum is used as a front drum of the drum assembly and the second plurality of locating holes have a second pair of locating holes configured to align with a second pair of location holes of the first plurality of locating holes when the first drum is used as a front drum of the drum assembly and the second drum is used as a rear drum of the drum assem

Abstract: A drive unit includes a gear set driving a drive pulley that in turn drives a flexible drive member which is attached to a driven member by an attachment assembly that travels in a channel. The attachment assembly is attached to the flexible drive member by a coupler that has teeth that extend through respective windows of the flexible drive member. The coupler is disposed between side walls of a yoke and attached to a bridge wall of the yoke. An outer shoe engages each side wall of the yoke. The attachment assembly includes an optional spring to tension the flexible drive member and the shoes have optional flexible tapered fingers to stabilize the drive pulley. The flexible drive member and the spring are trapped between the coupler and the bridge wall of the yoke.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle has a power operated lift-gate that is opened and closed by two drive units. The typical drive unit has a guide channel, an attachment assembly that is disposed in the guide channel, a flexible drive member that is attached to the attachment assembly and formed in a loop for moving the attachment assembly in the guide channel. The flexible drive member is trained solely around two pulleys at the respective opposite ends of the guide channel to form the flexible drive member in a narrow loop. One of the pulleys is an idler pulley that is part of an adjustable pulley assembly and the other pulley is driven by a power unit that is attached to the guide channel. The adjustable pulley assembly adjusts the distance between the pulleys to take up slack in the flexible drive member.