Abstract: An adjustable pedal system has a first pedal pivotally attached to the translatable nut of a first jack screw actuator for adjusting the fore and aft position of the first pedal and a second pedal pivotally attached to the translatable nut of a second jack screw actuator for adjusting the fore and aft position of the second pedal and a third pedal pivotally attached to the translatable nut of a third jack screw actuator for adjusting the fore and aft position of the third pedal. An electric motor drives the translatable nuts fore and aft, and a motor control switch assembly controlled by the fore and aft movements of two of the nuts maintain alignment of the three pedals. A memory circuit may be incorporated into the system for moving the pedals to a preselected adjusted position or indicating the preselected adjusted position. The memory circuit may be separate or incorporated in a seat memory module.

Abstract: An adjustable pedal system has a first pedal pivotally attached to the translatable nut of a first jack screw actuator for adjusting the fore and aft position of the first pedal and a second pedal pivotally attached to the translatable nut of a second jack screw actuator for adjusting the fore and aft position of the second pedal. An electric motor is drivingly connected to the first jack screw actuator and the second jack screw actuator to drive the translatable nuts fore and aft. The fore and aft alignment of the first pedal with respect to the second pedal is maintained by a switch assembly that is mechanically connected to the translatable nuts of the two jack screw actuators.

Abstract: A power operating system for opening and closing a vehicle liftgate has a pair of drive units supported on the vehicle roof and connected to the liftgate for opening and closing the liftgate. Each drive unit includes a bracket that is secured to the vehicle body for supporting several parts including a reversible electric motor, a gear unit and a track. The electric motor drives a segmented drive linkage inside the track via a gear reduction unit and a sprocket. The segmented drive linkage includes an elongated arcuate link arm that slides in an arcuate track portion of the track and a power roller chain that is stored in a storage track portion when the liftgate is closed. The outboard end of the link arm is pivotally connected to the liftgate to open and close the liftgate as the link arm is extended and retracted by the power roller chain.

Abstract: A cable drive assembly in a closed-loop cable closure system for opening and closing a sliding door on a vehicle includes helical front and rear cable grooves supported on the vehicle frame for rotation about a helix axis. A front cable extends from the front cable groove to the sliding door in a position to be wound into and unwound from the front cable groove in response to front cable groove rotation about the helix axis. A rear cable extends from the rear cable groove to the sliding door in a position to be wound into and unwound from the rear cable groove in response to rear cable groove rotation about the helix axis. A single cable drive spool is supported on the vehicle frame for rotation about the helix axis and includes both the front and the rear cable grooves. A motor rotates the spool in one direction about the helix axis to open the sliding door and in an opposite direction about the helix axis to close the sliding door.

Abstract: A vehicle liftgate has a counterbalance system comprising a first link pivotally connected to the vehicle body. A second link is pivotally connected to the first link at one end and to the liftgate at the opposite end. The counterbalance system includes a compression spring that is attached to the first link via a pulley. The compression spring stores energy when the liftgate is closed to assist in subsequent opening of the tailgate. The liftgate may be closed manually or with power assistance.

Abstract: A vehicle has a body with a track beneath a side opening and a sliding side door for closing the side opening that has a roller assembly that engages the track. A flexible electric cable that connects electrical components on the sliding side door to a power source in the body includes a flat cable and a flexible stiffener attached to the flat cable inside an outer sheath. A clamp attaches an inner portion of the flexible electric cable to the track in cantilever fashion, and a second clamp attaches an outer portion of the flexible electric cable to the roller assembly of the sliding side door in cantilever fashion. The flexible electric cable has a vertical loop portion attaching a free end of the inner portion to a free end of the outer portion. The first clamp includes an attachment strip that is attached to the flat cable and the flexible stiffener inside the sheath and that has a portion projecting out of the sheath through a slot in the sheath for attachment to the track.

Abstract: The counter balance system for a vehicle liftgate includes a pair of gas cylinders in combination with a torsion rod. The gas cylinders urge the liftgate toward an open position but due to a short moment arm do not exert sufficient force to open the liftgate until the liftgate has pivoted about one third of the distance from the closed position toward the open position. The torsion rod also urges the liftgate toward an open position. Maximum force is exerted by the torsion rod when the liftgate is closed. As the liftgate moves toward an open position, the force exerted by the torsion rod decreases until the liftgate is midway between closed and open. The torque rod does not exert any force on the liftgate during the last portion of its movement to an open position.

Abstract: A vehicle power liftgate cable drive has a cable drive housing. An electric motor with a motor housing and an output shaft is secured to the cable drive housing. A clutch pack with a first clutch driven by the output shaft and a second clutch driven by the first clutch, is mounted in the cable drive housing. One of the clutches in the clutch pack is a one way clutch and the other clutch is an electromechanical clutch. A pinion gear is driven by the second clutch. A driven gear is rotatably journaled on a fixed shaft and driven by the pinion gear. The cable drum is attached to the driven gear. A coil spring has one end fixed to the fixed shaft and its other end attached to the cable drum. The fixed shaft is rotated to preload the coil spring in a direction that tends to wind a cable on the cable drum and then the fixed shaft is fastened to the cable drive housing. A cable is attached to the cable drum and to the liftgate.