Abstract: A power drive mechanism (10) for a motor vehicle liftgate includes a linking arm (18) pivotally connected with the liftgate, a crank arm (12) drivable for pivotal movement and connected with the linking arm (18), and a gear train (20) operatively engaging the crank arm (12). A drive motor (34) is operatively connected with the crank arm (12) through the gear train (20) to provide power assisted opening and closing of the liftgate. The gear train (20) is disengagable from the drive motor (34) to permit manual opening and closing of the liftgate without backdriving the drive motor (34). An actuator (74) is operatively connected with the gear train (20) to move the gear train into and out of engagement with the drive motor. A holding linkage (60, 62) is operatively associated with the gear train (20) to maintain the gear train (20) in engagement during power assisted opening and closing of the liftgate.

Abstract: A power drive mechanism (10) for a motor vehicle liftgate includes a linking arm (18) pivotally connected with the liftgate, a crank arm (12) drivable for pivotal movement and connected with the linking arm (18), and a gear train (20) operatively engaging the crank arm (12). A drive motor (34) is operatively connected with the crank arm (12) through the gear train (20) to provide power assisted opening and closing of the liftgate. The gear train (20) is disengagable from the drive motor (34) to permit manual opening and closing of the liftgate without backdriving the drive motor (34). An actuator (74) is operatively connected with the gear train (20) to move the gear train into and out of engagement with the drive motor. A holding linkage (60, 62) is operatively associated with the gear train (20) to maintain the gear train (20) in engagement during power assisted opening and closing of the liftgate.

Abstract: A power drive mechanism (10) for a motor vehicle liftgate includes a linking arm (18) pivotally connected with the liftgate, a crank arm (12) drivable for pivotal movement and connected with the linking arm (18), and a gear train (20) operatively engaging the crank arm (12). A drive motor (34) is operatively connected with the crank arm (12) through the gear train (20) to provide power assisted opening and closing of the liftgate. The gear train (20) is disengageable from the drive motor (34) to permit manual opening and closing of the liftgate without backdriving the drive motor (34). An actuator (74) is operatively connected with the gear train (20) to move the gear train into and out of engagement with the drive motor. A holding linkage (60, 62) is operatively associated with the gear train (20) to maintain the gear train (20) in engagement during power assisted opening and closing of the liftgate.

Abstract: A latch assembly (10) has a housing having a mouth. A ratchet (12) is pivotally mounted to the housing and is movable to cooperate with the mouth to pivot between an open condition, a primary closed condition and a secondary closed condition for receiving, engaging and cinching a keeper of a striker. The ratchet (12) is biased to the open condition. A pivotally mounted pawl (40) is biased into engagement with the ratchet for releasably retaining the ratchet in the primary closed condition. A secondary release arm (20) is mounted to rotate about a first axis and a second axis. The secondary release arm (20) is rotatable about the first axis between a retracted position and an extended position, and is rotatable out the second axis between an engaging position and a disengaging position. The secondary release arm (20) is biased to the retracted position and biased to the engaging position.

Abstract: A latch assembly (10) has a housing having a mouth. A ratchet (12) is pivotally mounted to the housing and is movable to cooperate with the mouth to pivot between an open condition, a primary closed condition and a secondary closed condition for receiving, engaging and cinching a keeper of a striker. The ratchet (12) is biased to the open condition. A pivotally mounted pawl (40) is biased into engagement with the ratchet for releasably retaining the ratchet in the primary closed condition. A secondary release arm (20) is mounted to rotate about a first axis and a second axis. The secondary release arm (20) is rotatable about the first axis between a retracted position and an extended position, and is rotatable out the second axis between an engaging position and a disengaging position. The secondary release arm (20) is biased to the retracted position and biased to the engaging position.

Abstract: A self-releasing clutch assembly for locking a vehicle door lock. The clutch assembly (11) includes a servo-actuated input drive and a cinching output drive. A gear shaped first actuator (42) is mounted to the input drive. A cylindrical second actuator (44) is mounted to the output drive and is moveable relative to the first actuator. Four pairs of rollers (50) are interdisposed between the first and second actuators and moveable between a disengaged position and an engaged position. With the disengaged position, the rollers rest against the first actuator and allowing the second actuator to rotate relative thereto. With the engaged position, the rollers interlock the first and second actuators for relative concurrent movement. The clutch assembly is characterized by the first actuator including four driving surfaces (43) and the second actuator including four corresponding abutments (48).

Abstract: A secondary release mechanism for a vehicle hood latch has a pivotally mounted secondary latch which is rotatable between a latching position and a unlatching position and biased towards the latching position. A pivotally mounted release arm is rotatable between a retracted position, a deployed position and a releasing position and biased to the standby position. A pivotally mounted release lever is rotatable between a release position, a standby position and a retract position. The release lever has a cam surface for engaging a hood of the vehicle as the hood moves between the fully latched condition and a secondary latched condition responsively rotating the release lever between the standby position and the retract position. The release lever operably engages the secondary latch as the release lever rotates from the standby position to the release position.

Abstract: A latch assembly (10) has a housing (12) having a mouth (14). A detent fork (16) is pivotally mounted within the housing (12) to cooperate with the mouth (14) to pivot between an open and closed condition for receiving, engaging and cinching a keeper (60) of a striker. The detent fork (16) is biased in the open condition. A pivotally mounted pawl (24) is biased for engagement with a pin (26). The pin (26) is slidably mounted within a guideway (38) and positioned between the detent fork (16) and the pawl (24). The pin (26) cooperates with the pawl (24) to retain the detent fork (16) in the closed condition. The pin (26) rolls between the pawl (24) and detent fork (16) as the pawl (24) is rotated in a releasing sense to disengage the detent fork (16).