Abstract: A drive mechanism assembly for enabling driving and manual movement of a sliding side door. The assembly has a track assembly mounted to a vehicle body at a predetermined height and a drive mechanism mounted to the sliding side door so as to be proximate to a door latching mechanism. The drive mechanism has an input drive motor driving an output gear assembly engaging the track assembly and a transmission gear assembly with a sliding gear which selectively couples the input drive motor and an input gear assembly to the output gear assembly between an engaged position for driving movement or disengaged position for manual movement of the sliding side door. In this way, the slide side door may be moved manually between open and closed positions without having to overcome the effort required of rotating the drive motor.

Abstract: A power drive assembly (110) for controlling movement of a closure panel (102, 105) of a vehicle includes a closure panel (102, 105) that moves relative to the vehicle between open and closed positions, and a latch (108, 115) for cinching the closure panel (102, 105) to the vehicle. The drive assembly (110) includes an actuator (134), a first torque output (136) coupled to effect movement of the closure panel (102, 105), a second torque output (138) coupled to the latch (115), and a clutch assembly (144, 150) coupled between the actuator (134) and the torque outputs (136, 138) for selectively transferring torque between the actuator (134) and the torque outputs (136, 138).

Abstract: An automation assembly is adapted to be connected to a door system of a motor vehicle. The automation assembly is modular and includes a frame that is fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. A motor is fixedly secured to the frame and adapted to receive power. The motor converts the power into a rotational output force. The motor includes a non-ferrous core. A set of pulleys and rollers are fixedly secured to the frame at predetermined positions to direct the path of a continuous belt. The continuous belt is fixedly secured to the door system such that the motor moves the continuous belt and the door system bidirectionally between an open position and a closed position. Sensors are used to determine the position of the door, the speed thereof and whether the door is being moved manually.

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 drive mechanism assembly for enabling driving and manual movement of a sliding side door. The assembly has a track assembly mounted to a vehicle body at a predetermined height and a drive mechanism mounted to the sliding side door so as to be proximate to a door latching mechanism. The drive mechanism has an input drive motor driving an output gear assembly engaging the track assembly and a transmission gear assembly with a sliding gear which selectively couples the input drive motor and an input gear assembly to the output gear assembly between an engaged position for driving movement or disengaged position for manual movement of the sliding side door. In this way, the slide side door may be moved manually between open and closed positions without having to overcome the effort required of rotating the drive motor.

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 striker mechanism (10) has a housing (22). A striker (18) is mounted on a striker plate (20) that is mounted on the housing for sliding movement between an inboard and an outboard position. A driver plate (44) is mounted to the housing for sliding movement in a direction orthogonal to the movement of the striker plate (20). An actuator (16) effects movement of the driver plate (44) to thereby effect movement of the striker plate (20) between the inboard and outboard positions. The striker plate (20) has a pin (36) and the driver plate has an S-shaped slot (42). The pin slidably engages the S-shaped slot. The S-shaped slot has end regions extending generally parallel to each other and in the orthogonal direction and is interconnected by a diagonally extending section. When the pin (36) is in the end regions of the S-shaped slot, forces imparted on the striker plate (20) are transmitted to the housing (22) and thereby preventing backlash of the actuator (16).

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 power striker mechanism (10) has a housing (16) adapted for mounting on a vehicle. A striker assembly (12) is mounted to the housing and constrained to slide between an inboard and outboard position. An outer link (42) is pivotally attached to the striker assembly (12). An inner link (48) is pivotally attached to the housing (16) and pivotally attached to the outer link (42). A cinching mechanism (14) linkably connects the inner (48) and outer links (42). Driving movement of the cinching mechanism (14) effects the inboard and outboard movement of the striker assembly (12). The driving movement is generally perpendicular to the inboard outboard movement of the striker assembly (12) thereby isolating the cinching mechanism (14) from loads imparted to the striker assembly (12).

Abstract: An automation assembly is adapted to be connected to a door system of a motor vehicle. The automation assembly is modular and includes a frame that is fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. A motor is fixedly secured to the frame and adapted to receive power. The motor converts the power into a rotational output force. The motor includes a non-ferrous core. A set of pulleys and rollers are fixedly secured to the frame at predetermined positions to direct the path of a continuous belt. The continuous belt is fixedly secured to the door system such that the motor moves the continuous belt and the door system bidirectionally between an open position and a closed position. Sensors are used to determine the position of the door, the speed thereof and whether the door is being moved manually.

Abstract: A power striker mechanism (10) has a housing (22). A striker (18) is mounted on a striker plate (20) that is mounted on the housing for sliding movement between an inboard and an outboard position. A driver plate (44) is mounted to the housing for sliding movement in a direction orthogonal to the movement of the striker plate (20). An actuator (16) effects movement of the driver plate (44) to thereby effect movement of the striker plate (20) between the inboard and outboard positions. The striker plate (20) has a pin (36) and the driver plate has an S-shaped slot (42). The pin slidably engages the S-shaped slot. The S-shaped slot has end regions extending generally parallel to each other and in the orthogonal direction and is interconnected by a diagonally extending section. When the pin (36) is in the end regions of the S-shaped slot, forces imparted on the striker plate (20) are transmitted to the housing (22) and thereby preventing backlash of the actuator (16).

Abstract: A power striker mechanism (10) has a housing (16) adapted for mounting on a vehicle. A striker assembly (12) is mounted to the housing and constrained to slide between an inboard and outboard position. An outer link (42) is pivotally attached to the striker assembly (12). An inner link (48) is pivotally attached to the housing (16) and pivotally attached to the outer link (42). A cinching mechanism (14) linkably connects the inner (48) and outer links (42). Driving movement of the cinching mechanism (14) effects the inboard and outboard movement of the striker assembly (12). The driving movement is generally perpendicular to the inboard outboard movement of the striker assembly (12) thereby isolating the cinching mechanism (14) from loads imparted to the striker assembly (12).

Abstract: An automotive vehicle door handle with a control rod for operation of a door latch has a rod guide clip which provides a reaction force in a direction perpendicular to reciprocating motion of the control rod. The rod guide clip has a base member with a generally planar surface having an opening for receiving the control rod substantially perpendicular therethrough, flexible fingers circumferentially spaced around the opening and extending thereinto for biasing contact with the control rod, retention tabs on the base member circumferentially spaced radially outward of the flexible fingers for contact with a clip flange in the vehicle, and a pair of clip arms extending away from the base member in clipping relationship with the clip flange.