Vehicle having power operated liftgate

• Main Authors: LINDSAY, THEODORE J, CIAVAGLIA, MICHAEL A, WILDE, RONALD J, SEDLAK, DAVID A, ROGERS, LLOY W., JR
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 24.10.2001
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: CHECKS FOR WINGS; DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS; KEYS; LOCKS; SAFES; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THEFUNCTIONING OF THE WING

A vehicle has a power operated liftgate (12) and at least one power unit (20) comprising a fixed linear guide channel (24) and a follower (30) that moves in the guide channel. The follower (30) is universally connected to a rod (34) at one end and the opposite end of the rod is universally connected to the vehicle lift gate. A flexible drive loop (46, 56 or 58) which is attached to the follower wraps part way around two pulleys (42, 44) at opposite ends of the guide channel. The flexible drive loop is driven by a bi-directional drive unit (48) that includes a reversible electric motor (49), an electromagnetic clutch (52) and a drive wheel (50) that engages the flexible drive loop. The flexible drive loop may be a drive cable (56), a drive tape(58), or a drive chain (46) or a combination of cable, tape and/or chain.