Apparatus for automatically opening and closing pop-up door of a vehicle
US5986420A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 30, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE05Y2900/546
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
One end of a toothed cable is connected to a rear door of a vehicle. The toothed cable moves forward and backward, thus opening and closing the rear door. A drive motor imparts a moving force to the toothed cable. An electromagnetic clutch connects the drive motor to the toothed cable and disconnects the drive motor from the toothed cable. A speed sensor detects the movement of the toothed cable when the electromagnetic clutch is set to a disconnected state. A control unit sets the electromagnetic clutch to a connected state when the movement of the toothed cable is detected and actuates the drive motor to allow the toothed cable to move in the same direction at that in which the toothed cable is moving. When the completely opened or closed rear door is moved to some extent in a closing direction or an opening direction by an operator's hands, the rear door is automatically closed or opened by the drive motor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.