Patent · US Active

Drive unit for power operated vehicle closure

US7578094B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
12References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 5, 2003
Grant dateAug 25, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 8, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T74/18832
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A drive unit for a power operated vehicle closure has a track, a guide moveable along the track, a link attached to the guide at one end and adapted to be attached to the vehicle closure at the opposite end, and a motor assembly for moving the guide along the track. The motor assembly has an electric motor and a speed reducer driven by the electric motor that has a first stage and a second stage. The first stage includes a belt drive and the second stage is a spur gear set. Alternatively the first stage is a worm gear and a mating helical gear. The worm gear preferably has a high lead angle and a high number of leads. The speed of the electric motor is reduced to about 1000 rpm or less in the first stage permitting the use of spur gears in the second stage while retaining quiet operation.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.