초록 ▼

A power strut assembly for a vehicle includes a first strut member having joined outer walls that define an interior cavity. The first strut member extends from a first end to a second end. The first end includes a base wall joined to the outer walls. A second strut member also having joined outer w

A power strut assembly for a vehicle includes a first strut member having joined outer walls that define an interior cavity. The first strut member extends from a first end to a second end. The first end includes a base wall joined to the outer walls. A second strut member also having joined outer walls defining an inner cavity extends from a first end to a second end. The second strut member is telescopically disposed within the interior cavity of the first strut member. A lead screw extends from a first end to a second end and is rotatively retained at the first end of the first strut member. The lead screw extends into the interior cavities of the first and second strut members. A clutch is retained by the second strut member and the lead screw is positioned to interact with the clutch. The clutch is movable between a disengaged position relative to the lead screw where the clutch is free to travel longitudinally relative to the lead screw and an engaged position wherein rotation of the lead screw translates to longitudinal motion of the second strut member relative to the first strut member.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A powered drive assembly for a rear tailgate assembly of a vehicle comprising: a clutch having one or more bearings, the one or more bearings having thread engagement portions and a lead screw having threads for driving the clutch longitudinally relative to the lead scr

The invention claimed is: 1. A powered drive assembly for a rear tailgate assembly of a vehicle comprising: a clutch having one or more bearings, the one or more bearings having thread engagement portions and a lead screw having threads for driving the clutch longitudinally relative to the lead screw, the clutch being actuateable on the lead screw to substantially release from the threads of the lead screw; a body; and a liftgate movable relative to the body upon movement of the clutch. 2. A power strut assembly for a vehicle comprising: a first strut member having a joined outer wall defining an interior cavity, the first strut member extending from a first end to a second end, the first end including a base wall joined to the outer wall; a second strut member having a joined outer wall defining an interior cavity, the second strut member extending from a first end to a second end, the second strut member telescopically disposed within the interior cavity of the first strut member; a lead screw extending from a first end to a second end, the lead screw rotatively retained at the first end of the first strut member and extending into the interior cavities of the first and second strut members; a clutch retained by the second strut member, the lead screw positioned to interact with the clutch; wherein the clutch is movable between a disengaged position relative to the lead screw where the clutch is free to travel longitudinally along a length of the lead screw and an engaged position where rotation of the lead screw translates to longitudinal motion of the second strut member relative to the first strut member. 3. The power strut assembly of claim 2 wherein the base wall includes a hole formed therein allowing passage of the lead screw into the interior cavity. 4. The power strut assembly of claim 2 including a motor assembly attached to the base wall. 5. The power strut assembly of claim 4 wherein the motor assembly includes an electric motor coupled to a flexible shaft which is coupled to a worm gear assembly which is coupled to a gear positioned on the first end of the lead screw. 6. The power strut assembly of claim 2 wherein the second end of the first strut member includes a seal attached thereto, the seal including a slot formed therein allowing telescopic extension of the second strut member relative to the first strut member. 7. The power strut assembly of claim 2 wherein the second strut member includes a clutch retention portion formed thereon. 8. The power strut assembly of claim 7 wherein the clutch is positioned in the clutch retaining portion of the second strut member and a retention cap is mated with the clutch retaining portion securing the clutch to the first end of the second strut member. 9. The power strut assembly of claim 8 wherein the cap includes a top surface having an annular extension formed thereon and wherein a biasing spring having first and second spaced ends is positioned about the annular extension at the first end of the biasing spring and contacts the base wall of the first strut member for biasing the first and second strut members apart. 10. The power strut assembly of claim 2 including a sensor associated with the first strut member for monitoring the position of the second strut member relative to the first strut member. 11. The power strut assembly of claim 2 wherein the clutch comprises: a housing having a central aperture receiving the lead screw, the housing having guide elements formed therein; at least two thread members disposed within the housing, the thread members including an inner contact surface, and top and bottom surfaces, the top and bottom surfaces having corresponding guide elements formed thereon; at least one friction members disposed on the housing and about the lead screw, the at least one friction member associated with the thread members, the at least one friction member contacting the lead screw; wherein rotation of the lead screw causes rotation of the thread members wherein the corresponding guide elements of the thread members interact with the guide elements of the housing causing the inner contact surface of the thread members to engage and disengage the lead screw. 12. The power strut assembly of claim 11 wherein the housing includes top and bottom members having a central aperture receiving the lead screw, the top member having a top surface connected to a side surface, the bottom member including a bottom surface connected to a side surface, the top and bottom surfaces of the top and bottom members having slots formed therein. 13. The power strut assembly of claim 12 wherein the at least one friction member includes a pair of friction members disposed on top of the top member and bottom member of the housing and about the lead screw, the friction members including slots formed therein receiving pins extending from the thread members. 14. The power strut assembly of claim 13 wherein the friction members include integrally formed spring members formed on an inner surface of the spring members, the integrally formed spring members engaging the lead screw. 15. The power strut assembly of claim 12 including a pair of opposing spacer members disposed within the housing, the spacer members including an inner contact surface and top and bottom surfaces, the opposing thread members positioned between the opposing spacer members for guiding the thread members. 16. The power strut assembly of claim 15 wherein the opposing spacer members include pins projecting from the top and bottom surfaces, the pins received in the slots formed in the top and bottom members and in slots formed in the at least one friction member. 17. The power strut assembly of claim 16 wherein rotation of the lead screw causes rotation of the spacer members such that the pins of the spacer members travel within the slots of the top and bottom members causing the inner contact surfaces of the spacer member to engage the outer surfaces of the thread members rotating the thread members wherein the guide elements of the thread members travel within the slots formed in the top and bottom members causing the inner contact surfaces of the thread members to engage and disengage the lead screw. 18. The power strut assembly of claim 11 including a housing having top and bottom members having a central aperture receiving the lead screw, the top member having a top surface connected to a side surface, the bottom member including a bottom surface connected to a side surface, the top and bottom surfaces of the top and bottom members having cam surfaces formed thereon; the top and bottom surfaces of the thread members having a cam guide projecting therefrom; wherein rotation of the lead screw causes rotation of the thread members wherein the cam guides of the thread members travel within the cams formed on the top and bottom members causing the inner contact surface of the thread members to engage and disengage the lead screw. 19. The power strut assembly of claim 18 including opposing spacer members disposed within the housing, the spacer members including an inner contact surface and top and bottom surfaces, the top and bottom surfaces having a cam guide projecting therefrom and operably associated with the cams formed on the top and bottom members. 20. A clutch assembly moveable between disengaged and engaged positions, the clutch assembly comprising: a housing having top and bottom members having a central aperture receiving a lead screw, the top member and bottom member having guide elements formed therein; at least two thread members disposed within the housing, the thread members including an inner contact surface, and top and bottom surfaces, the top and bottom surfaces having corresponding guide elements formed thereon; a pair of friction members disposed on the top and bottom members of the housing and about the lead screw, the friction members associated with the thread members, the friction members contacting the lead screw; wherein the clutch assembly is free to travel up and down the lead screw in the disengaged position and wherein rotation of the lead screw causes rotation of the thread members wherein the corresponding guide elements of the thread members interact with the guide elements of the top and bottom members of the housing causing the inner contact surface of the thread members to engage and disengage the lead screw. 21. A drive assembly comprising: a first drive member having a joined outer wall defining an interior cavity, the first drive member extending from a first end to a second end, the first end including a base wall joined to the outer wall; a second drive member having a joined outer wall defining an interior cavity, the second drive member extending from a first end to a second end, the second drive member telescopically disposed within the interior cavity of the first drive member; a lead screw extending from a first end to a second end, the lead screw rotatively retained at the first end of the first drive member and extending into the interior cavities of the first and second drive members; a clutch retained by the second drive member, the lead screw positioned to interact with the clutch; wherein the clutch is movable between a disengaged position relative to the lead screw where the clutch is free to travel longitudinally along a length of relative to the lead screw and an engaged position where rotation of the lead screw translates to longitudinal motion of the second drive member relative to the first drive member.