WO1996033893B1

WO1996033893B1 - Multi-functional apparatus employing an electromagnetic device

Info

Publication number: WO1996033893B1
Application number: PCT/US1996/004519
Authority: WO
Filing date: 1996-04-02
Publication date: 1996-12-27
Anticipated expiration: 1997-10-28

Abstract

To save weight and space and reduce costs in a vehicle, a multi-functional apparatus is used in place of a plurality of single-function devices. The multi-functional apparatus employs a single electromagnetic device to selectively actuate a plurality of intermittent motion mechanisms, thereby operating mechanical devices attached thereto. In a specific example a reversible dc electric motor (51) selectively drives a rear window wiper (45) via a transmission (55, 59), a clutch (99, 111) and a driven shaft (121). By rotating the transmission member (59) beyond the rotational range for operating the wiper, drive to the wiper is disengaged and a locking mechanism (201, 221, 223, 235, 243) for the rear window or liftgate can also be actuated by the rotating transmission member (59). In another aspect of the present invention, a single electric motor selectively actuates three intermittent motion mechanisms thereby causing three mechanical devices coupled thereto to operate (e.g. rear window and liftgate locking mechanisms and a window wiper).

Claims

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AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 13 November 1996 (13.11.96); original claims 1, 12, 22, 31-33, 35, 36, 39, 45, 50, 54 and 55 amended; remaining claims unchanged (10 pages)]

1. A multi-functional apparatus comprising: a window wiper shaft; a lock linkage generally movable in a linear manner between a locked orientation and an unlocked orientation; and a single electromagnetic device actuable to selectively operate said window wiper shaft and said lock linkage.

2. The multi-functional apparatus of Claim 1 further comprising: a main gear selectively rotated by said electromagnetic device; a clutch mechanism selectively coupling said window wiper shaft to said main gear.

3. The multi-functional apparatus of Claim 2 wherein said clutch mechanism includes: a stationary collar having a longitudinal bore therethrough interrupted by a camming surface; and an actuator shaft having a splined segment enmeshed with teeth of said main gear and longitudinally slidable in relation thereto, said actuator shaft further having a cam follower juxtapositioned for riding along said camming surface of said collar; and means for disengagably coupling said actuator shaft to said window wiper shaft.

4. The multi-functional apparatus of Claim 3 wherein said actuator shaft disengages from said window wiper shaft when said electromagnetic device drives said main gear to be rotated to a predetermined positional range and when said cam follower concurrently rides along a ramp section of said camming surface while said window wiper shaft maintains its longitudinal position relative to said collar. 10. The multi-functional apparatus of Claim 6 wherein said lock linkage is further defined as a liftgate window release lock linkage linearly movable in response to direct contact and movement of said driving interface surface mounted upon said rotatable member.

1 . The multi-functional apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said electromagnetic device is defined as a reversible, fractional horsepower, electric motor operable to rotate an armature shaft having a worm gear segment, said worm gear segment enmeshing with geared teeth on a main gear.

12. A multi-functional automotive vehicle apparatus comprising: a rotatable member; an electric motor operable for selectively rotating said rotatable member; a first intermittent motion mechanism selectively actuable in response to rotation of said rotatable member; a second intermittent motion mechanism selectively actuable in response to rotation of said rotatable member; and a third intermittent motion mechanism selectively engagable with said rotatable member.

13. The multi-functional apparatus of Claim 12 further comprising: a window wiper shaft; and a clutch mechanism selectively coupling said window wiper shaft to said rotatable member, said clutch member being defined as one of said intermittent motion mechanisms. -29-

18. The multi-functional apparatus of Claim 17 wherein: said primary lock linkage causes locking of an automotive vehicle door lock when directly moved by said driving interface surface; and said secondary lock linkage causing unlocking of said door lock > when directly moved by said driving interface surface.

19. The multi-functional apparatus of Claim 12 further comprising a microprocessor electrically connecting to and controlling energization of said motor thereby causing selective incremental amounts of rotation less than 360° of said rotatable member.

20. The multi-functional apparatus of Claim 12 wherein one of said intermittent motion mechanisms is defined as an automotive vehicle liftgate window release lock linkage selectively movable in response to rotation of said rotatable member.

21. The multi-functional apparatus of Claim 12 wherein at least one of said intermittent motion mechanisms is linearly movable in response to selective rotation of said rotatable member.

22. The multi-functional apparatus of Claim 12 further comprising a pivot axis of a window wiper shaft being coaxially aligned with rotational axes of said rotatable member and said first intermittent motion mechanism.

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29. The apparatus of Claim 23 further comprising a lock linkage movable between an unlocking orientation and a locking orientation in response to a selective rotation of said rotatable member when said driven shaft is disengaged from said actuator shaft.

30. The apparatus of Claim 23 wherein said driven shaft is defined as a window wiper shaft.

31. A multi-functional apparatus for use in an automotive vehicle comprising: a first lock movable between a locked orientation and an unlocked orientation; a first intermittent motion mechanism coupled to said first lock; a second lock movable between a locked orientation and an unlocked orientation; a second intermittent motion mechanism coupled to said second lock; a single electromagnetic device operable for selectively moving said intermittent motion mechanisms; a rotatable member selectively driven by said electromagnetic device, said rotatable member having a set of teeth; and a driving interface surface mounted upon said rotatable member for causing movement of said intermittent motion mechanisms.

32. The multi-functional apparatus of Claim 31 wherein at least one of said intermittent motion mechanisms includes a rigid pin depending from a pivotable body segment of a lock linkage. -31-

33. The multi-functional apparatus of Claim 31 wherein: said first intermittent motion mechanism is defined as a primary lock linkage coupled to said second intermittent motion mechanism defined as a secondary lock linkage; i said rotatable member rotates in a first rotational direction so as to first cause a driving interface surface to contact and cause movement of said primary lock linkage and then continue along said first rotational direction to subsequently contact and cause movement of said secondary lock linkage.

34. The multi-functional apparatus of Claim 33 wherein: said primary lock linkage causes locking of said first lock defined as an automotive vehicle door lock when directly moved by said driving interface surface; and > said secondary lock linkage causing unlocking of said door lock when directly moved by said driving interface surface.

35. The multi-functional apparatus of Claim 31 wherein one of said locks is defined as an automotive vehicle liftgate window release lock selectively movable in response to rotation of said rotatable member.

36. The multi-functional apparatus of Claim 31 wherein one of said intermittent motion mechanisms is further defined as a liftgate window release lock linkage linearly movable in response to direct contact and movement of said driving interface surface mounted upon said rotatable ι member.

37. The multi-functional apparatus of Claim 31 wherein said electromagnetic device is defined as a fractional horsepower, electric motor operable to rotate an armature shaft having a worm gear segment, said worm gear segment enmeshing with geared teeth on a main gear. -32-

38. The multi-functional apparatus of Claim 31 further comprising: a main gear selectively rotated by said electromagnetic device; a clutch mechanism selectively coupling a window wiper shaft to said main gear.

39. A multi-functional apparatus for use in an automotive vehicle comprising: a rotatable member; an electric motor operable for selectively driving said rotatable member; a rotatable shaft selectively driven by said rotatable member only when said rotatable member is disposed within a first positional range; and a motion transmitting member selectively moved between a first position and a second position only when said rotatable member is located within a second positional range, said actuator shaft disengaging from said rotatable shaft when said electric motor drives said rotatable member to said second positional range.

40. The multi-functional apparatus of Claim 39 further comprising: a main gear selectively rotated by said electric motor; a clutch mechanism selectively coupling said rotatable shaft defined as a window wiper shaft to said main gear.

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45. The multi-functional apparatus of Claim 39 further comprising an electronic control unit being mounted to said electric motor and determining the suitability for movement of said motion transmitting member from said first to said second positions.

46. The multi-functional apparatus of Claim 39 wherein said actuator shaft disengages from said rotatable shaft when said electric motor drives said rotatable member to said second positional range.

47. The multi-functional apparatus of Claim 39 further comprising means for electrically controlling energization of said motor and selecting said positional ranges.

48. The multi-functional apparatus of Claim 39 wherein said motion transmitting member is further defined as a linearly movable, liftgate window release lock linkage.

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49. The multi-functional apparatus of Claim 48 further comprising means for electrically controlling energization of said motor and selecting said positional ranges.

50. A method of operating a multi-functional apparatus for use in an automotive vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) energizing an electric motor thereby selectively driving a rotatable member; (b) rotating said rotatable member within a first positional range;

(c) moving a first force transmitting member in response to step (b);

(d) rotating said rotatable member within a second positional range distinctly separate from said first positional range;

(e) moving a second force transmitting member in response to step (d);

(f) rotating said rotatable member within a third positional range distinctly separate from said first and second positional ranges; and (g) moving a third force transmitting member in response to step (f).

51. The method of Claim 50 further comprising the steps of:

(a) alternately reversing electrical polarity to said electric motor; and

(b) oscillating said rotatable member back and forth within said first positional range. -35-

52. The method of Claim 51 further comprising the steps of:

(a) rotating a window wiper shaft defined as said first force transmitting member; and

(b) disengaging said window wiper shaft from said rotatable > member when said rotatable member is disposed within said second positional range.

53. The method of Claim 50 further comprising the step of maintaining said first force transmitting member in a predetermined position during rotating said rotatable member within said second positional range.

54. The method of Claim 50 further comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a multiplexed signal in an electronic control unit;

(b) moving a feedback disk in response to movement of said rotatable member;

) (c) sensing a conductive pattern position of said feedback disk and sending a corresponding signal to said electronic control unit; and

(d) energizing said electric motor thereby causing movement of said rotatable member between positional ranges in response to step (a).

55. The method of Claim 50 further comprising the step of pivoting a cantilevered lock linkage defined as one of said force transmitting members by engaging a leg of said linkage with a flexible tab.

56. The method of Claim 50 further comprising the step of sliding a lock linkage in a substantially linear manner, said lock linkage defined as one of said force transmitting members. -36-

57. The method of Claim 50 further comprising the steps of:

(a) mounting said rotatable member and said force transmitting members to a rear liftgate door; and

(b) allowing pivoted opening of said liftgate upon selective rotation of said rotatable member and movement of one of said force transmitting members.