A powered actuator includes a leadscrew as an extensible member connected to a closure, such as a vehicle side door, and is configured to move linearly for opening or closing the closure. The first powered actuator also includes a gearbox having a gearbox housing, the gearbox configured to apply a force to the extensible member for causing the extensible member to move linearly. One or more sealing assembly seals the gearbox housing as the extensible member translates linearly. A gearbox housing may include apertures on opposite sides thereof, with one aperture facing a shut face and the other aperture facing an inner cavity of the closure. The extensible member may be sealed at each aperture relative to the gearbox housing. One sealing assembly may be fixed at an aperture, with the extensible member translating therethrough.

Embodiments of an actuator assembly for a power tailgate system are disclosed. The actuator assembly includes an actuator having a housing, a guide with a first end extending from the housing and a second end opposite the first end, and a slide coupled to the guide so as to be movable with respect to the guide second end. The actuator assembly also includes a bellows having a first end attached to the guide first end, a second end opposite the first end and attached to an end of the slide, and a body extending between the first and second ends. At least one hole is formed in the bellows proximate the bellows second end and enables fluid communication between an interior of the bellows and an exterior of the bellows. The bellows may expel moisture collected therein during operation of the actuator.

A retention assembly may comprise a motor assembly and a self-locking worm drive coupled thereto. A cam may be fixed to a worm gear of the worm drive. The retention assembly may further comprise an actuation shaft including a follower. The actuation shaft may be displaceable over a displacement range via rotation of the cam. The retention assembly may further comprise a securement member with a securement member follower, the securement member coupled to a portion of the actuator shaft. The retention assembly may further comprise a housing cam included as part of the retention assembly housing and against which the securement member follower may be biased. The securement member may be in an open state when the actuation shaft is in a first position. The securement member may swing outward to a retaining position as the actuation shaft is moved to a second position.

A powered actuator for moving a motor vehicle closure panel from a closed position to an open position and method of construction thereof. Powered actuator includes an electric motor configured to rotate a driven shaft and a gearbox coupled to the driven shaft. An extensible member extends through the gearbox to a proximal end on one side of the gearbox for attachment to one of a vehicle body or the closure member and to a distal end on an opposite side of the gearbox. Extensible member is configured to move between retracted and extended positions in response to rotation of the driven shaft. A contamination cover enshrouds the extensible member between the gearbox and the distal end of the extensible member. Contamination cover moves between an axially extended state and an axially retracted state while the extensible member moves between the respective retracted position and the extended position.

An embodiment vehicle door opening structure includes a first door unit positioned at a side of a vehicle and including a first door, a second door unit including a second door positioned adjacent to the first door, a locking device configured to selectively lock the first door unit and the second door unit together, and a controller configured to fix the locking device so that the first door unit and the second door unit are configured to be opened together or to release the locking device so that the first door unit and the second door unit are configured to be opened independently.

An actuator assembly of an actuation system for a closure member of a vehicle is provided. The actuator assembly includes an actuator housing including a sensor housing. The actuator assembly also includes an electric motor disposed in the actuator housing and configured to rotate a driven shaft operably coupled to an extensible member that is coupled to one of a body or the closure member for opening or closing the closure member. The actuator assembly also includes an actuator controller disposed in the sensor housing of the actuator housing and coupled to electric motor and an accelerometer configured to sense movement of the closure member. The actuator controller is configured to detect the movement of the closure member using the accelerometer. The actuator controller then controls the opening or closing of the closure member based on the movement of the closure member using the electric motor.

An exemplary trim assembly comprises an escutcheon, a drive spindle, a lock mechanism, a cam mechanism, and a driver. The drive spindle is mounted to the escutcheon for rotation about a longitudinal axis. The lock mechanism includes a lock gear movably mounted in the escutcheon. The cam mechanism includes a first cam defined by the escutcheon and a second cam defined by the lock gear. The driver is operable to rotate the lock gear between a first rotational position and a second rotational position. The cam mechanism is configured to longitudinally drive the lock gear from a first longitudinal position to a second longitudinal position as the lock gear rotates from the first rotational position to the second rotational position. Movement of the lock gear between the first longitudinal position and the second longitudinal position transitions the lock mechanism between a locked state and an unlocked state.

The present invention relates to a household appliance (1) such as a dishwasher or an oven, the front door (3) of which is opened by pulling from the top downwards, comprising an adjustment mechanism (5) that balances the weight of the door (3) so that while the door (3) is being opened it doesn't fall by its own weight or closed in a hard way. The adjustment mechanism (5) comprises a spring (9) that applies a tensile force on the door (3), that is pulled to be tensioned by the pulling cable (10) which is activated by an adjustment rod (6), an endless screw (7) and a gearwheel (8).

A spindle drive for a closure element of a motor vehicle including a downstream spindle/spindle nut mechanism, a spindle, a spindle nut and a spindle guide tube, for producing drive movements along a drive axis. A number of drive connections adjustable with respect to one another to transmit the drive movements, the first drive connection axially fixed to the spindle guide tube, a second drive connection axially fixed to the spindle, a drive spring configured to produce drive movements along the drive axis, the spindle guide tube has a first outer radius extending along at least one axial portion and on a side facing the first drive connection, a tube end portion with a tube end edge, that the tube end portion is widened radially so that the tube end edge has an outer end edge radius which is greater than the first outer radius.

A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet defining a food storage chamber. A door is positioned on the cabinet and is movable between a closed position and an open position. A door opener includes a casing, a gear box, a sliding nut movable relative to the gear box, and a finger extending through the gear box. The finger is movable with the sliding nut. The door opener also includes a sensor. The finger extends outside of the casing to contact an inner surface of the door when the door is in the closed position and the door opener is in a zero position. The sensor is configured to detect movement of the door opener from the zero position.