Patent ID: 6276743
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: B60J

Abstract:
In a vehicle having a body with an aperture, a closure member for selectively covering said aperture, and a striker carried by said body proximate said aperture, said closure member operable between an open position wherein said closure member substantially clears said aperture, and a closed position wherein said closure member substantially covers said aperture, a power latching mechanism for latching said closure member in said closed position comprising:a housing coupled to said closure member;a latch member disposed within said housing, said latch member operable between a fully latched position and a fully unlatched position, said latch member adapted for engaging said striker;a pawl disposed within said housing and operable for engaging said latch member to retain said latch member in said fully latched position; anda power drive assembly fixedly coupled to said housing and operable for selectively positioning said latch member into said fully latched position, said power drive assembly having a cinch motor, a cinch clutch and a gear train, said cinch motor operable for producing a drive torque, said gear train operable for transmitting said drive torque to said latch member to position said latch member in said fully latched position, said cinch clutch operable for selectively interrupting said drive torque transmission.