Patent Publication Number: US-2019169907-A1

Title: Swing Door Control Linkage

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/590,733, filed on Nov. 27, 2017; the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to closure panel actuation systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     When a spindle (electric linear actuator) is used to actuate (e.g. open/close) a door/lift gate, there can be a distance between a hinge centerline of the door/lift gate and an axis of the spindle. This distance can be referred to as a “Moment Arm”. Due to the kinematics, there can be an inherent increase and decrease of the moment arm during swing of the door/lift gate. This change in moment arm can create a number of problem areas, such as 1) packaging space for the linear actuator does not allow for the increase and decrease in the moment arm and/or 2) at a given point of the door/lift gate travel, the inherent moment arm can be too much or too little for balancing of the kinematics. As such, current linear actuators can be used in presentment functions of vehicle doors or lift gates, however packaging and/or kinematics balancing difficulties can be encountered. Further, in terms of current state of the art linear actuator systems, normally the end of the spindle is directly and fixedly connected to the vehicle frame. However, due to the offset point of rotation of the door about the hinges, relative to this fixed connection point, the spindle is typically allowed to have some lateral play (e.g. pivotal) in its movement internal to the door, in order for the door not to jam. However, a further disadvantage is realized in that in order to accommodate this lateral play, an access port through the door frame (from which the spindle extends) must be provided as larger than a diameter of the spindle. As a consequence, this enlarged access port needs to have a seal that accounts for this allowed lateral movement, which can become an undesirable maintenance item due to age/wear. Also, dedicated internal space within the door cavity must be provided in order to provide for the lateral movement of current spindle designs. In particular, on narrow doors, this lateral movement can lead to jamming or intrusion as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,174,517, which shows a relationship between the hinges and the spindle connection with the door. In U.S. Pat. No. 9,174,517, the spindle body is allowed to move laterally (e.g. pivot) within the door cavity. If it were not for this allowance for lateral movement, the spindle movement would be limited by the side door (or by other means) at some point along its axis, which would result in binding during opening or closing of the door. 
     Further, US20170292310 describes a different solution to the same problem. There is a member that is provided within the actuator, however, the actuator housing has to be enlarged to accommodate for lateral movement of this member within the housing. Also, there can be an issue of sealing the port in the door frame where the member has to move. As well, support for the lead screw of the actuator is at a distal nut portion further within the door interior, i.e. interior to the shut face of the door. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide linear actuator systems to obviate or mitigate at least some of the above-presented disadvantages. 
     It is a further object to provide linear actuator systems to control the increase and decrease of an inherent moment arm or to otherwise make it constant throughout the door/lift gate travel. 
     In an embodiment, there is provided a linear actuator assembly for a closure panel of a vehicle comprising: a linear actuator for mounting in an interior of a frame of the closure panel and having an extensible member for extending through an aperture in the frame, the extensible member configured for extension and retraction with respect to the interior along a linear axis of the linear actuator, the frame having the aperture on a shut face; a sealing member for positioning on the shut face adjacent to the extensible member for inhibiting foreign matter from entering the interior from an exterior of the frame, the sealing member inhibiting lateral movement of the extensible member with respect to the linear axis; and a linkage operationally first connecting at one end to the extensible member and for operationally second connecting at another end to a body of the vehicle adjacent to the closure panel, such that both the one end and the another end are located externally to the interior of the frame being both to one side of the aperture. 
     A second aspect provided is a method for operating a linear actuator assembly for a closure panel of a vehicle, the linear actuator assembly having a linear actuator for mounting in an interior of a frame of the closure panel and having an extensible member for extending through an aperture in the frame, the extensible member configured for extension and retraction with respect to the interior along a linear axis of the linear actuator and having a sealing member between the aperture and the extensible member, the method including the steps of: extending the extensible member through the aperture in the frame and along the linear axis in order to position to closure panel from the closed position towards the open position; inhibiting lateral movement of the extensible member by the sealing member with respect to the linear axis; while the extensible member being extended, a linkage operationally first pivots at one end and also operationally second pivots at another end, the linkage coupled to the extensible member at the one end and coupled to the body at the another end; wherein both the one end and the another end are located externally to the interior of the frame and are both to one side of the aperture. 
     In a further aspect provided is a linear actuator assembly for a closure panel of a vehicle comprising: a linear actuator for mounting in an interior of a body of the vehicle and having an extensible member for extending through an aperture in the body, the extensible member configured for extension and retraction with respect to the interior along a linear axis of the linear actuator, the body having the aperture opposite a shut face of a frame of the closure panel; a sealing member for positioning on the body adjacent to the extensible member for inhibiting foreign matter from entering the interior from an exterior of the body, the sealing member inhibiting lateral movement of the extensible member with respect to the linear axis; and a linkage operationally first connecting at one end to the extensible member and for operationally second connecting at another end to the frame, such that both the one end and the another end are located externally to the interior of the body being both to one side of the aperture. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other aspects will now be described by way of example only with reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vehicle closure panel coupled to a vehicle; 
         FIG. 2  is a further embodiment of the closure panel shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a linear actuator assembly shown in  FIG. 1 , in a closed position; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the linear actuator assembly shown in  FIG. 3  in an open position; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the linear actuator assembly shown in  FIG. 3 , in a partially open position; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the linear actuator assembly shown in  FIG. 5 , in an open position; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the linear actuator assembly shown in  FIG. 5 , in a closed position; 
         FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of the linear actuator assembly shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  shows a plan view of the linear actuator assembly shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 10  shows a further embodiment of the linear actuator assembly shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 11  shows a cut away view of an example linear actuator of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross sectional view of a further embodiment of the example linear actuator of  FIG. 11 ; and 
         FIG. 13  is a method of operation of the linear actuator assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 14  is an inner partial perspective view of a prior art vehicle door illustrating the lateral play of a spindle within an aperture provided on the vehicle door shut face and the inner panel; 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded view of an embodiment of a linear actuator assembly in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional perspective view take along the line A-A of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the linear actuator assembly fixedly mounted within the vehicle door along a linear axis relative to the vehicle door; 
         FIG. 17  is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view of  FIG. 16 , in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 18  is an enlarged cross-sectional top view of  FIG. 15  take along the line A-A of  FIG. 1 , with the vehicle door in a closed position, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional top view of  FIG. 15  take along the line A-A of  FIG. 1 , with the vehicle door in a closed position, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional top view of  FIG. 15  take along the line A-A of  FIG. 1 , with the vehicle door in a partially open position, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional top view of  FIG. 15  take along the line A-A of  FIG. 1 , with the vehicle door in another partially open position, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional top view of  FIG. 15  take along the line A-A of  FIG. 1 , with the vehicle door in another partially open position, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional top view of  FIG. 15  take along the line A-A of  FIG. 1 , with the vehicle door in a fully open position, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 24  is a diagrammatic view of the prior art swing door of  FIG. 14 , illustrating the lateral play of the spindle pivotally fixed to the vehicle body at a constant position relative to the vehicle body; 
         FIG. 25  is a diagrammatic view of the linear actuator assembly of  FIG. 3 , illustratively showing the variable pivot point of a fixedly mounted linear actuator relative to the vehicle closure panel, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; and 
         FIGS. 26 to 28  illustrate a sequence of states of a linear actuator assembly, in accordance with another illustrative embodiment, during a vehicle door moving between a closed position and an open position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In this specification and in the claims, the use of the article “a”, “an”, or “the” in reference to an item is not intended to exclude the possibility of including a plurality of the item in some embodiments. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art in at least some instances in this specification and the attached claims that it would be possible to include a plurality of the item in at least some embodiments. Likewise, use of a plural form in reference to an item is not intended to exclude the possibility of including one of the item in some embodiments. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art in at least some instances in this specification and the attached claims that it would be possible to include one of the item in at least some embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vehicle  10  that includes a vehicle body  12  and at least one vehicle door  14  (also referred to as a closure panel  14 ). The vehicle closure panel  14  includes a latch  20  that is positioned on a frame  15  of the vehicle closure panel  14 , the latch  20  being releasably engageable with a striker  127  on the vehicle body  12  to releasably hold the vehicle closure panel  14  in a closed position. The frame  15  also supports a window  13  via a window regulator assembly mounted to the frame  15  of the vehicle closure panel  14 . An outside closure panel handle  117  can be provided for opening the latch  20  (i.e. for releasing the latch  20  from the striker  127 ) to open the vehicle closure panel  14 , as well as to optionally operate an (electrically powered) linear actuator assembly  30  (see  FIG. 3 ). For example, the linear actuator assembly  30  can be used in presentment functions of the closure panel  14 . Further, the vehicle closure panel  14  can have inside controls  16 ,  18  (e.g. door handle, door locking/unlocking tab, etc.) for operating the latch  20  and the electric linear actuator assembly  30 . It is also recognized that a key fob (not shown) or other presence sending controls (e.g. door presence sensor—not shown) can be used to activate the electric linear actuator assembly  30 , as desired. 
     For vehicles  10 , the closure panel  14  can be referred to as a partition or door, typically hinged, but sometimes attached by other mechanisms such as tracks, in front of an opening which is used for entering and exiting the vehicle  10  interior by people and/or cargo. In terms of vehicles  10 , the closure panel  14  may be a driver/passenger door, a lift gate (see  FIG. 2 ), or it may be some other kind of closure panel  14 , such as an upward-swinging vehicle door (i.e. what is sometimes referred to as a gull-wing door) or a conventional type of door that is hinged at a front-facing or back-facing edge of the door, and so allows the door to swing (or slide) away from (or towards) the opening in the vehicle body  12  of the vehicle  10 . Also contemplated are sliding door embodiments of the closure panel  14  and canopy door embodiments of the closure panel  14 , such that sliding doors can be a type of door that open by sliding horizontally or vertically, whereby the door is either mounted on, or suspended from a track that provides for a larger opening. Canopy doors are a type of door that sits on top of the vehicle  10  and lifts up in some way, to provide access for vehicle passengers via the opening (e.g. car canopy, aircraft canopy, etc.). Canopy doors can be connected (e.g. hinged at a defined pivot axis and/or connected for travel along a track) to the vehicle body  12  of the vehicle at the front, side or back of the door, as the application permits. It is recognized that the vehicle body  12  can be represented as a body panel of the vehicle  10 , a frame of the vehicle  10 , and/or a combination frame and body panel assembly, as desired. As such, the linear actuator assembly  30  can be used in conjunction with a number of closure panel  14  types, including swing types (e.g. hinged) and/or slide types (e.g. tracked). 
     The closure panel  14  (e.g. occupant ingress or egress controlling panels such as but not limited to vehicle doors and lift gates/hatches) can be connected to the vehicle body  12  via one or more hinges  22  (see  FIGS. 2,3,4,5,6,7 ) and the latch assembly  20  (e.g. for retaining the closure panel  14  in a closed position once closed). It is also recognized the hinge  22  can be configured as a biased hinge  22  that can be configured to bias the closure panel  14  towards the open position (shown in  FIGS. 4,6 ) and/or towards the closed position (shown in  FIGS. 4,7 ). In terms of a biased hinge  22 , used in combination with the linear actuator assembly  30 , the biased hinge  22  can provide for assistance in presenting the closure panel  14  beyond where a ratchet of the latch assembly  20  can influence positioning of the closure panel  14  (i.e. via operation of linear actuator assembly  30  as further described below). It is also recognized that the biased hinge  22  can be configured as a door check mechanism integrated into the hinge and/or an independent door check assembly providing the bias. Since the linear actuator assembly  30  is positionable at a location traditionally associated with a door check arrangement (i.e. located between hinges  22  and between the vehicle body  12  and the closure panel  14 ), such door checks may be eliminated and replaced with the linear actuator assembly  30  which may be configured with mechanical or electromechanical detent/checking features. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 8 , shown is one embodiment of the linear actuator assembly  30 , also referred to as a swing door linear actuator assembly  30 , for power opening/closing of the closure panel  14  (e.g. door). The linear actuator assembly  30  includes a linkage  24  interconnecting an (extensible) end  27  of an (e.g. door) actuator  26  (e.g. spindle/lead screw based actuator, for example—see  FIGS. 11,12 ) between the door frame  15  and the vehicle body  12  (e.g. A or B pillar). The linkage  24  can be connected at one end by a pivot point  28  (e.g. location  28 ) to an extendible member  32  of the actuator  26  (see  FIG. 11 ) and at another end by a pivot point  34  (e.g. location  34 ) to the vehicle body  12 . Illustratively, the linkage  24  shown in  FIG. 3  is a linear member, but other configurations, such as an L-shaped member or arcuate shaped member, are possible depending on the pivotal nature of the closure panel  14  (i.e. position of hinges relative to mounting points of the linkage  24  and the packaging space available). It is recognized that both of the pivot points  28 , 34 , as well as a body of the linkage  24  there-between, are positioned exterior to an interior  17  of the door frame  15 . A sealing member  36  is positioned about a periphery of the extendible member  32  and adjacent to the door frame  15  (i.e. on a shut face  35  of the door frame  15  external to the door interior  17 ), so as to inhibit the inclusion of foreign matter (e.g. dirt, water, etc.) from penetrating from the exterior environment to the interior of the door frame  15 . Further, an optional housing cover  38  of the extensible member  32  can be used to support the extensible member  32  at a location on the exterior of the door frame shut face  35 , as positioned between the sealing member  36  and the extensible member  32 . As shown in comparison between  FIGS. 3 and 4  and between  FIGS. 6 and 7 , noted is the extension and retraction (see  FIGS. 6 and 7 ) of the housing cover  38  into and out of the door interior  17  via relative movement between the housing cover  38  and the sealing member  36 , as compared to the operation shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  in that there is no relative movement between the housing cover  38  and the sealing member  36 . It is recognized that the housing cover  38  could be coupled to an exterior  39  of the extensible member  32 , so that the housing cover  38  and the extensible member  32  extend and retract together (with respect to the door interior  17 ) along a fixed linear axis  33  of the linear actuator assembly  30 . The door face  35  contains an aperture  43  through which the extensile member  32  extends and retracts with respect to an interior  17  of the door frame  15 . It is recognized that the pivot points  28 , 34  can also be referred to as pivots  28 , 34 , as desired. The sealing member  36  can include a seal such as an  0 -Ring, supported within the aperture  43  an into engagement with housing cover  38  or extensible member  32 , for example by employing a threaded ring coupling positioned within the aperture  43 , which acts to support extensible member  32  and/or extensible member  32  within the aperture  43  to prevent lateral play. 
     Thus, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 8 , the (mounting) pivot points  28 , 34  can be more distributed compared to prior art linear actuators having one pivotal mounting point within the door interior  17  (i.e. between the door panels). As such, the presented linear actuator assembly  30  provides for the linkage  24  positioned wholly externally to the door interior  17  (including the two pivot points  28 , 34  at either end of the linkage  24 ). This external positioning of the pivot points  28 , 34  (at either end of the linkage  24 ) provides for the extensible member  32  (at the end  27 ) of the actuator  26  to extend rather than swing relative to the door frame  15 , as opposed to have the entire actuator swing as is known in the art). As a result, it is advantageous for the linear actuator assembly  30  to have the extensible member  32  (e.g. spindle) fixed (i.e. inhibited from pivoting laterally with respect to the linear axis  33 ) within the door interior  17  as the door moves between the open and closed position. 
     One benefit of the linear actuator assembly  30  is that a slimmer closure panel  14  can be provided (or allow more room for other components with in the door interior  17 ), as compared to those systems allowing for pivoting within the door frame interior  17 , since space to allow for pivotal movement of the extensible member  32  within the door interior  17  doesn&#39;t have to be accounted for due to the presence of the linkage  24  with the pair of pivot points  28 , 34 . 
     Further, since the end of the extensible member  32  adjacent to the shut door face  35  does not move laterally with respect to the linear axis  33 , sealing via the sealing member  36  between the door and the spindle can be more easily made (i.e. a simpler seal, less chance of wearing out etc.). Further, since a moment arm of the linear actuator assembly  30  can be provided as constant, as compared to those systems allowing for pivoting within the door frame interior  17 , the motor  25  (see  FIG. 12 ) of the linear actuator assembly  30  would not have to compensate for increases in torque for smaller arms. As well, the linear actuator assembly  30  can be more easily balanced thus providing a system with balanced kinematics, as compared to those systems allowing for pivoting within the door interior  17 . For example, the motor  25  may be operated at a constant output as part of such a balanced system (not having to overcome any increases/decreases in the moment arm), with less variations in motor speed/torque being required during an opening or closing operation (not having to adjust for speed increase/decrease as a result in changes to the moment arm). As a result, less complex motor control can be required, as well as being able to provide a motor  25  that is optimized and smaller, less noisy, and a smoother door opening/closing user experience can be provided. 
     It is recognized that  FIGS. 3 and 4  (and associated  FIGS. 5-9 ) describe the embodiment of the linear actuator assembly  30  having the linkage  24  that rotates around the pivot point  28  fixed on the extensible member  32  as well as the pivot point  34  fixed on the vehicle body  12 . In this manner, the linear actuator assembly  30  for the closure panel  14  includes: the linear actuator assembly  30  for mounting in the interior  17  of the door frame  15  and has an extensible member  32  for extending through the aperture  43  in the door frame  15 , the extensible member  32  configured for extension and retraction with respect to the interior  17  along the linear axis  33  of the linear actuator assembly  30 , the door frame  15  having the aperture  43  on the shut face  35 ; the sealing member  36  for positioning on the shut face  35  adjacent to the extensible member  32  for inhibiting foreign matter from entering the interior  17  from an exterior of the door frame  15 , the sealing member  36  inhibiting lateral movement of the extensible member  32  with respect to the linear axis  33 ; and the linkage  24  operationally connected at one end  28 ′ to the extensible member  32  and for operationally connecting at another end  34 ′ to the vehicle body  12  adjacent to the vehicle closure panel  14 , such that both the one end  28 ′ and the another end  38 ′ are both located externally to the interior  17  of the door frame  15  to one side of the aperture  43 . For example, the operationally connected (e.g. at the end  34 ′) is pivotally connected at a first pivot point  34  and the operationally connecting (e.g. at end  28 ′) is pivotally connected at a second pivot point  28 . Alternatively, the operationally connected (e.g. at end  34 ′) is pivotally connected at a first pivot point  34  and the operationally connecting (e.g. at end  28 ′) is connected at a second pivot point  28  configured for translational movement along a track  42  of the linkage  24  (see  FIG. 10 ). In an embodiment, the sealing member  36  may only restrict lateral play of the extensible member  32  without sealing the interior  37 , such as for example when the aperture  43  is provided on the dry side (e.g. not exposed to exterior road conditions and elements) of the vehicle door  14 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , an alternative embodiment of the linear actuator assembly  30  is shown, such that the linkage  24  includes a plate  40  having the track  42  therein, in which pivot  28  translates along a translation axis  44  (e.g. arcuate) of the track  42 . As the extensible member  32  is connected at one end to the pivot  28  (e.g. pin connection), the extensible member  32  follows the path (i.e. translation axis  44 ) of the track  42  to provide for the moment arm to remain (e.g. the same) over the swing of the closure panel  14 . For example, the pivot  28  can be fitted with a roller to follow the track  42 . It is recognized that in the embodiment described in  FIG. 10 , end  34 ′ can include both translation as well as rotation (i.e. pivoting). 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  show an example configuration for the (e.g. linear) actuator  26  of  FIG. 3 , for example a spring loaded strut  26 . A housing  235  also contains an extension member  240  (e.g. extensible member  32 ) used to extend from, or retract within, the housing  235  to effect the resulting location of the closure panel  14  with respect to the door frame  15 . For example, an extended extension member  240  results in positioning the closure panel  14  in the extended state (see  FIG. 4 ), while a retracted extension member  240  results in positioning the closure panel  14  in a retracted state (see  FIG. 3 ) with respect to the door frame  15 . It is recognized that the linear actuator  26  can be implemented as a strut (see  FIG. 12  as an example type of strut). The linear actuator  26  can be of a biasing type (e.g. spring and/or gas charge supplying the bias). In one example, see  FIG. 12 , the extension member  240  is actively driven by via a lead screw  140 . The extension member  240  is either extended from, or retracted into, the housing  235 . It is recognized that the linear actuator  26  can have the lead screw  140  (e.g. rotary output member—see  FIG. 12 ) operated actively (i.e. driven) by the motor  25  (e.g. electrical). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3, 11, 12 , shown is the linear actuator  26  with the housing  235  having a first end  260  for connecting to the linkage  24  via pivot point  28  (e.g. point  238 ) and a second end  262  for connecting to the closure panel  14  at fixed mount  118  (see  FIG. 9 ), also referred to by reference numeral  236 . In this configuration, the linear actuator  26 , by example only, has the extension member  240  (e.g. a stator member slideably engageable with a rotary output member such as via mated threads) positioned in an interior  264  of the housing  235 . A distal end of  254  the extension member  240  is coupled to the second end  262  (for example via an optional element  266 —spring) and the proximal end  248  of the extension member  240  is coupled to the first end  260 . The extension member  240  is coupled to the lead screw  140  via a travel member  245  (for example as an integral part of or separate to the extension member  240 ), such that rotation of the lead screw  140  causes travel of the travel member  245  along the lead screw  140 , to result in extension or retraction of the extension member  240  with respect to the housing  235 . As discussed in relation to  FIG. 12 , the travel member  245  and the lead screw  140  are coupled to one another via mated threads. As shown, the linear actuator  26  can be a strut having a resilient element of the power spring  268  for providing the counterbalance torque (T) during operation of the closure panel  14  in moving between the extended and retracted positions (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 11, 12 , the travel member  245  is positioned at one end of the extension member  240 . The extension member  240  is coupled (in this example case via a mounted kicker spring  266 ) to the housing  235  at the distal end. Complimentary, the extension member  240  is coupled to the linkage  24  at the first (e.g. proximal) end  260 . As such, as the extension member  240  is displaced along the longitudinal axis  241  (e.g. linear axis  33 —see  FIG. 3 ), the attached travel member  245  is displaced along the lead screw  140 . As such, as the closure panel  14  is moved between the extended and retracted positions (see  FIGS. 3, 4 ), the position of the travel member  245  along the lead screw  140  varies, thereby providing for reciprocation of the travel member  245  along the longitudinal axis  241  of the lead screw  140  and thus resulting extension and retraction of the extension member  240  with respect to the housing  235 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , the embodiment of the linear actuator  26  is shown including the housing  235  having a lower housing  112  and an upper housing  114  for containing the extension member  240  (e.g. extensible shaft/rod). Fixed mount  118  is attached to an end wall  126  of lower housing  112  proximal to the door frame  15 . Upper housing  114  provides a (e.g. cylindrical) sidewall  141  defining a chamber  134  that is open at both ends. A distal end wall  128  of lower housing  112  includes an aperture  130 . The lead screw  140  (or referred to as a lead screw  140  or rotary output member powered by rotary motion of the motor  25 ) which can be used to transport or otherwise guide the travel member  245  (connected to the extension member  240 ) along the longitudinal axis  41  (i.e. similar to linear axis  33  of  FIG. 3 ). For example, the travel member  245  contains an internally facing series of threads in bore  161  that are mated to an externally facing series of threads on the extension member  240 , as desired. Extensible member  240  provides a cylindrical sidewall  154  defining a chamber  156  and can be concentrically mounted between upper housing  114  and lead screw  140 . As described earlier, pivot mount  238  (i.e. pivot point  28 ) is attached to the distal end of extensible member  240  at the linkage  24 . The nut  245  (also referred to as the travel member  245 ) is mounted around the proximal end of extensible member  240  relative to lower housing  112  and is coupled with lead screw  140  in order to convert the rotational movement of lead screw  140  into the linear motion of the extensible member  240  along the longitudinal axis  41  of lead screw  140 . The nut  245  can include splines that extend into opposing coaxial slots provided on the inside of upper housing  114  to inhibit nut  245  from rotating as the nut  245  travels along the longitudinal axis  41 . Alternatively, the nut  245  may be configured without the splines and thus be free to rotate as the nut  245  travels along the longitudinal axis  41 , without departing from the scope of the description. An integrally-formed outer lip  164  in upper housing  114  can provide an environmental seal between chamber  134  and the outside. 
     A spring housing  138  can be provided in lower housing  112  and defined by cylindrical sidewall  122 , end wall  128 , and a flange  166 . Within spring housing  138 , a power spring (not shown in  FIG. 12 ) similar to the power spring  268  as seen in  FIG. 11  can be optionally coiled around lead screw  140 , providing a mechanical counterbalance to the weight of the closure panel  14 . One end of power spring  268  is positioned or otherwise attached to the travel member  245  and the other is secured to a portion of cylindrical sidewall  122 . When extensible member  240  is in its retracted position, power spring  268  is tightly coiled around lead screw  140  and therefore applies bias against the travel member  245 . As lead screw  140  rotates to extend extensible member  240 , in concert with travel of the travel member  245  along the upper housing  114 , power spring  268  uncoils, releasing its stored energy and transmitting an axial force through extensible member  240 . When power screw  140  rotates to retract extensible member  240 , in concert with travel of the travel member  245  along the upper housing  114 , power spring  268  recharges by recoiling around lead screw  140 . Also shown in  FIG. 12  are the mating threads between those of the travel member  245  and those of the lead screw  140 . Other types of linear actuators may be employed, for example a linear actuator providing a vertically oriented lower housing within the interior  17  and operatively coupled to a horizontally directed upper housing containing the extension member. In such a configuration, the extension member  32  remains fixed along the linear axis  33  as the door  14  moves between the open and closed position. 
     In view of the above, the linkage  24  (e.g. control linkage with or without the track  42  provides for the extensible member  32  (e.g. the driven part of the spindle or actuator  26 ) to swing about a center point). This configured operation provides for the extensible member  32  to articulate about a pivot axis (e.g. about pivot point  28  and/or pivot point  34 ) which inhibits binding and provides for the door/lift gate (i.e. closure panel  14 ) to operate unhindered between the open and closed positions. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , shown is a method  1000  for operating the linear actuator assembly  30 . At step  1002  the extensible member  32  is extended through the aperture  43  in the frame  15  and along the linear axis  33  in order to position to closure panel  14  from the closed position towards the open position. At step  1004 , there is provided the inhibiting of lateral movement of the extensible member with respect to the linear axis during extending (and/or retraction) the extensible member through the aperture  43 , for example by inhibiting lateral movement of the extensible member  32  using the sealing member  36  with respect to the linear axis  33 . At step  1006 , as the extensible member  32  is extended, the linkage  24  operationally first pivots at the one end  28 ′ and also operationally second pivots at the another end  34 ′, wherein both the one end  28 ′ and the another end  34 ′ are located externally to the interior  17  of the frame  15  and are both to one side of the aperture  34 . The method  1000  may also include the step  1008  of maintaining by the linkage  24  the one end  28 ′ at a constant distance from the another end  34 ′ during extension (and/or retraction) of the extensible member  32  through the aperture. 
     A further embodiment is such that the linear actuator assembly  30  can be positioned in an interior  17  of the body  12 . For example, the linear actuator assembly  30  for the closure panel  14  of the vehicle  10  comprising: a linear actuator  26  for mounting in the interior  17  of the body  12  of the vehicle  10  and having the extensible member  32  for extending through the aperture  43  in the body  12 , the extensible member  32  configured for extension and retraction with respect to the interior  17  along the linear axis  33  of the linear actuator  26 , the body  12  having the aperture  43  opposite a shut face  35  of the frame  15  of the closure panel  14 ; a sealing member  36  for positioning on the body  15  adjacent to the extensible member  32 , and for inhibiting foreign matter from entering the interior  17  from an exterior of the body  12 , the sealing member  36  inhibiting lateral movement of the extensible member  32  with respect to the linear axis  33 ; and the linkage  24  operationally first connecting at one end  28 ′ to the extensible member  32  and for operationally second connecting at another end  34 ′ to the frame  15 , such that both the one end  28 ′ and the another end  34 ′ are located externally to the interior  17  of the body  12  being both to one side of the aperture  43 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 15 to 18 , there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of the linear actuator assembly  30 ′ including a body mounting bracket  300  including a body  302  for fixing to the vehicle body  12  using fasteners such as bolts or screws as is typically known, through mounting apertures  303 . Connected to body  302  is an oppositely extending linkage mounting arm  304  projecting illustratively perpendicularly away from body  302  and parallel to a surface  306  of the pillar  308  of the vehicle body  12 , and hinge mounting arm  310  for forming the body side portion of hinge  22  for pivotal connection with a door side hinge portion  312  of closure panel  14  to pivotal rotation of the closure panel  14 . Linkage mounting arm  304  includes a mounting port or hole  314  for receiving a fastener, such as a first pivot pin  316  about first pivot point  34 , with pivot pin  316  also extending through a first linkage aperture  318  within linkage  24  for coupling another end  34 ′ to linkage mounting arm  304 . A second pivot pin  320  similarly coupling the one end  28 ′ of linkage  24  to the extensible member  32  through receipt within overlapping first pivot  28  and second linkage aperture  321 . Door mounting bracket  300  provides an integral bracket assembly formed by stamping and bending for example, for coupling both the vehicle closure panel  14  and the linkage  24  thereto, such that the single door mounting bracket  300  is attachable to the vehicle body  12  as a single component. Linear actuator assembly  30 ′ also includes a door mounting bracket  330  illustratively fixed to frame  15  with fasteners (not shown) secured within mounting apertures  332  of door mounting bracket  330 . Door mounting bracket  330  includes a connection point  334  for receiving part of a connector, such as a ball socket connector  336 , also coupled to the fixed mount  118  of linear actuator  26  for fixedly securing second end  262  to the door frame  15 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 24 , illustrated is an example of a current state of the art linear actuator system, with such a system configured with the end of the spindle  200  directly and fixedly connected  201  to the vehicle frame. However, due to the offset point of rotation of the door  202  about the hinges, relative to this fixed connection point  201 , the spindle  200  is typically allowed to have some lateral play LP, (e.g. pivotal) in its movement e.g. along a spindle door attachment wing path  199  internal to the door  202 , in order for the door  202  not to jam. However, a further disadvantage of such a state of the art system is realized in that in order to accommodate this lateral play, an access port  206  (see  FIG. 14 ) through the door frame  207  (e.g. inner panel  210 , and/or shut face  212 ) (from which the spindle  200  extends) must be provided as larger than a diameter of the spindle  200 . As a consequence, this enlarged access port  206  needs to have a seal (not shown), such as a rubber or silicon boot, that accounts for this allowed lateral movement LP, which can become an undesirable maintenance item due to age/wear. Also, dedicated internal space  208  within the door cavity  17  must be provided in order to accommodate for the lateral movement LP of current spindle designs. For example, spindle end  209  is at a distance A from the inner door panel  210  when the door  202  is in the fully closed position, whereas spindle end  209  is at a distance B, greater than A from the inner door panel  210  when the door  202  is in the fully open position. In particular, on narrow doors, this lateral movement of the state of the art linear actuator can lead to jamming or intrusion. 
     Now with reference to  FIGS. 19 to 23 , and  FIG. 25 , there is shown an illustrative operation of the linear actuator assembly  30 ′ installed between a vehicle body  12  and a vehicle door  14  (e.g. within interior  17  along linear axis  33 ). Illustratively, the linear actuator assembly  30 ′ is mounted at an angle within interior  17  of the door frame  15  relative to inner panel  210  such that second end  262  is mounted at a distance D 1  relative to the inner panel  210  and at a second distance D 2  away from the first end  260  proximate shut face  35  to define the constant linear axis  33  that does not vary or change as the door  14  moves between the closed position ( FIG. 19 ) and the open position ( FIG. 23 ) (e.g. D 1  and D 2  to not vary). As a result, extensible member  32  extends through the aperture  43  in the door frame  15 , extends and retracts with respect to the interior  17  along the linear axis  33  of the linear actuator assembly  30 ′ during the closure panel  14  being moved between the closed position and the open position. As is shown in  FIGS. 19 to 23 , the one end  28 ′ of linkage  24  is confined by the another end  34 ′ of linkage  24  pivoting about second pivot  34  such that the one end  28 ′ remains at a constant distance R along a circular path C (e.g. one end  28 ′ can move clockwise or counterclockwise along circular path C) away from the second pivot  34  during the extensible member  32  extending and retracting causing the door  14  to move between the open and closed positions. As a result the extensible member  32  for extending through the aperture  43  in the door frame  15  is able to extend and retract with respect to the interior  17  along the fixed linear axis  33  and linear actuator assembly  30 ′ remains fixed without any lateral play within interior  17  interfering with any other door components (e.g. window module, carrier, window regulator motor, speakers etc.) and without any lateral play within aperture  43  thereby simplifying the sealing of the aperture  43  with a fixed seal e.g. a rubber O-ring, such the sealing member  36  also acts to inhibit lateral movement of the extensible member  32  thereby providing a mounting point of the linear actuator assembly  30 ′ to the shut face  35  opposite door mounting bracket  330  without requiring any hard to access fastening features or brackets within the interior  17  to fix the linear actuator assembly  30 ′ along the linear axis  33 . It is recognized that distances D 1  and D 2  remain constant during the movement of the vehicle door  14  between the open and closed positions. Illustratively, as extensible member  32  extends as represent by Arrow E, linkage  24  is forced to rotate counterclockwise CCW.  FIG. 25  diagrammatically shows the one end  28 ′ of linkage  24  allowed to move relative to the door pivot  217  to permit the linear actuator assembly  30 ′ to remain fixed along the linear axis  33  without any lateral play during the door  14  opening and closing, as compared to the prior art configuration having a spindle  200  mounted to a constant fixed connection point  201  resulting in lateral play LP and requiring a larger access port  206  to accommodate such lateral play, requiring complex sealing solutions. Also, moment arms M 4  (at door closed position), and M 3  (at door open position) of linear actuator assembly  30 ,  30 ′,  30 ″ remain constant or nearly constant, as compared to the moment arms M 2  (at door closed position), and M 1  (at door open position), where M 2  is significantly greater than Ml. 
     Now with reference to  FIGS. 26 to 28 , there is shown another illustrative operation of the linear actuator assembly  30 ″ installed between a vehicle body  12  and within a vehicle door  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, one end  28 ′ of linkage  24  is fixed to the vehicle body  14  e.g. A-pillar  308  via a bracket  400  mounted to the vehicle body  12 , while closure panel  14  is pivotally mounted to the vehicle body  12  via a separate hinge bracket assembly  402 , fixed to vehicle body  12 . Operation of linear actuator assembly  30 ″ is similar to other embodiments described hereinabove, and in particular, extensible member  32  extends through the aperture  43  in the door frame  15 , extends and retracts E-R with respect to the interior  17  along the linear axis  33  of the linear actuator assembly  30 ″ during the closure panel  14  being moved between the closed position and the open position, the one end  28 ′ of linkage  24  is confined by the another end  34 ′ of linkage  24  pivoting about second pivot  34  such that the one end  28 ′ remains at a constant distance R along circular path C away from the second pivot  34  during the extensible member  32  extending and retracting causing the door  14  to move between the open and closed positions. As seen in  FIG. 27 , extension of extensible member  32  cause linkage  24  to rotate initially counterclockwise, and at a inflection point to cause linkage  24  to rotate in an opposite clockwise rotation as seen in  FIG. 28  during continued extension of extensible member  32 . 
     While the above description constitutes a plurality of embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present disclosure is susceptible to further modification and change without departing from the fair meaning of the accompanying claims.