A device for releasing a latch comprising: a housing; an electric motor mounted in the housing; a worm operatively coupled to the motor for driving rotation of the worm about an axis in a first rotational direction; a worm gear, in meshing engagement with the worm, and being mounted in the housing for rotation about an axis substantially orthogonal to the worm axis; wherein the worm gear is biased against the rotation in a first direction from a first position to a second position by a spring such that energy is transferred from the motor to the spring as the worm gear rotates from said first position to said second position under control of the motor and, when the motor is powered down, the energy stored in the spring causes the worm gear to rotate in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, from the second position to the first position; and the housing includes a first stop and a second stop; characterized in that the device further comprises: a camshaft mounted on the worm gear and having a rotation axis coincident with the worm gear axis, the camshaft having a distal end extending to the exterior of the housing; and a cam affixed at the distal end of the camshaft, having a surface for engaging the latch to move the latch from a closed position to a release position as the worm gear rotates in the first direction from the first position to the second position under control of the motor; said housing comprising an injection-molded plastic tubular mount extending into the housing interior, with the worm gear being rotatably mounted thereon; said first and second stops (92, 96) of the housing being unitarily molded therewith; said spring being connected between the worm gear and the housing; and the worm gear including a first stop and a second stop, wherein when the worm gear is in the first position, the first stop of the housing and the first stop of the worm gear are in mutual abutment to preclude rotation in the second direction, and when the worm gear is in the second position, the second stop of the housing and the second stop of the worm gear are in mutual abutment to preclude rotation in the first direction. a housing; an electric motor mounted in the housing; a worm operatively coupled to the motor for driving rotation of the worm about an axis in a first rotational direction; a worm gear, in meshing engagement with the worm, and being mounted in the housing for rotation about an axis substantially orthogonal to the worm axis; wherein the worm gear is biased against the rotation in a first direction from a first position to a second position by a spring such that energy is transferred from the motor to the spring as the worm gear rotates from said first position to said second position under control of the motor and, when the motor is powered down, the energy stored in the spring causes the worm gear to rotate in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, from the second position to the first position; and the housing includes a first stop and a second stop; a camshaft mounted on the worm gear and having a rotation axis coincident with the worm gear axis, the camshaft having a distal end extending to the exterior of the housing; and a cam affixed at the distal end of the camshaft, having a surface for engaging the latch to move the latch from a closed position to a release position as the worm gear rotates in the first direction from the first position to the second position under control of the motor; said housing comprising an injection-molded plastic tubular mount extending into the housing interior, with the worm gear being rotatably mounted thereon; said first and second stops (92, 96) of the housing being unitarily molded therewith; said spring being connected between the worm gear and the housing; and the worm gear including a first stop and a second stop, wherein when the worm gear is in the first position, the first stop of the housing and the first stop of the worm gear are in mutual abutment to preclude rotation in the second direction, and when the worm gear is in the second position, the second stop of the housing and the second stop of the worm gear are in mutual abutment to preclude rotation in the first direction.