Patent ID: 7021003

Claim:
A power liftgate drive assembly adapted for moving a liftgate of a motor vehicle between an open position and a closed position, said power liftgate assembly comprising: a base fixedly secured to the motor vehicle; a guide defining a smooth side surface and extending upwardly from said base and disposed adjacent the liftgate when the liftgate is in the closed position, said guide including a carriage guide rail and a power guide rail, each of said carriage guide rail and said power guide rail extending upwardly from said base; a liftgate carriage abutting said smooth side surface of to said guide and linearly slideable therealong; and a liftgate rod pivotally connected to said liftgate carriage and the liftgate such that said liftgate rod translates the linear movement of said liftgate carriage into pivotal movement of the liftgate to move the liftgate between the open and closed positions.