Patent ID: 6962023

Claim:
A power drive mechanism for power assisted opening and closing of a liftgate pivotally mounted to a motor vehicle, said power drive mechanism comprising: a linking arm pivotally connectable with the liftgate; a crank arm pivotally mountable on the vehicle and pivotally connected with the linking arm; a pivotally mounted gear train; a drive motor operatively connected with said crank arm through said gear train, said gear train being movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, said engaged position effecting a driving engagement between the drive motor and the crank arm such that energizing said drive motor drivingly rotates said crank arm to responsively effect said opening and closing of the liftgate and said disengaged position disengages said drive motor from said crank arm permitting movement of said crank arm without backdriving said drive motor; an actuator operatively connected with said gear train and being operable upon electrical energization to effect said movement of said gear train between said engaged position and said disengaged position; and a holding linkage operatively connected to said gear train and said actuator and holds said gear train in said engaged position once said actuator moves said gear train into the engaged position including after the actuator is deenergized.