Powered actuator for latch of motor vehicle closure panel

Abstract

The invention relates to a powered actuator for a latch of a motor vehicle closure panel. The powered actuator includes a housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion. An electric motor is supported between the first housing part and the second housing part. The electric motor has a drive shaft extending between opposite ends along an axis. The drive gear is fixed to the drive shaft and the driven gear meshes with the drive gear. An annular seal is compressed between the first housing portion and the second housing portion. A first biasing member extends from the annular seal into engagement with one of the opposite ends of the drive shaft and a second biasing member extends from the annular seal into engagement with the other of the opposite ends of the drive shaft. The first biasing member and the second biasing member are formed with the annular seal as a unitary piece of material.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 574,897, filed April 4, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle closure members and, more particularly, to a powered actuator for a latch of a vehicle closure member. Background Art

[0004] This section provides background information related to vehicle closure panels and latch power actuators therefor to provide a better understanding of currently available configurations and adaptability of such vehicle closure panels and latch power actuators. However, the information provided in this section is not necessarily to be considered prior art with respect to the inventive concepts associated with the present disclosure.

[0005] Power actuators are commonly used in motor vehicles to power the latches of vehicle closure panels. Such actuators typically include a motor and a gear assembly, which is operably coupled to the latch via a cable or rod. Typically, the actuator's motor and gear assembly are operably coupled to each other for selective engagement to transfer torque from the motor to the gear assembly and for selective disconnection to prevent torque transfer between the motor and the gear assembly. Known gear assemblies include a drive gear fixed to the motor's drive shaft and a driven gear of a gear train. While such known drive and driven gear arrangements can prove effective in transmitting torque between the motor and gear assembly, they have several potential drawbacks. For example, axial free play, also known as axial backlash or skew, between the drive and driven gears and within the drive gear leads to inefficiencies in torque transfer and precise timing, ultimately resulting in less than optimal performance and potentially reducing the operational life of the motor and latch. Furthermore, axial free play can cause undesirable vibration and noise.

[0006] Therefore, for at least those reasons discussed above, a need exists to develop a closure panel assembly and a powered actuator for a closure panel assembly. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This section provides a general summary of some objects, advantages, aspects and features provided by the inventive concepts associated with the present disclosure. However, this section is not intended to be considered an exhaustive and comprehensive listing of all such objects, advantages, aspects and features of the present disclosure.

[0008] According to one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a vehicle closure panel and powered actuator for a latch of a vehicle closure panel that advances the art and improves upon currently known vehicle closure panels and powered actuators for such vehicle closure panels.

[0009] According to another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a vehicle closure panel and a tightening power actuator for a latch of a vehicle closure panel that advances the prior art and improves upon currently known vehicle closure panels and tightening power actuators for such vehicle closure panels.

[0010] A related aspect is to provide a powered actuator having a drive shaft secured to a drive gear, wherein the drive shaft and drive gear are axially offset to eliminate axial play.

[0011] According to these and other aspects, a powered actuator for a latch of a motor vehicle closure panel includes a housing in which an electric motor is supported. The electric motor has a drive shaft extending along an axis between opposite ends for rotation about the axis in response to energization of the electric motor. A drive gear is secured to the drive shaft. A first biasing member applies a first bias to one of the opposite ends of the drive shaft along the axis in a first direction, and a second biasing member applies a second bias to the other of the opposite ends of the drive shaft along the axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction to inhibit axial play in the drive shaft.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a housing includes a first housing portion having a first annular outer periphery and a second housing portion having a second annular outer periphery, the first annular outer periphery and the second housing portion being mated with each other.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an annular seal is compressed between the first housing portion and the second housing portion, a first biasing member extends inwardly from the annular seal, and a second biasing member extends inwardly from the annular seal.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the first biasing member and the second biasing member are formed as a unitary piece of material with the annular seal.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, at least one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion has an annular recess, and the annular seal is disposed in the annular recess.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, at least one of the first shell portion and the second shell portion has a recess, and the first biasing member and the second biasing member each have an enlarged central body portion arranged in the recess to inhibit misalignment of the first biasing member and the second biasing member relative to the axis of the drive shaft.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the opposite ends of the drive shaft have passages secured thereto, the first biasing member has a first end disposed in one of the passages and the second biasing member has a second end disposed in another of the passages.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the first biasing member has a first end that exerts a first bias on the drive shaft and the second biasing member has a second end that exerts a second bias on the drive shaft, the first biasing member has a hollow cavity between the first end of the first biasing member and the enlarged central body portion, and the second biasing member has a hollow cavity between the second end of the second biasing member and the enlarged central body portion.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the opposite ends of the drive shaft have passages secured thereto, the first biasing member has a first end disposed in one of the passages and the second biasing member has a second end disposed in another of the passages.

[0020] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a driven gear is disposed within the housing, the driven gear is arranged in meshing engagement with the drive gear for rotation in response to rotation of the drive gear.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the driven gear is arranged to rotate about a driven gear axis, the driven gear axis extending transverse to the axis of the drive shaft, the first bias and the second bias inhibit a gap between the drive gear and the driven gear.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of inhibiting axial play of a drive shaft of a latch power actuator includes disposing a first biasing member in engagement with a first end of the drive shaft to exert a first bias on the drive shaft in a first direction along a central longitudinal axis of the drive shaft toward an opposite second end of the drive shaft. Further, a second biasing member is disposed in engagement with the second end of the drive shaft to exert a second bias on the drive shaft in a second direction opposite the first direction along the central longitudinal axis.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method can further include forming the first biasing member and the second biasing member as integral pieces of material with the annular seal and compressing the annular seal between the first housing portion and the second housing portion of the latch power actuator.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method can further include stabilizing the first biasing member and the second biasing member against misalignment relative to the central longitudinal axis of the drive shaft to avoid exerting a side force moment on the drive shaft.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method can further include stabilizing the first biasing member and the second biasing member against misalignment relative to a central longitudinal axis of the drive shaft by capturing the central body portions of the first biasing member and the second biasing member in respective pockets of the first housing portion and the second housing portion of the latch power actuator.

[0026] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method can further include capturing the central body portions of the first biasing member and the second biasing member in the pockets in a line-to-line fit or an interference fit.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method can further include disposing the first end portion of the first biasing member in engagement with the first end portion of the drive shaft and disposing the second end portion of the second biasing member in engagement with the second end portion of the drive shaft.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method can further include disposing the first end portion of the first biasing member in a channel of the first end portion of the drive shaft and disposing the second end portion of the second biasing member in a channel of the second end portion of the drive shaft.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method can further include disposing the first biasing member to have a hollow cavity between the first end portion of the first biasing member and the central body portion of the first biasing member, and disposing the second biasing member to have a hollow cavity between the second end portion of the second biasing member and the central body portion of the second biasing member.

[0030] Other areas of application will become apparent from the description provided herein. As described above, the description in this summary and any specific examples are intended only to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031] Other advantages of embodiments of the present embodiments will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0032] Figure 1 illustrating a vehicle having at least one closure panel assembly including a latch assembly having a latch power actuator configured in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a plan view of a dry side of a carrier assembly of a closure panel of a vehicle showing a latch power actuator secured to the dry side of the carrier assembly, wherein the latch power actuator is operably coupled to a latch to selectively operate the latch;

[0034] Figure 3is a plan view of a latch power actuator according to the present disclosure with its cover and certain internal components removed therefrom for purposes of clarity only;

[0035] Figure 4A yes Figure 3 A partial perspective view of a latch power actuator illustrating a biasing member that applies a bias on the end of a drive shaft;

[0036] Figure 4B yes Figure 4A a floor plan of the

[0037] Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method of suppressing axial play of a drive shaft of a latch power actuator according to an aspect of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] One or more example embodiments of a closing panel for a vehicle door, illustrated as having a door module and a power actuator, are provided so that the disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope to those skilled in the art. Numerous specific details, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed and that the example embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and none should be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

[0040] The terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific example embodiments and are not intended to be restrictive. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "a kind of" and "the" may also be intended to include plural forms. The terms "comprise", "including", "comprising" and "having" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of the features, integral bodies, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integral bodies, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or their groups. The method steps, processes and operations described herein should not be interpreted as necessarily requiring them to be performed in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically indicated as the order of execution. It should also be understood that additional steps or alternative steps may be adopted.

[0041] When an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “engaged to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers can be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on”, “directly engaged to”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between”, “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent”, etc.). As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0042] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms can be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first”, “second”, and other numerical terms as used herein do not imply an order or sequence unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example implementations.

[0043] For ease of description, spatial relative terms, such as “inner”, “outer”, “lower”, “bottom”, “bottom”, “top”, “upper”, and the like, can be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. The spatial relative terms can be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both the orientations above and below. The device can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatial relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0044] Figure 1A motor vehicle 11 is shown having a plurality of closure panel assemblies, also referred to as closure panels, movable between an open cinched position and a closed cinched position, including a front door panel assembly, also referred to as a front door 12, a rear hatch liftgate closure panel assembly, also referred to as a liftgate 14, a front cover 13, for example, for covering a front trunk, also referred to as a trunk, or for covering an engine, at least one sliding side door panel assembly, also referred to as a sliding door 16. At least one or more of the foregoing closure panels can have a cavity configured for receiving a latch power actuator 10, also referred to as a power actuator, configured in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. By way of example and not limitation, the power actuator 10 can be received or housed within other cavities, such as cavities of the vehicle body and / or disposed at other locations in the vehicle 11, wherein the power actuator 10, regardless of location, can be configured as a cinch power actuator, also referred to as a cinch actuator 10, to provide power for a cinching operation. Illustratively, the term cinch is used herein to describe a powered movement of the closure panel assembly 14 from an open position, typically partially open, of the closure panel assembly 14 to a closed position of the closure panel assembly 14. For example, such powered movement of the closure panel assembly 14 can include a powered movement from a partially open position of the closure panel assembly 14 corresponding to a secondary latched state of a latch assembly 20, in which a ratchet of the latch assembly 20 is in a secondary striker capture position, to a closed position of the closure panel assembly 14 corresponding to a primary latched state of the latch assembly 20, in which the ratchet of the latch assembly 20 is in a primary striker capture position, such as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 868,289, filed July 19, 2022, entitled “Closure Latch Assembly with Single Motor Multi-Functional Power Actuator,” hereinafter referred to as the “289 Application,” the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. By way of example and not limitation, the cinch actuator 10 is configured to be coupled to the latch assembly 20 via at least one of a rod or a cable, such as a Bowden cable 22, also at least partially received in a cavity of the closure panel assembly 14 Figure 2) is operatively connected to the latch assembly 20 to selectively communicate with the latch assembly 20 and selectively (when commanded at a desired time) tighten the latch assembly 20. It should be understood that the tightening actuator 10 can be directly fixed to the latch assembly 20, or contained within a common housing with all or substantially all components of the latch assembly 20, such as discussed in the '289 application. The powered actuator 10 is shown, by way of example and not limitation, as being attached to the dry side of the carrier 24, where the dry side is referred to as the "dry side" because when the carrier 24 is installed in the vehicle closure panel, the carrier 24 seals the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle 11 from the surrounding external environment, such that the dry side facing toward the passenger compartment is protected from the external environment and remains dry.

[0045] The carrier 24 holds various functional door hardware components. Generally speaking, the functional hardware components secured to the carrier 24 may include, as shown, a power-operated latch assembly 20, a power-operated window regulator 26, and an interior handle unit 28 mechanically coupled to the latch assembly 20 via an interior release mechanism 30 and an interior lock / unlock mechanism 32, among others. The connector mechanism may be a Bowden cable and / or a rod-like link, as is known. The functional hardware components are electrically coupled to an ECU 36, or electronic control unit, via a wiring harness 38.

[0046] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG, the powered actuator 10 includes a housing 34 having what is also referred to as an upper housing portion 34a ( Figure 3 、 Figure 4A and Figure 4B ) and also referred to as the lower housing portion 34b ( Figure 2 ). The first and second housing portions 34a, 34b have corresponding annular outer annular peripheries that are configured to matingly engage one another and are shown by way of example and not limitation as mirror images of one another. To facilitate forming an airtight, watertight seal between the first and second housing portions 34a, 34b, an annular seal 52 is provided outwardly from and around the cavity C enclosed by the first and second housing portions 34a, 34b. The annular seal 52 can be made of any desired elastomeric, resilient sealing material, including various types of rubber or other polymeric materials. The housing portions 34a, 34b can be formed of any suitable material and are preferably formed of a molded, non-metallic material such as a suitable plastic, polymeric material, or composite material.

[0047] The power actuator 10 has an electric motor 42 supported in the cavity C between the first housing portion 34a and the second housing portion 34b. The electric motor 42 has a housing, also referred to as a casing 43, and a drive shaft 44 extending longitudinally through the casing 43 between opposite first and second ends 44a, 44b of the drive shaft 44 along a longitudinal central axis A of the drive shaft 44, hereinafter also referred to as the axis A. The first end 44a of the shaft 44 extends axially away from the first end 43a of the casing 43 and the opposite second end 44b of the shaft 44 extends axially away from the opposite second end 43b of the casing for rotation of the shaft 44 about the axis A in response to energization of the electric motor 42. By way of example and without limitation, the electric motor 42 is arranged in operable communication with the ECU 36 so that the ECU can send a signal to the electric motor 42 upon receiving a command from an actuation device, such as a key fob, a door handle, a button, and a sensor.

[0048] A drive gear 46, shown as a helical worm also referred to as a worm, is secured to the drive shaft 44 by way of example and without limitation for co-axial rotation with the drive shaft 44 about the axis A in response to energization of the motor 42.

[0049] A driven gear 48 is provided within the cavity C of the housing between the first housing portion 34a and the second housing portion 34b. The driven gear 48 is configured for meshing engagement with the drive gear 46 for rotation in response to energization of the motor 42. In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, the driven gear 48 is arranged for rotation about a driven gear axis DA extending transversely to the axis A of the drive shaft 44 and the drive gear 46. It will be appreciated that the driven gear 48 can be one of several gears of a gear assembly 50, also referred to as a gear reduction or gear train 50, arranged in meshing engagement with one another to provide a desired rotational speed / torque output, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the gear assembly 50 can be provided with as many meshing gears as desired to obtain a desired speed and torque output acting on a drive member, also referred to as a drive cable or cable 22. The cable 22 can be attached or operably coupled to a driven member, also referred to as an output rod (not shown), wherein the output rod is configured to move a ratchet of the latch assembly 20 during a tightening operation.

[0050] The drive gear 46 can be driven in the first rotational direction D1 in response to selective energization of the motor 42, whereupon the driven gear 48 is configured to rotate about the driven gear axis DA and operably drive the cable 22 to tighten the latch assembly 20 to a fully tightened state. Then, by way of example and without limitation, upon completion of ratcheting of the ratchet, the drive gear 46 is permitted to return in a second rotational direction D2 opposite the first rotational direction D1, such as in response to de-energization of the motor 42 or reversal of polarity of the motor 43 to reverse the motor 43, thereby permitting the driven gear 48 to rotate in an opposite direction about the driven gear axis DA and permitting the cable 22 to release the latch assembly 20 and its ratchet from the tightened state to a non- tightened state.

[0051] To facilitate prevention of contaminants such as dust and water from entering the cavity C, an annular seal 52 is disposed outwardly from and about the cavity C and compressed between the first housing portion 34a and the second housing portion 34b. The annular seal 52 can be disposed in an annular channel, also referred to as a recess 53, formed in at least one of the housing portions 34a, 34b, if desired. To prevent axial movement and axial free play of the drive shaft 44 along the axis A, thereby preventing axial play between the drive gear 46 and the driven gear 48, a first biasing member 54 extends inwardly from the annular seal 52 into engagement with one of the opposite ends of the drive shaft 44, shown as a first end 44a, to exert a first bias Bi on the drive shaft 44, where the first bias Bi points in a first direction along the axis A toward the other of the opposite ends of the drive shaft 44, shown as a second end 44b. Further, a second biasing member 56 extends inwardly from the annular seal 52 into engagement with the other of the opposite ends of the drive shaft 44, shown as the second end 44b, to exert a second bias B2 on the drive shaft 44, where the second bias B2 points in a second direction opposite the first direction along the axis A toward the other of the opposite ends of the drive shaft 44, shown as the first end 44a. Thus, the first bias Bi and the second bias B2 are opposite and equal forces that stabilize the drive shaft 44 against unwanted axial movement along the axis A. The first biasing member 54 and the second biasing member 56 can be formed integrally with the annular seal 52 as a unitary piece of material. Thus, the first biasing member 54 and the second biasing member 56 are formed as a single, uniform, one-piece piece of material with the annular seal 52.

[0052] The first biasing member 54 and the second biasing member 56 act as spring members under constant compression, thereby applying constant coaxial biases B1, B2 in opposite directions to each other. Therefore, by virtue of the opposite constant axial biases applied to the drive shaft 44, axial play of the drive shaft 44 in each direction opposite to the corresponding constant axial biases B1, B2 is prevented. Therefore, the drive gear 46 and the driven gear 48 maintain a gapless, zero axial play, mutually meshing relationship with each other, thereby providing a direct and instantaneous drive relationship between the drive gear 46 and the driven gear 48 when either of the drive gear 46 and the driven gear 48 rotates relative to the other, while also preventing the generation of vibration and noise during use. In addition to preventing axial play of the drive shaft 44, the axial biases B1, B2 also serve to offset the thrust applied to the drive shaft 44 by the drive gear 48 along the axial direction defined by the axis A, and also suppress and damp vibrations of the drive shaft 44, thereby suppressing the generation of noise caused by any vibration of the drive shaft 44. As shown in Figure 4A and Figure 4B As best shown in the enlarged view in FIG, the first biasing member 54 and the second biasing member 56 are each shown as having a hollow core, also referred to as a void or cavity 58, adjacent the first and second ends 44a, 44b of the drive shaft, thereby providing enhanced resilience, noise damping, and spring characteristics. Between the cavity 58 and the annular seal 52, the first biasing member 54 and the second biasing member 56 are shown as having an enlarged portion including an enlarged central body portion, also referred to hereinafter as a central body 60, thereby providing the first biasing member 54 and the second biasing member 56 with a cross shape ( Figure 4A 、 Figure 4B). The enlarged central body 60 can be disposed in a correspondingly shaped recess 62 of at least one of the first and second housing portions 34a, 34b, wherein the recess 62 is dimensioned to provide a close fit, such as a line-to-line or slight interference, with the central body 60, thereby for capturing and stabilizing the first and second biasing members 54, 56 against lateral deflection out of alignment with the axis A, thus maintaining the first and second biasing members 54, 56 in axial alignment symmetrically with respect to the axis A and the first and second end portions 44a, 44b of the drive shaft 44. The recess 62 can be formed as an inwardly extending channel, also referred to as a branch, off the recess 53. The free ends of the terminal or first and second end portions 54a, 56a, also referred to as the first and second biasing members 54, 56, respectively, face inwardly from the central body 60 and extend inwardly from the recess 62. Thus, the central body 60 is located between the first and second end portions 54a, 56a and the seal 50. The cavity 58 is shown as being located between the first and second end portions 54a, 56a and the enlarged central body 60, wherein the cavity 58 extends inwardly from the recess 62. The first and second end portions 54a, 56a are shown as extending into, also referred to as being disposed within, a recess, also referred to as a channel 63, defined by end flanges 64 at the first and second end portions 54a, 56a, wherein the channel 63 is shown as being fixed to and defining the first and second end portions 54a, 56a of the drive shaft 44, thereby further for stabilizing the first and second end portions 54a, 56a and the first and second biasing members 54, 56 against lateral deflection out of alignment with the axis A. Thus, the first and second biasing members 54, 56 are maintained in coaxial symmetric alignment with respect to the axis A of the drive shaft 44, thereby ensuring that the biasing applied by the first and second biasing members 54, 56 is coaxially oriented along the axis A to avoid applying a lateral moment on the drive shaft 44.

[0053] When it is desired to move the tightening actuator 10 to its engaged state, electrical power is selectively provided to the motor 42 via electrical wires (not shown), whereupon the motor drive shaft 44 and drive gear 46 rotate in a first drive direction, also referred to as an actuation direction, thereby rotatably driving the gear assembly 50, which ultimately drives / actuates the cable 22 and causes the latching assembly 20 to tighten.

[0054] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method 1000 of inhibiting axial play of a drive shaft 44 of a latch power actuator 10 includes a step 1100 of disposing a first biasing member 54 in engagement with a first end portion 44a of the drive shaft 44 to exert a first bias Bl on the drive shaft 44 in a first direction along a central longitudinal axis A of the drive shaft 44 toward an opposite second end portion 44b of the drive shaft 44. Further, a step 1200 of disposing a second biasing member 56 in engagement with the second end portion 44b of the drive shaft 44 to exert a second bias B2 on the drive shaft 44 in a second direction opposite the first direction along the central longitudinal axis A.

[0055] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method can further include a step 1300 of forming the first biasing member 54 and the second biasing member 56 as integral pieces of material with the annular seal 52 and compressing the first biasing member 54, the second biasing member 56, and the annular seal 52 between the upper housing portion 34a and the lower housing portion 34b of the latch power actuator 10.

[0056] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method can further include a step 1400 of stabilizing the first biasing member 54 and the second biasing member 56 against misalignment with respect to the central longitudinal axis A of the drive shaft 44.

[0057] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method can further include a step 1500 of stabilizing the first biasing member 54 and the second biasing member 56 against misalignment with respect to the central longitudinal axis A of the drive shaft 44 by capturing the central body portion 60 of the first biasing member 54 and the second biasing member 56 in respective pockets 62 of the first housing portion 34a and the second housing portion 34b of the latch power actuator 10.

[0058] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method can further include a step 1600 of capturing the central body portion 60 of the first biasing member 54 and the second biasing member 56 in the pockets 62 in a line-to-line fit or an interference fit.

[0059] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method can further include a step 1700 of engaging the first end portion 54a of the first biasing member 54 with the first end portion 44a of the drive shaft 44 and engaging the second end portion 56a of the second biasing member 56 with the second end portion 44b of the drive shaft 44.

[0060] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method can further include a step 1800 of disposing the first end portion 54a of the first biasing member 54 in a channel 63 of the first end portion 44a of the drive shaft 44 and disposing the second end portion 56a of the second biasing member 56 in a channel 63 of the second end portion 44b of the drive shaft 44.

[0061] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method can further include the step 1900 of providing the first biasing member 54 with the hollow cavity 58 between the first end portion 54a of the first biasing member 54 and the central body portion 60 of the first biasing member 54, and providing the second biasing member 56 with the hollow cavity 58 between the second end portion 56a of the second biasing member 56 and the central body portion 60 of the second biasing member 56.

[0062] The foregoing description of implementations has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Various elements or features of a specific implementation are generally not limited to the particular implementation unless expressly so limited. Many of the elements or features of a specific implementation can be interchanged with other elements or features of other implementations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The various elements or features of a specific implementation can be changed to a great extent without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

[0063] Implementations of the present disclosure can be understood with reference to the following numbered clauses:

[0064] 1. A power actuator for a latch of a motor vehicle closure panel, comprising:

[0065] a housing;

[0066] an electric motor disposed within the housing, the electric motor having a drive shaft extending along an axis between opposite ends for rotation about the axis in response to energization of the electric motor;

[0067] a drive gear fixed to the drive shaft; and

[0068] first and second biasing members, the first biasing member exerting a first bias on one of the opposite ends of the drive shaft along the axis in a first direction, the second biasing member exerting a second bias on the other of the opposite ends of the drive shaft along the axis in a second direction opposite the first direction.

[0069] 2. The power actuator of paragraph 1, wherein the housing includes a first housing portion having a first annular outer periphery and a second housing portion having a second annular outer periphery, the first and second housing portions mating with one another.

[0070] 3. The powered actuator of paragraph 2, further comprising an annular seal compressed between the first housing portion and the second housing portion, the first biasing member extending inwardly from the annular seal and the second biasing member extending inwardly from the annular seal.

[0071] 4. The powered actuator of paragraph 3, wherein the first biasing member and the second biasing member are formed as a unitary piece of material with the annular seal.

[0072] 5. The powered actuator of paragraph 4, wherein at least one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion has an annular recess in which the annular seal is disposed.

[0073] 6. The powered actuator of paragraph 5, wherein at least one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion has a pocket, the first biasing member and the second biasing member each having an enlarged central body portion disposed in the pocket to inhibit misalignment of the first biasing member and the second biasing member relative to an axis of the drive shaft.

[0074] 7. The powered actuator of paragraph 6, wherein the opposite ends of the drive shaft have channels fixed to the opposite ends, the first biasing member having a first end disposed in one of the channels and the second biasing member having a second end disposed in the other of the channels.

[0075] 8. The powered actuator of paragraph 6, wherein the first biasing member has a first end that exerts the first bias on the drive shaft and the second biasing member has a second end that exerts the second bias on the drive shaft, the first biasing member having a hollow cavity between the first end of the first biasing member and the enlarged central body portion, the second biasing member having a hollow cavity between the second end of the second biasing member and the enlarged central body portion.

[0076] 9. The powered actuator of paragraph 1, wherein the opposite ends of the drive shaft have channels fixed to the opposite ends, the first biasing member having a first end disposed in one of the channels and the second biasing member having a second end disposed in the other of the channels.

[0077] 10. The powered actuator of paragraph 1, further comprising a driven gear disposed within the housing, the driven gear arranged in meshing engagement with the drive gear for rotation in response to rotation of the drive gear.

[0078] 11. The power actuator of paragraph 10, wherein the driven gear is arranged to rotate about a driven gear axis that extends transverse to the axis of the drive shaft, the first and second biases inhibiting a gap between the drive gear and the driven gear.

[0079] 12. A method of inhibiting axial play of a drive shaft of a latching power actuator, comprising:

[0080] arranging a first biasing member in engagement with a first end portion of the drive shaft to exert a first bias on the drive shaft in a first direction along a central longitudinal axis of the drive shaft toward an opposite second end portion of the drive shaft; and

[0081] arranging a second biasing member in engagement with the second end portion of the drive shaft to exert a second bias on the drive shaft in a second direction opposite the first direction along the central longitudinal axis.

[0082] 13. The method of paragraph 12, further comprising forming the first biasing member and the second biasing member as integral pieces of material with an annular seal and compressing the annular seal between first and second housing portions of the latching power actuator.

[0083] 14. The method of paragraph 13, further comprising stabilizing the first and second biasing members between the first and second housing portions to prevent misalignment relative to the central longitudinal axis of the drive shaft to avoid exerting a side force moment on the drive shaft.

[0084] 15. The method of paragraph 14, further comprising capturing central body portions of the first and second biasing members in pockets of the first and second housing portions.

[0085] 16. The method of paragraph 15, further comprising capturing the central body portions of the first and second biasing members within the pockets of the first and second housing portions in a line-to-line or interference fit.

[0086] 17. The method of paragraph 15, further comprising arranging a first end portion of the first biasing member in engagement with a first end portion of the drive shaft and a second end portion of the second biasing member in engagement with a second end portion of the drive shaft.

[0087] 18. The method of paragraph 17, further comprising disposing a first end portion of the first biasing member in a channel of a first end portion of the drive shaft and disposing a second end portion of the second biasing member in a channel of a second end portion of the drive shaft.

[0088] 19. The method of paragraph 17, further comprising disposing the first biasing member to have a hollow cavity between the first end portion of the first biasing member and the central body portion of the first biasing member and disposing the second biasing member to have a hollow cavity between the second end portion of the second biasing member and the central body portion of the second biasing member.

Claims

1. A powered actuator (10) for a latch (20) of a motor vehicle closure panel (12, 13, 14, 16), comprising: Housing (34); an electric motor (42) disposed within the housing (34), the electric motor (42) having a drive shaft (44) extending along an axis (A) between opposite ends (44a, 44b) for rotation about the axis (A) in response to energization of the electric motor (42); a drive gear (46) fixed to the drive shaft (44); as well as A first biasing member (54) and a second biasing member (56), wherein the first biasing member (54) applies a first bias (B1) to one end portion (44a) of the opposite ends of the drive shaft (44) along the axis (A) in a first direction, and the second biasing member (56) applies a second bias (B2) to the other end portion (44b) of the opposite ends of the drive shaft (44) along the axis (A) in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

2. The power actuator (10) according to claim 1, wherein: The housing (34) includes a first housing portion (34a) having a first annular outer periphery and a second housing portion (34b) having a second annular outer periphery, the first annular outer periphery and the second housing portion being fitted with each other.

3. The powered actuator (10) of claim 2 further comprising an annular seal (52) compressed between the first housing portion (34a) and the second housing portion (34a), the first biasing member (54) extending inwardly from the annular seal (52) and the second biasing member (56) extending inwardly from the annular seal (52).

4. The power actuator (10) according to claim 3, wherein: The first biasing member (54) and the second biasing member (56) are formed as a unitary piece of material with the annular seal (52).

5. The power actuator (10) according to claim 4, wherein: At least one of the first housing portion (34a) and the second housing portion (34b) has an annular recess (53), and the annular seal (52) is disposed in the annular recess (53).

6. The powered actuator (10) according to claim 5, wherein: At least one of the first housing portion (34a) and the second housing portion (34b) has a recess (62), and the first biasing member (54) and the second biasing member (56) each have an enlarged central body portion disposed in the recess (62) for inhibiting misalignment of the first biasing member (54) and the second biasing member (56) relative to the axis of the drive shaft (44).

7. The powered actuator (10) according to claim 6, wherein: The opposite ends (44a, 44b) of the drive shaft (44) have passages (63) fixed thereto, the first biasing member (54) having a first end (54a) disposed in one of the passages (63) and the second biasing member (56) having a second end (56a) disposed in the other of the passages (63).

8. The powered actuator (10) according to claim 6, wherein: The first biasing member (54) has a first end (54a) for applying the first bias on the drive shaft (44) and the second biasing member (56) has a second end (56a) for applying the second bias on the drive shaft (44), the first biasing member (54) having a hollow cavity (58) between the first end (54a) of the first biasing member (54) and the enlarged central body portion (60), and the second biasing member (56) having a hollow cavity (58) between the second end (56a) of the second biasing member (56) and the enlarged central body portion (60).

9. The powered actuator (10) according to claim 1, wherein: The opposite ends (44a, 44b) of the drive shaft (44) have passages (63) fixed thereto, the first biasing member (54) having a first end (54a) disposed in one of the passages (63) and the second biasing member (56) having a second end (56a) disposed in the other of the passages (63).

10. The powered actuator (10) of claim 1 further comprising a driven gear (48) disposed within the housing (34), the driven gear (48) being arranged to mesh with the drive gear (46) for rotating in response to rotation of the drive gear (46).

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