Power actuator with integral decoupling mechanism

Abstract

A device and method for manually controlling a system including a first lever movable between multiple positions and a movable component. Also included are an automatic system and a manual system for moving the movable component in response to movement of the first lever. A manual engagement device is movable between an activated and a deactivated position. When the manual engagement device is activated the manual system couples the first lever and the movable component and when the manual engagement device is deactivated, the automatic system couples the first lever and the movable component.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a first lever movable between multiple positions;   a movable component;   an automatic control for moving the movable component in response to movement of the first lever;   a manual control for moving the movable component in response to movement of the first lever;   a manual engagement device movable between an activated and a deactivated position, wherein when the manual engagement device is in the activated position, the manual control couples the first lever to the movable component, and when the manual engagement device is in the deactivated position, the automatic control couples the first lever to the movable component.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein activation of the manual control disengages the automatic control system. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the manual engagement device is movable between the activated position and the deactivated position by application of a force. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the manual engagement device is a button. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the automatic control comprises:
 a sensor for detecting a position of the first lever;   a motor responsive to a signal from the sensor; and   a coupling mechanism for transmitting rotation of the motor to the movable component.   
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the manual control comprises:
 a connecting lever fastened to the first lever;   a manual engagement lever rotatably coupled to an end of the connecting lever and movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the manual engagement lever is coupled to the movable component when in the second position; and   a manual engagement link rotatable between a third position and fourth position such that rotation of the manual engagement link to a fourth position, causes the rotation of the manual engagement lever to a second position.   
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the manual engagement link is biased into a third position and the manual engagement lever is biased into a first position. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the activation of the manual engagement device rotates the manual engagement link to a fourth position. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the manual engagement link has a cam surface such that when the manual engagement link is rotated to a fourth position, the cam surface disengages the automatic control. 
     
     
         10 . A method for manually controlling a system comprising:
 activating a manual engagement device;   engaging a manual control to couple a first lever and a movable component;   disengaging an automatic control coupling the first lever and the movable component; and   moving the movable component by moving the first lever.   
     
     
         11 . The method for manually controlling a system according to  claim 10 , wherein the manual engagement device is activated by applying a force. 
     
     
         12 . The method for manually controlling a system according to  claim 10 , wherein the manual engagement device is a button. 
     
     
         13 . The method for manually controlling a system according to  claim 10 , wherein the automatic control further comprises:
 a sensor for detecting a position of the first lever;   a motor responsive to a signal from the sensor; and   a coupling mechanism for transmitting rotation of the motor to the movable component.   
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the manual control further comprises:
 a connecting lever fastened to the first lever;   a manual engagement lever rotatably coupled to an end of the connecting lever and movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the manual engagement lever is coupled to the movable component when in the second position; and   a manual engagement link rotatable between a third position and fourth position such that rotation of the manual engagement link to a fourth position, causes the rotation of the manual engagement lever to a second position.   
     
     
         15 . The method for manually controlling a system according to  claim 13 , wherein activation of the manual engagement device rotates the manual engagement link to a fourth position. 
     
     
         16 . The method for manually controlling a system according to  claim 13 , wherein the manual engagement link includes a cam surface such that when the manual engagement link rotates to a fourth position, the cam surface disengages the automatic system.