Power striker with toggle linkage drive mechanism

The subject invention relates to a power striker for use in a motor vehicle. In particular, this invention relates to a striker having an actuator for cinching a closure panel from an initial latched position to a final latched position. A power striker mechanism () has a housing () adapted for mounting on a vehicle. A striker assembly () is mounted to the housing and constrained to slide between an inboard and outboard position. An outer link () is pivotally attached to the striker assembly (). An inner link () is pivotally attached to the housing () and pivotally attached to the outer link (). A cinching mechanism () linkably connects the inner () and outer links (). Driving movement of the cinching mechanism () effects the inboard and outboard movement of the striker assembly (). The driving movement is generally perpendicular to the inboard outboard movement of the striker assembly () thereby isolating the cinching mechanism () from loads imparted to the striker assembly ().