Electric vehicle tailgate assembly with door
The multi-axis tailgate assembly with a torsion bar and actuator system addresses space constraints in existing tailgates, providing efficient access to cargo compartments through a compact and efficient design.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202410724841.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-06-12
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-05
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-20
AI Technical Summary
Existing tailgates in motor vehicles often require complex mechanisms that occupy significant space and hinder efficient access to cargo compartments, particularly in pickup trucks.
A multi-axis tailgate assembly with a frame and door subassembly that pivots on both horizontal and vertical axes, utilizing a torsion bar and actuator system for smooth operation, and a compact clutch and motor arrangement to reduce packaging footprint.
Facilitates seamless access to cargo spaces by minimizing mechanical complexity and space requirements, enhancing usability and efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure CN119160292A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a tailgate, and more particularly to a power tailgate having a door subassembly. Background Art
[0002] Many motor vehicles include a cargo space for transporting various types of cargo. For example, a pickup truck includes a cargo box that establishes the cargo space of the truck. A tailgate typically closes one end of the cargo box. The tailgate can be moved between a closed position and an open position to provide access to the cargo box. Summary of the invention
[0003] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate assembly, comprising: a frame subassembly having a cargo compartment access opening, the cargo compartment access opening being arranged between a driver-side section and a passenger-side section; a door subassembly, the door subassembly being pivotally connected to the frame subassembly, the door subassembly being capable of pivoting back and forth between a door-open position and a door-closed position relative to the frame subassembly, the door subassembly closing the cargo compartment access opening when the door subassembly is in the door-closed position; and an actuator system capable of pivoting the door subassembly and the frame subassembly back and forth together between a tailgate-closed position and a tailgate-open position.
[0004] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate assembly that also includes a tube of the frame subassembly that extends along an inner side of the driver-side section, along an inner side of the passenger-side section, and along a bottom of the cargo bed access opening.
[0005] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate assembly that also includes a torsion bar that is at least partially received within the tube, the torsion bar being biased to assist in pivoting movement of the door subassembly and the frame subassembly from the tailgate open position to the tailgate closed position.
[0006] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate assembly that also includes at least one isolator that maintains a spacing between the torsion bar and the tube.
[0007] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate assembly wherein the tube extends continuously and uninterruptedly from the inner side of the driver-side section along the bottom of the cargo bed access opening to the inner side of the passenger-side section.
[0008] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate assembly that also includes a clutch and a motor of the actuator system.
[0009] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate assembly wherein the clutch and the motor are both housed within the driver-side section or both housed within the passenger-side section.
[0010] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate assembly wherein the clutch has a clutch rotation axis and the motor is configured to rotate about a motor rotation axis that is offset from the clutch rotation axis.
[0011] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate assembly wherein the clutch and the motor are vertically offset from each other when the frame subassembly and the door subassembly are in the tailgate closed position.
[0012] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate assembly wherein the clutch is located vertically above the motor when the frame subassembly and the door subassembly are in the tailgate closed position.
[0013] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate assembly wherein the frame subassembly and the door subassembly pivot together about a horizontally extending axis, wherein the door subassembly pivots relative to the frame subassembly about a vertically extending axis.
[0014] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate actuation method, comprising: providing power to an actuator system to pivot a tailgate assembly back and forth between a tailgate closed position and a tailgate open position, the tailgate assembly comprising a frame subassembly and a door subassembly pivotally connected to the frame subassembly, the frame subassembly having a cargo compartment access opening, the cargo compartment access opening being arranged between a driver side section and a passenger side section, the door subassembly being capable of pivoting back and forth between a door open position and a door closed position relative to the frame subassembly, and when the door subassembly is in the door closed position, the door subassembly closes the cargo compartment access opening.
[0015] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate actuation method that also includes connecting a driver-side section of the frame subassembly to a passenger-side section of the frame subassembly using a tube.
[0016] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate actuation method that also includes assisting the pivoting of the tailgate assembly using a torsion bar at least partially disposed within the tube.
[0017] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate actuation method wherein the driver-side section is located on a driver side of the cargo bed access opening in the tailgate assembly and the passenger-side section is located on a passenger side of the cargo bed access opening.
[0018] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate actuation method in which the frame subassembly and the door subassembly are pivotable together back and forth between the tailgate closed position and the tailgate open position using the actuator system.
[0019] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate actuation method wherein the frame subassembly and the door subassembly pivot together about a horizontally extending axis, wherein the door subassembly pivots relative to the frame subassembly about a vertically extending axis.
[0020] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate actuation method wherein the actuator system includes a motor and a clutch that are vertically stacked when the frame subassembly and the door subassembly are in the tailgate closed position.
[0021] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate actuation method wherein the clutch and the motor are both housed within the driver-side section or both housed within the passenger-side section.
[0022] The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs, claims or the following description and drawings, including any of their various aspects or respective individual features, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in conjunction with one embodiment apply to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] According to the detailed description, various features and advantages of the disclosed examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art. The drawings attached to the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:
[0024] Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a motor vehicle equipped with a cargo space and a tailgate assembly positioned in a tailgate closed position relative to the cargo space.
[0025] Figure 2 Shown in tailgate open position Figure 1 The tailgate assembly.
[0026] Figure 3 Shown in the door open position Figure 1 The door sub-assembly of the tailgate assembly.
[0027] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Rear view and top view of the tailgate assembly and door subassembly.
[0028] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 An interior view of the tailgate assembly with selected portions removed to show the tubes.
[0029] Figure 6 Is from Figure 1 A perspective view of the tube of the tailgate assembly.
[0030] Figure 7 is Figure 6 A cross-sectional view taken along line 7–7 in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] The present disclosure details an exemplary electric tailgate assembly. The tailgate assembly may include a frame subassembly and a door subassembly that may pivot together about a horizontal tailgate axis. The door subassembly may also pivot relative to the frame subassembly about a vertical door axis.
[0032] Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 Selected portions of a motor vehicle 10 are shown that include a cargo space for storing and / or hauling cargo. In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle 10 is a pickup truck, and the cargo space is established by a bed 14 of the pickup truck. Although a pickup truck having a bed is specifically depicted and referenced herein, other vehicles having other types of cargo spaces may also benefit from the teachings of the present disclosure. The vehicle 10 may be a conventional internal combustion engine powered vehicle, an electric or hybrid vehicle powered by a traction battery, an autonomous vehicle (i.e., a driverless vehicle), and the like.
[0033] Although specific component relationships are shown in the drawings of the present disclosure, the illustrations are not intended to limit the present disclosure. The layout and orientation of the various components of the vehicle 10 are schematically shown and can be varied within the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the various drawings attached to the present disclosure are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to emphasize certain details of specific components.
[0034] The cargo box 14 is generally located rearward of a passenger cabin (not shown) of the vehicle 10 and includes a floor 18 extending between a pair of longitudinally extending side walls 22, a transversely extending front wall 26, and a tailgate assembly 30. The overall size, shape, and configuration of the cargo box 14 are not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.
[0035] The tailgate assembly 30 can be considered a multi-axis tailgate, which includes, among other things, a frame subassembly 34 and a door subassembly 38. In an exemplary embodiment, the frame subassembly 34 includes a driver side section 42, a passenger side section 46, and a connecting member (see FIG. 1 ) connecting the driver side section 42 and the passenger side section 46. Figure 3 ). The door subassembly 38 may sometimes be referred to as a "swing door subassembly". The door subassembly 38 is pivotally connected to the passenger side section 46 and latches to the driver side section 42 when closed. At least one hinge assembly 54 is used to pivotally connect the door subassembly 38 to the passenger side section 46. In another example, the door subassembly 38 is pivotally connected to the driver side section 42 and latches to the passenger side section 46.
[0036] The tailgate assembly 30 can be positioned relative to the cargo box 14 about the first axis A1. Figure 1 Tailgate shown in closed position Figure 2 The tailgate assembly 30 pivots back and forth between the tailgate open position shown. The tailgate assembly 30 can be moved from the tailgate closed position to the tailgate open position, for example, in response to actuating the first handle 48 of the tailgate assembly 30. The tailgate assembly 30 is vertically aligned when in the tailgate closed position and thus generally closes the end of the cargo bed 14 opposite the front wall 26, and is horizontally aligned when in the tailgate open position and thus generally allows ingress and egress to the cargo bed 14. For purposes of this disclosure, vertical and horizontal are referenced to the ground in the normal orientation of the vehicle 10 during operation.
[0037] When the frame subassembly 34 and the door subassembly 38 of the tailgate assembly 30 pivot between the tailgate closed position and the tailgate open position, the door subassembly 38 is in the door closed position and is latched to the frame subassembly 34. Thus, when the tailgate assembly 30 transitions back and forth between the tailgate closed position and the tailgate open position, the frame subassembly 34 and the door subassembly 38 pivot together as a unit.
[0038] When in the tailgate closed position, the door subassembly 38 can be moved relative to the frame subassembly 34 about the second axis A2. Figure 1 The door closed position shown is similar to Figure 3 In one embodiment, the first axis A1 is a horizontally extending axis, and the second axis A2 is transverse to the first axis A1 and is a vertically extending axis. For example, by grasping the second handle 48 '(see Figure 1 ), the door subassembly 38 can move between a door closed position and a door open position.
[0039] The door subassembly 38 provides a cargo compartment access opening O when moved to the door open position. In one embodiment, the cargo compartment access opening O extends vertically downward to at least the floor 18 of the cargo compartment 14. When the door subassembly 38 is in the door open position, the user 49 (see Figure 4 ) can enter and exit the cargo compartment 14 through the cargo compartment access opening O. For example, when the tailgate assembly 30 is positioned at Figure 2 Placing the door subassembly 38 in the door open position allows the user 49 to move closer to the cargo box 14 than when the tailgate is in the open position. The cargo box access opening O can also provide clearance for the user 49 to enter the cargo box 14 to load or remove a piece of cargo (see Figure 4 ).
[0040] Reference now Figures 5 to 7 And continue to refer to Figures 1 to 4 , the frame subassembly 34 includes a connecting member provided by a tube 50, which in this example is U-shaped. The tube 50 includes a portion 50A extending along the inside of the driver's side section 42, a portion 50C extending along the bottom of the cargo bed axis opening O, and a portion 50C extending along the inside of the passenger side section 46. The tube 50 extends continuously and uninterruptedly from the portion 50A to the portion 50B and to the portion 50C.
[0041] When the tailgate assembly 30 is in the closed position, the bottom of the cargo bed axis opening O is a vertical bottom. For purposes of this disclosure, vertical is referenced to the ground and the typical orientation of the vehicle 10 during operation.
[0042] The tube 50 houses a torsion bar 58 that is biased to assist pivotal movement of the door subassembly 24 and the frame subassembly 22 about the axis A1. The torsion bar 58 is at least partially received within the tube 50 and is biased to assist pivotal movement.
[0043] To facilitate positioning the torsion bar 58 within the tube 50, the tube 50 can be assembled from two separate pieces. The torsion bar 58 can be positioned and then the two pieces joined to form the tube 50. Within the tube 50, the torsion bar 58 can be spaced apart from the inner surface 62 of the tube 50 by at least one isolator 66. The isolator 66 can maintain the spacing between the torsion bar 58 and the inner surface 62 of the tube 50. The isolator 66 can be rubber.
[0044] The tailgate assembly 30 includes an actuator system 70 that can move the tailgate assembly 30 (ie, the door subassembly 38 and the frame subassembly 34) about the first axis A1. Figure 1 Tailgate shown in closed position Figure 2 To pivot the tailgate assembly 30 , the actuator system 70 is rotated relative to a pivot rod 74 rotatably fixed to the side wall 22 .
[0045] In this example, the actuator system 70 includes a clutch 78 and a motor 82. The motor 82 is activated to drive the pivot rod 74 through the clutch 78. The rotation can force the tailgate assembly 30 to perform a pivotal movement.
[0046] In this example, both the clutch 78 and the motor 82 are housed within the driver's side section 42 . In another example, both the clutch 78 and the motor 82 are housed within the passenger's side section 46 .
[0047] In the exemplary embodiment, the clutch 78 and the motor 82 are stacked vertically with respect to each other when the tailgate assembly 30 is closed. In this particular example, the motor 82 is stacked above the clutch 78. When the clutch 78 and the motor 82 are stacked, the rotational axis of the clutch 78 and the rotational axis of the motor 82 are offset from each other.
[0048] Stacking the clutch 78 and motor 82 reduces the required horizontal packaging footprint and facilitates packaging of the actuator system 70 within the driver-side section 34. It will be appreciated that axially aligning the axes of rotation will require more horizontal or vehicle lateral packaging space.
[0049] Features of some of the disclosed examples include an actuator system that can be packaged within the driver side section or the passenger side section of the tailgate frame subassembly. This provides sufficient clearance for the tailgate door subassembly.
[0050] Another feature of some of the disclosed examples includes packaging the torsion bar within the tube of the frame assembly to assist in pivoting the tailgate assembly without interfering with the cargo bed axis opening.
[0051] The foregoing description is illustrative rather than restrictive in nature. Changes and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art, and the changes and modifications do not necessarily depart from the essence of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection granted to the present disclosure can only be determined by studying the attached claims.
Claims
1. A tailgate assembly, comprising: a frame subassembly having a cargo compartment access opening disposed between the driver-side section and the passenger-side section; a door subassembly pivotally coupled to the frame subassembly, the door subassembly being capable of pivoting back and forth between a door-open position and a door-closed position relative to the frame subassembly, the door subassembly closing the cargo compartment access opening when the door subassembly is in the door-closed position; as well as An actuator system is provided to enable the door subassembly and the frame subassembly to pivot back and forth together between a tailgate closed position and a tailgate open position. 2 . The tailgate assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a tube of the frame subassembly extending along an inner side of the driver side section, along an inner side of the passenger side section, and along a bottom of the cargo bed access opening.
3. The tailgate assembly of claim 2 further comprising a torsion bar at least partially received within the tube, the torsion bar being biased to assist in pivoting the door subassembly and the frame subassembly from the tailgate open position to the tailgate closed position, and optionally, the tailgate assembly further comprising at least one isolator maintaining a spacing between the torsion bar and the tube. 4 . The tailgate assembly of claim 2 , wherein the tube extends continuously and uninterruptedly from the inner side of the driver-side section along the bottom of the cargo bed access opening to the inner side of the passenger-side section.
5. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 further comprising a clutch and a motor of the actuator system, and optionally wherein both the clutch and the motor are housed within the driver side section or both are housed within the passenger side section. 6 . The tailgate assembly of claim 5 , wherein the clutch has a clutch rotation axis, and the motor is configured to rotate about a motor rotation axis offset from the clutch rotation axis.
7. The tailgate assembly of claim 5, wherein the clutch and the motor are vertically offset from each other when the frame subassembly and the door subassembly are in the tailgate closed position, and optionally, wherein the clutch is located vertically above the motor when the frame subassembly and the door subassembly are in the tailgate closed position.
8. The tailgate assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame subassembly and the door subassembly pivot together about a horizontally extending axis, wherein the door subassembly pivots relative to the frame subassembly about a vertically extending axis.
9. A tailgate actuation method, comprising: Power is provided to the actuator system to pivot the tailgate assembly back and forth between a tailgate closed position and a tailgate open position, the tailgate assembly comprising a frame subassembly and a door subassembly pivotally connected to the frame subassembly, the frame subassembly having a cargo compartment access opening, the cargo compartment access opening being arranged between a driver side section and a passenger side section, the door subassembly being capable of pivoting back and forth between a door open position and a door closed position relative to the frame subassembly, and when the door subassembly is in the door closed position, the door subassembly closes the cargo compartment access opening.
10. The tailgate actuation method of claim 9 further comprising connecting the driver side section of the frame subassembly to the passenger side section of the frame subassembly using a tube, and optionally, further comprising assisting the pivoting of the tailgate assembly using a torsion bar at least partially disposed within the tube.
11. The tailgate actuation method of claim 9, wherein the driver-side section is located on a driver side of the cargo bed access opening in the tailgate assembly and the passenger-side section is located on a passenger side of the cargo bed access opening. 12 . The tailgate actuation method of claim 9 , wherein the frame subassembly and the door subassembly are pivotable together back and forth between the tailgate closed position and the tailgate open position using the actuator system.
13. The tailgate actuation method of claim 12, wherein the frame subassembly and the door subassembly pivot together about a horizontally extending axis, wherein the door subassembly pivots relative to the frame subassembly about a vertically extending axis.
14. The tailgate actuation method of claim 9, wherein the actuator system includes a motor and a clutch, the motor and the clutch being vertically stacked when the frame subassembly and the door subassembly are in the tailgate closed position. 15 . The tailgate actuation method of claim 14 , wherein the clutch and the motor are both housed in the driver-side section or both housed in the passenger-side section.