Multifunctional hinges for vehicle locks

Abstract

A hinge assembly and strut are used to move one or more vehicle latches. The hinge assembly and strut are positioned on the vehicle to balance the weight of each latch, thus limiting the number of actuating mechanisms required to open and close the latches. Additionally, the hinge assembly and strut can open or close one latch relative to another. Alternatively, the hinge assembly and strut can open or close both latches simultaneously.

Description

INTRODUCTION This application relates to vehicle closures and, in particular, hinges that allow the movement of multiple closures. The hinges described herein can be coupled to both a glass substrate and a tailgate, while allowing independent movement of the glass substrate. SUMMARY A device that may include a hinge assembly can be coupled to a vehicle body and multiple closures (e.g., clear glass, tailgate), thereby enabling movement of one or both closures. Vehicles described herein may include one or more hinge assemblies and one or more struts, both of which serve to facilitate the movement of the closures. In some aspects of the present disclosure, a device is described. The device may include a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly may include a first hinge component configured to couple with a first rear lock of a vehicle and to rotate the first rear lock about an axis of rotation. The hinge assembly may further include a second hinge component configured to couple with a second rear lock of the vehicle and to rotate the second rear lock about the axis of rotation. The hinge assembly can further include a base configured to couple with the vehicle. The first hinge component can be configured to couple with the base and can be configured to rotate the first rear latch around the axis of rotation. The second hinge component can be configured to couple with the base and can be configured to rotate the second rear latch around the axis of rotation. The first hinge component can be configured to rotate independently of the second hinge component, and the second hinge component can be configured to rotate independently of the first hinge component. The hinge assembly can further include a rod that is rotationally fixed to the base. The rod can be configured to pass through the first hinge component and the second hinge component. The rod can define the axis of rotation. The device may further include a latch configured to couple the first rear latch to the second rear latch. In response to the latch coupling the first rear latch to the second rear latch, the first hinge component may be configured to rotate the first rear latch about its axis of rotation, while the second hinge component rotates the second rear latch about its axis of rotation. In response to the latch not coupling the first rear latch to the second rear latch, the hinge assembly is configured to rotate the first rear latch relative to the second rear latch about its axis of rotation. The device may further include a strut coupled to the first rear shutter. The strut may be configured to provide a force to rotate the first rear shutter about its axis of rotation. The strut may further be configured to provide the force to rotate the second rear shutter about its axis of rotation. In another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is described. The vehicle may include a vehicle body. The vehicle may further include a first rear lock. The vehicle may further include a second rear lock. The vehicle may further include a hinge assembly coupled to the vehicle body. The hinge assembly may include a first hinge assembly coupled to the first rear lock. The hinge assembly may further include a second hinge assembly coupled to the second rear lock. The vehicle may further include a locking device.In response to the locking mechanism coupling the first rear latch to the second rear latch, i) the first hinge assembly is configured to rotate the first rear latch about an axis of rotation, and ii) the second hinge assembly is configured to rotate the second rear latch about the axis of rotation. In response to the locking mechanism not coupling the first rear latch to the second rear latch, the first hinge component is configured to rotate the first rear latch about the axis of rotation relative to the second rear latch. The hinge can further include a base that is coupled to the vehicle body. The first hinge component can be configured to couple to the base and can be configured to rotate the first rear latch around the axis of rotation. The second hinge component can be configured to couple to the base and can be configured to rotate the second rear latch around the axis of rotation. The first hinge component can be configured to rotate independently of the second hinge component, and the second hinge component can be configured to rotate independently of the first hinge component. The hinge assembly can further include a rod that is rotationally fixed to the base. The rod can pass through the first hinge component and the second hinge component. The rod can define the axis of rotation. The vehicle may further include a strut. The strut may include a first end coupled to the vehicle body. The strut may further include a second end opposite the first end. The second end may couple to the first rear closure. The first rear closure may include a transparent substrate, and the second rear closure may include a tailgate. The hinge assembly and the strut may be configured to balance i) a first mass defined by the first rear closure, and ii) a second mass defined by the first and second rear closures. In a further aspect of the present disclosure, a hinge arrangement is described. The hinge arrangement can include a base. The base can include a first extension, a second extension, and a third extension positioned between the first and second extensions. The hinge arrangement can further include a first hinge component positioned between the first and third extensions. The first hinge component can be configured to couple with a first rear lock of a vehicle about an axis of rotation. The hinge arrangement can further include a second hinge component positioned between the second and third extensions. The second hinge component can be configured to couple with a second rear lock of the vehicle about the axis of rotation.The hinge assembly can further include a rod coupled to the base and passing through the first hinge component and the second hinge component. The first hinge component can be configured to rotate independently of the second hinge component, and the second hinge component can be configured to rotate independently of the first hinge component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Certain features of the technology in question are set forth in the accompanying claims. However, for illustrative purposes, several embodiments of the technology in question are shown in the following figures. Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a vehicle according to the aspects of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 illustrates a rear view of a vehicle according to the aspects of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective rear view of a vehicle showing a closure of the vehicle in an open position according to the aspects of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 illustrates an enlarged view of the hinge arrangement shown in Fig. 3 according to the aspects of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 illustrates an alternative enlarged view of the hinge arrangement shown in Fig. 3, showing additional features of the hinge arrangement according to the aspects of the present disclosure.Figure 6 illustrates a perspective rear view of a vehicle, showing several of the vehicle's closures in an open position according to the present disclosure. Figure 7 illustrates an enlarged view of the hinge assembly shown in Figure 6 according to the present disclosure. Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of a hinge assembly according to the present disclosure. Figure 9 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a vehicle, showing the connections of the hinge assembly and the strut to the vehicle body according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The detailed description given below is intended to describe various configurations of the technology in question and is not meant to represent the only configurations in which the technology can be practiced. The accompanying drawings are included herein and form part of the detailed description. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the technology in question. However, it will be clear and obvious to those skilled in the art that the technology in question is not limited to the specific details set forth herein and can be practiced without them. In some cases, well-known structures and components are shown in the form of block diagrams to avoid obscuring the concepts of the technology in question. The present disclosure is directed generally to hinge arrangements comprising a hinge component (e.g., a hinge leaf) for a first closure (e.g., a glass substrate) and a hinge component for a second closure (e.g., a tailgate). Each hinge component can move independently of the other while rotating about the same axis of rotation. Using a single actuation system (e.g., electromechanical struts), the hinge arrangement allows the first closure to open by movement relative to the second closure. Furthermore, if the first and second closures are coupled to each other (e.g., by a locking mechanism), the hinge arrangement allows both the first and second closures to be opened simultaneously using the actuation system.Furthermore, the locations of the hinge assemblies and struts are positioned to balance the center of gravity for each of the first and second locks, as well as a combined center of gravity for both locks. Advantageously, additional actuation systems (e.g., torsion springs) are not required. Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a vehicle 100 according to the aspects of the present disclosure. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle 100 is a sport utility vehicle (SUV). In general, the vehicle 100 can take the form of any motorized vehicle, including motorized vehicles with an internal combustion engine and / or one or more electric motors. Accordingly, other implementations of the vehicle 100 can include land vehicles, such as a car (e.g., sedan, station wagon), a light commercial vehicle, or a commercial truck, as non-limiting examples. The vehicle 100 can include a battery pack 102. The battery pack 102 can be coupled (e.g., electrically coupled) to one or more electrical systems of the vehicle 100 to supply power to one or more electrical systems. The vehicle 100 can also include a connector 104 (e.g., charging connector) designed to receive a cable plug (not shown in Fig. 1) used to transmit current (e.g., alternating current (AC)) which is converted to direct current (DC) to charge the battery pack 102. The battery pack 102 can be coupled to a drive unit 110, representing one or more drive units of the vehicle 100. While the drive unit 110 is generally shown to be located at the front of the vehicle 100, it can also be located at the rear of the vehicle 100.Furthermore, if multiple drive units are used, at least one drive unit can be located at the front of the vehicle 100 to drive the front wheels (e.g., wheel 112a), and at least one drive unit can be located at the rear of the vehicle 100 to drive the rear wheels (e.g., wheel 112b). The drive unit 110 can, for example, include a motor, an inverter, a transmission, and a differential. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the drive unit 110 takes the form of an electric motor. In this respect, the drive unit 110 can use energy (e.g., electrical energy) stored in the battery pack 102 for propulsion to drive the wheels of the vehicle 100 (e.g., by rotating them). Fig. 2 illustrates a rear view of the vehicle 100 according to the aspects of the present disclosure. As shown, the vehicle 100 can enclose a closure 114a and a closure 114b. The closures 114a and 114b are designed to open to allow access to the vehicle 100 and also to close to allow the vehicle 100 to enclose and transport various objects. In one or more implementations, the closure 114a encloses a transparent substrate 116 (e.g., a glass substrate). However, the transparent substrate 116 can be replaced by an opaque or translucent substrate. In one or more implementations, the closure 114b takes the form of a tailgate. Based on their respective locations, each of the closures 114a and 114b can be referred to as a rear closure. As shown in Fig. 2, each of the latches 114a and 114b is in a closed position. To open and / or close the latches 114a and 114b, the vehicle 100 can enclose a hinge assembly 118a and a hinge assembly 118b. Each of the hinge assembly 118a and the hinge assembly 118b can be coupled or connected to the latches 114a and 114b. The vehicle 100 encloses a vehicle body 101, and the hinge assembly 118a and the hinge assembly 118b are coupled to the vehicle body 101. Furthermore, the hinge assembly 118a and the hinge assembly 118b can couple the latches 114a and 114b to the vehicle body 101. For example, the vehicle 100 can also include a lock 120a and a lock 120b.The latches 120a and 120b are designed to couple the closures 114a and 114b and can further decouple, or release, the closure 114a from the closure 114b. In this respect, each of the latches 120a and 120b can include a bolt that is movable into the closure 114b (e.g., to couple the closures 114a and 114b) and movable out of the closure 114b (e.g., to decouple the closures 114a and 114b). While in one implementation the latches 120a and 120b are located within the closure 114a, in other implementations the latches 120a and 120b are located within the closure 114b. The latch 114a can move into an open position relative to the latch 114b or independently of it if the locks 120a and 120b do not couple the latch 114a to the latch 114b. The hinge assembly 118a and the hinge assembly 118b can facilitate the relative movement of the latch 114a with respect to the latch 114b. If the locks 120a and 120b are used to couple the latches 114a and 114b, both the latch 114a and the latch 114b can move into an open position. The hinge assembly 118a and the hinge assembly 118b can facilitate the movement of both the latch 114a and the latch 114b. The vehicle 100 may also include a spoiler 119 which conceals or at least partially conceals the hinge arrangement 118a and the hinge arrangement 118b. Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the vehicle 100 and shows the lock 114a of the vehicle 100 in an open position, according to the aspects of the present disclosure. Each of the hinge arrangement 118a and the hinge arrangement 118b can facilitate movement of the lock 114a, including movement of the lock 114a relative to the lock 114b. As shown, the latches 120a and 120b are not coupled to the lock 114a and the lock 114b, respectively. In order to actuate the locks 120a and 120b to cause coupling or decoupling between the lock 114a and the lock 114b, the vehicle 100 may include a button (not shown in Fig. 3) which can be pressed by a user to cause the locks 120a and 120b to couple or decouple the locks 114a and 114b.The button can take the form of a physical button or a virtual button on a display (e.g., a display in the vehicle 100 or a display on a smartphone). Based on the fact that the lock 114a is in the open position, users can load cargo into the vehicle 100. To move the locking mechanism 114a, the vehicle 100 may further include a strut 122a and a strut 122b. In one or more implementations, each of the struts 122a and 122b takes the form of an electromechanical strut, controlled, for example, by power from the battery pack 102 (shown in Fig. 1). In this respect, the struts 122a and 122b may include power struts that provide a force (e.g., applied force) to move / lift the locking mechanism 114a. Each of the struts 122a and 122b may be coupled to the vehicle body 101 (e.g., at one end) and also to the locking mechanism 114a (e.g., at another, opposite end). Accordingly, the actuation of struts 122a and 122b can cause the closure 114a to open and close. Fig. 4 illustrates an enlarged view of a hinge assembly 118a shown in Fig. 3 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The components and associated features of the hinge assembly 118a may be present in the hinge assembly 118b (shown in Fig. 3). The hinge assembly 118a may include a hinge component 124a (e.g., hinge leaf, arm) coupled to the closure 114a. The hinge assembly 118a may further include a hinge component 124b coupled to the closure 114b. The hinge component 124a may facilitate the movement of the closure 114a. In this respect, during movement of the closure 114a relative to the closure 114b, the hinge component 124a may move relative to the hinge component 124b. Fig. 5 illustrates an alternative enlarged view of the hinge assembly 118a shown in Fig. 3 and shows additional features of the hinge assembly 118a according to aspects of the present disclosure. For illustrative purposes, a section of the spoiler 119 has been removed. The hinge component 124a of the hinge assembly 118a can be shaped to match the shape of the spoiler 119. In addition, the spoiler 119 can include a groove 128 for receiving the hinge component 124a. Fig. 6 illustrates a perspective rear view of the vehicle 100 and shows several of the vehicle 100's latches in an open position, according to the aspects of the present disclosure. As shown, each of the latches 114a and 114b is in the open position, thus providing users with additional access to the rear of the vehicle 100. Each of the hinge assembly 118a and hinge assembly 118b can facilitate movement of the latch 114a and the latch 114b. Each of the interlocks 120a and 120b (shown in Fig. 3) can couple the latches 114a and 114b. When the locking devices 120a and 120b couple the closure 114a with the closure 114b, the actuation of the struts 122a and 122b causes both the closure 114a and the closure 114b to move into the open position, as shown in Fig. 6.Furthermore, the hinge assembly 118a and the hinge assembly 118b can facilitate movement of both the closure 114a and the closure 114b, including simultaneous movement of the closure 114a and the closure 114b. Accordingly, the hinge component 124a (shown in Fig. 4) can rotate the closure 114a about an axis of rotation (shown below), while the hinge component 124b rotates the closure 114b about the same axis of rotation. It should be noted that the closures 114a and 114b can return to the closed position shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 7 illustrates an enlarged view of the hinge arrangement 118a shown in Fig. 6 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The hinge component 124a and the hinge component 124b can facilitate movement (e.g., rotation) of the closure 114a and the closure 114b, respectively. Furthermore, each of the hinge components 124a and 124b can move independently while coupled to its respective closures. Fig. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a hinge assembly 118a according to aspects of the present disclosure. The components and associated features of the hinge assembly 118a may be present on the hinge assembly 118b (e.g., as shown in Fig. 3). The hinge assembly 118a may include a base 130. The base 130 may include a platform 132. The base 130 may further comprise several extensions extending from the platform 132. For example, the base 130 may include an extension 134a, an extension 134b, and an extension 134c. In one or more implementations, each of the extensions 134a, 134b, and 134c extends perpendicular to the platform 132. Furthermore, as shown, the extension 134c is positioned between the extension 134a and the extension 134b.Furthermore, the hinge component 124a is positioned, or at least partially positioned, between the extension 134a and the extension 134c, and the hinge component 124b is positioned, or at least partially positioned, between the extension 134b and the extension 134c. The base 130 may also include openings (not shown) to receive a bolt 136a and a bolt 136b through the platform 132. The bolts 136a and 136b can couple the hinge assembly 118a, and in particular the base 130, to the vehicle body 101 (shown in Fig. 2). The hinge assembly 118a can further include a rod 138 that serves to couple the hinge component 124a and the hinge component 124b to the base 130. As non-limiting examples, the rod 138 can take the form of a bolt, a pin, a dowel, or a cylindrical body. The rod 138 can pass through corresponding openings in the hinge components 124a and 124b, as well as through corresponding openings in the extensions 134a, 134b, and 134c. As shown, the rod 138 is configured to couple the hinge component 124a and the hinge component 124b to the base 130. The rod 138 can allow rotation of the hinge component 124a and the hinge component 124b. In this respect, the rod 138 can define an axis of rotation 150 for the hinge component 124a and the hinge component 124b. Accordingly, the hinge components 124a and 124b can share the same axis of rotation (e.g.the axis of rotation 150) share. In one or more implementations, the hinge arrangement 118a includes multiple rods (e.g., two cylindrical bodies which replace the rod 138 (a single cylindrical body)). To couple with their respective fasteners, the hinge component 124a and the hinge component 124b can have different sizes and shapes. For example, the hinge component 124a can enclose a generally rectangular body with a surface 140 that is planar or flat, or at least partially planar. As shown, the hinge component 124a can further include an opening (not shown) to receive a bolt 136c through the surface 140. The bolt 136c can couple the hinge assembly 118a, and in particular the hinge component 124a, to the fastener 114a (shown in Fig. 2). Conversely, the hinge component 124b can include an arm 142a and an arm 142b. As shown, each of the arms 142a and 142b is provided with a flange.Furthermore, each of the arms 142a and 142b can include an opening (not shown) to receive a bolt 136d and a bolt 136e through a respective flange section of the arm 142a and the arm 142b. The bolts 136d and 136e can couple the hinge assembly 118a, and in particular the hinge component 124b, to the closure 114b (shown in Fig. 2). Fig. 9 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the vehicle 100, showing the connections of the hinge assembly 118a and the strut 122a to the vehicle body 101 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The components and associated features of the hinge assembly 118a and the strut 122a can be applied to the hinge assembly 118b and the strut 122b, respectively (shown in Fig. 3). The hinge assembly 118a, which includes the rod 138 (shown in Fig. 8), can define the axis of rotation 150 about which the latch 114a and the latch 114b rotate.As shown, the strut 122a is also coupled to the fastener 114a. The hinge assembly 118a is coupled to the vehicle body 101 at a connection point 152a. Furthermore, one end of the strut 122a is coupled to the vehicle body 101 at a connection point 152b. Another, opposite end of the strut 122a is coupled to the fastener 114a at a connection point 152c. The respective connection points between components can be selected, in part, based on the fasteners 114a and 114b. For example, if a mass (e.g., the clasp 114a) has a center of gravity 154a and a center of gravity 154b, respectively, the aforementioned connection points of the hinge arrangement 118a and the strut 122a are selected to keep the center of gravity 154a and the center of gravity 154b in equilibrium.In this respect, the length of strut 122a is selected to position the connection points between strut 122a and the vehicle body 101 and between strut 122a and the fastener 114a, which in turn serves in part to keep the center of gravity 154a and the center of gravity 154b in equilibrium. Furthermore, the relative position between the hinge assembly 118a and strut 122a is also selected to keep the center of gravity 154a and the center of gravity 154b in equilibrium. Furthermore, by selecting the aforementioned connection points, the vehicle 100 does not require any other mechanisms (torsion springs) to provide a lifting force to move the closures 114a, since the hinge arrangement 118a and the strut 122a (as well as the hinge arrangement 118b and the strut 122b, shown in Fig. 6) can provide the necessary force and / or direction not only to open and close the closure 114a (e.g., the mass of the closure 114a) relative to the closure 114b, but also to open and close both closure 114a and closure 114b (e.g., the combined mass of each of the closures 114a and 114b). Advantageously, the cost and weight of the vehicle 100 can be reduced partly due to fewer actuating components being required, and the complexity of opening and closing the locks 114a and 114b can also be reduced. As used herein, the phrase "at least one of" before a list of elements with the term "and" or "or" to separate any one of the elements modifies the list as a whole, rather than each element of the list (i.e., each element). The phrase "at least one of" does not require the selection of at least one of each of the listed elements; rather, the phrase allows for a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the elements and / or at least one of any combination of the elements and / or at least one of each of the elements. For example, the phrases "at least one of A, B, and C" or "at least one of A, B, or C" refer, respectively, to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and / or at least one of each of A, B, and C. When an element is described herein as "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it is understood that the elements may be directly connected to the other element or have intermediate elements that exist between the elements. Conversely, when an element is described as "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, it is understood that no intermediate elements exist in the "direct" connection between the elements. However, the existence of a direct connection does not preclude other connections in which intermediate elements may exist. The predicate words "configured for," "operational for," and "programmed for" do not imply any particular tangible or intangible modification of an object, but are instead used interchangeably. In one or more implementations, a processor configured to monitor and control an operation or component can also mean that the processor is programmed to monitor and control the operation, or that the processor is operational to monitor and control the operation. Likewise, a processor configured to execute code can be interpreted as a processor programmed to execute code or operational to execute code. Terms such as an aspect, the aspect, another aspect, some aspects, one or more aspects, an implementation, the implementation, another implementation, some implementations, one or more implementations, an embodiment, the embodiment, another embodiment, some embodiments, one or more embodiments, a configuration, the configuration, another configuration, some configurations, one or more configurations, the technology in question, the disclosure, the present disclosure, other variations thereof, and the like are used for simplification purposes and do not imply that a disclosure referring to such a term (or such terms) is essential to the technology in question, or that such disclosure applies to all configurations of the technology in question.A revelation relating to such a term (or terms) may apply to all configurations or to one or more configurations. A revelation relating to such a term (or terms) may provide one or more examples. A term, such as a viewpoint or some viewpoints, may refer to one or more viewpoints and vice versa, and this applies similarly to other foregoing terms. The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, case, or illustration." Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" or as an "example" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Furthermore, to the extent that the term "include," "feature," or the like is used in the description or the claims, such a term shall be understood in a manner similar to the term "comprise" as "comprise" is interpreted when used as a transitional word in a claim. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described herein that are known or will subsequently become known to those skilled in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Furthermore, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be made available to the public, regardless of whether such disclosure is expressly mentioned in the claims. No claim element is to be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of 35 USC § 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly identified using the term "means for" or, in the case of a process claim, the element is identified using the term "step for". The preceding description is provided to enable all professionals to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications of these aspects will be readily apparent to professionals, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein but are intended to correspond to the full scope of protection consistent with the linguistic claims, whereby reference to a singular element is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless expressly stated otherwise, but rather "one or more". Unless expressly stated otherwise, the expression "some" refers to one or more. Masculine pronouns (e.g., sein / -e) include the feminine and neuter genders (e.g., ihr / -e and sein / -e) and vice versa.Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for simplification only and do not limit the disclosure contained herein.

Claims

Device comprising: a hinge assembly comprising: a first hinge component configured to couple with a first rear latch of a vehicle and to rotate the first rear latch about an axis of rotation; and a second hinge component configured to couple with a second rear latch of the vehicle and to rotate the second rear latch about the axis of rotation. Device according to claim 1, wherein: the hinge arrangement further comprises a base configured to couple with the vehicle, the first hinge component configured to couple with the base, wherein the first hinge component is configured to rotate the first rear latch about the axis of rotation, and the second hinge component configured to couple with the base, wherein the second hinge component is configured to rotate the second rear latch about the axis of rotation. Device according to claim 2, wherein: the first hinge component is configured to rotate independently of the second hinge component, and the second hinge component is configured to rotate independently of the first hinge component. Device according to claim 2, wherein the hinge arrangement further comprises a rod which is rotationally fixed to the base, wherein the rod is configured to pass through the first hinge component and the second hinge component. Device according to claim 4, wherein the rod defines the axis of rotation. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to couple the first rear closure with the second rear closure, wherein, in response to the locking mechanism coupling the first rear closure with the second rear closure, the first hinge component is configured to rotate the first rear closure about the axis of rotation, while the second hinge component rotates the second rear closure about the axis of rotation. Device according to claim 6, wherein, in response to the fact that the locking mechanism does not couple the first rear lock to the second rear lock, the hinge arrangement is configured to rotate the first rear lock relative to the second rear lock about the axis of rotation. Device according to claim 1, further comprising a strut coupled to the first rear closure, wherein the strut is configured to provide a force to rotate the first rear closure about the axis of rotation. Device according to claim 8, wherein the strut is further configured to provide the force to rotate the second rear closure about the axis of rotation. Vehicle comprising: a body; a first rear latch; a second rear latch; and a hinge assembly coupled to the vehicle body, the hinge assembly comprising: a first hinge component coupled to the first rear latch, and a second hinge component coupled to the second rear latch; and a latch, wherein, in response to the latch coupling the first rear latch to the second rear latch, i) the first hinge component is configured to rotate the first rear latch about an axis of rotation, and ii) the second hinge component is configured to rotate the second rear latch about the axis of rotation. Vehicle according to claim 10, wherein, in response to the fact that the locking mechanism does not couple the first rear lock to the second rear lock, the first hinge component is configured to rotate the first rear lock about the axis of rotation relative to the second rear lock. Vehicle according to claim 10, wherein: the hinge arrangement further comprises a base coupled to the vehicle body, the first hinge component is configured to couple to the base, wherein the first hinge component is configured to rotate the first rear latch about the axis of rotation, and the second hinge component is configured to couple to the base, wherein the second hinge component is configured to rotate the second rear latch about the axis of rotation. Vehicle according to claim 12, wherein: the first hinge component is configured to rotate independently of the second hinge component, and the second hinge component is configured to rotate independently of the first hinge component. Vehicle according to claim 12, wherein: the hinge arrangement further comprises a rod which is rotationally fixed to the base, and the rod passes through the first hinge component and the second hinge component. Vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the rod defines the axis of rotation. Vehicle according to claim 10, further comprising a strut comprising: a first end coupled to the vehicle body, and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the second end is coupled to the first rear closure. Vehicle according to claim 16, wherein: the first closure comprises a transparent substrate, and the second rear closure comprises a tailgate. Vehicle according to claim 16, wherein the hinge arrangement and the strut are configured to balance i) a first mass defined by the first rear closure, and ii) a second mass defined by the first rear closure and the second rear closure. Hinge assembly comprising: a base, comprising: a first extension, a second extension, and a third extension positioned between the first extension and the second extension; a first hinge component positioned between the first extension and the third extension, wherein the first hinge component is configured to couple with a first rear closure of a vehicle about an axis of rotation; and a second hinge component positioned between the second extension and the third extension, wherein the second hinge component is configured to couple with a second rear closure of the vehicle about the axis of rotation; and a rod coupled to the base and passing through the first hinge component and the second hinge component. Hinge arrangement according to claim 19, wherein: the first hinge component is configured to rotate independently of the second hinge component, and the second hinge component is configured to rotate independently of the first hinge component.

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