Concealed Actuator Mechanism for Split Power Tailgate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles with powered tailgates, the actuator and drive mechanism are often visible, compromising aesthetics and potentially vulnerable, while also limiting access to the passenger compartment or cargo space.
Innovation Solution
A door system with an actuator mechanism concealed within the vehicle door, utilizing a bell crank and electric motor to articulate the door between open and closed positions, allowing for a split power tailgate system where the upper and lower doors can be independently controlled, enhancing accessibility and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the actuator and drive mechanism are exposed on the vehicle exterior, then the mechanism is easily accessible for maintenance and installation, but the vehicle aesthetics are compromised and the mechanism becomes vulnerable to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator mechanism is nested within the tailgate door structure itself. The actuator is mounted in a cavity formed in the tailgate door, with the bell crank mechanism also contained within the door structure. This nesting arrangement conceals the mechanism from external view, improving aesthetics while protecting it from damage, and maintains accessibility through the door's internal architecture.
2Shape
If the actuator mechanism is concealed within the door cavity, then vehicle aesthetics are improved and the mechanism is protected, but the complexity of installing and maintaining the mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator mechanism is merged with the tailgate door structure. The actuator is integrated into the door's cavity, and the bell crank is pivotally mounted within the same door structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate external mounting brackets and simplifies the overall installation process while maintaining the concealed aesthetic appearance.
3Ease of operation
If a single tailgate door is used, then the structure is simpler, but the accessibility to the passenger compartment or cargo space is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The tailgate is segmented into multiple independent doors - specifically an upper tailgate door and a lower tailgate door. Each door can be opened and closed independently, providing flexible access to the cargo space. The actuator mechanism is configured to control each door separately, allowing selective opening of either the upper or lower door based on loading requirements.
4Force
If the actuator is mounted at a position offset from the pivot axis, then the mechanical advantage is improved, but the space required within the door cavity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bell crank mechanism is used to transform the linear motion of the actuator into rotational motion about the pivot axis. The bell crank is pivotally mounted within the door cavity and leverages the offset position to generate mechanical advantage while containing all components within the available three-dimensional space of the door structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system improves vehicle aesthetics by concealing the actuator mechanism and increases accessibility to the passenger compartment or cargo space by allowing independent control of upper and lower tailgate doors, enhancing usability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The drive means may comprise at least one electric motor
Implementation Method 2
The actuator mechanism may comprise an actuator and a bell crank, wherein the actuator is coupled to the hinge via the bell crank
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
A door system for a vehicle comprises a first vehicle door (16) hingedly mountable to a vehicle for articulation about a pivot axis (123) between a closed position and an open position, the door comprising a cavity; an actuator mechanism (100) disposed within the cavity, the actuator mechanism being pivotally coupleable to the vehicle at a position offset from the pivot axis; and drive means for driving the actuator mechanism to articulate the first vehicle door between said closed and said open positions.