Deployable Tailgate Trailing Edge for Lower Vehicle Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tailgate structures in vehicles do not effectively reduce aerodynamic drag and improve the drag coefficient while maintaining road holding, especially at varying vehicle speeds.
Innovation Solution
A tailgate structure with a movable part and deployment device that allows the trailing edge to move between retracted and deployed positions, guided by a curved rack and motor-driven toothed wheel, maintaining the movable part in a horizontal plane using a connecting rod and elastic member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a fixed tailgate structure is used, then the vehicle structure is simple, but the aerodynamic drag cannot be reduced and road holding cannot be improved
Solution Approach 1:
The tailgate is transformed from a fixed structure to a dynamic structure with a movable part that can change position. The movable part is driven by a deployment device comprising a motor, toothed wheel, and rack mechanism, allowing it to move between retracted and deployed positions along a curved trajectory. This dynamic capability enables the tailgate to adjust aerodynamic characteristics while maintaining structural complexity through automated control.
2Loss of energy
If the trailing edge is extended and lowered, then aerodynamic drag is reduced, but the vehicle length increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the trailing edge horizontally which would increase vehicle length, the invention moves the trailing edge along a curved trajectory that includes both horizontal and vertical components. The deployment device guides the movable part to lower the trailing edge while extending it, achieving aerodynamic benefits through multi-dimensional movement rather than simple horizontal extension.
3Reliability
If a movable part is added to the tailgate, then road holding is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an intermediary deployment device that mediates between the fixed tailgate structure and the movable part. This deployment device includes a motor, toothed wheel, and rack mechanism that work together to control the movement of the movable part. The intermediary mechanism enables road holding improvement through trailing edge adjustment while packaging the complexity into a dedicated, manageable subsystem.
4Loss of energy
If the trailing edge position is fixed, then the structure is simple, but the drag coefficient cannot be improved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the traditional purely mechanical tailgate structure with a system that incorporates motorized actuation. The deployment device uses a motor to drive a toothed wheel that engages with a rack on the movable part, substituting manual or simple mechanical adjustment with automated motor control. This enables precise control of the trailing edge position to optimize drag coefficient while managing mechanical complexity through electrical actuation.
Data Source
Figure 1~3b
Figure 4~5a
Figure 5b~5c
AI summary
Tailgate (1) intended to be integrated into a body (3) of a motor vehicle, said tailgate (1) having an upper edge connected to the body (3) and a lower edge (7) opposite said upper edge, said lower edge (7) comprising a fixed part (9) relative to the tailgate (1) and a movable part (11) integral with the fixed part (9), said movable part (11) defining a trailing edge (13), characterized in that the movable part (11) is mounted movable in movement relative to the fixed part (9) between a retracted position in which the trailing edge (13) is brought closer to the fixed part (9) and a deployed position in which the trailing edge (13) is moved apart and lowered relative to the fixed part (9) whereby the tailgate (1) is extended.