Dual Hinge Tailgate With Nested Minor Gate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power operated vehicle tailgates often lack flexibility in opening configurations and efficient drive mechanisms, limiting their functionality and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A power operated tailgate system featuring a major gate and a minor gate, both with independent drive units, allowing for various opening positions through a linkage assembly and offset drive unit configuration, enabling flexible operation and enhanced accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional power operated tailgate is used, then the structure is simple, but the flexibility in opening configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The tailgate is divided into two independent gates: a major gate and a minor gate. Each gate can be independently opened or closed, allowing multiple opening configurations (both closed, major open only, minor open only, or both open). This segmentation enables flexible adaptability without requiring an overly complex integrated mechanism, as each gate has its own simplified drive system.
Solution Approach 2:
The minor gate is disposed at least partially within an outer profile of the major gate when both are closed. The minor gate is supported by the major gate and rotates relative to it, creating a nested configuration that maximizes space utilization and maintains a compact overall structure while enabling independent operation of both gates.
2Ease of operation
If an offset drive unit configuration is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A linkage assembly acts as an intermediary between the minor gate drive unit and the minor gate. The linkage assembly includes a linkage member connected to the drive unit output and a linkage arm connected to the minor gate, with the linkage member rotatably connected to the linkage arm. This intermediary mechanism translates the rotational motion of the offset drive unit into effective rotation of the minor gate, improving ease of operation while managing the complexity through a well-defined mechanical transmission system.
Data Source
AI summary
A power operated tailgate for a vehicle includes a major gate having a hinge about which the major gate is configured to be coupled to the vehicle for movement between open and closed positions, a minor gate configured to be coupled to the major gate for movement between open and closed positions with respect to the major gate, and a minor gate drive unit configured to drive movement of the minor gate with respect to the major gate. The minor gate is disposed at least partially within an outer profile of the major gate and supported by the major gate for movement therewith.