Pivotable Tailgate with 270-Degree Rotation and Sensors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle tailgates have limited range of motion, obstructing the driver's view and restricting the types of hitching connections, necessitating the removal of the tailgate member, which is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle tailgate member pivotally coupled to sidewalls via a range of hinges allowing up to 270° rotational movement, equipped with sensors for monitoring objects on and around the vehicle, enabling flexible access and hitching without removing the tailgate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tailgate member is hingedly coupled to provide limited range of movement, then the tailgate member can be easily operated, but the driver's view behind the vehicle is obstructed and the types of hitching connections are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The tailgate member is coupled to the bed via hinges that enable dynamic rotation across a broad range of motion (up to 270 degrees), allowing the tailgate to transition between multiple positions including fully open, partially open, and closed states. This dynamic coupling mechanism provides adaptability for various hitching connections while maintaining ease of operation through the hinge mechanism
2Device complexity
If the tailgate member is hingedly coupled to provide limited range of movement, then the structure remains simple, but the driver's view behind the vehicle is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge coupling enables the tailgate member to rotate dynamically through a broad range of motion, allowing it to be positioned in fully open, partially open, or closed states. This dynamic positioning capability eliminates view obstruction when the tailgate is open while maintaining structural simplicity through the hinge mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The tailgate assembly is segmented into the tailgate member and the bed structure with hinge coupling, allowing independent movement of the tailgate member. This segmentation enables the tailgate to be positioned optimally for both driver visibility and cargo access without compromising the structural integrity of the bed
3Device complexity
If the tailgate member has limited range of movement, then the hinge structure remains simple, but the tailgate member may need to be removed entirely from the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge coupling provides a dynamic connection that allows the tailgate member to move through a broad range of motion (up to 270 degrees) while remaining securely attached to the bed. This dynamic retention eliminates the need to remove the tailgate member entirely, maintaining reliability while keeping the hinge structure relatively simple
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle including a bed, a plurality of sidewalls extending from the bed in a transversely spaced relationship, and a tailgate member. The bed and the plurality of sidewalls define a cargo space and an end opening into the cargo space. The tailgate member extends across the end opening between the plurality of sidewalls and is pivotally coupled to the plurality of sidewalls via a plurality of hinges. The plurality of hinges provide rotational movement of the power tailgate member from a vehicle inward position to a vehicle outward position such that the power tailgate member has a range of motion of up to 270°. The power tailgate member includes one or more sensors positioned to capture one or more of information pertaining to one or more objects on the bed of the vehicle and information pertaining to a rear of the vehicle.