Sliding Inner Tailgate Panel for Load Confinement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles with truck beds face challenges in confining loads when the tailgate is in a lowered position, as the load is no longer confined by a vertically oriented tailgate, especially for lengthy items.
Innovation Solution
A tailgate assembly with a primary gate panel and an inner gate panel that can slide and pivot, allowing the inner gate panel to extend past the distal end of the primary gate panel, creating a fully open position that acts as a stopper to confine loads, enhancing the usable length of the truck bed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the tailgate is lowered to a horizontal position to accommodate lengthy loads, then the load capacity and versatility are improved, but the load confinement capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tailgate assembly is divided into two functional panels: a primary gate panel that lowers horizontally for load access, and an inner gate panel that remains vertically oriented to provide load confinement. This segmentation allows each panel to perform its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between load capacity and confinement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner gate panel is positioned within a recess of the primary gate panel, creating a multi-dimensional structure. When the primary gate panel is lowered, the inner gate panel extends past the distal end to form a vertical barrier, effectively adding a dimensional element that maintains confinement while allowing horizontal opening.
2Reliability
If the inner gate panel is made extendable to provide load confinement, then the load confinement capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner gate panel is designed with sliding and pivoting capabilities, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and orientation. It can slide within the recess and pivot between a stowed position (co-planar with primary gate panel) and a fully opened position (perpendicular to primary gate panel), providing adaptive load confinement without requiring complex fixed structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner gate panel utilizes the movement of the primary gate panel to automatically adjust its own position. As the primary gate panel lowers, the inner gate panel is carried along and can be positioned by the operator's natural tailgate opening motion, eliminating the need for separate actuation mechanisms.
3Shape
If the inner gate panel is positioned in a recess of the primary gate panel, then the aesthetic appearance and aerodynamic profile are improved, but the load confinement effectiveness may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The inner gate panel is designed to dynamically extend past the distal end of the primary gate panel when needed. It can slide outward from the recess and pivot to a perpendicular position, creating an effective vertical barrier for load confinement while maintaining its recessed, aerodynamic profile when in the stowed position.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a tailgate assembly including a primary gate panel and an inner gate panel. The primary gate panel includes a recess, a proximal end, and a distal end. The inner gate panel includes an inner gate positioned in the recess of the primary gate panel. The inner gate panel is slidingly moveable with respect to the primary gate panel along a vehicle longitudinal direction between a stowed position and an intermediate position and is pivotable with respect to the primary gate panel between the intermediate position and the fully opened position. In the stowed position the inner gate panel is co-planar with the primary gate panel. In the fully opened position, the inner gate panel is substantially perpendicular with respect to the primary gate panel.