Tailgate Cinching Latch Single Motor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tailgate systems require two drive motors for opening and closing, leading to increased volume and complexity within the vehicle body, making it difficult to achieve complete closure and requiring users to manually check the tailgate's status after moving.
Innovation Solution
A tailgate opening and closing device utilizing a single drive motor with a cinching-integrated power latch structure, including a main gear, lever assembly, and detectors, which allows for bidirectional operation and automatic locking/unlocking of the striker, reducing the number of components and weight while enhancing product quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If two drive motors are disposed to transmit power in separate directions for closing and opening of the tailgate, then the tailgate can be opened and closed, but the volume increases excessively making it difficult to dispose the drive motors in the internal of the vehicle body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate drive motors into a single drive motor that performs both opening and closing functions. The single drive motor transmits power through a gear mechanism (including a main gear and sub-gear) to the latch, eliminating the need for two separate motors and reducing overall volume while maintaining both opening and closing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The single drive motor is designed to perform multiple functions - both opening and closing the tailgate. By integrating bidirectional power transmission capability into one motor unit with a sophisticated gear system, the invention achieves multi-functionality that previously required two separate motors.
2Reliability
If a power tailgate latch is used to achieve complete closing of the tailgate, then complete closure is achieved, but the system complexity increases requiring multiple drive motors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the opening and closing drive systems into a single integrated power latch mechanism. The single drive motor controls both opening and closing operations through a coordinated gear system, reducing device complexity while ensuring reliable complete closure through the cinching mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates detectors that monitor the tailgate position and provide feedback to the control unit. This feedback mechanism ensures complete closure is achieved and maintained, while the control unit coordinates the single drive motor's operation to provide both opening and closing functions reliably.
3Device complexity
If conventional manual tailgate closure is used, then the system is simple, but the user may overlook incomplete closure of the tailgate when insufficient force is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The power latch system performs self-service by automatically detecting when the tailgate is closed and activating the cinching mechanism to ensure complete closure without requiring user verification. The detectors monitor the closure state and the control unit automatically engages the locking mechanism, eliminating the need for manual checking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses detectors to provide continuous feedback on tailgate position and closure status. This feedback enables the control unit to determine when complete closure has been achieved and to maintain the locked state, ensuring reliability without requiring user intervention or manual verification.
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 solution enables complete tailgate closure with reduced operational power loss and simplifies the system, achieving bidirectional operation and enhancing product quality by integrating the power latch structure with a single drive motor, reducing the number of components and weight.
Implementation Method 1
a main gear disposed at a second side of the base while being rotatable about a first rotation shaft by a drive motor
Implementation Method 2
a release lever connected to the error lever and the pawl lever while being pivotable about a second rotation shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A tailgate opening and closing device for a vehicle may include a main gear disposed at a base, to be driven by a drive motor, and a lever assembly having an error lever, a pawl lever, a release lever, and a cinching lever. The lever assembly pivots in accordance with a rotation of the main gear the main gear, achieving locking or unlocking of a striker by a claw.