Power Tailgate Clutch Slippage Control System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power tailgate systems face issues with motor damage due to backdriving caused by external forces, and slippable clutches disrupt synchronization between motor rotation and tailgate motion, leading to inaccurate positioning.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a motor, a reduction drive, a slippable clutch, and a processor with a tailgate control module that monitors clutch slippage and generates an alert for manual reset when excessive slippage occurs, ensuring safe operation and accurate tailgate positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a slippable clutch is interposed between the motor and the tailgate to enable motion of the tailgate independent of the motor when external forces are large enough, then motor damage from backdriving is prevented, but synchronization and association between motor rotation and tailgate motion is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the operational state of the clutch and tailgate position, comparing actual tailgate position against expected position based on motor rotation. When desynchronization is detected, the system generates alerts and adjusts motor operation to maintain synchronization, thereby resolving the contradiction between allowing clutch slippage for protection and maintaining precise positioning.
2Strength
If the clutch is designed to slip under excessive external forces to protect the motor, then motor damage is prevented, but accurate tailgate positioning becomes unachievable
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from position sensors to continuously monitor tailgate location and compares it against the expected position based on motor rotation count. When the clutch slips and positioning accuracy degrades, the feedback mechanism detects this discrepancy and triggers corrective actions, including alerts to the user and adjustment of motor operation parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical synchronization with an electronic control system that uses sensors, processors, and software algorithms to maintain positioning accuracy even when mechanical clutch slippage occurs. This substitution allows the system to compensate for mechanical imperfections and maintain precision.
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 system effectively prevents motor damage from backdriving and maintains synchronization between motor rotation and tailgate motion, ensuring accurate positioning and safe operation of the tailgate.
Implementation Method 1
A slippable clutch may be interposed at some point between the motor and the tailgate to enable motion of the tailgate independent of the motor when the applied external forces are large enough to otherwise damage the tailgate
Implementation Method 2
A screw is operably connected to the clutch. The clutch is structured to transmit torque between the reduction drive and the screw. A slide is operably connectible to a tailgate and operably connected to the screw so that rotation of the screw produces an associated linear extension or retraction of the slide
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling a power tailgate in a vehicle power tailgate system includes a motor, a reduction drive, and a slippable clutch. A screw is connected to the clutch. The clutch is structured to transmit torque between the reduction drive and the screw. A slide is connectible to a tailgate and connected to the screw so that rotation of the screw produces a linear extension or retraction of the slide. The system includes a tailgate control module including instructions to, responsive to an input from a user, control operation of the motor to attempt to lower or raise the tailgate, determine whether the clutch slipped by at least a predetermined slip amount during operation of the motor and, responsive to a determination that the clutch slipped by at least the predetermined slip amount, generate an alert indicating a need for manual reset of the tailgate.