Tailgate Dampening System with Viscous Strut
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle tailgate counterbalancing systems using torque rods can cause objectionable impact on supports and operators due to residual kinetic energy, leading to potential injury and gate crashes when the tailgate is opened or closed.
Innovation Solution
A tailgate dampening system incorporating a torque rod rotationally connected to a coupling shaft, bell crank arm, and a dampening strut that compresses to reduce the rate of descent by dissipating energy via viscous friction, allowing the tailgate to come to a gradual stop during opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a torque rod based tailgate counter balancing hinge design is used to reduce lifting effort, then the effort required to raise and lower the tailgate is reduced, but the tailgate can cause objectionable impact on supports or operators due to residual kinetic energy
Solution Approach 1:
A dampening strut is introduced as an intermediary component between the tailgate hinge assembly and the vehicle body. The strut absorbs residual kinetic energy through controlled compression, preventing direct impact transmission to supports and operators while maintaining the torque rod's counterbalancing function
Solution Approach 2:
The dampening strut is pre-positioned to engage before the tailgate reaches its full travel range, providing progressive cushioning that reduces the rate of descent and absorbs impact energy in advance, preventing objectionable impact on supports and operators
2Speed
If the tailgate is allowed to move freely between open and closed positions, then the tailgate can be opened and closed quickly, but it can drop down quickly causing injury or crash down on check straps
Solution Approach 1:
The dampening strut acts as a speed-controlling intermediary that regulates the tailgate's movement rate through viscous damping. It allows rapid opening while controlling the descent rate during closing, preventing injury and crashes without completely restricting motion speed
Solution Approach 2:
The dampening strut changes the effective damping parameter of the tailgate system dynamically during operation. It provides minimal resistance during opening (allowing quick movement) but increases resistance during closing (controlling descent rate), adapting the system's mechanical parameters to operational phase
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 reduces the rate of tailgate descent, minimizing the risk of operator injury and gate crashes by absorbing and dissipating energy, ensuring a controlled opening and closing process.
Implementation Method 1
a dampening strut attached between the vehicle's frame and the bell crank arm. The crank arm compresses the dampening strut as the crank arm is rotated by the torque rod through the coupling shaft as the torque rod is twisted in response to the tailgate being opened, so as to reduce the rate at which the tailgate falls
Data Source
AI summary
A tailgate dampening system for a vehicle including a tailgate lift assist system including a torque rod rotationally grounded between the tailgate at a first end and a first side of the vehicle's frame at a second end is disclosed. The dampening system includes a coupling shaft attached to one end of the torque rod, a bell crank arm attached to the coupling shaft, and a dampening strut attached between the vehicle's frame and the bell crank arm. The crank arm compresses the dampening strut as the crank arm is rotated by the torque rod through the coupling shaft as the torque rod is twisted in response to the tailgate being opened, so as to reduce the rate at which the tailgate falls.