Tailgate Energy Management System for Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles with deployable tailgates face issues with variable opening speeds due to factors like vehicle inclination and gas damper wear, leading to potential damage from excessive energy when opening, especially in remote operations using keyless entry systems.
Innovation Solution
A tailgate energy management system that includes a governor coupled to the tailgate and an electronic control unit, which uses a speed sensor to adjust the opening speed by applying a governing force, ensuring the tailgate does not exceed a predefined energy threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If lift assist devices are used to reduce opening force, then ease of operation is improved, but opening speed becomes variable and may exceed safe thresholds causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a speed sensor to continuously monitor tailgate opening speed and feeds this information back to the electronic control unit. The ECU compares the measured speed against a predetermined threshold and activates the governor mechanism when the threshold is exceeded, creating a closed-loop feedback control system that maintains safe operating speeds while preserving the lift assist function.
Solution Approach 2:
The governor mechanism serves as an intermediary device between the lift assist device and the tailgate. It selectively applies a governing force to the tailgate based on speed conditions, acting as a mediator that modulates the force transmission from the lift assist device to prevent excessive opening speeds while maintaining ease of operation during normal use.
2Ease of operation
If remote keyless entry is used to open tailgate, then ease of operation is improved, but uncontrolled opening energy may damage surrounding objects
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares for potential harmful effects by pre-configuring the governor mechanism and speed sensor to monitor and control tailgate opening speed before remote keyless entry activation. The governor is pre-positioned to apply retarding force if needed, and the speed threshold is predetermined based on safety requirements, enabling proactive prevention of damage rather than reactive response.
Solution Approach 2:
The speed sensor continuously monitors tailgate motion and provides real-time feedback to the electronic control unit during remote opening operations. This feedback loop enables the system to detect and correct excessive opening speeds that could cause damage to surrounding objects, ensuring safe operation even when the user is not physically present at the tailgate.
3Reliability
If governor mechanism is added to control opening speed, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The governor mechanism is integrated with the existing lift assist device and tailgate hinge assembly, combining multiple functions into a unified system. The governor shares mounting points and mechanical connections with existing components, and the electronic control unit consolidates control logic for both the lift assist and governor functions, reducing overall system complexity despite adding speed control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The governor mechanism operates autonomously based on speed feedback from the sensor and control logic in the electronic control unit. Once activated, the governor self-regulates the tailgate opening speed without requiring continuous user intervention or complex external control systems, reducing the operational complexity despite adding mechanical components.
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 limits the opening speed of the tailgate, preventing damage to the tailgate and surrounding objects by controlling kinetic energy, even under varying conditions and remote operation scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
a governor coupled to one of the sidewalls and to the tailgate, where the governor selectively applies a governing force to the tailgate that reduces the opening speed of the tailgate
Implementation Method 2
a speed sensor sensing an opening speed of the tailgate
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes sidewalls, a tailgate located proximate to rear ends of the sidewalls, and a tailgate energy management system. The tailgate energy management system includes a governor coupled to one of the sidewalls and to the tailgate. The governor selectively applies a governing force to the tailgate to reduce an opening speed of the tailgate. The tailgate energy management system also includes a speed sensor sensing an opening speed of the tailgate and an electronic control unit electronically coupled to the governor and the speed sensor. The electronic control unit includes a processor and memory storing an instruction set. The electronic control unit receives a speed signal indicative of the opening speed of the tailgate and the processor executes the instruction set to cause the electronic control unit to transmit a control signal to the governor to slow the opening speed of the tailgate based on the speed signal.