Tailgate Energy Management System 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.

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 kinetic energy threshold.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering 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

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening forceVSAvoidopening speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a speed sensor to continuously monitor tailgate opening speed and provides feedback to an electronic control unit. The ECU adjusts the governor's governing force in real-time based on the sensed speed, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains safe opening speeds while allowing ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The governor is designed to dynamically adjust its governing force based on operating conditions. The electronic control unit modifies the governing force applied by the governor in response to varying conditions such as vehicle inclination and temperature, allowing the system to maintain optimal performance across different scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If remote keyless entry is used to open tailgate, then ease of operation is improved, but risk of damage from excessive energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote operation capabilityVSAvoiddamage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system activates the governor before the tailgate begins to open during remote keyless entry operations. By pre-positioning the governor to apply governing force at the start of the opening motion, the system prevents the tailgate from accelerating to dangerous speeds before control is established, thereby preventing potential damage before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The speed sensor continuously monitors opening speed during remote operations and provides feedback to the electronic control unit, which adjusts the governor's force in real-time to maintain safe energy levels and prevent damage to the tailgate or surrounding objects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Speed

If governor applies governing force to reduce opening speed, then opening speed is controlled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening speed controlVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The governor acts as an intermediary device between the tailgate and the control system. It mechanically applies governing force to the tailgate while being controlled by the electronic system, separating the control function from the mechanical function and allowing for simpler overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex mechanical speed control mechanisms with an electronic control unit that uses sensors and electronic signals to control the governor. This substitution of electronic control for mechanical control reduces overall system complexity while maintaining precise speed control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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, and can operate in conjunction with remote keyless entry systems to prevent unintended high-speed openings.

Implementation Method 1

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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a speed sensor sensing an opening speed of the tailgate and an electronic control unit electronically coupled to the governor and the speed sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDoppler Effect: Doppler Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8684441B2Vehicles incorporating tailgate energy management systems

Publication Date: 2014.04.01 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

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.