Removable Tailgate Garnish with Adjustable Backup Camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rear view back-up cameras in vehicles with tailgates in open or bed extender positions face the ground, rendering them unable to provide a rear view, posing a risk during cargo loading and transport.
Innovation Solution
A removable upper garnish member with a camera positioned within its exterior facing side portion, allowing the camera to maintain a consistent rear view across closed and bed extender positions, connected via a communication subassembly for digital display in the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the camera is integrated into the handle lift assembly for the tailgate, then the camera structure is simplified and installation is easier, but when the tailgate is in an open or bed extender position, the camera faces the ground/road and cannot provide a rear view image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the camera orientation adjustable rather than fixed. The camera is mounted on the upper garnish member with an adjustable mounting mechanism that allows the camera angle to be changed dynamically. This enables the camera to maintain proper rear-view orientation regardless of whether the tailgate is in closed, open, or bed extender position, thereby resolving the contradiction between easy installation and reliable image availability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tailgate is used in bed extender position to increase cargo space, then cargo transport capability is improved, but the camera faces downward and loses its rear view function
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable camera mounting allows the camera to be reoriented when the tailgate is positioned for bed extender use, maintaining rear-view capability throughout different cargo configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper garnish member with integrated camera serves multiple functions: it provides structural finishing for the tailgate, houses the camera system, and allows camera angle adjustment to serve different tailgate positions (closed, open, bed extender), making the system universally functional across all operating modes.
3Reliability
If the camera is fixed in the upper garnish member to maintain consistent rear view, then rear view consistency is improved, but the upper garnish member becomes less adaptable to different tailgate configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The camera mounting mechanism provides dynamic adjustability, allowing the camera to be positioned optimally for each tailgate configuration while maintaining consistent rear-view quality across all positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera angle can be preliminarily adjusted during installation or before use to anticipate different tailgate positions, ensuring the camera is pre-positioned to maintain consistent rear-view coverage regardless of subsequent tailgate movements.
Data Source
AI summary
A removable upper garnish member is provided for a tailgate of a vehicle. The upper garnish member may include a longitudinally extending top portion, an exterior facing side portion, and an interior facing side portion. A camera is positioned within a space defined by the exterior facing side portion. The camera is configured to provide an image depicting a point of view of from a direction behind the vehicle. The removable upper garnish member is configured to be selectively positioned as part of a vehicle tailgate that is movable between one of a closed position, an open position, and a bed extender position. The camera point of view is preferably the same in both the closed and bed extender positions.