Tailgate Garnish Load Sensing for Protected Obstruction Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle sensors used to detect obstructions during the closure of sliding doors or liftgates are often exposed and vulnerable to damage from exterior objects, necessitating an improvement in sensor assemblies for enhanced durability and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle tailgate structure incorporating a power tailgate with a deformable garnish featuring rib structures and a screw portion, along with a touch sensor embedded underneath the garnish to detect deformation and communicate with the vehicle's control system to prevent tailgate opening when an external load is applied.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vehicle sensors are exposed to detect obstructions during door or liftgate closure, then obstruction detection capability is improved, but sensor durability deteriorates due to vulnerability to exterior objects
Solution Approach 1:
A deformable garnish panel is introduced as an intermediary between the external environment and the touch sensor. The garnish deforms under external loads and transmits this deformation to the sensor, enabling obstruction detection while the sensor remains protected from direct exposure to exterior objects that could damage it
Solution Approach 2:
The touch sensor is nested within the tailgate structure underneath the deformable garnish panel. This nested configuration allows the sensor to detect garnish deformation caused by external objects while remaining physically protected from direct contact with potentially damaging exterior elements
2Strength
If vehicle sensors are protected from exterior objects, then sensor durability is improved, but obstruction detection capability deteriorates due to lack of direct exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable garnish serves as a mediator that translates external physical presence into sensor-detectable deformation. External objects cause the garnish to deform, and this deformation is transmitted to the protected sensor, maintaining detection capability without requiring sensor exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces direct mechanical contact between sensors and external objects with an indirect mechanical coupling through the deformable garnish. The garnish acts as a mechanical transducer, converting external load into sensor-activating deformation while keeping the sensor physically protected
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 solution effectively protects the sensor from external damage while enabling safe operation by preventing the tailgate from opening when a load is detected, ensuring reliable and durable obstruction detection.
Implementation Method 1
a garnish covering a top surface of the tailgate and configured to deform when an external load applies on the garnish
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle tailgate structure of a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle tailgate structure includes a tailgate located at the rear of the vehicle; a garnish covering a top surface of the tailgate and configured to deform when an external load applies on the garnish, the garnish including a plurality of rib structures along an interior surface of the garnish and a screw portion including the garnish around a screw of the screw portion; and a touch sensor extending along the top surface of the tailgate and covered by the garnish, the touch sensor configured to detect deformation of the garnish, the touch sensor including touch sensor wires connecting to a control system of the vehicle.