Vehicle Tailgate Guide Means for Translational Movement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicles with tailgates face difficulties in loading and unloading processes due to the forced distance created by the open tailgate, making it challenging for personnel or industrial trucks to access the loading area efficiently.

Innovation Solution

The vehicle tailgate is designed with guide means on the rear and tailgate that interact to facilitate translational movement, allowing for easier attachment and detachment, reducing the degree of freedom and guiding the tailgate along a predetermined path, enabling one-person operation and improved ergonomics for loading and unloading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the vehicle tailgate is opened to access the loading area, then the loading area becomes accessible, but a forced distance is created that hinders efficient access by personnel or industrial trucks

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccessibility of loading areaVSAvoidEfficiency of loading and unloading processes
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The tailgate is divided into multiple segments or panels that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the tailgate to be configured in different ways - fully open for maximum accessibility, partially open to maintain a barrier, or folded flat to eliminate the forced distance obstacle, thus resolving the contradiction between accessibility and loading efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tailgate incorporates dynamic positioning capabilities with multiple pivot points and support mechanisms that allow it to be adjusted to various angles and positions. This dynamic flexibility enables the tailgate to adapt to different operational requirements - providing full access when needed while maintaining structural integrity and minimizing interference with loading operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the vehicle tailgate is designed for easy removal and attachment, then handling and ergonomics are improved, but the complexity of the attachment mechanism increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of tailgate handlingVSAvoidComplexity of attachment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism is divided into modular components including separate guide means on the vehicle body and corresponding guide means on the tailgate. This modular segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function (guiding, positioning, locking) while keeping individual parts simple and manageable, reducing overall system complexity despite enabling easy one-person operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Guide means are introduced as intermediary elements that facilitate the attachment and detachment process. These guide means include guide rails, guide pins, or alignment features that automatically align and guide the tailgate into the correct position during attachment, simplifying the operation for the user while managing the complexity through standardized interface components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3247614B1Vehicle, in particular motor vehicle, with a tailgate
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 GEBR JACOB GBR
  • EP3247614B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3247614B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3247614B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle (2), in particular a motor vehicle, which is equipped with a tailgate (8) which can be pivoted on the rear of the vehicle (14) by means of a pivoting device (10), about a pivoting axis (12) between a closed position, in which a loading surface (6) of the rear of the vehicle (14) is defined, and an open position in which the loading surface (6) of the rear side is open. In order to pivot the tailgate (8), the pivoting device comprises (10) at least one pivoting arm (22, 22') on which the tailgate (8)can be moved in a translatory manner and can be detachably held in place.