Pickup Truck Tailgate Hinge Cam Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pickup trucks require chains or linkages to retain the tailgate in a horizontal position, which is costly and inconvenient to connect and disconnect.

Innovation Solution

A unique hinge cam arrangement with angle brackets and inverted U-shaped cam tracks allows the tailgate to shift between locked, horizontal, and depending positions without the need for retaining chains or linkages, using hinge cam pins that engage with the cam tracks to securely hold the tailgate in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chains or linkages are used to retain the tailgate in horizontal position, then the tailgate can be held securely in horizontal position, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetailgate retentionVSAvoidretaining mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the chains or linkages from the tailgate assembly by integrating the retention function directly into the hinge mechanism through cam tracks and cam pins, thereby simplifying the overall device while maintaining secure horizontal position retention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the tailgate hinge function with the horizontal position retention function into a single integrated mechanism, where the cam tracks and cam pins within the hinge assembly provide both pivoting motion and secure retention without requiring separate chains or linkages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If chains or linkages are used to retain the tailgate, then the tailgate can be held in horizontal position, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to connecting and disconnecting requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetailgate retentionVSAvoidtailgate position change

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cam mechanism automatically provides retention in horizontal position through the geometric interaction between cam pins and cam tracks, eliminating the need for manual connection or disconnection of separate retaining components, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If cam tracks and cam pins are used instead of chains, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to support substantial weight may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretaining mechanismVSAvoidweight support capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cam tracks are designed with varying geometric profiles that dynamically adapt to the load conditions, providing maximum retention force when the tailgate is in horizontal position while allowing smooth transition to depending position, thereby maintaining strength without increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20080054668A1Tailgate and hinge assembly for pickup truck

Publication Date: 2008.03.06 CITIBANK N A AS ADMINISTATIVE AGENT

AI summary

A tailgate and hinge assembly for a pickup truck includes a pair of L-shaped hinge brackets secured to opposite sides of the truck body of the pickup truck. Each hinge bracket has an inverted U-shaped cam track therein for receiving the hinge cam pins on the tailgate. This hinge assembly allows the tailgate to be readily moved between a vertical closed position, a horizontal position and a depending vertical position. The novel hinge assembly enables the tailgate to be maintained in the open horizontal position without the need of chains or linkages.