Single-Motor Tailgate Latch with Release and Cinching Gears
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power tailgate devices for SUVs and MPVs require separate motors for locking and unlocking, leading to increased manufacturing costs, weight, and defect rates due to the high number of components.
Innovation Solution
A tailgate opening/closing device utilizing a single motor with a release gear and cinching gear mechanism, along with a linkage mechanism and pawl unit, that performs both locking and unlocking operations, reducing the number of components and enhancing operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate cinching motor and release motor are mounted to perform locking and unlocking operations, then the tailgate can be reliably locked and unlocked, but the manufacturing cost and weight of the device increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of cinching motor and release motor into a single motor unit. The motor is configured to rotate in different directions to perform both locking (cinching) and unlocking (release) operations, eliminating the need for separate motor components and reducing overall device weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The single motor is designed with multi-functionality to perform both cinching and release operations. By controlling the rotation direction of the same motor, the system achieves reliable locking and unlocking without requiring dedicated motors for each function.
2Reliability
If separate cinching motor and release motor are mounted to perform locking and unlocking operations, then the tailgate can be reliably locked and unlocked, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of cinching motor and release motor into a single motor unit, reducing the number of components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and tested. This consolidation directly lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable locking and unlocking functionality.
3Reliability
If separate cinching motor and release motor are mounted to perform locking and unlocking operations, then the tailgate can be reliably locked and unlocked, but the number of components increases leading to higher defect rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple motor components into a single integrated motor unit, reducing the total number of components in the system. Fewer components mean fewer potential failure points, thereby reducing the overall defect rate while maintaining reliable operation.
4Weight of stationary object
If single motor with release gear and cinching gear mechanism is used to perform both locking and unlocking operations, then manufacturing cost and weight are reduced, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a release gear and cinching gear mechanism as intermediary components that translate the motor's rotation into the required claw movements. These gear mechanisms serve as mediators between the single motor and the dual功能的 locking/unlocking operations, managing the complexity internally while maintaining external simplicity.
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
This solution reduces manufacturing costs and weight while improving the quality and reliability of the tailgate mechanism by enabling both locking and unlocking operations with a single motor, thereby lowering defect rates.
Implementation Method 1
a release gear (200) configured to be rotated forwards and backwards by a rotational force transmitted thereto from a motor (100)
Implementation Method 2
a cinching gear (300) engaged with the release gear (200) and configured to rotate
Implementation Method 3
a linkage mechanism (400) configured to receive force from the cinching gear (300) to rotate toward a claw (500)
Implementation Method 4
a pawl unit (600, 700) configured to be caught by the claw (500) in the state in which the claw (500) is engaged with the striker (20) so as to restrict rotation of the claw (500) in a release operation direction
Data Source
AI summary
A tailgate opening/closing device has a simplified tailgate opening/closing structure, reduced manufacturing cost, reduced weight, and improved quality. The device includes a release gear configured to be rotated forwards and backwards by a rotational force from a motor, a cinching gear engaged with the release gear, a linkage mechanism configured to receive force from the cinching gear to rotate toward a claw, the claw being caught by the linkage mechanism to rotate together therewith so as to be engaged with a striker, and a pawl unit configured to be caught by the claw in the state in which the claw is engaged with the striker so as to restrict rotation of the claw and configured to allow rotation of the claw in a release operation direction only when the release gear rotates in the release operation direction.