Tailgate Lift-Assist Hinge Assemblies for Heavy Feature-Rich Tailgates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle tailgates, especially those with integrated features, can be difficult for users to close due to increased weight, requiring significant lifting effort.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly with a pivot rod and spring assemblies that store energy when the tailgate is opened, providing lift assistive forces to ease closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If tailgate features (integrated steps, door subassemblies) are added to improve functionality, then adaptability or versatility is improved, but weight increases making closure more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the anti-weight principle by introducing a spring-loaded hinge assembly that generates an upward counteracting force on the tailgate during closure. The spring mechanism stores energy when the tailgate is open and releases it during closing, creating a lift assist force that counterbalances the increased weight from integrated features like steps and subassemblies, thereby easing the closure effort required
2Adaptability or versatility
If tailgate weight increases due to integrated features, then adaptability or versatility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to increased closing effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-loading the spring mechanism during the tailgate opening phase. As the tailgate opens, the spring compresses and stores mechanical energy. This stored energy is then automatically released during the closing phase, providing assistive force without requiring additional user input, thus maintaining ease of operation despite added features
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of increased tailgate weight into a beneficial feature by using the spring hinge assembly to transform the weight-related closing difficulty into an opportunity for energy storage and release. The heavier tailgate creates greater potential energy during opening, which is then converted into useful lift assist during closing, turning the operational disadvantage into a functional advantage
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
Reduces the effort required to close the tailgate by releasing stored energy, enhancing user convenience and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring assembly including a first carrier received onto a first outboard section of the pivot rod and a first spring carried by the first carrier
Implementation Method 2
spring assemblies that store energy when the tailgate is opened, providing lift assistive forces to ease closure
Data Source
AI summary
Hinge assemblies are provided that are capable of providing lift assistive forces when moving a tailgate of a motor vehicle from a tailgate open position to a tailgate closed position. An exemplary hinge assembly may include a body-side or stationary hinge component, a tailgate-side or movable hinge component, and a pivot rod that pivotably connects the movable hinge component to the stationary hinge component. The hinge assembly may additional include one or more spring assemblies each having a carrier and a spring. The spring assembly may be configured to store energy when the tailgate is moved from the tailgate closed position to the tailgate open position. The stored energy can be subsequently released to reduce the amount of lifting effort necessary for a user to return the tailgate back to the tailgate closed position.