Power Tailgate Motor Electrical Braking for Backdrive Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power tailgate systems face difficulties in maintaining the proper angular orientation of the rotatable element after tailgate removal, due to external forces like vibration and bouncing, which can prevent re-attachment of the tailgate.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle power tailgate system that includes a processor and memory to identify when the tailgate is disconnected and determine if the rotatable element is in a predetermined removal orientation, and electrically brakes the motor to prevent rotation during driving events, ensuring the element remains aligned for re-connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tailgate is detachably connected to the rotatable element to enable manual removal, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because external forces during driving can cause back-driving and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The control system applies electrical braking to the motor in advance when a driving event is detected and the tailgate is removed, creating a counteracting force that prevents back-driving of the rotatable element. This preliminary anti-action counteracts the external forces (vibration, bouncing, jolts) before they can cause misalignment, thus maintaining reliability while preserving the detachable connection for ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If the rotatable element is allowed to rotate freely during driving events, then the ease of operation is improved for re-attachment, but the reliability worsens due to back-driving causing misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the braking state of the motor based on detected driving events and tailgate attachment status. During driving events with tailgate removal, the system transitions from a free-rotation state to a braked state to maintain alignment. This dynamic control allows the system to balance reliability (preventing misalignment during driving) with operational flexibility (allowing re-attachment when needed).
3Reliability
If electrical braking is applied to prevent back-driving, then the reliability is improved by maintaining orientation, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system applies electrical braking periodically or event-driven rather than continuously. The braking is activated specifically during driving events when the tailgate is removed, and deactivated when the tailgate is attached or the vehicle is stationary. This periodic application of braking maintains reliability only when necessary, significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous braking.
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 system effectively maintains the rotatable element in the correct orientation, facilitating easy re-attachment of the tailgate by preventing back-driving and misalignment caused by external forces.
Implementation Method 1
check the rotatable element against rotation during the driving event by electrically braking a motor operably connected with the rotatable element for interdependent movement
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of systems and methods for operating a power tailgate system are disclosed. A vehicle includes a rotatable element structured for operable connection with, and disconnection from, a tailgate when the rotatable element resides in a predetermined tailgate removal orientation. A motor is connected with the rotatable element for interdependent movement, and a motor circuit is provided for the motor. During a driving event, the system identifies when no tailgate is connected with the rotatable element. If no tailgate is connected with the rotatable element, the system determines if the rotatable element resides in the predetermined tailgate removal orientation. If the rotatable element resides in the predetermined tailgate removal orientation, the system may check the rotatable element against rotation during the driving event by operating a motor circuit to electrically brake the motor to prevent the rotatable element from rotating out of the predetermined tailgate removal orientation.