Tailgate Height Adjustment with Vehicle Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tailgate systems in vehicles do not effectively prevent collisions with objects or persons and hinder loading due to a high loading edge, especially in SUVs, as they do not simultaneously adjust the tailgate and vehicle height to optimize loading conditions while maintaining head sheltering height.
Innovation Solution
A device that adjusts the tailgate to a predefined open position and synchronizes with an active wheel suspension system to lower the vehicle height upon opening, using control units and actuators to manage the tailgate and vehicle height, preventing collision risks and maintaining sheltering height through simultaneous adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tailgate is opened to a high position to increase head sheltering height, then safety is improved, but collision risk with objects or persons increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle height is lowered in advance before the tailgate is opened to its final high position. This preliminary action creates additional space between the tailgate and the ground, allowing the tailgate to reach a higher opening position without increasing collision risk, thus maintaining safety while enabling better head sheltering height.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the vehicle height based on the tailgate opening state. The height adjustment is not static but changes in real-time coordination with tailgate movement, allowing the vehicle to optimize both safety and collision prevention during the loading process.
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle height is lowered to facilitate loading, then ease of operation is improved, but head sheltering height is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle height is lowered temporarily during the loading process to improve ease of operation, and then restored to its original position after loading is complete. This preliminary and reversible action allows loading facilitation without permanently compromising head sheltering height.
Solution Approach 2:
The height adjustment operates periodically: lowered during loading to facilitate ease of operation, then raised afterward to restore head sheltering height. This periodic cycle allows the system to alternate between optimizing loading ease and maintaining safety dimensions.
3Productivity
If the tailgate opening angle is increased to improve loading space, then productivity is improved, but collision risk with objects or persons increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle height is lowered in advance before increasing the tailgate opening angle. This preliminary height reduction creates additional clearance space, enabling the tailgate to open to a larger angle for improved loading efficiency without proportionally increasing collision risk with objects or persons on the ground.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle has a device for setting an open position of a tailgate, which can be pivoted upwards and, after an opening command to a first control unit, can be adjusted into a predefined open position via an adjusting device. The vehicle has a device for setting a predefined vehicle height, which device includes a second control unit for actuating an active wheel suspension system. Lowering of the vehicle height is performed at the same time as the opening of the tailgate, by way of a communications link between the first control unit and the second control unit and by way of corresponding programming of at least one of the two control units. The simultaneous opening of the tailgate and lowering of the vehicle height are prevented if a blocking command for this function is present in one of the two control units.