Tailgate Tether Structure for Fewer Parts and Stable Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle tailgate designs require a large number of components and assembly steps, leading to increased manufacturing costs and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle tailgate design that uses a single tether with notched engagement parts to connect reinforcement members, reducing the number of components and assembly steps, and incorporates a rib-side notch to prevent tether fluttering and ensure secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If two cables and four bolts are used to connect the latch member to the pair of reinforcement brackets, then the connection strength is improved, but the number of components and assembly steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple connection functions into a single tether component. The tether integrates the functions previously performed by two separate cables and four bolts, creating a unified connection structure between the latch member and reinforcement brackets that reduces component count while maintaining connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The single tether performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the connection element and the reinforcement element, replacing the need for separate cables and bolts. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components while achieving the same structural reinforcement and connection purposes.
2Reliability
If two cables and four bolts are used to connect the latch member to the pair of reinforcement brackets, then the connection reliability is improved, but the number of assembly steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the functions of multiple cables and bolts into a single tether, the assembly process is simplified from multiple separate installation steps to a single integration operation, reducing assembly time while maintaining connection reliability through the unified structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If the tether is inserted in the insertion hole without a notch, then the assembly is simpler, but the tether may flutter due to vehicle vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The notch is added only at the specific location where the tether engages with the insertion hole, providing localized stabilization exactly where needed. This minimal modification maintains the overall simplicity of the assembly while effectively preventing tether fluttering caused by vehicle vibrations.
Data Source
AI summary
A tailgate includes a tailgate main body including a resin inner panel and a resin outer panel forming an inner space between itself and the inner panel; a pair of reinforcement members disposed in the inner space to extend in an up-down direction along both side portions of the tailgate main body, and attached to the inner panel; a functional component disposed in a vehicle widthwise intermediate position in the inner space and attached to the inner panel; and a tether having both ends fixed to the pair of reinforcement members. The functional component has an engagement part that defines an insertion hole for the tether, and the engagement part is formed with a notch that extends from an inner peripheral edge of the insertion hole to hold the tether.