Two-Stage Tailgate With Dual Latch and Single Handle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tailgate latches often fail to completely open in narrow spaces, causing inconvenience for passenger entry/exit and loading/unloading due to insufficient opening area.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage open tailgate system with a dual latch mechanism and a single handle assembly that allows for selective opening/closing of both half and full doors, utilizing a first and second striker and pawl configuration to enable independent and integrated door operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional single latch mechanism is used, then the structure is simple, but the tailgate cannot be completely opened in narrow spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The tailgate is divided into two independent doors (first door and second door), each with its own latch mechanism (first latch and second latch). This segmentation allows the first door to open to a first degree and the second door to open to a second degree independently, enabling complete opening even in narrow spaces where the conventional single latch could not achieve full opening.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a dual latch mechanism is implemented, then two-stage opening is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly is designed as a universal control mechanism that can operate both the first latch and the second latch through a single handle. When the handle rotates to a first position, it releases the first latch; when rotated to a second position, it releases the second latch. This multi-functionality allows one handle to control two different opening modes, reducing the need for separate controls for each door.
Solution Approach 2:
The first latch and second latch are integrated into a unified latch assembly that shares common components such as the handle, linkages, and mounting structure. This merging of the two latch mechanisms into a single integrated unit reduces overall device complexity compared to having completely separate latch systems, while still enabling two-stage opening functionality.
3Ease of operation
If two separate handle assemblies are used for each door, then independent control is achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single handle assembly serves multiple functions by controlling both the first latch and the second latch. The handle can be rotated to different positions: a first position for releasing the first latch (opening the first door), and a second position for releasing the second latch (opening the second door). This universal control mechanism provides independent control capability for each door while using only one handle assembly, thereby reducing device complexity and cost compared to using two separate handle assemblies.
Data Source
AI summary
A two-stage open tailgate includes a handle assembly disposed at an outer surface of a half door, wherein the half door is opened when the handle assembly performs a first operation, a full door disposed at a rear surface of the half door and opened in an integrated state with the half door when the handle assembly performs a second operation, a first striker mounted to one end of the half door, a second striker mounted to a vehicle body such that the second striker is disposed adjacent to the first striker in a closed state of the half door, a dual latch formed at one end of the full door at positions respectively corresponding to the first striker and the second striker, wherein the handle assembly and the dual latch are spaced apart from each other when the half door is opened.