AUTOMATIC CONTROL OF A POWER TAILGATE UNDER EXTERNAL LOADING

    公开(公告)号:US20220316258A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-10-06

    申请号:US17217463

    申请日:2021-03-30

    IPC分类号: E05F15/70 B62D33/027

    摘要: Embodiments of a system for controlling a vehicle power tailgate are described. The system includes a motor operably connectible to a tailgate and configured to open the tailgate at any of at least a first opening speed and a second opening speed lower than the first opening speed. The system is operable to, responsive to a determination that an external load is being applied to the tailgate when the tailgate is in a closed condition, control operation of the motor to open the tailgate at the second predetermined tailgate opening speed if an estimated magnitude of the load is below a predetermined threshold load.

    CONTROL OF A POWER TAILGATE SYSTEM RESPONSIVE TO CLUTCH SLIPPAGE

    公开(公告)号:US20230295975A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-09-21

    申请号:US17682678

    申请日:2022-02-28

    IPC分类号: E05F15/41 E05F15/611

    摘要: A system for controlling a power tailgate in a vehicle power tailgate system includes a motor, a reduction drive, and a slippable clutch. A screw is connected to the clutch. The clutch is structured to transmit torque between the reduction drive and the screw. A slide is connectible to a tailgate and connected to the screw so that rotation of the screw produces a linear extension or retraction of the slide. The system includes a tailgate control module including instructions to, responsive to an input from a user, control operation of the motor to attempt to lower or raise the tailgate, determine whether the clutch slipped by at least a predetermined slip amount during operation of the motor and, responsive to a determination that the clutch slipped by at least the predetermined slip amount, generate an alert indicating a need for manual reset of the tailgate.

    LATCH ASSEMBLY FOR A POWER TAILGATE SYSTEM

    公开(公告)号:US20220381071A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-12-01

    申请号:US17335529

    申请日:2021-06-01

    摘要: A powered latch assembly for a vehicle tailgate includes a latch having a slot structured to receive a striker therein during closing of a tailgate. The latch is structured to be rotatable about a rotational axis into a latched position of the latch when the striker is received in the slot so as to maintain the tailgate in at least one closed position of the tailgate associated with the latched position. The latch is also structured so that, with respect to a vertical plane extending through the rotational axis, a centroid of a cross-section of the striker taken through a portion of the striker residing inside the slot resides along a first side of the plane when the latch is in a fully-latched position.

    POWER TAILGATE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY INCLUDING BELLOWS

    公开(公告)号:US20220316564A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-10-06

    申请号:US17217508

    申请日:2021-03-30

    IPC分类号: F16H25/20

    摘要: Embodiments of an actuator assembly for a power tailgate system are disclosed. The actuator assembly includes an actuator having a housing, a guide with a first end extending from the housing and a second end opposite the first end, and a slide coupled to the guide so as to be movable with respect to the guide second end. The actuator assembly also includes a bellows having a first end attached to the guide first end, a second end opposite the first end and attached to an end of the slide, and a body extending between the first and second ends. At least one hole is formed in the bellows proximate the bellows second end and enables fluid communication between an interior of the bellows and an exterior of the bellows. The bellows may expel moisture collected therein during operation of the actuator.

    COUNTERACTING BACKDRIVE IN A POWER TAILGATE SYSTEM

    公开(公告)号:US20220297771A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-09-22

    申请号:US17205244

    申请日:2021-03-18

    摘要: 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.

    Hinge assembly for a power tailgate system

    公开(公告)号:US11535309B2

    公开(公告)日:2022-12-27

    申请号:US16883246

    申请日:2020-05-26

    IPC分类号: B62D33/027

    摘要: A hinge assembly includes a tailgate bracket securable to a vehicular tailgate, a support bracket securable to a vehicular bed, a torque shaft, and a crank. The tailgate bracket includes a socket. The support bracket includes a support. The torque shaft is supported by the support for axial rotation. The torque shaft includes a tailgate-side head and a crank-side head. The tailgate-side head and the socket are configured to make a head-and-socket connection with one another. The crank-side head includes an external profile. The crank includes a shaft-side base and an actuator-side base, a load arm extending therebetween, and at least one of a dogleg along the shaft-side base, the load arm and the actuator-side base, and an embossed rib extending along the load arm. The shaft-side base includes an internal profile. The external profile and the internal profile are configured to make a shaft-and-hub connection with one another.

    LATCH ASSEMBLY FOR A POWER TAILGATE SYSTEM

    公开(公告)号:US20220381068A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-12-01

    申请号:US17335549

    申请日:2021-06-01

    摘要: A powered latch assembly for a vehicle tailgate includes a latch structured to engage a striker mounted on a vehicle and to be rotatable into a latching position when engaged with the striker, so as to maintain the tailgate in a closed position associated with the latching position of the latch. The latch assembly also includes a latch control member rotationally connected to the latch and structured to be engageable by a pawl of the latch assembly to maintain the latch control member in a position associated with the latching position of the latch. A rotational position of the latch is thus controlled by engagement between the pawl and the latch control member rotationally connected to the latch. A wall may be provided between the latch and the latch control member to environmentally isolate the latch control member and components of the latch assembly from the vehicle exterior environment.

    HINGE ASSEMBLY FOR A POWER TAILGATE SYSTEM

    公开(公告)号:US20210371017A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-12-02

    申请号:US16883246

    申请日:2020-05-26

    IPC分类号: B62D33/027

    摘要: A hinge assembly includes a tailgate bracket securable to a vehicular tailgate, a support bracket securable to a vehicular bed, a torque shaft, and a crank. The tailgate bracket includes a socket. The support bracket includes a support. The torque shaft is supported by the support for axial rotation. The torque shaft includes a tailgate-side head and a crank-side head. The tailgate-side head and the socket are configured to make a head-and-socket connection with one another. The crank-side head includes an external profile. The crank includes a shaft-side base and an actuator-side base, a load arm extending therebetween, and at least one of a dogleg along the shaft-side base, the load arm and the actuator-side base, and an embossed rib extending along the load arm. The shaft-side base includes an internal profile. The external profile and the internal profile are configured to make a shaft-and-hub connection with one another.