Patent Application
20190330907
This disclosure relates to a tailgate lift mechanism that includes a motor mounted away from an axis of the tailgate and features simplifying assembly.
Vehicles that includes a tailgate can be equipped with a lift mechanism to open and close the tailgate. The lift mechanism includes an electric motor mounted close to a pivot axis of the tailgate. The electric motor may be mounted within the static portion near the tailgate or within the tailgate. Motors that are mounted within the tailgate are positioned as close to the pivot axis as possible. Tailgates for pickup trucks includes lift aid features that are also positioned close to the pivot axis. Including an electric motor near a tailgate pivot axis introduces packaging constraints that can require design changes and that complicate assembly.
Automotive manufactures are continually seeking ways to improve vehicle operation, reduce cost and improve assembly while generating and maintaining consumer interest and loyalty.
A tailgate for a motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, an interior space accessible through a removable panel, a motor mounted within the interior space, and a drive mechanism driven by the motor for moving the tailgate about a pivot axis. The tailgate includes an overall height from the pivot axis and the motor is mounted a distance from the pivot axis that is at least ½ the overall height.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing tailgate for a motor vehicle, the motor is mounted a distance from the pivot axis that is at least ⅔ the overall height.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of an of the foregoing tailgates for a motor vehicle the drive mechanism comprises a pivot gear fixed about the pivot axis and a drive gear engaged to the pivot gear.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing tailgates for a motor vehicle the drive gear is driven by one of a chain and toothed belt by a drive sprocket mounted to a rotating shaft of the motor.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing tailgates for a motor vehicle an idler gear is disposed between the pivot gear and the drive sprocket for adjusting tension in the one of the chain and toothed belt.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing tailgates for a motor vehicle a torsion rod is mounted within the interior space about the pivot axis and the pivot gear is mounted about the torsion rod.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing tailgate for a motor vehicle the tailgate includes a reinforcement bracket attached to the tailgate and at least one of the pivot gear and idler gear is mounted to the reinforcement bracket.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing tailgate for a motor vehicle, the reinforcement bracket and the drive mechanism are mounted outside of the interior space of the tailgate.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing tailgate for a motor vehicle, including an inner support beam and the motor is mounted to the inner support beam.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing tailgate for a motor vehicle, the pivot axis extends through the interior space of the tailgate at a bottom of the tailgate.
A tailgate lift mechanism according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things a motor mounted within an interior space of a tailgate, a reinforcement bracket attachable to an exterior portion of the tailgate, and a drive mechanism supported by the reinforcement bracket and driven by the motor for moving the tailgate about a pivot axis.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing tailgate lift mechanism, the motor is mounted a distance from the pivot axis that is at least ⅔ the overall height.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing tailgate lift mechanisms, the drive mechanism includes a pivot gear fixed to the reinforcement bracket and disposed about the pivot axis and a drive gear mounted to the reinforcement bracket engaged to the pivot gear.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing tailgate lift mechanisms, the drive gear is driven through one of a chain and toothed belt by a drive sprocket mounted to a rotating shaft of the motor.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing tailgate lift mechanisms, the interior space about the pivot axis and the pivot gear is mounted about the torsion rod.
A method of assembling a power tailgate lift mechanism according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, inserting a motor through an opening covered by a removable panel into an interior space of the tailgate, mounting the motor within the interior space of the tailgate a distance from a pivot axis at least ⅔ an overall height of the tailgate, and mounting a drive mechanism to the tailgate that is devein by the motor for moving the tailgate between open and closed positions.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the drive mechanism is mounted to a reinforcement bracket and the reinforcement bracket is mounted to an external surface of the tailgate.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, including fixing a pivot gear to the reinforcement bracket about a pivot axis of the tailgate, mounting a lower drive gear for rotation about the pivot gear on the reinforcement bracket, mounting an upper a drive gear that is driven by the motor to the reinforcement bracket and coupling the upper drive gear to the lower drive gear with an elongated drive member.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the drive mechanism is mounted to the reinforcement bracket before the reinforcement bracket is attached to the tailgate.
The various features and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.
Referring to
Referring to
The lower drive gear 24 is engaged to a pivot gear 28. The pivot gear 28 is fixed to the bracket 18 and not rotatable. Rotation of the lower drive gear 24 causes the drive mechanism to rotate about the fixed pivot gear 28 to move the tailgate 12.
Referring to
Referring to
The distance 50, in one disclosed embodiment, is at least one half of the height 48. In another disclosed embodiment the distance 50 is at least two-thirds of the height 48. Moreover, the distance 52 between the pivot axis 30 and the opening 36 is also, in one disclosed embodiment, at least one-half the height 48. Accordingly the motor 32 is spaced apart a distance from the pivot access 30 to enable features and structures of the tailgate 12 that facilitate operation and removal of the tailgate 12 to remain substantially unchanged.
Referring to
The example pivot gear 28 includes a first large portion 27 and a second smaller portion 29. The large portion 27 includes gear teeth that are in engagement to a portion of the lower drive gear 24. The upper portion 29 is smaller and is disposed about the pivot access 30 and the torque shaft 54. Pivot gear 28 is not attached to the torque shaft 54 but it is fixed to the bracket 18 such that it does not rotate relative to the bracket 18. Lower drive gear 20 is not fixed to the bracket 18 but is secured in a fashion that enables rotation. Accordingly, rotation of the drive gear 24 coupled to the fixed pivot gear 28 enables rotation of the tailgate 12 about the axis 30.
The example drive gear 24 includes a first portion 23 that is engaged to the drive belt 20 and a second portion 25 that is engaged to the pivot gear 28. A difference in diameter between the first portion 23 and the second portion 25 provides a gear ratio determined to provide sufficient torque and power to move the tailgate 12 at a desired speed between the open and closed position.
The torque shaft 54 includes an end 62 that is secured to a fixed portion of the vehicle schematically indicated at 56. The torque shaft 54 defines the pivot axis 30 about which the tailgate 12 is rotated.
Accordingly, the example drive mechanism 14 is mountable to exterior surfaces of the tailgate 12 and therefore does not require significant modification to the tailgate 12 to enable assembly of the lift mechanism 15.
Referring to
Referring to
The motor 32 is inserted through the opening 36 and mounted to the beam 40. In this example the motor 32 is mounted to the motor bracket 34 that is in turn secured to the beam 40. It should be appreciated that other mounting configurations for the motor are within the contemplation of this disclosure. The motor 32 is secured to the beam 40 such that the motor shaft 46 will engage the upper drive gear 22 of the drive mechanism 14 previously assembled to the outer side of the tailgate 12.
Referring to
Control of the motor 32 is provided by a vehicle controller through an electrical connection (not shown) to a vehicle wire harness. The control and operation of the motor 32 may be automatic between the open and closed positions, or may be manually operated. Both modes of operation as well as others within the knowledge of one skilled in the art are within the scope and contemplation of this disclosure.
The example disclosed lift mechanism 15 enables assembly to an existing tailgate 12 without significant modification by mounting the motor 32 in a position that is spaced apart from the tailgate pivot access 30. Moreover, the drive mechanism 14 is mountable by way of the bracket 18 to an exterior surface of the tailgate 12 to further simplify and ease assembly.
Although the different non-limiting embodiments are illustrated as having specific components or steps, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from any of the non-limiting embodiments in combination with features or components from any of the other non-limiting embodiments.
It should be understood that like reference numerals identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several drawings. It should be understood that although a particular component arrangement is disclosed and illustrated in these exemplary embodiments, other arrangements could also benefit from the teachings of this disclosure.
The foregoing description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense. A worker of ordinary skill in the art would understand that certain modifications could come within the scope of this disclosure. For these reasons, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this disclosure.
