Swing and drop tailgate

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10569812-B2
Application number	US-201816004246-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 8, 2018
Priority date	Jun 8, 2018
Publication date	Feb 25, 2020
Grant date	Feb 25, 2020

Abstract

A swing and drop tailgate is configured to undergo two distinct motions, each with advantages depending on circumstances. The swing and drop tailgate can undergo a rotation motion about a hinge, as well as a swing down motion via a linkage. The swing down motion allows closer access to the bed, and extends less far from the rear of the vehicle as compared to the drop motion. The motions may be manually controlled, or actuator controlled. One or more latches may constrain motion, or prevent, of the tailgate. A tailgate assembly may include a post assembly and a tailgate, that may move together as a rigid body when dropping, or move relative to one another when swinging.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A tailgate assembly comprising:
a post assembly configured to be coupled to a vehicle by a hinge, wherein the post assembly is configured to rotate about a first axis of the hinge relative to the vehicle;
at least one first latch configured to lock the post assembly to the vehicle;
a tailgate coupled to the post assembly by at least one four-bar linkage, wherein the tailgate is configured to swing relative to the post assembly; and
at least one second latch configured to lock the post assembly and the tailgate together as a substantially rigid body capable of rotating about the hinge.

2. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one four-bar linkage comprises a double rocker linkage comprising two rocker arms, and wherein a respective axis of rotation of each of the two rocker arms is substantially parallel with the first axis of the hinge.

3. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the post assembly is configured to rotate about the first axis of the hinge to a first lower position;
the tailgate is configured to swing relative to the post assembly to a second lower position;
the tailgate has a corresponding centroid; and
the centroid of the tailgate in the second lower position is lower than the centroid of the tailgate in the first lower position.

4. The tailgate assembly of claim 3 , wherein the tailgate is oriented substantially horizontal in the first lower position, and wherein the tailgate is oriented substantially vertical in the second lower position.

5. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the post assembly is configured to rotate about the first axis of the hinge to a first lower position;
the tailgate is configured to swing relative to the post assembly to a second position relative to the post assembly; and
the tailgate is configured to achieve a third lower position, corresponding to the post assembly achieving the first lower position and the tailgate achieving the second position relative to the post assembly.

6. The tailgate assembly of claim 5 , wherein:
the tailgate has a corresponding centroid;
when in the third lower position, the tailgate is oriented substantially horizontal; and
when in the third lower position, the centroid of the tailgate is lower than when in the first lower position.

7. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 , further comprising at least one torsion spring, wherein the at least one torsion spring is configured to provide a pre-load torque at at least one interface between two links of the at least one four-bar linkage.

8. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 , further comprising at least one actuator, wherein the at least one actuator is configured to actuate the at least one four-bar linkage to cause the tailgate to swing relative to the post assembly.

9. The tailgate assembly of claim 8 , wherein the at least one actuator is configured to be controlled by control circuitry.

10. The tailgate assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a pushbutton electrically coupled to the control circuitry, wherein the at least one actuator is further configured to be controlled by the control circuitry based at least in part on the pushbutton being pressed.

11. The tailgate assembly of claim 9 , further comprising at least one sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to sense a position of the post assembly relative to the vehicle, and wherein the at least one actuator is further configured to be controlled by the control circuitry based at least in part on the position.

12. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 , further comprising at least one cinch actuator configured to aid in locking the post assembly and the tailgate together.

13. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 , further comprising at least one rotational dampener, wherein the at least one rotational dampener is configured to dampen a motion of the at least one four-bar linkage.

14. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 , further comprising at least one rotational dampener, wherein the at least one rotational dampener is configured to dampen a motion about the hinge.

15. A method for controlling motion of a tailgate assembly, wherein the tailgate assembly comprises:
a post assembly coupled to a vehicle by a hinge, wherein the post assembly is configured to undergo a rotation about a first axis of the hinge relative to the vehicle;
at least one first latch that locks the post assembly to the vehicle;
a tailgate coupled to the post assembly by at least one four-bar linkage, wherein the at least one four-bar linkage is configured to allow the tailgate to undergo a swinging motion relative to the post assembly; and
at least one second latch configured to lock the post assembly and the tailgate together as a substantially rigid body capable of rotating about the hinge, the method comprising:
swinging the tailgate about the four-bar linkage when the second latch is unlocked and the first latch is locked.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising determining, using control circuitry, that the first latch is locked.

17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising rotating the tailgate assembly about the first axis of the hinge when the second latch is locked and the first latch is unlocked.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising determining, using control circuitry, that the second latch is locked, wherein the rotating the tailgate assembly about the first axis of the hinge is based at least in part on the determining.

19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising receiving, at control circuitry, a command to rotate the post assembly about the hinge, wherein rotating the post assembly about the hinge further comprises actuating, using the control circuitry, at least one actuator configured to actuate the hinge.

20. The method of claim 15 , further comprising receiving, at control circuitry, a command to swing the tailgate about the at least one four-bar linkage, wherein swinging the tailgate about the at least one four-bar linkage further comprises actuating, using the control circuitry, at least one actuator configured to actuate the at least one four-bar linkage.

21. A vehicle comprising:
a vehicle bed having a rear end; and
a tailgate assembly arranged at the rear end of the vehicle bed, the tailgate assembly comprising:
a post assembly coupled to the vehicle by a hinge, wherein the post assembly is configured to rotate about a first axis of the hinge relative to the vehicle;
at least one first latch that locks the post assembly to the vehicle;
a tailgate coupled to the post assembly by at least one four-bar linkage, wherein the tailgate is configured to swing relative to the post assembly; and
at least one second latch configured to lock the post assembly and the tailgate together as a substantially rigid body capable of rotating about the hinge.

Assignees

• Rivian Ip Holdings Llc

Inventors

• Tyagi Sheetanshu
• Brooks Dwight
• Gase Brian
• Robinson William Kirk
• Parker Larry

Classifications

• B62D33/03

  by swinging down {(B62D33/0273 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B62D33/0273 Primary

  Movable tailboards for vehicles comprising non-movable sideboards, e.g. pick-up trucks (B62D33/037 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B62D33/0276

  by vertical translation (B62D33/0273 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B62D33/037

  Latching means therefor · CPC title