Controlling automatic operation of a tailgate responsive to an applied load

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11894206-B2
Application number	US-202117489931-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 30, 2021
Priority date	Sep 30, 2021
Publication date	Feb 6, 2024
Grant date	Feb 6, 2024

Abstract

A vehicle tailgate assembly includes a tailgate and a switch assembly operably connected to the tailgate. The switch assembly includes a switch structured to be actuatable by application of a load exceeding a predetermined threshold to the tailgate. The switch assembly is operably connected to a tailgate automatic opening/closing mechanism such that actuation of the switch controls operation of the mechanism to prevent execution of a command to automatically open the tailgate when the tailgate is in a fully closed condition.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle tailgate assembly comprising:
a tailgate having a rear edge;
a load distributor movably mounted to the tailgate opposite the rear edge; and
a switch assembly operably connected to the tailgate and including a switch structured to be actuatable responsive to movement of at least a portion of the load distributor a predetermined distance in a direction toward the rear edge, the switch assembly being operably connected to a tailgate automatic opening/closing mechanism such that actuation of the switch controls operation of the mechanism to prevent execution of a command to automatically open the tailgate when the tailgate is in a fully closed condition.

2. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one spring positioned between the load distributor and the tailgate rear edge, the switch being structured to exert a force on the load distributor in a direction away from the rear edge.

3. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 wherein the load distributor is structured to be movable in a direction toward the tailgate rear edge, and wherein the switch is structured to be actuatable responsive to application of a load exceeding a predetermined threshold value to the load distributor.

4. The tailgate assembly of claim 3 further comprising a garnish covering the tailgate rear edge and the load distributor so as to enable application of the load to the load distributor through an exterior of the garnish, at least a portion of the garnish being in direct physical contact with the load distributor, and wherein the garnish is structured to be deformable to a loaded configuration responsive to application of the load.

5. The tailgate assembly of claim 4 further comprising a spring positioned between the load distributor and the rear edge and structured to exert a force on the load distributor sufficient to reconfigure the at least a portion of the garnish in contact with the load distributor from the loaded configuration to an unloaded configuration responsive to removal of the load.

6. The tailgate assembly of claim 5 further comprising a plurality of springs positioned between the load distributor and the rear edge the plurality of springs being structured to, in combination, exert a force on the load distributor sufficient to reconfigure the at least a portion of the garnish in contact with the load distributor from the loaded configuration to the unloaded configuration.

7. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 wherein actuation of the switch operates to prevent an electrical current from flowing to the tailgate automatic opening/closing mechanism responsive to a command to automatically open the tailgate.

8. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 wherein the switch assembly comprises a ribbon switch.

9. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 wherein the switch assembly comprises a momentary/button switch.

10. The tailgate assembly of claim 9 wherein the switch assembly further comprises a plurality of momentary switches.

11. A vehicle including a vehicle tailgate assembly in accordance with claim 1 .

12. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 , wherein the switch is positioned along a rear edge of the tailgate.

13. A method of controlling operation of a tailgate assembly of a vehicle, the tailgate assembly including a tailgate having a rear edge and a load distributor movably mounted to the tailgate opposite the rear edge, the method comprising a step of controlling operation of the vehicle so as to prevent execution of a command to automatically open the tailgate when the tailgate is in a fully closed condition, responsive to movement of at least a portion of the load distributor a predetermined distance in a direction toward the rear edge.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of controlling operation of the vehicle so as to prevent execution of a command to automatically open the tailgate comprises the step of controlling operation of the vehicle to interrupt or prevent a flow of electric current to a tailgate automatic opening/closing mechanism when a tailgate switch is in an actuated condition responsive to application of a load exceeding a predetermined threshold to the load distributor.

15. A system for controlling operation of a tailgate assembly of a vehicle, the tailgate assembly including a tailgate having a rear edge, and a load distributor movably mounted to the tailgate opposite the rear edge, the system comprising:
a switch structured to be actuatable responsive to movement of at least a portion of the load distributor a predetermined distance in a direction toward the rear edge;
a processor; and
a memory communicably coupled to the processor and storing a tailgate control module including computer-readable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to control operation of the vehicle to prevent execution of a command to automatically open a tailgate when the tailgate is in a fully closed condition and while the switch is in an actuated condition.

16. The system of claim 15 further comprising a tailgate automatic opening/closing mechanism configured to control automatic opening and closing of the tailgate and operably connected to the switch, and wherein the tailgate control module includes computer-readable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to control operation of the vehicle to interrupt or prevent a flow of electric current to the tailgate automatic opening/closing mechanism while the switch is in the actuated condition.

Assignees

• Toyota Eng & Mfg North America

Inventors

• Sargent Corey B
• Kerr Norman C
• Norris Justin B
• Soonthornwinate Tarakorn

Classifications

• H01H35/006 Primary

  Switches operated by mechanical overload condition, e.g. transmitted force or torque becoming too high · CPC title

• B62D33/0273 Primary

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

• E05Y2400/40

  Control units therefor · CPC title

• E05Y2400/445

  Switches · CPC title

• E05Y2900/544

  Tailboards, tailgates or sideboards opening downwards · CPC title