Decouplable power drive for tailgates

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9797180-B2
Application number	US-201314649243-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 6, 2013
Priority date	Dec 7, 2012
Publication date	Oct 24, 2017
Grant date	Oct 24, 2017

Abstract

A control device is used to move a pick-up truck tailgate. The control device comprises a first gear arrangement connected to a drive cup and a second gear arrangement that is connected to a motor for driving the second gear arrangement. The control device also includes a clutch arrangement positioned between the first and second gear arrangements. When the clutch arrangement is in an engaged position, it couples the first gear arrangement and the second gear arrangement to transmit torque to the first gear arrangement and the drive cup. When the clutch arrangement is in the disengaged position, the first and second gear arrangements are not coupled. Optionally, the control device comprises a brake unit to slow or stop movement of the tailgate. The control device can be positioned within the pick-up truck tailgate.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A control device for a vehicle tailgate comprising:
a. a first gear arrangement;
b. a drive receptacle connected to the first gear arrangement;
c. a motor;
d. a second gear arrangement connected to the motor;
e. a clutch arrangement connected to the second gear arrangement, the clutch arrangement moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, such that in the engaged position, the clutch arrangement couples the first gear arrangement with the second gear arrangement and in the disengaged position, the first gear arrangement and the second gear arrangement are not coupled; and
f. a controller configured to command the motor to rotate the second gear arrangement according to a predetermined number of rotations, the controller comprising an electric current sensor for sending a signal to the motor to stop and reverse the direction of rotation when the current draw of the motor exceeds a pre-set value;
g. wherein the control device is positionable within the tailgate and the tailgate is reversibly removable from the vehicle when the tailgate is at a predetermined angle of removal.

2. The control device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to command the clutch arrangement to move between the engaged position and the disengaged position.

3. The control device of claim 1 , further comprising a rotary damper that is coupled with the first gear arrangement, wherein the rotary damper limits a rotational rate of the first gear arrangement when the clutch arrangement is in the disengaged position.

4. A vehicle tailgate comprising a chamber for receiving a control device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control device is mounted within the chamber.

5. The vehicle tailgate of claim 4 , further comprising an electronic connector configured to distribute an electric power supply to the control device.

6. The vehicle tailgate of claim 5 , wherein the electronic connector is reversibly connected with the control device and the electronic connector is configured to relay electronic signals from a user interface to the control device.

7. A control device for a vehicle tailgate comprising:
a. a gear arrangement;
b. a drive receptacle connected to the gear arrangement, wherein the drive receptacle is releasably connected to a truck box of the vehicle;
c. a brake unit configured to stop or slow down the movement of the gear arrangement;
d. a clutch arrangement connected to the gear arrangement, the clutch arrangement moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, such that in the engaged position, the clutch arrangement couples the gear arrangement with the brake unit and in the disengaged position, the gear arrangement and the brake unit are not coupled; and
e. an angular motion sensor configured to detect a change in velocity or direction of the movement of the gear arrangement when the gear arrangement is rotating, and to generate tailgate motion information on the change;
f. a controller configured to receive the tailgate motion information sent from the angular motion sensor, and to command the clutch arrangement to move between the engaged position and the disengaged position based on the information.

8. The control device of claim 7 , further comprising a rotary damper that is coupled with the gear arrangement, wherein the rotary damper limits a rotational rate of the gear arrangement when the clutch arrangement is in the disengaged position.

9. The control device of claim 7 , wherein, when the change is a velocity change and exceeds a pre-determined value, the clutch arrangement is placed in the engaged position to couple the brake unit with the gear arrangement, and, when the change is a direction change, the clutch arrangement is placed in the disengaged position to disconnect the brake unit with the gear arrangement.

Assignees

• Multimatic Inc

Inventors

• Salmon John
• Daniels Andrew R
• Hodza Muamer

Classifications

• E05Y2600/46

  in or on the wing · CPC title

• E05Y2201/216

  Clutches · CPC title

• E05F15/40

  Safety devices, e.g. detection of obstructions or end positions · CPC title

• E05Y2800/232

  of motors and transmissions · CPC title

• E05Y2201/242

  using threshold speed · CPC title