Power operated tailgate

• US 6,357,813 B1
• Filed: 01/25/2001
• Issued: 03/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Strattec Power Access LLC (Strattec Security Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Vandeberghe, David A, Thomson, Richard T
• Primary Examiner(s): Gordon, Stephen T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MORROW, JASON S
• Application Number:
  US09/770,012
• Time in Patent Office: 418 Days
• Field of Search: 296/57.1, 296/146.4, 296/146.8, 296/106, 493/41, 493/42
• US Class Current: 296/57.1
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/0273 Movable tailboards for vehicles comprising non-movable sideboards, e.g. pick-up trucks B62D33/037 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/516 for trucks or trailers
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/544 Tailboards or sideboards
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/546 Tailgates

Abstract

A power tailgate assembly for mounting to the aft end of a vehicle, particularly a pickup truck or SUV, is disclosed. The power tailgate assembly of the present invention is capable of pivotally moving a tailgate between open and closed positions and generally comprises a tailgate, a control arm, and a motor. The tailgate is typically a flat panel piece hingedly attached to the aft end of the vehicle, as is commonly known in the art, and includes an elongated channel formed on one of the side ends of the tailgate. The control aim is a rigid elongated member pivotally connected to the vehicle which acts as a mechanical link between the motor and the tailgate and includes a sliding component located at one end and gear teeth located at the other end. The sliding component is designed to fit within the elongated channel of the tailgate, thereby creating a sliding connection between the control arm and the tailgate. The gear teeth extend from the control arm and mesh with complimentary shaped teeth located on an output gear of a reversible electric motor. In operation, activation of the motor causes the gear teeth of the motor to mesh with the gear teeth of the control arm, thereby pivoting the control arm about a pivot axis. As the control arm pivots, the sliding component moves within the elongated channel and pivots the tailgate between open and closed positions.

Claims

1. A vehicle having a power tailgate assembly, comprising:

a tailgate having a lower end, side ends, hinges proximate the lower end that pivotally connect the tailgate to the vehicle for pivotal movement between an open and a closed position, and an elongated channel located on at least one of the side ends,

a control arm pivotally connected to the vehicle about a pivot axis and having an arm section with an attachment component for coupling the arm section to the elongated channel with sliding movement, and a gear section connected to the arm section and having gear teeth, and

a motor having an output gear with gear teeth that mechanically engage the gear teeth of the gear section such that rotation of the output gear causes the control arm to pivot about the pivot axis, thereby moving the tailgate between the open and the closed positions.

2. The vehicle as defined in claim 1, further including a frame mounted to the vehicle such that the frame substantially surrounds and thereby protects the motor.

3. The vehicle as defined in claim 2, wherein the frame includes a stop that engages the control arm when the tailgate is in the open position.

4. The vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein the attachment component is rotatably attached to the control arm such that the attachment component moves along the length of the elongated channel.

5. The vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein the pivot axis is located proximate the gear section.

7. The vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein the motor is operable to work in both a forward and a backward direction.

6. A vehicle having a power tailgate assembly, comprising:

a tailgate having an elongated channel and hinges that pivotally connect the tailgate to the vehicle for pivotal movement between an open and a closed position,

a control arm pivotally connected to the vehicle about a pivot axis and having an arm section with an attachment component for coupling the arm section to the elongated channel for sliding movement with respect to the tailgate, a gear section that is connected to the arm section that has gear teeth, and a spiral spring biasing the control arm about the pivot axis such that the tailgate is urged toward the closed position,

the pivot axis being proximate the gear section, and,

a motor having an output gear with gear teeth that mechanically engage the gear teeth of the gear section such that rotation of the output gear causes the control arm to pivot about the pivot axis, thereby moving the tailgate between the open and the closed positions.

8. A vehicle having a pair of laterally spaced walls and a power tailgate assembly at a rear end of the laterally spaced walls, comprising:

a tailgate including a main panel section having a lower end and side ends, hinges that are fastened proximate the lower end for pivotal connection to the vehicle, and an elongated channel located on at least one of the side ends, the tailgate being able to pivot between an open and a closed position,

a control arm having an arm section with an inward arm end and an outward arm end, a sliding component fastened proximate the outward arm end for establishing a slidable connection to the elongated channel, a gear section connected to the inward arm end and having gear teeth along a circumferential edge, the control arm being pivotally mounted on one of the pair of laterally spaced walls for movement about a pivot axis,

a spiral spring biasing the control arm about the pivot axis such that the tailgate is urged toward the closed position, and

a motor mounted on one of the laterally spared walls, the motor having an output gear with gear teeth that mesh with the gear teeth of the gear section such that rotation of the output gear causes the control arm to pivot about the pivot axis, thereby moving the tailgate between the open position and the closed position.