Tailgate damping/detent system
US8240735B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 19, 2010 |
| Grant date | Aug 14, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 19, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D33/0273
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A tailgate damping and detent system is disclosed for a vehicle, including a tailgate lift assist system with a torque rod rotationally grounded between the tailgate at a first end and a first side of the vehicle's frame at a second end. “Damping” is achieved by increasing the diameter of the torque rod. The increased torque rod diameter overcompensates for the weight of the tailgate, so that this increased load decelerates the tailgate starting from the neutral balance point to the fully open position. The speed of the tailgate approaches zero at the end of the travel of the tailgate to the fully open position, which greatly reduces the “slam” at the end of travel. The tailgate is held in the open position by a link detent system. There is a slot in the gate side of the link that a spring loaded pin latches into.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.