Controlling automatic operation of a tailgate responsive to an applied load
AssigneeToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
InventorsCorey B. Sargent, Norman C. Kerr, Justin B. Norris, Tarakorn Soonthornwinate
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims16
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.
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.
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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.