# US 12,015,263 B2 · Method for operating a tailgate of a motor vehicle

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- Number: US 12,015,263 B2
- Document ID: US12015263B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/575,287
- Filed: 2022-01-13
- Published: 2022-07-14
- Granted: 2024-06-18
- Earliest claimed: 2021-01-13
- Assignees: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
- Applicants: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
- Inventors: Heino Schalyo
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12015263B2

## CPC

- E05F 15/616: operated by push-pull mechanisms
- H02H 7/0851: {for motors actuating a movable member between two end positions, e.g. detecting an end position or obstruction by overload signal}
- E05F 15/40: Safety devices, e.g. detection of obstructions or end positions
- E05F 15/611: for swinging wings
- E05D 7/10: to allow easy separation {or connection} of the parts at the hinge axis ({E05D5/12 and E05D15/50 take precedence } ; substitutes for hinges E05D1/06)
- E05F 15/73: responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects
- E05Y 2201/434: Electromotors; Details thereof
- E05Y 2400/30: of motors
- E05Y 2400/304: Voltage control
- E05Y 2400/36: Speed control, detection or monitoring
- E05Y 2400/44: Sensors not directly associated with the wing movement
- E05Y 2400/50: Fault detection
- E05Y 2400/502: of components
- E05Y 2400/54: Obstruction or resistance detection
- E05Y 2900/544: Tailboards, tailgates or sideboards opening downwards
- H02P 29/40: Regulating or controlling the amount of current drawn or delivered by the motor for controlling the mechanical load
- E05F: DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
- H02H: EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS (indicating or signalling undesired working conditions G01R, e.g. G01R31/00, G08B; locating faults along lines G01R31/08; emergency protective devices H01H)
- E05D: HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS (pivotal connections in general F16C11/00)
- E05Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
- H02P: CONTROL OR REGULATION OF ELECTRIC MOTORS, ELECTRIC GENERATORS OR DYNAMO-ELECTRIC CONVERTERS; CONTROLLING TRANSFORMERS, REACTORS OR CHOKE COILS

## Abstract

A method for operating a tailgate of a motor vehicle, in particular a pickup, which is driven by means of an electric motor and delimits a cargo area. A disassembled state is detected, and energization of the electric motor is inhibited. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for operating a tailgate of a motor vehicle, in particular a pickup, the method comprising:
driving, via an electric motor, the tailgate, which delimits a cargo area;
detecting a disassembled state; and
inhibiting a current supply of the electric motor.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the electric motor is energized for adjustment in accordance with a detected adjustment request, and a value characterizing the force applied by means of the electric motor is detected and compared with an expected value, and wherein the disassembled state is detected in the event of a deviation greater than a limit value.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2, wherein an electric current conducted via the electric motor is used as the value characterizing the force applied via the electric motor.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2, wherein the comparison is carried out after a certain time period after the start of the energization of the electric motor.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the disassembled state is detected when a manual adjustment of the tailgate is detected in accordance with a specific preset.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the disassembled state is detected after a user input has been recorded.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method according to claim 6, wherein, after recording the user input, the electric motor is first energized to bring the tailgate into a disassembly position and then the disassembled state is detected.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein, in the disassembled state, a rotation of the electric motor is monitored, and, after detection of an assembly request, the electric motor is energized to assume the position at the start of the disassembled state.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

A motor vehicle, in particular pickup truck, comprising:
an electric motor
a tailgate that is driven via an electric motor, the tailgate delimiting a cargo area and is operated in accordance with the method according to claim 1.