Photo: greggertruck via Cybertruck Owners Club
Tesla applied to patent a power tailgate for the Cybertruck, with advantages in complexity, weight, and reliability over similar features in competing pickup trucks. The Cybertruck owners might be able to open and close the tailgate remotely using the smartphone app or the key fob. The bad news is that this doesn't leave space inside the gate for the advertised modular ramp.
People discovered the convenience of remote-controlling many years ago when switching the TV channel required a box with a long cable attached to the set. Things have progressed tremendously since then, and we can now use infrared or Bluetooth transmitters for the same task or do it from the smartphone screen. Likewise, the number of things that can be controlled increased exponentially, and even cars can now be moved remotely using the key fob.
Since we're talking about cars, the power liftgates and tailgates in SUVs, trucks, and even sedans have become ubiquitous. Many pickup trucks offer a power tailgate, and some can be controlled from the key fob remote. Tesla wants to join the bandwagon with the Cybertruck, as it filed to patent a remotely-controlled power tailgate. Tesla thinks it can innovate on this feature, which is the purpose of a patent application published on Thursday.
Tesla acknowledges that power tailgates require complex systems involving expensive components, including sensors, mechanical parts,and electronics. They are often bulky and heavy, limiting the ability to package the system within the vehicle. The EV maker promises that its power tailgate system solves these problems with a significantly reduced number of components, leading to improved reliability and a more compact form factor.
The Cybertruck's power tailgate comprises an electric actuator that can drive the tailgate to open and close and a counterweight system that helps ease the job. This can employ a torsion spring in combination with a compact, low-power, low-mass actuator. The system can also be used, for instance, to break the ice bridge formed between the tailgate and the truck bed.
Tesla's mechanism can also be hidden between vehicle panels, including inside the tailgate itself. This offers the advantage of being invisible in operation. Still, it might also mean that the modular ramp, one of the most coveted Cybertruck features, will not make it to the production model. Hopefully, Tesla will integrate the power tailgate in the Cybertruck without compromising the promised features.
As other carmakers offered a similar function, Tesla's filing also shows that the Cybertruck's power tailgate can be opened and closed from a distance. In addition to using the key fob, like other carmakers, to trigger the tailgate to open and close, Tesla will also introduce this feature into the Tesla app.
The patent application has just been published, but that doesn't mean a patent was granted. Also, this doesn't mean that the Cybertruck will use this feature, although it will undoubtedly offer a power tailgate. Other trucks from GM and Ford are fitted with a power tailgate, and Tesla will not be left behind in this department.
Since we're talking about cars, the power liftgates and tailgates in SUVs, trucks, and even sedans have become ubiquitous. Many pickup trucks offer a power tailgate, and some can be controlled from the key fob remote. Tesla wants to join the bandwagon with the Cybertruck, as it filed to patent a remotely-controlled power tailgate. Tesla thinks it can innovate on this feature, which is the purpose of a patent application published on Thursday.
Tesla acknowledges that power tailgates require complex systems involving expensive components, including sensors, mechanical parts,and electronics. They are often bulky and heavy, limiting the ability to package the system within the vehicle. The EV maker promises that its power tailgate system solves these problems with a significantly reduced number of components, leading to improved reliability and a more compact form factor.
The Cybertruck's power tailgate comprises an electric actuator that can drive the tailgate to open and close and a counterweight system that helps ease the job. This can employ a torsion spring in combination with a compact, low-power, low-mass actuator. The system can also be used, for instance, to break the ice bridge formed between the tailgate and the truck bed.
Tesla's mechanism can also be hidden between vehicle panels, including inside the tailgate itself. This offers the advantage of being invisible in operation. Still, it might also mean that the modular ramp, one of the most coveted Cybertruck features, will not make it to the production model. Hopefully, Tesla will integrate the power tailgate in the Cybertruck without compromising the promised features.
As other carmakers offered a similar function, Tesla's filing also shows that the Cybertruck's power tailgate can be opened and closed from a distance. In addition to using the key fob, like other carmakers, to trigger the tailgate to open and close, Tesla will also introduce this feature into the Tesla app.
The patent application has just been published, but that doesn't mean a patent was granted. Also, this doesn't mean that the Cybertruck will use this feature, although it will undoubtedly offer a power tailgate. Other trucks from GM and Ford are fitted with a power tailgate, and Tesla will not be left behind in this department.
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