What are your opinions/experience of an automatic Tailgate?
Discussion
Hi,
I'm currently doing a project as part of my College Course (Mechanical Engineering) where I have to design an automatic tailgate for a hatchback, like a Toyota Avensis. To aid me in my design, I'd like to know what your opinions/experiences are of an automatic tailgate?
(Automatic tailgates open the tailgate or back boot automatically, normally at the touch of a button. A video to show you the kind I'm talking about, skip to about 20 seconds in)
Cheers
I'm currently doing a project as part of my College Course (Mechanical Engineering) where I have to design an automatic tailgate for a hatchback, like a Toyota Avensis. To aid me in my design, I'd like to know what your opinions/experiences are of an automatic tailgate?
(Automatic tailgates open the tailgate or back boot automatically, normally at the touch of a button. A video to show you the kind I'm talking about, skip to about 20 seconds in)
Cheers
Some cars already have similar stuff to this, the VW Phaeton is one that I can think of straight away, although it's a touch sensitive button instead.
I'm also aware that someone I know spent quite a lot of money when the boot wouldn't open on his Phaeton and he needed to get his Christmas shopping out.
I'm also aware that someone I know spent quite a lot of money when the boot wouldn't open on his Phaeton and he needed to get his Christmas shopping out.
I have one on my 7 series and find it very useful when my hands are full etc.
What always worries me is that because all this does is open the boot, if I put my keys down, in the boot, forgot about them and then closed the boot - the keys would be locked in.
If I was designing a system I would make it so that one of the doors also unlocked to avoid this, or perhaps a proximity sensor so that the boot didn't lock if the keys were detected as being inside.
What always worries me is that because all this does is open the boot, if I put my keys down, in the boot, forgot about them and then closed the boot - the keys would be locked in.
If I was designing a system I would make it so that one of the doors also unlocked to avoid this, or perhaps a proximity sensor so that the boot didn't lock if the keys were detected as being inside.
Be sure to go for extra marks and use some cheap parking sensors to give the 'wave foot under bumper' way of opening too. Chances are your examiners won't know about it and will think you're clever for coming up with it.
Would be interesting to know what kind of actuators are used presently. There's not much room to hide them in the roof and a lot of torque required with the short moment arm. The one's I've used have been pretty quiet too.
Would be interesting to know what kind of actuators are used presently. There's not much room to hide them in the roof and a lot of torque required with the short moment arm. The one's I've used have been pretty quiet too.
@Garvin
Yeah I've seen a lot of diy automatic tailgates on youtube that spring open. Whilst some might not have a problem with manually closing the boot, I wouldn't want to leave out people who can't.
I wouldn't want to wait too long too, I'd say between 1-2 seconds is probably fast enough. But what do you guys reckon?
@RJP001
I've noticed quite a few cars that have the automatic boot option. It's like a new trend. I'm considering of a fail-over feature in case it fails, so it shouldn't be too difficult to open manually. I've used automatic doors at uni and they were a pain to open when they failed.
@Stitch
I think I'd worry about that as well, but I've been known to worry a bit too much. I suppose it can open the driver's door until the keys are out of bounds and a button inside to open the boot.
@Valiant
Aha! Yeah I've seen a video of one.
@Golaboots
Aha! I'm probably going to reference this page so it shows I've at least took consideration of real people, so I think they might figure it out, assuming they have the time or are bothered to.
As for the actuators, I'd have thought they'd be in the boot and the arm would replace the normal gas struts? I don't have nor know anyone with a car that has one so I can't really check it out myself.
Yeah I've seen a lot of diy automatic tailgates on youtube that spring open. Whilst some might not have a problem with manually closing the boot, I wouldn't want to leave out people who can't.
I wouldn't want to wait too long too, I'd say between 1-2 seconds is probably fast enough. But what do you guys reckon?
@RJP001
I've noticed quite a few cars that have the automatic boot option. It's like a new trend. I'm considering of a fail-over feature in case it fails, so it shouldn't be too difficult to open manually. I've used automatic doors at uni and they were a pain to open when they failed.
@Stitch
I think I'd worry about that as well, but I've been known to worry a bit too much. I suppose it can open the driver's door until the keys are out of bounds and a button inside to open the boot.
@Valiant
Aha! Yeah I've seen a video of one.@Golaboots
Aha! I'm probably going to reference this page so it shows I've at least took consideration of real people, so I think they might figure it out, assuming they have the time or are bothered to.
As for the actuators, I'd have thought they'd be in the boot and the arm would replace the normal gas struts? I don't have nor know anyone with a car that has one so I can't really check it out myself.
I had one on my last Mercedes (E-Class estate), it was pretty good as it goes. To be honest, I wouldn't have specced it like that, it was just how it came on the lease scheme. The remote operation from both the key fob and a button on the driver's door were pretty intuitive, and if you were running with shopping, and it was raining - it was a good feature.
From a design perspective, the sensors that stopped it opening or closing when it encountered an obstruction were definitely a must as was the fact it was inhibited as if the vehicle was in gear or moving, were also common sense.
OP what level of detail do you have to go to for your design?
From a design perspective, the sensors that stopped it opening or closing when it encountered an obstruction were definitely a must as was the fact it was inhibited as if the vehicle was in gear or moving, were also common sense.
OP what level of detail do you have to go to for your design?
Stitch said:
I have one on my 7 series and find it very useful when my hands are full etc.
What always worries me is that because all this does is open the boot, if I put my keys down, in the boot, forgot about them and then closed the boot - the keys would be locked in.
If I was designing a system I would make it so that one of the doors also unlocked to avoid this, or perhaps a proximity sensor so that the boot didn't lock if the keys were detected as being inside.
a lot of the new Audi's and Skodas have auto opening and my friends A4 will not let the boot lock if the car is inside the carWhat always worries me is that because all this does is open the boot, if I put my keys down, in the boot, forgot about them and then closed the boot - the keys would be locked in.
If I was designing a system I would make it so that one of the doors also unlocked to avoid this, or perhaps a proximity sensor so that the boot didn't lock if the keys were detected as being inside.
SVX said:
OP what level of detail do you have to go to for your design?
Thanks for the reply,What I need to include:
- Analyse the Market
- Functional Analysis (Black box, specify functions, FAST diagram)
- Quality Function Deployment
- Sustainability
- Concept Sketches
- Selection Matrix
- DFM/A Analysis(Improving design to make manufacturing & Construction easier and cheaper)
- Structural Analysis/calculations
- Detailed drawings
- Costings
- Product Discussion
blank said:
German cars slam them very aggressively!
My mum has a Lexus which closes it very gently to the first latch, then pulls it in on the second. Very nice.
Try it on something like an Audi and it slams it like it's in a bad mood!
Bit "generalistic" to claim all German cars do the same as the Audi then. The Mercs definitely don't. They work exactly as you described for the Lexus.My mum has a Lexus which closes it very gently to the first latch, then pulls it in on the second. Very nice.
Try it on something like an Audi and it slams it like it's in a bad mood!
Wife's ML sometimes needs 2 or 3 presses before it'll close. Normally happens if parked on uneven ground. There's obviously a sensor that needs some T&C somewhere.
Sis-In-Law's C-class closes very promptly - quicker than the ML (although there's 3 years difference between them).
Watchman said:
Bit "generalistic" to claim all German cars do the same as the Audi then. The Mercs definitely don't. They work exactly as you described for the Lexus.
Wife's ML sometimes needs 2 or 3 presses before it'll close. Normally happens if parked on uneven ground. There's obviously a sensor that needs some T&C somewhere.
Sis-In-Law's C-class closes very promptly - quicker than the ML (although there's 3 years difference between them).
E Class estates slam them too in my experience...Wife's ML sometimes needs 2 or 3 presses before it'll close. Normally happens if parked on uneven ground. There's obviously a sensor that needs some T&C somewhere.
Sis-In-Law's C-class closes very promptly - quicker than the ML (although there's 3 years difference between them).
BrownishMonster said:
SVX said:
OP what level of detail do you have to go to for your design?
Thanks for the reply,What I need to include:
- Analyse the Market
- Functional Analysis (Black box, specify functions, FAST diagram)
- Quality Function Deployment
- Sustainability
- Concept Sketches
- Selection Matrix
- DFM/A Analysis(Improving design to make manufacturing & Construction easier and cheaper)
- Structural Analysis/calculations
- Detailed drawings
- Costings
- Product Discussion
From a design point of view, are you constrained? Or can you be a bit out there? Whilst an electronic system is probably how most manufacturers would approach the problem; considering hydraulics and or vacuum/pneumatics could perhaps show that you have a grasp of alternative, more mechanical concepts.
Anyhow, good luck with the assignment!
I love the one on my Accord tourer. I have often used it in the rain, open it from the front door and then leg it to under the already open boot so it acts like a big umbrella. 
Also useful if your hands are full and you don't want to put it on the ground, or conversely if you've taken the load out, hands full and you can press the button on the foot with your nose to auto-close as you walk away.
Makes it must nicer with the soft close though.
Also useful if your hands are full and you don't want to put it on the ground, or conversely if you've taken the load out, hands full and you can press the button on the foot with your nose to auto-close as you walk away.
Makes it must nicer with the soft close though.
'12 c class estate. Very soft final close. Its slow but useful: I can let it close whilst walking to the drivers door, saving valuable seconds 
I can open it with the key, the button on the drivers door or the handle by the rear numberplate. I can close it by the switch on the bootlid itself (also an emergency stop for low ceilings etc) or the button on the door.
It is useful, but is it worth the weight and complexity? It doesnt have much leverage, so the motor must be pretty powerful/good hydraulics. It is also too sensitive: anything in the way and it'll stop. Even if its squishy bag..
I can open it with the key, the button on the drivers door or the handle by the rear numberplate. I can close it by the switch on the bootlid itself (also an emergency stop for low ceilings etc) or the button on the door.
It is useful, but is it worth the weight and complexity? It doesnt have much leverage, so the motor must be pretty powerful/good hydraulics. It is also too sensitive: anything in the way and it'll stop. Even if its squishy bag..
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