US 11,894,206 B2
Controlling automatic operation of a tailgate responsive to an applied load
Corey B. Sargent, Novi, MI (US); Norman C. Kerr, Ann Arbor, MI (US); Justin B. Norris, Brighton, MI (US); and Tarakorn Soonthornwinate, Plymouth, MI (US)
Assigned to Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Plano, TX (US)
Filed by Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Plano, TX (US)
Filed on Sep. 30, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/489,931.
Prior Publication US 2023/0100832 A1, Mar. 30, 2023
Int. Cl. B62D 33/027 (2006.01); H01H 35/00 (2006.01)
CPC H01H 35/006 (2013.01) [B62D 33/0273 (2013.01); E05Y 2400/40 (2013.01); E05Y 2400/445 (2013.01); E05Y 2900/544 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. 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.