Analytical and Computer Aided Positioning, Velocity and Acceleration Analyses of Hinge Mechanism of Large Vehicle Tailgates

Abstract

Hinge mechanisms of vehicles can be designed and manufactured in various ways in the automotive industry. The hinge mechanisms serve in assembling of tailgates, which are operated manually or automatically and expected to fulfil the functions such as lockability during vehicle service life, strength, impermeability etc., to vehicle bodies. In this study, a new alternative design of tailgate hinge mechanism was proposed in order to remove the shortcomings of the mechanisms used at the current bus tailgates. Positioning, velocity and acceleration analyses of the proposed mechanism were conducted as analytically and computer aided. In addition, the prototype productions of new hinge mechanism were applied to Skyliner model buses which are produced at MAN Türkiye A.Ş.. Moreover, the applicability of the new hinge mechanism into different applications were discussed in terms of the criteria such as easiness of opening and closing of the tailgate under ordinary and extraordinary loads, strength of mechanism in response to weight reduction efforts etc. by the findings obtained.