Patent Abstract:
A system for securing a tailgate to a vehicle body includes a housing secured to one of the tailgate and the vehicle body, the housing including a passageway. A projection is secured to the other of the tailgate and the vehicle body and is rotatably received by the housing in an attached state to rotatably attach the tailgate to the vehicle body and is separated from the housing in a detached state to permit removal of the tailgate from the vehicle body. The system also includes a locking mechanism operable in a locked state to block the passageway and prevent movement of the projection from the attached state to the detached state and an unlocked state opening the passageway to permit movement of the projection from the attached state to the detached state.

Full Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to a lock assembly and more particularly to a lock assembly for a vehicle having a tailgate or other removable closure. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This section provides background information related to the present disclosure and is not necessarily prior art. 
         [0003]    Many motor vehicles come equipped with tailgate assemblies. For example, pickup trucks often include a tailgate assembly that controls access to a bed portion of the pickup truck. In some implementations, tailgate assemblies are removably supported by the bed portion of the pickup truck. In this regard, the full functionality of the truck bed can be utilized by opening the tailgate assembly and/or removing the tailgate assembly from the pickup truck. The removability of tailgate assemblies can also make them vulnerable to car thieves. For this reason, locking systems have been developed to prevent inadvertent and other unwanted removal of the tailgate assembly from the vehicle. In this regard, some vehicles may utilize a handle locking system that prevents the tailgate assembly from opening and, thus, prevents the tailgate assembly from being removed from the vehicle. Other vehicles may utilize a projection locking system that prevents the tailgate assembly from being removed, regardless of whether the tailgate is open or closed. 
         [0004]    Current handle locking systems are susceptible to being easily overridden and, as such, allow unauthorized individuals to remove the tailgate assembly from the vehicle. Current projection locking systems provide an added degree of security as compared to handle locking systems but do not allow authorized users to easily remove the tailgate assembly. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features 
         [0006]    A system for securing a tailgate to a vehicle body is provided and includes a housing secured to one of the tailgate and the vehicle body, the housing including a passageway. A projection is secured to the other of the tailgate and the vehicle body and is rotatably received by the housing in an attached state to rotatably attach the tailgate to the vehicle body and is separated from the housing in a detached state to permit removal of the tailgate from the vehicle body. The system also includes a locking mechanism operable in a locked state to block the passageway and prevent movement of the projection from the attached state to the detached state and an unlocked state opening the passageway to permit movement of the projection from the attached state to the detached state. 
         [0007]    In some configurations, the system includes a controller in communication with the locking mechanism. The controller may move the locking mechanism between the locked state and the unlocked state. A driver may be in communication with the controller and may move the locking mechanism between the locked state and the unlocked state. The driver may be a solenoid or a reversing motor. 
         [0008]    An authorization system may authenticate a valid user. The controller may prevent movement of the locking mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state until the authorization system identifies a valid user. The authorization system may identify a valid user based on input from at least one of a key fob, a phone, or a switch. 
         [0009]    In some implementations, the system includes an actuation member operable to transmit a wake-up signal to the authorization system. The controller may be operable in a dormant state until the actuation member transmits the wake-up signal to the authorization system. In some implementations, the controller may be operable to transition to a dormant state after a predetermined amount of time. The predetermined amount of time may be between 20 seconds and 120 seconds after transmission of the wake-up signal. In some implementations, the predetermined amount of time is measured by one of a timer and a capacitive charging device. 
         [0010]    In some configurations, the locking mechanism includes a lock member blocking the passageway when the locking mechanism is in the locked state and spaced apart from at least a portion of the opening when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked state. The lock member may be slidably supported by the housing for movement along an arcuate path between the unlocked state and the locked state. 
         [0011]    The projection may be rotatable about an axis when in the attached state to permit rotation of the tailgate relative to the vehicle body. The lock member may be rotatable about the axis between the locked state and the unlocked state. 
         [0012]    According to another aspect, a method for securing a tailgate to a vehicle body is provided. The method may include securing a housing having a passageway to one of the tailgate and the vehicle body. The method may also include securing a projection to the other of the tailgate and the vehicle body. The projection may be rotatably received by the housing in an attached state to rotatably attach the tailgate to the vehicle body and may be separated from the housing in a detached state to permit removal of the tailgate from the vehicle body. The method may further include positioning a locking mechanism in one of a locked state blocking the passageway and preventing movement of the projection from the attached state to the detached state and an unlocked state opening the passageway and permitting movement of the projection from the attached state to the detached state. 
         [0013]    In some implementations, the method includes providing a controller in communication with the locking mechanism. The controller may move the locking mechanism between the locked state and the unlocked state. 
         [0014]    In some implementations, the method includes providing a driver in communication with the controller. The driver may move the locking mechanism between the locked state and the unlocked state. In some implementations, providing the driver may include providing a solenoid or a reversing motor. 
         [0015]    In some implementations, activation of the controller may occur through communication (e.g., wired or wireless) between the locking device and an onboard transmitting device. For example, the activation of the controller may occur by activating the locking device after vehicle authentication protocols identify a valid user. 
         [0016]    The method may additionally include providing an authorization system operable to authenticate a valid user. The method may include preventing movement of the locking mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state via the controller until the authorization method identifies a valid user. In some implementations, identifying a valid user by the authorization system is based on input from at least one of a key fob, a phone, or a switch. 
         [0017]    In some implementations, positioning the locking mechanism in the locked state includes blocking the passageway with a lock member. Positioning the locking mechanism in the unlocked state may include spacing the lock member from at least a portion of the opening. 
         [0018]    In some implementations, the method includes slidably supporting the lock member by the housing for movement along an arcuate path between the unlocked state and the locked state. The method may include permitting rotation of the projection about an axis when in the attached state to permit rotation of the tailgate relative to the vehicle body. The lock member may be rotatable about the axis between the locked state and the unlocked state. 
         [0019]    Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected configurations and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
           [0021]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a vehicle having a tailgate and a tailgate lock assembly in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, the tailgate shown in a latched state; 
           [0022]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1A , the vehicle shown in an unlatched state; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the tailgate lock assembly of  FIG. 1A , including a projection in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of the tailgate lock assembly of  FIG. 1A  in a locked position; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the tailgate lock assembly of  FIG. 1A  in an unlocked position; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a tailgate coupled to a vehicle using a tailgate lock assembly in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of a tailgate removed from a vehicle using a tailgate lock assembly in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0028]    Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and the example configurations should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. 
         [0030]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed. 
         [0031]    When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” “attached to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” “directly attached to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
         [0032]    The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations. 
         [0033]    With reference to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , a vehicle  10  is provided. The vehicle  10  may be any known variety of vehicle, such as a car, a truck, or a van, for example. The vehicle  10  may include a closure  12  and a body assembly  14 . The closure  12  may be movably coupled to the body assembly  14  to allow a user to access, and/or to prevent the user from accessing, a portion of the vehicle  10 . In some configurations, the closure  12  may include a tailgate assembly movably coupled to, and/or supported by, the body assembly  14 . In this regard, the closure  12  may be referred to herein as the tailgate assembly  12 . Accordingly, the tailgate assembly  12  may allow the user to access, and/or restrict the user from accessing, a bed portion  16  of the vehicle  10 . 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIGS. 1A-2 , the tailgate assembly  12  may include a pair of tailgate frame members  20 , a latch assembly  22 , and one or more lock assemblies  24 . The tailgate assembly  12  may be coupled to the body assembly  14  for rotation about an axis A 1 . For example, the tailgate frame  20  may be rotatably supported by the lock assemblies  24  relative to the body assembly  14  such that the tailgate assembly  12  rotates between a closed position ( FIG. 1A ) and an open position ( FIG. 1B ). In this regard, opposed ends of the tailgate assembly  12  may each include a tailgate frame member  20  and a lock assembly  24 . The latch assembly  22  may secure the tailgate assembly  12  relative to the body assembly  14  in order to prevent the tailgate assembly  12  from rotating about the axis A 1  from the closed position to the open position. In this regard, as illustrated in  FIG. 1A , an authorization and/or authentication system  23  may include an activation device  25  and a control module  26  in communication with the latch assembly  22  and/or the lock assemblies  24  to control a state (e.g., LOCK/UNLOCK) of the latch assembly  22  and the lock assemblies  24 . For example, upon authentication of a valid user and/or a valid activation device  25 , the control module  26  may transmit (e.g., wired or wireless communication) (i) a LOCK/UNLOCK signal  27   a  to the latch assembly  22  to prevent and/or allow a user to rotate the tailgate assembly  12  from the closed position ( FIG. 1A ) to the open position ( FIG. 1B  and  FIG. 4A ) and (ii) a LOCK/UNLOCK signal  27   b  to the lock assembly  24  to prevent and/or allow a user to proceed with unlocking the lock assemblies  24  and thereafter remove the tailgate assembly  12  from the vehicle  10  ( FIG. 4B ). 
         [0035]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the tailgate frame  20  may include a base  28  and an arm  30  extending from the base  28  such that the frame  20  defines a generally L-shaped construct. The arm  30  may include an aperture  32 . In some configurations the aperture  32  may be disposed proximate the base  28  and may include an elongate shape to receive a portion of the lock assembly  24 . In this regard, the axis A 1  may extend through the aperture(s)  32 . 
         [0036]    A first portion of the lock assemblies  24  may be coupled to the tailgate frame  20  and a second portion of the lock assemblies  24  may be coupled to the body assembly  14  such that the axis A 1  extends through the first and second portions of the lock assemblies  24 . In particular, each lock assembly  24  may include a coupling member or projection  34  disposed within one of the apertures  32 . 
         [0037]    With reference to at least  FIG. 2 , the projection  34  may include an outer surface  38  extending from a proximal end  40  to a distal end  42 . The outer surface  38  may include, and/or otherwise be defined at least in part by, a first lateral wall  46 , a second lateral wall (not shown), an upper wall  50 , and a lower wall  52 . The first lateral wall  46  may be opposite the second lateral wall. The lower wall  52  may extend from the first lateral wall  46  to the second lateral wall. The upper wall  50  may be opposite the lower wall  52  and extend from the first lateral wall  46  to the second lateral wall. 
         [0038]    The first lateral wall  46  and the second lateral wall may each include a generally planar construct. In some configurations, the first lateral wall  46  may be parallel to the second lateral wall. The upper and lower walls  50 ,  52  may include a generally convex construct such that the projection  34  defines a generally stadium-shaped configuration extending from the proximal end  40  to the distal end  42 . 
         [0039]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-3B , the body assembly  14  may include a body  60 , a coupling assembly  62 , and a locking mechanism  64 . The coupling assembly  62  may be coupled directly or indirectly to the body  60 . In an assembled configuration, the projection  34  of the tailgate assembly  12  rotates relative to at least a portion of the coupling assembly  62 , in order to allow the tailgate assembly  12  to rotate between the open position and the closed position. In this regard, while the tailgate assembly  12  and body assembly  14  are shown and described herein as including the locking mechanism  64  and the coupling assembly  62 , respectively, it will be appreciated that the tailgate assembly  12  may include the coupling assembly  62  and/or the locking mechanism  64 , and the body assembly  14  may include the lock assembly  24 , within the scope of the present disclosure (e.g.,  FIGS. 4A and 4B ). 
         [0040]    The coupling assembly  62  may include a base plate  70 , a support housing  72 , a support plate  74 , a housing or coupling member  76 , and a carriage  78 . The base plate  70  may be coupled to and/or supported by the body  60  and may include one or more mounting features  82  (e.g., apertures) and a housing-receiving feature  84  (e.g., aperture). The mounting features  82  may be sized and shaped to receive a fastener (not shown), such as a bolt, screw, or rivet, for example, to couple the base plate  70  to the body  60 . 
         [0041]    The support housing  72  may include a generally hollow cylinder  88 , a mounting flange  90 , and one or more mounting features  92  (e.g., clips). The cylinder  88  may include a generally cylindrical inner surface  94 , a generally cylindrical outer surface  96 , and one or more engagement features  98 . The engagement feature(s)  98  (e.g., longitudinally extending ribs) may extend radially outward from the outer surface  96 . The mounting flange  90  may extend radially outward from the outer surface  96 . The one or more mounting features  92  (e.g., clips) may extend axially from the mounting flange  90 , away from the cylinder  88 . As illustrated in at least  FIGS. 3A and 3B , in the assembled configuration, the mounting features  100  may be disposed within the housing-receiving feature  84  to secure the support housing  72  to the base plate  70 . 
         [0042]    The support plate  74  may include one or more mounting features  104  (e.g., apertures) and a support housing-receiving feature  106  (e.g., an aperture). In the assembled configuration, the mounting feature(s)  104  may be aligned with the mounting feature(s)  82  of the base plate  70 , such that each fastener (not shown) extends through a mounting feature  104  of the support plate  74  and a mounting feature  82  of the base plate  70 , respectively, in order to secure the support plate  74  to the base plate  70  and to secure the base plate  70  to the body  60 . The housing-receiving feature  106  may receive the support housing  72  in order to secure the support housing  72  to the support plate  74 . In this regard, the support housing  72  may be disposed within the housing-receiving feature  106  such that the engagement feature(s)  98  engage the support plate  74  in a press-fit configuration. 
         [0043]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the coupling member  76  may include a base portion  108  and a support portion  110 . The base portion  108  may include a support-housing receiving feature  112  (e.g., an aperture). With reference to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , in the assembled configuration, the support housing-receiving feature  112  may receive the support housing  72  in order to secure the support housing  72  to the coupling member  76 . In this regard, the support housing  72  may be disposed within the support housing-receiving feature  112  such that the engagement feature(s)  98  engage the coupling member  76  in a press-fit configuration. 
         [0044]    The support portion  110  may extend from the base portion  108  of the coupling member  76  and may define a generally hollow cylindrical construct. In this regard, the support portion  110  may include a cylindrical inner surface  116  and a slot  118 . The inner surface  116  may surround the support-housing receiving feature  112 . The slot  118  may extend through the support portion  110 . As will be explained in more detail below, in the assembled configuration, the slot  118  may allow a user to assemble the tailgate assembly  12  to, and/or remove the tailgate assembly  12  from, the body assembly  14 . 
         [0045]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , the carriage  78  may include a proximal end  122 , a distal end  124  opposite the proximal end  122 , a peripheral surface  125 , and a projection-receiving feature  126  (e.g., a slot). As illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , in the assembled configuration, the carriage  78  may be disposed within the coupling member  76  for rotation about the axis A 1 . The peripheral surface  125  may extend from and between the proximal and distal ends  122 ,  124 . 
         [0046]    The projection-receiving feature  126  may be formed in one or more of the proximal end  122  and the peripheral surface  125 . In this regard, the projection-receiving feature  126  may include an opening  128  formed in the distal end  124  of the carriage  78  and an opening  130  formed in the peripheral surface  125  of the carriage  78 . In some configurations, the opening  128  and/or the opening  130  may be generally U-shaped such that the opening  128  communicates with and/or opens into the opening  130 . The distal end  124  of the carriage  78  may include an aperture  132 . The aperture  132  may open into and/or communicate with the projection-receiving feature  126 , including the opening  128  formed in the proximal end  122  of the carriage  78 . A size and shape of the projection-receiving feature  126  may correspond to a size and shape of the projection  34  such that the projection  34  can be received by the openings  128 ,  130  in order to assemble the projection  34  within, and remove the projection  34  from, the projection-receiving feature  126 . 
         [0047]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , in the assembled configuration, the carriage  78  may be disposed within the coupling member  76  such that the axis A 1  extends through the proximal and distal ends  122 ,  124 . In this regard, in some configurations, the axis A 1  may extend through the aperture  132  and the opening  128 . As will be explained in more detail below, the carriage  78 , including the projection-receiving feature  126  and the aperture  132 , may cooperate with the locking mechanism  64  to allow the tailgate assembly  12  to be removed from, and/or to prevent the tailgate  18  from being removed from, the body assembly  14 . 
         [0048]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , the locking mechanism  64  may include a housing  136 , a power source  137 , a driver  138 , a drivetrain  140 , a lock member  142 , and an activation member  143 . The housing  136  may include a first portion  144  and a second portion  146 . 
         [0049]    The first portion  144  of the housing  136  may include a cavity  148  and a track  150 . In some implementations, the track  150  includes a first guide surface  152  and a second guide surface  154 . The first guide surface  152  may extend in a direction substantially parallel to the second guide surface  154 , such that the first and second guide surfaces  152 ,  154  define a channel  156  therebetween. In some configurations, the first and second guide surfaces  152 ,  154  may arcuately extend from a proximal end  158  of the track  150  to a distal end  160  of the track  150 . In this regard, the first guide surface  152  may define a convex construct extending from the proximal end  158  to the distal end  160 , and the second guide surface  154  may define a concave construct extending from the proximal end  158  to the distal end  160 . The proximal and distal ends  158 ,  160  may define an opening  161  extending therebetween. The distal end  160  may include an aperture  162  in communication with the channel  156 . 
         [0050]    The second portion  146  of the housing  136  may include a cavity  164  and a track  166 . In some implementations, the track  166  includes a first guide surface  168  and a second guide surface (not shown). The first guide surface  168  may extend in a direction substantially parallel to the second guide surface, such that the first guide surface  168  and the second guide surface define a channel  172  therebetween. In some configurations, the first guide surface  168  and the second guide surface may arcuately extend from a proximal end  174  of the track  166  to a distal end  176  of the track  166 . In this regard, the first guide surface  168  may define a convex construct extending from the proximal end  174  to the distal end  176 , and the second guide surface may define a concave construct extending from the proximal end  174  to the distal end  176 . The proximal and distal ends  174 ,  176  may define an opening  178  extending therebetween. 
         [0051]    The power source  137  may be disposed within the housing  136  to provide power to the driver  138 . In this regard, the power source  137  may include a battery. It will be appreciated, however, that the locking mechanism  64  and the driver  138  may receive power from another source, such as the battery (not shown) of the vehicle  10 . As will be explained in more detail below, the driver  138  may include any device and/or assembly that can selectively move the lock member  142  along the arcuate track  150  (e.g., about the axis A 1 ). For example, the driver  138  may include a motor, a solenoid, a pneumatic actuator, or other device that can apply a force on the lock member  142  in a direction substantially tangential to the arcuate track  150 . 
         [0052]    The drivetrain  140  may include one or more drive members  180 - 1 ,  180 - 2 , . . .  180 - n  and a coupling member  182 . In some implementations, the drive members  180 - 1 ,  180 - 2 , . . .  180 - n  include five gears intermeshed with one another, such that a rotation of a first drive member  180 - 1  causes a rotation of a fifth drive member  180 - 5 . In this regard, the driver  138  may rotate the first drive member  180 - 1 , which may, in turn, rotate the other drive members  180 - n.  At least one of the drive members  180 - n  may include a coupler  184 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in some implementations, a fifth drive member  180 - 5  may include the coupler  184 . The coupler  184  may be disposed at a center of the drive member  180 - n.  In this regard, the coupler  184  may be substantially aligned with an axis of rotation of the drive member  180 - n.  The coupler  184  may include one of a recess (e.g., an aperture or hub) and an axle. In some implementations, the coupler  184  includes an aperture  184  having an X-shape. While the drivetrain  140  is generally shown and described herein as including five drive members  180 - 1 ,  180 - 2 , . . .  180 - n,  the drivetrain  140  may include more or less than five drive members  180 - 1 ,  180 - 2 , . . .  180 - n  within the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0053]    The coupling member  182  may extend from a proximal end  186  to a distal end  188 . The proximal end  186  may include a first coupler  190 , and the distal end  188  may include a second coupler  192 . The first coupler  190  may include one of a recess (e.g., an aperture or hub) and an axle. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in some implementations, the first coupler  190  includes a substantially X-shaped axle. The second coupler  192  may include one of a recess (e.g., an aperture or hub) and an axle. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in some implementations, the second coupler  192  includes an axle (e.g., a cylindrical pin). 
         [0054]    The lock member  142  may include a lock portion  194  and a coupling portion  196 . The lock portion  194  may include a first guide surface  198  and a second guide surface  200 . The first guide surface  198  may extend in a direction substantially parallel to the second guide surface  200 . In some configurations, the first and second guide surfaces  198 ,  200  may arcuately extend from a proximal end  202  of the lock portion  194  to a distal end  204  of the lock portion  194 . In this regard, the first guide surface  198  may define a concave construct extending from the proximal end  202  to the distal end  204 , and the second guide surface  200  may define a convex construct extending from the proximal end  202  to the distal end  204 . 
         [0055]    The coupling portion  196  may extend radially outward from the lock portion  194 . In this regard, in some implementations, the coupling portion  196  includes a proximal end  206  supported by the lock portion  194 , and a distal end  208  radially offset from the lock portion  194 . The coupling portion  196  may include a coupler  210 . The coupler  210  may include one of a recess (e.g., an aperture or hub) and an axle. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in some implementations, the coupler  210  includes an elongated aperture or slot. 
         [0056]    In an assembled configuration, the first portion  144  of the housing  136  may be coupled to the second portion  146  of the housing  136 , such that the cavity  148  and track  150  of the first portion  144  are aligned with the cavity  164  and track  166  of the second portion. The driver  138 , drivetrain  140 , and lock member  142  may be supported by at least one of the first portion  144  and second portion  146  of the housing  136 . For example, the driver  138  and drivetrain  140  may be disposed within at least one of the cavity  148  of the first portion  144  and the cavity  164  of the second portion  146 . Each of the drive members  180 - 1 ,  180 - 2 , . . .  180 - n  may include a first rotation feature  212 - 1 ,  212 - 2 , . . .  212 - n  (e.g., a hub or an axle), and at least one of the first and second portions  144 ,  146  of the housing  136  may include a second rotation feature  214 - 1 ,  214 - 2 , . . .  214 - n  (e.g., a hub or an axle) rotatably coupled to a corresponding one of the first rotation features  212 - 1 ,  212 - 2 , . . .  212 - n.  As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the first drive member  180 - 1  may be coupled to the driver for rotation therewith. The coupling member  182  may be supported by one of the drive members  180 - 1 ,  180 - 2 , . . .  180 - n  and the lock member  142 . For example, in some implementations, the coupling member  182  is supported by the fifth drive member  180 - 5  for rotation therewith. In this regard, the first coupler  190  of the coupling member  182  may be coupled to the coupler  184  of the fifth drive member  180 - 5 . The second coupler  192  may be coupled to the coupler  210  of the lock member  142 . For example, the second coupler  192  (e.g., a pin, as previously described) may be translatably and rotatably disposed within the coupler  210  (e.g., an aperture, as previously described). 
         [0057]    The lock member  142  may be supported by at least one of the track  150  of the first portion  144  and the track  166  of the second portion  146 . For example, the lock member  142  may be disposed within the channel  156  of the track  150  and/or the channel  172  of the track  166 . In some implementations, the first guide surface  198  of the lock member  142  may be adjacent to, and/or slidably engage, the first guide surface  152  of the track  150  and/or the first guide surface  168  of the track  166 , and the second guide surface  200  of the lock member  142  may be adjacent to, and/or slidably engage, the second guide surface  154  of the track  150  and/or the second guide surface of the track  166 . In this regard, as will be explained in more detail below, the lock member  142  may be disposed within, and/or extend through, the aperture  162  of the first portion  144  of the housing  136  such that during operation of the locking mechanism  64 , the lock member  142  translates and/or rotates relative to the housing  136  between a locked state ( FIG. 3A ) and an unlocked state ( FIG. 3B ). In the locked state, the lock member  142  may be disposed within the openings  161  and/or  178  defined by the first portion  144  and/or second portion  146 , respectively, of the housing  136 . In this regard, the lock member  142  may move along an arcuate path or axis A 2  between the locked state and the unlocked state. As illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the axis A 2  may be defined by at least one of the lock member  142  and/or the tracks  150 ,  166 , and may be concentrically disposed about the axis A 1 . 
         [0058]    The activation member  143  may include a button, switch, or other suitable device for communicating with the driver  138 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the activation member  138  may be disposed on an outer surface of the second portion  146  of the housing  136 . As will be explained in more detail below, the activation member  143  may include a button that, when pressed, transmits an activation or wake-up signal to a portion of the authentication system  23 . For example, the activation member  143  may transmit a wake-up signal to the controller  26 . 
         [0059]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 3A-3B , operation of the tailgate assembly  12  will now be described. In a first state, the tailgate assembly  12  may be coupled to the body assembly  14  in a closed position ( FIG. 1A ) or an open position ( FIG. 1B ), and the locking mechanism  64  may be supported by, and/or coupled to, one of the tailgate assembly  12  and the body assembly  14 , such that the openings  161  and/or  178  are aligned with the slot  118  of the coupling member  76  and the opening  130  of the carriage  78 . The lock member  142  may extend from the aperture  162  to cover, or otherwise block, at least a portion of the slot  118 , the opening  130 , and/or the openings  161 ,  178  to secure the projection  34  within the projection-receiving feature  126  of the carriage  78  ( FIG. 3A ). Accordingly, the lock member  142  may prevent movement of the tailgate assembly  12  relative to the body assembly  14  in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis A 1 , while still allowing rotational movement of the tailgate assembly  12  relative to the body assembly  14  about the axis A 1 . 
         [0060]    In order to unlock the tailgate assembly  12  relative to the body assembly  14  (e.g., in order to remove the tailgate assembly  12  from the body assembly  14 ), the user may wake-up the authentication system  23  (e.g., the controller  26 ) and/or the locking mechanism  64  (e.g., the driver  138 ) by pressing the activation member  143 . For example, the activation member  143  may transmit a wake-up signal to the controller  26  through a wired or wireless communication protocol, such that the controller  26  transitions from a dormant or sleep state to an active or awake state. Within a predetermined period of time T 1 , the user may use the authentication system  23  to actuate the driver  138 . The predetermined period of time T 1  may be between 20 seconds and 120 seconds, as determined or otherwise measured by a timer (not shown) and/or a capacitive charger (not shown) disposed within the vehicle  10 . In some implementations, the predetermined period of T 1  may be equal to 60 seconds. In this regard, the user may actuate the driver  138  using the activation device  25  (e.g., a mechanical activation device, such as a key, for example, or an electronic activation device, such as a key FOB, a phone, or a switch, for example). In one configuration, a user may utilize a key FOB to transmit a signal to the control module  26 . Upon authenticating the activation device  25 , the control module  26  may transmit an UNLOCK signal  27   b  to the lock assembly  24  and actuate the driver  138  in order to allow a user to remove the tailgate assembly  12  from the vehicle  10 . If the user does not use the authentication system  23  to actuate the driver  138  within the predetermined period of time T 1 , the authentication system  23  (e.g., the controller  26 ) and/or the locking mechanism  64  (e.g., the driver  138 ) may transition to the dormant state. 
         [0061]    Actuating the driver  138  causes the first drive member  180 - 1  and various other drive members  180 - 2 ,  180 - 3 ,  180 - 4 ,  180 - 5  to rotate relative to the housing  136 . As the drive members  180 - 1 ,  180 - 2 ,  180 - 3 ,  180 - 4 ,  180 - 5  rotate, the coupling member  182  likewise rotates, thereby causing the second coupler  192  to translate and rotate within and relative to the coupler  210  from the distal end  208  of the coupler  210  to the proximal end  206  of the coupler  210 . Translation and/or rotation of the second coupler  192  within the coupler  210  causes the lock member  142  to move along the axis A 2  relative to the housing  136  and into an unlocked position ( FIG. 3B ) such that the slot  118  of the coupling member  76  and the opening  130  of the carriage  78  are not covered by the lock member  142 . In this regard, in the unlocked position, the lock member  142  may be disposed within the channels  156 ,  176  of the housing  136 . 
         [0062]    Once the slot  118  of the coupling member  76  and the opening  130  of the carriage  78  are not covered and/or blocked by the lock member  142 , the user may move the projection  34  and, thus, the tailgate assembly  12  in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis A 1 . For example, with reference to  FIG. 4B , the user may lift and remove the tailgate assembly  12  relative to the body assembly  14  such that the projection  34  (i) exits the projection-receiving feature  126  of the carriage  78  through the opening  130  and (ii) exits the coupling member  76  through the slot  118 . If the user does not remove the tailgate assembly  12  from the body assembly  14  within a predetermined amount of time T 2  (e.g., more than the predetermined amount of time T 1  and less than eight hours), the driver  138  may move the lock member  142  from the unlocked position ( FIG. 3B ) to the locked position ( FIG. 3A ), in the manner described above. 
         [0063]    The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected configuration, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4