Vehicle having retractable rear gate
An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a vehicle comprising a vehicle body comprising a rear bumper; and a rear end module coupled to the rear of the vehicle body, the rear end module comprising: a rear window, and a rear gate, wherein the rear window is configured to move from a closed position to an open position within a cavity of the rear gate, and the rear gate is configured to move from a closed position to an opening position within a cavity formed by the rear bumper.
1 . A vehicle comprising:
a vehicle body comprising a rear bumper; and
a rear end module coupled to the rear of the vehicle body, the rear end module comprising:
a rear window, and
a rear gate,
wherein the rear window is configured to move from a window-closed position to a window-open position within a cavity of the rear gate, and the rear gate is configured to move from a gate-closed position to a gate-open position within a rear bumper cavity formed by the rear bumper.
2 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the rear end module further comprises:
a rear end frame;
at least one rear gate rail; and
at least one rear gate actuator,
wherein the at least one rear gate actuator is configured to move the rear gate between the gate-closed position and the gate-open position along the at least one rear gate rail.
3 . The vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the at least one rear gate rail is configured such that, when the rear gate is moved from the gate-closed position to the-gate open position, the rear gate moves horizontally away from the rear end frame as the rear gate moves vertically down into the rear bumper cavity.
4 . The vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the at least one rear gate actuator comprises:
a motor; and
at least one a cable, belt, chain, or spindle coupled to the motor and the rear gate.
5 . The vehicle of claim 2 , further comprising a control unit configured to control the at least one rear gate actuator to move the rear gate between the gate-closed position and the gate-open position.
6 . The vehicle of claim 5 , wherein the control unit is further configured to prevent the rear gate from opening when the rear window is in the window-closed position.
7 . The vehicle of claim 5 , wherein the control unit is further configured to prevent the rear window from closing when the rear gate is in the gate-open position.
8 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the rear end module further comprises a latch configured to prevent the rear gate from opening or closing.
9 . The vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising: a closure flap configured to cover the rear bumper cavity when the rear gate is in the gate-open position.
10 . A method for controlling a vehicle, the method comprising:
receiving a signal to open a rear gate of the vehicle; and
in response to the signal:
sending a gate signal to a gate actuator of the rear gate instructing the gate actuator to move the rear gate to a gate-open position within a rear bumper cavity formed by a rear bumper; and
sending a window signal to a window actuator of a rear window instructing the window actuator to move the rear window from a window-closed position to a window-open position within a cavity of the rear gate.
11 . The method of claim 10 , comprising:
receiving a second signal to close the rear gate; and
in response to the second signal, sending a second gate signal to the gate actuator instructing the gate actuator to move the rear gate to a closed position.
12 . The method of claim 11 , comprising:
sending a second window signal to the window actuator instructing the window actuator to move to the window-closed position.
13 . The method of claim 10 , comprising:
sending a flap signal to a closure actuator instructing the closure actuator to close a flap over an opening of the rear bumper cavity when the rear gate is in the rear bumper cavity.
14 . The method of claim 10 , comprising:
before sending the gate signal, sending a signal to a latch actuator instructing the latch actuator to release a latch holding the rear gate in the gate-open position.
15 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the gate actuator moves the rear gate simultaneously with the window actuator moving the rear window.
16 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the gate actuator moves the rear gate in response to the rear window reaching the window-open position.
17 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the signal is received from a button or a motion sensor.
18 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the signal is received over a wireless link.