Power Tailgate System: Description

Power tailgate is an electro-mechanical system designed to provide power opening and closing of a vehicle's tailgate through the push of a button of the transmitter key or tailgate handle or the overhead console or switch of the tailgate.

The power tailgate will reverse direction of travel if resistance to movement is detected while the tailgate is being closed. If resistance to movement is detected while the power tailgate is being opened, the tailgate will stop moving.

1. PTG DRIVE UNIT

   Power tailgate drive unit consists of a DC motor, optical sensor, clutch, push rod, rack and wire harness. PTG drive unit is located in rear left on D-pillar panel. PTG drive unit opens and closes the tailgate connected push rod automatically.

   Fig 1: Identifying PTG Drive Unit

   Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
   • Optical sensor: Provides tailgate velocity and position information
   • Drive unit clutch: Transmit motor power to push rod through pinion gear.
2. POWER LATCH

   Power latch is located in the lower part of tailgate panel. When tailgate located latching position, cinching motor (A) has a cinch electrically. And unlatch motor (B) unlatch the latch electrically when receive the open signal.

   Fig 2: Identifying Power Latch

   Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
3. ANTI PINCH STRIP (C)

   During power closing or cinching, the PTG system shall reverse to full open if an anti-pinch strip signal is received. However, the anti-pinch strips will not work when the Tailgate is idle in the full closed, full open, or stopped positions.

   Fig 3: Identifying Anti Pinch Strip

   Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
4. PTG CHIME (D)

   When a power operation cannot be performed as requested or an obstacle has been detected.

   Fig 4: Identifying PTG Chime

   Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
5. REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (A)
   Fig 5: Identifying Power Tailgate Switch

   Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

   Push the power tailgate (A) of the remote keyless entry more than 0.5s to open the power tailgate. Power Open operation shall be reversed when an additional Open/Close signal is received during power opening.

6. OPERATING ORDER

   Switch ON → clutch on → motor operation → pinion gear rotation → rack rectilinear motion → push rod motion → tailgate open/close