Importance

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Abstract

A vehicle tailgate lift assist system comprises a vehicle tailgate adapted to open and close by rotating about a tailgate pivot axis in relation to a vehicle body, coupling means to releasably connect the vehicle tailgate and the vehicle body, an energy storage device located within the vehicle body and adapted to be pivotally anchored to the vehicle body at one end, a crank arm pivotally attached to the energy storage device at a second end of the energy storage device and rigidly attached to an actuation shaft that is coaxially aligned with the tailgate pivot axis, and a pivot bracket assembly comprising a mounting bracket fixed to the vehicle body and holding a pivot bearing arrangement to facilitate a robust rotary joint about the tailgate pivot axis. The pivot bearing arrangement comprises a unitary component overmolded to a pivot sleeve to act as a bushing between the actuation shaft and the pivot sleeve, such that relative rotary motion of the tailgate and the vehicle body results in linear movement of the energy storage device and maximum energy storage at the tailgate fully open position.

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First Claim