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TeslaPatent applicationCars & transportInterest 4/10

Tesla patents tailgate system using counterweight to save power

Patent drawing
Patent drawing from the official filing.

Tesla has filed a patent for a vehicle tailgate mechanism that uses a counterweight to help lift the heavy door. A sensor measures the force from this weight, allowing a controller to adjust the motor's effort to move the panel smoothly.

Why it mattersThis design could make electric vehicle tailgates more energy-efficient by reducing the strain on the motor, which is a practical improvement for daily use.

In the filing’s own words

A system for moving a hinge between an open position and a closed position is disclosed. The hinge couples a closure panel to a body. The system can include an actuator for driving the closure panel between the open position and the closed position. A counterweight member reduces a mechanical effort provided by the actuator to drive the closure panel.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A system for moving a closure panel of a vehicle between an open position and a closed position, comprising: an actuator configured to drive the closure panel between the open position and the closed position relative to a body of the vehicle; a counterweight member configured to reduce a mechanical effort provided by the actuator to drive the closure panel; at least one sensor configured to sense a torque value based specifically on a torque generated by the counterweight member; and a controller configured to control the actuator based at least in part on the torque value received from the at least one sensor.

Facts

Company
Tesla (Tesla, Inc.)
Official title
POWER TAILGATE MECHANISM
Publication number
US20260318136A1
Application number
19720220
Filed
Jun 25, 2026
Published
Oct 15, 2026
Inventors
2
Claims
29

Classified under

E05F 1/1238 Buildings & constructionB62D 33/0273 Operations & transportE05B 81/20 Buildings & constructionE05F 15/60 Buildings & constructionE05F 15/77 Buildings & constructionE05Y 2201/624 Buildings & construction
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.