Mitsubishi patents design to eliminate SUV tailgate rattles

TDT | agencies

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Rattles from the rear of SUVs are a familiar annoyance, especially on bumpy or uneven roads. While owners often try quick fixes, they rarely last. Now, Japanese carmaker Mitsubishi seems to have found a more permanent solution.

A recent patent filing reveals a reinforced tailgate design with an integrated vibration damper, aimed at making the rear door stronger, quieter, and more refined. The patent describes the tailgate in simple terms:

• Outer panel – the painted surface visible from the outside.

• Inner panel – the structural frame visible when the tailgate is open.

• Rear glass – the back window.

The real innovation lies in the inner structure. A main stiffening bar runs horizontally just below the rear window, adding rigidity to the upper section. From either end of this bar, diagonal reinforcements extend downward toward the centre and bottom of the tailgate, forming a triangular framework that boosts strength.

At the junctions where the horizontal and diagonal supports meet, Mitsubishi has positioned mounting points for a dynamic damper. This component absorbs and dissipates vibrations, reducing flex and eliminating rattles, giving the tailgate a tighter, more premium feel.

By combining reinforcement with vibration control, Mitsubishi’s design tackles both strength and noise at once. The result is not only improved durability but also a more refined driving experience—whether on rough roads or at highway speeds, where wind and body flex can often make a tailgate chatter.

If brought into production, this technology could finally make rattling SUV tailgates a thing of the past.