Kia Sportage: Power Tailgate System / Description and operation

Kia Sportage QL (2015-2024) Service Manual / Body Electrical System / Power Tailgate System / Description and operation

Description

Power Tailgate system is an electro-mechanical system that can open and close the tailgate automatically, by using local switch (push button switch inside of the tailgate, and outside handle switch), and wireless remote key (FOB), or can halt the tailgate. The Power Tailgate module (PTGM) sends and receives the vehicle’s information via BCM, instrument panel, SJB and CAN communication, so that it can decide the opening/closing of the tailgate and self diagnosis.

There’s a safety function to reverse its direction, when an obstacle is detected during the operation.

If power mode is disabled due to discharged battery or disabled Power Tail Gate Module (PTGM), manual opening/closing is possible by using the emergency lever on the liftgate latch after unlocking the tailgate.

Location and Direction of the Tailgate

PTG system measures the location of the tailgate through the total hall sensor inside of the spindle unit motor.

Also, the direction of the tailgate can be confirmed by analyzing the direction of spindle operation.

The signal counting (location confirmation) of the hall sensor is valid both in power operation mode and general operation mode.

PTG automatic operation mode can be changed to Manual operation mode by changing the cluster settings.

Components

1.	Power Tailgate Module (PTGM) PTGM is installed inside the lefthand side luggage side trim in the back. PTGM operates two spindle drive motors. It also controls the anti-pinching function by analyzing the hall sensor and anti-pinch sensor in the spindle.

2.	PTG Latch Assembly PTG latch assembly consists of power latch (A) and power closing unit (B). PTG latch assembly is installed at the end of the tailgate and operates power lock/unlock mode under the PTGM control.

3.	PTG Spindle PTG spindle controls the tailgate’s opening and closing using the torque of the motor inside. Recognize the tailgate's driving direction by sending motor's revolving direction signal inside of spindle to PTGM.

Anti-pinch Strip

APS(Anti-pinch strip) is installed on the left and righthand sides of the tailgate and detects jamming of an object during Power Tailgate closing operation.

When jamming is detected, PTGM will immediately reverse tailgate to full open status.

Antipinch strip does not operate when tailgate is fully closed or fully open, is stationary or while opening.

Wireless Transmitter

Tailgate will start the Power Opening function when the tailgate opening button on the wireless transmitter is pressed for more than 1.0 second.

If the button is pressed shortly while the power tailgate is opening or closing, the power tailgate will stop its movement.

If the button is pressed for 1.0 second while the power tailgate is opening or closing, the power tailgate will reverse its direction.

Crash Pad Lower Panel Switch

If the crash pad lower panel switch is pushed for 1.0 second, the tailgate will operate power opening or closing function.

If the crash pad lower panel switch is pressed shortly while the power tailgate is opening or closing, the power tailgate will stop its movement.

If the crash pad lower panel switch is pressed for 1.0 second while the power tailgate is opening or closing, the power tailgate will reverse its direction.

7.	Power Tailgate Inner Switch If the switch inside of the tailgate is pushed, the tailgate will start the power closing function.

8.	Power Tailgate Buzzer When an obstacle is detected or power function is not performed properly in accordance to the user's order, the alarming buzzer will sound for 3 times. And when power function is performed properly, the alarming buzzer will sound twice.

Operating Principle

Opening of the Power Tailgate

Primary switch signal is sent to PTGM via CAN communication. (sent by SJB)

PTGM Opening Process

1.	Opening will start after signals from crash pad lower switch, tailgate handle switch, or wireless remote key(FOB) are received.

2.	The latch motor will unlatch the tailgate by releasing the striker (via the SJB).

3.	To open the tailgate, the PTG module will activate the tailgate spindle motors.

4.	The speed of the spindle motors is monitored via a hall sensor in the motor.

Opening angle of the tailgate will be calculated from the number of pulses of the hall sensor.

•	When the motor’s movement is restricted PTGM will sense it as an obstacle and either reverse in opposite direction or halt the motor movement.

Power Tailgate closing

PTGM Closing Procedure :

1.	Closing will start after signals from driver's console switch, tailgate inside switch, or wireless remote key(FOB) are received.

2.	To close the tailgate, the PTGM will operate the Spindle motors.

3.	The PTGM monitors the Closing angle of the tailgate by counting the pulses from the hall sensors.

4.	The tailgate latch is put on the striker, and if the seal force is not too weak the latch will be on the Half Lock position. (latch full open → latch half lock)

5.	After the Half Lock switch signal from the latch is received, PTGM will stop the tailgate spindle motor operation.

6.	PTGM will engage voltage to PCU and the PCU will start cinching operation until PTGM receives Full Lock signal from the latch.

7.	The tailgate is fully closed, and the latch is fully locked.

Learning/Calculation/Program Location

Maximum Point for Opening

The movement of opening direction beyond this position will make the tailgate to reach the maximum basic position, and overload the mechanical system(hinge).

So, opening movement beyond this position is impossible.

But, if the movement started from lower position, the tailgate will move beyond this point.

Learned Mechanical End Position

Mechanical End Position is the mechanical limited position, and is regarded as 100% opened.

This position is being Learnt in the process of the first opening of the tailgate.

After the learning, the tailgate will not go beyond the maximum basic position that is defined as soft stop.

All of the positions will be defined by parameters that are designated by ECU.

Open maximum Programming (Garage Position)

After mechanical End Position is learned, the basic position defined by user will be regarded as same as the maximum basic position.

–	The user may shift the learned basic position to any position. (within the range between Maximum position For Closing and Maximum Basic Position)

–	If the user wishes to move the new basic position lower than the old basic position, he or she has to move the tailgate to the new position automatically or manually and push the internal switch of the tailgate for five seconds. (Time may differ in accordance with parameters.)

–	If the user wishes to set the tailgate position above the maximum basic position, ECU will set the basic position as the maximum basic position.

System Parameter

Before the normal operation is guaranteed, mechanical tolerance and adjustment at vehicle production line and the maximum movement range correction by Power Tailgate assembling are required.

From the end point that is limited by mechanical binding when the tailgate is fully closed (latch locked), the maximum movement range of the tailgate in operation is expressed by the number of the hall pulse signal of spindle speed and location sensor that are sent by ECU.

Calibration Mode

Manual De-calibration Mode

Buzzer Operation Mode

Operation	Request source	Number of buzzer cycles	Number of hazard cycles	Comment
Start opening	Outside Switch	2	2	Delay start of tailgate until first cycle is over
	Inner Switch
	Console Switch
	Remote Key
	Smart Key
Start closing	Outside Switch	2	2
	Inner Switch
	Console Switch
	Remote Key
	Smart Key
Direct direction change (Open -> Close) (Area : Closed - Maximum end point for closing)	Outside Switch	2	2	No delay (Reversing and buzzing at the same time) - Only delay due to mechnical system
	Inner Switch
	Console Switch
	Remote Key
	Smart Key
Obstacle detection (Reverse operation start)	-	3	-	-
Vehicle speeds when tailgate is open	-	10	-	Stop condition 1. Complete 10 times. 2. Tailgate full lock.
Adjust height	Inner Switch	2	-	-
Initialization (Deleting end position and basic position)	Inner Switch & Outside Switch	1	-	-
Initialization (Learning end point)	-	-	2	-
Initialization (During calibration)	-	Continuous	-	-
Tailgate not closed	-	10	10	Tailgate closed but lock switch not off (Still open)
Error detect	-	3	-	- APS error - Spindle error - Hall sensor error - System error (EEPROM error) - Voltage error (Over/Under) - PCU error - Latch position error - Stuck switches. (Switch pressed more than 30 sec) - Thermal protection

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