CN115853367A

CN115853367A - Tail door assembly for vehicle and vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN115853367A
Application number: CN202111119196.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 王子叶; J-E·布洛西耶; 周中祥; 李兵; 王威
Original assignee: PSA Automobiles SA
Current assignee: PSA Automobiles SA
Priority date: 2021-09-24
Filing date: 2021-09-24
Publication date: 2023-03-28

Abstract

The invention provides a tail gate assembly for a vehicle and the vehicle. The tailgate assembly includes: a tailgate rotatably connected to the vehicle body; a movable member having an elongated shape and having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, the first longitudinal end being pivotably connected to the tailgate; a telescopic support unit having both ends rotatably connected to the second longitudinal end of the movable member and the vehicle body, respectively; and a locking unit configured to be switchable between a locked state in which the movable member is locked to the tailgate and an unlocked state in which the movable member is unlocked. The tailgate is adapted to be rotated between a closed position and a first open position by means of the telescopic support unit when the locking unit is in the locked state, and to be rotated between the closed position and a second open position by means of the telescopic support unit and the movable member when the locking unit is in the unlocked state, the first open angle of the tailgate being smaller in the first open position than in the second open position. The tail gate assembly allows for adjustment of the tail gate opening and closing range.

Description

Tail door assembly for vehicle and vehicle

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the field of vehicle technology, and more particularly to a tailgate assembly for a vehicle.

Background

The rear of the vehicle body is generally provided with an opening through which a user places or takes articles into or from the trunk. The opening may be opened and closed by a tailgate. Generally, the tailgate can be moved from a closed position to an open position by means of a gas spring, and this way of opening the tailgate makes the opening angle limited when the tailgate is in the open position, with the problem that it is not easy to access large items.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention aims to solve the above problems in the prior art and to provide an improved tailgate assembly for a vehicle and a vehicle comprising such a tailgate assembly.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tailgate assembly for a vehicle, the tailgate assembly comprising: a tailgate rotatably connected to a body of the vehicle; a movable member having an elongated shape and having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, the first longitudinal end being pivotably connected to the tailgate; a telescopic support unit having both ends rotatably connected to the second longitudinal end of the movable member and the vehicle body, respectively; and a locking unit configured to be switchable between a locked state in which the movable member is locked to the tailgate and an unlocked state in which the locking of the movable member is released; wherein the tail gate is adapted to be rotated between a closed position and a first open position by means of the telescopic support unit when the locking unit is in the locked state, and to be rotated between the closed position and a second open position by means of the telescopic support unit and the movable member when the locking unit is in the unlocked state, a first open angle of the tail gate in the first open position being smaller than a second open angle in the second open position.

The opening and closing range of the tailgate can be selectively increased by providing the movable member and the locking unit, and the user can be allowed to select the opening and closing range of the tailgate according to actual needs so as to easily access and place the article, for example, the user can unlock the locking unit so that the tailgate can be opened at a larger angle so as to place a large article at the trunk.

The present invention may further include any one or more of the following alternatives in accordance with the above technical concept.

In some alternatives, the tailgate includes a first side and a second side adjacent the first side, the first side being rotatably connected to the body.

In some alternatives, the movable member is disposed at the second side of the tailgate and extends along the second side when the locking unit is in the locked state.

In some alternatives, the locking unit comprises: a base fixed to the movable member; an operating member pivotably connected to the base to pivot between a locked position and an unlocked position corresponding to the locked state and the unlocked state of the locking unit, respectively; a locking member mounted to the operating member; and a mating member secured to the tailgate; wherein the locking member is adapted to engage the mating member and lock with the mating member when the operating member is pivoted to the locking position.

In some alternatives, the locking member includes a torsion spring section having a mounting end mounted to the operating member and an engagement end adapted to engage the mating member.

In some alternatives, the locking member includes two symmetrically disposed torsion spring sections and a connecting section connecting the engaging ends of the two torsion spring sections together.

In some alternatives, the mating member includes a mating section and a connecting section, the engagement end of the torsion spring section being hook-shaped and adapted to hook the mating section, the connecting section being connected to the tailgate.

In some alternatives, the operating member includes a first stop portion, and the base includes a second stop portion, the first stop portion being adapted to abut the second stop portion to limit the operating member in the locked position when the operating member is pivoted to the locked position.

In some alternatives, the telescopic support unit is in the form of a gas spring and comprises a cylinder rotatably connected to the vehicle body and a piston rod at least partially received within the cylinder and reciprocally movable in a longitudinal direction of the cylinder, the piston rod being rotatably connected to the second longitudinal end of the movable member.

In some alternatives, the second opening angle is greater than 90 °.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising a vehicle body and a tailgate assembly for a vehicle according to the first aspect of the invention, the tailgate of the tailgate assembly being rotatably connected to a rear portion of the vehicle body.

The tailgate assembly for a vehicle and the vehicle according to the present invention allow the opening and closing range of the tailgate to be selectively increased, especially facilitating a user to place a large item at a trunk.

Drawings

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by the following detailed description of alternative embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a tailgate assembly for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein a locking unit of the tailgate assembly is in a locked state;

FIG. 2 shows another schematic view of a tailgate assembly for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein a locking unit of the tailgate assembly is in an unlocked state;

fig. 3 and 4 are partial perspective views of a tailgate assembly for a vehicle, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from different angles, showing a movable member, a retractable support unit and a locking unit of the tailgate assembly, respectively;

fig. 5A and 5B are partial perspective views of a tailgate assembly for a vehicle, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from different angles, respectively, showing a movable member and a locking unit of the tailgate assembly;

fig. 6A to 6C are a perspective view, a side view, and a sectional view, respectively, of a locking unit of a tailgate assembly for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 7 is an exploded view of a locking unit of a tailgate assembly for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The making and using of the embodiments are discussed in detail below. It should be understood, however, that the embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not limit the scope of the invention. The description herein of the structural positions of the respective components, such as the directions of upper, lower, top, bottom, etc., is not absolute, but relative. When the respective components are arranged as shown in the drawings, these direction expressions are appropriate, but when the positions of the respective components in the drawings are changed, these direction expressions are changed accordingly.

In the present invention, the longitudinal direction of the device or the component means the length direction of the component, and the lateral direction of the device or the component means the width direction of the component.

Fig. 1 and 2 show schematic views of a tailgate assembly 100 for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The tailgate assembly 100 may include: tail gate 102, movable member 104, telescoping support unit 106, and locking unit 108.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, a rear body 200 of the vehicle defines an opening (not shown) through which a user places or removes items to or from a trunk. The tailgate 102 of the tailgate assembly 100 is rotatably/pivotally connected to a rear body 200 (e.g., tailgate frame) of the vehicle to open or close the opening.

The tailgate 102 may be generally in the shape of a bent plate. The tailgate 102 includes a first side 110 and a second side 112. Wherein the first side edge 110 may extend substantially in the lateral direction of the vehicle and is rotatably/pivotally connected to the rear vehicle body 200 to allow the tailgate 102 to rotate/pivot between a closed position, in which the opening of the rear vehicle body 200 is closed, and a plurality of open positions, in which the opening of the rear vehicle body 200 is open. The second side 112 is adjacent to the first side 110. The second side 112 may, for example, extend substantially in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction of the vehicle.

Referring collectively to fig. 3 and 4, the movable member 104 may be elongate in shape and have a first longitudinal end 114 and a second longitudinal end 116. The movable member 104 may be disposed at the second side 112 of the tailgate 102. The first longitudinal end 114 of the movable member 104 may be pivotally connected to the second side 112 of the tailgate 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the first longitudinal end 114 of the movable member 104 may be connected to the second side 112 of the tailgate 102 by a connecting member 118.

Both ends of the telescopic support unit 106 are rotatably connected to the second longitudinal end 116 of the movable member 104 and the rear vehicle body 200, respectively. The retractable support unit 106 can extend and retract and support the tailgate 102, so that the tailgate 102 can be opened and closed at a certain angle range. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the telescopic support unit 106 may be in the form of a gas spring and include a cylinder 120 and a piston rod 122 at least partially housed within the cylinder 120 and capable of reciprocating in a longitudinal direction of the cylinder 120. The cylinder 120 may be rotatably coupled to the rear body portion 200 and the piston rod 122 may be rotatably coupled to the second longitudinal end 116 of the movable member 104. It will be appreciated that any other suitable telescoping support unit 106 capable of telescoping and supporting the tailgate 102 may be used.

Referring back to fig. 1 and 2, the locking unit 108 is configured to be switchable between a locked state in which the movable member 104 is locked to the tailgate 102 and an unlocked state in which the locking of the movable member 104 is released.

Referring to fig. 1, when the locking unit 108 is in the locked state, the movable member 104 is fixed relative to the tailgate 102 (i.e., is not rotatable relative to the tailgate 102), and the movable member 104 may extend generally along the second side 112. At this time, the rear door 102 can be rotated between the closed position and the first open position shown in fig. 1 by means of the pivoting of the telescopic support unit 106 with respect to the rear body portion 200 and the telescopic support unit 106. In fig. 1, the tailgate 102 is rotated to a first open position and has a first open angle α. The first opening angle α is the angle by which the tailgate 102 is rotated from the closed position to the first open position.

Referring to fig. 2, the movable member 104 is rotatable with respect to the tailgate 102 when the locking unit 108 is in the unlocked state. At this time, the tailgate 102 may further increase the opening and closing range by means of the rotation of the movable member 104, so that the tailgate 102 may be rotated between the closed position and the second open position shown in fig. 2 by means of the retractable supporting unit 106 and the movable member 104. In fig. 2, the tailgate 102 is pivoted to a second open position and has a second opening angle β. The second opening angle β is an angle by which the tailgate 102 is rotated from the closed position to the second open position. The second opening angle β of the tail door 102 in the second opening position is larger than the first opening angle α in the first opening position. In the illustrated embodiment, the second opening angle β is greater than 90 °.

The opening and closing range of tailgate 102 may be selectively increased by providing movable member 104 and locking unit 108, allowing a user to select the opening and closing range of tailgate 102 as desired for easy access to items, e.g., a user may unlock locking unit 108 so that tailgate 102 may be opened at a greater angle for placement of large items, such as bicycles, motorcycles, etc., at a trunk.

Referring to fig. 5A to 7, the locking unit 108 may include a base 124, an operating member 126, a locking member 128, and a fitting member 130.

The base 124 may be fixed to the movable member 104. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the base 124 may have a central portion 132 and two side portions 134 on either side of the central portion 132. Wherein the middle portion 132 may be arched with respect to the two side portions 134. The two side portions 134 of the base 124 may be secured between the first and second longitudinal ends 114, 116 of the movable member 104, such as by threaded fasteners.

The operating member 126 is pivotably connected to the base 124 to pivot between a locking position and an unlocking position corresponding to the locked state and the unlocked state of the locking unit 108, respectively. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the operating member 126 may be in the form of a handle and may be connected to the middle portion 132 of the base 124 by a pivot shaft 136 (see fig. 7). The operating member 126 may be provided with first receiving holes 138 at both sides. Accordingly, the base 124 may be provided with second receiving holes 140 on both sides of the middle portion 132. The pivot shaft 136 may pass through the first and second receiving holes 138, 140 to pivotally connect the operating member 126 to the middle portion 132 of the base 124.

The locking member 128 may be mounted to the operating member 126. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the locking member 128 may include two torsion spring sections 142 that are symmetrically disposed and a connecting section 144 that connects the two torsion spring sections 142 together. The locking member 128 may be made of metal.

The torsion spring section 142 may have a mounting end 146 and an engagement end 148. The mounting end 146 of the torsion spring section 142 can be mounted to the operating member 126. The engagement ends 148 of the torsion spring sections 142 can be connected together by the connecting section 144 and are adapted to engage the mating member 130. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the mounting end 146 and the engagement end 148 of the torsion spring section 142 can each be generally hook-shaped. Wherein the mounting ends 146 of the two torsion spring sections 142 can hook/engage the mounting holes 150 on both sides of the operating member 126, respectively, such that the locking member 128 is mounted to the operating member 126. The engagement ends 148 of the two torsion spring sections 142 are adapted to hook/engage the mating member 130.

The mating member 130 may be secured to the tailgate 102. The mating member 130 has a mating section 152 at the center and a connecting section 154 at both sides of the mating section 152. The engagement end 148 of the torsion spring section 142 of the locking member 128 is adapted to hook/engage the mating section 152 of the mating member 130. The connecting section 154 of the mating member 130 may be secured to the tailgate 102, such as welded to the second side 112 of the tailgate 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the mating member 130 includes two connecting sections 154 symmetrically disposed on either side of the mating section 152.

Further, the operating member 126 may include a first stopper portion 156, and the base 124 may include a second stopper portion 158. The first stopper portion 156 is adapted to abut the second stopper portion 158 to restrain the operating member 126 in the locking position when the operating member 126 is pivoted to the locking position. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the first and

second retention portions

156, 158 are each in the form of a tab.

The operation of the locking unit 108 will be described in detail with reference to fig. 1 to 7.

When the movable member 104 is locked/fixed to the tailgate 102 by the locking unit 108, the operating member 126 may be first rotated to the unlocked position as shown in fig. 6B, and when the operating member 126 is in the unlocked position, the locking member 128 may be easily hooked to and unhooked from the engaging member 130. Thereafter, the locking member 128 may be hooked to the engaging member 130 (as shown in fig. 6B), and the operating member 126 may be rotated from the unlocked position to the locked position (with the orientation of fig. 6B, the operating member 126 may be rotated counterclockwise from the unlocked position to the locked position). Since the mounting end 146 of the locking member 128 is engaged with the operating member 126, when the operating member 126 is rotated from the unlocking position to the locking position, the mounting end 146 of the locking member 128 is moved, so that the locking member 128 is elastically deformed, and a certain elastic force is applied to the mating member 130, thereby locking the locking member 128 and the mating member 130 to each other. At this time, the movable member 104 is locked to the tailgate 102 by the locking unit 108 (i.e., the movable member 104 cannot rotate relative to the tailgate 102) such that the tailgate 102 can only rotate between the closed position and the first open position.

When the movable member 104 is unlocked by the locking unit 108, the operating member 126 may be rotated from the locking position to the unlocking position, and then the locking member 128 is disengaged from the engaging member 130. At this time, the movable member 104 can freely rotate relative to the tailgate 102, so that the tailgate 102 can rotate between the closed position and the second open position even if the tailgate 102 has a larger opening and closing range.

Only the example of the locking unit is described above, and it is conceivable to use various forms of mechanical or electronic locking devices as long as locking and unlocking of the movable member 104 can be achieved.

It should be understood that the embodiments shown in fig. 1-7 are merely illustrative of the shape, size and arrangement of various optional components of a tailgate assembly for a vehicle according to the present invention, however, they are merely illustrative and not limiting, and other shapes, sizes and arrangements may be adopted without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

While the technical content and the technical features of the invention have been disclosed, it is understood that various changes and modifications of the concept disclosed above can be made by those skilled in the art within the spirit of the invention, and the invention is covered by the scope of the invention. The above description of embodiments is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A tailgate assembly for a vehicle, characterized in that the tailgate assembly comprises:

a tailgate rotatably connected to a body of the vehicle;

a movable member having an elongated shape and having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, the first longitudinal end being pivotably connected to the tailgate;

a telescopic support unit having both ends rotatably connected to the second longitudinal end of the movable member and the vehicle body, respectively; and

a lock unit configured to be switchable between a locked state in which the movable member is locked to the tailgate and an unlocked state in which the lock of the movable member is released;

wherein the tailgate is adapted to be rotated between a closed position and a first open position by means of the telescopic support unit when the locking unit is in the locked state, and to be rotated between the closed position and a second open position by means of the telescopic support unit and the movable member when the locking unit is in the unlocked state, a first open angle of the tailgate being smaller in the first open position than in the second open position.

2. A tailgate assembly for a vehicle, according to claim 1, wherein said tailgate comprises a first side and a second side adjacent said first side, said first side being pivotally connected to said vehicle body.

3. A tailgate assembly for a vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the movable member is provided at the second side edge of the tailgate and extends along the second side edge when the locking unit is in the locked state.

4. The tailgate assembly for a vehicle, according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the locking unit comprises:

a base fixed to the movable member;

an operating member pivotably connected to the base to pivot between a locked position and an unlocked position corresponding to a locked state and an unlocked state of the locking unit, respectively;

a locking member mounted to the operating member; and

a mating member secured to the tailgate;

wherein the locking member is adapted to engage the mating member and lock with the mating member when the operating member is pivoted to the locking position.

5. The tailgate assembly for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the locking member includes a torsion spring section having a mounting end mounted to the operating member and an engaging end adapted to engage the mating member.

6. The tailgate assembly for a vehicle, according to claim 5, wherein the locking member comprises two symmetrically disposed torsion spring sections and a connecting section connecting the engagement ends of the two torsion spring sections together.

7. A tailgate assembly for a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the mating member comprises a mating section and a connecting section, the engagement end of the torsion spring section being hook-shaped and adapted to hook the mating section, the connecting section being connected to the tailgate.

8. The tailgate assembly for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the operating member includes a first stop portion and the base includes a second stop portion, the first stop portion being adapted to abut the second stop portion when the operating member is pivoted to the locking position to restrain the operating member in the locking position.

9. The tailgate assembly for a vehicle according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the telescopic support unit is in the form of a gas spring and comprises a cylinder rotatably connected to the vehicle body and a piston rod at least partially accommodated within the cylinder and reciprocally movable in a longitudinal direction of the cylinder, the piston rod being rotatably connected to the second longitudinal end of the movable member.

10. The tailgate assembly for a vehicle, according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the second opening angle is greater than 90 °.

11. A vehicle, characterized in that the vehicle comprises a body and a tailgate assembly for a vehicle according to any of claims 1-10, the tailgate of the tailgate assembly being rotatably connected to a rear of the body.