FR3061874A1 - MECHANICAL BONDING DEVICE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE TAIL AND A MOTOR VEHICLE HAVING SUCH A DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

This mechanical connection device comprises a movable knuckle (10) secured to the hatchway guided in a first wiper movement, and free in a second rotational movement about the main axis. It comprises a fixed knuckle (11) integral with the body (2) adapted to guide the movable knuckle (10) in its first wiper movement, and to allow the second movement of rotation of the movable knuckle (10) around the main axis .

Description

Holder (s): folded.

RENAULT S.A.S Joint-stock company simO Extension request (s):

® Agent (s): RENAULT SAS.

® MECHANICAL CONNECTION DEVICE FOR A TAILGATE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE AND A MOTOR VEHICLE HAVING SUCH A DEVICE.

FR 3 061 874 - A1 (57) The mechanical connection device comprises a movable knuckle (10) integral with the tailgate guided in a first swaying movement, and free in a second rotation movement around the main axis.

It comprises a fixed knuckle (11) integral with the body (2) able to guide the mobile knuckle (10) in its first swaying movement, and to authorize the second movement of rotation of the mobile knuckle (10) around the main axis .

MECHANICAL CONNECTION DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE TAILGATE AND MOTOR VEHICLE HAVING SUCH A DEVICE

The present invention relates to tailgates of motor vehicles. By tailgate, we understand an opening located at the rear of the roof of the motor vehicle, freeing access to the interior of the motor vehicle by opening towards the upper part of the vehicle.

It includes mechanical links, fixed in the upper part of the vehicle and whose main axis of rotation is parallel to a transverse direction of the vehicle. These mechanical links, generally hinges, are fixed to the tailgate and to the body and form the first means of articulation of the tailgate relative to the body.

These hinges allow the tailgate to rotate, relative to the body, about a main axis of rotation of said first articulation means.

The vehicle also includes pneumatic balancers whose first and second secondary axes of rotation are substantially parallel to the main axis of rotation. These balancers are also fixed to the tailgate and to the body and constitute second means of articulation of the tailgate and the body between them. The tailgate and the body are then respectively mobile in rotation, relative to the second articulation means, around the first and second secondary axes of rotation of the second articulation means. Such a tailgate is movable between an open position in which it releases, at least in part, access to the interior of the vehicle and a closed position in which it closes this access. This access is generally delimited by a rear opening made in the vehicle body.

For practical reasons, we want this access to be as wide as possible. Thus, the tailgate has relatively large dimensions so that the access is relatively large.

These large dimensions generate, during the opening and closing of the tailgate, a significant bulk in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle due, on the one hand, to the rotary trajectory of the tailgate relative to the vehicle body and, on the other hand, the extension of the vehicle formed by the tailgate in its open position. This longitudinal size is particularly disadvantageous when the tailgate is facing and near a wall or another vehicle. In the case of loading in difficult areas, the tailgate cannot fully open without avoiding contact with a vehicle parked behind, or a wall, or even an obstacle. For example, in an underground car park where the height of the ceilings is limited, the opening of the tailgate is difficult and can lead to contact with the ceiling.

Thus, motor vehicles must be equipped with a tailgate having as little longitudinal space as possible while retaining the greatest possible access during opening, in particular, by having the most vertical travel possible, while limiting vertical bulk.

We know from the unexamined patent application FR 1558691 of the applicant a vehicle comprising a movable tailgate directed by a stabilizing element. A guide rail is mounted on one side of the upper part of the vehicle body. It extends over the rear part of the vehicle body. A support is fixedly attached to the tailgate, this support being adapted to slide along the rail, the stabilizing element, connected directly to the tailgate, being pivotally mounted on the body.

Another solution is given by document EP 1706284 which discloses a mechanism for opening a tailgate. In the system described by this document, the tailgate is capable of moving towards the roof and resting on it by means of articulations. These means allow the tailgate to be articulated around a horizontal axis of rotation. They include arms that rotate relative to the structure of the vehicle around the axis of rotation, which is located away from the tailgate by creating a hinge offset from the tailgate. The tailgate then slides relative to the vehicle structure by being tilted upwards in the open position.

Document EP 1764248 discloses a vehicle with a tailgate. The tailgate is connected to the rear part of the vehicle by an arm and a jack. The tailgate is guided in rotation by the pivoting arm pivotally articulated at one lower end of the body, and it is pivotally articulated at its other end. It is guided at the same time in translation in a substantially horizontal direction by a guide means on the roof.

Document EP 2030821 discloses an opening in two parts for a motor vehicle. A first upper part of the opening comprising a tailgate is articulated relative to the body of the vehicle by articulation means which are integral with this tailgate, the tailgate being movable in rotation about a main axis of rotation of the means d 'joint, and this axis moves itself in a guide slide of the main axis in translation relative to the body along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

In view of the foregoing, the object of the invention is to propose a mechanical connection device allowing at least one degree of rotation about a main axis of rotation parallel to a transverse direction of the vehicle.

The mechanical connection device comprises a movable knuckle secured to the tailgate guided in a first swaying movement, and free in a second rotational movement around the main axis. It includes a fixed knuckle secured to the body capable of guiding the mobile knuckle in its first swaying movement, and to allow the second movement of rotation of the mobile knuckle around the main axis.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the movable knuckle comprises two tenons intended to be housed in guide rails, one of the two tenons being provided with a head intended to be housed in an end of travel stop.

According to another characteristic, the fixed knuckle comprises a first guide rail extending from a first end at the interface between the fixed knuckle and the body, to a second open end, this first rail being able to guide a tenon in a translational movement to its second end.

The fixed knuckle may comprise a second guide rail extending from a first end at the interface between the fixed knuckle and the body, up to a second end comprising a limit stop comprising a housing capable of allowing and maintaining a tenon head in a rotational movement around the main axis.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the housing of the end stop of the second guide rail has an oblong shape comprising two elongated flat faces, and two faces in half-cylinder.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the mechanical connection device is fixedly attached to the rear part of the roof of the box.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the two tenons of the movable knuckle moving in the rails of the fixed knuckle give the first swaying movement to the movable knuckle.

For example, the tenon head in rotational movement around the main axis prints the second rotational movement around the main axis of the movable knuckle.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a body, a tailgate mounted movably on the body between an open position and a closed position, the tailgate being movable by means of at least one mechanical connection device allowing at least one degree of rotation about a main axis of rotation parallel to a transverse direction of the vehicle.

The mechanical connection device comprises a movable knuckle secured to the tailgate guided in a first swaying movement, and free in a second rotational movement around the main axis. It includes a fixed knuckle secured to the body capable of guiding the mobile knuckle in its first swaying movement, and to allow the second movement of rotation of the mobile knuckle around the main axis.

In one embodiment of the invention, the vehicle comprises at least one balancer fixed on the one hand to the tailgate by means of a ball joint provided on a projecting tab of the tailgate, and on the other hand to the body.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the tailgate is connected to the body by two symmetrical mechanical links and two balancers, each mechanical connection device being arranged at one end of the main axis.

Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of nonlimiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the rear of a motor vehicle,

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a movable knuckle according to the invention,

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a fixed knuckle according to the invention,

- Figure 4 is an illustration of a mechanical connection device according to the invention in a closed position of the tailgate,

- Figure 5 illustrates a mechanical connection device according to the invention in an intermediate position of transition between two movements,

- Figure 6 illustrates a mechanical connection device according to the invention in an open position of the tailgate,

FIG. 7 is a side view of the rear of the body of a motor vehicle according to the invention with a tailgate in the closed position,

FIG. 8 is a side view of the rear of the body of a motor vehicle according to the invention with a tailgate in the intermediate position of transition between two movements,

FIG. 9 is a side view of the rear of the body of a motor vehicle according to the invention with a tailgate in the open position,

FIG. 10 illustrates the distal end of a rail of a mechanical connection device according to the invention,

FIG. 11 illustrates the shape of the interior of a stop housing in accordance with the invention,

- Figure 12 illustrates the location of a movable knuckle on a tailgate,

- Figure 13 illustrates the location of a fixed knuckle on the roof of the box, and

- Figure 14 illustrates a tailgate in the open position, connected to a mechanical connection device according to the invention and to a balancer.

In FIGS. 1 to 14, axes X, Y, Z are shown orthogonal to each other corresponding to the usual longitudinal X, transverse Y and vertical Z orientations of a vehicle. The longitudinal axis is oriented from front to rear of the vehicle.

Thereafter, the terms “front”, “rear”, “left”, and “right” are defined in accordance with the orthogonal reference frame of reference.

The vehicle 1 is, in the example shown in FIGS. 1, 7, 8, 9, a two-body saloon type vehicle, comprising a body 2 and a tailgate 3. This tailgate is movable between an open position in which it releases, at least in part, an access to the interior of the vehicle 1 and a closed position in which it closes the access to the interior of the vehicle 1.

The access freed by the tailgate in its open position is delimited by an opening 4 made in the body 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 comprises a rear storage space 5 separated into an upper part 6 and a lower part 7 by a separation member 8, substantially parallel to the plane XY, in this case, a shelf.

The opening gives access to the upper 6 and lower 7 parts of the storage space 5.

In addition, the tailgate 3 is connected to the body 2 of the vehicle 1 by means of two mechanical links. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, each mechanical connection device comprises a movable knuckle 10 and a fixed knuckle 11.

The two mechanical links are arranged symmetrically on the body 2 near or on the roof 12 of the vehicle 1, a mechanical connection device being arranged on the left side of the vehicle and another mechanical connection device being arranged on the right side of the vehicle. The mechanical links being symmetrical, we will limit ourselves to the description of the only mechanical connection device 9 illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.

Without departing from the scope of the invention, it is possible to envisage another embodiment, in which only a mechanical connection device 9 is arranged, either at one of the lateral ends of the body 2, or on its central part, near or on the roof 12 of the vehicle 1.

In Figure 2, there is shown a movable knuckle 10 comprising a fixing plate 13 intended to be fixed to the tailgate at three fixing points 13a, 13b, 13c. The movable knuckle 10 also comprises two projecting lugs 14a and 14b in a plane orthogonal to the plane of the fixing plate 13. These lugs are designed to receive at their distal end a lug 15a and 15b.

Each post is cylindrical in shape to be able to slide in a guide rail. The post 15b comprises an oblong head 15c, disposed on the other side of the body of the post 15b relative to the tab 14b.

Referring to Figure 3, a fixed knuckle comprises a fixing plate 16 intended to be fixed to the body 2 of the vehicle at three fixing points 16a, 16b and 16c. It includes two guide rails 17a and 17b. The guide rail 17a extends from a first closed end in contact with the fixing plate 16 to a second open end. The guide rail 17b extends from a first closed end in contact with the fixing plate 16 to a second end comprising a limit stop.

The guide rails 17a and 17b are composed, without limitation, and as shown in Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 14, of two rectilinear parts connected together by means of a curved central part.

The guide rails 17a and 17b are offset from each other in the plane of the fixing plate 16, and the rail 17a has a curvature slightly less than that of the rail 17b.

These guide rails 17a and 17b have a rectangular section partially extruded at the level of a top, adapted to guide in translation the tenons 15a and 15b of the movable knuckle 10 from the first end, to the second.

The mechanical connection device 9, visible in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 results from the assembly of the movable knuckle 10 with the fixed knuckle 11. In the present case, the pins 15a and 15b are geometrically forced to remain in the rails of guides 17a and 17b.

FIG. 4 shows the mechanical connection device 9 at the start of the travel of the movable knuckle 10. This position corresponds to a closed position of the tailgate 3.

During the movement, the tenons slide inside the guide rails 17a and 17b and follow the curvatures of the two guide rails in their curved central part. In doing so, they print a first swaying movement combining a translation and a rotation with the movable knuckle 10.

In Figure 5, there is shown the mechanical connection device at two thirds of the stroke of the movable knuckle 10. This position corresponds to an intermediate position of the position of the tailgate. The two pins 15a and 15b have reached the distal ends of the guide rails 17a and 17b.

The head 15c of the pin 15b is housed in the end of travel stop 18, which puts an end to the translational movement of the pins 15a and 15b.

The opening provided at the distal end of the guide rail 17a allows the tenon 15a to exit from said guide rail 17a. It also allows the entry of the post 15a into said guide rail 17a.

The travel of the mobile knuckle 10, on the other hand, continues with a second movement of rotation of the mobile knuckle 10 around the tenon head 15c which acts as a pivot around a main axis of rotation, parallel to a transverse direction of the vehicle . This pivot link is made possible by the geometry of the housing provided in the end of travel stop 18, which is comparable to a bearing.

FIG. 6 shows the mechanical connection device 9 at the end of the travel of the movable knuckle 10. This position corresponds to an open position of the tailgate 3.

The rear of a body 2 of a motor vehicle according to the invention is respectively shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 in a position respectively closed, two-thirds of the way through, and open of the tailgate 3.

The distal end of the rail 17b shown in FIG. 10 includes an end of travel stop 18. This part has the double function of blocking the rectilinear translation in the direction of the guide rail of the head 15c, and of allowing rotation partial of the head 15c about an axis orthogonal to the direction of the guide rail.

It is understood that FIG. 11 illustrates the housing provided in the end-of-travel stop 18. This housing has an oblong shape comprising two elongated planar faces, and two half-cylinder faces. This shape is particularly suitable for receiving in the axis of the guide rail the tenon head 15c, and for maintaining it therein during the rotation thereof.

It is also understood that the two movements of the stroke of the movable knuckle 10 are reversible.

A detail of the tailgate 3, and in particular of the location provided for fixing the movable knuckle 10, has been illustrated in FIG. 12.

An assembly of the mechanical connection device on the rear of the roof 12 of a vehicle according to the invention is visible in FIG. 13. In order to make the area more aesthetic, a cover 19 is placed above the fixed knuckle 11 .

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In another embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 14, a balancer 20 is fixed on the one hand to the tailgate by means of a ball joint 21 provided on a projecting tab of the tailgate 3, and on the other hand to the body 2. This tab could also be integrated into the movable knuckle 5 10.

Claims (11)

1. Mechanical connection device (9) allowing at least one degree of rotation about a main axis of rotation parallel to a transverse direction of the vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a movable knuckle (10) integral with the tailgate (3 ) guided in a first swinging movement, and free in a second rotary movement around the main axis, and in that it comprises a fixed knuckle (11) secured to the body (2) capable of guiding the mobile knuckle ( 10) in its first swaying movement, and to authorize the second movement of rotation of the movable knuckle (10) around the main axis. 2. Mechanical connection device (9) according to claim 2, in which the movable knuckle (10) comprises two pins (15a, 15b) intended to be housed in guide rails (17a, 17b), one of the two pins (15a, 15b) being provided with a head intended to be housed in an end-of-travel stop. 3. Mechanical connection device (9) according to claim 2, in which the fixed knuckle (11) comprises a first guide rail (17a) extending from a first end at the interface between the fixed knuckle (11) and the body (2), to a second open end, this first rail being able to guide a post in a translational movement to its second end. 4. Mechanical connection device (9) according to one of claims 2 or 3, in which the fixed knuckle (11) comprises a second guide rail (17b) extending from a first end at the interface between the knuckle fixed (11) and the body (2), up to a second end comprising a limit stop (18) comprising a housing capable of authorizing and maintaining a tenon head (15c) in a rotational movement around the main axis. 5. Mechanical connection device (9) according to claim 4, wherein the housing of the limit stop (18) of the second guide rail (17b) has an oblong shape comprising two elongated planar faces, and two faces in half cylinder. 6. Mechanical connection device (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the mechanical connection device (9) is fixedly attached to the rear part of the roof (12) of a body (2) of motor vehicle. 7. Mechanical connection device (9) according to claim 6, in which the two tenons (15a, 15b) of the movable knuckle (10) moving in the guide rails (17a, 17b) of the fixed knuckle (11) print the first swaying movement with movable knuckle (10). 8. Mechanical connection device (9) according to one of claims 6 and 7, wherein the tenon head in rotational movement around the main axis prints the second rotational movement around the main axis of the movable knuckle (10). 9. Motor vehicle (1), comprising a body (2), a tailgate (3) movably mounted on the body (2) between an open position and a closed position, characterized in that the tailgate (3) is movable by means at least one mechanical connection device (9) allowing at least one degree of rotation about a main axis of rotation parallel to a transverse direction of the vehicle, said mechanical connection device (9) comprising a movable knuckle (10) secured to the tailgate (3) guided in a first swinging movement, and free in a second rotary movement around the main axis, and comprising a fixed knuckle (11) secured to the body (2) capable of guiding the movable knuckle ( 10) in its first swaying movement, and to authorize the second movement of rotation of the movable knuckle (10) around the main axis. 10. Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 9, comprising at least one balancer (20) fixed on the one hand to the tailgate (3) by means of a ball joint (21) provided on a projecting tab of the tailgate (3), and on the other hand on the body (2). 11. Motor vehicle (1) according to one of claims 9 and 10, wherein the tailgate (3) is connected to the body (2) by two mechanical links (9) symmetrical and two balancers (20), each device connecting the main axis. mechanical (9) being arranged at one end of 1/7