GB2290060A

GB2290060A - Two part vehicle tailgate - window springs open when unlocked

Info

Publication number: GB2290060A
Application number: GB9509803A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Grutzmacher; Gerd Reul
Original assignee: Adam Opel GmbH
Current assignee: Adam Opel GmbH
Priority date: 1994-06-01
Filing date: 1995-05-15
Publication date: 1995-12-13
Anticipated expiration: 2015-05-15
Also published as: DE4419128C2; GB9509803D0; GB2290060B; DE4419128A1

Description

2290060 Lockable loading space opening of a motor vehicle body The

invention relates to a lockable loading space opening of a motor vehicle body with the characteristics specified in the introductory part of patent claim 1. In particular it is known to lock openings at the rear of cross-country vehicles or estate cars by means of two elements, such that one is an upper window and another is a lower f lap. The window and the flap are separately pivotable so that it is possible also to leave open or to close partial regions of the opening. This can be sensible when very long objects are to be transported and enables other practical applications.

other vehicles are provided with only one very large and extensively projecting f lap which is substantially less practical to manage even if a window can be lowered.

An arrangement of the aforementioned type is described in DE-PS 26 40 317. The window is pivotable about an upper, the flap about a lower, approximately horizontal axis. If both elements are closed, the flap can be locked on to the body and the window is held by the flap. The latter then lies in the region of a buf f er edge in a sealing manner over the window. Thus an obligatory sequence of actions when opening and closing the body opening is predetermined.

DE-OS 20 36 075 discloses a solution with the aid of which improvements might have been produced by two structural elements (flap and window in this case) not having to lie one over the other in some regions for sealing. The seals described, however, have not established themselves in practice.

In the case of the solution according to DE-PS 26 40 317 incorrect operations can lead to breakage of the window or to damage of a window frame. If the flap is closed first and then the window pushed down, the sealing profile strikes the edge of thq flap. The seal has to be i constructed more flexibly which, however, has the consequence of an unsatisfactory sealing effect.

A solution shown in DE-OS 20 18 319 requires a lot of space in the interior of the vehicle which is to be evaluated as a disadvantage.

It is also known that upper and lower locking parts perf orm coupled movements as a result of which incorrect operations are indeed ruled out but the variability is lost. The operation of only one of the two locking parts is then no longer possible.

It is the task of the invention to produce a two-part lock for the loading space opening of a vehicle which chn be operated simply and without the risk of incorrect manipulations, in a closed position ensures adequate sealing of the vehicle interior and which permits a variable loading and unloading of the loading space.

To solve this task, the lockable loading space opening according to the invention is distinguished by the characterising features of patent claim 1. Further design characteristics emerge from patent claims 2 to 7.

A loading space opening of a motor vehicle body is lockable in an upper region by means of a window. The window is preferably pivotable about an approximately horizontal axis which is arranged on a rear edge of the roof. Thus the window can be transferred upwards into an open position and downwards into a closed position. In the closed position the window can be locked to a flap which covers the lower region of the body opening. The flap can be pivoted open and closed either about a horizontal axis (arranged in the region of the floor of the loading space) or about an axis standing upright (arranged laterally at the end of a body side wall). Furthermore, the flap can be locked in a 2 1 t 71 i closed position on the body.

If the flap is locked, the window can be locked on the flap in which case a seal occurs between the window and the body as well as between the window and the f lap. The window overlaps the flap in the region of a seal (buffer edge) and is pressed on to the latter. The f lap cannot then be opened when the window is closed as the window is located partially in the path of movement of the flap.

According to the invention, it is now provided that the window moves automatically into a partially open position if an unlocking mechanism of the f lap is actuated. For this purpose a window brace is provided. If the flap is open, the window cannot be closed. If it is transferred into the closed position while the f lap is open, it does not remain in this but rather moves automatically into the partially open position. This position of the window is chosen such that the window is not located in the path of movement of the f lap or of parts of its locking mechanism, that is the flap can pivot freely.

To relieve the weight of pivotable vehicle elements (rear doors, engine bonnet...), it is usual to use loaded springs, in particular gas loaded springs. An especially advantageous development of the invention results when these loaded springs also f ind application in the described window and at the same time are also used for transferring the window into the partially open position. In combination with a tilting lever this function can be guaranteed at favourable cost and securely.

With the solution according to the invention an optimum sealing of the interior of the vehicle can be attained. Incorrect operations by the vehicle user are ruled out which leads to a simplified handling and certainly avoids damage.

3 The detailed description of the invention f ollows with reference to an embodiment. In the associated drawings:

Fig 1: shows a rear region of a vehicle body in longitudinal section in schematic illustration; Fig 2: shows detail Z from Figure 1 with illustration of several possible positions of a window.

From Figure 1 the structure of the rear region of a motor vehicle becomes evident. A loading space 1 is lockable at the rear by means of a window 2 and a flap 3 (also to be designated as door 3). At the top, the loading space 1 is bounded by a vehicle roof 4 and its lower termination is formed by a loading space floor 5.

The window 2 can (as shown) be constructed without a frame or alternatively with a frame or as a completely closed element without a viewing opening. It is mounted on the body pivotably about an approximately horizontal axis 6 located in the region of the roof 4. In the embodiment, the flap 3 is mounted on the floor 5 of the loading space pivotably about an axis 7. It could also be laterally pivotable about an axis standing upright. Figure 1 shows the flap 3 in a closed position in which a locking mechanism of the flap 3 is not illustrated. The flap 3 can be locked and unlocked laterally on the body, by way of example on a D-pillar. The window 2 is shown in Figure 1 in a partially open position. In a closed position it rests against a seal 8 which extends on a rear edge of the roof and on lateral body pillars 9. In the lower region of a buffer edge 10, the window 2 covers regions of the flap 3 and rests there likewise against a seal 11. The window 2 can be locked on the flap 3 such that a locking shackle 12 is held by a latch 13. The latch 13 is actuated through the unlocking mechanism of the flap 3. Before the flap 3 is to be opened, during actuation of this mechanism the latch is displaced downwards and the window 2 thus 4 9 released. It is not possible to open the flap 3 while the window is locked. Opening of the window 2 while the flap 3 is closed can, however, take place.

If the unlocking mechanism is actuated as described, the window 2 moves (as shown in Figure 1) automatically into the partially open position. Thus the window 2 is no longer located in the path of movement of the flap 3 which is indicated by the arrow 14. The flap 3 can be opened and locked without any risk of damage to the window 2. With the flap 3 open, the window 2 can in fact be transferred into the closed position but cannot remain in the latter. If it is not held firmly it moves again automatically into the position shown. To achieve this function, a window brace is provided at each of the two ends of the window. The explanation of the structure of the window brace occurs primarily with reference to Figure 2.

on the window 2 a tilting lever 15 is mounted pivotably about an axis 16. A loaded spring, in particular a gas loaded spring, is mounted between the tilting lever 15 and the body pillar 9. It is pivotable at the pillar 9 about an axis 18 and at the tilting lever 15 about an axis 19. The loaded spring 17 is biased and thus endeavours to increase its length. Furthermore, on the tilting lever 17 a roller 20 is mounted rotatably. The pivot movements of the tilting lever 17 about its axis 16 relative to the window 2 are limited by a limit stop 21, such that in the partially opened and in still more widely opened positions, the tilting lever 17 rests on this limit stop 21. If the unlocking mechanism is actuated while the window 2 is closed, the window moves from the closed position (shown by dotted line) into the partially open position (drawn in bold). This occurs by the force of the loaded spring 17. This causes the tilting lever 15 to pivot until it rests on the limit stop 21 while the roller 20 rolls along a roller surf ace 22 of the pillar 9. Thus the tilting lever 15 supports the window 2 in the direction of the pillar 9 and the window 2 pivots about its axis 6 into the partially open position. A further automatic pivoting open of the window 2 can only occur after a manual push as the direction of force of the loaded spring almost intersects the axis 6 of the window 2, that is the power lever arm available is too short. After a push has occurred, the window 2 moves into the open position (shown at the top by dotted line), such that the tilting lever 15 resides in its limit stop position and the roller 20 lifts away from the track 22.

The closing of the window 2 occurs by means of manually exerted pressure with which the loaded spring 17 is tensioned. The window 2 is pivoted so far until the roller 20 rests again on the track 22. When the flap 3 is closed and with further pressure, the tilting lever 15 pivots about the axis 16 and the roller 20 rolls on the track 22 until the shackle 12 catches behind the latch 13. Possible pivot movements of the window 2 are made clear by the arrow 23.

In the case of the solution produced here, loaded springs 17 to be used in the usual way are articulated such that the desired function is attained. The arrangement of the tilting lever 15 is associated with very little outlay and now enables the automatic arrangement of the window 2 not only in the open position but also in the partially open position. Risk-free opening and closing both of the window 2 as well as the flap 3 is possible while incorrect operations are almost ruled out. The loading space 1 can be loaded and unloaded in variable manner. There results the additional practical function of a ventilation position of the window 2 (partially open position).

6 9 i.

A claims Lockable loading space opening of a motor vehicle body with a pivotally movable window (2) for closing an upper opening part and a separately pivotable flap (3) for closing a lower opening part, wherein in the closed state the window (2) and the f lap (3) make contact with one another in a sealing manner in the region of a buf f er edge (10) and the f lap (3) is lockable on the vehicle body and the window (2) is lockable on the f lap (3), characterised in that the window (2) is transferred automatically into a partially open position via at least one window brace when an unlocking mechanism of the flap (3) is actuated and that the window (2) transferred into a closed position while the f lap (3) is open does not remain in the closed position.

Q 2. Lockable loading space opening according to claim 1, characterised in that the window (2) is pivotable about at least one approximately horizontal axis (6) arranged in the upper body region and the flap (3) is pivotable about at least one lower horizontal or lateral upright axis (7).

Lockable loading space opening according to claims 1 and 2, characterised in that in the closed position the window (2) covers the closed f lap (3) in some regions which occurs in particular in the region of the buf f er edge (10) with interposition of a seal (11).

4. Lockable loading space opening according to claim 1 to 3, characterised in that the window brace comprises a loaded spring (17) and a tilting lever (15), the tilting lever (15) being mounted pivotably on the window (2) and the loaded spring (17) being mounted 7 pivotably between the tilting lever (15) and the vehicle body respectively.

Lockable loading space opening according to claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the loaded spring (17) relaxes when the window (2) is opened and becomes tensioned when the window (2) is closed, a manual push being required to move the window (2) from the partially open position into an open position.

Lockable loading space opening according to claims 1 to 5, characterised in that when the window (2) is moved between the closed and the partially open position a roller (20) mounted on the tilting lever (15) rolls along the vehicle body. 1 Lockable loading space opening according to claims 1 to 6, characterised in that pivot movements of the tilting lever (15) relative to the window (2) are limited by a limit stop (21) with which the tilting lever (15) located in the limit stop position determines the partially open position of the window (2).

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