WO2009015756A1

WO2009015756A1 - Tailgate arrangement for a passenger motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2009015756A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/005709
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jochen Bisinger
Original assignee: Daimler Ag
Priority date: 2007-07-28
Filing date: 2008-07-12
Publication date: 2009-02-05
Also published as: DE102007035544A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a tailgate arrangement for a passenger motor vehicle, having an upper tailgate part (10) which can be moved between a closed position and an open position into the vicinity of a rear upper end (24) of the roof (26) of the passenger motor vehicle, and having a lower tailgate part (16) which can be moved between a closed position and an open position, wherein the lower tailgate part (16), when moved into its open position, is likewise moved into the vicinity of the rear upper end (26) of the roof (24), below the upper tailgate part (14).

Description

Tailgate assembly for a passenger car

The invention relates to a tailgate assembly for a passenger car specified in the preamble of claim 1. Art.

Due to the increased desire in recent years for variable passenger cars, a considerable demand for tailgate assemblies has arisen, with which in particular motor vehicles with steeply sloping rear end such as combination cars, off-road vehicles or SUVs are provided to enable, for example, an uncomplicated loading of the cargo space.

From the prior art of passenger cars, it is known to make the tailgate assembly in two parts with an upper tailgate part and a lower tailgate part. The upper tailgate portion is usually to move to an associated bearing axis between a closed position and an open position, in which this comes to rest in a vicinity of a rear upper end of the roof. The lower tailgate portion is nowadays usually displaced about a bearing axis between a closed position and an open position, which at the rear end of a loading floor or a loading edge runs. If the lower tailgate part is thereby transferred to the open position, this extends approximately in extension of the loading floor.

Object of the present invention is to provide a tailgate assembly of the type mentioned, by means of which a particularly comfortable and space-saving access to the cargo space of the passenger car is possible.

This object is achieved by a

Tailgate assembly solved with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient and non-trivial developments of the inventions are specified in the dependent claims.

In order to allow a particularly comfortable and space-saving access to the cargo space or interior of the passenger car, it is provided in the tailgate assembly according to the invention that the lower tailgate part is to move in its open position also in the vicinity of the rear upper end of the roof and below the upper tailgate part , In other words, it is provided according to the invention in contrast to the prior art, the lower tailgate part to shift in such an open position that it comes to rest below the upper tailgate part and also in the vicinity of the rear upper end of the roof.

Thus, since in the open position, both tailgate parts are located in the upper region of the opening of the passenger car which can be closed by the tailgate arrangement, this opening is thus accessible particularly comfortably. Thus, for example, achieved by the tailgate arrangement according to the invention that the hitherto in the Open position in the lower region of the opening remaining tailgate part can now also be pivoted into an upper region of the opening or in the vicinity of the rear upper end of the roof, so that a person loading the inner load compartment up to the bumper or the opening of the Passenger car can approach.

Moreover, the tailgate arrangement according to the invention makes it possible in a simple manner to release the at least approximately entire opening, which can be closed by the tailgate arrangement, for a laden person. The two tailgate parts can be easily displaced in such a height in its open position that large people can move accordingly below the two open tailgate parts. Another advantage is that a good rain protection is maintained by the two tailgate parts in their open position, so that, for example, no moisture gets into the interior of the passenger car.

An additional advantage is also to be seen in the fact that the two tailgate parts require a relatively small displacement or pivoting space between the respective closed position and the respective open position.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it has also proven to be advantageous if the two tailgate parts are arranged in their respective open position substantially parallel to each other. It should be noted that the two tailgate parts have a certain curvature or crowning, but the two parts are stacked so that an extremely space-saving arrangement of the two located in their open position tailgate parts results.

As also advantageous, it has been shown when the two tailgate parts are each mounted on the vehicle side via separate bearing arrangements. As a result, a multiplicity of motion sequences, which are explained in more detail below, can be carried out, so that the two tailgate parts can be opened, for example synchronously, in a specific sequence or separately.

In addition, it has been shown to be advantageous if the lower tailgate part is mounted on the side of the vehicle by a respective lateral four-bar linkage. As a result, an extremely reliable and space-saving displacement of the lower tailgate part between the closed position and the open position can be achieved. In addition, the lower tailgate part can be made correspondingly large or solid, since such four-bar linkages can be designed to hold considerable weights.

In this context, it has proved to be further advantageous if the respective four-bar linkage in each case an actuator, for example a gas spring, is assigned, which acts directly on a coupling rod of the four-bar linkage. This results in a particularly compact and partially-saving arrangement, wherein the articulation point of the actuator simultaneously serves to couple the four-bar linkage. Another advantage is that actuator or the gas spring thus need not be articulated directly to the lower tailgate part, but rather may have a shorter length.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the upper tailgate part towards the outside at least substantially covered by a disc and the lower tailgate part substantially by an outer panel. The upper tailgate part can thus be designed with a relatively small weight, so that a correspondingly small-sized storage can be selected.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it has also proven to be advantageous if a positive clutch and / or automatic is provided, by means of which the upper tailgate part is to be opened automatically when opening the lower tailgate part. This ensures in a particularly reliable manner that there can be no collision when opening the two tailgate parts. Conversely, in a further embodiment of the invention preferably a positive clutch and / or automatic provided by means of which when closing the upper tailgate part automatically close the lower tailgate part. This results in the same advantage when closing the two tailgate parts.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is also advantageous if a weather protection is provided, which remains stationary on the side of the vehicle. This results in particular the advantage that when the tailgate parts open a secure protection is created, for example, prevents raining into the interior of the motor vehicle.

It is also advantageous if the two tailgate parts are to be displaced in a particularly automatic sequence between the respective closed position and the respective open position. Thus, the automatic ensures reliable, that there is no collision between the two tailgate parts the respective shift from the closed position to the open position - and can come back.

A further advantageous embodiment provides that the two tailgate parts are to be displaced in an at least approximately synchronous, in particular automatic sequence of movements between the closed position and the open position. By the respective common Schließbzw. Opening movement of the two tailgate parts can thus be achieved particularly fast closing or opening of the tailgate assembly.

On the other hand, if the two tailgate parts are to be displaced independently of one another between the closed position and the open position, then it is possible in particular for the upper tailgate part to be opened, during which the lower tailgate part remains in its closed position. Thus, only the upper part of the tailgate assembly is opened, for example, when the load compartment is to be filled only with small loads.

Finally, it has proved to be advantageous if the two tailgate parts project in their open positions with their rear ends in the vehicle longitudinal direction at least approximately the same distance to the rear or end the same. This results in particular a space-saving arrangement of the two tailgate parts in their open position.

Further advantages, features and details will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawings; these show in: 1 is a slightly perspective side view of a passenger car with steeply sloping tail or steeply sloping tailgate assembly, which comprises an upper, substantially clad by a disc flap part and a lower, substantially clad by a Außenbeplankung tailgate part, wherein the two tailgate parts or the tailgate assembly shown in its entirety in its closed position;

Fig. 2 is a side perspective view of the

Passenger car according to Figure 1, wherein the upper tailgate part is shown in its open position and the lower tailgate part in its closed position.

Fig. 3 perspective side view of the

Passenger cars according to Figures 1 and 2, wherein both the upper and the lower tailgate part are shown in their respective open position in which they have been moved to the vicinity of the rear upper end of the roof of the passenger car.

Fig. 4 is a side perspective view of the

Passenger cars according to Figures 1 - 3, wherein the two tailgate parts present in a synchronous movement frequency between the closed position and the open position - or back - are to be relocated, and wherein the two tailgate parts are shown in an intermediate position; and in Fig. 5 is a side view of the principle

Tailgate assembly in three positions, namely left with upper tailgate open, in the middle with fully closed tailgate assembly and right with fully open tailgate assembly.

In FIGS. 1 to 4, in each case in a partial and slightly perspective side view, a passenger car designed here as an SUV is shown. Accordingly, the present passenger car comprises a steeply sloping tail 10. This tail 10 is essentially formed by a tailgate assembly 12, the design and operation of which will be explained in more detail below. As included in the scope of the invention, it is to be considered that the tailgate assembly 12 could of course also be used in other body variants of passenger cars. So it is particularly conceivable, such a tailgate assembly 12 also in a

Combination cars to use in a SUV or in a van.

The tailgate assembly 12 comprises as essential components an upper tailgate portion 14 and a lower tailgate portion 16, which are divided from one another in the region of a curb 18. As a result, the upper tailgate part 14 is outwardly clad substantially by a rear window 20 extending above the curb 18, while the lower tailgate part 16 is clad to the outside by an outer panel 22, for example made of sheet metal or plastic. In Fig. 1, the tailgate assembly 12 is shown in total or the two tailgate parts 14, 16 in their respective closed position. Fig. 2, however, shows a Representation in which only the upper tailgate portion 18 is in its fully open position. In Fig. 3, the tailgate assembly 12 is shown in total or the two tailgate parts 14, 16 in the fully open position. Finally, FIG. 4 shows the two tailgate parts 14, 16 in a respective intermediate position between the respectively corresponding closed position and the respective corresponding open position.

In conjunction with FIG. 5, which in each case shows the tailgate arrangement 12 in three different positions in a schematic and lateral schematic illustration, a respective bearing arrangement 31, 32 or the opening mechanism of the two tailgate parts 14, 16 will now be explained. For this purpose, the left view in Fig. 5 shows how the upper tailgate portion 14 is in its open position and the lower tailgate portion 16 is closed. The middle illustration in FIG. 5 shows both tailgate parts 14, 16 closed, while in the right-hand illustration of FIG. 5 they are both completely open.

Overall, it can be seen that the upper tailgate part 14 by means of the bearing assembly 31 about an associated, in the vehicle transverse direction (x-direction) extending bearing axis 1 between the closed position shown in FIG. 1 and the open position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to relocate, in which it comes to stand in a vicinity of a rear upper end 24 of a roof 26 of the passenger car. It can be seen in particular from FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 that for the upper tailgate part 14 conventional hinges can be used to this in the corner region between the rear end 24th of the roof 26 to the rear 10 to strike. Of course, in this context, it would also be conceivable to carry out the pivoting mounting of the upper tailgate part 18 in the region of the structure in the region of rear columns 28.

The lower tailgate part 16 is mounted on the side of the vehicle by the bearing arrangement 32, which in the present case comprises two lateral four joints 34. Each four-bar link 34 is assigned two coupling rods 36, 38, which are mounted on the one hand on the corresponding column 28 and on the other hand on the lower tailgate part 16. By the length of the two coupling rods 36, 38, the course of movement of the lower tailgate portion 16 can be determined. This results in the desired storage of the approximately vertical standing in the closed position and in the open position approximately horizontally lower tailgate part 16 in the open position, in which the lower tailgate part sixteenth

In particular, from Fig. 5 is also seen that the respective four-bar link 34 each have an actuator 40, in particular a gas spring is assigned, which on the one hand each side of the vehicle - in the present case in the region of the corresponding column 28 - and on the other hand directly engages the coupling rod 38. Furthermore, it can be seen in particular from FIG. 5 that the respective actuator 30 or the respective gas spring of the upper tailgate part 14 is respectively supported on the corresponding upper coupling rod 36. In this way it is achieved in the present embodiment that when opening the lower tailgate portion 18 automatically moves the upper tailgate portion 14 and the two tailgate portions 14, 16 are stacked together in their respective open position. In other words, a synchronous, in particular automatic, sequence of movement of the two tailgate parts 14 is present in a simple manner. 16 created between the respective closed position and the respective open position.

Finally, it can be seen in particular from FIG. 5 that the tailgate arrangement 12 in the present case comprises two closing devices 42, 44. The upper closing device 42 is arranged between the upper and the lower tailgate part 14, 16 and serves to fix the upper tailgate part 14. The lower closing device 44 serves to fix the lower tailgate part 16 with respect to the motor vehicle body. At this point, it should be noted that when using electric actuators 30, 40, a self-locking design can be selected so that optionally at least one locking device 42, 44 can be dispensed with.

In the lower region of the lower tailgate part 16, a weather protection 46 is furthermore provided which remains stationary on the side of the vehicle when the tailgate arrangement 12 is opened. In the present embodiment, this weather protection 46 may be connected, for example, in a fairing 48 of a rear bumper.

In particular, from Fig. 2 it can be seen that with the present tailgate assembly 12 - with an appropriate design of the bearing assemblies 31, 32 of the two flap parts 14 and 16 - a way is created, in particular the upper tailgate portion 14 is to be opened separately from the lower tailgate portion 16. As a result, for example, the possibility is created to release only a reduced opening 50 for reaching the interior or loading space.

In contrast, Fig. 3 shows that a large opening 52 is released to reach the loading space or the interior is when both tailgate parts 14, 16 are open. One way to release this complete opening 52 can be created by first opening the upper tailgate part 14 according to FIG. 2, and only then the lower tailgate part 16 is brought into the open position, in which this below or parallel to upper tailgate part 14 comes to rest.

In particular, in one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to displace both tailgate parts 14, 16 at least as far as possible synchronously between the respective closed position and the respective open position. As a result, a particularly fast opening time of the complete tailgate assembly 12 is achieved. Conversely, of course, results in a particularly fast closing time.

Overall, it can thus be seen that the two tailgate parts 14, 16 can be opened in different sequences of motion or sequences or sequences. It is possible, in particular, to open the upper tailgate part 14 independently of the lower tailgate part 16. Likewise, it is conceivable to create an automatic sequence, wherein initially the upper tailgate part 14 and then the lower tailgate part 16 are opened. Finally, as has already been explained with reference to FIG. 4, it is possible to move the two tailgate parts 14, 16 synchronously with one another.

Thus, in the present case, it is clear that the movement patterns, sequences, sequences and the like described above in connection with the opening can of course also be carried out when the tailgate arrangement 12 is closed. However, it is clear that preferably one Forced coupling and / or automatic is provided, by means of which when opening the lower tailgate portion 16 automatically the upper tailgate portion 14 is to be opened or by means of which when closing the upper tailgate portion 14 is automatically close the lower tailgate portion 16.

In particular from FIGS. 1 to 4 it can be seen that the pivoting space for transferring the two tailgate parts 14, 16 could be considerably reduced by the tailgate arrangement 12. It is particularly advantageous if the two tailgate parts 14, 16 in their open position with their rear ends 54, 56 in the vehicle longitudinal direction end at least approximately the same far back. This requires that the two tailgate parts 14, 16 are formed at least approximately the same width.

Depending on how complex the tailgate assembly 12 is to be designed overall, the actuators 30, 40 are automatically operated by a controller, not shown. As a result, a fully automatic opening and closing of both the upper tailgate portion 14 as well as the two tailgate portions 14, 16 altogether readily conceivable. It is also by means of such a controller or the actuators 30, 40 readily conceivable to automatically perform the above-described sequences or synchronous movement sequences of the two tailgate parts 14, 16.

In a simple embodiment, the actuators 30, 40 are correspondingly formed by gas springs, but by the above-described arrangement, however, a positive coupling can also be achieved, so that, for example, the two tailgate parts 14, 16 can be opened synchronously.

Claims

claims

A tailgate assembly for a passenger car having an upper tailgate portion (10) disposed between a closed position and an open position in a vicinity of a rear upper end (24) of the roof

(26) of the passenger car is to be relocated, and with a lower tailgate portion (16) which is to be displaced between a closed position and an open position, characterized in that the lower tailgate portion (16) in its open position also in the vicinity of the rear upper end (26) of the roof (24) and below the upper tailgate part (14) is to be relocated.

2. Tailgate assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the two tailgate parts (14, 16) are arranged in their respective open position essentially parallel to each other.

3. Tailgate assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two tailgate parts (14, 16) over each separate bearing assemblies (31, 32) are mounted on the vehicle side.

4. tailgate assembly according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lower tailgate part (16) by a respective lateral four-bar linkage (34) is mounted on the side of the car.

5. tailgate assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that the respective four-bar linkage (34) in each case an actuator (30), in particular a gas spring, is assigned, which acts directly on a coupling rod (38) of the four-bar linkage (34).

6. Tailgate assembly according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the upper tailgate part (14) outwardly substantially by a disc (20) is covered and that the lower tailgate portion (16) outwardly substantially by an outer skin (22) is covered.

7. Tailgate assembly according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a positive coupling and / or automatic is provided, by means of which when opening the lower tailgate part (16) automatically the upper tailgate part (14) is to be opened.

8. tailgate assembly according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a positive coupling and / or automatic is provided by means of which when closing the upper Tailgate part (14) automatically close the lower tailgate part (16).

9. tailgate assembly according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a weather protection (46) is provided, which remains stationary on the side of the car.

10. Tailgate assembly according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the two tailgate parts (14, 16) are to be displaced in a particular automatic sequence between the respective closed position and open position.

11. Tailgate assembly according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the two tailgate parts (14, 16) are to be displaced in an at least approximately synchronous, in particular automatic movement sequence between the respective closed position and open position.

12. Tailgate assembly according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the two tailgate parts (14, 16) are to be moved independently of one another between the respective closed position and open position.

13. Tailgate assembly according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the two tailgate parts (14, 16) in their open positions with their rear ends (54, 56) in the vehicle longitudinal direction at least approximately the same ends.