WO2015081536A1

WO2015081536A1 - Pivot element of a gooseneck hinge of a trunk lid

Info

Publication number: WO2015081536A1
Application number: PCT/CN2013/088667
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kekai YANG; Ronghua PENG; Qinyi SHEN; David BRUNET MANQUAT
Original assignee: Peugeot Citroën Automobiles S.A.
Priority date: 2013-12-05
Filing date: 2013-12-05
Publication date: 2015-06-11
Also published as: CN105813894B; CN105813894A

Abstract

A pivot element (10) of a gooseneck hinge (6) for a trunk lid (4) of a vehicle comprises a body with a box forming a cavity (16) for pivotally receiving the end of a gooseneck-shaped pivoting arm (12) of the hinge (6); and at least one mounting bracket (18) adjacent the cavity (16). The bottom (32) of the cavity (16), opposed to the bracket (18), comprises an opening (20) and the pivot element (10) comprises a metal cover (34) over said opening (20). The opening (20) permits the sidewalls (30) of the box to be pressed against a bushing of the pivot connection between the pivoting arm (12) and the pivot element (10). The cover (34) prevents the propagation of sound from the trunk to the passenger compartment.

Description

PIVOT ELEMENT OF A GOOSENECK HINGE OF A TRUNK LID

The invention is directed to the hinges of a trunk lid, more particularly to the pivot element of such hinges that is fixed to the body of the vehicle. The invention is also directed to a vehicle comprising such hinges.

Patent document published FR 2 928 883 A1 discloses a process for mounting a trunk lid on a vehicle body. The trunk lid is mounted by means of gooseneck hinges. The hinges comprise each a gooseneck-shaped arm that is to be rigidly attached to the lid and a pivot element that is to be mounted on the vehicle body and to which the arm is pivotally connected. The pivot element comprises a body that is made of an embossed steel plate with a cavity for receiving the end of the gooseneck arm, and with a mounting bracket surrounding the cavity. The frictional efforts taking place between the hinge arm and the pivot element while manoeuvring the trunk lid have a direct impact on the movement accuracy and ease of manoeuvrability of the trunk lid. The arms are usually pivotally linked to the box by means of a rod and one or several bushings. Depending on the shape of the cavity, the dimensional and geometrical accuracy can be subject to variations. Additionally, depending on the depth of the cavity, the embossing can lead to difficulties. It can indeed be necessary to foresee a slight inclination of the sidewalls of the cavity, thereby facilitating the embossing process. The bushing between the arms and the hinge box can therefore fail to be properly fixed by compression between the sidewalls and therefore rotate around the axis. This can lead to unwanted noise, unwanted friction torque and additional efforts while manoeuvring the trunk lid.

The object of the invention consists inproviding an improved hinge system of a trunk lid that overcomes at least one of the above mentioned deficiencies. More particularly, the invention has for objective to provide a trunk lid hinge that provides a good manoeuvrability and acoustic comfort.

The invention consists in a pivot element of a gooseneck hinge for a closure of a vehicle, comprising a body witha box forming a cavity for pivotally receiving the end of a gooseneck-shaped pivoting arm of the hinge; andat least one mounting bracket adjacent to the cavity; wherein the bottom of the cavity, opposed to the bracket, comprises an opening; and the pivot element comprises a metal cover over said opening. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover is a metal strip conforming to the exterior surface of the box.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover is made of metal, preferably of aluminium.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover is attached to the box by gluing.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the body is made of a metal plate, preferably a steel plate; the box and the mounting bracket being preferably formed by embossing of said metal plate.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mounting bracket is generally flat and/or surrounds the box.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the box comprises two opposite sidewalls and a connecting wall extending between the sidewalls, the opening extending along the connecting wall, distant from the sidewalls. The sidewalls are preferably parallel.

The pivot element can also comprise a pivot axle extending through the box. The box comprises then two holes for receiving said axle. This axle can be a screw with a nut. It can also comprise a bushing to be disposed inside the cavity with the axle extending through said bushing. The axle and bushing can be designed so to be able to press the bushing between the sidewalls of the cavity when tightening the screw serving as pivot axle.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, themounting bracket, or one of the mounting brackets, comprises a wall extending generally perpendicularly to the main plane of said bracket, and comprising a hook configured for receiving a torsion bar.

The invention consists also of a gooseneck hinge for a closure of a vehicle, comprisinga gooseneck shaped pivoting arm; anda pivot element supporting the pivoting arm; wherein the pivot element is in accordance with the invention.

The arm can comprise a bushing that extends over a pivot axle fixed to the body of the pivot element. This bushing can be a first bushing that is rigidly fixed to the arm, a second bushing extending between the first bushing and the axle, the first bushing pivoting around the second one that is fixed to the body of the pivot element.

The invention consists also of a vehicle comprising a trunk lid pivotally mounted by means of gooseneck hinges on a transversal portion of the vehicle body corresponding to a parcel shelf; wherein the hinges are in accordance with the invention.

The invention is advantageous in that it provides a pivot element that can be produced by embossing with a minimum height, e.g. 44 mm, with parallel sidewalls of the box. A minimum height is required for receiving the arm and the necessary bushings for a mechanically stable pivot connection. A minimum height is also required for providing enough space for accessing the screw and nut forming the axle. Parallel sidewalls are useful for providing an adequate and accurate width of the cavity receiving the bushing of the arm. The opening allows the sidewalls to slightly move under the traction force exerted when tightening the rod serving as pivoting axle. The opening in the connecting wall is preferably made after having embossed the box and cavity. Torsion bars can exert traction forces along their longitudinal axis while manoeuvring the closure. These forces have to be supported by the hinges more particularly by the pivot element. In addition, for an adequate closing of the closure, the position of the closure relative to the vehicle body must be accurate. This means that the pivot connection between the arms and the pivot elements of the hinges must be precise, in particular in the direction of the pivot axis, inter alia due to the forces exerted by the torsion bars. The opening provides a certain adaptability of the sidewalls of the box while the pivot element remaining rigid. This adaptability of the sidewallslowersthe accuracy requirements in the manufacturing process of the body of the pivot element.

Further details and advantages of the invention will be apparent in the following description in connection with the appended figures.

- Figure 1 illustrates a trunk lid pivotally mounted on a vehicle body by means of gooseneck-shaped hinges;

- Figure 2 illustrates a pair of gooseneck-shaped hinges with torsion bars;

- Figure 3 illustrates a pivot element of a gooseneck-shaped hinge according to the invention; - Figure 4 illustrates the pivot element of figure 3 when mounted on a vehicle body;

- Figure 5 illustrates the metal strip covering the opening in the pivot element as illustrated in figure 4.

Figure 1 illustrates the rear part of a vehicle body 2 equipped with a trunk lid 4. This latter is pivotally mounted on a transversal portion of the vehicle body corresponding to a parcel shelf8 by means of hinges 6. These hinges are so-called gooseneck- shaped hinges for they comprise connecting arms 12 that are generally curved like a gooseneck. Each arm 12 is pivotally connected to a pivot element 10 that is rigidly fixed to the vehicle body. In the present embodiment, the pivot elements 10 are rigidly attached to the parcel shelf 8. The purpose of the gooseneck-shaped hinges is to allow an appropriate kinematic of the lid. Indeed, thanks to the arms 12, the pivot axis of the lid is distant from the front edge of the lid, thereby avoiding any interference between the front edge of the lid and the rear window. In addition, the curved shape of the arms 12 allows the lid to pivot over a range of more than 90°.

Figure 2 illustrates the pair of hinges 6 with torsion bars 14. These torsion bars are as such well known to the skilled person. Each one has a first end that is rigidly attached to the pivot element 10 of one of the hinges, and a second end that is rotationally attached to the arm 12 of the other hinge. The connection of the torsion bar at the arm is usually close to the pivot element so as to avoid too large movements of the torsion bar when the lid is manoeuvred. Both ends of the torsion bars are provided with angle sections configured for cooperating, essentially in torsion, with the pivot element and the arm, respectively.

Figure 3 is a detailed illustration of one of the pivot elements 10 of the hinges 6. It comprises a body with, essentially, a box or cavity 1 6, depending if we consider its outside shape or its inside, receiving the corresponding end of the arm 12, and a mounting bracket 18 adjacent to the cavity 1 6. The box or cavity and the mounting bracket can be manufactured by embossing of a single piece of metal plate. The metal plate is preferably made of steel. It can however also be made of aluminium or other metallic materials. Although the manufacture by embossing is preferred, other manufacturing methods can be envisaged, like for example moulding of metallic or plastic material, and assembling by welding of parts that are separately manufactured.

The box or cavity 16 comprises a generally triangular or trapezoidal longitudinal section. Its transversal section is generally rectangular. The box 1 6 comprises essentially two side walls 30 with a generally triangular or trapezoidal shape and a connection wall 32 bridging the sidewalls 30 at their top edges. If we consider the interior of the box 1 6, i.e. as a cavity, the connection wall 32 forms then the bottom wall of the cavity. The wall 32 comprises an opening 20 that extends longitudinally along a portion of said wall. In the illustrated example, the opening extends over about a half of each of the inclined edges of the sidewalls 30. Still in the illustrated example, the opening 20 extends transversally only over a portion of the width of the box, i.e. over about one third of said width. This means that the wall 32 extends longitudinally over a reduced width on each side of the opening. The size and shape of the opening can however differ from those of the illustration.

The sidewalls 30 of the box 1 6 are preferably parallel so as to allow a proper mounting of the pivot axle 22 and its bushing (not visible) through the box and the corresponding bushing in the arm 12. Indeed, in order to achieve an accurate and smooth pivoting of the arm 12 about the pivot element 10, the arm comprises a pivoting bushing (not visible) into which a fixed bushing (not visible) is inserted. A screw 22 serving as pivot axle is then inserted through holes in the sidewalls 30 of the box 1 6 and those bushings, and then axially tightened so as to provide a mechanically stable pivoting assembly. The use of sliding bushings is as such well known to the skilled person. The use of parallel sidewalls 30 is particularly interesting for permitting to the side surfaces of the pivoting bushing of the arm 12 to slide on a generally parallel surface.

The opening 20 is particularly interesting for it permits when tightening the screw 22 to press these sidewalls 30 against the fixed bushing, thereby arresting it. The pivoting bushing of the arm can then pivotally slide around the fixed bushing and along the internal faces of the sidewalls. The opening 20 allows indeed a slight flexion of the sidewalls 30 while the pivot element 10 remains rigid enough to sustain the efforts of the arm and the corresponding torsion bar. The mounting bracket 18 is preferably generally flat and extends around the box 1 6. It can comprise studs 28 that are preferably welded to the bracket. These studs 28 are for being inserted through corresponding holes of the transversal portion of the vehicle body on which the pivot element 10 to be mounted.

The mounting bracket 18 can also comprise a sidewall 24 that is foreseen with a hook-shaped portion 26 for receiving a torsion bar. Since the torsion bars (as illustrated in figure 2) are intended to be mounted preloaded and to work always in the same rotational sense, the L-shaped end of the torsion bar can be attached to the pivot element merely by placing it in the hook 26 with the transversal portion of the L abutting against the lower face of the mounting bracket 18.

Figure 4 illustrates the pivot element 10 mounted on the parcel shelf 8 (see Fig.1 ) of the vehicle body. In addition, a strip 34 is placed over the opening (no longer visible). This strip 34 can extend over the majority of the length of the wall 32 connecting the sidewalls 30. This strip 34 is shaped to the profile of the wall 32 and extends over more than 50% of the width of the wall 32. In any case, it covers the opening so as to prevent the propagation of sound from the trunk or underbody to the passenger compartment.

Figure 5 illustrates the strip 34 of the pivot element of figure 4. The metal strip 34 is preferably made of metal, more preferably of aluminium. It can be attached by gluing. Other methods of fixation can also be considered. For example, if the strip is made of the same metallic material as the body of the pivot element, is can also be welded to it.The cross-section of the strip is preferably generally flat so that the strip can be made out of a flat plate by cutting and bending the strip.

The strip 34 can have a thickness comprised between 0.5 and 2 mm.

Claims

1 . Pivot element (10) of a gooseneck hinge (6) for a closure (4) of a vehicle (2), comprising a body with:

- a box forming a cavity (16) for pivotally receiving the end of a gooseneck- shaped pivoting arm (12) of the hinge (6); and

- at least one mounting bracket (18) adjacent to the cavity;

characterised in that

the bottom (32) of the cavity (1 6), opposed to the bracket (18), comprises an opening (20); and the pivot element (10) comprises a metal cover (34) over said opening (20).

2. Pivot element (10) according to claim 1 , characterised in that the cover (34) is a metal strip conforming to the exterior surface of the box (1 6).

3. Pivot element (10) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the cover (34) is made of metal, preferably of aluminium.

4. Pivot element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the cover (34) is attached to the box(1 6) by gluing.

5. Pivot element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the body is made of a metal plate, preferably a steel plate;the box(1 6) and the mounting bracket (18) being preferably formed by embossing of said metal plate.

6. Pivot element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the mounting bracket (18) is generally flat and/or surrounds the box (1 6).

7. Pivot element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the box(1 6) comprises two opposite sidewalls (30) and a connectingwall(32) extending between the sidewalls (30), the opening (20) extending along the connectingwall (32), distant from the sidewalls (30).

8. Pivot element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the mounting bracket (18), or one of the mounting brackets (18),comprises a wall (24) extending generally perpendicularly and comprising a hook (26) configured for receiving a torsion bar.

9. Gooseneck hinge(6) for a closure (4) of a vehicle (2), comprising:

- a gooseneck shaped pivoting arm (12); and

- a pivot element (10) supporting the pivoting arm (12);

characterised in that the pivot element (10) is in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Vehicle body (2) comprising a trunk lid(4) pivotally mounted by means of gooseneck hinges (6) on a transversal portion (8) of the vehicle body corresponding to a parcel shelf;

characterised in that the hinges (6) are in accordance with claim 9.