FR3025238B1 - REAR VEHICLE ASSEMBLY FOR OPENING AND CLOSING A TAILGATE - Google Patents

Abstract

Rear vehicle assembly (10) comprising at least one tailgate upright (40), a tailgate (20) and at least one opening and closing device, the tailgate (20) being rotatable relative to the upright (40) ) about an axis of rotation (24) extending in an upper part of the upright (40) and in an upper part of the tailgate (20), the opening and closing device comprising: - at least one bar of rigid support (30) comprising a first end, rotatably mounted on the upper portion of the upright (40), and a second end rotatably mounted on a movable attachment point (32) of the tailgate (20). The movable attachment point (32) is displaceable in translation along a path (34) perpendicular to the axis of rotation (24) and extending in the upper part of the tailgate (20).

Description

Rear vehicle assembly for opening and closing a tailgate

The present invention relates to a rear vehicle assembly comprising at least one tailgate upright, a tailgate and at least one opening and closing device, the tailgate being rotatable relative to the upright about an axis of rotation s' extending in an upper part of the upright and in an upper part of the tailgate, the opening and closing device comprising: at least one rigid support bar comprising a first end, rotatably mounted on the upper part of the upright, and a second end, rotatably mounted on a movable mounting point of the tailgate, - the mobile attachment point being movable in translation along a path extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the tailgate.

Such an assembly is intended in particular to give access to the trunk of a motor vehicle by opening the tailgate. A user of the motor vehicle can thus easily load and unload, for example, bulky objects from the rear of the vehicle by opening the tailgate. Such a tailgate opens for example by rotating the tailgate which passes from a closed position, substantially parallel to the amount, to an open position, substantially perpendicular to the amount, in which the tailgate extends above the head of the 'user.

However, such a hatchback must be able to open without excessive effort on the part of the user despite the mass of it. For example, it must be possible to open the tailgate with one hand without this requires a pulling force and / or excessive push on the part of the user.

To do this, it is known to provide an assistance device for opening the tailgate, arranged to support the effort required for the tailgate rotation between its closed position and its open position. For this purpose, the document WO 2006/012848 A1 describes for example a device for opening and closing a tailgate, comprising a jack rotatably mounted on the upright and on the tailgate and one end of which is moved on the tailgate or on the amount to open and close the tailgate.

Such a device does not give complete satisfaction. Indeed, when the tailgate is in its open position, the cylinder does not give sufficient strength to the tailgate, which can cause damage to it after several openings. Indeed, in the open position, the tailgate has a significant overhang, which significantly solicits the tailgate to keep it in the open position, particularly in its connection with the amount.

To overcome this drawback, reinforcements could be added at the level of the tailgate link with the amount in order to increase the robustness of this link. However, such reinforcements increase the mass of the rear assembly and make more complex its structure and therefore its assembly.

The device described in WO 2006/012848 also has the disadvantage that the cylinder is in compression in the closed position of the tailgate. This state implies a strong constraint on the tailgate and generates a significant risk of deformation of the tailgate. In addition, this compressed state in the closed position of the tailgate reduces the life of the cylinder.

An object of the invention is to provide a rear vehicle assembly for opening and closing a tailgate, which has improved features, including better stability when the tailgate is in its open position without adding mass to this rear set. For this purpose, the invention particularly relates to an assembly of the aforementioned type, wherein the path of the mobile attachment point of the bar extends in the upper part of the tailgate.

By providing that the support bar is fixed in the upper part of the upright and in the upper part of the tailgate, it is ensured that the support bar participates in the recovery of efforts required to maintain the tailgate in the open position. Thus, the connection between the tailgate and the upright is less stressed when the tailgate is in the open position and it is not necessary to provide additional reinforcements at this link. The assembly according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in any technically possible combination: the tailgate is movable between a closed position A, in which the tailgate extends substantially parallel to the upright , and an open position B, in which the tailgate extends substantially perpendicularly to the upright, the movable fixing point of the bar being disposed in the vicinity of the axis of rotation of the tailgate when said tailgate is in the open position B; the tailgate comprises a rail extending along the path of the mobile attachment point, said rail receiving said fixing point; the rail is made of metallic material and comprises an electrical connector arranged to form a ground for a radio antenna; the rigid support bar has a curved shape between its first end and its second end; - A worm is arranged inside the tailgate, intended to move the movable attachment point of the support bar; a belt is arranged inside the tailgate, intended to move the movable fixing point of the support bar; - A motor is integrated in the tailgate, for driving along a linear path the movable fixing point of the support bar inside the tailgate; - A motor is integrated in the tailgate upright, for driving in rotation the rigid support bar. The invention also relates to a method of opening and closing a tailgate of a vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: - providing a rear vehicle assembly; moving the movable fixing point towards the upper part of the tailgate to place the tailgate in the open position B by a rotation about the axis of rotation; moving the movable fixing point towards the middle of the tailgate to place the tailgate in the closed position A by a rotation about the axis of rotation.

According to particular features of the method, the displacement of the movable attachment point towards the upper part of the tailgate takes place until said movable attachment point is in the vicinity of the axis of rotation of the tailgate. The invention will be better understood on reading the description which will follow, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation in section, in a plane longitudinal passing through the rear of the vehicle showing the rear assembly according to the invention, the tailgate being in the closed position; and - Figure 2 is a schematic sectional representation of the rear assembly of Figure 1, the tailgate being in the open position.

A tailgate 20 of a rear vehicle assembly 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. This tailgate 20 is intended to give access to the interior of a rear part of a motor vehicle, for example the boot and / or the rear end of the vehicle from the outside of the vehicle.

In this description, the terms "upper", "upper", "lower" and "lower" are defined relative to a vertical axis of the vehicle. Furthermore, the terms "front" and "rear" are considered according to the driving direction of the vehicle.

The tailgate 20 of the invention allows to open and close the rear vehicle assembly 10 to allow a user to have access to the interior of the vehicle. Thus, particularly bulky objects can easily be loaded from the outside into the vehicle or be accessible from the outside to be unloaded.

The tailgate 20 is integral in rotation, by at least one hinge 22, with a lateral upright 40 of the rear vehicle assembly 10. In Figures 1 and 2, this amount 40 is shown with a precise inclination relative to the vertical. However, in other embodiments, the post 40 may of course be made with another inclination relative to the vertical or extend vertically, depending on the prerequisites of a given vehicle. The hinge 22 defines a transverse axis of rotation 24 for the tailgate 20, that is to say an axis extending along the width of the vehicle. When opening the tailgate 20, the latter pivots about its axis of rotation 24 upwards and when closing downwards. The axis of rotation 24 extends to the upper end of the tailgate 20 and the upright 40. According to one embodiment, the tailgate 20 extends between two uprights extending on either side of the tailgate and the The axis of rotation 24 extends from one upright to the other and is defined by the two hinges each connecting the tailgate to one of the uprights. The rear assembly according to the invention further comprises a device for opening and closing the tailgate 20 relative to the (x) upright (s). Such an opening and closing device can assist the passage of the tailgate 20 from a closed position A, shown in FIG. 1, in which the tailgate 20 extends substantially parallel to the upright 40 and closes the rear portion of the vehicle, to an open position B, shown in FIG. 2, wherein the tailgate 10 extends substantially perpendicularly to the upright 40 or at an obtuse angle relative to the upright 40, so as to release access to the interior of the vehicle.

The opening and closing device comprises at least one rigid support bar 30 fixed on the one hand to the tailgate 20 and on the other hand to one of the uprights 40. The support bar 30 is for example made of metal material so as to present a significant rigidity. The support bar 30 extends in an upper part of a lateral upright 40 of the rear vehicle assembly 10 and in an upper part of the tailgate 20. This bar 30 is connected by a first end to a fixed attachment point of the lateral upright 40 so as to pivot upwardly and downwardly. The first end and the fixed attachment point are disposed in the vicinity of the upper end of the lateral upright 40. The support bar 30 is further connected by a second end to the tailgate 20 by means of a movable attachment point 32 extending between the second end and the tailgate 20.

Between its first and second ends, the support bar 30 has a curved shape adapted to the kinematics of the tailgate between the closed position A and the open position B. This curved shape has the particular advantage of limiting the forces exerted at the level of the mobile attachment point 32 in the vicinity or in the closed position A of the tailgate 20 when opening or closing the tailgate 20.

The opening and closing device according to the invention has the advantage of exerting substantially no stress on the tailgate 20 in the closed position A thereof.

More particularly, the support bar 30 has a substantially rectilinear section 37 extending from its first end to an intermediate point 38 and a rounded section 39 extending from the intermediate point 38 to the second end of the support bar 30. an embodiment, the intermediate point 38 is disposed near the second end.

The support bar 30 is intended to achieve the opening and closing of the rear vehicle assembly 10 by pivoting the tailgate 20. This rigid bar 30 can hold the tailgate 20 stably due to its rigidity and its form. In particular, the rigid bar 30 allows the tailgate 20 to be held in the open position B without excessive stress on the hinge (s) 22 despite the overhang of the tailgate 20 in its open position B. More particularly, the rounded shape of the section rounded 39 of the support bar 30 in the vicinity of the second end forms a support opposing the weight of the tailgate 20 in its open position B and avoiding a return of the tailgate 20 inadvertent to its closed position A. Thus, part of the weight the tailgate 20 rests on the rigid bar 30.

Under the effect of the rotational movement of the tailgate 20 relative to the upright 40, the movable fixing point 32 is displaceable in translation in the upper part of the tailgate 40 according to a predefined path 34 extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation 24 of the tailgate 20. By upper part, it is meant that the predefined path 34 of the movable fixing point 32 extends between the upper end of the tailgate 20 and a central portion of the tailgate 20, extending substantially in the center of the tailgate 20 between its upper end and its lower end, and that it does not extend between the central portion and the lower end of the tailgate 20. The predefined path 34 extends in the plane defined by the tailgate 20. Thus the bar rigid support 30 can be made with a reduced length since it extends between two ends both located in the upper part of the upright 40 and the tailgate 20.

The movable attachment point 32 preferably moves in a reinforcing rail 26. This rail 26 extends along the path 34 of the fixing point 32. It is for example made of a metallic material.

In this way, the vehicle rear assembly 10 is particularly robust, especially when the tailgate 20 is in the open position B, without the need to add reinforcements in the upright 40 and / or in the tailgate 20.

The rail 26 is advantageously formed in a reinforced area of the tailgate 20. Such a reinforced zone has a higher mechanical strength than the rest of the tailgate 20. It is in particular made of a metallic material. As a variant, it is for example made of a reinforced plastics material, in particular a thermoplastic material reinforced with fibers.

The rail 26 is advantageously formed in one piece with the reinforced zone of the tailgate 20. In this case, it is made of the same material as the reinforced zone. This embodiment is advantageous because the forces exerted by the mobile attachment point 32 on the tailgate 20 then apply in a reinforced area of the tailgate 20, which reduces the risk of deformation of the tailgate 20 under the effect of these efforts.

The movable fixing point 32 is advantageously in mechanical contact with a moving means 36 of the movable fixing point 32.

The moving means 36 can form a rail 26.

Alternatively, this moving means 36 is an endless screw, for example a metal screw, extending along the predefined path 34 of the mobile attachment point 32 and with which the attachment point 32 meshes. Thus, a rotation of the worm causes a displacement of the attachment point 32 along the path 34.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the movable attachment point 32 is remote from the axis of rotation 24 of the tailgate 20 when the tailgate 20 is in the closed position A. When the tailgate 20 is in its open position B, giving access inside the vehicle, the movable attachment point 32 is closer to the axis of rotation 24 than in the closed position A of the tailgate 20, as shown in FIG. 2. According to one embodiment, the point movable attachment 32 is disposed in the immediate vicinity of the axis of rotation 24 in the open position B of the tailgate 20, that is to say that the upper end of the path 34 extends in the immediate vicinity, or is adjacent , or is formed by the axis of rotation 24 of the tailgate 20. In this way, the tailgate 20 is stabilized by the rigid support bar 30 in its upper part and the forces required to maintain the tailgate 20 in its open position B are picked up by the support bar 30, which This effect of releasing the rigid support bar 30 at the upper part of the tailgate 20 also has the advantage that the support bar 30 minimally encumbrates the space under the tailgate 20. in open position B, which facilitates the loading and unloading of bulky objects for the user.

A motor (not shown) is advantageously arranged inside the tailgate 20, mechanically connected with the moving means 36 of the movable fixing point 32. The motor can be controlled by the user to actuate the moving means 36 or can is triggered automatically when the user requests the tailgate 20 to its open position B or to its closed position A. The moving means 36 thus moves the movable attachment point 32 along its predefined path 34 to put the tailgate 20 in its position. open position B or closed A. The engine may be identical with a motor for actuating a locking system of a vehicle rear assembly 10. The engine is for example arranged to cause the rotation of a worm when the means of displacement 36 is formed by such a screw. Alternatively, the motor is arranged to actuate a belt connected to the mobile attachment point 32 and arranged to move the attachment point 32 in the rail 26, when the displacement means 36 is formed by such a rail 26.

The operation of the vehicle rear assembly 10 according to the invention will now be described.

Initially, a vehicle rear assembly 10 is provided. The tailgate 20 is in its closed position A.

When the user wishes to open the rear vehicle assembly 10, he sends a control signal to the engine, for example by unlocking the tailgate 20. The motor then drives the moving means 36 of the fastening point 32 in a direction of travel. opening to open the rear vehicle assembly 10.

The displacement means 36 moves the fixing point 32 towards the axis of rotation 24 of the tailgate 20, along the predefined path 34. This predefined path 34 is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation 24 of the tailgate 20.

In the main embodiment described herein, the moving means is a worm which is rotated by the motor to move the movable attachment point 32 along its thread.

The rigid support bar 30, being rotationally secured by its first end with the lateral upright 40 of the vehicle rear assembly 10 and secured at its second end with the movable fixing point 32, exerts a force on the tailgate 20 when moving the movable attachment point 32 to the upper part of the tailgate 20.

Thus, the tailgate 20 pivots about its axis of rotation 24 to reach its open position B.

When the user wishes to close the rear vehicle assembly 10, he again controls the engine, for example by exerting pressure on the tailgate 20 in its open position B, or by actuating an engine control switch located for example on the tailgate 20 or on a remote control, for example on the remote control for locking / unlocking the doors of the vehicle. Alternatively, and in a conventional manner, the motor can also be actuated via a movement or presence detection system, configured for example to detect a movement of the user's foot under the rear bumper of the vehicle.

The motor then drives the moving means 36 of the movable attachment point 32 in a closing direction to close the rear vehicle assembly 10.

This moving means 36 again moves the attachment point 32 to the predefined path 34 away from the axis of rotation 24 of the tailgate 20. Thus, the movable attachment point 32 moves away from the axis of rotation 24 of the tailgate 20 and the tailgate 20 pivots about its axis of rotation 24 in its closed position A.

In an alternative embodiment, a rigid bar 30 is disposed on each lateral upright 40 of the rear assembly of the vehicle 10. Thus, the stability of the rear assembly of the vehicle 10 is further increased. In this case, two motors can be used to open the rear assembly of the vehicle 10, which increases the reliability of the rear vehicle assembly 10. Also, it is thus possible to open and maintain in position open B tailgates 20 having a larger mass.

In another embodiment, the tailgate 20 includes hinges 22 disposed on a lateral upright 40 of the rear assembly of the tailgate 10. In this case, the vehicle rear assembly 10 comprises a tailgate 20 laterally pivotable about a vertical axis of rotation. Here, at least one rigid bar 30 is disposed between the upper upright of the rear vehicle assembly 10 and the tailgate 20 similar to what has been described above.

Alternatively, the engine of the vehicle rear assembly 10 can be arranged in the lateral upright 40 of the rear assembly 10 to drive the worm 36 in rotation. In this case, the motor is connected by a gear to one end. of the worm 36.

The engine can be connected with a position sensor, indicating the open position to signal the engine the reclining position between the two positions A and B of the tailgate 20. This sensor can detect in particular the open position B and closed A of the tailgate 20 and indicates to the motor to stop the displacement of the mobile attachment point 32. This position sensor comprises for example a sensor integrated in the engine, for example a sensor for measuring the position of the rotor of the engine, a sensor specific to count the number of revolutions made by the motor rotor or a sensor measuring the current in the motor.

The motor can also be connected with a resistance sensor, indicating to the motor whether the opening or closing of the tailgate 20 is facing unexpected resistance. Thus, the motor can stop and reverse the direction of movement of the movable attachment point 32 when, for example, an object may be stuck in the rear vehicle assembly 10.

The tailgate 20 of the rear assembly 10 can be equipped with obstacle sensors for detecting objects placed in the space covered by the pivoting of the tailgate 20 when it is opened or closed.

The rail 26 of the tailgate 20 may comprise an electrical connector to form an electrical ground for a radio type antenna or the like.

The moving means 36 of the mobile attachment point 32 may be formed by a belt which is integral with the movable attachment point 32. The rear vehicle assembly 10 can simultaneously be applied to a hood of a vehicle. The rear vehicle assembly 10 can be controlled by the user using a remote control.

The method of opening and closing a tailgate 20 may include a step of receiving an opening or closing signal from the vehicle rear assembly 10 before the movable attachment point 32 is moved to open or close the rear assembly 10.

In a variant, the opening and / or closing of the rear assembly 10 begins with a verification of the space covered by the pivoting of the tailgate 20 using the obstacle sensors, in order to detect a potential obstacle. If an obstacle is detected, the sensor emits a warning signal, which can be received by the engine, in order to stop the opening or closing of the rear vehicle assembly 10. Thus a collision of the tailgate 20 with the obstacle can be prevented.

A verification of the covered space can also be performed during the opening and closing of the rear vehicle assembly 10.

Advantageously, the opening and closing device of the tailgate 20 further comprises means for detaching, capable of generating a separation of the movable fixing point 32 relative to the displacement means 36. Thus, it is possible to manually close the tailgate 20 in case of electrical failure preventing actuation of the motor of the moving means 36.

In the embodiment in which the displacement means 36 comprise a worm, the mobile attachment point 32 comprises for example a nut engaged on the worm, and the disengagement means comprise in particular means configured to increase the diameter. inside the nut so that it disengages from the thread of the worm. The nut is then able to slide along the worm in the absence of rotation of the worm.

Any other means capable of generating a separation of the mobile attachment point 32 with respect to the displacement means 36 is conceivable.

Optionally, the opening and closing device of the tailgate 20 further comprises a spring (not shown) attached to the movable attachment point 32 at a first end thereof and attached to the tailgate 20 at the lower end of the tailgate. worm 36, that is to say at the end of the worm opposite the axis of rotation 24 at its second end. For example, the second end of this spring is fixed on a support member of the worm 36 secured to the tailgate 20. The spring is in particular a helical spring. It surrounds for example the worm 36. The spring is compressed in the closed position A of the tailgate 20 and stretched in the open position B of the tailgate 20. Such a spring allows to accompany the movement of the tailgate 20 between its open position B and its closed position A and reduce the forces between the worm 36 and the movable attachment point 32.

According to another option (not shown), the opening and closing device of the tailgate further comprises a cylinder, in particular a hydraulic cylinder, a first end of which is secured to the mobile attachment point 36 and a second end, opposite the first one. , is attached to the tailgate 20 at the lower end of the worm 36. For example, the second end of this jack is fixed on a worm support member 36 integral with the tailgate 20. This jack allows the manual closing of the tailgate 20 in the event of an electrical failure preventing the actuation of the motor controlling the displacement of the attachment point 32 via the moving means 36, in particular after actuation of the disengagement means mentioned above.

Claims (9)

REVENDIQATiONg 1. - rear vehicle assembly (10) comprising at least one upright (40), a tailgate (20) and at least one opening and closing device, the tailgate (20) being rotatable relative to the an amount (40) about an axis of rotation (24) extending in an upper part of the upright (40) and in an upper part of the tailgate (20), the opening and closing device comprising: - at least a rigid support bar (30) comprising a first end rotatably mounted on its upper portion of the upright (40), and a second end rotatably mounted on a movable attachment point (32) of the tailgate (20). the movable fixing point (32) being displaceable in translation along a path (34) extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation (24) of the tailgate (20), the path (34) of the movable fixing point (32) of the bar (30) extends in the upper part of the tailgate (20), characterized in that e - a worm is arranged inside the tailgate (20) for moving the movable attachment point (32) of the support bar (30); and - a motor is integrated in the tailgate (20) for driving along a linear path (34) the movable fixing point (32) of the support bar (30) inside the tailgate (20). ). 2. - rear vehicle assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein the tailgate (20) is movable between a closed position (A), wherein the tailgate (20) extends substantially parallel to the upright (40), and an open position (B), in which the tailgate (20) extends substantially perpendicularly to the upright (40), wherein the movable attachment point (32) of the bar (30) is disposed in the vicinity of the rotational axis (24) of the tailgate (20) when said tailgate is in the open position (B), 3. - A rear vehicle assembly (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tailgate (20) comprises a rail (28) extending along the path (34) of the movable attachment point (3), said rail (26) receiving said attachment point (32). 4. - rear vehicle assembly (10) according to claim 3, wherein the rail (28) is made of metallic material and comprises an electrical connector arranged to form a ground for a radio antenna. 5. - Vehicle rear assembly (10) according to claims 1 to 4, wherein the rigid support bar (30) has a curved shape between its first end and its second end. Vehicle rear assembly (10) according to Claims 1 to 5, wherein a belt is arranged inside the tailgate (20) for moving the movable attachment point (32) of the support bar ( 30). 7, - rear vehicle assembly (10) according to claims 1 to 6, wherein a motor is integrated in the upright (40) tailgate (20) for driving in rotation the rigid support bar (30). 8, - A method of opening and closing a tailgate (20) of a vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: - providing a rear vehicle assembly (10) according to claims 1 to 7; moving the movable fixing point (32) towards the upper part of the tailgate (20) to place the tailgate (20) in the open position (B) by a rotation about the axis of rotation (24); - Moving the movable attachment point (32) to the middle of the tailgate (20) to position the tailgate (20) in the closed position (A) by a rotation about the axis of rotation (24). The method of claim 8, wherein moving the movable attachment point (32) to the upper part of the tailgate (40) is performed until said movable attachment point (32) is in the vicinity. the axis of rotation (24) of the tailgate (20).