Device for automatic opening and closing of rear luggage compartment lid

Abstract

A device for automatically opening and closing a rear trunk lid, comprising: a drum member connected to a first cable and rotatably coupled to a drum bracket fastened to a hinged arm; a power latch lock actuator comprising an output gear configured to be rotated by an electric motor embedded in a housing; and a spring with a first end coupled to the drum member and a second end configured to be coupled to the rear trunk lid, wherein the first cable is coupled to the output gear and configured to rotate the drum member in a first direction when the output gear is rotated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a device for automatically opening and closing the rear trunk lid of a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Figure 1 The diagram schematically illustrates a conventional universal device for opening and closing the rear trunk lid.

[0003] The rear luggage compartment of a passenger vehicle is a space located at the rear of the vehicle used for storing goods and is equipped with a rear luggage compartment cover for opening and closing.

[0004] The design and form of the rear trunk lid can vary, but generally, the rear trunk lid has a curved panel shape to cover the top and rear sides of the rear trunk compartment, and is connected to the vehicle body by an articulated arm 14 to open and close as the articulated arm rotates.

[0005] Impact elements and a power latch 11 are installed on the edge of the rear trunk lid and the body, respectively, to control the opening of the rear trunk lid when it is closed. The power latch 11 is connected to the power latch locking actuator (ACT) 12 by wires. When the impact element is released from the power latch 11, a lifter such as a pneumatic lifter 13 and a torsion bar is added to raise the rear trunk lid.

[0006] An electric tailgate is a device that uses the force of an electric motor to open and close the tailgate lid, thereby improving user convenience, and is configured to allow the tailgate lid to be opened and closed using a switch or remote control attached to the vehicle body.

[0007] As shown in the figure, the electric tailgate has a pneumatic lifter 13 connected to an articulated arm 14. One end of the articulated arm 14 is connected to the tailgate cover and the other end is rotatably connected to the vehicle body. The pneumatic lifter 13 extends as the impact member is released from the latch, thus opening the tailgate cover. The tailgate cover is closed by the operation of the drive unit 15, which overcomes the spring force of the pneumatic lifter 13.

[0008] The drive unit 15 is configured by connecting a motor, a control unit, and a gear mechanism.

[0009] However, electric tailgates are limited to luxury vehicles due to their high cost and weight, and also cause noise due to the large motor.

[0010] The content described in this section is intended to help understand the background of the invention and may include content previously unknown to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The present invention aims to solve problems in the art, and embodiments of the present invention provide a device for smoothly and automatically opening and closing a rear trunk lid by adding a function that changes the spring layout while using a conventional latching actuator that does not require a large motor.

[0012] An apparatus for automatically opening and closing a rear trunk lid according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a spool member rotatably coupled to a spool bracket fastened to a hinged arm and connected to a first cable; a power latching actuator including an output gear that is rotated by a motor embedded in a housing; and a spring having one end coupled to the spool member and the other end coupled to the rear trunk lid, wherein the first cable is inserted into the output gear and, when the output gear rotates, causes the spool member to rotate in a first direction.

[0013] Here, the output gear is formed with a first slot and a second slot having an arc shape.

[0014] In addition, the edge of the first cable is inserted into the first slot, and the edge of the second cable is inserted into the second slot.

[0015] Meanwhile, a first cable inlet and a second cable inlet are formed on one side of the housing. The first cable is inserted into the first cable inlet, and the second cable is inserted into the second cable inlet.

[0016] Here, when the point adjacent to one side of the housing of the output gear is located at the 6 o'clock position of the output gear, with the trunk lid closed, one end of the first slot is located at the 3 o'clock position of the output gear and the other end is located at the 12 o'clock position of the output gear, and one end of the second slot is located at the 9 o'clock position of the output gear and the other end is located at the 12 o'clock position of the output gear.

[0017] Furthermore, with the trunk lid closed, the edge of the first cable is located at one end of the first slot, and the edge of the second cable is located at one end of the second slot.

[0018] In addition, when the command to open the trunk lid is applied, the output gear rotates counterclockwise to pull the first cable.

[0019] In addition, when the command to open the trunk lid is applied, the output gear rotates 90 degrees counterclockwise.

[0020] Meanwhile, the power latch locking actuator further includes a torsion spring connected between the housing and the output gear, and the rear trunk lid closes by the restoring force of the torsion spring, then the output gear remains in place.

[0021] More specifically, when the command to close the trunk lid is applied, the reel assembly pulls the first cable by operating the power latch locking actuator to reset the first cable to the position where the trunk lid is closed.

[0022] Therefore, the position of the spring spring changes as the drum assembly rotates in the second direction, so that the torque according to the first cable becomes greater than the torque according to the spring spring.

[0023] In addition, when the closing command for the rear trunk lid is applied, the rear trunk lid closes by its own weight.

[0024] Here, the position of the spring changes as the drum assembly rotates in the first direction, so that the torque according to the spring becomes greater than the torque according to the first cable.

[0025] Additionally, the device for automatically opening and closing the rear trunk lid may further include: a power latch including a latch lever mounted on the edge of the rear trunk lid and fastened to an impact member on the vehicle body; a release lever for operating the latch lever; and a locking lever for locking the first-level locking state to the second-level locking state via the latch lever.

[0026] In addition, a second cable is connected to the locking lever, and the output gear rotates clockwise in the first-stage locked state to pull the second cable to operate the locking lever.

[0027] In addition, the reel component includes: a reel wound with a first cable and rotatably connected to a reel shaft, the reel shaft being connected to a reel support; a return spring connected between the reel shaft and the reel; a reel rod formed to extend from one side end of the reel; and a rod pin connected to an edge of the reel rod perpendicular to the reel rod.

[0028] In addition, the rod pin is inserted into a circular rod groove formed in the drum support.

[0029] Next, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a device for automatically opening and closing a rear trunk lid includes: a power latch including a latch lever mounted on the edge of the rear trunk lid and fastened to an impact member mounted on the vehicle body; a release lever for operating the latch lever; and a locking lever for locking a first-level locking state to a second-level locking state via the latch lever; a drum member rotatably coupled to a drum bracket fastened to an articulated arm; a power latch locking actuator including an output gear having a circular cross-section and being rotated by a motor embedded in a housing, and having a first slot and a second slot with an arcuate shape formed on its front surface; a spring having one end coupled to the drum member and the other end coupled to the rear trunk lid, a first cable connected to the drum member and having an edge portion inserted into the first slot, and a second cable connected to the locking lever and having an edge portion inserted into the second slot.

[0030] Furthermore, the power latching actuator may further include a torsion spring connected between the housing and the output gear.

[0031] In addition, the reel component includes: a reel wound with a first cable and rotatably connected to a reel shaft, the reel shaft being connected to a reel support; a return spring connected between the reel shaft and the reel; a reel rod formed to extend from one side end of the reel; and a rod pin connected to an edge of the reel rod perpendicular to the reel rod, wherein the rod pin is inserted into a circular rod groove formed in the reel support.

[0032] The device for automatically opening and closing the rear trunk lid according to an embodiment of the present invention can eliminate the drive unit, thereby reducing the weight of the vehicle and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0033] Therefore, the embodiments of the present invention can also be applied to small and medium-sized vehicles, thereby increasing consumer convenience. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrates a universal device for automatically opening and closing the rear trunk lid.

[0035] Figure 2 An apparatus for automatically opening and closing a rear luggage compartment lid according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically.

[0036] Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is an enlarged view of a structure of a device for automatically opening and closing a rear luggage compartment lid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figures 5A to 12B The operational states of the device for automatically opening and closing the rear luggage compartment lid according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown in sequence.

[0038] Figure 5A , 6A 7A, 10A, 10C, and 12A show the power latch in each state.

[0039] Figure 5B , 6B Figures 7B, 10B, and 12B show the power latch locking actuator in various states.

[0040] Figure 5C , 6C 7C, 8B, 9A, and 9B show the drum assembly and spring in various states. Detailed Implementation

[0041] To fully understand the present invention, its operational advantages, and the objectives achieved through the practice of the present invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention, and the contents shown in the drawings.

[0042] In describing preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention, descriptions of known technologies that may unnecessarily obscure the essential points of the present invention will be reduced or omitted, or repeated descriptions will be omitted.

[0043] Figure 2 The diagram schematically illustrates a device for automatically opening and closing a rear luggage compartment lid according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is an enlarged view of a structure of a device for automatically opening and closing a rear luggage compartment lid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] In the following text, reference will be made to Figures 2 to 4 An apparatus for automatically opening and closing a rear luggage compartment lid according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described.

[0045] This invention relates to a device for automatically opening and closing a rear trunk lid. A particular embodiment relates to a device that utilizes a conventional power latch locking actuator without the need for a conventional drive unit to automatically open and close the rear trunk lid.

[0046] Therefore, the device for automatically opening and closing the trunk lid includes a power latch 110, a reel component 120, a power latch locking actuator 130, a first cable 140, a second cable 150, and a spring 160.

[0047] The power latch 110 is installed on the edge of the rear trunk lid and includes a latch lever 111, a release lever 112, a locking lever 113, etc., so that the latch lever 111 is fixed to or released from the impact member mounted on the vehicle body by the operation of the release lever 112, thereby putting the rear trunk lid in a closed or open state.

[0048] The second cable 150, which will be described later, is connected to the locking lever 113.

[0049] The drum component 120 is mounted on the drum bracket 16 fixed to the hinge arm 14, and includes a drum 121, a drum shaft 122, a drum rod 123, a return spring 124, and a rod pin 125.

[0050] A first cable 140 connected to the power latching actuator 130 is wound around the circumference of the drum 121 and is rotatably connected to the drum shaft 122, which is connected to the drum support 16.

[0051] In addition, the return spring 124 is configured to be connected between the drum shaft 122 and the drum 121 to rotate the drum 121 and then return to its original state when the external force is released.

[0052] The drum rod 123 is formed as a rod extending from one side end of the drum 121, and the rod pin 125 is connected to the edge of the drum rod 123 perpendicular to the drum rod 123.

[0053] Furthermore, the rod pin 125 passes through the curved rod groove 16-1 formed in the drum support 16 so that the position of the rod pin 125 can move within the rod groove 16-1, thereby restricting the rotational operation of the drum 121.

[0054] Next, when the trunk lid is closed, the power latch locking actuator 130 allows the latch lever 111 to be locked from the first-stage latching state fixed to the impact member to the second-stage latching state, and is mounted on the inner surface of one side of the front of the trunk lid.

[0055] The power latching actuator 130 has a motor 132 and an output gear 133 embedded in a housing 131, so that the motor 132 is operated by a control signal, thereby causing the output gear 133, which has a circular cross-section, to rotate. That is, the operation of the motor 132 causes the motor gear to rotate, and thus causes the output gear 133, which meshes with the motor gear, to rotate.

[0056] The first cable 140 or the second cable 150 connected to the output gear 133 is pulled by the rotation of the output gear 133 so that the opening operation of the rear trunk lid and the latch locking operation are performed by the reel member 120.

[0057] The first cable 140 is inserted into the output gear 133 through the first cable inlet 134 formed in the housing 131, and the second cable 150 is inserted into the output gear 133 through the second cable inlet 135 formed in the housing 131.

[0058] As shown in the figure, the first cable 140 can be arranged to connect along the hinge arm 14.

[0059] In addition, the output gear 133 has a first slot 136 and a second slot 137, into which the edges of the first cable 140 and the second cable 150 can be inserted respectively.

[0060] Furthermore, cable pins are connected to the edges of the first cable 140 and the second cable 150, and each of them is inserted into the first slot 136 and the second slot 137, and can operate within the range of the first slot 136 and the second slot 137.

[0061] Furthermore, the first slot 136 and the second slot 137 can be holes formed on a surface and have an arc shape with a constant length corresponding to the circumference of the output gear 133.

[0062] Furthermore, the positions of the first slot 136 and the second slot 137 can be arc shapes arranged on concentric circles with different radii.

[0063] Meanwhile, a torsion spring 138 is connected between the output gear 133 and the housing 131, and is configured such that the output gear 133 rotates through the torsion spring 138 and then returns to its original state when the external force is released.

[0064] One end of the spring 160 is connected to the rod pin 125 of the drum component 120, and the other end is connected to the vehicle body, thereby increasing the elasticity when the rear trunk lid is opened and closed.

[0065] The operation of the device for automatically opening and closing the rear luggage compartment lid according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0066] Figures 5A to 12B The operational states of the device for automatically opening and closing the rear luggage compartment lid according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown in sequence.

[0067] also, Figure 5A , 6A 7A, 10A, 10C, and 12A show the power latch in various states. Figure 5B , 6B Tables 7B, 8A, 10B, 11, and 12B show the power latch locking actuator in various states. Figure 5C , 6C 7C, 8B, 9A, and 9B show the drum assembly and spring in various states.

[0068] like Figure 5A As shown, with the trunk lid closed by the latch lever 111, the output gear 133 of the power latch locking actuator 130 changes to... Figure 5B The normal state shown.

[0069] At once Figure 5B Regarding the front surface of the output gear 133 in its normal state, one end of the first slot 136 is located at the 3 o'clock position of the output gear 133, and the other end is located at the 12 o'clock position of the output gear 133.

[0070] Furthermore, one end of the second slot 137 is located at the 9 o'clock position of the output gear 133, and the other end is located at the 12 o'clock position of the output gear 133.

[0071] A first cable inlet 134 and a second cable inlet 135 are formed on one side of the housing 131, and the 12 o'clock direction of the output gear 133 is changed to a position adjacent to the other side of the housing 131 on which the first cable inlet 134 and the second cable inlet 135 are formed.

[0072] Therefore, the first cable 140 is introduced into the output gear 133 through the first cable inlet 134 and inserted into the first slot 136, and the edge of the first cable 140 is located on one end of the first slot 136.

[0073] Furthermore, the second cable 150 is introduced into the output gear 133 through the second cable inlet 135 and inserted into the second slot 137, with the edge of the second cable 150 located at one end of the second slot 137.

[0074] In addition, the torsion spring 138 becomes balanced.

[0075] At this time, Figure 5C The state of the drum component 120, the hinge arm 14, and the spring 160 is shown.

[0076] Under normal conditions, the drum rod 123 is located at one end of the rod groove 16-1, which is the highest position of the rod groove 16-1 and the other end is the lowest position of the rod groove 16-1.

[0077] In this state, the state becomes Mw>Ms, where the torque (Mw) of the first cable 140 is greater than the torque (Ms) of the spring 160.

[0078] Next, as Figure 6A As shown, the release lever 112 rotates by the command to open the rear trunk lid to release from the impact member, and the output gear 133 rotates counterclockwise (CCW) relative to the front surface by the operation of the motor 132 of the power latch locking actuator 130, thus changing to the state shown in Figure 6B.

[0079] The output gear 133 is preferably set to rotate counterclockwise by 90 degrees, and in this case, as Figure 6B shown, one end of the first slot 136 moves to the 12 o'clock direction and the other end moves to the 9 o'clock direction, so that the first cable 140 located at one end of the first slot 136 is pulled to the 12 o'clock direction. In addition, one end of the second slot 137 is located at the 6 o'clock direction and the other end is located at the 9 o'clock direction, so that the second cable 150 is located at the other end of the second slot 137, but the second cable 150 remains substantially in place.

[0080] As described above, when the first cable 140 is pulled, as Figure 6C shown, the reel 121 and the reel rod 123 rotate counterclockwise (CCW), and thus, the edge portion of the reel rod 123 is located at the other end of the rod slot 16-1.

[0081] Therefore, when the position of the elastic spring 160 connected to the rod pin 125 changes, the state becomes Mw < Ms, where the torque Ms according to the elastic spring 160 is greater than the torque Mw according to the first cable 140, so that the hinge arm 14 starts to rotate.

[0082] After the hinge arm 14 starts to rotate, as Figure 7A shown, the latch rod 111 remains in the released state; as Figure 7B shown, the output gear 133 remains in the previous state; as Figure 7C shown, the hinge arm 14 rotates completely, so that the rear trunk lid becomes open.

[0083] In this state, when the closing command of the rear trunk lid is input again, the output gear 133 rotates clockwise (CW) relative to the front surface by the operation of the motor 132 of the power latch locking actuator 130.

[0084] When the output gear 133 rotates clockwise (CW), the first cable 140 is pulled by the reel 121 and is located at one end of the first slot 136, and the first slot 136 is located at the 3 o'clock direction of the output gear 133 (see Figure 8A ).

[0085] As Figure 8B shown, the position of the elastic spring 160 is changed by the rotation of the reel 121, so as to become the state of Mw > Ms, so that as Figure 9A and 9B shown, the hinge arm 14 rotates, and thus the rear trunk lid closes by its own weight.

[0086] As described above, when the rear trunk lid moves downward, as Figure 10AAs shown, the latch lever 111 is in the first stage of latch locking state, and in the first stage of latch locking state, the latch lever 111 is fastened to the impact member.

[0087] Next, when the first-stage latching signal is generated, such as Figure 10B As shown, the motor 132 operates to rotate the output gear 133 90 degrees clockwise (CW) relative to the front surface. In this case, one end of the first slot 136 moves to the 6 o'clock position and the other end moves to the 3 o'clock position, so that the first cable 140 located at one end of the first slot 136 is located at the other end of the first slot 136 while remaining in its original position.

[0088] Furthermore, one end of the second slot 137 is moved to the 12 o'clock position, and the other end is moved to the 3 o'clock position, so that the second cable 150 located at one end of the second slot 137 is pulled to the 12 o'clock position.

[0089] As described above, when the second cable 150 is pulled, such as Figure 10C and Figure 10D1 and Figure 10D2 (where Figure 10D1 As shown in Figure 10D2 (indicating the first-level latching state and Figure 10D2 indicating the second-level latching state), the locking lever 113 connected to the second cable 150 rotates so that the latch lever 111 also rotates through the locking operation, thereby changing to the second-level latching state.

[0090] Then, as Figure 11 As shown, the output gear 133 is held in place by the reset operation of the actuator 130 or the torsion spring 138 of the actuator via a power latch, and the first cable 140 and the second cable 150 remain in their state.

[0091] Then, as Figure 12A As shown, the locking lever 113 is reset to its original position by the torsion spring of the locking lever 113, and therefore, the second cable 150 is pulled to reset to its original position, as shown in Figure 12B.

[0092] As described above, according to the device for automatically opening and closing the trunk lid based on an embodiment of the present invention, when the trunk lid is opened even without a drive unit, the torque (Ms) of the spring spring becomes greater than the torque (Mw) based on the weight of the trunk, thereby enabling it to open automatically, and when the trunk is closed, the state becomes Mw>Ms, so that the trunk closes by its own force under its own weight.

[0093] The invention described above has been illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, but is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and alterations can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, modified or altered examples should fall within the scope of the claims, and the scope of the invention should be interpreted based on the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for automatically opening and closing a rear trunk lid, the device comprising: A reel component, which is connected to the first cable and rotatably coupled to a reel bracket fastened to a hinge arm; A power latching actuator includes an output gear configured to rotate by a motor embedded in a housing; as well as A spring having a first end connected to a reel member and a second end configured to be connected to a rear trunk lid. The first cable is connected to the output gear and configured to cause the drum component to rotate in a first direction when the output gear rotates; The position of the spring is configured to change as the drum assembly rotates in a first direction, so that the torque of the spring becomes greater than the torque of the first cable.

2. The device for automatically opening and closing a rear trunk lid according to claim 1, wherein, The output gear includes a first slot and a second slot having an arc shape.

3. The device for automatically opening and closing the rear luggage compartment lid according to claim 2, wherein, The edge of the first cable is inserted into the first slot, and the edge of the second cable is inserted into the second slot.

4. The device for automatically opening and closing the rear luggage compartment lid according to claim 3, wherein, With the trunk lid closed, the edge of the first cable is located at one end of the first slot, and the edge of the second cable is located at one end of the second slot.

5. The device for automatically opening and closing a rear luggage compartment lid according to claim 1, wherein, When the command to open the trunk lid is applied, the output gear is configured to rotate 90 degrees counterclockwise.

6. The device for automatically opening and closing a rear luggage compartment lid according to claim 1, wherein, When the command to open the trunk lid is applied, the output gear is configured to rotate counterclockwise to pull the first cable.

7. The device for automatically opening and closing a rear luggage compartment lid according to claim 5, wherein, The power latching actuator further includes a torsion spring connected between the housing and the output gear.

8. The device for automatically opening and closing a rear luggage compartment lid according to claim 7, wherein, When a command to close the trunk lid is applied, the reel component is configured to rotate in a second direction to pull the first cable so that the first cable is returned to the position where the trunk lid is closed.

9. The device for automatically opening and closing a rear luggage compartment lid according to claim 1, wherein, The position of the spring is configured to change as the drum component rotates in the second direction, so that the torque according to the first cable becomes greater than the torque according to the spring.

10. The device for automatically opening and closing a rear trunk lid according to claim 4, further comprising: A power latch, comprising a latch rod mounted on the edge of the rear trunk lid and fastened to an impact element mounted on the vehicle body; Release lever, configured to operate the latch lever; as well as The locking lever is configured to lock the first-level locking state to the second-level locking state via the latch lever.

11. The device for automatically opening and closing a rear luggage compartment lid according to claim 10, wherein, The second cable is connected to the locking lever, and the output gear is configured to rotate clockwise in the first-stage locked state to pull the second cable to operate the locking lever.

12. The device for automatically opening and closing a rear luggage compartment lid according to claim 4, wherein, The roll component includes: A reel, configured to be wound with the first cable and rotatably connected to a reel shaft, the reel shaft being connected to a reel support; A return spring is connected between the drum shaft and the drum; The drum rod extends from one side end of the drum; and A rod pin is attached to the edge of the drum rod to be perpendicular to the drum rod.

13. The device for automatically opening and closing a rear luggage compartment lid according to claim 12, wherein, The rod pin is inserted into the circular rod groove in the drum bracket.

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