Electric support rod

Abstract

This invention provides an electric support rod, comprising a drive assembly, an actuation assembly, and a bearing. The drive assembly includes a first outer tube and a drive unit housed within the first outer tube. The inner wall of the first outer tube has an internal thread. The actuation assembly includes a second outer tube and a transmission screw passing through the second outer tube. The second outer tube extends axially to form a plurality of spring arms spaced apart around the transmission screw. Each spring arm has an external thread structure on its outer surface and a hook protruding from its inner surface. The second outer tube is inserted into the first outer tube, and the internal thread screws into the external thread structures. One end of the transmission screw protrudes from the first outer tube and engages with the drive unit. The bearing is sleeved on the transmission screw, and each hook engages with the outer edge of the bearing. This provides a two-section electric support rod that is easy to assemble.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electric support rod for a car tailgate, and more particularly to a two-section electric support rod that is easy to assemble. Background Technology

[0002] The car's power tailgate is supported and driven by electric support rods located on both sides of the door frame. The electric support rods have an electric motor and a telescopic rod connected to it. By controlling the rotation of the electric motor, the telescopic rod can be driven to extend or retract to open or close the door panel.

[0003] Generally, an electric support rod has an outer tube, and both the telescopic rod and the electric motor are installed inside the outer tube. The telescopic rod has a screw that connects to the electric motor, and a bearing is installed between the screw and the outer tube to fix the screw. The inner edge of the bearing needs to be pressed against the screw, and the outer edge of the bearing needs to be pressed against the inner wall of the outer tube. The outer tube has a considerable length, making it difficult to assemble the bearing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to provide a two-section electric support rod that is easy to assemble.

[0005] This invention provides an electric support rod comprising a drive assembly, an actuation assembly, and a bearing. The drive assembly includes a first outer tube and a drive unit housed within the first outer tube. The first outer tube has a first mating end with an opening, and its inner wall is provided with an internal thread. The actuation assembly includes a second outer tube and a transmission screw passing through the second outer tube. The second outer tube has a second mating end and extends axially from the second mating end with a plurality of spring arms spaced apart around the transmission screw. Each spring arm has an inner side facing the transmission screw and an outer side facing away from the transmission screw. Each outer side is provided with an external thread structure, and each inner side is provided with a protruding hook portion. The second mating end is inserted into the first mating end through the opening, and the internal thread screws into each external thread structure. One end of the transmission screw protrudes from the first outer tube and engages with the drive unit. The bearing is sleeved on the transmission screw, and each of the hook portions engages with the outer edge of the bearing.

[0006] In the electric support rod of the present invention, the outer edge of the bearing is attached to the inner side of each spring arm.

[0007] The electric support rod of the present invention further includes an actuation component comprising a telescopic sleeve assembly passing through the second outer tube and sleeved with a transmission screw, and the telescopic sleeve assembly having a nut screwed to the transmission screw.

[0008] The electric support rod of the present invention has a transmission screw with a transmission thread, a locking tenon that is laterally inserted into the transmission screw, and a bearing being clamped between one end of the transmission thread and the locking tenon.

[0009] The electric support rod of the present invention has each external thread structure comprising a plurality of parallel thread segments, and each thread segment of each external thread structure is arranged on the same helical line that mates with the internal thread.

[0010] The electric support rod of the present invention includes a second outer tube whose outer wall has an external thread that connects to any of the external threaded structures. The external thread and each segment of the external threaded structure are arranged on the same helical line that mates with the internal thread. The outer wall of the second outer tube has a mating surface that is attached to the inner wall of the first outer tube. The external thread is disposed between the mating surface and each of the external threaded structures and is threaded onto the internal thread. The mating surface is an annular curved surface surrounding the side of the second outer tube.

[0011] In summary, the drive unit of the electric support rod of the present invention can be pre-assembled to the first outer tube, and the telescopic sleeve assembly, transmission screw and bearing can be pre-assembled to the second outer tube. Then, by connecting the first outer tube and the second outer tube, the transmission screw can be powered to connect to the drive unit and the bearing can be positioned. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the electric support rod according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the electric support rod according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the actuation component in the electric support rod according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the electric support rod of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the drive component and the actuation component separated.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the electric support rod according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] In the picture:

[0018] 100: Drive assembly; 101: Opening; 110: First outer tube; 111: First mating end; 112: Internal thread; 130: Drive unit; 200: Actuation assembly; 210: Second outer tube; 211: Second mating end; 220: Spring arm; 220a: Inner surface; 220b: Outer surface; 221: External thread; 222: External thread structure; 222a: Thread segment; 223: Hook; 224: Mating surface; 230: Transmission screw; 231: Transmission thread; 232: Locking tenon; 240: Telescopic sleeve assembly; 241: Nut; 300: Bearing. Detailed Implementation

[0019] See Figures 1 to 5A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an electric support rod, which includes a drive assembly 100, a moving assembly 200, and a bearing 300.

[0020] In this embodiment, the drive assembly 100 includes a first outer tube 110 and a drive unit 130 housed within the first outer tube 110. The first outer tube 110 has a first mating end 111 with an opening 101, and the inner wall of the first mating end 111 is provided with an internal thread 112. In this embodiment, the drive unit 130 includes at least one motor.

[0021] The actuation assembly 200 includes a second outer tube 210 and a drive screw 230 passing through the second outer tube 210. The second outer tube 210 has a second mating end 211, and a plurality of (more than two) spring arms 220 are axially extended from the second mating end 211 and spaced around the drive screw 230. Each spring arm 220 has an inner surface 220a facing the drive screw 230 and an outer surface 220b facing away from the drive screw 230. Each outer surface 220b is provided with an external thread structure 222, and each inner surface 220a is provided with at least one hook portion 223. Each external thread structure 222 includes a plurality of parallel tooth segments 222a, each tooth segment 222a spanning the spring arm 220 it is located on, and each tooth segment 222a is arranged on the same helical line that mates with the internal thread 112.

[0022] The outer wall of the second outer tube 210 has a mating surface 224 and an external thread 221. The mating surface 224 is an annular curved surface surrounding the side of the second outer tube 210, and the external thread 221 is disposed between the mating surface 224 and each of the external thread structures 222. The outer wall of the second outer tube 210 has an external thread 221 that connects to any external thread structure 222. The external thread 221 and each of the tooth segments 222a of each of the external thread structures 222 are disposed on the same helical line that mates with the internal thread 112.

[0023] The transmission screw 230 has a transmission thread 231 and a latch 232 that is laterally inserted into the transmission screw 230. The bearing 300 is clamped between one end of the transmission thread 231 and the latch 232. In this embodiment, the latch 232 is in the form of a C-shaped buckle, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the latch 232 can also be a pin inserted into the transmission screw 230.

[0024] The actuation assembly 200 further includes a telescopic sleeve assembly 240 that passes through the second outer tube 210 and is sleeved with the transmission screw 230. The telescopic sleeve assembly 240 has a plurality of tubes that are movably interlocked, thereby allowing it to extend and change its length. Moreover, the telescopic sleeve assembly 240 has a nut 241 that is screwed to the transmission screw 230. The nut 241 is connected to one of the tubes. Rotation of the transmission screw 230 can push the nut 241 to move longitudinally, thereby actuating the telescopic sleeve assembly 240.

[0025] In this embodiment, the bearing 300 is annular, and its inner edge is preferably tightly connected to the transmission screw 230. The outer diameter of the bearing 300 matches the circle formed by the inner side surface 220a of each of the spring arms 220. The bearing 300 is inserted into the second outer tube 210 along the longitudinal direction of the second outer tube 210. During the insertion process, the bearing 300 pushes against each of the hooks 223 and pushes each of the spring arms 220 outward. After the bearing 300 passes through each of the hooks 223, each of the spring arms 220 returns to its original position so that the outer edge of the bearing 300 adheres to the inner side surface 220a of each spring arm 220. Moreover, each of the hooks 223 engages with the outer edge of the bearing 300 to fix the bearing 300 inside the second outer tube 210.

[0026] The second mating end 211 is inserted into the first mating end 111 through the opening 101. The internal thread 112 is screwed into each external thread structure 222, and the external thread 221 is screwed into the internal thread 112, thereby connecting the first outer tube 110 to the second outer tube 210. One end of the transmission screw 230 protrudes from the first outer tube 110 and mates with the drive unit 130, and the transmission screw 230 is coaxially configured with the motor of the drive unit 130. The first outer tube 110 and the second outer tube 210 can be further welded and fixed. In this embodiment, the mating surface 224 is attached to the inner wall of the first outer tube 110, specifically to the area between the opening 101 and the internal thread 112, and the mating surface 224 and the inner wall of the first outer tube 110 are fixed to each other by laser welding, high-frequency welding or adhesive.

[0027] In summary, the drive unit 130 of the electric support rod of the present invention can be pre-assembled to the first outer tube 110, and the telescopic sleeve assembly 240, the transmission screw 230, and the bearing 300 can be pre-assembled to the second outer tube 210. Connecting the first outer tube 110 and the second outer tube 210 allows the transmission screw 230 to be powered by the drive unit 130. The second outer tube 210 has a spring arm 220, with hooks 223 and external thread structures 222 on its inner and outer sides respectively. When the bearing 300 is inserted into the second outer tube 210, it is fixed by the hooks 223 to prevent it from falling off, thus facilitating further connection of the second outer tube 210 to the first outer tube 110. Furthermore, after the second outer tube 210 is connected to the first outer tube 110, the spring arm 220 can be positioned by the inner arm of the first outer tube 110, thus pressing the outer edge of the bearing 300.

[0028] The above-described embodiments are merely preferred embodiments provided to fully illustrate the present invention, and the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the present invention are all within the scope of protection of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An electric support rod, characterized in that, include: A drive assembly includes a first outer tube and a drive unit housed within the first outer tube. The first outer tube has a first mating end and the inner wall of the first mating end is provided with an internal thread. A drive assembly includes a second outer tube and a drive screw passing through the second outer tube. The second outer tube has a second mating end and extends axially from the second mating end to a plurality of spring arms spaced apart around the drive screw. Each spring arm has an inner side facing the drive screw and an outer side facing away from the drive screw. Each outer side is provided with an external thread structure, and each inner side is provided with a hook portion. The second mating end is inserted into the first mating end, and the internal thread screws into each of the external thread structures. One end of the drive screw protrudes from the first outer tube and engages with the drive unit. And a bearing, which is fitted onto the transmission screw and each of the hooks engages with the outer edge of the bearing.

2. The electric support rod as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The outer edge of the bearing is attached to the inner side of each of the spring arms.

3. The electric support rod as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The actuation assembly also includes a telescopic sleeve assembly that passes through the second outer tube and is sleeved on the transmission screw, and the telescopic sleeve assembly has a nut that is screwed onto the transmission screw.

4. The electric support rod as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission screw is provided with a transmission thread, and the transmission screw is provided with a locking tenon that is laterally inserted into the transmission screw, and the bearing is clamped between one end of the transmission thread and the locking tenon.

5. The electric support rod as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the external tooth structures comprises a plurality of parallel tooth segments, and each tooth segment of each external tooth structure is arranged on the same helical line that mates with the internal thread.

6. The electric support rod as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The outer wall of the second outer tube has an external thread that connects to any of the external thread structures. The external thread and each of the tooth segments of each of the external thread structures are arranged on the same helical line that mates with the internal thread.

7. The electric support rod as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The outer wall of the second outer tube has a mating surface that is attached to the inner wall of the first outer tube, and the external thread is disposed between the mating surface and each of the external thread structures and screws the internal thread.

8. The electric support rod as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The outer wall of the second outer tube has a mating surface, and the mating surface is attached to the inner wall of the first outer tube.

9. The electric support rod as described in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The mating surface is an annular curved surface surrounding the side of the second outer tube.

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