Side-opening tailgate and vehicle

Abstract

This application discloses a side-opening tailgate and a vehicle. The side-opening tailgate includes a tailgate body and an electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving device installed on the tailgate body. The tailgate body has a three-layer structure, including a tailgate outer panel, a metal frame, and a tailgate inner panel connected in sequence. The middle metal frame is made of metal to meet the strength requirements of the tailgate, while the tailgate outer panel is made of non-metallic material, making it lighter. The electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving device is installed on the inner side of the tailgate outer panel. The electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving device can be used to locate and / or identify obstacles. The non-metallic material of the tailgate outer panel ensures the penetration of electromagnetic wave signals. The above structure can ensure the strength of the side-opening tailgate while reducing the overall weight of the side-opening tailgate, and the side-opening tailgate has more functions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of side-opening tailgate technology, and particularly relates to a side-opening tailgate and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Vehicles with spare tire suspension (such as off-road vehicles and SUVs) usually have the spare tire mounted on the tailgate (also called the tailgate, rear tailgate, or luggage compartment door). Because the tailgate is heavy due to the spare tire, it opens to the left or right, and this type of tailgate is also called a side-opening tailgate.

[0003] To support the spare tire, the side-opening tailgate needs to be sufficiently strong. Therefore, side-opening tailgates are typically made of sheet steel to meet the rigidity requirements for mounting the spare tire. However, metal tailgates are heavy, posing a risk of sagging or deformation that could lead to seal failure. Furthermore, traditional tailgates only accommodate the spare tire, offering a single function. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application aims to address at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this application proposes a side-opening tailgate and vehicle that can ensure the rigidity and strength of the tailgate while reducing the overall weight and adding more functions.

[0005] In a first aspect of this application, a side-opening tailgate is provided, including a tailgate body and an electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving device installed on the tailgate body; the tailgate body includes a tailgate outer panel, a metal frame and a tailgate inner panel connected in sequence, the tailgate outer panel is made of non-metallic material, and the electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving device is installed on the inner side of the tailgate outer panel.

[0006] In some embodiments, the side-opening tailgate further includes a sealing strip, a tailgate lock, and a hinge assembly. The tailgate lock and the hinge assembly are both connected to the metal frame and are at least partially exposed on the inner tailgate panel. The sealing strip is installed on the outer side of the inner tailgate panel. The inner tailgate panel is made of non-metallic material.

[0007] In some embodiments, the side-opening tailgate further includes a first taillight and a second taillight respectively disposed on both sides of the outer panel of the tailgate; the tailgate lock is located within the area enclosed by the sealing strip; along the thickness direction of the door body, the first taillight and the tailgate lock are arranged side by side; along the height direction of the door body, the height of the second taillight is the same as the height of the first taillight, and both are less than the height of the uppermost hinge in the hinge assembly.

[0008] In some embodiments, along the width direction of the door body, the sealing strip and the door lock are arranged side by side and both at least partially overlap with the first taillight; along the thickness direction of the door body, the sealing strip overlaps with the door lock and the sealing strip does not extend beyond the position of the door lock.

[0009] In some embodiments, the side-opening tailgate further includes a limiting block located below the tailgate lock; both the limiting block and the tailgate lock are located within the area enclosed by the sealing strip.

[0010] In some embodiments, the hinge assembly includes an upper hinge and a lower hinge spaced apart along the height direction of the door, wherein the height of the second taillight is less than the upper hinge and greater than the lower hinge.

[0011] In some embodiments, the metal frame is a die-cast aluminum alloy part; the outer tailgate panel and the inner tailgate panel are both made of plastic.

[0012] In some embodiments, the outer tailgate panel and the inner tailgate panel are bonded together with structural adhesive; the outer tailgate panel and the metal frame are bonded together with sealant; and the metal frame and the inner tailgate panel are connected together with fasteners.

[0013] In some embodiments, the tailgate inner panel is a closed ring structure; the side-opening tailgate also includes an interior trim panel, which is detachably connected to the metal frame by fasteners and / or fasteners, and the interior trim panel covers the inner ring opening of the tailgate inner panel.

[0014] In some embodiments, the electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving device includes at least one of a radar and a satellite antenna; the metal frame is provided with a clearance zone corresponding to the positions of the radar and the satellite antenna.

[0015] In some embodiments, the side-opening tailgate further includes at least one of a spoiler, a strut assembly, a spare tire assembly, and an exhaust box.

[0016] In some embodiments, the spoiler is mounted on top of the tailgate outer panel.

[0017] In some embodiments, both the strut assembly and the spare tire assembly are connected to the metal frame by fasteners, and the tailgate outer panel has through holes for the fasteners to pass through.

[0018] In some embodiments, the exhaust box is mounted in the middle of the outer panel of the tailgate and corresponds to the position of the spare tire assembly.

[0019] In a second aspect of this application, a vehicle is provided, including the side-opening tailgate described in the first aspect.

[0020] A side-opening tailgate according to one or more embodiments of this application includes a tailgate body and an electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving device mounted on the tailgate body. The tailgate body has a three-layer structure, including a tailgate outer panel, a metal frame, and a tailgate inner panel connected in sequence. The middle metal frame is made of metal to meet the rigidity requirements of the tailgate, while the tailgate outer panel is made of non-metallic material and is lighter in weight. The electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving device is installed on the inner side of the tailgate outer panel. The electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving device can be used to locate and / or identify obstacles. The non-metallic material of the tailgate outer panel ensures the penetration of electromagnetic wave signals, thus enabling the side-opening tailgate to have more functions. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the side-opening tailgate structure in one or more embodiments of this application is shown. Figure 1 .

[0023] Figure 2 The schematic diagram of the side-opening tailgate structure in one or more embodiments of this application is shown. Figure 2 .

[0024] Figure 3 The schematic diagram of the side-opening tailgate structure in one or more embodiments of this application is shown. Figure 3 .

[0025] Figure 4 The schematic diagram of the side-opening tailgate structure in one or more embodiments of this application is shown. Figure 4 .

[0026] Figure 5 An exploded view of the door body of a side-opening tailgate according to one or more embodiments of this application is shown.

[0027] Figure 6 A rear view of the door body of a side-opening tailgate according to one or more embodiments of this application is shown.

[0028] Figure 7 It shows Figure 6 A sectional view along line AA.

[0029] Figure 8 A front view of the door body of a side-opening tailgate according to one or more embodiments of this application is shown.

[0030] Figure 9 The diagram illustrates the vibration transmission path of a side-opening tailgate in one or more embodiments of this application.

[0031] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 100 - Side-opening tailgate; 110 - Door body; 110a - Tailgate window; 111 - Tailgate outer panel; 111a - Second through hole; 111b - Handle mounting hole; 111c - Taillight mounting hole; 111d - Exhaust box mounting hole; 111e - Support block mounting hole; 111f - Spoiler mounting hole; 111g - Antenna mounting hole; 111h - Radar mounting hole; 112 - Tailgate inner panel; 112a - Inner ring opening; 112b - First through hole; 112c - Sealing surface; 113 - Metal Frame, 1131-Snap fastener, 113a-Avoidance area, 113b-Hollowed-out area; 114-Interior panel; 120-Sealing strip; 130-Tailgate lock; 140-Hinge assembly, 141-Upper hinge, 142-Lower hinge; 151-First taillight; 152-Second taillight; 160-Spare tire assembly, 161-Spare tire, 162-Spare tire bracket; 170-Door lock drive device, 171-Pull cable; 181-Strut assembly, 181-Strut, 182-Strut bracket; 190-Limit block. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To enable those skilled in the art to more clearly understand this application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0033] Furthermore, reference numerals and / or reference letters may be repeated in different examples in this application. Such repetition is for simplification and clarity purposes and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or settings discussed. In addition, this application provides examples of various specific processes and materials; however, those skilled in the art will recognize the application of other processes and / or the use of other materials.

[0034] To save interior space, off-road vehicles often mount the spare tire on the side-opening tailgate. This places higher demands on the tailgate's structural strength, as all-plastic or aluminum sheet metal tailgates struggle to meet the required rigidity for mounting a spare tire. Therefore, side-opening tailgates in related technologies are typically constructed of high-strength steel sheet metal. With the increasing demands for electrification, intelligence, lightweighting, and safety in off-road vehicles, more and more vehicles require satellite positioning antennas and obstacle avoidance radars to be mounted on the tailgate. Since electromagnetic waves have difficulty penetrating metal materials, the use of new materials and technologies to replace traditional steel sheet metal tailgates has become an industry trend in recent years.

[0035] In view of this, this application provides a side-opening tailgate and vehicle. The overall design concept is as follows: a three-layer tailgate structure combining metal and non-metal is adopted. The middle layer of metal alloy frame meets the rigidity requirements, the outer non-metallic plate ensures the penetration of radar antenna signals, and the inner plate ensures the sealing surface accuracy. The content of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0036] For ease of description, the various directions involved in the embodiments are defined as follows: In the field of vehicle technology, the length direction of a vehicle is generally referred to as the X-direction or longitudinal direction, the width direction as the Y-direction or lateral direction, and the height direction as the Z-direction or vertical direction. The side-opening tailgate is installed at the rear end of the vehicle; the width direction of the side-opening tailgate is also the width direction of the vehicle, i.e., the Y-direction; the height direction of the side-opening tailgate is also the height direction of the vehicle, i.e., the Z-direction; and the thickness direction of the side-opening tailgate is also the length direction of the vehicle, i.e., the X-direction. The interpretations of the relevant directional descriptions in the following embodiments can refer to the above content.

[0037] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 According to a first aspect of this application, a side-opening tailgate 100 is provided, including a tailgate body 110 and an electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving device (not shown in the figure) mounted on the tailgate body 110. The tailgate body 110 has a three-layer structure, including a tailgate outer panel 111, a metal frame 113, and a tailgate inner panel 112 connected in sequence. The middle metal frame 113 is made of metal to meet the rigidity requirements of the tailgate, while the tailgate outer panel 111 is made of non-metallic material and is lightweight. The electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving device is mounted on the inner side of the tailgate outer panel 111. The electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving device can be at least one of an antenna or radar. The electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving device can be used to locate and / or identify obstacles. The electromagnetic wave signal can pass through the non-metallic tailgate outer panel 111 without being shielded by metal.

[0038] The electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving device is encapsulated inside the door body 110. To ensure sufficient installation space for the electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving device, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 5 and Figure 6 In some embodiments, the inner side of the tailgate outer panel 111 is provided with an antenna mounting hole 111g and a radar mounting hole 111h. The metal frame 113 is provided with a clearance area 113a corresponding to the positions of the radar and satellite antenna. The clearance area 113a can be a through opening on the metal frame 113 corresponding to the positions of the radar and satellite antenna, or it can be an inwardly recessed groove. The main body of the radar (not shown in the figure) and the satellite antenna (not shown in the figure) is located in the clearance area 113a and does not occupy additional thickness space of the side-opening tailgate 100.

[0039] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 3and Figure 4 The side-opening tailgate 100 typically includes a sealing strip 120, a tailgate lock 130, and a hinge assembly 140. The sealing strip 120 is located on the inner side of the tailgate body 110, specifically on the outer side of the tailgate inner panel 112, and is used to seal the gap between the tailgate body 110 and the vehicle body. The tailgate lock 130 is located on the first side of the inner side of the tailgate body 110 and is used to lock with the vehicle body's lock seat. The tailgate lock 130 is connected to the metal frame 113 and is at least partially exposed on the outer side of the tailgate inner panel 112 to lock with the vehicle body's lock seat. A handle is correspondingly provided on the outer side of the tailgate body 110 to open the lock. The handle is mounted and fixed through a handle mounting hole 111b on the tailgate outer panel 111. The hinge assembly 140 is located on the second side of the inner side of the tailgate body 110 and is used to hinge the tailgate body 110 to the vehicle body. The hinge assembly 140 is also connected to the metal frame 113 and is at least partially exposed on the tailgate inner panel 112. For ease of understanding, the first side is defined as the left side of the side-opening tailgate 100, and the second side is defined as the right side of the side-opening tailgate 100. In the following text, the first side is equivalent to the left side, and the second side is equivalent to the right side. Of course, in other embodiments, the right side of the side-opening tailgate 100 is also referred to as the first side, and the left side of the side-opening tailgate 100 is referred to as the second side.

[0040] Please see Figure 3 In some embodiments, the side-opening tailgate 100 is further provided with a limiting block 190, and the vehicle body is provided with a limiting groove that cooperates with the limiting block 190. The limiting block 190 is located below the tailgate lock 130, and the limiting structure 190 and the lock 130 are located within the area enclosed by the sealing strip 120. After the tailgate lock 130 is locked, the limiting block of the limiting block 190 extends into the limiting groove and engages in place, which serves to prevent the tailgate from sinking in the Z direction and to prevent the tailgate from rotating backward in the X direction.

[0041] To improve the space utilization inside the door 110, please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 In some embodiments, the radar and satellite antenna are installed close to the hinge assembly 140 and the tailgate lock 130, respectively. This allows for an increase in the area of ​​the clearance zone 113a on the side closest to the tailgate lock 130, so that the lock drive device 170 used to actuate the tailgate lock 130 is also located within this clearance zone 113a. In other embodiments, the lock drive device 170 is located in the clearance zone 113a away from the tailgate lock 130, resulting in a larger bending radius of the pull cable 171 used to actuate the tailgate lock 130, thus preventing excessive bending of the pull cable 171.

[0042] The tailgate outer panel 111 can be made of non-metallic materials such as plastic or PCM composite material. Considering that the tailgate outer panel 111 is not load-bearing and serves as an exterior surface, it requires good shape flexibility. In some embodiments, the tailgate outer panel 111 is a plastic part, integrally molded by injection molding. The plastic outer panel allows electromagnetic waves to penetrate, enabling the installation of satellite antennas and obstacle avoidance radar inside the tailgate.

[0043] The tailgate inner panel 112 primarily provides the sealing surface 112c for the installation of the sealing strip 120. It requires high surface quality and can be made of stamped metal sheet metal or non-metallic materials such as plastic or PCM composite materials. Considering weight reduction and ease of shaping, in some embodiments, the tailgate inner panel 112 is also made of plastic, integrally molded by injection molding. The tailgate outer panel 111 and the tailgate inner panel 112 can use the same injection molding material. The plastic inner panel conceals the metal frame 113 inside the tailgate, improving the appearance quality after the tailgate is opened. Furthermore, the sealing strip 120 directly contacts the smooth plastic surface, solving the problem of rough and inaccurate sealing surfaces on the metal frame 113.

[0044] The metal frame 113, serving as a load-bearing and reinforcing component of the side-opening tailgate 100, requires sufficient rigidity and structural strength. Its material can be steel or aluminum alloy, and the forming process can be casting or stamping. To reduce weight, in some embodiments, the metal frame 113 is a die-cast aluminum-magnesium alloy component. Compared to sheet metal reinforcements used in conventional tailgates, die-cast aluminum alloy components offer higher strength, lower cost, better recyclability, and stronger load-bearing capacity, making them more suitable for off-road vehicles requiring the mounting of a spare tire 161. Furthermore, in the event of a fire, aluminum alloy has a higher melting point and superior flame retardancy, enhancing vehicle safety.

[0045] Please see Figure 5 The shape of the metal frame 113 is adapted to the door body 110, forming a window frame reinforcement structure at the rear door window 110a. Solid structures are also present at the door lock mounting location, hinge mounting location, and spare tire 161 mounting location, and the thickness of these solid structures is greater than the thickness of the window frame reinforcement structure. The metal frame 113 is an overall frame structure with densely packed grooves on its surface. These grooves significantly reduce the weight of the metal frame 113 and also absorb vibration energy.

[0046] To ensure the integrity of the exterior surface, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 7In some embodiments, the tailgate outer panel 111 and tailgate inner panel 112 are bonded together with structural adhesive, forming a space to accommodate the metal frame 113. The tailgate outer panel 111 and metal frame 113 are bonded together with sealant, with one side of the metal frame 113 abutting against the tailgate outer panel 111, and sealant is applied to the abutment. Compared to structural adhesive, the metal frame 113 is easier to disassemble and separate from the tailgate outer panel 111 after being bonded with sealant. The metal frame 113 is connected to the tailgate inner panel 112 with fasteners. The connection scheme of fastener connection and adhesive between the metal frame 113 and external non-metallic parts allows for the replacement of the plastic outer panel and / or plastic inner panel separately after a collision or scratch if the internal metal frame 113 structure is not damaged, thus reducing maintenance costs.

[0047] Please see Figure 5 and Figure 6 In some embodiments, the tailgate inner panel 112 is a closed annular structure, with a sealing surface 112c for mounting the sealing strip 120, and an outer surface where the hinge assembly 140 and tailgate lock 130 are located. For other parts of the metal frame 113, please refer to... Figure 4 In some embodiments, the side-opening tailgate 100 also includes an interior trim panel 114, which covers the inner tailgate panel 112 and the inner ring opening 112a of the inner tailgate panel 112. The interior trim panel 114 is detachably connected to the metal frame 113 by a snap fastener 1131 and / or fasteners. After the inner tailgate panel 112 is installed, electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving devices such as radar and antennas are still exposed through the inner ring opening 112a. When maintenance or disassembly and replacement are required, the interior trim panel 114 can be removed, allowing maintenance personnel to operate directly through the inner ring opening 112a.

[0048] In related technologies, the side-opening tailgate 100 typically prioritizes the spare tire assembly 160. All tailgate locks 130 and hinges are arranged around the space occupied by the spare tire assembly 160. The sealing strip 120 and tailgate lock 130 are arranged side-by-side along the thickness of the tailgate and completely overlap along its width. The tailgate lock 130, limit block 190, and handle completely occupy the left side space, leaving no room for taillights. The right-side hinge occupies a higher position. To optimize the placement of the spare tire assembly 160, a right-eccentric arrangement is used, placing it closer to the hinge on the right. There is no space for taillights on the right side of the spare tire assembly 160. As an important aesthetic and functional component, the taillights must be arranged symmetrically on both sides and not obstructed by the spare tire assembly 160. Due to space constraints, taillights cannot be installed on the side-opening tailgate 100 in the relevant technology. All taillight functions must be integrated into the vehicle body, specifically positioned on both sides of the luggage compartment opening at the rear. This taillight mounting structure increases the complexity of the body-in-white structure. Furthermore, the side-opening tailgate 100 primarily meets off-road requirements, and the suspended spare tire assembly 160 is a crucial functional requirement. Forcing taillights onto the side-opening tailgate 100 would significantly reduce the tailgate's strength, leading to insufficient tailgate performance during off-road driving (such as tailgate vibration, noise, and deformation).

[0049] To address the aforementioned issues, in some embodiments of this application, a taillight is integrated into the side-opening tailgate 100. Please refer to... Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The side-opening tailgate 100 also includes a first taillight 151 and a second taillight 152 respectively disposed on both sides of the tailgate outer panel 111. Taillight mounting holes 111c are provided on both sides of the tailgate outer panel 111 for mounting the two taillights. Along the thickness direction of the door body 110, the first taillight 151 is arranged side-by-side with the tailgate lock 130; along the height direction of the door body 110, the height of the second taillight 152 is the same as the height of the first taillight 151, and both are less than the height of the uppermost hinge in the hinge assembly 140.

[0050] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 3Unlike conventional side-opening tailgates 100 where the sealing strip 120 is mounted on the tailgate lock 130, in this application, the tailgate lock 130 is located within the area enclosed by the sealing strip 120. This means the tailgate lock 130 and the sealing strip 120 are offset in the width direction of the door body 110. By changing the arrangement of the tailgate lock 130 and the sealing strip 120 from being arranged side-by-side in the X direction to being arranged side-by-side in the Y direction, the space occupied by the tailgate lock 130 and the sealing strip 120 in the thickness direction of the door body 110 can be reduced. This allows space to be created for the first taillight 151 in the thickness direction of the door body 110 by utilizing the tailgate lock 130 and the sealing strip 120. The first taillight 151 is located on the first side of the outer surface of the door body 110. The first taillight 151 and the tailgate lock 130 are arranged side-by-side in the thickness direction of the door body 110 without overlapping, and the first taillight 151 and the tailgate lock 130 do not interfere with each other. In an embodiment where the side-opening tailgate 100 also includes a limiting block 190, the limiting block 190 is located below the tailgate lock 130, and both the limiting block 190 and the tailgate lock 130 are located within the area enclosed by the sealing strip 120.

[0051] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 3 In some embodiments, to further optimize the arrangement of the first taillight 151, the sealing strip 120, and the tailgate lock 130, along the thickness direction of the door body 110, the sealing strip 120 overlaps with the tailgate lock 130, and the sealing strip 120 does not extend beyond the location of the tailgate lock 130. That is, the sealing strip 120 is completely located within the extension space of the tailgate lock 130 in the X direction, and the sealing strip 120 does not occupy the thickness space of the door body 110. Along the width direction of the door body 110, the sealing strip 120 and the tailgate lock 130 are arranged side by side, and both overlap with the first taillight 151 at least partially. This means that the sealing strip 120 and the tailgate lock 130 are both located in front of the first taillight 151, and the first taillight 151 does not occupy additional space in the Y direction, thus not affecting the arrangement of the spare tire assembly 160.

[0052] By arranging the sealing strip 120 and tailgate lock 130 side-by-side in the Y direction, with the tailgate lock 130 located within the area enclosed by the sealing strip 120, not only is installation space provided for the first taillight 151, but the size of the trunk opening (the trunk opening size is the size of the middle of the sealing strip 120) is also not affected. The trunk opening size is maximized to facilitate luggage placement. For a side-opening tailgate 100 of the same size, this application, by arranging the tailgate lock 130 within the area enclosed by the sealing strip 120, not only solves the placement problem of the first taillight 151, but also increases the trunk opening size. Furthermore, the tailgate lock 130 is located in the dry area (the area enclosed by the sealing strip 120), improving the sealing and water-resistant performance of the side-opening tailgate 100.

[0053] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 4In this application, the height of the uppermost hinge of the hinge assembly 140 is higher than that of the conventional side-opening tailgate 100, exceeding the height of the second taillight 152. This causes the second taillight 152 and the uppermost hinge of the hinge assembly 140 to be offset in the Z-direction, solving the space problem for arranging the taillight on the hinge side. The height of the second taillight 152 is the same as the height of the first taillight 151, meeting the appearance requirements.

[0054] It should be noted that the second taillight 152 and the uppermost hinge in the hinge assembly 140 are offset in the Z-direction. This means that the second taillight 152 and the uppermost hinge in the hinge assembly 140 do not completely overlap in the Z-direction. In other words, the overall height of the uppermost hinge in the hinge assembly 140 is higher than that of the second taillight 152. Specifically, this can be achieved by the upper side of the uppermost hinge in the hinge assembly 140 being higher than the upper side of the second taillight 152, and the lower side being higher than the lower side of the second taillight 152, meaning that the second taillight 152 and the uppermost hinge in the hinge assembly 140 are side-by-side and partially overlap in the Z-direction. Alternatively, the lower side of the uppermost hinge in the hinge assembly 140 may be higher than the upper side of the second taillight 152, meaning that the second taillight 152 and the uppermost hinge in the hinge assembly 140 are side-by-side and do not overlap in the Z-direction.

[0055] During the design phase, the position of the taillights is first determined based on the desired aesthetic effect. Based on the taillights' position, the position of the uppermost hinge in the sealing strip 120, tailgate lock 130, and hinge assembly 140 is then determined. To stably support the door body 110, the hinge assembly 140 typically includes at least two hinges. Figure 2 and Figure 4 The specific structure and distribution of the hinge assembly 140 in some embodiments are shown. (Combined with...) Figure 2 The hinge assembly 140 includes an upper hinge 141 and a lower hinge 142 spaced apart along the height direction of the door body 110. The height of the second taillight 152 is less than that of the upper hinge 141 and greater than that of the lower hinge 142. In other embodiments, if the overall height of the side-opening tailgate 100 is large, the hinge assembly 140 may include three or four hinges.

[0056] In some embodiments, the side-opening tailgate 100 further includes at least one of a spoiler (not shown), a strut assembly 181, a spare tire assembly 160, and an exhaust box (not shown). These accessories may be optionally equipped for different configuration levels and intended uses of the vehicle.

[0057] If an optional spoiler is selected, the spoiler is installed on the top of the tailgate outer panel 111. The upper edge of the window frame of the tailgate outer panel 111 is provided with spoiler mounting holes 111f and / or fasteners, such as... Figure 8As shown, the spoiler is connected to the tailgate outer panel 111 by fasteners and / or clips to help improve the vehicle's grip and stability.

[0058] If the optional strut assembly 181 is selected, one end of the strut assembly 181 is connected to the metal frame 113 via fasteners, and the other end is connected to the vehicle body. The strut assembly 181 is located at the lower edge of the door body 110 and near the hinge assembly 140. Both ends of the strut assembly 181 form two joints with the door body 110 and the vehicle body, respectively, allowing the strut assembly 181 to rotate relative to the door body 110 and the vehicle body as the door opens. The function of the strut assembly 181 is to support the door body 110 and its accessories, preventing the door body 110 from sagging. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, the strut assembly 181 includes a strut 181 and two strut brackets 182 for mounting the strut 181. The strut 181 is a telescopic rod, specifically an electric telescopic rod, a hydraulic strut 181, or a pneumatic strut 181, etc. Both ends of the strut 181 are hinged to the two strut brackets 182, and the two strut brackets 182 are connected to the door body 110 and the vehicle body respectively via fasteners. The strut bracket 182 connecting to the door body 110 is located on the outer side of the tailgate inner panel 112. A first through hole 112b is provided on the tailgate inner panel 112 for the fasteners of the strut bracket 182 to pass through and connect to the metal frame 113.

[0059] If an exhaust box is selected, it is installed in the center of the tailgate outer panel 111, corresponding to the position of the spare tire assembly 160. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 6 and Figure 8 In some embodiments, an exhaust box mounting hole 111d is provided in the middle of the tailgate outer panel 111 to accommodate the exhaust box. In some embodiments, the exhaust box is located in the area surrounded by several second through holes 111a, and is placed using the internal space of the spare tire bracket 162 and the hollow area 113b of the metal frame 113. The exhaust box can balance the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the vehicle, and the installation of the exhaust box can improve the problem of difficult door closing.

[0060] For models equipped with the optional spare tire assembly 160, the spare tire assembly 160 is also fastened to the metal frame 113 via fasteners. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The spare tire assembly 160 includes a spare tire 161 and a spare tire bracket 162. The spare tire 161 is mounted on the spare tire bracket 162, and the spare tire bracket 162 is connected to the door body 110 by fasteners. The outer panel 111 of the tailgate has a second through hole 111a for the fasteners to pass through. The spare tire bracket 162 is connected to the metal frame 113 by fasteners. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 5 In some embodiments, a hollow area 113b is provided in the middle of the metal frame 113, and fasteners are connected to the side edge of the hollow area 113b.

[0061] In some embodiments, the side-opening tailgate 100 also includes three spare tire support blocks (not visible in the figure), which are made of an elastic material, such as rubber, silicone, or springs. Please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 8 In some embodiments, the tailgate outer panel assembly 111 is provided with three support block mounting holes 111e for the spare tire support blocks to extend outward through the support block mounting holes 111e, forming a triangular support structure. It is understood that for side-opening tailgates without a spare tire assembly 160, a spare tire support block may not be provided, and the corresponding support block mounting holes 111e are not required on the tailgate outer panel assembly 111. When the spare tire assembly 160 vibrates, the three elastic spare tire support blocks first reduce and filter the vibration energy of the spare tire assembly 160, and the remaining vibration energy is transmitted to the metal frame 113 through several mounting points of the spare tire bracket 162.

[0062] The transmission path of vibrational energy in the metal skeleton 113 is as follows: Figure 9 As indicated by the middle arrow. Please refer to [the image / reference]. Figure 9 The force transmission principle of the metal frame 113 is as follows: During driving on rough roads, the spare tire assembly 160 causes the tailgate to vibrate up, down, left, and right. The vibration of the spare tire assembly 160 is transmitted to the metal frame 113 via the spare tire bracket 172. The metal frame 113 effectively reduces and absorbs vibration energy and disperses the vibration, transmitting it to the left to the tailgate lock 130 and to the right to the hinge assembly 140. This prevents vibration deformation from being transmitted to weak points (the upper and side edges of the window frame), thereby reducing the risk of deformation at the weak points of the tailgate and improving road durability.

[0063] According to a second aspect of this application, a vehicle is provided, including a vehicle body and a side-opening tailgate 100 as described in any of the first aspects above. The rear of the vehicle body is provided with a luggage compartment. The side-opening tailgate 100 is hinged to the vehicle body via a hinge assembly 140 and the opening of the luggage compartment is sealed by a sealing strip 120. The vehicle body is provided with a lock seat that engages with a tailgate lock 130 of the side-opening tailgate 100.

[0064] In the embodiment where the side-opening tailgate 100 is provided with a limiting block 190, the vehicle body is provided with a limiting groove that cooperates with the limiting block 190. After the tailgate lock 130 is locked, the limiting block of the limiting block 190 extends into the limiting groove and is engaged in place, which plays the role of preventing the tailgate from sinking in the Z direction and preventing the tailgate from rotating backward in the X direction.

[0065] The vehicle can be an SUV, MPV, or off-road vehicle, with no specific model limitation. Other undescribed structures of the vehicle can be found in relevant existing art disclosures, and will not be elaborated here.

[0066] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature being directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0067] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", and "counterclockwise" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0068] It should be noted that all directional indications in the embodiments of this application are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly.

[0069] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "connection," "fixed," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "fixed" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can mean a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can mean a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can mean the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0070] Furthermore, the use of terms such as "first" and "second" in this application is for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, features defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more features. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0071] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification.

[0072] Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but only if they are based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed in this application.

[0073] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this application, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A side-opening tailgate, characterized in that: The device includes a door body, a spare tire assembly, a tailgate lock, a hinge assembly, and an electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving device mounted on the door body. The door body comprises a tailgate outer panel, a metal frame, and a tailgate inner panel connected in sequence. The tailgate outer panel is made of non-metallic material, and the electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving device is mounted on the inner side of the tailgate outer panel. The tailgate inner panel is also made of non-metallic material. The tailgate lock and the hinge assembly are both connected to the metal frame and are at least partially exposed on the tailgate inner panel. The spare tire assembly is connected to the metal frame by fasteners. The metal frame has a hollow area in the middle, and the fasteners are connected to the side edge of the hollow area. The metal frame is a frame structure, and the surface of the metal frame is provided with grooves; the shape of the metal frame is adapted to the door body, and the metal frame forms a window frame reinforcement structure at the rear door window; the thickness of the solid structure of the door lock installation, hinge installation, and spare tire installation in the metal frame is greater than the thickness of the window frame reinforcement structure. The side-opening tailgate also includes a sealing strip, a first taillight and a second taillight respectively disposed on both sides of the outer panel of the tailgate, and the sealing strip is installed on the outer side of the inner panel of the tailgate; the tailgate lock is located in the area enclosed by the sealing strip; along the thickness direction of the door body, the first taillight and the tailgate lock are arranged side by side; along the height direction of the door body, the height of the second taillight is the same as the height of the first taillight, and both are less than the height of the uppermost hinge in the hinge assembly.

2. The side-opening tailgate according to claim 1, characterized in that, Along the width direction of the door body, the sealing strip and the door lock are arranged side by side and both overlap with the first taillight at least partially; along the thickness direction of the door body, the sealing strip overlaps with the door lock and the sealing strip does not extend beyond the position of the door lock.

3. The side-opening tailgate according to claim 2, characterized in that, The side-opening tailgate also includes a limiting block, which is located below the tailgate lock; both the limiting block and the tailgate lock are located within the area enclosed by the sealing strip. The hinge assembly includes an upper hinge and a lower hinge spaced apart along the height direction of the door body, and the height of the second taillight is less than that of the upper hinge and greater than that of the lower hinge.

4. The side-opening tailgate according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The metal frame is a die-cast aluminum alloy part; the outer and inner tailgate panels are both made of plastic. The outer tailgate panel and the inner tailgate panel are bonded together with structural adhesive; the outer tailgate panel and the metal frame are bonded together with sealant; and the metal frame and the inner tailgate panel are connected together with fasteners.

5. The side-opening tailgate according to claim 4, characterized in that, The tailgate inner panel has a closed ring structure; the side-opening tailgate also includes an interior trim panel, which is detachably connected to the metal frame by fasteners and / or fasteners, and the interior trim panel covers the inner ring opening of the tailgate inner panel.

6. The side-opening tailgate according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving device includes at least one of a radar and a satellite antenna; the metal frame is provided with a clearance zone corresponding to the positions of the radar and the satellite antenna.

7. The side-opening tailgate according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The side-opening tailgate also includes at least one of a spoiler, a strut assembly, and an exhaust box; wherein: The spoiler is installed on the top of the tailgate outer panel; Both the strut assembly and the spare tire assembly are connected to the metal frame by the fasteners, and the outer panel of the tailgate is provided with a through hole for the fasteners to pass through; The exhaust box is installed in the middle of the outer panel of the tailgate and corresponds to the position of the spare tire assembly.

8. A vehicle, characterized in that: Includes the side-opening tailgate as described in any one of claims 1-7.

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