Torsion bar anchor for vehicle tailgate assembly

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a torsion bar anchor for a vehicle tailgate assembly. A tailgate assembly includes a frame sub-assembly for a tailgate. The frame subassembly has a first bracket positioned adjacent a second bracket to provide a connecting beam having a hollow structural section. The assembly also includes a torsion bar and a torsion bar anchor. The torsion bar is at least partially disposed within the hollow structural section. The torsion bar anchor has a bar receiving opening that receives an end portion of the torsion bar to anchor the end portion of the torsion bar.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a tailgate assembly and, more particularly, to a torsion bar that anchors the tailgate assembly. Background Art

[0002] Many motor vehicles include a cargo space for transporting various types of cargo. For example, a pickup truck includes a cargo box that establishes the cargo space of the truck. A tailgate typically closes one end of the cargo box. The tailgate can be moved between a closed position and an open position to provide access to the cargo box. Summary of the invention

[0003] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate assembly, comprising: a frame subassembly for a tailgate, the frame subassembly having a first bracket positioned adjacent to a second bracket to provide a connecting beam having a hollow structural section; a torsion bar, the torsion bar being at least partially disposed within the hollow structural section; and a torsion bar anchor having a rod receiving opening, the rod receiving opening receiving an end portion of the torsion bar to anchor the end portion of the torsion bar.

[0004] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate assembly, which also includes: a cargo compartment access opening, the cargo compartment access opening being between a driver-side section and a passenger-side section of the frame subassembly, the hollow structure section extending between the driver-side section and the passenger-side section; and a door subassembly, the door subassembly being pivotally connected to the frame subassembly, the door subassembly being capable of pivoting back and forth between a door-open position and a door-closed position relative to the frame subassembly, the door subassembly closing the cargo compartment access opening when the door subassembly is in the door-closed position.

[0005] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate assembly in which the connecting beam extends along a bottom of the cargo bed access opening.

[0006] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate assembly wherein the torsion bar is biased to assist pivotal movement of the frame subassembly and the door subassembly from a tailgate open position to a tailgate closed position.

[0007] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate assembly wherein the frame subassembly and the door subassembly pivot together about a horizontally extending axis between a tailgate open position and a tailgate closed position, wherein the door subassembly pivots about a vertically extending axis relative to the frame subassembly between a door open position and a door closed position.

[0008] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate assembly wherein the first bracket and the second bracket each have a C-shaped cross-sectional profile.

[0009] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate assembly wherein the first bracket and the second bracket overlap each other when placed adjacent to each other to provide the connecting beam having the hollow structural section.

[0010] In some aspects, the technology described herein is directed to a tailgate assembly wherein the torsion bar anchor provides the entire circumferential perimeter of the rod receiving opening.

[0011] In some aspects, the technology described herein is directed to a tailgate assembly wherein the torsion bar anchor includes no more than one part.

[0012] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate assembly wherein the torsion bar anchor is fully received within the hollow structural section.

[0013] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate assembly wherein the rod receiving opening includes a planar side that aligns with a planar portion within the end portion of the torsion bar.

[0014] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate assembly wherein the torsion bar anchor is a polymer-based material.

[0015] In some aspects, the technology described herein is directed to a tailgate assembly that also includes a set screw that engages the torsion bar anchor and extends partially into the rod receiving opening to secure the end portion of the torsion bar within the rod receiving opening.

[0016] In some aspects, the technology described herein is directed to a tailgate assembly that also includes an anchor fastener that secures the torsion bar anchor directly to the connecting beam.

[0017] In some aspects, the technology described herein is directed to a tailgate assembly wherein the connecting beam includes an access opening to provide access to the anchor fastener.

[0018] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate torsion bar anchoring method, which includes: positioning a torsion bar anchor within a hollow structural section provided by a connecting beam of the tailgate; and receiving an end portion of a torsion bar within a rod receiving opening of the torsion bar anchor to anchor the end portion of the torsion bar.

[0019] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate torsion bar anchoring method that also includes securing the torsion bar anchor directly to the connecting beam.

[0020] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate torsion bar anchoring method that also includes using the torsion bar to assist in pivoting of the tailgate.

[0021] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a tailgate torsion bar anchoring method, wherein the torsion bar is at least partially disposed within the hollow structural section.

[0022] The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs, claims or the following description and drawings, including any of their various aspects or respective individual features, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in conjunction with one embodiment apply to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] According to the detailed description, various features and advantages of the disclosed examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art. The drawings attached to the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:

[0024] Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a motor vehicle equipped with a cargo space and a tailgate assembly positioned in a tailgate closed position relative to the cargo space.

[0025] Figure 2 Shown in tailgate open position Figure 1 The tailgate assembly.

[0026] Figure 3 Shown in the door open position Figure 1 The door sub-assembly of the tailgate assembly.

[0027] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Rear view and top view of the tailgate assembly and door subassembly.

[0028] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 View of the frame subassembly of the tailgate assembly with selected sections removed.

[0029] Figure 6 Shown from Figure 1 A perspective view of a connecting beam of a tailgate assembly with the torsion bar and torsion bar anchor in an uninstalled position.

[0030] Figure 7 Shown in Figure 6 Cross-sectional view at line 7–7 in FIG.

[0031] Figure 8 Shown from Figure 1 A perspective view of the connecting beam of the tailgate assembly with the torsion bar and torsion bar anchor installed.

[0032] Fig. 9 Shown in Figure 8 Cross-sectional view at line 9-9 in FIG.

[0033] Fig.10 A perspective view of an end portion of a torsion bar received within a rod receiving opening of a torsion bar anchor is shown.

[0034] Fig.11 A perspective view of a torsion bar anchor is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The present disclosure details exemplary tailgate assemblies having torsion bars and, in particular, anchors for those torsion bars. The tailgate assembly may include a frame subassembly and a door subassembly that pivot together about a horizontal tailgate axis. The door subassembly may also pivot relative to the frame subassembly about a vertical door axis.

[0036] Figures 1 to 4 Selected portions of a motor vehicle 10 are shown that include a cargo space for storing and / or hauling cargo. In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle 10 is a pickup truck, and the cargo space is established by a bed 14 of the pickup truck. Although a pickup truck having a bed is specifically depicted and referenced herein, other vehicles having other types of cargo spaces may also benefit from the teachings of the present disclosure. The vehicle 10 may be a conventional internal combustion engine powered vehicle, an electric or hybrid vehicle powered by a traction battery, an autonomous vehicle (i.e., a driverless vehicle), and the like.

[0037] Although specific component relationships are shown in the drawings of the present disclosure, the illustrations are not intended to limit the present disclosure. The layout and orientation of the various components of the vehicle 10 are schematically shown and may vary within the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the various drawings attached to the present disclosure are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to emphasize certain details of specific components.

[0038] The cargo box 14 is generally located rearward of a passenger cabin (not shown) of the vehicle 10 and includes a floor 18 extending between a pair of longitudinally extending side walls 22, a transversely extending front wall 26, and a tailgate assembly 30. The overall size, shape, and configuration of the cargo box 14 are not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

[0039] The tailgate assembly 30 may be considered a multi-axis tailgate that includes, among other things, a frame subassembly 34 and a door subassembly 38. In an exemplary embodiment, the frame subassembly 34 includes a driver's side section 42, a passenger's side section 46, and a connecting beam 50 connecting the driver's side section 42 to the passenger's side section 46. The door subassembly 38 may sometimes be referred to as a "swing door subassembly." The door subassembly 38 is pivotally coupled to the passenger's side section 46 and latched to the driver's side section 42 when closed. At least one hinge assembly 54 is used to pivotally connect the door subassembly 38 to the passenger's side section 46. In another example, the door subassembly 38 is pivotally coupled to the driver's side section 42 and latched to the passenger's side section 46.

[0040] The tailgate assembly 30 can be rotatable relative to the cargo box 14 about the first axis A1. Figure 1 Tailgate shown in closed position Figure 2 The tailgate assembly 30 is pivoted back and forth between the tailgate closed position and the tailgate open position shown. The tailgate assembly 30 can be moved from the tailgate closed position to the tailgate open position, for example, in response to grasping the first handle 58 that actuates the tailgate assembly 30. The tailgate assembly 30 is vertically aligned when in the tailgate closed position and thus generally closes the end of the cargo bed 14 opposite the front wall 26, and is horizontally aligned when in the tailgate open position and thus generally allows ingress and egress to the cargo bed 14. For purposes of this disclosure, vertical and horizontal are referenced to the ground in the normal orientation of the vehicle 10 during operation.

[0041] When the frame subassembly 34 and the door subassembly 38 of the tailgate assembly 30 pivot between the tailgate closed position and the tailgate open position, the door subassembly 38 is in the door closed position and is latched to the frame subassembly 34. Thus, when the tailgate assembly 30 transitions back and forth between the tailgate closed position and the tailgate open position, the frame subassembly 34 and the door subassembly 38 pivot together as a unit.

[0042] When in the tailgate closed position, the door subassembly 38 can be moved relative to the frame subassembly 34 about the second axis A2. Figure 1 The door closed position shown is similar to Figure 3 In the embodiment, the first axis A1 is a horizontally extending axis, and the second axis A2 is transverse to the first axis A1 and is a vertically extending axis. For example, by grasping and actuating the second handle 62 (see Figure 1 ), the door subassembly 38 can be moved between a door closed position and a door open position.

[0043] The door subassembly 38 provides a cargo bed access opening O when moved to the door open position. The cargo bed access opening is disposed between a driver side section 42 and a passenger side section 46 of the frame subassembly.

[0044] In an embodiment, the cargo compartment access opening O extends vertically downward to at least the floor 18 of the cargo compartment 14. When the door subassembly 38 is in the door open position, the user 66 (see Figure 4 ) can enter and exit the cargo compartment 14 through the cargo compartment access opening O. For example, when the tailgate assembly 30 is positioned at Figure 2 Placing the door subassembly 38 in the door open position allows the user 66 to move closer to the cargo box 14 than when the tailgate is in the open position. The cargo box access opening O can also provide clearance for the user 66 to enter the cargo box 14 to load or remove a piece of cargo (see Figure 4 ).

[0045] Reference now Figures 5 to 11 And continue to refer to Figures 1 to 4 , the frame subassembly 34 includes a first bracket 70 positioned adjacent to a second bracket 74 to provide a connecting beam 78 having a hollow structural section. The first bracket 70 and the second bracket 74 each have a C-shaped cross-sectional profile.

[0046] In this example, the first bracket 70 and the second bracket 74 slightly overlap each other when placed adjacent to each other to provide a hollow structural section. For example, the first bracket 70 and the second bracket 74 can be joined together using a weld.

[0047] The frame subassembly 34 also includes a driver side pillar 82 of the driver side section 42 and a passenger side pillar 86 of the passenger side section 46. The driver side pillar 82 and the passenger side pillar 86 extend from opposite ends of the connecting beam 78.

[0048] When the tailgate assembly 30 is in the closed position, the bottom of the cargo bed access opening O is a vertical bottom. A connecting beam 78 extends along the bottom of the cargo bed access opening O to connect the driver side section 42 of the frame subassembly 34 to the passenger side section 46 of the frame subassembly 34 .

[0049] The connecting beam 78 houses a torsion bar 86 that is biased to assist pivotal movement of the door subassembly 24 and the frame subassembly 22 about the axis A1. The torsion bar 86 is at least partially received within the connecting beam 78 and is biased to assist pivotal movement.

[0050] During assembly, the end portion 90 of the torsion bar 86 is moved into the hollow structural section through the open end 94 of the connecting beam 78 and then into the rod receiving opening 98 of the torsion bar anchor 102. The torsion bar anchor 102 may be a polymer based material.

[0051] The torsion bar anchor 102 is positioned within the hollow structural section when receiving the end portion 90 of the torsion bar 86. The rod receiving opening 98 receiving the end portion 90 of the torsion bar 86 may have a tapered edge to guide the end portion 90 of the torsion bar 86 into the rod receiving opening 98.

[0052] The torsion bar anchor 102 can be moved into the hollow structural section through an access opening 106, which in this example is provided in the second bracket 74. A locator feature 110 can be incorporated into the torsion bar anchor 102 to facilitate proper positioning within the hollow structural section. In this example, the locator feature 110 is an angled face of the torsion bar anchor 102 that abuts a corner region of the connecting beam 50 when properly positioned within the hollow structural section.

[0053] In this example, the entire torsion bar anchor 102 is positioned within the hollow structural section. In particular, the torsion bar anchor 102 is completely received within the hollow structural section. In another example, the area of ​​the torsion bar anchor 102 may extend to the outside of the hollow structural section.

[0054] The example torsion bar anchor 102 provides a single piece for the entire circumferential perimeter of the rod receiving opening 98. That is, two parts are not joined to provide the rod receiving opening 98, wherein a portion of the rod receiving opening 98 is established by one part and the remaining portion is established by another part.

[0055] In order to circumferentially align the torsion bar 86 within the rod receiving opening 98, the flat portion 114 within the end portion 90 of the torsion bar 86 is circumferentially aligned with the flat side 118 of the rod receiving opening 98. In this example, the end portion 90 cannot be received within the rod receiving opening 98 unless the flat portion 114 of the torsion bar 86 is circumferentially aligned with the flat side 118 of the rod receiving opening 98. In addition, once the end portion 90 is inserted into the rod receiving opening 98, the flat side 118 prevents rotation of the end portion 90 of the torsion bar 86 within the rod receiving opening 98 relative to the torsion bar anchor 102.

[0056] In this example, a set screw 122 engages the torsion bar anchor 102 and extends partially into the rod receiving opening 98 to secure the end portion 90 of the torsion bar 86 to the torsion bar anchor 102 within the rod receiving opening 98. During assembly, the set screw 122 may be accessed through the access opening 106. The set screw 122 may help prevent the end portion 90 of the torsion bar 86 from being withdrawn from the rod receiving opening 98 and may help prevent the end portion 90 of the torsion bar 86 from rotating relative to the torsion bar anchor 102 within the rod receiving opening 98.

[0057] In this example, when the torsion bar anchor 102 is installed, an anchor fastener 126 (here a bolt) secures the torsion bar anchor 102 directly to the connecting beam 50. The anchor fastener 126 extends through an opening 128 in the first bracket 70 or the second bracket 74 to engage the torsion bar anchor 102. During assembly, the anchor fastener 126 can be accessed through the access opening 106.

[0058] In some examples, a locator feature (such as a locating pin) can extend from the torsion bar anchor 102 into an opening provided by the first bracket 70, the second bracket 74, or both. The locator feature can, among other things, help properly align the torsion bar anchor 102 within the hollow structural section during assembly. The locator feature can, among other things, help prevent movement (e.g., rotation) of the torsion bar anchor 102 within the hollow structural section when the anchor fastener 126 is twisted downward to secure the torsion bar anchor 102 directly to the connecting beam 50.

[0059] Because the torsion bar anchor 102 is secured to the connecting beam 78 and the end portion 90 of the torsion bar 86 is prevented from rotating relative to the torsion bar anchor 102 , the end portion 90 of the torsion bar 86 rotates with the connecting beam 78 when the tailgate assembly 30 moves between the tailgate open position and the tailgate closed position.

[0060] The torsion bar 86 may be spaced apart from the inner surface 130 of the first bracket 70 and the second bracket 74 by at least one isolator (not shown) within the hollow structural section of the connecting beam 78. The isolator may maintain the spacing between the torsion bar 86 and the inner surface 130 of the connecting beam 78. The isolator may be rubber.

[0061] Although not required, the example tailgate assembly 30 includes an actuator system that can move the tailgate assembly 30 (ie, the door subassembly 38 and the frame subassembly 34) about the first axis A1. Figure 1 Tailgate shown in closed position Figure 2 To pivot the tailgate assembly 30, the actuator system is actuated relative to a pivot rod 134 (rotatably fixed to the side wall 22) and pivoted back and forth between the open positions of the tailgate shown. Figure 5 ) to rotate.

[0062] The actuator system may include a clutch 138 and a motor 142. The motor 142 is activated to drive the pivot rod 134 through the clutch 138. The rotation may force the tailgate assembly 30 to pivotal movement.

[0063] Features of some of the disclosed examples include a torsion bar and torsion bar anchor that can be mounted within a connecting rod having a hollow structural section. In past tailgates that did not house the torsion bar within the connecting member, a multi-piece torsion bar anchor has been used. Such a multi-piece design presents assembly challenges if used with a connecting beam having a hollow structural section. For example, the bolt head can potentially interfere with the pivoting of the door subassembly, the pivoting of the tailgate assembly, or both.

[0064] The foregoing description is illustrative rather than restrictive in nature. Changes and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art, and the changes and modifications do not necessarily depart from the essence of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection granted to the present disclosure can only be determined by studying the attached claims.

Claims

1. A tailgate assembly, comprising: a frame subassembly for a tailgate having a first bracket positioned adjacent a second bracket to provide a connecting beam having a hollow structural section; a torsion bar disposed at least partially within the hollow structural section; as well as A torsion bar anchor has a rod receiving opening that receives an end portion of the torsion bar to anchor the end portion of the torsion bar.

2. The tailgate assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a cargo compartment access opening between a driver-side section and a passenger-side section of the frame subassembly, the hollow structural section extending between the driver-side section and the passenger-side section; as well as A door subassembly, the door subassembly being pivotally connected to the frame subassembly, the door subassembly being capable of pivoting back and forth between a door open position and a door closed position relative to the frame subassembly, the door subassembly closing the cargo compartment access opening when the door subassembly is in the door closed position, and optionally wherein the connecting beam extends along a bottom of the cargo compartment access opening.

3. The tailgate assembly of claim 2, wherein the torsion bar is biased to assist pivotal movement of the frame subassembly and the door subassembly from the tailgate open position to the tailgate closed position.

4. The tailgate assembly as described in claim 2, wherein the frame subassembly and the door subassembly pivot back and forth together about a horizontally extending axis between a tailgate open position and a tailgate closed position, and wherein the door subassembly pivots about a vertically extending axis relative to the frame subassembly between a door open position and a door closed position.

5. The tailgate assembly of claim 2, wherein the first bracket and the second bracket each have a C-shaped cross-sectional profile, and optionally, wherein the first bracket and the second bracket overlap each other when placed adjacent to each other to provide the connecting beam with the hollow structural section.

6. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 wherein said torsion bar anchor provides the entire circumferential perimeter of said rod receiving opening.

7. The tailgate assembly of claim 1, wherein said torsion bar anchor comprises no more than one part.

8. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 wherein said torsion bar anchor is fully received within said hollow structural section.

9. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 wherein said rod receiving opening includes a planar side that aligns with a planar portion within said end portion of said torsion bar.

10. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 wherein said torsion bar anchor is a polymer based material.

11. The tailgate assembly of claim 1 further comprising a fixing screw engaging the torsion bar anchor and extending partially into the rod receiving opening to secure the end portion of the torsion bar within the rod receiving opening, and optionally, the tailgate assembly further comprising an anchor fastener securing the torsion bar anchor directly to the connecting beam.

12. The tailgate assembly of claim 11, wherein said connecting beam includes an access opening to provide access to said anchor fastener.

13. A method for anchoring a torsion bar of a tailgate, the method comprising: positioning a torsion bar anchor within a hollow structural section provided by the connecting beam of the tailgate; as well as An end portion of a torsion bar is received in the bar receiving opening of the torsion bar anchor to anchor the end portion of the torsion bar.

14. The tailgate torsion bar anchoring method of claim 13, further comprising using the torsion bar to assist in pivoting of the tailgate.

15. The tailgate torsion bar anchoring method of claim 13, wherein the torsion bar is at least partially disposed within the hollow structural section, and optionally, further comprising securing the torsion bar anchor directly to the connecting beam.

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