Folding load box cover assembly for vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides a folding type loading box cover assembly for a vehicle. The folding type loading box cover assembly is provided with a hinged track and comprises a cover unit. The cover unit includes a plurality of slats, wherein each slat has an upper end and a lower end alternately connected to an adjacent slat when folded. The cover unit is folded or unfolded to expose or cover a loading box of the vehicle. The cover assembly includes a main rail mounted at an upper end of a loading box of the vehicle, disposed in a rearward direction of the vehicle, and configured to guide lower ends of the plurality of slats. The cover assembly includes an articulated rail mounted on the main rail and configured to guide upper ends of the plurality of slats. When the cover unit is folded, the hinge rail is separated from the main rail to guide the upper ends of the plurality of slats.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a load box lid for covering a load box of a vehicle, and more particularly, to a foldable load box lid assembly having articulated tracks. Background Art

[0002] In a vehicle 100 such as Figure 1 a pickup truck as shown, a loading bay, load bay, load box or loading box 110 having a predetermined size is formed at the rear of the vehicle 100.

[0003] The load box 110 is provided with a lid to protect the goods loaded in the load box 110. The lid is provided as a rolling shutter 130 to reduce the volume during storage. When the rolling shutter 130 is not folded or wound, the upper part of the load box 110 can be closed to prevent foreign matters such as dust from being introduced into the load box 110 or to prevent the goods from being discharged from the load box 110.

[0004] However, for the rolling shutter 130, a housing 140 is installed inside the load box 110 so that the rolling shutter 130 can be accommodated therein when rolled up (refer to Figure 2 part A). There is a problem that the internal storage space of the load box 110 is reduced due to the size and position of the housing 140, thereby reducing the available loading space.

[0005] In addition, since the height h between the lower surface of the load box 110 and the housing 140 is less than the portion where the housing 140 is not installed, there is a problem of reduced utilization of the middle door 120 provided between the passenger compartment of the vehicle and the load box 110. In other words, by opening the middle door 120, a part of the long goods is stored in the second row seat of the passenger compartment, and when the housing 140 protrudes, even when the middle door 120 is opened, there is a problem that a part of the open space is hidden by the housing 140 and is not visible. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present disclosure is made to solve the above problems. The present disclosure relates to providing a foldable load box lid assembly for a vehicle having articulated tracks. The articulated tracks form a part of the tracks for supporting and guiding a plurality of slats to cover the upper part of the load box.

[0007] To achieve these and other unmentioned purposes, a foldable loading box cover assembly with articulated tracks for a vehicle according to the present disclosure is provided. The assembly may include a cover unit including a plurality of slats, wherein each of the plurality of slats has upper and lower ends alternately connected to another adjacent slat. The cover unit is folded or unfolded to expose or cover the loading box of the vehicle. The assembly may further include a main track mounted at the upper end of the loading box of the vehicle, extending in the rearward direction of the vehicle, and configured to guide the lower ends of the plurality of slats. The assembly may further include an articulated track mounted on the main track and configured to guide the upper ends of the plurality of slats. When the cover unit is folded, the articulated track may be separated from the main track in a manner that guides the upper ends of the folded plurality of slats.

[0008] The articulated track may include a first track member configured to maintain a linear shape when the articulated track is separated from the main track, and may include a second track member configured to bend or have a bent shape when the articulated track is separated from the main track.

[0009] The first track member may include a first body, a first upper guide extending transversely inwardly from the upper end of the first body by a predetermined length towards the interior of the vehicle, and a first lower guide extending transversely inwardly from the lower end of the first body by a predetermined length towards the interior of the vehicle. The first track member may further include a first connection hole hingedly connected to another first track member, the other first track member being arranged to overlap with the first track member or the second track member. The first track member may further include a first connection hook fitted into another first track member arranged to overlap with the first track member or the second track member, and may include a fastening hole into which the first connection hook or a second connection hook formed on the second track member is fitted.

[0010] The end of the first upper guide may extend transversely to be positioned inwardly beyond the end of the first lower guide.

[0011] An upper bracket may connect the upper ends of two adjacent slats, and an upper slider may be rotatably mounted on the upper bracket and configured to slide between the first upper guide and the first lower guide when the cover unit is folded.

[0012] The second track member may include a second body, a second upper guide extending transversely inwardly a predetermined length from an upper end of the second body toward the interior of the vehicle, and a second lower guide extending transversely inwardly a predetermined length from a lower end of the second body toward the interior of the vehicle. The second track member may further include a second connection hole that is hinge-connected to another second track member that is arranged to overlap with the second track member or the first track member. The second track member may further include a second connection hook that is fitted into another second track member that is arranged to overlap with the second track member or the first track member, and may include a slit into which the second connection hook or a first connection hook formed on the first track member is fitted.

[0013] The slit may be formed in an arc shape and may be configured to allow two second track members to rotate, the two second track members being arranged to overlap each other at a predetermined angle.

[0014] The center line of the slit may be a part of a virtual circle around the second connection hole.

[0015] The end of the second upper guide may extend transversely inwardly to be positioned further inwardly than the end of the second lower guide.

[0016] The lower bracket may connect the lower ends of two adjacent ones of the plurality of slats, and the lower slider may be rotatably mounted on the lower bracket and configured to slide on the main track when the cover unit is folded.

[0017] The foldable loading box cover assembly having an articulated track for a vehicle may further include a return spring configured to elastically support the articulated track in contact with the main track.

[0018] The return spring may have a first end and a second end, the first end being fixed to the track member mounted closest to the rear end of the vehicle, and the second end being fixed to one side of the main track and elastically supported toward the rear of the vehicle and the rear of the articulated track.

[0019] The foldable loading box cover assembly having an articulated track for a vehicle track may further include a connecting member disposed between two adjacent ones of the plurality of slats, and each of the two adjacent slats is hinge-connected to the connecting member.

[0020] A weather strip may be provided between each of the plurality of slats and each connecting member.

[0021] A collapsible loading box cover assembly with articulated tracks for a vehicle may further include a drive motor, a drive gear configured to be rotated by the drive motor, and a cable engaged with the drive gear. The cable may be configured to selectively push and pull an end of the cover unit according to the rotation of the drive gear. The rearmost one of the plurality of slats of the cover unit positioned at the maximum distance from the drive motor may be pushed to deploy the cover unit or pulled to fold the cover unit.

[0022] The cable may have a helix formed on its outer peripheral surface or teeth formed longitudinally on the cable to engage with the drive gear.

[0023] A pair of cables may be provided and connected to both ends of at least the rearmost one of the plurality of slats of the cover unit, which is positioned at the maximum distance from the drive motor.

[0024] A collapsible loading box cover assembly with articulated tracks for a vehicle may further include a housing in which the drive motor and the drive gear are mounted. The housing may be fixed to the front end of the main track, and a cable groove in which the cable is installed may be formed in the housing.

[0025] For a collapsible loading box cover assembly with articulated tracks for a vehicle according to the present disclosure, when the upper part of the loading box is opened, the articulated tracks may provide an operating path for the plurality of slats in combination with the folding operation of the plurality of slats.

[0026] In addition, since the upper part of the loading box is flat when the plurality of slats close the upper part of the loading box, a part of the assembly that protrudes from the upper part of the loading box when the loading box is closed may disappear, enhancing the aesthetics of the vehicle. Description of the Drawings

[0027] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover part in a loading box of a vehicle according to the related art is opened.

[0028] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of the vehicle.

[0029] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a collapsible loading box cover assembly with articulated tracks according to the present disclosure is mounted on a loading box of a vehicle and the upper part of the loading box is opened.

[0030] Figure 4 is a side view of a collapsible loading box cover assembly with articulated tracks for a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the articulated tracks in a collapsible loading box cover assembly with articulated tracks for a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a first track member of an articulated track in a foldable loading box cover assembly with an articulated track for a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 7 is Figure 6 an exploded perspective view of the first track member of the articulated track.

[0034] Figure 8 is Figure 6 and 7 a rear view or an internal view of the first track member of the articulated track.

[0035] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a second track member of an articulated track in a foldable loading box cover assembly with an articulated track for a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 10 is Figure 9 an exploded perspective view of the second track member of the articulated track.

[0037] Figure 11 is Figure 9 and Figure 10 a rear view or an internal view of the second track member of the articulated track.

[0038] Figure 12 is a rear view or an internal view showing the state in which the second track member of the articulated track according to the present disclosure is articulated in a foldable loading box cover assembly with an articulated track for a vehicle.

[0039] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the main components of a foldable loading box cover assembly with an articulated track for a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 14 is Figure 13 a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of the assembly.

[0041] Figure 15 is a perspective view of an upper bracket in a foldable loading box cover assembly with an articulated track for a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 16 is a perspective view of a bracket in a foldable loading box cover assembly with an articulated track for a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0043] Figure 17 is an exploded perspective view showing the mounting relationship between a slat and a cable in a foldable loading box cover assembly with an articulated track for a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 18It is a side view showing the state where a cable is mounted on a housing in a folding loading box cover assembly with articulated tracks for a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 19 It is a side view showing the folded state of a folding loading box cover assembly with articulated tracks for a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 20 It is a side view showing the state where the articulated tracks of a folding loading box cover assembly with articulated tracks for a vehicle according to the present disclosure are in a folded state.

[0047] Figure 21 It is a side view showing the unfolded state of a folding loading box cover assembly with articulated tracks for a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0048] Figure 22 It is a side view showing the state where the articulated tracks of a folding loading box cover assembly with articulated tracks for a vehicle according to the present disclosure are in an unfolded state.

[0049] Figure 23 It is a side view showing the unfolded state of a folding loading box cover assembly with articulated tracks for a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0050] Figure 24 is Figure 23 a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of the component.

[0051] Figure 25 It is a side view showing the state where the articulated tracks of a folding loading box cover assembly with articulated tracks for a vehicle according to the present disclosure are in an unfolded state.

[0052] Figure 26 It is a perspective view showing the unfolded state of a folding loading box cover assembly with articulated tracks for a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0053] Figure 27 is Figure 26 a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of the component. Detailed Description

[0054] The foldable loading hatch cover assembly 200 with articulated tracks for a vehicle according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. When the components, devices, elements, etc. of the present disclosure are described as having a purpose or performing an operation, function, etc., the component, device, or element should be regarded as "configured to" meet that purpose or perform that operation or function in this article. As used herein for a loading hatch, the upper and lower parts may refer to the parts of the cover when in the folded state. When the cover is in the non-folded or unfolded state, these same parts may be substantially in the same plane and thus may not be considered upper and lower parts in the unfolded or deployed state.

[0055] The foldable loading hatch cover assembly 200 with articulated tracks for a vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a cover unit 30, and the cover unit 30 includes a plurality of slats 31. The cover unit 30 and the assembly 200 are selectively folded or unfolded to expose or cover the loading hatch 10 of the vehicle 1. The assembly 200 includes a main track 21, and the main track 21 is installed or disposed at the upper end portion of the loading hatch 10 of the vehicle 1 in a manner extending along the unfolding direction of the cover unit 30, for guiding the lower ends of the plurality of slats 31 during folding and unfolding. The assembly 200 further includes an articulated track 22, and the articulated track 22 is coupled to the main track 21 and is configured to guide the upper ends of the plurality of slats 31 during folding and unfolding. When the cover unit 30 is folded, the articulated track 22 is separated from the main track 21 in a manner of guiding the upper ends of the plurality of slats 31.

[0056] The cover unit 30 may include a plurality of slats 31 connected alternately at the upper and lower ends. The plurality of slats 31 are sequentially folded or unfolded to expose or cover the loading hatch 10 of the vehicle 1.

[0057] The plurality of slats 31 may be connected in one direction of the vehicle 1, for example, connected along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1. The slats 31 are unfolded or folded along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1. When the slats 31 are unfolded, the upper part of the loading hatch 10 is closed by the unfolded slats 31. When the slats 31 are folded, the area of the upper part of the loading hatch 10 except for some sections occupied by the folded slats 31 may be opened.

[0058] Each slat 31 may be formed in a rectangular shape, and its extension length in the width direction of the vehicle 1 is longer than its extension length in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1.

[0059] The front end and the rear end of each slat 31 (which may form the upper end and the lower end of the slat 31 in the folded state) may be connected to the adjacent slats 31 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1 and folded together or fully unfolded in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1 (refer to Figure 26)。The following various components are described as being on one side of the component 200 and the cover unit 30 for guiding and sliding the component between the folded state and the unfolded state. It should be understood that the same or mirror components can also be provided on the other side of the component and the cover unit. The following various components are also described as being related to two adjacent slats of the component 200 and the cover unit 30. It should be understood that the same components can also be provided between other adjacent slats of the component and the cover unit.

[0060] A connecting member 32 can be provided to connect two adjacent slats 31, as Figure 27 shown. The connecting member 32 can be disposed between two adjacent slats 31, and a shaft 38 can pass through each slat 31 and the connecting member 32 so that a plurality of slats 31 can be folded. For example, the two side ends of the plurality of slats 31 are bent, and the shaft 38 passes through the bent portions and the connecting member 32 to connect the plurality of slats 31 to the connecting member 32 respectively.

[0061] The connecting member 32 connects two adjacent slats 31 at intervals, and the connecting portion rotates around the shaft 38 to allow the cover unit 30 to fold or unfold.

[0062] Meanwhile, each of the plurality of slats 31 can have an extension 31a formed toward another slat 31 adjacent to its end. When the cover unit 30 is unfolded and the plurality of slats 31 are disposed along the plane covering the opening of the loading box, the extension 31a can cover the space between each slat 31 and the connecting member 32. As described below, the weather strips 36 and 37 are inserted to seal the space.

[0063] When the cover unit 30 folds or unfolds, as Figure 14 shown, an upper bracket 33 or a lower bracket 34 can be installed to guide the movement of the cover unit 30 and reduce friction. An upper slider 33a and a lower slider 34a are respectively provided on the upper bracket 33 and the lower bracket 34.

[0064] When the cover unit 30 folds, the upper bracket 33 can be installed to connect the upper ends of two adjacent slats 31. The upper slider 33a is rotatably installed on the upper bracket 33. The upper slider 33a can be provided in the form of a roller and rolls during sliding to reduce friction.

[0065] Referring to Figure 15 a pair of through holes 33b can be formed in the upper bracket 33. The shaft 38 can be installed to pass through the through holes 33b, the slats 31, and the connecting member 32.

[0066] When the cover unit 30 is folded, the lower bracket 34 can be installed to connect the lower ends of two adjacent slats 31. The lower slider 34a in the form of a roller can also be installed on the lower bracket 34. The lower bracket 34 can be formed in the same form as the upper bracket 33, but is installed such that the upper slider 33a is positioned more outward in the outward direction of the vehicle 1 than the lower slider 34a. Refer to Figure 14 , the upper slider 33a can be shown to be positioned more outward in the outward direction of the vehicle 1 than the lower slider 34a. This is to ensure that when the cover unit 30 is folded from the deployed state, the upper slider 33a branches from the main track 21 to the articulated track 22, as described below.

[0067] Meanwhile, weather strips 36 and 37 are provided to seal between the respective extension portions 31a of two adjacent slats 31 and between each slat 31 and the connecting member 32 (refer to Figure 27 ).

[0068] The weather strips 36 and 37 can be the slat weather strip 36 for sealing between each slat 31 and the connecting member 32 when the plurality of slats 31 are deployed. The slat weather strip 36 can be installed on the end of the slat 31 and is provided in the form of surrounding the connecting member 32. When the plurality of slats 31 are deployed or folded and sealed between each slat 31 and the connecting member 32, the slat weather strip 36 can surround and contact the outer surface of the connecting member 32.

[0069] Optionally, the weather strips 36 and 37 can be the connecting member weather strip 37 fixed to the connecting member 32 to seal between two adjacent slats 31 when the plurality of slats 31 are deployed. The connecting member weather strip 37 can be fastened to the connecting member 32 to seal between the plurality of slats 31 when it is deformed by being compressed between the ends of each slat 31 when the plurality of slats 31 are deployed.

[0070] Since the sealing between two adjacent slats 31 and between each slat 31 and the connecting member 32 is achieved by the weather strips 36 and 37, moisture or foreign substances can be prevented from flowing into the loading box 10, thereby preventing the contamination of the loading box 10 and the goods loaded in the loading box 10.

[0071] The main track 21 can be installed at the upper end of the loading box 10 of the vehicle 1 along the deployment direction of the cover unit 30, and can guide the lower ends of the plurality of slats 31 to be folded and deployed.

[0072] Since the cover unit 30 is deployed or folded along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1, the main track 21 can be installed at the upper end of the loading box 10 along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1.

[0073] When the cover unit 30 is folded, the main track 21 can accommodate and guide the sliding of the lower slider 34a installed to connect the lower ends of two adjacent slats 31. In addition, the main track 21 can also accommodate and guide the upper slider 33a (refer to Figure 24 ) from its rear end (for example, the rear end of the main track 21) in a specific section.

[0074] Therefore, in some sections, the main track 21 can guide the sliding of the lower slider 34a when the cover unit 30 is folded. However, when the cover unit 30 is unfolded, the main track 21 can guide the upper slider 33a and the lower slider 34a in the remaining part.

[0075] Refer to Figure 14 the cross-section of the main track 21 in

[0076] to form a groove for accommodating the lower slider 34a and the upper slider 33a to guide the lower slider 34a and the upper slider 33a inside the main track 21.

[0077] The articulated track 22 can be installed on the main track 21 and can guide the upper ends of the folded slats 31. When the cover unit 30 is folded, the upper ends of each slat 31 can move upward while separating from the main track 21. In this case, the articulated track 22 can guide the sliding operation of the upper slider 33a to guide the upper ends of each folded slat 31.

[0078] The articulated track 22 can be in a state of being folded onto the main track 21 in the unfolded state of the cover unit 30, but is articulated and separated from the main track 21 in the folded state of the cover unit 30. In Figure 4 the folded state of the cover unit 30 is shown. When the folding of the cover unit 30 is completed, some sections of the articulated track 22 can become linear sections, and the remaining sections can become curved sections. In other words, as shown in Figure 4As shown, the section S1, section S3, and section S5 can be changed into linear sections, and the section S2, section S4, and section S6 can be changed into curved sections. The articulated track 22 can include a first track member 22a and a second track member 22b to implement the linear section and the curved section. When the articulated track 22 is separated from the main track 21, the first track member 22a can maintain a linear shape, and when the articulated track 22 is separated from the main track 21, the second track member 22b can be changed into a curved or bent shape. The first track member 22a and the second track member 22b can be connected to form both a linear section and a curved section in the articulated track 22. The linear section can be formed by connecting the first track member 22a, the curved section can be formed by connecting the second track member 22b, and the first track member 22a and the second track member 22b can be connected at a portion where the linear section and the curved section are connected.

[0079] The first track member 22a and the second track member 22b are described as follows.

[0080] First, referring to Figure 7 , the first track member 22a can include a first body 22aa, a first upper guide 22ab extending a predetermined length from the upper end of the first body 22aa toward the interior of the vehicle 1 (i.e., laterally inward), and a first lower guide 22ac extending a predetermined length from the lower end of the first body 22aa toward the interior of the vehicle 1 (i.e., laterally inward). The first track member 22a can further include: a first connection hole 22ad, which is hingedly connected to another first track member 22a, the first connection hole 22ad being provided to overlap with the first track member 22a or the second track member 22b; a first connection hook 22ae, which is fitted into the first track member 22a provided to overlap with the first track member 22a or the second track member 22b; and a fastening hole 22af, into which the first connection hook 22ae or a second connection hook 22be formed on the second track member 22b is fitted.

[0081] Each component of the first track member 22a can be formed on the first body 22aa.

[0082] The first upper guide 22ab and the first lower guide 22ac can extend from the upper end and the lower end of the first body 22aa, respectively. The upper slider 33a can be guided between the first upper guide 22ab and the first lower guide 22ac. The first upper guide 22ab and the first lower guide 22ac can be formed in a plate shape to guide the upper slider 33a and extend from the first body 22aa.

[0083] Meanwhile, the end of the first upper guide member 22ab can extend beyond the end of the first lower guide member 22ac in the inward direction of the vehicle 1. In other words, the width of the first upper guide member 22ab (the length in the direction perpendicular to the folding direction of the cover unit, i.e., the inward direction towards the vehicle) can be formed to be greater than the width of the first lower guide member 22ac to prevent the upper slider 33a from separating upwards.

[0084] The first connection hole 22ad can be formed or provided on the first body 22aa and can be used for hinged connection with another adjacent first rail member 22a or second rail member 22b. The two first connection holes 22ad can be formed or provided at a predetermined interval such that the first rail member 22a is connected to another first rail member 22a or second rail member 22b on both sides thereof.

[0085] The first connection hook 22ae can be fitted into another adjacent first rail member 22a or second rail member 22b. The first connection hook 22ae can be formed to protrude from the first body 22aa.

[0086] The fastening hole 22af can be formed or provided in the first body 22aa, and the first connection hook 22ae or the second connection hook 22be formed or provided on the second rail member 22b can be fitted into the fastening hole 22af. Since the fastening hole 22af does not allow the first connection hook 22ae and the second connection hook 22be to rotate relative to each other when the first connection hook 22ae or the second connection hook 22be is fitted into the fastening hole 22af, the connected first rail member 22a and second rail member 22b can become part of a linear section.

[0087] Meanwhile, referring to Figure 10 , the second rail member 22b can include a second body 22ba, a second upper guide member 22bb extending a predetermined length towards the interior of the vehicle 1 from the upper end of the second body 22ba, and a second lower guide member 22bc extending a predetermined length towards the interior of the vehicle 1 from the lower end of the second body 22ba. The second rail member 22b can include: a second connection hole 22bd for hinged connection to another second rail member 22b arranged to overlap the second rail member 22b or the first rail member 22a; a second connection hook 22be for fitting into the second rail member 22b arranged to overlap the second rail member 22b or the first rail member 22a; and a slit 22bf into which the second connection hook 22be or the first connection hook 22ae formed on the first rail member 22a can be fitted.

[0088] The second track member 22b may be formed substantially similar to the first track member 22a. However, fastening holes 22af may be formed or provided in the first track member 22a, but slits 22bf may be formed or provided in the second track member 22b. In other words, the second track member 22b may be formed in the same form as the first track member 22a, except that slits 22bf are formed therein instead of fastening holes 22af.

[0089] The track members 22a and 22b may be rotatable relative to an adjacent second track member 22b or first track member 22a at a predetermined angle by a second connection hook 22be or a first connection hook 22ae coupled to the slit 22bf. Accordingly, the two connected track members 22a and 22b may be hinged to form part of a curved section.

[0090] The first track member 22a and the second track member 22b may be connected to form a hinged track 22. The first track member 22a and the second track member 22b may each be connected to another first track member 22a or another second track member 22b in the same manner as a chain using the first connection hole 22ad or the second connection hole 22bd. In other words, by overlapping two first track members 22a or second track members 22b and allowing a connection pin (not shown) to pass through the first connection hole 22ad and the second connection hole 22bd to connect the first track member 22a or the second track member 22b, the hinged track 22 may have the same shape as a chain when viewed from the side.

[0091] However, when the first connection hook 22ae of another first track member 22a or the second connection hook 22be of the second track member 22b is fitted into the fastening hole 22af of the first track member 22a, they cannot rotate relative to each other, thereby forming a linear section.

[0092] Meanwhile, when the second connection hook 22be of another second track member 22b or the first connection hook 22ae of the first track member 22a is fitted into the slit 22bf of the second track member 22b, they can rotate relative to each other, thereby forming a curved or bent section.

[0093] The slit 22bf may be formed in an arc shape and may enable the two track members 22a and 22b arranged to overlap each other at a predetermined angle to rotate.

[0094] In addition, the center line of the slit 22bf may be part of a circle around any one of the second connection holes 22bd.

[0095] Furthermore, the slit 22bf may be formed in different directions according to the rotation directions of two adjacent track members 22a and 22b. In other words, referring to Figure 22, differently shows the positions of the slit 22bf of the second track member 22b on the right side and the slit 22bf of the second track member 22b on the left side.

[0096] The articulated track 22 can contact the main track 21 when the cover unit 30 is fully deployed and can be deployed parallel to the ground (i.e., the upper end of the loading box 10). When the cover unit 30 is folded, the articulated track 22 can be separated from the main track 21. At the same time, in the section where the articulated track 22 in the main track 21 is deployed and contacts the main track 21, the upper part of the main track 21 can have an open shape. In other words, when the articulated track 22 is deployed parallel to the loading box 10 and contacts the main track 21, the articulated track 22 can cover the open main track 21. Refer to Figure 14 , the upper part of the main track 21 is shown as open. In addition, even when the articulated track 22 is deployed on the main track 21, in the part where the main track 22 does not contact the articulated track 22, the upper part of the main track 21 can also be in a closed state (refer to Figure 24 ). Therefore, when the articulated track 22 is fully deployed, a part of the main track 21 can be covered by the articulated track 22, and the remaining section can be covered by the main track 21 itself and thus be covered by the entire main track 21. In particular, the reason why the width of the first upper guide member 22ab in the vehicle width direction is greater than the width of the first lower guide member 22ac and the width of the second upper guide member 22bb in the vehicle width direction is greater than the width of the second lower guide member 22bc can be that when the articulated track 22 contacts the main track 21, the first upper guide member 22ab and the second upper guide member 22bb can cover both the upper slider 33a and the lower slider 34a and can prevent the upper slider 33a from separating upward. However, the first lower guide member 22ac and the second lower guide member 22bc can only support the bottom surface of the upper slider 33a.

[0097] As Figure 4 shown, the front end of the articulated track 22 can be rotatably mounted on the main track 21 through the track mounting member 22c. In the first track member 22a and the second track member 22b constituting the articulated track 22, the front ends of the track members 22a and 22b provided in front of the articulated track 22 can be hingedly connected to the track mounting member 22c fixed to the main track 21. Therefore, when the articulated track 22 is separated from the main track 21, the front end of the articulated track 22 can rotate relative to the main track 21.

[0098] Meanwhile, a return spring 23 can be installed at the rear end of the articulated rail 22. The return spring 23 can elastically support the rear end of the articulated rail 22 to be pulled to the rear end of the vehicle 1. The return spring 23 can have a front end connected to the rear end of the articulated rail 22 and a rear end fixed to one side of the main rail 21. For example, the return spring 23 can have a front end that is connected to the rail members 22a and 22b of the rail members 22a and 22b located at the rearmost end of the articulated rail 22 through a spring bracket 22d. The return spring 23 can have a rear end connected to a spring retainer 23a fixedly installed on the main rail 21. The return spring 23 thus elastically supports the articulated rail 22 in the backward direction of the vehicle 1.

[0099] Since the articulated rail 22 is elastically supported by the return spring 23, the rear end of the articulated rail 22 is pulled rearward of the vehicle 1. Therefore, when the cover unit 30 is deployed, the articulated rail 22 can be non-articulated, and its whole can become linear to contact the main rail 21, thereby flattening the cover unit 30.

[0100] As Figure 18 shown, the loading box 10 can be provided with a drive motor 43 for folding or deploying the cover unit 30 and a cable 45 for transmitting the driving force of the drive motor 43 to the cover unit 30.

[0101] A housing 41 for installing the drive motor 43 can be provided on one side of the loading box 10, for example, at the front end of the loading box 10. A cover 42 for covering the housing 41 can be installed, and the drive motor 43 can be installed in the housing 41. The drive motor 43 can operate when power is applied to allow the cover unit 30 to be deployed or folded. A cable groove 41a for accommodating the cable 45 can be formed in the housing 41.

[0102] A drive gear 44 is fixed to the drive motor 43, and the drive motor 43 drives the drive gear 44 to rotate. The drive gear 44 can transmit the driving force of the drive motor 43 to the cable 45. The drive gear 44 can be a spur gear having teeth formed around it.

[0103] The cable 45 can be formed to engage with the drive gear 44. A helix can be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cable 45, or teeth can be formed longitudinally on the cable 45 to engage with the drive gear 44. The cable 45 can have flexibility to bend along the shape of the cable groove 21a, and can have appropriate rigidity so that the cable 45 pushes a bracket 35 to which the other end of the cable 45 is connected.

[0104] Although the cables 45 are shown as being installed in pairs between the housing 41 and the cover 42, the two cables 45 can each be connected to the drive gear 44 and at least the rearmost slat 31 of the cover unit 30, which is positioned at the rearmost end of the vehicle 1. Figure 16Shows a bracket 35 that connects the first end of a cable 45 to the rearmost slat 31 of a plurality of slats 31. The bracket 35 can be fixed to the slat 31, and the first end of the cable 45 can be fixed to the bracket 35. The second end of the cable 45 can engage with a drive gear 44, and the first end of the cable 45 can be connected to the rearmost slat 31 mounted on the rearmost side through a cable groove 21a. Two cables 45 can engage with the drive gear 44, and depending on the rotation direction of the drive gear 44, the cable 45 can be pulled toward the drive gear 44 or moved or pushed in the opposite direction.

[0105] The operation of a foldable loading box lid assembly 200 for a vehicle 1 having the articulated track 22 with the above-described configuration according to the present disclosure will be described below.

[0106] Figure 19 and Figure 20 Shows the folded state of the lid unit 30. In other words, a plurality of slats 31 can be aligned in an upright position, and the articulated track 22 can be in a state where an intermediate portion thereof except for the front end and the rear end is separated from the main track 21. In this state, the intermediate portion of the articulated track 22 can be in a state of being maximally separated from the main track 21, and a plurality of slats 31 can be in a state of being aligned substantially perpendicular to the ground (i.e., the plane of the upper end of the loading box 10).

[0107] In this state, since the upper part of the loading box 10 is opened, goods can be loaded into the loading box 10 or goods can be unloaded from the loading box 10.

[0108] Thus, when the drive motor 43 operates in a first direction to close the lid unit 30, the drive motor 43 can rotate the drive gear 44, and the cable 45 can start to move toward the rear of the vehicle 1.

[0109] When the cable 45 moves toward the rear of the vehicle 1, the bracket 35 together with the second end of the cable 45 can also start to move toward the rear of the vehicle 1, and the lid unit 30 can start to unfold.

[0110] Figure 21 and Figure 22 Shows an intermediate state in which the lid unit 30 gradually and sequentially unfolds.

[0111] Referring to Figure 21 , when the cable 45 moves toward the rear of the vehicle 1, the bracket 35 can pull the rearmost slat 31 positioned at the rearmost side of the lid unit 30, and then gradually move a plurality of slats 31 toward the rear of the vehicle. Accordingly, some of the plurality of slats 31 change from a state perpendicular to the loading box 10 to an inclined state, and the remaining slats 31 also move sequentially.

[0112] In this case, the articulated rail 22 can move downward and the upper ends of the plurality of slats 31 move downward, while the return spring 23 can also pull the articulated rail 22 toward the rear of the vehicle 1.

[0113] As described above, when the cover unit 30 is deployed, the height of the upper ends of the plurality of slats 31 decreases, and in combination therewith, the articulated rail 22 can also become closer to the main rail 21. In particular, when the second rail member 22b mounted in the curved section of the articulated rail 22 rotates, the articulated rail 22 can become closer to the main rail 21.

[0114] Figure 23 and Figure 24 The state in which the cover unit 30 is fully deployed is shown.

[0115] When the cable 45 moves maximally toward the rear of the vehicle 1, the plurality of slats 31 of the cover unit 30 can become in a state substantially parallel to the loading box 10.

[0116] In addition, the return spring 23 can apply an elastic force to pull the rear end of the articulated rail 22 toward the rear of the vehicle 1. Therefore, since the second rail member 22b is arranged collinearly with the other adjacent rail members 22a and 22b in the articulated rail 22, the articulated rail 22 can adopt a linear shape and be in close contact with the main rail 21 in the fully deployed state, such that the plurality of slats 31 are also parallel to the loading box 10.

[0117] As Figure 26 shown, when the cover unit 30 is fully deployed, the upper part of the loading box 10 can be closed. In addition, when the cover unit 30 is fully deployed, each of the plurality of slats 31 and the connecting members 32 can be sealed by a slat weatherstrip 36 and / or a connecting member weatherstrip 37 mounted on the slats 31 and the connecting members 32.

[0118] Meanwhile, in order to open the loading box 10 by folding the cover unit 30 from the state in which the cover unit 30 is deployed and the cover unit 30 closes the loading box 10, the above-described deployment process of the cover unit 30 can be performed conversely.

[0119] In other words, when the drive motor 43 rotates in the reverse direction, that is, when the part where the upper bracket 33 is mounted moves upward as the cable 45 pulls the rear end of the rearmost slat 31 toward the front of the vehicle 1 in the second direction, such that the plurality of slats 31 are in a state inclined from the main rail 21, the upper bracket 33 can move upward, and the articulated rail 22 can start to move upward toward the front of the vehicle 1 and separate from the main rail 21.

[0120] Thereafter, when the cable 45 pulls the plurality of slats 31 to the maximum extent, the plurality of slats 31 can return to a state perpendicular to the loading box 10, and the lid unit 30 can be folded to the maximum extent so that the upper part of the loading box 10 is opened. In addition, the upper bracket 33 can allow the hinge track 22 to be in a state of being maximally separated from the main track 21.

Claims

1. A component, wherein: It is a loading box cover assembly for a vehicle. The components include: a cover unit including a plurality of slats, each of the plurality of slats having an upper end and a lower end alternately connected to an adjacent slat in a folded state, and the cover unit being configured to be selectively folded and unfolded to expose or cover a loading box of the vehicle; a main rail provided at an upper end of the loading box of the vehicle, extending in a rearward direction of the vehicle, and configured to guide the lower ends of the plurality of slats; and an articulated track mounted on the main track and configured to guide the upper ends of the plurality of slats, When the cover unit is folded, the hinge rail is separated from the main rail in a manner to guide the upper ends of the plurality of slats.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein The articulated track comprises: a first track member configured to maintain a linear shape when the articulated track is separated from the main track; and The second rail member is configured to be bent when the hinge rail is separated from the main rail.

3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The first track member comprises: First subject; a first upper guide extending laterally inwardly from an upper end of the first body by a predetermined length; a first lower guide extending laterally inwardly from a lower end of the first body by a predetermined length; a first connection hole hingedly connected to another first track member arranged to overlap with the first track member or the second track member; a first connecting hook which is fitted into another first rail member arranged to overlap with the first rail member or the second rail member; and a fastening hole into which the first connecting hook or the second connecting hook formed on the second rail member is fitted.

4. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein: An end portion of the first upper guide extends laterally inwardly beyond an end portion of the first lower guide portion.

5. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein: an upper bracket connecting the upper ends of two adjacent slats, An upper sliding member is rotatably disposed on the upper bracket, and the upper sliding member is configured to slide between the first upper guide member and the first lower guide member when two adjacent slats are folded.

6. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The second track member comprises: Second subject; a second upper guide extending laterally inwardly from an upper end of the second body by a predetermined length; a second lower guide extending laterally inwardly from a lower end of the second body by a predetermined length; a second connection hole hingedly connected to another second track member arranged to overlap with the second track member or the first track member; a second connecting hook which is fitted into another second rail member arranged to overlap with the second rail member or the first rail member; and A slit into which the second connecting hook or the first connecting hook formed on the first rail member is fitted.

7. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The slit is formed in an arc shape, and the slit is configured to allow rotation or the second rail member and the other second rail member are arranged to overlap each other at a predetermined angle.

8. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein: An end portion of the second upper guide extends laterally inwardly beyond an end portion of the second lower guide portion.

9. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein: a lower bracket connecting the lower ends of two adjacent slats among the plurality of slats, A lower slide is rotatably mounted on the lower bracket, and the lower slide is configured to slide on the main rail when the cover unit is folded.

10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: Also includes: a return spring configured to elastically support the hinge rail in contact with the main rail, The return spring has a first end fixed to a track member installed closest to a rear end of the vehicle and a second end fixed to one side of the main track and elastically supported toward the rear of the vehicle and the articulated track.

11. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein: It also includes: a connecting member, which is arranged between two adjacent slats among the plurality of slats, and each slat of the two adjacent slats is hingedly connected to the connecting member.

12. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein A weather strip is disposed between two adjacent slats among the plurality of slats and the connecting member.

13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: Also includes: Drive motor; a drive gear configured to be rotated by the drive motor; and a cable engaged with the driving gear and configured to selectively push and pull an end portion of the cover unit according to rotation of the driving gear, A rearmost slat among the plurality of slats of the cover unit is pushed to unfold the cover unit or pulled to fold the cover unit, and the rearmost slat is positioned to be maximally spaced apart from the drive motor.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein: The cables include: a pair of cables disposed and connected to both ends of the rearmost slat among the plurality of slats of the cover unit, the rearmost slat being positioned to be maximally spaced apart from the driving motor.

15. The assembly of claim 13, wherein: It also includes: a housing, which is provided with the driving motor and the driving gear, The housing is fixed to the front end of the main track. The housing comprises: a cable trough in which the cable is arranged.

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