Vehicle tailgate lifting assist hinge assembly

Abstract

The invention provides a vehicle tailgate lift assist hinge assembly. A hinge assembly capable of providing a lift assist force when moving a tailgate of a motor vehicle from a tailgate open position to a tailgate closed position is provided. An example hinge assembly may include a body-side or fixed hinge member, a tailgate-side or movable hinge member, and a pivot lever pivotably connecting the movable hinge member to the fixed hinge member. The hinge assembly may additionally include one or more spring assemblies, each having a bracket and a spring. The spring assembly may be configured to store energy when the tailgate is moved from a tailgate closed position to a tailgate open position. The stored energy may then be released to reduce the lifting effort required by the user to return the tailgate to the tailgate closed position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to motor vehicles and, more particularly, to a hinge assembly capable of providing a lift assist force when closing a tailgate of a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Many motor vehicles include a cargo space for transporting various types of cargo. For example, a pickup truck includes a cargo bed that defines the truck's cargo space. A tailgate typically encloses one end of the cargo bed. The tailgate is movable between a closed position and an open position for entry and exit. Some tailgates include features (integrated steps, door subassemblies, etc.) that increase their weight and, therefore, potentially make them more difficult for some users to close. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the tailgate lift assist hinge assembly includes, in particular, a fixed hinge component; a movable hinge component; a pivot rod that pivotally connects the movable hinge component to the fixed hinge component; and a first spring assembly that includes a first bracket received on a first outer section of the pivot rod and a first spring carried by the first bracket.

[0004] In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing tailgate lift assist hinge assembly, the second spring assembly includes a second bracket received on the second outer section of the pivot rod and a second spring carried by the second bracket.

[0005] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing tailgate lift assist hinge assemblies, the first outboard segment of the pivot rod extends outboard of both the movable hinge component and the fixed hinge component, and the second outboard segment of the pivot rod extends outboard of both the movable hinge component and the fixed hinge component.

[0006] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing tailgate lift-assist hinge assemblies, the first bracket is received on a first knurled surface of the first outer section, and the second bracket is received in a second knurled surface of the second outer section.

[0007] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing tailgate lift-assist hinge assemblies, the first outboard section of the pivot rod extends outboard of both the movable hinge component and the fixed hinge component.

[0008] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing tailgate lift-assist hinge assemblies, the first bracket is received on a first knurled surface of the first outboard segment.

[0009] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing tailgate lift assist hinge assemblies, the first spring includes a first end, a second end, and a plurality of coils disposed between the first end and the second end.

[0010] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing tailgate lift-assist hinge assemblies, the first end is received through a hole formed through the fixed hinge member.

[0011] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing tailgate lift-assist hinge assemblies, the second end is received within a slot formed in the movable hinge component.

[0012] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing tailgate lift-assist hinge assemblies, the plurality of coils includes at least two coils wound around the first bracket.

[0013] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing tailgate lift-assist hinge assemblies, the plurality of coils includes at least three coils wound around the first bracket.

[0014] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing tailgate lift-assist hinge assemblies, the plurality of coils includes at least four coils wound around the first bracket.

[0015] According to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a motor vehicle includes, inter alia, a vehicle body, a tailgate, and a first hinge assembly configured to provide a lift-assist force when the tailgate is moved relative to the vehicle body from a tailgate-open position to a tailgate-closed position. The first hinge assembly includes: a vehicle body-side hinge component mounted to the vehicle body; a tailgate-side hinge component mounted to the tailgate; a pivot lever pivotally connecting the tailgate-side hinge component to the vehicle body-side hinge component; and a spring connected to both the vehicle body-side hinge component and the tailgate-side hinge component.

[0016] In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing motor vehicle, the body includes a cargo bed, and the body-side hinge member is mounted to a rear end wall of the cargo bed.

[0017] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing motor vehicles, the tailgate side hinge member is mounted to a bottom wall of the tailgate.

[0018] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing motor vehicles, a bracket is mounted to the pivot rod.

[0019] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing motor vehicles, the bracket is received on a knurled surface of the pivot rod.

[0020] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing motor vehicles, the knurled surface is located on an outboard section of the pivot rod that extends outboard of both the body-side hinge component and the tailgate-side hinge component.

[0021] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing motor vehicles, the spring is at least partially wrapped around the bracket.

[0022] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing motor vehicles, a first end of the spring is received through a hole formed through the body-side hinge component, and a second end of the spring is received within a slot formed in the tailgate-side hinge component.

[0023] The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs, claims or following description and drawings (including any of their various aspects or corresponding 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.

[0024] The various features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description.The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a motor vehicle equipped with a tailgate in a tailgate closed position.

[0026] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A bottom perspective view of selected portions of a motor vehicle.

[0027] Figure 3 Shown with tailgate open Figure 1 and Figure 2 tailgate.

[0028] Figure 4 A first position of an exemplary tailgate lift assist hinge assembly is shown.

[0029] Figure 5 Shown Figure 4 The tailgate lift assists the second position of the hinge assembly.

[0030] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 Exploded view of the tailgate lift assist hinge assembly.

[0031] Figure 7 Shown Figure 4 Selected portions of the tailgate lift assist hinge assembly.

[0032] Figure 8 Another exemplary tailgate lift assist hinge assembly is shown.

[0033] Figure 9 Yet another exemplary tailgate lift assist hinge assembly is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The present disclosure details a hinge assembly capable of providing a lift-assist force when moving the tailgate of a motor vehicle from a tailgate-open position to a tailgate-closed position. An exemplary hinge assembly may include a body-side or fixed hinge component, a tailgate-side or movable hinge component, and a pivot rod that pivotally connects the movable hinge component to the fixed hinge component. The hinge assembly may further include one or more spring assemblies, each having a bracket and a spring. The spring assembly may be configured to store energy when the tailgate is moved from the tailgate-closed position to the tailgate-open position. The stored energy may subsequently be released to reduce the lifting force required by a user to return the tailgate to the tailgate-closed position. These and other features of the present disclosure are described in more detail below.

[0035] Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 Selected portions of a motor vehicle 10 are shown that includes a cargo space for storing and / or hauling one or more pieces of cargo. In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle 10 is a pickup truck, and the cargo space is established by a bed 12 of the pickup truck. While a pickup truck having a bed is specifically depicted and referenced herein, other vehicles having other types of cargo spaces (such as, for example, sport utility vehicles) may also benefit from the teachings of the present disclosure. The vehicle 10 may also be a conventional internal combustion engine-powered vehicle, a traction battery-powered electric or hybrid vehicle, an autonomous vehicle (i.e., a driverless vehicle), and the like.

[0036] Although specific component relationships are shown in the drawings of this disclosure, the illustrations are not intended to limit this disclosure. The layout and orientation of the various components of the vehicle 10 are shown schematically and may vary within the scope of this disclosure. In addition, the various figures accompanying this disclosure are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to emphasize certain details of a particular component, assembly, or system.

[0037] The cargo bed 12 is generally located rearward of a passenger compartment (not shown) of the vehicle 10 and includes a floor 14 extending between a pair of longitudinally extending side walls 16, a transversely extending front wall 18, and a tailgate 20. The overall size, shape, and configuration of the cargo bed 12 are not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. The cargo bed 12 is part of a body 15 of the vehicle 10.

[0038] In some embodiments, for example, the tailgate 20 may be a conventional tailgate, such as is typically found on pickup trucks. In other embodiments, the tailgate 20 may be part of a split door system that includes both a liftgate portion and a tailgate portion. Thus, the specific configuration of the tailgate 20 is not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0039] The tailgate 20 is pivotable relative to the cargo bed 12 about the pivot axis A. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Tailgate shown in closed position Figure 3 The tailgate 20 pivots between the tailgate open position shown. The tailgate 20 can be moved from the tailgate closed position to the tailgate open position, for example, in response to actuation of a handle 22 of the tailgate 20. The tailgate 20 is vertically aligned when in the tailgate closed position and, thus, generally encloses the end of the cargo compartment 12 opposite the front wall 18. The tailgate 20 is horizontally aligned when in the tailgate open position and, thus, generally allows ingress and egress to the cargo compartment 12. For purposes of this disclosure, vertical and horizontal are referenced to the ground in the normal orientation of the vehicle 10 during operation.

[0040] The tailgate 20 may be movably connected to the vehicle body 15 via one or more hinge assemblies 26. The hinge assemblies 26 movably support the tailgate 20 relative to the vehicle body 15. Although two hinge assemblies are shown in the exemplary embodiment, the tailgate 20 may be movably supported relative to the vehicle body 15 by a greater or lesser number of hinge assemblies.

[0041] One or more additional components may be used in conjunction with the hinge assembly 26 as part of a tailgate support system for movably supporting the tailgate 20 relative to the vehicle body 15. In one embodiment, the tailgate 20 is additionally supported relative to the vehicle body 15 by a pair of cables 72 (see FIG. Figure 3 ). However, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that other components, such as gas struts, may alternatively or additionally be provided as part of the tailgate support system.

[0042] Continue to refer Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 4 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 6 and Figure 7Further details are shown associated with the hinge assembly 26. The hinge assembly 26 may include a fixed hinge component 28 and a movable hinge component 30. The fixed hinge component 28 is the body-side hinge component of the hinge assembly 26 that may be mounted to the vehicle body 15 by one or more mechanical fasteners (not shown). In one embodiment, the fixed hinge component 28 is mounted to a rear end wall 32 of the cargo bed 12 of the vehicle body 15 (see FIG. Figures 2 to 3 ). Thus, the hinge assembly 26 can be considered a rocker-mounted hinge assembly. The rear end wall 32 can extend parallel to the front wall 18 of the cargo bed and, therefore, can extend perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle 10.

[0043] The movable hinge member 30 is the tailgate side hinge member of the hinge assembly 26 and may be mounted to the bottom wall 34 of the tailgate 20 (see FIG. 1 ) by one or more additional mechanical fasteners (not shown). Figures 2 to 3 The bottom wall 34 may extend parallel to the ground when the tailgate 20 is in the tailgate closed position, and may extend parallel to the rear end wall 32 when the tailgate 20 is in the tailgate open position.

[0044] The fixed hinge component 28 may include a base portion 36 and a bracket arm portion 38 extending away from the base portion 36, and the movable hinge component 30 may also include a base portion 40 and a bracket arm portion 42 extending away from the base portion 40. The base portions 36, 40 may each include one or more mounting openings 44 configured to receive fasteners for mounting the fixed hinge component 28 to the vehicle body 15 and the movable hinge component 30 to the tailgate 20, respectively. The bracket arm portions 38, 42 may be configured to interface with each other to movably mount the movable hinge component 30 to the fixed hinge component 28. In one embodiment, both the fixed hinge component 28 and the movable hinge component 30 are unitary, one-piece, generally U-shaped components.

[0045] The movable hinge member 30 may be pivotally connected to the fixed hinge member 28 via a pivot rod 46. The movable hinge member 30 may be pivotally connected to the fixed hinge member 28 about the pivot rod 46. Figure 4 The first position P1 shown is Figure 5 The first position P1 is pivoted to the second position P2 shown in FIG. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The tailgate 20 of the tailgate closing position coincides with the second position P2, and the tailgate 20 of the tailgate closing position coincides with the tailgate 20 of the tailgate closing position. Figure 3 The tailgate 20 coincides with the tailgate open position.

[0046] The pivot rod 46 can extend through an opening 48 provided by the bracket arm portion 38 and the bracket arm portion 42 (see Figures 6 and 7 ). Knurled surface 50 (see Figures 6 and 7 ) may be provided on each outer section 52 of the pivot rod 46 that extends outboard of both the bracket arm portion 38 of the fixed hinge component 28 and the bracket arm portion 42 of the movable hinge component 30 .

[0047] A spring assembly 54 can be secured to each outer section 52 of the pivot rod 46. For example, one spring assembly 54 can be press-fit onto each knurled surface 50 of the pivot rod 46.

[0048] Each spring assembly 54 can include a bracket 56 and a spring 58 that is coiled around and carried by the bracket 56. The bracket 56 can include a spool-like design. The bracket 56 can include an inner bore 60 through which the pivot rod 46 can pass to position the bracket 56 over the knurled surface 50 of one of the outer sections 52 of the pivot rod 46. For example, the spring 58 can be a torsion spring or a coil spring.

[0049] The spring 58 may include a first end 62, a second end 64, and a plurality of coils 66 disposed between the first end 62 and the second end 64. The first end 62 of the spring 58 may be received through a hole 68 formed through one of the bracket arm portions 38 of the fixed hinge component 28, and the second end 64 of the spring 58 may be received within a slot 70 formed in one of the bracket arm portions 42 of the movable hinge component 30. Each coil 66 may be at least partially wound on the spool-like bracket 56.

[0050] The spring assembly 54 can provide a lift-assist function when moving the tailgate 20 from the tailgate open position to the tailgate closed position. For example, when the tailgate 20 is moved from the tailgate closed position to the tailgate open position, each spring 58 can wind (e.g., twist) and thereby store energy. When a user subsequently applies an external force to move the tailgate 20 from the tailgate open position back to the tailgate closed position, each spring 58 can release the stored energy, thereby reducing the amount of lifting force required by the user to close the tailgate 20.

[0051] Certain design characteristics (e.g., diameter, number of coils, etc.) of the springs 58 of the spring assembly 54 can be customized to achieve the desired lift assist requirements. For example, for a light-duty tailgate application, each spring 58 can include a first diameter (e.g., approximately 4 mm) and a first number of coils 66 (e.g., approximately 2.5) (e.g., see Figure 4 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6 For example, for a medium tailgate application, each spring 58 may include a second diameter (e.g., about 5 mm) and a second number of coils 66 (e.g., about 3.5) (see, e.g., FIG. Figure 8For heavy-duty tailgate applications, each spring 58 may include a third diameter (e.g., about 6 mm) and a third number of coils 66 (e.g., about 4.5) (e.g., see Figure 9 However, other spring configurations are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0052] In this disclosure, the term "about" indicates that the expressed amount or range need not be exact, but may be approximate and / or larger or smaller, reflecting acceptable tolerances, conversion factors, measurement errors, and the like.

[0053] Compared to existing hinge systems, the hinge assembly of the present disclosure is equipped to provide tailgate lift assist force with a less complex and more efficient design. Thus, the proposed hinge improves customer satisfaction while providing maximum usability and ease of manufacture.

[0054] Although different non-limiting embodiments are shown as having specific components or steps, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these specific combinations. Some components or features from any one of the non-limiting embodiments can be used in combination with features or components from any one of the other non-limiting embodiments.

[0055] It should be understood that like reference numerals identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several drawings.It should be understood that although particular component arrangements are disclosed and shown in these exemplary embodiments, other arrangements may also benefit from the teachings of this disclosure.

[0056] The foregoing description should be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications may occur within the scope of this disclosure. For these reasons, the appended claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A tailgate lift assist hinge assembly, comprising: securing hinge components; movable hinge components; a pivot lever pivotally connecting the movable hinge member to the fixed hinge member; as well as A first spring assembly includes a first bracket received on the first outer section of the pivot rod and a first spring carried by the first bracket. 2 . The tailgate lift assist hinge assembly of claim 1 , comprising a second spring assembly including a second bracket received on the second outer section of the pivot rod and a second spring carried by the second bracket.

3. The tailgate lift assist hinge assembly of claim 2 , wherein the first outer section of the pivot rod extends outwardly of both the movable hinge component and the fixed hinge component, and the second outer section of the pivot rod extends outwardly of both the movable hinge component and the fixed hinge component, and optionally, wherein the first bracket is received on a first knurled surface of the first outer section and the second bracket is received in a second knurled surface of the second outer section.

4. A tailgate lift assist hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first outboard section of the pivot rod extends outboard of both the movable hinge component and the fixed hinge component, and optionally wherein the first bracket is received on a first knurled surface of the first outboard section. 5 . The tailgate lift assist hinge assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first spring comprises a first end, a second end, and a plurality of coils disposed between the first end and the second end. 6 . The tailgate lift-assist hinge assembly of claim 5 , wherein the first end is received through a hole formed through the fixed hinge component. 7 . The tailgate lift-assist hinge assembly of claim 5 , wherein the second end is received within a slot formed in the movable hinge component. 8 . The tailgate lift assist hinge assembly of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of coils includes at least two coils wound around the first bracket. 9 . The tailgate lift assist hinge assembly of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of coils includes at least three coils wound around the first bracket. 10 . The tailgate lift assist hinge assembly of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of coils includes at least four coils wound around the first bracket.

11. A motor vehicle comprising: body; tailgate; as well as a first hinge assembly configured to provide a lift assist force when moving the tailgate from a tailgate open position to a tailgate closed position relative to the vehicle body, The first hinge assembly includes: a vehicle body side hinge component, the vehicle body side hinge component is mounted to the vehicle body; a tailgate side hinge component, the tailgate side hinge component is mounted to the tailgate; a pivot lever pivotally connecting the tailgate-side hinge member to the vehicle body-side hinge member; and a spring connected to both the vehicle body-side hinge member and the tailgate-side hinge member.

12. The motor vehicle of claim 11, wherein the body includes a cargo bed, and the body-side hinge member is mounted to a rear end wall of the cargo bed.

13. A motor vehicle according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the tailgate side hinge member is mounted to a bottom wall of the tailgate.

14. The motor vehicle of any one of claims 11 to 13, comprising a bracket mounted to the pivot rod, wherein the spring is at least partially wrapped around the bracket, and further optionally, wherein a first end of the spring is received through a hole formed through the body-side hinge component and a second end of the spring is received within a slot formed in the tailgate-side hinge component.

15. The motor vehicle of claim 14 wherein the bracket is received on a knurled surface of the pivot rod, and optionally wherein the knurled surface is located on an outboard section of the pivot rod that extends outboard of both the body-side hinge component and the tailgate-side hinge component.

Images