A front cover gas spring mounting bracket, mounting structure and vehicle

Abstract

This invention discloses a front hood gas spring mounting bracket, mounting structure, and vehicle, relating to the field of automotive assembly technology. It includes a mounting body comprising a mating part and a mounting part connected as one unit. One surface of the mating part is a mating surface used to fit against the inner panel of the front hood. A main positioning reference hole is provided at the center of the mating part, and limiting parts are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the mating part for sequentially inserting the inner panel of the front hood and the front hood hinge reinforcement plate. A ball pin is installed on the outer side of the mounting part through a riveting hole, with the axis of the ball pin perpendicular to the axis of the main positioning reference hole. For single-axis hinge front hoods, this invention allows the ball socket of the gas spring to be installed 180 degrees in the same or opposite directions, and enables left-right interchangeability of the gas spring. For four-bar hinge front hoods, it solves the problem of binding the hinge and gas spring during arrangement and reduces costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive assembly technology, and in particular to a front hood gas spring mounting bracket, mounting structure, and vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] As a crucial component for opening and closing the hood, the arrangement of its mounting points is closely related to the hood's opening and closing performance. When the hood uses a single-axis hinge, the ball joint at the mounting point is generally installed vertically on the hood, which is sufficient to meet the opening and closing requirements of the gas spring. However, if the ball joint is installed vertically on the hood, a Y-axis mounting ball joint on the undercarriage is required to support the gas spring's operation. In this case, the direction of the gas spring's ball joint and socket will be inconsistent, resulting in differences between the left and right gas springs, and the same gas spring cannot be used for both sides.

[0003] When a four-bar hinge is used on the front cover, simply mounting the ball pin vertically on the cover is generally insufficient for the movement of the gas spring. The ball pin needs to be changed from a Z-axis to a Y-axis installation. In this case, the ball pin cannot be directly mounted on the front cover and requires other components to assist in changing its installation direction. When the hinge is the component that changes the ball pin's direction, the arrangement of the gas spring and the hinge becomes intertwined. This leads to installation difficulties, or even makes installation impossible, especially given space and design limitations. Forcing an installation may cause the front cover's closing force to initially increase and then decrease, creating a peak and negatively impacting the user's closing experience. Using a separate bracket removes the constraint of being tied to the hinge arrangement, but it requires adding a corresponding reinforcing plate to the inner panel to improve strength. Furthermore, it generally necessitates the development of symmetrical components, adding four more parts that significantly increase cost and put pressure on component control. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the present invention aims to provide a front cover gas spring mounting bracket, mounting structure, and vehicle. For single-axis hinge front covers, the gas spring's ball socket can be installed 180 degrees in the same or opposite directions, and the gas spring can be used on both sides. For four-bar hinge front covers, the invention solves the problem of binding the hinge and gas spring during installation and reduces costs.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solution:

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a front cover gas spring mounting bracket, including a mounting body, the mounting body including a mating part and a mounting part connected as one piece, one side surface of the mating part being a mating surface, the mating surface being used to fit the inner panel of the front cover; a main positioning reference hole is provided in the center of the mating part, and limiting parts are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the mating part, the limiting parts being used to sequentially insert the inner panel of the front cover and the front cover hinge reinforcement plate;

[0007] The outer side of the mounting part is fitted with a ball pin through a riveting hole, and the axis of the ball pin is perpendicular to the axis of the main positioning reference hole.

[0008] As a further implementation, the limiting part is oriented towards the mating surface so that when the limiting part is inserted into the inner panel of the front cover and the front cover hinge reinforcement plate, the limiting surface is in contact with the inner panel of the front cover.

[0009] As a further implementation, secondary positioning reference holes are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the mating part.

[0010] As a further implementation, the secondary positioning reference hole is a semi-circular notch, and the axis of the secondary positioning reference hole is parallel to the axis of the primary positioning reference hole.

[0011] As a further implementation, the connection between the mating part and the mounting part is provided with reinforcing ribs.

[0012] As a further implementation, the reinforcing rib includes at least a first reinforcing rib, a second reinforcing rib, and a third reinforcing rib. The first reinforcing rib is disposed around the rivet hole, the second reinforcing rib is symmetrically disposed on the edge of the mounting body, and the third reinforcing rib is connected between the first reinforcing rib and the second reinforcing rib.

[0013] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention also provide a front cover gas spring mounting structure, including a front cover hinge reinforcement plate, a front cover inner plate and the aforementioned mounting bracket, wherein the front cover inner plate is disposed between the mounting bracket and the front cover hinge reinforcement plate.

[0014] As a further implementation, the front cover hinge reinforcement plate and the front cover inner plate are respectively provided with mating holes adapted to the limiting part and studs adapted to the main positioning reference hole; the mounting bracket is connected to the front cover inner plate and the front cover hinge reinforcement plate through studs.

[0015] As a further implementation, the size of the mating hole is larger than the size of the limiting part, and the size of the mating hole of the front cover hinge reinforcement plate is smaller than the size of the mating hole of the front cover inner plate.

[0016] Thirdly, embodiments of the present invention also provide a vehicle equipped with the aforementioned front cover gas spring mounting structure.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0018] (1) The mounting bracket of the present invention includes a mating part and a mounting part that are connected as one piece. The mating surface of the mating part is used to fit the inner plate of the front cover. The mating part is provided with a main positioning reference hole and a limiting part. In vehicles with a single-axis hinge for the front cover, the gas spring ball socket can be installed in the same direction or in opposite directions at 180 degrees, and the gas spring can be used in both left and right directions. In vehicles with a four-bar hinge for the front cover, compared with mounting the ball pin on the hinge, the mounting bracket can adjust the position of the movable ball pin more freely, and can solve the problem of the hinge and gas spring being tied together during the arrangement.

[0019] (2) The mounting bracket of the present invention is connected to the inner plate of the front cover and the front cover hinge reinforcement plate by studs, and symmetrical limiting parts are provided on both sides of the mounting point. The mounting bracket is inserted into the mating holes of the front cover hinge reinforcement plate and the inner plate of the front cover through the limiting parts to achieve limiting and anti-rotation. When the mounting bracket is about to rotate, the limiting part will contact the front cover hinge reinforcement plate to prevent rotation, which can avoid the risk of being deformed by the top and enhance the limiting strength. The front cover hinge reinforcement plate is also used as a gas spring reinforcement plate, which saves the development of new reinforcement plate parts and reduces costs. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the invention.

[0021] Figure 1 This is an isometric view of the mounting bracket according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a top view of the mounting bracket according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the mounting bracket assembly according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the mounting bracket assembly according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. Figure 2 .

[0025] Among them, 1. mating part, 2. mounting part, 3. limiting part, 4. mating surface, 5. main positioning reference hole, 6. secondary positioning reference hole, 7. riveting hole, 8. ball pin, 9. first reinforcing rib, 10. second reinforcing rib, 11. third reinforcing rib, 12. front cover hinge reinforcing plate, 13. front cover inner plate, 14. mating hole, 15. stud, 16. nut, 17. gas spring. Detailed Implementation

[0026] It should be noted that the following detailed description is illustrative and intended to provide further explanation of the invention. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used in this invention have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0027] For ease of description, the words "front," "rear," "left," and "right" appearing in this invention only indicate that they are consistent with the front, rear, left, and right directions of the accompanying drawings themselves. They do not limit the structure and are merely for the purpose of facilitating the description of this invention and simplifying the description. They do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0028] In the description of this invention, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0029] Example 1:

[0030] In a single-axis hinge, if the ball pin 8 is installed vertically on the hood, the ball pin 8 on the lower body needs to be installed in the Y direction to cooperate with the gas spring action. However, this will result in inconsistent gas spring ball socket directions, differences between the left and right gas springs, and they cannot be used interchangeably. In a four-bar hinge, due to space and shape limitations, the arrangement of the gas spring and the hinge will be tied together, causing placement difficulties. While using a separate bracket can remove the restriction of being tied to the hinge arrangement, it requires adding a reinforcing plate to the inner plate to increase strength, and the cost is high.

[0031] Based on this, this embodiment provides a front cover gas spring mounting bracket, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, it includes a mounting body and a ball pin 8. The mounting body has a mating part 1 that mates with the inner plate 13 of the front cover and a mounting part 2 that mates with the gas spring 17. The mating part 1 and the mounting part 2 are connected as one unit to form a corner structure.

[0032] The mating surface 4 of the mating part 1 facing the inner front cover plate 13 is a mating surface. The mating surface 4 is flat, so that it fits against the surface of the inner front cover plate 13 during assembly, maintaining installation stability. The mating part 1 has a main positioning reference hole 5, which is used to install bolts to connect with the inner front cover plate 13 and the front cover hinge reinforcement plate 12. A mounting point is formed at the main positioning reference hole 5, which serves as both a mounting hole for the mounting bracket and a positioning hole, reducing the impact of tolerances. Since the mounting bracket cannot be completely fixed using a single mounting point, and the mounting bracket will rotate around the stud 15 when under force, a limiting part 3 is provided on the mounting body to prevent rotation.

[0033] like Figure 1As shown, the mating part 1 has two limiting parts 3 at the end away from the mounting part 2, and the two limiting parts 3 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the main positioning reference hole 5. The limiting parts 3 are inserted into the mating holes 14 opened in the inner plate of the front cover 13 and the hinge reinforcement plate of the front cover 12. The setting of two limiting parts 3 not only increases the limiting strength, but also makes the mounting bracket a symmetrical structure, so that it can be used on both sides.

[0034] according to Figure 1 In the view, the limiting part 3 is a protruding structure formed on the side of the mounting body facing the mating surface 4. In this embodiment, the cross-section of the limiting part 3 is rectangular, and the mating hole 14 is a rectangular hole, such as... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, when the mounting bracket is about to rotate, the limiting part 3 will contact the front cover hinge reinforcement plate 12 to prevent rotation. It should be noted that the limiting part 3 is contacted by the front cover hinge reinforcement plate 12 during the limiting process, and the front cover inner plate 13 cannot be used for limiting. This is because the front cover inner plate 13 is generally thinner and softer than the front cover hinge reinforcement plate 12, and using it for limiting may result in the risk of deformation.

[0035] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the mating part 1 is also provided with secondary positioning reference holes 6. The two secondary positioning reference holes 6 are also symmetrically arranged relative to the main positioning reference hole 5, and are located on one side of the limiting part 3. In this embodiment, the secondary positioning reference hole 6 is a semi-circular notch, and the axis of the semi-circular notch is parallel to the axis of the main positioning reference hole 5. The secondary positioning reference hole 6 can be directly formed during edge trimming, saving the cost increase caused by separately drilling holes, and will not affect installation. In this embodiment, the mounting bracket can rotate 180° around the main positioning reference hole 5, and the direction of the ball pin 8 reverses accordingly. Due to the provision of the secondary positioning reference hole 6, the mounting bracket can still be positioned after rotating 180°.

[0036] Mounting part 2 has a riveting hole 7, the axis of which is perpendicular to the axis of the main positioning reference hole 5. The riveting hole 7 is connected to a ball pin 8. Figure 1 As shown, the ball pin 8 is located on the outside of the mounting body and is used to mount the gas spring 17; the size of the rivet hole 7 is determined according to the type of ball pin 8.

[0037] Several reinforcing ribs are provided at the connection between the mating part 1 and the mounting part 2. In this embodiment, for example... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a first reinforcing rib 9 is provided on the outer side of the rivet hole 7. The first reinforcing rib 9 is provided on the mounting part 2 and has a door-shaped structure. The first reinforcing rib 9 is provided around the rivet hole 7 and directly bears the tensile-compressive alternating load of the gas spring 17. It can reduce the stress concentration around the rivet hole 7 and avoid cracks at the hole edge.

[0038] The two sides of the mounting body are provided with second reinforcing ribs 10. The second reinforcing ribs 10 are located on one side of the secondary positioning reference hole 6 and are arranged in an L-shape. The second reinforcing ribs 10 span two main planes (mating surface 4 and mounting surface), which can continuously transfer the bending moment from the mounting part 2 to the mating part 1 and reduce the bending deformation at the corner. At the same time, it is located on the side of the secondary positioning reference hole 6, which can compensate for the local stiffness loss caused by the semi-circular notch and prevent the secondary positioning failure due to deformation during assembly.

[0039] A third reinforcing rib 11 is provided at the junction of the second reinforcing rib 10 and the mating part 1 and the first reinforcing rib 9. The third reinforcing rib 11 is located at the intersection of the first reinforcing rib 9 and the second reinforcing rib 10, which can avoid abrupt changes in stiffness and cracks in the weld heat-affected zone at the intersection. Its arc transition further disperses stress and improves the overall fatigue life. In this embodiment, all reinforcing ribs are arranged symmetrically with respect to the main positioning reference hole 5, which is consistent with the arrangement of the limiting part 3 and the secondary positioning reference hole 6, so as to ensure that the force path remains unchanged when the mounting bracket is used on both sides.

[0040] The gas spring 17 is a crucial factor in the rotation of the mounting bracket. The rotational force is greatest when the front cover is closed. It's necessary to calculate the strength of the mounting bracket and surrounding components in this state based on the force value of the gas spring 17, ensuring it meets requirements. Simultaneously, the angles between the gas spring 17 and the mounting bracket in all directions need to be checked to guarantee the gas spring 17 functions correctly during opening and closing. Furthermore, as a final assembly component, the mounting bracket cannot undergo electrophoresis with the vehicle; therefore, its surface requires black paint treatment to meet corrosion resistance requirements.

[0041] For vehicles with a single-axis hinge for the hood, the mounting bracket of this embodiment allows the two ball sockets of the gas spring 17 to be installed in the same or opposite directions, achieving left-right compatibility. For vehicles with a four-bar hinge for the hood, compared to mounting the ball pin 8 on the hinge, the mounting bracket of this embodiment allows for more flexible adjustment of the position of the movable ball pin 8, making it more user-friendly for the force value of the gas spring 17 and the opening and closing performance of the hood. This makes it easier to achieve the design standards for the opening and closing state of the hood and solves the problem of peak closing force during the closing process. The mounting bracket of this embodiment can also use the hood hinge reinforcement plate 12 as a reinforcement plate for the gas spring 17, eliminating the need for developing a new reinforcement plate. Furthermore, the mounting bracket has a symmetrical structure, achieving left-right compatibility and eliminating the problem of difficulty in identifying left and right parts during on-site installation in the workshop. By adding one part, it achieves the effect of adding four parts, significantly reducing costs.

[0042] Example 2:

[0043] This embodiment provides a front cover gas spring mounting structure, including a front cover hinge reinforcement plate 12, a front cover inner plate 13, and the mounting bracket described in Embodiment 1. Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, in the view direction, the front cover hinge reinforcement plate 12, the front cover inner plate 13, and the mounting bracket are arranged sequentially from top to bottom. The front cover hinge reinforcement plate 12 and the front cover inner plate 13 have corresponding mating holes 14, and studs 15 are provided. The mating surface 4 of the mounting bracket is in contact with the bottom surface of the front cover inner plate 13, and the limiting part 3 is inserted into the mating hole 14. The stud 15 passes through the main positioning reference hole 5 and is locked by the nut 16 to realize the connection of the front cover hinge reinforcement plate 12, the front cover inner plate 13, and the mounting bracket.

[0044] In this design, the mating holes 14 of both the front cover hinge reinforcement plate 12 and the front cover inner plate 13 are larger than the size of the limiting part 3. Simultaneously, the mating holes 14 of the front cover hinge reinforcement plate 12 are slightly smaller than the mating holes 14 of the front cover inner plate 13. This ensures that when the mounting bracket is about to rotate, the limiting part 3 contacts the front cover hinge reinforcement plate 12 instead of the front cover inner plate 13. In other words, by limiting the movement through contact with the front cover hinge reinforcement plate 12, the risk of contact deformation is avoided. Furthermore, the mounting bracket can use the front cover hinge reinforcement plate 12 as a gas spring reinforcement plate, eliminating the need for an additional reinforcement plate.

[0045] The specific difference in size between the mating hole 14 of the inner front cover plate 13 and the mating hole 14 of the front cover hinge reinforcement plate 12 needs to be calculated based on specific tolerance requirements. This calculation needs to consider the positioning tolerances of the inner front cover plate 13 and the front cover hinge reinforcement plate 12, the welding tolerances of the stud 15, and the diameter and positional tolerances of the mating hole 14. In this embodiment, the diameter of the mating hole 14 of the inner front cover plate 13 is 1 mm larger on one side than the diameter of the mating hole 14 of the front cover hinge reinforcement plate 12.

[0046] To ensure the overall strength and rigidity of the mounting bracket, existing technologies typically use high-strength and hard materials, such as QSTE420TM. The material thickness is determined based on factors such as the force of the gas spring 17, and generally, the material thickness needs to be greater than 2mm, with additional reinforcing ribs. In this embodiment, the front cover hinge reinforcement plate 12 is not added as a separate component, but rather its size is appropriately increased, and a stud 15 and two mating holes 14 are provided to match the mounting bracket. At the same time, the front cover hinge reinforcement plate 12 is made of HC340 / 590DP material with a thickness of 1.2mm to ensure strength.

[0047] In this embodiment, the stud 15 is fixed to the front cover hinge reinforcement plate 12 and the front cover inner plate 13 by projection welding. When assembling the mounting bracket, the main positioning reference hole 5 is engaged with the stud 15, and the limiting part 3 is inserted into the mating hole 14. Holding the mounting bracket by hand, the nut 16 is tightened to the stud 15 using a nut gun.

[0048] Since the front cover hinge reinforcement plate 12 is connected to the front cover by spot welding, greater strength is required at the mounting bracket of the gas spring 17. Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately increase the number of weld points near the stud to maintain the strength.

[0049] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A front cover gas spring mounting bracket, characterized by, The device includes a mounting body, which comprises a mating part and a mounting part connected as one piece. One side surface of the mating part is a mating surface, which is used to fit the inner panel of the front cover. A main positioning reference hole is opened in the center of the mating part, and limiting parts are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the mating part. The limiting parts are used to sequentially insert the inner panel of the front cover and the front cover hinge reinforcement plate. The limiting part is oriented toward the mating surface so that when the limiting part is inserted into the inner panel of the front cover and the front cover hinge reinforcing plate, the limiting surface is in contact with the inner panel of the front cover. Secondary positioning reference holes are also symmetrically arranged on both sides of the mating part; The mating part and the mounting part are connected as one unit and form a corner structure; The outer side of the mounting part is fitted with a ball pin through a riveting hole, and the axis of the ball pin is perpendicular to the axis of the main positioning reference hole.

2. The front cover gas spring mounting bracket of claim 1, wherein, The secondary positioning reference hole is a semi-circular notch, and the axis of the secondary positioning reference hole is parallel to the axis of the primary positioning reference hole.

3. The front cover gas spring mounting bracket of claim 1, wherein, The joint between the mating part and the mounting part is provided with reinforcing ribs.

4. The front cover gas spring mounting bracket of claim 3, wherein, The reinforcing ribs include at least a first reinforcing rib, a second reinforcing rib, and a third reinforcing rib. The first reinforcing rib is located around the rivet hole, the second reinforcing rib is symmetrically located on the edge of the mounting body, and the third reinforcing rib is connected between the first and second reinforcing ribs.

5. A front cover gas spring mounting structure characterized by comprising: It includes a front cover hinge reinforcement plate, a front cover inner plate, and a mounting bracket as described in any one of claims 1-4, wherein the front cover inner plate is disposed between the mounting bracket and the front cover hinge reinforcement plate.

6. The front cover gas spring mounting structure of claim 5, wherein The front cover hinge reinforcement plate and the front cover inner plate are respectively provided with mating holes adapted to the limiting part and studs adapted to the main positioning reference hole; the mounting bracket is connected to the front cover inner plate and the front cover hinge reinforcement plate through studs.

7. The front cover gas spring mounting structure of claim 6, wherein The size of the mating hole is larger than the size of the limiting part, and the size of the mating hole of the front cover hinge reinforcement plate is smaller than the size of the mating hole of the front cover inner plate.

8. A vehicle, characterized in that, The front cover gas spring mounting structure as described in claim 7 is installed.

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