Tail door assembly of vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

The tail door assembly comprises a rear windshield, a tail door upper outer plate and a spoiler fixedly arranged at the end of the tail door upper outer plate in the width direction, the spoiler comprises a bearing part, a cantilever part and an auxiliary mounting part, the cantilever part extends inwards from the bearing part in the width direction of the vehicle in a suspended mode, and the auxiliary mounting part is arranged on the cantilever part. The auxiliary installation part extends inwards from the bearing part in the width direction and is fixedly connected to the tail door upper outer plate. On the premise of not changing the guide surface of the spoiler, the mounting point of the spoiler is close to the cantilever end of the spoiler by arranging the auxiliary mounting part, so that the amplitude of the spoiler during pressure bearing is reduced, the structural rigidity of the spoiler can be enhanced, the possibility of serious deformation or fracture of the spoiler is reduced, and the user experience is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle components, and more particularly to a tailgate assembly with a spoiler and a vehicle including the same. Background Technology

[0002] Vehicle aerodynamics is the study of the mechanical phenomena experienced by vehicles when they travel through the air. The drag experienced by a car can be broadly divided into two parts: mechanical drag and air drag. These drags have a significant impact on fuel economy and safety. Air drag includes the lift force generated by the airflow produced by the vehicle body during driving. When a vehicle travels at high speeds, the airflow above the vehicle creates a low-pressure area due to its higher speed, while the airflow below the vehicle is relatively slower, forming a high-pressure area. This asymmetry in airflow generates an upward lift force. While other air resistance simply consumes the vehicle's power, lift not only consumes power but also generates a lifting force that can compromise driving safety. This is because when the vehicle reaches a certain speed, the lift force can overcome the vehicle's weight and lift it upwards, reducing the adhesion between the wheels and the ground and causing decreased driving stability. To reduce the impact of lift, vehicle design typically incorporates auxiliary devices, such as spoilers on the tailgate assembly, to improve the vehicle's airflow field. On the one hand, spoilers can effectively reduce air resistance generated when a vehicle is traveling at high speeds, saving energy and improving vehicle stability; on the other hand, spoilers add a dynamic look to the vehicle.

[0003] The effectiveness of a spoiler is influenced by a variety of factors, including its shape, angle, size, and installation location, all of which significantly impact its function. In existing designs, one type of spoiler is a split spoiler located on either side of the top of the vehicle's tailgate assembly. This type of spoiler has a cantilever structure, and the spoiler's suspension wing (cantilever end) may experience significant vibration and deformation during high-speed driving or water pressure impacts, potentially leading to breakage in extreme cases, thus affecting the user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the defects of the prior art and provide a tailgate assembly including a spoiler. The spoiler has an auxiliary mounting structure without changing the original guide surface of the spoiler, which improves the structural rigidity of the spoiler, effectively reduces the possibility of severe deformation or breakage of the cantilever part of the spoiler, and improves the user experience.

[0005] Therefore, a first aspect of the present invention provides a tailgate assembly for a vehicle, including a rear windshield, an upper outer tailgate panel positioned above the rear windshield and forming the exterior surface of the vehicle, and a spoiler fixedly disposed at an end of the upper outer tailgate panel in the width direction of the vehicle, wherein the spoiler includes: a support portion fixedly connected to the upper outer tailgate panel; a cantilever portion extending inward from the support portion along the width direction for adjusting air resistance; and an auxiliary mounting portion extending inward from the support portion along the width direction and fixedly connected to the upper outer tailgate panel.

[0006] Based on the above-described technical concept, the present invention may further include any one or more of the following optional forms.

[0007] In some alternative configurations, the support portion is fixedly connected to the upper outer panel of the tailgate via a plurality of first fixing points arranged sequentially along the length of the vehicle, and the auxiliary mounting portion is fixedly connected to the upper outer panel of the tailgate via at least one second fixing point.

[0008] In some alternative forms, the at least one second fixing point is aligned with one of the plurality of first fixing points along the width direction.

[0009] In some alternative configurations, each of the plurality of first fixing points and the at least one second fixing point is a screw fixing point.

[0010] In some alternative configurations, the outer surface of the auxiliary mounting portion is flush with the outer surface of the upper outer panel of the tailgate.

[0011] In some alternative configurations, the edge of the auxiliary mounting portion is adjacent to the dividing line between the upper outer panel of the tailgate and the rear windshield.

[0012] In some alternative forms, the spoiler includes an outer plate and an inner plate connected to each other to define a cavity, wherein the load-bearing portion and the cantilever portion are formed by the outer plate and the inner plate together, and the auxiliary mounting portion is formed by the inner plate.

[0013] In some alternative forms, the cantilever includes a first spoiler surface formed by the outer plate and a second spoiler surface formed by the inner plate and oriented in the opposite direction to the first spoiler surface.

[0014] In some alternative configurations, the outer panel and the inner panel are connected to each other by welding.

[0015] A second aspect of the invention provides a vehicle that includes a tailgate assembly according to a first aspect of the invention.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the tailgate assembly including the spoiler according to the present invention has several beneficial technical effects, especially: the spoiler is a cantilevered double-piece spoiler. Without changing the original guide surface of the spoiler, by setting an auxiliary mounting part, the mounting and fixing point of the spoiler is as close as possible to the free end of the cantilever part of the spoiler, which reduces the vibration of the cantilever part of the spoiler, improves the structural rigidity of the spoiler, effectively reduces the possibility of severe deformation or breakage of the spoiler, and improves the user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood through the following detailed description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar parts.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a tailgate assembly including a spoiler mounted on a vehicle body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the spoiler's structure.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a structural schematic diagram of the spoiler from another angle.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a partial top view of the tailgate assembly with the spoiler installed.

[0022] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the spoiler.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the inner panel structure of the spoiler.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a structural schematic diagram of the inner plate of the spoiler from another angle.

[0025] The elements in the accompanying drawings are shown for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to exact scale. It should be understood that these drawings are not only for explaining and illustrating the invention, but also, where necessary, for defining the invention. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The implementation and use of specific embodiments are discussed in detail below. However, it should be understood that the specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of particular ways of implementing and using the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In the description, the structural positions of various components, such as upper, lower, top, bottom, etc., are not absolute but relative. These directional descriptions are appropriate when the various components are arranged as shown in the figures, but they change accordingly when the positions of the components in the figures change.

[0027] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in this invention are used to describe various elements without intending to limit the positional, temporal, or importance relationships of these elements; such terms are merely used to distinguish one element from another. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the numerical parameters used in the specification and claims are approximate values, which may be changed according to the characteristics required by individual embodiments. In this invention, "Y" represents the lateral direction of the vehicle, i.e., the width direction, and "X" represents the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, i.e., the length direction. Regarding positional terms such as "surface" and "back side," the surface that the customer can directly see is the outer surface, and the surface that the customer cannot directly see is the back side.

[0028] As mentioned above, the present invention aims to provide a structural improvement to the spoiler of the vehicle tailgate assembly. It is mainly applicable to the double-piece cantilever structure spoiler installed on both sides of the top of the vehicle tailgate assembly. Without changing the original guide surface of the spoiler, by setting an auxiliary mounting part, the auxiliary fixing point of the spoiler is brought close to the free end of the cantilever part of the spoiler, so as to reduce the amplitude of the spoiler under pressure and enhance the structural rigidity of the spoiler, reduce the possibility of severe deformation or breakage of the vehicle spoiler, and improve the user experience.

[0029] Reference Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a vehicle tailgate assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The tailgate assembly 10 includes at least a spoiler 100, an upper outer tailgate panel 200, and a rear windshield 300. The upper outer tailgate panel 200 is positioned above the rear windshield 300, and the upper outer tailgate panel 200 and the rear windshield 300 form the exterior surface of the vehicle. Two spoilers 100 are fixed in the Y-direction to the two ends of the upper outer tailgate panel 200, i.e., the two spoilers 100 are fixed to the left and right sides of the upper outer tailgate panel 200, respectively. The spoiler in the tailgate assembly proposed in this invention is a symmetrical, two-piece spoiler. The following description of the spoiler and the tailgate assembly including the spoiler uses only one side as an example; the spoiler and tailgate assembly on the other side can be correspondingly configured.

[0030] Figure 2 and Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the spoiler 100 at different angles, as shown below. Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the spoiler 100 includes a support portion 110, a cantilever portion 120, and an auxiliary mounting portion 130. The support portion 110 is fixedly connected to the upper outer panel 200 of the tailgate. The cantilever portion 120 protrudes inward from the support portion 110 along the Y direction and has a deflection surface for adjusting air resistance during vehicle movement. The deflection surface can guide a portion of the airflow on the roof towards the surface of the rear windshield 300, thus reducing the lift at the rear of the vehicle and using the airflow to remove floating dust from the surface of the rear windshield 300, preventing dust from affecting the rear visibility of the vehicle. Here, "inward" refers to the direction pointing towards the center of the vehicle along the Y direction. When the spoiler 100 is installed on the vehicle, the upward surface of the cantilever portion 120 is defined as the first deflection surface 121, and the downward surface of the cantilever portion 120 is defined as the second deflection surface 122. Specifically, the first deflection surface 121 and the second deflection surface 122 of the spoiler portion 110 can be verified and designed through software simulation and wind tunnel testing. The auxiliary mounting portion 130 also extends inward from the support portion 110 along the Y direction, its extension direction being consistent with that of the cantilever portion 120, and it is fixedly connected to the upper outer panel 200 of the tailgate. It is understood that since the object of the present invention is a spoiler, the structure on its cantilever portion needs to be adjusted aerodynamically, especially the extension direction of the end of the cantilever portion (i.e., the free end) may vary slightly at different positions. Here, the fact that the auxiliary mounting portion 130 and the cantilever portion 120 extend in the same direction means that their extension directions are basically consistent, for example, both extending towards the middle of the vehicle along the Y direction. This design allows the auxiliary mounting portion 130 to be closer to the end of the cantilever portion 120, enhancing the structural rigidity of the spoiler 100, increasing the load-bearing capacity of the cantilever portion 120, and preventing the spoiler 100 from breaking under large vibrations. On the other hand, it increases the contact area between the mounting structure of the spoiler 100 and the outer panel 200 of the tailgate, making the mounting structure of the spoiler 100 more stable, reducing the vibration of the cantilever portion 120 of the spoiler 100, and preventing the spoiler 100 from breaking.

[0031] According to some embodiments of the present invention, reference continues. Figure 3The bearing part 110 is provided with at least two first fixing points 140 that are connected to the upper outer panel 200 of the tailgate, and the auxiliary mounting part 130 is provided with at least one second fixing point 150 that is connected to the upper outer panel 200 of the tailgate. At least two first fixing points 140 and at least one second fixing point 150 are not collinear. This allows the fixing points of the spoiler 100 to be arranged in a roughly triangular pattern, ensuring the stability of the connection between the spoiler 100 and the upper outer panel 200 of the tailgate, reducing the vibration of the cantilever part 120 of the spoiler 100 and preventing breakage. Furthermore, the mounting surface of the spoiler 100's support portion 110 and the upper outer panel 200 of the tailgate is generally a narrow and long rectangle, with the long side of the rectangle extending along the X direction and the narrow side extending along the Y direction. Therefore, the plurality of first fixing points 140 of the support portion 110 are arranged generally along the X direction, and at least one first fixing point 140 and at least one second fixing point 150 are generally aligned along the Y direction. This ensures that the auxiliary mounting portion 130 has at least two fixing points in its extending direction, further making the connection of the spoiler 100's fixing structure more stable.

[0032] In an optional embodiment, the support portion 110 is provided with two first fixing points 140 and one second fixing point 150. The two first fixing points 140 are respectively located at both ends of the support portion 110 in the X direction, and the second fixing point 150 is located at the end of the auxiliary mounting portion 130 in the Y direction away from the support portion 110. In this way, the fixing points of the spoiler 100 can be separated as much as possible, and the two first fixing points 140 and the one second fixing point 150 form a triangle with a large area. This ensures the stability of the connection while minimizing the number of fastening points, because the number of fixing points also affects the assembly cycle of the vehicle in the final assembly workshop. Minimizing the number of fixing points can save final assembly time and improve the assembly efficiency of the vehicle. Each first fixing point 140 and at least one second fixing point 150 can be the same or different screw fixing points, pre-embedded bolt fixing points, or other fastening methods. Preferably, each first fixing point 140 and at least one second fixing point 150 is set as a screw fixing point. Setting all fixing points to the same fixing structure can also effectively save final assembly time and improve the assembly efficiency of the vehicle.

[0033] like Figure 4As shown, the spoiler 100 is connected and fixed to the upper outer panel 200 of the tailgate. The edge of the auxiliary mounting portion 130 of the spoiler 100 is located near the boundary line 210 between the upper outer panel 200 of the tailgate assembly 10 and the rear windshield 300. This is because the rear windshield 300 is made of glass, making it difficult to install a fixing structure for the spoiler 100 on it. Therefore, the auxiliary mounting portion 130 of the spoiler 100 is fixed to the upper outer panel 200 of the tailgate. Furthermore, the upper outer panel 200 of the tailgate has a corresponding downwardly recessed groove at the position corresponding to the auxiliary mounting portion 130, so that the outer surface of the auxiliary mounting portion 130 is basically flush with the outer surface of the upper outer panel 200 of the tailgate. More specifically, the outline of the auxiliary mounting portion 130 is basically embedded in the groove of the upper outer panel 200 of the tailgate, so that the auxiliary mounting portion 130 does not protrude from the appearance surface of the upper outer panel 200 of the tailgate, avoiding affecting the airflow of the vehicle and preventing an increase in air resistance during vehicle operation.

[0034] According to some embodiments of the present invention, reference Figure 4 and Figure 7 To maintain the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle's design, the auxiliary mounting portion 130 is projected onto the upper outer panel 200 of the tailgate in a roughly triangular shape. One side 131 of this triangle (auxiliary mounting portion 130) extends along the Y-direction and is adjacent to the boundary line 210 between the upper outer panel 200 of the tailgate and the rear windshield 300. The other side 132 of the triangle (auxiliary mounting portion 130) extends along the Y-direction and is the starting edge of the extension of the auxiliary mounting portion 130 from the support portion 110. This allows the cantilever portion 120 to obscure the auxiliary mounting portion 130 when the user views the vehicle from most angles, minimizing its visual impact and creating a more unified vehicle appearance. Furthermore, the length of one side 131 of the auxiliary mounting portion 130 ranges from 70-100mm, and the length of the other side 132 ranges from 100-150mm. Preferably, the length of one side 131 of the auxiliary mounting part 130 is 86mm, and the length of the other side 132 of the auxiliary mounting part 130 is 130mm. This satisfies the structural strength requirements of the spoiler 100 while also reducing the visual impact of the auxiliary mounting part 130 on the vehicle, making the vehicle's appearance more unified.

[0035] According to some embodiments of the present invention, reference Figures 5 to 7The spoiler 100 can be divided into an upper outer plate 160 and a lower inner plate 170. The outer plate 160 and the inner plate 170 are connected to each other and define a cavity structure between them. Reinforcing ribs are also provided inside the non-outer surfaces of the outer plate 160 and / or the inner plate 170 to ensure the structural strength of the spoiler 100. The cavity structure can reduce the weight impact on the spoiler 100, better meeting the requirements of vehicle lightweighting. Simultaneously, the reinforcing ribs can meet the structural strength requirements of the spoiler 100. The load-bearing part 110 and the cantilever part 120 are jointly formed by the outer plate 160 and the inner plate 170, while the auxiliary mounting part 130 is formed by the inner plate 170. Furthermore, for ease of manufacturing, the outer plate 160 forms the upward-oriented first deflector surface 121 of the cantilever portion 120 and the upper portion of the support portion 110. The inner plate 170 forms the downward-oriented second deflector surface 122 of the deflector portion 110, and also forms the lower portion of the support portion 110 and the auxiliary mounting portion 130. Specifically, both the outer plate 160 and the inner plate 170 are injection-molded plastic parts, and they are connected by welding. The inner panel 170 is provided with two first fixing points 140 distributed along the X direction and a second fixing point 150 in the Y direction away from the bearing part 110. The two first fixing points 140 and the second fixing point 150 are fixed to the outer panel 200 of the tailgate by corresponding screws 400. In this way, the fixing points of the inner panel 170 can form a triangle with a large area, ensuring the stability of the connection while setting as few fastening points as possible. This allows the installation point of the spoiler to be close to the cantilever end of the spoiler, thereby reducing the amplitude of the spoiler under pressure and enhancing the structural rigidity of the spoiler. This reduces the possibility of severe deformation or breakage of the spoiler and improves the user experience.

[0036] In some embodiments, the present invention also proposes a vehicle including the tailgate assembly 10 and spoiler 100 described above.

[0037] The technical content and features of the present invention have been disclosed above. However, it is understood that under the creative concept of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make various flexible changes and improvements to the above-disclosed concept, but all of them fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0038] The above description of the embodiments is exemplary and not restrictive, and the scope of protection of the present invention is determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A tailgate assembly (10) for a vehicle, comprising a rear windshield (300), an upper outer tailgate panel (200) positioned above the rear windshield (300) and forming the exterior surface of the vehicle, and a spoiler (100) fixedly disposed at the end of the upper outer tailgate panel (200) in the width direction (Y) of the vehicle. Its features are, The spoiler (100) includes: A support part (110) is fixedly connected to the upper outer panel (200) of the tailgate; A cantilever portion (120) that extends inwardly from the support portion (110) along the width direction (Y) for adjusting air resistance; and An auxiliary mounting part (130) extends inward from the support part (110) along the width direction (Y) and is fixedly connected to the upper outer panel (200) of the tailgate.

2. The tailgate assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The supporting part (110) is fixedly connected to the upper outer panel of the tailgate (200) by a plurality of first fixing points (140) arranged sequentially along the length direction (X) of the vehicle, and the auxiliary mounting part (130) is fixedly connected to the upper outer panel of the tailgate (200) by at least one second fixing point (150).

3. The tailgate assembly (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The at least one second fixed point (150) is aligned with one of the plurality of first fixed points (140) along the width direction (Y).

4. The tailgate assembly (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of first fixing points (140) and the at least one second fixing point (150) are screw fixing points.

5. The tailgate assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The outer surface of the auxiliary mounting part (130) is flush with the outer surface of the upper outer panel (200) of the tailgate.

6. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The edge of the auxiliary mounting part (130) is adjacent to the dividing line between the upper outer panel of the tailgate (200) and the rear windshield (300).

7. The tailgate assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The spoiler (100) includes an outer plate (160) and an inner plate (170), the outer plate (160) and the inner plate (170) being connected to each other to define a cavity, wherein the support portion (110) and the cantilever portion (120) are formed by the outer plate (160) and the inner plate (170), and the auxiliary mounting portion (130) is formed by the inner plate (170).

8. The tailgate assembly (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The cantilever (120) includes a first turbulence surface (121) formed by the outer plate (160) and a second turbulence surface (122) formed by the inner plate (170) and oriented in the opposite direction to the first turbulence surface (121).

9. The tailgate assembly (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The outer plate (160) and the inner plate (170) are connected to each other by welding.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the tailgate assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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