Tail rest assembly for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a tail rest assembly for a motor vehicle, having a tail rest which can be detachably mounted, the tail rest having a cylindrical support pin. The support pin can be detachably engaged with a counter support on the respective vehicle side. An O-ring is mounted on the cylindrical support pin, such that the support pin, in particular only, engages with the counter support via the O-ring when the tail rest is secured to the motor vehicle by means of the support pin and the counter support.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rear-end support assembly for motor vehicles, particularly passenger vehicles, the rear-end support assembly having a rear-end support member having a cylindrical support pin on the tailgate side, the support pin being detachably engaged with a corresponding vehicle-side mating support member. Background Technology

[0002] A known motor vehicle with a sloping or stepped rear end and a luggage compartment has a removable rear shelf. The rear shelf covers the luggage compartment, approximately at window sill height, behind, for example, the second-row seats. After opening the tailgate, which integrates a rear window, the rear shelf can be removed by the vehicle user without tools, thus providing a larger luggage compartment in the height direction. Known rear shelves are generally plate-shaped and rigidly implemented. Other known rear shelves have flexible, rollable webs that can be rolled into or pulled out of a housing. Known rear shelves are laterally connected in the luggage compartment of the motor vehicle by left and right support pins, whose axes are aligned and extend parallel to the lateral direction of the vehicle. Resilient metal clamping elements are provided in the mating supports within the grooves. When the support pin is introduced into the corresponding mating support, the corresponding elastic clamping element temporarily undergoes elastic deformation until the support pin is fully inserted into the mating support. The support pin and the elastic element engage in a form-locking manner, thereby positioning and holding the support pin and the tail rest in a fixed position. The tail rest can rotate about the support axis of the support pin and the mating support. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a rear-end support assembly for motor vehicles, particularly passenger cars, having a rear-end support member having a cylindrical support pin that can be disengaged from a corresponding vehicle-side mating support member. The rear-end support assembly is less expensive to manufacture and operates reliably over long periods of time, particularly in terms of reliable movement in avoiding clicking noises.

[0004] This task is solved by a rear-end support assembly for a motor vehicle having a combination of the features described in claim 1. Advantageous improvements are mentioned in the dependent claims.

[0005] According to the present invention, a rear-end support assembly for a motor vehicle has a detachably mountable rear-end support member having a cylindrical support pin. This support pin can be detachably engaged with a corresponding vehicle-side mating support member. An O-ring is mounted on the cylindrical support pin such that when the rear-end support member is secured to the motor vehicle by the support pin and the mating support member, the support pin—especially only—engages with the mating support member via the O-ring.

[0006] The O-ring enables a remarkably simple and flexible connection with the mating support, a connection that remains click-free and durable. The O-ring is inexpensive and can be easily replaced by the user without workshop knowledge. This arrangement also allows the tailgate to rotate about the support axis of the support pin and the mating support.

[0007] O-rings are made of a deformable plastic, such as rubber, fluororubber (FKM), perfluororubber (FFKM), nitrile rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), polyethylene, or polytetrafluoroethylene. Ultimately, any deformable plastic can be envisioned as an O-ring material.

[0008] The mating support member can also be referred to as the support pin receiving part.

[0009] The O-ring is specifically mounted on the outer periphery of the cylindrical support pin.

[0010] The outer diameter of the O-ring is advantageously larger than the outer diameter of the support pin.

[0011] Therefore, only the O-ring, rather than the support pin, contacts the mating support.

[0012] The inner diameter of the O-ring is advantageously smaller than the outer diameter of the support pin.

[0013] As a result, the O-ring undergoes elastic deformation when assembled onto the support pin and is securely positioned on the support pin to prevent displacement.

[0014] The support pin itself is rigidly and non-deformable, made of plastic or metal.

[0015] The support pin is, for example, mounted on a bracket on the underside of the tail rest surface of the tail rest component.

[0016] The rear support covers the luggage compartment from above, meaning the rear support is located above the luggage compartment.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the mating support is configured with a barb structure relative to the O-ring, i.e., particularly relative to the outer diameter of the O-ring.

[0018] Therefore, when the motor vehicle is running normally, the installed rear support remains in a fixed position, or is not easily disengaged from the mating support due to vibration or other reasons.

[0019] Preferably, the O-ring, especially the outer diameter of the O-ring, has a fit tolerance relative to the mating support, such that the support pin has virtually no clearance in the mating support. Alternatively, the O-ring, especially the outer diameter of the O-ring, has an interference fit relative to the mating support, such that the O-ring undergoes a certain degree of elastic deformation, and the support pin is particularly firmly engaged with the mating support.

[0020] This ensures a durable connection between the support pin and the mating support, and also ensures minimal relative movement between the support pin and the mating support.

[0021] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the mating support is part of a grooved guide structure for supporting the pin.

[0022] This groove guide structure allows the user to easily guide the support pin of the tail rest toward the mating support. When fixed, the groove guides the support pin until it reaches the mating support.

[0023] The mating support has an opening for inserting or withdrawing the support pin. This opening extends transversely to the axis of the support, that is, transversely to the axis of the support pin and transversely to the corresponding axis of the mating support.

[0024] Preferably, the axis of the support pin, i.e., the longitudinal axis, extends along the lateral direction of the vehicle, that is, along the y-direction in the vehicle coordinate system. Therefore, the corresponding axis of the mating support also extends along the lateral direction of the vehicle, that is, along the y-direction in the vehicle coordinate system.

[0025] Preferably, the tail support is constructed to be rigid. Therefore, the tail support is essentially plate-shaped and non-flexible.

[0026] A bracket may be constructed on the underside of the rear resting surface, and a support pin is fixed to the bracket.

[0027] Alternatively, the tail support can also be constructed from a housing with an extendable roller blind. Here, the support pin can be arranged, in particular, on the roller blind's transverse hook. This transverse hook can be a pull-out hook.

[0028] The tail rest can be mounted on the tailgate, wherein the mating support is located on the tailgate.

[0029] The rear support can also be directly installed inside the luggage compartment. In this case, the mating support can be arranged on the side wall of the luggage compartment.

[0030] The support pin preferably has an annular, circumferential groove on its periphery as a mounting seat for the O-ring. This allows the O-ring to be easily positioned and prevents it from sliding on the support pin.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment, two O-rings are installed on the support pin.

[0032] Preferably, the two O-rings are arranged spaced apart from each other, for example, spaced 5mm to 20mm apart.

[0033] As a result, the support of the support pin in the mating support is improved, and the contact between the support pin and the mating support is increased.

[0034] More than two O-rings can also be installed on the support pin, and these O-rings can be configured to engage with the mating support.

[0035] The tail support may have a left support pin and a right support pin for engaging with the left and right mating supports, respectively.

[0036] The motor vehicle is preferably a passenger car, such as a passenger car with a stepped rear structure or a sloping rear structure, such as a compact car, a so-called station wagon, or an SUV. The motor vehicle particularly features a tailgate with an integrated rear window, which provides good access to the luggage compartment and rear storage compartments.

[0037] The above features can be combined in any way as long as it is possible and reasonable. Attached Figure Description

[0038] The following is a brief description of the accompanying drawings.

[0039] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view parallel to the yz plane of a support member for a tailgate assembly for a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view parallel to the xz plane of a support member for a tailgate assembly for a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 3 This is a top view of a support member for a tailgate assembly of a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0042] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] exist Figure 1The figure shows a cross-sectional view of a rear-end support assembly for a passenger vehicle, specifically a support member of the rear-end support assembly, parallel to the yz direction, i.e., parallel to the vehicle height and lateral direction, according to an embodiment of the invention. The rear-end support assembly has a rigid, plate-shaped rear-end support member, which has cylindrical support pins 3 on the left and right sides—if possible, at a bracket—with longitudinal axes aligned with each other and extending parallel to the vehicle lateral direction, i.e., the y-direction. In each figure, only the support pins 3 are shown in the rear-end support member; the rear-end support member itself is not shown. These cylindrical support pins 3 are detachably engaged with mating support members 5 on the corresponding left and right sides of the vehicle side. The mating support members 5 are constructed on the side wall of the passenger vehicle's luggage compartment (not shown). Two O-rings 7 are spaced apart from each other on the outer periphery of the cylindrical support pins 3. The O-rings 7 are respectively placed in peripheral grooves 31 constructed on the outer periphery of the support pins 3. Figure 1 As can be seen, the support pin 3 engages with the mating support member 5 via the O-ring 7. The support pin 3 and the mating support member 5 constitute the support member of the tail rest assembly. The support pin 3 can rotate about the support axis within the mating support member 5.

[0044] like Figure 2 As shown in the cross-sectional view along the xz plane, the mating support 5 is arranged at the end of the slide groove 9. The mating support 5 can also be considered as part of the slide groove 9. The mating support 5 has an opening 51 in the direction toward the slide groove 9, allowing the support pin 3 to be introduced laterally, substantially in the x-direction along the vehicle's travel direction. Here, the mating support 5 is configured with a barb structure relative to the outer diameter of the O-ring 7 mounted on the support pin 3. That is, the protrusion 53 of the mating support 5 or the slide groove 9 protrudes so that the positioning of the support pin 3 in the mating support is reliably guaranteed, and that the support pin 3 will not accidentally move from the mating support 5 toward the outlet direction of the slide groove 9 during vehicle operation.

[0045] Figure 3 Corresponding to Figure 2 This is a top view of the support component.

[0046] When the rear support is installed on the vehicle, it is positioned at the opening of the groove 9 by the support pin 3. Then, the rear support is pushed substantially along the x-direction through the opening 51 into the corresponding mating support 5 by the support pin 3. Here, the protrusion 53 is overcome by the elastic deformation of the O-ring 7. The support pin 3 then engages with the mating support 5 via the corresponding O-ring 7. The support pin 3 does not contact the mating support 5; only the O-ring 7 contacts it. This avoids corresponding clicking noises during vehicle operation. Accordingly, the rear support can be removed by the vehicle user.

Claims

1. A rear-end support assembly for a motor vehicle, particularly a passenger vehicle, the rear-end support assembly having a rear-end support member having a cylindrical support pin (3) detachably engageable with a corresponding vehicle-side mating support member (5), wherein, An O-ring (7) is installed on the cylindrical support pin so that when the rear support is secured to the motor vehicle by the support pin (3) and the mating support (5), the support pin (3)—in particular only—engages with the mating support (5) by the O-ring (7).

2. The tail support assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The mating support (5) is configured with a barb structure relative to the outer diameter of the O-ring (7).

3. The tail support assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The O-ring (7) has a fit tolerance or interference with the mating support (5).

4. The tail support assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The mating support (5) is part of the groove guide structure (9) for supporting the pin (3).

5. The tail support assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The mating support (5) has an opening (51) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle for introducing or withdrawing the support pin (3).

6. The tail support assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The axis of the support pin (3) extends along the lateral direction of the vehicle, that is, along the y direction.

7. The tail support assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The tail rest is constructed to be rigid in itself, or the tail rest is formed by a box with an expandable roller shutter, wherein the support pin is arranged, in particular, on the horizontal hook of the roller shutter.

8. The tail support assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The tail rest can be fixed to the tailgate, and the mating support (5) is located on the tailgate; or the tail rest can be fixed inside the luggage compartment, and the mating support (5) is located on the side wall of the luggage compartment.

9. The tail support assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Two O-rings are installed on the support pin (3).

10. The tail support assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The tail rest has a left support pin (3) and a right support pin (3) for engaging with the left mating support (5) and the right mating support (5) respectively.

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