High-stability tail door supporting rod auxiliary opening structure and electric tail door supporting rod

Abstract

According to the high-stability auxiliary opening structure of the tail door supporting rod and the electric tail door supporting rod, a starting spring is installed in a guide sleeve and used for providing extra elastic force in the stretching and retracting process of the supporting rod and helping a tail door to be opened, and particularly necessary auxiliary force is provided when the starting torque of a motor is insufficient; the connecting assembly allows the lead screw to rotate and transmits force to the starting spring at the same time, the anti-twisting piece is freely arranged in the guide sleeve and separates the starting spring from the end face of the connecting assembly, and the anti-twisting piece plays a role in preventing the starting spring from being twisted in the compression process. The anti-twisting piece can freely rotate in the guide sleeve even under the condition that the lead screw and the starting spring exert force, the starting spring is effectively separated from the end face of the connecting assembly or the end face of the lead screw, it is ensured that the starting spring only stretches out and draws back in the axial direction and does not rotate, torque output is stabilized, and stable supporting rod opening is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automotive tailgate struts, and particularly to a highly stable tailgate strut auxiliary opening structure and an electric tailgate strut using the structure. Background Technology

[0002] A tailgate strut is a strut used to support the tailgate of a car. In most cases, there are two struts: one is an electrically driven active strut, and the other is a driven strut for balance, ensuring force balance when the tailgate opens. However, with long-term use, especially after performance wear of the drive components, a technical problem arises where insufficient starting torque of the motor leads to insufficient starting force of the strut. Therefore, the existing Chinese utility model patent with publication number "CN220979181U" discloses a starting auxiliary structure for a car tailgate strut. This invention relates to a tailgate strut mechanism for automobiles. The tailgate strut mechanism includes a fixed strut assembly and a movable strut assembly that moves axially relative to the fixed strut assembly to achieve a telescopic action. The starting auxiliary structure of the tailgate strut includes an elastic element disposed on the inner rod of the movable strut assembly and located within the outer rod of the movable strut assembly. When the movable strut assembly retracts into the fixed strut assembly, a first end of the elastic element abuts against a ball joint at the end of the movable strut assembly, and a second end of the elastic element abuts against a limiting end of the fixed strut assembly through which the movable strut assembly passes. This invention solves the technical problem of insufficient starting force in existing strut mechanisms.

[0003] In the above technical solution, after long-term operation, the tailgate strut will experience insufficient starting force due to performance loss. To solve this problem, a solution of adding a starting spring to the tailgate strut is proposed. However, since the starting spring rotates simultaneously with the lead screw, during the compression process, the starting spring is subjected to axial deformation force as well as torsional force caused by the rotation of the lead screw. This causes the torque of the entire tailgate strut to be unstable during the extension or compression process, which will ultimately affect the stable and normal opening of the tailgate. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a highly stable tailgate support rod auxiliary opening structure and an electric tailgate support rod using the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a highly stable tailgate strut-assisted opening structure, comprising a fixed strut assembly and a movable strut assembly that moves axially relative to the fixed strut assembly to achieve telescopic action. The fixed strut assembly includes an outer sleeve and a lead screw rotatably disposed within the outer sleeve. The movable strut assembly includes an inner sleeve, a guide sleeve, and a connecting assembly. The outer sleeve and the inner sleeve are coaxially sleeved together. The guide sleeve is coaxially fixed inside the inner sleeve. The lead screw is movably connected to the guide sleeve through the connecting assembly. A starting spring is provided inside the guide sleeve. The connecting assembly at the end of the lead screw can press against the starting spring to generate elastic force. An anti-torsion member is provided between the starting spring and the connecting assembly. The anti-torsion member is freely disposed within the guide sleeve and separates the starting spring from the end face of the connecting assembly.

[0006] Using the above technical solution, the tailgate strut auxiliary opening structure can be used for electric tailgate struts or balance bars. The starting spring is installed inside the guide sleeve to provide additional elasticity during strut extension and retraction, assisting in tailgate opening, especially when the motor's starting torque is insufficient. The connecting assembly allows the lead screw to rotate while transmitting force to the starting spring. The anti-torsion component is freely positioned inside the guide sleeve, separating the starting spring from the end face of the connecting assembly. Its function is to prevent the starting spring from twisting during compression. Even when force is applied by the lead screw and starting spring, the anti-torsion component can rotate freely inside the guide sleeve, effectively separating the starting spring from the end face of the connecting assembly or lead screw (when the connecting assembly is bolted, the anti-torsion component abuts against the end of the connecting assembly; when the connecting assembly is riveted, the anti-torsion component abuts against the lead screw). Furthermore, the force of the lead screw is evenly distributed through the anti-torsion component, preventing one end from being too large, improving torque stability, and ensuring that the starting spring only undergoes axial extension and retraction without rotation, thereby stabilizing torque output and achieving stable strut opening.

[0007] The aforementioned highly stable tailgate strut-assisted opening structure can be further configured such that the anti-torsion component is a disc-shaped or polygonal structure adapted to the inner wall of the guide sleeve.

[0008] By adopting the above technical solution, the anti-torsion component with a disc-shaped or polygonal structure is adapted to the inner wall of the guide sleeve, effectively separating the end face of the starting spring and the connecting component, reducing the torsion of the starting spring during operation, and improving torque stability.

[0009] The aforementioned highly stable tailgate strut-assisted opening structure can be further configured such that the anti-torsion component is made of plastic, metal, or flocked material.

[0010] By adopting the above technical solutions, materials such as plastic or flocked materials have good sound absorption and noise reduction properties, which can reduce the noise when the tailgate strut is working, improve the vehicle's comfort and NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) performance, and plastic, metal or flocked materials help the anti-torsion component resist wear during long-term operation, maintaining the long-term stability and reliability of the tailgate strut.

[0011] The aforementioned highly stable tailgate strut-assisted opening structure can be further configured such that the thickness of the anti-torsion component is 2-20mm.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, the thickness range of 2-20mm provides sufficient strength and appropriate elasticity for the anti-torsion component, reducing the gap between it and the inner wall of the guide sleeve, preventing the anti-torsion component from flipping on the inner wall, and ensuring that the large end faces on both sides always face the starting spring and the connecting assembly, thereby improving the stability of the tailgate strut.

[0013] The aforementioned highly stable tailgate strut-assisted opening structure can be further configured such that the starting spring is movably disposed within the guide sleeve.

[0014] By adopting the above technical solution, the starting spring is movably set inside the guide sleeve, so that it can stably provide additional force during the extension and retraction of the strut, helping to overcome the problem of insufficient motor starting torque.

[0015] The aforementioned highly stable tailgate strut-assisted opening structure can be further configured as follows: the connecting component includes a threaded nut, which is connected to the lead screw via a non-self-locking threaded structure, wherein the lead screw is rotatably disposed in the outer sleeve by electric drive or external driving force, and the outer circumferential surface of the threaded nut is threadedly connected to the guide sleeve.

[0016] Using the above technical solution, the connecting assembly is mainly responsible for connecting the moving rod assembly (inner sleeve) and the fixed rod assembly (outer sleeve), while allowing the moving rod assembly to extend and retract within the fixed rod assembly. The nut is part of the connecting assembly. The nut is connected to the lead screw through a non-self-locking threaded structure, meaning that the nut and the lead screw can rotate relative to each other and move axially, while maintaining their relative positions. The outer circumferential surface of the nut is threadedly connected to the guide sleeve. This connection method ensures the correct positioning of the nut within the guide sleeve. The threaded connection provides fixation and support, enabling the nut to interact stably with the guide sleeve during the extension and retraction of the strut. When the lead screw rotates, the nut, in conjunction with the guide sleeve and the inner sleeve, enters or disengages from the outer sleeve, thereby realizing the extension and retraction of the moving rod assembly.

[0017] The aforementioned highly stable tailgate strut-assisted opening structure can be further configured such that the connecting assembly also includes a pad, which is installed at the end of the lead screw and located in the guide sleeve.

[0018] By adopting the above technical solution, the pad is installed at the end of the lead screw to ensure the correct position and stable operation of the lead screw in the outer sleeve, and to prevent the lead screw nut from coming off the lead screw when it rotates.

[0019] The aforementioned highly stable tailgate strut-assisted opening structure can be further configured as follows: a washer and a fastening washer are respectively provided at both ends of the lead screw corresponding to the pad block. One end of the washer abuts against the pad block, and the other end abuts against the lead screw nut. The fastening washer is connected to the end of the lead screw and is used to restrict the pad block and the washer on the lead screw.

[0020] By adopting the above technical solution, the combined use of pads, washers, and fastening shims enhances the stability of the lead screw end, ensuring that the lead screw maintains the correct position and orientation during extension and retraction. The washers and fastening shims act as a buffer layer between the lead screw and the nut, reducing direct contact and friction, thereby reducing wear and extending the service life of the strut. The fixing of the pads and fastening shims ensures the accuracy of the lead screw's movement within the outer sleeve. The washers help distribute the pressure at the end of the lead screw, reducing direct contact between the lead screw and the nut, thus reducing wear. The fastening shims are riveted to the end of the lead screw to restrain the pads and washers on the lead screw, ensuring the fixed position of the pads on the lead screw and preventing displacement during strut operation.

[0021] The aforementioned highly stable tailgate strut-assisted opening structure can be further configured as follows: a central tube is provided on the inner side of the outer sleeve, the central tube is sleeved on the outer circumferential surface of the lead screw, and multiple spline grooves arranged parallel to the axis of the lead screw are opened around the inner cavity; a spline corresponding to the spline groove is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the nut; and a bearing spring is provided in the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve respectively abutting against the two ends of the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve, and the bearing spring is sleeved on the outer circumferential surface of the guide sleeve and the central tube.

[0022] The above technical solution provides additional support through the design of the central tube, ensuring stable operation of the lead screw within the outer tube and reducing offset and wear. The spline and spline design provides mechanical locking between the lead screw and nut, preventing relative rotation and ensuring effective force transmission. The load-bearing spring provides additional support, enhancing the load-bearing capacity of the strut system and enabling it to withstand greater loads. The design of the outer and inner tubes allows the inner tube to freely expand and contract within the outer tube, while the load-bearing spring provides necessary support, ensuring the flexibility and stability of the strut system.

[0023] The invention also discloses an electric tailgate strut with a high-stability tailgate strut auxiliary opening structure as described above. The electric tailgate strut also includes a drive assembly, which includes a motor sleeve and a drive motor disposed in the motor sleeve. The end of the lead screw away from the connecting assembly passes through the motor sleeve and is connected to the output end of the drive motor.

[0024] When the above technical solution is adopted and the tailgate strut auxiliary opening structure is applied to the electric tailgate strut, the power of its lead screw is input through the drive motor. When the motor starting torque is insufficient, the starting spring and anti-torsion component in the auxiliary opening structure provide additional torque to help the tailgate strut overcome the initial resistance and ensure that the tailgate can be opened smoothly.

[0025] The present invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0027] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Exploded view.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention when extended.

[0029] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of point A.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the compression process in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Enlarged view of point B.

[0032] Figure 7 This is a force-displacement characteristic curve of the electric tailgate support rod before the anti-torsion component is inserted, according to an embodiment of this utility model.

[0033] Figure 8 This is a force-displacement characteristic curve of the electric tailgate support rod after the anti-torsion component is inserted in an embodiment of this utility model. Implementation

[0034] like Figures 1-6As shown, an electric tailgate strut includes a drive assembly, a fixed strut assembly, and a movable strut assembly that moves axially relative to the fixed strut assembly to achieve a telescopic action. The fixed strut assembly includes an outer sleeve 1 and a lead screw 2 rotatably disposed within the outer sleeve 1. The movable strut assembly includes an inner sleeve 3, a guide sleeve 4, and a connecting assembly 5. The drive assembly includes a motor sleeve 6 fixedly connected to the outer sleeve 1 and a drive motor 61 disposed within the motor sleeve 6. The end of the lead screw 2 away from the connecting assembly 5 passes through the motor sleeve 6 and is connected to the output end of the drive motor 61. The outer sleeve 1 and the inner sleeve 3 are coaxially fitted together, and the guide sleeve 4 is coaxially fixed within the inner sleeve 1. Inside the sleeve 3, the lead screw 2 is movably connected to the guide sleeve 4 via the connecting assembly 5. Inside the guide sleeve 4, there is a movable starting spring 7. The connecting assembly 5 at the end of the lead screw 2 can press against the starting spring 7, so that the starting spring 7 generates an axial compression elastic force. A plastic anti-torsion disc 71 is provided between the starting spring 7 and the connecting assembly 5. The plastic anti-torsion disc 71 is freely disposed inside the guide sleeve 4 and separates the starting spring 7 from the end face of the connecting assembly 5 or the lead screw 2. The thickness of the plastic anti-torsion disc 71 is 2-20mm, and the gap between it and the inner wall of the guide sleeve 4 is less than 1mm.

[0035] like Figures 2-6 As shown, the connecting assembly 5 includes a nut 51, a pad 52, washers 53 disposed at both ends of the pad 52, and a fastening washer 54. The nut 51 is connected to the lead screw 2 via a non-self-locking threaded structure. The lead screw 2 is rotatably disposed in the outer sleeve 1 via a drive motor 61, and the outer circumferential surface of the nut 51 is threadedly connected to the guide sleeve 4. The pad 52 is installed at the end of the lead screw 2 and is located in the guide sleeve 4. One end of the washer 53 abuts against the pad 52, and the other end abuts against the nut 51. The fastening washer 54 is connected to the lead screw. The two ends are riveted to restrict the pad 52 and the washer 53 on the lead screw 2. The inner side of the outer sleeve 1 is provided with a central tube 8, which is sleeved on the outer circumferential surface of the lead screw 2. The inner cavity is provided with multiple spline grooves 81 arranged parallel to the axis of the lead screw 2. The outer circumferential surface of the nut 51 is provided with splines 511 corresponding to the spline grooves 81. The outer sleeve 1 and the inner sleeve 2 are provided with bearing springs 9 that abut against the two ends of the outer sleeve 1 and the inner sleeve 2 respectively. The bearing springs 9 are sleeved on the outer circumferential surface of the guide sleeve 4 and the central tube 8.

[0036] like Figure 7 , Figure 8 The figure shows the force characteristic test curves of the electric tailgate strut before and after the anti-torsion component 71 is installed. The force characteristics were tested using a WQT-5000 tailgate strut testing machine according to the QC / T207-1996 standard. The test speed was 300 mm / min, and two sets of electric tailgate struts of identical specifications were tested separately. Figure 7 As shown in the table below, the test data for the electric tailgate strut when the anti-torsion component 71 was not inserted are as follows.

[0037]

[0038] The electric tailgate strut equipped with anti-torsion component 71 was then tested under the following conditions, and the results are shown in the table below:

[0039]

[0040] Reference Figure 7 , Figure 8 Comparative analysis of force-displacement characteristic curves:

[0041] Minimum stretch force (F1):

[0042] Without anti-torsion components: 367.0N

[0043] Add anti-torsion component: 366.0N

[0044] Analysis: Normal test deviation

[0045] Maximum stretch force (F2):

[0046] Without anti-torsion components: 677.0N

[0047] Add anti-torsion component: 879.0N

[0048] Analysis: See Figure 7 , Figure 8 Before the anti-torsion component was added, the torque curve at this end fluctuated too much. However, after the anti-torsion component was added, the maximum extension force increased significantly and the fluctuation became much smoother. This indicates that the anti-torsion component effectively improved the output force of the starting spring, enabling the tailgate strut to provide greater force during the extension process.

[0049] Minimum compressive force (F3):

[0050] Without anti-torsion components: 669.0N

[0051] Add anti-torsion component: 680.0N

[0052] Analysis: Normal test deviation

[0053] Maximum compressive force (F4):

[0054] Without anti-torsion components: 1456.0N

[0055] Add anti-torsion component: 1323.0N

[0056] Analysis: See Figure 7 , Figure 8Before the anti-torsion component was added, the torque curve at this end fluctuated too much. After the anti-torsion component was added, the maximum compressive force was significantly reduced and the fluctuation was significantly smoother. This indicates that the anti-torsion component effectively reduced the pressure received by the starting spring, so that the tailgate strut could only be subjected to axial deformation force during the compression process, and not affected by the screw torque, thus avoiding the occurrence of F4 being too large and unstable.

[0057] Dynamic internal resistance (G):

[0058] Without anti-torsion components: 302.0N

[0059] Add anti-torsion component: 314.0N

[0060] Analysis: Normal test deviation

[0061] In summary, the addition of anti-torsion components significantly improves the maximum extension force and minimum compression force of the electric tailgate strut, which helps to improve the performance and durability of the tailgate strut. The addition of anti-torsion components has a positive impact on improving the stability of the tailgate strut and extending its service life, and greatly improves the stability of the tailgate strut during assisted starting.

Claims

1. A highly stable tailgate strut-assisted opening structure, comprising a fixed strut assembly and a movable strut assembly that moves axially relative to the fixed strut assembly to achieve a telescopic action, the fixed strut assembly comprising an outer sleeve and a lead screw rotatably disposed within the outer sleeve, the movable strut assembly comprising an inner sleeve, a guide sleeve, and a connecting assembly, the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve being coaxially sleeved, the guide sleeve being coaxially fixed inside the inner sleeve, the lead screw being movably connected to the guide sleeve via the connecting assembly, a starting spring being provided inside the guide sleeve, and the connecting assembly at the end of the lead screw being able to press against the starting spring to generate an elastic force in the starting spring, characterized in that: The anti-twist member is freely arranged in the guide sleeve and separates the end surface of the starting spring and the coupling assembly.

2. The high-stability tailgate support rod auxiliary opening structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The anti-twist member is a disc-shaped structure or a polygonal structure matched with the inner wall of the guide sleeve.

3. The high-stability tailgate support rod auxiliary opening structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The anti-twist member is made of plastic, metal or flocked material.

4. The high-stability tailgate support rod auxiliary opening structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The thickness of the anti-twist member is 2-20 mm.

5. The high-stability tailgate support rod auxiliary opening structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The starting spring is movably arranged in the guide sleeve.

6. The high-stability tailgate support rod auxiliary opening structure according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: The coupling assembly comprises a nut, which is connected with the screw rod through a non-self-locking thread structure.

7. The high-stability tailgate support rod auxiliary opening structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The screw rod is rotatably arranged in the outer sleeve through an electric drive or an external drive, and the outer peripheral surface of the nut is threadedly connected with the guide sleeve.

8. The high-stability tailgate support rod auxiliary opening structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: The coupling assembly further comprises a pad, which is mounted on the end of the screw rod and located in the guide sleeve.

9. The high-stability tailgate support rod assist opening structure of claim 6, wherein: The screw rod is provided with a washer and a fastening washer at two ends corresponding to the pad.

10. An electric tailgate stay rod with a high-stability tailgate stay rod auxiliary opening structure according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: The inner side of the outer sleeve is provided with a center tube, which is sleeved on the outer peripheral surface of the screw rod. The outer sleeve and the inner sleeve are provided with load springs, which abut against the two ends of the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve, respectively. The drive assembly comprises a motor sleeve and a drive motor arranged in the motor sleeve. The end of the screw rod, which is away from the coupling assembly, penetrates into the motor sleeve and is connected with the output end of the drive motor.

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