Drive system for a lower tailgate of a vehicle, lower tailgate of a vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

The utility model relates to a drive system for a lower tail door of a vehicle, a lower tail door of a vehicle and a vehicle. The drive system comprises: a drive device, the drive device can be fixed on a first vehicle component; a hinged part, the hinged part has a first part that can be fixed on the first vehicle component and a second part that can be fixed on a second vehicle component, wherein the first part of the hinged part can pivot relative to the second part about a pivot axis; a transmission mechanism, the transmission mechanism can be fixed on the first vehicle component and is set up to be used for converting the linear motion of the drive device into the pivot motion of the first part of the hinged part relative to the second part, characterized in that the transmission mechanism is a plane transmission mechanism. The utility model has the advantages that: the demand of drive system to installation space is reduced obviously, thereby can be encapsulated in the lower tail door or the vehicle body more easily.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of vehicles, specifically to a drive system for a lower tailgate of a vehicle, a lower tailgate of a vehicle, and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Station wagons, SUVs, off-road vehicles, crossovers, and trucks can be equipped with a split tailgate at the rear, consisting of an upper tailgate that can be opened by pivoting upwards and a lower tailgate that can be opened by pivoting downwards.

[0003] To electrically drive the lower tailgate in a split tailgate design, existing technologies, such as CN104703825B, use a laterally positioned spindle adjuster that acts on a pull-down link via a deflection lever. Due to the spindle's positioning (lateral to the tailgate's folding direction), the pull-down link must perform rotational-oscillating movements about more than one axis; therefore, it must incorporate convex bearings or ball bearings not only on the vehicle body but also on the deflection lever. Bearings on the vehicle body side are particularly susceptible to dirt and wear and are also expensive.

[0004] At the same time, due to the three-dimensional movement of the transmission mechanism, the drive system of the lower tailgate has a large requirement for installation space. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to eliminate or at least mitigate the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0006] Therefore, according to one aspect of the present invention, a drive system for a lower tailgate of a vehicle is provided, comprising:

[0007] The drive unit can be fixed to the first vehicle component.

[0008] The hinge portion has a first portion that can be fixed to a first vehicle component and a second portion that can be fixed to a second vehicle component, wherein the first portion of the hinge portion is pivotable relative to the second portion about a pivot axis.

[0009] A transmission mechanism, which can be fixed to a first vehicle component and is configured to convert the linear motion of the drive unit into pivotal motion of a first portion of the hinge relative to a second portion.

[0010] Its characteristic feature is that the transmission mechanism is a planar transmission mechanism.

[0011] According to this invention, a planar transmission mechanism replaces the traditional transmission mechanism with complex three-dimensional motion. A planar transmission mechanism means that the motion trajectories of its components lie in the same plane, i.e., in the motion plane of the planar transmission mechanism, and the motion trajectory has no component perpendicular to this motion plane. Therefore, the drive system's installation space requirement is significantly reduced, making it easier to encapsulate within the lower tailgate or the vehicle body.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the transmission mechanism includes a planar four-bar linkage and a push rod. The frame of the planar four-bar linkage is fixed to a first vehicle component. One end of the connecting rod of the planar four-bar linkage is hinged to the drive unit, and the other end of the connecting rod is hinged to a second part of the hinged portion via a push rod at a point off the pivot axis. The drive unit is connected to the push rod via the connecting rod of the planar four-bar linkage. The connecting rod's function is to convert the linear motion of the drive unit into a driven motion in the same plane, thereby causing the second part of the hinged portion to pivot relative to the first part through the linear motion of the push rod. Thus, a planar transmission mechanism is realized with a simple mechanical structure.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the transmission ratio of the drive mechanism can be adjusted by changing the lengths of the links and / or rockers of the planar four-bar linkage. Different types of tailgates (which typically have different masses) require different driving torques for pivoting motion. Adjusting the lengths of the links and / or rockers of the four-bar linkage allows for the adaptive generation of different driving torques using the same drive unit, with minimal increase in dimensions in the direction perpendicular to the plane of motion. This enables the drive system to be adapted to different types of tailgates while maintaining a small installation space requirement.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the drive unit and transmission mechanism are secured to the first vehicle component by their respective fastening adapters. The drive system is typically mounted in a cavity within the first vehicle component, preferably on a flat wall of the cavity. The drive unit and transmission mechanism can be easily and precisely positioned and oriented using their respective fastening adapters. Thus, the components of the drive system can be conveniently secured to the first vehicle component.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the linear motion of the drive unit is positioned within the motion plane of the planar transmission mechanism. This means that the drive unit and the planar transmission mechanism are essentially on the same plane. This further reduces the installation space requirements of the drive system.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, a lower tailgate of a vehicle is provided, which can be hinged to the vehicle body, characterized in that a drive system according to the present invention is installed in a cavity inside the lower tailgate.

[0017] The advantages or beneficial effects of the drive system for the lower tailgate of a vehicle according to the present invention also apply to the lower tailgate of the vehicle according to the present invention.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle is provided having a body and a lower tailgate that can be hinged to the body, characterized in that a drive system according to the present invention is installed in a cavity within the lower tailgate or in a cavity within the body.

[0019] According to this invention, if there is sufficient installation space in the lower tailgate of the vehicle, the drive system can be installed inside the lower tailgate, thus pre-assembling the drive system and the lower tailgate into a pre-assembled unit, which is then connected to the vehicle body. If there is insufficient installation space in the lower tailgate, the drive system can be installed inside the vehicle body, thus pre-fixing the drive system to the vehicle body, and then installing the lower tailgate. This provides an additionally flexible assembly solution.

[0020] The advantages or beneficial effects of the drive system for the lower tailgate of a vehicle according to the present invention also apply to the vehicle according to the present invention.

[0021] The further effects of the aforementioned unconventional alternative methods will be explained below in conjunction with specific implementation methods. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The embodiments of the present invention will be explained in more detail in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Figure 1 The present invention relates to a front view of the lower tailgate of a vehicle, wherein the inner cover of the lower tailgate has been removed to expose the drive system therein.

[0024] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The rear view of area A in the image, where the lower tailgate is omitted. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Figure 1 The lower tailgate 10 of a vehicle according to the present invention is shown. The lower tailgate 10 has a cavity in the middle region, in which the drive system is installed.

[0026] The drive system includes a drive unit 100. The drive unit 100 is hinged at a first end 101 to a plate-shaped fastening adapter 104, which is preferably fixed to the lower wall 11 (the lower wall in the vertical direction) of the cavity with a preferably flat mounting surface. The drive unit 100 is hinged at a second end 102 to one end of a link 111 of a planar four-bar linkage 110 (at hinge point 120).

[0027] The drive unit 100 can convert the rotational motion of a drive unit, such as an electric motor, about its rotation axis into linear motion in the direction of the rotation axis. When energized, the drive unit 100 can extend or retract in the direction of the rotation axis.

[0028] The drive system includes a planar four-bar linkage 110, comprising a connecting rod 111, a first rocker arm 112, a second rocker arm 113, and a frame 114. The frame 114 is integrally formed with a plate-shaped fastening adapter element, which is fixedly connected to the lower wall 11 of the cavity via a preferably flat mounting surface. Alternatively, a separate fastening adapter element may be provided, to which the frame 114 is fixedly connected.

[0029] At the hinge point 120 between the connecting rod 111 and the first rocker arm 112 of the planar four-bar linkage 110, the drive device 100 is hinged to the planar four-bar linkage 110 via its second end 102. The linear motion of the drive device is within the motion plane of the planar four-bar linkage 110. At the hinge point 121 between the connecting rod 111 and the second rocker arm 113 of the planar four-bar linkage 110, the push rod 118 is hinged to the planar four-bar linkage 110. The linear motion of the push rod 118 is also within the motion plane of the planar four-bar linkage 110.

[0030] The drive system includes two hinged parts, each comprising a first part 116a and a second part 116b that can pivot relative to each other about a pivot axis 123.

[0031] The first part 116b is fixedly connected to the lower wall 11 of the cavity with a preferably flat mounting surface. The second part 116b has a preferably flat mounting surface for fixed connection to the vehicle body (not shown). A push rod 118 is connected to the second part 116b through a through hole in the frame 114 and a through hole in the lower wall 11. A pivoting connection 117 between the push rod 118 and the second part 116b defines a pivot axis 124, which is parallel to and offset from the pivot axis 123 of the hinge, such that movement of the push rod 118 causes the second part 116b to pivot relative to the first part 116a, that is, causes the tailgate to pivot relative to the vehicle body.

[0032] The drive system works as follows:

[0033] The drive unit 100 performs telescopic movements during power-on.

[0034] The linear motion of the drive unit 100 in direction D1 pushes or pulls the planar four-bar linkage 110. Hinge points 115 and 116 move along a circular trajectory in the motion plane defined by the planar four-bar linkage 110. The planar four-bar linkage 110 transmits motion to the second part 116b of the hinge via push rod 118. The pivotal connection 117 between push rod 118 and the second part 116b is offset from the pivot axis 123 of the hinge, thereby creating a lever effect.

[0035] The movement of push rod 118 in its longitudinal direction D2 applies a torque to the hinge, forcing the tailgate to rotate about pivot axis 123 in the rotation direction D3. By adjusting the extension length of drive unit 100, the tailgate can be precisely adjusted between the closed position (in the vertical direction) and the open position (in the horizontal direction).

[0036] The gear ratio of the planar four-bar linkage 110 depends on the lengths of the connecting rod 111, the first rocker arm 112, and the second rocker arm 113. Different types of tailgates typically have different masses and different driving torque requirements for pivoting motion. This driving torque requirement can be matched by changing the length of the links in the planar four-bar linkage without changing the drive unit.

[0037] An alternative embodiment, which may be considered but not shown in the accompanying drawings, is that the drive system is installed in a cavity within the vehicle body, for example, located below the luggage compartment floor at the rear end of the luggage compartment. Figure 1 The embodiment shown differs in that the drive unit 100 and the planar four-bar linkage 110 are mounted on the side wall of the cavity (the rearward wall in the horizontal direction) via their respective fastening adapters. The first part 116a of the hinge is fixedly connected to the side wall of the cavity via a mounting surface, and the second part 116b is fixedly connected to the rear tailgate of the vehicle via a mounting surface. Regarding the components and operation of the drive system, this alternative embodiment is similar to... Figure 1 The embodiments shown are the same and will not be described again here.

[0038] In some cases, the features disclosed in this invention can be used independently of other features. On the other hand, when necessary, the features disclosed in this invention can be combined to provide various combinations.

[0039] The wording and expressions used in this invention are illustrative and not restrictive, and therefore are not intended to exclude any equivalent examples of the illustrated and described features from the scope of this invention. Various modifications, variations, and substitutions may exist within the scope of the claims. The claims are intended to cover all such equivalent examples.

Claims

1. A drive system for a lower tailgate of a vehicle, comprising: The drive unit can be fixed to the first vehicle component. The hinge portion has a first portion that can be fixed to a first vehicle component and a second portion that can be fixed to a second vehicle component, wherein the first portion of the hinge portion is pivotable relative to the second portion about a pivot axis. A transmission mechanism, which can be fixed to a first vehicle component and is configured to convert the linear motion of the drive unit into pivotal motion of a first portion of the hinge relative to a second portion. Its characteristic feature is that the transmission mechanism is a planar transmission mechanism.

2. The drive system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission mechanism includes a planar four-bar linkage and a push rod, wherein the frame of the planar four-bar linkage can be fixed to the first vehicle component, wherein one end of the link of the planar four-bar linkage is hingedly connected to the drive device, and the other end of the link of the planar four-bar linkage is hingedly connected to the second part of the hinge portion at a position offset from the pivot axis via the push rod.

3. The drive system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The transmission ratio of the transmission mechanism can be adjusted by changing the length of the connecting rod and / or rocker arm of the planar four-bar linkage.

4. The drive system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The drive unit and transmission mechanism can be fixed to the first vehicle component by their respective fastening adapters.

5. The drive system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The linear motion of the drive device is within the motion plane of the planar transmission mechanism.

6. A rear tailgate for a vehicle, which can be hinged to the vehicle body. Its features are, A drive system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is installed in the cavity inside the lower tailgate.

7. A vehicle having a body and a lower tailgate that can be hinged to the body, Its features are, The drive system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is installed in a cavity inside the lower tailgate or in a cavity inside the vehicle body.

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