Locking structure, tailgate assembly and vehicle

Abstract

This application provides a latching structure, a tailgate assembly, and a vehicle. The latching structure is applied to the tailgate assembly of a vehicle. Along a first direction, the tailgate assembly includes a first tailgate inner panel and a first tailgate outer panel arranged sequentially. The latching structure includes a first connecting structure, a second connecting structure, and a connector. The first connecting structure is connected to a first side of the first tailgate inner panel near the first tailgate outer panel. The second connecting structure is connected to a second side of the first tailgate inner panel away from the first tailgate outer panel. The connector is located on the side of the first tailgate inner panel away from the first tailgate outer panel, with a first end connected to the first connecting structure and a second end connected to the second connecting structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of vehicle tailgate technology, and more particularly to a locking structure, tailgate assembly, and vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] The latches used on vehicle tailgates are typically installed with one end attached to a latch mounting plate, which is then fixed to the tailgate. This installation method leaves the other end of the latch suspended in the air, resulting in lower rigidity and vibration amplitude for the entire tailgate, making it prone to vibration or noise. Utility Model Content

[0003] This application provides a latching structure, a tailgate assembly, and a vehicle to solve the problem that tailgates in the known art are prone to vibration or noise.

[0004] In a first aspect, this application provides a latching structure applied to a tailgate assembly of a vehicle. Along a first direction, the tailgate assembly includes a first inner tailgate panel and a first outer tailgate panel arranged sequentially. The latching structure includes a first connecting structure, a second connecting structure, and a connector. The first connecting structure is connected to a first side of the first inner tailgate panel near the first outer tailgate panel. The second connecting structure is connected to a second side of the first inner tailgate panel away from the first outer tailgate panel. The connector is located on the side of the first inner tailgate panel away from the first outer tailgate panel, with a first end connected to the first connecting structure and a second end connected to the second connecting structure.

[0005] In one possible implementation, the inner panel of the first rear door has a through hole, and along the first direction, one end of the first connecting structure is located on the side of the inner panel of the first rear door away from the outer panel of the first rear door and is connected to the connector, and the other end of the first connecting structure passes through the through hole and is connected to the first side.

[0006] In one possible implementation, the rear door assembly further includes an inner panel reinforcement plate connected to the first side, and one end of the first connecting structure extending through the perforation is connected to the inner panel reinforcement plate.

[0007] In one possible implementation, along a second direction, the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure are spaced apart, the connector is located between the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure, and the second direction intersects with the first direction.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the extension direction of the connector is parallel to the second direction, and along the second direction, the opposite ends of the connector are respectively designated as the first end and the second end.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the first connection structure includes a first connecting plate and a first auxiliary plate, one end of the connector is connected to the first auxiliary plate, the first auxiliary plate is connected to the first connecting plate, and the first connecting plate is connected to the first side.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the second connection structure includes a second connecting plate and a second auxiliary plate, one end of the connector is connected to the second auxiliary plate, the second auxiliary plate is connected to the second connecting plate, and the second connecting plate is connected to the second side.

[0011] Secondly, this application also provides a tailgate assembly, including a first tailgate, a second tailgate, and the above-mentioned latching structure. The first tailgate includes a first tailgate inner panel and a first tailgate outer panel, and the second tailgate is rotatable relative to the first tailgate.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the tailgate assembly further includes a lock body structure connected to the second tailgate and configured to engage with the latch structure.

[0013] Thirdly, this application also provides a vehicle, including a body and the aforementioned tailgate assembly, the tailgate assembly being connected to the body.

[0014] The latching structure of this application has its two ends of the connector connected to the inner panel of the first tailgate via a first connecting structure and a second connecting structure, respectively. This secures both ends of the connector, preventing them from being suspended and thus improving the rigidity and vibration amplitude of the entire tailgate assembly. Furthermore, the first and second connecting structures are respectively connected to the inner and outer sides of the inner panel of the first tailgate, allowing the two ends of the connector to be fixed to both sides. Compared to a method where both ends of the connector are simultaneously connected to the same side of the inner panel, this further enhances the rigidity and vibration amplitude of the entire tailgate assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the vehicle according to one embodiment of the present application.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the rear door assembly of this application in one embodiment.

[0017] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the first rear door of the rear door assembly in one embodiment of the present application.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the locking structure of this application in one embodiment.

[0019] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the locking structure of this application in one embodiment.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the locking structure of this application from another perspective in one embodiment.

[0021] Figure 7 This is an exploded view of the locking structure of this application in one embodiment.

[0022] Key component symbols: 300, vehicle; 200, tailgate assembly; 100, latch structure; X, first direction; Y, second direction; Z, third direction; P1, first side; P2, second side; 1, front side; 2, rear side; 10, vehicle body; 20, second tailgate; 21, lock body structure; 210, limiting groove; 30, first tailgate; 31, inner panel of first tailgate; 310, perforation; 32, outer panel of first tailgate; 33, inner panel reinforcing plate; 4 0. Connector; 41. First end; 42. Second end; 50. First connecting structure; 51. First connecting plate; 511. First connecting part; 5110. First connecting hole; 512. Second connecting part; 52. First auxiliary plate; 520. Second connecting hole; 60. Second connecting structure; 61. Second connecting plate; 611. Third connecting part; 6110. Third connecting hole; 612. Fourth connecting part; 62. Second auxiliary plate; 620. Fourth connecting hole.

[0023] The following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, further illustrates this application. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The following description will refer to the accompanying drawings to provide a more complete picture of the present application. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present application. However, the present application may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. These exemplary embodiments are provided to make the present application thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of the present application to those skilled in the art. The same reference numerals denote the same or similar components.

[0025] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to limit the application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to also include the plural forms. Furthermore, when used herein, “comprising” and / or “including” and / or “having,” integers, steps, operations, components, and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. Furthermore, unless expressly defined herein, terms such as those defined in a general dictionary should be interpreted as having the same meaning as they have in the relevant art and in the content of this application, and will not be interpreted as having an idealized or overly formal meaning.

[0027] The specific embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a vehicle 300, including a body 10 and a tailgate assembly 200.

[0029] For ease of reading, this application introduces a first direction X, a second direction Y, and a third direction Z to describe the embodiments of this application. The first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z can be three non-parallel straight lines in space; further, the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z can be three mutually perpendicular directions in a three-dimensional coordinate system (a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system). In subsequent embodiments, the first direction X is described as the X-axis direction of the three-dimensional coordinate system, the second direction Y as the Y-axis direction of the three-dimensional coordinate system, and the third direction Z as the Z-axis direction of the three-dimensional coordinate system. Wherein, the first direction X is the direction of the length of the vehicle 300, the second direction Y is the direction of the width of the vehicle 300, and the third direction Z is the direction of the height of the vehicle 300.

[0030] Along the first direction X, the vehicle 300 has a defined front side 1 and a rear side 2, with the front side 1 and the rear side 2 positioned opposite each other. The front side 1 is the side where the front of the vehicle 300 is located, and the rear side 2 is the side where the rear of the vehicle 300 is located. The tailgate assembly 200 is connected to the rear side 2 of the vehicle body 10 and is used to close the rear compartment of the vehicle 300.

[0031] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this embodiment also provides a tailgate assembly 200, including a first tailgate 30, a second tailgate 20, and a latching structure 100. The first tailgate 30 includes a first tailgate inner panel 31 and a first tailgate outer panel 32. Along the first direction X, the first tailgate inner panel 31 is connected to the side of the first tailgate outer panel 32 near the front of the vehicle 1, so that the first tailgate 30 is formed by the first tailgate inner panel 31 and the first tailgate outer panel 32, which can improve the structural strength of the first tailgate 30.

[0032] The second tailgate 20 can also adopt a composite structure formed by connecting inner and outer panels, and the second tailgate 20 can rotate relative to the first tailgate 30. The tailgate assembly 200 also includes a lock body structure 21. Along the third direction Z, one end of the second tailgate 20 is rotatably connected to the vehicle body 10, and the lock body structure 21 is connected to the other end of the second tailgate 20. The rotation axis of the second tailgate 20 is parallel to the second direction Y. Along the third direction Z, the first tailgate 30 is located below the second tailgate 20, and the second tailgate 20 can rotate until its lower edge is approximately in contact with the first tailgate 30. A latch structure 100 is provided on the first tailgate 30, and the lock body structure 21 is configured to lock with the latch structure 100 so that when the second tailgate 20 rotates until its lower edge is approximately in contact with the first tailgate 30, the second tailgate 20 and the first tailgate 30 are fixed relative to each other by the locking of the lock body structure 21 and the latch structure 100. In this application, the specific structure of the lock body structure 21 is not specifically limited, but is a structure commonly used in the art.

[0033] In this embodiment, the first tailgate 30 is movably connected to the vehicle body 10 so that the first tailgate 30 can be flipped downward relative to the vehicle body 10, or the first tailgate 30 can slide relative to the vehicle body 10, thereby forming a tailgate structure with a top-and-bottom door shape through the first tailgate 30 and the second tailgate 20.

[0034] It is understood that in other embodiments, the first tailgate 30 may also be fixedly connected to the vehicle body 10, or the first tailgate 30 may be part of the vehicle body 10, that is, the latch structure 100 is provided on the vehicle body 10.

[0035] like Figures 3 to 6 As shown, this embodiment also provides the above-mentioned latching structure 100, which is applied to the above-mentioned back door assembly 200. The latching structure 100 includes a first connecting structure 50, a second connecting structure 60, and a connector 40.

[0036] Along the first direction X, the first rear door inner panel 31 has a first side surface P1 and a second side surface P2 disposed opposite to each other. Along the first direction X, the first side surface P1 is the surface of the first rear door inner panel 31 close to the first rear door outer panel 32, and the second side surface P2 is the surface of the first rear door inner panel 31 away from the first rear door outer panel 32.

[0037] The first connecting structure 50 is connected to the first side P1, and the second connecting structure 60 is connected to the second side P2. The connector 40 is located on the side of the inner panel 31 of the first back door away from the outer panel 32 of the first back door. The first end 41 of the connector 40 is connected to the first connecting structure 50, and the second end 42 of the connector 40 is connected to the second connecting structure 60.

[0038] Thus, in this application, the two ends of the latch structure 100 and the connector 40 are respectively connected to the inner panel 31 of the first back door via the first connecting structure 50 and the second connecting structure 60, which can fix both ends of the connector 40 and prevent the ends of the connector 40 from being suspended, thereby improving the rigidity and vibration amplitude of the entire back door assembly 200. In addition, the first connecting structure 50 and the second connecting structure 60 are respectively connected to the inner and outer sides of the inner panel 31 of the first back door, so that the two ends of the connector 40 are respectively fixed to the inner and outer sides of the inner panel 31 of the first back door. Compared with the method where the two ends of the connector 40 are simultaneously connected to the same side of the inner panel 31 of the first back door, this can further improve the rigidity and vibration amplitude of the entire back door assembly 200.

[0039] Please combine Figures 3 to 6 In one embodiment, along the second direction Y, the first connecting structure 50 and the second connecting structure 60 are spaced apart, and the connector 40 is located between the first connecting structure 50 and the second connecting structure 60.

[0040] The space between the first connecting structure 50 and the second connecting structure 60 allows the lock body structure 21 to rotate. The lock body structure 21 is provided with a limiting groove 210. The lock body structure 21 can rotate until the connecting member 40 is located within the limiting groove 210, so that the relative fixation between the lock body structure 21 and the connecting member 40 can be achieved through the locking action of the lock body structure 21.

[0041] Furthermore, the extension direction of the connector 40 is parallel to the second direction Y. Along the second direction Y, the two opposite ends of the connector 40 are designated as a first end 41 and a second end 42. The connector 40 is clamped between the first connecting structure 50 and the second connecting structure 60. The connector 40 is connected to the first connecting structure 50 through the first end 41 and to the second connecting structure 60 through the second end 42. At the same time, the lock body structure 21 locks with the intermediate section between the first end 41 and the second end 42 of the connector 40. Thus, when the second back door 20 and the first back door 30 are locked with the connector 40 through the lock body structure 21, the stiffness and vibration amplitude of the back door assembly 200 formed by the second back door 20 and the first back door 30 are significantly improved.

[0042] In this embodiment, the number of connectors 40 is set to two, and the two connectors 40 are spaced apart along the first direction X. The lock body structure 21 can lock with both connectors 40 simultaneously to improve the locking effect. It is understood that in other embodiments, the number of connectors 40 may also be set to one or three, or other numbers, and the specific number can be selected according to actual design requirements.

[0043] Please combine Figures 3 to 6In one embodiment, the inner panel 31 of the first rear door has a through hole 310. Along the first direction X, the through hole 310 extends from the first side panel P1 to the second side panel P2, so that the through hole 310 penetrates the inner panel 31 of the first rear door along the first direction X. Along the first direction X, one end of the first connecting structure 50 is located on the side of the inner panel 31 of the first rear door away from the outer panel 32 of the first rear door and is connected to the connector 40; the other end of the first connecting structure 50 extends out of the through hole 310 and is connected to the first side panel P1, so that the connector 40 is connected to the first side panel P1 through the first connecting structure 50.

[0044] In this embodiment, the tailgate assembly 200 further includes an inner panel reinforcing plate 33, which is connected to the first side surface P1. The inner panel reinforcing plate 33 can be attached to the first side surface P1, and the inner panel reinforcing plate 33 is connected to the first tailgate inner panel 31 by bolts or other components.

[0045] One end of the first connecting structure 50 protruding from the perforation 310 is connected to the inner panel reinforcing plate 33. Along the first direction X, the projection of the inner panel reinforcing plate 33 onto the first back door outer panel 32 is located within the projection of the hole wall of the perforation 310 onto the first back door outer panel 32, thereby allowing the inner panel reinforcing plate 33 to partially cover the perforation 310, so that one end of the first connecting structure 50 protruding from the perforation 310 can be connected to the surface of the inner panel reinforcing plate 33 on the side away from the first back door outer panel 32.

[0046] Furthermore, the number of locking structures 100 is set to two, and the two locking structures 100 are spaced apart along the second direction Y. The number of through holes 310 is set to two, and the two through holes 310 are spaced apart along the second direction Y, and the two through holes 310 are respectively set to correspond to the two locking structures 100. The number of inner plate reinforcing plates 33 is set to one, and the inner plate reinforcing plate 33 is set along the second direction Y. Along the second direction Y, one end of the inner plate reinforcing plate 33 extends to partially block one through hole 310, and the other end of the inner plate reinforcing plate 33 extends to partially block the other through hole 310, so that the first connecting structure 50 of the two locking structures 100 can be simultaneously connected to the same inner plate reinforcing plate 33.

[0047] Please combine Figures 5 to 7 and combined Figure 3 In one embodiment, the first connecting structure 50 includes a first connecting plate 51 and a first auxiliary plate 52. One end of the connector 40 is connected to the first auxiliary plate 52, the first auxiliary plate 52 is connected to the first connecting plate 51, and the first connecting plate 51 is connected to the first side surface P1.

[0048] Specifically, the first connecting plate 51 is roughly L-shaped and includes a first connecting portion 511 and a second connecting portion 512 connected to each other. The first connecting portion 511 is disposed along a first direction X and passes through the through hole 310. The second connecting portion 512 is disposed along a second direction Y and is located on the side of the inner panel reinforcing plate 33 away from the first back door outer panel 32. The second connecting portion 512 is connected to the inner panel reinforcing plate 33, for example, by welding.

[0049] Along the second direction Y, a first auxiliary plate 52 is disposed on the side of the first connecting portion 511 near the second connecting structure 60, and the first auxiliary plate 52 is detachably connected to the first connecting portion 511. For example, a first connecting hole 5110 is provided on the first connecting portion 511, and a second connecting hole 520 is provided on the first auxiliary plate 52. A fastener such as a bolt is passed through the first connecting hole 5110 and the second connecting hole 520 to connect the first auxiliary plate 52 to the first connecting portion 511. The first auxiliary plate 52 can be a nut plate or the like. The first end 41 of the connector 40 is connected to the first auxiliary plate 52. For example, the first end 41 of the connector 40 and the first auxiliary plate 52 can be connected by riveting or the like.

[0050] In this embodiment, the second connection structure 60 includes a second connection plate 61 and a second auxiliary plate 62. One end of the connector 40 is connected to the second auxiliary plate 62, the second auxiliary plate 62 is connected to the second connection plate 61, and the second connection plate 61 is connected to the second side surface P2.

[0051] Specifically, along the first direction X, the second connecting plate 61 is located on the side of the first rear door inner panel 31 away from the first rear door outer panel 32. The second connecting plate 61 is generally L-shaped and includes a third connecting portion 611 and a fourth connecting portion 612 connected to each other. The third connecting portion 611 is disposed along the first direction X, and the fourth connecting portion 612 is disposed along the second direction Y, and the fourth connecting portion 612 is connected to the second side surface P2 of the first rear door inner panel 31. For example, the fourth connecting portion 612 is connected to the first rear door inner panel 31 by welding.

[0052] Along the second direction Y, a second auxiliary plate 62 is disposed on the side of the third connecting portion 611 near the first connecting structure 50, and the second auxiliary plate 62 is detachably connected to the third connecting portion 611. For example, a third connecting hole 6110 is provided on the third connecting portion 611, and a fourth connecting hole 620 is provided on the second auxiliary plate 62. A fastener such as a bolt is passed through the third connecting hole 6110 and the fourth connecting hole 620 to connect the second auxiliary plate 62 to the third connecting portion 611. The second auxiliary plate 62 can be a nut plate or the like. The second end 42 of the connector 40 is connected to the second auxiliary plate 62, for example, the second end 42 of the connector 40 and the second auxiliary plate 62 can be connected by riveting or the like.

[0053] The specific embodiments of this application have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and substitutions can be made to the specific embodiments of this application without departing from the scope of this application. All such changes and substitutions fall within the scope defined by this application.

Claims

1. A latch structure applied to a back door assembly (200) of a vehicle (300), along a first direction (X), the back door assembly (200) comprising a first back door inner panel (31) and a first back door outer panel (32) arranged in sequence; characterized in that, The locking structure (100) includes: The first connecting structure (50) is connected to the first side (P1) of the first back door inner panel (31) near the first back door outer panel (32); The second connecting structure (60) is connected to the second side (P2) of the first back door inner panel (31) away from the first back door outer panel (32); The connector (40) is located on the side of the inner panel (31) of the first back door away from the outer panel (32) of the first back door. The first end (41) of the connector (40) is connected to the first connecting structure (50), and the second end (42) of the connector (40) is connected to the second connecting structure (60).

2. The catch structure of claim 1, wherein The first back door inner panel (31) has a through hole (310). Along the first direction (X), one end of the first connecting structure (50) is located on the side of the first back door inner panel (31) away from the first back door outer panel (32) and is connected to the connector (40). The other end of the first connecting structure (50) passes through the through hole (310) and is connected to the first side (P1).

3. The catch structure of claim 2, wherein The rear door assembly (200) also includes an inner panel reinforcement plate (33), which is connected to the first side (P1), and one end of the first connecting structure (50) that protrudes from the through hole (310) is connected to the inner panel reinforcement plate (33).

4. The catch structure of claim 1, wherein Along the second direction (Y), the first connecting structure (50) and the second connecting structure (60) are spaced apart, and the connector (40) is located between the first connecting structure (50) and the second connecting structure (60). The second direction (Y) intersects with the first direction (X).

5. The catch structure of claim 4, wherein The extension direction of the connector (40) is parallel to the second direction (Y). Along the second direction (Y), the opposite ends of the connector (40) are respectively set as the first end (41) and the second end (42).

6. The catch structure of claim 1, wherein The first connection structure (50) includes a first connection plate (51) and a first auxiliary plate (52). One end of the connector (40) is connected to the first auxiliary plate (52), the first auxiliary plate (52) is connected to the first connection plate (51), and the first connection plate (51) is connected to the first side (P1).

7. The catch structure of claim 1, wherein The second connection structure (60) includes a second connection plate (61) and a second auxiliary plate (62). One end of the connector (40) is connected to the second auxiliary plate (62), the second auxiliary plate (62) is connected to the second connection plate (61), and the second connection plate (61) is connected to the second side (P2).

8. A back door assembly characterized by, It includes a first back door (30), a second back door (20), and a latching structure (100) as described in any one of claims 1 to 7. The first back door (30) includes a first back door inner panel (31) and a first back door outer panel (32). The second back door (20) is rotatable relative to the first back door (30).

9. The back door assembly of claim 8, wherein, The rear door assembly (200) also includes a lock body structure (21) connected to the second rear door (20) and configured to engage with the latch structure (100).

10. A vehicle characterized by comprising: Includes a body (10) and a tailgate assembly (200) as claimed in claim 8, the tailgate assembly (200) being connected to the body (10).

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