Rear door assembly and vehicle

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of vehicle bodies, and provides a back door assembly and a vehicle. The back door assembly of the application comprises a back door inner plate and a back door outer plate, and an outer plate support plate and a hinge reinforcing plate clamped between the back door inner plate and the back door outer plate, the back door outer plate and the outer plate support plate are provided with a first spare tire mounting point, the back door inner plate is provided with a first connecting part connected with the outer plate support plate, and the hinge reinforcing plate is provided with a second connecting part connected with the outer plate support plate; the connecting part of the first connecting part and the outer plate support plate and the connecting part of the second connecting part and the outer plate support plate are both located below the first spare tire mounting point. The back door assembly provided by the application can improve the structural strength of the first spare tire mounting point part, the overall structural strength can be ensured by adopting a thinner outer plate support plate, and the weight and cost of the back door assembly can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of vehicle body technology, and in particular to a tailgate assembly. This application also relates to a vehicle using this tailgate assembly. Background Technology

[0002] The tailgate assembly includes an inner tailgate panel and an outer tailgate panel, as well as an outer panel support plate located between the inner tailgate panel and the outer tailgate panel. The outer tailgate panel and the outer panel support plate are provided with a spare tire mounting point.

[0003] In existing technologies, to improve the structural strength of the spare tire mounting point, the thickness of the outer support plate is generally increased. This approach results in a heavier overall weight for the tailgate assembly, which does not meet the vehicle's lightweight requirements. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, this application aims to provide a tailgate assembly that can ensure the structural strength of the spare tire mounting point.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of this application is implemented as follows: A tailgate assembly includes an inner tailgate panel and an outer tailgate panel that are fastened together, as well as an outer panel support plate and a hinge reinforcement plate sandwiched between the inner tailgate panel and the outer tailgate panel. The tailgate outer panel and the outer panel support plate are provided with a first spare tire mounting point, which is arranged close to the side of the tailgate assembly where the hinge is located. The inner panel of the rear door is provided with a first connecting part that connects to the outer panel support plate, and the hinge reinforcement plate is provided with a second connecting part that connects to the outer panel support plate; the connection points of the first connecting part and the outer panel support plate, and the connection points of the second connecting part and the outer panel support plate are both located below the first spare tire mounting point.

[0006] Furthermore, the outer panel support plate is provided with a plurality of reinforcing ribs, which are arranged at intervals around the first spare tire mounting point, and at least one of the reinforcing ribs is bonded to the outer panel support plate.

[0007] Furthermore, the reinforcing rib includes a longitudinal reinforcing rib extending along the vertical direction of the vehicle; Along the left-right direction of the vehicle, the longitudinal reinforcing ribs are provided on both sides of the first spare tire mounting point.

[0008] Furthermore, there are multiple longitudinal reinforcing ribs on each side, and these multiple longitudinal reinforcing ribs on each side are arranged at intervals along the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0009] Furthermore, the reinforcing rib includes a transverse reinforcing rib extending along the left-right direction of the vehicle; Along the vertical direction of the vehicle, the transverse reinforcing ribs are provided on both sides of the first spare tire mounting point.

[0010] Furthermore, at least one of the upper transverse reinforcing ribs is provided with weight-reducing holes; The lower transverse reinforcing ribs include a first transverse reinforcing rib and a second transverse reinforcing rib, which are staggered in the left-right direction of the vehicle. In the vertical direction of the vehicle, the first transverse reinforcing rib is arranged closer to the first spare tire mounting point than the second transverse reinforcing rib, the first transverse reinforcing rib is connected to the first connecting part, and the second transverse reinforcing rib is connected to the second connecting part.

[0011] Furthermore, along the left-right direction of the vehicle, the connection point between the first connecting part and the outer panel support plate is located to the right of the vertical center line of the first spare tire mounting point, and the connection point between the second connecting part and the outer panel support plate is located to the right of the vertical center line.

[0012] Furthermore, the first connecting portion includes a first connecting plate, one end of which is connected to the inner panel of the tailgate, and the other end of which extends from the inner panel of the tailgate toward the rear and lower part of the vehicle and is connected to the outer panel support plate.

[0013] Furthermore, the second connecting portion includes a second connecting plate, one end of which is connected to the hinge reinforcement plate, and the other end of which extends from the hinge reinforcement plate toward the rear and upper part of the vehicle and is connected to the outer panel support plate.

[0014] Compared with related technologies, this application has the following advantages: (1) The tailgate assembly described in this application provides a first connecting part on the inner panel of the tailgate and a second connecting part on the hinge reinforcement plate. The connection parts of the first connecting part and the outer panel support plate, as well as the connection parts of the second connecting part and the outer panel support plate, are all located below the first spare tire mounting point. This can improve the structural strength of the first spare tire mounting point. The overall structural strength can be guaranteed by using a thinner outer panel support plate, which is beneficial to reducing the weight and cost of the tailgate assembly.

[0015] (2) Multiple reinforcing ribs are set around the spare tire mounting point, and the multiple reinforcing ribs are arranged at intervals around the first spare tire mounting point. This can effectively increase the strength of the outer plate support plate in this key part, and can effectively disperse the load around the first spare tire mounting point, prevent local stress concentration, thereby improving the load-bearing capacity of the entire outer plate support plate in the spare tire mounting area, and preventing structural deformation or damage due to long-term stress or excessive instantaneous impact.

[0016] (3) The longitudinal stiffeners extending along the vertical direction of the vehicle can significantly enhance the longitudinal stiffness of the outer panel support plate. The longitudinal stiffeners can effectively prevent the outer panel support plate from deforming in the longitudinal direction and prevent the outer panel support plate from bending or twisting excessively in the vertical direction, thus ensuring the stability of the spare tire installation structure and ensuring that the spare tire is always in the correct installation position.

[0017] (4) Multiple longitudinal stiffeners are set on each side of the first spare tire mounting point, which is equivalent to constructing a multi-layered longitudinal support structure. Each stiffener can independently bear a part of the longitudinal load, and the multiple stiffeners work together to greatly enhance the bending and torsional resistance of the outer plate support plate in the longitudinal direction.

[0018] (5) The transverse reinforcing ribs extending along the left and right directions of the vehicle can significantly improve the rigidity of the outer panel support plate in the left and right directions of the vehicle. The transverse reinforcing ribs can effectively resist the force in this direction, prevent the outer panel support plate from being excessively deformed in the left and right directions, ensure the stability of the spare tire mounting point and its surrounding structure under lateral force, and ensure that the spare tire is always in the correct mounting position.

[0019] (6) Weight reduction holes are provided on at least one of the upper transverse reinforcing ribs, which can achieve structural lightweighting without affecting the basic function of the reinforcing ribs. The lower transverse reinforcing ribs are divided into a first transverse reinforcing rib and a second transverse reinforcing rib, and are staggered in the left and right directions of the vehicle. This unique layout can increase the complexity of the lower structure. The staggered arrangement can enable the lower transverse reinforcing ribs to more comprehensively cover the area around the spare tire mounting point, forming a more three-dimensional and complete support system, and improving the load-bearing capacity of the first spare tire mounting point in different directions.

[0020] (7) The connection points of the first connecting part and the second connecting part to the outer plate support plate are both located on the right side of the vertical center line of the first spare tire mounting point. During the transmission process, the force can be more effectively borne and dispersed by the structure on the right side of the outer plate support plate, thereby improving the load-bearing capacity and deformation resistance of the outer plate support plate.

[0021] (8) One end of the first connecting plate is connected to the inner panel of the tailgate, and the other end extends to the rear and lower part of the vehicle. It can make full use of the three-dimensional space at the rear of the vehicle and form a more stable and reliable connecting bridge between the inner panel of the tailgate and the outer panel support plate, thereby effectively transferring the force on the spare tire mounting point to the outer panel support plate.

[0022] (9) The second connecting plate extends from the hinge reinforcement plate to the upper rear of the vehicle to the outer plate support plate, so that the second connecting plate can serve as a force transmission path and can effectively transmit these forces from the hinge reinforcement plate to the outer plate support plate.

[0023] Another object of this application is to provide a vehicle having a tailgate assembly as described above.

[0024] The vehicle described in this application, by using the above-mentioned tailgate assembly, can better ensure the stability and reliability of the spare tire installation. Since the overall structural strength can be ensured by using a thinner outer support plate, it is beneficial to reduce the weight of the tailgate assembly and reduce costs, thereby reducing the overall weight of the vehicle and reducing the cost of the vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of this application. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this application are used to explain this application and do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is an exemplary structural diagram of the rear tailgate assembly described in an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is an exemplary structural diagram of the rear door inner panel described in an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is an assembly drawing of the outer plate support plate and hinge reinforcement plate described in the embodiments of this application; Figure 4 This is an exemplary structural diagram of the hinge reinforcement plate described in an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 This is an exemplary structural diagram of the outer support plate described in an embodiment of this application; Figure 6 for Figure 5 Enlarged view of part A; Figure 7 for Figure 1 A structural diagram from another perspective; Figure 8 For along Figure 7 Cross-sectional view of the middle BB line; Figure 9 for Figure 7 Enlarged view of part C.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Rear door inner panel; 101. First connecting part; 1011. First strip-shaped reinforcing rib; 1012. First flange; 102. Opening; 2. Outer panel support plate; 201. First spare tire mounting point; 202. Second spare tire mounting point; 203. Third spare tire mounting point; 204. Reinforcing rib; 20a. Vertical centerline; 2041. Transverse stiffener; 2042. Longitudinal stiffener; 2043. Circular stiffener; 20411, Weight reduction hole; 20412, First transverse reinforcing rib; 20413, Second transverse reinforcing rib; 3. Hinge reinforcement plate; 301. Second connecting part; 3011. Second strip-shaped reinforcing rib; 3012. Second flange; 302. Longitudinal reinforcing plate; 303. Transverse reinforcing plate. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the technical solution and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0028] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other.

[0029] Furthermore, it should be noted that in the description of this application, if terms such as "upper," "lower," "inner," or "outer" appear, indicating orientation or positional relationship, these are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on this application. In addition, if terms such as "first" or "second" appear, they are also used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0030] Furthermore, in the description of this application, unless otherwise expressly defined, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "connector" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application in light of the specific circumstances.

[0031] In this application, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example, which is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0032] The present application will now be described in detail through exemplary embodiments. However, it should be understood that, without further description, elements, structures, and features in one embodiment may be advantageously incorporated into other embodiments.

[0033] An embodiment of the first aspect of this application provides a rear tailgate assembly that, by improving the structure and connection relationship between its components, can better enhance the structural strength of the spare tire mounting point.

[0034] In related technologies, the tailgate assembly includes an inner tailgate panel, an outer tailgate panel, and an outer panel support plate disposed between the inner tailgate panel and the outer tailgate panel. The outer tailgate panel and the outer panel support plate are provided with a spare tire mounting point.

[0035] With the rapid development of vehicles, automakers are increasingly demanding lightweight design and cost control. Existing tailgate assemblies, while meeting the performance requirements of high strength and high stability, are somewhat lacking in weight reduction and cost reduction.

[0036] On the one hand, the tailgate assembly is a crucial component for ensuring smooth door opening and closing, withstanding wind pressure, and preventing deformation; its structural strength and durability are paramount. However, traditional outer panel support plate designs may result in excessive material weight or structural redundancy, hindering the achievement of overall vehicle lightweighting goals. Furthermore, current structural designs cannot effectively reduce production costs, especially when using high-grade or special materials, potentially adding additional cost burdens.

[0037] In existing technologies, to improve the structural strength of the spare tire mounting point, the thickness of the outer support plate is generally increased. However, this method results in a heavier overall weight for the tailgate assembly, which does not meet the vehicle's lightweight requirements.

[0038] In view of this, in order to overcome the shortcomings of the related technology, the rear door assembly of this embodiment combines... Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the overall design includes a rear tailgate inner panel 1 and a rear tailgate outer panel that are fastened together, as well as an outer panel support plate 2 and a hinge reinforcement plate 3 sandwiched between the rear tailgate inner panel 1 and the rear tailgate outer panel.

[0039] The tailgate outer panel and outer panel support plate 2 are provided with a first spare tire mounting point 201, which is located near the side of the tailgate assembly where the hinge is located. The tailgate inner panel 1 is provided with a first connecting part 101 that connects to the outer panel support plate 2, and the hinge reinforcement plate 3 is provided with a second connecting part 301 that connects to the outer panel support plate 2. The connection points of the first connecting part 101 and the outer panel support plate 2, as well as the connection points of the second connecting part 301 and the outer panel support plate 2, are both located below the first spare tire mounting point 201.

[0040] It should be noted that the structural diagram of the outer rear door panel is not shown. The structure and connection method of the inner rear door panel 1 and the outer rear door panel are based on relevant technologies and will not be described in detail here. In addition to the outer panel support plate 2 and the hinge reinforcement plate 3, other structures may be provided between the inner rear door panel 1 and the outer rear door panel, which can still be based on relevant technologies.

[0041] This application relates to a tailgate assembly, particularly a side-opening tailgate assembly. Figure 1 As shown in the diagram, the right side indicated by the arrow is the side where the hinge needs to be installed.

[0042] like Figure 3 As shown, the outer panel support plate 2 has three spare tire mounting points, each with a first through hole for bolts to pass through, and three second through holes on the outer panel of the rear door. The three first through holes and the three second through holes correspond one-to-one. For ease of description, the three spare tire mounting points are referred to in this application as the first spare tire mounting point 201, the second spare tire mounting point 202, and the third spare tire mounting point 203, respectively.

[0043] The first spare tire mounting point 201 is arranged near the first side of the tailgate assembly, and the first spare tire mounting point 201 is surrounded by a ring-shaped reinforcing rib 2043. The second spare tire mounting point 202 and the third spare tire mounting point 203 are arranged near the second side of the tailgate assembly. The first side is the side of the tailgate assembly with a hinge, that is, the right side of the tailgate assembly. The second side is arranged opposite to the first side, that is, the left side of the tailgate assembly.

[0044] The second spare tire mounting point 202 and the third spare tire mounting point 203 are arranged vertically so that the three spare tire mounting points can form a stable triangular structure, which helps to ensure the stability and reliability of the spare tire installation. The specific method of spare tire installation still refers to relevant technologies.

[0045] The tailgate assembly of this application, by providing a first connecting part 101 on the inner panel 1 of the tailgate and a second connecting part 301 on the hinge reinforcing plate 3, and by ensuring that the connection parts of the first connecting part 101 and the outer panel support plate 2, as well as the connection parts of the second connecting part 301 and the outer panel support plate 2, are all located below the first spare tire mounting point 201, can improve the structural strength of the first spare tire mounting point 201. The overall structural strength can be guaranteed by using a thinner outer panel support plate 2, which is beneficial to reducing the weight and cost of the tailgate assembly.

[0046] To ensure the structural strength of the first spare tire mounting point 201, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, in some exemplary embodiments, the outer panel support plate 2 is provided with a plurality of reinforcing ribs 204, which are arranged at intervals around the first spare tire mounting point 201, and at least one of the reinforcing ribs 204 is bonded to the outer panel support plate 2.

[0047] In this embodiment, multiple reinforcing ribs 204 are provided around the spare tire mounting point, and the multiple reinforcing ribs 204 are arranged in a way that surrounds the first spare tire mounting point 201 at intervals. This can effectively increase the strength of the outer panel support plate 2 at the first spare tire mounting point 201, and can effectively disperse the load around the first spare tire mounting point 201, prevent local stress concentration, improve the load-bearing capacity of the entire outer panel support plate 2 in the spare tire mounting area, and prevent structural deformation or damage due to long-term stress or excessive instantaneous impact force.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, there are six reinforcing ribs 204, and each reinforcing rib 204 is bonded to the outer panel of the tailgate with expanding adhesive to improve the overall structural strength and stability of the tailgate assembly.

[0049] Still refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in some exemplary embodiments, the reinforcing rib 204 includes a longitudinal reinforcing rib 2042 extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and longitudinal reinforcing ribs 2042 are provided on both sides of the first spare tire mounting point 201 in the horizontal direction of the vehicle.

[0050] In this embodiment, the longitudinal stiffener 2042 is formed by a partial indentation of the outer plate support plate 2 to one side. The longitudinal stiffener 2042 is symmetrically arranged on both sides of the first spare tire mounting point 201, which can form a continuous longitudinal support system, so that the longitudinal force on the outer plate support plate 2 can be transmitted and distributed more evenly, effectively preventing local stress concentration.

[0051] The longitudinal reinforcing ribs 2042 extending along the vertical direction of the vehicle can significantly enhance the longitudinal rigidity of the outer panel support plate 2. The longitudinal reinforcing ribs 2042 can effectively prevent the outer panel support plate 2 from deforming in the longitudinal direction and prevent the outer panel support plate 2 from bending or twisting excessively in the vertical direction, thus ensuring the stability of the spare tire mounting structure and ensuring that the spare tire is always in the correct mounting position.

[0052] In some exemplary embodiments, there are multiple longitudinal stiffeners 2042 on each side, and the multiple longitudinal stiffeners 2042 on each side are arranged at intervals along the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0053] In this embodiment, there are two longitudinal reinforcing ribs 2042 on the left side, located at the upper left and lower left of the first spare tire mounting point 201, respectively. There are also two longitudinal reinforcing ribs 2042 on the right side, located at the upper right and lower right of the first spare tire mounting point 201, respectively. It should be understood that the number of longitudinal reinforcing ribs 2042 on each side can also be other, such as one, three, four, etc.

[0054] Multiple longitudinal stiffeners 2042 are provided on each side of the first spare tire mounting point 201 to construct a multi-layered longitudinal support structure. Each longitudinal stiffener 2042 can independently bear a portion of the longitudinal load, and the multiple longitudinal stiffeners 2042 work together to greatly enhance the bending and torsional resistance of the outer panel support plate 2 in the longitudinal direction.

[0055] The longitudinal stiffeners 2042 are arranged at intervals along the vertical direction, which allows the longitudinal force borne by the spare tire mounting point to be more evenly distributed to each longitudinal stiffener 2042. Compared with a single longitudinal stiffener 2042 or an unreasonable arrangement, this arrangement can effectively prevent local stress concentration and reduce structural fatigue and damage caused by excessive local stress.

[0056] Still refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in some exemplary embodiments, the reinforcing rib 204 includes a transverse reinforcing rib 2041 extending in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and transverse reinforcing ribs 2041 are provided on both sides of the first spare tire mounting point 201 in the up-down direction of the vehicle.

[0057] Here, a transverse reinforcing rib 2041 extending along the left-right direction of the vehicle is provided, which can significantly improve the rigidity of the outer panel support plate 2 in the left-right direction of the vehicle. The transverse reinforcing rib 2041 can effectively resist the bending force in this direction, prevent the outer panel support plate 2 from undergoing excessive deformation in the left-right direction, ensure the stability of the spare tire mounting point and its surrounding structure under lateral force, and ensure that the spare tire is always in the correct mounting position.

[0058] Transverse reinforcing ribs 2041 are provided on both the upper and lower sides of the first spare tire mounting point 201 to form a transverse support frame. The transverse reinforcing ribs 2041 on both sides can jointly bear the transverse force in the left and right directions of the vehicle and distribute it evenly on the entire outer panel support plate 2 to prevent structural damage caused by excessive local stress.

[0059] The transverse stiffeners 2041 and longitudinal stiffeners 2042 form a longitudinal frame that works together to create a complete and stable structural system. This balanced force helps to improve the fatigue life of the outer plate support plate 2 and reduce the occurrence of cracks and fractures caused by long-term uneven stress.

[0060] Continue to refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in some exemplary embodiments, at least one of the upper transverse stiffeners 2041 is provided with a weight-reducing hole 20411. In this embodiment, there are two upper transverse stiffeners 2041, each formed by bending a portion of the outer plate support plate 2 towards itself. The two transverse stiffeners 2041 are arranged vertically at intervals, and the lower transverse stiffener 2041 is provided with a weight-reducing hole 20411, which can achieve structural lightweighting without affecting the basic function of the stiffener.

[0061] In this embodiment, the number of weight-reducing holes 20411 is one, and the shape of the weight-reducing hole 20411 is elongated, with its length extending along the left-right direction of the vehicle. It should be understood that the shape of the weight-reducing hole 20411 can also be other shapes, such as circles or triangles, and the number of weight-reducing holes 20411 can also be other values, such as two or three. Furthermore, where performance permits, weight-reducing holes 20411 can also be provided on the uppermost transverse reinforcing rib 2041.

[0062] The presence of the weight-reducing holes 20411 reduces the amount of material used and lowers the overall weight of the outer panel support plate 2, which helps improve the vehicle's fuel economy and power performance. At the same time, the reasonable design of the weight-reducing holes 20411 will not have an excessive impact on the strength and rigidity of the transverse reinforcing ribs 2041, thus ensuring that they can still play an effective supporting role when subjected to lateral forces.

[0063] In one example, the lower lateral reinforcing rib 2041 includes a first lateral reinforcing rib 20412 and a second lateral reinforcing rib 20413, and the first lateral reinforcing rib 20412 and the second lateral reinforcing rib 20413 are staggered in the left-right direction of the vehicle. In the vertical direction of the vehicle, the first lateral reinforcing rib 20412 is positioned closer to the first spare tire mounting point 201 relative to the second lateral reinforcing rib 20413. The first lateral reinforcing rib 20412 is connected to the first connecting portion 101, and the second lateral reinforcing rib 20413 is connected to the second connecting portion 301.

[0064] Here, the lower transverse reinforcing rib 2041 is divided into a first transverse reinforcing rib 20412 and a second transverse reinforcing rib 20413, which are staggered in the left and right directions of the vehicle. This unique layout can increase the complexity of the lower structure. The staggered arrangement allows the lower transverse reinforcing rib 2041 to more comprehensively cover the area around the spare tire mounting point, forming a more complete support system, thereby improving the load-bearing capacity of the first spare tire mounting point 201 in different directions.

[0065] The first transverse reinforcing rib 20412 is arranged close to the first spare tire mounting point 201 and can directly bear the main transverse force near the spare tire mounting point, while the second transverse reinforcing rib 20413 can further expand the force distribution range and enhance the deformation resistance of the overall structure of the outer panel support plate 2.

[0066] Depend on Figures 5 to 8 As shown, in some exemplary embodiments, along the left-right direction of the vehicle, the connection point of the first connecting part 101 to the outer panel support plate 2 is located to the right of the vertical center line 20a of the first spare tire mounting point 201, and the connection point of the second connecting part 301 to the outer panel support plate 2 is located to the right of the vertical center line 20a.

[0067] Here, the connection points of the first connecting part 101 and the second connecting part 301 with the outer plate support plate 2 are both located on the right side of the vertical center line 20a of the first spare tire mounting point 201. During the transmission of force, the force can be more effectively borne and dispersed by the structure on the right side of the outer plate support plate 2, thereby improving the load-bearing capacity and deformation resistance of the outer plate support plate 2.

[0068] The first transverse reinforcing rib 20412 is connected to the first connecting part 101, and the second transverse reinforcing rib 20413 is connected to the second connecting part 301. This connection method makes the transverse reinforcing rib 2041 and the other parts of the outer panel support plate 2 form a tight integral whole. When the vehicle is subjected to lateral forces during driving, the two connecting parts can transmit the force to the corresponding transverse reinforcing rib 2041, and the transverse reinforcing rib 2041 resists deformation through its own rigidity and further transmits and disperses the force, thereby enhancing the stability of the outer panel support plate 2 structure and preventing the risk of structural damage due to uneven stress.

[0069] Furthermore, because the connection points are concentrated on the right side, this connection method helps enhance the stability of the outer panel support plate 2 around the spare tire mounting point. During vehicle operation, the spare tire mounting point is subjected to various dynamic loads. If the connection points are not properly distributed, the structure may sway or twist under stress. Concentrating the connection points on the right side allows the structure to form a relatively stable support system under stress, reducing structural vibration and deformation, ensuring the spare tire is always in the correct mounting position, and improving vehicle safety.

[0070] like Figures 7 to 9 As shown, in some exemplary embodiments, the first connecting portion 101 includes a first connecting plate, one end of which is connected to the inner panel 1 of the tailgate, and the other end of which extends from the inner panel 1 of the tailgate toward the rear and lower part of the vehicle and is connected to the outer panel support plate 2.

[0071] In one example, the inner panel 1 of the rear door is provided with an opening 102, one end of the first connecting plate is connected to the upper edge of the opening 102, and the other end of the first connecting plate is provided with a first flange 1012. The first connecting plate is welded to the first transverse reinforcing rib 20412 through the first flange 1012.

[0072] In one example, the distance L3 between the right side of the first connecting plate and the vertical centerline 20a is between 20mm and 25mm, such as 20mm, 22mm, 25mm, etc.; the dimension L5 of the first connecting plate in the left-right direction of the vehicle is between 100mm and 110mm, such as 100mm, 105mm, 110mm, etc.; the distance L1 between the welding part of the first flange 1012 and the first transverse reinforcing rib 20412 and the first spare tire mounting point 201 in the vertical direction of the vehicle is between 50mm and 60mm, such as 50mm, 55mm, 60mm, etc.; and the included angle between the first connecting plate and the vertical plane where the inner panel 1 of the tailgate is located is between 45° and 50°, such as 45°, 48°, 50°, etc.

[0073] One end of the first connecting plate is connected to the inner panel 1 of the tailgate, and the other end extends downward and to the rear of the vehicle. This makes full use of the three-dimensional space at the rear of the vehicle and forms a more stable and reliable connecting bridge between the inner panel 1 of the tailgate and the outer panel support plate 2. This effectively transfers the force on the spare tire mounting point to the outer panel support plate 2 and effectively prevents stress concentration.

[0074] The design of the first connecting plate can increase the connection rigidity between the inner panel 1 and the outer support plate 2 of the tailgate, enabling the tailgate assembly to maintain good shape stability. At the same time, the design extending downwards and to the rear of the vehicle can also resist the vibration and displacement of the tailgate in the vertical direction of the vehicle to a certain extent, thereby improving the vibration resistance of the tailgate assembly.

[0075] Continue to refer to Figures 7 to 9 As shown, in some exemplary embodiments, the second connection 301 includes a second connection plate, one end of which is connected to the hinge reinforcement plate 3, and the other end of which extends from the hinge reinforcement plate 3 toward the rear and upper part of the vehicle and is connected to the outer panel support plate 2.

[0076] In one example, the hinge reinforcement plate 3 includes a longitudinal reinforcement plate 302 and a transverse reinforcement plate 303. The longitudinal reinforcement plate 302 extends along the vertical direction of the vehicle and is arranged near the hinged side of the tailgate assembly. The transverse reinforcement plate 303 is arranged near the lower end of the tailgate assembly and extends along the horizontal direction of the vehicle.

[0077] One end of the second connecting plate is connected to the upper edge of the transverse reinforcing plate 303, and the other end of the second connecting plate is provided with a second flange 3012. The second connecting plate is welded to the second transverse reinforcing rib 20413 through the second flange 3012.

[0078] In one example, the distance between the right side of the second connecting plate and the vertical centerline 20a is 0mm. The dimension L4 of the second connecting plate in the left-right direction of the vehicle is between 50mm and 55mm, such as 50mm, 52mm, 55mm, etc. The distance L2 between the welding part of the second flange 3012 and the second transverse reinforcing rib 20413 and the first spare tire mounting point 201 in the vertical direction of the vehicle is between 120mm and 130mm, such as 120mm, 125mm, 130mm, etc. The included angle between the second connecting plate and the vertical plane where the inner panel 1 of the tailgate is located is between 50° and 60°, such as 50°, 55°, 60°, etc.

[0079] In this embodiment, the second connecting plate extends from the hinge reinforcement plate 3 to the rear and upper part of the vehicle to the outer panel support plate 2, allowing the second connecting plate to serve as a force transmission path, effectively transferring these forces from the outer panel support plate 2 to the hinge reinforcement plate 3. The second connecting plate can be processed using excess waste material from the hinge reinforcement plate 3, effectively reducing costs and mold costs.

[0080] The second connecting plate connects to the hinge reinforcement plate 3 and the outer panel support plate 2, establishing a force transmission channel between them. The hinge reinforcement plate 3 typically enhances the strength of the hinge area, while the outer panel support plate 2 plays a crucial role in supporting the vehicle's outer panel. This second connecting plate links these two key components, enabling them to work together more effectively to cope with the various forces generated during vehicle operation.

[0081] Furthermore, the design of the second connecting plate extending upwards and rearwards provides support in the vertical direction of the vehicle. In the vertical direction, the tailgate assembly can resist the downward tendency caused by its own weight; in the horizontal direction, it reduces tailgate swaying during driving, enhancing the stability of the entire tailgate structure and thus improving vehicle safety.

[0082] In a preferred example, such as Figure 2 As shown, there are multiple first strip-shaped reinforcing ribs 1011 on the first connecting plate. These multiple first strip-shaped reinforcing ribs 1011 are arranged at intervals along the left and right directions of the vehicle. Each first strip-shaped reinforcing rib 1011 extends from the inner panel 1 of the rear door to the outer panel support plate 2, thereby improving the structural strength of the outer panel support plate 2.

[0083] like Figure 4As shown, there are multiple second-strip reinforcing ribs 3011 on the second connecting plate. These multiple second-strip reinforcing ribs 3011 are arranged at intervals along the left and right directions of the vehicle. Each second-strip reinforcing rib 2011 extends from the hinge reinforcing plate 3 to the outer plate support plate 2, thereby improving the structural strength of the hinge reinforcing plate 3.

[0084] The rear door assembly of this application, by adopting the above structure, uses CAE simulation technology to accurately simulate and analyze the stress on the outer panel support plate 2, so that the material thickness of the outer panel support plate 2 can be reduced from 1.8mm to 1.5mm, ensuring that the weight is reduced to the maximum extent while meeting the functional and safety requirements.

[0085] It is worth noting that, regarding the rear door assembly of this embodiment, based on the above exemplary embodiments, in specific implementation, as a preferred embodiment, it is still composed of... Figures 1 to 4 As shown, it includes, for example, a tailgate assembly, which includes an inner tailgate panel 1 and an outer tailgate panel that are fastened together, and an outer panel support plate 2 and a hinge reinforcement plate 3 sandwiched between the inner tailgate panel 1 and the outer tailgate panel.

[0086] A first spare tire mounting point 201 is provided on the outer panel of the tailgate and the outer panel support plate 2. The first spare tire mounting point 201 is arranged near the side of the tailgate assembly where the hinge is located. A first connecting part 101 is provided on the inner panel of the tailgate, which connects to the outer panel support plate 2. A second connecting part 301 is provided on the hinge reinforcement plate 3, which connects to the outer panel support plate 2. The connection points of the first connecting part 101 and the outer panel support plate 2, as well as the connection points of the second connecting part 301 and the outer panel support plate 2, are located below the first spare tire mounting point 201. The outer panel support plate 2 is provided with a plurality of reinforcing ribs 204, which are arranged at intervals around the first spare tire mounting point 201.

[0087] In the preferred embodiment of the rear door described above, the specific configuration and arrangement of the reinforcing rib 204, the first connecting part 101, the second connecting part 301, etc., can still be referred to the descriptions in the above exemplary embodiments. Furthermore, in this preferred embodiment, the beneficial effects brought about by the design of the reinforcing rib 204, the first connecting part 101, the second connecting part 301, etc., can also be referred to the descriptions in the above exemplary embodiments.

[0088] An embodiment of the second aspect of this application relates to a vehicle having the above-described tailgate assembly.

[0089] The vehicle described in this application, by using the aforementioned tailgate assembly, can better ensure the stability and reliability of the spare tire installation. Since the use of a thinner outer support plate 2 can ensure the overall structural strength, it is beneficial to reduce the weight of the tailgate assembly and reduce costs, thereby reducing the weight and cost of the vehicle.

[0090] The above descriptions are merely some embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. The technical features or structures in the foregoing different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined to form other specific technical solutions as needed. For those skilled in the art, this application can have various modifications and variations. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A tailgate assembly, characterized in that: It includes a rear door inner panel (1) and a rear door outer panel that are fastened together, as well as an outer panel support plate (2) and a hinge reinforcement plate (3) sandwiched between the rear door inner panel (1) and the rear door outer panel. The rear door outer panel and the outer panel support plate (2) are provided with a first spare tire mounting point (201), and the first spare tire mounting point (201) is arranged close to the side of the rear door assembly where the hinge is located. The inner panel (1) of the rear door is provided with a first connecting part (101) that is connected to the outer panel support plate (2), and the hinge reinforcement plate (3) is provided with a second connecting part (301) that is connected to the outer panel support plate (2); the connection part of the first connecting part (101) and the outer panel support plate (2), and the connection part of the second connecting part (301) and the outer panel support plate (2) are both located below the first spare tire mounting point (201).

2. The tailgate assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer plate support plate (2) is provided with a plurality of reinforcing ribs (204), which are arranged at intervals around the first spare tire mounting point (201), and at least one of the reinforcing ribs (204) is bonded to the outer plate support plate (2).

3. The tailgate assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The reinforcing rib (204) includes a longitudinal reinforcing rib (2042) extending along the vertical direction of the vehicle. Along the left-right direction of the vehicle, the longitudinal reinforcing ribs (2042) are provided on both sides of the first spare tire mounting point (201).

4. The tailgate assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: There are multiple longitudinal stiffeners (2042) on each side, and the multiple longitudinal stiffeners (2042) on each side are arranged at intervals along the vertical direction of the vehicle.

5. The tailgate assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The reinforcing rib (204) includes a transverse reinforcing rib (2041) extending along the left-right direction of the vehicle. Along the vertical direction of the vehicle, the transverse reinforcing ribs (2041) are provided on both sides of the first spare tire mounting point (201).

6. The tailgate assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: At least one of the upper transverse reinforcing ribs (2041) is provided with a weight-reducing hole (20411). The lower transverse reinforcing rib (2041) includes a first transverse reinforcing rib (20412) and a second transverse reinforcing rib (20413), which are staggered in the left and right directions of the vehicle. In the vertical direction of the vehicle, the first transverse reinforcing rib (20412) is arranged close to the first spare tire mounting point (201) relative to the second transverse reinforcing rib (20413). The first transverse reinforcing rib (20412) is connected to the first connecting part (101), and the second transverse reinforcing rib (20413) is connected to the second connecting part (301).

7. The tailgate assembly according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that: Along the left-right direction of the vehicle, the connection point between the first connecting part (101) and the outer panel support plate (2) is located to the right of the vertical center line (20a) of the first spare tire mounting point (201), and the connection point between the second connecting part (301) and the outer panel support plate (2) is located to the right of the vertical center line (20a).

8. The tailgate assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first connecting part (101) includes a first connecting plate, one end of which is connected to the inner panel (1) of the rear tailgate, and the other end of which extends from the inner panel (1) of the rear tailgate toward the rear and lower part of the vehicle and is connected to the outer panel support plate (2).

9. The tailgate assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The second connecting part (301) includes a second connecting plate, one end of which is connected to the hinge reinforcing plate (3), and the other end of which extends from the hinge reinforcing plate (3) toward the rear and upper part of the vehicle and is connected to the outer plate support plate (2).

10. A vehicle, characterized in that: The vehicle is equipped with a tailgate assembly as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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