Component-integrated tailgate switch for vehicles

Abstract

Tailgate handle switch, comprising: a handle switch housing (10) integrated with a wiper (1-1), wherein the wiper (1-1) has a blade (5) and a wiper motor shaft (3), and wherein the handle switch housing (10) is attached to a window pane (120), characterized in that the handle switch housing (10) comprises an upper housing (20) and a lower housing (30) which are connected to each other to define an inner space provided with an insertion member (40) therein and a switch receiving space (23a) in which a current-carrying switch (70) is positioned; the upper housing (20) and the lower housing (30) define the insertion space having the height to the switch receiving space (23a) in a state in which the upper housing (20) and the lower housing (30) are connected to each other; and the lower housing (30) has the switch actuating surface (33a) which enables the current-carrying switch (70) to be pressed from the switch receiving space (23a), wherein the handle switch housing (10) has a grommet (80) which is connected to a connecting element, wherein the grommet (80) has a grommet body (81) which projects from the handle switch housing (10) in a direction opposite to the connecting element when the grommet (80) is locked to the handle switch housing (10), and the grommet body (81) has a tapered opening formed therein for inserting the connecting element into the tapered opening, and wherein the grommet (80) has an extended flange formed in the grommet body (81), and the extended flange is defined by the internal space between the insertion member (40) and the upper housing (20).

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a tailgate handle switch, particularly to a component-integrated tailgate handle switch for a vehicle capable of increasing a degree of freedom in the exterior design of a tailgate. Description of the state of the art

[0002] Generally, a tailgate mounted on a vehicle functions as a rear door that opens to load or unload cargo into or out of the vehicle through a cargo compartment at the rear of the vehicle. Accordingly, the tailgate has a switch structure in which a frame, installed with a rear window, is connected to a hinge, a spring, and a lifter to be movable toward the roof of the vehicle.

[0003] Specifically, the tailgate includes a handle switch that is manually operated from outside the vehicle. The handle switch is mounted on the tailgate while being visible to the outside for operating the tailgate from the outside. However, it may be difficult for the vehicle with the tailgate to meet the demand for high commercial quality while improving design that has emerged in recent years because the handle switch exposed on the outside of the tailgate imposes many restrictions on providing the desired aesthetics of the tailgate, and because the tailgate has a protrusion on the smooth curved or rectilinear portion thereof, or a recessed space is formed to receive a user's hand.In addition, since the tailgate handle switch is manufactured as a separate element from the tailgate and then assembled in a production line, the tailgate assembly man-hours are increased.

[0004] DE 196 01 775 A1 discloses a generic tailgate handle switch.

[0005] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is directed to a component-integrated tailgate handle switch capable of increasing a degree of freedom in designing a tailgate since the tailgate handle switch is shifted into a rear wiper, whereby, in particular, the aesthetics of the tailgate can be improved while an assembly time can be reduced since the tailgate handle switch is integrated with the wiper, and a vehicle having the same.

[0006] Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood from the following description and will become apparent with reference to the embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the claimed means and combinations thereof.

[0007] The invention provides a tailgate handle switch according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

[0008] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a tailgate handle switch may include a handle switch housing having a transverse body in which a connecting member may be transversely disposed, and a longitudinal body spaced from the connecting member while projecting perpendicularly from the transverse body, wherein a switch actuating surface may be pressed by a height of an insertion space defined by a height difference between the transverse body and the longitudinal body in the handle switch housing.

[0009] The handle switch housing may be attached to a window pane or a black ceramic portion thereof. Additionally, the handle switch housing may have an integrated opening formed therein, and the connecting member may be connected to the handle switch housing through the integrated opening. The handle switch housing includes upper and lower housings connected to each other to define an interior space provided with an insertion member therein and a switch receiving space in which a live switch can be positioned. The upper and lower housings define the insertion space having the height to the switch receiving space in a state where they are connected to each other. The lower housing has the switch operating surface that enables the live switch to be pushed from the switch receiving space.

[0010] The grip switch housing includes a grommet connected to the connector. The grommet includes a grommet body that protrudes from the grip switch housing in a direction opposite to the connector when the grommet is latched to the grip switch housing. The grommet body includes a tapered opening formed therein to allow the connector to fit into the tapered opening. The grommet includes an extended flange formed in the grommet body, and the extended flange may be defined by the interior space between the insertion member and the upper housing.

[0011] The insertion member may include a waveguide projection extended from the housing to be positioned at a connected portion of the connecting member, and a terminal guide projection connected to a power terminal at a position where the terminal guide projection is spaced from the waveguide projection. The upper housing, the lower housing, and the insertion member may be fixed by a fastener, and the upper housing may be connected to the lower housing by the fastener. The upper housing, the lower housing, and the insertion member may apply a housing sealing member made of epoxy resin to a housing sealing surface formed entirely over a mating portion.The current-carrying switch may be housed in a switch projection formed in the insertion member, and current may be applied by pressing and turning the current-carrying switch on and off.

[0012] The grommet may be connected to a mounting member, and the mounting member may include a guide bushing connected to a protruding shaft guide projection of the insertion member to attach the grommet body to the guide bushing so as to be surrounded by a lower end of the grommet body. The mounting member may include a fastening nut threaded to the guide bushing to secure the handle switch housing, and a plurality of pads to facilitate threading of the fastening nut to the guide bushing.

[0013] In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle may include a tailgate handle switch having a handle switch housing defining therein an interior space for receiving an insertion member and a live switch and having a "T" shape defined by a transverse body and a longitudinal body thereof in which the live switch can be pushed through a height of an insertion space defined by a height difference between the transverse body and the longitudinal body, and a wiper having a wiper motor shaft having a blade end protruding through the interior space toward the transverse body and a blade connected to the wiper motor shaft to be transversely disposed in the handle switch housing.

[0014] The tailgate handle switch and wiper may be configured as a wiper-integrated tailgate handle switch positioned on a window glass of a tailgate. The tailgate handle switch may include a shaft guide protrusion and a terminal guide protrusion protruding from the handle switch housing. The shaft guide protrusion may be attached to the window glass to allow the wiper motor shaft to pass through the tailgate and the window glass, and the terminal guide protrusion may be attached to the window glass to connect a power terminal for supplying power to the power-carrying switch to the tailgate.

[0015] In addition, a switch pad may be positioned at a contact surface between the tailgate handle switch and the window glass, a window pad may be positioned in a space between the tailgate and the window glass, and the window pad and the switch pad may each mitigate shocks generated during the attachment of the tailgate handle switch housing. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS

[0016] The above and other features of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the accompanying figures and which are given below for illustrative purposes only and thus do not limit the present disclosure, and wherein: Fig. 1 is a view illustrating a component-integrated tailgate handle switch according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the tailgate handle switch according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the tailgate handle switch according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a view of a vehicle having a component-integrated tailgate handle switch integrated with a rear wiper according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the tailgate handle switch and a shaft connecting member of the rear wiper according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a view illustrating an assembly process in which the tailgate handle switch is connected to a tailgate and a window glass by a mounting member according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating an operating part of the tailgate handle switch and the rear wiper according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the tailgate handle switch and the rear wiper according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] It is understood that the term “vehicle” or “mode of transportation” or other similar term as used herein includes motor vehicles in general, such as passenger vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft and the like, including hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, internal combustion engine vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels derived from sources other than petroleum).

[0018] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. The present invention may, however, be embodied in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. Throughout the disclosure, like reference numerals refer to like elements in the various figures and embodiments of the present invention.

[0019] Referring to Fig. 1, a tailgate handle switch 1 may comprise a handle switch housing 10, an insertion element 40, housing fastening / sealing elements 50 and 60 (see Fig. 2), a current-carrying switch 70, a grommet or bushing 80, and a mounting element 90 (see Fig. 3). In particular, although the tailgate handle switch 1 is illustrated for opening or closing a tailgate latch 130 used to lock or unlock a tailgate, by turning on or off the live switch 70 supplied with power from a vehicle's battery, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention may employ any type of switch operated by turning the live switch 70 on and off.

[0020] The switch housing 10 may include a transverse body in which an imaginary line LL is drawn in the transverse direction and a longitudinal body in which an imaginary line TT is drawn in the longitudinal direction to substantially have a "T" shape, and the tailgate handle switch 1 thus has a "T"-type external appearance defined by the "T"-shaped handle switch housing 10. Specifically, the handle switch housing 10 may include an upper housing 20 and a lower housing 30, each made of plastic or urethane foam. The upper and lower housings 20 and 30 may be manufactured separately and then integrally joined to each other, thereby defining an interior space.

[0021] In the “T”-shaped handle switch housing 10, a connecting element (for example, wiper or scraper) is arranged transversely through the cross body, and an introduction space is defined by a difference in height H between the cross body and the longitudinal body, which is spaced from the connecting element while projecting at a right angle from the cross body (see Fig. 2). Thus, a user can press the current-carrying switch 70 by inserting fingers into the insertion space.

[0022] The live switch 70 may be disposed in the insertion member 40. Specifically, the insertion member 40 may be connected to the upper housing 20 together with the housing sealing member 60, while being connected to the upper housing 20 together with the lower housing 30 by the housing fastening member 50. The live switch 70 may be disposed in the insertion member 40 and in the interior of the handle switch housing 10. The grommet 80 may be made of rubber or urethane foam. The grommet 80 may be mounted or fixed in an integrated opening 10-1 of the upper housing 20 to be exposed from the handle switch housing 10.

[0023] Fig. 2 shows the detailed structure of the upper and lower housings 20 and 30 of the handle switch housing 10, the insertion member 40, the housing fixing member 50, the housing sealing member 60, and the current-carrying switch 70. In each of the upper housing 20 and the lower housing 30, an upper switch operating portion may be stepped from a lower mounting portion by the height H of the insertion space to press the current-carrying switch 70 positioned at the upper switch operating portion. In other words, the upper switch operating portion may protrude from the lower fixing portion by the height H of the insertion space. The upper housing 20 may be connected to the insertion member 40, the current-carrying switch 70, and the grommet 80.The lower housing 30 may be fixed to the upper housing 20 by the housing fixing member 50, while being connected to the upper housing 20 by the housing sealing member 60 for airtightness and waterproofness. Since the upper housing 20 and the lower housing 30 may be formed to have a "T" shape, the handle switch housing 10 formed by assembling the upper housing 20 and the lower housing 30 may also be formed to have a "T"-type external appearance.

[0024] Furthermore, the upper housing 20 may include an upper housing transverse body 21 formed from a transverse body in which the imaginary line LL is drawn in the transverse direction, and an upper housing longitudinal body 23 formed from a longitudinal body in which the imaginary line TT is drawn in the longitudinal direction. The upper housing transverse body 21 may include a fastening projection connected to the fastening element 50, a portion of which is formed with a plurality of ribs 21a (see Fig. 3) to increase the rigidity of the body. The upper housing longitudinal body 23 may have a switch receiving space 23a in which the current-carrying switch 70 can be accommodated. In particular, the upper housing longitudinal body 23, which forms the upper switch actuating portion, may be stepped or stepped from the upper housing transverse body 21, wherein the lower fastening portion is formed by the height H of the insertion space. In other words, the upper housing longitudinal body 23 may protrude from the upper housing transverse body 21 by the height of the insertion space.

[0025] The lower housing 30 may include a lower housing transverse body 31 formed from a transverse body in which the imaginary line LL is drawn transversely, and a lower housing longitudinal body 33 formed from a longitudinal body in which the imaginary line TT is drawn longitudinally, and may have a substantially uniform thickness. The lower housing transverse body 31 may include a stepped fastening space through which the housing fastening element 50 can pass, and it may also include an adhesive projection 31a projecting vertically to catch the insertion element 40 for reinforcement against fastening forces. The lower housing longitudinal body 33 may include a switch operating surface 33a projecting convexly so that the current-carrying switch 70 can be turned on or off by pressing the switch operating surface 33a.In particular, the lower housing longitudinal body 33, which forms the upper switch actuation section, can be stepped from the lower housing transverse body 31, which forms the lower fastening section, by the height H of the insertion space. In other words, the lower housing body 33 can protrude from the lower housing transverse body 31 by the height of the insertion space.

[0026] The insertion element 40 may include an insertion transverse body 41 formed from a transverse body in which the imaginary line LL is drawn in the transverse direction, and an insertion longitudinal body 43 formed from a longitudinal body in which the imaginary line TT is drawn in the longitudinal direction. The insertion transverse body 41 may include the portion with a seating surface for seating the fastening element 50 thereon. The insertion longitudinal body 43 may include a switch projection 43a provided with the current-carrying switch 70.

[0027] In addition, the insertion cross body 41 may include a wave guide projection 40-1 connected to the mounting element 90 to facilitate assembly work, and a terminal guide projection 40-2 spaced from the wave guide projection 40-1 to facilitate the assembly work of connector elements for power supply. Specifically, the insertion longitudinal body 43, which forms the upper switch actuation portion, may be stepped from the insertion cross body 41, which forms the lower mounting portion, by the height H of the insertion space. In other words, the insertion longitudinal body 43 may protrude from the insertion cross body 41 by the height of the insertion space.

[0028] Furthermore, the housing fastening member 50 may use a screw or a bolt together with a washer, and may be fastened to the stepped fastening space of the lower housing cross body 31, the seating surface of the insertion cross body 41, and the fastening projection of the lower housing cross body 31, with the result that the lower housing 30 is integrally connected to the upper housing 20 to form the handle switch housing 10 when the insertion member 40 and the current-carrying switch 70 are arranged therein (for example, when the insertion member and the current-carrying switch are formed therein). The housing sealing member 60 may be added to a portion where the lower housing 30 and the insertion member 40 are pressed against the upper housing 20, thereby enhancing the airtight and waterproof effect of the handle switch housing 10 integrated by connecting the lower housing 30 and the upper housing 20.

[0029] The power switch 70 can be housed in the handle switch housing 10 together with the insertion member 40 using the switch protrusion 43a, thereby preventing the power switch 70 from being exposed to the outside. The power switch 70 can be turned on and off by pressing the switch operating surface 33a of the lower housing 30 using the height H of the insertion space. For example, the tailgate lock 130 can be unlocked by applying power when the power switch 70 is turned on, while the tailgate lock 130 can be locked by disconnecting the power when the power switch 70 is turned off.

[0030] Fig. 3 illustrates the detailed structure of the grommet 80 and the mounting member 90. Specifically, the grommet 80 can pass through the lower housing 30, the insertion member 40, and the upper housing 20, with the result that when the upper portion of the grommet 80 is retracted from the integrated opening 10-1, the intermediate portion of the grommet 80 can be positioned in the space between the lower housing 30 and the upper housing 20, and the lower portion thereof is protected by the wave guide projection 40-1 projecting from the insertion cross body 41 of the insertion member 40.

[0031] The grommet 80 may include a grommet body 81 and an enlarged flange 83. The grommet body 81 may have a tapered opening 81a formed therein, and the tapered opening 81a has an enlarged structure in cross-section from top to bottom, with the bottom defined as an inlet through which a member or component (e.g., a wiper motor shaft) can be attached to the grommet 80 and the top defined as an outlet through which the installed member or component can be pulled out. Specifically, a grommet neck projection 81b is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the upper portion of the tapered opening 81a to increase adhesion with the installed member or component. Furthermore, the grommet body 81 may have a grommet rib concentrically formed at the lower end thereof, and the grommet rib may have a substantial diameter.The grommet rib prevents the portion of the installed element or component (e.g., the connecting portion of the wiper motor shaft) and the portion of the lower housing 30 from being punctured (e.g., penetrated) when they are fastened by the fastening nut 93 of the mounting member 90.

[0032] The extended flange 83 may be formed around the intermediate portion of the grommet body while having a predetermined height, and may be secured between the insertion cross body 41 of the insertion member 40 and the upper housing cross body 21 of the upper housing 20 when pulled out from the insertion member 40. Therefore, the fastening force of the grommet 80 between the insertion member 40 and the upper housing 20 is enhanced by the extended flange 83. The extended flange 83 may be formed in the upper portion of the grommet body 81 such that the upper portion of the grommet body 81, which is pulled out from the integrated opening 10-1, can be pressed against the upper surface of the upper housing 20.

[0033] The mounting component 90 may include a guide bushing 91, a fastening nut 93, a washer 95, a window pad 97, and a switch pad 99. The guide bushing 91 may have an external thread formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof and may be screwed onto the fastening nut 93, which has an internal thread formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof. The washer 95 may serve as a bushing to prevent the fastening nut 93 from being over-tightened to the guide bushing 91. The window pad 97 may be attached to the washer 95 to prevent damage to a mating element (e.g., a rear window glass) if the fastening nut 93 is over-tightened. The switch pad 99 may be added to the lower housing cross body 31 of the lower housing 30 to prevent damage to a mating element (e.g.,a window pane) if the fastening nut 93 is mounted too tightly. The mounting element 90 can be applied to the shaft guide projection 40-1 and the connection guide projection 40-2 in the same manner.

[0034] Referring to the application structure of the housing sealing element 60 in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the housing sealing member 60 may be applied to a housing sealing surface 60-1 formed throughout an entire fitting portion to prevent water intrusion due to deformation of the fitting portion. Although the housing sealing member 60 may be made of epoxy, the housing sealing member 60 may be made of any waterproof material that effectively prevents water intrusion.

[0035] For example, illustrated Fig. 2, that the upper housing longitudinal body 23 of the upper housing 20, the lower housing longitudinal body 33 of the lower housing 30 and the insertion longitudinal body 43 of the insertion element 40, in which the imaginary line TT is drawn in the longitudinal direction of the handle switch housing 10, form the housing sealing surface 60-1 over the entire adaptation section. Fig. 3 illustrates that the upper housing cross body 21 of the upper housing 20, the lower housing cross body 31 of the lower housing 30, and the insertion cross body 41 of the insertion member 40, in which the imaginary line LL is drawn in the transverse direction of the handle switch housing 10, form the housing sealing surface 60-1 over the entire fitting portion.

[0036] In the following, with reference to the Fig. 4 to 8 an example is described in which the tailgate handle switch 1 of the Fig. 1 to 3 is applied to the tailgate of a hatchback vehicle. In particular, the hatchback vehicle is shown as an example in the Fig. 4 to 8, and the tailgate handle switch 1 which is protected from contact with or exposure to the outside or covered by connecting with other members is functionally applicable to all vehicles requiring external appearance improvement and items other than vehicles.

[0037] Fig. 4 illustrates an example of a wiper-integrated tailgate handle switch 200 installed in a vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 may include a wiper-integrated tailgate handle switch 200 mounted on a window glass 120, which is connected to a tailgate 110 that is opened and closed by a tailgate latch 130. In the wiper-integrated tailgate handle switch 200, since a handle switch housing 10 having a "T" shape formed by a transverse body and a longitudinal body is attached to the window glass 120 or the black ceramic portion thereof, the tailgate 110 may have improved aesthetics due to the wiper-integrated tailgate handle switch 200.

[0038] The wiper-integrated tailgate handle switch 200 may include a tailgate handle switch 1 and a wiper 1-1. To turn the tailgate handle switch 1 on and off and operate the wiper 1-1, the vehicle 100 may include a battery and an electrical circuit, and power may be supplied from the battery. The tailgate latch 130 may be a typical component for unlocking and locking the tailgate 110, as is known in the art, but the tailgate latch 130 may unlock the tailgate 110 in response to the lock signal when the tailgate handle switch 1 is turned on.

[0039] The tailgate handle switch 1 may have a transverse space defined by the upper housing transverse body 21 of the upper housing 20 constituting the handle switch housing 10, and a longitudinal space defined by the upper housing longitudinal body 23. Therefore, the tailgate handle switch 1 allows the wiper 1-1 to be arranged transversely using the transverse body 21 of the upper housing, and allows the locking signal transmitted to the tailgate lock 130 to be generated by pressing the live switch 70 using the upper housing longitudinal body 23. Accordingly, the tailgate handle switch 1 is the same as the tailgate handle switch 1 described with reference to FIG. Fig. 1 to 3.

[0040] Fig. 5 to 7 show a cross-sectional structure in which the wiper 1-1 having a wiper motor shaft 3 and a blade 5 is connected to the tailgate handle switch 1 through the integrated opening 10-1 of the handle switch housing 10. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line AA of Fig. 4. The handle switch housing 10 may include the insertion member 40 in the upper housing 20 and the lower housing 30 and may be connected to the switch pad 99 together with the guide bushing 91 of the mounting member 90 surrounding the grommet 80 and the lower portion thereof.

[0041] Accordingly, in the handle switch housing 10, the housing sealing member 60, which is attached to the housing sealing surface 60-1 of the upper housing 20 and the lower housing 30, and the insertion member 40 provide airtightness and watertightness. The grommet 80 can be fixed in the handle switch housing 10 through the space between the upper housing 20 and the insertion member 40, which is pressed against the extended flange 80, and the integrated opening 10-1 from which the grommet body 81 is drawn out. The guide bushing 91 can be connected by fitting the insertion member 40 into the wave guide projection 40-1. The switch pad 99, which is attached to the wave guide projection 40-1, can be connected to the lower housing 30.

[0042] When the handle switch housing 10 is attached to the window glass 120, the shaft guide projection 40-1 of the insertion member 40 can be inserted into the window opening 120-1 of the window glass 120 to position the handle switch housing 10 outside the window glass 120, while the guide bushing 91 can be positioned inside the tailgate 110 by the attachment projection 110-1 formed in the tailgate 110 inside the window glass 120. Thus, the wiper motor shaft 3 of the wiper 1-1 can be attached to the grommet 80 by inserting it into the tapered opening 81a of the grommet body 81. The switch pad 99, pressed against the surface of the window glass, can prevent scratches on the window glass and absorb shocks.

[0043] When the handle switch housing 10 is connected to the window plate 120, the fastening nut 93, the washer 95, the window plate 97 and the switch pad 99 of the mounting member 90 can be attached thereto as shown in Fig. 6. The window pad 97 can be inserted into the fastening projection 110-1 to be pressed against the window glass 120 by the guide bushing 91, and the washer 95 can be inserted into the fastening projection 110-1 to be pressed against the window glass 120 by the guide bushing 91. Therefore, the window pad 97 and the washer 95 can be positioned in the space between the tailgate 110 and the window glass 120. The fastening nut 93 can be screwed onto the guide bushing 91 protruding inward from the tailgate 110 to fasten the guide bushing 91. Thus, the handle switch housing 10 can be fastened to the window glass 120 by screwing the guide bushing 91 to the fastening nut 93.

[0044] Furthermore, the wiper 1-1 may be connected to the handle switch housing 10 while being separated from the wiper motor shaft 3 and the blade 5. The wiper motor shaft 3 may be inserted into the tapered opening 81 of the grommet 80 surrounded by the guide bushing 91 in the tailgate 110, and the wiper motor shaft 3 may be pressed onto the window glass 120 to pull the blade end, as the end of the wiper motor shaft 3, out of the tapered opening 81a. Specifically, the blade end of the wiper motor shaft 3 may be pressed against the grommet neck protrusion 81b formed on the inner peripheral surface of the tapered opening 81a.The grommet rib at the lower end of the grommet body 81 surrounds the end of the guide bushing 91 in the state where the grommet 80 is connected to the guide bushing 91, thereby preventing the fixing nut from being pierced by the wiper motor shaft 3 when the wiper 1-1 is connected to the handle switch housing 10.

[0045] The assembly of the wiper 1-1 to the handle switch housing 10 can be completed by assembling the blade 5 with the blade end of the wiper motor shaft 3 when the blade end protrudes from the handle switch housing 10. As a result, the tailgate handle switch 1 can be assembled to the wiper 1-1 by connecting the grommet 80 to the wiper motor shaft 3, thereby forming the wiper-integrated tailgate handle switch 200.

[0046] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view along line BB of Fig. 6 illustrates the handle switch housing 10 fixed by fastening or screwing the upper housing 20 to the lower housing 30 using the fastening member 50. Moreover, the handle switch housing 10 comes into contact with the surface of the window glass 120 through the switch pad 99 added to the lower housing 30. Furthermore, the handle switch housing 10 can be positioned in the switch receiving space 23a of the upper housing 20 in the state where the live switch 70 is received in the switch projection 43a of the insertion member 40. In particular, since the blade 5 of the wiper 1-1 is positioned on the upper housing cross body 21 of the upper housing 20, the live switch 70 can be operated in the handle switch housing 10 without interfering with the blade 5 in the upper housing longitudinal body 23 of the upper housing 20.

[0047] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view along line CC of Fig. 4 and illustrates that the power terminal 7 can be installed in the handle switch housing 10 together with the mounting member 90 using the terminal guide projection 40-2 adjacent to the shaft guide projection 40-1 of the insertion member 40. The power terminal 7 can include a power connector 8 and a connector socket 9. The mounting member 90 can include a guide socket 91, a fastening nut 93, a washer 95, and a window pad 97.

[0048] Specifically, the guide bushing 91 of the mounting member 90 may be connected to the terminal guide projection 40-2. Furthermore, the window pad 97 and the washer 95, which are inserted into the mounting projection 110-1 of the tailgate 110 to pass through the guide bushing 91, may be positioned in the space between the tailgate 110 and the window glass 120. The fastening nut 93 may be fixed or screwed to the guide bushing 91 protruding inward from the tailgate 110 to secure the guide bushing 91. The connector socket 9 of the power terminal 7 may be connected to the guide bushing 91, and the power connector 8 may be connected to the connector socket 9 to connect to the electrical circuit leading to the power switch 70, although this is not shown in the drawing.Therefore, the power terminal 7 can be kept in a stably connected state by the mounting member 90 while power is supplied from the battery to the current-carrying switch 70.

[0049] As described above, the vehicle according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include the wiper-integrated tailgate handle switch 200 mounted on the window glass 120 of the tailgate 110. The wiper-integrated tailgate handle switch 200 may include the tailgate handle switch 1, which has a "T" shape formed by the transverse body and the longitudinal body of the handle switch housing 10 and may be configured to push the live switch 70 disposed in the interior thereof using the height of the insertion space defined by the height difference H between the transverse body and the longitudinal body, and the wiper 1-1, which has the blade connected to the wiper motor shaft 3 passing through the handle switch housing 10 and may be disposed transversely in the handle switch housing 10.Therefore, it may be possible to improve the degree of freedom in the design of the tailgate 110 and also improve the aesthetics of the tailgate 110 by removing the tailgate handle switch 1 from the tailgate 110. In particular, since the tailgate handle switch 1 can be integrated with the wiper 110, it may be possible to reduce assembly time.

[0050] As is apparent from the above description, since the tailgate handle switch of the present invention can be connected to the rear wiper positioned on the rear window, the handle switch can be operated from the outside without using the tailgate. In particular, since the tailgate handle switch can be integrated with the rear wiper, the present invention has an effect of eliminating a separately used space for the tailgate in the state where the tailgate handle switch is covered by the wiper and exposed to the outside.

[0051] In addition, since the vehicle of the present invention has the component-integrated tailgate handle switch applied to the tailgate, it is possible to significantly increase the degree of freedom in the design of the tailgate. In particular, since the existing protrusion or recessed portion formed in the tailgate can be eliminated with the tailgate handle switch positioned with the rear wiper on the rear glass, it is possible to improve the aesthetic image of the tailgate. Moreover, the tailgate is a modular component integrated with the rear glass, in which the handle switch is integrated with the rear wiper in the finished vehicle. Therefore, the present invention has the effect of reducing the assembly time in the design line because the nut is fastened at two positions.

[0052] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the specifically described exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

[1] Tailgate handle switch, comprising: a handle switch housing (10) integrated with a wiper (1-1), wherein the wiper (1-1) has a blade (5) and a wiper motor shaft (3), and wherein the handle switch housing (10) is attached to a window pane (120), characterized by , that the handle switch housing (10) comprises an upper housing (20) and a lower housing (30) which are connected to each other to define an inner space provided with an insertion member (40) therein and a switch receiving space (23a) in which a current-carrying switch (70) is positioned; the upper housing (20) and the lower housing (30) define the insertion space having the height to the switch receiving space (23a) in a state in which the upper housing (20) and the lower housing (30) are connected to each other; and the lower housing (30) has the switch actuating surface (33a) which enables the current-carrying switch (70) to be pressed from the switch receiving space (23a), wherein the handle switch housing (10) has a grommet (80) which is connected to a connecting element, wherein the grommet (80) has a grommet body (81) which projects from the handle switch housing (10) in a direction opposite to the connecting element when the grommet (80) is locked to the handle switch housing (10), and the grommet body (81) has a tapered opening formed therein for inserting the connecting element into the tapered opening, and wherein the grommet (80) has an extended flange formed in the grommet body (81), and the extended flange is defined by the internal space between the insertion member (40) and the upper housing (20). [2] Tailgate handle switch according to claim 1, wherein the handle switch housing (10) comprises: a transverse body (21) in which a connecting element is arranged transversely; and a longitudinal body (23) which is spaced from the connecting element and projects at right angles from the transverse body (21), wherein the switch actuating surface (33a) is pressed by a height of an insertion space defined by a height difference between the transverse body (21) and the longitudinal body (23) in the handle switch housing (10). [3] The tailgate handle switch according to claim 2, wherein the handle switch housing (10) has an integrated opening (10-1) formed therein, and the connecting member is connected to the handle switch housing (10) through the integrated opening (10-1). [4] Tailgate handle switch according to claim 1, wherein the insertion element (40) comprises: a shaft guide projection (40-1) extended from the lower housing to be positioned at a connected portion of the connecting component; and a terminal guide projection (40-2) connected to a power terminal at a position where the terminal guide projection (40-2) is spaced from the wave guide projection (40-1). [5] The tailgate handle switch according to claim 1, wherein the upper housing (20), the lower housing (30) and the insert member (40) are fastened by a fastening member (50), and the upper housing (20) is connected to the lower housing (30) by the fastening member (50). [6] The tailgate handle switch according to claim 1, wherein the upper housing (20), the lower housing (30) and the insertion member (40) attach a housing sealing member (60) to a housing sealing surface formed by a mating portion. [7] The tailgate handle switch according to claim 6, wherein the housing sealing member (60) is made of epoxy resin. [8] The tailgate handle switch according to claim 1, wherein the current-carrying switch (70) is housed in a switch projection (43a) formed in the insertion member (40), and current is applied by pressing and turning on and off the current-carrying switch (70). [9] The tailgate handle switch according to claim 1, wherein the grommet (80) is connected to a mounting member (90), and the mounting member (90) has a guide bushing (91) connected to a protruding shaft guide projection (40-1) of the insertion member (40) to fix the grommet body (81) to the guide bushing (91). [10] A tailgate handle switch according to claim 9, wherein one end of the guide bushing (91) is surrounded by a lower end of the grommet body (81). [11] Tailgate handle switch according to claim 9, wherein the mounting element (90) is screwed to the guide bushing (91) by a fastening nut (93). [12] Tailgate handle switch according to claim 11, wherein the screwing of the mounting element (90) to the guide bush (90) by the fastening nut (93) is relieved by a pad. [13] The tailgate handle switch according to claim 1, wherein the wiper motor shaft has a blade end projecting from the handle switch housing (10) through an interior space of the handle switch housing (10), and the blade (5) is connected to the wiper motor shaft (3) by the blade end so as to be transversely disposed in the handle switch housing (10). [14] The tailgate handle switch according to claim 13, wherein a switch pad (99) is positioned on a contact surface between the handle switch housing (10) and the window glass (120), a window pad (97) is positioned in a space between a tailgate and the window glass, and the window pad (97) and the switch pad (99) each mitigate shocks generated during attachment of the handle switch housing (10).

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