Bidirectional Reactive Bumper System for a Tailgate

Abstract

A bidirectional bumper assembly comprises a first arm having a pivotable mounting surface associated with a vehicle body structure and a second arm coupled to the first arm. A first bumper is associated with the first arm, the first bumper comprising a first tailgate mounting surface, and a second bumper is associated with the second arm, the second bumper comprising a second tailgate mounting surface.

Description

AREA OF TECHNOLOGY

[0001] This disclosure relates generally to a bidirectional reactive bumper system and in particular to a system comprising an arm assembly, wherein arms and associated bumper pressure pieces act under pressure on a front and side surface of a tailgate. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Vehicles may include a tailgate that moves between a closed and an open position to provide access to a loading area. Noise and vibration problems may occur during closing operations. SUMMARY

[0003] An assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, the following: a first arm comprising a pivotable mounting surface associated with a vehicle body structure; a second arm coupled to the first arm; a first bumper associated with the first arm, wherein the first bumper comprises a first tailgate mounting surface; and a second bumper associated with the second arm, wherein the second bumper comprises a second tailgate mounting surface.

[0004] In a further non-restrictive embodiment of an arbitrary assembly, the assembly includes a base with a box mounting interface, wherein the first arm and the second arm are pivotably mounted on the base via the pivotable mounting interface.

[0005] In another non-restrictive embodiment of an arbitrary assembly, the first arm and the second arm rotate as a unit about a central axis defined by the pivotable mounting interface.

[0006] In a further non-restrictive embodiment of any assembly, the unit is in a first position when a tailgate associated with the vehicle body structure is in an open position, and the unit is in a second position when the tailgate is in a closed position, and comprising at least one elastic element that biases the unit in the direction of the first position.

[0007] In a further non-restrictive embodiment of any assembly, the first tailgate mounting surface can engage with a forward-facing tailgate surface in a closed tailgate position, and the second tailgate mounting surface can engage with a sideways-facing tailgate surface.

[0008] In another non-restrictive embodiment of an arbitrary assembly, the first bumper and the second bumper are separate from each other and can be compressed independently of each other.

[0009] In another non-restrictive embodiment of any assembly, one of the first arm and the second arm is longer than the other of the first arm and the second arm.

[0010] A device according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things: a vehicle body structure; a tailgate movable relative to the vehicle body structure between an open position and a closed position, the tailgate comprising a first surface and a second surface extending transversely to the first surface; and at least one bumper assembly comprising: a first arm coupled to a second arm via a pivotable mounting surface, the pivotable mounting surface being associated with the vehicle body structure; a first bumper associated with the first arm, the first bumper being capable of engaging with the first surface; and a second bumper associated with the second arm, the second bumper being capable of engaging with the second surface.

[0011] In a further non-restrictive embodiment of any device, the device includes a base plate with a mounting interface for attachment to the vehicle body structure and includes a pair of swivel mounting arms that form an interface with the swivel mounting interface.

[0012] In another non-restrictive embodiment of any device, the first arm and the second arm rotate as a unit about a central axis defined by the pivotable mounting surface.

[0013] In a further non-restrictive embodiment of any device, the at least one bumper assembly includes at least one elastic element that pre-tensions the first arm and the second arm in the direction of the open position.

[0014] In a further non-restrictive embodiment of any device, the first surface of the tailgate in the closed position comprises a forward-facing tailgate surface and the second surface of the tailgate comprises an edge surface.

[0015] In a further non-restrictive embodiment of any device, the first bumper and the second bumper are separated from each other and can be compressed independently of each other in response to input loads from the forward-facing tailgate surface and the edge surface.

[0016] In another non-restrictive embodiment of any device, the first arm extends in a lateral direction along the width of the vehicle when in the closed position, and the second arm extends in a longitudinal direction along the length of the vehicle.

[0017] In another non-restrictive embodiment of any device, one of the first arm and the second arm is longer than the other of the first arm and the second arm.

[0018] In another non-restrictive embodiment of any device, outwardly facing surfaces of the first bumper and the second bumper include a plurality of individual ribs.

[0019] A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, the following: pivotally attaching a bumper assembly to a vehicle body structure, wherein the bumper assembly includes a first bumper arm coupled to a second bumper arm; and, in response to input loads from a first tailgate surface and a second tailgate surface different from the first tailgate surface, compressing a first bumper on the first bumper arm independently of a second bumper on the second bumper arm.

[0020] In a further non-restrictive embodiment of any method, the method includes mounting a tailgate for pivotable movement relative to the vehicle body structure between an open position and a closed position, wherein the first tailgate surface in the closed position comprises a forward-facing tailgate surface and the second tailgate surface comprises an edge tailgate surface.

[0021] In a further non-restrictive embodiment of any method, the bumper assembly is in a first position when the tailgate is in the open position and in a second position when the tailgate is in the closed position, and the method includes biasing the bumper assembly in the direction of the first position.

[0022] In a further non-restrictive embodiment of any method, a shaft connects the first bumper arm and the second bumper arm and includes the method of pivoting the first bumper arm and the second bumper arm together as a unit about a pivot axis defined by the shaft.

[0023] The embodiments, examples, and alternatives described in the preceding paragraphs, the claims, or the following description and drawings, which may include any of their various aspects or individual features, can be considered independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, provided such features are not incompatible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0024] The various features and advantages of the disclosed examples will be apparent to the person skilled in the art from the detailed description. The figures accompanying the detailed description can be briefly described as follows: Fig. Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle loading area with a tailgate in a closed position. Fig. 2 is Fig. Figure 1 is similar, but shows a tailgate in an open position and a bidirectional reactive bumper arm assembly. Fig. Figure 3 is an exploded view of the bidirectional reactive bumper arm assembly. Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the in Fig. 2 identified details of the bidirectional reactive bumper arm assembly. Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective top view of the bidirectional reactive bumper arm assembly made of Fig. 4 with the tailgate in the closed position. Fig. 6A is Fig. Figure 5 is similar, but shows the tailgate 15 mm away from a fully closed position. Fig. 6B is Fig. 6A is similar, but shows the tailgate 10 mm away from a fully closed position. Fig. 6C is Fig. 6A is similar, but shows the tailgate 3 mm away from a fully closed position. Fig. 7 is Fig. Figure 5 is similar, but shows a different example of a bidirectional reactive bumper arm assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Some tailgate systems are becoming increasingly complex and heavy due to the greater number of features they incorporate compared to conventional configurations. Under certain conditions, tailgates can experience increased lateral and forward / backward loading, and managing these loads is critical for maintaining the structural integrity and NVH performance of the system. This disclosure provides a robust bumper system that meets these requirements. In implementations, a bidirectional reactive bumper system is provided, wherein arms and associated bumper pressure pieces react independently under pressure in response to input loads associated with a forward-facing and a side face of a tailgate.

[0026] Fig. Figure 1 shows a vehicle 10 having a loading area 12 enclosed by a front wall 14, side walls 16, and a tailgate 18 at one end of the loading area 12. The tailgate 18 is positioned relative to the side walls 16 in a closed position ( Fig. 1) and an open position ( Fig. 2) movable.

[0027] In its implementation, the tailgate includes 18 locking assemblies, schematically represented by 20 in Fig. Figure 1 shows the components used in the closed position to secure each end of the tailgate to a box structure 22, such as a frame member. Any type of locking mechanism can be installed for this purpose. In one example, a locking assembly may include a latch associated with one end of the tailgate and a box structure, and a striker associated with the other end of the tailgate and the box structure; however, other types of locking assemblies may also be used.

[0028] In implementations, the box construction 22 has a bidirectional reactive bumper assembly 24 on each side wall 16 ( Fig. 2) assigned (in Fig. (Figure 2 is only one shown). It is understood that the bidirectional reactive bumper assembly 24 would be the same for the opposite side wall 16. The bumper assemblies 24 on the left and right sides of the tailgate 18 work together to dampen movements between the tailgate and the box structure. In implementations, this bidirectional reactive bumper system absorbs tailgate tension movements in any direction to dampen movements quickly and effectively. For example, a tailgate movement in a forward direction activates both bumpers to apply lateral loads to dampen movements quickly, while a tailgate movement in a lateral direction activates the bumpers to apply a forward / backward load to dampen movements.

[0029] In one example, the tailgate 18 includes a first surface 26 and a second surface 28 that extends transversely to the first surface 26. In implementations, the first surface 26 comprises an upward-facing surface when the tailgate 18 is open and a forward-facing surface when the tailgate 18 is closed. In implementations, the second surface 28 comprises a side-edge surface of the tailgate 18.

[0030] In implementations, the bidirectional reactive bumper assembly 24 includes a base subsystem 30, an arm subsystem 32, and a pivoting subsystem 34. In one example, the base subsystem 30 includes a base plate 36 with a mounting interface 38 for attachment to the box structure 22 and a pair of pivoting mounting arms 40 that form an interface with the pivoting subsystem 34.

[0031] In one example, the base plate 36 comprises a flat, rigid structure attached to an inwardly facing surface of the box structure 22. In another example, the attachment interface 38 comprises one or more openings formed in the base plate 36 that accommodate one or more fasteners 42, as shown in Fig. 4 shown; however, other types of mounting surfaces could also be used.

[0032] In one example, the arm subsystem 32 includes a first arm 44, which is coupled to a second arm 46 via a pivotable mounting surface 48. The pivotable mounting surface 48 is coupled to the vehicle body structure 22 via the pivoting mounting arms 40 and the pivoting subsystem 34. In other implementations, a shaft body 50 provides the pivotable mounting surface 48, which connects the first arm 44 and the second arm 46. In these implementations, the first arm 44 and the second arm 46 pivot together as a unit about a pivot axis A defined by the shaft body 50.

[0033] In implementations, the first arm 44 extends in a lateral direction along the width of the vehicle in the closed position, and the second arm 46 extends in a longitudinal direction along the length of the vehicle, as shown in Fig. 5 shown.

[0034] In one example, the arm subsystem 32 further includes a first bumper 52 assigned to the first arm 44 and a second bumper 54 assigned to the second arm 46. In implementations, the first bumper 52 can engage with the first surface 26 of the tailgate 18 and the second bumper 54 can engage with the second surface 28.

[0035] In implementations, each arm 44, 46 has an end connected to the shaft body 50 and a distal end supporting the associated bumper 52, 54. In one example, the distal ends comprise enlarged flat pressure piece sections 56 that support the bumpers 52, 54.

[0036] In embodiments, the bumper pressure pieces 52, 54 comprise a rubber-like material, for example, an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) material, which is a durable and versatile synthetic rubber of the M class. Other similar types of material may be used. In embodiments, the bumper pressure pieces 52, 54 may be assembled with or molded onto the flat pressure piece sections 56 of the arms 44, 46.

[0037] In one example, the outward-facing surface 58 of the first bumper 52 and the second bumper 54 includes a plurality of individual ridges or ribs 60. In some implementations, the ribs 60 are spaced apart from each other by gaps. In one example, the ribs 60 are generally parallel to each other and extend over the entirety of the outward-facing surfaces 58. The ribs 60 further assist in damping movements.

[0038] In one example, the pivoting subsystem 34 includes an upper pivot pin 62, a lower pivot pin 64, at least one elastic element 66, and bushings 68. In other implementations, the shaft body 50 comprises a cylindrical element with a central bore 70 extending from one end to the opposite end. The upper pivot pin 62 is associated with an upper end of the bore 70, and the lower pivot pin 64 is associated with a lower end of the bore 70.

[0039] In implementations, each pivot pin 62, 64 includes a knurled end for securing to the swivel mounting arms 40 of the base plate 36.

[0040] In implementations, each pivot pin 62, 64 includes a bifurcation section 72 for clamping the elastic element 66, e.g. the coil spring.

[0041] In implementations, the bushings 68 further support the pivoting mounting interface and are assigned to the bore 70 of the shaft body 50 and the pivoting mounting arms 40.

[0042] In implementations, the unit comprising arms 44, 46 and bumpers 52, 54 is in a first position when the tailgate 18 is in the open position, and in a second position when the tailgate 18 is in the closed position. In one example, the elastic element 66 pre-tensions the unit towards the first position, e.g., an open tailgate position. This is best illustrated in Fig. 6A shown.

[0043] Fig. Figure 6A shows the tailgate 18 at a position 15 mm from a fully closed position and the bumper assembly 24, which is biased towards the open position of the tailgate, e.g., biased counterclockwise around axis A. As the tailgate 18 approaches the closed position, the forward-facing surface 26 makes initial contact with the first arm 44 / first bumper 52 of the bumper assembly 24. This contact rotates the bumper assembly 24 clockwise around axis A such that the first bumper pressure piece 52 begins to be compressed between surface 26 and the box surface 74, as shown in Figure 6A. Fig. 6B shown.

[0044] Fig. 6B is Fig. Figure 6A is similar, but shows the tailgate at a point 10 mm away from a fully closed position. As the tailgate 18 moves further towards the closed position, the bumper assembly 24 continues to rotate about axis A until the second arm 46 / second bumper pressure piece 54 makes contact with the side surface 28 of the tailgate, as shown in Figure 6A. Fig. 6C is shown. This contact provides the ability to dampen movements in both the forward / backward direction and the lateral direction. Fig. Figure 6C shows the tailgate 18 at a point 3 mm away from a fully closed position. The tailgate 18 can then move into the fully closed position ( Fig. 5) move without exhibiting significant resistance along the bumper surface when closing.

[0045] Thus, the first bumper 52 and the second bumper 54 can be compressed separately and independently of each other in order to provide damping in multiple directions. A rotation of the assembly in one direction therefore increases forces in another direction for damping purposes.

[0046] In implementations, the bidirectional reactive bumper assembly 24 is assembled as described below. In one example, the bumpers 52, 54 are molded onto or assembled with the arms 44, 46. The bushings 68 are positioned in the arm 32 and base subsystem 30. The arm subsystem 32 is aligned with the base subsystem 30 and then rotated into an open tailgate orientation. The upper pivot pin 62 is inserted through an opening on the underside of the base and through the bore 70 of the shaft body 50 and pressed into the upper pivot mounting arm of the base plate 36. The elastic element 66 is inserted such that a curved arm end of the elastic element 66 is coupled to the forked section 72 of the upper pivot pin 62.The lower pivot pin 64 is then inserted and pressed into the lower section of the bore 70 of the shaft body in such a way that the opposite curved arm end of the elastic element 66 is coupled to the fork end 72 of the lower pivot pin 64.

[0047] In implementations, an operating procedure can involve pivoting the bumper assembly 24 onto the vehicle body structure 22 and compressing the first bumper 52 on the first arm 44 independently of the second bumper 54 on the second arm 46 in response to input loads from the first tailgate surface 26 and the second tailgate surface 28, which are aligned transversely relative to each other.

[0048] During operation, a tailgate can be subjected to significant tension loads, such as forward loads, lateral loads, and a combination of both. The disclosed unique bumper system absorbs tailgate tension movements in any direction to dampen these movements quickly and effectively. For example, when the tailgate 18 moves forward, the arms 44, 46 and the bumper pressure pieces 52, 54 rotate, increasing the lateral force on the side surface 28 of the tailgate 18. Furthermore, when the tailgate 18 moves laterally, the arms 44, 46 and the bumper pressure pieces 52, 54 rotate, increasing the force on the forward-facing surface 26 of the tailgate 18.Thus, the bumper system is adaptable based on a specific directional load of a vehicle and can accommodate configurations where a tailgate on a particular vehicle experiences a higher load in one direction than in another.

[0049] Fig. Figure 7 shows another example of a bumper arm assembly 24'. In implementations, this configuration is similar to the bumper assembly 24 described above, but in this configuration, one arm of the bumper system is longer than the other to act as a force amplifier. This provides a way to tune the bumper assembly 24' for vehicle configurations where lateral loads are greater than forward / backward loads, or vice versa. Thus, if lateral loads are higher than forward / backward loads, the lateral length of the first arm 44 can be increased to increase the applied force. Fig.Figure 7 shows an example where the first arm 44 has a greater length than the second arm 46.

[0050] The preceding description is exemplary and not limiting. Variations and modifications of the disclosed examples may be apparent to a person skilled in the art, which do not necessarily deviate from the core of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection granted by this disclosure can only be determined by reading the following patent claims.

[0051] According to the present invention, an assembly is provided comprising: a first arm comprising a pivotable mounting surface associated with a vehicle body structure; a second arm coupled to the first arm; a first bumper associated with the first arm, wherein the first bumper comprises a first tailgate mounting surface; and a second bumper associated with the second arm, wherein the second bumper comprises a second tailgate mounting surface.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a base with a box mounting interface, wherein the first arm and the second arm are pivotably mounted on the base via the pivotable mounting interface.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the first arm and the second arm rotate as a unit around a central axis defined by the pivotable mounting surface.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the unit is in a first position when a tailgate associated with the vehicle body structure is in an open position, and the unit is in a second position when the tailgate is in a closed position, and comprising at least one elastic element that biases the unit in the direction of the first position.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the first tailgate mounting surface can engage with a forward-facing tailgate surface in a closed tailgate position, and the second tailgate mounting surface can engage with a sideways-facing tailgate surface.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the first bumper and the second bumper are separate from each other and can be compressed independently.

[0057] According to one embodiment, one of the first arm and the second arm is longer than the other of the first arm and the second arm.

[0058] According to the present invention, a device is provided comprising: a vehicle body structure; a tailgate movable relative to the vehicle body structure between an open position and a closed position, the tailgate comprising a first surface and a second surface extending transversely to the first surface; and at least one bumper assembly comprising: a first arm coupled to a second arm via a pivotable mounting surface, the pivotable mounting surface being associated with the vehicle body structure; a first bumper associated with the first arm, wherein the first bumper can be engaged with the first surface; and a second bumper associated with the second arm, wherein the second bumper can be engaged with the second surface.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a base plate with an attachment interface for mounting on the vehicle body construction and comprising a pair of swivel mounting arms that form an interface with the swiveling attachment interface.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the first arm and the second arm rotate as a unit around a central axis defined by the pivotable mounting surface.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the at least one bumper assembly includes at least one elastic element that pre-tensions the first arm and the second arm in the direction of the open position.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the first surface of the tailgate in the closed position comprises a forward-facing tailgate surface, and the second surface of the tailgate comprises an edge surface.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the first bumper and the second bumper are separate from each other and can be compressed independently of each other in response to input loads from the forward-facing tailgate surface and the edge surface.

[0064] In this embodiment, the first arm extends in a lateral direction along the width of the vehicle when in the closed position, and the second arm extends in a longitudinal direction along the length of the vehicle.

[0065] According to one embodiment, one of the first arm and the second arm is longer than the other of the first arm and the second arm.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the outward-facing surfaces of the first bumper and the second bumper include a plurality of individual ribs.

[0067] According to the present invention, a method comprises: pivotally mounting a bumper assembly to a vehicle body structure, wherein the bumper assembly includes a first bumper arm coupled to a second bumper arm; and, in response to input loads from a first tailgate surface and a second tailgate surface different from the first tailgate surface, compressing a first bumper on the first bumper arm independently of a second bumper on the second bumper arm.

[0068] In one aspect of the invention, the method includes mounting a tailgate for pivotable movement relative to the vehicle body structure between an open position and a closed position, wherein the first tailgate surface comprises a forward-facing tailgate surface and the second tailgate surface in the closed position comprises an edge tailgate surface.

[0069] In one aspect of the invention, the bumper assembly is in a first position when the tailgate is in the open position, and in a second position when the tailgate is in the closed position, and includes pre-tensioning the bumper assembly in the direction of the first position.

[0070] In one aspect of the invention, a shaft connects the first bumper arm and the second bumper arm together and includes pivoting the first bumper arm and the second bumper arm together as a unit about a pivot axis defined by the shaft.

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