Connecting device for connecting a hatchback-vehicle hatch frame to a parcel-shelf / load cover

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connecting device for connecting a hatchback-vehicle frame to a parcel-shelf / load cover. Said connecting device comprises: a first connecting assembly comprising a first fixing support and a first connecting element. Said first fixing support is configured to be fixed to said hatch frame (1) and to extend towards one end of said parcel-shelf / load cover (2) in the direction of the axis Y, said first connecting element being fixed to said first fixing support; and a second connecting assembly comprising a second fixing support and a second connecting element, wherein said second fixing support is configured to be fixed to said parcel-shelf / load cover (2) in a manner adjacent to the end in the direction of the axis Y, and said second connecting element is fixed to said second fixing support and designed to be connected removably to said first connecting element.

Description

LINKING DEVICE FOR CONNECTING A TAILGATE FRAME TO A LUGGAGE COVER SHELF IN A VEHICLE FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention claims priority from Chinese application 202210194143.5 filed on March 1, 2022, the contents of which (text, drawings and claims) are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of vehicle components. More particularly, the present invention relates to a connecting device for linking a tailgate frame to a luggage compartment shelf of a vehicle, and relates to a vehicle comprising such a connecting device. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A vehicle's tailgate is pivotally connected to the rear body of the vehicle by a set of hinges, allowing the tailgate to move between an open and a closed position. Typically, a parcel shelf (also called a cargo cover or rear shelf) is fitted to the rear of the vehicle to hold small and / or lightweight items and to aesthetically conceal items inside the vehicle when the tailgate is closed. As vehicle styling and functionality have diversified, more and more models are designed to allow the parcel shelf to move and open with the tailgate when it is opened, thus increasing storage space in the rear of the vehicle.

[0004] Fig. 1 illustrates, by way of example, a rear structure of a vehicle and the connection between the tailgate and the luggage compartment cover within this structure. As shown, in this rear structure of the vehicle, the two lateral ends of the luggage compartment cover 2 in the Y-axis direction are removably connected to the tailgate frame 1 by means of the first connecting devices C1, and its rear end in the X-axis direction is removably connected to the inner panel 7, attached to the inner side of the tailgate frame 1, by means of a second connecting device C2. The luggage compartment cover 2 can therefore be removed if necessary, to allow for efficient use of the space at the rear of the vehicle. However, the use of these connecting devices is generally limited by the configuration of the tailgate frame and that of the luggage cover shelf. SUBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a linking device to connect a tailgate frame to a luggage cover shelf of a vehicle, in order to achieve easy adaptation to various configurations of rear vehicle structures.

[0006] To this end, a first aspect of the invention relates to a linking device for connecting a tailgate frame to a luggage cover shelf of a vehicle, said linking device comprising: a first linking assembly comprising a first fixing support and a first linking element, in which, said first fixing support is configured to be fixed to said tailgate frame and to extend towards one end of said luggage cover shelf in the direction of the Y axis, and said first linking element is fixed to said first fixing support;and a second linking assembly comprising a second mounting bracket and a second linking element, wherein said second mounting bracket is configured to be fixed to said luggage cover shelf in a manner adjacent to the end in the direction of the Y axis, and said second linking element is fixed to said second mounting bracket and is adapted to be removably connected to said first linking element.

[0007] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, said first connecting element is a connecting rod with a spherical head, said connecting rod being embedded in said first fixing support by means of a fixing sleeve and being covered by said first fixing support; said second connecting element is a flexible envelope for a spherical head, said flexible envelope being embedded in said second fixing support and adapted to receive said spherical head.

[0008] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, said first fixing support is a tower-shaped support, the top of which is configured to be fixed to said tailgate frame, and the bottom of which is configured to be adapted to rest against the end of said luggage cover shelf in the direction of the Y axis.

[0009] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the top of said tower-shaped support is configured to be fixed to said tailgate frame by means of a screw.

[0010] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, said first connecting assembly further comprises an inner cover plate fixed to said support in the shape of the turn and configured to cover said screw.

[0011] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, said first connecting assembly further comprises an outer cover plate fixed to said tower-shaped support and at least partially covering said first connecting element.

[0012] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, said tower-shaped support and / or said outer cover plate is provided with a positioning pin adapted to be positioned on said tailgate frame.

[0013] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, said second fixing support is a plate-shaped support configured to be fixed to the bottom of said luggage cover shelf and comprising a connecting portion projecting from the end of said luggage cover shelf in the direction of the Y axis, in order to be adapted to the arrangement of said second connecting element.

[0014] A second aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle comprising a tailgate frame and a luggage cover shelf removably connected to said tailgate frame, by means of a linking device for connecting a tailgate frame to a luggage cover shelf of a vehicle according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0015] The linking device for connecting a tailgate frame to a luggage cover shelf of a vehicle according to the invention has several beneficial effects, including: thanks to the arrangement of the first fixing support, for the various types of configurations of rear vehicle structures, this linking device can easily establish the link between the tailgate frame and the end of the luggage cover shelf in the direction of the Y axis, thus having a wide range of applications; in addition, this linking device has a simple structure, allows easy manufacturing and quick assembly, and has a low cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying figures. Reference numbers identical to those in the figures indicate identical or similar components.

[0017] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of the lower side of a rear structure of a vehicle, which shows a luggage cover shelf removably connected to a tailgate by means of a linking device;

[0018] Fig. 2A represents a schematic structural view of part of the tailgate frame to be connected to the luggage cover shelf;

[0019] Fig. 2B represents a schematic structural view of part of the luggage compartment shelf to be connected to the tailgate frame;

[0020] Fig. 2C represents a schematic view of the connection between the tailgate frame and the luggage cover shelf;

[0021] Fig. 2D represents a schematic structural view of a connecting rod that is part of the connecting device;

[0022] Fig. 2E represents a schematic structural view of a fixing sleeve forming part of the connecting device;

[0023] Fig.2F represents a schematic structural view of a flexible envelope for a spherical head, forming part of the connecting device;

[0024] Fig. 3A represents a schematic view of the rear side of a rear structure of a vehicle, which is equipped with a linking device to connect a tailgate frame to a luggage cover shelf according to the present invention;

[0025] Fig.3B represents a schematic view of the rear structure of the vehicle illustrated in Fig.3A, from outside the vehicle and along the XZ plane at the position of this linkage device;

[0026] Fig.4A represents a cross-sectional view along section AA illustrated in Fig.3A / Fig.3B;

[0027] Fig.4B represents a cross-sectional view along section BB illustrated in Fig.3A / Fig.3B;

[0028] Fig.4C represents a schematic view of the connection between the tailgate frame and the luggage cover shelf, illustrated in Fig.3A;

[0029] Fig.4D represents a schematic view of a first linkage assembly of the linkage device illustrated in Fig.3A, from inside the vehicle;

[0030] Fig.4E represents a schematic side view of the first linking assembly of the linking device illustrated in Fig.3A;

[0031] Fig.4F represents a schematic view of the first linkage assembly of the linkage device illustrated in Fig.3A, from outside the vehicle;

[0032] It is understood that the figures above are used not only for the explanatory description of the invention but also, if necessary, to help define it. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION METHODS

[0033] The implementation and use of the embodiments are described in detail below. However, it is understood that the specific embodiments described herein illustrate only, by way of example, particular ways of implementing and using the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] In this description, directional indications, such as "up" and "down," used to describe the structural positions of the components are not absolute but relative. These directional indications are appropriate when the components are arranged as shown in the figures; however, when the component positions in the figures are changed, these directional indications should be modified accordingly.

[0035] In this description, the X-axis direction indicates the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the Y-axis direction indicates the transverse direction of the vehicle, and the Z-axis direction indicates the vertical direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, the terms "inside" and "outside" are defined in relation to the inside and outside of the vehicle; for example, "inside" refers to the side facing inward, and "outside" refers to the side facing outward.

[0036] As illustrated in Figures 2A to 2F, for the rear structure of the vehicle shown in Fig. 1, the first connecting device Cl can be a connecting device shown with a spherical head. More specifically, a connecting rod 32 with a spherical head 321 is embedded in a position provided on the tailgate frame 1 to be connected to the luggage compartment shelf 2 by means of a retaining sleeve 33 surrounding the rod 32, allowing the spherical head 321 to protrude from the bottom of this position. A plate-shaped support 41 is fixed to a position on the end of the luggage compartment shelf 2 in the direction of the Y-axis to be connected to the tailgate frame 1, and includes a connecting portion 411 protruding from the end of the luggage cover shelf 2 in the direction of the Y axis. A flexible sleeve 42 for a spherical head is embedded in the connecting portion 411 to receive the spherical head 321, thus forming the removable connection between the tailgate frame 1 and the luggage cover shelf 2.

[0037] However, the use of the ball head connection device is limited by the configuration of the tailgate frame 1 and the luggage compartment cover 2. For example, when the intended position on the tailgate frame 1 for connection to the luggage compartment cover 2 is far from the end of the luggage compartment cover 2 in the Y-axis direction, it is difficult to use this ball head connection device to establish the link between the two. Even if the size of the ball head and / or the protruding portion of the plate-shaped support connecting the corresponding end position is increased for this purpose, this clearly detracts from the visual appearance of the vehicle's interior.

[0038] Figures 3A to 3B and 4A to 4F illustrate a rear structure of a vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as well as the connection between the tailgate frame 1 and the luggage cover shelf 2 in this structure.

[0039] As illustrated, in this rear structure of the vehicle, the two lateral ends of the luggage compartment shelf 2 in the direction of the Y-axis are removably connected to the tailgate frame 1 by means of the connecting devices C according to the present invention. Figures 3A to 3B illustrate only one of the connecting devices C; it is understood that the other connecting device has the same configuration and is arranged symmetrically to the illustrated connecting device C.

[0040] The linkage C comprises a first linkage assembly arranged at a designated position on the tailgate frame 1 for connection to the luggage compartment shelf 2, and a second linkage assembly arranged at a position on the end of the luggage compartment shelf 2 for connection to the tailgate frame 1. To improve the adaptability of the linkage C, the first linkage assembly comprises a first mounting bracket and a first linking element, wherein the first mounting bracket is configured to be fixed to the tailgate frame 1 and to extend towards the end of the luggage compartment shelf 2 in the direction of the Y-axis, and the first linking element is fixed to the first mounting bracket. The second linkage assembly comprises a second mounting bracket and a second linking element, wherein the second mounting bracket is configured to be fixed to the luggage compartment shelf 2 adjacent to its end. of the luggage cover tablet 2 in the direction of the Y axis, and the second connecting element is fixed to the second fixing support and is adapted to be removably connected to the first connecting element.

[0041] According to the illustrated embodiment, the first mounting support is a tower-shaped support 31 extending at an angle from the intended position of the tailgate frame 1 to the end of the luggage cover shelf 2 in the direction of the Y axis, wherein the top of the tower-shaped support 31 is fixed to the tailgate frame 1, for example, by means of a screw 5, and the bottom of the tower-shaped support 31 extends until it rests against the end of the luggage cover shelf 2 in the direction of the Y axis. The tower-shaped support 31 includes a support portion 311, for example in the form of a plate, projecting from its outer side to support the first connecting element. It is understood that a nut suitable for screw 5 can be arranged in advance in the corresponding position on the tailgate frame 1, either an ordinary nut (a "screw-in" nut) or a quick nut 6 (a "press-in" nut) illustrated.

[0042] Furthermore, according to the illustrated embodiment, the first connecting element is a connecting rod 32 with a spherical head 321. The connecting rod 32 is embedded in the support portion 311 of the tower-shaped support 31 by means of a fixing sleeve 33 surrounding the connecting rod 32 and, for example, made of metal (for example, by means of an assembly between the outer wall of the fixing sleeve 33 and the support portion 311), allowing the spherical head 321 to protrude from the bottom of the support portion 311. The connecting rod 32 is thus indirectly fixed to the tailgate frame 1 by means of the tower-shaped support 31 and is covered from the inner side of the connecting rod 32 by the tower-shaped support 31, so that the connecting rod 32 is invisible from inside the vehicle, thus ensuring a good visual effect.

[0043] Preferably, said first connecting assembly further includes an inner cover plate 34 fixed, for example via the edge assembly, on the inner side of the tower-shaped support 31 to cover the screw 5, so that the screw 5 is invisible from inside the vehicle after its assembly, thus ensuring a good visual effect.

[0044] Preferably, said first connecting assembly further comprises an outer cover plate 35 fixed, for example via the edge assembly, to the outer side of the tower-shaped support 31 to at least partially cover the support portion 311 and the connecting rod 32, so that the support portion 311 and the connecting rod 32 are almost invisible from outside the vehicle, thus ensuring a good visual effect.

[0045] In addition, as illustrated in Figures 4E and 4F, according to the illustrated embodiment, the outer side of the tower-shaped support 31 is provided with a first positioning pin 312 adjacent to the top of the tower-shaped support 31, and / or the outer side of the outer cover plate 35 is provided with a second positioning pin 351 adjacent to the top of the outer cover plate 35.After the assembly of the tower-shaped support 31, the connecting rod 32, the fixing sleeve 33, the inner cover plate 34 and the outer cover plate 35, firstly, the first connecting assembly obtained can be positioned in the intended position on the tailgate frame 1, by means of the first positioning pin 312 and / or the second positioning pin 351; then, the first connecting assembly is fixed to the tailgate frame 1 by the screw 5 passing through the tower-shaped support 31 and the outer cover plate 35 via a screw hole D arranged on the tower-shaped support 31 and the outer cover plate 35.

[0046] According to the illustrated embodiment, the second mounting bracket is a plate-shaped bracket 41 fixed to the bottom of the luggage compartment shelf 2, for example by welding or screwing, and comprising a connecting portion 411 projecting from the end of the luggage compartment shelf 2 in the direction of the Y-axis for arranging the second connecting element. It is understood that the term "plate-shaped" in this context should be interpreted as having substantially the shape of a plate. The shape of the second mounting bracket is not limiting and can be designed according to actual requirements.

[0047] Furthermore, according to the illustrated embodiment, the second connecting element is a flexible sleeve 42 for a spherical head, which is elastically deformable. The flexible sleeve 42 is, for example, made of rubber material and is embedded in the connecting portion 411 of the plate-shaped support 41 in order to receive the spherical head 321 of the connecting rod 32, thus forming the removable connection between the tailgate frame 1 and the luggage cover shelf 2 by attaching and detaching the spherical head 321 to / from the flexible sleeve 42.

[0048] In summary, the linking device for connecting the tailgate frame 1 to the luggage compartment shelf 2 of the vehicle according to the present invention has a simple structure, allows for easy manufacturing and rapid assembly, is low cost, and allows for easy establishment of the link between the tailgate frame 1 and the end of the shelf luggage cover 2 in the Y-axis direction for various types of rear vehicle structure configurations, while ensuring a good visual effect inside and outside the vehicle.

[0049] The technical content and features of the present invention have been disclosed above. It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art may be made to the various embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0050] The description of embodiments is exemplary and non-limiting, and the scope of protection of the present invention is determined by the claims.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. A linking device for connecting a tailgate frame to a luggage compartment shelf of a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises: - a first connecting assembly comprising a first mounting bracket and a first connecting element, wherein said first mounting bracket is configured to be fixed to said tailgate frame (1) and to extend towards one end of said luggage compartment shelf (2) in the direction of the Y-axis, and said first connecting element is fixed to said first mounting bracket; and - a second linking assembly comprising a second mounting bracket and a second linking element, in which said second mounting bracket is configured to be fixed to said luggage cover shelf (2) in a manner adjacent to the end in the direction of the Y axis, and said second linking element is fixed to said second mounting bracket and is adapted to be removably connected to said first linking element.

2. Connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that said first connection element is a connecting rod (32) with a spherical head (321), said connecting rod (32) being embedded in said first fixing support by means of a fixing sleeve (33) and being covered by said first fixing support, and in that said second connection element is a flexible sleeve (42) for a spherical head, said flexible sleeve (42) being embedded in said second fixing support and adapted to receive said spherical head (321).

3. Connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that said first fixing support is a tower-shaped support (31), the top of which is configured to be fixed to said tailgate frame (1), and the bottom of which is configured to be adapted to rest against the end of said luggage cover shelf (2) in the direction of the Y axis.

4. A connecting device according to claim 3, characterized in that the top of said support tower-shaped (31) is configured to be fixed to said tailgate frame (1) by means of a screw (5).

5. Linking device according to claim 4, characterized in that said first linking assembly further comprises an inner cover plate (34) fixed to said tower-shaped support (31) and configured to cover said screw (5).

6. Connection device according to claim 3, characterized in that said first connection assembly further comprises an outer cover plate (35) fixed to said tower-shaped support (31) and covering at least partially said first connection element.

7. Linking device according to claim 6, characterized in that said tower-shaped support (31) and / or said outer cover plate (35) is provided with a positioning pin adapted to be positioned on said tailgate frame (1).

8. Connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that said second fixing support is a plate-shaped support (41) configured to be fixed to the bottom of said luggage cover shelf (2) and comprising a connecting portion (411) projecting from the end of said luggage cover shelf (2) in the direction of the Y axis, in order to be adapted to the arrangement of said second connecting element.

9. Vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a tailgate frame (1) and a luggage cover shelf (2) removably connected to said tailgate frame (1) by means of a linking device for connecting a tailgate frame to a luggage cover shelf of a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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