VEHICLE FEATURING A TAILGATE AND A PIVOT, AND METHODS FOR DEPLOYING AND FOLDING THE TAILGATE

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle comprising a tailgate (10) and a body (20), as well as a method for deploying the tailgate (10) and a method for folding the tailgate (10). The tailgate (10) is attached to the body (20) by a hinge having a longitudinal axis, the tailgate (10) having a pivot (11) configured to be in an open position and in a closed position, the body (20) having a bracket (21), the pivot (11) having an end (12) configured to engage in the bracket (21) and to abut against the tailgate (10) when the pivot (11) is in the closed position, the pivot (11) being configured to prevent rotation of the tailgate (10) about the longitudinal axis when the pivot (11) is in the open position and the end (12) is engaged in the bracket (21). Abstract figure: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: VEHICLE COMPRISING A TAILGATE AND A PIVOT, AND METHODS FOR DEPLOYING AND FOLDING THE TAILGATE

[0001] The invention relates to motor vehicles, that is to say any type of motorized land vehicle intended for the transport of persons or goods. This includes in particular vehicles having openings, generally located at the rear of the vehicle, allowing access to a cargo compartment.

[0002] US patent application 4184709A describes a vehicle comprising a tailgate, a body, and a hinge connecting the tailgate to the body. The tailgate is configured to be moved relative to the body by a movement of the hinge from a closed position to an open position, with the tailgate being folded against the body in the open position. However, such a vehicle does not provide a means of securing the tailgate to the body without manual intervention.

[0003] The invention aims to remedy this drawback by providing a vehicle comprising a means of securing a vehicle tailgate that is simple, reliable and easy to use.

[0004] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes a vehicle comprising a tailgate and a body, the tailgate being fixed to the body by a hinge having an axis of rotation, the vehicle being notable in that the tailgate has a pivot configured to be in an open position or in a closed position, the body having a bracket, the pivot having an end configured to engage in the bracket and to be against the tailgate when the pivot is in the closed position, the pivot being configured to prevent a rotational movement of the tailgate around the axis of rotation when the pivot is in the open position and the end is engaged in the bracket.

[0005] This allows the tailgate to be deployed and secured to the bodywork without manual intervention. The engagement of the pivot in the bracket creates a simple, reliable, and wear-resistant mechanical link, which also prevents any unwanted movement of the tailgate.

[0006] Advantageously, the pivot includes a spring configured to bring the pivot to the open position by elastic return.

[0007] Adding a spring to the pivot provides assistance in the movement of the tailgate without requiring manual intervention, thus reducing the effort required to open the tailgate.

[0008] Advantageously, the pivot has a cam, the body having a follower, the cam being configured to cooperate with the follower so as to tilt the pivot from the open position to the closed position when the tailgate is rotating about the axis of rotation towards the follower.

[0009] This allows the pivot to be folded down against the bodywork when the tailgate is folded, ensuring the aerodynamics of the vehicle.

[0010] Advantageously, the caliper includes a cover configured to slide into an open position or a closed position, the cover covering the caliper in the closed position, the cover being against the bodywork in the open position.

[0011] This allows the vehicle to maintain an aerodynamic shape when the caliper is not in use.

[0012] Advantageously, the vehicle includes a pull tab having a wire attached to the pivot, the pull tab being configured to tilt the pivot from the open position to the closed position by driving the wire.

[0013] The use of a pull cord with a wire to tilt the pivot allows the tailgate to be unlocked remotely or from a location without requiring direct action on the pivot.

[0014] Advantageously, the vehicle includes a button configured to switch the pivot from the closed position to the open position by pressing the button.

[0015] Advantageously, the tailgate includes an additional pivot and the body includes an additional bracket configured to cooperate with the additional pivot.

[0016] Stabilizing the tailgate by an additional pivot and an additional bracket prevents any movement considered angularly relative to the axis of rotation.

[0017] Advantageously, the pivot is separated from the additional pivot by a predetermined distance along the axis of rotation between 50 cm and 150 cm.

[0018] The invention also relates to a method for deploying the tailgate of a vehicle as defined above, the method comprising the following steps: - a step of engaging the tailgate towards the bracket by a rotational movement around the axis of rotation; - a pivoting step from the closed position to the open position; - a step of engaging the end in the bracket in order to deploy the tailgate.

[0019] The invention further relates to a method of folding the tailgate of a vehicle defined as above, the method comprising the following steps: - a step of disengaging the end of the bracket. - a step of disengaging the tailgate from the caliper by a rotational movement around the axis of rotation; - a pivoting step from the open position to the closed position in order to fold the tailgate.

[0020] The invention will be further detailed by describing non-limiting embodiments, and based on the accompanying figures illustrating variants of the invention, in which: - [Fig. 1] illustrates a detailed view of a vehicle comprising a tailgate and a vehicle body according to an embodiment of the present invention; - [Fig.2] illustrates a detailed view of the pivot in the closed position; - [Fig.3] illustrates a detailed view of the vehicle, shown in [Fig.1], the tailgate being rotated towards the stirrup; - [Fig.4] illustrates a detailed view of the vehicle including a tilting pivot from a closed position to an open position; - [Fig. 5] illustrates a detailed view of the vehicle, shown in [Fig. 1], the pivot including one end being in contact with the stirrup; - [Fig. 6] illustrates a detailed view of the end, shown in [Fig. 5], in contact with the caliper; - [Fig.7] illustrates a detailed view of the vehicle, with the end engaged in the stirrup; - [Fig.8] illustrates a detailed view of the end, shown in [Fig.7], engaged in the caliper; - [Fig.9] illustrates a detailed view of the stirrup; - [Fig. 10] illustrates a detailed view of the vehicle including a moving pull tab with a wire; - [Fig. 11] illustrates a flowchart representing the steps of a tailgate deployment process, according to one embodiment of the invention; - [Fig. 12] illustrates a flowchart representing the steps of a tailgate folding process, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0021] Figure [1] shows a detailed view of a vehicle having a longitudinal axis, the vehicle comprising a tailgate 10 and a body 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] In [Fig.1], the vehicle body 20 is represented by a fixed structural part of the vehicle, typically the roof or another rear part of the vehicle serving as an anchor point for the tailgate 10.

[0023] The tailgate 10, for example a rear door of the vehicle, is attached to the body 20 by a hinge having an axis of rotation. Such a hinge articulates the tailgate 10 so as to perform a rotational movement of the tailgate 10 around the axis of rotation in order to access a storage compartment of the vehicle.

[0024] The tailgate 10 includes a pivot 11 typically comprising a shaft, having a pivot axis, a shoulder in contact with a hub of the tailgate 10, the shaft being connected to a rod configured to be moved by rotation around the pivot axis, typically parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0025] The pivot 11 is configured to be in an open or closed position. Generally, in the closed position as illustrated in [Fig. 2], the rod forms a first angle with respect to the longitudinal axis that is substantially equal to 0 degrees. Furthermore, in the open position, the rod forms a second angle with respect to the longitudinal axis that is substantially equal to 90 degrees.

[0026] The pivot 11 advantageously comprises a spring configured to bring the pivot 11 to the open position by elastic return. For example, the spring is of the spiral spring type arranged in a winding plane perpendicular to a winding axis, typically coinciding with the axis of pivot 11.

[0027] In practice the spring comprises a first end 12 attached to the pivot 11 and a second end 12 attached to the tailgate 10. In this way, the spring exerts an elastic restoring force on the pivot 11 bringing the pivot 11 towards the open position.

[0028] The body 20 includes a caliper 21. In [Fig. 9], the caliper 21 includes a support 22, a first side wall 23', a second side wall 23', and a contact surface opposite the support 22. A predetermined distance separates the first side wall 23' and the second side wall 23'.

[0029] In practice, the support 22 extends along the longitudinal axis, the support 22 being typically screwed to the body 20 of the vehicle by fixing holes.

[0030] The first side wall 23' and the second side wall 23" each comprise a first retaining tab 25' and a second retaining tab 25" respectively, extending along the pivot axis. A predetermined distance separates the first retaining tab 25' from the second retaining tab 25".

[0031] The contact surface, considered angularly with respect to the longitudinal axis, has a rounded shape.

[0032] The pivot 11 includes an end 12 configured to engage in the bracket 21. In practice, the end 12 has a rounded shape with a radial dimension less than the distance between the support 22 and the first retaining tab 25' or the second retaining tab 25'.

[0033] The predetermined distance separating the first side wall 23' and the second side wall 23" is advantageously provided to be greater than the dimension of the end 12 along the pivot axis.

[0034] The predetermined distance separating the first retaining lug 25' from the second retaining lug 25" is advantageously provided to be smaller than the dimension of the rod along the pivot axis and to be greater than the dimension of the end 12 along the pivot axis.

[0035] Thus, the end 12, when it is in contact with the bracket 21, slides on the contact surface while the rod passes between the first retaining tab 25' and the second retaining tab 25" when the end 12 is engaged in the bracket 21.

[0036] Furthermore, the first retaining lug 25' and the second retaining lug 25” allow the pivot 11 to be held in the open position, preventing the tailgate 10 from rotating around the axis of rotation when the first retaining lug 25' and the second retaining lug 25” are against the end 12.

[0037] The contact surface guides the end 12 towards the support 22 when the pivot 11 is in the open position. Furthermore, the side walls guide the pivot 11 into the open position so as to engage the end 12 in the bracket 21.

[0038] The end 12 is also configured to be abutted against the tailgate 10 when the pivot 11 is in the closed position.

[0039] The pivot 11 being configured to prevent rotational movement of the tailgate 10 around the axis of rotation when the pivot 11 is in the open position and the end 12 is engaged in the bracket 21 as illustrated in [Fig.7] and [Fig.8].

[0040] The pivot 11 advantageously has a cam and the body 20 has a follower. The cam is configured to cooperate with the follower so as to tilt the pivot 11 from the open position to the closed position when the tailgate 10 is rotating about the axis of rotation towards the follower.

[0041] In practice, the cam is a groove in the pivot 11, the follower being a pin.

[0042] The vehicle advantageously includes a pull tab having a wire attached to the pivot 11.

[0043] The pull tab is configured to tilt the pivot 11 from the open position to the closed position by driving the wire as illustrated [Fig. 10].

[0044] The vehicle advantageously includes a button configured to switch the pivot 11 from the closed position to the open position by pressing the button.

[0045] The tailgate 10 advantageously includes an additional pivot and the body 20 advantageously includes an additional bracket configured to cooperate with the additional pivot.

[0046] The pivot 11 is further advantageously separated from the additional pivot by a predetermined distance along the axis of rotation between 50cm and 150cm.

[0047] The bracket 21 advantageously comprises a cover configured to slide into an open position or a closed position, the cover covering the bracket 21 in in the closed position, the hood is against the bodywork 20 in the open position.

[0048] A flowchart of a method for deploying the tailgate 10 is illustrated in [Fig. 1 1], according to an embodiment of the invention, steps of the deployment method being described below.

[0049] In an engagement step El 1, the tailgate 10 is engaged towards the bracket 21 by a rotational movement around the axis of rotation, as illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0050] In a tilting step E12, the pivot 11 is tilted from the closed position to the open position, as illustrated in [Fig.4].

[0051] The method advantageously includes a sliding step E' 13, the pivot 11 sliding on the bracket 21 until it reaches the support 22 of the bracket 21 as illustrated in [Fig.5] and [Fig.6].

[0052] The process advantageously includes a shimming step E' 14, the pivot 11 shimming against the caliper 21 by elastic return of the spring.

[0053] In an engagement step E13, the end 12 is engaged in the bracket 21 so as to deploy the tailgate, as illustrated in [Fig.7].

[0054] A flowchart of a method for folding the tailgate 10 is illustrated in [Fig. 12], according to an embodiment of the invention, steps of the folding method being described below.

[0055] The method advantageously includes a pull step E'21, the pull tab tilting the pivot 11 from the open position to the closed position by pulling the wire to be pulled on the pivot 11.

[0056] In a disengagement step E21, the end 12 is disengaged from the stirrup 21.

[0057] In a disengagement step E22, the tailgate 10 is disengaged from the bracket 21 by a rotational movement around the axis of rotation.

[0058] In a tilting step E23, the pivot 11 is tilted from the open position to the closed position so as to fold the tailgate.

Claims

Demands

1. Vehicle comprising a tailgate (10) and a body (20), the tailgate (10) being attached to the body (20) by a hinge having an axis of rotation, the vehicle being characterized in that the tailgate (10) has a pivot (11) configured to be in an open position or in a closed position, the body (20) having a bracket (21), the pivot (11) having an end (12) configured to engage in the bracket (21) and to be abutted against the tailgate (10) when the pivot (11) is in the closed position, the pivot (11) being configured to prevent rotational movement of the tailgate (10) about the axis of rotation when the pivot (11) is in the open position and the end (12) is engaged in the bracket (21).

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the pivot (11) comprises a spring configured to bring the pivot (11) to the open position by elastic return.

3. Vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pivot (11) has a cam, the body (20) having a follower, the cam being configured to cooperate with the follower so as to tilt the pivot (11) from the open position to the closed position when the tailgate (10) is rotating about the axis of rotation towards the follower.

4. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the caliper (21) has a hood configured to slide into an open position or a closed position, the hood covering the caliper (21) in the closed position, the hood being abutted against the body (20) in the open position.

5. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the vehicle comprises a pull tab (25) having a wire (26) attached to the pivot (11), the pull tab (25) being configured to tilt the pivot (11) from the open position to the closed position by pulling the wire (26).

6. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the vehicle includes a button configured to switch the pivot (11) from the closed position to the open position by pressing the button.

7. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the tailgate (10) includes an additional pivot and the body (20) includes an additional bracket (21) configured to cooperate with the additional pivot.

8. Vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that the pivot (11) is separated from the additional pivot by a predetermined distance along the axis of rotation of between 50cm and 150cm.

9. A method for deploying the tailgate (10) of a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the method comprising the following steps: - a step of engaging (E11) the tailgate (10) towards the bracket (21) by a rotational movement around the axis of rotation; - a step of tilting (E12) the pivot (11) from the closed position to the open position; - a step of engaging (E13) the end (12) in the bracket (21) so as to deploy the tailgate.

10. A method for folding the tailgate (10) of a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the method comprising the following steps: - a step of disengaging (E21) the end (12) of the bracket (21); - a step of disengaging (E22) the tailgate (10) from the bracket (21) by a rotational movement about the axis of rotation; - a step of tilting (E23) the pivot (11) from the open position to the closed position so as to fold the tailgate.

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