VEHICLE FEATURING A TAILGATE AND A LATCH, 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 an axis of rotation. The tailgate (10) has a latch (11), and the body (20) has a strike plate (21). The latch (11) is configured to slide from an open position to a closed position by engaging with the strike plate (21). The strike plate (21) is configured to prevent rotation of the tailgate (10) about its axis of rotation when the latch (11) is in the open position and engaged with the strike plate (21). Abstract figure: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: VEHICLE COMPRISING A TAILGATE AND A LATCH, 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 bolt, the body having a strike plate, the bolt being configured to slide from an open position to a closed position by engaging in the strike plate, the strike plate being configured to prevent a rotational movement of the tailgate around the axis of rotation when the bolt is in the open position and the bolt is engaged in the strike plate.

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

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

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

[0008] Advantageously, the bolt includes a stop configured to be placed against the bodywork.

[0009] This helps to reduce wear on the bolt, in particular when the rotational movement of the tailgate around the axis of rotation dampens the mechanical stress exerted on the bolt by contact with the bodywork when engaging in the strike plate.

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

[0011] Advantageously, the vehicle includes a pull handle having a wire attached to the bolt, the pull handle being configured to slide the bolt from the open position to the closed position by pulling the wire.

[0012] Such a pull handle allows the tailgate to be unlocked remotely or from a location without requiring direct actuation on the pivot.

[0013] Advantageously, the tailgate includes an additional bolt and the body includes an additional strike plate configured to cooperate with the additional bolt.

[0014] Stabilizing the tailgate with an additional bolt and an additional strike plate prevents any movement considered angularly relative to the axis of rotation.

[0015] Advantageously, the bolt is separated from the additional bolt by a predetermined distance along the axis of rotation between 50 cm and 150 cm.

[0016] 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 latch by a rotational movement around the axis of rotation; - a step of engaging the bolt in the strike plate, the bolt sliding from the open position to the closed position; - a sliding step of the bolt from the closed position to the open position when the bolt is engaged in the strike plate so as to deploy the tailgate.

[0017] The invention further relates to a method for folding the tailgate of a vehicle defined as above, the method comprising the following steps: - a step of disengaging the bolt from the strike plate, the bolt sliding from the open position to the closed position; - a sliding step of the bolt from the closed position to the open position when the bolt is disengaged from the strike plate; - a step of disengaging the tailgate from the latch by a rotational movement around the axis of rotation so as to fold the tailgate.

[0018] 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 bolt in the open position; - [Fig. 3] illustrates a detailed view of the vehicle, the bolt engaging in the latch, sliding from the open position to the closed position; - [Fig. 4] illustrates a detailed view of the bolt, shown in [Fig. 3], engaging in the strike plate; - [Fig. 5] illustrates a detailed view of the vehicle, with the bolt engaged in the gâche; - [Fig. 6] illustrates a detailed view of the bolt, shown in [Fig. 5], engaged in the latch; - [Fig.7] illustrates a detailed view of the strike plate; - [Fig.8] illustrates a detailed view of the vehicle, illustrated in [Fig.1], including a moving pull tab comprising a thread; - [Fig. 9] illustrates a flowchart representing the steps of a process of deployment of a tailgate, according to one embodiment of the invention; - [Fig. 10] illustrates a flowchart representing the steps of a tailgate folding process, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0019] Figure [1] illustrates 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] The tailgate 10 includes a bolt 11 typically having a cylindrical or block-shaped rod 12 with a beveled end. The rod 12 has a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

[0023] The body 20 includes a strike plate 21. The bolt 11 is configured to slide from a closed position to an open position by engaging with the strike plate 21. Generally, in the open position, as illustrated in [Fig. 2], the rod 12 has a first longitudinal extension relative to the bolt 11. Furthermore, the rod 12 has a second longitudinal extension relative to the bolt 11 when the bolt 11 is in the closed position, the second longitudinal extension being less than the first longitudinal extension.

[0024] As illustrated in [Fig.6], the bolt 11 advantageously includes a stop 13 configured to be placed against the body 20.

[0025] The bolt 11 advantageously includes a spring configured to return the bolt 11 to the open position by elastic recoil. For example, the spring extends along the longitudinal axis of the rod 12. In practice, the spring comprises a first end attached to the rod 12 and a second end attached to the bolt 11.

[0026] The body 20 includes a strike plate 21. In [Fig. 7], the strike plate 21 has a support 23 and a housing 22 configured to receive the bolt 11. The support 23 extends along the longitudinal axis of the rod 12 over a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance is advantageously chosen to be greater than or equal to the difference between the second and first longitudinal extensions.

[0027] The latch 21 is configured to prevent rotation of the tailgate 10 around the axis of rotation when the bolt 11 is in the open position and the bolt 11 is engaged in the latch 21.

[0028] The vehicle advantageously includes a pull handle 24 having a wire 25 attached to the bolt 11 as illustrated in [Fig. 8]. The pull handle 24 is configured to slide the bolt 11 from the open position to the closed position by pulling the wire 25 along with it.

[0029] The tailgate 10 advantageously includes an additional bolt and the body 20 advantageously includes an additional strike plate configured to cooperate with the additional bolt.

[0030] The strike plate 21 is advantageously separated from the additional strike plate by a predetermined distance along the axis of rotation between 50cm and 150cm.

[0031] The latch 21 advantageously comprises a cover configured to slide into an open position or into a closed position, the cover covering the latch 21 in the closed position, the cover being against the body 20 in the open position.

[0032] A flowchart of a method for deploying the tailgate 10 is illustrated in [Fig.9], according to an embodiment of the invention, steps of the deployment method being described below.

[0033] In an engagement step El 1, the tailgate 10 is engaged towards the latch 21 by a rotational movement around the axis of rotation.

[0034] In an engagement step El2, the bolt 11 engages in the strike plate 21, the bolt 11 sliding from the open position to the closed position as illustrated in [Fig.3] and [Fig.4].

[0035] In a sliding step E13, the bolt 11 slides from the closed position to the open position when the bolt 11 is engaged in the strike plate 21 so as to deploy the tailgate as illustrated in [Fig.5] and [Fig.6].

[0036] A flowchart of a method for folding the tailgate 10 is illustrated in [Fig. 10], according to an embodiment of the invention, steps of the folding method being described below.

[0037] The method advantageously includes a pull step E'21, the pull tab tilting the bolt 11 from the open position to the closed position by pulling the wire to be pulled on the bolt 11.

[0038] In a disengagement step E21, the bolt 11 is disengaged from the strike plate 21, the bolt 11 sliding from the open position to the closed position.

[0039] In a sliding step E22, the bolt 11 slides from the closed position to the open position when the bolt 11 is disengaged from the strike plate 21.

[0040] In a disengagement step E23, the tailgate 10 is disengaged from the latch 21 by a rotational movement around the axis of rotation 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 bolt (11), the body (20) having a strike plate (21), the bolt (11) being configured to slide from an open position to a closed position by engaging in the strike plate (21), the strike plate (21) being configured to prevent rotation of the tailgate (10) around the axis of rotation when the bolt (11) is in the open position and the bolt (11) is engaged in the strike plate (21).

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

3. Vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bolt (11) includes a stop (13) configured to be placed against the body (20).

4. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the latch (21) has a cover configured to slide into an open position or into a closed position, the cover covering the latch (21) in the closed position, the cover being 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 handle having a wire attached to the bolt (11), the pull handle being configured to slide the bolt (11) from the open position to the closed position by pulling the wire.

6. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the tailgate (10) includes an additional bolt (11) and the body (20) includes an additional strike plate configured to cooperate with the additional bolt.

7. Vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that the bolt (11) is separated from the additional bolt by a predetermined distance along the axis of rotation of between 50 cm and 150 cm.

8. A method for deploying the tailgate (10) of a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the method comprising the following steps: - an engagement step (El 1) of the tailgate (10) towards the latch (21) by a rotational movement around the axis of rotation; - a step of engaging (El2) the bolt (11) in the strike plate (21), the bolt (11) sliding from the open position to the closed position; - a sliding step (E13) of the bolt (11) from the closed position to the open position when the bolt (11) is engaged in the strike plate (21) so as to deploy the tailgate.

9. A method for folding the tailgate (10) of a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the method comprising the following steps: - a disengagement step (E21) of the bolt (11) of the strike plate (21), the bolt (11) sliding from the open position to the closed position; - a sliding step (E22) of the bolt (11) from the closed position to the open position when the bolt (11) is disengaged from the strike plate (21); - a disengagement step (E23) of the tailgate (10) from the latch (21) by a rotational movement around the axis of rotation so as to fold the tailgate.

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