Vehicle tailgate assembly and vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle tailgate assembly and a vehicle. The vehicle tailgate assembly comprises a tailgate outer plate, a tailgate inner plate, and supporting rod reinforcing plates; a first recessed part and folded edge parts connected to two opposite edges of the first recessed part are constructed on each supporting rod reinforcing plate; and by means of the folded edge parts, the supporting rod reinforcing plate is connected to the tailgate inner plate and a taillight bracket connected to the tailgate outer plate, respectively, so that by means of the first recessed part, the supporting rod reinforcing plate defines a closed first cavity together with the tailgate inner plate and the taillight bracket.

Description

Vehicle back door assembly and vehicle Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of structural design of vehicle tailgate assemblies, and in particular to a vehicle tailgate assembly and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] The tailgate of a vehicle is the rear door of the vehicle's trunk, and is also called a liftgate when it is electric. The tailgate of a vehicle generally consists of two parts: the tailgate outer panel and the tailgate inner panel. The tailgate outer panel and the tailgate inner panel are both sheet metal parts that enclose a hollow chamber. Due to the special construction of the tailgate outer panel and the tailgate inner panel, in order to improve the rigidity of the entire vehicle tailgate and the NVH performance of the entire vehicle, structural features or structural parts for enhancing rigidity are generally provided on the tailgate outer panel and the tailgate inner panel or between the tailgate outer panel and the tailgate inner panel. However, these structural features or structural parts usually increase the total weight of the vehicle tailgate significantly, which may cause the vehicle to fail to achieve the desired NVH design effect after mass production. In the subsequent mass production process, there may be a risk of design changes requiring the addition of anti-vibration blocks.

[0003] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the above background technology section is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and therefore may include information that does not constitute prior art known to ordinary technicians in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One aspect of the present invention aims to solve the technical problem of increasing the rigidity of the tailgate without increasing the weight of the tailgate too much and affecting the NVH performance of the tailgate.

[0005] In addition, other aspects of the present invention are also intended to solve or alleviate other technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] The present invention provides a vehicle tailgate assembly and a vehicle. Specifically, according to one aspect of the present invention, it provides:

[0007] A vehicle tailgate assembly includes a tailgate outer panel, a tailgate inner panel, and a strut reinforcement plate, wherein the strut reinforcement plate is constructed with a first recessed portion and folded edges connected to two opposite edges of the first recessed portion, and the strut reinforcement plate is connected to the tailgate inner panel and a headlight bracket connected to the tailgate outer panel through the folded edges, so that the strut reinforcement plate forms a closed first cavity with the tailgate inner panel and the headlight bracket through the first recessed portion.

[0008] Optionally, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of first bosses are constructed on the folded portion, and the folded portion is welded to the tailgate inner panel and the headlight bracket through welding points arranged on the first bosses, and at least two welding points welded to the headlight bracket are arranged on one of the folded portions.

[0009] Optionally, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle tailgate assembly further includes an intermediate bracket, on which a second recessed portion is constructed. The intermediate bracket is respectively connected to the tailgate outer panel and the tailgate inner panel, and forms at least one closed second cavity with the tailgate outer panel and the tailgate inner panel through the second recessed portion.

[0010] Optionally, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate bracket is constructed to include a main body and a first end, a second end and a third end extending from the main body, and an adhesive connection portion is provided on the first end and the second end for bonding to the tail door outer panel, the second recessed portion is provided on the main body and the third end, and a second boss is provided on the main body and the third end, and the intermediate bracket is welded to the tail door inner panel through a welding point arranged on the second boss.

[0011] Optionally, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a triangular protrusion is provided at the first end and the second end respectively, and a reinforcing rib is provided around the protrusion and spaced apart from the protrusion.

[0012] Optionally, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the second boss provided on the main body includes at least two circular bosses, around which reinforcing ribs are provided.

[0013] Optionally, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle tailgate assembly further includes a lock reinforcement plate, on which a third recessed portion is constructed. The lock reinforcement plate is respectively connected to the tailgate outer panel and the tailgate inner panel at the lock of the tailgate, and forms at least one closed third cavity with the tailgate outer panel and the tailgate inner panel through the third recessed portion.

[0014] Optionally, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the lock reinforcement plate is constructed to include a main body and a first end, a second end, a third end and a fourth end extending from the main body, and an adhesive connection portion is provided on the first end, the second end and the third end for bonding to the tail door outer panel, and a third boss is provided on the main body and the fourth end, and the lock reinforcement plate is welded to the tail door inner panel through a welding point arranged on the third boss.

[0015] Alternatively, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the third recessed portion includes at least one first recessed groove and at least two second recessed grooves, wherein the first recessed groove is arranged on the main body, and the second recessed grooves are arranged adjacent to each other on the fourth end portion, and the recessed directions of the two adjacent second recessed grooves are opposite to each other.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes the vehicle tailgate assembly described above.

[0017] The benefits of the present invention include:

[0018] 1. The tailgate assembly of the present invention enhances its strength by adding structural components connecting the inner and outer tailgate panels. These components, together with the inner and outer tailgate panels, form a closed cavity, enhancing the structural strength of the tailgate assembly. This minimizes the weight of the tailgate assembly and improves the NVH performance of the tailgate assembly.

[0019] 2. The back door assembly of the present invention takes into account the back door mechanisms at the support rod, headlights and lock to reinforce the back door, ensuring the rigidity of the back door assembly at these special locations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The above and other features of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that these drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. In addition, similar numbers in the drawings represent similar components, wherein:

[0021] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a back door assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention with the back door inner panel removed;

[0022] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of a support rod reinforcement plate of a back door assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of an intermediate bracket of a back door assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG4 is a schematic structural diagram of a lock reinforcement plate of a tailgate assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] It is easy to understand that according to the technical solution of the present invention, without changing the essential spirit of the present invention, a person skilled in the art can propose a variety of interchangeable structural modes and implementation modes. Therefore, the following specific embodiments and drawings are only exemplary descriptions of the technical solution of the present invention and should not be regarded as the entire invention or as a limitation or restriction of the technical solution of the present invention.

[0026] The terms "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," "back," "front," "back," "top," and "bottom" mentioned or potentially mentioned in this specification are defined relative to the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings. These are relative concepts and may vary depending on the location or usage of the device. Therefore, these or other directional terms should not be construed as restrictive. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," "third," and similar expressions are used solely for descriptive and distinguishing purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying the relative importance of the corresponding components or the order or sequence of their assembly.

[0027] Referring to Figure 1, it shows a schematic structural diagram of a tailgate assembly proposed according to one embodiment of the present invention after the tailgate inner panel is removed. The vehicle tailgate assembly 1 includes a tailgate outer panel 100, a tailgate inner panel (not shown in Figure 1), and an intermediate connector arranged between the tailgate outer panel 100 and the tailgate inner panel. The tailgate outer panel 100 is the tailgate structure exposed to the outside of the tailgate, while the tailgate inner panel is an interior decoration part, and both are, for example, sheet metal parts. The tailgate outer panel and the tailgate inner panel form a hollow middle space or cavity, and the intermediate connector is, for example, arranged in the middle space. Therefore, in Figure 1, the tailgate inner panel is removed to show the arrangement position of the intermediate connector. The intermediate connector is used to enhance the rigidity of the tailgate assembly 1, and under certain circumstances, it can also improve the NVH performance of the tailgate assembly 1.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate connector comprises a strut reinforcement plate 200, positioned at the tailgate's connection to the strut, typically near the vehicle's headlights when the tailgate is closed. The strut reinforcement plate 200 is configured with a first recessed portion 210 and two folded edges 220 and 230 connected to opposite edges of the first recessed portion 210. The strut reinforcement plate 200 is connected to the tailgate inner panel and the headlight bracket connected to the tailgate outer panel 100 via the folded edges 220 and 230, respectively. In this way, the strut reinforcement plate 200 forms a closed first cavity with the tailgate inner panel and the headlight bracket at the tailgate's connection to the strut (at the vehicle's headlights) via the first recessed portion 210, without requiring direct connection to the tailgate outer panel 100. The strut reinforcement plate 200 can be directly connected to the tailgate inner panel and the headlight bracket by welding. The first cavity formed by the strut reinforcement plate 200, the tailgate inner panel and the headlight bracket, increases the local stiffness of the tailgate near the headlights, thereby reducing the local modal effects caused by the headlight installation. The strut reinforcement plate 200 can be constructed as a relatively thin plate, which has little impact on the weight of the entire tailgate assembly 1 .

[0029] Optionally, the strut reinforcement plate 200 has two folded edges 220 and 230, each with multiple first bosses 231 (only one of these first bosses is shown in FIG2 as an example, with three weld points disposed thereon). The weld points (illustrated as black dots in FIG2 ) where the folded edges 220 and 230 are welded to the tailgate inner panel and the headlight bracket are located on the first bosses 231. Optionally, a reinforcing structure, such as a rib, is disposed around the first bosses 231 to increase the strength of the weld points. Optionally, one of the folded edges 230 is welded to the headlight bracket via at least two weld points 232 and 233, thereby further ensuring the connection strength between the strut reinforcement plate 200 and the headlight bracket. It should be understood that those skilled in the art may select the number of weld points and the placement of the weld points or first bosses 231 based on the specific structures of the tailgate and headlight bracket, and this is also within the scope of the present invention.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate connector further includes an intermediate bracket 300, on which a second recessed portion 310 is constructed. The intermediate bracket 300 is connected to the back door outer panel 100 and the back door inner panel, respectively, and forms at least one enclosed second cavity with the back door outer panel 100 and the back door inner panel through the second recessed portion 310. It should be understood that, in an optional case, the second recessed portion 310 may include, for example, a plurality of recessed portions with different recessed directions, that is, these recessed portions are partially recessed toward the back door outer panel 100 and partially recessed toward the back door inner panel. Therefore, when the intermediate bracket 300 is connected to the back door outer panel 100 and the back door inner panel in the middle of the back door, some of the recessed portions form a cavity with the back door outer panel 100, while others form a cavity with the back door inner panel. These cavities can increase the rigidity of the back door assembly 1.

[0031] Optionally, the intermediate bracket 300 is constructed to include a main body 301 and a first end 302, a second end 303, and a third end 304 extending from the main body 301. Adhesive connection portions 320, such as expansion adhesive grooves, are provided on the first and second ends 302, 303 for bonding to the tailgate outer panel 100. Second recessed portions 310 are provided on the main body 301 and the third end 304. Second bosses 330 (only one of the second bosses is shown in FIG3 ) are provided on the main body 301 and the third end 304. The intermediate bracket 300 is welded to the tailgate inner panel via welds arranged on the second bosses 330 (the welds are shown as black dots in FIG3 ). This arrangement of the intermediate bracket 300 forms a U-shaped bracket between the back panel outer panel 100 and the back panel inner panel. The intermediate bracket 300 and the back panel outer panel 100 enclose a closed cavity, thereby increasing the rigidity of the entire back panel assembly 1 and improving the middle bending mode of the back door caused by the styling design. It should be understood that the intermediate bracket 300 can also be configured in other suitable shapes to connect the back panel outer panel 100 and the back panel inner panel, respectively. Second bosses 330 can also be configured on the first end 302 and the second end 303 to increase the connection strength between the intermediate bracket 300 and the back door inner panel. An adhesive connection portion 320 can also be configured on the main body 301 to increase the connection strength between the intermediate bracket 300 and the back door outer panel 100.

[0032] Optionally, triangular protrusions 340 are provided at the first and second ends 302, 303, respectively, with reinforcing ribs surrounding and spaced apart from the protrusions 340. The protrusions 340 at the first and second ends 302, 303, and the surrounding reinforcing ribs, cooperate to enhance the strength of the connection between the intermediate bracket 300 and the back panel outer panel 100. Furthermore, the triangular protrusions 340 can also be hollow, thereby forming a cavity between them and the back panel outer panel 100, thereby enhancing the overall strength of the back door assembly 1.

[0033] Optionally, the second boss 330 provided on the main body 301 includes at least two circular bosses 331 and 332, each surrounded by a reinforcing rib. These at least two circular bosses 331 and 332 are provided on the main body 301 of the intermediate bracket 300, for example, at key weld locations on the main body 301. The structural form of the circular bosses 331 and 332 and the surrounding reinforcing ribs ensures the strength of the welds. It should be understood that more than two circular bosses may be provided on the main body 301 to provide more weld locations.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate connector further includes a latch reinforcement plate 400. A third recess 410 is formed on the latch reinforcement plate 400. The latch reinforcement plate 400 is connected to the back door outer panel 100 and the back door inner panel at the latch of the back door, respectively. The latch reinforcement plate 400, together with the back door outer panel 100 and the back door inner panel, forms at least one enclosed third cavity through the third recess 410. Since the latch arrangement of the back door outer panel 100 and the back door inner panel typically reduces the thickness of the sheet metal at the latch or directly cuts away portions of the sheet metal to make room for the latch, the back door is typically weak at the latch. Arranging the latch reinforcement plate 400 at the latch can increase the stiffness of the back door outer panel 100 and the back door inner panel at the latch.

[0035] Optionally, the strike reinforcement plate 400 includes a main body 401 and a first end 402, a second end 403, a third end 404, and a fourth end 405 extending therefrom. Adhesive connection portions 420, such as expansion adhesive grooves, are provided on the first end 402, the second end 403, and the third end 404 for bonding to the tailgate outer panel 100. Third bosses 430 (only one third boss is exemplarily labeled in FIG. 4 ) are provided on the main body 401 and the fourth end 405. The strike reinforcement plate 400 is welded to the tailgate inner panel via welds (illustrated as black dots in FIG. 4 ) disposed on the third bosses 430. The first end 402 of the strike reinforcement plate 400 is, for example, configured as an elongated strip, and the expansion adhesive groove therein is also configured to be longer than the expansion adhesive grooves on the second end 403 and the third end 404. The expansion rubber grooves at the second end 403 and the third end 404 are configured as smaller expansion rubber grooves. This configuration not only matches the structure of the lock buckle, but also provides a more secure connection to the back door outer panel 100 and better forms a cavity between the lock buckle reinforcement plate 400 and the back door outer panel 100. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can configure the shape of the lock buckle reinforcement plate 400 and the position and shape of the expansion rubber grooves according to different lock buckle structures.

[0036] Optionally, the third recessed portion 410 includes at least one first recess 411 and at least two second recesses 412. For example, as shown in FIG4 , the third recessed portion 410 includes two first recesses 411 and seven second recesses 412. The first recess 411 is arranged on the main body 401, and the second recesses 412 are arranged adjacent to each other on the fourth end portion 405. The recesses 412 are recessed in opposite directions. The placement of the first recess 411 on the main body 401 allows space for the latch and forms a cavity between the first recess 411 and the back door outer panel 100 and the back door inner panel. The second recesses 412 are recessed in two directions: one recessed toward the back door outer panel 100 and the other recessed toward the back door inner panel. This allows multiple cavities to be formed between the second recesses 412 and the back door outer panel 100 and the back door inner panel. Furthermore, the cavities formed with the back door outer panel 100 and the back door inner panel are adjacent to each other, further enhancing the strength of the back door assembly 1.

[0037] In one embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle tailgate assembly 1 includes the aforementioned strut reinforcement plate 200, intermediate bracket 300, and latch reinforcement plate 400. These three reinforcement structures significantly enhance the rigidity of each of the tailgate's weaker structures, thereby strengthening the tailgate's modal characteristics and enhancing the vehicle's NVH performance and ride comfort.

[0038] Another aspect of the present invention further provides a vehicle, which includes the vehicle tailgate assembly 1. The vehicle has all the technical effects of the vehicle tailgate assembly 1, which will not be described in detail here.

[0039] It should be understood that the vehicle tailgate assembly of the present invention can be installed on various vehicles, including cars, trucks, buses, hybrid vehicles, pure electric vehicles, etc. Therefore, the subject matter of the present invention is also intended to protect various vehicles equipped with the vehicle tailgate assembly of the present invention.

[0040] It should be understood that all the above preferred embodiments are illustrative rather than restrictive, and various modifications or variations made by those skilled in the art to the specific embodiments described above under the concept of the present invention should be within the legal protection scope of the present invention.

[0041] The relevant user personal information that may be involved in the various embodiments of the present invention is processed in strict accordance with the requirements of laws and regulations, following the principles of legality, legitimacy and necessity, based on the reasonable purposes of business scenarios, and processing the personal information that users actively provide during the use of products / services or generated due to the use of products / services, as well as the personal information obtained with the user's authorization.

[0042] The personal information processed by the Applicant will vary depending on the specific product / service scenario and will be based on the specific scenario in which the user uses the product / service. This may involve the user's account information, device information, driving information, vehicle information, or other related information. The Applicant will treat the user's personal information and its processing with a high degree of diligence.

[0043] The Applicant attaches great importance to the security of user personal information and has taken reasonable and feasible security measures that comply with industry standards to protect user information and prevent personal information from being accessed, disclosed, used, modified, damaged or lost without authorization.

Claims

1. A vehicle rear door assembly, comprising an outer rear door panel, an inner rear door panel and a strut reinforcement plate, characterized in that, A first recessed portion is formed on the strut reinforcement plate, and flanging portions are connected to two opposite edges of the first recessed portion. The strut reinforcement plate is connected to the inner panel of the rear door and the headlamp bracket connected to the outer panel of the rear door through the flanging portions respectively, so that a closed first cavity is formed by the first recessed portion of the strut reinforcement plate, the inner panel of the rear door and the headlamp bracket.

2. The vehicle back door assembly according to claim 1, wherein A plurality of first bosses are formed on the flanging portion. The flanging portion is welded to the inner panel of the rear door and the headlamp bracket through welding spots arranged on the first bosses. At least two welding spots for welding to the headlamp bracket are arranged on one of the flanging portions.

3. The vehicle rear door assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle rear door assembly further includes an intermediate bracket. A second recessed portion is formed on the intermediate bracket. The intermediate bracket is connected to the outer panel of the rear door and the inner panel of the rear door respectively, and at least one closed second cavity is formed by the second recessed portion, the outer panel of the rear door and the inner panel of the rear door.

4. The vehicle rear door assembly according to claim 3, wherein, The intermediate bracket is configured to include a main body and a first end portion, a second end portion and a third end portion extending from the main body. Bonding connection portions are provided on the first end portion and the second end portion for bonding to the outer panel of the rear door. The second recessed portion is provided on the main body and the third end portion. Second bosses are provided on the main body and the third end portion. The intermediate bracket is welded to the inner panel of the rear door through welding spots arranged on the second bosses.

5. The vehicle rear door assembly according to claim 4, wherein, Triangular protrusions are respectively provided at the first end portion and the second end portion. Reinforcing ribs are provided around the protrusions and spaced apart from the protrusions.

6. The vehicle rear door assembly according to claim 4, wherein The second boss provided on the main body includes at least two circular bosses, and reinforcing ribs are provided around them.

7. The vehicle rear door assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The vehicle rear door assembly further includes a latch reinforcement plate. A third recessed portion is formed on the latch reinforcement plate. The latch reinforcement plate is connected to the outer panel of the rear door and the inner panel of the rear door at the latch of the rear door respectively, and at least one closed third cavity is formed by the third recessed portion, the outer panel of the rear door and the inner panel of the rear door.

8. The vehicle rear door assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that, The latch reinforcement plate is configured to include a main body and a first end portion, a second end portion, a third end portion and a fourth end portion extending from the main body. Bonding connection portions are provided on the first end portion, the second end portion and the third end portion for bonding to the outer panel of the rear door. A third boss is provided on the main body and the fourth end portion. The latch reinforcement plate is welded to the inner panel of the rear door through welding spots arranged on the third bosses.

9. The vehicle rear door assembly according to claim 8, wherein, The third recessed portion includes at least one first groove and at least two second grooves. The first groove is arranged on the main body. The second grooves are arranged adjacent to each other on the fourth end portion, and the recessed directions of two adjacent second grooves are opposite to each other.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, The vehicle includes the vehicle rear door assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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