Back door and method for mounting glass member

Abstract

A back door (20) comprises a back door body (21), a glass member (30), a lip (32), and an adhesive layer (50). The back door body (21) has an opening (22). The glass member (30) is attached to the opening (22) of the back door body (21). The lip (32) has a first extension member (33) fixed to the lower end (31A) of the glass member (30) inside a vehicle, and a second extension member (34) positioned below the first extension member (33). The adhesive layer (50) is disposed between the position (23A) where the glass member (30) adheres to the back door body (21) and the first extension member (33) and second extension member (34) of the lip (32). The second extension member (34) of the lip (32) extends below the lower end of the glass member (30).

Description

Back door and glass component installation method

[0001] The present invention relates to a back door and a method for installing a glass member.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Vehicles such as minivans, hatchbacks, and station wagons are equipped with a back door attached to the rear of the body.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a back door including a frame member, a glass member bonded to the frame member with an adhesive, and a panel disposed below the glass member.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-154829

[0005] In the tailgate described in Patent Document 1, the periphery of the glass member is bonded to the frame member with an adhesive. To ensure the adhesive strength between the glass member and the frame member, it is necessary to ensure an adhesive margin around the periphery of the glass member. The position of the bottom edge of the glass member is determined while ensuring rearward visibility and taking into consideration the necessary adhesive margin for the glass member. Furthermore, the position of the bottom edge of the glass member is linked to the bottom edges of the glass members of the side doors and side windows, which significantly affects the design. Because the position of the bottom edge of the glass member is determined by ensuring rearward visibility and the adhesive margin for the glass member, there is a problem of limited design freedom. Therefore, there is a need to raise the position of the bottom edge of the glass member while ensuring rearward visibility.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a back door in which the lower end of the glass member is positioned high while ensuring rearward visibility, and a method for installing the glass member.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the tailgate of the present invention comprises a tailgate body having an opening, a glass member attached to the opening of the tailgate body, a lip having a first extension member fixed to the lower end of the glass member on the inside of the vehicle and a second extension member located below the first extension member, and an adhesive layer arranged between the first extension member and the second extension member of the lip and the bonding position of the glass member on the tailgate body, and the second extension member of the lip extends below the lower end of the glass member.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a back door in which the lower end position of the glass member is high while ensuring rear visibility, and a method for installing the glass member.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a partial perspective view showing a rear part of a vehicle according to an embodiment; Fig. 2 is a view showing the rear part of a vehicle according to an embodiment; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a back door according to an embodiment; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a back door according to an embodiment; Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a method for installing a glass member according to an embodiment; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a method for installing a glass member according to an embodiment; Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a method for installing a glass member according to a modified example;

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A back door and a method for installing a glass member according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] (Embodiment) Fig. 1 is a partial perspective view showing the rear of a vehicle 1. Fig. 2 is a view showing the rear of the vehicle 1. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment is a hatchback equipped with a vehicle body 10 and a back door 20, and is driven by an engine (not shown) that drives the wheels. The engine may be a gasoline engine, a diesel engine, or a hybrid engine that combines an internal combustion engine and a motor. Note that the vehicle 1 may also be an EV (electric vehicle) that drives the wheels by a motor.

[0012] For ease of understanding, unless otherwise specified, "front," "rear," "left," "right," "up," and "down" indicate directions relative to the direction of travel of vehicle 1.

[0013] The vehicle main body 10 is the body of the vehicle 1, and has a back door opening 11 at the rear of the vehicle to which a back door 20 is attached, and also fixes an engine (not shown) and the like.

[0014] The back door 20 is rotatably attached to the back door opening 11 of the vehicle body 10 via an opening / closing hinge, and is configured to open and close the back door opening 11 of the vehicle 1 by rotating the back door 20. The back door 20 also includes a back door body 21, a glass member 30, and an exterior component 40.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the tailgate 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the tailgate main body 21 includes an opening 22 to which a glass member 30 is attached, a metal frame 23, a resin interior member 24, and a rear spoiler 25. The opening 22 is provided to ensure rearward visibility. The frame 23 is a metal panel formed by pressing a metal plate into a shape corresponding to the tailgate 20. The interior member 24 is a member that constitutes the interior of the vehicle 1 and is attached to the inside surface of the lower part of the tailgate 20. The rear spoiler 25 is a member that is attached to the outside surface of the upper part of the tailgate 20 and has the effect of quickly directing airflow from the rearmost part of the vehicle 1, thereby reducing air resistance.

[0016] The glass member 30 is a rear window attached to the opening 22 of the tailgate 20 with adhesive applied to its edges, including the lower end 31A and the upper end 31B. By attaching the glass member 30 to the frame 23 of the tailgate 20, it is possible to prevent rain and wind from entering the vehicle interior while ensuring rearward visibility.

[0017] The exterior component 40 is a component that is disposed on the outer surface of the back door main body 21 and below the opening 22. The exterior component 40 is, for example, a component made of resin, and includes a tail lamp and the like.

[0018] 4 is a diagram showing the attachment portion between the lower portion of the glass member 30 and the back door body 21. Next, the attachment portion between the lower portion of the glass member 30 and the back door body 21 will be described.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 4 , the glass member 30 has a lip 32 at a lower end 31A, and is fixed to the frame 23 of the back door main body 21 by an adhesive layer 50 .

[0020] The lip 32 includes a first extension member 33 fixed to a lower end portion 31A of the glass member 30 on the vehicle inner side, a second extension member 34 located below the first extension member 33, and a flexible portion 35 connecting the first extension member 33 and the second extension member 34. Since the lip 32 conceals the gap between the glass member 30 and the exterior component 40, the color of the lip 32 is preferably a dark color including black, or a color similar to that of the exterior component 40.

[0021] The front surface 33A of the first extension member 33 is fixed to the lower end portion 31A on the vehicle inner side of the glass member 30. The back surface 33B of the first extension member 33 is adhered to the frame 23 of the back door main body 21 by an adhesive layer 50.

[0022] The second extension member 34 extends below the lower end 31A of the glass member 30 and is not directly fixed to the interior side of the vehicle of the glass member 30. The second extension member 34 is disposed between the exterior component 40 and the frame 23, and the front surface 34A of the second extension member 34 is in contact with the exterior component 40. The back surface 34B of the second extension member 34 is adhered to the frame 23 of the tailgate body 21 by an adhesive layer 50. This increases the adhesive area of ​​the adhesive layer 50, ensuring the adhesive strength between the glass member 30 and the tailgate body 21. This allows the lower limit LL of rear visibility to be lowered while the lower end position GE of the glass member 30 is raised.

[0023] The flexible portion 35 is made of a flexible elastic material and connects the first extension member 33 and the second extension member 34. At least the flexible portion 35 of the lip 32 is made of an elastic material. As a result, as shown in the glass member installation method described below, the lip 32 has an L-shape when viewed from the side of the vehicle before the glass member 30 is attached to the back door body 21, and deforms into a dogleg shape when viewed from the side of the vehicle after the glass member 30 is attached to the back door body 21. The L-shape is a shape in which the angle between the first extension member 33 and the second extension member 34 is approximately 90°. The dogleg shape is a shape in which the angle between the first extension member 33 and the second extension member 34 is greater than 90° and less than 180°, preferably greater than 110° and less than 150°.

[0024] The adhesive layer 50 is made of a hardened adhesive and is disposed between the bonding position 23A of the glass member 30 on the frame 23 of the back door body 21 and the lip 32, which includes the lower end 31A of the glass member 30, the first extension member 33, the second extension member 34, and the flexible portion 35, thereby fixing (bonding) the frame 23 to the glass member 30 and the lip 32. The adhesive layer 50 thereby bonds the frame 23 of the back door body 21 to the lower end 31A of the glass member 30, the first extension member 33, the second extension member 34, and the flexible portion 35. A stopper 60 is provided above the adhesive layer 50 to prevent the adhesive layer 50 from overhanging. The material of the stopper 60 is not particularly limited, but it is preferably made of flexible rubber or resin to prevent the adhesive layer 50 from overhanging.

[0025] Next, a method for mounting the glass member 30 having the above-described configuration on the back door body 21 will be described with reference to a flowchart. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the method for mounting the glass member.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 5, the method for attaching the glass member includes an application step (step S101) of applying adhesive 51 and an attachment step (step S102) of attaching glass member 30 to back door main body 21.

[0027] 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a method for attaching a glass member. In the application process (step S101), adhesive 51 is applied to the bonding area of ​​the edge of glass member 30, including bottom end 31A of glass member 30, as shown in FIG. 6. As described above, glass member 30 has lip 32 attached to bottom end 31A, which includes first extension member 33, second extension member 34, and flexible portion 35. Also, stopper 60 is disposed on glass member 30.

[0028] At this point, the first extension member 33 is fixed to the vehicle interior side of the glass member 30, while the second extension member 34 is not directly fixed to the vehicle interior side of the glass member 30. Furthermore, the lip 32 has an L-shape when viewed from the side when attached to the vehicle. The L-shape of the lip 32 ensures clearance on the assembly path AT between the second extension member 34 of the lip 32 and the exterior component 40. Furthermore, the lip 32 is provided with a flexible portion 35, so that even if the tip 34C of the second extension member 34 comes into contact with the exterior component 40, it can bend upward, and this does not affect assembly.

[0029] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a method for attaching a glass member. During the attachment process (step S102), as shown in FIG. 7 , when the glass member 30 is moved toward the tailgate body 21, the adhesive 51 and the tip 34C of the second extension member 34 come into contact with the frame 23 of the tailgate body 21. Furthermore, as the glass member 30 is moved toward the tailgate body 21, the flexible portion 35 of the lip 32 deforms, and the tip 34C is pressed down against the frame 23. Furthermore, as the gap between the glass member 30 and the frame 23 of the tailgate body 21 narrows, the adhesive 51 is forced downward. When the adhesive 51 is forced downward, the second extension member 34 comes into contact with the exterior component 40, as shown in FIG. 4 , and the lip 32 is deformed into a dogleg shape when viewed from the side when attached to the vehicle. This allows the second extension member 34 to force the adhesive 51 downward, ensuring a sufficient adhesive surface area.

[0030] Furthermore, stopper 60 provided near opening 22 of tailgate body 21 prevents adhesive 51 from spilling out upward, allowing adhesive 51 to be pushed downward. When adhesive 51 hardens, adhesive layer 50 is formed, and glass member 30 is attached to tailgate body 21. Adhesive layer 50 is formed between tailgate body 21 and first extension member 33 and second extension member 34 of lip 32. This ensures that the necessary area for adhesive layer 50 for bonding glass member 30 to tailgate body 21 is secured together with lip 32, allowing the lower end position GE of glass member 30 to be higher than when the glass member is directly bonded to the tailgate body, improving design freedom.

[0031] As described above, the tailgate and glass member installation method according to this embodiment includes a lip 32 having a first extension member 33 fixed to the vehicle-interior lower end 31A of the glass member 30 and a second extension member 34 positioned below the first extension member 33. The second extension member 34 of the lip 32 extends below the lower end of the glass member 30. This allows an adhesive layer 50 to be formed between the tailgate body 21 and the first and second extension members 33 and 34 of the lip 32, ensuring adhesive strength. This allows the lower end position GE of the glass member 30 to be elevated while ensuring rearward visibility, thereby improving design flexibility. Furthermore, because the second extension member 34 of the lip 32 is positioned between the tailgate body 21 and the exterior component 40, the lip 32 conceals the gap between the glass member 30 and the exterior component 40. Furthermore, before the installation process (step S102), the lip 32 has an L-shape when viewed from the side when attached to the vehicle, thereby ensuring clearance on the assembly path AT between the second extension member 34 of the lip 32 and the exterior component 40. Furthermore, because the lip 32 is provided with the flexible portion 35, in the installation process (step S102), the lip 32 deforms into a dogleg shape when viewed from the side when attached to the vehicle, and the second extension member 34 is positioned between the glass member 30 and the exterior component 40. Therefore, according to the glass member installation method of the present embodiment, the glass member 30 can be easily installed on the back door main body 21.

[0032] (Modifications) The above embodiment can be modified in various ways, and the above embodiment can be combined with each of the modifications. In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the vehicle 1 is a hatchback, but the vehicle 1 is not particularly limited as long as it is equipped with a back door 20, such as a minivan or station wagon. Even in such a case, the lower end position GE of the glass member can be raised while ensuring rear visibility.

[0033] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which adhesive 51 is applied to the edge of glass member 30, including lower end 31A of glass member 30, in the application step (step S101). FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a method for attaching a glass member. In the application step (step S101), adhesive 51 may also be applied to the bonding area of ​​back door main body 21, as shown in FIG. 8. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which stopper 60 is disposed on glass member 30, but stopper 60 may also be disposed on frame 23 of back door main body 21. Even in this case, glass member 30 can be attached to back door main body 21.

[0034] The present invention allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to explain the present invention and do not limit the scope of the present invention. In other words, the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of the disclosure equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0035] 1...vehicle, 10...vehicle body, 11...tail door opening, 20...tail door, 21...tail door body, 22...opening, 23...frame, 23A...adhesion position, 24...interior member, 25...rear spoiler, 30...glass member, 31A...lower end, 31B...upper end, 32...lip, 33...first extension member, 33A, 34A...front surface, 33B, 34B...back surface, 34...second extension member, 34C...tip portion, 35...flexible portion, 40...exterior part, 50...adhesive layer, 51...adhesive, 60...stopper, LL...lower limit, GE...lower end position, AT...assembly trajectory.

Claims

1. A tailgate comprising: a tailgate body having an opening; a glass member attached to the opening of the tailgate body; a lip having a first extension member fixed to the lower end of the glass member on the inside of the vehicle and a second extension member located below the first extension member; and an adhesive layer disposed between the first extension member and the second extension member of the lip and a bonding position of the glass member on the tailgate body, wherein the second extension member of the lip extends below the lower end of the glass member.

2. The tailgate according to claim 1, further comprising an exterior component disposed below the opening of the tailgate body, and the second extension member of the lip is disposed between the tailgate body and the exterior component.

3. The back door according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second extension member is not directly fixed to the inner side of the glass member.

4. The back door according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a stopper disposed on top of the adhesive layer.

5. A back door according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lip has a dogleg shape when viewed from the side when attached to a vehicle.

6. A back door according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lip has a flexible portion that connects the first extension member and the second extension member.

7. A method for attaching a glass element to an opening of a tailgate body, comprising: an application step of applying adhesive to the glass element or an adhesive region of the tailgate body; and an attachment step of attaching the glass element to the opening of the tailgate body, wherein a lip is attached to the glass element, the lip having a first extension member fixed to the lower end of the glass element on the inside of the vehicle and a second extension member located below the first extension member, and wherein an adhesive layer is formed between the adhesive region of the tailgate body and the first extension member and the second extension member of the lip during the attachment step.

8. The method for installing a glass element according to claim 7, characterized in that, before the installation step, the first extension member is fixed to the vehicle interior side of the glass element, and the second extension member is not directly fixed to the vehicle interior side of the glass element.

9. The method for installing a glass member according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that before the installation process, the lip has an L-shape when viewed from the side when attached to a vehicle, and during the installation process, the lip is deformed into a V-shape when viewed from the side when attached to a vehicle.

10. A method for installing a glass member as described in any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that, in the installation process, when the tip of the second extension member comes into contact with the tailgate body, the second extension member is pushed downward, and the lip is deformed into a dogleg shape when viewed from the side when installed on a vehicle.

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