Rear light for a tailgate of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a rear light for a tailgate (2) of a motor vehicle (1), comprising a housing body (41) having an upper housing side (412) and a lower housing side (413). Upper stop means (45) are arranged on the upper housing side (412), wherein the upper stop means (45) have a bearing surface for bearing against an upper side (32) of a rear light pocket (3) of the tailgate (2). Lower stop means (46) are arranged on the lower housing side (413), wherein the lower stop means (46) have a bearing surface for bearing against a lower side (33) of the rear light pocket (3) of the tailgate (2). The lower stop means (46) have a leaf spring element (462) which, on its first and second broad sides, is supported at a distance from the lower housing side (413) in each case via a supporting element (461). The present disclosure further relates to a tailgate and to a motor vehicle having a rear light.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Rear light for the tailgate of a motor vehicle

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The invention relates to a rear light for the tailgate of a motor vehicle. The invention further relates to a tailgate and a motor vehicle.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] From DE 10 2013 101 101 B4, a rear assembly of a motor vehicle with a rear light assembly is known, wherein the rear light assembly is arranged in a receiving space of a tailgate and is fixed in the receiving space by the interaction of at least one screw connection and at least one stop element. The stop element arranged on the rear light assembly can be designed as a silicone pad, which, due to its flexible properties, enables a precise gap dimension between the rear light assembly and the wall surfaces of the tailgate in the receiving space.

[0007] When such a tailgate is closed, the area of ​​the receiving space is affected by movement and bending, resulting in stresses between the walls of the receiving space and the taillight housing. These stresses occur to a greater degree, especially in tailgates with a long taillight that extends across essentially the entire width of the tailgate.

[0008] The stress can lead to material fatigue (e.g., cracks) in the taillight. Furthermore, in the case of a tailgate made of plastic, material cracks can develop in the walls of the compartment.

[0009] Brief description of the invention

[0010] Against this background, the invention is based on the objective of providing an improved system between a rear light and a receiving space within a tailgate.

[0011] Accordingly, a rear light according to the main claim, as well as a tailgate and a motor vehicle according to the dependent claims, are proposed. Further embodiments are the subject of the respective dependent claims.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the invention, the problem is solved by a rear light for the tailgate of a motor vehicle. The rear light comprises a housing body with an upper housing side and a lower housing side. Upper stop means are arranged on the upper housing side, wherein the upper stop means have a contact surface for abutting an upper side of a rear light recess of the tailgate. Lower stop means are arranged on the lower housing side, wherein the lower stop means have a contact surface for abutting a lower side of the rear light recess of the tailgate.

[0013] The upper and / or lower stop means each have a leaf spring element which is supported on its first and second broad side by a support element spaced apart from a respective side of the housing.

[0014] One idea behind the invention is a spring element that cushions tensions between a tailgate and a rear light, thus reducing the risk of cracking.

[0015] A leaf spring is defined as an elastically resilient machine element with a rectangular cross-section, subjected to bending stresses, and used for damping and / or transmitting continuously or discontinuously acting forces. In this case, the leaf spring element can be designed as a rectangular leaf spring, where the spring constant can be adjusted by the ratio between the width of the broad side and the length of a longitudinal side, as well as by the material thickness of its leaf. Alternatively, the leaf spring element can be designed as a custom-shaped spring.

[0016] A tailgate can be any type of hatch or door that provides access to the cargo area of ​​a vehicle. A tailgate is located at the rear of a motor vehicle and can be opened to load or unload the cargo area. A tailgate can be designed as a trunk lid, for example, on a sedan, or as a tailgate, for example, on a five-door hatchback.

[0017] According to a further development of the rear light, the housing body together with the upper stop means and the lower stop means can be designed as a single-piece element.

[0018] In particular, a corresponding plastic element of the rear light can be manufactured by injection molding, so that a leaf spring element according to the invention can be manufactured together with the housing body without additional parts.

[0019] According to a further development of the rear light, the contact surface of the lower and / or upper stop, which incorporates a leaf spring element, can be formed by a silicone pad. The silicone pad is positioned centrally on the outer surface of the leaf spring element, aligned with its longitudinal direction. The flexible properties of the silicone pad further cushion the stresses between the tailgate and the rear light. The silicone pads, along with the housing and the upper and lower stop elements, can be manufactured using multi-component injection molding.

[0020] According to a further development of the rear light, the upper and / or lower stop means, which do not have a leaf spring element, can have a bridge element with a surface, wherein the surface of the bridge elements is spaced away from the upper housing side and wherein the contact surface of the upper stop means is formed by a silicone pad that is arranged on the surface of the bridge element (452).

[0021] Two-sided suspension can further reduce the stresses between a tailgate and a rear light.

[0022] According to a further development of the rear light, a row with a number of stop means can be arranged on the upper housing side as well as on the lower housing side, wherein the stop means on the upper and lower housing sides are spaced apart from each other with respect to a longitudinal direction of the housing.

[0023] According to a further development of the rear light, the upper and lower stop means can be arranged alternately in a row with respect to the longitudinal direction of the housing.

[0024] According to a second aspect of the invention, the problem is solved by a tailgate for a motor vehicle, comprising a rear light according to the first aspect of the invention. The rear light is mounted in a taillight pocket and has a lens that is connected to a housing. The lens extends along a mounting height across the entire width of a tailgate surface visible from the outside of the vehicle.

[0025] According to a further development of the second aspect, the tailgate consists at least partially of a plastic material.

[0026] According to a third aspect of the invention, the problem is solved by a motor vehicle with a rear light according to the first aspect of the invention. The rear light is mounted in a rear light recess of a tailgate and has a rear light lens that is attached to a housing body. The rear light lens extends along a mounting height over the entire width of an outer surface of the tailgate visible from the outside of the vehicle.

[0027] Brief description of the drawing figures

[0028] Further features and details will become apparent from the following description, in which – possibly with reference to the drawing – at least one embodiment is described in detail. The features described and / or illustrated constitute the subject matter individually or in any meaningful combination, possibly also independently of the claims, and may in particular also be the subject matter of one or more separate applications. Identical, similar, and / or functionally equivalent parts are designated with the same reference numerals. These include:

[0029] Figure 1 shows the rear of a motor vehicle with a tailgate and a central rear light attached to it;

[0030] Figure 2 shows a cross-section through the central rear light and through a rear light pocket on the tailgate;

[0031] Figure 3 shows longitudinal sections through the rear light and rear light housing;

[0032] Figure 4 shows two perspective views of the central rear light;

[0033] Figure 5 shows a simulation of forces acting on a rear light with conventional lower mounting devices;

[0034] Figure 6 shows a simulation of acting forces on a rear light with lower stop means according to the invention.

[0035] Description of the execution types

[0036] Figure 1 shows a view of the rear of a motor vehicle 1. The motor vehicle 1 can be a five-door hatchback or station wagon, or a multi-purpose vehicle, and has a tailgate 2 that swings upwards. The tailgate 2 closes a cargo opening to the vehicle interior. The motor vehicle 1 is equipped with a three-part rear light system. A left and a right rear light unit 5L and 5R are mounted laterally on the side of the vehicle body adjacent to the cargo opening and extend to the sides at the rear of the vehicle. The two rear light units 5L and 5R each include at least one side rear light for identifying the motor vehicle 1 (tail light). Furthermore, additional lights with different light signaling or lighting functions can be provided in the rear light units 5L and 5R.

[0037] A central rear light 4 is mounted on the tailgate 2, with a rear light lens 43 of the central rear light 4 extending over the entire width of an outer surface of the tailgate 2 visible from the outside of the vehicle. When the tailgate 2 is closed, the rear light lens 43 of the central rear light 4 abuts the respective rear light lenses of the left and right rear light units 5L and 5R at a predetermined gap.

[0038] Figure 2 shows a cross-section through the central rear light 4 and through a section of the tailgate 2. The central rear light 4 comprises a housing 40, with a housing body 41 and a lens 42. The rear light lens 43 is attached to the lens 42 on an outer side of the housing 40. Inside the housing

[0039] The housing 40 can contain a number of light sources and other optical, electrical, or mechanical elements with which desired lighting properties and effects of the central rear light 4 can be produced. For the sake of clarity, details of the housing interior are omitted.

[0040] In the cross-sectional view according to Figure 2, it can be seen that a taillight pocket 3 is formed in the tailgate 2, in which the middle taillight 4 is received. The housing body 41 and the cover 42 of the middle taillight 4 are located inside the taillight pocket 3, which is closed off to the rear exterior of the vehicle by the taillight lens 43. Openings may be provided on an interior side 31 of the taillight pocket 3 through which electrical connecting devices 472 pass and / or into the fastening elements of the housing body.

[0041] 41 to or engage, with which the middle rear light 4 is attached to the tailgate 2.

[0042] On an upper and a lower housing side 412 and 413 of the housing body 41, a stop element 45 and 46 is formed, respectively, wherein the stop elements 45 and 46 each provide a contact surface for contact with an upper and lower pocket side 32 and 33 of the rear light pocket 3, respectively. The contact surfaces each comprise a silicone pad 454 and 464, respectively, which enables a positive-locking contact.

[0043] A mounting flange 415 with a groove is formed at a rear opening of the housing body 41, into which the cover 42 engages for fastening.

[0044] The lifting elements 45 and 46 are arranged on the mounting flange 415 and together with the housing body 41 form a one-piece injection molded element.

[0045] Figure 3 shows two longitudinal sections along the section lines A and B shown in Figure 2. Based on these longitudinal sections, possible designs of an upper and a lower stop element 45 and 46 are explained below.

[0046] The upper stop element 45 is arranged on the upper housing side 412 and in front of the mounting flange 415 and forms a single unit with the housing body 41. The upper stop element 45 has a bridge element 452, which is oriented substantially parallel to the upper housing side 412 of the housing body 41 and spaced apart. The bridge element 452 is supported on each of its narrow sides by a support element 451, the support elements 451 being integrally connected to the upper housing side 412 and the mounting flange 415. The silicone pad 453 is arranged on one upper side of the bridge element 453, the bridge element 453 being at least partially integrally connected to the mounting flange 415. The lower stop element 46 is arranged on the lower housing side 413 and placed on the mounting flange 415, so that two support elements 461 are integrally connected to the lower housing side 413 and the mounting flange 415.The support elements.

[0047] 461 carry a leaf spring element 462. On a lower surface of the leaf spring element

[0048] A silicone pad 463 is arranged on 462. The leaf spring element 462 has a material thickness d and extends over a length L. Furthermore, the leaf spring element 462 has a predetermined width b.

[0049] Figure 4 shows two perspective views of the central rear light 4. In the upper view a), the upper housing side 412 and the vehicle-side housing side 411 of the rear light unit 4 are visible. The housing 40 of the rear light unit 4 described describes a curvature along a longitudinal housing direction (which, in the installed state, extends essentially in the transverse direction Y of the vehicle) that is adapted to an outer shape of the tailgate 2 of the vehicle 1. On the upper housing side 412, six upper stop elements 45 are arranged spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal housing direction (or vehicle transverse direction).

[0050] The lower view b) of Figure 4 shows the lower housing side 412 and the vehicle-side housing side 411 of the rear light unit 4. Five stop means 45 are arranged spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the housing on the lower housing side 412.

[0051] Figure 4 also shows electrical connecting devices 472 and rear stop means 471, with which the middle rear light 4 can be fixed in a rear light pocket 3 or electrically connected.

[0052] Figures 5 and 6 each show a simulation of forces acting on the contact surface of a silicone pad on a lower stop element, resulting from the closing of a tailgate at speeds of 1.3 m / s and 2.0 m / s, respectively. Figure 5 simulates a center taillight with a lower stop element according to the prior art, i.e., without a leaf spring element according to the invention. Figure 6 shows simulation results for a center taillight 4 with a lower stop element 46 according to the invention, which incorporates a leaf spring element 462 for absorbing forces.

[0053] A comparison of Figure 6 with Figure 5 shows that the forces acting on the tailgate can be reduced from 140 N to 40 N by the leaf spring element 462 at a tailgate closing speed of 1.3 m / s. At a tailgate closing speed of 2.0 m / s, a reduction from 160 N to 40 N is possible.

[0054] Although the subject matter has been illustrated and explained in detail by means of exemplary embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations can be derived from them by a person skilled in the art. It is therefore clear that a multitude of possible variations exist. It is also clear that the exemplary embodiments mentioned are merely examples and are not to be interpreted in any way as limiting, for example, the scope of protection, the possible applications, or the configuration of the invention.Rather, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete terms, whereby the person skilled in the art, with knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, can make various changes, for example with regard to the function or the arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without leaving the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description.

[0055] List of reference symbols

[0056] 1 Motor vehicle

[0057] 2 tailgate

[0058] 3 taillight pockets

[0059] 31 vehicle interior pocket side

[0060] 32 upper pocket side

[0061] 33 lower pocket side

[0062] 4 rear light

[0063] 40 housings

[0064] 41 Housing body

[0065] 411 inner housing side

[0066] 412 upper housing side

[0067] 413 lower housing side

[0068] 415 Mounting flange

[0069] 42 aperture cover

[0070] 43 taillight lens

[0071] 45 upper stop means

[0072] 451 Support element

[0073] 452 Bridge element

[0074] 453 silicone pad

[0075] 46 lower stop means

[0076] 461 Support element

[0077] 462 leaf spring element leaf spring element

[0078] 463 silicone pad

[0079] 471 rear stop means

[0080] 472 electrical connecting devices

[0081] 5L, 5R taillight unit

Claims

Claims 1. Rear light for a tailgate (2) of a motor vehicle (1) comprising a housing body (41) with an upper housing side (412) and a lower housing side (413), wherein upper stop means are attached to the upper housing side (412). (45) are arranged, wherein the upper stop means (45) have a contact surface for contact with an upper side (32) of a rear light pocket (3) of the tailgate (2), and wherein lower stop means are arranged on the lower housing side (413). (46) are arranged, wherein the lower stop means (46) have a contact surface for contact with a lower side (33) of the rear light pocket (3) of the tailgate (2), wherein the upper and / or the lower stop means (45, 46) have a leaf spring element (462) which is supported on its first and second broad side by a support element (461) spaced apart from a respective housing side (412, 413).

2. Rear light according to claim 1, wherein the housing body (41), the upper stop means (45) and the lower stop means (46) are formed as a single-piece element.

3. Rear light according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contact surface of the lower and / or upper stop means (45, 46) which have a leaf spring element (462) is formed by a silicone pad (463), wherein the silicone pad (463) is arranged on the outside centrally to the longitudinal direction on the leaf spring element (462).

4. Rear light according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper and / or lower stop means (45, 46) which do not have a leaf spring element (462) have a bridge element (452) with a surface, wherein the surface of the bridge element (452) is spaced away from the upper housing side (412) and wherein the contact surface of the upper stop means (46) is formed by a silicone pad (453) which is arranged on the surface of the bridge element (452).

5. Rear light according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a row with a number of stop means (45, 46) is arranged on the upper housing side (412) and on the lower housing side (413), wherein the stop means (45, 46) are spaced apart from each other on the upper and lower housing sides with respect to a longitudinal direction of the housing.

6. Rear light according to claim 5, wherein the upper and lower stop means (45, 46) are arranged alternately in a row with respect to the longitudinal direction of the housing.

7. Tailgate for a motor vehicle (1) , with a rear light (4) according to the preceding claims 1 to 7, wherein the rear light (4) is mounted in a taillight pocket (3) and has a taillight lens (43) which is attached to a housing body (41), wherein the taillight lens (43) extends along a mounting height over an entire width of a tailgate outer surface perceptible from the outside of the vehicle.

8. Tailgate according to claim 7 above, wherein the tailgate (2) is at least partially made of a plastic material.

9. Motor vehicle with a rear light (4) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the rear light (4) is mounted in a rear light pocket (3) of a tailgate (2) and has a rear light lens (43) which is mounted to a housing body (41), wherein the rear light lens (43) extends at a mounting height over an entire width of a tailgate outer surface perceptible from the outside of the vehicle.

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