Door retention system bracket

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention relate to a bracket (10) for securing a tailgate strut (24) to a longitudinal member (26) of a body of a vehicle (46), a vehicle body assembly, and a vehicle (46). The vehicle body assembly comprises a door retention system for a side- opening tailgate (48), a vehicle body longitudinal member (26), and a bracket (10). A first end of the door retention system is secured to the longitudinal member by the bracket.

Description

[0001] DOOR RETENTION SYSTEM BRACKET

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a bracket for securing a door retention system to a vehicle. Aspects of the disclosure relate to a vehicle body assembly, to a bracket, and to a vehicle.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Door retention systems such as door struts are used to support the weight of a tailgate of a vehicle and hold it in a fully open or intermediate position. A door strut, and other door retention systems, can stop a side-opening tailgate of a vehicle swinging open, for example when the vehicle is parked on an upward slope and a user opens the boot.

[0006] Small bolt on brackets can be used to attach a door strut to a painted vehicle body. However, when the door strut and bracket are subject to significant loads, for example when the vehicle is parked on an upward slope and the boot of the vehicle is opened, bolt on brackets are prone to damage caused by the high loads. The bracket can become detached, or partially detached, from the vehicle body.

[0007] It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a vehicle body assembly, a vehicle, and a bracket as claimed in the appended claims.

[0010] In embodiments herein, door retention systems for side-opening tailgates are connected to longitudinal members of the vehicle body using a bracket.

[0011] According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle body assembly comprising: a door retention system for a side-opening tailgate; a vehicle body longitudinal member; and, a bracket; wherein a first end of the door retention system is secured to the longitudinal member by the bracket.

[0012] Advantageously, by connecting the door retention system to a bracket, which is connected to a longitudinal member of a vehicle body, the door retention system can withstand greater loads, such as the loads experienced when the side-opening tailgate is subject to a high stress situation.

[0013] It will be understood that the term vehicle body longitudinal member refers to a structural member forming part of the longitudinal frame of the vehicle body.

[0014] The vehicle body assembly may further comprise a bumper crush can comprising a crush can and a back plate, wherein the bracket is secured to the longitudinal member by a fixing that passes through the bracket and the back plate of the bumper crush can.By attaching the door strut to the back plate of the bumper crush can via the bracket, when the door retention system is subjected to a load, the back plate of the bumper crush provides stiffness to react against this load. The bracket may be substantially U-shaped.

[0015] The bracket may be configured to straddle the crush can. ‘Straddle’ may refer to a first arm of the bracket being arranged on one side of the crush can and a second arm of the bracket being arranged on a second side of the crush can, i.e. on either side of the crush can.

[0016] Advantageously, the bracket does not interfere with the functionality of the crush can.

[0017] The vehicle body assembly may further comprise a tow beam, wherein the bracket is secured to the longitudinal member by a fixing that passes through the bracket and a back plate of the tow beam.

[0018] The vehicle body assembly may further comprise a tow beam, wherein the bracket is configured to straddle a back plate of the tow beam.

[0019] By attaching the door retention system to the back plate of the tow beam via the bracket, when the door retention system is subjected to a load, the back plate of the tow beam provides stiffness to react against this load.

[0020] The vehicle body assembly may further comprise the side-opening tailgate, wherein a second end of the door retention system is secured to the side-opening tailgate, and wherein the door retention system is configured to substantially underlie the side-opening tailgate throughout a range of movement of the side-opening tailgate.

[0021] Advantageously, this keeps the door retention system out of the way and reduces the risk of the door retention system being accidentally broken, for example if a user were to apply excess pressure to the strut when getting the luggage in or out of the boot.

[0022] A thickness of the bracket in a longitudinal axis of the vehicle body may be less than a crush length of the crush can.

[0023] Advantageously, due to the thickness of the bracket in a longitudinal axis of the vehicle body being less than a crush length of the crush can, the bracket does not interfere with the functioning of the bumper crush can (e.g., to absorb impact in the event of a collision). For example, in the event of a low-speed collision, the bumper crush can is able to be fully crushed, despite the bracket being secured to the back plate of the bumper crush can.

[0024] The bracket may be U-shaped. A distance between a first arm of the U-shaped bracket and a second arm of the bracket may be greater than a crush width of the crush can.

[0025] Advantageously, due to a distance between a first arm of the U-shaped bracket and a second arm of the U-shaped bracket being greater than a crush width of the crush can, there is enough space around the crushcan such that the bracket does not interfere with the outward splaying of the compressed crush can in the event of a low-speed collision.

[0026] The bracket may be made from extruded material. Advantageously, the bracket is therefore easy to manufacture in bulk.

[0027] The bracket may comprise one or more elongated apertures. Advantageously, the one or more elongated apertures tune stiffness and reduce the weight of the bracket.

[0028] The door retention system may be a door strut, a check-arm, a check-strap or a door stay.

[0029] According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle comprising the vehicle body assembly described herein.

[0030] According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a bracket for securing a tailgate strut to a longitudinal member of a body of a vehicle, wherein the bracket comprises at least three fixing points for securing the bracket to said longitudinal member, wherein two of the at least three fixing points are positioned on a first axis and one of the at least three fixing points is positioned offset from the first axis; and the bracket further comprises a fixing point for securing the door retention system to the bracket.

[0031] Advantageously, by arranging two of the at least three fixing points on a first axis and one of the at least three fixing points offset from the first axis, the fixing points provide a triangulated base for maximising the stiffness of the attachment of the bracket. By arranging two of the at least three fixing points on a first axis and one of the at least three fixing points offset from the first axis, the load may be equally shared between the at least three fixing points.

[0032] The bracket may be substantially U-shaped.

[0033] The at least three fixing points may comprise at least three through holes, each configured to receive a fixing for securing the bracket to the longitudinal member.

[0034] The bracket may be made from extruded material.

[0035] By making the bracket from extruded material, such as extruded aluminium, the bracket is easier to manufacture.

[0036] The vehicle body assembly may comprise the bracket described herein.

[0037] Within the scope of this application, it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination.That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in anyway and / or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and / or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

[0038] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0040] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a bracket attached to a door strut and a vehicle body longitudinal member in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0041] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the vehicle body assembly further comprising a bumper crush can in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0042] Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of the vehicle body assembly further comprising a tow beam in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0043] Figure 5a shows a vehicle from a first perspective in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 5b shows a vehicle from a second perspective in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0044] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] A rear door strut, also known as a lift support or gas strut, is used to support and hold open a rear door of a vehicle (i.e. a trunk or boot door) in a controlled manner. A rear door strut can be, for example, a hydraulic or pneumatic device, which can extend and contract, and typically contains a coil spring or pressurised gas to counterbalance the weight of the door. It is often shaped as a cylindrical rod.

[0046] A check-arm may also be used to control the movement of a vehicle door. It can stop a vehicle door swinging open or opening too far and can hold a door open at a particular position (e.g. at any intermediate position or fully open position). The check-arm may for example comprise a sliding mechanism or notches that interact with a spring or detent system.

[0047] A door stay may further be used to control the movement of a vehicle door. It can hold a vehicle door in a particular position (e.g., in an intermediate position or fully open position), and / or prevent the door from swinging open. It may for example comprise a bar with notches that engage with a spring or detent system.

[0048] Examples of door retention systems include but are not limited to a door strut, a check-arm, a check-strap and / or a door stay. It will be further appreciated that a door retention system may equally apply to any other type of mechanism for controlling the movement of a vehicle door.

[0049] A door retention system connected to a side-opening tailgate of a vehicle, experiences a high load, particularly when the door experiences high-stress situations, such as being opened when the vehicle is parked on an upward slope. The load is magnified when the door retention system is positioned close to the hinge of the side-opening tailgate since the forces are concentrated. It has been recognised herein that there is a need toconnect the door strut to the vehicle body with a connection means that can withstand the high loads the door retention system is exposed to.

[0050] Thus, in embodiments herein, the door retention system is connected to a longitudinal member of the vehicle body (e.g. as opposed to the outer shell of the vehicle, as previously). It has been found that by connecting the door retention system to a bracket, which is connected to a longitudinal member of a vehicle body, the door retention system can withstand greater loads, such as the loads experienced when the side-opening tailgate is subject to a high stress situation.

[0051] The term longitudinal member of the vehicle body refers to a structural member forming part of the longitudinal frame of the vehicle body. The longitudinal member of the vehicle body provides structural stiffness and integrity to the vehicle body, forming part of the load path of the vehicle for managing crash loads, towing loads, suspension loads and other loads acting upon the vehicle body in use.

[0052] The longitudinal member is a three-dimensional element, running fore-aft in the vehicle body, and comprising a beam or a box section. As such, a longitudinal member provides stiffness to react against loads applied to the vehicle body structure, such as towing loads or crash loads induced on a bumper beam of the vehicle. By attaching the door retention system to the longitudinal member via the bracket, when the door retention system is subjected to a load, the longitudinal member provides stiffness to react against this load. A vehicle may comprise a bumper crush can, which is positioned at the bumper of the vehicle. The bumper crush can comprises a crush can and a back plate. The crush can is a sacrificial part, designed to be crushed in the event of a collision to absorb impact and reduce the risk of more expensive vehicle components being damaged. The back plate of the bumper crush can may be secured to the longitudinal member.

[0053] The bracket may be secured to the longitudinal member by one or more fixings that passes through the bracket and the back plate of the bumper crush can. The one or more fixings may be threaded fixings.

[0054] The back plate of the bumper crush can and one or more fixings that pass therethrough are designed to withstand a high load, for example to accommodate large vehicle recovery, vehicle tie down during shipping, and low speed impacts. The fixings may be of at least M10, M12 or M14 size for this purpose. Accordingly, by attaching the bracket to the longitudinal member via the back plate of the bumper crush can using the same one or more fixings that are used to secure the back plate of the bumper crush can to the longitudinal member, the bracket and door retention system is securely connected to the back plate of the bumper crush can and longitudinal member without additional fixings being required. The backplate may complement the stiffness and strength of the system. By attaching the door retention system to the back plate of the bumper crush can via the bracket, when the door retention system is subjected to a load, the bracket and the back plate of the bumper crush can provide stiffness to react against this load.

[0055] A vehicle may comprise a tow beam, which is positioned at the bumper of the vehicle. The tow beam may refer to a transverse beam to connect a towing interface (e.g., a ball, socket and / or clevis) to the vehicle structure. The tow beam is designed to connect to an object, such as another vehicle or a trailer, to be towed. It provides a rigid link between the vehicle and object, allowing the object to be towed by the vehicle safely.The bracket may be secured to the longitudinal member by one or more fixings that pass through the bracket and the back plate of the tow beam. Alternatively, the bracket may be positioned around the back plate of the tow beam. For example, the bracket may straddle the back plate of the tow beam.

[0056] The tow beam is designed to withstand a high load since it is configured to be used to tow heavy objects. The tow beam typically has a back plate which may be secured to the longitudinal member. In some embodiments, the fixings which are used to secure the back plate of the tow beam to the longitudinal member are at least M10, M12 or M14 size. By attaching the bracket to the longitudinal member via the back plate of the tow beam using the same one or more fixings that are used to secure the back plate of the tow beam to the longitudinal member, the bracket and door retention system is securely connected to the back plate of the tow beam and longitudinal member without additional fixings being required. When the door retention system is subjected to a load, the bracket and the back plate of the tow beam provide stiffness to react against this load.

[0057] The bracket may be arranged in conjunction with the bumper crush can or the tow beam, or both the bumper crush can and the tow beam.

[0058] Turning now to Figure 1 which shows a schematic diagram of a bracket 10 according to an aspect of the present invention. As noted above, the bracket described herein is used to attach the rear door retention system to the longitudinal member. The bracket 10 may be substantially U-shaped. This enables the bracket 10 to fit around components, such as a crush can of a bumper crush can or a back plate of a tow beam described herein.

[0059] Although the bracket in Figure 1 is substantially U-shaped, it will be appreciated that the bracket 10 may be of other shapes. For example, the bracket may be substantially L-shaped, V-shaped, O-shaped, or J-shaped. The bracket 10 may be unitary (e.g. without joins) which adds to the strength / integrity of the bracket.

[0060] The bracket 10 may comprise at least three fixing points 12 for securing the bracket to the longitudinal member. The at least three fixing points 12 may be through holes, each configured to accommodate a fixing for securing the bracket 10 to the longitudinal member described herein. Examples of fixings include but are not limited to screws, bolts, nuts, washers, rods, threaded rods and / or any other types of fixings that may be used to secure the bracket to the longitudinal member. Alternatively, or additionally, the fixing points 12 may refer to the points at which glue is applied for securing the bracket 10 to the longitudinal member. The fixing(s) 36 may comprise screws of at least M10, M12, or M14 size. The fixing(s) 36 may be configured to withstand at least the load experienced when the tailgate is opened, for example when the vehicle is parked on an uphill slope.

[0061] Two of the at least three fixing points 12 may be positioned on a first axis and one of the at least three fixing points 12 may be positioned on a second axis, offset from the first axis. The at least three fixing points 12 may thus form a triangle shape. This arrangement of the at least three fixing points 12 advantageously provides a triangulated base for maximising the stiffness of the attachment of the bracket 10. In this way, the load exerted on the bracket (e.g., from a rear door swinging open) may be equally shared between the at least three fixing points / fixings.It should be noted that even though only three fixing points are depicted, the invention is not limited to that and any number of fixing points greater than three can be envisaged.

[0062] The two fixing points 12 positioned on the first axis may be configured to accommodate longer fixings than the fixing point on the second axis offset from the first axis. The fixing point positioned on the second axis offset from the first axis may be configured to accommodate a shorter fixing point than the fixing points positioned on the first axis. When the bracket is arranged in conjunction with the bumper crush can, by using shorter fixings on the second axis, there is more space for the crush can to be crushed.

[0063] The bracket 12 may comprise a first arm 14 and a second arm 16 (which may also be referred to as a first leg and second leg respectively). The first arm 14 and / or second arm 16 of the bracket 10 may be tapered. The arms 14, 16 of the bracket 10 may be tapered in width and / or in thickness. The arms 14, 16 may be of different lengths. For instance, the second arm 16 may be longer or shorter than the first arm 14. The arms 14. 16 may be substantially of same length.

[0064] The bracket 10 may comprise one or more apertures, hollows and / or pockets 18. The one or more apertures, hollows and / or pockets 18 may be elongated. The elongated apertures, hollows and / or pockets 18 advantageously reduce the weight of the bracket and may be configured to tune the stiffness of the bracket 10. The one or more apertures, hollows and / or pockets 18 may be located in one or both arms 14, 16 of the bracket 10. The apertures, hollows and / or pockets 18 may comprise one or more through holes or thinner regions.

[0065] The bracket 10 may include a further fixing point 20 for securing the bracket to the door retention system. The further fixing point 20 may comprise a fixing or connecting means for connecting the bracket 10 to the door retention system. The further fixing point 20 may comprise a through hole for accommodating a connecting means such as a spigot for securing the bracket 10 to the door retention system 20. When the bracket 10 is substantially U-shaped, the further fixing point 20 may comprise a through hole extending through the base of the U-shape.

[0066] The bracket 10 may comprise a protrusion 22 comprising the further fixing point 20 for securing the bracket 10 to the door retention system. The through hole for accommodating the connecting means may extend through the protrusion 22. When the bracket 10 is U-shaped, the protrusion may extend through the base of the U-shape. In use, the bracket 10 may be arranged such that the protrusion is at the top of the bracket 10.

[0067] The bracket 10 may comprise an additional fixing point 23 for attaching items to the bracket 10, such as a trim of the bumper crush can.

[0068] As noted above, the bracket may be configured to attach the door retention system, such as a door strut, in conjunction with the bumper crush can and / or tow beam of the vehicle. In such examples, the bracket 10 may have a different depth in the longitudinal axis depending on whether it is to be arranged in conjunction with thebumper crush can as described in reference to Figure 2, or in conjunction with the tow beam as described in reference to Figure 3.

[0069] The bracket 10 may be made from extruded material, such as metal. The bracket 10 may be made from aluminium. The bracket 10 may be made from extruded aluminium. When making the bracket 10 using an extrusion machine, the bracket 10 may have a different cut length depending on whether it is to be arranged in conjunction with the bumper crush can as described with reference to Figure 2, or in conjunction with the tow beam as described with reference to Figure 3. The same die may be used to make a bracket 10 that is to be arranged in conjunction with a bumper crush can and a bracket 10 that is to be arranged in conjunction with a tow beam.

[0070] The bracket 10 may alternatively be made from forged metal, such as forged aluminium or forged steel.

[0071] Figure 2 shows a vehicle body assembly in accordance with a further aspect of the present disclosure. The vehicle body assembly comprises a door retention system, which in Figure 2 is a door strut 24, for a sideopening rear (i.e. boot) door, also known as a tailgate, a vehicle body longitudinal member 26 and a bracket 10. A first end 28 of the door strut 24 is secured to the longitudinal member 26 by the bracket 10. A second end 30 of the door strut 24 may be secured to the side-opening rear door / tailgate of the vehicle. The range of motion of the door strut 24, for example, as the tailgate is opened or closed, is indicated by the arcs 32 in Figure 2.

[0072] The bracket 10 shown in Figure 2 was described above with respect to Figure 1 and the detail therein will be understood to apply equally to the vehicle body assembly shown in Figure 2. The vehicle body longitudinal member 26 shown in Figure 2 refers to the longitudinal member of a body of a vehicle, namely the structural member forming part of the longitudinal frame of the vehicle body as described above.

[0073] The tailgate of the vehicle may also be referred to as the rear door, tail door, trunk, or boot of the vehicle. The door strut may also be referred to as a tailgate strut.

[0074] As shown in Figure 3, the vehicle body assembly may further comprise a bumper crush can 33 comprising a crush can 34 and a back plate 38. The bracket 10 may be aligned with the bumper crush can 33. The bracket 10 may be arranged flush with a back plate 38 of the bumper crush can 33. The bracket 10 may be secured to the vehicle body longitudinal member 26 by one or more fixings 36 that pass through the bracket 10 and the back plate 38 of the bumper crush can 33. As described above, in connection with Figure 1 , the bracket 10 may comprise at least three fixing points 12. The at least three fixing points 12 may comprise through holes. Each fixing point 12 may be configured to accommodate a fixing 36 for securing the bracket 10 to the back plate 38 of the bumper crush can 33 and the vehicle body longitudinal member 26. The fixing(s) 36 may comprise but are not limited to screws, bolts, nuts, washers, rods, and / or threaded rods. The fixing(s) 36 may comprise screws of at least M10, M12, or M14 size. The fixing(s) 36 may be configured to withstand at least the load experienced when the tailgate is opened, for example when the vehicle is parked on an uphill slope. The fixing(s) 36 may also be configured to withstand the load experienced during a low-speed collision. Thefixing(s) 36 may be configured to withstand a greater load than required, for example to withstand the load experienced when the tailgate is opened or the load experienced during a low-speed collision.

[0075] A low-speed collision may refer to controlled crash tests at low velocities, typically 5 to 15 mph, to test a vehicle’s safety features and damage resistance.

[0076] As described with reference to Figure 1 , two of the at least three fixing points 12 may be positioned on a first axis and one of the at least three fixing points 12 may be positioned on a second axis offset from the first axis, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The at least three fixing points 12 may thus form a triangle shape.

[0077] As shown in Figure 3, the first and / or second arm 14, 16 of the bracket 10 may be tapered in width and / or in thickness. The bracket 10 may therefore be thicker where fixings 36 pass through the fixing points 12 positioned on the first axis compared to where a fixing 36 passes through the fixing point 12 positioned on the second axis. The two fixing points 12 positioned on the first axis may be configured to accommodate longer fixings than the fixing point on the second axis offset from the first axis. The fixing point positioned on the second axis offset from the first axis may be configured to accommodate a shorter fixing point than the fixing points positioned on the first axis.

[0078] Figure 3 also shows a connecting means 40 for connecting the bracket 10 to the door retention system, such as the door strut 24. The connecting means 40 shown in Figure 3 may be configured to pass through the further fixing point 20 shown in Figure 1. The connecting means 40 may be a spigot. Although not shown in Figure 3, the vehicle body assembly which includes the bumper crush can may also include the door retention system, such as the door strut 24.

[0079] The bracket 10 may be configured to straddle the bumper crush can 34. Straddling the bumper crush can 34 may refer to one arm 14, 16 of the bracket 10 being arranged on each side of the crush can 34.

[0080] The bracket 10 may be configured and arranged such that the bracket 10 does not get in the way or affect the functioning of the bumper crush can. For example, the crush can 34 may be compressed without interference from the bracket 10, i.e. without the bracket 10 touching the compressed crush can 34, or the bracket 10 only lightly touching the compressed crush can 34. A distance between a first arm 14 of the bracket 10 and a second arm 16 of the bracket 10 may thus be greater than a crush width of the crush can 34. In this sense, the crush width is the width of the crush can 34 after it has been compressed, for example in the event of a collision. The crush width may refer to the maximum width of the crush can 34 in a compressed state. The purpose of this design is for there to be enough clearance between the bracket 10 and the crush can 34 such that the bracket 10 does not significantly affect the performance of the bumper crush can 33, even when there is an impact event.

[0081] The crush length of the crush can 34 may referto the length of the crush can 34 after it has been compressed, for example following impact. The crush can 34 may be compressed by different amounts dependent on the force of the impact. In embodiments herein, the thickness of the bracket in the longitudinal axis of the vehiclebody in use (e.g., in the fore-aft direction, in line with arrow A shown in Figure 3) may be less than the crush length of the crush can (e.g. when the crush can cannot be compressed any further). In other words, the crush length may refer to the length of the crush can when crushed by a maximum amount. Due to the thickness of the bracket 10 in the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body being less than the crush length of the crush can 34, the bracket 10 therefore does not significantly affect the performance of the bumper crush can (e.g. it doesn’t protrude to an extent that it interferes with the crush can’s ability to be compressed) in the event of collision.

[0082] Figure 4 shows a vehicle body assembly in accordance with a further aspect of the present disclosure. Figure 4 shows a vehicle body assembly comprising part of a vehicle body longitudinal member 26 as described above, a bracket 10 as described above and a tow beam 42 as described herein. The vehicle body assembly may also comprise the door retention system, described herein, such as the door strut 24, which is not shown in Figure 4. The door retention system, such as the door strut 24 may be secured to the longitudinal member by the bracket 10. The bracket 10 is shown secured to the longitudinal member 26 by fixings 36 that pass through the at least three fixing points 12 of the bracket 10. In Figure 4, the bracket 10 is arranged to straddle a back plate 44 of the tow beam 42. In otherwords, one arm 14, 16 of the bracket 10 is arranged on each side of the back plate 44 of the tow beam 42.

[0083] Whilst Figure 4 shows the bracket 10 arranged to straddle the back plate 44 of the tow beam and fixings 36 passing through the bracket 10 directly into the longitudinal member 26, in an alternative arrangement (not shown), the bracket 10 is secured to the longitudinal member 26 by one or more fixings 36 that pass through the bracket 10 and a back plate 44 of the tow beam 42. In this arrangement, one or more fixings 36 which are used to secure the back plate 44 of the town beam 42 to the longitudinal member 26 may also be used to secure the bracket 10 to the longitudinal member 26. Alternatively or additionally, one or more additional fixings 36, separate to the one or more fixings 36 used to secure the back plate 44 of the tow beam 42 to the longitudinal member 26, may be used to secure the bracket 10 to the longitudinal member 26.

[0084] Figure 4 also shows a connecting means 40 for connecting the bracket 10 to the door retention system 24. The connecting means 40 shown in Figure 4 may pass through the further fixing point 20 of the bracket 10, shown in Figure 1. The connecting means 40 may be a spigot. Although not shown in Figure 4, the vehicle body assembly which comprises the tow beam 42 may also include the door retention system, such as the door strut 24.

[0085] In use and in conjunction with any of the aspects described herein, the door retention system, such as the door strut 24 may be arranged underneath the side-opening tailgate. The door retention system, such as the door strut 24 may be aligned with the side-opening tailgate such that it remains underneath the tailgate even when the tailgate is opened. In otherwords, the door retention system, such as the door strut 24 may be configured to substantially underlie the side-opening tailgate throughout a range of movement of the side-opening tailgate. This keeps the door retention system, such as the door strut 24 out of the way and reduces the risk of the door retention system, such as the door strut 24 being accidentally broken, for example if a user were to apply excess pressure to the strut 24 when using the luggage compartment.Figure 5a shows a vehicle 46 according to an embodiment of the present invention from a first perspective. Figure 5b shows the vehicle 46 according to the same embodiment of the present invention from a second perspective. Figure 5b also shows the bracket 10 attached to the longitudinal member 26. Although the vehicle 46 illustrated in Figures 5a and 5b is a passenger vehicle, it will be appreciated that the embodiments described herein apply to other types of vehicles, such as vehicles with rear side-opening tailgates. Examples of vehicles include but are not limited to vans, coaches, lorries or any other vehicle. Figure 5b also shows the tailgate 48 of the vehicle. The vehicle comprises any of the vehicle body assemblies described above. The vehicle may further comprise the bracket described above.

[0086] The vehicle body assemblies and bracket described herein may be used on vehicles with a single tail door or vehicles with a pair of van style rear doors. The pair of van style rear doors may comprise split rear doors including two separate panels, each hinged on a side of the vehicle. One door may be wider than the other, or they may be of equal width. In the case of a pair of rear doors, the loads on each door would be lower than the load on a single rear door, and therefore a lighter weight bracket and fixing strategy could be adopted.

[0087] A vehicle may comprise two bumper crush cans. A first bumper crush can may be arranged on a left side of the rear of the vehicle. A second bumper crush can may be arranged on a right side of the rear of the vehicle. A vehicle may comprise a tow beam with two back plates. A first back plate may be arranged on a left side of the rear of the vehicle. A second back plate may be arranged on a right side of the rear of the vehicle.

[0088] It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A vehicle body assembly comprising:a door retention system for a side-opening tailgate;a vehicle body longitudinal member; and,a bracket;wherein a first end of the door retention system is secured to the longitudinal member by the bracket.

2. The vehicle body assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a bumper crush can comprising a crush can and a back plate, wherein the bracket is secured to the longitudinal member by a fixing that passes through the bracket and the back plate of the bumper crush can.

3. The vehicle body assembly of claim 2, wherein the bracket is configured to straddle the crush can.

4. The vehicle body assembly of any preceding claim, further comprising a tow beam, wherein the bracket is secured to the longitudinal member by a fixing that passes through the bracket and a back plate of the tow beam.

5. The vehicle body assembly of any of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a tow beam, wherein the bracket is configured to straddle a back plate of the tow beam.

6. The vehicle body assembly of any preceding claim, further comprising the side-opening tailgate, wherein a second end of the door retention system is secured to the side-opening tailgate, and wherein the door retention system is configured to substantially underlie the side-opening tailgate throughout a range of movement of the side-opening tailgate.

7. The vehicle body assembly of any preceding claim, when dependent on claim 2, wherein a thickness of the bracket in a longitudinal axis of the vehicle body is less than a crush length of the crush can.

8. The vehicle body assembly of any preceding claim when dependent on claim 2, wherein the bracket is U-shaped and wherein a distance between a first arm of the U-shaped bracket and a second arm of the U-shaped bracket is greater than a crush width of the crush can.

9. The vehicle body assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the bracket is made from extruded material.

10. A vehicle comprising the vehicle body assembly of any preceding claim.11 . A bracket for securing a tailgate strut to a longitudinal member of a body of a vehicle;wherein the bracket comprises at least three fixing points for securing the bracket to said longitudinal member,wherein two of the at least three fixing points are positioned on a first axis and one of the at least three fixing points is positioned offset from the first axis;and the bracket further comprises a fixing point for securing the door retention system to the bracket.

12. The bracket of claim 11 , wherein the bracket is substantially U-shaped.

13. The bracket of claim 11 or 12, wherein the at least three fixing points comprises at least three through holes, each configured to receive a fixing for securing the bracket to the longitudinal member.

14. The bracket of any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the bracket is made from extruded material.

15. The vehicle body assembly of any of claims 1 to 10, further comprising the bracket of any of claims 11 to 14.

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