WO2023166257A1

WO2023166257A1 - Connecting device for connecting a hatchback-vehicle hatch frame to a parcel-shelf/load cover

Info

Publication number: WO2023166257A1
Application number: PCT/FR2023/050254
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ning Sun; Jun Xue MA; Yin Zhang; Zhi Fan LI
Original assignee: Psa Automobiles Sa
Priority date: 2022-03-01
Filing date: 2023-02-23
Publication date: 2023-09-07
Also published as: CN116729263A; EP4486600A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connecting device for connecting a hatchback-vehicle frame to a parcel-shelf/load cover. Said connecting device comprises: a first connecting assembly comprising a first fixing support and a first connecting element. Said first fixing support is configured to be fixed to said hatch frame (1) and to extend towards one end of said parcel-shelf/load cover (2) in the direction of the axis Y, said first connecting element being fixed to said first fixing support; and a second connecting assembly comprising a second fixing support and a second connecting element, wherein said second fixing support is configured to be fixed to said parcel-shelf/load cover (2) in a manner adjacent to the end in the direction of the axis Y, and said second connecting element is fixed to said second fixing support and designed to be connected removably to said first connecting element.

Description

CONNECTION DEVICE FOR CONNECTING A TAILGATE FRAME TO A VEHICLE LUGGAGE COVER SHELF

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention claims the priority of Chinese application 202210194143.5 filed on March 1, 2022, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention generally relates to the field of vehicle components. The present invention relates more particularly to a connecting device for connecting a tailgate frame to a luggage cover shelf of a vehicle, and relates to a vehicle comprising such a connecting device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A tailgate of a vehicle is pivotally connected to a rear body of the vehicle, by means of a set of hinges, in order to allow the tailgate to move between an open position and a closed position. Generally, a luggage cover shelf (also called a rear shelf, luggage cover) is arranged at the rear of the vehicle, to place objects of small size and/or light weight and to cover objects in an aesthetic manner. inside the vehicle when the tailgate is closed. As the style and functionality of vehicles has diversified, more and more models are designed to allow the luggage cover to move and open together with the tailgate when loading. opening of the latter, in order to increase the storage space at the rear of the vehicle.

The Fig.l illustrates, for information, a rear structure of a vehicle and the connection between the tailgate and the shelf luggage cover in this structure. As illustrated, in this rear structure of the vehicle, the two lateral ends of the luggage cover shelf 2 in the direction of the axis Y are detachably connected to the tailgate frame 1 by means of the first connecting devices C1, and its rear end in the direction of the X axis is detachably connected to the inner panel 7, fixed to the inner side of the tailgate frame 1, by means of a second connecting device C2. The luggage cover shelf 2 can therefore be removed if necessary, to allow good use of the space at the rear of the vehicle. However, the use of these linking devices is generally limited by the configuration of the tailgate frame and that of the luggage cover shelf.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a connection device for connecting a tailgate frame to a luggage cover shelf of a vehicle, in order to achieve easy adaptation to various configurations of rear vehicle structures.

[0006] To this end, a first aspect of the invention relates to a connecting device for connecting a tailgate frame to a luggage cover shelf of a vehicle, said connecting device comprising: a first connecting assembly comprising a first attachment bracket and a first connecting member, wherein, said first attachment bracket is configured to attach to said tailgate frame and to extend toward one end of said cargo shelf in the direction of the Y axis, and said first connecting element is fixed to said first fixing support; and a second linkage assembly comprising a second attachment bracket and a second linkage member, wherein said second attachment bracket is configured to attach to said cargo shelf adjacent the end in the direction of the Y axis, and said second connecting element is fixed to said second fixing support and is adapted to be removably connected to said first connecting element.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, said first connecting element is a connecting rod with a spherical head, said connecting rod being embedded in said first fixing support by means of a fixing sleeve and being covered by said first mounting bracket; said second connecting element is a flexible casing for a spherical head, said flexible casing being embedded in said second fixing support and adapted to receive said spherical head.

[0008] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, said first fixing bracket is a tower-shaped bracket, the top of which being configured to be fixed to said tailgate frame, and the bottom of which being configured to be adapted to lean against the end of said luggage cover shelf in the direction of the Y axis.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the top of said tower-shaped support is configured to be fixed to said tailgate frame by means of a screw.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, said first connecting assembly further comprises an inner cover plate fixed to said shaped support of a turn and configured to cover said screw.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, said first connecting assembly further comprises an outer cover plate fixed to said tower-shaped support and at least partially covering said first connecting element.

[0012] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, said tower-shaped support and/or said outer cover plate is provided with a positioning pin adapted to be positioned in said tailgate frame.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, said second fixing support is a plate-shaped support configured to be fixed to the bottom of said luggage cover shelf and comprising a connecting portion projecting from the end of said luggage cover shelf in the direction of the Y axis, in order to be adapted to the arrangement of said second connecting element.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle comprising a tailgate frame and a luggage cover shelf removably connected to said tailgate frame, by means of a connecting device for connecting a tailgate frame to a shelf luggage cover of a vehicle according to the first aspect of the invention.

The connection device for connecting a tailgate frame to a luggage cover shelf of a vehicle according to the invention has several beneficial effects, in particular: thanks to the arrangement of the first fixing support, for the various types of configurations of vehicle rear structures, this connecting device can easily establish the connection between the tailgate frame and the end of the cargo shelf in the Y-axis direction, thus having a wide range of applications; moreover, this connecting device has a simple structure, enables easy manufacture and quick assembly, and has a low cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the attached figures. Like reference numerals in the figures indicate the same or similar components.

[0017] Fig.l shows a schematic view of the underside of a rear structure of a vehicle, which shows a luggage cover shelf removably connected to a tailgate by means of a connecting device;

[0018] Fig.2A shows a schematic structural view of part of the tailgate frame to be connected to the luggage cover shelf;

[0019] Fig.2B shows a schematic structural view of part of the luggage cover shelf to be connected to the tailgate frame;

The Fig.2C shows a schematic view of the connection between the tailgate frame and the luggage cover shelf;

Fig.2D shows a schematic structural view of a connecting rod forming part of the connecting device;

[0022] Fig.2E shows a schematic structural view of a fixing sleeve forming part of the connecting device;

Fig.2F shows a schematic structural view of a flexible casing for a spherical head, forming part of the connecting device;

[0024] Fig.3A shows a schematic view of the rear side of a rear structure of a vehicle, which is provided with a connecting device for connecting a tailgate frame to a luggage cover shelf according to the present invention;

Fig.3B shows a schematic view of the rear structure of the vehicle illustrated in Fig.3A, from outside the vehicle and along the XZ plane at the position of this connecting device;

[0026] Fig.4A shows a sectional view along section A-A illustrated in Fig.3A/Fig.3B;

Fig.4B shows a sectional view along section B-B illustrated in Fig.3A / Fig.3B;

Fig.4C shows a schematic view of the connection between the tailgate frame and the luggage cover shelf, illustrated in Fig.3A;

[0029] Fig.4D shows a schematic view of a first connecting assembly of the connecting device illustrated in Fig.3A, from inside the vehicle;

Fig.4E shows a schematic side view of the first connecting assembly of the connecting device shown in Fig.3A; [0031] Fig.4F shows a schematic view of the first connecting assembly of the connecting device shown in Fig.3A, from outside the vehicle;

It is understood that the figures above are used not only for the explanatory description of the invention but also, if necessary, to help define it.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The implementation and use of the embodiments are described in detail below. However, it is understood that the specific embodiments described herein only illustrate, by way of illustration, particular ways of implementing and using the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] In the present description, the directional indications, such as "top" and "bottom", used to describe the structural positions of the components, are not absolute but relative. These directional indications are appropriate when the components are arranged as shown in the figures; however, when the positions of the components in the figures are changed, these directional indications should be changed accordingly.

In the present description, the direction of the X axis indicates the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the direction of the Y axis indicates the transverse direction of the vehicle, and the direction of the Z axis indicates the vertical direction of the vehicle. . Also, the indications "interior" and "exterior" are defined with respect to the interior and exterior of the vehicle, for example, "the interior side" indicates the side facing the interior of the vehicle, and "outer side" means the side facing outward from the vehicle.

As illustrated in Figures 2A to 2F, for the rear structure of the vehicle illustrated in Fig.l, the first connecting device C1 may be a connecting device illustrated with a spherical head. More specifically, a connecting rod 32 with a spherical head 321 is embedded in a position provided on the tailgate frame 1 to be connected to the luggage cover shelf 2, by means of a fixing sleeve 33 surrounding the rod 32, allowing the spherical head 321 to protrude from the bottom of this intended position. A plate-shaped bracket 41 is fixed at a position of the end of the luggage cover shelf 2 in the Y-axis direction to be connected to the tailgate frame 1, and includes a connecting portion 411 projecting from the end of the luggage cover shelf 2 in the direction of the Y axis. A flexible envelope 42 for a spherical head is embedded in the connecting portion 411 to receive the spherical head 321, thus forming removable between the tailgate frame 1 and the luggage cover shelf 2.

However, the use of the connection device with the spherical head is limited by the configuration of the tailgate frame 1 and that of the luggage cover shelf 2. For example, when the position provided on the tailgate frame 1 for be connected to the luggage cover shelf 2 is remote from the end of the luggage cover shelf 2 in the direction of the Y axis, it is difficult to use this connecting device with the spherical head to make the connection between both. Even if the size of the spherical head and/or the connecting portion of the plate-shaped bracket protruding from the position of the corresponding end is increased for this purpose, it clearly detracts from the visual appearance of the interior. of the vehicle.

[0038] Figures 3A to 3B and 4A to 4F illustrate a rear structure of a vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as well as the connection between the tailgate frame 1 and the luggage cover shelf 2 in this structure.

As illustrated, in this rear structure of the vehicle, the two lateral ends of the luggage cover shelf 2 in the direction of the Y axis are removably connected to the tailgate frame 1, by means of the connecting devices C according to the present invention. Figures 3A to 3B illustrate only one of the linking devices C, it is understood that the other linking device has the same configuration and is arranged symmetrically to the linking device C illustrated.

[0040] The connecting device C comprises a first connecting assembly arranged at a position provided on the tailgate frame 1 to be connected to the luggage cover shelf 2, as well as a second connecting assembly arranged at a position on the end of the luggage cover shelf 2 to be connected to the tailgate frame 1. In order to improve the adaptability of the connecting device C, the first connecting assembly comprises a first fixing support and a first connecting element, in wherein, the first fixing bracket is configured to be fixed to the tailgate frame 1 and to extend towards the end of the luggage cover shelf 2 in the Y-axis direction, and the first connecting member is fixed to the first mounting bracket. The second connection assembly comprises a second attachment bracket and a second connection element, wherein the second attachment bracket is configured to be attached to the luggage cover shelf 2 adjacent to the end of the shelf cover -luggage 2 in the direction of the Y axis, and the second connecting element is fixed to the second fixing support and is adapted to be removably connected to the first connecting element.

[0041] According to the illustrated embodiment, the first mounting bracket is a tower-shaped bracket 31 extending in inclination from the intended position of the tailgate frame 1 to the end of the cover plate. luggage 2 in the direction of the Y axis, in which the top of the tower-shaped support 31 is fixed to the tailgate frame 1, for example, by means of a screw 5, and the bottom of the tower 31 extends until it rests against the end of the luggage cover shelf 2 in the direction of the Y axis. The tower-shaped support 31 comprises a support portion 311, for example in the form of a plate, protruding from its outer side to support the first connecting element. It is understood that, a nut adapted to the screw 5 can be arranged in advance at the corresponding position on the tailgate frame 1, either an ordinary nut (a "screw-on" nut) or a quick nut 6 (a "press-on" nut) shown.

Furthermore, according to the illustrated embodiment, the first connecting element is a connecting rod 32 with a spherical head 321. The connecting rod 32 is embedded in the support portion 311 of the tower-shaped support 31 , by means of a fixing sleeve 33 surrounding the connecting rod 32 and for example made of metal (for example, by means of an assembly between the outer wall of the fixing sleeve 33 and the support portion 311), allowing the spherical head 321 to protrude from the bottom of the support portion 311. The connecting rod 32 is thus fixed indirectly to the tailgate frame 1 by means of the tower-shaped support 31 and is covered from the inner side of the rod link 32 by the tower-shaped bracket 31, so that the link rod 32 is invisible from inside the vehicle, thus ensuring a good visual effect.

[0043] Preferably, said first connection assembly further comprises an inner cover plate 34 fixed, for example via the edge assembly, to the inner side of the tower-shaped support 31 to cover the screw 5, so that the screw 5 is invisible from inside the vehicle after its assembly, thus ensuring a good visual effect.

[0044] Preferably, said first connection assembly further comprises an outer cover plate 35 fixed, for example via the edge assembly, to the outer side of the tower-shaped support 31 to at least partially cover the portion of support 311 and connecting rod 32, so that supporting portion 311 and connecting rod 32 are almost invisible from outside the vehicle, thus ensuring a good visual effect.

Further, as shown in Figures 4E and 4F, according to the illustrated embodiment, the outer side of the tower-shaped bracket 31 is provided with a first locating pin 312 adjacent to the top of the tower-shaped bracket 31, and/or the outer side of the outer cover plate 35 is provided with a second locating pin 351 adjacent to the top of the outer cover plate 35. After assembly of the tower-shaped bracket 31, the link rod 32, the fixing sleeve 33, the inner cover plate 34 and the outer cover plate 35, firstly, the first link assembly obtained can be positioned at the intended position on the tailgate frame 1, by means of the first locating pin 312 and/or the second locating pin 351; then, the first link assembly is fixed to the tailgate frame 1 by the screw 5 passing through the tower-shaped bracket 31 and the outer cover plate 35 via a screw hole D arranged on the tower-shaped bracket 31 and the outer cover plate 35.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the second fixing support is a support in the form of a plate 41 fixed to the bottom of the luggage cover shelf 2, for example by welding or screwing, and comprising a connecting portion 411 projecting from the end of the luggage cover shelf 2 in the direction of the Y axis for the arrangement of the second connecting element. It is understood that the term "plate-shaped" in this context is to be construed as having substantially the shape of a plate. The shape of the second mounting bracket is not limiting and can be designed according to actual needs.

Furthermore, according to the illustrated embodiment, the second connecting element is a flexible casing 42 for a spherical head, which is elastically deformable. The flexible envelope 42 is for example made of rubber material, and is embedded in the connecting portion 411 of the plate-shaped support 41 in order to receive the spherical head 321 of the connecting rod 32, thus forming the removable connection between the tailgate frame 1 and the luggage cover shelf 2 by fitting/removing the spherical head 321 to/from the flexible casing 42.

In summary, the connecting device for connecting the tailgate frame 1 to the luggage cover shelf 2 of the vehicle according to the present invention has a simple structure, allows easy manufacture and quick assembly, has a low cost, and makes it easy to establish the connection between the tailgate frame 1 and the end of the shelf cargo cover 2 in the direction of the Y axis for various kinds of vehicle rear structure configurations, while ensuring a good visual effect inside and outside the vehicle.

The technical content and the technical characteristics of the present invention have been disclosed above. It will be understood that various modifications and/or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the various embodiments described in the present description without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

The description of the embodiments is exemplary and not limiting, and the scope of protection of the present invention is determined by the claims.

Claims

1. Connecting device for connecting a tailgate frame to a luggage cover shelf of a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises:

- a first connecting assembly comprising a first fixing bracket and a first connecting element, wherein said first fixing bracket is configured to be fixed to said tailgate frame (1) and to extend towards an end of said shelf luggage cover (2) in the direction of the Y axis, and said first connecting element is fixed to said first fixing bracket; And

- a second connection assembly comprising a second attachment bracket and a second connection element, wherein said second attachment bracket is configured to be attached to said luggage cover shelf (2) adjacent to the end in the direction of the Y axis, and said second connecting element is fixed to said second fixing bracket and is adapted to be detachably connected to said first connecting element.

2. Connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that said first connecting element is a connecting rod (32) with a spherical head (321), said connecting rod (32) being embedded in said first fixing support by means of a fixing sleeve (33) and being covered by said first fixing support, and in that said second connecting element is a flexible envelope (42) for a spherical head, said flexible envelope (42) being recessed in said second mounting bracket and adapted to receive said ball head (321).

3. Connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that said first fixing support is a tower-shaped support (31), the top of which being configured to be fixed to said tailgate frame (1), and the bottom of which being configured to be adapted to bear against the end of said luggage cover shelf (2) in the direction of the Y axis.

4. Connecting device according to claim 3, characterized in that the top of said support tower-shaped (31) is configured to be fixed to said tailgate frame (1) by means of a screw (5).

5. Connecting device according to claim 4, characterized in that said first connecting assembly further comprises an inner cover plate (34) fixed to said tower-shaped support (31) and configured to cover said screw (5).

6. Connecting device according to claim 3, characterized in that said first connecting assembly further comprises an outer cover plate (35) fixed to said tower-shaped support (31) and at least partially covering said first connecting element .

7. Connecting device according to claim 6, characterized in that said tower-shaped support (31) and/or said outer cover plate (35) is provided with a positioning pin adapted to be positioned at said tailgate frame. (1).

8. Connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that said second fixing support is a plate-shaped support (41) configured to be fixed to the bottom of said luggage cover shelf (2) and comprising a connecting portion (411) protruding from the end of said luggage cover shelf (2) in the direction of the Y axis, in order to be adapted to the arrangement of said second connecting element.

9. Vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a tailgate frame (1) and a luggage cover shelf (2) removably connected to said tailgate frame (1), by means of a connecting device for connecting a tailgate frame to a luggage shelf of a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8.