Patent Application
20130263407
The invention generally relates to a hinge assembly for rotatably supporting a decklid of a vehicle, and more specifically to a counterbalanced torque system having a torque storing assembly attached to a hinge box for applying an opening force to the decklid.
Counterbalanced decklid hinge assemblies typically include at least one torque rod that extends between a pair of hinge boxes. A support member is rotatably attached to and supported by each of the hinge boxes. One end of the torque rod is bent to define a wind-up end that engages one of the hinge boxes, and the other end of the torque rod is bent to define a looped end that engages one of the support members. The torque rod is twisted during assembly and secured in a position relative to the hinge box to pre-load the torque rod. The pre-loaded torque rod acts as a spring to untwist, thereby applying a torque to the support member to assist in opening the decklid.
The amount of torque that the torque rod is capable of storing is dependent upon the length of the torque rod, with the bent ends of the torque rod reducing the overall effective length of the torque rod. Furthermore, the bent ends of the torque rod induce bending stresses into the torque rod, which decreases the durability of the torque rod. Additionally, such a configuration of the torque rod only allows for a single torque wind up position, thereby limiting the amount of torque that may be pre-loaded into the torque rod. A limited amount of variability may be built into the system by adding different attachment positions to the hinge box to which the wind-up end of the torque rod is attached. However, due to packaging constraints, these variable wind-up positions are only able to provide a range of between 3° and 4° of torque rod rotation.
A decklid hinge assembly for a vehicle is provided. The decklid hinge assembly includes a hinge box configured for attachment to the vehicle, and a support member rotatably attached to the hinge box. The support member is rotatable about a rotation axis between a closed position and an open position. The decklid hinge assembly further includes a counterbalanced torque system. The counterbalanced torque system includes a linkage system that interconnects the hinge box and the support member. A torque storing assembly is coupled to the hinge box and the linkage system. The torque storing assembly is pre-loaded with a moment to generate a torque for assisting the movement of the support member from the closed position toward the open position. The torque storing assembly includes a torque rod having a first axial end and a second axial end, and a torque tube having a first axial end and a second axial end. The first axial end of the torque rod is attached to the linkage system in torque transmitting engagement for transmitting torque therebetween. The second axial end of the torque rod is attached to the second axial end of the torque tube in torque transmitting engagement for transmitting torque therebetween, and the first axial end of the torque tube is attached to the hinge box in torque transmitting engagement for transmitting torque therebetween.
Accordingly, the torque storing assembly may include a total effective length that is equal to the sum of an effective length of the torque tube and an effective length of the torque rod. The effective length of each of the torque tube and the torque rod are limited by the width of the vehicle. Accordingly, the total effective length of the torque storing assembly may nearly equal twice the width of the vehicle, which is nearly double the effective length of prior art torque rods. The increased total effective length reduces stresses within the torque rod and the torque tube, thereby improving the durability thereof.
The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as “above,” “below,” “upward,” “downward,” “top,” “bottom,” etc., are used descriptively for the figures, and do not represent limitations on the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.
Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a decklid hinge assembly, hereinafter referred to as the hinge assembly, is generally shown at 20. Referring to
The body 26 extends along a longitudinal axis 30 between a forward end and a rearward end. The hinge assembly 20 rotatably attaches the decklid 24 to the body 26 for rotation about a rotation axis 32. As shown, the rotation axis 32 is perpendicular relative to the longitudinal axis 30 of the vehicle 22. However, the relative positions between the rotation axis 32 and the longitudinal axis 30 of the vehicle 22 may differ from that shown and described herein. The decklid 24 is rotatable between a closed position for sealing the opening 28, and an open position for allowing access to the opening 28.
Referring also to
The hinge assembly 20 includes a torque counterbalance system 38 that is configured to apply torque to the support member 36 to assist movement of the support member 36 and the decklid 24 from the closed position into the open position. The torque counterbalance system 38 includes a torque storing assembly 40 and a linkage system 42. The torque storing assembly 40 is coupled to and interconnects the hinge box 34 and the linkage system 42. The torque storing assembly 40 is pre-loaded with a moment to generate a torque for assisting the movement of the support member 36 from the closed position into the open position.
The torque storing assembly 40 includes a torque rod 44 and a torque tube 46. The torque rod 44 includes a first axial end 48 and a second axial end 50. Similarly, the torque tube 46 also includes a first axial end 52 and a second axial end 54. The first axial end 48 of the torque rod 44 is attached to the linkage system 42 in torque transmitting engagement for transmitting torque therebetween. The second axial end 50 of the torque rod 44 is attached to the second axial end 54 of the torque tube 46 in torque transmitting engagement for transmitting torque therebetween. The first axial end 52 of the torque tube 46 is attached to the hinge box 34 in torque transmitting engagement for transmitting torque therebetween.
The torque tube 46 defines a hollow interior 56, with the torque rod 44 disposed within the hollow interior 56 of the torque tube 46. The torque rod 44 and the torque tube 46 each include a section modulus. The section modulus of the torque rod 44 and the section modules of the torque tube 46 are designed so that each will generate a similar torque when rotated at approximately the same rate so that neither the torque rod 44 nor the torque tube 46 will yield before the other under a torsional load. As such, the section modulus of the torque tube 46 and the section modules of the torque rod 44 are preferably disposed within a range of between 0% and 10% of each other. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the torque rod 44 and the torque tube 46 may have the same section modulus, wherein the difference between the section modulus of the torque tube 46 and the section modulus of the torque rod 44 is 0%. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the section modulus of one of the torque tube 46 and the torque rod 44 may differ by up to 10% greater than or less than the section modulus of the other.
Each of the torque rod 44 and the torque tube 46 define a linear shape that extends along a rod axis 58. The torque rod 44 and the torque tube 46 each extend along the linear rod axis 58 without any bends therein, with the first axial end 48 and the second axial end 50 of the torque rod 44, and the first axial end 52 and the second axial end 54 of the torque tube 46 disposed along the rod axis 58. The torque rod 44 and the torque tube 46 are co-axially aligned along the rod axis 58.
Referring to
As described above, the second axial end 50 of the torque rod 44 is attached to the second axial end 54 of the torque tube 46 in torque transmitting engagement for transmitting torque therebetween. The second axial end 50 of the torque rod 44 may be attached to the second axial end 54 of the torque tube 46 in any suitable manner. For example, referring to
As described above, the first axial end 52 of the torque tube 46 is attached to the hinge box 34 in torque transmitting engagement for transmitting torque therebetween. The first axial end 52 of the torque tube 46 may be attached to the hinge box 34 in any suitable manner. For example, referring to
The cap 76 may include a plurality of apertures 80 disposed about a periphery of the cap 76 equidistant from the rod axis 58, and the hinge box 34 may include at least one projection 82 extending through one of the plurality of apertures 80. As shown, the hinge box 34 includes two projections 82 spaced one hundred eighty degrees) (180°) apart about the rod axis 58, and the cap 76 defines six apertures 80 comprised of three sets of two apertures 80, with each set of two apertures 80 spaced one hundred eighty degrees) (180°) apart about the rod axis 58. The projections 82 are positionable within any of the three sets of two apertures 80 to adjust the rotational position of the cap 76 relative to the hinge box 34 about the rod axis 58. Adjusting the rotational position of the torque tube 46 relative to the hinge box 34 affects the torque output of the torque storing assembly 40. Accordingly, the variable positions provided by the projections 82 being positioned in the different apertures 80 provides adjustability to the torque output of the torque storing assembly 40.
Referring to
As described above, the first axial end 48 of the torque rod 44 is attached to the linkage system 42 in torque transmitting engagement for transmitting torque therebetween. The first axial end 48 of the torque rod 44 may be attached to the hinge box 34 in any suitable manner. For example, referring to
The first portion 96 and the second portion 98 cooperate to define an annular passage 102 therebetween. As shown, each of the first portion 96 and the second portion 98 define a semi-circular recess 78, that when joined together, form the annular passage 102. The annular passage 102 receives the torque rod 44 therethrough with the first portion 96 and the second portion 98 drawn together by the fastening mechanism to provide a clamping force against the torque rod 44 to secure the torque rod 44 in place relative to the clamping block 94.
The annular passage 102 includes an anti-rotation feature 104 for frictionally engaging the torque rod 44. The anti-rotation feature 104 engages the torque rod 44, disposed within the annular passage 102, to prevent rotation of the torque rod 44 relative to the clamping block 94 when the second portion 98 is attached to and clamped against the first portion 96. The anti-rotation feature 104 may include, for example, a plurality of deformations, such as but not limited to a plurality of ridges extending along a central axis parallel to the torque rod 44 and extending radially inward toward the torque rod 44. Alternatively and as shown, the anti-rotation feature 104 may include a corresponding non-circulate shape shared between the first axial end 48 of the torque rod 44 and the annular passage 102 of the clamping block 94. The anti-rotation feature 104 engages the torque rod 44, and increases the friction therebetween when the first portion 96 is clamped against the second portion 98 to prevent rotation of the torque rod 44 relative to the clamping block 94. It should be appreciated that the torque transmitting engagement between the first axial end 48 of the torque rod 44 and the linkage system 42 that is described above is merely exemplary, and may differ from that shown and described herein.
As best shown in
The lever 108 may include a rotational locking mechanism 110 rotationally securing the lever 108 to the torque rod 44. The rotational locking mechanism 110 may include any mechanism capable of rotationally securing the lever 108 to the torque rod 44, while maintaining the straight axial orientation of the torque rod 44. In other words, the rotational locking mechanism 110 rotationally secures the lever 108 to the torque rod 44 without bending the first axial end 48 of the torque rod 44. For example, referring to
The torque storing assembly 40 is twisted by rotation of the lever 108 about the rod axis 58 to generate the torque that is stored within the torque storing assembly 40. During assembly, the lever 108 is rotated into position and secured in that position relative to the hinge box 34. This rotation, about the rod axis 58, twists the torque storing assembly 40 between the first axial end 48 of the torque rod 44, secured to the linkage system 42, and the first axial end 52 of the torque tube 46, secured to the hinge box 34, thereby generating the torque used to assist in opening 28 the decklid 24. The hinge box 34 includes a retention feature 114 that is configured for securing the lever 108 in position relative to the hinge box 34. The retention feature 114 prevents the rotation of the lever 108 in a direction that would allow the torque storing assembly 40 to untwist, and also resists lateral movement away from the longitudinal axis 30 to prevent unintentional disengagement of the lever 108 from the retention feature 114.
The detailed description and the drawings or figures are supportive and descriptive of the invention, but the scope of the invention is defined solely by the claims. While some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the claimed invention have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing the invention defined in the appended claims.
