Patent Grant
7673929
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a viscous rotary damper that is applied to a hinge of an automotive closure system such as tailgates, doors, trunks, liftgates, decklids, etc.
2. Description of Related Art
Current entry/exit door systems in an automobile often use mechanical devices to provide soft stop locations or checks between a fully open position and a fully closed position, and a hard stop at the fully open position. However, the operation of these mechanical devices may be perceived to be “harsh” by the end user. It is especially difficult to control the door bounce back from the fully open hard stop location by using these mechanical devices. When the end user opens the door and moves the door into the fully open position, the system does not readily absorb the energy of the door moving in the opening direction, and thus the door may tend aggressively to bounce back onto the end user.
Current hood, trunk, liftgate and tailgate systems in an automobile typically use strut systems to provide open assist and velocity control. However, these strut systems are more expensive (typically requiring two struts per hood, trunk, liftgate or tailgate). See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,994,390. These strut systems are large, require more packaging space within the vehicle and can potentially cause pinch points to the end user. These strut systems may also be subject to significant performance changes due to changes in the temperature. For example, these strut systems provide low or inadequate assist at low temperatures and provide high or excessive assist at higher temperatures. These strut systems also require additional structural support mechanisms (such as body reinforcements) and supplemental attaching features (such as ball studs).
Viscous dampers are used in the automotive industry, for example, to provide rotational resistance on a hinge shaft of an opening-closing member, such as a console box or a glove box, so that the opening-closing member is not suddenly closed or opened (e.g., see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,497,863; 5,887,930; 6,085,384; 6,840,356 B2; and 7,066,308 B2). These viscous dampers are too small for the hinge systems that are used in other automotive closures systems, such as tailgates, doors, trunks, liftgates or decklids, which require resistance torque in the range of 15 to 25 Nm. The viscous dampers that produce the required resistance torque are larger in size and cannot meet the limited space requirements for the hinge systems.
Additional references of interest include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,952,365; 5,084,939; 5,979,592; and 7,051,618 B2; U.S. Patent Pub. Nos. 2001/0007163 A1 and 2004/0103746 A1; EP 01413794 B1; EP 01650468 A1; EP 00978615 B1; and JP 03139427.
One aspect of the invention relates to an assembly to pivotally connect an external vehicle closure panel to a vehicle body. The assembly comprising a first hinge member, a second hinge member, a shaft, and a viscous rotary damper. The first hinge member is constructed to be mounted to one of the external vehicle closure panel and the vehicle body. The second hinge member is constructed to be mounted to the other of the external vehicle closure panel and the vehicle body. The shaft is constructed to pivotally connect the first hinge member to the second hinge member. The viscous damper comprises a cover, a rotor, and a viscous material. The cover is constructed to fixedly connect the viscous damper to one of the first hinge member and the second hinge member. The rotor is rotatably supported within the cover. The viscous material is disposed in a space between the cover and the rotor. The shaft connects to the rotor such that rotation of the external vehicle closure panel between a closing position and an opening position causes relative motion between the rotor and the cover of the viscous damper to provide a resistance for controlling the velocity of the external vehicle closure member.
Another aspect of the invention relates to an assembly to pivotally connect a tailgate to a vehicle body. The assembly comprising a viscous rotary damper, and a pair of hinge mechanisms on opposing sides of the tailgate. The hinge mechanisms are constructed to be pivotally mounted to the tailgate for the movement about a pivot axis between a raised closed position extending generally vertically and a lowered open position extending generally horizontally. The at least one of the pair of hinge mechanisms comprises a first hinge member, a second hinge member, a connection member, and a support member on the second hinge member. The first hinge member is constructed to be mounted to the tailgate. The second hinge member is constructed to be mounted to the vehicle body. The connection member is constructed to connect to the tailgate and to pivot with the shaft, and to connect with the viscous damper. The support member is constructed to pivotally receive the connection member so as to allow the connection member to pivot with the tailgate, thus allowing for pivotal movement of the tailgate and support its weight. The viscous damper comprises a cover, a rotor, and a viscous material. The cover is constructed to be fixed relative to the second hinge member. The rotor is rotatably supported within the cover. The viscous material is disposed in a space between the cover and the rotor. The connection member connects to the rotor to enable rotation of the tailgate between the closed position and the open position to rotate the rotor relative to the cover of the viscous damper to provide a resistance torque that controls the velocity of the tailgate.
Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, and the accompanying drawings.
As shown in
The cover 12 has an attachment member 124 extending outwardly from one side therefrom. The attachment member 124 has a bolt receiving opening 126 that allows the cover 12 to be attached to a movable automotive closure panel or a fixed body part. An opening 128 is located in the rotor 14 about its center axis 130 and the opening 128 receives a hinge pin of the automotive closure assembly. The central portion of the rotor 14 extends through the central opening of the seal cover 18, so that the opening 128 is accessible for this purpose.
The cover 12 is attached to the movable automotive closure panel (not shown) or a fixed body part (not shown) using a bolt (as can be clearly seen in
When the movable automotive closure panel moves between an opening position and a closing position, a rotational force is transmitted to the center axis 130 that is attached to the hinge pin, and to the rotor 14. Therefore, the rotor 14 rotates and a relative motion is generated between the cover 12 and the rotor 14. The relative motion generates a damping force or a shear resistance (also referred to as a resistance torque). The shock of the automotive closure systems such as doors, tailgates, liftgates, trunks, decklids, etc. is absorbed by the resistance torque generated by the viscous damper 10.
The viscous material 22 preferably can be any suitable viscous flowable fluid such as silicone oil, silicone gel, etc. The viscous material 22 preferably has excellent temperature characteristics and exhibits stable characteristics at both low and high temperatures. The rotor 14 and the cover 12 may be fabricated from plastic material or from any other material as would be apparent to one skilled in the art.
The viscous damper 10 may also have one way or two way dampening directions. The design of a one way viscous damper is different from the design of a two way viscous damper. Typically, a one way damper is designed to provide significantly more damping effect in one rotary direction as opposed to the other; and a two way damper provides similar damping effect in both directions.
The sealing design of the viscous damper 10 is determined based on the viscous substance 22 that is used in the viscous damper 10. The viscous damper 10 generates the desired damping force in a limited space. The viscous damper 10 is cylindrical in shape. It should be appreciated, however, that this embodiment is but one example of different types of viscous damper shapes, configurations and/or constructions that can be provided.
The illustrated damper 10 is available from Oiles America Corporation for use in reclining vehicle seats. Other rotary viscous dampers may be used. For example, the damper may be a sealed casing with two opposing disks with a thin fluid medium there between where relative rotation between the disks is resisted by the fluid. This is shown in
A member 258 is used to connect the movable automotive closure panel 254 and the fixed body part 256, and to accommodate the hinge pin 252 in the central opening of the member 258. The member 258 acts a force absorbing member and may be made of metal or any suitable material. As shown in
In one embodiment, the recessed shoulder 265 of the member 258 is also shaped and arranged to engage in a mating relationship with an inner surface 247 of the opening 249 of the movable closure panel 254 to prevent relative rotation between member 258 and the movable closure panel 254. In the illustrated embodiment, the recessed shoulder 265 of member 258 is shaped in the form of a hexagon with inwardly protruding surfaces and the inner surface 247 of the opening 249 of the movable closure panel 254 has a matching shape. It should be appreciated that the illustrated embodiment is but one example of different shapes, constructions and/or constructions that can be provided. The opening of the movable closure panel 254 supports the member 258 and also prevents the member 258 from moving further down into the assembly. The lower end 260 of the member 258 initially has a cylindrical wall. This cylindrical wall allows the member 258 to pass through the openings located in the movable closure panel 254 and in the fixed body part 256. Once the movable closure panel 254 is connected to the fixed body part 256, the cylindrical wall of the lower end 260 of the member 258 is radially expanded or flared outwardly as shown to secure the movable automotive closure panel 254 and the fixed body part 256 together. Also, in the embodiments of
As an alternative, the damper 10 and its cover 12 could be attached to the movable closure panel 254, and the hinge pin 252 would be connected to fixed body part 256 via member 258. Moreover, any suitable configuration or arrangement for assembling such components may be used. For example, the damper 10 may be connected between any two parts of a hinge system coupled between the fixed body part and the movable closure, and need not be directly coupled to the fixed body part and the movable closure panel.
Viscous dampers 74 may be attached directly to the pivot couplings, which connect the first member 64, the second member 66, the third member 68 and the fourth member 70 to each other. The viscous damper 74 controls the velocity of the trunk lid, the hood or other part of the vehicle that is pivoted. For example, the pivot coupling 72 may be a pin fixed on the fourth member 70. The pin would couple to the rotor 14 by insertion into the opening 128 and the damper cover 12 would be fixed to the first member 64. Thus, rotation of the pin is dampened by the movement of the rotor 14 through the fluid 22 in the cover 12. Because all the members in a four bar linkage move together, a single damper can provide control for the entire linkage. The damper may be connected at any of the pivotal connections, and may be connected at single or multiple pivotal connections (as illustrated). For example, a viscous damper having a structure and operation as described above can be used in the four bar hinge. The viscous damper 74 can also be used in combination with the spring storage devices such as extension springs, torque rod springs etc. to provide both the lift assist and velocity control to the trunk. The hinge 62 is described in detail in the U.S. application Ser. No. 11/675,164, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
In one embodiment, a tailgate mounting assembly includes a pair of hinge assemblies or mechanisms, each located on opposite ends of the tailgate. The hinge mechanisms are constructed to be pivotally mounted to the tailgate for the movement about a pivot axis between a raised closed position extending generally vertically and a lowered open position extending generally horizontally.
As shown in
The housing of the damper 10 is secured to the smaller cup 121 by welding or any other suitable fastening, and a bend in bracket 89 provides clearance for the placement of the smaller cup 121. A pin 99 is then used to connect the connection member 97 with the viscous damper 398 attached to the body bracket 89. The outer end of the pin 99 couples with the rotor of the viscous damper 398, and a bolt 93, is used to attach the cover 14 of the viscous damper 398 to the body bracket 89. The pin 99 has a non-circular head 123 received in a recess in the connection member 97, which pivotally fixes the pin to the connection member 97. Therefore, the rotor 14 of the damper 10 is pivotally fixed to the tailgate as it opens and closes. Thus, the rotor 14 moves with the pin 99 and the tailgate bracket 91 (while the cover 12 stays fixed on the body bracket 89), and the fluid 22 in the damper 398 helps control the velocity of the tailgate. In one embodiment, a viscous damper having a structure and operation as described above can be used in the trunk hinge. As an option, the viscous damper 398 can also be used in combination with the spring storage devices such as torque rod springs to provide both lift assist and velocity control to the trunk. In one embodiment, the other of the tailgate hinge assemblies that is located on the opposite end of the tailgate is constructed in same manner as described in U.S. Application Publication No. 2003/0189354, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein. In one embodiment, this tailgate hinge assembly does not include a viscous damper.
The tailgate bracket 156 is connected to the tailgate 151. The shaft or hinge pin 158 is fixedly connected to the tailgate bracket 156 by inserting a portion 168 thereof into an opening 170 located on the tailgate bracket 156. In one embodiment, the shaft or hinge pin 158 may have an elliptical cross-section and the portion 168 may have a circular cross-section. The connection member housing 166 includes a support member 174 and two flanges 172 extending from an outer end 175 of the support member 174. In one embodiment, the support member 174 is in the form of a cylinder member 174. The support member 174 is constructed to support the weight of the tailgate 151 and transfer it to the vehicle body, thus, preventing the weight of the tailgate 151 from being transferred to the damper 150. The two flanges 172 are constructed to connect the connection member housing 166 to the vehicle body 154 to establish such support. In one embodiment, each flange 172 includes a bolt receiving opening 176 constructed to receive fastener (not shown) to connect the connection member housing 166 to the vehicle body 154, as would be appreciated by one skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the cylinder member 174 may be in the form of a cup-shaped member. The tailgate bracket 156 and hinge pin/shaft 158 may be regarded as a first hinge member 155 constructed to be mounted to the tailgate 151. The tapping plate 164 and connection member housing 166 may be regarded as a second hinge member 157 constructed to be mounted to the vehicle body 154.
The connection member 160 is accommodated in an opening 186 located in the cylinder member 174 of the connection member housing 166. In one embodiment, the connection member 160 is completely accommodated within the connection member housing 166. In one embodiment, the connection member 160 may be in the made from powder metal overmoulded with nylon. The cylinder member 174 of the connection member housing 166 may include a notch or a groove 178, located on an upper surface 180 of the connection member housing 166. The connection member 160 may also include a corresponding notch or a groove 182, located on an upper surface 184 of the connection member 160. The notch 178 of the connection member housing 166 circumferentially aligns with the notch 182 of the connection member 160 to receive the shaft or hinge pin 158 therewithin in a radial direction. The connection member 160 may include an outwardly facing opening 188 located on an outer side 190, which is opposite to the connection member housing 166. The opening 188 is constructed to receive the interface or connection shaft 162. In one embodiment, as shown in
The vehicle body 154 may include a first member 194 and a second member 196 each joined to each other by welding, adhesive bonding, or by any other fastening mechanism as would be appreciated by one skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the first vehicle body member 194 may be a L-shaped member having a depression 198, which is constructed to receive the connection member housing 166. Also, the second vehicle body member 196 may be a L-shaped member having a bump 210 constructed to receive the tapping plate 164. The depression 198 and the bump 210 fit together so that the body 154 has a double layer of material. A pair of bolt receiving openings 204 through both body members 194, 196 is constructed to align with the bolt receiving opening 176 of the connection member housing 166 to connect the connection member housing 166 with the vehicle body 154. A connection shaft receiving opening 206 through both body members 194, 196 is constructed to receive the connection shaft 162. The pair of bolt receiving openings 204 is constructed to align with bolt receiving openings 208 of the tapping plate 164 to connect the damper 150 and the tapping plate 164 with the vehicle body 154. In one embodiment, the tapping plate 164 may be connected to the second vehicle body member 196, for example, by spot welding. The connection shaft receiving opening 206 is constructed to receive the connection shaft 162.
The tapping plate 164 may include a cutout region 212 to accommodate the connection shaft 162, and a pair of extrusions 214 located on opposing sides of the tapping plate 164. Each extrusion 214 may be include the bolt receiving opening 208.
The viscous damper 150 may include a rotor, a cover 222, a viscous material, and an opening 226. The cover 222 is constructed to fixedly connect the viscous damper 150 to the second vehicle body member 196. The rotor is rotatably supported within the cover 222. The viscous material is disposed in a space between the cover 222 and the rotor. The opening 226 is located about a center axis of the rotor to accommodate the connection shaft 162. The viscous damper 150 may include attachment flanges 216 located on opposing sides of the viscous damper 150. Each damper flange 216 may include an opening 218 constructed to fit over the tapping plate extrusions 214. In the illustrated embodiment, two attachment flanges 216 are used to connect the viscous damper 150 to the tapping plate 164 and then to the vehicle body 154. However, it should be appreciated that in another embodiment, the rotary viscous damper may include only one damper flange to connect the viscous damper 150 to the tapping plate 164 and the vehicle body 154.
Preferably, the each set of openings 176, 204, 208, and 218 all align so that a single bolt or fastener can provide the connection through each set.
The operation of the hinge 152 is explained with reference to
In one embodiment, the rotary viscous damper 150 may be placed within the vehicle body 154, thus, may be invisible from outside. In one embodiment, the viscous damper 150 may be installed only on passenger's or right side hinge assembly of the tailgate 151. In this embodiment, the driver's or left side hinge assembly of the tailgate may not change with the introduction of the rotary viscous damper. In one embodiment, a one-way viscous damper may be used so that its damping direction is the opening direction. In this embodiment, the close assist of the tailgate will not be affected by the introduction of the rotary viscous damper. In one embodiment, the tailgate may rotate 180 degrees into the open position without any negative effect of the viscous damper.
A viscous damper 568 may include a rotor, a cover 572, viscous material, and an opening. The cover 572 is constructed to fixedly connect the viscous damper 568 to the second arm 560. The rotor is rotatably supported within the cover 572. The viscous material is disposed in a space between the cover 572 and the rotor. The opening is located about a center axis of the rotor to accommodate the shaft 556. As noted in the previous embodiment, the viscous damper 568 may include double flanges 578 to connect the cover 572 of the viscous damper 568 to the second arm 560. However, it should be appreciated that in another embodiment, the rotary viscous damper 568 may include only one damper flange to connect the viscous damper 568 to the second arm 560.
The operation of the hinge 550 is explained with reference to
In the context of the illustrated embodiment, certain components have been described as being on the movable panel such as door, tailgate, liftgate, trunk, hood, etc. bracket or the body bracket. However, the locations of these components can be reversed, and thus the illustrated embodiment is not intended to be limiting. The term bracket is a generic structural term that refers to any structure that attaches the hinge to an object, and the above described brackets are provided solely as an example, and should not be regarded as limiting. The brackets may have any construction or configuration as would be apparent to one skilled in the art. The brackets are stamped from a piece of sheet metal, but may be formed in any suitable manner. The brackets may be attached to the vehicle body or may be attached to the vehicle door, trunk, liftgate, tailgate or hood by using welding or any type of mechanical fasteners as would be apparent to one skilled in the art. The above described hinges may be used in tandem with another hinge or hinges, and that other hinges may have the same or a different construction from the above described hinges. Any suitable connection may be used to connect the parts of a damper to the parts of the hinge or vehicle and closure, and the connections discussed herein should not be regarded as limiting.
It should be noted that orientational references, such as “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, and the like are used for convenience purposes to refer to the orientation with respect to the Figures. These terms are not intended to be limiting, and in practice the various structures may have other orientations.
Any patents or applications referred to in this application, including any in the Background section, are incorporated into, the present application.
The foregoing illustrated embodiment(s) has or have been provided solely for illustrating the structural and functional principles of the present invention, and should not be regarded as limiting.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/978,910, filed on Oct. 10, 2007, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein.
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