U.S. patent application number 15/071649 was filed with the patent office on 2017-09-21 for powered dual closure system for vehicles.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Ford Global Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to Paul L. Heirtzler, JR., Donald P. Iacovoni, Kosta Papanikolaou.
Application Number | 20170267074 15/071649 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59409968 |
Filed Date | 2017-09-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170267074 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Papanikolaou; Kosta ; et
al. |
September 21, 2017 |
POWERED DUAL CLOSURE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES
Abstract
A vehicle closure including a rotatable lift gate and a decklid
that is rotatably connected to the liftgate. First and second
electrically powered actuators provide powered opening and powered
closing of the liftgate and the decklid, respectively. The first
powered actuator locks to prevent movement of the liftgate when the
second powered actuator is actuated, and the second powered
actuator locks to prevent movement of the decklid when the first
powered actuator is actuated.
Inventors: |
Papanikolaou; Kosta;
(Huntington Woods, MI) ; Iacovoni; Donald P.;
(Plymouth, MI) ; Heirtzler, JR.; Paul L.;
(Northville, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ford Global Technologies, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Ford Global Technologies,
LLC
|
Family ID: |
59409968 |
Appl. No.: |
15/071649 |
Filed: |
March 16, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B 83/20 20130101;
E05F 15/616 20150115; B60J 5/104 20130101; B60J 5/106 20130101;
E05B 81/00 20130101; E05F 15/622 20150115 |
International
Class: |
B60J 5/10 20060101
B60J005/10 |
Claims
1. A dual closure system for non-convertible vehicles having fixed,
non-movable roof structures, the dual closure system; comprising: a
liftgate panel having a first hinge that is configured to movably
connect a front edge of the liftgate panel to a vehicle body
adjacent a forward edge of a rearwardly-facing access opening in
the vehicle body, the liftgate panel including a rear edge that is
opposite the front edge; a decklid panel having a forward edge
pivotably connected to the liftgate panel adjacent the rear edge of
the liftgate panel by a lid hinge; a first powered actuator
configured to provide powered rotation of the liftgate panel in a
first direction about the first hinge to simultaneously raise the
rear edge of the liftgate panel and the forward edge of the decklid
panel and open the liftgate panel, wherein the first powered
actuator is also configured to provide powered rotation of the
liftgate panel in a second direction about the first hinge to close
the liftgate panel; a second powered actuator configured to provide
powered rotation of the decklid panel in a first direction about
the lid hinge to open the decklid panel relative to the liftgate
panel, wherein the second powered actuator is also configured to
provide powered rotation of the decklid panel in a second direction
about the lid hinge to close the decklid relative to the liftgate
panel; wherein the first powered actuator is configured to
selectively lock the liftgate panel in a closed position about the
first hinge when the second powered actuator is actuated to open
the decklid; and wherein the second powered actuator is configured
to selectively lock the decklid panel in a closed position about
the lid hinge when the first powered actuator is actuated to open
the liftgate panel.
2. The dual closure system of claim 1, wherein: the first powered
actuator comprises a powered stmt that both extends and retracts
upon actuation of the powered actuator.
3. The dual closure system of claim 2, wherein: the powered strut
includes a reversible electric motor that rotates in first and
second opposite directions to extend and retract, respectively, the
powered strut.
4. The dual closure system of claim 1, wherein: the second powered
actuator comprises a powered strut that both extends and retracts
upon actuation of the powered actuator.
5. The dual closure system of claim 4, wherein: the powered strut
includes a reversible electric motor that rotates in first and
second opposite directions to extend and retract, respectively, the
powered strut.
6. The dual closure system of claim 1, wherein: the decklid panel
includes a latch that is configured to engage a vehicle body to
retain the decklid panel and the liftgate panel in a closed
position.
7. The dual closure system of claim 6, wherein: the second powered
actuator is further configured to lock the decklid panel in a
closed position about the lid hinge when the latch engages a
vehicle body.
8. The dual closure system of claim 1, including: a stop including
first and second stop surfaces that contact each other when the
decklid panel is in a closed position relative to the liftgate
panel to prevent rotation of the decklid panel in the second
direction.
9. The dual closure system of claim 1, including: a controller
operably connected to the first and second powered actuators.
10. A vehicle closure, comprising: a rotatable liftgate; a decklid
rotatably connected to the liftgate; first and second electrically
powered actuators providing powered opening and powered closing of
the liftgate and decklid, respectively, wherein the first powered
actuator locks to prevent movement of the liftgate when the second
powered actuator is actuated, and the second powered actuator locks
to prevent movement of the decklid when the first powered actuator
is actuated to open the liftgate.
11. The vehicle closure of claim 10, wherein: the first and second
electrically powered actuators comprise pairs of first and second
struts, respectively, having reversible electric motors.
12. The vehicle closure of claim 11, wherein: the first struts
extend to provide powered opening of the liftgate, and retract to
provide powered closing of the liftgate.
13. The vehicle closure of claim 11, wherein: the first struts
include adjustable stops that limit retraction of the first struts
to lock the first struts.
14. The vehicle closure of claim 11, wherein: the second struts
extend to provide powered opening of the decklid relative to the
liftgate, and retract to provide powered closing of the decklid
relative to the liftgate.
15. The dual closure system of claim 4, wherein: the second struts
include adjustable stops that limit retraction of the second struts
to lock the second struts.
16. A non-convertible vehicle, comprising: a body structure having
a fixed, non-movable roof structure having a rear edge extending
above a rear access opening in the body structure; a liftgate panel
having a forward edge movably connected to the rear edge of the
roof structure adjacent a forward portion of the access opening; a
decklid panel pivotably connected to the liftgate panel; a first
powered actuator providing powered rotation of the liftgate panel
in a first direction to open the liftgate panel, wherein the first
powered actuator is also configured to provide powered rotation of
the liftgate panel in a second direction to close the liftgate
panel; a second powered actuator providing powered rotation of the
decklid panel in a first direction to open the decklid panel
relative to the liftgate panel, wherein the second powered actuator
also provides powered rotation of the decklid panel in a second
direction to close the decklid relative to the liftgate panel;
wherein the first powered actuator is configured to selectively
lock the liftgate panel in a closed position when the second
powered actuator is actuated to open the decklid; and wherein the
second powered actuator is configured to selectively lock the
decklid panel in a closed position when the first powered actuator
is actuated to open the liftgate panel.
17. The non-convertible vehicle of claim 16, wherein: the first
powered actuator comprises a powered stmt that both extends and
retracts upon actuation of the powered actuator.
18. The non-convertible vehicle of claim 17, wherein: the powered
strut comprises a pair of powered struts, each including a
reversible electric motor that rotates in first and second opposite
directions to simultaneously extend and retract, the powered
struts.
19. The non-convertible vehicle of claim 16, wherein: the second
powered actuator comprises a pair of powered struts that extend and
retract upon actuation of the powered actuators.
20. The non-convertible vehicle of claim 16, wherein: the decklid
panel includes a latch that is configured to engage a vehicle body
to retain the decklid panel and the liftgate panel in a closed
position; and wherein: the second powered actuator is further
configured to lock the decklid panel in a closed position when the
latch engages a vehicle body.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present application generally relates to motor vehicles
including dual gates, and in particular to a powered closure system
that selectively locks a decklid panel in a closed position
relative to a vehicle body, and a powered closure hinge that
selectively locks a decklid panel to the liftgate panel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various types of dual gate vehicle closures have been
developed to close off a trunk/rear hatch opening of a vehicle.
Typically, dual closures for vehicles include a liftgate panel that
is movably mounted to a vehicle body, and a decklid panel that is
movably mounted to the liftgate panel. The decklid panel can be
opened by itself in a manner that is somewhat similar to a
conventional trunk lid. The decklid panel and the liftgate panel
can also be opened together in a manner that is somewhat similar to
that of a conventional rear hatch of a hatchback. However, known
systems may suffer from various drawbacks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] One aspect of the present disclosure is a dual closure
system for vehicles including a liftgate panel having a first hinge
at a first or front edge that is configured to movably connect the
liftgate panel to a vehicle body adjacent to an access opening in
the vehicle body. The liftgate panel includes a second or rear edge
that is opposite the first/front edge. A decklid panel is pivotably
connected to the liftgate panel adjacent the second/rear edge
thereof by a lid hinge. The system further includes a first powered
actuator that is configured to provide powered rotation of the
liftgate panel in a first direction about the first hinge to
thereby open the liftgate panel. The first powered actuator is also
configured to provide powered rotation of the liftgate panel in a
second direction about the first hinge to close the liftgate panel.
The system further includes a second powered actuator that is
configured to provide powered rotation of the decklid panel in a
first direction about the lid hinge to open the decklid panel
relative to the liftgate panel. The second powered actuator is also
configured to provide powered rotation of the decklid panel in a
second direction about the lid hinge to close the decklid relative
to the liftgate panel. The first powered actuator locks the
liftgate panel in a closed position about the first hinge when the
second powered actuator is actuated to open the decklid. The second
powered actuator selectively locks the decklid panel in a closed
position about the lid hinge when the first powered actuator is
actuated to open the liftgate panel.
[0004] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle
closure including a rotatable lift gate and a decklid that is
rotatably connected to the liftgate. First and second electrically
powered actuators provide powered opening and powered closing of
the liftgate and the decklid, respectively. The first powered
actuator locks to prevent movement of the liftgate when the second
powered actuator is actuated, and the second powered actuator locks
to prevent movement of the decklid when the first powered actuator
is actuated.
[0005] These and other aspects, objects, and features of the
present invention will be understood and appreciated by those
skilled in the art upon studying the following specification,
claims, and appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] In the drawings:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a partially schematic side elevational view of a
vehicle including a dual gate enclosure having powered lockouts for
a decklid panel and a liftgate panel;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a partially fragmentary isometric view showing the
decklid panel and liftgate panel of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a partially fragmentary isometric view of the
decklid panel in an open position;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a partially schematic side elevational view of the
vehicle of FIG. 1 showing the decklid panel in an open
position;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a partially fragmentary isometric view showing the
liftgate panel of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a partially fragmentary isometric view showing the
decklid panel of FIG. 5; and
[0013] FIG. 7 is a partially schematic side elevational view of the
vehicle of FIG. 1 showing the liftgate panel in an open
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper,"
"lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical,"
"horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention
as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the
invention may assume various alternative orientations and step
sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is
also to be understood that the specific devices and processes
illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the
following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the
inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific
dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the
embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting,
unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
[0015] With reference to FIG. 1, a vehicle 1 includes a body
structure 2 having a rear access opening 4 that may be selectively
closed off by a dual gate assembly 6. Dual gate assembly 6 includes
comprising a liftgate panel 10 and a decklid panel 20. As discussed
in more detail below, the decklid panel 20 can be opened while the
liftgate panel 10 remains in a closed position to provide access to
vehicle interior 8 through a first/lower portion 4A of rear access
opening 4 as shown in FIG. 4. The liftgate panel 10 and decklid
panel 20 may also be opened together as a unit (FIG. 6) to provide
access to vehicle interior space 8 through both first and second
portions 4A and 4B, respectively, of opening 4. Liftgate panel 10
is rotatably mounted to the body structure 2 by a first hinge 14.
Hinge 14 may rotatably connect a first or front edge portion 10A of
liftgate panel 10 to body structure 2. A first or front edge
portion 20A of decklid panel 20 is rotatably connected to a second
or rear edge 10B of liftgate panel 10 by a second or lid hinge 24.
Lid hinge 24 may include stop surfaces that limit rotation of
decklid panel 20 relative to liftgate panel 10 such that decklid
panel 20 cannot rotate downwardly past the closed position when
liftgate panel 10 is in an open position (FIG. 7). A latch
mechanism 26 adjacent second edge portion 20B of decklid panel 20
selectively engages vehicle body structure 2 and latches the
decklid panel 20 to the vehicle body structure 2. A first powered
strut or actuator 12 is configured to rotate liftgate panel 10 from
a closed position (FIG. 1) to an open position (FIG. 6). The first
powered actuator 12 also provides powered rotation of liftgate
panel 10 from the open position (FIG. 6) back to the closed
position (FIG. 1).
[0016] A second powered strut or actuator 22 provides for powered
rotation of decklid panel 20 relative to liftgate panel 10 from a
closed position (FIG. 1) to an open position (FIG. 4). The second
powered actuator 22 also provides powered rotation of decklid panel
20 from the open position (FIG. 4) to the closed position (FIG. 1).
The powered actuators 12 and 22 may be operably connected to a
vehicle controller 28 and power supply 30 by electrical lines (not
shown). Similarly, latch mechanism 26 may comprise a powered latch
that is also operably connected to the controller 28 and power
supply 30. The powered actuators 12 and 22, and latch mechanism 26
may be actuated utilizing a wireless remote fob 32, exterior input
features such as one or more exterior buttons 34 located on or
adjacent decklid panel 20, and/or interior inputs such as interior
buttons 36. Fob 32 and buttons 34 and 36 permit a user to
selectively actuate the powered actuators 12 and 22 as required to
open panels 10 and 12.
[0017] With further reference to FIG. 2, left side hinge 24
includes a G-shaped bar structure 38 having a first end 40 that is
secured (fixed) to the decklid panel 20, and a second end 41 that
is pivotably connected to a bracket 42 of liftgate panel 10 by a
hinge pin 44. A transverse portion 39 of bar structure 38 extends
through an opening 43 of a wall structure 45 of liftgate panel 10.
A first end 46 of powered actuator 22 is pivotably connected to
transverse portion 39 of hinge 24, and second end 48 of powered
actuator 22 is pivotally connected to liftgate panel 10.
[0018] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, powered actuator 22 can be
actuated to thereby shift the decklid panel 20 from a closed
position (FIGS. 1 and 2) to an open position (FIGS. 3 and 4). The
powered actuators 12 and 22 may comprise electrically-powered
struts of a known type that include a reversible electric motor
(not shown) that causes a strut 47 (FIG. 3) to extend and retract
from a body 49 of the powered actuator 22 upon actuation of the
electric motor. The electric motor may be operably connected to a
gear drive (not shown) such that the electric motor can be actuated
to both open and close decklid panel 20 by extending and retracting
strut 47 relative to body 49 of powered actuator 22. The gear drive
may be configured such that forces on decklid panel 20 do not cause
strut 47 to extend and retract relative to body 49. In this way, if
electric power is not supplied to the powered actuator 22, the
powered actuator 22 effectively locks the decklid panel 20 in
position relative to liftgate panel 10. Thus, if no electric power
is supplied to the powered actuator 22 when the decklid panel 20 is
in a closed position (FIGS. 1 and 2), the powered actuator 22 locks
the decklid panel 20 in a closed position relative to the liftgate
panel 10.
[0019] The powered actuator 22, hinge 24, and other components
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are positioned on a left hand side of
vehicle 1. Corresponding mirror image components are preferably
positioned on a right hand side of vehicle 1. Thus, the decklid
panel 20 is preferably connected to liftgate panel 10 by a pair of
hinges 24 and a pair of powered actuators 22 that can be actuated
simultaneously.
[0020] With further reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, first powered
actuator 12 includes a first end 50 that is connected to liftgate
panel 10, and a second end 51 that is pivotally connected to body
structure 2. The powered actuator 12 includes a strut 52 and a body
53. Upon actuation of powered actuator 12, the strut 52 extends and
retracts from body 53. The powered actuator 12 may be substantially
similar to the powered actuator 22, and may include a reversible
electric motor (not shown) and a gear drive (not shown) whereby the
powered actuator 12 provides for powered opening and powered
closing of liftgate panel 10 relative to vehicle body structure 2.
The powered actuator 12 may be configured such that the strut 52
cannot be extended and retracted relative to body 53 if electrical
power is not supplied to the strut 12. Thus, strut 12 may be
configured to lock liftgate panel 10 in a closed position (FIGS. 4
and 5) if no electrical power is supplied to the powered actuator
12. The powered actuators 12 and 22 may include other locking
arrangements (not shown) such as adjustable bumpers or stops that
lock the powered actuators 12 and 22 to limit or prevent extension
and/or retraction. The first hinge 14 may comprise a conventional
hinge mechanism of the type utilized to rotatably connect liftgate
panels to vehicle body structures. The powered actuator 12 and
related components shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are utilized on the left
side of vehicle 1. A substantially identical mirror image
arrangement including a powered actuator 12 is preferably utilized
on the right side of the vehicle 1. Accordingly, liftgate panel 10
may be movably interconnected to vehicle body structure 2 by a pair
of first hinges 14 and a pair of powered actuators 12 that can be
simultaneously actuated.
[0021] During operation, a user can selectively open only decklid
panel 20 as shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively, a user can open the
liftgate panel 10 and decklid panel 20 together as a unit as shown
in FIG. 7. The system (e.g. controller 28 and other related
components) can be configured such that a user can selectively
actuate the powered actuators 22 to open and close decklid panel 20
while liftgate panel 10 remains in a closed position. As discussed
above, the first powered actuators 12 lock liftgate panel 10 in a
closed position during actuation of second powered actuators 22.
When the liftgate panel 10 and decklid panel 20 are in a closed
position (FIG. 1) the powered actuators 12 and 22 may both be
locked to thereby retain the liftgate panel 10 and decklid panel 20
in the closed position. The latch mechanism 26 further retains the
liftgate panel 10 and decklid panel 20 in the closed position.
Locking of powered actuators 12 and 22 when the liftgate panel 10
and decklid panel 20 are in the closed position (FIG. 1) reduces
"chucking" or other movement of liftgate panel 10 and/or decklid
panel 20 relative to body structure 2 that could otherwise occur
when the liftgate panel 10 and decklid panel 20 are in the closed
position.
[0022] Referring again to FIG. 7, a user can open liftgate panel 10
by actuating powered actuators 12 utilizing remote fob 32 (FIG. 1),
or inputs 34 and 36. The controller 28 and other components may be
configured such that the second powered actuators 22 remain locked
when first powered actuators 12 are actuated to thereby prevent
movement of decklid panel 20 relative to liftgate panel 10 as
liftgate panel 10 opens and closes.
[0023] It is to be understood that variations and modifications can
be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the
concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be
understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the
following claims unless these claims by their language expressly
state otherwise.
* * * * *