Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Trunk lids
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-20
2001-09-04
Gordon, Stephen T. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Trunk lids
C296S076000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283530
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a operating arrangement for movable parts on vehicles, especially rear covers, roof coverings or the like, with a connection of the movable part on the vehicle by means of at least one hinge, one means of propulsion and, in all cases, at least one gas spring, wherein at least one hinge has a lever which ends in the interior of the vehicle and is connected to a means of propulsion also arranged in the interior of the vehicle for initiating a torque.
2. The Prior Art
Movable part on vehicles, especially rear covers, are connected to the body of the vehicle by means of hinges, in many cases by means of 4-joint hinges. In so doing, mostly there is a gas spring located on each hinge which accepts a part of the weight of the cover and absorbs its movements. In automatically operable rear covers or similar parts, it is the state of the art to replace one of these gas springs with a propulsion unit for the opening and closing of the cover, preferably a hydraulic cylinder. This burdens the covers on one side and furthermore has the substantial disadvantage that the pressure lines have to be lead through the rain gutter and the cylinder itself requires a surface protection. Moreover, the hinge has to be changed to the side of the propulsion device for its inclusion. State of the art is also a construction type in which one of the hinge levers is extended straight into the interior of the vehicle where a propulsion means is connected. This construction, however, has the disadvantage that the passageway through which to lead the hinge lever is difficult to seal off, wherein additionally, through the large lever path, this sealing-off has to occur over a large area. For this reason, this known solution did not succeed. A further solution of the applicant (Austrian patent application A 1968/97) provides an interior lever connected to a means of propulsion which is connected to the outer lever via a pivot pin which is lead through in the rain gutter and transfers the torque. In this construction, transverse moments appear.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus, it was an object of the present invention to create a operating arrangement which combines an optimal protection of the propulsion device with a simple construction, an as extensive as possible avoidance of transverse moments on the hinge and operating elements and good problem-free operation of the part to be moved.
This problem is solved by means of an operating arrangement as initially mentioned, characterized in that the lever is connected to an outer lever of the hinge outside of the body of the vehicle, is lead through a seal-off passageway into the body of the vehicle into its interior and is arranged in a bent manner. The combination can be produced, in principle, by any possible means, for example, through welding, gluing or screwing, that is, rivets. Of course, also a combination is possible through a one-piece production of outer lever and a lever which leads into the interior as an extension thereof The means of propulsion and also its site of connection with the hinge is located in the interior of the vehicle and optimally protected against corrosive media. Therefore, no special surface protection is necessary. Also, no lines have to be lead through the rain gutter or even through the body of the vehicle to the outside, which simplifies its manufacture. The layout of the propulsion device, for example, in the case of a hydraulic cylinder it is its construction, lift, diameter, working pressure etc. is not limited anymore by geometric relationships in the outer area of the hinge, the kinematics of which need not be changed, but can be freely adjusted to the system optimally. Of course, the means of propulsion can be turned off and a purely manual operation of the vehicle part to be moved can occur. Since the propulsion means are not located in the outer area of the hinge, gas springs can be provided on both sides, so that the weight of the vehicle part is absorbed on both sides and thus a one-sided burden can be avoided. Because the lever leading into the interior is bent, the longitudinal movement of the site of the passageway through the body of the vehicle is substantially reduced, through which the sealing-off can be more easily completed and less costly, thereby minimizing the danger of water, corrosive media or dirt entering it. Despite this, due to the relatively large distance of the point of rotation of the outer lever and the connection of the propulsion means to the hinge, that is, to the lever leading inward, the transverse moment which appears in the area of the point of rotation during operation is substantially reduced.
According to the advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the lever lies in essentially the same plane as the hinge and/or the outer lever connected to it. In this way, the appearing transverse moments can be reduced further, wherein, in the optimal case, the transverse moments can be completely eliminated, if the point of rotation of tie hinge and the lever transferring the torque lie in exactly in the same plane. Of course, in a demand situation, no bending of the lever car be provided.
An especially simple and economical production is possible, if the lever is arranged as a circular arch.
In so doing, it is provided advantageously that the lever runs in the form of a circular arch around the vehicle-fixed point of rotation of the outer lever. In this case, the site of the passageway of the lever through the body of the vehicle is completely fixed and the sealing-off is possible in a simple and safe manner. Thus, for example, a seal, such as a lip seal, can be provided which can be adjusted optimally to the material and the cross-section of the lever leading inward.
According to an advantageous embodiment, the hinge is arranged as a multiple joint hinge, especially as a 4-joint hinge, wherein the lever is preferably connected to the outer lever closest to the middle of the vehicle. This combination of characteristics combines good kinematics of the hinge with optimal opening of the rear cover or other vehicle part with a constructively simple and stable connection of the lever leading inward and thus further the connection of the propulsion means to the hinge.
The propulsion means is preferably a preferably hydraulic working cylinder. This choice of propulsion means allows for an exact operation of the rear cover or the like by means of simple and proven systems.
In so doing, according to an advantageous embodiment, the working cylinder grips with one end, preferably with the piston rod, onto the inner lever of the hinge and is connected with its other end, preferably the floor, to a bottom part of the hinge. In so doing, the hinge itself is used for the connection of the second end of the working cylinder and an additional connection site with additional constructive effort for it can be avoided. It will often be an advantage to use the point of rotation of a vehicle-proximal hinge joint, which without this is necessary, at the same time also as a connection point for the working cylinder and thus to further minimize the constructive and manufacturing efforts.
The invention will be better understood by reference to the following discussion, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5760695 (1998-06-01), Huber
patent: 5788312 (1998-06-01), Lee
patent: 6227612 (2001-05-01), Stolle et al.
Dykema Gossett PLLC
Gordon Stephen T.
Hoerbiger Hydraulik GmbH
Morrow Jason
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