Abstract:
A counterbalanced decklid hinge assembly for rotatably supporting a decklid relative to a vehicle includes a torque rod extending between a first hinge box and a second hinge box. A support member is rotatably supported by each of the first and second hinge boxes. A linkage system interconnects one axial end of the torque rod to one of the support members, and is attached to the axial end of the torque rod in a manner that allows for a straight axial end of the torque rod, i.e., requires no bends. A lever is attached to and rotatable with the other axial end of the torque rod, and is attached in a manner that allows for a straight axial end of the torque rod, i.e., requires no bends.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention generally relates to a hinge assembly for rotatably supporting a decklid of a vehicle, and more specifically to a counterbalanced hinge assembly having a twisted torque rod extending between a pair of hinge boxes for applying an opening force to the decklid. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    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 in a manner to engage one of the hinge boxes, and the other end of the torque rod is bent in a manner to engage one of the support members. The torque rod is twisted during assembly 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. 
         [0003]    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. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A decklid hinge assembly for a vehicle is provided. The decklid hinge assembly includes a first hinge box and a second hinge box. The second hinge box is spaced from the first hinge box. Each of the first hinge box and the second hinge box are configured for attachment to the vehicle. A first support member is rotatably attached to the first hinge box. A second support member is rotatably attached to the second hinge box. The first support member and the second support member are configured for simultaneous rotation about a rotation axis between a closed position and an open position. The decklid hinge assembly further includes a torque mechanism. The torque mechanism includes a first torque rod that extends between and is rotatably supported by the first hinge box and the second hinge box. The first torque rod includes a first axial end and a second axial end. The second axial end is pre-loaded with a twisting moment relative to the first axial end to generate a twisting torque. A first lever is attached to and rotatable with one of the first axial end and the second axial end of the first torque rod, and is secured in a position relative to one of the first hinge box and the second hinge box. A first linkage system interconnects another of the first axial end and the second axial end of the first torque rod, and one of the first support member and the second support member. The first linkage system is configured for transferring the torque from the first torque rod to the one of the first support member and the second support member to assist the simultaneous movement of the first support member and the second support member from the closed position into the open position. 
         [0005]    A vehicle is also provided. The vehicle includes a body that extends along a longitudinal axis. The body defines an opening. A decklid is coupled to the body and is configured for sealing the opening. A decklid hinge assembly rotatably attaches the decklid to the body for rotation about a rotation axis between a closed position and an open position. The decklid hinge assembly includes a first hinge box and a second hinge box. The second hinge box is laterally spaced from the first hinge box across the longitudinal axis of the body. Each of the first hinge box and the second hinge box are attached to the body. A first support member is rotatably attached to the first hinge box. A second support member is rotatably attached to the second hinge box. The first support member and the second support member are configured for simultaneous rotation about the rotation axis between the closed position and the open position. The decklid hinge assembly includes a torque mechanism that is configured for applying a torque to the first support member and the second support member. The torque assists the simultaneous movement of the first support member and the second support member from the closed position into the open position. The torque mechanism includes a first torque rod and a second torque rod. The first torque rod extends between and is rotatably supported by the first hinge box and the second hinge box. The first torque rod includes a first axial end that is disposed adjacent the first hinge box, and a second axial end that is disposed adjacent the second hinge box. The first axial end and the second axial end of the first torque rod are pre-loaded with a twisting moment relative to each other to generate a twisting torque. A first lever is attached to and is rotatable with the first axial end of the first torque rod, and is secured in a position relative to the first hinge box. A first linkage system interconnects the second axial end of the first torque rod and the second support member. The first linkage system is configured for transferring the torque from the first torque rod to the second support member. The second torque rod extends between and is rotatably supported by the first hinge box and the second hinge box. The second torque rod includes a first axial end disposed adjacent the second hinge box, and a second axial end disposed adjacent the first hinge box. The first axial end and the second axial end of the second torque rod are pre-loaded with a twisting moment relative to each other to generate a twisting torque. A second lever is attached to and is rotatable with the first axial end of the second torque rod, and is secured in a position relative to the second hinge box. A second linkage system interconnects the second axial end of the second torque rod and the first support member. The second linkage system is configured for transferring the torque from the second torque rod to the first support member. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, no bends in the torque rods are required to connect the torque rods to either the hinge boxes or the support members. More specifically, the levers connect one axial end of each torque rods to one of the hinge boxes, and the linkage systems connect the other axial end of each of the torque rods to one of the support members. The lever and the linkage systems are attached to the torque rods in a manner that eliminates any bends in the torque rod, thereby reducing and/or eliminating any bending stresses in the torque rods. Additionally, because no bends are required to secure the axial ends of the torque rods to the hinge boxes and/or the support members, the overall length of the torque rods may be maximized to fit within the cross vehicle packaging restraints of the vehicle. 
         [0007]    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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a schematic cross sectional view from a side of the vehicle showing the hinge assembly. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective view from a first angle of a hinge assembly for rotatably supporting a decklid of a vehicle. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a schematic perspective view from a second angle of the hinge assembly. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective view of a lever of the hinge assembly. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a schematic perspective view of a torque link of the hinge assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    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. 
         [0014]    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  FIG. 1 , the hinge assembly  20  is for a vehicle  22 , and rotatably couples a decklid  24  to a body  26  of the vehicle  22 . The decklid  24  seals an opening  28  defined by the body  26 , such as for example, a trunk or cargo area of the vehicle  22 . 
         [0015]    The body  26  extends along a longitudinal axis  30  between a forward end of the body  26  and a rearward end of the body  26 . 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 . 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the hinge assembly  20  includes a first hinge box  34  and a second hinge box  36 . The second hinge box  36  is laterally spaced from the first hinge box  34  across the longitudinal axis  30  of the body  26 . Accordingly, the first hinge box  34  and the second hinge box  36  are disposed on opposing lateral sides of the longitudinal axis  30 . Each of the first hinge box  34  and the second hinge box  36  are attached to the body  26 . The first hinge box  34  and the second hinge box  36  may be attached to the body  26  in any suitable fashion, such as for example, with fasteners such as bolts and/or screws. 
         [0017]    A first support member  38  is rotatably attached to the first hinge box  34 . A second support member  40  is rotatably attached to the second hinge box  36 . The first support member  38  and the second support member  40  are attached to and support the decklid  24  relative to the body  26 . The first support member  38  and the second support member  40  are configured for simultaneous rotation about the rotation axis  32  between the closed position and the open position to rotate the decklid  24  between the closed position and the open position. The first support member  38  and the second support member  40  may be shaped in any suitable manner, such as but not limited to the gooseneck configuration shown in the Figures. 
         [0018]    A torque mechanism  42  interconnects the first hinge box  34  and the second hinge box  36  with the first support member  38  and the second support member  40 . The torque mechanism  42  is pre-loaded to assist in opening  28  the decklid  24 . The torque mechanism  42  is configured for applying a torque to at least one of the first support member  38  and the second support member  40  to assist the simultaneous movement of the first support member  38  and the second support member  40  from the closed position into the open position. 
         [0019]    The torque mechanism  42  includes a first torque rod  44  and a second torque rod  46 . The first torque rod  44  extends between and is rotatably supported by the first hinge box  34  and the second hinge box  36 . The first torque rod  44  includes a first axial end  48  that is disposed adjacent the first hinge box  34 , and a second axial end  50  that is disposed adjacent the second hinge box  36 . The first torque rod  44  extends along a first rod axis  52 . The first rod axis  52  is disposed along the longitudinal center of the first torque rod  44 . The first axial end  48  and the second axial end  50  of the first torque rod  44  are linearly disposed and extend along the first rod axis  52 , with each of the first axial end  48  and the second axial end  50  of the first torque rod  44  extending linearly outboard away from the longitudinal axis  30  beyond a respective one of the first hinge box  34  and the second hinge box  36 . As used herein, the term outboard is defined as disposed farther from. Accordingly, the first axial end  48  and the second axial end  50  are disposed farther from the longitudinal axis  30  than the first hinge box  34  and/or the second hinge box  36 . As shown and described herein, the first axial end  48  of the first torque rod  44  is disposed adjacent and outboard of the first hinge box  34  and the second axial end  50  of the first torque rod  44  is disposed adjacent and outboard of the second hinge box  36 . 
         [0020]    A first lever  54  is attached to and rotatable with one of the first axial end  48  and the second axial end  50  of the first torque rod  44 . The first lever  54  is secured in a position relative to one of the first hinge box  34  and the second hinge box  36 . As shown, the first lever  54  is attached to and rotatable with the first axial end  48  of the first torque rod  44 , and secured in a position relative to the first hinge box  34 . The first lever  54  is rotationally fixed relative to the first axial end  48  of the first torque rod  44  such that rotation of the first lever  54  rotates the first torque rod  44 . 
         [0021]    A first linkage system  56  interconnects another of the first axial end  48  and the second axial end  50  of the first torque rod  44 , and one of the first support member  38  and the second support member  40 . As shown, the first linkage system  56  interconnects the second axial end  50  of the first torque rod  44  with the second support member  40 . The first linkage system  56  transfers a torque from the first torque rod  44  to the one of the first support member  38  and the second support member  40 . The torque applied to the first support member  38  and/or the second support member  40  assists the simultaneous movement of the first support member  38  and/or the second support member  40  from the closed position into the open position. As shown, the first linkage system  56  transfers the torque from the first torque rod  44  to the second support member  40 . 
         [0022]    The first axial end  48  and the second axial end  50  of the first torque rod  44  are pre-loaded with a twisting moment relative to each other to generate the twisting torque that is stored within the first torque rod  44 . During assembly, the first lever  54  is rotated into position and secured in that position relative to the first hinge box  34 . This rotation, about the first rod axis  52 , twists the first torque rod  44  between the first axial end  48 , secured to the first lever  54 , and the second axial end  50 , secured to the first linkage system  56 , thereby generating the torque used to assist in opening  28  the decklid  24 . The first hinge box  34  includes a retention feature  58  that is configured for securing the first lever  54  in position relative to the first hinge box  34 . The retention feature  58  prevents the rotation of the first lever  54  in a direction that would allow the first torque rod  44  to untwist, and also resists lateral movement away from the longitudinal axis  30  to prevent unintentional disengagement of the first lever  54  from the retention feature  58 . 
         [0023]    The second torque rod  46  extends between and is rotatably supported by the first hinge box  34  and the second hinge box  36 . The second torque rod  46  includes a first axial end  60  that is disposed adjacent the second hinge box  36 , and a second axial end  62  that is disposed adjacent the first hinge box  34 . As such, the relative positions of the first axial end  60  and the second axial end  62  of the second torque rod  46  are reversed from those of the first torque rod  44 . The second torque rod  46  extends along a second rod axis  64 . The second rod axis  64  is disposed along the longitudinal center of the second torque rod  46 . The first axial end  60  and the second axial end  62  of the second torque rod  46  are linearly disposed and extend along the second rod axis  64 , with each of the first axial end  60  and the second axial end  62  of the second torque rod  46  extending linearly outboard away from the longitudinal axis  30  beyond a respective one of the first hinge box  34  and the second hinge box  36 . Accordingly, the first axial end  60  and the second axial end  62  of the second torque rod  46  are disposed farther from the longitudinal axis  30  than the first hinge box  34  and/or the second hinge box  36 . As shown and described herein, the first axial end  60  of the second torque rod  46  is disposed adjacent and outboard of the second hinge box  36  and the second axial end  62  of the second torque rod  46  is disposed adjacent and outboard of the first hinge box  34 . 
         [0024]    A second lever  66  is attached to and rotatable with one of the first axial end  60  and the second axial end  62  of the second torque rod  46 . The second lever  66  is secured in a position relative to one of the first hinge box  34  and the second hinge box  36 . As shown, the second lever  66  is attached to and rotatable with the first axial end  60  of the second torque rod  46 , and secured in a position relative to the second hinge box  36 . The second lever  66  is rotationally fixed relative to the first axial end  60  of the second torque rod  46  such that rotation of the second lever  66  rotates the second torque rod  46 . 
         [0025]    A second linkage system  68  interconnects another of the first axial end  60  and the second axial end  62  of the second torque rod  46 , and one of the first support member  38  and the second support member  40 . As shown, the second linkage system  68  interconnects the second axial end  62  of the second torque rod  46  with the first support member  38 . The second linkage system  68  transfers a torque from the second torque rod  46  to the one of the first support member  38  and the second support member  40 . The torque applied to the first support member  38  and/or the second support member  40  assists the simultaneous movement of the first support member  38  and/or the second support member  40  from the closed position into the open position. As shown, the second linkage system  68  transfers the torque from the second torque rod  46  to the first support member  38 . 
         [0026]    The first axial end  60  and the second axial end  62  of the second torque rod  46  are pre-loaded with a twisting moment relative to each other to generate the twisting torque that is stored within the second torque rod  46 . During assembly, the second lever  66  is rotated into position and secured in that position relative to the second hinge box  36 . This rotation, about the second rod axis  64 , twists the second torque rod  46  between the first axial end  60 , secured to the second lever  66 , and the second axial end  62 , secured to the second linkage system  68 , thereby generating the torque used to assist in opening  28  the decklid  24 . The second hinge box  36  includes a retention feature  58  that is configured for securing the second lever  66  in position relative to the second hinge box  36 . The retention feature  58  prevents the rotation of the second lever  66  in a direction that would allow the second torque rod  46  to untwist, and also resists lateral movement away from the longitudinal axis  30  to prevent unintentional disengagement of the second lever  66  from the retention feature  58 . 
         [0027]    The first lever  54  and the second lever  66  each include a rotational locking mechanism  70  rotationally securing the first lever  54  to the first torque rod  44  and the second lever  66  to the second torque rod  46 . The rotational locking mechanism  70  may include any mechanism capable of rotationally securing the first lever  54  and the second lever  66  to the first torque rod  44  and the second torque rod  46  respectively, while maintaining the straight axial orientation of the first torque rod  44  and the second torque rod  46  respectively. In other words, the rotational locking mechanism  70  rotationally secures the first lever  54  and the second lever  66  to the first torque rod  44  and the second torque rod  46  respectively without bending the respective axial ends of the first torque rod  44  and/or the second torque rod  46 . For example, referring to  FIG. 4 , the rotational locking mechanism  70  may include a lever aperture  72  having a non-annular shape defined by the first lever  54  and/or the second lever  66 . As shown, a lever barrel portion  74  is welded or otherwise securely attached to the first lever  54  and/or the second lever  66 , with the lever barrel portion  74  defining the lever aperture  72 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the lever aperture  72  is in mated engagement with a lever extension  76  of the first torque rod  44  and/or the second torque rod  46 . The lever extension  76  includes a non-annular shape that corresponds to the non-annular shape of the lever aperture  72 . As shown, the non-annular shape of the lever aperture  72  and the non-annular shape of the lever extension  76  define a D-shaped configuration. However, it should be appreciated that other non-annular shapes may alternatively be used. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first linkage system  56  and the second linkage system  68  are identical, with each including a torque link  78  that is attached to and rotatable with the first torque rod  44  and the second torque rod  46  respectively. The torque link  78  extends radially away from the first rod axis  52  or the second rod axis  64  respectively to a distal pivot point  80 , which is laterally spaced from the first rod axis  52  and the second rod axis  64  respectively. The first linkage system  56  and the second linkage system  68  further include a connecting member  82  having a first end rotatable coupled to the torque link  78  at the pivot point  80  and a second end rotatably coupled to the second support member  40  and the first support member  38  respectively. 
         [0029]    The torque link  78  of each of the first linkage system  56  and the second linkage system  68  includes a rotational locking mechanism  84  rotationally securing the torque link  78  to the first torque rod  44  and the second torque rod  46  respectively. The rotational locking mechanism  84  may include any mechanism capable of rotationally securing the torque link  78  of the first linkage system  56  and the second linkage system  68  to the first torque rod  44  and the second torque rod  46  respectively, while maintaining the straight axial orientation of the first torque rod  44  and the second torque rod  46 . In other words, the rotational locking mechanism  84  rotationally secures the torque link  78  of the first linkage system  56  and the second linkage system  68  to the first torque rod  44  and the second torque rod  46  respectively without bending the respective axial ends of the first torque rod  44  and/or the second torque rod  46 . For example, referring to  FIG. 5 , the rotational locking mechanism  84  may include a link aperture  86  having a non-annular shape defined by the torque link  78  of the first linkage system  56  and the second linkage system  68 . As shown, a link barrel portion  88  is welded or otherwise securely attached to the torque link  78  of the first linkage system  56  and the second linkage system  68 , with the link barrel portion  88  defining the link aperture  86 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the link aperture  86  is in mated engagement with a link extension  90  of the first torque rod  44  and the second torque rod  46  respectively. The link extension  90  includes a non-annular shape that corresponds to the non-annular shape of the link aperture  86 . As shown, the non-annular shape of the link aperture  86  and the non-annular shape of the link extension  90  define a D-shaped configuration. However, it should be appreciated that other non-annular shapes may alternatively be used. 
         [0030]    While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the appended claims.