Abstract:
A vehicle scoff plate assembly may have an outer closure panel, an inner closure panel fastened to the outer closure panel, a first striker mounting bracket fastenable to the inner closure panel, a first striker mounted to the first striker mounting bracket, and a scuff plate fastened to the outer closure panel that surrounds the first striker. A second striker mounting bracket is fastenable to the inner closure panel and a second striker is mountable to the second striker mounting bracket. The second striker mounting bracket is configured in a different angular position to orient the second striker in a different position than the first striker. The inner closure panel and outer closure panel both mount to the vehicle underbody. With different striker mounting brackets mountable to the inner closure panel, a standard vehicle underbody may be utilized and result in fewer or no vehicle underbody production line changes.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a modular vehicle liftgate structure. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Certain styles of modem vehicles utilize a rear liftgate that employs a latch, and an associated striker that mates with the latch upon dosing of the liftgate. While such liftgate structures have generally proven satisfactory for their given applications, they are not without their share of limitations. One such limitation of existing liftgate structures is that different striker positions are required for different liftgates among different vehicle body styles that utilize many of the same underbody components or much of the same vehicle platform. Because the striker and associated striker mounting components are part of the underbody components or platform, vehicle production lines must be changed to different platforms when a different body style is produced. Changing vehicle platforms to assemble different body styles on the same production line is time consuming and expensive. 
         [0003]    What is needed then is a device that eliminates changing vehicle platforms on a single production line when a different body style employing a liftgate is desired to be assembled when the different vehicles utilize much of the same platform. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A vehicle scuff plate assembly may have an outer closure panel, an inner closure panel fastened to the outer closure panel, a first striker mounting bracket fastenable to the inner closure panel, a first striker fastened to the first striker mounting bracket, a second striker mounting bracket fastenable to the inner closure panel, and a second striker fastened to the second striker mounting bracket. Furthermore, a scuff plate may be fastened to the outer closure panel that surrounds the first striker. 
         [0005]    Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a rear view of a vehicle employing a rear liftgate and striker according to the invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view from the rear of a vehicle depicting an outer closure panel and an inner closure panel according to the invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view from an interior of a vehicle depicting an inner closure panel and an outer closure panel according to the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view from an interior of a vehicle depicting a scuff plate and a lip for a weather seal according to the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view from an interior of a vehicle depicting a scuff plate, a lip for a weather seal, and inner and outer closure panels according to the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view from an exterior of a vehicle depicting a scuff plate, a lip for a weather seal, and inner and outer closure panels according to the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view from an interior of a vehicle depicting a striker mounting bracket fastened to an inner closure panel according to the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view from an interior of a vehicle depicting a striker mounting bracket fastened to a weather seal lip bracket; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view from an interior of a vehicle depicting a striker and a striker mounting bracket fastened to a weather seal lip bracket; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a striker mounting bracket and striker; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a perspective top view of a striker mounting bracket and striker; 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a diagram depicting liftgate pivot locations relative to exemplary striker position; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is an enlarged side view of exemplary striker and striker mounting bracket positions relative to the inner and outer closure panels. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. Turning now to  FIG. 1 , a rear perspective view of a vehicle  10  is depicted in which a liftgate  12  is in its open or upward position. The liftgate  12  defines the rearward boundary of an interior cargo volume  14  that is bounded by a seat back  16  of a rear seat  18 . The liftgate  12  has a latch  20  that contacts and attaches to a striker  22  located in a striker area  24 . The striker  22  is fastened to a striker mounting bracket  46  ( FIG. 7 ) that is generally fastened to parts such as an outer closure panel  26 , inner closure panel  28 , scuff plate  30  and lip bracket  32 , which are generally covered by a rear bumper  34 . 
         [0021]    Further details of the invention will now be explained with the use of  FIGS. 2-13 . First, larger structural parts will be presented and then smaller, more detailed parts with be presented, both to exemplify examples of embodiments. Turning now to  FIG. 2 , an outer closure panel  26  and an inner closure panel  28  are depicted. The outer closure panel  26  is referred to as an “outer” panel because it is positioned toward an outside of the vehicle relative to the “inner” closure panel which is closer to the inside of the vehicle, or interior components of the vehicle  10 . The outer and inner closure panels  26 ,  28  may be made from a metal material such as stamped steel to facilitate welding of the parts to each other or so that other parts may he welded to the outer and inner closure panels  26 ,  28 .  FIG. 3  depicts the inner and outer closure panels  28 ,  26  from the side of the inner closure panel  28 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view from an inferior of a vehicle depicting a scuff plate  30  and a lip bracket  32  to which a weather seal may be applied. Continuing, a striker  22  is depicted, which protrudes through the scuff plate  30  at a specific angle to connect with the latch  20  of the liftgate  12 . The scuff plate  30  may be a plastic material that is used as a general, aesthetic covering that covers the internal area of the vehicle  10  next to an interior surface of the liftgate  12 . The scuff plate  30  affords a smooth surface to objects and cargo that may be slid into and out of the interior cargo volume  14 . The lip bracket  32  may be a steel part with a first end tab  36  and a second end tab  38  that are welded to the inner closure panel  28  as depicted in  FIG. 5 . More specifically,  FIG. 5  depicts an assemblage of the outer closure panel  26 , inner closure panel  28 , lip bracket  32  and scuff plate  30 . As depicted in  FIG. 4 , the lip bracket  32  is attached between inner opposing faces of the scuff plate  30 . Additionally, a weather seal  40  may be applied to a length of an edge  42  of the Hp bracket  32 . The weather seal  40  may be made from a rubber material that compresses when contacted by the liftgate  12  to prevent noise, air, water, exhaust fumes, dust, etc. from entering at the juncture of the weather seal  40  and the liftgate  12 . The weather seal  40  may be pressed onto the edge  42  of the lip bracket  32  using, for example, an interference fit. 
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view from an exterior of a vehicle that depicts fasteners  44 , as one example of a fastener, to secure the scuff plate  30  to the outer and inner closure panels  26 ,  28 . Additionally, the scuff plate  30  is bolted to and thereby secured to the outer and inner closure panels  26 ,  28  and lip bracket  32 . To improve rigidity of the connected outer and inner closure panels  26 ,  28  and the lip bracket  32 , portions of the tip bracket  32 , such as the first and second end tabs  36 ,  38  may be welded to the inner closure pane  28 I, while the outer and inner closure panels  26 ,  28  may be welded to each other before being bolted. As depicted in  FIG. 6 , the striker  22  lies generally in the middle of the length of the scuff plate  30  while the fasteners  44  are evenly space along the length of the scuff plate. 
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view from an interior of a vehicle depicting a first striker mounting bracket  46  fastened to the inner closure panel  28 . More specifically, the striker mounting bracket  46  is also mounted against the lip bracket  32 . To secure the first striker mounting bracket  46 , fasteners, one example being bolts  48 , may be used that thread into the inner closure panel  28 . Additionally, weld nuts  50  may be welded to the first striker mounting bracket  46  on either side of the striker mounting bracket  46  such that a corresponding bolt  52  may be place from the exterior side of the inner closure panel  28  and screwed into the threads of the weld nuts  50 . Although not depicted in  FIG. 7 , a weld nut  50  may be located on each side of the first striker mounting bracket  46 . The first striker mounting bracket  46  may have elongated mounting holes to permit adjustability of the striker  22  relative to a top plate  56  of the first striker mounting bracket  46 . In another alternative, regular, traditional bolts and corresponding nuts may be used at the four locations of the striker mounting bracket  46  to secure the striker mounting bracket  46  in place. However, utilizing weld nuts  50  may save time as opposed to installing traditional loose bolts and nuts during assembly. Regardless of what fasteners or fastening method is used, the fasteners must present a relatively quick and easy way for more than one striker mounting bracket  46  to be utilized, given a particular vehicle underbody, which will now be explained. 
         [0025]      FIG. 7-9  depict a first striker mounting bracket  46  that may be used to position a first striker  22 , also known as a latch striker. The first striker  22  of the first striker mounting bracket  46  may be positioned at a first angle  52  relative to a vertical or nearly vertical component, such as a leg  54  of the first striker mounting bracket  46 . The first angle  52  positions a top plate  56  of the first striker mounting bracket  46  at a specific angle to accommodate a closed position of a liftgate of a particular vehicle, such as the liftgate  12  of  FIG. 1 . Thus, the first striker mounting bracket  46 , because of its flexibility to be fastened to the lip bracket  32  quickly and in a non-permanent fashion using threaded fasteners and threaded nuts  50 , using different striker mounting brackets is possible during the vehicle assembly process, which is an advantage of the present teachings. Similar to the first striker mounting bracket  46  that is fastened using removable fasteners, the lip bracket  32  may also be fastened to the outer and inner closure panels  26 ,  28  using weld nuts; however, welding may also be used to weld the ends tabs  36 ,  38 , such as at weld location  58  of the first end tab  36 . The advantage of welding is that a non-removable, rigid connection is created. 
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is another perspective view from an inferior of a vehicle depicting a striker  22  and the first striker mounting bracket  46  fastened to the Hp bracket  32 . Continuing, the first striker mounting bracket  46  has a bolt tapping plate  60  situated or positioned as its underside. The bolt tapping plate  60  has columns  61  with internal threads to accommodate traditional fasteners, such as threaded bolts. To secure the striker  22  to the top surface  66  of the first striker mounting bracket  46 , threaded bolts (not shown) may be inserted through holes in the striker  22  and corresponding holes in the first striker mounting bracket  46  so that threads of the bolts engage the threads in the columns  61  of the bolt tapping plate  60 . Thus, the striker  22  may be firmly secured on the first striker mounting bracket  46  for contact with the latch  20  of the liftgate  12 . Because the holes in the first striker mounting bracket  46  may be elongate, the bolt tapping plate  60  may be adjusted on the underside of the first striker mounting bracket  46  to correspondingly adjust the position of the striker  22 . Such adjustment may be necessary to satisfactorily permit a liftgate to properly close and latch. 
         [0027]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a second striker mounting bracket  64  and striker  22 . It is noted that the striker  22  mounted upon the first striker mounting bracket  46  may be the same striker as that mounted on the second striker mounting bracket  64 . Continuing, the fop surface  66  forms an angle  68  with a vertical component or nearly vertical component, such as leg  70 , that is different from the angle  52  of the first striker mounting bracket  46  and a top surface of its top plate  56 .  FIG. 11  is a perspective top view of the second striker mounting bracket  64  and striker  22  mounted to a fop surface  66 .  FIG. 11  also depicts holes  62  in the top surface  66  and in the striker  22  that are used to mount the striker  22  to the second striker mounting bracket  64 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 12  depicts general relative positions regarding the first and second striker mounting brackets  46 ,  64  and their corresponding striker  22  in the striker area  24  and will be used to exemplify an advantage of the teachings.  FIG. 12  depicts a first liftgate  72  having a first pivot location  74  and a second liftgate  76  having a second pivot location  78 . Between the first pivot location  74  and the striker  22  of the first liftgate  72 , a straight line may be drawn as depicted by a dashed line  80 . Likewise, between the second pivot location  78  and the striker  22  of the second liftgate  76 , a straight line may be drawn as depicted by a dashed line  82 .  FIG. 12  also depicts the scuff plate  30 , at an inferior  14  of a vehicle, a bumper fascia  34  at an exterior  84  of a vehicle, and the outer and inner closure panels  26 ,  28  between such pieces, 
         [0029]      FIG. 13  depicts an enlarged view of the striker area  24 . More particularly,  FIG. 13  depicts the relative positions of the first striker mounting bracket  46  and the second striker mounting bracket  64  and the accompanying striker  22 . While  FIG. 13  depicts both, the first striker mounting bracket  46  and the second striker mounting bracket  64 , only one is installed at any one time on a vehicle. By depicting both, one can see that either the first striker mounting bracket  46  or the second striker mounting bracket  64  may be mounted to the outer closure panel  26  and inner closure panel  28 . Such flexibility of being able to select different striker mounting brackets  48 ,  64  permits different liftgates  72 ,  76  to be mounted to the same vehicle underbody  86  or chassis ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0030]    Continuing with  FIG. 13 , by utilizing the same vehicle underbody  86 , also known as a chassis or vehicle platform, for different body styles, such as a minivan, crossover and sport utility vehicle (“SUV”) body styles, for example, a vehicle manufacturer can greatly increase production output for a given period of time. The increase, is in part due to the reduction of time that may normally have to be spent to change tooling to accommodate a different vehicle platform. Because the outer and inner closure panels  26 ,  28  mount to the vehicle underbody  86  or chassis, either directly or indirectly, an economy of scale can be achieved by only fastening a different striker mounting bracket  46 ,  64  to the inner closure panel  28 . With different striker mounting brackets, respective strikers for each striker mounting bracket may be mounted at different angles, relative to the ground upon which a vehicle rests, to accommodate the respective approach angle that a selected liftgate requires for proper closing upon its striker. The approach angle of a liftgate is that angle formed by the straight line drawn between the liftgate pivot location and the striker, and the top of the striker, as depicted in  FIG. 13  with approach angle  88 , for example. 
         [0031]    Upon utilization of the first striker mounting bracket  46 , a different scuff plate than the scuff plate  30  as shown fastened around the second striker mounting bracket  64 , may be utilized. The first and second striker mounting plates  46 ,  64  each have a set of opposing flanges, also referred to as legs, that are vertical or approximately vertical and fasten to the inner closure panel  28 . By keeping the distance between opposing flanges or legs of the first striker mounting plate  46  the same or nearly the same as the distance between opposing flanges or legs of the second striker mounting plate  46 , interchangeability is ensured as each plate  46 ,  64  will easily be fastenable to the inner closure panel  28 . As depicted in  FIG. 13 , a portion of the scuff plate  30  may lie between either the first or second striker mounting plate  46 ,  64  and the inner closure panel  28  when fastened with a fastener (not shown). While the Invention has been described as being able to accommodate different liftgates, each having a different pivot location and thus a different approach angle, a single liftgate may be utilized but have different approach angles relative to the striker  22 . Such may be the case when a different pivot location is utilized with the same liftgate, possibly for different vehicle body styles. 
         [0032]    The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.