Check link structure

A check link structure includes a first bracket, a cam arm and a cam follower. The first bracket has a pivot support structure defining a first pivot axis. The cam arm is coupled to the first bracket for pivotal movement about the first pivot axis. The cam arm includes a cam block and a support shell. The cam block has a cam surface that includes a plurality of positioning recesses and a plurality of movement restricting lobes between adjacent ones of the plurality of positioning recesses. The support shell defines a block receiving space that non-movably retains the cam block. The cam follower has a follower surface that is configured to continuously contact the cam surface of the cam block in response to movement of one of the first bracket and the cam follower relative to the other of the first bracket and the cam follower.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a check link structure. More specifically, the present invention relates to a hinge check link structure for a door that includes a cam block made of a self-lubricating material that is supported by a rigid support shell.

2. Background Information

Check links are used on vehicles to hold doors at the fully open position and at predetermined intermediate positions between the closed position and the fully open position. Typically, check links include at least one cam surface and a cam follower that presses against the cam surface and extends into a recess or recesses to hold the door at corresponding positions. The effort to move the door between the various positions is usually consistent relative to the cam recesses, and requires additional effort when the cam follower (or the cam surface) is moved such that the cam follower is positioned between the recesses.

Sprung cam style check links remain external to both the door and the body, and can be integral with the hinge structure. The sprung cam check link includes a cam arm pivotally mounted to a first bracket attached to one of the door or the body, and a cam follower fixed to a second bracket attached to the other of the door and the body. A spring is fixed to the first bracket and biases the cam arm into engagement with the cam follower. As the door moves relative to the body, the cam arm moves relative to the cam follower.

The cam arm of the sprung cam style check link is usually constructed of similar material to the hinge, and is usually painted with the hinge to match the body color. The continual contact between the cam arm against the cam follower can cause the paint to be removed from the cam arm. Since the cam arm is externally located, it can be exposed to the elements and begin rusting over time as the paint is removed. When the cam arm rusts, it makes noise as it rubs against the cam follower, and the performance of the check link can impedes the movement of the door, requiring repairs and/or addition of lubricant.

SUMMARY

One object of the disclosure is to provide a hinge structure with a check link structure that has no need for lubrication.

Another object of the disclosure is to provide a hinge structure with a check link structure that includes self-lubricating material.

In view of the state of the known technology, one aspect of the disclosure is a check link structure that includes a first bracket, a cam arm and a cam follower. The first bracket has a pivot support structure defining a first pivot axis. The cam arm is coupled to the first bracket for pivotal movement about the first pivot axis. The cam arm includes a cam block and a support shell. The cam block has a cam surface that includes a plurality of positioning recesses and a plurality of movement restricting lobes between adjacent ones of the plurality of positioning recesses. The support shell defines a block receiving space that non-movably retains the cam block. The cam follower has a follower surface that is configured to continuously contact the cam surface of the cam block in response to movement of one of the first bracket and the cam follower relative to the other of the first bracket and the cam follower.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially toFIG. 1, a vehicle10having a hinge mechanism12with a check link structure14(FIG. 2) is illustrated in accordance with a first embodiment.

The vehicle10also includes a body structure20that defines a door opening22(a closure panel opening). A door24(a closure panel) is pivotally supported on the body structure20by the hinge mechanism12. The door24is a closure panel. It should be understood from the drawings and the description herein that the door24or closure panel can be any of a variety of structures that pivotally move between a closed position and an open position, such as a trunk lid, a rear lift gate or an engine covering hood.

Several hinge mechanisms can be employed to support the door24to the body structure20. However, only one hinge mechanism12is shown and described herein for the sake of brevity. The door24is supported by the hinge mechanism12for movement between an open position shown inFIG. 1and a closed position (not shown) in which the door opening22is covered.

Since body structures of vehicles and doors of vehicles are conventional vehicle features, further description is omitted for the sake of brevity.

The hinge mechanism12will now be described with specific reference toFIGS. 2-5. The hinge mechanism12includes a first bracket30, a second bracket32, a first pivot pin34, a second pivot pin36, a third pivot pin38and the check link structure14. The first bracket30is configured to attach to one of the body structure20and the door24. The second bracket32is configured to attach to the other of the body structure20and the door24. In the depicted embodiment, the first bracket30attaches to the body structure20and the second bracket32attaches to the door24. However, it should be understood from the drawings and the description herein that the first bracket30can alternatively be attached to the door24and the second bracket32can be attached to the body structure20.

The first pivot pin34extends through flange portions30aof the first bracket30and also extend through flange portions32aof the second bracket32such that the first bracket30and the second bracket32can undergo pivotal movement with respect to one another about the first pivot pin34. The first pivot pin34defines a first axis A1. Hence, the first bracket30and the second bracket32pivot about the first axis A1.

The second pivot pin36extends through flanges32bof the second bracket32and define a second pivot axis A2, described in greater detail below. The third pivot pin38extends through flanges30bof the first bracket30and define a third pivot axis A3, as is also described in greater detail below. The first, second and third pivot axis A1, A2and A3are each pivot support structures that are spaced apart from one another and are all parallel to one another.

The check link structure14includes a cam follower40and a cam arm42. The cam follower40is coupled to the first bracket30. More specifically, the cam follower40is mounted to the third pivot pin38for rotating movement about the third axis A3. Alternatively, the cam follower40can be fixedly or non-rotatably attached to the first bracket30. The cam follower40is basically a roller that contacts the cam arm42, as described in greater detail below.

A description of the cam arm42is now provided with specific reference toFIGS. 2-9. The cam arm42is coupled to the second bracket32for pivotal movement about the second pivot axis A2. More specifically, the cam arm42pivots about the second pivot pin36. The cam arm42is biased into contact with the cam follower40by a biasing member44, as shown inFIGS. 2-5. In the depicted embodiment, the biasing member44is a coil spring. However, the biasing member44can be any spring structure that provides a biasing effect urging one member into contact with another member.

The cam arm42basically includes a support shell50and a cam block52. As shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, the support shell50can be made from a flat metallic material that is molded, bent, stamped or otherwise deformed and shaped to define the U-shaped member hereinafter referred to as the support shell50. The support shell50includes a first plate60, a second plate62and a base plate64(a rear plate). In the depicted embodiment, the first plate60, the second plate62and the base plate64are all formed from a single piece of flat metallic material, as indicated inFIGS. 6 and 7. Hence, the first plate60, the second plate62and the base plate64are unitarily formed as a single, monolithic element having a U-shape when viewed from either end thereof.

The first plate60defines a first side of the support shell50and the second plate62defines a second side of the support shell50. The first plate60, the second plate62and the base plate64together define a block receiving space66(FIG. 7only) that is configured to non-movably retain the cam block52. The block receiving space66is defined between the first plate60and the second plate62and is further confined at one end thereof by the base plate64.

The first plate60and the second plate62overall have identical dimensions and profiles (identically shaped). However, it should be understood from the drawings and the description herein that the first plate60and the second plate62can alternatively have differing overall shapes and dimensions. The first plate60and the second plate62each include axially aligned openings70,72and74. The openings72and74are dimensioned to receive fasteners F1that retain the cam block52within the block receiving space66.

The base plate64(or rear plate) extends between the first plate60and the second plate62, being rigidly formed therewith.

As shown inFIGS. 6, 7 and 9, the base plate64further includes a plurality of retention tabs78. The retention tabs78extend from an outer surface of the base plate64(the rear plate) of the support shell50. As shown inFIG. 9, one end of the biasing member44is retained to the support shell50by the retention tabs78.

The cam block52is now described with specific reference toFIGS. 8 and 9. The cam block52is made of a single, monolithic block of self-lubricating material, also referred to as a frictionless material. More specifically, the cam block52can be made of a single block of, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (also known as PTFE and marketed as Teflon®), perfluoroalkoxy, fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) and/or materials sold under the name Nylatron®, or Delrin®. Other self-lubricating materials can additionally or alternatively be used to form the cam block52.

The cam block52is dimensioned to fit snugly between the first plate60and the second plate62within the block receiving space66of the support shell50. The cam block52includes three openings80,82and84that extend completely through the cam block52, from one side to the other side of the cam block52. The openings80,82and84are spaced apart from one another such that the opening80aligns with the openings70in the support shell50, the opening82aligns with the openings72in the support shell50, and the opening84aligns with the openings74in the support shell50.

One of the fasteners F1is inserted through the openings72in the support shell50and further through the opening82in the cam block52securing the support shell50to the cam block52. Further, another one of the fasteners F1is inserted through the openings74in the support shell50and further through the opening84in the cam block52further securing the support shell50to the cam block52.

The openings70in the support shell50and the opening80in the cam block52are dimensioned and positioned to receive the second pivot pin36such that the cam block52can undergo limited pivotal movement with respect to the second bracket32of the hinge mechanism12.

The cam block52is further formed with side surfaces86(only one side surface is visible inFIGS. 8 and 9), a base surface88and a cam surface90. The cam surface90is a non-planar or contoured surface that curves and meanders from one end of the base surface88to the other end of the base surface88of the cam block52. The cam surface90includes a plurality of positioning recesses92,94and96, and a plurality of movement restricting lobes100,102,104and106located between adjacent ones of the plurality of positioning recesses92,94and96. The plurality of positioning recesses92,94and96and the plurality of movement restricting lobes100,102,104and106of the cam block52are completely exposed outside of the block receiving space66of the support shell50. As shown inFIG. 8, the lobe100is adjacent to the opening80that partially defines the third pivot axis A3. The recess92is a first distance D1away from the third pivot axis A3. The lobe102is a second distance D2away from the third pivot axis A3, the second distance D2being greater than the first distance D1. The recess94is a third distance D3away from the third pivot axis A3, the third distance D3being greater than the second distance D2. The lobe104is a fourth distance D4away from the third pivot axis A3, the fourth distance D4being greater than the third distance D3. The recess96is a fifth distance D5away from the third pivot axis A3, the fifth distance D5being greater than the fourth distance D4. The lobe106is a sixth distance D6away from the third pivot axis A3, the sixth distance D6being greater than the fifth distance D5.

More specifically, the base plate64of the support shell50covers a majority of the base surface88of the cam block52, with small portions of the base surface88projecting out of the block receiving space66, as seen inFIGS. 9. More specifically, the base plate64of the support shell50has a first overall length L1and the base surface88of the cam block52has a second overall length L2, as shown inFIG. 9. The second overall length L2of the cam block52is greater than the first overall length L1of the support shell50. Each of the first and second plates60and62cover a majority (but not all) of respective side surfaces86of the cam block52, as is also shown inFIG. 9. In other words, the cam surface90of the cam block52is spaced apart from edges of the first and second plates60. Specifically, each of the plurality of positioning recesses92,94and96, and each of the plurality of movement restricting lobes100,102,104and106are located on portions of the cam block52that extend outward and away from the first and second plates60and62of the support shell50.

As shown inFIGS. 2-5, the biasing member44urges or presses the cam arm42into continuous contact with the cam follower40. More specifically, the cam surface90of the cam block52is urged into continuous contact with the cam follower40. The biasing member44is confined at its first end by the retention tabs78on the base plate64of the supporting shell50of the cam arm42. A second end of the biasing member44is retained by a retention projection (not shown) on the surface of the second bracket32.

When the door24is opened and closed, the second bracket32of the hinge mechanism12pivots about the first axis A1and relative to the first bracket30of the hinge mechanism12. With the door24in the closed position, the second bracket32is positioned relative to the first bracket30with the orientations represented schematically inFIG. 3. When the door24is opened and moved to an intermediate open orientation, the second bracket32moves to a position relative to the first bracket30with the orientations represented schematically inFIG. 4. When the door24is moved to a fully opened orientation, the second bracket32moves to a position relative to the first bracket30with the orientations represented schematically inFIG. 5.

In the closed orientation shown inFIG. 3, the biasing spring44urges the cam arm42toward the cam follower40such that the cam follower40contacts the cam surface90at the positioning recess92. With the movement restricting lobes100and102being located on either side of the positioning recess92, the interaction between the cam follower40and the cam arm42assists in urging the door24to remain in the closed orientation.

As the door24and the second bracket32move to the intermediate open orientation (FIG. 4), the urging action of the biasing member44causes the cam arm42to press against the cam follower40such that the cam follower40first contacts the movement restricting lobe102, then moves into contact with the positioning recess94of the cam surface90. The interaction between the cam follower40and the positioning recess94of the cam surface90of the cam arm42assists in urging the door24to remain in the intermediate open orientation shown inFIG. 4.

As the door24and the second bracket32are moved to the fully open orientation (FIG. 5) from the intermediate open orientation (FIG. 4), the urging action of the biasing member44causes the cam arm42to press against the cam follower40such that the cam follower40first contacts the movement restricting lobe104, then moves into contact with the positioning recess96of the cam surface90. The interaction between the cam follower40and the positioning recess96of the cam surface90of the cam arm42assists in urging the door24to remain in the fully open orientation shown inFIG. 5.

It should be understood from the drawings and the description herein, that the cam follower40and the cam arm42can be reconfigured such that the cam arm42is rigidly fixed to one of the first bracket30and the second bracket32, and the cam follower40can be pivotally supported to the other of the first bracket30and the second bracket32and be spring biased into contact with the cam arm42.

It should also be understood from the drawings and the description herein, that the hinge mechanism12can include any of a variety of structures and configurations and is not limited to the configuration represented in the drawings. Moreover, the cam arm42and cam follower40of the check link structure14can be installed to any of a variety of hinge structures. More specifically, the check link structure14as described herein can be installed in any of a variety of hinge structures other than that described herein. Further, the check link structure14can be separate and spaced apart from the hinge mechanism12and need not be a part of the hinge mechanism12. In other words, the door24can be supported by hinge mechanisms12that do not include the check link structure14. In this configuration, the cam follower40is fixedly attached to one of the door24and the body structure20and the cam arm42is attached for pivoting movement (along with the biasing member44) to the other of the door24and the body structure20.

The check link structure14described herein includes the support shell50and the cam block52that is composed of a durable self-lubricating material. The support shell50provides rigid support to the cam block52with the support shell50covering at least a majority of three surface of the cam block52. The cam block52includes the cam surface90that is located outside of the block receiving space66defined by the support shell50.

Second Embodiment

In the second embodiment, the cam arm142includes a support shell150and the cam block52(of the first embodiment). The support shell150includes all of the features of the support shell50of the first embodiment, except that the dimensions of the support shell150are greater than the overall dimensions of the support shell50of the first embodiment. In other words, in the second embodiment, the support shell150is larger than the support shell50of the first embodiment.

The cam block52in the second embodiment is identical to the cam block52of the first embodiment. Specifically, the cam block52includes the cam surface90with the plurality of positioning recesses92,94and96, and the plurality of movement restricting lobes100,102,104and106. However, the support shell150being larger in the second embodiment is such that all of the cam block52is located within the block receiving space66of the support shell150. Further, the cam surface90of the cam block52is located within the block receiving space66of the support shell150between the first side plate160and the second side plate162of the support shell150. Specifically, the plurality of positioning recesses92,94and96, and the plurality of movement restricting lobes100,102,104and106are recessed between the first side plate160and the second side plate162of the support shell150. Therefore, the cam follower40extends into the block receiving space66in order to contact the cam surface90of the cam block52.

In other words, the base plate164of the support shell150covers all of the base surface88of the cam block52. Further, the base plate164of the support shell150has an overall length L3and the base surface88of the cam block52has the second overall length L2, as shown inFIG. 10. The second overall length L2of the cam block52is smaller than the overall length L3of the support shell150.

The vehicle components and door hinge structures (other than the disclosed cam arms42and142described above) are conventional components that are well known in the art. Since these structures are well known in the art, these structures will not be discussed or illustrated in detail herein. Rather, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the components can be any type of structure and/or programming that can be used to carry out the present invention.

General Interpretation of Terms