Patent Publication Number: US-2020298916-A1

Title: Rear closure system of a motor vehicle comprising a removable module

Description:
The invention relates to the rear openings of motor vehicles. 
     The term rear opening means the rear panel of a motor vehicle capable of opening from top to bottom or from bottom to top. 
     Rear openings are known comprising an aerodynamic blade, i.e. a transverse body element improving the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle by shifting the air separation points toward the rear of the vehicle. This aerodynamic blade can be either fixed or able to deploy and retract according to different parameters such as the speed of the vehicle and can be actuated by a motorized mechanism. 
     There are also known movable rear openings between an open position and a closed position, the opening and closing movements of which are provided by a motorized mechanism. 
     In the two cases shown above, the various elements mentioned above can be placed at the spoiler of the rear opening. A spoiler is a body part forming an extension of the roof positioned on the rear of a vehicle and intended to improve the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle on which this part is placed. The spoilers are also used for aesthetic aspects (style) of the vehicle. They are located and fixed in the upper rear part of the vehicle between the roof and the upper edge of the window, on the rear opening in our case. 
     The spoiler can be formed by an external panel located in the upper zone of the rear opening, called “upper panel,” said panel being fixed to the lining of the rear opening (for example by gluing) (i.e. the part forming the internal part or rear opening lining. An internal free space can be formed by the meeting of the upper panel and the lining. It is in this free space that various devices will be placed that are made of the elements and mechanisms mentioned above mobile aerodynamic blade, motorized mechanisms, etc.). 
     However, the rear opening obtained has some drawbacks. 
     Indeed, it is possible that a device mounted in the free space is defective. It would then be necessary, in order to repair or replace it, to detach the upper panel from the lining and then, after repair or replacement, to reconnect the upper panel to the lining while retaining an optimal aesthetic appearance. These actions at a minimum are very difficult if not impossible to perform during repair work in a car garage. In the event of an attempted repair, the repair will also be expensive in addition to the high probability of losing an optimal aesthetic appearance. On the other hand, in the event of impacts with another vehicle or an obstacle causing damage to the rear opening, the latter is fully replaced and the devices integrated into it are discarded. These two scenarios have a relatively high cost. 
     An object of the invention is therefore to provide a rear opening in which access to the devices located at the spoiler of the motorized rear opening is simplified. 
     To this end, the invention has as its object a rear opening of a motor vehicle comprising:
         a main body, and   a module removable relative to the main body capable of accommodating a device, the main body comprising a free space accessible by an opening, the free space and the opening being sized to allow the insertion and removal of the module into and from the main body.       

     Thus, access to the devices contained in the module is simplified. Indeed, in the event of a malfunction of the devices contained in the latter it is possible to remove the module from the rear opening in order to carry out various repairs or to replace it. It is therefore no longer necessary to consider dismantling the upper panel at the risk of diminishing the aesthetic appearance of the spoiler or having to replace the entire rear opening. 
     In the event of shocks that cause damage to the rear opening necessitating its replacement, it is possible to recover the module to easily reuse it instead of throwing it away with the rear opening. 
     Finally, it is possible to envision functions such as motorized opening of the rear opening or even the presence of a movable aerodynamic blade being options included only if the vehicle&#39;s purchaser so wishes. It is then possible to standardize the manufacture of the main body by placing in the empty space an empty module or one containing some or all of the devices mentioned above (mobile aerodynamic blade, motorized opening mechanism of the rear opening). In addition, during the complete assembly of the vehicle it is preferable that the options be integrated at the end of the production line to avoid non-standard assembly too far upstream of the production line. 
     The rear opening may also include one or more of the following features:
         the free space is located between an upper panel and a lining of the main body;   the device contained in the module includes a mobile aerodynamic blade and a motorized mechanism for actuating the mobile aerodynamic blade;   the device contained in the module includes a motorized mechanism for opening and closing the rear opening;   the module is adapted to be positioned in the free space through an opening provided facing the front of the motor vehicle when the rear opening is mounted on the motor vehicle;   the module is adapted to be positioned in the free space through an opening overlooking the rear of the motor vehicle when the rear opening is mounted on the motor vehicle;   the rear opening also includes a covering element capable of at least partially closing the opening provided at the rear of the main body;   the lining and/or the upper panel on the one hand and the module on the other hand comprise means capable of allowing the module to be guided during its insertion into the free space;   the lining and/or the upper panel on the one hand and the module on the other hand comprise means able to allow the placement of the module in the free space;   the module includes means adapted to allow its attachment to a motor vehicle body;   the module is open on its upper part;   the module is waterproof;   the module further comprises an element capable of allowing the connection between at least one wiring harness from the main body and at least one electrical circuit of the motor vehicle.       

    
    
     
       We will now present an embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example and in support of the appended FIGS. in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a sectional view of the upper part of a rear opening according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the upper part of the main body alone of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the module alone of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the module housing of  FIGS. 1 and 3 ; 
         FIGS. 5 and 6  show a method of positioning the module of  FIG. 3  inside the upper part of the main body of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the main body of a rear opening according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of a module according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the upper part of the main body of  FIG. 7  with the module of  FIG. 8 , the assembly forming the upper part of a rear opening according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     Referring now to  FIG. 1  showing an upper part of a rear opening  2  of a motor vehicle comprising a main body  4  comprising a lining  6  and an upper panel  8 , and a module  10  removable from the main body  4 , the body main  4  defining a free space  12  in which the module  10  can be positioned. A module is what is called a box in which various devices can be arranged such as a mobile aerodynamic blade or a motorized opening mechanism of the rear opening. 
     The upper part of the main body  4  can also be described as a “spoiler area.” 
     The main body  4  can comprise, in addition to the lining  6  and the upper panel  8 , other elements such as a lower panel, a lock, optical units, a rear window, etc. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , it can be seen that the lining  6  and the upper panel  8  are connected to each other in a conventional manner by a bonding cord  7  (any other commonly used fixing means can also be considered). They can then delimit the free space  12  between them. It is also possible, as we will see later, that the free space  12  is not delimited jointly by the lining  6  and the upper panel  8  but only by one of these two elements (see for example  FIG. 9 ). 
     The main body  4  also comprises an opening  14  through which it is possible to insert or remove the module  10  in the free space  12  when it is assembled in the rear opening or during repair work. The opening  14  is located here at the rear of the main body  4  (see  FIG. 2 ). The concept of front and rear is understood here by reference to the usual orientation of motor vehicles. It is however conceivable, as we will see later, that the opening  14  allowing access to the free space is located at the front of the main body  4 . 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , the main body  4  may include a covering element  16  capable of at least partially closing the opening  14  of the main body  4  when the module  10  is placed inside the free space  12 . The covering element in  FIG. 2  (but also in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , which we will discuss later) is placed on the main body  4  before insertion of the module  10  inside the free space  12 . It is alternatively possible for the covering element  16  to be attached to the main body  4  only after the module  10  has been placed in the free space  12  or possibly on the module  10 , in order to facilitate the placement and a possible withdrawal of the module  10  thanks to a larger opening  14 . In this case, the opening  14  through which the module  10  can be inserted can be considered as the available space giving access to the entrance to the free space  12  delimited between the upper panel  8  and the lining  6 . It is then worthwhile envisioning means for fixing the covering element  16  to the main body  4  and potentially to the module  10 , allowing a detachable fixing of the covering element. In the case shown in  FIG. 2 , a fixed attachment of the covering element  16  to the main body  4  is possible. 
     In the case illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , i.e. in which the covering element  16  is present on the rear opening before insertion of the module  10 , the opening  14  can be considered as the space delimited between the upper panel  8  and the covering element  16  fixed to the main body  4 . 
     It is also conceivable that the opening  14  is completely closed, after insertion of the module  10 , by the covering element, which may be a third brake light removably attached to the rear opening. The third brake light can also be fixed to the module  10  in order to close off the opening  14  when the module  10  is inserted into the free space  12 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the module  10  can include a lower part  18  and an upper part  20 . Alternatively, and as we will see later, it is possible that the module  10  includes only a lower part  18  and is open on its upper part, which avoids doubling the thicknesses in the rear opening  2  (upper part  20  in a double wall of the upper panel  8 ) and therefore reduces the space constraints in a relatively small space in addition to lightening the finished product. The upper part  20  and the lower part  18  can be connected to each other by means of reversible fixing means such as screws, clips, or any other means allowing disassembly without damage. This allows the module  10  to be opened if repair is necessary. Preferably, this fixing makes it possible to guarantee the sealing (for example, against humidity or dust to avoid intrusion of water or dust inside the module that can cause retention) of the module  10 , for example using a joint. 
     The module  10  comprises in the example illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 6  a movable aerodynamic blade  22  and a motorized mechanism  24  for actuating the latter. The motorized mechanism  24  here comprises an endless screw  26  actuated by means of a motor  28 . This reversible actuation allows the deployment and retraction of the mobile aerodynamic blade  22 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , the opening  14  (which in this case is the space delimited between the upper panel  8  and the covering element  16  fixed to the main body  4 ) is closed by one end of the mobile aerodynamic blade  22 . We will see later that the motorized module can include other motorized mechanisms. 
     In order to facilitate the positioning of the module  10  inside the free space  12 , the lining  6  and/or the upper panel  8  on the one hand and the module  10  on the other hand may include means capable of allowing guiding the motorized module  10  when it is positioned in the free space  12 . In the example shown in  FIG. 4 , it may, for example, be rails  30  present on the lower external face  18  of the lower part  18  of the module  10  interacting with complementary rails (not shown) present at the lining  6 . Any other means allowing such guidance can be envisioned, the aim being to have the module easily placed in its housing that will subsequently make it easier to hold it in position by the fastening elements. Guiding is also ensured by the recess  32  of the lining  6  illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6 , this recess  32  also contributing to the support of the module  10  when the latter is in position in the main body  4 . 
     It is also possible that the lining  6  and/or the upper panel  8  on the one hand and the module  10  on the other hand include means able to allow the correct final positioning of the module  10  in the free space. These means make it possible to ensure the correct final positioning of the module  10  inside the main body  4 , i.e. the module  10  is placed exactly at the place desired. It may, for example, be a stop in addition to the rails mentioned above. It could also be cone-shaped protrusions present on the module  10  or the lining  6  interacting with complementary cone-shaped recesses present on the one of the two elements that does not have protrusions. The shape of the walls of the opening  12  can also allow centering of the motorized module  10 . 
     Once in position, the module  10  can be fixed to the lining  6  and/or to the upper panel  8  by means of reversible fixing means commonly used, such as screws. Different holes are then provided beforehand in terms of the module  10  and/or of the main body  4  in order to allow the fixing of the module  10  when the latter is in proper position inside the main body  4 . 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate an example of a method for placing the module  10  inside the free space  12 . 
     In the example shown, the covering element  16  is already present on the main body when the module  10  is put in place. As seen before, this is not necessarily the case. A flat part  33  of the covering element  16  located in the same plane as the recess  32  will then allow guidance at the start of positioning of the motorized module  10  in the free space  12 , then  32  and  33  will be the module&#39;s support. 
     The module  10  is slid inside the main body  4  in a direction shown by the arrow  34 . As explained before, this positioning can be facilitated by the presence of means for guiding the module  10  such as the rails  30  mentioned above. 
     The module  10  can then be kept in an optimal position and location thanks to the final positioning means mentioned above such as the conical protrusions and hollows described above. It is then possible to reversibly attach the module  10  to the main body  4  (to the lining and/or to the upper panel) as mentioned previously. 
     In the event of a malfunction of the module  10  or for any other reason requiring its removal from the main body  4 , it is then possible to remove the reversible fasteners between the motorized module  10  and the main body  4  and then to remove the motorized module, an exit that can be made easier by the presence of the guide means. If the covering element  16  is removable, it can then be withdrawn before extraction from the motorized module  10  in order to give more freedom to the operator in charge of removing the motorized module  10 . 
       FIGS. 7 to 9 , respectively, illustrate a lining  106 , a module  110  and the upper part of a rear opening  102  according to an embodiment of the invention. This rear opening  102  is capable of opening and closing in a motorized manner. 
     The rear opening  102  comprises a main body  104  similar to the main body  4  in terms of the various elements composing it (lining  106 , upper panel  108  bonded to the lining  106  by a bonding cord  107 , lower panel, lock, optical units, etc.). 
     The main body comprises a free space  112  opening toward the front of the vehicle and accessible via an opening  114  oriented toward the front of the vehicle. As we explained before and can be seen in  FIGS. 7 and 9 , the module  110  is able to be positioned in the free space  112  through an opening  114  arranged in front of the main body  104 . This positioning of the module at the front can have an advantage in terms of mounting the rear opening  102  on a body  137  of the vehicle. Indeed, instead of directly fixing the rear opening  102  to the body  137 , which is a difficult step for an operator because of the weight and the large size of the rear opening  102  and the high position of the hinges, it is possible to first fix the module  110  to the body  137  and then guide and fix the main body  104  to the module  110 . This makes it easier for the operator to use the module  110  as an assembly intermediary and also to handle lower-weight components. As an alternative to the presence of an opening at the front or rear of the main body, it is conceivable to have two openings at the front and rear, offering the operator multiple possibilities for installing the module  10  or  110 . 
     In the example illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 9 , and as said before, the free space  112  is here provided in the lining  106 , which has a cavity adapted to accommodate the module  110  there (see  FIG. 9 ) and no longer provided by the space remaining between the lining and the upper panel. Seals  146  can make it possible to seal the module  110  mounted on the rear opening. 
     The module  110  shown in  FIG. 8  has some differences from the module  10 . The module  110  is composed only of a lower part  118  and is open on its upper part in order to make it lighter and less obstructive as explained above. It includes a motorized mechanism  124  for opening the rear opening  102  comprising a motor  128 . It is a standard mechanism for opening flaps of different weights. It may be a central mechanism  136  connected to a link arm  138  passing through the lower part  118  of the module  110 , said link arm  138  being intended to be connected to a hinge  140  present on the body  137  as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . Of course, the module  110  could comprise, alone or simultaneously, another motorized mechanism, such as the one described in  FIG. 3  intended to move a mobile aerodynamic blade. 
     The motorized module  110  comprising a motorized mechanism  124  for opening the rear opening  102  can be made of a material that can withstand the various stresses exerted on it during the opening and closing of the rear opening  102 . In addition, the module  110 , and more particularly the lower part  118 , is made of materials allowing it to withstand stresses due to the opening of the rear opening. 
     The upper part  20  and lower parts  18  and  118  of the modules  10  and  110  can be manufactured by molding and be of different dimensions depending on the components and mechanisms to be mounted inside. 
     In addition to the various holes allowing the module  110  to be fixed and possible means for guiding and final positioning of the module  110  (holes and means identical to or different from those of  FIGS. 1 to 6 ), the lining  106  may include a hole  135  allowing passage of elements capable of allowing the connection between at least one wiring harness  142  of the main body  4  and the module  110 . 
     The module  110  in this case comprises at least one connector element  135 ′ making it possible to connect at least one wiring harness  142  of the main body  104  to at least one electrical circuit  144  of the motor vehicle. This is applicable to module  10  and makes it possible to centralize the electrical connections, which simplifies the work of the operator. It can be a plug type element, an element allowing an induction type contact, or any other element making it possible to easily connect two elements in order to ensure electrical continuity when the system is powered. This element can also be present on the motorized module  10 . 
     The installation and removal of the motorized module  110  in the main body  104  are similar to that of the motorized module  10  in the main body  4  with the exception that it is conceivable to initially have the motorized module  110  on the body  137  of the motor vehicle, then the main body  104  on the motorized module  10 . Also, there is a step of connecting the link arm  138  to the hinge  140  of the body  137 . 
     The invention is not limited to the embodiments presented and other embodiments will be apparent to the person skilled in the art. 
     In particular, it is possible to incorporate into the motorized module different elements such as radars, sensors, an antenna, the third brake light, a vortex generator, etc. 
     Nomenclature 
     1st Embodiment 
     
         
           2 : rear opening 
           4 : main body 
           6 : lining 
           7 : bonding cord 
           8 : upper panel 
           10 : motorized module 
           12 : free space 
           14 : opening 
           16 : covering element 
           18 : lower part 
           20 : upper part 
           22 : mobile aerodynamic blade 
           24 : motorized mechanism for activating the mobile aerodynamic blade 
           26 : endless screw 
           28 : motor 
           30 : rails 
           32 : recess 
           33 : flat part of the covering element 
           34 : direction of insertion of the motorized module 
       
    
     2nd Embodiment 
     
         
           102 : rear opening 
           104 : main body 
           106 : lining 
           107 : bonding cord 
           108 : upper panel 
           110 : motorized module 
           112 : free space 
           114 : opening 
           118 : lower part 
           124 : motorized mechanism for opening the rear opening 
           128 : motor 
           135 : connection hole 
           135 ′: connector element 
           136 : central mechanism 
           137 : vehicle body 
           138 : link arm 
           140 : hinges 
           142 : main body wiring harness 
           144 : vehicle wiring harness 
           146 : seals