Patent Publication Number: US-8978203-B2

Title: Decklid hinge assembly for a vehicle

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention generally relates to a hinge assembly for rotatably supporting a decklid of a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Vehicles include a decklid for closing a cargo area of the vehicle, e.g., a trunk. A hinge assembly rotatably attaches the decklid to the vehicle. Upon un-latching the decklid, the decklid is free to rotate from a closed position upward into an open position. Many hinge assemblies are counter-balanced, or include other opening mechanisms, to automatically raise the decklid once un-latched, thereby automatically raising the decklid into the open position. When automatically opening, the decklid and components of the hinge assembly move with a velocity, thereby generating momentum, i.e., energy, in the decklid and components of the hinge assembly. If the decklid and the attached components of the hinge assembly come to an abrupt stop upon reaching the open position, the decklid will often bounce back downward. This bounce back is often referred to as a “bobble” effect, and may be undesirable to users. 
     SUMMARY 
     A hinge assembly for a trunk decklid of a vehicle is provided. The hinge assembly includes a hinge box, and a decklid attachment bracket. The decklid attachment bracket includes a contoured surface, and is rotatably attached to the hinge box for rotation about a rotation axis between an open position and a closed position. A compressible member is positioned relative to the decklid attachment bracket for engagement with the contoured surface as the decklid attachment bracket moves between the open position and the closed position. The contoured surface defines an outer region, a recessed region, and an inner region. The outer region compresses the compressible member as the decklid attachment bracket moves into and out of the open position, to absorb energy and dampen movement of the decklid attachment bracket relative to the hinge box. The recessed region cradles the compressible member without substantially compressing the compressible member when the decklid attachment bracket is disposed in the open position. The inner region compresses the compressible member to absorb energy and dampen movement of the decklid attachment bracket relative to the hinge box, to limit movement of the decklid attachment bracket beyond the open position. 
     A vehicle is also provided. The vehicle includes a body defining an opening, and a hinge assembly rotatably interconnecting a decklid to the body for rotation about a rotation axis. The decklid is rotatable between an open position and a closed position. The hinge assembly includes a hinge box, and a decklid attachment bracket. The decklid attachment bracket is rotatably attached to the hinge box for rotation about the rotation axis between the open position and the closed position. The decklid attachment bracket includes a deflection member that is moveable with the decklid attachment bracket, and defines a contoured surface. A compressible member is attached to one of the body or the hinge box. The compressible member is positioned relative to the deflection member for engagement with the contoured surface as the deflection member moves between the open position and the closed position. The contoured surface defines an outer region, a recessed region, and an inner region. The outer region compresses the compressible member as the decklid attachment bracket moves into and out of the open position, to absorb energy and dampen movement of the decklid attachment bracket relative to the hinge box. The recessed region cradles the compressible member without substantially compressing the compressible member when the decklid attachment bracket is disposed in the open position. The inner region compresses the compressible member to absorb energy and dampen movement of the decklid attachment bracket relative to the hinge box, to limit movement of the decklid attachment bracket beyond the open position. The deflection member deflects away from the compressible member when the compressible member is engaged with either of the outer region or the inner region of the contoured surface to absorb energy and dampen movement of the decklid attachment bracket relative to the hinge box. 
     Accordingly, the interaction between the compressible member and the contoured surface, as well as the interaction between the compressible member and the deflection member, absorbs energy of the moving decklid and/or decklid attachment bracket to bring the decklid and/or decklid attachment bracket to a stop when moving from the closed position into the open position, i.e., an opening operation, thereby preventing any bobble, i.e., bounce back, of the decklid and/or decklid attachment bracket. The hinge assembly absorbs the energy by compressing the compressible member and deflecting or flexing the deflection member. Additionally, the recessed region of the contoured surface resists movement of the decklid and/or the bracket from moving from the open position into the closed position, i.e., a closing operation, thereby increasing a holding force applied to the decklid to keep the decklid in the open position. 
     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 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic cross sectional view of a vehicle showing a hinge assembly rotatably connecting a decklid to a body of the vehicle. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic side view of the hinge assembly in a closed position. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic side view of the hinge assembly in an open position. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective view of the hinge assembly in the closed position. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic cross sectional view of a deflection member and a compressible member of the hinge assembly shown in the closed position. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic cross sectional view of the deflection member and the compressible member of the hinge assembly shown in the open position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     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. Furthermore, the invention may be described herein in terms of functional and/or logical block components and/or various processing steps. It should be realized that such block components may be realized by any number of hardware, software, and/or firmware components configured to perform the specified functions. 
     Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a vehicle is generally shown at  20 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , the vehicle  20  includes a body  22  that defines an opening  24 . The opening  24  may provide access, for example, to a trunk or other cargo area of the vehicle  20 . A decklid  26  is configured for closing the opening  24 , and is moveable between a closed position sealing the opening  24 , and an open position allowing access to the cargo area through the opening  24 . A hinge assembly  28  rotatably interconnects the decklid  26  and the body  22 . The hinge assembly  28  rotatably supports the decklid  26  for rotation about a rotation axis  30  between the open position and the closed position. 
     The hinge assembly  28  includes a hinge box  32  that is configured for attachment to the body  22  of the vehicle  20 . The hinge box  32  may be attached to the body  22  in any suitable manner. For example, the hinge box  32  may be attached to the body  22  with one or more fasteners, including but not limited to bolts, screws, etc. A decklid attachment bracket  34  is rotatably coupled to the hinge box  32 . The decklid attachment bracket  34  is rotatable relative to the hinge box  32  about the rotation axis  30  for rotation between the closed position and the open position. The decklid  26  is secured to and moveable with the decklid attachment bracket  34 . The decklid  26  may be attached to the decklid attachment bracket  34  in any suitable manner. The decklid attachment bracket  34  may be shaped and/or configured in any suitable manner, and may include but is not limited to a counterbalanced bracket designed to automatically move the decklid  26  from the closed position into the open position upon the decklid  26  being un-latched. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 through 4 , the decklid attachment bracket  34  includes a contoured surface  36 . A compressible member  38  is positioned relative to the decklid attachment bracket  34  for engagement with the contoured surface  36 . The contoured surface  36  engages the compressible member  38  as the decklid attachment bracket  34  moves between the open position, shown in  FIG. 3 , and the closed position, shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . 
     The compressible member  38  may be attached to either the hinge box  32 , or the body  22  of the vehicle  20 . As shown, for example, the compressible member  38  is rotatably attached to the hinge box  32  via a roller pin  40 , which is supported by a roller support bracket  42 . The roller pin  40  includes a first end  44  that is directly attached to the hinge box  32 . The roller pin  40  extends from the first end  44  to a distal end  46 . The roller support bracket  42  interconnects the distal end  46  of the roller pin  40  and the hinge box  32 . The roller pin  40  rotatably supports the compressible member  38 . The roller pin  40  is concentrically disposed about and defines a roller axis  48 . The roller axis  48  is disposed transversely relative to the rotation axis  30 , i.e., the roller axis  48  is substantially perpendicular to and approximately intersects the rotation axis  30 . The compressible member  38  includes a cylindrical shape having a longitudinal center that is disposed along the roller axis  48 . The compressible member  38  is rotatable about the roller axis  48 . The compressible member  38  is rotatable relative to the contoured surface  36  about the roller axis  48  to allow the compressible member  38  to roll over the contoured surface  36  as the contoured surface  36  moves past the compressible member  38 . While the exemplary embodiment described herein includes the compressible member  38  being rotatable relative to the contoured surface  36 , it should be appreciated that the compressible member  38  need not rotate relative to the contoured surface  36 , and may alternatively slide over the contoured surface  36 . 
     The compressible member  38  is compressible, and is configured with a durometer rating to meet the required deflection and force for suitable damping. The compressible member  38  may include and be formed from any compressible material having the required spring rate. For example, the compressible member  38  may include and be manufactured from a rubber material, or some other suitable material. 
     A deflection member  50  is attached to the decklid attachment bracket  34 . The deflection member  50  defines the contoured surface  36 . Although the exemplary embodiment shown in the Figures and described herein includes the contoured surface  36  being defined by the deflection member  50 , it should be appreciated that the contoured surface  36  may alternatively be directly defined by a surface of the decklid attachment bracket  34 . 
     The deflection member  50  is preferably a stamped metal component. However, the deflection member  50  may include and be manufactured from some other material, and be formed by any suitable process. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the deflection member  50  includes a mounting portion  52  and a cantilevered portion  54 . The mounting portion  52  is attached to the decklid attachment bracket  34 . The mounting portion  52  may be shaped and or sized in any suitable manner for attachment to the decklid attachment bracket  34 . Furthermore, the mounting portion  52  may be attached to the decklid attachment bracket  34  in any suitable manner, such as but not limited a mechanical connection using one or more fasteners, or a welded connection. The cantilevered portion  54  is spaced from the bracket and defines the contoured surface  36 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , the cantilevered portion  54  is flexible relative to the decklid attachment bracket  34  and/or the compressible member  38  about an intersection  56  between the mounting portion  52  and the cantilevered portion  54 . Accordingly, the deflection member  50  may be described as a spring, in which the cantilevered portion  54  both flexes and bends relative to the mounting portion  52 . When moving between the open position and the closed position and prior to the deflection member  50  contacting the compressible member  38 , the cantilevered portion  54  is disposed substantially along a plane  58  that is parallel with a direction of movement of the decklid attachment bracket  34 . The plane  58  of the cantilevered portion  54  is also substantially parallel with the roller axis  48 . Upon the deflection member  50  contacting the compressible member  38 , the deflection member  50  flexes away from the compressible member  38 , and away from the plane  58 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  5  and  6 , the contoured surface  36  defines an outer region  60 , a recessed region  62 , and an inner region  64 . The recessed region  62  is disposed between the outer region  60  and the inner region  64 . The inner region  64  and the outer region  60  are substantially disposed along the plane  58  of the cantilevered portion  54 , with the recessed region  62  spaced from the plane  58 . The recessed region  62  is formed to mate with a perimeter  66  of the compressible member  38 . As noted above, the compressible member  38  includes a cylindrical shape. Accordingly, the recessed region  62  is formed to mate with the outer perimeter  66  of the cylindrical shape of the compressible member  38 . 
     During movement of the decklid attachment bracket  34  from the closed position into the open position, the compressible member  38  engages the contoured surface  36 . Specifically, when moving from the closed position into the open position, the compressible member  38  engages that outer region  60 , shown in  FIG. 6 , and then engages the recessed region  62 . The recessed region  62  secures the position of the decklid attachment bracket  34  in the open position, as shown in  FIG. 3 . If the decklid attachment bracket  34  moves beyond the open position, then the compressible member  38  engages the inner region  64  of the contoured surface  36 . 
     When the compressible member  38  is engaged with the outer region  60  of the contoured surface  36 , the outer region  60  is positioned relative to the compressible member  38  to compress the compressible member  38  as the decklid attachment bracket  34  moves into and out of the open position. Compressing the compressible member  38  absorbs energy and dampens movement of the decklid attachment bracket  34  relative to the hinge box  32 , thereby slowing movement and reducing bobble of the decklid attachment bracket  34 . 
     Upon the decklid attachment bracket  34  reaching the open position, the compressible member  38  engages the recessed region  62  of the contoured surface  36 . When the decklid attachment bracket  34  is disposed in the open position, the recessed region  62  cradles the compressible member  38  without substantially compressing the compressible member  38 . The recessed region  62  cradles the compressible member  38  in order to secure the compressible member  38  within the recessed region  62 , and limit movement of the compressible member  38  out of the recessed region  62 . 
     If the momentum of the decklid attachment bracket  34  carries the decklid attachment bracket  34  beyond the open position, then the compressible member  38  engages the inner region  64  of the contoured surface  36 . The inner region  64  is positioned relative to the compressible member  38  to compress the compressible member  38  as the decklid attachment bracket  34  moves beyond the open position. The inner region  64  compresses the compressible member  38  to absorb energy and dampen movement of the decklid attachment bracket  34  relative to the hinge box  32 , to limit movement of the decklid attachment bracket  34  beyond the open position. 
     As described above, when the decklid attachment bracket  34  is disposed in the open position, the compressible member  38  is cradled by the recessed region  62  of the contoured surface  36 . In order for the decklid attachment bracket  34  to move relative to the compressible member  38 , the compressible member  38  must engage either the outer region  60  or the inner region  64 , which compresses the compressible member  38 . As such, movement of the decklid attachment bracket  34  out of the open position, for example into the closed position, requires enough energy to compress the compressible member  38  and or flex the deflection member  50  as the compressible member  38  moves out of the recessed region  62  and over the outer region  60  of the contoured surface  36 . Therefore, the interaction between the recessed region  62  and the compressible member  38  operates to retain the position of the decklid attachment bracket  34  in the open position. Similarly, movement of the decklid attachment bracket  34  beyond the open position requires the application of enough energy to compress the compressible member  38  and/or bend the deflection member  50  as the compressible member  38  moves out of the recessed region  62  and over the inner region  64 . 
     As described above, the contoured surface  36  is disposed on the deflection member  50 , which may deflect or spring away from the compressible member  38  and/or the decklid attachment bracket  34 . When the compressible member  38  is engaged with either the outer region  60  or the inner region  64  of the contoured surface  36 , the interaction between the compressible member  38  and the cantilevered portion  54  of the deflection member  50  causes the cantilevered portion  54  to flex or spring away from the compressible member  38 . The cantilevered portion  54  flexes and/or springs away from the compressible member  38  to absorb energy and dampen movement of the decklid attachment bracket  34  relative to the hinge box  32 , as the compressible member  38  rolls over either the outer region  60  or the inner region  64  of the contoured surface  36 . 
     The amount of energy absorbed by the hinge assembly  28  is dependent upon a spring constant of the deflection member  50 , and the compressibility of the compressible member  38 . Increasing the stiffness of the deflection member  50  increases the amount of energy absorbed by the deflection member  50  when the cantilevered portion  54  is flexed inward to allow the compressible member  38  to roll over. Similarly, increasing the durometer of the compressible member  38  increases the amount of energy absorbed by the compressible member  38  when the compressible member  38  engages either the inner region  64  or the outer region  60  of the contoured surface  36 . In contrast, decreasing the stiffness of the deflection member  50  decreases the amount of energy absorbed by the deflection member  50  when the cantilevered portion  54  is flexed inward to allow the compressible member  38  to roll over. Similarly, decreasing the durometer of the compressible member  38  decreases the amount of energy absorbed by the compressible member  38  when the compressible member  38  engages either the inner region  64  or the outer region  60  of the contoured surface  36 . The required damping is achieved by both the compression of the compressible member  38 , and the deflection of the deflection member  50 . The stiffness of the compressible member  38  and the deflection member  50  is interactive, and a function of the shape of the recessed region  62 , and the amount of energy inputted into the hinge assembly  28 . As such, the durometer of the compressible member  38  and the stiffness of the deflection member  50  must be determined for each specific application to accommodate the different amount of kinetic energy input into the hinge assembly  28 , including but not limited to the weight of the decklid  26 , a spring stiffness of a counterbalanced spring system (not shown), potential wind load on the decklid  26 , etc. 
     The detailed description and the drawings or figures are supportive and descriptive of the invention, but the scope of the invention is defined solely by the claims. While some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the claimed invention have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing the invention defined in the appended claims.