Patent Description:
Nowadays, efforts are provided to improve the behaviour of the automotive vehicles to rear-end impacts such as low-speed impact, also named "parking impact" at a speed of less than <NUM>/h; or such as medium-speed impact, also named "reparability impact" at a speed of about <NUM>/h.

With these aims in mind, <CIT> describes a rear-end element for a motor vehicle that includes a carrier structural element forming an energy-absorbing element that distributes forces generated in the event of a rear-end impact toward a bearing surface of a body structure. The structural element comprises a cellular structure formed of cells extending longitudinally through the structural element between a rear face and a front face of the structural element and opening onto the rear face and/or the front face of the structural element. The structural element and the structural frame are made of rigid plastic material and are two independent parts adapted to be joined to each other to form a structural framework.

The solution proposed in this document is interesting, however, it implies to change the whole bottom back panel in case it is damaged. Tailgates are also known wherein the back panel is divided into two parts as illustrated in <FIG> shows a tailgate <NUM> comprising an inner panel <NUM> on which are fixed an outer panel <NUM> and a reparability panel <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the tailgate outer panel <NUM> can be fixed on the tailgate inner panel <NUM> by glueing whereas the reparability panel <NUM> can be fixed by clipping. For example, the reparability panel <NUM> is fixed by its lower edge <NUM> by clipping it on the lower edge of the inner panel <NUM>, and by its upper edge <NUM> by clipping it on the lower edge <NUM> of the outer panel <NUM>. The outer panel <NUM> is disposed above the reparability panel <NUM> according to the vertical direction. A recessed area <NUM> intended to receive the license plate is formed by cooperation between the reparability panel <NUM> and the outer panel <NUM>. The lower edge <NUM> of the outer panel <NUM> forms the upper edge of the said recessed area <NUM>. The upper edge <NUM> of the reparability panel <NUM> is within said recessed area <NUM>.

Such configuration allows efficient inertia between the tailgate outer panel <NUM> and the tailgate inner panel <NUM> for tailgate torsion stiffness. However, insufficient inertia was found between the reparability panel <NUM> and the tailgate inner panel <NUM> for tailgate torsion stiffness.

As a result, defects in the gap and in the flush may appear around the adjacent zones <NUM> between the tailgate outer panel <NUM> and the reparability panel <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

From the prior art documents <CIT> and <CIT> are known.

A solution is still to be found to solve the problem. In this respect, the invention provides a solution to improve the tailgate torsion stiffness and, with preference, that remove at the same time the defects in the gap and in the flush between the tailgate outer panel and the reparability panel.

In this respect, and according to a first aspect, the invention provides a tailgate for automotive vehicle, the tailgate comprising an inner panel, an outer panel and a reparability panel, the reparability panel comprising an upper edge and a lower edge, the tailgate being remarkable in that the outer panel is divided according to the vertical direction into three zones, namely a lower zone, a middle zone and a higher zone, and in that the upper edge of the reparability panel is fixed on the outer panel in the middle zone of said outer panel so that the lower zone of the outer panel is covered by the reparability panel.

As it is understood from the given definition, the invention provides an improvement in the tailgate torsion stiffness by the use of an outer panel and/or a reparability panel that have an increased surface compared to those of prior art so that they partly overlap each other. With preference, at least the reparability panel is enlarged in size so it extends higher according to the vertical direction than the former reparability panels.

In a preferred embodiment, the middle zone of the outer panel comprises a fixing interface that is at least partly arranged parallelly to the reparability panel.

In an embodiment, the middle zone of the outer panel shows a groove in which the upper edge of the reparability panel is received.

In an embodiment, the outer panel comprising a lower edge and an upper edge, the lower zone of the outer panel extending between the middle zone and the lower edge; the tailgate is remarkable in that the outer panel is sloped in its lower zone so that its lower edge is fixed to the inner panel at an inferior height relative to the middle zone.

In an embodiment, the reparability panel shows a recessed area intended to receive a license plate and the upper edge of the reparability panel is arranged above said recessed area according to the vertical direction. In such a configuration, the recessed area in integrally formed in the reparability panel. This solves, therefore, the problems issued from the defects in the gap and in the flush encountered in the prior art.

According to the invention, the inner panel shows a fixing interface for fixing the lower edge of the outer panel, said fixing interface being arranged at the same height than the top of the recessed area shown by the reparability panel or facing the said recessed area.

In an embodiment, the reparability panel is fastened on the middle zone of the outer panel by clipping and/or a seal is disposed between the reparability panel and the outer panel in the middle zone.

In an embodiment, the outer panel comprising a lower edge and an upper edge, the tailgate is remarkable in that the lower edge and/or the upper edge of the outer panel is fixed to the inner panel by glueing.

In an embodiment, the tailgate comprising a pair of taillights, the tailgate being remarkable in that the upper edge of the reparability panel is at least partly arranged between the taillights; with preference, the portion of the upper edge arranged between the taillights is straight and/or the upper edge of the reparability panel is configured to follow the curves showed by the lower edge of the taillights.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides an automotive vehicle comprising a tailgate, the vehicle is remarkable in that the tailgate is according to the first aspect.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be clearer after reading the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings provided, in which:.

In the following description, the term "comprise" is synonymous with "include" and is not limiting in that it allows the presence of other elements in the vehicle, in the tailgate or in the element it refers to. It is understood that the term "comprise" includes the wording "consist of'. Similarly, the terms "inferior", "superior", "lower", "higher" and "upper" will be understood in relation to the general orientation of the vehicle or of the tailgate when mounted on the vehicle. Thus, "lower" will mean greater ground proximity than "higher" or "upper" along the vertical axis. In the different figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

<FIG> have been described in relation to the prior art and the problems encountered in the prior art. Reference is now made to <FIG> illustrating a tailgate <NUM> for an automotive vehicle according to the invention. The tailgate <NUM> comprises a pair of taillights <NUM> placed on both sides of the tailgate, an inner panel (reference <NUM> and visible on <FIG>), an outer panel <NUM> and a reparability panel <NUM>. Each of the panels (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprises an upper edge and a lower edge. The inner panel <NUM> has the function of a structural element on which both the outer panel <NUM> and the reparability panel <NUM> are mounted. As illustrated in <FIG>, the reparability panel <NUM> is fixed by its lower edge <NUM> to the inner panel <NUM> and by its upper edge <NUM> to the outer panel <NUM>. The outer panel <NUM> is fixed to the inner panel <NUM> at least with its lower edge <NUM>.

The invention provides a tailgate <NUM> comprising an outer panel <NUM> which is divided according to the vertical direction in three zones; namely a lower zone <NUM>, a middle zone <NUM> and a higher zone <NUM>. The upper edge <NUM> of the reparability panel <NUM> is fixed on the outer panel <NUM> in the middle zone <NUM> of the said outer panel <NUM> so that the lower zone <NUM> of the outer panel <NUM> is covered by the reparability panel <NUM>. With preference, the reparability panel <NUM> overlaps both the lower zone <NUM> and at least a part of the middle zone <NUM> of the outer panel <NUM>. The lower zone <NUM> and at least a part of the middle zone <NUM> of the outer panel <NUM> are therefore interposed between the inner panel <NUM> and the reparability panel <NUM>.

To this end, the middle zone <NUM> of the outer panel <NUM> comprises a fixing interface <NUM> that is preferably at least partly arranged parallelly to the overlapping area of the reparability panel <NUM>. The fixing interface <NUM> comprises fastening means (not illustrated) that cooperate with fastening means of the reparability panel <NUM> to fasten the reparability panel <NUM> to the outer panel <NUM>. In a preferred embodiment, the fastening means are clipping means and the reparability panel <NUM> is fastened on the middle zone <NUM> of the outer panel <NUM> by clipping.

In an embodiment, the reparability panel is made of a plastic or composite material, for example, in polypropylene charged with glass fibres. With preference, the body of the reparability panel <NUM> and the clipping means at its upper edge <NUM> and/or at its lower edge <NUM> are moulded together in a single piece.

The invention allows the size of the reparability panel <NUM> to be enlarged compared to the prior art, whereas the outer panel <NUM> is kept with about a similar size or is also enlarged. Having both the reparability panel <NUM> and the outer panel <NUM> of a big size improves the torsion stiffness showed by the tailgate <NUM>.

The tailgate <NUM> shows, in a known manner, a recessed area <NUM> that is intended to receive a license plate. In the prior art (as seen on <FIG>), the junction line between the reparability panel <NUM> and the outer panel <NUM> was disposed at the top of the said recessed area <NUM> where the local surfaces are curved and complex leading to defects in the gap and in the flush between the two panels. With the possibility given by the invention to enlarge the reparability panel <NUM> while maintaining a desirable torsion stiffness on both the outer panel <NUM> and the reparability panel <NUM>, such defects can be avoided. Indeed, in a preferred embodiment, the recessed area <NUM> intended to receive the license plate is entirely formed in the reparability panel <NUM>. The upper edge <NUM> of the reparability panel <NUM> is arranged above said recessed area <NUM> according to the vertical direction. In such a configuration, the junction line between the outer panel <NUM> and the reparability panel <NUM> can be straight.

In a preferred embodiment, the upper edge <NUM> of the reparability panel <NUM> is at least partly arranged between the taillights <NUM> so that the portion of the upper edge <NUM> arranged between the taillights <NUM> is straight. In an embodiment, the upper edge <NUM> of the reparability panel <NUM> is configured to follow the curves showed by the lower edge of the taillights <NUM>.

With preference, the upper edge <NUM> of the reparability panel <NUM> is folded and received in a groove <NUM> shown by the outer panel <NUM> in its middle zone <NUM>. In a preferred embodiment, a seal is disposed between the reparability panel <NUM> and the outer panel <NUM> in its middle zone <NUM>, extending according to the transversal direction of the vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lower zone <NUM> of the outer panel <NUM> is interposed between the inner panel <NUM> and the reparability panel <NUM>. In order to allow efficient inertia between the tailgate outer panel <NUM> and the tailgate inner panel <NUM> for tailgate torsion stiffness, the lower zone <NUM> of the outer panel <NUM> is sloped so that the lower edge <NUM> is fixed to the inner panel <NUM> at an inferior height relative to the middle zone <NUM>. To the contrary, in the prior art, the outer panel showed a slightly horizontal surface at the level of its lower edge.

Claim 1:
A tailgate (<NUM>) for automotive vehicle, the tailgate (<NUM>) comprising an inner panel (<NUM>), an outer panel (<NUM>) and a reparability panel (<NUM>), the reparability panel (<NUM>) comprising an upper edge (<NUM>) and a lower edge (<NUM>), the tailgate (<NUM>) being characterized in that the outer panel (<NUM>) is divided according to the vertical direction in three zones, namely a lower zone (<NUM>), a middle zone (<NUM>) and a higher zone (<NUM>), and in that the upper edge (<NUM>) of the reparability panel (<NUM>) is fixed on the outer panel (<NUM>) in the middle zone (<NUM>) of said outer panel (<NUM>) so that the lower zone (<NUM>) of the outer panel (<NUM>) is covered by the reparability panel (<NUM>), characterized in that the outer panel (<NUM>) comprises a lower edge (<NUM>) and an upper edge (<NUM>), the lower zone (<NUM>) of the outer panel (<NUM>) extending between the middle zone (<NUM>) and the lower edge (<NUM>), and the outer panel (<NUM>) is sloped in its lower zone (<NUM>) so that its lower edge (<NUM>) is fixed to the inner panel (<NUM>) at an inferior height relative to the middle zone (<NUM>), and that the reparability panel (<NUM>) shows a recessed area (<NUM>) intended to receive a license plate and in that the upper edge (<NUM>) of the reparability panel (<NUM>) is arranged above said recessed area (<NUM>) according to the vertical direction, the inner panel (<NUM>) shows a fixing interface (<NUM>) for fixing the lower edge (<NUM>) of the outer panel (<NUM>), said fixing interface (<NUM>) being arranged at the same height than the top (<NUM>) of the recessed area (<NUM>) shown by the reparability panel (<NUM>) or facing the said recessed area (<NUM>).