Link structure of power tailgate

• US 20070113480A1
• Filed: 12/07/2005
• Published: 05/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group), Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group), Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Inventors: Choi, Young-Gil
• Application Number:
  US11/297,830
• Publication Number:
  US 20070113480A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 49/342
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 11/06 in guide-channels
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/619 using flexible or rigid rack-and-pinion arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/656 Chains
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/724 Flexible
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/546 Tailgates

Abstract

A link structure of a power tailgate is disclosed in which the links opening and closing the tailgate move perpendicularly in relation to the rotational direction of the driving motor, thereby preventing an overload of the motor. Accordingly, a small capacity motor may be used for reducing the weight and raw material cost thereof. Further, as the orientation of the links is in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, a compact link construction is provided. Such the structure includes a rack gear meshing with a driving gear of the motor, and a multi-joint link connected at both ends thereof to the rack gear and tailgate, respectively. The multi-joint link is constituted by a plurality of link members relatively and pivotally connected to each other by means of pins.

Claims

1. A link structure of a power tailgate, comprising:

a rack gear meshing with a driving gear of a motor; and

a multi-joint link that is connected at both ends thereof to said rack gear and tailgate, respectively, and is composed of a plurality of link members relatively and pivotally connected to each other via pins.

2. The link structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said link member includes:

a link body that is in a shape of a rectangular block;

a pin boss protruding at a front of said link body in an arc shape for allowing said pin to be inserted therein;

a receiving groove formed in a semi-circular shape at a rear of said link body for being inserted by said pin boss;

two flanges protruding at both rear sides of said link body for being penetrated by said pin;

a vertical wall formed at a front lower portion of said link body; and

an oblique wall formed at a front upper portion of said link body at a predetermined angle.

3. The link structure as defined in claim 2, wherein said rack gear is installed in a housing and moves back and forth therein, and said housing is formed with a hole through which gear teeth of said driving gear are inserted and mesh with said rack gear.

6. A vehicle comprising a link structure of claim 1.

4. A link structure of a power tailgate, comprising:

a rack gear meshing with a driving gear of a motor; and

a multi-joint link that is connected to the rack gear and tailgate and comprising a plurality of link members relatively and pivotally connected to each other via pins.

5. The link structure of claim 4 wherein the link member comprises:

a link body that is in a shape of a rectangular block;

a pin boss protruding from the link body and configured to allow a pin to be inserted therein;

a receiving groove configured for communicating with the pin boss;

one or more flanges protruding from the link body for being penetrated by the pin;

a vertical wall formed at a front lower portion of the link body; and

an oblique wall formed at a front upper portion of the link body at a predetermined angle.

7. A vehicle comprising a link structure of claim 5.