Rear module for a motor vehicle, and a motor vehicle having a rear module

Abstract

A rear module can include a tailgate configured to pivot about a pivot axis that extends transversely with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a frame element that extends transversely with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction and is integrated into the tailgate. The frame element has a first fastening assembly at its respective ends. The first fastening assembly being set up to selectively lock the rear module in a closed state of the tailgate together with second fastening assembly which are configured on the rear-side vehicle body. A motor vehicle can have such a rear module.

Claims

1. A rear module for a motor vehicle, the rear module comprising: a tailgate configured to pivot about a pivot axis that extends transversely with respect to a vehicle longitudinal direction; and a frame element that extends transversely with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction and is integrated into the tailgate, the frame element having a first fastening assembly at respective ends of the frame element, the first fastening assembly configured to engage with a second fastening assembly on a rear-side vehicle body to lock the rear module in a closed state of the tailgate, wherein the tailgate is subjected to a translational movement and a pivoting movement when transitioning from the closed state into an open state.

2. The rear module of claim 1, wherein the first fastening assembly is of a corresponding configuration with respect to the second fastening assembly.

3. The rear module of claim 1, wherein the first fastening assembly is a bearing bushing, and the second fastening assembly is a cylindrical bearing stud.

4. The rear module of claim 3, wherein the respective cylindrical bearing studs engage into the associated bearing bushings in the closed state of the tailgate.

5. The rear module of claim 1, wherein the first fastening assembly is a cylindrical bearing stud, and the second fastening assembly is a bearing bushing.

6. The rear module of claim 5, wherein the respective cylindrical bearing studs engage into the associated bearing bushings in the closed state of the tailgate.

7. The rear module of claim 1, characterized in that the tailgate is subjected to a pivoting movement and a translational movement when transitioning from the open state into the closed state.

8. The rear module of claim 1, further comprising a towbar and an associated interface assembly for the electric supply of a vehicle trailer.

9. The rear module of claim 1, wherein, the closed state of the tailgate, the frame element provides a part of the rear-side vehicle frame, a bumper of the motor vehicle, or both.

10. The rear module of claim 1, wherein, when the tailgate is in a completely open position, the tailgate provides a loading ramp.

11. The rear module of claim 10, wherein the tailgate includes at least two ramp elements that can be displaced telescopically with respect to one another.

12. The rear module of claim 10, wherein the loading ramp includes an apparatus for facilitated loading of loads.

13. The rear module of claim 10, wherein the loading ramp includes a rail-guided drawer system.

14. The rear module of claim 1, further comprising an actuating mechanism, wherein an opening movement of the rear module can be initiated by the actuating mechanism.

15. A motor vehicle having the rear module of claim 1, the motor vehicle having a vehicle body configured such that a hopper is arranged in the region of a rear-side vehicle trunk.

16. The motor vehicle of claim 15, wherein, when the tailgate is in a completely open position, the tailgate provides a loading ramp, wherein the hopper is fastened releasably to the vehicle body.

17. The motor vehicle of claim 16, wherein the hopper is set up to be loaded via the loading ramp.

18. A rear module for a motor vehicle, the rear module comprising: a tailgate configured to pivot about a pivot axis that extends transversely with respect to a vehicle longitudinal direction; a frame element that extends transversely with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction and is integrated into the tailgate, the frame element having a first fastening assembly at respective ends of the frame element, the first fastening assembly configured to engage with a second fastening assembly on a rear-side vehicle body to lock the rear module in a closed state of the tailgate, wherein one of the first or second fastening assembly is a bearing bushing, and the other of the first or second fastening assembly is a cylindrical bearing stud.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) Further advantages, configurations and further developments which are related to the modular tail assembly according to this disclosure or the motor vehicle according to the disclosure are explained in greater detail on the basis of the exemplary embodiments described below. The features described on the basis of the exemplary embodiments can also be called on for the further development of the modular tail assembly according to this disclosure and also the motor vehicle according to this disclosure. The exemplary embodiments are explained in greater detail on the basis of the following figures.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a vehicle rear with the rear module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure with the rear module in a closed state.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a rear view of a vehicle rear with the rear module if FIG. 1 in the closed state and a fastening assembly being situated in a non-locked state.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a vehicle rear with the rear module of FIG. 1 in an open state and the fastening assembly having an alternative configuration from that of FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 4a shows a side view of the fastening assembly of FIG. 3 in a locked state.

(6) FIG. 4b shows a side view of the fastening assembly of FIG. 3 in a non-locked state

(7) FIG. 5 shows a side view of a vehicle rear with the rear module in a completely open position with an extended loading ramp.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) Motor vehicles can have a loading opening (for example, a trunk opening) in the rear region. The loading opening can be delimited by a rigid rear-side vehicle frame. Here, a vehicle frame of this type is part of the vehicle body and is typically a single-piece component. The rear-side loading openings or trunk openings can be closed by a trunk lid. It is known here to use single-piece or two-piece tailgates, the tailgates as a rule being mounted pivotably on the vehicle frame.

(9) With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, a rear module according an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a tailgate 2, which is configured such that it can be pivoted about a pivot axis S that extends transversely with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction L. Furthermore, the rear module comprises a frame element 3 that extends transversely with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction L and is integrated into the tailgate.

(10) At respective ends 4, 5, the frame element 3 has a first fastening assembly 6. The first fastening assemblies 6 are set up to provide a locking action of the rear module together with second fastening assemblies 7, which are configured on the rear-side vehicle body 8, in a closed state of the tailgate 2 (this is illustrated, for example, in FIG. 1).

(11) Rather than a single-piece, rear-side vehicle frame, the lower frame side is replaced by way of a separate frame element 3, which can be connected via suitable fastening assembly to the rear-side vehicle frame and/or the vehicle body 8.

(12) As a result, simpler accessibility of an intermediate space 17, which lies below the trunk floor 16 (of a classic vehicle), in relation to the vertical level is made possible in the case of loading or unloading. The lower side of the rear-side vehicle frame can be, for example, lower when compared to other vehicle frame that do not include such a separate frame element. Furthermore, a replacement of the frame element 3 in the case of damage (for example, as a consequence of an impact load) is facilitated by way of the releasable connecting capability of the lower frame element 3 to the rear-side vehicle frame and/or the vehicle body 8. The loading opening is also increased in size when compared to a known motor vehicle of the same type.

(13) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the rear region of a motor vehicle 1, in the case of which the rear module according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure is implemented. The tailgate 2 is not shown completely (only that part of the tailgate 2 which faces the vehicle interior or a hopper 15 which is provided there can be seen).

(14) The frame element 3 is shown and it is attached at its ends 4, 5 via first fastening assembly 6 to the vehicle body 8. Here, the first fastening assembly 6 interacts with second fastening assembly 7, the latter fastening assembly 7 being provided on the vehicle body 8.

(15) Furthermore, a towbar 9 is illustrated which can likewise be a constituent part of the rear module. The towbar 9 can be of a foldable configuration, that is to say it can assume a folded-in position (FIG. 1) or a folded-out position (FIGS. 4a and 4b).

(16) A locking action can be triggered between the first and the second fastening assembly 6, 7 via an actuating mechanism which is not specified in greater detail or an actuating element. The towbar 9 can be connected via a mechanical connecting member 18 to the frame element 3.

(17) The state shown in FIG. 1 of a closed tailgate or tail module is reproduced in FIG. 2 in a rear view of the rear of the motor vehicle 1. It is to be noted, however, that the first and the second fastening assembly 6, 7 are situated in a non-locked state in FIG. 2.

(18) FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the rear module according to exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the tailgate 2 is not situated in its completely closed position. As has been mentioned at the outset, the tailgate 2 experiences a combined translational movement and pivoting movement in the case of opening and closing. In the case of opening, the tailgate 2 including the frame element 3 which is integrated therein is first of all pushed upward in a translational manner by a defined distance, namely until a locking action which is provided by the first fastening assembly 6 and the second fastening assembly 7 is triggered.

(19) As FIG. 2 has already shown, the first fastening assembly 6 can assume the form of bearing bushings, whereas the second fastening assembly 7 are configured in the form of bearing studs or bearing journals. In every case, the first fastening assembly 6 and the second fastening assembly 7 are of corresponding configuration with respect to one another. That is to say they can engage into one another, for example, with an accurate fit. The bearing studs can readily also be configured on the frame element 3 and the bearing bushings can be configured on the vehicle body 8, cf. the illustrations according to FIGS. 3, 4a, and 4b. In the latter case, the tailgate 2 needs to be moved downward in the vertical direction in order to release the locking action which prevails between the fastening assembly 6, 7, before a pivoting movement can take place about the pivot axis S.

(20) FIG. 3 reproduces the tailgate 2 or rear module in an open state. Here, the tailgate 2 can configure a loading ramp 11 which consists of two (or more) ramp elements 12, 13 which can be displaced telescopically with respect to one another (cf. also FIG. 5). The ramp elements 12, 13 can also be connected to one another in an articulated manner and can be pivotable relative to one another. The loading ramp 11 facilitates the loading of the vehicle interior with loads 14 in the region of the hopper 15 which is provided there. Loads 14 can be of any type, for example suitcases, roller-mounted systems or drawers. A rail-guided drawer system can also be implemented, for example, in the region of the loading ramp 11. Otherwise, the hopper 15 can be fastened via suitable tensioning elements 19 (for example, in a U-shape) to the vehicle body 8 (cf. FIG. 5). The connection of the tensioning elements 19 to the vehicle body can be provided via screw connections 20.

(21) FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate that the motor vehicle 1 has a hopper 15 in the rear-side region, which hopper 15 lies below the vertical level of a classic trunk floor. The rear module according to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are therefore accompanied by a plurality of advantageous functions. First of all, the rear-side stowage space of the motor vehicle 1 is increased in size. The loading of the stowage space is likewise facilitated by way of the loading ramp 11.

(22) Features of the disclosed examples make it possible that rear-side loading of a motor vehicle can be carried out more comfortably and rapidly, and the stowage space which is accessible for loading the motor vehicle is increased in size. Furthermore, rapid opening and closing of the rear module and secure locking thereof can be ensured.

(23) Advantageous configurations and variants of the exemplary embodiments can be found in the claims below. The features set out individually in the claims can be combined with one another, in any technically useful manner and present other advantageous variant embodiments.

(24) Further, the preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this disclosure. Thus, the scope of legal protection given to this disclosure can only be determined by studying the following claims.