REVISED MOUNTING POINT

Abstract

A liftgate having an overmolded hinge point comprising a metal reinforcement overmolded with a polymer and having a compression limiter portion molded in. The compression limiter portion including a tubular portion for receiving a fastener encapsulated during overmolding and having overmolded gusset ribs extending therefrom during the overmolding process.

Claims

1. A liftgate having an overmolded fastening point comprising a metal reinforcement overmolded with a polymer and having a compression limiter portion molded in, the compression limiter portion including a tubular portion for receiving a fastener encapsulated during overmolding and having overmolded gusset ribs extending therefrom during the overmolding process.

2. The liftgate of claim 1 wherein the tube is a steel tube

3. The liftgate of claim 1 wherein the tube includes a threaded portion.

4. The liftgate of claim 3 wherein the threaded portion is a nut.

5. The liftgate of claim 1 wherein the at least one of the gusset ribs are an overmolded steel rib.

6. The liftgate of claim 1 where the gusset ribs are thermoplastic.

7. The liftgate of claim 1 wherein the reinforcement ribs are molded extending in the same axial direction from the tubular portion for reinforcing the attachment point.

8. The liftgate of claim 1 wherein the compression limiter is stamped into the metal reinforcement.

9. An overmolded vehicle part having a sealing surface, said sealing surface being inclined from the exterior side to the interior side and a second channel intersecting the inclined sealing surface for reducing and tendency of capillary effect moisture to rise through the sealing surface.

10. The overmolded vehicle part of claim 1 wherein the overmolded metal adjoins a polymer part and the channel is formed in the polymer part.

11. The overmolded vehicle part of claim 1 wherein the inclined angle of the second channel is greater than the inclined angle of the sealing surface.

12. The overmolded vehicle part of claim 4 where the second channel is molded into the polymer part as a sink mark.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an overmolded hinge point area of a liftgate of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hinge point area of a liftgate which is formed in an overmolding process in accordance with the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a view of a hinge point area of a cast aluminum liftgate; and,

[0013] FIG. 4 is a view of a sealing plane functional sinkmark used for controlling water capillary action in a seal of a liftgate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0015] Referring now to the drawings there is provided a liftgate generally shown at 10. The liftgate 10 has an overmolded hinge point generally indicated at 12. A metal reinforcement 14 is overmolded with a polymer 16. Overmolding attachment feature are through molded for securement of the metal reinforcement 14 at predetermined areas such as at “button” areas 18.

[0016] A compression limiter portion 20 is molded in. The compression limiter portion 20 as shown is a structural tubular portion such as a metal tube for receiving a fastener such as for a hinge encapsulated by and outer polymer layer 24 during overmolding. In an alternate embodiment the compression limiter portion 20 could be provided by a raised portion of the sheet metal such as could be provided by a punch or the like during stamping of the metal reinforcement. In a preferred embodiment the tubular portion 20 is threaded or a nut 30 is provided and welded to the steel tube 20 in order to provide a threaded attachment area for a hinge of a liftgate.

[0017] Overmolded gusset ribs 26 are attached to the length of the portion 20 and also extend radially outward therefrom during the overmolding process. The overmolding process can also be used for positioning and securing vertical metal ribs 28 during the overmolding process to provide rigidity to the hinge mounting area.

[0018] A compression limiter portion 20 is molded in. The compression limiter portion 20 as shown is a structural tubular portion such as a metal tube for receiving a fastener such as for a hinge encapsulated by and outer polymer layer 24 during overmolding. In an alternate embodiment the compression limiter portion 20 could be provided by a raised portion of the sheet metal such as could be provided by a punch or the like during stamping of the metal reinforcement. In a preferred embodiment the tubular portion 20 is threaded or a nut 30 is provided and welded to the steel tube 20 in order to provide a threaded attachment area for a hinge of a liftgate.

[0019] FIG. 3 shows an alternate layout for overmolded gusset ribs 262 are attached to the length of the portion 20a and also extend radially outward therefrom during the overmolding process. The overmolding process can also be used for positioning and securing additional vertical metal ribs 28a during the overmolding process to provide rigidity to the hinge mounting area. In an alternate embodiment the ribs 28a are overmolded with a structural polymer without a steel reinforcement.

[0020] A compression limiter portion 20a is molded in. The compression limiter portion 20 as shown is a structural tubular portion such as a metal tube for receiving a fastener such as for a hinge encapsulated by and outer polymer layer 24a during overmolding. In an alternate embodiment the compression limiter portion 20a could be provided by a raised portion of the sheet metal such as could be provided by a punch or the like during stamping of the metal reinforcement. In a preferred embodiment the tubular portion 20a is threaded or a nut 30a is provided and welded to the steel tube 20a in order to provide a threaded attachment area for a hinge of a liftgate.

[0021] Shown in FIG. 4 there is provided a sealing plan functional sink mark which may be useful to avoid capillary action if a sink mark exists in a sealing portion of a molded tail gate. In order to break the capillary action a second channel connects to the sink mark and prevents the water from being sucked into the inside of the car. This creates a condition where the water would be forced to flow upwards and beyond the second channel thereby reducing the capillary action of the second channel.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 4, an overmolded vehicle part is generally shown at 110. The vehicle part 110 can be any type of part which includes a dry side A (interior or other) and a wet side B (exterior or other). The overmolded part has a metal overmolded reinforcement 112 which is attached to a second polymer portion 114 at a sealing surface 116. The sealing surface being inclined in an upward direction from the wet side B to the dry side A which usually has a sink read through at portion 118. A second channel 120 is provided for intersecting the inclined sealing surface 116 for reducing and tendency of capillary effect moisture to rise through the sealing surface. The inclined angle of the second channel is greater than the inclined angle of the sealing surface. The second channel 120 is preferably a sink mark molded into the polymer part.

[0023] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.