초록 ▼

A tailgate counterbalancing hinge assembly includes a linear torque rod, a first end assembly and a second end assembly secured to the torque rod. A first end assembly pivotally supports the tailgate while permitting a torque rod end to be rigidly coupled to the tailgate for movement with the tailga

A tailgate counterbalancing hinge assembly includes a linear torque rod, a first end assembly and a second end assembly secured to the torque rod. A first end assembly pivotally supports the tailgate while permitting a torque rod end to be rigidly coupled to the tailgate for movement with the tailgate about a pivot axis. A second end assembly also pivotally supports the tailgate and permits the other end of the torque rod to be rigidly connected to the vehicle body. The first end assembly includes a bushing and split pivot body rotatably mounted within the bushing that creates increasing friction between the split pivot body and the bushing as the torque rod is twisted due to the tailgate being opened. The increasing friction creates a progressively increasing braking or dampening effect, which slows the free fall of the tailgate as it is opened.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A device for dampening the movement of a tailgate operated with a torque rod based lift assist assembly, the device comprising: a bushing secured to the tailgate; a pivot body inserted into and supporting the bushing, a first end of the torque rod being secured to the pivot b

What is claimed is: 1. A device for dampening the movement of a tailgate operated with a torque rod based lift assist assembly, the device comprising: a bushing secured to the tailgate; a pivot body inserted into and supporting the bushing, a first end of the torque rod being secured to the pivot body, a plurality of slits in a wall of the pivot body, the slits circumscribing a split part of the wall that deflects when torque is applied to the pivot body by a twisting of the torque rod in response to a rotation of the tailgate, a second end of the torque rod being secured to the tailgate, the split wall part deflecting outwardly and creating friction between the split wall part and the bushing as the torque rod is twisted in response to the tailgate being opened, whereby as the torque rod is twisted further due to the tailgate being opened further, the outward deflection of the split wall part increases, thereby creating greater friction between the split wall part and the bushing, resulting in a progressively increasing braking or dampening effect, which slows a free fall of the tailgate as it is opened. 2. The dampening device recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of slits includes a first slit that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the torque rod and a second slit that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the torque rod. 3. The dampening device recited in claim 1, wherein the bushing includes a cylindrical chamber and the pivot body includes a circular portion, the plurality of slits extending from an outside of a wall of the circular portion to a slot inside the pivot body. 4. The dampening device recited in claim 3, wherein the pivot body further comprises a stem for receiving the first end the torque rod and a shoulder extending between the stem and the circular portion, and wherein the plurality of slits includes a first slit that is substantially perpendicular to the shoulder and a second slit that extends around the circumference of the circular portion a distance away from and substantially parallel to the shoulder. 5. The dampening device recited in claim 3, wherein the wall in which the plurality of slits are formed is part of the circular body so as to circumscribe the split wall part in the circular body, and wherein the deflection of the split wall part creates friction between an outer surface of the split wall part and an inner surface of the cylindrical chamber. 6. The dampening device recited in claim 5, wherein as torque is created due to the torque rod being twisted, the torque is transferred to the pivot body and a key of a mounting bracket by which the pivot body is attached to a side panel of the vehicle, such that pressure created between the mounting key and the pivot body by the transfer of torque causes the split wall part to deflect outwardly and create the friction between the outer surface of the slit wall part and the inner surface of the cylindrical chamber. 7. A device for dampening the movement of a vehicle's tailgate operated with a torque rod based lift assist assembly, the device comprising: a bushing including a cylindrical chamber and a first stem for securing the bushing to the tailgate; a pivot body inserted into the cylindrical chamber, the pivot body comprising a second stem for receiving a first end of the torque rod, a circular portion, and a shoulder extending between the second stem and the circular portion, a plurality of slits extending from an outside of a wall of the circular portion to an interior slot of the pivot body, the slits circumscribing a split part of the wall that deflects relative to the rest of the wall when torque is applied to the pivot body by a twisting of the torque rod in response to a rotation of the tailgate, a second end of the torque rod being secured to the tailgate, the split wall part deflecting outwardly and creating friction between an outer surface of the split wall part and an inner surface of the cylindrical chamber as the torque rod is twisted in response to the tailgate being opened, whereby, as the torque rod is twisted further due to the tailgate being opened further, the outward deflection of the split wall part increases so as to create greater friction between the outer surface of the split wall part and the inner surface of the cylindrical chamber, resulting in a progressively increasing braking or dampening effect, which slows a free fall of the tailgate as it is opened. 8. The dampening device recited in claim 7, wherein as torque is created as the torque rod is twisted, the torque is transferred to the pivot body and a key of a mounting bracket which engages the interior slot of the pivot body, such that pressure created between the mounting key and the pivot body by the transfer of torque causes the split wall part to deflect outwardly and create the friction between the outer surface of the slit wall part and the inner surface of the cylindrical chamber. 9. The dampening device recited in claim 7, wherein the plurality of slits includes a first slit that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the torque rod and a second slit that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the torque rod. 10. The dampening device recited in claim 7, wherein the outer surface of the split wall part and the inner surface of the cylindrical chamber are coated with a coating for controlling friction and preventing premature gauling and/or wear of said surfaces. 11. A vehicle body closure member mounting assembly including a torque rod based lift assist assembly and a mechanism for dampening the movement of the closure member, the mounting assembly comprising: first and second hinge brackets secured to opposite ends of the closure member, said first and second hinge brackets carrying, respectively, first and second bushings thereon with pivotal axes that are coincident with the axis of pivotal movement of said closure member; first and second vehicle body hinge pins for mounting on the first and second spaced apart body side panels, respectively, said first and second vehicle body hinge pins being coincident with the axis of pivotal movement of the closure member, and being configured to support said first and second bushings thereon, and in turn, said closure member on which said first and second hinge brackets are mounted; one of said first and second bushings having a pivot body inserted into said bushing, a first end of the torque rod being secured to the pivot body, a plurality of slits in a wall of the pivot body, the slits circumscribing a split part of the wall that deflects when torque is applied to the pivot body by a twisting of the torque rod in response to a rotation of the closure member, a second end of the torque rod being secured to the closure member, the split wall part deflecting outwardly and creating friction between the split wall part and the bushing as the torque rod is twisted in response to the closure member being opened, whereby as the torque rod is twisted further due to the closure member being opened further, the outward deflection of the split wall part increases, thereby creating greater friction between the split wall part and the bushing, resulting in a progressively increasing braking or dampening effect, which slows a free fall of the closure member as it is opened. 12. The mounting assembly recited in claim 11, wherein the plurality of slits includes a first slit that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the torque rod and a second slit that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the torque rod. 13. The mounting assembly recited in claim 11, wherein the bushing includes a cylindrical chamber and the pivot body includes a circular portion, the plurality of slits extending from an outside of a wall of the circular portion to a slot inside the pivot body. 14. The mounting assembly recited in claim 13, wherein the pivot body further comprises a stem for receiving the first end the torque rod and a shoulder extending between the stem and the circular portion, and wherein the plurality of slits includes a first slit that is substantially perpendicular to the shoulder and a second slit that extends around a the circumference of the circular portion a distance away from and substantially parallel to the shoulder. 15. The mounting assembly recited in claim 13, wherein the wall in which the plurality of slits are formed is part of the circular body so as to circumscribe the split wall part in the circular body, and wherein the deflection of the split wall part creates friction between an outer surface of the split wall part and an inner surface of the cylindrical chamber. 16. A device for dampening the movement of a tailgate operated with a torque rod based lift assist assembly, the device comprising: a bushing secured to the tailgate; a pivot body inserted into and supporting the bushing, a first end of the torque rod being secured to the pivot body, the pivot body including a portion that deflects when torque is applied to the pivot body by a twisting of the torque rod in response to a rotation of the tailgate, a second end of the torque rod being secured to the tailgate, the deflecting portion of split body deflecting outwardly and creating friction between the deflecting portion and the bushing as the torque rod is twisted in response to the tailgate being opened, whereby as the torque rod is twisted further due to the tailgate being opened further, the outward deflection of the deflecting portion increases, thereby creating greater friction between the deflecting portion and the bushing, resulting in a progressively increasing braking or dampening effect, which slows a free fall of the tailgate as it is opened.