[0001] The present subject matter described herein relates to a technical field of a vehicle back door structure applied to a back door of the vehicle rear section. The present subject matter, in particular, relates to a backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket mounted on the backdoor of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Structures for a backdoor are known in which a door upper-end portion is attached to a vehicle body upper section by a door hinge. This door hinge is generally provided in a form of a plate attached to an inner panel of the backdoor.
[0003] With the development of vehicles structural engineering, designs of the backdoor which is also called a tailgate are improved. In particular, in vehicles for actuating the backdoor, the hinges must withstand higher loads than comparable standard hinges. It has therefore already been proposed to replace the conventional standard hinges with higher-strength hinges. To improve the strength of the door hinge, the backdoor is provided with a hinge reinforcement structure in the form of a bracket. Said hinge reinforcement bracket is mounted between inner and outer panels of the backdoor and provides strength to the structure of the backdoor.
[0004] However, the hinge reinforcement bracket known from the prior arts is supported only on two bolt mountings of the door hinge to strengthen the hinge area. Such a design has certain limitations, specifically such as high-stress value at the hinge mounting area of the backdoor.
[0005] The hinge reinforcement bracket is required to sustain the weight of the backdoor and securely support the backdoor to the vehicle body. The hinge reinforcement bracket is also required to withstand excessive openings and closings. Therefore, to provide strong and rigid coupling between the backdoor and the door hinge, the structure of the hinge reinforcement bracket and the placements of the hinge reinforcement bracket for mounting on the backdoor is critical.
[0006] Henceforth, it is a requirement to provide a hinge reinforcement bracket that can be mounted on the backdoor of the vehicle to provide a sturdy structure and reduce stress from the hinge area.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0007] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed hereinbelow.
[0008] The present disclosure is based on the object of disclosing a backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket mounted on a backdoor of a vehicle which makes it possible to reduce stress on a hinge area and strengthen the hinge area without expensive measures having to be provided on the vehicle body for this purpose.
[0009] It is a primary objective of the present disclosure to provide a backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket that can be mounted on the backdoor of the vehicle to provide a sturdy structure and reduce stress from the hinge area.
[0010] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket that is positioned on the backdoor to cover and support the region beyond a hinge mounting area to provide a stress flow path to the backdoor.
[0011] These and other objects and advantages of the present subject matter will be apparent to a person skilled in the art after consideration of the following detailed description taken into consideration with accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present subject matter are illustrated.
SUMMARY
[0012] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket mounted between an inner panel and an outer panel of a backdoor of a vehicle. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0013] The present disclosure relates to a backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket mounted between an inner panel and an outer panel of a backdoor of a vehicle. The backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket includes a hinge mounting area having hinge mounting holes corresponding to hinge mounting holes formed on the backdoor of the vehicle; and an extended corner flange extending from a lateral side of the hinge mounting area to an outside end of the backdoor of vehicle. The extended corner flange with a positive mounting forming three-ply joinery of the inner panel, the backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket, and the outer panel.
[0014] In an aspect, the backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket includes at least two longitudinal beads formed in proximity to the hinge mounting area, where the two longitudinal beads encompass the hinge mounting area therebetween.
[0015] In an aspect, the backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket includes at least two lateral beads extending from a lateral side of the hinge mounting area to an outside end of the bracket.
[0016] In an aspect, the hinge mounting area with a positive mounting of a backdoor hinge is secured between the inner panel and the outer panel of the backdoor.
[0017] In an aspect, the positive mounting forming three-ply joinery is bolt connection engaged for mounting of a spoiler on the extended corner flange.
[0018] In an aspect, the extended corner flange forming an intermediary panel between the inner panel and the outer panel of the backdoor.
[0019] In an aspect, the extended corner flange is spot welded on the inner panel of the backdoor of the vehicle.
[0020] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods or structure in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section view A-A of the backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket secured in between inner and outer panels of a backdoor along with a spoiler mounted on the outer panel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective exploded view of an exemplary inner and outer panels of a backdoor along with the backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0026] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0027] While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.
[0028] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, system, assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or device proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or device.
[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket 100, while FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket 100 includes a hinge mounting area 102 having to hinge mounting holes 104 corresponding to hinge mounting holes (not shown) formed on a backdoor of a vehicle. The hinge mounting holes 104 allows the backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket 100 to secure with an inner panel 302 of the backdoor through fasteners of a door hinge.
[0030] The backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket 100 further includes an extended corner flange 106 extending from a lateral side of the hinge mounting area 102 to an extreme outside end of the backdoor of the vehicle.
[0031] The extended corner flange 106 is an extension of the hinge mounting area 102 in the lateral side, i.e. at corner towards an outer side of the backdoor forming an outwards projecting surface in form of a flange. The extended corner flange 106 adapts a form of an intermediary panel between an inner panel 302 and an outer panel 304 of the backdoor, as shown in FIG. 3. Thereby, the extended corner flange 106 is a crucial part of the backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket 100 proposed in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0032] In an aspect, the extended corner flange 106 with a positive mounting forming three-ply joinery of the inner panel 302, the backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket 100 (extended corner flange 106), and the outer panel 304.
[0033] In an aspect, the positive mounting forming three-ply joinery is a bolt connection 306 engaged for mounting of a spoiler 308 on the outer panel 304 using the extended corner flange 106. In said aspect, the bolt connection 306 secures the backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket 100 between the inner panel 302 and the outer panel 304 using a bolt. The bolt connection 306 is provided to strengthen the hinge mounting area 102 and reduce stress from the hinge mounting area 102. During experimental trials, it was observed that the bolt connection 306 can reduce the stress from the hinge mounting area of the backdoor i.e. a reduction of 20% in the stress value on the hinge mounting area of the backdoor. Such magnitude reduction in the stress on the hinge mounting area proves to be beneficial for the backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket 100 and provides a sturdy structure by providing strength to the hinge mounting area.
[0034] As mentioned above, the bolt connection 306 enables the coupling of the spoiler 308 to the backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket 100 through mounting on the outer panel 304 and hence increases the robustness of the spoiler 308.
[0035] Thus, it is observed that the bolt connection 306 not only reduces stress on the hinge mounting area but also provides an additional arrangement to mount the aerodynamic component such as the spoiler 308, thereby increasing the performance of the vehicle.
[0036] Further, as can be seen from FIG. 2, in an aspect, the extended corner flange 106 is spot welded 202 on the inner panel 302 of the backdoor of the vehicle.
[0037] As explained in the object of the invention, the backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket 100 has a function to provide a sturdy feature to the backdoor structure and reduce the stress received from the door hinge.
[0038] Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket 100 includes at least two longitudinal beads 108 formed in proximity to the hinge mounting area 102 of the backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket 100. The two longitudinal beads 108 that encompass the hinge mounting area 102 therebetween. By the inventive design of the at least two longitudinal beads 108 extending over the longitudinal extent in the direction of the length of the vehicle on the backdoor hinge reinforcing bracket 100, during vehicle on bumpy road, these longitudinal beads help in overcoming the forces which tend to weaken the connection between backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket 100 and the inner and outer panels (302, 304). The position of the at least two longitudinal beads 108 is such that said beads are aligned in a direction of the length of the vehicle acting as a parapet reinforcement structure.
[0039] The backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket 100 further includes at least two lateral beads 110 extending from a lateral side of the hinge mounting area 102 to an outside end of the backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket 100. The lateral beads 110 are positioned on the backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket 100 in the transverse direction 100. The lateral beads 110 are aligned on the backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket 100 in a direction of the width of the vehicle. The lateral beads 110 act as rib structures on the backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket 100 and are formed to provide a stress flow path to the backdoor.
[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of an assembly of the inner panel 302, the backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket 100, the outer panel 304, and the spoiler 308 mounted on the backdoor of the vehicle.
[0041] The advantage of the present invention is well clarified throughout the spirit of the invention i.e. to provide a strengthening factor to the hinge area and reducing the stress levels from the hinge mounting area by providing an additional bolt connection. The invention discloses the backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket mounted on the backdoor of the vehicle with extension to outside end to mount an aerodynamic component such as spoiler. Primarily, the backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket includes, two longitudinal beads in the proximity of the hinge mounting area, two lateral beads, and an extended corner flange with positing mounting allowing coupling of the inner panel, the backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket, and the outer panel.
[0042] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation, no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. Also, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general, such construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general, such construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
[0043] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present invention contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the invention, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. Also, while a feature of the present invention may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present invention. The present invention also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited feature.

Claims:1. A backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket (100) mounted between an inner panel (302) and an outer panel (304) of a backdoor of a vehicle, comprising:
a hinge mounting area (102) having hinge mounting holes (104) corresponding to hinge mounting holes formed on the backdoor of the vehicle; and
an extended corner flange (106) extending from a lateral side of the hinge mounting area (102) to an outside end of the backdoor of vehicle,
wherein the extended corner flange (106) with a positive mounting forming three-ply joinery of the inner panel (302), the backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket (100), and the outer panel (304).

2. The backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least two longitudinal beads (108) formed in proximity to the hinge mounting area (102), the at least two longitudinal beads (108) encompass the hinge mounting area (102) therebetween.

3. The backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least two lateral beads (110) extending from a lateral side of the hinge mounting area (102) to an outside end of the bracket (100).

4. The backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hinge mounting area (102) with the positive mounting of the backdoor hinge is secured between the inner panel (302) and the outer panel (304) of the backdoor.

5. The backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the positive mounting forming three-ply joinery is a bolt connection (306) engaged for mounting of a spoiler (308) on the extended corner flange (106).
6. The backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the extended corner flange (106) forming an intermediary panel between the inner panel (302) and the outer panel (304) of the backdoor.

7. The backdoor hinge reinforcement bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein extended corner flange (106) is spot welded (202) on the inner panel (302) of the backdoor of the vehicle.