CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No. 102022000019974 filed on September 28, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle provided with a rear hatch capable of being lifted and lowered by the action of a lif ting/lowering device.

PRIOR ART

As is known, in a standard version, the rear hatch of motor vehicles is coupled to the bodywork by means of a pair of lif ting/lowering devices, of the gas spring type, commonly called 'Stabilus' . During the manual opening and closing of the boot, the gas spring facilitates the lifting and the lowering of the hatch.

A further version of motorised type is provided, incorporating an electric actuator which allows the hatch to lift and lower in an automatic manner.

Both these lif ting/lowering devices, both in standard version with gas spring, and in motorised version, are attached at the opposite ends, to the hatch and to the bodywork, by means of respective coupling members. Such coupling members are generally defined by brackets carried by the hatch and by the bodywork .

The need is felt to sell a same motor vehicle model both with a basic set-up which provides for the li f ting/ lowering device in standard version (with gas spring) , and with a set-up equipped with an add-on, which provides for the li f ting/ lowering device of motorised type .

However, the li f ting/ lowering devices in standard and motorised versions have lengths di f ferent from each other . It follows that it is necessary to design coupling points on the bodywork in diversi fied positions , leaving a single coupling point on the hatch where the one or the other of the two li f ting/ lowering devices are coupled without distinction .

In other words , each one of the two coupling points on the bodywork can be utilised during the assembling of the hatch in the production lines of the motor vehicle for coupling a corresponding version of the li f ting/ lowering devices .

Within the scope of this need, it would be possible to design in a dedicated manner a bracket having the two aforementioned coupling points so as to be able to selectively couple the two devices to the bodywork, and simultaneously satis fy the aforementioned length constraints . Such solution, however, is not very satis factory, since it would be pre ferable to avoid designing and manufacturing dedicated pieces and, simultaneously, there is the desire to limit as much as possible the number of the components provided on the motor vehicle .

Therefore , the obj ect of the present invention is to provide a motor vehicle having two coupling members for a respective standard and motorised version of a li f ting/ lowering device , which enables reducing the number of the components to be manufactured and simpli fying, in this manner, the operations during production and assembly . SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a motor vehicle is manufactured, as claimed in claim 1 .

Furthermore , according to the present invention, an assembling method is provided according to claim 11 .

The dependent claims define particular embodiments of the invention .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the present invention, a preferred embodiment is described in the following, by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings , wherein :

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rear portion of the motor vehicle manufactured according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with a first lif ting/ lowering device for assembling a hatch;

- Figure 2 is a cross-section, on an enlarged scale, of a detail of Figure 1, according to a section plane identified by mark II-II of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 is similar to Figure 1 and illustrates the motor vehicle of the present invention when a second lif ting/lowering device is provided, in alternative to the first one, for assembling the hatch; and

- Figure 4 is a cross-section, on an enlarged scale, of a detail of Figure 3, according to a section plane identified by mark IV-IV of Figure 3.

- Figure 5 is a different perspective view of the rear portion of the motor vehicle visible in Figure 1 and shows a detail inside the bodywork of the motor vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In Figure 1, reference numeral 1 indicates, as a whole, a motor vehicle comprising a bodywork 2 and a boot 3 (partially illustrated) inside the bodywork 2, arranged at the back with respect to the forward direction of the motor vehicle 1 along a longitudinal direction A and having an access opening 4. Incidentally, it is highlighted that the words "behind", "front", "rear", "side", etc. are indicated with reference to the forward direction of the motor vehicle along the direction A. The motor vehicle 1 further comprises a hatch 5 (partially illustrated by a dashed line) hinged to the bodywork 2 about a hori zontal hinge axis B for opening and closing the access opening 4 .

The bodywork 2 comprises a frame which delimits the access opening 4 . Such frame is composed of two side pillars M ( only one of which is illustrated in Figure 1 ) arranged at the sides of the access opening 4 , a crossbeam T (partially illustrated) substantially parallel to the axis B and defining the upper edge of the access opening 4 , and a lower crossbeam (not illustrated) .

Each pillar M comprises a wall or sheet-metal portion 6 , which extends transversally to the axis B, is substantially flat , and has an outer surface E facing the hatch 5 and an inner surface S ( Figures 2 and 4 ) , opposite the surface E .

Preferably, as is shown in Figure 5 , each pillar M further comprises a strengthening plate attached to the wall 6 in a known manner and not illustrated and compris ing a wall or sheet-metal portion 7 ( Figures 2 and 4 ) resting on the inner surface S .

Each pillar M is provided with a first coupling member 8 having the function of connecting to the bodywork 2 a first li f ting/ lowering device 9 incorporating a gas spring, interposed between the bodywork 2 and the hatch 5 .

With reference to Figure 2 , the first coupling member 8 comprises a coupling hole 10 made through the wall 6 and having an axis C, which is orthogonal to the surfaces E and S . In the illustrated example , the coupling hole 10 has a circular shape .

Preferably, the first coupling member 8 further comprises a threaded seat 11 coaxial to the coupling hole 10 and arranged in fixed position with respect to the wall 6 , on the side of the surface S . More speci fically, the wall 7 has a hole F coaxial to the coupling hole 10 and to the threaded seat 11 , and the latter i s defined by a bushing or a threaded nut R, attached to the wall 7 for example by means of welding .

According to an aspect of the present invention, each pillar M comprises a second coupling member 12 suitable for connecting, to the bodywork 2 , a second li f ting/ lowering device 13 ( Figure 3 ) , which can be assembled in alternative to the first device 9 and incorporates an electric actuator (not visible in the accompanying figures ) for enabling the hatch 5 to li ft and lower in an automatic manner in response to a command of the user . In other words , the first device 9 defines a standard version which is assembled in the case where the customers prefer a basic set-up of the motor vehicle 1 during purchase , whereas the second device 13 defines an optional version which the customers can select , still during purchase .

The device 13 has greater dimensions than the device 9 , due to the presence of the aforementioned actuator . In particular, it has a greater length than the first device 9 in resting condition, i . e . when the hatch 5 is closed .

In particular, the second coupling member 12 is arranged at the top with respect to the first coupling member 8 and comprises a respective coupling hole 14 made through the wall 6 and, preferably, a respective threaded seat 15 ( Figure 4 ) . The coupling hole 14 and the threaded seat 15 are coaxial to each other along an axis D which is parallel to the axis C and orthogonal to the surfaces E and S . According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the threaded seats 11 and 15 have respective diameters which are di f ferent from each other for facilitating the correct selection o f a hole with respect to the other one during assembly . Speci fically, the threaded seat 15 has a greater diameter than the threaded seat 11 . In a corresponding manner , also the coupling holes 10 and 14 have diameters di f ferent from each other . In the case where the strengthening plate is provided, the latter has a hole G coaxial to the coupling hole 14 and to the threaded seat 15 . Also in this case , the threaded seat 15 is defined by a bushing or a threaded nut U resting on and attached to the wall 7 of the strengthening plate , for example by means of welding .

As is visible in Figure 1 , the coupling hole 14 is plugged, for example by a body 16 made of elastically deformable material , when the first device 9 is assembled on the motor vehicle 1 . The body 16 , in particular, comprises a head H axially resting on the outer surface E , and a shank L ( Figure 5 ) , which protrudes from the head H, has a smaller diameter than that of the head H and engages the coupling hole 14 , the hole G and the threaded seat 15 . More speci fically, the material of the body 16 is deformed by the threads of the seat 15 , hence such threads have the function of holding the body 16 coupled to the bodywork 2 .

With reference to the first device 11 , the latter is provided with a first end 17a connected to the coupling member 8 and a second end 18a (partially illustrated in Figure 1 ) connected to the hatch 5 in a manner not illustrated . Simi larly, with reference to the second device 13 , the latter is provided with a first end 17b connected to the coupling member 12 and a second end 18b (partially illustrated in Figure 3 ) connected to the hatch 5 in a manner not illustrated .

The coupling point of the first and second devices 9 and 13 on the hatch 5 is the same and can be configured according to one of the known solutions available for the persons skilled in the art .

The first and second devices 9 and 13 have an elongated shape along respective axes K and J and are of a type known per se by the persons skilled in the art , hence their constructive characteristics are not described in detail .

With reference to Figure 2 , the first end 17a is connected to the first coupling member 8 by means of a fixing pin 19a which extends along the axis C and is thus transversal to the axis K . In particular, the fixing pin 19a comprises a support portion 20a and a threaded portion 21a . The support portion 20a is coupled to the first end 17a by means of a spheric j oint 22 and comprises a flange 23 resting on the outer surface E . Whereas , the threaded portion 21a is screwed into the threaded seat 11 .

Similarly, as is illustrated in Figure 4 , when the device 13 is assembled to the bodywork 2 , in place of the device 9 , the f irst end 17b is connected to the second coupling member 12 by means of a fixing pin 19b which extends along the axis D and is thus transversal to the axis J ( Figure 3 ) . In particular, the fixing pin 19b comprises a support portion 20b and a threaded portion 21b . The support portion 20b is coupled to the first end 17b by means of a spheric j oint 24 and comprises a flange 25 resting on the outer surface E . Whereas , the threaded portion 21b is screwed into the threaded seat 15 .

In this case , the coupling hole 14 is plugged ( Figures 3 and 5 ) with a body 26 similar to the body 16 , and preferably having dimensions suitably di f ferent so as to adapt to the di f ferent diameter of the threaded seat 11 , with respect to the threaded seat 15. In particular, the body 26 comprises a head N axially resting on the outer surface E, and a shank (not visible) , which has a smaller diameter than that of the head N and engages the coupling hole 10, the hole F and the threaded seat 11. Similar to the body 16, the material of the body 26 is deformed by the threads of the seat 11, which hold the body 26 coupled to the bodywork 2.

The assembling of the components at the rear portion of the motor vehicle 1 is carried out depending on a specification or on a request of a customer, who can choose during purchase whether to have, on the motor vehicle 1, a basic set-up with the device 9 or a set-up with the add-on defined by the device 13.

On the basis of this selection, along the production line the one or the other of the devices 9 and 13 is assembled. As mentioned above, the hatch 5 has, for each side, one single coupling point (not illustrated) for coupling the end 18a or the end 18b, i.e. for coupling the device which is selected. Whereas, on the bodywork 2, if the device 9 is selected, the end 17a is coupled to the first coupling member 8, inserting the fixing pin 19a in the coupling hole 10 and screwing the threaded portion 21a in the threaded seat 11. Furthermore, the coupling hole 14 is plugged inserting the body 16; for example, the body 16 is coupled by pressure in the coupling hole 14 and/or in the threaded seat 15, and thus then remains attached by interference .

In other words, having at disposal two coupling holes 10 and 14, the coupling is carried out in the one associated with the previously selected device 9,11, whereas the other hole is plugged.

Therefore, if the device 11 is selected, the latter is coupled to the hole 14 of the coupling member 12, whereas the hole 10 is plugged by means of the body 26.

By examining the characteristics of the motor vehicle 1 manufactured according to the teachings of the present invention, the advantages which it enables obtaining are evident .

Firstly, the proposed solution enables assembling in an easy manner the one or the other of the devices 9,11 thanks to the fact of providing two coupling members 8 and 12, which are already provided on the bodywork 2 when assembling the hatch 5 and can be selectively utilised based on the length of the device 9,11 previously chosen by the customer.

Furthermore, the fact of making the holes 10 and 14 directly through the wall 6 of the bodywork 2 enables avoiding the use of additional components, such as for example brackets, appendages, fins, etc..., to be attached to the bodywork 2 on the surface E for subsequently assembling the first and the second devices 9 and 13. In other words, the configuration with two holes having parallel axes allows facilitating the operations during design, production and assembly, given the reduced number of components .

Furthermore , the fact that the holes 10 , 14 and/or the threaded seats 11 , 15 are made with di f ferent diameters simpli fies the as sembling by the operators , since they favour the correct selection between the coupling holes 10 and 14 for inserting the corresponding fixing pin 19a, 19b . In fact , should the fixing pin 19a be inserted wrongly in the hole 14 , this would give place to an unacceptable clearance , which is immediately recognisable by the operator ; at the same time , by trying to insert the fixing pin 19b in the hole 10 , the operator would immediately realise that this insertion operation is impossible , hence the choice of the hole 10 is wrong .

At the same time , the positioning of the body 16/26 inside the coupling hole 14 / 10 prevents water or other external agents which can damage the physical characteristics of the bodywork 2 from entering in the bodywork 2 . More speci fically, such expedient prevents the sheet-metal portions 6 and 7 and other portions adj acent to them from rusting . Such advantage thus allows preserving the state of the bodywork 2 and guaranteeing, in this manner, an optimal operation and duration of use of the motor vehicle 1 . Secondly, by plugging the coupling hole 10/ 14 which remains unutilised, the aesthetic value of the bodywork 2 is optimal (providing a relative prof ile continuity to the outer surface E ) .

Additionally, the bodies 16 and 26 are made with materials having elastic properties which facilitate their insertion in the respective coupling members 12 and 8 .

Other advantages are evident for a person skilled in the art on the basis of the above-described characteristics .

Finally, it is clear that modi fications and variations can be made to the motor vehicle 1 described and illustrated herein without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims .

For example , as mentioned above , the strengthening plate could be absent or replaced by di f ferent strengthening elements ; and/or the threaded seats 11 and 15 could be replaced by di f ferent solutions for connecting and holding the fixing pins 19a, 19b with respect to the bodywork 2 ; and/or the threaded bushings R and U could be directly welded to the sheet-metal portion 6 .