Lower gate stopper structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11761252-B2
Application number	US-202117376807-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 15, 2021
Priority date	Dec 28, 2020
Publication date	Sep 19, 2023
Grant date	Sep 19, 2023

Abstract

An embodiment lower gate stopper structure includes a stopper unit configured to protrude from an upper end of a groove positioned adjacent to an inner surface of a gate, a rack unit connected to the stopper unit and configured to move longitudinally to cause the stopper unit to protrude, and a controller configured to selectively control protrusion of the stopper unit based on an open or closed state of the gate.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A lower gate stopper structure comprising:
a stopper unit configured to protrude from an upper end of a groove positioned adjacent to an inner surface of a gate;
a rack unit connected to the stopper unit and configured to move longitudinally to cause the stopper unit to protrude; and
a controller configured to selectively control protrusion of the stopper unit based on an open or closed state of the gate; and
wherein the stopper unit comprises:
a stopper gear engaged with the rack unit; and
at least one stopper configured to be rotated about the stopper gear.

2. The lower gate stopper structure of claim 1 , wherein a first surface of the stopper has a length corresponding to a length of an open surface of the groove.

3. The lower gate stopper structure of claim 1 , wherein a length of a portion of the stopper that protrudes from the upper end of the groove corresponds to a length of the groove.

4. The lower gate stopper structure of claim 1 , further comprising a stopper pin formed at an axis of the stopper gear, wherein the stopper is configured to be rotated about the stopper pin.

5. A lower gate stopper structure comprising:
a stopper unit configured to protrude from an upper end of a groove positioned adjacent to an inner surface of a gate;
a rack unit connected to the stopper unit and configured to move longitudinally to cause the stopper unit to protrude; and
a controller configured to selectively control protrusion of the stopper unit based on an open or closed state of the gate;
wherein the stopper unit comprises:
a stopper gear engaged with the rack unit; and
at least one stopper configured to be rotated about the stopper gear; and

wherein the rack unit comprises:
a drive unit configured to receive information about the open or closed state of the gate and to apply a driving force;
a rack connected to the stopper gear and configured to move longitudinally by the driving force of the drive unit;
a pin guide formed in at least one end of the rack; and
a rack restriction pin disposed in the pin guide.

6. The lower gate stopper structure of claim 5 , wherein the controller is configured to control the drive unit to apply the driving force to cause the stopper to protrude when the controller detects a signal indicating the closed state of the gate.

7. The lower gate stopper structure of claim 5 , wherein the controller is configured to control the drive unit to apply the driving force to insert the stopper into the groove when the controller detects a signal indicating the open state of the gate.

8. The lower gate stopper structure of claim 5 , wherein the stopper is completely protruded when a first end of the pin guide is positioned at the rack restriction pin, and is inserted into the groove when a second end of the pin guide is positioned at the rack restriction pin.

9. The lower gate stopper structure of claim 5 , wherein a rotational angle of the stopper gear corresponds to a length of the pin guide.

10. The lower gate stopper structure of claim 5 , wherein a first surface of the stopper has a length corresponding to a length of an open surface of the groove.

11. The lower gate stopper structure of claim 5 , wherein a length of a portion of the stopper that protrudes from the upper end of the groove corresponds to a length of the groove.

12. The lower gate stopper structure of claim 5 , further comprising a stopper pin formed at an axis of the stopper gear, wherein the stopper is configured to be rotated about the stopper pin.

13. The lower gate stopper structure of claim 1 , wherein the rack unit comprises:
a drive unit configured to receive information about the open or closed state of the gate and to apply a driving force; and
a rack connected to the stopper gear and configured to move longitudinally by the driving force of the drive unit.

14. The lower gate stopper structure of claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to:
control the drive unit to apply the driving force to cause the stopper to protrude in response to detection of a signal indicating the closed state of the gate; and
control the drive unit to apply the driving force to insert the stopper into the groove in response to detection of a signal indicating the open state of the gate.

15. A vehicle comprising:
a vehicle body comprising a floor having a groove formed therein;
a lower gate coupled to the vehicle body;
a stopper unit positioned adjacent to an inner surface of the lower gate and configured to protrude from an upper end of the groove;
a rack unit connected to the stopper unit and configured to move longitudinally to cause the stopper unit to protrude; and
a controller configured to selectively control protrusion of the stopper unit based on an open or closed state of the lower gate; and
wherein the stopper unit comprises:
a stopper gear engaged with the rack unit; and
at least one stopper configured to be rotated about the stopper gear.

16. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein a first surface of the stopper has a length corresponding to a length of an open surface of the groove.

17. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein a length of a portion of the stopper that protrudes from the upper end of the groove corresponds to a length of the groove.

18. The vehicle of claim 15 , further comprising a stopper pin formed at an axis of the stopper gear, wherein the stopper is configured to be rotated about the stopper pin.

19. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the rack unit comprises:
a drive unit configured to receive information about the open or closed state of the lower gate and to apply a driving force;
a rack connected to the stopper gear and configured to move longitudinally by the driving force of the drive unit;
a pin guide formed in at least one end of the rack; and
a rack restriction pin disposed in the pin guide.

20. The vehicle of claim 19 , wherein the controller is configured to:
control the drive unit to apply the driving force to cause the stopper to protrude when the controller detects a signal indicating the closed state of the lower gate; and
control the drive unit to apply the driving force to insert the stopper into the groove when the controller detects a signal indicating the open state of the lower gate.

Assignees

• Hyundai Motor Co Ltd
• Kia Corp

Inventors

• Cho Ki Hyun
• Lee Sang Hyun

Classifications

• E05D11/1014 Primary

  for maintaining the hinge in only one position, e.g. closed · CPC title

• B62D21/157 Primary

  for side impacts · CPC title

• E05B77/02 Primary

  for accident situations · CPC title

• E05F5/022 Primary

  specially adapted for vehicles, e.g. for hoods or trunks · CPC title

• E05C17/52

  comprising a snap, catch, or the like · CPC title