# US 11,110,781 B2 · Opening structure of tail gate and roof and mounting method thereof

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- Number: US 11,110,781 B2
- Document ID: US11110781B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/700,364
- Filed: 2019-12-02
- Published: 2020-07-16
- Granted: 2021-09-07
- Earliest claimed: 2019-01-11
- Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company; Kia Motors Corporation
- Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company; Kia Motors Corporation
- Inventors: Ki-Hyun Cho
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11110781B2

## CPC

- B60J 7/1657: {at least a major part of the roof pivoting about a stationary axis}
- B62D 25/06: Fixed roofs (non-fixed roofs or like shelters B60J7/00; roof liners B60R13/02; insulating elements B60R13/08)
- B60J 5/101: {for non-load transporting vehicles, i.e. family cars including vans}
- B60J 5/107: {constructional details, e.g. about door frame, panels, materials used, reinforcements}
- B62D 33/027: movable
- B60J: WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES (fastening, suspending, closing, or opening of such devices E05)
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)

## Abstract

An opening structure of a tail gate and a roof may include a cross member mounted at the roof of a vehicle, a hinge mounted at the cross member and a tail gate body in white (BIW), a hinge drive motor operating the hinge, and a spindle drive expandably and contractibly mounted to move the roof. The tail gate is opened by the hinge drive motor, or a rear of the roof is moved upward by the expansion of the spindle drive after the tail gate is opened.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An opening structure of a tail gate and a roof, comprising:
a cross member mounted at the roof of a vehicle;
a hinge mounted at the cross member and a tail gate body in white (BIW);
a hinge drive motor operating the hinge; and
a spindle drive expandably and contractibly mounted to move the roof;
wherein the tail gate is opened by the hinge drive motor, or a rear of the roof is moved upward by the expansion of the spindle drive after the tail gate is opened;
wherein a sealing member is interposed between a roof support panel which is fastened to the cross member to support the roof and a portion where an outside panel extension panel and a quarter panel are joined;
wherein a cross section of the panel extension panel is formed in a U shape so a middle part of the cross section of the panel extension panel is low; and
wherein the sealing member is located higher than the middle part of the cross section of the panel extension panel.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The opening structure of the tail gate and the roof of claim 1, wherein the cross member is mounted at the lower rear side of the roof in the horizontal direction.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The opening structure of the tail gate and the roof of claim 1, wherein the hinge is mounted at both end portions of the cross member.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The opening structure of the tail gate and the roof of claim 1, wherein a lower end of the spindle drive is mounted at a quarter panel of a vehicle body.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The opening structure of the tail gate and the roof of claim 4, wherein an upper end of the spindle drive is connected with the cross member via a ball joint.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The opening structure of the tail gate and the roof of claim 1, wherein a guide bumper is mounted at a contact portion of the cross member and a vehicle body, respectively.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The opening structure of the tail gate and the roof of claim 6, wherein the guide bumper comprises a cross member guide bumper mounted at the cross member and a vehicle body guide bumper mounted at the vehicle body.