US 6,019,418 A · Modular vehicle liftgate module

Abstract

An improved structural liftgate trim module for and a method of assembly a vehicle liftgate assembly of a liftgate for a motor vehicle having a modular structure consisting of an inner liftgate trim panel, an inner liftgate trim panel reinforcement member and an outer liftgate trim panel. The inner liftgate trim panel reinforcement member may include electrical components mounted to the reinforcement prior to assembly on the inner liftgate trim panel. The inner liftgate trim panel and inner liftgate trim panel reinforcement member are connected prior to assembly with an outer liftgate trim panel member by a mounting clip and at least one fastener. The inner liftgate trim panel reinforcement member includes flanged portions which are adapted to interface at accessible locations with flanged portions on the outer liftgate trim panel for easy-on, easy-off assembly. The structural liftgate trim module formed by the inner liftgate trim panel and inner liftgate trim panel reinforcement member is connected to the outer liftgate trim panel member by connecting at least one fastener from the structural liftgate trim module with a corresponding aperture on the outer liftgate trim panel and connecting each of the flanged portions on the module to the flanged portions on the outer liftgate trim panel to complete assembly of the vehicle liftgate.

Claims39

Dependent claims

A structural liftgate trim module for combining with and reinforcing a liftable outer liftgate panel of a motor vehicle to make a modular vehicle liftgate trim assembly, the structural liftgate trim module comprising:

an inner liftgate trim panel having an inner appearance side and an outer side having a structural characteristic, the inner appearance side being adapted to face into a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle and the outer side being adapted to face the outer liftgate panel;
and
an inner liftgate trim panel reinforcement member having an inner side adapted to mount to the outer side of the inner liftgate trim panel to provide the structural characteristic and an outer side adapted to interface with the outer liftgate panel, the inner liftgate trim panel reinforcement member being sufficiently light to be liftable in the liftgate assembly and having spaced portions adapted to interface with the outer liftgate panel in respective spaced locations with each spaced portion being readily accessible and operable to detachably and structurally secure the inner liftgate trim panel in an easy-on, easy-off combination with the outer liftgate panel.

A method of assembling a modular liftgate assembly for a motor vehicle comprising:

providing an outer liftgate panel with a peripheral flange having a first flange portion substantially normal to the outer liftgate panel and a second flange portion spaced from the first portion and substantially parallel to the outer liftgate panel;
forming a structural liftgate trim module comprising an inner liftgate trim panel having an inner appearance side and an outer side having a structural characteristic, the inner appearance side being adapted to face into a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle and the outer side being adapted to face the outer liftgate panel;
mounting an inner liftgate trim panel reinforcement member on the outer side of the inner liftgate trim panel to provide the structural characteristic of the inner liftgate trim panel, and forming at least one spaced reinforcement flange portions on the inner liftgate trim panel reinforcement member adapted to interface respectively with the first and second flange portions on the outer liftgate panel;
positioning the structural liftgate trim module adjacent the outer liftgate panel so that one of the at least one reinforcement flange portions is readily accessible and interfaces with the first outer liftgate panel flange portion and another of the at least one reinforcement flange portions is readily accessible and interfaces with the second outer liftgate panel flange portion;
and detachably securing the structural liftgate trim module to the outer liftgate panel by fastening each of the at least one reinforcement flange portions to a respective outer liftgate panel flange portion whereby to reinforce the outer liftgate panel with the structural liftgate trim module.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Modular vehicle liftgate module

Life of this patent

Modular vehicle liftgate module

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims39