DE102021214290A1 - Vehicle door assembly, bearing bracket holder and method of manufacturing a vehicle door - Google Patents

Abstract

An assembly (6) for a vehicle door (4) is specified, having a door lock (12), a bearing bracket (14) and a bearing bracket holder (16), the door lock (12) being attached to the bearing bracket holder (16 ) is attached and as a result the door lock (12) and the bearing bracket holder (16) can be rotated relative to one another about a first axis of rotation (D1), the bearing bracket (14) being attached to the bearing bracket holder (16) by means of a bearing bracket joint (22) and thereby the The bearing bracket (14) and the bearing bracket holder (16) can be rotated relative to one another about a second axis of rotation (D2), the two axes of rotation (D1, D2) being in a Y-direction (Y) perpendicular to a door plane (E) of the vehicle door (4th ) viewed on opposite sides (S1, S2) of the bearing bracket holder (16) are arranged.

Description

The invention relates to an assembly for a vehicle door, a bearing bracket holder for such an assembly, and a method for manufacturing a vehicle door.

A vehicle door is part of a vehicle (e.g. car or truck) and regularly has an inner skin and an outer skin, between which various components are mounted in order to implement various functions of the vehicle door. Examples of such components are a door lock for locking the vehicle door, a window winder for raising and lowering a window of the vehicle door, or the like. The outer skin faces outwards with respect to the vehicle, while the inner skin faces inwards of the vehicle.

In the manufacture of a vehicle door, the required components are arranged between the outer skin and the inner skin and for this purpose are attached directly or indirectly to the outer skin and/or the inner skin, i.e. assembled. Components are assembled inside the vehicle door, for example, by first attaching one or more components to a carrier module and then subsequently attaching the carrier module together with the components to the outer skin or the inner skin. Then the remaining inner skin or outer skin is mounted, so that the carrier module together with the components is inside the vehicle door. The carrier module is also referred to as a door module.

When installing the carrier module, there is a risk that the necessary movements will cause individual components or the carrier module itself to be unintentionally pushed over the outer or inner skin and thereby damage the surface, especially on the inside. The fitter may not even notice this, so that the damage that has occurred cannot be repaired afterwards. It is also possible that the individual components get caught in an opening in the outer skin and thus make assembly more difficult.

In the DE 103 04 203 A1 an arrangement for mounting inside a motor vehicle door is described. An outside handle holder of the arrangement is pivotably mounted in such a way that the width of the arrangement can be varied perpendicularly to the plane of the door.

Against this background, it is an object of the invention to improve the manufacture of a vehicle door. In particular, the risk of damage to the vehicle door during the assembly of components and/or modules inside the vehicle door should be reduced. To this end, an assembly for a vehicle door, a bearing bracket holder for such an assembly and a method for producing a vehicle door are to be specified accordingly.

The object is achieved according to the invention by an assembly having the features of claim 1, by a bearing bracket holder having the features of claim 11 and by a method having the features of claim 12. Advantageous refinements, developments and variants are the subject of the dependent claims. The explanations in connection with the assembly also apply to the bearing bracket holder and the method and vice versa.

The assembly is designed for, i.e. for use in, a vehicle door. The vehicle door has an outer skin and an inner skin, between which the assembly is arranged and in particular fastened during the manufacture of the vehicle door.

The assembly has a door lock, a bearing bracket and a bearing bracket holder and is in this respect in three parts. The door lock is used to lock and unlock the vehicle door. The bearing bracket is used to open the door lock, in particular by manual actuation from outside the vehicle. For this purpose, the vehicle door expediently has an opening on the outside, through which the bearing bracket is accessible from the outside and can therefore also be actuated. During the manufacture of the vehicle door, the bearing bracket is in particular suitably aligned with respect to the opening.

The door lock is attached to the bearing bracket holder by means of a door lock joint and as a result the door lock and the bearing bracket holder (at least in particular a central part of the bearing bracket holder) are rotatable relative to one another about a first axis of rotation. Analogous to this, the bearing bracket is attached to the bearing bracket holder by means of a bearing bracket joint and as a result the bearing bracket and the bearing bracket holder (again at least in particular a central part of the bearing bracket holder) can be rotated relative to one another about a second axis of rotation. Thus, two axes of rotation are formed, through which the bearing bracket is movable relative to the door lock. The door lock joint and the bearing bracket joint are each also generally referred to as a "joint". Overall, the bearing bracket holder therefore connects the bearing bracket to the door lock and thus forms a pivotable bridge between the door lock and the bearing bracket. The door lock and the bearing bracket are not directly connected to each other, but in particular only via the Bearing bracket holder and the two joints. Typically, during assembly, the door lock is first attached to a wall of the vehicle door and represents a fixed point with regard to the mobility described, so that during further assembly the bearing bracket holder and the bearing bracket can be moved relative to the door lock and thus also relative to the wall. Basically, however, the choice of the fixed point is arbitrary.

The rotatability of the door lock and the bearing bracket holder relative to one another about the first axis of rotation is either coupled to the rotatability of the bearing bracket and the bearing bracket holder relative to one another about the second axis of rotation, so that when the door lock is rotated the bearing bracket is automatically rotated and vice versa, or not coupled, so that Door lock and bearing bracket can be rotated independently of one another.

The two axes of rotation are arranged on opposite sides of the bearing bracket holder in a Y-direction, viewed perpendicularly to a door plane of the vehicle door. The vehicle door generally extends in an X-direction and in a Z-direction, which also spans the door plane. The X, Y and Z directions form a coordinate system of the vehicle door and are in particular pairs perpendicular to one another. Without restricting generality, it is assumed here that the vehicle door is a side door, e.g. the driver's or passenger's door of a vehicle. However, the statements made here are applicable to any vehicle doors, e.g. also to trunk lids. However, the vehicle door is preferably an outer door of the vehicle. In the case of a side door, the X-direction coincides with a longitudinal direction of the vehicle (along a traveling direction of the vehicle, i.e. forward/backward), the Y-direction coincides with a transverse direction of the vehicle (i.e. left/right), and the Z-direction coincides with a height of the vehicle (i.e. up/down). Accordingly, the Y-direction runs through the vehicle door from the outside of the vehicle to the inside of the vehicle (or vice versa). Viewed from the bearing bracket holder, the first axis of rotation is then arranged on the inside of the vehicle and on the side of the inner skin, and the second axis of rotation on the outside of the vehicle and on the side of the outer skin. Accordingly, one of the two opposite sides of the bearing bracket holder points generally to the outside of the vehicle; the bearing bracket is also arranged here, which is why this side is also referred to as the “bearing bracket side”. The other of the two opposite sides of the bearing bracket holder points towards the inside of the vehicle, this is also where the door lock is located, which is why this side is also referred to as the "door lock side". In the present case, the two axes of rotation are therefore arranged one behind the other in the Y direction. The first axis of rotation is arranged on the door lock side and the second axis of rotation on the opposite bearing bracket side.

In contrast to the arrangement of the axes of rotation in the Y direction described here one behind the other, the one mentioned at the beginning shows DE 103 04 203 A1 an arrangement of rotation axes one behind the other in the X-direction, i.e. next to each other when viewed in the Y-direction.

Due to the special arrangement of the two axes of rotation described here, a shearing movement of the door lock and bearing bracket is possible in the X direction, i.e. the bearing bracket and door lock can be pushed past one another. Overall, the two joints enable advantageous mobility of the door lock and the bearing bracket relative to one another, at least during manufacture of the vehicle door and especially during assembly of the assembly on a wall of the vehicle door, i.e. on an outer skin or an inner skin of the vehicle door. At the end of the assembly of the assembly, it is preferably fixed in such a way that a relative movement of the door lock and the bearing bracket is then no longer possible, so that the assembly is then rigidly assembled inside the finished vehicle door.

The assembly can preferably be transferred in the Y-direction from a compressed state to an expanded state by moving the door lock and the bearing bracket relative to one another. In the compressed state, the assembly has a reduced width compared to the expanded state, this width being measured in the Y direction.

In the method of manufacturing a vehicle door, the assembly is attached internally to a panel (i.e., outer skin or inner skin) of a vehicle door by first attaching the assembly to the panel in a compressed state such that the door latch is installed at a final door latch position and while the bearing bracket is spaced from the wall. The bearing bracket is then moved relative to the door lock into a bearing bracket end position, so that the bearing bracket is inserted into the wall or placed against the wall. The door lock serves in particular as a fixed point for the movement of the bearing bracket holder and the bearing bracket. Preferably, the bearing bracket is then attached to the wall, e.g. hung, clipped, screwed or the like. In addition, a handle is expediently attached to the bearing bracket.

The invention is based on the observation that when mounting the assembly on a wall of the vehicle door, the risk of a There is damage to the wall, especially on the inside. “Inside” is understood in particular as “between the inner skin and the outer skin”. The assembly, which is also referred to as a lock module, is attached to a door module, for example, and then forms a delivery unit with it (the use of a door module is not mandatory per se, but the use of a door module is assumed here without restricting the generality). The door lock and the bearing bracket are regularly already pre-positioned in a respective end position (i.e. door lock end position or bearing bracket end position, generally also “nominal position” or “installation position”), so that only the door module with the lock module has to be attached to the wall on the inside and then the door lock and the bearing bracket are automatically and directly arranged in a respective end position, ie at the respective intended location of the vehicle door. The space situation is regularly so cramped that the installation of the lock module is made more difficult by the pre-positioning mentioned and the wall is damaged on the inside when it is inserted as part of the installation. In particular, there is a risk that the bearing bracket will grind or scratch along the inside of the wall and damage its surface accordingly. Furthermore, there is a risk that the bearing bracket will get caught in the opening in the wall, which can also result in damage and at least make assembly more difficult.

The additional mobility of the bearing bracket and the door lock relative to one another by means of the two joints described here simplifies the assembly of the lock module (and also the carrier module) and reduces the risk of damage. Due to the fact that the bearing bracket and the door lock are movable relative to one another, the assembly can be converted into a compressed state before assembly, so that the lock module and especially the bearing bracket do not rub or scratch along the wall. For this purpose, the bearing bracket is specifically transferred into an assembly position or is already in such an assembly position. Unlike the end position of the bearing bracket, the assembly position results in the bearing bracket being spaced inward from the wall in the Y-direction when the lock module is attached to the wall. Only after the lock module (together with the carrier module) has been attached to the wall and in particular fastened is the bearing bracket transferred from the mounting position to the bearing bracket end position and pivoted in particular in the Y-direction to the outside of the vehicle. In this case, in particular, there is also a displacement in the X direction. In a suitable embodiment, this is done from the outside, i.e. through the wall, in particular through an opening in the wall, so that the bearing bracket is then inserted into this opening or rests against it.

The mobility described is particularly advantageous in an embodiment in which the wall has a coating. Such a coating is regularly sensitive to damage from scratches. The coating is, for example, a paint finish or galvanizing.

In addition to the advantages mentioned so far, the mobility and the compressed state of the assembly also allow for a smaller pack size, so that the assembly can be stored and transported in a particularly space-saving manner. In particular, the bearing bracket is also, so to speak, retracted into the assembly in the compressed state and is thus protected during transport.

Furthermore, due to the mobility described, tolerance compensation during assembly of the assembly is also possible, i.e. the bearing bracket and the door lock are positioned relative to one another in such a way that a tolerance of the vehicle door, e.g. regarding the position of the opening for the bearing bracket, is compensated. The tolerance arises in particular in the X and Z directions.

In the compressed state, the assembly is compressed in the Y direction, so that there is a reduced width in this direction, as described, and then a distance (measured in the Y direction) is formed between the bearing bracket and the wall, provided the bearing bracket is in the assembly position . This distance is preferably 1 mm to 5 mm, particularly preferably up to 15 mm or even more. When transferring from the assembly position to the bearing bracket end position, the distance is reduced accordingly. The concept is in itself independent of the type of vehicle door and the coordinate system used, it is only important that in the mounting position of the bearing bracket there is a distance between it and the wall and the assembly measured in the direction of this distance is reduced overall compared to the expanded state has width. In this direction, there is also a reduced pack size.

In a preferred embodiment, the door lock joint and the bearing bracket joint are each designed as a hinge with only one degree of freedom, ie degree of freedom of movement. In other words, the door lock joint is a door lock hinge and the bearing bracket joint is a bearing bracket hinge. In this embodiment, the two axes of rotation are the only degrees of freedom for a movement of the door lock and the bearing bracket relative to one another, ie the joints each have only a single degree of freedom (ie the following applies to each joint: f=1). The above and the following statements apply both specifically to hinges and in general to joints. A combination of a joint with a hinge is also fundamentally suitable. Hinges are preferred to joints because they are cheaper and structurally simpler.

In a suitable embodiment, the door lock joint and the bearing bracket joint are each designed as a film hinge. A film hinge generally has two articulated arms, also referred to here as legs, which are connected by means of a film which is in particular thinner than the two legs and therefore has greater flexibility than the legs. When rotating around a respective axis of rotation, this film is then, so to speak, bent around the axis of rotation. Alternatively or additionally, the two legs are made of a different material than the film in order to achieve the desired mobility. The legs serve primarily to connect the film hinge and the film itself serves to realize the mobility of the two legs relative to one another. A film hinge has the particular advantage that it can be produced in a simple manner as a plastic part and can therefore be produced in one piece with the bearing bracket holder and does not have to be installed separately. A film hinge is also low-maintenance. Possible fatigue of the film due to repeated use is of secondary importance here, since the joints are typically only required during manufacture and then no longer remain in the final assembled state, but permanently in a configuration that is then present, so that the joint is no longer stressed.

The two axes of rotation preferably run parallel to one another, so that the door lock and the bearing bracket can be displaced parallel to one another. In this way, a so-called parallelogram kinematics is formed, through which the door lock and the bearing bracket can be displaced relative to one another without performing a rotation, i.e. a pure translation of the bearing bracket relative to the door lock (or vice versa) is possible. In other words, to the extent that the door lock and the bearing bracket holder are rotated relative to one another about the one axis of rotation, the bearing bracket and the bearing bracket holder are rotated relative to one another to the same extent about the other axis of rotation. The orientation of the door lock and the bearing bracket relative to the X, Y and Z directions is advantageously retained. The translation takes place in particular in a translation plane which is spanned by the X and Y directions.

However, the described parallelism of the axes of rotation is not mandatory; an embodiment with non-parallel axes of rotation is also fundamentally suitable. In such a configuration, the two axes of rotation are inclined to one another, so that an additional displacement and/or inclination of the bearing bracket and the door lock relative to one another is made possible, in particular in the Z direction. Depending on the specific configuration of the vehicle door, this is advantageous in the case of certain specifications with regard to installation space conditions or assembly directions.

When assembling the assembly as part of the manufacture of the vehicle door, a bearing bracket is assumed to be in the assembly position. This mounting position is achieved in particular by the fact that the bearing bracket is pivoted forward in the X direction and thus also automatically in the Y direction towards the interior of the vehicle (i.e. towards the inside of the vehicle), so that the compressed state results. The assembly is now attached to the inside of the wall of the vehicle door, preferably to an inside of the outer skin, with the inside then pointing inwards of the vehicle. The door lock is now already in the door lock end position. The bearing bracket is then pivoted outwards in the opposite direction in the Y direction and thus automatically also backwards in the X direction and thereby transferred to the bearing bracket end position, whereby the assembly is then also transferred to the expanded state.

The two axes of rotation preferably lie together on an imaginary straight line which runs through the door lock and the bearing bracket, in particular both in the expanded and in the compressed state. This applies preferably to a projection of the assembly in a plane which is spanned by the X and Y directions. The imaginary straight line does not generally run parallel to the door plane and in the X direction and between the door lock and the bearing bracket, but rather transversely thereto and correspondingly predominantly in the Y direction through the walls of the vehicle door and the door plane.

Suitably, the door lock and the bearing bracket holder are rotatable about the first axis of rotation by at least 15° and at most 45° relative to one another, or the bearing bracket and the bearing bracket holder are rotatable about the second axis of rotation by at least 15° and at most 45° relative to one another, or both. This is implemented, for example, by means of a respective mechanical stop on the assembly. Preferably, a distance between the both rotation axes measured in the Y-direction is always greater than a distance in the X-direction between the two rotation axes. A range of motion made possible in this way is sufficient to realize the advantages mentioned, while at the same time excessive rotation is prevented.

Alternatively or additionally, the assembly has a fixing mechanism for the particularly releasable fixing, preferably latching, of the bearing bracket or the door lock relative to the bearing bracket holder, so that the bearing bracket or the door lock can no longer be rotated about the respective axis of rotation relative to the bearing bracket holder, but rather is held in place. The corresponding fixing mechanism is then suitably attached to the bearing bracket, the door lock or the bearing bracket holder. The assembly expediently has two fixing mechanisms, one each for fixing the door lock and for fixing the bearing bracket on the bearing bracket holder. A respective fixing mechanism has one or more fixing elements for fixing, e.g. a hook or a retaining lug in combination with a recess for engaging or an edge for gripping behind.

A joint generally has two joint arms which are rotatably connected to one another. Alternatively, the articulated arms are also referred to as legs or wings. A respective articulated arm is either designed as a separate part and attached to the bearing bracket, bearing bracket holder or door lock, or is integrated into the bearing bracket, bearing bracket holder or door lock, integration being preferred. Also advantageous is an embodiment in which one or both joints are completely integrated into the bearing bracket holder, so that the bearing bracket and the door lock only have to be minimally adjusted. If a respective joint is integrated into the bearing bracket holder, one articulated arm is attached to the door lock or the bearing bracket and is rotated accordingly together with the door lock or the bearing bracket when rotated about the respective axis of rotation. More precisely, “the door lock and the bearing bracket holder can be moved or rotated relative to one another” means that on the one hand the door lock together with the articulated arm that is attached to the door lock, and on the other hand the rest of the bearing bracket holder (in particular a central part of the bearing bracket holder) without this articulated arm are movable or rotatable relative to each other. In short: the door lock and at least part of the bearing bracket holder are movable or rotatable relative to each other. The same applies analogously to the bearing bracket.

In an advantageous embodiment, the door lock joint has a first holding arm for connecting to the door lock, and the bearing bracket joint has a second holding arm for connecting to the bearing bracket. A respective holding arm then represents one of the articulated arms in each case one of the joints. As a result, the assembly of the assembly is particularly simple and it is also inexpensive to manufacture. The retaining arms are preferably each designed as a plug connector, e.g. as a retaining clip, in order to be connected, e.g. latched, to a correspondingly complementary receptacle on the door lock or on the bearing bracket. In this way, a clip system is then realized in which the bearing bracket holder is clipped both to the door lock and to the bearing bracket holder.

An embodiment in which the door lock joint and the bearing bracket joint are produced in one piece, i.e. monolithically, with the bearing bracket holder is particularly advantageous. The door lock joint and the bearing bracket joint, optionally with holding arms as described, are then integrated into the bearing bracket holder and this is just a single, coherent component. The bearing bracket holder is suitably an injection molded part. The bearing bracket holder is expediently made of a plastic. Basically, a 2-component injection molding is suitable, in particular to produce the joints and, in the case of film hinges, especially their films from a different plastic than the rest of the bearing bracket holder. However, preference is given to a bearing bracket holder which consists entirely of only a single material, in particular a plastic. Such a bearing bracket holder is particularly inexpensive.

• 1 ein Fahrzeug mit einer Fahrzeugtür,
• 2 die Fahrzeugtür aus 1 in einer Schnittansicht,
• 3 die Fahrzeugtür aus 1 in einer Explosionsdarstellung,
• 4 eine Baugruppe für eine Fahrzeugtür,
• 5 die Baugruppe aus 4 in einer anderen Ansicht,
• 6 die Baugruppe aus 4 in einer weiteren, anderen Ansicht,
• 7 einen Lagerbügelhalter der Baugruppe aus 4 in einem komprimierten und in einem expandierten Zustand,
• 8 die Baugruppe aus 4 gemeinsam mit einem Türmodul,
• 9 die einzelnen Teile des Lagerbügelhalters aus 7,
• 10 eine einstückige Variante des Lagerbügelhalters,
• 11 der Lagerbügelhalter aus 10 in einer Werkzeuglage für einen Spritzprozess,
• 12 bis 14 einen Lagerbügelhalter mit einem ersten Fixiermechanismus,
• 15 bis 17 einen Lagerbügel und einen Lagerbügelhalter mit einem zweiten Fixiermechanismus.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. They each show schematically:

• 1 a vehicle with a vehicle door,
• 2 the vehicle door 1 in a sectional view,
• 3 the vehicle door 1 in an exploded view,
• 4 an assembly for a vehicle door,
• 5 the assembly 4 in another view,
• 6 the assembly 4 in another, different view,
• 7 select a bearing bracket holder from the assembly 4 in a compressed and in an expanded state,
• 8th the assembly 4 together with a door module,
• 9 the individual parts of the bearing bracket holder 7 ,
• 10 a one-piece variant of the bearing bracket holder,
• 11 the bearing bracket holder 10 in a mold layer for an injection molding process,
• 12 until 14 a bearing bracket holder with a first fixing mechanism,
• 15 until 17 a bearing bracket and a bearing bracket holder with a second fixing mechanism.

In 1 a side view of a vehicle 2 with a vehicle door 4 is shown by way of example, which here is a driver's door merely by way of example and without restricting the generality. In 2 is the vehicle door 4 in a sectional view looking in a Z-direction Z and in 3 shown in an exploded view. In the manufacture of the vehicle door 4, an assembly 6 is used, for which an embodiment in different views in the 4 until 6 is shown. In 7 the bearing bracket holder 16 is shown twice, namely in two different configurations. The vehicle door 4 has an outer skin 8 and an inner skin 10, between which the assembly 6 is arranged when the vehicle door 4 is manufactured.

The assembly 6 has a door lock 12, a bearing bracket 14 and a bearing bracket holder 16 and is in three parts. The door lock 12 is used to lock and unlock the vehicle door 4. The bearing bracket 14 is used to open the door lock 12, e.g. by manual actuation from outside the vehicle 2. For this purpose, the vehicle door 4 has an opening 18 on the outside, through which the bearing bracket 14 is accessible from the outside and therefore also operable. During manufacture of the vehicle door 4, the bearing bracket 14 is appropriately aligned with respect to the opening 18.

The door lock 12 is attached to the bearing bracket holder 16 by means of a door lock joint 20 and as a result the bearing bracket holder 16 and the door lock 12 are rotatable relative to one another about a first axis of rotation D1. Analogous to this, the bearing bracket 14 is attached to the bearing bracket holder 16 by means of a bearing bracket joint 22 and as a result the bearing bracket 14 and the bearing bracket holder 16 can be rotated relative to one another about a second axis of rotation D2. Thus, two axes of rotation D1, D2 are formed, through which the bearing bracket 14 is movable relative to the door lock 12. The door lock joint 20 and the bearing bracket joint 22 are each also generally referred to as a “joint”. Overall, the bearing bracket holder 16 therefore connects the bearing bracket 14 to the door lock 12 and thus forms a pivotable bridge between the two. The door lock 12 and the bearing bracket 14 are not directly connected to one another here, but only via the bearing bracket holder 16 and the two joints 20, 22.

The ability to rotate the door lock 12 and the bearing bracket holder relative to one another about the first axis of rotation D1 is either coupled to the ability to rotate the bearing bracket 14 and the bearing bracket holder relative to one another about the second axis of rotation D2, so that when the door lock 12 is rotated, the bearing bracket 14 is also automatically rotated and vice versa , Or not coupled, so that the door lock 12 and bearing bracket 14 can be rotated independently.

The two axes of rotation D1, D2 are arranged on opposite sides S1, S2 of the bearing bracket holder 16 in a Y-direction Y, viewed perpendicularly to a door plane E, of the vehicle door 4. The vehicle door 4 generally extends in an X-direction X and in a Z-direction Z, as a result of which the door plane E is also spanned. The X, Y, and Z directions X, Y, Z form a coordinate system of the vehicle door 4 and are in pairs perpendicular to one another in the exemplary embodiment shown. In the case of a side door shown here, the X-direction X coincides with a longitudinal direction of the vehicle 2 (along a direction of travel of the vehicle 2, i.e. forward/backward), the Y-direction Y coincides with a transverse direction of the vehicle 2 (i.e. left/ right) and the Z-direction Z coincides with a height of the vehicle 2 (i.e. up/down). The Y-direction Y accordingly runs through the vehicle door 4 from the outside of the vehicle to the inside of the vehicle (or vice versa). Viewed from the bearing bracket holder 16, the first axis of rotation D1 is then arranged on the inside of the vehicle and on the side of the inner skin 10 and the second axis of rotation D2 on the outside of the vehicle and on the side of the outer skin 8. One of the two opposite sides S1, S2 of the bearing bracket holder 16 therefore points generally to the outside of the vehicle, here is the bearing bracket 14 is also arranged, which is why this side S2 is also referred to as the “bearing bracket side”. The other of the two opposite sides S1, S2 of the bearing bracket holder 16 accordingly points inwards into the vehicle; the door lock 12 is also arranged here, which is why this side S1 is also referred to as the “door lock side”. In the present case, the two axes of rotation D1, D2 are arranged one behind the other in the Y direction. The first axis of rotation D1 is arranged on the door lock side S1 and the second axis of rotation D2 on the opposite bearing bracket side S2. The axes of rotation D1, D2 are thus generally arranged one behind the other in the Y direction Y in the present case.

The special arrangement of the two axes of rotation D1, D2 described here is available In the X-direction X, a shearing movement of door lock 12 and bearing bracket 14 is possible, ie bearing bracket 14 and door lock 12 can be pushed past one another. Overall, the two joints 20, 22 enable the door lock 12 and the bearing bracket 14 to move relative to one another, at least during the manufacture of the vehicle door 4 and specifically during the assembly of the assembly 6 on a wall of the vehicle door 4, ie on the outer skin 8 or an inner skin 10. At the end of the assembly of the assembly 6, this is fixed, for example, in such a way that a relative movement of the door lock 12 and the bearing bracket 14 is no longer possible, so that the assembly 6 is then rigidly assembled inside the vehicle door 4 that has been manufactured.

The assembly 6 shown here can be converted from a compressed state into an expanded state in the Y direction Y by the door lock 12 and the bearing bracket 14 being moved relative to one another. This is specifically in 7 recognizable, which shows the bearing bracket holder 16 twice, namely once in the lower part of the 7 in expanded state and in the upper part of 7 in compressed state. The configuration of the bearing bracket holder 16 in the expanded state is also referred to as the “installed position”, since the bearing bracket holder 16 is configured and installed in the vehicle door 4 in precisely this state after the vehicle door 4 has been installed. The respective movements around the axes of rotation D1, D2 are in 7 illustrated by arrows, a swivel angle W as a result of the movements is also indicated. In the compressed state, the assembly 6 has a reduced width B compared to the expanded state, this width being measured in the Y-direction Y.

In an exemplary method for manufacturing a vehicle door 4, the assembly 6 is attached to the inside of a wall (ie outer skin 8 or inner skin 10) of a vehicle door 4 by first mounting the assembly 6 in the compressed state, e.g. as in FIG 7 shown in the upper part, is attached to the wall so that the door lock 12 is mounted in a door lock end position and the bearing bracket 14 is spaced from the wall. The bearing bracket 14 is then moved relative to the door lock 12 into a bearing bracket end position, for example as in FIG 7 shown in the lower part, so that the bearing bracket 14 is inserted into the wall or is applied to the wall. The door lock 12 serves as a fixed point for the movement of the bearing bracket holder 16 and the bearing bracket 14. Optionally, the bearing bracket 14 is then attached to the wall or another handle is attached to the bearing bracket 14, or both.

The subassembly 6 is, for example, attached to a door module 24 before it is attached to a wall and then forms a delivery unit with it. An example of such a combination of door module 24 and assembly 6 is in 8th shown, the door module 24 shown there is also in 3 shown. If the door lock 12 and the bearing bracket 14 were already pre-positioned in a respective end position (i.e. door lock end position or bearing bracket end position, generally also “nominal position”), so that only the door module 24 with the assembly 6 would have to be attached to the wall on the inside the space situation is regularly so cramped that the assembly of the module 6 would be made more difficult by the pre-positioning mentioned and the wall could be damaged on the inside during insertion. In particular, there is a risk that the bearing bracket 14 will rub or scrape along the inside of the wall and damage its surface accordingly. Furthermore, there is a risk that the bearing bracket 14 will get caught in the opening 18 of the wall, which can also result in damage and at least make assembly more difficult.

The additional mobility described here of the bearing bracket 14 and the door lock 12 relative to one another by means of the two joints 20, 22 simplifies the assembly of the assembly 6 and reduces the risk of damage. Due to the fact that the bearing bracket 14 and the door lock 12 can be moved relative to one another, the assembly 6 can be converted into the compressed state before assembly, so that the assembly 6 and especially the bearing bracket 14 do not rub or scratch along the wall. In particular, the bearing bracket 14 is used for this purpose, as described and as an example in 7 shown, to a mounting position (in 7 the upper configuration) transferred or is already in such an assembly position. Unlike the end position of the bearing bracket, the assembly position results in the bearing bracket 12 being spaced inward from the wall in the Y-direction Y when the subassembly 6 is attached to the wall. Only after the subassembly 6 has been attached to the wall and, in particular, fastened, is the bearing bracket 14 transferred from the assembly position to the bearing bracket end position and thereby pivoted in the Y-direction Y to the outside of the vehicle. A displacement in the X-direction X also takes place. This occurs, for example, from the outside through the opening 18, so that the bearing bracket 14 is then inserted into this opening 18 or rests against it.

In the compressed state, the assembly 6 is compressed in the Y-direction Y, so that there is a reduced width B in this direction, as described, and then between the bearing bracket 14 and the wall is a distance A (measured in Y-direction Y) provided that the bearing bracket 14, for example, as in 7 shown in the assembled position. This distance A is 1 mm to 15 mm, for example. When moving from the assembly position to the bearing bracket end position, the distance A is reduced accordingly, as in 7 is recognizable. The concept is independent of the type of vehicle door 4 and the coordinate system used, it is only important that in the mounting position of the bearing bracket 14 there is a distance A between it and the wall and the assembly 6 measured in the direction of this distance A overall has a reduced width B compared to the expanded state.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the door lock joint 20 and the bearing bracket joint 22 are each designed as a hinge with only one degree of freedom. In this embodiment, the two axes of rotation D1, D2 are the only degrees of freedom for movement of the door lock 12 and the bearing bracket 14 relative to one another.

In a possible exemplary embodiment, the two axes of rotation D1, D2 run parallel to one another, so that the door lock 12 and the bearing bracket 14 can be displaced parallel to one another. In this way, a so-called parallelogram kinematics is formed, through which the door lock 12 and the bearing bracket 14 can be displaced relative to one another without performing a rotation, i.e. a pure translation of the bearing bracket 14 relative to the door lock 12 (or vice versa) is possible. The translation takes place in a translation plane, which is spanned by the X and Y directions X, Y. However, such a parallelism of the axes of rotation D1, D2 is not mandatory.

When the assembly 6 is assembled as part of the manufacture of the vehicle door 4, a bearing bracket 14 is assumed to be in the assembled position. In the exemplary embodiment shown, this mounting position is achieved in that the bearing bracket 14 is pivoted forward in the X-direction X and thus also automatically in the Y-direction Y towards the interior of the vehicle 2 (i.e. towards the inside of the vehicle), so that the compressed state results. The assembly 6 is now attached to the inside of the wall of the vehicle door 4, e.g. to an inside of the outer skin 8, with the inside then pointing inwards of the vehicle. The door lock 12 is now already in the door lock end position. The bearing bracket 14 is then pivoted outwards in the opposite direction in Y-direction Y and thus automatically also backwards in X-direction X and thereby transferred to the bearing bracket end position, whereby the assembly 6 is then also transferred to the expanded state.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the two axes of rotation D1, D2 lie together on an imaginary straight line G, which runs through the door lock 12 and the bearing bracket 14, in the present case even both in the expanded and in the compressed state. This applies in particular to a projection of the assembly 6 in a plane which is spanned by the X and Y directions, as in FIG 7 shown. Although the Türschloss12 and the bearing bracket 14 are not explicitly shown there, their position can be seen in conjunction with the 4 until 6 . The imaginary straight line G therefore does not generally run parallel to the door plane E and in the X direction X and between the door lock 12 and the bearing bracket 14, but rather transversely thereto and correspondingly predominantly in the Y direction Y through the walls of the vehicle door 4 and the through door level E.

In the exemplary embodiment described here, the door lock 12 and the bearing bracket holder 16 can be rotated about the first axis of rotation D1 by at least 15° and at most 45° relative to one another, and the bearing bracket 14 and the bearing bracket holder 16 can be rotated by at least 15° and at most 45° about the second axis of rotation D2 rotatable relative to each other. This is implemented, for example, by means of a stop that is not explicitly shown.

A link 20, 22 generally comprises two link arms 26 which are pivotally connected to one another. A respective articulated arm 26 is either designed as a separate part and attached to the bearing bracket 14 , bearing bracket holder 16 or door lock 12 or is integrated into the bearing bracket 14 , the bearing bracket holder 16 or the door lock 12 . In the configurations shown here, both joints 20, 22 are fully integrated into the bearing bracket holder 16, as shown in FIG 7 but also in the 9 until 17 is recognizable.

In the embodiment shown, the door lock joint 20 has a first holding arm for connecting to the door lock 12, and the bearing bracket joint 22 has a second holding arm for connecting to the bearing bracket 14. A respective holding arm represents one of the joint arms 26 of one of the joints 20 , 22. The holding arms are each designed as a plug connector here, for example, in order to be connected to a correspondingly complementary receptacle on the door lock 12 or on the bearing bracket 14.

The bearing bracket holder 16 off 7 is a multi-part variant. The articulated arms 26 are produced separately from a central part 32 which forms one of the respective two articulated arms 26 for both joints 20 , 22 . These three parts, ie the two articulated arms 26 and the middle part 32 are then joined together at pivot axes D1, D2 to form the yoke holder 16. this is in 9 recognizable, which shows the three parts separately from each other.

In the design of 10 and 11 on the other hand, the door lock joint 20 and the bearing bracket joint 22 are each designed as a film hinge. A film hinge generally has two articulated arms 26, specifically referred to here as legs, which are connected by means of a film 28, which in the present case is also thinner than the two legs and is therefore more flexible than the legs. Alternatively or additionally, the two legs 26 are made of a different material than the film 28 in order to achieve the desired mobility. The legs serve primarily to connect the film hinge and the film 28 itself serves to realize the mobility of the two legs relative to one another.

In the embodiment of 10 and 11 here also the door lock joint 20 and the bearing bracket joint 22 are made in one piece, ie monolithically, with the bearing bracket holder 16 . Door lock joint 20 and bearing bracket joint 22, here also with holding arms as already described, are then integrated into the bearing bracket holder 16 and this is merely a single, coherent component. The bearing bracket holder 16 is, for example, an injection molded part and is made of a plastic, for example. This is specifically in 11 shown, which shows the bearing bracket holder 16 in a mold position for an injection molding process, ie in a configuration in which the bearing bracket holder 16 is primary formed. In this tool position, the bearing bracket holder 16 is opened up and, after it has been produced, is then folded up by rotating it about the two axes of rotation D1, D2, in order to achieve a configuration as shown in FIG 10 shown to achieve. In principle, a 2-component injection molding is suitable, especially to produce the joints 20, 22 and, in the case of film hinges, especially their films 28 from a different plastic than the rest of the bearing bracket holder 16. What is shown here, however, is a bearing bracket holder 16 which, overall, consists of only a single material, for example a plastic.

In the 12 until 17 two other variants for the assembly 6 and specifically their bearing bracket holder 16 are shown. The show 12 until 14 a bearing bracket holder 16 with a first fixing mechanism 34 for the releasable fixing, here latching, of the door lock 12 relative to the bearing bracket holder 16, so that the door lock 12 can no longer be rotated about the axis of rotation D1 relative to the bearing bracket holder 16, but rather is held in place. The 12 and 13 show two different perspective views that 14 shows a sectional view. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the articulated arm 26 for the door lock 12 has an edge 36 for gripping behind, and the middle part 32 has a hook 38 as a fixing element, which engages behind the edge 36 as a further fixing element for fixing, so that the middle part 32 is fixed relative to the articulated arm 26 is and thus the door lock 12 is fixed relative to the bearing bracket holder 16.

In the 15 until 17 then a second fixing mechanism 40 is shown for the releasable fixing, here latching, of the bearing bracket 14 relative to the bearing bracket holder 16, so that the bearing bracket 14 can no longer be rotated about the axis of rotation D2 relative to the bearing bracket holder 16, but rather is fixed. while showing 14 the bearing bracket holder 16 and the bearing bracket 14, 16 shows only the bearing bracket holder 16 and 17 shows the bearing bracket holder 16 and the bearing bracket 14 in a sectional view. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the bearing bracket holder 16 has a retaining lug 42 as a fixing element, which engages in a recess 44 (as a further fixing element) in the bearing bracket 14 for fixing purposes.

How from the 12 until 17 becomes clear, it is possible to form the respective fixing mechanism 34, 40 in such a way that it is fully integrated into the bearing bracket holder 16, as in FIGS 12 until 14 is the case, or to distribute the bearing bracket holder 16 on the one hand and the door lock 12 or the bearing bracket 14 on the other hand, as in FIGS 15 until 17 for the bearing bracket 14 is shown. The concept of 12 until 14 regardless of the specific design of the fixing elements for fixing the bearing bracket 14 applicable and the concept of 15 until 17 can also be used to fix the door lock 12 (just as independently of the specific configuration of the fixing elements).

Reference List

2

vehicle

4

vehicle door

6

Assembly (lock module)

8th

outer skin

10

inner skin

12

door lock

14

storage bracket

16

bearing bracket holder

18

opening

20

door lock joint

22

bearing bracket joint

24

door module

26

articulated arm

28

Movie

32

center part

34

first fixing mechanism (for door lock)

36

edge

38

Hook

40

second fixing mechanism (for bearing bracket)

42

holding lug

44

recess

A

Distance (between bearing bracket and wall)

B

Broad

D1

first axis of rotation (door lock joint)

D2

second axis of rotation (bearing bracket joint)

E

door level

G

Straight

S1

side, door lock side

S2

side, bearing bracket side

W

swivel angle

X

X direction

Y

Y direction

Z

Z direction

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 10304203 A1 [0005, 0013]

Claims (12)

Assembly (6) for a vehicle door (4), having a door lock (12), a bearing bracket (14) and a bearing bracket holder (16), - wherein the door lock (12) is attached to the bearing bracket holder (16) by means of a door lock joint (20) and as a result the door lock (12) and the bearing bracket holder (16) can be rotated relative to one another about a first axis of rotation (D1), - wherein the bearing bracket (14) is attached to the bearing bracket holder (16) by means of a bearing bracket joint (22) and as a result the bearing bracket (14) and the bearing bracket holder (16) can be rotated relative to one another about a second axis of rotation (D2), - wherein the two axes of rotation (D1, D2) are arranged in a Y-direction (Y) perpendicular to a door plane (E) of the vehicle door (4) on opposite sides (S1, S2) of the bearing bracket holder (16). Assembly (6) after claim 1 , whereby this can be converted from a compressed state into an expanded state viewed in the Y direction (Y) by the bearing bracket (14) being moved relative to the door lock (12). Assembly (6) after claim 1 or 2 , wherein the door lock joint (20) and the bearing bracket joint (22) are each designed as a hinge, with only one degree of freedom. Assembly (6) according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , wherein the door lock joint (20) and the bearing bracket joint (22) are each designed as a film hinge. Assembly (6) according to one of Claims 1 until 4 , wherein the first axis of rotation (D1) and the second axis of rotation (D2) run parallel to one another, so that the door lock (12) and the bearing bracket (14) can be displaced parallel to one another. Assembly (6) according to one of Claims 1 until 5 , the two axes of rotation (D1, D2) lying together on an imaginary straight line (G) which runs through the door lock (12) and the bearing bracket (14). Assembly (6) according to one of Claims 1 until 6 , wherein the door lock (12) and the bearing bracket holder (16) can be rotated about the first axis of rotation (D1) by at least 15° and at most 45° relative to one another, the bearing bracket (14) and the bearing bracket holder being able to rotate about the second axis of rotation (D2). at least 15° and at most 45° relative to each other. Assembly (6) according to one of Claims 1 until 7 , This having a fixing mechanism (34, 40) for fixing the bearing bracket (14) or the door lock (12) relative to the bearing bracket holder (16). Assembly (6) according to one of Claims 1 until 8th , wherein the door lock joint (20) has a first retaining arm for connection to the door lock (12), wherein the bearing bracket joint (22) has a second retaining arm for connection to the bearing bracket (14). Assembly (6) according to one of Claims 1 until 9 , wherein the door lock joint (20) and the bearing bracket joint (22) are made in one piece with the bearing bracket holder (16). Bearing bracket holder (16) for an assembly (6) according to one of Claims 1 until 10 . Method for producing a vehicle door (4), wherein an assembly (6) according to one of the preceding claims is attached to the inside of a wall of a vehicle door (4) by - first the assembly (6) is attached to the wall in a compressed state so that the door lock (12) is mounted in a door lock end position and the bearing bracket (14) is spaced from the wall, - then the assembly (6) is converted into an expanded state by moving the bearing bracket (14) relative to the door lock (12) into a bearing bracket end position, so that the bearing bracket (14) is inserted into the wall or applied to the wall becomes.

Images