GB2331778A - A motor vehicle door assembly - Google Patents

A motor vehicle door assembly Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2331778A
GB2331778A GB9824738A GB9824738A GB2331778A GB 2331778 A GB2331778 A GB 2331778A GB 9824738 A GB9824738 A GB 9824738A GB 9824738 A GB9824738 A GB 9824738A GB 2331778 A GB2331778 A GB 2331778A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
assembly
door panel
panel
door
stiffening member
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB9824738A
Other versions
GB9824738D0 (en
Inventor
Simon Andrew Whorlow
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
MG Rover Group Ltd
Original Assignee
MG Rover Group Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by MG Rover Group Ltd filed Critical MG Rover Group Ltd
Publication of GB9824738D0 publication Critical patent/GB9824738D0/en
Publication of GB2331778A publication Critical patent/GB2331778A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
    • B60J5/00—Doors
    • B60J5/04—Doors arranged at the vehicle sides
    • B60J5/042—Reinforcement elements
    • B60J5/0422—Elongated type elements, e.g. beams, cables, belts or wires
    • B60J5/0423—Elongated type elements, e.g. beams, cables, belts or wires characterised by position in the lower door structure
    • B60J5/0429—Elongated type elements, e.g. beams, cables, belts or wires characterised by position in the lower door structure the elements being arranged diagonally
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
    • B60J5/00—Doors
    • B60J5/04—Doors arranged at the vehicle sides
    • B60J5/0412—Lower door structure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
    • B60J5/00—Doors
    • B60J5/04—Doors arranged at the vehicle sides
    • B60J5/042—Reinforcement elements
    • B60J5/0455—Reinforcement elements integrated in door structure or other door elements, e.g. beam-like shapes stamped in inner door panel
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
    • B60J5/00—Doors
    • B60J5/04—Doors arranged at the vehicle sides
    • B60J5/0463—Conceptual assembling of door, i.e. how door frame parts should be fitted together to form door

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Window Of Vehicle (AREA)

Abstract

A motor vehicle door assembly (10, figure 4) has an outer door panel 11 and an inner door panel 12 secured together to produce a structural door unit (20, figure 3). A trim panel 13 is attached to the structural door unit (20) to define a cavity therebetween and a window lift module (30, figure 2) is located within the cavity. The window lift module (30) has a window pane 31 and means (32, figure 2) to move the window pane 31 between open and closed positions. The window pane 31 is interposed between the inner door panel and the trim panel 13. The inner door panel 12 is preferably trough-shaped and forms in combination with the outer door panel 11 a hoop-shaped box-section extending around and attached to the outer periphery of the outer door panel 11. The box-section may be filled with a honeycomb composite material. The inner trim panel 13 may be of injection moulded plastic.

Description

2331778 A Motor Vehicle Door Assembly This invention relates to motor
vehicles and in particular to a door assembly for a motor vehicle.
It is known to provide a door assembly having a door outer panel, a door inner panel connected to the door outer panel defining a cavity therebetween, a trim panel and a window lift module connected to the door inner panel such that the window lift module is located within the cavity defined by the inner and outer panels.
To allow for the fitment of the window lift module the door inner panel has a large aperture through which the window lift module is inserted before being secured in place. An example of such a door assembly is shown and described in, for example, US-5,048,234.
It is a problem with such prior art door assemblies that the door assembly is relatively heavy due to the need to provide the required stiffness and strength to the door assembly.
It is a disadvantage of such a prior art door assembly that the assembly of the window module into the cavity is a difficult and time consuming process.
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved door assembly of reduced weight and with greater ease of assembly.
According to the invention there is provided a motor vehicle door assembly comprising an outer door panel and an inner door panel secured together to produce a structural door unit, a trim panel attached to the structural door unit to define a cavity therebetween and a window lift module located within the cavity, the window lift module having a window pane and means to move the window pane between open and closed positions, wherein the window pane is interposed between the inner door 10 panel and the trim panel.
The inner door panel may be trough-shaped in cross-section such that when secured to the outer door panel a box-section structure is formed.
The inner door panel may have upper, lower, front and rear portions and may define a continuous hoop extending around the outer periphery of 15 the outer door panel.
A trough-shaped stiffening_lnember may extend between the front and rear portions of the inner door panel.
Preferably, the longitudinal edges of the stiffening member may be attached to the outer door panel to produce a box-section stiffening member.
The box-section stiffening member may be filled with a honeycomb composite material.
A door intrusion beam m,,iy be positioned between the stiffening member and the outer door panel.
The length of the door intrusion beam may be less than the length of the stiffening member.
Advantageously, the inner door panel may be made from a single sheet 10of material as a one-piece part.
Preferably, the stiffening member may be made as an integral part of the inner door panel.
The window module may be secured to and supported by the trim member.
The trim member may be made from a rigid plastics material.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a motor vehicle having at least one door assembly of the type referred to above.
The invention will now be described by way of reference to the accompanying drawing of which:- Figure 1 is a pictorial representation of a structural door unit forming part of a door assembly according to the invention in an un-assembled state; Figure 2 is a pictorial representation of a window lift module and an interior trim panel forming part of a door assembly according to the invention in an un-assembled state; Figure 3 is a pictorial representation of an assembled structural door unit and an interior trim panel to which a window lift module has been assembled prior to connection of the trim panel to the structural door unit; Figure 4 is a pictorial representation of a vehicle door assembly according to the invention; Figure 5 is a view along the line V-V on Figure 4; and Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the area marked "C" on Figure 5.
With reference to Figures 1 to 6 there is shown a motor vehicle door assembly 10 having an outer door panel 11, an inner door panel 12, an interior trim panel 13 and a window lift module 30. The outer door panel 11 and the inner door panel 12 are secured together around their outer peripheries by folding the outer door panel material back on itself to form a clinched joint 24.
The inner door panel 12 has an upper portion 15, a lower portion 16, a front portion 17 and a rear portion 18 which in combination form a continuous hoop-like structure extending around the outer periphery of the outer door panel 11. The outer door panel 12 is a one-piece steel pressing and each of the upper, lower, front and rear portions is trough- shaped in cross-section. A trough-shaped stiffening member 14 extends from the front to the rear portions 17, 18 to triangulate the inner door panel 12. The stiffening member 14 is trough-shaped in cross-section and forms as one with the inner door panel 12.
The front portion 17 of the inner door panel 12 has two spaced apart hinge platforms 21 formed as an integral part thereof. A number of apertures 24 are formed in an inwardly facing surface of the inner door panel 12 for use in attaching the trim panel 13 to the inner door panel 12 by means of blind rivets 26 (shown on Figures 5 and 6).
Before assembly of the inner door panel 12 to the outer door panel 11 a hinge reinforcement plate 22 is spot welded 22a at each end to the inner door panel 12 and to the underside of the hinge platform 21. A bead of adhesive 39 is then applied around the inner periphery of the inner peripheral edge of the hoop-shaped inner door panel 12 and similarly a bead of adhesive 40 is applied to each edge of the stiffening member 14. The inner door panel 12 is then placed upon the outer door panel 11 and the peripheral edges are clinched 24 so as to secure the outer and inner door panels- 11 and 12 together to form a structural door unit 20.
After the outer an inner door panels 11 and 12 have been secured together the hoop-shaped outer door panel 12 forms in combination with the outer door panel 11 a box-sectioti structure, as best seen in Figures5 and 6, is very rigid and resistant to bending. In addition, the stiffening member 14 is also bonded along both of its edges to the outer door panel 11 and so forms a box-section stiffening member which both prevents losenging of the hoopshaped inner door panel 12 and provides some protection against door intrusion should the door be impacted when in use.
If necessary the volume 1-)etween the stiffening member 14 and the outer door panel 11 can be filled by a honeycomb composite material to increase its resistance to deform:ition.
Alternatively prior to assembly of the inner door panel 12 to the outer door panel 11 a door intrusion beam can be inserted into the strengthening member 12 so as to increase its resistance to bending in which case the door intrusion beam may extend for the entire length of the stiffening member 14 or may extend for only part of the length of the stiffening member 14 as shown by the dotted lines 42, 43 on Figure 1.
With particular reference to Figures 2 and 5 the window lift module 30 is seen to comprise a pair of spaced apart tracks 34 in which are slidingly supported runners 35 for connection to a window pane 31 by means of apertures 36 formed in tabs in the lower edge of the window pane 31 and a window lift motor 33 to selectively move the runners 35 in the tracks 34 by means of two actuation cables 38. The tracks 34, runners 35, window lift motor 33 and the cables 38 form a window lift means 32.
The inner trim panel 13 is made from a rigid but resihent plastics material by injection moulding and has a number of webs and flanges formed on its rear side (not shown) to which the runners 34 of the window lift means 32 are attached. To support the weight of the window lift motor 33 a beam 37 extends from a front edge of the interior trim panel 13 to a rear edge of the interior panel 13 as shown in Figures5 and 6.
After assembly of the window lift module 30 to the interior trim panel 13 the interior trim panel 13 and window lift module 30 form a sub assembly which is easily attached to the structural door unit 20. Prior to attachment of the window lift module and trim member sub-assembly to the structural door unit 20 reinforcing plates 22, 23 are attached to the hinge platforms 21. The window lift module and interior trim panel sub-assembly is then attached to the structural door unit 20 and secured in place by means of a number of blind rivets 26 as shown in Figures 5 and 6.
As is best seen in Figure 5 the window pane 31 is interposed between the inner door panel 12 and the interior trim panel 13 such that the structure of the structural door unit 20 lies completely to the outside of the window pane 31. By producing a rigid box-section encircling the outer periphery of the outer door panel 11 by using a trough-shaped inner door panel 12 that is hoop-shaped, a very rigid but relatively lightweight structure is formed. The thickness of the structural door unit 20 is less than that required in a prior art door assembly as referred to above because of the inherent stiffness of the structure formed. This results in the thickness of the door assembly 10 being less than that which it needs to be with a prior art type arrangement and consequently the interior space within the motor vehicle can be increased.
Although the invention has been described above with reference to a structural door unit in which both the outer and inner door panels 11 and 12 are made from sheet steel it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other materials could be used for example the outer and inner door panels could be made from an aluminium alloy or the outer door panel could be made from steel or aluminium and the inner door panel could be made from a reinforced plastics material or both the outer and inner door panels could be made from plastics or composite materials.
It will be appreciated that the clinching described above could be 10 replaced by adhesive bonding or other fixing methods.
It will also be appreciated by the man skilled in the art that the window lift module 30 could be attached to the structural door unit 20 so that the interior trim panel 13 bears little or no weight.

Claims (14)

1. A motor vehicle door assembly comprising an outer door panel and an inner door panel secured together to produce a structural door unit, a trim panel attached to the structural door unit to define a cavity therebetween and a window lift module located within the cavity, the window lift module having a window pane and means to move the window pane between open and closed positions, wherein the window pane is interposed between the inner door panel and the trim panel.
2. An assembly as claimed in Claim 1 in which the inner door panel is trough-shaped in cross-section such that when secured to the outer door panel a box-section structure is formed.
3. An assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or in Claim 2 in which the inner door panel has upper, lower, front and rear portions and defines a continuous hoop extending around the outer periphery of the outer door panel.
4. An assembly as claimed in Claim 3 in which a trough-shaped stiffening member extends-between the front and rear portions of the inner door panel.
5. An assembly as claimed in Claim 4 in which the stiffening member has longitudinal edges which are attached to the outer door panel to produce a box-section stiffening member.
6. An assembly as claimed in Claim 5 in which the box-section stiffening member is filled with a honeycomb composite material.
An assembly as claimed in Claim 5 in which a door intrusion beam is positioned between the stiffening member and the outer door panel.
8. An assembly as claimed in Claim 7 in which the length of the door intrusion beam is less than the length of the stiffening member.
9.
An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in which the inner door panel is made from a single sheet of material as a one-piece part.
10. An assembly as claimed in Claim 9 when dependant upon any of Claims 4 to 9 in which the stiffening member is made as an integral part of the inner door panel.
11. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in which the window module is secured to and supported by the trim member.
12. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in which the trim member is made from a rigid plastics material.
13. A motor vehicle door assembly substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.
14. A motor vehicle having at least one door assembly as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 13.
GB9824738A 1997-11-29 1998-11-12 A motor vehicle door assembly Withdrawn GB2331778A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9725206.8A GB9725206D0 (en) 1997-11-29 1997-11-29 A motor vehicle door assembly

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9824738D0 GB9824738D0 (en) 1999-01-06
GB2331778A true GB2331778A (en) 1999-06-02

Family

ID=10822800

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GBGB9725206.8A Ceased GB9725206D0 (en) 1997-11-29 1997-11-29 A motor vehicle door assembly
GB9824738A Withdrawn GB2331778A (en) 1997-11-29 1998-11-12 A motor vehicle door assembly

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GBGB9725206.8A Ceased GB9725206D0 (en) 1997-11-29 1997-11-29 A motor vehicle door assembly

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (2) GB9725206D0 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1086840A1 (en) * 1999-09-21 2001-03-28 Iso Service S.r.l. Motor vehicle door
DE10051804B4 (en) * 2000-10-18 2005-06-23 Thyssenkrupp Stahl Ag Inner panel of a vehicle door with integrated side impact beam and method of its manufacture
JP2005535494A (en) * 2002-08-08 2005-11-24 エス・エス・アー・ベー・ハードテック・アクチエボラーグ Vehicle and vehicle door
EP1738943A2 (en) 2005-06-28 2007-01-03 Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH Door structure of a motor vehicle
WO2010131073A1 (en) * 2009-05-14 2010-11-18 Tofas Turk Otomobil Fabrikasi Anonim Sirketi An inner door frame

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3808743A (en) * 1968-03-26 1974-05-07 Daimler Benz Ag Vehicle door, especially for passenger motor vehicles
US3964208A (en) * 1974-06-01 1976-06-22 Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft Door for vehicle, especially passenger motor vehicle
US4306381A (en) * 1980-02-11 1981-12-22 The Budd Company Plastic door for an automobile
US4416088A (en) * 1980-02-09 1983-11-22 Audi Nsu Auto Union Ag Motor-vehicle side door
US4428157A (en) * 1981-01-24 1984-01-31 Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm Gmbh Door especially for motor vehicles
US4969680A (en) * 1987-12-28 1990-11-13 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Automotive body side wall structure
GB2271534A (en) * 1992-10-15 1994-04-20 Ford Motor Co Energy absorbing vehicle door.
US5536060A (en) * 1995-02-17 1996-07-16 General Motors Corporation Reinforced vehicle door
EP0742117A1 (en) * 1994-12-02 1996-11-13 Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Door panel construction and method of manufacturing door panel

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3808743A (en) * 1968-03-26 1974-05-07 Daimler Benz Ag Vehicle door, especially for passenger motor vehicles
US3964208A (en) * 1974-06-01 1976-06-22 Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft Door for vehicle, especially passenger motor vehicle
US4416088A (en) * 1980-02-09 1983-11-22 Audi Nsu Auto Union Ag Motor-vehicle side door
US4306381A (en) * 1980-02-11 1981-12-22 The Budd Company Plastic door for an automobile
US4428157A (en) * 1981-01-24 1984-01-31 Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm Gmbh Door especially for motor vehicles
US4969680A (en) * 1987-12-28 1990-11-13 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Automotive body side wall structure
GB2271534A (en) * 1992-10-15 1994-04-20 Ford Motor Co Energy absorbing vehicle door.
EP0742117A1 (en) * 1994-12-02 1996-11-13 Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Door panel construction and method of manufacturing door panel
US5536060A (en) * 1995-02-17 1996-07-16 General Motors Corporation Reinforced vehicle door

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1086840A1 (en) * 1999-09-21 2001-03-28 Iso Service S.r.l. Motor vehicle door
DE10051804B4 (en) * 2000-10-18 2005-06-23 Thyssenkrupp Stahl Ag Inner panel of a vehicle door with integrated side impact beam and method of its manufacture
JP2005535494A (en) * 2002-08-08 2005-11-24 エス・エス・アー・ベー・ハードテック・アクチエボラーグ Vehicle and vehicle door
EP1738943A2 (en) 2005-06-28 2007-01-03 Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH Door structure of a motor vehicle
EP1738943A3 (en) * 2005-06-28 2009-04-08 Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH Door structure of a motor vehicle
WO2010131073A1 (en) * 2009-05-14 2010-11-18 Tofas Turk Otomobil Fabrikasi Anonim Sirketi An inner door frame

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9824738D0 (en) 1999-01-06
GB9725206D0 (en) 1998-01-28

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Legal Events

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732E Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977)
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)