WO2002016155A1

WO2002016155A1 - Door module

Info

Publication number: WO2002016155A1
Application number: PCT/EP2001/009160
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carlo Bertolini
Original assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle
Priority date: 2000-08-23
Filing date: 2001-08-08
Publication date: 2002-02-28
Also published as: EP1313626A1; FR2813242A1; FR2813242B1

Abstract

The invention concerns a motor vehicle door module (15) capable of being provided with components such as a lock (23), a window lift (21) and/or a loudspeaker and adapted to be tightly fixed on the periphery of an inner opening (11) of an inner door panel (4) to divide, when mounted, the internal space of the door defined by the inner door panel (4) into a wet space and a dry space. The module surface (17) on the dry space side which, when the module is mounted, is oriented towards the inside of the vehicle, consists of at least a support part (43) designed to bear the components to be mounted in the dry space of the inner door panel and at least a part (45) forming an inner door trim so as to directly provide, when the module is mounted, the boundary between the wet space and the vehicle inside.

Description

DOOR MODULE

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle door module which can be provided with equipment such as a lock, a window regulator and / or a loudspeaker and a door equipped with such a module.

Vehicle doors are known, the various interior elements of which (window lifter, lock, rods, bottom window guide slide, interior opening control, etc.) are assembled through the panel forming an interior structure of the door, then are covered internally by a trim panel.

This type of door, which can be described as a “classic” door, requires that all of the interior elements of the door must be mounted either on a separate door assembly line, or on the assembly line of the motor vehicle. However, given that these elements are supplied by equipment manufacturers and often come from various origins, the car manufacturer prefers, for the sake of optimizing its assembly line, that it be supplied with door modules on which are already mounted or various interior door fittings. For the manufacturer, the assembly of the door is therefore reduced to mounting the door module and making the necessary connections with the rest of the vehicle.

The door module or the door cassette is in the form of a support structure for the interior equipment of the door, for example a sheet metal plate, which closes the opening made in the interior panel of the door. The installation of the interior trim panel ensures the finishing of the door by covering this support structure.

In order to avoid the installation of this support structure while preserving the preassembly of the interior elements of the door, it has been proposed in FR - A - 2 648 762 a trim panel provided on its face facing inward of the door for fixing and pre-assembly means on this panel of interior elements of the door.

However, this type of mounting which provides that the various interior elements are prepositioned by the trim panel and finally fixed on an interior panel of the door is not suitable in the case complex and / or bulky interior elements such as, for example, a window regulator of the so-called "double lift" type with two parallel rails for guiding cables arranged in an "X" between the rails.

EP 0 967 097 also discloses a trim panel which is overmolded on a metal insert which stiffens its structure and makes it possible to mount more complex interior elements on this panel.

However, the entire interior of the door becomes a humid space. Since it is desired to integrate more and more interior elements which fear humidity into the door such as the window regulator motor or other electronic components, such a solution is not suitable. Indeed, these elements must in this case be specifically designed for a humid space thus increasing the cost price of these elements and therefore of the door. Document DE 197 32 225 discloses a door module which has a seal on its periphery so that, when assembled, the space of the door casing is divided by the module into a space humidity and a dry space delimited between the module and a trim panel mounted on the door frame. In this way, all humidity-sensitive electrical components can be installed in the dry space of the door.

However, because the trim panel is mounted in addition to the door, the cost / functionality ratio of the module is not fully optimized. The present invention aims to overcome these various drawbacks by proposing a door module which can create a dry space for components fearing humidity and has an optimized cost / functionality ratio.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a motor vehicle door module which can be provided with equipment such as a lock, a window regulator and / or a loudspeaker and adapted to be applied in a sealed manner on the periphery of an interior opening of a box of the door so as to divide, in the assembled state, the interior space of the door defined by the box of the door into a humid space and a dry space, characterized in that the face of the module on the dry space side which, when the module is assembled, faces the interior of the vehicle, is made up at least one support part intended to carry equipment intended to be mounted in the dry space of the box and at least one part forming an interior door lining so as to ensure, in the assembled state of the module, directly the delimitation between the wet space and the interior of the vehicle.

The door module according to the invention can also include one or more of the following characteristics:

- said at least one part forming an inner lining constitutes the lower part of the module, - it is made in one piece from plastic,

- it has a peripheral seal ensuring the seal between the module and the door,

- The door module is made of two parts respectively forming upper and lower part of the module and connected by fixing means, and the part forming the upper part of the module comprises a metal structure whose face on the dry space side forms said support part equipment, and the part forming the lower part of the module comprises a molded plastic part, the dry space side of which constitutes the part forming the interior lining,

- it includes a peripheral seal ensuring the seal between the module and the door and a seal at the respective edges for assembling the metal structure and the molded part,

- it comprises in its lower part a storage container molded in one piece in said part forming an inner lining,

- It comprises on its face forming said support part of the electrical components, in particular the motor of the window regulator mechanism.

The invention further relates to a motor vehicle door, characterized in that it comprises a door module as described above.

The automobile door according to the invention may also have the characteristic that the door casing has a fixing lug projecting towards the inside of the opening of the casing from the lower edge of the door and intended to support the assembled state of the module the lower edge of the metal structure of the module. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, given by way of example, without limitation, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an automobile door intended to receive the module according to the invention,

FIG. 2 represents a perspective view of a door module according to the invention with its face intended to be turned towards the outside of the door in the assembled state,

FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the door module of FIG. 2 with its face turned towards the inside of the door in the assembled state,

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the door module according to the invention,

FIG. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of the door module of FIG. 4 with its face turned towards the inside of the door in the assembled state, and

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an automobile door intended to receive the module of FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of a door 1 of a motor vehicle intended to receive a door module according to the invention.

This door 1 comprises a lower part 3 forming a box

4 and an upper part forming a frame delimiting a bay 5 which can be closed off by a window not shown. The box comprises an external metal wall 7 and an internal metal lining 9 defining an internal opening 1 1 of the box. During assembly, the module according to the invention is fixed to this lining 9, for example by bolting, screwing or riveting.

In this figure 1, the attachment points of the module 1 2 are marked with a cross.

Advantageously, the door 1 also has a rigid central structure 1 3 set back in the box 4 and reinforcing the stability of the door 1. This central structure is also used for fixing the door module. In addition, we see in this figure an opening 14 formed in the wall of the box 4 to receive a lock. Figures 2 and 3 show a first embodiment of a door module 1 5 according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the face 1 7 of the module 1 5 intended to be turned towards the outside of the door 1 in the assembled state, and Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the face 1 9 of the module 1 5 intended to be turned towards the inside of door 1 in the assembled state.

This door module 1 has a generally rectangular shape and is preferably made in a single piece of plastic (for example polypropylene reinforced with long glass fibers). Of course, this module can include crossed ribs overmolded to stiffen the module.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the module 1 5 can be provided with various equipment such as a window regulator 21, a pre-assembled electric lock 23, and a control box 25 containing various electrical components. Other equipment can also be provided.

In the present example, the window regulator 21 is of the so-called “double lift” type with two parallel rails 27 (see FIG. 3) for guiding cables 29 and 31 which are wound on a winder in a cable case 33. The cable reel is moved via a transmission 35 and an electric motor 37 mounted on the other face 1 7 of the door module (see fig. 2).

The electric lock 23, the electric motor 37 and also not shown control keys are connected by electric cables 39 and 41 to the housing 25 intended to be connected to the central electronics of the vehicle.

Furthermore, as seen in Figure 3, the module 1 5 has on the periphery of its face 19 a peripheral seal 42, so that in the assembled state, the module 1 5 is applied so watertight around the periphery of the interior opening 1 1 of the box 4 of the door 1.

It is therefore understood that the face 19 of the module 1 5 defined with the external metal wall 7 of the box 4 a confined space. This confined space is a humid space in which the equipment is located as the guide rails 27, the cables 29 and 31 and the glass which do not fear humidity.

Conversely, the face 1 7 of the module 1 5 is on the dry space side.

The module 1 5 thus divides, in the assembled state, the space of the box 4 of the door 1 into a wet space and a dry space.

According to the invention, the face 1 7 comprises at least one support part 43, preferably the upper part of the module 1 5, intended to carry equipment intended to be mounted in the dry space of the casing 4, and at least one part 45 forming the interior door lining, preferably the lower part of the module 1 5, so as to ensure, in the assembled state of the module 1 5, directly the delimitation between the humid space of the box 4 and the interior of the vehicle .

At its part 45, the door module 1 5 according to the invention completes the door 1. Furthermore, an opening 46 for mounting a loudspeaker is provided in the part 45 forming a lining.

In addition, we see in Figure 3 an exploded view of a storage bin 47. This bin 47 is attached in a sealed manner for example by screwing, bolting or riveting against the face 19 of the module 1 5 at the part 45 forming the lining inside.

According to an advantageous development, not shown, the storage bin 47 is molded in one piece in said part 45 forming an interior lining.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the door module according to the invention, and FIG. 6 is a view of an automobile door specially adapted to receive this door module of FIGS. 4 and 5.

In these figures, the elements identical to the two embodiments bear the same reference numbers. The door module of Figures 4 and 5 differs from that of Figures 2 and 3 by the fact that it is made in two parts 50 and 52 forming respectively upper and lower part of the module 1 5.

The part 50 forming the upper part of the module 1 5 comprises a metal structure (for example a sheet metal) whose face 1 7 on the dry space side forms said part 43 for supporting equipment, and the part

52 forming the lower part of the module comprises a part molded in plastic material whose face 19 on the dry space side constitutes the part 45 forming an interior lining.

These two parts 50 and 52 are connected by traditional fixing means for screwing, riveting or bolting. To ensure good delimitation between dry and wet space, this module further comprises a seal 54 at the respective assembly edges 56 and 58 of the metal structure and of the molded part.

The automobile door 1 of FIG. 6 intended to receive this module differs from that of FIG. 1 by the fact that it has, instead of the rigid structure 1 3, a central fixing lug 60 projecting towards the inside of the opening 11 of the box 4 from the lower edge 62 of the door.

In the assembled state of the module 1 5, the lower edge 64 (see Figure 5) of the metal structure 50 is fixed against this tab 60 thus giving the door 1 good stability and rigidity.

It is therefore understood that the door module according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to integrate a part forming an interior trim at low cost, which considerably reduces the finish of the door.

Claims

claims

1. Motor vehicle door module (1 5) which can be provided with equipment such as a lock (23), a window regulator (21) and / or a loudspeaker and adapted to be applied sealingly on the periphery of an interior opening (1 1) of a box (4) of the door so as to divide, in the assembled state, the interior space of the door defined by the box (4) of the door in one wet space and a dry space, characterized in that the face (1 7) of the module on the dry space side which, in the assembled state of the module, faces the interior of the vehicle, consists of at least part of support (43) intended to carry equipment intended to be mounted in the dry space of the box and at least one part (45) forming an interior door lining so as to ensure, in the assembled state of the module, directly the boundary between the wet space and the interior of the vehicle.

2. Door module according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one part (45) forming interior lining constitutes the lower part of the module.

3. Door module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is made in one piece of plastic.

4. Door module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a peripheral seal (42) sealing between the module and the door.

5. Module according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the door module (1 5) is made in two parts

(50, 52) respectively forming upper and lower part of the module and connected by fixing means, and in that the part (50) forming the upper part of the module comprises a metallic structure whose face (1 7) on the dry space side forms said part (43) for supporting the equipment, and the part (52) forming the lower part of the module comprises a molded part made of plastic, the dry space side of which constitutes the part (45) forming an interior lining.

6. Module according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a peripheral seal (42) sealing between the module and the door and a seal (54) at the edges (56, 58) respective assembly of the metal structure (50) and the molded part (52).

7. Module according to any one of claims 3, 5 or 6 taken together with claim 2, characterized in that it comprises in its lower part a storage container molded in one piece in said part forming interior lining.

8. Module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises on its face forming said support portion of the electrical components, in particular the motor (37) of the window regulator mechanism.

9. Motor vehicle door, characterized in that it comprises a door module according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Motor vehicle door according to claim 9 intended to receive a door module according to one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the door casing has a fixing lug (60) projecting inwards from the opening of the box from the lower edge of the door and intended to support in the assembled state of the module the lower edge of the metal structure of the module.