A press forming apparatus that produces a character line in a design surface of an outer panel by press forming includes an upper die and a lower die. The upper die has a die surface that is configured to form a design surface of an outer panel. The lower die has a die surface corresponding to the die surface of the upper die. The die surface of the lower die has, in a formation area of the character line, a curved convex portion that protrudes beyond an offset line of the die surface of the upper die and curved concave portions continuous with the curved convex portion. Each of the curved concave portions is on a corresponding one of both sides of the convex portion and is recessed beyond the offset line.

A vehicle door structure includes an outer panel, an inner panel assembled to a vehicle width direction inner side surface of the outer panel so as to form a panel space with the outer panel, a cover assembled to the inner panel so as to close a service hole, which is a through hole formed in the inner panel in order to facilitate a work in the panel space, a control box assembled to the cover and configured to control input/output of electric power and/or control signal to/from at least one of electric components disposed on a vehicle door; and a door trim assembled to a vehicle width direction inner side surface of the inner panel so as to cover the cover and the control box.

A vehicle door structure includes a mirror retainer having a main body, which is joined to the front end of an outer reinforcement with a part of the main body overlapping with the outer reinforcement. The mirror retainer includes an upper leg, which has a first facing surface facing a lower leg and is joined to the inner panel. The lower leg has a second facing surface facing the upper leg and is joined to the inner panel. A reinforcing member is connected to the first facing surface and at least one of a main body inner surface and the second facing surface so as to reinforce the mirror retainer.

A door of a vehicle may include a door internal panel; a door external panel mounted outside a passenger compartment with respect to the door internal panel, detachably coupled to the door internal panel, and made of a lightweight material than the door internal panel; and a reinforcement member mounted between the door external panel and the door internal panel and fastened to the door external panel and the door internal panel to increase rigidity, reducing weight and cost of the door of the vehicle and easily replacing the door external panel.

An automotive panel assembly includes, among other things, a first panel, a second panel, a flange of the first panel folded over an edge region of the second panel to hem together the first and second panel, and a dimple of the flange extending into an aperture within the edge region of the second panel. At least a portion of the aperture is exposed.

A door of a vehicle may include a first door module forming a door skeleton; and a second door module coupled with the first door module and forming a door window; wherein the second door module includes a relatively lightweight material as compared to the first door module; a reinforcement member is inserted along an edge portion forming the door window of the second door module; and a stepped portion is formed at the reinforcement member, reducing weight and cost of the door of the vehicle.

A noise insulating support panel is provided for a structural assembly and includes a base substrate component and at least one localized stiffening reinforcement feature. The reinforcement feature generally extends across the base substrate component in a length direction aligned with, i.e., substantially parallel to, or substantially perpendicular to, a direction of airflow exhibiting turbulent pressure onto the base substrate component. The reinforcement feature cooperates with the base substrate component to minimize energy transmission through the base substrate component. If the base substrate component is a body panel, the reinforcement feature may be a stiffening rib member; if laminated glass, the reinforcement feature is located within an interlayer disposed between glass layers. The interlayer may include a first region including polyvinyl butyral having a first stiffness, and a second region including polyvinyl butyral having a second, lower stiffness. The reinforcement feature may also be an edge stiffening treatment.

A vehicle includes a door assembly including an outer door panel and an inner door panel defining a volume therebetween and a window frame that receives a window therein. A molding assembly includes a corner molding component including a portion that extends along an A-pillar portion of the window frame and a portion that extends along a lower portion of the window frame. A lower molding component extends along the lower portion of the window frame having a connector receiving notch located at a front end of the lower molding component that defines at least part of a catch tab portion. An engagement component comprising a body that is connected to the portion of the corner molding component that extends along the lower portion of the window frame and a connector that projects outward in a vehicle lateral direction and engages the catch tab portion thereby connecting the corner molding component and the lower molding component.

A stiffening structure for an automotive door panel part according to the present invention includes a door outer panel 3 made of a metal sheet curved along a height direction, and in which a character line 3a is formed; and an impact beam 5 disposed at an inner surface side of the door outer panel 3. The stiffening structure improves tensile rigidity of the door outer panel 3 by attaching a stiffening member 7 made of resin to the inner surface of the door outer panel 3. The stiffening member 7 includes vertical bone portions 9 extending in a streak shape from the impact beam 5 to the character line 3a along a curve of the door outer panel 3. The vertical bone portions 9 are arranged at a predetermined interval in a front-rear direction of the door outer panel 3, and outer surface of the vertical bone portions 9 is bonded to the inner surface of the door outer panel 3.

A vehicle door structure includes an inner panel, an outer panel, a guard beam and a reinforcing member. The guard beam extends laterally in a cavity between the inner and outer panels. The reinforcing member disposed in the cavity and being positioned on a floor of the vehicle door structure below the guard beam.