DOOR STRUCTURE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

A door structure of a motor vehicle includes a door panel, a door handle arranged on a first side of the door panel to perform an opening/closing operation of the structure, and at least one fixing means extending at least partially on a second side of the door panel and opposite to the first side. The fixing means has at least two longitudinal portions, each secured to a first end of the door handle, and to a second end of the door panel. The door structure further includes a reinforcement structure configured to secure the two longitudinal portions to each other.

Claims

1. A door structure for a motor vehicle, comprising: a door panel; a door handle arranged on a first side of the door panel to perform an opening/closing operation of the door structure; fixing means extending at least partially on a second side of the door panel and opposite to the first side, wherein the fixing means comprises at least two longitudinal portions each secured at a first end to the door handle, and at a second end to the door panel; and a reinforcement structure configured to secure the at least two longitudinal portions to each other.

2. The door structure according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement structure comprises at least two lateral portions connected together by a central portion, each lateral portion being configured to receive at least partially a corresponding one of longitudinal portions of the fixing means.

3. The door structure according to claim 2, wherein each longitudinal portion of the fixing means is at least partially received through a ring of a corresponding one of the lateral portions of the reinforcement structure.

4. The door structure according to claim 2, wherein each lateral portion of the reinforcement structure comprises a longitudinal portion formed of part of a reinforcement plate provided to sandwich a corresponding one of the longitudinal portions of the fixing means between said reinforcement plate and the door panel.

5. The door structure according to claim 2, wherein each lateral portion has a slot provided to receive a portion of the door panel.

6. The door structure according to claim 5, wherein the reinforcement structure only allows access to an opening for attaching the longitudinal portions to the door panel if the reinforcement structure with the slots is correctly attached on the portion of the door panel.

7. The door structure according to claim 5, wherein the portion of the door panel receiving the slot of a lateral portion corresponds to a portion of a contour of an opening of the door panel.

8. The door structure according to claim 2, wherein the reinforcement structure forms a U-shape, of which the at least two lateral portions form arms of the U-shape.

9. The door structure according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement structure is in one piece.

10. A vehicle comprising the door structure according to claim 1.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0026] In order that the disclosure may be well understood, there will now be described various forms thereof, given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view from inside a door panel illustrating the mounting of a wing handle door handle on a door panel with fixing means according to a known configuration of the prior art;

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of FIG. 1 illustrating the assembly of the door handle to the door panel;

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the door panel and door handle configuration in FIG. 1, equipped with a reinforcing structure according to the invention;

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of FIG. 3 illustrating the assembly of the door handle to the door panel with the reinforcing structure;

[0031] FIG. 5 shows an enlargement of FIG. 4 illustrating in more detail the assembly of the reinforcing structure to the reinforcing plate;

[0032] FIG. 6a shows a perspective view where the door panel has been simplified and where the reinforcing plate is not shown, in order to better illustrate the reinforcing structure; and

[0033] FIG. 6b shows a perspective view of FIG. 6a where the reinforcing structure is mounted to the fixing means of the door handle.

[0034] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

[0036] In FIGS. 1 and 2, we have depicted a door structure 1 for a motor vehicle, comprising a door panel 2 and a door handle 3 arranged on a first side 2a of the door panel 2 for performing an opening/closing operation of the structure.

[0037] The door structure 1 of a vehicle door panel is generally composed of several assembled elements. The door panel 2 is often made of an outer sheet metal which is usually made of steel or aluminum, an inner sheet metal, and an insulating layer made of foam or similar material.

[0038] The door panel 2 is generally attached to the body structure of the vehicle using bolts and nuts or clips or welding or glue.

[0039] Furthermore, a door panel 2 also includes a reinforcement plate 21 located inside the door panel 2. This reinforcement plate 21 is often made of steel or aluminum and allows the door handle 3 to be fixed to the door panel 2.

[0040] In the figures, the door panel 2 is shown with an outer sheet metal 20 and such a reinforcement plate 21.

[0041] The reinforcement plate 21 is assembled to the outer sheet metal by riveting or by welding or by glue.

[0042] The door handle 3 shown is a wing handle type that is subject to robustness issues due to its attachment to the door panel.

[0043] The handle has a curved shape, allowing it to be gripped by a user's hand.

[0044] To ensure the fixing of this door handle 3, a fixing means 4 is generally provided.

[0045] When the door handle 3 is operated, pressure is applied to a handle actuation button 30 to unlock the door associated with the door handle 3. The force exerted on the handle 3 creates a compressive force, which is then transmitted to the fixing means 4, which secure the handle 3 to the door.

[0046] Such a fixing means 4 generally takes the form of tabs. The tabs allow the door handles to be fixed to the door panel by riveting, or screw/nut to the reinforcement plate located inside the door panel.

[0047] The use of several tabs attached to the reinforcement plate makes it possible to distribute the tensile forces exerted on the tabs during the opening of the door, that is, when the handle is operated to open the door.

[0048] The fixing means 4 shown here comprises two such longitudinal portions 4a, 4b. However, the invention is not limited to this configuration, and the fixing means 4 may have several longitudinal portions. For example, the fixing means 4 may have four longitudinal portions.

[0049] To assemble the door handle 3 to the door panel 2, the door handle equipped with the fixing means 4 is inserted into opening (not shown) of the door panel 2 from the first side 2a, so that these fastening means 4a, 4b extend at least partially from the second side 2b of the door panel 2.

[0050] Thus, in the assembled state, these longitudinal portions 4a, 4b extend at least partially from the second side 2b of the door panel 2, which is opposite to the first side 2a.

[0051] As shown, each of the longitudinal portions 4a, 4b is fixed at a first end 4e1 to the door handle 3 and at a second end 4e2 to the door panel 2.

[0052] More specifically at the door panel 2 level, the longitudinal portions 4a, 4b are fixed to the door panel 2 by screwing and bolting 6 illustrated as an example of the invention.

[0053] In FIGS. 3 to 5 and 6a-b, we have depicted the door structure 1 according to the invention comprising a reinforcement structure 5 which is configured to secure the two longitudinal portions 4a, 4b to each other.

[0054] By securing the two longitudinal portions 4a, 4b to each other, it is possible to reduce the bending of these longitudinal portions when the door handle 3 is operated.

[0055] Preferably, the two longitudinal portions 4a, 4b are secured to each other at their maximum flexion point. Preferably, this maximum flexion point corresponds to a central zone of the longitudinal portions 4a, 4b between their ends 4e1, 4e2.

[0056] Each longitudinal portion 4a, 4b has a curved section along its length to better conform to the shape of the door panel 2 at the ends 4e1, 4e2.

[0057] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the reinforcement structure 5 has at least two lateral portions 5a, 5b connected to each other by a central portion 5c.

[0058] Preferably, the lateral portions 5a, 5b and the central portion 5c are made in one piece.

[0059] As shown, each lateral portion 5a, 5b is configured to receive a longitudinal portion 4a, 4b of the fixing means 4.

[0060] According to a preferred embodiment, each longitudinal portion 4a, 4b of the fixing means 4 is at least partially received in a ring 5a3, 5b3 of the corresponding lateral portion 5a, 5b of the reinforcing structure 5. Such rings 5a3, 5b3 have holes for receiving such longitudinal portion 4a, 4b.

[0061] Each lateral portion 5a, 5b of the reinforcing structure 5 comprises a reinforcing portion formed by a reinforcing bracket 5a1, 5b1 designed to sandwich the corresponding longitudinal portion 4a, 4b of the fixing means 4 between said reinforcing bracket 5a1, 5b1 and the door panel 2, more particularly, between said reinforcing bracket 5a1, 5b1 and the reinforcing plate 21.

[0062] Thus, the reinforcing structure 5 allows bending of the longitudinal portions 4a, 4b.

[0063] Thanks to the configuration of this reinforcing structure 5, it is possible to reinforce the longitudinal portions 4a, 4b of the fixing means 4 in a simple and effective manner.

[0064] Furthermore, each lateral portion 5a, 5b has a slot 5a2, 5b2 designed to receive a portion 23 of the door panel 2. In an example, the slot 5a2, 5b2 is formed on the ring 5a3, 5b3 of the corresponding lateral portion 5a, 5b. The portion 23 of the door panel 2 receiving the slot 5a2, 5b2 of a corresponding lateral portion 5a, 5b corresponds to a portion of the contour of an opening of the door panel 2. Here, the portion 23 is a portion of the reinforcing plate 21 of the door panel 2.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 6a, the rings 5a3, 5b3 have a rectangular section, each of which receives the end 4e1, 4e2 of the longitudinal portions 4a, 4b. Furthermore, in FIG. 5, it can be observed that the rings 5a3, 5b3 have a flared head shape 5a30, 5b30 intended to prevent any constraint of the reinforcement structure 5 against the door panel.

[0066] Such slots 5a2, 5b2 are formed by a rib of the corresponding lateral portion 5a, 5b.

[0067] The insertion of the slots 5a2, 5b2 in the portion 23 of the door panel 2 makes it possible to ensure the immobilization of the reinforcing structure 5 to the door panel 2, here to the reinforcing plate 21.

[0068] According to a preferred configuration, the reinforcing structure 5 is in the shape of a U whose two lateral portions 5a, 5b form the arms of the U-shape, and wherein the central portion 5c forms the central arm linked to the two lateral portions 5a, 5b. However, other shapes can be envisaged, such as an H shape whose two lateral portions 5a, 5b form the two vertical bars, and whose central portion 5c forms the horizontal bar.

[0069] As can be seen in FIG. 6a, for example, the lateral portions 5a, 5b have a flared shape towards the central portion 5c.

[0070] The central portion 5c is configured to present two walls 5c1, 5c2 opposed to each other and intended to frame the ends of the longitudinal portions 4a, 4b at their attachment to the door panel 2.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 6a, the central portion 5c has cutouts 5c3, 5c4 intended to be at the level of the attachment of the ends of the longitudinal portions 4a, 4b to the door panel 2. These cutouts 5c3, 5c4 advantageously allow access to the means of attachment provided for these longitudinal portions 4a, 4b. In the illustrated embodiment, the means for fixing the longitudinal portions 4a, 4b to the door panel 2 are screw/nut assemblies through an opening 4a1, 4b1 formed at the end of each longitudinal portion 4a, 4b.

[0072] It will be noted that, in the assembled state, the openings 4a1, 4b1 formed at the ends of the longitudinal portions 4a, 4b are in correspondence with the cutouts 5c3, 5c4 of the central portion 5c.

[0073] Furthermore, as indicated, in the assembled state, the two walls 5c1, 5c2 of the central portion 5c frame the ends of the longitudinal portions 4a, 4b at their attachment to the door panel 2.

[0074] This configuration ensures the fixed bonding of the reinforcing structure 5 to the longitudinal portions 4a, 4b, as well as to the door panel 2, here to the reinforcement plate 21.

[0075] In addition, the reinforcement structure 5 makes it possible to ensure that the handle 3 has been correctly installed when assembling the handle 3, as the reinforcement structure 5 only allows access to the openings 4a1, 4b1 for attaching the longitudinal portions 4a, 4b to the door panel 2 if the reinforcement structure 5 with the slots 5a2, 5b2 is correctly attached on the portion 23. Thus, the cutouts 5c3, 5c4 of the central portion 5c are arranged in such a way that the openings 4a1, 4b1 can be uncovered only when the reinforcing structure 5 with the slots 5a2, 5b2 is correctly attached to the portion 23. When installing the handle 3, it is delivered without the screws in the openings 4a1, 4b1 and the reinforcing structure 5 is in a delivery position in which the openings 4a1, 4b1 are covered. For this purpose, a locking mechanism for the delivery position can be provided at the longitudinal portions 4a, 4b so that the reinforcing structure 5 cannot be moved by mistake. For example, this can be a locking point or a shoulder on at least one longitudinal portion 4a, 4b in which the reinforcing plate 5 engages. For this purpose, a recess or an edge can be arranged on the inside of the reinforcing plate 5 opposite the longitudinal portions 4a, 4b, which makes a form-fit connection to the locking point or the shoulder. Furthermore, it is possible that the reinforcing plate 5 is held in the delivery position by a force-fit connection, for example by a screw. When the handle 3 is placed in the correct position in the door panel 2, the reinforcing plate 5 is moved to an assembly position so that the reinforcing plate 5 with the slots 5a2, 5b2 is correctly attached to the portion 23. After the reinforcing plate 5 is correctly assembled, the reinforcing plate 5 releases the openings 4a1, 4b1 and the longitudinal portions 4a, 4b can be fixed to the door by screws.

[0076] Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, it should be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiment described, but encompasses all possible embodiments and modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

[0077] Unless otherwise expressly indicated herein, all numerical values indicating mechanical/thermal properties, compositional percentages, dimensions and/or tolerances, or other characteristics are to be understood as modified by the word about or approximately in describing the scope of the present disclosure. This modification is desired for various reasons including industrial practice, material, manufacturing, and assembly tolerances, and testing capability.

[0078] As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A OR B OR C), using a non-exclusive logical OR, and should not be construed to mean at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C.

[0079] The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the substance of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.