Claims:We claim:
1. A reinforcing bead structure in an inner panel of a vehicle door to mitigate vibrations in a Belt Line portion, the structure comprising:
a first bead (101) diagonally connecting a front portion and a rear portion of the inner panel of the door, wherein the first bead (101) divides the inner panel of the door to form an upper area (104) and a lower area (105); characterized in that
a plurality of second beads (102), the plurality of the second beads (102) being connected with the first bead (101), and the plurality of second beads (102) are comprised in the upper area (104); and
a third bead (103) in the lower area (105).

2. The reinforcing bead structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein a depth of the plurality of second beads (102) is in a direction opposite to a direction of a depth of the first bead (101).

3. The reinforcing bead structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein a depth of the third bead (103) is in a direction opposite to a direction of a depth of the first bead (101).

4. The reinforcing bead structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein a mounting point (107) is provided in one of the plurality of beads that is in between the plurality of the beads other than the one.

5. The reinforcing bead structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third bead (103) holds a plurality of mounting points (109), (110) that are in the lower area (105) of the inner panel of the vehicle door.

6. The reinforcing bead structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of second beads (102) comprises three beads.

7. The reinforcing bead structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first bead (101) is C-shaped.

8. The reinforcing bead shaped structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein beads of the plurality of second beads (102) holds mounting points (106), (107), (108), wherein the mounting points (106), (107), (108) are provided in the upper area (104) of the inner panel of the vehicle door.

9. The reinforcing bead structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of second beads (102) comprises of two beads on the sides having depths in opposite direction to the first bead (101).

10. The reinforcing bead structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third bead (103) diverges from its interaction with the first bead (101) and forms a dog-bone shape.

Description:A REINFORCING BEAD STRUCTURE FOR A VEHICLE DOOR

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter described herein relates to a reinforcing bead structure in a door inner panel of an automobile. In particular, the present subject matter relates to a reinforcing bead structure in an upper and lower portions of the door inner panel to mitigate vibrations in Belt Line portion.

BACKGROUND
[0002] The quality of a vehicle door depends upon the way a vehicle is built. It is important for a customer to take into note that the vehicle they are buying does not produce sounds that is unwanted and ultimately the quality of the vehicle is perceived as poor.
[0003] To minimise the costs and improve fuel economy, cars and trucks continue to get smaller and more lightweight. One consequence of this vehicle downsizing is a need for doors with less thickness that increase the space of the passenger compartment while reducing (or not changing) the total width and weight of the vehicle. However, in case where the weight of inner panel of the vehicle door is reduced, there remains an issue with unwanted observed vibration on trim panel mounted on the vehicle side door.
[0004] The inner panel of the door is integrated with a variety of components, including the window regulator, sash, etc. The regulator carriage transmits between the upper fixed point and the lower fixed point on the inner panel of the door in the cable style window regulator used in vehicle doors. The fastening portion to which the regulator is fastened swings when the glass is opened and closed leading to the vibration in the belt line area above the fastening line swings, so that the belt line above the portion of the fastening vibrates. In addition, because of the vibrations of the belt line, a load can act on the fastening portion of the trim.
[0005] At the points and even around the beltline section, the movement of window glass between the fixed points induces forces. A motor is also connected to the window regulator device that allows the regulator carriage to travel, the motor also causes bending at the upper and lower fixing points due to sudden stopping, i.e., corresponding to the limiting points of glass movement.
[0006] The vibration in the transverse direction of belt line is noted during the induced forces and bending moments, which could become visible on the trim panel and eventually affect the customer experience. Therefore, an enhanced rigid inner panel design is required to resolve the forces and bending at the fixed points and along the beltline. It is therefore, important to improve the inner panel, including the beltline area.
[0007] Therefore, when a window glass is closed in automotive doors, movement is expected to be observed in the inner surface of the door that will be felt by occupants through door trim and armrest.
[0008] In a prior art, the vehicle door structure includes a main bead shape portion, a regulator fastening portion, a sash fastening portion, and a regulator fastening portion from below, beyond the regulator fastening portion to a regulator side connecting portion. The disadvantage with this prior art is that it pertains to a very local reinforcement of panel structure only. Only the topmost regulator fastening points is reinforced by the panel bead structure provided making the lower part susceptible to moving. Therefore, there will be visible bumps present in the beltline area.
[0009] In another prior art, there is disclosed a recessed bead that is vertically formed along a projection bead at a door rear side of the projection bead provided on the door inner panel for laying a longitudinal bent portion along a vertical direction to improve the rigidity and strength of the door inner panel. The problem with this prior art is that it pertains to strengthening of inner panel using a single arm regulator for glass up-down. Therefore, the structure used in the prior art cannot be used for reinforcing the inner panel to mitigate vibrations in door trim of a door using channel type regulator.
[0010] In yet another prior art, there is described a door inner panel comprising of a window regulator attachment part and an armrest attachment part. A first bead that extends in vertical direction and a second bead that is sequential to the window regulator attachment part. The disclosed prior art pertains to strengthening of inner panel using a single arm regulator for glass up-down. Due to the difference in mechanism of glass movement, the resultant forces in the inner panel are different. Therefore, the structure used in the referenced prior art cannot be used for reinforcing the inner panel to mitigate vibrations in door trim of a door using channel type regulator.
[0011] In view of the abovementioned shortcomings and limitations in the prevailing solutions, it becomes important to provide a arrangement of beads below the beltline area that helps mitigate movements during glass closing operation.

OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0012] It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks in prior method/product/apparatus relating the discussed field of invention.
[0013] It is a primary object of the present disclosure to provide a reinforcing bead structure in a vehicle door to mitigate an inner panel movements during glass closing operation.
[0014] It is another object of the present disclosure to reduce the forces and bending at the fixed points and around the beltline portion.
[0015] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an improved and rigid design of an inner panel.
[0016] These and other objects and advantages of the present subject matter will be apparent to a person skilled in the art after consideration of the following detailed description taken into consideration with accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present subject matter are illustrated.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0017] A solution to one or more drawbacks of existing technology and additional advantages are provided through the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be a part of the claimed disclosure.
[0018] The present disclosure offers a solution in the form of a reinforcing bead structure in an inner panel of a vehicle door to mitigate vibration in a Belt line portion. The structure includes a first bead diagonally connecting a front portion and a rear portion of the inner panel of the door, wherein the first bead divides the inner panel of the door to form an upper area and a lower area, a plurality of second beads, the plurality of the second beads are connected with the first bead, the plurality of second beads are comprised in the upper area and a third bead in the lower area.
[0019] In an aspect of the invention, a depth of the plurality of second beads is in a direction opposite to a direction of a depth of the first bead.
[0020] In an aspect of the invention, a depth of the third bead is in a direction opposite to a direction of a depth of the first bead.
[0021] In another aspect of the invention, a mounting point is provided in one of the plurality of beads that is in between the plurality of the beads other than the one.
[0022] In another aspect of the invention, the third bead holds a plurality of mounting points that are in the lower area of the inner panel of the vehicle door.
[0023] In another aspect of the invention, the plurality of beads comprises three beads.
[0024] In another aspect of the invention, the first bead is C shaped.
[0025] In yet another aspect of the invention, beads of the plurality of beads holds mounting points, wherein the mounting points are provided in the upper area of the inner panel of the vehicle door.
[0026] In yet another aspect of the invention, the plurality of second beads comprises of two beads on the sides having depths in opposite direction to the first bead.
[0027] In a further aspect of the invention, the third bead diverges from its interaction with the first bead and forms a dog-bone shape.
[0028] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0029] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the present disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods or structure in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0030] Fig. 1 is an illustrative view of an inner panel of a vehicle door with a bead structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0031] Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the depth along the section A-A of the first bead in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0032] Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the depth along the section B-B of the second bead in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0033] Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the depth along the section C-C of the third bead in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0034] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0035] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0036] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0037] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0038] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0039] In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0040] Hereinafter, a description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0041] Referring Fig. 1 of the present invention, it discloses a bead structure in an inner panel of the vehicle door to mitigate vibrations in a Belt Line portion. The structure includes a first bead (101) that is provided at the center of the inner panel of the door.
[0042] The first bead (101) diagonally connects the front portion and the rear portion of the inner panel of the vehicle door. Due to the placement of the first bead (101) which is at the center of the vehicle door inner panel, the first bead (101) divides the inner panel of the door to form an upper area (104) and a lower area (105). The strength of the first bead (101) is attained by providing a depth in the first bead (101). The first bead (101) is provided with a C-shaped section which forms the depth on the first bead (101).
[0043] The upper area (104) of the inner panel of the door is located below the beltline converge for strengthening the upper mounting locations of a window regulator. The upper area (104) includes a plurality of second beads (102). It consists of three beads, two on the sides and one in the middle. The three beads are along the vertical direction between the beltline portion and first bead (101). The two beads present on the sides of the plurality of second beads (102) are attached to the first bead (101) to provide strength to mounting points of the window regulator assembly. The strength of the plurality of second beads (102) is achieved by providing the depth of the second beads (102) in an opposite direction to the depth on the first bead (101). In particular, the two bead present on the sides of the plurality of second beads (102) have depths in opposite direction to the first bead (101).
[0044] The two beads from the plurality of second beads (102), present on the sides, hold the mounting points (106), (107), (108). Each of the two beads house a mounting point (106) and (108) and these mounting points are located in the upper area (104) of the vehicle door inner panel. The other mounting point (107) is located on one of the plurality of beads (102) that is in between the plurality of the beads (102) other than the one.
[0045] The lower area (105) of the inner panel of the vehicle door includes a third bead (103) that is also connected to the first bead (101). The third bead (103) is provided to reinforce periphery of the lower mounting location of the window regulator. The strength of the third bead (103) is also attained by providing a depth in it. The depth of the third bead (103) is in opposite direction to the depth provided on the first bead (101).
[0046] The third bead (103) includes a plurality of mounting points (109) and (110) that are located on the lower area (105) of the vehicle door inner panel.
[0047] Referring Fig. 2, the depth of the first bead (101) is illustrated. The first bead (101) is C-shaped because of the depth of the bead. The depth is given to provide strength to the first bead (101), where the strength provides rigidity to the inner panel, and also provides rigidity to the plurality of second beads (102) and the third bead (103).
[0048] Referring Fig. 3, the depth of the plurality of second beads (102) is illustrated. The second bead has a depth to give strength to the mounting points (106), (107) and (108). The depth of the side beads among the plurality of beads are in opposite direction to the first bead (101) to enhance the strength of the plurality of second beads (102), thereby providing rigidity to the upper area (104).
[0049] Referring Fig. 4, the depth of the third bead (103) is illustrated. The third bead (103) also has a depth to give strength to the plurality of mounting points (109) and (110). The depth of the third bead (103) is in opposite direction to the first bead (101) to enhance the strength of the third bead (103), thereby providing rigidity to the lower area (105). The third bead (103) diverges from its interaction with the first bead (101) and forms a dog-bone shape. It has a larger section at the lower end. The plurality of mounting points (109) and (110) acts as the lower limit for mounting the window regulator assembly in the lower area (105).

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[0050] With the help of the solution as proposed herein in the context of the present disclosure, the key characteristic advantage is in the form of the movement i.e., the movement that is expected to be observed is less in the inner surface of the door due to the reinforcing bead structure provided in an inner panel of the door to mitigate vibrations in a Belt Line portion.
[0051] The present disclosure further provides for an easy assembly, with minimal inclusion of the additional components, thereby satisfying various structural and operational requirements and parameters.
[0052] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation, no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to disclosures containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. Also, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general, such construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general, such construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
[0053] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present disclosure contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the disclosure, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. Also, while a feature of the present disclosure may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present disclosure. The present disclosure also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited feature.