Claims:We claim:
1. A reinforcing bead structure in an inner panel (105) of a vehicle door for improving beltline rigidity, the structure comprising:
a first bead (101) arranged horizontally in an upper area (104) of the inner panel (105) of the vehicle door; and
a second bead (102) and a third bead (103) adjoined to each other and arranged vertically in the upper area (104),
wherein the second bead (102) has a concave shape and the third bead (103) has a convex shape, and
wherein the second bead (102) and the third bead (103) are curvedly inclined in an opposite direction from each other.

2. The bead structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein a fourth bead (106) is positioned in a lower area (107) of the inner panel (105) of the vehicle door.

3. The bead structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fourth bead (106) is positioned opposite to the second bead (102).

4. The bead structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second bead (102) comprises a plurality of branches (102a, 102b, 102c, 102d).

5. The bead structure as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein the third bead (103) comprises a plurality of branches (103a, 103b).

6. The bead structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plurality of branches (102a, 102b, 102c, 102d) of the second bead (102) moves away from the central area towards the beltline and a diagonal bead (108).

7. The bead structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the plurality of branches of the third bead (103) moves towards the beltline.
8. The bead structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the branches of the fourth bead (106) is attached with a mounting point in the lower area (107) of the inner panel (105) of the vehicle door.

9. The bead structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein a reinforced zone (600) is formed of combining the first bead (101), the second bead (102), the third bead (103) and the diagonal bead (108).

Description:A REINFORCING BEAD STRUCTURE FOR IMPROVING BELTLINE RIGIDITY

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 a front and rear portion of the door inner panel to improve the rigidity of the beltline.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[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 or movement in panel that are unwanted and ultimately the quality of the vehicle is perceived as poor.
[0003] Glass goes up and stops after hitting the available stroke in door window while operating glass through the window switch. During this stop, transverse load acts on regulator upper mounting towards outward direction and lower mounting towards inward direction. Owing to the phenomena, beltline portion of the inner panel vibrates and moves outward, with the inner panel vibration of the beltline traversing to door trim and the customer observing the evident shaking or vibration.
[0004] There are a plurality of components attached to a door inner panel, such as, window regulator, trim, weatherstrip inner, trim, etc. In a cable type window regulator that is used in vehicle doors, the regulator carrier plate on which glass is mounted, transverses between top dead centre and bottom dead centre on the door inner panel. When the glass is opened and closed, the innerp panel fastening portion to which the regulator is fastened, swings, such that the beltline above the fastening portion moves in vehicle outward direction and vibrates. Further, a load acts on the belt line panel flange and the same transverses to door trim.
[0005] In a conventional state of art, referring FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a plurality of components are attached to the door inner panel, such as, window regulator, sash, etc. A window regulator assembly includes a rail (207) with a motor (206) fitted on the inner panel (208) of the vehicle door. On a regulator carrier plate (205), a glass (201) is mounted by a glass holder (202). A door trim (301) is fitted on the inner panel (208) of the vehicle door and is hanged on the beltline with relation to weather-strip inner (302). As the glass (201) moves up by the regulator assembly (207), the glass (201) stops by the top brackets (203), (204) upon reaching the maximum upward movement. After reaching the stall load, the motor (206) stops, and during the process, the binding forces act outwards on an upper mounting and inwards on the bottom mounting.
[0006] Due to this, the outward movement of the upper mounting makes the beltline move out which indirectly moves the door trim (301) at the beltline towards the outward direction.
[0007] At the mounting points and even around the beltline section, the movement of the window glass (201) between the fixed points induce forces. The motor (206) attached to the window regulator system which assists in the movement of the regulator carriage, owing to sudden stopping i.e., corresponding to the limiting points of glass movement, also induces bending at upper and lower fixing points.
[0008] The vibration in the vehicle width direction is observed during the induced forces and bending moments, which becomes visible on the trim panel and eventually affects the customer experience. Therefore, an improved rigid inner panel design is required to counter the forces and bending at the fixed points and around the beltline. It is therefore imperative to reinforce the inner panel, including the beltline.
[0009] In the prior art, it discloses about the regulator fastening portion that is disposed of in a highly rigid region formed between the main bead-shaped portion and the first regulator-side bead-shaped portion. Thereby, the rigidity of the regulator fastening portion is ensured, and stable fastening is enabled. The problem with this state of the art is that it focuses on making the sash and regulator mounting rigid. It does not disclose about improving the rigidity in the beltline area. 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 vehicle door trim and armrest.
[0010] It is thereby required to provide a rigid reinforcing structure in the inner panel of the vehicle door to simultaneously improve the rigidity of the beltline.

OBJECTS OF INVENTION
[0011] It is therefore an object of the present subject matter to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks in prior method/product/apparatus.
[0012] It is a primary object of the present subject matter to provide a reinforcing bead structure in the inner panel of the vehicle door that is capable of improving door rigidity with a door inner panel shape against a negative pressure load.
[0013] It is another object of the present subject matter to strengthen the area below the beltline.
[0014] It is yet another object of the present subject matter to provide a reinforced zone to strengthen the area between the beltline and the diagonal bead.
[0015] 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 INVENTION
[0016] 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.
[0017] The present disclosure offers a solution in the form of a reinforcing bead structure in an inner panel of a vehicle door for improving beltline rigidity, the structure including a first bead arranged horizontally in an upper area of the inner panel of the door, and a second and a third bead adjoined to each other and arranged vertically in the upper area, wherein the second bead has a concave shape and the third bead has a convex shape, and wherein the second bead and the third bead are curvedly inclined in an opposite direction from each other.
[0018] In an aspect of the invention, a fourth bead is positioned in a lower area of the inner panel of the door.
[0019] In an aspect of the invention, the fourth bead is positioned opposite to the second bead.
[0020] In another aspect of the invention, the second bead includes a plurality of branches.
[0021] In another aspect of the invention, the third bead includes a plurality of branches.
[0022] In another aspect of the invention, the plurality of branches of the second bead moves away from the central area towards the beltline and a diagonal bead.
[0023] In another aspect of the invention, the plurality of branches of the third bead moves towards the beltline.
[0024] In another aspect of the invention, the branches of the fourth bead is attached with a mounting point in the lower area of the inner panel of the vehicle door.
[0025] In yet another aspect of the invention, a reinforced zone is formed by combining the first bead, the second bead, the third bead and the diagonal bead, and improves structural rigidity of the inner panel.
[0026] 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 ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0027] 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:
[0028] Fig. 1 is an illustrative view of the reinforcing bead structure in the inner panel of the vehicle door, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0029] Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate an inner panel view of a vehicle door in accordance with state-of-the-art.
[0030] Fig. 4 is a sectional view along A-A of the reinforcing bead structure as shown in Fig. 1.
[0031] Fig. 5 is a sectional view along along B-B of the reinforcing bead structure as shown in Fig. 1.
[0032] Fig. 6 is an illustrative view of the reinforcing bead structure in the inner panel of the vehicle door, in accordance with an another embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0033] 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
[0034] 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.
[0035] 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.
[0036] 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.
[0037] 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.
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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.
[0040] Referring Fig. 1 of the present invention, it discloses a reinforcing bead structure provided in an inner panel (105) of a vehicle door according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. The objective of the reinforcing bead structure is to maintain or improve the rigidity of the beltline. The inner panel (105) of the vehicle door is divided into an upper area (104) and a lower area (107).
[0041] The reinforcing bead structure includes a first bead (101) that is located in the upper area (104) of the inner panel (105) of the vehicle door. The first bead (101) is positioned horizontally below the beltline, and is linearly shaped.
[0042] The reinforcing bead structure is further provided with a second bead (102) that is arranged vertically in the upper area (104) of the inner panel (105) of the vehicle door, and is adjoined to a third bead (103) also positioned vertically in the upper area (104). The second bead (102) and the third bead (103) are connected to the first bead (101).
[0043] Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 6, It is in accordance to an embodiment of the present subject matter that the second bead (102) is a concave bead or forms a concave shape. The concave-shaped second bead (102) has a plurality of branches (102a, 102b, 102c, 102d) emerging from central area of the second bead (102). The plurality of branches (102a, 102b, 102c, 102d) of the second bead (102) form an X shape. The plurality of branches (102a, 102b, 102c, 102d) of the second bead (102) moves away from the central area towards the beltline and a diagonal bead (108). The second bead (102) includes two branches (102a, 102b) near the beltline. The second bead (102) includes two branches (102c, 102d) towards the diagonal bead (108). The branch (102a) of the second bead (102) is orthogonally connected to the first bead (101).
[0044] Furthermore, the third bead (103) is a convex bead forming a convex shape. The convex-shaped bead has a plurality of branches (103a, 103b) emerging from central area of the third bead (103). The plurality of branches (103a, 103b) of the third bead (103) form a Y shape. Here, the plurality of branches (103a, 103b) of the third bead (103) emerges from the central area and ends towards the beltline.
[0045] Hence, a reinforcing zone (600) is created by utilizing the combination of the second bead (102), the third bead (103), and the first bead (101), strengthening the panel structure and resulting in lowering the vibrations around the regulator mounting in the upper area (104) of the inner panel (105) to a great extent.
[0046] According to a further embodiment of the present subject matter, a fourth bead (106) is present in the lower area (107) of the inner panel (105) of the vehicle door. The fourth bead (106) is positioned in opposite direction to the second bead (102). The fourth bead (106) is straight and has a plurality of branches emerging at the lower end of the fourth bead (106) and forms a Y shape. The branches of the fourth bead (106) get attached with a mounting point in the lower area (107) of the inner panel (105) of the vehicle door. Therefore, due to the positioning of the fourth bead (106), the vibrations in regulator lower mounting in the lower area (107) are lowered as well.
[0047] Fig. 4 refers to section A-A marked in the Fig. 1 around the concave-shaped second bead (102) and convex-shaped third bead (103). The regulator mounting in the upper area (104) are mounted on two locations (401, 402). The mounting location (401) is reinforced by the combined effect of the two branches (102a, 102b) of the second bead (102) and the first bead (101). The mounting location (402) is reinforced by the combined effect of the two branches (103a, 103b) of the third bead (103), the branch (102b) of the second bead (102) and the the first bead (101).
[0048] Fig. 5 refers to section B-B marked in the Fig. 1 around the concave-shaped second bead (102) and convex-shaped third bead (103). The central region of the concave shaped second bead (102) and the convex-shaped third bead (103) are shown in the section B-B.
[0049] Fig. 6 illustrates a reinforced zone (600) in the inner panel (105) of the vehicle door. The combined effect of the first bead (101), the concave-shaped second bead (102), the convex-shaped third bead (103) and the diagonal bead (108) forms a trapezoidal zone (600) with improved structural rigidity. Therefore, the reinforced zone (600) provides the desired rigidity in the upper area (104) which mitigates the vibration observed in the beltline portion.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[0050] With the help of the solution as proposed herein in the context of the present disclosure, the panel structure near the upper mounting of the upper area is made rigid, and outward movement causing the vibrations and misalignment is eliminated by effective positioning and utilization of the combination of strengths of the first bead (101), the second bead (102) and the third bead (103). The combined effect of the first bead (101), the concave-shaped second bead (102), the convex-shaped third bead (103) and the diagonal bead (108) forms a reinforced zone (600) with improved structural rigidity.
[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.