TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure, in general, relates to side doors of automobiles and, more particularly, to reinforce inner panel of the side door structure to accommodate a door stopper assembly.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Generally, side door structure in an automobile plays an important role for entry and exit from automobile. The side doors are connected with A-pillar or B-pillars of the automobile through hinge brackets. Further, a door stopper or door checker is provided in between the hinge brackets to define limit of door opening or closing and also provide steps while opening or closing the door.
[0004] The door stopper assembly comprising a stopper box and stop comp rod. The stopper box is mounted on inner panel of the side door structure. The stop comp rod is pivotally connected with the A-pillar or B-pillar of the automobile at one end and other end moves to and fro relatively with the stopper box to provide hydraulic motion. Further, other end has a restrictor that defines opening of the side door. While opening and closing of the side door, the stop comp rod applies load on the stopper box that is mounted on the inner panel. The stopper box tends to apply stress to the inner door panel and results in formation of crack on the inner door panel.
[0005] To provide reinforcement to the inner door panel of the side door structure a large size reinforcement for door hinge and stopper box is provided. Referring to fig. 1, the side door structure 100 has an inner door panel 101 where door hinges and a door stopper assembly is mounted. On the inner door panel 101,

a common reinforcement 103 is provided that covers both a door hinge reinforcement 104 and a stopper box 105. Further, thickness of the common reinforcement 103 is decided based on thickness of the inner door panel at the hinge brackets. Furthermore, the thickness of the common reinforcement 103 may be dependent on the door stopper assembly. However, both the door hinge mounting portion and the door stopper assembly mounting portion on the inner door panel 101 have different reinforcement requirements.
[0006] Referring to fig. lb that is cross section view of the Fig. la along line AA, the door stopper box 105 is mounted on the common reinforcement 103. The existing reinforcement means have several technical disadvantages. Firstly, both the hinge portion and door stopper portion have different reinforcement requirements, and providing same reinforcement increases stiffness with weight of the side door structure.
[0007] Another technical problem associated with the existing technology is that door stopper assembly has to be placed near the hinge bracket of the side door. If the door stopper assembly is positioned away from the hinge bracket, large size of common reinforcement is required.
[0008] Yet another technical problem associated with the existing technology is that left hand side common reinforcement is different from right hand side common reinforcement in orientation. Therefore, two different type of reinforcement has to be prepared that increases cost and time.
[0009] Another technical problem associated with the existing technology is that multiple spot welding is required for the common reinforcement that increases cost and assembly time.
[0010] Another technical problem associated with the existing technology is
weight of the reinforcement.
[0011] Therefore, a localized reinforcement of the door stopper assembly on the inner door panel is required that can avoid stress concentration at stopper box

mounting position, and thus avoid cracking of the door inner panel and improve durability of the door by avoiding rusting.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0012] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed hereinbelow.
[0013] A general object of the present disclosure is to provide a side door structure for an automobile to avoid crack generation in an inner door panel of the automobile.
[0014] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a side door structure with localized reinforcement at mounting of door stopper assembly on the inner door panel.
[0015] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a common bracket that can be mounted on all the doors of the automobile.
[0016] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred form of the present invention is illustrated.
SUMMARY
[0017] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a side door structure of an automobile for avoiding crack generation in inner door panel of the side door structure of an automobile during over opening of the side door structure. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0018] In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a side door structure for an automobile to accommodate door stopper assembly. The side door

structure has an inner door panel and an outer door panel. The inner door panel has a stop comp cut-out to mount the door stopper assembly. The door stopper assembly is provisioned within the inner door panel and is defined by a dedicated cut-out to accommodate a stop comp rod. A reinforcement bracket is positioned on the inner panel to reinforce mounting of the door stopper assembly. The reinforcement bracket comprises a base having two sides hereinafter referred to as a first side and a second side, respectively.
[0019] The first side forms an arc structure and the second side forms a step shape structure (for example, tub shape). The second side defines a second flange that bends in opposite direction to the first flange of the first side to define a step shape structure. The step shape structure has a base portion and a top portion. From the top portion of the second side, two inclined translating portion extend opposite to each other. The base portion and the top portion are connected with each other through an inclined translating portion, resultantly forms a step-like structure. The step like structure provides an additional support to the inner structure of the door panel during the operation.
[0020] In an aspect, the reinforcement bracket is spot welded with the inner door panel of the side door structure.
[0021] In an aspect, the reinforcement bracket is a universal structure that can be used in all the doors of the automobile, irrespective of left hand side door and right hand side door.
[0022] In an aspect, the reinforcement bracket is manufactured from a metal sheet which is drawn into its step shape structure through press mechanism.
[0023] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0025] Fig. la illustrates common reinforcement for hinge and door stopper assembly as known in the art;
[0026] Fig. lb illustrates cross section view along AA of fig. la;
[0027] Fig. 2a illustrates separate reinforcement bracket for door stopper assembly and hinge for automobile door, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0028] Fig. 2b illustrates cross section view along BB of fig. 2a showing mounting of door stopper assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0029] Fig. 2c illustrates cross section view along CC of fig. 2a, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0030] Fig. 3 illustrates position of the reinforcement bracket on inner door panel to reinforce the door stopper assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0031] Fig. 4 illustrates structure of the reinforcement bracket mounted on the inner door panel as shown in Fig. 2a and 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0032] Fig. 5 illustrates another view showing tub shape or step shape structure of the reinforcement bracket as mounted on the inner door panel as illustrated in fig. 2a, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0033] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of 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
[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 clearly 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 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] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes" and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0037] In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", "third", and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly

indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
[0038] 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, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0039] 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.
[0040] In the present subject matter, a separate reinforcement bracket from hinge reinforcement bracket is explained that reinforces mounting of door stopper assembly on inner door panel of the side door structure. The present reinforcement bracket strengthens the mounting of the door stopper assembly locally without increasing weight and assembly time. Further, the present reinforcement bracket does not interfere with sealing surface of the inner door panel which results into robust mounting of weather strip on the inner door panel.
[0041] Referring to Fig. 2a, the present subject matter relates to a side door structure 200 to accommodate a side door stopper assembly to operate the side door in open and close direction. The side door structure 200 is pivotally connected with side body 207 (as shown in fig. 2b) of the automobile through hinge brackets and the door stopper assembly. The side door structure 200 comprises an outer door panel and an inner door panel 201. The outer panel is visible from outer side of the automobile and the inner door panel 201 is visible from inside of the automobile. The inner door panel 201 defines provisions to

receive the hinge bracket and the door stopper assembly. The inner door panel 201 defines an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface of the inner door panel 201 is visible from inner side of the automobile. Further, the inner surface receives all reinforcement to provide rigidity to the side door structure 200 and connecting means of the side door structure 200 with the side body 207 of the automobile.
[0042] The inner door panel 201 has a provision for a stop comp cut-out area 209 (as shown in fig. 3) in order to mount the door stopper assembly and allow to-firo motion of the stop comp 206 (as shown in fig. 2b) of the door stopper assembly. The door stopper assembly comprises a stop comp 206 and a stopper box 205. The stopper box 205 is configured to mount on the inner surface of the inner door panel 201 with connecting means, such as bolting or fasteners. The stop comp 206 is coupled with the stopper box 205 to move to-fro along with opening and closing of the side door. One end of the stop comp 206 is pivotally coupled with the side body 207 of the automobile and other end has a restrictor to restrict movement of the stop comp 206 in the stopper box 205 as pre-defined door opening limits. Further, functioning and working of the door stopper assembly is well known to a person skilled in the art, therefore, to avoid ambiguity in the subject matter as claimed in the present description, the detailed description of the door stopper assembly is avoided.
[0043] Referring again to fig. 2a, the present disclosure defines separate reinforcement bracket for the hinge bracket and the stop comp cut out area 209. The reinforcement bracket 203 is mounted on the inner surface of the mounting area of the stopper box 205 through connecting means, such as spot welding or arc welding or any other adhesive means. The reinforcement bracket 203 also defines a cut-out portion 203c (as shown in fig. 3) corresponding to the stop comp cutout area 209 of the inner door panel 201. The reinforcement bracket 203 is mounted on the inner surface in such a manner that the cut-out portion 203c is in-line with the stop comp cut out area 209 of the inner door panel 201 constituting single cut-out portion.

[0044] Referring to fig. 2b illustrating cross section view along line BB of fig. 2a, the reinforcement bracket 203 matches with the stop comp cutout area 209 to allow movement of the stop comp 206. The reinforcement bracket 203 is connected with the inner door panel 201 at two sides, for example, on horizontal upper side 201a and vertical side 201b of the inner door panel 201. As shown in the fig. 2b, a flange 203a (explained in detail in fig. 4) of the reinforcement bracket 203 is not in contact with sealing surface 208 of the inner door panel 201. The sealing surface 208 facilitates mounting of weather strip 210 on the inner door panel 201. When the reinforcement bracket 203 matches or superimpose with the sealing surface 208, the reinforcement bracket 203 hinders mounting of the weather strip and add extra stress and spot welding position. Further, the spot welding location are visible on outer surface of the inner door panel 201 that reduces the aesthetic appearance.
[0045] Fig. 2c illustrates cross sectional view along line CC of fig. 2a, the reinforcement bracket 203 is spot welded with the inner door panel 201 at two locations. As shown in the fig. 2c, the reinforcement bracket 203 defines a step shape structure or tub shape structure at one side.
[0046] Referring to fig. 3 that illustrates location for mounting of the reinforcement bracket 203 and simultaneously mounting of reinforcement bracket 203 on the inner door panel 201 by spot welding means. The reinforcement bracket 203 is spot welded on the inner door panel 201 at two locations indicated by reference numeral 203b. Upon mounting, the stop comp cut-out area 209 of the inner door panel 201 matches with the stop comp cut-out portion 203 c of the reinforcement. Further, the mounting provisions for the stopper box 205 of the reinforcement bracket 203 are also in-line with the inner door panel 201.
[0047] In an embodiment, the stop comp cut-out area 209 can be selected from shapes including oval, round, elliptical, square as per the feasibility and requirement but not limited to the above mentioned shapes. Accordingly, cut-out portion shape of the reinforcement bracket changes.

[0048] Referring to Fig. 4, the reinforcement bracket 300 (same as 203 of the fig. 2) comprises a base 301 defining a first side 302 and a second side 303, respectively. The first side 302 lies opposite to the second side 303 and distanced by the base 301. The first side 302 defines an arc structure and the second side defines a step shape structure. Further, a first flange 304 is extending away along the arc shape at an angle from the first side 302. The first flange 304 matches with the surface profile of the sealing surface of the inner door panel 201. A second flange 305 bends opposite to the first flange 304 and define the step shape structure or tub shape structure 309 (as shown in fig. 5) with the base 301.
[0049] The second flange 305 comprises a top portion 308 and a base portion 306 where the base portion 306 is connected with the top portion 308 by an inclined translating portion 307 to define the step shape structure 309. Similarly, on other side, the second flange 305 defines the step shape structure. The top portion 308 defines holes 308a that are used by assembly jig machine to hold the reinforcement bracket 300 while mounting and welding the same on the inner door panel 201.
[0050] In other word, the second flange 305 defines tub shape structure 309 where two inclined translation portion 307 extend from a base portion 306 at an angle. Further, the inclined translation portion 307 bends and extend away to define bend flanges of the top portion 308 having holes 308a.
[0051] In yet another word, the second flange 305 defines a hat shape cross section with top portion, inclined side portion, and bend flanges.
[0052] As shown in fig. 4, the base 301 comprises a cut-out portion 301c that corresponds to stop comp cutout area 209 of the inner door panel 201. The base 301 also defines mounting provisions 301a to mount the stopper box 205.
[0053] The reinforcement bracket 300 is preferably made from a sheet metal having desired quality and strength. Further, shape of the reinforcement bracket 300 is obtained by pressing mechanism. Further, the arc shape and the step shape structure both are obtained by the press mechanism. The reinforcement bracket

300 defines flanges in opposite direction to avoid twisting and in order to gather extra strength around and near the stop comp cut-out area 209.
[0054] Referring to Fig. 5, the reinforcement bracket 300 is spot welded on the inner surface of the inner door panel 201 at the base 301 and at the base portion 306 as indicated by edging. Further, the reinforcement bracket 300 can be spot welded at a plurality of locations. The first flange 304 defining arc shape is not welded with the sealing surface of the inner door panel 201.
[0055] Application of force on the reinforcement bracket while opening of the side door:
[0056] While opening the side door, the stop comp 206 applies pressure on the stopper box 205 and stopper box 205 transfers the load on the reinforcement bracket 203. With the arc structure flange 304, 203a, the reinforcement bracket 300 absorbs the load while bending the flange 304, 203a towards the sealing surface of the inner door panel 201. At the end, the arc structure flange 304 transfers the pending load uniformly over the sealing surface of the inner door panel 201.
[0057] Technical advantages:
[0058] Small bracket size is required to strengthen the inner door panel corresponding to door stopper assembly.
[0059] Common bracket can be used for both left hand and right hand side door structure.
[0060] The present reinforcement bracket is small and light in weight that reduces the overall weight of the side door structure.
[0061] The present reinforcement bracket is cost effective as small amount of material is used and there is no wastage of material.
[0062] The present reinforcement bracket can be obtained using press mechanism.

[0063] The present reinforcement bracket provides localized rigidity to the inner door panel and distributes the load uniformly.
[0064] The above description does not provide specific details of the manufacture or design of the various components. Those skilled in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art can choose suitable manufacturing and design details.
[0065] Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0066] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
[0067] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

We claim

1.A side door structure (200) for an automobile to accommodate door stopper
assembly, the side door structure (200) comprises:
an outer door panel;
an inner door panel (201) defines an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner door panel (201) joined with the outer door panel and define a stop comp cut-out area (209) to mount the door stopper assembly; and characterized in that
a reinforcement bracket (203) is mounted on the inner door panel (201) to reinforce the stop comp cut-out area (209).
2. The side door structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement
bracket (203) comprising:
a base (301) having a first side (302) and a second side (303) opposite to the first side (302), wherein the first side (302) defines an arc shape (304) and a first flange (304) is extending away along arc shape (304) of the first side (302),
wherein a second flange (305) bends in opposite direction to the first flange (304) along the second side (303) to define a step shape structure (309), the step shape structure (309) has a base portion (306) and a top portion (308) connected by an inclined translating portion (307).
3. The side door structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base (301) defines a stop comp cut-out portion (203c, 301c) corresponding to the stop comp cut-out area (209) of the inner door panel (201).
4. The side door structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement bracket (203) is spot welded with the inner door panel (201).
5. The side door structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement bracket (102) is universal for all door of the automobile.
7. A reinforcement bracket (300) for reinforcing mounting of door stopper assembly on a side door, the reinforcement bracket (300) comprising:

a base (301) having a first side (302) and a second side (303) opposite to the first side (302), the first side (302) defines an arc shape;
a first flange (304) is extending away from the first side (302) along the arc shape; and
a second flange (305) bends in opposite direction to the first flange (304) along the second side (303) to define a step shape structure (309),
wherein the step shape structure (309) has a base portion (306) and a top portion (308) connected by an inclined translating portion (307).
8. The reinforcement bracket (300) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the base (301) defines a stop comp cut-out portion (203c, 301c) corresponding to a stop comp cut-out area (209) of the stopper assembly.
9. The reinforcement bracket (300) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the bracket (300) is spot welded with the inner door panel (201).
10. The reinforcement bracket (300) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the
reinforcement bracket (300) is universal for all door of the automobile.