TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure, in general, relates to a structure used for mounting a cladding to an exterior of a vehicle body. In particular, the present disclosure isabout the vehicle door structure that strengthens the lower section of the outer door panel for mounting the cladding. More particulary this vehicle door structure comprises a V-shaped longitudinal bead that provides strength to the outer door panel and also helps in creating space between cladding and outer door panel.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, Motor vehicles with common body panels are frequently offered in various trim packages each having a distinct exterior appearance. The exterior appearance of the vehicle is often enhanced through distinct front and rear face. The complementing body side cladding attachments are also attached to the vehicle to enhance the aesthetic look of the vehicle. For example, a base model of the vehicle may be offered without body side cladding attachments, whereas upgraded models may include different body side cladding attachments, among other ornamental and functional features.
[0003] But, nowadays most of the vehicles are using side cladding attachments that enhances the exterior features of the vehicle.
[0004] The state of arts mentioned in this section of technology proposed large number of techniques that focusses on mechanism of effectively attaching ornamental panels such as cladding members to the body of a motor vehicle. For example, loose mechanical fasteners are frequently employed but having certain disadvantage. In other applications, mechanical fasteners are heat staked to the cladding member and adapted to engage apertures provided in the body side panel or other portion of the motor vehicle. It is also known to

employ double-sided adhesive tape for at least partially fastening ornamental panels to motor vehicles.
[0005] The above discussed techniques that are used for attaching ornamental panels to motor vehicles, have proven to be successful for certain applications, but they all are also associated with certain disadvantages. Moreover, the proposed techniques are also laborious and cost intensive. The other known techniques related to this technology also fail to securely attach the ornamental panel with the associated motor vehicle and/or do not provide an adequate fit between the ornamental panel or cladding and the motor vehicle.
[0006] Currently, most of the vehicle has large cladding structure. In case of large cladding in automobile doors, center area between door cladding mounting points become flimsy that makes the door outer panel more prone to deformation during impact. The currently designed doors panels as shown in Fig.1 are straight and there is no provision for strength in lower area of the outer panel. Moreover, in the current panel design there is also no flexibility in changing the cladding design once the design is freeze. If there is any requirement for adding features in cladding, the outer panel also need to be changed.
[0007] The above disclosed design also lowers the strength of the side door, since the area between the door cladding mounting points is also above the side sill and will easily get deformed without providing any resistance. Therefore, there is requirement in the modification in the design of the outer panel and also there is a necessity of structure that need to be formed at a lower end of an outer panel of a vehicle side door that increases the strength of the side door during the side impact and also cost-effective and laborious in nature.

OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0008] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed hereinbelow.
[0009] It is a general or primary object of the present disclosure to provide the vehicle door structure having enough strength to bear the impact during side collision of the vehicle.
[0010] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide the vehicle door structure that affords flexibility in changing the style of cladding whenever required.
[0011] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide the vehicle door structure that offers an adequate fit between the cladding and the vehicle door structure.
[0012] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide the vehicle door structure that is cost-effective and less laborious.
[0013] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide the vehicle door structure that offers better performance and flexibility.
[0014] These and other objects and advantages of the present disclosure 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 disclosure is illustrated.
SUMMARY
[0015] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a vehicle door structure having enough strength to bear the impact during side collision

of the vehicle. 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.
[0016] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a vehicle door structure, comprising a longitudinal bead formed at an outer panel lower portion of a vehicle side door and connecting a front end to a rear end of the outer panel lower portion of the vehicle side door, and a plurality of door cladding mounting points formed at peripheral longitudinal edges of the longitudinal bead.
[0017] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides the vehicle door structure, in which the outer panel lower portion includes the longitudinal bead having a first inward step to accommodate a door cladding, a first outward step extending from the first inward for accommodating upper door cladding mounting points, a V-shaped step extending from the first outward, a second outward step extending from the V-shaped step, and a second inward step extending from the second outward step, wherein the second outward step in conjunction with the second inward step act as lower door cladding mounting points.
[0018] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides the vehicle door structure, in which the V-shaped step forms a space between the outer panel lower section and the door cladding.
[0019] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides the vehicle door structure in which the V-shaped step incorporates a reinforced structure.
[0020] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides the vehicle door structure in which an adhesive tape is fixed between the door cladding and the first inward step.

[0021] Moreover, the vehicle door structure proposed herein can be manufactured without incurring additional cost to a vehicle while providing strength to the vehicle door. The proposed vehicle door structure is easy to manufacture and is lightweight and cost-effective as well.
[0022] To further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made regarding the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit the scope of the present subject matter.
[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. 1 illustrates a conventional vehicle door structure;
[0026] FIGs. 2A and 2B illustrates the front view and the enlarged view of the proposed vehicle door structure along the section B-B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed cross-sectional view of the vehicle door structure along the section B-B that is shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0028] FIGs. 4A-4C illustrate an enlarged view of the proposed vehicle door structure along the section C-C and the section D-D, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0029] FIGs. 5A-5D illustrate an enlarged view of the two different door cladding along the section E-E and the section F-F, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0030] 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
[0031] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to con all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0032] 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.
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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.
[0035] 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.
[0036] Embodiments explained herein pertain to a lower portion of a vehicle side door. As mentioned above, the conventional vehicle side door 100, as shown in FIG. 1, has an outer door panel lower portion 102 having a straight section 104 that fails to provide strength to the outer door panel lower portion

102. Generally, when large cladding is attached to the lower portion of an automobile door, the central area provided on the lower portion of the side door outer panel 102 between the upper and lower mountings points become flimsy that makes it prone to deformation due to impact during side collision. Further, with more opening and closing of the vehicle side door 100, the efficacy of proper mounting between the cladding and the lower portion of the vehicle side door 100 is reduced.
[0037] Also in current panel design of the vehicle side door 100, there is no flexibility for change in the cladding design once the design is freeze. If there is any requirement for adding features in cladding, outer panel also needs to be changed.
[0038] To overcome the issues related to the existing vehicle side door, the present disclosure herein proposes a vehicle door structure having an outer door panel lower portion with a V-shaped longitudinal bead that provides strength to the vehicle door structure during the time of impact and also improves the mounting efficacy between the door cladding and the outer door penal lower portion.
[0039] FIGs. 2Aand 2B illustrates the front view and the enlarged view of the proposed vehicle door structure 200 along the section B-B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle door structure 200 may also be referred to as vehicle side door 200 in the decription hereinafter without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0040] Each of the vehicle side door 200 has an outer panel lower portion 202 with a V-shaped longitudinal bead 206. The V-shaped longitudinal bead 206 as shown in FIG. 2A is connecting a front end to a rear end of the outer panel lower portion 202 of the vehicle side door 200. For the sake of brevity, for each of the vehicle side door 200, the front end being an end facing front

side of a vehicle and the rear end being an end facing rear side of the vehicle. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the V-shaped longitudinal bead 206 connects the front end and the rear end of both the front and rear side doors 200.
[0041] Further, as can be seen from FIG. 2A, a plurality of door cladding mounting points 204-1, 204-2,..., 204-N are formed at peripheral longitudinal edges of the longitudinal bead 206. Hereinafter, a plurality of door cladding mounting points 204-1, 204-2,..., 204-N are collectively referred to as mouting points 204 and individually as mouting point 204. By forming the mouting points 204 at the periphery of the V-shaped longitudinal bead 206, the V-shaped longitudinal bead 206 provides the strength to the mouting points 204 as it connects each of the mouting points 204 though a single strong bead. FIG. 2B illustrates the enlarged view of the proposed vehicle door structure 202 along the section B-B.
[0042] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the proposed vehicle door structure through section B-B shown in FIG. 2B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the outer panel lower portion 202 includes a longitudinal bead 206 having a first inward step 206A to accommodate a door cladding 208, where an adhesive tape is fixed between the door cladding 208 and the first inward step 206A. Further, the longitudinal bead 206 includes a first outward step 206B extending from the first inward 206Afor accommodating the upper mounting points 204-U (also shown in FIG. 4B) for mounting the door cladding 208, a V-shaped step 206C extending from the first outward 206B, a second outward step 206D extending from the V-shaped step 206C, and a second inward step 206E extending from the second outward step 206D, in which the second outward step 206D in conjunction with the second inward step 206E that act as lower mounting points 204-L ( also shown in Fig.4C) for mounting the cladding 208.

[0043] Moreover, the V-shaped step 206C of the longitudinal bead 206 forms a space between the outer panel lower portion 202 of the vehicle side door 200 and the door cladding 208 that helps in incorporating the reinforced structure 210 that in turn provides strength to the lower section of the outer panel lower portion 202 during the time of impact.
[0044] FIGs. 4A-4C illustrate sections at two different locations of the side door lower portion 202 mounted with the door cladding 208. The section C-C and the section D-D show sections at different location that the door cladding 208 is mounted on the outer panel lower portion 202 utilizing upper mounting points 204-U and the lower mounting points 204-L provided on the longitudinal bead 206, and maintaining a continuous V-shaped step 206C connecting the front end to the rear end of the outer panel lower portion 202 of the vehicle side door 200.
[0045] FIGs. 5A-5D illustrate two different types of door cladding 208 that are denoted by the respective reference Numerals 502 and 504 which are driven by aesthetic or design. The section E-E and the section F-F show that there is gap between the V-shaped step 206C and the door cladding (502, 504), the change in shape of the door cladding 504 is accommodated due to the gap between the V-shaped step 206C and the door cladding (502, 504).
[0046] The present disclosure meets the mounting requirement as well as overcomes the problem of damage of the door outer panel lower portion 202 during the time of impact. The space formed between the V-shaped step 206C of the outer panel lower portion 202 of the vehicle side door and the door cladding 208 also helps in incorporating the LED pipe (in place of the reinforced structure 210) for improving the aesthetic feature. The vehicle door structure proposed in the present disclosure is manufactured without incurring additional cost to the vehicle while reducing injury to the occupant. Further, the additional advantages of the present disclosure are listed hereinbelow.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[0047] There is a plurality of features which are listed as technical advantages below:
[0048] The present disclosure provides a vehicle door structure that improves the strength of the side vehicle door during the side impact of the vehicle.
[0049] The present disclosure provides a vehicle door structure that provides flexibility in changing the style of cladding as per the user requirements.
[0050] The present disclosure provides a vehicle door structure that improves the strength of the mounting structure by incorporating the longitudinal bead in proximity.
[0051] The present disclosure provides a vehicle door structure that is simple in design, lightweight, and highly cost-effective.
[0052] The present disclosure provides a vehicle door structure that does not increase the overall weight of the vehicle.
[0053] The present disclosure provides a vehicle door structure that is less laborious and maintenance extensive.
[0054] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that by devising various arrangements

that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter.
[0055] Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.

We Claim:

1. A vehicle door structure (200), comprising:
a longitudinal bead (206) formed at an outer panel lower portion (202) of a vehicle side door and connecting a front end to a rear end of the outer panel lower portion (202) of the vehicle side door; and
a plurality of door cladding mounting points (204) formed at peripheral longitudinal edges of the longitudinal bead (206).
2. The vehicle door structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer panel lower portion (202) includes the longitudinal bead (206) having:
a first inward step (206A)to accommodate a door cladding (208) ;
a first outward step (206B) extending from the first inward (206A) for accommodating upper door cladding mounting points;
a V-shaped step (206C) extending from the first outward (206B);
a second outward step (206D) extending from the V-shaped step (206C); and
a second inward step (206E) extending from the second outward step (206D), wherein the second outward step (206D) in conjunction with the second inward step (206E) act as lower door cladding mounting points (204).

3. The vehicle door structure (200) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the V-shaped step (206C) forms a space between the outer panel lower portion (202) and the door cladding (208).
4. The vehicle door structure (200) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the V-shaped step (206C) incorporates a reinforced structure (210).
5. The vehicle door structure (200) as claimed in claim 2, wherein an adhesive tape is fixed between the door cladding (208) and the first inward step (206A).