Description:A VEHICLE DOOR STRUCTURE

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a vehicle door structure. The present invention, in particular, relates to a vehicle front door structure with enhanced rigidity.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, a vehicle is provided with a plurality of doors, each rotatably hinged to vehicle body to facilitate passengers to get on board or get off board from the vehicle. Further, a lock is provided on the vehicle doors for security purpose. In addition, vehicle doors are provided with moving glass capable of ascending and descending from inside the door by manipulation of passenger.
[0003] The vehicle door structure comprises a door frame, an outer panel and an inner panel (more particularly inner panel gara area). The door frame is the primary structure having a hollow portion, in the upper region, designed to accommodate a window glass. The outer panel is arranged on the outer surface of the door frame below the hollow portion. The inner panel (gara area) is arranged on the inner surface of the door frame below the hollow portion. Provisions for various instruments/components such as speakers, window adjuster, latch etc. are provided on the inner panel of the vehicle door structure. To accommodate the speakers, the window adjuster and the latch, dedicated cut-outs are provided on the inner panel. Generally, the window adjuster includes a motor which facilitate ascending and descending of the window glass in the hollow portion (between the inner panel and the outer panel) of the door structure. In addition, cut-outs are provided in the inner panel to facilitate assembly of said speakers, window adjusters and latch.
[0004] Due to existence of various cut-outs on the inner panel, the rigidity of the inner panel on the door structure is compromised. During opening and closing of the door, stresses may generate in vulnerable regions of the inner panel of the door structure. Apart from the stresses generated during opening and closing of the door, additional stresses are induced on the inner panel during the movement of the window glass in the sash. Due to the generation of stresses in the inner panel, flexing of the inner panel occur during opening and closing of the door.
[0005] Also during window glass adjustment operation, the initiation of motor by the window adjuster results in lateral movement around beltline which moves the door trim and ruins aesthetics of the vehicle door structure.
[0006] One of the solutions, to contain generation of stresses in the vulnerable regions of the inner panel of the door structure, is to provide local reinforcement beads to enhance rigidity of the vulnerable regions. The reinforcement beads in the vulnerable region of the inner panel reduce stress concentration and thereby strengthen inner panel of the door structure. However, it is not always feasible to provide the reinforcement beads in the vulnerable regions due to presence of multiple cut-outs in the inner panel of the door structure.
[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for a solution to enhance rigidity of the vehicle door specifically in the vulnerable regions of the inner panel.

SUMMARY
[0008] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a vehicle 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.
[0009] The present subject matter relates to a vehicle door structure. The vehicle door structure comprises a door frame, an outer panel and an inner panel. The door frame has a hollow portion to accommodate a window glass. The outer panel is arranged on outer surface of the door frame below the hollow portion. The inner panel is arranged on the inner surface of the door frame below the hollow portion. The inner panel has a main diagonal bead connecting leading edge top portion of the inner panel with the rear edge bottom portion of the inner panel. A canted continuous reinforcement bead is provided to connect the top edge portion of the inner panel with the bottom edge portion of the inner panel.
[0010] In an aspect, the canted continuous reinforcement bead intersects the main diagonal bead at the junction point and gets bifurcated into a first segment and a second segment.
[0011] In an aspect, the first segment of the canted continuous reinforcement bead runs along latch and regulator insertion cut-out connecting the top edge portion of the inner panel with the junction point of the main diagonal bead.
[0012] In an aspect, the second segment of the canted continuous reinforcement bead connects the junction point at the main diagonal bead with the bottom edge portion of the inner panel.
[0013] In an aspect, top portion of the first segment has dual prong structure in the top edge region of inner panel.
[0014] In an aspect, middle portion of the first segment has single bead structure.
[0015] In an aspect, bottom portion of the first segment has dual prong structure in the junction region.
[0016] In an aspect, top portion of the second segment has dual prong structure in the junction region at the main diagonal bead.
[0017] In an aspect, middle portion of the second segment has single bead structure.
[0018] In an aspect, bottom portion of the second segment is provided adjacent to the window glass mounting cut-out encompassing the window regulator assembly fastening portion.
[0019] To further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit the scope of the present subject matter.
[0020] 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 FIGURES
[0021] The illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure 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 processes that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates back view of an exemplary vehicle door structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; and
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates front view of an exemplary canted continuous reinforcement bead that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0024] 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
[0025] A few aspects of the present disclosure are explained in detail below with reference to the various figures. Example implementations are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations of the various features provided in the description that follows.
Definitions
[0026] In the disclosure hereinafter, one or more terms are used to describe various aspects of the present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, a few definitions are provided herein for better understating of the present disclosure.
[0027] “Vulnerable Region” may be defined, in context of the disclosure, as regions on the inner panel with low rigidity due to presence of cut-outs in the vicinity.
[0028] “Junction Point” may be defined, in the context of the disclosure, as the point of intersection of the main diagonal bead and the canted continuous reinforcement bead.
[0029] “Junction Region” may be defined, in the context of the disclosure, as the region around the junction point.
[0030] “Leading Edge” may be defined, in the context of the disclosure, as the edge of the inner panel which coincides with the upper hinge and lower hinge area of the vehicle door structure.
[0031] “Rear Edge” may be defined, in the context of the disclosure, as the edge of the inner panel which coincides with the latch area of the vehicle door structure.
[0032] “Top Edge” may be defined, in the context of the disclosure, as the edge of the inner panel which coincides with the waist area (beltline area) of the vehicle door structure.
[0033] “Bottom Edge” may be defined, in the context of the disclosure, as the edge of the inner panel which coincides with the sill area of the vehicle door structure.

EXEMPLARY IMPLEMENTATIONS
[0034] While the present disclosure may be embodied in various forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described, some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. Not all of the depicted components described in this disclosure may be required, however, and some implementations may include additional, different, or fewer components from those expressly described in this disclosure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the scope of the claims as set forth herein.
[0035] It is always advisable to provide a rigid inner panel on the vehicle door structure. However, it becomes difficult to reinforce the inner panel without adding reinforcements to the vehicle door structure especially in the vulnerable regions of the inner panel.
[0036] In order to achieve the goal of enhancing rigidity of the inner panel of the vehicle door specifically at the vulnerable regions, a vehicle door structure may be utilized. The vehicle door structure is described in more detail below.
[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates back view (point of view from outside the vehicle) of an exemplary vehicle door structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The vehicle door structure 100 comprises a door frame 101, an outer panel (not shown) and an inner panel 102 (gara area). The door frame 101 is main structure of the vehicle door 100 having an upper portion 101a and a lower portion 101b. The upper portion 101a of the door frame 101 has a hollow portion 103 to accommodate a window glass. The shape of the window glass is identical to the shape of the hollow portion 103. In the assembled condition, the window glass is capable of ascending and descending within the hollow portion 103.
[0038] The lower portion 101b of the door frame 101 is adapted to accommodate the outer panel and the inner panel 102. The lower portion 101b of the door frame 101 has a leading edge, a rear edge, a top edge and a bottom edge. The outer panel (not shown) is arranged on the outer surface of the door frame 101 aligned with the leading edge, the rear edge, the top edge and the bottom edge of the door frame 101 in the lower portion 101b. The inner panel 102 is arranged on the inner surface of the door frame 101 opposite to the outer panel and aligned with the leading edge, the rear edge, the bottom edge and the top edge of the door frame 101 in the lower portion 101b. Thus, the leading edge 104a of the inner panel 102 is aligned with the leading edge of the door frame 101, the rear edge 104b of the inner panel 102 is aligned with the rear edge of the door frame 101, the top edge 104c portion of the inner panel 102 is aligned with the top edge of the door frame 101 and the bottom edge 104d portion of the inner panel 102 is aligned with the bottom edge of the door frame 101. The inner panel 102 is provided with an upper hinge and a lower hinge. The upper hinge and the lower hinge are provided on the leading edge 104a of inner panel 102 particularly aligned with the leading edge of the door frame 101. This upper hinge and lower hinge facilitate mounting of the vehicle door structure 100 on the vehicle body. In addition to the upper hinge and the lower hinge, a lock is provided on the rear edge 104b of the inner panel 102 particularly aligned with the rear edge of the door frame 101. The lock is provided for safety and security measures.
[0039] To enhance rigidity of the inner panel 102, two rigid portions of the inner panel 102 are connected together for better stress distribution. The leading edge 104a of the inner panel 102 and the rear edge 104b of the inner panel 102 usually has better rigidity due to presence of the hinges and the latch, respectively. Further, the top edge 104c portion of the inner panel 102 in the lower portion 101b and the bottom edge 104d portion of the inner panel 102 is highly rigid as the inner panel 102 is mounted on the door frame 101 through these edges.
[0040] Generally, to enhance the rigidity of the inner panel 102 of the vehicle door structure 100 a main diagonal bead 105 is provided. The main diagonal bead 105 enhances rigidity of the inner panel 102 by connecting leading edge 104a top portion (highly rigid) of the inner panel 102 with the rear edge 104b bottom portion (highly rigid) of the inner panel 102.
[0041] In addition to the main diagonal bead 105, a canted continuous reinforcement bead 106 is provided on the inner panel 102 to enhance rigidity. The canted continuous reinforcement bead 106 enhances rigidity of the inner panel 102 by connecting the top edge 104c portion of the inner panel 102 with the bottom edge 104d portion of the inner panel 102. The canted continuous reinforcement bead 106 intersects the main diagonal bead 105 at junction point 107.
[0042] The canted continuous reinforcement bead 106 is bifurcated into a first segment 106a and a second segment 106b by the main diagonal bead 105. The first segment 106a and the second segment 106b meet the main diagonal bead 105 at the junction point 107.
[0043] FIG. 2 illustrates front view of an exemplary canted continuous reinforcement bead that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The first segment 106a of the canted continuous reinforcement bead 106 connects the top edge 104c portion of the inner panel 102 with the main diagonal bead 105. The first segment 106a of the canted continuous reinforcement bead 106 runs along the latch and regulator insertion cut-out 108. In this way, the first segment 106a of the canted continuous reinforcement bead 106 provides rigidity in the vicinity of the latch and regulator insertion cut-out 108. Top portion 201a of the first segment 106a has dual prong structure in the top edge 104c region of the inner panel. This dual prong structure merges into a single bead structure in the middle portion 201b of the first segment 106a. The single bead structure of the middle portion 201b of the first segment 106a is branched into dual prong structure in the lower portion 201c. Thus, the lower portion 201c of the first segment 106a also has the dual prong structure in the junction region.
[0044] The second segment 106b of the canted continuous reinforcement bead 106 connects the junction point 107 at the main diagonal bead 105 with the bottom edge 104d portion of the inner panel 102. The second segment 106b of the canted continuous reinforcement bead 106 is provided adjacent to window glass mounting cut-out 202. Further, the second segment 106b of the canted continuous reinforcement bead 106 encompasses window regulator assembly fastening portion 204. In this way, the second segment 106b of the canted continuous reinforcement bead 106 provides rigidity in the vicinity of the window glass mounting cut-out 202 and the window regulator assembly fastening portion 204. Top portion 203a of the second segment 106b has dual prong structure in the junction region. This dual prong structure merges into a single bead structure in the middle portion 203b of the second segment 106b. Bottom portion 203c of the second segment 106b runs adjacent to the window glass mounting cut-out 202 encompassing the window regulator assembly fastening portion 204. Thus, the bottom portion 203c of the second segment 106b connects with the bottom edge 104d portion of the inner panel 102.
ADVANTAGES
[0045] The proposed vehicle door structure is provided with the canted continuous reinforcement bead which imparts additional strength to the trim mounting areas. Further, the canted continuous reinforcment bead provides additional strength to the inner panel by reducing stress concentration in the vulnerable regions. Due to this additional strength, the vehicle door structure also reduces flexing of the inner panel.
[0046] The above description does not provide specific details of the manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill 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 are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.
[0047] 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.
[0048] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[0049] 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.
, Claims:We Claim:
1. A vehicle door structure (100), comprising:
a door frame (101) having a hollow portion (103) to accommodate a window glass;
an outer panel arranged on outer surface of the door frame (101) below the hollow portion (103); and
an inner panel (102) arranged on inner surface of the door frame (101) below the hollow portion (103), wherein the inner panel (102) has a main diagonal bead (105) connecting leading edge (104a) top portion of the inner panel (102) with the rear edge (104b) bottom portion of the inner panel (102);
characterized in that
a canted continuous reinforcement bead (106) is provided to connect the top edge (104c) portion of the inner panel (102) with the bottom edge (104d) portion of the inner panel (102).
2. The vehicle door structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the canted continuous reinforcement bead (106) intersects the main diagonal bead (105) at the junction point (107) and gets bifurcated into a first segment (106a) and a second segment (106b).
3. The vehicle door structure (100) as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein the first segment (106a) of the canted continuous reinforcement bead (106) runs along latch and regulator insertion cut-out (108) connecting the top edge (104c) portion of the inner panel (102) with the junction point (107) at the main diagonal bead (105).
4. The vehicle door structure (100) as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein the second segment (106b) of the canted continuous reinforcement bead (106) connects the junction point (107) at the main diagonal bead (105) with the bottom edge (104d) portion of the inner panel (102).
5. The vehicle door structure (100) as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein top portion (201a) of the first segment (106a) has dual prong structure in the top edge (104c) region of inner panel (102).
6. The vehicle door structure (100) as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein middle portion (201b) of the first segment (106a) has single bead structure.
7. The vehicle door structure (100) as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein bottom portion (201c) of the first segment (106a) has dual prong structure in the junction region at the main diagonal bead (105).
8. The vehicle door structure (100) as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein top portion (203a) of the second segment (106b) has dual prong structure in the junction region at the main diagonal bead (105).
9. The vehicle door structure (100) as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein middle portion (203b) of the second segment (106b) has single bead structure.
10. The vehicle door structure (100) as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein bottom portion (203c) of the second segment (106b) is provided adjacent to the window glass mounting cut-out (202) encompassing the window regulator assembly fastening portion (204).