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 door structure with enhanced rigidity.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, a vehicle is provided with a plurality of doors, each rotably 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. Generally, in the rear doors of the vehicle, an additional fixed glass is provided to facilitate movement of moving glass.
[0003] Referring to FIG. 1 illustrating front view of rear door of a vehicle in accordance with the existing art. The vehicle door structure 100 comprises a door frame 101, an outer panel (not shown) and an inner panel 102 (more particularly inner panel gara area). The door frame 101 is the primary structure having a hollow portion 101a, in the upper region 103a, designed to accommodate a window glass. A window sash 104 is provided that extends along the edge of the window glass in the upper region 103a of the door frame 101. A divisional bar 105 is provided for vertically dividing the moving glass and the fixed glass. The divisional bar 105 divides the hollow portion 101a into a first section 106a and a second section 106b. The outer panel is arranged on the outer surface of the door frame 101 below the hollow portion 101a. The inner panel (gara area) 102 is arranged on the inner surface of the door frame 101 below the hollow portion 101a. Provisions for various instruments such as speakers, window adjuster etc. are provided on the inner panel 102 of the vehicle door structure 100.
[0004] The divisional bar 105 which vertically divides the window sash 104 intersecting the window sash 104 at a first vulnerable point A and a second vulnerable point B. The first vulnerable point A lies on the top edge region of the window sash 104. The second vulnerable point B lies on the lower edge region of the window sash 104. The first vulnerable point A and the second vulnerable point B on the vehicle door structure 100 are susceptible to movement.
[0005] During vehicle running condition, a lateral movement (towards outside) is originated at the first vulnerable point A resulting from the direct force induced at the top edge region of the window sash 104 due to pressure difference between cabin and the outside atmosphere. This in turn induces a lateral movement at the second vulnerable point B resulting from lateral movement of first vulnerable point A.
[0006] Also during operation of glass through window adjuster, the movement of glass in the hollow portion 101a induce force on the second vulnerable point B resulting in lateral movement around beltline which moves the door trim and ruins aesthetics of the vehicle door structure 100.
[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for a solution to enhance rigidity of the vehicle door specifically in the first vulnerable point A and the second vulnerable point B.

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. A window sash is provided that extends along the edge of the window glass having a division bar vertically dividing the hollow portion into a first section and a second section intersecting the window sash at a first vulnerable point and a second vulnerable point. The outer panel is arranged on outer surface of the door frame. The inner panel is arranged on the inner surface of the door frame. A complete circumferential reinforcement bead, an upright reinforcement bead and cross reinforcement beads are provided on the vehicle door to improve rigidity of the first vulnerable point A and the second vulnerable point B.
[0010]
[0011] In an aspect, the complete circumferential reinforcement bead comprises a first circumferential reinforcement bead and a second circumferential reinforcement bead. The first circumferential reinforcement bead is provided at the periphery of the hollow portion. The second circumferential reinforcement bead provided on the periphery of the inner panel.
[0012] In an aspect, the first circumferential reinforcement bead comprises a leading edge portion, a top edge portion, a rear edge portion and a bottom edge portion. The leading edge portion is aligned with leading edge of the window sash. The top edge portion is aligned with the top edge of the window sash. The rear edge portion is aligned with a rear edge of the door frame. The bottom edge portion is aligned with the bottom edge of the window sash.
[0013] In an aspect, the second circumference reinforcement bead comprises a leading edge portion, a rear edge portion and a bottom edge portion. The leading edge portion is aligned with a leading edge of the body frame in the vicinity of the upper hinge and the lower hinge. The rear edge portion is aligned with a rear edge of the door frame in the vicinity of the lock. The bottom edge portion is aligned with a bottom edge of the door frame.
[0014] In an aspect, the complete circumferential reinforcement bead has a continual closed profile.
[0015] In an aspect, the cross reinforcement beads comprise a plurality of transverse beads connecting the bottom edge portion of the first circumferential reinforcement bead aligned with the lower edge of the window sash with the bottom edge portion of the second circumferential reinforcement bead aligned with the bottom edge of the door frame.
[0016] In an aspect, at least one of the plurality of transverse beads of the cross reinforcement beads connects the second vulnerable point (B) on the lower edge of the window sash with the bottom edge portion of the second circumferential reinforcement bead aligned with the bottom edge of the door frame.
[0017]
[0018] In an aspect, the cross reinforcement beads meet at the vulnerable point B.
[0019] In an aspect, upright reinforcement bead connects the top edge portion of the first circumferential bead with the rear edge portion of the second circumferential bead passing over the division bar.
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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
[0022] 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:
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates front view of rear door of a vehicle in accordance with the existing art;
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates front view of an exemplary vehicle door structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates front view of the vehicle door structure (illustrating only circumferential reinforcement beads and upright reinforcement bead) that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; and
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates front view of the vehicle door structure (illustrating only cross reinforcement beads) that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0027] 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
[0028] 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
[0029] 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.
[0030] “Continual Closed Profile” may be defined as a profile which does not have any breaks and does not have any beginning or the end.

EXEMPLARY IMPLEMENTATIONS
[0031] 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.
[0032] It is always advisable to provide a rigid inner panel on the vehicle door structure and a rigid sash. However, it becomes difficult to reinforce the inner panel without adding reinforcements to the vehicle door structure especially at a first vulnerable point and a second vulnerable point.
[0033] In order to achieve the goal of enhancing rigidity of the vehicle door specifically at the first vulnerable point and the second vulnerable point, a vehicle door structure may be utilized. The vehicle door structure is described in more detail below.
[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates front view 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 200 comprises a door frame 201, an outer panel (not shown) and an inner panel (gara area) 202. The door frame 201 is main structure of the vehicle door having an upper portion 203a and a lower portion 203b. The upper portion 203a of the door body 201 has a hollow portion 201a to accommodate a window glass. The shape of the hollow portion 201a is identical to the shape of the window glass. To facilitate movement of the window glass in the hollow portion 201a, a window sash 204 is provided on the inner periphery of the upper portion 203a. The window sash 204 of the door frame 201 has a leading edge 204a, a top edge 204b, a rear edge 204c and a bottom edge 204d. Accordingly, the window sash 204 extends along the edge of the window glass. In the assembled condition, the window glass is capable of ascending and descending within the window sash 204 provided on the upper portion 203a. As the single piece of window glass with the width equivalent to hollow portion 201a would not be able to slide down completely, a division bar 205 is provided in the hollow portion 201a of the door frame 201. This division bar 205 vertically divides the hollow portion 201a into a first section 206a and a second section 206b. The first section 206a is usually greater than the second section 206b. Further, the division bar 205 intersects the window sash 204 at a first vulnerable point A on the top edge and a second vulnerable point B on the bottom edge.
[0035] The lower portion 203b of the door frame 201 is adapted to accommodate the outer panel and the inner panel 202. The lower portion 203b of the door frame 201 has a leading edge 207a, a rear edge 207c and a bottom edge 207d. The outer panel (not shown) is arranged on the outer surface of the door frame 201 aligned with the leading edge 207a, the rear edge 207c, the bottom edge 207d and the bottom edge 204d of the window sash 204. The inner panel 202 is arranged on the inner surface of the door frame 201 opposite to the outer panel and aligned with the leading edge 207a, the rear edge 207c, the bottom edge 207d of the door body 201 and the bottom edge of the hollow portion 201a (including portion 206a, 206b). The inner panel 202 is provided with an upper hinge and a lower hinge. The upper hinge and the lower hinge are provided on the outer periphery of inner panel 202 particularly on the leading edge 207a of the door frame 201. This upper hinge and lower hinge facilitate mounting of the vehicle door structure 200 on the vehicle body. In addition to the upper hinge and the lower hinge, a lock is provided on the outer periphery of the inner panel 202 particularly on the rear edge 207c of the door body. The lock is provided for safety and security measures.
[0036] To enhance the rigidity of the vehicle at the first vulnerable point A and the second vulnerable point B, a complete circumferential reinforcement bead 208, an upright reinforcement bead 210 and cross reinforcement beads 209 are used. The complete circumferential reinforcement bead 208, the upright reinforcement bead 210 and the cross reinforcement beads 209 are discussed individually in detail.
[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates front view of the vehicle door structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. For clarity purpose, FIG. 3 only illustrate the complete circumferential reinforcement bead 208 and upright reinforcement bead 210. The complete circumferential reinforcement bead 208 is a combination of a first circumferential reinforcement bead 208a and a second circumferential reinforcement bead 208b. However, it is to be noted that the complete circumferential reinforcement bead 208 the upright reinforcement bead 210 and the cross reinforcement beads 209 coexist alongside each other. The complete circumferential reinforcement bead 208 is provided on the periphery of the door frame 201. The first circumferential reinforcement bead 208a is provided at the periphery of the hollow portion 201a. The second circumferential reinforcement bead 208b is provided on the periphery of the inner panel 202.The first circumferential reinforcement bead 208a comprise a leading edge portion 208aa, a top edge portion 208ab, a rear edge portion 208ac, and a bottom edge portion 208ad. The second circumferential reinforcement bead 208b comprises a leading edge portion 208ba, a rear edge portion 208bc and a bottom edge portion 208bd. The leading edge portion 208ba of the second circumferential reinforcement bead 208b is in continuation of the leading edge portion 208aa of the first circumferential reinforcement bead 208a. Similarly, the rear edge portion 208bc of the second circumferential reinforcement bead 208b is in continuation of the rear edge portion 208ac of the first circumferential reinforcement bead 208a.
[0038] The upright reinforcement bead 210 is a reinforcement bead which connects the top edge portion 208ab of the first circumferential bead 208a with the rear edge portion 208bc of the second circumferential bead 208b. The upright reinforcement bead 210 passes over the division bar 205. The circumferential reinforcement bead 208 which includes the first circumferential bead 208a and the second circumferential bead 208b has a continual closed profile. Accordingly, the leading edge portion 208aa and 208ba of the first circumferential reinforcement bead 208a and the second circumferential reinforcement bead 208b is aligned with the leading edge 207a of the door frame 201 in the vicinity of the upper hinge and the lower hinge. The top edge portion 208ab of the first circumferential reinforcement bead 208a is aligned with the top edge 207b of the door frame 201. The rear edge portion 208ac of the first circumferential reinforcement bead 208a and the rear edge portion 208bc of the second circumferential bead 208b are aligned with the rear edge 207c of the door frame 201 in the vicinity of the lock. The bottom edge portion 208bd of the second circumferential reinforcement bead 208b is aligned with a bottom edge 207d of the door frame 201.
[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates front view of the vehicle door structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. For clarity purpose, FIG. 4 only illustrate the cross reinforcement beads 209. However, it is to be noted that the complete circumferential reinforcement bead 208, the upright reinforcement bead 210 and the cross reinforcement beads 209 coexist alongside each other. The cross reinforcement beads 209 comprise a plurality of transverse beads 209a, 209b connecting the bottom edge portion 208ad of the first circumferential reinforcement bead 208a with the bottom edge portion 208bd of the second circumferential reinforcement bead 208b.
[0040] In an aspect, a first transverse bead 209a of the cross reinforcement beads 209 connects the second vulnerable point B on the lower edge 204d of the window sash 204 with the bottom edge portion 208bd of the second circumferential reinforcement bead 208b aligned with the bottom edge 207d of the door body 201.
[0041] In an aspect, a second transverse bead 209b of the cross reinforcement beads 209 connects the second vulnerable point B on the bottom edge portion 208ad of the first circumferential reinforcement bead 208a aligned with the lower edge 204d of the window sash 204 with the bottom edge portion 208bd of the second circumferential reinforcement bead 208b aligned with the bottom edge 207d of the door body 201. In an aspect, the first transverse bead 209a of the cross reinforcement bead 209 and the second transverse bead 209b of the cross reinforcement bead 209 has same meeting point i.e. second vulnerable point B
ADVANTAGES
[0042] The proposed vehicle door structure is provided with the complete circumferential reinforcement bead, the upright reinforcement bead and the cross reinforcement bead to enhance rigidity of the vehicle door specifically at the first vulnerable point and the second vulnerable point.
[0043] 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.
[0044] 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.
[0045] 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.
[0046] 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 (200), comprising:
a door frame (201) having a hollow portion (201a) to accommodate a window glass, wherein a window sash (204) is provided that extends along the edge of the window glass having a division bar (205) vertically dividing the hollow portion (201a) into a first section (206a) and a second section (206b) intersecting the window sash (204) at a first vulnerable point (A) and a second vulnerable point (B);
an outer panel arranged on outer surface of the door frame (201) below the hollow portion (201a); and
an inner panel (202) arranged on the inner surface of the door frame (201) below the hollow portion (201a);
characterized in that
a complete circumferential reinforcement bead (208), a upright reinforcement bead (210) and cross reinforcement beads (209) are provided on the vehicle door to improve rigidity of the first vulnerable point (A) and the second vulnerable point (B).
2. The vehicle door structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the complete circumferential reinforcement bead (208) comprises:
a first circumferential reinforcement bead (208a) provided at the periphery of the hollow portion (201a); and
a second circumferential reinforcement bead (208b) provided on the periphery of the inner panel (202).
3. The vehicle door structure (200) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first circumferential reinforcement bead (208a) comprises:
a leading edge portion (208aa) aligned with a leading edge (204a) of the window sash (204);
a top edge portion (208ab) aligned with the top edge (204b) of the window sash (204);
a rear edge portion (208ac) aligned with a rear edge (207c) of the door frame (201); and
a bottom edge portion (208ad) aligned with the bottom edge (204d) of the window sash (204).
4. The vehicle door structure (200) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second circumferential reinforcement bead (208b) comprises:
a leading edge portion (208ba) aligned with a leading edge (207a) of the door frame (201) in the vicinity of the upper hinge and the lower hinge;
a rear edge portion (208bc) aligned with a rear edge (207c) of the door frame (201) in the vicinity of the lock; and
a bottom edge portion (208bd) aligned with a bottom edge (207d) of the door frame (201).
5. The vehicle door structure (200) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the complete circumferential reinforcement bead (208) has a continual closed profile.
6. The vehicle door structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cross reinforcement beads (209) comprises a plurality of transverse beads (209a, 209b) connecting the bottom edge portion (208ad) of the first circumferential reinforcement bead (208a) aligned with the lower edge (204d) of the window sash (204) with the bottom edge portion (208bd) of the second circumferential reinforcement bead (208b) aligned with the bottom edge (207d) of the door frame (201).
7. The vehicle door structure (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one of the plurality of transverse beads (209a, 209b) of the cross reinforcement beads (209) connects the second vulnerable point (B) on the lower edge (204d) of the window sash (204) with the bottom edge portion (208bd) of the second circumferential reinforcement bead (208b) aligned with the bottom edge (207d) of the door frame (201).
8. The vehicle door structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cross reinforcement beads (209a, 209b) meets at the vulnerable point B.
9. The vehicle door structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein upright reinforcement bead (210) connects the top edge portion (208ab) of the first circumferential bead (208a) with the rear edge portion (208bc) of the second circumferential bead (208b) passing over the division bar (205).