Door assembly

Abstract

A vehicle door assembly includes a door panel, a window frame connected to the door panel, a glass run channel provided on the window frame, and a partition channel extending from the glass run channel in a height direction of the vehicle, wherein the glass run channel has a coupling portion connected to a top end of the partition channel and an extension portion extending from the coupling portion toward the door panel, the partition channel has a mounting bracket connected to the top end of the partition channel, and the mounting bracket is connected to the coupling portion.

Description

[0001] CITATION OF RELATED APPLICATION

[0002] This application is based on and claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0123941, filed on September 24, 2020, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The disclosure relates to a vehicle door assembly, and more particularly, to a vehicle door assembly that improves assemblability of a division channel for dividing a movable window and a fixed window. BACKGROUND

[0004] A vehicle door includes a door panel and a window frame coupled with the door panel. The window frame and the door panel can define a window opening. A glass run can extend along the window frame, and the glass run is mounted on an inner circumference of the window frame. A beltline can extend along the door panel, and the beltline can contact with a movable glass that moves in a vertical direction, thereby preventing moisture, foreign matter, etc. from entering the door panel.

[0005] A vehicle door can be classified into a frame door and a panel door. The frame door can be defined as a vehicle door in which a roll-formed window frame is assembled to an inner panel of a door panel by welding, using a fastener, and / or the like. The panel door can be defined as a vehicle door in which a window frame is molded in one body with an inner panel of a door panel by press molding.

[0006] A vehicle door includes a movable window glass and a fixed glass. The movable window glass can move vertically in a window opening, and the fixed glass can be fixedly disposed between the window frame and the door panel. The vehicle door includes a division channel that divides the movable window and the fixed window.

[0007] In a panel door according to the related art, a division channel that extends within a window opening and guides a window glass to move within the window opening can be formed in one body with a glass run by insert molding and / or the like. A lower channel that guides the window glass to move within the door panel can be installed in the door panel, and the lower channel is vertically spaced apart from the division channel. Since the division channel and the lower channel are spaced apart from each other, when the movable window moves vertically, severe noise and vibration can occur between the division channel and the lower channel, resulting in reduced durability.

[0008] The division channel of the related art can include a skin and a core embedded in the skin, and the skin and the core can be made of different materials. Specifically, the core can be made of a plastic material such as polypropylene (PP), and the skin can be made of a material similar or identical to that of the glass run, for example, thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV). In particular, the skin and the core can be molded in one body by insert molding, which increases the manufacturing cost of the division channel.

[0009] According to the related art, since the partition channel is connected to the window frame in the lateral direction of the vehicle, its assembly process can be complicated. In order to assemble the partition channel and the window frame, a plurality of fasteners can be required, which increases the manufacturing cost of the vehicle door.

[0010] The above information described in this BACKGROUND section is included to assist in providing a context for the present inventive concept and is not intended to be taken as an acknowledgement that any of the information described therein constitutes related art that is widely held to be known by those skilled in the art. SUMMARY

[0011] The present disclosure is to address the above-mentioned problems existing in the related art while preserving the advantages achieved by the related art.

[0012] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a vehicle door assembly capable of reducing the manufacturing cost of a partition channel and improving the assemblability of the partition channel.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle door assembly can include a door panel, a window frame connected to the door panel and defining a window, a glass runner provided on the window frame, a window glass configured to move vertically in the window, a fixed glass fixedly provided between the window frame and the door panel, and a partition channel extending from the glass runner in a height direction of the vehicle to separate the window glass from the fixed glass. The glass runner can have a joining portion connected to a top end of the partition channel and an extending portion extending from the joining portion toward the door panel. The partition channel can have a mounting bracket connected to the top end of the partition channel, and the mounting bracket can be connected to the joining portion.

[0014] The glass runner can have an insert embedded in the joining portion, the window frame can be connected to the insert, and the mounting bracket can be connected to the insert.

[0015] The mounting bracket can have a first retention hook, the insert can have a second retention hook engaged with the first retention hook, and the mounting bracket can extend in the height direction of the vehicle.

[0016] The first retention hook can have a first engagement surface extending in a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the vehicle, the second retention hook can have a second engagement surface extending in the direction perpendicular to the height direction of the vehicle, and the first engagement surface can be engaged with the second engagement surface.

[0017] The window frame can have a flange protruding toward the glass runner, and have a locking lance protruding from the flange, the insert can have a cavity accommodating the flange of the window frame, and have a locking groove engaged with the locking lance.

[0018] The flange and the cavity can extend in a lateral direction of the vehicle.

[0019] The locking groove may have an inclined surface inclined with respect to a lateral direction of the vehicle, and the locking lance may be inclined with respect to the lateral direction of the vehicle.

[0020] The coupling portion may have a first stopper hole, the window frame may have a second stopper hole aligned with the first stopper hole, and the insert may have a stopper passing through the first stopper hole and the second stopper hole.

[0021] The stopper may have a stopper surface extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0022] The partition channel may include an upper region located within the window window and a lower region located within the door panel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 A vehicle door assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0025] Figure 2 A glass run channel and a dividing channel mounted on a vehicle door assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure are shown;

[0026] Figure 3 A structure in which a top end of a partition channel is connected to a coupling portion of a glass run channel in a vehicle door assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0027] Figure 4 Shown along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

[0028] Figure 5 Shown along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

[0029] Figure 6 A perspective view showing a structure in which a mounting bracket in a vehicle door assembly is connected to a top end of a partition channel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 7 shows a front view of an insert in a vehicle door assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 8 A side view illustrating an insert in a vehicle door assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0032] Figure 9 A bottom view of an insert in a vehicle door assembly is shown according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] The embodiments of the present invention may be described using the following elements in conjunction with the drawings.

[0034] 1: Door assembly

[0035] 2: Door panel

[0036] 3: Window frame

[0037] 3a: Flange

[0038] 3b: Locking Spear

[0039] 3c: Second stopper

[0040] 4: Window glass

[0041] 5: Separate channels

[0042] 6: Fixed glass

[0043] 7: Waistline

[0044] 9: Window

[0045] 11: Install the bracket

[0046] 12: First retaining hook

[0047] 20: Insert

[0048] 21: Fixed Leg

[0049] 22: Second retaining hook

[0050] 23: Support wall

[0051] 24: Stopper

[0052] 25: Cavity

[0053] 26: Locking groove

[0054] 27: Top wall

[0055] 28: Bottom wall

[0056] 29: Sidewall

[0057] 30: Glass run

[0058] 31: Combined part

[0059] 32: Extension

[0060] 33: First stopper hole DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In all the drawings, like reference numerals are used to refer to the same or equivalent elements throughout. Also, detailed descriptions of well-known technologies related to the present disclosure will be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the point of the present disclosure.

[0062] Terms such as "first", "second", "A", "B", "(a)", and "(b)" can be used to describe elements in the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another element, and the intrinsic characteristics, order or sequence of the corresponding elements are not limited by these terms. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical terms or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. Terms defined in general dictionaries should be interpreted as having the same meaning as the context of the relevant technical field, and should not be interpreted as having ideal or overly formal meanings, unless explicitly defined as such in the present application.

[0063] Referring to Figure 1 , the vehicle door assembly 1 according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can include a door panel 2 and a window frame 3 connected with the door panel 2.

[0064] The window frame 3 and the door panel 2 can define a window 9. A glass runner 30 can extend along the window frame 3, and the glass runner 30 can be installed on the window frame 3.

[0065] The door panel 2 can include an inner panel facing an interior space of the vehicle and an outer panel facing an exterior space of the vehicle. A top end of the inner panel can be combined with an inner weather strip, and a top end of the outer panel can be combined with an outer weather strip. The inner weather strip and the outer weather strip can form a beltline 7. The inner weather strip and the outer weather strip of the beltline 7 can be in contact with a movable window glass moving in a vertical direction, thereby preventing moisture, foreign matter, etc. from entering the vehicle door assembly.

[0066] The vehicle door assembly 1 can include a movable window glass 4 and include a fixed glass 6. The window glass 4 can move vertically in the window 9, and the fixed glass 6 can be fixedly disposed between the window frame 3 and the door panel 2.

[0067] Referring to Figure 1 , the vehicle door assembly 1 can include a partition channel 5 for partitioning the movable window glass 4 from the fixed glass 6. Specifically, the partition channel 5 can be made of a single metal material such as steel by roll forming and / or the like, and thus the manufacturing cost of the partition channel 5 can be lower than that of a conventional partition channel. Accordingly, the partition channel 5 can extend from the window frame 3 to the inside of the door panel 2 to partition the window 9. In particular, the partition channel 5 can extend in a height direction H of the vehicle, and the partition channel 5 can have a channel portion for guiding the movement of the window glass 4 and a channel portion for sealing the fixed glass 6.

[0068] The partition channel 5 can include an upper region 5a provided in the window 9 and a lower region 5b provided in the door panel 2. The upper region 5a of the partition channel 5 can guide the movement of the window glass 4 in the window 9, and the lower region 5b of the partition channel 5 can guide the movement of the window glass 4 in the door panel 2.

[0069] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The glass runner 30 can extend along the window frame 3, and the glass runner 30 can be made of a material such as thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV). Also, the glass runner 30 can have a coupling portion 31 connected with the top end of the partition channel 5, and have an extension portion 32 extending from the coupling portion 31 toward the door panel 2. The coupling portion 31 can be connected with a corner portion of the glass runner 30 to form a single one-piece structure, and the coupling portion 31 can be bent at a predetermined radius. The coupling portion 31 and the extension portion 32 can be integrally connected to the glass runner 30 by insert molding and / or the like, such that the coupling portion 31, the extension portion 32, and the glass runner 30 can form a single one-piece structure. The coupling portion 31 and the extension portion 32 can be substantially made of a material similar to that of the glass runner 30.

[0070] Referring to Figure 3 The glass runner 30 can have an insert 20 embedded in the coupling portion 31, and the insert 20 can be integrally embedded in the coupling portion 31 by insert molding. The insert 20 can have a shape corresponding to that of the coupling portion 31, and the insert 20 can extend in a longitudinal direction of the coupling portion 31. The coupling portion 31 can be made of a material identical or similar to that of the glass runner 30, such as thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV), and the insert 20 can be made of a plastic material having a higher strength than that of the coupling portion 31 and / or that of the glass runner 30. For example, the insert 20 can be made of polypropylene. The top end of the partition channel 5 can be connected with the insert 20 of the coupling portion 31 by the mounting bracket 11. The upper region 5a of the partition channel 5 can overlap the extension portion 32 of the glass runner 30, and the lower region 5b of the partition channel 5 can be mounted on the door panel 2 by the brackets 8a and 8b, fasteners, and / or the like.

[0071] Referring to Figure 4 and Figure 6The mounting bracket 11 can be connected with the top end of the partition channel 5 by using a fastener, a weld 15, and / or the like. The mounting bracket 11 can extend in a longitudinal direction of the partition channel 5, and the mounting bracket 11 can extend in a height direction H of the vehicle. The mounting bracket 11 can have a pair of first retention hooks 12 opposite each other. Each first retention hook 12 can have a first engagement surface 12a extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the mounting bracket 11. That is, the first engagement surface 12a can extend in a direction perpendicular to the height direction H of the vehicle. The pair of first retention hooks 12 can project symmetrically with respect to the center of the mounting bracket 11.

[0072] Referring to Figure 7 The insert 20 can have a pair of retention legs 21 engaged with the first retention hooks 12 of the mounting bracket 11, and the pair of retention legs 21 can extend in the height direction H of the vehicle. Each retention leg 21 can have a second retention hook 22 having a second engagement surface 22a perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the retention leg 21. That is, the second engagement surface 22a can extend in a direction perpendicular to the height direction H of the vehicle. The insert 20 can include a top wall 27, a bottom wall 28 spaced apart from the top wall 27, and a side wall 29 connecting edges of the top wall 27 with edges of the bottom wall 28. The insert 20 can have a cavity 25 defined by the top wall 27, the bottom wall 28, and the side wall 29. The top wall 27, the bottom wall 28, and the cavity 25 can extend along a lateral direction W of the vehicle, and the pair of retention legs 21 can extend from the bottom wall 28 in the height direction H of the vehicle. The cavity 25 can have an opening 25a facing the side wall 29, and the top wall 27 can have at least one protrusion 27a projecting toward the bottom wall 28. The insert 20 can have a locking groove 26 communicating with the cavity 25, and the locking groove 26 can be provided in the bottom wall 28. The locking groove 26 can have an inclined surface 26a inclined with respect to the lateral direction W of the vehicle. That is, the inclined surface 26a can be inclined with respect to an axis of the cavity 25.

[0073] Referring to Figures 7 to 9 The insert 20 can have a support wall 23 extending vertically from the bottom wall 28. The support wall 23 can be spaced apart from any one of the retention legs 21, and the support wall 23 can be adjacent to the window frame 3. Referring to Figure 4 A bottom end surface of the support wall 23 can be in contact with or adjacent to the top end of the partition channel 5. A stopper 24 can project from the support wall 23 toward the window frame 3. The stopper 24 can extend in a longitudinal direction L of the vehicle. The stopper 24 can have a stopper surface 24a extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of the vehicle. That is, the stopper surface 24a can extend along the lateral direction W of the vehicle.

[0074] Referring to Figure 4The window frame 3 can have a flange 3a protruding toward the glass runner 30, and have a locking lance 3b protruding from a bottom surface of the flange 3a toward the insert 20. The flange 3a can extend from a top edge of the window frame 3 in the transverse direction W of the vehicle, and the locking lance 3b can be inclined with respect to the transverse direction W of the vehicle. That is, the locking lance 3b can be inclined with respect to the transverse direction W of the vehicle and an axis of the flange 3a.

[0075] Referring to Figure 4 The flange 3a of the window frame 3 can be accommodated in the cavity 25 of the insert 20, and the locking lance 3b of the window frame 3 can be engaged with the locking groove 26 of the insert 20, so that the insert 20 can be coupled to the window frame 3 in the transverse direction W of the vehicle. Accordingly, the mounting bracket 11 of the partition channel 5 and the insert 20 can be constrained in the transverse direction W of the vehicle. In addition, when the flange 3a of the window frame 3 is completely accommodated in the cavity 25 of the insert 20, the protrusion 27a of the top wall 27 can push the flange 3a of the window frame 3, so that the locking lance 3b of the window frame 3 can be securely engaged with the locking groove 26 of the insert 20. Since the locking lance 3b of the window frame 3 is engaged with the locking groove 26 of the insert 20, the insert 20 and the window frame 3 can be constrained in the transverse direction W of the vehicle.

[0076] Referring to Figure 4 The first engagement surface 12a of each first retaining hook 12 of the mounting bracket 11 can be engaged with the second engagement surface 22a of the corresponding second retaining hook 22, so that the mounting bracket 11 can be connected with the insert 20 of the coupling portion 31 in the height direction H of the vehicle. That is, the mounting bracket 11 of the partition channel 5 and the insert 20 can be constrained in the height direction H of the vehicle by the first retaining hook 12 and the second retaining hook 22.

[0077] Referring to Figure 5 The coupling portion 31 of the glass runner 30 can have a first stopper hole 33 through which the stopper 24 of the insert 20 passes, and the window frame 3 can have a second stopper hole 3c aligned with the first stopper hole 33. The stopper 24 can pass through the first stopper hole 33 of the coupling portion 31 and the second stopper hole 3c of the window frame 3. Since the stopper surface 24a of the stopper 24 is supported to the second stopper hole 3c of the window frame 3, the mounting bracket 11 of the partition channel 5 and the insert 20 can be constrained in the longitudinal direction L of the vehicle.

[0078] Figures 1 to 9 The vehicle door assembly 1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown as being applied to a rear door, but the vehicle door assembly 1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can be applied to a front door.

[0079] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, since the locking spear 3b of the window frame 3 is engaged with the locking groove 26 of the insert 20, the insert 20 and the window frame 3 can be restrained in the lateral direction W of the vehicle, and thus the partition channel 5 connected with the insert 20 can be restrained in the lateral direction W of the vehicle. The mounting bracket 11 of the partition channel 5 and the insert 20 can be restrained in the height direction H of the vehicle by the first and second retaining hooks 12 and 22, so that the partition channel 5 can be prevented from being unrestrainedly lowered. Since the stopper surface 24a of the stopper 24 of the insert 20 is in contact with, or supported to, the second stopper hole 3c of the window frame 3, the mounting bracket 11 of the partition channel 5 and the insert 20 can be restrained in the longitudinal direction L of the vehicle, and thus the partition channel 5 can be restrained in the longitudinal direction L of the vehicle.

[0080] As described above, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the partition channel 5 can be restrained in the lateral direction W, the height direction H, and the longitudinal direction L of the vehicle by the insert 20 and the window frame 3. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce errors in the vehicle door assembly manufacturing and assembly processes, and to improve the fitting quality of the vehicle door components. In addition, it is possible to improve the NVH performance by reducing the gap between the vehicle door components.

[0081] In the foregoing, while the present disclosure has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, but can be variously modified and changed by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure claimed in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle door assembly, comprising: door panels; a window frame connected to the door panel and defining a window; a glass run, provided on the window frame; a window pane configured to move vertically in said window; fixed glass, fixedly arranged between the window frame and the door panel; as well as a partition channel extending from the glass run channel in a height direction of the vehicle to separate the window glass from the fixed glass, The glass run channel has a coupling portion and an extension portion, wherein the coupling portion is connected to the top end of the partition channel, and the extension portion extends from the coupling portion toward the door panel. Wherein, the partition channel has a mounting bracket connected to the top end of the partition channel, and Wherein, the mounting bracket is connected to the combining portion.

2. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The glass run has an insert embedded in the coupling portion, wherein the window frame is connected to the insert, and Wherein, the mounting bracket is connected to the insert.

3. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The mounting bracket has a first retaining hook, wherein the insert has a second retaining hook engaged with the first retaining hook, and Wherein, the mounting bracket extends in a height direction of the vehicle.

4. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 3, wherein: The first retaining hook has a first engaging surface extending in a direction perpendicular to a height direction of the vehicle, wherein the second retaining hook has a second engaging surface extending in a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the vehicle, and wherein the first engaging surface engages with the second engaging surface.

5. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The window frame has: a flange protruding toward the glass run; as well as a locking spear, projecting from the flange, and Wherein, the insert has: a cavity in which the flange of the window frame is received; as well as A locking groove engages with the locking lance.

6. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 5, wherein: The flange and the cavity extend in a transverse direction of the vehicle.

7. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 5, wherein: The locking groove has an inclined surface inclined with respect to the lateral direction of the vehicle, and Wherein, the locking lance is inclined relative to the transverse direction of the vehicle.

8. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The coupling portion has a first stopper hole, wherein the window frame has a second stopper hole aligned with the first stopper hole, and The insert has a stopper passing through the first stopper hole and the second stopper hole.

9. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 8, wherein: The stopper has a stopper surface extending in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

10. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The partition channel includes an upper area located within the window and a lower area located within the door panel.

11. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 10, wherein: The upper region and the lower region of the dividing channel are configured to guide movement of the window glass within the window opening and the door panel.

12. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 10, wherein: The upper region of the partition channel is configured to overlap with the extended portion of the glass run channel, and Wherein, the lower area of ​​the partition channel is arranged on the door panel.

13. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 7, wherein: The cavity has an opening facing the side wall of the insert, wherein the locking groove is provided in the bottom wall of the insert and the locking groove is in communication with the cavity, Wherein, the inclined surface of the locking groove is inclined relative to the axis of the cavity.

14. The vehicle door assembly according to claim 5, wherein: The insert further comprises at least one protrusion located on a top wall of the insert, Wherein, when the flange of the window frame is fully disposed in the cavity of the insert, the at least one protrusion is configured to push the flange of the window frame so that the locking lance of the window frame engages with the locking groove of the insert.

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