Side door assembly for motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a side door assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising a side frame (2) delimiting a door opening (3), on which a side door (1) is mounted, which can be displaced between a closed position and an open position and is held on a door post (4) of the side frame (2) at an end region (10) of the side door (1) by means of a bearing device (8); the side door assembly comprises a blocking device (11) which has a blocking element (12) arranged on the side frame side and a blocking element (13) arranged on the door side on a structural component (22) of the side door (1). The blocking element provided on the side frame side and the blocking element on the door side engage with each other when the side door (1) deforms due to an accident due to a side collision. In order to provide a side door assembly in which the blocking device (11) can prevent the side door (1) from entering the door opening (3) in an improved manner, the side frame-side blocking element (12) is arranged on the door post (4), and the door-side blocking element (13) is arranged on the side of the support device (8) of the side door (1) on a matched end region (10) of the side door (1).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a side door assembly for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. BACKGROUND

[0002] Especially in the event of a side impact of the motor vehicle, in which the side door is severely deformed by the input forces in the case of a side impact, the problem arises that the side door is pressed very strongly through the door opening and thereby loses the overlap with the structural components which are surrounded on the outer periphery side by the side frame, or slides along these structural components into the interior space of the motor vehicle. As a result, during a side impact mainly force is introduced into the door, which the door can no longer withstand. Such a side impact is simulated, for example, by the side impact test IIHS 2.0.

[0003] From US 5 306 067 A a side door assembly for a motor vehicle is known, in which a plurality of arresting elements of an arresting device are provided on the side frame which delimits the door opening, the side door being supported on the side frame displaceable between a closed position and an open position. The side frame-side arresting elements cooperate form-fittingly with corresponding door-side arresting elements provided on the structural components of the side door when the side door is closed, so that the arresting elements engage with one another even in the event of an accident-induced deformation of the side door as a result of a side impact, thereby fixing the side door on the side frame.

[0004] A problem with the known arresting device is that the known arresting device can only limit the intrusion of the side door into the door opening to a limited extent. SUMMARY

[0005] It is the task of the present invention to provide a side door assembly whose arresting device can avoid the intrusion of the side door into the door opening in an improved manner.

[0006] According to the invention, this task is solved by a side door assembly having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims and the description.

[0007] The side door assembly according to the invention comprises a side frame which delimits the door opening, on which a side door displaceable between a closed position and an open position is supported. The side door is held here at the end region, usually at the front end region, on the door pillar of the side frame by means of a support device, usually a pivot support. Furthermore, the side door assembly comprises an arresting device having side frame-side arresting elements and door-side arresting elements provided on the structural components of the side door, which mutually engage in the event of an accident-induced deformation of the side door as a result of a side impact.

[0008] In order to provide a side door assembly whose intercepting means can avoid intrusion of the side door into the door opening in an improved manner, according to the application, the side frame-side intercepting element on the door pillar and the door-side intercepting element on the mating end region of the side door are arranged on the side of the support means of the side door. Thus, in contrast to the prior art hitherto, intrusion of the side door into the door opening is also prevented in an improved manner on the side of the support means at the side frame, in that, by means of the intercepting means, the overlapping structure with the door pillar (side door stop or support at the door pillar) is fixed and thus supported or prevented from slipping into the door opening. By hooking the side door, in particular the front side door, during a crash in the region of the door hinge, for example, to the body structure, the load can be guided out into the body structure and the forces occurring in the door are reduced.

[0009] In a further embodiment of the application, the side frame-side intercepting element on the door pillar and the door-side intercepting element on the mating end region of the side door are spaced apart from one another in an unloaded initial position and engage one another when the side door is subjected to accident-caused force loading as a result of a side impact of the vehicle. As a result of the spaced-apart arrangement of the intercepting elements relative to one another, the door-side hooking means / intercepting elements rotate without contact next to the body-side hooking means / intercepting elements during opening and closing of the door.

[0010] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the support means is configured as a hinge means having a hinge axis. In combination with such a hinge means and a mating fixed, in particular substantially vertically extending pivot axis, the spaced-apart arrangement of the intercepting elements relative to one another and the contactless rotation of the door-side hooking means / intercepting elements next to the body-side hooking means / intercepting elements during opening and closing of the door can be achieved particularly advantageously.

[0011] A further advantageous embodiment of the application provides that the intercepting means is arranged inside the hinge axis of the hinge means in the vehicle transverse direction. As a result, the forces input accordingly in the event of accident-caused force loading as a result of a side impact can be transmitted particularly advantageously in the adjacent region between the side door and the body structure.

[0012] If the intercepting means is arranged behind the hinge axis of the hinge means in the vehicle longitudinal direction, intrusion of the side door into the door opening can also be advantageously avoided.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the application, if the intercepting means is arranged between the upper hinge and the lower hinge of the hinge means, the intercepting means can absorb the forces input accordingly in the event of accident-caused force loading as a result of a side impact over at least substantially the entire height.

[0014] Furthermore, it is indicated as being advantageous that the side-frame-side arresting elements are configured as substantially L-shaped pulling hooks, which engage into the door-side arresting elements, which are substantially U-shaped two-side tabs with a pin element connecting the two side tabs, when the arresting elements engage into one another in the event of an accident-induced force loading of the side door due to a side impact. The corresponding input forces in the event of an accident-induced force loading due to a side impact can be intercepted particularly well by this pulling anchoring of the respective end region of the side door on the mating door pillar.

[0015] It is further advantageous that the door-side arresting elements are fixed on the end side of a structural component of the side door, in particular of the inner door panel, by means of at least one screw connection. Thereby, the arresting device is particularly stably connected with the side door.

[0016] Further features of the present application result from the claims, the figures and the figure description. The features and feature combinations mentioned in the above description of the application and those mentioned in the following figure description and / or shown only in the figures can be used not only in the respectively indicated combinations, but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] The application will now be explained in more detail according to preferred embodiments and with reference to the drawings. The drawings show:

[0018] Figure 1 a partial perspective view of a side door assembly for a motor vehicle, which comprises a side frame delimiting a door opening, on which a side door displaceable between a closed position and an open position is held by means of a support device in a door pillar, and which comprises an arresting device having side-frame-side arresting elements arranged on the door pillar and door-side arresting elements arranged on a structural component of the side door, which side-frame-side arresting elements arranged on the door pillar and the door-side arresting elements engage into one another in the event of an accident-induced deformation of the side door due to a side impact;

[0019] Figure 2 a partial perspective view of a side frame according to Figure 1 together with side-frame-side arresting elements arranged on the door pillar;

[0020] Figure 3 a partial perspective view, enlarged relative to Figure 2 , of a side-frame-side arresting element arranged on the door pillar;

[0021] Figure 4 a perspective internal view of a side door according to Figure 1 together with a door-side arresting element arranged at the front end region;

[0022] Figure 5 enlarged partial perspective view; Figure 4 enlarged partial perspective view;

[0023] Figure 6 partial sectional view showing a cut plane extending in the vehicle transverse direction and in the vehicle longitudinal direction through the side door assembly. Specific embodiments

[0024] Figure 1 partial perspective view of a side door assembly for a passenger car having a front side door 1 located on the left side as viewed in the forward driving direction, through which a door opening 3 in a side frame 2 of the vehicle is closed. The door opening 3 is presently bounded in the front by a door pillar / A pillar 4, which transitions into a roof frame 5 above. A door pillar / B pillar 6 adjoins the roof frame 5 in the rear, which is visible in Figure 3 . The door opening 3 is bounded downward by a side door sill 7 of the side frame 2.

[0025] The side door 1 is pivotably held at its front end region 10 on the A pillar 4 by means of a support device 8 in the form of a hinge device having a respective hinge, namely an upper hinge 9a and a lower hinge 9b. The side door 1 is thus displaceable about the pivot axis s of the support device / hinge device 8 between the closed position shown here and a respective open position.

[0026] Between the front end region 10 of the side door 1 and the door pillar / A pillar 4 of the side frame 2, on the side of the support device 8 of the side door 1, there is provided an intercepting device 11, which comprises an intercepting element 12 provided on the door pillar / A pillar 4 on the side frame side and a door-side intercepting element 13 provided on the front end side 14 at the front end region 10 of the side door 1. Here, the intercepting device 11 is provided between the upper hinge 9a and the lower hinge 9b of the hinge device 8.

[0027] The intercepting element 12 provided on the door pillar 4 on the body side or on the side frame side and the door-side intercepting element 13 engage into one another in the manner described in more detail below when the side door 1 is deformed as a result of an accident due to a side impact.

[0028] According to Figure 2 (the figure shows a partial perspective view of the side frame 2 according to Figure 1 with the intercepting element 12 provided on the door pillar 4 on the side frame side) and according to Figure 3 (the figure shows a partial perspective view of the intercepting element 12 provided on the door pillar 4 on the side frame side with respect to Figure 2(As shown in the enlarged partial perspective view) the intercepting element is constructed as a pull hook that is substantially angled or L-shaped in cross-section, having a side 15 extending substantially along the outer side of the gatepost 4 and a side 16 protruding outward at an angle α of, for example, about 120°. Of course, other angles or shapes of the intercepting element 12 can also be envisioned here. In the present case, the intercepting element 12 is constructed as a single piece and is constructed, for example, as a metal component, such as a forging, casting, modified molding, etc.

[0029] Figure 4 Showing according to Figure 1 An interior view of the side door 1 together with the door-side intercepting element 13 provided on the corresponding end side 14 at the front end region 10. (See from...) Figure 5 The intercepting element 13 located on the front end region 10 of the side door 1 is relative to the door side. Figure 4 As becomes clear in the magnified perspective view, the intercepting element on the door side currently consists of two side tabs 17 protruding from the base 19 and a pin element 18 connecting the side tabs. The aforementioned components 17, 18, and 19 define an opening 20 in which the intercepting element 12 on the side frame side engages, as will be described in more detail below, when the side door 1 is subjected to forces caused by a side impact of the vehicle. The base 19 and the side tabs 17 may be made, for example, of sheet metal modified parts, forgings, or castings, with the side tabs 17 penetrated, for example, by the pin element 18.

[0030] Figure 6 A partial cross-sectional view is shown, with horizontal cutting planes extending in both the transverse and longitudinal directions of the vehicle passing through the side door assembly. It becomes particularly clear here that the side frame-side intercepting element 12 on the door pillar 4 and the door-side intercepting element 13 on the mating end region 10 of the side door 1 are spaced apart in their unloaded initial positions and only engage with each other when the side door 1 is subjected to forces caused by an accident due to a side impact. The distance between the outwardly projecting edge 16 of the side frame-side intercepting element 12 and the pin element 18 of the door-side intercepting element 13 is schematically shown here by means of a circle k with a dotted line around the pivot axis s. Engagement is achieved in such a way that the outwardly projecting edge 16 of the side frame-side intercepting element 12 and the pin element 18 of the door-side intercepting element 13 are abutted together in a tension-anchored manner, or that the outwardly projecting edge 16 of the side frame-side intercepting element 12 engages in the opening 20 of the door-side intercepting element 13.

[0031] To achieve a particularly advantageous traction anchorage of the front end region 10 of the side door 1 to the doorpost 4 of the side frame, the intercepting device 11 is positioned inside the hinge axis s of the hinge assembly 8 about the vehicle's lateral direction. Furthermore, the intercepting device 11 is positioned behind the hinge axis s of the hinge assembly 8 about the vehicle's longitudinal direction.

[0032] The intercepting element 13 on the side of the door is fixed on the end side 14 of a structural component 22 of the side door 1, in the present case the inner door panel, by means of at least one threaded connection 21. Here, on the outside of the side door inner panel 22, a side impact beam 23 and an outer door trim 24 can be seen, which are fixed thereto. Figure 6

[0033] If now a side impact of the vehicle occurs, for example simulated by means of the side impact test IIHS 2.0, the side door 1 remains on the side frame 2 and the associated door pillar 4 due to the tensile anchoring in the front end region or in the region of its support device 8 and remains overlapping the A-pillar 4 in the front end region 10 even at significant force input. Thereby, an excessively strong pressing of the side door 1 through the door opening 3 in the front is avoided, a loss of overlap with the structurally surrounding component of the side frame 2, the A-pillar 4, and a possible sliding of the door 1 along said component into the interior of the vehicle are avoided. By hooking the side door, in particular the front side door 1, to the vehicle body structure 2 in the region of the door hinges 9a, 9b during the impact, it is thereby possible to guide the load out into the vehicle body structure and to reduce the forces occurring in the door 1.

[0034] The current intercepting device 11 can be used not only in the front side door, but also in the rear side door and, if possible, with other types of support devices 8.

[0035] List of reference signs

[0036] 1 side door

[0037] 2 side frame

[0038] 3 door opening

[0039] 4 door pillar / A-pillar

[0040] 5 roof frame

[0041] 6 door pillar / B-pillar

[0042] 7 side sill

[0043] 8 support device

[0044] 9a hinge

[0045] 9b hinge

[0046] 10 end region

[0047] 11 intercepting device

[0048] 12 intercepting element

[0049] 13 intercepting element ​

[0050] 14 end side

[0051] 15 edge portion

[0052] 16 edge portion

[0053] 17 side tab

[0054] 18 pin element

[0055] 19 base

[0056] 20 opening

[0057] 21 screw connection

[0058] 22 inner door panel

[0059] 23 side impact beam

[0060] 24 door trim

[0061] S pivot axis

[0062] K circle

Claims

1. A side door assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising a side frame (2) delimiting a door opening (3), on which a side door (1) displaceable between a closed position and an open position is supported, which side door is held on a door pillar (4) of the side frame (2) at an end region (10) of the side door (1) by means of a support device (8), and comprising an intercepting device (11) having a side frame-side intercepting element (12) arranged on the side frame and a door-side intercepting element (13) arranged on a structural component (22) of the side door (1), which side frame-side intercepting element and the door-side intercepting element engage into one another in the event of an accident-induced deformation of the side door (1) as a result of a side impact, characterized in that the side frame-side intercepting element (12) is arranged on the door pillar (4) and the door-side intercepting element (13) is arranged on a matching end region (10) of the side door (1) on the side of the support device (8) of the side door (1). The side frame-side intercepting element (12) on the door pillar (4) and the door-side intercepting element (13) on the matching end region (10) of the side door (1) are spaced apart from one another in an unloaded initial position and engage into one another in the event of an accident-induced force loading of the side door (1) as a result of a side impact of the motor vehicle.

2. The side door assembly of claim 1, wherein, The support device (8) is configured as a hinge device having a hinge axis (s).

3. The side door assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The intercepting device (11) is arranged inside the hinge axis of the hinge device (8) with respect to the vehicle transverse direction.

4. The side door assembly of claim 3, wherein, The intercepting device (11) is arranged behind the hinge axis (s) of the hinge device (8) with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction.

5. The side door assembly of claim 3 or 4, wherein, The intercepting device (11) is arranged between an upper hinge (9a) and a lower hinge (9b) of the hinge device (8).

6. The side door assembly of any one of claims 3-5, wherein, The side frame-side intercepting element (12) is configured as a substantially angular draw hook, which engages into the door-side intercepting element (13) having a substantially U-shaped two-sided tab (17) and a pin element (18) connecting the two-sided tab when the respective intercepting elements (12, 13) engage into one another in the event of an accident-induced force loading of the side door (1) as a result of a side impact of the motor vehicle.

7. The side door assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein, The door-side intercepting element (13) is fixed to an end side (14) of a structural component of the side door (1), in particular a door inner panel (22), by means of at least one screw connection (21).

8. The side door assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein, ​

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