vehicle door

Abstract

Motor vehicle door without a window shaft and retractable window, with a door body (1), which in turn has at least one inner door part (2) and one outer door panel (3), which in turn form a door cavity (4), wherein at least one reinforcing element is arranged within said door cavity (4), which is connected both to the inner door part (2) and to the outer door panel (3), characterized in that the reinforcing element is formed by a sheet metal profile (7) which extends within said door cavity (4) along the motor vehicle door and, at least in sections, forms a hollow profile with a closed cross-section with the inner door part (2), is shell-shaped and is connected by means of at least one upper fastening flange (8) which runs at least in sections along the motor vehicle door, as seen in the vertical direction of the vehicle (Z direction).6) of the inner door part (2) and the outer door panel (3) and is firmly connected to the inner door part (2) by means of at least one lower fastening flange (9) running at least partially along the motor vehicle door, and in that the sheet metal profile (7) has a plurality of support tabs (13) arranged one behind the other at a distance from the surface of the sheet metal profile (7) as seen in the vehicle's longitudinal direction (X direction), the free end of which is connected to the inner contour of the outer door panel (3), wherein support tabs (13), which in turn are arranged obliquely to an imaginary tangential plane applied to the outer door panel (3) at the connection point of the respective support tab (13), are combined with support tabs (13), which in turn are arranged perpendicular to an imaginary tangential plane applied to the outer door panel (3) at the connection point of the respective support tab (13).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle door according to the preamble of claim 1. According to claim 7 of the invention, the same further relates to a motor vehicle having such a motor vehicle door.

[0002] It is known in practice to reinforce motor vehicle doors having a door body formed at least from an inner door part and an outer door panel fastened thereto in the upper region thereof, ie in the region of the belt line of the vehicle, which is known per se, by means of a reinforcing element arranged within the door body.

[0003] For example, DE 10 2006 009 523 A1 discloses a motor vehicle door with such a door body, which has a shaft opening at the top for a window shaft located within the door body for accommodating a retractable window. A reinforcing element, referred to here as a shaft reinforcement, is attached to the inner door part and runs below the shaft opening. The outer door panel is held to this reinforcing element by means of an upper flange located adjacent to the shaft opening and bent downwards. Said shaft reinforcement is designed as a single-piece extruded hollow profile, for example as a single- or multi-chamber hollow profile, and has a support web that is connected to the outer door panel via an elastic support element, in particular via a so-called expanding foam seal.

[0004] DE 100 38 200 A1 discloses a door body with a shaft opening for a retractable window and two shaft reinforcements. One shaft reinforcement is arranged on the outside of the vehicle, adjacent to the retractable window, while the other shaft reinforcement is arranged on the inside of the vehicle. The shaft reinforcement arranged on the outside of the vehicle is supported by a support tab on an outer door panel. The shaft reinforcement arranged on the inside of the vehicle is supported by a support tab on an inner door panel.

[0005] US Pat. No. 7,566,091 B2 also discloses a door body with a shaft opening for a retractable window and with two shaft reinforcements. One shaft reinforcement is arranged on the outside of the vehicle, adjacent to the retractable window, while the other shaft reinforcement is arranged on the inside of the vehicle. The shaft reinforcement arranged on the outside of the vehicle has an L-shaped cross-section and forms a hollow profile with an outer door panel. The shaft reinforcement arranged on the inside of the vehicle is designed with a hat-shaped cross-section and forms a hollow profile with an inner door panel.

[0006] Furthermore, motor vehicle doors are known that have a retractable window only in certain sections, or no retractable window at all, and instead, for example, a so-called vent window (see, for example, DE 10 2007 022 281 A1). In this case, the aforementioned shaft opening can understandably be omitted. Nevertheless, it is also advisable to reinforce the door body, at least in the upper area, with a reinforcing element.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide an alternative motor vehicle door with at least one reinforcement element of the generic type, which, while retaining the advantages of conventional reinforcement elements, is particularly lightweight and can be manufactured simply and cost-effectively. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide a motor vehicle with such a motor vehicle door.

[0008] Starting from a motor vehicle door without a window shaft and a retractable window, with a door body which in turn has at least one inner door part and one outer door panel, which in turn form a door cavity, wherein at least one reinforcing element is arranged within said door cavity, which is connected both to the inner door part and to the outer door panel, the stated object is achieved in that the reinforcing element is formed by a sheet metal profile which extends within said door cavity along the motor vehicle door and is formed with the inner door part at least in sections to form a hollow profile which is closed in cross section, and by means of at least one upper, as seen in the vehicle vertical direction (Z direction),is firmly connected to a fastening flange of the inner door part and the outer door panel by means of a fastening flange extending at least partially along the motor vehicle door, and to the inner door part by means of at least one lower fastening flange extending at least partially along the motor vehicle door. The sheet metal profile has a plurality of support tabs arranged one behind the other at a distance from the surface of the sheet metal profile, as seen in the vehicle's longitudinal direction (X-direction), the free end of which is connected to the inner contour of the outer door panel. Support tabs, which in turn are arranged obliquely to an imaginary tangential plane located at the connection point of the respective support tab to the outer door panel, are combined with support tabs, which in turn are arranged perpendicular to an imaginary tangential plane located at the connection point of the respective support tab to the outer door panel.

[0009] A motor vehicle door with such a reinforcing element formed as a sheet metal profile is lighter in weight compared to reinforcing elements of the generic type, which in turn are formed from extruded hollow profiles, particularly multi-chamber profiles, resulting in cost savings both in production and in the operation of the vehicle due to reduced fuel consumption. Furthermore, the reduced fuel consumption also offers ecological benefits. Furthermore, the hollow profile formed provides a sufficiently high level of stability of the door body, considering the state of the art, while reducing weight.With regard to the support tabs arranged at an angle to an imaginary tangential plane located at the connection point of the support tab to the outer door panel, this measure allows for elastic or almost rigid support of the outer door panel by the support tab, depending on the dimensions and sheet thickness used for the respective support tab. In contrast, with support tabs arranged perpendicular to an imaginary tangential plane located at the connection point of the support tab to the outer door panel, an increased bending resistance of the support tab and the outer door panel is observed.

[0010] The subclaims describe preferred developments or embodiments of the invention.

[0011] The support tabs can then be formed integrally with the sheet metal profile, in particular by partially notching them from the surface of the sheet metal profile and being offset from the surface of the sheet metal profile. Such partial notching can be achieved easily and inexpensively using conventional measures, for example in combination with a deep-drawing process known per se. However, it is also conceivable, and accordingly covered by the invention, to form the support tabs from a pre-formed add-on part that can be connected or is connected to the sheet metal profile. In this case, it is advisable to connect said separately manufactured support tabs to the sheet metal profile, in particular by means of a material bond by welding and / or gluing. It is also conceivable to provide said plurality of support tabs, for example connected to one another in one piece by means of a connecting web, for attachment to the sheet metal profile.Finally, according to a particularly practical embodiment of the invention, the free end of the support tabs can be firmly bonded to the outer door panel, preferably by means of an elastic support adhesive.

[0012] The task is also solved by a motor vehicle with a motor vehicle door of the type described above.

[0013] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments schematically illustrated in the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a sectional view of a motor vehicle door designed according to the invention with a support bracket that runs predominantly obliquely to an imaginary tangential plane located at the connection point of the support bracket to the outer door panel; cut in a vertical section plane at the level of the belt line of the vehicle, and Fig. 2 a sectional view of a motor vehicle door designed according to the invention with a support tab arranged predominantly perpendicular to an imaginary tangential plane located at the connection point of the support tab to the outer door panel; cut in a vertical sectional plane at the level of the belt line of the vehicle.

[0014] Fig. Figure 1 essentially shows the door body 1 of a motor vehicle door without a retractable window and, accordingly, without a window recess at the level of the vehicle's belt line. Said door body 1 comprises an inner door part 2 and an outer door panel 3.

[0015] The inner door part 2 is known to be frame-like and is joined at the edges, preferably all the way around, to the outer door panel 3 (not shown in detail). The inner door part 2 and the outer door panel 3 form a door cavity 4 when joined at the edges. Fig. 1, the inner door part 2 and the outer door panel 3 have corresponding fastening flanges 5, 6, which in turn run at least partially along the motor vehicle door in the area of ​​said belt line and are aligned almost vertically or in the vertical direction of the vehicle (Z direction).

[0016] Furthermore, the Fig. 1 shows a reinforcing element in the form of a sheet metal profile 7, which is arranged within said door cavity 4 and extends along the motor vehicle door. The sheet metal profile 7 is shell-shaped in the present case and is firmly connected to the fastening flange 5 of the inner door part 2 and the fastening flange 6 of the outer door panel 3 by means of at least one fastening flange 8, which is upper as viewed in the vertical direction of the vehicle (Z direction) and also runs at least partially along the motor vehicle door, preferably by welding, in particular spot welding. Furthermore, the sheet metal profile 7 is firmly connected to a lower section of the inner door part 2 by means of at least one lower fastening flange 9, which runs at least partially along the motor vehicle door, preferably also by spot welding. The sheet metal profile 7 and the inner door part 2 thus form, at least partially, a hollow profile with a closed cross-section.Furthermore, in . Fig. 1 shows a known interior panel 10 of the motor vehicle door and a window 11, in this case a known hinged window, which rests against a likewise known sealing element 12 which is attached to the flange assembly (mounting flanges 5, 6, 8).

[0017] Again Fig. 1, a support tab 13 is shown, which is formed integrally with the sheet metal profile 7 and is preferably formed by partially notching the same from the sheet metal profile 7 and setting it away from the surface of the sheet metal profile 7 towards the outer door panel 3. The free end of the support tab 13 is integrally connected to the outer door panel 3, in this case by means of a preferably elastic support adhesive 14 known per se.

[0018] A plurality of such support tabs 13 are arranged one behind the other at a distance from one another in the vehicle longitudinal direction (X-direction) (not shown in detail).

[0019] According to Fig. 1, the support bracket 13 shown runs predominantly obliquely to an imaginary tangential plane located at the connection point of the support bracket 13 to the outer door panel 3. Depending on the dimensions and the sheet thickness used for the support bracket 13, an elastic or largely rigid support of the outer door panel 3 by said support bracket 13 is permitted.

[0020] According to Fig.2, the support tab 13 shown runs predominantly perpendicular to an imaginary tangential plane located at the connection point of the support tab 13 to the outer door panel 3, whereby an increased bending resistance of the support tab 13 and accordingly also of the outer door panel 3 can be achieved, which can have an advantageous effect, in particular with regard to adverse structure-borne noise and / or possible crash situations, in particular side crashes, through energy absorption.

[0021] The embodiments described above are based on support tabs 13, which in turn are formed integrally with the sheet metal profile 7.

[0022] On the other hand, it may also be appropriate, and is accordingly encompassed by the invention, to produce said support tabs 13 separately and to fasten them to the sheet metal profile 7 as optionally preformed add-on parts (not shown in detail). In this respect, it is not absolutely necessary to manufacture said support tabs 13 from metal. For example, it may also be advantageous to form such support tabs 13 from a suitable plastic or composite material. To connect such support tabs 13 to the sheet metal profile 7, any conceivable joining measure, preferably a material-to-material bond, such as welding or gluing, is suitable. If, for example, a plurality of support tabs 13 are provided, they can be connected to one another in one piece, for example by means of a connecting web, and then fastened to the sheet metal profile as an add-on part.Furthermore, it is advantageous to combine support tabs 13, which in turn are arranged obliquely to the tangential plane created at the connection point of the respective support tab 13 to the outer door panel 3, with support tabs 13, which in turn are each arranged perpendicular to the tangential plane created at the connection point of the support tab 13 to the outer door panel 3.

[0023] By selecting the number of support tabs 13 and their distribution over the door surface as well as by adjusting their bending resistance, possibly differently over the door surface, the rigidity of the motor vehicle door itself as well as the rigidity and shape retention of the outer door panel 3 can be adjusted within wide limits using the simplest and most cost-effective measures. List of reference symbols 1 door body 2 door inner part 3 outer door panel 4 Door cavity 5 Mounting flange (door inner part 2) 6 Mounting flange (outer door panel 3) 7 Sheet metal profile 8 upper mounting flange (sheet metal profile 7) 9 lower mounting flange (sheet metal profile 7) 10 Interior paneling 11 windows 12 Sealing element 13 Support tab 14 Support adhesive

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle door without window shaft and retractable window, with a door body (1) which in turn has at least one inner door part (2) and one outer door panel (3), which in turn form a door cavity (4), wherein at least one reinforcing element is arranged within said door cavity (4), which is connected both to the inner door part (2) and to the outer door panel (3), characterized bythat the reinforcing element is formed by a sheet metal profile (7) which extends within said door cavity (4) along the motor vehicle door and is shell-shaped, forming a hollow profile with the door inner part (2) at least in sections, which is closed in cross-section, and is firmly connected to a fastening flange (5, 6) of the door inner part (2) and the door outer panel (3) by means of at least one upper fastening flange (8) which runs at least in sections along the motor vehicle door, as viewed in the vertical direction of the vehicle (Z direction), and to a fastening flange (5, 6) of the door inner part (2) and the door outer panel (3) by means of at least one lower fastening flange (9) which runs at least in sections along the motor vehicle door, and that the sheet metal profile (7) has a plurality of support tabs (13) which are arranged one behind the other, spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (X direction), and are offset from the surface of the sheet metal profile (7),whose free end is connected to the inner contour of the outer door panel (3), wherein support tabs (13), which in turn are arranged obliquely to an imaginary tangential plane located at the connection point of the respective support tab (13) to the outer door panel (3), are combined with support tabs (13), which in turn are arranged perpendicular to an imaginary tangential plane located at the connection point of the respective support tab (13) to the outer door panel (3). [2] Motor vehicle door according to claim 1, characterized by that the support tabs (13) are formed integrally with the sheet metal profile (7). [3] Motor vehicle door according to claim 2, characterized by that the support tabs (13) are formed by partially notching them from the surface of the sheet metal profile (7) and are set back from the surface of the sheet metal profile (7). [4] Motor vehicle door according to claim 1, characterized bythat the support tabs (13) are formed by a pre-formed attachment part that can be connected or is connected to the sheet metal profile (7). [5] Motor vehicle door according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the free end of the support tabs (13) is firmly connected to the outer door panel (3). [6] Motor vehicle door according to claim 5, characterized by that the free end of the support tabs (13) is connected to the outer door panel (3) by means of a support adhesive (14). [7] Motor vehicle, comprising a motor vehicle door according to one of claims 1 to 6.

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