Side door panel for a vehicle

Abstract

Side door panel (1) for a vehicle with: an armrest (30) having an upper wall (31) for supporting the arm of a vehicle occupant; and a wall component (20, 40, 50) for forming a section (25, 45, 46) of a side wall of a vehicle compartment, wherein the wall component (20, 40, 50) has a lower wall section located below the armrest (30) and a support section (400, 500) for supporting the upper wall (31) of the armrest (30) from below, wherein the support section (400, 500) extends from an upper end of the lower wall section of the wall component (20, 40, 50), which is adjacent to a lower end (32) of the armrest (30), towards a lower surface (31D) of the upper wall (31) of the armrest (30), characterized by the fact that the wall component (20, 40, 50) has a lower wall element (40) and a back panel element (50), the lower wall element (40) has a first lower wall section (45) and a second lower wall section (46), the backplate element (50) has a backplate wall section (51), the lower wall element (40) and the back panel element (50) are arranged such that the second lower wall section (46) and the back panel wall section (51) are opposite each other, with a predefined distance between them to define a holding space (50S) between the second lower wall section (46) and the back panel wall section (51), the second lower wall section (46) of the lower wall element (40) has a cutout (44) in an upper end section for access to the holding space (50S), the upper end of the lower wall section has an upper end of the first lower wall section (45) of the lower wall element (40) and an upper end of the back panel wall section (51) of the back panel element (50), the support section (400, 500) has a first support section (400) and a second support section (500), the first support section (400) is contained in the lower wall element (40), the first support section (400) extends from the upper end of the first lower wall section (45) of the lower wall element (40) towards the lower surface (31D) of the upper wall (31) of the armrest (30), the second support section (500) is contained in the back plate element (50), and the second support section (500) extends from the upper end of the back panel wall section (51) of the back panel element (50) towards the lower surface (31D) of the upper wall (31) of the armrest (30).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a side door panel for a vehicle according to the preamble of claims 1 or 10. BACKGROUND

[0002] Many vehicle door panels with armrests have tolerances for loads applied to the armrests from above. For example, a side plate extending from a rear face (a bottom surface) of an upper wall of an armrest (a support) may be provided to accommodate a tolerance for a load applied to the armrest from above. Such a side plate may be integrally formed with the armrest. The side plate extends downward from a section of the lower surface of the upper wall of the armrest, approximately in the middle of the lower surface, in a width direction of the vehicle. A lower end of the side plate is attached to an energy-absorbing (EA) element on a rear face (a surface on an outer side of a vehicle compartment) of a lower panel, which is a separate component.An example of such door panels is described in JP 5 521 767 B2.

[0003] JP H06-87018 U discloses a motor vehicle door panel. US 7775584B2 discloses a shock-absorbing armrest for a motor vehicle. US 2006 / 0001291A1, JP 2015-116985A1, and DE 102010040021A1 each disclose generic side door panels.

[0004] Generally, an armrest requires a tolerance against top loading, as a vehicle occupant may place their arm on the upper surface of the armrest. However, it is preferable for the armrest to have a bottom tolerance so that, in the event of a side collision, it deflects in the width direction of the vehicle to absorb the impact and protect the occupant. The armrest of the known door panel has not only a tolerance against top loading but also a tolerance against side impact. The side panel is integrally formed with the armrest, and its upper end is attached to the central section of an upper wall of the armrest, oriented in the width direction of the vehicle.Therefore, it is less likely that the armrest, especially a section of the armrest around the upper wall in the width direction of the vehicle, will flex sufficiently to absorb the side impact.

[0005] Furthermore, the side panel, which extends downwards from the lower surface of the upper wall of the armrest, is attached to the EA element located on the outer surface of the lower trim panel on the outer side of the vehicle compartment. This means that the side panel, the armrest, and the lower trim panel (including the EA element) are connected without any gaps, forming a closed space. This configuration improves the armrest's tolerances. As a result, the armrest's side-impact absorption is reduced.

[0006] Furthermore, the side panel, which is formed integrally with the armrest, extends in a direction essentially perpendicular to the direction in which the forming tools used to shape the armrest are open (corresponding to the width of the vehicle when the door panel is installed). Therefore, an undercutting process, such as sliding, must be performed for a section of the door panel between a surface of the armrest on the inside of the vehicle and the side panel. This complicates the forming of the door panel. SUMMARY

[0007] The present invention was made in light of the aforementioned circumstances. It is an object to further develop a side door panel for a vehicle according to the preamble of claims 1 or 10 such that it has an armrest with a high tolerance against loads from above but with a low tolerance against side impacts.

[0008] The problem is solved according to the invention by a side door panel having the features of one of independent claims 1 and 10. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0009] The side door panel has an armrest and a wall component. The armrest has an upper wall for supporting the arm of a vehicle occupant. The wall component forms a section of the side wall of a vehicle compartment. The wall component has a lower wall section located beneath the armrest and a support section for supporting the upper wall of the armrest from below. The support section extends from an upper end of the lower wall section of the wall component adjacent to a lower end of the armrest toward a lower surface of the upper wall of the armrest.

[0010] The support section for bracing the upper wall of the armrest from below is a section of the wall component, i.e., a component separate from the armrest itself. This means the armrest is tolerant of a downward force applied to its upper wall from above by being braced by this component, which is distinct from the armrest and located beneath it. Furthermore, compared to a configuration where the support section is integral with the armrest, it is less likely that the movement of the support section in the lateral direction of the vehicle will be restricted when the armrest receives a side impact. Therefore, the armrest simply collapses. Because the support section is a section of a component separate from the armrest, it is less likely that the support section will restrict the armrest's collapse when it receives a side impact.This means that the armrest can have a larger dimension in the width direction of the vehicle compared to the known configuration for simple collapse during side impact, and therefore the armrest can have a higher shock absorption capacity compared to the known configuration.

[0011] The wall component has a wall surface that is positioned on one side of the vehicle compartment when the side door panel is installed in the vehicle. The upper wall of the armrest projects from the wall surface of the wall component. The armrest has a side wall that extends downward from a distal end of the upper wall of the armrest to form another section of the side wall of the vehicle compartment. The support section is positioned opposite a rear surface of the side wall of the armrest. The support section is not attached to the lower surface of the upper wall of the armrest.

[0012] Since the support section is not attached to the lower surface of the upper armrest wall, it is more likely to move away from the lower surface of the upper armrest wall if the armrest receives a side impact during a side collision. As a result, the upper armrest wall loses its support from below and simply collapses. Due to its configuration, the armrest can absorb the side impact. Furthermore, because the support section is located behind the side wall of the armrest—that is, closer to the outside of the vehicle than the side wall—the support section, the upper wall of the armrest, and the side wall of the armrest form an enclosed space. Therefore, the armrest provides adequate rigidity under normal conditions.During a side collision, the support section, the upper wall of the armrest, and the side wall of the armrest form a single area after the support section collapses. Therefore, the armrest's rigidity decreases, and it is less able to absorb the side impact.

[0013] The wall component has a bottom wall element and a back panel element. The bottom wall element has a first bottom wall section and a second bottom wall section. The back panel element has a back panel wall section. The bottom wall section and the back panel wall section are positioned opposite each other, with a predetermined distance between them to define a hold-open space between the second bottom wall section and the back panel wall section. The second bottom wall section of the bottom wall element has a notch in its upper end section for access to the hold-open space. The upper end of the bottom wall section connects to the upper end of the first bottom wall section of the bottom wall element and to the upper end of the back panel wall section of the back panel element. The support section has a first support section and a second support section. The first support section is contained within the bottom wall element.The first support section extends from the upper end of the first lower wall section of the lower wall element towards the lower surface of the upper wall of the armrest. The second support section is contained within the back panel element. The second support section extends from the upper end of the back panel wall section of the back panel element towards the lower surface of the upper wall of the armrest.

[0014] This means that a section of the upper armrest wall, distinct from the section above the support space, is supported by the lower wall element, and a section of the upper armrest wall above the support space is supported by the back panel element. The second lower wall section, which has the cutout, does not need to provide adequate support for the upper armrest wall. Therefore, the section of the upper armrest wall corresponding to the second lower wall section is supported by the back panel element. According to this configuration, the armrest is adequately supported by the wall component.

[0015] The lower wall element and the back panel element are separate components that are assembled. The armrest is a separate component from the lower wall element and the back panel element.

[0016] The support sections that brace the armrest when a downward force is applied are separate components. Therefore, these support sections collapse without restricting movement of the armrest; they simply move away from the lower surface of the upper wall of the armrest when a lateral impact is applied. Depending on the configuration, the armrest can then absorb the lateral impact appropriately.

[0017] The back panel wall section has a flat section and a curved section. The flat section is opposite a rear surface of the second lower wall section. The curved section curves from an upper end of the flat section towards the lower end of the armrest. The upper end of the back panel wall section is the upper end of the curved section.

[0018] Since the back panel wall section has the curved section which is curved towards the lower end of the armrest, the upper end of the back panel wall section is appropriately positioned adjacent to the lower end of the armrest.

[0019] The lower wall element has a bottom wall extending from a lower end of the second lower wall section in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second lower wall section towards the backplate element. The bottom wall has a distal end that is a mounting section to which the backplate element is attached. The backplate element has a flanged section at a bottom edge. The flanged section is attached to the mounting section of the bottom wall of the lower wall element, with the backplate wall section being spaced at a predefined distance from the rear face of the second lower wall section of the lower wall element.

[0020] According to this configuration, the back panel element is attached to the floor at the lower wall element. Although the second support section of the back panel element is not attached to the upper wall of the armrest, the back panel element is attached to the floor at the lower wall element, and thus the second support section can adequately support the upper wall of the armrest.

[0021] The first support section has an upper end section, a lower end section, and a middle section. The lower end section extends from the upper end of the first lower wall section and curves behind the side wall of the armrest. The middle section is located between the upper and lower end sections. The middle section extends essentially straight toward the lower surface of the upper wall. The upper end section extends from an upper end of the middle section along the lower surface of the upper wall. The second support section has an upper end section, a lower end section, and a middle section. The lower end section extends from the upper end of the back panel wall section of the back panel element toward the lower surface of the upper wall, behind the side wall of the armrest.The middle section is located between the upper end section and the lower end section. The middle section extends essentially straight towards the lower surface of the upper wall. The upper end section extends from an upper end of the middle section along the lower surface of the upper wall.

[0022] According to this configuration, the first support section of the lower wall element, which is the first lower wall section visible from the inside of the vehicle, is located behind the armrest, that is, further towards the outside of the vehicle than the armrest itself. Therefore, this first support section is invisible from the inside of the vehicle. Similarly, the second support section of the back panel element is also located behind the armrest and thus invisible from the inside of the vehicle. Although the support sections are not attached to the armrest, they can appropriately support the armrest when a downward force is applied to it. That is, the support sections improve the armrest's tolerance to downward forces, although they are less likely to reduce the armrest's shock absorption performance in a side collision.

[0023] The lower end section of the first support section has a lower end that is opposite the lower end of the armrest. The lower end section of the second support section has a lower end surface opposite the lower end of the armrest.

[0024] Due to this configuration, the opposing surfaces at the bottom are more likely to collide with the lower end of the armrest, and thus the support sections are more likely to collapse in a side impact. This configuration improves the armrest's shock absorption performance.

[0025] The side door panel also has a padding element that is positioned between the lower surface of the upper wall of the armrest and an end of the support section adjacent to the lower surface of the upper wall of the armrest.

[0026] The padding element allows the support section to provide even more suitable support for the armrest, on which the downward force is applied.

[0027] The side door panel also has a padding element that is positioned between the lower surface of the upper wall of the armrest and the upper end section of the first support section, and between the lower surface of the upper wall of the armrest and the upper end section of the second support section.

[0028] The padding element allows the first support section and the second support section to support the armrest, onto which the downward force is applied, in an even more suitable way.

[0029] The wall component has a main wall element and a back panel element. The main wall element has an upper wall section and a lower wall section. The armrest is located between the upper wall section and the lower wall section. The upper wall section, the lower wall section, and the armrest are formed as a single piece. The back panel element has a back panel wall section and a rear support section. The lower wall section of the wall component comprises the lower wall section of the main wall element and the back panel wall section of the back panel element. The main wall element and the back panel element are arranged such that the lower wall section of the main wall element and the back panel wall section of the back panel element are opposite each other, spaced apart by a predefined distance to define a retaining space between the second lower wall section and the back panel wall section.The upper end of the lower wall section has an upper end of the back panel section. The rear support section of the back panel element projects from a rear edge of the back panel wall section in a direction parallel to a long dimension of the side door trim, corresponding to a front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. The rear support section of the back panel element has an upper end section adjacent to the lower surface of the upper wall of the armrest.

[0030] Although the main wall element is a single component, the support section appropriately supports the armrest upon which the downward force is applied. Furthermore, the support sections are less likely to reduce the armrest's shock absorption performance in a side collision.

[0031] The rear support section of the back panel element has a lower section that faces the lower wall section of the main wall section. The lower section of the rear support section of the back panel element is attached to the lower wall section of the main wall element.

[0032] Although the support section is not attached to the armrest, it can adequately support the armrest upon which the downward force is applied. That is, the support section improves the armrest's tolerance to downward forces, although it is less likely to reduce the armrest's shock absorption performance in a side impact.

[0033] The side door panel also has a padding element that is positioned between the lower surface of the upper wall of the armrest and the lower end section of the support section, and between the lower surface of the upper wall of the armrest and the upper end section of the rear support section.

[0034] The padding element allows the support section and the rear support section to support the armrest, on which the downward force is applied, in an even more suitable way.

[0035] The upper wall of the armrest has a weakened section.

[0036] The weakened section makes it more likely that the armrest will collapse, meaning the shock absorption performance of the armrest is improved.

[0037] The support section has a long dimension in a longitudinal direction of the armrest, corresponding to the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. The weakening section has holes, each with long dimensions in a lateral direction of the armrest, corresponding to the lateral direction of the vehicle.

[0038] The support section supports the upper wall of the armrest, which has holes whose long dimensions correspond to the width of the vehicle. If the holes have long dimensions corresponding to the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, the support section must be positioned to support a section of the armrest without the holes, as it is more likely that the support section will move laterally during a side collision. Since the armrest in this application has holes with long dimensions corresponding to the width of the vehicle, the holes are less likely to restrict the movement of the support section. This increases flexibility in positioning the support section.

[0039] According to the technologies described here, a side door panel is provided for a vehicle which has an armrest that has a high tolerance against a force directed downwards from above onto the armrest but a low tolerance against a side impact. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a front view of a side door panel for a vehicle according to a first embodiment, seen from the inside of the vehicle. Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a section of the rear of the side door panel in Fig. 1, which represent supports for an upper wall of an armrest. Fig. 3 is a view of the section in Fig. 2 from the outside of the vehicle. Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional view along line AA in each of the Fig. 1 to 3. Fig. 5 a schematic sectional view along line BB in each of the Fig. 1 to 3. Fig. Figure 6 is a sectional view of a door side panel for a vehicle according to a second embodiment. Fig. Figure 7 is a sectional view of the door side panel for a vehicle according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION First example

[0040] With reference to Fig. Sections 1 to 5 describe a first embodiment. This section describes a side door panel 1 installed in a vehicle. The letters F and R in Fig. 1 to 3 indicate the front or rear of a vehicle. The terms INSIDE and OUTSIDE in Fig. Numbers 4 to 7 indicate the inside or outside of the vehicle.

[0041] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the side door panel 1 for a vehicle (hereinafter also referred to as the side door panel 1) has a panel shape. The side door panel 1 forms a side wall of a vehicle compartment. The side door panel 1 has a long dimension in a front-to-rear direction of the vehicle and a short dimension in a top-to-bottom direction of the vehicle. The side door panel 1 has an upper panel 20 and a lower panel 40, which are joined together. The upper panel 20, the lower panel 40, and a door pocket back panel 50, which will be described later, form a wall component of the side door panel 1. More precisely, the upper panel 20, the lower panel 40 (a lower wall element), and the door pocket back panel 50 (a back panel element) are assembled together to form the side wall of the vehicle compartment, and they are referred to as the wall component.The upper plate 20 and the lower plate 40 each form an upper section of the side door trim 1 and a lower section of the side door trim 1, respectively. The upper plate 20 and the lower plate 40 have long dimensions in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle and short dimensions in the top-to-bottom direction of the vehicle.

[0042] The side door panel 1 has an upper wall section 25, an armrest section 30 (an armrest), a first lower wall section 45, and a second lower wall section 46. The upper wall section 25 is a section of the upper panel 20, which forms an upper wall of the side door panel 1. The first lower wall section 45 and the second lower wall section 46 are sections of the lower panel 40, which forms a lower wall of the side door panel 1. The upper wall section 25, the first lower wall section 45, and the second lower wall section 46 comprise wall surfaces located on an interior side of the vehicle within the vehicle compartment. The armrest section 30 is located below the upper wall section 25.

[0043] The wall sections 25, 45 and 46 of the side door panel 1 are formed by two panels, that is, the upper panel 20 and the lower panel 40. However, the side door panel 1 can have wall sections formed by a single panel as in a second embodiment or by three or more panels.

[0044] The armrest section 30 is located approximately at the midpoint of the short dimension of the side door panel 1. That is, the armrest section 30 is located at a lower end of the upper wall section 25 above the first lower wall section 45 and the second lower wall section 46. The armrest section 30 projects towards the inside of the vehicle and extends in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the armrest section 30 has an upper wall 31 and a side wall 35. The upper wall 31 is formed by bending a lower end section of the upper plate 20 so that it projects from the wall surface of the upper wall section 25 in a substantially horizontal direction into the vehicle compartment, allowing a vehicle occupant to rest their arm on the upper wall 31. The upper wall 31 has a distal end 31T located further inward into the vehicle compartment than any end section of the upper wall 31, at a boundary between the upper wall 31 and the upper wall section 25. The side wall 35 extends downward from the distal end 31T of the upper wall 31 and forms a section of the side wall of the vehicle compartment.

[0045] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the upper wall section 25, the armrest section 30, the first lower wall section 45 and the second lower wall section 46 are covered with an upper wall skin 20H, an armrest skin 30H and a lower wall skin 40H to improve the appearance of the side wall of the vehicle compartment.

[0046] The armrest section 30 has a door handle 11 in a front section thereof. The door handle 11 has a hole in the upper wall 31 of the armrest section 30. The vehicle occupant can insert their hand into the hole to open or close a vehicle door when entering or exiting the vehicle compartment. The upper wall 31 of the armrest section 30 has a weakened section 33 in a portion that is closer to a rear edge of the armrest section 30 than the door handle 11. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the weakening section 33 has several through-holes 33A, each with long dimensions in a width direction of the armrest section 30 that correspond to a width direction of the vehicle. The through-holes 33A are arranged parallel to each other along a longitudinal direction of the armrest section 30 that corresponds to the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0047] The first lower wall section 45 is arranged such that a surface of the side wall 35 of the armrest section 30 and the surface of the first lower wall section 45, which are exposed in the vehicle compartment, are continuous to each other.

[0048] The side door panel 1 has a speaker grille 14 in a section closer to its front edge and a door pocket 15 in a section closer to the rear edge of the side door panel 1 than the speaker grille 14. The second lower wall section 46 is positioned between the speaker grille 14 and the first lower wall section 45 with respect to a longitudinal direction of the side door panel 1 corresponding to the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. The second lower wall section 46 has a notch 44 in an upper edge section.

[0049] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the door pocket backplate 50 is positioned approximately at the center of the side door panel 1 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the side door panel 1 and at a predefined distance from a rear surface of the second lower wall section 46, such that the door pocket backplate 50 and the second lower wall section 46 are opposite each other. The door pocket backplate 50 and the second lower wall section 46 define a holding space 50S for the door pocket 15 between them. The second lower wall section 46 has a curved upper edge 41 that defines the cutout 44. A lower end 32 of the armrest section 30 and the curved upper edge 41 define a door pocket opening 50K. The vehicle occupant has access to the holding space 50S through the door pocket opening 50K.

[0050] As previously described, the second lower wall section 46 is located between the speaker grille 14 and the first lower wall section 45, and the door pocket backplate 50 is positioned approximately at the center of the side door panel 1 with respect to its longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the retaining space 50S of the door pocket 15 is defined by the second lower wall section 46 and the door pocket backplate 50. That is, the door pocket 15 is located in the central section of the side door panel 1 with respect to its longitudinal direction.

[0051] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the lower panel 40 further comprises a bottom wall 47 extending from a lower end of the second lower wall section 46 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the wall surface of the second lower wall section 46 to the door pocket back plate 50. The bottom wall 47 has a distal end, which is a fastening section to which the door pocket back plate 50 is attached. The bottom wall 47 defines a bottom of the door pocket 15.

[0052] As in Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the lower plate 40 has a lower plate extension section 400 (a support section) that extends it from an upper end of the first lower wall section 45 towards a lower surface 31D of the upper wall 31 of the armrest section 30. More precisely, the upper end of the first lower wall section 45 is closer to the rear edge of the side door panel 1 than the cutout 44. The lower plate extension section 400 extends from the upper end of the first lower wall section 45, which is not a section that defines the door pocket opening 50K.

[0053] The lower panel extension section 400 has an upper end section 401, a lower end section 402, and a middle section 403. The lower end section 402 extends from the upper end of the first lower wall section 45 and is curved behind the side wall 35 of the armrest section 30. The lower end section 402 has an opposite lower end surface 402T, which is opposite the lower end 32 of the armrest section 30. The middle section 403, located between the upper end section 401 and the lower end section 402, extends substantially straight toward the lower surface 31D of the upper wall 31.

[0054] The upper end section 401 extends from an upper end of the middle section 403 along the lower surface 31D of the upper wall 31.

[0055] The lower panel extension section 400 has a long dimension in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. Since the lower panel extension section 400 is located behind the side wall 35 of the armrest section 30, facing the rear surface of the side wall 35—that is, further towards the outside of the vehicle than the side wall 35—the lower panel extension section 400 is invisible from the side of the vehicle compartment. The wall surface of the first lower wall section 45, which is exposed in the vehicle compartment, is a design surface that is located further towards the inside of the vehicle than the lower panel extension section 400. The lower plate extension section 400, which has the opposite surface 402T at its lower end, which is opposite the lower end 32 of the armrest section 30, is further towards the outside of the vehicle than the first lower wall section 45.

[0056] The upper end section 401 has an armrest support surface 400M that extends along the lower surface 31D of the upper wall 31 and faces the lower surface 31D. The armrest support surface 400M has a long dimension in the longitudinal direction of the side door panel 1. A cushion element 90 is arranged on the armrest support surface 400M. More precisely, the cushion element 90 is positioned between the lower surface 31D of the upper wall 31 and the armrest support surface 400M. The lower panel extension section 400 supports the lower surface 31D of the upper wall 31 from below via the cushion element 90 arranged on the armrest support surface 400M.

[0057] The upper end section 401, or the armrest support surface 400M, is not attached to the lower surface 31D of the upper wall 31 and is movable independently of the upper wall 31 in the width direction of the vehicle. The upper end section 401 is designed not only to accommodate the comfort of a vehicle occupant resting their arm on the upper wall 31 of the armrest section 31, but also to accommodate a tolerance of the lower plate extension section 400 against a downward force applied to the armrest section 30. To reduce the collapse of the lower plate extension section 400 due to a downward force applied from above to the armrest section 30, one dimension of the armrest support surface 400M in the width direction of the vehicle is minimized.

[0058] As in Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the door pocket backplate 50 has a flat section 55 and a curved section 51 (a backplate wall section) to form the retaining space 50S together with the lower plate 40. The flat section 55 has a long dimension in a direction parallel to the long dimension of the side door panel 1, corresponding to the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, and a short dimension in a direction parallel to the short dimension of the side door panel 1, corresponding to the top-to-bottom direction of the vehicle. The curved section 51 is curved from an upper end of the flat section 55 toward the lower end 32 of the armrest section 30. An upper end of the curved section 51 is adjacent to the lower end 32 of the armrest section 30. The flat section 55 is opposite a rear surface of the second lower wall section 46 of the lower plate 40 to define a rear of the holding space 50S.The curved section 51 defines a rear face of the door pocket opening 50K. The door pocket backplate 50 further has a flanged section 54 on a lower edge. The flanged section 54 is a fastening section for attaching the door pocket backplate 50 to the lower plate 40, the door pocket backplate 50 being a predefined distance from the rear face of the lower plate 40. The flanged section 54 is attached to the fastening section of the bottom wall 47 of the lower plate 40, the flat section 55 being a predefined distance from the rear face of the lower plate.

[0059] As in Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the door pocket backplate 50 has a door pocket backplate extension section 500 (a support section). The door pocket backplate extension section 500 extends from an upper end of the curved section 51, which is adjacent to the lower end 32 of the armrest section 30, towards the lower surface 31D of the upper wall 31 of the armrest section 30. More precisely, the door pocket backplate extension section 500 extends from a portion of the upper end of the curved section 51 that corresponds to the weakening section 33 of the upper wall 31 of the armrest section 30, which is closer to the rear edge of the side door panel 1 than the door pull handle 11.

[0060] The door pocket backplate extension section 500 is arranged behind the side wall 35 of the armrest section 30, so that it faces a rear surface of the side wall 35 of the armrest section 30. Therefore, the door pocket backplate extension section 500 is invisible from the inside of the vehicle within the vehicle compartment.

[0061] The door pocket backplate extension section 500 has an upper end section 501, a lower end section 502, and a middle section 503. The lower end section 502 has a opposite surface 502T at its lower end, which is opposite the lower end 32 of the armrest section 30. The middle section, located between the upper end section 501 and the lower end section 502, extends upward from an upper end of the lower end section 502 towards the lower surface 31D of the upper wall 31. The upper end section 501 extends from an upper end of the middle section 503 along the lower surface 31D of the upper wall 31.

[0062] The upper end section 501 has an armrest support surface 500M that extends along the lower surface 31D of the upper wall 31 and faces the lower surface 31. The armrest support surface 500M has a long dimension parallel to the long dimension of the side door panel 1. A padding element 90 is arranged on the armrest support surface 500M. More precisely, the padding element 90 is positioned between the armrest support surface 500M and the lower surface 31D of the upper wall 31 of the armrest section 30. The door pocket backplate extension section 500 supports the lower surface 31D of the upper wall of the armrest section 30 from below via the padding element 90 on the armrest support surface 500M of the upper end section 501.

[0063] The armrest support surface 500M of the upper end section 501 is not attached to the lower surface 31D of the upper wall 31, and thus the upper end section 501 is movable in the width direction of the vehicle independently of the upper wall 31. The upper end section 501 is designed not only to accommodate the comfort of a vehicle occupant resting their arm against the upper wall 31 of the armrest section 30, but also to accommodate a tolerance of the door pocket backplate extension section 500 against a downward force applied to the armrest section 30. To reduce the risk of the door pocket backplate extension section 500 collapsing due to the downward force, the dimension of the armrest support surface 500M in the width direction of the vehicle is minimized.

[0064] As in Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the section of the upper wall 31 of the armrest section 30, which is located closer to the rear edge of the side door panel 1 than the door pull handle 11, is supported by the lower plate extension section 400 and the door pocket back plate extension section 500, which are continuous in the direction parallel to the long dimension of the door side panel 1. According to the configuration, the armrest section 30 has a tolerance against a downward force applied to the armrest 30 by a vehicle occupant when he or she rests his or her arm on the armrest section 30.

[0065] If a side impact is applied to the side wall 35 of the armrest section 30 during a side collision and is also applied to the lower plate extension section 400 and the door pocket backplate extension section 500, then the lower plate extension section 400 and the door pocket backplate extension section 500, which are located closer to the outside of the vehicle than the side wall 35, collapse. In the side collision, the side impact is applied from the lower end 32 of the side wall 35 directly to the lower end section 402 of the lower plate extension section 400 and the lower end section 502 of the door pocket backplate extension section 500, and the extension sections 400 and 500 collapse. Since the upper end sections 401 and 501 are not attached to the upper wall 31 of the armrest section 30, the upper end sections 401 and 501 move away from the lower surface 31D of the upper wall 31.As a result, the upper wall 31 of the armrest section loses its support from the extension sections 400 and 500, and the armrest section 30 collapses in the lateral direction of the vehicle. The weakening section 33 of the upper wall 31 accelerates the collapse of the upper wall 31, which has lost its support from the extension sections 400 and 500. Therefore, the side impact is adequately absorbed by the armrest section 30.

[0066] As previously described, the side door panel 1 has the armrest section 30 and the wall component with the upper panel 20, the lower panel 40, and the door pocket back panel 50. A section of the wall component located below the armrest section 30 forms a section of the side wall of the vehicle compartment. The armrest section 30 has the upper wall 31, against which a vehicle occupant can rest their arm. The wall component with the lower panel 40 and the door pocket back panel 50 has the support section, which includes the lower panel extension section 400 and the door pocket back panel extension section 500, extending towards the lower surface 31D of the upper wall 31 of the armrest section 30 and supporting the lower surface 31D from below.

[0067] The support section, comprising the lower plate extension section 400 and the door pocket back plate extension section 500, which are arranged below the upper wall 31 of the armrest section 30, supports the upper wall 31 from below. That is, the upper wall 31 is tolerant of a downward force applied to it by the support provided by the extension sections 400 and 500, which are sections of components distinct from the armrest section 30. According to the configuration, the armrest section 30 has a tolerance against the downward force.Furthermore, compared to a configuration where an armrest and a support section for supporting the armrest are formed as a single piece, the movement of the support section, which has the lower plate extension section 400 and the door pocket backplate extension section 500, is less likely to be restricted in the lateral direction of the vehicle during a side collision. Therefore, the upper wall 31 of the armrest section 30 is more likely to collapse. Since the support section for supporting the armrest section 30 to tolerate the downward force is not included in the armrest section 30, the lower plate extension section 400 and the door pocket backplate extension section 500 collapse when a side impact is applied to the support section without restricting the movement of the armrest section 30, and they simply move away from the lower surface 31D of the upper wall 31 of the armrest section 30.According to this configuration, the upper wall 31 can be designed with a longer dimension in the width direction of the vehicle to improve the shock absorption performance of the armrest section 30.

[0068] The armrest section 30 has a side wall 35 that extends downwards from the distal end 31T of the upper wall 31 and forms a section of the side wall of the vehicle compartment. The support section, which has extension sections 400 and 500, is located closer to the outside of the vehicle than the side wall 35 of the armrest section 30 and is not attached to the lower surface 31D of the upper wall 31 of the armrest section 30.

[0069] According to this configuration, the support section, which includes extension sections 400 and 500, is more likely to move away from the lower surface 31D in a side collision. As a result, the upper section 31 loses its support from below and is therefore more likely to collapse laterally to the side of the vehicle, thus absorbing a side impact. More precisely, the support section, which includes extension sections 400 and 500, is positioned more towards the outside of the vehicle than the side wall 35 of the armrest section 30. The support section, which includes extension sections 400 and 500, the upper wall 31 of the armrest section 30, and the side wall 35 of the armrest section 30 form an enclosed space.Under normal conditions, the support section with extension sections 400 and 500, the upper wall 31 of the armrest section 30, and the side wall 35 of the armrest section 30 provide adequate strength. In a side collision, the support section, which includes extension sections 400 and 500, collapses, opening the space. As a result, the strength decreases, and the side impact is more likely to be absorbed.

[0070] The upper wall 31 of the armrest section 30 has the weakening section 33. In a side collision, the upper wall 31 collapses when the support section with the extension sections 400 and 500, which support the upper wall 31 of the armrest section 30 from below, collapses and moves away from the upper wall 31. The weakening section 33 accelerates the collapse of the upper wall 31, that is, it improves the shock absorption performance of the armrest section 30.

[0071] If each of the through-holes 33A in the weakening section 33 has a long dimension in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, then the support section, which has the extension sections 400 and 500, must be arranged in a section of the upper wall 31 in which the through-holes 33A are not formed, taking into account the movement of the support section in the lateral direction of the vehicle during a side collision. In this embodiment, each of the elongated holes 33A has the long dimension in the lateral direction of the vehicle, and the support section, which has a long dimension in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, is arranged below the lower wall 31 of the armrest section 30, which has the through-holes 33A for supporting the upper wall 31. According to this configuration, it is less likely that the through-holes 33A will restrict the movement of the support section.Therefore, flexibility in arranging the support section or the extension sections 400 and 500 increases. Second embodiment

[0072] With reference to Fig. 6 and Fig. Section 7 now describes a second embodiment. The second embodiment has one component that differs from the first embodiment. The same components as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. Configurations, functions, and effects of the second embodiment that are the same as those of the first embodiment are not described. This section describes a side door panel 201 that is installed in a vehicle.

[0073] The side door panel 201 has a long dimension in the front-to-back direction of the vehicle and a short dimension in the top-to-bottom direction of the vehicle. As in Fig.As shown in Figure 6, the side door panel 201 has a single main panel 70 (a wall component) and a door pocket back panel 250. The main panel 70 (a main wall element) has an upper wall section 71, an armrest section 230 (an armrest), and a lower wall section 74. The armrest section 230 is located in a section approximately at the midpoint of the short dimension of the side door panel 201, between the upper wall section 71 and the lower wall section 74. The armrest section 230 has a shape that projects more toward the interior of the vehicle than the upper wall section 71. The armrest section 230 has an upper wall 231 and a side wall 235. The upper wall 231 extends from a lower end of the upper wall section 71 in a width direction of the armrest section 230 that corresponds to the width direction of the vehicle, toward the interior of the vehicle.An occupant of the vehicle can rest his or her arm on the upper wall 231. The side wall 235 extends downwards from a distal end 231T of the upper wall 231 and forms a section of a side wall of the vehicle compartment.

[0074] The upper wall section 71 has a long dimension in one direction parallel to the long dimension of the side door panel 201 and a short dimension in one direction parallel to the short dimension of the side door panel 201. The lower wall section 74 has a long dimension in one direction parallel to the long dimension of the side door panel 201 and a short dimension in one direction parallel to the short dimension of the side door panel 201.

[0075] The lower wall section 74 has a first lower wall section 75 and a second lower wall section 76. The first lower wall section 75 and the second lower wall section 76 are located below the armrest section 230. The second lower wall section 76 has an upper end 274 that is located further down than the upper end of the first lower wall section 75.

[0076] The main plate 70 further comprises a bottom wall section 77, which extends from a lower end 72 of the main plate 70 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lower wall section 74, towards the door pocket back plate 250. The bottom wall section 77 has a distal end, which is a fastening section to which a door pocket back plate 250 is attached.

[0077] The door pocket backplate 250 has a flat section 255 and a curved section 251 for defining a retaining space 250S together with the second lower wall section 76. The flat section 255 has a long dimension in a direction parallel to the long dimension of the side door panel 201, corresponding to the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, and a short dimension in a direction parallel to the short dimension of the side door panel 201, corresponding to the top-to-bottom direction of the vehicle. The curved section 251 is curved from an upper end of the flat section 255 toward a lower end 232 of the armrest section 230. The door pocket backplate 250 further has a flanged section 254 at a bottom edge.The flange section 254 is a fastening section for attaching the door pocket backplate 250 to the main plate 70, wherein the door pocket backplate 250 is located a predefined distance from a rear face of the second lower wall section 76. The flange section 254 is attached to the fastening section of the main plate 70, wherein the flat section 255 is located a predefined distance from the rear face of the second lower wall section 56.

[0078] The side door panel 201 has a door pocket 215 in a section located approximately at the midpoint of its long dimension below the armrest section 230. The door pocket 215 has a door pocket opening 250K and a retention space 250S. The vehicle occupant has access to the retention space 250S through the door pocket opening 250K. The door pocket opening 250K is defined by the lower end of the armrest section 230 and the upper end 274 of the second lower wall section 76. The retention space 250S is defined by the second lower wall section 76 and the door pocket back panel 250. The floor of the retention space 250S is defined by the floor wall section 77.

[0079] The door pocket backplate 250 has a door pocket backplate extension section 2500 (a support section). The door pocket backplate extension section 2500 extends from an upper end of the curved section 251 near the lower end of the armrest section 230 towards a lower surface 231D of the upper wall 231 of the armrest section 230. More precisely, the door pocket backplate extension section 2500 extends from a section of the upper end of the curved section 251 that corresponds to a weakening section of the upper wall 231 of the armrest section 230, which is located closer to the rear of the vehicle than the door pull handle 11.

[0080] The curved section 251 of the door pocket backplate extension section 2500 has a long dimension parallel in one direction to the long dimension of the side door panel 201. The door pocket backplate extension section 2500 has a rear support section 2500R, which is located closer to a rear edge of the side door panel 201 than the curved section 251 and the flat section 255. That is, the door pocket backplate extension section 2500 is simply a section of the side door panel 201 that projects further toward the rear of the vehicle than the door pocket 215, in which the retaining space 250S is not provided.

[0081] The door pocket backplate extension section 2500 has an upper end section 2501, a lower end section, and a middle section. The lower end section has an opposing surface 2502T at its lower end, which is opposite the lower end 232 of the armrest section 230. The middle section, located between the upper end section 2501 and the lower end section, extends upward from an upper end of the lower end section toward the lower surface 231D of the upper wall 231. The upper end section 2501 extends from an upper end of the middle section along the lower surface 231D of the upper wall 231.

[0082] The upper end section 2501 has an armrest support surface 2500M that extends along the lower surface 231D of the upper wall 231 and faces the lower surface 231D. The armrest support surface 2500M has a long dimension parallel to the long dimension of the side door panel 201. A cushion element 290 is arranged on the armrest support surface 2500M. More precisely, the cushion element 290 is positioned between the armrest support surface 2500M and the lower surface 231D of the upper wall 231 of the armrest section 230. The door pocket backplate extension section 2500 supports the lower surface 231D of the upper wall of the armrest section 230 from below via the cushion element 290, which is arranged on the armrest support surface 2500M of the upper end section 2501. Other examples of implementation

[0083] The technology described here is not limited to the embodiments described above and the drawings. The following embodiments may be included within the scope of the present invention.

[0084] A support element can be provided as a separate component from a bottom plate or a door pocket back plate to support the upper wall 31 or 231.

Claims

[1] Side door panel (1) for a vehicle with: an armrest (30) having an upper wall (31) for supporting an arm of a passenger of the vehicle; and a wall component (20, 40, 50) for forming a portion (25, 45, 46) of a side wall of a vehicle compartment, wherein the wall component (20, 40, 50) has a lower wall portion located below the armrest (30) and a support portion (400, 500) for supporting the upper wall (31) of the armrest (30) from below, wherein the support portion (400, 500) extends from an upper end of the lower wall portion of the wall component (20, 40, 50), which is adjacent to a lower end (32) of the armrest (30), towards a lower surface (31D) of the upper wall (31) of the armrest (30), characterized by , that the wall component (20, 40, 50) comprises a lower wall element (40) and a back plate element (50), the lower wall element (40) has a first lower wall section (45) and a second lower wall section (46), the back plate element (50) has a back plate wall section (51), the lower wall element (40) and the back plate element (50) are arranged such that the second lower wall section (46) and the back plate wall section (51) are opposite each other, with a predefined distance from each other to define a holding space (50S) between the second lower wall section (46) and the back plate wall section (51), the second lower wall portion (46) of the lower wall element (40) has a notch (44) in an upper end portion for access to the holding space (50S), the upper end of the lower wall section has an upper end of the first lower wall section (45) of the lower wall element (40) and an upper end of the back plate wall section (51) of the back plate element (50), the support section (400, 500) has a first support section (400) and a second support section (500), the first support section (400) is contained in the lower wall element (40), the first support portion (400) extends from the upper end of the first lower wall portion (45) of the lower wall element (40) towards the lower surface (31D) of the upper wall (31) of the armrest (30), the second support portion (500) is contained in the back plate element (50), and the second support portion (500) extends from the upper end of the back plate wall portion (51) of the back plate member (50) toward the lower surface (31D) of the upper wall (31) of the armrest (30). [2] Side door trim (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lower wall element (40) and the back plate element (50) are separate components which are assembled together, and the armrest (30) is a separate component from the lower wall element (40) and the back plate element (50). [3] Side door trim (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the back plate wall section (51) has a flat section (55) and a curved section, the flat portion (55) is opposite a rear surface of the second lower wall portion (46), the curved portion is curved from an upper end of the flat portion (55) towards the lower end (32) of the armrest (30), and the upper end of the back plate wall portion (51) is the upper end of the curved portion. [4] Side door trim (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lower wall element (40) has a bottom wall (47) extending from a lower end of the second lower wall portion (46) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second lower wall portion (46) toward the back plate element (50), the bottom wall (47) has a distal end which is a fastening portion to which the back plate element (50) is fastened, the back plate element (50) has a flange portion (54) at a bottom edge, and the flange portion (54) is attached to the attachment portion of the bottom wall (47) of the lower wall element (40), wherein the back plate wall portion (51) is spaced at the predefined distance from the rear surface of the second lower wall portion (46) of the lower wall element (40). [5] Side door trim (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the wall component (20, 40, 50) has a wall surface to be arranged on an inner side of the vehicle when the side door panel (1) is installed in the vehicle, the upper wall (31) of the armrest (30) protrudes from the wall surface of the wall component (20, 40, 50), the armrest (30) has a side wall (35) extending downward from a distal end (31T) of the upper wall (31) of the armrest (30) to form another portion of the side wall of the vehicle compartment, the support section (400, 500) is arranged opposite a rear surface of the side wall (35) of the armrest (30), and the support portion (400, 500) is not attached to the lower surface (31D) of the upper wall (31) of the armrest (30). [6] Side door trim (1) according to claim 5, wherein the first support section (400) has an upper end section (401), a lower end section (402) and a middle section (403), the lower end portion (402) extends from the upper end of the first lower wall portion (45) and is curved behind the side wall (35) of the armrest (30), the middle section (403) is located between the upper end section (401) and the lower end section (402), the central portion (403) extends substantially straight toward the lower surface (31D) of the upper wall (31), the upper end portion (401) extends from an upper end of the middle portion (403) along the lower surface (31D) of the upper wall (31), the second support section (500) has an upper end section (501), a lower end section (502) and a middle section (503), the lower end portion (502) extends from the upper end of the back plate wall portion (51) of the back plate element (50) toward the lower surface (31D) of the upper wall (31) behind the side wall (35) of the armrest (30), the middle section (503) is located between the upper end section (501) and the lower end section (502), the central portion (503) extends substantially straight toward the lower surface (31D) of the upper wall (31), and the upper end portion (501) extends from an upper end of the middle portion (503) along the lower surface (31D) of the upper wall (31). [7] Side door trim (1) according to claim 6, wherein the lower end portion (402) of the first support portion (400) has an opposing surface (402T) at the lower end which is opposite the lower end (32) of the armrest (30), and the lower end portion (502) of the second support portion (500) has an opposing surface (502T) at the lower end which is opposite to the lower end (32) of the armrest (30). [8] The side door trim (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a cushion member (90) interposed between the lower surface (31D) of the upper wall (31) of the armrest (30) and an end of the support portion (400, 500) adjacent to the lower surface (31D) of the upper wall (31) of the armrest (30). [9] The side door trim (1) according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising a cushion member (90) interposed between the lower surface (31D) of the upper wall (31) of the armrest (30) and the upper end portion (401) of the first support portion (400) and between the lower surface (31D) of the upper wall (31) of the armrest (30) and the upper end portion (501) of the second support portion (500). [10] Side door panel (201) for a vehicle with: an armrest (230) having an upper wall (231) for supporting an arm of an occupant of the vehicle; and a wall component (70, 250) for forming a portion of a side wall of a vehicle compartment, the wall component (70, 250) having a lower wall portion located below the armrest (230) and a support portion (2500) for supporting the upper wall (231) of the armrest (230) from below, the support portion (2500) extending from an upper end of the lower wall portion of the wall component (70, 250), which is adjacent to a lower end (232) of the armrest (230), toward a lower surface (231D) of the upper wall (231) of the armrest (230), characterized by , that the wall component (70, 250) comprises a main wall element (70) and a back plate element (250), the main wall element (70) has an upper wall section (71) and a lower wall section (74), the armrest (230) is located between the upper wall section (71) and the lower wall section (74), the upper wall section (71), the lower wall section (74) and the armrest (230) are formed in one piece, the back plate element (250) has a back plate wall section (251) and a rear support section (2500R), the lower wall section of the wall component (70, 250) comprises the lower wall section (74) of the main wall element (70) and the back plate wall section (251) of the back plate element (250), the main wall element (70) and the back plate element (250) are arranged such that the lower wall section (74) of the main wall element (70) and the back plate wall section (251) of the back plate element (250) are opposite each other, being spaced apart from each other by a predefined distance to define a holding space (250S) between the second lower wall section (74) and the back plate wall section (251), wherein the upper end of the lower wall portion has an upper end of the back plate wall portion (251), the rear support portion (2500R) of the rear plate member (250) protrudes from a rear edge of the rear plate wall portion (251) in a direction parallel to a long dimension of the side door trim (201) corresponding to a front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the rear support portion (2500R) of the back plate member (250) has an upper end portion (2501) located adjacent to the lower surface (231D) of the upper wall (231) of the armrest (230). [11] Side door trim (210) according to claim 10, wherein the wall component (70, 250) has a wall surface to be arranged on an inside of the vehicle when the side door panel (201) is installed in the vehicle, the upper wall (231) of the armrest (230) protrudes from the wall surface of the wall component (70, 250), the armrest (70, 250) has a side wall (235) extending downward from a distal end (231T) of the upper wall (231) of the armrest (230) to form another portion of the side wall of the vehicle compartment, the support portion (2500) is arranged opposite a rear surface of the side wall (235) of the armrest (230), and the support portion (2500) is not attached to the lower surface (231D) of the upper wall (231) of the armrest (230). [12] Side door trim (201) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the rear support portion (2500R) of the back plate member (250) has a lower portion opposite the lower wall portion (74) of the main wall member (70), and the lower portion of the rear support portion (2500R) of the back plate member (250) is fixed to the lower wall portion (74) of the main wall member (70). [13] A side door trim panel according to any one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising a cushion member (290) interposed between the lower surface (231D) of the upper wall (231) of the armrest (230) and the upper end portion (2501) of the support portion (2500) and between the lower surface (231D) of the upper wall (231) of the armrest (230) and the upper end portion (2501) of the rear support portion (2500R). [14] Side door trim according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the upper wall (31; 231) of the armrest (30; 230) has a weakened portion (33). [15] Side door trim according to claim 14, wherein the support portion (400, 500; 2500) has a long dimension in a longitudinal direction of the armrest (30; 230) corresponding to a front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the weakened portion (33) has a plurality of holes (33A) each having long dimensions in a width direction of the armrest (30; 230) corresponding to a width direction of the vehicle.

Images