Side door arrangement for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a side door arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising a side frame (2) defining a door opening (3), on which a side door (1) is mounted that can be moved between a closed position and an open position, which is held at an end region (10) of the side door (1) by means of a bearing device (8) on a door column (4) of the side frame (2), and a catch device (11) with a catch element (12) arranged on the side frame side and a door-side catch element (13) arranged on a structural component (22) of the side door (1), which engage with each other in the event of an accident-related deformation of the side door (1) as a result of a side collision. To create a side door arrangement whose catch device (11) can prevent the side door (1) from entering the door opening (3) in an improved manner, the side frame-side catch element (12) is arranged on the door column (4) and the door-side catch element (13) is arranged on the associated end area (10) of the side door (1) on the side of the bearing device (8) of the side door (1).

Description

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

[0002] Particularly in side-on collisions involving a vehicle, in which a side door is severely deformed due to the applied forces, the problem arises that the side door is pushed very forcefully into the door opening, thereby losing its overlap with the structural components of the side frame surrounding the outer perimeter or sliding along them into the interior of the vehicle. As a result, the main force transmission during the side impact occurs in the doors, which are no longer able to withstand the loads. Such a side collision is simulated, for example, with the IIHS 2.0 side impact test.

[0003] A side door assembly for a motor vehicle is already known from US Pat. No. 5,306,067 A, in which a plurality of arresting elements of a arresting device are arranged on a side frame defining a door opening and on which a side door is mounted that can be moved between a closed position and an open position. When the side door is closed, these side-frame-side arresting elements interact in a form-fitting manner with a respective door-side arresting element arranged on a structural component of the side door, so that they engage with each other even in the event of an accident-related deformation of the side door as a result of a side collision, thereby securing the side door to the side frame.

[0004] DE 10 2021 103 740 A1 discloses a door system in which a catch hook is arranged on a pillar of a motor vehicle and a frame element is provided on a side door, which comes into contact with the catch hook in the event of a collision.

[0005] Furthermore, DE 10 2020 210 818 A1 and US 5 806 917 A disclose further door systems worthy of mention, which disclose the state of the art for the side door arrangement according to the invention.

[0006] The problem with the known safety catch device is that it can only partially prevent the side door from penetrating the door opening.

[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide a side door arrangement whose catch device can prevent the side door from penetrating the door opening in an improved manner.

[0008] This object is achieved according to the invention by a side door arrangement having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent patent claims and the description.

[0009] The side door assembly according to the invention comprises a side frame defining a door opening, on which a side door is mounted, which can be displaced between a closed position and an open position. The side door is held at one end region—usually at a front end region—by means of a bearing device—usually a pivot bearing device—on a door pillar of the side frame. Furthermore, the side door assembly comprises a catch device with a catch element arranged on the side frame side and a door-side catch element arranged on a structural component of the side door, which engage with one another in the event of an accident-related deformation of the side door as a result of a side collision.

[0010] To create a side door arrangement whose catch device can prevent the side door from entering the door opening in an improved manner, according to the invention the side frame-side catch element is arranged on the door pillar and the door-side catch element is arranged on the corresponding end region of the side door on the side of the side door support device. In contrast to the previous state of the art, the side door is thus also protected in an improved manner on the side frame side of the support device against excessively strong pushing into the door opening in that the cover is fastened to the door pillar, to which the side door is hinged or mounted, by means of the catch device and thus supported or protected against being deflected into the door opening.By preventing the door - especially the front side door - from becoming caught in the body structure in the area of ​​the door hinges, for example, during a crash, the loads can be transferred to the body structure and the forces occurring in the door are reduced.

[0011] Furthermore, the side frame-side arresting element is designed as a substantially (L-shaped) draw hook, which engages an opening in the substantially U-shaped door-side arresting element, which has two side flaps and a bolt element connecting them, when the arresting elements engage with each other in the event of an accident-related force being applied to the side door as a result of a side collision of the motor vehicle. In the event of an accident-related force being applied as a result of a side impact, the corresponding forces can be particularly effectively absorbed by this tension anchoring of the corresponding end area of ​​the side door on the associated door pillar.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the side frame-side catch element on the door pillar and the door-side catch element on the corresponding end area of ​​the side door are spaced apart from each other in an unloaded initial position and engage with each other in the event of an accident-related force being applied to the side door as a result of a side collision of the motor vehicle. Due to the spaced arrangement of the catch elements, the door-side interlocking part / catch element rotates contactlessly past the body-side interlocking part / catch element during the opening and closing of the door.

[0013] It is also advantageous if the bearing device is designed as a hinge device with a hinge axis. In conjunction with such a hinge device and the associated fixed, in particular substantially vertically extending pivot axis, the described spaced-apart arrangement of the catch elements from one another and the contactless rotation of the door-side interlocking part / catch element past the body-side interlocking part / catch element during the opening and closing of the door can be implemented particularly favorably.

[0014] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the arresting device is arranged on the inside of the hinge axis of the hinge device, relative to the vehicle's transverse direction. Thus, in the event of an accident-related force application as a result of a side impact, the corresponding forces can be transmitted particularly effectively in the immediate area between the side door and the body structure.

[0015] Excessive pushing of the side door into the door opening can also be advantageously avoided if the catch device is arranged behind the hinge axis of the hinge device in relation to the vehicle's longitudinal direction.

[0016] If, in a further embodiment of the invention, the safety catch device is arranged between an upper hinge and a lower hinge of the hinge device, the safety catch device can very well absorb the corresponding forces applied over at least substantially the entire height in the event of an accident-related force being applied as a result of a side impact.

[0017] It is further advantageous if the door-side catch element is attached to an end face of the structural component of the side door, in particular an inner door panel, by means of at least one screw connection. This ensures a particularly stable connection of the catch device to the side door.

[0018] Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective specified combination, but also in other combinations or on their own.

[0019] The invention will now be explained in more detail using a preferred embodiment and with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a partial perspective view of a side door arrangement for a motor vehicle, with a side frame delimiting a door opening, on which a side door, which can be moved between a closed position and an open position, is held with a front end region on a door pillar by means of a bearing device, and with a catch device with a catch element arranged on the side frame side of the door pillar and a door-side catch element arranged on a structural component of the side door, which engage with each other in the event of an accident-related deformation of the side door as a result of a side collision, Fig. 2 a partial perspective view of the side frame according to Fig. 1 with the catch element arranged on the side frame side of the door pillar, Fig. 3 one opposite Fig. 2 enlarged partial perspective view of the catch element arranged on the side frame side of the door pillar, Fig. 4 a perspective inside view of the side door according to Fig. 1 with the door-side catch element arranged at the front end area, Fig. 5 one opposite Fig. 4 enlarged partial perspective view of the door-side catch element arranged at the front end area of ​​the side door, Fig. 6 a partial sectional view through the side door arrangement along a horizontal sectional plane extending in the vehicle transverse direction and in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0020] Fig. Figure 1 shows a partial perspective view of a side door arrangement for a passenger car with a left front side door 1, viewed in the forward direction of travel, through which a door opening 3 within a side frame 3 of the vehicle is closed. The door opening 3 is limited in the present case at the front by a door pillar / A-pillar 4, which merges above into a roof frame 5. Adjoining the roof frame 5 at the rear is a door pillar / B-pillar 6, which Fig. 3 can be seen. The door opening 3 is limited downwards by a side sill 7 of the side frame 3.

[0021] The side door 1 is held at its front end region 10 on the A-pillar 4 by means of a bearing device 8 in the form of a hinge device with respective hinges, an upper hinge 9a and a lower hinge 9b, pivotable about a hinge axis s. The side door 1 is thus displaceable about the pivot axis s of the bearing device / hinge device 8 between the closed position shown here and a respective open position.

[0022] 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, a catch device 11 is arranged, which comprises a catch element 12 arranged on the side frame side on the door pillar / A-pillar 4 and a door-side catch element 13 arranged on a front end face 14 at the front end region 10 of the side door 1. The catch device 11 is arranged between the upper hinge 9a and the lower hinge 9b of the hinge device 8.

[0023] The catch element 12 arranged on the door pillar 4 on the bodyshell side or the side frame side and the catch element 13 on the door side engage with each other in a manner explained in more detail below in the event of an accident-related deformation of the side door 1 as a result of a side collision.

[0024] Based on Fig. 2, which is a partial perspective view of the side frame 2 according to Fig. 1 with the catch element 12 arranged on the side frame side of the door pillar 4, as well as with reference to Fig. 3, which has a Fig. 2 shows an enlarged, partial perspective view of the catch element 12 arranged on the side frame side of the door pillar 4, it can be seen that this is designed as a substantially angular or L-shaped draw hook in cross section, with a leg 15 extending substantially along the outer side of the door pillar 4 and a leg 16 projecting outwards at an angle α of, for example, approximately 120°. Of course, other angles or shapes of the catch element 12 would also be conceivable here. In the present case, the catch element 12 is in one piece and is designed, for example, as a metal component such as a forged part, cast part, formed part or the like.

[0025] Fig. 4 shows a perspective inside view of the side door 1 according to Fig. 1 with the door-side catch element 13 arranged at the front end area 10 on the corresponding end face 14. As can be seen from Fig. 5 in a opposite Fig. As is clear from the enlarged, partial perspective view of the door-side catch element 13 arranged at the front end region 10 of the side door 1 in Figure 4, in the present case it is formed by two side tabs 17 protruding from a base 19 and a bolt element 18 connecting them. The said components 17, 18, 19 delimit an opening 20, into which the side frame-side catch element 12 engages in a manner described in more detail below if an accident-related force is applied to the side door 1 as a result of a side collision of the motor vehicle. The base 19 and the side tabs 17 can be formed, for example, by a formed sheet metal part, forged part, or cast component, wherein the side tabs 17 are penetrated, for example, by the bolt element 18.

[0026] Fig. Figure 6 shows a partial sectional view through the side door arrangement along a horizontal sectional plane extending in the transverse direction and the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. It is particularly clear that the side frame-side catch element 12 on the door pillar 4 and the door-side catch element 13 on the associated end region 10 of the side door 1 are spaced apart from one another in an unloaded initial position and only engage with one another when an accident-related force is applied to the side door 1 as a result of a side collision of the motor vehicle. The distance between the outwardly projecting leg 16 of the side frame-side catch element 12 and the bolt element 18 of the door-side catch element 13 is indicated by a dash-dotted circle k around the pivot axis s.The mutual engagement takes place in that the outwardly projecting leg 16 of the side frame-side catch element 12 comes into contact with the bolt element 18 of the door-side catch element 13 in the manner of a tension anchor or the outwardly projecting leg 16 of the side frame-side catch element 12 engages in the opening 20 of the door-side catch element 13.

[0027] In order to achieve a particularly favorable tension anchoring of the front end region 10 of the side door 1 to the door pillar 4 of the side frame, the arresting device 11 is arranged on the inside of the hinge axis s of the hinge device 8 with respect to the vehicle's transverse direction. Furthermore, the arresting device 11 is arranged behind the hinge axis s of the hinge device 8 with respect to the vehicle's longitudinal direction.

[0028] The door-side catch element 13 is fastened by means of at least one screw connection 21 to the front side 14 of a structural component 22 of the side door 1, in this case an inner door panel. Fig. 6 On the outside of the inner door panel 22, a side impact beam 23 attached thereto and an outer door panel 24 can be seen.

[0029] If a side collision of the motor vehicle occurs, which is simulated, for example, with the IIHS 2.0 side impact test, the side door 1 is held on the side frame 2 and the associated door pillar 4 due to the tension anchor in the front end area or in the area of ​​its bearing device 8 and remains in overlap with the A-pillar 4 with the front end area 10 even when considerable forces are applied. This prevents the side door 1 from being pushed excessively through the door opening 3 at the front, which could result in the overlap with the structural part (A-pillar 4) of the side frame 2 running around the outer circumference being lost and the door 1 being able to slide along this into the interior of the motor vehicle.By hooking the - in particular the front side door 1 - with the body structure 2 in the area of, for example, the door hinges 9a, 9b during the crash, the loads can be diverted into the body structure and the forces occurring in the door 1 are reduced.

[0030] The present arresting device 11 can be used not only with front but also with rear side doors and, if necessary, also with other types of storage devices 8. List of reference symbols 1 side door 2 side frames 3 Door opening 4 Door pillar / A-pillar 5 roof frames 6 Door pillar / B-pillar 7 side skirts 8 Storage facility 9a Hinge 9b Hinge 10 End area 11 Catching device 12 Catch element 13 Catch element 14 Front side 15 legs 16 legs 17 side flaps 18 Bolt element 19 bases 20 Opening 21 Screw connection 22 inner door panel 23 side impact beams 24 Door trim S swivel axis K Circle

Claims

[1] Side door arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising a side frame (2) defining a door opening (3), on which a side door (1) is mounted, which is displaceable between a closed position and an open position and is held at an end region (10) of the side door (1) by means of a mounting device (8) on a door pillar (4) of the side frame (2), and comprising a catching device (11) having a catching element (12) arranged on the side frame side and a door-side catching element (13) arranged on a structural component (22) of the side door (1), which engage with one another in the event of an accident-related deformation of the side door (1) as a result of a side collision, wherein the side frame-side catching element (12) is designed on the door pillar (4) as a substantially angular draw hook, and the door-side catching element (13) is arranged on the associated end region (10) of the side door (1) on the side of the mounting device (8) of the side door (1) are arranged, characterized bythat the side frame-side catch element (12) engages in an opening (20) of the door-side catch element (13) which is essentially U-shaped and has two side flaps (17) and a bolt element (18) connecting them, when the catch elements (12, 13) engage with one another in the event of an accident-related force being applied to the side door (1) as a result of a side collision of the motor vehicle. [2] Side door arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by that the side frame-side catch element (12) on the door pillar (4) and the door-side catch element (13) on the associated end region (10) of the side door (1) are spaced apart from one another in an unloaded initial position and engage with one another in the event of an accident-related force being applied to the side door (1) as a result of a side collision of the motor vehicle. [3] Side door arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the bearing device (8) is designed as a hinge device with a hinge axis (s). [4] Side door arrangement according to claim 3, characterized by that the arresting device (11) is arranged on the inside of the hinge axis of the hinge device (8) with respect to the transverse direction of the vehicle. [5] Side door arrangement according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by that the arresting device (11) is arranged behind the hinge axis (s) of the hinge device (8) in relation to the vehicle longitudinal direction. [6] Side door arrangement according to one of claims 3 to 5 characterized by that the catching device (11) is arranged between an upper hinge (9a) and a lower hinge (9b) of the hinge device (8). [7] Side door arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the door-side catch element (13) is fastened to an end face (14) of the structural component of the side door (1), in particular an inner door panel (22), by means of at least one screw connection (21).

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