Door assembly of a vehicle door

Abstract

The invention relates to a door assembly (10) of a vehicle door, comprising a frame-like inner door part (1) with a frame cutout (6) which is bounded by a sill section (4) with through openings (7) for screw elements (21), and a door module carrier (9) with screw openings (15) as well as a module extension (17, 17') with a number of screw nuts (18), wherein in the assembly state of the door module carrier (9) on the inner door part (1) the screw nuts (21) of the module extension (17, 17') for receiving the screw elements (21) are aligned with the screw openings (15) as well as with the through openings (7).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a door assembly of a vehicle door of a motor vehicle, comprising a frame-like door inner part and a door module carrier fastened or fastenable thereto.

[0002] A vehicle door of a motor vehicle (motor vehicle door) typically comprises an outer door panel forming the outer skin, an inner door part, also referred to as the door shell or door box, and optionally an inner door panel and / or an inner door trim panel. The typically frame-like inner door part, which is connected to the outer door panel, typically comprises two spaced-apart, opposite side frame sections and a connecting sill section, as well as optionally a lower frame section.

[0003] The sill section, oriented in the vehicle's longitudinal direction (X-direction in the vehicle coordinate system), together with the lateral frame sections oriented in the direction of the vehicle's height (Z-direction in the vehicle coordinate system), and a frame section connecting these to the underside of the door, defines a frame cutout of the door's interior part. When the vehicle door is assembled, this frame or module cutout is at least partially, preferably completely, covered by a plate-like or plate-shaped door module carrier, which is connected to the frame-like door interior part (door shell, door box) in the area of ​​the sill section, typically by means of a number of screw fasteners.

[0004] Various functional components of the vehicle door, such as a window regulator, a side airbag module, a loudspeaker, a door lock, operating units, or the like, are usually pre-assembled on the door module carrier. The pre-assembled door module carrier, also referred to as a door module, serves in particular to separate a wet space formed between the outer door panel and the door module from a dry space formed between the door module (door module carrier) and the inner door panel or the inner door panel of the vehicle door, particularly for moisture-sensitive functional components of the door module.

[0005] The plate-shaped door module carrier of such a vehicle door (motor vehicle door) can be a plastic part or, to a significant extent, made of organic sheet with an integrated functional element, for example in the form of at least one guide rail for a (motor vehicle) window lifter. Such an organic sheet is typically a continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic, in which continuous fibers in the form of non-crimp, woven, or knitted fabrics, for example made of glass or plastic fibers, are embedded in a thermoplastic matrix. Polyamide, for example, is suitable as a thermoplastic for the matrix, particularly due to its good adhesion properties to the fibers. If such a door module carrier is additionally reinforced by shaping or incorporated or applied structural elements, such a door module is often also referred to as a structural module.

[0006] The door module carrier or the door or structural module is screwed into the parapet area of ​​the vehicle door using screws and nuts that are inserted into the parapet section of the frame-like inner door part (door shell) of the door assembly. The screw nuts can be inserted directly into the punching tool or in a separate work step. If the process is integrated into the punching tool, space problems can arise within the punching tool, for example, due to a required setting unit for the screw nuts. A separate work step may also be necessary, especially if the screw nuts cannot be accommodated within the existing production line. In both cases, the cycle time for the manufacture or production of the inner door part is extended, which leads to undesirably high costs.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of providing a suitable door assembly for a vehicle door of a motor vehicle. In particular, the aim is to enable the door assembly to be manufactured as simply as possible, preferably while avoiding the insertion of screw nuts into the sill section of the inner door panel. Furthermore, the assembly of the door module on the inner door panel should be as simple and fail-safe as possible.

[0008] The door assembly intended for a vehicle door of a motor vehicle comprises a frame-like inner door part and a door module carrier of a door module attached or attachable thereto, as well as a module extension. The inner door part has a frame cutout defined by lateral frame sections and a parapet section connecting them with through-openings for screw elements. The door module carrier is part of a door module with functional components pre-assembled on the door module carrier, in particular components of a window lifter. The door module carrier or the door module is intended or configured to at least partially, preferably completely, cover the frame cutout of the inner door part and also has screw openings for the screw elements.

[0009] The module extension has a number of, in particular pre-assembled, screw nuts corresponding to the number of through-holes and screw openings in the door module support and the parapet section assigned to the frame-like door inner part. When the door module support is mounted on the door inner part, the screw nuts are located on the inside of the parapet section facing away from the door module support. For screw fastening of the door module support to the door inner part, the screw nuts for receiving the screw elements are aligned with the screw openings in the door module support and with the through-holes in the parapet section.

[0010] It is more advantageous for the door module support, when assembled, to rest against the parapet section of the door inner part with a support section containing the screw openings. Suitably, the module extension with the screw nuts engages over or behind the parapet section when the door module support is assembled on the door inner part. When the door module support is assembled on the door inner part, the module extension with the screw nuts advantageously rests against the inner side of the parapet section facing away from the door module support.

[0011] The door module support or the door module (structural module) suitably extends to the parapet section of the inner door part or into the parapet area of ​​the vehicle door and is screwed there to the inner door part, in particular to an internal parapet reinforcement, using screw elements (screws). The (screw) nuts provided for this purpose are delivered pre-assembled in the module extension extending upwards in the direction of the vehicle height (Z direction in the vehicle coordinate system) and are then delivered to an assembly line for vehicle door production. Using a flexible area in or on the door module or door module support, the upper module extension can be folded in and then screwed to the inner door part or in the door shell in a sandwich construction or arrangement.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment, the module extension is pivotably and / or flexibly molded onto a support edge adjacent to the parapet section of the door inner part or onto the door module support. A partially or continuously projecting section of the module extension, comprising the screw nuts, is expediently molded onto the door module support as the main support by means of a flexible area, expediently in the form of a film hinge, on the door module support or the door module. The module extension can also be provided as a separate component and preferably pre-assembled on the door module support. The screw nuts can be injected into the injection mold for the module extension and / or for the door module support, or they can be subsequently mounted or attached to the module extension.

[0013] A particularly useful development provides that the module extension has at least one locking hook in an area between adjacent screw openings, which, when the door module support is mounted on the door inner part, corresponds to a locking opening of the parapet section to create a locking connection. Suitably, at least two locking hooks are formed, preferably on an (upper) edge of the module extension that overlaps the parapet section of the door inner part, distributed over the parapet length of the parapet section.

[0014] The upper section of the door module carrier, which forms the module extension, is folded or pivoted into an assembly position before delivery of the door module or door module carrier with or without pre-assembled functional components of the vehicle door. On the assembly line at a vehicle manufacturer, the door module or module carrier is hooked over the parapet or parapet section of the inner door panel. The folded-in module extension can then be pressed against the inner door panel. This engages with the locking hooks, preferably audibly, in locking openings or recesses in the parapet section or inner door panel. The door module or door module carrier can then be fastened using screws (screw elements) screwed into the screw nuts via the through-holes and screw openings, without the module extension being able to slip out or be pushed away.

[0015] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. In the drawings: Fig. 1 in a perspective top view of a frame-like door inner part with a frame cutout below a parapet section connecting lateral frame sections, with a view of a module mounting side, Fig. 2 in a perspective top view of a plate-like door module support of a support module with a flexible or pivotable molded-on module extension with screw nuts attached thereto, Fig. 3 in an exploded view the door module carrier or the carrier module before its installation on the door inner part with a view of the module mounting side, Fig. 4 in a representation according to Fig. 3 the door module support or the support module before its installation on the door inner part with a view of the opposite mounting side on the parapet section for the module extension that overlaps it, Fig. 5 a partial pre-assembly state of the door module support or the door module on the parapet section of the door inner part with a view of the screw nuts of the module extension, Fig. 6 in a representation according to Fig. 5 a pre-assembly state of the door module carrier or the door module on the door inner part with the module extension pivoted over the parapet section, Fig. 7 in a representation according to the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 the module extension pivoted over or overlapping the parapet section as well as the screw elements before they are screwed with the screw nuts, Fig. 8 in a representation according to Fig. 6 a pre-assembly state of the door module carrier or the door module on the door inner part with a variant of the module carrier, and Fig. 9a to 9c show a schematic side view of an assembly sequence with different assembly positions (initial state, pre-locking state or locking and / or screwing state) of the door module carrier and the module extension on the door inner part.

[0016] Corresponding parts and sizes are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0017] The following information is provided regarding the spatial directions in a motor vehicle coordinate system (vehicle coordinate system) with respect to the typical position or orientation of a vehicle door (side door) relative to its body. The abscissa axis (X-axis) is oriented along the vehicle's longitudinal direction, the ordinate axis (Y-axis) along the vehicle's transverse direction, and the applicate axis (Z-axis) along the vehicle's height.

[0018] Fig. 1 shows a frame-like inner door part 1, also referred to as a door shell (door box), of a vehicle door of a motor vehicle, which in the exemplary embodiment has no window frame. The inner door part 1 has lateral frame sections 2, 3 oriented essentially in the Z direction and a parapet section or parapet area 4 connecting them. The lateral frame sections 2, 3 and the parapet section 4 oriented in the X direction delimit a module or frame cutout 5 of the inner door part 1. While the frame sections 2, 3 delimit the frame cutout 5 laterally and the parapet section 4 delimits the frame cutout 5 upwards, a lower frame section 6 of the inner door part 1, oriented essentially in the X direction, delimits the frame cutout 5 downwards. In other words, the frame cutout 5, also referred to as the frame recess, is frame-like on the periphery by the sections 2, 3, 4 and 6 of the door inner part.

[0019] The door inner part 1 has a number of through openings 7 in the area of ​​the parapet section 4. On the side frame sections 2, 3 and optionally on the lower frame section 6, fastening points 8, for example for screws or the like, are provided for a Fig. 2 is provided. This forms a door assembly 10 ( Fig. 3) and covers the frame cutout 5 practically completely.

[0020] The Fig. The door module carrier 9 shown in Figure 2 is a component of a door module 11 with functional components, in particular components of a window lifter, pre-assembled on the door module carrier 9. The door module carrier 9 has guide rails of a window lifter (not shown in detail) integrated therein or (pre-)assembled on corresponding rail interfaces 12, for which a mounting interface 13 is provided, in particular for the electric motor drive device for adjusting a window pane. A further mounting interface 14 of the door module carrier 9 serves for attaching a loudspeaker.

[0021] The door module carrier 9 equipped or pre-assembled with the functional components of the door assembly 10 of the vehicle door is referred to as the door module 11. The door module carrier 9 is suitably a fiber-reinforced plastic part, preferably a composite sheet part.

[0022] The door module support 9 or the door module 11 is designed to cover the frame cutout 5 of the door inner part 1. The plate-like door module support 9 has screw openings 15 corresponding to the through-openings 7 in the parapet section 4 of the door inner part 1. Furthermore, the door module support 9 has fastening points or openings 16 corresponding to the fastening points 8 of the door inner part 1 for lateral and, if necessary, bottom fastening, for example for screw fastenings and / or for bayonet-type plug-and-turn fastenings, of the door module support 9 to the door inner part 1.

[0023] The door module carrier 9 or the door module 11 has a module extension 17, which in the embodiment according to the Fig. 2 to 7 and 9a to 9c are formed onto the door module support 9 or the door module 11 and are pivotable about an axis S or have a correspondingly flexible section. The module extension 17 has a number of pre-assembled screw nuts 18 corresponding to the number of through-holes and screw openings 7 and 15 of the door module support 9 and the parapet section 4 assigned to the frame-like door inner part 1 to form the door assembly 10. The module extension 17 is formed onto the door module support 9 or the door module 11 in the region of an upper edge 19, also referred to as the support edge, thereon or thereon via a film hinge 20.

[0024] The Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show the door inner part 1 and the door module carrier 9 or the door module 11 of the door assembly 10 with the door module 11 or door module carrier 9 guided against the door inner part 1, with a view of the mounting side for the door module carrier 9 ( Fig. 2) or with a view of the opposite side of the assembly ( Fig. 4), on which a door outer skin (not shown) is typically provided.

[0025] Fig. 5 shows the assembly situation according to Fig. 4 partially in the area of ​​the parapet section 4.

[0026] The Fig. 6 shows the assembly situation according to Fig. 5 with the door module support 9 or door module 11 guided against the door inner part 1 and covering its frame cutout 6, as well as with the pivoted module extension 17. As can be seen, the module extension 17 with the screw nuts 18 extends over more than half the length of the parapet section 4 (in the X direction). Preferably, the module extension 17 extends over more than 75%, particularly preferably over 80% to 95%, in particular 85% to 90%, of the length of the parapet section 4.

[0027] Fig. 7 shows the situation according to Fig. 6 with the module extension 17 of the door module support 9 or the door module 11 pivoted against the parapet section 4 of the door inner part 1. In this assembly state of the door module support 9 (door module 11) on the door inner part 1, the screw nuts 18 arranged or pre-assembled on the module extension 17 are located on the inside of the parapet section 4 facing away from the door module support 9. For the screw fastening of the door module support 9 (door module 11) on the door inner part 1, the screw nuts 18 are aligned to accommodate Fig. 7 shown screw elements 21, in particular screws with metric screw thread, with the screw openings 15 of the door module support 9 and with the through openings 7 of the parapet section 4 of the door inner part 1.

[0028] Fig. Figure 8 shows a variant of the door module support 9 with the module extension 17' as a separate part. In this variant, the screw nuts 18 are again pre-assembled on the module extension 17'. For this purpose, the latter has a mounting leg 17a with the screw nuts 18 and a clamping leg 17b flexibly connected to it. This, in turn, has openings 22 for the screw elements 21 for screw fastening the support module 9 to the door inner part 1, aligned with the screw openings 15 of the door module support 9 as well as with the screw nuts 18 and the through-openings 7 of the parapet section 4 of the door inner part 1.

[0029] In the Fig. 7, the module extension 17' with its mounting leg 17a having the screw nuts 18 overlaps the parapet section 4 of the inner part 1, while the clamping leg 17b rests on the opposite parapet side (inner side) on the support module 9 for screw fastening or screwing.

[0030] The Fig. 9a to 9c illustrate an assembly situation or an assembly sequence for fastening the door module carrier 9 or the door module 11 to the door inner part 1 for producing the door assembly 10. Fig. As can be seen in Figures 9a to 9c, the module extension 17 has, preferably at least two, locking hooks 23, which are distributed along the parapet section 4 or the module extension 17 and are preferably integrally formed thereon. Corresponding locking openings 24 are provided in the parapet section 4 ( Fig. 6 and Fig. 8). Suitably, the support- or extension-side locking hooks 23 and the corresponding locking openings 24 are provided in the areas between adjacent screw nuts 18 or parapet-side through-openings. A shaft strip 25 is provided on the module extension 17, preferably optionally, to reinforce or stiffen the module extension 17, 17'.

[0031] Fig. Figure 9a shows the door module carrier 9 in an initial state, in which the module extension 17 is in a position corresponding to the manufacturing process. As shown in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 9b, the module extension 17 is pivoted into an assembly state on the assembly line. In this state, the door module carrier 9 or the door or structural module 11 with the module extension 17 is suspended over the parapet section 4 of the door inner part 1.

[0032] Subsequently, the folded-in portion of the door module support 9 or the door or structural module 11 in the form of the module extension 17 is pivoted toward the door inner part 1, so that the locking hooks 23 engage (audibly) in the corresponding locking opening 24 of the door inner part 1 or its parapet section 4, creating corresponding locking connections. This advantageously already achieves secure pre-positioning and securing of the door module support 9 or the door or structural module 11 on the door inner part 1, which simplifies the further assembly of the door assembly 10.

[0033] The screwing is then carried out using the screw elements 21 by screwing them into the screw nuts 18 via the aligned openings 7, 15 of the door module support 9 and the door inner part 1 in the area of ​​the parapet section 4.

[0034] In summary, the invention relates to a door assembly 10 with a frame-like door inner part 1 with a frame cutout 6, which is delimited by a parapet section 4 with through openings 7 for screw elements 21, and a door module support 9 with screw openings 15 and a module extension 17, 17' with a number of screw nuts 18, wherein in the assembled state of the door module support 9 on the door inner part 1, the screw nuts 21 of the module extension 17, 17' for receiving the screw elements 21 are aligned with the screw openings 15 and with the through openings 7.

[0035] The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above. Rather, other variants of the invention can also be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, all individual features described in connection with the exemplary embodiment can also be combined with one another in other ways without departing from the scope of the invention. List of reference symbols 1 door interior part / shell 2, 3 side frame section 4 Parapet section / area 5 lower frame section 6 Module / frame cutout / recess 7 Passage opening 8 Attachment point 9 door module carriers 10 Door assembly 11 Door module 12 Guide rail / rail interface 13, 14 Mounting interface 15 screw opening 16 Mounting point / opening 17, 17' modular extension 17a Mounting leg 17b clamping leg 18 screw nut 19 Carrier / top edge 20 film hinge 21 Screw element / screw 22 Opening 23 locking hooks 24 locking opening 25 Shaft strip S (swivel) axis X, Y, Z direction (in the vehicle coordinate system)

Claims

[1] Door assembly (10) of a vehicle door of a motor vehicle, comprising - a frame-like door inner part (1) with a frame cutout (6) which is delimited by lateral frame sections (2, 3) and by a parapet section (4) connecting these with through openings (7) for screw elements (21), - a door module support (9) attached or attachable to the parapet section (4) of the door inner part (1) with screw openings (15) for the screw elements (21), and - a module extension (17, 17') with a number of screw nuts (18), in particular corresponding to the number of through-holes and / or screw openings (7, 15), - wherein, in the assembled state of the door module support (9) on the door inner part (1), the screw nuts (21) of the module extension (17, 17') are arranged on the inside of the parapet section (4) facing away from the door module support (9) and are aligned with the screw openings (15) of the door module support (9) and with the through openings (7) of the parapet section (4) to accommodate the screw elements (21). [2] Door assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the door module support (9) in the assembled state rests against the parapet section (4) of the door inner part (1) with a support section having the screw openings (15). [3] Door assembly (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , - that the module extension (17, 17') with the screw nuts (18) overlaps and / or engages behind the parapet section (4) in the assembled state of the door module support (9) on the door inner part (1), and / or - that the module extension (17, 17') with the screw nuts (18) rests against the inner door part (1) on the inner side of the parapet section (4) facing away from the door module support (1) when the door module support (9) is in the assembled state. [4] Door assembly (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by in that the module extension (17, 17') has at least one, preferably at least two, locking hooks (23) in an area between adjacent screw openings (18), which, in the assembled state of the door module carrier (9) on the door inner part (1), correspond to a locking opening (24) of the parapet section (4) to produce a locking connection. [5] Door assembly (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the module extension (17) is formed on a support edge (19) adjacent to the parapet section (4) of the door inner part (1). [6] Door assembly (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized bythat the module extension (17) is pivotably and / or flexibly formed onto the door module support (9). [7] Door assembly (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the module extension (17) is formed onto the door module support (9) via a film hinge (20). [8] Door assembly (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the screw nuts (18) are fastened, in particular pre-assembled, to the module extension (17, 17'). [9] Door assembly (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the module extension (17, 17') with the screw nuts (18) extends over more than half the length of the parapet section (4). [10] Vehicle door of a motor vehicle, comprising a door assembly (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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