Motor vehicle side door

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle side door comprising: a shell (16) comprising an inner wall (20) and an outer wall (18); a lining (28) attached to the shell (16) and having a raised portion defining both a free space and a bearing flank (34) forming an armrest; a housing (40) engaged through the bearing flank (34), the housing having a peripheral edge (42) rigidly connected to the bearing flank; a bracket (46') having an attachment portion (48') rigidly connected to the inner wall (20) and a cantilevered portion (50'), the housing (40) bearing on the cantilevered portion (50'). The bracket (46') is breakable in order to be able to break when the shell (16) is pressed in such a way as to release the housing from the inner wall (20), whereby the peripheral edge (42) of the housing remains rigidly connected to the bearing flank (34).

Description

[0001] Title of the invention: Side door of a motor vehicle

[0002] [The present invention relates to a motor vehicle side door making it possible to prevent the consequences of side impacts.

[0003] Known motor vehicle side doors comprise a box delimited by two facing sheets, an outer sheet and an inner sheet. The inner sheet faces the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, while the outer sheet defines a portion of the exterior wall of the vehicle. The two sheets converge towards each other in the upper part of the box, defining a slot capable of allowing the passage of a glass wall.

[0004] The inner sheet is covered with a trim attached to the box opposite the inner wall, and the trim has a raised portion defining a support flank forming an armrest, and consequently, a free space between the trim and the inner wall. The trim is usually made from a thermoformed polymer material plate and is for example covered with a textile.

[0005] In addition, the door is equipped with a housing recessed through the supporting flank and extending into the free space. The housing is flush with the surface of the supporting flank and has a peripheral edge engaging in the supporting flank. Thus, it is held in a fixed position through the supporting flank.

[0006] The housing usually includes a hollow housing, called a "stoup", and it extends, if necessary, on the supporting side, by electrical contacts allowing the glass wall to be operated. The hollow housing forms a handle for pulling the door towards the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

[0007] Also, inside the free space, a bracket is installed on the inner sheet and it extends under the box to which it is attached. In this way, the bracket allows both to improve the holding in fixed position of the box, and also, to be able to take up the forces exerted on the support side forming the armrest.

[0008] On the other hand, when the door is struck by another motor vehicle, its deformation can cause, in particular, a dislocation of the housing and the trim. Indeed, if the impact is significant, it causes the external wall to be pushed in, then that of the internal wall on which it rests. The deformation of the internal wall towards the interior of the passenger compartment then tends to cause the bracket to translate and pivot so that the housing itself tends to be driven to protrude from the support side. The blunt edge of the peripheral edge of the housing can then be aggressive for the elbow of the passenger of the motor vehicle. Also, a problem which arises and which the present invention aims to solve is to provide a side door without risk for the passengers in the event of a side impact.

[0009] For this purpose, a motor vehicle side door is proposed comprising: a box comprising an inner wall and an outer wall extending opposite each other; a trim attached to said box opposite said inner wall, said trim having a raised portion defining, on the one hand, a free space between said trim and said inner wall and, on the other hand, a support flank forming an armrest; a housing engaged inside said free space through said support flank, said housing having a peripheral edge secured to said support flank to hold said housing in a fixed position; a bracket having a fixing part secured to said inner wall and a cantilevered part extending into said free space, said housing bearing on said cantilevered part.Said bracket is breakable so that it can break when said box is pushed in and said inner wall and said housing are moved towards each other, so as to release said housing from said inner wall, whereby said peripheral edge of said housing remains secured to said support flank.

[0010] Thus, a characteristic of the invention lies in the implementation of a breakable bracket between the inner wall and the housing, which breakable bracket can break when the stresses exerted on it exceed a certain threshold.

[0011] Indeed, the essential function of the breakable bracket is to transmit the forces that a user can exert on the support side forming the armrest, to the interior wall of the door box. These forces are exerted according to a vertical component from top to bottom and are generally between 50 daN and 100 daN, for example 70 daN.

[0012] Conversely, when the box is pushed in and the outer wall deforms the inner wall along a horizontal component, the bracket breaks, while the stresses it undergoes are lower than the value of the forces that a user can exert.

[0013] In this way, the inner wall and the housing are separated from each other, and the housing remains embedded in the raised portion of the trim. Therefore, its peripheral edge remains engaged in the support flank and does not hit the user.

[0014] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said cantilevered part comprises two parallel arms secured to said fixing part and a receiving plate connected to said two arms by a plurality of frangible connecting elements.

[0015] Thus, the cantilevered portion comprises two arms extending from the attachment portion, spaced apart from each other, and the receiving plate which is connected to the two arms by only the plurality of frangible connecting elements. In other words, during a lateral impact, only the frangible connecting elements break and the receiving plate separates from the arms.

[0016] Preferably, said receiving plate extends between said two arms. In this way, the forces specifically linked to a lateral impact will be able to cause the receiving plate and the arms to separate.

[0017] Also, the receiving plate is advantageously substantially spaced from the fixing part of the bracket so as to facilitate the relative movement of the receiving plate and the fixing part as will be explained in more detail in the remainder of the description.

[0018] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the frangible connecting elements comprise beaks, while said receiving plate has two opposite edges engaging in said beaks. Thus, the frangible connecting elements extend from the facing faces of the two arms. For example, the arms have two pairs of beaks spaced from each other; the beaks of each of the pairs extending opposite each other. And the two opposite edges of the receiving plate are engaged in the four beaks thus formed.

[0019] Furthermore, said cantilevered portion is substantially inclined relative to the normal to said fixing portion. As will be explained in the remainder of the description, the cantilevered portion is inclined away from the upper portion of the box so as to extend substantially parallel to the support flank which is itself substantially inclined. The housing then extends between the support flank and the cantilevered portion substantially perpendicularly. This allows the housing to bear flat on the cantilevered portion. According to another particularly advantageous embodiment, said arms respectively have a thinned junction with said fixing portion, in order to be able to make said junction frangible. In this way, the arms are caused to separate from the fixing portion of the bracket when the amplitude of penetration is significant.And as a result, at the maximum amplitude of deformation, the housing always remains in a fixed position, embedded in the trim.

[0020] Preferably, said housing and said cantilevered portion are connected together by a screwable connecting piece. In this way, the housing is easily secured to the cantilevered portion. For example, the housing has a bottom and the screwable connecting piece is engaged through the bottom and then through the cantilevered portion. In addition, said cantilevered portion advantageously comprises at least one barrel extending through said fixing plate to form a dowel. In this way, the connection between the screwable connecting pieces and the cantilevered portion is more rigid. For example, the barrel extends from the receiving plate to the opposite side of the face on which the housing rests. In addition, it advantageously has an oblong cross-section in order to offer a plurality of fixing positions.Preferably, the cantilevered part comprises two barrels spaced apart from each other so as to offer even more fixing possibilities.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, said fixing part has a hooking face opposite said cantilevered part, said hooking face comprising two lateral hooks extending respectively opposite said arms and a snap-on pin located substantially on the perpendicular bisector of a segment joining said two hooks. Thus, the two hooks and the snap-on pin define a substantially isosceles triangle. The inner wall of the box then has three orifices, two first orifices defining a substantially horizontal straight line and a second orifice located above. Thus, during assembly, the two hooks can be engaged respectively in the first two orifices, while the bracket is pivoted to engage the snap-on pin through the second orifice and thereby apply the fixing part against the inner wall.

[0022] Advantageously, said bracket is molded from a single piece of polymer material. For example, the bracket is molded from fiberglass-filled polyamide. Such a material increases the bending strength of the part. This stiff material also has the advantage of being relatively inflexible for a polymer. This makes it easier to program the rupture of frangible zones.

[0023] Furthermore, due to the design of the bracket, the mold required for its production has restricted flow portions at the frangible connecting elements. Also, the flow of the material during molding in these restricted flow portions tends to make the material more brittle in these areas after cooling. This allows the creation of preferential breakage zones.

[0024] Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the description given below of particular embodiments of the invention, given for informational but non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0025] [Fig. 1] is a schematic cross-sectional view of a motor vehicle side door;

[0026] [Fig. 2] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the side door illustrated in [Fig. 1] in a side impact situation;

[0027] [Fig. 3A] is a schematic three-quarter perspective view from the front right of an element of the invention according to an alternative embodiment;

[0028] [Fig. 3B] is a schematic sectional detail view of the object of [Fig. 3A];

[0029] [Fig. 4] is a schematic top view of the object of [Fig. 3A];

[0030] [Fig. 5] is a schematic cross-sectional detail view of the object of [Fig. 3A] installed in a side door in an impact situation;

[0031] [Fig. 6A] is a schematic three-quarter perspective view from the front right of an element of the invention according to another variant embodiment; and,

[0032] [Fig. 6B] is a schematic sectional detail view of the object of [Fig. 6AJ.

[0033] [Fig. 1] shows in section a right door 10 of a motor vehicle, for example the front passenger door. It is also inscribed in an orthogonal reference frame X, Y, Z, in which the X axis extends in a longitudinal front-rear direction of the motor vehicle, oriented towards the rear; the Y axis extends in a transverse direction of the vehicle, oriented from left to right; and the Z axis extends in a vertical direction, oriented away from the ground.

[0034] Thus, [Fig. 1] shows a right front seat 12 located inside a passenger compartment 13 of the motor vehicle, and on which a passenger 14 is installed. Also, the door 10 comprises a metal box 16 delimited by two opposite sheets, an outer sheet 18 and an inner sheet 20. The metal box 16 has an upper edge 22 opposite a lower edge 23 and the two sheets 18, 20, converge towards the upper edge 22 by delimiting a slot 24. This slot 24 allows the passage of a glazed wall 26, which slides through between a retracted position inside the box 16 and an extended position outside.

[0035] Furthermore, the door comprises, towards the passenger compartment 13 and opposite the inner wall 20 of the box 16, a trim 28, or interior covering of the door 10. The trim 28 is thermoformed from a polymer material and is covered with a covering textile. Also, it covers the inner wall 20 of the box 16, from the upper edge 22 of the box 16 to the lower edge 23.

[0036] Substantially halfway between the two upper 22 and lower 23 edges, the lining 28 has a raised portion 30, which defines a free space 32 between the inner wall 20 and the lining 28 and, in addition, a support flank 34 adapted to form an armrest.

[0037] Furthermore, the trim 28 is formed, towards the lower edge 23, in return so as to constitute a pocket 36.

[0038] In [Fig. 1] the passenger 14 has an elbow 38 resting on the support flank 34. Also, the door 10 comprises a housing 40, otherwise called a "holy water font", passing through the support flank 34 through a slot 41 made in the support flank 34, and extending inside the free space 32. The housing 40 has a folded edge 42 forming a collar and, on the opposite side, a bottom 44. Also, the folded edge 42 comes into contact with the edges of the aforementioned slot, on the side of the support face of the support flank 34. It will be explained in the remainder of the description how the housing 40 is held in engagement in the slot 41 by means of its edge.

[0039] Furthermore, inside the free space 32, a bracket 46 is installed against the inner wall 20. The bracket 46, shown here according to the prior art, comprises a fixing part 48 applied against the inner wall 20 and a cantilevered part 50 extending into the free space 32. The cantilevered part 50 extends more precisely under the housing 40 so that the bottom 44 of the housing 40 comes to bear on the cantilevered part 50.

[0040] In addition, the bottom 44 of the housing 40 receives a screw 52 in order to connect the bottom 44 and the overhang 50 together. Thus, the housing 40 being secured both to the support flank 34 and to the bracket 46, it is understood that the forces exerted by the passenger 14 with his elbow 38 on the support flank 34 forming an armrest, are partly taken up by the inner wall 20.

[0041] The problem posed by a side impact pushing in the box 16 will be explained with reference to [Fig. 2].

[0042] [Fig. 2] in fact shows all the elements represented in [Fig. 1] after they have undergone a lateral impact by means of an impactor 54, which simulates the impact caused by the front of another motor vehicle in a transverse direction -Y and at a speed of 65 km / h.

[0043] This impact causes the box 16 to be crushed so that the outer wall 18 comes into contact with the inner wall 20, and the deformation of the two walls 18, 20 continues towards the interior of the vehicle. The excursion of the inner wall 20 in the passenger compartment 13 is between 40 mm and 200 mm.

[0044] The impact occurs substantially below the level of the bracket 46, and also, it causes the movement of the bracket 46 not only in translation towards the interior of the passenger compartment 13, but also in rotation in the counterclockwise direction as shown in [Fig. 2],

[0045] Consequently, the cantilevered part 50 is driven upwards along Z, and therefore, it tends to bring the housing 40 out of the lining 28 and the support flank 34. The folded edge 42 then moves away from the edge of the light and it then constitutes a blunt free edge for the passenger 14 and in particular his elbow.

[0046] The deployment of a side airbag 56 does not protect the passenger 14 from the folded edge 42 of the housing 40.

[0047] Also, to overcome this problem, a 46' breakable bracket is designed which will first be described with regard to [Fig. 3A], [Fig. 3B] and [Fig. 4]. The elements identical to those of the traditional 46 bracket illustrated in [Fig. 1] and [Fig. 2], will bear the same reference with a prime sign: "'". The other elements will be referenced with the numbers of the sequence of numbers already used.

[0048] Also, the breakable bracket 46' comprises a fixing part 48' of substantially trapezoidal general shape having a base 59 opposite a top 61, and a cantilevered part 50'.

[0049] The cantilevered portion 50' comprises two opposite arms 58, 60 extending parallel to each other from the base 59 of the fixing portion 48', and a receiving plate 62 engaged between the two facing faces, a first 63 and a second 65, of the two opposite arms 58, 60. The receiving plate 62 has an upper face 57 opposite a lower face 55.

[0050] The opposite arms 58, 60 extend along a component perpendicular to the fixing part 48' and the receiving plate 62 is held between the arms 58, 60 forming an angle  with the fixing part 48' of between 90° and 100°.

[0051] The rectangular receiving plate 62 has two opposite lateral edges 64, 66, and a rear edge 68 opposite a front edge 70. And it is held between the two arms 58, 60 by two pairs of beaks 72, 74; 76, 78 extending in projection into the two facing faces 63, 65 of the arms 58, 60. Also, the rear edge 68 of the receiving plate 62 is spaced from the fixing part 48'.

[0052] The beaks, 72, 74; 76, 78, one of which 72 is shown in section in [Fig. 3B], are all identical. In this [Fig. 3B], we find one of the arms 58 and one of the lateral edges 64 of the receiving plate 62. Thus, the beak 72 extends perpendicular to the receiving plate 72 and along the width of the arm 58. Also, the beak 72 extends for example over a height of between 4 mm and 10 mm. It will be observed that the lateral edge 64 of the plate 62 is kept spaced from the first face 63 of the arm 58.

[0053] Furthermore, the thickness of the beaks, 72, 74; 76, 78, in the direction of the arms 58, 60, is less than the thickness of the receiving plate 70. For example, the thickness of the beaks 72, 74; 76, 78 is close to half the thickness of the receiving plate 70. Advantageously, the beaks, 72, 74; 76, 78 have a thickness of between 0.8 mm and 1.4 mm.

[0054] Therefore, the receiving plate 62 is connected to the two arms 58, 60 by the only two pairs of beaks 72, 74; 76, 78. And as will be explained below, these beaks, 72, 74; 76, 78 are frangible.

[0055] Furthermore, the receiving plate 62 has two transverse oblong orifices, a first 80 and a second 82, parallel to each other and located towards the front edge 70, substantially equidistant from the two lateral edges 64, 66. The two transverse oblong orifices 80, 82 extend substantially parallel to the front edge 70 of the receiving plate 62. In addition, the two transverse oblong orifices 80, 82 are extended by two cylindrical barrels 84 extending in projection from the lower face 55 of the receiving plate 62. These cylindrical barrels 84 each have a plurality of axial ribs 86 making it possible to form a dowel as will be explained below.

[0056] [Fig. 4] shows, seen from above, the bracket 46'. There are also the two transverse oblong orifices, 80 and 82, each extended by a cylindrical shaft 84 provided with axial ribs 86.

[0057] We also find the receiving plate 62 between the two arms 58, 60. Also, we will observe that the arms 58, 60 each have a thinned junction 88 with the fixing part 48', relative to the thickness of the arms 58, 60. This thinned junction 88 is frangible as will be explained below.

[0058] Furthermore, the fixing part 48' comprises, opposite the arms 58, 60, two hooks 90, 92 and on the same face, towards the top 61, a snap-on attachment pin 94.

[0059] Also, the 46' bracket according to the invention is molded in one piece from a polymer material, for example polyamide. In addition, it is heavily loaded, for example with fiberglass so as to make the material more rigid and therefore more brittle. The percentage of fillers by volume is for example between 25% and 35%.

[0060] It will be observed that the significant creep which necessarily takes place during molding in the areas of formation of the beaks 72, 74; 76, 78, makes the material even more fragile in these areas.

[0061] We will now refer to [Fig. 5], showing in detail the bracket 46' according to the invention, installed on the interior wall 20.

[0062] Thus, we find in this [Fig. 5], the interior wall 20, and the bracket 46' whose fixing part 48' is held in place against the interior wall 20 thanks to the two hooks 90, 92 engaged through the wall and to the hooking pin 94 also snapped through the wall 20.

[0063] Also, the two arms 58, 60 and the receiving plate 62 extend under the housing 40. We find the bottom 44 of the housing 40, which bottom 44 is connected to the receiving plate 62 by means of a fixing screw 96 engaged through the bottom 44 and the cylindrical barrel 84 extending the first oblong orifice 80. The fixing screw 86 is then engaged through the axial ribs 86. We also find the folded edge 42 of the housing 40 bearing against the edges of the light 41 made in the bearing flank 34. Thus, the folded edge 42 is held against the edges of the light 41, by means of elastic metal staples 98 which come to bear opposite the bearing face of the bearing flank 34.

[0064] Thus, the housing 40 is both secured to the support flank 34 by means of the elastic metal clips 98, cooperating with the folded edge 42, and also to the inner wall 20 of the box 16 by means of the breakable bracket 46'. The assembly is thus designed to be able to withstand a force FO of at least 70 daN, exerted by the passenger by means of his elbow, according to a vertical component -Z, substantially perpendicular to the support flank 34. It will be observed that such a force is exerted perpendicular to the receiving plate 62, and therefore, according to the planes defined by the pairs of beaks 72, 74; 76, 78.

[0065] On the other hand, during an impact, thanks to the arrangement described above, and to the breakable bracket 46', the box 16 deforms and the outer wall 18 comes to bear against the inner wall 20 which it will in turn deform. Therefore, the breakable bracket 46' is put under load on the one hand under the action of a lateral force F1 coming from the impact, and on the other hand under the action of a resistance force F2 of the housing 40, which is engaged in the lining 28.

[0066] Thus, when the outer wall 18 continues its course against the inner wall 20, the two opposing forces F1 and F2 which are exerted in a direction inclined relative to the receiving plate 62, will then cause the pairs of beaks 72, 74; 76, 78 to shear and consequently, the detachment of the receiving plate 62 from the arms 58, 60. In this way, the housing 40 becomes free to a certain extent relative to the breakable bracket 46'. And it remains in a fixed position through the support flank 34. Its folded edge 42 then remains applied against the edges of the light 41.

[0067] If the box 16 thus deformed penetrates further into the passenger compartment 13, then the arms 58, 60 in turn come to bear against the bottom 44 of the housing 40, and the resistance force F2 is then likely to cause the thinned junction 88, between the arms 58, 60 and the fixing parts 48', to break. In this way, the housing 40 always remains in a fixed position through the support flank 34. Consequently, the folded edge 42 of the housing 40 is always applied against the edges of the light 41 and is not dangerous for the passenger.

[0068] [Fig. 6A] and [Fig. 6B] show another variant of a 46” breakable bracket according to the invention. Elements identical to those of the 46' breakable bracket illustrated in [Fig. 3A] and [Fig. 3B] will bear the same reference with a double prime sign: “ ””.

[0069] Thus, the 46” breakable bracket has a 48” fixing part and a 62” receiving plate completely similar to that of the object in [Fig. 3A],

[0070] On the other hand, the two arms 58”, 60” have a smaller width than those of the object of [Fig. 3A]. Also, the receiving plate 62” is held in a fixed position flush with the upper edges of the two arms 58”, 60”, thanks to the two pairs of beaks 72”, 74”; 76”, 78”.

[0071] The shape of the beaks, of which only one 72” is illustrated in section in [Fig. 6B], is significantly different and their height is between 6 mm and 10 mm.

[0072] Thanks to this lower height of the 58”, 60” arms, the footprint of the 50” cantilever part is less important, and offers more possibilities for the shape of the 40” case and for its height.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. [Motor vehicle side door comprising: - a box (16) comprising an inner wall (20) and an outer wall (18) extending opposite each other; - a lining (28) attached to said box (16) opposite said inner wall (20), said lining having a raised portion defining, on the one hand, a free space (32) between said lining (28) and said inner wall (20) and on the other hand, a support flank (34) forming an armrest; - a housing (40) engaged inside said free space (32) through said support flank (34), said housing having a peripheral edge (42) integral with said support flank to maintain said housing (40) in a fixed position; - a bracket (46') having a fixing part (48') integral with said inner wall (20) and a cantilevered part (50') extending into said free space (32), said housing (40) bearing on said cantilevered part (50); characterized in that said bracket (46') is breakable so as to be able to break when said box (16) is pushed in and said inner wall (20) and said housing (40) are driven in movement towards each other, so as to release said housing from said inner wall (20), whereby said peripheral edge (42) of said housing remains integral with said bearing flank (34).

2. Motor vehicle side door according to claim 1, characterized in that said cantilevered part (50') comprises two parallel arms (58, 60) integral with said fixing part (48') and a receiving plate (62) connected to said two arms (58, 60) by a plurality of frangible connecting elements (72, 74, 76, 78).

3. Motor vehicle side door according to claim 2, characterized in that said receiving plate (62) extends between said two arms (58, 60).

4. Motor vehicle side door according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the frangible connecting elements (72, 74, 76, 78) comprise beaks, while said receiving plate (62) has two opposite edges (64, 66) engaging in said beaks.

5. Motor vehicle side door according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said cantilevered portion (50') is substantially inclined relative to the normal to said fixing portion (48').

6. Motor vehicle side door according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said arms (58, 60) respectively have a thinned junction (88) with said fixing part, to be able to make said junction frangible.

7. Motor vehicle side door according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said housing (40) and said cantilevered part (50') are connected together by a screwable connecting piece (96).

8. Motor vehicle side door according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said cantilevered portion (50') comprises at least one barrel (84) extending through said receiving plate (62) to form a dowel.

9. Motor vehicle side door according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said fixing part (48') has a hooking face opposite said cantilevered part (50'), said hooking face comprising two lateral hooks (90, 92) extending respectively opposite said arms (58, 60) and a snap-on pin (94) located substantially on the mediator of a segment joining said two hooks (90, 92).

10. Motor vehicle side door according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said bracket (46') is molded in a single piece of polymer material.

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