Door panel for the door of a multi-track motor vehicle, in particular a convertible

Abstract

The invention relates to a door panel (1) for a door of a multi-track motor vehicle, in particular a convertible, comprising - a door inner panel (10), - a door armrest (20), which is pivotable with respect to the door inner panel (10), - an airbag module (30), which is fastened in the region of the door armrest (20) to a door shell (21) and is oriented such that a gas bag of the airbag module (30), when triggered, expands in the direction of a horizontal leg (22) of the door armrest (20) and thereby lifts the door armrest (20) and pivots it with respect to the door inner panel (10), so that the gas bag can protrude out of the door armrest (20) over the horizontal leg (22), and - a flexible insulating mat (40), which is located between the airbag module (30) and the door armrest (20) and captively connects the door armrest (20) to the door inner panel (10). The invention also relates to a multi-track motor vehicle, in particular a convertible, having a door panel of this kind.

Description

[0001] Door panel for the door of a multi-track motor vehicle,

[0002] ESPECIALLY CABRIOLETS

[0003] Technical area

[0004] The invention relates to a door trim panel for the door of a multi-track motor vehicle, in particular a convertible, and to a multi-track motor vehicle with such a door trim panel.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Doors of motor vehicles, especially cars, typically feature door panels that are finished with decorative materials, such as leather, textile, or foamed plastic, to complement the interior of the vehicle. The door panel preferably also covers a window lifting mechanism for a side window of a motor vehicle.

[0007] To protect vehicle occupants from damage caused by an impact, airbag modules are commonly used in motor vehicles. These contain a gas bag that fills with gas within a few milliseconds upon impact, thereby protecting accelerated body parts of a vehicle occupant from harsh contact with vehicle components. To prevent such harsh contact with a side window of a motor vehicle, airbag modules are known whose gas bag, when inflated, extends over the side window, in particular between the head of a vehicle occupant and the side window. In conventional cars, such airbag modules are preferably arranged in the roof pillar, so that their gas bag extends downwards into the area of ​​a door sill or beyond.

[0008] Such integration of an airbag module requires a vehicle with a roof rail, which is not the case with convertibles, for example. Therefore, other solutions have been developed to prevent a vehicle occupant's head from hitting the side window in the event of an impact. Essentially, such solutions involve integrating the airbag module into the door panel, allowing the gas bag to extend upwards from the door sill over the side window.

[0009] Previously known door sills for convertibles have weakened lines along their horizontal side, next to which a decorative support for the door sill is screwed directly to the door sill. To prevent the door sill from completely detaching when an airbag is deployed, an airbag net is embedded in the door panel. However, the door sill can fold completely when the airbag is deployed and protrude far into the vehicle interior. This creates a disruptive geometry for a vehicle occupant or a seat airbag.

[0010] In addition, the doors of modern vehicles typically feature power window mechanisms. These include electric motors and gears that generate noise and vibration during operation. Therefore, soundproofing mats are typically inserted into door panels to dampen the transmission of noise and vibration into the vehicle interior. However, there are spatial limitations for convertible door panels, particularly due to the airbag module located near the door sill.

[0011] Description of the invention

[0012] The object of the invention is to provide a door panel that enables improved gas bag deployment of an airbag module and includes improved sound insulation. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide a multi-track motor vehicle with such a door panel.

[0013] This object is achieved by a door panel having the features of patent claim 1 and by a multi-track motor vehicle having the features of patent claim 9.

[0014] Specifically, the invention is based on the idea of ​​specifying a door trim panel for a door of a multi-track motor vehicle, in particular a convertible, wherein the door trim panel has an inner door trim panel and a door sill that is pivotable relative to the inner door trim panel. The door trim panel further comprises an airbag module that is fastened to a door shell in the area of ​​the door sill and is aligned such that a gas bag of the airbag module expands in the direction of a horizontal leg of the door sill upon deployment, thereby lifting the door sill and pivoting relative to the

[0015] The interior door panel is pivoted so that the airbag can protrude from the door sill via the horizontal leg. According to the invention, a flexible insulating mat is provided, which is arranged between the airbag module and the door sill and permanently connects the door sill to the interior door panel.

[0016] The advantage of the invention is particularly evident in the connection of the door sill to the interior paneling by means of the flexible insulation mat. An additional airbag net is therefore no longer required to prevent the door sill from detaching from the interior door paneling, resulting in cost savings. Rather, the insulation mat achieves a dual function: on the one hand, improved acoustic insulation and, on the other hand, fixing the door sill to the interior door paneling. When the airbag is deployed, the door sill therefore deflects less than with previously known solutions and therefore does not protrude completely into the vehicle interior. Thus, the door sill of the door paneling according to the invention does not create any disruptive geometry for vehicle occupants or a seat airbag.

[0017] It is not uncommon to use soundproofing mats for acoustic insulation in vehicle doors. However, the invention takes a further approach by extending the soundproofing mat into the door sill area while simultaneously permanently connecting the door sill to the interior door panel. When the door sill is opened following the deployment of an airbag module, a connection is created between the interior door panel and the door sill, preventing the door sill from completely separating.

[0018] Preferably, the insulation mat is arranged between the airbag module and a parapet support of the door parapet and is firmly connected to the parapet support. The parapet support can be form-fittingly fitted into a suspension strip of a seal. The parapet support is arranged in the suspension strip in such a way that it can be pushed upwards when the airbag module is triggered and the gas bag expands as a result, thereby being released from the suspension strip. This causes the door parapet to be moved upwards as a whole and frees it to pivot. The firm connection to the insulation mat, which is also captively connected to the inside door panel, ensures that the door parapet does not become completely detached from the inside door panel. It is expedient for the insulation mat to have a certain degree of flexibility or elasticity in order to accompany the sliding and pivoting movement of the door parapet.A folding area can be arranged between the door sill and the interior door panel, around which the door sill can be pivoted relative to the interior door panel. The folding area can be formed, in particular, by a separation point between two decorative supports of the door panel. The separation point is preferably designed such that a substantially uniform decorative surface is formed on the side of the door panel facing the vehicle interior.

[0019] To achieve a further, improved connection between the door sill and the interior door panel, the door sill can be connected to the interior door panel by a bridge spanning the folding area. The bridge is preferably flexible in order to follow the pivoting movement of the door sill after an airbag module deployment while simultaneously maintaining the connection between the door sill and the interior door panel. The insulation mat can be connected to the bridge.

[0020] The bridge forms an additional connecting element between the door sill and the interior door panel. In particular, the bridge can connect a decorative support of the door sill to a decorative support of the interior door panel. Specifically, the interior door panel can have a first decorative support and the door sill can have a second decorative support, with the first decorative support and the second decorative support being connected to each other by the bridge.

[0021] A decorative material is preferably arranged on each of the first decorative carrier and the second decorative carrier. Such decorative materials can be, in particular, leather, textile, and / or foamed plastic. The selection of the appropriate decorative materials is based on customer requirements and / or cost considerations.

[0022] A particularly cost-effective production of the door trim is achieved if the insulation mat is adhesively bonded or welded to the door sill support and / or the bridge. An adhesive bond is particularly preferred because it can be implemented with little effort. In particular, assembly-related advantages can be achieved if the insulation mat is self-adhesive. The insulation mat is preferably provided with a self-adhesive layer on the side facing the decorative carrier. This allows the mat to be quickly and easily inserted into the door trim during assembly and bonded to the corresponding components on the door sill and the interior door trim. The insulation mat preferably comprises a sound-insulating and / or fire-retardant material. A sound-insulating material is particularly useful for acoustically dampening noise from a window lifting mechanism. This is of great importance for the comfort of vehicle occupants.

[0023] Furthermore, it can be provided that the insulation mat completely surrounds the airbag module in the direction of the second decorative support and ends before a hooking area of ​​the door sill support. On the one hand, this ensures good acoustic insulation of the vehicle interior. On the other hand, it ensures that when the airbag module is deployed, the gas bag is guided along the insulation mat in a predetermined opening direction, preferably toward the horizontal leg of the door sill.

[0024] A further aspect of the invention relates to a multi-track motor vehicle, in particular a convertible, with a door panel as described above. However, the door panel described above is generally suitable not only for convertibles, but also for coupes or other vehicle types.

[0025] Short description of the drawings

[0026] The various and exemplary features described above can be combined with one another according to the invention, provided this is technically expedient and suitable. This applies regardless of whether the respective features are disclosed as device and / or method features. Further features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the figures and the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawing. The sole figure shows a cross-section through a door parapet according to the invention.

[0027] Ways to implement the invention

[0028] The single figure shows a cross-section of a door trim panel 1 having an inner door trim panel 10 in a lower region and an upper region arranged above it with a door sill 20. The door trim panel 1 is coupled to a door shell 21, wherein a window 25 is provided in the door shell 21. The window 25 is movable in a conventional manner and sealed against the door shell 21 by window seals 27. An airbag module 30 is fixed to the door shell 21, in particular a shell sheet 21a. The airbag module is positioned between the door shell 21, in particular the shell sheet 21a, and the door sill 20.

[0029] The door parapet 20 also comprises a horizontal leg 22. The horizontal leg does not have to be completely horizontal in the installation situation, but extends essentially in a horizontal direction, in particular approximately at right angles to the extended window 25.

[0030] The horizontal leg 22 is, in particular, part of a second decorative carrier 24, which, like a first decorative carrier 13 of the interior door panel 10, supports a decorative material 14. The decorative material 14 can, in particular, be leather or a textile. The two decorative carriers 13, 24 can support different decorative materials.

[0031] The door sill 20 also includes a sill support 23, which is arranged below the horizontal leg 22. The sill support 23 has a hooking section 23a that engages with a hooking rail 26. The hooking rail 26 encompasses one of the window seals 27 and additionally encompasses the door shell 21, in particular the shell sheet 21a. The hooking rail 26 has a U-shaped profile that is open toward the horizontal leg 22 of the second decorative support 24. The hooking section 23a of the sill support 23 engages with this U-profile.

[0032] Connecting the two decorative supports 13, 24 is a bridge 12, which is firmly connected to the first decorative support 13 on one side and to the second decorative support 24 on the other. The bridge 12 is preferably made of a flexible material, such as a plastic, and thus connects the door sill 20 to the interior door panel 10.

[0033] An insulating mat 40 is arranged along the bridge 12 and extends to the parapet support 23. The insulating mat 40 preferably has a self-adhesive layer, in particular a self-adhesive surface, on a side facing the decorative supports 13, 24. By means of this self-adhesive layer, the insulating mat 40 is firmly bonded to the bridge 12 and the parapet support 23. The insulating mat 40 thus connects the door parapet 20 to the door interior panel 10. It is also possible for the insulating mat 40 to be attached to the parapet support 23 and / or the bridge 12 by ultrasonic welding and / or hot riveting. As can be clearly seen in the figure, the insulating mat 40 extends close to the hooking section 23a of the parapet support 23 or the hooking rail 26. In this way, the insulating mat 40 encompasses the airbag module 30 on the side facing the decorative supports 13, 24.The airbag module 30 is embedded between the door shell 21, in particular the shell sheet 21a, and the insulating mat 40, wherein the insulating mat 40 surrounds the airbag module 30 in a trough-like manner.

[0034] The function of the door panel 1 shown in the figure is explained in more detail below. The door panel 1 serves particularly as a door panel for a convertible or coupe vehicle, in which a window airbag module cannot be integrated into a roof pillar, as is common in other vehicles. Instead, the airbag module is arranged in the door sill 20 and comprises a gas bag that is designed to open upwards and position itself in front of the window 25.

[0035] To achieve this, the door sill 20 must be opened when the airbag module 30 is deployed. This occurs because the door sill 20 is initially raised due to the inflation and resulting expansion of the gas bag. Specifically, the sill support 23 is raised so that the hooking section 23a disengages from the hooking rail 26. This ensures that the door sill 20 is free in the horizontal direction and can pivot about the folding area 11. The shape of the sill support 23 forms a guide for the inflating gas bag, so that the second decorative support 24 of the door sill 20 is deflected towards the vehicle interior. The door sill 20 therefore folds around the folding area 11.

[0036] The filling and inflation process of the gas bag takes place in a few milliseconds. This creates a very fast and powerful movement, which, with conventional door panels, causes the door sill to fold very far into the vehicle interior. However, the insulating mat 40 provided in the invention limits the pivoting movement. The insulating mat 40 is firmly connected, preferably glued, to the door sill 20, in particular the sill support 23 and the bridge 12 or the interior door panel 10, so that the door sill 20 remains captively coupled to the interior door panel 10. At the same time, the insulating mat 40 guides the gas bag toward the window 25 as it inflates. The pivoting movement of the door sill is thus limited to the necessary extent, which is just sufficient to release the gas bag from the door sill 20. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0037] I Door panel

[0038] 10 Interior door panel

[0039] II Folding area

[0040] 12 Bridge

[0041] 13 first decorative carrier

[0042] 14 Decorative material

[0043] 20 door parapet

[0044] 21 Door shell

[0045] 21a Shell sheet

[0046] 22 horizontal leg

[0047] 23 parapet supports

[0048] 23a Hooking section

[0049] 24 second decorative carrier

[0050] 25 windows

[0051] 26 Hook-in rail

[0052] 27 Window seal

[0053] 30 Airbag module

[0054] 40 insulation mat

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Door trim (1) for a door of a multi-track motor vehicle, in particular a convertible, with an inner door trim (10), a door sill (20) which can be pivoted relative to the inner door trim (10), an airbag module (30) which is fastened to a door shell (21) in the region of the door sill (20) and is aligned such that a gas bag of the airbag module (30) expands in the direction of a horizontal leg (22) of the door sill (20) when triggered, thereby lifting the door sill (20) and pivoting it relative to the inner door trim (10) so that the gas bag can protrude from the door sill (20) via the horizontal leg (22), and with a flexible insulating mat (40) which is arranged between the airbag module (30) and the door sill (20) and captively connects the door sill (20) to the inner door trim (10).

2. Door trim (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the insulating mat (40) is arranged between the airbag module (30) and a parapet support (23) of the door parapet (20) and is firmly connected to the parapet support (23).

3. Door panel (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a folding area (11) is arranged between the door sill (20) and the inner door panel (10), around which the door sill (20) can be pivoted relative to the inner door panel (10).

4. Door panel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the door sill (20) is connected to the door inner panel (10) by a bridge (12), in particular a flexible bridge, which spans the folding area (11), wherein the insulating mat (40) is connected to the bridge (12).

5. Door trim (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the door inner trim (10) has a first decorative carrier (13) and the door sill (20) has a second decorative carrier (24), wherein the first decorative carrier (13) and the second decorative carrier (24) are connected to one another by the bridge (12).

6. Door trim (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that a decorative material (14), in particular leather, textile and / or foamed plastic, is arranged on the first decorative carrier (13) and the second decorative carrier (24).

7. Door panel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insulating mat (40) is adhesively bonded or welded to the parapet support (23) of the door parapet (20) and / or the bridge (12), in particular wherein the insulating mat (40) is self-adhesive.

8. Door panel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insulating mat (40) comprises a sound-insulating and / or fire-retardant material.

9. Multi-track motor vehicle, in particular a convertible, with a door panel (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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