MOTOR VEHICLE SIDE DOOR FOR VEHICLE WITH COVERING OR NON-COVERING DOOR
The interchangeable protective parts on a common structural interface for motor vehicle side doors address the need for separate designs by allowing the same sheet metal to be used for both 'covering' and 'non-covering' types, reducing costs and simplifying production.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2021005245
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-05-20
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-11
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-05-20
AI Technical Summary
Existing motor vehicle side doors require separate designs and manufacturing processes for 'covering' and 'non-covering' types, leading to increased costs and complexity.
A side door design featuring interchangeable protective parts with different versions that can be fixed to a common structural interface, allowing the same door sheet metal to be used for both types, with the protective parts adapting to either 'covering' or 'non-covering' configurations through clipping mechanisms.
This solution reduces design and manufacturing costs by enabling the production of both 'covering' and 'non-covering' doors using the same sheet metal, while maintaining structural integrity and ease of assembly.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE SIDE DOOR FOR VEHICLE WITH COVERING OR NON-COVERING DOOR
[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle side door for a vehicle with a covering or non-covering door.
[0002] A side door of a motor vehicle is said to be "covering" when the closed door completely hides the underbody of the vehicle located under the door opening, and is said to be "non-covering" when part of this underbody is visible from the outside, with the door closed.
[0003] [Fig.l] represents a partial cross-section of a side door 1a of the “non-covering” type. In the closed position, the lower part of the door sheet metal 2a leaves visible a part 3a of the rocker panel located under the door opening. This visible part 3a of the rocker panel is then equipped with a protective part made of polymer material 4a called a sill. For this type of door, the door sheet metal 2a is short in height to leave space for the sill 4a attached under the door. A protector made of polymer material 5a is also fixed to the door sheet metal 2a. This type of door is more particularly suited to vehicles intended for crossing (such as a 4x4), because the door, more fragile and not very resistant to impacts, is protected from obstacles. Indeed, in the event of an impact with a rock for example, it is the attached sill that will absorb the impact, leaving the door intact.
[0004] [Fig. 2] shows a cross-section of a side door 1b of the “covering” type. In the closed position, the lower part of the door sheet metal 2b completely hides the rocker panel 3b located under the door opening. For this type of door, the door sheet metal 2b is high in order to minimize the overhang of the polymer material protector 5b fixed to the door. This type of door is more particularly suited to vehicles intended for urban and family use (such as SUVs), because it allows better accessibility to the passenger compartment than the previous version due to the absence of an added sill likely to hinder the leg when entering / exiting the vehicle.
[0005] As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the sheet metal 1a, 1b of these two types of door are different and incompatible so that it is necessary to provide specific developments and tools for each type of door. Similarly, the structures of the rocker panels are also different and adapted to each type of door.
[0006] There is therefore a need to produce vehicle side doors that cover and non-covering in a simple and inexpensive manner, particularly for vehicles with the same underbody structure.
[0007] For this purpose, a first object concerns a side door of a motor vehicle, comprising:
[0008] - a first outer sheet metal panel and a second inner sheet metal panel extending opposite the first sheet metal panel with which it defines a box, the first and second sheet metal panels being assembled along a lower assembly edge, and
[0009] - a protective piece fixed to the first sheet metal panel near the edge lower assembly.
[0010] According to the invention, the protective part is interchangeable and the first sheet metal panel has a common structural fixing interface on which different interchangeable versions of the protective part are fixed, chosen from at least a first version applied against the first sheet metal panel and having the same surface area as an area of the latter to be protected and at least a second version applied against the first sheet metal panel and having a surface area larger than the area of the latter to be protected, projecting from the first sheet metal panel on the side of the lower assembly edge.
[0011] Thus, the side door according to the invention can be of the “covering” or “non-covering” type only by using a version of the protective part adapted to the desired type of door: the first versions of the protective parts being adapted to “non-covering” doors while the second versions of the protective parts being adapted to “covering” doors. Thus, with the same door sheet metal, two types of door can be manufactured, which makes it possible to considerably reduce the design and manufacturing costs of the doors.
[0012] The structural fixing interface may in particular comprise removable means for fixing the different versions of protective parts, for example produced by clipping.
[0013] Advantageously, the structural fixing interface may have a plurality of orifices and each version of the protective part may be provided with interlocking fingers cooperating in fixing with said orifices. The fixing of the different versions of the protective parts may thus be carried out simply and quickly by clipping. For example, two longitudinal rows of orifices cooperating with corresponding interlocking fingers may be provided. It will thus be noted that each version of the protective part is also provided with a common fixing interface cooperating with the fixing interface of the first sheet metal panel.
[0014] Advantageously, each second version of the protective part may have a lower edge located beyond the lower assembly edge of the first and second panels in a vertical direction. In particular, the lower edge may extend beyond the lower edge of the first panel by a sufficient length to completely conceal a sill located below the body opening of a motor vehicle, the door being in a closed use position, mounted on the body of a motor vehicle. The protective part is then partly mounted in a cantilever manner on the first sheet metal panel.
[0015] Each second version of the protective part may further have a groove receiving the lower assembly edge of the first and second panels for better support of the protective part. This groove may have a flared shape to facilitate the assembly of the protective part.
[0016] Advantageously, the side door may comprise at least one clip for holding said lower assembly edge inside said groove, each clip having a bearing portion extending between the second sheet metal panel and an inner edge of the groove and holding the first sheet metal panel in abutment against an opposite outer edge of the groove and a clip-forming portion fitted onto the inner edge of the groove. The clip(s) thus make it possible to hold the protective part relative to the lower assembly edge of the first and second panels. For example, a plurality of clips may be provided distributed along the protective part. For better support, the clip-forming portion of each clip and the inner edge of the groove may have at least one pair of engaging male-female members.Preferably at least two pairs of male-female members, for example arranged on opposite faces of the inner edge of the groove, may be provided. These male-female members may be ribs, lips or fingers cooperating with notches or orifices.
[0017] Each second version of a protective part may be formed of at least one outer wall and one inner wall, the outer wall being applied against the first sheet metal panel and having a lower edge folded towards the inner wall to which it is assembled, the inner wall extending opposite the outer wall, in particular substantially vertically, at least up to the lower assembly edge of the first and second panels and having an upper edge folded towards the outer wall to which it is assembled. This makes it possible to produce a robust protective part structure, in particular in its part where it is not in abutment against the first sheet metal panel. The groove mentioned above may be formed in the upper edge of the inner wall. In addition, the interlocking fingers may be integral with an internal face of the outer wall, in its part which is not opposite the inner wall.
[0018] Furthermore, each first version of a protective part may extend to the lower assembly edge.
[0019] Each first version of a protective part may in particular be produced in a simple manner from a single wall, the internal face of which is for example provided with interlocking fingers.
[0020] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one side opening closed by a side door according to the invention.
[0021] In particular, the vehicle may include a rocker panel located under the side opening and:
[0022] - this underbody can be completely hidden from the outside in a closed position of the side door, the latter being equipped with a second version of protective part which extends opposite said underbody, or
[0023] - this underbody can be partially hidden from the outside in a position closed from the side door, the latter being equipped with a first version of protective part, the rest of the underbody being covered by a sill fixed to the underbody, in particular by fitting, for example by cooperation of fingers integral with the sill with corresponding holes in the underbody.
[0024] The invention is now described with reference to the accompanying non-limiting drawings, in which:
[0025] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] represents a partial cross-section of a body structure equipped with a non-covering side door according to the prior art.
[0026] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a partial cross-section of a body structure equipped with a covering side door according to the prior art.
[0027] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a partial cross-section of a body structure provided with a side door equipped with a first version of a protective part according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0028] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents a partial cross-section of a body structure provided with a side door equipped with a second version of protective part according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0029] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is an enlargement of the groove of [Fig.4].
[0030] In the present description, the terms front, rear, upper, lower, refer to the front and rear directions of the vehicle, when the body structure and the side door are mounted on the vehicle. The axes X, Y, Z, correspond respectively to the longitudinal (front to rear), transverse and vertical axis of the vehicle, the latter resting on the ground. The vertical direction thus corresponds to the direction of gravity.
[0031] The terms interior and exterior refer to the portions of a part located on the interior side of the vehicle (towards the passenger compartment) and on the exterior side of the vehicle respectively, in a position of the part mounted on the vehicle.
[0032] By substantially horizontal, longitudinal or vertical, we mean a direction / plane forming an angle of at most ±20°, or even at most ±10° or at most ±5°, with a horizontal, longitudinal or vertical direction / plane.
[0033] [Fig. 3] represents the lower part of a side door 10 according to the invention and of a rocker panel 100 of the vehicle on which the side door is mounted.
[0034] In this [Fig. 3], the side door 10 usually comprises a first exterior sheet metal panel 11 and a second interior sheet metal panel 12 extending opposite the first sheet metal panel 11 with which it defines a box 13. The first and second sheet metal panels 11, 12 are assembled along a lower edge 14. This lower edge 14 extends substantially in the longitudinal direction. Its shape usually follows the shape of the underbody and is therefore not limited to a particular shape. This lower edge 14 is called the “lower assembly edge” in the present description.
[0035] This assembly is typically carried out by crimping: a longitudinal lower edge 11a of the first sheet metal panel is folded back 180° so as to form a fold receiving a longitudinal lower edge 12a of the second sheet metal panel to which it is crimped (see [Fig.5]).
[0036] The side door 10 further comprises a protective part 20, fixed to the first sheet metal panel 11 near the lower assembly edge 14. This protective part 20, typically made of polymer material, is interchangeable: it can therefore be chosen according to the vehicle for which the side door is intended. For this purpose, the first sheet metal panel 11 has a common structural fixing interface 15 on which different interchangeable versions of the protective part are fixed.
[0037] In the example shown [Fig. 3], the side door 10 is equipped with a first version 20 of the protective part. The latter is applied against the first sheet metal panel 11, in particular against an external face 11c of the latter. This first version 20 of the protective part has the same surface as an area to be protected of the first sheet metal panel 11. In other words, the first version 20 of the protective part exactly covers the surface of the area to be protected of the first sheet metal panel 11.
[0038] The first version 20 of the protective part is fixed to the first sheet metal panel 11 by the structural fixing interface 15 which here has a plurality of orifices 15a, 15b, arranged here in two substantially longitudinal rows. The first version 20 of the protective part is equipped with interlocking fingers 21, 22 cooperating in fixing with the orifices 15a, 15b respectively. These fingers 21, 22 form a structural fixing interface common to the different versions of the protective part. The fingers 21, 22 are here secured to an internal face 23a of a wall 23 forming the first version 20 of the protective part. The edges of this wall 23 are here inclined towards the first sheet metal panel until they come into contact with it in order to completely hide from view the area to be protected from the first sheet metal panel 11 (this area thus corresponds in [Fig.3] to the area located opposite the wall 23).
[0039] The side door 10 shown [Fig.3] closes a side opening of a body structure. In this closed position, it can be seen that a lower part of the rocker panel 100 of this body structure is visible. In order to hide it from view, the rocker panel 100 is then also equipped with a protective part made of polymer material, a skirt 101, assembled to the rocker panel 100 by fitting a plurality of fingers 102 into corresponding orifices 103 of the rocker panel 100. The added skirt 101 is thus fixed and visible with the door closed, the vehicle is then provided with a non-covering door.
[0040] In the example shown, the underbody 100 comprises an outer body side 105 and a sill reinforcement 106 assembled to an inner body side 107. Between the outer body side 105 and the sill reinforcement 106, an impact reinforcement 108 assembled to the sill reinforcement 106 has also been arranged. The invention is however not limited to a particular shape and structure of the underbody.
[0041] The side door 10 shown in [Fig. 4] has the same first and second sheet metal panels 11 and 12 as the door in [Fig. 3]. In other words, the sheet metal of the two doors is identical in the two embodiments which differ only in the version of the protective part. Similarly, the underbody 100 shown in [Fig. 4] has a structure identical to the underbody 100 shown in [Fig. 3]: its sheet metal parts are the same. Identical elements thus bear the same references in FIGS. 3 to 5.
[0042] The side door 10 shown [Fig.4] thus differs from that shown [Fig.3] only by the version of the protective part, and the rocker panel 100 shown [Fig.4] differs from that shown [Fig.3] only by the absence of the sill 101.
[0043] The side door 10 is thus here equipped with a second version 30 of a protective part applied against the first sheet metal panel 11. This second version 30 of protective part has a larger surface than the area to be protected from the latter, projecting from the first sheet metal panel 11 on the side of the lower assembly edge 14. In particular, the second version 30 of protective part covers the entire surface of the area to be protected from the first sheet metal panel and extends under the lower assembly edge 14, vertically, in a cantilevered part.
[0044] To ensure that the overhanging part is held in place, the second version 30 of the protective part has a groove 31 receiving the lower assembly edge 14. This groove 31 thus extends substantially longitudinally, its opening being directed upwards. It may in particular have a flared shape, as shown [Fig.5] in order to facilitate the mounting of the protective part 30.
[0045] In order to avoid any risk of the lower assembly edge 14 being torn off outside the groove 31, in particular in the event of it catching on an obstacle when opening / closing the door, one or more retaining clips 32 may be provided designed to hold the lower assembly edge 14 inside the groove 31. Preferably, several retaining clips 32 may be arranged along the groove 31 and the lower assembly edge 14.
[0046] An exemplary embodiment of a holding clip 32 is shown in [Fig. 5]. The clip 32 has a bearing portion 32a which extends between the second sheet metal panel 12 and a first edge 31a of the groove 31, here the inner edge of the groove. This portion 32a of the clip is dimensioned so as to hold the first sheet metal panel 11 in abutment against a second opposite edge 31b of the groove, here the outer edge. The bearing portion 32a is thus in abutment both against the second sheet metal panel 12 and against the inner edge 31a of the groove, as shown in [Fig. 5]. It will be noted that the clip is thus positioned just above the lower assembly edge 14 of the first and second sheet metal panels, in an area where these panels are superimposed and resting against each other (in the figures, a space is visible between the panels for the sake of clarity).
[0047] Furthermore, the clip 32 engages with at least one notch made on the outer edge 31a of the groove. In the embodiment shown, two notches 33, 34 are made in this inner edge 31a of the groove, on opposite faces of the latter. In other words, one of the notches 33 opens inside the groove 31 while the other notch 34 opens outside the groove (therefore towards the inside of the vehicle in the closed mounted position of the door). The clip 32 thus has a part 32b in the form of a clamp which fits onto the inner edge 31a of the groove and whose projecting parts 32c, 32d, such as ribs or lips, are respectively inserted into the notches 33, 34 ensuring that the clip is held on the inner edge 31a of the groove. The clip 32 may for example be made of polymer material, typically by molding.
[0048] In the example shown [Fig.4], the second version 30 of the protective part is formed of an outer wall 35, also called skin, and an inner wall 36, also called lining, assembled to each other. The outer wall 35 is applied against the first sheet metal panel 11 and has a lower edge 35a folded towards the inner wall 36 to which it is assembled. The inner wall 36 extends, substantially vertically, opposite the outer wall 35 from the lower edge 35a thereof at least to the lower assembly edge 14 and has an upper edge 36a folded towards the outer wall 35 to which it is assembled. Partly in lower part of the second version of the protective part, the outer and inner walls thus define a box 37, which increases the rigidity of the part in this cantilevered area. The groove 31 is then made in the upper edge 36a of the inner wall 36, for example by stamping. Furthermore, the outer wall 35 is provided, on the side of its face opposite the first sheet metal panel 11, with interlocking fingers 21, 22 of the same shape as the interlocking fingers of the first version of the protective part and forming the structural fixing interface common to the different versions, making it possible to fix the second version of the protective part to the structural fixing interface 15.
[0049] The second version 30 of the protective part described with reference to [Fig. 4] has the advantage of being made with few parts and of being robust. Its assembly is also simple and rapid, the protective part 30 being positioned so as to introduce the lower assembly edge 14 inside the groove 31 then to clip the interlocking fingers 21, 22 inside the orifices 15a, 15b by pivoting the protective part 30. One or more clips 32 can then be positioned on the inner edge 31a of the groove 31 in order to constrain the lower assembly edge 14 of the door inside the groove, thus improving the hold of the protective part 30 and compensating for the overhang thereof in the event of snagging.
[0050] As can be seen in [Fig.4], the side door 10 thus equipped with the second version of protective part extends opposite the bottom of the box 100 which is bare, over the entire height of the latter so that the bottom of the box is thus entirely hidden from view when the door is closed. It may possibly be possible to provide covers to close the orifices 103 of the bottom of the box intended for the fixing of a flap 102 for the versions such as those described with reference to [Fig.3].
[0051] The invention thus makes it possible to produce so-called "covering" and "non-covering" side doors by retaining the same sheet metal for both the door and the underbody, and by using a suitable protective part for the lower part of the door, and possibly a protective part (flap) covering the underbody when it is visible in the closed position of the door. The use of different versions of protective parts also makes it possible to easily modify the style of the vehicles.
[0052] The present invention is suitable for front or rear side doors.
Claims
Claims
1. Side door (10) of a motor vehicle, comprising: - a first exterior sheet metal panel (11) and a second interior sheet metal panel (12) extending opposite the first sheet metal panel with which it defines a box, the first and second sheet metal panels being assembled along a lower assembly edge (14), and - a protective part fixed to the first sheet metal panel (11) near the lower assembly edge (14), characterized in that: - the protective part (20, 30) is an interchangeable part provided with a common fixing interface,and - the first sheet metal panel (11) has a common structural fixing interface (15) cooperating with the fixing interface common to different interchangeable versions of the protective part chosen from at least a first version (20) applied against the first sheet metal panel (11) and having the same surface area as an area to be protected of the latter and at least a second version (30) applied against the first sheet metal panel (11) and having a larger surface area than the area to be protected of the latter, projecting from the first sheet metal panel on the side of the lower assembly edge.,
2. Side door (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the structural fixing interface (15) has a plurality of orifices (15a, 15b) and in that each version of the protective part is provided with interlocking fingers (21, 22) cooperating in fixing with said orifices.
3. Side door (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each second version (30) of protective part has a lower edge (35a) located beyond the lower assembly edge (14) in a vertical direction.
4. Side door (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each second version (30) of a protective part has a groove (31) receiving the lower assembly edge (14) of the first and second panels.
5. Side door (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises at least one retaining clip (32) for said lower assembly edge (14) inside said groove, each clip having a bearing part (32a) extending between the second sheet metal panel (12) and an inner edge (31a) of the groove and holding the first sheet metal panel (11) in abutment against an opposite outer edge of the groove and a part (32b) forming a clamp fitted onto the inner edge of the groove.
6. Side door (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the clamp portion (32b) of each staple and the inner edge of the groove have at least one pair of engaging male-female members (32c, 33; 32d, 34).
7. Side door (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each second version (30) of a protective part is formed at least of an outer wall (35) and an inner wall (36), the outer wall (35) being applied against the first sheet metal panel (11) and having a lower edge (35a) folded towards the inner wall (36) to which it is assembled, the inner wall (36) extending opposite the outer wall (35) at least as far as the lower assembly edge (14) of the first and second panels and having an upper edge (36a) folded towards the outer wall (35) to which it is assembled.
8. Side door (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each first version (20) of a protective part extends to the lower assembly edge (14).
9. Motor vehicle comprising at least one side opening closed by a side door (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
10. Motor vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a sill located under the side opening and in that: - this sill is entirely hidden from the outside in a closed position of the side door, the latter being equipped with a second version of protective part which extends opposite said sill, or - this sill is partially hidden from the outside in a closed position of the side door, the latter being equipped with a first version of protective part, the rest of the sill being covered by a flap fixed to the sill.