Structure of a vehicle door

Abstract

To suppress inadvertent opening of a vehicle door when receiving an impact load.SOLUTION: A door latch 20, an open rod 30, and a reinforcement 10 are arranged between a door inner panel 2 and a door outer panel 7 of a vehicle side door 1. Front and rear portions of the reinforcement 10 are joined to the door inner panel 2. The door latch 20 is provided with a latch lever 23 that rotates around a lever shaft 22. When the latch lever 23 rotates upward in the vehicle, the open rod 30 moves upward and the side door 1 is closed. A convex portion 12 is provided at a rear portion of the reinforcement 10. A lower part of the convex portion 12 includes a downward slope surface 13 that is disposed below the latch lever 23 and slopes downward as it goes inward from an outer end of the convex portion 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the structure of a vehicle door.

Background Art

[0002] In a small vehicle, for example, when receiving an impact load from the outside in the vehicle width direction (impact load due to a side collision), an impact load from above to below may be input to the side door in the vehicle vertical direction. In this case, the latch lever of the door latch provided on the side door may move downward in the vehicle.

[0003] A side door of a type that opens and closes by rotating the front portion of the door via a hinge has a door latch provided at the rear portion of the door. When the latch lever of the door latch rotates vertically, an open rod extending vertically moves in the vertical direction, and thus the side door is configured to be in an open state or a closed state. Generally, when the latch lever rotates upward, the side door is in a closed state.

[0004] In order to improve the rigidity of the side door against the above-described impact load, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a structure in which a reinforcement extending in the vehicle front-rear direction is provided is known. The reinforcement in this example has a bulging portion and an insertion hole. The bulging portion bulges outward of the vehicle and extends in a strip shape in the vehicle front-rear direction. In this example, when the door outer panel deforms inward of the vehicle during a side collision, the reinforcement is pushed and moved inward of the vehicle by the deformed door outer panel. At this time, a part of the rod overlapping the insertion hole in a side view is inserted into the insertion hole to prevent the movement of the rod and prevent the opening of the vehicle door during a side collision.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in the structure of the above example, for example, when receiving an impact load due to a side collision, the reinforcement may not move in the intended direction. If the reinforcement does not deform in the intended direction, a part of the rod may not enter the insertion hole. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the structure of the above example in preventing the unintended opening of the door.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a structure of a vehicle door capable of preventing the unintended opening of the vehicle door when receiving an impact load.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The structure of a vehicle door according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes a door inner panel and a door outer panel provided on the outer side of the vehicle of the door inner panel. Between the door inner panel and the door outer panel, a door latch, a rod engaged with the door latch, and a reinforcement extending along the longitudinal direction of the door inner panel are arranged. Both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcement are joined to both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the door inner panel respectively. In the structure of the vehicle door, the door latch is provided with a latch lever that rotates around a lever shaft. The latch lever is configured such that when it rotates upward of the vehicle, the rod moves upward of the vehicle and the vehicle door is in a closed state. A convex portion protruding outward of the vehicle is provided at the rear portion of the reinforcement. The lower portion of the convex portion is arranged below the vehicle of the latch lever, and has a lower inclined surface that inclines downward of the vehicle from the outer end of the vehicle of the convex portion toward the inner side of the vehicle. , the lower surface of the tip of the latch lever corresponds to the inclination direction of the lower inclined surface and.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the accidental opening of a vehicle door when it receives an impact load.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the structure of a vehicle door of a vehicle according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 5). In the drawings, the direction of arrow Fr indicates the front in the vehicle longitudinal direction. "Front part (front end) and rear part (rear end)" in the description of the embodiment correspond to the front part and rear part in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Also, arrow Out and arrow In indicate the outside in the vehicle width direction (outside the vehicle) and the inside in the vehicle width direction (inside the vehicle), respectively. Further, arrow U indicates the upper side of the vehicle.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the structure of the vehicle door of the present embodiment will be described as the structure of the side door 1 provided on the side part of the vehicle body. The side door 1 of the present embodiment includes a door inner panel 2, a door outer panel 7, a reinforcement 10, a door latch 20, and an open rod (rod) 30. The front part of the side door 1 is connected to the front part of a door opening (not shown) provided on the side part of the vehicle body via a hinge (not shown) or the like. The side door 1 is configured to be able to open and close the door opening provided on the side part of the vehicle body by rotating around the axis provided on the hinge.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the door inner panel 2 is a metal panel member that constitutes the side door 1. The door inner panel 2 has a main body portion 3, a window opening portion 4, and a belt line portion 5. The main body portion 3 is a plate-like portion in which a plurality of holes are formed. A plurality of devices such as a device for raising and lowering a door glass (not shown) and a door latch 20 are attached to the main body portion 3. The window opening portion 4 is a portion provided on the upper side of the vehicle of the main body portion 3, and a window frame 4a is provided around the window opening. The belt line portion 5 is provided on the upper portion of the main body portion 3 and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0014] The door outer panel 7 is a member that constitutes the outermost part of the side door 1 and is formed of a metal material. A door handle 8 is provided slightly below the belt line portion 5 at the rear part on the upper side of the panel body of the door outer panel 7. By operating the door handle 8, the side door 1 can be opened from the outside of the vehicle.

[0015] The reinforcement 10 is disposed slightly above the center in the vehicle up-and-down direction of the main body portion 3 between the door inner panel 2 and the door outer panel 7. As shown in FIG. 1, the reinforcement 10 is a member having a predetermined width in the vehicle up-and-down direction and extending in the vehicle front-rear direction (the longitudinal direction of the door inner panel 2), and is formed of a metal material. Each of the front portion and the rear portion of the reinforcement 10 is joined to the front portion and the rear portion of the main body portion 3 of the door inner panel 2. The rear portion of the reinforcement 10 extends in the vehicle up-and-down direction and is provided with a flange 16 facing the inside of the vehicle as shown in FIG. 2. In this example, the flange 16 is welded to a flat portion 6 provided at the rear portion of the main body portion 3 of the door inner panel 2.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of welding parts 17 are provided on the flange 16. The plurality of welding parts 17 are parts that are spot-welded to the flat part 6 of the main body part 3, and are arranged at intervals in the vehicle up-and-down direction. In this example, three welding parts 17 are arranged vertically at intervals from the upper end of the rear part of the reinforcement 10 downward, constituting one welding row. Also, three welding parts 17 are arranged vertically at intervals from the lower end of the rear part of the reinforcement 10 downward, constituting one welding row. That is, welding rows are provided at the upper part and the lower part of the rear part of the reinforcement 10, and the upper and lower welding rows are arranged at intervals. Regarding the front part of the reinforcement 10, although detailed description by illustration is omitted, it is joined to the main body part 3 by spot welding or the like in the same manner as the rear part.

[0017] Next, the door latch 20 will be described. The door latch 20 is arranged between the door inner panel 2 and the door outer panel 7, and is a device for opening and closing the side door 1. In this example, it is arranged between the door inner panel 2 and the reinforcement 10. The door latch 20 includes a latch body 21, a lever shaft 22, and a latch lever 23. The latch body 21 has a case in which a mechanism for opening and closing the side door 1 is housed. Here, detailed description of the latch body 21 is omitted.

[0018] The lever shaft 22 is provided on the latch body 21 and is a shaft extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. Although detailed description is omitted, the latch lever 23 is connected to the lever shaft 22, and the latch lever 23 is configured to rotate around the lever shaft 22. The latch lever 23 is a member extending in the radial direction with respect to the lever shaft 22. For example, in the state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, it is inclined slightly upward with respect to the vehicle width direction (horizontal direction). That is, it is inclined slightly upward in the vehicle as it goes outward in the vehicle width direction from the lever shaft 22.

[0019] Next, the open rod 30 will be briefly described. Although a detailed description is omitted, the open rod 30 extends in the vehicle's vertical direction so as to connect the door handle 8 and the door latch 20. A bent portion 31 is provided at the middle portion of the open rod 30 in the vehicle's vertical direction. In this example, at the middle portion, it bends toward the rear side of the vehicle, extends rearward of the vehicle, and further bends downward of the vehicle. The portion of the bent portion 31 that extends rearward of the vehicle is configured to be engageable with the latch lever 23.

[0020] Also, at the middle portion of the open rod 30 in the vehicle's vertical direction, a locking member (locking portion) � is provided that protrudes outward of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 3, the locking member 33 is disposed above the vehicle than the bent portion 31. In this example, it has a mounting portion 35 attached to the outer peripheral surface of the open rod 30, and a claw portion 34 extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the mounting portion 35. The claw portion 34 of the locking member 33 can be inserted into a locking hole 19 (to be described later) of the reinforcement 10.

[0021] When the door handle 8 is operated while the side door 1 is in the closed state, the open rod 30 moves parallel downward of the vehicle. Then, the latch lever 23 is pressed downward of the vehicle by the bent portion 31 and rotates around the lever shaft 22. In this example, it rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 3. When the latch lever 23 rotates, the engagement between the door latch 20 and a striker (not shown) on the vehicle body side is released, and the side door 1 becomes in the open state.

[0022] Here, the shape of the reinforcement 10 will be described. A convex portion 12 is provided at the rear portion of the reinforcement 10, and the lower portion of the convex portion 12 has a lower inclined surface 13. Further, at the rear portion of the lower portion of the convex portion 12 of the reinforcement 10, a rear inclined surface 14 is provided that is inclined rearward and inward of the vehicle as it goes downward of the vehicle. Hereinafter, the convex portion 12, the lower inclined surface 13, and the rear inclined surface 14 will be described.

[0023] The convex portion 12 is arranged at a distance from the flange 16 provided at the rear end of the reinforcement 10 on the front side of the vehicle. In this example, among the six welding portions 17 provided at six locations within the flange 16, the three welding portions 17 arranged at the lower side (the lower side welding row) are arranged at a distance from the front side of the vehicle.

[0024] On the front side of the vehicle of the flange 16, an outer bulging portion 11 that bulges outward in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle vertical direction is provided with respect to the outer surface in the vehicle width direction of the flange 16. A door latch 20 is installed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the outer bulging portion 11. The convex portion 12 is provided at the lower part of the outer bulging portion 11.

[0025] The convex portion 12 is formed by a part of the outer surface in the vehicle width direction of the reinforcement 10 protruding outward in the vehicle width direction. In this example, the convex portion 12 protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to, for example, the outer surface in the vehicle width direction of the flange 16 and the outer surface in the vehicle width direction of the outer bulging portion 11. As shown in FIG. 4, the longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the convex portion 12 is a convex shape curved toward the outside of the vehicle. Further, the convex portion 12 is a portion formed by the inner surface in the vehicle width direction of the reinforcement 10 being recessed outward in the vehicle width direction (FIG. 4).

[0026] Next, the lower inclined surface 13 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower inclined surface 13 is an inclined surface provided at the lower part of the convex portion 12 and is arranged below the vehicle of the latch lever 23. The lower inclined surface 13 is inclined downward from the tip 12a of the convex portion 12, that is, from the outer end in the vehicle width direction (the outer end of the vehicle) toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction (the inner side of the vehicle). Note that the lower inclined surface 13 in the present embodiment is the surface on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the convex portion 12.

[0027] Further, when the outer surface in the vehicle width direction of the outer bulging portion 11 of the reinforcement 10 is taken as a reference (the virtual line X in FIG. 4), the lower end 13b of the lower inclined surface 13 is disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the outer surface in the vehicle width direction (reference X). Further, the lower end 13b of the lower inclined surface 13 is connected to the lower main surface 10a of the reinforcement 10 located below the lower inclined surface 13. Here, the lower end 13b is curved so as to protrude inward in the vehicle width direction and is smoothly connected to the lower main surface 10a.

[0028] On the other hand, the lower part at the tip of the latch lever 23 is located above the vehicle and on the inner side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the lower inclined surface 13. Further, the lower part at the tip of the latch lever 23 has a lower surface 23a that inclines upward in the vehicle as it goes toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction. That is, in this example, the inclination direction of the lower surface 23a of the latch lever 23 and the inclination direction of the lower inclined surface 13 incline in the same direction.

[0029] Subsequently, the rear inclined surface 14 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the rear inclined surface 14 is provided at the rear part of the lower part of the convex portion 12, and inclines rearward and inward in the vehicle width direction (inside the vehicle) as it goes downward in the vehicle. The rear inclined surface 14 is, like the lower inclined surface 13, a surface on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the convex portion 12. The rear end of the rear inclined surface 14 is connected to the front end of the lower inclined surface 13, inclines rearward and inward in the vehicle as it goes downward in the vehicle, and is smoothly connected to the lower inclined surface 13.

[0030] When the side door 1 on the side of the vehicle body is in the closed state and receives an impact load such as a side collision, the door outer panel 7 may deform inward in the vehicle. When such deformation occurs, the reinforcement 10 deforms in a direction approaching the door latch 20. At this time, due to the positional relationship between the lower inclined surface 13 of the convex portion 12 and the latch lever 23, it becomes possible to bring the tip of the latch lever 23 into contact with the lower inclined surface 13 on the inner side of the vehicle of the convex portion 12.

[0031] Further, since the lower surface 23a at the tip of the latch lever 23 is inclined so as to correspond to the lower inclined surface 13, the end of the latch lever 23 is likely to contact the lower part (lower inclined surface 13) of the convex portion 12 when the above-described deformation occurs. Also, since the lower end 13b of the lower inclined surface 13 is located below the vehicle of the latch lever 23, the latch lever 23 is likely to enter inside the convex portion 12 when the above deformation occurs. When the tip of the latch lever 23 contacts the lower part of the convex portion 12, the lever shaft 22 tilts upward (the outer side rises), and the rotation of the latch lever 23 downward is suppressed. That is, by configuring as described above, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of accidental opening of the side door 1 when an impact load due to a side collision or the like acts. In the present embodiment, when the end of the latch lever 23 contacts the lower inclined surface 13, the end relatively moves with respect to the lower inclined surface 13, for example, along a locus A indicated by a broken line A shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5.

[0032] Also, when an impact load due to a side collision or the like acts on the side door 1, for example, the convex portion 12 may deform so as to wrap around the rear end of the relatively high-rigidity reinforcement 10 without linearly deforming inward in the vehicle width direction. When an object colliding with the side of the vehicle body contacts the door outer panel 7 and presses the door outer panel 7, the relatively low-rigidity central portion of the door is more likely to dent inward in the vehicle than the peripheral end portion. Therefore, the above-described deformation in which the convex portion 12 wraps around may occur.

[0033] In such a case, the position where the latch lever 23 contacts the convex portion 12 may shift rearward with respect to the lower inclined surface 13. Even in such a case, since the reinforcement 10 has the rear inclined surface 14, that is, not only the lower side of the convex portion 12 but also the rear side of the vehicle is inclined in the front-rear direction, the tip of the latch lever 23 first contacts the lower inclined surface 13 and then contacts the rear inclined surface 14, so that as a result, the latch lever 23 can be made to contact along the lower part of the convex portion 12. Therefore, by providing the rear inclined surface 14, it becomes possible to more reliably suppress the accidental opening of the side door 1 during a side impact. In FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the locus B when the end of the latch lever 23 contacts the lower inclined surface 13 and the rear inclined surface 14 is indicated by a broken line B. As is clear from the locus B, the rear inclined surface 14 is inclined toward the front side and the inner side of the vehicle as it goes downward of the vehicle. Note that depending on the collision site and the collision speed, it may first contact the rear inclined surface 14.

[0034] Further, in the present embodiment, the reinforcement 10 is provided with a locking hole 19 into which the above-described locking member 33 can be inserted. The locking hole 19 is disposed above the convex portion 12 of the vehicle, and the vertical position of the vehicle substantially corresponds to the locking member 33. In this example, the locking hole 19 is formed in the plane of the outer bulging portion 11.

[0035] By providing the locking member 33 in this way, the accuracy with which the open rod 30 and the latch lever 23 are locked and lifted by the reinforcement 10 is improved. Since the locking hole 19 is formed in a plane, it is easy to form it at a position where the locking member 33 can be reliably engaged.

[0036] Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, since the convex portion 12 is provided on the front side of the vehicle of the plurality of welded portions 17, the welded portion 17 serves as a starting point of bending deformation, and the latch lever 23 can be more reliably brought into contact with the lower part of the convex portion 12.

[0037] Further, on the vehicle lower side of the convex portion 12 of the reinforcement 10 of the present embodiment, a concave portion 15 that is recessed inward of the vehicle is provided. In this example, the upper portion of the concave portion 15 corresponds to the lower portion of the convex portion 12. That is, the opposite surface of the lower inclined surface 13 is the upper surface of the concave portion 15. Further, the inner side portion in the vehicle width direction (the bottom portion of the concave portion 15) of the concave portion 15 is the lower main surface 10a of the reinforcement 10. The length of the concave portion 15 in the vehicle front-rear direction (the longitudinal direction of the door inner panel 2) is set to be longer than the length of the convex portion 12 in the vehicle front-rear direction (L1 in FIG. 2) as shown by L2 in FIG. 2. By configuring such a concave portion 15, the load on the vehicle lower side can be supported, and as a result, the vertical rigidity of the convex portion 12 can be improved.

[0038] The description of the present embodiment is an exemplification for explaining the present invention and does not limit the invention described in the claims. Further, each component configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the technical scope described in the claims.

[0039] In the present embodiment, the side door 1 is described, but it is not limited thereto. For example, it can also be applied to suppressing the accidental opening of a back door that opens and closes via a hinge.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0040] 1 Side door 2 Door inner panel 3 Body portion 4 Window opening 5 Belt line portion 6 Flat portion 7 Door outer panel 8 Door handle 10 Reinforcement 10a Lower main surface 11 Outer bulging portion 12 Convex portion 12a Tip 13 Lower inclined surface 13b Lower end 14 Rear inclined surface 15 Concave portion 16 Flange 17 Weld part 19 Locking hole 20 Door latch 21 Latch body 22 Lever shaft 23 Latch lever 30 Open rod 31 Bending part 33 Locking member 34 Claw part 35 Mounting part A Locus B Locus

Claims

1. a door inner panel; and a door outer panel provided on the vehicle outer side of the door inner panel, A door latch, a rod engaging with the door latch, and a reinforcement extending along the longitudinal direction of the door inner panel are disposed between the door inner panel and the door outer panel, In a vehicle door structure, both ends of the reinforcement in the longitudinal direction are joined to both ends of the door inner panel in the longitudinal direction, The door latch is provided with a latch lever that rotates around a lever shaft, and when the latch lever rotates upward of the vehicle, the rod moves upward of the vehicle, and the vehicle door is in a closed state. A rear portion of the reinforcement is provided with a protrusion that protrudes toward the outside of the vehicle, a lower portion of the protrusion is disposed below the vehicle of the latch lever and has a lower inclined surface that slopes downward from the vehicle outer end of the protrusion toward the vehicle inner side, A vehicle door structure, characterized in that a lower surface of the tip of the latch lever corresponds to the inclination direction of the lower inclined surface.

2. A door door panel, and a door outer panel provided on the vehicle outer side of the door inner panel, A door latch, a rod engaging with the door latch, and a reinforcement extending along the longitudinal direction of the door inner panel are disposed between the door inner panel and the door outer panel, In a vehicle door structure, both ends of the reinforcement in the longitudinal direction are joined to both ends of the door inner panel in the longitudinal direction, The door latch is provided with a latch lever that rotates around a lever shaft, and when the latch lever rotates upward of the vehicle, the rod moves upward of the vehicle, and the vehicle door is in a closed state. A rear portion of the reinforcement is provided with a protrusion that protrudes toward the outside of the vehicle, a lower portion of the protrusion is disposed below the vehicle of the latch lever and has a lower inclined surface that slopes downward from the vehicle outer end of the protrusion toward the vehicle inner side, A vehicle door structure, characterized in that a rear portion of the lower part of the convex portion is provided with a rear inclined surface that slopes forward and inward of the vehicle as it extends downward. **Claim 3**: A vehicle door structure comprising a door inner panel and a door outer panel provided on the outer side of the vehicle of the door inner panel, wherein a door latch, a rod engaged with the door latch, and a reinforcement extending along the longitudinal direction of the door inner panel are disposed between the door inner panel and the door outer panel, and both longitudinal ends of the reinforcement in the longitudinal direction are respectively joined to both longitudinal ends of the door inner panel. The door latch is provided with a latch lever that rotates around a lever shaft. When the latch lever rotates upward of the vehicle, the rod moves upward of the vehicle, and the vehicle door is configured to be in a closed state. A convex portion protruding outward of the vehicle is provided at the rear portion of the reinforcement. The lower portion of the convex portion is disposed below the vehicle of the latch lever, and has a lower inclined surface that inclines downward of the vehicle from the outer side end of the vehicle of the convex portion toward the inner side of the vehicle. A locking portion protruding outward of the vehicle is provided at an intermediate portion of the rod in the vertical direction of the vehicle. A locking hole into which the locking portion can be inserted is provided above the vehicle of the convex portion. **Claim 4** The reinforcement located rearward of the vehicle of the convex portion is provided with a welding portion welded to the door inner panel. The structure of the vehicle door according to any one of claims 1 to 3. **Claim 5**: A vehicle door structure comprising a door inner panel and a door outer panel provided on the outer side of the vehicle of the door inner panel, wherein a door latch, a rod engaged with the door latch, and a reinforcement extending along the longitudinal direction of the door inner panel are disposed between the door inner panel and the door outer panel, and both longitudinal ends of the reinforcement in the longitudinal direction are respectively joined to both longitudinal ends of the door inner panel. The door latch is provided with a latch lever that rotates around a lever shaft. When the latch lever rotates upward of the vehicle, the rod moves upward of the vehicle, and the vehicle door is configured to be in a closed state. A convex portion protruding outward of the vehicle is provided at the rear portion of the reinforcement. The lower part of the convex portion is disposed below the vehicle of the latch lever, and has a lower inclined surface that inclines downward toward the vehicle as it extends from the outer side end of the convex portion toward the inner side of the vehicle. A recess that is recessed toward the inner side of the vehicle is provided on the lower side of the vehicle of the convex portion. A structure of a vehicle door, characterized in that the length of the recess in the longitudinal direction is set to be longer than the length of the convex portion in the longitudinal direction.

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