Vehicle doors

Abstract

To maintain the rigidity of a door while preventing the door from being opened when a side collision occurs.SOLUTION: A vehicle door 1 comprises: a beam 210 extending in a vehicle front-rear direction in an internal space RS of the vehicle door 1; an inner panel part 20 constituting an inner plate of the vehicle door 1; a lever lock bracket 230 connected to the beam 210, for restricting the movement of a door latch mechanism part 100 when a collision from a lateral side occurs; and a beam bracket 240 having vertical wall parts 240a and 240b formed in a vehicle vertical direction on vehicle front and rear sides. In the beam bracket 240, the vertical wall part 240b on the vehicle rear side is formed outward in a vehicle width direction, and the vertical wall part 240a on the vehicle front side has an inclined surface SL formed outward in the vehicle width direction so as to be inclined toward the vehicle front side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in vehicle doors, a vehicle body structure that reduces the amount of deformation toward the interior of the vehicle cabin even when the door is impacted from the side has been demanded. Vehicle doors such as those of automobiles are generally composed of plate-shaped panels made of steel plates. An outer panel portion is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle door, and an inner panel portion is disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. They are combined with each other and joined by welding or the like.

[0003] In order to improve the rigidity of the vehicle door against a collision from the side (hereinafter referred to as a side impact), a structure is adopted in which a beam is extended in the vehicle front-rear direction in the space (inside the vehicle door) between the outer panel portion and the inner panel portion to absorb the impact caused by the side impact. In a structure in which a beam is disposed inside the vehicle door, when a side impact occurs, the outer panel portion and the beam deform while absorbing the collision energy, and further, the collision energy is absorbed by hitting the inner panel portion.

[0004] On the other hand, in this type of vehicle door, it is also important that the engagement between the vehicle door and the vehicle body is not released when a side impact occurs. For example, in Patent Document 1, when a side impact occurs and an impact load is input from the outside of the vehicle, a regulating member regulates the displacement of a rod that releases the engagement between the vehicle door main body and the vehicle body, thereby preventing the engagement between the vehicle door and the vehicle body from being released and the vehicle door from being opened (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

[0006] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, since the restricting member is connected to the beam at the connection point, there is a problem that if a side impact occurs and an impact load is applied from outside the vehicle, the stiffener (beam) may deform, and the relative position of the restricting member and the rod may shift. In addition, in order to ensure the relative position of the restricting member and the beam, there is a problem that the restricting member may become larger, and the connection point with the beam and the shape of the rod may become more complex.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a vehicle door that prevents the door from opening in the event of a side collision while maintaining the rigidity of the door. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] Embodiment 1; One or more embodiments of the present invention propose a vehicle door in which a door latch mechanism engages with a striker provided on the vehicle body side to close the door, wherein the vehicle door comprises a beam extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, an inner panel portion constituting the inner plate of the vehicle door, a lever lock bracket coupled to the beam and restricting the operation of the door latch mechanism when a side collision occurs, and a beam bracket having vertical wall surfaces formed in the vertical direction of the vehicle on both the front and rear sides of the vehicle, the vertical wall surfaces being coupled to the rear end of the beam, and fixing the beam to the inner panel portion, wherein the lever lock bracket is disposed on the front side of the vehicle than the beam bracket, and in the beam bracket, the vertical wall surface on the rear side of the vehicle is formed toward the outward direction in the vehicle width direction, and the vertical wall surface on the front side of the vehicle has an inclined surface that slopes toward the front of the vehicle toward the outward direction in the vehicle width direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to maintain the rigidity of the door while preventing it from opening in the event of a side collision. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle door according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of the DL section shown in Figure 1, enlarged and viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction through the outer panel. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the cross-section along line AA, viewed from direction A. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cross-section along line BB, taken from direction B. [Figure 5] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the cross-section along line AA, as seen from direction A, in the case of a lateral collision. [Figure 6] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the CC line, as seen from direction C, in the case of a lateral collision. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The vehicle V to which the vehicle door 1 according to this embodiment is applied will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Arrows FR shown in the drawings as appropriate indicate the front (front) of the vehicle V shown in Figure 1, arrow UP indicates the upward direction in a front view, and arrow LH indicates the left direction in a front view. In the following description, when using the directions of up and down, front and back, and left and right, unless otherwise specified, they refer to the up and down direction in a front view, the front and back direction in a front view, and the left and right direction in a front view.

[0012] <Embodiment> The configuration of the vehicle door 1 will be explained using Figures 1 to 4. The explanation will use a vehicle door 1 mounted on the right side in a front view of the vehicle V as an example. <Configuration of vehicle door 1> As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle door 1 is composed of an outer panel portion 10, an inner panel portion 20, a door window portion 30, a door sash portion 40, an outer handle portion 50, an inner handle portion 60, a door latch mechanism portion 100, and a door beam portion 200. Inside the vehicle door 1 in the vehicle width direction, there is a frame that forms the strong skeleton of the vehicle V. The front part of the vehicle door 1 is provided with a front pillar portion FP, the rear part with a center pillar portion CP, and the lower part with a side sill portion SS. The vehicle door 1 is fixed to the front pillar portion FP by a hinge HG.

[0013] (Regarding the outer panel section 10) The outer panel portion 10 is a plate-shaped member that constitutes the outer panel of the vehicle door 1, and is positioned on the outside in the vehicle width direction. The outer panel portion 10 is made by pressing a metal plate or the like.

[0014] (Regarding the inner panel section 20) The inner panel portion 20 is a plate-shaped member that constitutes the inner panel of the vehicle door 1, and is positioned further inward in the vehicle width direction than the outer panel portion 10. The inner panel portion 20 is formed by pressing a metal plate or the like. Ribs 20a are formed on the inner panel portion 20 to ensure rigidity. The outer panel section 10 and the inner panel section 20 are combined and joined together by welding or the like at the upper and lower ends of the vehicle, both in the front and rear directions. Furthermore, an internal space RS is formed inside the vehicle door 1, enclosed by the outer panel section 10 and the inner panel section 20. The internal space RS, which is the interior of the vehicle door 1, houses the door latch mechanism section 100, the door beam section 200, and other components, which will be described later.

[0015] (Regarding the door window section 30) The door window part 30 is a plate-shaped tempered glass that is mounted on the vehicle door 1 so as to be movable up and down. When the door window part 30 is in the raised state, it closes the door sash part 40 described later. In a side view of the vehicle V, the door window part 30 forms a substantially trapezoid whose front edge part and rear edge part are formed in accordance with the inclination of the door sash part 40.

[0016] (Regarding the door sash part 40) The door sash part 40 is provided so as to surround the door window part 30 in the upper part of the vehicle of the vehicle door 1. The door sash part 40 is joined to the outer panel part 10 and the inner panel part 20 by welding or the like at the front part and the rear part of the vehicle of the vehicle door 1.

[0017] (Regarding the outer handle part 50 and the inner handle part 60) As shown in FIG. 2, the outer handle part 50 includes a grip part 51 that a user operates when opening the vehicle door 1 from outside the vehicle, a rod mechanism part 52, and a rod 53. The grip part 51 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction in the vehicle front-rear direction using resin or metal as a member. The grip part 51 has a rotation axis in the vehicle front-rear direction on the upper side of the vehicle, for example. The grip part 51 is connected by an arm (not shown) to the rod mechanism part 52 disposed inside the grip part 51 in the vehicle width direction. The rod mechanism part 52 includes a mechanism part (not shown) that transmits the operation of the grip part 51 to the door latch mechanism part 100 via the rod 53. One end of the rod 53 is connected to the rod mechanism part 52, and the other end of the rod 53 is connected to the door latch mechanism part 100 described later. Further, the inner handle part​​ The rod mechanism 62 includes a mechanism (not shown) that transmits the operation of the gripping part 61 to the door latch mechanism 100 via the rod 63. The rod mechanism 62 is connected to one end of the rod 63, and the other end of the rod 63 is connected to the door latch mechanism 100.

[0018] (Regarding the door latch mechanism 100) The door latch mechanism 100 comprises a latch mechanism 110, a latch arm 120, and a latch lever 130. The door latch mechanism 100 is housed inside the vehicle door 1 and fixed to the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the inner panel 20. The latch mechanism 110 is housed inside the vehicle door 1 and fixed to the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the inner panel 20. The latch mechanism 110 is housed in a cover made of resin or metal, and is connected to a rod 53 from the outer handle 50 and a rod 63 from the inner handle 60. Inside the latch mechanism 110, there is a release mechanism (not shown) that operates the latch arm 120 by operating the handle, and an interlocking mechanism (not shown) that links the operation of the latch arm 120 with the operation of the latch lever 130. In addition, an engagement portion 110a that protrudes toward the rear of the vehicle is formed on the rear side vertical wall surface of the vehicle. The latch arm portion 120 engages with the striker ST provided on the vehicle body when the vehicle door 1 is closed, thereby locking the vehicle door 1. The latch arm portion 120 is formed from a rod-shaped member of metal with high rigidity. The latch arm portion 120 is provided protruding from the rear side vertical wall surface of the latch mechanism portion 110, and for example, its tip is bent inward in the vehicle width direction and housed in the engagement portion 110a. The latch lever portion 130 is made of a resin or metal material and has a substantially rectangular shape, for example, extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The latch lever portion 130 is positioned on the lower outer side of the door latch mechanism 100, protruding from the outer surface of the door latch mechanism 100. The latch arm portion 120 and the latch lever portion 130 are connected in an interlocking manner inside the latch mechanism 110. When the latch arm portion 120 engages with the striker ST and locks the vehicle door 1, the latch lever portion 130 is housed in the door latch mechanism 100. When the latch arm portion 120 releases the striker ST and the vehicle door 1 is unlocked, the latch lever portion 130 protrudes from the lower side of the door latch mechanism 100.

[0019] (Regarding the door beam section 200) The door beam section 200 is composed of a beam 210, a fixing bracket 220, a lever lock bracket 230, and a beam bracket 240.

[0020] (Regarding Beam 210) The beam 210 is formed from a highly rigid, circular, pipe-shaped member made of metal. The beam 210 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, traversing from the front to the rear of the vehicle, from the center of the vehicle door 1 in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The beam 210 is fixed to the inner panel portion 20 via a fixing bracket 220 connected to the front end of the vehicle and a beam bracket 240 connected to the rear end of the vehicle.

[0021] (Regarding the fixing bracket 220) The fixing bracket 220 is a fixing fitting formed from a metal or other sheet metal by press working or the like. The front end of the beam 210 is joined to the fixing bracket 220 by welding or the like. The fixing bracket 220 is then fixed to the front side of the inner panel section 20 by bolts or the like. The inner panel section 20 to which the fixing bracket 220 is fixed has features such as rib processing to increase the rigidity of the inner panel section 20. Furthermore, a front pillar section FP, which has high rigidity and forms the skeleton of the vehicle V, is provided on the inner side in the vehicle width direction where the fixing bracket 220 is located.

[0022] (Regarding the lever lock bracket 230) The lever lock bracket 230 is a metal fitting formed by pressing or otherwise processing a sheet of metal or the like. The lever lock bracket 230 has a roughly rectangular shape and is plate-like, extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The lever lock bracket 230 is connected to the beam 210 by welding or the like at a point further forward of the vehicle than the beam bracket 240, which will be described later. As shown in Figure 3, the lever lock bracket 230 is bent outward toward the upper part of the vehicle on its upper side, and further bent upward toward the vehicle on its upper side. The lever lock bracket 230 also protrudes in a substantially rectangular shape toward the lower part of the vehicle on both sides in the front-rear direction of the vehicle on its lower side, and the lever lock bracket 230 is joined to the beam 210 by welding or the like at the protruding end on the lower part of the vehicle. The lever lock bracket 230 is also positioned on the lower side of the door latch mechanism 100, and the upper end of the lever lock bracket 230 is positioned close to the lower outer part of the latch lever portion 130 of the door latch mechanism 100.

[0023] (Regarding beam bracket 240) The beam bracket 240 is a metal fitting formed by pressing or otherwise processing a sheet metal material. The beam bracket 240 has a roughly rectangular shape and is plate-like, extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The beam bracket 240 is joined to the beam 210 at the rear end of the beam 210 by welding or other means. The beam bracket 240 is also fixed to the inner panel portion 20 on the inside in the vehicle width direction by bolts or the like. The inner panel portion 20 to which the beam bracket 240 is fixed has features such as ribs to increase its rigidity. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the beam bracket 240 has substantially rectangular vertical wall sections that protrude outward in the vehicle width direction at both ends in the vehicle front-rear direction of the central part in the vehicle vertical direction. The vertical wall section 240a on the vehicle front side is inclined toward the vehicle front with respect to a vertical axis that is perpendicular to the vehicle width direction and perpendicular to the axial direction of the beam 210. Its inclined surface SL is formed at an angle AL of 30 to 60 degrees with respect to a vertical axis that is perpendicular to the vehicle width direction and perpendicular to the axial direction of the beam 210. The vertical wall section 240b on the vehicle rear side is formed toward the vehicle width direction and is formed at substantially a right angle with respect to the axial direction of the beam 210 and perpendicular to the vehicle width direction. The beam bracket 240 is joined to the beam 210 by welding or the like at the lower vehicle ends of the vertical wall sections 240a and 240b.

[0024] <Effects and Actions> The following describes the actions that occur when a side collision (hereinafter referred to as a side impact) occurs, using Figures 5 and 6.

[0025] When a side collision occurs to a vehicle V with the vehicle door 1 in the closed position, collision energy is transmitted from the direction indicated by arrow SI, as shown in Figure 5. The collision energy deforms the outer panel portion 10 and is transmitted to the beam 210. The collision energy transmitted to the beam 210 is then transmitted to the fixed bracket 220 and beam bracket 240 connected to the vehicle's longitudinal end of the beam 210. The collision energy transmitted to the fixing bracket 220 deforms the inner panel portion 20 and pushes it inward in the vehicle width direction. The collision energy then causes the inner panel portion 20 to come into contact with the front pillar portion FP, and is transmitted and dispersed to the front pillar portion FP via the inner panel portion 20.

[0026] Furthermore, the collision energy transmitted to the beam bracket 240 pushes the vertical wall portions 240a and 240b, which are connected to the beam 210, inward in the vehicle width direction. Since an inclined surface SL is formed on the vertical wall portion 240a on the vehicle front side of the beam bracket 240, the vertical wall portion 240a tilts inward towards the front of the vehicle, using the side on which it is fixed to the inner panel portion 20 as a pivot point. Also, the vertical wall portion 240b on the vehicle rear side of the beam bracket 240 deforms inward in the vehicle width direction, and tilts inward towards the front of the vehicle, using the side on which it is fixed to the inner panel portion 20 as a pivot point. As the beam bracket 240 collapses, the collision energy is transmitted to the inner panel portion 20 via the beam bracket 240, deforming the inner panel portion 20 and pushing it inward in the vehicle width direction. The collision energy is then transmitted and dispersed to the center pillar portion CP and side sill portion SS via the inner panel portion 20, as the inner panel portion 20 comes into contact with them.

[0027] As described above, in the event of a side collision, the collision energy transmitted to the beam 210 is absorbed by being transmitted and dispersed through the fixed bracket 220 and the deformed beam bracket 240 to the front pillar section FP, the center pillar section CP, and the side sill section SS, which form the skeleton of the vehicle V.

[0028] On the other hand, when the vehicle door 1 is closed, the latch arm portion 120 of the door latch mechanism 100 engages with the striker ST provided on the vehicle body side, and the vehicle door 1 is locked. At this time, the latch lever portion 130 of the door latch mechanism 100 moves in conjunction with the latch arm portion 120 and becomes housed in the door latch mechanism 100. Furthermore, when the latch lever portion 130 is housed in the door latch mechanism 100, the latch arm portion 120 remains engaged with the striker ST, and the door latch mechanism 100 cannot move to a state where the latch lever portion 130 is released from the striker ST.

[0029] When a side impact occurs with the vehicle door 1 closed, the lever lock bracket 230, which is connected to the front of the vehicle beyond the beam bracket 240, is pushed inward toward the front of the vehicle as the beam 210 is pushed inward in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, as the beam bracket 240 tilts inward toward the front of the vehicle, the lever lock bracket 230 also tilts inward toward the front of the vehicle. The upper end of the lever lock bracket 230 then enters the lower side of the door latch mechanism 100, which is located on the front inner side of the lever lock bracket 230. As shown in Figure 6, the position in which the lever lock bracket 230 enters the lower side of the door latch mechanism 100 is determined by the shape of the beam bracket 240. Since an inclined surface SL is formed on the front vertical wall portion 240a of the beam bracket 240, the vertical wall portion 240a tilts inward toward the front of the vehicle, using the side of the vertical wall portion 240a that is fixed to the inner panel portion 20 as a pivot point. Therefore, the lever lock bracket 230 reliably engages with the lower side of the vehicle. By approaching or closely contacting the lower part of the latch lever portion 130, the lever lock bracket 230 restricts the latch lever portion 130 to a state where it is housed in the door latch mechanism portion 100. Then, the latch arm portion 120 remains engaged with the striker ST, thereby locking the vehicle door 1 in the closed position.

[0030] In this embodiment, the vehicle door 1 is a vehicle door 1 in which the door latch mechanism 100 engages with a striker ST provided on the vehicle body side to close, and in the internal space RS of the vehicle door 1, there is a beam 210 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, an inner panel portion 20 constituting the inner plate of the vehicle door 1, a lever lock bracket 230 coupled to the beam 210 and restricting the operation of the door latch mechanism 100 when a collision from the side occurs, and vertical wall portions 240a and 2 formed in the vertical direction of the vehicle as vertical wall surfaces The beam bracket 240 has 40b on both the front and rear sides of the vehicle, and the vertical wall portions 240a and 240b are connected to the rear end of the beam 210, fixing the beam 210 to the inner panel portion 20. The lever lock bracket 230 is positioned further forward than the beam bracket 240. In the beam bracket 240, the rear vertical wall portion 240b is formed facing outward in the vehicle width direction, and the front vertical wall portion 240a has an inclined surface SL that slopes forward toward the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. In the event of a side collision, impact energy is transmitted to the beam 210, pushing it inward in the vehicle width direction. The beam bracket 240 is also pushed inward in the vehicle width direction by the impact energy transmitted from the beam 210. Since an inclined surface SL is formed on the longitudinal wall portion 240a on the vehicle front side of the beam bracket 240, the longitudinal wall portion 240a tilts inward toward the front of the vehicle, using the side of the longitudinal wall portion 240a that is fixed to the inner panel portion 20 as a pivot point. The beam 210 then tilts inward toward the front of the vehicle. Due to the movement of the beam 210, the lever lock bracket 230, which is coupled to the beam 210 on the vehicle front side of the beam bracket 240, reliably engages with the lower side of the door latch mechanism portion 100, which is located on the vehicle front inward side of the lever lock bracket 230. Furthermore, the front pillar section FP and the center pillar section CP are provided on the inner side of the fixed bracket 220 and the beam bracket 240 in the vehicle width direction. As the beam bracket 240 deforms, both ends of the beam 210 abut against the front pillar section FP and the center pillar section CP, which have high rigidity. In other words, in the event of a side collision, the beam bracket 240, which is connected to the rear end of the beam 210, deforms toward the front inward side of the vehicle, allowing the lever lock bracket 230 to reliably engage with the lower side of the door latch mechanism 100. Therefore, by engaging with the lower side of the latch lever portion 130, which is located on the lower outer side of the door latch mechanism 100, and restricting its operation, the beam bracket 240 can restrict the latch lever portion 130 to a state where it is housed in the door latch mechanism 100. This ensures that the vehicle door 1 is reliably kept locked. Furthermore, as the beam bracket 240 deforms, both ends of the beam 210 reliably abut against the highly rigid front pillar portion FP and center pillar portion CP, thereby transmitting and dispersing the collision energy to the front pillar portion FP and center pillar portion CP. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the door from opening in the event of a side collision while maintaining the rigidity of the door.

[0031] In the embodiment of the present invention, the door latch mechanism 100 is shown as a manual type in which the release operation is performed by a rod mechanism 52 from the outer handle 50 and a rod mechanism 62 from the inner handle 60. However, it may also be an electrically operated type in which the release operation is performed by driving an electric motor or the like using a control circuit.

[0032] While embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the spirit of this invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0033] 10; Outer panel section 20; Inner panel section 30; Door window section 40; Door sash section 50; Outer handle section 60; Inner handle section 100; Door latch mechanism 130; Latch lever section 200; Door beam section 210; beam 220; Fixing bracket 230; Lever lock bracket 240; Beam bracket CP; Center pillar section FP; Front pillar section HG; Hinge RS;Inner space SL; slope SS; Side sill section ST;Strika V; Vehicle

Claims

[Claim 1] In a vehicle door, the door latch mechanism engages with a striker provided on the vehicle body to close the door, Inside the aforementioned vehicle door, a beam extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, The inner panel portion, which serves as the inner panel of the vehicle door, A lever lock bracket coupled to the beam restricts the operation of the door latch mechanism when a lateral collision occurs, A beam bracket having vertical wall surfaces formed in the vehicle's vertical direction on both sides in the vehicle's front-rear direction, the vertical wall surfaces being connected to the rear end of the beam, and the beam being fixed to the inner panel portion, Equipped with, The lever lock bracket is positioned further forward than the beam bracket. A vehicle door characterized in that, in the beam bracket, the vertical wall surface on the rear side of the vehicle is formed toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, and the vertical wall surface on the front side of the vehicle has an inclined surface that slopes toward the front of the vehicle toward the outside in the vehicle width direction.

Images