Energy absorber for vehicle doors

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10864805-B2
Application number	US-201916258242-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 25, 2019
Priority date	Jan 25, 2019
Publication date	Dec 15, 2020
Grant date	Dec 15, 2020

Abstract

A vehicle door is described, including: a bracket that is configured to support a window during opening and closing; a door locking mechanism that is positioned proximate (e.g., near or adjacent to) the bracket; and an absorption member that is configured and positioned to absorb energy from an impact with the vehicle door to thereby protect the door locking mechanism. The absorption member includes a body defining an internal channel that is configured to receive the bracket in an interference fit such that the absorption member is fixedly securable to the bracket.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle door, comprising:
a bracket configured to support a window during opening and closing;
a door locking mechanism positioned proximate the bracket; and
an absorption member including a body defining an internal channel configured to receive the bracket in an interference fit such that the absorption member is fixedly securable to the bracket, the absorption member being configured and positioned to absorb energy from an impact with the vehicle door to thereby protect the door locking mechanism.

2. The vehicle door of claim 1 , wherein the body of the absorption member includes a deformable material.

3. The vehicle door of claim 2 , wherein the body of the absorption member includes an expanded polypropylene foam.

4. The vehicle door of claim 1 , wherein the absorption member includes a plurality of stabilizers extending inwardly from the body into the internal channel.

5. The vehicle door of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of stabilizers are configured as ribs.

6. The vehicle door of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of stabilizers includes a first stabilizer extending inwardly from a first surface of the body and a second stabilizer extending inwardly from a second surface of the body, the second surface generally facing the first surface.

7. The vehicle door of claim 1 , wherein the internal channel includes a first portion extending along a first axis and a second portion extending along a second axis intersecting the first axis so as to subtend an angle that lies substantially within a range of approximately 115° to 155°.

8. The vehicle door of claim 1 , wherein the absorption member further includes a location element extending outwardly from the body, the location element being configured for engagement with the bracket.

9. The vehicle door of claim 8 , wherein the location element extends from the body so as to define a receiving space configured to accommodate the bracket.

10. The vehicle door of claim 9 , wherein the location element extends from the body such that the location element is positionable beneath the bracket upon securement of the absorption member to the bracket.

11. An absorption member configured for mounting proximate a locking mechanism of a vehicle door including a window supported by a bracket during opening and closing, the absorption member comprising:
a body including a deformable material and being configured to absorb energy from an impact with the vehicle door to thereby protect the locking mechanism, the body including an internal channel configured to receive the bracket, wherein the internal channel defines a first width and the bracket defines a second width greater than the first width such that upon insertion of the bracket into the internal channel, the internal channel is expanded to create an interference fit with the bracket to thereby secure the absorption member to the bracket.

12. The absorption member of claim 11 , wherein the body includes an expanded polypropylene foam.

13. The absorption member of claim 11 , wherein the absorption member includes a plurality of internal stabilizers configured for contact with the bracket.

14. The absorption member of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of internal stabilizers are configured as ribs extending inwardly into the internal channel.

15. The absorption member of claim 11 , wherein the absorption member further includes a location element extending outwardly from the body, the location element being configured for engagement with the bracket.

16. The absorption member of claim 15 , wherein the location element extends from the body so as to define a receiving space configured to accommodate the bracket.

17. A method of assembling a vehicle door, the method comprising:
positioning a window guide channel within the vehicle door;
fixedly connecting a bracket to the vehicle door such that the bracket supports the window guide channel; and
mounting an absorption member to the bracket via insertion of the bracket into a channel defined by the absorption member such that the bracket is received in an interference fit to thereby secure the absorption member to the bracket.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein mounting the absorption member to the bracket includes deforming a plurality of internal stabilizers via engagement with the bracket.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein mounting the absorption member to the bracket includes positioning the absorption member such that a first internal stabilizer is positioned adjacent a first side of the bracket, and a second internal stabilizer is positioned adjacent a second, opposite side of the bracket.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein mounting the absorption member to the bracket includes positioning the absorption member such that a location element extending outwardly from a body of the absorption member engages the bracket.

Assignees

• Nissan North America Inc

Inventors

• Kovie David
• Dryja Richard
• Iozzo David

Classifications

• B60J5/0452

  including foams or expanded materials · CPC title

• B60J5/0451

  Block or short strip-type elements (beams B60J5/0443, position thereof B60J5/0423) · CPC title

• B60J5/0419

  Windows in lower door structures · CPC title

• B60J5/0413

  Inner panel, e.g. characterised by carrying components · CPC title

• B60J5/0433 Primary

  the elements being arranged at the lock area · CPC title