Vehicle door

p0001The invention relates to a motor vehicle door according to the preamble of claim 1 and is characterized by a simple lock assembly by means of a preassembled and vorprüfbaren function module with simultaneous realization of a moisture barrier that separates the wet and dry, in which the lock is completely in the drying chamber.

p0002From DE 40 26 217 A1 is a vehicle door with a door outer panel and a completely closed door panel, are mounted on the mounting parts, known. It is proposed to provide in the inner door panel corrugations and indentations that can accommodate attachments as inside door handles, lock and central, and the lines connected thereto and connecting rod.

p0003This is intended through holes avoided in the inner door panel and a reinforcement of the door body can be achieved. The door lining covers the corrugations and indentations from the attachments contained therein.

p0004The window frame is used in the wet area of ​​the door body from above and screwed to its substantially vertical window frame beams thereto. fixed to these bars is also an electric window, on its wiring, in particular with an actuating switch, nothing is said.

p0005This solution has the disadvantage that the disposed outside the door lock body must be made very stable and that reinforcement measures must be taken in its attachment area on inner door panel in order to achieve a sufficient Ausreißsteifgkeit. A cost-effective drying room design of the lock can not be used, since the engagement portion of the lock is engaged by the body-side locking part, lies in the wet area.

p0006In US 5,308,129 is a support plate with a Windows, an operating handle and a lock, which is mounted on a slidably superimposed on the carrier plate plastic support described. On a side surface of the support plate, the lock is first held by a simple snap-on connections and then connected via a linkage system with the operating handle. This is to pre-assembly and transportation are simplified. When mounting in the door separate attachment points between the carrier plate and the door and between the lock and the door are provided.

p0007The design principle described envisages to use the pre-assembled mounting plate in the wet space formed by the outer door panel and inner door panel to ensure a high pull the lock can. Thus, all attachments must separate protective measures are taken against moisture used in the elaborate Naßraumausführung or.

p0008The invention is based on an easy-to komplettierende vehicle door to develop using a pre-assembled functional units with support plate, which allows drying room design of the lock with simultaneous high tear the task.

p0009According to the invention, the object is ensured by the characterizing features of claim 1. The subclaims give preferred variants of the invention.

p0010The invention provides in comparison to known solutions of the door module technology for the first time funds are available, which allow to fix the castle as part of a preassembled and vorprüfbaren unit on a support, the same seal a section in the inner door panel and to arrange the lock in a drying room. In addition exceeds the pull out of the castle, which is for an eventual crash of importance, even the values ​​that are obtained for mounted in the wet cell of a conventional door locks.

p0011According to the invention, the lock is assembled on the door inner panel side facing the carrier plate, the carrier plate extends into the lock area of ​​the door. The area, which carries the lock, but can also be formed by a separate member, for example by welding or bolts, to the support plate firmly connected. are also conceivable such preferably ausreißfesten connections between the carrier plate and the closed-carrying part which permit limited mobility for the purpose of tolerance compensation during installation.

p0012Preferably, the edge of the carrier plate or the related with their separate part on the frontal area of ​​the lock engages with fixing screws for connecting the carrier plate and the carrier plate are also provided in the lock area. A particularly high pull for the lock is achieved. Ideally succeed at least two screws to lock body.

p0013To choose an inexpensive drying room design of the castle, it is necessary that the frontal lock area is protected by a sealing element against moisture. For this purpose, the sealing element has at least seal the immediate lock range, for example, by the seal member substantially along the contour of the castle or the contour of the lock support. An advantage here is a guide of the seal of the face of the door to the drying room into which extends between the door lining and the inside door panel or the support plate. As far as the sealing member is not closed circumferentially, its ends are covered by the body-side Türflanschdichtung.

p0014More ways to protect the castle from moisture exist in the arrangement of the sealing member along the front of the castle bearing support plate portion, said this is supported on the opposite end of the B-pillar, or the leadership of the sealing member along the contour of the outer panel of the door, which is also a continuous sealing is provided with respect to the B-pillar. In order to provide sufficiently good drying room conditions between the end sides of the door and B-pillar, a water passage from the door bottom and from the vehicle roof forth must be prevented. This can be done by a likewise good sealing of the said regions or, through a seal separating the even located between the end surfaces of the door and B-post drying compartment of the adjacent, not sufficiently dry rooms

p0015However, it is also possible to arrange the necessary sealing element directly on the face of the lock, if the carrier plate the lock front end should not overlap. This is particularly necessary when there rises a range of the lock on the front face of the door. With the above-described measures in addition to the drying room located between the door lining and the inner door panel, a further drying room, at least that part of the extending between the door front side and B-pillar area closes and insulates arises, where is the engagement portion of the lock and the B-pillar side closing part , Thus, all sections of the castle are with the door closed in one of the two drying rooms. Thus, a lock can be used in cost-effective drying room design.

p0016Moreover, this drying room design also allows for the assembly of electrical contacts in this area, which are provided for power and signal transmission to electrical functional units in the door. These contacts can be configured as separate parts in the vicinity of the castle, or as components of the sealing device itself. A fuel water protection protects the contacts also with the door open against wetness. When the door closes the splash protection are the contacts and, where appropriate, by closing parts covered again.<dl id="dl0001"><dt>figure 1</dt><dd>exploded perspective view of the main components of a vehicle door;</dd><dt>figure 1a</dt><dd>Section of a support plate with integrally molded lock carrier;</dd><dt>figure 2</dt><dd>exploded perspective view of a section of the vehicle door in the area of ​​the castle and with a sealing element in this area on inner door panel; </dd><dt>figure 3</dt><dd>as Figure 2, but with a sealing element in the lock area on the lock carrier;</dd><dt>figure 4</dt><dd>perspective view of a section of a motor vehicle body with electrical contacts in the area of ​​the castle;</dd><dt>4a</dt><dd>enlarged detail of Figure 4;</dd><dt>figure 5</dt><dd>perspective view of a section of a motor vehicle door with electrical contacts in the area of ​​the castle;</dd><dt>5a</dt><dd>enlarged portion of FIG. 5</dd></dl>

p0017Figure 1 shows the main components of a motor vehicle door immediately prior to assembly in the automotive business. These main components are made of outer door panel 1 and the inner door panel 2 door body 12 equipped with a plurality of functional units 4, 5, 6, 38, 39, 53 support plate 3 and the inner door lining 7. Moreover, only still the window pane 100 and the door mirror 13 to be mounted. The modular structure of the vehicle door allows an extensive pre-assembly of parts and assemblies as well as a significantly improved preliminary examination of the existing functional groups. As a result, decrease the error rate and the assembly time.

p0018The door inner panel 2 of the door body 12 illustrated has a large cutout 22, on whose edge a plurality of fastening holes 21 are arranged. They correspond to mounting holes 31 at the periphery of the support plate 3, which is to be secured by means of blind rivets 31 'on the inside door panel. 2 Of course, can be used instead be screws. To ensure reliable moisture protection of the present between carrier plate 3 and inner door lining 7 drying compartment of the door, a circumferential seal 35 is arranged on the wet space side of the support plate 3, which rests after mounting on the edge region of the cutout 22 of the inner door panel. 2

p0019In the area of ​​the lock of a door body 12 an embossment 20 in the inner door panel 2 is provided which is directed into the cavity of the door and should be as form-fitting accommodation for the lock. 4 Openings 24, 200 are incorporated in so far as in the embossing 20, as between the outside door handle 8 and the buckle 4 are notwenig for fixing or for the passage of a coupling element 81 (see also Figure 4). In this case, these openings must be such that they are sealed after completion of door installation and protect the lock 4 from moisture.

p0020To take full advantage of the separation of wet and dry through the support plate 3, were as many and in particular the electrical components such as the drive unit 38 (consisting of geared electric motor and electronic unit), the electrical switch 60 for the mirror adjustment, the speaker 53 and the harness 39, 900, arranged on the dry cell side. The drying room designs of the functional modules are considerably cheaper than the more expensive Naßraumausführungen. On the wet space is only the guide rails 50 of the double-strand cable window lifter and the Necessary for power transmission line loop with the Bowden tubes 51. are to connect the window pane 100 with the window regulator mechanism, the overlying on the guide rails 50 drivers 52 to the height of the mounting holes 36 in the support plate 3 is displaced. After the installation process has been completed, closes to the openings 36 with the existing plastic or rubber closure lids 37th

p0021A major functional assembly of the vehicle door provides the locking and unlocking system. According to the invention, the lock 4 is pre-fitted at its lock carrier 30, in such a way that the lock carrier 30, the lock 4 surrounds and thus forms a part of the front side of the vehicle door. The lock carrier 30 is a separate metal part, which is preferably joined by welding fixed to the support plate. 3 It has mounting holes 300 through which the lock 4 by means of screws 300 'and the attachment points 200 may be fixed to the inner door panel. 2 The slot 32 allows the engagement of at the B-pillar 11 (or in the case of a rear door: the at the C-pillar) mounted the vehicle closure member 111 in the lock 4. A further opening 33 in the carrier 30 intended to carry out the coupling rod 61 which is to transmit the operating forces of the handle 6 of the internal unlocking. This also makes it can also be the supply cables 900 are guided through when the lock 4 also serves the power supply of the vehicle door with electrical energy and signals, as described in connection with Figures 4 and 5 below.

p0022Obviously there is always the possibility of 'one piece to form the lock carrier 30 to the support plate 3, as shown in the section of Figure 1a, and thereby reduce the number of parts. In comparison to the two-piece variations but there is the disadvantage of a larger material wastage, but also may can be used to prepare other small parts.

p0023To use the drying room cost version of the castle 4, and the lock area lying in the face of the door must be protected by a seal against moisture. According to the embodiment of Figure 1 this is done by the sealing element 23, which is attached peripherally to the door in the vicinity of the crimp of the outer door panel 1 and door attachments sheet 2 and abuts with the door closed to the associated portions of the vehicle body. This is also (or the C-pillar) formed a drying area between the front side of the door and the B-pillar, so that the lock 4 is completely shielded from moisture.

p0024Thus, the invention combines several advantages: In addition to the cost-drying room design of the castle 4 is also achieved a significantly higher tear, which is necessary for the disposal of high crash forces. In addition, according to the invention allows the created drying room, comprising at least the immediate lock area, that in this area electrical contact elements for transmission of signals and / or electrical energy can be arranged.

p0025The illustrated in Figure 2 detail shows a variant of the invention, which differs from that of Figure 1 only by the replacement of the sealing element 23 by the sealing member 25th This sealing element 25 extends along the outer contour of the embossment 20, in the face area of ​​the door and in the adjoining area on the inside of the door to reach the outer edge of the support plate 3. After the carrier plate 3 with the lock 4 on the inner door panel 2 was placed and mounted, and the rim of the lock carrier 30 round mounting gap is sealed by the sealing member 25th With the door closed, the sealing member 25 is additionally located at the end face of the B-pillar 11 and the adjacent thereto, angularly extending body surface at a seal. Thus a very narrowly defined drying room is created which encloses only the lock area. The free ends of the sealing element 25 extend so far that the sealing element 25 in this region of the vertically extending inner body seal 112 (see also Figures 4 and 5) is covered with the door closed.

p0026In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 3 a closed sealing member 42 is applied to the outer edge of the lock carrier. Also this sealing member 42 seals the mounting gap in the lock area during the assembly of the support plate. 3 The advantage of this variant is that also the sealing member 42 by the pre-fabrication of the (in comparison to the door body) small portion (lock 4) can be made available. Incidentally, its mode of action is the embodiment of figure 2 analog.

p0027By creating a dry space which includes the lock completely, there is the possibility of the arrangement of electrical contact points in this area, without having to make expensive protective measures against moisture and dirt for the first time. These pads can be used energy and / or electrical signals for transmission of electric (drive). The embodiments shown in Figures 4 and 5 provide the electrical contact points referred only schematically. The present invention is not directed to the specific design of the electrical contact points, but their arrangement in the drying chamber according to the invention between the B-pillar (or C-pillar ) and the end face of the vehicle door. When the door is properly closed to the electrical contacts 90, 90 ', 92, 92' be properly connected and working. If a function of an electrically operated assembly must be available even at vehicle door is opened, the electric power can be provided by a small battery.

p0028A variant of the integration of an electrical contacting device shown in FIGS 4 and 4a. The vehicle door with a lock 4 and a sealing member 25 fitted, as already described in Figure 1 and 2. Immediately to the lock 4, two electrical contact elements 90 integrated, which are connected with a wiring harness 900th associated with this are two contact elements 92, which are when the door to the sliding surfaces 91 in the carrier 30, 30 put 'and securely guided to the counter-contacts 90th Spring elements 93 ensure that spacing tolerances are bridged and a sufficiently large contact pressure small keeps the electrical contact resistance. The wiring harness 920 connects the contact elements 92 to a power supply source and / or an electronic control unit. Elasticities in the vehicle body submitted to the electrical contact is not a problem because the mechanical closing parts 4, the contact elements 90, 92 align with their 111 mesh with each other.

p0029Figures 5 and 5a show an exemplary embodiment, the 'differs from that described above (as shown in FIG 4) essentially by the direction in which the spring-loaded contact elements 90th Here, the springs 93 act not orthogonal to the closing direction of movement of the lock 4, but in the closing direction of the door. When the vehicle door is closed, the electrical contact elements 90 'and 92 are operatively connected together.

p0030It should again be noted that the illustrations of the electrical contacts and connections carry only schematic character. Depending on the requirements of the individual case, a plurality of energy and signal carrying contact points may be integrated in the described drying room area of ​​the castle. 4 It is also possible to provide these contact points with known shields that provide protection against direct contact with other objects or splashing when opening the door.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

p0031<dl id="dl0002" compact="compact"><dt>1</dt><dd>Outer door panel</dd><dt>10</dt><dd>window frame</dd><dt>11</dt><dd>B-pillar</dd><dt>12</dt><dd>door body</dd><dt>13</dt><dd>Door mirrors</dd><dt>100</dt><dd>windowpane</dd><dt>110</dt><dd>reinforcement plate</dd><dt>111</dt><dd>closing member</dd><dt>112</dt><dd>sealing element</dd><dt>2</dt><dd>Inner door panel</dd><dt>20</dt><dd>Embossing / forming</dd><dt>21</dt><dd>mounting hole</dd><dt>22</dt><dd>Cutout in the inside door panel</dd><dt>23</dt><dd>Surrounding sealing element</dd><dt>24</dt><dd>Sealed penetration for a coupling element between the door body and the outside handle</dd><dt>25</dt><dd>sealing element</dd><dt>200</dt><dd>attachment site</dd><dt>3</dt><dd>support plate</dd><dt>30</dt><dd>Support for lock, a separate part</dd><dt>30 '</dt><dd>Support for lock integrated into the carrier plate</dd><dt>31</dt><dd>mounting hole</dd><dt>31 '</dt><dd>Rivet</dd><dt>32</dt><dd>Recess, slot</dd><dt>33</dt><dd>Slot opening</dd><dt>34</dt><dd>attachment point</dd><dt>35</dt><dd>sealing element</dd><dt>36</dt><dd>mounting hole</dd><dt>37</dt><dd>cap</dd><dt>38</dt><dd>drive unit</dd><dt>39</dt><dd>harness </dd><dt>300</dt><dd>mounting hole</dd><dt>300 '</dt><dd>screw</dd><dt>4</dt><dd>lock</dd><dt>4 '</dt><dd>lock</dd><dt>40</dt><dd>bracket</dd><dt>41</dt><dd>mounting hole</dd><dt>42</dt><dd>sealing element</dd><dt>5</dt><dd>Double cable window lifter</dd><dt>50</dt><dd>guide rail</dd><dt>51</dt><dd>Bowden</dd><dt>52</dt><dd>Carrier for fastening of the window pane</dd><dt>53</dt><dd>speaker</dd><dt>6</dt><dd>Inside door handles, handle</dd><dt>60</dt><dd>Electric switch, possibly with electronics</dd><dt>61</dt><dd>coupling rod</dd><dt>7</dt><dd>Door lining</dd><dt>70</dt><dd>Recess for inside door handles</dd><dt>71</dt><dd>Switch block for power windows</dd><dt>8th</dt><dd>Outside door handle</dd><dt>80</dt><dd>lock cylinder</dd><dt>81</dt><dd>Connecting element, coupling element</dd><dt>90</dt><dd>contact element</dd><dt>90 '</dt><dd>contact element</dd><dt>91</dt><dd>management level</dd><dt>92</dt><dd>contact element</dd><dt>92 '</dt><dd>contact element</dd><dt>93</dt><dd>feather</dd><dt>900</dt><dd>Electric wire</dd><dt>920</dt><dd>Electric wire</dd></dl>