Core module for door assembly having integrated reinforcements

Abstract

A core module is provided. The core module includes a body, a first reinforcement member disposed at an upper portion of the body, a second reinforcement member disposed on a perimeter of the body, and a lock mechanism attached to the second reinforcement member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a conventional door as used in the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a conventional door having a pre-assembled mounting panel as used in the prior art.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of one illustrative embodiment of an integrated door system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of one illustrative embodiment of a door structure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of an illustrative trim panel in accordance with one or more embodiments described.

FIGS. 6-8 show a simplified, schematic of an assembly sequence in accordance with one or more embodiments described.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an illustrative reinforcement member in accordance with one or more embodiments described.

FIG. 10A is a schematic plan view of the reinforcement member shown in FIG. 9 having a cover plate attached thereto.

FIG. 10B is a cross sectional view of an illustrative reinforcement member having one or more clips to secure a cover plate thereon.

FIG. 10C is a cross sectional view of an illustrative reinforcement member having a profiled edge or protrusion formed thereon.

FIG. 11A is a schematic view of an illustrative reinforcement member having one or more stiffening structures disposed thereon.

FIG. 11B and FIG. 11C show various design patterns of the one or more stiffening structures shown in FIG. 11A.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C each show schematic plan views of an illustrative reinforcement member having an insert disposed therein.

Claims

1. A core module, comprising: a body;a first reinforcement member disposed at an upper portion of the body;a second reinforcement member disposed on a perimeter of the body; anda lock mechanism attached to the second reinforcement member.

2. The core module of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first reinforcement member, the second reinforcement, and the lock mechanism are integrally formed on the body.

3. The core module of claim 1, wherein at least one of the reinforcement members comprises a first flange and a second flange, each adapted to contact the body.

4. The core module of claim 1, wherein at least one of the reinforcement members comprises a first flange, a second flange and a recessed portion between the flanges.

5. The core module of claim 4, wherein the reinforcement member further comprises an insert disposed therein, the insert comprising one or more stiffening members.

6. The core module of claim 5, wherein the reinforcement member further comprises a cover plate disposed thereon to define a hollow cavity between the first reinforcement member and the cover plate.

7. The core module of claim 1, wherein the one or more components comprises a window regulator, window track, window glass, window switches, door lock, door handle, door lock switch, arm rest, map pocket, impact bolster, wire harness, speaker, window motor, outside mirror motor, plug, grommet, or combinations thereof.

8. The core module of claim 1, wherein the body further includes one or more components selected from the group consisting of a window regulator, window track, impact bolster, air channel, window motor housing, map pocket, speaker box, plug, grommet, and combinations thereof.

9. The core module of claim 1, wherein the body is injection molded from polypropylene.

10. The core module of claim 1, wherein the body is injection molded from one or more engineering resins.

11. The core module of claim 1, wherein the body is injection molded from one or more engineering resins selected from the group consisting of polyamide resins, polyester resins, polynitrile resins, polymethacrylate resins, cellulose resins, fluorine resins, polyimide resins, polysulfones, polyacetals, polyactones, polyphenylene oxides, polyphenylene sulfides, styrene-maleic anhydrides, aromatic polyketones, and polycarbonates.

12. The core module of claim 1, wherein the body is injection molded from one or more engineering resins selected from the group consisting of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene isophthalate (PEI), PET/PEI copolymer, polyacrylate (PAR), polybutylene naphthalate (PBN), liquid crystal polyester, polyoxalkylene diimide diacid/polybutyrate terephthalate copolymer. polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polymethacrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers (AS), methacrylonitrile-styrene copolymers, methacrylonitrile-styrene-butadiene copolymers; acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), derivatives thereof, and mixtures or blends thereof.

13. A door system, comprising: an outer panel having a notch formed in an outer wall thereof;a core module comprising: a body;a first reinforcement member disposed at an upper portion of the body;a second reinforcement member disposed on a perimeter of the body, the second reinforcement member adapted to at least partially cover the notch formed in the outer panel; anda lock mechanism attached to the second reinforcement member; anda trim panel adapted to at least partially cover the core module.

14. The door system of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first and second reinforcement members comprise a first flange and a second flange, each adapted to contact the first side of the body.

15. The door system of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first and second reinforcement members comprises a first flange, a second flange and a recessed portion between the flanges.

16. The door system of claim 15, wherein the reinforcement member further comprises an insert disposed therein, the insert comprising one or more stiffening members.

17. The door system of claim 16, wherein the reinforcement member further comprises a cover plate disposed thereon to define a hollow cavity between the reinforcement member and the cover plate.

18. The door system of claim 13, wherein the one or more components comprises a window regulator, window track, window glass, window switches, door lock, door handle, door lock switch, arm rest, map pocket, impact bolster, wire harness, speaker, window motor, outside mirror motor, plug, grommet, or combinations thereof.

19. The door system of claim 13, wherein the one or more components are integrally formed on the body.

20. The door system of claim 19, wherein the one or more components comprise a window regulator, window track, impact bolster, air channel, window motor housing, map pocket, speaker box, plug, grommet, or combinations thereof.

21. The door system of claim 13, wherein the body comprises polypropylene.

22. The door system of claim 13, wherein the body is injection molded from polypropylene.

23. The door system of claim 13, wherein the body comprises one or more engineering resins.

24. The door system of claim 13, wherein the body is injection molded from one or more engineering resins.

25. The door system of claim 13, wherein the body comprises one or more engineering resins selected from the group consisting of polyamide resins, polyester resins, polynitrile resins, polymethacrylate resins, cellulose resins, fluorine resins, polyimide resins, polysulfones, polyacetals, polyactones, polyphenylene oxides, polyphenylene sulfides, styrene-maleic anhydrides, aromatic polyketones, and polycarbonates.

26. The door system of claim 13, wherein the body is injection molded from one or more engineering resins selected from the group consisting polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene isophthalate (PEI), PET/PEI copolymer, polyacrylate (PAR), polybutylene naphthalate (PBN), liquid crystal polyester, polyoxalkylene diimide diacid/polybutyrate terephthalate copolymer. polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polymethacrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers (AS), methacrylonitrile-styrene copolymers, methacrylonitrile-styrene-butadiene copolymers; acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), derivatives thereof, and mixtures or blends thereof.

27. The door system of claim 13, wherein the outer panel comprises a glass run channel at least partially disposed thereon, the glass run channel having at least one portion having a closed profile and at least one portion having an opened profile.

28. The door system of claim 27, wherein the closed profile is U shaped.

29. The door system of claim 27, wherein the opened profile is L shaped.

30. The door system of claim 27, wherein the opened profile and the glass run channel on the core module are adapted to form a closed profile when engaged with one another.

31. The door system of claim 27, wherein the at least one portion having the closed profile is located within a window surround of the outer panel.

32. The door system of claim 27, wherein the glass run channel is a single component having a first portion thereof with a U shaped profile and a second portion thereof with a L shaped profile.

33. A method for assembling a door system, comprising: providing at least one outer panel, at least one core module, and at least one trim panel, the at least one outer panel having a notch formed in an outer wall thereof;disposing a first reinforcement member on an upper portion of the core module;disposing a second reinforcement member on a perimeter of the core module;disposing a lock mechanism on the second reinforcement member;disposing a first glass run channel on an exterior side of the core module;disposing a second glass run channel on the outer panel;disposing a window glass on the core module;disposing the core module on the outer panel; and thendisposing the trim panel.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising securing the lock mechanism to the outer panel.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising attaching the core module to the outer panel.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising covering the notch in the outer panel with the second reinforcement member and securing the second reinforcement member to the outer panel.