Door assembly with integrated window sealing system

Abstract

This invention relates to a door system, comprising: a door structure;a body comprising one or more components disposed thereon;a first module having an upper cavity and a lower cavity, the upper cavity adapted to at least partially surround a first side of a window glass and the lower cavity adapted to at least partially engage the body;a second module adapted to at least partially surround a second side of the window glass and adapted to at least partially contact the upper cavity of the first module; anda trim module adapted to at least partially cover the core module.

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 according to one or more embodiments described.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of one illustrative embodiment of a door structure in accordance with one or more embodiments described.

FIG. 5A is a schematic view of one illustrative embodiment of an outer core module in accordance with one or more embodiments described.

FIG. 5B is an enlarged, cross sectional view of the glass run channel 350 along lines A-A of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a first side of an illustrative core module in accordance with one or more embodiments described.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a second side of the core module shown in FIG. 6, which is an illustrative core module in accordance with one or more embodiments described.

FIG. 8A is a schematic view of one illustrative embodiment of a window trim module in accordance with one or more embodiments described.

FIG. 8B is an enlarged, cross sectional view of the window trim module along lines B-B of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C is an enlarged, cross sectional view of the window trim module along lines C-C of FIG. 8A.

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

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of an illustrative reinforcement member having a cover plate attached thereto.

FIG. 11 is a cross section of an illustrative reinforcement member with one or more clips to secure a cover plate thereon.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross section of an illustrative reinforcement member having a profiled edge of protrusion formed thereon.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of an illustrative reinforcement member having one or more stiffening structures disposed thereon.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of an illustrative reinforcement member having one or more stiffening structures disposed thereon, the stiffening structures having a diamond shaped pattern.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of an illustrative reinforcement member having one or more stiffening structures disposed thereon, the stiffening structures having a honeycomb shaped pattern.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of a reinforcement member having one or more depressions for attaching to an insert in accordance with one or more embodiments described.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of a reinforcement member having one or more apertures for attaching to an insert in accordance with one or more embodiments described.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged, schematic view of a reinforcement member having one or more slits or openings for attaching to an insert in accordance with one or more embodiments described.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged, partial cross section of a reinforcement member having one or more clips disposed thereon for engaging and holding a cover plate in accordance with one or more embodiments described.

FIG. 20 is a schematic of an illustrative cover plate having one or more clips formed thereon for securing to a reinforcement member in accordance with one or more embodiments described.

FIG. 21 is a schematic of one embodiment of a window lift system in accordance with one or more embodiments described.

FIG. 22 is an enlarged, partial cross sectional view of the motor housing shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is an enlarged, partial cross section of the window track shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 24 is a schematic of another embodiment of a window lift system in accordance with one or more embodiments described.

FIG. 25 is an enlarged, partial cross sectional view of the motor housing shown in FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is an enlarged, partial cross section of the window track shown in FIG. 24.

FIG. 27 is a schematic side view of one embodiment of an illustrative lock assembly having a sliding mechanism for assembly, the sliding mechanism located in a pre-assembled position.

FIG. 28 is a schematic side view of the sliding mechanism shown in FIG. 27, the sliding mechanism located in an assembled position.

FIG. 29 is an enlarged partial cross section of the sliding mechanism shown in FIG. 28 along lines A-A.

FIG. 30 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of an illustrative lock assembly having a sliding mechanism for assembly, the sliding mechanism located in a pre-assembled position.

FIG. 31 is a schematic side view of the sliding mechanism shown in FIG. 30, the sliding mechanism located in an assembled position.

FIG. 32 is an enlarged, partial cross section of the sliding mechanism shown in FIG. 31 along lines A-A.

Claims

1. A door system, comprising: a door structure;a body comprising one or more components disposed thereon;a first module having an upper cavity and a lower cavity, the upper cavity adapted to at least partially surround a first side of a window glass and the lower cavity adapted to at least partially engage the body;a second module adapted to at least partially surround a second side of the window glass and adapted to at least partially contact the upper cavity of the first module; anda trim module adapted to at least partially cover the core module.

2. The door system of claim 1, wherein the body comprises one or more reinforcement members disposed on a first side thereof.

3. The door system of claim 2, wherein the body further comprises a glass run channel at least disposed on a second side thereof

4. The door system of claim 3, wherein the glass run channel at least disposed on the second side of the body comprises an open profile.

5. The door system of claim 1, wherein the one or more components are injection molded on the body.

6. The door system of claim 1, wherein the body comprises one or more seals disposed thereon.

7. The door system of claim 6, wherein the one or more seals are injection molded on the body.

8. The door system of claim 2, wherein the reinforcement member comprises a first flange and a second flange, each adapted to contact the first side of the body.

9. The door system of claim 2, wherein the reinforcement member comprises a first flange, a second flange and a recessed portion between the flanges.

10. The door system of claim 2, wherein the reinforcement member further comprises an insert disposed therein, the insert comprising one or more stiffening members.

11. The door system of claim 10, wherein the reinforcement member further comprises a cover plate disposed thereon to define a hollow cavity between the reinforcement member and the cover plate.

12. The door system 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.

13. The door system of claim 6, wherein the one or more seals comprises a glass run channel seal, beltline seal, lower sash seal, core to frame seal, or combinations thereof.

14. The door system of claim 1, wherein the one or more components are integrally formed on the body.

15. The door system of claim 1, 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.

16. The door system of claim 1, wherein the body comprises polypropylene.

17. The door system of claim 1, wherein the body is injection molded from polypropylene.

18. The door system of claim 1, wherein the body comprises one or more engineering resins.

19. The door system of claim 1, wherein the body is injection molded from one or more engineering resins.

20. The door system of claim 1, 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.

21. The door system 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.

22. The door system of claim 1, wherein the first module is adapted to be assembled on the door structure.

23. The door system of claim 1, wherein the second module is adapted to be assembled on an upper portion of the core module and in contact with at least a portion of the first module.

24. The door system of claim 1, wherein the body is adapted to cover the lower cavity of the first module.

25. The door system of claim 1, further comprising a wet/dry barrier disposed on the second module and the body.

26. A door system, comprising: a door structure;at least one window glass;a first module having one or more components disposed thereon, the first module comprising:a body having a first and second side;a reinforcement member disposed on the first side of the body; anda glass run channel disposed on the second side of the body, the glass run channel having an open profile;a second module having an upper cavity and a lower cavity, the upper cavity adapted to at least partially surround a first side of the window glass and the lower cavity adapted to at least partially engage the first module;a third module adapted to at least partially surround a second side of the window glass and adapted to at least partially contact the upper cavity of the second module; anda trim panel adapted to cover the first module.

27. The door system of claim 26 wherein the first side of the body faces an interior compartment of a vehicle.

28. The door system of claim 26, wherein the glass run channel extends at least beyond a beltline of the body.

29. The door system of claim 26, wherein the glass run channel at least disposed on the second side of the body comprises an open profile.

30. The door system of claim 26, wherein the one or more components are injection molded on the body.

31. The door system of claim 26, wherein the body comprises one or more seals disposed thereon.

32. The door system of claim 31, wherein the one or more seals are injection molded on the body.

33. The door system of claim 26, wherein the reinforcement member comprises a first flange and a second flange, each adapted to contact the first side of the body.

34. The door system of claim 26, wherein the reinforcement member comprises a first flange, a second flange and a recessed portion between the flanges.

35. The door system of claim 34, wherein the reinforcement member further comprises an insert disposed therein, the insert comprising one or more stiffening members.

36. The door system of claim 35, wherein the reinforcement member further comprises a cover plate disposed thereon to define a hollow cavity between the reinforcement member and the cover plate.

37. The door system of claim 26, 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.

38. The door system of claim 31, wherein the one or more seals comprises a glass run channel seal, beltline seal, lower sash seal, core to frame seal, or combinations thereof.

39. The door system of claim 31, wherein at least one of the one or more components are injection molded on the body.

40. The door system of claim 26, 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.

41. The door system of claim 26, wherein the body comprises polypropylene.

42. The door system of claim 26, wherein the body is injection molded from polypropylene.

43. The door system of claim 26, wherein the body comprises one or more engineering resins.

44. The door system of claim 26, wherein the body is injection molded from one or more engineering resins.

45. The door system of claim 26, 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.

46. The door system of claim 26, 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.

47. The door system of claim 26, wherein the second module is adapted to be assembled on the door structure.

48. The door system of claim 26, wherein the third module is adapted to be assembled on an upper portion of the first module and in contact with at least a portion of the second module.

49. The door system of claim 26, wherein the body is adapted to cover the lower cavity of the second module.

50. The door system of claim 26, further comprising a wet/dry barrier adapted to cover the second and third modules.

51. The door system of claim 26, wherein one or more window tracks are injection molded on the second side of the body.

52. The door system of claim 26, wherein one or more impact bolsters are injection molded on the first side of the body.

53. The door system of claim 26, wherein the window glass slides between the first module and the second module.

54. A door system, comprising: a door structure;at least one window glass;a first module having one or more components disposed thereon, the first module comprising:a body having a first and second side;a reinforcement member disposed on the first side of the body; anda glass run channel disposed on the second side of the body, the glass run channel having an open profile;a second module adapted to surround an inner surface of the door structure, the second module having an annular body with a support member disposed therethrough thereby defining an upper cavity and a lower cavity;a third module adapted to at least partially surround a second side of the window glass and adapted to at least partially contact the upper cavity of the second module; anda trim panel adapted to cover the first module.

55. The door system of claim 54, wherein the glass run channel extends at least beyond a beltline of the first module.

56. The door system of claim 54, wherein the glass run channel at least disposed on the second side of the first module comprises an open profile.

57. The door system of claim 54, wherein the one or more components are injection molded on the first module.

58. The door system of claim 54, wherein the first module comprises one or more seals disposed thereon.

59. The door system of claim 58, wherein the one or more seals are injection molded on the first module.

60. The door system of claim 54, wherein the reinforcement member comprises a first flange and a second flange, each adapted to contact the first side of the first module.