Mounting and aligning a vehicle side door motor within the current bill of process

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 10301863
  • Patent Number
    10,301,863
  • Date Filed
    Monday, September 14, 2015
    9 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, May 28, 2019
    5 years ago
Abstract
A mounting assembly for a vehicle side door motor includes an upper hinge element configured for receiving a side door motor drive shaft and a motor mounting bracket configured to receive the side door motor drive shaft and to allow a radial adjustment of the drive shaft for alignment of an axis of the motor with a side door hinge axis. The upper hinge element may define a clevis including a lower clevis portion having a motor drive shaft mounting aperture dimensioned to allow the radial adjustment feature. The motor mounting bracket includes one or more mounting apertures dimensioned to allow a vehicle fore/aft adjustment and in/out adjustment of the side door motor element. The motor mounting assembly is further configured to allow a vehicle up/down adjustment of the side door motor.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to vehicle doors, particularly to doors incorporating motor-driven or “smart” door open/close technology.


BACKGROUND

During motor vehicle body shell manufacture and assembly the typical bill of process requires the side doors to be installed on the vehicle body shell and set for alignment to provide appropriate margin and flushness to adjacent body panels. This is achieved by first mounting hinges to the doors, manually or robotically aligning the hinged door assembly to the body shell, and securing the hinges in place. The completed body shell with aligned doors is then cycled through various additional processes, such as corrosion protection, a paint process, and others. After painting, the doors must be removed. This is because during final vehicle assembly access through the door openings is required to install other vehicle components such as the instrument panel, seats and other interior trim. To accomplish this, the doors are removed by removing only the center hinge pin, thus maintaining the alignment for final assembly by way of the respective body and door brackets.


In conventional manufacturing processes, the above-summarized bill of process must be modified for vehicles including side doors incorporating “smart” technology, i.e. motor-driven or assisted opening/closing, door edge protect, power cinch, door open assist, door soft close, and other functions. This is because in a door wherein a motor is mounted to the hinge, the motor assembly must be directly aligned to the hinge axis to provide smooth open/close operation and to reduce or eliminate functional failures. However, the motor mechanism cannot be exposed to certain of the above processes such as corrosion protection, painting, etc., and so cannot be installed until after those processes are completed. Moreover, due to inter-vehicle dimensional variations in door structure, body structure, and hinge assemblies, the hinge axis varies from one vehicle design to another. Thus, the automated process of installing/removing door structures during manufacture/assembly becomes more complicated in vehicles incorporating motor-driven doors, with attendant increases in manufacturing/assembly labor and cost.


To solve these and other problems, the present disclosure describes a side door motor mounting assembly which enables the mounting and proper alignment of a door motor with a door hinge assembly axis. Advantageously, the described mounting assembly includes a radial adjustment feature allowing making adjustments to the motor positioning to ensure direct alignment to the door hinge axis, thus ensuring smooth and proper functioning of the motor-driven door.


SUMMARY

In accordance with the purposes and benefits described herein, in one aspect a door motor mounting assembly is described. The assembly includes a modified vehicle body-mounted upper hinge portion defining a clevis allowing alignment of a side door motor axis to the side door hinge axis. In turn, the assembly includes a motor mounting bracket providing a radial adjustment feature for motor alignment. The motor mounting bracket is supported/reinforced by a door-mounted check bracket. Advantageously, once assembled the motor mounting assembly provides ample clearance for removal of the vehicle doors prior to various processes such as corrosion resistance treatment, painting, etc. alternatively, the described assembly allows accomplishing the described attachment/alignment steps later in the vehicle manufacturing/assembly process, such as in trim and during final assembly.


In another aspect, a method for aligning a door motor in a vehicle door is provided, utilizing the described motor mounting assembly.


In the following description, there are shown and described embodiments of the disclosed side door motor mounting assembly. As it should be realized, the assembly is capable of other, different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the devices and methods as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the disclosed side door motor mounting assembly, and together with the description serve to explain certain principles thereof. In the drawings:



FIG. 1 depicts a side view of a conventional vehicle body/side door assembly;



FIG. 2A depicts an exploded side view of a motor-driven side door motor mounting assembly according to the present disclosure;



FIG. 2B depicts an isolated view of the assembled side door motor mounting assembly of FIG. 2A;



FIG. 2C depicts adjustment of a longitudinal axis of a motor of the side door motor mounting assembly of FIG. 2A; and



FIG. 3 depicts an assembled vehicle body/motor-driven side door according to the present disclosure.





Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosed door motor mounting assembly, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures wherein like reference numerals identify like features.


DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 schematically illustrating a conventional vehicle 100 side door assembly. At a high level, such assemblies include at least a side door 102 and one or more vehicle body-mounted hinge assemblies 104, in the depicted embodiment being an upper hinge assembly 104a and a lower hinge assembly 104b. Of course, the vehicle side door 102 depicted in the drawing figure is greatly simplified for purposes of illustration, as a modern vehicle side door can be quite complex and can include many features in addition to those depicted in the drawing. As discussed above, for a motor-driven vehicle side door 102, the motor (not shown in this view) cannot be passed through certain processes, such as corrosion protection, painting, etc. Instead, the typical procedure is to install or re-install the motor in trim or during final assembly, after the above processes are completed.


However, as is also discussed above, it is important to properly align the motor to ensure proper opening/closing of the side door. Specifically, at final vehicle assembly it is important to align a longitudinal axis of the side door motor with a longitudinal axis defined by the vehicle side door hinge assembly. To solve this and other problems, with reference to FIG. 2A there is depicted a vehicle side door assembly 200. The assembly 200 includes at least a side door 202 which is hingedly attached to a vehicle body 204 by a hinge assembly, in the depicted embodiment including an upper hinge element 206 and a lower hinge element 207. A motor 208 is included to drive automatic or manually initiated opening/closing of the side door 202. Such motors are well known in the art, and do not require extensive discussion or description herein.


The assembly 200 further includes a motor mounting bracket 210 configured for attachment to a door-mounted check element 211. The motor mounting bracket 210, which in the depicted embodiment substantially defines an L shape, includes a plurality of mounting apertures 212, each of which is dimensioned to allow a radial slip of the motor 208 for alignment of a longitudinal axis of the motor with a longitudinal axis of the hinge assembly. The motor mounting bracket 210 further includes a drive shaft aperture 214 for receiving a drive shaft 216 of the motor 208, also dimensioned to allow a radial slip of the motor 208. Additional door-mounted support brackets 218 may be provided.


With reference to FIG. 2B, the motor 208, body-mounted upper hinge 206, motor mounting bracket 210, and door check element 211 are shown in an assembled configuration. By the dimensions of motor mounting bracket apertures 212, 214, as shown by the arrows a vehicle fore/aft, in/out, and up/down adjustment or slip is made possible, allowing alignment of the motor 208 longitudinal axis (broken lines A, B) with a longitudinal axis defined by the hinge assembly 206, 207. This is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2C.


Thus, at final assembly of the vehicle body 204 and side door 202 (see FIG. 3), a properly aligned motor 208 can be provided, ensuring a smooth and reliable opening/closing of the side door 202. As a further advantage, best as shown in FIG. 2B by use of the described upper hinge 206, ample clearance is provided for removal of fasteners during the process of removal of the vehicle door 202 and motor 208 prior to processes such as corrosion protection, painting, etc.


Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.

Claims
  • 1. A mounting assembly for a vehicle side door motor, comprising a motor mounting bracket configured to allow a radial adjustment of a side door motor element for alignment of a motor element longitudinal axis with a side door hinge assembly longitudinal axis.
  • 2. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the side door hinge assembly includes an upper hinge element having a lower clevis providing a longitudinal axis reference point for the side door motor element and the side door hinge assembly.
  • 3. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the motor mounting bracket includes one or more mounting apertures dimensioned to allow a vehicle fore/aft adjustment and in/out adjustment of the side door motor element.
  • 4. The mounting assembly of claim 3, wherein the motor mounting bracket is configured to allow a vehicle up/down adjustment of the side door motor element.
  • 5. The mounting assembly of claim 1, further including a side door check element configured for supporting the motor mounting bracket.
  • 6. A vehicle including the assembly of claim 1.
  • 7. A vehicle side door assembly, comprising: a hinged side door;a motor for opening/closing the hinged side door assembly; anda motor mounting bracket configured to allow a radial adjustment of a side door motor element for alignment of a motor element longitudinal axis with a side door hinge assembly longitudinal axis.
  • 8. The side door assembly of claim 7, wherein the side door hinge assembly includes an upper hinge element having a lower clevis providing a longitudinal axis reference point for the side door motor element and the side door hinge assembly.
  • 9. The side door assembly of claim 7, wherein the motor mounting bracket includes one or more mounting apertures dimensioned to allow a vehicle fore/aft adjustment and in/out adjustment of the side door motor element.
  • 10. The side door assembly of claim 9, wherein the motor mounting bracket is configured to allow a vehicle up/down adjustment of the side door motor element.
  • 11. The side door assembly of claim 7, further including a side door check element configured for supporting the motor mounting bracket.
  • 12. A vehicle including the assembly of claim 7.
  • 13. A vehicle, comprising: a body;a side door including a hinge assembly;a motor for opening/closing the hinged side door; anda motor mounting bracket configured to allow a radial adjustment of a side door motor element for alignment of a motor element longitudinal axis with a side door hinge assembly longitudinal axis.
  • 14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the side door hinge assembly includes an upper hinge element having a lower clevis providing a longitudinal axis reference point for the side door motor element and the side door hinge assembly.
  • 15. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the motor mounting bracket includes one or more mounting apertures dimensioned to allow a vehicle fore/aft adjustment and in/out adjustment of the side door motor element.
  • 16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the motor mounting bracket is configured to allow a vehicle up/down adjustment of the side door motor.
  • 17. The vehicle of claim 13, further including a side door-mounted door check element configured for supporting the motor mounting bracket.
US Referenced Citations (116)
Number Name Date Kind
2721353 Mackintosh Oct 1955 A
2915777 Allen Dec 1959 A
3344554 Misaka et al. Oct 1967 A
3357137 Lombardi et al. Dec 1967 A
3895281 Corbaz Jul 1975 A
4078770 Yates et al. Mar 1978 A
4121382 Dietrich Oct 1978 A
4143497 Offenbacher Mar 1979 A
4386398 Matsuoka et al. May 1983 A
4441376 Tobey Apr 1984 A
4488753 Koike Dec 1984 A
4497137 Nelson Feb 1985 A
4501012 Kishi et al. Feb 1985 A
4501090 Yoshida et al. Feb 1985 A
4674230 Takeo et al. Jun 1987 A
4727679 Kornbrekke et al. Mar 1988 A
4763111 Matsuo et al. Aug 1988 A
4899945 Jones Feb 1990 A
4952080 Boiucaner et al. Aug 1990 A
5236234 Norman Aug 1993 A
5317835 Dupuy et al. Jun 1994 A
5355628 Dranchak Oct 1994 A
5369911 Fortunato Dec 1994 A
5396158 Long et al. Mar 1995 A
5434487 Long et al. Jul 1995 A
5787636 Buchanan, Jr. Aug 1998 A
5801340 Peter Sep 1998 A
5913763 Beran et al. Jun 1999 A
6065185 Breed et al. May 2000 A
6145354 Kondo et al. Nov 2000 A
6149222 Schambre Nov 2000 A
6247271 Fioritto et al. Jun 2001 B1
6275231 Obradovich Aug 2001 B1
6305737 Corder et al. Oct 2001 B1
6341807 Cetnar et al. Jan 2002 B2
6370732 Yezersky et al. Apr 2002 B1
6401392 Yuge Jun 2002 B1
6435575 Pajak et al. Aug 2002 B1
6442902 Van Den Oord Sep 2002 B1
6498970 Colmenarez et al. Dec 2002 B2
6624605 Powder et al. Sep 2003 B1
6777958 Haag et al. Aug 2004 B2
6928694 Breed et al. Aug 2005 B2
6942277 Rangnekar Sep 2005 B2
7034682 Beggs et al. Apr 2006 B2
7045764 Beggs et al. May 2006 B2
7068146 Sasaki et al. Jun 2006 B2
7104589 Takeda Sep 2006 B2
7132642 Shank et al. Nov 2006 B2
7175227 Menard Feb 2007 B2
7193509 Bartels et al. Mar 2007 B2
7215529 Rosenau May 2007 B2
7273207 Studer Sep 2007 B2
7280035 McLain et al. Oct 2007 B2
7320497 Zinn et al. Jan 2008 B2
7342373 Newman et al. Mar 2008 B2
7377557 Shelley et al. May 2008 B2
7400153 Shoji et al. Jul 2008 B2
7438346 Breed Oct 2008 B1
7439632 Ogino et al. Oct 2008 B2
7538506 Zinn et al. May 2009 B2
7540554 Bals Jun 2009 B2
7566087 Hanna et al. Jul 2009 B2
7686378 Gisler et al. Mar 2010 B2
7688179 Kurpinski et al. Mar 2010 B2
7874609 Whinnery Jan 2011 B2
7886409 Yip Feb 2011 B2
7895712 Krumbiegel et al. Mar 2011 B2
8007027 Watanabe et al. Aug 2011 B2
8077022 Baruco et al. Dec 2011 B2
8132844 Sonnek et al. Mar 2012 B2
8159231 Sakamaki Apr 2012 B2
8169317 Lemerand et al. May 2012 B2
8186013 Yip May 2012 B2
8237544 Nakashima Aug 2012 B2
8284022 Kachouh Oct 2012 B2
8397581 Ruby, III et al. Mar 2013 B2
8511739 Brown et al. Aug 2013 B2
8615927 Ezzat et al. Dec 2013 B2
8641125 Jimenez et al. Feb 2014 B2
8651461 Christensen et al. Feb 2014 B2
20010004164 Mattsson Jun 2001 A1
20020039008 Edgar et al. Apr 2002 A1
20030038544 Spurr Feb 2003 A1
20030222758 Willats et al. Dec 2003 A1
20050174077 Haag et al. Aug 2005 A1
20050242618 Menard Nov 2005 A1
20050280284 McLain et al. Dec 2005 A1
20060071505 Ciavaglia Apr 2006 A1
20060230574 Murayama et al. Oct 2006 A1
20070090654 Eaton Apr 2007 A1
20070186480 Freeman Aug 2007 A1
20070192038 Kameyama Aug 2007 A1
20080211519 Kurumado et al. Sep 2008 A1
20080295408 Heissler Dec 2008 A1
20080296927 Gisler et al. Dec 2008 A1
20090113797 Hoermann May 2009 A1
20090153151 Cho et al. Jun 2009 A1
20100224117 Christensen et al. Sep 2010 A1
20110203181 Magner et al. Aug 2011 A1
20110260848 Rodriguez Barros et al. Oct 2011 A1
20110295469 Rafii et al. Dec 2011 A1
20120042572 Yuge Feb 2012 A1
20120179336 Oakley Jul 2012 A1
20130031747 Gobart Feb 2013 A1
20130074412 Wellborn Mar 2013 A1
20130091768 Houser et al. Apr 2013 A1
20130127479 Grills et al. May 2013 A1
20130138303 McKee et al. May 2013 A1
20140000165 Patel et al. Jan 2014 A1
20140055349 Itoh Feb 2014 A1
20140130299 Jaranson May 2014 A1
20140150581 Scheuring et al. Jun 2014 A1
20140297060 Schmidt et al. Oct 2014 A1
20140373454 Sasaki Dec 2014 A1
20150059250 Miu Mar 2015 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (41)
Number Date Country
2034320 Nov 1994 CA
101403271 Apr 2009 CN
201343938 Nov 2009 CN
101812952 Aug 2010 CN
202294674 Jul 2012 CN
103132847 Jun 2013 CN
103269914 Aug 2013 CN
203143980 Aug 2013 CN
103422764 Dec 2013 CN
203551964 Apr 2014 CN
203580775 May 2014 CN
4119579 Dec 1992 DE
4207706 Sep 1993 DE
10004161 Aug 2001 DE
10038803 Feb 2002 DE
10261504 Aug 2004 DE
102008010836 Sep 2008 DE
102007062473 Jul 2009 DE
0397300 Nov 1990 EP
2174814 Apr 2010 EP
1265772 Dec 2010 EP
2287430 Feb 2011 EP
1899565 Oct 2011 EP
2583848 Apr 2013 EP
2765112 Aug 2014 EP
2873074 Jan 2006 FR
07285789 Oct 1995 JP
2000080828 Mar 2000 JP
2000318444 Nov 2000 JP
2004176426 Jun 2004 JP
2009161959 Jul 2009 JP
20100095383 Apr 2010 JP
2013007171 Jan 2013 JP
2013028903 Feb 2013 JP
2014129037 Jul 2014 JP
2014148842 Aug 2014 JP
20020048811 Jun 2002 KR
20130068538 Jun 2013 KR
20100098620 Sep 2010 WO
2013013313 Jan 2013 WO
2013074901 May 2013 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (8)
Entry
Steeven Zeiß, Alexander Marinc, Andreas Braun, Tobias Große-Puppendahl, Sebastian Beck; “A Gesture-based Door Control Using Capacitive Sensors”; Fraunhofer-Institut für Graphische Datenverarbeitung IGD; pp. 1-10; date unknown.
Abd Manan Bin Ahmad; “The Design and Development of a System for Controlling Automotive Functions using Recognition”; Universiti Teknologi Malaysia; pp. 1-100; 2006. Speech.
Haleem, M.S.; “Voice Controlled Automation System”; IEEE International; Dept. of Electron. Eng., NED Univ. of Eng. & Technol.; Multitopic Conference; Print ISBN: 978-1-4244-2823-6; pp. 1-2; Dec. 23-24, 2008.
“InnoTrans 2014: Safety on Vehicle Doors with Non-Touch Detection System from Mayser”; Mayser Safety Technology; pp. 1-1; Aug. 4, 2014.
Bogdan Popa; “How BMW's Soft Close Doors Work”; Autoevolution; pp. 1-6; Aug. 18, 2012.
English machine translation of DE102008010836A1.
English machine translation of DE10261504A1.
English machine translation of CN101812952A.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20170074020 A1 Mar 2017 US