Vehicle door with structural plastic inner panel
US5762394A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 2, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jun 9, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 2, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R13/0243
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle door assembly according to the invention includes a structural framework, including a rear end for mounting a latch, a front end for mounting a hinge and a beam portion extending between the front and rear ends. An outer door panel is provided for mounting on the structural framework to provide the outer surface of the door assembly. A structural inner panel is provided for mounting on the structural framework and is of molded plastic and has a generally planar trim wall facing toward the occupant compartment and edge wall portions which extend transverse to the planar trim wall to thereby envelope the structural framework within the structural inner panel. The structural inner panel has integrally molded hollow tubular stiffening structures molded therein by a gas injection molding process and which extend substantially all around the periphery of the door so that the molded plastic inner panel is substantially structurally self-supporting and contributing to the structural integrity of the door assembly. The integrally molded hollow tubular stiffening structure is preferably located substantially at the juncture between the planar trim wall and the edge wall portions. A…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.