Energy absorber for vehicle doors
AssigneeNissan North America, Inc.
InventorsDavid Kovie, Richard Dryja, David Iozzo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle door is described, including: a bracket that is configured to support a window during opening and closing; a door locking mechanism that is positioned proximate (e.g., near or adjacent to) the bracket; and an absorption member that is configured and positioned to absorb energy from an impact with the vehicle door to thereby protect the door locking mechanism. The absorption member includes a body defining an internal channel that is configured to receive the bracket in an interference fit such that the absorption member is fixedly securable to the bracket.
Claims20
A vehicle door, comprising:
- a bracket configured to support a window during opening and closing;
- a door locking mechanism positioned proximate the bracket;
- and
- an absorption member including a body defining an internal channel configured to receive the bracket in an interference fit such that the absorption member is fixedly securable to the bracket, the absorption member being configured and positioned to absorb energy from an impact with the vehicle door to thereby protect the door locking mechanism.
An absorption member configured for mounting proximate a locking mechanism of a vehicle door including a window supported by a bracket during opening and closing, the absorption member comprising:
- a body including a deformable material and being configured to absorb energy from an impact with the vehicle door to thereby protect the locking mechanism, the body including an internal channel configured to receive the bracket, wherein the internal channel defines a first width and the bracket defines a second width greater than the first width such that upon insertion of the bracket into the internal channel, the internal channel is expanded to create an interference fit with the bracket to thereby secure the absorption member to the bracket.
A method of assembling a vehicle door, the method comprising:
- positioning a window guide channel within the vehicle door;
- fixedly connecting a bracket to the vehicle door such that the bracket supports the window guide channel;
- and
- mounting an absorption member to the bracket via insertion of the bracket into a channel defined by the absorption member such that the bracket is received in an interference fit to thereby secure the absorption member to the bracket.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.