Reinforcements and support brackets for vehicle doors

A vehicle comprising:

• a vehicle door including:
• an inner panel including a non-metallic material;
• an outer panel secured to the inner panel and including a non-metallic material;
• a reinforcement mechanically connected to the inner panel via fasteners such that the reinforcement is secured between the inner panel and the outer panel;
• and
• a support bracket secured to the reinforcement, wherein the support bracket is exposed relative to the reinforcement and includes:
• a body;
• and
• a nut secured to the body;
• and
• an actuation system configured to facilitate movement of the vehicle door, wherein the actuation system includes:
• an actuator;
• and
• a pivot member extending through the body and through the reinforcement to distribute load applied during movement of the vehicle door to thereby reduce force concentrations and inhibit defect formation in the outer panel, wherein the pivot member includes a first end connected to the nut and a second end engaging the actuator.

A method of assembling a vehicle door, the method comprising:

• mechanically connecting a reinforcement to an inner panel of the vehicle door via fasteners;
• connecting a support bracket to the reinforcement such that the support bracket is exposed relative to the reinforcement;
• inserting an actuation system through the reinforcement and the support bracket such that the reinforcement and the support bracket distribute load applied during operation of the actuation system to thereby reduce force concentrations and inhibit defect formation in the vehicle door;
• and
• connecting an outer panel of the vehicle door to the inner panel such that the reinforcement and the support bracket are positioned therebetween.