Automotive vehicle door construction
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsAnil K. Sachdev, Chih-Cheng Hsu, Sooho Kim, Raja K Mishra
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
One embodiment includes a lightweight automotive vehicle door construction including an inner panel partially formed from a lightweight metal casting. The casting provides a toe pan, hinge pillar and beltline. A lightweight stamping connected with the casting provides a remainder of the inner skin. The stamping provides an opposite pillar and latch mount. A header connected to the casting along a first end and with the beltline at a second end provides a window frame. A side intrusion beam extends between the hinge pillar and the opposite pillar. An outer panel is connected with the inner panel.
Claims20
A lightweight automotive vehicle door construction comprising:
- an inner panel including:
- a lightweight thin-wall metal casting including a toe pan, hinge pillar and beltline forming a partial inner panel;
- and
- an inner stamping connected with said casting providing a remainder of said inner panel and an opposite pillar and latch mount;
- a header providing a window frame connected to said casting along a first end and with said beltline at a second end;
- a side intrusion beam extending between said casting hinge pillar and said opposite pillar;
- and
- an outer panel connected with said inner panel.
An automotive vehicle door construction as described in claim I wherein said casting provides an inner beltline and a plate connected with said outer panel reinforces an outer beltline.
A lightweight automotive vehicle door comprising:
- an inner panel including:
- a thin-wall lightweight metal casting comprising at least one of aluminum or magnesium, said casting including a toe pan, hinge pillar, mirror mount and inner beltline, said casting being rib reinforced, said casting having nubs;
- and
- an inner stamping having holes fitted over said nubs and being rivet connected with said casting providing a remainder of an inner door skin and an opposite pillar and latch mount;
- a header connected to said casting at a first end and with said inner beltline at a second end via a window guide, said header providing a window frame;
- a side intrusion beam extending between said casting hinge pillar and said opposite pillar;
- and
- an outer panel connected with said inner panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.