Door panel assembly

• US 20040025441A1
• Filed: 08/06/2003
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Charles B. Hopson, Damien Cabanne, Herve Laurandel, Klaus B.W. Blume, Mark G. Lawrie, Pascal Devries, Simon Dobson, Yan L.E. Gallo
• Original Assignee: Charles B. Hopson, Damien Cabanne, Herve Laurandel, Klaus B.W. Blume, Mark G. Lawrie, Pascal Devries, Simon Dobson, Yan L.E. Gallo
• Inventors: Gallo, Yan le, Blume, Klaus B.W., Laurandel, Herve, Cabanne, Damien, DeVries, Pascal, Hopson, Charles B., Dobson, Simon, Lawrie, Mark G.
• Application Number:
  US10/635,130
• Publication Number:
  US 20040025441A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 49/506
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/0416 Assembly panels to be installed in doors as a module with components, e.g. lock or window lifter, attached thereto
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/0468 Fixation or mounting means specific for door components fasteners in general F16B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 11/382 for vehicle windows E05F11/40 - E05F11/52 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 11/483 by cables
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/689 specially adapted for vehicle windows
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/434 Electromotors; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/654 Cables
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/664 Drums
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows

Abstract

A door panel assembly includes a panel with a window lifting mechanism mounted on one side and a power mechanism mounted on an opposite side. The panel has a first alignment feature for aligning the window lifting mechanism relative to the panel and a second alignment feature for aligning the power mechanism relative to the panel. The first and second alignment features facilitate alignment of the window regulator and the power mechanism to each other. Further, the first and second alignment features allow initial assembly of one of the window regulator or power mechanism components to the panel with a subsequent assembly of the remaining component to the, panel without having to hold the first component in place.

Claims

1. A door panel assembly including a door panel, a window regulator housing mounted on a first side of the door panel and a power mechanism mounted on a second side of the door panel, in which the panel includes at least one first alignment feature for aligning the window regulator housing relative to the door panel and at least one second alignment feature for aligning the power mechanism relative to the door panel.

2. A door panel assembly as defined in claim 1 in which the door panel forms part of a door inner skin.

3. A door panel assembly as defined in claim 1 in which the door panel forms part of a door module panel.

4. A door panel assembly as defined in any preceding claim in which the at least one first and/or second alignment features are pressed features of the door panel.

5. A door panel assembly as defined in claim 4 in which the at least one first and second alignment features are formed on opposing sides of the same pressed feature.

6. A door panel assembly as defined in claim 5 in which one of said at least one first and second alignment features includes a projection received in a recess of the window regulator housing or power mechanism and the other of said at least one first and second alignment features includes a recess for receiving a projection of the window regulator housing or power mechanism.

7. A door panel assembly as defined in claims 1 to 3 in which the least one first and/or second alignment features are tabs bent from the door panel.

8. A door panel assembly as defined in any preceding claim in which the least one first and/or second alignment features includes a fixing hole for securing the window regulator housing or power mechanism to the door panel.

9. A door panel assembly as defined in claim 8 when dependent upon claims 4 to 6 in which the fixing hole is contiguous with the pressed feature.

10. A door panel assembly as defined in claim 8 when dependent upon claim 7 in which the fixing hole is contiguous with the tab.

11. A door panel assembly as defined in claims 1 to 3 in which the at least one first and/or second alignment features is a dowel secured to, and projecting from the door panel.

12. A door panel assembly as defined in claim 11 in which a single dowel provides both the at least one first and second alignment features.

13. A door panel assembly as defined in claims 11 or 12 in which the dowel is riveted or swaged to the door panel.

14. A door panel assembly as defined in claims 11 or 12 in which the dowel has a first threaded portion which engages a corresponding threaded portion of the door panel to secure the dowel to the door panel

15. A door panel assembly as defined in claims 11 to 14 in which the dowel includes a second threaded portion for engagement with a threaded fastener to secure the window regulator housing or power mechanism relative to the door panel

16. A door panel assembly as defined in any preceding claim in which the assembly includes separate fixing features which secure at least one of the window regulator housing and power mechanism relative to the door panel.

17. A door panel assembly as defined in claim 16 in which the fixing feature is a projection on one of the window regulator housing, door panel or power mechanism having a tang for engagement with another of the window regulator housing door panel and power mechanism to secure the components together.

18. A door panel assembly as defined in any preceding claim in which the power mechanism is a motor.

19. A door panel assembly as defined in claims 1 to 18 in which the power mechanism is a manual window winder.

20. A door panel assembly as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in FIG. 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 when applied to FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings.