DOOR ASSEMBLIES AND VEHICLES INCLUDING OUTER AND INNER BULKHEADS TO TRANSFER A SIDE IMPACT LOAD TO A PILLAR STRUCTURE AND METHODS INCORPORATING THE SAME
First Claim
1. A door assembly of a vehicle that includes a first pillar structure and a second pillar structure positioned rearward of the first pillar structure in a vehicle longitudinal direction, the door assembly comprising:
- a door outer panel;
a door inner panel coupled to and positioned inwardly of the door outer in a vehicle lateral direction;
an impact beam positioned between the door outer panel and the door inner panel, the door impact beam includes a first end and an opposite second end, the first end overlaps the first pillar structure and the second end overlaps the second pillar structure;
an inner bulkhead coupled to the door inner panel and positioned between the door inner panel and the first end of the impact beam, the inner bulkhead overlaps the first pillar structure; and
an outer bulkhead coupled to the door inner panel and positioned between the inner bulkhead and the first end of the impact beam, the outer bulkhead overlaps a portion of the inner bulkhead and the first pillar structure,wherein in a side impact a load applied to the impact beam is transferred to the first pillar structure through the outer bulkhead, the inner bulkhead, and the door inner panel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A door assembly, of a vehicle that includes a first pillar structure and a second pillar structure, includes a door outer panel, a door inner panel coupled to and positioned inwardly of the door outer panel, and an impact beam positioned between the door outer panel and the door inner panel. The door impact beam includes a first end and an opposite second end, the first end overlaps the first pillar structure and the second end overlaps the second pillar structure. The door assembly further includes an inner bulkhead coupled to the door inner panel and positioned between the door inner panel and the first end of the impact beam, and an outer bulkhead coupled to the door inner panel and positioned between the inner bulkhead and the first end of the impact beam, the outer bulkhead overlaps a portion of the inner bulkhead.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A door assembly of a vehicle that includes a first pillar structure and a second pillar structure positioned rearward of the first pillar structure in a vehicle longitudinal direction, the door assembly comprising:
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a door outer panel; a door inner panel coupled to and positioned inwardly of the door outer in a vehicle lateral direction; an impact beam positioned between the door outer panel and the door inner panel, the door impact beam includes a first end and an opposite second end, the first end overlaps the first pillar structure and the second end overlaps the second pillar structure; an inner bulkhead coupled to the door inner panel and positioned between the door inner panel and the first end of the impact beam, the inner bulkhead overlaps the first pillar structure; and an outer bulkhead coupled to the door inner panel and positioned between the inner bulkhead and the first end of the impact beam, the outer bulkhead overlaps a portion of the inner bulkhead and the first pillar structure, wherein in a side impact a load applied to the impact beam is transferred to the first pillar structure through the outer bulkhead, the inner bulkhead, and the door inner panel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A vehicle comprising:
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a first pillar structure; a second pillar structure positioned rearward of the first pillar structure; a door outer panel; a door inner panel coupled to and positioned inwardly of the door outer panel in a vehicle lateral direction; an impact beam positioned between the door outer panel and the door inner panel, the door impact beam includes a first end and an opposite second end, the first end overlaps the first pillar structure and the second end overlaps the second pillar structure; an inner bulkhead coupled to the door inner panel and positioned between the door inner panel and the first end of the impact beam, the inner bulkhead overlaps the first pillar structure; and an outer bulkhead coupled to the door inner panel and positioned between the inner bulkhead and the first end of the impact beam, the outer bulkhead overlaps a portion of the inner bulkhead and the first pillar structure, wherein in a side impact a load applied to the impact beam is transferred to the first pillar structure through the outer bulkhead, the inner bulkhead, and the door inner panel. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification