Exterior accessory module for vehicular modular door

• US 7,712,809 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2007
• Issued: 05/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Renkema, Loren B., Nestell, David E., Lynam, Niall R., Whitehead, Peter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): PAPE, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US11/768,260
• Publication Number:
  US 20070246967A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,050 Days
• Field of Search: 296/146.5, 296/146.1, 296/191, 296/196, 296/197, 296/1.11, 495/02, 362/494, 359/871, 359/841, 359/843, 248/475.1
• US Class Current: 296/1.11
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/76 for window sashes; for glass run channels
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/78 adjacent to corner pieces, mirror supports or quarter windows
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/0404 Outside rear view mirror support
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/0405 Inboard or outboard side of window frame formed integrally with the lower door structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/0406 window frame formed separately as module
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/0411 Beltline
• 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

Abstract

An exterior accessory assembly or module for a vehicle door assembly comprises an exterior rearview mirror and/or door cap assembly, which may further include a cover member, a door handle, window frame, window seal and/or an exterior rearview mirror assembly. The exterior rearview mirror and/or the cap assembly may mount to the modular door and provide an exterior rearview mirror, a window frame and/or door handle. The latch and/or mirror connectors provide for connection to the handle and/or mirror assembly, respectively, of the accessory module as the accessory module is affixed to the door frame. Preferably, the exterior mirror and/or cap assembly and door frame include corresponding electrical connectors for connecting electrical accessories of the accessory module to a door wiring or harness.

Claims

1. A vehicular modular door system comprising:

a vehicular door assembly comprising a vehicular door frame;

an exterior mirror mount mountable at an exterior portion of said door assembly, said exterior mirror mount mounted at said exterior portion of said door assembly at a first assembly station at an assembly facility, said exterior mirror mount comprising a first connecting portion;

an exterior mirror body mountable to said exterior mirror mount, said exterior mirror body mounted at said exterior mirror mount at a second assembly station at the assembly facility after said first assembly station, said exterior mirror body comprising a second connecting portion configured to mate with said first connecting portion when said exterior mirror mount is mounted at said exterior portion of said door assembly and when said exterior mirror body is mounted to said exterior mirror mount; and

wherein said first connecting portion is mechanically connectable to said second connecting portion to secure said exterior mirror body to said exterior mirror mount at said exterior portion of said door assembly from the exterior of said door assembly; and

wherein said first connecting portion at said exterior mirror mount and said second connecting portion at said exterior mirror body establish a pivot joint when said first connecting portion is mechanically connected to said second connecting portion, said exterior mirror body being pivotable about said pivot joint relative to said exterior mirror mount at said exterior portion of said door assembly.

2. The vehicular modular door system of claim 1, wherein said first connecting portion includes a first electrical connector for providing electrical connection for at least one electronic accessory within said exterior mirror body, said second connecting portion including a corresponding second electrical connector, said first connecting portion being mechanically and electrically connectable to said second connecting portion.

3. The vehicular modular door system of claim 1, wherein said first and second connecting portions are mechanically connectable via a snap connection.

4. A method of assembling a modular door for a vehicle, said method comprising:

providing a door assembly to a vehicle assembly line, said door assembly including a door frame, at least one hinge member and a mounting portion at said door frame;

providing an exterior mirror mount and mounting said exterior mirror mount at said mounting portion of said door assembly;

providing an exterior assembly comprising an exterior rearview mirror assembly and mounting said exterior assembly at said exterior mirror mount after said exterior mirror mount is mounted at said mounting portion of said door assembly; and

wherein mounting said exterior assembly includes connecting a connector of said exterior assembly to a connector of said exterior mirror mount at said mounting portion of said door assembly, wherein when said exterior assembly and said exterior mirror mount are assembled to said door assembly, said exterior mirror mount extends substantially along at least an upper portion of said door assembly, and wherein said exterior rearview mirror assembly is pivotally mounted to said exterior mirror mount and pivotable about a pivot joint that mechanically connects said exterior rearview mirror assembly to said exterior mirror mount.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein after assembling said exterior assembly to said exterior mirror mount at said door assembly, said method includes assembling said door assembly to the vehicle at a vehicle assembly line.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein providing an exterior assembly comprises providing an exterior assembly comprising a door handle assembly, and wherein said method further comprises connecting said door handle assembly to a latch mechanism of said door assembly when assembling said exterior assembly to said door assembly.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein assembling said exterior assembly to said door assembly comprises engaging an electrical connecting portion of said exterior assembly to a corresponding electrical connecting portion of said exterior mirror mount at said mounting portion of said door assembly, said electrical connecting portions being engaged as said connector of said exterior assembly is connected to said connector of said exterior mirror mount at said mounting portion of said door assembly.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein said exterior mirror mount has a first electrical connector associated with an electrical element of the door assembly when said exterior mirror mount is mounted to said door assembly and said connecting portion of said exterior assembly has a second electrical connector, and wherein connecting a connector of said exterior assembly to a connector of said exterior mirror mount at said mounting portion of said door assembly engages said first and second electrical connectors and provides an electrical connection between said exterior assembly and said electrical element.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein said exterior assembly includes at least one of a window frame, a window seal, a fixed window and a movable window.