Nissan North America, Inc.

David Iozzo

David Kovie

Christopher Herrala

Mahiuddin Ahmed

Richard J Dryja

A vehicle body structure includes a reinforcement member, a latch mechanism and a secondary reinforcement portion. The reinforcement member is installed to an inner door panel of a door structure and extends from a forward area of the door structure to a rearward area of the door structure. The latch mechanism is installed to the rearward area of the inner door panel and is positioned such that a section of a rearward portion of the reinforcement member is outboard and level with a portion of the latch mechanism. The secondary reinforcement portion is fixedly attached to a central area of the reinforcement member spaced apart from a forward area of the inner door panel. In response to an impact event where force is directed to a central area of the door structure, the reinforcement member deforms and contacts the latch mechanism retaining the latch mechanism in the latching orientation.

Vehicle body structure

A vehicle door assembly with an inner door panel, an outer door panel and a reinforcement assembly. A first attachment area is defined adjacent to an upper edge and a forward edge and a second attachment area is defined adjacent to the upper edge and a rearward edge of the inner door panel. The inner door panel and the outer door panel are fixedly attached to one another and define a hollow space therebetween. The reinforcement assembly has a first end fixedly attached to the first attachment area of the inner door panel and a second end fixedly attached to the second attachment area of the inner door panel. A mid-section extends of the reinforcement assembly extends along the upper edge of the outer door panel. The mid-section of the reinforcement assembly and the upper edge of the inner door panel define a window receiving slot therebetween.

Vehicle door assembly

A vehicle door is described, including: a bracket that is configured to support a window during opening and closing; a door locking mechanism that is positioned proximate (e.g., near or adjacent to) the bracket; and an absorption member that is configured and positioned to absorb energy from an impact with the vehicle door to thereby protect the door locking mechanism. The absorption member includes a body defining an internal channel that is configured to receive the bracket in an interference fit such that the absorption member is fixedly securable to the bracket.

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West Bloomfield, MI, United States of America

David Iozzo