Automotive door assembly having a plug-in electrified interior panel

Abstract

An automotive door assembly comprising a rigid frame structure defining the main body of the door assembly, an outer skin fixed to an outer side of the rigid frame structure defining the exterior appearance of the door assembly, and a panel assembly disposed on the opposite side of the rigid frame structure defining the interior appearance of the door assembly. A plurality of electrically operated components are carried by the rigid frame structure having first current connectors mounted in generally stationary relation on the rigid frame structure in oppositely facing and oppositely accessible relation with respect to the outer skin. An electrical harness assembly forming a part of the panel assembly includes second current connectors mounted in generally stationary relation on the panel assembly in oppositely facing and oppositely accessible relation with respect to the appearance defining surface thereof. The first and second current connectors include male and female elements adapted to be interengaged in response to the movement of the panel assembly into its operative position. Certain of the male and female elements are mounted to accommodate limited relative movement therebetween in a direction lateral to the direction of element interengagement so as to ensure that the male and female elements are interengaged during the movement of the panel means into the operative position thereof and remain thereon. Fasteners secure the panel assembly to the rigid frame structure in its operative position.