SE2350651A1 - Vehicle door and vehicle comprising a vehicle door - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle door (1) is disclosed comprising a window frame (3), a rail unit (4) attached to a section (s3) of the window frame (3), and a window (5) movably arranged in the window frame (3) in directions (d1, d2) to and from the rail unit (4) between an open position and a closed position. The rail unit (4) comprises a window sealing (6) configured to sealingly abut against the window (5) when the window (5) is in the closed position. The vehicle door (1) further comprises a rear-view arrangement (7) mounted to the rail unit (4). The present disclosure further relates to a vehicle (2) comprising at least one vehicle door (1).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a vehicle door comprising a window frame and a window movably arranged in the window frame. The present disclosure further relates to a vehicle comprising at least one vehicle door.

BACKGROUND Vehicle doors are used on vehicles to provide access to an interior space of the vehicle. Vehicle doors are typically located on the sides of the vehicle and can be opened and closed to allow passengers or cargo to enter or exit the vehicle. Moreover, vehicle doors are typically attached to a vehicle body using hinges to allow the vehicle door to be moved between an open position and a closed position. They may be operated manually or automatically and can comprise various locking mechanisms to provide security when the vehicle is parked.

Vehicle doors are usually provided with a window to provide visibility for drivers and passengers, allowing them to see outside the vehicle and anticipate any potential hazards or obstacles on the road. Windows in vehicle doors can usually be opened or closed to regulate airflow and provide ventilation, which can help keep the interior of the vehicle comfortable and prevent the build-up of stale air. Moreover, windows in vehicle doors can be used to communicate with others outside the vehicle, such as when speaking to a pedestrian outside of the vehicle.

A vehicle door usually comprises a window frame, wherein the window is movably arranged in the window frame between an open position and a closed position. ln most cases, the window is movably arranged in directions parallel to a vertical direction of the vehicle, i.e., upwards and downwards as seen from a person standing at the side of the vehicle.

Having thin window frames on a vehicle door provides several advantages. For example, thin window frames allow for larger window areas, which can improve visibility for both the driver and passengers. With less obstruction from the window frame, there is a wider field of view, reducing blind spots and increasing overall safety. Moreover, thin window frames contribute to a sleek and modern appearance of the vehicle and allow more natural light to enter the vehicle cabin. This can create a brighter and more pleasant interior atmosphere, enhancing the overall driving or riding experience. 2 However, a drawback with a thin window frame is that it may lose structural integrity as compared to thicker ones and in some cases, it may be wanted to mount one or more arrangements to the window frame of a vehicle door, such as a rear-view mirror. The mounting of one or more arrangements to a window frame usually requires a certain thickness of the window frame to ensure a rigid and secure mounting of the one or more components and to ensure structural rigidity of the window frame.

Moreover, when manufacturing a vehicle door, it is an advantage if the Window frame can be designed to have the same thickness throughout the extension of the window frame, because an unequal thickness of the window frame usually adds complexity and costs to the manufacturing process of the vehicle door.

Moreover, since a vehicle door forms an external surface of a vehicle comprising the vehicle door, the design of the vehicle door affects the total aerodynamic properties of the vehicle, which may pose challenges in the design of a vehicle door.

Furthermore, generally, it is an advantage if products, such as vehicle doors, have conditions and/or characteristics suitable for being manufactured and assembled in a cost-efficient mannef.

SUMMARY lt is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least alleviate, at least some of the above-mentioned problems and drawbacks.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a vehicle door comprising a window frame, a rail unit attached to a section of the Window frame, and a window movably arranged in the window frame in directions to and from the rail unit between an open position and a closed position. The rail unit comprises a window sealing configured to sealingly abut against the window when the window is in the closed position. The vehicle door further comprises a rear-view arrangement mounted to the rail unit.

Since the vehicle door comprises the rail unit attached to the section of the window frame, a rigid mounting of the rear-view arrangement can be obtained to the window frame while providing conditions for a thin window frame throughout the extension thereof. ln other words, due to the features of the vehicle door, conditions are provided for improved visibility with less obstruction from the window frame thereby reducing blind spots and increasing overall safety While being able to obtain a rigid mounting of the rear-view arrangement to the 3 window frame. Moreover, conditions are provided for allowing more natural light to enter the vehicle cabin to create a brighter and more pleasant interior atmosphere While being able to obtain a rigid mounting of the rear-view arrangement to the window frame of the vehicle door. ln addition, conditions are provided for designing the window frame of the vehicle door to have at least substantially the same thickness throughout its extension around the window while being able to obtain a rigid mounting of the rear-view arrangement to the window frame. Accordingly a vehicle door is provided having conditions and characteristics suitable for being manufactured and assembled in a cost-efficient manner.

Accordingly, a vehicle door is provided overcoming, or at least alleviating, at least some of the above-mentioned problems and drawbacks. As a result, the above-mentioned object is achieved.

Optionally, the rail unit comprises a set of mounting portions, and wherein the rear-view arrangement is mounted to one or more mounting portions of the set of mounting portions. Thereby, conditions are provided for mounting the rear-view arrangement to the rail unit in a quick, simple, cost-efficient, and rigid manner.

Optionally, the set of mounting portions comprises a greater number of mounting portions than what is used for mounting the rear-view arrangement to the rail unit. Thereby, a modular solution is provided for obtaining different types of vehicle doors in a cost-efficient manner. This is because the mounting portions not used for mounting the rear-view arrangement to the rail unit can be utilized to attach other types of arrangements, and/or other types of rear- view arrangements, to the rail unit.

Optionally, the vehicle door comprises a cover covering the mounting portions not used for mounting the rear-view arrangement to the rail unit. Thereby, advantageous aerodynamical properties of the vehicle door can be obtained despite the fact that the set of mounting portions comprises a greater number of mounting portions than what is used for mounting the rear-view arrangement to the rail unit. Moreover, an advantageous visual appearance of the vehicle door can be obtained despite the fact that the set of mounting portions comprises a greater number of mounting portions than what is used for mounting the rear-view arrangement to the rail unit.

Optionally, each mounting portion of the set of mounting portions comprises a threaded hole.

Thereby, conditions are provided for mounting the rear-view arrangementto the rail unit, as 4 Well as other types of arrangements to the rail unit, in a quick, simple, cost-efficient, and rigid mannef.

Optionally, the rail unit is attached to the section of the Window frame using a number of fastening elements. Thereby, the rail unit can be attached to the section of the window frame in a quick, simple, cost-efficient, and rigid manner.

Optionally, the rear-view arrangement is mounted to the rail unit using one or more fastening elements. Thereby, the rear-view arrangement can be mounted to the rail unit in a quick, simple, cost-efficient, and rigid manner.

Optionally, the vehicle door comprises an exterior door panel, and wherein the rear-view arrangement comprises a first mounting section mounted to the rail unit and a second mounting section mounted to the exterior door panel. Thereby, it can be further ensured that the rear-view arrangement is attached to the vehicle door in a rigid and secure manner.

Optionally, the rear-view arrangement comprises at least one of a mirror and a camera. Thereby, rigid mounting of at least one of a mirror and a camera can be obtained to the window frame while providing conditions for a thin window frame.

Optionally, the vehicle door comprises a door sealing strip attached to the window frame, and wherein the door sealing strip is configured to sealingly abut against a door frame structure of a vehicle comprising the vehicle door. Thereby, a sealed interface can be ensured between the Window frame and the door frame structure of a vehicle comprising the vehicle door.

Optionally, the section of the window frame constitutes a top section When the vehicle door is mounted to a vehicle. Thereby, in this manner, it can be ensured that the rail unit does not have a negative impact on visibility in important viewing directions from a driver seat of a vehicle comprising the vehicle door. That is, as realized by the inventors of the solution according to the present disclosure, important directions for visibility from a driver seat is mainly forward, to the sides, and backward. Upwards, on the other hand, there is normally unnecessary height regarding visibility because door openings are usually high in order to allow drivers and passengers to get in and out without hitting the head against an upper part of the door opening. Accordingly, by attaching the rail unit to the top section of the window frame, conditions are provided for improved visibility with substantially no obstruction from the rail unit in important viewing directions from a driver seat of the vehicle while providing conditions for a thin window frame and being able to obtain a rigid mounting of the rear-view arrangement to the window frame of the vehicle door.

Optionally, the window frame comprises a first and a second side sections each adjoining the section to which the rai| unit is attached, and wherein a thickness of the section is within the range of 80% - 120% of a thickness of each of the first and second side sections measured in a plane parallel to the window. Thereby, a vehicle door is provided having a window frame with at least substantially equal thickness along the extension thereof. ln other words, a vehicle door is provided having conditions and characteristics suitable for being manufactured and assembled in a cost-efficient manner, as well as conditions for a thin window frame, while being able to obtain a rigid mounting of the rear-view arrangement to the window frame.

Optionally, the vehicle door comprises an interior cover panel, and wherein the interior cover panel comprises an attachment section attached to the rai| unit. Thereby, a vehicle door is provided having conditions for an appealing visual appearance as seen from an inside of a vehicle comprising the vehicle door. Moreover, according to these embodiments, the rai| unit not only serves for attaching the rear-view arrangement to the vehicle door, and accommodating the window sealing, but also serves as an attachment for the interior cover panel to the vehicle door. As a result, a vehicle door is provided having conditions and characteristics suitable for being manufactured and assembled in a cost-efficient manner Optionally, the vehicle door comprises a sun blocking screen at least partially covered by the interior cover panel. Thereby, additional functionality is added to the vehicle door in a simple and cost-efficient manner. Moreover, it can be ensured that the sun blocking screen is securely attached to the vehicle door while using a thin window frame.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a vehicle comprising at least one vehicle door according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Since the vehicle comprises a vehicle door according to some embodiments, a vehicle is provided overcoming, or at least alleviating, at least some of the above-mentioned problems and drawbacks. As a result, the above-mentioned object is achieved.

Optionally, the vehicle is a heavy road vehicle, such as a truck or a bus. Thereby, a heavy road vehicle is provided having at least some of the above-mentioned advantages. Moreover, in embodiments in which the section of the window frame constitutes a top section, it can be further ensured that the rai| unit does not have a negative impact on 6 visibility in important viewing directions from a driver seat of a vehicle comprising the vehicle door. This is because door openings of heavy road vehicles are usually high in order to allow drivers and passengers to get in and out in a more or less upright position without hitting the head against an upper part of the door opening which means that windows of vehicle doors of heavy road vehicles are typically designed with excessive height regarding visibility.

Further features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Various aspects of the invention, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the example embodiments discussed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle according to some embodiments, Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle door of the vehicle illustrated in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 illustrates a cross section through an upper part of a door frame structure of the vehicle illustrated in Fig. 1, Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a rail unit according to the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 illustrates an upper part of a vehicle door according to the embodiments explained with reference to Fig. 1 - Fig. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Aspects of the present invention will now be described more fully. Like reference signs refer to like elements throughout. Well-known functions or constructions will not necessarily be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle 2 according to some embodiments. According to the illustrated embodiments, the vehicle 2 is a truck, i.e., a type of heavy road vehicle, as well as a type of heavy commercial vehicle. According to further embodiments, the vehicle 2, as referred to herein, may be another type of heavy or lighter type of manned or unmanned vehicle for land-based propulsion such as a Iorry, a construction vehicle, a tractor, a bus, or the like.

The vehicle 2 comprises a propulsion system P1 configured to provide motive power to the vehicle 2 via wheels w2, w3 of the vehicle 2. According to the illustrated embodiments, the 7 propulsion system P1 comprises an electric motor for providing motive power to the vehicle 2. This is because the propulsion system P1 of the vehicle 2 according to the illustrated embodiments is a pure electrical propulsion system. However, according to further embodiments, the propulsion system P1 of the vehicle 2 may comprise an internal combustion engine configured to provide motive power to the vehicle 2. The internal combustion engine may be arranged in addition to one or more electric motors for providing motive power the vehicle 2 or may be provided as the only means for providing motive power to the vehicle 2. ln Fig. 1, the vehicle 2 is illustrated as positioned in an intended use position on a flat surface 51 supporting the vehicle 2. As seen in Fig. 1, wheels w1, w2, w3 of the vehicle 2 abut against the flat surface 51 when the vehicle 2 is positioned in the intended use position thereon. Moreover, in Fig. 1, a forward moving direction fd and a reverse moving direction rd of the vehicle 2 are indicated. The reverse moving direction rd of the vehicle 2 is opposite to the forward moving direction fd of the vehicle 2.

Moreover, in Fig. 1, a longitudinal direction ld of the vehicle 2 is indicated. The longitudinal direction ld of the vehicle 2 is parallel to a flat surface 51 supporting the vehicle 2 when the vehicle 2 is positioned in the intended upright use position thereon. Moreover, the longitudinal direction ld of the vehicle 2 is parallel to the fonNard moving direction fd of the vehicle 2 as well as to the reverse moving direction rd of the vehicle 2. Furthermore, in Fig. 1, a vertical direction vd of the vehicle 2 is indicated. The vertical direction vd of the vehicle 2 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction ld of the vehicle 2. Moreover, when the vehicle 2 is positioned in the intended use position on a flat horizontal surface, the vertical direction vd of the vehicle 2 coincides with a gravity vector at the location of the vehicle 2.

The vehicle 2 in Fig. 1 is illustrated as comprising three wheel axles a1, a2, a3 each comprising a number of wheels w1, w2, w3. According to the illustrated embodiments, the wheels w1 of a first wheel axle a1 constitute front wheels of the vehicle 2. The wheels w1 of the first wheel axle a1 may also be referred to as front wheels of the vehicle 2. According to the illustrated embodiments, the wheels w1 of the first wheel axle a1 are steered non-driven wheels. However, according to further embodiments, the wheels w1 of the first wheel axle a1 may be driven wheels, i.e., may be driven to rotate by the propulsion system P1 of the vehicle 2.

Moreover, according to the illustrated embodiments, the wheels w2, w3 of a second wheel axle a2 and a third wheel axle a3 of the vehicle 2 constitute rear wheels of the vehicle 2. The 8 wheels w2, w3 of the second and third wheel axles a2, a3 may also be referred to as rear wheels of the vehicle 2. According to the illustrated embodiments, the wheels w2, w3 of the second and third wheel axles a2, a3 are non-steered driven wheels. That is, according to the illustrated embodiments, the wheels w2, w3 of the second and third wheel axles a2, a3 have a fixed rolling direction relative to the longitudinal direction ld of the vehicle 2 and are arranged to be rotated by the propulsion system P1 of the vehicle 2.

According to some further embodiments, the wheels w2, w3 of the second and third wheel axles a2, a3 may be non-driven wheels. Moreover, according to some embodiments, the wheels w2, w3 of the second and third wheel axles a2, a3 may be steered wheels, i.e., may be arranged such that the rolling direction thereof relative to the longitudinal direction ld of the vehicle 2 can be changed by a steering device of the vehicle 2.

Moreover, according to further embodiments, the vehicle 2 may be provided with a different configuration of wheels w1, w2, w3 and wheel axles a1, a2, a3 than depicted in Fig. 1. For example, the vehicle 2 may comprise one rear wheel axle only.

According to the illustrated embodiments, the vehicle 2 comprises a cab 30 mounted to a chassis frame 28 of the vehicle 2. Moreover, according to the illustrated embodiments, the chassis frame 28 of the vehicle 2 comprises two elongated frame beams each having a direction of elongation substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction ld of the vehicle 2. The feature that the two elongated frame beams each has a direction of elongation substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction ld of the vehicle 2 may encompass that an angle between the longitudinal direction ld of the vehicle 2 and each of the extension directions of the elongated frame beams is less than 10 degrees.

The cab 30 may be resiliently mounted relative to the chassis frame 28 of the vehicle 2, for example via a pneumatic, hydraulic, and/or mechanical cab suspension assembly. The cab 30 forms an occupant compartment. As is indicated in Fig. 1, the vehicle 2 comprises a vehicle door 1. According to the illustrated embodiments, the vehicle door 1 is hinged relative to a cab body of the cab 30 and is movably arranged between an open position and a closed position relative to the cab body to allow passengers or cargo to enter or exit the occupant compartment. ln Fig. 1, the vehicle door 1 is illustrated in the closed position.

According to the illustrated embodiments, the vehicle door 1 is hinged via a number of hinges attached to a front portion of a doorframe of the cab 30 as seen relative to the fon/vard 9 moving direction fd of the vehicle 2. The doorframe and the number of hinges are not indicated in Fig. 1 for reasons of brevity and clarity.

Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the vehicle door 1 of the vehicle 2 illustrated in Fig. 1. The vehicle door 1 comprises an exterior door panel 11 and an interior door panel 13 attached to the exterior door panel 11. According to the illustrated embodiments, the exterior door panel 11 is made of metal and may be provided with a paint layer and a protective clear coat layer. The vehicle door 1 comprises an exterior door handle 31 protruding through an opening provided in the exterior door panel 11. Moreover, the vehicle door 1 may comprise a door frame, a door lock mechanism operably connected to the exterior door handle 31, a number of side impact beams, weatherstripping, and the like. Such types of components may be arranged between the exterior door panel 11 and the interior door panel 13 of the vehicle door 1. The vehicle door 1 may further comprise an interior door handle which may protrude through an opening provided in the interior door panel 13.

Moreover, the vehicle door 1 comprises a window frame 3 a window 5 arranged in the window frame 3. The window 5 is transparent and may be formed by glass, such as a sheet of laminated glass composed of two or more layers of glass with an interlayer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) sandwiched between them.

According to the illustrated embodiments, the window frame 3 is made of metal. The window frame 3 may be attached to a door frame of the vehicle door 1. However, according to some embodiments, the window frame 3 and the door frame may be formed by one piece of continuous material.

According to embodiments herein, the vehicle door 1 comprises a rail unit 4. The rail unit 4 is attached to a section s3 of the window frame 3. According to the illustrated embodiments, the rail unit 4 is elongated and is attached to the section s3 of the window frame 3 such that the direction of elongation of the rail unit 4 coincides with an extension direction of the section s3 of the window frame 3. The rail unit 4, as referred to herein, may also be referred to as a window frame edge unit, a rim unit, an adapter unit, a window frame adapter unit, or the like.

According to the illustrated embodiments, the section s3 of the window frame 3 is a top section of the window frame 3. The feature that the section s3 of the window frame 3 is a top section of the window frame 3 means that the section s3 of the window frame 3 is an uppermost part of the window frame 3 as seen relative to the vertical direction vd of a vehicle 2 when the vehicle door 1 is mounted to the vehicle 2. The section s3 of the window frame 3 may therefore also be referred to as a top section, a top edge section, or a top frame section of the window frame 3.

The window 5 of the vehicle door 1 is movably arranged in the window frame 3 in directions d1, d2 towards and away from the rai| unit 4 between an open position and a closed position. According to the illustrated embodiments, the window 5 of the vehicle door 1 is movably arranged in the window frame 3 in directions d1, d2 at least substantially parallel to the vertical direction vd of a vehicle 2 when the vehicle door 1 is mounted to the vehicle 2. The wording "at least substantially parallel to" in this context means that the angle between vertical direction vd of the vehicle 2 and one of the directions d1, d2 is less than 10 degrees, wherein the directions d1, d2 are opposite to each other.

As is seen in Fig. 2, the vehicle door 1 comprises a rear-view arrangement 7. According to the illustrated embodiments, the rear-view arrangement 7 comprises a first mirror 17 and a second mirror 17". The first mirror 17 forms a rear-view mirror. That is, the first mirror 17 is configured such that a driver of the vehicle 2 sees in a rearward direction, i.e., a direction at least substantially corresponding to the reverse moving direction rd of the vehicle 2, when the vehicle door 1 is mounted to the vehicle 2, the vehicle door 1 is in a closed position, the driver is located in a driver environment 55 of the vehicle 2 and is viewing in a direction towards the first mirror 17. ln Fig. 1, the driver environment 55 of the vehicle 2 is indicated. The driver environment 55 can be said to constitute a portion of the occupant compartment assigned for a driver of the vehicle 2.

According to the illustrated embodiments, the second mirror 17' is configured such that a driver of the vehicle 2 sees in a rearward/downward direction when the vehicle door 1 is mounted to the vehicle 2, the vehicle door 1 is in a closed position, the driver is located in a driver environment 55 of the vehicle 2 and is viewing in a direction towards the second mirror 17". The second mirror 17' can for example be used when the driver wants to confirm that no pedestrians are standing at a side of the vehicle 2 before making a turn. As another example, the second mirror 17' may be used to identify the location of curbs during parking, and the like.

According to the illustrated embodiments, the rear-view arrangement 7 is mounted to the vehicle door 1 such that the rear-view arrangement 7 is located outside of the driver environment 55 and the occupant compartment referred to above when the vehicle door 1 is mounted to the vehicle 2. Moreover, as understood from the above, the rear-view arrangement 7 is mounted to the vehicle door 1 such that driver located in the driver 11 environment 55 can see the first and second mirrors 17, 17' through the window frame 3 when the vehicle door 1 is mounted to the vehicle 2 and the vehicle door 1 is in the closed position.

As an alternative to one or more mirrors 17, 17', or in addition to one or more mirrors 17, 17', the rear-view arrangement 7 may comprise one or more cameras arranged to provide image data in a reanNard direction of the vehicle 2. According to such embodiments, the vehicle 2 may comprise one or more display units visible from the driver environment 55 of the vehicle 2, wherein the one or more display units is/are arranged to display the image data captured by the one or more cameras.

As seen in Fig. 2, according to embodiments herein, the rear-view arrangement 7 is mounted to the rail unit 4. ln other words, the rear-view arrangement 7 is mounted to the vehicle door 1 via the rail unit 4. ln more detail, according to the illustrated embodiments, the rear-view arrangement 7 comprises a first mounting section 7' mounted to the rail unit 4 and a second mounting section 7" mounted to the exterior door panel 11 of the vehicle door 1.

According to further embodiments, the first mounting section 7' is mounted to the rail unit 4 wherein the second mounting section 7" is mounted to another part of the vehicle door 1 than the exterior door panel 11. Moreover, according to some embodiments, the rear-view arrangement 7 may be mounted to the vehicle door 1 only via the rail unit 4. Accordingly, in such embodiments, the rear-view arrangement 7 is structurally supported relative to the vehicle door 1 purely via the rail unit 4.

Fig. 3 illustrates a cross section through an upper part of a door frame structure 18 of the vehicle 2 illustrated in Fig. 1. ln Fig. 3, the vehicle door 1 is illustrated in the closed position and an upper part of the vehicle door 1 is also seen in Fig. 3, including the section s3 of the window frame 3, the window 5, and the rail unit 4 of the vehicle door 1.

According to the illustrated embodiments, the vehicle door 1 comprises a pair of door sealing strips 15, 15' each attached to the Window frame 3. Each of the pair of door sealing strips 15, 15' is configured to sealingly abut against a portion of the door frame structure 18 of the vehicle 2 when the vehicle door 1 is in the closed position, as is illustrated in Fig. 3. According to further embodiments, the vehicle door 1 may comprise another number of door sealing strips 15, 15' attached to the window frame 3 of the vehicle door 1, such as one or three door sealing strips 15, 15". Moreover, as seen in Fig. 3, according to the illustrated embodiments, the door frame structure 18 of the vehicle 2 comprises a door sealing strip 25 12 configured to sealingly abut against a portion of the window frame 3 of the vehicle door 1 when the vehicle door 1 is in the closed position, as is illustrated in Fig. 3.

As mentioned, the window 5 is movably arranged in the window frame 3 in directions d1, d2 to and from the rai| unit 4 between an open position and a closed position. ln Fig. 3, the window 5 is illustrated in the closed position. As is seen in Fig. 3, the rai| unit 4 comprises a window sealing 6 configured to sealingly abut against the window 5 when the window 5 is in the closed position. According to the illustrated embodiments, the window sealing 6 is elongated and extends along the full extension of the rai| unit 4. The window sealing 6 may also be referred to as a window sealing strip.

According to the illustrated embodiments, the rai| unit 4 is attached to the section s3 of the window frame 3 using a number of fastening elements 9, one of which is seen in Fig. 3. The fastening element 9 may also be referred to as a rai| unit fastening element 9. According to the illustrated embodiments, the fastening element 9 is a bolt screwed into a threaded part 9' of the window frame 3. According to further embodiments, the rai| unit 4 may be attached to the section s3 of the window frame 3 in another manner, such as by using one or more rivets, one or more screws, welding, gluing, or the like.

Below, simultaneous reference is made to Fig. 1 - Fig. 3, if not indicated otherwise. Since the vehicle door 1 comprises the rai| unit 4 attached to the section s3 of the window frame 3, a rigid mounting of the rear-view arrangement 7 can be obtained to the window frame 3 while providing conditions for a thin window frame 3 throughout the extension of the window frame 3. ln other words, due to the features of the vehicle door 1, conditions are provided for improved visibility with less obstruction of the window frame 3 from a position of the driver environment 55 of the vehicle 2 thereby reducing blind spots and increasing overall safety while being able to obtain a rigid mounting of the rear-view arrangement 7 to the window frame 3. Moreover, conditions are provided for allowing more natural light to enter the occupant compartment of the vehicle 2 to create a brighter and more pleasant interior atmosphere while being able to obtain a rigid mounting of the rear-view arrangement 7 to the window frame 3 of the vehicle door 1.

As seen in Fig. 3, according to the illustrated embodiments, the vehicle door 1 comprises an interior cover panel 20. The interior cover panel 20 forms a delimiting surface of the occupant compartment of the vehicle 2 when the vehicle door 1 is mounted to the vehicle 2 and the door is in the closed position as is illustrated in Fig. 3. According to the illustrated embodiments, the interior cover panel 20 covers the rai| unit 4 as seen from the occupant 13 compartment of the vehicle 2 when the vehicle door 1 is mounted to the vehicle 2 and the door is in the closed position as is illustrated in Fig. 3. Moreover, as indicated in Fig. 3, the interior cover panel 20 comprises an attachment section 20' attached to the rai| unit 4.

According to the illustrated embodiments, the vehicle door 1 further comprises a sun blocking screen 23 least partially covered by the interior cover panel 20. According to the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 3, the sun blocking screen 23 is wound up on a roll and comprises a portion extending through a slot provided in the interior cover panel 20. ln Fig. 3, the sun blocking screen 23 is illustrated in a retracted position. Moreover, in Fig. 3, a major part of the sun blocking screen 23 and the roll is arranged inside a space formed between the interior cover panel 20, the rai| unit 4, and the section s3 of the window frame 3.

Moreover, according to the illustrated embodiments, the sun blocking screen 23 comprises a handle portion 23' attached onto a portion of the sun blocking screen 23 at a location outside of the space formed bet\Neen the interior cover panel 20, the rai| unit 4, and the section s3 of the window frame 3. ln this manner, an occupant of the vehicle 2, such as a driver of the vehicle 2, may conveniently grab the handle portion 23' of the sun blocking screen 23 and may apply a force thereon in a direction downwards, i.e., in a direction substantially coinciding with the direction d2 indicated in Fig. 3. ln this manner, the occupant can extract the sun blocking screen through the slot to an extracted position. The sun blocking screen 23 is arranged to block light at least partially when in the extracted position. The sun blocking screen 23 may be partially transparent for safety reasons.

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a rai| unit 4 according to the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. As mentioned, the rai| unit 4 is elongated. ln Fig. 4, the direction of elongation de of the rai| unit 4 is indicated. According to the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the rai| unit 4 is mounted to the section s3 of the window frame 3 such that the direction of elongation de of the rai| unit 4 is substantially perpendicular to the directions d1, d2 in which the window 5 is movably arranged in the window frame 3. The feature that the direction of elongation de of the rai| unit 4 is substantially perpendicular to the directions d1, d2 in which the window 5 is movably arranged in the window frame 3 may encompass that an angle between the direction of elongation de and each of the directions d1, d2 is within the range of 80 - 100 degrees.

Moreover, as is indicated in Fig. 4, the rai| unit 4 comprises a set of mounting portions m1, m2, m3. According to the illustrated embodiments, each mounting portion m1, m2, m3 of the 14 set of mounting portions m1, m2, m3 comprises a threaded hole. One mounting portion m1 of the set of mounting portions m1, m2, m3 is also seen and is indicated in Fig. 3.

Moreover, in Fig. 3, a fastening element 19 is schematically indicated in the form of a bolt. The fastening element 19 may also be referred to as a rear-view arrangement fastening element 19. According to the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 2, the rear-view arrangement 7 is mounted to the rail unit 4 using a pair of fastening elements 19 according to the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 3, wherein each fastening element 19 of the pair of fastening elements 19 is attached to one mounting portion m1 of the set of mounting portions m1, m2, m3 of the rail unit 4. ln other words, according to the illustrated embodiments, the rear-view arrangement 7 is attached to the rail unit 4 via two mounting portions m1 of the rail unit 4. According to further embodiments, the rear-view arrangement 7 may be attached to the rail unit 4 via another number of mounting portions of the rail unit 4. Moreover, according to some further embodiments, the rear-view arrangement 7 may be attached to the rail unit 4 in another manner than described above, such as via one or more rivets, one or more screws, welding, gluing, or the like.

As seen in Fig. 4, according to the illustrated embodiments, the set of mounting portions m1, m2, m3 comprises a greater number of mounting portions m1, m2, m3 than what is used for mounting the rear-view arrangement 7 to the rail unit 4. ln this manner, a modular solution is provided for obtaining different types of vehicle doors in a cost-efficient manner. This is because the mounting portions m2, m3 not used for mounting the rear-view arrangement 7 to the rail unit 4 can be utilized for attaching other types of arrangements, and/or other types of rear-view arrangements, to the rail unit 4, and thus also to the window frame 3 of the vehicle door 1.

According to the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 3, the vehicle door 1 comprises a cover 8 covering the mounting portions m2, m3 not used for mounting the rear-view arrangement 7 to the rail unit 4. The cover 8 forms a delimiting outer surface of the vehicle door 1 and may also be referred to as an external cover, an external cover strip, or the like.

Fig. 5 illustrates an upper part of a vehicle door 1 according to the embodiments explained with reference to Fig. 1 - Fig. 4. Below, simultaneous reference is made to Fig. 1 - Fig. 5, if not indicated othenNise.

As is indicated in Fig. 2 and Fig. 5, the window frame 3 comprises a first and a second side sections s1, s2 each adjoining the section s3 to which the rail unit 4 is attached. The first side section s1 constitutes a front side section of the window frame 3 as seen relative to the forward moving direction fd of the vehicle 2 when the vehicle door 1 is mounted to the vehicle 2 and the vehicle door 1 is in the closed position. Moreover, the second side section s2 constitutes a rear side section of the window frame 3 as seen relative to the fon/vard moving direction fd of the vehicle 2 when the vehicle door 1 is mounted to the vehicle 2 and the vehicle door 1 is in the closed position.

The section s3 to which the rail unit 4 is attached extends between the first and second side sections s1, s2. Moreover, as is best seen in Fig. 2, each of the first and second side sections s1, s2 is substantially parallel to the directions d1, d2 in which the window 5 is movably arranged in the window frame 3. The feature that each of the first and second side sections s1, s2 is substantially parallel to the directions d1, d2 in which the window 5 is movably arranged in the window frame 3 may encompass that an angle between an extension direction of each of the first and second side sections s1, s2 and the directions d1, d2 in which the window 5 is movably arranged in the Window frame 3 is less than 10 degrees.

Moreover, as indicated above, the section s3 to which the rail unit 4 is attached constitutes a top section of the window frame 3 when the vehicle door 1 is mounted to the vehicle 2 and the vehicle 2 is positioned in an intended use position on a flat horizontal surface. ln Fig. 5, a plane P parallel to the window 5 is indicated. According to the illustrated embodiments, the section s3 to which the rail unit 4 is attached and the first and second side sections s1, s2 are provided with the same thickness t1, t2, t3 as measured in the plane P parallel to the window 5. According to some further embodiments, a thickness t3 of the section s3 may be within the range of 80% - 120% of a thickness of each of the first and second side sections s1, s2 as measured in a plane P parallel to the window 5.

Due to these features, a vehicle door 1 is provided having conditions and characteristics suitable for being manufactured and assembled in a cost-efficient manner. This is because the at least substantially constant thickness t1, t2, t3 of the window frame 3 throughout the extension thereof facilitates the manufacturing process of the window frame 3, and thus also of a vehicle door 1 comprising the window frame 3.

Moreover, as explained above, since the vehicle door 1 comprises the rail unit 4 attached to the section s3 of the window frame 3, a rigid mounting of the rear-view arrangement 7 can be obtained to the window frame 3 while providing conditions for a small thickness t1, t2, t3 of 16 the window frame 3 throughout the extension of the window frame 3. According to some embodiments, the thickness t1, t2, t3 of each of the section s3 to which the rail unit 4 is attached and the first and second side sections s1, s2, as measured in the plane P parallel to the window 5, is less than 5 centimetres, or is less than 4 centimetres.

A combined thickness t4 of the rail unit 4 and the section s3 to which the rail unit 4 is attached is indicated in Fig. 5. As seen in Fig. 5, the combined thickness t4 is greater than each of the thicknesses t1, t2, t3 of the section s3 to which the rail unit 4 is attached and the first and second side sections s1, s2. However, since the section s3 of the window frame 3 is a top section of the window frame 3 it can be ensured that the rail unit 4 does not have a negative impact on visibility in important viewing directions from a driver seat of a vehicle 2 comprising the vehicle door 1. That is, as realized by the inventors of the solution according to the present disclosure, important directions for visibility from a driver seat is mainly forward, to the sides, and backward. Upwards, on the other hand, there is normally unnecessary height regarding visibility because door openings are usually high in order to allow drivers and passengers to get in and out without hitting the head against an upper part of a door opening. Accordingly, by attaching the rail unit 4 to the top section of the window frame, conditions are provided for improved visibility with substantially no obstruction from the rail unit 4 in important viewing directions from a driver seat of the vehicle 2 while providing conditions for a thin Window frame 3 and being able to obtain a rigid mounting of the rear-view arrangement 7 to the window frame 3 of the vehicle door 1.

Above, the vehicle 2 is explained as comprising one vehicle door 1. However, the vehicle 2 may comprise one or more further vehicle doors, wherein the one or more further vehicle doors may have at least substantially identical features, functions, and advantages as the vehicle door 1 explained above. Moreover, the one or more further vehicle door 1 may have a mirrored design as compared to the vehicle door 1 illustrated in Fig. 1, Fig. 2, and Fig. 5. According to such embodiments, the vehicle door 1 and a further vehicle door may be arranged at opposite lateral sides of the vehicle 2. lt is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of various example embodiments and that the invention is defined only by the appended independent claims. A person skilled in the art will realize that the example embodiments may be modified, and that different features of the example embodiments may be combined to create embodiments other than those described herein, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended independent claims. 17 As used herein, the term "comprising" or "comprises" is open-ended, and includes one or more stated features, elements, steps, components, or functions but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, steps, components, functions, or groups thereof.

Claims (1)

1. Claims A vehicle door (1) comprising: - a window frame (3), - a rail unit (4) attached to a section (s3) of the window frame (3), and - a window (5) movably arranged in the window frame (3) in directions (d1, d2) to and from the rail unit (4) between an open position and a closed position, wherein the rail unit (4) comprises a window sealing (6) configured to sealingly abut against the window (5) when the window (5) is in the closed position, and wherein the vehicle door (1 ) further comprises a rear-view arrangement (7) mounted to the rail unit (4). The vehicle door (1) according to claim 1, wherein the rail unit (4) comprises a set of mounting portions (m1, m2, m3), and wherein the rear-view arrangement (7) is mounted to one or more mounting portions (m1) of the set of mounting portions (m1, m2, m3). The vehicle door (1) according to claim 2, wherein the set of mounting portions (m1, m2, m3) comprises a greater number of mounting portions (m1, m2, m3) than what is used for mounting the rear-view arrangement (7) to the rail unit (4). The vehicle door (1) according to claim 3, wherein the vehicle door (1) comprises a cover (8) covering the mounting portions (m2, m3) not used for mounting the rear-view arrangement (7) to the rail unit (4). The vehicle door (1) according to any one of the claims 2 - 4, wherein each mounting portion (m1, m2, m3) of the set of mounting portions (m1, m2, m3) comprises a threaded hole. The vehicle door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rail unit (4) is attached to the section (s3) of the window frame (3) using a number of fastening elements (9). The vehicle door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear-view arrangement (7) is mounted to the rail unit (4) using one or more fastening elements (19). The vehicle door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle door (1) comprises an exterior door panel (11), and wherein the rear-view arrangement (7) comprises a first mounting section (7') mounted to the rail unit (4) and a second mounting section (7”) mounted to the exterior door panel (11).The vehicle door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear-view arrangement (7) comprises at least one of a mirror (17, 17') and a camera. The vehicle door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle door (1) comprises a door sealing strip (15, 15') attached to the window frame (3), and wherein the door sealing strip (15, 15') is configured to sealingly abut against a door frame structure (18) of a vehicle (2) comprising the vehicle door (1). The vehicle door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the section (s3) of the window frame (3) constitutes a top section when the vehicle door (1) is mounted to a vehicle (2). The vehicle door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the window frame (3) comprises a first and a second side sections (s1, s2) each adjoining the section (s3) to which the rail unit (4) is attached, and wherein a thickness (t3) of the section (s3) is Within the range of 80% - 120% of a thickness of each of the first and second side sections (s1, s2) measured in a plane (P) parallel to the window (5). The vehicle door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle door (1) comprises an interior cover panel (20), and wherein the interior cover panel (20) comprises an attachment section (20') attached to the rail unit (4). The vehicle door (1) according to claim 13, wherein the vehicle door (1) comprises a sun blocking screen (23) at least partially covered by the interior cover panel (20). A vehicle (2) comprising at least one vehicle door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. The vehicle (2) according to claim 15, wherein the vehicle (2) is a heavy road vehicle, such as a truck or a bus.