Multi-sheet barrier panel for automobile door assemblies

1 . A barrier liner for a vehicle door assembly having a door panel and an inner trim panel, said barrier liner comprising:

at least two sheet members, including a first and second sheet which have opposing surfaces that are spaced apart from each other; and

discrete attachment areas at which the first and second sheet are attached to one another, said discrete attachment areas including side walls that extent between the first and second sheets, said discrete attachment areas extending across a central portion of the barrier liner.

2 . A barrier liner for a vehicle door assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one of an acoustic and a thermal insulation material provided between the first and second sheet except at the discrete attachment areas.

3 . A barrier liner for a vehicle door assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the discrete attachment areas comprise areas at which the first and second sheet are fused together.

4 . A barrier liner for a vehicle door assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the discrete attachment areas comprise a plurality of discrete attachment areas that are arranged in a regular pattern.

5 . A barrier liner for a vehicle door assembly according to claim 1 , the discrete attachment areas comprise depressed areas that are formed in at least one of the first and second sheets.

6 . A barrier liner for a vehicle door assembly according to claim 5 , adjacent ones of the discrete attachment areas share a common sidewall.

7 . A barrier liner for a vehicle door assembly according to claim 5 , wherein the attachment areas comprises at least a channel segment that is formed in one of the first and second sheets.

8 . A barrier liner for a vehicle door assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the barrier liner includes a plurality of engagement structures that are configured to attach the barrier panel to the door panel.

9 . A barrier liner for a vehicle door assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the at least two sheet members, includes a first and second outer sheets and a third middle sheet that is positioned between the first and second outer sheets, the middle sheet being spaced apart from each of the outer sheets;

first discrete attachment areas at which the first outer sheet and the third middle sheet are attached to one another; and

second discrete attachment areas at which the second outer sheet and the third middle sheet are attached to one another,

the first discrete attachment areas including side walls that extent between the first outer sheet and the third middle sheet,

the second discrete attachment areas including side walls that extent between the second outer sheet and the third middle sheet,

the first and second discrete attachment areas extending across a central portion of the barrier liner.

10 . A barrier liner for a vehicle door assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the first and second discrete attachment areas are aligned on opposite sides of the barrier liner.

11 . A barrier liner for a vehicle door assembly according to claim 9 , wherein at least one of an acoustic and a thermal insulation material provided between at least one of the first outer sheet and the third middle sheet and the second outer sheet and the third middle sheet except at the discrete attachment areas.

12 . A barrier liner for a vehicle door assembly according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second sheets comprises a water-impermeable material.

13 . A barrier liner for a vehicle door assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the barrier liner includes a sealing element that extends along the periphery of one side therefore for sealing against the door panel.

14 . A barrier liner for a vehicle door assembly according to claim 12 , wherein the sealing element comprises a bead of a sealant/adhesive material.

15 . A method of making a multi-sheet barrier panel for a vehicle door assembly having a door panel and an inner trim panel, said method comprising:

providing least two sheet members, including a first and second sheet;

forming discrete depressions in at least one of the first and second sheet, said discrete depressions have bottoms;

superimposing the first and second sheets together so that the bottoms of the discrete depressions formed in one of the first and second sheets contacts the other of the first and second sheets at discrete contact areas; and

attaching the first and second sheets together at the discrete contact areas.

16 . A method of making a multi-sheet barrier panel according to claim 15 , wherein the first and second sheets are fused together at the discrete contact areas.

17 . A method of making a multi-sheet barrier panel according to claim 15 , wherein at least one of an acoustic and a thermal insulation material is provided in a space defined between the first and second sheets

18 . A method of making a multi-sheet barrier panel according to claim 15 , wherein:

the step of providing at least two sheets comprises providing first and second outer sheets and a third middle sheet;

the step of forming discrete depressions comprises forming discrete depressions in at least one of the first and second outer sheets, one of the first and second outer sheets and the third middle sheet or in the middle sheet;

the step of superimposing the sheets together comprises superimposing the first and second outer sheets and the third middle sheets together so that the bottoms of the discrete depressions formed in one of the sheets contacts an adjacent sheet at discrete contact areas; and

the step of attaching comprises attaching the first and second outer sheets and the third middle sheet together at the discrete contact areas.

19 . A method of making a multi-sheet barrier panel according to claim 18 , wherein at least one of an acoustic and a thermal insulation material is provided in a space defined between at least one of the first outer sheet and the third middle sheet and the second outer sheet and the third middle sheet.

20 . A method of making a multi-sheet barrier panel according to claim 15 , wherein engagement structures that are configured to attach the barrier panel to the door panel are provided on the barrier panel.