Patent Description:
In document <CIT>, a front door has a first upright adjacent to a rear door, and the rear door has a second upright adjacent to the front door. The two uprights, together, form an applique arrangement between the front door window and the rear door window.

Document <CIT> discloses a combined glass run and applique assembly for a vehicle, comprising an applique, a glass run for a receiving perimeter portions of a vehicle window, and a mechanical engagement assembly interconnecting the applique and the glass run.

An applique is typically a slightly curved or essentially planar metal, plastic or glass component or a component which is formed by an arbitrary combination of these materials. In each case, it typically follows the unique window curvature and it is positioned in the area of a B-pillar or a C-pillar of the vehicle. The applique forms a cover for a B-pillar or a C-pillar, for example.

As shown in document <CIT>, the applique disclosed therein extends typically beyond an edge of an adjacent window in a longitudinal direction, so as to facilitate sealing of the window.

A door arrangement with the features of the preamble of claim <NUM> is known from document <CIT>.

Further door arrangements are known form documents <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved applique arrangement and an improved door arrangement for a vehicle.

The above object is achieved by a door arrangement as defined in claim <NUM>, wherein the applique arrangement comprises a single applique which is configured to be arranged between the front door window and the rear door window, and an applique support to which the applique is mounted, wherein the applique support is configured to be rigidly connected to a rear door body of a body of the vehicle.

The door arrangement comprises a B-pillar of a body of the vehicle, a front door, a rear door and an applique arrangement, wherein the front door has a front door bodywork and a front door window, wherein the rear door has a rear door bodywork and a rear door window.

The use of a single applique between the front door window and the rear door window allows to provide a clean appearance of the entire door arrangement, resulting in only three visible vertical lines on the outside in a closed window position. The single applique is mounted to an applique support, and the applique support itself is configured to be rigidly connected the rear door body work of the rear door.

Therefore, the object is achieved in full.

In preferred embodiment, the applique support and the applique are configured so that an applique outer surface is flush with at least one of a front window outer surface and a rear window outer surface, preferably with both of the front window outer surface and the rear window outer surface.

The door arrangement to which the applique arrangement is applied, may therefore have a clean and a flat surface which extends from the front window to the rear window.

In another preferred embodiment, the applique support and the applique are configured so that a front gap between a front edge of the applique and a rear edge of the front door window is smaller than <NUM>, preferably smaller than <NUM>, and particularly preferred smaller than <NUM>, or even smaller than <NUM>.

As an alternative or additionally, the applique support and the applique are configured so that a rear gap between a rear edge of the applique and a front edge of the rear door window is smaller than <NUM>, preferably smaller than <NUM>, and particularly preferred smaller than <NUM>, or even smaller than <NUM>.

This arrangement allows to make the gaps almost invisible when viewed from a distance. Further, it is easier to seal the gap between the respective edges. Each of the gaps is preferably larger than <NUM>, particularly larger than <NUM>.

According to another preferred embodiment, the applique support is a rigid element that provides sufficient structural stiffness for the applied applique, and is preferably formed from a single layer sheet portion or from a multi-layer sheet portion. The sheet portion(s) may be made of metal, of plastics or of compound material, particularly carbon reinforced compound materials.

Further, it is preferred if the applique support comprises at least one reinforcing crimp which extends in a vertical direction.

The at least one crimp allows to increase the bending stiffness of the applique support, particularly about an axis which is essentially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the door arrangement.

Preferably, the applique support comprises two or more reinforcing crimps which are arranged at a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction.

According to the invention, the applique support is formed integrally with the rear door bodywork.

In particular, it is preferred that the applique covers at least a part of the B-pillar, and wherein a rear door swivel axis is arranged between a front edge and a rear edge of the applique.

This embodiment allows to swivel the rear door (into an opened position) such that the applique support does not interfere with the B-pillar.

The B-pillar may have a regular shape wherein an outer surface of the B-pillar runs essentially along a straight line. In some preferred embodiments, the B-pillar may have an adjusted shape with an offset portion.

Preferably, the B-pillar further comprises an offset portion for allowing a front edge of the applique and of the applique support to swivel about the rear door swivel axis without colliding with the B-pillar.

In this case, it is particular preferred if the offset portion is formed by a portion of the B-pillar above a belt line of the door arrangement.

Preferably, the front window is a sliding window guided by a guide arrangement. The guide arrangement is preferably formed such that it is not visible from the outside. Thereby, a flush appearance may be achieved. Preferably the guide arrangement includes at least one guide shoe that is attached to an inner surface of the front window.

In the door arrangement of the present disclosure the rear door window is a sliding window which is guided by a guide arrangement, wherein the guide arrangement comprises a front guide shoe which is attached to an inner surface of the rear door window, and a front guide rail which guides the guide shoe for movement in the sliding direction.

Preferably, the guide arrangement holds the window in the transversal and/or in the longitudinal direction in a positively locking manner.

The front guide rail is integrally connected with an intermediate layer element which at least partly is arranged between the applique and the applique support.

This allows to provide an improved stability of the applique and door arrangements.

The intermediate layer element extends at least from a rear edge to a front edge of the applique and includes a nose portion which extends in a transversal (lateral) direction. In addition, the intermediate layer element and or the applique itself may comprise further supporting portions which are configure to realize the connection, protection and/or optical coverage of the door bodywork.

The nose portion or another supporting portion of the applique or the intermediate layer element may be used for engagement by a sealing lip which extends from the front door, so as to seal a front gap between a front edge of the applique and a rear edge of the front door window, but may be an isolated seal as well.

The sealing lip which extends from the front door is preferably part of a front door window sealing arrangement.

Further, it is preferred in the door arrangement of the present disclosure if a rear applique sealing is connected to an interior side of the applique and includes a sealing lip which engages a front edge of the rear door window.

The rear applique sealing allows to seal a rear gap between the front edge of the rear door window and a rear edge of the applique, and it is preferably part of a rear door window sealing arrangement, but may be an isolated seal as well.

In general, the seals used for sealing the front gap and/or the rear gap, may be seals separate from the respective window sealing arrangement, but may be part of the respective window sealing arrangement as well. It is preferred if the rear applique sealing is separate from the rear window sealing arrangement, as the rear applique sealing in this case is a static seal that does not have to cope with relative movements.

The rear gap may be formed smaller (e.g. smaller than <NUM>) than the front gap due to smaller tolerances.

Further features and advantages of the invention can be taken from the subsequent description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:.

In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail.

An automobile like a passenger car vehicle is schematically shown in <FIG> and generally denoted by <NUM>. The vehicle <NUM> has a body <NUM> to which are hingedly connected a front door <NUM> and a rear door <NUM>. A part of the body <NUM>, the front door <NUM>, and the rear door <NUM> together form a door arrangement <NUM>.

Further, the front door <NUM> and the rear door <NUM> together form a window frame <NUM>.

The front door <NUM> has a front door window <NUM>. The rear door <NUM> has a rear door window <NUM>.

The front door <NUM> and the rear door <NUM> are each preferably hingedly mounted at their respective forward edges. The body <NUM> includes an A-pillar region <NUM> in the area of the forward edge of the front door <NUM>, and a B-pillar region <NUM> which is arranged essentially in an area between the front door <NUM> and the rear door <NUM>. Preferably, the rear door <NUM> is hingedly mounted to the B-pillar region <NUM>, and a rear edge of the rear door <NUM> is adjacent to a C-pillar region <NUM>.

The front door <NUM> has a front door window sealing arrangement <NUM> for the front door window <NUM>. The rear door <NUM> has a rear door window sealing arrangement <NUM> for the rear door window <NUM>.

The body <NUM> defines a first direction X which is preferably a longitudinal direction of the vehicle <NUM>. In addition, the body <NUM> defines a second direction Y, which is preferably a transversal/lateral direction of the vehicle <NUM>. Further, the body <NUM> defines a third direction Z which is preferably a vertical direction of the vehicle <NUM>. The three directions are also used to describe a door arrangement <NUM>.

The vehicle <NUM> includes an applique arrangement <NUM> which is provided in the B-pillar region <NUM> between the front door window <NUM> and the rear door window <NUM>. The applique arrangement <NUM> includes an applique <NUM> which has a front edge <NUM> which is adjacent to the front door window <NUM>. The applique <NUM> is arranged above a belt line <NUM> of the door arrangement <NUM>.

The front door <NUM> is pivotably mounted to the body <NUM> by means of hinges 34a, 34b which define a front door swivel axis <NUM>, which is arranged in the A-pillar region <NUM>.

The rear door <NUM> is mounted to the body <NUM> by means of hinges 36a, 36b which are arranged in the B-pillar region <NUM> and define a rear door swivel axis <NUM>.

A rear edge of the applique <NUM> is shown at <NUM> and is adjacent to the rear door window <NUM>.

Each one of the front door window <NUM> and the rear door window <NUM> is a sliding window. The front door window <NUM> is guided for this purpose by means of a front guide arrangement <NUM> and a rear guide arrangement <NUM>. Similarly, the rear door window <NUM> is guided by a front guide arrangement <NUM> and a rear guide arrangement <NUM>.

The guide arrangements <NUM> to <NUM> are in each case arranged on an inside I (cf. <FIG>) of the body <NUM>, i.e. in the area of a passenger compartment. Preferably, the guide arrangements <NUM> to <NUM> do not extend to the outside O, and preferably do not cover any part of outer surfaces of the front and rear door windows <NUM>,<NUM>.

The rear door <NUM> has a rear door panel <NUM> which is arranged essentially below the belt line <NUM> of the body <NUM> and faces to the outside O (cf. The rear door panel <NUM> has a front edge <NUM> which is arranged in the B-pillar region <NUM>.

The body <NUM> is typically made from sheet material, particularly metal sheet material. The metal can be steel or aluminum. The body <NUM> may, at least partially, be formed from compound materials like fiber reinforced materials etc..

On the other hand, the rear door <NUM> includes a rear door body work <NUM>, and the front door <NUM> includes a front door body work <NUM>. The rear and front door body works <NUM>, <NUM> may each be made from the same materials as the body <NUM>, but can be made from different materials as well.

As is shown in <FIG>, the applique <NUM> of the applique arrangement <NUM> is a single applique <NUM>. Further, the applique <NUM> is rigidly connected to the rear door body work <NUM>. The applique <NUM> is arranged so as to be adjacent to the front door window <NUM> and the rear door window <NUM>. Preferably, the applique is configured and mounted such that an applique outer surface is essentially flush with the outer surfaces of the front and rear door windows <NUM>, <NUM>.

Further, the applique <NUM> is configured and mounted such that its front edge <NUM> protrudes forwardly with respect to the front edge <NUM> of the rear door panel <NUM> by a lower protrusion amount PI. Preferably, the lower protrusion amount PI is larger than <NUM>, particularly larger than <NUM>. Preferably, the lower protrusion amount PI is smaller than <NUM>, particularly smaller than <NUM>.

<FIG> are sectional views of an exemplarily applique arrangement <NUM> which may be combined with the above-described door arrangement <NUM> which is not encompassed by the claims.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the single applique <NUM> of the applique arrangement <NUM> is rigidly connected to the rear door <NUM>, particularly to the rear door body work <NUM>.

Particularly, the rear door body work <NUM> includes a rear door body work protrusion <NUM> which forms an applique support. The rear door body work protrusion <NUM> protrudes forwardly from the rear door <NUM> in the first (longitudinal) direction X and at least partially covers a B-pillar <NUM> of the body <NUM>. Preferably, the rear door body work protrusion <NUM> covers the entire B-pillar <NUM>.

The rear door body work protrusion <NUM> is preferably formed from sheet metal and has a plate like shape that extends essentially in a plane defined by the first direction X and the third direction Z. The applique <NUM> is mounted to the outer surface of the rear door body work protrusion <NUM>. A fastening arrangement that is suitable for this purpose is schematically shown at <NUM>. The fastening arrangement may be realized by a variety of different fastening concepts.

<FIG> shows a part of the rear guide arrangement <NUM> of the front door <NUM>. Particularly, a rear guide shoe <NUM> is rigidly attached to an inner surface <NUM> of the front door window <NUM>. The rear guide shoe <NUM> is guided for movements along the third direction Z in a rear guide rail <NUM> of the rear guide arrangement <NUM>. The rear guide rail <NUM> is rigidly attached to the front door body work <NUM>.

<FIG> also shows a part of a front guide arrangement <NUM> of the rear door <NUM>. Particularly, a front guide shoe <NUM> is rigidly attached to an inner surface <NUM> of the rear door window <NUM>, and is guided by a front guide rail <NUM> of the front guide arrangement <NUM> of the rear door <NUM> in the third direction Z.

Details of the front guide arrangement <NUM> of the front door <NUM> and details of the rear guide arrangement <NUM> of the rear door <NUM> are not shown in <FIG>.

The front door window <NUM> has a front window outer surface <NUM>. The rear door window <NUM> has a rear window outer surface <NUM>. The outer surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> share a common outer surface plane <NUM>.

An outer surface <NUM> of the applique <NUM> is preferably arranged within the same outer surface plane <NUM>.

The applique <NUM> is arranged and mounted to the applique support <NUM> such that a front gap <NUM> between a front edge <NUM> of the applique <NUM> and a rear edge of the front door window <NUM> is smaller than <NUM>.

Similarly, the applique <NUM> is configured and mounted to the applique support <NUM> such that a rear gap <NUM> between a rear edge <NUM> of the applique <NUM> and a front edge of the rear door window <NUM> is smaller than <NUM>. The front and rear gaps <NUM>, <NUM> are preferably smaller than <NUM>, and larger than <NUM>, preferably larger than <NUM>. Preferably, the rear gap <NUM> is smaller than the front gap <NUM> and is preferably smaller than <NUM>.

The inside of the front guide arrangement <NUM> of the rear door <NUM> is preferably covered by a cover portion <NUM> which may be part of the rear door body work <NUM>. The cover portion <NUM> itself may be covered by a covering made from a softer material.

The rear door body work protrusion <NUM> essentially extends between the rear guide rail <NUM> and the front guide rail <NUM> and is arranged essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction X.

<FIG> shows schematically the rear door swivel axis <NUM> as is determined by the hinges 36a, 36b of the rear door, as also shown in <FIG>.

The rear door swivel axis <NUM> is arranged between the front edge <NUM> and the rear edge <NUM> of the applique <NUM> in the longitudinal direction X. In the second transversal direction Y, the rear door swivel axis <NUM> is preferably arranged on the inside of the rear door body work protrusion <NUM>.

A distance between the rear door swivel axis <NUM> and the front edge <NUM> of the applique <NUM> is defined by a front protrusion amount Pf as shown in <FIG>. The front protrusion amount Pf is preferably larger than <NUM>, preferably larger than <NUM>. In a preferred embodiment, the front protrusion amount Pf is smaller than <NUM>, preferably smaller than <NUM>.

The front protrusion amount Pf, together with the combined thickness of the rear door body work protrusion <NUM> and the applique <NUM>, defines a pivot radius R. The pivot radius R is dimensioned such that a swivel movement of the rear door <NUM> does not interfere with the B-pillar <NUM>.

To this purpose, as shown in <FIG>, the B-pillar <NUM>, preferably, has an offset portion <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The offset portion <NUM> has a offset portion depth D in the transversal direction Y.

The offset portion <NUM> of the B-pillar <NUM> is preferably arranged above the belt line <NUM> of the door arrangement <NUM>, particularly preferred only above the belt line <NUM>. The dimension of the offset portion depth D is preferably larger than <NUM>, particularly larger than <NUM>, preferably larger than <NUM>, preferably larger than <NUM>, preferably larger than <NUM>. Further, it is preferred if the dimension of the offset portion depth D is smaller than <NUM>, particularly smaller than <NUM>, and also preferably smaller than <NUM>.

In any case, the offset portion depth D is chosen such that it is larger than the front swivel radius R of the rear door <NUM>. This allows that a front edge <NUM> of the applique <NUM> and the applique support <NUM> may swivel about the rear door swivel axis <NUM> without colliding with the B-pillar <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an embodiment of a door arrangement with an applique arrangement <NUM>'. The applique arrangement <NUM>' corresponds with respect to structure and function and appearance to the applique arrangement <NUM> of <FIG>. Same or similar elements are given the same refence numerals. In the following, therefore, mainly differences against the applique arrangement <NUM> are described below.

As is shown in <FIG>, the rear door body work protrusion <NUM>' is formed by two essentially parallel sheets of the rear door body work <NUM>'. The rear door swivel axis <NUM>' allows that the rear door can be pivoted (swiveled) without colliding with the B-pillar <NUM>'. On the other hand, if the rear door swivel axis <NUM>' needs to be moved, for example to another location shown at 37x, it might be necessary to provide an offset portion <NUM>'. An allowable offset portion area for providing such offset portion <NUM>' is shown schematically in hatched lines at <NUM>.

Further, it can be seen in <FIG> that the rear door body work protrusion <NUM> has two crimps 90a, 90b which essentially extend along the third direction Z. The crimps 90a, 90b improve the rigidity of the rear door body work protrusion <NUM>', particularly against a bending movement about an axis which is arranged essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction X.

<FIG> further shows that the front guide rail <NUM>' of the front guide arrangement <NUM>' of the rear door <NUM> is made from an element which is separate from the rear door body work <NUM>'. The front guide rail <NUM>' may be made from plastics material, particularly a relatively hard plastics material. The front guide rail <NUM> is preferably connected integrally to an intermediate layer <NUM> which is also made from plastics material and has the shape of a layer or a sheet. The intermediate layer <NUM> is arranged between the applique <NUM>' and the rear door body work protrusion <NUM>' in the transversal direction Y.

The intermediate layer <NUM> extends from the front guide rail <NUM> in the longitudinal direction X to the front door <NUM>.

The intermediate layer <NUM> comprises a nose portion <NUM> at its forward end. The nose portion <NUM> is located close to the front edge <NUM>' of the applique <NUM>' and extends to the inside I in the transversal direction. The nose portion <NUM> may be used to fasten the intermediate layer <NUM> to the rear door body work protrusion <NUM>'. Further, the nose portion <NUM> extends such that it can be engaged by a front applique sealing <NUM> which extends from the front door <NUM> and may be part of the front door window sealing arrangement <NUM>.

The element which forms the intermediate layer <NUM> and the front guide rail <NUM>' can be connected rigidly to the applique <NUM>'. The applique <NUM>' and this element may be mounted in advance before the installation in a production line of the vehicle. The combined arrangement of the applique <NUM>' and the element which forms the intermediate layer <NUM> and the front guide rail <NUM>', may be fastened to the rear door body work protrusion <NUM>' by any suitable fastening arrangement, e.g. by latching, screwing, by means of an adhesive, etc..

Similarly, the attachment between the applique <NUM>' and the intermediate layer <NUM> may be any suitable attachment, e.g. by means of an adhesive.

While the front applique sealing <NUM> assists in sealing the inside I against the outside O in the area of the front gap <NUM>, there is additionally provided a rear applique sealing <NUM> which is used for sealing the inside I against the outside O in the area of the rear gap <NUM>. The rear applique sealing <NUM> may be fixedly attached to the applique <NUM>' and/or to the intermediate layer <NUM> and/or to the front guide rail <NUM>'. A sealing lip <NUM> of the rear applique sealing <NUM> extends from the applique <NUM>' to the front edge of the rear door window <NUM>.

Both, the front applique sealing <NUM> and the rear applique sealing <NUM> may comprise respective additional sealing lips which engage on inner surfaces of the front door window <NUM> and the rear door window <NUM>. Particularly, a rear window sealing <NUM> includes additional sealing lips which engage the inner surface of the rear door window <NUM>. Similarly, a front window sealing <NUM> engages an inner surface of the front door window <NUM>. The rear window sealing <NUM> is mounted to a carrier element <NUM> which may be integrally connected to the front guide rail <NUM>'.

On the other hand, the front window sealing <NUM> is mounted to a carrier element <NUM> which may be formed integrally with the rear guide rail <NUM> of the rear guide arrangement <NUM> of the front door <NUM>.

As is shown in <FIG>, the front door window sealing arrangement <NUM> includes a second front window sealing <NUM> which is arranged longitudinally between the front window sealing <NUM> and a rear edge of the front door window <NUM>. The second front window sealing <NUM> also engages an inner surface of the front door window <NUM>.

In the following, examples are described which correspond to the above embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG> with respect to structure, function, and appearance. Same or similar elements are given the same refence numerals. Mainly differences to the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG> are described below.

<FIG> shows an applique arrangement <NUM>" of a door arrangement which is not encompassed by the claims.

The applique arrangement <NUM>" may correspond in its structure and function to either the applique arrangement <NUM> or the applique arrangement <NUM>' described above.

In contrast thereto, the applique arrangement <NUM>" includes an applique <NUM>" which is supported by a front door body work protrusion <NUM> of the front door body work <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the front door body work protrusion <NUM> extends rearwardly from the front door window <NUM> in the longitudinal direction to the rear door (not shown in <FIG>).

The front door body work protrusion <NUM> may be formed and shaped similarly to the rear door body work protrusion <NUM>, but is part of the front door body work <NUM>, so that the applique <NUM>" is a single applique which is configured to be arranged between the front door window <NUM> and the rear door window <NUM>, wherein an applique support is formed by the front door body work protrusion <NUM>.

<FIG> also shows that an intermediate layer <NUM>" is formed integrally with a rear guide rail <NUM>" of the rear guide arrangement <NUM>" of the front door, and with a carrier element <NUM>" to which a front window sealing <NUM>" is mounted.

<FIG> shows an applique arrangement <NUM>‴ of a door arrangement which is not encompassed by the claims. The applique arrangement <NUM>‴ corresponds in its structure and function generally to the above applique arrangements. Mainly the differences are described below. The applique arrangement <NUM>‴ allows for a visual appearance as typically realized in frameless door constructions, but it is also applicable for framed doors. Further, cameras or other electronical devices may be integrated underneath the B-pillar applique. In this case, or for other reasons, the B-pillar applique can also be realized as a glass design (rather than for example high gloss plastic).

In the applique arrangement <NUM>‴, a single applique <NUM>‴ is configured to be arranged between the rear door window <NUM>‴ and a front door window <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>). The single applique <NUM>‴ is mounted (directly or via an intermediate layer <NUM>‴) to an applique carrier <NUM>‴ which is rigidly fastened to the the B-pillar <NUM>‴ wherein the applique carrier <NUM> defines an applique support.

As in the embodiments of <FIG>, the outer window surfaces <NUM>‴, <NUM>‴ are preferably flush with an outer surface <NUM>‴ of the applique <NUM>"'. The front door window18‴ and the rear door window <NUM>‴ are preferably each sliding windows and are guided by respective guide arrangements (of which are shown guide arrangements <NUM>‴, <NUM>‴ in <FIG>). The guide arrangements <NUM>"', <NUM>‴ each are formed such that the respective front and rear windows <NUM>"', <NUM>‴ are guided for movement along the vertical direction Z and that the positions of the front and rear windows <NUM>"', <NUM>‴ in the longitudinal direction X and in the transversal direction Y are positively fixed. This allows to achieve high vibration resistance and high noise insulation. Particularly, the guide arrangements <NUM>"', <NUM>‴ each comprise guide shoes <NUM>"', <NUM>‴ which are guided in respective guide rails <NUM>‴, <NUM>‴ that perform these functions, same as in each of the above embodiments <NUM>', <NUM>", and <NUM>"'.

Preferably, the front guide rail <NUM>‴ of the front guide arrangement <NUM>‴ of the rear door <NUM> is formed integrally with a carrier element <NUM>‴ to which the rear window sealing <NUM>‴ is mounted.

In addition, an additional carrier element <NUM> of the rear door <NUM> is attached to a part of the rear door body work <NUM>‴. A rear applique sealing <NUM>‴ is formed by a sealing lip which is fixedly attached to the additional carrier element <NUM>. A second front window sealing <NUM>‴ may be connected to the additional carrier element <NUM> and/or to the element which forms the front guide rail <NUM>.

Preferably, the rear guide rail <NUM>‴ of the rear guide arrangement <NUM>" of the front door <NUM> is formed integrally with a carrier element <NUM>‴ to which the front window sealing <NUM>‴ is mounted.

In addition, an additional carrier element <NUM> of the front door <NUM> is attached to a part of the front door body work <NUM>‴. A front applique sealing <NUM>‴ is formed by a sealing lip which is fixedly attached to the additional carrier element <NUM>. A second front window sealing <NUM>‴ may be connected to the additional carrier element <NUM> and/or to the element which forms the rear guide rail <NUM>"'.

The applique <NUM>‴ is attached to an applique carrier <NUM>, either with or without an intermediate layer <NUM>‴. The applique carrier is rigidly attached to the B-pillar <NUM>"', as is schematically shown at <NUM>. Any attachment arrangement <NUM> can be used to achieve this function.

Claim 1:
A door arrangement (<NUM>) for a vehicle (<NUM>), comprising a B-pillar (<NUM>) of a body (<NUM>) of the vehicle (<NUM>), a front door (<NUM>), a rear door (<NUM>), and an applique arrangement (<NUM>), wherein the front door (<NUM>) has a front door bodywork (<NUM>) and a front door window (<NUM>), wherein the rear door (<NUM>) has a rear door bodywork (<NUM>) and a rear door window (<NUM>), wherein the applique arrangement comprises
- a single applique (<NUM>) which is configured to be arranged between the front door window (<NUM>) and the rear door window (<NUM>),
- an applique support (<NUM>) to which the applique (<NUM>) is mounted,
wherein the applique support (<NUM>) is rigidly connected to the rear door bodywork (<NUM>),
wherein the rear door window (<NUM>) is a sliding window which is guided by a guide arrangement (<NUM>,<NUM>), wherein the guide arrangement (<NUM>,<NUM>) comprises a front guide shoe (<NUM>) which attached to an inner surface (<NUM>) of the rear door window (<NUM>), and a front guide rail (<NUM>) which guides the front guide shoe (<NUM>) for movement in the sliding direction,
wherein the front guide rail (<NUM>) is integrally connected with an intermediate layer element (<NUM>) which at least partly is arranged between the applique (<NUM>) and the applique support (<NUM>), and
wherein the intermediate layer element (<NUM>) extends at least from a rear edge (<NUM>) to a front edge (<NUM>) of the applique (<NUM>) and includes a nose portion (<NUM>) which extends in a transversal direction.