Protection system and vehicle including the same

Abstract

A protection system for protecting a door drive unit of a vehicle in which the door drive unit is attached to a vehicle body structure and connected to a door. The door drive unit is configured to displace the door relative to the vehicle body structure between a closed position and an open position. The protection system comprises a protective cover structure attached to the vehicle body structure, and the protective cover structure is arranged as a protective barrier between the door drive unit and the vehicle exterior structure. The protective cover structure is configured to prevent an object from impacting the door drive unit in a vehicle collision event.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a protection system for protecting a door drive unit of a vehicle. The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle including the protection system for protecting a door drive unit. Background Art

[0002] Opening the doors after a vehicle impact event can be crucial for the occupants of the vehicle. In certain collision load situations, such as in certain full frontal vehicle impact events, the functionality and operability of the doors must be ensured so that the occupants can leave the vehicle after the impact. For conventional vehicles in which the doors are attached to the body structure by hinges, the vehicle is designed to deform slightly behind the A-pillars in these collision load situations to achieve the functionality and operability of the doors via the hinges. In some modern door solutions, the traditional door construction with hinges is no longer used. Instead, the doors are arranged as sliding doors, which are operated via an arm structure driven by a door drive unit (e.g. a motor). In the event of a vehicle impact, the functionality of the door drive unit must be ensured so that the doors can be opened.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need for an improved vehicle door solution in which a vehicle door driven by a door drive unit can be opened after a vehicle collision event. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present disclosure is to provide a protection system for protecting a door drive unit of a vehicle and a vehicle comprising the protection system which avoids the aforementioned problems. This object is achieved at least in part by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims contain further improvements of the protection system for protecting a door drive unit of a vehicle.

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a protection system for protecting a door drive unit of a vehicle, wherein the door drive unit is attached to a vehicle body structure and connected to a vehicle door. The door drive unit is configured to displace the vehicle door between a closed position and an open position relative to the vehicle body structure. The protection system includes a protective covering structure attached to the vehicle body structure, and the protective covering structure is arranged as a protective barrier between the door drive unit and an external structure of the vehicle. The protective covering structure is configured to prevent an object from striking the door drive unit in the event of a vehicle collision.

[0006] The advantage of these features is that the protection system with a protective covering structure prevents objects from hitting the door drive unit in a vehicle collision event, and in this way ensures the function of the door drive unit so that the door can be opened after the vehicle collision event. As an example, the door can be arranged to have a manual handle inside the vehicle, and in an emergency, the door drive unit is actuated to open the door by operating the manual handle. The door drive unit may include a motor for opening and closing the door under normal operating conditions of the vehicle and in an emergency. The protection system is a vehicle safety feature that protects the door drive unit from deformation in a vehicle collision event. The protective covering structure is designed to have a rigid structure that prevents objects from hitting the door drive unit, and the object can be deflected away from the door drive unit, for example. After a vehicle collision event, if power is lost, the door can also be opened manually. Through the arrangement of the protection system, the function of the door drive unit is effectively maintained.

[0007] In one embodiment, the protection system is arranged as an energy absorbing barrier structure, which is configured to absorb energy from a moving object by deformation of the protective covering structure when struck by the moving object in a vehicle collision event. In this way, the protection system, rather than the door drive unit, deforms to maintain the function of the door drive unit.

[0008] In one embodiment, the vehicle exterior structure is a wheel housing that separates the wheel from the vehicle interior structure. The protective covering structure is configured to prevent the wheel from striking the door drive unit in the event of a vehicle collision.

[0009] In one embodiment, the protective covering structure and the door drive unit are attached to the vehicle body structure at the lower region of the A-pillar or at the lower region of the C-pillar. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the protective covering structure can be arranged at any position of the vehicle where the door drive unit is located.

[0010] In one embodiment, the door drive unit includes a drive shaft. The drive shaft is connected to an arm structure of the door, and the arm structure connects the door to the vehicle body structure via the door drive unit. The arm structure is configured to shift the door between a closed position and an open position when the door drive unit is actuated. A protective covering structure extends between the drive shaft and the vehicle exterior structure, and is configured to prevent an object from hitting the drive shaft in the event of a vehicle collision. The drive shaft is an important part of the door drive unit that enables the opening and closing operations of the door. The protective covering structure effectively prevents an object from hitting the drive shaft in the event of a vehicle collision through the extension between the drive shaft and the vehicle exterior structure, which enables the function of the door drive unit to be performed after a vehicle collision event.

[0011] In one embodiment, the vehicle door is arranged as a sliding door. A sliding door refers to any type of vehicle door connected to the vehicle body structure via a movable arm structure, wherein the arm structure pivots relative to the vehicle door via a pivot joint, thereby allowing the vehicle door to be displaced in a longitudinal direction relative to the vehicle body structure, or in a combination of a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction relative to the vehicle body structure. As an example, the vehicle door may perform a sliding movement when the vehicle door is displaced between an open position and a closed position.

[0012] In one embodiment, the protective covering structure is made of an extruded aluminum structure. The use of an extruded aluminum structure enables the protective covering structure to be arranged as a rigid construction element made of a material with high strength, which is also easy to manufacture. The protective covering structure can be attached to the vehicle body by a suitable attachment method (e.g. spot welding, laser welding, arc welding), or alternatively by suitable fastening means (e.g. bolts or rivets) to achieve a rigid connection. In other embodiments, the protective structure can be made of steel, plastic material or a composite material.

[0013] In one embodiment, the door drive unit comprises an electric motor. The use of an electric motor provides a simple and efficient operation of the door drive unit, wherein when the door drive unit is operated, the drive shaft is rotated by the electric motor. The door drive unit may also comprise a gear unit, which is appropriately arranged as a part or extension of the drive shaft.

[0014] In one embodiment, the protection system further comprises a protection plate structure attached to the protective covering structure. The protection plate structure is arranged between the protective covering structure and the vehicle exterior structure. The protection plate structure increases the strength of the protection system, and the protection plate structure and the protective covering structure are arranged together as a protective barrier between the door drive unit and the vehicle exterior structure. The protection plate structure and the protective covering structure are configured to prevent an object from striking the door drive unit in the event of a vehicle collision through their structural configuration.

[0015] In one embodiment, the protection panel structure is arranged as a fire barrier between the door drive unit and the outer structure of the vehicle. This further increases the safety of the protection system.

[0016] In one embodiment, the protective covering structure extends in the longitudinal direction, the transverse direction and the vertical direction of the vehicle.The protective covering structure is attached to the vehicle body structure at the transverse inner side and the protective covering structure extends in the transverse direction from the transverse inner side to the transverse outer side.

[0017] In one embodiment, the protective covering structure comprises an upper structure section extending in a transverse direction between a laterally inner side and a laterally outer side.The protective covering structure comprises a lower structure section extending in a transverse direction between a laterally inner side and a laterally outer side.

[0018] In one embodiment, the superstructure section extends in the longitudinal direction between the longitudinal inner side and the longitudinal outer side.The substructure section extends in the longitudinal direction between the longitudinal inner side and the longitudinal outer side.

[0019] In one embodiment, the protective covering structure comprises an opening arranged between the upper structure section and the lower structure section. The opening is configured to receive a structural portion of the door drive unit extending in the longitudinal direction. By arranging the structural portion of the door drive unit in the opening, the packaging space of the vehicle door system and the door drive unit can be improved in a simple and effective manner.

[0020] In one embodiment, the door drive unit is at least partially positioned in a space of the protective covering structure. The space is formed between the upper structure section and the lower structure section, and an opening arranged between the upper structure section and the lower structure section provides access to the space. A structural part of the door drive unit can partially extend into the space via the opening to achieve a compact layout of the door drive unit and the protection system.

[0021] The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle comprising the above-mentioned protection system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Figure 1 schematically shows in side view a vehicle comprising a protection system for protecting a door drive unit and a door drive unit connected to an arm structure according to the present disclosure,

[0024] Figure 2 schematically shows in perspective a section of a vehicle comprising a protection system according to the present disclosure and a door drive unit connected to an arm structure,

[0025] Figure 3 A protection system according to the present disclosure and a door drive unit connected to an arm structure are schematically shown in a side view,

[0026] Figure 4 A protection system according to the present disclosure and a door drive unit connected to an arm structure are schematically shown in a top view,

[0027] Figure 5 A protection system according to the present disclosure and a door drive unit connected to an arm structure are schematically shown in a perspective view, and

[0028] Figure 6 A protective covering structure of a protection system according to the present disclosure is schematically shown in a perspective view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Various aspects of the present disclosure will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings to illustrate rather than limit the present disclosure, wherein like numbers represent like elements, and variations of the described aspects are not limited to the specifically shown embodiments, but can be applied to other variations of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 1 A vehicle V is schematically shown with a vehicle door 3 , wherein the vehicle door 3 is arranged movably relative to a body structure B of the vehicle V. Figure 1 In the figure, two side doors on the left side of the vehicle V are schematically shown, and it should be understood that the vehicle V also includes two side doors on the right side of the vehicle V with the same structure. The doors 3 can each be shifted between a closed position and an open position in any appropriate manner. In the closed position, access to the interior compartment of the vehicle V through the door opening in the vehicle body structure B is prevented, and in the open position, access to the interior compartment of the vehicle V through the door opening in the vehicle body structure B is allowed. Figure 1 In FIG. 1 , for illustration purposes, the vehicle door 3 is shown in the closed position.

[0031] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the vehicle door 3 is arranged as a sliding door 3. Figure 1 As shown by the arrow in FIG. 1 , the front door 3F of the vehicle V moves in the forward direction D when shifting from the door closing position to the door opening position. F Move. Figure 1 As shown by the arrow in FIG. 1 , the rear door 3R of the vehicle V moves in the rearward direction D when shifting from the closed position to the open position. R Each door 3 includes an arm structure 3a, and the arm structure 3a connects the door 3 to the vehicle body structure B. It should be understood that for all embodiments, the term "sliding door" is defined as any type of door 3 connected to the vehicle body structure B via a movable arm structure 3a, wherein the arm structure 3a pivots relative to the door 3 via a pivot joint, thereby allowing the door to move relative to the vehicle body structure B in the longitudinal direction D LO Displacement, or allowing the door to move relative to the body structure B in the longitudinal direction D LO and the transverse direction D LA Depending on the door design and construction, each door may be arranged with more than one arm structure, if appropriate.

[0032] For example, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the inner end E of the arm structure 3a I The arm structure 3a is connected to the lower part of the vehicle body structure B via the first pivot joint J1, thereby allowing the arm structure 3a to pivot relative to the vehicle body structure B when the door 3 is opened and closed. OIt is further connected to the lower part of the door 3 via a second pivot joint J2, thereby allowing the arm structure 3a to pivot relative to the door 3 when the door 3 is opened and closed. The corresponding joints may be arranged with brackets suitable for connecting the arm structure 3a to the body structure B and other attachment means of the door 3. In the embodiment shown, the first pivot joint J1 is connected to the body structure B via a first bracket B1, and the second pivot joint J2 is connected to the door 3 via a second bracket B2.

[0033] With the arrangement described, each arm structure 3a is allowed to rotate relative to the vehicle body structure B via the first pivot joint J1 and relative to the vehicle door 3 via the second pivot joint J2 for achieving effective displacement of the vehicle door 3 relative to the vehicle body structure B during the door opening and door closing operations. The arm structure 3a may have any suitable shape or configuration, and in the embodiment shown, the arm structure 3a rotates in a horizontal plane or substantially in a horizontal plane when opening and closing the vehicle door 3. In the embodiment shown, each arm structure 3a is therefore arranged as a lower arm for holding and displacing the vehicle door 3 relative to the vehicle body structure B, and each arm structure 3a is therefore appropriately connected to the lower part of the vehicle body structure B. The vehicle door 3 may also have an additional lower arm structure and / or an upper arm structure or similar means to achieve a movable connection between the vehicle door 3 and the vehicle body structure B.

[0034] The vehicle V further includes a protection system S for protecting the door drive unit 2 of the vehicle V. Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle V includes a protection system S arranged to be connected to the front door 3F, wherein the protection system S protects the door drive unit 2 that operates the front door 3F of the vehicle V. The vehicle V also includes a protection system S arranged to be connected to the rear door 3R, wherein the protection system S protects the door drive unit 2 that operates the rear door 3R of the vehicle V. It should be understood that the vehicle V can be arranged to have a protection system S connected to any door for protecting the door drive unit that operates the door. Figure 2 The door drive unit 2 is shown arranged in connection with the left front door, and the protection system S is described in more detail, but the present disclosure is equally applicable to other vehicle doors.

[0035] For example Figure 4 As shown, the door drive unit 2 is connectedly attached to the vehicle body structure B with a first pivot joint J1, and the door drive unit 2 is further connected to the vehicle door 3 via an arm structure 3a and a second pivot joint J2. The door drive unit 2 is configured to displace the vehicle door 3 between a door closing position and a door opening position relative to the vehicle body structure B via the arm structure 3a. The door drive unit 2 suitably includes a motor EM configured to displace the vehicle door 3 relative to the vehicle body structure B.

[0036] For example, from Figure 2 It can be seen that the door drive unit 2 also includes an inner end E of the arm structure 3a. I The drive shaft 2a is connected to the motor EM and is used to displace the arm structure 3a relative to the vehicle body B when the motor EM is running. The drive shaft 2a suitably includes an inner end E of the arm structure 3a. I The gear unit G is connected to the arm structure 3a for controlling the movement of the arm structure 3a. The gear unit G is appropriately arranged as a part or extension of the drive shaft 2a. For example, Figure 2 It can be seen that the door drive unit 2 with the drive shaft 2a forms the first pivot joint J1, and when the door drive unit 2 is operated, the door drive unit 2 with the drive shaft 2a displaces the arm structure 3a through the gear unit G. In this way, the arm structure 3a operably connects the door 3 to the vehicle body structure B via the door drive unit 2 including the drive shaft 2a. Therefore, the arm structure 3a is configured to displace the door 3 between the door closing position and the door opening position when the door drive unit 2 is operated. The door drive unit 2 can be connected to a control unit that controls the operation of the door drive unit 2. The door 3 can be arranged with a button, a handle or the like for initiating the operation of the door drive unit 2 to open and close the door 3.

[0037] The protection system S comprises a protective covering structure 1a attached to the vehicle body structure B. For example, Figure 2 It can be seen that the protective covering structure 1a is arranged as a protective barrier between the door drive unit 2 and the vehicle exterior structure 4 and that the protective covering structure 1a, by its structural configuration, is configured to prevent an object O from striking the door drive unit 2 in the event of a vehicle collision.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, the protective covering structure 1a and the door drive unit 2 are located at the A-pillar B A The lower area of ​​the protective covering structure 1a and the door drive unit 2 are connected to the vehicle body structure B in connection with the front door 3F. C The lower area of ​​the rear door 3R is connected to the vehicle body structure B. Figure 2 The door drive unit 2 shown arranged in connection with the left front door describes the protection system S in more detail, but the present disclosure is equally applicable to other vehicle doors.

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, the protective covering structure 1a extends between the drive shaft 2a and the vehicle exterior structure 4, and the protective covering structure 1a is configured in such a manner as to prevent an object O (object O) from striking the drive shaft 2a in the event of a vehicle collision. The object O may be any type of object that may strike the door drive unit 2 in the event of a vehicle collision, such as an external object or an object in the vehicle V that is pushed toward the door drive unit 2 when the vehicle V is deformed. As an example, the object O may be a wheel 5 of the vehicle V that is pushed toward the door drive unit in the event of a vehicle collision. In the event of a frontal vehicle collision, the front wheel 5F of the vehicle V may be pushed toward the door drive unit 2 connected to the front door 3F. In the event of a rear-end vehicle collision, the rear wheel 5R of the vehicle V may be pushed toward the door drive unit 2 connected to the rear door 3R.

[0040] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle exterior structure 4 is a wheel shell 4a that separates the wheel 5 from the vehicle interior structure 6. The protective covering structure 1a is configured to prevent the wheel 5 or any other object O from hitting the door drive unit 2 in the event of a vehicle collision. The protection system S is arranged as an energy absorbing barrier structure, which is configured to absorb energy from the moving object O through the deformation of the protective covering structure 1a when it is hit by the moving object O in the event of a vehicle collision. The protective covering structure 1a is configured as a rigid structural element made of a material with high strength (such as steel or aluminum). In one embodiment, the protective covering structure 1a is made of an extruded aluminum structure. In an alternative embodiment, the protective covering structure 1a can be made of a plastic material or a composite material. The protective covering structure 1a is attached to the vehicle body B by a suitable attachment method (such as spot welding, laser welding, arc welding), or alternatively by a suitable fastening device (such as bolts or rivets).

[0041] exist Figures 3 to 6 As can be understood from the figure, the protective covering structure 1a is arranged along the longitudinal direction D of the vehicle V. LO , Horizontal direction D LA And the vertical direction D V The protective covering structure 1a is laterally inner S LI Attached to the vehicle body structure B, and laterally inboard S LI The protective covering structure 1a may be arranged to have a flange or other surface suitable for attaching the protective covering structure 1a to the vehicle body structure B. The protective covering structure 1a extends in a lateral direction from the lateral inner side S LI Extend to the lateral side S LO The protective covering structure 1a comprises a transverse inner side S LI and lateral SLO Between along the transverse direction D LA The protective covering structure 1a also includes a transverse inner side S LI and lateral S LO Between along the transverse direction D LA As can be seen from the figure, the upper structure section 7a and the lower structure section 7b have a longitudinal direction D LO The upper structure section 7a is an extension of the longitudinal inner side 8a and the longitudinal outer side 9a to provide a strong structural member for protecting the door drive unit 2. LO The lower structure section 7b extends along the longitudinal direction D between the longitudinal inner side 8b and the longitudinal outer side 9b. LO extend.

[0042] like Figures 2 to 6 As shown, the protective cover structure 1a comprises an opening 10 arranged between the upper structure section 7a and the lower structure section 7b. Figures 2 to 5 As shown, the opening 10 is configured to receive a structural part of the door drive unit 2. The structural part of the door drive unit 2 is arranged along the longitudinal direction D LO Extension. The structural portion can be formed, for example, by the motor EM as shown in the figure or another structural portion of the door drive unit 2. By arranging the structural portion of the door drive unit 2 in the opening 10, the packaging space of the door system and the door drive unit 2 can be improved in a simple and effective manner. In this way, the door drive unit 2 is at least partially positioned in the space 1c of the protective covering structure 1a. The space 1c is formed between the upper structure section 7a and the lower structure section 7b, and the opening 10 arranged between the upper structure section 7a and the lower structure section 7b provides a passage to the space 1c. As shown in the figure, the structural portion of the door drive unit 2 (such as the motor EM) partially extends into the space 1c via the opening 10 to achieve a compact layout of the door drive unit 2 and the protection system S.

[0043] In the embodiment shown, the protection system S also comprises a protection plate structure 1b attached to the protective cover structure 1a. Figure 2 As shown, the protective panel structure 1b is arranged between the protective covering structure 1a and the vehicle outer structure 4. Figures 3 to 5The protective panel structure 1b is shown in more detail in FIG. The protective panel structure 1b is arranged as a fire barrier between the door drive unit 2 and the vehicle exterior structure 4. The protective panel structure 1b is configured as a blocking screen that prevents a fire that may occur during a vehicle collision event from spreading into the interior compartment of the vehicle V. The protective panel structure 1b also increases the strength of the protection system, and the protective panel structure 1b is arranged together with the protective covering structure 1a as a protective barrier between the door drive unit 2 and the vehicle exterior structure 4. The protective panel structure 1b and the protective covering structure 1a are configured, by their structural configuration, to prevent an object O from striking the door drive unit 2 in the event of a vehicle collision. For example, from Figure 2 It can be seen that in the embodiment shown, the protection plate structure 1b has a main vertical direction D V and transverse direction D LA An extended plate-like structure. Figure 6 As shown, the longitudinal outer sides 9a of the upper structure section 7a and the longitudinal outer sides 9b of the lower structure section 7b may be arranged with flanges or other suitable surfaces for attaching the protective plate structure 1 b to the protective covering structure 1 a.

[0044] The protection panel structure 1b may be arranged as a rigid construction element made of a material having high strength, such as steel or aluminum. In one embodiment, the protection panel structure 1b is made of an extruded aluminum structure. In an alternative embodiment, the protection panel structure 1b may be made of a plastic material or a composite material.

[0045] It will be appreciated that, depending on the design and construction of the vehicle V, the protection system may be arranged without the protection panel structure 1 b.

[0046] It should be understood that the above description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or use. Although specific examples have been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and their elements may be replaced by equivalents without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the claims. In addition, modifications may be made to adapt specific circumstances or materials to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its basic scope. Therefore, it is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the specific examples disclosed as the best implementation currently conceived for implementing the teachings of the present disclosure, which are illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification, on the contrary, the scope of the present disclosure will include any embodiment falling within the scope of the foregoing description and the appended claims. The figure marks mentioned in the claims should not be regarded as limiting the scope of the subject matter protected by the claims, and their only function is to make the claims easier to understand.

[0047] Description of Reference Numerals

[0048] 1a Protective covering structure

[0049] 1b Protection board structure

[0050] 1c Space

[0051] 2 Door drive unit

[0052] 2a Drive shaft

[0053] 3 doors

[0054] 3a arm structure

[0055] 4 Vehicle external structure

[0056] 4a Wheel housing

[0057] 5 wheels

[0058] 6. Vehicle internal structure

[0059] 7a Superstructure section

[0060] 7b Substructure section

[0061] 8a Longitudinal inner side of the superstructure section

[0062] 8b Longitudinal inner side of the substructure section

[0063] 9a Longitudinal outer side of the superstructure section

[0064] 9b Longitudinal outer side of the substructure section

[0065] 10 Opening

[0066] B Body structure

[0067] B A A-pillar

[0068] B C C-pillar

[0069] D Door

[0070] D F Forward direction

[0071] D LA Horizontal orientation

[0072] D LO Portrait orientation

[0073] D R Backward direction

[0074] D V Vertical direction

[0075] E I Internal

[0076] EO Outer end

[0077] EM Motor

[0078] J1 first pivot joint

[0079] J2 Second pivot joint

[0080] O object

[0081] V Vehicle

[0082] S protection system

[0083] S LI Lateral medial

[0084] S LO Lateral outer side

Claims

1. A protection system (S) for protecting a door drive unit (2) of a vehicle (V), wherein: The door drive unit (2) is attached to the vehicle body structure (B) and connected to the vehicle door (3), and the door drive unit (2) is configured to displace the vehicle door (3) between a closed position and an open position relative to the vehicle body structure (B); The protection system (S) comprises a protective covering structure (1a) attached to the vehicle body structure (B), the protective covering structure (1a) being arranged as a protective barrier between the door drive unit (2) and the vehicle external structure (4), and the protective covering structure (1a) being configured to prevent an object (O) from hitting the door drive unit (2) in the event of a vehicle collision.

2. The protection system (S) according to claim 1, wherein: The protection system (S) is arranged as an energy absorbing barrier structure, which is configured to absorb energy from the moving object (O) through deformation of the protective covering structure (1a) when struck by the moving object (O) in a vehicle collision event.

3. The protection system (S) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The vehicle outer structure (4) is a wheel housing (4a) that separates a wheel (5) from a vehicle inner structure (6), and the protective covering structure (1a) is configured to prevent the wheel (5) from striking the door drive unit (2) in the event of a vehicle collision.

4. A protection system (S) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The protective covering structure (1a) and the door drive unit (2) are arranged on the A-pillar (B A ) is attached to the body structure (B) or at the C-pillar (B C ) is attached to the vehicle body structure (B) at its lower area.

5. Protection system (S) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The door drive unit (2) includes a drive shaft (2a), the drive shaft (2a) is connected to an arm structure (3a) of the door (3), the arm structure (3a) connects the door (3) to the vehicle body structure (B) via the door drive unit (2), the arm structure (3a) is configured to shift the door (3) between a closed position and an open position when the door drive unit (2) is actuated, and the protective covering structure (1a) extends between the drive shaft (2a) and the vehicle exterior structure (4) and is configured to prevent an object (O) from hitting the drive shaft (2a) in the event of a vehicle collision.

6. Protection system (S) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The vehicle door (3) is arranged as a sliding door.

7. Protection system (S) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The protective covering structure (1a) is made of an extruded aluminum structure.

8. Protection system (S) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The door drive unit (2) comprises an electric motor (EM).

9. Protection system (S) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The protection system (S) further comprises a protection panel structure (1b) attached to the protective covering structure (1a), the protection panel structure (1b) being arranged between the protective covering structure (1a) and the vehicle exterior structure (4).

10. Protection system (S) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The protection panel structure (1b) is arranged as a fire barrier between the door drive unit (2) and the vehicle outer structure (4).

11. Protection system (S) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The protective covering structure (1a) is arranged along the longitudinal direction (D) of the vehicle (V). LO ), transverse direction (D LA ) and vertical direction (D V ) extends, the protective covering structure (1a) is laterally inner (S LI ) is attached to the vehicle body structure (B), the protective covering structure (1a) extending from the lateral inner side (S) in the lateral direction. LI ) extends to the lateral side (S LO ).

12. The protection system (S) according to claim 11, wherein: The protective covering structure (1a) comprises a LI ) and the lateral outer side (S LO ) along the transverse direction (D LA ) extending from the upper structure section (7a), and wherein the protective covering structure (1a) includes a superstructure section (7a) extending from the upper structure section (7a) ... LI ) and the lateral outer side (S LO ) along the transverse direction (D LA ) extending from the lower structure section (7b).

13. The protection system (S) according to claim 12, wherein: The superstructure section (7a) is provided between the longitudinal inner side (8a) and the longitudinal outer side (9a) along the longitudinal direction (D LO ) extends, and wherein the lower structure section (7b) extends along the longitudinal direction (D) between the longitudinal inner side (8b) and the longitudinal outer side (9b) LO )extend.

14. Protection system (S) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein: The protective covering structure (1a) comprises an opening (10) arranged between the upper structure section (7a) and the lower structure section (7b), the opening (10) being configured to receive the door drive unit (2) along the longitudinal direction (D LO ) extends from the structure.

15. Protection system (S) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The door drive unit (2) is at least partially positioned within a space (1c) of the protective covering structure (1a).

16. A vehicle (V) comprising a protection system (S) according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

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