Bidirectional Vehicle Door Drive Unit with Segmented Motors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle door opening systems lack the ability to conveniently and efficiently open two opposite doors simultaneously or selectively using a single drive unit, which is necessary for enhanced access in vehicles with autonomous driving features.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional door opening structure that includes a first door and a second door, both configured to rotate about opposite ends of the vehicle's roof, utilizing a single drive unit with a spindle unit, latching lever, rotation lever, and connection rods to apply driving force and control the opening and closing of both doors independently or simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single drive unit is used to open both doors, then device complexity is reduced, but controlling independent operation of each door becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The single drive unit is segmented into two independent motor assemblies (first motor assembly and second motor assembly), each capable of independently driving one door. This segmentation allows each door to be controlled independently while avoiding the complexity of coordinating a single drive unit for two doors.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive unit is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple operating modes: opening only the first door, opening only the second door, or opening both doors simultaneously. The motor assemblies and transmission mechanisms are configured to adapt to different door opening requirements without requiring separate drive units.
2Ease of operation
If opposite doors are opened simultaneously, then user access convenience is improved, but the door opening mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The drive units for the first door and second door are merged into a single integrated drive unit structure. The first motor assembly and second motor assembly are positioned adjacently and share common mounting structures, allowing simultaneous door opening while maintaining a compact and unified mechanism.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single drive unit controls both doors, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but reliability of individual door operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is segmented into independent motor assemblies for each door, allowing one door to operate reliably even if the other door's motor assembly fails. This independence improves reliability while the shared housing and control unit maintain cost efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
A transmission mechanism acts as an intermediary between the motor assemblies and door latching mechanisms. This intermediary component ensures that each door can be reliably actuated through controlled force transmission, maintaining operational reliability while using a unified drive structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A bidirectional door opening structure includes a first door configured to be opened by rotating about a first end of a vehicle that is adjacent to a roof of the vehicle, a second door configured to be opened by rotating about a second end of the vehicle that is adjacent to the roof of the vehicle, the second end being opposite the first end, a drive unit disposed at a portion of the roof between the first door and the second door, and a controller configured to receive a door drive request with respect to the first door or the second door and to apply a driving force to at least one of the first door or the second door, wherein the drive unit comprises a spindle unit, a latching lever, and a rotation lever.