Casting Housing for Pivot Door Assemblies in Pillarless Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pivot-type door motion assemblies for vehicles with enlarged door openings encroach on space required for other components and negatively affect vehicle body structures, particularly when there is no B-pillar, leading to packaging and attachment issues.
Innovation Solution
A casting housing that packages and indirectly attaches pivot-type door motion assemblies to the vehicle body, allowing for pre-assembly and flexible installation, minimizing space encroachment and attachment impacts on vehicle components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pivot-type door motion assemblies are attached directly to the vehicle body, then the door motion function is achieved, but space required for other components is encroached upon and vehicle body structure is negatively affected
Solution Approach 1:
A casting housing is introduced as an intermediary component between the pivot-type door motion assembly and the vehicle body. The housing packages the door motion assembly and provides mounting features that attach to the vehicle body, thereby mediating the connection and preventing direct attachment to the vehicle body structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The door motion system is segmented into separate components: the pivot-type door motion assembly, the casting housing, and the vehicle body. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates flexible installation and removal of the door motion assembly without affecting the vehicle body structure.
2Ease of operation
If pivot-type door motion assemblies are attached directly to the vehicle body, then the door motion function is achieved, but vehicle body hard points such as wheelbase are negatively affected
Solution Approach 1:
The casting housing serves as a mediator that isolates the door motion assembly from the vehicle body structure. By providing a dedicated mounting platform with integrated attachment features, the housing prevents direct interference with vehicle body hard points and maintains structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The casting housing is designed with pre-integrated attachment features and mounting points that are prepared in advance. This preliminary action allows for straightforward installation to the vehicle body without requiring modifications to the vehicle body structure or affecting critical hard points.
3Volume of moving object
If pivot-type door motion assemblies are packaged in a casting housing as a complete module, then space encroachment and attachment impacts are minimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The casting housing merges multiple functions into a single component: it packages the pivot-type door motion assembly, provides structural support, incorporates attachment features for mounting to the vehicle body, and includes provisions for sealing and protection. This consolidation simplifies the overall system despite the added housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The casting housing is designed as a multi-functional component that serves as a package, a structural support element, a mounting platform, and a protective enclosure. This universality justifies the additional complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single added component.
Data Source
AI summary
A casting housing for a vehicle body having an enlarged passenger opening includes a body extending from a first housing end to a second housing end to define a compartment. At least one of a front door pivot-type door motion assembly is disposed within the compartment adjacent the first housing end or a rear door pivot-type door motion assembly is disposed within the compartment adjacent the second housing end, with preferably both disposed within the compartment. The casting housing is attached to the vehicle body, preferably along a lower body side rocker structure, to indirectly attach the front and/or rear door pivot-type door motion assemblies to the vehicle body at any time during manufacture of the vehicle, after which the front and rear doors are attached to the front and rear pivot-type door motion assemblies for pivoting the doors relative to the enlarged door opening between open and closed positions.