Vehicle Door Load Path Structure for Engagement Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle door structures fail to effectively suppress deformation of the door engaging portion when a colliding body collides with the door from the vehicle cabin outer side, as they lack adequate load transmission mechanisms to counteract disengagement loads.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle door structure featuring a load transmitting member inside the door body that transmits loads perpendicular to the door surface to the base end of the engaging member, ensuring the engaging member remains engaged with the engaged member, thereby stabilizing the door and preventing deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a door structure without center pillar is used with engaging members to connect front and rear doors, then the door opening can be effectively closed and stopped, but the door engaging portion becomes vulnerable to deformation when collided from the vehicle cabin outer side
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a load transmitting member that extends in the vehicle width direction (perpendicular to the door opening/closing direction) to transmit collision loads from the door outer panel to the engaging member base end. This dimensional approach allows the load to be distributed across multiple points rather than concentrating at the engaging portion, thereby preventing deformation while maintaining the door's closing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The load transmitting member acts as an intermediary structure between the door outer panel and the engaging member. It receives collision loads from the door outer panel and transmits them to the base end of the engaging member, preventing these loads from directly acting on the engaging portion where the engaging member connects with the engaged member, thus avoiding deformation.
2Reliability
If the engaging member is positioned at the outer edge of the door body for effective engagement, then the door can be securely held in closed state, but the base end of the engaging member becomes exposed to collision loads from the vehicle cabin outer side
Solution Approach 1:
The load transmitting member serves as a protective intermediary that intercepts collision loads before they reach the base end of the engaging member. By positioning this member between the door outer panel and the engaging member base end, collision loads are transmitted through the load transmitting member rather than directly affecting the engaging member's base end, thus reducing harmful effects while preserving engagement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The load transmitting member is pre-positioned to absorb and redirect collision loads before they can reach the engaging member. This proactive load management structure ensures that when collisions occur from the vehicle cabin outer side, the loads are already being managed by the load transmitting member, preventing direct exposure of the engaging member base end to harmful forces.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The proposed structure efficiently transmits collision loads to the engaging member, effectively suppressing deformation of the door engaging portion by applying loads in the engagement direction, ensuring the door remains securely closed even during collisions from the outer side.
Implementation Method 1
a load transmitting member configured to, when a load in a direction perpendicular to a design surface on a vehicle cabin outer side of the door outer panel is input, transmit the load toward a base end side of the engaging member and apply a load to the base end side of the engaging member in an engagement direction of the engaging member with the engaged member
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle door structure includes: a door having a door body defining a closed section with a door inner panel and a door outer panel; an engaging member configured to hold the door in a closed and stopped state by engaging with an engaged member; and a load transmitting member configured to, when a load in a direction perpendicular to a design surface on a vehicle cabin outer side of the door outer panel is input, transmit the load toward a base end side of the engaging member and apply a load to the base end side of the engaging member in an engagement direction of the engaging member with the engaged member.