Vehicle Side Door Operator Link Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional door operators for side doors in vehicles face challenges in securing space for the drive unit, particularly on the ceiling or floor, due to the requirement of a large space for the output shaft arrangement, which compromises the comfort and interior space of the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A door operator with a drive unit arranged inside the side door and a link mechanism connecting the output shaft to the vehicle body, featuring a driving arm and a driven arm that allow for a change in distance from the relative pivot core to the shaft core, enabling efficient opening and closing of the side door without needing extensive clearance or notches, thus maintaining vehicle comfort and interior space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the drive unit is arranged on the ceiling or floor of the vehicle, then the door opening and closing function is achieved, but the interior space and comfort of the vehicle are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement from conventional ceiling/floor mounting to side door integration. The drive unit is positioned within the side door structure itself, utilizing the door's internal space rather than encroaching on the vehicle's interior volume. This dimensional repositioning resolves the contradiction by achieving door operation functionality without sacrificing passenger compartment space.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive unit is nested within the side door structure. The output shaft, link mechanism, and associated components are integrated into the door's internal architecture, allowing the drive system to occupy space that would otherwise be structural or unused within the door assembly, rather than invading the vehicle's interior living space.
2Ease of operation
If the output shaft is arranged perpendicular to the motor shaft, then the door opening function is achieved, but a relatively large installation space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The link mechanism incorporates dynamic elements including a movable link that changes position during door operation. The connection between the driven arm and driving arm allows for distance change from the relative pivot core to the output shaft core, enabling compact packaging while maintaining full door opening functionality through dynamic adaptation rather than fixed rigid geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The arc-shaped guide groove in the movable link enables curved motion paths for the connecting rod. This curvature allows the mechanism to achieve the necessary door opening arc while maintaining a compact footprint, as the curved path efficiently packs the motion trajectory into a smaller spatial envelope compared to linear or orthogonal arrangements.
3Ease of operation
If the driven arm moves significantly during operation, then the door can be opened and closed, but the required clearance and notches increase
Solution Approach 1:
The movable link dynamically adjusts its position along the arc-shaped guide groove during door operation. This dynamic repositioning allows the driven arm to achieve the necessary travel distance for door opening while minimizing the maximum displacement from any single fixed point, thereby reducing the required clearance and notch dimensions in the vehicle body and door structure.
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
Enables the side door to be opened and closed at a wide turning angle without impairing the comfort of entering or exiting the vehicle or compromising interior comfort, as the driven arm does not move significantly, allowing for compact installation and operation.
Implementation Method 1
The link mechanism includes a driving arm extending radially from the output shaft of the drive unit, and a driven arm turnably connected to the vehicle body. The link mechanism is configured to open and close the side door with respect to the vehicle body through the driving arm and the driven arm when the drive unit is driven.
Data Source
AI summary
A door operator opens and closes a side door supported on a side of a vehicle body through a hinge, and includes: a drive unit arranged in an inner space of the side door; and a link mechanism configured to connect an output shaft of the drive unit and the vehicle body. The link mechanism includes a driving arm extending radially from the output shaft of the drive unit, and a driven arm turnably connected to the vehicle body. The link mechanism is configured to open and close the side door with respect to the vehicle body through the driving arm and the driven arm when the drive unit is driven, and the driven arm and the driving arm are connected to each other while allowing for a change in distance from a relative pivot core to a shaft core of the output shaft.