Vehicle Door Reinforcement Structure to Prevent Latch Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle doors sometimes open during impact events due to insufficient prevention of the latch mechanism operation, allowing impact forces to be misdirected rather than being transmitted to the B-pillar.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle door structure incorporating a reinforcement member with a secondary reinforcement portion (attenuation member) that deforms to contact the latch mechanism, preventing its operation and maintaining the door in a closed orientation during impacts, thereby directing forces to the B-pillar.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a reinforcement member is installed in the door structure, then the door strength and ability to transmit impact forces to the B-pillar is improved, but the door may still open during impact events if the latch mechanism operates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a secondary reinforcement portion as an intermediary element between the reinforcement member and the latch mechanism. This intermediary component deforms during impact events to physically contact and prevent the latch mechanism from operating, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining door strength and ensuring latch reliability during impacts
2Force
If the reinforcement member is made more rigid to prevent deformation, then the door can better transmit forces to the B-pillar, but the latch mechanism may still operate and cause the door to open
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific deformation zone in the reinforcement member through the secondary reinforcement portion. This localized area is designed to deform under impact forces, while the rest of the reinforcement member maintains its rigidity for effective force transmission to the B-pillar, thus resolving the contradiction between force transmission and latch prevention
3Ease of manufacture
If the door structure is simplified without additional reinforcement portions, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the door may open during impact events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reinforcement function and the latch protection function into a single integrated component structure. The secondary reinforcement portion is attached to the reinforcement member to create a unified assembly that simultaneously provides structural support and prevents latch operation during impacts, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and impact reliability
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
Effectively prevents the door from opening during impacts, ensuring that impact forces are transmitted to the B-pillar, enhancing safety by maintaining the door in a closed position and absorbing forces effectively.
Implementation Method 1
the reinforcement member deforms and contacts the latch mechanism retaining the latch mechanism in the latching orientation
Implementation Method 2
in response to an impact event where force is directed to a central area of the door structure, the reinforcement member deforms and contacts the latch mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle body structure includes a reinforcement member, a latch mechanism and a secondary reinforcement portion. The reinforcement member is installed to an inner door panel of a door structure and extends from a forward area of the door structure to a rearward area of the door structure. The latch mechanism is installed to the rearward area of the inner door panel and is positioned such that a section of a rearward portion of the reinforcement member is outboard and level with a portion of the latch mechanism. The secondary reinforcement portion is fixedly attached to a central area of the reinforcement member spaced apart from a forward area of the inner door panel. In response to an impact event where force is directed to a central area of the door structure, the reinforcement member deforms and contacts the latch mechanism retaining the latch mechanism in the latching orientation.