Vehicle Door Reinforcing Member Mounting Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle door structures face challenges in maintaining structural rigidity due to tabbed-end portions that complicate precise mounting and reduce rigidity, especially in the inner door panels.
Innovation Solution
A ring-shaped reinforcing member with bolt holes along its periphery is extruded and secured between mounts on the inner side of the outer door panel, featuring a flange that conforms to the outer panel's contour and includes gaps for bolt hole expansion, allowing for secure and accurate mounting without additional tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If tabbed-end portions are used to join inner door panels to outer door panels, then mounting positions can be provided, but mounting precision deteriorates and structural rigidity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the problematic tabbed-end portions from the door panel structure and replaces them with a reinforcing member that has fixing portions directly integrated into its structure. This extraction of the defective mounting method eliminates the precision problems while maintaining ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mounting interface from tabbed-end portions to fixing portions with bolt holes that abut against mounting surfaces. This parameter change in the mounting structure enables precise positioning while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Ease of manufacture
If tabbed-end portions are used to join door panels, then mounting can be performed, but structural rigidity of the inner door panel deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the reinforcing function from the panel structure itself and introduces a separate reinforcing member with fixing portions. This segmentation allows the reinforcing member to provide both mounting capability and structural rigidity without compromising either function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure where the reinforcing member (with fixing portions) is mounted to the door panel using bolts. This composite construction combines the mounting capability of the fixing portions with the rigidity enhancement of the reinforcing member structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple tabbed-end portions are provided for mounting, then mounting positions are available, but the number of mounting positions increases making precision difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing portions on the reinforcing member serve multiple functions: they provide mounting positions, enable precise positioning through abutment against mounting surfaces, and maintain structural integrity. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate tabbed-end portions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle door structure includes a reinforcing member extending along an inner side of an outer door panel in a longitudinal direction, wherein the reinforcing member includes an extrusion-molded body, a forward end surface and a rear end surface, each comprising fixing portions configured to abut forward and rear mounts upon the inner side of the outer door panel, and the reinforcing member configured to be secured to the mounts in the longitudinal direction.