Door Retainer With Internal Magnetic Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door retaining devices for vehicles are either cumbersome, impractical, or require excessive effort to operate, particularly when trying to maintain the door in an open position while minimizing wind resistance and ensuring ergonomic use.
Innovation Solution
A door retaining device with a magnetic system where the actuating mechanism extends from the internal surface of the door, reducing the size and wind resistance of the door in the open position, and allowing for ergonomic operation by separating the magnetic elements with a translational movement that converts to rotational, reducing the adhesion force for easy closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a magnetic connection is used to hold the door open, then the door remains securely open, but considerable effort is required to release the connection when closing the door
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic element on the door is divided into two separate portions: a first magnetic portion that engages with the second magnetic element on the side panel to provide strong retention, and a second magnetic portion that can be independently actuated. This segmentation allows the door to remain securely held open while enabling easy release through actuation of only the second portion.
Solution Approach 2:
An actuating device is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the magnetic connection. This actuating device includes a lever that, when actuated, moves the second magnetic portion away from its engagement position, thereby reducing the magnetic adhesion force and facilitating easy door closure without requiring the user to directly overcome the full magnetic force.
2Ease of operation
If the actuation device is positioned between the outer surfaces of the door and side panel, then the magnetic connection can be broken, but the door size and wind resistance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating device is nested within the door structure itself, with the lever and associated components integrated into the door's internal volume. The first magnetic portion is positioned within an opening in the door, and the actuating mechanism operates from the inner surface of the door, eliminating the need for external protruding components and reducing the door's overall bulk and wind resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation mechanism operates in the internal dimension of the door rather than requiring external space between the door and side panel. The lever rotates about an axis within the door, and the magnetic portions are positioned and actuated from the inner surface, effectively utilizing the door's internal volume for the actuation mechanism and minimizing external dimensions.
3Ease of operation
If the user grips the door edge to operate the handle, then the door can be actuated, but the user must hold a contaminated area
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating function is extracted from the door edge and relocated to the inner surface of the door. The lever and gripping mechanism are positioned on the inner surface, allowing the user to operate the door from a clean, protected area that does not require contact with the external contaminated environment. This separates the actuation function from the contaminated door edge.
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 solution provides a robust yet ergonomic and space-efficient door retention system that minimizes wind resistance and effort required to close the door, ensuring safety and ease of use while maintaining the door in an open position.
Implementation Method 1
at least one first magnetic element fixed to the side wall, at least one second magnetic element fixed to the door, the second magnetic element cooperating with the first magnetic element when the door is in the open position so as to maintain the door in the open position
Implementation Method 2
the actuating device is arranged to move at least a part of the second magnetic element away from the first magnetic element when the actuating device is actuated in an actuation direction tending to move said actuation device away from the internal surface of the door
Data Source
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AI summary
The body assembly (1) comprises a side wall (2), defining an internal surface (6) and an external surface (8) and a door (4) movable relative to the side wall (2) between a closed position and an open position, the body assembly comprising a device for retaining the door in the open position, comprising: - a first magnetic element (18) fixed to the side wall (2), - a second magnetic element (20) fixed to the door (2), the second magnetic element (20) cooperating with the first magnetic element (18) when the door (4) is in the open position, - an actuating device (34) extending outward from an internal surface (14) of the door (4) and being arranged to move away from a part of the second magnetic element (20) from the first magnetic element (18) when the actuating device (34) is actuated.