Dual Hinged Vehicle Door with Segmented Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle side doors, including hinged and side van doors, fail to provide optimal access for passengers and large items while ensuring safety, especially in non-van configurations, and lack adaptability to various mechanical structures and safety systems.
Innovation Solution
A dual hinged door assembly with independently moving portions, powered by a primary and secondary drive system, and controlled by a sophisticated control system incorporating sensors and latching mechanisms, allowing for enhanced access and safety features such as obstacle detection and adaptive opening/closing sequences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard hinged car door is used, then the vehicle structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the passenger ingress and egress access is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The door is divided into two separate door portions (first door portion and second door portion) that can move independently relative to each other. The first door portion is hinged to the vehicle body while the second door portion is hinged to the first door portion, creating a segmented structure that provides enhanced access while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
2Ease of operation
If a side van door is used, then superior access to the vehicle interior is provided, but it is not well suited for use with a conventional vehicle utilizing a non-van configuration
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the door into two portions with different hinge configurations, the design achieves van-like access (second door portion extending outward) while adapting to conventional vehicle structures (first door portion integrated into vehicle body). This segmentation allows the door to provide superior access without requiring a complete van-style door replacement
Solution Approach 2:
The dual hinged door assembly serves multiple functions: it provides enhanced passenger access like a van door, maintains compatibility with conventional vehicle structures, and offers independent motion control for each door portion. This multi-functionality allows the same door assembly to adapt to various vehicle configurations and operational requirements
3Reliability
If independent motion control of door portions is implemented, then enhanced access and safety are achieved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system incorporates sensors that detect the position and motion of each door portion, providing feedback to the controller. This feedback mechanism enables the system to monitor door operation, detect obstacles, and adjust motion independently for each door portion, enhancing safety while managing complexity through intelligent control rather than purely mechanical systems
Solution Approach 2:
The door assembly includes self-monitoring capabilities where sensors detect obstacles and the controller automatically adjusts door portion motion to prevent damage or injury. The system serves itself by detecting its own state and making appropriate adjustments without external intervention, improving safety while keeping the control architecture relatively simple
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 dual hinged door assembly provides improved access and safety by allowing independent motion of door portions, adapting to obstacles, and ensuring smooth operation in various vehicle configurations, enhancing passenger and cargo access while maintaining safety standards.
Implementation Method 1
The primary drive system may utilize a powered strut, e.g., a hydraulic strut, mounted to one side of the door assembly
Implementation Method 2
a non-powered strut, e.g., a gas strut, mounted to a second side of the door assembly
Implementation Method 3
The first door portion pivots about a primary axis formed by the juncture of the first door portion and the structural member in the roof. The second door portion pivots about a secondary axis formed by the juncture of the first and second door portions
Data Source
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AI summary
A dual hinged door assembly for a vehicle is provided, the assembly including an upper door portion that pivots about a primary axis formed by its juncture with a structural member in the roof, and a lower door portion that pivots about a secondary axis formed by its juncture with the upper door portion. Primary and secondary drive systems provide independent powered motion of the upper and lower door portions. A controller monitors door switch activation and determines whether activation corresponds to a door open or door closed command; performs preset door opening and closing sequences using the drive systems; and modifies the preset door opening and closing sequences based on data from proximity sensors, pinch sensors, latch sensors, drive system motor speed and the current draw by the drive systems.