Movable Crossmembers for Vehicle Door Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicles often have a vertical B-pillar that restricts space for occupants to ingress and egress, limiting access to the passenger compartment.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle assembly that includes a front pillar and a rear pillar with a movable upper bar and lower bar system, which can transition from a lowered position to a raised position using a linear actuator and scissor mechanism, eliminating the need for a B-pillar and enhancing access by extending across the door opening when the doors are closed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a vertical B-pillar is installed between front and rear pillars, then structural integrity is improved, but space for occupant ingress and egress is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the static B-pillar with a movable crossmember assembly that can dynamically change position between a retracted state (allowing door opening and occupant access) and an extended state (providing structural support). The crossmember is movable along tracks between the front and rear pillars, transitioning from a stationary obstacle to a dynamic structural element that adapts to different operational requirements.
2Strength
If the upper bar is raised to extend across the door opening, then structural support is improved, but access to the passenger compartment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The upper bar's ability to move between raised and lowered positions along the tracks enables it to dynamically adjust between providing structural support (when raised) and allowing access (when lowered). This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by making the structural element temporary and conditional rather than permanent and fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural support function is segmented into discrete positional states (raised/lowered) rather than being continuously present. The crossmember assembly can be positioned at different locations along the tracks, allowing the vehicle to have structural support only when and where needed, rather than continuously blocking access.
3Ease of operation
If a movable crossmember assembly is installed to eliminate the B-pillar, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The crossmember assembly serves multiple functions: it provides structural support when raised, allows occupant access when lowered, and can be positioned at various intermediate locations. This multi-functionality justifies the increased complexity by eliminating the need for a separate B-pillar while providing adaptive structural support and access control.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracks and guide rails act as intermediary elements that enable the crossmember's movement while maintaining structural integrity. These intermediary components facilitate the transition between different operational states without requiring complex active control mechanisms for the entire assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for a vehicle includes a front pillar and a rear pillar spaced along a vehicle-longitudinal axis. The front pillar and the rear pillar define a door opening. The assembly includes a first track supported by the front pillar and a second track supported by the rear pillar. The assembly includes a lower bar and an upper bar movable upwardly relative to the lower bar along the first track and the second track. The upper bar is movable between a lowered position and a raised position. The assembly includes a crossmember pivotally coupled to the lower bar and the upper bar.