Multi-bar Linkage for B-pillarless Door Cross-vehicle Distance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pillarless dual-door closure systems face challenges in efficiently opening rear doors due to the need for sufficient room to pivot outwardly, leading to limitations in cross-vehicle distance and operational convenience, with existing four-bar link arrangements being cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A door linkage system with a multi-bar linkage configuration, featuring first and second links with curved paths of non-constant radii, allowing the rear edge to move in the cross-vehicle direction while the front edge moves longitudinally, minimizing the cross-vehicle distance and optimizing the door's path for efficient operation and assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a four-bar link arrangement is used for pillarless dual-door closure systems, then the door can be supported without a B-pillar, but the door swings outwardly from the vehicle body in a cross-vehicle direction along a constant radius arc, requiring sufficient room to pivot and resulting in cumbersome and inefficient operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a traditional four-bar linkage with constant radius arc movement to a multi-bar linkage system that provides variable radius arc movement. The door follows a dynamic path where the radius of curvature changes during opening, allowing the door to move more efficiently with reduced cross-vehicle distance while maintaining the pillarless configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces another dimension to the door movement by adding longitudinal vehicle direction movement to the traditional cross-vehicle direction movement. This two-dimensional movement path (combining cross-vehicle and longitudinal components) allows the door to open without swinging outwardly in a single constant radius arc, thereby reducing space requirements and improving operational efficiency
2Stability of the object's composition
If a four-bar link arrangement is used, then the door can be supported, but it extends outwardly in cross-vehicle direction along a constant radius arc equal to link length, minimizing space efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-bar linkage system employs dynamic geometry where the effective radius of the door's arc movement varies during opening. Unlike the static constant radius of four-bar linkages, the variable radius allows the door to trace a more compact path, reducing the maximum cross-vehicle distance while maintaining structural support throughout the motion range
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the door support function across multiple bars and linkage points rather than relying on a single four-bar mechanism. This segmentation allows different portions of the door to be supported by different linkage elements, enabling a more optimized movement path that reduces overall cross-vehicle extension while maintaining door stability
3Reliability
If traditional pivoting or four-bar link arrangements are used, then regulatory requirements can be met, but operational convenience is limited and the system is not compact or efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-bar linkage system performs multiple functions within a single integrated mechanism: it provides door support, enables regulated opening motion, reduces cross-vehicle distance, and improves operational convenience. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanisms to address each requirement, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining regulatory compliance
Data Source
AI summary
A door linkage system for guiding a door of a motor vehicle between an open position and a closed position relative to a vehicle body includes at least one linkage pivotally connected between the door and the vehicle body to move a rear portion of the door away from the vehicle body substantially in a cross vehicle direction to a partially open position while a front portion of the door concurrently moves substantially in a longitudinal vehicle direction of the vehicle, and then, move the front portion and the rear portion of the door concurrently in substantially the longitudinal vehicle direction of the vehicle to the open position.