Pickup Rear Door With Vertical Sliding Opening in Tight Spaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing rear doors of pick-up vehicles often face difficulties in opening due to limited space, which can lead to damage and hinder access to the loading area, especially when parked in tight spaces.

Innovation Solution

A door design featuring a first structure with connecting elements and a second movable structure that can move vertically relative to the first, guided by slides and linked by telescopic cylinders, allowing for two types of openings: a horizontal and a vertical opening, facilitated by actuating elements and a damping device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the rear door is opened horizontally in traditional manner, then the door can be fully opened, but the space required behind the vehicle increases and risk of collision with parked vehicles increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor opening accessibilityVSAvoidcollision risk with parked vehicles
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from traditional horizontal door opening (2D plane movement) to vertical door opening (3D spatial movement). The door structure includes a first structure mounted on the vehicle and a second structure that moves vertically relative to the first structure, allowing the door to open upward instead of outward, thereby reducing the horizontal space requirement and collision risk with parked vehicles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the rear door is made retractable at bumper level, then space utilization is improved, but the door opening accessibility and load access difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidload access difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the door into two separate structures: a first structure that remains mounted on the vehicle and a second structure that moves vertically. This segmentation allows the second structure to be retracted or opened independently, providing both space utilization benefits and maintained accessibility to the load compartment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the door structure is simplified to reduce complexity, then manufacturing cost decreases, but the door opening functionality in confined spaces is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddoor opening flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic movement capability to the door structure by enabling vertical movement of the second structure relative to the first structure. This dynamic feature allows the door to adapt to different parking scenarios and confined spaces while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that does not require complex mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This design enhances access to the loading area by providing flexible opening options, reducing the risk of damage and improving usability in confined spaces, while ensuring secure locking mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

The two structures can be linked together by at least one telescopic jack, in particular positioned in a slide of the first structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic or pneumatic telescopic mechanism: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

The motor vehicle door may comprise a damping device for damping the movement of the second structure relative to the first structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 3

The first structure may comprise at least two slides, and the vertical movement of the second structure of the door relative to the first structure may be guided by said slides of the first structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction-based sliding guidance: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3924241B1Door for a pick-up
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 RENAULT SA
  • EP3924241B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3924241B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3924241B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a door (10) for a motor vehicle, in particular for a pick-up, comprising a first structure (11) having connecting elements (12) in the lower part, which are designed for mounting the door (10) on a motor vehicle, characterized in that the door (10) comprises a second structure (21) which is mounted so as to move vertically relative to the first structure (11) of the door.