Pivotable Roof Panel for Unobstructed Vehicle Door Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle designs often obstruct occupant ingress and egress due to the presence of pillars between door openings, limiting access and requiring occupants to enter or exit in a non- upright posture.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle structure that eliminates the B-pillar between the A-pillar and C-pillar, utilizing a pivotable panel connected to the roof beam that extends across the door opening, allowing unobstructed passage and increasing the door opening size for improved access, especially in autonomous vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a B-pillar is present between door openings, then structural stability is improved, but occupant access and egress are obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the B-pillar from the vehicle structure between the front and rear door openings, extracting the obstructing element while maintaining structural integrity through alternative support mechanisms including the pivotable panel system and reinforced A/C pillars
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pivotable panel that can rotate between a closed position (providing structural support similar to a pillar) and an open position (allowing unobstructed access), transforming the static structural element into a dynamic component that adapts to different operational states
2Strength
If a B-pillar is present between door openings, then vehicle structural integrity is improved, but door opening size is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The B-pillar is completely removed from the door opening region, maximizing the available door opening area while structural integrity is maintained through the pivotable panel mechanism and reinforced remaining pillar structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static 2D pillar structure to a 3D pivotable panel that rotates through different planes, allowing the structure to provide support when needed while clearing the door opening path when opened
3Ease of operation
If a pivotable panel is introduced to eliminate the B-pillar, then occupant access is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable panel serves multiple functions: it provides structural support when closed, acts as an access barrier when open, and can integrate with the door system to provide both structural and access control functions, reducing the need for separate components
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle structure including a roof beam and a first pillar and a second pillar each fixed relative to the roof beam. The first pillar and the second pillar are spaced from each other defining a door opening extending from the first pillar to the second pillar. A front door and a rear door are both disposed in the door opening. A panel is pivotally connected to the roof beam and pivotable relative to the roof beam to a lowered position. The panel, in the lowered position, extends across the door opening from the first pillar to the second pillar.