Segmented Drive Rod Disengagement for Door Impact Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automobile doors can become permanently or semi-permanently open after an impact due to deformation and compression, which is undesirable as it compromises safety and structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that includes a drive rod striking member positioned adjacent to the drive rod, which disengages the drive rod from the latching system upon impact, preventing re-engagement and maintaining the door in a closed position through inertia or other means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the door is designed with a conventional drive rod and latching system, then the door can be opened and closed normally, but the door may become permanently or semi-permanently open after an impact due to deformation and compression
Solution Approach 1:
The drive rod is segmented into multiple sections that can move relative to each other. Upon impact, the segments separate from one another, preventing the drive rod from maintaining continuous connection between the handle and latching system, thereby preventing unintended door opening while preserving normal operation during non-impact conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The drive rod transitions from a static, rigid structure to a dynamic, adaptable structure. The segments are designed to remain connected during normal operation but can separate under impact forces, allowing the system to adapt its behavior based on the operational condition (normal use vs. impact event)
2Reliability
If the drive rod remains connected to the latching system after impact, then the door may unintentionally open due to deformation, but disconnecting the drive rod permanently compromises the door's operational control
Solution Approach 1:
The drive rod segments are pre-configured to separate automatically upon impact detection, before any unintended door opening can occur. This preliminary separation action prevents the harmful effect of unintended opening while the door remains in a controlled state, and the segments can be reset afterward to restore full operational control
3Stability of the object's composition
If the door deformation moves the latching system closer to the handle, then the drive rod may permanently control disengagement, but this permanent disengagement leaves the door in an open position compromising safety
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented drive rod prevents permanent control disengagement by allowing the segments to separate during impact, absorb the deformation energy, and then be reset to their original positions. This segmentation approach converts the harmful permanent disengagement into a temporary, recoverable state, maintaining door safety and structural integrity
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
Prevents the door from unintentionally opening during or after an accident by ensuring the drive rod does not control the latching system to disengage from the striker, enhancing safety and preventing further damage.
Implementation Method 1
the drive rod is disengaged from the door handle and/or the latching system either through inertia
Implementation Method 2
the drive rod striking member impacting the drive rod
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for disengaging a drive rod in a door after an impact to the door. An automobile having a door with a door handle, a drive rod, a latching system, a striker, and a drive rod striking member. The drive rod striking member can be positioned adjacent the drive rod. Upon impact to the door, the drive rod is disengaged from the door handle and/or the latching system through inertia, through the drive rod striking member impacting the drive rod, or through any other disengagement mechanisms. The drive rod striking member prevents the drive rod from re-engaging with the latching system. The disengagement of the drive rod prevents the drive rod from controlling the latching system to disengage from the striker, either through deformation of the door, or through actuations by the door handle.