Vehicle Side Door Operator With Compact Rack-and-Pinion Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle side door operators face challenges in miniaturization, as the drive unit is too large to fit within the side door, requiring significant storage space and limiting the size of the door glass due to overlapping with the door glass in the width direction, and existing solutions do not adequately address the need for efficient power transmission and control in a compact design.
Innovation Solution
A compact drive unit is positioned between the door glass and the metallic inner panel, utilizing a pinion gear, rack mechanism, and connecting arm to efficiently open and close the side door, with a planetary gear mechanism and electromagnetic brake for smooth operation and controlled resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the drive unit is provided inside the side door, then the door structure is compact, but the drive unit becomes too large to fit and requires significant storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the drive unit inside the storage space formed between the door glass and the metallic inner panel. The drive unit is positioned within the existing door structure, utilizing the space that would otherwise be unused, thereby achieving compact integration without requiring additional external storage space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent repositions the drive unit from a conventional location to a new spatial dimension - specifically, arranging it in the width direction of the door where it overlaps with the door glass's downward movement locus line. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the drive unit to fit within the available space without interfering with door functionality.
2Area of moving object
If the drive unit is positioned to avoid overlapping with the door glass, then the door glass can be larger, but the storage space between the front side guide rail and front end edge must be significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by allowing the drive unit to overlap with the door glass's movement path rather than avoiding it. This inversion enables the drive unit to be positioned in the storage space between the door glass and metallic inner panel, eliminating the need for large front storage space and allowing the door glass to maintain practical size.
3Power
If a large output type drive unit is used for the back door, then the door can be opened and closed effectively, but the drive unit cannot be arranged in the narrow inner space of the side door
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the drive unit in a specific location within the door structure - the storage space between the door glass and metallic inner panel. This localized placement allows the drive unit to be integrated into the narrow side door space while maintaining its power output capability for effective door operation.
4Power
If the speed reduction gear group is disposed in a radiation direction of the motor shaft, then power transmission is efficient, but miniaturization cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the speed reduction mechanism into distinct components - the pinion gear and rack mechanism - that can be arranged linearly along the door's fore-aft direction. This segmented arrangement allows efficient power transmission from the motor through the pinion gear to the rack, while keeping the overall drive unit volume compact and suitable for integration in the side door's storage space.
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 configuration allows for efficient power transmission, compact storage, and controlled door movement, preventing sudden openings and providing adjustable resistance, enhancing the operational efficiency and user experience of the side door system.
Implementation Method 1
a pinion gear fixed to an output shaft of the drive unit; a rack including a rack gear, the rack extending in a fore- and aft direction of the side door and the rack gear being configured to engage with the pinion gear
Implementation Method 2
with a planetary gear mechanism and electromagnetic brake for smooth operation and controlled resistance
Data Source
AI summary
An operator for a vehicle side door including a metallic outer panel, a metallic inner panel, and a door glass partitioning a storage space between a downward movement locus line of the door glass and the metallic inner panel, the operator including: a drive unit provided in the storage space such that the drive unit overlaps with the downward movement locus line of the door in a width direction of the door; a pinion gear fixed to an output shaft of the drive unit; a rack including a rack gear configured to engage with the pinion gear; and a connecting arm pivotally supported on a vehicle body side bracket fixed to the vehicle body, the connecting arm being connected to a front end of the rack, wherein the side door moves in a direction of opening the door and closing the door in accordance with the movement of the rack.