Opposite Swing Door Linkage for Sagging and Separation Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles with opposite swing doors lacking a B-pillar face issues of door sagging and separation due to excessive loads, as there is no structural connection between the front and rear doors.
Innovation Solution
A door connecting device comprising a lever, catcher, and cable system that rotates and connects the front and rear doors, utilizing an elastic member and reinforcement to prevent separation and meet strength regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If opposite swing doors are applied without a B-pillar, then the vehicle structure is simplified and ease of operation is improved, but door sagging and separation occur under excessive loads
Solution Approach 1:
The door connecting device is divided into multiple functional components: a lever mechanism for rotational movement, a cable system for force transmission, and a catcher for engagement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while collectively providing the necessary connection strength between doors without requiring a B-pillar structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever is pre-configured with a rotational axis and the cable is pre-tensioned to maintain door connection. When doors are closed, the lever is positioned to engage the catcher, establishing the connection before any load is applied. This preliminary positioning ensures that the door connection structure is ready to resist sagging and separation forces.
2Strength
If a latch structure is provided to connect front and rear doors, then door strength is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism uses a rotatable lever instead of a fixed latch structure. The lever can rotate about its axis to accommodate door movement while maintaining connection, and the cable dynamically adjusts tension as doors move between open and closed positions. This dynamic approach provides strength without the complexity of multiple latch components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable acts as an intermediary element that transmits force between the lever and the door structure. Instead of directly connecting the lever to the door, the cable provides a flexible force transmission path that accommodates movement while maintaining connection strength, simplifying the overall device structure.
3Device complexity
If no connection structure is provided between front and rear doors, then device complexity is reduced, but door sagging and separation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The cable functions as a flexible connection element that maintains door stability without rigid structural constraints. The cable can accommodate door movement and positioning variations while maintaining tension to prevent sagging and separation, providing stability with minimal structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever-cable-catcher mechanism automatically maintains door connection through its own structural design. When doors are closed, the lever rotates to engage the catcher, and the cable maintains tension to prevent separation. The system self-regulates to maintain stability without requiring additional control mechanisms or complex structural support.
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
The device effectively prevents door sagging and separation under excessive loads, ensuring compliance with structural strength regulations by maintaining door connectivity.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member may be provided on the rotation shaft, and the elastic member may provide an elastic force to allow the first end portion of the lever to protrude toward the front door when the rear door and the front door are opened
Implementation Method 2
a cable connecting the lever and the catcher and configured to transmit a rotation force caused by the relative movement to the catcher when the lever rotates
Data Source
AI summary
A door connecting device for a vehicle to which opposite swing doors including a rear door and a front door is applied, the opposite swing doors being configured to be opened or closed by a relative movement between the rear door and the front door, includes a lever rotatably mounted on one of the front door and the rear door and configured to be rotated by the relative movement between the rear door and the front door; a catcher disposed on one of the front door and the rear door and configured to rotate in conjunction with a rotation of the lever; and a cable connecting the lever and the catcher and configured to transmit a rotation force caused by the relative movement to the catcher when the lever rotates.