Van Body Door Interlock for Rear and Side Opening Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Van-type motor vehicle bodies with sliding side doors and rear doors cannot be opened simultaneously without risking interference, leading to increased lateral dimensions and reduced parking capacity when multiple vehicles are parked side-by-side.
Innovation Solution
A van-type motor vehicle body configuration with sensors to detect the absence of each door and mechanisms to limit the opening stroke of one door in response to the opening of the other, preventing interference by activating retractable stops or electronic controls to manage door openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rear door is opened to 270 degrees to clear access to the rear opening, then the access to the rear opening is fully cleared and the vehicle's transverse obstruction is minimized, but the rear door interferes with the sliding side door when it is in the open position
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor is introduced as an intermediary element that detects the position of the sliding door and triggers a limitation mechanism on the rear door. This intermediary sensing system enables the two doors to operate independently without direct mechanical interference, allowing the rear door to open to 270 degrees when the sliding door is closed while preventing interference when the sliding door is open.
2Reliability
If a stop is fitted to limit the rear door opening angle to less than 270 degrees to avoid interference with the sliding door, then any collision between the rear and side doors is prevented, but the vehicle's lateral dimensions are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The door limitation system transitions from a static mechanical stop that permanently restricts the rear door to a dynamic, sensor-activated system. The limitation angle is no longer fixed but adapts based on the sliding door's position: when the sliding door is closed, the rear door can open to 270 degrees; when the sliding door is open, the limitation mechanism activates to prevent interference. This dynamic approach maintains collision prevention while minimizing vehicle lateral dimensions.
3Ease of operation
If the rear door opening is limited to an angle less than 270 degrees to prevent interference, then the sliding door can operate freely, but the number of vehicles that can be parked side-by-side in the same cargo space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor-based feedback system continuously monitors the sliding door's position and provides real-time information to the door limitation mechanism. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically adjust the rear door's maximum opening angle based on the sliding door's state, ensuring smooth operation of both doors while maintaining minimal transverse bulk for optimal parking capacity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a van-type motor vehicle body (10), comprising: - at least one rear hinged door (12) folding along one side (18) of said body (10), - at least one sliding side door (20), capable of extending parallel to said side (18) of the body (10), characterized in that: - each rear (12) or side (20) opening is equipped with a means (46, 48) for detecting the absence of the associated rear (12) or side (20) door, capable of detecting the opening of said door (12, 20), - the body (10) is equipped with means (52, 54) for limiting the opening travel of each door (12, 20), - each means (52, 54) for limiting the travel of a door (12, 20) is activated in response to the detection of the opening of the other door (20, 12) by said means of detecting (48, 46) absence of the other door (20, 12).