Vehicle Door Blocking Means for Impact Lock Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle side doors often undesirably open during a side impact due to parasitic phenomena like deformation and inertia, posing safety risks and violating regulatory requirements, and existing active reinforcements are bulky, heavy, and sometimes ineffective.

Innovation Solution

An opening panel with a blocking means that is partially fixed to the outer panel and extends concavely towards the inner panel, featuring a U-shaped profile with a contact surface to stop the outer opening lever from pivoting into the release position during deformation, integrated with the waist reinforcement for stability and compactness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an active reinforcement is integrated in the opening panel to block the lock during impact, then the door remains closed during impact, but the reinforcement is bulky and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor remaining closed during impactVSAvoidmass of the reinforcement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking means is segmented into a first part arranged on the outer panel and a second part arranged on the inner panel, connected by a linking element. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently and reduces the overall bulk compared to a single massive reinforcement structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking means utilizes the thickness dimension of the door panel by extending from the outer panel toward the inner panel. The concave structure projects into the space between panels, effectively using available dimensional space rather than adding external bulk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If an active reinforcement is integrated in the opening panel to block the lock during impact, then the door remains closed during impact, but the reinforcement increases vehicle mass and fuel consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor remaining closed during impactVSAvoidvehicle mass

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the blocking means into two parts connected by a linking element, the structure achieves the blocking function with less material than a solid monolithic reinforcement, thereby reducing vehicle mass and associated fuel consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking means is designed to provide just enough blocking action to prevent door opening during impact, without excessive material. The concave structure with specific dimensions provides the minimum necessary intervention to stop the lever while minimizing mass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If a blocking means is arranged on the outer panel with a concave structure, then it effectively blocks the lever movement during impact, but it may be moved by impact becoming ineffective

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblocking effectivenessVSAvoidposition stability of blocking means

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking means is merged with the waist reinforcement structure of the door. The first part is arranged on the outer panel and the second part on the inner panel, with the linking element connecting them through the waist reinforcement, integrating the blocking function into the existing structural framework for enhanced stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking means is pre-positioned in a retracted state during normal operation, clear of the lever's path. Upon impact, the concave structure is driven forward by the panel deformation to engage the lever, ensuring it is in the correct position to block movement without interfering with normal door operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If the blocking means extends concavely from the outer panel toward the inner panel, then it blocks lever movement during impact deformation, but it occupies space within the door structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblocking function during impactVSAvoidspace occupied by blocking means

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking means utilizes the thickness dimension of the door panel by projecting from the outer panel toward the inner panel. This concave structure effectively uses the available space between panels without requiring additional external volume, blocking lever movement while occupying minimal space within the door's structural envelope.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20240410196A1Vehicle opening panel comprising a means for blocking the lock in the event of an impact

Publication Date: 2024.12.12 RENAULT SA

AI summary

An opening panel for a motor vehicle includes an external panel, an internal panel, an external opening control member for the opening panel, and a lock having an external opening lever that can move such as to allow the opening panel to be opened. The opening panel further includes a structure for blocking the movement of the external opening lever.