Vehicle Door Electrical Connector for Pillarless Rear Door Power
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connection devices for vehicles with swing and sliding doors face design constraints, particularly when integrating without a central pillar, leading to compatibility issues and increased costs due to the need for complex guiding mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connection device is designed with connectors on both the front and rear side doors, allowing for electrification when closed, featuring multi-pin combs that nest and deform to accommodate arc and linear movements, eliminating the need for a central pillar and simplifying the integration process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a permanent electrical connection device with cable guiding means is used to electrify the sliding door during movement, then the door can be electrified throughout opening and closing, but the solution becomes costly and the guiding means size is incompatible with vehicle design constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection device transitions from a static permanent connection to a dynamic state-dependent connection. The device remains disconnected during door movement and only establishes connection when the door reaches the closed position, allowing electrification without continuous cable guiding means throughout the door's travel path.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex cable guiding means is extracted and removed from the system. Instead of providing continuous electrical connection through elaborate guiding mechanisms, the invention extracts only the essential connection function needed at the closed position, eliminating the bulky and costly guiding infrastructure.
2Ease of operation
If the B-pillar is removed to increase access to the vehicle interior, then passenger compartment accessibility is improved, but integrating traditional electrical connection devices becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection function is segmented from the traditional B-pillar location and distributed to the door assemblies themselves. Each door (front and rear) carries its own connector, allowing the connection to be established at the door interface rather than requiring integration into the central pillar structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The door assembly is given dual functionality: it serves both as the moving closure element and as the carrier of the electrical connection device. The connector integrated into the door box serves the electrical connection function without requiring separate mounting structures or the B-pillar framework.
3Adaptability or versatility
If connectors are positioned to allow arc movement for swing doors, then swing door compatibility is achieved, but the connector geometry becomes complex to also accommodate rectilinear sliding door movement
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design uses deformable pins with convex profiles that can change their geometric parameters during engagement. The pins deform elastically to accommodate different movement trajectories (arc for swing doors, rectilinear for sliding doors), allowing a single connector geometry to serve multiple door types without requiring complex specialized shapes for each door type.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin structure employs composite construction with a rigid body providing structural support and deformable faces (convex profile) that can elastically deform. This composite approach combines the strength needed for connection with the flexibility required to accommodate different door movement patterns, simplifying the overall connector geometry while maintaining versatility.
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
Enables efficient electrification of the rear side door using the front door's electrical harness, reducing complexity and cost while maintaining design flexibility and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
au moins une broche présente des faces supérieure et/ou inférieure déformables
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement of a vehicle (1), in particular an automobile, comprising a body of which at least one lateral side comprises an opening (4) which can be closed by a front lateral door (2) and a rear lateral door (3), characterized in that it comprises an electrical connection device (5) arranged in part on the front lateral door (2) and in part on the rear lateral door (3), such a connection device enabling electrification of the rear lateral door (3) when the doors are each in the closed position. The invention also relates to an electrical connection device (5) and to a vehicle comprising such an arrangement and/or such a device.