Vehicle Side Structure Engaging Pin Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle side structures with engaging pins and receiving portions between the side door and side sill can cause damage when the gap between the surfaces is either too small or too large, and they require an occupant's effort to step over a raised side sill during entry.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle side structure with an engaging pin protruding upward from the side sill and an engaging pin receiving portion in the side door, allowing for interference-free engagement and disengagement, and a door latch system that cooperates with the engaging pin to absorb lateral collision loads, reducing the height of the side sill and preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the engaging pin protrudes downward from the side door lower surface and engages with the engaging pin receiving portion on the side sill upper surface, then the support rigidity of the seat belt is ensured and lateral collision prevention is achieved, but the side sill upper surface or side door lower surface may be damaged when the gap is too small, or the side sill height increases requiring occupant effort to step over when the gap is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional configuration by making the engaging pin protrude upward from the side sill upper surface instead of downward from the side door lower surface, while the engaging pin receiving portion is provided in the side door lower surface. This inversion allows the engaging pin to be received in the door internal space when the door is closed, preventing damage to both the side sill upper surface and side door lower surface, while maintaining the necessary support rigidity for the seat belt and preventing lateral collision intrusion.
2Reliability
If the engaging pin protrudes downward from the side door lower surface and engages with the engaging pin receiving portion on the side sill upper surface, then the support rigidity of the seat belt is ensured and lateral collision prevention is achieved, but the side sill height increases requiring occupant effort to step over
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional configuration by making the engaging pin protrude upward from the side sill upper surface instead of downward from the side door lower surface. This allows the engaging pin to be received in the door internal space when closed, enabling the side sill upper surface to be positioned lower without requiring a large gap, thereby reducing the height that occupants need to step over while maintaining lateral collision prevention capability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the gap between the side door lower surface and side sill upper surface is made large to prevent damage during door closure, then damage to surfaces is prevented, but the side sill height increases requiring occupant effort to step over
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional configuration so that the engaging pin protrudes upward from the side sill upper surface and is received in the door internal space when the door is closed. This allows the gap between the side door lower surface and side sill upper surface to be minimized or eliminated, preventing damage to surfaces while also reducing the side sill height to minimize the stepping effort required by occupants.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application prevents an engaging pin or a catcher pin from damaging an upper surface of a side sill or a lower surface of a side door when the door is closed, and reduces a height of the side sill over which an occupant steps when getting into a vehicle. A vehicle side structure includes an engaging portion that is at least partially provided between a lower part of a side door and a side sill and provides engagement between the lower part and the side sill. The engaging portion includes an engaging pin provided to protrude from an upper surface of the side sill, and a catcher pin that is provided in the lower part of the side door, receives the engaging pin brought into a space above the lower part of the side door, and engages a tip of the engaging pin.