Independently opening doors for an automotive door opening

An automotive vehicle is disclosed with a pillarless door opening for occupant ingress and egress. The first door is pivotally connected to the vehicle at a first end with a second end that extends to a central region of the door opening in the closed position. A second door has a first end translatably connected to the vehicle and a second end translatably connected to the vehicle adjacent to the central region of the opening at a closed position. The first door and the second door cooperate to close the opening. The second door can be translated relative to the vehicle to an intermediate position for providing clearance from the first door. One of the second door ends is detachable from the vehicle for pivoting the second door to an open position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to vehicle door systems, more particularly to door systems for a pillarless door opening.

2. Background Art

Automotive vehicles are often provided with multiple doors on a common body side of the vehicle. Typically, a pair of adjacent doors on a common body side of a vehicle open rearward facing with respect to the vehicle. Such rearward facing adjacent doors are generally each mounted to an associated pillar. Therefore, each door is provided with a corresponding door opening.

The prior art has combined openings of adjacent doors into a common door opening. Such door openings have been provided as a pillarless door opening, and have been utilized for trucks or sport utility vehicles having more than one row of seats. The pillarless door opening is provided without a center pillar between a front row and rear row seats. In order to provide lateral support to the vehicle body, generally both front and rear doors interlock and collectively provide lateral structural support. Since both front and rear doors are pivotally connected to the vehicle body, the doors are typically provided such that a user must open a front door, before opening or closing the rear door.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, an automotive vehicle is provided with a body opening without a pillar for occupant ingress and egress. A first door has a first end pivotally connected to the vehicle about an axis adjacent to a perimeter of the vehicle body opening. A second end of the first door extends to a central region of the opening in a closed position, and extends away from the opening in an open position. A second door has a first end that is translatably connected to the vehicle adjacent to the perimeter of the opening and spaced apart from the first end of the first door. A second end of the second door is also translatably connected to the vehicle at a location that is adjacent to the central region of the opening at a closed position of the second door. The first door and second door cooperate to close the body opening when both doors are in the closed position. The second door is translatable relative to the vehicle on a fixed path of translation such that the ends of the second door are translated from the vehicle to an intermediate position that provides clearance from the first door, when the first door is closed. One of the second door ends is detachable from the vehicle for pivoting the second door relative to the vehicle from the intermediate position to an open position. This embodiment is a non-limiting example of an implementation of the claimed invention.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an automotive vehicle is provided with a pair of opposed outwardly opening doors on one side of a vehicle body to enclose a pillarless door opening. The vehicle has a forward door hinged to the vehicle adjacent a front edge of the pillarless door opening for pivotal movement about a generally vertical first hinge axis between an open position and a closed position. A forward door latch mechanism is provided for releasably latching the forward door to the vehicle body. A rearward door is provided hinged to the vehicle adjacent a rear edge of the pillarless door opening. The rearward door has a spaced apart front edge and a rear edge sized to close the pillarless door opening in cooperation with the forward door when closed. A rear link member has a fixed end pivotally attached to the vehicle adjacent the rear edge of the pillarless door opening. The rear link member also has a distal end that is movable along an arcuate path and is pivotally attached to the rearward door adjacent the rear edge for enabling rotation of the rearward door about a generally vertical second hinge axis between an open position and a substantially closed position. A front link member has a fixed end pivotally attached to the pillarless door opening forward of the rearward link member, and has a distal end movable along an arcuate path about the first end. A releasable connector is provided oriented adjacent the front edge of the rearward door for releasably engaging the distal end of the front link member. A locking mechanism is provided cooperating with the vehicle body and at least one of the rearward door and rear link member such that the rear link is capable of pivoting between an outwardly extending state with the rearward door in the substantially closed position and with the releasable connector engaging the distal end of the front link member, and an inwardly retracted locked state in which the rearward door is moved forward and inward to a closed state and securely held within the pillarless door opening.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, an automotive vehicle is provided with a pair of opposed outwardly opening doors on one side of a vehicle body to enclose a pillarless door opening. The vehicle has a forward door hinged to the vehicle adjacent a front edge of the pillarless door opening for pivotal movement about a generally vertical first hinge axis between an open position and a closed position. A forward door latch mechanism is provided for releasably latching the forward door to the vehicle body. A rearward door is provided hinged to the vehicle adjacent a rear edge of the pillarless door opening. The rearward door has a spaced apart front edge and a rear edge sized to close the pillarless door opening in cooperation with the forward door when closed. A rear link member has a fixed end pivotally attached to the vehicle adjacent the rear edge of the pillarless door opening. A rearward door forward latch assembly is provided with a first latch member affixed to the vehicle and a corresponding second latch member affixed to the rear door adjacent the front edge. One of the first and second latch members releasably engages the other at an engagement location allowing limited forward movement of the rear door relative to the vehicle body while the first and second latch members are engaged. A locking mechanism is provided cooperating with the vehicle body and at least one of the rearward door and rear link member. The rear link member is capable of pivoting between an outwardly extended state with the rearward door in the substantially closed position and the first and second latch members initially engaged, and an inwardly retracted lock state in which the rearward door is moved forward and inward to a closed state and securely held within the pillarless door opening.

The above aspects, objects, embodiments, benefits and advantages of the present invention are apparent in the attached figures and in the detailed description of embodiments of the invention below.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference now toFIGS. 1-5, an automotive vehicle20is illustrated in accordance with the present invention. The automotive vehicle20is depicted as an extended cab pickup truck, however, any automotive vehicle is contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The vehicle20has a pair of doors on one lateral side of a vehicle body22. The doors are referred to as a front door24and a rear door26, for purpose of description of the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-5. However, it is understood that the features of the front door24discussed herein may be incorporated into a rear door and the features of the rear door26discussed herein may be incorporated into a front door. Additionally, the features of either door24,26may be incorporated into any door regardless of forward, rearward or lateral spatial relationship. For example, a pair of adjacent doors may be provided on a rear end of a vehicle, such as a sport utility vehicle, a cargo vehicle, or the like.

The vehicle body22includes a door opening28, which is closed and sealed collectively by the front door24and the rear door26. To facilitate occupant ingress and egress, the door opening28is a pillarless door opening, without a center pillar dividing a front row30and a rear row32of the passenger compartment. Without a center pillar, often referred to as a B-pillar, less obstacles are provided within the door opening28for ease in entering and exiting the vehicle. Additionally, it is typical for utilization of the second row32for transporting objects other than occupants. Accordingly, it is common that the seats within the rear row32are collapsible for providing a compact area for transporting cargo. Without a center pillar, an enlarged door opening28is provided for loading and unloading of cargo within the passenger compartment.

An aspect of the prior art is to provide a front door and a rear door each pivotally connected to a vehicle body, and overlapping in a central region such that the front door must be open in order to open and close the rear door. The doors typically overlap to latch together. The vehicle20of the present invention overcomes this limitation by providing independently opening doors24,26.

The front door24is hinged to the vehicle proximate to a forward region of a perimeter of the door opening28. The front door24is hinged to the vehicle body22about a generally vertical axis34so that the front door24may open facing rearward from the closed position illustrated inFIGS. 1-4to the open position illustrated inFIG. 5. The front door24includes a conventional latch mechanism for latching the door in the closed position. The front door24includes an exterior door handle36and an interior door handle for actuating the latch mechanism, which disengages a rear end38of the front door24from the vehicle body. Once unlatched, the rear end38of the front door24may be pivoted away from the vehicle body22as the vehicle door24pivots about the first hinge axis34proximate to a front end40of the front door24.

The front door24and the rear door26collectively meet in a central region42of the door opening28for closing and sealing the door opening28. The rear door26includes a front end44that engages the front door rear end38at the central region42of the door opening28. The rear door26has a rear end46that engages the perimeter of the door opening28at a rearward region, commonly referred to as a C-pillar. The rear door26pivots about a generally vertical axis48for reaching the open position illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5. Since the front door rear end38and the rear door front end44engage at the central region42of the door opening28, an interference is provided preventing independent opening of the front and rear doors24,26by single-axis pivoting only. Accordingly, one of the doors is translatably mounted to the vehicle body22for translating the door before pivoting the door open.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1-5, the rear door26is mounted to the vehicle body22for translation relative to the vehicle body for providing clearance between the rear door front end44and the front door rear end38so that the second door26may be subsequently pivoted to the open position.

With reference toFIG. 1, the rear door26is illustrated in the closed position. Subsequently, the rear door26is translated to a first intermediate position illustrated inFIG. 2. In the first intermediate position of the rear door26, the rear door rear end46translates laterally outboard from the vehicle body22while the rear door front end44begins translation rearward and away from the front door rear end40.

Subsequently, the rear door26is translated to a second intermediate position, illustrated inFIG. 3wherein the rear door rear end46translates laterally away from the vehicle body22and rearward relative to the front door, while the rear door front end44translates rearward relative to the front door rear end38while also translating laterally outboard from the vehicle body22. In the second intermediate position ofFIG. 3, a front edge of the rear door front end44is disengaged from the front door rear end38. Also, a rear edge of the rear door rear end46is disengaged from the door opening28.

Upon reaching the second intermediate position illustrated inFIG. 3, the rear door26may be pivoted about the second hinge axis48to the open position illustrated inFIG. 4. Thus, the rear door26may be opened independent of the front door24for independent ingress and egress to the rear row32. Likewise, the front door24may be opened independent of the rear door by merely pivoting the front door open. Additionally, both doors24,26may be opened for maximizing the pillarless door opening28for ingress/egress and loading and unloading of cargo.

With reference now toFIG. 6, the front door24and the rear door26are illustrated in a top plan partial section view. The front door24and the rear door26are illustrated in solid in the closed position. The front door rear end38overlaps the rear door front end44. Accordingly, an elastomeric seal50is provided therebetween for sealing the door opening28. The elastomeric seal50is mounted to one of the front door rear end38and the rear door end44and provides a weather-tight connection therebetween. Another elastomeric seal50′ may provided for sealing engagement of the rear door rear end46to the vehicle body22at the pillarless door opening28.

Further, by overlapping the front door rear end38and the rear door front end44, the central region42is structurally enhanced for providing lateral structural support to the door system. In the absence of a B-pillar, the cooperation of the front door rear end38and the rear door front end44provides structural support for lateral loads associated with lateral impacts and rollovers.

InFIG. 6, the second door26is illustrated in phantom in the second intermediate position and is referenced generally by26′. Upon reaching the second intermediate position at26′, the second door26may be pivoted to the open position, which is also illustrated in phantom and indicated generally by reference numeral26″.

The second door26is mounted to the vehicle body22for a fixed and repeatable path of translation. As the rear door26is translated to the second intermediate position26′, the rear door rear end46translates laterally outboard and rearward of the front door24. The rear door rear end46travels on an arcuate path52illustrated inFIG. 6. The rear door front end44also translates rearward relative to the front door24and laterally outboard relative to the vehicle body22. The rear door front end44travels along an arcuate path54, which is also illustrated inFIG. 6.

The motion of the rear door26from the closed position to the second intermediate position26′ is often referred to as ‘kick-out’ in the context of sliding doors for vans, minivans and other vehicles. The paths52,54of the rear door rear end46of the rear door front end44may be provided in cooperation with slots, linkages or the like. The rear door rear end path52and the rear door front end path54may form any pattern, linear, arcuate or the like that is sufficient for translating the rear door26to a position for pivoting the rear door26relative to the vehicle body22. Unlike sliding doors, the rear door26only provides sufficient translation for clearance to pivot to the open position.

The translation of the second door26is adequately provided by a four bar mechanism, such as a slider crank mechanism or a four bar linkage. As illustrated inFIG. 6, a rear link56is provided with a fixed end58pivotally attached to the vehicle body22. The rear link56also has a distal end60pivotally attached to the rear door rear end46. The rear link distal end60provides the translation of the rear door rear end46along the path52. Additionally, upon reaching the second intermediate position26′, the rear door26is permitted to pivot at the rear link distal end60about the second hinge axis48. The rear door front end path54may be provided by a slot, a slider crank mechanism or by another link.

Referring now toFIGS. 7 to 10, the rear door26is illustrated mounted to a linkage for translating the rear door26relative to the vehicle body22. The linkage is illustrated as a four bar linkage. The vehicle body22serves as a fixed link. As discussed above, the rear link56is pivotally connected to the vehicle body and the second door26. The second door26also defines a link for translation relative to the vehicle body22. A front link62is provided with a fixed end64pivotally attached to the vehicle body22within the pillarless door opening28forward of the rear link56. The front link62has a distal end66pivotally connected to the rear door26.

The rear link56and the front link62collectively translate the rear door26. Thus, as both the front link62and the rear link56pivot relative to the vehicle body, the rear door26is translated to a first intermediate position as illustrated inFIG. 8. The first intermediate position may be any intermediate position of the rear link56and the front link62along the corresponding arcuate paths52,54between the closed position inFIG. 7and the second intermediate position, which is illustrated inFIG. 9.

The second intermediate position may be the position in which the rear door rear end46is spaced sufficiently from the vehicle body22for pivoting about the second hinge axis48at the rear link distal end60. The second intermediate position ofFIG. 9may also be the position where the rear door front end44has sufficient clearance from the front door rear end38such that the rear door26may be pivoted away from the front door rear end38. Thus, upon reaching the second intermediate position ofFIG. 9, the linkage may be decoupled for opening the rear door26to the open position illustrated inFIG. 10.

The link length of the rear link56is illustrated greater than that of the front link62to space the rear door rear end46from the vehicle body side at a greater rate of translation than that of the rear door front end44. Of course, any link length is contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Referring now toFIG. 11, an interior side of the rear door26is illustrated with an interior trim panel removed therefrom for revealing a latch mechanism68that is provided for decoupling the linkage ofFIGS. 7 to 10. InFIG. 12, a region of the pillarless door opening28is illustrated enlarged depicting the front link62with a striker pin70at the front link distal end66for cooperation with the latch mechanism68ofFIG. 11.

Although the latch mechanism68and front link62are illustrated in a lower region of the rear door26and the pillarless door opening28, the invention contemplates that the latch mechanism68and the front link62may be provided on a top region of the rear door26and the pillarless door opening28. Additionally, a pair of latch mechanisms68and a pair of front links62may be provided at upper and lower regions of the rear door26and the pillarless door opening28. Further, the latch mechanism68may be provided on the front link62and the striker70may be provided on the rear door26.

Referring again toFIG. 11, the latch mechanism68includes a conventional receiver72for receiving the striker70and locking the striker70therein. The latch mechanism68includes a release74for releasing the striker70from the receiver72. Strikers, receivers and releases are well known in the art of vehicle door latch mechanisms. The release74may be mechanically coupled to an exterior door handle76(FIGS. 1-3) or an interior door handle78(FIGS. 4 and 5) of the rear door26. Thus, the user may be required to manually release the striker70from the receiver72in order to pivot the rear door26from the intermediate position to the open position.

Likewise, the user may be required to manually translate the rear door26from the closed position to the intermediate position in order to open the rear door26. Alternatively, the latch mechanism68may be provided with a solenoid80for driving the release74. Upon receiving a signal indicating that the rear door26is in the second intermediate position and that the user has requested to open the rear door26, the solenoid80may drive the release74for disengaging the rear door26from the front link62.

In order to close the rear door26, the user first pivots the rear door26until the receiver72receives the striker pin70, thereby locking the rear door26to the front link62. Subsequently, the user may translate the door from the intermediate position to the closed position. Another latch or locking mechanism may be provided for maintaining the door in the closed position.

The front link62includes a torsion spring (not shown) at the front link fixed end64for biasing the front link62to the position illustrated inFIG. 12corresponding to the second intermediate position of the linkage. Thus, the striker pin70is urged to the position for engagement with the receiver72when the rear door26is pivoted to the second intermediate position. The torsion spring provided on the front link fixed end64may be sufficient to bias the link62to the position illustrated inFIG. 12, but may be easily overcame by translation of the door from the second intermediate position to the closed position.

Additionally, a cutout82may be provided within the vehicle body22so that upon disengagement of the latch mechanism68from the striker pin70, the front link62may be translated into the vehicle body22through the cutout82to avoid interference with a passenger whom may be stepping within the door opening28. A sensor may be provided in the rear door26to determine when the rear door26is being pivoted partially closed to the second intermediate position. Upon receipt of the signal, the actuator may translate the front link62back to the position illustrated inFIG. 12.

The invention contemplates that another latch mechanism68may be incorporated into the front door24as well, for cooperation with a fixed striker.

Referring again toFIG. 7, a linear actuator84is illustrated schematically for driving the rear door26between the closed position and the second intermediate position. The linear actuator84may be an electrically driven stepper motor with an extendable shaft. Although a linear actuator is illustrated and described, the invention contemplates any actuator, such as rotary actuators, and the invention contemplates any power source, such as spring driven, pneumatic, hydraulic, or the like.

The linear actuator84includes a grounded end86that is pivotally connected to the vehicle body22. The linear actuator84also includes an extendable end88which can be linearly extended from the grounded end86. The extendable end88is pivotally connected to a bell crank90that is mounted to the rear link56. Thus, as the actuator84extends the extendable end88from the grounded end86, the bell crank90drives the rear link56counterclockwise fromFIG. 7toFIG. 9.

Likewise, the actuator84may be utilized for translating the rear door26from the second intermediate position ofFIG. 9to the closed position ofFIG. 7by retracting the extendable end88of the actuator84towards the grounded end86. Retraction of extendable end80drives the bell crank90of the rear link56in a clockwise direction fromFIG. 9toFIG. 7.

Referring again toFIG. 7, the actuator84is in communication with a controller92which controls the actuator84to either extend or retract. The exterior door handle76and the interior door handle78of the rear door26include manual switches that send a signal to the controller92upon actuation of the corresponding handle76,78. Upon receipt of the signal, the controller92drives the actuator84to translate the rear door26from the closed position to the second intermediate position.

Upon reaching the second intermediate position, the controller92sends a signal to the latch mechanism68to release the front link62so that the rear door26may be pivoted to the open position. The controller92may be in communication with an electronic control unit (ECU)94to verify certain conditions before driving the rear door26to the intermediate position or unlatching the rear door26. The ECU94may be in communication with the transmission for indicating to the controller92that the vehicle is parked. The controller92may require that the vehicle be parked in order to translate the rear door26. The ECU94may be in communication with the engine or transmission for indicating a speed of travel of the vehicle to the controller92. The controller92may require the vehicle to be within a velocity range before translating or unlatching the rear door26. Alternatively, the controller92may require that the vehicle be stopped in order to translate or unlatch the rear door26. Alternatively, the controller92may be incorporated within the ECU94.

When the actuator84translates the rear door26to the second intermediate position, the actuator84may maintain this position so that the receiver72of the latch mechanism68lines up with the striker pin70of the front link62when the rear door26is pivoted from the open position to the second intermediate position.

Upon receipt of the striker pin70within the receiver72of the latch mechanism68, the latch mechanism68may send a signal to the controller92indicating that the rear door26is latched in a second intermediate position. Subsequently, the controller92drives the actuator84from the extended position illustrated inFIG. 9back to the retracted position illustrated inFIG. 7for translating the rear door26to the closed position. Upon reaching the closed position ofFIG. 7, the actuator84may maintain the retracted position for locking the rear door26in the closed position.

Referring now toFIG. 13, another automotive vehicle96is illustrated in accordance with the present invention. The automotive vehicle96includes a first seating row98, a second seating row100and a third seating row102. Likewise, the vehicle96includes a first door104pivotally connected to a body106of the vehicle96. A second door108and a third door110are provided for permitting ingress and egress to the second and third seating rows100,102. The second and third doors108,110collectively close and seal a pillarless door opening112provided between a B-pillar114, which divides the first seating row98and the second seating row100, and a seat C-pillar116.

The second and third doors108,110may be independently opened by incorporating the teachings of the present invention. The second door108may be pivoted from a closed position illustrated inFIGS. 13 to 15to the open orientation illustrated inFIG. 16. Likewise, the third door110may be translated to an intermediate position illustrated inFIG. 14by utilizing a four bar mechanism, linkage or the like as discussed above with previous embodiments. Subsequently, the third door110may be pivoted from the intermediate position inFIG. 14to the open position illustrated inFIGS. 15 and 16. By providing the pillarless door opening112, an enlarged opening is provided for ingress and egress to the second and third seating rows100,102as illustrated inFIG. 16. The enlarged opening112may be utilized for loading and unloading of cargo into the second and third seating rows100,102.

In summary, a door system for a pillarless door opening for adjacent doors is provided wherein the doors may be independently opened. One door may be hinged to the vehicle while the other door is mounted to the vehicle for translation and pivoting for clearing the first door and then permitting pivoting relative to the vehicle. The translation is provided on a fixed path for repeatability and accuracy.