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Certain sports utility vehicles (SUVs) utilize dual latches and gas struts in their hood design. This is primarily driven by the larger size of the hood and specific architectural requirements. These hoods can be securely latched either by a dynamic single stroke closing method or by quasistatic two stroke closing method. In dynamic method, the hood is closed with a single, high-velocity motion for the final primary latching, whereas in quasistatic method, force is initially applied for the secondary latching and then for the final primary latching. In this study, both the dynamic and quasistatic closing methods are compared in terms of closing force and velocity and hood over travel distance. A load cell is used for measuring the closing force, velocity meter is used for velocity measurement and a rope sensor is used for measuring the hood over travel distance.

Side doors are pivotal components of any vehicle, not only for their aesthetic and safety aspects but also due to their direct interaction with customers. Therefore, ensuring good structural performance of side doors is crucial, especially under various loading conditions during vehicle use. Among the vital performance criteria for door design, torsional stiffness plays an important role in ensuring an adequate life cycle of door. This paper focuses on investigating the impact of several door structural parameters on the torsional stiffness of side doors. These parameters include the positioning of the latch, the number of door side hinge mounting points on doors (single or double bolt), and the design of door inner panel with or without Tailor Welded Blank (TWB) construction.

The side-door operation of vehicle is vital to the customer, as it reflects the overall build quality of the vehicle. The side door check arm is one of the primary components that determine the operating characteristics of a vehicle door. The profile of the check arm has a significant impact on the closing effort of side doors. In this study, the check arm profiles are analyzed virtually in relation to the side door's closing velocity. A virtual door model was developed in ADAMS to simulate the side door closing and opening. The study involves a check arm that guides the ball spring mechanism housing unit over the guide profile. Typically, a check-arm guide profile has two or three indents at a specific location which serves to maintain the door open in those positions. When a door enters an indent, the user must exert an effort to traverse it. Furthermore, the slope profile of the check arm defines the self-closing assist offered from the initial indent to the latching position.

The passenger car segment has been extremely competitive and automotive OEMs are thriving to provide superior customer experience. Door closing is an event that requires slamming of the door with a certain velocity to get the door latched. A good latching provides that thud sound and assurance of the door getting closed for an SUV. While the door is closed, it pushes the volume of air inside the cabin. As the amount of air moved in is proportionate to the size of the door it becomes more critical for the SUV segment of vehicles to ensure the air extraction path is efficient. Else, steep pressure rise inside the cabin causes severe discomfort to the passengers sitting inside the vehicle. Current work focused on the process of simulation of cabin pressure while door closing, implementing changes based on results and validating with test results. Test results are in close correlation with simulation predictions.

Side Door closing velocity is one of the key customer touch points which depicts the build quality of the vehicle. Side door closing velocity results from the interaction of different parts like door and body seals, door check arm, door hinge, latch, and alignment of door hinge axis. In this paper, a high door closing velocity issue in a sports utility vehicle is discussed. Physical studies are carried out to understand each parameter in door closing velocity and its contribution is defined in terms of velocity. Many physical trials are conducted to conclude the contribution of each parameter. Studies revealed that the body and door seal are contributing around 70% of door closing velocity. Check arm and hinge axis deviation are contributing around 10% of the door closing velocity. Physical trials are conducted by reducing the compression distance of the body seal.

The side door closing effort is one of the main evaluating parameters which demonstrates the build quality of the vehicle. The side door hinge axis inclination is one of the key attributes that affect the side door closing effort. Commonly, the hinge axis is inclined in two directions of a vehicle to have necessary door rise during the door opening event. Due to the process and assembly variations in the door assembly, the upper and lower hinge axis of the side door deviates from the design axis. In this paper, the deviations in the side door hinge axis and its effects on the side door closing velocity is discussed. The deviations of the side door hinge axis are studied with a coordinate measuring machine. The side door closing velocity of the vehicle is measured with the velocity meter. The study revealed that side door closing velocity is increasing with an increase in the deviation of the top and bottom door hinge axis from the design hinge axis.