Ford Motor Company Infinite Door Check

FORD - FUTURE TECHNOLOGY WATCH

Many of the advanced technologies and significant issues remain to be resolved before implementation. Inhibitors which could delay or preclude implementation might include unproven reliability, vehicle packaging issues and cost .vs. value as perceived by the customer.

Infinite Door Check

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What it is :

The Infinite Door Check (IDC) is a mechanical-hydraulic device

designed to hold the door open at any position along its swing path.

Traditionally, vehicles equipped with mechanical door checks (or detents)

hold the door only at half open or fully open positions; the door will not

stay in place at other positions. Infinite Door Check, by holding the door

open at any position, enables customers to protect their own vehicle and

avoid denting or chipping the paint of adjacent vehicles in tight

parking spaces. It also allows the occupant to position the door at any

convenient position when entering or exiting, even when the vehicle is

parked on an incline.

How it works :

The IDC makes use of a phenomenon called stiction. Stiction is

defined as the ratio of static to dynamic friction. The IDC mechanism

utilizes patented valving technology to amplify the dynamic force to

overcome static friction, which makes the door easy to move once it is

in motion, but holds the door position when it is released or stopped.

Customer benefit:

Easier entry and egress from the vehicle, and reduced

likelihood of damage to the door edge or to adjacent vehicles.

Ford status:

Under development.