Disappearing Car Door

[Rhino]

This is interesting.

http://www.disappearing-car-door.com/

[mkafrica]

I want one...

[Trovalor]

Nice.

I am curious however of the safety aspects of this design, I'll have to look into it more.

[Lubbock]

That's pretty cool.

The very first thing I would do is reach for the door handle and fall out onto the pavement on my head.

I just know it.

Can you imagine how it would be to get used to that after a lifetime of opening a car door?

[Rhino]

:lol: I probably would too.

[PrezLeefun]

That is the most nifty thing I have seen in a while.

[Rhino]

And what's a guy supposed to hide behind when he stops beside the road to pee? :lol:

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Now THAT'S cool! My only concern is what happens in an accident, how to get out of the car? Especially if the electronics were damaged in the wreck, with no manual handle and hinges how do you get out of it?

Boy I could have used something like that last night hauling all the banquet decorations into the car, out of the car, back into the car, and back into my house last night.

[PrezLeefun]

And what's a guy supposed to hide behind when he stops beside the road to pee? :lol:

Cant you just face the door opening and hope for a good arc?

[Rhino]

Not when the wind's blowing. :lol:

[Lubbock]

"what happens in an accident" [Homes]

What happens if you get to the grocery store and the mechanics/hydraulics fail?

And you're trying to get home to start supper.

Nice to look at and contemplate, but I can see some areas of concern.

[Rhino]

I'm sure they have a manual override. Safety rules would almost certainly require it.

[Elgalad]

What Rhino said, and it's probably gravity driven (the manual open).

Could still get jammed in a wreck of course, but then so could a standard door. If anything, I think an emergency crew might have an easier time prying one of these doors open with jaws of life than a standard door.


Very cool design. :)



-Elgalad

[Incident_command]

I see three problems.

1 A minor impact and its time to get out the Hurst tools "JAWS". Seldom the case with regular doors.This is fine by me, I love extrication.

2 With the B post gone there is a considerable amount of loss in supporting the roof in a roll over.

3 All the crap my wife and son pile up in the back seat of her car would fall out every time she opens the door.

[BarryC]

I attempted to look at that site, but before it was finished loading I got the error message "Internet Explorer has encountered an error and will be shut down, blah, blah, blah." So I will look at it with my dad's computer when I get the chance. I know when I finally get my computer back, it will be okay.

[EveningStar]

I'm sure they have a manual override. Safety rules would almost certainly require it.

Yes. It's needed.

Do power windows have a manual override?

[ThomasMore]

"what happens in an accident" [Homes]

What happens if you get to the grocery store and the mechanics/hydraulics fail?

And you're trying to get home to start supper.

Nice to look at and contemplate, but I can see some areas of concern.

I'm sure they have a manual override. Safety rules would almost certainly require it.

I see three problems.

1 A minor impact and its time to get out the Hurst tools "JAWS". Seldom the case with regular doors.This is fine by me, I love extrication.

2 With the B post gone there is a considerable amount of loss in supporting the roof in a roll over.

3 All the crap my wife and son pile up in the back seat of her car would fall out every time she opens the door.
I think it is a really exciting design.

---

I thought about a loss of power or an accident, too.

Rhino already said that a manual override would be necessary.

As far as being pinned in a wreck, it could be a problem, but not one exclusive to this kind of door.

In 1977, I was in an accident in which my door was bent shut and the gas tank was on fire. That definitely focuses your mind and gets you moving. Fortunately, the door on the other side of the car opened and I was able to get out unharmed.

IC could speak to the relative risks between the two door designs.

[EveningStar]

Some people probably think Manual Override is a Mexican. :biggrin:

[ThomasMore]

Some people probably think Manual Override is a Mexican. :biggrin:

A "coyote", at that.

http://michellemalkin.cachefly.net/michellemalkin.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/smuggle.jpg

[ThomasMore]

The website also has a link to another page, a slide show (http://www.disappearing-car-door.com/slideshow/show/phpslideshow.php?directory=pics&currentPic=0) that explains how the door works.

To make a long story short, think of a motorized, sliding van door, that rotates down below the floor.

The company says that it improves structural stiffness and crashworthiness, and that post-crash, it is easier to get out of than a standard door.

Don't know whether or not that is true, but the idea is intriguing.

[Gonzo67]

Do power windows have a manual override?


Yes, but most people simply refer to it as a "Rock".

[Gonzo67]

Just think how wide spread use will impact popular culture....

Now in the action movies, Cops no longer have the protection of a car door to hide behind in order to block the 2,000 rounds of ammunition fired at them.

Though, I can't say I'd be too upset if a few Gaffney SC cops still gave it a shot...