They're parts that most motorists take for granted, but an industry leader in automotive locks and latches has announced two innovative new door systems intended for compact-class vehicles.
'i-close' and 'i-move' will be introduced by Germany's Kiekert, with the goal of bringing luxury-car door technology down to the mass market price level.
Kiekert's i-close (intelligent closing) allows a door to be intelligently and softly closed without the high production costs normally associated with this type of system. i-close automatically shuts the door to the primary position, where a dedicated actuator securely fastens it. i-close stands to do away with door slamming, and follows Kiekert's goal of creating a completely silent door.
The i-move system aims to reduce exertion by pulling an opened door closer to the vehicle and its occupants at the press of a button. This eliminates strenuous reaching for children, the elderly and those with limited limb movement. If i-close and i-move are paired, the door can be closed manually, or at the press of a button. Patents are in the works for both technologies.
"The i-close and i-move systems signify a monumental step towards our goal of creating a silently operating door," said Dr. Karl Krause, CEO of Kiekert. "This also means that we can now deliver affordable, high quality features of luxury and safety to a larger spectrum of vehicles."
photo:Kiekert
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| The i-move system eliminates strenuous reaching for children, the elderly and those with limited limb movement. |
'i-close' and 'i-move' will be introduced by Germany's Kiekert, with the goal of bringing luxury-car door technology down to the mass market price level.
Kiekert's i-close (intelligent closing) allows a door to be intelligently and softly closed without the high production costs normally associated with this type of system. i-close automatically shuts the door to the primary position, where a dedicated actuator securely fastens it. i-close stands to do away with door slamming, and follows Kiekert's goal of creating a completely silent door.
The i-move system aims to reduce exertion by pulling an opened door closer to the vehicle and its occupants at the press of a button. This eliminates strenuous reaching for children, the elderly and those with limited limb movement. If i-close and i-move are paired, the door can be closed manually, or at the press of a button. Patents are in the works for both technologies.
"The i-close and i-move systems signify a monumental step towards our goal of creating a silently operating door," said Dr. Karl Krause, CEO of Kiekert. "This also means that we can now deliver affordable, high quality features of luxury and safety to a larger spectrum of vehicles."
photo:Kiekert