"GhostZ" (GhostZ)
08/26/2013 at 17:26 • Filed to: Tesla, Model X, TSLA, Gull Wing, Patents
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"GhostZ" (GhostZ)
08/26/2013 at 17:26 • Filed to: Tesla, Model X, TSLA, Gull Wing, Patents | 1
| 12 |
Tesla has been on a patent filing spree, and this week it laid down 3 patents, 2 of which involve a 2-piece gull wing door system with the first piece being part of the structural unit for the door. It's very likely then that the Model X prototype from a few months back, which featured such doors, will pass them on to the actual production car.
Click the link here to view the full patent text on the Public US Patent directory: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .
This could be trouble though. The !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! gull-wing-doored independent car manufacturers both ended up bankrupt. Can he achieve the impossible!?
Carwood
> GhostZ
08/26/2013 at 17:30 |
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While the Gull wing doors certainly look better thought out on this model, I cant help but play devils advocate and wonder how hard it is to get out of one of these in a mall parking lot. The argument can be made that the SLS only sees a valet stand but this model is certainly aiming for a larger stage..
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GhostZ
> Carwood
08/26/2013 at 17:32 |
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I think the idea is that the first piece raises it directly straight up by about 1-2 feet, and then the second piece extends up, so it doesn't hit the car adjacent. That's what makes it so much better than a single-piece Delorean or SLS design. It would clear most (outside of lifted trucks) roofs of cars sitting right next to it if there was enough space for you to stand between them.
Really, just some common sense.
CB
> GhostZ
08/26/2013 at 17:35 |
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So I take it there will be no roof rack option?
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GhostZ
> CB
08/26/2013 at 17:37 |
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The design probably allows for more airbags where it really matters, the sides.
I think a roof rack might murder the drag coefficient though.
Pure87
> Carwood
08/26/2013 at 19:15 |
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This shows how the doors work.
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Carwood
> Pure87
08/26/2013 at 20:25 |
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Wow, pretty cool. Thanks for posting.
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Carwood
> GhostZ
08/26/2013 at 20:28 |
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pretty interesting and well thought out. I wonder if these type of design elements will become more widely accepted as we go forward? I guess this certainly makes a case for it. Would like to see a side impact test once this model goes forward.
Battery Tender Unnecessary
> Carwood
08/26/2013 at 20:35 |
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FYI, a SLS door only takes 16 inches or so to open, a Delorean needs even less.
The height of the car and the location of the axis of rotation dictate the space required. Which is why you would need a hinged gull-wing on a SUV.
It's also important to note that while they have a patent for the hinged-door, the most recent Model X prototypes dropped gullwings for conventional doors in the back.
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Battery Tender Unnecessary
> Battery Tender Unnecessary
08/26/2013 at 20:38 |
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https://www.facebook.com/video/video.ph…
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Carwood
> Battery Tender Unnecessary
08/26/2013 at 20:40 |
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damn its really that small? I've seen a guy struggle to get out of his sls in a school parking lot and both car seemed reasonably parked. Wish I could borrow one and give it a shot hah.
bhardoin
> CB
08/26/2013 at 22:01 |
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Though its not a full consolation to not being able to have a roof rack, the frunk will at least add a bit of extra room.
Mosqvich
> CB
09/01/2013 at 11:55 |
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That's a good point. As we plan on buying an SUV, this is our #1 thought: we want a roof top tent for camping with our son who is a Scout. But, we live in Colorado, the target audience probably won't care.