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One thing that stood out to me in this blog post was the comments about the doors. They say: > "Model 3 also has the lowest intrusion from side pole impact of
by rconti 8y ago
One thing that stood out to me in this blog post was the comments about the doors. They say:
> "Model 3 also has the lowest intrusion from side pole impact of any vehicle tested by NHTSA. Unlike frontal crashes, there is little room for crumple zone in a side impact, so we patented our own pillar structures and side sills to absorb as much energy as possible in a very short distance. These structures work alongside the vehicle’s rigid body and fortified battery architecture to further reduce and prevent compartment intrusion. With less intrusion into the cabin, our side airbags have more space to inflate and cushion the occupants inside."
It's something I didn't really appreciate until weeks after we brought our 3 home, but the sides of the car have an incredibly strange shape. Both front and rear doors, and even the rear fender and side sills, have absolutely massive character lines and sculpting. I have no idea if they're outright thicker than other carmakers' doors, or if they're there for aerodynamics, or if they aid safety, but they're really like nothing else. Take a close look next time you see one; I think the S is much the same way, but like most people, I don't usually stop to closely examine styling elements unless I have a particular reason to do so.
- jjeaff 8y agoTesla "open sourced" a lot of their patents, which was a good thing. But why would they then patent things like side panel designs that could save lives? It kind of highlights the idea that the original release of patents on the electric tech was self serving only. In hopes that it would bring electric to more mainstream and help create a charger network faster.
- jon_richards 8y agoNow that patents are first to file, couldn't someone patent the doors based off reverse engineering a tesla and then sue tesla for infringement?
- cmbailey 8y agoThat patent could easily be defeated by showing the older Tesla designs as proof of "prior art". This could happen i) easily after the application is published through an internal submission to the examiner, ii) fairly easily after grant through an "Inter Partes Review"[0], and iii) then still at any time in the future through litigation in the courts. These submissions could be made by Tesla, or any third party who cares about the illegitimate patent not being in effect. If anyone, at any time, demonstrates that prior art existed before the date of the patent application, that patent can be permanently invalidated. This happens frequently, and is often used by victims of patent trolls to defend themselves. With the side benefit of "punishing" the patent troll. [0] https://www.uspto.gov/patents-application-process/appealing-patent-decisions/trials/inter-partes-review https://www.uspto.gov/patents-application-process/appealing-...