The durable sliding door system allows the entire body to act as an intrusion limiting skin--accomplished by the deep overlapping door channels, a forward latch and striker, and rear interlocking catch channels.
(Reference the figures bellow for the following discussion)
Door channels
There are 3 door channels for each door; a forward, upper, and lower. The door slides up and rearward, sliding along in the upper and lower channels. As shown in section AA below, the lower door channel is deep and thin, and is formed from the gap between the lower body-panel-outer and the lower channel-inner. The bottom edge of the door panel slides along a z-shaped plastic extrusion, which also joins the inner and outer. Working as a sealing element, and a low-friction sliding surface is the hard-plastic slip-strip (shown in blue in section AA). A foam spacer (light blue) is added to provide two functions; a body shell impact-energy absorber--which prevents panel damage, and to provide the necessary spacing for the body panels to accommodate the sliding door system as shown.
Section BB through the leading edge of the door shows how the forward body-panel-outer and door channel-inner create the front door-channel. Besides keeping the door closed, the latching elements work together during collision to make the door itself resist intrusion during side impact. The latching system has 3 main components; a forward bolt-latch mounted to the frame, a reinforcement plate which is attached to the door panel, and a rear catch system--consists of interlocking plastic extrusions (shown in section DD), which provides sealing, prevents the door from vibrating, and also provides door pop-off (for opening). The upper door channel (section CC) is formed from the gap between the upper body-panel and the frame; it retains and guides the door along its upper edge.
Door sealing
The door sealing is positioned so as to work with the sliding action of the door itself, and is constructed from TPV extrusions with slip coating, as used on the majority of conventional drop-glass window systems today. The door seals also hold the door open and prevent it from slamming shut from its open position.
