Door Leaf Holding Device with Dynamic Blocking Notch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door leaf holding devices for vehicles and other applications are complex, costly to manufacture, and prone to reliability issues due to intricate assembly requirements and jamming of rotating kinematics, which can result in the door being stuck in an open configuration.

Innovation Solution

A tubular body with a slidably mounted rod and integral blocking notches that automatically switch configurations to hold the door leaf in an open position, eliminating the need for assembly and reducing jamming risks through a simple, economical design with internal stops and linear stop systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If blocking elements are assembled on the body and rod with rotating kinematics, then the door leaf can be held in open configuration, but the rotating kinematics may inadvertently jam during rotation, blocking the door in open configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidcomplexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking element is designed with a blocking notch that can dynamically switch between two configurations: a retracted configuration allowing rod movement, and a deployed configuration engaging with the stop abutment to hold the door. This dynamic transformation eliminates the need for complex rotating kinematics while maintaining the holding function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the blocking function from a complex rotating mechanism and implements it through a simple blocking notch that transforms between configurations. The blocking notch is integrated into the rod, eliminating separate blocking elements that would require assembly and rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If blocking elements are assembled on the body and rod, then the door leaf can be held in open configuration, but numerous assembly operations are required, increasing manufacturing and prime costs

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking notch is merged with the rod as an integral component, eliminating the need for separate blocking elements and their associated assembly operations. The rod and blocking function are combined into a single piece, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking notch automatically transforms between retracted and deployed configurations based on the rod's position, eliminating the need for manual assembly and adjustment of blocking elements. The system self-regulates its blocking state through the rod's movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If a simple rod and body design is used, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but the door may not reliably hold in open configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The simple rod design is enhanced with a dynamic blocking notch that automatically engages with the stop abutment when the door is held in open configuration. This dynamic feature ensures reliable holding without adding complex assembly requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking notch acts as an intermediary element between the rod and stop abutment, enabling the simple rod design to reliably hold the door by mediating the interaction through its deployable configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3564470B1Holding device for holding a door leaf in an open configuration releasable through a further opening of the door leaf
Publication Date: 2020.12.16 A RAYMOND & CO SCS
  • EP3564470B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3564470B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3564470B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7B

AI summary

The holding device (10) which allows holding a movable door leaf in an open configuration comprises a tubular body (11) and a rod (12) slidably mounted and capable of occupying a first retracted position corresponding to a closed configuration of the door leaf and a second partially extended position corresponding to the open configuration of the door leaf. The body (11) internally delimits at least one longitudinal stop abutment (16) and the rod (12) delimits at least one blocking notch (17) capable of switching between a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration. The longitudinal sliding of the rod (12) from the first position toward the second position automatically places the blocking notch (17) in its deployed configuration in which the blocking notch (17) bears longitudinally against the stop abutment (16) so as to block unidirectionally the rod (12) longitudinally in its second position and to prevent the sliding of the rod (12) in the direction of its first position. The rod (12) can occupy a third fully extended position through a longitudinal sliding from the second position in a direction (S1) opposite to the first position. The blocking notch (17) delimits a lateral bearing shoulder (18) engaging with at least one linear stop system (19) delimited by the body (11) during a longitudinal sliding of the rod (12) from the third position toward a fourth position longitudinally located between the first position and the second position. The linear stop system (19) is configured so as to control, by driving the blocking notch (17) at the level of its engaged lateral bearing shoulder (18), the passage and the holding of the blocking notch (17) in its retracted configuration during the sliding of the rod (12) from the third position to the fourth position.