Automotive Door Module Guide Rail Void Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing door modules for automotive vehicles face challenges in achieving a proper seal and structural support due to the large distance between attachment clips and the limited structural support provided by the door panel, which is exacerbated by the protrusion of guide rails beyond the back plate surface.
Innovation Solution
The door module design incorporates attachment orifices near the guide rails, with a void in the rail plane providing access to the periphery of the back plate, allowing for closer spacing of attachment points and improved structural support through aligned attachment openings in the door panel, enabling a more secure and watertight connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If guide rails protrude beyond the back plate surface to provide longer travel path, then the window pane adjustment range is improved, but the distance between attachment clips increases making sealing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a void space in the rail plane that intersects the trajectory of the connected edge, allowing attachment orifices to be positioned in three-dimensional space rather than constrained to a single plane. This enables attachment points to be located closer together despite the guide rail protrusion, maintaining seal integrity while preserving the extended travel path.
2Strength
If through-holes are distributed outside the areas covered by guide rails, then the guide rail function is maintained, but the structural support provided by attachment points is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
By utilizing the void space in the rail plane, the patent enables attachment orifices to be positioned at locations that would otherwise be occupied by or inaccessible near the guide rails. This provides additional structural support points without interfering with the guide rail's mechanical function, as the attachment points are accessed through the void rather than requiring modification of the guide rail structure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The void acts as an intermediary space that allows the attachment orifices to be positioned in optimal locations for structural support. This void space mediates between the conflicting requirements of maintaining guide rail functionality and providing adequate attachment points, enabling both objectives to be achieved simultaneously.
3Length of moving object
If attachment clips are spaced far apart to accommodate guide rail protrusion, then the guide rail travel path is maintained, but the seal establishment between attachment points becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the spacing issue by utilizing the third dimension - the void space in the rail plane. This allows attachment orifices to be positioned vertically or depth-wise rather than only horizontally, effectively reducing the surface distance between attachment points while maintaining the necessary guide rail protrusion for travel path. The seal can now be established over a shorter effective distance.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle door assembly includes a door module and a door panel. The door module has a back plate with a periphery bearing attachment orifices defining a base plane. At least one guide rail extends in a rail direction in a rail plane offset from the base plane and has a connected edge and a free edge. The connected edge is attached to the back plate, and the free edge is shaped for slidably attaching a carrier plate for a window. The guide rail vertically protrudes beyond the periphery of the back platen. A void in the rail plane intersects a trajectory of the connected edge. The void provides access through the rail plane to the periphery of the back plate, wherein an attachment orifice is disposed in the void. The door panel has a central hole and attachment openings aligned with the attachment orifices of the door module.