Flush Sliding Door Track for Vehicle Console

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rigid sliding doors in motor vehicle center floor consoles often present a non-flush interface with mating components when in a closed position, which is aesthetically undesirable and not fully functional.

Innovation Solution

A sliding door assembly with a track system featuring first and second pairs of grooves and protrusions, allowing the door to extend flush with the center floor console when closed, utilizing a spring assembly, inertial lockout component, and viscous damper for controlled movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a rigid door is slidable in a straight line of movement, then the door structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the door presents a non-flush interface with the mating panel when closed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflush interfaceVSAvoiddoor structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The track includes a curved portion that guides the rigid door through a curved path of movement rather than a straight line. This curvature enables the door to rotate slightly during closing, allowing it to extend flush with the mating panel and eliminate the non-flush interface gap.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The door movement transitions from a static straight-line path to a dynamic curved path. The track design incorporates both curved and linear portions, allowing the door to adapt its movement trajectory to achieve proper alignment and flush contact with the panel when closed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If a rigid door is used for the storage bin, then the door provides structural strength and durability, but the door creates a non-flush interface with the mating panel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor strengthVSAvoidflush interface

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The curved track portion enables the rigid door to follow a curved path during movement, allowing it to rotate into proper alignment with the mating panel. This maintains the strength benefits of a rigid door while achieving the flush interface appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The door movement is extended from a single linear dimension to a curved path involving rotational movement. This additional dimensional freedom allows the rigid door to achieve flush contact with the panel while maintaining its structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures a flush interface with the console when closed, enhancing aesthetics and functionality while allowing smooth and controlled access to the storage bin.

Implementation Method 1

a viscous damper for controlled movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscous damping: Viscous Damping

Implementation Method 2

utilizing a spring assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic potential energy: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS9199579B2Sliding door for a storage bin in a vehicle center floor console

Publication Date: 2015.12.01 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A motor vehicle console includes a housing having a pair of side panels that define a storage bin having an opening and an upper panel that extends between the pair of side panels adjacent to the storage bin opening. A rigid door is supported on the housing for movement between a closed position that prevents access to the bin and an opened position that permits access to the bin. The rigid door is flush with the panel when in the closed position.