Vehicle Guide Rail Locking for Multi-Direction Fixture Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing guide devices for vehicles lack efficient mechanisms for locking and releasing fixtures along guide tracks, particularly in multiple directions, which complicates handling and movement.
Innovation Solution
A guide device with an X-locking mechanism and a Z-locking mechanism, utilizing actuators to move between locking and release positions, and featuring a rail system with slots and web regions for secure guidance and easy actuation, allowing for simultaneous or sequential operation to unlock both mechanisms without additional actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate actuator is provided for each locking mechanism (X-locking and Z-locking), then each locking function can be independently controlled, but the device complexity and number of actuators increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the actuation of X-locking mechanism and Z-locking mechanism into a single integrated actuator system. The first actuator is coupled to both locking mechanisms through a shared transmission path, allowing one actuator to control multiple locking functions. This merging reduces the total number of actuators while maintaining independent control capability through selective engagement of different transmission paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The first actuator is designed with multi-functionality to serve both the X-locking mechanism and the Z-locking mechanism. Through a universal transmission system that includes selectable coupling paths, the single actuator can selectively engage either the X-locking or Z-locking mechanism based on operational requirements, providing versatile control without requiring separate actuators for each function.
2Reliability
If the fixture is securely locked in multiple directions, then the stability and security of the fixture improve, but the ease of release and handling becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The release operation merges the disengagement of X-locking and Z-locking mechanisms into a single coordinated action. When the first actuator is actuated, it simultaneously or sequentially disengages both locking mechanisms through the integrated transmission system, allowing the fixture to be released from multiple directional constraints with a single operation rather than requiring separate release actions for each lock.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for easy release by designing the transmission system to automatically coordinate the disengagement of multiple locking mechanisms. The selectable coupling paths are pre-configured to ensure that when release is initiated, the appropriate transmission path engages and automatically manages the sequence of disengagement, eliminating the need for complex manual coordination by the operator.
Data Source
AI summary
A guide device of a vehicle having a first guide paired with a fixture, a second guide that is paired with a structure of the vehicle and forms a guide track along which the fixture is movably guided in opposite track directions. A locking device has a first lock paired with the fixture and second lock paired with the structure of an X-locking mechanism which is used to releasably lock a movement along the track directions. A primary lock is paired with the fixture and a secondary lock is paired with the structure of a Z-locking mechanism via which a movement in a third direction for a removal out of the second guide can be releasably locked. The locking device has at least a first actuator and a second actuator via which the X-locking mechanism and/or the Z-locking mechanism can be moved between a locking position and a release position.