Lateral Sliding Wing Retaining Device With Dual Travel Stops

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle sliding side openings risk crushing seals or having rollers escape from the rail due to overtravel, posing safety hazards and structural issues.

Innovation Solution

A retaining device with distinct first and second retaining means, comprising strike wires, secures the support arm in nominal and overtravel open positions, preventing unwanted closure and overtravel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single non-return stop is used to prevent unwanted closing of the opening, then the opening can be maintained in nominal open position, but the opening may overtravel and cause the roller to escape from the rail or crush the seal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance of nominal open positionVSAvoidovertravel causing roller escape or seal crushing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining device is segmented into two distinct functional components: a first retaining means (non-return stop) that prevents unwanted closing and maintains the nominal open position, and a second retaining means (limit stop) that prevents overtravel beyond a safe position. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between maintaining open position and preventing overtravel hazards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining plate serves as an intermediary structure that carries both the first retaining means (non-return stop) and the second retaining means (limit stop). This intermediary device mediates between the support arm and the rail system, providing dual protection: the first retaining means prevents reverse movement while the second retaining means limits forward travel, thus preventing roller escape and seal crushing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Length of moving object

If the rail is extended further to allow greater opening distance, then the opening can open further, but the roller may escape from the rail causing separation of the opening from the vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopening distanceVSAvoidroller retention in rail
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The second retaining means (limit stop) on the retaining plate performs a preliminary action by establishing a maximum travel limit before the roller can potentially escape from the rail. This preliminary limitation of travel distance ensures that even if the rail were extended, the support arm cannot travel far enough to cause roller escape, thus maintaining reliability without restricting useful opening distance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the support arm is allowed to move freely beyond nominal open position, then the opening can open fully, but the support arm may crush the sealing element extending around the perimeter of the embrasure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefull opening capabilityVSAvoidsupport arm crushing seal
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The second retaining means (limit stop) on the retaining plate applies preliminary anti-action by preventing the support arm from moving beyond a safe position that would cause seal crushing. This limit stop creates a preliminary barrier that counteracts the tendency of the support arm to overtravel and damage the sealing element, thus protecting the seal while allowing full useful opening capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP4628690A1Retaining device for a lateral sliding wing
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 RENAULT SA
  • EP4628690A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4628690A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4628690A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a retaining device (6) for a sliding side opening of a motor vehicle, the retaining device (6) comprising a holding plate (26) and a plurality of retaining means (28, 30) respectively projecting from the holding plate (26), the plurality of retaining means (28, 30) comprising a first retaining means (28) configured to form a stop against movement in a first direction of a support arm (4) of the sliding side opening, the retaining device (6) comprising a second retaining means (30) configured to form a stop against movement in a second direction of the support arm (4) of the sliding side opening, the first direction being opposite to the second direction.