Linear Center Rail Link Structure for Vehicle Sliding Door
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing center rail structure of sliding doors in vehicles has a curved shape, leading to excessive indoor invasion and reduced operability due to increased operation force required for opening and closing the doors.
Innovation Solution
A linear type center rail link structure is introduced, comprising a center rail, a movable base, a link arm, a slider, and a latch part with a spring-loaded lever, allowing the link arm to rotate and the base to move along the center rail, minimizing indoor invasion and improving door operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a curved center rail structure is used, then the sliding door can be installed in the car body, but the indoor invasion amount increases excessively, reducing indoor space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the reverse of this principle by using a linear (non-curved) center rail instead of a curved one. The linear center rail eliminates unnecessary curvature that causes indoor invasion, allowing the sliding door mechanism to operate with a straight rail structure that minimizes space occupation within the vehicle interior.
2Ease of operation
If a curved center rail structure is used, then the sliding door mechanism can function, but the operation force increases, deteriorating operability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates curved geometry in the center rail, using a linear structure instead. This linear configuration optimizes the mechanical advantage and force distribution in the sliding door mechanism, reducing the operation force required at the door handle and improving overall operability.
3Volume of moving object
If a linear type center rail is used, then indoor invasion is decreased and operability is improved, but the link structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sliding door mechanism into distinct functional segments: a linear center rail, a movable base, a link arm, and a slider. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, with the link arm and slider working together to convert the linear motion of the base into the required door movement, managing complexity through functional decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates dynamic elements including a rotatable link arm connected to a movable base that travels along the linear center rail, and a slider that converts linear motion to rotational motion. The latch part with spring-loaded lever provides dynamic locking and unlocking capabilities, enabling the mechanism to adapt its state between locked and unlocked positions while maintaining operational simplicity.
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
This configuration reduces indoor space intrusion and enhances the ease of opening and closing the sliding door by minimizing operation force, thereby improving the design and functionality of the vehicle's sliding door system.
Implementation Method 1
a latch part provided in the base to limit rotation of the link arm
Data Source
AI summary
A linear type center rail link structure of a sliding door for a vehicle includes: a linear type center rail corresponding to the sliding door and mounted at a side of a car body; a base provided to be movable along the center rail; a link arm having one end rotatably inserted into the base; a slider rotatably connected to the other end of the link arm and having an outer side coupled to the sliding door slid from the car body; and a latch part provided in the base to limit rotation of the link arm. Therefore, an indoor invasion amount of the center rail is minimized, thereby making it possible to secure an indoor space, the linear type center rail is used, thereby making it possible to improve a design of a vehicle, and the link structure is provided, thereby making it possible to improve operability.