Link Structure for Vehicle Sliding Door Sway Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sliding doors in vehicles supported by only center and lower rails experience instability and sway due to insufficient contact points, leading to inadequate load support and reduced design freedom.
Innovation Solution
A link type structure is introduced, featuring a lower rail, a lower rail roller unit, a lower rail swing arm, a first link member, and a second link member, with a spring applying force to prevent sway by generating supporting forces during door operation, and including rigidity supplement members for load resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of stationary object
If only center and lower rails are used to support the sliding door, then the number of components and vehicle weight are reduced, but the door becomes unstable and sways during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic support mechanism using link members that can rotate and adjust their position during door operation. The link members connect the door to the vehicle body, creating a dynamic support system that adapts to the door's movement while maintaining stability, thereby preventing sway without requiring additional static support structures that would increase weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The link members act as intermediary elements between the door and the vehicle body. These link members transfer and distribute the door's weight and operational forces to multiple points on the vehicle body, providing stable support while maintaining the two-rail configuration. This intermediary mechanism enables weight reduction while preserving door stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If only two rails are used instead of three rails, then design freedom is improved, but the door cannot be stably supported due to insufficient contact points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional support system (center and lower rails only) to a three-dimensional support network by introducing link members that connect the door to multiple points on the vehicle body at different heights and positions. This dimensional expansion creates additional support points without adding more rails, maintaining design freedom while improving reliability through enhanced load distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The support function is segmented into multiple independent link members rather than relying on a single continuous rail structure. Each link member provides support at a specific location and orientation, allowing the system to maintain stability through distributed support points while preserving the simplicity and design freedom of the two-rail configuration.
3Device complexity
If the door is supported at only two contact points, then the structure is simplified, but the door rotates about an imaginary axis and sways in the width direction
Solution Approach 1:
The link members are configured to provide counterbalancing forces that oppose the door's tendency to rotate and sway. By positioning the link members strategically and using their rotational capability, the system generates counteracting moments that prevent the door from rotating about the imaginary axis formed by the two rail contact points, thereby eliminating sway while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of support and sway prevention into the existing two-rail structure by integrating link members that perform both functions simultaneously. Rather than adding separate support structures, the link members merge the stabilization function with the existing rail system, reducing overall complexity while improving door stability.
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
The link type structure stabilizes the sliding door by creating three support points, preventing sway and ensuring stable support while opening or closing, and maintaining structural integrity under load.
Implementation Method 1
a spring for applying elastic force is provided on the link hinge so that one end of the first link member applies force to the door in a direction toward the outside of the vehicle body
Data Source
AI summary
A link type structure includes a lower rail mounted in a longitudinal direction at a lower side of a vehicle body, a lower rail roller unit rollably connected to the lower rail, a lower rail swing arm rotatably connected to the lower rail roller unit and a door, a first link member having a first end rotatably connected to the door and a second end connected to a link hinge, a second link member having a first end rotatably connected to the lower rail roller unit and a second end connected to the link hinge, and a spring provided on the link hinge. The spring is configured to supply elastic force such that one end of the first link member applies force to the door in a direction toward outside of the vehicle body.