Nested Sliding Guide Rail for Convertible Roof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional convertible vehicles face issues with reduced trunk volume and increased time to open and close the roof due to a two-step rail structure and protruding side pillars when the sunroof is stored, requiring additional driving devices for space management.
Innovation Solution
A sliding guide rail system comprising a front rail, middle rail, and rear rail with a wire screw for power transmission and locking mechanisms, allowing the front and middle rails to slide into the rear rail, facilitated by rolling members to reduce friction and enable a single driving device operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a two-step rail structure is used for the sunroof mechanism, then the sunroof can slide along the guide rail, but the height of the roof module increases and the trunk volume decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the front rail inside the middle rail, and the middle rail inside the rear rail. This nested configuration allows the rails to be stored in a compact manner within the trunk, significantly reducing the required storage space and increasing trunk volume while maintaining the sliding mechanism functionality.
2Volume of moving object
If a four-bar link mechanism is used in the rear roof instead of a guide rail, then the roof module height is reduced, but the time required to open and close the vehicle roof increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic sliding mechanism where the rails can smoothly transition between extended and retracted positions through the wire screw actuation. This dynamic design allows for rapid opening and closing operations, reducing the time required compared to static four-bar link mechanisms while maintaining a compact roof module height.
3Device complexity
If the sunroof is driven in the form of a panorama along a single guide rail, then the mechanism is simplified, but the side pillars protrude toward the rear seat reducing the rear space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single linear guide rail to a three-dimensional nested rail structure. By arranging the rails in a nested configuration along the longitudinal axis rather than a single panorama rail, the side pillars can be positioned more efficiently, reducing their protrusion toward the rear seat and maximizing rear passenger space while maintaining mechanism simplicity.
4Area of stationary object
If additional driving devices are installed to open the side pillars, then the rear seat space is ensured, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the nested rail system to serve multiple functions: it provides the sliding mechanism for the sunroof, defines the side pillar positioning, and optimizes the trunk and rear seat space simultaneously. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate driving devices for side pillar operation, reducing overall system complexity and cost while ensuring adequate rear seat space.
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 increases trunk volume, reduces the time needed to open and close the vehicle roof, simplifies the roof mechanism, and eliminates the need for additional driving devices by using a single sliding mechanism for the convertible vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
a wire screw for supplying the sliding power to the front rail
Implementation Method 2
a rolling member for facilitating the sliding movement
Data Source
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AI summary
A sliding guide rail for a convertible vehicle may include a front rail (100), a middle rail (200) into which the front rail (100) slides to enter, a rear rail (300) into which the middle rail (200) slides to enter, a wire screw (400) for supplying the sliding power to the front rail (100), a rolling member (230,330) for facilitating the sliding movement, and locking means (240,340) for locking the front rail (100) to the middle rail (200) and the middle rail (200) to the rear rail (300), thus providing a sliding mechanism by a single driving device (400).