Plug Door Device Integrating Drive Source and Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plug door devices require separate drive sources for the door and locking mechanism, leading to inefficiencies in energy usage.
Innovation Solution
A plug door device configuration where the restraining member is moved to the locking position using the door drive source, eliminating the need for an additional actuator, and incorporating a rotating member that reduces friction and allows for compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate drive sources are provided for the door and locking mechanism, then the door can be moved and locked reliably, but energy consumption increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the door drive source and locking mechanism drive source into a single integrated drive source. The drive source is coupled to both the door for moving it along the opening-closing path and to the locking mechanism for operating it, eliminating the need for separate actuators and reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable door locking functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The single drive source is designed to perform multiple functions: it moves the door along the opening-closing path and also operates the locking mechanism. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components and energy consumption while ensuring the door can be reliably locked
2Ease of manufacture
If separate drive sources are provided for the door and locking mechanism, then each component can be optimized independently, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the door actuator and locking mechanism actuator into a single integrated drive source, reducing the number of components and simplifying the overall device structure. This integration reduces device complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining the ability to independently optimize the door and locking mechanism designs
3Manufacturing precision
If a restraining member is added to restrain the moving member, then door positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a restraining member as an intermediary component between the moving member and the guide rail. The restraining member is coupled to the moving member and extends toward the guide rail to restrain the moving member at a predetermined position, improving door positioning precision while integrating smoothly with the existing single drive source system without significantly increasing overall device complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
A plug door device (1) related to an embodiment includes: a guide rail (5) defining an opening-closing path (20) of a door (2) for opening or closing an entrance (15) of a vehicle; a drive source (6) for moving the door (2); a rotating member (36) moving along with the door (2) with a driving force from the drive source (6), the rotating member (36) being guided by the guide rail (5) to roll along the opening-closing path (20) when the door (2) is opened or closed; a restraining member (7) moving from an unrestraining position where the door (2) is unrestrained to a restraining position where the rotating member (36) is restrained in a position where the door (2) is fully closed, the restraining member (7) being pushed by the rotating member (36) to move from the unrestraining position to the restraining position when the rotating member (36) moves along the opening-closing path (20) in a closing direction (Vc); and a locking mechanism (8) for retaining the restraining member in the restraining position.