Plug Door Restricting Mechanism Prevents Slidable Base Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing plug door devices for vehicles suffer from compromised airtightness due to the rotation of the slidable base, which can lead to pressure differences between the inside and outside of the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A plug door device with a restricting mechanism that includes stationary and movable members, where the movable members are connected via a connecting shaft to restrict the slidable base from moving in the width direction when the door is fully closed, using external forces such as elastic or driving forces to ensure the slidable base remains stationary, thus maintaining airtightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the slidable base is allowed to move freely in the width direction, then the door can open and close smoothly, but the slidable base may rotate around the locking roller under pressure difference, compromising airtightness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a dynamic restricting mechanism that adapts to different operational states. During door movement, the movable members allow the slidable base to move freely in the width direction. When the door is fully closed, the restricting parts engage to prevent rotation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between smooth operation and airtightness maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The restricting mechanism acts as an intermediary between the slidable base and the stationary base. It includes movable members that can engage with restricting parts to prevent rotation, while still allowing normal door operation. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by providing conditional restriction based on door position.
2Reliability
If a restricting mechanism is added to prevent slidable base rotation, then airtightness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The restricting mechanism is merged with the existing locking mechanism structure. The movable members are integrated into the locking system, and the restricting parts are formed as recesses in the stationary base. This merging approach improves airtightness without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The restricting mechanism serves multiple functions: it prevents slidable base rotation to maintain airtightness, guides the movement of movable members, and integrates with the locking mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while improving reliability.
3Reliability
If the movable members are connected via a connecting shaft, then the slidable base rotation is restricted effectively, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The restricting mechanism is segmented into multiple independent components: stationary members with restricting parts, movable members, and a connecting shaft. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled separately, reducing the cumulative precision requirements compared to a monolithic structure while maintaining effective rotation restriction.
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 solution effectively prevents compromised airtightness by ensuring the slidable base does not rotate, allowing the door to be fully closed while maintaining a tight seal, thereby enhancing the vehicle's insulation and reducing air leakage.
Implementation Method 1
a connecting shaft connecting together the two movable members. When the door is fully closed, the two movable members connected together via the connecting shaft touch the restricting parts, so that an external force causes the movable members to unitedly move toward restriction areas
Implementation Method 2
an elastic member configured to apply the external force to the movable members
Implementation Method 3
the slidable base being movable in a width direction of the vehicle relative to the stationary base when acted upon by a driving force from a drive source
Data Source
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AI summary
One aspect of the present invention provides a plug door device 1 including a stationary base 3 fixedly attached to a body of a vehicle, a slidable base 4 having a door 2 attached thereto to open or close a doorway 15 of the vehicle, where the slidable base 4 being movable in a width direction of the vehicle relative to the stationary base 3 when acted upon by a driving force from a drive source 6, and a restricting mechanism 40 for restricting the slidable base 4 from moving in the width direction when the door 2 is fully closed. The restricting mechanism 40 includes two stationary members 42 fixedly attached to the stationary base 3, where the stationary members 42 each have a restricting part 41, two movable members 43 attached to two portions of the slidable base 4 that are separate from each other in a front-rear direction of the vehicle, and a connecting shaft 44 connecting together the two movable members 43. When the door 2 is fully closed, the two movable members 43 touch the restricting parts 41, so that the slidable base 4 is restricted from moving in the width direction.