Rectilinear Center Rail Locking Structure for Sliding Doors
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing curved center rail in sliding vehicle doors restricts design freedom and increases costs due to the need for additional components like flag type outside mirrors and division channels, reducing the space available for the door glass.
Innovation Solution
A locking structure for a rectilinear center rail that includes levers and a center roller unit, allowing for simple locking and unlocking, which improves design freedom by maintaining the door's alignment during opening and closing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a curved center rail is used to support the door during opening/closing, then the door can be supported, but the space for door glass is decreased and design freedom is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the opposite approach by using a rectilinear (straight) center rail instead of a curved one. This eliminates the curvature that was consuming space, thereby increasing the door glass space while maintaining door support functionality through the rectilinear configuration.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a curved center rail is used, then door support is achieved, but additional components (flag type outside mirrors, division channels) are required increasing device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for additional components (flag type outside mirrors, division channels) by adopting a rectilinear center rail configuration. The rectilinear design inherently provides the necessary support functionality without requiring these extra parts, thereby simplifying the overall device.
Solution Approach 2:
The rectilinear center rail serves multiple functions: it supports the door during opening/closing operations and eliminates the need for separate components like flag type outside mirrors and division channels. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while maintaining stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a rectilinear center rail is used to improve design freedom, then design flexibility increases, but the door may deviate during opening/closing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the door support system into segmented components: a rectilinear center rail, a center roller unit, and locking structures with levers. This segmentation allows the rectilinear rail to provide design freedom while the individual locking components maintain door alignment by locking during operations and unlocking when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking structure with levers acts as an intermediary between the rectilinear center rail and the door. It mediates between the need for design freedom (rectilinear rail) and door alignment stability by providing mechanical locking during critical operations and allowing freedom when not needed.
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 rectilinear center rail design enhances design flexibility and reduces costs by eliminating the need for additional components, while ensuring the door remains aligned and secure during operation.
Implementation Method 1
a center roller unit rollably connected to the center rail
Implementation Method 2
The locking structure may switch between a first posture in which the first lever is caught by a catching portion formed on the center rail, rotated, and then locked with the second lever
Data Source
AI summary
A locking structure for a rectilinear center rail is provided. The locking structure includes a rectilinear center rail mounted on a sliding door, a center roller unit rollably connected to the center rail, and a center swing arm rotatably connected to the center roller unit and a vehicle body. The center roller unit includes a first lever and a second lever that are configured to rotate about rotation axes formed in a width direction of the center rail. The locking structure is configured to switch between a first posture in which the first lever is configured to be caught by a catching portion formed on the center rail, rotated, and then locked with the second lever and a second posture in which the second lever is configured to be caught by a catching portion formed on the center swing arm, rotated, and then locked with the first lever.