Vehicle Slide Door Latch Engagement for Secure Closed Position

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slide door devices may fail to regulate the displacement of the slide door from the vehicle interior side to the vehicle exterior side due to the hook member not engaging with the locking member unless the pressing member is displaced from the interior to the exterior side.

Innovation Solution

The slide door device includes a striker fixed to the opening edge of the door opening and a first latch fixed to the end of the slide door. When the slide door is fully closed, the striker presses the latch to rotate, and it becomes engageable with a leg of the striker from the vehicle interior side toward the vehicle exterior side, ensuring the latch is automatically engaged when the slide door is fully closed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a hook member and locking member are used to regulate slide door displacement, then the slide door opening can be suppressed, but the hook member does not operate reliably depending on where the slide door is pushed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of slide door lockingVSAvoidease of slide door operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The latch member is preliminarily positioned to protrude from the slide door surface before engagement is needed. When the slide door is pushed, the striker automatically engages the already-positioned latch member, ensuring reliable operation regardless of push location. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for the pressing member to first displace the latch, solving the reliability issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and eliminates the pressing member from the system. By using a latch member that automatically protrudes and engages with the striker without requiring additional actuation, the complex pressing mechanism is removed, simplifying the overall structure while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a pressing member is used to displace the hook member to engage the locking member, then the engagement can be achieved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement reliabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of locking mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing member is completely removed from the system. The latch member is designed to automatically protrude and engage with the striker through simple elastic deformation or gravitational action, eliminating the need for the complex pressing mechanism while maintaining engagement reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The latch member serves itself by automatically positioning and engaging with the striker without requiring external actuation from a pressing member. The elastic deformation of the latch member's arm provides the necessary movement for engagement, making the system self-sufficient and simpler.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Extent of automation

If the latch member is pressed by the striker to rotate when the slide door is fully closed, then the latch automatically engages with the striker, but requires sufficient closing force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of latch engagementVSAvoidforce required for door closing

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The latch member is preliminarily positioned to protrude before engagement, so that when the door closes, the striker simply needs to push the latch into its engaged position rather than requiring the latch to travel the full engagement distance. This reduces the force needed while maintaining automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The latch member is designed with elastic properties that allow it to dynamically deform under the striker's pressure and then return to its engaged position. This dynamic behavior reduces the force required compared to a rigid latch system, as the elastic material absorbs and releases energy during engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 reliably suppresses the displacement (opening) of the slide door from the interior to the exterior side, enhancing occupant safety by ensuring the slide door remains securely closed.

Implementation Method 1

when the slide door is fully closed, is pressed by the striker to rotate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

is pressed by the striker to rotate when the slide door is fully closed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation:

Data Source

PatentUS20250121659A1Slide door device

Publication Date: 2025.04.17 AISIN CORP

AI summary

In a slide door device including a slide door that opens and closes a door opening formed at a side face of a vehicle body by sliding the door opening in a front-rear direction of the vehicle body, the slide door device includes a striker fixed to an opening edge of the door opening, and a first latch that is fixed to an end of the slide door, the end facing the opening edge, when the slide door is fully closed, is pressed by the striker to rotate when the slide door is fully closed, and is engageable with a leg of the striker in a direction from a vehicle interior side toward a vehicle exterior side.