Sliding Vehicle Aperture Closure With Removable Guide Rail
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure devices for vehicle apertures are difficult to maintain due to complex dismounting processes that often result in aesthetic defects and require complete removal from the structure, which is time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a removable guide element on the guide rail that allows disengagement of the shuttle from the rail without disturbing the stationary portion, enabling partial disassembly for maintenance by moving the guide element in a direction parallel and then perpendicular to the rail.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the closure device is completely removed from the structure for maintenance, then all components can be accessed and serviced, but the structural integrity and aesthetic appearance are compromised and the process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device is divided into two main subassemblies: a stationary subassembly that remains fixed to the structure and a movable subassembly that can be detached. The guide rail is further segmented with a removable guide element that can be separated from the stationary portion. This segmentation allows the movable subassembly to be accessed for maintenance without removing the entire closure device from the structure, significantly reducing dismounting time while preserving structural integrity and aesthetic appearance.
2Ease of repair
If the stationary portion is removed to access the movable panel, then maintenance can be performed, but the structural integrity and aesthetic appearance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device is segmented into a stationary subassembly that remains firmly attached to the structure and a movable subassembly that can be detached. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access and service the movable panel, shuttles, and drive mechanisms without disturbing the stationary portion that maintains structural integrity and aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable guide element is extracted from the stationary subassembly as a separate component. By removing only this specific guide element rather than the entire stationary portion, maintenance personnel can access the movable subassembly components while leaving the stationary portion intact, thereby preserving both structural integrity and aesthetic appearance during maintenance operations.
3Ease of repair
If the entire closure device is dismounted for maintenance, then all components can be serviced, but the aesthetic appearance is compromised and the process is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device is segmented into stationary and movable subassemblies, with the guide rail further divided into fixed and removable guide elements. This allows the movable subassembly to be detached for maintenance while the stationary subassembly remains in place, maintaining the flush appearance and aesthetic design of the closure device throughout the maintenance process.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for closing off an opening in a stationary portion (110), and at least one sliding movable panel (120) guided along two guide rails (111a, 111b) mounted on one face of the stationary panel (110), between a closed position in a first plane defined by said stationary panel (110), and at least one open position in a second plane, substantially parallel to the first plane. Each of the guide rails (111a, 111b) carries at least one shuttle (123a, 123b), which is translationally movable in said guide rails (111a, 111b). According to the invention, at least one of the guide rails (111a, 111b) carries a removable guide element (112) with a length (L) at least equal to the length (L′) of the shuttle (123a, 123b), such that, when the guide element is removed, the shuttle (123a, 123b) can be disengaged from the guide rail (111a, 111b).