Vehicle Sliding Door Drive Cable Drum Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sliding door, pivoting sliding door, and sliding step drives in vehicles lack a simple and cost-effective locking mechanism to prevent accidental opening during operation.

Innovation Solution

A drive system comprising a drive unit with a cable drum and deflection roller, where the cable drum is connected to a guide bar that shifts between positions to lock the door or step in place, utilizing a guide rail with distinct sections to block movement and a spring for added torque, ensuring secure locking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking mechanism is added to prevent accidental opening, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking function is merged with the existing cable drum and guide bar components. The guide bar is integrated into the guide rail structure, and the locking action is achieved through the interaction between the guide bar's longitudinal groove and the guide rail's protrusion, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism operates automatically through the mechanical interaction between the guide bar and guide rail. When the cable drum is in the retracted position, the guide bar's groove automatically engages with the guide rail's protrusion to prevent longitudinal movement, requiring no additional control systems or external inputs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a rotary latch lock or dead-center locking mechanism is used, then locking reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the essential locking function from complex rotary latch or dead-center locking mechanisms and implements it through the simple geometric interaction between the guide bar's longitudinal groove and the guide rail's protrusion. This reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining locking reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism changes the geometric parameters of the guide bar and guide rail to achieve automatic engagement. The longitudinal groove in the guide bar and the corresponding protrusion in the guide rail create a mechanical interlock that provides reliable locking without complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 provides a simple, cost-effective locking mechanism that effectively prevents accidental opening by using a torque-based locking system with minimal design effort, ensuring the door or step remains securely locked in place.

Implementation Method 1

the rotation of the traction device causes a torque on the cable drum and a displacement of the cable drum between a first end position and a second end position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorque: Torque

Implementation Method 2

a spring for added torque

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3865651B1Drive for a sliding door, pivotable sliding door or sliding step with locking, sliding door, pivotable sliding door or sliding step and vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 BODE - DIE TUR GMBH
  • EP3865651B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3865651B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3865651B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a drive for a sliding door, swing-sliding door (12) or sliding step comprising a drive unit (14) with a drive roller (16) and a deflection roller (18) spaced apart therefrom, wherein a traction element (20) is arranged circumferentially around the drive roller (16) and the deflection roller (18), characterized in that a cable drum (22) is arranged between the drive roller (16) and the deflection roller (18), which is connected to a door follower (24), and wherein the traction element (20) and the cable drum (22) are connected to each other in such a way that when the traction element (20) rotates, a torque is exerted on the cable drum (22) and a displacement of the cable drum (22) in the direction of travel (L) between a first end position and a second end position is effected, and wherein the cable drum (22) is rotated into a locking position in one of the two end positions relative to the direction of travel (L).wherein the cable drum (22) is non-rotatably connected to a guide rail (26), which in the locking position is oriented transversely to the direction of travel (L) and serves as a stop element.