Sliding Door Cable Guide With Floating End Link Tensioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cable guides for vehicle sliding doors often rattle due to miscoordination of tension forces, leading to contact with the vehicle body or sliding door, especially during the opening process, and require frequent readjustment.
Innovation Solution
A cable guide with a longitudinally movable second end link on the second connection device, held in a floating equilibrium position by a tensioning device, ensuring the energy chain remains under tension and allowing for tolerance compensation, preventing contact with the vehicle body or sliding door.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the energy chain is kept stretched by a tension force when the sliding door is closed, then a defined initial position is ensured, but the link chain tends to rattle and contact the vehicle body or sliding door during opening due to miscoordination of opposing forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the second end link longitudinally movable on the second connecting device instead of fixed. This allows the energy chain to dynamically adapt its tension during door operation - maintaining stability when closed while preventing rattling during opening. The movable mounting enables the chain to transition smoothly between tensioned and deflected states without generating harmful contact noises.
2Device complexity
If the second end link is fixed on the second connecting device, then the structure is simpler, but the energy chain cannot compensate for tolerance variations and maintains proper tension throughout operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by providing longitudinal movability of the second end link on the second connecting device. This dynamic mounting allows the energy chain to automatically compensate for tolerance variations in manufacturing and assembly while maintaining reliable tension throughout the operational range. The movable design absorbs dimensional variations without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the energy chain is actively pivoted by spring force to deflect the link chain during opening, then the chain can redirect smoothly, but frequent readjustment of force coordination is required to prevent rattling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the second end link to automatically adjust its position through longitudinal movement during door opening. The energy chain self-regulates its tension and redirection path without requiring external intervention or readjustment of force coordination. The movable mounting allows the chain to naturally transition from tensioned to deflected configuration, eliminating the need for frequent maintenance adjustments.
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 rattling and damage by maintaining tension and allowing for necessary length adjustments, ensuring the energy chain does not contact the vehicle body or sliding door, even during partial opening, and allows for the use of lighter materials.
Implementation Method 1
the second end link is held in a floating equilibrium position when the energy chain is in the extended configuration
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a cable guide (1) for a cable connection between a vehicle body (52) and a sliding door (54), comprising a first connection device (4), a second connection device (2) and an energy chain (3) running between the first connection device (4) and the second connection device (2), which has an extended configuration when the sliding door (54) is closed and a deflected configuration when the sliding door (54) is open, wherein the energy chain (3) has a first end element (42) at one end and a second end element (22) at the opposite end, wherein the first end element (42) is pivotally mounted on the first connection device (4) and wherein the second connection device (2) comprises a clamping device (24) for the energy chain (3). The cable guide (1) according to the invention is improved in that the second end element (22) of the energy chain (3) is longitudinally moveably mounted on the second connection device (2) and applied with the clamping device (24) in such a way that, in the extended configuration of the energy chain (3), the second end element (22) is moveably retained on both sides in a floating balanced position. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle (5) with a vehicle body (52) and at least one sliding door (54), which comprises a cable guide (1) according to the invention.