Vehicle Sliding Door Eccentric Adjustment Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sliding vehicle doors require complex adjustments to guide mechanisms, often resulting in structural complexity and the risk of losing the original timing during position adjustments, leading to inefficiencies and potential quality issues.

Innovation Solution

A sliding vehicle door design featuring a carriage with an eccentric mechanism that allows precise adjustment by rotating the eccentric relative to the carriage, enabling horizontal translation along a longitudinal axis without altering the initial wedging, using a tool to rotate the eccentric and fine-tune the position, and a retaining piece for secure assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the guide mechanism position is adjusted by loosening screws, then the position can be modified, but the original timing may be lost and the process becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition adjustment capabilityVSAvoidadjustment process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an eccentric mechanism that changes the positional parameter of the guide mechanism through rotational movement. The eccentric's offset distance creates a controlled translation of the carriage along the longitudinal axis, enabling precise position adjustment without complex procedures. The parameter being changed is the angular position of the eccentric, which directly translates to linear position adjustment of the guide mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the guide mechanism position is adjusted by loosening screws, then the position can be modified, but the original timing is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition modification capabilityVSAvoidoriginal timing retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The eccentric mechanism is pre-configured with a specific offset distance that determines the adjustment range. The finger inserted into the vertical buttonhole acts as a preliminary constraint that guides the adjustment process and prevents excessive or incorrect positioning. This preliminary configuration ensures that adjustments remain within acceptable limits and maintain the original timing relationships.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The vertical buttonhole structure provides visual and physical feedback during the adjustment process. As the eccentric rotates and the carriage translates, the finger's engagement with the buttonhole gives immediate feedback on the position achieved. This feedback mechanism allows operators to verify that the original timing is maintained while achieving the desired position adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If complex adjustment procedures are used, then position can be modified, but manufacturing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition adjustment capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The eccentric mechanism is designed to be self-contained and self-explanatory. The single rotational movement automatically produces the desired linear adjustment without requiring multiple steps, tools, or operations. The mechanism serves itself by converting simple rotational input directly into the required positional adjustment, eliminating the need for complex adjustment procedures and improving manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution allows for precise and controlled adjustment of the guide means without losing the original setting, reducing complexity and time, resulting in improved quality and reduced clearances, and lowering manufacturing costs by simplifying the adjustment process.

Implementation Method 1

the carriage comprises an eccentric provided with a finger emerging from the outer surface and capable of being inserted into a vertical buttonhole of the box, the adjustment of the position of the carriage on the box being produced by the rotation of the eccentric relative to the carriage, causing a horizontal translation of said carriage along the box

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric mechanism: Eccentric

Data Source

PatentEP3554872B1Vehicle sliding door
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 RENAULT SA
  • EP3554872B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3B
  • EP3554872B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle sliding door (1) comprising a box section (4) and a slide (3) on which guide means (10, 12, 13, 43) of said door (1) are mounted, the slide (3) having an outer surface (17) intended to come into contact with a surface of the box section (4), said slide (3) being intended to be fastened to said box section (4). The main feature of a sliding door according to the invention is that the slide (3) comprises an eccentric (24) provided with a finger (33) that protrudes from the outer surface (17) and is able to be inserted into a vertical slot (50) of the box section (4), the position of the slide (3) on the box section (4) being adjusted by the eccentric (24) being rotated relative to the slide (3), causing said slide (3) to move in horizontal translation along the box section (4) along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.