Sliding Door Fixing Device With Flexible Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding door fixing devices for motor vehicles often fail to allow manual closing or sliding without prior release state activation, leading to user discomfort and potential component damage during improper operation or power failures.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a flexible section into the fixing force effect chain that yields under manual overload, allowing manual release of the sliding door, and using an adjustable engagement element, such as a two-part rotary latch or pivotable fixing pawl, to enable safe and secure operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fixing device is designed to securely fix the sliding door in the open position using a motor-driven release mechanism, then the fixing reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates when manual closing is attempted without prior release activation
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement element's mechanical properties are changed by introducing a flexible section that can yield under overload conditions. This allows the system to transition from a rigid locked state to a compliant failed state, enabling manual closing even when the motor-driven release mechanism is not activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The potential harmful effect of improper manual operation is converted into a beneficial feature by designing the engagement element to fail safely through yielding. The overload condition that could damage components is instead used as a release mechanism, allowing the door to be closed manually even when the electronic release system is not activated.
2Strength
If the fixing force effect chain is designed with high strength components to prevent damage during improper operation, then the strength is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because manual closing becomes impossible without release activation
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement element is segmented into a rigid portion for maintaining fixing strength and a flexible portion for yielding under overload. This segmentation allows different parts of the same component to serve different functions: the rigid part ensures secure fixing during normal operation, while the flexible part enables manual closing when overload occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement element transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system that can adapt its stiffness. During normal operation, the element maintains high rigidity for secure fixing. Under overload conditions, the flexible section yields, allowing the door to be closed manually. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between strength and ease of operation.
3Reliability
If the engagement element is designed as a rigid structure to maintain secure fixing engagement, then the fixing reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for monitoring systems to prevent component destruction
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement element performs self-protection by automatically yielding under overload conditions. The flexible section acts as a built-in fuse that protects the rest of the fixing force effect chain from damage during improper manual operation. This eliminates the need for external monitoring systems to detect and respond to overload conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible section serves as a pre-designed weak point that absorbs excessive forces before they can damage other components. This beforehand cushioning mechanism protects the rigid parts of the fixing system from destruction during improper operation, eliminating the need for monitoring systems.
4Ease of operation
If a motor-driven release mechanism is used to bring the fixing device into the release state, then the ease of operation is improved for normal closing, but the device complexity increases due to the drive arrangement and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement element serves multiple functions: it provides secure fixing during normal operation, enables motor-driven release when activated, and allows manual closing under overload conditions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems for each operation mode, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
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 enhances user comfort by providing redundant release options, reducing the need for monitoring and protecting components from overload, while maintaining a compact and robust design.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible section is assigned to the fixing force effect chain of the fixing device, which yields during a manual closing/sliding operation of the sliding door fixed in the open position, which occurs with overload
Implementation Method 2
the resilience of the engagement element being based on a spring preload between the two rotary latch parts
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a fixing device for a sliding door (2) of a motor vehicle (3), wherein the sliding door (2) on the vehicle body (4) is adjustable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the fixing device (1) can be brought into a fixing state in which it fixes the sliding door (2) in the open position to the vehicle body (4) in the mounted state via a fixing force chain (5), and into a release state in which it releases the sliding door (2) in the mounted state in the closing direction, wherein the fixing device (1) can be brought from the fixing state into the release state by means of a drive arrangement (6) by means of a motor.It is proposed that the fixing force chain (5) is associated with a flexible section (8) which, in the assembled state, yields to an operational closing-sliding actuation of the sliding door (2) fixed in the open position with a load that is above a predetermined limit load and thereby releases the sliding door (2) in the closing direction.