Sliding Door Hinge Layout for Stable Closed-Door Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

The stability of support for sliding doors in vehicles is compromised when the triangle formed by the hinges changes shape, particularly when the area of the triangle decreases, leading to unstable support when the sliding door is closed.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle side structure with three rails at different heights, where two hinges slide with the sliding door and one hinge is fixed on the vehicle body, and a lower edge lock mechanism that secures the sliding door's tip edge to the vehicle body when closed, enhancing stability by increasing the distance between the lower and upper rails and using a lower edge lock unit with a hook to engage with a striker.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If one hinge is placed on the vehicle body and two hinges are placed on the sliding door, then the sliding door can slide smoothly, but the triangle formed by the three hinges changes shape and the support stability decreases when the sliding door is closed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesliding door sliding smoothnessVSAvoidsupport stability when closed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional configuration by placing two hinges on the vehicle body side structure and only one hinge on the sliding door. This inversion ensures that two hinges remain stationary while one moves with the sliding door, preventing the triangle deformation problem and maintaining stable support when the door is closed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of hinge distribution from the conventional one-on-door configuration to a two-on-body configuration. This parameter change transforms the geometric relationship among hinges, ensuring the triangle formed by the three hinges maintains its shape and area throughout the sliding motion, thereby maintaining stable support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the sliding door is supported by three hinges with changing triangle shape, then the sliding mechanism is simple, but water sealing performance deteriorates when the sliding door is closed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesliding mechanism simplicityVSAvoidwater entry into cabin

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the hinge placement configuration to two hinges on the vehicle body and one hinge on the sliding door. This inversion maintains the simplicity of the sliding mechanism while preventing triangle deformation, thereby ensuring proper sealing and preventing water entry when the door is closed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS12151544B2Vehicle side structure

Publication Date: 2024.11.26 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

An upper rail is located along an upper edge of a boarding opening. A center rail extends from a side edge of the boarding opening in a direction away from the boarding opening. A lower rail is located along a lower edge of a sliding door. An upper hinge that is guided by the upper rail and a center hinge that is guided by the center rail slide with the sliding door. A lower hinge that is guided by the lower rail is located at each of front and rear side edges of the boarding opening, and does not slide. A lower edge lock mechanism fixes the lower edge of the sliding door to a vehicle body side structure.