Sliding Door Locking Apparatus Integrating Safety and Hold-Open Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sliding door locking systems require complex structures with multiple parts to implement hold-open and glass safety lock features, leading to increased weight, maintenance difficulties, and reduced space utilization, while also compromising safety and convenience due to the risk of self-closing or over-opening.
Innovation Solution
A single locking apparatus that integrates a window glass safety stopper and hold-open lock striker with a roller bracket, locking lever, and elastic members to simultaneously provide hold-open and glass safety lock functions, reducing the number of parts and simplifying installation, maintenance, and repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate devices are installed on the vehicle body and sliding door to implement hold-open lock and glass safety lock features, then the safety and convenience features are achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hold-open lock function and glass safety lock function into a single integrated locking apparatus. The locking lever serves dual purposes: it engages with the hold-open lock striker to prevent self-closing, and simultaneously interacts with the glass safety stopper to prevent over-opening when the window is down. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate devices needed while maintaining both safety features.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lever is designed as a multi-functional component that performs multiple safety functions. It can engage with different locking points (hold-open lock striker and glass safety stopper) depending on the operational state of the sliding door and window, making a single component universal for both hold-open and glass safety lock features.
2Reliability
If multiple parts are used to implement hold-open and glass safety lock features, then the safety functions are achieved, but the weight of the product increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple safety functions into a single locking apparatus, reducing the total number of parts. The locking lever, roller bracket, and associated components work together as an integrated system that provides both hold-open and glass safety lock functions, thereby reducing the cumulative weight of multiple separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking apparatus is designed as a universal component that performs multiple safety functions simultaneously. The locking lever can engage with different locking points based on operational conditions, making the single apparatus weigh less than multiple separate safety devices would.
3Reliability
If separate devices are installed for hold-open lock and glass safety lock features, then the safety features are achieved, but maintenance and repair become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines hold-open lock and glass safety lock functions into a single integrated locking apparatus, which simplifies maintenance and repair. Instead of needing to service multiple separate devices, technicians only need to access and maintain one unified system, reducing complexity in diagnostic and repair procedures.
4Reliability
If multiple parts with complicated structures are mounted in a narrow space, then the safety features are achieved, but design and arrangement become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple safety functions into a single compact locking apparatus that can be mounted in the narrow space between the vehicle body and sliding door. The integrated design reduces the number of parts that need to be arranged and mounted, simplifying the design process and making better use of the limited available space.
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 enhances passenger safety and convenience by preventing self-closure or over-opening, reduces vehicle weight, improves space utilization, and decreases manufacturing costs while maintaining operational reliability and design flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic member (145) configured to bias the locking lever (140)
Data Source
AI summary
The locking apparatus for sliding door is provided, the locking apparatus comprising a glass safety stopper and a hold-open lock striker sequentially provided in a vehicle body in an opening direction of the sliding door as it moves from a closed position to an open position. The apparatus further includes a roller bracket provided at the sliding door and a locking lever rotatably provided at the roller bracket. The locking lever has a locking protrusion configured to be locked to the glass safety stopper to limit movement of the sliding door in the opening direction and an engagement recess configured to be engaged with the hold-open lock striker to limit movement of the sliding door in the opening direction and a closing direction. A first elastic member is configured to bias the locking lever. The locking apparatus further includes a window glass lever rotatably provided at the roller bracket, connected to a window glass provided at the sliding door via a first cable, and configured to interlock with the locking lever. A second elastic member is configured to bias the glass lever. The locking apparatus further includes a connecting lever rotatably provided at the roller bracket, connected to a handle provided at the sliding door via a second cable, and configured to interlock with the locking lever.