Sliding Door Rail Pull-In Mechanism Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sliding door devices face issues with the appearance and functionality of the inclined rail portion due to the placement of the pull-in device, leading to a compromised design that affects the rail's appearance and functionality.

Innovation Solution

The sliding door device incorporates a pull-in device that can linearly move along the straight portion of the rail or a trigger that can linearly move along the straight portion, allowing the support shaft to be moved along the inclined portion of the rail, thereby addressing the design flaws of the conventional devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the pull-in device is disposed on the inclined portion of the rail, then the sliding door can be pulled to the closed position, but the inclined portion of the rail is enlarged and appearance is deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepull-in functionVSAvoidappearance of inclined portion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The pull-in device is relocated from the inclined portion to the straight portion of the rail, changing its spatial dimension and position. This allows the pull-in function to be maintained while the inclined portion retains its sleek appearance without the enlargement caused by the pull-in device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

A trigger mechanism is introduced as an intermediary element on the straight portion of the rail. The trigger transmits the pull-in force from the pull-in device to the roller traveling body, enabling the pull-in function to be achieved indirectly without placing the pull-in device on the inclined portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Shape

If the pull-in device is disposed on the straight portion of the rail, then the appearance of the inclined portion is maintained, but the pull-in device needs to linearly move along the straight portion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveappearance of inclined portionVSAvoidmovement mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pull-in device is designed with dynamic movement capability along the straight portion of the rail. It can linearly move to capture the trigger and then move together with the roller traveling body along the inclined portion, adapting its position dynamically to maintain both appearance and functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a trigger is used that can linearly move along the straight portion, then the support shaft can be moved along the inclined portion, but the trigger mechanism adds complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement along inclined portionVSAvoidtrigger mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The trigger mechanism is merged with the roller traveling body and support shaft assembly. The trigger is integrated into the existing structure, allowing it to linearly move along the straight portion and transmit force to move the support shaft along the inclined portion without adding significant external complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4012145B1Sliding door device
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 SUGATSUNE IND CO LTD
  • EP4012145B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4012145B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4012145B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

Provided is a sliding door device which can move a support shaft attached to a sliding door along an inclined portion of a rail by using a pull-in device which can move along a straight portion of the rail. The rail (6a) is provided with the straight portion (11) for linearly guiding the support shaft attached to the sliding door (2) and the inclined portion (12) which is inclined with respect to the straight portion (11) and obliquely guides the support shaft. The straight portion (11) of the rail (6a) is provided with the pull-in device (15) which can capture a trigger (18) provided on the straight portion (11) of the rail (6a) and linearly move along the straight portion (11) of the rail (6a) when the sliding door (2) is closed. A pull-in force transmission part (20) for moving the support shaft along the inclined portion (12) of the rail (6a) is coupled to the pull-in device (15).