Opposite Sliding Door Rail Layout for Stable Low-Complexity Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle sliding door mechanisms are complex, prone to breakdowns, and increase product costs due to multiple links, and lack stability when opening or closing, especially for disabled access and loading articles.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle sliding door system utilizing a center roller with a rotating shaft, a lower roller with a rotating shaft, a curved center rail, and a curved lower rail, along with anti-rotation bearings and stoppers to prevent door rotation and movement, simplifying the structure and improving opening/closing characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple links are used in the roller structure, then the door can move smoothly, but the structure becomes complicated and breakdowns occur frequently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmooth door movementVSAvoidroller structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complex multiple-link structure from the roller, replacing it with a simple rotating shaft that achieves smooth door movement without the complexity and reliability issues of link mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using multiple links to achieve movement, the patent inverts the approach by using a simple rotating shaft that rotates in response to rail curvature, converting the complex linkage problem into a simple rotational motion solution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If no anti-rotation configuration is provided, then the door structure is simpler, but the door rotates or moves unintentionally during opening/closing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor structure simplicityVSAvoiddoor stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an anti-rotation bearing as an intermediary component between the door and the sliding mechanism, which prevents unwanted rotation while maintaining the overall simplicity of the door structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The anti-rotation bearing creates asymmetric constraints on the door, allowing movement in the desired sliding direction while preventing rotation, thus achieving stability without complex symmetric structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Ease of operation

If no stopper mechanism is provided, then the door can move freely, but the door in opened/closed state moves or shifts position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor movement freedomVSAvoiddoor position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper mechanism applies preliminary counter-action to prevent the door from moving beyond its intended opened or closed position, maintaining position stability while allowing free movement within the operational range

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 system reduces power required to open doors, enhances stability and accuracy, and lowers manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for separate link structures, allowing for easy installation in various vehicle types, including passenger vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

a center roller which is mounted on the vehicle body so as to correspond to the center rail and moves the center rail by being coupled to the center rail when the door is opened or closed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Implementation Method 2

the center shaft and the lower shaft rotate the center roller and the lower roller, respectively

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 3

prevents the door from rotating when the door is opened or closed by utilizing an anti-rotation bearing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnti-rotation constraint:

Implementation Method 4

prevents the door in an opened or closed state from moving by utilizing a stopper

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical stopping:

Data Source

PatentEP3667006B1Vehicle comprising opposite sliding doors and a device for operating opposite sliding doors

Publication Date: 2024.04.24 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~3
Figure 4

AI summary

A device for operating opposite sliding doors of a vehicle includes a center rail mounted at a center inside a door and formed in a curved shape so that the door moves to the outside of a vehicle interior of the vehicle when the door is opened. A center roller is mounted on the vehicle body so as to correspond to the center rail. The center roller is configured to move the center rail by being coupled to the center rail when the door is opened or closed as a center bearing unit formed at one side of the center roller is seated on the center rail. The center roller has a center shaft formed at a position spaced apart from the center bearing unit such that the center shaft can rotate the center roller.