Sliding Pocket Door Retention Through a Longitudinal Opening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing retaining devices for sliding rear doors in vehicles are complex due to their kinematics, which combine movements along both longitudinal and transverse axes, making their positioning challenging and requiring intricate integration.

Innovation Solution

A retaining device for sliding doors that moves freely within a longitudinal rectilinear opening in the door, allowing simpler installation and operation by being fixed to the vehicle's body, with a protruding rod and a free end that maintains the door in its closed position during impacts, and can also participate in locking the door in the open position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a retaining device is positioned on the body according to complex door kinematics combining longitudinal and transverse movements, then the door retention during impact is ensured, but the positioning complexity and installation difficulty increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor retention during impactVSAvoidpositioning complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of positioning the retaining device on the body according to complex door kinematics, the patent inverts the approach by positioning the retaining device on the sliding door itself. The retaining device carries a retaining element that engages with a corresponding element on the body, reversing the traditional arrangement and simplifying the positioning requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining device on the sliding door serves multiple functions: it maintains the door in the closed position during normal operation, provides retention during impact events, and works in conjunction with the locking device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate positioning mechanisms for different operational modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the retaining device is fixed to the body with complex kinematic positioning, then the door is retained during impact, but the installation and operation become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor retention during impactVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent simplifies installation by inverting the traditional arrangement: instead of fixing the retaining device to the body with complex positioning, the retaining device is fixed to the sliding door. This allows the retaining element to engage with a simpler, more accessible corresponding element on the body, making installation straightforward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining device is designed as a separate component mounted on the sliding door, distinct from the body structure. This segmentation allows independent installation and adjustment of the retaining device without affecting the body structure, simplifying the installation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the retaining device structure is made complex to accommodate inclined door kinematics, then the door retention is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor retentionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the complexity issue by inverting the arrangement: the retaining device on the sliding door uses a retaining element that engages with a corresponding element on the body. This inversion allows the use of simpler, more straightforward structural components while maintaining effective retention, as the complex kinematic requirements are handled by the engagement geometry rather than the retaining device structure itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP4574485A1Arrangement of a vehicle comprising a wire-enclosed door and a retaining device
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 FLEXIS
  • EP4574485A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4574485A1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP4574485A1 patent drawing

AI summary

[Arrangement (2) of a motor vehicle comprising a body (6) and a sliding pocket door (4), the sliding door (4) being configured to be moved rectilinearly along a side (3) of the body, between open and closed positions, the arrangement (2) being characterized in that the sliding door (4) comprises a longitudinal rectilinear opening (40) formed in the sliding door, and in that the arrangement comprises at least one retaining device (10) intended to maintain said sliding door (4) in its closed position, the retaining device (10) being intended to move freely inside the longitudinal rectilinear opening (40) when the door slides.