Sliding Door Roller Assembly for Stability With Fewer Tracks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Double-sliding door systems in autonomous vehicles require an improved roller assembly to maintain door stability and balance forces when one or both track members are omitted, leading to unwanted movement and torque.
Innovation Solution
The roller assembly includes a bracket structure with a first and second inner horizontal guide roller, at least a first and second vertical guide roller, a resiliently arranged rotatable member, and at least one outer horizontal guide roller, which interact with different surfaces of the track member to provide enhanced stability and support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If one track member is omitted by design to simplify the structure and improve aesthetics, then device complexity is reduced, but door stability deteriorates due to loss of support points
Solution Approach 1:
The roller assembly is divided into multiple independent roller units (first inner horizontal guide roller, second inner horizontal guide roller, first vertical guide roller, second vertical guide roller, resiliently arranged rotatable member, and outer horizontal guide roller), each interacting with different surfaces of the track member. This segmentation allows the roller assembly to maintain stability with fewer track members by distributing support across multiple contact points.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller assembly incorporates rollers that interact with both inner and outer surfaces of the track member, adding a dimensional aspect to the support mechanism. By engaging the outer vertical surface in addition to inner surfaces, the system compensates for the reduced number of track members and maintains door stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a resiliently arranged rotatable member is added to interact with the track member surface, then door stability is improved by counteracting torque, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable member is designed with resilient characteristics, allowing it to change its physical state (compressed or extended) in response to forces acting on the door. This resilience enables the member to counteract torque and stabilize the door without requiring additional complex mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The resiliently arranged rotatable member automatically adjusts to counteract forces and torque acting on the door through its own elastic properties, without requiring external control mechanisms or additional components. The member self-regulates to maintain door stability.
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
This configuration ensures increased stability of the sliding door during opening and closing by counteracting torque in multiple directions and maintaining door weight support using only a middle and lower track member, reducing unwanted movement and noise.
Implementation Method 1
A resiliently arranged rotatable member arranged to interact with a second inner surface of the track member
Implementation Method 2
a first inner horizontal guide roller and a second inner horizontal guide roller arranged to interact with an inner vertical surface of the track member
Data Source
AI summary
A roller assembly for a sliding vehicle door includes a bracket structure having a first and second inner horizontal guide roller arranged to interact with an inner vertical surface of the track member. The bracket structure further includes at least a first and second vertical guide roller arranged to interact with a first inner surface of the track member, a resiliently arranged rotatable member arranged to interact with a second inner surface of the track member and at least one outer horizontal guide roller arranged to interact with an outer vertical surface of the track member.