Vehicle Sliding Panel Rail Stop for Jam-Resistant Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shutter mechanisms in motor vehicles experience excessive and irregular movement of movable panels due to motorized drive drifts, leading to potential jamming and reliability issues, while also suffering from humidity and noise nuisances, and require costly and complex manufacturing and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical stop in the form of an end piece is integrated into the guide rail to stabilize the shuttle movement, accompanied by a water management and drainage system to prevent jamming and humidity, with easy attachment and cost-effective assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If motorized drive is used to move the movable panel, then automation and ease of operation are improved, but excessive and irregular movement occurs leading to jamming and reliability deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail is designed with an inclined portion that automatically guides the shuttle from a retracted position to a predetermined engagement position before the movable panel reaches the fully closed position. This preliminary action ensures proper alignment and engagement of the shuttle with the guide rail, preventing excessive movement and jamming that would otherwise occur with motorized drive alone
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the motorized drive and the movable panel. It mediates the motion by providing a controlled path for the shuttle, converting the motorized drive's linear motion into the required angular and linear movement sequence, thereby ensuring reliable operation
2Ease of manufacture
If guide rails are positioned far from edges to avoid interference with fixed section attachment, then ease of manufacture is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for intermediate connecting elements
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the movable panel, guides the shuttle movement, and simultaneously acts as the connecting element between the fixed section and the movable panel assembly. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate intermediate connecting elements, reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of manufacture
3Reliability
If mechanical stop is added to guide rail to prevent excessive shuttle movement, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical stop function is merged into the guide rail structure itself through the inclined portion that naturally guides the shuttle to a predetermined engagement position. This integration eliminates the need for separate stop components, maintaining reliability by preventing excessive shuttle movement while avoiding additional device complexity and manufacturing costs
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
Disclosed is a device (1) for closing an opening provided in a structure, comprising a fixed part (11), in which an aperture is defined, and at least one movable sliding panel (12) guided along two rails (114, 115) mounted on one face of the fixed panel (11), between a shut position and an open position, each of the rails (114, 115) carrying at least one shuttle (2) guided in translation in the rail (114, 115), and ensuring the passage of the movable panel (12) from the closed position to at least one sliding position, and vice versa, and the sliding movement of the movable panel (12) in the closing plane. At least one of the rails (114, 115) carries, at one of its ends, an end fitting forming a mechanical stop defining a stop position for the shuttle.