Swing Arm Mechanism Height Adjustment via Meshing Positions

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional swing arm mechanisms for plug door devices with height adjustment mechanisms have a larger number of parts, which complicates the design and increases complexity.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a swing arm mechanism where the meshing position of the support portion on the fixing portion can be varied to adjust the height of the pillar portion, eliminating the need for a separate adjustment mechanism and reducing the overall number of parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate height adjustment mechanism is provided for the pillar portion, then the height of the pillar portion can be adjusted, but the number of parts increases and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adjustabilityVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the height adjustment function with the existing support portion structure by providing multiple meshing positions on the support portion that can engage with the fixing portion at different heights. This integration eliminates the need for a separate adjustment mechanism, reducing part count while maintaining height adjustability capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support portion is designed with multiple meshing positions that serve dual purposes: providing structural support and enabling height adjustment. This multi-functional design allows the same component to perform both support and adjustment functions, eliminating the need for dedicated adjustment mechanisms

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If a separate height adjustment mechanism is provided for the pillar portion, then the height of the pillar portion can be adjusted, but the design becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adjustabilityVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The height adjustment capability is merged into the support portion structure through multiple meshing positions, eliminating the need for separate adjustment mechanisms and simplifying the overall design while maintaining adjustability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanism allows dynamic height adjustment by enabling the support portion to mesh with the fixing portion at different positions, providing adaptability without requiring complex separate adjustment systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4124538B1Plug door device and swing arm mechanism
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 NABTESCO CORP
  • EP4124538B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4124538B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4124538B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A plug door device (1) according to an aspect of the invention includes: a stationary base (3) fixed to a body of a vehicle; a slidable base (4) provided on the stationary base (3) so as to be movable in a width direction of the vehicle relative to the stationary base (3); a door drive mechanism (30) provided on the slidable base (4) and configured to move a door (2) for opening and closing a doorway (15) of the vehicle in a front-rear direction of the vehicle; and a swing arm mechanism (50) configured to guide the door (2) as the door (2) moves in the width direction of the vehicle and the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and configured to move an upper portion of the door (2) and a lower portion of the door (2) in an interlocking manner. The swing arm mechanism (50) includes: a pillar portion (51) extending in a height direction of the vehicle; a support portion (52) supporting the pillar portion (51) so as to be rotatable around a longitudinal direction of the pillar portion (51); and a fixing portion (53) meshing with the support portion (52) to fix the pillar portion (51) to the body of the vehicle. The support portion (52) includes a meshing portion (71) that can mesh with the fixing portion (53) at different meshing positions in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion (51).