Two-Roller Swivel Arm Guide Rail for Play-Free Door Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door systems with swivel arms and rotation columns in vehicles suffer from unreliable swivelling due to component play, requiring new kinematics and high wear, and are not adaptable to various vehicle positions.
Innovation Solution
A system with a swivel arm fixed on a frame, guided by a guide rail, utilizing a deflection element and stop face to ensure secure swivelling and movement of the door leaf, utilizing two rollers for controlled movement in transverse and longitudinal directions without additional drives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a swivel arm with three rollers and sheet-metal guide rail is used, then the door system can achieve lateral movement, but the system suffers from relative play and unreliable swivelling in various installation situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic third roller and complex kinematic design from the system, reducing the swivel arm to two rollers that simply follow a predetermined trajectory in the guide rail. This eliminates the need for complex kinematic calculations and component adaptations while maintaining reliable swivelling motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail is designed with a predetermined trajectory that anticipates and compensates for installation position deviations. The rail's geometry pre-cushions the effect of manufacturing tolerances and installation variations, ensuring reliable swivelling without requiring precise component matching or complex kinematic designs.
2Manufacturing precision
If each position deviation of components requires new kinematic design and new components, then manufacturing precision can be maintained, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail serves multiple functions: it guides the two rollers along a predetermined trajectory, compensates for installation position deviations, and eliminates the need for complex kinematic designs. This universal component approach allows the same basic design to be manufactured and assembled across various installation situations without requiring custom kinematic solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail's predetermined trajectory pre-cushions the effect of manufacturing and installation tolerances. Instead of requiring precise component positioning and custom kinematic designs for each deviation, the rail's geometry anticipates and accommodates variations, simplifying manufacturing and assembly while maintaining precision.
3Ease of operation
If a traditional swivel arm system is used, then the door can be moved laterally, but the system is subject to relatively high wear inherent in the system
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the third roller and associated complex kinematic components, the system reduces the number of moving parts subject to wear. The simplified two-roller design with a fixed guide rail eliminates problematic contact points and reduces friction, thereby extending component service life while maintaining lateral movement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of rollers instead of sliding contacts reduces friction and wear. The cylindrical shape of the rollers allows for smooth rolling motion along the guide rail, significantly reducing wear compared to traditional sliding mechanisms while maintaining the necessary lateral movement capability.
4Measurement precision
If the swivel arm free end is guided in a guide rail, then the movement trajectory is controlled, but additional components increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the trajectory control function from complex mechanical linkages and concentrates it into a single guide rail with a predetermined trajectory. This eliminates the need for multiple interconnected components while maintaining precise movement control through the rail's geometry alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail performs multiple functions: it defines the movement trajectory, guides the two rollers, and compensates for installation deviations. This multi-functional design achieves precise trajectory control without requiring additional complex components, as the rail itself embodies the entire motion path.
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 provides secure, play-free movement of the door leaf, is cost-effective, adaptable to different vehicle positions, and integrates seamlessly with existing door systems, minimizing wear and eliminating the need for new kinematics.
Implementation Method 1
the first roller rolls off on the starting wedge from the closed position in the opening direction and brings about swivelling of the swivel arm from the first position into the second position
Implementation Method 2
the second roller comes to bear on the stop face from the open position in the closing direction and brings about swivelling of the swivel arm from the second position into the first position
Data Source
AI summary
A system with a leaf for closing an opening, which is arranged on a frame. This system includes a swivel arm arranged fixed on the frame and swivellable about a vertical axis, the free end of which is guided on the leaf in a guide rail extending along a longitudinal direction in an opening direction and which is aligned in a closed position of the leaf in a first position roughly in the longitudinal direction and in an open position of the leaf in a second position roughly in a transverse direction. The system includes a deflection element on the guide rail to bring about a swivelling of the swivel arm between the first and second positions and a movement of the leaf in transverse direction. The system includes a stop face in the guide rail for the free end of the swivel arm to bear on the stop face.