Automated Van Door Actuation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing van rear door opening and closing systems are inefficient, leading to heat dispersion and operator safety issues during loading and unloading, especially in isothermal vans, as they require manual operation and occupy internal space, limiting pallet height and increasing operation time.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an automated rear door system with remote control capabilities, utilizing dual actuators and a unique mechanism allowing doors to open and close quickly, minimizing heat dispersion, and enabling loading up to maximum van height without the driver needing to exit the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual door operation is used, then the driver must exit the vehicle to operate doors, but this increases operation time and creates safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The door system performs automatic opening and closing operations without requiring manual intervention from the driver. The microcontroller controls the actuators to open doors automatically when the vehicle stops at a loading zone and closes them automatically after a predetermined time period, making the system self-servicing and eliminating the need for driver involvement in door operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical door operation with an automated control system consisting of a microcontroller, sensors, and actuators. The system uses optical sensors to detect loading zones and motorized actuators to operate doors, substituting the mechanical manual operation with an integrated electromechanical control system that reduces operation time and eliminates safety hazards associated with driver exposure
2Extent of automation
If shutters open upwards, then automatic opening is achieved, but internal space is occupied reducing pallet loading height
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of opening doors upwards occupying vertical internal space, the patent implements lateral opening movement where doors swing horizontally outward from the vehicle. This dimensional change in opening direction eliminates the conflict between automation and internal cargo space, allowing full utilization of vertical space for pallet loading while maintaining automatic operation capability
3Productivity
If doors remain open during loading, then goods can be loaded, but heat dispersion occurs in isothermal vans
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically opening doors before loading begins and automatically closing them after a predetermined time period. The microcontroller is programmed to close doors automatically after loading is complete, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring timely closure to prevent heat dispersion, thus maintaining both productivity and energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates optical sensors that detect the presence of loading zones and provide feedback to the microcontroller. Based on this feedback, the microcontroller automatically controls door opening and closing operations, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes door operation timing to balance loading productivity with thermal energy conservation in isothermal vans
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 automates and speeds up the opening and closing of van doors, reducing heat dispersion and enhancing safety by allowing remote operation, maximizing pallet loading height, and minimizing operation time.
Implementation Method 1
a first actuator 23 moves a rod 25 over a small stroke through a cylinder 24 that can be either pneumatic or hydraulic or electric
Implementation Method 2
a first actuator 23 moves a rod 25 over a small stroke through a cylinder 24 that can be either pneumatic or hydraulic or electric
Implementation Method 3
a first actuator 23 moves a rod 25 over a small stroke through a cylinder 24 that can be either pneumatic or hydraulic or electric
Implementation Method 4
A rod 251 is operated by the motor 252. Said rod 251 is integral with a rack 253, which in turn meshes with a pinion 254, so that this pinion 254 must necessarily rotate.
Implementation Method 5
The guide plate 255 comprises a plurality of rolling bodies 260 configured to guide the translation of said movable bar 255c.
Implementation Method 6
Under the thrusting action of the rod 251, the pinion 254 rotates and the movable bar 255c pushes the vertical cylinder 27 in such a way that the latter, through the vertical tubular element 28 fixed to the first door 2, causes the first door 2 to rotate around its rotation axis X
Implementation Method 7
The movable bar 255c rotates with the pinion 254 and simultaneously translates in the radial direction R as prompted by the movement of the first door 2
Data Source
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AI summary
Device for opening and closing the rear doors (2, 3) of a van (1) preferably isothermal, said van (1) comprising a roof (1a), a bottom (1b), two opposite sides (4) and two doors (2, 3). For each door (2, 3), said device comprises: - a first actuator (23, 33) arranged on the inside of said doors (2, 3), suited to open a door and moved by an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder (24, 34) which moves a rod (25, 35) connected to it in such a way that a lever (26) connected to said rod (25) rotates a vertical cylinder (27) equipped with a pawl (29) which allows the opening of said door; - a second actuator (250, 350), also suited to open a door, arranged on the inside of said doors (2, 3) and arranged at the level of either the roof (1a) or the bottom (1b) of said van (1), said second actuator (250, 350) comprising a motor (252, 352) configured to translate a rod (251, 351) that is integral with a rack (253, 353) meshing with a pinion (254, 354), said pinion (254, 354) being integral with a guide plate (255, 355) configured to guide the translation of a movable bar (255c, 355c), said movable bar (255c, 355c) having two opposite terminal parts (255a, 255b, 355a, 355b), one said terminal part (255b, 355b) being connected to a vertical cylinder (27, 37), said vertical cylinder (27, 37) being inserted in a vertical tubular element (28, 38) arranged on the outside of one said door (2, 3), said vertical tubular element (28, 38) being fixed to said door (2, 3); the first actuator (23, 33) is configured to carry out the unlocking of the opening of said doors (2, 3), while the second actuator (250, 350) is configured to open a corresponding door (2, 3) of the van (1).