Variable-Length Motion Mechanism for Straight Sliding Door Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fastening arrangements for sliding vehicle doors require inwardly curved guiding rails, which occupy valuable space and are costly to manufacture, especially in electric vehicles where battery storage is a concern, and can weaken structural components.
Innovation Solution
A fastening arrangement featuring a variable-length motion mechanism that allows the sliding door to move along a straight guiding rail, eliminating the need for inwardly curved designs by adjusting its distance from the door attachment point, enabling the same opening and closing motion without the need for curved rails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If inwardly curved guiding rails are used to enable sliding door lateral movement, then the sliding door can move laterally inwardly in the closed position region, but the space within the vehicle body is significantly occupied and structural strength is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the guiding rail adjustable between curved and straight configurations. The guiding rail includes a curved section that can be positioned laterally inwardly when the sliding door is closed to enable lateral movement, and can be straightened when the door is open to free up space. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between enabling lateral door movement and occupying vehicle space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the guiding rail from a fixed curved shape to a variable shape that can transition between curved and straight states. By changing the curvature parameter of the guiding rail based on door position, the system enables lateral door movement when needed while minimizing space occupation when the door is open.
2Reliability
If inwardly curved guiding rails are used for sliding door fastening, then the sliding door can be properly fastened in closed position, but manufacturing costs increase due to additional processing of straight extruded beams
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding rail is designed as a dynamic structure that can be adjusted between curved and straight configurations. This allows the use of standard straight extruded aluminum beams as the base structure, which can then be temporarily curved during door closing operations. This eliminates the need for permanently curved rails, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining reliable door fastening.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the guiding rail from a fixed curved shape to a variable shape. By using adjustable curvature, the system can maintain reliable door fastening when the rail is curved during closing, while allowing the use of simpler straight extruded beams for manufacturing, thereby reducing production costs.
3Ease of operation
If inwardly curved guiding rails are used, then sliding door lateral movement is enabled, but the structural strength of extruded aluminum beams is weakened due to material removing machining
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding rail is designed as a dynamic component that can be adjusted between curved and straight configurations. The straight extruded aluminum beam maintains its full structural strength when straight, and only undergoes temporary curvature during door closing operations. This dynamic approach avoids permanent material removal and the associated strength reduction that would occur with fixed curved rails.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the guiding rail from a fixed curved shape to a variable shape. By temporarily changing the curvature parameter during door closing and returning to straight configuration, the system enables lateral door movement while preserving the structural strength of the extruded aluminum beam, avoiding the need for material-removing machining.
Data Source
AI summary
A fastening arrangement for fastening a vehicle sliding door to a vehicle body while enabling opening and closing of the sliding door. The fastening arrangement includes a motion element configured for being movingly arranged within or on a vehicle body guiding rail for enabling movement of the motion element along the vehicle body guiding rail, and a variable-length motion mechanism connected to the motion element and configured for being fastened to the sliding door at a lower attachment area of the sliding door. The variable-length motion mechanism is configured for enabling variable distance between the motion element and the lower attachment area of the sliding door.