Vehicle Superstructure Lower Panel Guide Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle body sectional doors have limited opening height due to the protrusion of the lowest panel into the arcuate section of the guide, restricting cargo loading and unloading access.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle body design where the lower panel is pivotally held on a running part that can be moved along a guide, allowing it to be raised into an opening position, increasing the maximum opening height, using a fastening section with a roller or sliding element, and biased by a spring element for precise control, with guide rollers to prevent contact with the lintel or beam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the lowest panel is fixed directly to the guide via a roller, then the structure is simple, but the opening height is limited because the panel protrudes into the arcuate section
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the lower panel and guide is divided into two independent parts: a running part that moves along the guide and the lower panel that is pivotally connected to the running part. This segmentation allows the lower panel to be decoupled from the guide's arcuate path, enabling it to reach a higher position while the running part follows the guide's curved section.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower panel is given an additional degree of freedom through pivotal connection to the running part. Instead of being constrained to move only along the guide's arcuate section, the panel can now pivot upward relative to the running part, adding a vertical dimension to its movement and achieving greater opening height.
2Area of stationary object
If the lower panel is raised higher in the opening position, then the usable opening area increases, but controlling the panel's position becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A spring element is introduced as a counterweight mechanism to balance the weight of the lower panel. The spring provides an upward force that counteracts gravity, allowing the panel to be easily positioned at higher locations without requiring excessive manual force. The spring's elastic force naturally assists in holding the panel at the desired elevated position.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotal connection between the lower panel and running part creates a dynamic system that can adapt to different positions. The panel can pivot freely relative to the running part, allowing smooth transition between positions, while the spring element provides dynamic force compensation to maintain control ease throughout the movement range.
3Reliability
If guide rollers are added to prevent contact with the lintel, then damage is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Guide rollers act as intermediary elements between the lower panel and the lintel or beam. Instead of allowing direct contact between the panel and the structural elements, the rollers serve as a mediating interface that enables smooth passage while preventing damage. The rollers transfer the interaction forces in a controlled manner.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rollers are self-contained components that automatically perform their protective function without requiring external control or intervention. As the lower panel moves along the guide, the rollers naturally engage with the lintel or beam structure, providing continuous passive protection against damage through their rolling contact mechanism.
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 design significantly increases the usable opening area by allowing the lower panel to be positioned higher than the guide, enhancing loading and unloading capabilities without additional components, and ensures smooth operation by preventing contact with the lintel or beam.
Implementation Method 1
the lower panel is pre-tensioned into the raised position by a spring element
Implementation Method 2
which can be moved along the guide via a roller or a sliding element
Implementation Method 3
with guide rollers to prevent contact with the lintel or beam
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A vehicle body (1) comprises a sectional door (2) that is movable for opening and closing an opening of a cargo space and has a plurality of pivotably mounted panels (3, 4) which are movable on opposite sides via guide means along a guide (10). The guide has a substantially vertical section (11) in the area of the opening, a substantially horizontal section (12) in the upper area of the cargo space as a storage section for the sectional door (2), and an arc-shaped section (13) in between. A spring shaft (8) is provided for pre-tensioning the sectional door (2) into an open position. A lower panel (4), located at ground level in the closed position, is pivotably held on a running element (20) that moves along the guide. This allows the opening height for loading and unloading the cargo space to be increased.