Patent Publication Number: US-7896425-B2

Title: Simultaneous movement system for a vehicle door II

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to hinge and slide devices, and more particularly, to such a packaging efficient device for vehicle doors. 
     Sliding door structures are generally implemented on vehicles to reduce the door swing distance from the vehicle body; to allow for better ingress and egress into or from a vehicle; and to improve the package (or layout) of a vehicle. This type of design is particularly helpful when a user is parking a vehicle in a confined area where there is little available room for door swing. 
     In the sliding door structure, guide rails are generally included at the roof rail/cant rail and rocker sill, as well as adjacent to a vehicle body class A surface (the exterior sheet metal of the vehicle). The guide rail on the class A surface is generally configured as a linear track just below the side window. In addition, such vehicles generally also implement a curved guide track on the vehicle body at the sill and/or side rail/cant rail to guide the sliding door into the closed position against the vehicle body. To open the sliding door, the sliding door is projected in a vehicle exterior direction along a curved guide rail, and then the sliding door is moved along a separate linear guide rail to a fully opened position. To close the traditional sliding door, the sliding door is moved from the linear guide rail to the curved guide rail such that the as the door travels along the curved guide rail, the door is pulled inward against the vehicle to a closed position. 
     However, a traditional sliding door movement does coincide with the curved shape of the guide rail once it transitions from the linear track to the curved track resulting in a two step operation for opening and closing the sliding door, thereby resulting in disrupted motion as the vehicle door is opened and closed 
     SUMMARY 
     A simultaneous movement system for a vehicle door is provided according to embodiments disclosed herein. The system includes first and second primary hinge arms, first and second secondary hinge arms, in addition to primary and secondary rails. The second primary hinge arm and the second secondary hinge arm are pivotally mounted to a vehicle body structure on one end and are pivotally mounted to a primary slide and a secondary slide at the other ends respectively. The first primary hinge arm includes a guide track region and a rail region. The guide track receives the guide track region of the primary hinge arm thereby allowing the primary hinge arm to travel along both the guide track and the primary rail simultaneously through the guide track region and the rail region of the primary hinge arm. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and drawings, in which like reference numerals correspond to similar, though perhaps not identical, components. For the sake of brevity, reference numerals or features having a previously described function may or may not be described in connection with other drawings in which they appear. 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a first embodiment of a simultaneous articulating and sliding door system (vehicle door and vehicle body shown in phantom) when the door is in the closed position; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the first embodiment of the controlled simultaneous articulating and sliding door system (vehicle door and vehicle body shown in phantom) when the door in its initial opening state; 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  are isometric views of the first embodiment of the controlled simultaneous articulating and sliding door system (vehicle door and vehicle body shown in phantom) when the door is in its progressively opening states; 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the controlled simultaneous articulating and sliding door system (vehicle door and vehicle body shown in phantom) when the door in its fully open state. 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a simultaneous articulating and sliding door system (vehicle door and vehicle body shown in phantom) when the door is in the closed position; 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the second embodiment of the controlled simultaneous articulating and sliding door system (vehicle door and vehicle body shown in phantom) when the door in its initial opening state; 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  are isometric views of the second embodiment of the controlled simultaneous articulating and sliding door system (vehicle door and vehicle body shown in phantom) when the door in its progressively opening states; 
         FIG. 10  is an isometric view of the second embodiment of the controlled simultaneous articulating and sliding door system (vehicle door and vehicle body shown in phantom) when the door in its fully open state. 
         FIG. 11  is an isometric enlarged detail view of the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a partial, enlarged isometric view of a third embodiment of the present disclosure when the door is in a closed position. 
         FIG. 13  is a partial, enlarged isometric view of a third embodiment of the present disclosure when the door is in an initial opening position (and the upper surface of the guide track is removed). 
         FIG. 14  is a top view of a third embodiment of the present disclosure when the door is in a first partially open position (and the upper surface of the guide track is removed). 
         FIG. 15 . is a top view of a third embodiment of the present disclosure when the door is in a fully open position (and the upper surface of the guide track is removed). 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of a third embodiment of the present disclosure when the door is in a fully open position (and the guide track is shown in phantom). 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure provides a simultaneous movement system  10  for a sliding and articulating vehicle door  12  wherein the class A surface of the vehicle is not disrupted with a door track for the sliding door system. The present disclosure allows for stable, yet simultaneous sliding and articulating of a vehicle door  12  and also provides a door system  10  that requires minimal package space on the vehicle body. 
     The simultaneous movement system  10  of the present disclosure is particularly beneficial with vehicles where there is minimal space to mount a sliding door system, such as a pick-up truck where in the vehicle cab terminates proximate to the pick-up truck box, or a sedan vehicle structure. In one non-limiting example, a pick up truck and a sedan structure are in contrast to a van structure in that a pick-up truck or sedan B or C pillar provide a much smaller mounting surface for a sliding door system than a van structure due to the fundamental differences in vehicle architecture. Accordingly, the simultaneous movement system  10  disclosed herein substantially and advantageously overcomes at least the potential drawbacks noted in the background above. 
     Referring now to the non-limiting examples shown in  FIGS. 1-10  together, a simultaneous movement system  10  for a vehicle door  12  may generally be mounted onto a vehicle. As described in greater detail below, in order to facilitate ingress and egress into and from a vehicle (not shown), the simultaneous movement system  10  for a vehicle door  12  may allow for smooth and continuous opening/closing of a door  12  independent of another adjacent structure or door (not shown) being open or closed. It is to be understood that mass production vehicles having independently opening doors are not readily available at this time due to proper closure and sealing issues as the doors mate together. 
     Referring again to the drawings wherein like reference numerals are used to identify identical components in the various views,  FIG. 1  illustrates the simultaneous movement system  10  for a vehicle door  12  shown in the closed position. The simultaneous movement system  10  includes a first primary hinge arm  16 , a second primary hinge arm  44 , a first secondary hinge arm  14  and a second secondary hinge arm  42 . The first primary hinge arm  16  and the first secondary hinge arm  14  may be affixed to a tie bar  72  to ensure that the first primary hinge arm  16  and the first secondary hinge arm  14  move simultaneously. 
     The first primary hinge arm  16  includes a guide track region  24  and a rail region  26 . (shown in  FIG. 11 ). As shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the guide track  30  is operatively configured to receive the guide track region  24  of the first primary hinge arm  16  while the rail region  26  of the first primary hinge arm  16  travels along the primary rail  34  via the primary slide  28 . The cooperation of these elements allows the first primary hinge arm  16  to travel along both the guide track  30  and the primary rail  34  simultaneously through the guide track region  24  and the rail region  26  of the first primary hinge arm  16 . 
     It is to be understood that the aforementioned terms “region(s)” and “point(s)” are being used alternatively in that both terms (points and regions) are to be understood to be small, discrete areas on a member intended for a particular use. 
     Similar to the first primary hinge arm  16 , the first secondary hinge arm  14  the second primary hinge arm  44 , and the second secondary hinge arm  42  each includes a door end  23  and a body end  20 . The first primary hinge arm  16 , the first secondary hinge arm  14  the second primary hinge arm  44 , and the second secondary hinge arm  42  are each pivotally mounted to a vehicle body structure  70  (such as a C-pillar) at the body ends  20  thereof and are pivotally mounted to either the primary slide  28  or the secondary slide  36  as shown at the door end  23  of each hinge arm. 
     The first primary hinge arm  16 , the first secondary hinge arm  14 , the second primary hinge arm  44 , and the second secondary hinge arm  42  may be mounted to the vehicle body structure  70  through the use of a mounting bracket  98  (shown in  FIGS. 7-10 ). 
     The first secondary hinge arm  14  is pivotally mounted to vehicle body structure  70  or C-pillar  18  at pivot joint  80 . The second secondary hinge arm  42  is pivotally attached to vehicle body structure  70  or C-pillar  18  at pivot joint  82 . The first secondary hinge arm  14  is pivotally attached to the secondary slide  36  at pivot joint  48 . The second secondary hinge arm  42  is pivotally attached to the secondary slide  36  at pivot joint  46 . 
     It is to be understood that the arrangement of  FIGS. 1-5  is one non-limiting example of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is also to be understood that the primary rail  34  may be disposed above, adjacent to, below or proximate to the secondary rail  32 . 
     An example of a secondary slide  36  and a primary slide  28  is shown in  FIGS. 1-10 . The secondary slide  36  may include two grooves or recesses  38 ,  40 . With respect to the secondary slide  36 , first recess  38  of secondary slide  36  receives first secondary hinge arm  14  and second secondary hinge arm  42 . The first secondary hinge arm  14  and the second secondary hinge arm  42  attach to the secondary slide through pivot joints  46 ,  48 . The first secondary hinge arm  14  and second secondary hinge arm  42  attach to the secondary slide  36  via the first recess  38  of secondary slide  36 . A second recess  40  of the secondary slide  36  may partially surround the secondary rail  32 . Secondary slide  36  may further include rollers  50  as shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , bearings (not shown) or other like sliding or rolling components so that secondary slide  36  may be operatively configured to receive and slide along or translate along secondary rail  32 . 
     With respect to the primary slide  28 , first recess  54  of primary slide  28  receives first primary hinge arm  16  and second primary hinge arm  44 . The first primary hinge arm  16  and the second primary hinge arm  44  attach to the primary slide  28  through pivot joints  58 ,  60 . The first primary hinge arm  16  and second secondary hinge arm  44  attach to the primary slide  28  via the first recess  54  of primary slide  28 . A second recess  56  of the primary slide  28  may partially surround the primary rail  34 . Primary slide  28  may further include rollers  62  as shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , bearings (not shown) or other like sliding or rolling components so that primary slide  28  may be operatively configured to receive and slide along or translate along primary rail  34 . 
     The first primary hinge arm  16  and the second primary hinge arm  44  cooperate with a primary rail  34  which is mounted to an inner panel  76  of a vehicle door  12  and operatively configured to receive a primary slide  28 . As indicated, the primary slide  28  is pivotally attached to the door end of the second primary hinge arm  44 . With respect to the first primary hinge arm  16 , the primary slide  28  is pivotally attached to the rail region  26  of the first primary hinge arm  16 . In addition to the primary rail  34 , a secondary rail  32  is mounted to the vehicle door  12  to provide stability to large vehicle door systems. The secondary rail  32  is operatively configured to receive a second slide  36 . The second slide  36  is pivotally mounted on a door end  23  of the first secondary hinge arm  14  and a door end  23  of the second secondary hinge arm  42  as shown in  FIGS. 1-5 . 
     It is to be understood that the arrangement shown in  FIGS. 1-5  is merely one non-limiting example. Therefore, the first and second primary hinge arms  16 ,  44  (operating as a four bar link) may be alternatively be disposed above, below, adjacent, or proximate to the first and second secondary hinge arms  14 ,  42  (also operating as a four bar link). Moreover, it is to be understood that the first primary hinge arm and the first secondary hinge arm  16 ,  14  may also alternatively be disposed fore or aft of the second primary hinge arm  44  and the second secondary hinge arms  42 . 
     A guide track  30  is also provided in order to facilitate continuous smooth movement of the door  12  between the open and closed door  12  positions. As shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the guide track  30  is operatively configured to receive the guide track region  24  of the first primary hinge arm  16  while the rail region  26  of the first primary hinge arm  16  travels along the primary rail  34  via the primary slide  28 . The cooperation of these elements allows the first primary hinge arm  16  to travel along both the guide track  30  and the primary rail  34  simultaneously through the guide track region  24  and the rail region  26  of the first primary hinge arm  16 . 
     The guide track region  24  of the first primary hinge arm  16  may further include a projection  25  consisting of at least one roller, a tab or the like which is operatively configured to move along the guide track  30  (shown in  FIG. 11 ). The projection  25  may be integral to the first primary hinge arm  16  or it may be affixed to the first primary hinge arm  16 . It is also to be understood that in one non-limiting example, the primary rail  34  and the secondary rail  32  may each be an extruded member. The primary rail  34  and the secondary rail  32  may include bearings or the like (not shown) to facilitate the movement of the primary slide  28  and the secondary slide  36  respectively. It is also to be understood that the primary rail  34  and the secondary rail  32  may each be a roll formed member. 
     The guide track  30  may be affixed to the door inner panel  76  or the guide track  30  may be affixed to the door hardware system (latches and/or handle systems not shown). Guide track  30  may also be integral with the primary rail  34  as shown in  FIGS. 1-5 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-5  and  FIGS. 12-16 , guide track  30  may extend beyond primary rail  34  and secondary rail  32  in a longitudinal direction proximate to the aft area of the vehicle door  12  to facilitate continuous movement of the door  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-10 ,  12 - 16  together, guide track  30  includes a substantially curved portion  64  and a substantially linear portion  66  to allow smooth and simultaneous articulation and sliding movement of a vehicle door  12 . Thus, as door  12  moves along guide track  30  which is disposed within the door  12 , the door  12  is articulating (rotating relative to the vehicle) and sliding (relative to the vehicle body) at the same time. This results in smooth and continuous motion for a vehicle user. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the simultaneous movement system  10  of the present disclosure may further include a tie bar  72  which is operatively configured to rigidly connect the first primary hinge arm  16  to the first secondary hinge arm  14 . The tie bar allows the first primary hinge arm  16  and the first secondary hinge arm  14  to articulate together. A connection member  74 , shown as a non-limiting example as a plate in  FIGS. 1-5 , may also be affixed to the primary and secondary slides  28 ,  36  to permit the primary slide  28  and the secondary slide  36  to move along the primary and secondary tracks  34 ,  32  simultaneously. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 11 , as indicated, the guide track region  24  of the first primary hinge arm  16  may include a projection  25  such as a pin, tab and/or roller, which is operatively configured to slide and pivot within the guide track  30 . 
     Referring now to a second embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6-10 , the first upper hinge arm  16 ′ drives the movement of the door system. As shown, the simultaneous movement system for a vehicle door  12  includes: a first lower hinge arm  14 ′, a second lower hinge arm  42 ′, a first upper hinge arm  16 ′ and a second upper hinge arm  16 ′ The first upper hinge arm  16 ′ includes a door end  23  and a body end  20 . The second lower hinge arm  42 ′ is pivotally mounted to a vehicle body structure  70  at the body end  20  thereof. The first upper hinge arm  16 ′ pivotally mounted to a vehicle body structure  70  at a body end  20  thereof. The first upper hinge arm  16 ′ may be operatively configured to include a guide track region  24  and a rail region  26  shown in  FIG. 11 . The first upper hinge arm  16 ′ and the first lower hinge arm  14 ′ may be affixed to a tie bar  72  to facilitate simultaneous movement between the first upper hinge arm  16 ′ and the first lower hinge arm  14 ′. The second upper hinge arm  44 ′ may be pivotally mounted to a vehicle body structure  70  at a body end  20  thereof. The second upper hinge arm  44 ′ may be pivotally mounted on the upper slide  28  at a door end  23  thereof. The second lower hinge arm  42 ′ includes a door end  23  and a body end  20 . The second lower hinge arm  42 ′ may be pivotally mounted to a vehicle body structure  70  at the body end  20  thereof. The upper rail  34  may be mounted to a vehicle door inner panel  76  or to the vehicle door hardware structures (such as the latch and/or door handle systems). 
     The upper rail  34  may be operatively configured to receive an upper slide  28 . The upper slide  28  being pivotally mounted on the door end of the second upper hinge arm  44 ′ and the rail region  26  of the first upper hinge arm  16 ′. A lower rail  32  may be mounted to the vehicle door inner panel  76  and/or vehicle door hardware structures (such as door latch and/or door handle) and operatively configured to receive a lower slide  36 , the lower slide  36  being pivotally mounted on a door end  23  (shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 ) of the first lower hinge arm  14 ′ and a door end  23  of the second lower hinge arm  42 ′; and a guide track  30  operatively configured to receive the guide track region  24  of the first upper hinge arm  16 ′ thereby allowing the first upper hinge arm  16 ′ to travel along both the guide track  30  and the upper rail  34  simultaneously through the guide track region  24  and the rail region  26  of the first upper hinge arm  16 ′. 
     The guide track region  24  of the first upper hinge arm  16 ′ may further include a projection  25  consisting of at least one roller operatively configured to move along the guide track  30 . It is also to be understood that in one non-limiting example, the primary rail  34  and the secondary rail  32  may each be an extruded member. It is also to be understood that the primary rail ( 34  in  FIGS. 1-5 ), upper rail ( 34  in  FIGS. 6-10 ), the secondary rail ( 32  in  FIGS. 6-10 ), and the lower rail ( 32  in  FIGS. 6-10 ) may each be a roll formed member. 
     The guide track  30  may affixed to the door inner panel  76  or the guide track  30  may be affixed to the door hardware system (latches and/or handle systems not shown). As shown in  FIGS. 6-10 , the simultaneous movement system  10  of the present disclosure may further include a tie bar  72  which is operatively configured to rigidly connect the second upper hinge arm  16 ′ to the second lower hinge arm  42 ′. The tie bar  72  allows the second upper hinge arm  44 ′ and the second lower hinge arm  42 ′ to articulate together. A connection member  74  may also be affixed to the upper and lower slides  28 ,  36  to permit the upper slide  28  and the lower slide  36  to move along the upper and lower rails  34 ,  32  simultaneously. 
     Lower slide  36  may further include rollers  50  as shown in  FIGS. 6-10 , bearings (not shown) or other like sliding or rolling components so that lower slide  36  may be operatively configured to receive and slide along or translate along lower rail  32 . Upper slide  28  may further include rollers  62  as shown in  FIGS. 6-10 , bearings (not shown) or other like sliding or rolling components so that upper slide  28  may be operatively configured to receive and slide along or translate along upper rail  34 . 
     Referring now  FIG. 11  which illustrates the guide track region  24  of the first upper hinge arm  16 ′. As shown, the guide track region  24  may be affixed to a projection  25  which is operatively configured to slide and pivot within the guide track  30 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 12-17  together, a third embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated wherein the first primary hinge arm  16 ″ includes two projections. As shown, the projections may be rollers  25  or tabs (not shown). The guide track  30  of the third embodiment further includes a primary guide track  30 ′ and a secondary guide track  30 ″. The primary guide track  30 ′ includes a substantially curved portion  64  and a substantially linear portion  66  to allow smooth and simultaneous articulation and sliding movement of a vehicle door  12 . Thus, as door  12  moves along guide track  30  which is disposed within the door, the door (not shown) is articulating (rotating relative to the vehicle) and sliding (relative to the vehicle body) at the same time. The secondary guide track  30 ″ further assists in stabilizing the first primary hinge arm  16 ″ as it travels along both the guide track  30  and the primary rail  34 . This results in smooth and continuous motion for a vehicle user. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 13-15 , the guide track  30  is shown with cover portion or cover  31  removed thereby showing the primary guide track  30 ′ and the secondary guide track  30 ″. The secondary guide track  30 ″ includes a substantially linear portion  66  similar to the primary guide track  30 ′. However, the secondary guide track  30 ″ has an open end  35  (shown in  FIG. 12 ) which allows the guide track  30  to receive the second projection or second roller  25  upon opening and closing of the vehicle door (not shown). 
     With reference to  FIGS. 16-17 , the guide track  30  is shown with the cover  31 . The cover  31  may have an upturned edge  33  which allows the movement system  10  to be attached to a structure (not shown) within the door such as, but not limited to, a door inner (not shown). The guide track  30  may be attached to a door structure (not shown) using mechanical fasteners, welding, or the like. 
     While multiple embodiments have been described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed embodiments may be modified. Therefore, the foregoing description is to be considered exemplary rather than limiting.