TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is related to chucking systems for sliding doors. Especially, chucking systems that strengthens lock connection between the sliding door and the body of the car during accidents.

PRIOR ART

Vehicle sliding doors are configured to be moved between open and closed position by moving on the rails. The known sliding doors has centering systems for preventing movement of doors when it is in closed position.

Generally, centering systems comprising a centering male and centering female that is corresponding with said centering male.

Preferably, centering males mounted on distal end of sliding door and female mounted on column of car body that is opposite of the said distal end. When sliding door is closed, wedge section of centering male penetrates the housing formed in female. Accordingly, connection provided between them prevents movements of sliding door.

Sliding door systems are also comprising crash pin systems. Main function of crash pin systems is strengthening lock connection between the sliding door and the body of the car and prevent to drop sliding door during accidents.

Crash pins and centering systems are positioned similarly. Wedge section of crash pins has hook formed ends and female part of crash pin systems has retaining part that configured to connect with hook section only when accident occurs and only when there is enough force to move the door in applied force direction.

Centering devices and crash pin systems widely known in the vehicle market and they are separately used in vehicle sliding doors. Such an arrangement has disadvantages for economic aspects and space saving.

US20100154308A1 discloses a chucking system which combine centering and crash pin. A said system has receiver and wedge that both of them comprises retaining aperture. Receiver also comprises rigid vertical tab extending from plate. A said rigid tab is configured to move when deformation, which is caused by impact of vehicle accident, happens on surface that base plate mounted. By mentioned movement, rigid tab penetrates both apertures on receiver and wedge and lock them to the each other. Such a locking function depends on position of deformation.

As a result all of the problems mentioned above, have made it necessary to provide an improvements in the related field.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, aims to eliminate the problems mentioned above and to provide a technical improvements to the related field.

The main aim of the invention is to provide a chucking systems that strengthens lock connection between the sliding door and the body of the car during accidents.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a chucking systems that centering sliding doors and a lock connection independent from deformation pattern of car body or door.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The present invention method above and which can be construed from the detailed description below is, a vehicle door chucking system for centering sliding doors and locking the sliding doors in case of accident. Accordingly, the present invention comprises, a laterally slidable sliding door movable within a door opening and having a distal edge; a vertical column which proximate or contacts the distal edge of the sliding door when the sliding door is in the closed position; a centering mean with a wedge positioned on one the distal edge of the sliding door or the vertical column; a receiver positioned on the other of the distal edge of sliding door or the vertical column; a wedge housing is disposed on the receiver and corresponds to the wedge when the sliding door closed; a retaining slot is formed on the wedge; a wall splits wedge housing into at least two section wherein wall is configured to be break by movement of the wedge when one of the centering mean or the receiver moves relatively each other in the direction, which is perpendicular to the outer surface of sliding door, in the closed position and allows the wedge moves one section to the other one when it breaks; a retaining tab is disposed on receiver and is configured to be engaged the retaining slot when the wall breaks. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the centering mean is disposed on distal edge of the sliding door and the receiver is disposed on the vertical column.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wall comprising curved section to provide damping effect for preventing vibration of the wedge.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wall is in formed of “S” shape.

In a alternative embodiment of the invention, the wall is in formed of “U” shape.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wedge is integrally connected with a base plate.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the base plate is parallelly mounted on distal edge of the sliding door.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wedge is formed by two extending arms and a distal arm such that connects the extending arms.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the distal arm is in form of cylindrical.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the distal end of the wedge is curved.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wedge housing is integrally connected with a base plate.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wall is made of plastic.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wedge is formed angled according to surface that it extends.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Accompanying drawings are given solely for the purpose of exemplifying a chucking system whose advantages over prior art were outlined above and will be explained in brief hereinafter.

The drawings are not meant to delimit the scope of protection as identified in the claims nor should they be referred to alone in an effort to interpret the scope identified in said claims without recourse to the technical disclosure in the description of the present invention. Figure 1 shows the schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention on a vehicle.

Figure 1.A shows the schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows the isometric view of an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2. A shows the isometric view of the centering means shown on Fig. 2.

Figure 2.B shows the top view of the Fig 2.

Figure 2.C shows cross-sectional view of the receiver of Fig 2.B taken at line A.

Figure 2.D shows cross-sectional view of the both receiver and centering means of Fig 2.B taken at line A, when a system in centering function.

Figure 2.E shows cross-sectional view of the both receiver and centering means of Fig 2.B taken at line A, when a system in locking function;

REFERENCE NUMBERS IN THE FIGURES

10. Centering mean

11. Base plate

111. Mounting aperture

12. Wedge

121. Arm

122. Distal arm

123. Retaining slot

20. Receiver

21. Base plate 211. Mouth

22. Wedge housing

221. Centering section 222. Locking section

23. Retaining tab 30. Separating wall

31. Curved section V. Vehicle S. Sliding door SS. Outer surface DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description the chucking system subject to the invention have been illustrated with non-limiting examples in order to further describe the subject matter of the invention.

For purposes of description herein the terms “lateral”, “vertical,” or “perpendicular” and derivatives thereof shall relate generally to the invention as oriented in Fig. 1. Term of “x” describes lateral direction, term of “y” describes perpendicular direction to the outer surface (SS) of sliding door (S) in Fig.1 and term of “z” vertical direction. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. The invention is related to a chucking system that strengthens lock connection between the sliding door and the body of the car during accidents.

Fig 1 and Fig 1.A shows schematic views of present invention. A vehicle with the present invention can be seen in Fig. 1. A sliding door (S) is mounted side of vehicle (V) in moveable manner. In Fig 1 , there is two chucking systems which are positioned bottom and top the sliding door (S). In alternative embodiments, only one chucking system may be positioned bottom or top or middle of the sliding door (S).

The sliding door (S) moves laterally to close and open the door opening of vehicle. Generally, the sliding door (S) moves straightly in major part of movement and change direction in the last part of way for settling correctly to the door opening. The present invention comprising a centering means (10) and a receiver (20). The centering means (10) has a wedge (12) and the receiver (20) has a wedge housing (22) corresponding to the said wedge (12). When the sliding door (S) is closed, the wedge (12) penetrates the wedge housing (22) and such a connection prevent movement of sliding door (S), especially vertical movement of it.

One of the centering means (10) and the receiver (20) is mounted on distal edge of the sliding door (S) and the other is vertical column (C) which part of vehicle (V) body. In a preferred embodiment, the centering mean (10) is mounted on the distal edge of the sliding door (S).

On contrary of that, the centering mean (10) may be mounted on vertical column (C) in an alternative embodiment. A said arrangement doesn’t shown in Figures.

A retaining slot (123) is formed on the wedge (12). A said retainer slot (12) engages retaining tab (23) is formed on the receiver (20) when the wedge (12) moves in the wedge housing (22). However, movement of the wedge (12) is limited by a wall (30) is disposed on the wedge housing (22) when the sliding door is closed and there is no force applied on it.

The wall (30) splits the wedge housing (22) in two section. A said sections may be referenced as a centering and a locking sections (221 , 222). A said sections (221 , 222) can be seen in Fig 2.C. When the sliding door is closed and there is no force applied on it, the wedge (12) stays in centering section (221 ) and there is no contact between the wedge (12) and retaining tab (23) even if the sliding door (S) is moved to open position.

During vehicle accident, especially side impacts, a big force is applied on sliding door (S). A said impact inevitably moves sliding door (S) or vertical column (C) in y axis. A said movements causes the wedge (12) moves inside the wedge housing (22). A movement of the wedge (12) applies force on the wall (30). If the force is applied on wall (30) by the wedge (12) is high enough, the wall (30) will eventually breaks.

Breaking point of the wall (30) can be configured according to the requirement of product by selection of material, thickness or geometry.

After the wall (30) is broken, the wedge (12) moves the locking section (222). By impact force, the sliding door (S) also tends to drop or moves to open position. Such a movements provides engagement between the retainer slot (12) formed on the centering mean (10) and retaining tab (23) is formed on the receiver (20). An engagement prevents movement of wedge (12) to outside the wedge housing (22). A locking function strengthens after the engagement is completed

Accordingly, the present invention is a vehicle door chucking system for locking and centering sliding doors (S) comprising, a laterally slidable sliding door (S) movable within a door opening and having a distal edge; a vertical column (C) which proximate or contacts the distal edge of the sliding door (S) when the sliding door (S) is in the closed position; a centering mean (10) with a wedge (12) positioned on one the distal edge of the sliding door (S) or the vertical column (C) and a receiver (20) positioned on the other one of the distal edge of sliding door (S) or the vertical column (C) and a wedge housing (22) is disposed on the receiver (20) and corresponds to the wedge (12) when the sliding door (S) closed a retaining slot (123) is formed on the wedge (12); a wall (30) splits wedge housing (22) into at least two section wherein wall (30) is configured to be break by movement of the wedge (12) when one of the centering mean (10) or the receiver (20) moves relatively each other in the direction, which is perpendicular to the outer surface (SS) of sliding door (S), in the closed position and allows the wedge (12) moves one section to the other one when it breaks; and a retaining tab (23) is disposed on receiver and is configured to be engaged the retaining slot (123) when the wall (30) breaks

Figure 2 shows the isometric view of an embodiment of the present invention. The centering mean (10) comprising a base plate (11 ). The base plate (11 ) is a planar. At least one mounting aperture (111 ) is formed on the base plate (11 ). A number of mounting aperture (111 ) may be increased in need. An embodiments in figures, two mounting aperture (111 ) is shown.

The base plate (11 ) is mounted on distal edge of the sliding door (S) or the vertical column (C), preferably on distal edge of the sliding door (S), by using rivet, screw or similar connection elements that connected to the mounting aperture (111 ). An isometric view of centering mean (10) can be seen in Fig 2. A. The wedge (12) extends from base plate (11 ). The wedge (12) may be integrally formed with base plate (11 ).

The wedge (12) comprises retaining slot (123) formed on its body. The retaining slot (123) is configured to be big enough to engage with retaining tab (23) on the receiver (20).

In Fig 2. A, the wedge (12) has two arms (121 ) extending from surface of base plate (11 ) and a distal arms (122) that connects ends of the arms (121). Between the arms (121), the distal arms (122) and base plate (11 ), retaining slot (123) is occurred.

In a preferred embodiment, the arms (121 ) and the distal arm (122) is in form of cylindrical. A cylindrical geometry provides easy movement inside the wedge housing (22) for the wedge (13) and also prevents possible damages is caused by edge of the distal arm (122).

In an alternative embodiments, only the distal arm (122) is in form of cylindrical or edge part of the wedge (12) is in form of cylindrical.

In a preferred embodiment, the wedge (12) is angled. We already mentioned some sliding door (S) changes direction to last part of way for settling correctly to the door opening. For corresponding to the angled movements, the wedge (12) in configured to be angled according to surface that it extends which is base plate (11 ) in some embodiments.

The receiver (20) comprising a base plate (21 ). The wedge housing (22) is formed on the said base plate (21 ) and extends through it. The wedge housing (22) is configured to be correspond to the wedge (12). The base plate (21 ) is a planar. At least one mounting aperture (111 ) is formed on the base plate (21 ). A number of mounting aperture (111) may be increased in need. An embodiments in figures, two mounting aperture (111 ) is shown.

The base plate (21 ) is mounted on the vertical column (C) or distal edge of the sliding door (S), preferably on the vertical column (C), by using rivet, screw or similar connection elements that connected to the mounting aperture (111 ). Figure 2.C shows cross-sectional view of the receiver of Fig 2.B taken at line A. The retaining tab (23) is positioned on the mouth (211 ) portion of the wedge housing (21 1 ). The mouth (211 ) is shown with dash-dots in Fig. 2.C

The retaining tab (23) is configured to be partially close the mouth (211 ). Specifically, the retaining tab (23) is configured to not limit move of the wedge when the sliding door (S) is closed and there is force applied on the sliding door (S).

A said retaining tab (23) is made of rigid material, e.g. steel, to keep the wedge during the engagement and the after.

In embodiments which describes the angled wedge (12), the wedge housing (12) is also needs to be formed angled to correspond to the angled wedge (12).

In Fig 2.C and 2.D, the wall (30) can be seen. The wall (30) splits wedge housing (22) in two part. A said sections may be referenced as a centering and a locking sections (221 , 222). Splinting is shown by dashed line in Fig. 2.C.

The wall (30) configured to prevent movement of the wedge (12) there is no impact in y axis on the sliding door (S). When there is no impact in closed position, the wedge (12) stays in the centering section (221 ).

The wall (30) may comprises a curved section (31 ) to provide also damping effect when there is no impact in y axis on the sliding door (S). With such a geometry, damaging effect, which is caused by vehicle vibration, on the wedge (12) is decreased.

In a preferred embodiment, the wall (30) is in formed of “S” shape. “S” shaped wall (30) compensates little movement of the wedge (12). The wedge (12) is positioned on curved section (31 ).

In an alternative embodiment, the wall (30) is in formed of “U” shape. “U” shaped wall (30) has also damping effect on the wedge (12). The wedge (12) is positioned on curved section (31 ) of “U” shaped wall (30). Besides that, “U” shaped wall (30) is positioned in the locking section (222).

In Figure 2.D and 2.E, respectively, shows cross-sectional view of the both receiver and centering means of Fig 2.B taken at line A, when a system in centering function and when a system in locking function. For centering function, the wedge (12) is placed into the centering section in the wedge housing (22) by sliding the sliding door (S), as can be seen Fig 2.D. When force applied on the system, the sliding door (S) moves in y axis. Therefore, one of the the wedge (12) or wedge housing (22) moves relatively each other. Such a movement causes impact between the wall (30) and the wedge (12). If the applied force big enough to move the sliding door (S) more than secure range, the wall (30) will be breaks by impact of the wedge (12) and the wedge (12) moves to the locking section (222) in the wedge housing (22). When the sliding door starts to drop from door opening of vehicle (V), the wedge

(12) is also moves to the outside from the wedge housing (22). Before the wedge (12) is completely out from the wedge housing (22), retaining slot (123) formed on the wedge (12) and retaining tab (23) formed on the receiver (20) engages to each other and stops movement of the wedge (12). The protection scope of the invention has been mentioned in the claims that are attached and the invention cannot be limited to the embodiments described in this detailed description. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can provide similar embodiments within the scope of the above mentioned descriptions without deviating from the main theme of the invention.