[0001] The present disclosure, in general, relates to a vehicle having a sliding door that is manually operated. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to system and method for simultaneous operation of twin latches of the vehicle sliding door either by an inside handle or an outside handle at a time.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] In various types of motor vehicles, including minivans, delivery vans, and the like, it has become common practice to provide a vehicle body with a relatively large side opening that is located immediately behind the front doors which are opened and closed with a sliding door. The sliding door is typically mounted with hinges on horizontal tracks on the vehicle body for guided sliding movement between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the vehicle body closing the side opening and in the open position, the vehicle body opens the side opening. The Sliding door is also provided with two latches that are used to lock or unlock the sliding door. It is also provided with two handles, one at an inner side and the other at an outer side.
[0004] The sliding door is generally operated manually, as it is the most convenient way to open or close the door. The present disclosure mainly focusses on overcoming the various shortcomings associated with the manual operation of the sliding door.
[0005] These types of minivans are generally used as delivery vans or public utility vehicles. Hence, there is always a need for a system that is completely operated by the driver to avoid accidents. If there is any way by which the door is easily operated that is either opened or closed by the passenger sitting inside the car, then there are great chances of falling off the passenger from the vehicle.
[0006] If, by any chance, any of the doors are in the open condition than also there will be a chance of an accident. Also, there is a need for a system in which the driver doesn't have to lock and unlock each of the doors separately. Moreover, there is a need for a system in which all the doors of the vehicle are locked or unlocked at a single time as in the existing vehicle, the driver has to individually open all the doors from inside, and then only the passengers are allowed to enter inside the vehicle. Furthermore, there is a need for a system having a simple structure and cost-effective.
[0007] One of the prior art tries to solve the problem mentioned in the prior art. It discloses a power-driven sliding side door for a motor vehicle. The door is operated with a power drive mechanism that is pivotally mounted on the door and extends through a side opening in the door.
[0008] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the drive mechanism includes a reversible electric motor that drives a friction wheel which is spring biased to forcibly engage a drive/guide track located beneath the vehicle floor and attached to the vehicle body. The friction drive wheel rides on the drive/guide track to open and close the door and additionally guides and stabilizes its sliding movement. While the arrangement disclosed in the prior art provided certain improvements in the pertinent art, but having several drawbacks. The drawbacks included, for example, the appearance of the power sliding door, and the cost, reliability, and performance of the drive apparatus.
[0009] Another prior art also discloses the same type of feature as discussed in the above-disclosed prior art that is a power sliding side door that provides a power drive mechanism having a reversible electric motor that is mounted in the vehicle body and connected to operate the door through a cable System.
[0010] Another prior art discloses the same thing but achieved in a different manner that is the power sliding door utilizing a rack and a pinion gear to control the movement of the sliding door.
[0011] The biggest drawback of the above-stated arrangements require considerable accommodating space and modifications to the existing body structure and are not easily installed in an upgrading manner to convert an existing manually operated sliding door to a power-operated sliding door. This type of arrangement is also considered quite expensive as compared to the existing manually operated system.
[0012] Another prior art has introduced the concept of locking arrangement in which the central locking member locks all the latches of the vehicle by the remote locking member. However, it requires a highly complicated arrangement that is also considered as highly expensive.
[0013] The biggest disadvantage associated with the central locking arrangement is that during the time of the accident, it’s difficult for a passenger or a driver to come out of the vehicle as it completely locks all the doors. There is less chance of easy escape from the driver or passenger.
[0014] Hence, there is a need for a manually operated system that is easy to operate, economical, less prone to failure, less maintenance required, and overcomes all the problems associated with the prior arts.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0015] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed hereinbelow.
[0016] It is a general or primary object of the present disclosure is to provide a manually operated system that helps in the simultaneous operation of twin latches of a vehicle sliding door.
[0017] It is another object of the present disclosure is to provide the manually operated system that avoids manual locking and unlocking of doors individually.
[0018] It is another object of the present disclosure is to provide the manually operated system which can easily be incorporated in the space provided, with the usage of common parts and minimal modifications required in the existing vehicle body structure.
[0019] It is yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide the manually operated system having a less complex structure and easy to operate.
[0020] It is a further object to the present disclosure is to provide the manually operated system that is less prone to failure and also requires less maintenance as compared to the existing system.
[0021] It is a further object of the present disclosure is to provide a cost-effective and highly efficient manually operated system that helps in the simultaneous operation of twin latches of a vehicle sliding door.
[0022] These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent when reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY
[0023] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to method and system for a manually operated system that helps in the simultaneous operation of twin latches of a vehicle sliding door. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0024] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a system for the simultaneous operation of twin latches of a vehicle sliding door. The system includes a first latch mounted at front end of the vehicle sliding door, a second latch mounted at rear end of the vehicle sliding door, an inside handle mounted on inner side of the vehicle sliding door, an outside handle mounted on outer side of the vehicle sliding door, a link component having an operation arm which is pivotable at its centre point, on a first end of the operation arm, a first link structure connecting the first latch to a lower side of the operation arm and a second link structure connecting an outside handle to upper side of the operation arm, on a second end of the operation arm, a third link structure connecting the second latch to a upper side of the operation arm and a fourth link structure connecting an inside handle to upper side of the operation arm, wherein the second link structure and the fourth link structure are provided with a slot mechanism to delink the movement of outside handle with the movement of inside handle and vice versa while operating both the first and second latches of a vehicle sliding door.
[0025] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a connector connecting the outside handle to the upper side of the first end of the operation arm is positioned on the upper end of the slot mechanism provided in the second link structure.
[0026] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a connector connecting the inside handle to the upper side of the second end of the operation arm is positioned on the upper end of the slot mechanism provided in the fourth link structure.
[0027] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a connector connecting the first latch to the lower side of the first end of the operation arm is positioned on the upper end of the slot mechanism provided in the first link structure.
[0028] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a connector connecting the second latch to the upper side of the second end of the operation arm is positioned on the lower end of the slot mechanism provided in the third link structure.
[0029] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for simultaneous operation of twin latches of a vehicle sliding door while operating an outside handle, the method comprising pushing a connector positioned on a lower end of a slot mechanism provided in a second link structure, the second link structure connecting the outside handle to an upper side of a first end of an operation arm of a link component, simultaneously pushing a first link structure connecting a first latch to a lower side of the first end of the operation arm for opening the first latch, simultaneously pulling a third link structure connecting a second latch to a lower side of a second end of the operation arm for opening the second latch, and maintaining position of a fourth link structure connecting an inside handle to an upper side of the second end of the operation arm, wherein a connector connecting the inside handle to the upper side of the second end of the operation arm is being moved from an upper end position to a lower end position within a slot of the slot mechanism provided in the fourth link structure.
[0030] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for the simultaneous operation of twin latches of a vehicle sliding door while operating an inside handle. The method includes the steps of pulling a connector positioned on an upper end of a slot mechanism provided in a fourth link structure, the fourth link structure connecting the inside handle to an upper side of the second end of an operation arm of a link component, simultaneously pulling a third link structure connecting a second latch to a lower side of the second end of the operation arm for opening the second latch, simultaneously pushing a first link structure connecting a first latch to a lower side of a first end of the operation arm for opening the first latch, and maintaining the position of a second link structure connecting an outside handle to an upper side of the first end of the operation arm, wherein a connector connecting the outside handle to the upper side of the first end of the operation arm is being moved from an upper end position to a lower-end position within a slot of the slot mechanism provided in the second link structure.
[0031] In an aspect, while operating the inside handle or the outside handle, the first end and the second end of the operation arm is movable within respective slots of the slot mechanisms.
[0032] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for the simultaneous operation of twin latches of a vehicle sliding door in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates the enlarged view of a link component of the system for the simultaneous operation of twin latches of a vehicle sliding door in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary working mechanism of the link component while operating an inside handle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary working mechanism of the link component while operating an outside handle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0039] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0040] As per the conventional system, the user has to individually latch and unlatch all the latches present in the sliding door.
[0041] To overcome the issues related to the existing system, the present disclosure herein provides a system and a method that simultaneously operates the twin latches of a vehicle sliding door.
[0042] The present disclosure aims to solve a technical problem by providing a manually operated system that simultaneously operates the opening and closing of the twin latch installed in a vehicle sliding door while operating either an inside handle or an outside handle.
[0043] In the vehicle such as minivans, delivery vans, etc., the vehicle body has a relatively large side opening that is located immediately behind the front doors which are opened and closed with a sliding door. However, in a sliding door, a complex locking mechanism is required to lock and unlock the sliding door in order to make sure that an operating position of an inside handle is not affected while changing the operating position of an outside handle, or vice versa.
[0044] To resolve this, the present disclosure proposes a system 100 for the simultaneous operation of twin latches of a vehicle sliding door in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 1. The system 100 includes a first latch 102, a second latch 108, an inside handle 112, and an outside handle 114. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the first latch 102 is mounted at a front end of the vehicle sliding door 106 (not shown), a second latch 108 is mounted at a rear end of the vehicle sliding door 106, the inside handle 112 is mounted on an inner side of the vehicle sliding door 106, and the outside handle 114 is mounted on an outer side of the vehicle sliding door 106.
[0045] Further, as per the implementation of the present disclosure, a link component 116 is provided to facilitate in the simultaneous operation of the twin latches 102,108 of the vehicle sliding door 106 either by the inside handle 112 or the outside handle 114. In an aspect, link component 116 is provided with an operation arm 118, which is pivotable at its center point 120 having a first end 122 and a second end 124.
[0046] On a first end 122 of the operation arm 118, a first link structure 126 connects the first latch 102 to a lower side of the operation arm 118 and a second link structure 128 connects an outside handle 114 to an upper side of the operation arm 118.
[0047] Similarly, on a second end 124 of the operation arm 118, a third link structure 130 connects the second latch 108 to the upper side of the operation arm 118 and a fourth link structure 132 connects an inside handle 112 to the upper side of the operation arm 118
[0048] In accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 2, the fourth link structure 132 includes a slot mechanism having a slot 134 to delink the movement of the inside handle 112 with the movement of the outside handle 114 while operating both the first 102 and second latches 108 of a vehicle sliding door (not shown in figures). With this configuration, a connector 136 connecting the inside handle 112 to the upper side of the second end 124 of the operation arm 118 is positioned on the upper end of the slot 134 of the slot mechanism provided in the fourth link structure 132.
[0049] Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second link structure 128 includes a slot mechanism having a slot 138 to delink the movement of the outside handle 114 with the movement of the inside handle 112 while operating both the first 102 and second latches 108 of a vehicle sliding door (not shown in figures). With this configuration, a connector 140 connecting the outside handle 114 to the upper side of the first end 122 of the operation arm 118 is positioned on the upper end of the slot 138 of the slot mechanism provided in the second link structure 128.
[0050] In an aspect, while operating the inside handle 112 or the outside handle 114, the first end 122 and the second end 124 of the operation arm 118 is movable within respective slots 134, 138 of the slot mechanisms.
[0051] The working mechanism of the link component 116 along with the other components of the manually operated system 100 is described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 when either an inside handle 112 or the outside handle 114 is operated.
[0052] The link component 116 is the main component of the manually operated system 100 claimed in the present disclosure. The effective working of link component 116 is clearly illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 that is used in the manually operated system 100 for simultaneous operation of twin latches 102,108 of a vehicle sliding door while operating the inside handle 112.
[0053] In operation, when the inside handle 112 is pulled to unlock the latches 108, 110, a connector 136 positioned on an upper end of the slot 134 of the slot mechanism provided in a fourth link structure 132 is also pulled. As mentioned above, the fourth link structure 132 connecting the inside handle 112 to an upper side of the second end 124 of the operation arm 118 of the link component 116. Hence, when the connector 136 is pulled, the operation arm 118 rotates in the clockwise direction. Because of clockwise rotation of the operation arm 118, the third link structure 130 connecting the second latch 108 to the lower side of the second end 124 of the operation arm 118 is also pulled for opening the second latch 108, and simultaneously, the first link structure 126 connecting the first latch 102 to the lower side of the first end 112 of the operation arm 118 is pushed down for opening the first latch 102.
[0054] In this clockwise movement of the inside handle operation, the second link structure 128, connecting the outside handle 114 to the upper side of the first end 122 of the operation arm 118, is not pushed down, as the connector 140 connecting the outside handle (114) to the upper side of the first end 122 of the operation arm 118 is being moved from a upper end position to an lower-end position within a slot 138 of the slot mechanism provided in the second link structure 128.
[0055] Thus, the slot 138 allows the second link structure 128 to remain in its position when the inside door 112 is being operated, thereby ensuring that an operating position of the outside handle 114 is not affected while changing the operating position of an inside handle 112.
[0056] The above–stated all the operation carried out simultaneously or within a short span of time that helps in effective unlatching of twin latches installed at a vehicle sliding door while operating only an inside handle. The same case happened when the twin latches of the vehicle sliding door are operated by an outside handle but in a different manner. This can be completely explained in the FIG. 4.
[0057] When the outside handle 114 is operated to unlatch both the latches 102, 108 installed in the sliding door of the vehicle. The first latch 102 is primarily operated by the outside handle 114 to open the sliding door, the connector 140 that is positioned on a upper end of the slot 138 of the slot mechanism of the second link structure 128 is pushed in the downward direction. Here the second link structure 128 connects the outside handle 114 to an upper side of the first end 122 of the operation arm 118 of the link component 116 that also moves in the downward direction. The operating arm 118 as shown in FIG. 4 is moved in the clockwise direction about its pivot point 120 and the first end 122 of the operating arm 118 moves in the downward direction. However, the second end 124 of the operation arm 118 moves in the upward direction.
[0058] This results in the movement of the first link structure 126 in the downward direction that connects the first latch 102 to the lower side of the first end 122 of the operation arm 118 for opening the first latch 102.
[0059] As disclosed above, the second end 124 of the operation arm 118 moves in the upward direction results in the movement of the third link structure 130 in the upward direction, the third link structure connects the second latch 108 to a lower side of the second end 124 of the operation arm 118 for opening the second latch 108.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 4, the connector 136 positioned on an upper end of the slot 134 of the slot mechanism provided in a fourth link structure 132 connecting the inside handle 112 to the upper side of the second end 124 of the operation arm 118 of the link component 116 is moved to a lower end of the slot 134 and avoids the moment of the fourth link structure 132.
[0061] Thereby, with the implementation of the present disclosure, a simple, non-complex, an easy to implement system is achieved for the simultaneous operation of twin latches, where an operative position of one handle would not affect the operative of the position of another handle during the operation.
[0062] The major criteria of the present disclosure are to instantaneously operate the unlatching of the twin latches 102,108 installed in a vehicle sliding door either by the inside handle or the outside handle at a time. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are completely similar to one another as the components involved in both the cases are similar but the steps involved to accomplished the task are completely different from one another.
[0063] Thus, with the system and the method described in the present disclosure, various technical problems of the state of the art are resolved. Also, although a number of exemplary method options are described herein, those skilled in the art can appreciate that the system and the method that helps in the simultaneous operation of twin latches of a vehicle sliding door, without deviating from the scope of the subject matter of the present disclosure.
[0064] Further, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are included within its scope.
[0065] Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be only for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Also, the various embodiments described herein are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments.
[0066] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

Claims:1. A system (100) for simultaneous operation of twin latches of a vehicle sliding door (106), the system comprising:
a first latch (102) mounted at a front end (104) of the vehicle sliding door (106);
a second latch (108) mounted at a rear end (110) of the vehicle sliding door (106);
an inside handle (112) mounted on an inner side of the vehicle sliding door (106);
an outside handle (114) mounted on an outer side of the vehicle sliding door (106);
a link component (116) having an operation arm (118) which is pivotable at its center point (120),
on a first end (122) of the operation arm (118), a first link structure (126) connecting the first latch (102) to a lower side of the operation arm (118) and a second link structure (128) connecting an outside handle (114) to an upper side of the operation arm (118);
on a second end (124) of the operation arm (118), a third link structure (130) connecting the second latch (108) to the upper side of the operation arm (118) and a fourth link structure (132) connecting an inside handle (112) to the upper side of the operation arm (118);
wherein the second link structure (128) and the fourth link structure (132) are provided with a slot mechanism to delink the movement of the outside handle (114) with the movement of the inside handle (112) while operating both the first (102) and second latches (108) of a vehicle sliding door (106).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a connector (140) connecting the outside handle (114) to the upper side of the first end (122) of the operation arm (118) is positioned on the upper end of a slot (138) of the slot mechanism provided in the second link structure (128).
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a connector (136) connecting the inside handle (112) to the upper side of the second end (124) of the operation arm (118) is positioned on the upper end of a slot (134) of the slot mechanism provided in the fourth link structure (132).
4. A method for simultaneous operation of twin latches of a vehicle sliding door (106) while operating an outside handle (114), the method comprising:
pushing a connector positioned on a upper end of a slot mechanism (126) provided in a second link structure, the second link structure connecting the outside handle (114) to an upper side of a first end (122) of an operation arm (118) of a link component (116);
simultaneously pushing a first link structure connecting a first latch (102) to a lower side of the first end (122) of the operation arm (118) for opening the first latch (102);
simultaneously pulling a third link structure connecting a second latch (108) to a lower side of a second end (124) of the operation arm (118) for opening the second latch (108); and
maintaining the position of a fourth link structure (132) connecting an inside handle (112) to an upper side of the second end (124) of the operation arm (118), wherein a connector (136) connecting the inside handle (112) to the upper side of the second end (124) of the operation arm (118) is being moved from an upper-end position to a lower end position within a slot (134) of the slot mechanism provided in the fourth link structure (132).
5. A method for simultaneous operation of twin latches of a vehicle sliding door (106) while operating an inside handle (112), the method comprising:
pulling a connector (136) positioned on an upper end of a slot mechanism (126) provided in a fourth link structure, the fourth link structure connecting the inside handle (112) to an upper side of a second end (124) of an operation arm (118) of a link component (116);
simultaneously pulling a third link structure connecting a second latch (108) to a lower side of the second end (124) of the operation arm (118) for opening the second latch (108);
simultaneously pushing a first link structure connecting a first latch (102) to a lower side of a first end (112) of the operation arm (118) for opening the first latch (102); and
maintaining position of a second link structure (128) connecting an outside handle (114) to an upper side of the first end (122) of the operation arm (118), wherein a connector (140) connecting the outside handle (114) to the upper side of the first end (122) of the operation arm (118) is being moved from an upper end position to a lower-end position within a slot (138) of the slot mechanism provided in the second link structure (128).