AFTER

AND HERE’S HOW THE EDSCHA SLIDING DOOR WORKS:

■ On the C pillar there is a

deflecting support with a

spring actuator. On the inside

of the door, at the same

height, there is a guide rail

hidden by a blind. It is connec-

ted to the deflecting support

via a roller carrier. Behind this

MORE RAIL TRAFFIC

Around 4,000 hours were invested in engineering and model making to complete the first fully functional prototype based on

aMercedes-Benz Vaneo. Since the begin- ning of 2003, Ruigrok and his colleagues have been calling on the development departments of the OEM with it – and meeting with keen interest. They are already developing made-to-order concepts on

behalf of customers. Practically as a sideline, hobby sculptor Ruigrok also is tinkering with an electric drive for the system, and with his latest vision: sliding doors for driver and rear passengers that open in opposite directions.

With no B pillar, they would open up the entire side of the passenger compartment – the ultimate in accessibility. The first concept sketches are already awaiting his attention.

Christiane Nadol

roller carrier there is a second

roller carrier parked at the end

of the door.

■ When the door is opened,

the deflecting support swings

out, the door lifts out and over

the support, parallel to the

body, and is pushed over the

first roller carrier towards the

PRINCIPLE DIAGRAM OF SLIDING DOOR*

Deflecting support

Closed position

Guide rail in car roof

First swing movement of 37 degrees
Fully swung out

Fold-away cantilever

Passive roller carrier

 

 

Active roller carrier

Catch pin

Fully opened

*further developed version with straight guide rail

rear.

■ The swinging out of the

deflecting support has simulta-

neously caused a control rod

to trigger a catch pin; the pin

jumps about 60 mm out of

the fender and is now ready to

receive the passive roller

carrier.

■ When the door – and with

it the parked roller carrier –

reaches the catch pin, the

roller carrier engages the pin.

From half the length of its

opening travel, the door is

therefore securely guided over

the second roller carrier until

the entire width of the door

opening is exposed.

edwin 02 2003 19