ADVANCED MODULAR SLIDING (AMS) DOOR SYSTEM

Abstract

A sliding door system includes a support guidance for suspending a door leaf with respect to a framework. A steering track is fixed to the framework and an engaging front lever is mounted at a front edge of the door leaf. The support guidance is arranged independent from a steer guidance which provides a design freedom in which a rigidity of the support guidance can be increased independent from the steer guidance. The steer guidance can be designed with a compact configuration. A mechanical chain of connections of the door leaf to the swing shaft can be made more robust by adapting at least one of a slide bar, a sliding carriage and a swing arm, such that a substantial support of the door leaf is provided by this mechanical chain of connections.

Claims

1. A vehicle sliding door system, in particular a vehicle sliding door system for transport vehicles comprising a framework and at least one door leaf having a front edge and a rear edge which door leaf is displaceable relative to the framework by a sliding motion in a transversal direction of the door leaf from a closed position to an open position to provide a doorway in the framework and which door leaf is suspended from the framework by a support guidance, wherein the support guidance comprises: a swing shaft with a swing arm which swing shaft is swingable about a swing axis to enable a plug out motion of the door leaf with respect to the framework; a slide bar which extends in the transversal direction of the door leaf and which slide bar is mounted to the door leaf; a sliding carriage slidably mounted to the slide bar and pivotally about a carriage pivot axis connected to a distal end of the swing arm; wherein the sliding door system further comprises a steer guidance for guiding the sliding motion of the door leaf in which the steer guidance includes a steering track extending in the transversal direction and in which the front edge of the door leaf is coupled to the steering track by a front lever, and wherein the steering track is fixedly mounted to the framework.

2. The vehicle sliding door system according to claim 1, wherein the slide bar is positioned within a plane formed by a door leaf frame.

3. The vehicle sliding door system according to claim 1, wherein the sliding door system comprises only a single slide bar for carrying the door leaf.

4. The vehicle sliding door system according to claim 1, wherein the sliding carriage has a carriage housing for housing a first and second roller pair, wherein the first and second roller pair are spaced at a distance of at least 5 cm from each other.

5. The vehicle sliding door system according to claim 4, wherein the carriage pivot axis extends through the carriage housing in between the first and second roller pair.

6. The vehicle sliding door system according to claim 1, wherein the swing arm comprises a first and second swing arm lever.

7. The vehicle sliding door system according to claim 6, wherein the carriage housing is sandwiched in between the first and second swing arm lever.

8. The vehicle sliding door system according to claim 6, wherein at least one spacer support is positioned in between the first and second swing arm lever.

9. The vehicle sliding door system according to claim 1, wherein the front edge of the door leaf is connected to the steering track by a plate shaped front lever body which is oriented in a horizontal plane.

10. The vehicle sliding door system according to claim 1, wherein a track follower for engagement with the steering track is positioned at a free end of the front lever body, wherein the track follower comprises a track wheel oriented in a horizontal plane for engagement with the steering track to steer an angular position of the door leaf about a vertical axis.

11. The vehicle sliding door system according to claim 1, wherein the sliding door system is a plug and sliding door system, in particular a passenger vehicle plug and sliding door system.

12. The vehicle sliding door system according to claim 1 further comprising a plug guidance for causing a plugging motion of the door leaf, wherein the plug guidance comprises a plug wheel in engagement with a plug track at the door leaf which plug track is provided with an unplug cam profile (902), wherein the plug wheel is connected to a distal end of the swing arm.

13. The vehicle sliding door system according to claim 1, wherein the sliding door system is a single-leaf system or double-leaf system.

14. A transport vehicle comprising a vehicle sliding door system according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the appended drawings. The drawings show a practical embodiment according to the invention, which may not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. Specific features may also be considered apart from the shown embodiment and may be taken into account in a broader context as a delimiting feature, not only for the shown embodiment but as a common feature for all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims, in which:

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a preferred embodiment of a sliding door system according to the invention;

[0042] FIGS. 2-5 show an enlarged view under several viewing angles of a rigid connection at an upper region of a door leaf which is formed by a slide bar engaged by a sliding carriage being sandwiched in between a lower and upper swing arm lever of a rotatable swing shaft;

[0043] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the sliding door system of FIG. 1 in which a door leaf is held in a closed position within a framework;

[0044] FIG. 7 shows in an enlarged view an embodiment of the rigid connection formed by a swing arm out of a pair of swing arm levers;

[0045] FIG. 8 shows in a perspective view a steer guidance formed by a front lever mounted at a front edge of the door leaf which front lever has a track follower which is in engagement with a steering track;

[0046] FIGS. 9-11 show the sliding door system in a top view in which the door leaf is in an open position; and

[0047] FIGS. 12-14 show a suspension of the door leaf in the open position in which the suspension is situated at the swing shaft and formed by the slide bar, the sliding carriage, the swing arm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] In FIGS. 1-14, a sliding door system according to the invention is denoted overall by reference numeral 1. The sliding door system is a mass transit vehicle sliding door system arranged to open or close a doorway for passengers. A mass transit vehicle may be a railway train or a bus car.

[0049] Identical reference signs are used in the drawings to indicate identical or functionally similar components. To facilitate comprehension of the description and of the claims the words vertical, horizontal, longitudinal, cross-sectional and a coordinate system X, Y, Z shown in the drawingswith reference to gravity and common placement of the sliding door system in a vehicleare used in a non-limiting way.

[0050] FIG. 1 and corresponding figures show a coordinate system including a X-, Y-, Z-axis. The Z-axis defines a height or vertical direction. The X- and Y-axis define a XY plane which is a horizontal plane, in which the X-direction defines a vehicle length direction in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and the Y-direction defines a vehicle width direction of the vehicle. The X- and Z axis define a XZ-plane which is a vertical plane in length direction. The Y- and Z-axis define a YZ-plane which is a vertical plane in width direction.

[0051] Commonly, the sliding door system is positioned at a left or right side of a vehicle chassis, such that a door leaf is placed in the vertical XZ-plane of the vehicle. A width of the door leaf is then measured in the length direction of the vehicle. Hence, a transversal direction of the door leaf is considered in the X-direction. A thickness of the door leaf is considered in the Y direction. A height of the door leaf is considered in the Z-direction.

[0052] FIG. 1 shows the sliding door system having a framework 2 and a door leaf 3. The door leaf is suspended from the framework 2. The door leaf is movable with respect to the framework 2 by a sliding motion from a closed position CPas shown in FIG. 1-8to an open position OP as shown in FIG. 9-14. The sliding motion is a movement of the door leaf 3 in the transversal direction, the X-direction. A drive system for driving the door leaf is not shown. Here, the sliding motion is combined with a plug motion. A plug/unplug motion is a rotational movement of the door leaf 3 about a vertical axis A-A to move the door leaf 3 respectively in or out the framework 2 in the Y-direction.

[0053] The framework to may be an item of the sliding door system itself. Generally, the framework 2 is at least partially formed by a chassis of a vehicle. In supplying the sliding door system for installation into the vehicle, an auxiliary framework, a so called cassette system, for holding components may be used to install the sliding door system 1 into the chassis of the vehicle.

[0054] The door leaf 3 has a door window 30 which is mounted to a door leaf frame 33, also called a window frame. The door leaf frame comprises a front frame profile 331 and a rear frame profile 332 which extends in a vertical direction. The front frame profile 331 forms a front edge or so called leading edge of the door leaf 3. The rear frame profile 332 forms a rear edge or so called trailing edge of the door leaf 3.

[0055] The door leaf 3 is suspended from the framework 2 by a support guidance 10. The support guidance 10 comprises several components which are further illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0056] The support guidance 10 comprises a swing shaft 4 which is pivotable about a vertical swing axis 04. The swing shaft 4 is provided with at least one swing arm 41. Here, an upper swing arm 411 is positioned at an upper region of the swing shaft 4 and a lower swing arm 412 is positioned at a lower region of the swing shaft. Each swing arm 41 has a free end which is connected to the door leaf.

[0057] The support guidance 10 comprises a slide bar 5. The slide bar 5 has a slide bar body 50 which has a circular cross-section. In particular, the slide bar has an outer diameter of at least 15 mm, in particular at least 20 mm. The slide bar 5 extends in a transversal direction and is mounted to the door leaf 3. The slide bar 5 has a straight bar body 50. Preferably, the slide bar 5 is a straight bar about a total bar length.

[0058] Here, at only both ends 51, 52, the slide bar is mounted to the door leaf. The slide bar 5 has an unmounted length bridging a distance of at least 50 cm between the front edge and the rear edge of the door leaf 3. The slide bar 5 forms part of the door leaf frame. The slide bar 5 is positioned in a plane formed by the door leaf frame. A first slide bar end 51 is mounted to the front frame profile 331 and a second slide bar end 52 is mounted to the rear frame profile 332.

[0059] The support guidance 10 comprises a sliding carriage 6. The sliding carriage is movable along the slide bar 5. The sliding carriage is movable along the straight bar body 50. The sliding carriage operates with a rectilinear motion along the straight bar body 50. The sliding carriage has a carriage housing 60 for housing a first roller pair 61 and a second roller pair 62. The first roller pair 61 is spaced at a distance of at least 5 cm, in particular at least 8 cm from the second roller pair 62. The carriage housing 60 is pivotally connected to the upper swing arm 411 about a carriage pivot axis 06. The carriage pivot axis 06 extends in parallel with the swing axis 04. Here, the carriage pivot axis 06 is positioned in between the first and second roller pair 61, 62. The carriage pivot axis 06 extends through the carriage housing.

[0060] Here, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 7, the carriage housing 60 is sandwiched in between a first swing arm lever 45 and a second swing arm lever 46. The carriage housing 60 together with the swing arm levers 45, 46 form a spatial arrangement of the swing arm 41 which contributes to its rigidity. At least one spacer support 47 is positioned in between the first and second swing arm lever 45, 46. Here, the at least one spacer support 47 is bush-shaped. Preferably, the spacer support is welded in between the first and second swing arm lever 45, 46. The interconnection by the spacer support 47 further increases a rigidity of the swing arm 41.

[0061] Thus, the door leaf 3 is suspended to the framework 2 by the support guidance 10 which is formed by a mechanical chain of connections of the swing shaft 4, the connected sliding carriage 6 and slide bar 5. These components 4, 5 and 6 of the structure have a robust configuration. A weight of the door leaf 3 is substantially carried by these components. A structure of other components can be down sized.

[0062] As further shown in the top view of FIG. 6, to obtain a proper motion of the door leaf 3 with respect to the framework 2, the sliding door system further comprises a steer guidance 7. The steer guidance 7 includes a steering track 70. In particular, the steering track is a linear steering track. The steering track 70 is immovably mounted to the framework 2. The steering track 70 is fixed to the framework 2. The door leaf 3 is connected with the steering track 70 by a front lever 71. The front lever 71 is mounted at the front edge 31 of the door leaf 3 and in engagement with the steering track 70 by a track follower 75.

[0063] Here, the track follower 75 comprises a track wheel 751. The track wheel is oriented in the XY-plane, the horizontal plane. The horizontally oriented track wheel 751 is in engagement with the steering track 70, such that an angular position of the door leaf 3 about a vertical axis is determined.

[0064] The suspension of the door leaf 3 may be fully carried out by the sliding carriage 6. Here, an auxiliary track wheel 752 is connected with the front lever 71 to allow the steering track 70 to provide some further support to the door leaf which is especially beneficial in an extreme position of the door leaf, in particular in a position of the door leaf 3 nearby the closed position CP. As a load of the door leaf mainly acts at the support guidance situated at the swing shaft, the front lever 71 at the front edge 31 of the door leaf can have a reduced dimension in height direction.

[0065] Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the front lever 71 has a front lever base 710 for mounting the front lever 71 to the door leaf 3 and a front lever body 711 extending away from the front lever base 710. The front lever base 710 is formed by an angled profile. The front lever body 711 is plate shaped and connected to the front lever base 710 body 711. The plate shaped front lever body 711 is oriented in the horizontal plane.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 8, the front lever body 711 has a free end. A track wheel 751 is positioned at the free end of the front lever body 711. The track wheel 751 is rotatable about a vertical axis and hence oriented in the horizontal plane to run along a vertically oriented track. An auxiliary track wheel 752 is positioned nearby the track wheel 751. The auxiliary track wheel 752 is oriented in the vertical plane (rotatable about a horizontal axis) to engage with a horizontally oriented track which may provide some additional support to the door leaf.

[0067] In particular FIGS. 8 and 13 show a plug guidance 9. The plug guidance 9 is formed by a plug track 90 which cooperates with a plug wheel 91. The plug track 90 has an elongated plug track body which is provided with a running track. The plug track 90 has a running track including a linear cam profile 901 and an unplug cam profile 902. The linear cam profile 901 extends along the elongated plug track body. The unplug cam profile 902 is situated at a heading portion of the plug track body. In the closed position of the door leaf, the plug wheel 91 is in engagement with the unplug cam profile 902. In an initial movement of the swing shaft 4, the plug wheel 91 runs along the unplug cam profile 902 causing the door leaf 3 to plug out from the framework 2. Subsequently, when the movement of the swing shaft 4 continuous and the door leaf has moved out sufficiently far, a sliding motion of the door leaf 3 can be started in which the plug wheel 91 runs along the linear cam profile 901 until the door leaf 3 is in the open position as shown in FIG. 13.

[0068] FIG. 12 shows a frontal view of the door leaf 3 in the open position seen from an outside. In the open position, the door leaf is carried at one side. The suspension of the door leaf is carried out by the support guidance 10 located at the swing shaft. The sliding carriage 6 is carrying the door leaf 3 by an engagement with the slide bar 50 which is part of the door leaf frame. A point of gravity of the door leaf 3 is located aside the sliding carriage 6. The first and second roller pair 61, 62 compensate for an introduced momentum in the XZ plane about a Y axis. In addition, the first and second roller pair 61, 62 which each has a concave running profile also compensate for a rotation about a Z axis.

[0069] Numerous variants are possible in addition to the embodiment shown in the figures. For example, in a variant of the illustrated embodiment of the sliding door system, an alternative embodiment of the sliding door system may comprise a second assembly of a connection by a slide bar, sliding carriage and swing arm at a lower region of the door leaf.

[0070] Although the present invention has been described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. It is intended that all such changes and modifications be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure and claims.

[0071] Further, it is remarked that any feature of the sliding door system according to the invention which is described in the embodiments and/or mentioned in the dependent claims is in itself considered patentable without any dependency to another presented feature. In particular, any measure presented in a dependent claim is also considered patentable without dependency of the independent claim.

[0072] Thus, the invention provides a sliding door system comprising a support guidance for suspending a door leaf with respect to a framework, wherein the support guidance is formed by a slide bar, a sliding carriage, and a swing shaft with a swing arm, wherein a steer guidance is provided including a steering track fixed to the framework and an engaging front lever mounted at a front edge of the door leaf.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0073] CP closed position [0074] OP open position [0075] 1 sliding door system [0076] 2 framework [0077] 3 door leaf [0078] 30 door window [0079] 31 front edge; leading edge [0080] 32 rear edge; trailing edge [0081] 33 door leaf frame; window frame [0082] 331 front frame profile [0083] 332 rear frame profile [0084] 10 support guidance [0085] 4 swing shaft [0086] 04 swing axis [0087] 41 swing arm [0088] 411 upper swing arm [0089] 412 lower swing arm [0090] 45 first swing arm lever [0091] 46 second swing arm lever [0092] 47 spacer support [0093] 5 slide bar [0094] 50 slide bar body [0095] 51 first slide bar end [0096] 52 second slide bar end [0097] 6 sliding carriage [0098] 06 carriage pivot axis [0099] 60 carriage housing [0100] 61 first roller pair [0101] 62 second roller pair [0102] 7 steer guidance [0103] 70 steering track [0104] 71 front lever [0105] 710 front lever base [0106] 711 front lever body [0107] 75 track follower [0108] 751 track wheel; horizontally oriented track wheel [0109] 752 auxiliary track wheel; [0110] 9 plug guidance [0111] 90 plug track [0112] 901 linear cam profile [0113] 902 unplug cam profile [0114] 91 plug wheel