EP0900313B1 - Device for opening and closing a sliding door, in particular for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device provided with a driving unit (1) which performs the shift and has a linear drive (8,12) provided with an electric motor (5), and a guide device (9,11). The driven member, formed to be linear, of the linear drive (12) and a member of the guide device (9) are fastened on one hand to the door (3), and the driving member of the linear drive (5,7,8) and the other member of the guide device (11) are fastened on the other hand to a mounting (6) which is supported by way of a support arrangement (22, 23, 24, 25, 26) connected to the wall(4). Said support arrangement converts a movement of the mounting substantially perpendicular to the wall into a swinging movement. A locking unit driven by an electric motor is also provided which locks and unlocks the sliding door by performing a movement perpendicular to the wall when it is positioned to close the opening. Control means which has position switches controls the driving and locking unit.

Description

The invention relates to a device for opening and Closing a sliding door, especially for vehicles.

Sliding doors are especially intended for vehicles, in which from the side access to the interior of the vehicle is provided, for example at Minibuses or transport vehicles. Such Sliding door is generally designed so that in the locking or locking position flush with the closes surrounding body and in the open state parallel offset to the wall in at least a guide rail along the body movable is.

Recently, there is an increasing need, in particular for certain purposes, for example for Taxis, loading vehicles, patient transport or the like, move such a sliding door automatically and to be able to close.

From DE-A-38 31 698 is a device for opening and closing a sliding door, in particular for Vehicles known to have an opening in a wall closes. The device has one with a Electric motor provided linear drive, designed as a tensioned chain with a pinion engaging therewith, for moving the sliding door parallel to the wall of the vehicle and for swinging a the Sliding door carrying bracket on. Besides, one is Guiding device consisting of one on the sliding door attached guide rail and on the bracket fixed guide rollers for guiding the sliding door provided substantially parallel to the wall. The linearly driven driven element of the linear drive, So the taut chain, is stuck to the Sliding door installed. The bracket is over with a the wall-related support arrangement, designed as a handlebar parallelogram, supported. The pivot levers of the Lenkerparallelogramms are for one on the wall and the other on the bracket each articulated with vertical axes of rotation stored so that they provide a support function for the sliding door exercise. The drive motor is fixed on one of the handlebar parallelogram belonging Pivoting lever attached, indicating a movement of the bracket the sliding door is substantially perpendicular to the wall transform into a pivoting movement.

This prior art device has the Disadvantage that extensive measures on the vehicle chassis necessary to mount a parallelogram, which swing out the sliding door and carry can. This is especially when retrofitting the device for opening and closing the sliding door of big disadvantage. Another disadvantage is that despite the automatic locking process the actual locking not done automatically, this can be a security risk represent.

From WO 93/17211 is a device for opening and Closing a horizontally movable vehicle door known to be a worm connected to the body having. The worm is in one Rail added. On the screw is a cart arranged, the translationally movable in the rail is, with the worm driven by a motor becomes. The car is muted with the door over Connecting rod connected, preferably an angle of less than 25 ° to the worm occupies. Furthermore, in the door is a locking or unlocking device provided that the supply or Unlocking carried out via an electromagnet becomes.

The generic DE 295 15 518 U1 shows a drive system for sliding doors. To the drive means to connect this drive system with the sliding door, is on the inside of the sliding door a retaining rail glued to which a guide rail and a Rack are attached. Run in the guide rail several rollers, which in turn on a motor base plate are attached. This is the engine base plate slidable in the direction parallel to the sliding door stored and in the direction perpendicular to the sliding door supported. On the base plate is an electric motor flanged, whose motor axis is a drive pinion which meshes with the rack. To the main drive for the sliding door in the direction of Direction of movement of the sliding door with respect to the body support, a push rod is provided, the connected to the engine base plate through a rubber bushing is. This push rod is opposite the body perpendicular to the direction of movement of the sliding door with the body mounted displaced. Besides, one is Auxiliary drive provided, which with a Zugkralle the sliding door can pull into its closed position, Auxiliary and main drive are controlled by a control unit coordinated with positioners.

The invention is based on the object, a device for opening and closing a sliding door too create that safely opens and closes the door or locked and a simple structure and a has a small footprint and thus good for Retrofitting is suitable.

This object is achieved by the recited in claim 1 Characteristics solved.

By the measures specified in the dependent claims are advantageous developments and improvements possible.

According to the present invention, the device is for opening and closing a sliding door, which in at least one provided on a wall of the vehicle Longitudinal guide is arranged slidably, with a driving unit provided that the sliding movement performs and the one provided with an electric motor Has linear drive and a guide device. Here is a linear trained, driven Element of the linear drive and an element of the guide device on the one hand at the door and one with the said linear trained and door side fastened driven element cooperating driving Element and the electric motor as well as the other, with the door-side guide element cooperating element the guide device on the other hand on a holder attached, which communicates with the wall via a wall standing support arrangement is supported. The support arrangement is with at least one, on the one hand with the holder in connection and on the other hand at a bearing point connected to the wall each pivotally mounted pivot lever provided the movement of the holder substantially perpendicular to the wall in a pivoting movement or in transferred a sliding and pivoting movement. Farther is one of said or another Electric motor driven locking unit provided, the sliding door in its closing the opening Position under execution of a movement vertically locked and unlocked to the wall. A control device, has the means for position detection, controls the driving and locking unit.

Due to this design, the device for Opening and closing a sliding door so constructed be that it has a relatively simple construction and due to the transfer of the movement of the Holder of the driving unit substantially perpendicular to Wall in a pivoting movement is a space-saving Execution possible. Especially when retrofitting the Device for opening and closing a sliding door in existing vehicles, such as these handicapped accessible to equip or a conventional minibus Rebuilding to a safety van is the mainstay the longitudinal guide provided on the vehicle, for example, to maintain the supporting function of the sliding door, a decisive advantage, because therefore the conversion costs can be kept low.

The locking unit advantageously has a linearly displaceable locking element and a with engaging element engaging the locking element on, wherein the locking element and / or the engagement element are designed such that the process of engaging simultaneously with the movement is carried out perpendicular to the wall. The is preferably achieved in that the outer surface the locking element and / or the engagement element is formed obliquely.

It is particularly advantageous that the linear drive with Electric motor and the guide device and the holder the driving unit to form a preassembled Unit on a preferably trough-shaped carrier part are arranged. Because of this design may be the assembly of the device for opening and closing are greatly simplified because the individual parts of the driving unit on the support part can be pre-assembled, so that for the assembly of Drive unit the carrier part only with the door, for example, by gluing or screwing, connected becomes.

A particularly simple design of the linear drive is the realization as a rack with one of the Electric motor driven pinion and accordingly is an advantageous embodiment of the guide device an implementation as a linear guide rail with a runner car that at least partially surrounds it, where advantageously the runner car the location of the bracket is attached to the greatest force attacks.

It is also advantageous that the pivot lever of the supporting device as displaceable in a guide sleeve arranged push rod is formed, wherein the guide sleeve rotatable or pivotable on the Storage is stored. Thereby the movement becomes perpendicular to the door or wall in a sliding movement the pivot lever or the push rod in the Guide sleeve and a pivoting movement of the guide sleeve transferred. The pivoting movement of the Guide sleeve around a parallel to the wall Axis instead.

In certain cases, it may be advantageous that the push rod at the same time as engagement element the Locking unit forms, wherein the locking element has a cone or an inclined surface, which slides along the circumference of the push rod.

The locking element can partially as a rack be formed by one with the electric motor in connection with the pinion is drivable.

In a further advantageous embodiment the pivot lever is designed as a rod, on the one hand preferably via a ball joint at the bearing and on the other hand preferably via a ball joint on a fixed to the bracket another lever is attached. Of course you can also other joints, e.g. Cardan joints, provided be. In this arrangement, the pivoting movement of the pivot lever or the further lever in executed a horizontal plane, wherein advantageously the levers in the fully open and in the fully closed state such Take a position outside the dead center is located, with the dead center defined as a position is, in which the pivot lever parallel to the wall lies and with the other lever an angle of 90 ° occupies.

It is particularly advantageous that the rack of the Locking unit adjacent to the rack of the Drive unit is arranged on the door such that for the driving unit and for the locking unit only an electric motor with pinion must be provided and the pinion one after the other with the one rack and then engaged with the other rack occurs. Due to this arrangement, the inventive Device further simplified and cheaper be formed.

Due to the provision of an anti-trap device, which is connected to the control device, and the upon application of a predetermined force the door opposite to the sliding movement the Electric motor of the drive unit shuts off or his Switching the direction of rotation, is an insert of the device for opening and closing also in passenger traffic possible. A simple mechanical anti-trap device is formed by the fact that the bearing of the pivoting lever against a defined, variably adjustable preload force displaceable is stored or the lever itself against a variable adjustable spring force lengthened or shortened is, and that one with the control device connected switching device is provided which depends from the displacement a signal for the control of the electric motor is. Because of such Training becomes a force when closing the door is exercised on them, for example, due to a Obstacle in the opening of the door, like one Arms or a person's hand, directly on the one with transferring the preloaded bearing, and if this force is greater than the preload force, Switches the assigned to the storage location Switching device and outputs a signal to the control device, which drives the electric motor. The Switching device can be designed differently be, there are all kinds possible, For example, an electromechanical switch, a inductive, capacitive magnetic, piezoelectric Switching device or the like.

Preferably, sensors are provided which are the beginning and detect the end of the sliding path and a corresponding one Provide signal to the controller, which override the anti-trap device, otherwise these are due to the acceleration force when approaching the door from the open position in the Closed position, which is greater than the force that is required for switching the switching device, and due to the friction force at the end of the displacement, which is also greater than the switching force, would appeal, resulting in an oscillating motion could lead.

Preferably, the locking unit is so arranged that the locking element or the Engagement element at the location of the usually provided Lock the sliding door is provided. This does not require additional official approval the installation of the locking unit made become.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Ansicht auf ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel der Fahreinheit quer zur Schiebetür,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Aufsicht auf die Hebelanordnung des Ausführungsbeispiels nach Fig. 1, wobei zusätzlich die Einklemmschutzvorrichtung vorgesehen ist,

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht auf ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Verriegelungseinheit,

Fig. 4

eine Aufsicht auf die Verriegelungseinheit nach Fig. 3,

Fig. 5a

eine schematische Ansicht auf Teile der Fahreinheit und der Verriegelungseinheit nach einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung,

Fig. 5b

eine Ansicht der Anordnung nach Fig. 5a quer zur Schiebetür,

Fig. 6

eine schematische Ansicht auf die Fahreinheit und auf die Verriegelungseinheit nach einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung quer zur Schiebetür,

Fig. 7

eine Ansicht entsprechend Fig. 6, aber im verriegelten Zustand,

Fig. 8

eine schematische Ansicht auf die Verriegelungseinheit nach Fig. 6 und Fig. 7 parallel zur Wandung und

Fig. 9

Ausgestaltung des Schwenkhebels 24.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic view of a first embodiment of the drive unit transverse to the sliding door,

Fig. 2

a schematic plan view of the lever arrangement of the embodiment of FIG. 1, wherein additionally the anti-trap device is provided,

Fig. 3

a side view of an embodiment of the locking unit,

Fig. 4

a plan view of the locking unit of FIG. 3,

Fig. 5a

a schematic view of parts of the driving unit and the locking unit according to another embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 5b

a view of the arrangement according to Fig. 5a transverse to the sliding door,

Fig. 6

a schematic view of the driving unit and the locking unit according to another embodiment of the invention across the sliding door,

Fig. 7

a view corresponding to FIG. 6, but in the locked state,

Fig. 8

a schematic view of the locking unit of FIG. 6 and Fig. 7 parallel to the wall and

Fig. 9

Design of the pivot lever 24th

The in Figs. 1 to 9 illustrated device for Opening and closing a sliding door, in particular of vehicles, consists of a driving unit 1 (e.g., Fig. 1) and a locking unit 2 (e.g. FIGS. 3,4), wherein the driving unit 1 for a movement the sliding door 3 substantially in the longitudinal direction to Vehicle and the locking unit 2 for a movement for closing or locking the sliding door 3 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The Sliding door 3 is offset parallel in the open state arranged to the body and runs in at least one provided on the body, not shown leadership, with this guide on her one end is slightly curved inwards, so that the Sliding door 3 in the area of the opening in an in Longitudinal direction to the wall and perpendicular to the wall assembled movement moved to the opening , whereby the closing or locking path, which is controlled by the locking unit 2, is small, i. the door gets so close to the body Forcibly brought by the leadership that only a very small distance through the locking unit 2 is to be bridged.

The driving unit has as an essential driving part a traction motor 5, which on a base plate. 6 is attached. The motor shaft 7 of the drive motor. 5 freely rotates through the base plate and carries a drive pinion 8. A linear guide rail 9, extending over the full width of the Sliding door 3 extends, is about a bracket 10th firmly connected to the sliding door 3. The linear guide rail 9 runs in a runner 11 and vice versa, which is bolted to the base plate 6. At the bracket 10 is also over the entire Width of the sliding door 3 a rack 12 attached, with the driven by the electric motor 5 Pinion 8 is engaged.

The linear guide rail 9 has in the immediate Near the edges on both sides of each edge in the longitudinal direction extending, not shown grooves, the have the shape of a spherical section in cross section. The rotor carriage 11 overlaps U-shaped or Dovetail the guide rail 9. In the the guide grooves assigned positions, the Runner trolley 11 recesses for receiving balls in a row, such that there are four rows of balls are in the associated guide grooves run off the guide rail 9.

On the base plate 6, a lever 22 is approximately in the middle firmly attached to the rectangular runner carriage 11, the via a ball joint 23 with a rod 24 is connected via a second ball joint 25 at a fixed to the chassis 4 of the vehicle Bearing 26 is articulated. The depository 26 can be in the step area of the opening of the vehicle or at another suitable location, e.g. below the vehicle floor, be provided.

FIG. 2 shows parts of the device according to FIG. 1, Here additionally an anti-trap device 40 is provided. The bearing 26 is in this case attached to a sliding part 41, which in Embodiment two holes for receiving on each axis 42 arranged slide bushes 43 has. The axes 42 are one with the Chassis 4 connected support member 44 attached. The support member 44 has angles between which the sliding bushes 43 and the sliding part 41st are arranged and leaves a longitudinal displacement movement of the sliding part 41 in predetermined limits. Between the support member 44 and slide member 41 is a arranged on a shaft 45 compression spring 46th provided, wherein the compression spring 46 is connected to a the support member 44 connected counter-holder 47 and a nut 48 connected to the sliding part 41 supported. The by the compression spring 46 on the sliding part 41 applied biasing force is adjustable. For example, this is considered one possible Variant realized in that in the shaft 45 more Holes 63 are present. With the help of a Washer 62 and a pin 61, in one of the holes 63 is pressed, the Vorspannweg and thus the biasing force of the spring 46 can be adjusted. With the support member 44 is a microswitch 49 arranged, the switching contact with the sliding part 41 cooperates. The microswitch 49 is with connected to the control device, not shown, the u.a. the traction motor 5 of the driving unit 1 controls. The sliding on the sliding bushes 43 sliding part 41, the compression spring 46 and the microswitch 49 form together an anti-pinch device that triggered is when one in the direction of the door force directed towards the open position under consideration the transmission losses greater than that Force of the compression spring 46 is, causing the Displacement part 41 in the indicated by the arrow 50 Direction (shift direction in open position) shifts.

Of course, another embodiment of the anti-trap device 40 may be provided. For example, only one axle 42 can be provided with slide bushing 43. It is essential that the bearing 26 is slidably mounted against a biasing force and triggers a switch in their longitudinal displacement.
It may also be an anti-trap device according to FIG. 9 is provided, which provides a fixed bearing 26 and a variable-length pivot lever 24 (in the embodiment 70). This is a telescopic rod 70, the components 78, 80 against the force of a spring 72 can be moved into each other. Depending on the arrangement of the components 78, 80, the telescopic rod may be formed as a tensile or as a pressure execution. The biasing force of the spring 72 can be regulated by means of a screw 74. For a given force, which has a certain change in length of the telescopic rod 70 result, an initiator 76 is actuated, which is connected to a control device, not shown, which controls, inter alia, the traction motor 5 of the driving unit 1.

In the Fign. 3 and 4 is one in connection with the Driving unit 1 working locking unit 2 shown the same one with the not shown Control device connected electric motor 30, which has a retaining plate 31 with the Chassis 4 or the wall of the vehicle is connected. On the shaft 32 of the motor 30 sits a pinion 33, which is engaged with a rack 34. The Rack 34 is in a non-illustrated Guided guided, firmly connected to the chassis is, and has at its end a locking element 35, with one attached to the door Engaging element, which is usually the trap, comes into contact. As can be seen in FIG. 4 is, the locking element 35 has a sloping surface and the engaging element 36 is with a curved surface provided. When advancing the rack or the locking element 35 is the door 3 when sliding along the inclined surface of the Locking element 35 on the curved surface of the engaging member 36 in the by the arrow 39 drawn direction. The engaging element 36 and the locking member 35 may also be in another Be wise, it is essential that simultaneously with the transfer of the locking element 35 in the locked position, the door 3rd is moved perpendicular to the wall. The same applies to the transfer to the open position.

The engaging element 36 and the locking element 35, i. the rack should be arranged like this be that usually on the sliding door of a Vehicle provided manually lockable lock, or the place where the lock is attached, is used.

To control the locking unit 2 are at the Guide the rack 34 limit switch 37 provided with a stop attached to the rack 34 stop 38 interact and the with the control device are connected.

The operation of the in Figs. 1 to 4 shown Device is as follows.

When the sliding door 3 is in the open position, in which they are offset parallel to the wall of the Vehicle is arranged and in the closed position is to be brought, the traction motor 5 via a On signal is excited by the control device. The Control device can, for example, with an input keyboard connected to the dashboard of the vehicle be via the keyboard commands from the driver entered for opening and closing the sliding door 3 can be. In the full open position of Sliding door is the lifting arrangement consisting from lever 22, rod 24 and ball joints 23 and 25 in the position shown in Fig. 2.

After switching on the drive motor 5, the drive pinion rotates 8 and travels along the rack 12, whereby the door 3 is opposite to the arrow 50 in FIG Moved longitudinally while at the same time the linear guide rail 9 in the rotor carriage 11th slides. If the sliding door 3 in the on the bodywork 4 sliding door guide along, it is forced through at the end of the longitudinal movement the curved guide to the body or to the Opening introduced in the body, such that only a very small distance between door 3 and body lies when the door is in front of the door opening located.

When you bring the door to the opening swings the via the joints 23 and 25 mounted rod 24 in a horizontal plane, i. in the paper plane 2 around the bearing 26 around. In the area the linear guide rail 9 are limit switches, the inductive, capacitive, mechanical, optical or may be formed, provided are connected to the control device, wherein a Limit switch to the controller reports that the sliding door 3 in juxtaposition to the Door opening is located. The control device switches then the traction motor 5 and the motor 30 of the locking unit 2, the 33 via the pinion Rack 34 shifts. In this case, the sliding door 3 by cooperating the locking element 35 and the engagement element 36 completely into the door opening pulled in and the rod 24 pivots in its end position, which is roughly the same angle to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to the other side occupies how the rod 24 in the open position. It is essential that the rod 24 in the closed position the door over the dead center of the swivel movement is pivoted out, since then easier to start is. Dead center is the position, in which the rod 24 in the vehicle longitudinal direction is located, i. 90 ° to the lever 22.

If during the approach of the sliding door 3, an obstacle, for example a person or the arm or the hand of a person inhibits the movement of the door, via the linear guide rail 9, the rotor carriage 11, the lever 22, the joint 23, the rod 24, the Joint 25 exerted a force on the bearing 26, whereby it moves against the force of the compression spring 46 in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the displacement part 41 acts on the switching element of the microswitch 49, which supplies a switching signal to the control device. The control device immediately switches off the drive motor 5 of the drive unit 1 or switches the motor in the other direction of rotation, as a result of which the door shifts again in the direction indicated by the arrow 50. In such an embodiment, the anti-trap device may also be referred to as a "reversing device". In this way, trapping of persons or objects during the automatic access of the door 3 is prevented.
The anti-trap device according to FIG. 9 operates in an analogous manner.

About the spring 46 and 72, the switching force can be adjusted be triggered in the so-called shall be. This must be such that no injuries occur. The when starting the Door 3 from the open to the closed position occurring Acceleration force is usually greater as the set switching force, so that the control device immediately switch off the engine 5 again would. This must be prevented and it is a sensor For example, provided a proximity switch, when starting the door, for example, over 2 cm is effective, and the one to the controller Signal provides over which the protection device inactive is made, i. is overridden. In the same way is at the end of the displacement of the door the frictional force is also greater than the switching force, which in turn triggered the protection device 40 would. Also at the end of the displacement is Thus, a sensor is provided, which has a very small displacement the anti-trap device activated.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 2, 9 is a mechanical anti-trap device intended. Of course, also an electronic Anti-trap device possible, the detected force on the door via force sensors will and about a control program with a microcomputer it is determined whether abnormal force conditions occur. In such an embodiment only the bearing 26 as shown in FIG. 1 is provided.

The opening of the sliding door 3 happens in reverse Order in the same way.

In Fign. 5a and 5b is another embodiment the driving unit 1 and the locking unit 2, but here only the most essential Parts are visible. Essential thought at This embodiment is that for the driving unit 1 and for the locking unit 2 only one Motor and a drive pinion is used. The Drive unit is constructed similar to that of FIG. 1 and has the rack 12 for the driving movement, the Guide rail 9 for the runner carriage 11 and accordingly the base plate 6 for receiving the runner car 11, of the electric motor, not shown, and of the pinion 52. These parts are like in the above Embodiment arranged in the door. Corresponding Fig. 5a, the locking unit 2 a Locking rack 51, which also with the door is attached and perpendicular to the rack 12 is arranged for the driving unit. The assignment the guide rail 9 of the drive unit, the rack 51 of the locking unit and the pinion 52 is such that when closing the door to the end movement the driving unit 1, the pinion 52 with the rack 12 of the drive unit is engaged and at the end the closing movement comes from the meshing and in the teeth of the locking rack 51 engages.

According to Fig. 5b, the rack 51 of the Drive pinion 52 in the indicated by the arrow 53 Direction moves, with the locking direction is indicated by the arrow upwards. With the Reference numeral 54 is the engaging element or the Lock latch indicated schematically in this Case stuck to the chassis, for example the C-pillar a vehicle connected.

In the Fign. 6 to 8 is another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 to 5 same Designate parts so that their description is omitted becomes.

The driving unit 1 is in the same way as the Drive unit constructed according to Fig. 1, the embodiment differs in the supporting device of Driving unit.

On the base plate 6 approximately centrally to the carriage 11th a bolt 13 is fixedly mounted, on which a clevis 14 is attached. The clevis 14 serves as Storage for a thrust lever 15, with its one End about a rotation axis 16 at least in one Plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is pivotally mounted. Preferably, the bearing designed as a high-performance spherical plain bearings, the certain Freedom in other directions allows.

The thrust lever 15 is displaceable with its free end received in a guide sleeve 17, the via a pivot pin 18 which is perpendicular to its outer periphery is mounted, rotatable in a holder 19 mounted fixedly connected to the chassis 4 is. The locking unit 2 has accordingly Fig. 8 is an electric motor 20, in the embodiment is designed as a spindle motor and the the bracket is firmly attached to the chassis. The Axle of the spindle motor 20 is connected to a closing cone 21 connected. In the opened state of the sliding door is the closing cone in the withdrawn Condition, so that the thrust lever 15 is free to pivot is. When locking the sliding door 3 moves the Closing cone 21 out and presses as shown in FIG. 7 the end of the push lever 15 in the direction of the opening and thus sets the thrust lever 15.

When the sliding door 3 in the one shown in Fig. 6 Open position is located and in the closed position is to be brought, the traction motor 5 as in first embodiment excited and drives in the Closed position, being at the end of the longitudinal movement forcibly by the curved guide to the body is introduced. It shifts the Thrust lever 15 in the guide sleeve 17 in axial Direction, with the guide sleeve 17 against the Turns clockwise and at the same time the end of the Thrust lever pivots about the rotation axis 16. After switching off Driving motor 5 becomes spindle motor 20 switched on. The cone tip of the closing cone 21 is in relation to the almost vertical position Thrust lever 15 are arranged so that the Central axis of the push lever 15, seen in Fig. 7, is slightly offset to the left. The spindle motor 20 now pushes the closing cone 21 out, causing this with its tip on the circumference of the push lever 15 sliding along, this with its upper end in the drawing of Fig. 7 presses to the left. Thereby is pulled at the other end of the bolt 13 to the interior and the sliding door 3 tightly closes the door opening of the vehicle. This form the closing cone 21 and push lever 15, the lock. The slope the closing cone 21 is decisive for the closing path perpendicular to the body, by means of the locking unit 2 is covered. Opening the Sliding door happens in reverse order in same way.

Instead of the spindle motor 20 and the closing cone 21 can also be the corresponding Fign. 3 and 4 provided Rack to be used with drive pinion.

In this embodiment according to FIGS. 6 to 8 can also be a pinch protection device in similar As provided in Fig. 2, wherein the Rotated axis 18 extended with a smaller diameter becomes. The end of the axis of rotation is in a sliding Restrained support, being on the axis of rotation 18 between the gradation and the backstop the compression spring is arranged.

Claims (16)

1. Device for opening and shutting a sliding door (3) in particular for vehicles, which shuts an opening in a wall (4) and which is essentially arranged so as to be slideable parallel to the wall (4) in at least one longitudinal guide provided on the wall (4), comprising a drive unit (1) which carries out the sliding movement and which comprises a linear drive (8, 12) with an electric motor (5) and a guiding device (9, 11), and a linearly designed drive element (12) of the linear drive (8, 12) and an element of the guiding device (9, 11) on one side of the door (3) and a driving element (8) of the linear drive (8, 12) which co-acts with the aforementioned element (12) which is of linear design and mounted at the side of the door, and the electric motor (5) and on the other hand the other element (11) of the guiding device (9, 11) which co-acts with the guiding element (9) at the side of the door, mounted on a support (6) which is supported via a support arrangement (22, 23, 24, 25, 26; 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) which is linked to the wall, and comprising an electric motor driven locking unit (2) which locks and unlocks the sliding door (3) in its opening closing position whilst executing a movement perpendicularly to the wall (4), and with a control device which includes means of detecting a position and controls the drive unit (1) and the locking unit (2), characterised in that the support arrangement (22, 23, 24, 25, 26; 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) comprises on the one hand at least one respectively hinged pivotal lever (24; 15) which is on the one hand connected to the support (6) and on the other hand with a mounting point (23, 25; 16, 18) which is connected to the wall (4), which transfers a movement of the support (6) essentially perpendicularly to the wall (4) into a pivotal movement or into a sliding and pivotal movement.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the locking unit (2) comprises a preferably linearly displaceable locking element (35, 21) and an engaging element (36, 15) which engages with the locking element, and the locking element and/or the engaging element are designed so that the process of engagement or disengagement initiates a movement of the door perpendicularly to the wall.
3. Device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the surface of the locking element (35, 21) and/or the engaging element (35, 15) is designed to be at a slant.
4. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the linear drive with electric motor and guiding device as well as the support of the drive unit are, for the purpose of establishing a pre-assembled unit, arranged preferably on a troughshaped support element which is linked to the door.
5. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the linear drive comprises a toothed rod (12) which is connected to the door (3) and a pinion (8) which is driven by the electric motor (5) which is mounted on the support (6), and the guiding device comprises a linear guiding rail (9) and a runner which at least partially reaches around the linear guiding rail.
6. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the pivotal lever of the support device is designed as a push rod (15) which is slidingly arranged in a guiding sleeve (17), and the guiding sleeve (17) is mounted on the mounting point (19) so as to be rotary or pivotal.
7. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the pivotal lever is designed as a rod (24) which is mounted on the one hand preferably via a ball joint (25) to mounting point (26) and on the other hand preferably via a ball joint (23) on an additional lever (22) which is firmly connected to the support (6).
8. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the locking element is at least partially designed as a toothed rod which is driven by a pinion (33, 52) which is linked to the electric motor.
9. Device according to Claim 6, characterised in that the pushrod (15) simultaneously establishes the engaging element of the locking unit (2), and the locking element comprises a cone or a slanted surface which slides on the periphery of the pushrod (15).
10. Device according to Claims 5 and 8, characterised in that the toothed rod (51) of the locking unit (3) is arranged adjacent the toothed rod (12) of the drive unit (1) on the door (3) in such a manner that only an electric motor with pinion (52) is provided for the drive unit (1) and the locking unit (2), and the pinion (52) engages one after the other first with the one toothed rod and then with the other toothed rod.
11. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterised in that an anti-jamming device (4) is connected to the control device which, on application of a specified force against the door (3) in opposition to the displacement movement, switches the electric motor of the drive unit (1) off or reverses its rotary direction.
12. Device according to Claim 11, characterised in that the mounting point (26, 19) of the pivotal lever (24, 15, 14) is mounted so as to be displaceable against a defined changeable pre-tensional load, and a switching arrangement is provided which is linked to the control device which, in dependence of the displacement path, gives a signal for controlling the electric motor.
13. Device according to Claim 11 and Claim 12, characterised in that the pretensional load is delivered by a spring (46) arranged in the displacement path of the mounting point.
14. Device according to one of Claims 11 to 13, characterised in that at the beginning and at the end of the displacement movement of the sliding door (3) from the open position into the shut position the switching arrangement (25, 26) is deactivated.
15. Device according to Claim 11 or 14, characterised in that the pivotal lever (24) is designed in such a manner; (7) that it is extended or shortened against a defined changeable pretensional load, and a switching device is provided which is connected to the control device and which releases, in dependence of the change in length, a signal for controlling the electric motor.
16. Device according to Claim 11 and Claim 15, characterised in that the pretensional load is supplied by a spring (72) integrated in the pivotal lever.

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