EP1431491A1 - Suspension and guiding device of a movable wing - Google Patents

Abstract

The device includes a suspension unit and guiding unit which are distinct, with suspension rollers (20,21) transversally fixed to the top of the window in its median zone along its axis of gravity, for circulating along a suspension rail (24) fixed to the chassis (3). There is a guide unit (11) itself fixed to the window at a distant point, for circulating along a specific guide rail (15) to be fixed to the chassis (3) parallel to the suspension rail (24). The window is carried by suspension rollers along its gravity axis, with the useful length of the suspension rail being of the order of the size of the window.

Description

Technical field of the invention

The invention is in the field of devices for operating a leaf. She has for subject a device for suspending and guiding a movable leaf.

State of the art

It is recalled that it is common to hang a movable leaf from a chassis. translation, by means of rollers which circulate along a rail of suspension fixed on this chassis. In the usual way, the rollers are mounted on the near the lateral ends of the upper edge of the leaf, for guidance stable of the latter during its displacement in translation.

It appears however that such an arrangement implies a length of the rail of suspension substantially equivalent to twice the width of the leaf, with for consequence an overall bulk of the device which is excessive with regard to the simple dimension of the leaf. Furthermore, such an arrangement makes installation difficult. motorized means for maneuvering the leaf, if not to be further increased the overall size of the device.

Subject of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a device for suspension and guiding a movable leaf, whose footprint is as small as possible, as long laterally than in the area overhanging the space traversed by the leaf.

• en premier lieu limiter la robustesse et donc l'encombrement des moyens de guidage du vantail, en rapport avec la faiblesse des efforts qu'ils sont amenés à supporter. On comprendra, grâce à la mise en suspension du vantail par des moyens distincts supportant son poids qui constitue la majeure partie des charges auxquelles est soumis le dispositif, que les efforts supportés par les organes de guidage ne résident que dans ceux induits par l'inertie du vantail, lors notamment des accélérations et des décélérations auxquelles il est soumis au cours de son déplacement ;
• en deuxième lieu équiper le vantail d'un organe unique de suspension occupant sensiblement l'espace surplombant sa zone médiane, de manière à porter le vantail suivant son axe de gravité dans son plan général, avec pour avantage de ne conférer au rail de suspension qu'une longueur utile de l'ordre de la largeur d'un vantail.

The inventive step of the present invention consisted in its entirety, contrary to the habits adopted in the field, to dissociate the functions of suspension and guidance of the leaf, by allocating them to respective means, for:

• in the first place, limit the robustness and therefore the size of the leaf guide means, in relation to the weakness of the forces which they are brought to bear. It will be understood, thanks to the suspension of the leaf by separate means supporting its weight which constitutes the major part of the loads to which the device is subjected, that the forces supported by the guide members reside only in those induced by inertia the leaf, in particular during the accelerations and decelerations to which it is subjected during its movement;
• secondly, to equip the leaf with a single suspension member occupying substantially the space overhanging its central zone, so as to carry the leaf along its axis of gravity in its general plane, with the advantage of conferring on the suspension rail only '' a useful length of the order of the width of a leaf.

From this approach, the space saving of the suspension rail in overhang of the space traversed by the leaf is used to receive motorized means of maneuvering the latter.

The device of the invention comprises means for suspending a movable leaf along a suspension rail. It will be understood at this stage of the description that the translation of the leaf is likely to be a translation both along a path straight, only following a curvilinear path. This suspension rail is fitted for be fixed to a supporting frame, being arranged overhanging the leaf. The device further comprises means for guiding the leaf along the suspension rail. At least one suspension roller is mounted rolling along the suspension rail, this roller bearing the leaf in its general plan.

According to a general characteristic of the invention, the suspension means and the means for guiding the device are separate means. The suspension roller is transversely fixed to the top of the leaf in its median zone, according to its axis of gravity in its general plane, while a guide member is fixed to the leaf at at least one distant point, to run along a specific guide rail fitted to be fixed to the chassis parallel to the suspension rail.

According to a first alternative embodiment of the guide member, it is consisting of a slide, either continuous or discontinuous, which circulates inside a slide formed in the guide rail. It will be noted that this slide is preferably composed of two distant sections, which are respectively arranged in the vicinity of the lateral ends of the upper edge of the leaf.

According to a second alternative embodiment of the guide member, it is consisting of a train of distant rolling elements, which are respectively arranged at in the vicinity of the lateral ends of the upper edge of the leaf, these rolling members running along the guide rail.

It will be noted that, according to various variants, these rolling members are for example tapered rollers, or alternatively each consist of a set of rollers whose axes of rotation are concurrent, notably orthogonal, which circulate along a wing guide rail.

According to a preferred embodiment of the suspension means, the rolling member of suspension comprises at least one pair of suspension rollers, and mounted rotating on the body of a leaf-carrying carriage. The couple's rollers are arranged on either side of the carriage body, so as to be arranged on either side on the other side of the general plane of the leaf, these rollers circulating respectively along flaps a U-shaped profile with folded edges constituting the suspension rail. These flaps form support wings of the rollers against the suspension rail, against the leaf weight.

The suspension rollers are preferably conical rollers, with a slope of around 10 °. The support wings of the suspension rail are inclined in correspondence to the general median plane of the leaf, for spontaneous centering of the leaf relative to the suspension rail. It will be noted that these provisions allow to limit the wear of the organs in contact, resulting from the support they take against each other. We will also note that intermediate parts wear are preferably interposed between the suspension rollers and the wings support, on which these wear parts are particularly reported.

According to another particular aspect of the invention, the body of the carriage comprises a couple of elements articulated to each other in a ball joint. A first element carries the suspension rollers while a second element carries the leaf, for in particular through a hanger that it has on its edge superior. The guide members are in turn connected to the leaf by by means of adjusting their position relative to the rail suspension. These provisions constitute means of spontaneous adjustment of the orientation of the general plane of the leaf relative to the orientation of the suspension rail and in relation to its natural orientation, that is to say according to gravity. These provisions aim naturally to lay out the general plan of the leaf rigorously parallel to, or even confused with, the general plan of its displacement in translation along the suspension rail.

It also follows that the assembly between the leaf and the suspension device and guide, is capable of effectively resisting forces and shocks, in particular applied against the leaf transversely to its general plane.

The leaf is advantageously maneuverable back and forth through at least one drive member carried at any respective end of the rail. This motor unit is associated with a belt engaged on the carriage and on the chassis. We will understand that if necessary the internal dimensions of the suspension rail are sufficient to accommodate the drive unit which circulates jointly with the carriage.

These arrangements are such that the massive assembly formed by the carriage and the circulating maneuver being housed inside the suspension rail, favors the prohibition of an escape of the leaf beyond the suspension rail.

According to a preferred embodiment of the motorized maneuvering means of the leaf, the drive member is a single geared motor supported in any end of the rail. This motor is associated with a belt circulating around a pulley of return located at opposite end of the suspension rail, being for example supported by the latter, or even directly by the chassis.

Note that according to a similar variant, although less advantageous due to its size with regard to the previous provisions, the drive member is fixedly supported by the chassis, either above or laterally to the rail suspension, in particular by means of a device connecting framework to the frame.

The suspension rail and the guide rail are preferably fixed to the chassis by through such a framework. This framework includes in particular a beam lateral carrier, at its cantilever upper part of the suspension rail, and at its lower part of the guide rail.

This framework also advantageously comprises at its base at least one corridor of guide of the motorized leaf operating belt.

Preferably, the framework further comprises an exterior front compartment, delimited between a lateral wing opposite to the beam and an articulated closing cover on the side wing, the latter being supported by the suspension rail. We will raise that this outer front compartment is likely to be used for the passage of conduits, such as electrical, even pneumatic or hydraulic.

Description of preferred embodiments, in relation to figures of the attached plates, in which:

Fig.1 is a schematic view of a device of the invention according to its general plan.

Fig.2 is a schematic view in median section of the device illustrated in Fig.1

Fig.3 is a schematic perspective view of the device illustrated in the figures preceding.

Fig.4 is a schematic perspective view of a preferred variant of realization of the device proposed by the present invention.

Fig.5 is a schematic sectional view of the device illustrated in Figure previous.

Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 are two schematic views of two respective variants of the device of the invention.

In fig. 1 to fig. 3, a leaf 1 for closing an opening, in particular a building or vehicle, is movable in translation along a suspension rail 2 fixed to a frame 3. A suspension roller 4 is fixed to leaf 1 in the middle zone transverse of the latter via a carriage body 5. The pebble of suspension 4, door leaf 1, runs along the suspension rail 2 for the movement of leaf 1 to a desired position in front of the opening.

The suspension rail 2 has a length L1 corresponding substantially to the width L2 of the leaf 1, and to the longitudinal dimensions Y of the suspension roller 4.
It will be noted, by virtue of these provisions, that the spaces Z1 and Z2 situated longitudinally on either side of the suspension rail 2 are free from any element participating in the suspension of leaf 1.

A guide rail 6 with a length ( L1 + Z1 + Z2 ) of the order of twice the length L2 of the leaf 1, is arranged under the suspension rail 2 and parallel to the latter. Two components of a guide member 7,8 are fixed at its apex respectively to the lateral ends of the leaf 1. These components of the guide member 7,8 run along the guide rail 6 to stabilize the leaf 1 during its displacement.

According to the variant illustrated in these figures, and with particular reference to the Fig. 2, the components of the guide member 7,8 each consist of a set of rolling elements 42,43 with perpendicular axis. These rolling bodies 42.43 run along and against the internal face of a respective wing 9, 10 of the guide rail 6, which is shaped into an angle.

According to the variants illustrated in fig. 4 and fig. 5, the leaf 1 is fixed to the the invention by means of a hanger 13, intended to be introduced into the edge leaf 1 upper. The leaf 1 guide member is composed of a pair of slides 11,12 circulating along a slide 14 formed in a guide rail 15.

In fig. 4, a leaf suspension member includes a set of two pairs 16.17 of suspension rollers supported by an 18.19 carriage body, carrying the leaf 1 via the hanger 13. In fig.5, the suspension rollers 20,21 of each pair 16,17 are arranged on either side of the carriage body 18,19. The carriage is also carrying at one of its ends a motor member 22 for its drive by means of a belt 23, this motor member 22 occupying the space correspondent left available in the extension of the suspension rail 24. On note the presence, at the opposite end of the suspension rail 24, of a return 25 of the belt 23.

In fig. 5, the carriage body 18,19 is made up of two elements, one of which 19 is fixed to the hanger 13 and the other 18 of which supports the suspension rollers 20,21, which are arranged on either side of the general plane of leaf 1. These rollers suspension 20,21 circulate on support wings 26,27 formed by flaps of a U-shaped profile with folded edges, this profile constituting the suspension rail 24 inside from which the carriage circulates. Note that the suspension rollers 20,21 are general conical conformation, and that the support wings 26, 27 are inclined in correspondence to the general plan of the leaf 1. The two elements 18,19 component the carriage body are articulated to each other in a ball joint, the center of rotation is arranged in the general plane of leaf 1.

The guide rail 15 comprises a slide 14 with a cylindrical bearing, inside of which circulates the slide 11, cruciform.

The guide rail 15 and the suspension rail 24 are attached to the chassis, such as building partition or vehicle frame, via a beam 28. At this each of them has assembly wings, respectively 29.30 and 31.32 for their attachment to the beam 28. The suspension rail 24 and the guide rail 15 are fixed to the beam 28 respectively at its upper part and at its lower part. We note that the suspension rail 24 is held in cantilever to the beam 28.

This beam 28 is part of a framework further comprising two masks, one upper 33 and the other lower 34, and a side wing 35. This last 35 is located opposite beam 28 and hingedly supports a closure cover 36. The lateral wing 35 is attached via the suspension rail 24 which la door. The space formed between the lateral wing 35 and the closure cover 36 delimits a front exterior compartment 37 capable of accommodating power cables or analogues (not shown in the figures). We note in this regard the presence advantageous other compartments 38,39 in particular formed between the rail suspension 24 and respectively the beam 28 and the upper mask 33.

Fig.6 and Fig.7 illustrate variants in which the motor member 22 is not arranged at the end of the carriage as in the preceding variants, but is supported by a frame 41 respectively in the upper part of the device for the fig.6 and at the front of the device for fig.7.

It is clear that the movement of movement of the leaf can be curvilinear or circular, instead of being in translation.

Claims (9)

Device for suspending and guiding a movable leaf (1), this device comprising means for suspending the leaf (1) on a suspension rail (2,24) arranged to be fixed to a supporting frame (3) being disposed overhanging the leaf (1), and means for guiding the leaf (1) along the suspension rail (2.24), this device employing at least one rolling suspension member (4.5; 16, 17,18,19) carrier of the leaf (1) in its general plane, which is mounted rolling along the suspension rail (2,24),
characterized in that the suspension means and the guide means being separate means, the rolling suspension member (4,5; 16,17,18,19) is fixed to the top of the leaf (1) in its middle zone along its axis of gravity, while a guide member (7,8; 11,12) is fixed to the leaf (1) at at least one distant point to circulate along a specific guide rail (6; 15 ) arranged to be fixed to the frame (3) parallel to the suspension rail (2.24), so that the useful length of the suspension rail (2.24) is of the order of the width of the leaf (1) , and that the size of the guide member (7,8; 11,12) is limited in relation to the weakness of the forces which it is brought to bear. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide member consists of a slide (11,12), which flows inside a slide (14) formed in the guide rail (15). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide member consists of a train of distant rolling members (7,8) which circulate along the guide rail (6). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the rolling suspension member comprises at least one pair (16,17) of suspension rollers mounted rotating on the body (18,19) of a carriage carrying the leaf (1) , the rollers (20,21) of the couple (16,17) being arranged on either side of the carriage body (18,19) to circulate respectively along flaps (26,27) of a U-shaped profile with folded edges constituting the suspension rail (24), these flaps (26,27) forming support wings of the rollers (20,21) against the suspension rail (24) against the weight of the leaf (1 ). Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the suspension rollers (20,21) are conical rollers, the support wings (26,27) of the suspension rail (24) being inclined in correspondence towards the general median plane leaf (1) for spontaneous centering of the leaf (1) relative to the suspension rail (24). Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the carriage body (18,19) comprises a pair of elements articulated to each other in a ball joint, one of which (18) carries the rollers (20,21 ) and a second (19) of which carries the leaf (1), the guide members (11,12) being in turn fixed to the leaf (1) by means of means for adjusting their position relative to the rail suspension (24), to constitute means for spontaneous adjustment of the orientation of the general plane of the leaf (1) relative to the orientation of the suspension rail (24) and relative to its natural orientation. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the leaf (1) can be maneuvered back and forth by means of at least one motor member (22) carried at any respective end of the carriage (16,17, 18,19), this motor member (22) being associated with a belt (23) engaged on the carriage (16,17,18,19) and on the chassis (3). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the suspension rail (24) and the guide rail (6) are fixed to the chassis (3) by means of a frame comprising a beam (28) carrying laterally, at its cantilever upper part of the suspension rail (24), and its lower part of the guide rail (6). Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the framework further comprises a front external compartment (37) delimited between a lateral wing (35) opposite the beam (28) and a closure cover (36) articulated on the lateral wing (35), the latter (35) being supported by the suspension rail (24).

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