EP2011939B1

EP2011939B1 - Bus door locking system

Info

Publication number: EP2011939B1
Application number: EP07111556A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ertugrul Makersan Otomotiv Sanayi Ticaret Ltd. Sti. Erkocak
Original assignee: Makersan Makina Otomotiv Sanayi Ticaret AS
Current assignee: Makersan Makina Otomotiv Sanayi Ticaret AS
Priority date: 2007-07-02
Filing date: 2007-07-02
Publication date: 2010-09-01
Anticipated expiration: 2027-07-02
Also published as: EP2011939A1; DE602007008871D1; ATE479807T1

Abstract

The present invention proposes a lock mechanism used in association with pneumatic bus doors so as to enable inside and outside control of the door. The mechanism is essentially comprised of an internal handle for effecting unlocking from inside, an external handle along with an axial locking slot for receiving a key and inner mechanisms arranged to receive and transmit rotary movement of handles to latching elements via control rods. Linearly extending control rods are driven linearly through an adaptor region thereof, which is arranged to receive rotary movement of inner mechanisms and convert the same to linear movement without requiring additional bearing. A control rod may be connected to an adaptor mechanism for further driving additional control rods. Further, the adaptor mechanism itself may separately be controlled by a remote control.

Description

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a locking system to be used in passenger doors of buses and more particularly to a locking system enabling locking and unlocking from both inside and outside of a bus.

Background of the Invention

Passenger doors of buses are generally controlled by means of lock mechanisms enabling both inside and outside control. Such locks operate together with pneumatic bus doors and do generally have a common rotation axis on which an inner and an outer handle rotates to drive a latch back and forth in order for allowing pneumatic control once unlocked. Such lock mechanisms having a common rotation axis are well-known in the market for their reliability and are widely used to the extent that they came to appear as a standard product item in bus doors.
EP0416448 discloses a lock mechanism of the above type in which rotation of handles advances a plurality of inner mechanisms to effect locking. Rotational arrangement between inner and outer handles drives a central rotary element to which a pair of curvilinear rods is attached and displacements thereof are provided. A disadvantage of the arrangement appears in that it necessitates use of non-linear rods to effect locking. Non-linear rods should nevertheless produce a linear displacement, meaning that additional bearing is necessary, Due to curved structure of rods in this configuration, the lock mechanism and the door can not be set immediately adjacent to each other but must be arranged with a certain distance relative to each other to ensure proper functioning.
To this end, the present invention proposes a locking system according to claim 1.
The present invention proposes a locking system enabling control both manually either from inside/outside the lock or from remote locations by a remote control. Design of the lock mechanism requiring no additional bearing and providing direct linear drive both occupies smaller space and eliminates mounting difficulties stemming from larger distance configuration of the lock relative to the door by way of shortening the distance between the same.
Further, US 3,815,390 can be suggested as the most relevant prior art in relation to the lock mechanism of the locking system defined in claim 1. The subjeet-mather of claim 1 differs from US 3,815,390 in that it includes an outer side handle body in the lock mechanism instead of a cylinder lock as in US 3,815,390 , and an outer adaptor drive mechanism as defined in claim 1.

Objects of the Invention

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a bus door locking system enabling control both manually either from inside/outside the lock or from remote locations by a remote control.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bus door looking system occupying smaller space and eliminating mounting difficulties stemming from larger distance configuration of the lock relative to the door as in prior art locks.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bus door locking system providing direct linear drive without additional bearing.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention proposes a lock mechanism used in association with pneumatic bus doors so as to enable inside and outside control of the door. The mechanism is essentially comprised of an internal handle for effecting unlocking from inside, an external handle along with an axial locking slot for receiving a key and inner mechanisms arranged to receive and transmit rotary movement of handles to latching elements via control rods. Linearly extending control rods are driven linearly through an adaptor region thereof, which is arranged to receive rotary movement of inner mechanisms and convert the same to linear movement without requiting additional bearing. A control rod may be connected to an adaptor mechanism for further driving additional control rods. Further, the adaptor mechanism itself may separately be controlled by a remote control.

Brief Description of the Figures

Accompanying drawings are given solely for the purpose of exemplifying a bus doorlocking system whose advantages over prior art were outlined above and will be explained in detail hereinafter:

Fig. 1a demonstrates inner side view of the lock mechanism according to an example of the present invention.
Fig. 1b demonstrates outer side view of the lock mechanism according to an example of the present invention.
Fig. 2 demonstrates a cross-sectional side view of the lock mechanism according to an example of the present invention.
Fig. 3a demonstrates A-A cross-section of Fig. 2 according to an example of the present invention.
Fig. 3b demonstrates B-B cross-section of Fig. 2 according to an example of the present invention.
Fig. 4a demonstrates the lock mechanism together with the adaptor mechanism according to an example of the present invention.
Fig. 4b demonstrates the lock mechanism and the adaptor mechanism in mounted state.
Fig. 5 demonstrates an exploded perspective view of the lock mechanism seen from below.
Fig. 6 demonstrates the lock mechanism having two connections rods without an adaptor mechanism
Fig. 7 demonstrates a frame structure accommodating the lock mechanism and air door control buttons.
Fig. 8 demonstrates a perspective exploded view of the lock mechanism seen from above.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring now to the figures outlined above, the lock mechanism comprises a central body (1) that receives inner and outer side elements, the latter being in connection with inner and outer handles.
Starting from the outer side elements of Fig 5, the lock mechanism comprises a locking slot body (25) for receiving a key. An outer handle body (2) receives said slot body (25) on which a slot carrier (9) is positioned. A further intermediate element (8) is arranged on said slot carrier (9) so as to fit in the outer handle body (2) for effecting locking from outside. Said intermediate element (8) is equipped with an eccentric protrusion (26) on its top to advance an outer handle blocking element (10) from its cavity back and forth along a lateral aperture (29) of said outer handle body (2). Said aperture (29) is aligned with a central body upper connection element (11) lower edge lateral aperture (30). Said outer handle blocking element (10) extending out from said apertures 29 and 30 will impede rotation of said outer handle body (2) and therefore nullify outside handle control.
Since position of said outer handle body (2) relative to said central body upper connection element (11) is continuously reset by a helical spring (12), as will be explained in the proceeding parts, said apertures 29 and 30 are normally aligned with each other and said blocking element (10) is free to extend out therefrom back and forth.
Referring back to Figures 5 or 8, said outer handle body (2) comprises two ear portions (3) at both sides, each having an upright protrusion (27). Referring now to Fig. 3a, when said outer handle body (2) is positioned in said central body (1), rotational movement of said upright protrusions (27) on said handle ears (3) advances a cam (4), the latter being in connection with an adaptor connection rod (19).
Said cam (4) comprises a rear region (5) which adapts said cam (4) to make linear displacement against rotational movement of said outer handle body (2). Said adaptor region (5) is designed in "H" form, the two cavities below and above the horizontal line respectively receiving said upright protrusions (27) on said handle ears (3) and another group of protrusions (6) from the upper side in Fig. 5 or 8. Circular trajectories of said protrusions (6 and 27) extend within the surface delimited by the vertical lines of "H" form in both cavities thereof and advance said cam (4) back and forth so as to move said adaptor connection rod (19).
Starting from the inner side elements of Fig. 5, the locking device comprises an inner side handle (14), a spring carrier (13) and an inner control member (7). Said spring carrier (13) accommodates said spring (12) in the manner that two extremities (31) thereof extend outwardly from inside a circular channel at both sides of a lateral aperture (32) of said carrier (13). When said spring carrier (13) is fitted in said inner control member (7), said two extremities (31) of the helical spring (12) lean laterally against the outer edges of two inner channels (33) of said inner control member (7). Said central body upper connection element (11) also has a corresponding aperture (36) for receiving said two spring extremities (33). When said inner control member (7) is mounted in said central body upper connection element (11), said second group of vertical protrusions (6) enter in circular channels (28) of said upper connection element (11). Fig. 3b shows tip part of a second group protrusion (6) in an upper cavity of said "H" form of said adaptor region (5). Therefore since said upper connection element (11) is fixed on said central body (1), rotation of the inner handle (14) causes rotation of said inner control member (7) and each time said handle (14) is rotated, said spring (12) resets position of said inner control member (7).
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a protruding part (34) along an inner surface of the spring carrier (13) axial hole fits in a corresponding channel (35) of said outer handle body (2). Rotation of the outer handle body (2) is therefore also reset by said helical spring (12) since said handle body (2) is interconnected with said spring carrier (12). On the other hand, said inner control member (7) can still be rotated when rotation of said outer handle body (2) is blocked as inner and outer rotation mechanisms are independent from each other.
Said cam (4) is kept in correct position between said upper connection element (11) and said central body (1) by means of a ball (15) and a spring (16).
As will be seen in Fig. 4a and 4b, the lock mechanism (20) moves an adaptor connection rod (19) back and forth, said rod (19) being suitably secured to said cam (4). Said adaptor mechanism (21) comprises a joint member (18) having a pivotal bearing (23) so as to drive two arms thereof in opposite directions, i.e. rotation around said pivotal bearing (23) causes displacement of said arms in opposite directions. Said adaptor mechanism (21) further comprises an electrical actuator (17) for driving said joint member (18) independent from said lock mechanism (20). Said adaptor mechanism (21) can separately be controlled by a remote control. An IC is typically embedded to receive remote signals for actuating said joint member (18). Said latching arms (22) are linearly driven back and forth to provide locking and unlocking.
The lock mechanism (20) according to the present invention may be set in a frame housing (37) as seen in Fig. 7. Said housing (37) may comprise separate buttons to control pneumatic doors and/or reflectors.

Claims

A locking system (24) to be used especially in pneumatic passenger doors of buses comprising a lock mechanism (20) and an outer adaptor drive mechanism (21), said lock mechanism (20) comprising an outer side handle body (2), an inner side handle body (14), a central body (1) in communication with said outer side and inner side handle bodies (2, 14), at least one cam (4) secured in said central body (1) for transmitting rotational movement of said outer side and inner side handle bodies (2, 14) to said outer adaptor drive mechanism (21), wherein,
said cam (4) comprises a rear region (5) having two laterally delimited cavities for receiving protrusions (27, 6) being in communication with respectively said outer side and inner side handle bodies (2, 14) whereby said rear region (5) adapts said cam (4) to make linear displacement against rotational movement of said outer side and inner side handle bodies (2, 14),
said outer adaptor drive mechanism (21) comprises a joint member (18) having a pivotal bearing (23) so as to drive a plurality of arms thereof whereby advancement of said cam (4) back and forth rotates said joint member (18) around said pivotal bearing (23) by means of an adaptor connection rod (19) to drive latching arms (22),
said outer adaptor drive mechanism (21) comprises an electrical actuator (17) for driving said joint member (18) independent from said lock mechanism (20).
A locking system (24) as set forth in Claim 1 wherein said lock mechanism (20) comprises a resetting spring (12) having two extremities (31) extending outwardly from a spring carrier (13) fitted in an inner control member (7) rotated by said inner handle body (14), said extremities (31) leaning against outer edges of a corresponding aperture (36) of a central body upper connection element (11) fixed on said central body (1) whereby upon rotation of said handle (14), said spring (12) resets position of said cam (4) by returning said inner control member (7).
A locking system (24) as set forth in Claim 2 wherein said two extremities (31) of said spring (12) extend outwardly from inside a circular channel at both sides of a lateral aperture (32) of said spring carrier (13).
A locking system (24) as set forth in Claim 2 or 3 wherein said extremities (31) lean against outer edges of two inner channels (33) of said inner control member (7) in which said spring carrier (13) is fitted.
A looking system (24) as set forth in Claim 1 and 4 wherein said protrusions (27, 6) are located respectively on said inner control member (7) and said outer handle body (2).
A locking system (24) as set forth in Claim 2 or 5 wherein said rear region (5) is in H form whereby said two cavities at both side of the horizontal line receive said protrusions (27, 6) from respectively outer and inner sides.
A locking system (24) as set forth in Claim 6 wherein said outer side handle body (2) is interconnected with said spring carrie (13) such that a protruding part (34) along an inner surface of said spring carrier (13) axial hole fits in a channel (35) of said outer side handle body (2) whereby rotation of said outer side handle body (2) too is reset by said spring (12).
A locking system (24) as set forth in any previous claims wherein said electrical actuator (17) is driven by an IC for receiving remote signals and allowing control by a remote control.
A locking system (24) as set forth in any previous claims wherein said lock mechanism (20) is set in a frame housing (37) comprising at least one button for controlling pneumatic doors and at least one reflector.