GB1558909A

GB1558909A - Sliding door arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB1558909A
Application number: GB36215/77A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Societe Anonime de Vehicules Industriels et dEquipements SA SAVIEM
Current assignee: Societe Anonime de Vehicules Industriels et dEquipements SA SAVIEM
Priority date: 1976-10-18
Filing date: 1977-08-30
Publication date: 1980-01-09
Also published as: FR2367631A1; OA05789A; DE2737955A1; OA05786A; DE7726093U1; ES462172A1; SE7711679L; IT1091002B; FR2367631B1; BE856453A

Description

(54) SLIDING DOOR ARRANGEMENT (71) We, SOCIETE ANONYME DE VEHICULES INDUSTRIELS ET D'E QUIPEMENTS MECANIQUES (S.A.V.I.E.M.) a French body corporate, of 8, quai Leon Blum, 92152 Suresnes, France, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to a sliding door arrangement for a motor vehicle.

In previously proposed sliding door arrangements, for example for goods motor vehicles, the door panel is mounted on rotatable rollers which roll along guide rails fixed to the vehicle body. Generally, an upper guide rail is disposed at the edge of the vehicle roof, while a lower guide rail is placed at the lower edge of or below the body. If the door is a side door, the door is slidable parallel to the side body work panels and, in some cases, the door moves inwardly of the vehicle at the end of its door-closing-movement, thus being partially received in the vehicle entrance or door opening and compressing a door seal.

Various guide arrangements have been previously proposed in order to permit the door to be partly received in the door opening at the end of its closing movement.

and to be moved out of the door opening when the door is being opened. In general such guide arrangements operate either by a pivotal action or by a deflection action; The pivotal-type arrangements employ levers which are disposed pivotally between the door and the mounting roller supports and generally combine a pivotal movement of the door with a sliding motion thereof on guide and support rails which are deflected perpendicularly to the plane of the door.

This construction generally results in complicated, heavy and expensive mechanisms.

and the presence of pivot members also means that the mechanisms are susceptible to damage by dirt and outside fouling unless suitably shielded.

Deflection-type arrangements use- guide rails which have ramps or deflection portions of varying degrees of severity, which extend inwardly of the vehicle and which co-operate with guide rollers mounted on the door on fixed supports. However, attempts to combine the guide and support functions for this door in a single rail give rise to production difficulties and operating problems due to the fact that some of the rollers must run in different paths. It is necessary however that the operation of one kind of roller (e.g. the guide rollers) should not be impeded by the other kind of roller (e.g. the carrier rollers).

According to the invention, there is provided. in a vehicle, a sliding door arrangement comprising: a slidable door panel; upper roller supports mounted on the door panel at or adjacent the upper edge thereof; lower roller supports mounted on the door panel at or adjacent the lower edge thereof, each upper support carrying a carrier roller which is rotatable about a respective horizontal axis and a guide roller which is rotatable about a respective vertical axis, and each lower support carrying a guide roller which is rotatable about a respective vertical axis; an upper rail at or adjacent an edge of the vehicle roof. the upper rail providing a first rolling track co-operating with the carrier rollers on the upper supports to support the door panel, and a second rolling track co-operating with the guide rollers on the upper supports; and a lower rail at or adjacent the bottom of the vehicle body, the lower rail providing a rolling track co-operating with the guide rollers on the lower supports, the rolling tracks which co-operate with the respective guide rollers having portions laterally offset inwardly of the vehicle and so positioned that when the door panel is in a closed position, the guide rollers are in the respective offset portions and the rollers and thereby the door panel are displaced inwardly of the vehicle, the door panel being partially received in a door opening of the vehicle for sealing against a resilient seal arrangement around the door opening, and said carrier rollers sliding transversely on their rolling track when the door is displaced inwardly by the guide rollers and the offset portions.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I is a diagrammatic side view of a utilitarian or goods vehicle with a sliding side door, Figure 2 shows views in cross-section along line II-II in Figure 1 of the positions of upper rollers in their guide rail, the upper view showing the positions when the door is closed and the lower view showing the positions when the door is open, Figure 3 shows views in cross-section along line III-III in Figure 1 and corresponding to Figure 2 but showing the lower rollers in their guide rail, Figure 4 shows a view of the upper guide and carrier arrangement of the Figure 1 door, Figures 5 and 6 respectively show views in cross-section taken along lines V and VI in Figure 4, showing the positions of the rollers when the door is closed (guide rollers at the apex of the deflection portions of the rails of Figures 2 and 3) and when the door is open.

Figure 7 shows a view in cross-section, identical to that of Figure 3, of the lower guide arrangement of the Figure 1 door.

Figures 8 and 9 respectively show views in cross-section, taken along lines VIII and IX in Figure 7, showing the positions of the rollers when the door is closed and when the door is open.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a goods or utilitarian vehicle 1 has a side door 2 which is opened by sliding in a rearward direction.

as by a pulling force applied to a handle 3.

also in a rearward direction. The door panel is mounted on rollers 6 to 9, 10 and 11 which roll in upper and lower rails 4 and 12 respectively, which extend over a suitable length of the vehicle. The upper rail 4 is disposed at the edge of the roof 5 of the vehicle and receives two guide rollers 6 and 7 which are each rotatable about a respective vertical axis, and two door-carrier rollers 8 and 9 which are each rotatable about a respective horizontal axis. the rol lers 8 and 9 being positioned slightly below the rollers 6 and 7 and being spaced apart. in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. by a distance less than the rollers 6 and 7.

Corresponding to the two upper guide rollers 6 and 7 are two lower guide rollers 10 and 11 which are also rotatable about vertical axes and which roll in a lower rail 12 fixed below the body 13 of the vehicle (see also Figures 8 and 9). It will be noted that while the upper rail 4 has carrier rollers 8 and 9 for supporting the weight of the door, only guide rollers are required at the lower edge of the door.

Figures 2 and 3 show the mode of operation of the sliding door 2, in relation to the positions of the rollers in the upper and lower rails 4 and 12 respectively. Referring more specifically to Figure 2, the upper view shows the door in a closed position in which it is partly received in the door opening or entrance, the inward movement of the door being caused by the co-operation of the guide rollers 6 and 7 with generally Ushaped inwardly directed laterally offset portions 14 and 15 of the rail 4.

When the door is pulled towards the right in Figure 2, the rollers 6 and 7 rapidly move out of their respective offset portions 14 and 15 and move along rectilinear portions 16 and 17 of the rail 4, this corresponding successively to a sufficient outward movement of the door and then a sliding movement parallel to the vehicle bodywork. The rollers 6, 7, 8 and 9 then assume the new positions shown in the lower part of Figure 2. which corresponds to the position of complete opening of the door (shown in dash-dotted lines in Figure 1). The carrier rollers 8 and 9 which are disposed at a fixed distance relative to the door panel follow the general movement of the door by sliding on their rolling track during the whole of the time that the guide rollers 6 and 7 are engaged with the offset portions 14 and 15 of the rail, as will be described below with reference to Figures 5 and 6.

The lower guide rollers 10 and 11 operate in the same manner as the corresponding upper rollers 6 and 7, and follow offset portions 18 and 19 of the lower rail 12.

Figures 4 to 6 show an embodiment of the upper rail 4 and associated rollers and roller supports 20 and 21. The rail 4 is made by pressing sheet metal in a flat condition and then folding along the edge portion 22 shown in Figure 6, and then further bent to the cross-sectional shape shown in Figures 5 and 6, so as to provide, in cross-section, two mutually perpendicular rolling tracks 23 and 24 for the rollers 6. 7 and 8, 9 respectively.

The upper part of the rail provides the rolling track 23 for the upper guide rollers 6 and 7, which each rotate about a vertical axis, while the lower part of the rail forms the track 24 for the carrier rollers 8 and 9, the track 23 thus being generally vertically above the track 24. As shown in Figure 6, the rail has the general cross-sectional shape of an open mouthed channel, bordered in its upper part by a vertical right-angled bent portion 25 to provide an edge on the rolling track 23 for the guide rollers 6 and 7, while the lower horizontal limb 24 of the channel forms the rolling track 24 for the carrier rollers 8 and 9. The vertical limb of the channel is deformed inwardly of the vehicle by stamping or pressing, at the positions of the offset portions 14 and 15 of the rail, as shown in Figure 5.

This structure makes it possible for the guide rollers 6 and 7 and the carrier rollers 8 and 9 to be easily fixed on the same respective pressed support 20 and 21 without the need for a pivotal arrangement or pivotal member, apart of course from rotation of the rollers - about their respective axes.

The upper rail 4 is fixed to a metal beam 25 which forms a part of the vehicle body and borders the roof 5 of the vehicle, by a series of bolts 26 which pass through elongate or oblong apertures 27 in the rolling track 24, outside of the path of movement of the carrier rollers 8 and 9. - To a certain extent, this manner of fixing makes it possible to adjust the position of the rail 4 on the vehicle bodywork, and therefore to adjust the sealing of the door 2 in its closed position. Figure 5 shows the door in a closed position in which it has compressed a seal 28 mounted on the beam 25. In this position, the guide rollers 6 and 7 are engaged at the apex of the respective offset portions 14 and 15 of the rail, this corresponding to maximum displacement of the door 2 inwardly of the vehicle.

If the rail 4 is displaced slightly towards the left in Figure 4, relative to the beam 25, by virtue of the set of apertures 27, the guide rollers 6 and 7 will no longer reach the apex of the respective offset portions 14 and 15 of the rail, and the seal 28 will be compressed to a smaller degree.

The guide rollers 6 and 7 and the carrier rollers 8 and 9 comprise ball bearing members fitted on shafts which are themselves welded to roller supports 20 and 21 of suitable shape. As can best be seen from Figure 4, the supports 20 and 21 are each of a triangular form which is deformed in space, and at their centre have an opening 29 which is produced by an operation of stamping with a puncturing action, that is to say, with tearing and folding but without removing material. This operation results in the formation of projecting flaps or flat portions 29a (Figure 5) to which the shafts for the rollers 8 and 9 are welded. The body of each of the supports 20 and 21 is fixed rigidly to the door panel 2 by means of three bolts 30. At least two supports as at 20 and 21 are necessary to hold the door 2.

Comparison between Figures 5 and 6 will clearly show that the carrier roller as at 9 is displaced transversely on its generally planar rolling track 24, as long as the guide roller 7 is engaged in the offset portion 15 of the rail, the track 24 being of sufficient width for this purpose.

This transverse displacement of the roller 9 is combined with the rectilinear movement of the door, which corresponds to rotation of the roller 9, so that at the moment that the door 2 is moved inwardly or outwardly in relation to the door opening of the vehicle, each of the carrier rollers 8 and 9 slips or skids across its rolling track, under the effect of the force applied by the guide rollers 6 and 7 as they move along the offset portions 14 and 15.

As soon as the door is disengaged from the dodr opening, by outward movement (Figure 6), it can slide freely in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, without being impeded by the seal 28.

Figures 7 to 9 show the construction of the lower rail 12 and the associated rollers and roller supports 31 and 32. The roller supports 31 and 32 are formed by bent arms bolted to the door2 and carry only the guide rollers 10 and 11 which are rotatable about a vertical ~ axis.

The lower rail 12 is fixed adjustably to the underside of a beam 33 forming part of the bottom of the vehicle body. Fixing bolts 34 pass through elongate or oblong openings 35 in an upper limb 36 of the rail (Figure 9), without impeding the movement of the guide rollers 10 and 11 along the rail.

The rail is of bent sheet metal and has in cross-section a generally open mouthed channel outline which is bordered in its upper part by a vertical right-angled bent portion 37, to form an edge on the rolling track for the rollers 10 and 11. A lower horizontal limb 38 virtually completely closes the rail cross-section, by passing below the roller 10, 11 and the end portion of the support 31. 32, thus providing the rail and rollers with protection from impact and the impingement of various kinds of fouling material.

The offset portions 18 and 19 of the lower rail 12 correspond to those of the upper rail and act in the same manner on the sliding door 2 and in particular in regard to the door-sealing action upon door closure, by compressing a seal 39. The simplicity of production and mounting of the abovedescribed guide arrangements will be noted.

It will be understood that the movement of the door 2 inwardly and outwardly of the vehicle. at the closure position, is determined by the degree or depth of the offset portions of the guide rails, and can be very small. In addition, the manner in which the carrier rollers slide transversely on their track makes it possible further to accentuate the curvature of the offset portions of the rails, without causing additional friction or a sticking point.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. In a vehicle, a sliding door arrangement comprising: a slidable door panel; upper roller supports mounted on the door panel at or adjacent the upper edge thereof; lower roller supports mounted on the door panel at or adjacent the lower edge thereof, each upper support carrying a carrier roller which is rotatable about a respective horizontal axis and a guide roller which is rotatable about a respective vertical axis, and each lower support carrying a guide roller which is rotatable about a respective vertical axis; an upper rail at or adjacent an edge of the vehicle roof. the upper rail providing a first rolling track co-operating with the carrier rollers on the upper supports to support the door panel, and a second rolling track co-operating with the guide rollers on the upper supports; and a lower rail at or adjacent the bottom of the vehicle body, the lower rail providing a rolling track co-operating with the guide rollers on the lower supports, the rolling tracks which co-operate with the respective guide rollers having portions laterally offset inwardly of the vehicle and so positioned that when the door panel is in a closed position, the guide rollers are in the respective offset portions and the rollers and thereby the door panel are displaced inwardly of the vehicle, the door panel being partially received in a door opening of the vehicle for sealing against a resilient seal arrangement around the door opening, and said carrier rollers sliding transversely on their rolling track when the door is displaced inwardly by the guide rollers and the offset portions.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the rails are mounted adjustably in position on the vehicle bodywork.

3. An arrangement according to claim 2 wherein the rails are fixed to the vehicle bodywork by bolts through elongate openings in said rails.

4. An arrangement according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the upper rail is of sheet metal bent to a generally open mouthed channel cross-section which in its upper part provides the second rolling track, while a lower horizontal limb of the channel forms the first rolling track, a vertical limb of the channel being deformed by stamping or pressing inwardly of the vehicle to form said offset portions.

5. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the lower rail is of sheet metal folded to a generally open mouthed channel cross-section which in its upper part provides the rolling track for the lower guide rollers, a lower horizon tal limb of the lower rail channel forming a protective means for protecting the rollers and the rolling track from impact and fouling.

6. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each of the carrier rollers is mounted on its upper supports, on a projection which- is produced on the - support by a stamping action.

7. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each roller comprises a ball bearing member fitted on a shaft which is itself welded to the respective support.

8. A sliding door arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings, 9. A kit of parts for making a sliding door arrangement according to claim 1, comprising: first supports which in use form said upper supports; second supports which in use form said lower supports, each first support carrying a said carrier roller and a said guide roller and each second support carrying a said guide roller; a first rail which in use forms said upper rail and which provides a first rolling track co-operable with said carrier rollers on said first supports to support the door panel, and a second rolling track co-operable with said guide rollers on said first supports; and a second rail which in use forms said lower rail and which provides a rolling track co-operable with said guide rollers on said second supports.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. rails, without causing additional friction or a sticking point. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. In a vehicle, a sliding door arrangement comprising: a slidable door panel; upper roller supports mounted on the door panel at or adjacent the upper edge thereof; lower roller supports mounted on the door panel at or adjacent the lower edge thereof, each upper support carrying a carrier roller which is rotatable about a respective horizontal axis and a guide roller which is rotatable about a respective vertical axis, and each lower support carrying a guide roller which is rotatable about a respective vertical axis; an upper rail at or adjacent an edge of the vehicle roof. the upper rail providing a first rolling track co-operating with the carrier rollers on the upper supports to support the door panel, and a second rolling track co-operating with the guide rollers on the upper supports; and a lower rail at or adjacent the bottom of the vehicle body, the lower rail providing a rolling track co-operating with the guide rollers on the lower supports, the rolling tracks which co-operate with the respective guide rollers having portions laterally offset inwardly of the vehicle and so positioned that when the door panel is in a closed position, the guide rollers are in the respective offset portions and the rollers and thereby the door panel are displaced inwardly of the vehicle, the door panel being partially received in a door opening of the vehicle for sealing against a resilient seal arrangement around the door opening, and said carrier rollers sliding transversely on their rolling track when the door is displaced inwardly by the guide rollers and the offset portions.

8. A sliding door arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings,

9. A kit of parts for making a sliding door arrangement according to claim 1, comprising: first supports which in use form said upper supports; second supports which in use form said lower supports, each first support carrying a said carrier roller and a said guide roller and each second support carrying a said guide roller; a first rail which in use forms said upper rail and which provides a first rolling track co-operable with said carrier rollers on said first supports to support the door panel, and a second rolling track co-operable with said guide rollers on said first supports; and a second rail which in use forms said lower rail and which provides a rolling track co-operable with said guide rollers on said second supports.