GB2403265A

GB2403265A - Sliding plug doors

Info

Publication number: GB2403265A
Application number: GB0314758A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon John Wenlock Chacksfield
Original assignee: MANGANESE BRONZE COMPONENTS LT; Manganese Bronze Ltd; Deans Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Deans Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2003-06-25
Filing date: 2003-06-25
Publication date: 2004-12-29
Anticipated expiration: 2023-06-25
Also published as: WO2005000486A3; WO2005000486A2; GB0314758D0; GB2403265B

Abstract

A sliding plug door comprises a door member 10 movable in relation to an opening in a structure of a vehicle between a closed position in which it at least partially occupies the opening and an open position in which at least part of the door member overlies the vehicle structure alongside the opening. A first drive means 30, 31, 33 effects a first movement of the door member inwardly and outwardly of the door opening, to and from its closed position; and a second drive means 51, 52, 55 effects a second movement of the door member laterally when it lies outwardly of the opening, to and from its open position. The drive means may be electric or fluid pressure operated.

Description

Title: Sliding Plug Doors

Description of Invention

This invention relates to sliding plug doors.

Sliding plug doors commonly are installed in passenger carrying vehicles such as buses or railway carriages. A door member, which occupies or partially occupies an opening in the structure of the vehicle when it is in its closed position, and lies with its outside surface generally flush with the adjacent outside surface of the vehicle, is opened in two stages of movement.

In the first stage of its opening movement, the door is moved outwardly from the opening in the vehicle structure until it is clear of the vehicle structure and able to undergo a second stage of movement, laterally in a direction generally parallel to the side of the vehicle, until it is clear or substantially clear of the door opening and overlies the vehicle structure at the side of the door opening.

A complete door installation might, and commonly does, comprise two individual door members which together block the opening in the vehicle when they are in the closed position, and in the second stage of their opening movement they slide away from one another to overlie the structure of the vehicle on opposite sides of the door opening when they are fully open.

The closing movement of the door(s) is of course the reverse of the opening movement thereof.

Sliding plug doors have been known for many years. Most designs thereof use a single drive means for effecting the opening and closing movement, necessitating a complex linkage to achieve the two stages of such movement (which stages might not be clearly distinguishable from one another in that during opening for example the movement of a door member parallel to the vehicle side might commence before the movement thereof outwardly of the vehicle is complete, as long as there is sufficient clearance for such movement).

The disadvantage of this is that such linkages are complicated, expensive to manufacture, difficult to maintain, and consequently tend to be unreliable.

It is broadly the object of the present invention to provide an improved and simplified sliding plug door.

According to one aspect of the invention, we provide a sliding plug door comprising a door member movable in relation to an opening in a structure of a vehicle between a closed position in which it at least partially occupies the opening and an open position in which at least part of the door member overlies the vehicle structure alongside the opening, comprising a first drive means for effecting a first movement of the door member inwardly and outwardly of the opening to and from its closed position, and a second drive means for effecting a second movement of the door member laterally when it lies outwardly of the opening, to and from its open position.

In a sliding plug door in accordance with the invention, the provision of first and second drive means for effecting the two stages of opening and closing movement of the door member means that the necessity of providing a complex linkage to achieve the two stages of such movement is overcome. The two drive means can each be of a relatively simple nature. If any adjustment should be necessary in one of the drive means, due for example to wear after long service, adjustment or repair can be effected in that drive means without interfering with the setting or operation of the other drive means.

The door member and at least part of the second drive means therefor may be carried by carrier means which is supported for movement in a direction inwardly and outwardly of the door opening, the first drive means being connected to the carrier means to effect such movement thereof.

The first drive means may include a rotary element having a crank pin offset from its axis of rotation, the crank pin being connected to the carrier means, e.g. by a connecting rod, to effect the movement thereof upon angular movement of the rotary element.

The door may comprise two individual door members carried by the carrier means, movable to opposite sides of the door opening when they are in the open position. Since in such a case the carrier means will need to be more or less as long as the door opening is wide, preferably there are provided two of the rotary elements (and respective connecting rods), respectively connected to the carrier means in the region of each side of the door opening.

When the door member is in a fully closed position, the crankpin(s) and connecting rod(s) may assume an over-centre position. This enables a substantial force to be exerted on the door member as it approaches its closed position, and it to be effectively "locked" in its closed position.

There may be means for causing the rotary elements to rotate in synchronism with one another. Such a synchronizing means may comprise an elongate flexible drive element extending around the two rotary elements and therebetween. Such an elongate drive element may be a toothed belt ("timing belt"). Alternatively the rotary elements may be connected by a shaft and/or appropriate connecting gears for example.

Movement of such an elongate flexible drive element may be effected by a linear actuator device engaging the drive element between the two rotary elements. Such a linear actuator may be a fluid pressure (e.g. pneumatically) operable piston and cylinder device, or possibly an actuator operated by an electric motor, e.g. of the screw and nut type.

Alternatively a rotary activator, operated by fluid pressure or electrically, may be arranged to drive one of the rotary elements.

The carrier means preferably includes a, or a respective, guide member by which the or each door member is guided for its second movement relative to the carrier means.

Synchronised movement of the two door members in their second movement is conveniently provided by an elongate flexible further drive element, for example a toothed belt, extending in a loop around and between two spaced rotatable guide elements respectively disposed adjacent opposite ends of the carrier means, one door member being connected to one run of the drive element between the guide elements and the other door member being connected to the other run of the drive element between the guide elements.

Movement of the further drive element to move the door members may be effected by a linear actuating device engaging the drive element, e.g. a fluid pressure operated actuator or an electric actuator, e.g. of the screw and nut type.

Alternatively a rotary activator (electrically or fluid-pressure operated) may drive one of the guide elements.

The carrier means and associated parts may be disposed at the top of the door opening. It is necessary that the door member(s) should also be at least guided at or adjacent its or their lower end, and to this purpose the invention provides that there may be a or a respective lower guide means, at or adjacent the side of the door opening to which the or each door member moves to reach its open position.

Such a lower guide means may comprise an angularly movable member with an arm extending therefrom, the arm engaging a track provided adjacent the bottom of the door member and being movable along such track. The arm may carry a roller means which engages in the track. The first movement of the door member inwardly and outwardly of the door opening is accommodated by angular movement of the movable member, and the second movement of the door member by movement of the track relative to the arm.

To ensure the door member remains correctly aligned during its first movement inwardly and outwardly of the door opening, the angularly movable member must be synchronized in its movement with the movement of the carrier means inwardly and outwardly of the door opening. To this end, a transmission member may extend upwardly from the angularly movable member to the vicinity of the carrier means, and be connected to the first drive means to be moved angularly thereby. Preferably it is connected to the respective rotary element to be moved thereby.

The transmission member may be arranged to undergo some torsional deformation as the door member is brought to its fully closed position. This is advantageous in that it makes it less critical for satisfactory operation of the door that the upper and lower parts of the door should undergo their first movement, inwardly and outwardly of the door opening, exactly in synchronism lO with one another. Such exact synchronism would require very precise adjustment of respective mechanisms by which the top part and bottom part of the door member are moved in their first movement. In accordance with the invention, however, the door can be set up so that the bottom part thereof reaches its fully closed position in the door opening slightly earlier than the top part of the door member. The transmission member then resiliently deforms torsionally as the top part of the door member reaches its fully closed position and acts as a torsion spring holding the door member in its opening. There may be, for example, about 10 oftorsionaleformation in the transmission member over its length. In a door installation, only the first drive means at the top of the door member needs to be set very accurately in respect of the bringing of the door member to its fully closed position by its drive means, while the bottom of the door member does not have to be attended to with such accuracy.

The transmission member or a respective transmission member at each side of the door opening may lie within the thickness of the body structure of the vehicle in which the door is installed. This renders it less vulnerable to accidental damage in service, and is aesthetically pleasing.

It is contemplated the two features referred to immediately above, namely the arrangement of the transmission member to be torsionally deformed as the door is brought to its fully closed position, and the disposition of the transmission member within the thickness of the body structure of the vehicle in which the door is installed, may be applicable to sliding plug doors whose mechanism for driving and guiding the door member(s) is of a type other than that which forms the first aspect of the present invention.

According to another aspect of the invention, therefore, we provide a sliding plug door comprising a door member movable in relation to an opening in a structure of a vehicle between a closed position in which it at least partially occupies the opening and an open position in which at least part of the door member overlies the vehicle structure alongside the opening, guide means guiding the door member for a first movement of the door member inwardly and outwardly of the door opening to and from its closed position, and a second movement thereof laterally when it lies outwardly of the door opening, to and from its open position; the guide means including respective guide members in the vicinity of the top and bottom of the door member; and drive means for effecting the first and second movements of the door member; wherein movement of one of the guide members to determine the first movement of the adjacent part of the door member is effected by a generally upright transmission member extending to the other guide member and/or the drive means, the transmission member being arranged resiliently to be deformed, preferably torsionally, as the door member is brought to its fully closed position.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of part of a sliding plug door in accordance with the invention, including first and second drive means therefor and associated parts, in a position wherein the door is fully closed; Figure 2 is a view as Figure 1, in a first stage of opening movement of the door; Figure 3 is a corresponding view, in a further stage of opening movement; and Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating part of the door mechanism with a door member in an open position.

Referring firstly to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, these show part of a sliding plug door assembly which includes two door members 10, 11. In Figure 1 they are in their fully closed position, in which adjacent edges of the door members abut one another and the door members occupy an opening in the structure of a vehicle, e.g. a road or rail vehicle, and lie substantially flush with the side of the vehicle.

At the top of the door members 10, 11, they are supported by a carrier means. The carrier means comprises a frame structure with two end members 1 S. 16 and a number of longitudinal members extending therebetween. One of such longitudinal members is shown at 17, and this comprises a tubular guide member along which is slidable a carriage 18 which supports the door member 11. A further similar guide member is provided but is not shown in the drawings, spaced from the guide member 17 to support the door member 10.

The two end members IS, 16 of the carrier means are carried by a frame structure which is fixed in relation to the structure of the vehicle in which the sliding plug door assembly is provided. This fixed frame structure includes two spaced end brackets 20, 21, fixed to the vehicle structure at the top of and respectively to each side of the door opening therein. The brackets 20, 21 include parts which extend towards the inside of the vehicle, and these carry respective elements 22, 23 which support tracks 24, 25. The end members 15, 16 of the carrier means each carry a respective pair of spaced rollers which are movable along the tracks 24, 25 so that the carrier means is movable in the direction inwardly and outwardly of the vehicle as indicated by the arrows 26 in Figure 1. The rollers engaging the track 25 are clearly visible at 27, 28 in Figure 1 from which part of the bracket 21 and member 23 has been broken away. The fixed frame structure also includes members extending between the members 22, 23; one such member is indicated at 29.

The fixed frame structure supports a first drive means for effecting such inwards and outwards movement of the carrier means. This drive means includes two spaced rotary elements 30, 31 which are movable angularly about respective vertically oriented axes, parallel to one another, adjacent the members 22, 23. An elongate flexible drive element in the form of a toothed belt 32 extends around the two rotary elements 30, 31 to synchronise the angular movement thereof with one another, the elements 30, 31 comprising toothed pulleys for non-slip driving engagement with the belt 32. A linear actuator 33 is supported by the fixed frame structure between the elements 30, 31 and has a linearly movable output member 34 which is connected to a bracket 35 connected to the belt 32. Thus the output of the actuator 33 (which may be for example a fluid pressure operated device of the piston- cylinder type, or an electric actuator, e.g. of the screw and nut type) causes the angular movement of the elements 30, 31, about their respective axes, in synchronism with one another.

The rotary elements 30, 31 are provided with crank pins 37, 38 respectively from which respective connecting rods extend to the end members 15, 16, pivotal connections of the connecting rods to the end members being indicated at 39, 40. One of the connecting rods is seen at 41 in Figure 4, in relation to the rotary element 30. It will be appreciated that the arrangement of the rotary elements 30, 31, belt 32, actuator 33, and connecting rods as 41, is such that operation of the actuator 33 causes the angular movement of the rotary elements 30, 31 in synchronism with one another, and hence movement of the carrier means in either of the directions indicated by arrow 26, inwardly and outwardly of the vehicle. The carrier means is shown in Figure 1 in its limiting position inwardly of the vehicle, which will correspond to the fully closed position on the door members 10, 11, and in its limiting position outwardly of the vehicle in Figures 2 and 3. Preferably when the carrier means is in its innermost or outermost position the angular position of the rotary elements is such that the connecting rods as 41 have gone slightly "over centre", and the geometry is such that the greatest force is exerted as the carrier means approaches its innermost or outermost position. This is advantageous when the door members are in the final stages of their movement to their fully closed positions, since it enables substantial force to be exerted on the door members to engage sealing formations: when the door is fully closed it is effectively locked in that position and is resistant to rattling and draughts.

As above described the carrier means supports the door members by tubular guide members as that shown at 17; the door members are thus, when they have been moved outwardly of the door opening in the vehicle structure to the position shown in Figure 2, movable laterally away from one another as indicated by arrows 50. To effect such movement a second drive means is provided, the second drive means including two spaced rotatable guide elements 51, 52 respectively carried by the members 15, 16. A toothed belt 53 extends around the guide elements 51, 52, and is able to be moved by an output member 54 of a linear actuator 55 which may be electrically or fluid pressure operated. The output member 54 is connected to one run (53_) of the belt 53 between the guide elements 51, 52, and also connected to that run of the belt adjacent the output member 54 is a connecting device 56 which extends from the carriage 18. A further connecting device 57 on the opposite run (53_) of the belt 53 connects to a carriage analogous to the carriage 18 by which the door member 10 is supported by a guide member parallel to the guide member 17. Thus operation of the actuator 55 causes the door members to be moved in synchronism with one another towards or away from one another, laterally in a direction generally parallel to the side of the vehicle in which the door assembly is installed.

The door members 10, 11 are supported at their upper ends by the carriages as 18, and also are guided adjacent their lower ends so as to be able to undergo the same movement as their upper ends are caused to undergo by the first and second drive means above described. Such guiding of the door member 10 at its lower end is illustrated in Figure 4, in which view many of the parts above described are omitted.

It will be appreciated that the door member 11 is similarly supported at the opposite side of the door opening.

The door member 10, which characteristically will comprise a metal outer frame structure with one or more glass panels therein, is provided with a track 61 in a frame member 60 at its lower end. In this track 61 is engaged a slider or roller assembly, not shown, provided at the free end of a cranked arm lO 62. The arm 62 is movable angularly in a bearing 63 provided in a bracket 64 at the lower end of a vertical frame member 65 of the body structure of the vehicle wherein the door assembly is installed. A transmission member 66 is connected to the arm 62 adjacent the bearing 63, and extends upwardly therefrom, being rotatably supported by a bearing at its upper end in a bracket 67 on the frame member 65 adjacent the upper end of the door member 10. A further cranked arm 68 is provided at the upper end of the transmission member 66, and to the end of arm 68 there is a pivot joint 69 connecting to a link 70.

The link 70 in turn is pivotally connected to the rotary member 30 at the crank pin 37, the link 70 being beneath the member 30 whilst the connecting rod 41 is above the member 30.

When the first drive means as above described causes movement of the carrier means inwardly and outwardly of the door opening of the vehicle, in the direction of arrows 26, the angular movement of the rotary member 30 which along with member 31 causes such movement of the carrier means is also transmitted by way of link 70 and arm 68 to the transmission member 66. Since the transmission member carries arm 62 engaging the track 61 in the door adjacent the bottom thereof, the bottom of the door member is moved inwardly and outwardly of the door opening at the same time as the top of the door member.

The transmission member 66 has a degree of torsional resilience.

Although the arms 62, 68 are generally the same shape as one another, the arm 68 is shorter than the arm 62 in effect, since it does not end in a slider or roller assembly engaging in the track 61 in the lower door frame member 60. The geometrical relationship is such that in a final stage of closing movement of the door member 10, in which the door member moves inwardly of the vehicle structure into its fully closed position in the door opening, the lower part of the door member reaches such position slightly before the carrier means reaches the position shown in Figure 1 corresponding to the fully closed position of the door member. Continued angular movement of the rotary member 30 to bring the carriage means and hence the upper part of the door member to the fully closed position causes some small torsional deformation in the transmission member 66, e. g. about 10 over the length of the transmission member.

As above described, this enables the door member to be firmly closed at both top and bottom against sealing formations, for example, without requiring extremely accurate setting up and adjustment of mechanisms at top and bottom of the door member.

Movement of the door member between the positions in which it is shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3, in the directions of arrows 50, is accommodated by movement of the roller or slider assembly at the end of arm 62 along the track 61.

Although not shown in the drawings, there would of course be provided a suitable control means to ensure that the actuators 33, 55 operate in the correct sequence in relation to one another when the door is opening or closing.

In opening movement of the door from its fully closed position, operation of the actuator 33 is firstly required until the door members have moved sufficiently far outwardly of the door opening to clear the vehicle structure adjacent the door opening when they move laterally away from one another. Possibly such lateral movement could commence before their movement outwardly of the door opening has been fully completed, provided the door members do not contact the vehicle structure. When the door is closing, movement of the door members together inwardly of the door opening should not commence until they have completed or substantially completed their lateral movement towards one another.

Figure 4 of the drawings shows a vertical frame member 65 of the body structure of the vehicle wherein the door assembly is installed, and a further frame member 75 spaced from the frame member 65. The body structure will comprise inner and outer panels, e.g. of sheet metal, secured to and spaced from one another by frame members like the frame members 65, 75. It will be noted that the transmission member 66 lies within the thickness of the body structure at the edge of the door opening therein. The transmission member is thus concealed from both inside and outside of the vehicle, which is aesthetically pleasing. It also reduces the possibility of accidental damage to the transmission member, removes or reduces the number of potential dirt trap points, and leaves the door opening completely clear.

It is to be appreciated that the detailed design of certain features of the door above described will vary according to the vehicJe in which it is to be installed and in particular the exact construction of the vehicle's body structure.

In the present specification "comprises" means "includes or consists of" and "comprising" means "including or consisting of".

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A sliding plug door comprising a door member movable in relation to an opening in a structure of a vehicle between a closed position in which it at least partially occupies the opening and an open position in which at least part of the door member overlies the vehicle structure alongside the opening, comprising a first drive means for effecting a first movement of the door member inwardly and outwardly of the door opening, to and from its closed position; and a second drive means for effecting a second movement of the door member laterally when it lies outwardly of the opening, to and from its open position.

2. A sliding plug door according to Claim 1 wherein the door member and at least part of the second drive means therefor are carried by a carrier means supported for movement in a direction inwardly and outwardly of the door opening, the first drive means being connected to the carrier means to effect such movement thereof.

3. A sliding plug door according to Claim 2 wherein the first drive means includes a rotary element having a crank pin offset from its axis of rotation, the crank pin being connected to the carrier means to effect movement thereof upon angular movement of the rotary element.

4. A sliding plug door according to Claim 3 wherein the crankpin assumes an over-centre position when the door member is in its fully closed position.

5. A sliding plug door according to Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein there are provided two rotary elements, connected to the carrier means respectively in the region of each side of the door opening.

6. A sliding plug door according to any one of Claims 2 to 5 comprising two individual door members carried by the carrier means, respectively movable to opposite sides of the door opening when they are in the open S position.

7. A sliding plug door according to Claim 5 comprising means for causing the rotary elements to undergo angular movement in synchronism with one another.

8. A sliding plug door according to Claim 7 comprising an elongate flexible drive element extending around the two rotary elements and therebetween.

9. A sliding plug door according to Claim 8 wherein the drive element is a toothed belt.

1 O. A sliding plug door according to Claim 8 or Claim 9 comprising a linear actuator device engaging the drive element between the two rotary elements.

11. A sliding plug door according to Claim 2 or any claim appendant thereto wherein the carrier means includes a, or a respective, guide member by which the or each door member is guided for its second movement relative to the carrier means.

12. A sliding plug door according to Claim 11 as appendant directly or indirectly to Claim 6 comprising an elongate flexible further drive element extending in a loop around and between two spaced rotatable guide elements respectively disposed adjacent opposite ends of the carrier means, one door member being connected to one run of the drive element between the guide elements and the other door member being connected to the other run of the drive element between the guide elements.

13. A sliding plug door according to Claim 12 wherein the further drive element is a toothed belt.

14. A sliding plug door according to Claim 12 or Claim 13 comprising a further linear actuating device engaging the drive element.

15. A sliding plug door according to Claim 2 or any claim appendant thereto, wherein the carrier means and first and second drive means are disposed at the top of the door opening.

16. A sliding plug door according to Claim 15 further comprising a respective lower guide means for the or each door member, adjacent the side of the door opening to which the door member moves to its open position.

17. A sliding plug door according to Claim 16 wherein the lower guide means comprises an angularly movable member with an arm extending therefrom, the arm engaging a track provided adjacent the bottom of the door member and being movable along such track.

18. A sliding plug door according to Claim 17 further comprising a transmission member extending upwardly from the angularly movable member to the carrier means, and connected to the first drive means to be moved angularly thereby.

19. A sliding plug door according to Claim 18 wherein the transmission member is connected to the respective rotary element to be moved thereby.

20. A sliding plug door according to Claim 18 or Claim 19 wherein the transmission member is arranged to undergo some torsional deformation as the door is brought to is fully closed position.

21. A sliding plug door according to any one of Claims 18 to 20 wherein the transmission member lies within the thickness of the body structure of the vehicle wherein the door is installed.

22. A sliding plug door comprising a door member movable in relation to an opening in a structure of a vehicle between a closed position in which it at least partially occupies the opening and an open position in which at least part of the door member overlies the vehicle structure alongside the opening; guide means guiding the door member for a first movement of the door member inwardly and outwardly of the door opening, to and from its closed position, and a second movement of the door member laterally when it lies outwardly of the door opening, to and from its open position; the guide means including respective guide members in the vicinity of the top and the bottom of the door member; and drive means for effecting the first and second movements of the door member; wherein movement of one of the guide members to determine the first movement of the adjacent part of the door member is effected by a generally upright transmission member extending to the other guide member andlor drive means, the transmission member being arranged to undergo some resilient deformation as the door member is brought to its fully closed position.

23. A sliding plug door substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

24. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.