GB2581423A

GB2581423A - Male seal for a door leaf, set of seals, corresponding door and transport vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2581423A
Application number: GB1918301.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Vautier Fabien; Salles Olivier
Original assignee: Faiveley Transport Tours SAS
Current assignee: Faiveley Transport Tours SAS
Priority date: 2018-12-20
Filing date: 2019-12-12
Publication date: 2020-08-19
Anticipated expiration: 2039-12-12
Also published as: FR3090789B1; FR3090789A1; GB201918301D0; GB2581423B

Abstract

A male seal 1 for a door leaf 101 of a vehicle such as a train, tramway, metro, trolley bus or bus type; the seal comprises a body 10, a chamber 40, a switching-over element 26 received inside said chamber, a lever 30 tilting with respect to the body, capable of actuating said switching-over element in a preferential manner when said lever is subjected to a force (Fext) exerted in a given direction, characterised in that the lever 30 is capable of directly bearing against the switching over element 26. Additionally disclosed is a set of seals comprising a male seal 1, a female seal 51 wherein the female seal comprises an indentation 80 capable of receiving all or part of the lever 30 of the male seal.

Description

Male seal for a door leaf, set of seals, corresponding door and transport vehicle

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of transport vehicles, in particular of the train, tramway, metro, trolley bus or bus type. The invention more specifically relates to a male seal for a door leaf, a set of seals comprising such a male seal, a door fitted with such a male seal and/or with such a set of seals, and a transport vehicle fitted with such a door. The invention aims to improve the safety of transport vehicles, in particular the anti-drag function thereof.

This function prevents a person, located on the platform through which the vehicle in question is passing, from being dragged along by this vehicle as a result of carrying or wearing an object that becomes wedged when the door leaves close.

Prior art

In a conventional manner, this anti-drag function is ensured by integrating a so-called switching-over element into a door seal. Such a switching-over element, or pressure-sensitive element, is, for example, an electrical sensing strip, an optical fibre, or even a column of air. When a person located on the platform becomes wedged between the door leaves by way of a thin object (strap, lead, garment, etc.), they exert a force which activates the switching-over element. A signal is then sent to the driver in order to immediately stop the vehicle.

One problem related to this switching-over element is that it is capable of also being activated when an object carried or worn by a person located inside the passenger compartment becomes wedged between the door leaves. However, such an activation is not of use since the danger that this represents for a person located inside the passenger compartment is negligible. This consequently results in door re-opening operations and in substantial delays to the service. Existing documents materialising this prior art include the German patent applications 10 2010 46 632 and 20 2004 69 68 respectively.

In order to overcome this drawback, the applicant has proposed, through the patent document FR 3008035, a front seal for differentiating the forces exerted on the switching-over element, depending on whether the person that has become wedged is located on the platform or inside the vehicle. With this in mind, this seal comprises an actuating lever which is arranged such that, when it tilts in a first direction, it triggers the switching-over of the switching-over element.

However, when it tilts in the opposite direction, the switching-over element is not activated. The first tilting direction corresponds to a force exerted by a person located on the platform, the opposite tilting direction corresponding to a force exerted by a person located inside the passenger compartment.

The solution proposed by FR 3 008 035 thus procures switching over, which can be referred to as being of the "asymmetrical" type. More specifically, as explained hereinabove, the lever actuates the switching-over element in a preferential manner, when this lever is subjected to a 5 force exerted in a given direction. Conversely, the prior art materialised by the two aforementioned German patent applications provides for switching over of the "symmetrical" type. As a result, the seal according to the disclosure of the patent document FR 3 008 035 is seen to have significant advantages compared to a seal solely providing for symmetrical switching over. Nonetheless, the solution proposed by this French patent 3 008 035 has 10 specific drawbacks. More specifically, it has been shown that, in some circumstances, the switching-over element indicates the occurrence of dragging after a certain time delay.

In light of the above, one purpose of the present invention is to overcome, at least in part, the drawbacks of the prior art stipulated hereinabove.

Another purpose of the invention is to propose a male seal allowing for reliable and fast detection, in the case of a person located on the platform being dragged along.

Another purpose of the invention is to propose such a male seal having a noteworthy 20 compactness and which can thus be integrated into restricted volumes.

Another purpose of the invention is to propose such a male seal having a mechanical structure that is relatively simple and a reasonable cost price.

Objects of the invention According to the invention, at least one of the aforementioned purposes is obtained by means of a male seal for a door leaf 101 of a vehicle, in particular of the train, tramway, metro, trolley bus or bus type, this seal comprising a body 10 -a chamber 40 - a switching-over element 26 received inside said chamber - a lever 30 tilting with respect to the body, capable of actuating said switching-over element in a preferential manner when said lever is subjected to a force Fext exerted in a given direction characterised in that said lever 30 is capable of directly bearing against said switching-over element 26.

It should firstly be noted that the Applicant is credited with having grasped the origin of the drawbacks, linked to the use of the known male seal as described hereinabove. In essence, the Applicant has identified that, in the prior art, the actuating lever and the switching-over element are separated from one another by way of a material wall.

As a result, in order to activate the sensitive edge, the lever must firstly clear a first clearance that exists between this lever and the aforementioned wall. This lever must then deform the wall itself, before clearing the second clearance that exists between this wall and the switching-over element. This succession of clearances, in addition to the presence of this deformable element, contributes to increasing the travel of the lever that is required to activate the switching-over element. This configuration thus explains the possible delay that arises when detecting and reporting a dragging incident.

Conversely, the invention provides for the lever to be capable of directly activating the 15 switching-over element, i.e. for no mechanical element to be inserted between this lever and this switching-over element.

This direct bearing, which overcomes the need for an intermediate wall, allows the anti-drag function to be ensured with reduced rotational travel of the lever. As a result, a potential dragging incident is detected in a much more reliable manner than in the prior art. Moreover, this reduced travel allows the seal to be integrated into reduced volumes, in particular into a door leaf of low thickness. Finally, the elimination of the intermediate wall, which originally existed between the lever and the switching-over element, simplifies the overall structure of the seal, which is accompanied by reduced costs for the manufacture thereof.

According to other features of the invention: the chamber delimits a recess 42 for receiving the switching-over element, this recess comprising a bottom 44 and sidewalls 46, said recess being open opposite the bottom. the smallest distance D separating, when at rest, the switching-over element and the lever, is less than 3 millimetres.

this seal comprises a wall 38 for closing the chamber, connecting the lever and a first side edge 16 of the body.

the lever is mounted such that it tilts relative to the body about a hinge 32, extending from a second side edge 14 of the body, opposite said first edge.

the lever 30 is capable of actuating said switching-over element, without substantial deformation of the body 10 of the seal.

the lever 30 is mounted such that it tilts about a tilting axis A30, this tilting axis being laterally offset, from a front view, relative to the main direction D30 of the force F30 exerted when in operation by the lever on the switching-over element.

These additional features can be implemented with the main object hereinabove, individually or in any combinations technically possible.

The invention further relates to a set of seals comprising a male seal 1 as defined hereinabove, in addition to a female seal 51, said female seal comprising an indentation 80 capable of receiving all or part of the lever 30 of the male seal 1.

The invention further relates to a door for a transport vehicle, in particular of the train, tramway, metro, trolley bus or bus type, comprising at least one male seal as defined hereinabove, and/or one set of seals as defined hereinabove.

Finally, the invention relates to a transport vehicle, in particular of the train, tramway, metro, bus or trolley bus type, comprising at least one door as defined hereinabove, said lever 30 being capable of actuating said switching-over element in a preferential manner when said lever is subjected to a force exerted in an outwards direction relative to the vehicle.

Description of the figures

The invention will be described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided in the form of non-limiting examples only, wherein: [Fig. 1] is a diagrammatic overhead view partially showing a door of a transport vehicle, one door leaf whereof is fitted with a male seal according to the invention.

[Fig. 2] is a front view showing the male seal in Fig. 1 at a larger scale.

Detailed description of the invention

Fig. 1 accompanying this description shows a partial view of a door, denoted as a whole by the reference numeral 200, which fits a transport vehicle. This door comprises, in a conventional manner, an opening panel formed by two door leaves 101 and 151, in addition to a frame, not shown, which is arranged at the periphery of an aperture, also not shown, which is made in the body of this vehicle.

In the example shown, the door equips a train of the metro type. However, the invention applies 35 to doors intended to equip other transport vehicles such as, in particular, tramways, trolley buses, or even trains different from those mentioned hereinabove. In the paragraphs hereinbelow, the door leaves are assumed to be vertical, in particular with reference to Fig. 1.

Moreover, the terms "interior" and "exterior" are used with reference to the body of this transport vehicle.

Each door leaf 101, 151 in particular comprises, in a known manner, a peripheral frame that includes a profile 102, 152. These profiles, of a conventional type, will not be described in more detail hereinbelow. Fig. 1 particularly shows a recess 104, 154 made in the end of this profile, located facing the adjacent door leaf. This U-shaped recess is provided with flanges 106, 156 intended, in a manner known per se, to retain respectively male 1 and female 51 seals.

The male seal 1 firstly comprises a body 10, which includes a base 12 from which side edges extend. The bottom 14 is referred to as being interior, i.e. it is located on the interior side of the body of the vehicle, once the seal has been mounted on the door leaf. Conversely, the opposite edge 16 is referred to as being exterior. This exterior edge 16 is provided with a lip 18, intended to engage with the female seal 51.

The seal 1 further comprises a heel 20 allowing the seal to be attached inside the recess 104. This tip is hollowed out such that an opening 22 is formed, reducing the cross-section thereof, in order to insert same into the aforementioned recess. Moreover, this tip defines shoulders 24 engaging with the flanges 106 so as to ensure the reliable immobilisation of the seal in the profile. This attachment of the male seal according to the invention to the door leaf 101 is of the conventional type and will thus not be described in more detail.

The seal is furthermore fitted with a lever, denoted as a whole by the reference numeral 30. This lever firstly comprises a hinge 32 formed by a strip of material extending from the interior side edge 14. This hinge defines a pivot axis, or a tilting axis of the lever, denoted A30 in Fig. 2. The lever further comprises a projection 34, having a frustoconical shape narrowing towards the free end thereof. Opposite this projection, the lever defines a protrusion 36, also having a truncated cone shape narrowing towards the free end thereof. The respective functions of this projection and of this protrusion will be explained in more detail hereinbelow.

Opposite the hinge 32, the lever 30 is connected to the exterior edge 16 via a thin wall 38. This wall delimits, with the lever and the body of the seal, a chamber denoted as a whole by the reference numeral 40. This chamber 40 defines a recess 42, comprising a bottom 44 facing the base, in addition to sidewalls formed by lips 46. The wall 38 mechanically holds the lever, and closes the chamber 40.

The recess 42 allows a so-called switching-over element 26 to be received. This element 26, which is of a type known per se, is, for example, an electrical sensing strip, an optical fibre, a column of air or any other mechanical member carrying out this function. The element 26 comprises a base 27 intended to rest in the vicinity of the bottom, in addition to a lateral circumference 28 intended to extend in the vicinity of the walls 46. Advantageously, the cross-section of this recess 42 decreases, conversely to the bottom. This allows the switching-over element 26 to be held in a reliable manner inside this recess. With this in mind, this element is inserted into the recess in a longitudinal direction, i.e. perpendicularly to the plane of the sheet on which Fig. 2 is reproduced.

According to one key feature of the invention, the lever is capable of directly bearing on the switching-over element. In other words, no mechanical element is inserted between the opposite walls of this lever 30 and this element 26. In Fig. 2, the characteristic distance between these opposite walls is denoted as D. This distance D, which has a substantially reduced value compared to the prior art, is advantageously less than 3 millimetres. This value of D is taken when at rest, i.e. in the absence of any external mechanical stress.

With reference to Fig. 2, the main direction of the force F30 that is exerted by the lever on the switching-over element, during activation thereof, is denoted as D30. As shown in this figure, the tilting axis A30 is laterally offset relative to this direction D30. In a similar manner to that described in the French patent document FR 3 008 035, this offset allows for switching over of the asymmetrical type.

The female seal 51 will now be described, it being understood that the latter has certain 25 mechanical elements that are similar to those of the male seal 1. These mechanical elements forming the female seal 51 are given the same reference numerals as those forming the male seal, increased by the number 50.

This female seal 51 firstly comprises a body 60, which includes a base 62 and respectively interior 64 and exterior 66 edges. A lip 68, intended to engage with the male seal, projects from the interior edge 64. The seal 51 further comprises a heel 70 allowing attachment to the profile 152. The base 62 delimits, with the edges 64 and 66, an indentation 80 intended to receive the lip 30.

When in operation, each seal in firstly mounted onto the respective profile thereof, by the engagement of each tip and of the walls of the receiving recess thereof. When the door leaves are closed, the two seals are mutually compressed to procure the sealing. In particular, each lip 18, 68 is crushed against the opposite side edge 66, 14.

It is now assumed that, when these door leaves are closed, an object becomes wedged therebetween. Such an object can, for example, be a garment, a strap or the like. This object is then dragged along and as a result exerts a so-called drag force, which induces the tilting of the lever. As shown in the figures, this drag force may or may not cause the element 26 to switch over, depending on whether this force is exerted from the interior or exterior of the vehicle.

It is firstly assumed that this force is exerted from the exterior, i.e. that the wedged object OE is carried or worn by a person located outside the vehicle, in particular on the platform. The force Fext will then drive the tilting of the lever in a first direction, following the arrow F1. Under these conditions, the lever will drive the switching over of the switching-over element by placing the projection 34 in contact with the circumference 28. As specified hereinabove, this contact is of the direct type, i.e. no intermediate mechanical member becomes deformed by the action of the lever. The activation of the switching-over element will be reported to the control board for the door and/or to the driver so as to prevent the departure of the vehicle and to release the wedged object. More specifically, as explained in the introduction hereto, the dragging along of a person located outside the vehicle constitutes a potentially life-threatening situation.

It is now assumed that the force is exerted from the interior, i.e. that the wedged object 01, shown by way of dotted lines, is carried or worn by a person located inside the vehicle, in particular in the passenger compartment itself. The force Fint will then drive the tilting of the lever in the opposite direction, following the arrow F2. Under these conditions, the lever tends to move away from the switching-over element, such that it does not trigger the activation thereof. In practice, this occurrence will not be reported, neither to the driver, nor to the control board of the door. More specifically, as explained hereinabove, the wedging of a thin object carried or worn by a person located inside the vehicle is, a priori, not dangerous.

In the example shown with reference to the accompanying figures, the switching-over element is actuated under the effect of the lever, only when this lever is subjected to a force Fext exerted towards the exterior of the vehicle. However, when the force Fint is exerted in the opposite direction, towards the interior of the vehicle, no switching over takes place. In one alternative embodiment, not shown, the switching-over element can be provided such that it is actuated, not only when the force is exerted in the first direction, but also in the opposite direction. In such a case, this force exerted in the opposite direction must have a particularly high value, which is above nominal force values encountered during routine operation. According to the invention, preferential switching over of the switching-over element refers to when the lever is subjected to the force exerted in the first direction, i.e. from the interior towards the exterior.

It should be highlighted that, when the lever 30 actuates the switching-over element, no significant deformation of the body of the seal occurs. This is advantageous insofar as such an actuation does not require deformation of the solid areas of the seal. As a result, the mechanical stress required is relatively low.

The invention is not limited to the example described and shown with reference to the accompanying drawings. In particular, a chamber can be produced for receiving the switching-over element, the shape and/or the dimensions whereof differ from those 40 of the example shown.

With this in mind, the lever can in particular be provided such that it is integral with the wall bordering this receiving chamber. In such a case, the lips 46 join with the bottom projection 34 of the lever, whereas the wall 38 is dispensed with. The dimension of the receiving chamber is thus smaller than that of the chamber 40 shown in the figures.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Male seal (1) for a door leaf (101) of a vehicle, in particular of the train, tramway, metro, trolley bus or bus type, this seal comprising a body (10) a chamber (40) a switching-over element (26) received inside said chamber a lever (30) tilting with respect to the body, capable of actuating said switching-over element in a preferential manner when said lever is subjected to a force (Fext) exerted in a given direction characterised in that said lever (30) is capable of directly bearing against said switching-over element (26).
2. Male seal according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the chamber delimits a recess (42) for receiving the switching-over element, this recess comprising a bottom (44) and sidewalls (46), said recess being open opposite the bottom.
3. Male seal according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the smallest distance (D) separating, when at rest, the switching-over element and the lever, is less than 3 millimetres.
4. Male seal according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a wall (38) for closing the chamber, connecting the lever and a first side edge (16) of the body.
5. Male seal according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the lever is mounted such that it tilts relative to the body about a hinge (32), extending from a second side edge (14) of the body, opposite said first edge.
6. Male seal according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lever (30) is capable of actuating said switching-over element, without substantial deformation of the body (10) of the seal.
7. Male seal according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lever (30) is mounted such that it tilts about a tilting axis (A30), this tilting axis being laterally offset, from a front view, relative to the main direction (030) of the force (F30) exerted when in operation by the lever on the switching-over element.
8. Set of seals comprising a male seal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in addition to a female seal (51), said female seal comprising an indentation (80) capable of receiving all or part of the lever (30) of the male seal.
9. Door for a transport vehicle, in particular of the train, tramway, metro, trolley bus or bus type, comprising at least one male seal according to one of claims 35 1 to 7 and/or one set of seals according to the preceding claim.
10. Transport vehicle, in particular of the train, tramway, metro, bus or trolley bus type, comprising at least one door according to the preceding claim, said lever (30) being capable of actuating said switching-over element in a preferential manner when said lever is subjected to a force (Fext) exerted in an outwards direction relative to the passenger compartment of the vehicle.