GB2614298A

GB2614298A - Arrangement of a side door on a cab for a commercial vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2614298A
Application number: GB2118962.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Slocum Jackson; Madugundi Dinesh; Zanetti Paolo
Original assignee: Daimler AG
Current assignee: Mercedes Benz Group AG
Priority date: 2021-12-23
Filing date: 2021-12-23
Publication date: 2023-07-05
Also published as: GB202118962D0

Abstract

An arrangement 24 of a side door 26 on a cab 12 for a commercial vehicle (10 Fig.1), wherein the cab comprises at least one lateral door opening 28 bound, in a longitudinal direction 14 of the commercial vehicle towards a front (20) of the commercial vehicle, at least partially by an A-pillar 30 of the cab. The side door is movably held on the cab between a closed position ‘C’ in which at least a portion of the door opening is covered by the side door, and at least one open position in which at least the portion is uncovered. The side door comprises a bulbous exterior surface 36 adjoining, in the closed position, the A-pillar in a flush manner. The side door may comprise a side window 46 covering, at least in a closed position ‘C2’ of the side window, a corresponding window opening 48. At least a portion of the bulbous exterior surface may be formed by at least a portion of an exterior surface 54,56 of the side window or a front member 50 of a window frame 52 defining the window opening.

Description

ARRANGEMENT OF A SIDE DOOR ON A CAB FOR A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement of a side door on a cab for a commercial vehicle such as, for example, a truck.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] EP 3 260 359 Al shows an arrangement with a wind deflector element and a sidewall device for a vehicle, the wind deflector element running along the sidewall device. Furthermore, KR 2017 01354 36 A shows a door structure for reducing air resistance of a large truck. Furthermore, US 2017/0197495 Al shows a vehicle comprising a body comprising a front end and a rear end.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement of a side door on a cab for a commercial vehicle such that particularly advantageous aerodynamics of the commercial vehicle may be realized.

[0004] This object is solved by an arrangement having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient developments of the invention are indicated in the other patent claims.

[0005] The invention relates to an arrangement of a side door on a cab for a commercial vehicle such as, for example, a truck. The cab is also referred to as a cabin or a driver's cab since, for example, a driver of the commercial vehicle may sit in the cab, in particular when the commercial vehicle is in motion. The commercial vehicle is also referred to as a vehicle. In an embodiment, the cab may comprise at least one lateral door opening. The door opening may be bound at least partially by an A-pillar of the cab in a longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle towards a front of the commercial vehicle. For example, when the vehicle travels forwards in a straight line, the vehicle travels along its longitudinal direction wherein, for example, the vehicle, along its longitudinal direction, extends from said front to rear of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the side door is moveably, in particular pivotably, held on the cab between a closed position and at least one open position. In the closed position, the side door may cover at least a portion of the door opening such that, for example, at least the portion of the door opening is closed by the side door in the closed position. In the open position, at least the portion of the door opening may be uncovered. Thus, for example, the door may release at least the portion in the open position such that, for example, a person such as a driver of the vehicle may get into or out of the cab via the uncovered portion.

[0006] In an embodiment, the side door may comprise a bulbous exterior surface adjoining, in the closed position, the A-pillar in a flush manner. Thus, the side door is a flush door comprising a geometry comprising the bulbous exterior surface. At least in the closed position, for example, the exterior surface of the side door faces a way from an interior of the cab in a transverse direction of the vehicle, the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle. In this regard, the interior is bound by the cab such that, for example, the driver of the commercial vehicle may sit in the interior and thus in the cab in particular whilst the vehicle is in motion. The exterior surface is also referred to as a door surface.

[0007] In an embodiment, the exterior surface may be angled out thereby forming a wedge shape of the exterior surface. Thereby, for example, the exterior surface is bulbous and adjoins the A-pillar in a flush manner in the closed position.

[0008] In an embodiment, a radius, in particular an outer radius, of the side door, in particular of the exterior surface, around the A-pillar is increased in comparison with conventional solutions in order to keep air more attached to the exterior surface of the side door. Particularly, for example, said geometry may be bulbous such that the exterior surface comprises a rounded area adjoining the A-pillar in the closed position (i.e. near the A-pillar). In an embodiment, the rounded area adjoining or near the A-pillar, in particular in the closed position, is streamlined with the rest of the geometry of the side door (i.e. the exterior surface).

[0009] In an embodiment, the side door may also comprise a lower covering portion, which, for example at least in the closed position, covers a step of the cab in order to prevent an excessive drag penalty caused by the step. For example, a person such as the driver of the commercial vehicle may use this step to get into and out of the interior in a particularly comfortable way.

[0010] A conventional commercial vehicle such as, for example, a conventional truck may experience an aerodynamic penalty when there is airflow separation occurring near and/or around a surface of the side door and the A-pillar making the commercial vehicle less efficient. By the invention, excessive airflow separation occurring near and/or around the A-pillar and the side door may be avoided such that, in comparison with conventional solutions, an excessive drag penalty caused by airflow separation at the side door may be avoided. Thus, a particularly high efficiency of the commercial vehicle may be realized.

[0011] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention derive from the following description of a preferred embodiment as well as from the drawings. The features and feature combinations previously mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figures and/or shown in the figures alone may be employed not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in any other combination or taken alone without leaving the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and/or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0013] Fig. 1 is part of a schematic perspective view of a commercial vehicle.

[0014] Fig. 2 is part of a further schematic perspective view of the commercial vehicle.

[0015] Fig. 3 is part of a further schematic perspective view of the commercial vehicle.

[0016] In the figures the same elements or elements having the same function are indicated by the same reference signs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration". Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0018] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawing and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0019] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion so that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus preceded by "comprises" or "comprise' does not or do not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

[0020] In the following detailed description of the embodiment of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawing that forms part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific embodiment in which the disclosure may be practiced. This embodiment is described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0021] Fig. 1 shows, in a schematic perspective view, a commercial vehicle 10 which may be configured as a truck. Particularly, the commercial vehicle 10 may be configured as a tractor which may be articulately connected with a trailer such that, for example, the tractor and the trailer form a tractor-trailer. As shown in Fig. 1, the commercial vehicle 10 comprises a cab 12 which is also referred to as a driver's cab. Preferably, the cab 12 may bound an interior of the commercial vehicle 10, wherein a person such as, for example, a driver of the commercial vehicle 10 may sit in the interior, in particular while the commercial vehicle 10 is in motion. A longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle 10 is illustrated by a double arrow 14. Moreover, a transverse direction of the commercial vehicle 10 is illustrated by a double arrow 16. As shown in Fig. 1, the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle 10 extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle 10. The commercial vehicle 10 is also referred to as a vehicle. Moreover, a double arrow 18 illustrates a vertical direction of the commercial vehicle 10, the vertical direction extending perpendicularly to both the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle 10. A front of the commercial vehicle 10 is designated by 20, wherein the front 20 is opposite of a rear of the commercial vehicle 10 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The commercial vehicle 10 travels forwards along a straight line, the commercial vehicle 10 travels along its longitudinal direction, wherein said rear follows the front 20.

[0022] In an embodiment, the cab 12 may comprise a hood 22 which may cover a motor of the commercial vehicle 10 in the vertical direction of the vehicle upwards. In an embodiment, the motor may be configured as an engine such as an internal combustion engine. In a further embodiment, the motor may be configured as an electric machine. For example, the motor may be configured to drive to commercial vehicle 10.

[0023] In an embodiment, the commercial vehicle 10 may comprise an arrangement 24 of a side door 26 on the cab 12. Thus, in an embodiment, the commercial vehicle 10 may comprise the side door 26. In an embodiment, the cab 12 may comprise a lateral door opening 28 which is bound at least partially by an A-pillar 30 of the cab 12 in the longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle 10 towards the front 20. As shown in Fig. 1, the A-pillar 30 may bound a wind shield opening 32 at least partially in the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle 10. A windshield 34 may be arranged in the windshield opening 32 such that, for example, the windshield opening 32 may be covered and thereby closed by the windshield 34. In an embodiment, the side door 26 may be moveably, in particular pivotably, held on the cab 12 between a closed position C shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and at least one open position. In the closed position C, the side door 26 may cover at least a portion of the lateral door opening 28. In the open position, at least said portion of the door opening 28 may be uncovered. In other words, in the open position, the side door 26 may release at least said portion of the door opening 28.

[0024] As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the side door 26 comprises a bulbous exterior surface 36 adjoining, in the closed position C, the A-pillar 30 in a flush manner. In Fig. 2, an outer line 38 shows a contour, in particular an outer contour, of the exterior surface 36 and thus the side door 26. As shown by the outer line 38, the exterior surface 36 is angled out such that a wedge shape of the exterior surface 36 is realized. Thereby, the exterior surface 36 is bulbous. In other words, the exterior surface 36 and thus the side door 26 has a geometry which is bulbous around the A-pillar 30.

[0025] An inner line 40 illustrates a contour of an exterior surface of a conventional side door of a conventional commercial vehicle. The outer line 38 and the inner line 40 are also shown in Fig. 3. From the lines 38 and 40, it can be clearly seen that the exterior surface 36 (i.e. its contour) is much more rounded which is also illustrated by a double arrow 42 in Fig. 3. Since the bulbous exterior surface 36 adjoins the A-pillar 30 in a flush manner in the closed position C, aerodynamic advantages may be achieved in comparison with the conventional side door.

[0026] In an embodiment, the side door 26 may comprise a door structure 44 and a side window 46 covering, at least in a closed position C2 of the side window 46, a corresponding window opening of the side door 26. In an embodiment, the side window 46 may be moveable, in particular translationally movable, in relation to the door structure 44 in the vertical direction of the vehicle between the closed position C2 of the side window 46 and at least one open position of the side window 46. For example, in the open position of the side window 46, at least a portion of the window opening is uncovered (i.e. released by the side window 46). In the figures, the window opening is designated by 48.

[0027] In an embodiment, the window opening 48 may be bound at least partially by a front member 50 of a window frame 52 of the side door 26. For example, the window frame 52 and thus the front member 50 may be parts of the structure 44 of the side door 26. Particularly, at least said portion of the window opening 48 may be bound at least partially by the front member 50 in the longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle 10 towards the front 20.

[0028] In an embodiment, at least a portion of the bulbous exterior surface 36 may be formed by at least a portion of an exterior surface 45 of the side window 46. In an embodiment, at least a portion of the bulbous exterior surface 36 may be formed by at least a portion of an exterior surface 56 of the front member 50 of the window frame 52. Thus, for example, the exterior surface 36 may be a bulbous exterior surface of the structure 44 and/or the side window 46, which may be made of glass.

List of Reference Signs commercial vehicle 12 cab 14 double arrow 16 double arrow 18 double arrow front 22 hood 24 arrangement 26 side door 28 door opening A-pillar 32 windshield opening 34 windshield 36 exterior surface 38 outer line inner line 42 double arrow 44 structure 46 side window 48 window opening front member 52 window frame 54 exterior surface 56 exterior surface C closed position C2 closed position

Claims

CLAIMS1. An arrangement (24) of a side door (26) on a cab (12) for a commercial vehicle (10), wherein: -the cab (12) comprises at least one lateral door opening (28) bound, in a longitudinal direction (14) of the commercial vehicle (10) towards a front (20) of the commercial vehicle (10), at least partially by an A-pillar (30) of the cab (12), -the side door (26) is movably held on the cab (12) between a closed position (C) in which at least a portion of the door opening (28) is covered by the side door (26), and at least one open position in which at least the portion is uncovered, and the side door (26) comprises a bulbous exterior surface (36) adjoining, in the closed position (C), the A-pillar (30) in a flush manner.
2. The arrangement (24) according to claim 1, wherein the side door (26) comprises a side window (46) covering, at least in a closed position (C2) of the side window (46), a corresponding window opening (48) of the side door (26).
3. The arrangement (24) according to claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the bulbous exterior surface (36) is formed by at least a portion of an exterior surface (54) of the side window (46) of the side door (26).
4. The arrangement (24) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, at least in the closed position (C) of the side door (26), the window opening (48) is bound at least partially by a front member (50) of a window frame (52) of the side door (26) in the longitudinal direction (14) of the commercial vehicle (10) towards the front (20) of the commercial vehicle (10).
5. The arrangement (24) according to claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the bulbous exterior surface (36) is formed by at least a portion of an exterior surface (56) of the front member (50).