Description A Device for Movement of Aperture Closing Elements for Vehicles, in particular Vehicles for Transport of People, and a Closure Device Provided with the Movement Device.
Technical Field
The invention relates to the field of accessories destined for vehicles of any type, and in particular vehicles dedicated to the transport of people both for private purposes, such as for example motor vehicles, motor homes and/or boats, and for public vehicles, such as buses, trains, ships and the like. Background Art As is known, vehicles in general can present one or more apertures afforded in their structures, which are aimed at placing the internal environment in communication with the external environment, or to afford communication between internal chambers of the same vehicle. These apertures, which usually have a double function of aeration and safety and/or emergency exit, are generally provided with special devices for closure which are manually and/or automatically activated.
Known closure devices usually comprise a support frame and a mobile closure element. The support element is removably associated to a respective aperture in the vehicle, while the closure element is mobile between a first position in which it completely obstructs the respective aperture, and a second position in which the aperture is at least partially disengaged from the closure element.
When the aperture is required as a safety and/or emergency exit, the frame, which bears the mobile closure element, can be removed from its operative position in order to completely disengage the structure of the vehicle, totally freeing the aperture. Known closure devices further comprise one or more movement devices for manual and/or automatic activation of the closure element between the first and second positions.
With reference to automatic movement devices, they include a command organ which is operatively connected to a hinge arrangement which is active on the closure element. In general, the hinge arrangement includes a first and second movement organ which cooperate to displace the closure element following activation of the command organ. The first movement organ comprises two internal movement arms, longitudinally aligned and turned on opposite sides with respect to an activation mechanism interpositioned between the arms and connected directly to the command organ, while the second movement organ comprises two terminal arms hinged to the respective internal movement arms on opposite sides with respect to the activation mechanism and operatively connected to the closure element. Both the internal arms and the terminal arms are hinged in a known way to the frame in order to rotate, the internal arms about respective axes located in proximity of the activation mechanism, and the terminal arms about respective axes located in proximity of the respective internal arms. When the command organ is activated, causing the activation of the activation mechanism, the internal arms are activated to rotate about their rotation axes, raising and/or lowering the respective terminal arms hinged thereto. The terminal arms consequently rotate about their rotation axes,
raising and/or lowering the active end onto the closure element which is in turn distanced from the aperture and/or neared thereto. Although the above-mentioned movement devices and the closure devices equipped therewith enable automatic movement of the closure elements associated to the apertures afforded in the vehicles, the applicant has found that they are not without drawbacks, mainly in relation to the movement of the closure elements when the command organ is deactivated and/or broken. In particular, it has been found that during normal operation of the above- described movement devices the command organ thereof is subject to periodic faults and/or malfunctioning, which completely block the whole movement mechanism of the closure elements to which they are associated. The immobilisation of the closure elements is determined by the structure itself of the transmission constituting the movement devices and the connection constraints among the various mobile components. More specifically, when the command organs blocks, due to a fault, causing the respective closure element to stop in any position comprised between the first and the second positions, any movement of the closure element is hampered. Apart from the closure element's being stuck in an undesired position, a manual intervention on the part of an operator is required, or by the driver of the vehicle should there be no full crew aboard. Naturally, in this situation, the driver is forced to stop the vehicle to attempt to open and/or close the jammed closure element by dismounting some parts from the movement device and/or by acting directly on the activation mechanism connected to the internal arms. This operation, not always successful, required a considerable amount of time whether some parts are dismounted or, for manually-operated devices, the command organ is broken or faulty.
The main aim of the present invention is to obviate the above-described problems in the prior art by providing a movement device for closure elements of apertures afforded in vehicles, in particular those for transport of people, and a closure device provided with the movement device, which devices together enable easy movement of the closure elements even when the command organs are de-activated and/or broken.
These aims and others besides, which will better emerge during the course of the following description, are attained by a movement device for closureelements for apertures on vehicles, in particular for transport of people, and a closure device which is provided with the movement device according to what is described and claimed in the present application. Disclosure of Invention Further characteristics and advantages will better emerge from the detailed description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of a movement device for closure elements of apertures afforded in vehicles, in particular vehicles for transport of people, and a closure device which is provided with the movement device according to the application. The description will be set out herein below with reference to the accompanying figures of the drawings, provided in the form of a non-limiting illustrations, in which, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a movement device for closure elements of apertures afforded in vehicles, in particular vehicles for transport of people, according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a view in elevation of the device of figure 1, illustrated in a first operative position; Figure 3 is a further view in elevation of the device of the preceding figures, in a second operative position;
Figure 4 is further view in elevation of the device of the preceding figures, in a third operative position, with a deactivated command organ; Figure 5 is a view in elevation of the device of the previous figures, shown in a fourth operative position, with the command organ de-activated; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a closure device of the movement device illustrated in the preceding figures;
Figure 7 is a further perspective view of the closure device of the preceding figure, partially simplified. With reference to the figures of the drawings, 1 denotes in its entirety a movement device for closure elements of apertures afforded in vehicles, in particular vehicles for transport of people, according to the invention. The movement device 1 , which will be described herein below, is applicable with a closure device 2 (figures 6 and 7) applicable to apertures (not illustrated as of known type) afforded in structures of vehicles (also not illustrated), in particular vehicles for transport of people, such as for example motor cars, motor homes, buses, trains, boats, ships and/or the like. As shown in figure 6, the above-mentioned closure devices 2 comprise a support frame 3 which extends according to the shape of the aperture in the vehicle. In other words, the support frame 3 is shaped according to the aperture so that it can be fitted perfectly, thus guaranteeing a stable support structure for the whole closure device 2.
Still with reference to figure 6, the closure device 2 also includes means for engaging 4 operatively associated to the support frame 3 for guaranteeing the good fixture of the frame to the aperture. More specifically, the means for engaging 4 enable the fastening of the closure device 2 to the respective aperture, when the aperture is used for placing in fluid communication the internal environment of the vehicle with the outside environment or with a
further chamber of the vehicle, or the disengagement of the closure device 2 when it is necessary to use the whole breadth of the aperture. In other words, the possibility of applying the closure device 2 to a respective aperture of the vehicle and/or removing the closure device 2 there-from, in effect creates different functions for the same aperture. In the first case the aperture is used only for aeration and/or air-condition the vehicle. In the second case the aperture is effectively a safety exit or an emergency exit, to be used in special and unusual situations. As shown in figure 6, the closure device 2 further comprises a closure element 5 which is operatively engaged to the support frame 3 and mobile between a first position, in which it completely closes the aperture, and a second position, in which it is at least partially disengaged therefrom. With reference to figure 7, the above-mentioned movement device 1 operates at the vehicle aperture, inferiorly engaging the closure element 5 in order to move the element 5 between the first and second positions. In the embodiment of figure 7, two identical movement devices 1 are associated to the closure element 5, and are able to move the closure element 5 between at least four different positions. A first position sees the closure element 5 completely closing the respective aperture, on a plane which is parallel to the lie plane of the aperture itself. A second position is where the closure element 5 is completely disengaged from the aperture, preferably lying on a parallel plane to the aperture plane. A third position is when the closure element 5 is partially disengaged from the aperture and assumes an orientation which is inclined with respect to the lie plane of the aperture; and a fourth position is where the aperture is partially free and the closure element 5 is inclined on an opposite side with respect to its inclination in the third position. Naturally the use of one or more movement devices 1 associated to each closure element 5
in no way limits the present invention and depends exclusively on the different production and/or commercial needs that may exist. In more detail, in figures 1 to 5 and 7, each of the movement devices 1 comprises a command organ 6, preferably an electric motor 6a, for example a direct current motor, which can be moved from an activated to a de-activated condition, and a hinged arrangement 7 which is operatively interpositioned between the command organ 6 and the closure element 5 in order to move the closure element 5 from the de-activated into the activated condition. The hinged arrangement 7 preferably comprises a first and a second movement organ 8, 9, respectively to move the closure element 5 between the first and second positions (figures 2 and 3).
Still in reference to figures from 1 to 5 and 7, each movement device 1 comprises respective transmissions 10, operatively interpositioned between the first and the second movement organs 8, 9, for hingingly connecting the movement organs 8, 9 according to at least a common rotation axis X about which the first and the second movement organs 8, 9 rotate, advantageously at the same time, at least in an activation condition of the command organ 6. With reference to the connection of the command organ 6 to the first movement organ 8, the movement organ 8 comprises a transmission pulley 11, preferably a cogwheel, which can be rotated about a first rotation axis Y which is perpendicular to the common rotation axis X and operatively connected to the command organ 6 in order to be rotated about the , first rotation axis Y. In more detail, the first pulley 11 is rotated by the command organ 6 through a threaded portion 6b of a respective drive shaft 6c extending from the electric motor 6a perpendicular to the first rotation axis Y.
The first movement organ 8 further comprises a drive shaft 12 which is axially engaged to the transmission pulley 11 and rotates solidly there-with
about the first rotation axis Y. Advantageously the drive shaft 12 exhibits at least a threaded portion 12a extending on an opposite side with respect to the transmission pulley 11, preferably for at least two thirds of the longitudinal development of the drive shaft. With reference to figures from 1 to 5 and 7, the first movement organ 8 of each movement device 1, further comprises a first internal arm 13 which is rotatable about a second rotation axis Z which is parallel to the common rotation axis X and transversal to the longitudinal development of the first internal arm. In more detail, the second rotation axis Z is located in proximity of a first end 13a of the first internal arm 13, arranged at the drive shaft 12. The first end 13a of the first internal arm 13 preferably exhibits a cogged portion (not visible in the figures) which enmeshes with the threaded portion 12a of the drive shaft 12 in such a way that the first internal arm 13 is rotated about the second rotation axis Z following rotation of the drive shaft 12 and the transmission pulley 11 about the first rotation axis Y. The first internal arm 13 exhibits, on the opposite side to the first end 13a, a second end 13b which is active, by means of the transmission means 10, on the second movement organ 9. The first internal arm 13 is preferably telescopic and is axially mobile between a contracted position of minimum longitudinal extension, in which the opposite ends 13a and 13b are close to one another, and a position of maximum extension, in which the opposite ends 13a, 13b are distant one from another. The first internal arm 13 is advantageously provided with suitable pushing means (not represented) which are for maintaining the first internal arm 13 in the extended position.
Again with reference to figures from 1 to 5 and 7, the second movement organ 9 comprises a first terminal arm 14 which is rotatable about a third
rotation axis A which is parallel to the common rotation axis X and located at a first end 14a facing the second end 13b of the first internal arm 13. The first terminal arm 14 is further operatively connected, by means of the advantageous interposition of a first transmission rod 15 (figure 7) to the closure element 5. In particular, the first terminal arm 14 exhibits a second end 14b, opposite to the first end 14a, rotatably engaged to the first transmission rod 15 which second end 14b is slidably engaged to the closure element 5 by means of suitable constraints 15a. As can be seen in figures from 1 to 5 and 7, the first terminal arm 14 exhibits a triangular shape tapering at the second end 14b and provided with a plurality of apertures 14c for lightening, also triangular. The transmission means 10 advantageously comprise a first connection joint 16 which can at least partially disengage the first and second movement organs 8, 9 in order to enable movement of the closure element 5 between the first and second positions by action of at least a force applied directly on the closure element 5 in the de-activated condition of the command organ 6. In other words, the first connection joint 16 gives to the second movement organ 9 the ability to rotate about third rotation axis A even when the command organ 6 and, consequently, the first movement organ 8 are blocked for any reason.
The first connection joint 16 preferably comprises a first transmission element 17 rotatably engaged to the first movement organ 8 in order to rotate at least about the common rotation axis X and a second transmission element 18 which is solidly engaged to the second movement organ 9 and facing the first transmission element 17. The first and second transmission elements 17, 18 are reciprocally engaged, in such a way that a movement organ 8, 9 is displaced following the movement of the other movement organ 8, 9.
The first connection joint 16 preferably comprises at least a cam joint having tappets operatively interpositioned between the first and the second movement organ 8, 9. In more detail, the first transmission element 17 of the first connection joint 16 preferably comprises a roller tappet 17a hinged on the second end 13b of the internal arm 13 of the first movement organ 8, and the second transmission element 18 of the first connection joint 16 preferably comprises at least a curved-profile cam 19 made directly on the first end 14a of the first terminal arm 14 of the second movement organ 9. The cam 19 advantageously exhibits a curved main portion 20, preferably developing as an arc of circumference, the concavity of which faces towards the roller tappets 17a. The main portion 20 is defined between two wedge- shaped containing ends 20a between which the roller tappets 17a are operatively engaged both when the command organ 6 is activated with the closure element 5 in movement and when the command organ 6 is de- activated, with the closure element 5 stationary (figures 2 and 3).
The cam 19 also comprises a first auxiliary portion 21 which extends from the main portion 20 towards the second end 14b of the first terminal arm 14. With reference to figures from 1 to 5 and 7, the first auxiliary portion 21 of the cam 19 exhibits at least a curved tract 21a, preferably an arc of circumference which is delimited on an opposite side thereof with respect to the main portion 20 of the cam 19 by a containment end 21b which is wedge- shaped. The first auxiliary portion 21 of the cam 19 further exhibits at least a raiser portion 21c interpositioned between the curved tract 21a and the main portion 20 of the cam 19, which augments the roller tappets 17a during the displacement thereof from the main portion 20 of the cam 19 to the cuived tract 21a of the first auxiliary portion 21.
In detail, the first auxiliary portion 21 of the cam 19 is predisposed to receive and engage the roller tappets 17a during the movement of the closure element 5 in the de-activation condition of the command organ 6. In more detail, the roller tappets 17a disengage the main portion 20 of the cam 19 in order to engage the first auxiliary portion 21 of the cam 19 when, with the command organ 6 disengaged, the closure element 5 is activated from the first (figure 2) to the second position (figure 5). In this situation, the roller tappets 17a are first pushed towards the drive shaft 12 of the first movement organ 8 from the main portion 20 of the cam 19 on the counter-positioning of the first internal arm 13 of the first movement organ, then to move towards the curved tract 21a of the first auxiliary portion 21 by the action of the pushing means of the first internal arm 13, passing over the respective containing end 20a of the main portion 20 of the cam 19 and sliding on the raiser portion 21c of the first auxiliary portion 21. Once more with reference to figures from 1 to 5 and 7, the cam 19 further comprises a second auxiliary portion 22 which extends from the main portion
20 of the cam 19 on an opposite side with respect to the first auxiliary portion
21 and towards the second end 14b of the first terminal ami 14. The second auxiliary portion 22 advantageously exhibits at least a curved tract 22a, preferably developing as an arc of circumference, delimited, on an opposite side with respect to the main portion 20 of the cam 19, by a wedge-shaped containing end 22b.
The second auxiliary portion 22 of the cam 19 further exhibits at least a raiser tract 22c interpositioned between the curved tract 22a and the main portion 20 of the cam 19 in order to direct the roller tappets 17a during the displacement thereof by the main portion 20 of the cam 19 to the curved tract 22a of the second auxiliary portion 22.
More specifically, the second auxiliary portion 22 of the cam 19 is predisposed to receive and engage the roller tappets 17a during the movement of the closure element 5 in the de-activated condition of the command organ 6. In more detail, the roller tappet 17a disengages the main portion 20 of the cam 19 in order to engage the second auxiliary portion 22 of the cam 19 when, with the command organ 6 de-activated, the closure element 5 is activated to move from the second (figure 3) to the first potion (figure 4). In this situation, the roller tappets 17a are primarily pushed towards the drive shaft 12 of the first movement organ 8 by the main portion 20 of the cam 19 in counterposition of the first internal aim 13 of the first movement organ itself, then to move towards the curved tract 22a of the second auxiliary portion 22 on action of the pushing means of the first internal arm 13, passing by the respective containing end 20a of the main portion 20 of the cam 19 and sliding on the raiser tract 22c of the second auxiliary portion 22. In the embodiment illustrated in figures from 1 to 5 and 7, the first movement organ 8 of each movement device 1 also comprises a second internal arm 13', identical to the first internal arm 13. The second internal arm 13' is operatively arranged at the drive shaft 12 on the opposite side to the first internal arm 13, and in a longitudinally aligned position thereto. Preferably each internal arm 13, 13' further exhibits, at the first end 13a, 13a', a pair of cogged cranks 13c, 13c', partially enveloping the drive shaft 12. The cogged cranks 13c, 13c' of each internal arm 13, 13', enmesh with the respective cogged cranks 13c, 13c' of the other internal arm 13, 13' in order to improve the engagement there-between and the engagement between them and the drive shaft 12.
The second movement organ 9 also further comprises a second terminal aim 14', identical to the first terminal aim 14. Similarly with regard to the first
terminal arm 14, the second terminal aim 14' is operatively engaged to the second internal arm 13 ' on the opposite side with respect to the first internal arm 13 and the first terminal aim 14.
The second movement organ 9 further comprises a second transmission rod 15', identical to the first transmission rod 15 and rotatably engaged to the second terminal arm 14' on an opposite side with respect to the second internal aim 13'. The second transmission rod 15' is further slidably engaged to the closure element 5 by means of a respective and suitable constraint 15a'. In addition, the transmission means 10 also comprise a second connection joint 16' operatively interpositioned between the second internal arm 13' and the second terminal arm 14'. The second connection joint 16' is preferably identical to the first connection joint 16, both in teims of structure and in relation to its functioning. Each device thus exhibits an overall structure which, with the exception of the command organ 6, is symmetrical with respect to the first rotation axis Y.
As the second internal arm 13' of the first movement organ 8, the second connection joint 16' of the transmission means 10, the second terminal arm 14' and the second transmission rod 15' of the second movement organ 9 are identical to the corresponding first components, the same numbers have been used to denote them, also using ' to distinguish them. The invention solves the problems encountered in the prior art and reaches the set aims. First and foremost, the movement device 1 enables an optimal movement of the closure elements 5. In addition, the movement device 1 ensures the mobility of the closure element 5 even when the command organ 6 is de-activated and/or broken. In particular, the structure of the transmission means 10 is especially advantageous, which disengage the second movement organ 9 from the first
movement organ 8 and the command organ 6 when the latter is blocked , enabling the movement of the closure element 5 following the direct application of at least one force thereon. In the case of faults and/or malfunctioning of the command organs 6, the operator is no longer forced to dismount the movement devices 1 in order to free the closure element 5 from the transmission system or manually activate and laboriously activate the rotatable elements thereof in order to slowly open and/or close the respective apertures, but may operate directly on the closure element 5, bringing it into the desired position simply and quickly by a single manual action.