WO2017034495A1

WO2017034495A1 - A collapsible step cover plate

Info

Publication number: WO2017034495A1
Application number: PCT/TR2016/050299
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sami BASKIR; Murat Cakir; Ersun SOZEN; Belgutey SAVASIR; Didem Colakel; Begum DEREBAY; Ezgi OZDEMIR
Original assignee: Ford Otomotiv Sanayi A. S.
Priority date: 2015-08-21
Filing date: 2016-08-19
Publication date: 2017-03-02

Abstract

The present invention relates to a collapsible step cover plate (1) which allows the use of steps on the chassis by opening upon the opening of the door in heavy commercial vehicles, and which hides the steps on the chassis upon the closing of the door.

Description

A COLLAPSIBLE STEP COVER PLATE

DESCRIPTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a collapsible step cover plate which allows the use of steps on the chassis by opening upon the opening of the door in heavy commercial vehicles, and which hides the steps on the chassis upon the closing of the door.

Background of the Invention

The cabin is designed as the living space of the driver in heavy commercial vehicles. During driving, many details are thought so that the driver has maximum safety and comfort. The engine is located on the chassis such that it will be below the driver cabin in heavy commercial vehicles. When the cabin is in normal position, the rear part of the cabin is supported with independent suspensions. Therefore, the road vibrations are also prevented from being transferred to the driver with this type of connection. Under road conditions, the cabin and the chassis move separately from each other, because the cabin is connected to the chassis with the cabin suspension. Since there is a separate suspension system between the cabin and the chassis, it is enabled that the cabin and the chassis move separately from each other. The movement of the cabin and the chassis relative to each other is approximately 3 cm.

Since the driver cabin is mounted on the chassis, access to the driver and the passenger cabin is enabled via steps, approximately with 2-4 steps. When the driver wants to get into the cabin, he gets into the cabin by using the steps on the chassis. At the same time, the cabin is required to be tilted in order to access the engine during service. During service, the driver cabin should be lowered towards the front part (tilt) in order to access the engine. In order to tilt the cabin, the cabin is jointed to the chassis from the front end.

The steps used for accessing the cabin are desired to be mounted on the cabin. However during tilting the cabin, since the steps at the bottom will contact the front wheel, couple of steps at the bottom is connected to the chassis of the vehicle. In this case, couple of steps ant the bottom are located on the chassis, and the other steps are located on the cabin. Therefore, the steps are prevented from contacting or abutting the front wheel during moving the cabin forward or completely tilting.

The steps connected to the cabin are closed for access from the outside by extending the door panel towards the ground such that it will cover the steps. Covering the steps shows effect of decreasing the air friction in terms of aerodynamic and enhances the fuel economy. In case the steps are not covered, the gap disrupts the regular flow of the air and increases the air friction, thereby causing more fuel consumption. Covering the steps prevents the dust, dirt from filling the steps. In case the steps are not covered, an area is created onto which the dust, dirt from the roads can hold especially roads that are not coated with asphalt. The dirt accumulated in this area is carried into the cabin while the driver is climbing to the vehicle, and it causes the vehicle to become dirty earlier. Covering the steps also prevents the access of malevolent people wanting to climb the vehicle. When the steps are not covered, it is possible that unwanted people to travel on the vehicle by stepping on the lower steps of the vehicle that are open and by holding onto the mirror arms, door handles at traffic lights especially in areas with heavy traffic during driving.

Covering the steps and preventing outside access provide many advantages in terms of aerodynamic, safety and cleanliness. The steps on the cabin are covered by extending the door panel, however the steps on the chassis cannot be covered by extending the door towards the ground. The reason for this is same as not being able to connect the steps to the cabin; that is during forward opening of the cabin, any extension to be used mounted to the cabin will hit the wheels. Due to the said reason, the heavy commercial vehicle manufacturers leave the lower steps open, or they use several applications in order to cover the lower steps on the chassis.

In the current technique, in an embodiment used for covering the steps on the chassis, opening and closing of the steps is provided via a pneumatic structure. In the said embodiment, the steps on the chassis are in form of a two piece step mechanism which is opened and closed automatically with pneumatic pressure. In the said embodiment, it is automatically detected that the door is closed and one piece of the two piece step rotates and covers the step gap when the door is closed. In this embodiment, a pneumatic, two piece step is used; when the door is closed, the half of the step is rotated 90° via the pistons and it covers the step gap. The most important technical problem of the said embodiment is that the step remains locked or open due to the pneumatic pressure. In such case, the step remains locked and it cannot be used. Furthermore, the said pneumatic step mechanism increase the vehicle cost and creates extra failure source on the vehicle. In another embodiment that is currently being used, a cover is mounted to the chassis with hinge in order to cover the step gaps. By means of the cover mounted to the chassis, the step gap is closed. In order to enable the said cover to be opened and closed with the door, the cover is connected to the door with a pin. The connection pin extending from the step cover plate towards the door enters through the connection slot located under the door, and it forms the bridge enabling to move together with the door. In this embodiment, the connection slot through which the connection pin enters should be quiet wide, because the connection pin should go out of the slot easily during tilting of the cabin. At the same time, the connection pin should easily enter into the slot again when the cabin returns. During tilting the cabin, the cabin shakes a couple of centimeters in all directions; therefore the slot should be wide in all directions so that the connection pin can easily enter into the slot. In the said embodiment, the slot located under the door should be in a width such that the pin can enter and exit easily. In the said embodiment, using wide connection slot causes other technical problems. During driving, especially in terrains or bad roads, the step cover plate is subjected to intense vibration and it makes noise since it moves. Since the connection slot is wider than the connection pin, it moves within the slot and crashes occur. The movement or hitting of the connection pin inside the slot causes the connection pin to break, and to damage the main part hinged with bolts. In the said embodiment, the breaking of the connection pin, the damage of the part to which the pin is connected and the pin causing noise are the most common technical problems.

In heavy commercial vehicles, there are several applications for covering the steps used for access to the cabin and located on the chassis. Some part of the applications that are currently being used comprise pneumatic systems and they are activated depending on the opening and closing of the door automatically. Such applications increase vehicle cost and make the step unusable in case of failure. There are also several mechanical applications that are currently being used. The mechanical applications are designed such that they will also be used in tilting the cabin forward. The step cover plates also move upon the movement of the cabin. In the said application, there are unwanted problems such as breaking of the connecting pin, and the pin causing noise during driving.

In the current applications, there is no mechanical applications which covers the step gaps on the chassis, moves together with the door, and which opens when the door opens and closes when the door closes.

The Objective of the Invention The objective of the present invention is to provide a collapsible step cover plate which enables to cover and uncover the steps located on the chassis by moving together with the opening and closing of the door. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a collapsible step cover plate which is completely mechanical and which opens and closes according to the movement of the door.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The collapsible step cover plate realized to fulfill the objective of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 is the front view of the collapsible step cover plate.

Figure 2 is the rear view of the collapsible step cover plate.

Figure 3 is the schematic view of the collapsible step cover plate in a mounted state.

The components shown in the figures are each given reference numbers as follows:

1. Collapsible step cover plate

2. Fixed step cover plate

3. Tie member

4. Pulley

5. Locking arm

51. Wheel

6. Guiding piece

61. Groove

7. Connecting member

8. Movable step cover plate 9. Second connection member

A. Upper step

B. Middle step

C. Lower step

A collapsible step cover plate (1), which allows the use of steps on the chassis by opening upon the opening of the door in heavy commercial vehicles, and which hides the steps on the chassis upon the closing of the door, comprises

- at least one tie member (3) which transfers the movement it receives from the door,

at least one locking arm (5) which moves preferably circular relative to the movement of the tie member (3),

at least one guiding piece (6) on which the locking arm (5) moves and applies pressure, and which transfers the force applied by the locking arm (5), at least one movable step cover plate (8) to which the guiding piece (6) is connected, moves preferably circular with the force applied thereon, covers or uncovers the gap between the middle step (B) and the lower step (C). The inventive collapsible step cover plate (1) preferably comprises at least one fixed step cover plate (2). The fixed step cover plate (2) is mounted between the upper step (A) and the middle step (B). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper step (A) is connected to the cabin, and the middle step (B) and the lower step (C) are connected to the chassis. The fixed step cover plate (2) covers the upper step (A) and the middle step (B), and it is in form of an extension of the cabin.

The tie member (3) is preferably front lower corner of the door, on the door. The other end of the tie member (3) is fixed to the locking arm (5). Since the tie member (3) moves right under the door as sufficient as to lift the locking arm (5), it does not prevent the driver or the passenger from entering into or exiting from the cabin. In the inventive collapsible step cover plate (1), the movement of the door, closing and opening of the door, moves the tie member (3).

The inventive collapsible step cover plate (1) preferably comprises at least one pulley (4). The pulley (4) is around the door, preferably on the inner part of the door frame (Figure 3). The pulley (4) enables the tie member (3) to be collected, wrapped and released. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the tie member (3) is located vertically between the tie member (3) and the locking arm (5), and it goes around the pulley (4) changed direction in ninety degrees (90°), and it is fixed on the door. Therefore, one end of the tie member (3) is fixed to the tie member (3) and the other end is fixed locking arm (5). The tie member (3) pulls the locking arm (5) upwards upon the opening of the door and moves it, and it allows the movable step cover plate (8) to open. The locking arm (5) is preferably between the middle step (B) and the guiding piece (6). The inventive collapsible step cover plate (1) preferably comprises at least one connecting member (7). The locking arm (5) is preferably connected to the middle step with the connecting member (7). There is at least one wheel (51) or similar piece present at one end of the locking arm (5). By means of the wheel (51) present at the end of the locking arm (5), the locking arm (5) moves more easily.

In one embodiment of the invention, the guiding piece (6) is preferably mounted to the movable step cover plate (8). The guiding piece (6) is located between the locking arm (5) and the movable step cover plate (8). The guiding piece (6) transfers the movement of the locking arm (5) and the force it applies to the movable step cover plate (8). The guiding piece (6) comprises at least one groove (61). The wheel (51) of the locking arm (5) moves inside the groove (61). The groove (61) enables the wheel (51), thus the locking arm (5), to move in a preferred manner and direction within the guiding piece (6). The groove (61) is preferably in form such that the wheel (51) can easily move. The starting end of the groove (61) enables the locking arm (5) to remain at an angle such that it will not allow opening by pushing from outside. The groove (61) final end is at the same rotary axis with the second connecting member (9). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking arm (5) and the movable step cover plate (8) are connected to the middle step (B) with the connecting member (7). Preferably spring hinge like parts are used as connecting member (7). Since the connecting member (7) comprises at least one spring like part, it applies a force on the part which it connects to each other. By means of the connecting member (7), the movable step cover plate (8) tends to move towards the middle step (B) from the point where it is connected. By means of its spring structure, the connecting member (7) applies force on the movable step cover plate (8) such that it will come below the middle step (B).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the movable step cover plate (8) is located between the middle step (B) and the lower step (C) on the chassis. The movable step cover plate (8) covers or uncovers the gap between the middle step (B) and the lower step (C) depending on the movement of the tie member (3) and the locking arm (5). The movement of the door is transferred to the movable step cover plate (8) with the tie member (3) and the locking arm (5). If the door is open, the movable step cover plate (8) remains preferably parallel to the middle step under the middle step (B). Therefore, the driver or the passengers can use the lower step (C). If the door is closed, the movable step cover plate (8) remains vertical to the middle step (B) such that it will cover the gap between the middle step (B) and the lower step (C).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the movable step cover plate (8) is connected to the middle step (B) with the second connecting member (9). The movable step cover plate (8) is connected to the middle step with a second connecting member (9) preferably spring below the end of the middle step (B) close to outside. The second connecting member (9) applies a constant force on the movable step cover plate (8) such that it will pull the movable step cover plate (8) towards the middle step (B) from the point where it is connected. The constant force applied by the second connecting member (9) is highly important in order to determine in which direction the movable step cover plate (8) will move. Forces in two different directions are applied on the movable step cover plate (8) from the locking arm (5) and the second connecting member (9). The said forces determines in which direction the movable step cover plate (8) will move.

In the inventive collapsible step cover plate (1), the force enabling the movable step cover plate (8) is the force applied by the second connecting member (9). The closing of the movable step cover plate (8) is enabled via the force applied by the locking arm (5) being bigger than the force applied by the second connecting member (9). In the inventive collapsible step cover plate (1), the movable step cover plate (8) is connected to the middle step (B) by the second connecting member (9). The second connecting member (9) tends to continuously rotate the movable step cover plate (8) upwards. Therefore, if the locking arm (5) is removed, the movable step cover plate (8) remains open all the time.

In the inventive collapsible step cover plate (1), the locking arm (5) is fixed to the middle step (B) by the connecting member (7), that is it is connected to the chassis. The connecting member (7) tends to constantly rotate the locking arm (5) downwards, and the force applied by the connecting member (7) is bigger than the force applied by the second connecting member (9) on the movable step cover plate (8). The force applied by the connecting member (7) is as big as to overcome the force applied by the second connecting member (9). Therefore, the locking arm (5) keeps the movable step cover plate (8) closed. In heavy commercial vehicles, the driver cabin moves relative to the chassis during driving, even though it is really short. In order to allow the said movement, the locking arm (5) is connected to the door located on the driver cabin with the tie member (3). A rotatable wheel (51) is located at one end of the locking arm (5). The wheel (51) moves within the groove (61) located on the guiding piece (6). The guiding piece (6) is fixed on the inner surface of the movable step cover plate (8) preferably with 90 degrees of angle. The groove (61) located within the guiding piece (6) has a curve in which the locking arm (5) can easily move. The locking arm (5) is connected to the time member (3) with the connecting pin. When the door is opened, the locking arm (5) is pulled upwards from the point where the connecting pin is present. The locking arm (5) that is pulled upwards rotates around the rotation center of the connecting member (7), and the wheel (51) at the end of the locking arm (5) moves upwards from the groove (61) on the guiding piece (6). The top point of the groove (61) coincides with the rotary axis of the second connecting member (9). Therefore, when the locking arm (5) reaches the top position, the force applied on the movable step cover plate (8) by the locking arm (5) is eliminated completely, and the movable step cover plate (8) is opened by the force applied by the second connecting member (9).

In the inventive collapsible step cover plate (1), the locking arm (5) is stretched such that it will keep the movable step cover plate (8) closed. The force applied by the locking arm (5) on the movable step cover plate (8) absorbs the vibration generated during driving. Therefore, there is no vibration and noise problem experienced during driving.

In the inventive collapsible step cover plate (1), in case of any failure, the door is opened and the movable parts can be interfered between the upper and the middle steps (A, B).

In the inventive collapsible step cover plate (1), the movable structure is deactivated upon removing the locking arm (5), and the movable step cover plate (8) remains in constant open position. The inventive collapsible step cover plate (1) automatically moves upon closing and opening of the door, and the steps (B, C) on the chassis are closed and hidden or they are opened to be used with a mechanical structure.

Claims

1. A collapsible step cover plate (1), which allows the use of steps on the chassis by opening upon the opening of the door in heavy commercial vehicles, and which hides the steps on the chassis upon the closing of the door, comprising at least one tie member (3) which transfers the movement it receives from the door, and characterized by

- at least one guiding piece (6) on which the locking arm (5) moves and applies pressure, and which transfers the force applied by the locking arm (5), at least one movable step cover plate (8) to which the guiding piece (6) is connected, moves preferably circular with the force applied thereon, covers or uncovers the gap between the middle step (B) and the lower step (C).

2. A collapsible step cover plate (1) according to claim 1, characterized by fixed cover plate (2) which is mounted between the upper step (A) and the middle step (B) and which is preferably connected to the cabin.

3. A collapsible step cover plate (1) according to claim 1, characterized by tie member (3) which transfers the movement of the door, which moves as sufficient as to move the locking arm (5), one end of which is mounted to the locking arm (5) and the other end of which is connected to the door.

4. A collapsible step cover plate (1) according to claim 1, characterized by at least one pulley (4) which enables the tie member (3) to be collected, wrapped and released.

5. A collapsible step cover plate (1) according to claim 2, characterized by tie member (3) one end of which is fixed to the door and the end of which is fixed to the locking arm (5), and which pulls the locking arm (5) upwards upon the opening of the door.

6. A collapsible step cover plate (1) according to claim 1, characterized by locking arm (5) which is preferably between the middle step (B) and the guiding piece (6), and which is connected to the middle step (B) with the connecting member (7).

7. A collapsible step cover plate (1) according to claim 6, characterized by locking arm (5) which has at least one wheel (51) at its one end.

8. A collapsible step cover plate (1) according to claim 1, characterized by guiding piece (6) which is located between the locking arm (5) and the movable step cover plate (8), and which transfers the movement of the locking arm (5) and the force it applies to the movable step cover plate (8).

9. A collapsible step cover plate (1) according to claim 1, characterized by guiding piece (6) which comprises at least one groove (61).

10. A collapsible step cover plate (1) according to claim 9, characterized by groove (61) the starting end of which enables the locking arm (5) to remain at an angle such that it will not allow opening by pushing from outside, and the final end of which is at the same rotary axis with the second connecting member (9).

11. A collapsible step cover plate (1) according to claim 1, characterized by connecting member (7) which applies a force on the movable step cover plate

(8) such that it will be under the middle step (B) by means of its spring structure.

12. A collapsible step cover plate (1) according to claim 1, characterized by movable step cover plate (8) which opens or closes gap between the middle step (B) and the lower step (C) depending on the movement of the tie member (3) and the locking arm (5).

13. A collapsible step cover plate (1) according to claim 1, characterized by second connecting member (9) which applies constant force such that it will pull the movable step cover plate (8) towards the middle step (B) from the point where it is connected, and which connects the movable step cover plate (8) to the middle step (B).

14. A collapsible step cover plate (1) according to claim 12, characterized by movable step cover plate (8) on which forces in two different directions are applied different from the locking arm (5) and the second connecting member (9).

15. A collapsible step cover plate (1) according to claim 12, characterized by movable step cover plate (8) which is closed when the force applied by the locking arm (5) is bigger than the force applied by the second connecting member (9).

16. A collapsible step cover plate (1) according to claim 13, characterized by second connecting member (9) which tends to continuously rotate the movable step cover plate (8) upwards.

17. A collapsible step cover plate (1) according to claim 11, characterized by connecting member (7) which tends to continuously rotate the locking arm (5) downwards, and the force applied by which on the movable step cover plate (8) is bigger than the force applied by the second connecting member (9).

18. A collapsible step cover plate (1) according to claim 8, characterized by guiding piece (6) which is fixed to the inner surface of the movable step cover plate (8) preferably with 90 degree angle.

19. A collapsible step cover plate (1) according to claim 11, characterized by locking arm (5) which rotates around the rotary center of the connecting member (7) when it is pulled upwards, and wherein the wheel (51) at the end of the locking arm (5) moves upwards from the groove (61) on the guiding piece (6).