Door with integrated opening and closing mechanism

Abstract

Disclosed are door configurations with integrated mechanisms for opening and releasing to close, where the elements of these mechanisms are located on or largely on the body of the door itself. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the door has a handle coupled thereto and two release mechanisms, where one release mechanism releases a lock and allows the door to be opened, and the other release mechanism releases a catch and allows the door to be closed. The two release mechanisms are coupled to the handle such that manipulating the handle in one direction actuates one of the release mechanisms but not the other, and manipulating the handle in the other direction actuates the other release mechanism. In this way, manipulating the handle in one direction opens the door, and manipulating the handle in the other direction closes the door.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates generally to vehicle doors. More specifically, this disclosure relates to vehicle bulkhead doors having integrated opening and closing mechanisms. Background Technology

[0002] It is desirable for some doors, such as interior or bulkhead sliding doors in commercial vehicles, to be relatively easy to open, remain locked in the open position before being closed, and also relatively easy to slide closed. For example, in the case of commercial parcel delivery vehicles, doors are designed to be relatively easy to open, allowing them to be easily opened even when the user is handling parcels. Such doors are also designed to remain open to facilitate further movement of parcels through the doorway into and out of the vehicle. Finally, these doors are designed to be relatively easy to close for users who are handling parcels or busy with other tasks. For example, some commercial vehicle interior bulkhead door systems therefore include a mechanism for easy opening, a separate mechanism for locking the door in the open position and releasing the door from that position, and another mechanism for locking the door in the closed position. The number of such mechanisms, and the fact that at least some of these mechanisms are partially or entirely outside the door itself, typically results in complex door systems, making manufacturing and maintenance expensive, leading to potentially more failure modes, and occupying more packaging space. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, this paper discloses systems and methods for door configurations with integrated opening and closing mechanisms, wherein both the opening and closing actuation mechanisms are located on or largely on the body of the door itself. Implementations of such systems are more integrated into the door, resulting in fewer components, lower associated costs, and a reduced number of failure modes.

[0004] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the door has a handle coupled thereto and two release mechanisms, one of which releases the lock and allows the door to be opened, and the other releases the latch and allows the door to be closed. The two release mechanisms are coupled to the handle such that actuating the handle in one direction of rotation (e.g., a first direction) actuates one of the release mechanisms (e.g., releases the latch and allows the door to be closed) without actuating the other release mechanism, and actuating the handle in another direction of rotation (e.g., a second direction) actuates the other release mechanism (e.g., releases the lock and allows the door to be opened) without actuating the other release mechanism. It should be understood that the first direction of rotation is different from the second direction of rotation. In this way, actuating the handle in one direction opens the door, and actuating the handle in another direction closes the door. When the door structure includes integrated opening and closing mechanisms, fewer external components are required, allowing the door to be more easily and economically integrated into larger structures such as vehicles, and allowing for fewer potential points of failure.

[0005] The door handle can be any handle suitable for actuating two release mechanisms. As an example, the handle can be shaped to grip and rotate, pivotally attached to a door, and configured to engage one release mechanism when the handle is rotated in a first rotational direction and the other release mechanism when rotated in a second rotational direction. In another example, the handle can be shaped and configured for translation along an axis such that when the handle is pushed or otherwise translated in a first direction, one release mechanism is engaged, and when the handle is pushed or otherwise translated in a second direction, where the first direction is opposite to the second direction.

[0006] The conditional engagement of the two release mechanisms based on the actuation direction of the handle can be achieved in any suitable manner. As an example, a pair of links or other components can be attached to the handle and shaped such that when the handle moves in one direction, the handle or its extension engages one link, and when the handle moves in the other direction, the handle or its extension engages the other link.

[0007] When engaged by the handle, a linkage engages the locking and unlocking mechanisms, thereby opening the door. As an example, the linkage could engage an electrical switch, such as a microswitch, configured to transmit a signal through an air gap from the door to the locking mechanism, such as an electronic or electromagnetic lock located outside the door and locking / unlocking it. The signal can then prompt the locking mechanism to unlock the door, such as by pulling out a latch or bolt. This allows the door to be opened.

[0008] Opening the door fully allows it to engage a latch or retaining mechanism that holds the door in its open position. This latch or retaining mechanism partially constitutes a second release mechanism, which further includes a linkage configured to be actuated by the handle when it is operated in a second direction (e.g., toward the door panel). Thus, a connector coupled to the actuating linkage (e.g., the latch or retaining mechanism, another mechanical linkage, etc.) holds the door panel in its open position. Subsequently, when the handle is operated in the first direction (e.g., away from the door panel), the individual linkage can engage the retaining mechanism, disengage the latch, and release the door to close. The user can then close the door.

[0009] In this way, a door with an integrated release mechanism allows a user to open the door by manipulating the handle in one direction and release it to close by manipulating the handle in the other direction. Allowing a single handle to open and release the door provides a more user-friendly experience, especially for users busy with other tasks such as carrying packages. Doors integrated in this way are also easier to assemble, cheaper, and more reliable. Attached Figure Description

[0010] The above and other objects and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent from the following specific embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference characters always refer to similar parts, and wherein:

[0011] Figure 1 This is a side view of one side of the door panel showing the rotary handle and integrated release mechanism according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0012] Figure 2 It is based on the implementation scheme of this disclosure. Figure 1 An isometric view of opposite sides of the door panel, showing the opposite sides of the handle and integrated release mechanism;

[0013] Figure 3 This is a side view of one side of the door panel showing the translation handle and integrated release mechanism according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0014] Figure 4 It is based on the implementation scheme of this disclosure. Figure 3 A side view of the opposite sides of the door panel, showing the opposite sides of the handle and the integrated release mechanism;

[0015] Figure 5 This is a side view illustrating further details of a mechanism for conditionally engaging different release mechanisms based on the handle rotation direction, according to an embodiment of this disclosure; and

[0016] Figure 6 This is a block diagram illustration of an exemplary vehicle including a door panel with an integrated release mechanism, constructed according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0017] In one embodiment, this disclosure relates to a door configuration having integrated mechanisms for opening and releasing to close, wherein elements of these mechanisms are located on or largely on the body of the door itself. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the door has a handle coupled thereto and two release mechanisms (e.g., actuation methods), one release mechanism releasing the lock and allowing the door to open, and the other release mechanism releasing the latch and allowing the door to close. The two release mechanisms are coupled to the handle such that actuating the handle in a first direction (e.g., away from the door panel) actuates one of the release mechanisms (first release mechanism 25) without actuating the other release mechanism (second release mechanism), and actuating the handle in a second direction (e.g., toward the door panel) actuates the second release mechanism without actuating the first release mechanism 25. In this way, actuating the handle in the first direction opens the door, and actuating the handle in the second direction closes the door. When the door structure includes integrated opening and closing mechanisms, fewer external components are required, allowing for easier and more economical integration of the door into larger structures such as vehicles, and allowing for fewer potential points of failure.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a side view of one side of a door panel showing a rotary handle, mounting plate, and integrated release mechanism according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 2 It is based on the implementation scheme of this disclosure. Figure 1 An isometric view of opposite sides of the mounting plate, showing the opposite sides of the handle and integrated release mechanism. Here, the door panel 10 can be a rigid panel made of, for example, pressed metal sheet and configured for attachment to the door body. The door panel 10 can substantially span the entire width of its door, allowing for components such as... Figure 2 The first release mechanism 25 of the ring 80 shown extends from the side of the door closest to the handle 20 to allow the door to be locked, while the second release mechanism 85 extends from the opposite side of the door furthest from the handle 20 to latch and hold the door in its open position, and, when needed, via a coupling to Figure 1 The connector 60 of the link 30 (e.g., a snap-fit ​​or retaining mechanism, another mechanical link, etc.) is released from the open position.

[0019] Door panel 10 has a mounting plate 70 on which components of mechanism 25 for locking / unlocking the door are mounted, and which mounting plate can be attached to door panel 10. More specifically, in Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, handle 20 is pivotally mounted on plate 70 to be rotated to open and close the door. Links 30 and 40 are also mounted on plate 70 to pivot about a common axis, which does not necessarily have to coincide with the axis of rotation of handle 20, but may coincide if desired. In some embodiments, a connector 60, which may be a cord, wire, or some other line or mechanical link, is attached to the distal end of link 30 and extends to a second release mechanism 85 to actuate its door release. Similarly, when actuated, link 40 presses switch 50, which in turn triggers a locking mechanism and engagement ring 80 located near the door (e.g., in a vehicle), disengaging from ring 80 to unlock the door for opening.

[0020] Mounting plate 70 can be attached to door panel 10 in any suitable manner, making it rigid enough to allow the door to be locked and unlocked, for example, by means of multiple fasteners 75. Here, fasteners 75 are shown as rivets, screws, nuts, and bolts, etc., but can also be any other fasteners capable of rigidly attaching mounting plate 70 to door panel 10, such as adhesives, welds, etc. Any number and location of fasteners 75 is contemplated.

[0021] The door panel 10 can be attached to a door, such as a sliding door or interior bulkhead door of a vehicle, in any suitable manner with sufficient rigidity to allow the door to be locked and unlocked, for example, by means of multiple fasteners 15. Similar to fastener 75, fasteners 15 are shown as rivets, screws, nuts, bolts, etc., but can also be any other fastener capable of rigidly attaching panel 10 to the door, such as adhesives, welds, etc. Any number and location of fasteners 15 is contemplated.

[0022] In some embodiments, the handle 20 may have a shaft 90 extending through the mounting plate 70 (and door panel 10) to engage with a limiter 100, which is shaped to prevent excessive and / or undesirable movement of the handle 20 and the locking / unlocking mechanism. Figure 2 As shown, the limiter 100 may have a first flange 120 that acts as a travel limit for the handle 20, extending between forks 140 and 150 that block the limiter 100 and thus prevent excessive rotation of the handle 20. Additionally, the limiter 100 has a second flange 130 extending to engage an inertial latch 110. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the inertia latch 110 is a free-suspension rod whose inertia prevents the second flange 130, and thus prevents rotation of the handle 20, in the event of sudden acceleration, such as a collision in a vehicle containing a door to which the panel 10 is attached.

[0023] As described above, switch 50 can be part of a locking and unlocking mechanism. Switch 50 can be any operable part of any suitable locking and unlocking mechanism capable of locking and unlocking the door. In some embodiments, switch 50 can be a switch, such as a microswitch, that generates an electrical signal across an air gap when pressed to trigger a locking and unlocking mechanism (not shown) located near the door. Triggered in this way, the locking and unlocking mechanism can be used to unlock the door, for example, by withdrawing a latch, snap, or bolt from ring 80. Specifically, switch 50 can generate a charge on plate 160 that can generate a voltage on another plate of the locking and unlocking mechanism, thereby triggering the locking and unlocking mechanism to unlock the door. Thus, switch 50 can be considered part of a release mechanism that unlocks the door when the switch is pressed by rotating handle 20.

[0024] The release mechanism 85 can be any mechanism or part thereof capable of latching and holding an open door and releasing it to close it when needed. In some embodiments, the release mechanism 85 can be an electronic or electromagnetic lock that can automatically latch onto a portion of the door when it is fully open. Rotating the handle 20 in a first direction (e.g., away from the door panel 10) can subsequently engage the linkage 30 to place tension on the connector 60, thereby triggering the electronic or electromagnetic lock to retract the latch and release the door to close.

[0025] Door panel 10 can be attached to any door, or to any movable object that can be locked and unlocked for a desired movement. As an example, door panel 10 can be attached to a door such as a vehicle door, and as a specific example, it can be attached to an interior bulkhead door of a commercial vehicle such as a package or object delivery vehicle. Although a door that can be attached to panel 10 is not shown, those skilled in the art will observe that the door can be any movable door.

[0026] As previously stated, handle 20 can be any handle capable of actuating the aforementioned release mechanism. Specifically, handle 20 can be as follows: Figure 1 The rotary handle shown may be any other type of handle or device used to actuate the aforementioned release mechanism. As an example, the handle may be a translation handle, configured such that translation in different directions, such as lateral movement, can actuate both release mechanisms. Figure 3 This is a side view of one side of the door panel showing the translation handle and integrated release mechanism according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 4 It is based on the implementation scheme of this disclosure. Figure 3 A side view of the opposite sides of the door panel, showing the handle and integrated release mechanism on opposite sides. Here, the handle 200 is mounted on two tracks 210, 220 for translational movement. The handle 200 can slide back and forth along tracks 210 and 220. In operation, the user can... Figure 3 In the view, sliding handle 200 to the right (e.g., away from link 250) engages link 250 to pull wire or cord 260, thereby triggering release mechanism 270, which is similar to release mechanism 85. Conversely, the user can... Figure 3 In the view, sliding handle 200 to the left (e.g., toward link 250) engages link 230 via pin 240 to press switch 280, which is similar to switch 50, thereby triggering the locking and unlocking mechanism as described above to unlock and release ring 80.

[0027] In this way, handle 200 provides conditional engagement of the two release mechanisms 270 and 280. More specifically, when in Figure 3 When slid to the right in the view, handle 200 engages release mechanism 270 but not release mechanism 280, allowing the door to be released to close. Conversely, when in... Figure 3When slid to the left in the view, handle 200 engages release mechanism 280 but not release mechanism 270, thereby allowing the door to be unlocked and opened. Specifically, when slid to the right, handle 200 engages link 250 but moves away from rod 230 or pin 240, and therefore does not engage link 230 or pin 240. And when slid to the left, handle 200 engages pin 240 and link 230, but disengages from link 250. Thus, handle 200 engages only one release mechanism in each direction in which it is actuated. It should also be noted that the handle of the embodiments of this disclosure can be of any construction, thereby allowing the release mechanism to be triggered in any manner along any direction of movement.

[0028] The embodiments of this disclosure contemplate any system or apparatus by which, Figures 1 to 2 Links 30 and 40 can be conditionally engaged depending on the direction in which the handle 20 is manipulated. Figure 5 An example of this is shown. Figure 5 This is a side view illustrating further details of a mechanism for conditionally engaging different release mechanisms based on the handle rotation direction, according to an embodiment of this disclosure. More specifically, Figure 5 A handle 20 is shown that is pivotally positioned off-axis with respect to coaxially pivotable links 30 and 40. Here, handle 20 and member 300 are each rigidly attached to pivot axis 330, while links 30 and 40 are rigidly attached to pivot axis 320. From Figure 5 It can be observed that component 300 has a pin 310 extending from it to engage with link 40 when handle 20 is rotated counterclockwise, thereby pressing switch 50 and unlocking the door to open. Conversely, when handle 20 is rotated clockwise (e.g., away from the door panel), pin 310 engages link 30, thereby placing connector 60 under tension and triggering release mechanism 85 to release the door to close. In this way, handle 20 can actuate one release mechanism when rotated or turned in one direction, and can actuate another release mechanism when rotated or turned in the other direction. It should be noted that embodiments of this disclosure contemplate any configuration by which handle 20 can conditionally and directionally engage the aforementioned release mechanisms.

[0029] As another example, handle 20 can be coaxially positioned with each of links 30 and 40, each link being rigidly attached to the same pivotable axis, such that handle 20 is rotatable in the clockwise direction (in Figure 1 Rotation of the handle 20 (in the view) causes the linkage 30 to rotate to place the connector 60 under tension, thereby triggering the release mechanism 85, and causes the linkage 40 to rotate to disengage from the switch 50. Similarly, rotation of the handle 20 in the counterclockwise direction will engage the linkage 40 to press the switch 50, thereby unlocking the ring 80 and unlocking the door, while releasing tension from the connector 60 and preventing the triggering of the release mechanism 85.

[0030] Figure 6 A vehicle 600 including a door is shown, the door comprising an integrated opening and closing mechanism. According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the vehicle 600 can be combined with... Figures 1 to 5 The door panel and corresponding handle and release mechanism. Vehicle 600 can be any vehicle capable of supporting the door from the inside, including, for example, cars, trucks, vans, recreational vehicles, SUVs, and any commercial vehicle such as delivery trucks, tractor-trailers, or semi-trailers.

[0031] Vehicle 600 includes a body 602. A door 604 is attached to or otherwise coupled to the body 602, the door including a handle 606 and integrated opening and releasing mechanisms 608 and 610 for locking / unlocking the door 604 and releasing the door 604 from its open position, respectively. More specifically, the opening mechanism 608 (e.g., a first release mechanism 25) is connected to a lock 612, which may be at least part of a mechanism for locking / unlocking the door 604, such as a switch 50 and a ring 80. The release mechanism 610 (e.g., a release mechanism 85) is connected to a release device 614 (e.g., a latch or retaining mechanism), which may be at least part of a mechanism for releasing the door 604 from a state held in its open position. In some embodiments, the door 604 may be a sliding door slidably coupled to the body 602 to slide back and forth, thereby allowing access, for example, between the passenger compartment and cargo compartment of the vehicle 600. In some alternative embodiments, door 604 can be pivotally coupled to body 603 to pivot or rotate between an open configuration and a closed configuration. Any configuration and movement of door 604 is contemplated.

[0032] For purposes of explanation, the foregoing description uses specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of this disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details are not required to practice the methods and systems of this disclosure. Therefore, the foregoing description of specific embodiments of this disclosure is presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. In view of the foregoing teachings, many modifications and variations are possible. For example, any handle may be employed to actuate in any direction to trigger a release mechanism. The release mechanism may be any mechanism capable of locking / unlocking or jamming / releasing a door. Triggering the release mechanism via a handle may be performed by any suitable device or construction. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of this disclosure and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the methods and systems of this disclosure, as well as various embodiments with various modifications suitable for the particular intended use. Furthermore, different features of the various embodiments disclosed or otherwise may be mixed and matched or otherwise combined to form other embodiments contemplated by this disclosure.

Claims

1. An actuation system, the system comprising: A handle, connected to a door, configured to be operated in a first direction and a second direction. A first release mechanism is configured to release the door to close at least when the handle is actuated in the first direction; A second release mechanism, comprising a switch configured at least based on actuating the handle in a second direction to unlock the door from an external locking mechanism to open it; A first link, configured to directly contact the first release mechanism to actuate the first release mechanism when the handle is operated in the first direction; as well as The second link is configured to directly contact the switch of the second release mechanism to actuate the second release mechanism when the handle is operated in the second direction.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the handle is further configured to rotate in the first direction and the second direction, the first direction being a rotational direction opposite to the second direction.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the handle is further configured to translate in the first direction and the second direction, the first direction being the opposite of the second direction.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first release mechanism is coupled to the door, wherein the first release mechanism includes the first link and a retaining mechanism, the first link being configured to be actuated by the handle when the handle is manipulated in the first direction, the retaining mechanism having an end coupled to the first link to actuate the end by the first link when the first link is actuated by manipulating the handle in the first direction, the retaining mechanism being configured to release the door when the end is actuated by the first link.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein when the handle is actuated in the second direction, the first release mechanism does not release the door to close.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein when the handle is manipulated in the first direction, the second release mechanism does not unlock the door to open.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the second release mechanism includes a second link configured to be actuated by the handle when the handle is manipulated in the second direction, and the switch configured to be actuated by the second link when the handle is manipulated in the second direction to unlock the door to open the door.

8. A vehicle, said vehicle comprising: Body; A door, which is connected to the vehicle body; A handle, the handle being attached to the door, the handle being configured to be operated in a first direction and a second direction; A first release mechanism is coupled to the door, operatively coupled to the handle, and configured to release the door to close the door when the handle is actuated in the first direction. A second release mechanism is coupled to the door and operatively coupled to the handle. The second release mechanism includes a switch configured to, at least based on, actuating the handle in a second direction to unlock the door from an external locking mechanism to open the door. A first link, configured to directly contact the first release mechanism to actuate the first release mechanism when the handle is operated in the first direction; as well as The second link is configured to directly contact the switch of the second release mechanism to actuate the second release mechanism when the handle is operated in the second direction.

9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the handle is further configured to rotate in the first direction and the second direction, the first direction being the opposite of the second direction.

10. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the handle is further configured to translate in the first direction and the second direction, the first direction being the opposite of the second direction.

11. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the first release mechanism includes the first link and a retaining mechanism, the first link being configured to be actuated by the handle when the handle is manipulated in the first direction, the retaining mechanism having an end coupled to the link to actuate the end by the first link when the first link is actuated by manipulating the handle in the first direction, the retaining mechanism being configured to release the door when the end is actuated by the first link.

12. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the first release mechanism is further configured to release the door to close when the handle is actuated in the first direction rather than in the second direction.

13. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the second release mechanism is further configured to unlock the door to open when the handle is actuated in the second direction rather than in the first direction.

14. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the second release mechanism includes a second link configured to be actuated by the handle when the handle is manipulated in the second direction, and the switch configured to be actuated by the second link when the handle is manipulated in the second direction to unlock the door to open the door.

15. A method comprising: The door is released to close by operating the door handle in a first direction rather than in a second direction, wherein the first link directly contacts the first release mechanism when the handle is operated in the first direction to actuate the first release mechanism to release the door to close; as well as The door is released to open by manipulating the handle of the door in the second direction instead of the first direction, wherein the second link directly contacts the switch of the second release mechanism when the handle is manipulated in the second direction, thereby unlocking the locking mechanism outside the door to open the door; The second direction is different from the first direction.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first direction and the second direction are translational or rotational directions, and the first direction is the direction opposite to the second direction.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein manipulating the handle in the first direction further comprises actuating a first link by the handle when the handle is manipulated in the first direction, the first link thereby manipulating the end of the retaining mechanism connected to the first link, and the retaining mechanism thereby releasing the door.

18. The method of claim 17, the method further comprising actuating the first link when the handle is manipulated in the first direction rather than in the second direction.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein manipulating the handle in the second direction further comprises actuating a second link by the handle when the handle is manipulated in the second direction, the second link thereby actuating a switch configured to unlock the door.

20. The method of claim 19, the method further comprising actuating the second link when the handle is manipulated in the second direction rather than in the first direction.

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