Exterior door of a commercial vehicle, as well as commercial vehicle body and commercial vehicle with such an exterior door

Abstract

Exterior door (10) of a commercial vehicle or commercial vehicle body, comprising a door leaf (11) and a locking mechanism, wherein the door leaf (11) has at least one passage opening (18) and the locking mechanism has an actuating element (12) rotatably arranged on the door leaf (11), and wherein the actuating element (12) comprises at least one pressure equalization opening (15) and at least one sealing section (16) arranged such that a. the pressure equalization opening (15) in an open position of the actuating element (12) at least partially overlaps the passage opening (18) in the door leaf (11) and b. the sealing section (16) in a locking position of the actuating element (12) seals the through-opening (18), characterized in that the through-opening (18) is at least partially larger than the pressure equalization opening (15) and is arranged such that the pressure equalization opening (15) overlaps the through-opening (18) before reaching the opening position during an opening movement, wherein the through-opening (18) is at least partially designed as a circular arc-shaped elongated hole and the pressure equalization opening (15) as a circular bore.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an exterior door of a commercial vehicle or commercial vehicle body, as well as a commercial vehicle body and a commercial vehicle with such an exterior door. An exterior door of commercial vehicles is known, for example, from US 3,132,893 A.

[0002] Exterior doors of commercial vehicles typically provide large access openings to the cargo area. The temperature inside the cargo area can differ from the ambient temperature. Therefore, when the cargo area is closed, a pressure difference often occurs between the cargo area and the outside. This pressure difference can make opening and / or closing the exterior door difficult.

[0003] An example of an exterior door typically used in commercial vehicles is described in US 3,132,893 A, mentioned at the beginning. This known exterior door is thermally insulated and has an external locking mechanism to prevent thermal bridges from forming within the door.

[0004] In refrigerated vehicles, it is already known to equip partitions that divide the cargo space into several areas with different temperatures with closable openings that allow pressure equalization. Such a partition is known from EP 1 726 477 B1. The partition also has a locking mechanism with a lever, a cover attached to one longitudinal end of the lever, which, in the closed position of the locking mechanism, can close a pressure equalization opening. The locking mechanism is comparatively complex in design, as the locking lever must not only be rotatable to lock the partition, but also pivotable parallel to the axis of rotation for inserting and removing the cover.In particular, pulling out the locking cover can be difficult, even with the locking lever, if the temperature and therefore the pressure difference between the cargo area areas separated by the partition is high.

[0005] Another partition wall for a refrigerated vehicle is disclosed in DE 20 2006 014 483 U1. The partition wall includes an integrated control element that acts on a locking mechanism via a pull cord. Through-openings are arranged around the control element, which are open when the control element is in the released position, thus allowing air exchange between two compartments separated by the partition wall. However, the partition wall and the locking mechanism are not suitable as an outer boundary of a cargo space.

[0006] Against this background, the invention is based on the objective of providing an exterior door for a commercial vehicle or commercial vehicle body that can be easily opened and closed even with temperature and / or pressure differences between the cargo space and the external environment. Furthermore, it is an objective of the invention to provide a commercial vehicle body and a commercial vehicle with such an exterior door.

[0007] According to the invention, this problem is solved with regard to the outer door by the subject matter of claim 1, with regard to the commercial vehicle body by the subject matter of claim 6 and with regard to the commercial vehicle by the subject matter of claim 7.

[0008] The invention is based on the concept of providing an exterior door for a commercial vehicle or commercial vehicle body, comprising a door leaf and a locking mechanism, wherein the door leaf has at least one passage opening and the locking mechanism has an actuating element rotatably arranged on the door leaf. The actuating element comprises at least one pressure equalization opening and at least one sealing section, wherein the pressure equalization opening and the sealing section are arranged such that, in an open position of the actuating element, the pressure equalization opening at least partially overlaps the passage opening in the door leaf, and the sealing section seals the passage opening in a locked position of the actuating element.

[0009] The invention enables a particularly simple method of pressure equalization between a cargo space and the external environment when the outer door is to be opened. By ensuring that the pressure equalization opening, in the open position of the actuating element, at least partially overlaps the passage opening in the door leaf, fluid exchange, particularly air exchange, between the cargo space and the external environment is possible. This eliminates any negative pressure in the cargo space that might hinder opening the outer door. As a result, the outer door opens more easily. A similar principle applies to locking. When closing the outer door, the pressure equalization opening overlaps with the passage opening, allowing air exchange and thus facilitating closure.In the locked position, the sealing section then seals the opening, preventing any air exchange between the cargo space and the outside environment when the outer door is closed. This is particularly useful when using the outer door on a refrigerated vehicle, in order to prevent a loss of cooling energy.

[0010] Preferably, the actuating element is a rotary lever, a rotary knob, or a rotary dial. Such actuating elements are particularly easy to operate. In particular, the rotary lever or rotary dial also provides leverage, which further facilitates the operation of the locking mechanism, as comparatively little force is required.

[0011] In preferred embodiments, the actuating element can have a base in which the pressure equalization opening is formed. The base can additionally include the sealing section. In particular, the base can interact with a corresponding base counterpart on the door leaf, with the through-opening also penetrating the base counterpart. Preferably, the base and the base counterpart have opposing surfaces or contact surfaces facing each other and aligned parallel to each other. The base provides the actuating element with the necessary stability and creates space for the pressure equalization opening.

[0012] According to the invention, the through-opening is larger than the pressure equalization opening and is furthermore arranged such that, during an opening movement, the pressure equalization opening overlaps the through-opening before the opening position is reached. By having the pressure equalization opening overlap the through-opening before the opening position is reached, pressure equalization is achieved before an operator can even fully open the outer door. This eliminates the need to wait for pressure equalization to occur, making the outer door faster and, above all, easier to open. According to the invention, the through-opening is designed as an arc-shaped elongated hole and the pressure equalization opening as a circular bore. The arc-shaped elongated hole is arranged such that the circular bore reaches the elongated hole before the actuating element has reached the fully open position.

[0013] The sealing section can include a sliding seal. In particular, an underside of the base of the actuating element can comprise a sealing element in the form of a sliding seal, wherein the sliding seal slides over the base counterpart by a rotary movement of the actuating element and, in the locked position, overlaps and seals the through-opening.

[0014] Ideally, the operating element should be able to be moved from the locked to the open position solely by rotating it around a single axis. The underlying principle is that a single rotary motion should be sufficient to both lock and unlock the outer door, as well as open and close the passageway. An operator should therefore only need to perform one rotary motion to equalize the pressure between the cargo space and the outside environment, and also to lock and unlock the outer door. This significantly simplifies the operation of the outer door.

[0015] A dependent aspect of the invention relates to a commercial vehicle body, in particular a refrigerated box body, with a previously described exterior door. A further dependent aspect of the invention relates to a commercial vehicle, in particular a refrigerated box vehicle, with a previously described exterior door or with a previously described commercial vehicle body.

[0016] The invention is explained below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1: a perspective partial view of the outside of an exterior door of a commercial vehicle according to the invention in the locked position; Fig. 2: a perspective partial view of an inside of the outer door according to Fig. 1; and Fig. 3: a section of a front view of an operating element arranged on the outside of the outer door according to Fig. 1 in an open position.

[0017] Fig. Figure 1 shows a section of an exterior door 10, in particular a rear door, of a commercial vehicle, especially a refrigerated trailer. The exterior door 10 comprises a door leaf 11 and a locking mechanism (not shown in detail). The locking mechanism may be integrated into the door leaf 11. Only the actuating element 12 with an inner rotary lever 12a, an outer rotary lever 12b, and a pivot axis 12c connecting the rotary levers 12a and 12b of the locking mechanism are shown in the figure. Fig. 1 recognizable.

[0018] The outer rotary lever 12b is located on the outside of the door leaf 11 and can be rotated about the central pivot axis 12c. By rotating the inner and / or outer rotary lever 12a, 12b, the outer door 10 can be locked or unlocked. Fig. Figure 1 shows the locked state of the outer door 10. In other words, the actuating element 12 or the two rotary levers 12a, 12b are in the locked position.

[0019] The outer door 10 is in the illustrated embodiment according to Fig. 1 is designed as part of a double-leaf door and is attached to a rear portal and / or a side wall of the commercial vehicle body by several hinges 17. The hinges 17 are external pivot hinges that allow a door opening of at least 240°, preferably 270°. Other types of hinges can also be used.

[0020] As in Fig. As is also clearly visible in Figure 1, the outer door 10 is completely closed, so that the cargo area of ​​the commercial vehicle is essentially hermetically sealed. The outer door 10 thus seals the access opening to the cargo area.

[0021] To allow easy opening of the outer door 10 even in the event of negative pressure in the cargo space, pressure equalization mechanisms are provided in the door leaf 11 and the actuating element 12. Specifically, the door leaf 11 has at least one through-opening 18. In the illustrated embodiment, three through-openings 18 are provided, although these are only indicated on the inside of the door leaf 11 in the drawings. They extend completely through the door leaf 11.

[0022] As in Fig. As can be clearly seen in Figure 2, the actuating element 12, or the outer rotary lever 12b, has a base 13. The base 13 is fixedly connected to the outer rotary lever 12b, in particular in a rotationally fixed manner. However, the base 13 is rotatable about the axis of rotation 12c of the rotary lever 12b. In other words, the base 13 rotates with the outer rotary lever 12b about the axis of rotation 12c.

[0023] The base 13 has a bottom surface that is essentially flat and runs parallel to a top surface of a base counterpart 14. The bottom surface of the base 13 and the top surface of the base counterpart 14 essentially form opposing, parallel surfaces. These surfaces can touch and thus form contact surfaces.

[0024] The base counterpart 14 is fixedly connected to the door leaf 11. The at least one through-opening 18 in the door leaf 11 is positioned in the area of ​​the base counterpart 14 and also penetrates the base counterpart 14. In other words, a through-opening 18 penetrating the door leaf 11 is formed in the base counterpart 14. The through-opening 18 thus extends through the door leaf 11 and the base counterpart 14. In the embodiment shown here, the through-opening 18 is formed in the area of ​​the base counterpart 14.

[0025] The base 13 includes at least one pressure equalization opening 15. The pressure equalization opening 15 is arranged in a 12 o'clock position when the outer rotary lever 12b is in the open position, in which the outer rotary lever 12b points to a 3 o'clock position (see figure). Fig. 3) In the locked position, the pressure equalization opening 15 is rotated by 90° about the axis of rotation 12c, so that there is no longer a connection to the through-opening 18. The locked position is in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown, with the outer rotary lever 12b directed to a 6 o'clock position.

[0026] The underside of the base 13 forms a sealing section 16 in the area outside the pressure equalization openings 15. In the open position of the outer rotary lever 12b shown according to Fig.The pressure equalization opening 15 is thus aligned with the passage opening 18 formed in the door leaf 11. This allows pressure equalization, so that the negative pressure in the cargo space can adjust to the ambient pressure. This facilitates the opening and closing of the outer door 10.

[0027] It is possible that the through-opening 18, at least in the base counterpart 14, has a contour that deviates from a circular bore. In particular, the through-opening 18, at least in the section where it extends through the base counterpart 14, can have an elongated hole contour. The elongated hole can be bent around the axis of rotation 12c of the actuating element 12. This allows a connection between the pressure equalization opening 15 and the through-opening 18 to be established even before the outer door 10 is fully opened. This initiates gas exchange and pressure equalization, so that after complete unlocking, the outer door 10 can be opened even more easily.

[0028] To lock the outer door 10, it is secured using the outer rotary lever 12b and the locking mechanism (not shown in the figures). The outer rotary lever 12b is rotated 90° counterclockwise. This moves the pressure equalization openings 15 out of their aligned or overlapping position with the passage openings 18. The base 13 rotates counterclockwise, so that the sealing section 16 comes into contact with the passage openings 18. This seals the passage openings 18, creating a hermetically sealed cargo space. Reference symbol list 10 Exterior door 11 Door leaf 12 Actuating elements 12a inner rotary lever 12b outer rotary lever 12c axis of rotation 13 sockets 14 Base counterpart 15 Pressure equalization opening 16 Sealing section 17 hinge 18 Passage opening

Claims

[1] Outer door (10) of a commercial vehicle or commercial vehicle body, comprising a door leaf (11) and a locking mechanism, wherein the door leaf (11) has at least one passage opening (18) and the locking mechanism has an actuating element (12) rotatably arranged on the door leaf (11), and wherein the actuating element (12) comprises at least one pressure equalization opening (15) and at least one sealing section (16) arranged such that a. the pressure equalization opening (15) in an open position of the actuating element (12) at least partially overlaps the passage opening (18) in the door leaf (11) and b. the sealing section (16) in a locking position of the actuating element (12) seals the through-opening (18), characterized by, that the through-hole (18) is at least partially larger than the pressure equalization opening (15) and is arranged such that the pressure equalization opening (15) overlaps the through-hole (18) during an opening movement before reaching the opening position, wherein the through-hole (18) is at least partially designed as a circular arc-shaped elongated hole and the pressure equalization opening (15) is designed as a circular bore. [2] Exterior door (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the actuating element (12) has a rotary lever (12a, 12b) or a rotary knob or a rotary wheel. [3] Exterior door (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the actuating element (12) has a base (13) in which the pressure equalization opening (15) is formed. [4] Exterior door (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the sealing section (16) has a sliding seal. [5] Exterior door (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the actuating element (12) can be moved from the locked position to the open position exclusively by rotation about a single axis of rotation (12c). [6] Commercial vehicle body with an outer door (10) according to one of the preceding claims. [7] Commercial vehicle with an outer door (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5 or with a commercial vehicle body according to claim 6.

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