Door arrangement for a transport trolley and procedure

Abstract

The invention relates to a door arrangement (10) for a transport trolley (12) with two rear doors (14a, 14b) pivotable about a substantially vertical hinge axis and with at least one side sliding door (16), wherein the side sliding door is displaceable between an open position (S1) and a closed position (S2), wherein one of the rear doors on the side of the side sliding door is configured and coupled to the side sliding door via a locking mechanism of the locking system such that the rear door is pivotable, depending on the open position (S1) or the closed position (S2) of the side sliding door, between a first maximum opening angle (α1), in which a collision area with the side sliding door is avoided, and a second maximum opening angle (α2), which is greater than the first maximum opening angle. The invention further relates to a method.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a door arrangement for a transport trolley according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method.

[0002] It is already known that door arrangements for transport vehicles are designed so that the rear doors have a maximum opening angle that prevents collision with an open side sliding door. However, such a design also limits the opening angle of the rear doors when the side sliding door is closed, thus preventing full use of the rear doors' opening range.

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide an improved opening of the rear doors by means of a door arrangement.

[0004] This problem is solved by means of a door arrangement with the features of claim 1, and by means of a method according to the invention. Advantageous embodiments of the door arrangement according to the invention are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention, wherein the means of the door arrangement can be used to carry out the respective method steps. Furthermore, advantageous developments of the invention are disclosed by the dependent claims, the following description, and the figures.

[0005] A first aspect of the invention relates to a door arrangement for a transport vehicle with two doors pivotable about a substantially vertical hinge axis and with at least one side sliding door, wherein the side sliding door is movable between an open position and a closed position. Such a door arrangement essentially comprises the rear doors, which are pivotable about hinges, and the side sliding door, which is guided in a rail system. The term "door arrangement" used here refers to the complete system of rear doors (also referred to as split doors or rear portal doors) in conjunction with at least one side sliding door.

[0006] To solve the problem of the invention, it is provided according to the invention that one of the rear doors on the side of the side sliding door is designed and coupled to the side sliding door via a locking mechanism of the locking system such that the rear door can pivot between a first maximum opening angle, in which a collision area with the side sliding door is avoided, and a second maximum opening angle, which is greater than the first maximum opening angle, depending on the open or closed position of the side sliding door. This coupling allows the available opening angle of the rear door to be dynamically adjusted depending on the position of the side sliding door. This limits the opening range when the side sliding door is open, while the full opening angle can be used when the side sliding door is closed.

[0007] In other words, the present invention relates to a further developed door arrangement for transport trolleys, in which, in particular, the rear hinged doors are controlled depending on the use of a side sliding door. In the prior art, it was necessary to permanently limit the maximum opening angle of the rear doors to reliably prevent a possible collision with an open side sliding door. However, this limitation meant that the rear doors could not be fully opened even when the side sliding door was not in use at all or was held in a closed position. This significantly restricted the full usability of the rear loading area in numerous situations. In contrast, the present invention now provides a mechanism that establishes a functional coupling between a rear door and the side sliding door.This system uses a mechanical connection, specifically a locking mechanism with a spring-loaded stop controlled via a cable and actuator, to dynamically adjust the opening angle of the rear door. In practice, this means that when the side sliding door is open, the rear hinged door is automatically locked at a limited angle to maintain a safe distance and prevent damage. Conversely, when the side sliding door is in the closed position, the mechanism is released, allowing the rear hinged door to swing fully open without restriction to its second, larger maximum opening angle.In this way, a door arrangement is provided that, on the one hand, enables safety during operation and, on the other hand, allows full use of the rear cargo space when the side sliding door is not used.

[0008] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, a spring-loaded stop is provided in a hinge of the rear door. This stop limits the opening angle of the rear door to its first maximum angle, thereby ensuring reliable locking of the door in the correct position. The spring-loaded stop acts as a mechanical element that returns to a limiting position by spring force. An example of its application arises when the transport trolley is positioned at a ramp and the user wishes to lock the door in a secure position without risking a collision with the side sliding door or causing damage from the doors colliding.

[0009] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring-loaded stop is adjustable via a cable connection between the hinge and an actuating element of the side sliding door, thus enabling a particularly simple mechanical coupling. The cable connection transmits a linear movement of the actuating element directly to the stop in the hinge, thereby enabling switching between a release position and a locking position. Such a wired solution is particularly advantageous in transport vehicles with heavy loads and high superstructures, as it requires no complex electronic control and can, for example, be mounted on a side wall.

[0010] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating element is arranged in a central and / or lower rail assembly of the side sliding door. When the sliding door is closed, it pulls the spring-loaded stop into a release position, in which the rear door can pivot up to the second maximum opening angle. When the sliding door is open, it moves the spring-loaded stop into a locking position, in which the rear door can only pivot up to the first maximum opening angle. This creates a direct relationship between the position of the sliding door and the maximum opening of the rear door. An example is the loading of the transport cart via the side sliding door, where the rear door remains automatically limited, while with the side sliding door fully closed, the maximum opening width of the rear door leaf can be used.

[0011] Furthermore, it is also possible that both rear doors, when sliding doors are arranged on both sides of the transport vehicle, have the same mechanism, so that the opening angle of both doors can be changed depending on the position of the respective sliding doors.

[0012] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the maximum opening angle of the rear door is additionally adjusted depending on the open or closed position of a loading and / or fuel filler flap. This prevents the rear door from colliding with the open flap when opening, thus reliably preventing damage to both the flap and the door. Furthermore, operation is simplified for the user, as unintentional blocking or jamming is eliminated. Particularly in transport vehicles where the fuel or charging connections are located in close proximity to the rear doors, this solution represents a reliable addition that takes effect automatically without requiring any additional operating steps.The open or closed position of the loading and / or fuel filler flap is preferably detected mechanically, for example via a cable connection, a linkage, or a similar coupling element that transmits the flap position directly to the spring-loaded stop in the rear door hinge. This ensures particularly reliable operation without the need for electronic control. Alternatively, detection can also be achieved via a sensor or signal, allowing for additional flexibility.

[0013] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a door assembly for a transport trolley with two rear doors pivotable about a substantially vertical hinge axis and with at least one side sliding door, wherein the side sliding door is moved between an open position and a closed position. The method comprises the step of pivoting one of the rear doors on the side of the side sliding door, depending on its open or closed position, between a first maximum opening angle, in which a collision area with the side sliding door is avoided, and a second maximum opening angle, which is greater than the first maximum opening angle. This design ensures that the door assembly is operated in such a way as to reliably prevent damage to the transport trolley.

[0014] In other words, the door arrangement is designed not only to provide a mechanical connection between a rear door and a side sliding door, but also to offer flexible adjustment of the opening angle through the spring-loaded stop, cable connection, and actuator. Additionally, the limiting device can be modularly integrated into the hinge, allowing for easy replacement and / or retrofitting. The combination of these features results in improved usability of the rear doors, particularly in situations requiring a maximum opening angle without compromising safety when the side sliding door is also open.

[0015] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those mentioned below in the figure description and / or shown in the figures alone, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0016] This shows: Fig. 1. A schematic top view of a cross-section of a transport wagon, showing both rear doors and a sliding door; and Fig. 2 a schematic diagram comparing two operating states of the door arrangement of the transport trolley.

[0017] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0018] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of two partial views, depicting a cross-section of a transport trolley 12 with a door arrangement 10, in which the two rear doors 14a, 14b of the door arrangement 10 are pivotable about substantially vertical hinge axes 18. In the upper partial view, the rear door 14a on the side of the side sliding door 16 is shown at a first maximum opening angle α1, whereby it is provided that this first maximum opening angle α1 is only achievable when the side sliding door 16 is open, in order to avoid a corresponding collision of the two doors 14a, 16.

[0019] In the lower part of the image, the same door 14a is shown at a second maximum opening angle α2, which is larger than the first maximum opening angle α1 and is available when the side sliding door 16 is closed. The comparison of the two images illustrates that the door arrangement 10 varies the maximum opening angle α1, α2 of the rear door 14a depending on the position of the side sliding door 16.

[0020] The hinge axes 18 of the rear doors 14a, 14b run essentially in the vertical direction z of the vehicle, so that the rear doors 14a, 14b can each pivot about a vertical axis. This design corresponds to the common configuration of gullwing doors in vehicle construction, where a large opening cross-section is provided at the rear. The orientation of the hinge axes 18 in the vertical direction z ensures that the movement of the doors occurs exclusively in a horizontal plane, thus defining and reproducibly defining the movement path of the doors.

[0021] In contrast, the side sliding door 16 is movable in the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle, guided along the rail system 26. The rail system 26 is designed to allow linear movement of the side sliding door 16 along the side of the vehicle, thus creating a large lateral access to the cargo area. The orthogonal arrangement of the directions of movement—pivoting the rear doors 14a, 14b about the hinge axes 18 in the horizontal plane, and moving the side sliding door 16 in the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle—ensures a clear distinction between the respective opening movements. Furthermore, the side sliding door 16 can be locked in the open position within the rail system 26, thus permanently keeping the lateral access unobstructed.As long as the sliding door 16 is in this open position, the mechanism of the door assembly 10 is designed such that the opening angle of the rear door 14a is limited to the smaller first maximum opening angle α1 to prevent a collision. Once the sliding door 16 is released from its detent and moved towards its closed position, the mechanical coupling allows for a gradual release, thus providing a larger opening angle. Finally, when the side sliding door 16 is fully closed, the second maximum opening angle α2 of the rear door 14a is achievable, representing the widest opening position and providing the greatest possible access from the rear.

[0022] The opening angle α1 or α2 of the rear door 14a extends in a horizontal plane xy of the transport vehicle 12, thus uniquely defining the movement of the rear door 14a with respect to the vehicle coordinates. In the vehicle coordinate system, the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is designated as axis x, the transverse direction as axis y, and the vertical direction as axis z, so that the rotational movement of the rear door 14a in the xy plane can be unambiguously traced. In this way, the opening range can be determined geometrically with precision, enabling both collision avoidance with the side sliding door 16 and the maximum utilization of the opening angle to be reliably implemented. The explicit reference to the vehicle coordinates ensures that the operation of the door arrangement 10 is consistently described and unambiguously reproducible, regardless of the installation situation or vehicle variant.

[0023] In other words, the invention can be described as a rear portal split-door hinge with an intermediate stop that utilizes the function of the side sliding door 16 to control the opening angle. Rear portal split doors are used particularly in vans and transporters to allow easy access to the cargo area. However, in the prior art, the opening angle of these rear doors is often limited to approximately 230°, especially in vehicles with a short wheelbase, to prevent a collision with an open side sliding door. This limitation also applies when the sliding door is closed, preventing the customer from using the door leaf beyond the limited opening angle. For example, a full opening when docking at a loading ramp is therefore not possible, even though there is no risk of collision with the sliding door.According to the invention, a spring-loaded stop 20 is integrated into the hinge 18 of the rear door 14a. When the side sliding door 16 is open, the stop 20 reliably holds the rear door 14a at a limited angle of approximately 230° (first maximum opening angle α1). When the side sliding door 16 is closed, the stop 20 is pulled into a release position via the cable connection 22 and the actuating element 24, which is arranged in the middle and / or lower track assembly 26 of the side sliding door, so that the rear door 14a can be pivoted to a second maximum opening angle α2 of, for example, 253°. As the side sliding door 16 begins to open from the closed position, the switch or actuating element 24 is relieved by the movement along the rail device 26, so that the cable 22 no longer holds the spring-loaded stop 20 in the release position.The stop 20 then automatically returns to the locked position under the influence of its spring force, so that the opening angle of the rear door 14a is reduced again to the first maximum opening angle α1. This results in an adaptive limitation of the rear portal split doors, dependent on the state of the side sliding door 16, which allows the customer to utilize the full opening angle when the sliding door is closed and to reliably avoid collisions when the sliding door is open.

[0024] Fig. Figure 2 also shows two diagrams in a schematic functional diagram, illustrating the function of the actuating element 24 and its effect on the spring-loaded stop 20. The upper diagram depicts the situation with the side sliding door 16 closed. In this state, the actuating element 24 actuates the spring-loaded stop 20 via the cable connection 22, pulling it into a release position. As a result, the rear door 14a is able to pivot up to the second maximum opening angle α2. This diagram represents the operating case in which the full opening range of the rear door 14a can be used, for example, when loading and unloading the transport trolley 12 from the rear, while the side sliding door 16 remains closed.

[0025] In the lower part of the same Fig.Figure 2 shows the situation with the side sliding door 16 open. In this state, the actuating element 24 is released from engagement, so that the spring-loaded stop 20 is moved into a locked position by the force of its spring action. This automatically limits the opening angle of the rear door 14a to the first maximum opening angle α1. The lower part of the diagram thus illustrates that the door arrangement 10 provides a mechanical coupling in which the open side sliding door 16 changes or reduces the opening angle of the rear door 14a. This is intended to reliably prevent a collision between the two doors 14a and 16.

[0026] The comparison shows that the door arrangement 10 provides an adaptive limitation of the opening angle α1, α2, which results directly from the position of the side sliding door 16. The term coupled unit used here refers to the interaction of the spring-loaded stop 20 with the cable connection 22 and the actuating element 24, whereby these components are mechanically connected and together control the limitation or release of the opening angle α1, α2 of the rear door 14a.

[0027] Furthermore, the limitation or release of the opening angle α1, α2 can also depend on the position of a loading and / or fuel filler flap, thus reliably preventing a collision between the rear door 14a and an open loading and / or fuel filler flap. The open or closed position of the loading and / or fuel filler flap is preferably detected mechanically, for example via a cable connection, a linkage, or a similar coupling element that transmits the flap position directly to the limiting mechanism. This ensures reliable operation that is independent of the vehicle's electronics. Alternatively, detection can also be achieved via a sensor or signaling device, allowing for flexible integration into electronic systems.

[0028] In summary, the invention proposes a (English) “rear portal split door hinge with intermediate stop based on sliding door function”.

Claims

[1] Door arrangement (10) for a transport trolley (12) with two rear doors (14a, 14b) pivotable about a substantially vertical hinge axis and with at least one side sliding door (16), wherein the side sliding door is movable between an open position (S1) and a closed position (S2), characterized by , that one of the rear doors on the side of the side sliding door is designed and coupled to the side sliding door via a locking mechanism of the locking system, such that the rear door can be pivoted between a first maximum opening angle (α1), in which a collision area with the side sliding door is avoided, and a second maximum opening angle (α2), which is greater than the first maximum opening angle, depending on the open position (S1) or the closed position (S2) of the side sliding door. [2] Door arrangement (10) according to claim 1, characterized by, that a spring-loaded stop (20) is provided in a hinge (18) of the rear door (14a), which limits the rear door (14a) in the first maximum opening angle (α1). [3] Door arrangement (10) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by , that the spring-loaded stop (20) is adjustable via a cable connection (22) between the hinge (18) and an actuating element (24) of the side sliding door (16). [4] Door arrangement (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, that the actuating element (24) is arranged in a middle and / or lower rail (26) of the side sliding door (16) and, when the sliding door (16) is closed, pulls the spring-loaded stop (20) into a release position in which the rear door (14a) can be pivoted up to the second maximum opening angle (α2), and, when the sliding door (16) is open, moves the spring-loaded stop (20) into a locking position in which the rear door (14a) can only be pivoted up to the first maximum opening angle (α1). [5] Door arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the maximum opening angle (α1, α2) of the rear door (14a) is adjustable depending on whether a loading and / or fuel tank flap (28) of the transport trolley (12) is open or closed. [6] Method for operating a door arrangement (10) for a transport trolley (12) with two rear doors (14a, 14b) pivotable about a substantially vertical hinge axis and with at least one side sliding door (16), wherein the side sliding door is movable between an open position (S1) and a closed position (S2), characterized by , that one of the rear doors (14a) on the side of the side sliding door (16) is pivoted between a first maximum opening angle (α1), in which a collision area with the side sliding door (16) is avoided, and a second maximum opening angle (α2), which is greater than the first maximum opening angle (α1), depending on the open position (S1) or the closed position (S2) of the side sliding door (16).

Images