TELESCOPIC GUIDE SYSTEM FOR SLIDING STEPS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an access device for a vehicle, in particular for a rail vehicle, comprising a slidably arranged footplate arrangement, having a footplate and an extension unit operatively connected to the footplate.

[0002] For various types of vehicles, but especially for public transport vehicles, boarding devices of the type described above or of a similar design are used. In this context, "vehicle" can refer to either a wheeled or a rail-bound vehicle. Wheeled vehicles, in this context, can refer specifically to passenger transport vehicles, such as buses. Rail-bound vehicles, in this context, can also refer to passenger transport vehicles, such as trams, suburban trains, regional trains, long-distance trains, subways, trams, etc.In principle, boarding devices can be used in any type of vehicle where passengers need to overcome a height difference or a gap between a boarding platform and a step inside the vehicle when boarding or alighting. Such a situation can also occur, for example, when an aircraft is stopped at a gate or gate boarding platform, which is why boarding devices can also be used on aircraft.

[0003] Accordingly, boarding devices serve to facilitate entry into and exit from a vehicle of the type described above. Sliding step devices are well known from the prior art.

[0004] Sliding step devices work by moving a step plate back and forth between a retracted and an extended position, particularly along a sliding axis extending transversely to the vehicle. In the extended position, the step plate provides a platform over which a person can enter or exit the vehicle. To ensure this linear movement of the step plate, it can be guided within a vehicle-side housing or frame. Sliding steps facilitate boarding and alighting from a vehicle by bridging a gap between the vehicle and a platform (e.g., a platform edge).

[0005] Sliding steps usually consist of a guide system with four rollers. These rollers are attached to the extension unit and move within a track located on or in a base frame of the access device.

[0006] A special alternative design of the guide system is characterized by the fact that only the two rear rollers (in the extension direction) are attached to the extension mechanism, while the two front rollers are fixed to the base frame. Accordingly, the track of the front rollers is located on the extension mechanism. The roller spacing between the rollers arranged one behind the other (in the extension direction) in the fully extended position of the step system, in conjunction with the travel distance and the step surface dimensions, defines the installation space required on the vehicle for the access device. Furthermore, the roller spacing, due to the lever arm ratios, defines the forces acting on the rollers.

[0007] Often, however, installation space on vehicles is limited, so solutions are sought that take up as little space as possible while still being sufficiently load-bearing. A correspondingly small boarding device must nevertheless be able to support passenger loads when extended.

[0008] The publication DE20 2020 105 492 U1 describes an elaborately constructed guide system for sliding steps, which has a blocking device by which a relative movement between two linear elements of an extension device of a step plate can be blocked or released.

[0009] The present invention is based on the objective of providing an access device that requires little installation space, but with which safer access for persons is ensured.

[0010] To solve this problem, an access device with the features of claim 1 is proposed.

[0011] Accordingly, the access device has a sliding step arranged in a sliding position, comprising a footplate and an extension unit operatively connected to the footplate, wherein the extension unit is designed to be variable in length in the extension direction of the footplate.

[0012] Accordingly, the extension device consists of a front first linear element and a rear second linear element, which are movable relative to each other in the extension direction. Preferably, extension devices are provided on both sides of the sliding step, which jointly hold and move the sliding step.

[0013] According to the invention, the linear elements are formed by two components arranged essentially side by side. One of the linear elements has at least one elongated hole in which a guide roller, mounted on the other linear element, is movably mounted. Instead of a single elongated hole, preferably two elongated holes can be arranged one behind the other in the extension direction, each with a guide roller projecting into and guided within it. The longitudinal axes of the elongated holes extend in the extension direction. The two linear elements are movable relative to each other over the length of the elongated holes.

[0014] The extension unit is thus formed in the extension direction from two linear elements, which are connected to each other via a linear element connection and are essentially arranged side by side. In the embodiment described above, the linear element connection of the two linear elements is formed by the at least one elongated hole and the guide roller movably mounted therein.

[0015] One of the linear elements is mounted on a roller that is fixed to the vehicle, in particular to a base frame, and is movable on this roller. A second roller is attached to this linear element itself and rolls in or on a guide track of the access device.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the stationary roller is located at the front in the extension direction and the roller arranged on the linear element itself is located at the rear in the extension direction, preferably at the free end of the linear element.

[0017] Due to their potential relative movement in the extension direction, the two rollers can be positioned at different distances from each other, with the relative displacement determined by the length of the longitudinal hole. This results in a relative movement distance between the two linear elements. The distance can therefore be increased, particularly in the extended position. This is achieved by shifting the linear element that carries the rear roller.

[0018] In the retracted position, the rear rollers are in a space-saving position, with the guide rollers positioned at the front in the elongated holes in the extension direction. In the extended position, the linear elements that support the guide rollers preferably move relative to the other linear elements, thereby increasing the distance between the rear rollers and the front rollers. This relative movement during extension is achieved by limiting the travel of the rear roller. This ensures a minimum distance between the rear, movable roller and the front, fixed roller.

[0019] The maximum distance between the rollers when the sliding step is extended is directly relevant to the maximum possible load on the sliding step. Due to limited permissible maximum roller forces, it is advantageous to be able to increase the roller distance when extended.

[0020] It has been shown that a relative movement distance between the two linear elements in the extension direction of approximately 15% to 40%, preferably approximately 20% to 25% of the total distance of the stationary roller to the second roller in the retracted state of the step plate is sufficient to ensure a reduction in installation space while maintaining stable or sufficient load-bearing capacity of the sliding step.

[0021] The following figures show a preferred embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is to be understood as merely an example. The figures serve to illustrate the invention in principle; of course, modifications and detailed solutions are possible. They show Fig. 1: an access device according to the invention in perspective view, Fig. 2: an enlarged detail view of isolated linear elements made of Fig. 1, Fig. 3: a cut-out side view of the access device made of Fig. 1 , in the retracted state of the sliding step, Fig. 4: a detached side view of the access device made of Fig. 1 , in the extended position of the sliding step and with a small roller spacing, Fig. 5: a detached side view of the access device made of Fig. 1 , in the extended position of the sliding step and with increased roller spacing.

[0022] Fig. 1 The figure shows the essential components and elements of an access device 20 according to the invention in a perspective view; components and elements not necessary for understanding the invention are not shown.

[0023] The sliding step 22 can be seen to be arranged in a sliding manner with a footplate 24 which can be extended and retracted via a functionally connected extension unit 26.

[0024] A key feature of the invention is that the extension unit 26 is designed to be variable in length in the extension direction of the footplate 24. The extension direction is indicated by the arrow. In the illustrated embodiment, the variable length is achieved by a front first linear element 28 and a rear second linear element 30 in the extension direction, which are connected to each other via a linear element connection. The two linear elements 28 and 30 are arranged essentially next to each other and thus move parallel to each other. The variable length is, of course, also present in the direction opposite to the extension direction, i.e., the negative extension direction, in the direction of movement of the footplate 24.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, extension units 26 with linear elements 28, 30 are arranged on both sides of the footplate 24. One extension unit 26 is in Fig. 2 Shown enlarged.

[0026] The linear element connection of the two linear elements 28, 30 is formed by an elongated hole 34 and a guide roller 36 movably mounted therein, wherein the elongated hole 34 is arranged in one of the two linear elements 28, 30 and the guide roller 36 on the other linear element 28, 30. A longitudinal axis of the elongated hole 34 extends along the extension direction.

[0027] Two linear element connections 34 arranged one behind the other in the extension direction are shown, with the two elongated holes 34 arranged as a front elongated hole 34-1 and a rear elongated hole 34-2 in the front first linear element 28. A front guide roller 36-1 rotatably mounted on the rear linear element 30 extends into the front elongated hole 34-1, and a rear guide roller 36-2, also rotatably mounted on the rear linear element 30, extends into the rear elongated hole 34-2.

[0028] The rear second linear element 30 is mounted on a first roller 38-1, which is fixed to the vehicle, and is movable on this roller. The fixed first roller 38-1 is arranged on a base frame 40, into which the footplate 24 can be extended and retracted. A second roller 38-2 is arranged on the second rear linear element 30 itself and rolls on a guide track located on the access device 20 or on the base frame 40 and extending in the extension direction. The second roller 38-2 is located at a rear end 44 of the second rear linear element 30 that is free in the extension direction, and the fixed first roller 38-1 is located at a front end 46 of the base frame 40 that is free in the extension direction.

[0029] The Figures 3 to 5The figures illustrate the effect of the length variation during the movement of the sliding step 22 or step plate 24. The sliding step 22 or step plate 24 is shown in different extended positions. Fig. 3 in the retracted position of the sliding step 22, in the Fig. 4 and 5 in the extended position. Linear elements 28 and 30 are shown isolated; the side walls of the housing frame 40 have been removed. Figures 3 to 5 The different relative positions of the guide rollers 36 and the elongated holes 34 are shown in relation to each other. Fig 4 The roller spacing between the first roller 38-1, which is fixedly arranged on the base frame 40, and the second roller 38-2, which is arranged on the second rear linear element 30 itself, is smaller than in the Fig. 5 depicted situation.

[0030] Essentially, the invention is based on the finding that the distance between the rollers 38 can be changed in different positions of the sliding step 22. This can be achieved by the embodiment shown, but other possibilities are also conceivable that allow a relative displacement between linear elements 28, 30 connected to the sliding step.

Claims

1. A boarding device (20) with a displaceably arranged sliding step (22), having a foot board (24) and an extension unit (26) operatively connected to the foot board (24), wherein the extension unit (26) is designed to be of variable length in the extension direction of the foot board (24) and - is formed from a front first linear element (28) in the extension direction and a rear second linear element (30) in the extension direction, wherein the two linear elements (28, 30) are connected to one another via a linear element connection and are arranged substantially side by side, - the linear element connection between the two linear elements (28, 30) is formed by at least one slot (34) and a guide roller (36) displaceably mounted therein, wherein the slot (34) is arranged in one of the linear elements (28, 30) and the guide roller (36) on the other linear element (28, 30) and a longitudinal axis of the slot (34) extends in the extension direction, - the first linear element (28) is mounted on a first roller (28-1) which is fixedly arranged on the vehicle on a base frame (40) into which the foot board (24) can be retracted and extended, and can be displaced on this roller, - a second roller (28-2) is arranged on the second linear element (30) itself and rolls on a guide track arranged on the boarding device (20) and extending in the extension direction, wherein the extension unit (26) is designed and arranged in such a way that a roller spacing A between the first roller (28-1) and the second roller (28-2) can be increased by displacing the rear second linear element (30), which supports the rear second roller (28-2), in the extension direction.

2. The boarding device (20) according to Claim 1, characterised in that the second roller (38-2) is arranged on a free rear end (44) of the linear element (28, 30) in the extension direction and the fixedly arranged first roller (38-1) is arranged on a free front end (46) of the base frame (40) in the extension direction.

3. The boarding device (20) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the extension unit (26) has two linear element connections arranged one behind the other in the extension direction.

4. The boarding device (20) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that an extension unit (26) is provided on each side of the foot board (24).

5. The boarding device (20) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that a relative movement path between the two linear elements (28, 30) in the extension direction relative to one another is around 15% to 40%, preferably around 20% to 25% of an overall distance from the stationary first roller (38-1) to the second roller (38-3) in the retracted state of the foot board (24).