Swing-in bus door with lift mechanism

Abstract

A swing-in door assembly 1 for opening and closing a doorway 103 of a transit vehicle 100 comprising a door wing 2, a door mechanism 4 for moving the door wing along a swing-in path and a drive unit 5 for driving the door mechanism 4 The door mechanism 4 further comprises a lift mechanism 3 to lift a swing shaft 40 during its rotation. The lift mechanism 3 comprises a shaft guidance 430 for guiding the swing shaft 40 along its axial axis and a link 30 which is connected between a framework and the swing shaft 40. When the swing shaft turns, the link 30 tilts which causes a lowering or elevation of the door wing during its travel.

Description

[0001] Title: Swing-in bus door with lift mechanism

[0002] The invention relates to a swing-in door assembly which is operable to allow a passenger to enter or exit a passenger space of a transit vehicle through a passenger doorway being delimited by a door framework. The swing-in door assembly comprises at least one door wing which is movable between a closed position in which the door wing at least partially closes the passenger doorway and an open position in which the door wing opens the doorway. The swing-in door assembly comprises a door mechanism for suspending the door wing with respect to the door framework to allow the door wing to move along a swing-in path from the closed position to the open position. The door mechanism comprises a swing shaft being journalled about an axial axis to allow a rotation of the swing shaft. The swing shaft is provided with at least one swing arm for supporting the door wing. The swing arm has a first arm end fixed to the swing shaft and a second arm end pivotally connected to the door wing. Further, the door mechanism comprises a linear guidance including a guidance rail and a slider for guiding the door wing along the door framework. The swing-in door assembly further comprises a drive unit for driving the door mechanism. Further, the invention relates to a bus door assembly comprising a swing-in door assembly and a transit vehicle, in particular a bus vehicle for transporting passengers comprising at least one swing-in door assembly.

[0003] GB2.391.041A discloses a swing-in door assembly in which a door when moving from its closed to its open position moves across the door opening to one side of a door frame, and also moves angularly so as to lie transversely to the plane of the door opening and face across the door opening. The door has drive means for effecting lifting of the door in the course of its angular movement as it opens. This enables the door to clear an inclined surface floor in the door area of the vehicle such as a bus or a coach. The drive means include an upright post pivotable about its axis having two arms including hinge assemblies which incorporates cam means. The overall effect is that the door is lifted relative to the frame and hence the floor surface, thereby avoiding, when the door is moved from the fully closed position to the fully open position, jamming of the lower edge of the door with the inclined floor surface.

[0004] A drawback of this cam operated door assembly is that to obtain a stable operation the cam means and pivot arms should be robust and heavy structured which negatively affects the overall vehicle design. A drawback of this known swing-in door assembly is that the cam means are vulnerable to get contaminated or damaged by corrosion which may cause interferences. To overcome this problem, instead of lifting the door during an inward movement over the inclined floor surface, swing-in door assemblies are often provided with a wing flap at a lower edge of the door wing to compensate for the inclination. Such wing flaps may be arranged with a closed configuration to prevent intrusions of dirt and water, but nevertheless these structures still appear vulnerable for interferences.

[0005] GB2.391.040A and DE100.52.228B4 disclose other known swing-in door assemblies.

[0006] Regarding the above-mentioned prior art, it is remarked that any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like included in the present specification is for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention, and is not to be taken as an admission that any such matters form part of the prior art or were before the priority date of each claim of this application common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.

[0007] The general object of the present invention is to at least partially eliminate the above mentioned drawback and / or to provide a usable alternative. More specific, it is an object of the invention to provide a swing-in door assembly having an arrangement to compensate for a floor inclination at a doorway area which is less vulnerable for interferences.

[0008] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a swing-in door assembly according to claim 1. The swing-in door assembly, which may also be called an in-swing door assembly, is operable to allow a passenger to enter or exit a passenger space of a transit vehicle through a passenger doorway. The passenger doorway is delimited by a door framework. The door framework may be part of a chassis of the transit vehicle.

[0009] The swing-in door assembly comprises at least one door wing. Preferably, the swing-in door assembly comprises a pair of wings being arranged in mirror symmetry. The at least one door wing is movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the door wing at least partially closes the passenger doorway. In the open position, the doorway is open.

[0010] The swing-in door assembly comprises a door mechanism for suspending the at least one door wing with respect to the door framework. The door mechanism allows the door wing to move along a swing-in path from the closed position to the open position and vice versa.

[0011] The door mechanism comprises a swing shaft. The swing shaft is pivotable about the axial axis. The swing shaft is journalled about an axial axis to allow a rotation of the swing shaft. In particular, the swing shaft is allowed to rotate about the axial axis about an angle of about 90°. The swing shaft is provided with at least one swing arm for supporting the door wing. The swing arm has a first arm end which is fixed to the swing shaft and a second arm end which is pivotally connected to the door wing.

[0012] Further, the door mechanism comprises a linear guidance. The linear guidance includes a guidance rail and a slider for guiding the door wing along the framework. In an embodiment, the guidance rail may be connected to the framework, and the slider may be connected to the door wing. Alternatively, vice versa, the guidance rail may be connected to the door wing, and the slider may be connected to the framework.

[0013] The swing-in door assembly further comprises a drive unit for driving the door mechanism. For example, the drive unit may be a pneumatic cylinder including a cylinder housing and an extendable piston rod, or the drive unit may include an electric spindle drive.

[0014] According to the invention, an improvement is provided by a lift mechanism. The swing-in door assembly according to the invention comprises a door mechanism including a lift mechanism which is arranged to provide a lift of the swing shaft along the axial axis during its rotation. The lift mechanism comprises a shaft guidance for guiding the swing shaft along the axial axis. Typically, the shaft guidance allows an axial movement, also called a vertical movement, of the swing shaft about a stroke of at most 60mm, in particular at most 30mm. The stroke corresponds with an inward inclination of the floor surface at the doorway area. Herewith, the swing shaft is movable from a lower position to an elevated position. The lift mechanism further comprises a link, which may also be called a lever. The link has a first link end connected to the framework and a second link end connected to the swing shaft. Due to the connection by the link, a lift of the swing shaft is caused when the swing shaft is rotated.

[0015] Advantageously, the link connection of the swing shaft to the framework provides a simple and robust structure to compensate for an inclination of the floor surface at the doorway area. An elevation of the door wing when inwardly moving along the swing-in path from the closed position to the open position is simply obtained by raising the swing shaft. The link connection of the swing shaft is robust and hardly vulnerable for an operational failure due to a contamination, intrusion or corrosion which is a problem of known solutions in compensating for inclined floors. Advantageously, the link connection allows a minimum size of a wing flap at a lower edge of the door wing, for example for housing a lower shaft arm, or a wing flap may be completely eliminated. In an embodiment of the swing-in door assembly according to the invention, the link is positioned at a top region of the swing shaft. In particular, the link is positioned above an upper swing arm. At the top region, the link connection is far remote from dirt and water which are present at the floor region. In addition, at the top region, the link connection may be boxed by a housing, e.g. a cover plate, of the door mechanism. Herewith, the link connection may remain out of sight and reach against vandalism.

[0016] In an embodiment of the swing-in door assembly according to the invention, the link is oriented in a substantially upright position when the door wing is in the open position. During its movement, and the rotation of the swing shaft, the link tilts away from the upright position. The link is tiltable to and fro a substantially upright position when the door wing is in the open position. In the upright position, the link is in parallel with the swing shaft. In particular, the link is tiltable from the substantially upright position about a link angle of at most 30°, in particular at most 45°, when the door wing is in the closed position. Advantageously, a progressive opening of the door wing can be achieved by the configuration of the upright position in the open position of the door wing.

[0017] In an embodiment of the swing-in door assembly according to the invention, the first link end which is connected to the framework is positioned at a lower position relative to the second link end. Herewith, the link carries the swing shaft. Instead of a link suspension, a weight of the swing shaft rests upon the link.

[0018] In an embodiment of the swing-in door assembly according to the invention, the link has a length of at most 10 cm, in particular at most 8 cm, more in particular at most 6 cm. The relatively short link length is beneficial in preventing a buckling. Preferably, the link is structurally seen be configured as a generally known drawbar which has a drawbar body, a first drawbar eye and a second drawbar eye. Typically, the drawbar body is a hexagonal body with inner threads to allow a length adjustment of the link. As seen above, the drawbar may functionally seen be a pull rod to suspend a door wing in which pulling forces act on the drawbar or a push rod in which a door wing rest upon the drawbar and in which compressing forces act on the drawbar.

[0019] In an embodiment of the swing-in door assembly according to the invention, the drive unit is connected by a drive arm to the swing shaft to drive the swing shaft in rotation. The link is connected by a link arm which may be integral with the drive arm. In particular, the link connection is positioned at a side of the swing shaft opposite the drive unit connection. The link connection may be positioned at a side of the swing shaft facing the framework. Herewith, the link is positioned in between the swing shaft and the door framework which is beneficial in obtaining a compact configuration of the door mechanism.

[0020] In an embodiment of the swing-in door assembly according to the invention, the swing shaft is supported by a spring. The spring is provided for compensating a door weight. The spring carries the weight of the movable components, inter-alia the door wing and swing shaft. The supporting spring is beneficial in reducing a load acting on the door mechanism and allowing the door mechanism to be configured compact and by relatively small components.

[0021] In an embodiment of the swing-in door assembly according to the invention, the swing shaft comprises a lower swing arm having a first arm end fixed to a shaft bottom portion of the swing shaft and a second arm end pivotally connected to a lower region of the door wing, and an upper swing arm having a first arm end fixed to a shaft top portion of the swing shaft, and a second arm end pivotally connected to an upper region of the door wing.

[0022] In an embodiment of the swing-in door assembly according to the invention, the swing-in door assembly further comprises a control unit. Preferably, the control unit is mounted at a top region of the swing-in door assembly, in particular mounted to the door framework.

[0023] In an embodiment of the swing-in door assembly according to the invention, the swing-in door assembly has a configuration wherein the slider is connected to the door wing and the guidance rail is connectable to the door framework. Preferably, the slider is positioned at a top edge of the door wing, in particular close to or at a leading edge of the door wing. A connection of the slider to the door wing is beneficial in reducing a weight of mobile door components. A minimised weight may allow a further compactness of the door mechanism which allows the door mechanism to be placed in a narrow build-in space.

[0024] In an embodiment of the swing-in door assembly according to the invention, the linear guidance includes a rack guidance the gear pinion which engage to each other. In particular, the gear pinion is mounted to do door wing and the rack guidance is connectable to the chassis.

[0025] Further, the invention relates to a bus door assembly comprising a swing-in door assembly according to the invention. In particular, the invention relates to a transit vehicle, in particular a bus vehicle, for transporting passengers comprising at least one swing-in door assembly according to the invention. A transit vehicle may be a tram, train, ferry or bus which include a passenger space being accessible by a swing-in door assembly. The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the appended drawings. The drawings show a practical embodiment according to the invention, which may not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. Specific features may also be considered apart from the shown embodiment and may be taken into account in a broader context as a delimiting feature, not only for the shown embodiment but as a common feature for all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims, in which:

[0026] Fig. 1A shows a prior art embodiment of a swing-in door assembly which has typical components present in a swing-in door assembly to arrange a motion of a door wing along a swing-in path;

[0027] Fig. 1 B shows an enlarged view of a door mechanism and a drive unit of the swing-in door assembly of Fig. 1 A for suspending the door wing and moving the door wing along the swing-in path;

[0028] Fig. 1C shows a left and right door wing of the swing-in door assembly as shown in fig. 1A in an open position in which the door wings have moved across an inclined floor surface;

[0029] Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view which corresponds with fig.1 B, wherein according to the invention in addition a lift mechanism is provided including a shaft guidance and a link to lift a swing shaft of the door mechanism;

[0030] Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 correspond with Fig. 2 and show a door wing in respectively a closed and open position in which a link of the lift mechanism is tilted to a substantially upright position to hold the swing shaft in an elevated position;

[0031] Fig. 5 shows in a cross-sectional view a bottom region of the swing-in door assembly in which a shaft support including a spring is shown for supporting the swing shaft; and

[0032] Fig. 6 shows a left and right cross-sectional view of a spring supported shaft bottom portion including a shaft guidance to allow the swing shaft and door wing to lift

[0033] Identical reference signs are used in the drawings to indicate identical or functionally similar components.

[0034] Fig. 1A-1C illustrate a swing-in door assembly 1 which is generally known in the prior art. The swing-in door assembly 1 according to the invention may have the same or a similar main configuration. The swing-in door assembly 1 according to the invention differs in that a lift mechanism for lifting a door wing is provided instead of a wing flap 9 at a bottom edge 29 of a door wing 2. Fig. 1A shows a frontal view of a vehicle door of a passenger transit vehicle 100, like a bus or train vehicle. The transit vehicle 100 is partly illustrated by depicting a transit vehicle chassis

[0035] 101 aside and above the vehicle door. A vehicle floor 104 is shown at an inner side of the vehicle door. Seen in a direction away from the vehicle door, the vehicle floor 104 slightly raises to obtain a water drainage in a direction of the vehicle door.

[0036] The vehicle door provides access from the outside via a doorway 103 to a passenger space

[0037] 102 of the transit vehicle 100. The doorway 103 is delimited by a door framework 105. The door framework 105 may be integral with the vehicle chassis 101 or configured as a separate build- in framework 105. The framework 105 may be formed as a rectangular framework including fixed vertical and horizontal profiles. The framework 105 may be mountable to the vehicle chassis 101 as a cassette holding door assembly components.

[0038] The shown vehicle door has a configuration of a swing-in door assembly 1 which here includes a pair of door wings 2. The pair of door wings includes - seen from the inner side - a left and right door wing 21 , 22.

[0039] Each door wing 2 has a rectangular shape including a leading edge 26, a top edge 27, a rear edge 28 and a bottom edge 29.

[0040] The swing-in door assembly has at least one door wing 2 which swings inwardly with respect to an access opening into the passenger space 102 to open the doorway 103. The pair of door wings 21 ,22 can be moved from a closed position CP in which the doorway 103 is closed - as illustrated in fig. 1A - to an open position OP in which the doorway 103 is open - as illustrated in fig. 1C - to allow passengers to enter or exit the transit vehicle 100. In the shown swing-in door assembly 1 , each door wing 21 , 22 is arranged to simultaneously slide and rotate into the passenger space 102 when moving from the closed to the open position. The door wings 21 , 22 move along a swing-in path.

[0041] As illustrated in fig. 1A, in the closed position CP, the leading edges of the pair of door wings 21 , 22 are in a abutting engagement with each other. In operation, the leading edges of the pair of door wings 21 , 22 linearly move away from each other to open the doorway 103.

[0042] Each door wing 2 is suspended by a door mechanism 4 to the door framework 105. The door mechanism 4 is arranged in correspondence with a kinematic scheme which defines the swingin path to guide a movement of the door wing 2. Here, two door mechanisms 4 in mirror symmetry are arranged to provide an inward swing movement to each door wing 21 ,22. The door mechanism 4 has a swing shaft 40 for moving a door wing. Here, a left and right swing shaft 401 , 402 are provided to each operate a left or right positioned door wing 21 , 22. The swing shaft 40 extends from the vehicle floor 104 upwards in a vertical direction. The swing shaft 40 is positioned aside the door wing 2. The swing shaft 40 is positioned close to the door framework 105. The swing shaft 40 is rotatably mounted to the vehicle chassis. At a shaft bottom 401 and a shaft top 402, the swing shaft 40 is journaled by a shaft support 43. The journaled swing shaft 40 forms a stationary pivot axis, also called a swing axis 04, in the kinematic scheme of the swing-in door assembly. The swing axis 04 forms a swing point S which is stationary in position with respect to the chassis 101 and vehicle floor 104. The swing axis 04 allows a rotational movement about a vertical axis of the swing shaft 40 with respect to the chassis 101.

[0043] The swing shaft 40 has an lower swing arm 41 and an upper swing arm 42. The lower swing arm 41 is positioned at the shaft bottom portion 401 and pivotally connected to the door wing 2 at a lower region, here to the bottom edge 29 of the door wing 2. The upper swing arm 42 is positioned at the shaft top portion 402 and pivotally connected at an upper region to the door wing 2, here to the top edge 27 of the door wing 2. It is conceivable to attach the at least one swing arm differently, e.g. somewhat lower beneath the top edge 27 which does not affect a proper movement of door wing.

[0044] Each swing arm 41 , 42 has a first arm end 411 , 421 which is fixed to the swing shaft 40 and a second swing arm end 412, 422 which is pivotally connected to the door wing 2. The swing-in path is characterised by two movable pivot points I, II. The pivotal connection of the swing arm 41 forms the first movable pivot point I of the door mechanism 4. The first pivot point I is here positioned in between the leading and a rear edge 26, 28 of the door wing 2. Here, the first pivot point I is positioned at a centre region of the top edge 27. It is conceivable that in dependence of an arm length of the swing arm 41 , the first pivot point I may be positioned closer to the rear edge 28 of the door wing 2. When swinging the swing shaft 40 around the swing point S, the movable first pivot point I moves along an arcuate path in a horizontal plane.

[0045] Further, the door mechanism 4 comprises a linear guidance 46 for coupling the door wing 2 at a second point, which forms the movable second pivot point II relative to the door framework 105. The linear guidance 46 includes a guiding rail 461 and a slider 462. Here, the guiding rail 461 is mounted to the framework 105. The slider 462 is connected to the door wing 2 at a position close to the leading edge 26. The slider 462 is configured to slide along the guiding rail 461. The slider 462 is slidably coupled to the guiding rail 461 which enables the second pivot point II to be displaced during operation. The second pivot point II is positioned at the slider 462 which is slidable relative to the rail 461 . The slider 462 forces the leading edge of the door wing 2 to follow the guiding rail 461 , such that the leading edge 26 of the door wing 2 remains in a plane in parallel with the doorway 103. During the sliding movement, the second pivot point II moves along a straight path. Thus, the second pivot point II is movable with respect to the chassis 101.

[0046] When moving the door wing 2, the suspension by both the swing arms 41 ,42 at the first pivot point I and the slider 462 at the second pivot point II cause the door wing 2 to swing along the swing-in path. Due to the rotary movement introduced by the swing arms, the door wing 2 pivots at both the position of the slider 462 which is at the second pivot point II and at the first pivot point I which is at the pivotal connection of the door wing 2 to the swing arm 41. The swing arms 41 , 42 force the door wing 2 to rotate at about 90° as illustrated in fig. 1 C, such that the rear edge 28 of the door wing 2 moves away from the doorway 103 into the passenger space 102. During the movement of the door mechanism 4, the door wing 2 pivots at both the movable first and second pivot points I, II. The door wing 2 pivots at the second swing arm end 412 and the door wing 2 pivots at the slider.

[0047] Further, as illustrated in detail in fig. 1 B, the swing-in door assembly 1 comprises a drive unit 5. The drive unit 5 is positioned above the door wing 2. The drive unit 5 is electronically connected to a control unit 8. The control unit 8 is positioned close to drive unit 5 and also positioned above the door wing 2.

[0048] The drive unit 5 is operatively connected in between the framework 105 and the swing shaft 40. The drive unit 5 has a drive housing 50 and a drive member 51. Here, the drive unit 5 is a pneumatic linear cylinder which is driveable by a pump unit 52 including a pump and a motor. The drive housing has a cylinder housing which is mounted to the framework 105. The drive member is a piston rod head which is coupled via a drive arm 59 to the swing shaft 40. Actuating the drive unit 5 causes the swing shaft 40 to rotate about the swing axis 04 and operates the door mechanism 4.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 1A and 1 C, the prior art swing-in door assembly further comprises a wing flap 9 at the bottom edge 29 of the door wing 2. The wing flap 9 is pivotally connected to the bottom edge 29 of the wing. The wing flap 29 is arranged to compensate for the inclination of the vehicle floor 104. The wing flap 9 provides a closure of a clearance below the door wing 2 when the door wing is in the closed position. In practise, such a wing flap 9 appears to be vulnerable to contaminations. Water, dirt and other intrusions and corrosion may affect a proper working of the pivotal connection of the wing flap 9. In practice, such a wing flap 9 requires a frequent maintenance and vulnerable for interferences.

[0050] According to the invention, the embodiment of the prior art swing-in door assembly as shown in fig. 1 or a similar swing-in door assembly can be improved by reducing a size or abandoning the wing flap 9 and instead applying a particular lift mechanism 3 to provide a lift of the door wing 2 relative to the inclined vehicle floor 104.

[0051] An embodiment of a swing-in door assembly including a lift mechanism 3 according to the invention is shown in fig. 2. The lift mechanism 3 is arranged to not only lift the door wing 2, but to lift the door wing 2 together with the swing shaft 40. The lift mechanism 3 engages the swing shaft 40 to move the swing shaft 40 from a lower position to an elevated position. The lift mechanism 3 is arranged to lift the swing shaft 40 along the axial axis 04 during its rotation.

[0052] As shown in fig. 2-4, the lift mechanism 3 comprises a link 30. The link 30 has a link body 300 which has a first link end 31 and a second link end 32. The first link end 31 is connected to the framework 105. The second link end 32 is connected to the swing shaft 40. When rotating the swing shaft 40 about the axial axis, the connection of the swing shaft 40 to the framework 105 by the link 30 causes the swing shaft 40 to lift.

[0053] The swing shaft 40 is supported by a shaft support 43. The shaft support 43 is positioned at a shaft bottom portion 401 , see fig. 5. At a shaft top portion 402, the swing shaft 40 is supported by a shaft guidance 430 which is arranged to allow a sliding of the swing shaft 40 the swing shaft 40 is slidable along a stroke. Here, the stroke is at most 60 mm which corresponds with the inclination of the floor surface at the doorway area

[0054] The link 30 is positioned in between the swing shaft 40 and the framework 105. The link 30 is positioned at a top region TR of the swing shaft 40. The link 30 is connected to the swing shaft 40 by a link arm 33 of the swing shaft 40 which is here integrally shaped with a drive arm 59 for attaching a drive unit 5. The drive unit 5 is connected by the drive arm 59 to the swing shaft 42 drive the swing shaft 40 in rotation. The link 30 is connected to a piece forming this drive arm 59 at a side of the swing shaft 40 facing the door framework 105.

[0055] The link 30 is positioned above the upper swing arm 42. The link 30 is positioned at a height level of the door mechanism 4. Both the lift mechanism 3 and the door mechanism 4 may be housed by a common cover plate. As shown in fig. 3, the link 30 is formed by a drawbar. The drawbar 30 has a drawbar body 300. The first link end 31 is formed by a first drawbar eye 311. The second link end 32 is formed by a second drawbar eye 321 . The drawbar 30 has a length of at most 10 cm.

[0056] The link 30 carries the swing shaft 40. A weight of the swing shaft 40 is supported by the link 30 from below. The first link end 31 is positioned below the second link end 32.

[0057] As shown in fig. 4, the link 30 is oriented in a substantially upright position when the door wing 2 is in the open position OP. In the open position OP of the door wing 2, the wing shaft 40 is in the elevated position. When moving the door wing 2 to the closed position CP, the wing shaft 40 moves to the lowered position and the link 30 tilts from the substantially upright position -as shown in fig. 4- to a tilted position -as shown in fig. 3- which is here at most 45°. Near the closed position a relative larger lowering or elevation of the door wing over a travel distance is obtained due to the orientation of the link. A progressive leveling is provided when the door wing travels from the open to the closed position.

[0058] Fig. 5 and 6 show in a cross-sectional view a bottom region BR of the swing shaft 40. A spring 6 is installed inside a shaft bottom portion 401 of the swing shaft 40 for compensating a weight of the swing shaft 40 which carries the door wing 2. The spring 6 has a spring body 60, here a spiral spring, which is supported by a spring support 61 being fixed to the swing shaft 40. At the shaft bottom portion401 , the spring 6 is supported by the shaft support 43.

[0059] As shown in the left and right views of fig. 6, the shaft support 43 includes a shaft guidance 430 to allow an axial movement of the swing shaft about a distance Ah. The shaft guidance 430 is fixed to the door framework 105. In the left view, the door wing 21 is lifted and in the open position OP. In the right view, the door wing 21 is lowered and in the closed position CP.

[0060] Numerous variants are possible in addition to the embodiment shown in the figures. For example, in a variant of the illustrated embodiment of the swing-in door assembly, an alternative embodiment of the swing-in door assembly may comprise another kind of drive unit.

[0061] Thus, the invention provides a swing-in door assembly 1 for opening and closing a doorway 103 of a transit vehicle 100 comprising a door wing 2, a door mechanism 4 for moving the door wing along a swing-in path and a drive unit 5 for driving the door mechanism 4. The door mechanism 4 further comprises a lift mechanism 3 to lift a swing shaft 40 during its rotation. The lift mechanism 3 comprises a shaft guidance 430 for guiding the swing shaft 40 along its axial axis and a link 30 which is connected between a framework and the swing shaft 40. When the swing shaft turns, the link 30 tilts which causes a lowering or elevation of the door wing during its travel.

[0062] Although the present invention has been described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. It is intended that all such changes and modifications be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure and claims.

[0063] Further, it is remarked that any feature of the assembly according to the invention which is described in the embodiments and / or mentioned in the dependent claims is in itself considered patentable without any dependency to another presented feature. In particular, any measure presented in a dependent claim is also considered patentable without dependency of the independent claim.

[0064] Reference signs list:

[0065] TR top region 29 bottom edge

[0066] BR bottom region CP closed position 3 lift mechanism

[0067] OP open position 30 link

[0068] 31 first link end

[0069] 1 swing-in door assembly 32 second link end

[0070] 100 transit vehicle 300 drawbar body 101 chassis 311 first drawbar eye

[0071] 102 passenger space 321 second drawbar eye

[0072] 103 doorway 33 link arm

[0073] 104 vehicle floor

[0074] 105 door framework 4 door mechanism

[0075] 40 swing shaft

[0076] 2 door wing 04, S swing axis

[0077] 21 left door wing 401 shaft bottom portion

[0078] 22 right door wing 402 shaft top portion

[0079] 41 lower swing arm 26 leading edge 411 first arm end

[0080] 27 top edge 412 second arm end

[0081] 28 rear edge 42 upper swing arm 421 first arm end 51 drive member

[0082] 422 second arm end 52 pump unit

[0083] 43 shaft support 59 drive arm

[0084] 430 shaft guidance

[0085] 6 spring

[0086] 46 linear guidance 60 spring body

[0087] 461 guiding rail 61 spring support (43)

[0088] 462 slider

[0089] 8 control unit 5 drive unit 9 wing flap

[0090] 50 drive housing

Claims

CLAIMS1. Swing-in door assembly (1) which is operable to allow a passenger to enter or exit a passenger space (102) of a transit vehicle (100) through a passenger doorway (103) which is delimited by a door framework (105), the swing-in door assembly (1) comprising:- at least one door wing (2) which is movable between a closed position (CP) in which the door wing at least partially closes the passenger doorway (103) and an open position (OP) in which the door wing (2) opens the passenger doorway (103);- a door mechanism (4) for suspending the door wing (2) with respect to the door framework (105) to allow the door wing (2) to move along a swing-in path from the closed position (CP) to the open position (OP), the door mechanism (4) comprising: a swing shaft (40) being journalled about an axial axis (04) to allow a rotation of the swing shaft (40), in which the swing shaft (40) is provided with at least one swing arm (41) for supporting the door wing (2) in which the swing arm (41) has a first arm end (411) fixed to the swing shaft (40) and a second arm end (412) pivotally connected to the door wing (2); and a linear guidance (46) including a guidance rail (461) and a slider (462) for guiding the door wing (2) along the door framework (105);- a drive unit (5) for driving the door mechanism (4), characterised in that the door mechanism (4) further comprises a lift mechanism (3) which is arranged to lift the swing shaft (40) during its rotation, wherein the lift mechanism (3) comprises a shaft guidance (430) for guiding the swing shaft (40) along the axial axis (04) and wherein the lift mechanism (3) further comprises a link (30) having a first link end (31) connected to the door framework (105) and a second link end (32) connected to the swing shaft (40), such that the lift of the swing shaft (40) is caused by the rotation of the swing shaft (40).

2. Swing-in door assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the link (30) is positioned at a top region (TR) of the swing shaft (40), in particular covered by a housing of the door mechanism (4).

3. Swing-in door assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the link (30) is oriented in a substantially upright position when the door wing (2) is in the open position (OP).

4. Swing-in door assembly according to claim 3, wherein the link (30) is tiltable from the substantially upright position about a link angle of at most 30°, in particular at most 45°, when the door wing (2) moves to the closed position (CP).

5. Swing-in door assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first link end (31) which is connected to the door framework (105) is positioned at a lower position relative to the second link end (32).

6. Swing-in door assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the link (30) has a length of at most 10 cm.

7. Swing-in door assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the link (30) is a drawbar having a drawbar body, a first drawbar eye (311) and a second drawbar eye (312).

8. Swing-in door assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the drive unit (5) is connected by a drive arm (59) to the swing shaft (40) to drive the swing shaft (40) in rotation, wherein the link (30) is connected to the drive arm (59), in particular at a side of the swing shaft (40) opposite a connection of the drive unit (5) to the drive arm.

9. Swing-in door assembly according to claim 8, wherein the link (30) is connected to a link arm (33) which is integrally shaped with the drive arm (59) and positioned at a side of the swing shaft (40) facing the door framework (105).

10. Swing-in door assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the swing shaft (40) is supported by a spring (6).

11. Swing-in door assembly according to claim 10, wherein the spring has a spring body (60) which is positioned inside the swing shaft (40) at a bottom region (BR) to support the swing shaft (40).

12. Swing-in door assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the slider (462) is connected to the door wing (2), in particular at a position close to the leading edge (26), and the guidance rail (461) is connectable to the door framework (105).

13. Swing-in door assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the linear guidance (46) includes a rack guidance and gear pinion which engage to each other, wherein the gear pinion is mounted to the door wing (2) and wherein the rack guidance is connectable to the door frame (105).

14. Bus door assembly comprising a swing-in door assembly according to any of the preceding claims.

15. Transit vehicle, in particular a bus vehicle, for transporting passengers comprising at least one swing-in door assembly according to any of the claims 1-13.

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