Door drive device for railway vehicle

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides a door drive device for a railway vehicle. The door drive device includes: a drive unit (2) for driving a door (11A, 11B) that opens and closes a doorway (10) of a railway vehicle; and a locking mechanism (3) for locking the door (11A, 11B) while the door (11A, 11B) is fully closed so that the door (11A, 11B) does not move in an opening direction. The locking mechanism (3) is provided on a side facing away from a door hanger (12A, 12B) that supports the door (11A, 11B), with respect to the drive unit (2).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a door drive device for a railway vehicle.BACKGROUND

[0002] Patent Literature 1 discloses a configuration including a rack-and-pinion drive unit for opening and closing a door panel of a railway vehicle. There is also a known configuration including a locking mechanism for locking a door in a fully closed position so that the door does not move in an opening direction.RELEVANT REFERENCE LIST OF RELEVANT PATENT LITERATURE

[0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-538170SUMMARY

[0004] Depending on where the locking mechanism is installed relative to the drive unit, only a small space may be left between the door hanger and the drive unit. In this case, the space between the door hanger and the drive unit cannot be used effectively.

[0005] The present invention is intended to overcome the above drawback, and one object thereof is to provide a door drive device for a railway vehicle that can facilitate optimization of the use of the space between a door hanger and a drive unit.

[0006] To overcome the above drawback, embodiments of the present invention are configured as follows. (1) An embodiment of the present invention provides a door drive device for a railway vehicle. The door drive device includes: a drive unit for driving a door that opens and closes a doorway of a railway vehicle; and a locking mechanism for locking the door while the door is fully closed so that the door does not move in an opening direction. The locking mechanism is provided on a side facing away from a door hanger that supports the door, with respect to the drive unit. According to the configuration, a larger space can be left between the door hanger and the drive unit than when the locking mechanism is provided on the side facing the door hanger with respect to the drive unit. In this way, the space between the door hanger and the drive unit can be used effectively. (2) The door drive device as described in (1) may further include a manual unlocking mechanism for manually unlocking the locking mechanism. The manual unlocking mechanism may include: an operating unit configured to be manually operated; and an unlocking unit for unlocking the locking mechanism upon receiving an operating force exerted by manual operation of the operating unit and transmitted thereto. The unlocking unit may be provided on a side facing away from the door hanger with respect to the drive unit. (3) In the door drive device as described in (2), the unlocking unit may be provided on a side facing away from the drive unit with respect to the locking mechanism. (4) The door drive device as described in any of (1) to (3) may further include: a rail extending in an open-close direction of the door; and a slider connected to the door hanger, the slider being configured to move along the rail. The drive unit may overlap at least part of the rail when viewed in a vehicle width direction. (5) In the door drive device as described in any of (1) to (4), the locking mechanism may include: a plurality of links; support members supporting the plurality of links such that the plurality of links) rotate about respective axes extending along a vertical direction; and a bear member bearing at least one of the support members from below in the vertical direction. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

[0007] The present invention can make it possible to facilitate optimization of the use of the space between a door hanger and a drive unit.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Fig. 1 shows a railway vehicle with a door drive device for a railway vehicle relating to an embodiment, as viewed from outside in a vehicle width direction. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the door drive device for a railway vehicle relating to the embodiment, as viewed from door hangers. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the door drive device for a railway vehicle relating to the embodiment, as viewed from the side opposite to the door hangers. Fig. 4 shows the door drive device for a railway vehicle, relating to the embodiment, as viewed in the vehicle width direction from the side indicated by the arrow IV in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a perspective view partly showing a section of a locking mechanism relating to an embodiment. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the locking mechanism relating to the embodiment, as viewed from the side opposite to the door hangers. Fig. 7 is a bottom view of the locking mechanism according to the embodiment in an unlock state. Fig. 8 is a bottom view of the locking mechanism according to the embodiment in a lock state. Fig. 9 illustrates how the locking mechanism according to the embodiment is arranged. Fig. 10 illustrates how a locking mechanism of a comparative example is arranged. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The following describes a door drive device for a railway vehicle relating to embodiments of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings. In the following description, terms such as "parallel," "orthogonal," "center" and "coaxial" describe relative or absolute positions. These terms are not only strictly used but also allow some tolerances and relative differences in angle and distance as long as the same effects can be still produced. In the drawings used for the following description, the respective members are shown to different scales into recognizable sizes.<Door Drive Device for Railway Vehicle>

[0010] Fig. 1 shows a railway vehicle with a door drive device 1 relating to an embodiment, viewed from outside in a vehicle width direction.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, a railway vehicle door is a double sliding door including a pair of door leaves 11A and 11B to open and close a doorway 10 of a railway vehicle. Fig. 1 shows a state where the door leaves 11A and 11B are fully closed.

[0012] In the following description, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is used as required. The X direction represents the front-rear direction of the railway vehicle. The Y direction represents the vehicle width direction of the railway vehicle. The Z direction represents the height direction of the railway vehicle, which is orthogonal to the X and Y directions. The following description is made referring to the arrows shown in the drawings and indicating the X, Y and Z directions. The head side and the tail side of each arrow indicate the positive (+) side and the negative (-) side, respectively. The inside and the outside in the vehicle width direction are respectively denoted as the +Y side and the -Y side. The upper side and the lower side in the vertical direction are respectively denoted as the +Z side and the -Z side.

[0013] The door drive device 1 for a railway vehicle includes: a drive unit 2 for driving the door leaves 11A and 11B to open and close the doorway 10 of the railway vehicle; a locking mechanism 3 for locking the door leaves 11A and 11B while they are fully closed so that they do not move in the opening direction; and a manual unlocking mechanism 4 for manually unlocking the locking mechanism 3.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the door drive device 1 relating to the embodiment, as viewed from door hangers 12A and 12B. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the door drive device 1 relating to the embodiment, as viewed from the side opposite to the door hangers 12A and 12B. Fig. 4 shows the door drive device 1 relating to the embodiment, as viewed in the vehicle width direction from the side indicated by the arrow IV in Fig. 3. Referring to Figs. 2 to 4, the door drive device 1 further includes a rail 5 extending along the open-close direction of the door leaves 11A and 11B, and sliders 6 to which the door hangers 12A and 12B are connected. The sliders 6 can move along the rail 5. As viewed from the vehicle width direction, the drive unit 2 overlaps at least a portion of the rail 5.

[0015] The rail 5 extends in the X direction and above the doorway 10. The door leaves 11A and 11B are configured to move backwards and forwards along the rail 5. The door hangers 12A and 12B are connected to the top edges of the door leaves 11A and 11B. The door leaves 11A and 11B have a thickness in the Y direction. The door hangers 12A and 12B are supported by the rail 5 via the sliders 6 such that the door hangers 12A and 12B are movable in the X direction relative to the rail 5. The upper parts of the door hangers 12A and 12B are connected to the lower parts of the sliders 6. The sliders 6 may have rollers, which are rollable on the rail 5.<Drive Unit>

[0016] The drive unit 2 includes a motor 20 (an example of an actuator), a rack-and-pinion mechanism 30, and a planetary gear mechanism 40. The motor 20 is arranged near the middle in the X direction of the doorway 10, between the upper and lower edges of the rail 5. The motor 20 has a direct-drive output shaft 20a that can rotate forwards and backwards. The output shaft 20a of the motor 20 extends in the Y direction. As the motor 20 is driven, the door leaves 11A and 11B are opened, closed, locked, and unlocked.

[0017] The rack-and-pinion mechanism 30 includes racks 31A and 31B to which the door leaves 11A and 11B are attached respectively, and a pinion 32 that engages with the racks 31A and 31B. Two racks 31A and 31B are provided. The racks 31A and 31B extend in the X direction parallel to the rail 5.

[0018] The railway vehicle has a base 15 supporting the components. The base 15 is positioned above the doorway 10 and fixed to the side wall of the railway vehicle. Rack supports 16 that support the racks 31A and 31B are fixed to the base 15. The racks 31A and 31B are supported by the rack supports 16 such that they are movable in the X direction. The two racks 31A and 31B are vertically spaced apart and parallel to each other. The teeth of the two racks 31A and 31B oppose each other.

[0019] The pinion 32 is positioned such that it is sandwiched between the two racks 31A and 31B in the upper-lower direction (the vertical direction), and near the middle in the X direction of the doorway 10. The pinion 32 meshes with the teeth of the two racks 31A and 31B at the same time. The pinion 32 is freely rotatable about an axis extending along the Y direction.

[0020] The two racks 31A and 31B respectively have connecting members 50A and 50B at their one end. The connecting members 50A and 50B are fixedly attached to the door hangers 12A and 12B via the sliders 6. The two racks 31A and 31B are connected at their one end to the door leaves 11A and 11B via the connecting members 50A and 50B, respectively.

[0021] The two racks 31A and 31B and the pinion 32 constitute the rack-and-pinion mechanism 30. The rack-and-pinion mechanism 30 can be driven to open and close the two door leaves 11A and 11B. The rack-and-pinion mechanism 30, which interconnects the door leaves 11A and 11B, enables their symmetrical movement during opening and closing.

[0022] The door leaves 11A and 11B are movable along the rail 5 in closing directions A CLS and B CLS to approach toward each other, and in opening directions A OPN and B OPN to move away from each other. The opening direction A OPN of one of the door leaves (11A) is opposite to the opening direction B OPN of the other door leaf (11B). The closing direction A CLS of one of the door leaves (11A) is opposite to the closing direction B CLS of the other door leaf (11B).

[0023] The planetary gear mechanism 40 is supported by the base 15. The planetary gear mechanism 40 distributes the output of the motor 20 selectively to either the rack-and-pinion mechanism 30 or the locking mechanism 3. The planetary gear mechanism 40 includes a sun gear 41, an internal gear 42 (an example of a first output portion), a carrier 43 (an example of a second output portion), and planetary gears 44.

[0024] The sun gear 41 is supported so as to be rotatable about an axis extending along the Y direction by means of a bearing or the like, which is not shown. Two or more (e.g., four) planetary gears 44 are arranged around the sun gear 41. The planetary gears 44 are configured to rotate about their respective axes and also to revolve around the sun gear 41. The internal gear 42 has internal teeth that engage with the planetary gears 44. The carrier 43 supports the planetary gears 44 such that they can revolve around the sun gear 41.

[0025] The sun gear 41, internal gear 42, and carrier 43 are arranged on the same axis that coincides with the axis of the pinion 32. The sun gear 41, internal gear 42, and carrier 43 are arranged such that adjacent ones (that mesh with each other) of them can rotate relative to each other.

[0026] The output shaft 20a of the motor 20 is connected to the sun gear 41. The output of the motor 20 is inputted to the sun gear 41. The sun gear 41 and the output shaft 20a are not necessarily directly connected to each other, but may be coupled to each other via a speed reducer or the like.

[0027] The internal gear 42 is coupled to the pinion 32 of the rack-and-pinion mechanism 30 by a fastening member such as a bolt. The internal gear 42 is capable of transmitting the output of the motor 20 to the pinion 32. With the above configuration, the rack-and-pinion mechanism 30 is capable of moving the door leaves 11A and 11B in the opening directions A OPN and B OPN and the closing directions A CLS and B CLS , by means of the output of the motor 20.<Locking Mechanism>

[0028] The locking mechanism 3 is provided on the side facing away from the door hangers 12A and 12B, which support the door leaves 11A and 11B, with respect to the drive unit 2. The locking mechanism 3 is movable between a lock position where the locking mechanism 3 engages with lock pins 60A and 60B to lock the door leaves 11A and 11B while the door leaves 11A and 11B are fully closed, and an unlock position where the locking mechanism 3 does not engage with the lock pins 60A and 60B. The locking mechanism 3 can lock the door leaves 11A and 11B while they are fully closed, so that the door leaves 11A and 11B do not move in the opening directions when acted upon by the driving force of the drive unit 2. The locking mechanism 3 is configured to operate in response to the output of the motor 20.

[0029] The lock pins 60A and 60B are fixedly attached to the connecting members 50A and 50B, which connect the locking mechanism 3 to the racks 31A and 31B. The lock pins 60A and 60B extend vertically upward from the inner portions in the X direction of the top edges of the connecting members 50A and 50B. The lock pins 60A and 60B are movable integrally with the door leaves 11A and 11B. The lock pins 60A and 60B are configured to move together with the door leaves 11A and 11B in response to the driving force from the drive unit 2.

[0030] When the door leaves 11A and 11B are fully closed, the lock pins 60A and 60B are held in place by the locking mechanism 3. In this way, the door leaves 11A and 11B are locked so that they are prevented from moving in the X direction (particularly, in the opening directions A OPN and B OPN ). The locking mechanism 3 restricts the movement of the door leaves 11A and 11B toward the opening directions A OPN and B OPN when the door leaves 11A and 11B are fully closed.

[0031] Fig. 5 is a perspective view partly showing a section of the locking mechanism 3 relating to the embodiment. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the locking mechanism 3 relating to the embodiment, as viewed from the side opposite to the door hangers. Referring to Figs. 5 and 6 together, the locking mechanism 3 has a plurality of links 62a, 62b, 62c, support members 64 supporting the links 62a, 62b, 62c such that they are freely rotatable about their respective axes extending along the vertical direction, and a bear member 69 bearing at least one of the support members 64 from below in the vertical direction.

[0032] According to the example shown in Fig. 5, the bear member 69 bears the support member 64 of the central link 62a, from among the three links 62a, 62b and 62c, from below in the vertical direction. The bear member 69 may be configured to bear the support members 64 of the other links 62b and 62c from below in the vertical direction. The bear member 69 can be configured in any other manners as required by design specifications.

[0033] Fig. 7 is a bottom view of the locking mechanism 3 relating to the embodiment in an unlock state. Fig. 8 is a bottom view of the locking mechanism 3 relating to the embodiment in a lock state. Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, the locking mechanism 3 includes rotation shafts 65A and 65B that extend in the vertical direction, rotating members 66A and 66B that are rotatable about the rotation shafts 65A and 65B and movable between a lock position and an unlock position, a lock slider 80 that is movable in response to a driving force of the carrier 43 (see Fig. 4), and a link mechanism 61 that pushes the rotating members 66A and 66B so that they rotate, in response to the movement of the lock slider 80.

[0034] The rotation shafts 65A and 65B are situated above the racks 31A and 31B in the vertical direction. The rotating members 66A and 66B are supported by the base 15 via the rotation shafts 65A and 65B. The rotating members 66A and 66B are rotatable about the rotation shafts 65A and 65B as they are in contact with the lock pins 60A and 60B, which move in the opening directions A OPN and B OPN or the closing directions A CLS and B CLS . The rotating members 66A and 66B have first concave portions 67A and 67B and second concave portions 68A and 68B that are recessed inward (towards the rotation shafts 65A and 65B) from the outer peripheral edges of the rotating members 66A and 66B as viewed from the vertical direction. The first concave portions 67A and 67B and the second concave portions 68A and 68B open toward the outside of the rotating members 66A and 66B as viewed from the vertical direction. The first and second concave portions 67A and 68A are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the rotating member 66A as viewed from the vertical direction. The first and second concave portions 67B and 68B are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the rotating member 66B as viewed from the vertical direction.

[0035] The rotating members 66A and 66B each include a first wall 66c and a second wall 66d. The first wall 66c is situated between the first concave portion 67A, 67B and the second concave portion 68A, 68B in the circumferential direction of the rotating member 66A, 66B as viewed from the vertical direction. The second wall 66d is situated on the side opposite to the first wall 66c with the first concave portion 67A, 67B interposed therebetween in the circumferential direction of the rotating member 66A, 66B. The first and second walls 66c and 66d of the rotating members 66A and 66B are curved outwardly as viewed from the vertical direction.

[0036] The rotating members 66A and 66B have bulging portions 66e serving to retain the lock pins 60A and 60B. The bulging portions 66e are parts of the first walls 66c that are in the vicinity of the second concave portions 68A and 68B, and project toward the direction in which the second concave portions 68A and 68B open, as viewed from the vertical direction.

[0037] The rotation shafts 65A and 65B are provided with return springs 74A and 74B for applying elastic force to the rotating members 66A and 66B so that the first concave portions 67A and 67B of the rotating members 66A and 66B face the opening directions A OPN and B OPN . For example, the return springs 74A and 74B are torsion springs. The return springs 74A and 74B are respectively attached at their one end to base-side protrusions 75A and 75B provided in the base 15. The return springs 74A and 74B are respectively attached at their other end to rotation-side protrusions 76A and 76B provided in the first walls 66c of the rotating members 66A and 66B.

[0038] When receiving no external force, the rotating members 66A and 66B are retained such that the first concave portions 67A and 67B face the opening directions A OPN and B OPN respectively and the second concave portions 68A and 68B face the closing directions A CLS and B CLS respectively, due to the elastic force of the return springs 74A and 74B. When the lock pins 60A and 60B move toward the closing directions A CLS and B CLS and reach near the fully closed positions, the first walls 66c of the rotating members 66A and 66B (the edges of the first walls 66c adjacent to the first concave portions 67A and 67B) are pushed by the lock pins 60A and 60B, respectively. As a result, the rotating members 66A and 66B overcome the elastic force exerted by the return springs 74A and 74B and rotate in the directions indicated by the arrows E1 and E2 about the rotation shafts 65A and 65B. Then, the second concave portions 68A and 68B of the rotating members 66A and 66B approach the link mechanism 61.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 8, when the door leaves 11A and 11B are fully closed, the lock pins 60A and 60B are thrust into the first concave portions 67A and 67B of the rotating members 66A and 66B, respectively. This causes the lock pins 60A and 60B to engage with the rotating members 66A and 66B.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 4, the lock slider 80 moves upon receiving a driving force from the carrier 43. The lock slider 80 is designed to switch between the locked state and the unlocked state of the door leaves 11A and 11B. The carrier 43 is connected to a move member 81 configured to move the lock slider 80. The carrier 43 can transmit the output of the motor 20 to the link mechanism 61 via the move member 81 and the lock slider 80.

[0041] The move member 81 and the lock slider 80 are movable along a guide shaft 82 extending in the X direction and parallel to the racks 31A and 31B. Both ends of the guide shaft 82 in the X direction are fixed to the rack supports 16. The move member 81 and the lock slider 80 are configured to reciprocate in the X direction along the guide shaft 82. The move member 81 and the lock slider 80 serve as a switching mechanism that switches between the locked state and the unlocked state. The move member 81 is coupled to the carrier 43 such that it moves in a locking direction C and an unlocking direction D as the carrier 43 rotates.

[0042] The lock slider 80 has: shaft attachment portions 80a and 80b attached to the guide shaft 82; an upper wall 80c extending in the Y direction from the upper ends of the shaft attachment portions 80a and 80b; and a protruding shaft 80d protruding upward from the upper wall 80c. The shaft attachment portions 80a and 80b are paired and spaced apart from each other with the move member 81 interposed therebetween in the X direction. The move member 81 is attached to the guide shaft 82 while being positioned between the shaft attachment portions 80a and 80b forming a pair.

[0043] The guide shaft 82 is provided with lock springs 83A and 83B that exert elastic force on the lock slider 80 such that the shaft attachment portions 80a and 80b of the lock slider 80 are pushed toward the locking direction C. For example, the lock springs 83A and 83B are compression coil springs. The lock springs 83A and 83B prevent the lock slider 80, when in the locked position, from returning to the unlocked position.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 7, the protruding shaft 80d of the lock slider 80 is configured to contact a protruding portion 62d of the link 62a. For example, when the lock slider 80 moves toward the unlocking direction D, the protruding shaft 80d changes the position of the link 62a. As a result, the orientation (position) of the link mechanism 61 changes. A roller may be mounted on the protruding shaft 80d such that the roller can rotate about the protruding shaft 80d.

[0045] The link mechanism 61 changes its shape horizontally into a bent form (see Fig. 7) in which the link mechanism is bent zigzag (Z-shaped) with respect to the X direction, and a straight-line form (see Fig. 8) in which the link mechanism extends straight in the X direction, when viewed from the vertical direction. The link mechanism 61 is formed by coupling a plurality of (for example, three) links 62a, 62b, and 62c. Of the three links 62a, 62b, and 62c, the central link 62a is coupled to a connecting pin 63a. This allows the central link 62a to rotate relative to the base 15.

[0046] The central link 62a extends across the connecting pin 63a when viewed from the vertical direction. A first pin 63b extending in the vertical direction is provided at one end of the central link 62a. A second pin 63c extending in the vertical direction is provided at the other end of the central link 62a. The central link 62a has a protruding portion 62d protruding outwardly as viewed from the vertical direction. The protruding portion 62d is formed between the connecting pin 63a and the first pin 63b in the central link 62a as viewed from the vertical direction.

[0047] The two links 62b and 62c, which are provided adjacent to the connecting pin 63a, are connected to the central link 62a such that they are rotatable relative to each other. Of the two links 62b and 62c, the link 62b is connected to one end of the central link 62a via the first pin 63b such that the link 62b is rotatable relative to the central link 62a. The other link 62c of the two links 62b and 62c is connected to the other end of the central link 62a via the second pin 63c such that the link 62c is rotatable relative to the central link 62a.

[0048] The link 62b extends from the first pin 63b toward the rotating member 66B, as viewed from the vertical direction. A third pin 63d extending in the vertical direction is provided in a portion of the link 62b that faces the rotating member 66B. The link 62c extends from the second pin 63c toward the rotating member 66A, as viewed in the vertical direction. A fourth pin 63e extending in the vertical direction is provided in a portion of the link 62c that faces the rotating member 66A.

[0049] The third pin 63d and the fourth pin 63e are disposed at the ends of the link mechanism 61. The base 15 has guide grooves 70A and 70B extending parallel to the locking direction C. The guide grooves 70A and 70B are disposed apart from each other in the X direction and form a pair. The upper end of the third pin 63d is inserted in the guide groove 70B. This allows the third pin 63d to move in the X direction along the guide groove 70B. The upper end of the fourth pin 63e is inserted in the guide groove 70A. This allows the fourth pin 63e to move in the X direction along the guide groove 70A. With the above configuration, the pins 63d and 63e are guided by the guide grooves 70A and 70B, respectively.

[0050] Rollers may be rotatably attached to the upper ends of the pins 63d and 63e (the portions inserted in the guide grooves 70A and 70B). This can reduce the frictional resistance of the pins 63d and 63e against the inner walls of the guide grooves 70A and 70B, thereby enabling the pins 63d and 63e to smoothly move. Further, rollers may be rotatably attached to the lower ends of the pins 63d and 63e (the portions that come into contact with the rotating members 66A and 66B). This can reduce the frictional resistance occurring in the movement of the pins 63d and 63e relative to the rotating members 66A and 66B, thereby enabling stable locking operation.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 8, when the door leaves 11A and 11B are fully closed, the lock pins 60A and 60B are thrust into the first concave portions 67A and 67B of the rotating members 66A and 66B, whereby the lock pins 60A and 60B engage with the rotating members 66A and 66B. Further, when the door leaves 11A and 11B are fully closed, the ends of the links 62b and 62c that face the opening directions A OPN and B OPN are thrust into the second concave portions 68A and 68B of the rotating members 66A and 66B, whereby the links 62b and 62c engage with the rotating members 66A and 66B. In this state, the link mechanism 61 has the straight-line form extending along the X direction.

[0052] While the link mechanism 61 takes the straight-line form, the lock pins 60A and 60B may be acted upon by forces applied in the opening directions A OPN and B OPN , but rotation of the rotating members 66A and 66B is restricted as follows. Both ends of the link mechanism 61 in the straight-line form (the ends of the links 62b and 62c facing the opening directions A OPN and B OPN ) are retained and held by the peripheral edge portions of the second concave portions 68A and 68B of the rotating members 66A and 66B. For example, with the link mechanism 61 in its straight-line form, the rotating members 66A and 66B may attempt to rotate in the directions of the arrows F1 and F2. The bulging portions 66e are formed where the rotational force is transmitted from the links 62b and 62c to the rotating members 66A and 66B. In this way, the links 62b and 62c are unlikely to move out of the second concave portions 68A and 68B of the rotating members 66A and 66B. As a result, the lock pins 60A and 60B, which are engaged with the rotating members 66A and 66B, are prevented from moving toward the opening directions A OPN and B OPN due to the first concave portions 67A and 67B of the rotating members 66A and 66B.<How Components Operate during Unlocked State>

[0053] As shown in Fig. 7, during the unlocked state, the link mechanism 61 is in the bent form in which the link mechanism 61 is bent zigzag (Z-shaped) with respect to the X direction. As shown in Fig. 4, for example, the sun gear 41 of the planetary gear mechanism 40 may be driven by the motor 20 during the unlocked state. In this case, the driving force inputted to the sun gear 41 is transmitted as follows. The driving force inputted to the sun gear 41 is transmitted to the pinion 32 via the internal gear 42, or the driving force causes the planetary gears 44 to revolve around the sun gear 41 and thus causes the carrier 43 to rotate. Upon the rotation of the carrier 43, the move member 81 moves in the locking direction C.

[0054] During the normal closing operation of the door leaves 11A and 11B, the rotation of the sun gear 41 of the planetary gear mechanism 40 causes the planetary gears 44 to rotate on their respective axes. In this way, the driving force inputted to the sun gear 41 is transmitted to the pinion 32 via the internal gear 42, causing the pinion 32 to rotate. The rotation of the pinion 32 causes the racks 31A and 31B to move in the opening directions A OPN and B OPN or the closing directions A CLS and B CLS . In this way, the door leaves 11A and 11B are driven to be opened and closed.<How Parts Mechanically Operate during Closing Operation of Door Leaves>

[0055] For example, the door leaves 11A and 11B are moved from the fully opened positions to the fully closed positions and are locked by the locking mechanism 3 as follows. First, in order to move the door leaves 11A and 11B from the fully opened positions to the fully closed positions, the output shaft 20a of the motor 20 is rotated in one direction. The driving force of the motor 20 is then transmitted to the sun gear 41, the planetary gears 44, and the internal gear 42 in this order. The driving force transmitted to the internal gear 42 rotates the pinion 32. The rotation of the pinion 32 causes the racks 31A and 31B and the door leaves 11A and 11B, which are connected to the racks 31A and 31B, to move in the closing directions A CLS and B CLS , respectively.

[0056] As the door leaves 11A and 11B move in the closing directions A CLS and B CLS , the lock pins 60A and 60B also move in the closing directions A CLS and B CLS . As shown in Fig. 7, the lock pins 60A and 60B then overcome the elastic force of the return springs 74A and 74B and rotate the rotating members 66A and 66B in the directions of the arrows E1 and E2 about the rotation shafts 65A and 65B. Thus, the lock pins 60A and 60B are thrust into the first concave portions 67A and 67B of the rotating members 66A and 66B.

[0057] The lock pins 60A and 60B eventually reach the fully closed positions together with the door leaves 11A and 11B. As shown in Fig. 8, when the door leaves 11A and 11B are fully closed, the lock pins 60A and 60B are thrust into the first concave portions 67A and 67B of the rotating members 66A and 66B, whereby the lock pins 60A and 60B engage with the rotating members 66A and 66B. With the door leaves 11A and 11B being fully closed, the respective ends in the X direction of the link mechanism 61 in the straight-line form (the ends of the links 62b and 62c facing the opening directions A OPN and B OPN ) fit into the second concave portions 68A and 68B of the rotating members 66A and 66B, thereby engaging with the rotating members 66A and 66B.

[0058] The ends of the link mechanism 61 in the straight-line form are secured and held by the peripheral edge portions of the second concave portions 68A and 68B of the rotating members 66A and 66B. For example, the bulging portions 66e are formed where rotational force is transmitted from the links 62b and 62c to the rotating members 66A and 66B, when the rotating members 66A and 66B attempt to rotate in the directions of the arrows F1 and F2 due to the elastic force exerted by the return springs 74A and 74B. In this way, the links 62b and 62c are unlikely to move out of the second concave portions 68A and 68B of the rotating members 66A and 66B. As a result, the lock pins 60A and 60B, which are engaged with the rotating members 66A and 66B, are prevented from moving toward the opening directions A OPN and B OPN due to the first concave portions 67A and 67B of the rotating members 66A and 66B. Thus, the door leaves 11A and 11B are locked.

[0059] As described above, after the door leaves 11A and 11B are fully closed by the output of the motor 20, the locking mechanism 3 is operated by the output of the motor 20. As a result, the door leaves 11A and 11B are locked. As described above, by simply driving the sun gear 41 of the planetary gear mechanism 40 with the single motor 20, the closing operation of the door leaves 11A and 11B is automatically accompanied by the locking operation.

[0060] In addition, in the locked state, the embodiment provides a double-lock mechanism: the link mechanism 61 prevents rotation of the rotating members 66A and 66B, and the lock slider 80 prevents the link mechanism 61 from transforming from its straight-line form to its bent form. Thus, for example, even when electric power is not supplied to the motor 20 due to power outage or malfunction, etc. in the vehicle and the rotation of the output shaft 20a of the motor 20 is uncontrolled, the opening of the door leaves 11A and 11B is prevented securely and reliably by the double-lock mechanism. This means that even if a power outage, etc., occurs in the vehicle, unintentional opening of the door leaves 11A and 11B due to wind pressure, etc., can be prevented.<How Parts Mechanically Operate during Opening Operation of Door Leaves>

[0061] For example, the door leaves 11A and 11B, which are locked by the locking mechanism 3, are unlocked and then moved from the fully closed position to the fully open position as follows. As shown in Fig. 4, in order to move the door leaves 11A and 11B from the fully closed position to the fully open position, the output shaft 20a of the motor 20 is rotated in the other direction (in the direction opposite to that during the closing operation). While the door leaves 11A and 11B are locked, the output shaft 20a of the motor 20 may be rotated in the other direction, causing the carrier 43 to rotate in the clockwise direction in Fig. 4 (to the right on the page). Thus, the move member 81 and the lock slider 80 overcome the elastic force of the lock springs 83A and 83B and move in the unlocking direction D.

[0062] At this time, the protruding shaft 80d (see Fig. 8) of the lock slider 80 moves in the unlocking direction D. This causes the central link 62a of the link mechanism 61 to rotate around the connecting pin 63a. Consequently, the link mechanism 61 is transformed from the straight-line form of Fig. 8 to the bent form of Fig. 7. The pins 63d and 63e at the ends of the link mechanism 61 move out of the second concave portions 68A and 68B of the rotating members 66A and 66B and thus are disengaged from the rotating members 66A and 66B. Accordingly, the rotating members 66A and 66B are allowed to rotate, and the door leaves 11A and 11B are unlocked. Due to the elastic force of the return springs 74A and 74B, the rotating members 66A and 66B are pushed toward the directions of the arrows F1 and F2 that are centered on the rotation shafts 65A and 65B.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 4, for example, once the rotation amount of the carrier 43 reaches a predetermined amount, the lock slider 80 is prevented from moving further in the unlocking direction D due to the deformation limit of the lock springs 83A and 83B. The movement of the lock slider 80 in the unlocking direction D may be limited by any other means, instead of the lock springs 83A and 83B compressed to the deformation limit. For example, the movement of the lock slider 80 in the unlocking direction D may be limited by the carrier 43 coming into contact with the base 15 at a predetermined position. For example, the movement of the lock slider 80 in the unlocking direction D may be limited by limiting the movement of the pins 63d and 63e of the link mechanism 61 by the walls of the guide grooves 70A and 70B. This is done by adjusting the lengths of the guide grooves 70A and 70B, into which the pins 63d and 63e are inserted.

[0064] For example, once the lock slider 80 is prevented from moving further in the unlocking direction D, the driving force of the sun gear 41 is transmitted to the internal gear 42. The driving force transmitted to the internal gear 42 rotates the pinion 32. The rotation of the pinion 32 causes the racks 31A and 31B and the door leaves 11A and 11B, which are connected to the racks 31A and 31B, to move in the opening directions A OPN and B OPN , respectively. As a result, the door leaves 11A and 11B move in such a manner that they become fully opened.<Manual Unlocking Mechanism>

[0065] Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, the manual unlocking mechanism 4 has an operating unit 90 that is configured to be manually operated, and an unlocking unit 91 configured to unlock the locking mechanism 3 upon receiving the operating force exerted by the manual operation. The unlocking unit 91 is provided on the side facing away from the door hangers 12A and 12B, with respect to the drive unit 2. The unlocking unit 91 is provided on the side facing away from the drive unit 2 with respect to the locking mechanism 3. In the present embodiment, the unlocking unit 91, the locking mechanism 3 and the driving unit 2 are arranged in this order from top to bottom in the vertical direction.

[0066] The operating unit 90 is connected to the unlocking unit 91 via drawing members 95A and 95B. For example, the operating unit 90 includes an operating handle or the like that can be manually operated. The operating unit 90 is configured to transmit the operating force to the unlocking unit 91 via the drawing members 95A and 95B.

[0067] For example, the manual unlocking mechanism 4 may be arranged such that it can be operated inside or outside the vehicle. For example, the manual unlocking mechanism 4 may be positioned such that it can be operated by a passenger, a crew member, a station staff member in case of emergency. The manual unlocking mechanism 4 can be arranged in any other manners as required by design specifications.

[0068] For example, the drawing members 95A and 95B are cables. The drawing members 95A and 95B are connected at their one end to the operating unit 90. The drawing members 95A and 95B are coupled at their other end to the unlocking unit 91. The drawing members 95A and 95B transmit the linear motion (operating force exerted along the X direction) transmitted from the operating unit 90, to the unlocking unit 91. The drawing members 95A and 95B may receive a pressing force (elastic force) acted upon by an elastic member such as springs 94A and 94B constituting the unlocking unit 91. This means that the drawing members 95A and 95B are subject to a force that draws them toward the +X direction.

[0069] The unlocking unit 91 includes blocks 92A and 92B, shafts 93A and 93B, and springs 94A and 94B. The blocks 92A and 92B are connected to the other ends of the drawing members 95A and 95B. The blocks 92A and 92B are movable in the X direction along the shafts 93A and 93B.

[0070] The block 92A receives a pressing force (elastic force) exerted by an elastic member such as the spring 94A. The block 92B receives a pressing force (elastic force) exerted by an elastic member such as the spring 94B.

[0071] The blocks 92A and 92B are respectively pulled and moved in the -X direction by the drawing members 95A and 95B, which are connected to the operating unit 90. The blocks 92A and 92B overcome the pressing force exerted by the springs 94A and 94B and move as their corresponding drawing members 95A and 95B are pulled in the -X direction. The blocks 92A and 92B are independently movable.<Example of Locked State>

[0072] Referring to Figs. 1 and 8, the door leaves 11A and 11B are fully closed and locked by the locking mechanism 3 in an ordinary circumstance, for example, while the railway vehicle is traveling. For example, the door leaves 11A and 11B are locked while the railway vehicle is traveling, or if the door leaves 11A and 11B face away from a platform and cannot be used for passengers boarding or disembarking.

[0073] Referring to Fig. 3, the cables (drawing members 95A and 95B) are drawn toward the +X direction by the pressing force (elastic force) exerted by the elastic members such as the springs 94A and 94B. At this time, the blocks 92A and 92B are being pulled toward the +X direction, together with the drawing members 95A and 95B.<Example of Unlocking Operation>

[0074] For example, the operating unit 90, which includes an operating handle or the like that can be manually operated, may be operated in case of emergency or for the maintenance purpose. This causes the blocks 92A and 92B to be pulled toward the -X direction through the drawing members 95A and 95B. The blocks 92A and 92B overcome the pressing force exerted by the elastic members such as the springs 94A and 94B and move toward the -X direction along the shafts 93A and 93B.

[0075] The blocks 92A and 92B, the lock slider 80 and the move member 81 integrally move in the -X direction. In other words, the lock slider 80 moves in the unlocking direction D. Consequently, the protruding shaft 80d of the lock slider 80 abuts against the link 62a, and the link 62a rotates as described above, thereby the unlocked state is reached (see Fig. 7). In the above-described manner, the door leaves 11A and 11B, which are locked by the locking mechanism 3, are unlocked.<Advantageous Effects>

[0076] According to the present embodiment described above, the door drive device 1 for a railway vehicle includes the drive unit 2 configured to drive the door leaves 11A and 11B to open and close the doorway 10 of the railway vehicle, and the locking mechanism 3 configured to lock the door leaves 11A and 11B while they are fully closed so that the door leaves 11A and 11B do not move in the opening direction. The locking mechanism 3 is provided on the side facing away from the door hangers 12A and 12B, which support the door leaves 11A and 11B, with respect to the drive unit 2.

[0077] According to this configuration, a larger space can be left between the door hangers 12A and 12B and the drive unit 2 than when the locking mechanism 3 is provided on the side facing the door hangers 12A and 12B with respect to the drive unit 2. In this case, the space between the door hangers 12A and 12B and the drive unit 2 can be used effectively.

[0078] Fig. 9 illustrates how the locking mechanism according to the embodiment is arranged. Fig. 10 illustrates how a locking mechanism of a comparative example is arranged. As shown in Fig. 10, the locking mechanism is provided on the side facing the door hangers with respect to the drive unit in the comparative example, where the locking mechanism may come into contact with a curved portion of a door header. In the comparative example, the drive unit, the locking mechanism, and the unlocking unit need to be installed at an angle to avoid the undesirable contact between the locking mechanism and the curved portion of the door header (see the dashed line in Fig. 10). In the present embodiment, on the other hand, the locking mechanism is provided on the side facing away from the door hangers, which support the door leaves, with respect to the drive unit, as shown in Fig. 9. This can lead to avoiding the contact between the locking mechanism and the curved portion of the door header. In addition, the drive unit can be arranged at a short distance from the door header (see the dashed line in Fig. 9).

[0079] The door drive device 1 relating to the present embodiment further includes the manual unlocking mechanism 4 for manually unlocking the locking mechanism 3. The manual unlocking mechanism 4 has the operating unit 90 that is configured to be manually operated, and the unlocking unit 91 configured to unlock the locking mechanism 3 upon receiving the operating force exerted by the manual operation. The unlocking unit 91 is provided on the side facing away from the door hangers 12A and 12B with respect to the drive unit 2. The unlocking unit 91 is provided on the side facing away from the drive unit 2 with respect to the locking mechanism 3. According to this configuration, a larger space can be left between the door hangers 12A and 12B and the drive unit 2 than when the unlocking unit 91 is provided on the side facing the door hangers 12A and 12B with respect to the drive unit 2. In this case, the space between the door hangers 12A and 12B and the drive unit 2 can be used effectively. For example, the contact between the unlocking unit 91 and the curved portion of the door header can be avoided. In addition, the drive unit 2 can be arranged at a short distance from the door header.

[0080] According to the present embodiment, the door drive device 1 for a railway vehicle further includes the rail 5 extending along the open-close direction of the door leaves 11A and 11B, and the sliders 6 to which the door hangers 12A and 12B are connected. The sliders 6 can move along the rail 5. As viewed from the vehicle width direction, the drive unit 2 overlaps at least a portion of the rail 5. According to this configuration, the door drive device 1 can be downsized in the vertical direction of the vehicle, compared to the case where the drive unit 2 does not overlap any part of the rail 5 when viewed from the vehicle width direction.

[0081] According to the present embodiment, the locking mechanism 3 has the plurality of links 62a, 62b, 62c, the support members 64 supporting the links 62a, 62b, 62c such that they are freely rotatable about their respective axes extending along the vertical direction, and the bear member 69 bearing at least one of the support members 64 from below in the vertical direction. According to this configuration, the bear member 69 can prevent the links 62a, 62b and 62c from shifting downward from their original positions due to gravity.<Modification Examples>

[0082] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but is susceptible of various modifications within the purport of the present invention.

[0083] In the embodiment described above, the door drive device for a railway vehicle further has the manual unlocking mechanism for manually unlocking the locking mechanism, the manual unlocking mechanism includes the operating unit that can be manually operated and the unlocking unit for unlocking the locking mechanism in response to the operation force exerted by the manual operation and transmitted thereto, the unlocking unit is provided on the side facing away from the door hangers with respect to the drive unit, and the unlocking unit is provided on the side facing away from the drive unit with respect to the locking mechanism. The present invention, however, is not limited to such. For example, the unlocking unit may be provided on the side facing the drive unit with respect to the locking mechanism (i.e., between the locking mechanism and the drive unit). The unlocking unit can be arranged in any other manners as required by design specifications.

[0084] According to the embodiment described above, the door drive device further includes the rail extending along the open-close direction of the door leaves, and the sliders to which the door hangers are connected, where the sliders can move along the rail. When viewed in the vehicle width direction, the drive unit overlaps at least part of the rail. The present invention, however, is not limited to such. For example, the drive unit may not overlap any part of the rail when viewed from the vehicle width direction. When viewed from the vehicle width direction, the drive unit can be arranged in any other manners as required by design specifications.

[0085] According to the embodiment described above, the locking mechanism has the plurality of links, the support members supporting the links such that they are freely rotatable about their respective axes extending along the vertical direction, and the bear member bearing at least one of the support members from below in the vertical direction. The present invention, however, is not limited to such. For example, the bear member may be configured to bear at least one of the support members in a different direction than the vertical direction. The bear member may be configured in any other manners as required by design specifications.

[0086] In the above-described embodiment, the locking mechanism is moved from the unlock position to the lock position upon receiving the driving force from the drive unit when the door leaves are moved in the closing directions and then stopped. However, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the locking mechanism may be moved from the unlock position to the lock position upon receiving a driving force from another drive unit different than the drive unit. For example, the locking mechanism can lock the door leaves while they are fully closed so that the door leaves do not move in the opening directions when acted upon by the driving force of a second drive unit (different from the drive unit configured to drive the door leaves to open and close the doorway of the railway vehicle). For example, the drive unit is not limited to having a single motor, but may include a plurality of motors. For example, after the door leaves are moved to be fully closed by the output of a first motor, the door leaves may be locked by operating the locking mechanism by the output of a second motor different from the first motor. How the locking mechanism moves from the unlock position to the lock position can be configured in any other manners as required by design specifications.

[0087] In the above-described embodiment, the drive unit includes the rack-and-pinion mechanism that has the racks to which the door leaves are attached and the pinion that engages with the racks. However, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the drive unit may have a belt mechanism or a ball screw mechanism, instead of or in addition to the rack-and-pinion mechanism. For example, the door drive method is not limited to the so-called rack-and-pinion system in which the door opening / closing device includes the above-described rack-and-pinion mechanism, the pinion is rotated by a motor, and the door leaves attached to the racks are opened and closed. Alternatively, the door leaves may be driven by a so-called belt driven system. Specifically, the door leaves are connected to a belt spanning from a drive pulley to a driven pulley that are separated from each other, and the door leaves are opened and closed by moving the belt. As another alternative example, the door leaves may be driven using a screw system. Specifically, a screw shaft corresponding to a bolt is rotated by a motor, so that door leaves attached to a ball nut corresponding to a nut are opened or closed. For example, the door drive method may be changed in accordance with required specifications. The drive unit can be configured in various manners in accordance with the drive method of the door leaves or required specifications.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the drive unit includes the motor (an example of the actuator) and the planetary gear mechanism to which the driving force of the motor is inputted, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the drive unit is not limited to including the motor and may include a solenoid. For example, the actuator constituting the drive unit can be configured in various manners in accordance with required specifications. For example, the drive unit is not limited to including the planetary gear mechanism, and may include other power transmission mechanisms such as a belt mechanism and a ball screw mechanism. The drive unit may be configured in any other manners as required by design specifications.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the planetary gear mechanism includes the internal gear (first output portion) that outputs a driving force to the pinion, and the carrier (second output portion) that outputs a driving force for moving the locking mechanism between the unlock position and the lock position. In the above-described planetary gear mechanism, the sun gear is coupled with the output shaft of the motor, the internal gear is coupled with the pinion, and the carrier is coupled with the drawing members. The present invention is not limited to such. In the planetary gear mechanism, the sun gear may be coupled with the pinion, and the internal gear may be coupled with the output shaft of the motor. For example, the first and second output portions can be configured in various other manners in accordance with the configuration of the planetary gear mechanism and the required specifications.

[0090] In the above-described embodiment, the locking mechanism includes the lock slider that is moved by the driving force from the carrier, and the link mechanism that pushes the rotating members to rotate them in accordance with the movement of the lock slider. However, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the locking mechanism may not include the lock slider. For example, the link mechanism may push the rotating members to rotate them in response to the rotation of the carrier. For example, the link mechanism may not be limited to including three links. For example, the link mechanism may have two links or four or more links. The link mechanism can be configured in any other manners as required by the door configurations and design specifications. The locking mechanism can be configured in various other manners in accordance with design specifications.

[0091] The elements of the embodiments described above may be replaced with known elements within the purport of the present invention. Further, the modification examples described above may be combined. The foregoing embodiments disclosed herein describe a plurality of physically separate constituent parts. They may be combined into a single part, and any one of them may be divided into a plurality of physically separate constituent parts. Irrespective of whether or not the constituent parts are integrated, they are acceptable as long as they are configured to attain the object of the invention. According to the foregoing embodiments disclosed herein, a plurality of functions may be distributively provided. Some or all of these functions may be integrally provided. Conversely, a different plurality of functions may be integrally provided. Some or all of these functions can be distributively provided. Irrespective of whether the functions are integrated or distributed, they are acceptable as long as they are configured to attain the object of the invention.LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0092] 1door drive device for a railway vehicle 2drive unit 3locking mechanism 4manual unlocking mechanism 5rail 6slider 10doorway 11A, 11Bdoor leaf 12A, 12Bdoor hanger 62a, 62b, 62clink 64support member 69bear member 90operating unit 91unlocking unit

Claims

1. A door drive device (1) for a railway vehicle, the door drive device (1) comprising: a drive unit (2) for driving a door (11A, 11B) that opens and closes a doorway (10) of a railway vehicle; and a locking mechanism (3) for locking the door (11A, 11B) while the door (11A, 11B) is fully closed so that the door (11A, 11B) does not move in an opening direction, wherein the locking mechanism (3) is provided on a side facing away from a door hanger (12A, 12B) that supports the door (11A, 11B), with respect to the drive unit (2).

2. The door drive device (1) of claim 1, further comprising a manual unlocking mechanism (4) for manually unlocking the locking mechanism (3), wherein the manual unlocking mechanism (4) includes: an operating unit (90) configured to be manually operated; and an unlocking unit (91) for unlocking the locking mechanism (3) upon receiving an operating force exerted by manual operation of the operating unit (90) and transmitted thereto, and wherein the unlocking unit (91) is provided on a side facing away from the door hanger (12A, 12B) with respect to the drive unit (2).

3. The door drive device (1) of claim 2, wherein the unlocking unit (91) is provided on a side facing away from the drive unit (2) with respect to the locking mechanism (3).

4. The door drive device (1) of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a rail (5) extending in an open-close direction of the door (11A, 11B); and a slider (6) connected to the door hanger (12A, 12B), the slider being configured to move along the rail (5), wherein the drive unit (2) overlaps at least part of the rail (5) when viewed in a vehicle width direction.

5. The door drive device (1) of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the locking mechanism (3) includes: a plurality of links (62a, 62b, 62c); support members (64) supporting the plurality of links (62a, 62b, 62c) such that the plurality of links (62a, 62b, 62c) rotate about respective axes extending along a vertical direction; and a bear member (69) bearing at least one of the support members (64) from below in the vertical direction.

Images