Crosscar type vehicle access door system

Abstract

An access door system for Crosscar-type vehicles, intended for competition and constructed from a tubular chassis, characterized in that it comprises an access door (1) intended to be mounted in correspondence with an access opening (9) defined in the vehicle structure, the access door (1) comprising a supporting structure (2) and pivoting means (3) by which it is articulated with respect to the vehicle structure for opening and closing between a closed and an open position, the access door (1) further comprising locking means (5) configured to maintain it in the closed position during vehicle operation.

Description

Crosscar type vehicle access door system OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention, as its title indicates, is an access door system for Crosscar-type vehicles. This innovation offers advantages previously unknown within current technology. The present invention is characterized by the special functional and constructive features of its constituent elements, which together contribute to the creation of an access door system for Crosscar-type vehicles, also known as Carcross vehicles. This system is designed to facilitate access to the passenger compartment compared to traditional solutions based on window entry or partial openings. Specifically, the invention aims to provide a solution that incorporates a door corresponding to a defined access opening in the vehicle's structure. This door is equipped with a rotating mechanism for opening and closing and a locking mechanism to keep it closed while the vehicle is in operation. This allows for more convenient and independent entry and exit for the user, without compromising structural rigidity or the safety requirements of this type of competition vehicle. TECHNICAL SECTOR The present invention falls within the automotive and racing vehicle sector, and more specifically within the field of body systems and access to passenger compartments in lightweight vehicles built on tubular chassis, such as Crosscar-type vehicles. In particular, it relates to doors and locking and articulation systems designed to facilitate the entry and exit of the occupant, while maintaining adequate safety and functionality during use in competition. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Crosscar-type vehicles designed for competition are known in the prior art. They are characterized by a lightweight structure based on a tubular chassis and a compact passenger compartment optimized for rigidity and safety. In these vehicles, access is typically gained by partially opening a grille or equivalent element located in the window area, forcing the user to enter the passenger compartment through a limited side opening. However, existing solutions have significant drawbacks. In particular, window access is inconvenient and ergonomically unsound, especially for users with reduced mobility, temporary physical limitations, a large build, or when entering or exiting with additional racing equipment. In these cases, access may require assistance from others, increasing operating time and hindering independent vehicle use. Additionally, traditional configurations based on small folding elements do not allow for a significant increase in the usable entry opening without modifying the chassis geometry or compromising the overall structural integrity. Furthermore, incorporating wider opening solutions may require additional pivoting, locking, and reinforcing mechanisms which, if not properly integrated, can introduce play, localized loss of rigidity, interference with the chassis, or risks of accidental opening while driving. Therefore, there is a need for an improved solution that facilitates access to the passenger compartment in Crosscar-type vehicles, allowing a larger and more comfortable opening, maintaining a secure closure during vehicle operation and without compromising the rigidity and safety associated with the tubular structure, nor adversely altering the structural and functional requirements demanded in competition. With reference to the current state of the art, it should be noted that, although various Crosscar vehicle designs are known, no solutions have been identified that jointly integrate the technical characteristics described in the present invention. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an access door system for Crosscar-type vehicles, intended for competition and built on a tubular chassis, designed to facilitate access to the passenger compartment compared to traditional window-based entry solutions. This improves the ergonomics of access and allows the user to enter and exit more easily, while maintaining the functionality inherent to this type of vehicle. The invention is based on the integration of an articulated door directly into the tubular structure of the vehicle, defining an enlarged access opening to the passenger compartment and maintaining the local rigidity of the assembly through cooperation between the door structure, the closing means and, preferably, the perimeter structural reinforcement of the opening. The system comprises a door designed to be mounted in a defined access opening in the vehicle structure. Preferably, the perimeter of the opening may incorporate structural reinforcement that increases local rigidity and provides suitable anchor points for securing the door and associated components. The door comprises a supporting structure that defines its overall outline. In one embodiment, this supporting structure is divided into an upper and a lower part joined by an intermediate structural section, allowing for the functional differentiation of an upper area primarily intended for visibility and a lower area intended for protection against impacts and the entry of external elements. The door is hinged to the vehicle structure by means of pivots, preferably hinges, allowing it to move between a closed and an open position. To improve positioning and force transmission when the door is closed, the supporting structure may incorporate support stops that cooperate with complementary stops located on the vehicle structure, so that they support each other in the closed position, contributing to the stability of the assembly. The door can be arranged on either side of the vehicle, or in any other area of ​​the structure that defines a suitable access opening to the passenger compartment, without the invention being limited to a specific arrangement. Additionally, the system incorporates locking mechanisms designed to keep the door in the closed position while the vehicle is in operation. These locking mechanisms may include locks that cooperate with complementary elements of the access opening frame and are actuated by means such as levers, handles, or knobs, allowing manual release to open the door. In one embodiment, the upper portion of the door comprises a window panel configured as a mesh or other equivalent configuration, allowing visibility to the outside and acting as a protective barrier. Likewise, the lower portion may comprise a protective cover arranged over the supporting structure, intended to protect the occupant and limit the entry of external elements. Preferably, the door can be configured to open upwards by means of the upper arrangement of the pivoting means. However, the invention is not limited to this configuration, and other opening modes can be adopted, including rotational movements, translational movements, or combinations of rotation and translation, always maintaining the essential principle of providing extended access to the passenger compartment by means of a door integrated into the vehicle structure. In this way, a solution is obtained that substantially improves the ergonomics of access without compromising the resistance, stability and safety conditions typical of Crosscar-type competition vehicles. Unless otherwise stated, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the meanings commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. Similar or equivalent procedures and materials to those described herein may be used in the practice of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To complete the description being made and in order to aid in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, by figures which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, depict the following: Figure 1 is a perspective representation of a Crosscar-type vehicle, with the integrated access door system, shown in this example arranged on one side of the vehicle, without implying any limitation to that side, and with the access door (1) in the open position. Figure 2 is a perspective representation of a Crosscar-type vehicle, with the integrated access door system whose access door (1) is closed. Figure 3 is a perspective representation of the access door system in the structure of a Crosscar-type vehicle, with the access door (1) open. Figure 4 is a perspective representation of the access door system in the structure of a Crosscar-type vehicle, with the access door (1) closed. Figure 5 is a perspective representation of the access door system with part of the structure of a Crosscar-type vehicle, shown from inside the vehicle. Figure 6 is a perspective representation of the access door (1) from the outside. Figure 7 is a perspective representation of the access door (1) from the inside. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In view of the figures, a preferred, though not limiting, embodiment of the invention is described below, which consists of an access door system for Crosscar-type vehicles, intended for competition and built from a tubular chassis, configured to facilitate access to the passenger compartment compared to traditional window entry solutions. The invention comprises an access door (1) intended to be mounted on either side and / or another suitable area of ​​the vehicle structure, corresponding to an access opening (9) defined in the vehicle structure. This access opening (9) is delimited by elements of the tubular chassis and preferably includes a structural reinforcement (10) arranged in the perimeter area of ​​the opening (9), configured to increase local rigidity and provide anchor points for the access door (1) and its associated elements. The access door (1) comprises a supporting structure (2) configured to define the overall outline of the door. In one embodiment, the supporting structure (2) is divided into an upper part (2.1) and a lower part (2.2), joined together by an intermediate structural section (2.3). This intermediate structural section (2.3) provides rigidity to the door (1) and allows the upper and lower sections to be functionally separated. The access door (1) comprises pivoting means (3), preferably configured as hinges, by which the door (1) is articulated with respect to the vehicle structure, allowing it to open and close between a closed position, in which the access opening (9) is covered, and an open position, in which the user can access the passenger compartment through the opening (9). The pivoting means (3) may be arranged in the upper, lateral, or rear area of ​​the door, depending on the opening mode adopted. The intermediate structural section (2.3) and / or a perimeter area of ​​the supporting structure (2) comprises one or more support stops (4.1) configured to cooperate with one or more complementary stops (4.2) arranged on the vehicle structure. These stops (4.1, 4.2) are configured to support each other when the door (1) is in the closed position, contributing to the correct positioning of the door, the transmission of forces to the vehicle structure, and the stability of the assembly. The access door (1) further comprises locking means (5) configured to keep the door (1) in the closed position during vehicle operation. In one embodiment, the locking means (5) comprise one or more locking devices (5.1) that cooperate with complementary elements of the access opening frame (9). The locking means (5) are actuated by means of actuation (6), such as levers, handles, pull handles, or other equivalent elements, allowing manual release of the lock to open the door (1). In one embodiment, the upper part (2.1) of the door (1) comprises a window panel (7) that defines a window area, configured as a mesh or other type of configuration, allowing the user visibility to the outside while providing a protective barrier. This window panel (7) may be metallic, polymeric, or made of equivalent material, and may be attached to the supporting structure (2) by rivets, screws, welding, or other joining means. In one embodiment, the window panel (7) is mounted in a hinged manner with respect to the supporting structure, by means of articulation means such as hinges or other equivalent means, so that it can pass between a closed position, in which it is arranged covering the window area, and an open position, in which it allows additional access or a partial opening of said area as a hatch, in any case maintaining the function of protecting the occupant when the window panel (7) is in the closed position. The lower part (2.2) of the door (1) comprises a protective cover (8) arranged on the supporting structure (2), configured to protect the occupant and prevent the entry of external elements. The protective cover (8) may be made of sheet metal, composite material, or equivalent material. In the preferred embodiment, the access door (1) is configured to open upwards, by means of the pivoting means (3) located in the upper part of the access opening (9). However, the invention is not limited to this configuration, and the door (1) may adopt other opening modes, such as conventional side opening, forward opening, rearward opening, or combinations with rotational and / or translational movements, or any other configurations involving rotational, translational, or combinations of both movements, always maintaining the principle of providing extended access to the passenger compartment by means of an articulated door. Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any expert in the field may understand its scope, it being noted that it may be put into practice in other embodiments that differ in detail from the one described, provided that its fundamental principle is not altered.

Claims

1. Access door system for Crosscar-type vehicles, intended for competition and constructed from a tubular chassis, characterized in that it comprises an access door (1) intended to be mounted in correspondence with an access opening (9) defined in the vehicle structure, the access door (1) comprising a supporting structure (2) and the access door (1) comprising pivoting means (3) by which it is articulated with respect to the vehicle structure for opening and closing between a closed position and an open position, the access door (1) further comprising locking means (5) configured to maintain it in the closed position during vehicle operation. 2.A system according to claim 1, characterized in that the access opening (9) comprises a structural reinforcement (10) arranged in the perimeter area of ​​the opening (9), configured to increase local rigidity and provide anchor points for the access door (1).

3. A system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supporting structure (2) is divided into an upper part (2.1) and a lower part (2.2) joined together by an intermediate structural section (2.3).

4. A system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivoting means (3) are configured as hinges.

5. A system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate structural section (2.3) and / or a perimeter area of ​​the supporting structure (2) comprises one or more support stops (4.1) configured to cooperate with one or more complementary stops (4.2) arranged in the vehicle structure so that they support each other when the door (1) is in the closed position.

6. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking means (5) comprise one or more locking devices (5.1) that cooperate with complementary elements of the access opening frame (9).

7. System according to claim 6, characterized in that the locking means (5) are actuated by means of actuating devices (6) configured as levers, handles, knobs, or equivalent elements.

8. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper part (2.1) of the door (1) comprises a window panel (7) configured as a mesh or equivalent configuration, arranged to allow visibility to the outside and provide a protective barrier. 9.A system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower part (2.2) of the door (1) comprises a protective cover (8) arranged on the supporting structure (2).

10. A system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the access door (1) is configured for upward opening by means of the pivoting means (3) located in the upper part of the access opening (9).

11. A system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the window panel (7) is hinged relative to the supporting structure by means of articulation means, such as hinges or equivalent means, so that it is movable between a closed position and an open position.