Access door to a transport vehicle including means for monitoring the movement of its opening, vehicle and corresponding control method
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2020014119
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2020-12-24
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-21
- Estimated Expiration
- 2040-12-24
Smart Images
Figure 00000020_0000 
Figure 00000020_0001 
Figure 00000020_0002
Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Access door to a transport vehicle comprising means for monitoring the movement of its opening, vehicle and corresponding control method Technical field of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of access doors to a transport vehicle. These access doors may firstly designate doors belonging to transport vehicles, in particular of the train, tram, metro, trolleybus or bus type. For the purposes of the invention, these access doors also designate so-called platform doors, also called platform facades. The invention relates to a transport vehicle door which may comprise either a single leaf or several leaves, typically two leaves. Furthermore, these access doors may in particular be of the sliding type, or even sliding swinging, or even oscillating.
[0002] The present invention relates more specifically to such an access door which comprises monitoring means, capable of preserving the integrity of passengers and objects when the leaf(s) are closed. It further relates to a method for controlling this access door, including a so-called customization phase of these monitoring means. The invention finally relates, on the one hand, to a transport vehicle, and on the other hand, to a platform facade, which are respectively equipped with at least one such access door. State of the art
[0003] Conventionally, an access door to a transport vehicle comprises a frame, as well as an opening formed of at least one leaf. The latter is movable relative to the aforementioned frame, in a direction of movement most often parallel to the rolling axis of the vehicle. In a first position, called the closing position, this leaf closes an opening made in the frame while, in its opening position, it releases access to this opening. This leaf can be set in motion, typically using an electric motor.
[0004] The overall objective of the invention is to avoid incidents that may occur when a person or an object is struck by a moving leaf. Indeed, this type of incident can first of all harm the physical integrity of the person thus struck. Furthermore, when an object is struck by this leaf, it is likely to be damaged.
[0005] The prevention of these incidents can, according to a first possibility, be ensured by an infrared barrier. The latter, which is illustrated in the attached [Fig. 10], is formed by a plurality of transmitters and receivers, which are assigned the references respective 305 and 306. These transmitters and receivers are placed two by two opposite each other so as to generate a plurality of horizontal beams 351, extending substantially below each other. This barrier is either mounted on the body of the vehicle near the door, or installed directly on the leaves 303 and 304 as in this [Fig. 10].
[0006] In operation, the monitored area is located between the aforementioned transmitters and receivers. If a person or object is detected, the infrared barrier transmits information to the control panel, or even to the train network, which then prevents the door from closing. This first solution, using an infrared barrier, is not entirely satisfactory in terms of safety. Indeed, it is conceivable that a user could insert a part of his body, for example his hand or fingers, between two adjacent beams without triggering an alert.
[0007] In order to overcome the above drawbacks, it has been proposed to use laser scanning sensors, the monitoring area of which is included in a plane. Such a sensor is mounted statically, relative to the vehicle body. According to a first possibility, it is fixed to the outside of this body, so as to monitor a plane projecting from the leaves, outside the latter. According to another possibility, this sensor can be mounted inside the body, for example on a hood. As representative examples of this solution, documents DE 2020 15 104 582 and EP 3 296 178 will be cited.
[0008] The use of these laser scanning sensors, as described above, however, has certain disadvantages. Indeed, it has been noted that this use leads to particularly frequent stops of the transport vehicle. In particular, a significant number of these stops turn out to be unnecessary a posteriori, in that they did not involve any danger for passengers and objects. This occurs in particular in the case where the moving passenger is momentarily located between the leaves, or between the single leaf and the frame, but nevertheless at a distance such that he would not be struck by one or two leaves when the door closes.
[0009] Such stops require additional cycles of opening and closing the leaves. This therefore tends to lengthen the time the vehicle spends at the station, which can hinder the proper service of the latter.
[0010] In view of the above, an objective of the present invention is to remedy, at least partially, the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.
[0011] Another objective of the invention is in particular to propose an access door to a transport vehicle, the monitoring means of which make it possible to reduce the occurrence of unnecessary alerts.
[0012] Another objective of the invention is to propose such a door, the monitoring means of which are also capable of reliably detecting any type of potentially dangerous situation.
[0013] Another objective of the invention is to propose such a door, the monitoring means of which are inexpensive, easily integrated and relatively easy to adjust.
[0014] Another objective of the invention is to propose such a door, the monitoring means of which are capable of providing additional functionalities, in addition to those of a purely security nature. Objects of the invention
[0015] According to the invention, at least one of the above objectives is achieved by means of an access door to a transport vehicle (100), in particular of the train, tram, metro, trolleybus or bus type, this access door comprising
[0016] - a frame (2) delimiting a bay (104)
[0017] - an opening comprising at least one leaf (3,4), each leaf being movable according to a main direction of movement (XX), along a leaf travel (C3, C4), between an opening position of the bay, corresponding to free passage through this bay, as well as a closing position of this bay
[0018] - monitoring means, which are configured to detect a target, in in particular a passenger (P) or an object, in at least part of the travel of the leaf, these monitoring means comprising at least one detection sensor (5, 6), capable of generating a detection beam (51, 52, 61, 62) extending over a monitoring zone
[0019] this door being characterized in that
[0020] - each leaf is equipped with at least one respective detection sensor, in in particular a laser scanning sensor, in particular of the time-of-flight type, said sensor being integral with said leaf (3,4), the beam of the sensor being directed in operation towards the facing leaf (4,3), or towards the region facing the frame, according to said main direction of movement (XX),
[0021] - each sensor has a monitoring zone whose shape is either predefined, either adjustable, according to characteristics intrinsic to the operation of the door and / or according to characteristics representative of the commissioning of the door, so as to define a so-called personalized monitoring zone (52,62) which does not extend over the whole of said free passage, at least according to said main direction of movement.
[0022] According to other characteristics of the access door according to the invention:
[0023] - the sensor is configured to allow said customization of its zone of monitoring.
[0024] - the control means (112) of said transport vehicle are configured to carry out said customization of the sensor monitoring area.
[0025] - the personalized detection zone (52,62) is substantially rectangular.
[0026] - the dimension according to the direction of movement of the vehicle, or width (L5), of the custom detection zone (52.62) is significantly less than the travel of the leaf, this width being in particular of the order of 100 mm.
[0027] - the door further comprises a control plate (114) for each leaf, as well as that at least one so-called communication line (50,60) connects each sensor with said plate.
[0028] - each sensor (5,6) is fixed in the vicinity of the front edge (33,43) of the leaf, especially in the upper part of this leaf.
[0029] - each sensor is fixed on the inner face (31,41), or outer face (32,42), of said leaf.
[0030] - the sensor is housed in the thickness of the leaf, the front edge of the leaf being hollowed out of openings (36) capable of allowing the detection beam to pass through.
[0031] - the inner face of at least one leaf and / or the outer face of at least one leaf is equipped with a visual identification means (38, 39), said sensor being configured so that, when it detects a presence in the vicinity of the or each visual identification means in the closed position of the leaf, it alerts said control plate, said control plate being further configured to control the opening of the leaf in response to this alert.
[0032] - the detection beam of at least one sensor extends along a plane called monitoring (P5), said plane including the different detection beams in the case of several sensors, this monitoring plane being parallel to the median plane of the leaves (P3), the distance between these planes being in particular much less than 8 cm.
[0033] - at least one sensor (52”) has a detection beam which is of the type three-dimensional, in particular presenting the shape of an arc of a circle in sectional view along a horizontal plane.
[0034] - both the inner face and the outer face of the leaf are equipped with said means respective visual identification means (38,39), and said sensor (52”) is provided, the beam of which is of the three-dimensional type, this sensor being housed in the thickness of the leaf, this sensor being configured to detect a presence in the vicinity of each of the visual identification means.
[0035] These additional features can be implemented with the above main object, individually or in any technically compatible combinations.
[0036] The invention also relates to a method for controlling an access door above, this method comprising the following steps:
[0037] - each sensor is configured so as to assign it a monitoring zone called personalized, according to characteristics intrinsic to the operation of the door and / or according to characteristics representative of the previous commissioning of the door
[0038] - the presence of a target, in particular a passenger or an object, in the surveillance zone,
[0039] - the closing of said leaf is prevented, in response to said detection.
[0040] According to other characteristics of the control method according to the invention:
[0041] - the intrinsic characteristics of the operation of the door include the nominal speed of movement of each leaf, the dimensions of each leaf and / or the dimensions of the opening, while the characteristics representative of the commissioning of the door include the number of incidents observed on passengers and / or objects struck by the leaves, the number of stops imposed on each leaf, the stopping time at the station of the transport vehicle or even the practice of the railway operator.
[0042] - the surveillance zone is configured according to a so-called security duration, this safety duration being estimated from:
[0043] - of a time called obstacle corresponding to the time necessary for a passenger to to extract oneself from the travel of the leaves, and / or necessary for a passenger to extract an object from the travel of the leaves,
[0044] and / or
[0045] - of a so-called vehicle time corresponding to the travel time of the leaf, between its respective opening and closing positions, and / or the reaction time of the vehicle control system.
[0046] These additional features can be implemented with the second main object above, individually or in any technically compatible combinations.
[0047] The invention also relates to a detection sensor (5, 6) capable of equipping an access door above, said sensor being configured to have a monitoring zone whose shape is either predefined or adjustable, according to characteristics intrinsic to the operation of the door and / or according to characteristics representative of the commissioning of the door, so as to define a so-called personalized monitoring zone (52, 62) which does not extend over the whole of said free passage, at least in said main direction of movement.
[0048] The invention also relates to a transport vehicle, in particular of the train, tram, metro, trolleybus or bus type, this vehicle comprising at least one door as above.
[0049] The invention finally relates to a stopping platform for a transport vehicle, in particular of the train, tram, metro, bus or even trolleybus type, this platform comprising at least one door as above.
[0050] It will first be noted that it is to the Applicant's credit to have identified the causes underlying the drawbacks of the prior art above. In essence, the Applicant has realized that these drawbacks are in particular linked to the fact that the monitored zone is fixed and constant to cover the entire free passage between the leaves in the open door position. Under these conditions, so-called unnecessary detections occur, which are likely to significantly increase the stopping time at the station. Such detections typically correspond to situations in which passengers enter or exit the vehicle while the leaves are closing, while being at a sufficient distance from the latter to guarantee their safety.
[0051] Furthermore, when the monitoring means of the prior art are positioned on the body of the vehicle, which is often the case, these monitoring means tend to detect obstacles offset laterally relative to the leaves, without however being located in the immediate vicinity of the plane of the latter.
[0052] On the contrary, according to the invention, the monitored area is said to be "personalized". In other words, its dimensions can be defined according to different parameters, so that they can in particular be reduced to the strict minimum. In other words, thanks to this personalization of the monitored area, detection will be activated only if objects or passengers are in the immediate vicinity of the leaves, so that there is a real danger of collision.
[0053] Furthermore, the invention provides for fixing the monitoring means directly on the leaf, or even inside it, integrated into its structure. Consequently, the monitored area is located as close as possible to the leaves, which makes it possible on the one hand to significantly reduce the superfluous detection of obstacles located at a distance from the plane of the aforementioned leaves, and on the other hand to avoid detection shadow zones. Description of figures
[0054] The invention will be described below, with reference to the appended drawings, given solely as non-limiting examples, in which:
[0055] [Fig.l] is a front view, schematically illustrating a section of a transport vehicle equipped with an access door according to the invention.
[0056] [Fig.2] is a front view, on a larger scale, illustrating a surveillance zone likely to be ensured by a sensor, equipping a first leaf of the access door of [Fig.l].
[0057] [Fig.3] is a top view, illustrating the monitoring area of the sensor of [Fig.2], as well as the monitoring area of another sensor fitted to the other leaf of the access door.
[0058] [Fig.4] is a front view, similar to [Fig.2], illustrating a situation in in which the sensors equipping the access door of the invention do not generate an alert, whereas the sensors equipping an access door of the prior art generate a superfluous alert.
[0059] [Fig.5] is a front view, similar to [Fig.4], illustrating another situation in which both the sensors equipping the access door of the invention and the sensors equipping the access door of the prior art generate an alert.
[0060] [Fig.6] is a sectional view along a horizontal plane, illustrating an installation of a sensor according to the invention in the thickness of a leaf of the access door.
[0061] [Fig.7] is a front view, similar to [Fig.2], illustrating another variant embodiment of the invention using in particular a visual identification pictogram.
[0062] [Fig.8] is a sectional view along a horizontal plane, similar to [Fig.6], illustrating two pictograms, such as that of [Fig.7], associated with two detection sensors.
[0063] [Fig.9] is a sectional view along a horizontal plane, similar to [Fig.8], illustrating these pictograms associated with a single detection sensor.
[0064] [Fig. 10] is a front view, similar in particular to Figures 4 and 5, illustrating a door of the prior art using infrared barriers. Detailed description
[0065] The following references are used in this description
[0066] 100 transport vehicle
[0067] 102 section of the vehicle body
[0068] 1 access door
[0069] 2 sleeping in this door
[0070] 3 and 4 leaves of this door
[0071] 104 bay
[0072] C3 C4 travel of the leaves
[0073] XX vehicle rolling axis / door movement direction
[0074] 110 engine
[0075] 112 control board
[0076] 114 command line
[0077] 120 worm screw
[0078] 30 and 40 driven members integral with the leaves
[0079] 31 41 interior faces of the leaves
[0080] 32 42 exterior faces of the leaves
[0081] 33 43 front edges of the leaves
[0082] 34 44 rear edges of the leaves
[0083] 35 45 sealing means
[0084] 36 openings in the edge 33
[0085] 38 pictogram on the underside of the leaf
[0086] 5 and 6 sensors
[0087] 50 60 communication lines
[0088] H5 sensor height
[0089] 10 door threshold
[0090] P5 sensor beam plan
[0091] P3 median plane of the leaves
[0092] D35 distance between planes P3 and P5
[0093] 5161 nominal beams / nominal monitoring zones of the sensors
[0094] 52 62 custom beams / custom sensor monitoring zones
[0095] L5 beam width
[0096] 201 carries prior art 203
[0097] 203,204 leaves of 201
[0098] 205 detection sensor according to the prior art
[0099] P passenger.
[0100] 312 control board of the prior art
[0101] 250 communication line of the prior art
[0102] 303 and 304 leaves of the prior art ([Fig. 10])
[0103] 305 306 transmitters and receivers
[0104] 351 beams
[0105] [Fig.l] illustrates, in a schematic and partial manner, a transport vehicle 100 which is for example a train, a tram, a metro, a bus or even a trolleybus. In this [Fig.l], only a section of the body 102 of this vehicle has been shown in a simplified manner. This figure also illustrates an access door in accordance with the invention, designated as a whole by the reference 1, which equips this transport vehicle 100.
[0106] In a manner known per se, this door comprises a frame 2, arranged at the periphery of an opening 104 formed in the body of the vehicle. This door is further provided with two leaves 3 and 4, which form an opening. Each leaf is movable between respective opening and closing positions of the opening 104, according to travels materialized by the references C3 and C4 in [Fig. 1]. As a variant, this door can be provided with a single leaf, or with several leaves. In the example illustrated, this door is of the sliding type, it being understood that it can be of a different type, in particular sliding swing. In a conventional manner, the aforementioned bay 104 delimits a free passage for users, in the open position of each leaf.
[0107] [Fig. 1] also illustrates means, allowing the driving of each leaf relative to the frame, in a main direction noted XX, which corresponds to the rolling axis of the vehicle. These driving means firstly comprise a motor 110 of any suitable type, for example electric. This motor is controlled by a plate 112, via a control line 114. This motor cooperates with a driving member, for example of the worm screw type 120, which is integral in translation with the frame. There is also provided a so-called driven member 30 and 40, integral with a respective leaf 3 and 4. Each driven member is for example made in the form of a cylindrical body, the internal surface of which forms a nut intended to cooperate with the above worm screw. The various mechanical elements, listed above, are of the conventional type so that they will not be described in more detail in the following.
[0108] We will now describe in more detail the monitoring means, in accordance with the invention, which equip the door 1 above. In [Fig. 3], illustrating the leaves 3 and 4 in their open position, we first note 31 and 41 the inner face of each leaf, as well as 32 and 42 its outer face. We also note 33 and 43 the so-called front edge of each leaf, namely the one facing the edge of the opposite leaf. Conventionally, the front edges are typically equipped with sealing means 35 and 45. Finally, we note 34 and 44 the rear edges of each leaf, which are opposite those 33 and 43 above.
[0109] In the present embodiment, the monitoring means comprise two identical sensors 5 and 6, which are of the laser scanning type. Each sensor operates on the known principle of “time of flight”. Each sensor 5, 6 is connected to the control board 112, via a communication line 50, 60, this line being able to be wired or operate remotely by waves.
[0110] As shown in particular in [Fig.2], each sensor is mounted on the inner face 31, 41 of the leaf, in the vicinity of its front edge 35, 45, advantageously in the upper part of the latter. Typically, this sensor is installed at an altitude, which is greater than a man's height. In a manner known per se, the beams of the sensors 5 and 6 are included in a single plane, noted P5 in [Fig.3]. As shown in this figure, this plane P5 is parallel to the plane P3, called the median plane of the leaves. The distance, noted D35, between these planes P3 and P5 in the horizontal direction, is advantageously much less than the value of 8 cm indicated for example by the railway standard EN 14752 in its annex J. As will be seen in the following, this type of flat beam constitutes a first embodiment of the invention. However, the latter also includes other types of beams, such as the one that will be described with reference to [Fig.9].
[0111] 51 and 61 denote the so-called nominal beams of each sensor 5 and 6. In front view, as illustrated in [Fig.2], each nominal beam has the shape of an arc of a circle, centered on the sensor and extending substantially along 90°. It is understood that this beam defines a monitoring zone, namely that, in service, when an object or a person is in this beam, it is detected by the sensor which transmits this information to the control board.
[0112] According to the invention, the aim is to reduce the surface area of this beam and, consequently, of the surveillance zone so as to avoid unnecessary alerts. This reduction in surface area is carried out from the estimation of a so-called safety duration, which can advantageously take into account two main types of parameters. In substance, these parameters can be characteristic either of the transport vehicle itself or of an obstacle interposed in the travel of the leaf.
[0113] We can first take into account a first duration relating to the transport vehicle, which is called “vehicle time” or T(veh). This first characteristic time is estimated according to parameters intrinsic to the operation of the door. This may be the dimension of the strokes C3 and C4 above, the speed of movement of the leaves. It will be noted that this dimension and this speed directly determine the travel time of the leaf, between its opening and closing positions. We can also take into account the reaction time, inherent in the vehicle control system. This reaction time, which may be slightly different from one rolling stock to another, may include all or part of the individual times listed below:
[0114] Tl: detection time
[0115] T2: transmission time to the control panel
[0116] T3: processing time by the turntable
[0117] T4: order transmission time
[0118] T5: processing time / implementation of the action by the actuator
[0119] T6: braking time linked to the commanded action.
[0120] Alternatively or additionally, parameters related to the past commissioning of the door may be taken into account. These parameters include the number of incidents observed, namely people or objects trapped by a leaf during its movement. Also included may be the number of unnecessary stops corresponding, as seen above, to the immobilization of the door when no danger was significant. This last parameter influences an additional parameter, corresponding to the time spent by the vehicle at the station, which may itself be accompanied by possible delays of the vehicle.
[0121] We also note t(obs), that is to say “obstacle time”, a duration linked more particularly to an obstacle likely to be located in the travel of the leaf. This obstacle time, just like the vehicle time above, is likely to be the basis for determining the shape of the beam. This obstacle time corresponds, for example, to the time required for a user, located in the travel of the leaves, to extract themselves from this travel and thus be safe. It may also be the time required for a passenger to extract an object located in this same travel of the leaves. Once this duration has been determined, knowing the speed V5 of the leaf, we can deduce a theoretical width of the beam: L5 (th) = V5 * Ds. This width does not, however, take into account the vehicle time, described above.
[0122] Those skilled in the art will take into account all or part of the various parameters, set out in the paragraphs above, so as to optimally personalize the detection beam. Typically, thanks to the implementation of this phase, the beam 52 62 is associated with a so-called personalized monitoring zone, which has a generally rectangular shape whose long sides are vertical. The distance along the horizontal axis, or width of the monitoring zone of the beam L5, can be determined as a function of the theoretical value L5 (th) above, and / or the vehicle time. Furthermore, the distance along the vertical axis, or height of the monitoring zone of the beam, is slightly less than the height H5 above so as not to detect the door sill 10. Once the value of this width L5 is fixed, it can be modified as the vehicle is put into service.
[0123] Thus, if a significantly high number of incidents suffered by passengers and / or objects is noted, this width can be increased. On the other hand, if an absence of incidents accompanied by too long a stopping time at the station is noted, this width can be reduced. In addition, if the speed of movement of the leaf is changed, the width L5 of the beam will be modified proportionally. If V5 is the initial speed and V'5 the new speed of movement of the leaf, the new width of the beam will be: L'5 = L5 * (V'5 / V5).
[0124] As is apparent from the above, in accordance with the invention, the monitoring area of the sensor can be customized. In the example mentioned above, this customization can be carried out during the actual service of the vehicle. In other words, this monitoring area can still be adjusted after the sensor has been installed on the vehicle.
[0125] As a variant, it can be provided that this customization is predefined during the manufacture of the sensor, typically in the factory. In this case, once the sensor is installed on the vehicle, this sensor no longer has such an adjustable character. Such customization, during factory manufacture, advantageously takes into account the same parameters as the customization carried out during the service of the vehicle.
[0126] In both cases above, customization of the monitoring area, either during service or during manufacture of the sensor, is permitted by the very nature of the sensor. In other words, this sensor is configured to allow such customization.
[0127] As a variant, it can be provided that the customization is implemented, not thanks to the nature of the sensor, but by means of the control board 112. In this spirit, the sensor does not have an intrinsic personalized monitoring zone. In particular, this monitoring zone can cover the entire free passage provided in the bay. On the other hand, the control board then carries out a subsequent processing of the signal, emitted by the sensor. Under these conditions, said control board transforms the “raw” monitoring zone received from the sensor, into a personalized monitoring zone according to the invention.
[0128] Figures 4 and 5 show two types of situations, showing the advantages of the invention. In each of these figures, there is illustrated side by side, on the one hand the door 1 according to the invention, and on the other hand a door 201 of the same size equipped with a detection sensor 205 according to the prior art. This sensor 205, which is mounted in the upper part of the frame, has a detection beam 251 in the shape of an arc of a circle, which extends over a substantial part of the opening provided in the door 201.
[0129] According to this prior art, as soon as the leaves are set in motion, the sensor is activated. Given that its monitoring zone has a maximum dimension, the presence of a passenger or an object (identified by the reference P) will activate this sensor. The latter will then alert the control board 312, via the communication line 250, which is illustrated by solid lines. This board will then order the door to be reopened. It should be noted that this sensor is active regardless of the position of the passenger or object, both in the middle of the door ([Fig.4]) and in the vicinity of a leaf ([Fig.5]).
[0130] In the situation of [Fig.4], for which the passenger or the object is located at a maximum distance from the leaf, there is no detection by the sensors 5 and 6 according to the invention. This situation is materialized by a representation in dotted lines, both of the lines 50 and 60 as well as of the control board 112. Indeed, it is considered that, due to this great distance, the passenger has time to extract himself from the travel of the leaves, or to extract the aforementioned object.
[0131] As shown in [Fig. 4], the personalized surveillance zone according to the invention does not extend, in the direction of movement XX of the leaves, over the entire free passage delimited by the opening 104. In other words, in this direction which is horizontal in the figure, there is an intermediate region called "unmonitored". This region, not hatched in this [Fig. 4], is located between the zones 52 62. The invention takes the position of considering that, even if an obstacle is present in this intermediate region, as is the case in [Fig.4] where a passenger P is located, it is not necessary to stop the intended movement of the leaves. It will be noted that, in the example illustrated, the two surveillance zones are each generally rectangular. As a variant not shown, it is possible to provide for these zones to have shapes other than a rectangle, while providing an intermediate region not monitored in the sense defined above.
[0132] On the other hand, in the situation [Fig. 5], there is detection by the sensor 5. Indeed, the passenger or the object P is located in the immediate vicinity of the leaf equipped with this sensor 5, which constitutes a risky situation. This situation is materialized by a representation in solid lines, both of the line 50 and of the control board 112, since the latter receives information from the sensor 5 via this line. On the other hand, the other line 60 remains represented in dotted lines, since there is no detection by means of the other sensor 6.
[0133] Once the sensor 5 has transmitted the information to the plate 112, the latter then prevents the leaf from closing. This can mean either that the plate stops the leaf while the latter is moving in the closing phase, or that the plate defers a programmed movement in closing of the stationary leaf. Furthermore, in the case where the leaf is stopped in its closing movement, then a few moments later generally the plate launches a new closing attempt.
[0134] The invention therefore makes it possible to distinguish between situations involving different risk levels. Under these conditions, it avoids untimely stops of the leaf, particularly in cases where the risk levels are low. The stopping time at the station is therefore reduced, compared to the prior art. The invention also guarantees better safety than in the prior art, thanks to more precise management of the risks of collision of the front edge of the leaf against a passenger or an object.
[0135] The invention also limits the risks of incidents, which would be due to a lack of detection of a part of a passenger's body. Indeed, as we have seen, each sensor is positioned on the leaf, and not on the exterior body or in the interior vestibule as is generally the case in the prior art. Under these conditions, in accordance with the invention, the monitoring zone of the sensor according to the invention is sufficiently close to the leaf. In this way, a hand or an arm which would be inserted between this leaf and this monitoring zone will be detected by the sensor. On the contrary, in the prior solutions, there is a sufficiently large interval between this leaf and this monitoring zone, so that this hand or this arm escapes detection, thereby leading to risks of incidents.
[0136] [Fig. 6] illustrates an additional variant of the invention, in which the sensor 5 is not mounted on either the outer face or the inner face of the leaf. Indeed, according to this variant, this sensor 5 is integrated into the volume itself of the leaf, in the vicinity of the front edge. In this case, this edge is advantageously hollowed out with openings 36 ensuring the passage of the detection light beam. In the case where this edge is equipped with sealing means, the latter will be adapted to allow this light beam to pass. With this in mind, it is possible, for example, to provide that these sealing means are translucent or transparent, or even any other solution within the reach of those skilled in the art.
[0137] Figures 7 to 9 illustrate an additional functionality of the invention, which complements the security functionality described above. For this purpose, the inner and / or outer face of the leaves is equipped with a visual identification means 38, 39 of the pictogram type. The latter is advantageously arranged in the usual location of the opening push button.
[0138] In the case ([Fig.7]) where this pictogram is placed on a single face of a leaf, interior or exterior, the sensor 5 is also arranged on this same face. Furthermore, the beam 52 of this sensor is configured to include the pictogram 38, in front view.
[0139] Figures 8 and 9 illustrate the case where two pictograms 38 and 39 are provided, on opposite faces of the leaf. According to the variant of [Fig.8], two sensors 5 and 5' can be used, the beams 52 52' of which are flat, so as to encompass a respective pictogram.
[0140] According to the variant of [Fig.9], it is also possible to use a single 5” sensor, provided in the thickness of the leaf as in [Fig.6]. In this case, the 52” beam of this 5” sensor is not flat, but is three-dimensional. In a cross-sectional view along a horizontal plane, as in this [Fig.9], this beam has, for example, the shape of an arc of a circle. Under these conditions, this single beam can encompass each of the two pictograms 38 and 39.
[0141] Under these conditions, when the passenger brings his hand close to a pictogram 38 or 39, the appropriate 5, 5' or 5” sensor detects this presence and transmits a corresponding signal to the plate, which controls the opening of the door. This configuration saves on push buttons and the specific arrangements they require in the construction of the leaves (clearances, electrical wiring, fixing means, etc.).
[0142] According to an additional variant, not shown, the invention can find its application to bus-type swing doors. In this case, it is possible to provide for mounting the sensor on a rotating axis, which will be mobilized according to the rotation of the door. Under these conditions, the beam of this sensor is maintained in an appropriate location.
[0143] According to yet another additional variant of the invention, also not shown, the detection sensor(s) according to the invention may be associated with at least one other complementary sensor. The latter may be of any known type. in itself, chosen for example from the following group: infrared barriers, capacitive sensors, ultrasonic sensors, passenger counting sensors, in particular by stereoscopy or infrared, radars, fish-eye type cameras or even optical fibers. The combination of these two different types of sensors, ensuring the same contactless obstacle detection function, achieves redundancy of this function. This makes it possible to give the door according to the invention a safety character of type SIL 2 (Safety Integrity Level 2) within the meaning of the standards.
Claims
1. Claims Door (1) for access to a transport vehicle (100), in particular of the train, tram, metro, trolleybus or bus type, this access door comprising - a frame (2) delimiting a bay (104) - an opening comprising at least one leaf (3, 4), each leaf being movable in a main direction of movement (XX), along a leaf travel (C3, C4), between an opening position of the bay, corresponding to free passage through this bay, and a closing position of this bay - monitoring means, which are configured to detect a target, in particular a passenger (P) or an object, in at least part of the travel of the leaf, these monitoring means comprising at least one detection sensor (5, 6), capable of generating a detection beam (51, 52, 61, 62) extending over a monitoring zone - each leaf is equipped with at least one respective detection sensor, in particular a laser scanning sensor, in particular of the time-of-flight type, said sensor being integral with said leaf (3, 4), the beam of the sensor being directed in use towards the facing leaf (4, 3), or towards the facing region of the frame, according to said main direction of movement (XX), - said door further comprising a control board (112) for each leaf, as well as at least one so-called communication line (50, 60) connecting each sensor with said board - each sensor having a so-called personalized monitoring zone (52, 62) which does not extend over the whole of said free passage, at least in said main direction of movement, this door being characterized in that the inner face of at least one leaf and / or the outer face of at least one leaf is equipped with a visual identification means (38, 39), said sensor being configured so that, when it detects a presence in the vicinity of the or each visual identification means in the closed position of the leaf, it alerts said control plate, said control plate being further configured to control the opening of the leaf in response to this alert.
2. Door according to the preceding claim, in which the sensor is configured to allow said customization of its monitoring zone.
3. Door according to one of the preceding claims, wherein control means (112) of said transport vehicle are configured to carry out said customization of the monitoring area of the sensor.
4. Door according to one of the preceding claims, in which the personalized detection zone (52,62) is substantially rectangular.
5. Door according to the preceding claim, in which the dimension in the direction of movement of the vehicle, or width (L5), of the personalized detection zone (52,62) is significantly less than the travel of the leaf, this width being in particular of the order of 100 mm.
6. Door according to one of the preceding claims, in which each sensor (5, 6) is fixed in the vicinity of the front edge (33, 43) of the leaf, in particular in the upper part of this leaf.
7. Door according to one of the preceding claims, in which each sensor is fixed on the inner face (31,41), or outer face (32,42), of said leaf.
8. Door according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the sensor is housed in the thickness of the leaf, the front edge of the leaf being hollowed out with openings (36) capable of allowing the detection beam to pass through.
9. Door according to one of the preceding claims, in which the detection beam of at least one sensor extends along a so-called monitoring plane (P5), said plane including the different detection beams in the case of several sensors, this monitoring plane being parallel to the median plane of the leaves (P3), the distance between these planes being in particular much less than 8 cm.
10. Door according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which at least one sensor (52”) has a detection beam which is of the three-dimensional type, in particular having the shape of an arc of a circle in sectional view along a horizontal plane.
11. Door according to claims 8 and 10, wherein both the inner face and the outer face of the leaf are equipped with said respective visual identification means (38,39), and said sensor (52”) is provided whose beam is of the three-dimensional type, this sensor being housed in the thickness of the leaf, this sensor being configured to detect a presence in the vicinity of each of the visual identification means.
12. Method for controlling an access door according to one of the preceding claims, this method comprising the following steps: - each sensor is configured so as to assign it a so-called personalized monitoring zone, according to characteristics intrinsic to the operation of the door and / or according to characteristics representative of the previous commissioning of the door - the presence of a target, in particular a passenger or an object, in the monitoring zone is detected by means of said sensor, - the closing of said leaf is prevented, in response to said detection.
13. Method according to the preceding claim, in which the intrinsic characteristics of the operation of the door include the nominal speed of movement of each leaf, the dimensions of each leaf and / or the dimensions of the opening, while the characteristics representative of the commissioning of the door include the number of incidents observed on passengers and / or objects struck by the leaves, the number of stops imposed on each leaf, the stopping time at the station of the transport vehicle or even the practice of the railway operator.
14. Method according to one of claims 12 or 13, in which the monitoring zone is configured according to a so-called safety duration, this safety duration being estimated from: - a so-called obstacle time corresponding to the time necessary for a passenger to extract themselves from the travel of the leaves, and / or necessary for a passenger to extract an object from the travel of the leaves, and / or - a so-called vehicle time corresponding to the travel time of the leaf, between its respective opening and closing positions, and / or the reaction time of the vehicle control system.
15. Transport vehicle, in particular of the train, tram, metro, trolleybus or bus type, this vehicle comprising at least one access door according to any one of claims 1 to 11. 19
16. Stop platform for a transport vehicle, in particular of the train, tram, metro, bus or trolleybus type, this platform comprising at least one access door according to any one of claims 1 to 11.