Arrangement in moving vehicle for sealing a door

Abstract

The arrangement in a moving vehicle for sealing a door comprises a sliding door (1), a groove (21) at a lower end of the sliding door (1), and a seal assembly (22) in the groove (21). The seal assembly (22) comprises a rigid longitudinal frame profile (23) extending along the groove (21), at least one sliding piece (24) attached to the frame profile (23), and at an end of the frame profile (23) a pull-out element (27) for receiving pull-out means for enabling pulling out of the seal assembly (22) from the groove (21).

Description

[0001] ARRANGEMENT IN MOVING VEHICLE FOR SEALING A DOOR

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to sealing a door and more particularly to sealing a sliding door in a moving vehicle.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Sliding doors are used in moving vehicles such as in rail traffic vehicles in the carriages at the ends of the carriages and / or for dividing the carriages into compartments. The sliding doors require regular maintenance. Especially the sealing of the sliding door wears and tears and therefore the sealing of the sliding door must be serviced and / or exchanged regularly.

[0006] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a new type of arrangement in a moving vehicle for sealing a door. The invention is characterized by what is stated in the independent claim. Some embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0008] In the presented solution the arrangement comprises a sliding door, a groove at a lower end of the sliding door, and a seal assembly in the groove. The seal assembly comprises a rigid longitudinal frame profile extending along the groove, at least one sliding piece attached to the frame profile, and at an end of the frame profile a pull-out element for receiving pull-out means for enabling pulling out of the seal assembly from the groove. Alternatively, the sliding piece may be positioned at the end of the frame profile to form the pull-out element. Thereby the seal assembly is realized in a reliable manner. The door may be sealed tightly against a possible rail in the floor, for example. Sounds from the door leaf in vibrating conditions may be eliminated or at least reduced and thereby improved passenger comfort may be provided. The sliding piece may be changed easily, and the change of the sliding piece may be performed quickly.

[0009] According to an embodiment the pull-out element is a hole in the end of the frame profile for receiving a male type pull-out means. The hole may comprise form locking means corresponding to form locking means in the pull-out means. As an example the hole comprises an inner thread corresponding to an outer thread in the pull-out means. Such a pull-out element is simple and easy to provide. The pull-out means is also simple and reliable. The pulling out of the seal assembly is thereby easily and reliably performed.According to an embodiment the arrangement comprises retainer means for keeping the seal assembly in the groove. The retainer means may comprise a retainer screw arranged through a side at the lower end of the door, the retainer screw being screwable towards a side of the frame profile for keeping the seal assembly in the groove and screwable outwards to release the seal assembly. The retainer means may also comprise a notch in the side of the frame profile the retainer screw extending in the notch when keeping the seal assembly in the groove. The retainer means ensures that the seal assembly reliably remains in its place also in tough environments such as in rail vehicles.

[0010] According to an embodiment the frame profile comprises a first part and a second part and connecting means for connecting the first part to the second part. The connecting means may comprise a first hole in the first part and a second hole in the second part, and a pin provided in the first hole and second hole to connect the first part and second part together. The holes may comprise form locking means corresponding to form locking means in the pin. As an example of form locking means the holes may comprise inner threads corresponding to an outer thread in the pin. According to another embodiment the connecting means may comprise a hole in the first part and a protrusion in the second part. The hole may comprise form locking means corresponding to form locking means in the second part. As an example of form locking means the hole may comprise an inner thread corresponding to an outer thread in the second part. When the frame profile comprises a first part and a second part it is possible to first slide the sealing assembly only partly out of the groove at the lower end of the door and detach the first part of the frame profile from the second part of the frame profile. Thereafter the part remaining in the groove may be slid out of the groove. Neither of the parts require a long or wide working area. Thereby it is possible to change the sealing assembly in a door opening without removing the door leaf from its position in a wall.

[0011] According to an embodiment the sliding piece has a U-shaped cross-section and the groove and the sliding piece having dimensions such that the sliding piece is from its sides supported by sides of the groove. Thereby the sliding piece is reliably supported, and the sliding piece may be tightly against the rail in the floor, for example.

[0012] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] In the following the invention will be described in greater detail by means of some embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, in whichFigure 1 schematically shows a side view of a sliding door installed to a rail vehicle when the sliding door is in a closed position;

[0014] Figure 2 schematically shows a side view of the sliding door of Figure 1 installed to a rail vehicle when the sliding door is in an open position;

[0015] Figure 3 schematically shows an oblique view of a lower door profile and a sealing assembly;

[0016] Figure 4 schematically shows an oblique view of the lower door profile and the sealing assembly of Figure 3 showing the parts separated; and

[0017] Figure 5 schematically shows an end view of the lower door profile and the sealing assembly of Figure 3.

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] In this description it is presented an arrangement in a moving vehicle for sealing a door. The moving vehicle may be a bus or a rail vehicle, for example.

[0020] The rail vehicle may comprise at least one carriage travelling on rails. The rail vehicle may comprise several carriages connected to each other. The rail vehicle may be e.g. a train comprising an engine and at least one carriage. The rail vehicle may be e.g. a metro comprising an engine and at least one carriage. Carriages may be provided with sliding doors. The sliding doors may be provided at the ends of the carriages and / or for dividing the carriages into compartments. The sliding door may be a fire door.

[0021] Figure 1 shows a sliding door 1. The sliding door 1 comprises a door leaf 2 and a lower door profile 3. The sliding door 1 may comprise also other door profiles such as an upper door profile and / or side door profiles. However, these other door profiles are not shown in the Figures for the sake of clarity. The profiles may also be called beams. The door leaf 2 may comprises plate structures for forming the door leaf 2. The profiles or beams and plate structures may comprise e.g. steel, aluminium, hard plastic, glass fibre, and / or glass as their material.

[0022] The lower door profile 3 located below the door leaf 2 forms the lower end of the sliding door 1. The lower door profile 3 located low comprises a seal assembly.

[0023] Furthermore, the moving vehicle comprises a door controller 12 for controlling the sliding door 1 linearly. The door controller 12 is connected between the sliding door 1 and the structure surrounding it. The door controller 12 comprises e.g. a guide bar and a coupling piece controllable along it.

[0024] In addition, the moving vehicle may comprise a control apparatus 13 forforming the linear motion of the sliding door 1. The control apparatus 13 may be connected to the sliding door 1. The control apparatus 13 may comprise e.g. a cylinder and a system controlling it, such as e.g. a hydraulic cylinder and a hydraulic system controlling it or an electric cylinder and an electric system controlling it. The control apparatus 13 may alternatively comprise e.g. an electric motor which is configured to control a rack gear fitted to the sliding door 1.

[0025] The linear motion for the door 1 may in some embodiments be formed without a control apparatus. The linear motion for the door may be formed manually, for example. Thus, the sliding door 1 may be a manually operated door.

[0026] Figure 1 very schematically shows the rail vehicle 10 as cross-cut and seen in its longitudinal direction. The rail vehicle 10 is illustrated in Figure 1 with a broken line. Figure 1 only shows a wall 11 of the rail vehicle 10 to which the sliding door 1 is fitted.

[0027] The structure below the sliding door 1 may be e.g. a floor structure. The structure below the sliding door 1 may be e.g. the floor structure of a rail vehicle. The structure below the sliding door 1 may be e.g. a floor panel, a floor beam, a plate structure or something equal. A part of the structure below the sliding door may be on a passage through which people pass, and a part of the structure below the sliding door may be a structure that is beside the passage, e.g. under a possible wall.

[0028] In Figure 2 the sliding door 1 is in an open position. The sliding door 1 is thus linearly moved at least partly inside the wall 11. Thereby a doorway 14 is open. The passengers may move along a passage through the doorway 14.

[0029] On the floor structure under the sliding door 1 there may be a rail 15 or a beam of a door sill. The rail 15 may form a counter structure for the seal assembly in the lower door profile 3. The rail 15 may also be in the floor structure. Thus, the rail 15 may be positioned in a recess of the floor structure. On the floor structure there may also be a sliding piece or sliding pieces. If there is a rail 15 the sliding piece or sliding pieces may be positioned in connection with the rail 15.

[0030] The rail 15 may extend to a total length of a moving area of the sliding door 1. Thus, the rail 15 may exist under the sliding door 1 when the sliding door 1 is in the open position and extend to the total length of the doorway 14.

[0031] According to an embodiment, the rail 15 may exist under the sliding door 1 when the sliding door 1 is in the open position and not extend to the doorway 14 or extend to the doorway 14 only partly. In such a situation the rail 15 may comprise at least one sliding piece and the at least one sliding piece of the rail 15may be positioned on that end of the rail 15 which is towards the doorway 14. The seal assembly in the lower door profile 3 may comprise one or more sliding pieces.

[0032] Figure 3 shows the lower door profile 3. The lower door profile 3 forms the lower end of the sliding door 1. The lower door profile 3 may be made of aluminium, steel, hard plastic, or glass fibre, for example.

[0033] The lower door profile 3 is attached to the lower end of the door leaf 2. The lower door profile 3 may comprise in its upper part holes 20. The lower end of the door leaf 2 may comprise corresponding holes such that the lower door profile 3 may be attached to the lower end of the door leaf 2 by screws, for example. The lower door profile 3 may be attached to the door leaf 2 by using any other suitable attaching means, also.

[0034] The lower door profile 3 comprises a downward opening groove 21. The groove 21 can be clearly seen in Figure 4. The seal assembly 22 is provided in the groove 21. In Figure 3 the seal assembly 22 is shown as partly pulled out from the groove 21.

[0035] The seal assembly 22 comprises a rigid longitudinal frame profile 23. The rigid longitudinal frame profile 23 maybe made of aluminium, steel, glass fiber, or hard plastic, for example. The seal assembly 22 also comprises a sliding piece 24 attached to the frame profile 23. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4 there is a sliding piece 24 at both ends of the frame profile 23. Thus, in the embodiment shown in Figure 4 there are two sliding pieces 24 in the seal assembly 22.

[0036] The seal assembly 22 may comprise one sliding piece 24, two sliding pieces, or more than two sliding pieces. The arrangement may also comprise one or more sliding pieces in the seal assembly 22 and one or more sliding pieces in the floor structure. Thereby the sliding piece in the seal assembly 22 may be in contact with the sliding piece in the floor structure.

[0037] The sliding piece 24 is attached to the frame profile 23. The sliding piece 24 may comprise in its upper part holes 25. The frame profile 23 may comprise corresponding holes 26 such that the sliding piece 24 may be attached to the frame profile 23 by a screw 34 or screws, for example. The sliding piece 24 may be attached to the frame profile 23 by using any other suitable attaching means, also.

[0038] The frame profile 23 is wider than the sliding piece 24. The upper part of the groove 21 comprises a part that is wide enough to accommodate the frame profile 23. The lower part of the frame profile 23 supports from its sides to shoulders provided by the groove. The shoulders prevent the frame profile from falling down from the groove. The frame profile 23 may be removed from the groove 21only by sliding the seal assembly 22 in the longitudinal direction of the frame profile 23. Thus, the seal assembly 22 maybe removed from the groove 21 from an end of the groove 21.

[0039] At an end of the frame profile 23 there is a pull-out element 27 for receiving pull-out means for enabling pulling out of the seal assembly 22 from the groove 21. The pull-out element 27 maybe a hole in the end of the frame profile 23 for receiving a male type pull-out means. Alternatively, the pull-out element 27 may be a protrusion for receiving a female type pull-out means. In a yet another embodiment the pull-out element 1 may be a magnet or made ofmagnetic material. If the pull-out element 27 is a magnet the pull-out means may comprise a magnet or the pull-out means may comprise magnetic material, for example. If the pullout element 27 is made of magnetic material the pull-out means may comprise a magnet, for example. If the pull-out element 27 is or at least comprises a hole such hole may be covered by a plug, for example.

[0040] The pull-out element 1 may comprise form locking means corresponding to form locking means in the pull-out means. As an example the hole comprises an inner thread corresponding to an outer thread in the pull-out means or the protrusion comprises an outer thread corresponding to an inner thread in the pull-out means. The form locking means may also be implemented by using a bayonet mount type solution, for example. In such a solution one of the parts may comprise a L-shaped groove. Thus, the groove may have an axial part and a circumferential part. The other of the parts may comprise a cylindrical part which is provided with a pin in a radial direction of the cylindrical part. For connecting the pull-out means and the pull-out element 1 together the pull-out means is first moved in the axial direction and thereafter turned in the circumferential direction.

[0041] In the embodiment of the Figures the pull-out element 27 at the end of the frame profile 23 is positioned at the end face of the frame profile 23. However, it is also possible to position the pull-out element at a lower surface of the frame profile 23 at the end of the frame profile 23. In such a case the pull-out element may be a hole at the lower surface of the frame profile 23, for example. The pull-out means may be a male type pull-out means comprising a hook or an upward protruding pin, for example, that may be positioned in the hole for connecting the pullout means and the pull-out element 27 together for enabling pulling out of the seal assembly 22 from the groove 21.

[0042] In an embodiment the sliding piece 24 that is positioned at the end of the frame profile 23 may form the pull-out element. In such an embodiment thepull-out means may comprise a longitudinal rod and a hook or peg at the end of the rod such that the pull-out element is L-shaped. The pull-out means may be used such that the pull-out means is pushed from the end of the seal assembly between the rail 15 and the sliding piece 24 towards the back part of the sliding piece 24. When the hook or peg of the L-shaped pull-out means passes the end of the sliding piece 24 the end of the pull-out means with the hook or peg is lifted upwards such that the hook or peg set against the back surface of the sliding piece 24. When the pull-out means is now pulled out the hook or peg grabs the sliding piece 24 and the seal assembly 22 is pulled out from the groove 21.

[0043] It is also possible to form the L-shaped pull-out means such that the length of the hook or peg is larger than the distance between the upper surface of the rail 15 and the lower surface of the sliding piece 24. In such an embodiment when the pull-out means is positioned between the rail 15 and the sliding piece 24 the hook or peg may be in an oblique position. When the hook or peg passes the end of the sliding piece 24 the hook or peg is lifted upwards by a spring force of the pull-out element, for example. Then the upper end of the hook or peg sets against the back surface of the sliding piece 24 and the seal assembly 22 may be pulled out by the pull-out means.

[0044] The arrangement may comprise retainer means for keeping the seal assembly 22 in the groove 21. The retainer means may comprise a retainer screw 28 arranged through a side at the lower end of the door 1. Thus, the lower door profile 3 may comprise a hole 29 through which the retainer screw 28 is arranged. The retainer screw 28 is screwable towards a side of the frame profile 23 for keeping the seal assembly 22 in the groove 21 and screwable outwards to release the seal assembly 22.

[0045] The retainer means may also comprise a notch 30 in the side of the frame profile 23. The retainer screw 28 extends in the notch 30 when keeping the seal assembly 22 in the groove 21. However, the notch 30 is not necessary if the friction between the retainer screw 28 and the side of the frame profile 23 is sufficient for keeping the seal assembly 22 in the groove 21.

[0046] The frame profile 23 may comprise a first part 23a and a second part 23b and connecting means 31 for connecting the first part 23a to the second part 23b. When the frame profile 23 comprises a first part 23a and a second part 23b it is possible to first slide the sealing assembly 22 only partly out of the groove 21 at the lower end of the door 1 and detach the first part 23a of the frame profile 23 from the second part 23b of the frame profile 23. Thereafter the part 23bremaining in the groove 21 may be slid out of the groove 21.

[0047] Neither of the parts 23a, 23b require a long or wide working area. In Figure 2 the sliding door 1 is in an open position. The sliding door 1 is partly inside the wall 11. Therefore the width of the doorway 14 is smaller than the width of the door leaf 2. Thus, the width of the doorway 14 is smaller than the length of the sealing assembly 22. However, the length of the first part 23a of the frame profile 23 is smaller than the width of the doorway 14 and also the length of the second part 23b of the frame profile 23 is smaller than the width of the doorway 14. Thereby it is possible to change the sealing assembly 22 in a door opening without removing the door leaf 2 from its position in a wall 11.

[0048] Naturally, if the width of the doorway 14 is larger than the length of the sealing assembly 22 there is no need to make the frame profile 23 out of two parts but the frame profile 23 may be uniform. Such a situation may exist if there are two sliding doors that are slid towards each other when the doorway is closed and slid away from each other when the doorway is opened, for example. In such a situation the width of the doorway 14 may be larger than the width of each door leaves.

[0049] The connecting means 31 may comprise a first hole in the first part 23a and a second hole 32 in the second part 23b, and a pin 33 provided in the first hole and second hole 32 to connect the first part 23a and the second part 23b together. The holes may comprise form locking means corresponding to form locking means in the pin 33. As an example of form locking means the holes may comprise inner threads corresponding to an outer thread in the pin 33. The form locking means may also be implemented by using a bayonet mount type solution, for example. In such a solution the holes may comprise a L-shaped groove. Thus, the groove may have an axial part and a circumferential part. The pin 33 may comprise a cylindrical part which is provided with a pin in a radial direction of the cylindrical part. For connecting the pin and the first part 23a and the second part 23b together the pin 33 is first moved in the axial direction and thereafter turned in the circumferential direction.

[0050] According to another embodiment the connecting means 31 may comprise a hole 32 in one of the first part 23a and the second part 23b and a protrusion in the other of the first part 23a and the second part 23b. The hole 32 may comprise form locking means corresponding to form locking means in the protrusion. As an example of form locking means the hole may comprise an inner thread corresponding to an outer thread in the protrusion. The form locking means may also be implemented by using a bayonet mount type solution, for example. In such a solutionthe hole may comprise a L-shaped groove. Thus, the groove may have an axial part and a circumferential part. The protrusion may comprise a cylindrical part which is provided with a pin in a radial direction of the cylindrical part. For connecting the first part 23a and the second part 23b together one of the first part 23a and the second part 23b is first moved in the axial direction and thereafter turned in the circumferential direction.

[0051] The part of the connecting means 31 at that end of the second part 23b which is against the first part 23a may be similar to the pull-out element 27 at the end of the first part 23a. For example, the hole 32 at the end of the second part 23b may have a diameter and a thread equal to a hole acting as the pull-out element 1 at the end of the first part 23a. Also, if there is a bayonet type mount at the end of the second part 23b the pull-out element 27 at the end of the first part 23a maybe a similar bayonet type mount, for example. Thereby the pull-out means may be first used for pulling out the sealing assembly 22 such that the first part 23a is pulled out from the groove 21. When the first part 23a is detached from the second part 23b the same pull-out means may be attached to the end of the second part 23b and the second part 23b is pulled out from the groove 21.

[0052] The side of the second part 23b near that end of the second part 23b which is against the first part 23a may be provided with a notch 30. When the sealing assembly 22 is partly removed from the groove 21 such that the first part 23a is completely out of the groove and the second part 23b is partly removed from the groove 21, it is possible to lock the second part 23b in that position. In that situation the second part stays immovable such that the first part 23a may be turned or rotated with respect to the second part 23b for detaching or attaching the first part 23a and the second part 23b.

[0053] According to an embodiment the sliding piece 24 has a U-shaped crosssection as can be seen in Figure 5, for example. The inner surfaces of the sides of the sliding piece 24 may be against the outer surfaces of the sides of the rail 15 on the floor. The groove 21 and the sliding piece 24 have dimensions such that the sliding piece 24 is from its sides supported by sides of the groove 21. Thus, the lower sides of the lower door profile 3 support the sliding piece from its sides. Thereby the sliding piece 24 is reliably supported, and the sliding piece 24 may be tightly against the rail 15 in the floor, for example. Thus, there is no clearance between the sliding piece 24 and the rail 15. It is also possible to form the arrangement such that there is a clearance between the sliding piece 24 and the rail 15.

[0054] It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as technologyadvances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An arrangement in a moving vehicle for sealing a door, the arrangement comprisinga sliding door (1),a groove (21) at a lower end of the sliding door (1), anda seal assembly (22) in the groove (21),the seal assembly (22) comprisinga rigid longitudinal frame profile (23) extending along the groove [21),at least one sliding piece (24) attached to the frame profile (23), and at an end of the frame profile (23) a pull-out element (27) for receiving pull-out means for enabling pulling out of the seal assembly (22) from the groove (21) orthe sliding piece (24) being positioned at the end of the frame profile (23) to form the pull-out element.

2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pull-out element (27) is a hole in the end of the frame profile (23) for receiving a male type pull-out means.

3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the hole comprises form locking means corresponding to form locking means in the pull-out means.

4. An arrangement as claimed in claim 3, wherein the hole comprises an inner thread corresponding to an outer thread in the pull-out means.

5. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the arrangement comprising retainer means for keeping the seal assembly (22) in the groove (21).

6. An arrangement as claimed in claim 5, wherein the retainer means comprise a retainer screw (28) arranged through a side at the lower end of the door (1), the retainer screw (28) being screwable towards a side of the frame profile (23) for keeping the seal assembly (22) in the groove (21) and screwable outwards to release the seal assembly (22).

7. An arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein the retainer means comprise a notch (30) in the side of the frame profile (23) the retainer screw (28) extending in the notch (30) when keeping the seal assembly (22) in the groove [21).

8. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims,wherein the frame profile (23) comprises a first part (23a) and a second part (23b) and connecting means (31) for connecting the first part (23a) to the second part (23b).

9. An arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the connecting means (31) comprise a first hole in the first part (23a) and a second hole in the second part (23b), and a pin (33) provided in the first hole and second hole to connect the first part (23a) and second part (23b) together.

10. An arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein the holes comprise form locking means corresponding to form locking means in the pin (33).

11. An arrangement as claimed in claim 10, wherein the holes comprise inner threads corresponding to an outer thread in the pin (33).

12. An arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the connecting means (31) comprise a hole in the first part (23a) and a protrusion in the second part (23b).

13. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sliding piece has a U-shaped cross-section and the groove and the sliding piece having dimensions such that the sliding piece is from its sides supported by sides of the groove.

14. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arrangement comprises a rail (15) in a floor structure under the sliding door (1).

15. A rail vehicle which comprises at least one carriage travelling on rails and at least one arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A method of maintaining a sliding door of a moving vehicle the sliding door comprisinga groove (21) at a lower end of the sliding door (1), anda seal assembly (22) in the groove (21),the seal assembly (22) comprisinga rigid longitudinal frame profile (23) extending along the groove [21),at least one sliding piece (24) attached to the frame profile (23), and at an end of the frame profile (23) a pull-out element (27) for receiving pull-out means for enabling pulling out of the seal assembly (22) from the groove (21) orthe sliding piece (24) being positioned at the end of the frame profilewherein the method comprisesconnecting the pull-out means to the pull-out element andpulling out the seal assembly from the groove by the pull-out means.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the frame profile (23) comprises a first part (23a) and a second part (23b) and connecting means (31) for connecting the first part (23a) to the second part (23b), and pulling out the seal assembly (22) from the groove (21) comprises first pullig out the seal assembly (22) only partly out of the groove (21), detaching the first part (23a) of the frame profile from the second part (23b) of the frame profile, and thereafter pulling the part remaining in the groove (21) out of the groove.

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