Double-Leaf Sliding Door Offset Guide for Vehicle Roof Space

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Solution Overview

Problem

In double-decker passenger transport vehicles, there is limited space for interior door drives due to the strongly curved bodyshell structure, particularly in the roof area, making it challenging to design door systems that occupy minimal space while allowing for efficient operation.

Innovation Solution

A double-leaf sliding door system with parallel upper guides offset from the door leaf plane, combined with a traction drive using a toothed belt and deflection rollers, allows for compact design and synchronized movement of door leaves, optimizing space usage and clearance height.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If traditional door guide systems are used in double-decker vehicles, then the door leaves can be guided properly, but the installation space required in the longitudinal direction becomes too large for the curved bodyshell structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation space in longitudinal directionVSAvoiddoor guidance functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from traditional longitudinal guide rail arrangement to a transverse arrangement where guide rails extend perpendicular to the door leaf plane. This dimensional change allows the guide system to fit within the curved roof structure while maintaining proper door guidance functionality through the guide rails and running bodies configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the door drive system is positioned in the upper deck, then the doors can operate efficiently, but the strongly curved bodyshell structure limits the available space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor operation efficiencyVSAvoidavailable space in upper deck
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The door drive system is repositioned from a conventional longitudinal arrangement to a transverse arrangement where the drive unit and guide rails extend perpendicular to the door leaf plane. This allows the drive system to utilize the transverse space in the curved roof area, maintaining operational efficiency while adapting to the limited available volume in the upper deck

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4126626B1Double-leaf door device for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.04.03 SIEMENS MOBILITY GMBH DE
  • EP4126626B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4126626B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a door device for the interior of a passenger transport vehicle, and to a passenger transport vehicle having at least one door device, the device comprising a double-leaf sliding door having a first door leaf (1) and a second door leaf (2) in one plane, wherein the door device comprises an upper guide (3) for the first door leaf (1) and an upper guide (4) for the second door leaf (2), which guides are in parallel with one another, and at least the upper guide (3) for the first door leaf (1) is offset with respect to the plane of the first and the second door leaf (1, 2).