EP2769041B1 - Drive device for entrance and exit devices of public transport vehicles - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a drive device for entry and exit devices of public transport vehicles. The drive device comprises a drive unit, which is arranged within a rotary column and drives it, by rotating the rotary column in opening and closing operations of the entry and exit devices about its longitudinal axis.

Entry and exit devices on vehicles of public passenger transport are known in particular in the form of passenger doors, access ramps, sliding steps or the like. In order to move the respective entry and exit means, suitable drive means are provided. Often these are mounted in the region of the door frame or door portals above a passage opening and serve to open and close doors. Typically, such doors are designed in the public transport as a sliding sliding doors, which perform during the opening and closing operation in addition to a pivoting movement and a lateral displacement. Such door systems are for example from the EP 1 040 979 A2 and the EP 1 314 626 A1 known. Drive devices for pure rotary or swing doors, where no lateral displacement takes place, are usually arranged above or below the doors in the region of the door portal. Also the DE 203 16 764 U1 describes, for example, the arrangement of a drive device in the upper region of a door portal.

Furthermore, it is known in such a drive devices to make this very compact in order to integrate them into the pivot column of a passenger door. For example, the DE 20 2008 007 585 U1 such a drive device. The placement of the drive unit directly in the rotary column in addition to saving space has many advantages in terms of maintenance and installation of the entire drive device. In addition, the drive device can be kept largely free by a special storage of loads caused by movements of the vehicle, the portal or the rotary column.

The problem with such compact drive systems, however, is often that by larger forces in the open or closed state on the door be applied, are exerted on the lever arms of the door system very large forces on the drive unit and the transmission. These forces occur especially in vandalism or in opening and closing operations in crowded vehicles and can lead to damage to the drive and / or the transmission, especially when jerky-initiating eg on the door.

To solve this problem proposes the WO 2011/067001 A1 For example, before, between the drive unit and a holding member, with which the drive device is mounted on the vehicle to provide a coupling device. When a limit value of the torque acting on the drive unit is exceeded, the coupling device permits a rotation of the drive unit about the vertical axis. From a certain torque thus the entire drive unit rotates, which prevents damage to the drive motor and the transmission. However, the coupling device disconnects only when a certain limit is exceeded, while the necessary torques for normal operation can be easily transferred. In addition, a bearing is provided between the coupling device and the holding member, which allows a tumbling of the rotary column with the coupling device, so as to compensate for twisting and deflections of the rotary column due to movements of the vehicle.

To prevent manual opening of doors, self-locking reduction gear can be used, so as to achieve a blockade of the doors. However, for example, suggests WO 2009/060085 A1 to use a non-self-locking reduction gear, so that the doors of the vehicle can be moved manually, without this movement would be blocked by the self-locking of the transmission. In order nevertheless to achieve a blockage of the doors against unintentional opening, a separate blocking device is provided. But in order to open the doors in an emergency, the blocking device is controlled, so that their blocking effect can be lifted if necessary. The possibility of manual operation of the entry and exit devices is always guaranteed due to the low self-locking of the transmission in an emergency, it must be repealed to only the blocking effect of the blocking device.

Further, for example, discloses DE 20 2008 001 066 U1 a driving device for the door of a public transport vehicle with a drive unit within a rotary column, which has two retaining arms for the attachment of the door. In this case, a drive motor and two reduction gear are arranged in the rotary column and a Drehwegserfassungsvorrichtung the drive device has a transmitter for determining the position of a reduction gear. This information can be used to determine the position of the door as accurately as possible.

The EP 1 738 993 A2 also describes a drive for pivoting a arranged on the body of a vehicle flap or door. The associated drive motor is switchable between a driving active state and a non-driving deactivation state. In the deactivated state, the transmission load acting on the drive motor can be detected by a sensor. When a defined load level is exceeded, a braking device is switchable to a Entblockierzustand so as to allow manual operation of the door. The sensor is preferably integrated in the drive motor.

In addition, the describes DE 20 2008 004 592 U1 a door system having a force transducer for detecting forces occurring in the movement of a door. Preferably, such a force transducer is attached to door edges, foot plates, door holders, etc. Thus, overloading of components can be detected, which in particular can lead to an optical and / or audible alarm.

Proceeding from this, the present invention seeks to provide a drive device for entry and exit devices of public transport vehicles whose drive unit is protected from damage by excessively large external forces acting on the entry and exit device. The drive device should be as robust, stable and compact as possible.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a drive device according to independent claim 1. Advantageous developments of the drive device will become apparent from the dependent claims 2-8.

The drive device for entry and exit devices of public transport vehicles according to the invention comprises a drive unit which is arranged within a rotary column and drives it by rotating the rotary column about its longitudinal axis Z-Z during opening and closing operations of the entry and exit devices. The drive device is held on the vehicle and has a drive motor, a non-self-locking reduction gear and controllable blocking means. With the blocking means a rotation of the rotary column can be blocked.

The drive device further comprises a torque arm, via which the drive device is connected to the vehicle, wherein the torque arm acts as an abutment for a torque of the drive unit. Thus, the applied torque of the drive unit opposite an abutment, since the drive unit is fixed to a fixed component of the vehicle. Thus, it is possible that the output torque of the drive device can be transmitted to the rotary column to rotate it.

According to the invention, the drive device has a sensor, with which the size of an external force can be detected, which acts on the drive device. The external force is applied by a person who wants to open the entry and exit device manually or even forcibly. The size of this force can be measured directly or indirectly, for example by the deformation of a component by the external force. Thus, the sensor does not need to measure the magnitude of the force itself, but can also sense its effects, which can then be used to draw conclusions about the magnitude of the force.

In this case, the sensor according to the invention is mounted on the torque arm, which acts as an abutment for a torque of the drive unit. If a deformation of the torque arm occurs at this point, it means that on the drive device acts so high a force that it could cause damage to the drive unit.

The drive device further comprises means for evaluating signals from the sensor and for dissolving the blocking effect of the blocking means when a limit value for an external force detected by the sensor is exceeded. This makes it possible, with external forces above a certain magnitude cancel the blockage of the drive device, so that the respective entry and exit means can be opened manually, without causing damage to the drive unit. The limit also corresponds directly or only indirectly to the size of the externally applied force. If the external force is measured, for example, based on the deformation of a component, the limit value corresponds to the degree of deformation and thus only indirectly to the magnitude of the external force.

The sensor used is, for example, a strain gauge. This can be easily glued to a component of the drive device, such as the torque arm, which deforms at high external forces on the drive device. The strain gauge registers this deformation and in deformations above a certain size, the blocking effect of the blocking agent can be canceled. The strain gauge thus detects the size of an externally applied to the drive device force indirectly by the resulting deformation of a particular component. The limit value for the resolution of the blocking effect of the blocking means in this case corresponds only indirectly to the size of an external force, because the limit value is the degree of deformation.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the sensor is connected via a control unit in connection with the blocking means, wherein in the control unit at least one limit value for an external force detectable by the sensor is stored. The control unit then has means for controlling the blocking means with which the blocking effect of the blocking means can be resolved when the at least one stored limit value for an external force detected by the sensor is exceeded.

In addition, it can be provided that the drive device further comprises means for controlling the drive motor when a limit value for a detectable by the sensor external force is exceeded, wherein the drive of the drive motor can be triggered in a direction opposite to the direction of the external force. Thus, for example, a complete opening of the entry and exit devices can be prevented because the motor moves them against the external force.

In one embodiment of the invention, the limit value for dissolving the blocking effect of the blocking means differs from the limit value for driving the drive motor, so that countermeasure by the motor is activated, for example, only at higher forces. However, the two limits can also be identical.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a bearing unit is provided between the drive unit and the torque arm, which allows a tumbling of the rotary column. Thus, torsions and deflections of the rotary column during operation of the associated vehicle can not adversely affect the drive unit. In this case, tumbling means a deflection in the X and / or Y direction. To allow this tumbling, the bearing unit comprises, for example, a spherical bearing, which is aligned with the rotary column. Furthermore, the torque arm can also have two spherical bearings whose axes of rotation are at a level or are arranged in a horizontal plane. All three spherical bearings are then positioned at a very high point of the rotary column, so that the tumble of the rotary column is already effected directly in the field of attachment of the rotary column on the vehicle or on the portal.

This movable and flexible mounting of the drive device allows the installation of the drive device in different vehicles. It is even conceivable the drive device in a rotary column with low inclination, for example, to 5 ° inclined position to use.

In particular, compared to an embodiment with safety coupling, as shown in the WO 2011/067001 A1 is described, the invention has the advantage that significantly fewer components are required and the invention can be realized with less effort. Furthermore, the drive device without safety coupling can be made more compact and is less maintenance intensive. Also does not rotate the entire drive device with what else could be detrimental in crowded vehicles, when persons or objects are leaning against the rotary column. In addition, the limit value for dissolving the blocking effect can be adjusted individually for different vehicles or their conditions of use. If, for example, during operation of a vehicle, the limit value has been selected to be too high or too low, it can also be changed in a simple manner by reprogramming within a control unit.

In particular, the attachment of a strain gauge to a torque arm has the advantage that the sensor is easy to install here and reliably provides information about whether an external force could cause damage to the drive unit. If the torque arm deforms despite the intended bearing, this is an indication that a blockage should be lifted.

Further advantages, features and expedient developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1

eine Prinzipdarstellung einer Drehsäule mit integrierter Antriebsvorrichtung;

Fig. 2

einen schematischen Axialschnitt durch einen Teil eines Ausführungsbeispiels der erfindungsgemäßen Antriebsvorrichtung; und

Fig. 3

den oberen Teil einer Antriebsvorrichtung in einer dreidimensionalen Ansicht.

From the pictures shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic diagram of a rotary column with integrated drive device;

Fig. 2

a schematic axial section through part of an embodiment of the drive device according to the invention; and

Fig. 3

the upper part of a drive device in a three-dimensional view.

Fig. 1 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a drive device for entry and exit devices of a vehicle. In this case, the associated drive unit 11 of the drive device 10 is accommodated within the outer tube of a rotary column 20, so that the drive device 10 comprises at least the rotary column 20 and the drive unit 11 accommodated therein. The rotary column 20 has retaining arms 22 and 23 for the attachment of a door, not shown, and is rotatably supported by a bottom bearing 24 on the ground, wherein the ground is usually formed by the bottom of the vehicle.

By driving the drive unit 11, the rotary column in rotation about its longitudinal axis ZZ (axis of rotation ZZ) are offset, causing a movement of the support arms 22, 23 and thus the door attached thereto. In this case, the drive unit 11 constructed differently or their components may be arranged differently within the rotary column. The structure of a preferred embodiment of a drive device 10 according to the invention is shown in FIG Fig.2 shown, with only the upper part of the rotary column 20 is shown with the drive unit and the upper storage.

This part of the rotary column 20 has an outer tube 21, in which a drive motor 30 and a reduction gear 31 are housed. An output element of the motor 30 is connected to an input element of the transmission 31, whose output shaft protrudes as a guide shaft 72 in a motor mount 70. The guide shaft 72 is preferably non-circular for transmitting the torque from the reduction gear 31 to the motor mount 70. It may, for example, have a polygonal or polygonal cross-section. The motor mount 70 in turn is rotatably mounted in a bearing sleeve 71, which in turn is fixedly connected to the outer tube 21 of the rotary column 20. The guide shaft 72 can also be displaceably mounted in the motor mount 70 in the Z direction in order to enable a displacement of the drive unit in the Z direction and thus to compensate for changes in length due to upsetting or stretching of the rotary column 20.

The entire drive device 10 according to the invention is advantageously constructed as a compact drive, in which the electric drive motor 30 and the reduction gear 31 are arranged axially one behind the other within the tubular housing 21 of the rotary column 20. This slim design of the drive allows it to be visually appealing, e.g. to integrate at any point of the tubular door spin column. It is thus easily possible to place the drive depending on the vehicle conditions and connection possibilities, whereby the usual place for door drives, e.g. in the roof area, space for other components is created.

Furthermore, the output element of the reduction gear 31 may be connected to a lifting rotary unit. This is a known per se component, which is used in particular for exterior swing doors. About the door stroke doing a positive connection of the door leaf with the door portal via locking wedges.

There is also provided a mounting of the drive device 10 or the drive unit contained therein, which takes into account that due to the length of the rotary column torsions and deflections thereof during operation are difficult to avoid. The movements of the rotary column 20 come about, for example, that the associated vehicle is compressed and twisted due to acceleration and braking and cornering. In the case of buses, tire contact with curbs or similar edges also causes vehicle deformation and thus movement of the rotating column 20 to take place. Since the drive device 10 is fixed to a fixed component via the attachment to the vehicle, such twisting and deflections of the rotary column 20 can have a negative effect on the drive unit.

The drive device 10 is attached via a holding member to a vehicle. For this purpose, the drive device preferably comprises a torque arm 40, via which the drive device 10 is fastened to the vehicle. The torque arm 40 acts as an abutment for a torque of the drive unit and preferably has two spherical bearings 41 and 42. Further, the drive unit is connected via a further pivot bearing 60 with the torque arm 40, said bearing unit 60 allows a tumbling of the rotary column. The axes of rotation of the three pivot bearings 41, 42 and 60 are preferably arranged at a height or in a plane, which leads to a favorable balance of power.

According to the invention, a rotation path detection can furthermore be provided. This takes place advantageously via an incremental or an absolute encoder directly on the motor shaft of the drive motor 30 or an output shaft for the entry and exit device. If the drive device 10 is used, for example, for a passenger door, the rotation path detection can take place via the output shaft for a rotary column connection. The detection of the rotary path via the output shaft has the advantage that any material fractures can be detected within the drive and reported at an unwanted door opening.

The reduction gear 31 of the drive unit according to the invention is not self-locking, so that a manual operation of the entry and exit device is always guaranteed due to the low self-locking in an emergency. In order nevertheless to achieve a blockade of the entry and exit device, a blocking device 32 is provided, which may for example be designed as a brake. This brake is in the embodiment of Fig. 2 axially below the motor 30. In order to open a door in an emergency, only the blocking effect of the blocking device 32 must be repealed. This leads to a high degree of security.

The additional blocking or braking device can be designed so that it causes a mechanical locking of the drive in the non-energized state. The brake is then electrically and manually unlocked by hand to decouple the drive and thus allow an electrical and / or manual operation. The manual unlocking of the brake can be done via a known spring-applied brake with manual release, the manual release of the brake can be used for a mechanical emergency release. Such brakes are known by the term "low-active brake". Alternatively, however, any other suitable blocking device can be used. The brake can act, for example by means of spring force on the output shaft of the drive motor 30 and be electromagnetically releasable.

A brake as a blocking device can be dispensed with if the drive motor 30 can be short-circuited. About the occurring short-circuit torque Thus, the drive motor 30 can be kept locked as an entry and exit device and moving a door, for example, can be prevented. This function is always guaranteed, even when the vehicle is stationary and not in operation. The blocking means 32 according to the invention are thus not realized by a separate unit, but by means for short circuit of the drive motor 30th

If the emergency release is actuated, the connection between the two contacts of the motor 30 is preferably interrupted by a mechanical switch, the short-circuit torque is thus canceled and the door can easily be opened by hand without any problems. The self-locking of the door is thus canceled by simply disconnecting the plus or minus line of the engine. The lock is always present in the de-energized state of the motor, that is, a power failure has no changing influence on this. In the event of a power failure or failed electronics, the emergency release can always be carried out by pressing the short-circuit switch. It is possible to lock the entry and exit device, in particular a door, after interruption of the short circuit by switching back the switch. The short-circuit switch works preferably directly without auxiliary power and thus also when the vehicle is stopped or when power is interrupted.

The advantages of using such a short-circuit switch are on the one hand in the reduction of the necessary components for the emergency release, on the other hand, the short-circuit switch can be placed at any ergonomically favorable location. The laying of otherwise usual Bowden cables or pneumatic lines is thus eliminated in this embodiment of blocking agents. Also, a combination of a lock based on a short circuit and the use of a brake or mechanical locking is possible. This may be the case in particular if the short-circuit torque is insufficient to securely lock the door.

The switchable short circuit can be advantageously ensured by special windings of the motor windings, which are provided exclusively for the production of the short circuit. By special windings and an increased braking effect or locking action can be achieved.

The selected blocking means 32 can thus be actively released when a person should be given the opportunity to open a door manually. This is the case, for example, in the case of an emergency. However, in the event of unwanted external forces acting on a door, such as in vandalism or opening and closing operations in crowded vehicles, the blocking means would prevent the door from being opened. Larger forces, which are applied in the open or closed state on the door, however, are exerted on the lever arms of the door system very large forces on the drive unit and the transmission. These forces can lead to damage to the drive or the gearbox.

Therefore, the drive device 10 according to the invention comprises at least one sensor 50 with which such an external force acting on the drive unit 11 can be detected directly or indirectly. As soon as the detected force exceeds a certain limit, the blocking effect of the selected blocking means 32 is released so that the door can be opened. For example, therefore, the braking effect of a brake is resolved and / or the short-circuit torque of the motor 30 is canceled.

Preferably, the sensor 50 is attached to the torque arm 40 as shown in the three-dimensional view of FIG Fig. 3 is shown. It shows the Fig. 3 the upper pivot bearing 60, which allows a tumbling of the rotary column 20 and the two pivot bearings 41 and 42 of the torque arm 40th

The sensor 50 is formed for example as a strain gauge, which is glued to the torque arm 40 at a suitable location with a special adhesive. By a high external force, which is for example applied manually by a person on a door, the torque arm 40 deforms, which is registered by the strain gauge 50. Once the deformation reaches a certain limit, this is interpreted as opening attempt of the door and the blocking effect of the selected blocking means 32 is released. The door can thus be opened without damaging the drive unit.

However, the sensor 50 may also be mounted on another location of the drive device 10 that is suitable for measuring an external force is applied to an entry and exit device such as a door. Also, multiple sensors can be used. In this case, a sensor 50 need not be positioned directly at a location at which such a force is applied, but it can also be positioned where an applied force on the drive device 10. For example, the sensor 50 could also be attached to the support arms 22, 23 or pivot 20 where it measures deformation of these components. Further, a plurality of sensors may be provided to detect effects of externally applied force at various positions.

In this case, the limit value for the detected external force can be stored in a control unit, not shown in the figures, which is in communication with the sensor 50 and the blocking means 32. This control unit receives the signals from the sensor 50 and evaluates them. As soon as the stored limit value is exceeded, the control unit controls the blocking means 32 accordingly. Forces below the limit value then mean normal operating loads on the respective entry and exit device, as may occur, for example, when people lean against doors. Of course, a door should not open in such cases. On the other hand, forces above the limit value suggest an intended opening attempt, which could result in damage to the drive unit. In such a case, the door should open to prevent damage. In order to distinguish between these cases, the limit value for the resolution of the blocking effect must be accurately determined. This can be done, for example, on the basis of experimental tests in which the effects on the drive device are measured for different external forces. However, the limit can also be determined theoretically.

The blocking effect of the blocking means 32 can thus be actively solved when the opening of an entry and exit means is desired and should therefore be allowed. However, it can also be solved passively, although the opening of an entry and exit device is not desirable, but should be allowed to prevent damage to the components of the drive unit.

In addition, it can be provided that the drive motor 30 is also actuated when a limit value of an external force on the drive device 10 is exceeded becomes. Preferably, it is driven in a direction opposite to the external force. Thus, it can be achieved that although a door is possible to open, but a complete opening is prevented by the engine. The stored limit values for the resolution of the blocking effect of the blocking means 32 and for the drive of the drive motor 30 may be identical or different. With different limit values, it is preferably provided that the limit value for the resolution of the blocking means 32 is lower than the limit value for the control of the motor 30. The motor is thus activated only at very high forces.

Under certain conditions, however, it may also be provided that the motor 30 is driven in the same direction in which the external force acts. The door then opens automatically to prevent further action from vandalism. If the direction of the force can not necessarily be deduced from the type and location of the sensor 50 on the drive device 10, further information can be processed when the motor 30 is actuated. For example, it may also be the case that a person forcibly tries to close an open door. If it is not possible to register by the selected sensor 50 whether a person is trying to open or close a door, but only that an external force is being applied, the control unit may provide the information as to what state the door is in. If the door is closed, it is an attempt to open the door, while with the door open it may be an attempt to forcibly close the door. The control of the motor 30 can then be carried out in accordance with the same or the opposite direction.

However, when a strain gauge is suitably attached to a torque arm 40, it is also possible to register deformations of the torque arm 40 in different directions. This indicates the direction of the applied force. Also, the attachment of multiple strain gauges is possible to better determine the direction of the applied force.

In one embodiment of the invention, an alarm is also triggered when the limit for an external force is exceeded. This alarm signal can be transmitted to the driver of the vehicle and / or a central office.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

driving device

11

drive unit

20

rotating column

21

Outer tube, housing

22.23

lever arm

24

bottom support

30

drive motor

31

Reduction gear

32

Blocking agent, blocking device, brake

40

torque arm

41.42

Spherical plain bearings

50

Sensor, strain gages

60

Spherical plain bearings

70

engine mount

71

bearing sleeve

72

guide shaft

Claims (8)

1. A drive device (10) for embarkation and disembarkation devices of public transport vehicles, comprising a drive unit (11) that, in the mounted state, is disposed within a rotary column (20) and drives the latter by rotating the rotary column (20) about its longitudinal axis Z-Z during opening and closing processes of the embarkation and disembarkation devices, wherein the drive device (10), in the mounted state, is retained on the vehicle and comprises a torque bracket (40) via which the drive device (10) is connected to the vehicle, and the drive unit (11) has a drive motor (30), a non-self-locking reduction gear mechanism (31) and actuatable blocking means (32) by means of which a rotation of the rotary column (20) can be blocked,
   characterized in that the drive device (10) has a sensor (50) by means of which the size of an external force acting on the drive device (10) can be detected, and the drive device (10) further has means for evaluating signals of the sensor (50) and for cancelling the blocking action of the blocking means (32) upon a limiting value for an external force measured by the sensor (50) being exceeded, wherein the torque bracket (40) acts as a counter-bearing for a torque of the drive unit (11) and the sensor (50) is attached to the torque bracket (40).
2. The device according to claim 1,
   characterized in that the sensor (50) is a strain gauge.
3. The device according to any one of the claims 1 or 2,
   characterized in that the sensor (50) is connected to the blocking means (32) via a control unit, wherein at least one limiting value for an external force that can be detected by the sensor is stored in the control unit, and that the control unit has means for actuating the blocking means (32) by means of which the blocking action of the blocking means (32) can be cancelled upon the at least one stored limiting value for an external force detected by the sensor (50) being exceeded.
4. The device according to any one or several of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the drive device (10) has means for actuating the drive motor (31) upon a limiting value for an external force that can be detected by the sensor (50) being exceeded, wherein the actuation of the drive motor (30) can be triggered in a direction opposite to the direction of the external force.
5. The device according to claim 4,
   characterized in that the limiting value for cancelling the blocking action of the blocking means (32) differs from the limiting value for actuating the drive motor (30).
6. The device according to any one or several of the claims 1 to 5,
   characterized in that a bearing unit, which allows the rotary column (20) to wobble, is provided between the drive unit (11) and the torque bracket (40).
7. The device according to claim 6,
   characterized in that the bearing unit comprises a joint bearing (60) aligned with the rotary column (20).
8. The device according to any one or several of the claims 1 to 7,
   characterized in that the torque bracket (40) has two joint bearings (41; 42).

Images