Patent Application
20170022741
Vehicles of different types can include internal compartments that are at least partly enclosed by doors. In some applications, it can be useful to reduce the degree to which such doors extend beyond certain boundaries of the vehicles, when the doors are opened and closed. For example, if a door to a side compartment of a vehicle opens substantially outboard of the side of the vehicle, the door may be at risk of impacting other objects (e.g., other vehicles) if the door is inadvertently left open during vehicle travel. Similarly, in work areas with low clearances between a relevant vehicle and various external objects (e.g., walls, parked vehicles, and so on), it may be impossible or impractical to operate a door that extends substantially outboard of a vehicle when opened or closed.
In conventional designs, low-clearance door assemblies can include multiple panels that are hingedly connected in series to form a segmented, non-rigid door. Due to the hinges between the various panels, this type of door can sometimes be opened and closed without extending outboard of local vehicle features (e.g., bulkhead walls or vehicle side panels). However, the manufacturing of these doors can be relatively expensive, and the large number of moving parts can increase maintenance costs. Accordingly, a need exists for an improved door assembly, and a related opening and closing assembly, that keep a door from extending substantially outboard of a vehicle during operation.
Some embodiments of the disclosure provide an opening and closing assembly for a vehicle with a first inboard frame member and a door assembly. The door assembly can include a rigid door panel configured to at least partly cover a door opening, a roller rotatably attached to the rigid door panel, and a door frame member supporting a track. The track can be configured to receive the roller and can extend from a bottom end of the track at least partly upward and inboard, with respect to the vehicle.
The opening and closing assembly can include a support member rotatably attached to the rigid door panel and extending horizontally along the rigid door panel. A first pivot arm can be rigidly connected to or integrally formed with the support member, and can extend inboard from the support member, with respect to the utility vehicle, to pivotally attach to the first inboard frame member. Upon an application of an upward force to the rigid door panel, with the rigid door panel in a closed orientation, the first pivot arm can pivot with respect to the first inner frame member to move the support member in an arcuate path extending upward and inboard, with respect to the vehicle. The support member can thereby move the rigid door panel upward and inboard, towards a fully open orientation, along a door path at least partly defined by the track, such that a lower end of the rigid door panel does not extend substantially outboard of the door frame member as the rigid door panel moves between the closed and fully open orientations.
Other embodiments of the disclosure provide a door assembly for a vehicle with a door opening and a first inboard frame member. A rigid door panel can be configured to at least partly cover the door opening. A roller can rotatably attached to the rigid door panel. A track can be supported by a door frame member, with the track configured to receive the roller and extending from a bottom end of the track at least partly upward, with respect to the vehicle.
A support member can be rotatably attached to the rigid door panel. A first pivot arm can be rigidly connected to or integrally formed with the support member, and can extend inboard from the support member, with respect to the utility vehicle, to pivotally attach to the first inboard frame member. Upon an application of an upward force to the rigid door panel, with the rigid door panel in a closed orientation, the first pivot arm can pivot with respect to the first inner frame member to move the support member in an arcuate path upward and inboard, with respect to the vehicle. The support member can thereby move the rigid door panel upward and inboard, towards a fully open orientation of the rigid door panel, along a door path at least partly defined by the track, such that a lower end of the rigid door panel does not extend substantially outboard of the door frame member as the rigid door panel moves between the closed and fully open orientations.
Still other embodiments of the disclosure provide a door assembly for a vehicle with a utility compartment including an inboard storage area, a door opening, first and second bulkhead walls disposed on respective sides of the door opening, and first and second inboard supports. The door assembly can include a rigid door panel configured to at least partly cover the door opening. First and second tracks can be supported by the first and second bulkhead walls, respectively, and can extend upward, with respect to the vehicle, from respective first and second bottom ends of the first and second tracks. First and second rollers can be rotatably attached to respective sides of the rigid door panel at a bottom end of the rigid door panel, with the first and second rollers configured, respectively, to move along the first and second tracks.
A support member can be pivotally attached to, and extend horizontally along, the rigid door panel. First and second pivot arms can extend inboard, with respect to the vehicle, from first and second ends, respectively, of the support member, in order to pivotally attach the first and second inboard supports, respectively. Upon an application of an upward force to the rigid door panel, with the rigid door panel in a closed orientation, the first and second pivot arms can pivot with respect to the first and second inboard supports, respectively, to move the support member in an arcuate path upward and inboard, with respect to the vehicle. The horizontal door support can thereby move the rigid door panel upward and inboard, towards a fully open orientation of the rigid door panel, along a door path at least partly defined by the first and second tracks.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of embodiments of the disclosure:
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Likewise, “at least one of A, B, and C,” and the like, is meant to indicate A, or B, or C, or any combination of A, B, and/or C. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “secured,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.
As used herein, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms “horizontal,” “vertical,” and the like specify orientations with respect to a nominal, flat-ground orientation of a relevant vehicle. For example, a “horizontal” member of a vehicle can be a member that extends generally normal to the direction of gravity, when the vehicle is on flat ground. Accordingly, when the vehicle is not on flat ground (e.g., is traveling up a slope), such a “horizontal” member may be orientated at a non-right angle to the direction of gravity. Similarly, a “vertical” member of a vehicle can be a member that extends generally in parallel with the direction of gravity, when a vehicle is on flat ground. Accordingly, when the vehicle is not on flat ground, such a “vertical” member may be orientated at an angle to the direction of gravity
Also as used herein, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms “inboard,” “outboard,” and the like specify directions with respect to a relevant vehicle. For example, an “inboard” movement can be a movement that is at least partly in a direction extending from an exterior area of a vehicle to an interior area of the vehicle (e.g., a direction extending from an exterior panel of the vehicle to an internal compartment of the vehicle). Likewise, an “outboard” movement can be a movement that is at least partly in a direction extending from an interior area of a vehicle to an exterior area of the vehicle (e.g., a direction extending from an internal compartment of the vehicle to an exterior panel of the vehicle).
Also as used herein, unless otherwise specified or limited, the term “u-shaped” specifies a shape that includes a base portion, with leg portions extending from the base portion in generally similar directions. In some embodiments, a “u-shaped” member can include legs extending from the base portion at substantially right angles to opposite ends of the base portion with or without curved connecting regions between the legs and the base.
The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use embodiments of the invention. Various modifications to the illustrated embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein can be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from embodiments of the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not intended to be limited to embodiments shown, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. The following detailed description is to be read with reference to the figures, in which like elements in different figures have like reference numerals. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of embodiments of the invention. Skilled artisans will recognize the examples provided herein have many useful alternatives and fall within the scope of embodiments of the invention.
As noted above, it may be useful for a door of a vehicle compartment to open and close without extending substantially outboard of the sides or rear of a vehicle. For side compartments of a vehicle, for example, using a door that does not extend substantially outboard of the side of the vehicle during opening and closing (and when fully opened and closed) can significantly reduce the likelihood of the door catching on or striking objects outside the vehicle during opening and closing. Use of such a door can also significantly reduce the likelihood of the door catching on or otherwise impacting objects outside the vehicle if the door is left open (e.g., inadvertently) during vehicle travel.
The door assembly and the related door opening and closing assembly disclosed herein can provide such a benefit, among others. As discussed in greater detail below, for example, some embodiments of the disclosed door assembly can include at least one track that extends at least partly vertically along an outboard end of a vehicle compartment. At least one roller rotatably secured to a lower end of a rigid door panel can be disposed within a respective one of the tracks, such that travel of the roller within the track can cause the door panel to move along a door path. A support member can be pivotally secured to the rigid door panel at an opposite end of the rigid door panel, with pivot arms extending from the support member to pivot points on a rigid frame member of (or attached to) the vehicle.
When an upward force is applied to the closed door panel, the pivot arms can pivot upward, guiding the support member along an arcuate path that extends upward and inboard with respect to the vehicle. As the rollers move along the track, the door panel can accordingly be opened such that the lower end of the door panel does not extend substantially outboard of the tracks (or a body supporting the tracks) during the opening operation. Likewise, when downward force is applied to the open door panel, the pivot arms can pivot downward, guiding the support member along an arcuate path that extends downward and outboard with respect to the vehicle. As the rollers move along the track, the door panel can accordingly be closed, with the lower end of the door panel not extending substantially outboard of the tracks (or a member supporting the tracks) during the closing operation.
The compartment body 20 includes bulkhead walls 26 and 28 (and others), that generally define an internal compartment 30, including various storage areas. As depicted, the internal compartment 30 extends over the entire width of the compartment body 20, such that the door assemblies 22 can provide access to respective opposite sides of the compartment 30. The bulkhead wall 28, which can be generally disposed at the rear of the vehicle frame, can further define additional compartments 32. In other embodiments, other arrangements are possible, including arrangements with differently configured compartments.
A door frame member 40 is provided at opposite sides of the door openings 24. The door frame members 40 can be rigidly secured to the bulkhead walls 26 and 28, integrally formed with the bulkhead walls 26 and 28, or otherwise rigidly secured to the vehicle frame. A respective track 42 is included on, or otherwise supported by each of the door frame members 40, and is configured to receive an associated roller 44. As depicted, each of the tracks 42 includes a central channel 42a (see, e.g.,
Each of the door assemblies 22 includes a rigid door panel 44, which can be formed as a single-piece metal or plastic panel, or in various other ways. A handle 46 and locking device 48 can be provided on each of the door panels 44. As depicted, each of the locking devices 48 includes a rotatable handle 48a, configured to move locking rods 48b. By rotating the handle 48a, a user can accordingly move the locking rods 48b in and out of locking holes (not shown in
To help move the door panels 44 between closed and fully open orientations, rollers 50 are rotatably secured at opposite sides of each door panel 44, proximate bottom ends 44a of the door panels 44. In some embodiments, this may not necessarily correspond to the rollers 50, or rotational axes thereof, being exactly aligned with the bottom ends 44a of the door panels 44. In the embodiment depicted in
The rollers 50 are configured to be seated in the channels 42a of the tracks 42, such that the rollers 50 can travel along a roller path that is defined by the channels 42a (and, generally, the tracks 42). As depicted, the channels 42a are internal channels, such that the rollers 50 can be seated within the channels 42a for travel. In some embodiments, the tracks 42 can include other outwardly-extending features, with the rollers 50 (or other rollers) configured to travel along the outside of those features.
Also to help move the door panels 44 move between closed and fully open orientations, a support body 60 is rotatably mounted to the door panels 44 at mounting locations that are generally proximate upper ends 44b of the door panels 44. Each support body 60 includes a support member 62 that is pivotally secured to, and extends horizontally across, the respective door panel 44. The support member 62 can be pivotally secured to the door panels 44 in various ways. As depicted, for example, the support member 62 extends through a number of mounting blocks 64, which are rigidly secured to the door panel 44. The mounting blocks 64 can include bores 66 (see, e.g.,
At either end of each support member 62, pivot arms 68 extend inboard towards pivot arrangements 70, which are also described below with regard to
In some embodiments, damping devices can be employed to generally resist downward movement of the pivot arms 68 or the support members 62. This can be useful, for example, to prevent the door panels 44 from moving downward unexpectedly or too quickly, from an open orientation. Damping devices can include, for example, gas or hydraulic cylinders, orifice plates, or other devices. In the embodiment depicted in
Still referring
In some embodiments, other types of spring assemblies can be used. For example, compression or tension springs can be used, in various configurations. As another example, springs can be incorporated into damping devices such, as the gas cylinders 72, rather than as part of separate assemblies. This can be beneficial, for example, to reduce the effect of temperature variations on damping device performance. In some embodiments, rather than a physical spring, damping devices can include valve assemblies that serve a similar purpose as a physical spring.
The pivot arms 68 can be pivotally secured to the anchoring bodies in various ways, and can also be attached to the springs 84, such that the pivot arms 68 can pivot to open the door panels 24, as assisted (or resisted) by the springs 84. In the embodiment depicted, for example, an attachment plate 86 can be rigidly secured at one end to one of the pivot arms 68. The attachment plate 86 can also include a bore to receive one of the spindles 84 extending from the anchor discs 82. When movably secured to the spindles 84 (e.g., with a washer and cotter pin, as depicted in
As the door panels 44 are moved along the door paths 100, the pivot arrangements 70 and the gas cylinders 72 (or other pivot arrangements and damping devices) can be charged, or released, as appropriate. For example, as depicted, the springs 88 (see
As another example, the gas cylinders 72 can be configured, including as depicted in the figures, to retain pressure when the door panels 44 are closed. The gas cylinders 72 can then use the pressure as the door panels 44 are opened to further assist the upward and inboard movement of the door panels 44. In some embodiments, the gas cylinders 72 can additionally (or alternatively) be configured to resist downward movement of the door panels 44, as the door panels 44 are closed. Indeed, in this regard, the gas cylinders 72 can be configured to hold the door panels 44 in a fully open orientation (see
In some embodiments, a user may not need to provide any lifting force to open a door panel. For example, with sufficiently powerful assistive devices (e.g., a spring assembly, or a chargeable damping device such as a gas cylinder), a user may simply need to unlatch the relevant door panel, with the assistive devices providing the entire lifting force. In such an arrangement, the door panel can still be configured to travel in an upward and inboard path similar to the path 100, such that the bottom end of the door panel does not extend substantially beyond the relevant track or frame member.
In some embodiments, pivot arms can be arranged somewhat differently from the pivot arms 68 and support members can be arranged somewhat differently from the support member 62.
As another example,
In the various figures, the compartment 30 is depicted without a cover. In some embodiments, a cover (or covers) of various types can be used. In some embodiments, for example, a rigid cover such as cover 160 of
The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
