The proposed solution relates to a vehicle, comprising a bodywork opening at which easier access into the vehicle is possible via a flat platform unit.
From the prior art, and in particular from local public transport, vehicles with platform units for easier entry into and exit from a vehicle are widely known. Typically, these are manually or motorically extendable plates or ramps, by which a gap between an entry edge at the bodywork opening and a ground surface or an opposite curb or platform edge is to be bridged. Especially in connection with road vehicles, however, the possible uses and functionalities of such platform units regularly are limited. In addition, platform units at vehicles typically are arranged completely on a vehicle floor in order to be accommodated there in a retracted state. Possibly, however, this will then considerably increase the constructional expenditure when additional functions are to be provided via the platform unit, in particular when the platform unit is to be usable for example as part of a lifting device in order to make it easier for persons of reduced mobility to have access to the vehicle or to exit from the vehicle by means of an elevator. The demand for vehicles improved in this respect increases in particular in autonomously driving vehicles, as here no human vehicle operator necessarily must be present, who might support the handling of a platform unit.
A vehicle as described herein provides relief.
In particular, there is proposed a vehicle in which at least part of a flat platform unit, which is provided to facilitate access into the vehicle via a bodywork opening, is formed by at least one adjustable, flat platform element, which
forms part of at least one door provided for at least partially closing the bodywork opening, which in a closing position of the door closes at least part of the bodywork opening, or
in at least one adjustment position, is fixed to and/or supported on a component of the at least one door.
When the flat platform element according to the above variant a) forms part of the at least one door, which in the closing position closes at least part of the bodywork opening, the at least one door consequently is of multi-part (at least two-part) design and in addition to the platform element comprises at least one door leaf element, for example. When the platform element according to the above variant b) in at least one adjustment position of a component of the at least one door is fixed and/or supported thereon, the platform element can be adjusted between at least two different adjustment positions and, in at least one of these adjustment positions, is held or arrested for example at a component of the at least one door and/or in at least one of these adjustment positions, in particular during an adjusting movement between two adjustment positions, supported on the component.
Thus, it is an idea underlying the proposed solution to provide at least one flat platform element which at least also defines a treading and/or loading surface on at least one door of the vehicle, or to at least fix or support the same thereon in order to thereby integrate a function for the platform unit at the door. This not only allows to more easily increase a bandwidth of the functions to be provided via the platform unit. Rather, this also involves greater flexibility in the construction, when it is no longer necessary—as has frequently been usual in practice—to design all structural aspects of a platform unit independently of a (vehicle) door. Previously usual constructions above all are focused on avoiding an impairment of an adjusting movement of the vehicle door between a closing position and an opening position and in particular the alignment of the vehicle door in the opening position by a platform unit provided for facilitating an access into the vehicle.
Preferably, the at least one flat platform element of the proposed solution can be adjusted in a power-operated way, i.e. assisted and/or controlled by at least one drive motor, so that an adjusting movement of the platform element can be controlled electronically.
In principle, it can be provided to use the platform element (as part of the platform unit) for example as a step and/or as part of a lifting device and/or—in a tilted position—as a ramp that adjoins a lower entry edge at the bodywork opening and bridges a gap between the entry edge and a ground or a curb opposite the entry edge. The platform element or the platform unit at least partly formed therewith consequently is adapted and provided to provide a step and/or a part of a lifting device and/or a ramp at the bodywork opening. In one design variant, the at least one platform element additionally is adapted and provided for providing a transfer platform for the vehicle interior accessible via the bodywork opening, for example for packages or luggage, or for providing a drone landing surface.
In one design variant, the at least one platform element can be adjusted at least between a first adjustment position and a second adjustment position, wherein in the first adjustment position the platform element cannot be used to facilitate access into the vehicle, and via the platform element disposed in the second adjustment position a position of use of the platform unit is defined, in which the platform element can be used to facilitate access into the vehicle. Thus, the first adjustment position for example defines a rest or stowage position of the at least one platform element, while the platform element in its second adjustment position for example is disposed in a position of use.
In one design variant, the position of the platform unit, in particular its height and/or inclination with respect to a floor present in the vehicle interior of the vehicle, can be varied when the platform unit already is disposed in a position of use. A variation of the position of the platform unit hence involves an adjustment of the at least one platform element. The at least one platform element then for example can be adjusted into at least one third adjustment position, so as to be able to differently position the platform unit in its position of use. For example, via an adjustment of the at least one platform element from its first adjustment position into its second adjustment position, the platform unit can be folded out and/or extended at the bodywork opening so that the platform unit can be used to facilitate access into a vehicle interior. By adjusting the at least one platform element into a third adjustment position different therefrom, the position of the platform unit can then by varied by maintaining the basic usability of the platform unit. For example, tilting and/or lowering of the platform unit can be effected by adjusting the at least one platform element so that the platform unit can rest on a ground. Alternatively or additionally, an adjustment of the at least one platform element into the at least one third adjustment position can involve lifting of the platform unit, until an upper side of the platform unit substantially or exactly is flush with a front edge of a floor in the vehicle interior and hence with an entry edge at the bodywork opening or is higher than such a front edge. With a platform unit located at a higher level as compared to the front edge or entry edge of the vehicle, for example a drone landing surface or a transfer platform can be provided as part of a loading or unloading aid.
In a development, the platform unit includes a rear region that faces a front edge of a floor element provided in an interior space of the vehicle and adjoining the bodywork opening. In a front region, the platform unit can be supported on a ground present outside the vehicle via at least one support element. The at least one support element thus can contribute to stabilizing the platform unit in a front region of the platform unit remote from an entry edge of the bodywork opening. In particular, such a support element can be provided on a platform element disposed in the second adjustment position or on an additionally provided, foldable or extendable, flat auxiliary element of the platform unit.
For example, the support element includes a motor drive in order to vary the position, in particular the height, of the platform unit disposed in the position of use. This for example includes the fact that the support element is formed with a telescopically adjustable (and possibly motor-driven) support foot in order to be able to vary a height of the platform unit in a position of use. Alternatively or additionally, the support element can be provided with a toggle mechanism on the underside of the platform unit in order to support lifting of the platform unit according to the principle of a jack. Beside the provision of an additional support of the platform unit, the provision of an additional support element provided with a drive also can provide for easily varying the height of a platform unit loaded with an additional weight with respect to a floor element of the vehicle interior.
The at least one platform element in principle can be pivotable and/or translationally adjustable, in particular about and along different spatial axes. For example, the at least one platform element is pivotable about a pivot axis that extends parallel to a vehicle longitudinal direction pointing from a vehicle rear to a vehicle front or that extends perpendicularly to the vehicle longitudinal direction (and hence parallel to a vehicle transverse axis).
To provide a larger treading and/or loading surface at the platform unit, the platform unit can be formed by at least one flat auxiliary element in addition to the at least one platform element. Such a flat auxiliary element then for example is mounted on the at least one platform element so as to be pivotable and/or translationally adjustable. Then, for example, the auxiliary element in a state folded in or retracted can be adjusted from a first adjustment position into a second adjustment position along with the platform element, in particular in a power-operated way. Subsequently, an adjustment of the flat auxiliary element is effected with respect to the platform element remaining in the second adjustment position, in order to provide an increased treading and/or loading surface for the platform unit. Of course, what is also possible is a design variant in which the auxiliary element initially is adjusted with respect to the platform element or an adjustment of both elements is at least temporarily effected at the same time.
In one design variant, the at least one flat auxiliary element can be pivoted for example about a further pivot axis that extends parallel or perpendicularly to that pivot axis about which the at least one platform element can be pivoted. For example, for providing a treading and/or loading surface at the platform unit disposed in the position of use, the platform element and the auxiliary element (possibly also further platform and/or auxiliary elements) at the vehicle and here possibly in particular at the at least one door are folded up and/or down and/or extended. To subsequently again compactly stow the platform unit at the vehicle, an adjusting movement of the individual elements is effected in the reverse direction and/or in reverse order.
In one design variant, the platform unit in its position of use with a rear region faces an entry edge or a front edge of a floor element provided in an interior space of the vehicle and adjoining a bodywork opening. Furthermore, there is provided at least one holding element via which a front region of the platform unit, which is spaced apart from the rear region in a spatial direction pointing away from the front edge, is connected to the at least one door or to a frame structure of the vehicle bordering the bodywork opening. The front region of the platform unit consequently is stabilized here by at least one additional holding element, which provides an (additional) connection to the door or to a frame structure of the vehicle and hence can thereby introduce possible weight forces into the door or the frame structure of the vehicle. Then, the holding element thereby is configured to absorb tensile forces and for example comprises at least one band, at least one chain, at least one cable and/or at least one rod.
In a development, a portion of a holding element is held at a resiliently mounted, frame-side or door-side connecting part. Thus, an elastic displaceability of the holding element with respect to the vehicle-side frame structure or with respect to a part of the door here is specifically permitted, in particular in order to support the adjustability of the platform unit. When an auxiliary element is provided for forming the platform unit in the position of use, the at least one holding element can be connected to such an auxiliary element in the front region of the platform unit. Alternatively, the at least one holding element can be connected to the at least one platform element in the front region of the platform unit disposed in the position of use.
A stabilizing holding element in one design variant, alternatively or additionally, can be of the adjustable type for varying a position of the platform unit disposed in the position of use. For example, one end of the holding element therefor is articulated to the platform unit, while another end of the holding element—then typically longitudinally extended—is shiftably mounted on a frame-side guiding device of a frame structure of the bodywork opening or on a door-side guiding device. By shifting the end guided on the guiding device, a displacement of the platform unit can then be controlled.
In principle, the at least one platform element as part of the door or fixed to the door can be co-displaceable when the door is adjusted from its closing position into its opening position. A co-displacement of the at least one platform element here can always be effected during an adjustment of the door. In one design variant, a possible co-displacement of the at least one platform element is dependent on a coupling state or one adjustment mode out of several (at least two) possible adjustment modes for the door. In the latter case, the at least one platform element then can selectively be adjustable along with a door leaf element of the door or separately from the same.
In one design variant, the bodywork opening can be closed by at least two doors. For example, two doors pivotable or shiftable in opposite directions can be provided at the bodywork opening. To each of the at least two doors one of at least two platform elements can be associated, which then each form part of the platform unit (when the platform elements have correspondingly been adjusted in order to define a fragmented or coherent treading and/or loading surface for the position of use of the platform unit).
In one design variant, the platform element which in the closing position of the at least one door closes at least part of the bodywork opening is adjustable separately from at least one flat door leaf element of the door, which in the closing position closes at least part of the bodywork opening together with the platform element. Here, the door consequently is of multi-part design and also comprises a flat door leaf element beside the flat platform element. In the closing position of the door, both elements of the door (door leaf element and platform element) jointly close the bodywork opening at least in part and each define part of a door outer skin at the body of the vehicle.
In a design variant based thereon, the door leaf element, based on a vehicle height direction pointing from a vehicle floor to a vehicle roof of the vehicle, is provided as an upper part of the at least one door, while the platform element forms a lower part of the at least one door. For providing the platform unit, the at least one platform element then can be downwardly adjustable with respect to the vehicle height direction with at least one directional component, while the door leaf element is separately adjustable sidewards on the vehicle, upwards or transversely to the vehicle height direction. Thus, to clear the bodywork opening, the door leaf element is adjusted sidewards (possibly superimposed with one or more pivotal movements) upwards or parallel to a vehicle longitudinal direction. A corresponding adjusting movement of the door leaf element involves a downward adjustment of the at least one platform element with respect to the vehicle height direction in order to define a treading and/or loading surface of the platform unit.
In particular in a design variant explained above, the platform element can be adjustable into a stowage space position, in which the platform element at least partially is disposed below a vehicle-side floor element, which defines a floor surface of an interior space of the vehicle. In the stowage space position, the at least one platform element correspondingly can at least partially be disposed between a ground or a roadway and a vehicle underbody of the vehicle or in a floor-side stowage space below the floor surface.
A door leaf element of the at least one door can be pivotable about at least one pivot axis in order to at least partially clear the bodywork opening. This in particular includes pivoting of the door leaf element beyond an edge of a vehicle.
In one design variant, the at least one platform element can also be pivotable in one adjustment mode (of at least two possible adjustment modes) when coupled to a door leaf element, in order to at least partially clear the bodywork opening. The platform element and the door leaf element then consequently are displaceable in a first adjustment mode, when coupled to each other, in order to specify an opening position of the door in which the vehicle interior is accessible, without an entry and/or exit aid being provided at the bodywork opening via the platform element. In a second adjustment mode, the at least one platform element on the other hand is decoupled from the door leaf element and can be displaced separately to provide the entry and/or exit aid.
In another design variant, the at least one platform element
In each of these variants, the platform element can be adjustable via a guiding device provided at the door, when the door is disposed in its opening position. Via such an adjustment it is possible for example to set the position, in particular the height with respect to an entry edge and/or the inclination of the platform unit or of a treading and/or loading surface provided with the same, in particular electronically controlled by means of at least one drive motor. This in particular includes the fact that the platform element can be adjusted along a vehicle height direction via the guiding device, in order to provide a lifting device in the form of a lifting platform at the bodywork opening by means of the platform unit. At the guiding device, for example, there can at least be provided a rotatable drive spindle that can be rotated for a power-operated adjustment of the platform unit via at least one drive motor.
In another design variant, the platform element can be extended from a vehicle-side stowage space transversely to a vehicle longitudinal direction of the vehicle pointing from a vehicle rear to a vehicle front. Via at least one guiding device at the door disposed in the opening position, the platform element can then be supported when the platform element is extended from the vehicle-side stowage space transversely to the vehicle longitudinal direction. In such a design variant, the platform element consequently can be translationally extended to the outside (possibly superimposed with a pivotal movement) at an entry edge of the bodywork opening, wherein the extending platform element is physically supported and guided on the door disposed in an opening position, and hence the extended platform element is also stabilized by the door.
In another design variant, the platform element on the other hand can be extended from a door-side stowage space parallel to a vehicle longitudinal direction of the vehicle pointing from a vehicle rear to a vehicle front. Via at least one guiding device at the door disposed in the opening position, the platform element here can be supported when the platform element is extended from the door-side stowage space parallel to the vehicle longitudinal direction. For example, the guiding device is configured with a foldable or extendable guide arm that integrates a guide rail for the platform element. In a development of this design variant, the platform element is of multi-part design comprising a plurality of segments which in an extended state are located one behind the other parallel to the vehicle longitudinal direction in order to define a coherent treading and/or loading surface of the platform unit. In a retracted state, the plurality of segments are arranged one above the other within the door-side stowage space so as to save space.
When at least two doors are used for closing the bodywork opening, a design variant of the proposed solution provides that to a first door of the at least two doors a first platform element is fixed, and to a second door of the at least two doors a second platform element is fixed. The first and second platform elements here can each be adjusted from a respective first adjustment position into a second adjustment position, in which the first and second platform elements are coupled to each other to form the platform unit. Thus, in the second adjustment position the first and second platform elements not only define a preferably coherent treading and/or loading surface for a position of use of the platform unit, but are also mechanically connected to each other in order to increase the stability of the platform unit disposed in the position of use. In particular, the first and second platform elements here can be adapted to be interlocked to form the platform unit, for example via meshing locking linkages.
For example, the first and second platform elements are pivotable towards each other to form the platform unit of the two associated doors, when the two doors each are disposed in the respective opening position. In a development, the platform elements pivoted towards each other and coupled with each other are also height-adjustable so that a platform unit formed by the two platform elements and its treading and/or loading surface, respectively, can be varied in its height in front of the bodywork opening. In such a variant, mutually opposite door leaf elements of the swung-out doors, relative to which the height of the platform unit can be set, can also provide visual protection and collision protection for persons entering or exiting via the platform unit.
In a variant with two doors for at least partially closing the bodywork opening, the platform element is pivotally mounted at a first door, while no platform element is provided at the second door. The second door without a platform element can, however, at least serve the support of the platform unit and/or the adjustability of the platform unit. For example, at least one adjustment element adjustable in a power-operated way is provided at the door without a platform element, via which the platform unit can be adjusted along the vehicle height direction. For example, below the entry edge of the bodywork opening a protruding, longitudinally extended support element can be provided, on which the platform unit rests in its position of use. This support element now can be adjustable via at least one adjustment element adjustable in a power-operated way, independently of whether or not a platform element is pivotally mounted at the door.
Another aspect of the proposed solution relates to a vehicle in which at least part of a flat platform unit is formed by at least one adjustable, flat platform element which, based on a vehicle height direction pointing from a vehicle floor to a vehicle roof of the vehicle, can be adjusted into an adjustment position above the front edge of a floor element present in the vehicle interior and adjoining the bodywork opening.
According to this aspect of the proposed solution, the platform unit with the at least one platform element consequently can be adjusted upwards beyond an entry edge at the bodywork opening. This in particular includes the fact that the platform unit can be adjusted upwards along the vehicle height direction beyond the entry edge over a lower third or up to one half of the height of the bodywork opening. This is particularly advantageous with regard to the provision of a drone landing surface and/or a transfer platform by the platform unit.
The attached exemplary embodiments show possible variants of the proposed solution. Aspects of the individual variants can also be combined with each other.
The flat platform element 11 is adjustably held on the body of the vehicle F via longitudinally extended holding elements 11.1 and 11.2, for example in the form of rods, on door frame-side guide rails 2.1 and 2.2. The guide rails 2.1 and 2.2 each form part of a lateral frame structure that borders the bodywork opening O. On the guide rails 2.1 and 2.2 drive spindles are provided, which for example can be put into rotation by a motor, in order to pivot the platform element 11 downwards and the door leaf element 10 upwards when the bodywork opening O is to be made accessible.
In a lowered position of the platform element 11, in which a position of use of the platform unit P is defined, the treading and/or loading surface defined therewith protrudes adjacent to a front edge 30 of a floor element 3 provided in the vehicle interior and hence adjacent to an entry edge of the bodywork opening O. Via the platform element 11 thus lowered in the direction of a ground B, entry of a person into the vehicle F and, vice versa, exit of a person from the vehicle F can be made easier.
For upwardly or downwardly adjusting the door leaf element 10 (for closing the door 1), the door leaf element 10 is connected to guide elements 10.1 and 10.2, for example in the form of linkages, which likewise are shiftably held on the guide rails 2.1 and 2.2 of the lateral frame structures in a power-operated way.
In the design variant of
Corresponding to the development of
In the design variant of
As is illustrated with reference to
In the design variant of
In the design variant of
Furthermore, depending on the chosen adjustment mode of the door 1, the platform element 11 either can be adjusted towards the top together with the door leaf element 10, without a platform unit P consequently being provided as an entry or exit aid, or can be adjusted at a coupling interface 100 separately from the door leaf element 10. In the latter case, the platform element 11 thus can be adjusted downwards separately from the door leaf element 10 in order to provide the treading and/or loading surface in front of the entry edge of the bodywork opening O.
On the lateral guide rails 2.1 and 2.2 of the lateral frame structures, there is each provided a drive device comprising drive elements in the form of drive spindles 200 and 201. A drive spindle 200 together with an adjustment element in the form of an adjusting slide 101 or 102 meshing with the drive spindle 200 and longitudinally shiftably mounted on the respective guiding device 2.1 here performs the adjustment of the door leaf element 10. Via a further drive spindle 201 and an adjusting slide 111 or 112 each meshing with the respective guide rail 2.1 or 2.2, the power-operated and electronically controllable adjustment of the platform element 11 is effected.
The adjusting slides 111, 112 of the platform element 11, which are provided on both sides of the lateral frame structure of the bodywork opening O, here in particular can also be shifted to below the front edge 30 on the floor element side and hence to below the entry edge of the bodywork opening O in a trim 31. In this way, the platform element 11 in the state folded out (and hence the platform unit P in its position of use) can be also be set in its height by means of the drive spindle 201 and can be adjusted to below the entry edge.
In the development of
In principle, in one design variant, the toggle mechanism of the support member 4 also allows to omit the holding elements 11.1 and 11.2, as the highest loads can be lifted up to the entry height by means of the toggle mechanism and lower loads are vertically movable via the adjusting slides 111, 112 alone in the entry area.
When an individual multi-part door 1 is provided in the design variants of
In a variant illustrated by way of example with reference to
In the end independently of the adjusting movements via which the doors 1A and 1B can be opened and closed in a first adjustment mode, without a platform unit P being provided at the entry edge of the bodywork opening O, different design variants can be realized on the basis of the proposed solution, in which in a second adjustment mode the respective platform elements 11A and 11B can be adjusted independently of the door leaf elements 10A and 10B, in order to provide a platform unit P. The platform elements 11A and 11B here are attached to the outside of the respective door. Furthermore, the doors 1A and 1B not only can turn open, but slide open or slide open and turn open in a superimposed manner. As compared to the variants discussed above, a different and regularly smaller opening area or swivel space therefore is required.
In the design variant of
For stabilizing the platform unit P folded out, the door leaf elements 10A and 10B can be tilted so that a connection between a portion of the platform unit P remote from the entry edge to a guide rail 2.1 or 2.2 of the lateral frame structures of the bodywork opening O thereby is provided.
For the additional support of the extended auxiliary elements 12A and 12B exposed to a tensile load, the connecting elements 5A and 5B can be provided. These connecting elements 5A and 5B each engage an extended auxiliary element 12A or 12B and connect the same to the tilted door leaf element 10A or 10B. Via the tilted door leaf elements 10A and 10B as well as the additional connecting elements 5A and 5B, the platform elements 11A and 11B as well as the auxiliary elements 12A and 12B translationally extendable thereon to the outside consequently are held and stabilized in the position of use of the platform unit P.
As is illustrated with reference to the exemplary embodiments of
With reference to the design variant of
In addition to the design variant of
In the design variant of
As is illustrated with reference to
For an additional stabilization of the position of use of the platform unit P specified thereby, the two platform elements 11A and 11B folded down are positively and/or cohesively interlocked via locking elements, here in the form of locking linkages 115A and 115B.
Via guiding devices 103A and 103B provided on both doors 1A and 1B, the platform unit P can be varied in its height. For this purpose, adjusting slides 111A, 112A or 111B, 112B connected in pairs to the platform elements 11A and 11B can be adjusted along the vehicle height direction H via drive spindles of the guiding devices 103A and 103B to be driven by a motor. The horizontal treading and/or loading surface of the platform unit P thus can easily be varied in its height with respect to the entry edge, if necessary, at the bodywork opening O in an electronically controlled way.
By synchronously adjusting the adjusting slides 111A, 112A and 111B, 112B along the door-side guiding devices 103A and 103B, merely the height of the still horizontally aligned treading and/or loading surface of the platform unit P is changed. As is illustrated with reference to
For additionally supporting the doors 1A and 1B or their door leaf elements 10A and 10B swung open, when the platform unit P is held thereon, additional telescopically extendable support elements in the form of support feet 106A and 106B can be provided at the doors 1A and 1B. Via these support feet 106A, 106B, a respective door leaf element 10A and 10B can additionally be supported on the ground B, in particular when the platform unit P is provided. Hence, a load support of the halves of the platform unit P latched to each other is realized via the support feet 106A, 106B, which thereby can be adjusted in their height in the manner of a lifting platform.
As is illustrated with reference to the design variant of
As is shown in particular in the side view of
In the design variant of
In the design variants of
While in the design variant of
In the design variant of
In the design variant of
In the design variant of
The adjuster 301 is releasably connected to the platform element 11 via an interface 11.3. In this way, the platform element 11 can be translationally extended and retracted again via the adjuster 301, when the doors 1A and 1B have been pivoted outwards by 90° about their respective pivot axis parallel to the vehicle height direction H. In particular on extension from the stowage space 33, an extending part of the platform element 11 is supported on guides of a door leaf element 10A, 10B of the open doors 1A and 1B. These guides are connected to adjustment slides 111A, 111B and 112A, 112B of door-side guiding devices 103A and 103B.
When the platform element 11 is maximally extended into a second adjustment position and thereby defines a position of use of a platform unit P, so that a treading and/or loading surface provided by the extended platform element 11 is available in front of an entry edge of the bodywork opening O, the position of the platform unit P can be varied via the adjustment slides 111A to 112B of the guiding devices 103A, 103B. When merely the two foremost adjustment slides 112A and 112B are lowered, the platform unit P is tilted in order to define a ramp (cf.
In the merely sectionally represented design variant of
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
10 2020 213 182.1 | Oct 2020 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2021/078813 | 10/18/2021 | WO |