PLUG DOOR DEVICE AND SWING ARM MECHANISM

Abstract

 A plug door device (1) according to an aspect of the invention includes: a stationary base (3) fixed to a body of a vehicle; a slidable base (4) provided on the stationary base (3) so as to be movable in a width direction of the vehicle relative to the stationary base (3); a door drive mechanism (30) provided on the slidable base (4) and configured to move a door (2) for opening and closing a doorway (15) of the vehicle in a front-rear direction of the vehicle; and a swing arm mechanism (50) configured to guide the door (2) as the door (2) moves in the width direction of the vehicle and the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and configured to move an upper portion of the door (2) and a lower portion of the door (2) in an interlocking manner. The swing arm mechanism (50) includes: a pillar portion (51) extending in a height direction of the vehicle; a support portion (52) supporting the pillar portion (51) so as to be rotatable around a longitudinal direction of the pillar portion (51); and a fixing portion (53) meshing with the support portion (52) to fix the pillar portion (51) to the body of the vehicle. The support portion (52) includes a meshing portion (71) that can mesh with the fixing portion (53) at different meshing positions in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion (51).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a plug door device and a swing arm mechanism.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In the conventional art, a known plug door device actuates a door for a plug operation, in other words, moves the door in the width direction of a railway vehicle while moving the door in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a swing arm mechanism that moves the upper portion of the door and the lower portion of the door in an interlocking manner. Another known swing arm mechanism additionally has a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of a pillar included in the swing arm mechanism. For example, in the height adjustment mechanism, a part of the pillar has a male thread and is provided with a double nut.

RELEVANT REFERENCES

LIST OF RELEVANT PATENT LITERATURE

[0003] Patent Literature 1: Chinese Utility Model Publication No. 201687303

SUMMARY

[0004] However, a swing arm mechanism additionally having a height adjustment mechanism has a larger number of parts. This arrangement allows of improvement in reduction of the number of parts.

[0005] The present invention is intended to overcome the above problem, and one object thereof is to provide a plug door device and a swing arm mechanism formed of a smaller number of parts.

[0006] To overcome the above problems, aspects of the present invention are configured as follows. (1) A plug door device according to an aspect of the invention comprises: a stationary base fixed to a body of a vehicle; a slidable base provided on the stationary base so as to be movable in a width direction of the vehicle relative to the stationary base; a door drive mechanism provided on the slidable base and configured to move a door for opening and closing a doorway of the vehicle in a front-rear direction of the vehicle; and a swing arm mechanism configured to guide the door as the door moves in the width direction of the vehicle and the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and configured to move an upper portion of the door and a lower portion of the door in an interlocking manner, wherein the swing arm mechanism includes: a pillar portion extending in a height direction of the vehicle; a support portion supporting the pillar portion so as to be rotatable around a longitudinal direction of the pillar portion; and a fixing portion meshing with the support portion to fix the pillar portion to the body of the vehicle, and wherein the support portion includes a meshing portion capable of meshing with the fixing portion at different meshing positions in the longitudinal direction.

[0007] With this configuration, the meshing position of the support portion on the fixing portion can be varied to adjust the position of the pillar portion in the height direction of the vehicle (the height of the pillar portion). Therefore, there is no need of providing the pillar portion with a separate adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the pillar portion. In other words, no parts other than the support portion are necessary for adjusting the height of the pillar portion. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced.

[0008] (2) In the plug door device described in (1) above, it is also possible that the support portion has a tubular shape, and the meshing portion is provided in an outer peripheral surface of the support portion that is parallel with the longitudinal direction.

[0009] (3) In the plug door device described in (2) above, it is also possible that the support portion includes: a bearing having an inner race, an outer race, and rolling elements configured to roll between the inner race and the outer race; and a holder having the tubular shape and supporting the bearing, the pillar portion is fixed to the inner race, an inner periphery of the holder is fixed to the outer race, and the meshing portion is provided in an outer peripheral surface of the holder.

[0010] (4) In the plug door device described in (2) or (3) above, it is also possible that the support portion has an adjustment groove formed at a position different from the meshing portion in the outer peripheral surface of the support portion, and the adjustment groove is capable of receiving a tool fitted therein to rotate the support portion.

[0011] (5) In the plug door device described in (4) above, it is also possible that the fixing portion has a tubular shape covering the support portion, the support portion includes a projecting portion projecting from one end or the other end of the fixing portion, and the adjustment groove is provided at least in the projecting portion.

[0012] (6) In the plug door device described in any one of (2) to (5) above, it is also possible that the support portion has an adjustment groove formed at a position different from the meshing portion in the outer peripheral surface of the support portion, and the adjustment groove is capable of receiving a tool fitted therein to rotate the support portion, the fixing portion has a through hole formed therein, and the support portion further has a positioning member fitted in the adjustment groove through the through hole to set the meshing positions.

[0013] (7) In the plug door device described in any one of (2) to (6) above, it is also possible that the pillar portion includes an inner tube portion and an outer tube portion housing the inner tube portion, each of the inner tube portion and the outer tube portion has one of a protuberance extending in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion and a recess into which the protuberance is fitted, and both the protuberance and the recess are formed in a region in which the inner tube portion and the outer tube portion overlap with each other.

[0014] (8) In the plug door device described in any one of (1) to (7) above, it is also possible that the plug door device further comprises a link portion liking the lower portion of the door and the pillar portion, the link portion includes: a first arm extending to link the lower portion of the door and a first shaft portion parallel to the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion, the first arm being rotatable around the first shaft portion; a second arm extending to link the first shaft portion and a second shaft portion parallel to the first shaft portion, the second arm being rotatable around the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion; and a third arm extending to link the second shaft portion and the pillar portion, the third arm being rotatable around the second shaft portion and the pillar portion, the third arm is capable of moving to a dead point where the door is restrained from moving in the width direction, the link portion is configured to transmit to the pillar portion an external force acting on the door when the third arm is at the dead point, and the support portion includes: a bearing supporting the pillar portion rotatably; and a holder supporting the bearing and capable of receiving the external force.

[0015] (9) In the plug door device described in any one of (1) to (8) above, it is also possible that the pillar portion has a joint portion disposed at a position vertically below an upper link portion linking the upper portion of the door and the pillar portion and vertically above a lower link portion linking the lower portion of the door and the pillar portion, and the joint portion is capable of rotating around a connection point with the pillar portion.

[0016] (10) In the plug door device described in any one of (1) to (9) above, it is also possible that the meshing portion is one threaded portion, the one threaded portion is either one of a male thread or a female thread, the fixing portion has another threaded portion, the other threaded portion is the other of the female thread or the male thread, and the one threaded portion is capable of meshing with the other threaded portion at different meshing positions in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion.

[0017] (11) A swing arm mechanism according to an aspect of the invention is configured to guide a door for opening and closing a doorway of a vehicle as the door moves in a width direction of the vehicle and a front-rear direction of the vehicle, and configured to move an upper portion of the door and a lower portion of the door in an interlocking manner, and the swing arm mechanism comprises: a pillar portion extending in a height direction of the vehicle; a support portion supporting the pillar portion so as to be rotatable around a longitudinal direction of the pillar portion; and a fixing portion meshing with the support portion to fix the pillar portion to a body of the vehicle, wherein the support portion includes a meshing portion capable of meshing with the fixing portion at different meshing positions in the longitudinal direction.

[0018] With this configuration, the meshing position of the support portion on the fixing portion can be varied to adjust the position of the pillar portion in the height direction of the vehicle (the height of the pillar portion). Therefore, there is no need of providing the pillar portion with a separate adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the pillar portion. In other words, no parts other than the support portion are necessary for adjusting the height of the pillar portion. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

[0019] The present invention provides a plug door device and a swing arm mechanism formed of a smaller number of parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] 

Fig. 1 is a front view showing a plug door device relating to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the upper portion of a swing arm mechanism of the embodiment and surrounding parts.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the lower portion of the swing arm mechanism of the embodiment and surrounding parts.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing one of the portions of the swing arm mechanism of the embodiment in a front-rear direction.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a lower link portion of the swing arm mechanism of the embodiment and surrounding parts.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the lower link portion of the embodiment and surrounding parts, including a section of the lower link portion cut along the XZ plane.

Fig. 7 is a view including sections of a support portion and a fixing portion of the embodiment cut along the XY plane.

Fig. 8 is a view including sections of an inner tube portion and an outer tube portion of a pillar portion of the embodiment cut along the XZ plane.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings. The following embodiments are described with reference to an example plug door device including a pair of doors separately slidable to open or close the doorway of a railway vehicle (vehicle). In the following description, terms such as "parallel," "orthogonal," "around" and "coaxial" describe relative or absolute positions. These terms are not only strictly used but also allow some tolerances and relative differences in angle and distance as long as the same effects can be still produced. In the drawings used for the following description, members are shown to different scales into recognizable sizes.

[0022] Fig. 1 is a front view showing a plug door device relating to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the upper portion of a swing arm mechanism of the embodiment and surrounding parts. As shown in Fig. 1, a plug door device 1 includes a pair of doors 2, a stationary base 3, a slidable base 4, a door drive mechanism 30, and a swing arm mechanism 50. Figs. 1 and 2 show that the doors 2 are located at the fully closed position.

[0023] In the following description, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is used as required. The X direction coincides with the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The Y direction coincides with the width direction of the vehicle. The Z direction indicates the height direction of the vehicle (the gravitational direction), which is orthogonal to the X and Y directions. The following description is made with the arrows shown in the drawings indicating the X, Y and Z directions, and the head side and the tail side of each arrow indicate the positive (+) side and the negative (-) side, respectively. The outside and the inside in the width direction are respectively denoted as the +Y side and the -Y side. The upper side and the lower side in the gravitational direction are respectively denoted as the +Z side and the - Z side.

[0024] In the plug door device 1, the doors 2 are supported such that the external surfaces of the doors 2 are flush with the external surface of the vehicle side wall when the doors 2 are fully closed. The doors 2 each include a door leaf 10 and a door hanger 11 coupled to the door leaf 10. The doors 2 are attached to the slidable base 4. The door hangers 11 are supported by the slidable base 4 such that the door hangers 11 are movable in the front-rear direction (X direction) relative to the slidable base 4.

[0025] The stationary base 3 is fixed to the body of the vehicle. The body forms the framework of the vehicle. The stationary base 3 is positioned above a doorway 15 of the vehicle. The stationary base 3 extends in the front-rear direction crossing over the upper edge of the doorway 15. Rail bases 9 extending in the width direction are coupled to the front and rear ends of the stationary base 3.

[0026] The slidable base 4 is provided on the stationary base 3. The slidable base 4 is slidable in the width direction relative to the stationary base 3 with a driving force from a drive source (e.g., a motor, not shown), thereby moving the door 2 in the width direction. For example, the output shaft of the motor is rotatable in two opposite directions (in positive and negative directions) around the output shaft. The slidable base 4 is positioned below the stationary base 3. The slidable base 4 extends in the front-rear direction along the upper edge of the doorway 15. The front and rear ends of the slidable base 4 are movable in the width direction along the rail bases 9.

[0027] The door drive mechanism 30 is provided on the slidable base 4. The door drive mechanism 30 moves the doors 2 for opening and closing the doorway 15 of the vehicle in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. As shown in Fig. 2, the door drive mechanism 30 includes: a motor output shaft 31 for transmitting a driving force from a drive source (not shown); and an endless belt 32 extending along the front-rear direction. The motor output shaft 31 includes a gear 33 that is rotatable about an axis extending along the height direction. A pulley 34 is provided at a position distant from the gear 33 in the front-rear direction. The pulley 34 is rotatable around an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the gear 33 (extending along the height direction).

[0028] The belt 32 is stretched between the gear 33 and the pulley 34. The belt 32 runs (rotates) around the gear 33 and the pulley 34 as the gear 33 rotates. The belt 32 is connected to the door hangers 11. The door hangers 11 move in the front-rear direction as the belt 32 moves. The following describes an example of a plug operation, that is, an operation of moving the door in the width direction while moving the door in the front-rear direction.

[0029] From among the doors 2, the door 2 on the -X side is connected, via the door hanger 11, to the -Y side portion of the belt 32. The door 2 on the +X side is connected, via the door hanger 11, to the +Y side portion of the belt 32. As described above, the belt 32 is stretched between the gear 33 and the pulley 34, which are spaced away from each other in the front-rear direction. The -Y side portion and the +Y side portion of the belt 32 are thus movable oppositely in the front-rear direction. Accordingly, as the belt 32 moves, the -X side door 2 and the +X side door 2 move oppositely in the front-rear direction.

[0030] The doors 2 move from the fully closed position shown in Fig. 2 (where the external surface of the vehicle body side wall is flush with the external surface of the doors 2) to the fully open position, as the driving force from the drive source (not shown) is transmitted to the belt 32 to move the door hangers 11 connected to the belt 32. According to the example shown in Fig. 2, the -X side door 2 first moves from the fully closed position outward in the width direction (specifically, in an oblique direction including the width direction) and then moves linearly toward the -X direction, to reach the fully open position. On the other hand, the +X side door 2 first moves outward in the width direction from the fully closed position (specifically, in an oblique direction including the width direction) and then moves linearly toward the +X direction, to reach the fully open position.

[0031] In the above description, the doors are driven using the door drive mechanism 30 including the belt 32, or using the belt system. The present invention, however, is not limited to such. As an alternative example, the door may be driven using the screw system. Specifically, a motor rotates a screw shaft corresponding to a bolt, so that a door attached to a ball nut corresponding to a nut is opened or closed. As a yet another alternative example, the door may be driven using the rack and pinion system. Specifically, a motor rotates a pinion of a rack and pinion mechanism, so that a door attached to a rack rail is opened or closed. For example, the door driving system may be changed in accordance with required specifications.

[0032] Fig. 1 is a front view showing a swing arm mechanism 50 of the embodiment and surrounding parts. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the upper portion of the swing arm mechanism 50 of the embodiment and surrounding parts. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the lower portion of the swing arm mechanism 50 of the embodiment and surrounding parts. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing one of the portions of the swing arm mechanism 50 of the embodiment in a front-rear direction. In the drawings, the symbol "A" is appended to the reference numerals of the constituent elements at one of the front and rear ends (the -X side end) of the swing arm mechanism 50, and the symbol "B" is appended to the reference numerals of the constituent elements at the other end (the +X side end). The symbols "A" and "B", however, are omitted unless they are particularly distinguished.

[0033] The swing arm mechanism 50 guides the door 2 for opening and closing the doorway 15 of the vehicle as the door 2 moves in the width direction of the vehicle and the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the swing arm mechanism 50 moves the upper portion of the door 2 and the lower portion of the door 2 in an interlocking manner. As shown in Fig. 3, the swing arm mechanism 50 includes a pillar portion 51 extending in the height direction of the vehicle, a support portion that supports the pillar portion 51 so as to be rotatable around the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion 51, and a fixing portion 53 that meshes with the support portion 52 to fix the pillar portion 51 to the vehicle body.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 1, the pillar portion 51 extends linearly along the height direction. There are two pillar portions 51 spaced apart in the front-rear direction. The pillar portions 51 are positioned outside the doorway 15 in the front-rear direction.

[0035] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the lower link portion 120 of the swing arm mechanism 50 of the embodiment and surrounding parts. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the lower link portion 120 of the embodiment and surrounding parts, including a section of the lower link portion 120 cut along the XZ plane. As shown in Fig. 5, the support portion 52 has a tubular shape that is parallel with the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion 51. The pillar portion 51 and the support portion 52 are positioned coaxially with each other. As shown in Fig. 6, the support portion 52 includes a bearing 60 and a holder 70 having a tubular shape and supporting the bearing 60. The bearing 60 includes an inner race 61, an outer race 62, and rolling elements 63 that roll between the inner race 61 and the outer race 62. The lower portion of the pillar portion 51 is fixed to the inner race 61. The inner periphery of the holder 70 is fixed to the outer race 62. The outer race 62 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the upper portion of the holder 70.

[0036] The support portion 52 includes a meshing portion 71 that can mesh with the fixing portion 53 at different meshing positions in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion 51. The fixing portion 53 has a tubular shape that covers the support portion 52. The meshing portion 71 is provided in the outer peripheral surface of the support portion 52 that is parallel with the longitudinal direction. The meshing portion 71 is provided in the outer peripheral surface of the holder 70. The meshing portion 71 is a male thread 71 (an example of one threaded portion) formed in the outer peripheral surface of the holder 70. The fixing portion 53 includes a female thread 54 (an example of another threaded portion) meshing with the male thread 71. The female thread 54 is formed in the inner peripheral surface of the fixing portion 53. The male thread 71 formed in the outer peripheral surface of the holder 70 can mesh with the female thread 54 formed in the inner peripheral surface of the fixing portion 53 at different meshing positions in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion 51.

[0037] Fig. 7 is a view including sections of the support portion 52 and the fixing portion 53 of the embodiment cut along the XY plane. As shown in Fig. 7, the holder 70 included in the support portion 52 has adjustment grooves 72 formed at positions different from the meshing portion 71 in the outer peripheral surface of the holder 70. A tool can be fitted in the adjustment grooves 72 to rotate the holder 70.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 5, the support portion 52 includes a projecting portion 73 projecting from the lower end of the fixing portion 53 (an example of one end of the fixing portion 53). The adjustment grooves 72 are provided at least in the projecting portion 73. The adjustment grooves 72 extend in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the support portion 52. As shown in Fig. 7, a plurality (e.g., six in the embodiment) of adjustment grooves 72 are provided in the outer peripheral surface of the holder 70. In the sectional view of Fig. 7, the adjustment grooves 72 are arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the holder 70. In the sectional view of Fig. 7, the male thread 71 formed in the outer peripheral surface of the holder 70 corresponds to the portion between two adjustment screws 72 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the holder 70.

[0039] A through hole 55 is formed in the fixing portion 53. The through hole 55 is open in the radial direction of the fixing portion 53 having a tubular shape. The support portion 52 has a positioning member 56 fitted in an adjustment groove 72 through the through hole 55 to set the meshing positions. For example, the positioning member 56 is a bolt that can be fitted in the adjustment groove 72 through the through hole 55. For example, in the state in which the positioning member 56 is fitted in the adjustment groove 72, the position of the support portion 52 relative to the fixing portion 53 (the rotation of the holder 70 around the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion 51) is restrained. This arrangement sets the meshing position of the male thread 71 formed in the outer peripheral surface of the holder 70 relative to the female thread 54 formed in the inner peripheral surface of the fixing portion 53.

[0040] Fig. 8 is a view including sections of an inner tube portion 80 and an outer tube portion 81 of the pillar portion 51 of the embodiment cut along the XZ plane. As shown in Fig. 8, the pillar portion 51 includes the inner tube portion 80 and the outer tube portion 81 housing the inner tube portion 80. Each of the inner tube portion 80 and the outer tube portion 81 has one of a protuberance 82 extending in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion 51 and a recess 83 into which the protuberance 82 is fitted, and both the protuberance 82 and the recess 83 are formed in the region in which the inner tube portion 80 and the outer tube portion 81 overlap with each other.

[0041] The inner tube portion 80 includes an inner column portion 80a having a columnar shape and extending in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion 51. The protuberance 82 extending in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion 51 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner column portion 80a. The outer tube portion 81 includes an outer cylindrical portion 81 a having a cylindrical shape and housing the inner column portion 80a. The recess 83 into which the protuberance 82 is fitted is formed at the upper end side of the outer cylindrical portion 81a. The recess 83 extends in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion 51. The length of the recess 83 in the longitudinal direction is larger than the length of the protuberance 82 in the longitudinal direction.

[0042] In the state in which the protuberance 82 of the inner tube portion 80 is fitted in the recess 83 of the outer tube portion 81, the inner tube portion 80 and the outer tube portion 81 are restrained from moving in the circumferential direction relative to each other (rotating around the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion 51) but allowed to move in the axial direction relative to each other (move in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion 51). The lower portion of the outer tube portion 81 is supported by the support portion 52 (see Fig. 5). For example, as the support portion 52 meshes with the fixing portion 53 at different meshing positions in the longitudinal direction, the outer tube portion 81 is displaced between different positions in the longitudinal direction relative to the inner tube portion 80.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 2, the upper end of each pillar portion 51 is attached to the upper portion of the vehicle body via an upper bracket 40. As shown in Fig. 3, the lower end of each pillar portion 51 is attached to the lower portion of the vehicle body via a lower bracket 41. The pillar portions 51 are supported on the brackets 40 and 41 so as to be rotatable around an axis extending in the height direction. The fixing portion 53 corresponds to the portion of the lower bracket 41 meshing with the support portion 52 (the cylindrical portion covering the support portion 52).

[0044] As shown in Fig. 4, the lower bracket 51 has bolt holes 42 through which bolts are inserted to fix the lower bracket 41 to the lower portion of the vehicle body. A plurality (e.g., three in the embodiment) of bolt holes 42 are arranged at intervals in the height direction of the vehicle. For example, the bolt holes 42 may have an elongated shape with longitudinal direction thereof extending in the width direction of the vehicle. Thus, the lower bracket 41 can be positioned in the width direction of the vehicle relative to the lower portion of the vehicle body.

[0045] The plug door device includes an upper link portion 110 and a lower link portion 120. The upper link portion 110 links the upper portion of the door 2 and the upper portion of the pillar portion 51 (see Fig. 2), and the lower link portion 120 links the lower portion of the door 2 and the lower portion of the pillar portion 51 (see Fig. 3, an example of a link portion that links the lower portion of the door and the pillar portion 51).

[0046] As shown in Fig. 2, the upper link portion 110 is attached to the upper portion of the pillar portion 51 such that it is not allowed to rotate relative to the upper portion of the pillar portion 51. The upper link portion 110 supports the upper portion of the door 2 and rotates around the pillar portion 51 integrally with pillar portion 51. As shown in Fig. 4, the upper link portion 110 includes: an arm base portion 111 positioned coaxially with the pillar portion 51; and an upper arm 112 extending from the arm base portion 111 toward the upper end of the door 2. For example, the arm base portion 111 and the upper arm 112 may be integrally formed of the same material.

[0047] The arm base portion 111 is an annular member positioned coaxially with the pillar portion 51. The arm base portion 111 is arranged near and below a portion of the upper bracket 40 that is connected to the pillar portion 51. The arm base portion 111 surrounds the pillar portion 51. For example, a bearing may be provided between the inner periphery of the arm base portion 111 and the pillar portion 51 for supporting the pillar portion 51 rotatably.

[0048] The upper arm 112 extends radially outward (outward in the direction orthogonal to the central axis of the arm base portion 111) from the arm base portion 111. The upper arm 112 includes a first extension portion 113, a second extension portion 114, and a third extension portion 115. The first extension portion 113 has a uniform width and extends radially outward from the arm base portion 111. The second extension portion 114 extends upward from the distal end of the first extension portion 113. The third extension portion 115 is tapered radially outward from the distal end of the second extension portion 114 (specifically, radially outward in the direction of the extension line following the first extension portion 113, when seen in the height direction). As shown in Fig. 2, the slidable base 4 is provided with a guide member 20 for guiding the upper arm 112 as the upper arm 112 moves in the front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 4, the third extension portion 115 may include a rotating member 116 that rolls along the rail of the guide member 20.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 5, the lower link portion 120 includes: a first arm 121 that extends to link the lower portion of the door 2 and a first shaft portion 124 parallel to the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion 51, the first arm 121 being rotatable around the first shaft portion 124; a second arm 122 that extends to link the first shaft portion 124 and a second shaft portion 125 parallel to the first shaft portion 124, the second arm 122 being rotatable around the first shaft portion 124 and the second shaft portion 125; and a third arm 123 that extends to link the second shaft portion 125 and the pillar portion 51, the third arm 123 being rotatable around the second shaft portion 125 and the pillar portion 51.

[0050] The first arm 121 curves and extends to link the lower portion of the door 2 and the first shaft portion 124. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the first arm 121 extends inward in the width direction from the lower portion of the door 2 and then curves toward one side in the front-rear direction (+X side). The portion of the first arm 121 opposite to the door 2 is rotatably coupled to the first shaft portion 124.

[0051] The portion of the first arm 121 opposite to the door 2 may be rotatably coupled to another shaft portion 126 that is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion 51. For example, the other shaft portion 126 may be provided in the distal end side of a shaft support portion 43 extending outward in the width direction from the lower bracket 41 beyond the pillar portion 51.

[0052] The second arm 122 curves and extends to link the first shaft portion 124 and the second shaft portion 125. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the second arm 122 has a curved shape curving outward in the radial direction of the pillar portion 51. The portion of the second arm 122 on the first shaft portion 124 side is sandwiched by the first arm 121 on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion 51. The first arm 121 and the second arm 122 are coupled to each other so as to be rotatable around the first shaft portion 124.

[0053] In the example shown in Fig. 5, the second arm 122 has a protrusion 122a that protrudes in the height direction. The protrusion 122a has a cavity 122b for weight reduction. The protrusion 122a may not have the cavity 122b. Also, the second arm 122 may not have the protrusion 122a.

[0054] The third arm 123 is attached to the lower portion of the pillar portion 51 so as not to be rotatable around the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion 51. The third arm 123 is arranged near and above the portion of the lower bracket 41 to which the pillar portion 51 is connected (the fixing portion 53).

[0055] The third arm 123 extends radially outward (outward in the direction orthogonal to the central axis of the pillar portion 51) from the pillar portion 51. The distal end side of the third arm 123 is rotatably coupled to the second shaft portion 125. The portion of the second arm 122 on the second shaft portion 125 side is sandwiched by the third arm 123 on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion 51. The second arm 122 and the third arm 123 are coupled to each other so as to be rotatable around the second shaft portion 125.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 3, the lower end-side portion of each door 2 is provided with a lower guide rail 90 for guiding the first arm 121 as the first arm 121 moves in the front-rear direction. The lower guide rails 90 extend in the front-rear direction.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 5, the first arm 121 includes the rollers 101,102,103 rollable along the lower guide rail 90. A plurality (for example, three in the embodiment) of rollers 101, 102, 103 are mounted on the portion of the first arm 121 on the door 2 side. The rollers 101, 102, 103 are mounted on the portion of the first arm 121 on the door 2 side so as to be rotatable around respective axes extending in the height direction. The rollers 101, 102, 103 are positioned above the portion of the first arm 121 on the door 2 side. One of the three rollers 101, 102, 103 (the roller 101) is the outside roller 101 positioned outside the lower guide rail 90 in the width direction. The remaining two of the three rollers 101,102, 103 (the rollers 102, 103) are the inside rollers 102, 103 positioned inside the lower guide rail 90 in the width direction.

[0058] The lower guide rail 90 is interposed between one outside roller 101 and two inside rollers 102, 103. The lower guide rail 90 has a first guide surface 91 (the outer wall surface on the +Y side) for guiding the outside roller 101 and a second guide surface 92 (the inner wall surface on the -Y side) for guiding the inside rollers 102, 103.

[0059] The rollers 101, 102, 103 are movable along the guide surfaces 91, 92 (the outer wall surface on the +Y side or the inner wall surface on the -Y side) of the lower guide rail 90 during the plug operation of the door 2. For example, as the door 2 moves outward in the width direction (specifically, in an oblique direction including the width direction) from the fully closed position, the outside roller 101 is pushed toward the +Y side by the first guide surface 91 (the outer wall surface on the +Y side) of the lower guide rail 90. In the lower link portion 120A, the first arm 121 is pulled toward the +Y side, and the second arm 122 is also pulled toward the +Y side. The third arm 123 is pulled by the second arm 122 and rotates clockwise (in the direction of the arrow E1 in Fig. 3) around the pillar portion 51A in the bottom view. At this time, in the lower link portion 120B, the first arm 121 is pulled toward the +Y side, and the second arm 122 is also pulled toward the +Y side. The third arm 123 is pulled by the second arm 122 and rotates counterclockwise (in the direction of the arrow E2 in Fig. 3) around the pillar portion 51B in the bottom view. Following this, the doors 2 move linearly outward in the front-rear direction, where the rollers 101, 102, 103 of the two first arms 121 roll along the guide surfaces 91, 92 of the lower guide rails 90. As a result, the doors 2 move outward in the front-rear direction relative to the rollers 101, 102, 103 and the first arms 121 to reach the fully open position.

[0060] For example, when the doors 2 move linearly inward in the front-rear direction from the fully open position, the rollers 101, 102, 103 of the two first arms 121 roll along the guide surfaces 91, 92 of the lower guide rails 90. Following this, as the doors 2 move inward in the width direction (specifically, in an oblique direction including the width direction), the inside rollers 102, 103 are pushed toward the -Y side by the second guide surfaces 92 (the inner wall surfaces on the -Y side) of the lower guide rails 90. The third arm 123 in the lower link portion 120A is pushed by the second arm 122 and rotates counterclockwise (in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow E1 in Fig. 3) around the pillar portion 51A in the bottom view. At this time, the third arm 123 in the lower link portion 120B is pushed by the second arm 122 and rotates clockwise (in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow E2 in Fig. 3) around the pillar portion 51B in the bottom view. As a result, the doors 2 move toward the -Y side as the third arms 123 rotate, to reach the fully closed position.

[0061] The third arm 123 can move to a dead point where the door 2 can be restrained from moving in the width direction. The dead point refers to the position (shown in Fig. 5) where the lower link portion 120 (what is called a link mechanism) including the first arm 121, the second arm 122, and the third arm 123 is bent fully. The lower link portion 120 is configured to transmit to the pillar portion 51 an external force acting on the door 2 when the third arm 123 is at the dead point. When the third arm 123 is at the dead point, the first shaft portion 124 and the second shaft portion 125 are on the opposite sides of the pillar portion 51. When the third arm 123 is at the dead point, the door 2 is in a locked state. As shown in Fig. 6, the support portion 52 includes: the bearing 60 rotatably supporting the pillar portion 51; and the holder 70 supporting the bearing 60. The holder 70 can receive the external force acting on the door 2 when the third arm 123 is at the dead point.

[0062] For example, the external force acting on the door 2 when the third arm 123 is at the dead point (e.g., an external force from one side in the width direction or from an oblique direction including the width direction) is transmitted through the first arm 121, the second arm 122, and the third arm 123 to the pillar portion 51. The external force transmitted to the pillar portion 51 is transmitted through the inner race 61, the rolling elements 63, and the outer race 62 of the bearing 60 to the holder 70. The holder 70 thus receives the external force acting on the door 2 when the third arm 123 is at the dead point. The external force transmitted to the holder 70 is transmitted through the fixing portion 53 to the vehicle body side.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 5, the pillar portion 51 has a joint portion 85 disposed at a position vertically below the upper link portion 110 that links the upper portion of the door 2 and the pillar portion 51 and vertically above the lower link portion 120 that links the lower portion of the door 2 and the pillar portion 51. The joint portion 85 can rotate around a connection point with the pillar portion 51. The joint portion 85 has two pins 86, 87 that intersect with each other at a point in the axis of the pillar portion 51. For example, the joint portion 85 is a universal joint.

[0064] The joint portion 85 is not limited to a universal joint but may be a spherical bearing. For example, the joint portion 85 may include at least one of a universal joint and a spherical bearing. For example, the joint portion 85 can be configured in various manners in accordance with required specifications.

[0065] The following describes an example of a method of adjusting the height of the pillar portion 51 included in the swing arm mechanism 50. For example, the first step is to fit a tool into an adjustment groove 72. Specifically, a tool (e.g., a J-spanner) is fitted into an adjustment groove 72 provided in the projecting portion 73 that projects downward from the lower end of the fixing portion 53. The next step is to rotate the projecting portion 73 (the holder 70) using the tool. When the holder 70 is rotated, the holder 70 meshes with the fixing portion 53 at different meshing positions in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion 51.

[0066] The tool for rotating the holder 70 is not limited to a J-spanner as an example. For example, a hook wrench may be fitted into an adjustment groove 72 to rotate the holder 70. For example, an adjustable wrench may be fitted onto the holder 70 (e.g., a portion other than the meshing portion 71) to rotate the holder 70. For example, if the holder 70 has a hole, a driver may be fitted into the hole to rotate the holder 70. For example, if the holder 70 has a hexagon socket, a hexagon wrench may be fitted into the hexagon socket to rotate the holder 70. For example, the tool for rotating the holder 70 can be configured in various manners in accordance with required specifications.

[0067] For example, when the holder 70 is rotated in the direction of the arrow R shown in Fig. 5, the holder 70 moves toward one side in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion 51 and meshes with the fixing portion 53 at a first meshing position. The lower portion of the pillar portion 51, which is supported by the holder 70 via the bearing 60, moves toward one side in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion 51 (one side in the height direction of the vehicle) as the holder 70 moves. Conversely, when the holder 70 is rotated in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow R shown in Fig. 5, the holder 70 moves toward the other side in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion 51 and meshes with the fixing portion 53 at a second meshing position different from the first meshing position. The lower portion of the pillar portion 51 moves toward the other side in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion 51 (the other side in the height direction of the vehicle) as the holder 70 moves. In this way, the holder 70 can be rotated to adjust the height of the pillar portion 51.

[0068] As described above, the plug door device 1 according to the embodiment includes: a stationary base 3 fixed to a body of a vehicle; a slidable base 4 provided on the stationary base 3 so as to be movable in a width direction of the vehicle relative to the stationary base 3; a door drive mechanism 30 provided on the slidable base 4 and configured to move a door 2 for opening and closing a doorway 15 of the vehicle in a front-rear direction of the vehicle; and a swing arm mechanism 50 configured to guide the door 2 as the door 2 moves in the width direction of the vehicle and the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and configured to move an upper portion of the door 2 and a lower portion of the door 2 in an interlocking manner. The swing arm mechanism 50 includes: a pillar portion 51 extending in a height direction of the vehicle; a support portion 52 supporting the pillar portion 51 so as to be rotatable around a longitudinal direction of the pillar portion 51; and a fixing portion 53 meshing with the support portion 52 to fix the pillar portion 51 to the body of the vehicle. The support portion 52 includes a meshing portion 71 that can mesh with the fixing portion 53 at different meshing positions in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion 51.

[0069] With this configuration, the meshing position of the support portion 52 on the fixing portion 53 can be varied to adjust the position of the pillar portion 51 in the height direction of the vehicle (the height of the pillar portion 51). Therefore, there is no need of providing the pillar portion 51 with a separate adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the pillar portion 51. In other words, no parts other than the support portion 52 are necessary for adjusting the height of the pillar portion 51. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced.

[0070] The support portion 52 according to the embodiment has a tubular shape. The meshing portion 71 is provided in the outer peripheral surface of the support portion 52 that is parallel with the longitudinal direction. With this configuration, the vehicle can be downsized in the height direction as compared to the case where the meshing portion 71 is provided at the end portion of the support portion 52 in the longitudinal direction. In addition, since the meshing portion 71 is provided in the outer peripheral surface of the support portion 52 that is parallel with the longitudinal direction, the function of the inner peripheral surface side of the support portion 52 (the side that rotatably supports the pillar portion 51) is less prone to be damaged.

[0071] The support portion 52 according to the embodiment includes: a bearing 60 having an inner race 61, an outer race 62, and rolling elements 63 configured to roll between the inner race 61 and the outer race 62; and a holder 70 having the tubular shape and supporting the bearing 60. The pillar portion 51 is fixed to the inner race 61. The inner periphery of the holder 70 is fixed to the outer race 62. The meshing portion 71 is provided in the outer peripheral surface of the holder 70. With this configuration, since the meshing portion 71 is provided in the outer peripheral surface of the holder 70, there is no need of providing the meshing portion 71 in the bearing 60. Therefore, the function of the bearing 60 is less prone to be damaged. In addition, the load of processing the bearing 60 can be reduced.

[0072] The support portion 52 according to the embodiment has an adjustment groove 72 formed at a position different from the meshing portion 71 in the outer peripheral surface of the support portion 52, and the adjustment groove 72 is capable of receiving a tool fitted therein to rotate the support portion 52. With this configuration, since the tool can be fitted into the adjustment groove 72 to adjust the height of the pillar portion 51, there is no need of applying the tool to the meshing portion 71. Therefore, it can be avoided that the meshing portion 71 is flattened through the adjustment.

[0073] The fixing portion 53 according to the embodiment has a tubular shape covering the support portion 52. The support portion 52 includes a projecting portion 73 projecting from one end of the fixing portion 53. The adjustment groove 72 is provided at least in the projecting portion 73. With this configuration, the tool can be easily fitted into the adjustment groove 72, and thus the height of pillar portion 51 can be easily adjusted, as compared to the case where the support portion 52 does not project from one end or the other end of the fixing portion 53.

[0074] The fixing portion 53 according to the embodiment has a through hole 55 formed therein. The support portion 52 has a positioning member 56 fitted in an adjustment groove 72 through the through hole 55 to set the meshing positions. With this configuration, there is no need of providing a positioning structure separately from the adjustment groove 72, and thus the load of processing can be reduced.

[0075] The pillar portion 51 according to the embodiment includes the inner tube portion 80 and the outer tube portion 81 housing the inner tube portion 80. Each of the inner tube portion 80 and the outer tube portion 81 has one of a protuberance 82 extending in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion 51 and a recess 83 into which the protuberance 82 is fitted, and both the protuberance 82 and the recess 83 are formed in the region in which the inner tube portion 80 and the outer tube portion 81 overlap with each other. With this configuration, the height of the pillar portion 51 can be adjusted without varying the link positions of the pillar portion 51 to the upper portion and the lower portion of the door 2, and thus the load of adjustment can be reduced.

[0076] The plug door device 1 according to the embodiment includes a lower link portion 120 liking the lower portion of the door 2 and the pillar portion 51. The lower link portion 120 includes: a first arm 121 that extends to link the lower portion of the door 2 and a first shaft portion 124 parallel to the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion 51, the first arm 121 being rotatable around the first shaft portion 124; a second arm 122 that extends to link the first shaft portion 124 and a second shaft portion 125 parallel to the first shaft portion 124, the second arm 122 being rotatable around the first shaft portion 124 and the second shaft portion 125; and a third arm 123 that extends to link the second shaft portion 125 and the pillar portion 51, the third arm 123 being rotatable around the second shaft portion 125 and the pillar portion 51. The third arm 123 can move to a dead point where the door 2 can be restrained from moving in the width direction. The lower link portion 120 is configured to transmit to the pillar portion 51 an external force acting on the door 2 when the third arm 123 is at the dead point. The support portion 52 includes: a bearing 60 supporting the pillar portion 51 rotatably; and a holder 70 supporting the bearing 60 and capable of receiving the external force. With this configuration, when an external force acts on the door 2 while the third arm 123 is at the dead point, the load transmitted through the lower link portion 120 and the pillar portion 51 and imparted to the bearing 60 can be received not only by the bearing 60 but also by the holder 70. This configuration improves the rigidity of the support portion 52.

[0077] The pillar portion 51 according to the embodiment has a joint portion 85 disposed at a position vertically below the upper link portion 110 that links the upper portion of the door 2 and the pillar portion 51 and vertically above the lower link portion 120 that links the lower portion of the door 2 and the pillar portion 51. The joint portion 85 can rotate around a connection point with the pillar portion 51. With this configuration, the joint portion 85 absorbs the displacement of the pillar portion 51 relative to the upper portion and the lower portion of the door 2, and in addition, the joint portion 85 inhibits the link portions from being obliquely misaligned to impede force transmission between the pillar portion 51 and the upper portion or the lower portion of the door 2.

[0078] The meshing portion 71 according to the embodiment is a male thread 71. The fixing portion 53 includes a female thread 54. The male thread 71 can mesh with the female thread 54 at different meshing positions in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion 51. With this configuration, the height adjustment of the pillar portion 51 can be accomplished by the structure with male and female threads.

[0079] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but is susceptible of various modification within the purport of the present invention.

[0080] The foregoing description of the embodiments is based on an example in which the meshing portion is provided in the outer peripheral surface of the support portion that is parallel with the longitudinal direction, but this is not limitative. For example, the meshing portion may be provided in the inner peripheral surface of the support portion that is parallel with the longitudinal direction. For example, the meshing portion can be provided in various manners in accordance with required specifications.

[0081] The foregoing description of the embodiments is based on an example in which the support portion includes: a bearing having an inner race, an outer race, and rolling elements configured to roll between the inner race and the outer race; and a holder having the tubular shape and supporting the bearing, but this is not limitative. For example, the support portion may not include the holder. For example, the support portion can be configured in various manners in accordance with required specifications.

[0082] The foregoing description of the embodiments is based on an example in which the meshing portion is provided in the outer peripheral surface of the holder, but this is not limitative. For example, if the support portion does not include the holder, the meshing portion may be provided in the outer peripheral surface of the outer race of the bearing. For example, the meshing portion can be provided in various manners in accordance with required specifications.

[0083] The foregoing description of the embodiments is based on an example in which the support portion has an adjustment groove formed at a position different from the meshing portion in the outer peripheral surface of the support portion, and the adjustment groove is capable of receiving a tool fitted therein to rotate the support portion, but this is not limitative. For example, the support portion may not include the adjustment groove. For example, the support portion may be nipped by a tool and rotated. For example, if the support portion has a hole, a driver may be inserted into the hole to rotate the support portion. For example, the support portion can be rotated in various manners in accordance with required specifications.

[0084] The foregoing description of the embodiments is based on an example in which the support portion includes a projecting portion projecting from one end of the fixing portion, but this is not limitative. For example, the support portion may include another projecting portion projecting from the other end of the fixing portion. For example, the support portion may include a projecting portion projecting from one end or the other end of the fixing portion. For example, the projecting portion can be configured in various manners in accordance with required specifications.

[0085] The foregoing description of the embodiments is based on an example in which the adjustment groove is provided at least in the projecting portion, but this is not limitative. For example, the adjustment groove may not be provided in the projecting portion. For example, the adjustment groove may be provided in the bottom surface of the support portion. For example, if the bottom surface of the support portion has a hexagon socket as the adjustment groove, a hexagon wrench may be fitted into the hexagon socket to rotate the support portion. For example, the adjustment groove can be provided in various manners in accordance with required specifications.

[0086] The foregoing description of the embodiments is based on an example in which the fixing portion has a through hole formed therein, and the support portion has a positioning member fitted in an adjustment groove through the through hole to set the meshing positions, but this is not limitative. For example, the fixing portion may not have a through hole formed therein. For example, the support portion may not have a positioning member fitted in an adjustment groove through the through hole to set the meshing positions. For example, a structure for positioning may be provided separately from the adjustment groove. For example, the meshing positions can be set in various manners in accordance with required specifications.

[0087] The foregoing description of the embodiments is based on an example in which the pillar portion includes an inner tube portion and an outer tube portion housing the inner tube portion, but this is not limitative. For example, the pillar portion may not include an inner tube portion and an outer tube portion housing the inner tube portion. For example, the pillar portion may be a single member extending in the height direction of the vehicle. For example, the pillar portion can be configured in various manners in accordance with required specifications.

[0088] The foregoing description of the embodiments is based on an example in which each of the inner tube portion and the outer tube portion has one of a protuberance extending in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion and a recess into which the protuberance is fitted, and both the protuberance and the recess are formed in the region in which the inner tube portion and the outer tube portion overlap with each other, but this is not limitative. For example, each of the inner tube portion and the outer tube portion may not have one of a protuberance extending in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion and a recess into which the protuberance is fitted, both the protuberance and the recess being formed in the region in which the inner tube portion and the outer tube portion overlap with each other. For example, each of the inner tube portion and the outer tube portion has either multiple protuberances arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion or a recess into which the multiple protuberances are fitted, and both the multiple protuberances and the recess are formed in the region in which the inner tube portion and the outer tube portion overlap with each other. For example, the protuberance and the recess into which the protuberance is fitted can be configured in various manners in accordance with required specifications.

[0089] The foregoing description of the embodiments is based on an example in which a lower link portion linking the lower portion of the door and the pillar portion is provided, and the lower link portion is a link mechanism including a first arm, a second arm, and a third arm, but this is not limitative. For example, the lower link portion may be a link mechanism including two arms or four or more arms. For example, the lower link portion may not be a link mechanism. For example, the lower link portion may be formed of a single arm. For example, the lower link portion can be configured in various manners in accordance with required specifications.

[0090] The foregoing description of the embodiments is based on an example in which the lower link portion is a link mechanism including a first arm, a second arm, and a third arm, but this is not limitative. For example, an upper link portion linking the upper portion of the door and the pillar portion may be a link mechanism including a first arm, a second arm, and a third arm. For example, the link portions can be configured in various manners in accordance with required specifications.

[0091] The foregoing description of the embodiments is based on an example in which the pillar portion has a joint portion disposed at a position vertically below the upper link portion that links the upper portion of the door and the pillar portion and vertically above the lower link portion that links the lower portion of the door and the pillar portion, and the joint portion can rotate around a connection point with the pillar portion, but this is not limitative. For example, the pillar portion may not have the joint portion. For example, the pillar portion may be a single member extending between the upper link portion and the lower link portion in the height direction of the vehicle. For example, the pillar portion can be configured in various manners in accordance with required specifications.

[0092] The foregoing description of the embodiments is based on an example in which the meshing portion is a male thread, and the fixing portion has a female thread formed therein, but this is not limitative. For example, the meshing portion may be a female thread, and the fixing portion may have a male thread formed therein. For example, the meshing portion may be one threaded portion with one of a male thread or a female thread, the fixing portion may have another threaded portion with the other of the female thread or the male thread, and the one threaded portion may be capable of meshing with the other threaded portion at different meshing positions in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion. For example, the meshing portion and the fixing portion can be configured (the male thread or the female thread can be provided) in various manners in accordance with required specifications.

[0093] For example, the foregoing embodiments are described with reference to an example plug door device including a double leaf sliding door to open or close the doorway of a railway vehicle. The present invention, however, is not limited to such. For example, the plug door device may be provided on vehicles other than railway vehicles. For example, the plug door device may include a single leaf sliding door.

[0094] The elements of the embodiments described above may be replaced with known elements within the purport of the present invention. Further, the modifications described above may be combined. In the embodiments disclosed herein, a member formed of multiple components may be integrated into a single component, or conversely, a member formed of a single component may be divided into multiple components. Irrespective of whether or not the components are integrated, they are acceptable as long as they are configured to attain the object of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0095] 

1

plug door device

2

door

3

stationary base

4

slidable base

15

doorway

30

door drive mechanism

50

swing arm mechanism

51

pillar portion

52

support portion

53

fixing portion

54

female thread (the other threaded portion)

55

through hole

56

positioning member

60

bearing

61

inner race

62

outer race

63

rolling element

70

holder

71

male thread (meshing portion, one threaded portion)

72

adjustment groove

73

projecting portion

80

inner tube portion

81

outer tube portion

82

protuberance

83

recess

85

joint portion

110

upper link portion

120

lower link portion (link portion)

121

first arm

122

second arm

123

third arm

124

first shaft portion

125

second shaft portion

Claims

1. A plug door device (1) comprising:

a stationary base (3) fixed to a body of a vehicle;

a slidable base (4) provided on the stationary base (3) so as to be movable in a width direction of the vehicle relative to the stationary base (3);

a door drive mechanism (30) provided on the slidable base (4) and configured to move a door (2) for opening and closing a doorway (15) of the vehicle in a front-rear direction of the vehicle; and

a swing arm mechanism (50) configured to guide the door (2) as the door (2) moves in the width direction of the vehicle and the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and configured to move an upper portion of the door (2) and a lower portion of the door (2) in an interlocking manner,

wherein the swing arm mechanism (50) includes:

a pillar portion (51) extending in a height direction of the vehicle;

a support portion (52) supporting the pillar portion (51) so as to be rotatable around a longitudinal direction of the pillar portion (51); and

a fixing portion (53) meshing with the support portion (52) to fix the pillar portion (51) to the body of the vehicle, and

wherein the support portion (52) includes a meshing portion (71) capable of meshing with the fixing portion (53) at different meshing positions in the longitudinal direction.

2. The plug door device (1) of claim 1,

wherein the support portion (52) has a tubular shape, and

wherein the meshing portion (71) is provided in an outer peripheral surface of the support portion (52) that is parallel with the longitudinal direction.

3. The plug door device (1) of claim 2, wherein the support portion (52) includes:

a bearing (60) having an inner race (61), an outer race (62), and rolling elements (63) configured to roll between the inner race (61) and the outer race (62); and

a holder (70) having the tubular shape and supporting the bearing (60),

wherein the pillar portion (51) is fixed to the inner race (61),

wherein an inner periphery of the holder (70) is fixed to the outer race (62), and

wherein the meshing portion (71) is provided in an outer peripheral surface of the holder (70).

4. The plug door device (1) of claim 2 or 3, wherein the support portion (52) has an adjustment groove (72) formed at a position different from the meshing portion (71) in the outer peripheral surface of the support portion (52), and the adjustment groove (72) is capable of receiving a tool fitted therein to rotate the support portion (52).

5. The plug door device (1) of claim 4,

wherein the fixing portion (53) has a tubular shape covering the support portion (52),

wherein the support portion (52) includes a projecting portion (73) projecting from one end or the other end of the fixing portion (53), and

wherein the adjustment groove (72) is provided at least in the projecting portion (73).

6. The plug door device (1) of any one of claims 2 to 5,

wherein the support portion (52) has an adjustment groove (72) formed at a position different from the meshing portion (71) in the outer peripheral surface of the support portion (52), and the adjustment groove (72) is capable of receiving a tool fitted therein to rotate the support portion (52),

wherein the fixing portion (53) has a through hole (55) formed therein, and

wherein the support portion (52) further has a positioning member (56) fitted in the adjustment groove (72) through the through hole (55) to set the meshing positions.

7. The plug door device (1) of any one of claims 2 to 6,

wherein the pillar portion (51) includes an inner tube portion (80) and an outer tube portion (81) housing the inner tube portion (80), and

wherein each of the inner tube portion (80) and the outer tube portion (81) has one of a protuberance (82) extending in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion (51) and a recess (83) into which the protuberance (82) is fitted, and both the protuberance (82) and the recess (83) are formed in a region in which the inner tube portion (80) and the outer tube portion (81) overlap with each other.

8. The plug door device (1) of any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising:

a link portion (120) liking the lower portion of the door (2) and the pillar portion (51),

wherein the link portion (120) includes:

a first arm (121) extending to link the lower portion of the door (2) and a first shaft portion (124) parallel to the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion (51), the first arm (121) being rotatable around the first shaft portion (124);

a second arm (122) extending to link the first shaft portion (124) and a second shaft portion (125) parallel to the first shaft portion (124), the second arm (122) being rotatable around the first shaft portion (124) and the second shaft portion (125); and

a third arm (123) extending to link the second shaft portion (125) and the pillar portion (51), the third arm (123) being rotatable around the second shaft portion (125) and the pillar portion (51),

wherein the third arm (123) is capable of moving to a dead point where the door (2) is restrained from moving in the width direction,

wherein the link portion (120) is configured to transmit to the pillar portion (51) an external force acting on the door (2) when the third arm (123) is at the dead point, and

wherein the support portion (52) includes:

a bearing (60) supporting the pillar portion (51) rotatably; and

a holder (70) supporting the bearing (60) and capable of receiving the external force.

9. The plug door device (1) of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the pillar portion (51) has a joint portion (85) disposed at a position vertically below an upper link portion (110) linking the upper portion of the door (2) and the pillar portion (51) and vertically above a lower link portion (120) linking the lower portion of the door (2) and the pillar portion (51), and the joint portion (85) is capable of rotating around a connection point with the pillar portion (51).

10. The plug door device (1) of any one of claims 1 to 9,

wherein the meshing portion (71) is one threaded portion (71), the one threaded portion (71) is either one of a male thread or a female thread,

wherein the fixing portion (53) has another threaded portion (54), the other threaded portion (54) is the other of the female thread or the male thread, and

wherein the one threaded portion (71) is capable of meshing with the other threaded portion (54) at different meshing positions in the longitudinal direction of the pillar portion (51).

11. A swing arm mechanism (50) configured to guide a door (2) for opening and closing a doorway (15) of a vehicle as the door (2) moves in a width direction of the vehicle and a front-rear direction of the vehicle, and configured to move an upper portion of the door (2) and a lower portion of the door (2) in an interlocking manner, the swing arm mechanism (50) comprising:

a pillar portion (51) extending in a height direction of the vehicle;

a support portion (52) supporting the pillar portion (51) so as to be rotatable around a longitudinal direction of the pillar portion (51); and

a fixing portion (53) meshing with the support portion (52) to fix the pillar portion (51) to a body of the vehicle,

wherein the support portion (52) includes a meshing portion (71) capable of meshing with the fixing portion (53) at different meshing positions in the longitudinal direction.

Drawing