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
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
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.