阅读说明：本技术 车门操作器系统 (Door operator system ) 是由 彼得·海德里希 于 2020-05-13 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种系统,包括被配置为安装在车上的底座,以及可被配置为可移动地连接到所述底座并被配置为相对于所述底座移动的托架组件。所述托架组件可包括具有电机输出轴和电机外壳的电机,以及被配置为耦合到门并且耦合到电机输出轴或电机外壳的驱动机构。所述托架组件还可包括被配置为耦合到电机输出轴或电机外壳的协调杆,电机输出轴或电机外壳被配置为响应于电机的运行而使协调杆旋转。至少一个连杆组件可被配置为延伸或缩回,以使托架组件移动,从而基于协调杆的旋转使门在打开位置和闭合位置之间移动。(A system includes a chassis configured to be mounted on a vehicle, and a carriage assembly configurable to be movably coupled to the chassis and configured to move relative to the chassis. The carriage assembly may include a motor having a motor output shaft and a motor housing, and a drive mechanism configured to be coupled to the door and to the motor output shaft or the motor housing. The bracket assembly may also include a coordinating lever configured to be coupled to a motor output shaft or motor housing configured to rotate the coordinating lever in response to operation of the motor. The at least one linkage assembly may be configured to extend or retract to move the carriage assembly to move the door between the open and closed positions based on rotation of the coordinating lever.)

1. A system, comprising:

a base configured to be mounted on a vehicle above a door;

a carriage assembly configured to be movably coupled to the base and configured to move relative to the base, the carriage assembly comprising:

a motor including a motor output shaft and a motor housing;

a drive mechanism configured to be coupled to the door and to the motor output shaft or the motor housing, the drive mechanism configured to move in response to operation of the motor; and

a coordinating lever configured to be coupled to the motor output shaft or the motor housing, the motor output shaft or the motor housing configured to rotate the coordinating lever in response to operation of the motor; and

at least one linkage assembly configured to be coupled between the plinth and the coordination lever, the at least one linkage assembly configurable to extend or retract to move the carriage assembly relative to the plinth to move the door between an open position and a closed position based on rotation of the coordination lever.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the carriage assembly further comprises a gearbox and a drive pulley configured to operably couple the motor to the drive mechanism.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one linkage assembly comprises a lever configured to be fixedly coupled to the coordination bar, and a link arm configured to be pivotably coupled to the base.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the lever and link arm are configured to be over center as the bracket assembly extends relative to the chassis to form an over center lock.

5. The system of claim 1, comprising an arcuate track configured to connect to the base and a roller configured to couple to the door, wherein the roller is configured to travel within the arcuate track to guide the door between the open and closed positions.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the door comprises a pair of door panels, wherein the carriage assembly is configured to move the pair of door panels between the open and closed positions.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the carriage assembly further comprises a support beam configured to slidably mount the door thereon.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the carriage assembly is movably coupled to the chassis by at least one roller engaged within a track defined at an opposite end of the chassis.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the motor is not fixed to the carriage assembly.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a drive belt.

11. A system, comprising:

a base configured to be mounted on the transport vehicle above the door;

a carriage assembly movably coupled to the base and configured to move relative to the base, the carriage assembly comprising:

a motor including a motor output shaft and a motor housing;

a drive mechanism configured to be coupled to the door and to one of the motor output shaft or the motor housing, the drive mechanism configured to move in response to operation of the motor; and

a coordinating lever configured to be coupled to the motor output shaft or the motor housing, the motor output shaft or the motor housing configured to rotate the coordinating lever in response to operation of the motor to move the door between the open position and the closed position based on the rotation of the coordinating lever; and

a lever coupled to the coordination post, the lever configured to move over center when the carriage assembly is extended relative to the base to form an over-center lock.

12. The system of claim 11, comprising at least one linkage assembly coupled between the plinth and the coordinating lever, the at least one linkage assembly including the lever and configured to extend or retract to move the carriage assembly relative to the plinth to move the door between the locked open position and the closed position based on rotation of the coordinating lever.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one linkage assembly includes a link arm configured to pass over center when forming the over-center lock.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one linkage assembly does not include a coil spring.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the motor housing is configured to rotate in a direction opposite the motor output shaft, thereby rotating the unison rod in a direction opposite the drive mechanism.

16. The system of claim 11, comprising an arcuate track connected to the base and a roller configured to be coupled to the door, wherein the roller travels within the arcuate track to guide the door between the open and closed positions.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the door comprises a pair of door panels, wherein the carriage assembly is configured to move the pair of door panels between the open and closed positions.

18. A system, comprising:

a base configured to be mounted on the transport vehicle above the door;

a carriage assembly movably coupled to the base and configured to move relative to the base, the carriage assembly comprising:

a motor including a motor output shaft configured to rotate in a first direction and a motor housing configured to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction;

a drive mechanism configured to be coupled to the door and to one of the motor output shaft or the motor housing, the drive mechanism configured to rotate in the first direction in response to operation of the motor; and

a coordinating lever configured to be coupled to the motor output shaft or the motor housing, the motor output shaft or the motor housing configured to rotate the coordinating lever in the second direction in response to operation of the motor; and

at least one linkage assembly coupled between the base and the coordinating lever, the linkage assembly configured to extend or retract to move the carriage assembly relative to the base to move the door between an open position and a closed position based on rotation of the drive mechanism in the first direction and rotation of the coordinating lever in the second direction.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the drive mechanism is a drive belt coupled to a drive pulley to move the door between the open and closed positions.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one linkage assembly is configured to move the door outward, away from a door opening, as the door moves laterally between the open and closed positions.

Technical Field

The described subject matter generally relates to a door operator assembly.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

Door operator assemblies, for example on rail vehicles, buses, transport vehicles (transit vehicles) or the like, are usually opened by a sliding and insertion movement. One method of electrically driving an external sliding plug door system is to use a motor having an output shaft that rotates a lead screw. The lead screw nut is driven by the lead screw and, in turn, moves the door panel longitudinally, parallel to the door opening of the vehicle. The motor itself is not rigidly attached to a fixed frame, but is axially movable. The axial force exerted by the lead screw is used to drive a linkage that laterally inserts and laterally withdraws the door panel into and out of the door opening of the transport vehicle. Door operators using this configuration have certain disadvantages because the lead screw is an inherently inefficient device, coupled with the expense associated with replacing the ball screw.

Another known method of electrically driving an external plug door system is to use a motor having an output shaft that rotates a toothed drive pulley that drives a toothed belt. A toothed belt is connected to the door panel to drive the door panel in longitudinal movement. The motor housing is rigidly attached to a pin in the helical cam so that when the motor body rotates, it also moves axially due to the action of the helical cam. This axial movement provides a lateral insertion/extraction movement for the door panel. The system may require the use of two helical cams that must be synchronized to ensure uniform insertion/extraction of one or more door panels from the door opening. An example of such a system is disclosed in U.S. patent No.9,931,913, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Background

Disclosure of Invention

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system is provided that includes a dock configured to be mounted on a vehicle above a door, and a carriage assembly configurable to be movably coupled to the dock and configured to move relative to the dock. The carriage assembly may include a motor having a motor output shaft and a motor housing, and a drive mechanism configured to be coupled to the door and to the motor output shaft or the motor housing. The drive mechanism may be configured to move in response to operation of the motor. The bracket assembly may also include a coordinating lever configured to be coupled to a motor output shaft or motor housing configured to rotate the coordinating lever in response to operation of the motor. The system may also include at least one linkage assembly configured to be coupled between the base and the coordination rod. The at least one linkage assembly may be configured to extend or retract to move the carriage assembly relative to the base to move the door between the open and closed positions based on rotation of the coordinating lever.

In one or more embodiments, a system can include a dock configured to be mounted on a transport vehicle above a door, and a carriage assembly movably coupled to the dock and configured to move relative to the dock. The bracket assembly may include a motor having a motor output shaft and a motor housing, a drive mechanism configured to be coupled to the door and to one of the motor output shaft or the motor housing and configured to move in response to operation of the motor, and a coordinating lever configured to be coupled to the motor output shaft or the motor housing, the motor output shaft or the motor housing configured to rotate the coordinating lever in response to operation of the motor to move the door between the open position and the closed position based on rotation of the coordinating lever. The system may also include a lever coupled to the unison rod and configured to move over center (move over center) when the carriage assembly is extended relative to the base to form an over center lock.

In one or more embodiments, a system is provided that includes a plinth configured to be mounted on a transport vehicle above a door, and a carriage assembly movably coupled to the plinth and configured to move relative to the plinth. The carriage assembly may include a motor including a motor output shaft configured to rotate in a first direction and a motor housing configured to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction; a drive mechanism configured to be coupled to the door and to one of the motor output shaft or the motor housing and configured to rotate in a first direction in response to operation of the motor; and a coordinating lever configured to be coupled to the motor output shaft or the motor housing, the motor output shaft or the motor housing configured to rotate the coordinating lever in the second direction in response to operation of the motor. The system may also include at least one linkage assembly coupled between the plinth and the unison rod, the at least one linkage assembly configured to extend or retract to move the carriage assembly relative to the plinth to move the door between the open position and the closed position based on rotation of the drive mechanism in the first direction and rotation of the unison rod in the second direction.

Drawings

The inventive subject matter may be understood by reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the portion of the vehicle of FIG. 1 with the door panel in a closed position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle having a split double door assembly;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the portion of the vehicle of FIG. 3 with the door panel in a closed position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a door operator system;

FIG. 6 is a reverse perspective view of the door operator system of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the door operator system of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the door operator system of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method of operating a vehicle door.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the subject matter described herein relate to a door operator system that includes sliding and plunging motions. The door operator system includes a motor having an output shaft that rotates in a first direction to actuate a drive mechanism to move the door through a sliding motion (e.g., longitudinal), and a motor housing that rotates in an opposite second direction to brake a linkage assembly to move the door through an insertion motion (e.g., lateral). In this manner, the door both moves outwardly from the door opening and slides out of the opening accordingly based on motor operation.

Fig. 1 and 2 illustrate a portion of a vehicle 10 (e.g., a passenger car, a subway car, a trackless trolley, other rail vehicle, etc.). The vehicle 10 may include a body 11 extending along a vehicle longitudinal axis V. The vehicle body 11 includes a wall structure having one or more door openings or entrances 13 defined therein to allow passengers to enter and exit the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 also includes a door assembly including a single door panel 12, the single door panel 12 being moved between an open position and a closed position relative to the door opening 13 by a door operator system 50. In particular, the door operator system 50 is configured to move the door panel in a door opening and closing direction X along the door opening 13. The door opening and closing direction X may be substantially parallel to the walls of the vehicle body 11, possibly also parallel to the longitudinal axis V of the vehicle, and perpendicular (transverse to) or substantially perpendicular to the door opening and closing direction X into and out of the door opening 13 in the transverse direction. The opening and closing movement may be referred to as an insertion/extraction movement.

To move the door panel 12 to the open position shown in fig. 1, the door operator system 50 is activated to move the door panel 12 laterally outward, i.e., a pull-out motion, from the door opening 13 and then to move the door panel 12 longitudinally in a sliding motion along the door opening 13 in a door opening and closing direction X to an open position to enable passengers to enter and exit the vehicle 10 through the door opening 13. The door operator system 50 may also be configured to perform a sliding motion at least partially along the door opening and closing direction X simultaneously with the lateral pull-out motion.

To move the door panel 12 to the closed position shown in fig. 2, the door operator system 50 is again actuated to slide the door panel 12 longitudinally along the door opening 13 between the door open and closed positions X toward the closed position, and then (or partially simultaneously) move the door panel 12 laterally inward to the door opening 13, i.e., an insertion motion. It should be appreciated that when in the closed position, door panel 12 may extend flush with a wall of vehicle body 11 and may sealingly engage the wall or a door frame formed in vehicle body 11.

Fig. 3 and 4 illustrate another example vehicle 10. According to the illustrated example, the door assembly includes a pair of door panels 12A, 12B, the pair of door panels 12A, 12B being acted upon by a door operator system 50 to move in a coordinated manner relative to the door opening 13 between respective open and closed positions. In particular, the door operator system 50 is configured to move the pair of door panels 12A, 12B longitudinally in the door opening 13 in the door opening and closing direction X in opposite manner to each other (open to open other) and into and out of the door opening 13 in a transverse direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the door opening and closing direction X.

To move the door panels 12A, 12B to the open position shown in fig. 3, the door operator system 50 is activated to move, i.e., pull-out, the door panels 12A, 12B laterally outward from the door opening 13 and then move the door panels 12A, 12B away from each other in the door opening and closing direction X in a sliding motion along the door opening 13 to the open position. To move the door panels 12A, 12B to the closed position shown in fig. 4, the door operator system 50 is again activated to move the door panels 12A, 12B in a sliding motion along the door opening 13 in the door opening and closing direction X toward one another to the closed position, and then to move the door panels 12A, 12B laterally inward to the door opening 13, i.e., an insertion motion.

Door operator system 50 may be configured such that insertion and removal movement of the pair of door panels 12A, 12B is at least partially simultaneous with movement in the door opening and closing direction X. The door operator system 50 may also be configured such that the door panels 12A, 12B may be moved between the open and closed positions in a coordinated, synchronized manner. It should also be understood that when in the closed position, the door panels 12A, 12B may extend flush with each other and/or with a wall of the vehicle body 11, and may sealingly engage with each other and/or with a wall or door frame formed in the vehicle body 11.

Referring to fig. 5-7B, an example door operator system 50 is shown. In one example, the door operator system 50 may be used to control the movement of a door panel in any of fig. 1-4. To this end, the door operator system 50 may be configured to move a door or pair of doors of the vehicle between an open position and a closed position along a door opening of the vehicle in the manner described above. As noted above, the door operator system 50 may be configured to operate a single door panel or a pair of side-by-side door panels in a vehicle, which may be a passenger car, subway car, trackless trolley, other rail vehicle, or the like. More generally, the door operator system may be used in any situation where it is desirable to provide a door that moves in the manner described herein, such as a transit barrier platform (transit barrier platform) that restricts access. For ease of illustration and explanation, fig. 5-7B show the top of two door panels 59A, 59B attached to the door operator system 50, rather than the entire door panel.

The door operator system 50 may include a base 51 configured to be mounted on the vehicle above the door opening. The base 51 may extend along a longitudinal axis L that extends parallel to the door opening and closing direction X (see fig. 1-4) and may also extend parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis V (as shown in fig. 1-4) when the base 51 is mounted on the vehicle.

As shown in fig. 5-7B, the door operator system 50 may further include a carriage assembly 52 movably coupled to the pedestal 51 and actuatable to move relative to the pedestal in a transverse direction T perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the pedestal 51. In one example, the carriage assembly 52 may be movably coupled by rollers 69 disposed on opposite longitudinal ends of the carriage assembly, the rollers 69 engaging tracks 70 defined in respective ends of the chassis 51. Alternatively, a tongue and groove coupling, a slider, a matching pattern, a wheel, a gear arrangement, etc. may provide the coupling such that the carriage assembly 52 may be movably coupled to the base.

The carriage assembly 52 may include components for mounting one or both door panels 59A, 59B to the door operator system 50 to drive the door panels 59A, 59B between the open and closed positions. The components for mounting may include fasteners, nuts and bolts, adhesives, welding, and the like.

The carriage assembly 52 includes a motor 53 that may include a motor output shaft 54 and a motor housing 55. In one embodiment, the motor 53 is not structurally fixed to the carriage assembly 52, and therefore the motor housing 55 is free to rotate in response to the torque output to the motor output shaft 54, and opposite to the rotation of the motor output shaft 54. Alternatively, the housing may be stationary but gearing may be provided to provide an input which rotates in the opposite direction to the motor output shaft.

In one example, a right angle gearbox 56 may be provided on the carriage assembly 52 and connected to the motor output shaft 54. A drive mechanism 49 is provided, which in one example may include a toothed drive pulley 57 extending from a right angle gear box 56. Although a toothed drive pulley 57 may be provided in the illustrated example, in other examples, other drive mechanisms may include sprockets, gears, etc. Actuation of the motor 53 drives rotation of the motor output shaft 54, which is then translated through the right angle gearbox 56 to the toothed drive pulley 57.

In one embodiment, the drive mechanism may include a toothed drive belt 58 that may engage a toothed drive pulley 57 and a return pulley 71 disposed on the carriage assembly 52 distal from the toothed drive pulley 57. A drive belt 58 may be operatively coupled to the motor output shaft 54 through a right angle gear box 56 and a drive pulley 57 such that operation of the motor 53 causes the drive belt 58 to rotate in a first rotational direction parallel to the direction of the longitudinal axis L of the base 51. As a result, the drive belt 58 can be driven to rotate about a rotational axis that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the base 51 about the drive pulley 57 and the return pulley 71.

The door panels 59A, 59B may each be coupled to the drive belt 58 by a respective clamp 72A, 72B. Alternatively, the door panels 59A, 59B may each be coupled to a drive belt by fasteners, bolts, clips, or the like. In one example, one door panel 59B may be attached to the upper portion of the drive belt 58 by a clamp 72B. Another door panel 59A may be attached to the lower portion of the drive belt 58 by a clamp 72A. In this way, the drive belt 58 slides the door panels 59A, 59B in the door opening closing direction X opposite to each other. The door panels 59A, 59B are slidably mounted and supported on respective support beams 67, 68 for movably and structurally supporting the door panels 59A, 59B on the bracket assembly 52.

As shown in fig. 5-7B, the carriage assembly 52 may further include a coordinating lever 60 coupled to the motor housing 55 such that operation of the motor 53 causes rotation of the coordinating lever 60 in the second direction by rotation of the motor housing 55 opposite to rotation of the motor output shaft 54.

The door operator system 50 also includes two linkage assemblies 61, 62 coupled between the base 51 and the unison rod 60. In one example, each linkage assembly 61, 62 may include a lever 63 fixedly coupled to the unison rod 60, and a link arm 64 pivotably coupled between the lever 63 and the base 51. Alternatively, the link arm may include an extension or other movable member. In particular, the connecting-rod assembly does not comprise a helical member for movement purposes. As shown in fig. 7A and 7B, rotation of the coordinating lever 60 actuates the linkage assemblies 61, 62 to extend or retract, thereby moving the carriage assembly 52 relative to the chassis 51 in the transverse direction T between an extended position and a retracted position, which correspond to the closed and open positions of the door panels 59A, 59B, respectively.

As shown in fig. 7A, when the carriage assembly 52 is in the extended position, the lever 63 and the link arm 64 move over center (over center) relative to each other to form an over center locking mechanism (over center locking mechanism) that locks the door panels 59A, 59B in the closed position and prevents or hinders the passenger from pushing or forcibly moving the door panels 59A, 59B out of the door opening to open the pair of door panels. According to an alternative example of the present disclosure, a single linkage assembly 61 may be used to drive the carriage assembly 52 and the door panels 59A, 59B to move relative to the chassis 51.

To move the door panels 59A, 59B between the open and closed positions, the motor 53 may be driven by a central or local control to drive the motor output shaft 54 to rotate relative to the motor housing 55. The motor output shaft 54 is operatively coupled to the drive belt 58 via the right angle gear box 56 and the drive pulley 57 such that operation of the motor 53 causes the drive belt 58 to move about the drive pulley 57 and the return pulley 71 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the base 51, thereby moving the door panels 59A, 59B in the door opening and closing direction X in an opposite manner to one another along the door opening. As described above, the motor housing 55 is not fixed and is free to rotate relative to the carriage assembly 52. The motor housing 55 is coupled to the unison rod 60 such that rotation of the motor housing 55 opposite to rotation of the motor output shaft 54 causes rotation of the unison rod 60.

Rotation of the coordinating lever 60 causes the linkage assemblies 61, 62 to extend or retract, thus driving the carriage assembly 52 to move in the transverse direction T relative to the base 51 between the extended position and the retracted position and causing the door panels 59A, 59B to move in the transverse direction into or out of the door opening. In this way, the motor 53 acts as a differential mechanism between the coordination lever 60 and the drive belt 58. In one embodiment, the motor 53 may alternatively be arranged such that the motor output shaft 54 is coupled to the unison rod 60 and the motor housing 55 is coupled to the right angle gearbox 56 and the drive belt 58. Specifically, the motor 53 provides two independent and opposite rotations, such that each rotation can be used to actuate a right angle gearbox or a coordination lever.

Thus, the door operator system 50 utilizes the output of the motor 53 to actuate movement of the door panels 59A, 59B laterally into and out of the door opening, i.e., insertion/extraction movement. The motor also actuates the door panels 59A, 59B to move along the door opening in the door opening and closing direction X between the open and closed positions shown in fig. 1-4.

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the base 51 may also include an arcuate track 65 thereon. A corresponding guide roller 66 is attached to one of the door panels 59B. The guide roller 66 travels within the arcuate track 65 to guide the door panel 59B between the open and closed positions. Although guide rollers 66 may be provided in the illustrated example, other guide mechanisms may be used to move along the arcuate tracks 65 to provide movement as desired.

FIG. 8 shows a flow chart of a method 800 of opening and closing a vehicle door. In one example, the door operator system 50 of fig. 1-7 is used to perform the method. Although described in connection with a single door, the method may be used to open and close a single door or a pair of doors within an opening of a vehicle.

At 802, starting with a door of a vehicle in an open position, a motor is actuated to close the door. The actuation causes the motor output shaft to rotate in a first direction and the motor housing to rotate in a second direction. In one example, the first direction may be a clockwise direction and the second direction is a counterclockwise direction. Alternatively, the first direction may be counterclockwise and the second direction clockwise.

At 804, rotation of the motor output shaft in a first direction actuates a drive mechanism configured to slide the door in a longitudinal direction. In one example, the drive mechanism may include a right angle gearbox that may be coupled to the pulley system. In one example, the pulley system may include a toothed drive pulley, a return pulley, and a drive belt as described herein. In one embodiment, the motor output shaft is coupled to the coordinating lever rather than the drive mechanism. As a result, the rotation causes the unison lever to actuate the linkage assembly to provide an insertion motion to the door, thereby moving the door laterally toward the opening. Since both the drive mechanism and the coordination lever are actuated by a rotary actuator and the motor has two rotating elements, an output shaft and a housing, the motor may be reversible within the system. In particular, the system functions as a differential between the drive mechanism and the coordination lever.

At 806, rotation of the motor housing in the second direction actuates a coordinating lever configured to tuck the door in a lateral direction toward the door opening. When the door slides due to the motor output shaft, the rotation of the motor housing and the insertion of the door may occur simultaneously. In one example, the coordinating bar may be coupled to a linkage assembly that includes a lever that pushes the door toward the opening. In one embodiment, the motor housing is coupled to the drive mechanism rather than the coordinating rod. As a result, the rotation causes the drive mechanism to actuate the drive belt to provide sliding motion to the door, thereby moving the door longitudinally into the door opening.

At 808, the link moves past an over center position to lock the door in place. With the door in the closed position. In particular, in one example, the linkage assembly may include a lever and a link arm that are both moved over center relative to each other such that lateral movement does not cause the link arm to rotate about its central axis, thereby forming a locking mechanism. In this way, a person pushing the door does not force the door to open, but only the rotational movement of the actuating member (e.g., the coordinating lever and linkage assembly) causes the door to move in a lateral direction.

At 810, the motor is reversed causing the drive mechanism and the unison lever to rotate in opposite directions. As a result, the drive mechanism actuates to slide the door longitudinally to the open position, while the unison lever actuates to move the door laterally away from the opening to the open position. Similar to the previous steps, the coupling of the motor may be reversed so that both the motor output shaft and the motor housing may drive the actuation of the drive mechanism and the coordination lever.

Accordingly, a door operator system 50 is provided that uses the natural counter-rotation of the motor to provide the vehicle with the additional function of opening and closing the door within the door opening. Rotation in a first direction may be used to provide sliding movement of one or more doors, while counter-rotation in a second direction may be used to provide insertion movement of one or more doors. Thus, efficient use of the motor is provided and costs are reduced.

In one or more embodiments, a system may be provided that includes a dock configured to be mounted on a vehicle above a door, and a carriage assembly configurable to be movably coupled to the dock and configured to move relative to the dock. The carriage assembly may include a motor having a motor output shaft and a motor housing, and a drive mechanism configured to be coupled to the door and to the motor output shaft or the motor housing. The drive mechanism may be configured to move in response to operation of the motor. The bracket assembly may also include a coordinating lever configured to be coupled to a motor output shaft or motor housing configured to rotate the coordinating lever in response to operation of the motor. The system may also include at least one linkage assembly configured to be coupled between the base and the coordination rod. The at least one linkage assembly may be configured to extend or retract to move the carriage assembly relative to the base to move the door between the open and closed positions based on rotation of the coordinating lever.

Optionally, the carriage assembly may further comprise a gearbox and a drive pulley configured to operably couple the motor to the drive mechanism. In another embodiment, at least one link assembly may include a lever configured to be fixedly coupled to the unison rod, and a link arm configured to be pivotably coupled to the base. Alternatively, the lever and link arm may be configured to be over-centered as the carriage assembly is extended relative to the chassis to form an over-center lock.

In another aspect, the system can further include an arcuate track configurable to connect to the base and a roller configured to couple to the door. The roller may be configured to travel within an arcuate track to guide the door between the open and closed positions. Alternatively, the door may include a pair of door panels, and the carriage assembly may be configured to move the pair of door panels between the open position and the closed position. In another example, the bracket assembly may further include a support beam configured to slidably mount a door thereon.

Alternatively, the carriage assembly may be movably coupled to the base by at least one roller engaged within a track defined at an opposite end of the base. Alternatively, the motor may not be fixed to the carriage assembly. Alternatively, the drive mechanism may be a drive belt.

In one or more embodiments, a system can include a dock configured to be mounted on a transport vehicle above a door, and a carriage assembly movably coupled to the dock and configured to move relative to the dock. The bracket assembly may include a motor having a motor output shaft and a motor housing, a drive mechanism configured to be coupled to the door and to one of the motor output shaft or the motor housing and configured to move in response to operation of the motor, and a coordinating lever configured to be coupled to the motor output shaft or the motor housing, the motor output shaft or the motor housing configured to rotate the coordinating lever in response to operation of the motor to move the door between the open position and the closed position based on rotation of the coordinating lever. The system may also include a lever coupled to the unison rod and configured to move through the center when the carriage assembly is extended relative to the base to form an over-center lock.

Optionally, at least one linkage assembly including a lever may be coupled between the plinth and the unison rod and configured to extend or retract to move the carriage assembly relative to the plinth to move the door between the locked open and closed positions based on rotation of the unison rod. Alternatively, at least one linkage assembly may include a link arm configured to be over-centered when forming an over-center lock. In an embodiment, the at least one linkage assembly may not include a coil spring. In another example, the motor housing may be configured to rotate in a direction opposite the motor output shaft, thereby rotating the coordinating lever in a direction opposite the drive mechanism. The system may also include an arcuate track connected to the base and a roller configured to be coupled to the door, wherein the roller travels within the track to guide the door between the open and closed positions. In one embodiment, the door may include a pair of door panels, and the carriage assembly may be configured to move the pair of door panels between the open position and the closed position.

In one or more embodiments, a system is provided that includes a base configured to be mounted on a transport vehicle above a door, and a carriage assembly movably coupled to the base and configured to move relative to the base. The carriage assembly may include an electric motor including a motor output shaft configured to rotate in a first direction and a motor housing configured to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction; a drive mechanism configured to be coupled to the door and to one of the motor output shaft or the motor housing and configured to rotate in a first direction in response to operation of the motor; and a coordinating lever configured to couple with the motor output shaft or the motor housing, the motor output shaft or the motor housing configured to rotate the coordinating lever in the second direction in response to operation of the motor. The system may also include at least one linkage assembly coupled between the plinth and the unison rod, the linkage assembly being configured to extend or retract to move the carriage assembly relative to the plinth to move the door between the open position and the closed position based on rotation of the drive mechanism in the first direction and rotation of the unison rod in the second direction.

Alternatively, the drive mechanism may be a drive belt coupled to a drive pulley to move the door between the open and closed positions.

In another example, the at least one linkage assembly may be configured to move the door outward, away from the door opening, as the door moves laterally between the open and closed positions.

The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. "optional" or "optionally" means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description may include instances where the event occurs and instances where it does not. Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it may be related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as "about," "substantially," and "approximately," may not be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some cases, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged, such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise.

This written description uses examples to disclose the embodiments, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The claims define the patentable scope of the disclosure, and include other examples that occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.