CN110091884B

CN110091884B - Sliding plug door device

Info

Publication number: CN110091884B
Application number: CN201910041306.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 牧平郁夫; 井筒政行; 高木光辉
Original assignee: Nabtesco Corp
Current assignee: Nabtesco Corp
Priority date: 2018-01-30
Filing date: 2019-01-16
Publication date: 2023-07-04
Anticipated expiration: 2039-01-16
Also published as: JP2019132010A; TW201932698A; TWI791740B; CN110091884A; JP7042093B2; EP3517719B1; EP3517719A1

Abstract

The invention provides a sliding plug door device. A sliding plug door device (1) is provided with: an upper swing arm (31) and a lower swing arm (32); an upper pinion (33) mounted on the upper swing arm (31); an upper rack (35) which meshes with the upper pinion (33); a lower pinion (34) attached to the lower swing arm (32); a lower rack (36) that meshes with the lower pinion (34); an arm connecting shaft (40) that connects the upper swing arm (31) and the lower swing arm (32); and a pinion connecting shaft (50) that connects the upper pinion (33) and the lower pinion (34). The arm connecting shaft (40) has a 1 st free joint (44) and a 2 nd free joint (45), and the pinion connecting shaft (50) has a 3 rd free joint (54) and a 4 th free joint (55).

Description

Sliding plug door device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a sliding plug door device.

Background

For example, a railway vehicle is provided with a sliding plug door device that moves a door provided to a landing port of a vehicle body of the railway vehicle in a vehicle width direction and opens and closes the door in a vehicle front-rear direction. As such a sliding plug door device, for example, a sliding plug door device having a stabilizer that suppresses relative displacement of an upper portion and a lower portion of a door in a vehicle width direction and a vehicle front-rear direction when the door is opened and closed is known as the sliding plug door device of japanese patent application laid-open No. 6-262945.

An example of a sliding plug door device provided with a stabilizer will be described with reference to fig. 14 and 15.

As shown in fig. 14, the sliding plug door apparatus 300 includes: a drive unit 310 of a feed screw type, which is a drive source for opening and closing the single-open door 400; a stabilizer 320 provided to link upper and lower portions of the door 400; and a rack and pinion mechanism 330 that guides movement of the door 400 in the vehicle front-rear direction.

The stabilizer 320 includes: an upper swing arm 321 disposed at an upper portion of the door 400 and configured to rotate in response to movement of the door 400 in the vehicle width direction; a lower swing arm 322 disposed at a lower portion of the door 400 and configured to rotate in response to movement of the door 400 in the vehicle width direction; and a connecting shaft 323 connecting the upper swing arm 321 and the lower swing arm 322. The upper part of the connecting shaft 323 is inserted into the tip end part of the upper swing arm 321, and the lower part of the connecting shaft 323 is inserted into the tip end part of the lower swing arm 322. In this way, since the distal end portion of the upper swing arm 321 and the distal end portion of the lower swing arm 322 are coupled by the coupling shaft 323, the upper swing arm 321 and the lower swing arm 322 rotate synchronously when the door 400 moves in the vehicle width direction. Thus, the upper and lower portions of the door 400 move synchronously in the vehicle width direction.

The rack and pinion mechanism 330 includes: an upper rack 331 provided to an upper portion of the door 400; an upper pinion 332 provided to the tip end of the upper swing arm 321; a lower rack 333 provided to a lower portion of the door 400; and a lower pinion 334 provided to the top end of the lower swing arm 322. The upper rack 331 and the lower rack 333 have the same structure, and the upper pinion 332 and the lower pinion 334 have the same structure. An upper pinion 332 is attached to an upper end portion of the connecting shaft 323 protruding upward with respect to the upper swing arm 321, and a lower pinion 334 is attached to a lower end portion of the connecting shaft 323 protruding downward with respect to the lower swing arm 322. That is, the connecting shaft 323 connects the upper pinion 332 and the lower pinion 334. According to this structure, when the door 400 moves in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the rotation of the upper pinion 332 is transmitted to the lower pinion 334 via the connecting shaft 323, and therefore, the upper pinion 332 and the lower pinion 334 rotate synchronously. Further, the upper rack 331 and the upper pinion 332 are engaged with the lower rack 333 and the lower pinion 334 in the same manner, and therefore, the upper portion and the lower portion of the door 400 are moved in synchronization with each other in the vehicle front-rear direction.

As shown in fig. 15, the door 400 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction, and the lower portion of the door 400 is curved. Thus, the position of the upper swing arm 321 in the vehicle width direction of the stabilizer 320 and the position of the lower swing arm 322 in the vehicle width direction are different from each other. Accordingly, the rotation axis of the upper swing arm 321 and the rotation axis of the lower swing arm 322 are inclined so as to be located outside in the vehicle width direction as being directed downward with respect to the vertical direction.

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

As shown in fig. 15, when the door 400 moves outward in the vehicle width direction, the upper swing arm 321 and the lower swing arm 322 are required to lift the door 400. Therefore, there are the following cases: the weight of the door 400 becomes resistance to the rotation of the upper swing arm 321 and the lower swing arm 322, and it is difficult for the door 400 to be smoothly opened.

Further, the problem is not limited to a single-open door, and there is a case where the problem is similarly generated in a double-open door. Further, when the rotation axis of the upper swing arm and the rotation axis of the lower swing arm are inclined so as to be located inward in the vehicle width direction as facing downward with respect to the vertical direction, there are cases where: when the swing arms are rotated to bring the door to the fully closed position, the self weight of the door becomes resistance of the swing arms, and it is difficult to smoothly close the door.

The invention aims to provide a sliding plug door device which can enable a door to be opened and closed smoothly.

Solution for solving the problem

The sliding plug door device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a 1 st swing arm and a 2 nd swing arm arranged at intervals along the height direction of the door; a 1 st pinion gear mounted to a portion of the 1 st swing arm different from a rotation axis of the 1 st swing arm; a 1 st rack mounted to the door, engaged with the 1 st pinion; a 2 nd pinion gear mounted to a portion of the 2 nd swing arm different from a rotation axis of the 2 nd swing arm; a 2 nd rack installed to the door, engaged with the 2 nd pinion; an arm connecting shaft having: a 1 st arm shaft connected to the 1 st swing arm such that a rotation axis is coaxial with a rotation axis of the 1 st swing arm; a 2 nd arm shaft connected to the 2 nd swing arm so that a rotation axis and a rotation axis of the 2 nd swing arm become coaxial; and a 3 rd arm shaft connecting the 1 st arm shaft and the 2 nd arm shaft, the arm connecting shaft integrally rotating with the 1 st swing arm and the 2 nd swing arm to synchronize rotation of the 1 st swing arm and rotation of the 2 nd swing arm; and a pinion connecting shaft having: a 1 st pinion shaft connected to the 1 st pinion so that a rotation axis thereof is coaxial with a rotation axis of the 1 st pinion; a 2 nd pinion shaft connected to the 2 nd pinion gear such that a rotation axis thereof is coaxial with a rotation axis of the 2 nd pinion gear; and a 3 rd pinion shaft that connects the 1 st pinion shaft and the 2 nd pinion shaft, the pinion connecting shaft integrally rotating with the 1 st pinion and the 2 nd pinion to synchronize rotation of the 1 st pinion and rotation of the 2 nd pinion, the arm connecting shaft including: a 1 st free joint connecting the 1 st arm shaft and the 3 rd arm shaft; and a 2 nd free joint connecting the 2 nd arm shaft and the 3 rd arm shaft, the pinion connecting shaft including: a 3 rd free joint connecting the 1 st pinion shaft and the 3 rd pinion shaft; and a 4 th free joint connecting the 2 nd pinion shaft and the 3 rd pinion shaft.

According to this configuration, the 3 rd arm shaft is inclined with respect to the 1 st arm shaft and the 2 nd arm shaft by the 1 st free joint and the 2 nd free joint, and the axial directions of the 1 st arm shaft and the 2 nd arm shaft can be adjusted in the vertical direction. Thus, even when the door is formed in a curved shape and the position in the vehicle width direction of the 1 st swing arm and the position in the vehicle width direction of the 2 nd swing arm are different from each other, the 3 rd arm shaft is inclined with respect to the vertical direction, so that the rotation axes of the 1 st swing arm and the 2 nd swing arm can be suppressed from being inclined with respect to the vertical direction. Therefore, the weight of the door is suppressed from becoming resistance to the rotation of the 1 st swing arm and the 2 nd swing arm, and therefore the movement of the door in the vehicle width direction can be smoothly performed.

On the other hand, when the axial direction of the 1 st pinion shaft is inclined with respect to the vertical direction, if the position of the 1 st pinion in the vertical direction with respect to the 1 st rack is different from the preset position due to the machining error and the assembly error of the 1 st rack and the 1 st pinion, the position where the teeth of the 1 st pinion mesh with the teeth of the 1 st rack in the direction in which the 1 st pinion faces the 1 st rack is not appropriate. As a result, the force of engagement between the 1 st rack and the 1 st pinion excessively increases or decreases, and the 1 st pinion does not smoothly rotate relative to the 1 st rack. In the same manner, when the axial direction of the 2 nd pinion shaft is inclined with respect to the vertical direction, the 2 nd pinion shaft does not smoothly rotate with respect to the 2 nd rack.

In this regard, according to the sliding plug door apparatus of the present invention, the 3 rd pinion shaft is inclined with respect to the 1 st and 2 nd pinion shafts by the 3 rd and 4 th free joints, so that the axial directions of the 1 st and 2 nd pinion shafts can be adjusted in the vertical direction. Thus, even if the position of the 1 st pinion in the vertical direction with respect to the 1 st rack is different from a preset position due to a machining error or an assembly error of the 1 st rack and the 1 st pinion, the position of the meshing between the teeth of the 1 st pinion and the teeth of the 1 st rack in the direction in which the 1 st pinion and the 1 st rack face each other is not changed, and therefore the 1 st pinion and the 1 st rack mesh with each other with an appropriate force. In addition, with respect to the 2 nd rack and the 2 nd pinion, the 2 nd pinion is engaged with the 2 nd rack with an appropriate force as well. Therefore, even when the door is formed in a curved shape and the position in the vehicle width direction of the 1 st pinion and the position in the vehicle width direction of the 2 nd pinion are different from each other, for example, the 1 st pinion smoothly rotates with respect to the 1 st rack and the 2 nd pinion smoothly rotates with respect to the 2 nd rack. Thus, the opening and closing operation of the door can be smoothly performed.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the sliding plug door apparatus further includes: an arm adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting a distance between the 1 st swing arm and the 2 nd swing arm; and a pinion adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting a distance between the 1 st pinion and the 2 nd pinion.

According to this structure, by adjusting the distance between the 1 st swing arm and the 2 nd swing arm by the arm adjusting mechanism, the position of the 1 st swing arm and the position of the 2 nd swing arm corresponding to the position of the door with respect to the vehicle body can be adjusted.

On the other hand, when the position of the door with respect to the vehicle body is changed, the positions of the 1 st rack and the 2 nd rack attached to the door with respect to the vehicle body are changed. Therefore, by changing the distance between the 1 st pinion and the 2 nd pinion by the pinion adjusting mechanism, the 1 st pinion can be disposed at a position where the 1 st pinion meshes with the 1 st rack, and the 2 nd pinion can be disposed at a position where the 2 nd pinion meshes with the 2 nd rack.

According to one aspect of the sliding plug door apparatus described above, the arm adjusting mechanism includes: a 1 st external screw thread portion provided to the 1 st arm shaft; and a 1 st nut screwed into the 1 st male screw portion, wherein the 1 st nut is movable in the axial direction of the 1 st male screw portion, whereby the position of the 1 st swing arm can be changed.

According to this configuration, the distance between the 1 st swing arm and the 2 nd swing arm is changed according to the amount of screwing of the 1 st nut. Thus, the distance between the 1 st swing arm and the 2 nd swing arm can be steplessly adjusted.

According to one aspect subordinate to the sliding plug door apparatus, the pinion adjusting mechanism includes: a 2 nd external screw thread portion provided to the 2 nd pinion shaft; and a 2 nd nut screwed into the 2 nd male screw portion, wherein the 2 nd nut is movable in an axial direction of the 2 nd male screw portion to change a position of the 2 nd pinion gear.

According to this configuration, the distance between the 1 st pinion and the 2 nd pinion is changed according to the amount of screwing of the 2 nd nut. Thus, the distance between the 1 st pinion and the 2 nd pinion can be steplessly adjusted.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the 1 st arm shaft and at least one of the 1 st pinion shafts include: a 1 st connecting shaft and a 2 nd connecting shaft formed separately; and a coupling member coupled to the 1 st coupling shaft so as to be non-rotatable with respect to the 1 st coupling shaft and movable with respect to the 1 st coupling shaft, and coupled to the 2 nd coupling shaft so as to be non-rotatable with respect to the 2 nd coupling shaft and movable with respect to the 2 nd coupling shaft.

According to this configuration, the axial length of the 1 st arm shaft (1 st pinion shaft) can be easily changed while suppressing the relative rotation between the 1 st connecting shaft and the 2 nd connecting shaft.

According to one mode subordinate to the sliding plug door apparatus described above, the sliding plug door apparatus further includes a mounting member for mounting the 1 st arm shaft to a vehicle body, the mounting member being mountable to a fixing member provided to the vehicle body and having a 1 st vertical groove extending in a vertical direction, and the mounting member is provided with a 2 nd vertical groove engageable with the 1 st vertical groove.

According to this structure, the 2 nd longitudinal groove of the mounting member is engaged with the 1 st longitudinal groove of the fixing member, so that the inclination of the mounting member with respect to the fixing member is suppressed. Therefore, the arm connecting shaft inserted into the mounting member is restrained from tilting relative to the fixing member. Thus, the rotation axes of the 1 st swing arm and the 2 nd swing arm can be more suppressed from being inclined with respect to the vertical direction.

According to one embodiment of the sliding plug door apparatus, the 1 st pinion and the 1 st rack are disposed at an upper portion of the door, and the 2 nd pinion and the 2 nd rack are disposed at a lower portion of the door.

In the case where the rack-and-pinion mechanism is located at the center in the height direction of the door, for example, the aesthetic appearance of the door is degraded. In this regard, according to the configuration of [ 7 ], since the rack and pinion mechanism is not disposed in the center of the door, deterioration of the appearance can be suppressed.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the sliding plug door device of the present invention, the door can be smoothly opened and closed.

Drawings

Fig. 1 (a) is a front view of a sliding plug door device according to an embodiment, and fig. 1 (b) is an enlarged view of a door hanger.

Fig. 2 (a) is a plan view of the rail mechanism of the sliding plug door apparatus of fig. 1 (a) when the door position is in the fully closed position, and fig. 2 (b) is a plan view of the rail mechanism when the door position is in the fully open position.

Fig. 3 (a) is a side view of the sliding plug door apparatus when the door position is in the fully closed position, and fig. 3 (b) is a side view of the sliding plug door apparatus when the door position is in the fully open position.

Fig. 4 (a) is a plan view of the upper swing arm and its periphery, fig. 4 (b) is a front view of the upper swing arm and its periphery, fig. 4 (c) is a side view of the support arm, and fig. 4 (d) is a side view showing the relationship between the upper pinion and its periphery and the door.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of fig. 4 (a).

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a mounting structure between the mounting member and the upper fixing member.

Fig. 7 is a front view showing a part of the arm coupling shaft and the pinion coupling shaft.

Fig. 8 (a) is a plan view of the lower arm and its periphery, fig. 8 (b) is a front view of the lower arm and its periphery, and fig. 8 (c) is a side view showing the relationship between the lower pinion and its periphery and the door.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of fig. 8 (a).

Fig. 10 (a) is a plan view showing a relationship between the upper swing arm and the door, fig. 10 (b) is a plan view showing a relationship between the lower swing arm and the door, and fig. 10 (c) is a plan view showing a relationship between rolling elements of the door and a track of the vehicle body.

Fig. 11 (a) is a plan view showing the relationship between the upper inlet and the door, and fig. 11 (b) is a plan view showing the relationship between the lower inlet and the door.

Fig. 12 (a) is a side view of the lock cylinder and the lower swing arm when the lock cylinder is in the locked state, and fig. 12 (b) is a side view of the lock cylinder and the lower swing arm when the lock cylinder is in the unlocked state.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the installation method of the sliding plug door apparatus.

Fig. 14 is a front view of a conventional sliding plug door apparatus.

Fig. 15 is a side view of the sliding plug door apparatus of fig. 14.

Description of the reference numerals

1. A sliding plug door device; 31. an upper swing arm (1 st swing arm); 32. a lower swing arm (2 nd swing arm); 33. an upper pinion (1 st pinion); 34. a lower pinion (2 nd pinion); 35. an upper rack (1 st rack); 36. a lower rack (2 nd rack); 40. an arm connecting shaft; 41. a 1 st arm shaft; 41A, 1 st connecting shaft; 41B, a 2 nd connecting shaft; 41D, 1 st external thread portion; 42. a 2 nd arm shaft; 43. a 3 rd arm shaft; 44. 1 st free joint; 45. a 2 nd free joint; 46. a connecting member; 50. a pinion gear connecting shaft; 51. a 1 st pinion shaft; 51A, 1 st connecting shaft; 51B, the 2 nd connecting shaft; 52. a 2 nd pinion shaft; 52A, the 2 nd external thread portion; 53. a 3 rd pinion shaft; 54. 3 rd free joint; 55. a 4 th free joint; 56. a connecting member; 66. a mounting member; 66E, 2 nd longitudinal groove; 70. an arm adjustment mechanism; 71. a 1 st nut; 90. a pinion adjustment mechanism; 91. a 2 nd nut; 210. a vehicle body; 212R, upper side fixing members (fixing members); 212L, an upper side fixing member (fixing member); 212B, 1 st longitudinal slot; 213R, lower side fixing members (fixing members); 213L, lower side fixing members (fixing members); 213A, 1 st longitudinal groove; 220R, door; 220L, door; ZA, front-back direction; ZB, vehicle width direction; ZC, height direction.

Detailed Description

An embodiment of the sliding plug door device will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in fig. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the sliding plug door apparatus 1 opens and closes double-

pull doors

220R, 220L provided to a vehicle body 210 of a railway vehicle 200. At the lower end portions of the

doors

220R, 220L, rolling elements 230 are provided at two locations spaced apart along the front-rear direction (hereinafter referred to as "front-rear direction ZA") of the vehicle 200. The number of rolling elements 230 can be arbitrarily set. The rolling elements 230 are slidably accommodated in rails 231 provided to the vehicle body 210. As shown by the two-dot chain lines in fig. 3 (a) and 3 (b), the door 220R is a shape in which a lower portion of the door 220R is curved toward the inside of the vehicle 200 in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 200 (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle width direction ZB"). Further, the structure and shape of the door 220L are the same as those of the door 220R. The sliding plug door device 1 can also be applied to a single-pull door.

As shown in fig. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the sliding plug door apparatus 1 includes a driving mechanism 10 as a driving source for opening and closing the

doors

220R and 220L. The driving mechanism 10 is provided at an upper portion of the vehicle body 210. The driving mechanism 10 includes: a pair of

rods

11R, 11L extending in the front-rear direction ZA; a drive cylinder 12 for moving the

rods

11R, 11L in the front-rear direction ZA by air pressure; a rail mechanism 16 for guiding movement of the

doors

220R, 220L in the vehicle width direction ZB and the front-rear direction ZA; and a pulling mechanism 20 that moves the

levers

11R, 11L in opposite directions to each other. The driving mechanism 10 may be configured to move the pair of

levers

11R and 11L by using a feed screw mechanism driven by an electric motor instead of the driving cylinder 12.

The pair of

levers

11R, 11L are arranged at a distance from each other in the vehicle width direction ZB. The door hanger 15R is connected to the lever 11R via the connecting member 13R and the slide member 14R. The door hanger 15L is connected to the lever 11L via the connecting member 13L and the sliding member 14L.

The connecting member 13R connects the lever 11R and the slide member 14R. The slide member 14R extends along the front-rear direction ZA. As shown in fig. 1 (b), the door hanger 15R is rotatably mounted around a rotation shaft 15A, and the rotation shaft 15A is provided at a position of the slide member 14R different from the coupling member 13R (see fig. 1 (a)) in the front-rear direction ZA. The door hanger 15R includes: an arm 15B supported by the rotation shaft 15A; a mounting portion 15C mounted to the door 220R and horizontally movable in the vehicle width direction ZB; and a connecting portion 15D rotatably connected to the arm 15B with respect to the arm 15B, and swingably connected to the mounting portion 15C with respect to the mounting portion 15C. The mounting portion 15C is mounted to the door 220R by, for example, bolts (not shown). The mounting portion 15C is formed with a long hole 15E into which a bolt is inserted. The long hole 15E has a longitudinal direction along the height direction of the vehicle 200 (hereinafter referred to as "height direction ZC"). In the present embodiment, the height direction ZC coincides with the vertical direction. On the upper surface of the mounting portion 15C, a rolling element 15F rotatable about a rotation axis along the height direction ZC is mounted. The respective structures and connection structures of the connection member 13L, the slide member 14L, and the door hanger 15L are the same as those of the connection member 13R, the slide member 14R, and the door hanger 15R.

As shown in fig. 1 (a), the rail mechanism 16 includes a support member 17 attached to a vehicle body 210. The length of the support member 17 in the front-rear direction ZA is longer than the width of the landing port 211 in the front-rear direction ZA. The

first rails

18R and 18L are linearly provided on the front surface of the support member 17, and the

second rails

19R and 19L are provided on the lower surface of the support member 17.

The 1 st rails 18R, 18L are open on the front side of the support member 17. The 1 st rail 18R is provided with a slide member 14R movably along the front-rear direction ZA, and the 1 st rail 18L is provided with a slide member 14L movably along the front-rear direction ZA.

The 2 nd rails 19R, 19L are opened at the lower side (see fig. 3 (a) and 3 (b)). As shown in fig. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the 2 nd tracks 19R, 19L include: an inclined portion 19A that is inclined in a curved shape outward in the vehicle width direction ZB from the center of the entrance 211 in the front-rear direction ZA toward one end of the entrance 211; and a straight line portion 19B extending from one end of the inclined portion 19A in the front-rear direction ZA toward the front-rear direction ZA. The 2 nd rail 19R accommodates the rolling elements 15F of the door hanger 15R so as to be slidable with respect to the 2 nd rail 19R, and the 2 nd rail 19L accommodates the rolling elements 15F of the door hanger 15L so as to be slidable with respect to the 2 nd rail 19L.

The pull-apart mechanism 20 is disposed between the pair of

levers

11R, 11L in the vehicle width direction ZB. One example of the pulling mechanism 20 includes pinion teeth (not shown) that mesh with rack teeth (not shown) provided to the pair of

levers

11R, 11L. As the rod 11R is moved by the drive cylinder 12, the pinion teeth of the pull-apart mechanism 20 that mesh with the rack teeth of the rod 11R rotate, and the rod 11L that meshes with the pinion teeth moves in the opposite direction to the rod 11R.

As shown in fig. 1 (a), the sliding plug door apparatus 1 includes

stabilizers

30R and 30L that suppress relative displacement of upper and lower portions of the

doors

220R and 220L when the

doors

220R and 220L are opened and closed.

Stabilizers

30R, 30L are provided on both sides of the entrance 211 in the front-rear direction ZA.

The stabilizer 30R includes: an upper swing arm 31 as an example of the 1 st swing arm, which is disposed to an upper portion of the door 220R; a lower swing arm 32 as an example of the 2 nd swing arm, which is disposed to a lower portion of the door 220R; and an arm connecting shaft 40 connecting the upper swing arm 31 and the lower swing arm 32. The stabilizer 30R further includes: an upper pinion 33 as an example of the 1 st pinion, which is provided to the upper swing arm 31; a lower pinion 34 as an example of the 2 nd pinion, which is provided to the lower swing arm 32; and a pinion connecting shaft 50 connecting the upper pinion 33 and the lower pinion 34.

The arm connecting shaft 40 includes: a 1 st arm shaft 41 connected to the upper arm 31 such that the rotation axis is coaxial with the rotation axis of the upper arm 31; a 2 nd arm shaft 42 connected to the lower arm 32 so that the rotation axis thereof is coaxial with the rotation axis of the lower arm 32; and a 3 rd arm shaft 43 connecting the 1 st arm shaft 41 and the 2 nd arm shaft 42. The arm connecting shaft 40 includes: a 1 st free joint 44 that connects the 1 st arm shaft 41 and the 3 rd arm shaft 43 to be rotatable integrally; and a 2 nd free joint 45 that connects the 2 nd arm shaft 42 and the 3 rd arm shaft 43 to be rotatable integrally. One example of the 1 st free joint 44 and the 2 nd free joint 45 is a universal joint. The 1 st free joint 44 and the 2 nd free joint 45 may be ball-and-socket type universal joints or constant velocity joints instead of universal joints.

As shown in fig. 3 (a) and 3 (B), the 1 st arm shaft 41 includes a 1 st connecting shaft 41A connected to the 1 st free joint 4 and a 2 nd connecting shaft 41B connected to an upper end portion of the 1 st connecting shaft 41A. The 1 st connecting shaft 41A and the 2 nd connecting shaft 41B are integrally rotatable. Thus, the 1 st arm shaft 41, the 2 nd arm shaft 42, and the 3 rd arm shaft 43 are integrally rotatable, and therefore, the arm connecting shaft 40 synchronizes the rotation of the upper swing arm 31 and the rotation of the lower swing arm 32.

The upper swing arm 31 and the lower swing arm 32 are attached to the door 220R along the shape of the door 220R. Therefore, the lower arm 32 is disposed further inward than the upper arm 31 in the vehicle width direction ZB. The 1 st arm shaft 41 and the 2 nd arm shaft 42 extend along the height direction ZC (vertical direction). The 3 rd arm shaft 43 is tiltable with respect to the 1 st arm shaft 41 by the 1 st free joint 44, is tiltable with respect to the 2 nd arm shaft 42 by the 2 nd free joint 45, and is tiltable outward in the vehicle width direction ZB as it goes upward.

As shown in fig. 3 (b), the upper pinion 33 is attached to a portion of the upper swing arm 31 different from the rotation axis of the upper swing arm 31, for example, a tip end portion of the upper swing arm 31. As shown in fig. 1 (a), an upper rack 35 extending in the front-rear direction ZA is attached to an upper portion of the door 220R facing the upper pinion 33 in the vehicle width direction ZB. The upper pinion 33 and the upper rack 35 are engaged with each other.

As shown in fig. 3 (b), the lower pinion 34 is attached to a portion of the lower swing arm 32 different from the rotation axis of the lower swing arm 32, for example, a distal end portion of the lower swing arm 32. As shown in fig. 1 (a), a lower rack 36 extending in the front-rear direction ZA is attached to a lower portion of the door 220R facing the lower pinion 34 in the vehicle width direction ZB. The lower pinion 34 and the lower rack 36 are intermeshed. The upper pinion 33 and the lower pinion 34 have the same number of teeth and the same shape, and the upper rack 35 and the lower rack 36 have the same number of teeth and the same shape.

The pinion connecting shaft 50 includes: a 1 st pinion shaft 51 connected to the upper pinion 33 so that the rotation axis is coaxial with the rotation axis of the upper pinion 33; a 2 nd pinion shaft 52 connected to the lower pinion gear 34 so that the rotation axis thereof is coaxial with the rotation axis of the lower pinion gear 34; and a 3 rd pinion shaft 53 that connects the 1 st pinion shaft 51 and the 2 nd pinion shaft 52. The pinion connecting shaft 50 includes: a 3 rd free joint 54 that connects the 1 st pinion shaft 51 and the 3 rd pinion shaft 53 to be rotatable integrally; and a 4 th free joint 55 connecting the 2 nd pinion shaft 52 and the 3 rd pinion shaft 53 to be rotatable integrally. One example of the 3 rd free joint 54 and the 4 th free joint 55 is a universal joint. In addition, the 3 rd free joint 54 and the 4 th free joint 55 may be ball-and-socket type universal joints or constant velocity joints instead of universal joints.

As shown in fig. 3 (B), the 1 st pinion shaft 51 includes a 1 st connecting shaft 51A connected to the 3 rd free joint 54 and a 2 nd connecting shaft 51B connected to an upper end portion of the 1 st connecting shaft 51A. The 1 st coupling shaft 51A and the 2 nd coupling shaft 51B are integrally rotatable. In this way, the 1 st pinion shaft 51, the 2 nd pinion shaft 52, and the 3 rd pinion shaft 53 can rotate integrally, and therefore, the pinion connecting shaft 50 synchronizes the rotation of the upper pinion 33 and the rotation of the lower pinion 34.

As shown in fig. 1 (b), 3 (a) and 3 (b), the sliding plug door device 1 includes

introduction devices

21R, 21L, 22R, 22L for introducing the pinion connecting shafts 50 of the

stabilizers

30R, 30L inward in the vehicle width direction ZB. The sliding plug door device 1 includes

lock cylinders

23R, 23L that lock the rotation of the lower swing arm 32 of the

stabilizers

30R, 30L about the rotation axis (the lock cylinder 23L is not shown in fig. 3 a and 3 b, and reference is made to fig. 12 a and 12 b). The

introduction devices

21R, 21L are attached to the vehicle body 210 at positions above the upper pinion 33 and the upper rack 35. The

introduction devices

22R, 22L are attached to the vehicle body 210 at positions below the lower pinion 34 and the lower rack 36. The

introduction devices

21R, 21L have arms 21A for introducing the upper ends of the pinion connecting shafts 50 of the

stabilizers

30R, 30L inward in the vehicle width direction ZB. The

introduction devices

22R, 22L have arms 22A for introducing the lower ends of the pinion connecting shafts 50 of the

stabilizers

30R, 30L inward in the vehicle width direction ZB.

The detailed structure of the stabilizer 30R will be described with reference to fig. 1 (a), 1 (b), and 4 (a) to 11 (b). The structure of the stabilizer 30L is the same as that of the stabilizer 30R.

Fig. 4 (a) to 4 (d) and fig. 5 show the structure of the upper part of the stabilizer 30R, in particular, the upper swing arm 31 and the periphery thereof.

As shown in fig. 4 (b), the upper swing arm 31 includes: an arm support portion 31A for supporting the 1 st arm shaft 41 of the arm connecting shaft 40 so as not to rotate; a pinion supporting portion 31B that rotatably supports the 1 st pinion shaft 51 of the pinion connecting shaft 50; and a coupling portion 31C that couples the arm support portion 31A and the pinion support portion 31B. The arm support portion 31A is formed in a cylindrical shape having an insertion hole 31D (see fig. 5) into which the 1 st arm shaft 41 is inserted, and the pinion support portion 31B is formed in a cylindrical shape having an insertion hole 31E (see fig. 5) into which the 1 st pinion shaft 51 is inserted. The dimension in the height direction ZC of the pinion support portion 31B is larger than the dimension in the height direction ZC of the arm support portion 31A.

The 2 nd coupling shaft 51B of the 1 st pinion shaft 51 protrudes to both sides in the height direction ZC with respect to the pinion supporting portion 31B. An upper pinion 33 is rotatably attached to a portion of the 2 nd coupling shaft 51B above the pinion supporting portion 31B. A support arm 60 is attached to a portion of the 2 nd coupling shaft 51B located between the pinion support portion 31B and the height direction ZC of the upper pinion 33.

As shown in fig. 4 (a), the support arm 60 extends in a direction perpendicular to the 2 nd coupling shaft 51B. A pair of 1 st rolling elements 61 arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction ZA and a 2 nd rolling element 62 arranged between the pair of 1 st rolling elements 61 are attached to the tip end portion of the support arm 60. The 1 st rolling element 61 is rotatable about a direction along the height direction ZC as a rotation axis, and the 2 nd rolling element 62 is rotatable about a direction orthogonal to the height direction ZC as a rotation axis. As shown in fig. 4 (c), the upper end portions of the 2 nd rolling elements 62 are located above the upper end portions of the pair of 1 st rolling elements 61. As shown in fig. 4 (d), the pair of 1 st rolling elements 61 and 2 nd rolling elements 62 are accommodated in an upper side rail 221 provided to the back side (the outer side in the vehicle width direction ZB) of the upper side rack 35 of the door 220R. The upper side rail 221 extends along the front-rear direction ZA and opens downward. The 1 st rolling element 61 contacts one of both side walls of the upper side rail 221 in the vehicle width direction ZB, and the 2 nd rolling element 62 contacts the upper wall of the upper side rail 221 to support the door 220R.

As shown in fig. 5, the 2 nd coupling shaft 51B of the 1 st pinion shaft 51 is supported rotatably by the 1 st rolling bearing 63 and the 2 nd rolling bearing 64 with respect to the upper swing arm 31. The 1 st rolling bearing 63 is a bearing in which a thrust bearing 63A and a radial bearing 63B are integrally combined. The thrust bearing 63A is disposed on the upper surface of the pinion supporting portion 31B, and the radial bearing 63B is disposed on the upper end portion of the insertion hole 32E of the pinion supporting portion 31B. The 2 nd rolling bearing 64 is attached to the lower end portion of the insertion hole 32E of the pinion supporting portion 31B. The support arm 60 is supported by the 3 rd rolling bearing 65 so as to be rotatable with respect to the 1 st pinion shaft 51. The support arm 60 is supported by a thrust bearing 63A of the 1 st rolling bearing 63 in the height direction ZC. In addition, the thrust bearing 63A and the radial bearing 63B of the 1 st rolling bearing 63 may be formed separately. The thrust bearing 63A, the radial bearing 63B, the 2 nd rolling bearing 64, and the 3 rd rolling bearing 65 may be ball bearings or roller bearings, respectively.

As shown in fig. 4 (B), the mounting member 66 for mounting the stabilizer 30R to the vehicle body 210 is inserted into a portion of the 1 st arm shaft 41 below the arm support portion 31A of the upper swing arm 31 in the 2 nd connecting shaft 41B. The 2 nd coupling shaft 41B is provided with a mounting shaft 41C to which the arm support portion 31A is attached and a 1 st male screw portion 41D having a diameter enlarged with respect to the mounting shaft 41C at a position lower than the mounting shaft 41C at a position higher than a position at which the mounting member 66 is inserted. The arm support portion 31A of the upper swing arm 31 is coupled to the 1 st arm shaft 41 by being sandwiched in the height direction ZC between the nut 69 attached to the attachment shaft 41C and the upper end surface of the 1 st male screw portion 41D.

The mounting member 66 includes: an insertion portion 66A having an insertion hole 66C (see fig. 5) into which the 1 st coupling shaft 41A is inserted; and a plate-shaped mounting portion 66B extending outward from the insertion portion 66A. The attachment member 66 is fixed to an upper fixing member 212R fixed to the upper side of the vehicle body 210 by, for example, a bolt B via a pair of long holes 66D formed in the attachment portion 66B and extending in the vehicle width direction ZB. Thereby, the position of the mounting member 66 with respect to the vehicle width direction ZB of the upper fixing member 212R can be adjusted.

As shown in fig. 5, the 2 nd coupling shaft 41B of the 1 st arm shaft 41 is supported rotatably by the 4 th rolling bearing 67 and the 5 th rolling bearing 68 with respect to the mounting member 66. The 4 th rolling bearing 67 is a bearing in which a thrust bearing 67A and a radial bearing 67B are integrally combined. The thrust bearing 67A is disposed on the upper surface of the insertion portion 66A, and the radial bearing 67B is disposed on the upper end portion of the insertion hole 66C of the insertion portion 66A. The 5 th rolling bearing 68 is mounted on the lower end portion of the insertion hole 66C of the insertion portion 66A. In addition, the thrust bearing 67A and the radial bearing 67B of the 4 th rolling bearing 67 may be formed separately. The thrust bearing 67A, the radial bearing 67B, and the 5 th rolling bearing 68 may be either ball bearings or roller bearings.

As shown in fig. 6, a pair of holes 212A into which bolts B are inserted are formed in the upper fixing member 212R. Further, a plurality of 1 st vertical grooves 212B extending in the vertical direction are formed in a portion of the upper fixing member 212R facing the mounting portion 66B.

A plurality of 2 nd vertical grooves 66E extending in the vertical direction are formed in a portion of the mounting portion 66B facing the upper fixing member 212R. Longitudinal slot 2E is engaged with longitudinal slot 1B 212.

As shown in fig. 4 (b) and 7, the stabilizer 30R includes an arm adjustment mechanism 70 that can adjust the distance between the upper swing arm 31 and the lower swing arm 32 (see fig. 3 (a) and 3 (b)). As shown in fig. 4 (b), the arm adjustment mechanism 70 includes: a 1 st male screw portion 41D provided to the 2 nd coupling shaft 41B of the 1 st arm shaft 41; a 1 st nut 71 screwed into the 1 st male screw portion 41D; and a lock nut 72 that restricts rotation of the 1 st nut 71 with respect to the 1 st male screw portion 41D.

As shown in fig. 7, the arm adjustment mechanism 70 includes a length adjustment portion 73 that adjusts the length of the 1 st arm shaft 41 in the axial direction. The length adjustment section 73 includes a cylindrical coupling member 46 that couples the 1 st coupling shaft 41A and the 2 nd coupling shaft 41B of the 1 st arm shaft 41. The 2 nd coupling shaft 41B is coupled to the upper end of the coupling member 46 so that the 2 nd coupling shaft 41B is not rotatable and is not movable in the axial direction of the 2 nd coupling shaft 41B. The 1 st coupling shaft 41A is coupled to the lower portion of the coupling member 46 so that the 1 st coupling shaft 41A is not rotatable and is movable in the axial direction of the 1 st coupling shaft 41A. Specifically, the 1 st coupling shaft 41A is formed with a spline 41E, and the coupling member 46 is formed with a spline (not shown) that meshes with the spline 41E at an inner peripheral portion thereof. The 1 st coupling shaft 51A of the 1 st pinion shaft 51 and the 3 rd pinion shaft 53 have the same structure as the 1 st coupling shaft 41A of the 1 st arm shaft 41 and the 3 rd arm shaft 43. Accordingly, in fig. 7, reference numerals indicating the pinion connecting shaft 50 are brackets.

Fig. 8 (a) to 8 (c) and 9 show the structure of the lower part of the stabilizer 30R, in particular, the lower swing arm 32 and the periphery thereof.

As shown in fig. 8 (b), the lower swing arm 32 includes: an arm support portion 32A for supporting the 2 nd arm shaft 42 of the arm connecting shaft 40 so as not to rotate; a pinion supporting portion 32B that rotatably supports the 2 nd pinion shaft 52 of the pinion connecting shaft 50; and a coupling portion 32C that couples the arm support portion 32A and the pinion support portion 32B. The arm support portion 32A is formed in a cylindrical shape having an insertion hole 32D (see fig. 9) into which the 3 rd arm shaft 43 can be inserted, and the pinion support portion 32B is formed in a cylindrical shape having an insertion hole 32E (see fig. 9) into which the 3 rd pinion shaft 53 can be inserted. The dimension in the height direction ZC of the pinion support portion 32B is larger than the dimension in the height direction ZC of the arm support portion 32A. As shown in fig. 8 (a), the pinion support portion 32B is provided with an extension portion 32F extending in the front-rear direction ZA. A hole 32G into which the lock pin 23A of the lock cylinder 23R (see fig. 12 (a) and 12 (b)) can be inserted is formed in the extension portion 32F.

As shown in fig. 8 (b), the attachment member 66 for attaching the stabilizer 30R to the vehicle body 210 is inserted into a portion of the arm connecting shaft 40 below the arm support portion 32A of the 2 nd arm shaft 42. The mounting member 66 is fixed to a lower fixing member 213R fixed to the underside of the vehicle body 210 via a pair of long holes 66D of the mounting portion 66B with, for example, bolts B. The lower fixing member 213R has the same structure as the upper fixing member 212R, and a plurality of 1 st vertical grooves 213A extending in the vertical direction are formed in a portion of the lower fixing member 213R facing the mounting portion 66B. The 2 nd longitudinal groove 66E of the mounting portion 66B is engaged with the 1 st longitudinal groove 213A.

As shown in fig. 9, the 2 nd arm shaft 42 is supported rotatably with respect to the mounting member 66 by the 1 st rolling bearing 82 and the 2 nd rolling bearing 83. The 1 st rolling bearing 82 is a bearing in which a thrust bearing 82A and a radial bearing 82B are integrally combined. The thrust bearing 82A is disposed on the upper surface of the insertion portion 66A, and the radial bearing 82B is disposed on the upper end portion of the insertion hole 66C of the insertion portion 66A. The 2 nd rolling bearing 83 is mounted on the lower end portion of the insertion hole 66C of the insertion portion 66A. In addition, the thrust bearing 82A and the radial bearing 82B of the 1 st rolling bearing 82 may be formed separately. The thrust bearing 82A, the radial bearing 82B, and the 2 nd rolling bearing 83 may be either ball bearings or roller bearings.

As shown in fig. 8 (B), the 2 nd pinion shaft 52 protrudes to both sides in the height direction ZC with respect to the pinion supporting portion 32B. The lower pinion 34 is attached to a portion of the 2 nd pinion shaft 52 below the pinion support portion 32B so that the lower pinion 34 cannot rotate. A support arm 80 is attached to a portion of the 2 nd pinion shaft 52 below the lower pinion 34. As shown in fig. 8 (a), the support arm 80 has substantially the same shape as the support arm 60. A pair of rolling elements 81 disposed at intervals in the front-rear direction ZA are attached to the distal end portion of the support arm 80. The pair of rolling elements 81 are rotatable about a rotation axis in a direction along the height direction ZC. As shown in fig. 8 (c), the pair of rolling elements 81 are accommodated in a lower rail 222 provided at the lower end portion of the door 220R. The lower side rail 222 extends along the front-rear direction ZA, and opens downward. The pair of rolling elements 81 contact one of both side walls of the lower side rail 222 in the vehicle width direction ZB.

As shown in fig. 9, the 2 nd pinion shaft 52 is supported rotatably with respect to the lower swing arm 32 by the 3 rd rolling bearing 84 and the 4 th rolling bearing 85. The 3 rd rolling bearing 84 is a bearing in which a thrust bearing 84A and a radial bearing 84B are integrally combined. The thrust bearing 84A is disposed on the upper surface of the pinion supporting portion 32B, and the radial bearing 84B is disposed on the upper end portion of the insertion hole 32E of the pinion supporting portion 32B. The 4 th rolling bearing 85 is attached to the lower end portion of the insertion hole 32E of the pinion supporting portion 32B. The support arm 80 is supported by the 5 th rolling bearing 86 so as to be rotatable with respect to the 2 nd pinion shaft 52. In addition, the thrust bearing 84A and the radial bearing 84B of the 3 rd rolling bearing 84 may be formed separately. The thrust bearing 84A, the radial bearing 84B, the 4 th rolling bearing 85, and the 5 th rolling bearing 86 may be ball bearings or roller bearings.

As shown in fig. 8 (b), the stabilizer 30R includes a pinion adjusting mechanism 90 that can adjust the distance between the upper pinion 33 and the lower pinion 34 (see fig. 1 (a) and 1 (b)). The pinion adjusting mechanism 90 includes: a 2 nd externally threaded portion 52A provided in the 2 nd pinion shaft 52 to a portion above the pinion support portion 32B; a 2 nd nut 91 screwed into the 2 nd male screw portion 52A; and a lock nut 92 that restricts rotation of the 2 nd nut 91 with respect to the 2 nd male screw portion 52A.

As shown in fig. 7, the pinion adjusting mechanism 90 includes a length adjusting portion 93 that can adjust the length of the 1 st pinion shaft 51. The length adjustment portion 93 includes a coupling member 56 similar to the coupling member 46. The length adjustment portion 93 has the same structure as the length adjustment portion 73 of the arm adjustment mechanism 70, and a spline 51E is formed in the 1 st coupling shaft 51A of the 1 st pinion shaft 51.

The adjustment of the stabilizer 30R constituted by the arm adjustment mechanism 70 and the pinion adjustment mechanism 90 will be described.

As shown in fig. 4 (b), the arm adjusting mechanism 70 adjusts the position of the upper swing arm 31 in the height direction ZC by changing the position of the 1 st coupling shaft 41A with respect to the height direction ZC of the mounting member 66 by adjusting the screw amount of the 1 st nut 71. At the same time, the axial length of the 1 st arm shaft 41 is adjusted by the length adjusting portion 73 shown in fig. 7, and therefore, the position of the 2 nd arm shaft 42 (see fig. 3 (a) and 3 (b)) in the height direction ZC is not changed. At this time, with respect to the pinion connecting shaft 50, the axial length of the 1 st pinion shaft 51 is adjusted by the length adjusting portion 93 shown in fig. 7, and therefore, the position of the 2 nd pinion shaft 52 (see fig. 3 (a) and 3 (b)) in the height direction ZC is not changed. Accordingly, the distance in the height direction ZC between the upper swing arm 31 and the lower swing arm 32 is adjusted by the arm adjusting mechanism 70.

As shown in fig. 8 (b), the pinion adjusting mechanism 90 adjusts the position of the lower pinion 34 in the height direction ZC by changing the position of the 1 st coupling shaft 51A with respect to the height direction ZC of the mounting member 66 by adjusting the amount of screwing the 2 nd nut 91. At the same time, the axial length of the 1 st pinion shaft 51 is adjusted by the length adjusting portion 93 shown in fig. 7, and the axial length of the 1 st arm shaft 41 is adjusted by the length adjusting portion 73, so that the positions of the upper pinion 33 and the upper swing arm 31 (see fig. 3 (a) and 3 (b)) in the height direction ZC are not changed. Accordingly, the distance in the height direction ZC between the upper pinion 33 and the lower pinion 34 is adjusted by the pinion adjusting mechanism 90.

The operation of the sliding plug door device 1 will be described with reference to fig. 1 (a) to 3 (b) and fig. 11 (a) to 12 (b). The positions of the

doors

220R, 220L indicated by two-dot chain lines in fig. 10 (a) to 10 (c) are fully open positions.

First, the actuation of the

gates

220R, 220L will be described.

As shown in fig. 11A and 11 b, when the positions of the

doors

220R and 220L are in the fully closed position, the arms 21A (solid lines) of the

introduction devices

21R and 21L introduce the upper end portions of the pinion connecting shafts 50 inward in the vehicle width direction ZB, and the arms 22A (solid lines) of the

introduction devices

22R and 22L introduce the lower end portions of the pinion connecting shafts 50 inward in the vehicle width direction ZB. Thus, the tip ends of the upper swing arm 31 and the lower swing arm 32 (see fig. 10 (a) and 10 (b)) are restrained from rotating outward in the vehicle width direction ZB. As shown in fig. 12 (a), when the positions of the

doors

220R and 220L are in the fully closed position, the lock pins 23A of the

lock cylinders

23R and 23L are inserted into the holes 32G of the lower swing arm 32. Therefore, the rotation of the lower swing arm 32 is restricted.

When a command signal for opening the

doors

220R and 220L is received from a control device (not shown) provided in the vehicle 200, the

arms

21A and 22A (two-dot chain lines) of the

introduction devices

21R, 21L, 22R and 22L are separated from the pinion connecting shaft 50 as shown in fig. 11A and 11 b. As shown in fig. 12 (b), the lock pins 23A of the

lock cylinders

23R and 23L move upward and come out of the holes 32G of the lower swing arm 32. Thereby, the restriction of the rotation of the upper swing arm 31 and the lower swing arm 32 is released.

As shown in fig. 2 (a) and 3 (a), the driving cylinder 12 is driven to move the

levers

11R and 11L in the opposite directions from each other in the front-rear direction ZA from the position of the

doors

220R and 220L in the fully closed position. As a result, as shown in fig. 1 (a), the

slide members

14R, 14L coupled to the

rods

11R, 11L move in opposite directions to each other in the front-rear direction ZA. Accordingly, the

doors

220R and 220L are moved in opposite directions to each other in the front-rear direction ZA by the

door hangers

15R and 15L coupled to the

slide members

14R and 14L.

At this time, as shown in fig. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the rolling elements 15F move along the inclined portions 19A of the 2 nd rails 19R, 19L. At the same time, as shown in fig. 10 (a) and 10 (b), the upper swing arm 31 and the lower swing arm 32 of the

stabilizer

30R, 30L are rotated in synchronization. The upper pinion 33 and the lower pinion 34 of the

stabilizer

30R, 30L also rotate synchronously. Since the sliding plug door apparatus 1 operates in this manner, the

doors

220R and 220L move in the front-rear direction ZA and move outward in the vehicle width direction ZB. At this time, as shown in fig. 10 (c), the pair of rolling elements 230 provided to the lower end portions of the

doors

220R, 220L move along the inclined portion 231A of the rail 231 (two-dot chain line) provided to the vehicle body 210.

When the rolling element 15F moves along the linear portions 19B of the 2

nd rails

19R and 19L as shown in fig. 2 (a) and 2 (B), the upper pinion 33 and the lower pinion 34 rotate in synchronization with each other, while the upper swing arm 31 and the lower swing arm 32 do not rotate as shown in fig. 10 (a) and 10 (B). Therefore, the

gates

220R, 220L move only along the front-rear direction ZA. At this time, as shown in fig. 10 (c), the pair of rolling elements 230 moves along the straight line portion 231B of the rail 231.

Next, the closing operation of the

doors

220R and 220L will be described.

When the stopper door device 1 receives a command signal for closing the

doors

220R, 220L from the control device when the positions of the

doors

220R, 220L are at the fully open position as shown in fig. 2 (b), 10 (a) and 10 (b), the driving cylinder 12 is controlled so that the

levers

11R, 11L move in the opposite direction to the direction in which the

doors

220R, 220L are actuated. Thus, the rolling element 15F moves on the inclined portion 19A after moving on the linear portion 19B of the 2

nd rail

19R, 19L. At the same time, during the period in which the rolling element 15F moves on the straight portion 19B, the upper pinion 33 and the lower pinion 34 rotate in synchronization, during the period in which the rolling element 15F moves on the inclined portion 19A, the upper pinion 33 and the lower pinion 34 rotate in synchronization, and the upper swing arm 31 and the lower swing arm 32 rotate in synchronization. As shown in fig. 10 (c), the pair of rolling elements 230 move on the inclined portion 231A after moving on the straight portion 231B of the rail 231.

When the positions of the

doors

220R, 220L are fully closed, as shown in fig. 11 (a) and 11 (b), the

introduction devices

21R, 21L, 22R, 22L are driven so that the

arms

21A, 22A introduce the pinion connecting shaft 50 inward in the vehicle width direction ZB. As shown in fig. 12 (a), the

lock cylinders

23R and 23L are driven to move the lock pin 23A downward. As a result, the lock pin 23A is inserted into the hole 32G of the lower swing arm 32, and the rotation of the lower swing arm 32 is restricted.

A method of attaching the sliding plug door apparatus 1 to the vehicle 200 will be described with reference to fig. 13. In the following description, the components of the sliding plug door apparatus 1 and the vehicle 200 denoted by reference numerals represent the components of the sliding plug door apparatus 1 and the vehicle 200 of fig. 1 (a) to 9.

The installation method of the sliding plug door device 1 includes a device installation step (step S1), a door temporary installation step (step S2), a position adjustment step (step S3), and a door main installation step (step S4).

In the device mounting step, the driving mechanism 10 and the

stabilizers

30R, 30L are mounted on the vehicle body 210 before the

doors

220R, 220L are mounted. Here, the 2 nd vertical groove 66E of the upper mounting member 66 of the

stabilizer

30R, 30L is engaged with the 1 st vertical groove 212B of the upper fixing

member

212R, 212L, and the 2 nd vertical groove 66E of the lower mounting member 66 is engaged with the 1 st vertical groove 213A of the

lower fixing member

213R, 213L.

Next, in the door temporary mounting step, the upper side rails 221 of the

doors

220R, 220L are placed on the 2 nd rolling elements 62 of the support arms 60 of the

stabilizers

30R, 30L. Thus, the

doors

220R, 220L are supported by the

stabilizers

30R, 30L. In the step preceding the door temporary mounting step, the upper rack 35, the lower rack 36, the upper rail 221, and the lower rail 222 are mounted on the

doors

220R and 220L.

Next, in the position adjustment step, the positions of the upper swing arm 31, the lower swing arm 32, the upper pinion 33, the lower pinion 34, the support arm 60, and the support arm 80 in the height direction ZC are adjusted by the arm adjustment mechanism 70 and the pinion adjustment mechanism 90. Specifically, the positions of the

doors

220R, 220L with respect to the vehicle body 210 are adjusted by changing the positions of the upper swing arm 31 with respect to the height direction ZC of the upper mounting member 66 by the arm adjusting mechanism 70. When the lower pinion 34 is deviated from the lower rack 36 in the height direction ZC due to this adjustment and the rolling element 81 of the support arm 80 is deviated from the lower rail 222 in the height direction ZC, the position of the lower swing arm 32 in the height direction ZC of the lower attachment member 66 is changed by the pinion adjusting mechanism 90. Thereby, the position of the lower pinion 34 is aligned with the lower rack 36 in the height direction ZC, and the position of the rolling element 81 is aligned with the lower rail 222 in the height direction ZC.

Finally, in the door main mounting step, the

doors

220R and 220L are mounted to the

door hangers

15R and 15L by bolts (not shown). Since the length direction of the long hole 15E into which the bolt is inserted in the

door hanger

15R, 15L is the height direction ZC, even if the position of the

door

220R, 220L with respect to the height direction ZC of the vehicle body 210 is changed, the bolt fixing hole (not shown) provided to the

door

220R, 220L is within the range of the long hole 15E.

The sliding plug door device 1 of the present embodiment has the following operational effects.

(1) The arm connecting shaft 40 is configured such that the 3 rd arm shaft 43 is inclined with respect to the 1 st arm shaft 41 and the 2 nd arm shaft 42 by the 1 st free joint 44 and the 2 nd free joint 45, and the axial directions of the 1 st arm shaft 41 and the 2 nd arm shaft 42 can be adjusted in the vertical direction. The pinion connecting shaft 50 can synchronize and connect the 1 st pinion shaft 51 and the 2 nd pinion shaft 52 by tilting the 3 rd pinion shaft 53 relative to the 1 st pinion shaft 51 and the 2 nd pinion shaft 52 by the 3 rd free joint 54 and the 4 th free joint 55. Thus, even when the position of the upper swing arm 31 (upper pinion 33) in the vehicle width direction ZB and the position of the lower swing arm 32 (lower pinion 34) in the vehicle width direction ZB are different from each other, the rotation axes of the upper swing arm 31 and the lower swing arm 32 can be suppressed from being inclined with respect to the vertical direction. Therefore, the self weight of the

doors

220R, 220L is suppressed from becoming resistance to the rotation of the upper swing arm 31 and the lower swing arm 32, and the movement of the

doors

220R, 220L can be smoothly performed.

When the axial direction of the 1 st pinion shaft 51 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction, the following problem occurs if the vertical position of the upper pinion 33 with respect to the upper rack 35 is different from the preset position due to the machining error and the assembly error of the upper pinion 33 and the upper rack 35. That is, in the direction (vehicle width direction ZB) in which the upper pinion 33 faces the upper rack 35, the position at which the teeth of the upper pinion 33 mesh with the teeth of the upper rack 35 is not an appropriate position, and therefore the force with which the upper rack 35 meshes with the upper pinion 33 excessively increases or decreases, and the upper pinion 33 does not smoothly rotate with respect to the upper rack 35. Similarly, when the axial direction of the 2 nd pinion shaft 52 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction, the lower pinion 34 does not smoothly rotate with respect to the lower rack 36.

In this regard, according to the sliding plug door apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the 3 rd pinion shaft 53 is inclined with respect to the 1 st and 2

nd pinion shafts

51 and 52 by the 3 rd free joint 54 and the 4 th free joint 55, so that the axial directions of the 1 st and 2

nd pinion shafts

51 and 52 can be adjusted in the vertical direction. As a result, even if the position of the upper pinion 33 in the vertical direction with respect to the upper rack 35 is different from a preset position due to machining errors and assembly errors of the upper pinion 33 and the upper rack 35, the position at which the teeth of the upper pinion 33 mesh with the teeth of the upper rack 35 in the direction in which the upper pinion 33 faces the upper rack 35 (vehicle width direction ZB) is not changed. Thereby, the upper pinion 33 is engaged with the upper rack 35 with an appropriate force. Even if the position of the lower pinion 34 in the vertical direction with respect to the lower rack 36 is different from a preset position due to machining errors and assembly errors of the lower pinion 34 and the lower rack 36, the lower pinion 34 and the lower rack 36 mesh with each other with an appropriate force. Therefore, even when the position of the upper pinion 33 in the vehicle width direction ZB and the position of the lower pinion 34 in the vehicle width direction ZB are different from each other, the upper pinion 33 smoothly rotates with respect to the upper rack 35, and the lower pinion 34 smoothly rotates with respect to the lower rack 36. Thus, the opening and closing operations of the

doors

220R and 220L can be smoothly performed.

For example, in a configuration in which the arm coupling shaft 40 is omitted from the sliding plug door apparatus 1, the following problems occur. That is, the pinion connecting shaft 50 is required to transmit the rotation of one of the upper arm 31 and the lower arm 32 to the other, but the 3 rd arm shaft 43 is rotated relative to the 1 st arm shaft 41 and the 2 nd arm shaft 42 by the

joints

44 and 45, respectively, so the rotation of one of the upper arm 31 and the lower arm 32 is not properly transmitted to the other. Therefore, it is difficult for the pinion connecting shaft 50 to synchronize the rotation of the upper swing arm 31 and the lower swing arm 32.

In this regard, according to the sliding plug door apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the arm connecting shaft 40 that synchronizes the rotation of the upper swing arm 31 and the lower swing arm 32 and the pinion connecting shaft 50 that synchronizes the rotation of the upper pinion 33 and the lower pinion 34 are separately provided. Accordingly, the rotation of the upper swing arm 31 and the lower swing arm 32 and the rotation of the upper pinion 33 and the lower pinion 34 can be appropriately synchronized, respectively.

(2) The arm adjustment mechanism 70 of the

stabilizer

30R, 30L adjusts the distance between the upper swing arm 31 and the lower swing arm 32, so that the position of the

door

220R, 220L with respect to the vehicle body 210 can be adjusted.

On the other hand, when the positions of the

doors

220R, 220L with respect to the vehicle body 210 are changed, the positions of the lower racks 36 attached to the

doors

220R, 220L are changed. Therefore, by changing the distance between the upper pinion 33 and the lower pinion 34 by the pinion adjusting mechanism 90, the lower pinion 34 can be disposed at a position where the lower pinion 34 meshes with the lower rack 36.

When the distance between the upper rack 35 and the lower rack 36 fluctuates for each of the

doors

220R and 220L, the distance between the upper pinion 33 and the lower pinion 34 is changed by the pinion adjusting mechanism 90, and the lower pinion 34 can be disposed at a position where the lower pinion 34 and the lower rack 36 mesh.

(3) The distance between the upper arm 31 and the lower arm 32 is changed according to the screw-in amount of the 1 st nut 71 of the arm adjusting mechanism 70, and the distance between the upper arm 31 and the lower arm 32 can be steplessly adjusted.

(4) The distance between the upper pinion 33 and the lower pinion 34 is changed according to the amount of screwing of the 2 nd nut 91 of the pinion adjusting mechanism 90, and the distance between the upper pinion 33 and the lower pinion 34 can be steplessly adjusted.

(5) Since the coupling member 46 of the arm coupling shaft 40 is spline-fitted to the 1 st coupling shaft 41A, the relative rotation of the 1 st coupling shaft 41A and the 2 nd coupling shaft 41B can be suppressed, and the axial length of the 1 st arm shaft 41 can be easily changed. The coupling member 56 having the pinion coupling shaft 50 achieves the same effects as those of the coupling member 46.

(6) By the engagement of the 2 nd longitudinal groove 66E of the mounting member 66 with the 1 st longitudinal groove 212B of the upper fixing

members

212R, 212L, tilting of the mounting member 66 relative to the upper fixing

members

212R, 212L is suppressed. Accordingly, the arm connecting shaft 40 inserted into the mounting member 66 is prevented from tilting relative to the upper fixing

members

212R, 212L. Thus, the inclination of the rotation axis of the upper swing arm 31 with respect to the vertical direction can be more suppressed. Further, by engaging the 2 nd vertical groove 66E of the attachment member 66 with the 1 st vertical groove 212B of the

lower fixing members

213R, 213L, the inclination of the rotation axis of the lower swing arm 32 with respect to the vertical direction can be further suppressed.

(7) The upper pinion 33 and the upper rack 35 are disposed at the upper portions of the

doors

220R, 220L, and the lower pinion 34 and the lower rack 36 are disposed at the lower portions of the

doors

220R, 220L, so that the clothes near the waist of the passenger are prevented from being caught and the child puts his/her hands on the racks and pinions. In addition, the reduction in the appearance of the

doors

220R, 220L can be suppressed.

(modification)

The description of the above-described embodiments is an example of the modes that can be obtained by the sliding plug door device according to the present invention, and is not intended to limit the modes. The sliding plug door device according to the present invention can achieve a configuration in which, for example, a modification of the embodiment described below and at least two modifications that do not contradict each other are combined.

Modification 1

The 3 rd arm shaft 43 of the arm connecting shaft 40 may be constituted by a plurality of shafts and a free joint that connects the shafts to each other so as to be rotatable integrally. In short, the number of free joints of the arm connecting shaft 40 may be 3 or more.

Modification 2

The 3 rd pinion shaft 53 of the pinion coupling shaft 50 may be constituted by a plurality of shafts and a free joint that connects the shafts to each other so as to be rotatable integrally. In short, the number of free joints of the pinion connecting shaft 50 may be 3 or more.

Modification 3

The arm adjustment mechanism 70 and the pinion adjustment mechanism 90 may be omitted from at least one of the

stabilizers

30R, 30L.

Modification 4

The 1 st vertical groove 212B may be omitted from at least one of the upper fixing

members

212R, 212L. The 2 nd vertical groove 66E may be omitted from the mounting member 66 fixed to the upper fixing member from which the 1 st vertical groove 212B is omitted.

The 1 st vertical groove 213A may be omitted from at least one of the

lower fixing members

213R and 213L. The 2 nd vertical groove 66E may be omitted from the mounting member 66 fixed to the lower fixing member from which the 1 st vertical groove 213A is omitted.

Modification 5

The 3 rd arm shaft 43 may be omitted from the arm connecting shaft 40. In this case, at least one of the 1 st free joint 44 and the 2 nd free joint 45 extends toward the other of the 1 st free joint 44 and the 2 nd free joint 45, and the 1 st free joint 44 and the 2 nd free joint 45 are directly joined. Thus, the 1 st arm shaft 41 and the 2 nd arm shaft 42 are connected only by the 1 st free joint 44 and the 2 nd free joint 45. In this case, at least one of the 1 st free joint 44 and the 2 nd free joint 45 may have an axis in place of the 3 rd arm axis 43. For example, in the case where the 1 st free joint 44 has a shaft extending toward the 2 nd free joint 45 and the 2 nd free joint 45 does not have a shaft, the shaft of the 1 st free joint 44 is coupled to the 2 nd free joint 45, and the 1 st free joint 44 and the 2 nd free joint 45 are directly coupled. In the case where the 1 st free joint 44 and the 2 nd free joint 45 each have a shaft, the 1 st free joint 44 and the 2 nd free joint 45 are directly connected by connecting the shaft of the 1 st free joint 44 and the shaft of the 2 nd free joint 45.

Modification 6

The 3 rd pinion shaft 53 may be omitted from the pinion connecting shaft 50. In this case, at least one of the 3 rd free joint 54 and the 4 th free joint 55 extends toward the other of the 3 rd free joint 54 and the 4 th free joint 55, and the 3 rd free joint 54 and the 4 th free joint 55 are directly coupled. Thus, the 1 st pinion shaft 51 and the 2 nd pinion shaft 52 are coupled only by the 3 rd free joint 54 and the 4 th free joint 55. In addition, in this case, at least one of the 3 rd free joint 54 and the 4 th free joint 55 may also have a shaft in place of the 3 rd pinion shaft 53. For example, when the 3 rd free joint 54 has a shaft extending toward the 4 th free joint 55 and the 4 th free joint 55 does not have a shaft, the 3 rd free joint 54 and the 4 th free joint 55 are directly connected to each other by connecting the shaft of the 3 rd free joint 54 to the 4 th free joint 55. In the case where the 3 rd free joint 54 and the 4 th free joint 55 each have a shaft, the 3 rd free joint 54 and the 4 th free joint 55 are directly connected by connecting the shaft of the 3 rd free joint 54 and the shaft of the 4 th free joint 55.

Modification 7

At least one of the 3 rd free joint 54 and the 4 th free joint 55 may be omitted from the pinion connecting shaft 50. For example, when both the 3 rd free joint 54 and the 4 th free joint 55 are omitted from the pinion connecting shaft 50, the 3 rd pinion shaft 53 and the 1 st pinion shaft 51 and the 2 nd pinion shaft 52 are directly connected, respectively.

In short, the present sliding plug door device can be implemented as follows.

The sliding plug door device comprises: a 1 st swing arm and a 2 nd swing arm arranged at intervals along the height direction of the door; a 1 st pinion gear mounted to a portion of the 1 st swing arm different from a rotation axis of the 1 st swing arm; a 1 st rack mounted to the door, engaged with the 1 st pinion; a 2 nd pinion gear mounted to a portion of the 2 nd swing arm different from a rotation axis of the 2 nd swing arm; a 2 nd rack installed to the door, engaged with the 2 nd pinion; and an arm connecting shaft having: a 1 st arm shaft connected to the 1 st swing arm such that a rotation axis is coaxial with a rotation axis of the 1 st swing arm; a 2 nd arm shaft connected to the 2 nd swing arm so that a rotation axis and a rotation axis of the 2 nd swing arm become coaxial; and 1 st and 2 nd free joints directly or indirectly connecting the 1 st and 2 nd arm shafts, the arm connecting shaft integrally rotating with the 1 st and 2 nd swing arms to synchronize rotation of the 1 st and 2 nd swing arms.

In addition, the following structure may be adopted: the sliding plug door device further comprises a 3 rd arm shaft connecting the 1 st arm shaft and the 2 nd arm shaft, wherein the 1 st free joint connects the 1 st arm shaft and the 3 rd arm shaft, and the 2 nd free joint connects the 2 nd arm shaft and the 3 rd arm shaft.

Modification 8

At least one of the 1 st free joint 44 and the 2 nd free joint 45 may be omitted from the arm connecting shaft 40. For example, when both the 1 st free joint 44 and the 2 nd free joint 45 are omitted from the arm connecting shaft 40, the 3 rd arm shaft 43 is directly connected to the 1 st arm shaft 41 and the 2 nd arm shaft 42, respectively.

In short, the present sliding plug door device can be implemented as follows.

The sliding plug door device comprises: a 1 st swing arm and a 2 nd swing arm arranged at intervals along the height direction of the door; a 1 st pinion gear mounted to a portion of the 1 st swing arm different from a rotation axis of the 1 st swing arm; a 1 st rack mounted to the door, engaged with the 1 st pinion; a 2 nd pinion gear mounted to a portion of the 2 nd swing arm different from a rotation axis of the 2 nd swing arm; a 2 nd rack installed to the door, engaged with the 2 nd pinion; and a pinion connecting shaft having: a 1 st pinion shaft connected to the 1 st pinion so that a rotation axis thereof is coaxial with a rotation axis of the 1 st pinion; a 2 nd pinion shaft connected to the 2 nd pinion so that a rotation axis thereof is coaxial with a rotation axis of the 2 nd pinion; and 3 rd and 4 th free joints directly or indirectly connecting the 1 st and 2 nd pinion shafts, the pinion connecting shaft rotating integrally with the 1 st and 2 nd pinion gears to synchronize rotation of the 1 st and 2 nd pinion gears.

In addition, the following structure may be adopted: the sliding plug door apparatus further has a 3 rd pinion shaft connecting the 1 st pinion shaft and the 2 nd pinion shaft, the 3 rd free joint connecting the 1 st pinion shaft and the 3 rd pinion shaft, and the 4 th free joint connecting the 2 nd pinion shaft and the 3 rd pinion shaft.

The problems associated with the sliding plug door device of modification 8 are as follows.

In japanese patent application laid-open No. 6-262945, the door is formed in a curved shape, and when the position of the 1 st pinion in the vehicle width direction is different from the position of the 2 nd pinion in the vehicle width direction, the 1 st pinion shaft and the 2 nd pinion shaft are provided in a state inclined with respect to the vertical direction. Therefore, there are the following cases: due to misalignment of the components and sinking of the door in the vertical direction over the years, the position at which the teeth of the 1 st pinion mesh with the teeth of the 1 st rack in the direction in which the 1 st pinion faces the 1 st rack is changed, and the position at which the teeth of the 2 nd pinion mesh with the teeth of the 2 nd rack in the direction in which the 2 nd pinion faces the 2 nd rack is changed. Thus, the opening and closing operation of the door may be performed smoothly.

In view of the above, an object of the present sliding plug door device is to enable smooth opening and closing of the door.

Claims

1. A sliding plug door device is provided with:

a 1 st swing arm and a 2 nd swing arm arranged at intervals along the height direction of the door;

a 1 st pinion gear mounted to a portion of the 1 st swing arm different from a rotation axis of the 1 st swing arm;

a 1 st rack mounted to the door, engaged with the 1 st pinion;

a 2 nd pinion gear mounted to a portion of the 2 nd swing arm different from a rotation axis of the 2 nd swing arm;

a 2 nd rack installed to the door, engaged with the 2 nd pinion;

an arm connecting shaft having: a 1 st arm shaft connected to the 1 st swing arm such that a rotation axis is coaxial with a rotation axis of the 1 st swing arm; a 2 nd arm shaft connected to the 2 nd swing arm so that a rotation axis and a rotation axis of the 2 nd swing arm become coaxial; and a 3 rd arm shaft connecting the 1 st arm shaft and the 2 nd arm shaft, the arm connecting shaft integrally rotating with the 1 st swing arm and the 2 nd swing arm to synchronize rotation of the 1 st swing arm and rotation of the 2 nd swing arm;

a pinion connecting shaft, comprising: a 1 st pinion shaft connected to the 1 st pinion so that a rotation axis thereof is coaxial with a rotation axis of the 1 st pinion; a 2 nd pinion shaft connected to the 2 nd pinion gear such that a rotation axis thereof is coaxial with a rotation axis of the 2 nd pinion gear; and a 3 rd pinion shaft that connects the 1 st pinion shaft and the 2 nd pinion shaft, the pinion connecting shaft integrally rotating with the 1 st pinion and the 2 nd pinion to synchronize rotation of the 1 st pinion and rotation of the 2 nd pinion,

The arm connecting shaft includes: a 1 st free joint connecting the 1 st arm shaft and the 3 rd arm shaft; and a 2 nd free joint connecting the 2 nd arm shaft and the 3 rd arm shaft,

the pinion connecting shaft includes: a 3 rd free joint connecting the 1 st pinion shaft and the 3 rd pinion shaft; and a 4 th free joint connecting the 2 nd pinion shaft and the 3 rd pinion shaft.

2. The sliding plug door apparatus according to claim 1, wherein,

the sliding plug door device further comprises: an arm adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting a distance between the 1 st swing arm and the 2 nd swing arm; and a pinion adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting a distance between the 1 st pinion and the 2 nd pinion.

3. The sliding plug door apparatus according to claim 2, wherein,

the arm adjustment mechanism includes: a 1 st external thread portion provided on the 1 st arm shaft; and a 1 st nut screwed into the 1 st external thread portion,

the 1 st nut is movable in the axial direction of the 1 st male screw portion, whereby the position of the 1 st swing arm can be changed.

4. The sliding plug door apparatus according to claim 2, wherein,

the pinion adjusting mechanism includes: a 2 nd external screw thread portion provided on the 2 nd pinion shaft; and a 2 nd nut screwed into the 2 nd external thread portion,

The 2 nd nut is movable in the axial direction of the 2 nd male screw portion, whereby the position of the 2 nd pinion can be changed.

5. A sliding plug door apparatus according to claim 3, wherein,

6. A sliding plug door apparatus according to claim 3, wherein,

at least one of the 1 st arm shaft and the 1 st pinion shaft includes: a 1 st connecting shaft and a 2 nd connecting shaft formed separately; and a coupling member coupled to the 1 st coupling shaft so as to be non-rotatable with respect to the 1 st coupling shaft and movable with respect to the 1 st coupling shaft, and coupled to the 2 nd coupling shaft so as to be non-rotatable with respect to the 2 nd coupling shaft and non-movable with respect to the 2 nd coupling shaft.

7. The sliding plug door apparatus according to claim 4, wherein,

8. The sliding plug door apparatus according to claim 5, wherein,

9. The sliding plug door device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein,

the sliding plug door device further comprises a mounting member for mounting the 1 st arm shaft to a vehicle body,

the mounting member is attachable to a fixing member provided to the vehicle body and having a 1 st vertical groove extending in a vertical direction,

the mounting member is provided with a 2 nd longitudinal groove capable of being engaged with the 1 st longitudinal groove.

10. The sliding plug door device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein,

the 1 st pinion and the 1 st rack are disposed at an upper portion of the door,

the 2 nd pinion and the 2 nd rack are disposed at a lower portion of the door.