EP4019729A1 - Door for accessing a transport vehicle comprising means for monitoring the movement of its openable section, corresponding vehicle and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

This access door comprises monitoring means, configured to detect a target in at least part of the travel of each leaf, which comprise at least one detection sensor (5,6) able to generate a detection beam (51 ,52, 61,62) extending over a monitoring area. Each leaf is equipped with at least one respective detection sensor, in particular a laser scanning sensor, in particular of the time-of-flight type, the beam of which is directed in service towards the facing leaf (4,3), or else towards the region facing the frame. Furthermore, each sensor has a so-called personalized monitoring zone (52,62), which does not extend over the entire free passage of the door. The interior face of at least one leaf and/or the exterior face of at least leaf is equipped with visual identification means (38, 39), said sensor being configured so that, when it detects a presence in the vicinity of the or each visual identification means in the closed position of the leaf, it alerts said control plate, said control plate being further configured to control the opening of the leaf in response to this alert.

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of access doors to a transport vehicle. These access doors can firstly designate doors belonging to transport vehicles, in particular of the train, tramway, metro, trolleybus or even bus type. Within the meaning of the invention, these access doors also designate so-called landing doors, also called platform facades. The invention relates to a transport vehicle door which may comprise either a single leaf or several leaves, typically two leaves. Furthermore, these access doors can be in particular of the sliding type, or even sliding, or even oscillating.

The present invention relates more specifically to such an access door which comprises monitoring means capable of preserving the integrity of the passengers and objects when closing the leaf or leaves. It also relates to a method for controlling this access door, including a so-called personalization phase of these monitoring means. The invention finally relates, on the one hand to a transport vehicle, on the other hand to a platform facade, which are respectively equipped with at least one such access door.

State of the art

Conventionally, a transport vehicle access door comprises a fixed frame, as well as an opening formed by at least one leaf. The latter is movable relative to the aforementioned frame, in a direction of movement most often parallel to the rolling axis of the vehicle. In a first position, called the closed position, this leaf closes off a bay formed in the fixed frame while, in its open position, it frees access to this bay. This leaf is capable of being set in motion, typically by means of an electric motor.

The overall objective of the invention is to avoid incidents likely to occur when a person or an object is struck by a moving leaf. In fact, this type of incident can first affect the physical integrity of the person thus affected. Moreover, when an object is hit by this leaf, it is likely to be damaged.

The prevention of these incidents can, according to a first possibility, be ensured by an infrared barrier. The latter, which is illustrated in the figure 10 appended, is formed by a plurality of transmitters and receivers, which are assigned respective references 305 and 306. These transmitters and receivers are placed in pairs facing each other so as to generate a plurality of horizontal beams 351, extending substantially one below the other. This barrier is either mounted on the body of the vehicle near the door, or installed directly on the leaves 303 and 304 as on this figure 10 .

In service, the monitored zone is situated between the above-mentioned transmitters and receivers. If a person or an object is detected, the infrared barrier transmits information to the control panel, or even to the train network, which then opposes the closing of the door. This first solution, using an infrared barrier, is not entirely satisfactory in terms of safety. In fact, it is conceivable that a user can insert a part of his body, for example his hand or his fingers, between two adjacent beams without, however, triggering an alert.

In order to remedy the above drawbacks, it has been proposed to use laser scanning sensors, the monitoring zone of which is included in a plane. Such a sensor is mounted statically, relative to the body of the vehicle. According to a first possibility, it is fixed to the outside of this body, so as to monitor a plane projecting from the leaves, outside the latter. According to another possibility, this sensor can be mounted inside the body, for example on a cowling. Representative examples of this solution include the documents FROM 202015 104,582 and EP 3 296 178 .

The use of these laser scanning sensors, as described above, however, has certain drawbacks. Indeed, it has been noted that this use leads to particularly frequent stops of the transport vehicle. In particular, a large number of these stops turn out to be unnecessary a posteriori, in that they did not involve any danger for the passengers and the objects. This occurs in particular in the case where the moving passenger is momentarily between the leaves, or between the single leaf and the frame, but nevertheless at a distance such that he would not be hit by one or two leaves during closing the door.

Such stops require additional leaf opening and closing cycles to be carried out. This consequently tends to lengthen the time the vehicle is stopped at the station, which can be detrimental to the correct service of the latter.

In order to overcome these drawbacks, EP 3 660 251 a proposed a protective device for closing an opening, in particular a building opening, which comprises in particular a horizontally movable closing element. According to the teaching of this document, a sensor unit can be moved horizontally with the closing element. Furthermore, the monitoring zone of these sensors is of reduced size, compared to that of the opening.

Finally, we will mention US 6,304,178 , which discloses a security system for a door. This system is intended for the detection of a person or an obstacle, as well as for the prevention of collisions between the aforementioned door and this person or this obstacle. The teaching of this document however has a drawback in terms of manufacturing complexity, insofar as it uses a large number of sensors for the various functions linked to the opening and closing of the door.

In view of the foregoing, an objective of the present invention is to improve more particularly the solution proposed in EP 3 660 251 .

In this spirit, an objective of the invention is to provide an access door to a transport vehicle whose monitoring means, while limiting the occurrence of superfluous alerts, provide additional functionalities so as to reduce the overall number door components.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a door, the monitoring means of which are also capable of reliably detecting any type of potentially dangerous situation.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a door, the monitoring means of which are inexpensive, easily integrated and relatively easy to adjust.

Objects of the invention

• un dormant (2) délimitant une baie (104)
• un ouvrant comprenant au moins un vantail (3,4), chaque vantail étant mobile selon une direction principale de déplacement (XX), le long d'une course de vantail (C3, C4), entre une position d'ouverture de la baie, correspondant à un libre passage au travers de cette baie, ainsi qu'une position de fermeture de cette baie
• des moyens de surveillance, qui sont configurés pour détecter une cible, en particulier un passager (P) ou un objet, dans au moins une partie de la course du vantail, ces moyens de surveillance comprenant au moins un capteur de détection (5,6), propre à générer un faisceau de détection (51,52, 61,62) s'étendant sur une zone de surveillance,
• des moyens de commande (112) configurés pour empêcher la fermeture du vantail, en réponse à la détection de ladite cible par les moyens de surveillance
• chaque vantail étant équipé d'au moins un capteur de détection respectif, en particulier un capteur à balayage laser, notamment de type à temps de vol, ledit capteur étant solidaire dudit vantail (3,4), le faisceau du capteur étant dirigé en service vers le vantail en regard (4,3), ou bien vers la région en regard du dormant, selon ladite direction principale de déplacement (XX),
• chaque capteur possédant une zone de surveillance qui ne s'étend pas sur l'ensemble dudit libre passage, au moins selon ladite direction principale de déplacement,

cette porte étant caractérisée en ce que la face intérieure d'au moins un vantail et/ou la face extérieure d'au moins vantail est équipée d'un moyen d'identification visuelle (38, 39), ledit capteur étant configuré pour que, lorsqu'il détecte une présence au voisinage du ou de chaque moyen d'identification visuelle dans la position de fermeture du vantail, il alerte lesdits moyens de commande, lesdits moyens de commande étant en outre configurés pour commander l'ouverture du vantail en réponse à cette alerte.According to the invention, at least one of the above objectives is achieved by means of an access door to a transport vehicle (100), in particular of the train, tramway, metro, trolleybus or even bus type, this door access including

• a frame (2) delimiting a bay (104)
• an opening comprising at least one leaf (3,4), each leaf being movable in a main direction of displacement (XX), along a leaf travel (C3, C4), between an opening position of the opening , corresponding to a free passage through this bay, as well as a closed position of this bay
• monitoring means, which are configured to detect a target, in particular a passenger (P) or an object, in at least a part of the travel of the leaf, these monitoring means comprising at least one detection sensor (5,6 ), capable of generating a detection beam (51,52, 61,62) extending over a surveillance zone,
• control means (112) configured to prevent the leaf from closing, in response to the detection of said target by the monitoring means
• each leaf being equipped with at least one respective detection sensor, in particular a laser scanning sensor, in particular of the time-of-flight type, said sensor being integral with said leaf (3,4), the beam of the sensor being directed in service towards the facing leaf (4,3), or else towards the region facing the frame, according to said main direction of movement (XX),
• each sensor having a monitoring zone which does not extend over the whole of said free passage, at least along said main direction of movement,

this door being characterized in that the inner face of at least one leaf and/or the outer face of at least one leaf is equipped with visual identification means (38, 39), said sensor being configured so that, when it detects a presence in the vicinity of the or each visual identification means in the closed position of the leaf, it alerts said control means, said control means being furthermore configured to control the opening of the leaf in response to this alert.

• ledit capteur est en outre configuré pour que, lorsqu'il détecte une présence au voisinage du ou de chaque moyen d'identification visuelle dans la position d'ouverture du vantail, il alerte lesdits moyens de commande, lesdits moyens de commande étant en outre configurés pour commander la fermeture du vantail en réponse à cette alerte.
• chaque capteur (5,6) est fixé au voisinage du bord avant (33,43) du vantail, notamment en partie haute de ce vantail.
• chaque capteur est fixé sur la face intérieure (31,41), ou bien extérieure (32,42), dudit vantail.
• le capteur est logé dans l'épaisseur du vantail, le bord avant du vantail étant creusé d'ouvertures (36) aptes à laisser passer le faisceau de détection.
• le faisceau de détection d'au moins un capteur s'étend selon un plan dit de surveillance (P5), ledit plan incluant les différents faisceaux de détection dans le cas de plusieurs capteurs, ce plan de surveillance étant parallèle au plan médian des vantaux (P3), la distance entre le plan de surveillance et le plan médian des vantaux étant notamment très inférieure à 8 cm.
• au moins un capteur (52") possède un faisceau de détection qui est de type tridimensionnel.
• le faisceau de détection de type tridimensionnel présente une forme d'arc de cercle, en vue en coupe selon un plan horizontal.
• à la fois la face intérieure et la face extérieure du vantail est équipée dudit moyen d'identification visuelle respectif (38,39), et il est prévu ledit capteur (52") dont le faisceau est de type tridimensionnel, ce capteur étant logé dans l'épaisseur du vantail, ce capteur étant configuré pour détecter ladite présence au voisinage de chacun des moyens d'identification visuelle.

According to other characteristics of the access door according to the invention:

• said sensor is further configured so that, when it detects a presence in the vicinity of the or each visual identification means in the leaf opening position, it alerts said control means, said control means being further configured to command the leaf to close in response to this alert.
• each sensor (5,6) is fixed in the vicinity of the front edge (33,43) of the leaf, in particular in the upper part of this leaf.
• each sensor is fixed on the inside face (31,41), or outside (32,42), of said leaf.
• the sensor is housed in the thickness of the leaf, the front edge of the leaf being hollowed out with openings (36) able to let the detection beam pass.
• the detection beam of at least one sensor extends along a so-called monitoring plane (P5), said plane including the different detection beams in the case of several sensors, this monitoring plane being parallel to the median plane of the leaves ( P3), the distance between the monitoring plane and the median plane of the leaves being notably much less than 8 cm.
• at least one sensor (52") has a detection beam which is of the three-dimensional type.
• the three-dimensional type detection beam has the shape of an arc of a circle, in cross-sectional view along a horizontal plane.
• both the inner face and the outer face of the leaf is equipped with said respective means of visual identification (38,39), and said sensor (52") is provided, the beam of which is of the three-dimensional type, this sensor being housed in the thickness of the leaf, this sensor being configured to detect said presence in the vicinity of each of the visual identification means.

These additional characteristics can be implemented with the main object above, individually or in any technically compatible combinations.

• on détecte, par l'intermédiaire dudit capteur, une cible, notamment un passager ou un objet, dans la zone de surveillance,
• on empêche la fermeture dudit vantail, en réponse à ladite détection de ladite cible,
• on détecte, également par l'intermédiaire dudit capteur, une présence, notamment la main d'un passager, au voisinage du ou de chaque moyen d'identification visuelle,
• on commande l'ouverture du vantail en réponse à ladite détection de ladite présence.

The invention also relates to a method for controlling an access door above, this method comprising the following steps:

• a target, in particular a passenger or an object, is detected in the surveillance zone by means of said sensor,
• the closing of said leaf is prevented, in response to said detection of said target,
• a presence, in particular the hand of a passenger, is detected, also via said sensor, in the vicinity of the or each means of visual identification,
• the opening of the leaf is controlled in response to said detection of said presence.

• on configure chaque capteur de manière à lui affecter une zone de surveillance dite personnalisée, selon des caractéristiques intrinsèques au fonctionnement de la porte et/ou selon des caractéristiques représentatives de la mise en service précédente de la porte.
• les caractéristiques intrinsèques du fonctionnement de la porte comprennent la vitesse nominale de déplacement de chaque vantail, les dimensions de chaque vantail et/ou les dimensions de l'ouvrant, alors que les caractéristiques représentatives de la mise en service de la porte comprennent le nombre d'incidents constatés sur des passagers et/ou des objets heurtés par les vantaux, le nombre d'arrêts imposés à chaque vantail, le temps d'arrêt en gare du véhicule de transport ou encore la pratique de l'exploitant ferroviaire.
• on configure la zone de surveillance en fonction d'une durée dite de sécurité, cette durée de sécurité étant estimée à partir :
  • d'un temps dit obstacle correspondant à la durée nécessaire à un passager pour s'extraire de la course des vantaux, et/ou nécessaire à un passager pour extraire un objet de la course des vantaux,
    et/ou
  • d'un temps dit véhicule correspondant au temps de trajet du vantail, entre ses positions respectives d'ouverture et de fermeture, et/ou au temps de réaction du système de commande du véhicule.

According to other characteristics of the control method in accordance with the invention:

• each sensor is configured so as to assign it a so-called personalized surveillance zone, according to characteristics intrinsic to the operation of the door and/or according to characteristics representative of the previous commissioning of the door.
• the intrinsic characteristics of the operation of the door include the nominal speed of movement of each leaf, the dimensions of each leaf and/or the dimensions of the leaf, while the characteristics representative of the commissioning of the door include the number of incidents observed on passengers and/or objects struck by the leaves, the number of stops imposed on each leaf, the time the transport vehicle stops at the station or even the practice of the rail operator.
• the surveillance zone is configured according to a so-called safety duration, this safety duration being estimated from:
  • a so-called obstacle time corresponding to the time required for a passenger to extract himself from the travel of the leaves, and/or required for a passenger to extract an object from the travel of the leaves,
    and or
  • a so-called vehicle time corresponding to the travel time of the leaf, between its respective opening and closing positions, and/or to the reaction time of the vehicle control system.

These additional characteristics can be implemented with the second main object above, individually or in any technically compatible combinations.

The invention also relates to a transport vehicle, in particular of the train, tramway, metro, trolleybus or even bus type, this vehicle comprising at least one door as above.

Finally, the subject of the invention is a stopping platform for a transport vehicle, in particular of the train, tramway, metro, bus or even trolleybus type, this platform comprising at least one door as above.

According to the invention, the monitored zone does not extend over the entire free passage, being advantageously “personalised”. In other words, its dimensions can advantageously be defined according to various parameters, so that they can in particular be reduced to the strict minimum. Thanks to the reduced dimensions of the monitored area, detection will only be activated if objects or passengers are in the immediate vicinity of the leaves, so that there is a real danger of collision.

The invention makes it possible to avoid the drawbacks associated with doors, in which the monitored zone is fixed and constant in order to cover the entire free passage between the leaves in the door open position. Under these conditions, so-called unnecessary detections occur, which are likely to greatly increase the stopping time in the station. Such detections typically correspond to situations in which the passengers enter or leave the vehicle while the leaves are closing, while being at a sufficient distance from the latter to guarantee their safety.

Furthermore, the invention provides for fixing the monitoring means directly on the leaf, or even inside the latter, integrated into its structure. Consequently, the monitored zone is located as close as possible to the leaves, which makes it possible on the one hand to significantly reduce the superfluous detection of obstacles located at a distance from the plane of the aforementioned leaves, and on the other hand to avoid zones detection shadow.

The invention therefore also makes it possible to avoid the drawbacks of doors, for which the monitoring means of the prior art are positioned on the body of the vehicle. In such a situation, which is common, these monitoring means tend to detect obstacles offset laterally relative to the leaves, without however being located in the immediate vicinity of the plane of the latter.

Finally, in accordance with the invention, the monitoring means are capable of carrying out two distinct functions. In addition to the safety function presented above, these monitoring means are in fact able to ensure an additional detection function, with a view to opening the door and, optionally, closing the latter. In practice, when the passenger brings his hand close to the visual identification means, the monitoring means detect this presence. These monitoring means then transmit a signal corresponding to the plate, which controls the opening and, if necessary, the closing of the door. This is advantageous from an economic point of view, since it makes it possible to save on push-buttons and the specific arrangements that they require in the construction of the leaves, such as clearances, electrical wiring, or even fastening means.

It will be emphasized that US 6,304,178 , discussed above, uses proximity sensors of the security type, as well as additional proximity sensors, intended to intervene in the opening of doors. These two types of sensors, which are mutually distinct, must be implemented independently. It is therefore conceivable that such solution is disadvantageous in terms of simplicity of manufacture, since it involves a large number of constituent elements.

Description of figures

• [Fig. 1] est une vue de face, illustrant de manière schématique un tronçon d'un véhicule de transport équipé d'une porte d'accès selon l'invention.
• [Fig. 2] est une vue de face, à plus grande échelle, illustrant une zone de surveillance susceptible d'être assurée par un capteur, équipant un premier vantail de la porte d'accès de la figure 1.
• [Fig. 3] est une vue de dessus, illustrant la zone de surveillance du capteur de la figure 2, ainsi que la zone de surveillance d'un autre capteur équipant l'autre vantail de la porte d'accès.
• [Fig. 4] est une vue de face, analogue à la figure 2, illustrant une situation dans laquelle les capteurs équipant la porte d'accès de l'invention ne génèrent pas d'alerte, alors que les capteurs équipant une porte d'accès de l'art antérieur génèrent une alerte superflue.
• [Fig. 5] est une vue de face, analogue à la figure 4, illustrant une autre situation dans laquelle à la fois les capteurs équipant la porte d'accès de l'invention et les capteurs équipant la porte d'accès de l'art antérieur génèrent une alerte.
• [Fig. 6] est une vue en coupe selon un plan horizontal, illustrant une implantation d'un capteur conforme à l'invention dans l'épaisseur d'un vantail de la porte d'accès.
• [Fig. 7] est une vue de face, analogue à la figure 2, illustrant une autre variante de réalisation de l'invention utilisant notamment un pictogramme d'identification visuelle.
• [Fig. 8] est une vue en coupe selon un plan horizontal, analogue à la figure 6, illustrant deux pictogrammes, tels que celui de la figure 7, associés à deux capteurs de détection.
• [Fig. 9] est une vue en coupe selon un plan horizontal, analogue à la figure 8, illustrant ces pictogrammes associés à un unique capteur de détection.
• [Fig. 10] est une vue de face, analogue notamment aux figures 4 et 5, illustrant une porte de l'art antérieur utilisant des barrières infrarouge.

The invention will be described below, with reference to the appended drawings, given solely by way of non-limiting examples, in which:

• [ Fig. 1 ] is a front view, schematically illustrating a section of a transport vehicle equipped with an access door according to the invention.
• [ Fig. 2 ] is a front view, on a larger scale, illustrating a surveillance zone capable of being ensured by a sensor, fitted to a first leaf of the access door of the figure 1 .
• [ Fig. 3 ] is a top view, illustrating the sensor monitoring area of the picture 2 , as well as the monitoring zone of another sensor fitted to the other leaf of the access door.
• [ Fig. 4 ] is a front view, analogous to the picture 2 , illustrating a situation in which the sensors fitted to the access door of the invention do not generate an alert, whereas the sensors fitted to a prior art access door generate a superfluous alert.
• [ Fig. 5 ] is a front view, analogous to the figure 4 , illustrating another situation in which both the sensors fitted to the access door of the invention and the sensors fitted to the access door of the prior art generate an alert.
• [ Fig. 6 ] is a sectional view along a horizontal plane, illustrating an installation of a sensor according to the invention in the thickness of a leaf of the access door.
• [ Fig. 7 ] is a front view, analogous to the picture 2 , illustrating another alternative embodiment of the invention using in particular a visual identification pictogram.
• [ Fig. 8 ] is a sectional view along a horizontal plane, analogous to the figure 6 , illustrating two pictograms, such as that of the figure 7 , associated with two detection sensors.
• [ Fig. 9 ] is a sectional view along a horizontal plane, analogous to the figure 8 , illustrating these pictograms associated with a single detection sensor.
• [ Fig. 10 ] is a front view, analogous in particular to the figures 4 and 5 , illustrating a prior art door using infrared barriers.

detailed description

• 100 véhicule de transport
• 102 tronçon de la caisse du véhicule
• 1 porte d'accès
• 2 dormant de cette porte
• 3 et 4 vantaux de cette porte
• 104 baie
• C3 C4 courses des vantaux
• XX axe de roulage du véhicule / direction de déplacement de la porte
• 110 moteur
• 112 platine de commande
• 114 ligne de commande
• 120 vis sans fin
• 30 et 40 organes entraînés solidaires des vantaux
• 31 41 faces intérieures des vantaux
• 32 42 faces extérieures des vantaux
• 33 43 bords avant des vantaux
• 34 44 bords arrière des vantaux
• 35 45 moyens d'étanchéité
• 36 ouvertures dans le bord 33
• 38 pictogramme sur la face inférieure du vantail
• 5 et 6 capteurs
• 50 60 lignes de communication
• H5 hauteur du capteur
• 10 seuil de porte
• P5 plan du faisceau des capteurs
• P3 plan médian des vantaux
• D35 distance entre les plans P3 et P5
• 51 61 faisceaux nominaux / zones de surveillance nominales des capteurs
• 52 62 faisceaux personnalisés / zones de surveillance personnalisées des capteurs
• L5 largeur des faisceaux
• 201 porte de l'art antérieur 203
• 203,204 vantaux de 201
• 205 capteur de détection selon l'art antérieur
• P passager.
• 312 platine de commande de l'art antérieur
• 250 ligne de communication de l'art antérieur
• 303 et 304 vantaux de l'art antérieur (figure 10)
• 305 306 émetteurs et récepteurs
• 351 faisceaux

The following references are used in this description

• 100 transport vehicle
• 102 vehicle body section
• 1 access door
• 2 sleeping of this door
• 3 and 4 leaves of this door
• 104 bay
• C3 C4 leaf travels
• XX vehicle rolling axis / door moving direction
• 110 engine
• 112 control board
• 114 command line
• 120 augers
• 30 and 40 driven parts integral with the leaves
• 31 41 interior faces of the leaves
• 32 42 exterior faces of the leaves
• 33 43 front edges of the leaves
• 34 44 rear edges of leaves
• 35 45 sealing means
• 36 openings in the edge 33
• 38 pictograms on the underside of the leaf
• 5 and 6 sensors
• 50 60 communication lines
• H5 sensor height
• 10 door sill
• P5 sensor harness map
• P3 middle plane of the leaves
• D35 distance between planes P3 and P5
• 51 61 nominal beams / nominal sensor monitoring areas
• 52 62 custom beams / sensor custom monitoring areas
• L5 beam width
• 201 prior art door 203
• 203,204 leaves of 201
• 205 detection sensor according to the prior art
• P passenger.
• 312 prior art control board
• 250 prior art communication line
• 303 and 304 leaves of the prior art ( figure 10 )
• 305 306 transmitters and receivers
• 351 bundles

The figure 1 illustrates, schematically and partially, a transport vehicle 100 which is for example a train, a tram, a metro, a bus or even a trolleybus. On this figure 1 , there is shown only in a simplified manner, a section of the body 102 of this vehicle. This figure also illustrates an access door according to the invention, designated as a whole by the reference 1, which equips this transport vehicle 100.

In a manner known per se, this door comprises a frame 2, arranged at the periphery of a bay 104 made in the body of the vehicle. This door is further provided with two leaves 3 and 4, which form the opening. Each leaf is movable between respective opening and closing positions of the bay 104, according to races materialized by the references C3 and C4 on the figure 1 . As a variant, this door can be provided with a single leaf, or else with several leaves. In the example shown, this door is of the sliding type, it being understood that it may be of a different type, in particular sliding swinging. Conventionally, the aforementioned bay 104 delimits a free passage for users, in the open position of each leaf.

The figure 1 also illustrates means, allowing the driving of each leaf with respect to the frame, in a main direction denoted XX, which corresponds to the rolling axis of the vehicle. These drive means firstly comprise a motor 110 of any suitable type, for example electric. This motor is controlled by a plate 112, via a control line 114. This motor cooperates with a drive member, for example of the worm screw type 120, which is integral in translation with the frame. There is also provided a so-called driven member 30 and 40, integral with a respective leaf 3 and 4. Each driven member is for example made in the form of a cylindrical body, the internal surface of which forms a nut intended to cooperate with the worm above. The various mechanical elements listed above are of the conventional type so that they will not be described in more detail below.

We will now describe in more detail the monitoring means, in accordance with the invention, which equip the door 1 above. On the picture 3 , illustrating the leaves 3 and 4 in their open position, we note first of all 31 and 41 the inner face of each leaf, as well as 32 and 42 its outer face. Note also 33 and 43 the so-called front edge of each leaf, namely that facing the edge of the opposite leaf. Classically, the edges front are typically equipped with sealing means 35 and 45. Finally there are 34 and 44 the rear edges of each leaf, which are opposite those 33 and 43 above.

In the present embodiment, the monitoring means comprise two identical sensors 5 and 6, which are of the laser scanning type. Each sensor operates on the known principle of “time of flight” (or “Time of Flight” in English). Each sensor 5.6 is connected to the control board 112, via a communication line 50.60, this line can be wired or operate remotely by waves.

As shown in particular by the picture 2 , each sensor is mounted on the inner face 31, 41 of the leaf, in the vicinity of its front edge 35,45, advantageously in the upper part of the latter. Typically, this sensor is installed at an altitude which is greater than a man's height. In a manner known per se, the beams of the sensors 5 and 6 are included in a single plane, denoted P5 on the picture 3 . As shown in this figure, this plane P5 is parallel to the plane P3, called the median plane of the leaves. The distance, denoted D35, between these planes P3 and P5 in the horizontal direction, is advantageously much less than the value of 8 cm indicated for example by the railway standard EN 14752 in its appendix J. As will be seen in the following , this type of plane beam constitutes a first embodiment of the invention. However, the latter also includes other types of beams, such as the one which will be described with reference to the figure 9 .

We note 51 and 61 the so-called nominal beams of each sensor 5 and 6. In front view, as illustrated in the picture 2 , each nominal beam has the shape of an arc of a circle, centered on the sensor and extending substantially along 90°. It is understood that this beam defines a monitoring zone, namely that, in service, when an object or a person is in this beam, it is detected by the sensor which transmits this information to the control plate.

In accordance with the invention, it is a question of reducing the surface of this beam and, consequently, of the surveillance zone so as to avoid superfluous alerts. This surface reduction is carried out on the basis of the estimation of a so-called safety duration, which can advantageously take account of two main types of parameters. In essence, these parameters can be characteristic, either of the transport vehicle itself, or of an obstacle interposed on the travel of the leaf.

• T1 : temps de détection
• T2 : temps de transmission à la commande de la platine
• T3 : temps de traitement par la platine
• T4 : temps de transmission de l'ordre
• T5 : temps de traitement / mise en place de l'action par l'actionneur
• T6 : temps de freinage en lien avec l'action commandée.

It is first possible to take account of a first duration relating to the transport vehicle, which is called “vehicle time” or T(veh). This first characteristic time is estimated as a function of parameters intrinsic to the operation of the door. It can be the dimension of the races C3 and C4 above, the speed of movement of the leaves. It will be noted that this dimension and this speed directly determine the travel time of the leaf, between its open and closed positions. One can also take into account the reaction time, inherent in the control system of the vehicle. This reaction time, which may differ slightly from one rolling stock to another, may include all or part of the individual times listed below:

• T1: detection time
• T2: transmission time to the plate control
• T3: platinum processing time
• T4: order transmission time
• T5: processing time / implementation of the action by the actuator
• T6: braking time related to the action commanded.

It is possible, alternatively or additionally, to take account of parameters linked to the past commissioning of the door. Among these parameters, mention may be made of the number of incidents observed, namely people or objects trapped by a leaf during its movement. Mention may also be made of the number of superfluous stops corresponding, as seen above, to the immobilization of the door when there was no significant danger. This last parameter influences an additional parameter, corresponding to the time spent by the vehicle in the station, which may itself be accompanied by possible delays of the vehicle.

We also denote t(obs), that is to say “obstacle time”, a duration linked more particularly to an obstacle likely to be found on the travel of the leaf. This obstacle time, just like the vehicle time above, is likely to form the basis for determining the shape of the beam. This obstacle time corresponds for example to the time necessary for a user, located in the travel of the leaves, to extract himself from this travel and thus find himself in safety. It may also be the time required for a passenger to extract an object situated in this same travel of the leaves. Once this duration has been determined, knowing the speed V5 of the leaf, a theoretical width of the beam can be deduced: L5 (th) = V5 * Ds. However, this width does not take into account the vehicle time, described above.

Those skilled in the art will take into account all or part of the various parameters, set out in the paragraphs above, so as to personalize the detection beam in an optimal manner. Typically, thanks to the implementation of this phase, the beam 52 62 is associated with a so-called personalized surveillance zone, which has a generally rectangular shape whose long sides are vertical. The distance along the horizontal axis, or width of the monitoring zone of the L5 beam, can be determined according to the theoretical value L5 (th) above, and/or the vehicle time. Furthermore, the distance along the vertical axis, or height of the beam monitoring zone, is slightly less than the height H5 above so as not to detect the door threshold 10. Once the value of this width L5 fixed, it can be modified as the vehicle is put into service.

Thus, if there is a significantly high number of incidents suffered by the passengers and/or the objects, this width can be increased. On the other hand, if there are no incidents accompanied by excessive stopping time in the station, this width can be reduced. Moreover, if the speed of movement of the leaf is changed, the width L5 of the beam will be modified proportionally. If we note V5 the initial speed and V'5 the new movement speed of the leaf, the new width of the beam will be: L'5 = L5 * (V'5 / V5).

As can be seen from the above, according to the invention, the monitoring zone of the sensor can be personalized. In the example mentioned above, this personalization can be carried out during the actual service of the vehicle. In other words, this monitoring zone can still be adjusted after the sensor has been installed on the vehicle.

As a variant, provision can be made for this personalization to be predefined during the manufacture of the sensor, typically in the factory. In this case, once the sensor is installed on the vehicle, this sensor no longer has such an adjustable character. Such personalization, during factory manufacture, advantageously takes into account the same parameters as the personalization carried out during service of the vehicle.

In the two cases above, customization of the monitoring zone, either during service or during manufacture of the sensor, is permitted thanks to the very nature of the sensor. In other words, this sensor is configured to allow such personalization.

As a variant, provision can be made for the personalization to be implemented, not thanks to the nature of the sensor, but via the intermediary of the control board 112. In this spirit, the sensor does not have a monitoring zone custom intrinsic. In particular, this surveillance zone can cover all of the free passage provided in the bay. On the other hand, the control plate then carries out a subsequent processing of the signal, emitted by the sensor. Under these conditions, said control board transforms the “raw” monitoring zone received from the sensor into a personalized monitoring zone according to the invention.

The figures 4 and 5 materialize two types of situations, showing the advantages of the invention. In each of these figures there is illustrated side by side, on the one hand the door 1 according to the invention, on the other hand a door 201 of the same size equipped with a detection sensor 205 according to the prior art. This sensor 205, which is mounted in the upper part of the frame, has a detection beam 251 in the form of an arc of a circle, which extends over a substantial part of the opening formed in the door 201.

According to this prior art, as soon as the leaves are set in motion, the sensor is switched on. Since its monitoring area has a maximum dimension, the presence of a passenger or an object (identified by the reference P) will activate this sensor. The latter will then alert the control board 312, via the communication line 250, which is illustrated by solid lines. This plate will then order the re-opening of the door. Note that this sensor is active regardless of the position of the passenger or the object, both in the middle of the door ( figure 4 ) than in the vicinity of a leaf ( figure 5 ).

In the situation of the figure 4 , for which the passenger or the object is located at a maximum distance from the leaf, there is no detection by the sensors 5 and 6 according to the invention. This situation is materialized by a representation in dotted lines, both of the lines 50 and 60 as well as of the control plate 112. Indeed, it is considered that, because of this great distance, the passenger has time to extract from the travel of the leaves, or to extract the aforementioned object.

As shown in figure 4 , the personalized surveillance zone according to the invention does not extend, in the direction of movement XX of the leaves, over the entire free passage delimited by the opening 104. In other words, in this direction which is horizontal in the figure, there is an intermediate region called “unsupervised”. This region, not hatched on this figure 4 , is located between the zones 52 62. The invention takes the position of considering that, even if an obstacle is present in this intermediate region, as is the case on the figure 4 where there is a passenger P, it is not necessary to stop the intended movement of the leaves. It will be noted that, in the example illustrated, the two monitoring zones are each generally rectangular. By way of a variant not shown, provision can be made for these zones to have shapes different from a rectangle, while providing an unsupervised intermediate region in the sense defined above.

On the other hand, in the situation figure 5 , there is detection by the sensor 5. Indeed, the passenger or the object P is located in the immediate vicinity of the leaf equipped with this sensor 5, which constitutes a risky situation. This situation is materialized by a representation in solid lines, both of line 50 and of control plate 112, since the latter receives information from sensor 5 via this line. On the other hand, the other line 60 remains represented in dotted lines, since there is no detection via the other sensor 6.

Once the sensor 5 has transmitted the information to the plate 112, the latter then prevents the leaf from closing. This can mean either that the board stops the leaf while the latter is moving in the closing phase, or that the board postpones a programmed movement in closing of the stationary leaf. Moreover, if the leaf is stopped in its closing movement, then a few moments later the plate generally launches a new closing attempt.

The invention therefore makes it possible to distinguish situations involving different levels of risk. Under these conditions, it avoids untimely stops of the leaf, especially in the case where the risk levels are low. The stopping time at the station is therefore reduced, compared to the prior art. The invention also guarantees better safety than in the prior art, thanks to finer management of the risks of collision of the front edge of the leaf, against a passenger or an object.

The invention also limits the risks of incidents, which would be due to a lack of detection of a part of a passenger's body. Indeed, as we have seen, each sensor is positioned on the door leaf, and not on the exterior case or in the interior vestibule as in general in the prior art. Under these conditions, in accordance with the invention, the monitoring zone of the sensor according to the invention is sufficiently close to the leaf. In this way, a hand or an arm which would be inserted between this leaf and this monitoring zone will be detected by the sensor. On the contrary, in the prior solutions, there is a sufficiently large interval between this leaf and this surveillance zone, for this hand or this arm to escape detection, thereby leading to the risk of incidents.

The figure 6 illustrates a further variant of the invention, in which the sensor 5 is not mounted, neither on the outer face nor on the inner face of the leaf. Indeed, according to this variant, this sensor 5 is integrated into the actual volume of the leaf, in the vicinity of the front edge. In this case, this edge is advantageously hollowed out with openings 36 ensuring the passage of the detection light beam. In the case where this edge is equipped with sealing means, the latter will be adapted to allow this light beam to pass. In this spirit, one can for example provide that these sealing means are translucent or transparent, or even any other solution within reach of those skilled in the art.

The figures 7 to 9 illustrate an additional functionality of the invention, which complements the security functionality described above. To this end, the inner and/or outer face of the leaves is equipped with a means of visual identification 38, 39 of the pictogram type. The latter is advantageously arranged at the usual location of the opening push-button.

In the case ( figure 7 ) where this pictogram is placed on a single face of a leaf, interior or exterior, the sensor 5 is also arranged on this same face. Furthermore, the beam 52 of this sensor is configured to include the pictogram 38, in front view.

The figures 8 and 9 illustrate the case where two pictograms 38 and 39 are provided, on opposite sides of the leaf. According to the variant of figure 8 , two sensors 5 and 5' can be used, whose beams 52 52' are flat, so as to encompass a respective pictogram.

According to the variant of figure 9 , a single 5" sensor can also be used, provided in the thickness of the leaf as shown in the figure 6 . In this case, the 52" beam of this 5" sensor is not flat, but is of the three-dimensional type. In sectional view along a horizontal plane, as in this figure 9 , this beam has for example the shape of an arc of a circle.

Under these conditions, this single beam can encompass each of the two pictograms 38 and 39.

Under these conditions, when the passenger approaches his hand to a pictogram 38 or 39, the appropriate sensor 5, 5' or 5" detects this presence and transmits a corresponding signal to the plate, which controls the opening of the door. as previously mentioned, this configuration makes it possible to save on push-buttons and the specific fittings they require in the construction of the leaves (clearances, electrical wiring, fixing means, etc.).

The combination between the pictogram 38 or 39 and the sensor 5, 5' or 5" advantageously makes it possible to perform yet another additional function. the sensor detects this presence and transmits a signal to the plate.In this case, the latter controls the closing of the door.This advantageous option makes it possible, here again, to implement this closing function without using push buttons.

According to an additional variant, not shown, the invention can find its application to oscillating doors of the bus type. In this case, provision may be made to mount the sensor on a rotating axis, which will be mobilized according to the rotation of the door. Under these conditions, the beam of this sensor is maintained in an appropriate place.

According to yet another additional variant of the invention, also not shown, the detection sensor(s) in accordance with the invention can be associated with at least one other complementary sensor. The latter may be of any type known per se, chosen for example from the following group: infrared barriers, capacitive sensors, ultrasonic sensors, passenger counting sensors in particular by stereoscopy or infrared, radars, "fish-eye" type camera or even optical fiber. The combination of these two different types of sensors, providing the same contactless obstacle detection function, achieves redundancy of this function. This makes it possible to confer, on the door according to the invention, a safety character of the SIL 2 type (Safety Integrity Level 2) within the meaning of the standards.

Claims (15)

Door (1) for access to a transport vehicle (100), in particular of the train, tramway, metro, trolleybus or even bus type, this access door comprising - a frame (2) delimiting a bay (104) - an opening comprising at least one leaf (3,4), each leaf being movable in a main direction of movement (XX), along a leaf stroke (C3, C4), between an opening position of the bay, corresponding to a free passage through this bay, as well as a closed position of this bay - monitoring means, which are configured to detect a target, in particular a passenger (P) or an object, in at least part of the travel of the leaf, these monitoring means comprising at least one detection sensor (5, 6), capable of generating a detection beam (51,52, 61,62) extending over a surveillance zone, - control means (112) configured to prevent the leaf from closing, in response to the detection of said target by the monitoring means - each leaf being equipped with at least one respective detection sensor, in particular a laser scanning sensor, in particular of the time-of-flight type, said sensor being integral with said leaf (3,4), the beam of the sensor being directed service towards the facing leaf (4,3), or towards the region facing the frame, according to said main direction of movement (XX), - each sensor having a monitoring zone which does not extend over the whole of said free passage, at least along said main direction of movement, this door being characterized in that the inner face of at least one leaf and/or the outer face of at least one leaf is equipped with visual identification means (38, 39), said sensor being configured so that, when it detects a presence in the vicinity of the or each visual identification means in the closed position of the leaf, it alerts said control means, said control means being furthermore configured to control the opening of the leaf in response to this alert. Door according to the preceding claim, in which said sensor is further configured so that, when it detects a presence in the vicinity of the or each visual identification means in the opening position of the leaf, it alerts said control means, said control means being further configured to control the closing of the leaf in response to this alert. Door according to claim 1 or 2, in which each sensor (5,6) is fixed in the vicinity of the front edge (33,43) of the leaf, in particular in the upper part of this leaf. Door according to one of the preceding claims, in which each sensor is fixed to the inner face (31,41), or even the outer face (32,42), of the said leaf. Door according to one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the sensor is housed in the thickness of the leaf, the front edge of the leaf being hollowed out with openings (36) capable of allowing the detection beam to pass. Door according to one of the preceding claims, in which the detection beam of at least one sensor extends along a so-called monitoring plane (P5), said plane including the different detection beams in the case of several sensors, this surveillance plane being parallel to the median plane of the leaves (P3), the distance between the surveillance plane and the median plane of the leaves being notably much less than 8 cm. Door according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least one sensor (52") has a detection beam which is of the three-dimensional type. Door according to the preceding claim, in which the detection beam of the three-dimensional type has the shape of an arc of a circle, in sectional view along a horizontal plane. Door according to Claim 4 taken in combination with one of Claims 7 or 8, in which both the interior face and the exterior face of the leaf is equipped with said respective means of visual identification (38,39), and it is provided with said sensor (52") whose beam is of the three-dimensional type, this sensor being housed in the thickness of the leaf, this sensor being configured to detect said presence in the vicinity of each of the visual identification means. Method for controlling an access door according to one of the preceding claims, this method comprising the following steps: - a target, in particular a passenger or an object, is detected by means of said sensor in the surveillance zone, - the closing of said leaf is prevented, in response to said detection of said target, - a presence, in particular the hand of a passenger, is detected, also via said sensor, in the vicinity of the or each means of visual identification, - The opening of the leaf is controlled in response to said detection of said presence. Method according to the preceding claim, in which each sensor is configured so as to assign it a so-called personalized surveillance zone, according to characteristics intrinsic to the operation of the door and/or according to characteristics representative of the previous commissioning of the door Method according to Claim 11, in which the intrinsic characteristics of the operation of the door comprise the nominal speed of movement of each leaf, the dimensions of each leaf and/or the dimensions of the leaf, whereas the characteristics representative of the door service include the number of incidents observed involving passengers and/or objects struck by the leaves, the number of stops imposed on each leaf, the time the transport vehicle is stopped at the station or even the practice of the railway operator. Method according to one of Claims 11 to 12, in which the surveillance zone is configured according to a so-called safety duration, this safety duration being estimated from: - a so-called obstacle time corresponding to the time required for a passenger to extract himself from the travel of the leaves, and/or required for a passenger to extract an object from the travel of the leaves,
and or - a so-called vehicle time corresponding to the travel time of the leaf, between its respective opening and closing positions, and/or to the reaction time of the vehicle control system. Transport vehicle, in particular of the train, tram, metro, trolleybus or even bus type, this vehicle comprising at least one access door according to any one of Claims 1 to 9. Platform for stopping a transport vehicle, in particular of the train, tramway, metro, bus or even trolleybus type, this platform comprising at least one access door according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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