Claims:1. A roller unit (100) for a door assembly of a vehicle, the roller unit (100) comprising:
a body (1) defined with a plurality of apertures (2) on an outer surface (1a) of the body (1);
at least one insert (3) removably insertable into each of the plurality of apertures (2);
at least one resilient member (4) accommodated inside the at least one insert (3); and
at least one dampener (5) positioned on the at least one resilient member (4), retractably supported by the at least one hollow insert (3);
wherein, the at least one dampener (5) retracts on contacting an external surface.

2. The roller unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the at least one dampener (5) protrudes away from the outer surface (1a) of the body (1) and the at least one dampener (5).

3. The roller unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the at least one resilient member (4) is a spring.

4. The roller unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the at least one aperture (2) defined on the outer surface (1a) of the body (1) is defined with internal threads (2t) for fastening the at least one insert (3).

5. The roller unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the at least one insert (3) is defined with external threads (3t) and, the internal threads (2t) of the at least one aperture mesh with the external threads (3t) of the at least one hollow insert (3).

6. The roller unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises, a first projection (3a) extends along an inner surface of the at least one hollow insert (3).

7. The roller unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises, a second projection (5a) defined along a lower end of the at least one dampener (5) wherein, the first projection (3a) of the at least one hollow insert (3) abuts the second projection (5a) of the at least one dampener (5) and accommodates the at least one dampener (5) inside the at least one hollow insert (3).

8. The roller unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the at least one aperture (2) is defined along an axis that intersects a central axis (A-A) of the body (1).

9. The roller unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the at least one resilient member (4) is operable between a first position (A) and a second position (B).

10. A door assembly of a vehicle, the door assembly comprising:
at least one door;
at least one door frame defined with at least one pair of guide channels positioned on a body of the vehicle;
at least one roller unit configured to each of the at least one pair of guide channels and connected to each of the at least one door for sliding the at least one door between an open position and a close position wherein, the at least one roller unit (100) comprises:
a body (1) defined with a plurality of apertures (2) on an outer surface (1a) of the body (1);
at least one insert (3) removably insertable into each of the plurality of apertures (2);
at least one resilient member (4) accommodated inside the at least one insert (3); and
at least one dampener (5) positioned on the at least one resilient member (4) retractably supported by the at least one hollow insert (3);
wherein, the at least one dampener (5) retracts on contacting an external surface.

11. The door assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein, the at least one dampener (5) protrudes away from the outer surface (1a) of the body (1) and the at least one dampener (5).

12. The door assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein, the at least one resilient member (4) is a spring.

13. The door assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein, the at least one aperture (2) defined on the outer surface (1a) of the body (1) is defined with internal threads (2t) for fastening the at least one insert (3).

14. The door assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein, the at least one insert (3) is defined with external threads (3t) and, the internal threads (2t) of the at least one aperture mesh with the external threads (3t) of the at least one hollow insert (3).

15. The door assembly as claimed in claim 10 comprises, a first projection (3a) extends along an inner surface of the at least one hollow insert (3).

16. The door assembly as claimed in claim 10 comprises, a second projection (5a) defined along a lower end of the at least one dampener (5) wherein, the first projection (3a) of the at least one hollow insert (3) abuts the second projection (5a) of the at least one dampener (5) and accommodates the at least one dampener (5) inside the at least one hollow insert (3).

17. The door assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein, the at least one aperture (2) is defined along an axis that intersects a central axis (A-A) of the body (1).

18. The door assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein, the at least one resilient member (4) is operable between a first position (A) and a second position (B).
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD

Present disclosure, in general, relates to a field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a door assembly of a vehicle. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure relate a roller unit for the door assembly which prevents a rattling and noise from the door assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicles such as but not limiting to passenger vehicles including but not limiting to cars, sport utility vehicles, multi utility vehicles, goods carrying vehicles including but not liming to lorries, trucks, agricultural machineries including but not limiting to tractors, include a provision of one or more closures to enclose various components. In general, such closures are used to enclose boot space, luggage space, and passenger cabin, and the like.

As an example, one such use of closure means which is found virtually in all vehicles is a door type closure which is hinged to the vehicle body for slide opening or collapsible type opening. The doors are configured to be moved between an open and closed position to facilitate ingress and egress to a user. Generally, such doors are made of a plurality of panels, and are hinged to the vehicle body. For example, the door comprises of an outer panel which is designed to suit the outer dimension and configuration of the vehicle body, and an inner panel which is designed to complement the interior of the vehicle cabin. These doors may also be slidably accommodated to a body of the vehicle. Multiple doors may be pivotably connected to each other and each of the doors may be configured to slide along a guide channel that is provided to the body of the vehicle. The doors may slide along the guide channel by means of a roller unit bearing. The doors may be fixedly connected to the roller unit bearing and the roller unit bearing may be accommodated between the guide channels. The guide channels facilitate the movement of the roller unit bearing and thereby allow the doors to slide between the open position and the close position. In a conventional door assembly, as the door slides between the open position and the close position, the roller unit bearings often slides or scrubs along inner surfaces of the guide channels. The roller unit bearings are of metallic material and guide channels are also made of metallic materials. The sliding of the roller unit bearing against the inner surfaces of the guide channels often results in a rattling noise which is often unpleasant to the passengers in the cabin. Further, the rattling and noise is also rampant when the doors are not being traversed between the open and close positions. As the vehicle traverses over un-even surfaces when the doors are in the closed position, the vibration from the vehicle is often transmitted to the door assembly as well. Consequently, the roller unit bearing is often dislodged and the roller unit bearing strikes the inner surfaces of the guide channels resulting in a constant rattling noise. This rattling noise becomes more prevalent in electric buses which generally do not generate any noise in working condition. Further, constant scrubbing of the metal surfaces between the roller unit bearing and the guide channels often result in chipping of material from the roller unit bearing and the guide channels. Therefore, the overall operational life of the roller unit bearing, and the guide channels is reduced. Further, operational and maintenance costs also increases due to the pre-mature failure of roller unit bearings and the guide channels.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitations associated with the conventional configuration of starter motor cranking systems of the engine.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of the conventional system or method are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through the provision of the method as claimed in the present disclosure.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a roller unit for a door assembly of a vehicle is disclosed. The roller unit includes a body defined with a plurality of apertures on an outer surface of the body. At least one insert is removably insertable into each of the plurality of apertures and at least one resilient member is accommodated inside the at least one insert. At least one dampener is positioned on the at least one resilient member and is retractably supported by the at least one hollow insert. Further, the at least one dampener retracts on contacting an external surface.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one dampener protrudes away from the outer surface of the body.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one resilient member is a spring.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one aperture defined on an outer surface of the body is defined with internal threads for fastening the at least one insert.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one insert is defined with external threads and, the internal threads of the at least one aperture mesh with the external threads of the at least one insert.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, a first projection extends along an inner surface of the at least one hollow insert.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, a second projection is defined along a lower end of the at least one dampener where, the first projection of the at least one hollow insert abuts the second projection of the at least one dampener and accommodates the at least one dampener inside the at least one hollow insert.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one aperture is defined along an axis that intersects a central axis of the body.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one resilient member is operable between a first position and a second position.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a door assembly of a vehicle is disclosed. The door assembly includes at least one door. At least one door frame is defined with at least one pair of guide channels positioned on a body of the vehicle. Further, at least one roller unit is configured to each of the at least one pair of guide channels and is connected to each of the at least one door for sliding the at least one door between an open position and a close position. The at least one roller unit includes a roller unit for a door assembly of a vehicle is disclosed. The roller unit includes a body defined with a plurality of apertures on an outer surface of the body. At least one insert is removably insertable into each of the plurality of apertures and at least one resilient member is accommodated inside the at least one insert. At least one dampener is positioned on the at least one resilient member and is retractably supported by the at least one hollow insert. Further, the at least one dampener retracts on contacting an external surface.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a roller unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the roller unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the roller unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view of an insert in the roller unit from Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 5 illustrates a sectional view of the roller unit in an exploded point of view, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 6 illustrates a sectional view and an exploded view of the roller unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 7 illustrates a line view and an assembled view of the roller unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figure depicts embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the system and method for controlling operating a starter motor of an engine of a vehicle without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other system for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, as to its organization, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a system that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such mechanism. In other words, one or more elements in the device or mechanism proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the mechanism.

The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figs. 1 and 7. In the figures, the same element or elements which have same functions are indicated by the same reference signs. It is to be noted that, the vehicle including the door assembly is not illustrated in the figures for the purpose of simplicity. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the system and the method as disclosed in the present disclosure may be used in any vehicles that employs/includes a sliding door assembly, where such vehicle may include, but not be limited to, light duty vehicles, passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and the like.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a roller unit (100), and Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the roller unit (100). The roller unit (100) may herein be used in a door assembly of vehicles. However, the application of the roller unit (100) must not be construed as a limitation since, the roller unit (100) may be adapted to re-place existing bearings that may be used for sliding type doors in different applications. In this preferable embodiment, the roller unit (100) may be positioned between a pair of guide channels (6) of the door assembly. The door assembly may include a plurality of doors (hereinafter referred to as the doors). The doors are also slidably accommodated to a body of the vehicle and the doors allow ingress and egress to a passenger cabin in the vehicle. The door assembly may include a frame and the frame may accommodate guide channels (6). The doors may be pivotably connected to each other and each of the doors may be configured to slide along the guide channels (6) that is provided to the body of the vehicle. The doors may slide along the guide channel (6) by means of the roller unit (100) of the present disclosure. The doors may be fixedly connected to the roller unit (100) and may be accommodated between the guide channels (6). In an embodiment, multiple roller units (100) may be accommodated between the guide channels (6) and each of these roller units (100) may be connected to the doors in the door assembly. The guide channels (6) facilitate the movement of the roller unit (100) and thereby allow the doors to slide between an open position and a close position. The doors may be traversed between the open position and the close position by any known actuator including but not limited to pneumatic actuators. The roller unit (100) may be defined with a body (1). The body (1) may further be defined by a circular shape with a through passage along a central axis (A-A). The central axis (A-A) may extend along a central region of the body (1) and the through passage may be defined along the central axis (A-A). The body (1) may be defined with a diameter that is substantially equal or slightly lesser than the distance between the guide channels (6). Further, the body (1) may be defined by an outer surface (1a).

Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the roller unit (100). The body (1) of the roller unit (100) may be defined with a plurality of apertures (2) [hereinafter referred to as the aperture]. The aperture (2) may be defined on the outer surface (1a) of the body (1). Each of the plurality of aperture (2) may be defined to extend along an axis that intersects the central axis (A-A) of the body (1). The aperture (2) may be configured to extend partially into the body (1). Further, the inner surface of each of the plurality of apertures (2) may be configured with internal threads (2t). Reference is made to the Figure 4 and Figure 5 which illustrates a sectional view of an insert (3) and the sectional view of the roller unit (100), respectively. The insert (3) may be hollow, and the height of the insert (3) may be configured to be substantially equal to the depth of the aperture (2). Further, the diameter of the insert (3) may be configured to be substantially equal or slightly lesser than the diameter of the aperture (2). The outer surface of the insert (3) may also be defined with threads which are hereafter referred to as the external threads (3t). The external threads (3t) of the insert (3) may be configured to mesh with the internal threads (2t) of the aperture (2). The external threads (3t) of the insert (3) and the internal threads (2t) of the aperture (2) may enable the insert (3) to be fixedly accommodated within the aperture (2). Further, one of the ends of the inset (3) may be configured with a first projection (3a). The first projection (3a) may extend internally within the insert (3). The first projection (3a) may be configured with a substantially lower length when compared with the overall length of the insert (3). The first projection (3a) may be a small abutment that extends along an inner surface and along one of the ends of the insert (3). Further, the roller unit (100) may include a dampener (5). The dampener (5) may be of any material that offers flexibility and absorbs impacts. The dampener (5) may be of any material including but not limited to rubber, elastomers etc. The dampener (5) may be defined by a curved surface (5c) at one end whereas, the opposite end of the dampener (5) may be defined by a second projection (5a). The second projection (5a) may extend outwardly from the dampener (5) and the diameter of the second projection (5a) in the dampener (5) may be substantially equal or slightly lesser than an internal diameter of the insert (3). The internal diameter of the insert (3) may herein be defined as the diameter of the hollow space of the insert (3). The diameter of the second projection (5a) may be configured such that the second projection (5a) freely moves within the insert (3) and the inner surface of the insert (3) guides the movement of the second projection (5a) and the dampener (5). Further, the diameter of the central region of the dampener (5) may be substantially equal or slightly lesser than an internal diameter the first projection (3a). The internal diameter of the first projection (3a) may herein be defined as the diameter of the hollow space along the first projection (3a). The diameter of the central region of the dampener (5) may be configured such that the central region freely moves within the insert (3) and the first projection (3a) of the insert (3) guides the movement of the central region and the dampener (5). The roller unit (100) may also include at least one resilient member (4) [hereinafter referred to as the resilient member]. The diameter of the resilient member (4) may be equal on slightly lesser than the internal diameter of the insert (3). The resilient member (4) in this particular embodiment may be a spring such as a coiled metallic spring.

In an embodiment, the aperture (2) may be defined to extend into the body (1) and the depth of the aperture (2) may be configured to not extend into the through passage of the body (1). In an embodiment, the internal threads (2t) may extend throughout the length of the aperture (2). In an embodiment, the resilient member (4) must not be limited to the coiled metallic spring and any known member/component that is elastic in nature and which regains its original shape subsequent to being deformed under external pressure may be used. In an embodiment, the connection between the insert (3) and the aperture (2) must not be limited to the external threads (3t) of the insert (3) and the internal threads (2t) of the aperture (2), respectively. The connection between the insert (3) and the aperture (2) may also be facilitated by any other means including but not limited to fasteners, a snap fit configuration etc.

Figure 6 illustrates a sectional view and an exploded view of the roller unit (100) in an assembled condition. The dampener (5) may initially be inserted into the hollow region of the insert (3). The dampener (5) may be inserted such that the curved surface (5c) may protrude out of the insert (3). The dampener (5) may initially be positioned inside the insert (3) such that the curved surface (5c) of the dampener (5) protrudes out of the insert (3). The dampener (5) is configured inside the insert (3) such that the second projection (5a) of the dampener (5) abuts the first projection (3a) of the insert (3). The second projection (5a) of the dampener (5) and the first projection (3a) of the insert (3) prevents the dampener (5) from completely passing through and falling out of the insert (3). Further, the resilient member (4) may be inserted into the insert (3). The resilient member (4) may be inserted into the insert (3) such that the resilient member (4) pushes the dampener (5) causing the second projection (5a) of the dampener (5) to abut the first projection (3a) of the insert (3). One end of the resilient member (4) abuts or supports the dampener (5) whereas the other end of the resilient member (4) is freely accommodated inside the insert (3). The resilient member (4) may be configured to retractably support the dampener (5). Subsequently, the insert (3) with the resilient member (4) and the dampener (5) may be inserted into the aperture (2). The insert (3) may be tightened into the aperture (2) by means of the internal threads (2t) in the aperture (2) and the external threads (3t) on the insert (3). Once, the insert (3) is accommodated in the aperture (2), the resilient member (4) may be supported by a bottom surface of the aperture (2). Further, the length of the resilient member (4) may be configured such that the dampener (5) that is positioned on the resilient member (4) is protruded out of the insert (3) when the resilient member (4) is in an expanded position. Further, the height and the tension offered by the resilient member (4) may also be configured such that the dampener (5) may not collapse or fall into the insert (3). The height of the resilient member (4) may be configured such that the dampener (5) may not collapse into the hollow region of the insert (3) when the resilient member (4) is in a compressed position. As seen from the Figure 6, the roller unit (100) is in a first position (A) where each of the at least one dampener (5) protrudes out of the outer surface (1a) of the body (1). Once, the insert (3) with the resilient member (4) and the dampener (5) is inserted into the aperture (2), the dampener (5) may extend or protrude out of the outer surface (1a) of the body (1).

Figure 7 illustrates a line view and an assembled view of the roller unit (100) where the roller unit (100) is in the assembled condition and is positioned between the guide channels (6). The roller unit (100) when positioned between the guide channels (6) may include dampeners (5) that are in a second position (B). The guide channels (6) may accommodate roller units (100) such that the dampeners (5) are in the second position (B) where, the dampeners (5) are retracted and the corresponding the resilient members (4) are also in the compressed/retracted state. As the roller unit (100) connected to the door traverses between the guide channels (6), dampeners (5) are retracted when they come in contact with the guide channels (6). Consequently, the direct contact between the outer surface (1a) of the dampener (5) and the guide channels (6) is avoided. The dampeners (5) retract when they come in contact with the guide channels (6) and the dampeners (5) may protrude out of the outer surface (1a) of the body when they are not in contact with the guide channels (6). Since the dampeners (5) are of material which absorb impact and are flexible, rattling noise when the roller unit (100) comes in contact with the guide channel (6) is completely attenuated. Further, the prevention of direct contact between the roller unit (100) and the guide channels (6) also reduces the wear of material from the roller unit (100) and the guide channels (6). Therefore, the maintenance cost is reduced, and the overall operational time period of the roller unit (100) is increased.

Equivalents

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding the description may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated in the description.

Referral numerals:

Description Referral numerals
Body 1
Outer surface 1a
Aperture 2
Internal threads 2t
Insert 3
First projection 3a
External threads 3t
Resilient member 4
Dampener 5
Second projection 5a
Guide channel 6
Roller unit 100
Central axis A-A