Apparatus for controlling bus doors

Apparatus comprising:

• a door actuator,
• wherein the door actuator is configured to move a pair of substantially planar doors,
• wherein each door is rotatable about a respective vertical door axis,
• wherein the vertical door axis of one door of the pair is horizontally disposed from the vertical door axis of the other door of the pair,
• wherein each door is rotatably movable about its respective vertical door axis between a door open position and a door closed position,
• wherein with each door in the door open position,
• each door is horizontally disposed from the other door of the pair,
• each door of the pair extends substantially parallel to the other door, such that the doors bound an open path between the doors through which individuals may pass,
• wherein with each door of the pair in the door closed position,
• each door is substantially linearly aligned with the other door,
• each door is in contacting relation with the other door on a side of each door horizontally opposite of the respective vertical door axis, such that there is no path between the doors through which individuals may pass,
• wherein the actuator includes
• a body,
• a drive lever, wherein the drive lever is rotatably mounted in operative connection with the body,
• wherein the drive lever is configured to be in operative connection with each of the doors of the pair such that rotation of the drive lever is operative to cause each of the doors to move simultaneously in coordinated relation between the respective door open position and the door closed position,
• a motor, wherein the motor is in operative supported connection with the body,
• wherein the motor is in operative connection with the drive lever,
• at least one sensor, wherein the at least one sensor is in operative connection with the drive lever,
• a controller, wherein the controller includes circuitry,
• wherein the controller is in operative connection with the motor and the at least one sensor,
• wherein the controller is operative to cause the motor to move the drive lever from a first rotational position corresponding to the door open position of each of the doors of the pair, in a first rotational direction toward a second rotational position corresponding to the door closed position of each of the doors of the pair,
• wherein the controller is operative
• a) responsive at least in part to the at least one sensor, to determine a closing force applied by the drive lever during movement in the first rotational direction intermediate of the first rotational position and the second rotational position,
• b) to compare the closing force and a threshold closing force,
• c) to determine the closing force is in excess of the threshold closing force,
• d) responsive to at least in part to the determination in (c), to cause the motor to cease movement of the drive lever in the first rotational direction,
• whereby engagement of at least one door with an obstruction when moving towards the respective door closed position causes door closing movement by the actuator to be discontinued.

Apparatus comprising:

• a door actuator,
• wherein the door actuator is configured to move a pair of substantially planar doors,
• wherein each door is rotatable about a respective vertical door axis,
• wherein the vertical door axis of one door of the pair is horizontally disposed from the vertical door axis of the other door of the pair,
• wherein each door is rotatably movable about its respective vertical door axis between a door open position and a door closed position,
• wherein with each door in the door open position,
• each door is horizontally disposed from the other door of the pair,
• each door of the pair extends substantially parallel to the other door, such that the doors bound an open path between the doors through which individuals may pass,
• wherein with each door of the pair in the door closed position,
• each door is substantially linearly aligned with the other door,
• each door is in contacting relation with the other door on a side of each door horizontally opposite of the respective vertical door axis, such that there is no path between the doors through which individuals may pass,
• wherein the door actuator includes:
• a body,
• a drive lever, wherein the drive lever is rotatably mounted in operative connection with the body,
• wherein the drive lever is configured to be in operative connection with each of the doors of the pair such that rotation of the drive lever is operative to cause each of the doors to move simultaneously in coordinated relation between the respective door open position and the door closed position,
• a motor, wherein the motor is in operative supported connection with the body,
• wherein the motor is in operative connection with the drive lever,
• at least one sensor, wherein the at least one sensor is in operative connection with the drive lever and is operative to sense at least one property corresponding to resistance to drive lever movement,
• a controller, wherein the controller includes circuitry, wherein the circuitry includes at least one data store,
• wherein the at least one data store includes data corresponding to a threshold value,
• wherein the controller is in operative connection with the motor and the at least one sensor,
• wherein the controller is operative to cause the motor to move the drive lever from a first rotational position corresponding to the door open position of each of the doors of the pair, in a first rotational direction toward a second rotational position corresponding to the door closed position of each of the doors of the pair,
• wherein the controller is operative responsive at least in part to the at least one sensor to determine that a level of resistance to drive lever movement in the first rotational direction intermediate of the first and second rotational positions, has a predetermined relationship with the data corresponding to the threshold value,
• wherein the controller is operative responsive at least in part to the determination to cause the motor to cease movement of the drive lever in the first rotational direction,
• whereby engagement of at least one door with an obstruction when moving towards the respective door closed position is operative to cause the level of resistance and the threshold value to have the predetermined relationship, such that door closing movement by the actuator is discontinued.