The time has finally arrived: Gebr. Bode GmbH & Co. KG in Kassel, for many years the market leader for bus door systems, makes its new product, the Compact All-Round Drive System (CADS) available for series installation. The first buses with the purely electrical drive system integrated in the column will be presented at the IAA in September 2010. Production of the innovative door drive system will then initially be started for city buses with inward swinging doors (ISD). During the coming year, the new system will then also be available for all other bus types - from the manoeuvrable minibus through to the highquality coach with outward swinging doors (OSD).
Since the presentation of a prototype, two years ago, Bode has tested the hightech product in real practical use, in intensive collaboration with Kasseler Verkehrs-AG and Länstrafiken bus company in the town of Örebro in Central Sweden.
The new drive system not only opened and closed the door in a test rig more than one million times without faults, it was also subjected to a comprehensive practical test in extreme weather zones and deployment areas. The work schedule also included extreme tests such as climate and vibration testing.
Since June 2009, Kasseler Verkehrs-AG has been testing the new CADS in a threedoor articulated bus, which is deployed in fixedroute service. Karsten Kamutzki, head of the Vehicle Engineering department and deputy operations manager of BO Kraft, BO Strab and EBO: "Following initial minor necessary adjustments, the new Bode door drive system is now working perfectly. Even better: The test vehicle equipped with it is now listed in the daily operational reports less than the average for our bus fleet."
At the same time, from January 2010, a second climatically demanding test deployment took place. William Kadic from Sweden, workshop manager of the Neoman branch charged with servicing buses, reported: "From the start of the new door system's use in the winter month of January 2010, with temperatures of -20° to -28° Celsius over two months, through to summertime with temperatures of + 30° Celsius, there was incredibly not a single fault in the doors... This is a new age for door drives. All thumbs up for the new system!" In addition, the usual twiceyearly adjustments required by conventional door systems for summer and winter operation are no longer necessary.
Short opening and closing times, a high degree of safety and little downtime - these are the requirements set by transport companies for the door drive technology of the future. All these requirements are satisfied by the new Bode CADS drive system.
As extensive as the advantages of the new CADS are, it is, nonetheless, barely seen. The whole, purely electric drive system is completely integrated in the column. Its diameter requires hardly any more space than the rotating pillar itself. This enables bus manufacturers to take new paths in the development of future bus generations, especially in the area of the roof top.
For the transport companies, the innovative system means less components and therefore less spare parts and, above all, lower maintenance costs and effort. Compared to the electric drive systems used to date, the new purely electrical CADS for inward swinging doors is about 8 kg lighter. Not only that will affect running costs: From Sweden, the response was that they would watch with interest to see how far fuel consumption reduced, as no compressed air is required for the doors.
The integrated position sensor, in particular, contributes to a significant reduction in downtimes and service costs. For example, the selfteaching doors automatically adapt to changing end positions. This means timeconsuming and costly readjustments are a thing of the past.
New standards, also with regard to safety and limiting vandalism damage
If improper actions are applied to the door the system automatically releases, therefore preventing damage to the drive. The compact and smooth running, emergency release device is also integrated in the system; it has a standard resetting option controlled from the driver's workplace. An integrated, energyless system ensures the doors are kept securely shut. This means that the door systems no longer need locks.
However, in future, not only city bus companies will profit from the innovative drive technology: Until now, due to the lifting spindle drive used to date, horizontal and vertical movements of the outswinging doors were necessary in order to secure the doors even at high speeds. The door drive technology of the future only needs a horizontal movement - and is therefore much faster without loss of reliability. The installation of rotarylatch interlocks contributes to additional safety. With Bode's own door control, the new CADS also provides an optimum and harmonious door movement - and this even on extremely sloping and inclined roads.
Since the presentation of a prototype, two years ago, Bode has tested the hightech product in real practical use, in intensive collaboration with Kasseler Verkehrs-AG and Länstrafiken bus company in the town of Örebro in Central Sweden.
The new drive system not only opened and closed the door in a test rig more than one million times without faults, it was also subjected to a comprehensive practical test in extreme weather zones and deployment areas. The work schedule also included extreme tests such as climate and vibration testing.
Since June 2009, Kasseler Verkehrs-AG has been testing the new CADS in a threedoor articulated bus, which is deployed in fixedroute service. Karsten Kamutzki, head of the Vehicle Engineering department and deputy operations manager of BO Kraft, BO Strab and EBO: "Following initial minor necessary adjustments, the new Bode door drive system is now working perfectly. Even better: The test vehicle equipped with it is now listed in the daily operational reports less than the average for our bus fleet."
At the same time, from January 2010, a second climatically demanding test deployment took place. William Kadic from Sweden, workshop manager of the Neoman branch charged with servicing buses, reported: "From the start of the new door system's use in the winter month of January 2010, with temperatures of -20° to -28° Celsius over two months, through to summertime with temperatures of + 30° Celsius, there was incredibly not a single fault in the doors... This is a new age for door drives. All thumbs up for the new system!" In addition, the usual twiceyearly adjustments required by conventional door systems for summer and winter operation are no longer necessary.
Short opening and closing times, a high degree of safety and little downtime - these are the requirements set by transport companies for the door drive technology of the future. All these requirements are satisfied by the new Bode CADS drive system.
As extensive as the advantages of the new CADS are, it is, nonetheless, barely seen. The whole, purely electric drive system is completely integrated in the column. Its diameter requires hardly any more space than the rotating pillar itself. This enables bus manufacturers to take new paths in the development of future bus generations, especially in the area of the roof top.
For the transport companies, the innovative system means less components and therefore less spare parts and, above all, lower maintenance costs and effort. Compared to the electric drive systems used to date, the new purely electrical CADS for inward swinging doors is about 8 kg lighter. Not only that will affect running costs: From Sweden, the response was that they would watch with interest to see how far fuel consumption reduced, as no compressed air is required for the doors.
The integrated position sensor, in particular, contributes to a significant reduction in downtimes and service costs. For example, the selfteaching doors automatically adapt to changing end positions. This means timeconsuming and costly readjustments are a thing of the past.
New standards, also with regard to safety and limiting vandalism damage
If improper actions are applied to the door the system automatically releases, therefore preventing damage to the drive. The compact and smooth running, emergency release device is also integrated in the system; it has a standard resetting option controlled from the driver's workplace. An integrated, energyless system ensures the doors are kept securely shut. This means that the door systems no longer need locks.
However, in future, not only city bus companies will profit from the innovative drive technology: Until now, due to the lifting spindle drive used to date, horizontal and vertical movements of the outswinging doors were necessary in order to secure the doors even at high speeds. The door drive technology of the future only needs a horizontal movement - and is therefore much faster without loss of reliability. The installation of rotarylatch interlocks contributes to additional safety. With Bode's own door control, the new CADS also provides an optimum and harmonious door movement - and this even on extremely sloping and inclined roads.
