DOOR CLOSER ASSEMBLY
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A door closer assembly comprising:
- a spring;
a movable element configured to move in response to movement of a door, the movement of the movable element loading the spring;
at least one gear configured to rotate responsive to a force exerted on one of the at least one gear by the spring; and
a generator configured to generate electrical power responsive to the rotation of the at least one gear.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A door closer assembly is provided, including a valve regulating an amount of hydraulic fluid that flows through the valve. The amount of hydraulic fluid flowing through the valve controls a force generated by the door closer assembly on a door. A first sensor measures an angular position of the door, and a second sensor measures an angular position of the valve. The angular position of the valve determines the amount of hydraulic fluid flowing through the valve. A controller controls the adjustment of the valve based on the angular position of the door and the angular position of the valve.
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Citations
59 Claims
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1. A door closer assembly comprising:
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a spring; a movable element configured to move in response to movement of a door, the movement of the movable element loading the spring; at least one gear configured to rotate responsive to a force exerted on one of the at least one gear by the spring; and a generator configured to generate electrical power responsive to the rotation of the at least one gear. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A control unit for a door closer assembly comprising:
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a spring; a movable element configured to move in response to movement of a door, the movement of the movable element loading the spring; at least one gear configured to rotate responsive to a force exerted on one of the at least one gear by the spring; a generator configured to generate electrical power responsive to the rotation of the at least one gear; and a printed circuit board (PCB), the PCB comprising an energy storage device and control logic, the energy storage device being charged by the generated electrical power, the control logic being powered by the generated power and configured to control a valve in a door closer, wherein the control unit is configured to be attachable to a door closer.
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17. A method for self-powered operation of a door closer comprising:
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providing power to a control unit responsive to movement of a door; reading an angular position of the door; reading an angular position of a valve; and adjusting the angular position of the valve based on the angular position of the door and the angular position of the valve. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for self-powered operation of a door closer comprising:
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providing power to a control unit responsive to movement of a door; reading an angular position of the door; reading an angular position of a valve; and comparing the angular position of the door to a previously read angular position of the door; calculating a speed of the door based on the comparison; predicting a next movement of the door based on the calculated speed and at least one previously stored calculated speed; adjusting the valve based on the prediction; and transitioning at least one component of a control unit controlling the adjusting of the valve to a power saving sleep state for a set period of time.
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29. A method for self-powered operation of a door closer comprising:
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reading a first door position and storing the read first door position; reading a second door position and storing the read second door position; comparing the first door position with the second door position; calculating a speed of the door based on the comparison; associating the calculated door speed with the first door position and the second door position and storing; comparing the stored door speed with an average speed for the first door position and the second door position; and adjusting the angular position of the valve based on the comparing the stored door speed with an average speed for the first door position and the second door position.
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30. A door closer assembly, comprising:
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a valve, the valve regulating an amount of hydraulic fluid that flows through the valve, the amount of hydraulic fluid flowing through the valve controlling a force generated by the door closer assembly on a door; a first sensor, the first sensor measuring an angular position of the door; a second sensor, the second sensor measuring an angular position of the valve, the angular position of the valve determining the amount of hydraulic fluid flowing through the valve; and a controller, the controller controlling the adjustment of the valve based on the angular position of the door and the angular position of the valve. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A system for reduced energy operation of a door closer comprising:
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a controller, the controller comprising a processor; a voltage storage device, the voltage storage device being operatively connected to the controller; and a generator, the generator being operatively connected to the controller and the voltage storage device, the generator generating a voltage responsive to movement of a door, the voltage charging the voltage storage device, wherein the controller enables power to a first sensor to read an angular position of the door only for enough time to insure an accurate reading the first sensor, and wherein the controller enables power to a second sensor to read an angular position of a valve in the door closer only for enough time to insure an accurate reading the second sensor. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. A method for reduced energy operation of a door closer comprising:
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detecting movement of a door; providing power to a controller responsive to the movement of the door; enabling power to a door angle sensor only long enable to obtain an accurate reading of an angular position of the door and then disabling power to the door angle sensor; enabling power to a valve sensor only long enable to obtain an accurate reading of an angular position of the valve and then disabling power to the valve sensor; and adjusting the angular position of the value responsive to the read angular position of the door and the read angular position of the valve. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55, 56)
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57. A controller for reduced energy operation of a door closer comprising:
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a timer; and a processor, the processor detecting movement of a door, enabling power to a door angle sensor only long enable to obtain an accurate reading of an angular position of the door and then disabling power to the door angle sensor, enabling power to a valve sensor only long enable to obtain an accurate reading of an angular position of the valve and then disabling power to the valve sensor, and adjusting the angular position of the value responsive to the read angular position of the door and the read angular position of the valve, wherein the controller receives power responsive to the movement of the door. - View Dependent Claims (58, 59)
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Specification