HIGH TORQUE MOVABLE BARRIER ACTUATION AT LOW SPEEDS UTILIZING A HUB MOTOR

• US 20090206777A1
• Filed: 02/19/2008
• Published: 08/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FAAC International Inc. (FAAC S.p.A.)
• Original Assignee: Viking Access Systems, LLC (FAAC S.p.A.)
• Inventors: Taheri, Hassan, Becerra, Jonathan
• Granted Patent: US 7,816,879 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 318/15
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/63 operated by swinging arms
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/635 operated by push-pull mechanisms, e.g. flexible or rigid rack-and-pinion arrangements E05F15/652 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/643 operated by flexible elongated pulling elements, e.g. belts, chains or cables by flexible elongated push-pull mechanisms E05F15/635
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/656 Chains
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/72 Planetary gearing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/20 of brakes, disengaging means, holders or stops
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/612 Batteries
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/614 charging thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/628 Solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/452 in or on the floor or wall
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/264 compact
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/00 Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/40 for gates
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/70 comprising an electric motor positioned outside the roller
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45242 Door, panel, window operation, opening, closing
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/116 with gears

Abstract

The present invention is a system for high torque operation of a movable barrier utilizing a compact hub motor device, which may be directly coupled to a movable barrier without the use of additional gearing systems. The flat geometry provides high dynamic acceleration with short electrical and mechanical time constants, and its planetary gearing system implemented within the device allows for compact, more efficient access systems. Eliminating a gear system in accordance with the present invention lowers maintenance requirements, increases efficiency, and streamlines operation of movable barriers.

Claims

1. A movable barrier operator comprising:

a movable barrier;

a hub motor, wherein said hub motor further comprises;

at least one stator magnetically coupled to a rotor, and

at least one internal gear rotably coupled to said rotor;

a sprocket rotably coupled to said one or more internal gears; and

a chain directly coupled to said sprocket and said movable barrier in a manner that said movable barrier moves at a substantially the same speed as a rotation speed of said sprocket.

2. The movable barrier operator of claim 1, further comprising an idle wheel for maintaining said chain mechanically connected to said sprocket.

3. The movable barrier operator of claim 2, wherein said movable barrier comprises a slide gate, said slide gate adapted to move on a track.

4. The movable barrier operator of claim 3, wherein said chain runs substantially parallel to said track.

5. The movable barrier operator of claim 4, further comprising a controller adapted to control said rotation of said hub motor.

6. The movable barrier operator of claim 5, further comprising a sensor connected to said controller, said sensor adapted to generate a signal after detecting a predefined event.

7. An access system comprising:

a movable barrier;

a hub motor directly coupled to said movable barrier so that said movable barrier moves at a substantially the same speed as a rotation speed of an output shaft of said motor.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a controller adapted to control said rotation of said hub motor.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a sensor connected to said controller, said sensor adapted to generate a signal after detecting a predefined event.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said sensor comprises an inductive loop sensor.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said sensor comprises a photo-sensor.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein said sensor comprises an infra red sensor.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein said sensor comprises a motion detection sensor.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein said movable barrier comprises a sliding gate.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein said movable barrier comprises a swing gate.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein said movable barrier comprises a window.

17. The system of claim 9, wherein said movable barrier comprises a vehicular movable barrier.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said vehicular movable barrier comprises a vehicular door.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein said vehicular movable barrier comprises a vehicular convertible top.

20. The system of claim 9, wherein said movable barrier comprises a roll-up door.

21. The system of claim 9, wherein said movable barrier comprises an articulated door.

22. A movable barrier operator comprising:

a hub motor adapted to be directly coupled to a movable barrier in a manner so that said movable barrier can be adjusted to move at a substantially the same speed as a rotation speed of said motor, wherein said hub motor further comprises;

at least one stator magnetically coupled to a rotor, and

at least one or more internal gears rotably coupled to said rotor; and

an external gear system connected to said hub motor, wherein said external gear system is adapted to transfer a mechanical force generated by said hub motor to said movable barrier.

24. An access system comprising:

a slide gate adapted to move on a track.

a hub motor, wherein said hub motor further comprises;

at least one stator magnetically coupled to a rotor, and

at least one or more internal gears rotably coupled to said rotor;

a sprocket rotably coupled to said one or more internal gears;

a chain directly coupled to said sprocket and said movable barrier in a manner so that said movable barrier moves at a substantially the same speed as a rotation speed of said sprocket, wherein said chain runs substantially parallel to said track;

an idle wheel for maintaining said chain mechanically connected to said sprocket;

a controller adapted to control said rotation of said hub motor; and

a sensor connected to said controller, said sensor adapted to generate a signal after detecting a predefined event.

23. The movable barrier operator of claim 24, further comprising:

a controller adapted to control said rotation of said motor; and

a sensor connected to said controller, said sensor adapted to generate a signal after detecting a predefined event.