Door Operator for Controlling a Door and Method of Same

• US 20090265992A1
• Filed: 02/13/2009
• Published: 10/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ASSA ABLOY Accessories and Door Controls Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Edmit Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Dube, Eric, Hass, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 8,169,169 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 49/340
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/105 with a compression spring
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/40 Safety devices, e.g. detection of obstructions or end positions
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/63 operated by swinging arms
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 3/224 for assisting in opening the wing
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 3/227 mounted at the top of wings, e.g. details related to closer housings, covers, end caps or rails therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/41 for closing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/604 Transmission members
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/686 Rods, links
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/3014 Back driving the transmission or motor
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/3015 Power assistance
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/302 during electric motor braking
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/32 Position control, detection or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/342 Pulse count value setting or correcting
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/36 Speed control, detection or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/456 for programming, e.g. learning or AI [artificial intelligence]
• 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 2800/00 Details, accessories and auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/176 on different wing types, weights or sizes
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/252 : the elements functioning only in case of emergency
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/372 : Telescopically
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/40 : Physical or chemical protection
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/00 : Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/132 : Doors

Abstract

A door operator for controlling operation of a door, the door operator having a motor to open the door against a spring force, the door operator further comprising a door position sensor for transmitting a signal indicative of door position; and among other things, calculates a door moment of inertia based on a net torque and the time for the door to reach a predetermined angle from the closed position. Also provided is a door operator that compares door speed to a desired door speed based on a door speed-position profile and generates a door speed error signal and minimizes the door speed error signal by adjusting the braking load resulting from charging a chargeable battery using the motor as a generator.

Claims

1. A door operator for controlling operation of a door, the door operator having a motor to open the door against a spring force, said door operator further comprising:

a door position sensor for transmitting a signal indicative of door position; and

a controller for;

controlling a motor current to generate a predetermined motor force to open the door to a predetermined angle;

receiving the signal from the door position sensor and determining a door position and a door speed based on the signal;

measuring the time for the door to reach the predetermined angle from a closed position;

measuring the current to hold the door at the predetermined angle;

converting the measured current to an equivalent force of the motor acting on the spring, which represents the spring force;

determining a first torque value acting on the door based on the spring force;

determining a second torque value acting on the door based on the predetermined motor force to open the door to the predetermined angle;

subtracting the first torque value from the second torque value to determine a net torque acting on the door; and

calculating a door moment of inertia based on the net torque and the time for the door to reach the predetermined angle from the closed position.

2. A door operator for controlling operation of a door, the door operator having a motor to open the door against a spring force, said door operator further comprising:

a door position sensor for transmitting a signal indicative of door position; and

a controller for;

opening the door to a first position at a predetermined angle;

measuring the current to hold the door at the predetermined angle;

converting the measured current to an equivalent force of the motor acting on the spring, which represents the spring force;

determining a torque value acting on the door based on the spring force;

releasing the door to a second position at a predetermined angle

measuring the time for the door to reach the second position at a predetermined angle

calculating a door moment of inertia based on the torque applied and the time for the door to reach the second position at a predetermined angle

3. A door operator for controlling operation of a door, the door operator configured to operate in a manual mode wherein a user provides opening power or in a powered mode using a motor for converting electrical energy stored in a chargeable battery to open the door and to act as a braking load to control door closing speed when charging the chargeable battery in a generator mode during door closing, said operator further comprising:

a nonvolatile door position sensor for transmitting a signal indicative of door position; and

a controller for;

receiving the signal from the nonvolatile door position sensor;

determining the door position and a door speed;

comparing the door speed to a desired door speed based on a door speed-position profile and generating a door speed error signal;

minimizing the door speed error signal by adjusting the braking load resulting from charging the chargeable battery using the motor as a generator.

4. The door operator as claimed in claim 3, comprising a clutch to disengage the motor during manual door opening and engage the motor on door closing when the motor can act as a generator.

5. The door operator as claimed in claim 3, wherein the nonvolatile door position sensor is a potentiometer.

6. The door operator as claimed in claim 3, wherein the door speed-position profile is based on door weight and size.

7. The door operator as claimed in claim 3, wherein the door speed-position profile is based on door weight, size and predetermined time intervals during an opening of the door and a closing of the door.

8. The door operator as claimed in claim 3, wherein the door operator is independent of external power if the door is manually opened no more than five (5) times for each battery powered opening.

9. The door operator as claimed in claim 4, wherein the clutch is adapted to engage the motor on door opening after receiving an engagement signal.

10. The door operator as claimed in claim 4, wherein the door speed-position profile is dependent upon a computation of door inertia, said computation being based on data from a dynamic test of an installed door.

11. A door operator assembly, comprising:

an operator unit mounted to a first position, relative to the door, by a first mounting bracket;

an arm linkage connecting said operator unit and a second position, relative to the door;

said arm linkage being mounted at said second position by a second mounting bracket; and

an operator unit comprising a roller clutch to disengage the motor during manual door opening and engage the motor on door closing or on power opening.

12. The door operator as claimed in claim 11, wherein clutch operation can be reversed without disassembly or special tools.

13. A door operator assembly, comprising:

an operator unit mounted to a first position, relative to the door, by a first mounting bracket;

an arm linkage connecting said operator unit and a second position, relative to the door;

said arm linkage being mounted at said second position by a second mounting bracket; and

a tapered coupling mechanism to attach the door arm to the output shaft

14. A door operator assembly, comprising:

an operator unit mounted to a first position, relative to the door, by a first mounting bracket;

an arm linkage connecting said operator unit and a second position, relative to the door;

said arm linkage being mounted at said second position by a second mounting bracket; and

a symmetrical cam which loads a spring in the same manner regardless of direction of output shaft rotation.

an operator unit which has a symmetrical design to accommodate mounting on either a right hand or a left hand door

15. A door operator as claimed in claim 14, comprising a reversible roller clutch to disengage the motor during manual door opening and engage the motor on door closing or on power opening.