SMART GARAGE DOOR OPENER

• US 20120260575A1
• Filed: 04/12/2011
• Published: 10/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Monaco, Pietro A.
• Application Number:
  US13/084,617
• Publication Number:
  US 20120260575A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 49/13
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/668 for overhead wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/72 responsive to emergency conditions, e.g. fire
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/42 against smoke or gas
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages

Abstract

A system may include a motor, a control module, and a sensor. The motor may be adapted to drivingly engage a drive mechanism for moving a door between an open position and a closed position. The control module may be in communication with the motor and operable to control operation of the motor. The sensor may be in communication with the control module. The sensor may be operable to detect a substance within a space and send a first signal to the control module indicative of a predetermined level of the substance within the space. The control module may cause the motor to drive the drive mechanism in a direction that causes the door to move from the closed position to the open position in response to receiving the first signal from the first sensor.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a motor adapted to drivingly engage a drive mechanism for moving a door between an open position and a closed position;

a control module in communication with said motor and operable to control operation of said motor; and

a first sensor in communication with said control module, said first sensor being operable to detect smoke within a space and send a first signal to said control module indicative of a predetermined level of smoke within said space,

wherein said control module causes said motor to drive said drive mechanism in a direction that causes said door to move from said closed position to said open position in response to receiving said first signal from said first sensor.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a housing, said first sensor and said motor being mounted to said housing.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said control module causes movement of said motor in response to said first sensor detecting said predetermined level of smoke only when said door is not in said open position.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter in wireless communication with said control module and said first sensor, wherein said transmitter and said first sensor are mounted to a vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second sensor in communication with said control module, said second sensor being operable to detect a substance within said space and send a second signal to said control module indicative of a predetermined level of said substance within said space.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a source of electrical power and at least one battery coupled for electrical communication with said control module, said motor and said first and second sensors, said battery being operable to supply electrical current to said control module, said motor, and said first and second sensors during an event whereby said source of electrical power is disabled.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising an alarm configured to generate an audible alarm in response to said first signal.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said alarm is configured to continue to generate said audible alarm until a level of smoke is less than said predetermined level of smoke.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second sensor in communication with said control module and operable to detect a substance and send a second signal to said control module indicative of a predetermined level of said substance; and

a transmitter in wireless communication with said control module and at least one of said first and second sensors, wherein at least one of said transmitter and said first and second sensors are mounted to a vehicle.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said space includes an interior of a garage and said door is a garage door.

11. A vehicle comprising:

a transmitter mounted to the vehicle and adapted to transmit a wireless signal; and

a first sensor mounted to the vehicle and in communication with said transmitter, said first sensor being operable to detect smoke within a space and send a first signal to said transmitter in response to detecting a predetermined level of smoke, said transmitter transmitting said wireless signal in response to receiving said first signal, said wireless signal causing movement of a motor associated with a door.

12. The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising a second sensor mounted to the vehicle and in communication with said transmitter, said second sensor being operable to detect a substance outside of the vehicle and send a second signal to said transmitter in response to detecting a predetermined level of said substance, said transmitter transmitting said wireless signal in response to receiving said second signal to cause movement of said motor.

13. A system in wireless communication with the vehicle of claim 11, the system comprising a control module and said motor, said control module being in communication with said motor, wherein said transmitter is adapted to communicate said wireless signal to said control module.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said control module causes movement of said motor in a direction corresponding to movement of said door to an open position in response to said first sensor detecting said predetermined level of smoke.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said control module allows said motor to remain at rest in response to said control module receiving said wireless signal when said door is in said open position.

16. The system of claim 13, further comprising an alarm in communication with said control module and adapted to generate at least one of an audible and a visual alarm indicative of said first sensor detecting said predetermined level of smoke.

17. The system of claim 13, further comprising first and second sources of electrical power in communication with said control module and said motor, said second source of electrical power supplying electrical current to said control module and said motor during a power-outage event preventing said first source of electrical power from supplying electrical current to said control module and said motor.

18. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein said space includes an interior of a garage and said door is a garage door.

19. A system comprising:

a sensor configured to detect at least one of a combustible substance and smoke, said sensor generating a first signal indicative of a level of said at least one of said combustible substance and smoke; and

a control module in communication with said sensor and generating a second signal controlling movement of a door based on said first signal from said sensor.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said second signal is generated in response to detection of a predetermined level of said at least one of said combustible substance and smoke, wherein at least one of said sensor and said control module is adjustable to customize said predetermined level.