AUTOMATED SLIDING PANEL MECHANISM WITH MANUAL RELEASE MECHANISM

• US 20200131837A1
• Filed: 10/26/2018
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hall Labs, LLC
• Original Assignee: Hall Labs, LLC
• Inventors: Hall, David R., Brimhall, Emily, Carlson, Austin, Miles, Jerome
• Granted Patent: US 10,968,678 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 15/70 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/214 Disengaging means
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/434 Electromotors; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/722 Racks
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/46 in or on the wing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/11 Manual wing operation
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/132 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/148 Windows
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 19/04 comprising a rack
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2019/046 Facilitating the engagement or stopping of racks

Abstract

An automated sliding panel mechanism is disclosed. An automated sliding panel mechanism includes a motor attached to a first component of a sliding panel that is configured to move the sliding panel between a closed position and an open position. The mechanism also includes a power source and a rack attached to a second component of the sliding panel and including a base with rack teeth extending from a plane thereof. A gear is rotated by the motor and has gear teeth shaped to mesh with the rack teeth. A manual release mechanism is adapted to move the gear along its axis of rotation, from an engaged position, wherein the gear teeth mesh with the rack teeth to a released position, wherein the gear teeth are disengaged from the rack teeth. The manual release mechanism also includes a holding mechanism adapted to hold the gear in the engaged position and in the released position as selected by a user.

Claims

1. An automated sliding panel mechanism comprising:

a motor attached to a first component of a sliding panel and configured to move the sliding panel between a closed position and an open position,

a power source, providing power to the motor,

a rack attached to a second component of the sliding panel and comprising a base with rack teeth extending from a plane thereof,

a gear rotated by the motor comprising gear teeth shaped to mesh with the rack teeth;

a manual release mechanism adapted to move the gear along its axis of rotation, from an engaged position, wherein the gear teeth mesh with the rack teeth, to a released position, wherein the gear teeth are disengaged from the rack teeth; and

a holding mechanism adapted to hold the gear in the engaged position and in the released position as selected by a user.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein the holding mechanism comprises a first and a second magnet mounted on a stationary part of the holding mechanism and a third magnet mounted on the manual release mechanism, wherein, when the third magnet is brought near and attracts the first magnet, the holding mechanism holds the gear in the engaged position and wherein, when the third magnet is brought near and attracts the second magnet, the holding mechanism holds the gear in the released position.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein the holding mechanism comprises a first and a second magnet mounted on the manual release mechanism and a third magnet mounted on a stationary part of the holding mechanism, wherein, when the first magnet is brought near and attracts the third magnet, the holding mechanism holds the gear in the engaged position and wherein, when the second magnet is brought near and attracts the third magnet, the holding mechanism holds the gear in the released position.

4. The invention of claim 1, further comprising gearing between the motor and the gear, and wherein the gearing is configured to prevent rotation of the gear when not driven by the motor.

5. The invention of claim 1, further comprising a brake to prevent the gear from rotating and thereby lock the sliding panel when the manual release mechanism is in the engaged position except by rotation of the gear by the motor.

6. The invention of claim 1, wherein the manual release mechanism comprises a surface which is moved by a user to move the automated sliding panel mechanism between an engaged position and a released position.

7. The invention of claim 6, wherein the manual release mechanism surface comprises indicia which indicates in which direction a user should move the manual release mechanism such that it is released or engaged.

8. The invention of claim 1, wherein the manual release mechanism surface is a lever which is moved by a user to move the manual release mechanism between an engaged position and a released position.

9. The invention of claim 1, wherein the manual release mechanism comprises a carriage.

10. The invention of claim 6, wherein the manual release mechanism surface and manual release mechanism carriage are one piece.

11. The invention of claim 1, wherein the gear is a helical gear.

12. The invention of claim 1, wherein the gear is a spur gear.

13. The invention of claim 1, wherein the sliding panel is a window, door, or louver.

14. The invention of claim 1, wherein the power source is a solar panel.

16. The invention of claim 14, further comprising gearing between the motor and the gear, and wherein the gearing is configured to prevent rotation of the gear when not driven by the motor.

17. The invention of claim 14, further comprising a brake to prevent the gear from rotating and thereby lock the sliding panel when the manual release mechanism is in the engaged position except by rotation of the gear by the motor.

18. The invention of claim 14, wherein the magnets are permanent magnets.

19. The invention of claim 14, wherein the manual release mechanism further comprises a carriage.

20. The invention of claim 14, wherein the manual release mechanism comprises a surface which is moved by a user to move the automated sliding panel mechanism between an engaged position and a released position.

15. An automated sliding panel mechanism comprising:

a motor attached to a first component of a sliding panel and configured to move the sliding panel between a closed position and an open position,

a power source, providing power to the motor,

a rack attached to a second component of the sliding panel and comprising a base with rack teeth extending from a plane thereof,

a gear rotated by the motor comprising gear teeth shaped to mesh with the rack teeth;

a manual release mechanism adapted to move the gear along its axis of rotation, from an engaged position, wherein the gear teeth mesh with the rack teeth to a released position, wherein the gear teeth are disengaged from the rack teeth; and

a holding mechanism adapted to hold the gear in the engaged position and in the released position as selected by a user, wherein the holding mechanism comprises a first magnet, second magnet, and third magnet mounted on the holding mechanism, wherein, when the third magnet is brought near and attracts the first magnet, the holding mechanism holds the gear in the engaged position and wherein, when the third magnet is brought near and attracts the second magnet, the holding mechanism holds the gear in the released position.