Status indicator system for a radio-controlled door operator

• US 4,583,081 A
• Filed: 12/30/1983
• Issued: 04/15/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Schmitz, Charles J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Application Number:
  US06/566,938
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 340/545, 340/686, 340/52 F, 49/14, 49/13, 49/25, 49/199, 16/DIG. 1, 16/DIG. 7
• US Class Current: 340/686.6
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/668 for overhead wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources

Abstract

A door operator system includes up and down limit switches actuated to the closed position when the door reaches the up and down travel limits. A processor circuit within the operator is connected to the limit switches for ascertaining the position of the door. Bias circuits apply a bias to the processor when the limit switches are open. An indicator system comprising a pair of light emitting diodes connected across respective limit switches indicates the door position. A series impedance element common to both LED circuits prevents actuation of the control circuit by the light emitting devices.

Claims

1. A control system for use in conjunction with a door operator system having an up limit switch, a down limit switch, and a control circuit having input terminals connected to said limit switches, circuit means for applying a current bias to one of said input terminals while said respective limit switch is open, and indicator means including two visual indicators connected between said respective control input terminals and ground, each said indicator being illuminated when the associated limit switch is open to indicate the status of the door.

2. A control system as defined in claim 1 wherein illumination of both visual indicators is an indication that said door is neither fully open nor fully closed.

3. A control system as defined in claim 1 wherein said bias circuit means comprise a source of unidirectional current and an impedance connected between said current source and said control input terminals.

4. A control system as defined in claim 1 wherein said indicator circuit includes in series with said visual indicator a series impedance element for preventing actuation of said control circuit by said indicator.

5. A control system as defined in claim 4 wherein said series impedance element comprises a series-connected diode.

6. A control system as defined in claim 1 wherein said visual indicators are light emitting diodes.

7. A control system for controlling the operation of an electric door operator, the system comprising:

up limit switch means operatively associated with the door and actuated when the door reaches a fully up position;

down limit switch means operatively associated with the door and actuated when the door reaches a fully down position;

control circuit means including input terminals connected to respective ones of said up and down limit switches, said input terminals being biased by an applied unidirectional current whereby a logic low is applied to said input terminals upon actuation of said limit switches;

up indicator means comprising a first visual indicator connected between said down limit switch and ground for indicating when said door is in a fully up position; and

down indicator means comprising a second visual indicator connected between said up limit switch and ground for indicating when said door is in a fully down position.

8. A control system as defined in claim 7 wherein said bias circuit means comprise a source of unidirectional current and an impedance connected between said current source and said control input terminal.

9. A control system as defined in claim 7 wherein said indicator circuit includes in series with each said visual indicator a series impedance element for preventing actuation of said control circuit by said indicator.

10. A control system as defined in claim 9 wherein said series impedance element comprises a series-connected diode.

11. A control system as defined in claim 7 wherein said visual indicators are light emitting diodes.