Control system for door positioning assembly

• US 5,712,546 A
• Filed: 01/03/1995
• Issued: 01/27/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: American Metal-Tech Limited
• Original Assignee: American Metal-Tech Limited
• Inventors: Rice, David C., Holthouse, Jeffery A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Masih, Karen
• Application Number:
  US08/367,953
• Time in Patent Office: 1,120 Days
• Field of Search: 318/282, 318/286, 318/466-468, 318/626, 318/640, 318/652, 318/266, 49/139, 49/118, 49/26, 49/120
• US Class Current: 318/282
• 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 2201/67 in tackles
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/71 Secondary wings, e.g. pass doors
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45242 Door, panel, window operation, opening, closing
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 3/10 without using feedback

Abstract

A control system is provided for a door positioning assembly having a door mounted on a track. The door is movable between an open position and a closed position. The door has a leading edge adjacent a door opening, an edge arranged to define a second opening, and a pass door pivotably coupled to the second opening. The control system includes a proximity detector for providing a door position signal in response to the position of the door on the track system, and a user input for providing user input signals including open inputs, stop inputs including signals provided by a stop button of a user-operated switch, and close inputs in response to user commands. The system also includes a plurality of sensors for providing stop input signals in response to the position of an object located within a detection zone adjacent the door opening, in response to contact between an object and the leading edge of the door, and in response to the position of the pass door. The system further includes a signal processor to provide controller instructions in response to the door position signal and the user input signals, and a controller configured to vary the speed and direction of travel of the door in response to the controller instructions.

Claims

1. A control system for a door positioning assembly having a door mounted on a track, the door being movable between an open position and a closed position, the door having a leading edge adjacent a door opening, an edge arranged to define a second opening, a pass door pivotably coupled to the second opening, the control system comprising:

proximity means for providing a door position signal in response to the position of the door on the track system,

a user input for providing user input signals including open inputs, stop inputs including signals provided by a stop button of a user-operated switch, and close inputs in response to user commands,

a plurality of sensors for providing stop input signals in response to the position of an object located within a detection zone adjacent the door opening, in response to contact between an object and the leading edge of the door, and in response to the position of the pass door,

a signal processor to provide controller instructions in response to the door position signal and the user input signals, and

a controller configured to vary the speed and direction of travel of the door in response to the controller instructions, the controller instructions instructing the controller to move the door in an open direction in response to open inputs, to stop the movement of the door in response to stop inputs, and to move the door in a closed direction in response to close inputs.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein the open inputs include signals provided by an open button for providing an open input signal in response to the user-operated switch and a motion detector for providing an open input signal in response to motion of an object located within a detection zone.

3. The control system of claim 1, wherein the close inputs include signals provided by a close button for providing a close input signal in response to the user-operated switch.

4. The control system of claim 1, wherein the user input includes a manual control having manual switches connected to the signal processor, a reverse edge having an edge switch appended to the door, the edge switch being connected to the signal processor, and an auto close timer connected to the signal processor.

5. The control system of claim 1, wherein the signal processor further includes means for moving the door to the closed position when the door is starting from a position other than the closed position in response to an absence of user input signals.

6. The control system of claim 5, wherein the signal processor further includes an auto close timer for delaying actuation of the moving means for a predetermined delay time after the signal processor receives a last user input signal.

7. The control system of claim 1, wherein the signal processor further includes an input processor for providing run signals and speed select signals in response to the position of the door.

8. The control system of claim 1, wherein the signal processor further includes a signal generator for providing the controller instructions in response to the user input signals and in response to the run signals and the speed select signals.

9. A control system for a door positioning assembly having a movable door mounted on a track, the control system comprising

input processor means for providing run signals and speed select signals in response to user commands and in response to the position of the door on the track system,

a run relay switch having an open configuration and a closed configuration, the run relay switch being arranged to switch the configuration of the run relay switch in response to a run signal,

a plurality of speed select relay switches, each speed select relay switch having an open configuration and a closed configuration, each speed select relay switch being arranged to switch the configuration of the speed select relay switch in response to a speed select signal, and

controller means for varying the speed and direction of travel of the door in response to the configurations of the run relay switch and the speed select relay switches.

10. The control system of claim 9, wherein the control system further includes a variable resistor configured to be adjusted to one of a plurality of resistance settings and speed control means for providing a speed signal in response to the resistance setting of the variable resistor.

11. The control system of claim 10, wherein the speed select relay switch is a normally open switch, the run relay switch is a normally open switch, and the controller means responds to the speed signal when the speed select relay is in a closed configuration and the run relay is in a closed configuration.

12. A control system for a door positioning assembly having a movable door mounted on a track, the control system comprising:

proximity means for providing a door position signal in response to the position of the door on the track,

user means for providing user inputs in response to user commands, the user means including pedestrian button means for providing a pedestrian open user input in response to a user-operated switch,

pedestrian open timer means for providing a timing signal in response to a start signal, and

input processor means for providing run signals and speed select signals in response to user inputs and in response to the door position signal, the input processor means including a pedestrian start time configured to generate a start signal in response to the pedestrian open input signal and pedestrian open means for providing a run signal of a predetermined duration in response to the timing signal.

13. A control system for a door positioning assembly having a movable door mounted on a track, the control system comprising

proximity means for providing a door position signal in response to the position of the door on the track system,

open means for providing open inputs in response to user commands,

close means for providing close inputs in response to user commands,

stop means for providing stop inputs in response to user commands,

input processor means for providing run signals and speed select signals in response to open inputs, close inputs, stop inputs, and in response to the door position signal,

a normally open run relay switch arranged to close in response to run signals,

a plurality of normally open speed select relay switches arranged to close in response to speed select signals, and

controller means for varying the speed and direction of travel of the door in response to the status of the run relay switch and the speed select relay switches.

14. A control apparatus for positioning a door mounted on a track, the control apparatus comprising:

a controller coupled to the door for reciprocally moving the door on the track between a fully closed position and a fully open position, the controller being configured to move the door at a plurality of speeds;

a first sensor for detecting the door in the fully closed position;

a second sensor for detecting the door in the fully open position;

a third sensor located adjacent the fully closed position for detecting the door in a partially closed position;

a fourth sensor located adjacent the fully open position for detecting the door in a partially open position; and

a signal processor coupled to the controller and the first, second, third, and fourth sensors, the signal processor including means for commanding the door to travel at a first closing speed from the fully open position to the partially closed position, at a second closing speed from the partially closed position to the fully closed position, at a first opening speed from the fully closed position to the partially open position, and at a second opening speed from the partially open position to the fully open position.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first closing and opening speeds are faster than the second closing and opening speeds.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a signal generator to provide a run signal for commencing movement of the door, the signal generator being coupled to the signal processor, the signal processor further including means for commanding the door to travel toward the fully closed position at the second closing speed if the run signal commences closing movement when the door is located between the fully open and fully closed positions and commanding the door to travel toward the fully open position at the second opening speed if the run signal commences opening movement when the door is located between the fully open and fully closed positions.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the signal processor includes at least two variable resistors, each having an adjustable, resistance value proportional to one of the first and second closing and opening speeds.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a motion detector, the motion detector being coupled to the signal processor, the signal processor further including means for commanding the door to travel toward the fully open position when the motion detector senses motion within a detection zone adjacent the door.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a reverse edge sensor on an edge of the door, the reverse edge sensor being coupled to the signal processor, the signal processor further including means for commanding the door to travel toward the fully open position when the reverse edge sensor detects contact between the edge of the door and an object when the door is not in the fully closed position.

20. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a photo electric sensor for detecting an object in a predetermined area adjacent the door, the photo electric sensor being coupled to the signal processor, the signal processor further including means for commanding the door to travel toward the fully open position when the photo electric sensor detects an object in the predetermined area.

21. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a manual open switch, the manual open switch being coupled to the signal processor, the signal processor further including means for commanding the door to travel toward the fully open position when a user activates the manual open switch.

22. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a manual stop switch, the manual stop switch being coupled to the signal processor, the signal processor further including means for commanding the door to stop moving when a user activates the manual stop switch.

23. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a manual close switch, the manual close switch being coupled to the signal processor, the signal processor further including means for commanding the door to travel toward the fully closed position when a user activates the manual close switch.

24. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a pedestrian open signal, the pedestrian open signal being coupled to the signal processor, the signal processor further including means for commanding the door to travel for a predetermined amount of time from the fully closed position towards the fully open position in response to the pedestrian open signal.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the signal processor further comprises a variable resistor having a resistance value that is proportional to the predetermined amount of time of travel of the door in response to the pedestrian open signal.

26. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the signal processor further includes an automatic close timer, the signal processor further including means for commanding the door to travel to the fully closed position if the door has been stationary in other than the fully closed position for longer than a predetermined amount of time indicated by the automatic close timer.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the signal processor further comprises a variable resistor having a resistance value that is proportional to the predetermined amount of time of indicated by the automatic close timer.

28. A control system for a door positioning assembly having a movable door mounted on a track, the control system comprising:

a proximity sensor which provides a door position signal in response to the position of the door on the track,

user input switches including a pedestrian switch to generate a pedestrian open input signal,

a pedestrian start timer configured to generate a start signal in response to the pedestrian open input signal,

a pedestrian open timer configured to generate a timing signal in response to the start signal, and

an input processor configured to generate a run signal in response to user input switches and in response to the door position signal, the input processor providing the run signal of a predetermined duration in response to the timing signal.