Method for controlling the operational modes of a door in conjunction with a mechanical door control mechanism

• US 5,913,763 A
• Filed: 02/26/1997
• Issued: 06/22/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dorma Door Controls, Inc. (dormakaba Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Dorma Door Controls, Inc. (dormakaba Holding AG)
• Inventors: Andrea, Davide, Beran, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stodola, Daniel P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): COHEN, CURTIS A
• Application Number:
  US08/806,210
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 49/31, 49/506, 49/341, 49/343, 49/340, 49/371, 49/501, 49/137, 49/138, 49/140, 49/141, 49/26, 49/386, 74/89.15, 74/89.17, 16/79, 16/71, 16/62
• US Class Current: 49/506
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/00 Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/40 Safety devices, e.g. detection of obstructions or end positions
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/619 using flexible or rigid rack-and-pinion arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/622 using screw-and-nut mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/63 operated by swinging arms
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/70 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 3/102 with rack-and-pinion transmission between driving shaft and piston within the closer housing
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 3/224 for assisting in opening the wing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/214 Disengaging means
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/24 using lost motion
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/41 for closing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/422 for opening
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/434 Electromotors; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/499 Spring tensioners; Tension sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/722 Racks
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/3015 Power assistance
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/302 during electric motor braking
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/36 Speed control, detection or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/454 for accommodating handicapped users
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/514 of speed
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/612 : Batteries
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/822 : Light emitters, e.g. light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/252 : the elements functioning only in case of emergency
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/132 : Doors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18688 : Limit stop
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18808 : with rack

Abstract

A method for selective alteration and control of door movement modes utilizing an apparatus that is primarily non-hydraulic and incorporated with a known mechanism which is functional independently from the apparatus in one mode of operation and which includes a piston for controlling door closing characteristics by selected fluid flow within the mechanism. The apparatus includes a motor driven lead screw having a linearly movable shuttle unit mounted thereon, the shuttle unit being positioned relative to the piston of the mechanism to accommodate nonattached contact with the piston to urge the piston, when the shuttle unit is moved, in a direction that will at least provide selective assistance with door opening in another mode of operation. Operation of the apparatus is controlled by programming of a related controller including non-volatile memory.

Claims

1. A method for controlling operational parameters of a door in conjunction with operation of a mechanical door control mechanism connectable with the door and including a piston for controlling door movement characteristic by selected fluid flow within the mechanism and a means for selecting different modes of operation, said method comprising the steps of:

selecting between a first, a second, and a third mode of operation, said first mode being an automatic opening mode and said second mode being a power assist mode said third mode of operation being an unpowered mode;

electromechanically causing movement of said piston to automatically open the door when said first mode of operation has been selected and when a signal is present at an open trigger input to a controller;

electromechanically exerting force on said piston to assist a user of the door in opening the door by reducing force necessary to open the door when said second mode of operation has been selected and when said signal is present at said open trigger input to said controller; and

accommodating manual functioning of the mechanism when said third mode is selected;

automatically switching to said second mode of operation from said first mode of operation when the door encounters an obstacle in its path of travel.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising electromechanically exerting force on the piston sufficient to hold the door at the position where said obstacle is encountered.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of electromechanically causing movement when said first mode of operation has been selected or force exertion when said second mode of operation has been selected includes operating a motor to move a unit to cause said movement or force exertion.

4. The method of claim 3 including the step of monitoring motor current to detect encounter with said obstacle in the path of door travel.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein said unit is a shuttle.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of electromechanically causing movement when said first mode of operation has been selected or force exertion when said second mode of operation has been selected includes operating a motor to move a unit to cause said movement or force exertion, the method further comprising monitoring said motor to detect overheating thereof, and ceasing electromechanical movement or force exertion for a selected time when overheating of said motor is detected.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising counting occurrences of motor overheating, and initiating an alarm condition if the number of said occurrences exceeds a selected number within a selected time period.