Door operator system

• US 6,118,243 A
• Filed: 04/07/1999
• Issued: 09/12/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation (Sanwa Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation (Sanwa Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Williams, Gregory E., Kass, Robert C., Waggamon, Dennis W., Reed, Brett A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro, Bentsu
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUDA, RINA I
• Application Number:
  US09/287,505
• Time in Patent Office: 524 Days
• Field of Search: 318/280-286, 318/466-469, 318/461, 318/463, 49/28, 49/31, 49/194, 49/199
• US Class Current: 318/468
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/41 Detection by monitoring transmitted force or torque E05F15/48 takes precedence; Safety couplings with activation dependent upon torque or force, e.g. slip couplings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/668 for overhead wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/456 for programming
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/564 sensing motor speed
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/00 Details, accessories and auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages

Abstract

A door operator system for an upward acting sectional or one piece (California-type) garage door includes a DC variable speed motor directly connected to a drive mechanism for moving the door between open and closed positions. A motor control circuit includes circuit components for reversing the direction of rotation of the motor and for delivering a pulse width modulated voltage signal to the motor to control motor speed. A current sensor including a split core transformer and a Hall effect sensor detects motor current and provides a signal to a microcontroller for stopping the motor or stopping and reversing the motor if the motor current reaches a preset limit which is user settable by potentiometers connected to the microcontroller. Magnetic position limit switches and an obstruction detector are operably connected to the microcontroller to provide input signals indicating the state of the door and the control circuit. A motor shaft mounted encoder provides a pulse-type signal to the microcontroller to provide a speed signal and a door position signal. The microcontroller is operable to control operation of the motor to move the door toward an open position at a speed at least twice the speed of movement of the door to a closed position. The encoder and microcontroller detect maximum door travel in the door opening mode and reduce motor speed in subsequent operating cycles if the operator is connected to a one piece door.

Claims

1. An operator for an upward acting door including:

an electric motor;

a drive mechanism operably connected to said motor and to said door for moving said door between open and closed positions;

a motor control circuit for energizing said motor to cause said drive mechanism to move said door to an open or up limit position and a closed or down limit position;

a microcontroller operably connected to said motor control circuit to effect operation of said motor in opposite directions;

a first switch for causing said microcontroller to effect energization of said motor to move said door in a direction depending on the state of said operator;

a current sensor in said motor control circuit for generating a signal to said microcontroller proportional to current flowing to said motor when said motor is operating in a first direction and a second direction, said current sensor comprising a transformer for generating a magnetic field and a Hall effect sensor for sensing the intensity of said magnetic field as a measure of the current flowing to said motor, said Hall effect sensor being operably connected to said microcontroller to provide signals proportional to current flowing through said motor; and

user settable current limiters operably connected to said microcontroller for setting predetermined limits of current flowing through said motor to effect shutoff of said motor when a current limit has been exceeded in at least one of an operating mode of said motor to move said door between open and closed positions.

2. The door operator set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said settable current limiters comprise potentiometers adjustable by a user of said door operator to set the maximum current flow through said motor when said motor is operating to open said door and close said door, respectively.

3. The door operator set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said Hall effect sensor is connected to a circuit for receiving voltage pulse signals from said Hall effect sensor and providing variable voltage analog signals to said microcontroller proportional to the current flowing through said motor when operating in a direction to open said door and close said door, respectively.

4. The door operator set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said motor is a DC variable speed motor and said microcontroller is operable to provide a pulse width modulated voltage signal to said motor to control the operating speed of said motor.

5. The door operator set forth in claim 4 wherein:

said motor control circuit includes an insulated gate bipolar transistor and an isolated gate bipolar transistor driver operably connected to said microcontroller for receiving a signal to generate said pulse width modulated voltage signal to said motor.

6. The door operator set forth in claim 4 including:

a motor speed sensor for detecting the operating speed of said motor and operable to provide a pulse type signal to said microcontroller, said microcontroller being operable to vary the pulse width modulated signal to said motor to maintain a predetermined speed during at least a portion of an operating cycle to move said door between open and closed positions.

7. The door operator set forth in claim 6 wherein:

said motor speed sensor comprises a toothed wheel mounted on an output shaft of said motor and a photocell sensor device mounted adjacent said toothed wheel for generating a pulse type electrical signal to said microcontroller.

8. The door operator set forth in claim 6 including:

limit switches for indicating an open limit position of said door operator and a closed limit position of said door operator, respectively, said limit switches being operably connected to said microcontroller for providing signals to said microcontroller, respectively, said microcontroller being operable in response to a signal to energize said motor to move a door between an open and closed position to selectively control the speed of said motor and said door depending on the direction of movement of said door.

9. The door operator set forth in claim 8 wherein:

said microcontroller is responsive to one of a signal from a door position limit switch and the state of the operator as a consequence of a previous operation to cause said motor to operate at a first speed when energized to move said door toward an open position and to cause said motor to operate at a second speed less than said first speed when moving said door toward a closed position.

10. The door operator set forth in claim 9 wherein:

said microcontroller is operable to cause said motor control circuit to move said door toward an open position at a speed at least twice as fast as the speed of movement of said door toward a closed position.

11. The door operator set forth in claim 6 wherein:

said speed sensor is operable to provide a signal to said microcontroller proportional to the total travel distance of said drive mechanism when moving said door from a closed position to an open position.

12. The door operator set forth in claim 11 wherein:

said microcontroller is operable to adjust a signal to said motor control circuit to control the speed of said motor and said drive mechanism depending on the travel distance of said drive mechanism when moving said door from said closed position to said open position.

13. The door operator set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said drive mechanism includes a magnet mounted on a member of said drive mechanism connected to said door, and said operator includes spaced apart limit switches mounted in proximity to said drive mechanism and responsive to said magnet moving into proximity to said limit switches to effect actuation of said limit switches, respectively, to cause said microcontroller to shut off power to said motor.

14. An operator for an upward acting door including:

an electric motor;

a drive mechanism operably connected to said motor and to said door for moving said door between open and closed positions;

a motor control circuit for energizing said motor to cause said drive mechanism to move said door to an open or up limit position and a closed or down limit position;

a microcontroller operably connected to said motor control circuit to effect operation of said motor in opposite directions;

a user actuatable switch for causing said microcontroller to effect energization of said motor to move said door in a direction depending on the state of said operator; and

limit switches for indicating an open limit position of said operator and a closed limit position of said operator, respectively, said limit switches being operably connected to said microcontroller for providing signals to said microcontroller, respectively, said microcontroller being operable in response to a signal to energize said motor to move said door between an open and closed position to selectively control the speed of said motor and said door depending on the direction of movement of said door, and said microcontroller being responsive to one of a signal from a limit switch and the state of said operator as a consequence of a previous operation to cause said motor to operate at a first speed when energized to move said door toward an open position and to cause said motor to operate at a second speed less than said first speed when moving said door toward a closed position.

15. The door operator set forth in claim 14 wherein:

said microcontroller is operable to cause said motor control circuit to move said door toward an open position at a speed at least about twice as fast as the speed of movement of said door toward a closed position.

16. An operator for an upward acting door including:

an electric motor;

a drive mechanism operably connected to said motor and to said door for moving said door between open and closed positions;

said drive mechanism including a magnet mounted on a member of said drive mechanism connected to said door,

a motor control circuit for energizing said motor to cause said drive mechanism to move said door to an open or up limit position and a closed or down limit position;

a microcontroller operably connected to said motor control circuit to effect operation of said motor in opposite directions;

a user actuatable switch for causing said microcontroller to effect energization of said motor to move said door in a direction depending on the state of said operator; and

limit switches for indicating an open limit position of said operator and a closed limit position of said operator, respectively, said limit switches being operably connected to said microcontroller for providing signals to said microcontroller, respectively, said microcontroller being operable in response to a signal to energize said motor to move said door between an open and closed position to selectively control the speed of said motor and said door depending on the direction of movement of said door, and said limit switches are mounted in proximity to said drive mechanism and responsive to said magnet moving into proximity to said limit switches to effect actuation of said limit switches, respectively, to cause said microcontroller to shut off power to said motor.

17. An operator for an upward acting door including:

an electric motor;

a drive mechanism operably connected to said motor and to said door for moving said door between open and closed positions;

said drive mechanism includes a magnet mounted on a member of said drive mechanism connected to said door;

a motor control circuit for energizing said motor to cause said drive mechanism to move said door to an open or up limit position and a closed or down limit position;

a microcontroller operably connected to said motor control circuit to effect operation of said motor in opposite directions;

a user actuatable switch for causing said microcontroller to effect energization of said motor to move said door in a direction depending on the state of said operator;

spaced apart limit switches mounted in proximity to said drive mechanism for indicating an open limit position of said operator and a closed limit position of said operator, respectively, said limit switches being operably connected to said microcontroller for providing signals to said microcontroller, respectively, and responsive to said magnet moving into proximity to said limit switches to effect actuation of said limit switches, respectively, to cause said microcontroller to shut off power to said motor;

a sensor operable to provide a signal to said microcontroller proportional to the total travel distance of said drive mechanism when moving said door from a closed position to an open position; and

said microcontroller is operable to adjust a signal to said motor control circuit to control the speed of said motor and said drive mechanism depending on the travel distance of said drive mechanism when moving said door from said closed position to said open position.

18. The door operator set forth in claim 17 including:

a current sensor in said motor control circuit for generating a signal to said microcontroller proportional to current flowing to said motor when said motor is operating in a first direction and a second direction, and user settable current limiters operably connected to said microcontroller for setting predetermined limits of current flowing through said motor to effect shutoff of said motor when a current limit has been exceeded in at least one of an operating mode of said motor to move said door between open and closed positions.

19. The door operator set forth in claim 18 wherein:

said current sensor comprises a transformer for generating a magnetic field and a Hall effect sensor for sensing the intensity of said magnetic field as a measure of the current flowing to said motor, said Hall effect sensor being operably connected to said microcontroller to provide signals proportional to current flowing through said motor.

20. A method for controlling a door operator for moving an upward acting door between open and closed positions, said operator including a reversible electric motor, a drive mechanism connected to said motor and to said door, a control circuit operably connected to said motor for energizing said motor to move said drive mechanism in opposite directions to effect opening and closing of said door, a controller associated with said control circuit for effecting operation of said motor, door position limit switches indicating an open limit position of said door and a closed limit position of said door, a sensor operably connected to said controller for determining the travel distance of said door between open and closed positions, and a user actuatable switch for effecting operation of said controller to energize said motor, said method comprising the steps of:

causing said controller to energize said motor to move said door from a closed position to an open position;

measuring the travel distance of said door to said open position with said travel distance sensor; and

causing said controller to energize said motor at a predetermined speed during subsequent operating cycles of said operator dependent on the travel distance of said operator and said door when moving from said closed position to said open position.

21. The method set forth in claim 20 including the steps of:

causing said controller to energize said motor to move said door to an open position at a speed greater than the speed of operation of said motor to move said door to a closed position.

22. The method set forth in claim 20 including the step of:

determining the travel distance of movement of said door between open and closed positions; and

causing said controller to reduce the speed of said motor as said door approaches one of said position limit switches and dependent on the position of said drive mechanism with respect to said one limit switch.

23. An operator for an upward acting door including:

a DC variable speed electric motor;

a drive mechanism operably connected to said motor and to said door for moving said door between open and closed positions;

a motor control circuit for energizing said motor to cause said drive mechanism to move said door to an open or up limit position and a closed or down limit position;

a microcontroller operably connected to said motor control circuit to effect operation of said motor in opposite directions and to provide a pulse width modulated voltage signal to said motor to control the operating speed of said motor;

a user actuatable switch for causing said microcontroller to effect energization of said motor to move said door in a direction depending on the state of said operator;

limit switches for indicating an open limit position of said operator and a closed limit position of said operator, respectively, said limit switches being operably connected to said microcontroller for providing signals to said microcontroller, respectively;

a sensor operable to provide a signal to said microcontroller proportional to the total travel distance of said drive mechanism when moving said door from a closed position to an open position; and

said microcontroller is operable to adjust a signal to said motor control circuit to control the speed of said motor and said drive mechanism depending on the travel distance of said drive mechanism when moving said door from said closed position to said open position.

24. A method for controlling a door operator for moving an upward acting door between open and closed positions, said operator including a reversible electric motor, a drive mechanism connected to said motor and to said door, a control circuit operably connected to said motor for energizing said motor to move said drive mechanism in opposite directions to effect opening and closing of said door, a controller associated with said control circuit for effecting operation of said motor, door position limit switches indicating an open limit position of said door and a closed limit position of said door, an obstruction detector associated with said door and operable to provide an obstruction detection signal to said controller, a user actuatable switch for effecting operation of said control circuit to energize said motor, a motor current sensor operably connected to said controller for sensing current flowing through said motor and current limit setting means associated with said controller for limiting motor current in operation of said motor to open and close said door, respectively, said method comprising the steps of:

energizing said motor to move said door between open and closed positions and de-energizing said motor when motor current exceeds a preset limit; and

causing said controller to energize said motor to move said door toward said open position if said motor has not been energized more than a predetermined number of times in a predetermined time period.

25. A method for controlling a door operator system for moving an upward acting door between open and closed positions, said operator including a reversible electric motor, a drive mechanism connected to said motor and to said door, a control circuit operably connected to said motor for energizing said motor to move said drive mechanism in opposite directions to effect opening and closing of said door, a controller associated with said control circuit for effecting operation of said motor, door position limit switches indicating an open limit position of said door and a closed limit position of said door, an obstruction detector associated with said door and operable to provide an obstruction detection signal to said controller, a user actuatable switch for effecting operation of said control circuit to energize said motor, a motor current sensor operably connected to said controller for sensing current flowing through said motor and current limit setting means associated with said controller for limiting motor current in operation of said motor to open and close said door, respectively, said method comprising the steps of:

energizing said motor to move said door between open and closed positions and de-energizing said motor when motor current exceeds a preset limit; and

causing said motor upon being energized to accelerate to a predetermined maximum speed and causing said motor to decelerate to a minimum speed on approaching one of said limit switches.

26. A method for controlling a door operator system for moving an upward acting door between open and closed positions, said operator including a reversible electric motor, a drive mechanism connected to said motor and to said door, a control circuit operably connected to said motor for energizing said motor to move said drive mechanism in opposite directions to effect opening and closing of said door, a controller associated with said control circuit for effecting operation of said motor, door position limit switches indicating an open limit position of said door and a closed limit position of said door, an obstruction detector associated with said door and operable to provide an obstruction detection signal to said controller, a user actuatable switch for effecting operation of said control circuit to energize said motor, a motor current sensor operably connected to said controller for sensing current flowing through said motor and current limit setting means associated with said controller for limiting motor current in operation of said motor to open and close said door, respectively, said method comprising the steps of:

energizing said motor to move said door between open and closed positions and de-energizing said motor when motor current exceeds a preset limit; and

energizing said motor to move said door to an open position at a speed greater than the speed of operation of said motor to move said door to a closed position.

27. A door operator for moving an upward acting door between open and closed positions including:

an elongated rail for supporting a carriage for slidable movement along said rail, said carriage including means for connecting said carriage to an upward acting door;

a rotatable screw supported on said rail;

a support plate for said operator;

a reversible electric drive motor for rotatably driving said screw including a bracket for supporting said motor on said support plate;

a support member connected to said motor at one end of said motor, said support member including a part adapted to be connected to said support plate for supporting said motor on said support plate, said support member including a beam portion projecting toward said rail for supporting one end of said rail, a first bore in said support member for receiving a bearing assembly for a shaft of said motor and a second bore in said support member for receiving a coupling for connecting said motor to said screw; and

a cover member for covering at least a portion of said motor and releasably connectable to said support plate.

28. A door operator for moving an upward acting door between open and closed positions including:

an elongated rail for supporting a carriage for slidable movement along said rail, said carriage including means for connecting said carriage to an upward acting door;

a rotatable screw supported on said rail;

a support plate for said operator;

a reversible electric drive motor for rotatably driving said screw including a bracket for supporting said motor on said support plate;

a support member connected to said motor at one end of said motor, said support member including a part adapted to be connected to said support plate for supporting said motor on said support plate, said support member including a beam portion projecting toward said rail for supporting one end of said rail;

a resilient bumper member mounted on said support member and engageable with a stop member disposed on said rail; and

a cover member for covering at least a portion of said motor and releasably connectable to said support plate.

29. A door operator for moving an upward acting door between open and closed positions including:

an elongated rail for supporting a carriage for slidable movement along said rail, said carriage including means for connecting said carriage to an upward acting door;

a rotatable screw supported on said rail;

a support plate for said operator;

a reversible electric drive motor for rotatably driving said screw including a bracket for supporting said motor on said support plate;

a support member connected to said motor at one end of said motor, said support member including a part adapted to be connected to said support plate for supporting said motor on said support plate, said support member including a beam portion projecting toward said rail for supporting one end of said rail;

a cover member for covering at least a portion of said motor and releasably connectable to said support plate;

a lamp assembly supported on said cover; and

a translucent lens member releasably connectable to said cover for covering a substantial portion of said cover and said lamp assembly.

30. An operator for an upward acting door including:

an electric motor;

a drive mechanism operably connected to said motor and to said door for moving said door between open and closed positions;

a motor control circuit for energizing said motor to cause said drive mechanism to move said door to an open or up limit position and a closed or down limit position;

a microcontroller operably connected to said motor control circuit to effect operation of said motor in opposite directions;

a first switch for causing said microcontroller to effect energization of said motor to move said door in a direction depending on the state of said operator;

a current sensor in said motor control circuit for generating a signal to said microcontroller proportional to current flowing to said motor when said motor is operating in a first direction and a second direction; and

user settable current limiters comprising potentiometers operably connected to said microcontroller and operable by a user of said operator, at will, for adjusting limit values of current flowing through said motor to effect shutoff of said motor when a current limit set by said user has been exceeded in at least one of an operating mode of said motor to move said door from an open position to a closed position and from a closed position to an open position.

31. An operator for an upward acting door including:

an electric motor;

a drive mechanism operably connected to said motor and to said door for moving said door between open and closed positions;

a motor control circuit for energizing said motor to cause said drive mechanism to move said door to an open or up limit position and a closed or down limit position;

a microcontroller operably connected to said motor control circuit to effect operation of said motor in opposite directions;

a user actuatable switch for causing said microcontroller to effect energization of said motor to move said door in a direction depending on the state of said operator;

limit switches for indicating an open limit position of said door operator and a closed limit position of said door operator, respectively, said limit switches being operably connected to said microcontroller for providing signals to said microcontroller, respectively, said microcontroller being operable in response to a signal to energize said motor to move said door between an open and closed position to selectively control the speed of said motor and said door depending on the direction of movement of said door;

a sensor operable to provide a signal to said microcontroller proportional to the total travel distance of said drive mechanism when moving said door from a closed position to an open position; and

said microcontroller being operable in response to said sensor detecting a reduced travel distance when moving said door to an open position to cause said motor control circuit to reduce the speed of said motor when operating said motor in both a door opening mode and a door closing mode.