Movable barrier operator

• US 6,246,196 B1
• Filed: 03/27/2000
• Issued: 06/12/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Inventors: Fitzgibbon, James J., Willmott, Colin B., Wanis, Paul E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro, Bentsu
• Application Number:
  US09/536,055
• Time in Patent Office: 442 Days
• Field of Search: 318/255, 318/256, 318/257, 318/264, 318/265, 318/266, 318/283, 318/286, 318/430, 318/434, 318/466-469
• US Class Current: 318/430
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/38 for upwardly-moving wings, e.g. up-and-over doors
• 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 15/603 using rotary electromotors
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/668 for overhead wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/684 by chains
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/726 Ring gears; Internal gears
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/452 for saving energy
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/456 for programming
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/59 Travel display
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/822 Light emitters, e.g. LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/00 Details, accessories and auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 388/904 Stored velocity profile
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 388/909 Monitoring means

Abstract

A movable barrier operator having improved safety and energy efficiency features automatically detects line voltage frequency and uses that information to set a worklight shut-off time. The operator automatically detects the type of door (single panel or segmented) and uses that information to set a maximum speed of door travel. The operator moves the door with a linearly variable speed from start of travel to stop for smooth and quiet performance. The operator provides for full door closure by driving the door into the floor when the DOWN limit is reached and no auto-reverse condition has been detected. The operator provides for user selection of a minimum stop speed for easy starting and stopping of sticky or binding doors.

Claims

1. A movable barrier operator having automatic force settings, comprising:

an electric motor;

a transmission connected to the motor to be driven thereby and connectable to the movable barrier to be moved;

a circuit for providing a pulse signal comprising a series of pulses;

a motor control circuit, responsive to the pulse signal, for starting the motor and for determining the direction of rotation of the motor output shaft;

a first force command device for setting a first force limit for use when the motor is rotating in a first direction;

a second force command device for setting a second force limit for use when the motor is rotating in a second direction; and

a controller responsive to the first force limit and to the second force limit for varying the length of the pulses in the pulse signal, effective for varying the motor speed during travel in the first direction and in the second direction.

2. A movable barrier operator according to claim 1 wherein the barrier comprises a door having a pedestrian door and the operator further comprises a sensor for detecting the position of the pedestrian door, wherein the controller, responsive to the pedestrian door sensor detecting the pedestrian door is not closed, disables movement of the barrier.

3. A moveable barrier operator according to claim 1 wherein the motor control circuit comprises a first electromechanical switch for causing the motor output shaft to rotate in the first direction, a second electromechanical switch for causing the motor output shaft to rotate in the second direction and a solid state device responsive to the pulse signal, for providing current to the motor to cause it to rotate.

4. A movable barrier operator according to claim 1 wherein the first force command device comprises a force potentiometer for generating a first analog force signal and the second force command device comprises a force potentiometer for generating a second analog force signal.

5. A movable barrier operator according to claim 4 further comprising a first A/D converter for converting the first analog signal to a first digital signal and a second A/D converter for converting the second analog signal to a second digital signal.

6. A movable barrier operator according to claim 5 further comprising a look-up table comprising a plurality of motor speeds stored in a memory in the controller, wherein responsive to the first digital signal and the second digital signal selects a corresponding motor speed stored in the look-up table.