Method and device for exerting a closing force upon an element that has been opened

• US 6,373,214 B1
• Filed: 10/07/1996
• Issued: 04/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Marantec Antriebs- Und Steuerungstechnik GmbH & Co. Produktions KG
• Original Assignee: Marantec Antriebs-Und Steuerungstechnik GmbH & Company Productions KG
• Inventors: Hörmann, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): TAMAI, KARL I
• Application Number:
  US08/726,577
• Time in Patent Office: 2,017 Days
• Field of Search: 49/25, 49/28, 491/38, 491/39, 49/26, 318/282, 318/266, 318/286, 318/466, 310/68.E, 310/68.D, 310/83
• US Class Current: 318/466
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/668 for overhead wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/70 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/41 for closing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drive system for closing elements, preferably for doors, roller blinds or windows, with a motor, with a position pick-up to detect certain positions of the closing element, with an operating unit which allows authorized persons to open or close the closing element, and with a control unit with the control unit being actively linked to the motor, the position pick-up and the operating unit. To solve the object of preventing any arbitrary opening in such a drive system without using additional locking elements and without any self-locking effect of the drive system, the motor can be driven by the control unit at times where no command to open exists from the operating unit in such a way that a closing force can be exerted on the closing element which closing force depends on the position and/or change in position of the closing element.

Claims

1. A drive system for a closing element, comprising a motor, a position pick-up to detect certain positions of the closing element, an operating unit which allows authorized persons to open or close the closing element, and a control unit, with the control unit being actively linked to the motor, the position pick-up and the operating unit, and

a reduction gear coupled to the motor and closing element such that the motor drives the closing element by means of the reduction gear,

wherein the motor driven by the control unit can exert the closing force on the closing element, which force depends on the position and/or the change in position of the closing element,

the closing force is not generated when the closing element is fully closed and increases to a maximum value as soon as the closing element is opened beyond a given position,

when the closing element returns to fully closed position, the closing force depends upon the change of position of the closing element in such a way to ensure gentle closing of the closing element without damage to the element upon impact when fully closed,

such that the largest possible closing force is generated as counter-force upon unauthorized opening and low closing speed is provided to avoid any damage to the closing element upon impacts, and

said closing element is an overhead structure mounted to open in a direction opposing gravity and close in a direction with gravity, with said respective end positions being substantially horizontal and vertical,

whereby regulation of closing speed becomes prime significance and not control of closing force.

3. A drive system in accordance with claim 1, additionally comprising:

two substantially vertical braces and two substantially horizontal top end rails,

with said closing element mounted to said braces and rails by sliding rolling engagement and to be guided by said rails.

6. A drive system in accordance with claim 3, additionally comprising a connecting rod through which said element is mounted to said braces.

7. A drive system in accordance with claim 6, additionally comprising a drag-chain drive coupling said element and reduction gear.

2. A drive system, for a closing element, comprising a motor, a position pick-up to detect certain positions of the closing element, an operating unit which allows authorized persons to open or close the closing element, and control unit, with the control unit being actively linked to the motor, the position pick-up and the operating unit,

additionally comprising a reduction gear coupled to the motor and closing elements such that the motor drives the closing element by means of the reduction gear, and

wherein the motor driven by the control unit can exert the closing force on the closing element, which force depends on the position and/or the change in position of the closing element,

the closing force is not generated when the closing element is fully closed and increases to a maximum value as soon as the closing element is opened beyond a given position,

when the closing element returns to fully closed position, the closing force depends upon the change in position of the closing element in such a way to ensure gentle closing of the closing element without damage to the element upon impact when fully closed,

such that the largest possible closing force is generated as counter-force upon unauthorized opening and low closing speed is provided to avoid any damage to the closing element upon impact,

said closing element is a door, roller blinds or a window and an overhead structure mounted to open in a direction opposing gravity and close in a direction with gravity, with said respective end positions being substantially horizontal and vertical, whereby regulation of closing speed becomes prime significance and not control of closing force.

4. A drive system for a closing element, comprising a motor, a position pick-up to detect certain positions of the closing element, an operating unit which allows authorized persons to open or close the closing element, and a control unit, with the control unit being actively linked to the motor, the position pick-up and the operating unit,

additionally comprising a reduction gear coupled to the motor and closing element, such that the motor drives the closing element by means of the reduction gear, and

wherein the motor driven by the control unit can exert the closing force on the closing element, which force depends on the position and/or the change in position of the closing element,

the closing force is not generated when the closing element is fully closed and increases to a maximum value as soon as the closing element is opened beyond a given position, and

when the closing element returns to fully closed position, the closing force depends upon the change in position of the closing element in such a way to ensure gentle closing of the closing element without damage to the element upon impact when fully closed, additionally comprising:

two substantially vertical braces and two substantially horizontal top end rails,

with said closing element mounted to said braces and rails by sliding/rolling engagement and to be guided by said rails.

5. A drive system in accordance with claim 4, additionally comprising a connecting rod through which said element is mounted to said braces.

8. A drive system in accordance with claim 5, additionally comprising a drag-chain drive coupling said element and reduction gear.

9. A drive system in accordance with claim 4, wherein said closing element is an overhead structure mounted to open in a direction opposing gravity and close in a direction with gravity, with said respective end positions being substantially horizontal and vertical.