Axial door operator

• US 6,481,160 B1
• Filed: 08/01/2000
• Issued: 11/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stanley Works Limited (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Stanley Works Limited (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kowalczyk, Thomas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stodola, Daniel P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thompson, Hugh B.
• Application Number:
  US09/631,106
• Time in Patent Office: 840 Days
• Field of Search: 493/24, 493/30, 493/31, 493/32, 493/33, 493/34, 493/35, 493/39, 493/40
• US Class Current: 49/335
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 2015/482 for panic doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/603 using rotary electromotors
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/605 for folding wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/614 operated by meshing gear wheels, one of which being mounted at the wing pivot axis; operated by a motor acting directly on the wing pivot axis
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/63 operated by swinging arms
• 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: E05F 2003/228 Arrangements where the end of the closer arm is sliding in a track
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/631 the end of the arm sliding in a track; Slider arms therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 3/104 with cam-and-slide 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 2201/41 for closing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/422 for opening
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/434 Electromotors; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/62 Synchronisation of transmission members
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/652 Belts
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/72 Planetary gearing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/722 Racks
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/46 in or on the wing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/113 Power assistance
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/25 Emergency conditions
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/746 : emergency or extended
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/132 : Doors

Abstract

The present application discloses an axial operator that is configured for use with a door assembly. The axial operator comprises a rotatable operator output member that rotates about an operator axis, the operator output member being constructed and arranged to be operatively connected within the door assembly such that the operator output axis extends generally vertically. An electric motor has a rotatable motor output member that rotates about the operator axis. The motor is constructed and arranged to selectively rotate the motor output member about the operator axis. A reduction transmission is connected between the motor output member and the operator output member. The reduction transmission is constructed and arranged such that the transmission rotates the operator output member at a lower rotational speed than a rotational speed at which the motor rotates the motor output member and applies a higher torque to the operator output member than a torque which the motor applies to the motor output member. The reduction transmission comprises (a) an orbit gear, (b) a planet gear carrier, and (c) a planet gear. The motor is adapted to be communicated to a controller so as to receive a door moving signal therefrom and being further adapted to selectively rotate the motor output member in response to receiving the door moving signal to thereby rotate the operator output member so as to move the door panel with respect to the doorway as aforesaid.

Claims

1. A power-operated door assembly comprising:

a frame assembly constructed and arranged to be installed in an opening formed through a building wall, said frame assembly providing a doorway that permits persons to travel from one side of the building wall to the other side of the building wall when said door assembly is installed;

a generally vertically extending pivoting door panel that mounts to said frame assembly for pivotal movement about a generally vertical pivot axis with respect to the doorway of said frame assembly between open and closed positions;

an axial operator comprising;

a rotatable operator output member that rotates about a generally vertically extending operator axis, said operator output member being operatively connected within said door panel such that selective rotation of said operator output member pivots said door panel about said pivot axis as aforesaid;

an electric motor having a rotatable motor output member that rotates about said operator axis, said motor being constructed and arranged to selectively rotate said motor output member about said operator axis;

a planet gear reduction transmission connected between said motor output member and said operator output member, said reduction transmission being constructed and arranged such that said transmission rotates said operator output member at a lower rotational speed than a rotational speed at which said motor rotates said motor output member and applies a higher torque to said operator output member than a torque which said motor applies to said motor output member;

said reduction transmission comprising (a) an orbit gear arranged generally coaxially with respect to said operator axis, (b) a planet gear carrier positioned radially inwardly of said orbit gear and arranged for rotation about said operator axis, said planet gear carrier having a mounting portion offset generally radially from said output axis, and (c) a planet gear rotatably mounted to the mounting portion of said planet gear carrier such that said planet gear rotates about a planet gear axis that extends through said mounting portion generally parallel to said operator axis;

said planet gear being operatively connected to said motor output member and engaged with a radially inwardly facing interior surface of said orbit gear such that rotation of said motor output member rotates said planet gear relative to said planet gear carrier about said planet gear axis which in turn causes said planet gear to roll along the interior surface of said orbit gear in a generally circumferential direction with respect to said operator axis, thereby rotating said planet gear carrier about said output axis at a lower rotational speed and at a higher torque than the rotational speed and torque at which said motor rotates said motor output member;

said planet gear carrier being operatively connected to said operator output member such that rotation of said planet gear carrier as a result of said planet gear being rotated by said motor output member as aforesaid rotates said operator output member as aforesaid to thereby pivot said door panel about said pivot axis; and

a controller communicated to the motor of said axial operator, said controller being operable to selectively control operation of said motor so as to selectively cause said motor to rotate said motor output member and thereby rotate said operator output member so as to move said door panel with respect to said doorway as aforesaid.

2. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 1, wherein said axial operator is mounted to said frame assembly externally thereof, said door assembly further comprising a link arm connected between said operator output member and said door panel.

3. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 2, wherein said door panel is a single door panel with a free edge.

4. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 3, wherein said door panel is one panel of a bi-fold door panel assembly including an additional door panel pivotally connected to said door panel.

5. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 2, wherein said pivot axis is located at a vertical stile of said door panel opposite said free edge.

6. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 2, wherein said pivot axis is spaced inwardly from a vertical stile of said door panel opposite said free edge.

7. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 6, wherein said door panel is also slidably mounted to said frame assembly, said door assembly further comprising a link arm connected between said operator output member and said door panel, said link arm and said slidable mounting enabling said axial operator to simultaneously pivot and slide said door panel between said open and closed positions.

8. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 7, wherein said axial operator further comprises a casing enclosing both said motor and said transmission.

9. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 2, wherein said axial operator further comprises a casing enclosing both said motor and said transmission.

10. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 9, wherein said link arm includes two pivotally connected arm portions.

11. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 10, wherein one of said arm portions is fixed to said operator output member and wherein the other of said arm portions is pivotally connected to said door panel.

12. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 10, wherein said door panel is a single door panel with a free edge.

13. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 12, wherein said door panel is one panel of a bi-fold door panel assembly including an additional door panel pivotally connected to said door panel.

14. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 1, wherein said axial operator is received within the vertical stile of said door panel and said operator output member is fixed to said frame assembly.

15. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 14, wherein said door panel is a single door panel with a free edge.

16. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 15, wherein said door panel is one panel of a bi-fold door panel assembly including an additional door panel pivotally connected to said door panel.

17. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 1, wherein said axial operator is included in a hinge assembly including two pivotable parts pivotally coupled together, said operator output member being connected to said pivotable parts and being constructed and arranged such that rotation of said axial output member affects pivotal movement of said two parts to pivot said door panel about said pivot axis.

18. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 17, wherein said door panel is a single door panel with a free edge, one of said two pivotable parts being fixed to said door panel and the other of said two pivotable parts being fixed to said frame assembly.

19. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 17, wherein said door panel is one panel of a bi-fold door panel assembly including an additional door panel pivotally connected to said door panel.

20. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 19, wherein said door panel is pivotably connected at one edge to said frame assembly and an opposite edge to said additional door panel, one of said two pivotable parts of said hinge assembly being fixed to said door panel and the other of said two pivotable parts being fixed to said frame assembly.

21. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 17, wherein said axial operator further comprises a casing enclosing both said motor and said transmission.

22. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 1, wherein said axial operator is fixed to said frame and extends upwardly therefrom so as to be received in a cavity of a building wall in which said door assembly is installed.

23. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 22, wherein said operator output member is fixed to said door panel such that rotation of said operator output member pivots said door panel.

24. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 23, wherein said pivot axis is spaced inwardly from a vertical stile of said door panel opposite said free edge.

25. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 23, wherein said pivot axis is spaced inwardly from a vertical stile of said door panel opposite said free edge.

26. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 1, wherein said axial operator is fixed to one of said frame assembly and said door panel and the other of said frame assembly and said door panel includes a groove, said door assembly further comprising a link arm having an end portion fixed to said operator output member and an opposite end portion received in said groove.

27. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 26, wherein said axial operator is fixed to said frame assembly and said door panel includes said groove.

28. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 27, wherein said axial operator is received within a vertical stile of said frame assembly.

29. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 26, wherein said axial operator is fixed to said door panel and said frame assembly includes said groove.

30. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 29, wherein said axial operator is received within a vertical stile of said door panel.

31. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 30, wherein said door panel is a single door panel with a free edge.

32. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 26, wherein said door panel is one panel of a bi-fold door panel assembly including an additional door panel.

33. A power-operated hinge assembly for use in a door assembly, said door assembly comprising:

a frame assembly constructed and arranged to be installed in an opening formed through a building wall, said frame assembly providing a doorway that permits persons to travel from one side of the building wall to the other side of the building wall when said door assembly is installed;

a generally vertically extending door panel that mounts to said frame assembly, said door panel being constructed and arranged to move with respect to the doorway of said frame assembly;

said hinge assembly comprising;

two pivotable parts pivotally coupled together, said pivotable parts being constructed and arranged for mounting to said door assembly such that one of said pivotable parts is connected to said door panel for pivotal movement along with said door panel;

an axial operator comprising;

a rotatable operator output member that rotates about a generally vertically extending operator axis, said operator output member being connected to said pivotable parts and being constructed and arranged such that rotation of said axial output member affects pivotal movement of said two parts to enable pivoting of said door panel about said pivot axis between open and closed positions;

an electric motor having a rotatable motor output member that rotates about said operator axis, said motor being constructed and arranged to selectively rotate said motor output member about said operator axis;

a planet gear reduction transmission connected between said motor output member and said operator output member, said reduction transmission being constructed and arranged such that said transmission rotates said operator output member at a lower rotational speed than a rotational speed at which said motor rotates said motor output member and applies a higher torque to said operator output member than a torque which said motor applies to said motor output member;

said reduction transmission comprising (a) an orbit gear arranged generally coaxially with respect to said operator axis, (b) a planet gear carrier positioned radially inwardly of said orbit gear and arranged for rotation about said operator axis, said planet gear carrier having a mounting portion offset generally radially from said output axis, and (c) a planet gear rotatably mounted to the mounting portion of said planet gear carrier such that said planet gear rotates about a planet gear axis that extends through said mounting portion generally parallel to said operator axis;

said planet gear being operatively connected to said motor output member and engaged with a radially inwardly facing interior surface of said orbit gear such that rotation of said motor output member rotates said planet gear relative to said planet gear carrier about said planet gear axis which in turn causes said planet gear to roll along the interior surface of said orbit gear in a generally circumferential direction with respect to said operator axis, thereby rotating said planet gear carrier about said output axis at a lower rotational speed and at a higher torque than the rotational speed and torque at which said motor rotates said motor output member;

said planet gear carrier being operatively connected to said operator output member such that rotation of said planet gear carrier as a result of said planet gear being rotated by said motor output member as aforesaid rotates said operator output member as aforesaid to thereby pivot said pivotable parts relative to one another.

34. A power-operated door assembly comprising:

a frame assembly constructed and arranged to be installed in an opening formed through a building wall, said frame assembly providing a doorway that permits persons to travel from one side of the building wall to the other side of the building wall when said door assembly is installed;

a generally vertically extending door panel that mounts to said frame assembly, said door panel being constructed and arranged to move with respect to the doorway of said frame assembly;

an axial operator comprising;

a rotatable operator output member that rotates about a generally vertically extending operator axis, said operator output member being operatively connected within said door assembly such that selective rotation of said operator output member moves said door panel with respect to the doorway of said frame assembly as aforesaid;

an electric motor having a rotatable motor output member that rotates about said operator axis, said motor being constructed and arranged to selectively rotate said motor output member about said operator axis;

a planet gear reduction transmission connected between said motor output member and said operator output member, said reduction transmission being constructed and arranged such that said transmission rotates said operator output member at a lower rotational speed than a rotational speed at which said motor rotates said motor output member and applies a higher torque to said operator output member than a torque which said motor applies to said motor output member;

said reduction transmission comprising (a) an orbit gear arranged generally coaxially with respect to said operator axis, (b) a planet gear carrier positioned radially inwardly of said orbit gear and arranged for rotation about said operator axis, said planet gear carrier having a mounting portion offset generally radially from said output axis, and (c) a planet gear rotatably mounted to the mounting portion of said planet gear carrier such that said planet gear rotates about a planet gear axis that extends through said mounting portion generally parallel to said operator axis;

said planet gear being operatively connected to said motor output member and engaged with a radially inwardly facing interior surface of said orbit gear such that rotation of said motor output member rotates said planet gear relative to said planet gear carrier about said planet gear axis which in turn causes said planet gear to roll along the interior surface of said orbit gear in a generally circumferential direction with respect to said operator axis, thereby rotating said planet gear carrier about said output axis at a lower rotational speed and at a higher torque than the rotational speed and torque at which said motor rotates said motor output member;

said planet gear carrier being operatively connected to said operator output member such that rotation of said planet gear carrier as a result of said planet gear being rotated by said motor output member as aforesaid rotates said operator output member as aforesaid to thereby move said door panel with respect to the doorway of said frame assembly; and

a controller communicated to the motor of said axial operator, said controller being operable to selectively control operation of said motor so as to selectively cause said motor to rotate said motor output member and thereby rotate said operator output member so as to move said door panel with respect to said doorway as aforesaid.

35. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 34, wherein said door panel is a swinging door panel that pivots under power about a generally vertically extending axis between open and closed positions thereof.

36. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 34, wherein said door panel is a sliding door panel that moves under power in a generally rectilinear manner between open and closed positions thereof.

37. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 34, wherein said door panel is part of a revolving door panel assembly that rotates about a revolving axis and that comprises a plurality of said door panels extending generally radially from said revolving axis, said axial operator being mounted to said frame assembly and said revolving door panel assembly being operatively connected to said axial operator such that door operator rotates said revolving door panel assembly about said revolving axis.

38. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 34, wherein said planet gear and the interior surface of said orbit gear each have a plurality of teeth intermeshed with one another.

39. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 34, wherein said planet gear carrier has a plurality of said planet gear mounting portions and wherein said reduction transmission has a plurality of said planet gears each respectively mounted on said planet gear mounting portions.

40. The power-operated door assembly according to claim 34, wherein said reduction transmission has (a) a multiplicity of said planet gear carriers each having a plurality of planet gear mounting portions and (b) a plurality of said planet gears for each planet gear carrier, the planet gears of each plurality thereof being respectively mounted on said planet gear mounting portions of each plurality thereof.

41. An axial operator that is configured for use with a controller that transmits a door moving signal and a door assembly comprising (a) a frame assembly installed in an opening formed through a building wall, said frame assembly providing a doorway that allows persons to travel from one side of the building wall to the other side of the building wall when said door assembly is installed, and (b) a generally vertically extending door panel that mounts to said frame assembly, said door panel being constructed and arranged to be selectively moved with respect to the doorway of said frame assembly, said axial operator comprising:

a rotatable operator output member that rotates about an operator axis, said operator output member being constructed and arranged to be operatively connected within said door assembly such that said operator output axis extends generally vertically and such that rotation of said operator output member about said operator axis moves said door panel with respect to the doorway of said frame assembly as aforesaid;

an electric motor having a rotatable motor output member that rotates about said operator axis, said motor being constructed and arranged to selectively rotate said motor output member about said operator axis;

a reduction transmission connected between said motor output member and said operator output member, said reduction transmission being constructed and arranged such that said transmission rotates said operator output member at a lower rotational speed than a rotational speed at which said motor rotates said motor output member and applies a higher torque to said operator output member than a torque which said motor applies to said motor output member;

said reduction transmission comprising (a) an orbit gear arranged generally coaxially with respect to said operator axis, (b) a planet gear carrier position radially inwardly of said orbit gear and arranged for rotation about said operator axis, said planet gear carrier having a mounting portion offset generally radially from said operator axis, and (c) a planet gear rotatably mounted to the mounting portion of said planet gear carrier such that said planet gear rotates about a planet gear axis that extends through said mounting portion and generally parallel to said operator axis;

said planet gear being operatively connected to said motor output member and engaged with a radially inwardly facing interior surface of said orbit gear such that rotation of said motor output member rotates said planet gear relative to said planet gear carrier about said planet gear which in turn causes said planet gear to roll along the interior surface of said orbit gear in a generally circumferential direction with respect to said operator axis, thereby rotating said planet gear carrier about said output axis at a lower rotational speed and at a higher torque than the rotational speed and torque at which said motor rotates said motor output member;

said planet gear carrier being operatively connected to said operator output member such that rotation of said planet gear carrier as a result of said planet gear being rotated by said motor output member as aforesaid rotates said operator output member as aforesaid to thereby move said door panel with respect to the doorway of said frame assembly;

said motor being adapted to be communicated to the controller so as to receive the door moving signal therefrom and being further adapted to selectively rotate said motor output member in response to receiving said door moving signal to thereby rotate said operator output member so as to move said door panel with respect to said doorway as aforesaid.

42. The axial operator according to claim 41, wherein said planet gear and the interior surface of said orbit gear each have a plurality of teeth intermeshed with one another.

43. The axial operator according to claim 41, wherein said planet gear carrier has a plurality of said planet gear mounting portions and wherein said reduction transmission has a plurality of said planet gears each respectively mounted on said planet gear mounting portions.

44. The axial operator according to claim 41, wherein said reduction transmission has multiplicity of said planet gear carriers each having a plurality of planet gear mounting portions and (b) a plurality of said planet gears for each planet gear carrier, the planet gears of each plurality thereof being respectively mounted on said planet gear mounting portions of each plurality thereof.