Actuating system comprising a piston-cylinder assembly together with a driving device

• US 6,600,285 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2001
• Issued: 07/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stabilus GmbH (Stabilus S.A.)
• Original Assignee: Stabilus GmbH (Stabilus S.A.)
• Inventors: Mintgen, Rolf, Rissel, Ralf, Ritter, Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): Dang, Khanh
• Application Number:
  US09/818,404
• Publication Number:
  US 20010035725A1
• Time in Patent Office: 854 Days
• Field of Search: 318/9, 318/280, 318/281, 318/282, 318/283, 318/286, 318/264, 318/266, 318/268, 318/466-470, 318/626, 491/39, 492/80, 493/49, 493/52, 49/26, 296/107.01, 296/117
• US Class Current: 318/468
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/12 Parts or details thereof locks E05B, E05B83/16; devices for holding open E05C17/00, e.g. while carrying oversize objects E05C17/042; hinges E05D; counterbalancing means E05F; checks, stops, buffers E05F5/00; springs, e.g. pneumatic springs F16F
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1091 with a gas spring E05F1/1292 takes precedence
• 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 15/627 operated by flexible elongated pulling elements, e.g. belts, chains or cables using flexible elongated push-pull mechanisms E05F15/619
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/216 Clutches
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/246 by motors, magnets, springs or weights
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/416 for counterbalancing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/462 Electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/672 Tensioners, tension sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/326 of the angular type
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/36 Speed control, detection or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/55 by using load sensors sensors for electronic control of hinges, wings, windows as such E05Y2400/44
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/554 sensing motor load
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/458 in or on a transmission member
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/46 in or on the wing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/00 Details, accessories and auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/546 Tailgates

Abstract

An actuating system includes a driving device fixed to a base part and operatively connected to a movable part. A sensor detects the rotational speed of the movable part at a reference measuring location, and a control system forms a differential of the rotational speed with respect to the time. The formed differential is compared in a comparison unit with a stored differential value which corresponds to a measuring point on a route of movement of the movable part. An obstacle is recognized when there is a difference above a threshold value between the formed differential and the associated stored value.

Claims

1. An actuating system for moving a movable part which is rotationally movable with respect to a base, said actuating system comprising

a driving device which is operatively connected to said movable part for rotationally moving said movable part with respect to said base, said driving device comprising an electromagnetic coupling which opens if a power failure occurs, and

a spring type actuator which is connected in parallel to the driving device to drive the driving device when the coupling opens.

2. An actuation system according to claim 1 further comprising a piston-cylinder assembly fixed between said base and said movable part, said driving device comprising

a winding device fixed to said base, and

a cable device including a cable having one end which is fixed to said winding device for winding said cable thereon, and an opposite end fixed with respect to said base.

3. An actuation system according to claim 2 wherein said driving device further comprises

a deflecting pulley on said piston cylinder assembly, said cable passing over said pulley between said ends to form a block and tackle system.

4. An actuation system according to claim 3 further comprising a cable guide fixed on said base, said cable between said ends passing through said cable guide, said opposite end being fixed to said cable guide.

5. An actuation system according to claim 2 wherein said piston cylinder assembly comprises a piston rod and a cylinder, said cable device further comprising a first cable guide fixed with respect to said piston rod, and a second cable guide fixed with respect to said cylinder, said cable passing through said first and second cable guides.

6. An actuation system according to claim 5 wherein the first cable guide is an annular bearing.

7. An actuation system according to claim 2 further comprising a cable tension sensing device which transmits a signal to the coupling.

8. An actuation system according to claim 7 wherein said signal is one of a zero signal and a one signal.

9. An actuation system according to claim 8 wherein the zero signal opens the coupling.

10. An actuation system according to claim 7 further comprising a cable sheath which receives said cable therethrough, said cable tension sensing device comprising a switch which is actuated by movement of the cable relative to the cable sheath.

11. An actuation system according to claim 1 further comprising an elastic movement buffer which enables a phase displacement of the movement of the driving device with respect to the movement of the movable part.

12. An actuation system according to claim 11 further comprising a connecting member fixed to said base, said elastic movement buffer comprising a measuring device fixed with respect to said connecting member part, said measuring device generating a signal indicating an obstacle when said connecting member moves relative to a reference location on the piston cylinder assembly.

13. An actuation system according to claim 12 wherein said piston cylinder assembly comprises a piston and a cylinder, said elastic movement buffer further comprises a measuring body fixed to said piston, said measuring body moving relative to said measuring device when said movable part strikes an obstacle.

14. An actuation system according to claim 13 wherein said measuring body and said measuring device act as a limit switch.

15. An actuating system as in claim 1 wherein said driving device comprises an electric motor and a drive mechanism for transmitting force from said motor to said movable part, said drive mechanism comprising an elastic transmission element.

16. An actuating mechanism as in claim 1 further comprising a lock for locking said movable part to said base, and a remote control unit for activating said lock and for activating said driving device.

17. An actuating unit as in claim 16 wherein said remote control unit comprises touch control triggering which actuates a continuous signal until another touch control triggering takes place, an end position of the movable part is reached, or an obstacle is encountered.

18. An actuating system for moving a movable part which is rotationally movable with respect to a base, said actuating system comprising

a piston cylinder assembly fixed between said base and said movable part,

a driving device which is operatively connected to said movable part for rotationally moving said movable part with respect to said base, said driving device comprising a winding device fixed to said base, and a cable device including a cable having one end which is fixed to said winding device and an opposite end fixed with respect to said movable part, said winding device winding up said cable in order to rotate said movable part with respect to said base, and

a sheath enclosing said piston cylinder assembly and an enclosed portion of said cable parallel to said piston-cylinder assembly.

19. An actuation system according to claim 18 wherein said sheath comprises a telescoping protective tube.

20. An actuation system according to claim 18 further comprising an elastic movement buffer which enables a phase displacement of the movement of the driving device with respect to the movement of the movable part.

21. An actuating system as in claim 18 wherein said driving device comprises an electric motor and a drive mechanism for transmitting force from said motor to said movable part, said drive mechanism comprising an elastic transmission element.

22. An actuating mechanism as in claim 18 further comprising a lock for locking said movable part to said base, and a remote control unit for activating said lock and for activating said driving device.

23. An actuating unit as in claim 22 wherein said remote control unit comprises touch control triggering which actuates a continuous signal until another touch control triggering takes place, an end position of the movable part is reached, or an obstacle is encountered.

24. An actuating system for moving a movable part which is rotationally movable with respect to a base, said actuating system comprising

a driving device which is operatively connected to said movable part for rotationally moving said movable part with respect to said base, said driving device comprising a winding device fixed to said base, a cable device comprising a cable having one end which is fixed to said winding device, an opposite and fixed with respect to said base, and a sheath which receives said cable therethrough,

an electromagnetic coupling which opens if a power failure occurs, and

a cable tension sensing device which transmits a signal to the coupling, said sensing device comprising a switch which is actuated by movement of the cable relative to the cable sheath.

25. An actuating system for moving a movable part which is rotationally movable with respect to a base, said actuating system comprising

a driving device which is operatively connected to said movable part for rotationally moving said movable part with respect to said base, and

an elastic movement buffer which enables a phase displacement of the movement of the driving device with respect to the movement of the movable part.

26. An actuation system according to claim 25 further comprising a piston-cylinder assembly fixed between said base and said movable part, said driving device comprising

a winding device fixed to said base, and

a cable device including a cable having one end which is fixed to said winding device for winding said cable thereon, and an opposite end fixed with respect to said base.

27. An actuation system according to claim 26 wherein said driving device further comprises

a deflecting pulley on said piston cylinder assembly, said cable passing over said pulley between said ends to form a block and tackle system.

28. An actuation system according to claim 27 further comprising a cable guide fixed on said base, said cable between said ends passing through said cable guide, said opposite end being fixed to said cable guide.

29. An actuation system according to claim 26 wherein said driving device comprises an electromagnetic coupling which opens if a power failure occurs.

30. An actuation system according to claim 29 further comprising a spring-type actuator which is connected in parallel to the driving device to drive the driving device when the coupling opens.

31. An actuation system according to claim 26 wherein said piston cylinder assembly comprises a piston rod and a cylinder, said cable device further comprising a first cable guide fixed with respect to said piston rod, and a second cable guide fixed with respect to said cylinder, said cable passing through said first and second cable guides.

32. An actuation system according to claim 31 wherein the first cable guide is an annular bearing.

33. An actuation system according to claim 29 further comprising a cable tension sensing device which transmits a signal to the coupling.

34. An actuation system according to claim 33 wherein said signal is one of a zero signal and a one signal.

35. An actuation system according to claim 34 wherein the zero signal opens the coupling.

36. An actuation system according to claim 33 further comprising a cable sheath which receives said cable therethrough, said cable tension sensing device comprising a switch which is actuated by movement of the cable relative to the cable sheath.

37. An actuation system according to claim 25 further comprising a connecting member fixed to said base, said elastic movement buffer comprising a measuring device fixed with respect to said connecting member part, said measuring device generating a signal indicating an obstacle when said connecting member moves relative to a reference location on the piston cylinder assembly.

38. An actuation system according to claim 37 wherein said piston cylinder assembly comprises a piston and a cylinder, said elastic movement buffer further comprises a measuring body fixed to said piston, said measuring body moving relative to said measuring device when said movable part strikes an obstacle.

39. An actuation system according to claim 38 wherein said measuring body and said measuring device act as a limit switch.

40. An actuating system as in claim 25 wherein said driving device comprises an electric motor and a drive mechanism for transmitting force from said motor to said movable part, said drive mechanism comprising an elastic transmission element.

41. An actuating system as in claim 25 further comprising a lock for locking said movable part to said base, and a remote control unit for activating said lock and for activating said driving device.

42. An actuating unit as in claim 41 wherein said remote control unit comprises touch control triggering which actuates a continuous signal until another touch control triggering takes place, an end position of the movable part is reached, or an obstacle is encountered.

43. An actuating system for moving a movable part which is rotationally movable with respect to a base, said actuating system comprising

a piston cylinder assembly fixed between said base and said movable part, and

a driving device which is operatively connected to said movable part for rotationally moving said movable part with respect to said base, said driving device comprising a winding device fixed to said base, and a cable device including a cable having one end which is fixed to said winding device and an opposite end fixed with respect to said base, said winding device winding up said cable in order to rotate said movable part with respect to said base.

44. An actuating system according to claim 43 wherein said driving device further comprises

a deflecting pulley on said piston cylinder assembly, said cable passing over said pulley between said ends to form a block and tackle system.

45. An actuating system according to claim 44 further comprising a cable guide fixed on said base, said cable between said ends passing through said cable guide, said opposite end being fixed to said cable guide.