Barrier movement control for mid-travel barrier movement start

• US 6,833,681 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2002
• Issued: 12/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Chamberlain Group LLC
• Original Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Inventors: Fitzgibbon, James J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro, Bentsu
• Application Number:
  US10/176,166
• Publication Number:
  US 20030234628A1
• Time in Patent Office: 915 Days
• Field of Search: 318/264-266, 318/283, 318/286, 318/445, 318/452, 318/466, 318/468, 318/470, 318/484, 318/489, 388/907.5, 388/921
• US Class Current: 318/286
• 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 2900/106 for garages
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/0851 for motors actuating a movable member between two end positions, e.g. detecting an end position or obstruction by overload signal

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for controlling an automatic barrier movement system, particularly for beginning movement of a barrier which has been stopped between an open and closed position of the barrier. The receipt of a barrier movement command will generally start movement of the barrier toward the open position, however, when predetermined conditions are met the barrier may be started in a direction determined by a preprogrammed algorithm. The predetermined conditions may include that the barrier has been stopped for less than 5 minutes and/or that the barrier was stopped in response to an obstruction during travel toward the open position. The preprogrammed algorithm may be to move the barrier toward the closed position or move the barrier in a direction determined from other sensed conditions.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a barrier movement system, to move a barrier between open and closed positions, the method comprising:

stopping barrier movement;

timing the time period during which the barrier is stopped;

receiving a movement command to move the barrier;

identifying when the barrier is stopped between open and closed positions;

responsive to the movement command, open moving the barrier toward the open position when the timing step indicates that the barrier has been stopped for more than a predetermined period of time;

responsive to the movement command, close moving the barrier according to a predetermined algorithm when the timing step indicates that the barrier has been stopped for less than the predetermined period of time.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined period of time is in the range of 5 to 300 seconds.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the barrier moves in an upward direction toward the open position and in a downward direction toward the closed position.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined algorithm responds to the movement command by moving the barrier toward the closed position.

5. The method of claim 1 comprising direction identifying the direction of movement of the barrier prior to stopping the barrier and the predetermined algorithm responds to the movement command by moving the barrier toward the closed position when the direction identifying step identifies movement toward the open position.

6. The method of claim 1 comprising direction identifying the direction of movement of the barrier prior to stopping the barrier and the predetermined algorithm responds to the movement command by moving the barrier toward the open position when the direction identifying step identifies movement toward the closed position.

7. The method of claim 1 comprising source identifying the source of the movement command, inhibiting the performance of the close moving step and enabling the performance of the open moving step when the source of the movement command is not a fixed sender.

8. A method of controlling a barrier movement system to move a barrier between open and closed positions, the method comprising:

detecting obstructions to barrier movement;

stopping barrier movement;

receiving a barrier movement command after the stopping step;

responsive to the receiving step, close moving the barrier toward the closed position when the stopping step is performed in response to the detection of an obstruction; and

responsive to the receiving step, open moving the barrier toward the open position when the stopping step is not performed in response to the detection of an obstruction.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the barrier moves in an upward direction toward the open position and a downward direction toward the closed position.

10. The method of claim 8 comprising:

timing the period of time after the stopping step; and

inhibiting the performance of the close moving step when the door has been stopped for more than a predetermined period of time.

11. The method of claim 10 comprising:

performing the open moving step regardless of the cause of stopping when the door has been stopped for more than the predetermined period of time.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the predetermined period of time is in the range of 5 to 300 seconds.

13. The method of claim 8 comprising source identifying the source of the movement command, inhibiting the performance of the close moving step and enabling the performance of the open moving step when the source of the movement command is not a fixed sender.

14. A method of controlling a barrier movement system, to move a barrier between open and closed positions, the method comprising:

detecting obstructions to barrier movement;

stopping barrier movement;

receiving a barrier movement command after the stopping step;

responsive to the receiving step, the direction of travel is conditional on the previous operation stopping, being generated by an obstruction.