Door operator

• US 8,109,038 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2009
• Issued: 02/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ASSA ABLOY Accessories and Door Controls Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Yale Security Incorporated (Assa Abloy AB)
• Inventors: Houser, Blue, Lampley, Sidney J., Tadlock, Robert, Harris, Tom, Presley, John, Schoener, Jeff, Kirkpatrick, Lana
• Primary Examiner(s): REDMAN, JERRY E
• Application Number:
  US12/364,626
• Publication Number:
  US 20090139146A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,099 Days
• Field of Search: 491/39, 491/40, 493/39, 493/40, 493/41, 493/45
• US Class Current: 49/345
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/40 Safety devices, e.g. detection of obstructions or end positions
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/63 operated by swinging arms
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 3/10 with a spring, other than a torsion spring, and a piston, the axes of which are the same or lie in the same direction
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/216 Clutches
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/246 by motors, magnets, springs or weights
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/462 Electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/646 continuous, e.g. closed loops
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/656 Chains
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/132 Doors

Abstract

A drive mechanism is provided for a door operator, comprising a drive member and a driven member. The drive member includes a protrusion, the edges of the protrusion forming first and second driving surfaces which define a free space of at least about 90° there between. The driven member includes a protrusion, the sides of the protrusion form a first and a second driven surface, respectively. The drive member is adapted to be operably connected to between a motor assembly for rotating the drive member and a door closer assembly rotating with the driven member. The drive member and the driven member are disposed for relative rotation in substantially the same plane such that the driven member protrusion moves in the free space defined by the driving surfaces of the drive member protrusion. Rotation of the drive member from a first angular orientation to a second angular orientation in a direction toward an adjacent driven surface causes rotation of the driven member for powered opening of the door from the closed position to the open position. The driven member protrusion moves in the free space without engaging the protrusion surfaces when the door is opened manually from the closed position and allowed to close.

Claims

1. A drive mechanism for a door operator for selectively automatically operating a door positioned within a door frame and hinged along one edge to the door frame for movement between a closed position and an open position, the door operator including a bi-directional motor assembly comprising a drive train and connected to a source of electrical energy, and a door closer assembly including a rotating output member operably connected to the door and means for providing a force on the output member when the door is in an open position for moving the door in a closing direction, the drive mechanism comprising:

a drive member including a protrusion formed on the surface of the drive member, one edge of the protrusion forming a first driving surface and another edge of the protrusion forming a second driving surface, the driving surfaces defining a free space between the driving surfaces, the drive member adapted to be operably connected to the drive train for rotating the drive member about an axis through an arc in a first direction from a first angular orientation corresponding to the closed position of the door to a second angular orientation corresponding to the open position of the door and about the axis through an arc in an opposite direction from the second angular orientation to the first angular orientation, wherein rotation of the drive member from the first angular orientation to the second angular orientation corresponds to movement of the door from the closed position to the open position; and

a driven member including a protrusion formed on the surface of the driven member, one edge of the protrusion forming a first driven surface and another edge of the protrusion forming a second driven surface, the driven member disposed adjacent to the drive member for relative rotation with respect to the drive member such that the respective protrusions rotate in substantially the same plane and the driven member protrusion moves in the free space defined by the driving surfaces of the drive member protrusion, the driven member adapted to be operably connected with the door closer assembly for rotation of the driven member about the axis through an arc between a first angular orientation corresponding to the closed position of the door and a second angular orientation corresponding to the open position of the door and about the axis through an arc in an opposite direction from the second angular orientation to the first angular orientation, wherein rotation of the driven member from the second angular orientation to the first angular orientation corresponds to movement of the door from the open position to the closed position,

wherein when the drive member and the driven member are in their respective first angular orientations, one of the driving surfaces of the protrusion of the drive member is adjacent one of the driven surfaces of the protrusion of the driven member such that rotation of the drive member from the first angular orientation of the drive member to the second angular orientation of the drive member in a direction toward the adjacent driven surface causes rotation of the driven member for powered opening of the door from the closed position to the open position, and the protrusion on the driven member moves in the free space between the first angular orientation of the driven member and the second angular orientation of the driven member without engaging the driving surfaces of the protrusion of the drive member when the door is opened manually from the closed position and allowed to close.

2. A drive mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein the protrusions extend from the surfaces of the drive member and the driven member in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive member and the driven member.

3. A drive mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein the drive member has an opening for rotatably receiving at least a portion of the driven member.

4. A drive mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein the protrusion on the drive member extends from the surface of the drive member in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive member, and the protrusion on the driven member extends radially outwardly from the surface of the driven member.

5. A drive mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein the driven member has an opening for rotatably receiving at least a portion of the drive member.

6. A drive mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein the protrusion on the driven member extends from the surface of the driven member in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the driven member, and the protrusion on the drive member extends radially outwardly from the surface of the drive member.

7. An apparatus for use with a source of electrical energy for selectively automatically operating a door positioned within a door frame and hinged along one edge to the door frame for movement between a closed position and an open position, the door operating apparatus comprising:

a bi-directional motor assembly adapted to be connected to the source of electrical energy, the motor assembly including a drive train;

an automatic door closer assembly including a rotatable output shaft adapted to be operably connected to the door and means for providing a force on the output shaft when the door is in an open position for moving the door in a closing direction;

a drive member including a protrusion formed on the surface of the drive member, one edge of the protrusion forming a first driving surface and another edge of the protrusion forming a second driving surface, the driving surfaces defining a free space between the driving surfaces, the drive member operably connected to the drive train for rotating the drive member about an axis through an arc in a first direction from a first angular orientation corresponding to the closed position of the door to a second angular orientation corresponding to the open position of the door and about the axis through an arc in an opposite direction from the second angular orientation to the first angular orientation, wherein rotation of the drive member from the first angular orientation to the second angular orientation corresponds to movement of the door from the closed position to the open position; and

a driven member including a protrusion formed on the surface of the driven member, one edge of the protrusion forming a first driven surface and another edge of the protrusion forming a second driven surface, the driven member disposed for adjacent to the drive member for relative rotation with respect to the drive member such that the respective protrusions rotate in substantially the same plane and the driven member protrusion moves in the free space defined by the driving surfaces of the drive member protrusion, the driven member adapted to be connected with the door closer assembly for rotation of the driven member about the axis through an arc between a first angular orientation corresponding to the closed position of the door and a second angular orientation corresponding to the open position of the door and about the axis through an arc in an opposite direction from the second angular orientation to the first angular orientation, wherein rotation of the driven member from the second angular orientation to the first angular orientation corresponds to movement of the door from an open position to the closed position,

wherein when the drive member and the driven member are in their respective first angular orientations, one of the driving surfaces of the protrusion of the drive member is adjacent one of the driven surfaces of the protrusion of the driven member such that rotation of the drive member from the first angular orientation of the drive member to the second angular orientation of the drive member in a direction toward the adjacent driven surface causes rotation of the driven member for powered opening of the door from the closed position to the open position, and the protrusion on the driven member moves in the free space between the first angular orientation of the driven member and the second angular orientation of the driven member without engaging the driving surfaces of the protrusion of the drive member when the door is opened manually from the closed position and allowed to close.

8. A door operating apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the protrusions extend from the surfaces of the drive member and the driven member in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive member and the driven member.

9. A door operating apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the drive member has an opening for rotatably receiving at least a portion of the driven member.

10. A door operating apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the protrusion on the drive member extends from the surface of the drive member in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive member, and the protrusion on the driven member extends radially outwardly from the surface of the driven member.

11. A door operating apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the driven member has an opening for rotatably receiving at least a portion of the drive member.

12. A door operating apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the protrusion on the driven member extends from the surface of the driven member in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the driven member, and the protrusion on the drive member extends radially outwardly from the surface of the drive member.

13. A door operating apparatus as recited in claim 7, further comprising means for actuating the motor, the actuating means including an input device in electrical communication with the motor and activated by a user for selectively directing power to the motor for initiating powered movement of the door from the closed position to an open position.

14. A door operating apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the actuating means comprises a controller connected between the input device and the motor and responsive to input signals from the input device for selectively controlling the operation of the motor for moving the drive member between the first and second angular orientations of the drive member.

15. A door operating apparatus as recited in claim 14, further comprising

a first annular sensor and a second annular sensor ring, each of the sensor rings carrying a switch actuating element, the sensor rings disposed for relative rotation on a shaft that rotates with door movement such that the switch actuating elements rotate in substantially the same plane, wherein the sensor rings and the shaft may be non-rotatably secured together at selected angular positions based on predetermined door positions;

and

a switch responsive to the switch actuating elements for transmitting a signal to the controller, the signal transmitted by the switch being indicative of the selected angular position of the rings,

wherein the controller is responsive to the signal for terminating power to the motor, stalling the motor, or reversing the motor direction.

16. A door operating apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein the shaft rotating with door movement comprises a rotatable output shaft on the motor.

17. A door operating apparatus as recited in claim 14, further comprising means for detecting excessive current drawn by the motor, the controller responsive to the excessive current detecting means for terminating power to the motor.

18. A door operating apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein the controller is remote from the door.

19. In combination:

a door frame for mounting to a building wall;

a door pivotally connected to the door frame for movement between a closed position and an open position; and

an electro-mechanical door operator mounted on one of the door or the building wall, the door operator comprising;

a bi-directional motor assembly adapted to be connected to a source of electrical energy, the motor assembly including a drive train,

an automatic door closer assembly adapted to be operably connected to the door, the door closer assembly including a rotatable output shaft and means for providing a force on the output shaft when the door is in an open position for moving the door in a closing direction,

a drive member including a protrusion formed on the surface of the drive member, one edge of the protrusion forming a first driving surface and another edge of the protrusion forming a second driving surface, the driving surfaces defining a free space between the driving surfaces, the drive member operably connected to the drive train for rotating the drive member about an axis through an arc in a first direction from a first angular orientation corresponding to the closed position of the door to a second angular orientation corresponding to the open position of the door and about the axis through an arc in an opposite direction from the second angular orientation to the first angular orientation, wherein rotation of the drive member from the first angular orientation to the second angular orientation corresponds to movement of the door from the closed position to the open position, and

a driven member including a protrusion formed on the surface of the driven member, one edge of the protrusion forming a first driven surface and another edge of the protrusion forming a second driven surface, the driven member disposed adjacent to the drive member for relative rotation with respect to the drive member such that the respective protrusions rotate in substantially the same plane and the driven member protrusion moves in the free space defined by the driving surfaces of the drive member protrusion, the driven member adapted to be connected with the door closer assembly for rotation of the driven member about the axis through an arc between a first angular orientation corresponding to the closed position of the door and a second angular orientation corresponding to the open position of the door and about the axis through an arc in an opposite direction from the second angular orientation to the first angular orientation, wherein rotation of the driven member from the second angular orientation to the first angular orientation corresponds to movement of the door from an open position to the closed position,

wherein when the drive member and the driven member are in their respective first angular orientations, one of the driving surfaces of the protrusion of the drive member is adjacent to one of the driven surfaces of the protrusion of the driven member such that rotation of the drive member from the first angular orientation of the drive member to the second angular orientation in a direction toward the adjacent driven surface causes rotation of the driven member for powered opening of the door from the closed position to the open position, and the protrusion on the driven member moves in the free space between the first angular orientation of the driven member and the second angular orientation of the driven member without engaging the driving surfaces of the protrusion surfaces of the drive member when the door is opened manually from the closed position and allowed to close.

20. A drive assembly for use in a door operator including an electric motor and a door closer for selectively automatically operating a door positioned within a door frame and hinged along one edge to the door frame for movement between a closed position and an open position, the drive assembly operatively connected between a drive shaft of the motor and an output member of the door closer, the drive assembly comprising:

a drive member including a protrusion formed on the surface of the drive member, one edge of the protrusion forming a first driving surface and another edge of the protrusion forming a second driving surface, the driving surfaces defining a free space between the driving surfaces, the drive member rotatable about an axis through an arc in a first direction from a first angular orientation corresponding to the closed position of the door to a second angular orientation corresponding to the open position of the door and about the axis through an arc in an opposite direction from the second angular orientation to the first angular orientation, wherein rotation of the drive member from the first angular orientation to the second angular orientation corresponds to movement of the door from the closed position to the open position; and

a driven member including a protrusion formed on the surface of the driven member, one edge of the protrusion forming a first driven surface and another edge of the protrusion forming a second driven surface, the driven surfaces defining a free space between the driven surfaces, the driven member disposed adjacent to the drive member for relative rotation with respect to the drive member such that the protrusion on the surface of the drive member and the protrusion on the surface of the driven member rotate in substantially the same plane and the driven member protrusion moves in the free space defined by the driving surfaces of the drive member protrusion and the drive member protrusion moves in the free space defined by the driven surfaces of the driven member protrusion, the driven member rotatable about the axis through an arc between a first angular orientation corresponding to the closed position of the door and a second angular orientation corresponding to the open position of the door and about the axis through an arc in an opposite direction from the second angular orientation to the first angular orientation, wherein rotation of the driven member from the second angular orientation to the first angular orientation corresponds to movement of the door from the open position to the closed position,

wherein when the drive member and the driven member are in their respective first angular orientations, one of the driving surfaces of the protrusion of the drive member is adjacent one of the driven surfaces of the protrusion of the driven member such that rotation of the drive member from the first angular orientation of the drive member to the second angular orientation of the drive member in a direction toward the adjacent driven surface of the driven member causes rotation of the driven member for powered opening of the door from the closed position toward the open position, and the protrusion on the driven member moves in the free space between the driving surfaces of the protrusion on the drive member between the first angular orientation of the driven member and the second angular orientation of the driven member without engaging the driving surfaces of the protrusion on the drive member when the door is opened manually from the closed position and allowed to close.

21. A drive assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein the protrusions extend from the surfaces of the drive member and the driven member in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive member and the driven member.

22. A drive assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein the drive member has an opening for rotatably receiving at least a portion of the driven member.

23. A drive assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein the protrusion on the drive member extends from the surface of the drive member in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive member, and the protrusion on the driven member extends radially outwardly from the surface of the driven member.

24. A drive assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein the driven member has an opening for rotatably receiving at least a portion of the drive member.

25. A drive assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein the protrusion on the driven member extends from the surface of the driven member in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the driven member, and the protrusion on the drive member extends radially outwardly from the surface of the drive member.