Electric Door Release Powered by Energy Harvester

• US 20110252845A1
• Filed: 04/15/2011
• Published: 10/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hanchett Entry Systems Incorporated (Assa Abloy AB)
• Original Assignee: Hanchett Entry Systems Incorporated (Assa Abloy AB)
• Inventors: Christiansen, Charles, Webb, Michael A., Sullivan, Scott, Hanchett, Leland J. JR.
• Granted Patent: US 9,151,079 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/101
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 1/0007 Knobs E05B1/0015, E05B1/0053, E05B1/0061, E05B1/0069 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 13/108 the lock coaxial with spindle
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0062 by generator
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0011 with piezoelectric actuators piezoelectric devices per se H10N30/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0673 with a rectilinearly moveable blocking element
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/00 Additional features or accessories of hinges edge protecting devices E06B3/88
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 7/00 Hinges or pivots of special construction used for special suspension arrangements E05D15/00; so as to be self-closing E05F1/06, E05F1/12; with means for raising wings before being turned E05F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/246 by motors, magnets, springs or weights
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/43 Motors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/61 Power supply
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/616 Generators
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/67 Materials; Strength alteration thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/132 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 7/28 Other arrangements on doors or windows, e.g. door-plates, windows adapted to carry plants, hooks for window cleaners edge protecting devices for door leaves E06B3/88; special glazing; emergency glazing; double glazing E06B3/66
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/18 producing electrical output from mechanical input, e.g. generators for measurement devices G01
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/183 using impacting bodies high voltage generators in spark lighters F23Q
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/57 Operators with knobs or handles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/705 Adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5199 Swinging door

Abstract

A system for operating an electric door release having an actuator powered by an energy harvester. The actuator may be a piezoelectric actuator and the harvester may be a piezo harvester. The system may further include a power module, a rechargeable battery and a voltage boost circuit disposed between the energy harvester and the actuator. When a piezoelectric actuator is used, a recycle actuator discharge circuit may be disposed between the piezoelectric actuator and the power module battery for recapturing a portion of the energy delivered to the piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric harvester may include an energy input portion whereby the piezo electric harvester is excited by the energy input portion. The energy input portion may include a circular or linear driving gear for exciting the piezoelectric harvester or a stepper motor generator, driven by movement of a door. The harvester may also be a stepper motor/generator.

Claims

1. A system for operating an electric device associated with a door or a closure comprising:

an energy harvester capable of collecting energy released from at least one of said door or a door frame, wherein said device is connected to said energy harvester, wherein said device receives electrical energy from said energy harvester and wherein at least a portion of said electrical energy is used to operate said device.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said energy harvester is a piezoelectric energy harvester.

3. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said energy harvester is a stepper motor/generator.

4. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said energy harvester is selected from the group consisting of electromagnetic, solar cell, and RF.

5. A system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a voltage boost circuit operationally connected to said energy harvester.

6. A system in accordance with claim 5 further comprising a power module including a battery disposed in a circuit between said energy harvester and said voltage boost circuit.

7. A system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said device is a piezoelectric actuator and further comprising an actuator discharge circuit disposed between said piezoelectric actuator and said battery to recycle a portion of the electrical energy used to move the actuator.

8. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said device is a piezoelectric actuator.

9. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said device is selected from the group consisting of an illumination device, a keypad and a video display.

10. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said energy harvester comprises an energy input portion and said energy harvesting portion.

11. A system in accordance with claim 10 wherein said energy input portion includes an input member configured to be actionable by movement of said is door, wherein said energy harvesting portion includes a capture member adapted for receiving mechanical input from said input member and configured for exciting said energy harvesting portion.

12. A system in accordance with claim 10 wherein said energy input member include a gear.

13. A system in accordance with claim 12 wherein said energy input member include a linear gear.

14. A system in accordance with claim 10 wherein said input member is a drive member and said capture member is a driven member.

15. A system in accordance with claim 12 wherein said capture member includes a sprocket portion disposed for movement with said capture member, wherein said sprocket portion in configured for making contact with said energy harvester and wherein said energy harvester is excited by said contact.

16. A system in accordance with claim 15 wherein said sprocket portion includes at least one radially disposed actuator for making contact with said energy harvester.

17. A system in accordance with claim 16 wherein said at least one radially disposed actuator is movable connected to said sprocket portion.

18. An electric door release system for use in securing a door hinged in a frame, comprising:

a) an energy harvester;

b) a voltage boost circuit operationally connected to said energy harvester; and

c) a mechanical door lock including a piezoelectric actuator connected to said voltage boost circuit.

19. A system in accordance with claim 18 further comprising a power module including a battery disposed in a circuit between said energy harvester and said voltage boost circuit.

20. A system in accordance with claim 18 further comprising a mechanical actuator assembly to actuate said energy harvester.

21. A system in accordance with claim 19 further comprising a recycle actuator discharge circuit disposed between said piezoelectric actuator and said power module battery.

22. A system in accordance with claim 18 wherein said energy harvester is selected from the group consisting of piezoelectric, electromagnetic, solar cell, stepper motor generator, and RF.

23. A system in accordance with claim 18 wherein said energy harvester is a piezoelectric harvester disposable in a hinge region of said door and frame.

24. A system in accordance with claim 18 wherein said energy harvester is a stepper motor/generator disposable in a hinge region of said door and frame.

25. A door security system comprising:

a) a door hinged to a frame;

b) a electrical door release mounted on one of said door and said frame and including a piezoelectric actuator;

c) a voltage boost circuit operationally connected to said piezoelectric actuator;

d) an energy harvester mounted to one of said door and said frame and connected to said voltage boost circuit; and

e) a mechanical actuator assembly mounted for stimulating said energy harvester when said door is pivoting on its hinge.

26. A system in accordance with claim 25 wherein said energy harvester is a piezoelectric harvester disposed in a hinge region of said door and frame.

27. A system in accordance with claim 25 wherein said energy harvester is a stepper motor/generator disposed in a hinge region of said door and frame.

28. A system in accordance with claim 25 further comprising a power module including a battery disposed in a circuit between said energy harvester and said voltage boost circuit.

29. A system in accordance with claim 28 further comprising a recycle actuator discharge circuit disposed between said piezoelectric actuator and said power module battery.

30. An electric door strike comprising:

a) a keeper movable between a first position and a second position; and

b) a piezoelectric actuator blockable by a piezo cell in said piezoelectric actuator between a first position and a second position,

wherein when said piezoelectric actuator is in said first position, said keeper is prevented from moving from said first position to said second position, and

wherein when said piezoelectric actuator is in said second position, said keeper is permitted to move from said first position to said second position.

31. An electric door strike in accordance with claim 30 wherein said keeper includes a first slope surface and said piezoelectric actuator includes a second slope surface wherein said first and second slope surfaces are in engageable contact with each other when said piezoelectric actuator is in said first position and said keeper is in said first position.

32. A handle-lock set, comprising:

a) a lock integral with a locking shaft;

b) a rotatable handle integral with a latch engaging shaft;

c) a cam mounted on said locking shaft;

d) a hub having a ramp; and

d) a floating tab operable by said cam and comprising an assembly including a piezoelectric actuator and a plunger engagable with said ramp,

wherein de-energizing of said piezoelectric actuator causes said plunger to prevent rotation of said latch engaging shaft, and

wherein energizing of said piezoelectric actuator enables rotation of said latch engaging shaft.

33. A handle-lock set in accordance with claim 32 wherein rotation of said lock and locking shaft during said de-energizing causes said floating tab to be urged radially inward of said hub, enabling rotation of said handle and latch engaging shaft.