Movable barrier operator

• US 6,172,475 B1
• Filed: 09/28/1998
• Issued: 01/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Inventors: Fitzgibbon, James J., Willmott, Colin B., Wanis, Paul E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro, Bentsu
• Application Number:
  US09/161,840
• Time in Patent Office: 834 Days
• Field of Search: 318/256, 318/265, 318/280-286, 318/461, 318/463, 318/466-470, 318/257, 318/266, 49/25--26, 49/28, 49/31, 160/188, 160/189, 160/291, 160/243.1
• US Class Current: 318/266
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/38 for upwardly-moving wings, e.g. up-and-over doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/00 Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/603 using rotary electromotors
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/668 for overhead wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/684 by chains
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/726 Ring gears; Internal gears
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/452 for saving energy
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/456 for programming
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/59 Travel display
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/822 Light emitters, e.g. LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/00 Details, accessories and auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 388/904 Stored velocity profile
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 388/909 Monitoring means

Abstract

A movable barrier operator having improved safety and energy efficiency features automatically detects line voltage frequency and uses that information to set a worklight shut-off time. The operator automatically detects the type of door (single panel or segmented) and uses that information to set a maximum speed of door travel. The operator moves the door with a linearly variable speed from start of travel to stop for smooth and quiet performance. The operator provides for full door closure by driving the door into the floor when the DOWN limit is reached and no auto-reverse condition has been detected. The operator provides for user selection of a minimum stop speed for easy starting and stopping of sticky or binding doors.

Claims

1. A movable barrier operator having linearly variable output speed, comprising:

an electric motor having a motor output shaft;

a transmission connected to the motor output shaft to be driven thereby and to the movable barrier to be moved;

a circuit for providing a pulse signal comprising a series of pulses;

a motor control circuit responsive to the pulse signal, for starting the motor and for determining the direction of rotation of the motor output shaft; and

a controller for controlling the length of the pulses in the pulse signal in accordance with a predetermined set of values, wherein in accordance with the predetermined set of values, a speed of the motor is linearly varied from zero to a maximum speed and from the maximum speed to zero.

2. A movable barrier operator according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined set of values causes incrementing of the motor speed from zero to a maximum motor speed in a plurality of steps, causing the motor to operate at the maximum speed for a predetermined period of time, then decrementing the motor speed from the maximum speed to zero in a plurality of steps.

3. A movable barrier operator according to claim 2 wherein each step comprises a value substantially corresponding to five percent of a maximum speed of the motor.

4. A movable barrier operator according to claim 1 wherein the motor control circuit comprises:

a first electromechanical switch for causing the motor output shaft to rotate in a first direction;

a second electromechanical switch for causing the motor output shaft to rotate in a second direction; and

a solid state device responsive to the pulse signal, for providing current to the motor to cause it to rotate.

5. A movable barrier operator according to claim 4 wherein the first and second electromechanical switches comprise relays and the solid state device comprises an FET.

6. A movable barrier operator having linearly variable output speed, comprising:

an electric motor having a motor output shaft;

a transmission connected to the motor output shaft to be driven thereby and to the movable barrier to be moved;

a circuit for providing a pulse signal comprising a series of pulses;

a motor control circuit responsive to the pulse signal, for starting the motor and for determining the direction of rotation of the motor output shaft; and

a controller for controlling the pulses in the pulse signal in accordance with a predetermined set of values, wherein in accordance with the predetermined set of values, a speed of the motor is linearly varied from zero to a maximum speed and from the maximum speed to zero.