NZ591357A

NZ591357A - Roller door drive assembly

Info

Publication number: NZ591357A
Application number: NZ59135711A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Jack Leivenzon; Glen Edward Flemming; Benjamin James Flemming; Stephen Bello
Original assignee: Smart Openers Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2010-02-24
Filing date: 2011-02-24
Publication date: 2012-06-29
Also published as: AU2011200800A1; SA111320226B1; CN102162330A; CN102162330B

Abstract

A roller door drive assembly, suitable for operation of garage doors and like barriers having a door curtain that is wound over two drum wheels to form a door curtain drum is disclosed. The drum wheels are supported on an axle and spaced near edges of the door curtain. The roller door drive assembly includes an electric control circuit, a drive module, and an electric module. The electric module comprises an electric control circuit for transferring electrical power to the electric motor. The drive module for the drive assembly has an electric motor for imparting drive to permit up and down rolling of the roller door curtain, via a drive train. The drive module has external dimensions that will enable the drive module to be operatively fitted within the door curtain drum. The electric module is carried with the drive module so that the electric module will also be operatively fitted within the roller door curtain drum. The drive module has the electric motor positioned so an axis of drive rotation is mutually perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the roller door curtain. The electric motor and the drive train are mounted on a chassis of the drive module, such that, in use, the electric motor will face outwardly of a side of the curtain drum. The drive train includes a crown wheel which engages with a drum wheel and is rotationally driven by rotation of the electric motor to drive the door curtain up and down.

Description

<div class="application article clearfix" id="description"> 1 PATENTS FORM NO. 5 Our ref: BFR 232863 NZPR NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Roller door drive assembly We, Smart Openers Pty Ltd, an Australian company of Suite 3,1-3 Albert Street, Blackburn, Victoria 3130, Australia hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: Followed by page 1a 1 a ROLLER DOOR DRIVE ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a roller door drive assembly and relates particularly but not exclusively to 5 a roller door drive assembly for use in domestic roller door installations. Hitherto, roller door drive assemblies have been known and we make particular reference to our Australian 10 certified Innovation patent No. 2007101192 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In our certified Innovation patent, there is disclosed an arrangement for mounting a drive module of a roller door drive assembly within a roller door curtain 15 drum when there is insufficient space at the side of the roller curtain to accommodate the drive module. In the Innovation patent, an electric circuit module can be detached from the drive module to enable the drive module to be fitted within the roller door curtain drum if 20 required. Under normal circumstances the drive module is mounted external of the roller door curtain drum and the electric module is held integrally at the drive module. When the electric module is separated from the drive module, then the electric module must be fitted in a 25 nearby location such as on a wall of a garage and appropriate electrical leads extended therefrom to connect with electrical components within the drive module, 30 It is desirable for the electric module to be mounted as close as possible with the drive module to avoid induction of spurious electronic RF signals into the electric circuit module components in an electric circuit therein. These spurious signals may be generated 35 by the electric motor that drives the roller door curtain, or from other interference that may be injected into that electric circuit. This is generally because Followed by page 2 2 Received at IPONZ 08/05/2012 the length of the interconnecting cables acts as an antenna. Accordingly the length should be maintained at a 5 minimum. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved roller door drive assembly, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. 10 Therefore, according to a first broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a roller door drive assembly, suitable for operation of garage doors and like barriers having a door curtain that is wound over two 15 drum wheels to form a door curtain drum, the drum wheels being supported on an axle and spaced near edges of the door curtain, and an electric control circuit therefor, there being a drive module for the drive assembly; said drive module having an electric motor for 2 0 imparting drive to permit up and down rolling of the roller door curtain, via a drive train, there also being an electric module for an electric control circuit for transferring electrical power to said electric motor, 2 5 said drive module having external dimensions that will enable the drive module to be operatively fitted within a door curtain drum, said electric module being carried with the drive module, so that the electric module will also be 30 operatively fitted within the roller door curtain drum, wherein the drive module has said electric motor positioned so an axis of drive rotation is mutually perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the roller door curtain and the electric motor and the drive train are 35 mounted on a chassis of the drive module, such that, in use, the electric motor will face outwardly of a side of the curtain drum and the drive train includes a crown (followed by 2a) 2a Received at IPONZ 08/05/2012 wheel which is rotationally driven by rotation of the electric motor to drive the door curtain up and down. In an embodiment said electric module comprises all the electric components and wiring for the drive module and said electric motor except a power supply, and wherein said power supply is an external power supply that can be electrically interconnected to the electric module. (followed by 3) Received at IPONZ 08/05/2012 In an example said chassis is provided in the form of a mount surface sized to, in use, extend in a direction diametrically across an axle of the roller 5 curtain, so said drive module will be predominantly on one diametric side, and so said electric module will be predominantly on the opposite diametric side. In another embodiment the mount surface has a cavity in said opposite diametric side and wherein said electric module is provided on a circuit board and said circuit board is mounted to extend across said cavity so said circuit components of said electric control circuit will be electrically isolated from said mount surface. In another embodiment said chassis comprises a housing for the motor adapted to support some components of the drive train for engagement with the motor and a mount for the axle of the roller door curtain. The chassis can also be configured to support mounting of components including any one or more of a ratchet mechanism and a door position sensor assembly on the chassis. 2 5 Embodiments of the assembly can further comprise an operator ratchet mechanism for effecting reciprocatable lateral movement of an element of a geared drive train in a door, gate or barrier operator so that in one lateral position drive in the geared drive train will be effected 30 to permit the operator to open and close a door, gate or barrier, and so that in another lateral position drive in the geared drive train will be disconnected so the door, gate or barrier can be manually operated. 15 4 In an embodiment said element is coaxial with at least one drive axle of one gear within the geared drive train, and wherein said element is biased in a direction towards said one lateral position, 5 said ratchet mechanism comprising a user operable member mounted for user initiated arcuate rotation about an axis between a first position and a second position, and being biasable to return to said first position in the absence of user initiation arcuate rotation, 10 said user operable member being able to ratchet index rotate a first cam plate about said axis by an amount corresponding to the angular displacement between said first position and said second position, and to bias return to said first position after being rotated to said 15 second position whilst leaving said first cam plate indexed at said second position, said first cam plate having a cam face on an end face thereof and being for engaging with a complimentary cam face on an end face of a second cam plate mounted 20 coaxial with said axis in an axially laterally disposed alignment relative to said first cam plate, said second cam plate being constrained for non axial rotation about said axis but arranged for longitudinal displacement along said axis, 25 whereby when said first cam plate is rotated by said user operable member, said first cam plate will angularly rotate and said cam face thereon will drive said second cam plate to a longitudinally displaced position along said axis, 30 said second cam plate having a face for engaging with said element so that when in said longitudinally displaced position said element will be able to move against said bias to said another lateral position so drive in the drive train will be disconnected 35 and wherein when said user operable member is next rotated, said first cam plate will be ratchet index rotated, in the same angular direction so said second cam plate can be laterally moved in the opposite direction 2582157_1 (GHMaiters) 5 along said axis, so said element can move under bias to said one lateral position. In an embodiment said first cam plate has pawl teeth 5 on an opposite end face to said end face and wherein said user operable member carries a pawl for engagement therewith so that when said user operable member is subjected to user initiated arcuate rotation said pawl will locate with at least one pawl tooth. 10 In an embodiment non rotatable ratchet teeth are mounted coaxially with said axis, said opposite end face of said first cam plate also carrying ratchet teeth complimentary to said non rotatable ratchet teeth and 15 facing said ratchet teeth, there being biasing means to urge said non rotatable ratchet teeth along said axis and in engagement with said ratchet teeth, so that when said user operable member is operated to move said first cam plate from said first position to said second position, 20 said first cam plate will be held against rotation as said user operable member is returned to said first position. In an embodiment said non rotatable ratchet teeth 25 are carried on a ratchet indexer mounted coaxially with said axis, and wherein said ratchet indexer has means on the periphery for locating with corresponding means forming a part of housing of said mechanism where to constrain said ratchet indexer against rotation about 30 said axis and allowing lateral movement along said axis. In an embodiment said second cam plate has means on the outer periphery for locating with further corresponding means forming part of said housing whereby 35 to constrain said second cam plate against rotation and allowing lateral movement along said axis. The assembly can include lights. 2582157_1 (GHMaUers) 6 Embodiments of the assembly can further comprise a door position sensor assembly comprising an input shaft directly connected with the drive train so that an input 5 shaft will be permanently rotated as the door is opened and closed even when the drive is released by the user, and a sensor adapted to detect rotation of the input shaft to indicate the position of the door. 10 In an embodiment the sensor comprises an active sensor element couples to rotate with rotation of the input shaft and a detector fixedly mounted in proximity to said active sensor element to detect the sensor element angular orientation position and having a 15 resolution to accurately translate the sensed angular position of the active sensor element to a position of the door, the coupling of the active sensor element with the input shaft providing less than 360° relative rotation of 20 the active sensor relative to the detector over a full range of travel of the door so that when the drive train is disconnected to enable manual operation of the door the active sensor element will relatively rotate with the door within a 360° range and the position of the door is 25 established based on the detected angular position of the active sensor element to enable the position of the door to be automatically re-established after manual operation. 30 In an embodiment the active sensor element is a permanent magnet and the detector is a magnetic field sensor adapted to detect the angular position of the magnet based on the magnetic field generated by the magnet. 35 In an embodiment the external power supply includes an operator user interface to enable a user to input commands to operator the door. The operator user 2582157„1 (GHMatters) 7 interface on the external power supply can comprise a wireless transmitter adapted to transmit signals to a wireless receiver of the electric module in response to input of user commands to operate the door. 5 In an embodiment the external power supply includes a light which is illuminated in response to power being supplied to the door operator to operate the door. 10 In order that the invention can be more clearly ascertained examples of embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is an isometric end view of a roller door 15 curtain wound over two spaced apart drum wheels rotatably supported on an axle (only one drum wheel has been shown), Figures 2a and 2b are isometric views of a roller 20 door drive assembly according to one embodiment showing an electric circuit module and circuit board in partly exploded view, Figure 3 is a partly exploded isometric view of an 25 embodiment of an electronics module, Figure 4 is an end view of a roller door fitted with a roller door drive assembly shown in Figure 2 where the roller door drive assembly is mounted external of an 30 outer side of a roller curtain drum, Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 3 but showing the roller drive assembly mounted within the roller door curtain drum, 35 Figures 6a and 6b are exploded isometric views of an embodiment a roller door drive assembly, 2582157_1 (GHMallers) 8 Figure 7a and 7b are isometric views of a ratchet mechanism shown in Figures 6a and 6b when viewed from two different directions, 5 Figure 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view through the ratchet mechanism showing co-operation with an element that is moved laterally to one lateral position in the geared drive train to permit the operator to open and close the door, gate or barrier, 10 Figure 9a is an exploded isometric view of components of the ratchet mechanism taken from one direction, 15 Figure 9b is an exploded isometric view similar to that in Figure 9a, but taken from the opposite direction, Figures 10a - lOd are isometric views taken from different angles and directions of a front plate that 20 forms part of a casing of the ratchet mechanism, Figures 11a and lib are isometric views of different sides of a second cam plate, 25 Figures 12a and 12b are isometric views from different sides of a first cam plate, Figures 13a and 13b are isometric views from different sides of a ratchet indexer, 30 Figure 14a and 14b are isometric views from different sides of a rear plate and, Figure 15 is a detailed view showing an isometric 35 view from one side of a user operable member. Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is shown a roller door curtain 1 which is formed from corrugated 2582157_1 (GHMatters) 9 sheet: metal. Other known types of roller door curtains are not to be excluded. The roller door curtain 1 is wound over two drum wheels 3 that are spaced near the ends of the width of the curtain 1. Only one drum wheel 5 has been shown. The drum wheels 3 are able to freely rotate relative to support axle 5. The drum wheels 3 are typically comprised of sheet metal or an industrial grade synthetic plastic. The support axle 5 is typically provided from a tube of galvanised steel. The 10 arrangement depicted in Figure 1 represents known arrangements for roller door curtains. Curtain 1 is fixed to the drum wheel 3 so that when drive is imparted to spokes 7 of the drum wheels 3, the curtain 1 can be wound onto or off the drum wheels 3. When the curtain 1 15 is wound onto the drum wheels 3, it forms a curtain drum. There are other arrangements for mounting the curtain 1 for rolling up and down but the arrangement shown in Figure 1 represents a common variety. The invention is not limited to the embodiment type shown in Figure 1. 20 Referring now to Figures 2a and 2b, there is shown a drive assembly 9 that comprises a drive module 11 and an electric module 13. The drive module is formed on a chassis 15 which may be in the form of a mount surface 25 that can typically be a metal sheet such as a pressed metal sheet or a solid sheet such as a solid disk like sheet. It may even be formed from an industrial grade plastics material. Alternatively the chassis can be a moulded component which integrates a housing for the 30 motor 17, support for any other components for engagement with the motor and mount 19 for the axle of the roller door. The chassis 15 carries the necessary mechanical drive components for imparting drive to one of the drum wheels 3 to enable the curtain 1 to open and close. The 35 mechanical components of the drive module comprise an electric motor 17 which is typically a 24 volt DC electric motor, with appropriate gearing (not shown) to reduce the speed of the motor to an appropriate speed for 2582157J (GHMatlers) 10 rotating an internally toothed crown wheel 18. An output gear driven by the electric motor 17 engages with the internally toothed crown wheel 18 so that the crown wheel 18 will be rotated about a central longitudinal axis i.e. 5 the central axis of support axle 5. The support axle 5 is mounted to a mount 19 that is rigidly attached or integrally formed with the chassis 15. The mount 19 has a central bore 19a that receives the support axle 5. The crown wheel 18 has several protruding fingers 21 that 10 engage with one or more of the spokes 7 of a drum wheel 3 to impart rotation to the drum wheels 3 to, in turn, allow the curtain 1 to be wound onto or wound off the drum wheel 3. 15 Figure 2 shows that the electric motor 17 is positioned within a cavity 23 in the mount surface 15. Protruding lugs 25 from the electric motor 17 allow mounting of the motor 17 within the cavity 23 and enable rigid positioning and fastening to the mount surface 15. 20 Figure 2a shows that a central rotational spindle axis of the motor 17 is slightly displaced towards an outermost face of the mount surface 15 but generally in parallel alignment with the plane of the mount surface of the chassis 15. This arrangement enables the electric motor 25 17 to be received partly within the crown wheel 18 and partly on an exposed outer face of the mount surface of the chassis 15. This enables a compact depth drive assembly 9 to be provided as the space within the hollow interior of the crown wheel 18 is used to occupy not only 30 part of the electric motor 17 but also the necessary gearing used to transmit drive from the electric motor 17 to the crown wheel 18, and to rotate other gears (not shown) that may be used to operate limit sensing means that sense the up and down stop positions of the door 35 curtain 1. The full drive chain of gears is not directly relevant to the present invention and has been omitted from the figures herein in order to aid clarity. 2582157_1 (GHMalters) 11 From the above, it can be seen that the longitudinal axis of rotation of the motor spindle 26 of the electric motor 17 is generally perpendicular to the rotational axis of the crown wheel 18 which, in turn, is also 5 generally perpendicular to the rotational axis of the drum formed by the curtain 1. Figure 2b also shows the electric module 13 that contains all the electronic components on a circuit board 10 29. These components control the processing of signals from limit sensors carried by the chassis 15 for controlling the end stop positions of travel of the curtain 1, user input signals that may be provided from a remote hand held transmitter or directly from user 15 operated input means 31 carried by the circuit board 29. Certain ones of the input means 31 may be for raising and/or lowering the door curtain, and certain others may be used for setting program parameters within a microprocessor (not shown) that operatively controls the 20 circuit module 13. Optional output means may be provided near the input means to provide outputs in response to inputs. For example, LEDs 31a may be place adjacent the input push buttons 31 to enable light signals to be output in response to inputs. For example, an LED 25 glowing Red may indicate the control circuit has been placed in a programming mode, or an LED may flash Green to acknowledge a button push. It should be appreciated that a variety of LED output combinations could be used. Alternative audio or other visual output means may be 30 used. For example, beeps, tones or verbal messages may be emitted from a small speaker to indicate buttons pressed or an operating mode. Alternatively a small display such as a liquid crystal display may be provided near the input. It should be appreciated that many 35 variations on input and output means are contemplated and are all encompassed within the scope of the present invention. 2582157_1 (GHMatters) 12 The circuit module can optionally be provided with lights to illuminate an area near the operator. For example, sets of light emitting diodes (LED) 32, however other light sources maybe used. The lights can be 5 controlled to turn to illuminate an area proximate the door operator assembly and the control buttons. For example the lights may be controlled by the microcontroller to switch ON when the door is operated and switch OFF automatically a period of time. 10 Alternatively, the lights may be controlled to turn ON when the door operator is operated to open the door and turn OFF as once the door is closed or a set period of time after the door is closed. The lights may also be turned ON or OFF under manual control by a user. For 15 example in response to a signal transmitted by a remote control device or in response to operation of input means 31. The effectiveness of such lights may be limited in instances where the door operator assembly is installed entirely within the curtain drum. In some embodiments a 20 light may also be provided on an external power module to illuminate the area near the door operator. Lights on the external power module may operate in response to power being supplied form the power module to drive the operator to open or close the door. 25 In some embodiments the electric circuit module 13 may also have a data port 36 to enable data communication with the electric circuit, for example for uploading and downloading data to and from memory devices of the 30 circuit or programming the microprocessor or other programmable logic components of the circuit, such as electronic programmable read only memory (EPROMs) or programmable logic controllers (PLCs). The data port may have any suitable data port configuration and different 35 port configuration may be used in different embodiments. The port can be configured as appropriate for programming requirements of any programmable logic components on the circuit. Any suitable serial or parallel data 2582157_1 (GHMatters) 13 communication port configuration can be used. In an embodiment a universal serial bus (USB) port is provided. In alternative embodiments wireless communication may be used. 5 The circuit module 13 also enables power to be provided to the circuit components including power for driving the electric motor 17. A suitable lead may extend from the motor 17 to connect with the circuit 10 board 29 to enable power to be fed thereto. For example, a lead for a power module may be connected to the circuit module by a connector 34 which may be of any suitable type. 15 The circuit board 29 includes a cut-out for accommodating a connector 34, for example a socket, to receive a plug from an electrical lead that connects with an external power supply device that will be referred to in the following figures in due course. 20 In the embodiment shown in Figures 2a&b, 4 and 5 the electric circuit module 13 is connected to an external power supply 43 to avoid having to include in the assembly a power supply that can fit within the curtain 25 drum. Using an external power supply may also have installation and maintenance advantages as the external power supply can be easily disconnected without needing a qualified electrician. However, embodiments where a power supply is also provided as part of the assembly 30 adapted to be fitted within the curtain drum is also envisaged. For example, power supply may be included in the electric control module 13. Alternatively a small scale power module may be mounted on the mount surface adjacent or behind the electric control module. It 35 should be appreciated a variety of different configurations are possible and that all variations are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. 2582157J (GHMatters) 14 Figure 2 a clearly shows that the mount surface of the chassis 15 has a cavity 35 in a lower diametrical half. The cavity is shown half circular or approximately half circular, but this shape is not critical. The 5 electric module 13 is also shown generally half circular in shape but of a slightly larger size than the cavity 35. The arrangement is such that the circuit board 29 of the electric module 13 can be aligned across the cavity 35 so that it can extend across the cavity and so the 10 circuit components will be electrically isolated from shorting with the mount surface of the chassis 15. Suitable screw openings can be provided in the circuit board 29 and in the mount surface to permit fastening of the circuit board 29 to the mount surface in an 15 appropriate position. Alternatively the electric module 13 can have a housing as shown in Figure 3. In this embodiment the circuit board 29 is mounted within a housing comprising a 20 front cover 10 and a rear cover 11. The rear cover 11 is shaped to fit within the 35 and may extend into the cavity within the crown wheel. Thus, some of the components carried on the circuit board can extend rearward into the cavity of the crown wheel 18 enabling a 25 slim profile for the electronics module. The rear cover 11 and can protect the circuit board from exposure to dust, grease or other contaminates that may be present within the interior of the crown wheel 18. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments the rear cover 11 of 30 the housing may be integral with the mount surface, for example in an embodiment where the mount surface is formed from high density moulded plastics. In an alternative embodiment where the chassis does not provide a mount surface to which the electric module 13 is 35 attached, the electric module can be attached to the motor module casing or in any other manner suitable to support the electric module with the motor module inside the curtain drum. 2582157_1 (GHMatters) 15 The housing can also provide electrical insulation. In some embodiments the housing may also be adapted to provide electromagnetic shielding. For example, in an 5 embodiment where an AC motor is used, the housing may be adapted, to shield the electric circuit from electromagnetic radiation generated by the AC motor. The front cover 10 of the housing can have 10 transparent or semi transparent portions 32a covering the LEDs 32. Any suitable material which allows illumination from the light sources 32 to pass through may be used. Alternatively the front cover 10 may have apertures though which lights can protrude to illuminate an area 15 proximate the electric control module 13. An optional cover 31b can also be placed over the input means 31. For example, this may be a flexible plastic cover which provides barrier protection from dust, water or other contaminates for the circuit board while allowing easy 20 operation of the input buttons. Where output LEDs 31a are provided adjacent the input buttons 31, the cover 31b can be made of light permeable material. Alternative arrangements of housings or partial housings for the electric module 13 are envisaged and all such variations 25 are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. By viewing Figure 2a it can be seen that the axis of drive rotation of the electric motor 17 is mutually 30 perpendicular to an axis of rotation of a roller door curtain and on a side of a mount surface of the drive module that, in use, will face outwardly of a side of the curtain drum. There is a drive train from the motor through the mount surface to the other side of the mount 35 surface to permit the door curtain to be driven by the electric for up and down rolling. It is also noted from Figure 2 that the mount surface of the chassis 15 is sized to, in use, extend in a direction diametrically 2582157_1 (GHMatters) 16 across an axle 5 of the roller door curtain 1 so the drive module 11 will be predominantly on one diametric side, and so the electric module 13 will be predominantly on the opposite diametric side. 5 Referring now to Figure 4 there is shown an arrangement where the roller door drive assembly 9 is mounted at a side of the curtain drum and not within the curtain drum. Figure 4 clearly shows that the axle 5 is 10 clamped to a mounting bracket 37 by a ^U' bolt 39. The mounting bracket 37 is, in turn, mounted to a wall or the like that surrounds an opening that the curtain 1 is to close. The mounting is a known mounting arrangement. Figure 4 also shows that the mount surface of the chassis 15 15 is mounted and held relative to the axle 5 by a AU' bolt 41 passing through the mount 19. The fingers 21 that extend from the crown wheel 18 protrude beyond the spokes 7 and allow rotary motion to be imparted to a drum wheel 3. Figure 4 also shows that the motor 17 protrudes 20 through the mount surface of the chassis 15 so that part of the motor 17 is within the hollow interior of the crown wheel 17 and other parts of the motor 17 are external of a front face of the chassis 15. 25 Figure 4 also clearly shows an external power pack 43 that electrically connects with the circuit module 13 (and the circuit board 29 therein) through a lead 45 that may have a plug type connection 34 where it connects with the circuit board 29. The power pack 43 may be an AC 30 mains power supply transformer and rectifier device to provide the necessary D.C. power and voltage for operation of the roller door drive assembly as shown. Alternatively, the power pack 43 may be a set of batteries. In another variation there may be a 35 combination of an AC power pack and batteries. The batteries may be solar rechargeable, and be usable in the event of mains power failure. 2582157J (GHMatters) 17 The external power pack may optionally carry a user input interface to send signals to open and close the door, for example "UP" and "DOWN" buttons. In an embodiment this interface can include a wireless 5 transmitter, as provided in wireless remote control transmitter units for operating the door. Thus, the electric control module can receive a signal to operate the door in response to a user operating an input button on the external power pack similarly to receiving a 10 signal from a remote transmitter unit. The circuit for the input interface and wireless transmitter can be battery powered and separate from the power supply circuit. Providing an input interface on the external power pack can be convenient for users as the external 15 power pack may be easier to reach and more convenient for a user that the door operator, particularly where the door operator is installed substantially within the curtain drum. 20 In an embodiment the external power pack also includes lights to illuminate the area near the power pack. The lights may be responsive to power being supplied for driving the door operator to open or close the door. This can be advantageous where the door 25 operator is installed substantially within the curtain drum and any illumination from lights on the door operator obscured by the door curtain. Figure 5 shows a further embodiment which is similar 30 to that in Figure 4 but where the drive assembly is mounted wholly within the curtain drum. Like components to those shown in Figure 4 have been represented with the same numerical designations. In this embodiment, the drum wheel 3 is mounted internally of the side edge of 35 the curtain drum compared with Figure 4 to enable the drive assembly to be wholly received within the drum as shown. This arrangement enables the drive assembly to be 2582157_1 (GHMatters) 18 fitted internally of the drum in the event there is insufficient space at the side edge of the drum. The arrangement depicted in the embodiments above 5 contributes significantly to the way the drive assembly operates relative to known drive assemblies. There is a compact arrangement of mounting of the electric module relative to the drive module and this, in turn, minimises any spurious signals that may be injected into the 10 control circuit by operation of a motor or other influences. By having the power pack 43 as a separate plug in module to all the remaining electric components this removes the design criteria that inhibits the mounting of a circuit module within the drum because the 15 physical size of the power pack is no longer a space consideration. In addition, if there should be failure of the power pack 43, then it can be replaced relatively inexpensively because it is not necessary to remove the circuit module 13 or the circuit board 29 for its 20 replacement. In addition, the input means 31 can be accessed by a user from the open end of the curtain drum to effect manual operation and/or parameter settings. The above arrangements apply to an A.C. motor version as well so the power pack may provide D.C. power for 25 operation of the electric circuit component and A.C. power for operation of the electric motor. Whilst the chassis 15 is shown as a mount surface having a generally circular outline, this is not 30 critical. It may have other configuration outlines such as square, octagonal etc. Alternatively the chassis may comprise a housing for the motor 17 and mount 19 for attaching to the axle of the roller door. The chassis can be of any suitable shape and include mountings for 35 additional components such as a clutch actuator and door position sensor assembly. The chassis can be configured to also support some components of the drive train. Preferably the chassis is of a size and shape which 2582157_1 (GHMatters) 19 enables part of the chassis. Motor and drive train to be retained within the interior cavity of the crown wheel 18 to reduce the overall depth of the operator assembly. A chassis of this type may also be suitable for use in 5 operators for sectional doors, tilt doors, sliding doors or gates, or swing gates. The versatility of the chassis of this type comes from a compact arrangement for housing the motor and supporting other components, such as drive train components, position or limit sensors, clutch 10 actuators etc. The mount for mounting the chassis to an axle for a roller door may also be used with an appropriate mount assembly or bracket for assembly of the chassis in a door operator for a different type of door, for example a tilt or sectional door. The ability to 15 utilise the same chassis in a variety of door operator types can enable cost and production efficiency improvements. The circular disc mount surface arrangement depicted 20 permits the teeth on the internal surface of the hollow crown wheel 18 to be concealed and this, in turn, inhibits accidents that might otherwise occur if the user's fingers were to touch the teeth that might be exposed with a non-circular mount surface or alternative 25 chassis shape. In the embodiment shown in the drawings the drive module 9 is arranged above the electric module 13. This arrangement can be convenient as a user will typically 30 only need to access the electric module during normal operation and not need to touch the drive module. The electric module can be easily accessed when it is arranged below the drive module. This arrangement also enables a slim operator assembly. However, other 35 arrangement and orientations are contemplated. For example, the drive and electronics modules may be arranged side by side, alternatively a "piggyback" arrangement where the electronic module 13 is mounted 2582157 1 (GHMatters) 20 partially or wholly on the drive module 9 is also contemplated. It should be appreciated that any arrangement that enables the drive module and electronics module to be incorporated into a single module which can 5 be installed within the curtain drum is contemplated within the scope of the present invention. It should also be appreciated that the operator assembly can include a known clutch release system to 10 enable a user to manually release drive between the motor and the drive chain of the curtain 1, so that in the event of a power failure, the door curtain 1 can be manually raised or lowered. The clutch arrangement has been omitted from Figures 2a&b in order to aid clarity. 15 Figures 6a and 6b show exploded views of an operator assembly from two different perspectives. The operator has an internally toothed crown wheel 18 and a chassis 15 having a disk like mount surface as discussed above. The 20 motor sub assembly 617 comprises a motor 17 as described above, however, in Figures 6a and 6b some of the components of the drive train associated with the motor can be seen. The electric module 13 mounts to the mount surface as described above. Figures 6a and 6b also show 25 a door position sensor assembly 301 and actuator mechanism 303 for enabling a user to manually engage and disengage the motor 17 from the drive train to enable manual operation of the door, for example in the event of power failure. The operator assembly can be secured to a 30 support axle 5 using the mount 19 and U bolt 41. A drive module cover 20 is provided to cover the drive module components. The cover 20 has a slot 20a through which a user operable member 311 of the actuator mechanism 303 can extend. 35 The door position sensor assembly 301 is provided for mounting on the mount surface 15 in a position where the gear 601 of the door position sensor assembly 301 2582157_1 (GHMatters) 21 will engage with the internal teeth 18a of the crown wheel 18 such that the gear 601 will rotate with movement of the door irrespective of whether the door is manually moved or motor driven. The sensor assembly 301 also 5 comprises sensor components to sense movement and hence the position of the door based on movement of the gear 601. It should be appreciated that the gear 601 may also engage with drive train elements other than the crown wheel, the only requirement being that the gear 601 is 10 arranged to rotate permanently with the door irrespective of whether the door is moved manually or motor driven. The motor sub assembly 617 includes a gear 105 that can be drive connected or drive disconnected from the 15 motor 17 by operation of an element 118. An actuator mechanism 303 is provided for mounting to the motor sub assembly to enable a user to manually operate the element 118. 20 The element 118 is reciprocatable with lateral movement so that in one position the operator will open and close the door, and so that when moved in another lateral position drive in the geared drive train will be disconnected so the door can be manually operated. The 25 element can be a dog clutch release pin 118 that cooperates with a pinion gear 105 of the gear train through the axle of the gear 105. In one lateral position the dog clutch release pin 118 engages with the pinion gear 105 to establish a drive connection and in another 30 lateral position the dog clutch release pin 118 is disengaged from the pinion gear 105. In other words, a linear displaceable element is provided to permit drive between the motor and the output in one lateral position, and where in another lateral position drive from the 35 motor to the output is disconnected. An example of a clutch arrangement 303 for the drive module is illustrated in Figures 6a and 6b. 2582157_1 (GHMatters) 22 Figures 6a and 6b do not clearly show the motor spindle or the worm thread for applying drive from the motor to the drive train. The arrangement however, is 5 stibstantially similar to the arrangement described in Australian patent application no. 2008250340 with similar gears within the drive train between the motor and the output. The mounting of the motor 17 is in the same arrangement where the stator passes through a cut-out in 10 a circular shaped mount surface of the chassis 15. Figures 6a and 6b, show an operator ratchet mechanism 303 to be mounted relative to the mount surface 15. The operator ratchet mechanism 303 is shown in an 15 assembled form isolated from the door operator in Figures 7a and 7b. Here, the operator ratchet mechanism 303 has an external casing formed by a front cover plate 305 and a rear cover plate 307. Both, plates 305 and 307 are made from a suitable material such as an industrial grade 20 plastics. The rear cover plate 307 carries an outer disc-like flange plate 309 that provides additional strength to support the rear cover plate 307. The flange plate 309 can be made from metal or industrial grade plastics. The operator ratchet mechanism 303 carries a 25 user operable member 311 which is mounted for user initiated arcuate rotation about a central longitudinal axis of an axle 313. The user operable member 311 can move between a first position and a second position as will be described hereinafter. The user operable member 30 311 is biased by biasing means 315 in the form of coil tension spring to return to the first position in the absence of user initiated arcuate rotation. The user operable member 311 has an aperture 317 therein which receives an elongated cord which can hang downwardly 35 relative to the door, gate or barrier operator so it can be grasped by user to effect the angular rotation of the user operable member 311. The cord has not been shown in order to aid clarity in the drawings. 2582157_1 (GHMattere) 23 Figure 8 clearly shows that the axle 313 has a central longitudinal axis 319 that is coaxial with the central longitudinal axis of the dog clutch pin 111. 5 The operator ratchet mechanism 303 carries a first cam plate 321 and second cam plate 323, both mounted coaxially with axis 319. Both cam plates 321 and 323 are axially laterally disposed in alignment relative to each 10 other. The first cam plate 321 is able to ratchet index in an angularly rotated position about the axis 319 when the user operable member 311 is angularly rotated. The first cam plate 321 is laterally positioned relative to the axle 313 and arranged for angular rotation about the 15 central longitudinal axis 319. The second clam plate 323 is inhibited against axial rotation by radially outwardly extending fingers 325 that locate in longitudinally extending grooves 327 in a central bore 329 in the front cover plate 305. Thus, when the first cam plate 321 is 20 rotated a cam face on an end face thereof (to be referred to hereinafter) pushes on a complimentary cam face on an end face of the second cam plate 321 and causes it to be laterally displaced along the axis 319 to, in turn, move the dog clutch pin 111 to effect operation of the dog 25 clutch. Figure 30 clearly shows that the first cam plate 321 is laterally located relative to axle 313 by locating against a head 331, and by the way the axle 313 is retained relative to the rear cover plate 307 by a cir-clip 333. The dog clutch pin 111 is biased in a 30 direction towards the second cam plate 323 so that the operator ratchet mechanism 303 forces the second cam plate 323 against the bias to. Figures 9b and 12b show that the second cam plate 35 321 has six ratchet arms 335. The user operable member 311 has a central opening 337 which surrounds the outer periphery of the ratchet arms 335. Figure 15 shows the arrangement with the opening 337. Leading radially 2582157_1 (GHMatters) 24 outwardly from the opening 337 is a passageway 339 which receives a compression spring 341 and a pawl 343. The compression spring 341 and the pawl 343 have not been shown in Figure 15, but are clearly shown in Figures 9a 5 and 9b. The compression spring 341 is held within the passageway 339 by locating on a pin 345 (see Figure 38). The pawl 343 is therefore biased by the compression spring 341 to extend radially inwardly and into the path of the ratchet arm 335. Thus, as the user operable 10 member 311 is angularly rotated, the pawl 343 engages with one of the ratchet arms 335 to crank the first cam plate 321 angularly about the axle 313 and the central longitudinal axis 319. It can be seen that the ratchet arms 335 extend on one face of the first cam plate 321. 15 The opposite face of the first cam plate 321 carries three cam faces 347 (Figure 12a best shows the arrangement). Accordingly, when the first cam plate 321 is rotated by the user operable member 311, it causes the cam faces 347 to engage with the complimentary cam faces 20 349 on one face of the second cam plate 323. Figure lib best shows the arrangement. This, in turn, drives the second cam plate 323 outwardly and longitudinally away from the first cam plate 321. 25 The first cam plate 221 is ratchet indexed to assume required angular positions by operation of the user operable member 311 by a ratchet indexer 353. Figures 13a and 13b show the ratchet indexer 353 carrying non rotatable ratchet teeth 351 on one face thereof. The 30 ratchet indexer 353 is mounted coaxially with the axle 313 and is prevented from axial rotation by means of four radially outwardly extending ribs 355 that locate within elongate longitudinally extending openings 357 in the rear cover plate 307. This is best shown in Figure 14a. 35 When the components are all assembled, operation of the user operable member 311 to impart rotation to the first cam plate 321 causes the first cam plate 321 to 2582157„1 (GHMatters) 25 arcuately rotate. The non rotatable ratchet teeth 351 on the ratchet indexer 353 present cam faces to engage complimentary cam faces carried on the end of the first cam plate 321. These complimentary cam faces are best 5 observed in Figure 12b and are depicted as cam faces 357. There are a corresponding number of non rotatable ratchet teeth 351 and complimentary cam faces 357. Thus, when the first cam plate 321 is angularly rotated, the ratchet indexer 353 is moved against a bias to displace in a 10 direction to the left when viewing Figure 8. Thus, the first cam plate 321 can angularly rotate whilst the ratchet indexer 353 is driven along the longitudinal central axis 319 in a direction away from the first cam plate 321. The first cam plate 321 is rotated angularly 15 to a position where the ratchet indexer 353 can then laterally be displaced to return to a position where the non rotatable ratchet teeth 351 co-act with the complimentary cam faces 357 and allow the first cam plate 321 to be axially held against further rotation until the 20 user operable member 311 is returned to its original position subject to it not being under the influence of a user operated force to angularly rotate the first cam plate 321. In this condition, the second cam plate 323 will have been displaced to apply a force to the dog 25 clutch pin 111 to disengage drive between the motor and the output. A compression coil spring 359 is mounted coaxially relative to the axle 313 and bears against an internal part of the rear cover plate 307 and within an internal cavity 361 of the indexer 353. This is best 30 shown in Figure 13b. Typically, the components that form the first cam plate 321, the second cam plate 323, and the ratchet indexer 353 are made from an industrial grade plastics. 35 The user operable member 311 can be made from a suitable material such as industrial grade plastics or a metal. Any of the components may be made of appropriate material 2582157_1 (GHMatters) 26 and are not confined to the particular materials described. The drawings 9a and 9b show that the front cover 5 plate 305 and rear cover plate have aligned apertures 363 to permit the front cover plate 305 and the rear cover plate 307 to contain all the components as a unitary structure. Suitable screws or bolts may pass through the apertures 363 to hold the front cover plate 305 and the 10 rear cover plate 307 in an assembled relationship. It is also clear from the figures and particularly Figures 10a - lOd that the front cover plate 305 contains three openings 365 to permit mounting of the operator ratchet mechanism 303 to the chassis mount surface 15 in an 15 assembled relationship relative to the dog clutch pin 118. Figure 14a shows an arcuate recess 367 on an internal face of the rear cover plate 307. The front 20 cover plate 305 has an upstanding arcuate rib 369 (see Figures 10a and lOd) that is complimentary in shape and size. This, in turn, allows the front cover plate 305 to matingly align with the rear cover plate 307. 25 Figure 7b and also Figure 11a show an indent recess 371 that is positioned coaxially with the axis 319. This, in turn, provides a locator for the free end of the dog clutch pin 118. 30 It should therefore be appreciated when the user operable member 311 is angularly rotated by pulling a cord (not shown) that passes through aperture 317, there will be movement of the first cam plate 321 and second cam plate 323 in an indexed ratchet arrangement such that 35 the second cam plate 323 will be displaced laterally along the axis 319 to move the dog clutch pin 118 to the right when viewing Figure 8. This then allows drive to be disengaged from the electric motor to the output. 2582157_1 (GHMatters) 27 When the cord is released, the biasing means 315 will return the user operable member 311 to its original position. Ratchet indexer 353 will have operated to inhibit return of the first cam plate 321 with the return 5 movement of the user operable member 311. The degree of angular rotation of the user operable member 311 is defined by a throat opening 371 (see Figure lOd and Figure 9b) through which the circular end part of 10 the user operable member 311 passes into the body of the operator ratchet mechanism 303. The throat opening therefore defines the extremes of the first position and the second position of the arcuate angular movement of the user operable member 311. 15 Figures 6a and 6b show a sensor 301 in the form of an angular position sensor for sensing end stop positions of travel of the door. The sensor 301 incorporates a gear reduction drive from the motor spindle of the motor 20 17 so that for a full range of travel of the door opening, the sensor will rotate within a range of 360°. For the set open and closed stop positions of the door, the sensor will rotate less than 360°. A full disclosure of the concept of such sensor is outlined in our 25 Australian Certified Innovation patent no.2007101214 the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The door position sensor assembly has an input shaft 30 directly connected with the drive train so that an input shaft will be permanently rotated as the door is opened and closed even when the drive is released by the user, and a sensor adapted to detect rotation of the input shaft to indicate the position of the door. In an 35 embodiment the position sensor is an angular encoder comprising an active sensor element coupled to rotate with rotation of the input shaft and a detector fixedly mounted in proximity to said active sensor element to 2582157_1 (GHMatters) 28 detect the sensor element angular orientation position. The detector has a resolution sufficient to accurately translate the sensed angular position of the active sensor element to a position of the door. For example, 5 to enable door open and close stop positions to be established to within required tolerances, for example within a few millimetres. Stop positions are established within the range of full travel of the door. In an embodiment the active sensor element is a permanent 10 magnet and the detector is a magnetic field sensor adapted to detect the angular position of the magnet based on the magnetic field generated by the magnet. The coupling of the active sensor element with the 15 input shaft provides less than 360° relative rotation of the active sensor relative to the detector over a full range of travel of the door so that when the drive train is disconnected to enable manual operation of the door the active sensor element will relatively rotate with the 20 door within a 360° range. The position of the door is established based on the detected angular position of the active sensor element to enable the position of the door to be automatically re-established after manual operation. Thus, if a door in manually operated in the 25 event of power failure, the angular position of the sensor can be detected by the sensor once power is reestablished and the controller can use the detected angular position to determine the position of the door for automatic operation. For example, the controller can 30 determine the position of the door relative to set open and close stop positions so these positions do not need to be re-set. It should be appreciated that other forms of sensors 35 301 may be utilised such as shaft encoders or micro switches, or the like as is common in various types of door, gate or barrier operators. 2582157J (GHMallers) 29 Modifications may be made to the invention as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art of producing roller door operators and roller door drive units generally. The features of any one of our prior patents 5 or patent applications may be incorporated in the embodiment. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context 10 requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of 15 further features in various embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a 20 part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. 2582157_1 (GHMatters) 30 Received at IPONZ 08/05/2012 </div>

Claims

<div class="application article clearfix printTableText" id="claims"> CLAIMS: 5

1. A roller door drive assembly, suitable for operation of garage doors and like barriers having a door curtain that is wound over two drum wheels to form a door curtain drum, the drum wheels being supported on an axle and spaced near edges of the door curtain, and an electric 10 control circuit therefor, there being a drive module for the drive assembly; said drive module having an electric motor for imparting drive to permit up and down rolling of the roller door curtain, via a drive train, 15 there also being an electric module comprising an electric control circuit for transferring electrical power to said electric motor, said drive module having external dimensions that will enable the drive module to be operatively fitted 2 0 within a door curtain drum, said electric module being carried with the drive module, so that the electric module will also be operatively fitted within the roller door curtain drum, wherein the drive module has said electric motor 2 5 positioned so an axis of drive rotation is mutally perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the roller door curtain and the electric motor and the drive train are mounted on a chassis of the drive module, such that, in use, the electric motor will face outwardly of a side of 30 the curtain drum and the drive train includes a crown wheel which engages with a drum wheel and its rotationally driven by rotation of the electric motor to drive the door curtain up and down. 35

2. A roller door drive assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electric module comprises all the electric components and wiring for the drive module and said electric motor except a power supply, 31 Received at IPONZ 08/05/2012 and wherein said power supply is an external power supply that can be electrically interconnected to the electric module. 5

3. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said chassis is provided in the form of a mount surface sized to, in use, extend in a direction diametrically across an axle of the roller door curtain, so said drive module will be predominantly on one 10 diametric side, and so said electric module will be predominantly on the opposite diametric side.

4. An assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein said mount surface has a cavity in said opposite diametric 15 side and wherein said electric module is provided on a circuit board and said circuit board is mounted to extend across said cavity so circuit components of said electric control circuit will be electrically isolated from said mount surface. 20

5. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said chassis comprises a housing for the motor adapted to support some components of the drive train for engagement with the motor and a mount for the axle of the 2 5 roller door curtain.

6. An assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the chassis is configured to support mounting of components including any one or more of a ratchet mechanism and a 30 door position sensor assembly on the chassis.

7. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising an operator ratchet mechanism for effecting reciprocatable lateral movement of an 35 element of a geared drive train of the drive assembly so that in one lateral position drive in the geared drive train will be effected to permit the operator to open and close the door, and so that in another lateral position 32 Received at IPONZ 08/05/2012 drive in the geared drive train will be disconnected so the door, gate or barrier can be manually operated.

8. An assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein 5 said element is coaxial with at least one drive axle of one gear within the geared drive train, and wherein said element is biased in a direction towards said one lateral position, said ratchet mechanism comprising a user operable 10 member mounted for user initiated arcuate rotation about an axis between a first position and a second position, and being biasable to return to said first position in the absence of user initiation arcuate rotation, said user operable member being able to ratchet 15 index rotate a first cam plate about said axis by an amount corresponding to the angular displacement between said first position and said second position, and to bias return to said first position after being rotated to said second position whilst leaving said first cam plate 20 indexed at said second position, said first cam plate having a cam face on an end face thereof and being for engaging with a complimentary cam face on an end face of a second cam plate mounted coaxial with said axis in an axially laterally disposed 25 alignment relative to said first cam plate, said second cam plate being constrained for non axial rotation about said axis but arranged for longitudinal displacement along said axis, whereby when said first cam plate is rotated by said 30 user operable member, said first cam plate will angularly rotate and said cam face thereon will drive said second cam plate to a longitudinally displaced position along said axis, said second cam plate having a face for engaging 35 with said element so that when in said longitudinally displaced position said element will be able to move against said bias to said another lateral position so drive in the drive train will be disconnected 33 Received at IPONZ 08/05/2012 and wherein when said user operable member is next rotated said first cam plate will be ratchet index rotated in the same angular direction so said second cam plate can be laterally moved in the opposite direction 5 along said axis, so said element can move under bias to said one lateral position.

9. An assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein said first cam plate has pawl teeth on an opposite end face to said 10 end face and wherein said user operable member carries a pawl for engagement therewith so that when said user operable member is subjected to user initiated arcuate rotation said pawl will locate with at least one pawl tooth. 15

10. An assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein non rotatable ratchet teeth are mounted coaxially with said axis, said opposite end face of said first cam plate also carrying ratchet teeth complimentary to said non 20 rotatable ratchet teeth and facing said ratchet teeth, there being biasing means to urge said non rotatable ratchet teeth along said axis and in engagement with said ratchet teeth, so that when said user operable member is operated to move said first cam plate from said first 25 position to said second position, said first cam plate will be held against rotation as said user operable member is returned to said first position.

11. An assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein said non 30 rotatable ratchet teeth are carried on a ratchet indexer mounted coaxially with said axis, and wherein said ratchet indexer has means on the periphery for locating with corresponding means forming a part of housing of said mechanism where to constrain said ratchet indexer 35 against rotation about said axis and allowing lateral movement along said axis. 34 Received at IPONZ 08/05/2012

12. An assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein said second cam plate has means on the outer periphery for locating with further corresponding means forming part of said housing whereby to constrain said second cam plate 5 against rotation and allowing lateral movement along said axis.

13. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising lights. 10

14. An assembly as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a door position sensor assembly, the door position sensor assembly comprising: an input shaft directly connected with the drive 15 train so that an input shaft will be permanently rotated as the door is opened and closed even when the drive is released by the user, and a sensor adapted to detect rotation of the input shaft to indicate the position of the door. 20

15. An assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein the sensor comprises an active sensor element coupled to rotate with rotation of the input shaft and a detector fixedly mounted in proximity to said active sensor 2 5 element to detect the sensor element angular orientation position and having a resolution to accurately translate the sensed angular position of the active sensor element to a position of the door, the coupling of the active sensor element with the 30 input shaft providing less than 360° relative rotation of the active sensor relative to the detector over a full range of travel of the door so that when the drive train is disconnected to enable manual operation of the door the active sensor element will relatively rotate with the 35 door within a 360° range and the position of the door is established based on the detected angular position of the active sensor element to enable the position of the door 35 Received at IPONZ 08/05/2012 to be automatically re-established after manual operation.

16. An assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein the 5 active sensor element is a permanent magnet and the detector is a magnetic field sensor adapted to detect the angular position of the magnet based on the magnetic field generated by the magnet. 10

17. An assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the external power supply includes an operator user interface to enable a user to input commands to operate the door.

18. An assembly as claimed in claim 17 wherein the 15 operator user interface comprises a wireless transmitter adapted to transmit signals to a wireless receiver of the electric module in response to input of user commands to operate the door. 20

19. An assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the external power supply includes a light which is illuminated in response to power being supplied to the door operator to operate the door. 25

20. A roller door drive assembly substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment shown in any one or more of Figures 2a-15. </div>