EP0097868B1 - Door closer with an adjustable closing force - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a door closer with adjustable closing force, which has at least one compression spring arranged in the closer housing and supported at one end on an adjustable plate, and a device for adjusting the plate which can be actuated from outside the housing.

A door closer of this type is known, for example, from DE-A-28 19 334. In this known door closer, an angular gear, in particular a worm gear, is used to adjust the spring plate and thus to change the closing spring preload, by means of which a threaded spindle carrying the spring plate is set in rotation and so that the spring plate can be moved linearly.

The gear used to adjust the spring plate allows a simple and problem-free adjustment of the clamping force, but the operator must request a counting of the tool revolutions made during the setting, since this is the only way to achieve a defined transition from one specific clamping force to another Closing force can be ensured. If the closing force set in each case is to be recognizable, for example for checking purposes, special labeling must be applied in each case.

A hydraulic door closer is known from FR-A-530318, in which the closing spring preload is in turn adjustable. For this purpose, the closing spring is supported with its end opposite an actuating piston in the blind hole of a screw which can be screwed more or less far into the housing and thus changes the pretension of the closing spring. There is no display device which would indicate the respectively set spring preload.

The object of the invention is to design a door closer of the type defined at the outset with as little effort as possible in such a way that the closing force set in each case is immediately apparent and, in addition to the setting process, the identification processes required are eliminated.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that an organ indicating the closing force resulting from the respective spring preload can be influenced in accordance with the linear plate adjustment or the rotary movement of a component of the actuating device.

In the simplest case, the display element can be formed directly by the spring plate, or a part of this spring plate, or a mark made on the spring plate, an opening closed with a sight glass-like element being provided in the movement area of the spring plate in the closer housing.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the display element consists of a pin coupled to the plate and guided in a sealed manner by a housing end cover. This indicator pin can itself be provided with a marking at its free end or be guided in a sleeve-shaped part having a marker, so that the respective closing force can be recognized from the extent of the projection of the indicator pin with respect to the end cover. The markings are applied by calibration according to the closer sizes defined by certain closing forces.

In particular in connection with floor door closers, the indicator pin can take on an additional function, namely the function of an anti-rotation device for the spring plate.

An embodiment of a door closer according to the invention, in which the spring plate arranged on a threaded spindle is driven by a worm gear, is characterized in that the indicator element consists of a threaded pin which engages in a threaded bore of the spindle and is guided in the end cover in a rotationally fixed manner. The rotation of the threaded spindle is therefore inevitably associated with an axial displacement of the indicator pin, the central passage of the indicator pin through the end cover being particularly favorable since the sealing of the threaded spindle in the end cover simultaneously ensures that the indicator pin can be carried out through the end cover without additional sealing measures.

Another variant of the invention uses the rotation of a component of the actuating device rotating during the closing force adjustment by direct or indirect coupling of this component to a display element consisting, for example, of a counter. The counter is preferably attached to the end cover and coupled to the threaded spindle via an axis.

Finally, one embodiment of the invention is that the display element consists of an electrical instrument which is arranged in a circuit containing a potentiometer, and that the potentiometer is adjustable as a function of the linear movement of the spring plate or the rotary movement of the elements actuating the spring plate.

Of particular advantage are further embodiments of the invention, in which the organ indicating the respective closing force is connected to the spring plate via a magnetic coupling, since bushings or openings in the closer housing which are to be sealed can be avoided in this way.

Further special features and advantageous embodiment details of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

• Fig. 1 einen schematischen Teil-Längsschnitt eines Türschliessers mit Schliesskraftanzeige,
• Fig. 2 eine Variante der Anordnung nach Fig. 1,
• Fig. 3 eine schematische, teilweise geschnitten dargestellte Teilansicht eines Bodentürschliessers mit Schliesskraftanzeige,
• Fig. 4 eine der Darstellung nach Fig. 1 entsprechende Ansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform,
• Fig. 5 eine schematische, teilweise aufgebrochen und geschnitten dargestellte Ansicht des Endbereichs eines mit einer weiteren Variante einer Anzeigevorrichtung versehenen Türschliessers,
• Fig. 6 eine schematische Darstellung zur Erläuterung eines vereinfachten Einstell- und Anzeigeprinzips,
• Fig. 7 eine schematische Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung mit magnetisch gekuppeltem Anzeigeorgan,
• Fig.8 eine schematische Teilansicht einer Schliesservorderseite mit integriertem Anzeigeorgan, und
• Fig. 9 eine schematische Teilansicht einer Variante der Anzeigeeinrichtung nach Fig. 7.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing; in the drawing shows:

• 1 is a schematic partial longitudinal section of a door closer with closing force display,
• 2 shows a variant of the arrangement according to FIG. 1,
• 3 shows a schematic, partially sectioned partial view of a floor door closer with closing force display,
• 4 is a view corresponding to the representation of FIG. 1 of a further embodiment,
• 5 shows a schematic view, partially broken away and in section, of the end region of a door closer provided with a further variant of a display device,
• 6 is a schematic illustration for explaining a simplified setting and display principle,
• 7 shows a schematic illustration of a further embodiment of the invention with a magnetically coupled display element,
• 8 shows a schematic partial view of a locking servo side with an integrated display element, and
• FIG. 9 shows a schematic partial view of a variant of the display device according to FIG. 7.

1 shows an end section of a door closer housing 1, which is closed at the end with an end cover 2, which is preferably designed as a screw cover. A compression spring 3 is provided in the oil-filled housing 1, which is supported on the one hand on a piston guided in the housing and on the other hand on a plate 4. This compression spring determines the closing force of the door closer and can be provided with different preloads by adjusting the plate 4. By setting the pre-tension of the compression spring 3, different closing torques can be specified so that the respectively specified closing forces or closing torques can be set for differently wide door leaves and it is accordingly not necessary to produce different sizes of closer for the different leaf widths and to stock them hold.

The threaded spindle 5 carrying the spring plate 4 can be set in rotation by means of a worm gear, which consists of a worm wheel 6 and a worm 7 that can be actuated from outside the housing by means of a suitable tool, the rotation of the threaded spindle 5 resulting in a linear displacement of the spring plate 4 Has.

In the end of the threaded spindle 5 on the end cover side, a threaded bore 8 is provided, which serves to receive a display pin marked with the general reference number 9. This indicator pin 9 has a threaded part 10 and a guide part 11, wherein the threaded part 10 is in engagement with the thread of the bore 8 and the guide part 11 is positively guided through an opening in the end cover 2, which is rectangular in cross section, for example, and thus twists of the indicator pin 11 prevented.

The outer end of the indicator pin 9 is located inside a transparent reading part 12 fastened to the end cover 2 with a marking corresponding to the different closing sizes.

If the threaded spindle 5 is set in rotation for the purpose of setting a certain closing torque, the indicator pin 9 moves proportionally to the revolutions of the threaded spindle 5 in the axial direction, since it is either screwed into the bore or by the rotational movement of the spindle 5 due to its rotationally fixed bearing is screwed out of the hole. The respective closing force or the respective closing torque can be read off the markings.

In the embodiment variant shown in FIG. 2, the end cover 2 is fastened to the closer housing 1 by means of a screw holder 13 which overlaps it in the manner of a flange, with the interposition of a suitable seal.

The indicator pin 9 is guided in a sealed manner through the end cover 2, but is not connected to the threaded spindle 5, but is connected to this spring plate via a coupling attachment which engages in an annular groove in the spring plate 4. Each linear displacement of the spring plate 3 thus leads to a corresponding linear displacement of the indicator pin 9, so that a mark provided at the free end of the indicator pin 9 provides a direct indication of the set closing force in relation to the outer end face of the end cover 2.

Fig. 3 shows the case of installing a closing force indicator in a floor closer. The indicator pin 9 is in turn connected to the spring plate 4 and extends through a sealed bore of the end cover 2. In this embodiment variant, the indicator pin 9 also serves as an anti-rotation device and as a display element.

4 shows a particularly simple embodiment of the invention, in which the spring plate 4, or an edge 16 of this spring plate 4 or a mark made on its outer ring surface, serves directly as a display element. For this purpose, a sight glass 15 is inserted into the wall of the housing in the range of movement of the spring plate 4, on which the markings corresponding to the different closing strengths are provided.

In the embodiment of a closing force display shown in FIG. 5, it is not the linear displacement of the spring plate 4, but rather the rotary movement of the threaded spindle 5 that is used for display purposes. For this purpose, the threaded spindle 5 is connected at its end on the end cover side via a coupling axis 18 to a counter unit 17 which, depending on the number of revolutions of the threaded spindle 5, digitally displays the respective closing force or the respective closing torque in a shop window 19.

It is also possible to transmit the rotary movements of the worm wheel 6 or worm 7 to a display unit via suitable connecting elements, with a coupling to the display unit depending on the display unit used one or another component of the actuating device can take place.

The rotary movement or linear movement of the actuating device, spring plate or threaded spindle can also be used to adjust a potentiometer, in particular a spindle trim potentiometer or a slide potentiometer, wherein an electrical display element, which is connected in the associated potentiometer circuit, can be calibrated accordingly Allow reading of the respective closing force or reading changes in the closing force.

6 shows in its lower part the compression spring 5 supported on the spring plate 4, the pretension of which can be adjusted by means of an axial displacement of the spring plate 4 by turning the threaded spindle 5. Since the closing forces assigned to certain closing sizes are standardized, it is not necessary to provide a continuous closing force display over the entire adjustment range. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6, the setting positions for the closer sizes 3, 4 and 5 are indicated. The closing force corresponding to the closer size 3 is set when the spring plate 4 - as indicated by dashed lines - comes to rest on the worm wheel 6 or on a corresponding collar of the threaded spindle 5. The closer size 5 is set when - as also indicated by dashed lines - the spring plate 4 comes to rest on an end stop 22 or a locking ring on the threaded spindle 5.

When setting the closer size, there is no difficulty in specifying sizes 3 and 5, since the adjusting screw only has to be turned in one direction or the other until the stop is reached. Since the abutment of the spring plate 4 against a stop can also be subsequently checked without any problems, the attachment of shop windows or glass magnifying glasses, as indicated by dashed lines in the upper part of FIG. 6, may be dispensed with.

The intermediate size 4 lying between the size 3 and the size 5 must, however, be visually verifiable, and for this purpose the spring plate 4 is provided with a circumferential marking 21 which can be recognized by a glass magnifying glass 20 provided in the housing 1. If the marking 21 is at the center of the glass magnifying glass 20, the closer size 4 is set.

The annular surface of the spring plate 4 is preferably colored red, and the marking 21 then consists of a circumferential black ring.

The glass magnifier 20 can be glued pressure-tight into a corresponding counterbore in the housing 1 without any problems.

7 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the organ indicating the closing force is magnetically coupled to the spring plate 4. In this way it can be avoided that the housing 1 which is to be designed to be pressure-tight in each case has to be provided with additional openings or passages.

In this embodiment, the spring plate 4 is designed as an axially magnetized magnetic ring core or is provided with such a magnetic ring core 23. Due to the axial magnetization, a concentrated magnetic field is formed between the north pole and the south pole, which penetrate the end face and which interacts with the housing 1 made of non-magnetic material and interacts with the oppositely directed field of a round bar magnet 24, which is displaceable in a transparent tube 25 arranged in a housing recess 26 is. A strong magnetic coupling results between the magnetic ring core 23 and the round bar magnet 24, which ensures that the round bar magnet forming the display element is always located at the position corresponding to the position of the spring plate 4, whereby a direct closing force display is possible.

Instead of the round bar magnet 24, a mercury plug can also be provided in the transparent tube 25, and according to a further variant, a liquid provided with metal chips can be introduced into the tube 25, the metal chips always being ring-shaped due to the magnetic field generated by the magnetic ring core 23 Concentrate magnetic core 23 and thus form a display element.

A particularly simple embodiment variant of a display element magnetically coupled to the spring plate is shown in FIG. 8. This display element 27 namely consists of a plastic disc, preferably a steel core, in particular a Teflon disc, which is displaceable in a guide groove 26 as a function of the movement of the spring plate adjustable in the closer housing. The guide groove 26 is provided with markings corresponding to the different closer sizes. The disc 27 is preferably provided in the center with an indicator point 28 of red color, so that on the one hand an exact setting of the respective closer sizes and on the other hand a quick and easy reading of the set closer size is possible.

Since the closing force display does not have to be constantly visible, but only has to be accessible during assembly or a check, the display element is preferably attached below a front cover plate which is held in a known manner by means of guide rails 29.

The ring core magnet connected to the spring plate 4 or integrated in the spring plate can be chamfered to form a favorable field profile in the area of its outer circumference, so that an approximately roof-shaped configuration results on average. In the same way, in order to achieve a field course that is as concentrated and defined as possible, it is possible to include this permanent magnet from at least two To build compulsory pole formation of assembled partial magnets.

The detailed illustration according to FIG. 9 shows an advantageous variant of the display element according to FIG. 7. In this case, a steel ball 30 is provided in the tube 25, which is made of transparent plastic and is arranged in a recess 26 in the housing, and is located in the tube in accordance with the displacement of the permanent magnet arranged in the housing moves. The markings corresponding to the closer sizes 3, 4, 5 are indicated by dashed lines.

The diameter of the tube 25 is greatest in the middle and decreases continuously towards the two ends. This has the advantage that if the coupling between the permanent magnet and the steel ball should be lost, for example due to a shock occurring during transport, this coupling, which is necessary to ensure an indication, can inevitably be restored during assembly. This is achieved in that the catch area of the permanent magnet is selected to be at least half the tube length and, due to the shape of the tube 25, the ball 30 reaches the central position during assembly of the closer and thus also reaches the catch area of the permanent magnet, which means that the required coupling is immediate is restored.

A common feature of all the design variants of the closing force indicators described is that, due to their simple structure, they work reliably and precisely, cannot be arbitrarily adjusted and always ensure an exact and easily recognizable display of the respectively set closing force or the respectively closing torque.

Claims (15)

1. Door closer with an adjustable closing force, the door closer having at least one compression spring (3) arranged in the housing of the door closer, with one end of the compression spring being braced against an adjustable spring plate (4), and a device (6, 7) actuatable from outside of the housing for the adjustment of the plate, characterised in that a member (9; 16; 17; 21; 24; 28; 30) is provided which can be influenced in accordance with the linear adjustment of the plate, or in accordance with the rotary movement of a component of the actuating device (6, 7), and which indicates the closing force resulting from the respective spring bias.

2. Door closer in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the member (9; 16; 21; 24; 27; 30) which indicates the closing force is controlled in dependence on the plate (4) which executes a linear movement.

3. Door closer in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the member (9; 17) which indicates the closing force is controlled in dependence on the actuating device (6, 7) which cooperates with the spring plate (4).

4. Door closer in accordance with claims 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the adjustable plate (4) forms at least one component of the indicator member; and in that a sight glass-like insert (15) is provided in the wall of the housing (1) in the range of the indicator member (16).

5. Door closer in accordance with claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the indicator member consists of a pin coupled to the plate (4) and sealingly guided through a closure cover (2) of the housing.

6. Door closer in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that an indicator member consisting of a counter (17) is provided and is directly or indirectly coupled with the component of the actuating device (6, 7) which rotates during the adjustment of the closing force.

7. Door closer in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the indicator member consists of an electrical instrument which is arranged in a circuit containing a potentiometer; and in that the potentiometer is adjustable in dependence on the linear movement of the spring plate (4) or on the rotational movement of the elements (5, 6, 7) which actuate the spring plate (4).

8. Door closer in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the member (24; 27; -30) which indicates the prevailing closing force consists at least in part of magnetisable material, is arranged in a recess (26) in the outer wall of the non-magnetic housing (1) of the closer and is magnetically coupled with a permanent magnet (23) provided on the spring plate (4).

9. Door closer in accordance with claim 8, characterised in that the member (24; 30) indicating the closing force is arranged in a transparent tubule (25) fixed in the recess (26).

10. Door closer in accordance with claim 8 or claim 9, characterised in that the member indicating the closing force consists of a plastic disk (27) which is guided in the recess (26) and has an insert of magnetisable metal.

11. Door closer in accordance with claim 9, characterised in that the member which indicates the closing force consists of a round bar magnet (24) the axial length of which is at least substantially the same as the axial thickness of the ring magnet (23) coupled therewith.

12. Door closer in accordance with claim 9, characterised in that a liquid seeded with metal particles or a mercury droplet is provided in the tubule (25) which consists of plastic or glass.

13. Door closer in accordance with claim 9, characterised in that the member which indicates the closing force comprises a steel ball (30).

14. Door closer in accordance with claim 13, characterised in that the diameter of the tubule (25) containing the steel ball (30) is greatest at the middle and continuously reduces in a direction towards both ends; and in that the capture range of the permanent magnet (23) is at least equal to half the length of the tubule.

15. Door closer in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the recess (26) for the member (24; 27; 30) which indicates the closing force is provided in the front side of the closer housing (1) which is equipped with a removable cover plate.

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