EP0619413B1 - Motorized roller shutter - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates, in particular, to a motorised roller shutter comprising, on the one hand, a shutter (2) which is wound around and is unwound from a winding shaft (4) inside which is housed a geared drive motor (5), of the tubular type, and on the other hand, means (8) which deliver an electrical signal representing the movement of the shutter (2) and a unit (9) which processes the electrical signal and which can control the operation of the geared drive motor (5), in particular, in order to stop the latter in the event of an obstacle. This motorised roller shutter is characterised in that the said means (8) consist of at least one inductive sensor (10) extending, at least in part, along the path followed by the shutter (2), this inductive sensor (10) being capable of generating an electromotive force under the action of the passage of a permanent magnet (11) attached to the bottom part (12) of the shutter, this electromotive force being detected by the processing unit (9). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a motorized roller shutter comprising an apron constituted by a juxtaposition of blades at least articulated with respect to each other and the ends of which move in lateral slides, this apron winding around and deploying from a shaft of winding inside which is housed a motor-drive reduction gear, of the tubular type. If necessary, this roller shutter can also be equipped with means delivering an electrical signal representative of the movement of the deck, and a unit for processing the electrical signal capable of intervening in the operation of the drive gear motor, in particular for controlling stopping it in the event of an obstacle.

The present invention finds its application in the field of closing devices, such as roller shutters.

We already know, in particular from document FR-A-2,657,646, a roller shutter corresponding to the above description. Thus, this motorized roller shutter comprises an apron winding around or deploying from a winding shaft which is rotated, in this case, by electric motor means and, in particular, a gear motor, of the tubular type, precisely housed in the winding shaft. Note that this winding mechanism of the roller shutter deck is generally placed in a box under which run slides serving for guiding, at the lateral ends of the blades making up the deck, this in the deployment or folding phase of the latter .

According to this document FR-A-2,657,646, this rolling shutter is also equipped with means delivering an electrical signal representative of the movement of the deck, these means being constituted, essentially, by a pulley on which is wound a flexible element, such as a cord, the free end of which is connected to the final blade of the deck. Thus, during the course of this deck, it results in the course of the cord and the drive of said pulley. To the latter are associated elastic means ensuring the rewinding of the cord on the pulley during the winding of the deck. There is also a signal generator mechanically connected to the axis of the pulley and delivering an electrical voltage representative of the speed of rotation of the pulley. It is specified that this signal generator can preferably be in the form of a Hall effect sensor, such as a synchronous motor used as a generator. According to another embodiment, provision is also made for the use of a strain gauge combined with a spring gradually stretched by the rotation of the pulley as a signal generator.

Note, moreover, the presence, at this rolling shutter, of a logic processing unit capable of working in learning mode and in use mode, by sampling, and comprising means for memorizing, in mode learning, the value samples corresponds to the measured signal samples and means for comparing, in use mode, the stored value samples with value samples obtained in use mode. Thus, this logic unit comprises means for sampling the electrical signal delivered by the signal generator.

In fact, the main drawbacks encountered through a rolling shutter, as described in this document FR-A-2,657,646, come mainly from the structure of the means delivering an electrical signal representative of the movement of the deck. More specifically, such means are first of all bulky, insofar as they require the installation, at the level of the roller shutter box, of a pulley on which is capable of winding the transmission element constituted by the cord. In addition, this pulley must be associated with the signal generator in the form of a synchronous motor. In fact, this assembly takes position at the end of the axis of winding of the deck which is not always possible due to lack of space.

In addition, the mechanical connection connecting the final blade of the deck to the pulley is a source of operating problems. In particular, the cord constituting this transmission element can, at any time, become blocked by being jammed, either at the level of the rolling shutter itself, or at the level of the door or window closed by this rolling shutter. Not to mention that this cord is accessible to the user, which naturally increases the risk of incidents.

We know, moreover, through document FR-A-2,656,371 a roller shutter which, as a means delivering an electrical signal representative of the movement of the deck uses, first of all, means for detecting the translational movement linear of the deck in the form of a roller rubbing on the surface of said deck and transforming the linear movement movement of the shutter into a rotational movement. Furthermore, coding means are provided in the form of a coding wheel provided with a number of peripheral and radial notches which is integral with said friction roller and driven by the latter. With this coding wheel is associated a system for capturing the information delivered by the latter, in particular an optoelectronic sensor, which is able to detect the passage of the notches of said coding wheel and to deliver an electrical signal. This is then processed at a central processing unit.

According to this document, there is also a sensor for the presence of the roller shutter deck to detect its arrival in the high position. This sensor is produced in the form of a spring-loaded roller, bearing on the surface of the apron and escaping from this surface at the end of the upper stroke to actuate a micro contact controlling the stopping of the gear motor for driving the apron.

Provision is made for such means delivering an electrical signal representative of the movement of the roller shutter at the upper end of a side slide or at the upper end of each of the side slides fitted to a roller shutter.

Although such means, capable of delivering an electrical signal representative of the movement of the bulkhead, are particularly bulky just like those described in the previous document FR-A-2,657,646, this is not their drawback. major. In fact, they are in no way suitable for rolling shutters, the deck of which is made up of blades, not only articulated with respect to each other, but also telescopic so that there is the possibility of obtaining an open position, such that this is the case in most domestic roller shutters. Indeed, the roller rubbing on the surface of said apron is necessarily located at the upper end of this last. Also, it can only detect a change in the movement of this deck once all of the blades located under this roller are stacked and tightened against each other.

In addition, there is, in this case, the essential mechanical connection between the means delivering an electrical signal representative of the movement of the deck and the latter. However, such a mechanical connection is subject to malfunctions, especially over time, which cannot be accepted for a product, such as a rolling shutter, of great longevity.

There is also described in document DE-A-3,806,733 a solution similar to that corresponding to document FR-A-2,656,371 previously summarized. Indeed, once again the processing unit, equipping the rolling shutter, proceeds, after operating in learning mode, to counting electrical pulses which come from the passage of permanent magnets, equipping each of the blades of the rolling shutter , in front of a fixed REED bulb placed in the upper part, near the casing of this roller shutter Thus, it is through the counting of a certain number of pulses that it is determined whether the curtain of the roller shutter is completely deployed or rolled up inside the box.

The present invention aims to remedy all the drawbacks encountered through the prior art as described above, this through a motorized roller shutter of simple design, while being particularly safe, both on the plan of longevity than that of security itself.

To this end, the invention relates to a motorized roller shutter comprising, on the one hand, an apron composed by a juxtaposition of blades at least articulated with respect to each other and the ends of which move in lateral slides, this apron s 'winding around or deploying from a winding shaft inside which is housed a motor-drive reduction gear, of the tubular type, and, on the other hand, means delivering an electrical signal representative of the movement of the deck and an electrical signal processing unit capable of intervening in the operation of the gear motor drive, in particular for controlling the stopping of the latter in the event of the presence of an obstacle, said means delivering an electrical signal representative of the movement of the bulkhead being constituted by at least one inductive sensor extending, at least in part, along the path followed by the apron, this inductive sensor being able to create an electromotive force under the influence of the passage of a permanent magnet associated with the lower part of the apron.

The advantages obtained thanks to this invention consist, essentially, in that one can get rid of any mechanical connection between the roller shutter deck and any fixed element situated at the level of the latter. In addition, we can see the immobilization of the deck through an obstacle from the blocking of the last blades making up the lower part of this deck.

In addition, the movement of the carriage is controlled constantly and not discontinuously. This makes it possible to observe, more simply, a change in the operation of the roller shutter, for example, due to the presence of an obstacle. The result is a less complex and therefore less expensive processing unit. In this regard, this simplicity of design is found in all of these means capable of delivering an electrical signal representative of the movement of the deck. In particular, it should be noted that they can advantageously constitute means for controlling the operation of the gear motor at the end of the upper and lower travel of the deck. More specifically, it can be provided that when reaching the end of the high or low stroke, the permanent magnet disappears in front of the inductive sensor, at the upper or lower end of the latter, causing the geared motor to stop.

In addition, it should be observed that the very addition of a permanent magnet, in particular to one of the blades constituting the lower part of the apron, makes it possible to envisage yet in another way an easy control of this stopping of the operation of the drive gear motor. In particular, such a permanent magnet can advantageously constitute the means for remote control of a switch placed in the lower part and in the upper part of a slide, such as a flexible blade switch (ILS) or a sensor. inductive. Thus, in the event of deployment of the apron, the passage of the permanent magnet, associated with the latter, in front of a flexible blade switch or such an inductive sensor located at the lower part of the slide, produced immediately or in a timed manner, the stopping of the gear motor d 'training. The same applies to the climb and when this permanent magnet passes in front of the switch located at the upper end of the slide.

In this regard, the invention also relates to a motorized rolling shutter comprising, on the one hand, an apron composed by a juxtaposition of blades at least articulated with respect to each other and the ends of which move in lateral slides, this apron winding around or deploying from a winding shaft driven by a drive gear motor, one of the blades constituting the lower part of the apron being equipped with a permanent magnet as remote control means, able to control the stopping of the operation of the geared motor drive when the deck arrives at the low end and high end, this roller shutter comprising switches, of the flexible blade switch type (ILS) or sensors inductive, arranged on or inside a slide and capable of controlling the stopping of the operation of the gear motor drive when the permanent magnet equipping the extr moth, cooperating with the same slide, a blade forming the lower part of the deck.

• la figure 1 représente une vue schématisée et en élévation d'un volet roulant conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 représente une vue schématisée et en coupe d'une coulisse.

The invention will be better understood through the detailed description below and in the light of the drawings relating to an exemplary embodiment.

• Figure 1 shows a schematic view in elevation of a roller shutter according to the invention;
• Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional view of a slide.

As shown in the figures of the attached drawing, the present invention relates to a motorized roller shutter 1, this comprises an apron 2 formed by a juxtaposition of blades 3, at least articulated with respect to each other. In fact, very frequently, these blades 3 are also telescopic with respect to each other, so that the deck 2 can adopt an open position, corresponding, precisely, to the maintenance of these blades 3 spaced from each other.

This apron 2 is wound around or deployed from a winding shaft 4 mounted for rotation, generally in a box surmounting the opening arranged in a construction and which should be closed by means of this motorized shutter 1. Inside this winding shaft 4 is housed a tubular type drive motor reducer 5.

It should be observed that during the orders for winding or deploying the deck 2, the ends 6 of the blades 3 move in lateral slides 7. These usually take position at the vertical sides of a doorway or on the face external of the uprights of the frame of a door, French window or the like.

This motorized roller shutter 1 is further equipped with means 8 capable of delivering an electrical signal representative of the movement of the deck 2, as well as a processing unit 9 of this electrical signal capable of acting on the operation of the motorcycle. drive reducer 5, for example to control the stopping of the latter in the presence of an obstacle on the passage of the deck 2.

This is in fact to prevent such an obstacle placed on the path of the deck 2 of the motorized roller shutter 1, leading to an incident in the operation of this motorized roller shutter 1 or to any accident. Thus, according to the invention, these means 8, capable of delivering an electrical signal representative of the movement of the deck 2, are constituted by at least one inductive sensor 10 extending, at least in part, along the path followed by the apron 2, in particular along a lateral slide 7, so that it is able to create an electromotive force under the influence of the passage, in front of this inductive sensor 10, of a permanent magnet 11 associated with the lower part 12 of the apron 2. Of course, this electromotive force produced by the inductive sensor 10 is zero when there is no movement of the permanent magnet 11 and, consequently, of the apron 2. Furthermore, it is positive when moving the deck in one direction and negative when this deck 2 is moving in the opposite direction.

Thus, through the processing unit 9, control and verification of the existence of an electromotive force produced by this inductive sensor 10 is carried out. More precisely, this processing unit 9 stops the operation of the drive gear motor 5, as soon as it notes the passage of a current in this drive gear motor 5 and the absence of voltage across the terminals of the inductive sensor 10. In addition, this unit of treatment 9 may have the function of stopping the operation of the drive geared motor 5 if it is observed during the deployment of the deck 2, an inversion of the electromotive force and, consequently, of the voltage at the terminals of the inductive sensor 10, without this inversion being at the origin of a command to invert the movement of the deck 2 via an action voluntary use on control means 13 systematically equipping such a motorized rolling shutter 1.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inductive sensor 10 is in the form of an inductor whose terminals are connected to the processing unit 9 and which is wound on a magnetic support 14, more particularly a hollow metal tube of small section. Advantageously, this section of the magnetic support 14 is reduced to such an extent that this inductive sensor 10 can take position inside a slide 7 while allowing the displacement, in the latter, of the ends 6 of the blades 3 making up the deck 2 In this regard, it should be observed that a slide 7 is in the form of a "U" section profile comprising an external wall 15, an internal wall 16 and a bottom 17. Very often, on their sides 18 facing each other, the external 15 and internal 16 walls have sealing brushes 19 having a thickness 20 determining the maximum section that the inductive sensor 10 can take.

According to another embodiment, this inductive sensor 10 is installed in the bottom 17 of the slide 7.

The advantages arising from such an arrangement of the inductive sensor 10 inside a slide 7 consist in that said sensor is perfectly protected with regard to voluntary or involuntary external aggressions. In particular, it is thus difficult to access by a user.

As for the permanent magnet 11, of the anisotropic ferrite type, it is installed inside and at the end 6, with respect to an inductive sensor 10, of a blade 3 composing the lower part 12 of the deck 2 In fact, it is advantageous to implant this permanent magnet 11 in the last blade 3A or the penultimate blade 3B of the deck 2.

In addition, it is advantageously provided to equip the inductance coil, in its lower part 21, with a greater number of turns in order to obtain an electrical signal of greater amplitude, in order to control the arrival of the lower end of the curtain 2 and allow complete closure of the motorized shutter 1.

Of course, it is possible to install such an inductive sensor 10 in each of the slides 7 of the motorized roller shutter 1, this so as to more quickly detect the presence of an obstacle located on the path of the deck 2 while being offset laterally relative to the vertical median plane of the latter, so that there is a phase difference between the blocking of one end of the blades 3 relative to the other end.

It should be observed that such means 8, capable of delivering an electrical signal representative of the movement of the deck 2, in accordance with the invention, also allow a simplification of the management of the operation of the drive geared motor. 5, in particular for the latter stop command either when the apron 2, deployed, arrives at the low end of the stroke or, wound, comes at the high end stroke. In particular, the length of the inductive sensor 10 can be determined so that when it is no longer under the influence of the permanent magnet 11, the processing unit 9 detects an absence of electromotive force and, consequently, the arrival in the high position and / or in the low position of the deck 2. It is then ordered to stop the drive geared motor 5, this immediately or tempered.

In fact, this management of the operation of the geared motor drive 5 is, quite simply, made easier through the simple presence of the permanent magnet 11 at the level of the lower part 12 of the apron 2. In fact, a such a permanent magnet 11 may advantageously constitute the remote control means for switches 22, 23, of the flexible blade switch (ILS) or Reed bulb type, to cause the operation of the drive gear motor 5 to stop, when the deck 2 is deployed and at the low end of travel or wound at the high end of travel. More precisely, such switches 22, 23 are installed, under these conditions, either on a slide 7, or inside the latter, so that when the permanent magnet 11 is fitted, for example, the end 6 of a blade 3A, 3B there is a stop in the operation of the geared motor drive 5. According to another embodiment, the switches 22, 23, capable of being controlled by means of the magnet permanent 11 placed on the deck 2, can be constituted by inductive sensors connected to the processing unit 9. Thus, as soon as the latter detects an electrical signal of an intensity and a sign, positive or negative, given to the terminals of one of these inductive sensors, it controls the stopping of the operation of the drive gear motor 5 since this corresponds to the arrival at the low end or high end of the apron 2. In order to better understand the invention through clearer drawings, the switches 22, 23, of the flexible blade switch or inductive sensor type have been represented, in FIG. 1, in the slide 7 opposite to that receiving the inductive sensor 10. They can, however, be associated with the same slide 7 as the latter, in particular so as to avoid the implantation of a second permanent magnet in a blade of the deck 2.

Of course, as with the inductive sensors at the terminals of which it is necessary not only to detect an electrical signal, but also to take account of the sign, positive or negative, of the latter in the case of switches with flexible blade or bulb. Reed, only one of them is active according to the direction of rotation conferred on the winding shaft 4. Thus, only the Reed bulb 22 disposed at the bottom of the slide 7 is capable of stopping the gear motor drive 5, when controlling the deployment of the apron 2. Conversely, only the Reed bulb 23, disposed at the top of the slide 7 can control the stopping of the operation of the drive gear motor 5 when this apron arrives in the high position, wrapped around the winding shaft 4.

It should be observed that, whatever their technology, these switches 22, 23, thus controlled by a permanent magnet 11 allow, precision at the limit switches which, until then, was managed by a memory system and , therefore, deduction, without taking into account the reality, that is to say, the actual position of the deck when ordering these limit switches.

It is well understood, in view of the above description, that the present invention not only provides real solutions to the problems encountered in the field in the past, but, moreover, it makes it possible to simplify the design of the shutters. motorized wheels. In particular, the means intended to deliver an electrical signal representative of the movement of the deck are simple to make, and negligible space. They are however particularly reliable, since they are not very sensitive to external aggressions.

In addition, the association, with the apron, of a permanent magnet allows a particularly simplified management of the operation of the drive gear motor which, consequently, proves to be less complex.

Claims (12)

1. Motor-driven roller blind comprising, on the one hand, an apron (2) comprised of a juxtaposition of slats (3, 3A, 3B) at least hinged with respect to each other the ends (6) of which move in side slideways (7), this apron (2) rolling up onto and unrolling from a rolling-up shaft (4) inside which is accomodated a drive gear-motor (5) of a tubular kind and, on the other hand, means (8) supplying an electric signal representative of the travel of the apron (2) and an electric-signal processing unit (9) capable of interfering on the operation of the drive gear-motor (5), viz. to control the stoppage of this latter in the event of presence of an obstacle, characterized in that the means (8) supplying an electric signal representative of the travel of the apron (2) are comprised of at least one inductive sensor (10) extending, at least partly, alongside the path followed by the apron (2), this inductive sensor (10) being capable of creating an electromotive force under the action of the passing-by of a permanent magnet (11) associated with the lower portion (12) of the apron (2).
2. Motor-driven roller blind according to claim 1, characterized in that the processing unit (9) controls the stoppage of the operation of the drive gear-motor (5) as soon as it detects the passing of a current through this drive gear-motor (5) and the absence of voltage at the terminals of the inductive sensor (10).
3. Motor-driven roller blind according to any of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the processing unit (9) controls the stoppage of the operation of the drive gear-motor (5) when during the unfolding of the apron (2) there is detected a reversal of the electromotive force and thus of the voltage at the terminals of the inductive sensor (10) without this reversal being caused by a control to reverse the movement of the apron through a voluntary action by the user on the control means (13) said motor-driven roller blind (1) is provided with.
4. Motor-driven roller blind according to claim 1, characterized in that the inductive sensor (10) is in the shape of an inductance coil the terminals of which are connected to the processing unit (9) and which is wound about a magnetic support (14) such as a metallic hollow tube.
5. Motor-driven roller blind according to claim 4, characterized in that the magnetic support (14) has a so reduced cross-section that the inductive sensor (10) is capable of being positioned inside a slideway (7) whilst authorizing the movement within this latter of the ends (6) of the slats (3) the apron (2) is comprised of.
6. Motor-driven roller blind according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the inductive sensor (10) is installed at the bottom (17) of a slideway (7).
7. Motor-driven roller blind according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the permanent magnet (11), of the anisotropic ferrite kind, is installed inside and at the end (6) in front of an inductive sensor (10) of a slat (3) which the lower portion (12) of the apron (2) is comprised of, preferably in the last slat (3A) or last but one slat (3B) of this latter.
8. Motor-driven roller blind according to claim 4, characterized in that the inductance coil includes, at its lower portion (21), a larger number of windings with a view to achieving an electric signal of larger amplitude in order to control the arrival of the apron (2) at the lower travel end.
9. Motor-driven roller blind according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (8) form means for controlling the stoppage of the drive gear-motor (5) when the apron (2) arrives at the lower travel end and/or at the upper travel end.
10. Motor-driven roller blind according to claim 9, characterized in that the length of the inductive sensor (10) is so determined that at the upper travel end and/or at the lower travel end of the apron (2) this inductive sensor is no longer under the influence of the permanent magnet (11), leading to an absence of electromotive force detected by the processing unit (9) capable of controlling, under such circumstances, the stoppage of the operation of the drive gear-motor (5).
11. Motor-driven roller blind according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes switches (22, 23), such as flexible-blade switches or inductive sensors, actuated under the action and at the passage-by of the permanent magnet (11) associated with the apron (2) to control, either directly or through the processing unit (9), the stoppage of the operation of the drive gear-motor (5) when said apron (2) arrives at the lower travel end and at the upper travel end.
12. Motor-driven roller blind comprising, at the one hand, an apron (2) comprised of a juxtaposition of slats (3, 3A, 3B) at least hinged with respect to each other the ends (6) of which move in side slideways (7), this apron (2) rolling up onto or unrolling from a rolling-up shaft (4) driven by a drive gear-motor (5), one of the slats (3, 3A, 3B) forming the lower portion (12) of the apron (2) being provided with a permanent magnet as a remote-control means capable of controlling the stoppage of the operation of the drive gear-motor (5) when the apron (2) arrives at the lower travel end and at the upper travel end, characterized in that it includes switches (22, 23), such as flexible-blade switches (FBS) or inductive sensors arranged on or inside a slideway (7) and capable of controlling the stoppage of the operation of the drive gear-motor (5) at the passing-by of the permanent magnet (11) the end (6), co-operating with this very slideway (7), of a slat (3, 3A, 3B) forming the lower portion (12) of the apron (12) is provided with.

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