EP0748916B1 - Actuator for a gate or other closure panel - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to devices motorized closure panel actuation mobile, such as a door or gate.

In the case, for example, of a portal, this the latter has at least one movable leaf articulated on a fixed structure, pillar or wall, around an axis materialized by hinges. The actuation device is then placed between the fixed structure and the leaf mobile, this device comprising an actuator properly said, of any known suitable type, hydraulic or electromechanical and at least two axis joints substantially parallel to the hinge axis of the leaf on the fixed structure, one of these joints being arranged in the vicinity of the fixed structure and the other at leaf neighborhood.

In the event of a device failure due to any malfunction, the leaf being locked in the closed position, it is necessary to able to open it, to neutralize it, this operation usually done by uncoupling the device leaf activation.

However, in known devices, this uncoupling is not easy because in the position of closing, the actuator exerts a bracing effort, so that the means that are provided to separate or disconnect the actuator from the leaf, are difficult to maneuver. It's like that for example of a device described in document FR-A-2,469,543 which plans to achieve a joint between the actuator itself and a lug which is guided in a slide fastened to the leaf and which can be secured to this slide by means of a screw blocking, acting by friction, so that more the friction force is important and the more the release is difficult.

A first object of this invention is to propose an actuation device, in particular for portal, which does not have this drawback and which at otherwise can be easily uncoupled in case of any failure or malfunction.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for actuating a movable closure panel, articulated on a fixed structure, this device actuator being disposed between the fixed structure and the movable panel and comprising at least one actuator and at least two joints, means being provided for uncoupling two elements of the actuating device and thus free the movable panel, in case of dysfunction, characterized in that said means include a locking mechanism of the type comprising a keeper carried by one of the elements and a bolt carried by the other element, the keeper comprising a member to release the bolt, the force necessary to operate the control member being much weaker than, and significantly independent of, the bracing effort exerted by the actuator between the bolt and the spoils.

Conveniently, the locking mechanism is of the type used in belt buckles or safety straps fitted to vehicles.

• le dispositif d'actionnement, du type comprenant un moto-réducteur articulé au voisinage d'une de ses extrémités sur une ferrure fixée sur le panneau mobile, est caractérisé en ce que le mécanisme de verrouillage est disposé entre l'autre extrémité du moto-réducteur et l'extrémité adjacente de la ferrure ;
• le dispositif d'actionnement, du type comprenant au moins un bras articulé sur la structure fixe et sur un coulisseau reçu dans une glissière fixée sur le panneau mobile, est caractérisé en ce que le mécanisme de verrouillage à gâche et pêne est disposé entre le coulisseau et la glissière ;
• la glissière porte la gâche et le coulisseau porte le pêne.

According to other characteristics:

• the actuating device, of the type comprising a geared motor articulated in the vicinity of one of its ends on a fitting fixed to the movable panel, is characterized in that the locking mechanism is disposed between the other end of the motor reducer and the adjacent end of the fitting;
• the actuating device, of the type comprising at least one arm articulated on the fixed structure and on a slide received in a slide fixed on the movable panel, is characterized in that the locking mechanism with strike and bolt is arranged between the slide and the slide;
• the slide carries the strike and the slide carries the bolt.

Furthermore, it is important to be able to close the gate, while the actuating device is still down, and being able to relock it in the closed position. This operation can be made difficult by the fact that during uncoupling of the device, there is a release of games which, in normal operation, are caught under the effect of the bracing effort exerted to maintain the panel in the closed position against the stop shoe.

In order to solve this particular problem, the device according to the invention comprises means for compensation for the games released during its uncoupling.

These means can be arranged in various device locations. They can for example be integrated into one of the joints whose axis can occupy at least two corresponding positions, respectively, one at normal operation and the other at a device failure situation.

According to a particular embodiment, the articulation of the arm on the slide is made at means of an articulation piece which can occupy at least two positions, so that the position can be changed of the axis of the joint.

These means can also be incorporated into the strike and bolt locking mechanism, and understand an additional blocking member, cooperating with the bolts so as to lock the latter in a position different from the one in which he is normally locked in the strike plate, this additional member of blocking mounted erasable to be able to release the bolt.

Another drawback of known devices lies in the fact that the uncoupling of the device actuation can only be done from the inside of the gate, i.e. on the side where the device is located of actuation, which is extremely annoying if the enclosure closed by the gate has no gate, which can be opened independently.

In order to solve this problem, following a mode preferred embodiment, the actuating device according to the invention comprises a lock carried by the mobile panel accessible at least from outside the latter, this lock being adapted to be able to act on the locking mechanism control member and free the bolt from the strike;

• la serrure est du type comprenant un corps fixe et un canon amovible, relié par un lien à l'organe de commande de la gâche ;
• la serrure est disposée au voisinage de la gâche et traverse la glissière et le panneau mobile, cette serrure comportant un panneton mobile coopérant avec un organe intermédiaire relié à l'organe de commande de la gâche ;
• l'organe intermédiaire est un étrier muni de deux rebords en prise sur l'organe de commande et dont l'âme coopère avec le panneton de la serrure, cette dernière s'étendant dans l'espace délimité entre ladite âme et la gâche.

According to other characteristics:

• the lock is of the type comprising a fixed body and a removable barrel, connected by a link to the strike control member;
• the lock is arranged in the vicinity of the strike and crosses the slide and the movable panel, this lock comprising a movable bit cooperating with an intermediate member connected to the strike control member;
• the intermediate member is a stirrup provided with two flanges engaged on the control member and whose core cooperates with the bit of the lock, the latter extending in the space delimited between said core and the keeper.

• la figure 1 représente de façon schématique un portail équipé d'un dispositif d'actionnement suivant un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective à plus grande échelle d'une partie du dispositif de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 2 représentant le dispositif en position désaccouplée ;
• les figures 4 et 5 sont des vues analogues à celles des figures 2 et 3, d'une variante de réalisation ;
• la figure 6 représente un portail équipé d'un dispositif d'actionnement d'un type différent, perfectionné selon l'invention ;
• la figure 7 est une vue en perspective à plus grande échelle d'une partie du dispositif de la figure 6 ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en perspective avec arrachement montrant le dispositif en position désaccouplée ; et
• les figures 9 à 12 sont des vues en coupe représentant dans quatre positions différentes une variante de réalisation.

The invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, given only by way of examples and in which:

• Figure 1 schematically shows a gate equipped with an actuating device according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of part of the device of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 showing the device in the uncoupled position;
• Figures 4 and 5 are views similar to those of Figures 2 and 3, of an alternative embodiment;
• FIG. 6 represents a gate equipped with an actuation device of a different type, improved according to the invention;
• Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of part of the device of Figure 6;
• Figure 8 is a cutaway perspective view showing the device in the uncoupled position; and
• Figures 9 to 12 are sectional views showing in four different positions an alternative embodiment.

We see in Figure 1 part of a gate, comprising a movable leaf V mounted by hinges G on a pillar P. In the closed position, this leaf comes into abutment against a shoe S fixed in the ground.

It is equipped with a motorized device actuation which, in the embodiment shown, includes a geared motor assembly 10 carried by a fitting 12, itself fixed to the leaf by any appropriate means (Figures 2 and 3).

The gear motor constituting an actuator is articulated on the fitting around an axis 14 and it has at its end opposite to where it is located the joint, a stirrup 16 delimiting a bolt 18 consisting of a tab in which is formed a notch 19.

The fitting 12 supporting the gear motor is folded at its end in 20 to receive the part forming a keeper 22 of a locking mechanism of the type used in seat belt buckles for vehicles or any other mechanism fulfilling the same function. The mechanism constituting this strike is known in itself and will therefore not be described in detail. A description such a mechanism can be found especially in documents DE-A-19 38 380, SE-A-389798, DE-27 54 389, WO-80/00404, FR-A-2.349.296, FR-A-2.379.995, FR-A-2.509.969.

We will simply indicate that this loop comprises a locking member intended to cooperate with the bolt 18, coming to engage in the notch 19 provided in this bolt, as well as a control button 24 allowing release the blocking member and release the bolt, a spring also being provided in the keeper to push back the bolt when it has been released. These mechanisms are designed to be able to withstand relatively large tensile forces exerted between the bolt and the strike and so that the effort necessary to press the control key and release the bolt remains weak and preferably substantially constant.

The actuation device is completed, from known manner, by two arms hinged together at 27 and the first 26 of which is integral with the output shaft 15 of the gearmotor, while the other 28 is articulated at 29 on a fitting 30 itself fixed on the pillar.

The operation of such a device is the next: in normal operation, the gear motor 10 is made integral with the fitting 12 fixed to the leaf, by means of the locking mechanism 18, 22, as shown in Figure 2. Opening and closing the leaf are obtained by feeding the gear motor and by rotating its output shaft, respectively, one way or the other.

In the event of a breakdown, due to a malfunction any device or its power supply, user can unpair this device simply by pressing the control button 24 of the locking mechanism. The gear motor 10 can then turn around joint 14. Although a bracing effort is exerted between the bolt and the door release, pressing the control button may effortless, which helps to resolve the problem we face with devices earlier.

Figures 4 and 5 show a part of an actuation device of the same general type described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, but comprising a further development. This is how the leaf is provided with a lock 40 arranged in the vicinity of the locking mechanism, this lock 40 being able to be operated by a key, from the outside of the leaf V. The lock 40 comprises a body 42 fixed on the leaf and a barrel 44 connected by a cable 46 to the control button 24 of the locking mechanism.

The lock used is of the type known in itself, in which in the closed position the barrel is secured to the lock body, while in position this barrel is released from the body and can be extract, as shown in Figure 5.

The operation of this device is very simple: while in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 the actuator could not be uncoupled only from the inside, thanks to the presence of lock 40, in the event of a breakdown, the user can outside the leaf open the lock, extract the removable barrel 44 and exercise via cable 46 a pull having the effect of moving the key and release the latch from the strike, as shown in Figure 5.

Figures 6 to 8 show another mode for producing a device according to the invention. We find on this figure part of a portal, comprising a movable leaf V articulated by hinges G on a P pillar. The actuation device, the overall design is known, includes support 50 fixed on pillar P, an arm 52 articulated on this support around an axis 54, an articulated bent arm 56, of a hand, in 57 on arm 52 and on the other hand on a yoke 58 via an axis, materialized by a pin 59 (figure 7).

The joint 57 between the arm 52 and the arm angled 56 includes a type of drive mechanism toothed wheel and worm, the latter being driven in rotation from an electric motor, not shown in the drawing, housed for example in the support 50 or in the arm 52. Such drive means constitute an actuator. They are also known and will therefore not be described in detail.

The end of the bent arm is articulated on the yoke 58 by means of the spindle 59 which, in operation normal of the device, is received in a first game orifices 60 made in the branches of the yoke (Figure 8). According to an original characteristic, which will be explained below, the screed preferably comprises, a second set of orifices 62, in which the pin can be received in order to move the location of the axis of articulation between the arm 56 and the yoke.

The yoke 58 is carried by a slide 64 having a U shape and which is integral with a tab 66 constituting a bolt, this bolt comprising in the vicinity of its free end a notch or a hole 68. The slide 64 is received in a slide 70 fixed on the leaf. This slide is formed by a profile of rectangular section with the face 71 directed towards the actuating device is indented at 72 so to allow passage and movement of the yoke 58. This notch 72 opens at the end of the slide farthest from the pillar, as can be seen in figure 7.

Inside the slide 70 is fixed the keep part 74 of a locking mechanism (Figure 8), which as in the embodiment previous, is of the type used in the loops of seat belts for vehicles. This strike 74 is fixed by means of a screw 76 and blocked and centered by a part 78 cut and folded from the slide 70. The keeper 74 is completed by a stirrup-shaped part 80, of which the two longitudinal branches 81 have at near their ends two folded edges 82 engaging the control button 84 of the mechanism lock.

The device is completed by a lock 90 of the European barrel type, this lock having a sufficient length to be able to cross the slide and be accessible from the inside and from the outer face of the leaf. The lock extends in the space left free between the keeper 74 of the lock and the caliper 83 soul 80, and it's arranged in such a way that its movable bit 92, activated when the key and barrel are rotated can come into contact with the core 83 of the stirrup 80, push it back and move the command 84.

The operation of such a device is the following: when the gate is in the closed position, the actuator exerts a certain force, which applies the leaf against hoof S. This bracing effort is necessary to avoid backlash and travel leaf, as well as the resulting noises. Yes for whatever reason the device breaks down, the user can, by acting on the lock 90, cause the stirrup 80 to move and actuate of the control button 84 of the locking mechanism, this actuation having the effect of releasing the bolt 66 carried by the slide 64, and consequently to disconnect the leaf actuation device. It is so easy to open the latter, the slide and the yoke can be released from the slide by the end notch open 72. The lock can be operated from inside or outside.

To re-couple the device leaf actuation, just for the user to engage the slide 64 in the slide 70, and move the leaf to its closed position, until latch 66 snaps back into the strike 74 of the locking mechanism.

To facilitate this operation, before closing the leaf, moving the hinge pin between the bent arm 56 and the slide 64, in releasing pin 59 and placing it in the second set of orifices 62 formed in the yoke 58. The position of this second set of articulation holes is chosen to take into account the games that are caught when the device is in a bracing position, the leaf being closed.

Figures 9 to 12 show a variant to the arrangement which has just been described of an axis of articulation can occupy two positions.

In this variant, the means making it possible to take into account the games that are released during uncoupling of the actuating device, are incorporated in the locking mechanism with bolt and strike. In order to facilitate the identification of the different parts, the parts corresponding to those shown in the figures 7 and 8 are designated in Figures 9 to 12 by the same reference numbers, increased by 100.

We therefore find a slide 164 carrying a bolt 166 and received with sliding in a slide 170. This bolt has two holes or notches 168, 169, instead of as in the embodiment of Figures 7 and 8.

Keep 174 is carried by a support 175 itself fixed on the slide 170. This strike includes a control button 184 and a locking member 173 intended to cooperate with hole 168. Between the bottom of the slide and support 175 is arranged a second blocking member consisting of a metal tab 200 elastically deformable, having at one end a hook 202, intended to cooperate with the second hole 169 of the bolt, and at its opposite end a tab 204 intended to cooperate with the bit of a lock, for elsewhere optional. This lock 190 has been shown in phantom in Figure 9.

The tongue 200 also has two legs lateral 206 extending substantially perpendicularly compared to his plan and which are received in two side housings 208 of the control button 184. The tab 200 is thus made integral with the touch of control, in translation in a parallel direction to the direction of movement of the bolt relative to the spoils.

The operation of such a device is the next: in the position of figure 9, the bolt is in the approach position, before being engaged in the spoils. This engaged position is shown in the Figure 10 on which we can see that the blocking 173 is engaged in hole 168 of the bolt. The locking hook 202 is then elastically erased under the bolt.

In the position of Figure 11, the locking of the bolt is obtained by the cooperation of the hook 202 and the second hole 169 formed in the bolt. This position of the bolt is offset from the previous one by a distance d which corresponds to the value of the clearances which are released when the actuating device is uncoupled.

This uncoupling corresponds to the situation represented in FIG. 12 where the control key 184 has been moved to the right by considering the drawing, at the same time as the tongue 200, which has the effect of erasing the hook 202 by an effect of ramp intervening between the front edge 175 a of the support 175 and an inclined part 201 of the tongue 200. The bolt is then released from one or the other of the two locking members and can move to the left considering the drawing to then be released from the slide, as already explained in connection with FIGS. 6 to 8.

Pressing the control button 184 can be done manually by acting directly on this key, or by means of lock 190 whose the angularly movable blade acts on the tab end 204 of the tongue.

• le désaccouplement du dispositif d'actionnement est rendu extrêmement facile, par l'utilisation d'un mécanisme de verrouillage et de déverrouillage dans lequel l'effort nécessaire lors de la manoeuvre de déverrouillage est faible et pratiquement indépendant de l'effort d'arc-boutement exercé par le dispositif ;
• ce résultat est obtenu en utilisant un mécanisme qui est connu par ailleurs dans des applications tout à fait différentes, et qui, étant fabriqué en grande série représente un coût relativement faible. L'adaptation du dispositif, pour l'incorporation d'un tel mécanisme est relativement simple et peu coûteuse ;
• lorsque le mécanisme de verrouillage est associé à une serrure accessible soit de l'extérieur, soit de l'intérieur et de l'extérieur du panneau mobile, un avantage supplémentaire important est obtenu puisque l'utilisateur peut très facilement désaccoupler le dispositif d'actionnement aussi bien de l'intérieur que de l'extérieur du portail ;
• dans les modes de réalisation des figures 6 à 8 et des figures 9 à 12, le dispositif d'actionnement peut être replacé en position d'utilisation et en position de blocage du portail, du fait de la prise en compte des jeux qui sont libérés lors du désaccouplement et qui sont habituellement résorbés par l'effort d'arc-boutement exercé en position de fermeture. Le coulisseau étant simplement réintroduit dans la glissière, l'utilisateur peut ensuite en étant à l'extérieur du portail, et en refermant ce dernier, provoquer le reverrouillage du pêne, sans avoir à agir directement sur le mécanisme.

It appears from the foregoing description, that in its various embodiments, the device according to the invention offers substantial advantages compared to previous arrangements:

• the uncoupling of the actuating device is made extremely easy, by the use of a locking and unlocking mechanism in which the force required during the unlocking maneuver is low and practically independent of the arcing force. buttressing exerted by the device;
• this is achieved by using a mechanism which is known elsewhere in quite different applications, and which, being mass produced, represents a relatively low cost. The adaptation of the device, for the incorporation of such a mechanism is relatively simple and inexpensive;
• when the locking mechanism is associated with a lock accessible either from the outside, or from the inside and outside of the movable panel, an important additional advantage is obtained since the user can very easily uncouple the actuating device both inside and outside the portal;
• in the embodiments of FIGS. 6 to 8 and of FIGS. 9 to 12, the actuating device can be replaced in the position of use and in the locking position of the gate, due to the taking into account of the clearances which are released during uncoupling and which are usually absorbed by the bracing force exerted in the closed position. The slide being simply reintroduced into the slide, the user can then by being outside the gate, and by closing the latter, cause the bolt to be relocked, without having to act directly on the mechanism.

This possibility of relocking without great effort and from the outside undoubtedly constitutes a very important advantage of the device according to the invention.

Of course, similar means or equivalents may be provided in the embodiment Figures 1 to 5, in order to be able to relock the gate easily in the closed position.

The invention can be applied to any device for actuating gates or the like, whatever the type of actuator used, hydraulic or electro-mechanical and whatever the kinematics means connecting the portal to the fixed structure on which he rode.

Claims (19)

1. Actuating apparatus for a displaceable closure panel (V), articulated on a fixed structure (P), this actuating apparatus being disposed between the fixed structure and the displaceable panel and comprising at least one actuator (10) and at least two articulations (15, 27, 29; 54, 57, 59), means being provided to be able to disconnect two elements of the actuating apparatus and thereby release the displaceable panel, in the event of a malfunction, characterised in that said means comprise a locking mechanism (18, 22; 66, 74) of the type comprising a latch (22; 74), carried by one of the elements, and a bolt (18; 66) carried by the other element, the latch comprising a control member permitting the bolt to be released, the force necessary for manoeuvring the control member being much weaker than, and substantially independent of, the jamming force exerted by the actuator between the bolt and the latch.
2. Actuating apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the locking mechanism comprises a latch (22; 74) provided with a control key (24; 84) of the type used in the belt buckles or safety belts fitted to vehicles.
3. Actuating apparatus according to any of claims 1 and 2, of the type comprising a reduction motor (10) articulated in the vicinity of one of its ends about a spindle (14), on a fitting (12) secured on the displaceable panel (V), characterised in that the locking mechanism (18, 22) is disposed between the other end of the reduction motor (10) and the adjacent end (20) of the fitting (12).
4. Actuating apparatus according to claim 3, characterised in that the fitting (12) is bent-back at its end (at 20) to support a portion (22) of the locking mechanism.
5. Actuating apparatus according to claim 4, characterised in that the fitting (12) carries the latch (22), and the reduction motor (10) carries the bolt (18).
6. Actuating apparatus according to any of claims 1 and 2, of the type comprising at least one arm (52, 56), articulated on the fixed structure (P) and on a slide (64) accommodated in a slide member (70) secured on the displaceable panel (V), characterised in that the locking mechanism, with the latch (74) and the bolt (66), is disposed between the slide (64) and the slide member (70).
7. Actuating apparatus according to claim 6, characterised in that the slide member (70) carries the latch (74), and the slide (64) carries the bolt (66).
8. Actuating apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that it comprises means for compensating for the play released during its disconnection.
9. Actuating apparatus according to claim 8, characterised in that said means are fitted into one of the articulations of the apparatus and are adapted to be able to modify the position of the axis of this articulation.
10. Actuating apparatus according to claim 9, combined with one of claims 6 and 7, characterised in that the articulation of the arm (56) on the slide (64) is achieved by means of an articulation part (59), which is able to occupy at least two positions (60, 62).
11. Actuating apparatus according to claim 8, characterised in that said means (169, 202) are incorporated in the latch-and-bolt mechanism.
12. Actuating apparatus according to claim 11, characterised in that said means comprise a supplementary locking member (202), which co-operates with the bolt so as to lock the latter in a different position from that in which it is normally locked, this supplementary locking member being mounted retractably to be able to release the bolt.
13. Actuating apparatus according to claim 12, characterised in that the bolt (166) comprises two holes or notches (168, 169), the first (168) being adapted to co-operate with the latch, and the second (169) being adapted to co-operate with the end (202) of a resiliently deformable tongue (200), this tongue being displaceably movable at the same time as the control member (184) of the latch and co-operating with a fixed support surface (175a), to be retracted and to release the bolt, when the control member (184) of the latch is actuated in the unlocking direction.
14. Actuating apparatus according to claim 13 limited to its combination with one of claims 6 and 7, characterised in that the tongue (200) is placed between the latch (174, 175) and the base of the slide member (170) and comprises two turned-down lateral lugs (206) accommodated in housings (208) of the control member (184) of the latch.
15. Actuating apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that it comprises a lock (40; 90; 190), which is accessible at least from the exterior of the displaceable panel (V), and which is adapted to be able to act on the control member (24; 74; 174) of the locking mechanism so as to release the bolt of the latch.
16. Actuating apparatus according to claim 15, characterised in that the lock (40) is of the type comprising a fixed body (42) and a detachable barrel (44), connected by a link (46) to the control member (24) of the latch.
17. Actuating apparatus according to claim 15, combined with any of claims 6 to 14, characterised in that the lock (90; 190) is disposed in the vicinity of the latch (74) and traverses the slide member (70; 170) and the displaceable panel (V), this lock comprising a displaceable bit (92) co-operating with an intermediate member (80; 200) connected to the control member (84; 184) of the latch.
18. Actuating apparatus according to claim 17, characterised in that the intermediate member is a stirrup-shaped member (80), which is provided with two flanges (82) engaging on the control member (84), and the core (83) of which co-operates with the bit (92) of the lock, the latter extending into the space defined between said core and the latch.
19. Actuating apparatus according to one of claims 17 and 18, combined with claim 14, characterised in that the tongue (200) comprises, at its end opposite that which co-operates with the bolt, a lug (204) with which the displaceable bit of the lock (190) can co-operate, to actuate the tongue and the control member of the latch.

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