EP0947661B1 - One-way locking device for roller shutter - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a unidirectional locking device interposed between a drive mechanism, in particular of the type manual, and a winding shaft of a shutter curtain rolling.

The present invention will find particular interest in the field of drive systems for roller shutters.

Generally, a rolling shutter is defined by an apron coming to wrap around and unwind from a tree winding controlled in rotation by a mechanism appropriate training. So this winding tree, usually placed inside a box is maintained, in rotation, at its ends, through bearings often associated with supporting cheeks. As to drive mechanism itself, it can be of the type manual or motor.

Anyway, there is the problem of immobilization in rotation of this winding shaft when the action ceases, on the latter, said drive mechanism. If this problem is currently resolved by the use of a type brake electromagnetic in the case of a drive mechanism to motor, brake operating due to lack of current, it does not go not the same in the context of a type of drive mechanism manual.

In this regard, it will be observed, in fact, that among these manual type drive mechanisms, there are particularly simplified configuration, since defined by example, by a simple pulley mounted, directly or by through an appropriate reducer, on the axis of said shaft winding. On this pulley then comes to wind, at less partially, a traction member, of the strap type, cord, chain or the like. If we take the case more particular of a cord or chain, we will notice that this immobilization in rotation of the winding shaft actually results from the immobilization in translation of one at least strands described by said cord or said chain.

Furthermore, as part of a strap, the latter, if it comes to wrap, at its upper end, around said aforementioned drive pulley, at its lower end, it joins a kind of reel reel equipped with a system strap braking.

Apart from these solutions, which are ultimately very primary, there blocking devices already exist unidirectional interposed between such a mechanism drive, for example in the form of a pulley, and the shaft for rolling up a roller shutter curtain. Such a device blocking is even, as indicated by its name, prevent rotation of the winding shaft under the impulse of the weight of the deck and, therefore, of a couple directly printed on this winding shaft. Besides, it is designed to be deactivated, automatically, in case voluntary action exercised by the user, through a cord, a strap, a chain or other, on said pulley.

substantially such a one-way locking device is in the form of a constrained helical spring around or in a fixed tube for example made integral, directly or indirectly, from a supporting cheek. On both ends of this coil spring is able to act a part of transmission connecting, in a way, the mechanism drive to the roller shutter winding shaft. So, only voluntary action on this drive mechanism, for example, on the pulley that composes it, leads to relax this spring with respect to the fixed tube around which or in which it is forced and, through this, to release rotation of the aforementioned transmission part, therefore, to authorize the rotation of this winding shaft. Unlike, a couple exerted, for example, by the weight of the deck on this tree is counteracted by the action of the spring with respect to said tube fixed.

We will refer, more particularly, to document FR-A-2,749,361 or to document DE-35 04 489 for more further details regarding such blocking devices unidirectional known as a spring.

In fact, it must be recognized that, if these are simple operation, they are nonetheless complex in their design. Indeed, the different parts should be adjusted to each other from in such a way that the prestress, printed on the spring and from where results in the rotation blocking of the winding shaft, i.e. sufficient to enable it to perform the required function, knowing that it should not, however, hinder the good operation of the drive mechanism and, therefore, make it more difficult to maneuver at the level of the traction in the form of a chain, cord or the like.

We still know, through the American document US-5,488,983, a winding device for a curtain or the like comprising a winding shaft on which it is wound and from which unfolds such a curtain under the impulse of a manual control exerted on a drive mechanism of the chain wheel type. Between this training device and said winding shaft is interposed a locking device which consists, at said winding shaft, of a wheel plane immobilized inside the latter and equipped with a first set of plates perpendicular to the axis of the tree winding. This flat wheel is mounted, in rotation and in sliding, on a fixed shaft with one end receives, in rotation, said chain wheel while the other end is equipped with elastic return means suitable for lean on said flat wheel. This blocking device also comprises, at said fixed shaft, a second set of plates mounted, perpendicularly, on said shaft fixed, between the two ends of the latter. Each of plates of this second set is arranged between two plates of the first game equipping said flat wheel. This last has, on the periphery, a sawtooth crown capable of cooperate with a crown of complementary shape fitted to the chain wheel which, when activated, repels said flat wheel, against the action of elastic return means. This authorizes the detachment of the plates equipping said wheel plane of those secured to the fixed shaft. When the action on the chain wheel stops, the elastic return means push said flat wheel towards the chain wheel which causes the clutch of the two sets of plates.

It will be observed that this device has a complex design involving a large number of parts including the in place and adjustment are tedious. This is, in particular, thus for the plates of the braking device which must, moreover, respect a determined spacing between them in order to authorize their detachment while avoiding remaining engaged. Of more, the meshing means equipping the chain wheel act on a heavy and bulky set made up, in particular, by the flat wheel and the winding shaft receiving the curtain or the like. Also, the fact of ensuring the displacement, in rotation and, above all, in translation, of this set is inevitably results in rapid and significant wear of the means of engagement. In addition, moving said tree drive in the axial direction has the effect of deporting laterally the curtain which is detrimental to the scrolling of the latter, particularly if the latter were to be guided in side slides.

Also, the present invention aims to provide a solution to the problem posed through a blocking device unidirectional very simple design, at least avoiding compliance with very strict manufacturing tolerances. This not only results in lower manufacturing costs, but also a reduction in a possible risk of failure of such a unidirectional locking device.

To this end, the invention relates to a blocking device unidirectional interposed between a drive mechanism, in particular of the manual type, and a winding shaft of a roller shutter curtain, said device being constituted, on the one hand, by a brake comprising a fixed plate associated with a fixed part of the roller shutter, against this fixed plate being pushed back, by elastic return means, a plate mobile integral in rotation with said winding shaft and, on the other hand, by means of engagement of the mechanism drive on said movable platform provided suitable, under the momentum of a torque imparted by said mechanism training, to exercise, on this movable platform, at least one torque and an axial component force to ensure the detachment of said movable plate relative to the fixed plate, against the action of elastic return means, characterized by the fact that, on the one hand, the movable plate is mounted movable axially on the winding shaft and has a nozzle slidably fitted axially, at one end of the shaft winding, between the latter and this tip intervening means for locking in rotation of the key type, groove and tongue or the like and, on the other hand, said fixed plate is defined, more particularly, by a support cheek provided with a bearing capable of receiving, in rotation, one of the ends of the winding shaft.

In fact, through such a blocking device unidirectional according to the invention, the quality of the blocking of the deck winding shaft depends mainly on the braking coefficient provided by the fittings fitted to the brake pads.

Therefore, it is much easier to adjust the different elements relative to each other in comparison with the known solution.

• la figure 1 est une représentation schématisée d'un volet roulant auquel s'applique le dispositif de blocage unidirectionnel conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une représentation schématisée, partielle et en coupe de ce volet roulant illustrant, plus particulièrement, ce dispositif de blocage unidirectionnel lorsque celui-ci est en position active ;
• la figure 3 est une représentation similaire à la figure 2, le dispositif de blocage unidirectionnel étant représenté, dans ce cas, en position désactivée autorisant la rotation de l'arbre d'enroulement sous l'impulsion du mécanisme d'entraínement.

The present invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows relating to the attached drawing in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a roller shutter to which the unidirectional locking device according to the invention applies;
• Figure 2 is a schematic representation, partial and in section of this roller shutter illustrating, more particularly, this unidirectional locking device when the latter is in the active position;
• Figure 3 is a representation similar to Figure 2, the unidirectional locking device being shown, in this case, in the deactivated position allowing rotation of the winding shaft under the impulse of the drive mechanism.

As shown in Figure 1 of the attached drawing, the the present invention relates to the field of roller shutters.

Thus, it has been shown in the context of this figure 1, a such rolling shutter 1 comprising an apron 2 defined by a juxtaposition of blades 3, this deck 2 being provided capable of coming wrap around a winding shaft 4 plus particularly illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, taking position inside a housing 5 accommodating, for elsewhere, the drive mechanism 6 of this roller shutter 1.

Note that the winding shaft 4 is mounted in rotation, at level of its ends 7, in bearings 8 associated with support cheeks 9 integrated into the box 5.

As for the drive mechanism 6, it has been shown here, manual type knowing that the invention will find an interest while particular in this case. However, we will observe that it is in no way limited to it and that we can completely imagine the association of the object of the present invention with motorized drive means.

Anyway, this drive mechanism 6 is defined, in this case and as an example, by a pulley 10 around which is caused to wind, at least partially, a traction member 11 such as a strap, a chain, a cord or the like. Thus, such a traction member 11 defines at least one strand 12 extending outside the box 5 accessible to the user to allow the latter ensure the deployment and folding orders for the apron 2.

This roller shutter 1, according to the invention, is provided, in in addition, a unidirectional locking device 13 interposed between the drive mechanism 6, here in the form of a pulley 10, and the winding shaft 4.

This unidirectional locking device 13 has the function ensuring the immobility in rotation of said winding shaft 4 spurred on by a couple directly imprinted on this last, for example, by the weight of the deck 2.

In contrast, such a unidirectional locking device 13 is defined capable of authorizing the rotation control of this winding shaft 4 through the drive mechanism 6.

In fact, this unidirectional locking device 13 is characterized in that it consists, on the one hand, of a brake 14 comprising a fixed plate 15 against which is pushed back, by elastic return means 16, a plate 17 which itself is mounted movable, axially while being integral in rotation, on the winding shaft 4.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, such a movable tray 17 is preferably mounted on this winding shaft 4 at one of the ends 7 of the latter. So according to a preferred embodiment, this movable plate 17 has a nozzle 18 provided capable of being fitted, so sliding axially, in this end 7 of the shaft winding 4, usually of tubular type.

Note, in this regard, that at this end 7, the winding shaft 4 can be lined, internally, at using a sleeve 19 adjusted to the nozzle 18. Between the latter and, as the case may be, said sleeve 19 or else the shaft winding 4 are then arranged locking means in rotation 20 of the key type, groove and tongue or the like.

This movable plate 17 is further defined by a flange annular 21 receiving a brake lining 22 facing with the fixed plate 15 which can itself be provided with a such brake lining 23.

Note, with regard to this fixed plate 15, that it is necessarily associated with a fixed part of the roller shutter 1. In the case of the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, such a fixed plate 15 is defined, substantially, by a support cheek 9 against which is then able to be pushed back the movable plate 17 under the impulse of said elastic return means 16.

In this regard, this brake 14 of the blocking device unidirectional 13 can take position inside the bearing 8 ensuring the rotation of the winding shaft 4. Thus, this bearing 8 is, in this case, defined in the form of a ferrule 24 integral with said support cheek 9 and extending in direction of the winding shaft 4. This ferrule 24 is provided at its free end 25 with an annular bearing 26 defining the bearing 8 proper and coming to cooperate with a cylindrical seat 27, either directly associated with the shaft winding 4, or to the movable plate 17 of the brake 14.

Finally, as appears from the above description, the ferrule 24 associated with the support cheek 9 delimits a housing 28 provided to accommodate the brake 14. As for elastic return means 16, they are, here, interposed between the annular surface 26 and the corresponding annular flange 21 to the movable plate 17.

The unidirectional locking device 13 consists, on the other hand, by engagement means 29 of the mechanism 6 on the movable plate 17 which are provided capable, under the impulse of a torque impressed by said mechanism drive 6, to exercise, on this movable plate 17, at least a torque and a force f with an axial component to ensure the detachment of said movable plate 17 relative to the fixed plate 15, against the action of the elastic return means 16.

According to a preferred embodiment, these means meshing 29 consist of a first associated disc 30 to said movable plate 17 of the brake 14 and into a second disc 31 integral, in rotation and in translation, with a shaft 32 of the drive mechanism 6. This first and this second disc 30, 31 come to mesh with each other at the means of teeth 33, drive fingers, pins or analogues whose profile 34 is defined capable of meeting the aforementioned condition.

We understand, of course, that it is within the reach of Man Craft to design different types of mechanisms meshing of these discs 30, 31 capable of driving, under the impulse of the drive mechanism 6, to the creation of a force f tending to repel, axially, the plate mobile 17 of brake 14 to come and take it off from the plate fixed 15.

It will be observed, in particular, in this regard, that if is, of course, sought the detachment of this movable plate 17 of the brake 14 relative to the fixed plate 15 at the start of maneuver, the fact remains that, to ensure the deployment or folding of the apron, it is necessary, beyond of this first step, that said meshing means 29 remain active, i.e. discs 30, 31 remain meshed to allow, precisely, the control in rotation of the drive shaft 4. Also, said movable plate 17 of the brake 14 is made to move axially relative to the shaft winding 4, following a determined stroke 35 which is, therefore, defined sufficient to ensure this separation while allowing this training.

Thus, this race 35 corresponds to the persistent play between the end edge of the winding shaft 4 and a shoulder 36 defined, in correspondence, at the level of the external part of the end piece 18 corresponding to the movable plate 17. Of course, for its part, the disc 31, integral with a drive shaft 32 of the drive mechanism 6, is necessarily maintained fixed in translation, at least in the direction corresponding to race 35, so that you can control it.

It should be noted that, if in Figures 2 and 3, the ferrule 24, defining the bearing 8, has a larger diameter important than that of the winding shaft 4, we could, of course imagine a design where these diameters are identical so that the blades 3 of the deck 2 can extend, at their end, to the height of the plays support 9. This would have the advantage of leading to a 5 smaller enclosure size. For this purpose, we will observe, in these Figures 2 and 3, that at the movable plate 17 of the brake 14 is formed a recess 37 whose bottom 38 defines, substantially, the first disc 30, inside this recess 37 taking position, moreover, the second disc 31 corresponding to the engagement means 29.

Finally, as appears from the above description, the present invention makes it possible to advantageously respond to the problem posed insofar as it relates to a device unidirectional locking mechanism both simple and safe operation.

Claims (7)

1. One-way locking device designed capable of being interposed between a driving mechanism (6), namely of a manual type, and a rolling-up shaft (4) of an apron (2) of a roller shutter (1), said device being comprised, on the one hand, of a brake (14) including a fixed disc (15) capable of being associated with a fixed portion of the roller shutter (1) and defined by a supporting side-plate (9) provided with a bearing block (8) capable of rotationally receiving one end (7) of the rolling-up shaft (4), against this fixed disc (15) being pushed back through springy restoring means (16) a movable disc (17) aimed at being made integral in rotation with said rolling-up shaft (4) and, on the other hand, of means (29) for allowing the driving mechanism (6) to engage with said movable disc (17) designed capable of exerting onto this movable disc (17), under the action of the torque imparted by said driving mechanism (6), at least a torque and a force (f) with axial components, in order to ensure the separation of said movable disc (17) with respect to the fixed disc (15), against the action of the springy restoring means (16), characterised in that the movable disc (17) is designed capable of being mounted movable in an axial direction onto the rolling-up shaft (4) and includes a tip (18) designed capable of being inserted, slidably in an axial direction, at the level of one end (7) of this rolling-up shaft (4), means for locking in rotation (20), such as a pin, a groove and tongue or the like, being designed capable of acting between the latter and this tip (18).
2. One-way locking device according to claim 1, characterised in that the movable disc (17) is defined by an annular flange receiving a brake lining (22) facing the fixed disc (15), which is namely provided with such a brake lining (23).
3. One-way locking device (13) according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the brake (14) is positioned inside said bearing block (8) defined in the form of a ferrule (24) integral with the supporting side-plate (9) and extending towards the winding-up shaft (4).
4. One-way locking device (13) according to claim 3, characterised in that said ferrule (24) is provided, at is free end (25) with an annular journal (26) co-operating with a cylindrical journal (27) associated either directly with the winding-up (4) or with the movable disc (17) of the brake (14).
5. One-way locking device (13) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the engaging means (29) of the driving mechanism (6) are comprised of a first disc (30) associated with the movable disc (17) of the brake (14) and of a second disc (31) integral, in rotation and translation, with a driving shaft (32) of the driving mechanism (6), this first and this second disc (30, 31) engaging into each other by means of toothings (33), driving catches, pawls or the like, the profile (34) of which is defined capable of ensuring the separation of said movable disc (17) with respect to the fixed disc (15) under the action of a torque imparted by said driving mechanism.
6. One-way locking device (13) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the movable disc (17) of the brake (14) is made axially movable with respect to the winding-up shaft (4) over a sufficient travel distance (35) to allow the separation of said movable disc (17) with respect to the fixed disc (15), while allowing the driving of the winding-up shaft (4).
7. One-way locking device (13) according to claim 5, characterised in that at the level of the movable disc (17) of the brake (14) is provided for a recess (37) the bottom (38) of which substantially defines the first disc (30), the second disc (31) corresponding to the engaging means (29) being positioned inside this recess (37).

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