EP1146199B1 - Roller shutter with infrared detector - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a roller shutter comprising means motor drive for winding and unfolding of a planned deck capable of deploying in at least a plan in front of a door type building opening, window or the like, this roller shutter being again provided with engine stop control means in the event of an obstacle being detected in the trajectory of the deck, more particularly during deployment.

The present invention relates to the field of roller shutters, in particular those equipped with motor means for training their apron and which therefore require the presence of security means capable of ensuring the protection of users.

It is more and more common to equip buildings with closing means whose operation is motorized, not only for convenience, but also for added security.

This is the case with roller shutters and it is quite common for the control of their operation can be ensured, not only from the control unit which is theirs each time once associated, but also from a general command which allows, then, to manage the simultaneous operation of several of these roller shutters. Note that this connection of these components rolling between them or even at the central control can be carried out by specific wiring, by means of remote communication of the radio or similar type or else by carrier current. This last solution turns out particularly advantageous taking into account the connection necessarily existing electric motor means of roller shutters in the household electrical network.

This generalization of the group order of several components rolling from a control point now requires setting almost always put in place security measures to ensure that when the order is placed, including closing a roller shutter, it does not risk not to pinch someone or even a child, located at that time on the path of the deck of this component. It is obvious that in the event of a group order of several of these shutters, it is impossible to monitor all of them simultaneously.

Also, it is usual to equip these rolling shutters with detectors obstacle whose function is precisely to stop the engine electric drive in case an obstacle occurs present on this path of the apron when it closes.

The problem with most of these detectors is that their operational reliability or in the difficulty of their implementation on roller shutters.

Thus, by way of example, it is known to place on the end of an apron winding shaft, a coding wheel to which are associated with appropriate optical means, while this encoder wheel is driven by a drive cable directly connected to the last blade of the deck. Therefore, when this blade comes up against an obstacle during ordering closing, the drive of the encoder wheel is interrupted which is detected by the associated optical means which then order the engine to stop.

If through such a solution there is no inertia in the engine stop command in relation to the meeting of the obstacle, it is of implementation particularly difficult, since the first blade of the apron by a cable necessarily extending all along the side slides in which are moved the ends of the blades of this deck. Therefore the presence of this cable is likely to generate frequent malfunctions in the roller shutter.

Another solution is to equip at least some of the ends of the apron blades of a magnet, while at the upper end of a slide is placed a switch THEY. Thus, during the deployment of the roller shutter, the ILS switch comes to check that the apron, while in case of blockage it detects the stop of the scrolling magnets fitted to the deck blades to order the engine to stop operating. Contrary to the previous solution, there is inertia between the moment when the engine stops and the obstacle arrives first blade of the deck. If the obstacle is very close to the door or window threshold, almost the entire weight of the apron will rest on this obstacle before the stop occurs.

It is also known to equip the first blade of the deck, in particular to one of its ends, of a magnet, while in the corresponding slide in which this end of blade comes to move is provided with an inductive sensor terminals from which a voltage is detected under the effect of displacement of the blade and its magnet, therefore when rolling shutter deployment.

Therefore, there again, on the one hand, come and equip the or slides them from an inductive sensor and, on the other hand, connect these sensors to an electronic card, an operation which cannot be carried out in the factory but necessarily on site, by assembly operators. Also this solution poses a new not only the problem of cost, but also that of reliability, taking into account the electrical connections it imposes.

We still know from document JP-A-073 31 974 a system automatic closing control of an equipped blind, part, of a probe as an obstacle detector at the level of the lower edge of this blind and, on the other hand, of proximity to detect, during the descent phase, the presence of a person in front of the door that closes this blind.

It is also known from document US-A-6,080,981 a user detection device in the passage of a door elevator. This is in case of detection of the presence of a nobody in this passage, by a pyroelectric detector of passive infrared type with which optical means are associated suitable for defining a detection volume substantially plan, immediately order the reopening of the door is directly secured to the detector. It is noted that the field of observation of this detector mounted on a movable door varies during opening and closing

The present invention is intended to respond to the problems posed above, on the one hand, by proposing a solution which facilitates the design of the roller shutter, while avoiding the disadvantage of the inertia between the arrival on obstacle by the first leaf of the deck and the actual engine shutdown drive.

Thus, the invention relates to a rolling shutter comprising motor drive means for winding control and of a planned deck suitable for deployment in the minus a plan in front of a building opening of the type door, window or the like, this roller shutter being provided, again, means for controlling the operation of the drive motor if an obstacle is detected in the trajectory of the deck, more particularly during deployment, said control means stop comprise at least one detector, characterized in that the detector (7) is a pyroelectric detector, of passive infrared type, with which optical means are associated suitable for defining a substantially flat detection volume extending immediately to the rear, inner side of the plane of the apron, in a space between the latter and said joinery, either the door, window or similar, in front of which is provided suitable deploying said apron.

The advantages of the present invention consist of what this passive infrared detector can come to equip in machines the roller shutter box, in a place where the assembly operators do not need to intervene, this in the aim to reduce assembly operations, but also in the aim of reducing the risk of default. Obviously, the solution according to the invention leads to a simplification of the the design of the roller shutter, insofar as this obstacle detection no longer involves the side rails, without encountering the concern of late detection of a obstacle on the path of the deck. Better still, in the present case this obstacle causes the engine to stop as soon as, precisely it crosses this trajectory and, therefore, before even that the first blade of the deck does not meet it. Indeed, deployment is simply not allowed if its command occurs when an obstacle arises in the plane of detector detection. Furthermore, if an object or a nobody comes to be placed in this trajectory once the moving apron, it is immediately stopped under the pulse of this detector.

Thus equipped with a passive infrared detector, such shutters can contribute effectively to protection device of a house if we come to connect them to a alarm center. In particular, by coming to place, according to the invention, the infrared detector and the associated optical means so that the plane of detection extends between said roller shutter and the door or window corresponding to the opening in the building, a intrusion attempt can be detected immediately the instant the intruder cuts off this detection field. The power plant alarm can then be informed, in particular by current carrier or any other suitable means.

In such a combined application, it will be observed that these passive infrared detectors have very low consumption so that in the event of a power failure electric through the housing sector network, this supply of these detectors can be ensured by a simple tank capacity. Also, it is not necessary to associate it costly and bulky autonomous supply means, batteries or the like, which furthermore have the disadvantage of a limited lifespan and that it is appropriate, for Therefore, replace regularly.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which will follow and in view of the attached drawing illustrating a example of realization.

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a shutter rolling extending in front of a window of a building and comprising obstacle detection means in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic representation in section along II-II of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a representation similar to Figure previous illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

As shown in the figures in the attached drawing, the present invention relates to a motorized rolling shutter 1 for door, window or similar 2.

Thus, in a known manner this rolling shutter 1 comprises a motor electric drive (not shown) to ensure the winding and unwinding of the deck 3 of this rolling shutter 1.

Note, in this regard, that this apron 3 is deployed at less in a plane 4 in front of this opening at which corresponds said door or window. In the figures are visible the side slides 5 in which come move the ends of the blades making up this deck 3.

It is important to note that if the installation of the component roller 1, shown here, corresponds to a situation of renovation, the present invention is in no way limited to a such a form of establishment, since it will also find its application in the case of a construction fitted with original such roller shutters.

It is also planned to equip this motorized roller shutter with engine stop control means 6 in the event of an obstacle being detected in the trajectory of the deck 3, more particularly during deployment of the latter.

According to the invention, these stop control means 6 comprise at least one pyroelectric detector 7, of the infrared type passive, to which are associated appropriate optical means 8 to define a substantially flat detection sector 9 extending immediately to the front, external side 10, and / or to the rear 11, internal side, and / or in the plane 4 in which is caused to deploy said apron 3.

Advantageously, the optical means 8, associated with this detector 7 of passive infrared type, consist of a lens of Fresnel curtain type of small width, so that the volume detection is substantially planar. As an example the angle aperture provided in one direction by such a lens could be around 90 ° in one direction and 4 ° in one perpendicular direction.

Anyway, this detection volume 9 is at least parallel to plane 4 of the deck, if it is not confused with this latest. It is also limited by box 12 of the door or window 2 and insofar as, according to a mode of preferential embodiment of the invention, the detector 7 is integrated into the casing 15 of the roller shutter 1, its lower limit is determined more particularly by the threshold 13 of this window, door or similar 2.

Advantageously, this detection volume 9 extends from internal side 11 of the plan of the deck 3, in a space 14 between this last and carpentry, either the door or the like. In such configuration, the apron does not interfere with detection in during shutter closure, but, in addition, this pyroelectric type 7 can intervene, advantageously, in as part of a perimeter detection in an installation alarm of a house.

More particularly, once the control unit is activated, this detector may be able to detect, not an obstacle, but a attempted intrusion, whether or not the shutter is closed. So, when approaching door or window 2, this infrared detector passive is able to detect a temperature variation to generate a signal towards said central alarm by any appropriate means of communication and, in individual, by means of intercommunication connecting, for example, several roller shutters together. AT note on this subject that through such means interconnection a rolling shutter necessarily has of all the means that are useful to guarantee this transfer of signal from detector 7.

Obviously, as part of a construction as it was refers above, detection can still take place when the deck 3 is completely, or even only partially deployed. In fact, during an attempted intrusion of aigrefin who raises the apron 3 is immediately detected as soon as when it enters the space 14 delimited by this apron 3 and door or window 2, before it has even opened it.

According to another embodiment, the roller shutter is equipped a detector comprising two pyroelectric zones, or even as shown in Figure 3 of two detectors 7, 7A similar whose detection volume 9.9A extends, respectively, in a plane at the rear, internal side 11, of the plane 4 of deck 3 and in a parallel plane. So, through of this detector with several pyroelectric zones or both 7.7A detectors it is not only possible to detect the presence of an obstacle in the path of this deck 3, but in addition, the direction of movement of the obstacle, either by person or animal. This enables detection perimeter through the alarm center of a dwelling, while maintaining, in particular a window in half-open height. Under these conditions, are detected only movements coming from outside and crossing the detection volume, first of all that corresponding to the area pyroelectric or 7A detector located the farthest outside, then that of the pyroelectric zone or the interior detector 7. Conversely, a movement in direction otherwise can be ignored by this alarm center.

It should also be observed that this detection of the sense of movement, in particular of a person, through a opening of a dwelling, in particular at the level of a door, offers multiple possibilities of control, statistics and others.

If such a pyroelectric detector responds advantageously to the constraints of obstacle detection, it also provides a number of benefits in terms of its integration into an alarm system. In particular, this type of detector has the particularity of requiring only one low energy intake to guarantee its functioning.

In this regard, if its electrical connection in itself poses no problem since the roller shutter itself contains necessarily a connection to the power supply home, it is important, in a application as an intrusion detector, that its operation is ensured in the event of a break in this power supply. The solution to such a problem is, of course, to use electrical power autonomous, like batteries or the like. In fact, thanks to this reduced consumption of these infrared detectors passive, their feeding can be guaranteed for several tens of hours with a simple tank capacity.

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention effectively addresses the problems of obstacle detection during shutter operation motorized wheels. In particular, this detection does not generate no discomfort in the mounting of these shutters. In addition, the manufacturing does not prove to be considerably more expensive than solution without stop detection and control means necessarily associated and which therefore offers no security.

This 7.7A infrared detector (s) can be integrated into the box 15 and in particular to the lower face 16, as shown schematically in the figures. A such an implantation solution is possible, both in a configuration of renovation than in new construction that we come to equip original rolling shutters.

Claims (7)

1. Roller shutter (1) including motorised driving means for controlling the winding-up and the unwinding of an apron (3) designed capable of unfolding at least in a plane (4) in front of a building opening corresponding to a piece of carpentry, such as a door, window or the like (2), this roller shutter (1) being also provided with control means (6) for stopping the operation of the drive motor in the event an obstacle is detected on the path of the apron (3), in particular during the unwinding, said control means (6) for stopping including at least a sensor (7), characterised in that the sensor (7) is a pyro-electric sensor, of a passive infrared type, to which are associated appropriate optical means (8) for defining a substantially flat detection volume (9) extending immediately behind, at the inner side (11) of the plane of the apron (3), in a space (14) between the latter and said piece of carpentry, i.e. the door, window or the like (2), in front of which said apron (3) is designed capable of unfolding.
2. Roller shutter (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the optical means (8) are associated with the sensor (7, 7A) of a passive infrared type consisting of a Fresnel lens of a curtain type with a small width, so that the detection volume (9, 9A) is close to a plane.
3. Roller shutter (1) according to any of claims 1 to 2, characterised in that the roller shutter is provided with a sensor with two pyro-electrical areas or with two similar sensors (7, 7A) the detection volume (9, 9A) of which extends in a plane immediately behind, at the inner side (11), the plane of the apron (3) and in a parallel plane, respectively.
4. Roller shutter (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the pyro-electric sensor or sensors (7, 7A) are integrated into the casing (15) of the roller shutter (1).
5. Roller shutter (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the pyro-electric sensor or sensors (7, 7A) are integrated at the level of the lower face (16) of the casing (15).
6. Roller shutter (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the control means (6) for stopping on an obstacle, in the form of at least one pyro-electric sensor (7, 7A), are designed capable of being connected to an alarm central for a peripheral protection of a house.
7. Roller shutter (1) according to claim 6, including means for intercommunicating with at least another similar roller shutter, characterised in that the means for controlling the stopping on an obstacle (6), in the form of at least one pyro-electric sensor (7, 7A), are designed capable of being connected to an alarm central through said intercommunicating means.

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