EP1153192A1

EP1153192A1 - Automatic stop device based on a variable trip coupling for a motor of a roller shutter winding tube

Info

Publication number: EP1153192A1
Application number: EP00906406A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Serge Jardinier
Original assignee: A D F
Current assignee: Axiom Sarl
Priority date: 1999-02-19
Filing date: 2000-02-17
Publication date: 2001-11-14
Also published as: WO2000049264A1; AU2809100A; FR2790032B1; FR2790032A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for automatic control of an electric motor, characterised in that the control means (17) are capable of triggering the overtravel limit switch (18) during the winding cycle, and comprise mechanical means (31) for varying the trip couple value. The invention is applicable to tubular winding motors of roller shutters.

Description

DEVICE FOR STOPPING ACCORDING TO A VARIABLE TRIP TORQUE, A MOTOR DRIVING A ROLLER SHUTTER TUBE

TECHNICAL AREA :

The present invention relates to the technical field of controlling the movement of a concealing element in the general sense, such as a rolling shutter fitted, for example, a window or a door. The object of the invention is more specifically aimed at the means of automatically stopping a tubular electric motor driving in rotation a winding tube of a rolling shutter or the like.

PRIOR TECHNIQUE:

In the prior art, it is known, in particular from patent application EP 0 844 362, a device for automatically stopping a tubular electric motor driving in rotation a winding tube of a rolling shutter. Such a stop device comprises a trigger system reacting to the torque exerted on the motor housing by the winding tube, so as to interrupt the supply of the motor when there is an increase in the torque due to an arrival of the shutter. in the high position. Such a stop device comprises mechanical means making it possible to deactivate a motor stop switch, called a high limit switch, at least during the winding phase during which the torque exerted on the winding tube is greater than the tripping torque. Indeed, it must be considered that the applied torque is variable depending on the position of the shutter. Thus, it appears when the entire apron of the roller shutter is suspended, a maximum torque value greater than the value of the torque applied when the roller shutter is at the end of the winding cycle. Also, the deactivation of the engine stop switch during the phase during which a maximum torque is applied to the winding tube, makes it possible to determine, during the terminal winding phase of the shutter, a torque trigger with a value lower than the maximum torque applied to the tube. Such a provision avoids, when it arrives at the top stop, deterioration of the roller shutter due to excessive traction exerted on the shutter.

However, the neutralization of the top limit switch which takes place during most of the winding cycle with the exception of the final winding phase, is not a guarantee of total safety. Furthermore, this device of the prior art uses mechanical means made up of numerous parts to make the switch out of service, making such a device relatively complex.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION:

The object of the invention is to remedy the drawbacks of the state of the art by proposing an automatic stop device for a tubular electric motor driving a winding tube of a roller shutter, designed to obtain a stop. certain of the motor with only a fraction of the maximum torque, while not neutralizing the operation of the switch during the phase during which the torque exerted on the winding tube is greater than the tripping torque.

The object of the invention also aims to propose an automatic stop device having a simple design allowing it to be manufactured at a reduced cost and to be installed easily inside the winding tube of the roller shutter.

To achieve this objective, the automatic stopping device of a tubular electric motor driving a winding tube of a rolling shutter intended to come into abutment in the high rolled position, comprises in particular:

- means for detecting a torque applied to the motor casing by the winding tube,

- And control means of at least one so-called high limit switch, these control means being controlled by the detection means to activate the switch in order to interrupt the supply of the motor when the detected torque exceeds a determined value called triggering.

According to the invention, the control means: - are capable of actuating the top limit switch for the entire duration of the shutter winding cycle,

- And include mechanical means making it possible to ensure a variation, at least during the winding phase of the shutter, of the value of the tripping torque as a function of the position of the rolling shutter, with a view to determining at least a first value of the torque trigger for the shutter winding phase starting from its unwound position, and a second value of the trigger torque lower than the first, for the final shutter winding phase.

The stop device according to the invention thus makes it possible to leave active the switch operating during the winding phase, while obtaining an engine stop with only a fraction of the maximum torque applied to the winding tube.

According to a preferred variant embodiment, the stop device is characterized in that the control means are capable of activating a so-called low limit switch, throughout the duration of the shutter unwinding cycle and in that the mechanical means make it possible to ensure a variation of the value of the tripping torque as a function of the position of the shutter, in order to determine at least a third value of the tripping torque for the unwinding phase of the shutter starting from its position wound and a fourth value of the tripping torque lower than the third, for the final phase of the shutter.

Various other characteristics will emerge from the description given below with reference to the appended drawings which show, by way of nonlimiting examples, embodiments and implementation of the subject of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a roller shutter capable of being fitted with the stop device according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the stop device according to the invention. Figs. 3 and 4 are partial cross-sectional views taken substantially along the lines AA of FIG. 2 and showing an elastic torque detection system in two characteristic positions.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of the stop device showing a characteristic detail of the invention.

Figs. 6 and 7 are partial cross sections showing the actuation lever in two characteristic positions.

Figs. 8 to 10 are schematic views illustrating the different positions taken by the actuation lever according to the invention.

BEST WAY TO IMPLEMENT THE INVENTION:

Fig. 1 conventionally represents a rolling shutter or the like 1 guided in movement along its vertical edges by slides 2. The shutter 1 is intended to be wound on a winding tube 3 in which is housed a tubular electric motor 4 associated with a reduction gear 5, the outlet of which is fitted with a ring 6 for driving the tube in rotation 3. In known manner, the electric motor 4 comprises a head 7 mounted inside a fixed cheek 8 of a box housing the flap and having an opposite cheek 9 fitted with a bearing 11 for guiding in rotation one end of the winding tube 3. Conventionally, the electric motor 4 is connected by wires to a control unit (not shown) making it possible to control the winding or unwinding of the roller shutter, that is to say the rotation of the motor in one direction or the other.

The electric motor 4 is associated with an automatic stop device 13 according to the invention mounted inside the winding tube 3. More specifically, the automatic stop device 13 is mounted to be fitted onto the tube or the casing 14 of the tubular electric motor 4. As shown more precisely in FIG. 1, the automatic stop device 13 comprises means 16 adapted to detect a torque applied to the casing 14 of the engine by means of the winding tube 3. The automatic stop device 13 also comprises means 17 for controlling at least one switch 18 called up or up limit switch, operating during the shutter winding phase and, preferably, also a switch 19, called down or down limit switch, operating during the shutter unwinding phase . These means of control 17 are controlled by the torque detection means 16 and are associated with a system 20 for indicating the movement made by the winding tube 3. Conventionally, such an indication system 20 comprises a so-called reduction gear limit switch, locked in rotation with the end of the winding tube 3, opposite to that guided in rotation by the fixed bearing 11. These control means 17 are intended to activate a determined switch, when the torque detected by the means 16 exceeds a given so-called trigger value.

As can be seen more precisely from FIGS. 2 to 4, the detection means 16 are adapted to be sensitive to the torque applied to the casing 14 of the motor via the winding tube 3. These detection means 16 are constituted by a system retaining rotation, so elastic, the casing 14 of the electric motor 4. According to an exemplary embodiment, the detection means 16 consist of at least one elastically deformable element 22 interposed between a housing 23 and a support 24, a part of which is arranged to define the head 7 of the motor. This fixed support 24 has, from the head 7, an axis 26 in which is provided a through bore 27 allowing the passage of the wires between the electric motor 4 and the head 7 of the motor. In the example illustrated, the axis 26 has a hexagonal cross section thus having six facets 28 on which is fitted, as an elastically deformable element 22, an elastic sleeve made, for example, of an elastomeric material. Preferably, the elastic sleeve 22 is mounted prestressed inside the housing 23. In this regard, the housing 23, which is made in two parts, internally delimits a housing 29 of hexagonal section intended to trap the elastic sleeve 22 which has, in the free state, a circular cross section. The two parts of the housing 23 are assembled together, so that the elastic sleeve 22 is wedged between the facets 28 of the shaft and the housing 23.

The elastic sleeve 22 thus opposes the rotation of the casing 14 according to a given torque value depending on the hardness of the material of the elastic sleeve and the dimensioning conferred on this sleeve. Thus, when an overtorque is exerted on the casing 14, that is to say that the applied torque has a value greater than the resistive torque presented by the elastic sleeve, there appears an angular displacement d of the housing 23 causing, like this is clear from fig. 4, a deformation of the elastic sleeve 22. By way of example, it is thus possible to obtain a rotation of the order of 20 ° of the housing 23 relative to the fixed support 24.

The means 16 for detecting the torque applied to the casing described above offer the advantage of being easily achievable while having the particularity of being able to present resistant couples of different values by only changing the dimensioning of the elastic sleeve 22. Of course , it is clear that the automatic stop device 13 according to the invention can be associated with means for detecting a torque 16 of different design using, for example, conventionally a spring system or an elastic element formed in several parts.

As indicated above, the torque detection means 16 are adapted to control the control means 17 of at least one switch 18, called the top limit switch, operating during the winding phase of the shutter and, preferably, also a switch 19 called bottom limit switch, operating during the unwinding phase of the shutter 1. According to the invention, the control means 17 comprise mechanical means 31 making it possible to vary or modify the less during the shutter winding phase, the value of the tripping torque as a function of the position of the roller shutter 1, in order to determine at least a first value of the tripping torque for the shutter winding phase starting from from its unrolled position, and a second value of the tripping torque lower than the first, for the final winding phase of the shutter. According to a preferred embodiment, these mechanical means 31 also make it possible to modify, during the shutter unwinding phase, the value of the tripping torque as a function of the position of the shutter, in order to determine at least a third value of the torque for the shutter unwinding cycle starting from its rolled up position and a fourth value of the tripping torque lower than the third, for the final phase of the shutter unwinding cycle. It should be understood that these control means 17 are capable of actuating the top 18 or bottom 19 limit switches throughout the duration of the cycle, respectively of winding or unwinding of the shutter, insofar as each switch remains active , that is, it is never taken out of service.

These mechanical means 31 for modifying the value of the tripping torque comprise, as illustrated in FIG. 5, an articulated lever 33 pivotally mounted on a central axis 34 carried by a tubular extension 35 extending from the housing 23. The lever 33 is pivotally mounted being elastically biased by a return spring 36 acting against a mechanism 38 for actuating the lever in pivot around axis 34.

The lever 33 has, on either side of the pivot axis 34, a branch 33a and 33b each arranged to present various actuation profiles Pj for a given switch 18 and limit switch bottom 19. The actuation profiles Pj of the lever 33 will be described in the following description. As shown more precisely in fig. 6, the lever 33 is mounted on the housing 23 so that in the absence of torque exerted on the latter, the lever 33 is located in a plane of symmetry S of the limit switches 18 and 19. Thus, the switches 18, 19 are fixedly mounted on the head 7 of the motor, being located on either side of the plane S and being placed on the angular pivoting stroke of the lever. The lever 33 is mounted in proximity relation to the limit switches 18 and 19, so that it can, by its actuation profiles Pj, act on the pushers 18a and 19a of the switches during the rotation of the lever subsequent to the application of an overtorque on the casing 14 of the engine causing an angular displacement of the housing 23 (fig. 7).

As shown more precisely in fig. 5, the mechanism 38 for actuating the lever 33 is kinematically linked to the winding tube 3 by means of the system 20 for indicating the displacement of the tube 3. In the preferred embodiment, the actuating mechanism 38 is constituted by a cam 40 arranged to present a control profile which will be described more precisely in the following description. The cam 40 is moved in rotation by means of the indication system 20 comprising a limit switch. According to a preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 5, the reducer 20 is constituted by a sleeve 41 fixed in rotation with the tube 3 and having an eccentric bore 42 constituting a smooth annular bearing for a ring 43 arranged to carry the cam 40. The ring 43 is provided with an annular toothing 44 intended to cooperate with an annular pinion 45 carried by a tubular extension 46 extending from the support 24.

The operation of the automatic stop device 13 follows directly from the above description and is illustrated in relation to FIGS. 8 to 10. In the position illustrated in fig. 8, the lever 33 is not subjected to the action of the cam 40 and is urged only by the return spring 36. In this position, the branch 33a of the lever 33 has a first actuation profile Pi suitable for move the pusher 18a in the case where the lever 33 is rotated following the application of an overtorque on the casing 14. It should be understood that the angular distance Si between the actuation profile Pi and the pusher 18a corresponds at a value Ci of a tripping torque of the climb limit switch 18.

From the fully unrolled position of the shutter 1, the winding cycle of the shutter takes place while the lever 33 occupies the position illustrated in FIG. 8. If during this cycle a torque value greater than the value Ci appears on the casing, the lever 33 pivots under the action of the elastic detection means 16, and acts on the pusher 18a of the switch 18 which then interrupts the power supply to the motor 4. Of course, the value Ci of the tripping torque is chosen to be greater than the value of the maximum torque exerted on the winding tube 3 and corresponding to the moment when the whole of the rolling shutter is suspended.

The winding of the shutter 1 leads to the displacement of the cam 40 in the direction of the arrow f. When the roller shutter 1 arrives in its end or up travel end zone, the cam 40 is positioned in such a way that a first control profile Vi moves the lever 33 which occupies the position illustrated in FIG. 9. As appears in this figure, the branch 33a of the lever has been brought closer to the pusher 18a of the switch 18. In this position, the branch 33a has a second actuation profile P ₂ adapted to act on the pusher 18a in the case of a rotational movement of the lever 33. It should be noted that the angular distance S ₂ between the profile P ₂ and the pusher 18a is less than the distance between the profile Pi and the pusher 18a, so that the C ₂ value of the tripping torque corresponding to this position is less than the Ci value of the active torque during most of the shutter winding cycle. When the shutter reaches the upper stop, the motor 4 is stopped for a value C ₂ of the tripping torque which is a fraction of the maximum torque. In this position of the lever 33 corresponding to the top end-of-travel zone, it should be noted that the branch 33b of the lever 33 has an actuation profile P ₃ adapted to move the pusher 19a of the end-of-travel switch. descent 19, in the case where the lever 33 is rotated following the application of an overtorque on the casing 14. It should be understood that the angular distance S ₃ between the actuation profile P ₃ and the pusher 19a corresponds to a value C ₃ of a trip torque of the descent limit switch 19.

From the fully wound position of the shutter 1, the unwinding cycle of the shutter 1 begins while the lever 33 occupies the position illustrated in FIG. 9. In this zone for the start of the downward travel, the tripping torque C ₃ has a relatively large value and in any case greater than the value C ₂ .

At the exit from the descent start zone, the cam 40 no longer actuates the lever 33, so that it occupies the position illustrated in FIG. 8. In this position, it should be noted that the branch 33b of the lever 33 has been brought closer to the pusher 19a of the down limit switch 19. In this position, the branch 33b of the lever 33 has an actuation profile P ₄ adapted to move the pusher 19a if the lever 33 is rotated. It should be noted that the angular distance S ₄ between the actuation profile P ₄ and the pusher 19a, is less than the distance S ₃ . It follows that the triggering torque C ₄ corresponding to the distance S ₄ of angular displacement of the lever 33 is less than the value of the triggering torque C ₃ , operating at the start of the descent cycle. It thus appears that the descent cycle is carried out with a tripping torque C ₄ of lower value than that operating at the start of the descent cycle. Such an arrangement offers total security during the shutter 1 lowering cycle.

As is apparent from the above description, the automatic stop device 13 according to the invention makes it possible to vary during the winding cycle and preferably also during the unwinding cycle, the value of the tripping torque as a function of the position of the shutter 1. Thus, during the winding cycle, the torque is maximum up until the shutter arrives in its top end-of-travel zone, for which the tripping torque is reduced. Conversely, the tripping torque is maximum when the shutter is located in its start zone. while its sensitivity is reduced during the course of the shutter. Such a stop device makes it possible to vary the value of the tripping torque on each cycle of the shutter while keeping the limit switches active which are capable of interrupting the operation of the motor in the event of the appearance of an overtorque. unnatural. Furthermore, in the above description, the control means 17 make it possible to vary the value of the tripping torque from a threshold value to another threshold value. It is clear that the control means 17 can be designed to ensure a continuous or progressive variation of the value of the tripping torque.

As shown in fig. 10, the cam 40 has a second control profile V ₂ called stop, making it possible to pivot the lever 33, so that it acts directly on the pusher 18a of the switch regardless of the value of the torque applied to the casing 3. Such a control profile V ₂ which makes it possible to interrupt the operation of the motor 4, constitutes operational safety and makes it possible to adjust the high reference point for winding the shutter 1.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 - Device for automatically stopping a tubular electric motor (4) driving a winding tube (3) of a rolling shutter (1) intended to come into abutment in the high wound position, the device comprising in particular:

- means (16) for detecting a torque applied to the casing (14) of the engine by the winding tube,

- And means (17) for controlling at least one so-called high limit switch (18), these control means (17) being controlled by the detection means (16) to activate the switch in view of '' interrupt the power supply to the motor when the detected torque exceeds a determined triggering value, characterized in that the control means (17):

- are capable of actuating the top limit switch (18) throughout the duration of the shutter winding cycle,

- And in that they comprise mechanical means (31) making it possible to ensure a variation, at least during the shutter winding cycle, of the value of the tripping torque as a function of the position of the shutter, in view determining at least a first value (Ci) of the tripping torque for the shutter winding cycle starting from its unwound position, and a second value (C ₂ ) of the tripping torque lower than the first, for the phase end of the shutter winding cycle.

2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means (17) are capable of activating a switch (19) called bottom limit switch throughout the duration of the shutter unwinding cycle, and in that the mechanical means (31) make it possible to ensure a variation of the value of the tripping torque as a function of the position of the shutter, in order to determine at least a third value (C ₃ ) of the tripping torque for the unwinding cycle of the shutter starting from its rolled up position and a fourth value (C ₄ ) of the tripping torque lower than the third, for the final phase of the shutter unwinding cycle. 3 - Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mechanical means (31) for modifying the value of the tripping torque comprise:

- an articulated lever (33) mounted in proximity relation with the limit switches (18, 19) and having actuation profiles (Pi, P ₂ , P ₃ , P ₄ ) of the switches each defining a value of the tripping torque (Ci, C ₂ , C ₃ , C ₄ ),

- And a mechanism (38) for actuating the lever (33) kinematically linked to the winding tube.

4 - Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the lever (33) is mounted in proximity relation to the limit switches (18, 19), so that each actuation profile of the lever is placed at a given distance from the pusher (18a, 19a) of the switches each defining a determined value of the tripping torque.

5 - Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the lever (33) is pivotally mounted on a central axis (34) being resiliently biased by a spring (36) against the actuating mechanism (38) and has on either side of the pivot axis, a branch (33a, 33b) provided with actuation profiles (Pi, P ₂ , P ₃ , P ₄ ) for a given switch.

6 - Device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the lever (33) is mounted on the detection means (16) of the torque applied to the casing (14) of the engine.

7 - Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the detection means (16) consist of a system retaining in rotation, in an elastic manner, the casing (14) of the motor, this system comprising at least one elastically deformable element ( 22) interposed between a fixed support (24) and a housing (23) equipped with the lever (33) and locked in rotation with the casing (14) of the engine.

8 - Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the lever (33) is mounted on the housing (23) so that in the absence of torque exerted on the housing, it is located in a plane of symmetry for the limit switches (18, 19) located on either side of the plane and placed on the angular pivoting stroke of the lever.

9 - Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the elastically deformable element (22) consists of a prestressed elastic sleeve dimensioned to oppose the rotation of the casing (14) of the motor according to a given torque value.

10 - Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the lever actuating mechanism (38) is constituted by a cam (40) mounted on a ring (43) of a reduction gear cooperating by a toothing (44) with a annular pinion (45) carried by the fixed support (24), the ring (43) cooperating with the eccentric bearing (42) of a sleeve (41) fixed in rotation with the winding tube (3).

11 - Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the cam (40) carried by the ring (43) has an actuation profile (V ₂ ) said stop allowing, for a torque value lower than the tripping torques , move the lever (33) to activate the high limit switch, in order to interrupt the power supply to the motor.